Transcripts For MSNBC Meet the Press 20240707

Plus, testing democracy. What happened on january 6th was not the normal functioning of our democracy. A deep partisan divide reveal Congress Works to make sure the results of a president ial election cant be overturned. And the former president who still refuses to accept the 2020 Election Results speaks out about the classified documents seized from his florida home. If youre the president of the United States, you can declassify just by saying its declassified, even by thinking about it. Ill speak with democratic congressman jamie raskin of maryland, part of the january 6th committee, and republican congresswoman nancy mace of South Carolina. Finally, midterm messaging. We believe in a future thats built on freedom. With seven weeks until election day, the two parties make their pitch to voters. Dont tell me you support Law Enforcement if you cant condemn what happened on january the 6th. Joining me for inside and analysis are nbc News White House correspondent mike memoli, pbs newshour navarre, and former White House Press secretary jen psaki and sara fagan. Welcome to sunday. Its Meet The Press. Announcer from nbc news in washington, the longest running show in television history, this is Meet The Press with chuck todd. A good sunday morning. No two men have challenged democracy and global stability more than donald trump and Vladimir Putin. And that was on full display again this week. Here at home, republicans in the house made it clear that their answer to the violent coup attempt on the u. S. Capitol on january 6th and the former president s monthslong campaign to overturn the Election Results is to do nothing. Just nine republicans voted for a bill to prevent future president s from trying to overturn Election Results through congress. None of those nine House Republicans that voted for this bill are returning to Congress Next year, either because they lost primaries or they chose to retire. 203 House Republicans voted against this bill. Theres a senate bill thats very similar that has more bipartisan support. 11 republican cosponsors than actual votes in the house. But now that bill may not get a vote until after the midterm elections. And election denialism is no longer an anomaly. According to one analysis this week, 201 of the 552 republican nominees running for house, senate, governor, Secretary Of State and attorney general, 36 of those nominees fully deny the legitimacy of the 2020 election. This doesnt count people that say, joe biden is the president and wont talk about it. This includes just those that fully deny. Thats a big number. Globally the existential threat to democracy is Vladimir Putin, whose decision to invade ukraine has produced the biggest conflict in europe since the second world war. Putin is threatening to use russias Nuclear Weapons, saying in a televised address, this is not a bluff. President biden responded at the United Nations. This war is about extinguishing ukraines right to exist as a state, plain and simple. And ukraines right to exist as a people. Whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever you believe, that should not that should make your blood run cold. Were going to hear from the german chancellor olaf scholz, ukraines Prime Minister denys shmyhal. Im going to start with the president S National Security adviser, jake sullivan. Mr. Sullivan, welcome back to Meet The Press. Thanks for having me, chuck. Let me start with this. We have russia Doing Sham Referendums trying to annex territory from ukraine. We have the civilian draft that putin instituted to mobilize 300,000 troops. Based on those two developments, what is the u. S. Assessment right now of why putin is making these moves . And is it a sign that hes losing this war . Well, chuck, throwing together Sham Referendum on three days notice and scrambling to call up Hundreds Of Thousands of people who are going to need to get trained and organized is not a sign of strength. Its not a sign of confidence. Quite the opposite. Its a sign that he is struggling very badly in ukraine. That the russian army is struggling badly. And that he doesnt have a lot of options left because he really did not want to have to move to mobilization. He knew that as soon as he ordered mobilization, there would be some upheaval in the country. Were seeing the images and scenes of that right now. So, the russian army is in trouble. And the Ukrainian Army is making gains on the battlefield and stopping the russians from making progress in areas where they continue to try to advance. But that doesnt mean that the danger is over. It is very much real and still with us because Vladimir Putin remains intent, as you just heard from President Biden, on wiping out the ukrainian people, that he does not believe that ukraine should have a right to exist. So, hes going to keep coming. We have to keep coming with weapons, ammunition, intelligence, all the support we can provide to the ukrainians as they defend their land, their freedom and their democracy. The german chancellor olaf scholz told me earlier this week that there would be severe consequences for this Sham Referendum. And he said that, obviously, no nobody would recognize their hold over these territories, et cetera. But what are the consequences that hes referring to . What are is there something he didnt say thats going to come to russia for doing these Sham Referendums . Well, the leaders of