have a good sunday. >> thank you, you too. >> thank you. >> a very good day to all of you from msnbc world headquarters here in new york. welcome everyone, to alex witt reports. we begin with this breaking news. president biden making some new remarks on the abortion right, and the activists who are calling for more white house action. let's play what he said, just moments ago. >> yes, keep protesting. keep making your point. it is critically important. we can do a lot of things to accommodate the rights of women, in the meantime, fundamentally, the only thing that will change is if we have a wall to reinstate roe v. wade. ultimate goal is to reinstate roe v. wade's national wall, by passing in the united states congress, and i will sign at the moment that happens.

mister president, one quick follow-up. one of the things that they're asking for a public health emergency, is that something you're considering? >> that's something i've asked the folks, the medical people in the administration to look at. whether that is i have the authority to do that, what impact that would have. >> in just a moment we're going to get the latest from -- in robot speech. let's go to today's other headlines. some major developments in the january six investigation. two here in set for this week. new intel this morning into what former white house counselor pat cipollone said in his more than seven-hour testimony. a member of the panel, congressman stephanie murphy, told msnbc choctaw that cipollone provided a lot of relevant information. some of this we may here on tuesday. >> are we going to see much of mr. cipollone's testimony on tuesday? or in the first hearing this week? >> we are always receiving new information from a lot of different sources.

we are trying to pull the information that the american people most need to hear, and i imagine you will be hearing things from mr. cipollone but, also from others who are in the white house. the focus of this next hearing will be on the domestic violence extremists, as well as members of congress. people who the president called in to assist him and this pressure campaign. >> plus the new documentary out today gives some new insight into those moments leading up to the capitol riots. also behind the scenes look at what was going on inside the white house. we're going to speak with the new york times and just moments, because as i said he appears in that documentary. let's take you overseas. anthony blinken is on his way to tokyo to pay his respects following the assassination of former japanese prime minister, shinzo al-bashir. it comes as president biden is gearing up for international trip to brazil, the middle east. the president is putting an op-ed in the washington post today titled, why i'm going to

saudi arabia. he is defending the trip amid members from his own party after previously vowing to make the nation a pariah. biden is writing in from the start, my aim was to reorient's, but not rupture, our relations with a country that has been a strategic partner for 80 years. let's go to nbc's warren barrett who is in delaware where the president is spending his weekend. lauren, welcome to you on the sunday. there's a lot to talk about. first the presidents remarks on abortion rights just a short time ago, was that expected, and how did you interpret them? >> well anytime president biden goes out for a bike ride there is an opportunity to stop and speak with four reporters i've seen their. a white house official had told me just yesterday after we asked him about those protests around the white house, people frustrated with the fact that they felt the president wasn't doing enough. white house officials are holding firm on their decision, pointing to the fact that the president had been very passionate in his remarks when he signed the executive order.

as you heard from him today, he sees the only option to protect reproductive rights is to sign roe v. wade into law. otherwise, on friday, as you noted, he is worried that republicans will sign a ban into federal law. that is why you're seeing this push from the president towards november, towards voting more democrats into congress. this is something that the white house stands firmly on, it stands by. this is something that we continue to hear from the presidents. again, he has always been a supporter of the right to peaceful protest. >> all right, as i've said, lots to talk about. before we get to the president's new op-ed, we do you have to get this new to trump documentary. it was released a 4 am eastern this morning. tell me what it has revealed about trump's final year in office. >> well alex i, was upright in early to watch this documentary series. three episodes. they have been teased for weeks. this is not just by its creators, but also by those members of the january six committee where it has been

brought up repeatedly. it features several interviews with former president trump himself, and interests circle members like his family members. a lot of those interviews people say will provide insight into the president's state of mind leading up to the attack on the capitol. >> a new look at the trump presidency and the moments leading up to the january six and direction. the new docuseries is unprecedented release of discovery plus. these new images show what the filmmaker alex holder described as a war zone. behind the scenes look at how it came to be. >> plus, the concern from inside the white house when president trump called covid-19. >> sir, you have covid. >> i said, i have covid? when you're talking about? >> this was my father. first and foremost. of course our country's president. it was incredibly frightening. >> they just carried forward,

but they were very worried. you know, we're in a campaign. i'm in a hospital. probably not easy for them to do that. >> boulder gain the trust of the trump family, which meant that inside access leading up to one after the 2020 election. >> washing my hands after giving a bunch of fist bumps. >> my father was receiving calls from many who understood politics, they said, congratulations you have one once again. >> this gave insight into the former presidents mindset after he said he lost the election. this also covers his call to the governor -- >> was their problem? they're stupid. okay, they're stupid people. >> -- they're currently investigating trump's call. the former president is explaining his supporters actions on january 6th. >> a very small portion, as you, know it down to the capitol. then a small portion of that win. i will tell you, they were angry from the standpoint of what happened in the election.

