trump's campaign. they that was a fake dossier that they. these people have committed treason. and you're teaching people law. this is a joke. thank you. but just for the record, definitely five years have not passed since the pardons the last round. i'm not sure. i can't remember. off the top of my head where paul manafort and roger stone in. but the pardons definitely did not happen five years after the conviction, which is the standard under the department of justice. but again, donald trump didn't have to adhere to that because his pardon power is absolute art in chicago, illinois, line for independence. good morning, art. hi. good morning. thank you for taking my call. i have one question. was looking for any kind of legal problems?

i don't know. honestly, i should know that off the top of my head. i'm not sure if they're felony felonies or misdemeanors. off the top of my head. he was. can we take you live now to the white house for remarks by president biden on the latest developments in syria? well, happy the middle east. after 13 years of civil war in syria, more than half a century of brutal authoritarian rule by bashir assad, his father before him. rebel forces have forced assad resign, his office, flee the country. we're not sure where is, but there's word that he's in moscow along last. the assad regime has fallen. this regime brutalized and tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of innocent syrians. the fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice. it's a moment of historic opportunity. the long suffering people of

syria to build a better future for the proud country. it's also moment of risk and uncertainty as we all turn to the question of what comes next. the united states will work with our partners and stakeholders in syria to help them seize that opportunity to manage the risks. you know, for years, the main backers of assad have been around hezbollah and russia. but over the last week, their support collapsed, all three of them, because all three of them are far weaker today than they were when i took office. and let's remember why, after a mass attacked israel on october the seventh, 2023, when much of the world responded with horror. iran and its proxies chose to launch a multi-front war against israel. that was a historic mistake on iran's park today, iran's main territorial proxy, hezbollah, is also on its back.

and only 12 days ago i spoke from the rose garden about the cease fire deal. lebanon, a deal that was only possible because hezbollah has been badly degraded. meanwhile, hamas has been dead badly degraded as well. iran's own military capabilities have been weakened. rand tried two times to attack israel and the united states and built a coalition of countries to directly defend israel to help defeat those attacks. all this made possible for iran and hezbollah to continue to prop up is impossible, i should say, for them to prop up the assad regime. additionally, russia's torturer, assad also failed, and that's because in ukraine, backed by american allies, put up a the waters against invading russian forces, inflicting massive damage on the russian forces, and that is the fresh air, unable to protect its main ally in the middle east. excuse my cold.

the upshot for all this is for the first time ever is a russia nor iran or hezbollah could defend this abhorrent regime in syria. this is a direct result of the blows that ukraine, israel have delivered upon their own self-defense since with unflagging support of the united states and over the past four years, my administration pursued a clear, principled policy towards syria. first, we made clear from the start and sanctioned assad would remain in place unless he engaged seriously in a political process and the civil war, as outlined at the u.n. security council resolution. partial 2015. but assad refused. so we carried out a comprehensive sanction program against him and all those responsible for atrocities against the syrian people. second, we maintained our military presence in syria, our counter racist to counter the support of local partners as

well on the ground. third, partners never see an inch of territory taking out leaders of isis, ensuring that isis can never establish a safe haven there again. third, we supported israel's freedom of action against iranian networks in syria and against actors aligned with iran, transporting lethal aid to lebanon and when necessary, ordered the use of military force against iranian networks to protect u.s. forces. our approach shifted the balance of power in the middle east. this combination of support from our partners sanctions, diplomacy and targeted military force when necessary. we now see new opportunities opening up for the people of syria and for the entire region. looking ahead, the united states will do the following first of support. syria's neighbors, including jordan, lebanon, iraq and israel, should any threat arise. syria during this period of

