mtp daily, transcript 7/20/2017 - health care appliances

Exhibit: MTP Daily date: guest of July 20, 2017: Susan Lee, Chris Murphy, Daniel Gibbs Legge, Susan Glazer, Matthew Conti Wallace: OK.
Here Today.
Thank you again to our panelists Vianna Rodrigo, Michael Steele. (INAUDIBLE)
I forgot to thank you.
We do this in an hour.
I'm Nicole Wallace.
MTP starts daily with Chuck Todd's wonderful Katie tours. Hi, Katy.
Moderator Katie tours: I think you mean Michael Steele Fang, Nicole. WALLACE: Yes.
My math is not good.
I never knew what was going on.
TUR: As usual, today's show is great.
Thanks Nicole.
If it is Thursday, President Trump's red line and red meat appear in the red panic. You ready? (voice-over)
President Trump tightened his circle of trust tonight. (
Start Video Editing)
US President Donald Trump: basically, he shouldn't shy away from himself.
Meeting: We like this department and I plan to continue doing this as long as it is appropriate. (END VIDEO CLIP)
But why should he aim at his goals over and over again? (
Start Video Editing)
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, United States of AmericaS.
He will make it clear if he wants someone to take action. (END VIDEO CLIP)
TUR: Also, where did the Russian investigation come from? (
Start Video Editing)
They will be summoned if they do not come on their own initiative. (END VIDEO CLIP)
Later, John McCain fought the toughest battle.
The senator promised to return soon after the cancer was confirmed. (
Start Video Editing)SEN.
Lindsey Graham (R)
John is a soldier. (END VIDEO CLIP)
This is the daily MTP, start now. (on camera)
Good evening. this is Chuck Todd's Katy Tur in New York.
Welcome to MTP Daily.
Senator John McCain is in our mind and he is now in our prayers.
When we say, give them hell, Senator, we are not alone.
As fate will have, his favorite word is the perfect way to play against Russia tonight. (
Start Video Editing)SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R)
Arizona: Well, as I 've said many times in the past, there's one more shoe that will fall and the other one will fall.
Shoes fall every few days.
The shoe continues to fall on the centipede.
This is a centipede. there will be more shoes to drop.
Every time we turn around, the centipede drops another shoe on it.
It is turning into a centipede, just as there is a tendency for these things to do, and another shoe drops every few days.
In fact, I think more shoes can be dropped from this centipede. (END VIDEO CLIP)
TUR: We started tonight with a president who may be very worried about exactly how many shoes there are.
As the Russian probe continues to take off, he appears to be interested in tarnishing anyone involved in the investigation, even those appointed by himself.
His attorney general, Mr. Jeff Sessions.
Trump told the New York Times that maybe he shouldn't have hired him. (
Start audio clips)
US President Donald Trump: The meeting should not shy away from itself.
If he is going to commit suicide, he should let me know before accepting the job and I will choose someone else.
This is very unfair to the President, it is a gentle word. (END AUDIO CLIP)
TUR: His Deputy Minister of Justice, who also hired him, the president seems to say that he can no longer be trusted.
Rod Rosenstein is from Baltimore.
There are very few Republicans in Baltimore, if any.
He gave me a very strong letter about the dismissal of Director Comey and now he is involved in the case.
This is a conflict of interest.
In this case, Rosenstein should not appoint a special lawyer.
What about his acting director of the FBI, Andrew McKay?
McCabe's wife received £ 700 from someone who was in contact with Hillary, who is in the FBI.
I mean, what do you think?
Special adviser Bob Miller, maybe he went out to the president because he didn't get a job with the FBI. (
Start audio clips)
US President Donald Trump: Did you know that Miller was one of the people interviewed?
Unidentified woman: it's actually me.
S. President Donald Trump: He's sitting in a chair.
We had a great meeting.
Woman: The day before, yes.
Does he want the job?
US President Donald Trump: The day before.
He's here, of course.
Miller wants the job.
I said, what the hell is this?
Talk about conflict.
But he was interviewing for the job. (END AUDIO CLIP)
TUR: The president is here this morning. (
Start audio clips)
Unidentified male: Is this a red line if Miller is watching your finances and your family finances have nothing to do with Russia?
Unidentified Woman: Is this a violation of his actual allegations?
US President Donald Trump: I will say yes.
Yes, I will say yes.
Unidentified male: Does this mean he has to go if he is outside the driveway?
US President Donald Trump: No, I think it's a violation.
This is about Russia.
Man: What will you do?
US President Donald Trump: I can't-I can't answer this question because I don't think it will happen. (END AUDIO CLIP)
TUR: So, whether it's. G. , the deputy A. G.
The former FBI director or acting director of the special prosecutor's office, the president's message seems to be that all of their motives should be questioned.
