1-800-403-7539. that's

1-800-403-7539. >> good evening and welcome to politics nation. tonight's lead testing the limits. for the second trump administration is heading into its fifth week, facing mounting challenges on multiple fronts. in washington, the next phase of budget negotiations will begin. even as elon musk doge team cuts many government agencies to the bone to avoid a government shutdown. >> republicans need. >> total unity from their deeply divided. caucus or substantial support from democrats, who are outraged by the gop's efforts to rip apart social. programs like medicaid, medicare and snap.

meanwhile, top trump officials are headed to saudi arabia to begin russia. ukraine peace talks even as concerns linger about the american commitment to supporting ukraine's defense efforts. european officials are working on a plan. >> b. >> convening an emergency security summit in paris tomorrow after vice president j.d. vance's visit to the continent left many leaders with more questions than answers about the white house foreign policy objectives. and here in new york, we're waiting to find out how a federal judge will rule on the justice department's motion to throw out the corruption case against mayor eric adams, a case that has already led to mass resignations from career doj prosecutors. let's start the show with congressman troy carter,

democrat of louisiana and first vice chair of the congressional black caucus. congressman, let's start with the breaking news we just heard from the president leaving the daytona 500 in florida. take a listen to his response to a question about rising egg prices. >> reached an all time high. >> what is your administration? >> egg prices have reached an. >> all. >> time high. >> it was long before i ever got here. it was at an all time this since i remember. i've been here for three weeks. and when you saw the inflation numbers, i've been here for three weeks. i had nothing to do with inflation. this was caused by biden. i had four years of virtually no inflation. so i'm just taking over. but i'll tell you what. this country has made more progress in the last three weeks than it's made in the last four years. >> this country has made more progress in the last three weeks, he's saying, than they

have in four years. of course, that's his assessment. what's your reaction, congressman? >> reverend al, it appears. >> that our president has. >> a sense of. >> selective memory. >> this is the president. >> who said. >> on day one he was going. >> to bring. >> the price. >> of eggs down. on day one, the price. >> of. >> groceries would go down. >> on day. >> one, his presidency would. >> end the war in ukraine. at some point. >> the american. >> people have to realize they've been duped. they've been. and this president. is a salesman of sorts, but not a salesman of goods, a salesman of false dreams, and suggesting to people that. >> he. >> has a. >> magic wand. and then when it's. time to perform, he blames. >> it on the last person. >> i'll remind. >> you that our economy was strong both times. >> he took. >> over. >> the presidency, and. within a very short period, he took it to

the bottom, and. >> he's on. >> his way doing it again. when you look at the price of milk and the price of eggs, and you look at his tariffs. >> the very. >> people who supported him, his own people who are now. having voters remorse. because they can't. produce and sell. their their products, farmers. >> who. >> are now being interviewed saying they've been duped and. >> admittedly, that they voted for president trump, but say resoundingly that. >> they would. not vote for him. >> again. >> this is. just three weeks. >> he's right. three weeks into his term and. already the havoc is being spread throughout our country. >> and it's just three weeks. but let's get to the budget. you and speaker mike johnson both hail from louisiana, where many of the speaker's own constituents rely heavily on food aid and other social services that he and the

administration, the donald trump administration, want to cut. politico is reporting some republicans in swing districts are nervous that these cuts may hurt their voters and ultimately cost them their seats. how do you see this budget battle playing out, and what would it take for democrats to consider supporting a plan if republicans cannot unify themselves? >> i will. >> tell you that my. republican colleagues all over the country, many of which have had the opportunity to speak with and in private, they will say that they are concerned and they're worried, but in public they can't, because they're afraid that this president will primary them. so but in private, they get it. they understand that these sweeping suggested cuts are going to paralyze americans. it's going to paralyze farmers. it's going to paralyze our research universities. tulane university, la la, lsu university. there's some $40 billion in drastic cuts to

research that we are working feverishly to find a cure for cancer. this is impacting not just democrats. if you want to look at waste, abuse and fraud, we're all for that. this is not about waste, abuse and fraud. these are unilateral cuts, layoffs and deep cuts into areas that keep our country going. >> and obviously on. >> that. >> without any knowledge of facts. >> now, on that point, the white house now is slashing government agencies with seemingly little regard for the law or maybe even national security. nbc news is reporting the administration is now trying to scrambling. they're scrambling to try to rehire national nuclear security administration workers. it laid off last week, and they can't even figure out how to contact some of the people they let go. you sit on the homeland security

committee. what is your response to this recklessness? >> it's demonstrative of giving the keys to the car for someone who can't drive, giving the keys to the car to elon musk, who is an unelected individual, an unelected millionaire billionaire who now has his newest toy. this is a huge etch-a-sketch for him. except when you screw this up, you can't simply shake the glass and make it go away. we're talking about people's lives. we're talking about businesses. we're talking about people's health. we're talking about the sanctity and the strength of our democracy. we're talking about our relationships on a world scale that are being damaged every day by this billionaire who is playing monopoly with people's lives. >> now, louisiana, let's go to your home state. and the home state of the speaker johnson louisiana has received more

