URGENT!! Latest Trump News [5PM] 10_1_2023 - BREAKING NEWS Today Oct 1, 2023
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00:00 politically traumatic experience.
00:01 And thank you.
00:02 You helped present the award.
00:04 You and I both couldn't be in Washington, but my daughter Ashley received the award.
00:08 And people were excited about your videotapes.
00:11 So thank you.
00:12 As always, the fabulous Simone, I'm so proud of you.
00:17 Good evening.
00:18 Welcome to "Politics Nation."
00:20 Tonight's lead, "Governing by Crisis."
00:24 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:34 Relief and revulsion.
00:37 That's what I'm feeling tonight, having watched this week's
00:40 dramatic but successful vote to pass short-term federal spending
00:46 and averted government shutdown that was literally just hours away
00:52 at this time last night.
00:53 And while I'm relieved that those thousands of federal employees
00:57 will receive their paychecks, I remain revolted by the brinkmanship
01:02 from House Republicans that nearly crippled America
01:05 to score political points.
01:08 President Biden echoed that same sentiment this afternoon
01:13 after signing the spending bill into law,
01:16 saying it was time for Congress to stop governing by crisis.
01:22 Enough is enough is enough.
01:25 This is not that complicated.
01:27 The brinkmanship has to end.
01:30 And there shouldn't be another crisis.
01:34 So the nation can continue to conduct its public business
01:38 for at least another six weeks.
01:40 But Speaker Kevin McCarthy may not hold onto his job
01:43 long enough to even preside over the next spending battle
01:47 as he faces a new challenge to his leadership.
01:51 Meanwhile, former President Trump is traveling to New York tonight
01:55 ahead of his civic trial, his civil trial tomorrow,
01:59 setting up a potential face-off with New York Attorney General
02:04 Letitia James, who plans to be in the courtroom,
02:07 according to a person familiar with her.
02:10 And a new session of the Supreme Court is starting tomorrow
02:14 with abortion, gun cases, and social media all on the docket.
02:19 And in California, Governor Gavin Newsom must decide very soon
02:24 who will replace the late, great Senator Dianne Feinstein
02:28 at a time when Democrats hold the slightest majority
02:32 in the chamber.
02:33 Lots to cover tonight, so let's get started.
02:36 Joining me now, Congresswoman Barbara Lee,
02:39 Democrat of California, currently
02:42 running for the US Senate.
02:44 Congresswoman, first, thank you for joining us tonight.
02:47 And I imagine you were relieved, as we all were,
02:51 about the passage of yesterday's temporary spending bill
02:54 to keep the government open.
02:56 More Democrats than Republicans voted for the resolution.
03:00 But can you talk about how you all came to this consensus
03:05 and what we can expect when this comes up again in just 45 days?
03:12 Thank you, Reverend Al.
03:12 Nice to be with you.
03:13 Congratulations to you on your award,
03:16 because your voice and your leadership
03:17 is certainly needed for such a time as this.
03:19 And I do have to salute and congratulate and send
03:22 happy birthday greetings to President Jimmy Carter.
03:25 I was able to be part of his Sunday school class
03:28 on several occasions.
03:29 And I am telling you, he's a remarkable human being,
03:32 and his spirit soars.
03:34 And yes, Reverend Al, we had quite a time.
03:37 I mean, Democrats led.
03:38 First of all, Speaker McCarthy was
03:40 being held hostage by the MAGA extremist Republicans
03:44 and by whatever deal he made with them.
03:46 And in fact, the Republicans were
03:49 ready to let the government shut down, which would have furloughed
03:53 so many workers.
03:54 Havoc would have been wreaked on so many people's lives.
03:57 Services would have been stopped.
03:59 Our small businesses would have been in shatters.
04:02 Health care would have been caught, public safety accounts.
04:05 And so it was really a very dangerous moment
04:08 for people in this country.
04:10 But Democrats stepped up, and we fought
04:13 to make sure that one, these budget cuts, which
04:16 they have presented about 30% on all of these efforts that
04:21 really help low-income people, poor people, middle class
04:25 to make it in this country.
04:26 They were ready to just cut the budget by 30%.