In other words, the Justice Department as a whole cannot be trusted at best, or in the worst case, it is plotting.
If you are the Minister of Justice or his deputy, how do you react to these amazing statements? (
Start Video Editing)
Meeting: I am honored to be the attorney general.
This is beyond what I think of myself.
We like the job.
We like the department and I plan to continue doing so as long as it fits. [17:05:03]
Rod Rosenstein, United States of AmericaS.
The attorney general: I am proud to be here yesterday.
I am proud to be here today.
I will be proud to be here tomorrow.
Every minute we try to improve the interests of the department. (END VIDEO CLIP)
TUR: The White House said today that President Trump has not lost confidence in the meeting.
However, it should be noted that the White House said the president had confidence in Michael Flynn on the same day he was fired.
NBC intelligence and national security correspondent Ken Dilanian and chief legal correspondent Ari Melber of MSNBC joined me and they will soon be our neighbors as host at 6: 00m. hour.
Ali, look forward to it.
Ari melber, chief legal correspondent for MSNBC: Thank you, Katie.
Ken: Ken, but let's start with you.
Trump warned Robert Mueller not to look into his finances.
He said it was a red line and violated the rules.
Where is the direction of this investigation?
Ken dilanian, NBC News Intelligence and National Security Correspondent: Katie, it's already there.
I mean, as we 've been covering for a while, it's been a follow-up in some waysthe-
Money survey
Because don't forget that one of the main allegations in the files that we know pushed the FBI investigation to some extent, the Russian government is trying to please Donald Trump and his team with sweet financial deals.
So, of course, this is a problem that must be studied.
We already know, for example, that the Senate is now moving from fin sin (ph)
The money laundering department of the Ministry of Finance. (INAUDIBLE)
Trump family business document. TUR: Wow.
DILANIAN: everyone I talked to thought Mueller had the same thing.
TUR: So, how far are they? DILANIAN: So, this is a survey.
So how far did they go on Trump's finances?
How many years ago?
DILANIAN: So, I'm not that clear, but it's been years since.
For example, I mean, we know that as early as 2008, a Russian Oliv bought a Palm Beach property from Donald Trump for $95 million, more than double what he paid
It's hard to imagine that it's not something that investigators would at least like to take a look at to make sure it's at the level.
TUR: So, in general, talk about these comments.
The president said there was a conflict there.
Said it would be a red line if Robert Mueller finally looked into his financial situation.
How do investigators view these comments?
Do they think it is possible for them to try to interfere with their work?
Excuse me, Katie. is that for me?
Yes, it's for you, Ken. DILANIAN: Yes.
So, you 've seen Senator Richard Blumenthal say on Twitter today that these comments are inappropriate and will almost impede justice.
I talked to a few legal experts.
I mean, it's a hindrance, they say it's politically undesirable.
It looks like the president is trying to put pressure on investigators to threaten to fire Mueller.
It's just-he's the worst nightmare for a defense lawyer in this regard, because he gives the impression that he's trying to interfere with the investigation-Katie.
Ken, what can they do?
They just ignore him?
DILANIAN: they have to ignore them and keep doing what they are doing.
Don't forget, Robert Mueller is a Republican and has been one of Washington's most respected professional investigators for years.
There's a bunch of Democrats and Republicans around him who all have a great reputation (INAUDIBLE. )
They have the support of hundreds of FBI agents.
I think they're just going to follow the evidence and in the end we'll see a report on the case-Katie.
TUR: Well, Ali, he, the president, questioned the motives of the attorney general, the deputy attorney general, the FBI, the special counsel, all because of Russia.
So, what kind of control does the president have over these departments and what can he do?
Can he fire all the people he named in an interview with The New York Times?
Melber: No, he doesn't have the legal power to remove all of these people, even though he did remove some of them.
To be fair, I will say one thing to the gentleman.
What's wrong with Trump and his comments.
To be fair, when you play the whole background of some of the comments, as you do fairly, what you hear is that the reporter is putting pressure on him about what is usually called a hypothetical thing. TUR: Yes.
Melber: and say, well, what are you going to do?
He's saying, well, I don't think it's going to happen with a rather exaggerated restraint.
I am not going to answer this question.
In fact, he did not say what he would do about it. Called Red Line
However, most people don't put themselves in that position.
No, they won't.
He is himself.
But I just want to be fair to the White House, which is not a situation where he tweeted or gave a speech, raising the red line for family finance.
The reporter asked him repeatedly that this is our job.
I'm not saying this to criticize journalists.
Yes, yes, yes.
I just wanted to say, what are you going to do?
Well, I don't think it will happen, he said. TUR: Yes.
