senator ben cardin spoke with me about it earlier today. >> to fire someone just before his retirement date is very suspicious. it looks like it's politically vindictive. i think there's a lot of questions as to how much the trump administration will try to influence the independence of the department of justice and the fbi. yes, i think there's a chilling impact on individuals who are trying to do their work at the department of justice and at the fbi. >> former cia director john brennan also laying into the president and warning, "you will take your rightful place as a disgraced demagogue in the dust bin of history, america will triumph over you." attorney general jeff sessions wrote that the fbi expects everyone to follow standards of honesty and reliability. john dowd, the president's attorney, says he hopes rod rosenstein chooses to end the investigation but stopped short of calling for mueller's firing. for more on breaking news and the stories we have, nbc justice correspondent pete williams and nbc white house correspondent kelly o'donnell. welcome to you both. pete, we're seei

. >> and going to play some sound from center ben cardin.a lot of people are looking at the timing of this. it happened late friday night. the attorney general coming forward and saying because of andrew mccabe lacking candor, he saw it within his purview to go ahead and fire him. just a couple of days before his full retirement. bless us and to senator ben cardin for a moment. >> there is a proper way to do things and there is an inappropriate way. this is just not appropriate the way it came down. a day before his retirement. the report will speak for itself. mr. mccabe's conduct will speak for itself. but the manner in which the attorney general handled this firing is very much looks as vindictive and political act. it is not what we need at the department of justice at this time. chris amanda, as you know the president tweeted this is a good day for america. in the dismissal and termination of andrew mccabe. andrew mccabe saying, this is not indicative of my career at all. 21 years he served. tell me what you think about senator ben card

let's bring in democratic senator ben cardin of maryland.serves on the senate foreign relations committee. thank you for being here. >> it is good to be with you. thanks. >>what do you make of that interview with sam nunberg? >> i heard that he's defiant in regards to talking to mr. mueller. i think it just spells out it would be better off if mr. mueller would do the investigations than what he is saying now on cable news. it is important information. and it is information that will help connect some of the dots in the mueller investigation. and he needs to cooperate with mr. mueller. >> what dots do you think he would help connect? >> well, obviously there has been a lot of connections between individuals in the trump administration and the trump campaign and russia. that is the purpose of the mueller investigation. and it is important that mr. mueller now be able to have full access to all who have information to see where it leads. to see whether there is anything that needs to be further investigated and to draw a conclusion. >> let's g

.oining us, ben cardin thank you for joining us.et to the ins and outs of how this went down, i want to ask you the important question about confirmation are there going to be challenges for mike pompeo and the woman nominated to lead the cia. for her in particular there have been questions about her ties to torture. >> there clearly is going to be a confirmation process. we are going to have hearings. views for know the the secretary of state and his our values, how we use diplomacy. we need to know how he would rebuild the state fight for the resources and fill the critical positions. there is a lot we need to know. >> i guess one area that people want to know about is the senators who be speaking with pompeo. russia. what line of questioning would you like to pursue when it comes to mike pompeo and his confirmation hearing? congress members of voted in favor of legislation opposed mandatory sanctions on russia. trump administration has failed to apply one sanction under that law. we are going to want to know whether he is prepare

it begins with ben cardin. this is one hour. >> on friday visited bob a chi school in columbia. it's located in maryland between washington and baltimore. i wanted to talk about the tragic valentine's day shooting in florida. it left 17 students and faculty members dead. the deadliest high school shooting in american history. i went there because one of their own teachers was shot to death in september 2017 and her former boyfriend is a trial for her murder. i was impressed by the passion of the students. they had interest in the subject matter they were articulate and ask great questions. i found it extremely encouraging for maryland in this nation. for rightfully concern for their safety. this was two weeks since the young man invaded the high school. the reaction seems like clockwork after the shooting. bipartisan shock, anger, and more. then the question comes out, will this time be different. the answer for the republican leaders has been no as the average falls back to nra talking points. this time students across the country are not taking no. survivors are leading the wa

