Interviews with political figures and news updates. Or observed it. I think if this is true, its a very important development. Its always been hard to accept trump juniors characterization of this meeting as unimportant because of the timeline that it happened on and because of the participants. You have microsoft, the then campaign manager, along with trump jr. , kushner and others meeting with russians. That didnt look like an unimportant meeting that you would runt after the fact which is what trump jr. Said. If there were setup meetings in advance, this will take on increasing significance as a key part of the narrative involving collusion between the campaign and the russians. And barbara mcquaid, the fact that the proximity of the then candidate, just one floor away from when that meeting took place, the fact he then went to a Campaign Lunch later that day with his son, the likelihood they never would have discussed that becomes even more implausible just because of the relationship that we know they
had. And then youve got the comments from the candidate addressing russia directly and the coincidence, if you will, of the timing of when the wikileaks started, all of that. That was laid out in the mueller indictment. Prosecutors are fond of saying theres no such thing as coincidence. Any time you have Something Like that coincide, prosecutors would dig deeper. A common tactic of prosecutors in putting together a case is to build a timeline to see where events intersect or what comes before or after. The fact this comes on the very same day does suggest that perhaps there is some connection between the statement between President Trump and this meeting. I think, as joyce said, if theres a premeeting that takes on additional significance. Then were not talking about collusion. Were talking about conspiracy and agreement about what they wanted to get out of this meeting. Its a plan to commit a crime
yeah. Theres a difference between political pressure and legal pressure. Barb and i have both been involved in public corruption and white collar cases. They are slow moving. Its surprising to see mueller produce the volume of indictments he has in just this period of time since he was appointed. Particularly because these are complex cases that involve foreign actors. From a legal point of view, anyone who is scoring mueller would give him an aplus for the amount of progress hes made. As you point out, the political side of the calculus is a little bit different. And there is a lot of pressure both from the hill and a desire in the public to see things move more rapidly than typically prosecutors would be able to conclude this sort of complex sort of a case. And its made even more important with the approaching election. Doj has a longstanding policy of not involving themselves in indictments or even in filing subpoenas too close to an
publicly so close to an election. So my guess is Robert Mueller acts with urgency in everything he does and will continue to push to get anything done he can well before the election. If he gets too close to election season, youll see him quiet down a little bit. Weve got the manafort trial starting tomorrow, kristen. We know from Rudy Giuliani and others close to the president theyve been expert at distraction and changing the subject very quickly. Well, youve got a major trial now. This is the first big trial, the Jury Selection supposed to start tomorrow, unless theres another delay. Thats got to be something on their minds as well. It absolutely is because this is going to be the most indepth look that we have gotten to date of the cards that Robert Mueller is holding as it relates to this investigation. As it relates to the president s former campaign chair. Now, of course, the strategy to date has been to downplay the role that manafort has played during the campaign. But as we have reported
consistently, manafort was there during a critical time. He was, of course, there to help sort of move not only the president s campaign which was faltering at the time forward but to oversee the convention. So its very difficult for them to downplay his role, but you hit the nail on the head. This is a president who is good at sort of mixing things up when it comes to the headlines, and one of the ways hes been doing that is to call for a government shutdown. One of the other headlines were tracking. I wouldnt be surprised if we see more of that heading into tomorrow, andrea. Thats a very good point. Well watch to see as the italian Prime Minister arrives and we have the ceremony opening. Then a Photo Opportunity in the oval office and an opportunity for the first time in a couple of days to try to get questions. It was a whole week in fact. Ten attempts, as youve been pointing out. Well track all of the arrivals and possible questions and possible answers at the white house in the coming minutes
right here on Andrea Mitchell reports. Stay with us. Coming up next who is watching you . Why you might be under surveillance without even knowing it by Federal Air Marshals the next time you get to an airport and step on a plane. Youre watching Andrea Mitchell reports only on msnbc. Its so simple, i dont even have to think about it. So i think about mouthfeel. I dont think about the ink card. I think about nitrogen ice cream in supermarkets all over the world. I think about the details. Fine, i obsess over the details. Think about every part of your business except the one part that works without a thought your ink card. Introducing Chase Ink Business unlimited with unlimited 1. 5 cash back on every purchase. Chase for business. Make more of whats yours. Your hair is so soft did you use head and shoulders two in one . I did mom. Wanna try it . Yes. It intensely moisturizes your hair and scalp and keeps you flake free. Manolo . Look at my soft hair. I should be in the shot now too. Try head and shoulders two in one. Are you ready to take your then you need xfinity xfi. . A more powerful way to stay connected. It gives you super fast speeds for all your devices, provides the most Wifi Coverage for your home,
