we've heard senator lisa murkowski say she's disturbed by leader mcconnell's pretrial coordination with white house. do you think murkowski's descent could lead to trial conditions that are more palatable for you and other democrats? >> one with would hope so. one republican senator says she might want to hear the evidence before making up her mind is newsworthy. that's what you would expect every juror in the senate to do. and some were using the reason that they would be a juror as a reason not to comment for the last several months. senator mcconnell on the other hand has basically said he doesn't plan to follow his oath to be impartial under the laws and the constitution. his commitment is to a cover-up. so speaker pelosi, i think, quite rightly said there's no rush here. indeed, the senate did not get the articles formally trns admitted with the managers until the first week of january during the clinton proceeding. there's not really been any delay so far. there say reason to at least think a little bit about whether there will be a fair trial here, or for the first time in americ

the lisa murkowski translator.n you heard senator murkowski say that, you have been on little for a long time, when you see a statement from the senator like that, when she knows that her words go s are going to be watched, what do you take from that? >> she has concern. seller has concern when you hear your majority leader saying he's going to work hand in hand with the white house. you know, facts doesn't matter. what he's going to do is orchestrate the trial with what the white house wants and how they want to do it. that, taking that oath of office that they will have to take shortly. >> do you see it, though, as a crack in republican support of the president in terms of impeachment? or could she be talking about the perception of the procedure? >> well, i think what she's concerned about, and i think she should be concerned about it, as well as every senator, which they would have to look at, is how they will be perceived now and in the future. not only for what takes place right now, but how will history reca

phil mattingly, we should take a look at exactly what lisa murkowski said. it was understated but it was loud and clear all the way from alaska to washington. >> in fairness, when i heard that, i was disturbed. if we are tasked as the full senate to do impartial justice under the constitution and the law, that's the oath that we will swear to uphold at the commencement of this proceeding, then, to me, it means that we have to take that step back, from being hand-in-glove with the defense. and so i heard what leader mcconnell had said. i happen to think that that has further confused the process. >> how circuit is that? >> the defense, i'm not trying to dodge a very good question, but the import of this trial or what's coming next in the trial is the details, right? lisa murkowski is saying she has a problem with what the majority said and how close he appears to be with the white house raises a flag for a lot of us who haven't heard republicans in the house or even moderate republicans in the senate up for reelection have largely kept their powder dry. when

but now lisa murkowski of alaska is telling in anchorage television station she's "disturbed" to hear senate majority mitch mcconnell rally to "total coordination with the white house and the senate trial." i'm julie banderas, lots to break down with you today. here today, katie pavlich, fox news headlines 24/7 reporter carley shimkus, capri cafaro, and in the center seat with fore very first time, fox news correspondent griff jenkins and he is "outnumbered." we will get reaction from everybody on the couch and just a moment. live from west palm beach, florida, near where the president is staying for the holidays. >> good afternoon, julie. president trump is at trump international golf course this afternoon, decided to send out some tweets and thoughts on what he thinks on impeachment, what he just sent out also "the radical left, do nothing democrats wanted to rush everything through the senate because president trump is a threat to national security. they are vicious, will say anything, but now they don't want to go fast anymore. they want to go very slowly. liars." house speaker na

you mentioned lisa murkowski.he was disturbed by the way that senator mcconnell was handling this and perhaps his coordination with the white house. how important is it to at least set the stage in the senate for the rules of the game here as to how this trial is going to go forward? do you think that's the most critical role some of these republicans that are willing to break from their party from time to time will play in all of this? >> being in the united states senate is a high honor. great responsibility. and one of the things we're responsible for is the public's support for our system of government and for respect for the united states senate. and that will fall, if there's not a fair trial and over 70% of the public wants to see witnesses. so i think you'll see republicans rise to the occasion. that's the highest honor most all of them will ever have. and they would not want to besmirch the reputation of the body in which they serve and would like to contribute to its stellar position as a place of respec