the group of seven nations, the group of the worlds advanced democracies, that includes both the United States and germany actually put out a statement on friday after the beginning of the voting, the socalled voting in these fake elections that are taking place. In that document they reiterated that there would be consequences and specified that that would include additional enhanced sanctions, including sanctions on entities and companies outside of russia that are supporting the russian war machine or supporting these fake referendum or russias efforts to annex them. You will see that in the days ahead. The United States will have further announcements in the coming days if russia follows through on this. Of course, it will only redouble our efforts to provide ukraine the equipment and weapons that it needs to prevail in this conflict. While you were talking, we were able to show some footage of people voting with under the supervision of Armed Russian guards. So, just to give folks a taste of what kind of referendum this is. I want to talk about the Nuclear Threats from Vladimir Putin. There was a report this week that folks in the Biden Administration have made it clear privately of the severe consequences. Does this mean the red phone is working again . At the beginning of this conflict, there was a lot of concern that some of the basic communications we had for military to military, intel to intel, you had a hard time getting your counterparts to return calls, does this mean the red phone is working again . Well, chuck, weve been careful to protect the timing and content of the conversations we have with the rush slan government, with the kremlin. The answer to your question is, yes, we do have the capacity to speak directly at senior levels and to be clear about our messages to them and to receive their messages. That has happened frequently over the course of the past few months. It has happened even in just the last few days. But we have not wanted to indicate exactly what those channels look like because we want to be able to protect them so we have the continuing ability to reach russia and tell them, in no uncertain terms, for example, what the consequences would be, and they would be catastrophic, if russia had went down the dark road of Nuclear Weapons use. I guess the question, why the strategic ambiguity here . Why not draw a public line . If hes publicly threatening Nuclear Weapons, why not send a public message, which im sure the people in europe and ukraine would like to hear that says, you cross this line, katie bar the door, mr. Putin . Well, let me say it plainly, if russia crosses this line, there will be catastrophic consequences for russia. The United States will respond decisively. Now, in private channels, we have spelled out in greater detail exactly what that would mean, but we want to be able to have the credibility of speaking directly to Senior Leadership in russia and laying out for them what the consequences would be without getting into a rhetorical tit for tat publicly. But we will not hesitate in saying publicly that there will be catastrophic consequences for russia. Youve used that word twice. And the United States and our allies will respond decisively. Youve used that word catastrophic twice. I assume you will not give more definition to that, but should putin use the definition of his imagination there, catastrophic is just that, as bad as he could imagine . Well, russia understands very well what the United States would do in response to the use of Nuclear Weapons in ukraine because we have spelled it out for them. And i will leave it at that today. But as far as the question of deterrence is concerned, you know, russia will make its decisions, but it will do so fully understanding that the United States will respond decisively. And from our perspective, we will continue to be sharp and clear with them so that there is no mistake about where things stand from our perspective. Earlier this week i asked the ukrainian Prime Minister what ukraine needs to win this war. Take a listen to his answer. I always say to win this war, we need three main things. Weaponry, finances and sanctions. Weaponry, let us protect ourselves and to go to make counteroffenses, very successful counteroffenses with support of our partners, but we also need sanctions because russia now earn enough money on the gas and oil prices. So, we need more effective sanctions to stop fulfill russian terrorist budget. We also ask our partners to recognize russia as a terrorist country because all what they are doing in ukraine is genocide. This is like terrorist act. Right now we have five countries that are State Sponsors of terrorist. The ukrainians want russia to be the sixth country we put on that list. Why havent we done that yet . Well, President Biden has indicated that he is not certain that the state sponsor of Terror Designation specifically is the right fit for whats going on with russia, but hes gone way beyond what weve done with some of the countries that youve listed in terms of the Shear Comprehensiveness of the sanctions were applying. Its a tactical matter. Whether were talking about denying russia what it needs to power its economy and Defense Industrial base, cutting off its banks from the International Financial system, imposing personal sanctions on key oligarchs, the president has not pulled his punches at all. This is just a matter of a particular tool and the