1 00:00:02,736 --> 00:00:05,271 AMNA NAWAZ: Good evening. I'm Amna Nawaz. 2 00:00:05,271 --> 00:00:06,306 GEOFF BENNETT: And I'm Geoff Bennett. 3 00:00:06,306 --> 00:00:07,941 On the "News Hour" tonight: 4 00:00:07,941 --> 00:00:08,975 DONALD TRUMP, President of the United# States: I hope there are others,## 5 00:00:08,975 --> 00:00:12,145 because you can't let this happen to a country. 6 00:00:12,145 --> 00:00:15,348 GEOFF BENNETT: President Trump predicts# more of his political opponents will face## 7 00:00:15,348 --> 00:00:20,553 prosecution after his Justice Department# indicts former FBI Director James Comey,## 8 00:00:20,553 --> 00:00:23,156 who's already pledging to fight back. 9 00:00:23,156 --> 00:00:25,925 JAMES COMEY, Former FBI Director:# I'm innocent, so let's have a trial. 10 00:00:25,925 --> 00:00:30,463 AMNA NAWAZ: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin# Netanyahu divides global leaders at the## 11 00:00:30,463 --> 00:00:35,902 United Nations General Assembly, vowing# to finish the job against Hamas in Gaza. 12 00:00:35,902 --> 00:00:40,640 GEOFF BENNETT: And actress Scarlett Johansson# takes on a new role behind the camera for## 13 00:00:40,640 --> 00:00:45,245 her future film directorial# debut of "Eleanor the Great." 14 00:00:45,245 --> 00:00:50,383 SCARLETT JOHANSSON, Director: I have to approach# my job with empathy and then let the audience,## 15 00:00:50,383 --> 00:00:54,954 let them have their own feelings# about the characters and what they do. 16 00:00:54,954 --> 00:03:09,556 (BREAK) 17 00:03:10,790 --> 00:03:12,392 GEOFF BENNETT: Welcome to the "News Hour." 18 00:03:12,392 --> 00:03:17,030 Former FBI Director James Comey has# been indicted by a federal grand jury,## 19 00:03:17,030 --> 00:03:22,235 an extraordinary escalation in President Trump's# campaign to prosecute his political rivals. 20 00:03:22,235 --> 00:03:26,472 AMNA NAWAZ: Comey, a vocal critic of Mr. Trump,# was charged for what the Department of Justice## 21 00:03:26,472 --> 00:03:32,645 says is false testimony to Congress five years# ago around investigations he led into the 2016## 22 00:03:32,645 --> 00:03:37,850 campaign. Comey has long been at the center# of one of the president's biggest grievances,## 23 00:03:37,850 --> 00:03:42,622 investigations into Russian interference# and potential ties to Trump's campaign. 24 00:03:42,622 --> 00:03:47,260 Our White House correspondent Liz# Landers, starts our coverage tonight. 25 00:03:47,260 --> 00:03:51,931 LIZ LANDERS: More fallout tonight following the# Justice Department's near-unprecedented felony## 26 00:03:51,931 --> 00:03:57,604 indictment against former FBI Director James# Comey. Comey was charged late Thursday on two## 27 00:03:57,604 --> 00:04:02,141 felony counts, obstruction of a congressional# proceeding and making a false statement. 28 00:04:02,141 --> 00:04:05,578 DONALD TRUMP, President of the United States:# It's a pretty easy case because, look, he lied. 29 00:04:05,578 --> 00:04:10,083 LIZ LANDERS: Mr. Trump, who is himself the# first former president convicted of a felony,## 30 00:04:10,083 --> 00:04:13,186 celebrated the move today on# his way to a golf tournament,## 31 00:04:13,186 --> 00:04:16,856 and he insinuated the charges# won't stop with Comey. 32 00:04:16,856 --> 00:04:18,157 DONALD TRUMP: Frankly, I hope there are others,## 33 00:04:18,157 --> 00:04:21,995 because you can't let this happen# to a country. It's about .. 34 00:04:21,995 --> 00:04:28,568 really. It's not revenge. It's about justice. It's# also about the fact that you can't let this go on. 35 00:04:28,568 --> 00:04:32,138 LIZ LANDERS: A defiant Comey# responded to the indictment overnight. 36 00:04:32,138 --> 00:04:34,807 JAMES COMEY, Former FBI Director: My family# and I have known for years that there are## 37 00:04:34,807 --> 00:04:40,713 costs to standing up to Donald Trump. But# we couldn't imagine ourselves living any## 38 00:04:40,713 --> 00:04:47,520 other way. We will not live on our knees, and# you shouldn't either. My heart is broken for## 39 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:52,725 the Department of Justice, but I have great# confidence in the federal judicial system. 40 00:04:52,725 --> 00:04:55,528 And I'm innocent, so let's have a trial. 41 00:04:55,528 --> 00:05:00,233 LIZ LANDERS: The charges against Comey stem# from an appearance before the Senate in 2020,## 42 00:05:00,233 --> 00:05:04,704 where the prosecution alleges the# ex-director authorized a leak of## 43 00:05:04,704 --> 00:05:09,642 classified information to the media and# then knowingly told the Senate differently. 44 00:05:09,642 --> 00:05:12,945 SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX): Chairman Grassley# asked you point blank -- quote -- "Have## 45 00:05:12,945 --> 00:05:17,116 you ever been an anonymous source in# news reports about matters relating## 46 00:05:17,116 --> 00:05:19,919 to the Trump investigation or# the Clinton investigation?" 47 00:05:19,919 --> 00:05:23,690 You responded under oath -- quote -- "Never." 48 00:05:23,690 --> 00:05:28,328 He then asked you -- quote -- "Have you ever# authorized someone else at the FBI to be an## 49 00:05:28,328 --> 00:05:33,933 anonymous source in news reports about the Trump# investigation or the Clinton administration?" 50 00:05:33,933 --> 00:05:37,103 You responded again under oath: "No." 51 00:05:37,103 --> 00:05:38,871 JAMES COMEY: I can only speak to my testimony.## 52 00:05:38,871 --> 00:05:43,276 I stand by what -- the testimony you# summarized that I gave in May of 2017. 53 00:05:43,276 --> 00:05:48,548 LIZ LANDERS: All of this comes just days after# President Trump called for Comey's prosecution,## 54 00:05:48,548 --> 00:05:52,652 along with others, writing directly# to his attorney general, Pam Bondi,## 55 00:05:52,652 --> 00:05:58,157 on social media -- quote -- "We can't delay# any longer. Justice must be served now." 56 00:05:58,157 --> 00:06:02,462 Adding urgency, the Justice Department# faced a five-year statute of limitations## 57 00:06:02,462 --> 00:06:07,100 for charges based on Comey's hearing# that would have expired next week. Trump## 58 00:06:07,100 --> 00:06:12,472 has long considered Comey a political enemy.# Since firing him months into his first term,## 59 00:06:12,472 --> 00:06:16,809 the president has been locked in a bitter# feud with the former director for approving an## 60 00:06:16,809 --> 00:06:22,782 investigation into Russian election interference# and possible ties to Mr. Trump's campaign. 61 00:06:22,782 --> 00:06:24,951 SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC):# Is there any cost to people## 62 00:06:24,951 --> 00:06:27,653 trying to destroy President Trump's presidency? 63 00:06:27,653 --> 00:06:29,589 LIZ LANDERS: Defenders of the# president took to the airwaves## 64 00:06:29,589 --> 00:06:32,258 yesterday, calling to charges long overdue. 65 00:06:32,258 --> 00:06:34,627 MIKE DAVIS, President, Article III# Project: I think this is the beginning## 66 00:06:34,627 --> 00:06:39,031 of the accountability and certainly not# the end for these lawfare Democrats. 67 00:06:39,031 --> 00:06:43,903 LIZ LANDERS: But opponents have criticized how# the Comey case was brought. Lindsey Halligan,## 68 00:06:43,903 --> 00:06:49,275 Trump's newly-installed U.S. attorney, took# the Comey indictment by herself to a grand jury## 69 00:06:49,275 --> 00:06:55,281 because no other prosecutors would join her due to# the reservations about the strength of the case. 70 00:06:55,281 --> 00:06:59,852 Previously one of Trump's personal attorneys,# Halligan has never prosecuted a case. Her## 71 00:06:59,852 --> 00:07:04,390 predecessor, Erik Siebert, was pushed out# of his job for not bringing mortgage fraud## 72 00:07:04,390 --> 00:07:09,429 charges against another of Trump's enemies,# New York Attorney General Letitia James. 73 00:07:09,429 --> 00:07:12,765 Democrats called the Comey charges# part of a troubling pattern. 74 00:07:12,765 --> 00:07:14,567 REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): These# charges are going to be dismissed.## 75 00:07:14,567 --> 00:07:19,205 James Comey will win in court. But# what it reflects is a broader attack## 76 00:07:19,205 --> 00:07:22,875 on the rule of law that should# frighten every single American. 77 00:07:22,875 --> 00:07:26,712 LIZ LANDERS: The indictment comes weeks after# Comey's daughter, Maurene, was fired from her## 78 00:07:26,712 --> 00:07:31,584 job as a federal prosecutor in New York. And# just minutes after the charges were filed,## 79 00:07:31,584 --> 00:07:35,755 Comey's son-in-law resigned from his# post with the Justice Department. 80 00:07:35,755 --> 00:07:41,260 Comey will be arraigned in early October. The# judge assigned to the case is a Biden appointee. 81 00:07:41,260 --> 00:07:44,197 For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Liz Landers. 82 00:07:44,197 --> 00:07:47,834 AMNA NAWAZ: For further insight into the legal# and political developments, we turn now to## 83 00:07:47,834 --> 00:07:52,705 Barbara McQuade. She's a University of Michigan# law professor and former federal prosecutor. 