and i will tell you lisa murkowski is another one.iven the comments that she's made over the last couple of days, especially criticizing senate majority leader mitch mcconnell who is an important member to watch. she voted against brett kavanaugh and also voted against obamacare. she's a republican that's moderate. and she comes from a state that prizes an independent senator. i will also tell you there are a couple of democrats to be watching. one of them, of course, joe manch manchin, from west virginia, he's one who democrats cannot plan to stay in their caucus when it comes to votes. he's not facing re-election in 2020. but someone to watch, meanwhile, we still don't know when the senate trial is going to begin or how it's going to be structured, ryan. that's because nancy pelosi, the speaker of the house has yet to send over the two articles of impeachment. there's still not a deal for mcconnell and schumer for how to structure the senate trial. >> lauren fox. thank you for that report. >>> let's go south now, president trump has

lisa murkowski telling an anchorage tv station, she was disturbed when mitch mcconnell said the verdict was a done deal. senators are sworn to be impartial jurors. but mcconnell said there was zero chance that the president would be removed from office. >> everything i do, i'm coordinating with white house counsel. there will be no difference between our position and the president's position, on how to handle this. >> here's how senator murkowski responded. >> i was disturbed. it means we have to take that step back from being hand in glove with the defense. any way we move forward, i think it's important that, at a minimum, the process that the senate uses is one that is fair and full. >> now, this doesn't necessarily mean the president is more likely to be removed from office. it will take 20 republican senators for that to happen. but only four republicans are needed to change the rules of the trial process, like, for example, calling witnesses or demanding documents, as the democrats want. >> murkowski is one of several senators to watch. she is among a group of senators that are cr

lisa murkowski is the name everybody is talking about right now. she is sending some signals of clear discomfort with what mcconnell is saying right now. would that lead to her breaking completely with mcconnell and her party and the white house on rules? that's a question. there's also mitt romney. mitt romney, of course, just elected from the state of utah. has a different sort of stature than many of his republican colleagues in the senate. a lot of people think romney has more latitude in terms of breaking with trump on something this momentous. murkowski, romney. you look at that, that's two potential votes right there. who else is being talked about? these four names. you see these four names a lot when it comes to conviction or a question of the rules. collins from maine, gardner from colorado, mcsally from arizona, tillis. all four have to face the voters, collins in a state clinton won, gardner in a state clinton one, mcsally in a state that trump won but barely and tillis in a state that trump won but only by 3 1/2 points. all of them hav

in an interview over the holiday republican senator lisa murkowski criticized mitch mcconnell for vowing to coordinate trump's impeachment trial with the white house. >> when i heard that i was disturbed. if we are tasked as the full senate to do impartial justice under the constitution and the law, then to me it means that we have to take that step back from being hand in glove with the defense. and so i -- i heard what leader mcconnell had said. i happen to think that has further confused the process. >> so lisa murkowski is one of a few key republican senators who could break with her party and actually vote with democrats to at the very minimum set rules that could lay the ground work for a legitimate and fair trial. senate democrats would need only four republicans to vote with them in order to overrule mitch mcconnell and call witnesses that minority leader chuck schumer has proposed among them acting white house chief of staff mulvaney, former national security advisor john bolton just to name a few. as "the new york times" points out, only a handful of defections would force the

alaska senator lisa murkowski says she's disturbed hearing mcconnell is in total coordination with the white house. >> if it means i am viewed as one who looks openly and critically at every issue in front of me rather than acting as a rubber stamp for my party or my president, i'm totally good with that. reporter: a world away from palm beach, florida, syrian forces are attacking the final strongholds in i idlet province. iran is trying to build a stronger relationship with china and russia. as the trump administration restored strict economic sanctions against iran's top exports. the white house says the president spoke with president el-sisi in egypt and discussed the need to end the war in libya before the country is lost to. gregg: nancy pelosi claims to be disturbed that the senate leader would coordinate with the senate leader and the staff. the alaska senator, one of these targeted in recent weeks by never trump erbil kristol, his group. trying to turn murkowski into a yes vote on impeachment. a new report today claims senate republicans think they will be able to pick up one o

