i'm cory kaufman in for alex. we begin this hour with breaking news. and investigation is underway after three nypd officers were attacked with a machete. police say the incident took place to 7:00 last night. outside of screening zone in times square. not far from the new years eve festivities. according to the nypd, the 19-year-old suspect swung this large knife at three officers. hitting two of them in the head before being shot in the shoulder and arrested by police. nbc's kathy park joins us now from new york city. kathy, what are police learning about the suspect? and whether the attack was targeted? >> cory, several law enforcement sources are telling nbc news that the suspect has been identified as a 19-year-old trevor big fareed of wells maine. authorities are saying that he doesn't have a criminal history. but he was known to law enforcement because of a social media postings. now they are taking a look at previous postings. possibly jihadist ratings on

line before he came here to the new york city area to potentially target officers on years eve. cory, as you can imagine, this place was bustling, it was packed. tens of thousands of people here at the times square area. there were certainly a lot of chaos shortly after this knife attack. officials are saying they were able to secure the area quickly. and then they carried out this press conference earlier this morning with an update. take a listen. >> one officer, any year veteran, suffered a laceration to the head. the second officer who graduated police academy on friday was also struck in the head. resulting in a skull fletcher and large lacerations. one of the officers fired their service weapon. striking the subject of these shoulder. the three officers removed to bellevue hospital rivalry for to report that they are in stable condition.

>> cory, we are still waiting for an update on those officers. but they are expected to survive. officials are saying that there is no longer a threat in this area. the suspect acted alone. but obviously, this is very early on in the investigation. still unclear what motivated the suspected carry out this attack. cory. >> kathy park in times square for us. thank, you cathy. seems like the attack could have been much worse. joining me now is tracy walter, former cia staff operations officer and fbi special agent. she is also the author of the unexpected spy from the cia to the fbi. my secret life taking down some of the world's most notorious terrorists. tracy, welcome, good morning, happy new year to you. investigators say they're looking into whether the 19-year-old suspect is a radicalized terrorist. whether he had post-jihadists writings online in travel to new york to target police. based on your experience, is this attack where the marks of terrorism? >> thank you for having me, happy new to you as well.

yes and no. what we are seeing now is a shift in the way from sort of these large-scale terrorist attacks where we have the organizational apparatus as a whole. kind of perpetrating these large expensive attacks into what we saw in this case and some other cases in the past. these lone wolf attacks. those are obviously much more difficult to stop. they're incredibly difficult to track. one person doesn't leave as much of additional footprint as perhaps these large scale organizations. i think that's what we're seeing here. we are seeing this increase in these lone wolf attacks. it sounds like he left a digital footprint that they're trying to look into and figure out what the motive is. because that's going to make a difference in how they charge. whether it's a criminal attack or a terrorist attack. >> that's kind of a big question here. it's the motive. fbi agents at the scenes there trying to determine the nature of the attack. there appears to be no ongoing threat as kathy mentioned. from your experience, what

could've possible motive before such a brazen attack on police officers? >> it depends. first of all, nypd did an excellent job in securing the new year's eve scene. really they probably had multiple points of entry. multiple security attacks. multiple security entrances. it looks like here, he just made it right to that first one and they were able to stop him. an excellent job and nypd's part. i think here. what is going to look like in terms of his digital footprint is that it sounds like the fbi was tracking him probably through there -- for a few weeks. did scene online postings. what's going to depend is whether or not he has been really fully radicalized by al-qaeda, by i.s.i.s., whatever group he has chosen to align himself with. that's what's really gonna be critical here in determining the motive. sometimes you can't get that from his digital footprint. also looks like he was trying to travel to afghanistan as well. >> speaking of how well police

handle the attack that came upon them. the city's mayor spoke about the police response. listen to what he had to say. >> really reflects the level of training we received. our officers that are trained, are prepared for day one. this officer responded with a level of professionalism that we expect from all of our officers. we know that they are receiving and have received some of the finest training of any law enforcement entity on the globe. that was on clear display. how these officers responded. they maintain the scene. they got the scene immediately under control. those responding officers then after securing the assistance for their fellow officers sub doing the person involved. the officers responded back to the location because we still had to -- a city we had to protect. >> we spoke about just how many