[applause] and i want to commend my friend, senator ben cardin, a maryland for his steadfast leadership. [applause] and in my renewed capacity i will be a continuing champion for the values that we share. much like the bond between the united states and israel, i do not back away from my commitment and i do not waver in my belief and even when the political winds of change and even when it may be tough for others to stand up for israel i will always stand up for fundamental truths, one the security of the united states is a strong when our bond with israel is strong. two, the jewish people have a right to live in peace, security and prosperity in the indisputable homeland of their ancestors. [applause] and three, israel has the right to defend herself in the united states will always ensure that they have the capabilities necessary to protect herself and her borders. [applause] we know that israel has always been surrounded by enemies but today the stakes are higher. risks are greater and the threats are more deadly in increasingly asked essential. years even talking about threats iran

i'm ashamed of my senator, ben cardin, in maryland. his bill for introducing 5720, can you talk about that, 20 years in jail and up to $1 million in penalties and fines? and then we have mr. sue gal in the audience -- siegel in the audience who wants to defeat senator ben cardin in the june primary in maryland. is that the answer? anyway -- [laughter] >> i mean -- [applause] i think to some degree that is the answer, yeah. [applause] question answered. >> thank you very much. >> no problem. >> we -- >> thank you for having me. >> next panel, okay. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] >> okay. our next speaker has been an active part of the movement for justice in palestine for 20 years. he's a journalist and the co-founder of the electronic intifada. [applause] which is a widely acclaimed publication. it's a nonprofit, independent online publication focusing on palestine. a graduate of princeton university and the university of chicago, he's a frequent speaker on the middle east contributing regularly to numerous publica

joining me now is ben cardin, the top democrat on the foreign relations committee.hank you for your time today. i appreciate it. >> good to be with you. thank you. >> senator, the florida legislature has taken action in the wake of this tragedy. the u.s. congress, despite pressure from the students, still has yet to do anything about it. mitch mcconnell has not said if he'll bring any gun legislation to the floor. democrats have said that they won't go along with him putting just that narrow measure to fix the next background check system on the floor without a broader debate. is there any chance the congress is going to actually debate or do something about guns this year? >> absolutely. you saw what happened in florida. i think people gave little chance the florida legislature would pass gun safety legislation, and that i done this. these students are being heard. they are changing views in america. we see the overwhelming support of miamerican bes behind what t students have to say. it is hard not to respond in a positive way when students say they want to be saf

. >> ben cardin has been in politics in maryland for 40 years. he is been behind a desk that whole time. what experience can he bring to the table? i mean, i have life experience. i have been out there. i have been homeless. i have been to prison. i have been to war. these are what i consider experience. amy: all that and more, coming up. welcome to democracy now!, democracynow.org, the war and peace report. i'm amy goodman. in a historic surprise that was kept under wraps for days, north korean leader kim jong traveled to beijing the armored train and met with chinese president chi jen king. it was the north korean leader's first foreign trip since taking office in 2011. during the four daytrip, the two leaders talked about denuclearization, with kim reportedly saying he was willing to give up north korea's nuclear weapons. kim also invited president xi to visit pyongyang, north korea. it was the first of three potential historic meetings for kim jong-un. next month, he's slated to met with south korean president moon jae-in. he's also slated to

let's bring in democratic senator ben cardin of maryland. a member of the senate foreign relations committee. i want your reaction when you heard this news about andrew mccabe. >> alex, first good to be with you, it's very vindictive by the trump administration. it's not only personally devastating to mr. mccabe and his reputation, but it also is a reflection on the administration's disdain for the fbi itself. and i just think this is outrageous, the department of justice, the fbi should be independent and this type of political behavior should be unacceptable in america. >> sir, as you heard in pete's report there, mccabe is going after the trump administration for his firing. he let out a blistering statement last night, late. but if career officials at the inspector general's office first faulted him and recommended this, does it make it not nakedly political as mccabe might suggest? >> there are ways of handling disciplinary actions to fire someone, just before his retirement date is very suspicious. it looks like its politically vindict

such a public way in fact we're getting some reaction from capitol hill a top democratic senator ben cardin saying that it just shows trump's inability to take advice from his advisors chuck schumer the top democrat in the u.s. senate saying the inability of or rather the instability of this administration just what every area weakens america and then he goes on to say we hope that mr pump aoe who will be replacing rex tillerson once confirmed she were saying we hope that mr pompei will turn over a new leaf and we'll start toughening up our policies towards russia and indeed this is an interesting point because when donald trump was leaving to go on to marine one he did speak to his relationship with mr pump aoe saying that it was a positive one and someone he could work with. i've worked with my mom failed now for quite some time. prevent this energy from and this is the last you're always on the same wavelength. the relationship has been very good that's what i see that as secretary of state i'm really at a point where we're getting very close to having the capital and other things that i