and this is what lisa murkowski is concerned about. is mitch mcconnell on his heels at all? >> i think that there is some chance that he's, because, although i agree with cynthia that the independent number is very important to both parties in this election, 65% of republicans think that there have to be witnesses. so he can't afford to lose so many republicans and if 64% want witnesses -- and in his home state amy mcgrath is doing very well, so there is some chance that he could lose his seat if he plays this wrong. so i'm hoping that he will back off a little bit and pay attention to those polls and at least allow a full rendition of the facts. because facts matter and can persuade people. again, you go back to paula duncan, the juror in the manafort trial who said i am a loyal trump supporter and i think this whole investigation is a hoax and a witch hunt, but i heard the evidence in the courtroom and as a juror i was sworn to listen to that, and i voted to convict him on all 18 counts. so there is some chance that even loyal trump supporters will vote for a conviction. >

gop senator lisa murkowski said she was disturbed when she heard his comments.sued the following op-ed. the senate is not a jury and other misconceptions about impeachment. do you agree with byron york's assessment. >> byron is right. this is a qualified legal proceeding. the big news in history, donald trump was impeached, people call that indictment, we try to equate that to the legal system but that is the most significant point that happened and it will be a historic nose on his record. it is not like an indictment which is generally handed down by a grand jury in secret. there was nothing about this process that represented full and fair fundamental due process we expect under the constitution. this is purely political. mcconnell is coordinating with the white house, in the same political party, not a surprise. >> gregory was on cnn and said this about lisa murkowski. take a listen. >> he is going to work hand in hand with the white house, orchestrate the trial with what the white house wants, taking the oath of office. >> during the impeachment inquiry rep

lisa murkowski does not think that should happen. will all lies beyond the the moderates, murkowski, mitt romney, collins? >> none of it matters until nancy pelosi sends the articles. and to the report from rich, they will put forward more articles and vote on more? if i mitch mcconnell i would get myself a nice chase lounge, cigar, and grab some bourbon if you drink and wait for them to do their job and then decide what you are going to do. >> julie: okay, so should they sit back and have their bourbon? i don't know. it sounds like a good idea to me. but i am not elected to anything. lisa murkowski obviously, capri, concerned about total cooperation between the senate and the white house, as she should be. because this should be a political divide here. >> capri: chambers and branches of government. >> julie: but here is debbie dingell on whether the senate trial could turn into a political crisis. i will have you react. >> i would hope that the whole country does not want a circus. the senate certainly can be more sometimes i think

lisa murkowski, she is a potential swing vote. she said she was disturbed by mitch mcconnell's statement that he is in total coordination with the white house and the president's defense team. >> in fairness when i heard that, i was disturbed. to me it means that we have to take that step back. from being hand in glove with the defense. and so i heard what leader mcconnell had said. i happen to think that that has further confused the process. >> murkowski also faulty of house democrats saying they made a mistake not pushing for testimony from bolton and mulvaney. democrats are pushing to get those witnesses at the trial. but they need four republicans to agree. >> it remains unclear when house speaker nancy pelosi will formally send the impeachment articles to the senate. president trump spending his holiday week airing his grievances about the action. claiming the democrats have treated him unfairly insisting that republican leaders in the senate should run a trial however they see fit. joining us now, joe lockhart. he was presi

phil, thank you. >>> taking a look at all of this, as we listen to those comments from lisa murkowski, what's the chance we will see more republicans come out and question, perhaps, how mitch mcconnell is handling this? >> i'm skeptical we'll see a lot of that. this feels to me like when it was in the house and everybody was looking at cracks in the wall for the gop. mitch mcconnell has shown, time and time again, he has very strong control over the senate floor, all of the operations and has done a really good job keeping his senators in line. and i actually think that him working with the white house is more mitch mcconnell telling them how he will work things more than the house telling him how things will work. talking about susan collins in maine, cory gardner in colorado or martha mcsally in chicago. they're in swing states. the only thing that mitch mcconnell cares more about than anything right now is keeping his senate majority. if those three people come to him and say i need witnesses, i need a better process than this, that's the only way i see him blinking on this. otherw