degree to which the upside of it outweighs the downside, which is that it does tie the United States hands and reduce our flexibility, without adding a whole lot of economic pressure to russia. Well continue to talk to the ukrainians on this particular item, but we fully agree with the ukrainian Prime Minister, who ive met with personally, that we need to continue to amp the pressure on russia economically and we will do so. I also want to play a clip from my interview with the german chancellor, who believed that putin needs to be held accountable for the atrocities taking place in ukraine, but hes not ready to say hes lost legitimacy. Take a listen. Vladimir putin, were now finding mass graves in ukraine. Has he lost has he already lost legitimacy on The World Stage to the point that he really isnt ever going to be let back in essentially to the global order . We are very clear on the question of justice and we are preparing to go after all the crimes that happened. Hell be held accountable personally . We are doing the job supporting the courts. They are looking at the Concrete Massacres and all the very, very bad things we saw on tv and we heard of. I saw them myself when i was in kyiv and so it is necessary that we support justice and the legal system to do their job. But youre not prepared to say hes already lost his legitimacy . I think we are now working to make russia understanding they will not win this war and they should accept the independence and sovereignty of ukraine and this is what we are doing today. Look, all wars have to end diplomatically at some point. At the same time, hes clearly being seen by many as a war criminal. How do you end a war diplomatically with somebody who is a war criminal and, i guess, who many people believe has lost his legitimacy, though can you not say that until this war ends . Look, President Biden has not minced his words, as youve seen, about Vladimir Putin and his complicity in the war crimes that have been committed in ukraine, the atrocities that have been committed in ukraine. One man chose this war, one man is directing this war, one man is responsible for this war. That man is Vladimir Putin. Now, at the same time, its not just the german chancellor who has indicated that diplomacy has to remain on the table. President zelenskyy of ukraine has said ultimately at the end of the day, this war has to end diplomatically. But we have been equally clear, and you heard this from the german chancellor, there has to be justice. There has to be accountability. We need to work with the ukrainians and the International Community to bring accountability for the war crimes and atrocities that have taken place. We will not rest until we have done that. That is not an easy feat with a country like russia. But it is not something we will shy away from. I want to ask you a question about the protests in iran. You were in the Obama Administration during the Green Revolution in 2009. A lot of people thought the Obama Administration was slow to respond to those protests. Is the Biden Administrations response a response to that criticism way back when . Is there going to be an attempt to be much more forwardleaning on these protests Going Forward . Well, chuck, part of the reason that there was a different kind of approach in 2009 was the belief that somehow if america spoke out, it would undermine the protesters, not aid them. I think what we learned in the aftermath of that is that you can overthink these things. The most important thing for the United States to do is to be firm and clear and principled in response to citizens of any country demanding their rights and dignity. And so right after these protests broke out, our administration began speaking out. The president went to the well of the United Nations and said the United States stands with the citizens of iran, the women of iran, as they demand their rights and their dignity and a Better Future in iran. We have taken tangible steps to sanction the Morality Police who caused this young womans death and weve taken steps to make it easier for the iranian people to get access to the internet and to communicate with one another and the world. And we will keep speaking out day in and day out because this is a matter of fundamental dignity, justice and rights. The world needs to continue to see these protests and see what theyre doing to these women. Jake sullivan, National Security adviser for President Biden. Thank you for coming on and sharing your views with us. Coming back, trying to prevent another january 6th. Ill speak to congressman jamie raskin and congresswoman nancy mace. Welcome back. Former President Trump is now facing more than half a dozen criminal and civil proceedings. Intelligence officials have resumed their National Security Risk Assessment of the classified documents to back up the claims hes been making that they planted evidence during a search of has florida home. Mr. Trump offered no proof of that. James filed a civil lawsuit accusing trump and his family of financial fraud. She also made it criminal through the irs. Thats being investigated by the Fulton County district attorney. January 6th insurrection and the january 6 committee will meet on wednesday. But what may be the final public hearing. Those are just some of the legal challenges facing the former president that couldnt make this introduction comprehensive but we would run out of time. Joining me now is a member of