just look around. this digital age we're living in, it's pretty unbelievable. problem is, not everyone's fully living in it. nobody should have to take a class or fill out a medical form on public wifi with a screen the size of your hand. home internet shouldn't be a luxury. everyone should have it and now a lot more people can. so let's go. greetings everyone. the digital age is waiting. you are watching simone. today former president donald trump's taxes came out. that's, right after years of stonewalling a legal battle, several of trump's tax returns were made public. and it confirms what millions of us knew, that he often pay little or no federal taxes. but the new details on his foreign accounts, now that is

something to talk about. plus, more of my exclusive interview today with congressman benny thompson who's the chair of the january six committee. we'll give you more the hunter before we talk about everything from where the country goes now to the direct line he sees from january 6 to 4 for president trump. and, southwest airlines is finally getting their travel troubles under control. after leaving thousands of passengers stranded for days. we are talking to the vice president of the southwest flight attendants union, about how this debacle might have been avoided. i am simone sanders townsend and i have something to say. . we after years of legal wrangling, americans are finally getting a look at former president donald trump's financial records from before and even during his time as

president, now, donald trump infamously bugged nearly 50 years of tradition by refusing to just close this financial records to the public. and, this is a problem because nearly every president has done this since the 1970s. , okay donald trump is a first one of. to this week, the house ways and means committee released thousands of pages of returns. and it confirms that donald trump paid only $750 in federal income taxes. 750, folks. in both 2016 and 2017. in 2020, he paid nothing. claiming a tax refund of five point $4 million. donald trump also held at least three foreign bank accounts as president. including one in china. and accounts that, on the 2020 debate stage he insisted was clothes. here's what he had to say. we >> are closer before i even ran for president. little became president we. >> we now know that was.

ally trump responded to the release by accusing the ways and means committee of political bias and even urging house republicans to respond with investigations into president biden and his family. there is a reason, folks, that every president since nixon has voluntarily disclose their financial information. the american people deserve transparency. the american people deserve to know where potential presidents presidents interest and obligations lie. and, if a presidential candidate reports, i don't know, $78 million in gross income from 16 foreign countries, as donald trump did in 2020, we'll, voters deserve to have that information before they head to the ballot box. joining me now is someone who is an expert on this. nbc news senior national politics reporter john allen. welcome, john. john has been combing you have been going through all of these. so you've been reporting on the story. talk to me a little bit about what tested out to you in these documents? >> what stands out most how hard it is to follow that.

there are hundreds of pages from the ways and means committee, from the joint committee on taxation, and the tax returns themselves. and you hear, or you read in these reports from the committees the difficulty the irs had with these particular returns because of the number of possible entities that donald trump is using. basically what that means is, you've got a hold of companies that he has interest in and, those flow to his personal income taxes. and he basically claims this huge loss of, the, deductions exemptions, charitable donations, to try to minimize his personal taxes. and, as you saw with that graphic just a minute ago, $750 in a couple of years, nothing in another. >> $750 is insane. i think it is very hard to people to believe. so, i will pay double sabbath. there are people out there that would say, look, donald trump was using very legitimate tax loopholes that currently exist. now, i know in the inflation reduction act that was passed earlier this year, there were some provisions in there to potentially close some of these

loopholes. would anything in the inflation reduction act affect what donald trump was able to do with these tax returns? >> i think the biggest thing in the inflation reduction act with the roughly 80 billion dollars that are added to the irs. one of the things that comes out of this investigation by the ways and means committee is, that the irs didn't have enough resources to really go through all of these. again, this is such a complicated. stuff for folks to understand it at home, basically the irs have to figure out what all of these companies are, and whether the deductions that he is, claimed the exemptions, the charitable deductions, are actually legitimate. each one of which can be its own investigation. so, i think that money is probably the biggest thing. there were some efforts to close loopholes in the tax code. some of them didn't make it through because some of the senators on the democratic side didn't love them. kyrsten sinema, in particular. but some of the other ones were for larger companies. once that actually make a lot of money, as opposed to donald trump's companies which were hemorrhaging cash and certainly

