Resistance. They did not take the Holiday Weekend off. All day and into this evening, not my president s rallies are taking place across the country. And our nbc reporters have been filing reports from coast to coast. Reporter hey katie, right now we are in front of city hall in los angeles. And you see the crowds are up on the steps. Theyve got signs of every different type. There are so many different issues out here. People here for womens rights, people are here that are against the muslim ban. People here that dont want to see families deported. Weve been talking to several people here who say that they fear President Trump because he is making good on his promises. Its the same type of thing weve heard from President Trump supporters on why they support the president and why theyre so encouraged to see what hes doing. But both sides of the issue here, both sides of the President Trump definitely divided today. Reporter ive been walking for several miles now, this march is almost finished. And just now as we were getting ready to wrap up, we also ran into these trump supporters. And there was a little bit of a Tense Exchange with some of the marchers, but many people here are rallying against donald trump policies. Reporter i think this is one of the biggest ones in the country, katie. Police are saying there are thousands of people from 61st street up to about 69th street, thats a quarter mile. And we also started down columbus circle, confrontations. There were some antitrump and protrump supporters confrontations yelling and screaming. People over in this direction are trying to come on. This is going on for several more hours. As we speak, the president is traveling back to the white house from his florida home and congress is on a week long recess. But if lawmakers thought theyd get a reprieve during their time in their districts, think again. Members of congress were met with protests at constituent town halls over the weekend. Ever since the election, i have felt like a passenger in a car thats being driven by the drunk driver. [ applause ] are you proud to have him representing our country . Given the two choices i had, i am thankful that trump is our president. [ booing ]. Im here to listen. Ideas on health care fronts. Let me let me throw one out there. I am very supportive of, how about how about our conversation where do people where do we people sta stand ill talk to one of the organizers behind the movement in a moment, but first, lets go to congressman tom reid. That was his town hall that we just showed you video of. One of four on saturday one that had to be moved outside because so many people showed up. Congressman, first of a one thank you so much for being here. A lot of your colleagues thank you for having me. Great. A lot of your colleagues were shying away from the in person town hall and said they were doing it on facebook. Why did you show up in person . Well, weve been doing town halls since ive been in congress. Its something we have done 200 times plus. Because, to represent people, you have to listen to people. And thats a cornerstone of my belief, well engage, even with people that are 100 degrees against what we stand for. Do you think that protest was organic . Well, i think some of it was organized, some of it was clearly organic and clearly people are concerned. Theres fear and anxiety out there. And my job is to have the conversation to say, you know what, theres more that unites us than dwiesd us as a nation. We need to come together to solve these problems. You have the conversation, what do you believe the constituents are most worried about right now . Well, i think theres just a lot of anxiety. A lot of people not recognizing that what were going to do with health care, what are the solutions were putting on to the table. Were going to empower people. Were going to move away from governmentcontrolled health care and move to a peoplebased system that empowers people and doctors. What if you continue to roll out this plan, you continue to give information about this proposed plan that is going to come out at some point and your constituents continue to come out to those town halls to push back against it . Are you worried that maybe your candidacy next time around could be in in jeopardy . Im not worried about reelection because i went to washington to solve problems. Thats why the problem solvers kcaucus that we participate in. Once we start enacting solutions and empowering people. I believe a lot of this tension, a lot of anxiety, a lot of this fear will go away. You say its about softing problems, congressman, your kwenlts are worried and angry about the idea of taking away obamacare or the Affordable Care act. Doesnt isnt part of your job listening to their concerns and hearing them when they say we dont want you to take this away . Yeah. And thats what we engaged in the conversation with. The town halls we heard saturday, that position, but they also wanted to move to a single payer complete government controlled health care. And to me, thats not the right path and im listening to the silent majority out there. The forgotten men and women, the voice of them who elected donald trump, and that stood with me for reelection the m last cycle. When are we going to see a concrete plan for what you are going to replace or propose replacing obamacare with . Thats why it was so critical. I wanted the input. After we had five hours worth of conversation, there were stretches where we had a constructive dialogue. Health savings reforms, advanced fundable tax credit to purchase their health care. I anticipate when we get back after listening to people, that will allow us to advance the policy and return to washington next week. This wasnt your town hall, but it was said in one of the ones we just played. A man felt like he was in a car with a drunk driver at the wheel. Thats the analogy presented with donald trump as president. When you hear stuff like that, how do you help voters concerns . By showing up. And looking them in the eye and saying this is a great country. We have a great days ahead of us. And what we need to do is come together as