the january 6th committee, jamie jamie raskin. Hes made the following charge. When you see that the white house switchboard connected to a rioters phone, thats a big aha moment. Somebody in the white house was calling a rioter . I only know one end of the call. An alarming finding. What can you confirm . What can you talk about . Well, thats one of thousands of details the committee is aware of. Our job is to put together a comprehensive portrait and narrative timeline of what took place. You know, to me, its interesting, but much less interesting than the fact that donald trump told the crowd in public, youve got to fight like hell. If you dont, youre not going to have a country anymore. Look, were interested in telling the big story, which is this was an organized. Premedicated deliberate hit against the Vice President and the congress to overthrow the 2020 president ial election. I think the public understands the basic elements of the story. What were going to do on wednesday is fill in the details that have come to the attention of the committee over the last five, six weeks. Apparently this call came from inside the white house. How hard have you had try to track down that person . I cant say anything specific about that particular call, but we are aware of it, and we are aware of lots of contacts between people in the white house and different people that were involved, obviously in the coup attempt and the insurrection. Thats really what all of our hearing has been about. Weve had more than 20 hours explaining that this was an organized, coordinated attempt to subvert the electoral process, and to substitute the will of a minority for the will of the majority that was expressed, where joe biden beat donald trump by more than 7 million votes. Is this the last hearing. This may be the last public investigative hearing where were going to try to round out the narrative. Speaking just as one member, im hopeful well have a hearing that lays out all our recommendations about how to prevent coups, insurrections, Political Violence and electoral sabotage in the future. This is a clear and present dangers thats continuing up right to this day. Remember, january 6th was the culmination of a long process to interfere with peoples right to register to vote, to vote, to get the votes counted properly, and so on. We need to deal with every aspect. You say youre going to fill in the blanks. I assume secret Service Communication is part of that. How full of a picture is that . Its not complete, because there have been efforts to undermine the investigation, obviously, but i think on the secret Service Report side, we have gotten some Teams Communications and other Electronics Communications that help us to complete our understanding of what was taking place on january 6th. There was clearly an effort to get Vice President pence to step outside his constitutional role, to vaporize electoral votes, and eventually to drive him out of the building to make Something Else happen, so trump could continue against the constitutional will of the people for another four years. Will you have the interviews of Ginnie Thomas and i think the committee is very interested. What happens if you find out the information from her . When would we find, you know, if it was necessary to tell the story in this investigation ive learned to say never say never. My expectation is this would be the last investigative hearing, but our report is all about given information to congress and the american people, and if relative information surfaces, we will include can. I want to play something that the former president said this weekend. I thought actually, because liz cheney was so badly defeated, i thought january 6th would go away. I think it is going away, actually. I want to ask you about that. If republicans take control of congress, this probe goes away. Are you going to have a report out before election day, for the voters to decide whether they should factor that into their decisions . Our plan is complete the report before the end of this congress but not before the election . I dont know whether it will be done then, but youre commitment is to get it done by the end of this congress. The house of representatives, unlike the senate ends every two years, a completely new Congress Comes in. So when he says that lizs loss means the end of the january 6th, wouldnt it be nice from his perspective, but hes absolutely wrong about that. He has clamped down on peoples ability to talk about what happened within the republican parties, but america is very focused on what happened. So youll know this in december, if democrats hold the senate, but lose the house, do you send your investigative materials over to the judiciary commit year and dick durbin . Were going to make sure our materials are made public and available for the future, and were going to preserve them. Were not going to allow them to be destroyed. If i understand, my investigation im told you have so much evidence, you cant finish this up by the calendar year, you do need more time. The president could create a committee by Executive Order to finish this job, and liz cheney wont be in congress, maybe she could be a cochair, do you do that to preserve in investigation . It would have gotten better had trump not gotten the republicans to vetoage independent style commission, but were going to make sure all of the evidence is concerned, but the main thing at 1 00 