not at the level of over a billion dollars that made those loophole closures were aimed at. >> we have to go, very quickly, the irs as opposed to audits a president while they are president. it is something that happened. it is a formality. something it happens to every president. they didn't an audit donald trump. the reason they're getting is because we, too many pastors? does that stand up to muster. >> the reason they are giving us that there weren't enough resources. and it just really, there is a report from an irs agent basically saying that the pastors are part of it. in order to understand what underlies all of these claims, you have to go investigate all of. them we it seems unthinkable to me that irs, with tens of thousands of people working there, it didn't have the ability to do that if donald trump's administration had wanted donald trump's taxes looked out, they would like to. >> i think it seems unthinkable to me, i was. well maybe some folks that. home john allen, thank you very much. always bringing us the good information on the saturday afternoon. appreciate your time.

>> thank you. , >> i wanna bring my political panel now talk about. this came alleged to chalices a congressional reporter for the washington post. molly jong-fast is a special correspondent for vanity fair, and host of the fast politics podcast. and, jennifer horn is a former republican and former chair of the new hampshire republican party. welcome, welcome, welcome. i want to start with. you are just gonna get your thoughts about this big picture that we are getting from donald trump's foreign accounts. as president of the united states of america, you're not supposed to foreign accounts. but especially not in china. >> well he had foreign bank accounts, and then he also made money from some of these foreign countries. and that is, he also first of all he lied. and he said that that wasn't what was happening. and clearly we see from the. taxes, it was. but i also think that ultimately that guy is, he didn't. he really. he is kind of. he worked so hard not to

release his taxes. he's one of the first presidential candidate since nixon did not release his taxes. and, it made it worse. but he did lie about what was in them, too. >> he absolutely. did there are, not just on the debate stage we showed, in interviews, and conversations, on fox news. it is kind of insane. now, camilla, you have got some house republicans out there who have already vowed to use their oversight ability i abusing it to go after president biden and biden's family business dealings. whatever those. are what i said in response to donald trump, his tax returns coming out to the public, and also this call from donald trump to you investigate president biden? >> that's a great question. because in light of when the committee announced that they were going to release trump's tax returns, you immediately had a lot of house republicans saying that they were

threatening retaliation against democrats for doing that. saying that if you are going to go this hard into you releasing trump's tax returns, we are gonna do the same when it comes to all the investigations we are gonna conduct in the next session on biden and his family. so, you can see that more so answer the question of what did their reactions to some of the findings on these tax returns, but more so them taking a retreat back in just saying that we are going to issue the same amount of retaliation just because of you doing this. let's not forget, trump is going to run for president in 2024. so, we understand what kind of light this negative light this puts trump in. and they know that this information is going to be used when he is running against. his opponents are gonna use that. so, with this they are very much prepared to kind of have their own retaliation because of this. >> it is so ridiculous, because again, i worked for two presidential candidates. i worked for bernie sanders in 2016, joe biden in 2020, and they both release their tax returns. hours for the vice president,

xi in the secretary general richie's release of tax returns. this is standard practice. and, jennifer, let me bring you in here because it seems to me that what republicans in the house are doing here is, they are trying to set up this false equivalency. so democrats are doing something to various are wrong. targeting donald trump. but really, what they are just doing is the standard. >> no question about. and the republicans are reacting exactly the way republicans have reacted unfortunately throughout the trump administration trying to protect him, trying to defend, him trying to lift him up. the most important thing that we are talking about right now is that a sitting president of the united states made $78 million with profit while being president of the united states from foreign entities, from foreign countries. the problem isn't that donald trump lied about the bank account, donald trump is a liar. of course he lied. the problem is that he had the bank account in china while

president of the united states. and, the whole reason behind this tradition of president and vice president, presidential candidates releasing their today tax returns for the american people can know this about them before they decide whether or not they are going to vote for a guy who has a bank account in china. it is unconscionable. and you all just heard john allen. if the trump administration really wanted to audit his tax returns, i've got it hard to believe that that is not what would've happened. so we wait to see what the irs has to say moving forward. i want to move to these developments with republican congressman elect george santos. because next week, the new congress takes effect. and for folks we didn't, know after a very explosive new york times report called santos's credentials into question, the congressman-elect came out, apologized to the outlet city and state and to wabc radio, and he admitted to quote,