Melber: Now, the problem for him is that you show six different faces here, and you show what you say and show here.
Did they all participate?
All these Republicans, two people he personally hired, one of whom was Rod Rosenstein, his first supporter.
Elected deputy minister of justice.
Everyone is mysteriously involved in this conspiracy to get Donald Trump.
It doesn't make any sense because there's no evidence to prove it, which means it doesn't seem to be true at this time.
There is a president who, as you said, does try to destroy the Department of Justice, and there is a problem.
TUR: look at what he said about the FBI.
People from the FBI really report directly to the president of the United States, which is interesting.
It's interesting, you know.
I think we will have a great new director of the FBI. [17:10:08]
So, can you warn Chris Ray that you have to be loyal to me?
In the end, they do serve the president, but they also serve the Constitution.
Melber: That's right.
They have an obligation to uphold the Constitution and the law.
Although he did a higher job of firing the FBI director, so in a broad sense he was overseas, the FBI director, in terms of the chain of command, previously reported to the deputy attorney general.
With respect to Mueller, he will be protected to a certain extent, as the role of the special counsel is only for the sake of clarity, and neither the new FBI director nor the president is in a position to remove the special counsel.
Can he weaken him?
Melber: I mean, the question is, how cooperative, uncooperative or hindered is he? TUR: Yes.
Melber: but if you-if you really run the assumption that I just said, to be fair, the president has not yet reached that assumption, and you say that he is seeking the dismissal of the special adviser, the simple answer is, no, sir. President.
We have some rules here that dictate what is needed and the president does not do it directly and he can only be fired-for reasons.
Unlike the FBI director, he can be fired for any reason.
Ali Melber, thank you very much.
MELBER: Thank you.
Look forward to your performance.
Thank you, Ken Dilanian.
The New York Times White House reporter and MSNBC contributor Glenn Thrush joined me in a sensational interview with his colleagues.
In addition to the group meeting tonight, Daniel La Gibbs Legge of the Center for American Progress also attended the meeting.
The editor is Matthew Conty. in-
The head of the Washington Freedom lighthouse.
Susan Glazer is with the politician.
Glen, I want to start with you because the New York Times report is an incredible interview with your colleagues.
But talk about the red line and whether Donald Trump thinks he will break some of the rules if Bob Mueller enters Donald Trump's financial position.
Look, Michael Schmidt is putting pressure on him on this, he's not one-I mean, he's a savvy person.
He's a savvy journalist.
Can we please think that, as Ken Dilanian reports, this investigation may have gone in that direction?
White House reporter Glenn Thrush, the New York Times: Well, I have to say, I'm a little frustrated because I'm actually the only member of the Washington bureau of The New York Times who is not allowed to participate in this interview.
Yes, Glen. why is that? Why was that?
THRUSH: But, you see, I think we 've seen reports in the last few days that indicate that things may be going in that direction, and I think that's what Michael is asking this question.
This is a very dangerous area for the president.
But, you see, we 've got Jay sekuro, one of the president's lawyers, to say publicly that if Bob Miller is too close to that kind of thing, the president should consider firing him.
And, you know, the president has two leadership models when running an organization.
The first one is George.
Scott plays George Barton in the movie.
The second is his father, Fred Trump, who runs the family real estate empire.
Neither of these is particularly adapted to the needs of the people who work for them.
They regard people as employees.
Trump, after such a long time, I think this interview proves the point of view of Rosenstein and Seth-tours, which is the main one.
THRUSH:-as an employee, get angry at how they don't act like an employee.
TUR: So, now that's a hypothesis, the president declined to comment on that.
But, Matthew, if he really tries to stop Robert Mueller and his team from getting into the finances of the Trump Organization and the finances of his family, is this a storm that will eventually follow?
Can he come through?
Editor Matthew conttiIN-
The head of the Washington Freedom Lighthouse: I really don't know.
Of course, I agree with Katie Ali Melber, who said the president never said he would.
As he often does in interviews, he responds that journalists and even advisers who talk to the president often talk about how you can come up with an idea to him, and he will say, oh, this idea is very interesting.
Although he has no intention of following up on the matter or taking any action on it.
So it is clear that if President Trump fires special adviser Miller, it will trigger a crisis in Washington. C.
But I don't think we have.
TUR: But wait.
The president is very sensitive to his financial situation.
That's part of why we didn't see him releasing taxes.
It's not an old problem for him.
Of course, this is a question he is considering.
It's also important to remember that he did fire the FBI director, so there are some precedents for these issues.
Susan, what do you think about this?
Susan Glazer, chief international affairs columnist for "POLITICO": Well, you know, Katie, I'm glad you brought it up because, in my opinion, actually, this is one of Donald Trump's classic interviews, shocking but not surprising.