will turn over a new leaf and will start toughening up her policies particularly toward russia and ben cardin a senior member of the foreign relations committee saying that this this this action that we've seen in terms of this firing really underscores trumps inability to take advice from his advisors so the matter which is this has being done once again not sitting well with some very senior democrats on capitol hill and the reason is i mean we heard some of the mention they had been holds on a number of subjects what you think the biggest strain was. certainly north korea comes to mind in terms of where these two men differed dramatically you talked about at the start of the program there were rex tillerson once famously had to kind of didn't know i in rather in a roundabout terms calling the president a moron and it was the issue of donald trump's handling of north korea he was not comfortable with the fire and fury comments that were being made by this president not just vocally but on social media and then of course when we found out that there would be a meeting between donald trump an

joining us now, senator ben cardin. thanks for joining us. do you agree with some of your come beings the fbi should address this matter involving stormy daniels and her alleged relationship with the president? >> well, clearly there could be some legal issues here. no one is above the law, including the president of the united states. there's certainly a lot of questions that i think americans would like to have the answers to. some issues about whether or not campaign laws were broken by the payment by the president's lawyer. >> what's your reaction to the very strong statement given today by theresa may. >> it is highly likely that russia was responsible for the act against sergei and his daughter. there are only two plausible explanations for what happened in salisbury on the fourth of 4th of march. either this was a go directs attack against our country or the russian government lost control of its potentially catastrophically damaging nerve agent and allowed to it get into the hands of others. >> senator, your reaction. >> prime ministe

democratic senator ben cardin on some democrats claiming tax cuts are failing in the wake of the specialnswers from united airlines this after a dog died earlier on a flight this week. the five is next. >> dana: hello, everyone, i'm dana perino along with kimberly guilfoyle, juan williams, jesse watters and greg gutfeld. this is the five. we are awaiting a decision from attorney general jeff sessions on whether he will fire deputy fbi director andrew mccabe before his retirement on sunday. it's a decision that will be consequential for mccabe's financial future with his lifetime pension at stake. will sessions carry through on the recommendation of the fbi's internal recommendation to fire mccabe or overrule it. the controversy is based on allegations mccabe authorized the disclosure of sensitive information to a reporter about the

we're going to get that sound in a moment, but right now let's bring in maryland senator ben cardin. he's on the senate relations committee. ben, thanks for joining us. >> nice to join you. it's certainly been a day of surprises. >> your committee as oversight over the department of the secretary of state. were you given a heads-up on this by the white house? >> none whatsoever. we heard no advance notice whatsoever. i understand no one on our committee was informed of this and we read about it through a tweet from the president. >> what did you think of the president's decision to fire tillerson? >> it's very concerning. it looks like the president doesn't want anyone in the room that disagrees with him, doesn't want to hear independent advice, doesn't want to get objective accounts from the state department. it's very concerning. we have major issues concerning north korea negotiations, the iran nuclear agreement, and now we have a secretary of state who voiced his recommendations based upon the experts in the state department being canned because he disagreed with the president. >>

senate in maryland, challenging democratic senator ben cardin who is seeking a third term. and today she joins us here on democracy now! for her first live television interview. chelsea manning, welcome to democracy now! >> thank you for having me. amy: it has been 10 months, but how does it feel to be free? >> it is overwhelming. i wake up some days and i'm not sure that this is actually happening. sometimes i wake up in the morning and i have to figure out where i am because now i am traveling all of the time and i am not staying in one spot. -- initially it was and wonderful, but now as i'm seeing more and more of the world and how it has become the world i feared, a decade ago, now it is overwhelming. juan: can you go back to when you heard the news that president obama had granted you clemency? did you having at citations of the possibility of that? >> it was very hard for me to it knowledge this was happening. a lotriting a book, so more the details will be in the book. it.i could not process it was difficult for me to process that this was happening. when you are in