84 00:07:52,705 --> 00:07:54,240 Barb, welcome back to the "News Hour." 85 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:56,242 Let's just start with the charges here,## 86 00:07:56,242 --> 00:07:59,912 one count of making a false statement,# another of obstruction of congressional## 87 00:07:59,912 --> 00:08:07,253 proceeding. What would convince a grand jury# to indict on those? What could they have seen? 88 00:08:07,253 --> 00:08:09,422 BARBARA MCQUADE, Former U.S. Attorney: Well,# the standard, of course, at the grand jury## 89 00:08:09,422 --> 00:08:15,127 is simply probable cause. Based on the reporting,# it sounds like what they looked at were the grand## 90 00:08:15,127 --> 00:08:21,267 jury transcripts of both Jim Comey and then# perhaps Andrew McCabe, the deputy director. 91 00:08:21,267 --> 00:08:27,440 And so if there are discrepancies between# those two things, that could establish,## 92 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:32,011 generously, probable cause in the minds# of a grand jury. Now, keep in mind that,## 93 00:08:32,011 --> 00:08:34,313 at a grand jury, there's no defense attorney,## 94 00:08:34,313 --> 00:08:39,252 there's no cross-examination. And so it's just# the prosecutor presenting one side of the case. 95 00:08:39,252 --> 00:08:42,955 AMNA NAWAZ: So probable cause is the bar# for a grand jury. Where's the bar for the## 96 00:08:42,955 --> 00:08:46,792 prosecutors? The allegation here is that# Comey lied to Congress about authorizing## 97 00:08:46,792 --> 00:08:52,765 someone to leak information to journalists.# What do prosecutors have to prove here? 98 00:08:52,765 --> 00:08:57,203 BARBARA MCQUADE: Well, at trial, they would# have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Jim## 99 00:08:57,203 --> 00:09:02,875 Comey made a statement that was false, that the# statement was material, that is, determinative of## 100 00:09:02,875 --> 00:09:08,414 something under their investigation, and that he# then and there knew that the statement was false. 101 00:09:08,414 --> 00:09:13,052 At trial, they will have to prove it beyond# a reasonable doubt to a jury that decides## 102 00:09:13,052 --> 00:09:18,558 it unanimously. What's also interesting# is, although legally what's required at## 103 00:09:18,558 --> 00:09:23,829 a grand jury stage is just probable cause,# the Justice Department's policy manual says## 104 00:09:23,829 --> 00:09:30,069 a prosecutor should not initiate a prosecution# unless they believe the evidence is sufficient## 105 00:09:30,069 --> 00:09:35,274 to obtain and sustain a conviction at trial.# That means guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 106 00:09:35,274 --> 00:09:38,077 AMNA NAWAZ: And you have heard there# Jim Comey has said that he is innocent,## 107 00:09:38,077 --> 00:09:42,648 that he welcomes a trial. What's# his defense likely to argue here?## 108 00:09:42,648 --> 00:09:47,153 And is it possible that this# never even makes it to trial? 109 00:09:47,153 --> 00:09:47,853 BARBARA MCQUADE: I think so. 110 00:09:47,853 --> 00:09:51,991 I mean, I think, before th.. 111 00:09:51,991 --> 00:09:57,663 to dismiss. One grounds for a motion to dismiss# would be selective prosecution. That means that## 112 00:09:57,663 --> 00:10:02,635 a person was targeted not because of some# legitimate law enforcement objective, but## 113 00:10:02,635 --> 00:10:08,140 because of some arbitrary or improper objective,# in this case, perhaps political considerations. 114 00:10:08,140 --> 00:10:12,812 And Donald Trump's posts on social media# would certainly be evidence to document## 115 00:10:12,812 --> 00:10:16,949 that sort of a thing. It could also# be an argument that the case should## 116 00:10:16,949 --> 00:10:22,154 be dismissed on the grounds of due process# violations as to his right to a fair trial. 117 00:10:22,154 --> 00:10:26,626 When you have Donald Trump telling the world, the# president of the United States, that he lied or## 118 00:10:26,626 --> 00:10:31,931 that he's a bad person, everybody's going to hear# that, and it potentially taints the jury pool. 119 00:10:31,931 --> 00:10:37,670 But then, ultimately, if this case does go to# trial, that's where Jim Comey will attack the## 120 00:10:37,670 --> 00:10:42,008 evidence that the government puts# in, will perhaps likely, I think,## 121 00:10:42,008 --> 00:10:46,812 testify on his own behalf and deny the charges.# And then it will be up to a jury to decide## 122 00:10:46,812 --> 00:10:51,350 whether the government has met its burden# of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 123 00:10:51,350 --> 00:10:55,021 AMNA NAWAZ: Barb, as you heard Liz Landers'# report there, the fact that only attorney## 124 00:10:55,021 --> 00:10:59,759 Lindsey Halligan's name is on the indictment# that none of the prosecutors in her office## 125 00:10:59,759 --> 00:11:05,831 signed off on this, how unusual is that? And# what does that say to you about this case? 126 00:11:05,831 --> 00:11:07,533 BARBARA MCQUADE: It's extraordinary. 127 00:11:07,533 --> 00:11:12,238 I served as an assistant U.S. attorney for# 12 years and signed many indictments in.. 128 00:11:12,238 --> 00:11:17,443 capacity. When I served as U.S. attorney# for eight years, I signed exactly zero,## 129 00:11:17,443 --> 00:11:21,914 because it is the job of the line prosecutor to# sign those indictments. The fact that she was## 130 00:11:21,914 --> 00:11:25,851 the one who signed the indictment, and the only# one, and that she was the one and the only one## 131 00:11:25,851 --> 00:11:31,590 who presented this case to the grand jury after# four days on the job is truly extraordinary. 132 00:11:31,590 --> 00:11:37,029 What it says to me is that nobody else would touch# this case with a 10-foot pole. Why? Because they## 133 00:11:37,029 --> 00:11:41,534 don't believe in the case, and they believe# that they could perhaps have ethical concerns## 134 00:11:41,534 --> 00:11:46,305 and grievances against them, even risking their# own law licenses if they were to participate. 135 00:11:46,305 --> 00:11:49,341 AMNA NAWAZ: And let's just revisit that# timeline, as Liz reported it out too. 136 00:11:49,341 --> 00:11:52,478 This all followed, as you mentioned,# President Trump publicly telling his## 137 00:11:52,478 --> 00:11:56,315 attorney general to prosecute some of his# critics, including Comey. The president## 138 00:11:56,315 --> 00:12:00,152 said today he hopes that there are more# people who could be prosecuted ahead. 139 00:12:00,152 --> 00:12:03,923 Barb, big picture, what is to stop# President Trump here from using the## 140 00:12:03,923 --> 00:12:09,528 Department of Justice as his own personal law# firm to settle scores and suppress critics? 141 00:12:09,528 --> 00:12:14,233 BARBARA MCQUADE: Well, what's interesting is# that, since Watergate, there have been norms that## 142 00:12:14,233 --> 00:12:20,072 prohibit conversations and communications between# the White House and the Department of Justice.## 143 00:12:20,072 --> 00:12:26,112 There have been policies that say prosecution# should not be used for political purposes. 144 00:12:26,712 --> 00:12:31,450 But President Trump has busted through all of# those norms and now appears to be directing## 145 00:12:31,450 --> 00:12:36,322 his Department of Justice to do his bidding. In# many ways, he may feel empowered by the decision## 146 00:12:36,322 --> 00:12:41,527 of the Supreme Court last summer that said he# personally cannot be held criminally liable## 147 00:12:41,527 --> 00:12:45,765 for acts that are conducted within the scope# of his constitutional duties as president. 148 00:12:45,765 --> 00:12:52,071 I think these qualify. So, what really is# left is individual cases of acquittals if## 149 00:12:52,071 --> 00:12:57,409 there is no evidence to prove these cases# or impeachment by the Congress. And that's## 150 00:12:57,409 --> 00:13:01,847 something that we have seen Congress loathe# to do in recent years to impeach and then## 151 00:13:01,847 --> 00:13:05,251 convict a member of their own party.# But that is the recourse that we have. 152 00:13:05,251 --> 00:13:08,387 AMNA NAWAZ: That's former federal prosecutor# Barbara McQuade joining us tonight. 153 00:13:08,387 --> 00:13:11,991 Barb, thank you for your time.# Always good to speak with you. 154 00:13:11,991 --> 00:13:14,059 BARBARA MCQUADE: Thanks. 155 00:13:14,059 --> 00:13:18,164 GEOFF BENNETT: For more on the indictment and# its implications, we're joined now by Ty Cobb.## 156 00:13:18,164 --> 00:13:21,934 He was a White House attorney in the first# Trump administration, managing the response## 157 00:13:21,934 --> 00:13:27,039 to the special counsel Robert Mueller's probe# into alleged Russian election interference. 158 00:13:27,039 --> 00:13:28,207 Thanks for being with us. 159 00:13:28,207 --> 00:13:29,809 TY COBB, Former White House Special Counsel:# My ple.. 160 00:13:29,809 --> 00:13:33,212 GEOFF BENNETT: And I want to start with your# reaction to the indictment of form.. 161 00:13:33,212 --> 00:13:39,685 Director James Comey and to the way these charges# were brought, both the substance and the process. 162 00:13:39,685 --> 00:13:43,522 TY COBB: So I think the process is# more important than the substance. 163 00:13:46,625 --> 00:14:00,406 This process was worse than unusual. It was# wholly un-American and really despicable in the## 164 00:14:00,406 --> 00:14:08,147 way it was done. America's long been# a country where evenhanded justice## 165 00:14:08,147 --> 00:14:14,153 has been the standard and the goal.# And that's all been abandoned under## 166 00:14:14,153 --> 00:14:20,025 this president and his willing# assistant attorney general. 