For a long time, he and his advisers have been telegraphing that he is very dissatisfied with the attorney general's meeting avoiding himself.
Also, if Bob Miller had gone too close, he might have continued to fire him because he had already fired the FBI director, and maybe he would have taken the risk. [17:15:00]
So, we were very shocked yesterday because the president again rejected the advice that any lawyer would give him and gave it.
So I don't rule out that Trump is seriously considering firing Miller.
It seems interesting at the meeting.
It's as if he wants to postpone the meeting to a corner to see if he can get the meeting to stop instead of being forced to fire him. TUR: Yes.
We'll see what happens and if he feels like he has to do that at some point.
But today, he said no.
Daniela, listen to me-I want to talk about the political aspects of this issue and the reactions of the Republicans.
Listen to Orrin Hatch earlier today. (
Start Video Editing)
How do you react to this?
He said the director of the FBI basically worked for him.
He said Miller might cross the red line.
He was everywhere in the Justice Department there. ORRIN HATCH (R)
Utah: Well, I really don't have any comments except that I think he needs to be more careful about what he says. (END VIDEO CLIP)
TUR: Republicans think Bill Clinton and Loretta Lynch were very inappropriate for last year's tarmac meeting.
Now, their reaction to something that many people think is inappropriate seems to be just Mick (ph), Daniella.
Daniel RA Gibbs Legge, senior vice president of the American progressive center: Exactly right.
As a general rule, you know, it seems to be the reaction of Republicans to Trump.
They are willing to let things slide, and if the Democratic president tries to do so, it is absolutely impossible for Republicans not to yell at the moon and say how inappropriate it is.
You know, Republicans are willing to change the way when it comes to what Trump is doing because they want to pass their ridiculous policies through Congress and they think they need him to do that at the White House.
You know, I'm really looking forward to seeing when Republicans will put this country before their party.
What does that mean for conservatives, Matthew?
How does this affect conservatives?
I think, in fact, Trump's supporters and his fans really enjoyed the interview.
But they are not really conservative.
They think so.
They are more voters of Trump.
They're like Trump.
I mean, there's part of it-and some of the Conservatives don't like Donald Trump.
They will find the same thing in this interview.
They will have a lot of ammunition that doesn't like him.
However, in the people of Trump, in many cases they consider themselves conservative, they see the president, they do what they like what he does, this is only a matter of mouth to all kinds of problems.
What's more, it gives him the impression of the world and even some jokes.
At some point, even Maggie Haberman laughed at what the president said.
So, I don't think this interview would offend the New York Times.
I like the interview very much.
It will not affect the history of the world here.
I'm not necessarily talking about his supporters.
I'm talking about the people who work on Capitol Hill, the lawmakers who see themselves as Republicans, conservatives.
No matter what you want to call Trump's followers, they don't really think they are Trump's.
Those who say they insist on certain ideals.
They will oppose them, especially in Russia.
I mean, Donald Trump's position and stance on Russia is not traditionally a Republican at all. CONTINETTI: No.
I think the comments of Orrin Hatch you played reflect the views of many Republicans in Washington, D. C. C.
They just didn't really focus on what Donald Trump told us about the media.
Of course, this is a problem for President Trump, because when he tries to lobby Congress, for example, they don't really pay attention to him on his medical policy.
This is a political issue. TUR: Yes.
But I don't think Republicans will think of the New York Times interview when they wake up tomorrow morning.
Glen, in an interview with The New York Times, he did acknowledge one thing, that was the conversation between the Group of 20 and Putin, and Putin said, yes, we talked about adoption.
This is not a very implicit language for sanctions.
THRUSH: Yes, adoption is an equal sanction because it's part of it-it's his revenge on the legislation passed by the United StatesS.
This is also very interesting.
Remember the original press release? This is a big controversy over the press release issued by Don Jr.
After he attended the meeting, he said all they did was talk about adoption.
So, here are some interesting things. TUR: Yes.
THRUSH: you have one-you have one from Jr. Don
Met with Jr.
They say it has nothing to do with the Russian government, but they are talking about Putin at 15-
Have a minute conversation directly with the president.
The two statements are inconsistent and I suspect we have to see a solution.
Glen Thrush, thank you very much.
Eyebrow: Thank you.
Daniel, Matthew and Susan live with us.
Next, we will talk to a key senator about the status of the health care bill.
Also, does the president think he is above the law?
We will talk to a legal expert who says the president's interview with The New York Times is "chilling ". ”[17:19:48](
Business break)
Welcome back.
We have made the main headlines for the New York Times interview with President Donald Trump.
But there are at least a few things the president does not have the truth or exaggerate the details.
First, the president said it was a great meeting at yesterday's meeting with Republican senators.