and lets you control your network with the xfi app. Its the ultimate wifi experience. Xfinity xfi, simple, easy, awesome. Welcome back. A secret tsa program called Operation Quiet Skies is now
being reveal forward the first time. Undercover Federal Air Marshals following americans at the airport and on flights while passengers luckily have no idea they are under surveillance and have not committed any crimes. Nbcs tom costello explains. Reporter internal tsa documents suggest it happens 40 to 50 times a day. Armed, Undercover Air marshals tracking and surveilling everyday passengers through airports, even on board domestic flights all across the country. Passengers who have no criminal history and are not on any Terror Watch List but have still raised red flags. With air marshals watching their every move, even sitting next to them on board. The boston globes jenna winter broke the story. They write down, are you talking on the phone . Do you have a computer . Are you reading something . Are you going to the bathroom . Are you looking in a weird direction . Do you change your cloecthes on the plane or at the airport . Reporter the information sent to tsa headquarters. The tsa says the primary purpose
of this program is to ensure passengers and flight crew are protected during air travel and its not intended to surveil ordinary americans. Passengers are selected for surveillance if their foreign travel and other factors raise concerns. Including criminal records, curious financial transactions, email or Phone Numbers that could be tied to terrorism. We recently talked to tsa chief David Pikosky about the air marshals. We keep their presence covert because we dont want our adversaries to know theyre on particular flights. Reporter but passengers arent told if theyre on the quiet skies list or what happens to the information collected about them. Some Federal Air Marshals complain the program is a waste of money. The unions saying the American Public would be better served if these marshals were instead assigned to Airport Screening and checkin chaiareas so activ Shooter Events can be prevented. It should go without saying government agents shouldnt be monitoring travelers without a good reason for doing so. Nbcs tom costello joining us now. Tom, is this profiling . How does it work, and how long has it been going on . Tsa stresses this is not racial or ethnic profiling. Simply looking at individuals who have had this Travel History that may in and of itself raise a red flag but then coupled with other data points, other pieces of Information Warrant at least a closer look. The program itself has been around since 2010, but the Federal Air Marshals have really kind of reoriented part of their daily assignment to start doing this. That started within the past year or so. I would make also this point. A lot of Security Pros say this is exactly what you would expect air marshals to do. If they are aware that somebody could be a potential risk, maybe theyre not on a Terror Watchlist but youd like to keep an eye on them, wouldnt it make sense to have a federal air marshal do exactly that . And the surveillance would last
for up to three months after they return from an overseas trip. You know, ive had some experience with this myself and some of my colleagues because we travel to places like iran and turkey and afghanistan for our assignments. And i have notice, and some my colleagues have noticed when they come back, they have extensive, quote, random checks and all sorts of other issues when theyre going through tsa. Just because of the countries listed on their travels. Yeah, ive had the same experience. And that is standard protocol. Based on where youve been. You may be selected for more enhanced screening. But that is a separate issue from having a Federal Air Marshals also known as f. A. M. S, literally watch you for three months when you come back to make sure every time you appear in an airport or on a plane you arent demonstrating some behaviors that could be a risk to the aircraft. Tom costello. While you werent noticing, perhaps, there was a small box showing live pictures from the white house where the Prime Minister of italy, the new prime
minister, was arriving for a meeting in the oval pauchs toff. The president came out to greet him. Well be watching the oval office. Tom costello, thank you from the washington bureau. Turning now to the raging wildfires tragically roaring through northern california. They have destroyed hundreds of homes and taken at least six lives, including some small children. The Massive Carr Fire Incinerating entire neighborhoods and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. Some with absolutely no warning. Miguel almaguer reporting on the latest conditions from redding, california. Reporter ripping into redding, the blaze almost the size of denver. The Unstoppable Force taking the life of a firefighter and a Bulldozer Operator Working on the front lines. Melody bledso wrapped a wet blanket around her greatgrandchildren emily and james as fire tore into their home. Their bodies discovered over the weekend. Her husband was evacuating