167 00:14:20,793 --> 00:14:29,501 Keep in mind that career prosecutors, including# a seasoned prosecutor of Trump's own appointment## 168 00:14:29,501 --> 00:14:32,872 as the U.S. attorney in the# Eastern District OF Virginia,## 169 00:14:32,872 --> 00:14:40,713 had concluded at the end of a long process, along# with the FBI, that there were -- there was just## 170 00:14:40,713 --> 00:14:46,185 insufficient evidence with which to proceed# against the former FBI director, Mr. Comey. 171 00:14:47,353 --> 00:14:55,127 In response, Trump fired that prosecutor,# according to him -- the prosecutor says he## 172 00:14:55,127 --> 00:15:04,703 resigned -- and ordered, in no uncertain terms,# his attorney general to punish his enemies, not## 173 00:15:04,703 --> 00:15:15,047 just Mr. Comey, but Senator Schiff and Attorney# General Letitia James, saying that these people## 174 00:15:15,047 --> 00:15:25,457 had tortured him, he'd been wronged badly, and it# was time for -- time for them to be punished now. 175 00:15:25,991 --> 00:15:34,333 And that historically is not the way America# works. Now, that's the way Allende's Chile worked,## 176 00:15:34,333 --> 00:15:40,639 Stalin's Russia worked, Hitler's Germany worked,# but it's not the way America works. It's not## 177 00:15:40,639 --> 00:15:47,479 the role of an attorney general to do what the# president orders him to do in criminal matters. 178 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:52,251 Attorney generals with character,# historically, Elliot Richardson,## 179 00:15:52,251 --> 00:15:57,022 and then his deputy William Ruckelshaus, had# the appropriate response when President Nixon## 180 00:15:57,022 --> 00:16:03,662 tried to strong-arm them into firing the# then-independent counsel, Archibald Cox,## 181 00:16:03,662 --> 00:16:12,738 and they said no and were forced to resign.# They honored their oath to the Constitution. 182 00:16:13,505 --> 00:16:19,278 As we saw, sadly, at the great hall of# justice shortly after Trump's inauguration,## 183 00:16:19,278 --> 00:16:25,751 when Pam Bondi took over, she pledged the fealty# of herself and her department to the president,## 184 00:16:25,751 --> 00:16:29,822 rather than the Constitution. And# that, sadly, is the way this is gone. 185 00:16:29,822 --> 00:16:37,997 So I don't think this can be reported as# one or two degrees of standard deviation## 186 00:16:37,997 --> 00:16:42,401 from the norm. This is a wholesale# 180 from the norms of what## 187 00:16:43,602 --> 00:16:48,474 made America different from# Third World dictatorships,## 188 00:16:48,474 --> 00:16:54,013 authoritarian regimes and tyranny. I think this# case could well be dismissed because of vindictive## 189 00:16:54,013 --> 00:16:58,650 prosecution standards or selective prosecution# standards or prosecutorial misconduct standards. 190 00:16:58,650 --> 00:17:03,589 GEOFF BENNETT: How do you assess the way President# Trump in his second term has asserted control over## 191 00:17:03,589 --> 00:17:09,261 the Justice Department and many of the prosecutors# who work for it, as compared to the first term? 192 00:17:09,261 --> 00:17:13,999 TY COBB: Well, he appointed people who# were clearly slavishly devoted to him and## 193 00:17:13,999 --> 00:17:19,371 willing to break any ethical barriers# or legal barriers to do his bidding. 194 00:17:20,072 --> 00:17:26,812 That's much different than the first time, where# Senator Sessions was the first attorney general## 195 00:17:26,812 --> 00:17:37,423 and Bill Barr is his successor. People can quarrel# with some of their decisions and some of their## 196 00:17:39,525 --> 00:17:44,630 policies, but I don't think they can quarrel# about the fact that they were men who had devoted## 197 00:17:44,630 --> 00:17:50,369 themselves to public service over a long period# of time and cared greatly about their country. 198 00:17:50,969 --> 00:17:56,809 Here, what we have is people who care less# about their country and certainly less about## 199 00:17:56,809 --> 00:18:02,948 the Constitution and more about their standing# with the president, whose crippling narcissism## 200 00:18:02,948 --> 00:18:08,854 dictates his every whim, including this vengeance# tirade that he's on in the Eastern District. 201 00:18:08,854 --> 00:18:11,523 GEOFF BENNETT: You worked closely# with President Trump, as we mentioned,## 202 00:18:11,523 --> 00:18:17,262 when he pushed for something that was clearly# outside of the bounds of established norms.## 203 00:18:17,262 --> 00:18:20,866 How did those conversations# typically unfold in the White House? 204 00:18:20,866 --> 00:18:24,636 TY COBB: Well, I can't really go# into my direct interactions with## 205 00:18:24,636 --> 00:18:27,773 the president on legal matters.# That would be inappropriate. 206 00:18:27,773 --> 00:18:34,813 But I can say that the difference between# the people that were in the White House## 207 00:18:34,813 --> 00:18:41,587 when I was there and what appears to# be going on now is, when he wanted to## 208 00:18:41,587 --> 00:18:48,727 take a particular course of action, if it# wasn't appropriate or if it was unwise,## 209 00:18:50,395 --> 00:18:55,134 unethical or wrong, there were# people who would say that to him. 210 00:18:55,134 --> 00:19:01,039 He had very strong, capable people# who were experienced in government,## 211 00:19:01,039 --> 00:19:08,480 knew government much better than he did,# and acted as an inappropriate restraint## 212 00:19:08,480 --> 00:19:15,053 when he suggested something that they perceived# as perhaps out of bounds or inappropriate. I think## 213 00:19:15,053 --> 00:19:27,599 now what you have is, whatever his narcissistic# whim may be, vengeance, power, war crimes,## 214 00:19:27,599 --> 00:19:32,971 whatever, people just say yes. You know, how# quickly can we get that done for you, sir? 215 00:19:32,971 --> 00:19:37,342 So, I think that's a much different# circumstance than what we see now. 216 00:19:37,342 --> 00:19:39,211 GEOFF BENNETT: I have to ask,# did you feel this way about the## 217 00:19:39,211 --> 00:19:42,881 president when you worked for him, or# has there been a fundamental change? 218 00:19:42,881 --> 00:19:47,920 TY COBB: No, I was never a Trump supporter.# I never voted for Trump. I took the position## 219 00:19:47,920 --> 00:19:54,426 because I was asked to serve the country and the# president at the time in a matter where I thought,## 220 00:19:54,960 --> 00:19:59,531 because of my strong relationship# and long friendship with Bob Mueller,## 221 00:19:59,531 --> 00:20:06,572 together, we could find a path that# would not divide the country through## 222 00:20:06,572 --> 00:20:11,410 what was going to be a difficult time.# And I think we got that done, largely. 223 00:20:12,244 --> 00:20:20,519 But, no, I was not an ideological match for the# president, and I was not a personal supporter. But## 224 00:20:21,453 --> 00:20:25,757 I'm very concerned. And, frankly, I don't# understand how anybody who cares about the## 225 00:20:25,757 --> 00:20:31,263 country could not be concerned about# the attacks on the rule of law, which## 226 00:20:31,263 --> 00:20:38,570 has been so diminished now in our country,# and to the point that it's a danger to not## 227 00:20:38,570 --> 00:20:44,643 just Trump's enemies, but to all of# us, as he picks winners and losers. 228 00:20:44,643 --> 00:20:50,082 I mean, Tom Homan went to McDonald's today and# presumably spent some of the cash that he got## 229 00:20:50,082 --> 00:20:57,689 as a bribe, and there are no consequences for# that. And even the White House press secretary## 230 00:20:57,689 --> 00:21:02,027 lies on his behalf, insisting he didn't take the# money, even though he's on tape taking the money. 231 00:21:03,195 --> 00:21:07,599 And, instead, James Comey is preparing# for his arraignment. And that, I think,## 232 00:21:07,599 --> 00:21:11,169 is -- I think that people should# understand how wrong that is. 233 00:21:11,169 --> 00:21:15,607 GEOFF BENNETT: The president, as we know,# prizes personal loyalty above all. What's## 234 00:21:15,607 --> 00:21:21,413 the red line that even loyalists should not# cross, and how should they defend that boundary? 235 00:21:21,413 --> 00:21:24,850 TY COBB: Well, I think the# red line is really established## 236 00:21:25,450 --> 00:21:29,187 for many of these people# by the oath that they take. 237 00:21:29,187 --> 00:21:33,825 Not everybody takes an oath to be# federal employee, but, certainly,## 238 00:21:33,825 --> 00:21:37,229 the attorney general, FBI agents, prosecutors,## 239 00:21:38,964 --> 00:21:45,504 Cabinet officials and others have taken an oath to# either defend and protect or preserve and defend## 240 00:21:45,504 --> 00:21:53,812 the Constitution. And that should be their# line. And the Constitution requires a## 241 00:21:53,812 --> 00:21:58,250 loyalty to a set of principles that have# been abandoned by this administration. 242 00:21:58,250 --> 00:22:01,920 GEOFF BENNETT: Ty Cobb, thank you for your# perspectives and for your time this evening. 243 00:22:01,920 --> 00:22:09,428 TY COBB: My pleasure. Good luck. Thank you. 244 00:22:09,428 --> 00:22:15,367 GEOFF BENNETT:## 245 00:22:15,367 --> 00:22:20,572 In New York today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin# Netanyahu addressed the U.N. General Assembly,## 246 00:22:20,572 --> 00:22:24,142 touting his country's operations# against Iran and its proxies in## 247 00:22:24,142 --> 00:22:31,750 the Middle East and vowing to press ahead# with Israel's military offensive in Gaza. 248 00:22:31,750 --> 00:22:33,352 (CHEERING) MAN: Please, order in the hall. 249 00:22:33,352 --> 00:22:37,989 GEOFF BENNETT: As dozens of delegates walked# out in protest just before he st.. 250 00:22:37,989 --> 00:22:43,128 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu# delivered a defiant speech at the United Nations. 