what do you take away from lisa murkowski saying that out loud in an $view? >> it underscores how mitch mcconnell has handled part of president trump's impeachment process. and we heard a little bit of criticism when the focus shifted to the senate. also sort of distanced herself from how mcconnell said he was in total coordination with the white house. but certainly by far lisa murkowski is the plomost explic of the criticism. she was candid about how she saw or how concerning she found president trump's phone call with the ukrainian leader. she's been a wild card for us to watch for some time now. just a little bit about her history, she has a fiercely independent streak. she's not someone prone to arm twisting by senate party leadership. she is someone who lost her republican primary in 2010, was kind of ditched by her own party leadership. but won re-election by the strength of her own campaign. she does have a lot of loyalty to leadership. >> yeah, that was a fascinating race. she won re-election as an independent on a write in. michael, my question to y

>> robert, i want to go back to what we heard from senator lisa murkowski. this is an interview she did with one of our local nbc news affiliates from anchorage and talked about her concern with mitch mcconnell pledging total coordination with the white house. i want to be clear on what she did and did not say here. let me play you a little bit of that. >> i will be asked to raise my hand aaffirm that i will do impartial justice under the constitution and the law so help me god. i think it's my job, i think it's my responsibility to do just that. so for me to prejudge and say there's nothing there, or on the other hand, he should be impeached yesterday, that's wrong. in my view, that's wrong. >> and bob, it's important to note she did say she was not going to prejudge and didn't come close to saying she would vote with democrats on things related to the impeachment process yet, rice right?

when you talk to someone like lisa murkowski, they brought the party of. the big question now, brianna, is about the democrats that were actually in play. when i say in play, this isn't about whether they'll have the votes to remove the president of the united states. nobody thinks they'll have 67 votes to be able to do that. what this is is the fight between chuck schumer we deal wi with. will there be witnesses? will there be documents subpoenaed? if president trump can get this trial, he can probably do everything he can to get the votes. >> people are saying this trial is rigged, that it's a foregone conclusion, and that's okay. as you're watching democrats, is there anybody you're keeping an eye on? >> they think the democrats will automatically fall in line. i think the democrats have issues going on here as well. you have doug jones in alabama facing by far the toughest reelection race in 2020. you have the arizona candidate, and nobody sure where she's going to go. then you have joe mansion, but he's from west virginia and he doesn't really like a

until mitt romney says something publicly, until lisa murkowski gets beyond being concerned r i don't going to see a lot of action within the republican caucus. >> david fromm, i missed this, that's when senator murkowski said in alaska to the nbc affiliate that she wants to be able to look at both sides of this case and that it has to be taken seriously by the senate, really distancing herself at least rhetorically from the mitch mcconnell position. >> how much does lisa murkowski owe mitch mcconnell? she had to run to return to the senate as an independent. her own party turned against her. this conversation we're having tonight is part of what's going on. during the clinton impeachment which we all remember well and maybe we're on different sides of it, but the public became an increasingly important factor. there is no point in the year of the clinton impeachment where president clinton's support dipped below 53%. this is different and that will matter. >> thank you both very much for joining us tonight. and thank you very much for your contributions to this program throughout thi

i mean you don't mess with lisa murkowski. she won a write-in campaign and her name is murkowski. that's pretty hard to do under any circumstances. what that shows she's not beholden to republican leadership and she's showing it now. what i think is striking is that when i was in the white house and we were going through impeachment, the rules package, this is the thing we're talking about now, how they're going to set up the senate trial, that passed unanimously. there was no debate about how the trial was going to proceed and i think people like murkowski, institutionalist, her father was in the senate, they want to see a process where the senators act as impartial jurors and witnesses are heard and she's not happy with how mcconnell is proceeding. >> we're talking about her and the republican side of things, but bob costa a moment ago brought up a good point about the vulnerable potentially democrats who will be having to go through this whole thing as well in the senate, right. people like, for example, senator doug jones of alabama. take us behind the scenes here. you have be