a nation and theres people like myself that are fully engaged with that dialogue. And by coming together and enacting solutions, well get through whatever fear and anxiety that motivates these folks and concerns of these folks. And what we need to do is go forward. What do you sty congressmen not showing up . I respect each members decision, how they represent their district. For us, this is something weve been doing since day one and will continue to do. Just as i showed up thursday night when we had protesters take over our office for three days with a sitin and sleepin. Were showing up because we care about people. A lot of allegations flying that these are paid protesters, do you believe that . No, i think theres some organization to it, depends on where youre at across the country. What i saw was passion, fear and anxiety and as a representative, wingst incumbent. Me to get out there and have that conversation and tell folks we care about them and we to want make sure were doing right for them as were going forward. Congressman tom reid, happy president s day to you. Joining me now, the group behind many of those protests happening at town halls across the country. His group is founded by former congressional staffers. And it began as an Online Google dock of tools to resist the trump agenda. Him in a while, but lets bring in the panel. Bob ur lick, a trump surrogate, corinne jeanpierre to movon. Org and Steve Clemons is editor at large. Hes also an msnbc contributor. Guys, thank you so much for being here. Im sorry i couldnt be there with you in person. No problem. Anyway, talk to me about what we just heard from tom reid. Hes showing up at these town halls. And there are so many congressman who are not doing so who are shying away and doing it on facebook instead. Governor, i want to ask you, do you think thats the appropriate way to face your constituents . As a former member of congress, i love what tom just said. Hes as good as it gets. He knows some of the protesters are paid and theyre professional activists and Community Organizers and that sort of stuff, but some are real. Some of its real angst, you get that, so you show up and you do your job and part of your job is to listen. Its interesting for as i was listening to tom, i was thinking about, gee, eight years ago, that sort of me. Id have been frustrated, angry over the past eight years. I didnt decide to show up and protest and destroy property and all of that, but folks the right has been frustrated. And youve seen it. So i think part of one, first of all toms doing the right thing. Hes doing his job which is great to see. Secondly you see the fact of a very divided country. And a very sill soft call thing. Its not a partisan divide, but its a if i have soft call divide. And if you thought you were going to have obama three, it came crashing down november 8th, and you dont have it, youre upset and angry and for some reason, this modern Progressive Left likes to act out and well see ill just make one last point here, with regard to the acting out and protests its fine, its the american way, to the extent, it destroys property or stops traffic and all of that, theyre just hurting themselves, which well see how they perceive it and goes upon. Youre laughing. I want to hear why youre laughing, go on. So with all do respect to the governor, i would like him to name me one to name one protester that he knows thats being paid to come oh my lord, are you kidding me . Oh my lord. Just one, just one. Professional organizers out there . No, this is very much organically happening. Sure. Around the country. Absolutely. Because of what donald trump has been doing for the last 30 days. Wait a second, can i ask you a question . Let me finish. The day after the election, he hadnt done anything. Come on, this is not cross fire. Lets just hear let me finish. Let me finish. And theres no report showing today that theres been any violence. So berkeley. Well, thats a whole different issue. Oh, okay. I dont condone violence. I think these protests should be nonviolent and peaceful, but what were seeing across the country have not been violent, at all. Theyve been organic. And look, one thing that i can say and i said this before, the one thing that republicans have been able to do is sell the importance of obamacare, which is something democrats were not able to do for six years. And if republicans were so proud of what they were doing with obamacare, they wouldnt be cancelling all of their town halls. They would be showing up and listening and doing what the congressman that was just on the air is doing. And theyre not. And so whats happening is people are coming out and theyre saying, no to the muslim ban. Theyre saying no to taking away their health care. And that is whats happening. And its only 30 days, 32 days. Corinne, governor, and steve, hold on, i want to bring in ezra who knows a thing or two about these protesters, ezra, are these protesters adds the governor alleges are are any paid protesters . No, absolutely not. This is an organic movement thats being led at the local level. And its coming together to be led in really creative ways. People bring valentines day cards to their members of Congress Asking for a date. We have people putting together scrapbooks of people in the district these are citizens, these are constituents, these are folks who are really concerned about the direction of the country, theyre nurses, school teachers, folks with day jobs spending their nights and weekends trying to get involved in the political process. Some of them for the very first time. Governor, a lot of on this point, a lot of folks are uncomfortable with this president , a lot of folks didnt vote for this president. Sure. How did you allege that all of the people or even some of them. How are you i dont dismiss the angst. As i said, people thought these are Big Government types. They want single payer, and they want open borders, we get that. These issues were debated during the campaign. And they lost. And they thought they werent going to lose, they thought it was going to be obama three obviously, and so, with regard to obamacare, for