251 00:22:43,128 --> 00:22:44,229 BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, Israeli Prime# Minister: That is why Israel must## 252 00:22:44,229 --> 00:22:49,101 finish the job. That is why we# want to do so as f.. 253 00:22:49,101 --> 00:22:53,405 GEOFF BENNETT: A speech that at times included# visual aids, placards, maps and charts... 254 00:22:53,405 --> 00:22:54,606 BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: Let's do a pop quiz. 255 00:22:54,606 --> 00:22:58,310 GEOFF BENNETT: ... in defense of Israel's# intensifying.. 256 00:22:58,310 --> 00:23:00,879 BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: But, regrettably,## 257 00:23:00,879 --> 00:23:09,755 many leaders who are represented in this# hall, they send a very different message. 258 00:23:09,755 --> 00:23:12,391 GEOFF BENNETT: He also delivered# a sharp rebuke to nations that## 259 00:23:12,391 --> 00:23:14,459 have acknowledged a Palestinian state. 260 00:23:14,459 --> 00:23:19,131 BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: Your disgraceful decision# will encourage terrorism against Jews and## 261 00:23:19,131 --> 00:23:23,034 against innocent people everywhere.# President Trump understands better## 262 00:23:23,034 --> 00:23:29,007 than any other leader that Israel# and America face a common threat. 263 00:23:29,007 --> 00:23:31,510 GEOFF BENNETT: That's as President# Donald Trump today said he was close## 264 00:23:31,510 --> 00:23:35,881 to forging a deal to end the war# in Gaza, offering few details. 265 00:23:35,881 --> 00:23:38,950 DONALD TRUMP, President of the United States:# It's looking like we have a deal on Gaza. And## 266 00:23:38,950 --> 00:23:43,822 we will let you know. I think it's a deal that# will get the hostages back. It's going to be a## 267 00:23:43,822 --> 00:23:49,694 deal that will end the war. It's going to# be a deal with -- it's going to be peace. 268 00:23:49,694 --> 00:23:50,929 It's not going to happen. 269 00:23:50,929 --> 00:23:52,864 GEOFF BENNETT: It follows the# president's comments yesterda.. 270 00:23:52,864 --> 00:23:56,468 vowing he won't allow Israel# to annex the West Bank. 271 00:23:56,468 --> 00:23:59,438 BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: For decades,# the very ideal peace between... 272 00:23:59,438 --> 00:24:00,872 GEOFF BENNETT: In an unprecedented move,## 273 00:24:00,872 --> 00:24:05,510 the Israeli military today broadcast# Netanyahu's U.N. speech into Gaza. 274 00:24:05,510 --> 00:24:08,480 BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: I have surrounded# Gaza with massive loudspeakers in the## 275 00:24:08,480 --> 00:24:12,951 hope that our dear hostages will hear my message. 276 00:24:12,951 --> 00:24:20,892 GEOFF BENNETT: Meantime, in Gaza City today, the# chaotic aftermath of another Israeli airstrike. 277 00:24:20,892 --> 00:24:21,993 RAHMA JAROUANA, Sister Killed in Airstrike# (through translator): They said they were going## 278 00:24:21,993 --> 00:24:28,233 to the south. Then we heard they were bombed.# They.. 279 00:24:28,233 --> 00:24:34,773 moving from place to place. What is our# fault in all this? What have we done? 280 00:24:34,773 --> 00:24:38,410 GEOFF BENNETT: Hope for an end to# the war still nowhere in sight. 281 00:24:39,110 --> 00:24:43,448 Also today, the U.S. Supreme Court is letting# the Trump administration move forward with## 282 00:24:43,448 --> 00:24:49,120 freezing $4 billion in foreign aid that had been# allocated by Congress. Mr. Trump said last month## 283 00:24:49,120 --> 00:24:53,825 that he would not spend the money and instead# invoked something called a pocket rescission.## 284 00:24:53,825 --> 00:24:59,364 That's a rarely used maneuver that allows Mr.# Trump to bypass Congress to hold up the funds. 285 00:24:59,364 --> 00:25:03,668 Today's ruling is just the latest legal# victory for the Trump administration and,## 286 00:25:03,668 --> 00:25:09,608 in particular, the president's broader push# to have greater control over federal spending. 287 00:25:09,608 --> 00:25:14,312 A wide range of industries are bracing for# the latest round of President Trump's tariffs,## 288 00:25:14,312 --> 00:25:18,550 which are set to take effect next week.# Major pharmaceutical companies are hoping## 289 00:25:18,550 --> 00:25:23,755 to avoid the worst of his planned 100# percent tariffs on imported medicine.## 290 00:25:23,755 --> 00:25:27,692 Officials say there are carve-outs for# companies that are already building plants## 291 00:25:27,692 --> 00:25:31,997 in the U.S. and for countries who already# have deals with the Trump administration. 292 00:25:31,997 --> 00:25:37,302 President Trump also announced tariffs of 50# percent on kitchen cabinets, 30 percent on## 293 00:25:37,903 --> 00:25:44,075 upholstered furniture, and 25 percent on# heavy trucks, all set to kick in on Wednesday. 294 00:25:44,075 --> 00:25:47,679 Federal officials say they have removed# an immigration officer from his current## 295 00:25:47,679 --> 00:25:51,516 duties after an altercation at# a Manhattan immigration court.## 296 00:25:51,516 --> 00:25:55,687 Video provided by ProPublica shows the# officer shoving an Ecuadorian woman to## 297 00:25:55,687 --> 00:26:00,892 the ground in front of her crying children# after her husband was arrested. She had## 298 00:26:00,892 --> 00:26:05,030 been pleading with him in Spanish, saying at# one point: "You don't care about anything." 299 00:26:05,030 --> 00:26:07,832 In a statement today, the Department# of Homeland Security said:## 300 00:26:07,832 --> 00:26:12,637 "The officer's conduct is unacceptable# and beneath the men and women of ICE." 301 00:26:12,637 --> 00:26:15,907 The incident is a rare example of# the Trump administration holding## 302 00:26:15,907 --> 00:26:19,044 ICE officers accountable for their behavior. 303 00:26:19,044 --> 00:26:23,114 Sinclair Broadcasting and Nexstar are# ending their blackouts of Jimmy Kimmel's## 304 00:26:23,114 --> 00:26:27,919 late-night program. That means the show# is set to air across all ABC affiliates## 305 00:26:27,919 --> 00:26:32,891 across the nation tonight. The two major# broadcast owners had continued preempting## 306 00:26:32,891 --> 00:26:37,596 Kimmel's program even after Disney ended# its suspension earlier this week. Disney## 307 00:26:37,596 --> 00:26:41,833 had suspended Kimmel last week for his# comments following Charlie Kirk's murder. 308 00:26:41,833 --> 00:26:45,270 In a statement today, Sinclair wrote# -- quote -- "We take seriously our## 309 00:26:45,270 --> 00:26:49,274 responsibility to provide programming that# serves the interests of our communities,## 310 00:26:49,274 --> 00:26:53,912 while also honoring our obligations# to air national network programming." 311 00:26:53,912 --> 00:26:57,983 Democratic Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill is# calling for an investigation into the release## 312 00:26:57,983 --> 00:27:03,021 of her unredacted military service records.# The New York -- the New Jersey Democrat is## 313 00:27:03,021 --> 00:27:07,192 running for governor against Republican Jack# Ciattarelli. The documents came to light## 314 00:27:07,192 --> 00:27:12,564 after an ally of Ciattarelli filed a Freedom of# Information Act request for her military file. 315 00:27:12,564 --> 00:27:17,369 The National Archives apologized to Sherrill# after releasing documents that included## 316 00:27:17,369 --> 00:27:22,173 personal information like her Social Security# number and home address. An official with her## 317 00:27:22,173 --> 00:27:26,811 campaign says the Trump administration may# have violated federal law with the release. 318 00:27:26,811 --> 00:27:29,447 On Wall Street today, stocks closed higher to end## 319 00:27:29,447 --> 00:27:33,351 the week. The Dow Jones industrial# average gained roughly 300 points.## 320 00:27:33,351 --> 00:27:39,591 The Nasdaq added around 100 points and the# S&P 500 snapped a three-day losing streak. 321 00:27:39,591 --> 00:27:45,830 Activist and fugitive Assata Shakur has died.# She was born Joanne Chesimard and in her 20s## 322 00:27:45,830 --> 00:27:50,869 joined the Black Panther Party and later# the Black Liberation Army. In the 1970s,## 323 00:27:50,869 --> 00:27:54,239 she was given a life sentence for# the fatal shooting of a New Jersey## 324 00:27:54,239 --> 00:27:59,210 State Trooper. She maintained her innocence# and escaped from prison, fleeing to Cuba,## 325 00:27:59,210 --> 00:28:02,247 where she lived under political# asylum for the rest of her life. 326 00:28:02,247 --> 00:28:07,385 Here she is in 1998 speaking# to NBC News from Havana. 327 00:28:07,385 --> 00:28:10,488 ASSATA SHAKUR, Activist and Fugitive: I# never received justice, and I escaped,## 328 00:28:10,488 --> 00:28:16,928 because I was afraid for my life, and, B, because# I knew that I would never receive justice. 329 00:28:16,928 --> 00:28:19,998 GEOFF BENNETT: To her supporters,# Shakur was a symbol of resistance.## 330 00:28:19,998 --> 00:28:23,835 She was also considered a godmother# to the late rapper Tupac Shakur. 