>> taking the interest of the january six committee who interviewed holed earlier this summer. >> i have provided them of all the material they've asked for and i will continue to cooperate when and if they ask, as necessary. >> now remember, the next scheduled committee hearings for the public are scheduled on tuesday. those could include that taped testimony from former white house counsel pat cipollone when he testified on wednesday behind, on friday sorry, behind closed doors. we could see some of that videotape committee spokesperson telling msnbc news that cipollone detailed some of the details behind the scenes with trump's presidency. they also noted that the spokesperson said that there was no agreement ahead of time for cipollone to limit his time in testimony. >> >> that's very interesting. one more thing, and by the white, thank you for waking up so early at 4 am, deftly work that wake up call. let's talk about the op-ed in the washington post today where the president is defending his

decision to a visit saudi arabia next week. what are his goals for the trip and how is he responded to the critics? >> well alex, he released us rather lay in the op-ed in the washington post overnights. he was laying out his plan for his trip this week. he was visiting various regions in the middle east, and he was talking about the necessity with the relationship with the middle east for global trade, supply chain reasons. he's also talking about how he wants to repair election shows with cooperation and diplomacy in order to avoid conflict. he says that would alleviate the necessities for the u.s. military and their families. this is something that the president has feeling very strongly about despite that criticism. as you noted at the top of the show, a lot of members of his own party, at when he announced the strap, were very concerned about the fact that it's the killing of the u.s. journalist jamal khashoggi. he responded in the op-ed say in, i know there are many who disagree with my decision to

travel to saudi arabia, my views on human rights are clear and long-standing. fundamental freedoms are always on the agenda. this is something that will be all the top of the mind for the president, as well as tackling oil prices that is a relevant topic for there as well at the nato summit when the president wraps up there just a few weeks ago. he said that he would not directly asked saudi arabia to release more oil. that's something that will also be watching ahead of his trip. >> i bet. okay. thank you so much of the comprehensive report. let's bring in peter baker, chief white house correspondent for the new york times and msnbc clinical analyst. here, his long-awaited new book that he cowrote with his wife susan glasser, the divider. trump in the white house, 2017 to 2020. what comes out in september. i cannot wait to talk about this with you, peter. however, today we're going to talk about the presidents. i'm going to ask you if he makes clear why he's going to saudi arabia and meeting with mbs after everything that he

has said before. was his answer, what he wrote in this op-ed, was it satisfactory to you? the explanation for why he's going? >> well, look, he's not going to satisfy his critics of course, but he had to get out there and explain. and he has really done that. i think it's important because he did say during the campaign that he would make saudi arabia pariah. he's trying to recalibrate by saying that we are going to reorient the relationship, not rupture. at this definitely a different term and message he sending today. the reasons he's going are couple. one is, of course, this is a great power competition right now in the middle east in terms of the fear that china in particular are gaining suede. the united states doesn't want that to happen. biden doesn't want that. he doesn't want them to turn more towards china, especially russia. -- the op-ed didn't get into that very much, he said he will only discuss oil in passing. let's be real, the gas prices

been around $4, $5, are still a huge concern for this white house heading into the midterm election. they want saudi and the rest of the oil producing states outside of russia to pump up production. you saw him say they're not going to directly asked for them. of course that the context of the trip. that's the desired outcome. >> while he mentions it wants. do you think that is the most immediate goal? >> i do. i'm not going to say that for whatever reason, they don't like, i think, the image of seeming to trade-off human rights for oil. that might imply. they're not going to say it is explicitly at that but of course that's the number one goal along with a sort of green power competition i think. >> peter, you wrote that in today's new york times, here's the quote, at 79, biden is testing the boundaries of age and the presidency. you say that the original plan was for an arduous ten-day overseas track until it became clear to mr. biden's seen that

such extended travel might be unnecessary taxes for 79-year-old president, were crazy as one official put it. tell me what led to the schedule change. >> yeah, so they can tell you lots of different reasons for why they decided to break the trip into two. there is a political reason, diplomatic reasons why, you, know muddled the message from the nato summit. they're going to the middle east, that certainly more of a concern that he might be overseas for too long at a time where there is many things happening at home. also, of, course was this issue of are we overtaxing the president? they might be true for your president to, but it's definitely true for 79 year old president. the idea keeping him out there after already, you know, stressful meeting in germany and madrid, with a whole other trip in effect to the middle east and israel, saudi arabia, it seems untenable. they wrote that, off rescheduling for this coming

