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>> welcome back to the weekend everyone. this morning, the world is reacting to new round of airstrikes from the united states and the middle east. last night, the united states and united kingdom targeted houthi rebels and iran-backed militant group in yemen. the government says they struck 36 targets and 13 locations

across the country. all of this comes just one day after a separate series of very consequential strikes by the united states targeting iran- backed militias militants in iraq and in syria. let's get right to an msnbc news correspondent, matt riley, in tel aviv. thank you for being with us this morning. >> matt, these airstrikes and these retaliatory -- met, these airstrikes and retaliatory strikes, how do they complicate things for secretary blinken as he heads to the region? >> well, i think that this is a perfect timing for secretary blinken. and what he will be doing, he'll be coming here to israel. he'll also be going to places like egypt, saudi arabia. these are u.s. allies, like israel. they are countries that have enormous depth of sympathy for the palestinian cause in the gaza strip. they also see iran as their primary enemy. just as the united states starts to pummel these iranian proxy groups throughout the entire region, we're talking about syria, iraq, also about

the houthis in yemen who have been snarling up international shipping which is a major interest for egypt and saudi arabia, and some of these other arab countries. he has the opportunity now to go in and rally u.s. support among american allies just when the united states and its coalition partners in this effort to try to protect shipping through the gulf of aid, through the red sea, who need it most. this is really an opportune moment for blinken, and this is a moment where he can really rally u.s. support around the project that a lot of people, a lot of governments in this region, will really be able to put their weight behind even as they criticize the u.s. for its support of israel in the gaza strip. guys. >> matt, before we let you go, obviously, the strikes are going to continue, the united states has said this will be sustained. this is a military operation.

with diplomacy, as you noted, is paramount. there is an entity that is making the rounds in this states today from the wall street journal with a firebrand and the israeli government. we had a guest on earlier today, jeremy bash, they noted that's about brand, to refer to ben-gvir, is to kind. he is an extremist and the israeli government, and elected official. how does prime minister netanyahu and the factions within his government play into this conversation about not widening the conflict in the region, and frankly, they're still hostages being held by hamas that need to be released. >> a look at the second thing you said first, those hostages. there has been a deal that was in doubt last weekend in paris between u.s. chief of the cia, his counterparts in israel, and egypt, and the prime minister of qatar. they were all there. they came up with a steal. they presented it to hamas. we couldn't get word from hamas as soon as tonight if people

leave the saudi sources that we're talking to. the question is, ben-gvir has already said that the steel, if it's accepted, he might withdrawal from the cabinet. that could see this deal to free all those more than 100 hostages in the gaza strip, by the way, six of those are american, that deal could actually sink netanyahu's governing cabinet. that would be a monumental events here. even as the israeli public are clamoring to get these hostages back, there are protests now for almost nightly in front of netanyahu's house, here, his residence in tel aviv and in jerusalem. the minister of defense, this is an issue because it has divided this country. now is dividing the cabinet and it threatens to sink the governments. that is how serious this is. this is how serious a firebrand like ben-gvir is when it comes to the goals of this government. guys, i have to say, is no exaggeration, this whole discussion around the hostages is pinning two dueling versions

of israel's conception of itself against each other. israel's solemn promise to its people and its soldiers that no man would be left behind, versus the stated goal of this government to netanyahu to destroy hamas in the gaza strip. it really goes as deep as that. guys. >> nbc's matt bradley, live in tel aviv. thank you very much. joining us now right here at the table as a deputy pentagon press secretary, sabrina saying. thank you, sabrina, for coming in today. i want to play some fresh sound for you from excel event on meet the press this morning with our colleague christian walker. we'll play this and take another, look at you on the other side. >> it began with the strikes on friday night, that is not the end of it. we intend to take conditional strikes, and additional action to continue to send a clear message that the united states will respond when our forces are attacked, and people are killed. at this point, we are still assessing the question of how many casualties there were

among the coalition groups. our military will continue to provide the president with that assessment. we do believe these strikes had good effect integrating the capability of these militia groups to attack us. >> when will the additional strikes start? >> i'm not going to tell everyone when our additional actions will happen. as you know, we always reserve the right for self-defense. we will, as president, we will say this is a multi tiered response. as you can appreciate, we won't forecast our punches today. we will continue to respond. it won't be the time and place of our choosing. >> have there been any changes in u.s. troop readiness in the middle east since these attacks on friday? >> certainly, unfortunately our forces and rockets and syria have been withstanding attack since october 17th. there hasn't been a change in our posture but with any of these attacks, we have robust air defenses that defend our forces, both iraq, syria, and in jordan. there hasn't been a change in