331 00:28:23,835 --> 00:28:28,807 But, to law enforcement, she was one of the# country's most notorious fugitives. In 2013,## 332 00:28:28,807 --> 00:28:34,012 she became the first woman ever on the FBI's# most wanted list. Cuban officials said she## 333 00:28:34,012 --> 00:28:39,184 died of health conditions and advanced# age. Assata Shakur was 78 years old. 334 00:28:39,184 --> 00:28:43,822 And Robert Barnett, the Washington lawyer# and power broker who helped shape book deals,## 335 00:28:43,822 --> 00:28:47,125 careers and contracts for some of# the nation's most prominent figures,## 336 00:28:47,125 --> 00:28:51,596 has died. Barnett built a reputation as# one of the capital's premier dealmakers,## 337 00:28:51,596 --> 00:28:56,634 advising corporations, journalists and# politicians across the political spectrum. 338 00:28:56,634 --> 00:29:00,238 He was behind multimillion-dollar# publishing agreements for the Obamas,## 339 00:29:00,238 --> 00:29:05,844 the Clintons and George W. Bush and his wife,# among many others. Barnett was married to## 340 00:29:05,844 --> 00:29:11,983 longtime CBS News correspondent Rita Braver, who# confirmed his death, but did not give a cause. 341 00:29:11,983 --> 00:29:16,387 And he was also a friend to many of us here# at the "News Hour," generous with his advice,## 342 00:29:16,387 --> 00:29:22,160 quick with his wit, and always supportive# of our work. Bob Barnett was 79 years old. 343 00:29:22,160 --> 00:29:25,830 Still to come on the "News Hour":# ahead of consequential state elections,## 344 00:29:25,830 --> 00:29:30,568 how the Trump administration is trying to change# the way people vote; David Brooks and Jonathan## 345 00:29:30,568 --> 00:29:36,307 Capehart weigh in on Comey's indictment and# the upending of Justice Department norms;## 346 00:29:36,307 --> 00:29:44,249 plus, Scarlett Johansson discusses# her feature film directorial debut. 347 00:29:49,687 --> 00:30:01,766 AMNA NAWAZ: In recent days, the Justice# Department has sued eight states to compel## 348 00:30:01,766 --> 00:30:05,670 them to share their voter registration# lists with the federal government. Those## 349 00:30:05,670 --> 00:30:10,642 lists include voters' personal data, like# dates of birth and Social Security numbers.## 350 00:30:10,642 --> 00:30:15,446 State officials oppose the move because of# concerns about how the information will be used. 351 00:30:15,446 --> 00:30:21,186 That comes as President Trump continues to target# election systems, including mail-in ballots. 352 00:30:21,186 --> 00:30:24,956 Liz Landers is back now with a closer look. 353 00:30:24,956 --> 00:30:29,427 LIZ LANDERS: Trump's targeting of mail-in# voting is just one action he's been critical of. 354 00:30:29,427 --> 00:30:33,031 To discuss more, I'm joined by David# Becker, the executive director of the## 355 00:30:33,031 --> 00:30:37,669 nonpartisan Nonprofit Center for# Election Innovation and Research. 356 00:30:37,669 --> 00:30:39,604 David, thank you so much for joining us. 357 00:30:39,604 --> 00:30:45,043 The Department of Justice announced that they are# suing after the state refused to turn over vote.. 358 00:30:45,043 --> 00:30:50,315 registration lists. The Department of Justice# sent us a statement and said in part that Congress## 359 00:30:50,315 --> 00:30:54,953 gave the Justice Department authority under# statutes, and they list out a few of these,## 360 00:30:54,953 --> 00:30:58,790 to ensure that states have proper voter# registration procedures and programs## 361 00:30:58,790 --> 00:31:05,530 to maintain clean voter rolls containing# only eligible voters in federal elections. 362 00:31:05,530 --> 00:31:10,068 Do the states have the ability to# refuse to send this information over? 363 00:31:10,068 --> 00:31:10,735 DAVID BECKER, Executive Director, Center for# Election Innovation and Research: So, first of## 364 00:31:10,735 --> 00:31:14,072 all, the National Voter .. 365 00:31:14,072 --> 00:31:18,009 which are two of the statutes that they# cite, do in fact require and authorize the## 366 00:31:18,009 --> 00:31:23,348 states to engage in list maintenance, voter list# maintenance, to keep their voter lists up to date. 367 00:31:23,348 --> 00:31:28,386 But those responsibilities reside with the states# and the states alone. What the Justice Department## 368 00:31:28,386 --> 00:31:31,923 can do -- and I know this because I worked# for seven years as a lawyer in the Justice## 369 00:31:31,923 --> 00:31:36,728 Department enforcing these statutes -- is, they# can say to states, you have to have a program## 370 00:31:36,728 --> 00:31:41,532 that does these things, that removes voters who# have died, removes voters who have moved away. 371 00:31:41,532 --> 00:31:46,638 But it doesn't enable the Justice Department# to seize that authority from the states and## 372 00:31:46,638 --> 00:31:51,109 do it for the states when they don't want# to. Another big factor here is that a lot## 373 00:31:51,109 --> 00:31:54,712 of this data is highly sensitive,# data like driver's license numbers,## 374 00:31:54,712 --> 00:31:59,183 Social Security numbers and dates of birth,# which are the holy trinity of identity theft. 375 00:31:59,183 --> 00:32:04,789 And states have very significant regulations# to protect that data from disclosure. Remember,## 376 00:32:04,789 --> 00:32:10,561 the federal government, it was revealed, just# uploaded a huge amount of data from the Social## 377 00:32:10,561 --> 00:32:18,636 Security database to a vulnerable public cloud# server. So the states have a very good reason to## 378 00:32:18,636 --> 00:32:23,374 want to protect their data and get more answers# from the DOJ that the DOJ has not provided. 379 00:32:23,374 --> 00:32:25,843 It has not been clear what they're# going to do with this data,## 380 00:32:25,843 --> 00:32:29,280 how they're going to store this data,# who's going to have access to this data. 381 00:32:29,280 --> 00:32:32,650 LIZ LANDERS: In a separate action that# the Department of Justice is taking,## 382 00:32:32,650 --> 00:32:37,989 they sent a request back in August to# access voting machines, specifically## 383 00:32:37,989 --> 00:32:43,661 Dominion Voting Systems that were used in the# 2020 election in two counties in Missouri. 384 00:32:43,661 --> 00:32:48,566 Neither of these county election officials# have complied to turn over these voting## 385 00:32:48,566 --> 00:32:52,370 machines. Does the Department# of Justice have input on voting## 386 00:32:52,370 --> 00:32:57,675 machines and maintaining the actual# physical infrastructure for voting? 387 00:32:57,675 --> 00:33:01,746 DAVID BECKER: With rare exception, the DOJ has# absolutely no authority over voting machines.## 388 00:33:01,746 --> 00:33:05,583 They might have some authority to ensure# that the voting process is accessible to,## 389 00:33:05,583 --> 00:33:07,752 for instance, people with disabilities or people## 390 00:33:07,752 --> 00:33:10,888 who don't speak English very well.# That's in the Voting Rights Act. 391 00:33:10,888 --> 00:33:15,827 But, in general, they have no authority to# seize or inspect voting machines in any way.## 392 00:33:15,827 --> 00:33:19,931 And the way that this was done in states# like Missouri -- there's also allegations## 393 00:33:19,931 --> 00:33:24,402 this was done in Colorado -- is, it appears# they went through some kind of third party## 394 00:33:24,402 --> 00:33:29,107 to try to twist arms with local election# officials and get access to those devices. 395 00:33:29,107 --> 00:33:33,277 It's even more troubling because there# is federal law that requires these local## 396 00:33:33,277 --> 00:33:37,515 election officials to maintain custody.# Chain of custody is very important with## 397 00:33:37,515 --> 00:33:41,753 voting machines. And if they -- if# that chain of custody is destroyed,## 398 00:33:41,753 --> 00:33:44,789 it could render those machines# unusable in the next election. 399 00:33:44,789 --> 00:33:48,393 So there's no clear indication,# again, what the DOJ is doing,## 400 00:33:48,393 --> 00:33:51,662 whether it has any competence# whatsoever to look at voting machines,## 401 00:33:51,662 --> 00:33:54,932 and absolutely no federal statute# that authorizes them to do that. 402 00:33:54,932 --> 00:33:56,868 LIZ LANDERS: I want to play for# you a sound bite from President## 403 00:33:56,868 --> 00:34:00,905 Trump last month talking about# mail-in ballots. Let's listen. 404 00:34:00,905 --> 00:34:04,008 DONALD TRUMP, President of the United States:# Mail-in ballots are corrupt. Mail-in ballots,## 405 00:34:04,008 --> 00:34:10,782 you can never have a real democracy with# mail-in ballots. And we, as a Republican Party,## 406 00:34:10,782 --> 00:34:15,186 are going to do everything possible# that we get rid of mail-in ballots. 407 00:34:15,186 --> 00:34:17,288 LIZ LANDERS: The president has repeatedly attacked## 408 00:34:17,288 --> 00:34:21,993 mail-in ballots and that form of# voting. Are mail-in ballots secure? 409 00:34:21,993 --> 00:34:23,428 DAVID BECKER: Well, we have had mail-in ballots,## 410 00:34:23,428 --> 00:34:27,765 mail-in voting, since at least the# Civil War, so for over 150 years. 411 00:34:27,765 --> 00:34:32,870 And, in fact, the states that started making it# more popular, extending it to more people often## 412 00:34:32,870 --> 00:34:39,677 tended to be redder states, states like Arizona,# Utah, who were thinking about voters who might be## 413 00:34:39,677 --> 00:34:45,183 older, who might be in rural areas, who needed# to find ways to vote. It's absolutely secure.