p. M. This wednesday, we want america to understand there was a premedicated hit on american democracy, an attempt to override the will of the people. The forces that supported that are still out there. They would gladly do it again. A lot of them are running for high offices like mastriano in pennsylvania. They are basically committed to their party winning, regardless of who actually won the election. Are you more confident than three years ago that the Department Of Justice is pretty focused on this January 6th Investigation . Its become clear that the Department Of Justice will be following all of these crimes, and that nobody gets a special exception because theyre a former president of the United States. There are constitutions around the world which say that a former president cant be subject to the rule of law. Ours is not one of them. A former president in america is just a citizen. Thank you for being here. Thanks for having me. Joining us now is nancy mace of South Carolina. Welcome back to Meet The Press. Good morning. Let me start with the electoral count act. Youre somebody who is very concerned about what happened on january 6th. Ill be honest with you, im surprised you didnt vote for it. Why . Well, as you know, chuck, i was very outspoken about january 6th and the days and week leading up to it and thereafter for months on end. When you look at what actually happened, the constitution worked on january 6th. The Vice President was not allowed constitutionally to overturn the results. So for that reason, i voted against the bill, but theres a senate bill thats similar, but not identical. In the House Version there were some other issues that republicans had heartburn over. One being extending voting days by five days in the case of an emergency, and a question about whether the federal government can come in and tell states how to operate, which generally speaking, the constitution provides for states dictating how the election laws are carried out. So making sure we protect the rights of states to make those decisions is important, but the Senate Version does not have that in there. The only distinction between the two, you just didnt want to go on the record voting for that now, youll be on it for the senate bill if it ends up in the house . Well, ive done some comparisons. Ive many tough votes. I want to make sure that what were voting on is constitutional, it can stand up. When you look at january 6th, the constitution won out. It was written for that day, for the Vice President , knowing these a ceremonial vote. Its in the u. S. Code. Its very, very clear what the role of that vote is on that day, when we are doing the Electoral College. But you are supportive of increasing the number of people you need to object to a states electoral vote . Well, sit wouldnt say that necessarily. I look again at what we weric to do with january 6th, what should have happened happened constitutionally. What the Senate Version looks like, i will make that determination, but looking at the House Version, i did have questions about the federal government encroaching on the rights of state, but the Electoral College vote, no matter what happened, the violence that happened, it worked in the chamber of Congress Just like it was supposed to. So republicans pitched Kevin Mccarthy put out his pitch called the commitment to america on this. Part of it was accountability, and its kind of vague, but youve hearty some of the details, and you talked about the idea there may be a special select committee. Do you expect an Impeachment Vote i believe theres pressure on the republicans to put that forward and have that vote. I think thats what some folks are considering. Wow. Again, yeah, i want to follow the constitution. Oversight is important, but when i think of oversight of the federal government, im thinking about the waste, fraud and abuse for the covid19 fund. You saw this Administration Just charge 44 people with a crime of stealing from the federal government. Those are the kinds of things we need to make sure we have oversight on. Getting to the origins of covid19, better understanding of how it happened, we want to make sure it doesnt happen again, at least in our lifetime, and were keeping everyone safety in our country and around the world. If the impeach biden votes come up, how will you vote . Again, im going to read how that bill is filed, whats in it. I didnt vote to impeach the former president of the United States, because i felt like due process was stripped away. I will vote for impeachment of any president if i feel that due process was stripped away. I vote constitutionally, regardless of who is in power. I want to do the right thing for the long term. This is about the future of democracy, this is about protecting our constitution, this is about protecting our freedoms, making sure my children and your children, everyone, grandchildren too, grow up in the best country it can be. We have to Work Together and figure out it. If the far fringes will not cut it for the vast majority of americans. I cant get over the first thing you said, which is that its very likely well see Impeachment Votes. Is this good for the republican parties, that they take over the house and then hold Impeachment Votes on biden . Doesnt it just continue what the party claims they were pushing back against . I do believe its divisive, when i push back when i hear folks say they i push back against those comments. We