force posture or levels. it is something that will continue to evaluate if we need to. right now, our forces are there for the soul mission to defeat i.s.i.s.. that is why they're there in iraq and syria. these attacks take away from their mission, of course. >> you have an interesting dynamic that the administration has to deal with. the pentagon especially. matt bradley, at the end of his report, touched on that. you have the wall street journal reporting that ben- gvir's approach is gaining popularity. once a fringe idea before october 7th, a small majority of jewish israelis, now fully or somewhat support the establishment of jewish settlements inside gaza according to a poll conducted by tel aviv university last month. while you have these forces kind of pushing up against hamas, and trying to drive a different narrative, you now have some weakness within israel proper. the israelis are looking at the

situation very differently, just as we see americans looking at this very differently. how is the administration, the pentagon, looking to sort of control for that? and not lose the ground that has already been gained as these strikes continue, and at the same time, maybe we can resolve within israel and the united states, among the people? >> you've heard the president speak to this more eloquently than i will. we don't support the settlements within gaza. we want to see gaza come under a democratically elected government. one that is secure and stable. we want to, of course, see those hostages that are still being held in gaza, released. that is something secretary of state, blinken, the national security council, have been working around the clock, to get those hostages released. in terms of united states military, we have boots on the ground in gaza, in israel. of course we are consulting with the israeli government when it comes to the release of those hostages. as you mentioned, our correspondent mentioned

earlier, we still have americans been held hostage in gaza. the united states military is there to send a message of deterrence. we have search assets to the region, that's what secretary -- did early on. we have to strike groups there. up until earlier this year, or early in january. we are continuing to see the conflict contained to gaza and israel. we don't want to see a regional conflict. we don't see this expand outside those borders. that is why we have search assets to those regions, and we have just in december launched our new operation, which is operation prosperity guardian. that is not to be confused with what's happening elsewhere in the region. that is to protect shipping lanes within the red sea, as we know those houthis continue those large missiles. >> sabrina, obviously secretary blinken is traveling to the region, to diplomacy is a key part of the. secretary austin has also done his own set of travels. the conversations among his counterparts in the region, and

his con, the constant connection between them is also key to the united states and these efforts. we know the secretary is currently recovering. he is back at work but he's recovery. we wish him a speedy recovery. are we going to see travel from him soon? >> we don't have trouble to announce to the region. the secretary has been incredibly engaged with the israeli counterparts. speaking on an almost weekly basis with them. >> does he need to go? >> he recently just, when i was on the last trip with him in december, he will be traveling, when he's ready, and can, feels ready to travel. i don't have any travel to preview. >> to his point about deterrence and the fact that the deterrence is aimed at iran, since these trucks on friday, have there been any efforts by the iranians either directly or through intermediaries to communicate with u.s. officials. >> i'm not aware of any communication with iran. we continue to message very publicly that we will hold these iranian-backed militias that get their capabilities,

their weapons to use to attack u.s. forces. we will hold them accountable. we have seen these attacks come from these-backed groups and iraq and syria. this is why we took the actions that we did on friday. we'll continue to do so. >> how does it complicate things for you? we all know iran has varying levels of control over the proxy groups. >> i will push back on that. we know that iran supports, eclipse, trains, arms these groups. they have their fingerprints behind them. by hitting these groups, these are their proxies that initiate these attacks. they are, iran is fully aware of what these groups are doing. by responding to these groups, we are responding to iran. >> what is success? what is success look like? what is success? >> i think success would be these attacks stop on u.s. forces. that is success. that's the end goal. realistically, we have seen these attacks before. before october 17th, before to seventh. we have seen attacks earlier in january 2023 on u.s. forces and