week. it's a sign of how they have to be careful. you have the oldest president out there, energetic as he may be, and as you know, eager to hit the road as he might be, it's incumbent upon the staff of any president to ensure they're putting him out there at his, in a way that allows him to be at his best. >> how effectuating are that because in your article you talk about how they say he's got tremendous leadership, he's very sharp with the questions whatever they're going back and forth he leaves things. the guy works out every day, half the time of the trainer. that's not getting out there? how frustrating is that for the white house staff? >> i think it is frustrating that they recognize that the bigger problems politically is that it's even if the president is sharp as they say, some of the physicality has been, you know, hard to overcome. at times he'll shuffle sometimes because he has, you

know, mobility issues that the doctors have identified. he sometimes, his speech tends to be a little less, lesser seems to momentarily get confused or have trouble somebody names. all of this is the kind of thing you can't do much as the white house with your staff shakeup or communications strategy to change that. it gives the impression of being old. the polls show that a lot of americans think that he is too old. 64% in the most recent harvard harris poll say that he is showing his age at this point. as anyone at that age might. it's frustrating for the white house to say he is they do believe he's getting a lot on that he doesn't get credit for, and this is overshadowed that to some extent. >> you do point out that at 79, there aren't a lot of people out there riding their bikes anyways the justices that he does. that gets lost. anyway, moving on to the new alex holder documentary. i get to talk with a new discovery plus star about that now. first of all, let's take a look at what was released because you're in it.

here it is everyone. >> january six. >> the destruction of the past four years. a country that is so divided, some people thought that this was a good idea. >> well, it was a sad day, but a day were there was great anger in our country. people went to washington primarily because they were angry with an election that they think was rigged. >> trump refused to attend biden's inauguration. in his view, without actually legitimize it, and he refused to accept that he lost the election, it was meant as a sign to his own supporters. this is not over yet, i may be leaving, and biden might move into the white house but i am not finished. >> so, do you know alex holder's goal, while it was for making this film? and what you have seen and heard, did it turn out as expected? let's remind people that a documentary is documenting what happens. i mean, you perhaps have an expectation, but it can change

when something changes, right? when truth in fact, changes. >> yes. absolutely. i do not want to speak for alex holder, but i do think they were trying to get inside an extraordinary moment in american history, one that bears witnessing. in fact, we need to pay attention to what happened, how it happened, why it happened. it is important to simply not forget it and move on. i think that's why a documentary like this is important. the more access you can get and hear the voices of the people inside and around president trump, former president trump, are important for making sure that history does understand this. listen to what he is saying there. he's basically justifying, to some extent, what happened on january six. he said yes, maybe they got out of control, but they were justified, as something we know ourselves didn't happen. this election was not stolen, no matter how many times he told them that it was. he basically, in that conversation that you showed, seemed to be rationalizing the

violence against the capitol. >> in your wildest dreams, you think anyone in the trump family would agree to do this documentary, to do these interviews, and thought this would be part of the 16 investigation? >> well, that is a good question, isn't it? i stopped trying to figure out if former president trump did some of the things he does. he does talk to media outlets, even including my wife and myself, for our book. normally, you would think he is not, he is attacking the past, things that are not on his side. but always seems to think that he had a chance to talk to them. >> we can't wait to have that conversation about the divider. i'm still looking for that, the whole segment on that. we will move closer to september. thank you, my friend. good to see you. let's now go to the breaking news in california, where hundreds of evacuated, as firefighters struggle to contain a massive wildfire at yosemite national park. those flames are threatening hundreds of those parks themed

giant sequoia trees. let's go to nbc's cal perry, joining us from outside of his and. the cow, have the firefighters got any of those flames under control? by the way, the air behind you, look how thick that is with smoke! >> yes, absolutely. i think control is a word they do not like to use, because things can change so quickly here. the wind can change. right now, the wind is low, that's why the smoke is hanging around, lying close to the ground. the fire did spread overnight. 1600 acres now, it has burned through. they are hoping to keep that number where it is today. but again, the wind will be kind of dependent. alex, as you mentioned, the key thing over here is the fire has already moved through an area in which thousand year old sequoia trees live. >> the urgent battle to save one of yosemite's most valued treasures continues into its third day. the mariposa grove, home to the largest collection of giant sequoias in the park. some have stood here for 3000 years, still under threat from

an inferno that's been tearing through drought stricken brush. >> why are these important to save? >> they are the best, biggest thing on earth. >> crews fighting the fire from the air and ground, as it rips across more than 1000 acres. the blaze, closing this key attraction during the vitally important summer tourist months, when the park welcomes over 1 million visitors. >> we are here in the mariposa grove. you can see, in this part of the grove, the fire has already burned through. in other sections, it is still very much active. and the success of the firefighters depends very much on the conditions in the coming days. >> the flames, forcing an estimated 1600 people to evacuate from a nearby community, and popular campground. >> we are we're sticking through for a long time, to see how the smoke took over. and truly, the bravery of the firefighters. >> all of yosemite is under with the california drought monitor caused extreme or exceptional drought, with almost no rainfall in recent months.