neighbors. Cant lose more than family and then you lose everything on top of that . Reporter some 40,000 have now been evacuated, driven out by the raging wall of flames. I have literally everything that i can think of thats valuable and shoved in my car as fast as possible. Reporter with some people still missing, 5,000 structures are threatened. And we dont know the damage and the toll in terms of human life yet. Temperatures predicted to soar above 100 degrees in redding, california, over the next few days. Authorities say conditions might not improve until next week. Our thanks to miguel almaguer. Well be right back. Your mornings were made for Better Things than psoriatic arthritis. As you and your rheumatologist consider treatments, ask if xeljanz xr is right for you. Xeljanz xr is a oncedaily pill for psoriatic arthritis. Taken with methotrexate or similar medicines, it can reduce joint pain, swelling, and significantly improve physical function. Xeljanz xr can lower your ability to fight infections, including tuberculosis. Serious, sometimes fatal infections, lymphoma, and other cancers have happened. Dont start xeljanz xr if you have an infection. Tears in the stomach or intestines, low blood cell counts, and higher liver tests and cholesterol levels have happened. Your doctor should perform blood tests before you start and while taking xeljanz xr, and monitor certain liver tests. Tell your doctor if you were in a region where fungal infections are common, and if you have had tb, hepatitis b or c, or are prone to infections. Xeljanz xr can reduce the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Dont let another morning go by without talking to your rheumatologist about xeljanz xr. Government if the democrats do not give us the votes for Border Security which includes the wall. Must get rid of lottery, catch release, et cetera and go to system of immigration based on merit. We are need great people coming into our country. Well, no mention of the dreamers. Joining me, steve israel who served as chairman of the Democratic CongressionalCampaign Chairman and linda chavez who served under President Reagan and director of the becoming american initiative. Welcome both. Linda chavez, if youre a republican leader on capitol hill, youre trying to get past the midterms. A lot of headwinds but some good Economic News to put on a bumper sticker. Why would you now start the immigration . Is this to fire up the base . He hopes that it will fire up the base. The problem is, it also fires up the Democratic Base. This is really amazing, andrea. This is the first time in years weve had a relatively normal budget process. The house has passed all but 12
appropriations bills. The senate has gotten ready to go with 9 out of the 12. And the president then says lets shut down the government. It just makes no sense. Should democrats be worried this is a potent issue for him to be raising this close to the midterms . Well, let me give you historic context. I was the chairman, as you said, of the Democratic Congressional campaign committee. October 2013 when House Republicans shut down the government over the Affordable Care act. And i know linda remembers this well. And i will tell you, we were going into a really tough Midterm Election. Barack obama had just been reelected. I was basically cold calling democrats to run for congress in that rough environment. Generic ballot in the doeld rums and republicans did something crazy. They shut down the government. What happened within days i went from cold calling candidates to not having enough time to return calls from potential candidates. The generic ballot went from a virtual tie to nearly a doubledigit preference for democrats. 80 of the American People blamed disapproved of the shutdown. 53 blamed republicans compared to 28 who blamed obama. And the midterm took a different complexion. It was horrible for government but a boost to democrats. Now heres the fundamental difference. Number one, back then the republicans did this, not in an election year. They know they cant shut down the government in an election year. Now were 99 days away and secondly, back then, they assumed you could apoportion blame to democrats and republicans. Right now donald trump is a republican president. Republican senate. Republican house. Even flirting with a shutdown of government why would you blame anyone but republicans . Linda chavez, it does raise a point and Newt Gingrich discovered this back when he was speaker that talk of shutting down the government or even shutting down the government does not play well for the party
in power. No it doesnt. And the immigration issue, this is particularly strange. Youd think that we have this huge surge of people coming across the border. In fact, were way down. We had about 300,000 people who came in during the last fiscal year. The june numbers are out. The people apprehended at the border are down over april and may. So the president s tactics, his tough are rhetoric, all of the new Border Agents weve had and the funding that exists now is working. So why mess smith something working. Hes trying to fix something thats not broken and to the deriment of the republicans running for office. The president did say hes going to be available six, seven days a week getting closer to the election. 60 days out, he said, to go to those 25 districts in contention. So hes nationalizing the election as though you could
avoid nationalizing the election. Its the big question filling all the spaces, but how does that help republicans . It gets their base out. How does it help or hurt democrats to have him basically on the ticket . You have to look at the battlefield. There are about 78 competitive districts. About a dozen at most defended by democrats. All the rest are defended by republicans to the point that linda made before. If the trump strategy i