before that. so we have to remember, first and foremost, our forces are there to defeat i.s.i.s.. that is their mission and iraq and syria, and in jordan. but, again, we can't control what these proxy groups do. if they're going to continue to attack, we're going to continue to respond. >> sabrina singh, thank you so much for joining us this morning. a programming note, national security adviser, jake sullivan, is going to join our colleague, jen psaki, today on inside with jen psaki. that is today, noon, right here on msnbc. ahead, special counsel, jack smith, announcing donald trump's attempts to claim political interference in the class by doc's case. next, we'll speak to democratic congresswoman, pat ryan, about the evidence free attempt to impeach -- alejandro mayorkas. this is the weekend on msnbc. t even days after using. most common side effects were nausea, indigestion, and stomach pain. ask about nurtec odt. >> woman: what's my safelite story? nausea, indigestion, and stomach pain. i see inspiration right through my glass. so when my windshield cracked, i chose safelite.

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give your business a head start in 2024 with this great offer. plus, ask how to get up to $1000 prepaid card with qualifying internet. >> tomorrow the house rules committee will discuss the impeachment resolution against holman secretary, mayorkas. the house republicans, they see impeachment as a political tool to settle their differences over immigration policy. as erin blake writes and the washington post, quote, mayorkas impeachment is undoubtedly due to the democratic-controlled senate. meaning, this effectively is a messaging exercise. joining us now, democratic congressman, pat ryan of new york. welcome. >> congressman, it's good to have you at the table. welcome. i want to start with the washington post -- about the impeachment.

instead of this phony prosecution, republicans should be spending their time on constructive efforts to reform the broken policies and bureaucracies, including and overwhelmed an outmoded asylum system that have funded the border so chaotic. that, i think, encapsulates the sentiment of a lot of folks out there. even those who may agree with mayorkas didn't do this, mayorkas didn't do that. how does this effort by republicans right now elevate the opportunity for democrats to speak a little bit more concisely and strongly on their border intentions, given the underlying concern for a lot of americans which republicans like they're playing off, or trying to play off. this fear of the border, no control at the border, enforcement at the border. the washington post encapsulates an opportunity here. how do you see it at this point? >> my district, hudson valley

of new york, purple district. people just want us to actually, crazy idea, solve the problems. i think the frame here is increasingly clear. you either come to congress to be a politician, or in my view, you come to be a patriot. to solve problems, bring people together, and when you have an opportunity, historic, bipartisan, opportunity to increase border security, something i've supported consistently. let's do it. >> that's a bill to talk about right now. >> securing our border. the bipartisan proposal, securing our border, i don't think that is even partisan. i think that is something foundational to the responsibility of a sovereign nation. immigration policy, i think we can have more nuance and disagreement on. we've got to secure our border. that is something i know going back to my army days. >> i did your phone, politician versus patriot. i would add another one which is provocateur.

that is something that a lot of people, a lot of members of the gop, specifically, come to congress. i will take a listen to what ken buck had to say about this impeachment. here you go. >> this is not a high crime or misdemeanor. it's not an impeachable effect. this is a policy difference. from the outset, they say this is a crisis on the border, the law needs to be enforced. but if we start going down this path of impeachment with a cabinet official, we are opening the doors, republicans, that we don't want to open. the next president who is a republican won't face the same scrutiny from democrats. >> so much there from publican in colorado. you can sense the frustration with the provocateurs. the folks that actually want to be getting stuff done are getting to the end of their rope. they're saying enough of your shenanigans. guess what? the people who would care about mayorkas impeachment, they're already with you. there is nobody knew

politically who were bringing to the table by going after him. >> again, it is, people have lost touch. these folks on the far right, they have lost touch where people are in the real world. i mean, talking to folks every single day. >> they're not talking about mayorkas. >> they -- i know that almost sounds naive but that has to continue to be center. i give congressman budd credit. i put him in that camp of, let's operate together. let's be patriots. i love the provocateur for him. i think that's right. we're seeing that with the speaker's recent proposal just yesterday. i believe, instead of working on a bipartisan, comprehensive, supplemental bill, that understands the interconnectedness between ukraine, taiwan, of course israel, and the border. he's going to try to politicize this and be provocative, and divisive. >> when did ukraine become so provocative for republicans? >> donald trump.

the alignment between putin and trump. who is continuing to celebrate over and over? it's putin. even speaker johnson's proposal, nothing makes putin happier than when johnson proposed yesterday, to divide us, to divide our small d democratic allies at a time when he's trying to push. we have to be able to zoom out and help the american people zoom out. that is something i've been trying to do in my district. to explain, even to understand, the ties between iran and russia. the provocation between iran that is enabling, intimately intertwined with what putin is doing and wants to see happen. >> what are people saint and your district? what is the tough questions they ask you? >> the number one thing, consistently, continually, is the economy. what are we doing to lower costs? health care costs, housing cost, prescription drug costs, grocery costs. and we've been doing that. that is encouraging thing. i think, frankly, johnson and the far-right see that.

