that will help a state wide races. it will help in terms of the governor races. they won't have quite the same impact perhaps in some of those non- urban non- suburban congressional races. our guest for the next 25 minutes as professors scholz. offer -- author of more than 30 books. here to take your calls and questions as we focus on the state of minnesota and on those key house races there that could be the key races for control of the house. tom is in erie pennsylvania. good morning. my dilemma is i was a lifelong republican. until i saw. >> good afternoon. i want to begin today with the heinous killing in pittsburgh

on saturday. they are leading the investigation with the support of state and local law enforcement. above all it was an act of evil. it is responsible for many of the worst course in human history. we all have a duty to convince -- to confront anti-semitism. and everywhere and anywhere it appears. the american people reject hatred, bigotry prejudice in violence we are a people who cherish the dignity of every human life. today america grieves for the precious lives that were fully stolen. our hearts ache for every person that lost a loved one. the lead then jewish americans who were horribly murdered

represented the very best of our nation. they were brothers and sisters who looks out for each other they were doctors who cared for citizens in need. they were proud grandparents who taught their grandparents -- and they were the religious heart of the tree of life community. our nation mourns the loss of these external americans and we also pray for those who were wounded. our hearts are with the four brave police officers that were shot and injured. he responded swiftly and bravely. in the wake of the attack the fate of every tradition. to support one another and to stand in solidarity with america's jewish community. the president cherishes the american jewish unity for everything it stands for. and contributes to our country. he adores jewish americans as part of his own family. the president is the grandfather of several jewish grandchildren.

his daughter is a jewish american and his son in law is a descendent of a holocaust survivor. tomorrow they will travel to pennsylvania to express the support of the american people and grief with the pittsburgh community. with that i will take your questions. what does he mean by that. certainly the president wants to in moments where our country is hurting like we've seen in the last several days to find find ways to bring our country together. and we see him do exactly that. the president is can continue to draw contrast particularly as we go into the final days of an election the differences between the two parties. .. ..

in the case of the pipe bomber, this was somebody who went to trump routers can somebody to ativan covered with attacks on the media and praise for the president. the shooter in pittsburgh if somebody who was provoked it seems by the caravan the president has spent so much time talking about. why is he out there, when you say he's trying to unite the country, why is he out there -- >> the very first thing he did was condemn the attacks both in pittsburgh and in the pipe bomb. the first thing the media did was blame the president and making responsible for these

ridiculous acts. that is outrages that that would be the very first reaction of so many people across this country. i'm not finished. the only person responsible for carrying it out either of these heinous acts with individuals who carried them out. it's not the president nor more than it was bernie sanders fought for the individual who shot at the baseball field of congressional republicans. you can't putting the responsibility on anybody but individual who carries out the crime. >> what about the news media? the president is a one placing blame. >> no. the president is not responsible for these acts. again the very first action the president did was condemn these heinous acts. the very first thing the media did was condemned the president and go after and try to place blame not just on the president but everybody that works in this administration. the major news networks first public statement was to blame the president and myself included. that is outrages anybody other than the individual who carried out this crime would hold that

responsibility. >> what's the going to take to stop these comments are property over and over and over again? >> i think if we had a good answer to that i think everybody in the country would support it. if anybody knows the answer, i think certainly this administration would be all ears. the president spends every single minute of every single day looking for the best way to protect the safety and security of americans and we will continue to do that. >> is the president going to give a speech on immigration this week? what is he think about terms of closing the border? >> will keep you posted if there's any scheduling unaddressed on the topic. i'm not aware of that. >> the jewish leaders and the pittsburgh area have said the te president's visit is not welcomed unless and until he denounces fully and forthrightly white nationalists. does the white house believe this president has done enough to denounce white nationalist? >> the president has denounced

racism, hatred and bigotry in all forms on a number of occasions. will continue to do that. do we get here today. say at the same time some individuals, their greetings, they are hurting. the president wants to be there to show the support of this administration for the jewish community, the rabbi said he is welcome as well and certainly we want to show support for those individuals. >> another meeting about what to do with the border. some sort of regulatory action, what options are being discussed making it impossible for anybody to claim asylum adolescent in her through a port of entry? that would been anybody who crosses the border illegally would not be able to make a valid claim of the site. >> there are a lot of options that are being discussed. the number one priority is looking for ways to secure our borders. we love for democrats in congress to help step up and do their job and help us do that. if they don't and they are

unwilling as that shown in the past they are, they were looking at admission actions that will allow us to do so. >> the state department repeated today -- promoting human rights and democracy, -- [inaudible] however, the brazilian president-elect has made very controversial comments about minority opposition, the military -- [inaudible] my question is, if the white house claims to -- assurance from the government in brazil, that they will protect human rights and democracy in brazil, and another question, what you think about his comparisons that people -- >> let me address the first thing. first we promote human rights all over the world. we value our long-standing relationship with brazil. we want to continue to work with them. we'll see what happens from there.