embellishing parts of his resume. including, let's talk about. this academic background. his claims of employment as citigroup in goldman sachs, and you've now got many of santos's past assertions also being called into question, including the statements about his tuition ancestry and campaign materials that described him as a proud american jew. santos has since clarified that he is clearly kaepernick. the congressman is now facing calls to resign. including from outlets in his home district. and abc news, we have reached out to him for comment. camilla, this is just too much. i think it was too much for one holiday for all this happen. you've got minority leader kevin mccarthy, who has stayed silent on this issue. republicans in the house that have stayed silent. nbc news has yet to give a response from the minority leader after multiple times. what is going on here? >> what you see right now is an attempt for the republican

party to kind of counter and come back in, and actually talk amongst themselves about what they want to do you. several publicans have stayed silent on it. and some spoken out, saying that they are not happy that he is going to be a part of the party. but and others, like representative marjorie taylor greene have come to his defense. so on different factions within the republican party you are hearing to her responses. but, what's really important to note in this is that even when santos has come out and try to kind of quayle that concerns about, him it's even raised more questions about what source of money he is coming from fight for example his financial disclosure form. he said that he loaned himself in this campaign $700,000. but, still there are questions that remain about where that exact source of income was actually coming from. so, he's gonna have to answer a lot of questions. not just for democrats, but for members of his own party. about where he stands and things about his background that he is so you have to answer to. >> i mean, i've got lots of questions. like where was the office of

research. jennifer, when you are chair of the new hampshire republican party, i have to imagine that opposition research. i've got a 20 seconds. one word, if you want to describe what this debacle is? >> it is outrageous. but really quickly, you should not expect anything from kevin mccarthy or republican leadership. kevin mccarthy needs his vote to become speaker. they need the seat, it has previously been democrat. don't expect anything honorable or ethical to come from leadership on this issue. >> well well well. i think, molly john fast agrees. i definitely see your point there. cumulative childless, molly jong-fast, and jennifer, horn thank you all very much for keeping us off on this new year's eve. appreciate your time >> >> coming up next, folks, i have my exclusive interview with the january 6th elect committee chairman, congressman benny thompson. we are going to get into what he told me about the biggest takeaways from the committee's work, and about the future of our democracy. you don't wanna miss that. but first, my colleague cory coffin is here with today's

other top news stories. hey, cory. >> hey, simone. thank, you and happy new year to you. here are the stories we're watching at this hour. tributes are pouring in for public marriages benedict the 16th. who has died at 95 years old. making him the longest-living cope. president biden called for benedict focused on the ministry of charity to continue to be an inspiration to us all. the funeral will take place thursday, and st. peters square. >> and, people around the world are ringing in the new year with fireworks and celebrations, like the spectacular display in sydney australia. this year celebrations are expected to be the biggest since the pandemic began. that includes in new york's times square. where officials are expecting 1 million people together tonight. crowds are already seeking out spots for tonight's big ball drop where they will see the nearly 12,000 pound fall that up with more than 32,000 flights, marked the beginning of 2023. happy new, year everyone >> more simone, after the break. simone, after the break simone, after the break because this is my secret. i put it on once, no more touch ups! secret had ph balancing minerals;

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committee has made public thousands of pages of transcripts of testimony from dozens of witnesses from their investigation into the attack on the united states capitol. and investigation that is now complete. these transcripts include interviews with some of president trump's family, and its closest allies. just over a week ago, the panel released their final report on the insurrection. in former president trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election. a recently sat down with the chair of that committee, congressman benny thompson, of mississippi. in an extensive and exclusive interview he told me about the challenges of leading this investigation, and what he sees for the future of our democracy. here's part of our conversation. >> it's been difficult. i bet many nights away from home. i spent a lot of time just trying to figure out why in the greatest democracy in the world would people want to new all the sudden storm the capital because they lost an election. normally, in a democracy, you