04:29 And so I have to just say that Democrats saved the day.
04:33 Our leader, Hakeem Jeffries, was brilliant in his strategy.
04:36 If you saw what was taking place on the floor,
04:38 they gave us this bill like 15 minutes
04:41 before they wanted us to vote on it.
04:42 That was outrageous.
04:43 We didn't know what was in the bill.
04:45 And so Speaker-- Leader McCarthy knew exactly what
04:49 to do in terms of parliamentary procedures,
04:51 so we had time to at least read the bill.
04:54 Yeah, Leader Jeffries.
04:55 But the spending bill passed the House yesterday afternoon.
04:59 It only took until this morning for Florida Congressman Matt
05:03 Gates to say he'll move this week
05:05 to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
05:07 Some moderate Republicans are urging Democrats
05:10 to save the Speaker.
05:12 Several of your Democratic colleagues
05:14 have already said they'll vote in favor of booting McCarthy.
05:18 Where do you stand?
05:19 Have you made up your mind on this?
05:22 No, I'm not saying anything at this point,
05:24 because we have to talk to Leader Jeffries.
05:26 We have to determine a path forward.
05:29 Speaker McCarthy has not stepped up
05:31 in terms of an agenda putting people over politics,
05:34 first of all.
05:36 So why should Democrats save his speakership?
05:39 I have no idea what the path forward is.
05:41 I don't know what kind of arrangements could be made.
05:44 I have no idea.
05:45 But I think it's important right now for Democrats
05:48 to follow Leader Jeffries in terms of our strategy,
05:51 because once again, we cannot allow the Republicans
05:55 and the MAGA extremist Republicans
05:56 to put-- to hold any speaker hostage for their agenda,
06:02 which would really hurt and harm the American people.
06:06 No, and to watch what happened last night,
06:09 it was not only frustrating and when
06:12 you look at what was at stake, it was just outrageous to me.
06:16 I can't tell you how angry I got.
06:19 I'm on television.
06:20 I won't say another word.
06:22 Yeah, but they're not putting people before politics.
06:24 They're playing their political games.
06:26 And unfortunately, Speaker McCarthy
06:29 is caught in that, because he did not step up and lead.
06:32 And they're being urged by a man facing 91 felony
06:35 counts and four trials.
06:37 And he can put a lot of them into this kind of position
06:41 to listen to him.
06:42 It's unbelievable.
06:43 But I want to-- you offered birthday to Jimmy Carter.
06:47 I want to offer condolences over the loss of Dianne Feinstein,
06:52 who passed away Friday after more than 30 years
06:54 representing California in the Senate.
06:58 And Governor Gavin Newsom has signaled
07:01 he'll be naming someone to that seat shortly.
07:03 And as you know, he pledged to appoint a Black woman.
07:08 And he made other statements saying it
07:10 won't be people in the race.
07:11 You said you don't want to discuss this out
07:13 of respect to the family.
07:14 And I'm going to respect that, even though I've
07:16 said some very strong statements about that.
07:19 I wanted to bring it up so that viewers would not
07:22 feel I was ducking the issue.
07:23 My position is what it is.
07:25 And we'll find out in the respectful time
07:28 what Congresswoman wants to say about that.
07:31 But, Reverend Al, let me just mention a couple of things
07:34 about Senator Feinstein, though, because these views have not
07:39 been brought forth about Senator Feinstein.
07:43 In offering my condolences and really grieving,
07:46 like the rest of our state and country,
07:48 is for the loss of this trailblazer.
07:49 A couple of things and stories that I want to relate to.
07:52 First of all, we were on the Senate floor,
07:54 and Senator Padilla spoke eloquently about the fact
07:58 that he had been a staff person, the son
08:00 of immigrant workers, in Senator Feinstein's office.
08:04 Also, Senator Feinstein had a person
08:06 in her office who was specifically
08:08 dedicated to the African-American community,
08:10 Percy Painting, from day one.
08:12 She really understood what diversity meant
08:16 in terms of her overall agenda.
08:18 And Percy was at every single event,
08:20 representing Feinstein, Dianne Feinstein,
08:22 representing the senator on all the issues
08:25 that we cared about in the Black community.