>> what to teaching butts comparison people calling both -- [inaudible] or any plans to go to brazil? >> there's only one donald trump in my opinion. >> i like to follow-up on the caravan. the president used the word invasion. that's the same word was mentioned in the constitution to three times, invasion. with respect to powers of the federal government to repel invasions. my question is, have been 80 discussions with to that about the fact the constitution provides for exempt the suspension of habeas corpus to propel inventions if the public safety requires it? is the president talking about potential ignoring -- by having the military coup down is that anyway in consideration? >> we are looking at a number of different options. the department of defense is

holding a press conference at 4:00 to talk about some of the actions they'll be taking. i would encourage you to tune into that. >> it's not been ruled out, those are options? >> i'm not going to get into specific policies where considering. there's a number of actions were looking at taking. when we're ready to make an announcement we will let you know. >> the midterms are eight days from today and we often get from both parties what the midterms actually mean that the differet election someone to ask you what the midterms mean for the election. president on october 18 in mississippi said i'm not on the ticket but him on the ticket because this is also a referendum on me. is that right? is this midterm election a referendum on the president? >> i can't get into specifics double impact the election but i can tell you the president wants to see more people that support his policies elected and not.

>> it's not been for weeks since jamal khashoggi was murdered. the president said early on if the saudi. >> on responsible there would be severe punishment come his words. words. it's obvious to the world he was murdered, premeditated, by this notice. why has there been no action? >> the president met last week with cia director gina haspel after having gathered additional intelligence on her overseas trip and the administration is when different options and make an announcement about what the decision of that action is. >> is he considering any actual action? >> like i just said the administration is considering what actions to move forward based on that information and the briefing the president received last week. >> want to go back, the president said he would tone down his rhetoric but in his rallies, vicious attacks -- [inaudible] called up maxine waters by name.

supporters chant lock her up. he continues to call for good hillary clinton. will the president stop using that type of language? >> the president will continue to draw contrasted let's not forget that the same democrats have repeatedly attacked the president when it was eric holder saying kick them when they're down, whether hillary clinton saying you can't be civil until democrats have control of congress or whether it was maxine waters who encouraged her supporters to get up not just in the presidents face but all administration officials basis. the sections from the democrats, the president will continue to fight back when these individuals not only attacking but attack members of his administration and supporters. >> i want to follow up. why does a president-elect nesser to send active-duty troops to the bird vertically t national guard down there who are doing the exact same job? >> president number one job and never one priority is to protect

the safety and security of americans and is going to do what he deems necessary in order to do that. for specifics regarding that i would encourage you to tune in to the press conference this afternoon. >> two brief questions. the the first follow-up about a question on brazil. up until a few months ago you used to give us readouts of the presidents calls with world leaders including congratulatory calls to newly elected leaders such as president macron, chancellor merkel. does the president plan to make a call to president-elect of brazil? >> he did and he spoke with him last night. sent a note to the white house press pool if he did receive a make sure you do after the breaking is over. >> with the election eight days away, some republicans such as the nominee for the senate in new jersey, didn't mention the

president at all, do not invoke his name or image. others such as mr. dewine running for governor of ohio have him in brochures, pictures. is the president aware that some candidates run against him and is is going to enter into his decision where to go in the final days? >> that's a decision for individual candidates to make. the president has an incredible story to tell. he's had a historic first two years, a number of successes that affect any republican running for office should be proud of. [inaudible] -- spokesperson over dhs under general kelly chief of staff, a former marine went to the pentagon tweeted this morning, i dealt with the news music news everyday. i know quite a bit about the press. they are not the enemy of the people. shouldn't you reserve the term enemy that people were actually

the enemy of the united states rather than journalists? >> the president is not referencing all needed turkeys talking about the growing amount of fake news that exist in the country. the president is calling that out. >> may i ask a follow-up? please. since she mentioned that, president said this morning that fake news media is a true in the people must stop. can you state for the record which outlets that you and the president regard as the enemy of people? >> i'm not going to walk through the list but i think those individuals probably know who they are. >> would that include my outlet which received a bombastic? >> i don't think it's specific to a general broad generalization of april outlet at times. there are individuals that the president would be referencing. >> so you're not going to state for the record then, i mean, the

president is going to say fake news media are the enemy of the people and if you're going to stand there and continued say that there are some journalist come some outlets in this country that need that characterization, shouldn't you have the guts, et cetera, to state which outlets in which a journalist by the enemy of the people? >> i think it's irresponsible of the news organization like yours to blame and responsibility ofa pipe bomb that was not set by the president, not just blame the the president but playing members of his administration for those heinous acts. i think that is outrageous and think it's irresponsible. jordan, go ahead. >> you didn't say speeders i've given you three questions. jordan go ahead. >> the president the president d about how the republicans lawmakers will try to protect pre-existing conditions if they keep control of congress. but the administration has brought a lawsuit that would take in red tory actions. how do you square this?