We have 51 people except John.
In fact, 49 Republican senators attended the meeting.
In addition to John McCain, Johnny Isaacson of Georgia and Richard Burr of North Carolina did not participate.
President Trump also said he signed more laws at this time than any other president.
This is also incorrect.
So far, President Trump has signed 42 bills.
Jimmy Carter, his predecessor, George H. W.
Bush and Bill Clinton signed more on this point. And one more.
The president's interview-in which the president referred to French President Emmanuel Macron, told him that Napoleon had designed the Paris layout. That is false.
It could be the case of mixed wires.
Napoleon's nephew, Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, III Lun III, commissioned a redesign of Paris about 30 years after Napoleon's first death.
We will be back in 60 seconds. (
Business break)
TUR: Welcome back to MTP.
As we said an hour ago, President Trump seems to have made up his mind to undermine the credibility of everyone involved in the Russian investigation.
But when the president threatens to interfere with an investigation into himself and his own campaign, what does that mean for the credibility of our federal law enforcement?
It's Benjamin Whitt who joins me now, and he's the editor. in-
Chief Lawfare and senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution.
Thank you very much for joining us, Ben.
You have a pretty good editorial in the law today, and I want to read a little bit from it.
You're talking about federal law enforcement.
Trump attacks everyone
We are at a dangerous moment when the president, with an infinite sense of commitment, feels the right to openly attack the entire federal law enforcement agency and the agency, there is a lack of a man of status, institutional status and tenacity to fight him. [17:25:08]
That's what you basically say here. G.
A deputy, Jeff Sessions. G.
Rod Rosenstein, they all need to resign and show the president that he can't do that.
Editor Benjamin WitteIN-
Director, "lawyer": well, so, I see, I think that as the Minister of Justice, you have the president at all times, you serve him, you declare it in a very derogatory way, he regretted appointing you.
He thinks you're unfair to him.
He thought that you did not deal well with the confirmation hearing and answered the questions that should be simple in a way that was not easy.
You basically blew it.
In this case, I guess, I don't know on what basis you are continuing to serve.
So, I don't think that's particularly happy--TUR: Yes.
Jeff Sessions should resign.
But I can't imagine-I mean, put the president aside.
Let's take away any boss or staff.
If my boss said these things in public, I wouldn't be coming to work the next day.
But what if they don't resign?
WITTES: Well, well, then, you see, our situation at the Justice Department now is very abnormal, where the president not only bombed the Minister of Justice, but he publicly questioned the impartiality of the deputy attorney general, in fact, he is now in charge of the Russian investigation.
You know, the deputy minister of justice is part of this strange left-wing defensive operation.
After firing the real FBI director, he publicly attacked the acting FBI director.
He attacked the special adviser in charge of the Russian investigation.
Not only him, but also the professional and staff level of his team.
So, you know, in this case, I think you really have to ask, what is the mechanism for who will defend the integrity of federal law enforcement?
It will not be the attorney general.
It will not really be the deputy minister of justice.
The special counsel cannot do so because it is inappropriate for him to talk about things in public.
The acting director of the FBI is just an agent-he was really brave and he did A-TUR: Yes.
-He's the first one-Scoring Individuals
But he's the acting director of the FBI.
So who should speak on behalf of federal law enforcement and the integrity of men and women who enforce our laws every day?
Ben, you're really close to James Comey.
There seems to be an interesting part of the New York Times interview-it seems that the president says James Comey is trying to extort him by revealing the files to him privately.
Listen to that part. (
Start Video Editing)
US President Donald Trump: I don't know what to think except that it's really fake.
Unidentified male: Why do you think he-why do you think he shared it?
S. President Donald Trump: It seems to me that he shared this so that I would think he has done it.
Man: as a chip?
US President Donald Trump: Yes, I think so. In retrospect. In retrospect. (END VIDEO CLIP)
So is James Comey trying to blackmail the president?
So, obviously, I don't speak for Jim Comey.
But I will say that.
When Donald Trump makes such a suggestion, the word that comes to mind is projection.
Jim Comey testified after taking the oath that he felt the president was trying to influence him.
So, you know, you have two people-TUR: So, you think he just turned everything around.
You are a puppet of Russia.
No, you're a puppet of Russia.
You are not qualified as president.
No, you're not qualified as president.
What kind of thing?
That's what I said.
One of them was sworn in.
The rest of them are not.
Last week, before the president said that, I did a Google survey that people can find on "Law.
"Google, you know.
This is actually a scientific survey of who people believe in their interactions, although it is a very simple survey.
17% of Americans believe in President Trump or Jim Comey.
So, I think you can say, you see, one of them is sworn in, and the other is that 17% of Americans believe in his interaction with the director of the FBI.