moderate lisa murkowski of alaska.id. >> in fairness, when i heard that, i was disturbed. to me, it means that we have to take that step back from being hand in glove with the defense. any way we move forward, i think it's going to be important that at a minimum, the process that the senate uses is one that is fair and full. >> now, this is getting a ton of pickup and heat. but is it proof of any real daylight between this president and his party? great debate to be had. two former republican congress men, charlie dent and sean duffy. first, merry christmas to you and your families, thank you for being on the show. >> merry christmas. >> charlie, push back on the idea that it means nothing, of course he made a mistake to say he was partial, it's easy to say this process should be fair. but your party is locked in. where is there any proof that that's false? >> i think we should take lisa murkowski at her word. i think she's sending a signal to mitch mcconnell that she wants there to be a negotiated agreement between mc

lisa murkowski criticizing mitch mcconnell saying he would coordinate with the white house. here he is talking to the news station ktuu. >> i will be asked to raise my hand and affirm that i will do impartial justice under the constitution and the law so help me god. i think it is my job, my responsibility, to do just that. so for me to prejudge and say "there is nothing there" or on the other happened, he should be impeached yesterday, that is wrong. in my view, that is wrong. >> now she went on to say she wants a full and fair process. she did not indicate how she would vote on those rules, but if republicans vote with the full caucus, they could decide how the senate carries out the trial and could kill any effort to dismiss it. there is no indication that murkowski or any other senate committees. halle, good morning to you, the president up and about, tweeting as always, what is he saying? >> spending his holiday break here in true donald trump style, right? on twitter, talking about democrats and house speaker nancy pelosi. he is very upset tweeting about the radical le

she's got to be bothered as most of us are including lisa murkowski of alaska, the republican senator by statements made by the majority leader mitch mcconnel and by lindsay graham and others that have clearly shown they're anything, but impartial. if this were a normal trial and they were looked at in the voir dire process they'd be dismissed from jury because they're not impartial. they had to take an oath. >> it's a political trial. >> it's a trial, kate. it's a constitutional trial. they take a second oath to be impartial. why do you think they take that oath? it's not a game. it's not something to be discussed. >> do you believe some of the democratic senators in the senate are impartial? elizabeth warren is going to be impartial? bernie sanders is going to be impartial? >> i believe every senator has an obligation by the constitution to look at the evidence presented and conduct at a fair and impartial trial and arrive at a hopefully fair and impartial verdict. >> let's talk about the process because it is important. you mentioned lisa murkowski and let me play how they ran this

and this is alluding to what lisa murkowski is concerned about. is he on his heels at all here, jill? >> i think that there is some chance that he is because although i agree with cynthia that the independent numbers, very important to both parties in this election. 64% of republicans think that there have to be witnesses. so he can't afford to lose too many republicans. and if 64% want witnesses and in his home state, amy mcgrath is doing very well. so there is some chance that he could lose his seat if he plays this wrong. so i'm hoping that he will back off a little bit and pay attention to those polls. and at least allow a full rendition of the facts because facts matter and can persuade people. again, you go back to paula c duncan, the juror in the manafort trial, who said i am a loyal trump supporter and i think this whole investigation's a hoax and a witch hunt. but i heard the evidence in the courtroom. and as a juror, i was sworn to listen to that and i voted to convict him on all 18 counts. so there is some chance that even loyal trump s

i haven't heard a lot of public statements by democratic senators praising lisa murkowski or criticizing those who have been silent beyond the lindsey grahams and mitch mcconnells who are way out there on the right. >> the main reason is because d.c. is very, very, very quiet right now. >> some of them are out and about for the holidays. >> i believe that's where that interview took place, in her home state. but lawmakers themselves are not walking the halls of congress right now where reporters are going up to them asking them what do you think about what lisa murkowski said. i do believe we'll see many of that when they return and they'll be pressed, also democrats on their views on this. i think you'll hear a lot more about that. >> the joe manchins and whatever. >> right. but donald trump is also not in d.c. right now. the white house is quiet too. >> are you expecting that type of campaign or that type of attack to ramp up in the new year as this thing gets going, as the impeachment process gets going? >> as it keeps going in the senate there will certainly be -- there will be adver