## 414 00:34:45,183 --> 00:34:50,088 Every state has multiple protections in place# on the voter registration side, once the ballots## 415 00:34:50,088 --> 00:34:54,325 come back in, to check to see the signatures# are matching and the right person is voting. 416 00:34:54,325 --> 00:34:57,428 And, also, if anyone ever tried to# vote a ballot there wasn't theirs,## 417 00:34:57,428 --> 00:34:59,931 it's likely they're going to -- that# person's going to show up. And so## 418 00:34:59,931 --> 00:35:03,835 there will be protections in place# to make sure mail voting is secure. 419 00:35:03,835 --> 00:35:05,269 LIZ LANDERS: To the point# that you were just making,## 420 00:35:05,269 --> 00:35:09,207 there are 36 states that allow# no-excuse absentee voting,## 421 00:35:09,207 --> 00:35:14,812 including several that are almost entirely# vote-by-mail. President Trump won 20 of those. 422 00:35:14,812 --> 00:35:19,016 Does the president have the power# to get rid of this kind of voting? 423 00:35:19,016 --> 00:35:23,521 DAVID BECKER: No, the founders were very wise# when they constructed the Constitution. Remember,## 424 00:35:23,521 --> 00:35:29,026 they had just defeated a tyrant in England and# achieved their freedom here in the United States. 425 00:35:29,026 --> 00:35:32,864 And one of the things they were really# worried about was that a future despot,## 426 00:35:32,864 --> 00:35:36,334 a future authoritarian would try# to seize power through some kind## 427 00:35:36,334 --> 00:35:40,571 of populism or something like that. And so# they decentralized the running of elections## 428 00:35:40,571 --> 00:35:44,408 through something called the Elections Clause# of the Constitution, which says that the time,## 429 00:35:44,408 --> 00:35:48,646 place and manner of elections is# regulated by the state legislatures. 430 00:35:48,646 --> 00:35:53,584 Congress can also regulate it, of course, Congress# being made up by the states. But the White House,## 431 00:35:53,584 --> 00:35:57,822 the president, plays absolutely no role on# elections. And if the president wants to change## 432 00:35:57,822 --> 00:36:02,393 anything with regard to federal elections, he,# of course, has to go through Congress to do that. 433 00:36:02,393 --> 00:36:03,828 LIZ LANDERS: David Becker, thank you so much. 434 00:36:03,828 --> 00:36:10,801 DAVID BECKER: Thank you, Liz. 435 00:36:10,801 --> 00:36:17,341 GEOFF BENNETT:## 436 00:36:17,341 --> 00:36:22,413 Former FBI Director James Comey's indictment# and a looming government shutdown. 437 00:36:22,413 --> 00:36:25,183 Much to discuss with their friends# Brooks and Capehart. That's New## 438 00:36:25,183 --> 00:36:29,187 York Times columnist David Brooks# and Jonathan Capehart of MSNBC. 439 00:36:29,187 --> 00:36:29,921 It's great to see you both. 440 00:36:29,921 --> 00:36:34,559 So, David, President Donald .. 441 00:36:34,559 --> 00:36:36,961 on the job for just four days when she went before## 442 00:36:36,961 --> 00:36:42,233 a grand jury seeking this extraordinary,# unprecedented indictment of James Comey. 443 00:36:42,233 --> 00:36:46,404 How do you view the charges themselves# and the process that led to these charges? 444 00:36:46,404 --> 00:36:49,106 DAVID BROOKS: I view it the way every# other sentient human being views it,## 445 00:36:49,106 --> 00:36:52,243 as an erosion of our democracy, a blatant one. 446 00:36:52,243 --> 00:36:55,279 You want your prosecutors to ask# themselves one question -- well,## 447 00:36:55,279 --> 00:36:59,116 two. Did this person commit a crime# and can we prove it? And, clearly,## 448 00:36:59,116 --> 00:37:03,120 that's not the way you can think if you're if# the Justice Department these days. The only## 449 00:37:03,120 --> 00:37:06,958 question you need -- have to ask yourself# is, does the president want me to do this? 450 00:37:06,958 --> 00:37:12,797 And that's just a violation of our basic# fundamental principles. And so I wish I## 451 00:37:12,797 --> 00:37:17,535 had something sophisticated to say, but when# you look at what the actual indictment is,## 452 00:37:17,535 --> 00:37:21,372 it claims that he knew that# somebody else did some leak. 453 00:37:21,372 --> 00:37:26,944 Well, it's so flimsy, you can see why they have# been deciding not to prosecute this case over## 454 00:37:26,944 --> 00:37:31,349 and over and over again. And to do it a week# before the term runs out, with the prosecutors## 455 00:37:31,349 --> 00:37:37,088 never prosecuted anything before, it's the# obvious. It's a violation of our democracy. 456 00:37:37,088 --> 00:37:40,491 GEOFF BENNETT: Jonathan, how# does all of this strike you? 457 00:37:40,491 --> 00:37:44,228 JONATHAN CAPEHART: Oh, look, when it comes# to democracy and threats to democracy,## 458 00:37:44,228 --> 00:37:48,566 there will be no daylight between me and David. 459 00:37:48,566 --> 00:37:54,805 I come at this with the same view. Justice# is supposed to be blind. It is supposed## 460 00:37:54,805 --> 00:38:00,811 to be meted out without fear or favor of the# powerful and certainly without pressure from## 461 00:38:00,811 --> 00:38:05,916 the president. And now what we have seen time# and time again -- this isn't the only time that## 462 00:38:05,916 --> 00:38:11,355 we have seen Justice looking over her shoulder,# wondering, what does the president want me to do? 463 00:38:11,355 --> 00:38:15,760 And the other thing about this# indictment of James Comey,## 464 00:38:15,760 --> 00:38:22,233 it's only two pages. And it's only -- it's# two pages because it's double-spaced. It is## 465 00:38:22,233 --> 00:38:28,306 literally so flimsy that it is no wonder# that the former FBI director is saying,## 466 00:38:28,306 --> 00:38:34,245 yes, let's go to trial, because I think he# knows deep down, if justice is to prevail,## 467 00:38:34,245 --> 00:38:41,252 if the rule of law is to be upheld, a jury# of his peers will find him not guilty. 468 00:38:41,252 --> 00:38:45,122 GEOFF BENNETT: And, David, the president is# predicting more prosecutions to come, he told## 469 00:38:45,122 --> 00:38:49,927 a reporter on the South Lawn. He doesn't have a# list, but he says: "I think there will be others." 470 00:38:49,927 --> 00:38:52,630 We pulled together a list of all the people the## 471 00:38:52,630 --> 00:38:56,801 president has targeted for retribution in# varying degrees. You see them all there,## 472 00:38:56,801 --> 00:39:01,839 Letitia James. You see Jimmy Kimmel, Adam# Schiff, John Bolton. The list goes on. 473 00:39:01,839 --> 00:39:05,209 Stepping back, what does this moment# mean for the Justice Department itself,## 474 00:39:05,209 --> 00:39:10,314 its independence, its credibility, and the# way Americans view its role going forward? 475 00:39:10,314 --> 00:39:11,449 DAVID BROOKS: Gone. 476 00:39:11,449 --> 00:39:14,318 And, of course, it's not the first time# the Justic.. 477 00:39:14,318 --> 00:39:18,189 you would say. John F. Kennedy shouldn't have# appointed his brother as attorney general. But## 478 00:39:18,723 --> 00:39:21,525 it's -- one of the things# I think we have learned is,## 479 00:39:21,525 --> 00:39:25,930 the Constitution's a magnificent document,# but they made it too hard to change. 480 00:39:25,930 --> 00:39:28,733 And a lot of countries have# independent prosecutorial systems,## 481 00:39:28,733 --> 00:39:32,069 and they don't have the politicians# determining who's going to -- and we## 482 00:39:32,069 --> 00:39:37,274 relied -- instead of a legal precedent that# it's going to be separate and independent,## 483 00:39:37,274 --> 00:39:43,447 we learn -- we relied on norms. We learn --# relied on presidents restraining themselves. 484 00:39:43,447 --> 00:39:47,718 And it turns out -- and we have learned# this since the first Trump term -- that## 485 00:39:48,719 --> 00:39:53,991 norms that we thought were -- we almost thought# they were real, like concrete. And norms are## 486 00:39:53,991 --> 00:39:59,230 really powerful, but if somebody destroys# them, they have destroyed your system. And so## 487 00:39:59,997 --> 00:40:03,367 the eruption of norms has really# led to us -- us where we are today. 488 00:40:03,367 --> 00:40:08,239 And then the final thing I'd say is that Lindsey# Halligan, she must -- she might be a wonderful## 489 00:40:08,239 --> 00:40:13,744 person. I don't know. I don't know her. But the# quality of a job of a prosecutor, like the quality## 490 00:40:13,744 --> 00:40:19,683 of a general, like the quality of a pilot, like# the quality of a journalist, experience helps. 491 00:40:19,683 --> 00:40:23,587 And the people who were fired because# they refuse to do this were experienced## 492 00:40:23,587 --> 00:40:29,760 prosecutors. I don't know their politics, but# they lived up to the standard of their craft.## 493 00:40:29,760 --> 00:40:33,664 And when you have somebody who's willing# to betray the standard of their craft,## 494 00:40:33,664 --> 00:40:39,036 you have got something bigger than one case.# You have got an administration where people## 495 00:40:39,036 --> 00:40:44,074 are going to do the things that are disgraceful# because they just don't see any disgrace in it. 496 00:40:44,074 --> 00:40:47,511 GEOFF BENNETT: And, Jonathan, building on# David's point about the erosion of norms,## 497 00:40:47,511 --> 00:40:51,916 how might this indictment influence# America's credibility abroad,## 498 00:40:51,916 --> 00:40:57,655 where the rule of law has long been# the cornerstone of our democracy? 