08:26 So early on, she cared about racial equity and diversity.
08:30 And inclusion.
08:31 Secondly, you know I voted against the authorization
08:34 to use military force in 2001.
08:36 And it was a hard vote.
08:37 I was the only one who voted against it.
08:39 Everyone disagreed with me.
08:41 And Senator Feinstein--
08:41 - The only one in Congress, in the House, I might add.
08:45 But go ahead.
08:46 - House and the Senate.
08:48 Well, Senator Feinstein, even though she disagreed with me,
08:51 she knew I loved orchids.
08:53 And I have this painting.
08:54 She was an artist, and she painted this beautiful painting
08:57 of an orchid.
08:58 And she signed it, and she put 2001, the date.
09:02 And she gave that to me out of kindness and out of love.
09:05 And even though we disagreed,
09:07 she wanted to lift me up and hold me.
09:08 'Cause you know, Reverend Al,
09:09 that was a very difficult time.
09:11 And so the sign of her gentleness and kindness
09:15 sometimes gets lost because she was such a great leader
09:18 on so many issues, such as the assault weapon ban,
09:21 leading on all of the issues in my district,
09:24 helping us bring federal resources
09:25 to my district, to California.
09:27 So those stories need to be told in honoring her legacy,
09:31 because I know her relationship with the black community
09:34 and how Percy Pinckney was so close to her
09:37 and how he really represented her
09:39 and took our issues back to her
09:41 so she could champion them in the Senate.
09:43 - Now, I'm a witness as head of National Action Network,
09:46 and we have chapters in Oakland and Sacramento
09:50 and office in LA.
09:52 Percy Pinckney, I would see almost every time
09:54 I came to Los Angeles for anything.
09:56 So I know you're correct there.
09:58 Before we go, I wanna ask you,
10:00 what do you make of Republican attacks
10:02 on New York Congressman Jamal Bowman?
10:05 Capitol police investigating why he pulled a fire alarm
10:08 during yesterday's vote.
10:09 Bowman said it was unintentional.
10:11 Speaker McCarthy compared it to the acts of January 6th
10:16 and other members of his party
10:18 are calling for his expulsion and censor.
10:21 Is this an overreaction or perhaps even a distraction
10:26 being pushed by Republicans?
10:28 I know Jamal well.
10:29 I doubt if he would intentionally do things,
10:30 but an investigation holds its course.
10:33 But even that, even if they find something awry
10:37 to compare it to January 6th, Congresswoman?
10:40 - It doesn't make any sense.
10:42 You know, Speaker McCarthy,
10:44 you never know where he's coming from on anything.
10:47 You know, I believe Congressman Bowman.
10:50 I know good and well that he didn't do this intentionally.
10:53 He apologized, let's move on.
10:55 But they're trying to find everything they can find
10:57 to just try to distract from their efforts
11:00 to destroy our democracy,
11:02 to make sure that budgets are cut,
11:04 that people are relying on for childcare,
11:08 for healthcare, for housing.
11:10 They're distracting, trying to distract from the real work
11:14 that we're trying to do as Democrats
11:16 and taking away the attention on what they're doing
11:19 to destroy our democracy.
11:21 And so forget what Speaker McCarthy says.
11:24 You know, I know we're gonna have to circle the wagons
11:26 around Congressman Bowman, but I intend to do that.
11:29 And I think it's a bunch of noise
11:31 that they're just showing how petty that they are.
11:36 - All right, thank you, Congresswoman Barbara Lee
11:38 for being with us tonight.
11:40 From the House to the Senate,
11:42 joining me now, Democratic Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley,
11:46 who sits on the Appropriations and Budget Committees.
11:49 Thank you for joining me today.
11:51 Senator. - Great to be with you.
11:54 - Thank you again.
11:55 Let's start with the spending bill.
11:58 You and your colleagues work to keep the government running
12:01 for another 45 days.
12:02 What's going on right now in terms of getting started
12:06 on a longer term plan?
12:08 - You bet, there are 12 spending bills,
12:11 we call them appropriation bills.