>> climate is making the fire season longer. it has been hotter, and it is making firefighters exhausted. we have been fighting fires so much already this july, we still have many more months to go. >> alex, the american west is heating faster than any other place in the continental u.s.. climate change has really shifted fire season now into an all year affair. so the federal government, as well as states like california will have to address that, by keeping folks all year round, to try to protect america's national treasures. alex? >> watching your piece i was thinking, it is now a 12 month a year event, fire season. there is no such delineation anymore, which is tragic. all right, cal, thank you so much for that. in just a moment, i will speak with a congressman who just in fact return from yosemite, and met with the parks team of firefighters. their jobs seem more dangerous than ever, he will explain why. and the july 4th parade attack is raising questions about whether the so-called red flag laws with the work. can the new federal law help

prevent bloodshed? can the new federal law help prevent bloodshed? ♪ ♪

this? this is supersonic wifi from xfinity. it's fast. so gaming with your niece has never felt more intense. incoming! hey, what does this button do? no, don't! welcome to the fastest internet on the largest gig speed network. are you crying uncle ed? no! a little. only from xfinity. unbeatable internet made to do anything so you can do anything. this is xfinity rewards. our way of showing our appreciation. with rewards of all shapes and sizes. [ cheers ] are we actually going? yes!! and once in a lifetime moments. two tickets to nascar! yes! find rewards like these and so many more in the xfinity app. >> new today from highland park,

illinois. the committee shaken by a deadly mass shooting on the 4th of july is slowly returning to normal life, even as funerals and memorials are still underway. this morning, the governor called for a change to red flag laws, as well as national bans on assault weapons and high capacity magazines. >> there is no reason why someone should have 90 bullets at the ready, 30 in each of the cartridges that he used. but is just something i don't think civilians should have. and i have talked to police since the shooting, who would tell you that the size, the caliber of the bullets which were being fired is much larger than the sized caliber and speed of bullets that even police carry with them. >> and we seize louise mclaughlin is an island park for us. liz, this appears to square precisely with what residents are telling you today?

>> that is right, alex. and what has been a crime scene for the past six days, are also the streets that connected this community, the after church brunch spots, the boutiques which have been here for decades, jogging routes that neighbors often run. and finally, opening their doors again, barricades are down here. i spoke with a resident who says, this town may never be hole again. but it seems ready to move forward. dave miller has lived here for three decades. finally, walking his dog, my low, on his usual route today described how it felt to be back, let's listen. >> this is the first day it has been opened sense, since the mass murder took place. it is a bit eerie. i find myself, with a military background, continually scanning the windows, and the purpose on the roof. it is an amazing feeling,

having this for 50 years, this is not pleasant. but it's great to be back, to at least have some control of our lives. and it was horrific what happened. no reason for it, put the blame squarely where it, is on assault weapons, and a person who should not have one. >> and he is not alone. last night, there was a rally. hundreds of residents showed up, demanding a gun reform, a group formed here called march 4th, will be gathering on d.c. on wednesday, asking for a federal assault weapon ban. alex? >> okay, liz mclaughlin, thank you so much, from highland park. joining here now illinois congressman mike quigley, democratic house of appropriations and intelligence committee. you heard what that military veteran said, that the blame for this needs to be put squarely on assault weapons, and someone who should not have them. does that just not belie common sense, that is clearly missing

from a certain segment of this population? >> absolutely. it is hard to watch this happen. i think they were five mass shootings that day. the one, this when we learned the most about. but this is happening on a daily basis. and there is more than one mass shooting per day in this country. i mean, i marched in the pride parade the week before this, in chicago. i was in arlington heights parade, the day of this event. and my staff member ran out and said what was happening. and i cannot tell you that i was surprised, given the ability of people to buy such weapons. >> yes, well again it is never a question these days, if, rather when it happens again. but let me ask you if the new federal gun law might have helped prevent this tragedy. what do you think? >> well, look. i think the resources the federal government can give state and local governments, part of that law will help. obviously, there is a lot of