ben cardin of maryland is joining us. senator, what did you make of president trump's coming out today? really criticizing the senate and the house. both bodies for sending him this 2,200 page omnibus spending bill which he clearly the hates. >> let's first understand, this is for fiscal year 18 which started october 1st of last year. so for the last six months, we've been talking about what is in this bill. the white house has been fully engaged as we've been developing the bill. it is a bipartisan bill. it represents the input by democrats, republicans from all over this country. for the president to try to disrupt this process at the end, he did it with immigration where we could have had an agreement but the president blew that off. so once again president is showing that he understands where we're goingest doesn't want any part of it. and then he blames us for not working together. >> he called on congress. as you just heard. to give happy line item veto on all government spending bills. that's something which i just

ben cardin of maryland, thank you so much for being with us. there are two issues here. the fact that the president congratulated vladimir putin on his election win then the fact that it leaked. let's take the second part first. that's what the president and chief of staff are furious about this morning. i'm not sure you heard the reaction from marco rubio moments ago. senator rubio says if you don't like what the president is doing, quit but don't leak this. do you think it's possible to have -- >> i don't think that should be leaked but let's not lose focus of what the president of the united states did. that's the second question you're asking. he congratulated mr. putin on elections that's so much against the values and interests of america to promote democracy and free and fair elections -- >> we'll get to this. absolutely, i want to get to the substance of the call but there is also substance within the leak. what does it tell you about how much the president can trust the national security apparatus that sush rounds him? someone on the inside of the inside must ha

joining me now, ben cardin of maryland., you've been very critical of the trump administration in its treatment of russia. you were very critical last week will we spoke over the fact president trump did not bring up this nerve agent attack that took place in england bust this action today, out 60 russian diplomats from the u.s., is three times the amount that britain is expelling. is this the time of strong action you would like the see? >> well, first, it's good to be with you. yes, this was an appropriate response. we're talking about a response what mr. putin did in the u.k. and it showed the unity of the west and responding to let mr. putin know that that time of conduct will go, won't go unchallenged. so it was the right response. i agree with it. the president of the united states is yet to respond to russia's attacks here in the united states, asked our allies in the west to join us in imposing much more stringent sanctions. they were right in expelling these diplomats. >> i will stay treasury department did issue s

democratic senator ben cardin had this to say. >> to fire someone just before his retirement date is very suspicious. it looks like it's politically vindictive. i think there's a lot of questions as to how much the trump administration will try to influence the independence of the department of justice and the fbi. yes, i think there's a chilling impact on individuals who are trying to do their work at the department of justice and at the fbi. >> and on twitter, former cia director john brennan called mccabe a scapegoat for the trump administration and one democrat on the house intelligence committee warns the president, gloat now but you will soon be fired. meanwhile, attorney general jeff sessions defending the firing, accusing mccabe of lacking candor and making unauthorized disclosures. a new statement coming from the president's personal attorney, john dowd, telling nbc news he hopes deputy attorney rosenstein will end the russia probe in light of recent revelations. democratic leader chuck schumer warning dowd and trump of severe consequences for any attempt to derail the muell

ahead ben cardin. senator, you know a lot about this. let's start with sarah sanders, what's your reaction to her not labeling russia friend or foe to the united states? >> erin, russia has acted as foe to the united states. they attacked us in 2016. attacked us in 2018 elections. they have attacked our allies. as we saw in u.k., they are involved in poisoning in the u.k. they have invaded other countries, such as ukraine. they have interfered directly in opposition, funding opposition in certain countries, they financ financed a coup in the in teg tra. certainly a foe. >> she asked if president putin is playing president trump and play that for you, senator. >> is vladimir putin playing president trump? >> not at all. the president has said in the past that if we can work together to combat world threats on things like north korea, then we should. but the president is also shown that he's been extremely tough on russia throughout his administration. >> you heard her, she says extremely tough. today the trump administration did finally i