settle your differences at the ballot box. sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. but on d'arnaud circumstances do you tear the city hall of or the courthouse up and god forbid, the united states capital. it was just something that i think for most americans it was beyond imagination. >> are their conclusions that you will have reached that are new since the last public hearings? >> there are some findings that we found to, be very honest with. you the january six had not been for the encouragement of donald trump would have never occurred. which would have been a normal transfer of power that we do every four years when there is a presidential election. but, as we started looking at the work, a pattern developed of individuals not individuals

per se who were working in government. these were outsiders being manipulated by former president trump and encouraged to do what they're doing. >> so, there is a direct line, a very clear line in your estimation, the committees estimation from the axe on january 6th to the former president donald trump. there is no gray area there. >> but we also, understood you are. right there is no gray area. but we also understood, we also know that what limitations are of our committee. we couldn't prosecute former president trump or any individual. but we were tasked with getting the facts and circumstances as to what brought it about. >> do you have confidence in the justice department investigation of the former president. >> i am more credible with the fact that the special counsel has been actively engaged in

pursuing any and all information available. they have been in contact with our committee, asking us to provide various transcripts and what have you. >> what is the nature of your cooperation if you will. >> they wrote me as chair. and we made the decision in consultation with other members that we would cooperate. but, early on, in effort was made. we are in the midst of our work. and we felt we had to get the report done. we had to get it filed. but. it was a willingness on our part to get the job done. there were people that we deposed. the justice had not to post. there were electors in various states that justice couldn't find. we found. them >> in the justice department. let's say that the special counsel finds. brings charges against former

president donald trump. but not related to the general six committee. let's say, one of the many other investigations that the justice department is doing. would that be sufficient to you. >> well, two points. no one is above the law. even a former president. one of the tenants of the founding fathers is you put a document together that we all can live by. we don't say, ever anybody can live by this document except the president of the united states. so, that being said, i am disappointed that what i discovered, and what president trump had done before and during his presidency, during this investigation. we are better country than what i saw coming from him. and, since he's left to try to do away with the constitution of this great country of ours,

that is, in this man, saw an oath. >> the same oath that you. swore. >> every member of congress. >> and you take that oath and treat it so cavalier, he doesn't deserve the right to come back, ever as president of the united states. >> looking ahead, what are you worried about with republicans in the next congress as you just detailed. many refused to take seriously the january six probe. what should we be looking for? >> first of all. we survive january six because of some heroic law enforcement individuals and others who just refused to allow these crazy folk who broke into the capitol. but, democracy has to be managed. democracy has to be a process where you participate in it.

if you don't participate in it actively, you stand to lose many of the rights that people have fought and died for. and, so i encourage everyone who lives in this great country to constantly participate. but participate based on the rule of law. don't participate in carry weapons to folding precincts. don't just page in carrying bear spray and other harmful things that intimidate people. we are good because we, everyone can participate you can be a billionaire and you can be homeless and in the voting precinct, you are the same. and that is the greatness of this democracy. and we should never marginalize that. so, but we have to manage it.

as i said, if we don't manage it, we stand potential to lose it. because the platforms that are out in our social media and otherwise, amplifies and in some instances, things that are untrue. and, in the south they tell you that if you tell a lie long enough, at some point it becomes the truth. >> i will have more my interview with chairman bennie thompson tomorrow, including some of the back and forth among committee members before they agreed on what a criminal referral to make. next up though, we have the southwest airlines travel chaos. it does seem to be winding down. but, where the warning signs ignorant? what changes need to happen to prevent this debacle from happening again? i've got questions, and a leader from the union representing fighter tendons,

the union joins me to answer them. right after the break. er them right after the break.

southwest airlines says it is back to normal operations after the meltdown over the christmas holidays. if you missed this, the breakdown of southwest raked at the proportions. of course, they canceled flights because of a massive winter storm. but then, southwest canceled over 15,000 flights over several days.