499 00:40:57,655 --> 00:41:00,224 JONATHAN CAPEHART: Right. The answer# to your question is in the question. 500 00:41:00,224 --> 00:41:06,864 The United States has been a beacon around# the world for a whole host of reasons,## 501 00:41:06,864 --> 00:41:12,703 but primarily because of the rule of law,# that, if you go before the judicial system,## 502 00:41:12,703 --> 00:41:19,844 you go before a jury of your peers, you# will have your day in court. And what## 503 00:41:19,844 --> 00:41:27,451 we're seeing here is -- I agree with David.# The independence of DOJ is -- it is gone. 504 00:41:27,451 --> 00:41:33,357 And the one thing that -- in addition# to the norms that David talked about,## 505 00:41:33,357 --> 00:41:39,530 that the Constitution relied on,# that the founders relied on, was## 506 00:41:39,530 --> 00:41:46,070 leaders of good character. And that is what# we do not have in the current president of## 507 00:41:46,070 --> 00:41:53,043 the United States. And I say that because a person# of good character would not single out his or her## 508 00:41:53,043 --> 00:42:01,685 enemies for prosecution without evidence and# just say flatly they're guilty of something,## 509 00:42:01,685 --> 00:42:06,991 and then demand that the people at the# Justice Department go find that something. 510 00:42:08,392 --> 00:42:14,732 We are in a very bad place when it comes to the# rule of law. And this is why the world is so## 511 00:42:14,732 --> 00:42:21,505 worried about what is happening to this country,# why they were so worried about a Trump 2.0. 512 00:42:21,505 --> 00:42:23,908 GEOFF BENNETT: And we are also# in this country days away from## 513 00:42:23,908 --> 00:42:26,477 a government shutdown with no off-ramp in sight. 514 00:42:26,477 --> 00:42:31,982 The OMB director, Russ Vought, he charged into# this escalating shutdown fight, warning of mass## 515 00:42:31,982 --> 00:42:37,421 federal layoffs unless Democrats basically do# what President Trump and Republicans want. David,## 516 00:42:37,421 --> 00:42:41,091 what do you make of the way the Trump# administration is playing hardball here? 517 00:42:41,091 --> 00:42:43,861 DAVID BROOKS: It was entirely# predictable. Donald Trump ran## 518 00:42:44,395 --> 00:42:47,364 for office saying he was going to take# a flamethrower to the U.S. government,## 519 00:42:47,364 --> 00:42:52,469 federal bureaucracy. He hired Elon# Musk, and Musk more or less failed. 520 00:42:52,469 --> 00:42:57,841 DOGE created a lot of chaos, but it didn't take# a blowtorch to the U.S. government. It was mostly## 521 00:42:57,841 --> 00:43:02,546 ineffective. And, to me, the problem here is that# Chuck Schumer has decided to pick up where Elon## 522 00:43:02,546 --> 00:43:07,351 Musk leaves off. He -- by shutting down the# -- heading us toward a government shutdown,## 523 00:43:07,351 --> 00:43:13,757 he will give the federal government or the Trump# administration incredible latitude to fire people,## 524 00:43:13,757 --> 00:43:19,263 to decimate more agencies, to pour money# where they need to for political support,## 525 00:43:19,263 --> 00:43:23,500 to withdraw money where they want to -- because# they don't think it will politically hurt him. 526 00:43:23,500 --> 00:43:29,106 They are handing Russell Vought amazing power when# they do this. And that's just not me saying this.## 527 00:43:29,106 --> 00:43:32,476 This is what Chuck Schumer said in May when# he decided not to shut down the government.## 528 00:43:32,476 --> 00:43:38,315 He said, it would give carte blanche for the# Trump administration to destroy vital services.## 529 00:43:38,315 --> 00:43:42,486 It would hand the keys to the city and the# state and the country to Russell Vought. 530 00:43:42,486 --> 00:43:45,522 I don't know what's different from now# from March. I think he made the right## 531 00:43:45,522 --> 00:43:48,959 call in March. This is not the battle# to fight because it will just lead to## 532 00:43:48,959 --> 00:43:53,263 the destruction of the federal government. And# there's no upside here for anybody. People do## 533 00:43:53,263 --> 00:43:57,201 not win government shutdowns. So there's no# upside for the Democrats. It's all downside. 534 00:43:57,201 --> 00:43:59,370 GEOFF BENNETT: Jonathan, should Democrats adjust## 535 00:43:59,370 --> 00:44:02,473 their strategy now to deal with# Vought's playing hardball here? 536 00:44:02,473 --> 00:44:06,944 We had Chuck Schumer, Senator Schumer on# the program before this threat, and he was## 537 00:44:06,944 --> 00:44:11,915 saying that they are going to hold firm, not# compromise on the issues that they hold dear. 538 00:44:11,915 --> 00:44:13,517 JONATHAN CAPEHART: And he's absolutely right. 539 00:44:13,517 --> 00:44:20,290 Here is where David and I are# in complete disagreement. Look,## 540 00:44:20,891 --> 00:44:25,763 Russell Vought, President Trump,# this has been their plan all along.## 541 00:44:25,763 --> 00:44:32,703 Democrats have to play hardball with them, have# to meet their hardball tactics with hardball## 542 00:44:32,703 --> 00:44:38,809 tactics. They were always going to take a# wrecking ball to the federal government. 543 00:44:38,809 --> 00:44:43,447 They're going to take a wrecking ball to the# federal government and do all sorts of things## 544 00:44:43,447 --> 00:44:49,353 whether Democrats give them the votes# needed to pass the C.R. or not. The one## 545 00:44:49,353 --> 00:44:54,625 thing -- Democrats are talking about they want# to safeguard health care for 15 million people,## 546 00:44:54,625 --> 00:44:59,363 from those who are about to lose their Obamacare# subsidies to those who are on Medicare. 547 00:44:59,363 --> 00:45:06,403 But there's something else that they are# wisely demanding. They're demanding that## 548 00:45:06,403 --> 00:45:12,943 the OMB director and the president dial back,# that Congress dialed back the president's## 549 00:45:12,943 --> 00:45:17,681 rescission power. And what that means is,# let's say Democrats give Republicans the votes## 550 00:45:17,681 --> 00:45:24,088 they need to do the C.R. to fund the government# afterwards, to do all those appropriations bills. 551 00:45:24,088 --> 00:45:29,993 Well, Russell Vought and the president have# time and time again gone to Congress and said,## 552 00:45:29,993 --> 00:45:35,666 the money that you appropriated for X, Y or# Z, we're not spending it that way. We don't## 553 00:45:35,666 --> 00:45:40,571 care whether you like it or not. And so that's the# other thing that the Democrats are fighting for,## 554 00:45:40,571 --> 00:45:45,209 and they are right to demand that,# because no matter what they agree to,## 555 00:45:45,209 --> 00:45:49,279 the Trump administration is going to# turn their back on it, no matter what. 556 00:45:49,279 --> 00:45:50,781 Fight, Democrats. 557 00:45:50,781 --> 00:45:52,316 GEOFF BENNETT: Jonathan Capehart, David Brooks,## 558 00:45:52,316 --> 00:45:56,453 we're grateful for your perspectives at the# end of a very long, very busy .. 559 00:45:56,453 --> 00:45:57,654 DAVID BROOKS: Thank you. 560 00:45:57,654 --> 00:46:02,626 JONATHAN CAPEHART: Thanks. 561 00:46:02,626 --> 00:46:08,799 AMNA NAWAZ:## 562 00:46:08,799 --> 00:46:13,504 Academy Award nominee Scarlett Johansson# is known the world over for major roles## 563 00:46:13,504 --> 00:46:17,374 in close to 40 films over the# past three decades. Recently,## 564 00:46:17,374 --> 00:46:20,811 she became the highest-grossing# lead actor in Hollywood. 565 00:46:20,811 --> 00:46:24,715 She's now taking on a new role# as director. Her debut film,## 566 00:46:24,715 --> 00:46:29,353 "Eleanor the Great," hits theaters tonight. I# met up with her in New York earlier this week## 567 00:46:29,353 --> 00:46:34,858 to discuss this latest chapter in her career.# It's for our arts and culture series, Canvas. 568 00:46:34,858 --> 00:46:39,363 JUNE SQUIBB, Actress: Because we have been# coming here every Friday for the last 16## 569 00:46:39,363 --> 00:46:45,035 years. Can you count to 16, Charlie? AMNA NAWAZ: It's a celebration of deep## 570 00:46:45,035 --> 00:46:52,209 devotion, a friendship for the ages... 571 00:46:52,209 --> 00:46:53,911 (LAUGHTER) AMNA NAWAZ: ... paired with the grief that stems 572 00:46:53,911 --> 00:46:58,081 from sudden loss and a lie# that ties it all together. 573 00:46:58,081 --> 00:47:03,253 Actress June Squibb, who turns 96# this November, stars as Eleanor,## 574 00:47:03,253 --> 00:47:07,691 who one day accidentally walks into# the wrong room at her New York Jewish## 575 00:47:07,691 --> 00:47:13,163 community center and ends up adopting her# late friend's Holocaust story as her own. 576 00:47:13,163 --> 00:47:18,569 ERIN KELLYMAN, Actress: I was wondering# if I could feature you in my article. 577 00:47:18,569 --> 00:47:24,141 SCARLETT JOHANSSON, Director: I have to approach# my job with empathy and then let the audience,## 578 00:47:24,141 --> 00:47:28,078 let them have their own feelings# about the characters and what they do. 579 00:47:28,078 --> 00:47:30,247 AMNA NAWAZ: It's the feature directorial# debut for Scarlett Johansson. 580 00:47:30,247 --> 00:47:33,984 SCARLETT JOHANSSON: I hope# that, at the end of the film,## 581 00:47:33,984 --> 00:47:43,427 the audience has empathy for Eleanor. I# certainly do. I think people are complicated. 582 00:47:43,427 --> 00:47:45,896 AMNA NAWAZ: Eleanor can be bawdy and brash. 583 00:47:45,896 --> 00:47:48,031 JUNE SQUIBB: Say goodbye to Melvin for me.