people were in the area. this massive event, this attack happens, multiple points of entry as you mentioned. when it comes to security of such an extreme operation like this. can you ever really guarantee security? can ever be completely safe? >> i think the reality is that nothing is ever going to be one hunted percent save. no matter the situation. unfortunately, that is the world we live in. at times square, i think, is well known to potentially be a target for attacks like these. you've got a densely populated space. a lot of people in one location. chaos can ensue. however, nypd is very used to having to secure targets like this. i think it's because of their experience that this wasn't a lot worse than it really could've been. for them to be able to subdue him. especially police officer that just graduated from the academy with 20 4:48 hours before. for them to respond in that way

is pretty remarkable. they have an entire division that this is what they do. it's to protect landmarks really like this from attacks. they are well versed and well trained in terms of securing these areas. >> really quickly, last few seconds. i want to know if you have any assessment of a security could be improved in any way. >> to be completely honest. not to sound right. i don't think so. i think nypd does an amazing job. i do think one thing that perhaps could have been a bit better is -- i don't know the specifics. it's perhaps communication with fbi as well as nypd. perhaps this person would've been known and not able to get as close as he was. >> tracey walter for us, thank you. we're gonna go to more breaking news now. the suspect in connection with the murders of four university

of idaho students could be extradited to idaho as early as next week. according to his defense attorney. police arrested 28-year-old bryan coburg are in pennsylvania on friday. he's been charged with four counts of first degree murder and felony burglary in connection with the brutal stabbing of four students in their off campus home in moscow idaho in november. we see steve patterson following the latest on the investigation for a. steve, what are we learning from the suspect's defense attorney? >> cory, a whole lot more from this public defender. the key piece of which you've made a reference to that -- his client is choosing to waive an upcoming extradition hearing. which means as you said he could be facing justice in idaho. that court system is early as next week. which would mean that the sealed affidavit should only be unsealed upon his arrival back to idaho. the details of which we would know. which would may shed more light on a possible motive. details of this case that were formally sealed. also learning a lot more about this public defender.

some key piece of information in a conversation that he says he's now had with his client. that one -- coburg or was eager to be exonerated. that he was aware of the details of the case before all of this happened. that he's been calm. that he is shocked by his arrest. our colleague gave an interview with this public defender. who shed more light on the case. here's what he said. it was not shy. listen to this. >> he was aware of the ongoing investigation of the death of the four individuals. but he denied, i guess you could say he implicitly denied any involvement. >> did he killed these four students? >> i would say at this point no. but he did not specifically say that. nor did i asked that question. >> a couple more key pieces of information coming. what about the detail about the arrest itself. taking into custody from his family home at about three a.m.. that's in northern

pennsylvania. apparently all the occupants of the homework cooperative but they were taken aback by the arrest to the chief interview believe that the unequivocal-y have their man. that at this time, there are no other suspects in that three as we've been saying dna evidence playing a major role in this arrest. but now shifting a little bit more light. that sheena logical dna evidence played an even bigger role. we'll know more details about that and much more a soon as that affidavit is unsealed. which means soon he's back in idaho. >> highly anticipated this week. steve patterson, thank you. let's join danny servello now. criminal defense attorney a msnbc legal analyst. danny, welcome in. you heard the public defender scientific -- tell nbc news of the suspect says he's gonna waive his right extradition hearing because he thinks he'll be exonerated. keep in mind the suspect is a criminal justice doctoral student. is there anything we can read

from that choice? >> first, interstate, not internationally but interstate extradition is really a foregone conclusion. whether you have a criminal justice background or you don't. the bottom line is article for the constitution pretty much mandates that if one states demanding someone from another state, they're gonna get that person. totally different situation if you're in russia for example which doesn't even have an extradition treaty with the u.s.. interstate extradition is a certainty. whether or not he's legally proficient, he probably got some good advice and that advice would be waive extradition. don't go through the hearing. just get back to idaho. >> so thus far with these details in the case, not a lot has been made public. especially in regard to the evidence police believe they have against him. this is because of that idaho state law that prevents its release of the affidavit to probable cause until the suspect appears in court in idaho. what more could we find out from those sealed documents