direct aid from fema in the last decade than nearly every other state. yet the president has called for fema's elimination, and elon musk is looking at big cuts to the national oceanic and atmospheric administration, which, of course, tracks hurricanes like those that regularly hit louisiana. trump says that states should be responsible for their own disaster management. can louisiana, one of the poorest states in the us, realistically do that if fema is abolished? >> we cannot. we cannot, nor can any other state. if you're going to get rid of fema, then you have to replace it with a very similar program that will do the exact same thing that fema did. in louisiana, we know we have storms that come. they stay longer, they come stronger, and they leave more havoc in their path. the thought that the people of louisiana would not

have the benefit of having fema to come in, or some like organization to provide resources before, during and after a storm is an irresponsible act by this president and by his co-president, elon musk, who clearly knows nothing about government. and i question how much he actually knows about business. if he thinks that he can go in to any system, unilaterally remove employees, and not have a plan for someone to continue to do the functions of those people you've removed, you've got a national security at risk, you've got a health system at risk, you've got our farmers at risk, you've got research at risk. you've got our national security at risk. >> now let me go to a piece you wrote last week, an opinion piece pledging to respect and protect louisiana's federal workers impacted by trump's government purge, warning against his buyout plan and

pressing americans to reject his actions. but critics continue to question whether congressional democrats are doing enough to counter the disinformation blitz of trump 2.0. you sit on the house democratic steering and policy committee helping to guide your caucus on its priorities. how do you respond to that criticism? >> well, listen, there's a lot of work to be done, and we are working feverishly to keep up with the barrage of lies and falsehoods and attempts to demise our democracy, to challenge the powers of congress and to enlarge the powers of the presidency. article two of the united states constitution. it spells out the powers of the presidency and is vast as they are. they do not impede the powers that article one spells out for the congress. among many powers are the powers of the purse. this president is pushing

the envelope on all of these congressional and constitutional powers. we won't let them. i understand that that the american people are frustrated and afraid. rest assured that this democratic caucus is not going to sit back and let this president or mr. musk tear our democracy down, ruin our or ignore our rule of law, ruin our relationships abroad, our home. we're going to continue to fight and demonstrate as we have. we've taken them to court five different cases. we won every time. we will continue to push back legislatively, legally and procedurally. we will not let them. >> all right. i'm going to have to leave it there. always good to have you. thank you. louisiana congressman troy carter. now let's go to ohio. and democratic congresswoman shontel brown, representing ohio's 11th district.

congresswoman, let's continue our discussion of the budget. house republicans have passed a blueprint calling for cuts to medicare, medicaid, and snap at the same time as bloomberg reports this weekend, the trump administration has extended its mass layoffs to the agencies that manage these benefits. can democrats negotiate with a republican party that seems intent on cutting government to the bone? >> well, thanks again for having me. and i think that. my colleague laid it out. we're willing to work with people. who want to help the american people. but what we have come to realize is that under this trump administration, he has implemented the most egregious and the worst of the ideas expeditiously. he talked about dismantling the fbi, which we would refer to as defunding the

police. he did that. he talked about mass deportation. he's doing that. he talked about he would release the january 6th rioters. he's done that. he's he's made a lot of promises. and he also said that he would reduce the cost of gas, goods and groceries on day one. well, at the top of your program, he's already making excuses as to why he can't do that. so we want to do everything that we can to make sure that we are putting forth a budget that will protect the people who need these programs, who have been vulnerable and rely heavily on these programs. now. >> now, the washington post reports elon musk's doge team has moved from purging government workers whose roles were related to diversity, equity and inclusion to also firing workers in offices established by law to ensure equal rights. you've been a vocal critic of the havoc being created by trump's unelected, so-called efficiency experts.

what are the potential consequences of all of this? >> well, i would say that that was another campaign promise, so we shouldn't be surprised when he said on the campaign trail he wanted to end woke policies, which is translation for black, translation for dei. and he has put the power of the pen to dismantle these programs. but i have actually tried to do something about it by putting forth legislation that would codify the equal employment opportunity. executive order that was put in place 60 years ago, something that both republican presidents and democratic presidents honored over the course of 60 years. but here comes trump and his project 2025 agenda. and they want to roll back the hands of time. we told people we warned people that his agenda would essentially try to take us back before civil rights, and, i would argue, before civil war. well, let me make it plain. when i say civil rights, i'm talking about equal opportunities. i'm

talking about fairness. i'm talking about anti-discrimination. i am talking about making sure that people have fair opportunities. they do not want, that they are moving forward with a resegregation agenda, i would call it, or a white supremacist agenda. >> yeah. and let me let me just go right back into that question, because i think you're going right where i want to go, because finally, i, like you said on thursday you joined congressman jamie raskin in introducing a bill to codify into law the anti-discrimination regulations put into place by president lyndon b johnson in 1965. they were revoked nearly 60 years by donald trump last month. can you tell us more about the bill and the critical civil rights safeguards it's meant to reinstate? >> so it's meant to protect workers. it's meant to hold