need to be working together. Im a conservative who works with democrats. Maybe im a unicorn here, but its important to me, that were listening to our constituents, that we tackle, fullback, jobs in the Economy Inflation is still an issue. Going back to overturning roe v. Wade, how will we build consensus on these matters . And thats where our focus should be at this juncture as opposed to chasing that rabbit down a hole. We need to be working together. Have you eliminated the prospect of ever supporting donald trump for president again . I am im very much honeful, to see a deep bench of republicans and democrats who will be running for president in 24. I hope thats whats happened. I got through a very difficult primary, one of the only Republican House members to do that in this cycle. Ive been focused on South Carolina and inflation and the economy. In fact, i had a conversation with senator graham on friday. Hes very open to making that particular bill better. I have expressed some of my concerns and heartburn over certain provision and details of that legislation, but we have ton substantive t. Solution driven, regardless of who the nom near is for 24. I hope its a wide field. I hope we see a woman on the ticket. Im it sounds like youre not a nevertrumper, that if hes the nominee, youre going to support him . Im going to support whomever republicans nominate in 24. Nancy mace, always appreciate you being willing to come on and share your perspective. Nice to see you. Thank you. Voting is already underway in a handful of state, so when party has the winning numbers now . Thats next. Away suitcases are designed with 360degree spinner wheels. So you can go with the flow. Welcome back. The panel is here. Ana, mike memoli, sara fagan, and jen psaki, who is one of our newest nbc news contributor. Welcome. Thank you. Welcome all. Were seven weeks out, four states are already voting. Two more this week, illinois and michigan. So its happening. Voters are voting. And kept mccarthy and joe biden made campaign pitches this week. They control the house, the senate, the white house, they control the committees, the agencies, its their plan, but they have no plan to fix all the problems they created. So, you know what . Weve created a commitment to america. Restorings faith in our election. Blitz me father, for i have sinned, as we say in my faith. Actually how small mcwaters pitch was. The only thing was it reminded me of clinton 96. It seemed to be very micro, very small, and hopeful that the Kitchen Table is defined by crime, education and finances. Kevin mccarthy worked hard to keep this woman from serving, and there she is, right over his shoulder. This party houses farright members who have extremist views. And moderate members, who really want to be focusing on the economy, inflation and dont want to be talking about the 2020 election. And what we stand for as republicans. Its also say that i can lead you, by focusing on this. Remember, the past is liberty with precautionary tales who could not pull together their factions. Mike, theres a reason mccarthy listed those issues. They poll well now. Thats right. This was a speech that the white house welcomed. I had been in touch with the white house leading up to mccarthys plans, and they put out the big guns. They welcomed this as a choice election. This is not a refer ren rum. Thats what theyre hoping at least. He may not be welcome, and every senate race around the country, but he was saying to democrats about how we talk about these issues. He says we are not the party of defund the police, and you cant be pro Law Enforcement and heres a sampling. What kind of democrat is ened a Defunding Police has to happen. You wonder, has the rest of the country lost its mind . John fetterman is trying to get as many criminals out of prison as he can. Dangerously liberal on crime. Is crime trumping the economy now . I dont think its trumping the economy because of whats happening. I think democrats had a terrible week last week, when you think about the inflation number, and now the Stock Market Being at the low point of 2022. The crime as an issue has risen, for very legitimate reasons, which is that crime is up. So, you know, it is popular, because people are looking for solutions. Thats jen, i want to play you an interesting ad that ties Abortion Rights and crime. Its in arizona. Take a look. She would force pregnancy on it now makes cops responsible for going after doctors, nurses, medical teams who can be arrested and charged. This is a waste of precious resources we need every day to keep our community safe. Aim not sure if this is really effective or trying to get the voter to tie two issues together. I dont know. Look, i think that democrats, if the election is about who is the most extreme, as we saw, you know Kevin Mccarthy touch on there with Marjorie Taylor greene, ill say her same, sitting over his left side, then they will win. They also know that crime is a huge vulnerability for democrats. I would say one of the biggest vulnerabilities. If you look alternate pennsylvania, for example, what is interesting is always follow the monies. The republicans have been spending millions on the air on crime ads against fetterman. Thats where they see his vulnerability. Yes, the economy is hanging on it, but you have to look at stay statebystate factors. Youre missing about 50 million in superpac money. Thats true. Where theyre spending money is