Good day, everyone, from msnbc World Headquarters here in new york city, welcome to weekends with alex witt. Heres whats happening 1 00 p. M. Eastern, 10 00 a. M. Pacific time, as President Biden enters his first weekend into the white house, Senate Republicans are trying to delay the start of the second trial. But the articles for impeachment will go to the Senate Monday night and the trial begins february 9th. Senate democrats will need 17 republicans to vote to convict trump. Senator mahonio discussing the likelihood of that prospect on msnbc earlier. I dont know that were going to get 17 but that doesnt mean we shouldnt proceed to hold this president accountable and that doesnt mean we shouldnt stop him from ever seeking elected hospital again and that just takes a majority vote. In a delay of the trial not giving lawmakers two weeks to focus on other business like President Bidens agenda. His call from unity is already facing several roadblocks as several key lawmakers are shooting down some of bidens ambitious plans. But he did get his choice for defense secretary as the Senate Overwhelmingly confirmed retired fourstar lloyd austin with a 932 vote. The senate votes monday on Janet Yellens nomination to be treasury secretary. As he faces impeachment trial, theres more news about Trumps Campaign election. Msnbc confirmed a story first reported by the New York Times that donald trump was plotting to fire his acting attorney general and replace him with someone willing to pressure georgia officials to overturn its election results. And while combating the coronavirus pandemic is now in a new administrations hands, former Coronavirus Response coordinator deborah birx is revealing what it was like responding to the crisis under President Trump. Did you ever consider quitting . Always. I mean, why would you want to put yourself through that every day . And when it became a point where i wasnt getting anywhere and that was like right before the election, i wrote a very detailed communication plan. What needed to happen the day after the election. It who knew at that point that the election was a factor in communication about the virus . Yes. To go deeper into the days headlines in washington with nbcs monica alba and Mariana Sotomayor from the capitol. With the Biden Administration hitting the ground running, they were working wednesday afternoon, into inaugural balls and the like. Talk about the changes already in place. Thats right, alex. It was deliberate from the first few hours, they wanted to have a President Biden out front signing many executive orders. There were about three dozen or so of those unilateral actions taken in the early days with about half of them aimed at undoing things from the trumpera policies. Specifically the president now signed executive orders as it relates to the coronavirus pandemic, helping get economic relief. There were also things that have to do with immigration, ethics, the census. All of these crises confronting the nation. So theyre trying to have targeted days that have themes trying to tackle certain issues but knowing fuly theres a bit of a difficulty because by doing these executive actions like President Trump did when he was in office could be done similarly in the future. Thats why theyre also, of course, talking to bipartisan lawmakers about what can be dobb for their ambitious 1. 9 trillion relief package, which many lawmakers have said is too steep of a price tag. President obama, though, spoke to the urgency why its necessary and why he voted to get something together soon in a speech this week. Take a listen. We have to act now. Its not just to meet the moral obligation to treat our fellow americans with the dignity and respect they deserve. This is an economic imperative. President trumps top former economic adviser, Kevin Haskins said, quote, hes absolutely in favor of this rescue plan. This almost doesnt have a partisan piece to it. Were seeing the support because this plan takes a step that we so urgently need. More than just a step, a number of steps. Alex, in addition to all of that work domestically, the president now has his first calls with World Leaders. He talked to Canadas Justin Trudeau on friday as well as mexicos manuel he lobe adore. So those were different when he first took office, not his first foreign leader calls. This was more the are return from donald trump. And it was more noted the conversation had with Prime Minister trudeau that they agreed to meet at some point next month. We dont have details yet on where that would take place as the white house signaled we shouldnt expect any foreign travel to come so its possible maybe Justin Trudeau will come here or, of course, another virtual meeting, something World Leaders had to do due to the raging pandemic, alex. Monica, that was beautiful pronunciation of that president s name. Im just saying. I appreciate that. Thank you so much. With bipartisan agreement, Donald Trumps second impeachment trial is scheduled to begin tuesday, february 9th. Less go to msnbcs marianne sotomayor. Lets get to some of the key issues he will deal with . Yes, this will be the first time biden has to deal with impeachment but you shouldnt expect that and monday right away. Nancy pelosi will transfer that article of impeachment to the senate, kicking off tuesday as the day members will be sworn in as members of the trial. But then it will another two weeks until we see that trial formally begin. You mentioned a bipartisan agreement and that has come between senate now Minority Leader Mitch