>> they've said that they're doing this whole border, the situation and not participating. they don't want to help the president politically. >> again, they continually say the quiet part out loud. that is important that we shine the spotlight on that. that is what i've been trying to do in my district. we talk about delivering relief and defending rights. we're delivering relief on all of these different pain points your feeling from these cost, to bring down housing costs, and grocery costs. and, we're making sure that as the far-right tries to take away, and my, view fundamental rights, reproductive rights, voting rights, and so on, we're also defending those rights. when i believe we're on that ground, that is what the american people stand for. >> for your approach on the house services committee, what is your assessment of the airstrikes that have occurred in the last 24 hours? how do you see this playing out

over the next few weeks and months? >> i think it was absolutely the right to calibrated, thoughtful, but strong and credible deterrent that we needed. we have allowed iran continue to test us, pushes, ratchet up. when they miss calculated and killed our soldiers, which we cannot lose the humanity of, the swift response, strong response, i think was merited. give the president credit. particularly for focusing on this force. the iranian forces. that was a significant decision and one that i agree with. >> any concern, i mean, we've talked a lot this morning about the wall street journal reporting on ben-gvir, israeli politician, far-right extremist. the influence on prime minister netanyahu, and netanyahu's own comments. there are six american hostages still being held by hamas. netanyahu is now talking about

a two-state solution. are you concerned that this conflict could widen? >> i am incredibly concerned at ben-gvir's comments, and the prime minister's comments. to flat out rejected two state solution, to flat out reject the ability for the palestinian people to continue to aspire and achieve their own state, and that is out of line with our long-standing policy. i think that it is morally indefensible. i say this as someone who is a strong supporter of israel and the people of israel. we're seeing an increased divergence between, i believe, the interest of the u.s. and israel, and our alliance. and netanyahu. that is something that we have to address. i know the president is doing his best to address sets. that is something that we can't lose sight of. >> congressman pat ryan. thank you for getting up early to be with us. up next, moments ago, the results of a brand-new nbc news poll, president biden against trump. this is when we lose simone,

she's heading off to speak with meet the press. don't go anywhere, there is more of the weekend for us just after the break. >> stay right here. ter the bre. >> stay right here. vicks vapocool drops. vaporize sore throat pain. as the world keeps moving, help prevent covid-19 from breaking your momentum. you may have already been vaccinated against the flu, but don't forget this season's updated covid-19 shot too.

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>> new nbc news poll out this hour, showing biden's approval rating has fallen to a whopping 37%. a new low. even more alarming, the same poll shows trump narrowly beating biden in 2024 general election matchup. trump's lead remains inside the margin of error. to help us dig into this pull further, nbc news senior political editor, mark mary, is at the table. mark, not good, not good. it is hitting 37%. >> his polar the results? >> both. in either world you are in right now, this polling just seems to dog this administration after everything

and seemingly does. strong economy, managing the narrative in the middle east right now. what's going on? what does this poll tell you, as someone who's looking at this overtime, about the trends for this administration? >> the good news for the reelection campaign is they still have nine months to go, they're armed with billions of dollars advertising ads. once you get to the nitty- gritty of the campaign, these numbers can't change. you mentioned the economy right now. as we say, we have 300,000 jobs created last month. consumer -- is up. what strikes me and the new poll is donald trump holds a 22 point lead over which person would better handle the economy. president biden or donald trump. one thing that seems evident and this entire poll is that donald trump is almost the challenger. when people forget any kind of mishaps from his administration, and right now, he is a challenger. president biden is the incumbent. biden, right now, is in a

difficult situation. again, the good news for him is that there is still plenty of time to be able to get your message out. sometimes polls aren't best to see what will protect, our polls can't predict at all. it can tell you what your shortcomings are. but they see these numbers, hey, were trailing on the economy. were trailing on even something like been competence and effective, that is where you have to start working and improving. >> there is a big asterisk on your poll. that is that final question about if things were to change, the dynamic work to change. >> you mentioned our poll finds that donald trump is ahead by five points and the margin of error, on a head to head matchup versus president biden. on the final question of our poll, when we asked, okay, is former president donald trump is convicted of a felony, how would your vote change. it does change where president biden goes to have a two-point lead. it goes from a donald trump two- point lead, to a donald trump