work to do. but i think they need to do more. obviously, a high capacity issue with weapons that are purchased, clearly very important. we also have to ask ourselves about accountability, people who sponsored. that person who shot and killed all of these people, was sponsored by his father. he overcame all of the red flags, which were obvious. it was reported, they were twice called to his house for threats to himself and other people. >> yes. you are exactly saying where i was going to go with this. there was a suicide attempt, at least a concern about that, him saying he would kill everybody. but police say they could not act as a result of this because he had yet to apply for a license. the i.d. card for a gun owner, to your point, was sponsored by his father. so it is one of those slips through the cracks? how can we tighten things like this up? >> finally, there has to be accountability. and the fact that, i hope if there is accountability, and i

think that there should be, with his father, it is a terrible thing to say, but people are dead because this young man got these weapons, the type of weapons that nobody should get. look, i read the decision that the supreme court gave about a second amendment. but clearly, in the decision they said, not everyone should get any kind of weapon they want, and have it wherever they want. this is what we are speaking to. so, there's a wealth of information that this gives. there must be something positive, to get from these crises, he's terrible tragedies to say, we learned that a federal government's law can help. >> listen, i will remind our viewers, there's a level of culpability being assigned to our -- to the parents of the young man who shot up the oxford high school in michigan, between thanksgiving and christmas. so there is that as well. parents need to be more reliable, shall we say? it is hard, they will make the argument saying, they don't know what the kid is doing online. it is a very tough question.

but to your point, accountability needs to be afforded their. let me change topics and talk about the january six hearings, because, nbc news confirms former trump advisor steve bannon has opened discussions about appearing before the panel. this, after donald trump said in a letter, he is going to waive executive privilege over his testimony. that is if you can come to an agreement with the committee. but my question to you: why would trump greenlight this? how does the committee handle this, after bannon was charged with contempt, for cloaking himself in executive privilege from testifying? >> sure. i mean, you can't selectively use executive privilege. first of all, that does not apply. mr. bannon left the white house, long long before january six. so, executive president trump, he is not a sitting president. so it does not apply. finally, it has nothing to do with, there is no specific

crime, but supreme court did limit executive privilege in the nixon case. so, first amendment does not apply. why would you want to? because he thinks that mccarthy had let him down. well, they did not want to be involved in the independent commission analyzing january six. they did not want to participate, meaningfully in january six. now it's coming back to bite him. here's a friendly face, when mr. bannon gets in a room with the truth, and a fight breaks out, someone might defend him and get on, you know, national tv to talk about it. the committee is giving some new insight into its interview with former trump white house counsel man fat simple one. escarpment from the committee, the spokesman there, says it receive testimony on nearly every major topic and its investigation. this regarding key points regarding trump's misconduct, and highly relevant new

information that will play a central role in his upcoming hearings. the statement went on to say, the testimony also cooperated key elements of cassidy hutchinson's testimony. give me a sense of how critical you think cipollone is going to be for the investigation. >> so one so close in previously so loyal to the president is absolutely essential that the white house counsel, such as, this arguably the person who at times was doing the most with the most authority to stop the president from inciting in defrauding and committing this crime. . it's personal for me but it's an assault on our democracy. he swore an oath would didn't become an attorney, that the truth matter that, defending the constitution mattered. he has to testify without any restrictions. i don't think there are any legal restrictions. he didn't have a ringside seat. he was in the ring. his testimony is absolutely essential. >> yeah. last question quickly to you

given your recent trip, the delegation you talk to yosemite national park. examining climate change and its effects. you see this fire. what are your thoughts on that? it has to be tough to see after you've seen the beauty and majesty of these incredible trees. >> you are so rights. it is a wild factor. i'm like the congressional delegations now that the seven national parks here and talk about climate change, the urgency of now is what you're seeing on the screen. they are majestic. you know, sequoias that have lasted 3000 years are now at threats with lost 20% of these extraordinary national treasures. we have to do something. we've learned for several days that we were in the scenes that you are at, 12 hours before that fire took place. i'd like to think that the we came back with a renewed sense of urgency, knowing what we have to do. the national parks have told us

what we have to do, and there's a broader national and international effort that has to move forward at a much faster pace. >> well, i'll tell you your preaching to the congregation when it comes to this california girl and her appreciation for you 70. it's a beautiful stunning place, and help variable to save those trees. illinois congressman, mike silly, thank you so much. >> thank you. >> easing the pain, gas prices are falling from an all-time high, but there's a looming threat that could send them soaring hire once again. send the send the soaring hire once agaiasier to . that can scale across all your clouds... we got that right? yeah, we got that. it's easier to be an innovator. so you can do more incredible things. [whistling] ♪ ♪