Mcconnell and Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer with senate arguing he wanted two weeks for the defendant to create his defense team and strengthen an article against impeachment. Democrats, on the other hand, now listening a little more to biden. Because biden as you remember before he was sworn in, he said i dont really want to comment on impeachment. That is up to congress to decide what to do. But he did send a signal in the last couple of days saying he really hopes a number of his priorities get done before impeachment begins. Schumer very much now signaling hes heard that message. Take a listen to what he said yesterday on the senate floor when he announced the schedule and also outlined what democrats are going to prioritize in the next two weeks. During that period the senate will continue to do other business for the american people, such as cabinet nominations and the covid relief bill, which would provide relief for millions of americans who are suffering during this pandemic. So you heard those two priorities really making sure that biden at the end of these two weeks has his cabinet completely filled out as well as this coronavirus and economic stimulus bill. We heard from republicans on capitol hill house and senate who are starting to object to the 1. 9 trillion price tag but they are agreeing on the need to speed up vaccinations, opening up centers to be able to do that and also safely reopening schools, all of which are going to need funding. Thats some of the priorities theyre hoping to get done before that impeachment starts. Of course, you recall impeachment can last almost up to a month. Really putting behind a number of priorities for the president. Yeah, thats true. Thank you for all of that. I appreciate that, mariana. Joining now is pennsylvania congresswoman madeleine dean, member of the house judiciary and Financial Services committee. Shes also an impeachment manager in Donald TrumpsUpcoming Senate trial. May i ask you to pick up quickly, as i say hello to you quickly, my friend, is it likely an impeachment trial would last a month . We know the first one did. The first one didnt have as many elements to it that were so out there in the public. Not as much to be revealed, right. Do you think this would take a whole month . Good afternoon. Im pleased to be with you again, alex. I dont know about the timing. Im aware, of course, we will be presenting the article of impeachment on monday. It looks very clear that the senate has chosen by way of agreement that i respect to hold the trial for two weeks in order to give the president s team more time to prepare. I will tell you the impeachment managers on our side will be fully prepared at whatever time the trial begins. I dont believe that the trial will take anywhere near what the last trial took, as you say the evidence is so abundant. Many of us lived it,ing including the senators, and the evidence is just overwhelming. And how much will that make a difference this time around, given the wealth of information out there to peruse through that its public, its been public out there for everybody to see, not just impeachment managers, not just senators that will be inside of the chamber that going through this, everybody who has seen and heard this, how much will that make a difference . I think it will make a great difference. Very sad and tragic difference. What were talking about in impeachment two for President Trump is he incited a riot. He gathered a mob in order to have them come and attempt insurrection, attempt a coup to seek him in power. To overturn a free and fair election. That mob was unleashed on the capitol. They came in hoping to hang Vice President pence, hunting down members of congress, hoping to assassinate speaker pelosi. Also hunting down members of the media whom he called the enemy of the people. This was as a result of 5 1 2 years of lies about this president and, of course, the last four, five months of the big lie, the lie that the election was somewhat fraudulent or stealen from him. He must be held accountable for what he did in the leadup to it and what he failed to do after the insurrection. Youre well aware there are some republicans pushing back against impeachment. Less listen to senator Lindsey Graham. President ial impeachment has never occurred for a president not sitting and its against the constitution. What is your response to that . Sadly, senator Lindsey Graham lost all of his credibility and simply repeating a lie doesnt make it so. If he didnt learn that from this failed presidency, i dont know when he will. It is most definitely constitutional. Its also by way of common sense. Otherwise, if you say you cant impeach a president and disqualify him from future office, we are saying or i should say senator graham is saying that the president at the end of his term can go on a crime spree because they cant do anything about it. The constitution does not provide for that. Lindsey graham knows that. Hes just avoiding a very difficult vote for him and his conscience. If lets take a listen to what republican van taylor said earlier on. Its part of the constitution that protects free speech. It will be enormously difficult to prosecute him successfully in a District Court for a crime of this speech. So the question is, was there criminal intent . Have you seen anything, have you heard anything that suggests Donald Trumps involvement in the riot went beyond his tweets and his public statements . I think the world witnessed what the world has done in terms