Baseball in the face during a game. This morning the outpouring of support as the 15yearold fi t fights for his life. And is the socalled most hated man in america, too despised for a jury . Serena williams returns serve an john mcenroe. And the inspiring new ad that celebrates not victory, but defeat. Today, tuesday, june 27th, 2017. From nbc news, this is today, with matt lauer and savannah guthrie. Live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. And good morning, everyone. Welcome to today on this tuesday morning. Hodas in again, while savannah is on vacation. Good morning, everybody. Lets get to the breaking news. The white house claiming the Syrian Government appears to be preparing for a new chemical weapons attack. Warning, it will pay a heavy price if its carried out. In a statement that gives no specifics, the Trump Administration says it has spotted potential evidence similar to the preparations ahead of another chemical attack back in april that killed at least 100 people. We have complete coverage, beginning with hallie jackson. Hallie, good morning to you. Reporter matt, good morning. That new, stern statement implies an attack by the assad regime could be imminent. With one Administration Source saying the tough talks intended as a deterrent could save lives. What are not in the statement are details or specifics to back up the white house, with some caught off guard. This morning, multiple defense and u. S. Military officials tell nbc news they were surprised to see what the white house is now saying. This morning, a warning shot from the white house, announcing late monday it has evidence syria is preparing to launch another chemical attack. Press Secretary Sean Spicer posting this statement to twitter that reads, the United States has the identified potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the assad regime that would likely result in the mass murder of civilians, including innocent children. Adding, if mr. Assad conducts a mass murder attempt with chemical weapons, he and his military will pay a heavy price. The statement suggests the activities are similar to what the assad regime did before an attack this last frill. Bashar al assad has denied responsibility for that attack. At the time, President Trump saying the attack crossed many lines. And i will tell you, that attack on children yesterday had a big impact on me. Big impact. That was a horrible, horrible thing. And ive been watching it and seeing it. And it doesnt get any worse than that. Reporter just days later, a military response. Dozens of cruise missiles, slamming into an air base controlled by the Syrian Government. Today, so far, the white house offering no details on what prompted this latest warning. A warning that took some u. S. Military officials by surprise. But support is coming from u. N. Ambassador nikki haley who tweeted overnight, any further attacks done to the people of syria will be blamed on assad but also on russia and iran, who support him killing his own people. This morning, a syrian official is now denying the allegations to the Associated Press. Saying this foreshadows, quote, a diplomatic battle against the regime. A kremlin spokesman woompbd the potential dags nger of repeatin provocations. Thank you very much. Lets bring in jeremy bash. Good morning to you. Good morning, guys. Let me go back to the statement. The United States has identified preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the say sas regime that would likely result in the mass murder of innocent children. What jumps out . What is in that statement . What isnt in that statement . It appears that the administration has discovered intelligence that the Syrian Regime may be loading chemical weapons on to aircraft that can be used to strike civilians. But what jumped out at me, matt, were the words heavy price. That the assad regime would pay a heavy price. In april, we fired 59 tomahawk cruise mittle missiles at one. This statement, matt, to me, said the administration is laying the groundwork for a significant military operation in syria. In hallies piece we noted that the pentagon and Intelligence Committee were caught offguard by this white house statement. How odd is that it happened this way . Before you would deliver a statement, you would communicate with the chairman of the joint chiefs and the secretary of defense, they would communicate we are ready to go. If these coordinations didnt occur, thats a dropped ball. Normally the white house would get that intelligence information from either the military or the Intelligence Community. And if the Intelligence Community and the military are caught off guard, what does that tell you . We dont know yet, matt, bauds they could have been caught off guard by the delivery of a public statement. But its possible they are sharing that information. If they have Firm Evidence that there could be preparations under way for an attack that would target innocent civilians and children, and this gets more into policy, but is it almost irresponsibility to carry out a preemptive attack to prevent that casualty or those killings . If they think they can achieve the same effect, deterring assad with a statement, thats more preferable than a military strike. In the western part of syria, no u. S. Aircraft can fly. Russia has declared a nofly zone. This is going to be more complicated for the Trump