## 584 00:47:49,132 --> 00:47:56,006 Oh, we had such a wonderful time# the other night. He's very strong. 585 00:47:56,006 --> 00:47:58,642 ACTRESS: You're so full of# (EXPLETIVE DELETED) Eleanor. 586 00:47:58,642 --> 00:47:59,910 JUNE SQUIBB: Yes. 587 00:47:59,910 --> 00:48:05,349 AMNA NAWAZ: And an imposing often grading presence# on the d.. 588 00:48:05,349 --> 00:48:08,552 ACTOR: She's going to live forever. 589 00:48:08,552 --> 00:48:13,991 AMNA NAWAZ: There is in Eleanor# this main character who is not## 590 00:48:13,991 --> 00:48:17,828 there to compliment anyone else# or play off of someone else.## 591 00:48:17,828 --> 00:48:23,967 You don't see women like that a lot# on the big screen. Why don't we? 592 00:48:23,967 --> 00:48:30,474 SCARLETT JOHANSSON: Characters like# Eleanor in real life are often invisible## 593 00:48:30,474 --> 00:48:37,614 in communities. Why? I don't know. I think# people are afraid of their own mortality## 594 00:48:37,614 --> 00:48:43,754 and people that are aging are a reminder# of that potentially for people. You know,## 595 00:48:43,754 --> 00:48:49,126 and it's like -- I don't know. I# think we live in an aging society,## 596 00:48:49,126 --> 00:48:54,164 and so there's more interest, I think, in# aging now than that has been in the past. 597 00:48:54,164 --> 00:49:03,040 And I think movies like this film and actors# like June help to move that cause forward. 598 00:49:03,040 --> 00:49:07,444 AMNA NAWAZ: After the devastating loss of# her best friend Bessie, Eleanor fills the## 599 00:49:07,444 --> 00:49:12,149 void with an unlikely new bond, a college# student reporter played by Erin Kellyman... 600 00:49:12,149 --> 00:49:15,118 ERIN KELLYMAN: What's it like being 94? 601 00:49:15,118 --> 00:49:18,555 JUNE SQUIBB: I feel the same# way I did when I was 16. 602 00:49:18,555 --> 00:49:22,092 AMNA NAWAZ: ... who turns to Eleanor# and other stories of survival from a## 603 00:49:22,092 --> 00:49:27,597 Holocaust support group to help her wrestle# with her own grief after her mother's death. 604 00:49:27,597 --> 00:49:31,902 JUNE SQUIBB: You have to talk about# the things that make you sad. Jews## 605 00:49:31,902 --> 00:49:35,906 fled Poland and never talked about# what they went through. They just## 606 00:49:35,906 --> 00:49:42,312 kept it moving. And there's some good# in that, but it can just eat you alive. 607 00:49:42,312 --> 00:49:47,284 AMNA NAWAZ: Central to the story and to the# character of Eleanor is her Jewish faith,## 608 00:49:47,284 --> 00:49:52,322 right, her relationship to her faith.# And your decision in key parts of the## 609 00:49:52,322 --> 00:49:56,960 movie to -- as I understand it, to# cast real Holocaust survivors playing## 610 00:49:56,960 --> 00:50:03,033 themselves in some of those scenes,# why was that important to you to do? 611 00:50:03,033 --> 00:50:05,369 SCARLETT JOHANSSON: You know, I# never even questioned it. I just## 612 00:50:05,369 --> 00:50:11,441 never thought about casting actors# for those roles. Part of it, again,## 613 00:50:11,441 --> 00:50:22,953 was just the desire to ground the story# in even a deeper emotional significance. 614 00:50:22,953 --> 00:50:28,091 Several years ago, I participated in "Finding# Your Roots," and I discovered that I -- I knew## 615 00:50:28,091 --> 00:50:36,199 that I had relatives that died in the Warsaw# ghetto, but I didn't know the whole story of it. 616 00:50:36,199 --> 00:50:41,438 It makes me feel more deeply connected to# that side of myself, that side of my family. 617 00:50:41,438 --> 00:50:46,309 He presented me with a paper that had# -- it was essentially like a death## 618 00:50:46,309 --> 00:50:50,881 certificate for all of the people# in my family that I'd lost there. 619 00:50:50,881 --> 00:50:53,050 AMNA NAWAZ: How much did you# think about your own family## 620 00:50:53,050 --> 00:50:55,185 story as you were telling this family story? 621 00:50:55,185 --> 00:50:57,521 SCARLETT JOHANSSON: It was impossible# not to think about my own family story,## 622 00:50:57,521 --> 00:51:01,191 because it lives within me.# That's sort of all in my own DNA,## 623 00:51:01,191 --> 00:51:05,028 and all in all my memories, and# so the film is infused with that. 624 00:51:05,028 --> 00:51:09,433 AMNA NAWAZ: It's also informed by Johansson's# own relationship with her grandmother,## 625 00:51:09,433 --> 00:51:14,304 Dorothy Sloan, a kindergarten# teacher, arts lover, and inspiration. 626 00:51:14,304 --> 00:51:24,714 SCARLETT JOHANSSON: We had such a deep friendship# and feeling a sense of, like, sisterhood between## 627 00:51:24,714 --> 00:51:32,389 us. We talked about everything. We talked about# our bodies. We talked about our family. We talked## 628 00:51:32,389 --> 00:51:37,794 about our fantasies, our -- we talked about sex.# We talked about politics. Like, we really... 629 00:51:37,794 --> 00:51:38,695 AMNA NAWAZ: With your grandmother? 630 00:51:38,695 --> 00:51:43,433 SCARLETT JOHANSSON: Yes, with my# gr.. 631 00:51:43,433 --> 00:51:50,073 Reading this script and seeing# this intergenerational friendship## 632 00:51:50,073 --> 00:51:58,448 celebrated and out in the open, it was so# unique. It felt like something I wanted to## 633 00:51:58,448 --> 00:52:02,219 explore artistically and something# I feel like we should see more of. 634 00:52:02,219 --> 00:52:07,023 AMNA NAWAZ: That uniqueness is being well# received. At the Cannes Film Festival premiere,## 635 00:52:07,023 --> 00:52:14,131 "Eleanor the Great" received a# five-minute standing ovation. 636 00:52:14,131 --> 00:52:14,131 (CHEERING) 637 00:52:17,134 --> 00:52:20,637 and it was also for June, I think.# She's so extraordinary in the film.## 638 00:52:20,637 --> 00:52:25,342 And it felt like -- this really feels# like a legacy performance for her. 639 00:52:25,342 --> 00:52:27,344 AMNA NAWAZ: Tell me about working with her,## 640 00:52:27,344 --> 00:52:31,748 what that was like, and directing her in# particular. Does she take direction well? 641 00:52:31,748 --> 00:52:42,559 SCARLETT JOHANSSON: June is -- I mean,# she's such a sharp, very sinewy actor. She's## 642 00:52:42,559 --> 00:52:48,798 just -- she comes to set, she's been preparing for# months, she has an idea of what she wants to do,## 643 00:52:48,798 --> 00:52:55,272 and her first take is fantastic, and then# just keeps getting better from there. 644 00:52:55,272 --> 00:53:00,644 AMNA NAWAZ: The 40-year-old Johansson's evolution# and dexterity have built a career most actors only## 645 00:53:00,644 --> 00:53:05,882 dream of, from child star in "The Horse# Whisperer" with mentor Robert Redford... 646 00:53:05,882 --> 00:53:07,484 ROBERT REDFORD, Actor: What, do# you have a problem with that? 647 00:53:07,484 --> 00:53:09,252 SCARLETT JOHANSSON: Isn't it, like, obvious? 648 00:53:09,252 --> 00:53:11,388 AMNA NAWAZ: ... to films# like "Lost in Translation"... 649 00:53:11,388 --> 00:53:16,793 SCARLETT JOHANSSON: How dare you# compare my mothering to my mother? 650 00:53:16,793 --> 00:53:20,864 AMNA NAWAZ: ... "Marriage Story"# and "Jojo Rabbit," even extending to## 651 00:53:20,864 --> 00:53:25,902 action films like "Jurassic World" and# across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 652 00:53:25,902 --> 00:53:28,705 But directing was a dream she carried for years. 653 00:53:28,705 --> 00:53:33,910 SCARLETT JOHANSSON: Part of my work is,# I read a lot of scripts. And I think,## 654 00:53:33,910 --> 00:53:42,652 having done it for such a long time, when I read# a script, like, I see I see the entire film in## 655 00:53:42,652 --> 00:53:49,426 my mind. You know this film inside and out,# and it's my own perspective on storytelling. 656 00:53:49,426 --> 00:53:50,460 JUNE SQUIBB: Me? 657 00:53:50,460 --> 00:53:53,830 AMNA NAWAZ: Johansson says she hopes# the connec.. 658 00:53:53,830 --> 00:53:58,301 story offers a window into her life# and a mirror for the audience watching. 659 00:53:58,301 --> 00:54:08,411 SCARLETT JOHANSSON: You know, we're all human.# And I think I would hope that this story## 660 00:54:09,746 --> 00:54:13,917 allows the audience to let go# of whatever judgment that they## 661 00:54:13,917 --> 00:54:21,291 may have of Eleanor initially and# be able to reflect on themselves. 662 00:54:21,291 --> 00:54:26,062 AMNA NAWAZ: And, remember,# there's a lot more online,## 663 00:54:26,062 --> 00:54:30,333 including a lightning round of questions# with Scarlett Johansson, covering everything## 664 00:54:30,333 --> 00:54:36,139 from her real-life superpowers to her latest# Google search. That is on our YouTube page. 665 00:54:36,139 --> 00:54:38,408 GEOFF BENNETT: And be sure to# watch "Washington Week With The## 666 00:54:38,408 --> 00:54:42,312 Atlantic" tonight on PBS. Jeffrey# Goldberg and his panel consider how## 667 00:54:42,312 --> 00:54:46,316 President Trump's role in James Comey's# indictment signals an historic shift. 668 00:54:46,316 --> 00:54:49,286 AMNA NAWAZ: And watch "PBS News# Weekend" tomorrow for a look at## 669 00:54:49,286 --> 00:54:54,491 the increasing popularity of egg freezing# as a way for women to delay childbirth. 670 00:54:54,491 --> 00:54:57,727 And that is the "News Hour"# for tonight. I'm Amna Nawaz. 671 00:54:57,727 --> 00:54:58,728 GEOFF BENNETT: And I'm Geoff Bennett. 672 00:54:58,728 --> 00:55:00,630 For all of us here at the "PBS News Hour," th.. 673 00:55:00,630 --> 00:55:03,767 for spending part of your evening# with us, and have a great weekend.