the destruction left passengers and flight crews stranded in airports around the country and thousands of pieces of luggage piled up, waiting to be claimed that by their owners. southwest must now answer questions from the department of transportation about why this happened and where the airline plans to reimburse passengers. pete buttigieg had messages for passengers. >> we will be putting southwest airlines under a microscope in terms of there delivering these kinds of reimbursements and refunds to challengers. the airline said to me that they were going to go above and beyond what is required of them. i'm looking to make sure they actually do that. and if they don't, we are in a position to levy tens of thousands of dollars per violation, per passenger in fines. >> that is a lot of money. southwest ceo bob jordan responded to the fallout and offered this apology. >> i want everyone who is dealing with the problems we

have been facing, whether you have not been able to get to where you need to go, or you are one of our heroic employees, caught up in a massive effort to stabilize the airline, know that we are doing everything we can to return to a normal operation. and police also here that i am truly sorry. >> joining us now is one of those heroes. she is a vice president of transport workers unit local 556. they represent southwest airlines flight attendants. thank you for being here. i have been reading this -- you have been popping up in all of the stories. southwest employees, union members, you all warned the executive of the flaws in the system. but your concerns were ignored. was the situation presentable -- preventable -- >> absolutely. and thank you for having me. the system that we have had in place and that we have used for many, many years, works well

when it works. unfortunately, when idealistic on stances -- our system failed big and we understand that it was not something that anyone intended, but it was absolutely something that was forewarned. >> so, was it preventable then? >> i would say that had southwest management at the time taken the warning from unions, the warning from our union and particular, and learned from past meltdown situations on a smaller scale, we could have at least mitigated some of these problems. >> i was not one of the folks out there stranded, but i know many friends and families and just reading and looking at the headlines -- i keep coming back to this point that the u.s. government gave about 50 billion dollars in aid to the airline industry at the height of the pandemic.

southwest specifically, received about seven billion dollars of that aid. the airline industry was bailed out of its most vulnerable time. i can't think of a more vulnerable time for a traveler than being a stranded traveler at an airport during the holidays. so, what do you think southwest should do to compensate its customers and how can they really make amends? >> i am not able to speak to what that compensation looks like, but what i can tell you is that i still believe that southwest is a strong company, a good company. i think we are going in the right direction and our priorities need to be realigned. at its core, i absolutely know that southwest airlines is going to do whatever it can to make it right. however, part of what needs to happen in building up that trust, is the trust needs to be built back with the employees. the employees showed up. they performed. we were there for our passengers. and so, we also have a stake,

something at stake here with a southwest redeeming itself. and leadership redeeming itself. i think that the passengers that fly our airline are the best in the air and we absolutely have a unique brand that we offer and our passengers have grown to love us for our spirit and for our employees, especially our flight attendants, because -- that said, i think that the best thing that we can do is fixed our technology, modernize our processes, get our systems together, and respect to the frontline employees who bring the passengers back again and again. i know that we will be able to do that. we just need to make sure that it is everyone's intention to lock arms and fix this for our passengers as well as our employees. >> you talk about, something for the frontline employees. what would you like to see specifically happen for employees from the companies perspective?

what is the union asking for? >> the union is going into negotiations with a southwest management for four years -- negotiations does not just mean we are looking for money. we actually have points in our negotiated items that speak to modernizing our technology. when we are negotiating, we are not just negotiating for our members, but also for our passengers. and so what i would hope is that we would be able to come to the table with our leadership and become partners in modernizing our operation, speaking to the job we are doing in 2022 in 2023, and remove ourselves from systems that were built for what we did in 1999. that is simply not going to work. we have grown from this tiny little airline with three cities on a napkin, to the largest domestic carrier and we need to grow with it and mary are history with our future. >> there is work to be done. thank you so much for your

time. folks, if you see a flight attendant out there, anyone who works at the airport, give them a hug. past them a coffee. the work is hard and the times are rough. thank you so much. >> thank you for having me. >> absolutely. still ahead, because we are not done, we need to get into these international implications of prime minister benjamin netanyahu's return to the role of prime minister in israel. we will also get into the approaching anniversary of russia's invasion of ukraine. are there any signs that the two sides could negotiate an end to this devastating war? i will ask a top state department pucks person. that is next. that is next rtable. it feels like it's barely there. look at how much it holds, and it still stays thin! i've looked at myself in the mirror and i can't see it at all! that's the protection we deserve! what do you think healthier looks like? cvs can help you support your nutrition, sleep,