12:13 They've all come out of the Appropriations Committee
12:15 with broad bipartisan support,
12:17 including some of the most difficult bills
12:19 like the Interior Bill, which I chair,
12:22 it came out unanimous.
12:23 So we've got a real foundation,
12:25 but now we've got to move all 12 of those
12:26 through the Senate floor.
12:28 We'll probably do it in a series of what we refer
12:30 to as micro buses, like three or four at a time.
12:33 The challenges of the Senate rules make it easy
12:36 to really slow things down,
12:37 and we don't have time to slow down.
12:38 We need to, in the next four weeks,
12:40 we need to get all 12 of those bills passed.
12:43 - Now it seems Speaker McCarthy will face a challenge
12:46 to his leadership this week from members of his caucus.
12:49 From where you sit in the Senate,
12:51 are you concerned the turmoil against Republicans
12:54 in the House will affect your ability
12:56 to get things done for the American people?
12:59 - Well, here's a fascinating thing.
13:01 We had this model of bipartisan work in the Senate,
13:05 and we kept saying the only way we're going to save
13:07 the government is to have bipartisan work in the House.
13:10 But McConnell, oh, not McConnell,
13:12 but the House Speaker was being led around.
13:18 Yes, thank you.
13:19 I was being led around by the crazies on the far right,
13:23 the mega extremists, and they were threatening,
13:25 of course, to throw him out of office
13:26 if he didn't do everything they wanted.
13:28 They were talking about breaking the deal
13:30 from three months ago that he signed up for,
13:33 Kevin McCarthy signed up for with the president,
13:35 and then they said, well, they wanted an 8% cut,
13:38 and they said they want a 30% cut.
13:40 Crazy stuff, and also lots of poison pills.
13:43 He finally had to cut the cord and say,
13:46 I'm going my own way, I'm putting forward
13:48 this bipartisan bill that mimics what the Senate has done
13:51 with some, well, a couple significant differences
13:53 on Ukraine, and actually it pumped up
13:57 some of the disaster aid, but mostly it was the Senate bill.
14:00 And then we had that result at the last second.
14:05 But here's the thing.
14:06 So what happens next week?
14:08 Is Hakeem Jeffries going to make some kind of deal
14:13 in order to provide Democratic votes
14:15 for someone who will lead the House in a bipartisan fashion?
14:19 And will that be Kevin McCarthy?
14:20 Are we going to see a repeat of the extremist brinksmanship
14:24 we've seen to date?
14:25 - Now, the spending bill did not include aid to Ukraine.
14:29 President Biden addressed that today.
14:33 Take a listen.
14:34 - Well, the speaker and overwhelming majority
14:37 of the Congress have steadfastly supported Ukraine
14:41 to defend itself against the aggression and brutality
14:44 of the Russians' attack on women and children
14:46 in addition to the military in Ukraine.
14:49 There's no Ukraine funding this agreement.
14:51 I fully expect the speaker to keep his commitment
14:54 to secure the passage and support needed to help Ukraine
14:58 as they defend themselves against aggression and brutality.
15:01 - Are you confident, Senator,
15:04 that a standalone bill will pass on Ukraine?
15:07 - It has to.
15:10 We have to do a supplemental with Ukraine in it.
15:12 If you want to destroy NATO,
15:15 if you want to destroy the partnership
15:17 across the Atlantic with Europe,
15:18 if you want Russia or China to lead the world,
15:22 then have America fail to sustain its support to Ukraine.
15:26 I mean, this is kind of a Munich moment.
15:29 We have to stand with the republic being assaulted
15:33 by the really evil dictatorship to the north, Russia,
15:37 and that I am very pleased that both McConnell and Schumer
15:41 are steadfast in their support.
15:43 And so we have to get this done.
15:46 And no other outcome is acceptable.
15:49 - Thank you, Senator Jeff Merkley.
15:51 Coming up, Kevin McCarthy worked with Democrats
15:54 to avoid a shutdown.
15:56 Now some Republicans want to shut down his speakership.
16:01 My political panel has some hot takes on the next DC drama.
16:06 And the entertainment industry is getting back to business
16:09 with the writers' strike resolved
16:11 when the lights and cameras go on,
16:13 we want to see some action on diversity.