TUR: Ben Wittes, member-Ben Wittes, thank you very much.
Thank you for your time, sir. WITTES: Thanks.
TUR: Members of Congress responded to the president's comments on the head of the Department of Justice.
State Senator Chris Murphy-sorry, my mouth, not today-then share his point with me. Stay with us.
Katie tours, NBC News :.
Senator Chris Murphy, constate, sorry, my mouth is not working today, and then eat his food with me. Stay with us. (
Business break)
TUR: Next up is the MTP Daily, where Senator Chris Murphy and I talk about the possibility of a bipartisan solution to the health care debate.
But first, Susan Li has "CNBC market packaging ". ” Hi, Susan.
Susan li, CNBC mission Reporter: We have a 10-
With the combination of the end of the day in the market, Nasdaq's daily winning streak.
The Dow Jones index fell 29 points, the S & P index fell less than 1 point, and the Nasdaq index rose 5 points.
Last week, the number of people applying for unemployment benefits fell more than expected, and 233,000 people are currently applying for unemployment benefits.
This is the lowest figure in nearly five months.
Of course, retailer Sears is working with Amazon to sell its Kenmore-branded appliances online.
The brand will also add a range of smart devices that can sync with Amazon's voice assistant Alexa.
This was released by CNBC, the world's number one business. (
Business break)
Welcome back.
Today's reaction on Capitol Hill is that the president's interview with The New York Times is everywhere. (
Start Video Editing)SEN. ORRIN HATCH (R)
Utah: Well, I don't have any comment on that, and other than that, I think he needs to be more careful about what he says. SEN. AMY KLOBUCHAR (D)
Minnesota: The president can't start drawing red lines.
Miller has the right to investigate this and the Justice Department has given him this power to report to the Justice Department, not to the president of the United States. SEN.
Chuck Grassley (R)
Iowa: as far as I know, Miller has been 13 + years, or how many years he has been director of the FBI, and he will finish his job, which is the most important thing. SEN.
Diane van Stein (D)
California: As far as I know, I don't think the FBI needs the president's approval to conduct an investigation or even his knowledge. SEN.
Elizabeth Warren (D)
Massachusetts: I am very happy to have Jeff Sessions resign and have someone else be the attorney general of the United States. (END VIDEO CLIP)
TUR: of course, the news comes at a time when Senate leaders are working to resolve whether they can make progress on health care.
The Congressional Budget Office released a score on the latest revised bill in the Senate this afternoon, but does not include an analysis of the version of the amendment proposed by Senator Ted Cruz.
Now, the latest version of the bill does not have enough support to move forward.
Now with me is Chris Murphy, a Democratic senator from Connecticut.
Senator, we're going to health care right away, but first of all I want to start with an interview with The New York Times, Donald Trump said, if he knows what he knows now, he will not hire Jeff Sessions to appoint him.
Where is the supervision of comments like this? SEN. CHRIS MURPHY (D)
Connecticut: What the president basically says is that if he knows that the attorney general will make an ethical decision and if he knows that the attorney general will follow the law, instead of following the path of political loyalty to him, he will not hire him.
Given that he basically admitted that he had fired James Comey, in part because he was not satisfied with the direction of the Russian investigation, it was not surprising.
But, you know, in the end, you know, it's all part of a deeply disturbing pattern of behavior here, and to some extent, that's accountability.
Now, the key is to make sure Bob Miller and his actions continue to be blocked.
I think many Republicans are willing to forgive these comments as long as they know that Miller can do the survey independently and without interference.
You know, if that changes, then the Republicans may end up being the holders of the sword of accountability, and they will come up with us with some of the more difficult questions.
Do you have confidence in Jeff Sessions?
Murphy: I don't support Jeff Sessions, but I think you might have to be careful about what you want here.
If Donald Trump fired Jeff Sessions for not having 100% loyalty, replace him with Donald Trump
I'm not sure if you have a positive side.
So, I 've been against Jeff Sessions since the beginning because of his history on civil rights, because he's going to do damage to people's voting power.
But on this issue, you may get a servant in his position that will create some trouble for Bob Miller.
TUR: Well, at least no one has suggested him to do so at the moment.
Your colleague Elizabeth Warren said she would be very happy if Jeff Sessions finally resigned.
Murphy: Well, look, I think it's all a question of who's going to replace him.
I mean, I'm probably 20% joking about being replaced by little Donald Trump
But what I want to say is that he sent you a telegram saying that he wants the Minister of Justice-TUR: you're a little less joking at this point, it's really 20%.
Murphy: I don't think you can put anything in there. Sure. All right.
Murphy: That's my point.
My point is, Katie, he wants someone to be 100% politically loyal to him.