Administration to carry out, matt. Thank you very much. Another major story in washington, is the Senates Health care bill on the brink. Opposition is mounting from senators on both sides of the aisle, after the Congressional Budget Office said, 22 million will lose insurance. We have all of the coverage, starting with peter alexander. Reporter senator Republican Leaders want to vote on their plan in two days. In but in the wake of the analysis, a growing number of them may stand in the way of getting there. Four gop senators say they wont support a crucial test vote that could happen as early as this afternoon, blocking debate from starting on this bill. This morning, democrats defiant after staying up late hammering the Republican Senate bill. Senate republicans should not still be trying to figure out the best way to ram this bill through the senate. They should just throw it in the trash. You need to do the right thing. Vote no on this bill. Reporter the overnightmare thon kicked off by maze si hhir. Im going to come back to keep up the fight against this mean bill. Reporter tombstones to the gop offices. The latest obstacles, the numbers. 22 million. Thats how many people would lose coverage over the next decade under the senate bill. Only slightly fewer than under the house plan. Lindsey graham offering this advice when offering to compare the two bills. If the house bill was mean according to the president at 23 million, what is the senate bill . If you count as the president to have your back, you need to watch it. Reporter for the bill to pass, republicans can only afford to lose two gop senators. But Maines Susan Collins became the sixth no vote unless things change. Others expressing reservations. Obviously, its not good news. It makes me more concerned. I was uncommitted. And i remain uncommitted. Reporter but supporters point to the savings, cutting the deficit by 321 billion over the next ten years. The white house dismissing the cbo score card, as inaccurate. Saying its analysis should not be trusted blindly. Im going to take care of everybody. I dont care if it costs me votes or not. Save medicare, medicaid and Social Security without cuts. Have to do it. Reporter opposing the bill is the largest doctors group, the american medical association. Arguing the senate plan violates its core principle, do no harm. Trump calling senators to make his case. And the Vice President will try his powers of persuasion, heading to the hill for meetings this afternoon. And tonight, hosting four conservative senators to dinner, looking to win their support for the latest health care bill. Peter, thank you. This morning the white house is planning its next move now the Supreme Court has given President Trump a partial victory in the legal battle over his controversial travel ban. Nbcs justice correspondent, pete williams, has the latest on that. Pete, good morning. Reporter good morning to you. The question the white house is asking is the same one that opponents of the travel ban are wondering about this morning. How much of the president s executive order can now be enforced and who is affected . The Court Granted the president s request to review two Lower Court Rulings that blocked enforcement of his executive order on travel, which caused for a 90day pause on issuing visas to the u. S. From six countries. And it partially lifted orders from the lower courts that blocked enforcement of the travel ban. The court went in a different direction of the lower courts had and upheld the president s constitutional and statutory power here. Reporter but the Supreme Court said the travel ban must be on hold for people that have a connection to the u. S. , a family member, a job or a position at a school. And groups that challenged the executive order say thats a big victory for them. The vast, vast majority of people who were prohibited by the executive order from coming in can now come in under the courts injunctions. Reporter the Administration Says it will need another 48 hours to figure out who is now blocked from coming in. And one other note. Not a peep from Justice Kennedy about retirement. It could seem hes not going anywhere. And will be around when the new term begins in the fall. Pete williams, thanks so much. Were joined by Nicolle Wallace and steve kornacki. Youre my numbers guy. The cbo report comes out and says 22 million americans will lose their Health Insurance over the next ten years under this plan. Does that number turn yes votes to no votes . It potentially could in the sense that donald trump set a bar for this thing when he said he wanted it to have heart. He wanted it to be not as mean as the house bill. When it looks the same as the house bill, it flunks that test. On the other side, the cbo report says this plan will cut about 300 billion from the deficit. And some people say you can make those savings, that money, and fund plans that would ease the strain on this. Does that turn no votes into yes votes. Thats the single best piece of news for republicans. The only good piece of political news. You have 200 billion thr mo 200 the house bill. You can do more. Theres a lot of money for Mitch Mcconnell to play with. And Mitch Mcconnell is a guy that knows the senate and knows horse trading very well. The president feels very confident about this bill. But he hasnt been out in front fighting for it. We saw him on the