once they are released? >> the affidavit of probable cause is just that. it's enough of the facts that law enforcement think they can make a probable cause without going too far. without revealing too much. this is a case where we don't know too much so that affidavit of probable cause is going to be critical we really don't know how exactly the police honed in on this defendant we know that dna was involved -- remember from the press conference to please wear a cagey about whether claude's had played a factor. i suspect we'll find out when we are now. they're nowadays, you have to ecological options. you can go to one of these 23andme sites. if you get a subpoena or if they cooperative. the case may be. you may not necessarily need to rely on quotas which is the national combined dna index system. that's a database that requires law enforcement to upload dna. nowadays, people are applauding their own dna just to find out if their european or south american. and you can get to someone's

dna using the relatives. we live in a whole new era. you leave dna at a crime scene. odds are they're going to track you down. >> that was one of the biggest questions when things like 23andme came out is whether or not police or and have access to that the na database. speaking of not revealing too much from the police. friday's arrest comes seven weeks after the murder of those four college students. during that time, police released very few details about the investigation. for a few different reasons. not to tip off the suspect. to also not taint their case that a prosecution. can you expand on that last one? >> if you talk about publicity, that was a freeze alone forsman actually said at the press conference. what that means is this. ever since the case called -- shepard v. maxwell which was the inspiration in a sense for the rather old now movie the fugitive with harrison ford. that is a case that back then during a time when there were probably three maybe less channels on tv. the supreme court recognized that it's possible that

pretrial publicity can deny a defendant their way to a fair trial. fast forward to modern times where we have infinite channels, infinite social media, it's hard to say what level of pre trial publicity might taint someone's right to a fair trial. under the constitution. the answer to that is been very few if any. and yet, yet you see law enforcement here being very careful. they don't want to create too much pretrial publicity to create a circus lay down a sphere that might lay the grounds for a constitutional attack. a claim of too much pre-trump oblivion by this defendant in the future. >> before i let you go. with the moscow chief of police call this a very complex case. can you expand on what added to that complexity? >> i cannot wait to find out why this is complex. one can expect it's a dna and it's also tracking down, i imagine, i just conjecturing now that there is that white motor vehicle. there are 1 million whitewater vehicles. probably technology, video

evidence, raining, doorbell evidence. to track down maybe where that car went or how it got all the way across the country. you see it right there. pretty common -- i don't have the statistics on that. their likelihood that they have to use a lot of technology to track down the suspect's high. i think we're all waiting to see what exactly what, police work led to this arrest. thousands of miles away from of the crimes were committed. >> to be so confident they have their right suspected. it was the exact right vehicle, the exact one that was there at the scene. danny cevallos, thank you for that insight. coming up later this hour, dom trump's new years eve nothing burger. but first, the new drama that could unfold when everybody returns to capitol hill. capitol hill. ♪♪ hey dad, i'm almost out. i got you.

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as americans were continuing throughout celebrations across the country, the new year also means a new congress. as lawmakers were to be sworn in tuesday. it make a cough with a fight over the next speaker the house. republican kevin mccarthy is struggling to secure enough votes to become the baby speak -- lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressing their belief that who alternately pull it out. >> my hope is that kevin mccarthy's elected speaker. he's lead us into the majority. he's -- frankly he's worked so hard to get us in this place. and he's ready to lead. so i'm hopeful we can unite as a conference. >> do you think he's gonna get the votes to be speaker. >> i would be surprised if he doesn't. >> so you think you will be speaker? >> my expectation is he'll be speaker. >> does he have what it takes to the job? >> we'll see. >> the swearing of in new

congress is -- this impact is certain to be felt around the coming year. earlier today, committee member and maternity retiring republican congress unconcern are it's about -- >> as we've gotten into this, i'm looking and i'm like kyiv, this is not a crime, i don't know what it is. if a president can incite an insurrection and not be held accountable then really there's no limit to what a president can do or can't do. and so yeah, i do think ultimately when we get to where we're going to go. i think the justice department will do the right thing. i think you will be charged. i think he should be well. >> the vitamin assertions kicking off the new year by hitting the road with its economic message. president biden will visit kentucky on wednesday to deliver remarks on his economic plan. also when the vice president harris will visit chicago as transportation so -- stops in connecticut. nbc's aly riyadh was on capitol

hill -- allie, who has mccarthy been unable to win over and what do you think will happen if he doesn't secure their votes by tuesday? >> cory, good morning. happy new year. mccarthy using these last few days before this critical make-or-break vote. to lock in every ounce of support he can. he knows how much of a tricky numbers game this is going to come down to. he needs three symmetric number 219 votes to win the speakership and right now there are more house republicans publicly opposing him than he could afford to lose. and still win this race. the last thing he wants is for to not have enough votes to be able to reach the majority in the first round of votes. that will trigger this to go into multiple rounds until the majority is eventually breached. that some of that hasn't happened here on capitol hill in over 100 years. right, now we know comic are these making these concessions to those holdouts. those far-right members of his caucus. in exchange for their support.