these companies and federal contractors accountable. more than i would say, a good majority of the five fortune 500 provide contract services to the government. so they should not be exempt. they should not be let off the hook and making sure that they are treating their people and employees fairly. and this has been a practice and a standard that has been held across the six decades. and until trump has come along, he wants to roll back the hands of time. so i am proud that jamie raskin, the highest ranking democrat on the judiciary committee, along with 40 of my colleagues and that list continues to grow, believes that people should be treated fairly, believes that we should hold federal contractors accountable who are using taxpayer dollars to provide services and programs. >> now, finally, congresswoman, i want to get your take on some ohio politics. vivek ramaswamy, who didn't last a full

scaramucci in the doge team, has now set his sights on running for governor of the buckeye state, with an official announcement coming later this month. what's your take on his chances? do you think ohio ohioans are buying what he's selling? >> i do not. listen, i love your reference to scaramucci. i don't think that vivek has what it takes. he didn't even last in the doge regime, which is one of his ideas, something that they campaigned on together. he, donald trump and co-president musk. this is something that they all talked about. and the other thing i know about ohioans is we don't want somebody's leftovers. look, the man couldn't last in the trump administration, and now it looks like he's trying to find another platform or a place to land. i don't think this is what ohioans want or need at this time. we need people who understand the needs of ohioans. and i don't

think vivek ramaswamy, is it. >> ohio congresswoman shontel brown. thank you for being with us. coming up, president trump had was a no show at the kennedy center in his first term. now he's the champ. and many black performing artists are headed for the exits. i've got some thoughts to share with you about that. next. >> when you're. >> the official vehicles. >> of winter, you can embrace everything the cold has. >> to offer. leave fresh. >> tracks with the. >> safe and secure jeep. >> grand cherokee melt limitations. >> with our most capable jeep. wrangler ever. >> or battle. >> the. >> elements and win. in the jeep gladiator, hurry into. >> the jeep. >> president's day sales event before these. incredible offers slip away. >> during the. >> jeep president's. >> day sales event, get 10%. >> below msrp. >> for an average of. >> $5,700 under msrp. >> on these. >> 2024 jeep wrangler models. >> see your. >> local jeep brand dealer today. >> my eyes, they're dry.

uncomfortable looking for extra hydration. now there's blink neutral tears. it works differently than drops. blink neutral tears is a once daily supplement clinically proven to hydrate from within, helping your eyes produce more of their own tears to promote lasting, continuous relief. you'll feel day after day. try blink neutral tears a different way to support dry eyes. >> blink. >> introducing mcafee plus all in. >> one. >> protection that goes beyond your devices. it protects you, your identity and privacy. with mcafee plus, you can enjoy life mcafee plus, you can enjoy life online lakesha: childhood cancer is-- it's a long road. it's hard. but st. jude has gotten us through it. st. jude is hope that you have a chance at life. and it goes such a long way for every child diagnosed with cancer because the research is being shared all over the world.

it's awesome. [music playing] >> for a hotel. >> trivago compares hotel prices from hundreds of sites so you can save up to 40%. can save up to 40%. >> look how easy t ♪♪ huh, noom has glp-1 meds now? yes, noom combines medications with healthy habits so you can lose the weight and keep it off. yeah, glp-1s starting at $149. that's noom smart. noom. the smart way to lose weight. here's to getting better with age. here's to beating these two every thursday. help fuel today with boost high protein, complete nutrition you need, and the flavor you love. so, here's to now... now available: boost max! dude, i really need a new phone. check out my new samsung galaxy s25 ultra. it's got galaxy ai.

imagine this thing running on our superfast xfinity mobile network. and i also heard that it can do multiple things with a single command. —with google gemini. let me try it. add recipes with overripe bananas to my “dessert ideas” note. that's what you chose to ask it? i had other things planned. ask how to get up to one thousand dollars off the new samsung galaxy s25 ultra with xfinity mobile. >> the details. >> physicians mutual. physicians mutual.

president trump's first 100 days. watch. >> i'm going. >> to be. >> here five. >> days a week again. >> read and listen. >> staying up half the night reading executive orders. >> for this defining time in the second trump presidency. stay with msnbc. >> president trump's hostile takeover of the kennedy center in washington, dc, has resulted in an unfortunate spectacle with several of america's most prominent black entertainers cutting ties with the performing arts institution. in the middle of black history month. screenwriter shonda rhimes resigned from the board, where she had served as treasurer. meantime, actress and comedian issa rae pulled out of her

upcoming sold out show, becoming the first major artist to publicly cancel a kennedy center event since trump seized control. president trump is blaming his power grab on drag shows, and he's flooded the kennedy center board with political loyalists, including his own chief of staff, his former golf caddy, and a motley collection of campaign megadonors and their spouses. it's a sad chapter in the history of an institution founded on the bipartisan efforts of republican president dwight eisenhower and his democratic successor, john f kennedy. and even more importantly, it is a new front in the cultural revolution being waged by this administration that seeks to demonize art and expression that doesn't fit the maga mold. the same white house that wants to edit black history