-- seven points. what we've ended up seen as younger voters, latinos, and independents have the most pronounced movements. i think that this all underscores that things can change in our politics. we have a long ways to go when it comes to donald trump's legal calendar, and anything else that ends up happening. >> it underscores that point and something that you and i have been talking about, which is why the timeline up that legal calendar becomes so politically relevant. >> the timeline plays a big role, but i still think that at the end of the day, what i just took from what you said, timeline and all that notwithstanding, folks see trump stronger on the economy. did this give you an indication of what they think trump did that is so much better than this economy there in right now? >> we have some other questions that were saving for later in the week to get more comparing the trump, his ex presidency versus biden's presidency. when we look at our poll, it

does seem to be that a lot of voters have members of donald trump's handling of the economy from 2017 to 2019, but not the covid year of 2020. one we have seen is that president biden, on the campaign trail, has been talking about hubert hoover, donald trump, to try to remind voters on, do you remember all those job losses that happened during that covid year? i do think that is something that the biden campaign will focus on a lot. , saying you need to remind voters, not just that donald trump was president in 2017 to 2019, but also in 2020. >> i think that's going to be key, that is the piece that still seems to give donald trump the edge he has right now. people think that he did better economically, in an economic world, then this administration is doing. this is clearly different. mark, thank you. our next guest says that the case over disqualifying donald trump from the colorado primary

ballot is a in unusual one. but it's not difficult. republican presidential candidate, nikki haley, made a surprise appearance on saturday night live last night. take a look at this one, folks. >> nikki haley, six cents, remember that one? i see that, people. >> that's what voters will say if they see you and joe on the ballot. >> that's not very nice, nikki. that's not nice. and i'm always very nice to you except when i've unplug you weren't born in this country. even though you're from south carolina, and now i'm going to beat you in your states. >> and did you when your home state in the last election? >> i won staten island. staten it helps remove odors 3x better than detergent alone. it worked guys! ♪yeahhhh♪ downy rinse and refresh.

shingles. some describe it as an intense burning sensation, or an unbearable itch. this painful, blistering rash can disrupt your life for weeks and could make it hard to be there for your loved ones. shingles could also lead to serious complications that can last for years. if you're over 50, the virus that causes shingles is likely already inside you. and as you age, your risk of developing shingles increases. don't wait. ask your doctor or pharmacist about shingles today. >> this week the supreme court will hear -- on donald trump's ballot eligibility appeal. the justices will review the decision in the colorado supreme court which ruled

against the former president and december, citing the 14th amendment insurrectionist ban. former challenges to trump's candidacy has been filed in at least 35 states. here is our next guest, how they see this moment. the supreme court news to hear this case speaks to the complete failure and moral bankruptcy of the gop. the fact that the case is unusual does not mean that it is difficult. the plane text should win the day. back at the table with us, marc elias. he is founder of democracy docket and a partner at the alliance lock. welcome, mark. >> tell us how you really feel, marc elias. let's get to the politics in a second. the first thing i want you to do, because we've all had february 8th march on our calendar for oral arguments. can you pull back the curtains and give us a sense of how one prepares for something like that? what is happening today, the sunday, to get ready for february 8th? >> sure. i've argued for cases before the u.s. supreme court. i've had the pleasure of winning all four. i can tell you, from my

experience, what the advocates are doing right now is two things. number one, they're doing a lot of -- which is basically just mock arguments, right? they are pretending that they are before the supreme court, they have lawyers or have experience in this field. they are pretending they are justices. they are answering questions to get a flavor for the different perspectives of the justices that they are with. the next thing is they are holding down their arguments. >> there has been a high volume of -- >> there has been a high volume of briefs. there have been a high volume of things you can say. the thing is, you get a minute or two to say to the court what you really want to say. they're figuring out how do they tightened down that minute or two to make the point they want to make in the beginning. >> how does the court read the fact that, to all of these briefs coming and, that clearly this is energizing a lot of conversation. does any of that have any sway or influence on them from your