16:17 That's tonight on "Rise Up."
16:20 First, my colleague, Richard Louis,
16:22 with today's top news stories.
16:25 Richard.
16:26 - Reva, good Sunday to you.
16:27 More now on Senator Dianne Feinstein,
16:29 the body of the late senator
16:31 back in her native San Francisco today,
16:33 her daughter, Catherine,
16:34 and former speaker, Nancy Pelosi,
16:36 accompanying her flag-draped casket there.
16:41 Feinstein was the first woman
16:42 to serve as San Francisco's mayor in 1978,
16:44 also the first woman to serve as senator from California.
16:48 An evacuation order was lifted in central Illinois
16:51 after a semi-truck crashed yesterday,
16:54 spilling thousands of gallons of ammonia.
16:56 Five people were killed in that accident.
16:58 And longtime Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield has died.
17:02 Wakefield was known for his knuckleball.
17:04 That trademark pitch was instrumental
17:06 in helping the Sox break the curse of the Bambino
17:09 by winning their first World Series
17:11 in 86 years back in 2004.
17:14 Wakefield was 57 years old.
17:17 More "Politics Nation" with Reverend Al Sharpton
17:19 after this break.
17:20 - So striking.
17:21 The writers have reached an agreement,
17:23 and we're hoping some progress will soon follow
17:26 with actors' and producers' unions.
17:29 But when the stage lights go back on,
17:32 we wanna make sure the industry
17:34 hasn't forgotten its promises on diversity
17:37 that was made back in 2020.
17:40 George Floyd's murder sparked a cultural reckoning
17:43 that led Hollywood studios to announce a commitment
17:47 to make sure more underrepresented groups
17:52 are working in film and television
17:56 in terms of gender, race, and ethnicity.
18:00 LGBTQ and liabilities are like disabilities
18:05 that people have to deal with.
18:07 But lately, the numbers have been backsliding.
18:11 A recent analysis from USC's
18:14 Annenberg Conclusion Initiative
18:17 found that last year, 31 of the top 100 movies
18:21 featured an actor from an underrepresented group
18:26 in a leading or co-leading role,
18:29 down from 37, down from a high of 37 in 2021.
18:35 Writers of color for the top theatrical releases
18:38 decreased to 12%, down from 14% in 2019,
18:43 according to the UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report.
18:46 That study also reveals
18:48 black women are making lasting progress
18:52 on diversifying the entertainment industry.
18:55 It will take sustained focus and attention,
18:58 not just reacting to one particular moment or controversy.
19:03 I implore Hollywood to not only look
19:06 to increase diversity on the screen,
19:09 but behind the scenes as well, as in the executive suites.
19:13 The strike has ended for writers,
19:16 but we must rise up to stand with actors too.
19:19 It's also on us to demand
19:22 that studios keep up their diversity efforts
19:24 so the movies and shows we enjoy
19:27 can reflect the world we live in.
19:31 We'll be right back.
19:33 - The Doug Jones of Alabama and Olivia Troy,
19:36 former Homeland Security and counter terrorism advisor
19:41 to Vice President Pence.
19:44 Let's start with the fallout in the House
19:47 after Congress passed a CR bill
19:50 to avert a government shutdown hours before the deadline.
19:54 Earlier today, Florida Congressman,
19:57 Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz says
20:00 he plans to file a motion to vacate
20:02 Speaker McCarthy this week.
20:04 McCarthy brushed off the threats today,
20:06 but to survive a challenge, he may need Democratic votes.
20:11 Politico reports former Speaker Nancy Pelosi
20:14 has warned minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries
20:17 and some in his leadership team
20:20 not to rush to bail McCarthy out.
20:23 Doug, what would be the advantages and disadvantages
20:27 of Democrats throwing Speaker McCarthy a lifeline?
20:30 - Well, you know, I think Speaker McCarthy's
20:34 in a tough situation right now.
20:35 He's got chaos in his own caucus.
20:38 He has people with knives out after him.
20:40 They've been that way for some time.
20:42 But at the same time, he's not done anything
20:44 to really help Democrats, you know,
20:47 with trying to maintain his speakership.