transition. i'll speak with leaders of the region in the coming days and long discussions of all of our people. early this morning. and i'll send senior officials from my administration to the region as well. second, we will help stability, ensure stability in eastern syria, protect in any personnel, our personnel against any threats, and remain our mission against isis will be maintained, including the security of detention facilities where isis fighters are being held as prisoners were cleared eyed about the fact that isis will try to take advantage any vacuum to reestablish its capabilities to create a safe haven. we will not let that happen. in fact, just today, u.s. forces conducted dozens of precision strikes, airstrikes within syria targeting nurses camps that isis operatives third. we will engage with all syrian

groups, including within the process. led by the united nations, to establish a transition away from the assad regime toward an independent sovereign and independent. independent. i say it again, sovereign syria is a new constitution, new government that serves all syrians. this process will be determined by the syrian people themselves. the united states will do whatever we can to support them, including through humanitarian relief, to help restore syria. after more than a decade of war and generation, the brutality by the assad family. and finally, we will remain vigilant. make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down assad have their own grim record of terrorism. and you're right, you would right abuses. we've taken note of statements made by the leaders of these revolutionary days, and they're saying the right things now. but as they take on greater responsible, we will assess not just their words, but their actions.

and we are mindful we are mindful that there are americans in syria, including those who reside there, as well as austin tice, who is taken captive more than 12 years ago. we remain committed to returning him to his family. as i've said this morning, considerable risk and uncertainty. but i also believe this the best opportunity in generations for serious to forge their own future free of opposition. it's also an opportunity through far from certain those far from certain, far more secure and prosperous middle east where our friends are safe. our enemies are contained. and it would be a waste of this historic opportunity if one tyrant or toppled. and we're only to see a new one rise up in the place. it was now incumbent upon all opposition groups to seek role in government in syria to demonstrate their commitment for

the rights of all syrians, the rule of law, the protection of religious and ethnic minorities. these past few days have been historic and, you know, days ahead and will determine the future of this country. we intend to approach them with strength, wisdom and resolve. thank you very much. god bless america. god protect our church. thank you. what should happen to assad now? mr. president, what? are you upset for? and really, what does the u.s. know about where austin place might be at his safe release alive? we think we can get it back. we have no direct evidence for that yet. and that's not to be held to account. have you recorded operation to go get american aid? is that an okay? okay. oftentimes, we we want to get them out. yes, sir. we have to identify where he is. thank you.

thanks, sir. c-span's washington journal, our live forum you to discuss the latest issues in government, politics and public policy. from washington, d.c. to across the country. coming up monday morning, mark caputo, the bulwark national political talks about president elect trump's cabinet picks and their path to confirmation. and then roger zakheim, washington director of the ronald reagan presidential foundation, an institute on the 2024 reagan national defense survey. and it's finding a record high number of americans in favor of more u.s. engagement and leadership in international affairs. c-span's journal join in the conversation live at seven eastern monday morning on c-span. c-span now or online at c-span. dawg. well, up next, a look at

president biden's visit to angola. he became the first u.s. president to visit the nation and then secretary of state antony blinken. after his final meeting at nato's headquarters in brussels. later, health and human services secretary xavier becerra, senator cory booker and others take part in a series of discussions related to public health at the bloomberg american health summit. are you a nonfiction book lover looking for a new podcast? this holiday season, try listening to one of the many podcasts, c-span has to offer on q&a. you'll listen to interesting interviews with people and authors writing books on history and subjects that matter. learn something new on book notes. plus, through conversations with nonfiction authors and historians. afterward is brings together bestselling nonfiction authors with influential interviewers for wide ranging, hour long conversations and on about books. we talk about the business of books with news and interviews about the publishing industry

and nonfiction authors. find all of our podcasts by downloading the free c-span now app, or wherever you get your podcasts. c-span is your unfiltered view of government or funded by these television companies and more, including charter communications. charter is proud to be recognized as one of the best internet providers and we're just getting started. building 100,000 miles of new infrastructure to reach those who need it most. charter communications support c-span as a public service along with these other television providers, giving you a front row seat to democracy. process. president biden arrived at the presidential in luanda, angola, for the first visit of a u.s. president to the sub-saharan african nation. he was greeted with a ceremony before taking partn