example, its been on the ballot three times now. Really, referendums on obamacare, its bleeding. Its a disaster. The only its done is increase the medicaid rolls which if thats what you wanted to do, the president could have easily done that by the way when democrats had control of the house and the senate. Thats what its done. Bob, hold on a second theyre bleeding and the reason major insurers are pulling out of the networks is they cant make a buck. So far, we have to see what the republicans offer in replacement form. We havent yet seen that. Sure. There are folks in the Republican Party who are pretty concerned about how exactly theyre going to try and roll back this plan and fix it. That being said, ezra, i want to ask you, youve helped organize this pushback against trump movement. How does that sustain itself . Can it sustain itself for long enough to affect the 2018 midterms . Yes. To so i would say we didnt organize hardly anything. We put out a google dock that was largely based on the tactics and strategies of the tea party saying that local defensive congressional advocacy can indeed work, can indeed change the mind of your individual senators and your representative. What weve seen in the last four or five weeks is that 7,000 groups at the local level have formed, using this guide. If you go to indivisible guide. Com, type in your zip code youll find near you, town halls near you, people are getting engaged, its not facebook or twitter or websites, this is people getting together with their friends, families, and neighbors, and coming out and making their voice heard. Its really ive got say it should be inspiring to see whether youre on the right or the left, all of this civic engagement. Steve, lets bring in Steve Clemons. Hes been sitting here patiently listening. Talk to me about what youre seeing in congress, specifically with john mccain and Lindsey Graham. Theyre feeling pretty alone in doing so. At what point are they going to convince and are they convincing fellow republicans to get behind them for investigations of the russian hacking, independent investigations . Well a couple of things, katie, john mccain and Lindsey Graham are pros at the ezra leaven guide. I think it gives very, very healthy smart, humorous information to people. Its in many ways light hearted. John mccain and Lindsey Graham right now are the people in vont of that proverbial tank saying hey, stop, there is something important here. And i think that when they when john mccain comes out and says dictators get started by demonizing the press, thats a very, very important red flag for all of us showing what he might do. I think the issue is not just what republicans said they can bring around, i was with a progressive u. S. Senator new to the senate who was talking about john mccain and saying that john mccain and believe it or not, comey of the fbi may be two of the most important people standing between the failure of democracy and us preserving democracy. And i was shocked by the coe my comment, but clearly something that happened in that hearing, that classified hearing on the russians and what not, really impacted this senator and made them stand up. And people are watching john mccain. He has tremendous respect in the u. S. Congress, and his leadership and what hes willing to do and putting himself on the line, i think, is inspiring other people to say, we need to put ourselves on the line. Maybe itll be not my president day protest, maybe itll be other kind of things, but certainly were seeing, i think, an important kind of leadership telling donald trump where some of the big red lines in this democracy are. Steve, one more question to you, and couple hours ago on my 2 00 p. M. Show, congressman brought up a moment between president obama and the current the at the time, russian president back in 2012. He thought that obama was talking to putin and in reality he was talking to that names going to kill me. Thank you. Its a holiday monday. But he was saying basically his argument was the whole Michael Flynn controversy was the same as overblown. Its the same as what president obama was saying to the russian president that he needed some flexibility, and they can talk more about missiles after his election. It was a hot mike moment. It was not meant for reporters to hear. And now republicans are using this as a talking point to basically equate what happened with Michael Flynn and what happened with president obama. Talk to me about that its absolutely im sorry, but its absolutely not the case. Donald trump was elected president of the United States, but as hes come into office, hes been engaged in a love fest with Vladimir Putin at the time when, you know, i talked about alleviating sanctions before theyve done anything of the things theyve done on crimea as weve seen them hack not only in the u. S. Democracy as theyve harassed and beaten up u. S. Diplomats. All of this going on while other, you know, roger stone and Paul Manafort with various kinds of alleged interaction with the russian government, it looks as if the appearances are that these guys basically are advocating for russias interests at a time when youve got a u. S. President coming in without having weighed any of the other issues. And when you see calls with putin that are really warm and fuzzy exercises, and you see Angela Merkel beat up, australia beat up, this has created a lot of fear and lack of trust in the United States. So there is nothing similar to the obama discussion and what Michael Flynn did in potentially, allegedly potentially offering russia some flexibility down the road once they came into office. So i have jumped the gun a little bit. Were going to talk about that more coming up after the break. I promised governor youll be able to chime in more. As were back to the issue of protests which we originally were talking about. Not to jump around too much in this conversation, but ill give you the last word. What are we going to see next . Well, you know, i would give tom reid some props for showing up. Many, many of his colleagues did not. What i would not give him props for is not actually answeri