what's also adding to the headache that mccarthy has right now is the latest scandal around congressman-elect santos. and they've submitted falsehoods to pieces of his resume. this is something that house republicans like mccarthy and other house leaders, house republican leaders have been largely silent on after multiple requests for comment and reaction to that. that some u.s. triggering some sharp condemnations from house democrats like richie torres. i want you to take a listen to a piece of what he had to say earlier. >> george santos is a republican nominee. so he -- it is the responsibility of the republican majority in the house to hold him accountable. the republican leadership knew that george santos was a fraud in said and did nothing. and so as far as i'm concerned, the republican leadership is complicit in the fraud that george santos has perpetrated against the public. >> george santos after all flipping that new york district. helping house republicans win back that majority.

when majority so narrow that mccarthy could maybe not want to risk ruffling some feathers. potentially losing santos's support or other house republicans who are backing santos. this is going to be interesting to see how this all tees up on tuesday. what we do know is that santos cannot only not be sworn in. the house technically can even begin legislating until a speaker is elected. really, as much as -- stake as possible here. >> ali, thank you. there were a lot to take in. a momentary flags on all those details in the documents released but the january six committee. rth more than my skills. i've run this place for 20 years, but i still need to prove that i'm more than what you see on paper. you gotta be so good they can't ignore you. it's the way my mind works. i have a very mechanical brain. analytics and empathy. that's how i gain clients. i am more... i'm more than who i am on paper. >> working news now on ukraine.

russia continued its attack on kyiv and other cities on new year's day. ukraine's air force says it destroyed dozens of iranian

made drones. this comes a day after a barrage of missile attacks killed at least three people and injured dozens of others. in a videotape reaction, ukrainian president volodymyr zelenskyy described the assault as inhuman. and called russia a terrorist state. he added that those who give orders for such strikes will not receive a pardon to put it mildly. meanwhile, in a new year's address, russian president vladimir putin called russia's invasion a quote sacred duty. and said it would never give into the west and was fighting -- it was fighting so insecurity can be guaranteed. joining me now is democratic congressman mike of illinois. he is a member of the house -- intelligence committee. she's also co-chair the congressional ukraine caucus. welcoming congressman. thanks for your time today. presidents of both ukraine and russia give new year's speeches promising victory in the respective nations. where do you put the war in ukraine right now as we begin 2023? what will be the key for any

potential and to this conflict? >> look. if you had told me when this war began that ukraine would have the victories they've had. i would've been thrilled but i think there's also the realization that the russians are entrenched where they are. they have the real capabilities of an offensive which i would think is still quite possible. when president zelenskyy spoke to congress, i think his instructions helped us win quickly -- this could become a war of attrition. something neither side can afford. i think diplomacy always plays a role. i think roadways will come to that. it has to be on ukraine's terms. it's their country that's been invaded. they have to be made whole. >> this war of attrition seems to be here. your certainly right that both countries are capable of this and it would continue the stalemate. republicans prepared to take intro of the house this week. do you have any concerns that

change in leadership might affect how much the u.s. helps ukraine? >> sure, it's one of the reasons we passed a 45 billion dollar supplemental in the end of the year spending package. it is to afford to get through a very tough winter and all the things we just talked about. a counteroffensive and all the other problems of a war of attrition. if it comes to that. i still think the vast majority democrats favor supporting ukraine until ultimate victory. i still believe the majority of republicans feel the same way. including that reagan branch of the republican party. i am concerned that leader mccarthy will do just about anything to become a speaker mccarthy. some of that would include trying to limit what we do to help ukraine. i'm hoping that's not the case. >> let's turn ethan january six committee's final report. and that way special transcripts that was released this weekend from trump's inner