If that is the case, the person also agrees with Jeff Sessions's belief in voting power and immigration, then you only need to measure alternatives based on what you are doing today.
TUR: Do you think that means that if he had a new AG, he thought it would negate the needs of Robert Mueller and AG, because he didn't have to evade it himself, can you take charge of this Russian investigation?
Murphy: I don't know.
I mean, I can't get into his head.
What I can imagine is that the president spent a lot of time thinking about how to close the investigation.
I think Bob Miller made it hard for him to do this, the way Rod Rosenstein set it up.
The investigation made it difficult for him to do so.
But I think it is very likely that the president will consider how to close the investigation.
Transuresis: So you and the vice president have a little bit of a spat on Twitter, and you say that when they talk about health care, the pop speed of lying is really evil. Real evil.
What is the language you support?
Listen to me, this is a powerful language.
I don't deny it.
But my point is
The vice president is a very smart man.
He went out and made a series of prepared remarks, claiming that the Republican health care bill strengthened and secured Medicaid for the most vulnerable in the United States.
He knows it's not true.
I mean, given that 15 million of the most vulnerable Americans are going to lose coverage of Medicaid and that they are unable to afford any other costs due to this bill, there is no basis for that claim.
So I used the word, because it looks like a known, deliberately made person, and that's evil, though? Evil?
Murphy: Well, look, I mean, it's not just -- the vice president's line.
The president continues to claim that the bill reduces the deductible and provides good insurance for everyone, and all he has to do is read the summary of the CBO report and know that this is not true.
I don't usually trade-
In the words of good and evil, but for a government, there is a very evil thing that continues to lie to the bill that the American public hates.
TUR: In the end, Democrats say they want to work with Republicans to find a solution to health care.
So when you use a language like this, is it helpful to bring both sides to the table?
Murphy: The only thing that puts both sides on the table is the failure of the bill.
Mitch McConnell has made it very clear that he will keep this life support bill as long as possible.
So if the Trump administration gets away with these lies about the role of the bill and the increase in public approval of the bill, then Democrats and Republicans will never have a chance to sit down and get together.
So I use tough language about what the government is doing.
I described the failure of a bill in a strong language, and I think that's because I believe that the only way we really get bipartisan negotiations is, if we do everything we can to kill this very harmful thing, malicious legislation.
TUR: What do you think is a question you can find to compromise with the Republican Party?
Murphy: So, I think this is the best place.
Republicans will have to put aside tax cuts and big cuts to Medicaid.
But they have made it clear that they want more benefit design flexibility in these exchanges.
The most extreme of these is the Cruz amendment.
I don't think Democrats should be completely opposed to talking to them about it.
Perhaps there is a plan with a lower actuarial value between the catastrophic plan and the bronze plan provided by these exchanges, and perhaps there will be fewer requirements on what we can talk to them about.
Now, this is not what I want, but if they are willing to give us some stability on these exchanges, they deprive the president of the power to take back these insurance payments he has threatened, then we should be willing to talk about flexibility with them.
I think there is an agreement to be reached, but it may be narrower for the exchange.
Chris: Chris Murphy, thank you so much for giving me the answer to this question.
I really appreciate it.
It's nice to hear someone come up with some solid language where you can compromise.
Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut
Thank you very much.
Thank you, Katie.
TUR: just ahead, Capitol Hill's strong support for the Senate maverick. Stay tuned. (
Business break)
Welcome back.
Senators reacted today to the news that their colleague, John McCain, was diagnosed with a brain tumor after being taken out of the blood clot above his eyes last week.
Senior senators from Arizona received warm wishes from both sides of the aisle. (
Start Video Editing)SEN. JEFF FLAKE (R)
He is a tough guy.
He wants to come back here.
We need him here. SEN. MAZIE HIRONO (D)
He's tough, but it's serious.
I know that when a person goes through this process to another person, I just-you know, my heart and my thoughts are with him.
KLOBUCHAR: he made the biggest decision to stay as a prisoner of war and did not know if he would go out.
You think about that courage and courage, and that's why he's-fighting this to the end. SEN. JOHN THUNE (R)
He is ruthless. He`s a warrior.
I have traveled with him several times outside the United States, and I have seen him work with only half his age.
He is a great man. SEN.
Lindsey Graham (R)
South Carolina: I can't think of anything that I personally have done since 1999, politically, without John, is worth doing.
So I got hit last night.
It's just-I can't think of anything I did, I'm not with him or any battles he's with me. (END VIDEO CLIP)
Senator Graham also said McCain called him three times yesterday.
McCain is currently undergoing surgery in Arizona, but he is still whip.
He tweeted this morning and I am very grateful for your support.
Unfortunately, for my sparring partners in Congress, I will be back soon. So stand by.