of inciting this riot. Lets be really clear here, what donald trump will be tried for in the senate is a president ial crime against the constitution. This is not like any other case. Free speech, the claim of free speech here does not apply. Just as there are limitations to free speech in the civil world and in the statutory world, i cant scream fire in a crowded movie theater, the president is in a wholly different place. What we see as a result of his fraud and his lies that incited a base and riot where five people wound up dead, free speech does not apply here. Very key distinction youre making there. Lets talk about the New York Times reporting that trump plotted to fire his acting attorney general, that being Jeffrey Rosen in the final days of his presidency and replace him with someone willing to pressure georgia officials to overturn its election results. That floated replacement, jeffrey clark, denied he devised any plan to oust rosen. What does all of this suggest about the lengths through which donald trump was willing to go to hold on to power . To your very point, to the depth and desperation that this president , this failed former president was willing to go. I mean, the only thing that stopped clark from proceeding with donald trump in getting rid of the acting attorney general was the threat of mass resignations. And that i think frightened in donald trump perhaps oh, my goodness, maybe im going too far, what it brought to him is a reality if theres a mass resignation in the department of justice, it would overshadow his claim of fraud. So its just further evidence of the depth and desperation and sadly of those who would help this failed president what he was trying to do. He was desperately trying to hold on to power by trying to throw out millions of citizens votes. A despicable, low time in our country. Thats why i feel a solemn duty as an impeachment manager to take this case to the senate and to ask them for all of history, will you indict, will you convict this president and disqualify him from ever Holding Office again . On another note, Capitol Police, as you know, are investigating a report that one of your colleagues, republican congressman andy harris, tried to take a gun on to the house floor thursday. Does that concern you . Why are the recently installed metal detectors, why are they so controversial for some republicans . You know, as i read that story, i thought who are we to ask our children as they go into schools, many schools, to walk through magna tam ters . This is where weve gotten in this country. Yet a lawmaker who was hunted down the day before is so prideful of, i dont know what, that he disrespects the Capitol Police who are only trying to keep us safe by trying to bring his gun to the floor. I have a right to be safe in my workplace, as do all of my colleagues. I also believe i have a responsibility to respect those who work here and want to keep us safe. I think it was shameful behavior. Pennsylvania congresswoman madeleine dean, our friend. Thuchd for joining us and do stay safe at work and otherwise. In just a moment, what dr. Anthony fauci just told me about when life may start returning to normal in this country. And a programming note, Michael Cohen will be here tomorrow at this time talking about how donald trump is handling his life outside of the president ial spotlight and what lies ahead legally. Lies ahead ly want to sell the best burger in every zip code . Add an employee. Or ten. Then easily and automatically pay your team and file payroll taxes. That means. World domination or just the west side. Run payroll in less than five minutes with intuit quickbooks. Fine, no one leaves the table until your finished. Fine, well sleep here. 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I dont think we will be absolutely where we were prior to the pandemic but we can be doing many of the things were hesitant to do right now. I would say some time by the fall. If some states say theyre almost out of Covid Vaccine doses. New york, california, florida, theyre all among those that are canceling appointments because of a dwindling supply and theyre asking the new administration for bigger shipments. Right now more than 16 million americans have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine. 2 million received both shots. Lets go to me colleague, nbcs kofi kauffman, whos at a vaccination site in queens, new york. Welcome to you. Where does the city stand on the vaccination rollout . Yes, we got an update today from governor cuomo. Basically they used up week five of their vaccination supply, which was just this past week, they used it all up. It is done. They say theyre getting in a tricklein of week six supply. So they have appointments but there are few and far between, alex, canceling some 23,000 appointments and having to postpone those. On top of that, were also hearing the first group who qualified to get the vaccine, those first responders, that program has also had to be halted. For example, fdny is having to halt a lot of their firefighters getting the vaccine and some vaccination sites are shutting down. The aqueduct racetrack behind me is still open and we talked to a lucky few able to get appointments. Yes, i was looking forward to getting vaccinated and little extra peace of microscoped but it was difficult to get an appointment and getting a location that was close by. Initially it was pretty difficult. What i have found out is that teachers were able to go, i tried right away. But a lot of the areas near me didnt