this is the moment. for a brand new treatment for moderate-to-severe eczema. cibinqo - now fda approved 100% steroid free not an injection, cibinqo is a once-daily pill for adults who didn't respond to previous treatments. and cibinqo provides clearer skin and helps relieve itch. cibinqo can lower your ability to fight infections, including tb. before and during treatment, your doctor should check for infections and do blood tests. tell your doctor if you've had hepatitis b or c, have flu-like symptoms, or are prone to infections. do not take with medicines that prevent blood clots. serious, sometimes fatal infections, lymphoma, lung, skin and other cancers, serious heart-related events, and blood clots can happen. people 50 and older with heart disease risk factors have an increased risk of serious heart-related events or death with jak inhibitors. this is the moment. but we've only just begun. a new innovation from pfizer. speak with your doctor about cibinqo today.

(grandmother) thank you for taking me home. it's so far. speak with your doctor (young woman) don't worry about it, grandma! this'll be fun.

(young woman) two chocolate milkshakes, please. (grandmother) make it three. (young woman) three? (grandmother) did you get his number? (young woman) no, grandma! grandma!! (grandmother) excuse me! (young woman vo) some relationships get better with time. that's why i got a crosstrek. (avo) ninety-six percent of subaru vehicles sold in the last ten years are still on the road. (grandmother) i'm so glad you got a subaru. (young woman) i wonder who gave me the idea? (avo) love. it's what makes subaru, subaru. here's a look at today's of the top stories for you. at least 15 people in south africa are dead after a mass shooting in johannesburg late last night. police say a group of men walked into a tavern just after midnight and opened fire on the people inside. there is no word on a motive just yet. their president and prime minister of syria longest that they are going to resign after months of unrest. on saturday, protesters stormed both of their homes and even set fire to the prime

minister's house. pressure on both leaders has been mounting for months after food and fuel shortages have led to the collapse of syria long cause economy. a massive fire destroyed a historic hotel in nantucket, the fire broke out at the miranda house hotel early saturday morning and eventually spread to several other buildings. all gassed and hotel staff are safely evacuated, however, two firefighters were taken to the hospital for minor injuries. the cause of that fire is still under investigation. some breaking news out of ukraine, as rescue efforts are underway, this after a russian missile hit a five story apartment complex in the doneness region. this causes that building to totally collapse. officials say at least 15 people have died. dozens more are trapped under the rubble. let's go to nbc ali oversee. he's in kyiv for us. this is heartbreaking to see, once again, but it is an example of just how the fighting in this eastern region has really intensified over this past week. >> that's right alex.

it's been intensified for several weeks now. it also makes a mockery of these russian claims that they used high precision weapons to target military installations. these are again innocent people who are being killed in this attack. the emergency services say at least 15 are killed in that strike. the governor at the jonas reason is saying that they are about another 24 people trapped under the rubble, including a nine-year-old child. this is in the town in the donbas reason. alex, we've seen this time and time again and this war. the russians are pound civilian outbursts, and battlefield momentum. they're doing exactly that in the donetsk region. it's been a relentless bombardment of campaign from them. they took these hands, they brought them a step closer to taking the hold on donbas which is one of their objectives. now they're throwing everything they have been to donetsk so they can take that entire region. we spoke to a fight of the

other day who is fighting in the luhansk area, he's now fighting in the don't ask. he paints a very difficult picture of what it's like down there and how outnumbered and how outgunned they are by the russians. let's take a listen to what he had to say. >> we are trying to hold on at this moment. try to conduct multiple shots in the area where there are no trenches in there are just a lot of holes from artillery donestsk and we are trying to stand and fight there are trees and forced on the grounds in the village right now. our troops are still in position. we trying to do, to hold it as much as possible. >> alex, this young man really personified ukrainian fighting spirits.

he wanted to fight till the bitter end, whatever it takes. he was also exhausted, he's been fighting from the first day of the war. he reiterated went all the ukrainians are saying, they need western arms to tip the scales in the favor in order to win this war. >> you have, it is tough to watch the troop -- thank you for doing so, ali oversee. it is been ten days sense florida's don't say gay law take effect. the impact it's having maybe profound and immeasurable. it's next. maybe profound and immeasurable.

it's next.

new school guidelines take effect this week advising teachers had to navigate new state laws referred to by critics as don't say gay laws. florida is only one of several states that have so-called parental rights laws that have been introduced and passed. nbc stephanie is joining me now from st. petersburg. steph, welcome to you. what are some of the potential land mines for teachers here?