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benjamin netanyahu is back as the country's prime minister. he was sworn in along with the most right wing majority in israel's history. topping it under lawmakers's coming turn is at this really expansion into the west bank. the parliament expect plans to legalize dozens of illegally built outpost, as well as annexed alton occupied territory. to talk about what that means on the world stage, i want to welcome donna patel, the principal deputy spokesperson for the state department. greetings to you. thank you so much for coming in today. how concerned is the united states government, the state department, about prime minister netanyahu's return to

power and the way in which he is returned with this right-wing government? >> first, thanks for having me, simone. first and foremost. we look forward to working with israel and the new israeli government on a number of issues that have existed, that are at the core of this bilateral relationship that have existed over decades. and, secretary blinken said earlier this month, we are going to engage and judge our israeli partners based on the policies they are pursuing, and not necessarily the personalities that make up the government. we have course our support of the policies that in the school security, and vance regional integration, that help us get to a two state solution, and help lead to equal measures of justice, prosperity, security, and freedom for israelis and palestinians alike. >> are you concerned about the reports, the agenda that this new government has about legalizing the settlements that are have been built in the west bank? >> let me say two things. first we are only on day three of this government. so we are not gonna prejudge anything. also, this is a close bilateral relationship.

one that has existed for decades of cross across governments, presidents, and prime. ministers and, because of that closeness we will be candid in areas where we disagree and work together collaboratively on areas of policy where we can work together. >> maybe this is why there are reports that jake sullivan is going to visit, make a trip to israel and the coming months to particularly boys his concern with his israeli counterparts about what are the policies that we propose. there also reports that secretary blinken is also planning to travel to israel in the coming weeks. can you confirm any of the reports? do you have anything to share about that? i >> don't have anything at this moment simone. but what i can say is, this is a close relationship and we look forward to working with israel and the new israeli government on so many of these issues that are the center of this bilateral relationship. >> all right, we'll be. watching so, you have anything to confirm, no travel right now? that you can tell me about today? okay. all right. i guess, before i let you go.

we come february, it will be a year since russia. i want to switch gears. it will be a year since russia invaded ukraine. to trample on the sovereignty of ukraine. we recently saw, obviously, president zelenskyy of ukraine here in the united states. the first time he has made abroad since the start of this war. what are the concerns that the state department currently have about what is happening. as is where progressives, and is there anything you can tell us about the potential for the two sides coming together for diplomatic talks? >> simone, let's be clear about one thing. president putin could end this war if he wanted. to you time and time again, he has chosen to chart a different course. when our ukrainian partners and president zelenskyy have offered a vision of peace, moscow has met that was strike. strike on civilian infrastructure, energy infrastructure. and so, until the russian federation of president putin chart a different course, what we are going to do is we are gonna support our ukrainian partners on that same visit

that you just mentioned, president biden, with president zelenskyy announced a nearly 1.8 billion security assistance package. that is the kind of assistance we are going to continue providing our ukrainian partners until this conflict is over. >> obviously, you are to the administration. the thing that i learned when it came to foreign policy is that diplomacy is truly that way. diplomacy is what has ended war throughout history. we has that been on the battlefield has been diplomacy. >> we couldn't agree more. >> do you think we will see it? >> absolutely. president zelenskyy and our ukrainian partners have been very clear that they know that diplomacy is required for it this conflict to come to an end. yet, we have yet to see the russian federation and president putin engage in good faith. until that happens, we are going to continue to support our ukrainian partners. >> all right, patel principal deputy spokes person the united states state department. thank you very much. >> thank you for having me, simone.