experience in front of the court? or do they just take it in and process it with a mind of what they want to do, or what they think they should go? >> i'm thinking about the briefs and two categories. there are the, and this is not to disappoint any of the people that filed briefs, there are briefs that are basically just rehashing what the parties are saying. i think the justices there, they're taking them for what they're worth. this case is kind of unique and that you have a series of briefs that have been filed by conservative jurists. by conservative former prosecutors, members of congress. >> you have mark brusque low, and bill wall, the republican governors. >> i think those to make a difference for a different reason. they are offering the court a breath of perspective. the takes this out of the usual box that cases are, and which is you have the usual suspects lineup on one side or the other. >> i still, i still come down

to this point. i think that this case, for the court, is one where they go, it's just not right enough. you know what i'm saying? we've talked about this before. i just think that the court has the political downside in making that decision as far greater than the constitutional upside in deciding this at this point. how do you see at, if that's the case? the court might just say, find a quick off ramp, say, it's just down the ballot. this is not ripe enough. it doesn't mean you should or shouldn't -- but leave it status quo. >> look, this is, i think, the great trap that the court needs. the fact is, this is not a complicated case. the way the court avoids been political is to rule on the merits. right? the way the court gets itself in the political think it is by deciding it is going to take into account the political that

gets. this is a very straightforward case. the constitution says that if somebody took an oath of office, as an officer of the united states, and engages in insurrection, they are disqualified from being in office again. donald trump was the president of the united states. that is an officer of the united states. he took the oath of office. he engaged an insurrection. the least political thing the court can do right now is to just follow the constitution. once it gets itself engaged and how do we avoid the partisans been unhappy, or how do we avoid controversy, that's when it gets itself in trouble. >> there is an argument, chuck rosenberg was on the show last weekend and he made an argument about a potential off ramp for the supreme court. take a listen. >> from holding office, not from running for office. some of the judges that have already tried to answer these hard questions have seized on

that. >> that distinction between holding office and running for office. if they choose to take that off ramp, if they say, go ahead, let this proceed, let's see how the election plays out, that seems to me to be more politically fraught on the back and then it is to make the decision now. >> much more so. i have a lot of respect for -- but here's the problem with that. it's like saying a 17 year old could run for president. that the state of colorado needs to put them on the ballot. it is only that they win the presidential electors, that's at that point, they get disqualified. the disqualification, the qualification of people to run for office is different to what states do. to your point, i think that this would be a calamity. if donald trump is allowed to run for president, then god forbid he were to win the election. they would wind up back in the

supreme court. >> we would end up back with the 20th amendment where we're talking about the vice president stepping and. >> it becomes a much more complicated case legally, more constitutionally frauds. for people who are worried about the politics. >> doesn't that need to be part of the courts calculus? >> i think what the court needs to do is -- >> i have no idea what that means, explain to me. >> so, look, there are cases that are novel. novel is not synonymous with hard. the fact that it doesn't come up very often, that a president of the united states engages an insurrection is a good thing. it's not a get out of jail free card, or a get on the ballot card. the fact is, the section three of the 14th amendment is plain text is clear. the supreme court follows that plain text. there are plenty of other terrible republicans who can

take donald trump's place. believe me. if you are looking for a party full of pro insurrectionist, anti-choice, bigots, they've got lots -- it's like, pick, dealers choice, of who else they can put on the ballot other than donald trump. >> that's part of the strategy also, that i think is people lose sight of trump, from the very beginning made it clear that this is about the construction of the administrative state, of which the court is a part. having these cases been brought legitimately against him, he has very effectively pushed the judicial institutions, as well as the political class, into a space where they are wrangling now. to your point, alicia, the politics tends to be the dominant player, or will have an impact on the outcome. so just, chief justice roberts view, try to douse some of that

political pressure off of the court. he thinks, and i believe rightly, that the court needs to be free of that to maneuver. do you see these delays that are taking place, that this effort to sort of drag this process out, does that drop some of this for the court as well? in terms of their ability to sort of put the pressure on the system, and to bring the case so we can get through this? >> i think you put your finger on something really important, and i hope everyone pays attention to this. donald trump thinks that's running out the clock is putting pressure on the judiciary to help him elect. i saw the poll that they were discussing just before this. donald trump sees those polls. he is putting maximum pressure on the judiciary around timing to try to find out this clock. it is the job of the judiciary not to allow itself to be used in that fashion. i certainly hope that the d.c.