joining us now to talk about this and more is democratic senator ben cardin of maryland.ood morning, senator. >> alisyn, good to be with you. thank you. >> good to have you. what's your response, your reaction to what president trump has done in expelling these diplomats? >> well, it was the right thing to do. it's in response to russia's attack in the uk. the u.s. has shown unity with our nato allies, showed that we will stand up against this type of attack by mr. putin. what's disa pointipt appointing dwroet acknowledge -- he hasn't used the authority fully. he hasn't asked our european allies to join us in regards to the attack against america. >> how do you explain this? since people say that this is the most aggressive act against russian diplomats ever, he expelled 60, more than president obama ever did. so how do you explain that disconnect between not acknowledging what the intelligence community says russia did during the election and this act? >> i think the president was forced to move on this because of u.k., prime minister may being so strong about what russi

mark: maryland democratic senator ben cardin said at a minimum, universal background checks and a banstyle weapons are needed. president trump welcomed saudi arabia's crown prince mohammad bin salman to the white house. the president praised the kingdom as a "big purchaser of u.s. armaments." keyng saudi arabia is a partner in the fight against islamic state, and containing

you have senator ben cardin mentioned this yesterday in an interview. >> in the united states, the presidentthe united states has not even acknowledged that russia is a threat against us. and certainly has not taken the necessary steps. what i want to see this administration do is charge all of their agencies with protecting america from mr. putin's attacks. >> why do you think that is, luke? the president has not been shy about criticizing others, certainly. >> that was one of the reasons i wrote my book, "collusion." because, let's face it, he's so rude about everyone on the planet, practically, including theresa may, the british prime minister. and yet the one person he's nice about is vladimir putin. and bear in mind, it's been an extraordinary couple of weeks. in my country, england, we've had a former russian spy, poisoned with nerve agent, with soviet military nerve agent. his daughter also critically ill. a policeman ill as well. and frankly, everyone was looking to donald trump for a tweet saying, i stand with the british people, i criticize vladimir putin, and nothing. it didn't co

mark: maryland democratic senator ben cardin said at a minimum, universal background checks and a ban on assault style weapons are needed. president trump welcomed saudi arabia's crown prince mohammad bin salman to the white house. the president praised the kingdom as a "big purchaser of u.s. armaments." keyng saudi arabia is a partner in the fight against islamic state, and containing iran's influence in the middle east. pres. trump: the relationship was a very, very strange. during the obama administration. as relationship is probably good as it has ever been. i think we will probably only tremendous investments made in our country. that means jobs for our workers. jobs for our people. for: this fight calls advocacy calls for -- to contend saudi arabia's poor human rights records. the president has signaled the u.s. will not seek to impose its values on countries that support american foreign-policy and economic objectives. israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu says the palestinians are "losing it" and "their real face is expose, they do not want peace." comments were an apparen

want to say what a pleasure it is working with you, chairman rubio, and ranking member senator ben cardin. my wife, jill and i, have known marie royce for close to 20 years. what i began my service in the house of representatives, marie is a california native, growing up in the west, she's active in conservation organizations, and initiatives, and i believe she understands the important connection of those programs to international security and the rule of law. i also think her experience in educational and cultural affairs makes her a good fit for this important leadership role. miss royce, a business woman and former professor, has been the ceo on principle of marie royce llc in fullerton, california, since 2016. she has more than 30 years of experience in the private sector with fortune 500 companies, and as a small business owner, creating and launching startups and new initiatives and serving as a key business liaison to 80 countries. as a former educator and full-time university professor, miss royce led an international grant program between two universities. she is a private secto

you look at what is behind the israeli anti- precut asked you see that it's key backer, senator ben cardin of maryland, among his donors top 2017 donors 86% of the individual contributors administer, run or belong to israel organizations. among his top nondemocratic party many of them are self packed which are misleading names but really only invest in israel's lobbying agenda aipac swabbing agenda provided 31% of its campaign contributions. and if we continue down the line we see that members of israel looking at his donors lineup rather than average maryland who are behind cardin with this we got back. there's no popular support for it but the lobby is demanding it and they will be demanding on capitol hill that it will pass and can find americans for them in jail for violating it for 20 years in americans are against it. when advised of the penalties and the fact that even the aclu is fighting against it 69% of americans are against it. so, if it does pass the impact will be hugely consequential and americans collectively will be pledged to defend israeli exports from the legal settleme