>> next up, we are done. yet what democrats state level winds will be for the party's agenda in 2023. we are going to talk to minnesota's state house speaker about democrats new trifecta in the state. stay with us y'all. y'all y'all that liberty mutual customizes your home insurance, here's one that'll really take you back. it's customized home insurance from liberty mutual!!! only pay for what you need. ♪ liberty. liberty. liberty. liberty. ♪ (bridget vo) with thyroid eye disease... i hid from the camera. and i wanted to hide from the world. for years, i thought my t.e.d was beyond help... ...but then i asked my doctor about tepezza. (vo) tepezza is the only medicine that treats t.e.d. at the source not just the symptoms. in a clinical study, more than 8 out of 10 patients taking tepezza had less eye bulging. tepezza is an infusion. patients taking tepezza may have infusion reactions. tell your doctor right away if you experience high blood pressure, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath

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sworn in in really just a few days, january right around the corner, there will be a lot more democrats raising their hands than in 2020. that's because democrats made gains in state houses during the midterm elections. the party picked up dozens of seats in 21 states. you can see right here how the states with the biggest shifts lean blue. these are the people who have control over issues like a woman's right to make decisions about her own body and so many other issues that impact our lives. and it includes voting rights. in minnesota, democrats won a trifecta in -- governor tim walsh told msnbc that the midterms restore his

faith in free and fair elections and that minnesota would like to work to enshrine those rights. >> it is an exciting time that democracy prevails and it doesn't mean they will vote for democrats. it means more people will have access to the ballot box and we get better representation. >> i am happy to be joined now by minnesota state house speaker melissa horton. greetings to you, madam speaker. thank you for being here. governor walz, he has told you to think big in your effort to preserve democracy in minnesota. i just want to read a little bit about what we're talking about. automatic voter registration systems, preregistering teenagers to vote before they turn 18, allowing people formally convicted of felonies to vote after they have served their time, even criminalizing election misinformation -- that is a lot. can you get it all down? >> we absolutely can. the trifecta gives us the opportunity to move quickly and to enter the concerns that minnesotans have. they clearly registered in this

election. we really saw voters motivated by a concern about democracy. i think you saw across the country a lot of secretaries of state being the top go getter in their states. and that i think is evidence that voters are really concerned about democracy, especially after watching what happened on january 6th, 2021. >> absolutely. i think across the board, the games that have been made are historic and in minnesota especially, this is the most deserve -- diverse date legislator in history. the first transgender person has been minnesota state legislator. the first nonbinary person. this is the first time three black women will be serving in minnesota's senate. how are you thinking about all of these firsts impacting the work that you do during the legislative session and working with this caucus? >> representation absolutely matters. and it is really important that every minnesotans sees

themselves in the minnesota legislature. we have strong allies and representation is not everything. the work product is everything. representation does matter. in 2016, we had a disappointing national election. a disappointing state election. we expected to take control then, but we did get a lot of diversity. representative omar join the legislature before she ran for congress and we were able to celebrate a much more diverse caucus. and we have becoming creasing lee more diverse in the 2018 and the 2022 elections. it makes a huge difference in the state where george floyd was murdered. the perspective that people bring to the table from living all sorts of different realities. >> i'm glad you mentioned george floyd. in the summer of 2020, there was so much just attention paid, rightfully so, to what happened to george floyd. and also what is happening all across our country.

how is the legislature in this upcoming session going to address racial equity and race and even policing? >> we have a phenomenal people of color indigenous caucus and they came to the fore in the summer of 2020 in terms of providing very strong leadership for the caucus. on criminal justice reform. we had more to do, but what we declared in the summer of 2020 is that racism is a public health issue. and we doubled down on committee to increasing equity in the laws that we are passing and that is the frosting on top of the cupcake -- but it is the butter in the batter. $30 million here or $50 million there -- but throughout the health care budgets, throughout the education budgets -- >> we will be watching. minnesota house speaker, thank you so much for your time. and happy new year. >> thank you for having me! same to you. >> absolutely. before we go, i need to remember the ground breaker --

barbara walters. she died at 93 years old. she spent nearly 60 years blazing a trail for women in journalism. including at nbc news and abc, before retiring in 2014. oprah said in a statement, without proper walters, they were not have been meeting or any other woman you see on evening, morning, and daily news. i could not agree more. her legacy will live on forever. thank you so much for joining me today on this new year's eve broadcast. happy new year! i am symone sanders. -- and anytime over on the peacock -- we have new episodes on the hub every monday and tuesday. if you want more of the show, including behind the scenes things, go ahead and follow us on instagram, twitter, and the tiktok. politics nation with a great reverend al sharpton starts after a short break. happy new year! i will be back tomorrow,

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