circuit moves more quickly, and starts to rule on the immunity question. the fact is, former senator ted stephens went to trial, as you recall, in the weeks before the midterm election. there should be, we need to not allow donald trump to create an artificial deadline, and artificial timeline, whereby if the courts don't act, somehow he is done. >> stick around, we've got, we want to talk to you about a whole host of things. after the break, we want to discuss the smackdown against donald trump in the classified documents case. right here, you are watching the weekend. case. right here, you are watching the weekend. ve already been vaccinated against the flu, but don't forget this season's updated covid-19 shot too. ♪oh what a good time we will have♪ ♪you... can make it happen...♪ ♪♪ try dietary supplements from voltaren

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>> donald trump often and loudly to cries any effort to hold him accountable to be a fort political -- including classified documents case against him in florida. special counsel's jack smith's team is now smacking down those accusations. trump's lawyers have requested prosecutors turn over certain documents and the case that they say will serve as evidence of bias. and a new court filing, the team is urging the court to deny trump's request because he sought to cast a cloud of suspicion over response boxes by government officials doing their jobs. -- is back with us. >> look, the government has, in my view, and open and shut case in florida. remember, back when the raid

took place, and we got the first evidence of what was their, all the way through the indictment, some of the post indictment evidence that has gone public. that is as close to a slam dunk case. donald trump had no right to have these highly classified documents. he had no right at all. it, unfortunately, donald trump, as he has tried to do with all his cases, has had a two part strategy. number one is to spread misinformation about this. the second is to delay. i think special counsel smith had enough. they filed a motion, or opposition, to a request for more discovery. i think they laid out effectively what trump is doing here. whether the judge in that case will, you know, put this case on a shorter leash, we'll see. >> it really goes to the heart of what we were just talking about. this is part of a mechanism at

play. this puts pressure back on the system itself, right? so, like you said, you're looking at the fact that the law says, you can't have these documents. donald trump goes out and says, yes i can. so now you're getting to that tug of war. this case, when you're looking at this case, he is in the e. jean carroll decision, much, you know, the reality is, you can put up the bond for that, donald trump, when -- >> right. the liquidity. that is not the consideration. it is the act of trying to slow things down and stall. this case, this mid case, how is this one different. what impact could it potentially have rather than all the others. >> especially in light of you walked in right after we had done that segment on pulling, and there was the one big asterisks there. if donald trump is convicted of a crime, all of a sudden, those numbers flip. >> i think that is right.

people forget how damaging the evidence is in that florida case. it's not about the elections, an insurrection, or even the conspiracy, racketeering conspiracy and georgia. it is literally about a former president of the united states stealing highly classified, sensitive documents from the united states government. then treating them cavaliere, showing them to people. storing them willy-nilly. it is devastating to him politically. it is devastating legally. it puts him and prospect of going to prison for a long time. it is a very, very important case that not get ignored or sort of, there are so many criminal cases that i think people forget about. >> speaking of, we are waiting for this immunity decision. that truly does, i think, we thought we would get it last week, we're waiting, we feels

as though this could be true. >> that is probably, right now, the most consequential pending decision on all of the trump cases, with the exception of the 14th amendment case and the u.s. supreme court. the d.c. circuit has the simple question of whether or not the president are absolutely immune from criminal prosecution. as it was pointed out during the oral arguments by one of the judges, does this mean that joe biden could have donald trump assassinate him but the u.s. military and not face criminal penalties? this is a very easy case. i understand that the courts take some time to write thoughtful opinions, we are beyond the thoughtful opinion. just write the opinion. >> elias, as always, thank you for making very complicated things very simple. coming up on velshi, ali will be joined by senator bob casey of pennsylvania, and congresswoman jasmine crockett of texas. that is ahead. top of the hour. we'll be right back. ahead. top of the hour. we'll be right back.

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>> well that does it for the weekend this sunday morning. we'll see you next weekend at 8 am eastern. be sure to follow the show on