>> yeah, good afternoon to you alex. well there seems to be quite a bed. controversy continues over florida's parental rights and education law, also known as the so-called don't say gay law. this law bans instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in grades kindergarten to third grade. it went into effect july 1st. school boards all across the state are basically scrambling to implement swept this law will look like as we roll into the new upcoming school year. recently, and leon county, this is near the florida state capital, the florida school board unanimously adopted but it calls an lgbtq inclusive school that. this includes protections for students who are open about their gender identity and their sexual orientation. there was one provision that lgbtq activists say will make gay and trans kids targets. parents of strike kids will be notified if their child's and p e class or on a school field trip with a student who is open

about their gender identity. >> unfortunately the students are very vulnerable, these are circumstances that are very vulnerable. i believe the premise behind it to, why that notification is necessary, is not has not been considered all the way through. the only position why you would want to do that is to, you know, is there a negative reason? is there something that is problematic? it's a scarlet letter, really. it's inappropriate. >> the teachers association in orange county, florida, said that they're lgbtq to jurors in grades k through three were told not to put up rainbows clothes in or pitches that their families. in palm beach county, florida, the district removed two books that touched upon generate kennedy. we are talking about minor, very young children. i completely agree. there is no place for that in

the classroom. if parents want to talk to their children about those things, that is the right to do that. i do not believe that the school districts, the teachers and administration has done the right to talk to parents. i'm happy that that was part of the bill as well. >> again, there's still a lot of fluidity there. as part of the new law, parents can sue school districts for violation, damages and legal fees. at this point, the state education department is expected to release more information about the parameters of these standards a little bit later this summer. still a lot of fluid be here, alex, but a lot of concern as well >> absolutely. okay, thank you for outlining the latest. stephanie stanton. it is distinctly premature, any talk of a red wave sweeping the midterms. . here is why. a group of gop senate candidates that some might describe as ethically bad. so bad that it has republicans worried. for them, the unthinkable could happen. the panel tackles that next.

unthinkable coul happen the panel tackles that next. nicorette knows, quitting smoking is freaking hard. you get advice like: try hypnosis... or... quit cold turkey. kidding me?! instead, start small. with nicorette. which can lead to something big. start stopping with nicorette just four months to go until

the november midterms, and some pretty stark mornings for the gop reporting today, from the washington post, shows republican operatives are going increasingly nervous about their chances in the senate. the primary reason for that, concern is the nominee themselves. one republican strategist told the post, quote, there are massive problems on the candidate front joining me now to discuss it is basil's michael, them aquatics tragedies and director of public policy program at hunter college. -- msnbc political analyst and david jolly, former congressman from florida and msnbc political contributor. good to see you all. let's take a look at some of the candidates that this article mentioned specifically. herschel walker in georgia. massive it oz in pennsylvania. j.d. vance in ohio. . blake masters in arizona. that's just a few of them. david, you first. what do you make of this

reporting? does that echo what you are hearing from other republicans? or even former republicans? are some of these candidates ethically pad? >> absolutely. and republicans could be going into a cycle where they should have the upper hand but they might snatch defeat from the jaws of history. you listed the candidates that, and otherwise neutral, racism republicans might have a leg up but looks like mitch mcconnell might not get his majority back, given some of the candidates walker, oz, vance, and masters there are second scenarios that could happen republicans might get 50 republican senators, or 51. but mcconnell might not actually have the books to become a majority leader you have masters race, he might not support mitch mcconnell. and missouri, greitens, full disclosure, i have an interest in the politics of that race. but eric wright and said he will not support mitch mcconnell. so mcconnell may not even get his majority. and if he does, he might not

have the votes to become majority leader. >> wow. that is an interesting angle. what about what senator john barrasso said, he was asked about all of this earlier today. take a listen. >> number one issue is inflation. and with all the issues that people care about, they look to republicans as the solution on inflation, on energy, on the economy, on the chaos at the border, on crime, and all of those nominees that you just mentioned, some are already the nominees, others are still in primaries that have a decided. what we know is they understand their states. they understand the pain that people are having in those states. >> so, on the other hand, you have a democratic strategist telling the washington post, the question is, are there forces in the election more powerful than the disappointment in biden? the answer is yes and that is opposition and fear for mega, which is the thing that has driven the last two elections. susan, what do you think is