out of school textbooks is trying to silence black performers in our concert halls and theaters. but african american culture is inseparable from american culture, an indisputable fact. the kennedy center itself, recognized. over the years, numerous black artists have been honored by the center for their lifelong contributions to the arts, including ray charles, aretha franklin, alvin ailey, sammy davis jr, and oprah winfrey, just to name a few. i had the pleasure of attending many kennedy center events over the years myself, including i sat in the presidential box with president obama and was there the night they honored james brown. of course, president trump would know that because he skipped every single kennedy center honors ceremony during his first term as president. when trump finally makes a pilgrimage to the center in his

second term as its self-appointed chairman, he won't be treated to the rich tapestry of american greatness the venue once showcased. but instead he will be presented with a mere hollow reflection of himself. we'll be right back. >> i told you, i don't. >> need these anymore. i have sling. >> okay. >> morning. >> i only let sling deliver. >> the news. >> i need to stay informed. thank you very much. >> nice one. >> nope. >> sling gives us all the news we want in a quick and. reliable manner. >> and. >> at a. >> wonderful price. >> this critical. >> time calls for the critical news coverage that sling provides. >> okay. >> see you tomorrow. >> the most important news at. >> the best price. >> sling lets you do that. >> want the fastest working glp1 for half the price? ro now offers fda approved weight loss injections cheaper with results

you can see faster. lose 15% of your weight with a formula from eli lilly. see if you qualify at roku tv. >> you probably. >> know vistaprint for. >> business cards. >> yep. >> but did you know we also print. these and those and that? and definitely this. okay. that's engraved where we print with lasers. >> at vistaprint. we print your brand on everything. >> so your customers can notice. >> you. remember you. >> and fall in love with you. like, really fall in. >> love. >> with you at vistaprint. >> if you need. >> it, we print. >> it with. >> 25% off. >> for new customers@vistaprint.com. >> after my. >> hair. >> started thinning, my. dermatologist recommended neutrophil. the formulas are clinically tested. >> my hair is much. stronger and longer. longer. >> i feel like [coughing] copd isn't pretty. from the struggle to breathe... to getting stopped in your tracks. bye, grandma. ♪♪

but with trelegy, i can finally move forward. with 3 medicines in 1 inhaler, trelegy keeps my airways open for a full 24 hours and prevents future flare-ups. once-daily trelegy also improves lung function, so i can breathe more freely all day and night. trelegy won't replace a rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems. tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure before taking it. do not take trelegy more than prescribed. trelegy may increase your risk of thrush, pneumonia, and osteoporosis. call your doctor if worsened breathing, chest pain, mouth or tongue swelling, problems urinating, vision changes or eye pain occur. ♪what a wonderful world♪ ask your doctor about once-daily trelegy for copd because breathing should be beautiful, all day and night. i don't ever see anyone coming out to maintenance anything, so it's very scary for me because i have everything i love in this home. so, we've now implemented drone technology. how is that safe for me?

it enhances the inspection, so it allows us to see things faster. your safety is the most important, and if you're feeling unsafe, that's not okay. it doesn't feel like that in our hearts. i mean, it's worrisome. [dog barks] incoming dishes. —ahhh! —duck! dawn powerwash flies through 99% of grease and grime in half the time. yeah, it absorbs grease five times faster. even replaces multiple cleaning products. ooh, those suds got game.

dawn powerwash. the better grease getter. here's to getting better with age. here's to beating these two every thursday. help fuel today with boost high protein, complete nutrition you need, and the flavor you love. so, here's to now... now available: boost max! donald trump's term and america's allies and adversaries alike are struggling to keep up with his whirlwind approach to the presidency, which began with a barrage of executive orders that have challenged norms and, in some cases, the constitution he swore to be upholding. let's bring in my political panel, co-founder and ceo of all in together. she's also a democratic strategist. lauren

leader and republican strategist reena shah. lauren, much of the focus has been on elon musk and the department of government efficiency, which is slashing and burning its way through the federal government. musk pitch is that he's getting rid of unelected bureaucrats that are wasting money, but no one elected him, and he's apparently has trump's blessing to do whatever he wants. can democrats do anything to stop them or make trump pay politically? >> i mean, it's a really good question. >> and i think a lot. >> of americans. >> and. >> certainly a lot of democrats. >> are asking that question. i mean, it is it sort of. defies i mean, it clearly defies every preexisting. >> norm that somebody has been appointed. >> by the president. >> is unpaid and therefore, by the way. >> is not. required to make any kind of financial. disclosures to. >> to reveal to. >> the. >> public what. >> his personal.