on state and local races, something that bigmoney democrats have not done for a long time. The disadvantage on superpacs, is that the ad costs are higher, and theres only limited ad space available. By Law Campaigns get preference other superpacs for ad time. Its because of small donor dollars, for the reasons jen just outlined. You know, this his tieria we have seen in the press the last couple weeks is a democratic cry for the big donors to step up, but theyre not at a disadvantage. I agree. How about that . All right. Thats a great way to end this segment. When we come back, why immigrants crossing the border could be a solution to our inflation problem. Over the last few weeks, republican governors have been shipping migrants to other enclaves. The data shows that more migrants could help solve one of the countrys most pressing problems. Even before the pandemic, migration in the United States had been slowing. We started the last decade at almost 700,000 migrants coming in in 2010, hit a peak in over a million in 2016. It dropped all the way down do 247,000 athens to the pandemic. You can see the Labor Force Participate rate. Represents 2. 6 Million People missing from this workforce. Guess where these workers are missing from . Theyre short under 400,000 in new york. Short 170,000 in washington, d. C. , even miami, is short some 20,000 there. The point is, these migrants could be helping our labor force problem, which would help our supply chain, which would help inflation. When we come bark back, the trump factor, the list of legal woes and what they mean to the political strength. Welcome back. Im going to bring up the topic it seems like everybody in away things. Fit together with away things. Thats our thing. Welcome back. Im going to bring up the topic it seems like everybody in republican channels talk about. You heard nancy mace say, ill support whoever the nominee is. This is earlier this week, talking about the trump factor, or shall we say, not President Trump will do what President Trump wants to do. Its not my job to decide who should run and who shouldnt run. Im not going to tell President Trump not to run, or say its not even in the best interests of our party. Everybody who wants to run should, naturally. Why are so many republicans so afraid of basically cutting off the trump issue . Well, he could be the nominee. Do you want to spend of rest of the 2024 cycle talking about the one interview you gave where you said you wouldnt support him, now the pressure in your primary and general election is all about him . Thats why here not answering it. Its prudent politics. But i think for theres an argument to say the best scenario for republicans is for donald trump to run and be defeated in a primary. It looks like thats possible. Recent polling suggests that most people would want a different you were there when you didnt say his name. Or Marjorie Taylor greenes names. Its like beetlejuice, if you dont say their name i didnt work on the biden campaign. He ran very aggressively on the message that donald trump wasnt fit for office. There was a strategic decision made, when he came into office that thats not what the public wanted. The public wanted that and every president tries do this, maybe save donald trump, is to expand the base of people who is interested in them. But now its election season again. He did a lot of what he wanted to do, much of it in a bipartisan way, getting legislation done. Now the gloves are off. You have to maintain control of at least one house of government. I watched him at the rallies. I know tedd has been to the there. I cant believe this is good politics in North Carolina or anywhere right now. Its good primary politics. It is good primary politics. You are seeing a shift. Theyre repeating some of the election lies, aligning themselves to donald trump, and some have distanced themselves, correcting some of the language theyve been using. And we may see some of that 2020 election language, but his base isnt going anywhere. They have been with him, the numbers have been in after he lost the election. Afternoon a violent election, but thats a third of the electorate. Its the independents theyre watching carefully, who we are seeing tick down in support of theres always some moment where he seems to get it back. At some point the dip will remain. We never know when. Its whether the investigations really help, and the real question is which investigation . Trump world was rather quiet during the January 6th Investigation. Donald trump let the world know they were searching maralago. Its interesting to watch the divides between the republicans who felt need to rally around him, and rankandfile republicans. His hold on the party is not what it used to be. It is until it changes. Thats all we have for today. Thanks for watching. I hope you have a sweet new year if youre celebrating it, happy rosh hashanah. Well be back next week, because if its sunday, its meet the in this election, you have to vote for the person who actually believes in democracy. And that is just crucial. If we elect election deniers, if we elect people who said nair not going to certify results or are going to try to steal elections, then we really are putting the republican that was Liz Cheney On whats at stake this election. As she doubles down on her commitment to make sure that donald trump never gets near the white house again. Well have more of her comments straight ahead