stump saying, were going to repeal and replace obamacare. Does he need to get out there and fight this thing . Thats the thing that worries him most. When he talks about health care, its to respond to a piece of legislation. He called the house bill mean after having a party in the rose garden. He pounded his chest and said it needs more heart. I dont think he is good at branding things. He has now branded the Republican Health care efforts as mean and heartless. Let me stay with you and talk to me about your sourcing here. So, the Supreme Court gave President Trump a partial victory yesterday. Theyll hear this case and consider this case come the fall on his travel ban. What are they saying inside the west wing . I think its undeniable that was a victory for the president , that the Fourth Circuit and the ninth circuit has thrown this out because they felt that campaigning on a muslim ban, there was the intention, the desire to discriminate against religio religion. The u. S. Supreme court didnt see it that way. They were exhaling in not just relief but celebration. Can you weigh in on the syria story. The white house statement . You want to start . This is a challenge because we are talking about how this is so different from past protocol. Everything weve seen with the Trump Administration is a break, it seems, from past protocol. The question of how serious is this breach in terms of what we would expect in situations like this . It could be a communications departure from the norm. For the white house to get ahead of the Intelligence Community and the military community, is a little bit unusual. Jeremy, i think, started to get at this. It could be intelligence shared from another countrys shared. That could be why ours are out of the loop. Heres the peril. The prestige of American Power is always on the line when you issue a warning. So, theres two things that could happen. If a crisis if a humanitarian calamity is avoided, it was a good use of president ial power, if innocent lives are saved. If the attack proceeds, what does it say about american prestige and power around the world . It makes us look impotent. Its high stakes but potentially lifesaving. Nicolle and steve. Thanks so much. Lets turn to breaking news overnight. The European Union has hit google with a record 2. 7 billion fine. Regulators say the internet giant gave its own Comparison Shopping service in europe an illegal advantage by manipulating search results. The ruling gives google 90 days to change the alleged practice or face further penalties. Google says it respectfully disagrees with the findings and will consider an appeal. Now, to new orleans, where police have made one arrest in a brutal attack caught on camera in the french quarter. A pair of tourists from boston were scene walking to their hotel. Four men came from behind, knocked them down, took their wallets and cell phones. One victim needed stitches. The other was left unconscious and was hospitalized. On monday, a 21yearold suspect surrendered to police. Investigators say they have identified his three campaign yo oncompanions and they are urging to turn themselves in. Lets get a check of the weather from dylan, who is in for al. Really bad conditions in the southwest. Its been hot. Its been dry. And its been very windy. We have several fires that have developed in the southwest, in utah. Also in california and arizona, is where were seeing a lot of the fires. It really triggers the brush. And then, it spreads rapidly because there hasnt been a lot of rain in that area. And were looking at the possibility of thunderstorms that produce the lightning without the rain. Thats another trigger for some of the fires just burning several acres out in the southwest. Theres 21 large fires reported across the west, through california. Mostly around the four corners, where were seeing the majority of those fires. And again, its the combination of the gusty winds and the low humidity. Because of that, we have red flag warnings in effect. Cooler temperatures will help matters. We really could use more of the way in rain and high humidity. Thats not in the forecast. Temperatures will drop down to average. Thursday, it should be 106 in palm springs instead of 111 were going to see today. So, the high fire damage continues. Severe storms are possible for a small area across the Northern Plains. We could see heavier pockets of please few showers this morning. See a few spotty showers reach into new jersey especially at the shore. Just a chance of isolated showers this afternoon for the rest of new jersey. 80 degrees. Most of the rest of the area upper 70s. Warming up to 78 degrees in the suburbs. Partly sunny skies in philadelphia. Lehigh valley clouds and sunshine. Up to 77. Have a great day. And and thats your latest forecast. All right, dylan. Thank you very much. Coming up, were live at the trial of smarten shkreli, the socalled most hated man in america. Why hes having an impact on jury selection. And the son of a former major leaguer fighting for his life. Its putting the spotlight on how to keep your kids safe when they play sports. First this, is today on nbc. Protip. Get these great smoked ribs. Twenty minutes on the grill, theyre done. You think he cares if i smoke ribs for six hours . What . The best food at amazing prices, giant. Heres a question. 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