>> financial interests may be or interests that he could be gaining. from in. >> the work. >> that he's doing in sort of remaking the federal government. so that's the first thing, is that there's. >> you know, he talks about. >> it's really dystopian because. >> he talks constantly. >> about accountability and. >> transparency. >> except he himself offers none. >> and then the second. >> part is that we have no idea. ultimately where his authority. >> comes from or whether or not his authority. >> is legal. and i think that's where, you know, it's really going to be up to the attorney general. >> and we're already. >> seeing collective. lawsuits from attorneys. >> generals and. >> many democratic states. >> but, you know, members of congress and the democratic ags across the country are going to need to push really hard, but it's such uncharted territory. >> you know, i sort of. >> feel for them in a way that it's not it's not necessarily obvious what their authority is and how to stop this train, which is clearly speeding through the station faster than i think anyone knew. and of course, nobody knew this was happening because trump didn't tell anybody. this was the extent of what he intended to do by appointing elon.

>> now, we know so far this aggressive approach to cost cutting has been coming from the executive branch. but congress has less than a month to pass a budget, or else we're heading for another government shutdown. how much is trump's approach influencing the debate around spending on capitol hill, and what could it mean for the big expenses? the pentagon, social security, medicare and medicaid? >> i think we have to pull. >> back here. >> because this obviously has been a rocky three weeks to see. >> elon musk. >> take on what he's taken on from the. executive perch. we've just never seen. >> anything like it in modern presidential history. >> we've seen. advisers come. >> and go. we've seen unelected bureaucrats pull the strings in washington for a long time, but never before. >> have we seen. >> such a. >> bogus sort. >> of authority. >> if you will. >> we've never seen an advisor. color outside the lines so much. and exert. >> as well as. project authority

that might not really be vested. >> in him. >> this is about far more than just slashing. slashing? excuse me? >> government spending. this is about how the government uses our taxpayer dollars for. essential services. and i don't. >> even. >> know that we've gotten to that. part of the. conversation yet here in washington. >> because everybody is. >> aghast at. >> how things are moving along. and it's because, again, we've never. >> seen an initiative for government efficiency take shape in this way. >> so it's such a shock. >> to the consciousness and how it sort of molds. this budget battle on capitol. >> hill. >> is really anyone's. >> guess. >> because we may have short term memories as an electorate. >> but some. >> of us here in washington feel. >> like it. >> was just the. fall when. >> we saw. >> trump and elon insert themselves into. last minute budget talks. >> and blow them up. >> and so what did speaker johnson. >> do to go and do a hail mary and. really try. >> to get his people. >> and get that goodwill of. >> democrats that's in short supply. >> right now. >> and so it's.

>> going to be very difficult. >> but my faith is really with speaker. >> johnson because he doesn't want. >> egg on his face like he just had in december. >> now, invite vice president j.d. vance and defense secretary pete hedge fund, a hedge seth made their debut on the world stage last week and sent a chill through the nato alliance by delivering trump's america first message in person. france apparently heard it loud and clear, announcing that an emergency summit of european countries will meet in paris tomorrow to discuss the continent's security. all this coming as trump confirms that he and russian president vladimir putin will meet in person to discuss the end of the war in ukraine. trump was just asked what he thinks putin wants. listen to this. >> i think he wants to stop fighting. i see that we spoke

long and hard. steve witkoff was with him for a very extended period, like about three hours. i think he wants to stop fighting. >> lauren. it remains to be seen what role ukraine or its allies will play in those peace talks. but when it comes to foreign affairs, does any of what you're seeing surprise you, or is this just trump delivering on what he promised? >> i mean, i guess i am surprised, i wish i wasn't, because i think we did get the indication that a lot of this stuff was going to happen. but this. >> is back up these last. >> two, you know, speeches in europe. i mean. they were doozies. >> first of. >> all. pete hegseth. >> you know, apparently. >> outlined foreign policy that had not been approved by anybody in the administration, even senior republicans on the armed services committee, you know, were concerned and. >> said he needed. >> to walk back some of his comments because he. >> off the cuff, said. >> that ukraine couldn't count on returning to their pre, you know, to their, their original

borders. i mean, it's just complete incompetence to go on the world stage and fly off the handle like that when it clearly isn't even necessarily the coordinated policy. >> of the united states. >> and then you have jd vance, who shows up in munich and really. >> turns the world order. >> completely upside down for the better part of the last eight years. really, since world war two, america has stood for. >> liberal values. >> for the independence of. nation states and of europe. and jd vance shows up and expresses support for far right, in some cases pro-nazi politics in eastern europe, in germany and across europe, and essentially tries to project trumpism on european values. it is really disturbing, and there is good reason why nations like france are now, frankly, in a panic, because it is not at all clear what this means for the security of nato. and, you know, trump has said for years that he didn't necessarily believe in

nato, that he wasn't going to support nato. i mean, but this is potentially very serious. and of course, the worst victim potentially here is the ukraine. the deals that seem to be being made behind the scenes without even the president of the nation who is most centrally involved. hard to believe. >> rena trump campaigned on ending wars and pulling the us out of foreign entanglements. so that makes his plan for the united states to take over gaza all the more baffling. the details are murky, to say the least, but it's hard to see how this could be anything but another massive foreign entanglement in the middle east. how do you think this will play with american voters, particularly this era of republicans? >> it's hard to gauge. >> public sentiment on this right now, because this. >> has been an evolving sort of tension. >> the tensions here have been evolving since. >> trump came into. >> office, and even before when he. >> was in the transition period. >> he kept kind of going on