more of a factor here? >> i actually think it is both combined, we have a lot of things coming up. we have these incredibly bad candidates. i mean, look at oz, in pennsylvania, he is not from the state. i don't think he's even living in the state, even though has a residency if it would have been mccormack who could've won that primary, it was -- razor close. i would guess him being a head in the polls beating fetterman. but republicans are -- never put it past us to blow it. in this case, they are. and i have said this for months. the best case -- the best way democrats have to win back or keep the senate is for republicans to elect those crazy mega people. and that is what they're doing in the primaries. i mean, it is what to do. they are all nuts. there is a message there that starts to resonate with voters. and especially, for example, in georgia where than again, they

may stay home. republicans may stay home, there's no way i'm gonna vote for a democrat, but i can't pull the lever for walker. >> so basil, let's say democrats lose the house. if that happens, it could kill all of biden's legislative goals from the last two years of his term. however, if democrats can hold the senate they could still approve judicial nominations, they could blend the republican efforts to derail his administration's with hearing sudden vest again and they promised they would hold. how essential are the seats for the party? do democrats generally prefer running against unconventional candidates or -- who are more aligned with trump, to susan's point, they're just crazy, then the more traditional republicans? >> i mean, every seat is important. i think going to the case of georgia, one of the things that made georgia so successful for democrats in 2020 was that the state party was intentional about contesting every single seat. i think that is the lesson that

should be mattering for democrats across the country. every seat matters, every race matters it's important for the biden agenda because, as you talked about the judicial branch, so much of the agenda is not just about offense, it is defense. we need the defensive posture to give states and democratic governors the opportunity to implement reforms on a state level. that way we can blunt against what's happening in d.c.. i would say, with respect to the candidates, i agree with all that was said in terms of the quality of the candidates, herschel walker in particular. but the one thing i would caution democrats, is not to sit on our haunches here because, i'm sure a lot of republicans weren't happy with the kind of candidate that donald trump was, but he was a means to an end. and if these republicans can get elected, they might not be loved and embraced by our republican grassroots, or even

some of the republican moderates, but they can be a means to an end in terms of implementing an agenda. so we consistently have to be vigilant about not just saying oh, these guys can't ever get elected because that is not smart, they're not good, they're not talented. we need to be careful with not falling into that trap. >> don't understand estimate the power of the electorate. let's switch gears here. go to the january six investigation now because nbc news obtained the letter from donald trump to proclaim but he's gonna waive executive privilege if bannon reaches an agreement with select committee to testify. the committee is arguing, look, bennett didn't have executive privilege to begin with. the question is, why would donald trump do that? why would he greenlight him? >> because the january six hearings have gone so poorly for the president, and for the record of his administration that they need to play offense. now the decision about whether or not to nominate reasonable

republicans to the committee, the decision by nancy pelosi did not include jim jordan and other bomb throwers, we're seeing that play out. the story being told by witnesses is a damning story of donald trump himself. they have isolated the former president in terms of culpability. there is no cross-examination, if you will. there is no pushing these witnesses on the veracity of their testimony. donald trump knows that. he understands storytelling. he is ready to push back. >> flipside question to you than, suzanne, would it be to the committee's benefit to have been in testify? the committee has proven they are razor sharp with their focus on how they put forward questions. do they think bannon would perjury himself if they asked him those kinds of questions? >> no, but they absolutely should. if he's willing to come in, they should take his sworn testimony. the thing that donald trump just did, to play on what david

was saying, he wants bannon out there. my guess is bannon will say, i will only offer testimony if it is on a live hearing that will be shown on television. because he wants to do all the defending of donald trump and show donald trump -- >> the committee is not gonna do that, right? that would not be to their advantage. >> i can't imagine they would. but that is what they're looking for. and i think it is also a way of getting trump wanting to get his side on the record because the testimony will at least go down into the official record. >> what are your thoughts on this, basil, how do you think the committee should approach steve bannon? >> i agree with susan's point. bannon and company are looking for being political theater. they need trump to be on the record. this is essentially the vehicle for that. i have mixed feelings about it. on one hand, i want the committee to publicly hold him

accountable. but we all know what's going to come up. i'm of two minds of it. i think there is a need to not create that theater and that forum, but i do think the public is going to want to see this. >> okay, well i'm hoping our public want to see you guys. i know i did. it's good to see you, basil. i don't get this u.s. often of possible. the other two of you, you guys are regulars. a scene next week. the much hyped documentary on donald trump just came out hours ago. but how much impact could it have on the january six hearings? and new developments in the january six investigation, including more word on exactly what trump's former white house counsel said. could be more explosive than anything we've heard before. d be more when you have technology that's easier to control... that can scale across all your clouds... we got that right? anything we've heard before. yeah, we got that.

it's easier to be an innovator.