circle. how significant are these transcripts and what impact do you think they might have on former president? >> i think everything that the committee has done is commendable. it has informed the justice department to a large extent. all say this. i think in the final analysis, the fact that they did such an amazing job getting the truth to the american people will be their legacy. when i was part of the intelligence committee investigation to russia's attack on our democracy. and the first impeachment investigation. i never thought that the senate was the jury. i thought it was the american people. i think that the committee put together an extraordinary case that the president of the united states, donald trump, incited a violent coup that almost succeeded. and therefore, he's unfit for public office in the future. the final analysis that will be the legacy. >> so if they have that as a

legacy. who should be blamed or should anyone be blamed no charges are brought? >> at this point in time, it's on the justice department. i never been able to predict accurately what they're going to do. i know that the attorney general is a cautious beast that he's handed this off to someone who's independent. i'm not going to guess that they're going to do something that isn't appropriate. i think they're going to do. it i saw adam kinzinger's remarks earlier. that he thought the president should be indicted. and that he probably will be. i would agree with him about president trump. >> let's turn to republican george santos now. he will be sworn of this week after being caught in knowable lies about his identity, his work history mono things. santos told cinci that he apologizes if anybody feels heard or betrayed. and admitted to a beloved thing has russia may, federal prosecutors in new york are now investigating the congressman elect. nbc news has reached out to

santos for comment. it has not heard back. my question to you, congressman, what can and should be done in congress if he is sworn in? should he be kept off committees? >> first of all. let's talk about what we can't do. it's important to go back entering the supreme court decision. he can't be voted because he meets the minimum requirements, those three requirements to be seated. once he -- probably can get kicked out four past offenses. that seemed to be that ruling. it can be -- can he be punished otherwise? i think that's probably up to house leadership. given the razor-thin majority they have. i think that's unlikely. i think there'll acts as if it never happened. and the final analysis, it's going to be up to federal prosecutors. where the people that elected him in two years removing him. obviously let's just remember. this wasn't an embellishment. an embellishment of a resume is you graduated kueng latte

instead of a two point oh grade point average. this is lying about where you were, this is lying about your faith, this is lying about whether you even graduated. these are things that any other job in the world you get fired. unfortunately, we don't have that option in congress. >> i know a lot of people say he was voted in. i've heard from a lot of voters who say he shouldn't even be a consideration that he was voted in because these votes were gained falsely. that whole thing should be in question. a lot of viewers feel. i'm curious about your thoughts on southwest airlines in that whole debacle. it is operating back to normal schedule this weekend. after facing thousands of cancellations. flight delays for the long holiday weekend. thousands of customers are still searching for their lost luggage. they're waiting for that reimbursement for those canceled flights and other expenses. chicago is a huge travel hub. what responsibility does the airline have to its customers and is there a role that congress can play in ensuring that accountability?

>> they have the ultimate responsibility at southwest to take care of their customers. congress's primary role here for us is to make sure those customers are made whole. not just for the cancellations but for any reason -- this was a massive storm. you can control the weather. but no other airline melted down like this. it's painfully obvious that their management isn't up to the task. that their technology and their communication systems are antiquated. they have to be pressured to get that brought up to what's reasonable as quickly as possible. i understand that -- already talked about inquiry. the department of transportation does have -- to strengthen the ability at customers have. the cancellation -- i think the house will draw in soon there, we'll be inquiries

to consume by -- >> democratic congressman mike quigley of illinois. thank you so much, congressman, four times they. happy new year to you. >> thank you, happy new year. >> with the new year comes a whole new bunch of new laws. and some of them you might not expect. we'll walk you through them coming up next. lass damage, trust safelite. this dad and daughter were driving when they got a crack in their windshield. [smash] >> dad: it's okay. pull over. >> tech: he wouldn't take his car just anywhere... ♪ pop rock music ♪ >> tech: ...so he brought it to safelite. we replaced the windshield and recalibrated their car's advanced safety system, so features like automatic emergency braking will work properly. >> tech: alright, all finished. >> dad: wow, that's great. thanks. >> tech: stay safe with safelite. schedule now. >> singers: ♪ safelite repair, safelite replace. ♪ would just plant wrong if we

didn't show you this. look at these pictures and to get all in for a moment. breathe, and breathe out. i'm a big believer that how you start your new year is an indicator of how the union is going to be. so let's start with. this this is pitchers from our crew following president biden on his vacation in the u.s. virgin islands. the high they're today is 82. degrees we will take you there for the latest on the presidents new year, in our next hour. and people across the country bravely left there -- i thought it's a brilliant leave their courage, but they. did to ring in the new year. let's look at some of the celebrations, incase you didn't catch them last night. starting with this beautiful shot of paramount miami world center. into this combination of fireworks, and hundreds of drones at the space needle in seattle. this was very cool. it was a familiar scene in times square here in new york.