about what he would. potentially do. >> but one. >> thing we can take away, and what. >> we know about. >> trump's approach is that it is the most. hardline approach. and what it could do, essentially, is escalate. >> those tensions in the middle east, which is what nobody generally wants. >> you talk. >> to republicans on capitol. >> hill and they tell you that trump. >> is playing with fire here. on the one hand, he has. >> the respect. >> of netanyahu. >> they sit together. >> they seem to. >> ink their deals together. netanyahu was no fan. of that. biden blinken duo. but what is he going to let trump do over there? and what is even realistic? it's been a real slap. >> in the face to the palestinian americans, i think, who trusted. >> trump to. >> say, i can handle. this without making any concessions. >> and when you talk about concessions. >> of land, that's. >> where things get riled, right? all the way up. and hamas is not only watching. >> hamas is at the table and trump. >> forgets that. so what's happening in gaza right now? >> it's evolving day by day. i think trump. >> if i had. >> to. be in. >> his brain right now, i think

i have an accurate read of where his head is at. >> on this. >> he's taking it day by day because he's not. quite sure. >> yeah. >> and that's the administration has is as injured. they're trying to. put out fires everywhere with the promise of being this great savior. but can they do it. >> without creating greater. >> tensions where they don't need. >> them right now? >> well. >> it's hard to put out a fire with a match in your hand. lauren, lita and reena shah, thank you both for being with us. coming up, the battle, the battle, the legal battle to protect civil rights. we'll be protect civil rights. we'll be right back. sore throat got your tongue? mucinex instasoothe sore throat medicated drops, uniquely formulated for rapid relief that lasts and lasts. that's my babyyy! try our new sugar-free cough drops. instasoooooothe! feeling backed up and bloated? good thing metamucil fiber plus probiotics gummies work harder for your digestive system. with fiber to help promote gut health. and probiotics to help relieve occasional bloating.

so you can feel your best. metamucil fiber plus probiotics gummies. the full price? >> full price? >> kind of ridiculous, right? well, so. >> is not taking advantage of an. >> aarp membership. >> because aarp. >> has a ridiculous offer. just $15 the first year with automatic renewal plus a second membership free. >> that is ridiculous. >> so take advantage of hundreds of. >> programs, services, and discounts. >> from aarp like financial tools, job resources, and the fraud watch network that helps you spot and avoid scams. plus, discounts on gas, cell phone plans and streaming services. and know this your. membership matters. as aarp advocates. >> on important. issues like. >> healthcare, social security, and age discrimination in the workplace, and that offer gets more ridiculous. get aarp for just $15 a first year with automatic renewal and a second

membership free. plus, aarp the magazine and this insulated trunk organizer free. go online or call now. >> want to lose 15 to 20% of your weight in a year? try rose insurance checker to see if you're covered for glp one for free. just submit your insurance card and we'll take care of the rest. go to rose insurance. for your free insurance check. >> lands. >> yeah. why are you screaming? >> because you're screaming. >> are you hiding. >> from used car shopping? >> yeah. >> what if i overpay? >> i get it, nearly half of all used cars have. >> been in an accident. >> but that's nothing to. >> be afraid of. >> show me carfax. >> knowing how a car's accident history impacts price means. >> you. don't have to overpay. >> way better. >> popcorn? >> definitely. >> no fear. just. fox. >> they show me a carfax.com. >> after my hair started thinning, my dermatologist recommended neutrophil. the formulas are clinically tested.

>> my hair is much stronger. >> and longer. >> i feel like i'm. completely different person. >> get growing@nutrafol.com. >> that's $225 for the night. >> not bad. >> $155 for the night. >> how it's easy. >> when you know where to look. >> trivago compares hotel prices >> trivago compares hotel prices from hundreds of sites so welcome to the 100° sweat test. which one of these two antiperspirants can stand up to the heat? that's it. take it up a notch. looks like ordinary antiperspirants can't take the heat. ordinary antiperspirants can't fight sweat better than secret clinical. your front door? >> t for president trump's first 100 days? alex wagner travels to the story to talk with people most impacted by the policies. >> were you there on january? >> i was. >> there on. >> january 6th. >> did it surprise you that you

were fired, given how resolutely nonpartisan you have been? >> and for more in-depth reporting, follow her podcast trumpland with alex wagner. >> welcome back to politics nation. legal rights groups opposing the trump administration have their work cut out for them. in the midst of trump's war on di and the rule of law. those assaults are now landing in court, even as the administration is now flirting with simply rejecting legal rulings it doesn't like. joining me now is damon hewitt, president and executive director of the lawyers committee for civil rights. damon, good to see you. the lawyers committee has been pushing back at trump 2.0 since day one. i know, and you publicly oppose the nomination of pam bondi for attorney general. you are pushing colleges and universities to