We will be back with the group right away. (
Business break)
Welcome back.
It's time for the "lid.
Let's bring our group back.
Daniel Gibbs Leger, Matthew Conti, and Susan Glazer.
I hope you guys are listening to the interview I just made with Chris Murphy.
Danielle, I want to start with you.
This is the first time I 've heard a senator on the radio tell me about a way Republicans and Democrats can really work together.
His proposal is very interesting.
Take the Ted Cruz amendment as an example, not to go that far, but to find a middle ground between this and the bronze plan that Obamacare is currently implementing.
Maybe there is something they can do to reduce the restrictions.
Can you see the Democrats say yes, can we find a way to compromise on this?
Daniel La Gibbs leig, senior vice president of communications and strategy for American Progress: Yes, I think Democrats and Republicans certainly have a way to come together on the bill.
I mean, you see, you won't find a Democrat saying that the Obamacare plan is 100% perfect, including President Obama himself.
They 've always acknowledged the need to make corrections, and it's disastrous if Republicans are willing to give up halfway, not just talk about outright repeal, and somehow replace it.
We are at the center of American progress, and last week we released a report discussing some of the issues that we think are solved by both parties, and if Republicans are really worried about stabilizing the market, they will seriously study the proposal.
So I'm not surprised Chris Murphy said that.
It remains to be seen whether Republicans really want to improve everyone's health care, or if they are just really doing it for this ideological struggle about government.
Susan, what about the political issues?
In the end, if they do come to the table to pass the ball, it will be labeled as Trumpcare.
If this is successful, would Democrats be willing to participate if they helped pass some sort of health care legislation, even if it was a solution?
Susan Glazer, chief international affairs columnist at POLITICO: Katie, you know, I think you 've put your finger on it.
I mean, like labeling Obamacare, it's almost toxic to Republicans.
Imagine what the Democratic Party is facing.
The election will always want to write her or his name on something called Trumpcare.
So, you know, having said that, I do think -- I spoke to Chris Murphy in the green room before he was interviewed by you, and he expressed that, even if the current iteration might go away, he doesn't think it's gone completely.
But at some point there is a real imperative for both sides to get it all back.
I think it will be a war about labeling it, and a war about narrative, which determines whether either party has a real political viability in actual negotiations.
Now, in my opinion, Democrats don't have much incentive to actually sit down with Republicans.
I often say that.
Politics is semantics.
John McCain is not there.
How much does this affect the health care debate?
Editor Matthew conttiIN-
The head of the Freedom lighthouse in Washington: I think it has a big impact on it, because Republicans need every vote they can call, they have two firm noses for Susan Collins and Rand Paul, and, of course, this week, we met again with Mike Lee and Jerry Moran's defections.
Any hope that the Senate has passed the repeal and replacement program, you have to get Lee and Moran back, you have to find a way to get McCain involved and even take Paul or Colin's opposition.
It makes math in the Senate very complicated and makes a tricky political issue even more tricky for Mitch McConnell.
Matthew, Susan, Daniel.
Thank you guys for the lightning round that we discussed in our last group.
I appreciate it.
After the break, why do we get hyped for Elon Musk's recent daydream. (
Business break)
TUR: If you miss it, it's about 225 miles from New York City to Washington. C.
It takes four hours to drive in very good traffic conditions.
If you take the Acela Express from the American Railway company, you can go from New York to Washington. C.
If you take a slower regional train, it's about two hours and 45 minutes, three and a half hours.
In theory, the flight time is about an hour, but in fact, the flight time is much longer than the flight time.
But billionaire Elon Musk said today he can do it in 29 minutes. Twenty-nine minutes!
Musk quoted this on Twitter today and has just been verbally approved by the government for The Boring Company.
Yes, that's what this very exciting company is called.
New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, D. C. hyperloop. New York to D. C. in 29 minutes. Twenty-nine minutes!
I can settle 2: 00. m.
Show it right here in New York, enter the super cycle, enter D. C.
Fill in for Chuck at 5: 00 in timem.
Have extra timeFolks in D. C.
It may suddenly appear for dinner in New York, and a distant relationship may suddenly become meaningless.
Sounds great.
It sounds too good. it can't be true.
Musk added that a few hours after the first tweet was released, a lot of work was still needed to get formal approval, but I am optimistic that this will happen quickly.
This will happen quickly.
I miss the word.
So there is no green light yet.
When I was excited about the whole New York City to WashingtonC.
In 29 minutes, I was not very excited about the part of a pod you were loaded into inside the underground pipeline, which moved 700 miles per hour.
It might be better if it was for Paris. We`ll see.
It's here tonight.
We will be back tomorrow with more "MTP Daily.
"Good evening, everyone.
This is a report card in a hurry.
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