gather to watch the ball drop. i want to show you something you may not have seen, either. -- in key west with the annual drop of a drag queen in a high heel shoe. that traditional swing going on a long time. it is a unique. one with the new york comes plenty of new laws, including a for banned in one state, and the end of jaywalking and. another nbc's kate filling it takes a look. >> anyone shopping for a new energy midget coding will soon be out of. luck you'll be the first to ban the sale production of both products made from animal for. >> let's call it what it. is a barbaric kill for no purpose other than vanity. >> the law bars -- from selling in making for foreclose, shoes, or handbag. it does not apply to, leather used items, or those useful religious or tribal purposes. telephone is also repealing a law this year against jaywalking under the freedom to

walk the may related to cross the street without an interception, as long as the safe to do. so before, gearbox of when you could receive receive a fine of up to 198. dollars the circles get back to work law will significantly reduce eligibility for unemployment benefits. some saying it is needed to help employ ease fill vacant job postings. >> as a business, honor we need to find help. >> they say it will hurt struggling residents. >> in michigan the state will begin automatically expunging peoples criminal records after seven years. for misdemeanors, and ten years for felonies. unless the crimes are really serious. >> it is in response to concerns that people are being unfairly denied employment over minor offenses. alaska is changing what it means to consent to sex in that state. the previous law required a use of force to prove sexual assault. now, consent must be positively expressed by word or action.

>> if at any point when you are doing does not feel comfortable, you can change. remind that is okay, that is your. right >> 11 will no longer require a permit to carry a concealed handgun. there are 31 open carry states. the new law also has gun owners over 21 to take their fire arms into state parks without the written permission previously required. back in california, and new law rings in the new year. important in asian american groups, the day falls between january 21st in february 21st, marking the first new moon. -- nbc news, washington. >> the gop gets a new problem child. why so many are asking, how did this get so far? t the scent set the mood. feel the difference with downy.

♪♪ what will you do? will you make something better? create something new? our dell technologies advisors can provide you with the tools and expertise you need to bring out the innovator in you. >> donald trump's new year's

eve media vail ability. that's a big nothing. berger the former president spoke with reporters at mar-a-lago for less than three minutes last night, ahead of the resorts annual new years eve celebration. even our short time frame, algae questions that are favorable to him. >> do you believe santa should be -- [inaudible] >> i feel that the campaign? >> i think really. good to the campaign is almost two years, but i think very good and we're doing really well. the number say today that were fantastic. i think we're gonna do well. >> joining me, now basil michael, democratic -- member of the state democratic party. susan -- and former republican congressman from florida david jolly. both msnbc political analyst.

welcome in, panel. happy new year to all of you. basil, let's start you. off does this surprise you about medium malleability? does it feel someone terms begun outspent the ended up being or nft trading cards. smattering of so many questions runaway. does this feel different than how he handled his previous campaign? >> first of all, happy new year to everybody. it certainly feels different. it was not really impressive fail ability. it wasn't you find the one question that i want to answer. and i will answer it. it does feel different. he looks and sounds like someone who is under fire. not just, legally from his own party. he looks like someone sounds like someone who is being ostracized, alienating, and marginalized. and that is essentially where the republicans are. he refused in these, midterms

the 2022 midterms. and that has to -- his ego. we have seen, based on his tax returns, what was lost for years. all these things make for very different donald trump, a very different press posture. and i imagine is only going to get worse from here. >> what you normally see from trump's a media availability that will go on for however long the president wants. where he picks apart point by point all the information that is coming out against him, and whatever talking points he chooses. now, susan, it is more than six weeks since trump announced this third white house run. he's holding major events and rallies across the country, what does that show you? >> it's not like a consistent. it is a duck. 2022 ends for donald trump, very poorly. these events are pathetic.

it is interesting that he did not do it with a crowd inside the ballroom, when he was about to enter. they're mostly because it was afraid of the same stories as last time. that people were looking to escape. but it is true, that he is currently there republican front runner for 2024. but i think he is just looking so pathetic these days. he may get a serious challenge. >> they've a, trump shared a lot of coal on truth social this week. it was titled the coming split. which argues in favor of splitting the gop and a half. that article is on the right wing website american great -- greatness. it argues which we do in a majority of republicans want trump of the republican party says we can't have him. if this article were to come true in the gop were to split in half. announcing that the formally going to happen. who would win in this power struggle? would be trump and his followers would be the traditional republican party?