20:51 He broke his promise to the president on the debt ceiling.
20:53 He's called for and has sanctioned impeachment hearings
20:56 and have no basis whatsoever.
20:59 So, you know, I think the Democrats,
21:01 this is likely a pretty easy vote for most Democrats.
21:05 I think some in the Democratic caucus
21:07 will likely look at only this last vote
21:09 and think, well, he did the right thing.
21:12 He stood up to that MAGA caucus, the Freedom Caucus.
21:15 But at the end of the day,
21:17 I tend to agree with Speaker Pelosi
21:20 that this is not someone
21:22 who is really exercising leadership.
21:24 It seems to be simply making promises
21:27 to get to a certain point
21:29 and then realizing that those promises can't be kept.
21:31 So I think we're going to see some interesting moves
21:34 in the House of Representatives over the next three weeks.
21:38 -Olivia, many vulnerable Republicans
21:40 in moderate districts wanted no part of a shutdown.
21:44 Now they're facing the possibility
21:46 of another protracted leadership battle.
21:49 The Republican majority is slim to begin with.
21:53 Are the GOP hotliners in the House putting it at risk?
21:59 -They absolutely are.
22:01 Every day that they behave in this way
22:03 and that the circus goes on in the MAGA world within the GOP
22:09 is another day that the GOP's brand is hurt
22:12 and another day that the party gets derailed in its progress.
22:14 We're going backwards here,
22:16 and I think that they're completely disruptive.
22:18 I think that moderate Republicans out there
22:21 who are concerned about keeping their seats
22:22 have a right to be concerned.
22:24 I mean, we are in a situation here
22:26 where we came very close to many Americans' lives impacted.
22:31 And people forget. It's not just, you know, yeah,
22:33 some of these people say, "Yeah, we're going to stick it
22:34 to the federal government."
22:36 It's about the repercussions, about how about the restaurants
22:39 that will be impacted, the service industry,
22:41 the multiple layers here across the country that get impacted
22:45 when the government shuts down like this.
22:47 And so here we are again. We're going in circles.
22:49 Now there's going to be the spectacle of a fight
22:52 with Matt Gaetz, who personally I think
22:55 doesn't deserve to be in Congress
22:56 given his unethical behavior
22:59 and the things, investigations that he's under.
23:02 I think, you know, I think Matt Gaetz
23:03 actually should be stripped from his committee assignments
23:06 and put in a box and be taught a lesson.
23:08 And I think other MAGA Republicans
23:10 should be taught that lesson as well.
23:11 I think Kevin McCarthy needs to be stronger
23:13 in standing up to this wing of the party.
23:15 - Olivia, let me stick with you a minute.
23:17 Tonight, former President Donald Trump
23:19 is expected to be in New York City
23:23 ahead of the civil fraud case
23:25 by New York Attorney General Letitia James,
23:28 which goes on trial tomorrow.
23:31 The AG will be in the courtroom as well,
23:33 setting up a potential face-off between her and Trump,
23:37 according to a person familiar with the AG's plans.
23:40 The judge in this case said in his ruling Tuesday
23:44 that Trump and his company are liable for fraud
23:48 by misstating the true values
23:52 of multiple real estate properties.
23:54 Trump and his children are on the list
23:57 of potential witnesses during the trial.
23:59 With less than four months until the Iowa caucus,
24:03 Trump still dominates the Republican presidential field
24:06 despite his legal woes.
24:08 Is there still a chance, in your judgment,
24:12 for another candidate to surge in the polls
24:15 or does Trump have this race all wrapped up?
24:18 - Well, as much as I would like that to be the case,
24:22 I would prefer that another candidate surface
24:24 and that we move past the Trump moment of the party.
24:28 I don't think that,
24:29 I don't see that happening anytime soon.
24:31 I don't see a path for it.
24:32 He is the stronghold in the Republican Party right now
24:36 and I fully expect him to be the nominee.
24:38 I'm like, he is finally somewhat being held accountable
24:44 in the rule of law
24:45 and I hope that he will be held accountable till the end.
24:49 He's been defrauding Americans for years now
24:52 and he continues to defraud them.