what's the plan, the republican plan for protecting -- >> the presidents healthcare plan that he laid out covers pre-existing conditions. president wants to lower primus to make healthcare more affordable. nobody will be charge higher premiums if they keep the coverage and nobody will be denied coverage under the president. >> on chancellor merkel's announcement that she will be stepping down as party leader and will seek reelection, what is the reaction from the administration? >> we are aware of the announcement and this is an internal matter for chancellor and the german people. we will continue to work with the chancel chancellor and cono develop the relationship. >> why did the president -- [inaudible] why did the president and his tweet call andrew gillam at the? >> i'll come back to you. >> before you walk out of here, before you want out there was report that said should the

meeting between president trump and president xi of the china not go well in terms of the trade tension, at that point the u.s. would go forward with the two and $57 billion in terrorist. is that the timetable the administration is working with? >> i'm not going to get ahead of the president's meeting at a a hope it goes well. april, co-head. >> how important is that meeting? maybe the mine of the a lot of detail that comes from it in terms of going back and forth. >> as a present like to say we'll see what happens. not going to get head of the conversation. you have to of the most powerful leaders in the world. that's consequential and we'll see what happens when they sit down. april go ahead. >> in one tweet specifically called andrew gillam the democratic nominee for governor of florida the fifa. what is the definition of that statement? also want to ask about issue of voter suppression. the speeders individuals under fbi investigation i would refer

you to that. under going to get into specifics on that matter because it involves two candidates running for office and i'm not going to impact that. i'll leave that to the president to make those types of statements. your second question. >> president talks about voter fraud at the time when there are allegations proof of voter suppression going, taken place in georgia where stacy abrams is ahead of the republican contender and also is in north dakota where native americans don't have a street address but have a p.o. box 50 of them on reservations. they are not able to vote. what's going on without? >> we don't support any type of voter suppression. what we do support is voter integrity. again i'm not going to wait into specifics that if impact on this election is a few days away. i'll leave that for the president to have that specific case. >> could you tell us is white

house probably they have legal authority to close the southern border? is it an option that is being explored? >> we have a number of options on the table. we are exporting each one of those. when you have a decision on that we will let you know. [inaudible] whether he called president obama or any of the others that the bombs were addressed to. if you want me to but will probably pastor can you explain why the decision was made? >> the president did speak with the governor cuomo of new york last week and at this time there not any pleasure of the calls. if there are we will let you know. last question. >> one more about jamal khashoggi. can you tell us if the cia director -- [inaudible] has proven that he was killed in the consul? >> i can't confirm or deny that director haspel so when she was there. last question. go ahead. >> you have repeatedly defended the president attack on his

political parties as valid since midterms are coming up. at what point does white of speedy not because of the midterm. >> i defended the president, i defended the president fighting back when he's attacked. there's a difference. doesn't matter if the midterm or not the person will defend himself and fight back. >> from a political perspective, right? >> from any perspective. >> what point does a national tragedy take president? if not now when? >> i think he saw the president do exactly that in the wake of a national tragedy not just this week but every time our country has experts the type of heartache and pain that we have over the last week. this is the president who is reasons that occasion and worked to bring our country together in a number of occasions, whether it's the hurricanes, whether it's the las vegas shooting, whether was pittsburgh shooting. all horrible, horrible tragedies that this country has experienced in this president pt has come out condemned the attacks when it has caused by an individual and tried to look for

ways to provide and bring the country together when it was a natural disaster. >> so he and you have also note in the next breath after calls come he does talk about division in what you describe as a contrast to use incapable of toning it down and turn down rhetoric? >> again the president has had a number of moments of bringing the country together. once again i will remind you that the very first thing the president did was condemned the attacker and the very first thing the media did was blamed the president. you guys have a huge responsibility to play in the divisive nature of this country when 90% of this coverage of everything this president does is negative despite the fact that the countries do extra in the well. despite the fact the president to living on exactly what he said he was going to do if elected and got elected by an overwhelming majority of 63 million americans came out and support him and wanted to see his policies enacted. he has delivered on that turkey salute on the promises he has made and if anything i think it

is sad and divisive the way that every single thing that comes out of the media, 90% of what comes out of the media is negative about this president. despite the fact the economy is booming, despite the fact he said he would fix the trade deals and is done exactly that. he said he would defeat isis and he has. the president has been to living day in day out and i think be nice if every once in a while with a focus on a few of the positive things the president has done instead of just attacking you. thanks so much, guys. have a great day. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]