>> democrats would win. we're gonna walk away. this is exactly the reckoning that american politics what, i would say american culture needs. here is why. susan and i were actually on states in the event four years ago discuss this exact scenario. the trump loses after his first term. comes back and breaks the party and a half. here's why the country needs that moment. for dissipated republicans, for all of those who joined in a democratic led coalition in 18 and 20 and 22. what they have feared is when donald trump's exits the stage. republicans will pretend like donald trump never happened. one of the reasons that people are so frustrated with trumpism is that they embrace of the likes of paul ryan and kevin mccarthy and mitch mcconnell, rubio, pompeo, go down the list. they all embrace develop -- celebrated knowledge from the man. but they will want to pretend like it never happened. if donald trump breaks off and starts his own party. his own independent candidacy.

the trump voters stick with trump. republicans simply don't have enough voters to be competitive against democrats. we need that reckoning as a country as a culture. >> let's turn to republican congressman elect george santos. it'll be sworn in this week after apologizing and admitting to embellishing his resume. including lies about his identity, work history, other things. federal prosecutors in new york now investigating him. nbc news has reached out to centers for comment. we have not heard back. democratic robert zimmerman's campaign suggested some inconsistencies. is there a question here politically about whether zimmerman's campaign or democratic congressional campaign committee should have caught and expose these lies during the campaign? how different of an outcome could it have been? >> what's interesting is that the -- did call out inconsistencies at some point in the campaign. voters either didn't see it aryan care about it. which is not unusual, quite frankly.

what is unusual is the size of this lie. he catfished a congressional district. no one goes into a race thinking that he would do that. he may embellish things here and there. this is unprecedented. which is why we're talking about it this way. for full disclosure, i know robert zimmerman for years. dnc member who overtook quite a bit. new candidate in the reality is this was a new candidate, new district amid a ton of chaos if you remember last year. because of changing the lines. because new york couldn't get deregister ten right. there was a lot happening. i wish that the party had done more to call attention to this and dug deeper. i understand to some extent why it was not done. i don't want to put the onus on the democrats. this is a republican lie consistently and fabricated his entire life. probably since he was a teenager.

we have to sort of stay with that and hold him accountable. even though there's not much that the state prosecutors can do. but the federal cost secures can step in here. he will be seated. we need to consistently call this out. i have to remind everybody to do so. >> santos even had inconsistencies that were written down on twitter. that could easily have been checked. it's kind of wild. susan, george santos. obviously his election was practically unchecked. are you concerned there could be other recent positions of powers with fake resumes? >> if there are embellishments, i expect it. it wouldn't be surprising. these are flat out lies. i read this morning in the -- saudi linked to it. that in a video in 2020, santos claimed to have had a brain tumors. because he was talking about having an auto immune deficiency over covid.

this guy, it just keeps on unraveling. do i think anyone is guilty -- misrepresenting himself? probably not. i guarantee you that this week, a lot of staffers are coming back and going over their elected officials bios. >> trying to secure those quote unquote possible embellishments. david, what should house republicans do about your santos and what will they do about george santos? maybe two different answers. >> the house takes a very hands off approach to this. they could not interfere with the will of voters of new york's third district. the voters of the four district six santos. where the house comes in is if there is criminal liability or an indictment. of there is an indictment, he will be expected to step down. what house republicans could do is -- refuse to seat him on any committees. basically say we are not going to allow him to have jurisdiction over any critical

matters because he cannot hold the public trust. that's the main thing here. when you get elected, hopefully all members experience this. i certainly did. there's a moment where you realize you are asked to hold the public trust. there is no way george santos in this moment can hold the public trust. at best, he'll serve two years. perhaps he has to leave early. if there is an indictment. >> -- thank you panel on this first day of 2023. at the top of the hour, new details in the machete attack in times square last night. es square last night ♪ ♪ you've done the hard part. you quit smoking. now do the easy part and get scanned for lung cancer. if you smoked, you may still be at risk, but early detection could save your life. talk to your doctor and learn more

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