continue diversity efforts despite the ban on college affirmative action and trump's war on dei. you've also come to the legal defense of capitol police officers injured by january 6th rioters. the president has now pardoned. how is the committee preparing for the next year? this next four years, based on what we've seen in the last four weeks. >> well, good to be with you. >> what we're doing is we are calling. >> it like we see it. >> and we're diagnosing what's happening, number one, which is simultaneously. >> a weakening. >> of all federal infrastructure designed to protect our civil rights, but at the same time, a weaponization. using that same infrastructure, what remains of it, rather to attack the people who are simply trying to follow the law about nondiscrimination. and so we're calling that like we see it, and we're letting folks know that the law cannot change just with the stroke of

trump's pen, or just with him running off at the mouth. he certainly can't do that. he also can't can't shut down a federal agency just because he wants to. and so we expect to continue to be in the courts and to make sure that these courts actually uphold and vindicate people's rights. >> now, is the lawyers committee in a stronger position or weaker position to combat trump than it was in his first term? and what possibility? what is the possibility the administration might simply start ignoring rulings they don't like? as vice president, vance has suggested. >> in many ways, we're in a better position. first, despite how conservative federal courts have been in recent decades, don't forget that over 230 federal judges that were nominated and confirmed during the four years of president biden's term. they're they're not to play politics. they're there to basically enforce the nation's laws, nation's laws, to actually make sure that people get a fair shake in civil rights

cases. so that in and of itself gives us certainly some hope. but we also have seen some of the same tricks before. now things are different. now, i won't say that the same as trump 1.0, but things like trying to ban dni, he's donet before he was challenged in court successfully. we believe that we and others can challenge him again successfully as the federal agency starts to apply some of those same tactics. >> now, i want to move to some breaking news. the justice department has filed an emergency appeal to the supreme court to undo a lower court ruling that temporarily protected the head of the office of special counsel from being fired by the trump administration. the office protects whistleblowers, and this emergency appeal is likely to be the first of many attempts to undo court orders that have impeded the trump agenda. what's your reaction? >> well. >> look, this is, you know, this administration assuming that the

supreme court will be on its side, trying to go straight to who they think will be friends. i think they're going to be in for some surprises. you know, even this supreme court will have to draw the line in the sand somewhere. and we hope that this is one of the first of many places where the court will draw that line, especially when it's not simply a question that's a gray legal area, but it's really part and parcel of trump's attempt to not only remake federal government, but really to control the apparatus in a way that bears no relationship to what the law actually is. >> now, we'll end tonight with trump's war on diversity. how is the committee responding to this moment where black americans merit is continually questioned by lawmakers, and black history is under threat of possible removal from some schools as part of the president's dei ban? >> well, first there's litigation. you know, we have successfully to this point represented black students and teachers and other students and

teachers in states like oklahoma and arkansas, where those states adopted bans on critical race theory. bans on truthful curriculum about this nation's history of race and racism. and so we actually have trump appointed judges who have actually sided with us to this point. those cases continue on appeal, and we'll continue to litigate those cases in the courts. but you can't tell students in oklahoma and teachers that you can't learn and teach about the tulsa race massacre or the trail of tears without that actually completely violating exactly what trump said he's about. he said he's about freedom of speech. he said he doesn't want indoctrination. then let students learn. to the extent the department of education tries the same thing, they can expect a visit from us in court as well. >> damon, you it from the lawyers committee for civil rights under the law. thank you for being with us. up next, i will be on saturday night live in just a few hours with others. in just a few hours with others. i'll explain after the break.

an alternative to pills, voltaren is a clinically proven arthritis pain relief gel, which penetrates deep to target the source of pain with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine directly at the source. voltaren, the joy of movement. out, i eat right, but there are just some areas i. just need to have tweaked. that's why this celebrity housewife went to sono bello. >> one visit. >> permanent fat removal. >> i saw results right away. i just feel so much more confident in my body image. feels great. >> when it comes to your personal health and happiness. you deserve the absolute best. >> i go back to el dorado. schedule your free. >> no obligation. consultation call. >> now or. >> go. to sono. com. >> are you. >> overwhelmed with identity management in the context of

omnipresent threats. >> to your organization? >> hi. >> so no one knows that means. >> what's happening. >> just explain. i want to. help secure digital identity. >> keep it simple. >> like what? >> like when delivering a fresh uniform. >> or viewing your results. yeah. >> it's bad. >> or making bread soon at the high school reunion. >> oh, i. >> love that color. >> whoo! >> that was. >> a lot. >> oh. >> there's more, like. >> lots more. >> 48% of americans don't get enough magnesium, which is vital for bone, nerve, and muscle health. i recommend qanon magnesium glycinate. it's are you looking for a walk-in tub magnesium glycinate. it's formulated for high absorpt for you or someone you love? well, look no further! a safe step walk-in tub is the best in its class. the ultra low, easy step helps keep you safe from having to climb over those high wall tubs, allowing you to age gracefully in the home you love. now, for a limited time, when you purchase your brand new safe step walk-in tub.