24:54 He'll probably, you know, I fully expect him,
24:56 I think he will show up at that court hearing
24:59 because he'll fundraise off of it.
25:00 Once again, defrauding people, lying to Americans
25:04 and raising money off of this.
25:05 I mean, it's circular and unfortunately,
25:08 I just don't think the Republican Party
25:09 is gonna move past him anytime soon.
25:11 - Doug, as an attorney,
25:13 your thoughts on this first Trump trial starting tomorrow?
25:17 - You know, Rev, I think that this die has been cast.
25:21 I think this judge has already made rulings such
25:25 that we're gonna see some very serious repercussions,
25:30 I guess is gonna be the best word,
25:31 legal repercussions to Trump and his real estate empire
25:35 and his business holdings.
25:37 Think about this.
25:38 Think about the fact that you've got a judge
25:41 who is likely to rule a final ruling for damages
25:45 and a fraud trial saying he misrepresented so many things
25:48 in his business dealings, all his properties.
25:51 That's the basis of all his money.
25:53 That is the basis of his so-called,
25:56 the Trump so-called empire.
25:58 And if that is called into question,
26:00 it is gonna have serious repercussions for him financially
26:03 as well as all of his holdings.
26:05 So I think we're gonna see a lot happening.
26:07 You know, and I'd like to say one thing too,
26:09 going back to Olivia's point about the shutdown, Rev.
26:12 All of this, all of this is connected.
26:14 Nothing happens in a vacuum in Washington, D.C.
26:17 The Trump trial and the finding of fraud by the court,
26:21 the absolute fiasco of a impeachment hearing
26:25 that the Republicans had in Congress the other day,
26:28 all of these things are connected to the fact
26:31 that Kevin McCarthy, he had to cave in.
26:33 He had to go back to actually governing
26:36 and doing something for the country
26:38 rather than, because the party was really going
26:42 to continue to suffer if he held out
26:44 for these MAGA extremists.
26:45 - Now, let me stay with you a minute.
26:48 Let's turn to another very important issue,
26:51 the Supreme Court.
26:52 It opens a new session tomorrow.
26:55 The last session ended in June with monumental decisions
26:59 ending affirmative action in college admission,
27:03 which has set off a series of lawsuits
27:06 targeting diversity programs.
27:07 We spoke last night on this program
27:10 about the Fearless Fund being sued right now
27:13 for alleged violation of the Civil Rights Act
27:16 for giving funding to black women to have businesses
27:20 and to grow their businesses.
27:21 And of course, the year before,
27:23 the court overturned Roe versus Wade.
27:26 What can we expect next
27:28 from this conservative-dominated court, Doug?
27:31 - You know, Rev, it's really a crapshoot at this point
27:35 because while you saw a lot of those decisions,
27:39 you also saw the court uphold the Voting Rights Act
27:42 in the Alabama case.
27:43 You saw kind of a pullback to say
27:46 some of these conservative groups, advocacy groups,
27:51 that are trying to make all of these changes legally
27:54 may have gone a little bit too far.
27:56 I am hoping that we are going to see that
27:59 with regard to all of these lawsuits
28:01 that are following the affirmative action,
28:03 that the Supreme Court,
28:04 you've got a couple of folks in particular.
28:07 I think Justice Roberts, Justice Kavanaugh
28:10 are the type of justices that may say,
28:12 "Look, we will only go so far,
28:15 "but you're not gonna be able to take every ruling
28:17 "and just run rampant with it
28:19 "to completely alter American jurisprudence,
28:23 "American society."
28:25 So it remains to be seen.
28:28 I think any legal commentator will tell you
28:30 you would expect a more conservative rulings,
28:33 and I think that'll happen,
28:34 but at the same time, some of these things,
28:37 we might be surprised that they may be pulling back
28:40 just a little bit and tilt a little bit back
28:42 more toward the center.
28:43 At least we can all hope that way, Rev.
28:46 - All right, Doug Jones and Olivia Troy,
28:48 thank you both for being with us tonight.
28:51 After the break, preachers in the pulpit
28:54 turn to professors behind the podium
28:57 as they fight to preserve America's black history.
29:01 (upbeat music)
29:04 I served in the Army.