take care senator ben cardin. coming up in the next hour controversy surrounding united airlines after this little dog dies because a flight attendant put him in an overhead bin and now this republican senator is demanding action. what does john kennedy want to do? he is here, but first president trump calling for phase ii of his tax cuts. will that help americans and a particular party be number one in november. president trump: we're actually going for a phase ii which will help in addition to middle class , will help companies and it's going to be something i think very special. kevin brady is working on it with me, congress is working, the senate's working and unfortunately on the original we didn't have one democrat vote, which is pretty incredible. and now they're regretting it. ( ♪ ) only tena intimates has pro-skin technology designed to quickly wick away moisture to help maintain your skin's natural balance. for a free sample call 1-877-get-tena. for a free sample we've been preparing for this day. over t

if you look at what is behind the anti- boycott asked you see ben cardin of mario maryland as a top donor, 86% of the individual contributors belong to organizations including howard freedman. many of them invest in israels lobbying agenda and they provided 31% of his campaign contributions, in the top 20. if we continue down the line, we see that members of israel lobby organizations looking at his donor lineup really behind this boycott act. there's no real support for it but the lobby is demanding it. they can find americans up to a million dollars and put them in jail for 20 years for violating it. americans are against it. even the aclu is fighting against it. 69% of americans are against it. if it does pass, the impact will be hugely consequential and the people having to defend israeli israelis. [inaudible] their first amendment rights will be severely curtailed. item number six, provoking confrontations with iran. it is clear that they would like to see america in a major confrontation with iran. [inaudible] there now the champion of confrontation with the iran and they have a can

if you look at what's behind the israel anti-boycott act, you see that its key backer, senator ben cardin of maryland, among his donors, top 20, 2017 donors, 86% of the individual contributors administer, run or belong to israel affinity organizations including howard friedman of apac, among his top non-democratic pac's, many self-pac's which have misleading name and only invest in israel's lobby agenda, provide 31% of his contributions in the top 20, and if we continue down the line we see that members of israel lobby organizations looking at his donor lineup, rather than average marylanders are really behind carden on the anti-israel boycott act. there's no popular support for it, but the lobby is demanding it. they will be amassing on capitol hill, demanding that it can fine up to a million dollars and jail for 20 years for violating it, it's a complex law and americans are against it, but advised of the penalties and the fact that even a.c.l.u. is fighting against it, 69% of americans are against it. so if it does pass, it will be hugely consequential. americans will be pledged to def

senator ben cardin spoke with me about it earlier today.

six months after accepting the cardinal's bribery to resign, benedict the ix is reinstated to be pope. >> sylvester the 3rd is in exile and benn roy ebo both claimed to be pope. >> how does one decide who holds the legacy of st. peter? >> the romans will not have long to figure it out. only one month into benedict the ix. he complicates the matter even further. >> benedict decided he did not want to be pope anymore. he wanted to get married. he handed it over to his god father. he became pope gregory the vi. then the really scandal thing happened, he decided he want it back. gregory the vi says no, i am pope. don't forget about me. so now we have three popes. we have three popes and no one is to declare which one is the most legitimate. >> benedict, sylvester and gregory all fight in the streets of rome over who is the rightful heir to the throne. in the end, benedict ix wins again. >> benedict was pope three times in the end. after benedict's reign sends the church into a tail spin. all this becomes a real problem for the church and you got to sort it out. >> july of 1048, benedict ix is ousted once and for all. the cardinal

cardinals and bishops, and receive little pay. it described nuns cooking, cleaning and waiting tables, but rarely getting a chance to useei intellectual gifts. back in this country, housing secretary ben carson says he's asking to cancel the purchase of a $31,000 dining set for h office. it drew tense criticism this week. in a statement today, carson said: "i was as surprised as anyone to find out that a s $31,000 dini had been ordered." osd, public schools across west virginia remained for a 6th day as teachers stayed on strike. the state house approved a five tercent pay increase last night, but today, the senate voted against considering the bill immediately. still to come on the newshour: russia's boast that its weapons can breach nato defense. a closer look at jared kushner's business dealings. women claim pattern of discrimination at the u.s. forest service, and much more. >> woodruff: president trump promised during the campaign toe get toon trade, and today he took a major step byar announcing newfs on imported steel and aluminum. it has led some experts to warn of a much bigger trade war. but at a meeting with industry leaders, mr. trump said the u.s. needed to crack down on