you'll receive a free safety package. and if you call today, you'll also receive $1,500 off your entire order. yes, $1,500 off! now you can enjoy the best of both worlds. the therapeutic benefits of a warm, soothing bath that can help increase mobility, relieve pain, boost energy, and even improve sleep. or if you prefer, you can take a refreshing shower with our stand up shower package. call today and receive a free safety package plus $1,500 off! that grimy film on your teeth? dr. g? ♪♪ it's actually the buildup of plaque bacteria which can cause cavities. most toothpastes quit working in minutes. but crest pro-health's antibacterial fluoride protects all day. so it stops cavities before they start... crest. [tv announcer] premium meat for natural diet. most people don't realize how processed typical dog food is.

at the farmer's dog we believe dogs should be able to get their daily nutrition without the excess processing. the digestibility is just better. we have the right amount of protein, the right amount of fat, the right amount of nutrients being added, but it's real food. everybody wants to take care of their dog in the best way that they can. our mission is just to help them do that. 100% drug free and clinically tested. >> my hair is. >> longer, thicker. >> nutrafol is life changing for me. >> get growing@nutrafol.com. >> stay up to date on the biggest issues of the day with the msnbc daily newsletter. get the best of msnbc all in one place. sign up for msnbc daily at msnbc. com.

>> in just a few minutes, i will take the elevator up five floors to studio eight h here at rockefeller center to celebrate saturday night live's 50th anniversary. i had the pleasure of hosting the show back in 2003. this is me in a sketch with tracy morgan and kenan thompson playing three wise men riding on camels on the way to bethlehem when a racist cop played by jimmy fallon pulls us over for suspicious activities in the desert. i had other cameos down through the years, like in 2016 when i appeared alongside kenan thompson. he was playing me hosting politics nation, although i still

maintain he needed to lose a little weight for the part. i always felt that snl was very important for bridging politics and art, and here's why. because as many americans that agree or disagree with those of us that engage in political activism or activism in any sort. we on snl, they begin to see that we're full human beings that can laugh and talk and agree with some, agree with some of the artists they like in terms of their art, even if we don't, their politics. that's why the night many of us will be sprinkled throughout the audience, not really playing a major role. maybe have one question asked and we give a one line answer, but it shows in these divisive times that the biggest artists and comedians and some of those that kind of like can blend between both fields, can sit in the same room and laugh and enjoy together in these divisive

times, it couldn't be a more appropriate time to celebrate people that for 50 years has brought this country together to laugh, even if we frown and say other things to each other during the week. lorne michaels has been a genius. he's helped bring an america together that we need to remember, and we will celebrate that tonight. that does it for me. thanks for watching. i'll see you back here next weekend at 5 p.m. eastern time. but first, i'll be on morning joe monday morning on msnbc. i'll be there starting at 7 a.m. the sunday show with jonathan capehart starts right jonathan capehart starts right after a short break. (man) got one more antoine. (vo) with usps ground advantage, it's like you're with us every step of the way. ♪ (man) cooool.

♪ (man) right on time! (vo) stay in the know. from your dock... to their door. want a next level clean? swish with the whoa of listerine. it kills 99.9% of bad breath germs for five times more cleaning power than brushing and flossing alone. get a next level clean... ahhhhh with listerine. feel the whoa! here's to getting better with age. here's to beating these two every thursday. help fuel today with boost high protein, complete nutrition you need, and the flavor you love. so, here's to now... now available: boost max! results you can see faster. lose 15% of your weight with the

formula from eli lilly. see if you qualify at. >> i think i changed my mind. >> about these glasses. >> yeah. >> it happens. that's why visionworks gives you 100 days to change your mind. it's simple. oh, anything else i can help you with? >> like what? >> visionworks. see the difference? >> when my hair started. >> thinning, i didn't want to hear the wisecracks. >> i was ignoring my. >> hair because. >> i was a full time. working mother. >> but luckily. >> i. >> found nutrafol. >> found nutrafol. >> my hair was ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ get 0% apr for 60 months on 2024 gmc ev models. that's up to $17,200 in average finance savings. ♪♪ mom where's my homework? mommy!

hey hun - sometimes, you just need a moment. self-care has never been this easy. gummy vitamins from nature made, the #1 pharmacist recommended vitamin and supplement brand.

dental now.com. >> physicians mutual, physicians mutual. >> testing the limits. president trump is. snatching authority from. >> congress. sparking accusations that. >> he's breaking. >> laws and raising. real concerns. >> that he'll. >> defy court. >> rulings that go. >> against him. >> i'll ask senator peter welch of the judiciary committee and. >> norm eisen. >> of the states defending. >> democracy fund. >> whether they. think we are well on our way to a constitutional crisis. the purchase next. >> phase. >> more federal workers. >> got the ax. >> and there's new reporting on the. >> strategy behind. >> who's on the chopping block next. >> my political panel of. >> jonathan lovitz and. >> tara setmayer. >> will weigh in. >> the soul of the gop. >> what it