and he was asked about lisa murkowski's comments. less than an hour ago i think this was. here's what he had to say. >> the senator's entitled to her opinion and senator mcconnell is entitled to his. we all see the world from our own bell tower. >> any uneasiness when it comes to leader mcconnell coordinating with the white house? >> let me say it again. every senator is entitled to his own opinion. i'm about halfway through doing my research on rules of impeachment. and so far, as best i can tell, as to the rules of impeachment, there are very few rules. we have some standing rules in the senate. but they can be amended at any time. the constitution is very terse on the subject. and i -- i dare say that just about every senator will approach this differently. >> and that may be true. but, noah, i was talking to a republican earlier today who suggested that murkowski's comments were kind of a trial balloon for some of these moderate democrats. do you think that it provides an opening for some of them to be put more pressure on mitch mcconnell, for example, to allow witness

again that goes back to those swing voters there, that we're watching like lisa murkowski, susan collins, mitt romney. those are the people who have to dissent and have shown a little bit of separation from the republican party. but essentially again, mcconnell saying he'd be willing to set these rules without any democrats on board. >> kristen holmes in west palm beach, thank you so much. let's talk about this now with our experts. mollie ball, when you see the alaska senator lisa murkowski is saying she was disturbed by mitch mcconnell saying he was working in total coordination with the white house, what do you make of that and are we reading too much into it? >> reporter: no, i don't think so, because i think this is the only type of pressure that could potentially make a difference in mcconnell's thinking. i think she relatively impervious to pressure from the democrats. we've seen that over and over again with the dynamic in the senate. but if he has a sense that there are some members of his caucus who are waffling or uncomfortable, particularly if that starts to acquire critical

>> i'm watching lisa murkowski very closely. she may be the first person kind of out there, testing the waters to see if there's room for other republicans to join her. i think we really need to look at that angle. and yes, i think there's a cory gardner, susan collins, i think thom tillis, all of those senators you've mentioned, there's a chance that they will. but they won't go against the president. i think what they will do is hope to bring in some people to testify. i think that's really the angle that we're going with. >> so they can make the argument this was indeed a fair process. jill, you've seen how impeachments have played out in recent history. by the same token, there are moderate democrats, manchin, kyrsten sinema. what is the argument that could make them jump the democratic ship? both sinema and doug jones have law degrees, if that makes a difference. >> i don't think it makes a difference. this is a case where the facts are so overwhelming, if you're paying attention to the facts, you have to draw a conclusion.

nothing in regards to lisa murkowski. does that surprise you? >> i think he is being cautious, very cautious on that. who can blame him? if he can do this right, he can hold murkowski back from an open break. if she breaks openly, it's going to put a lot of pressure on the other senators. rick santorum, he and i can disagree on a lot of things. but i do think tom daschle handled it right back in the clinton impeachment. he was not disloyal to the white house, but he stuck by the idea this was an impartial trial. and at the end of it, at the end of the trial, it was 100-0 among the senators to conduct that trial in a way that pleased both sides. and at the end of the trial, there was a standing ovation from the senators for daschle and for trent lott, the republican leader that they had conducted something that was seen as fair. and that's what i think people are hoping will come out of this process in the next few weeks. >> and that is a perfect place for us to end. we're out of time on this segment, but that would be a lovely thing to see, would

lisa murkowski, susan collins, possibly mitt romney, these are centrists in the republican party. t and the remarks such as murkowski made yesterday will be scrutinized not just as a signal of what one senator might do, but whether there's a block in the middle of all of this that could prove decisive if there's an impasse over witnesses. look, murkowski and collins in particular are two very independent senators. they like to fashion themselves that way. murkowski herself was elected as an independent in election and they reacted well in the last election. susan collins is also up for election in 2020. those two in particular, but mitt romney has also shown a willingness to be quite independent over this, at least in his public remarks. i think, again, that these senators say in the next few weeks will be scrutinized beyond what a normal senator would be because we will be seeing this as an indicator of where the center of the senate in so much as there is some is going to be. >> coming up, more on the politics of impeachment, including what it means for mitt romney, next on "morn

. >> but republican senator lisa murkowski disagrees with that. >> i think it is fair to say that right now there is so much uncertainty. and in fairness, when i heard that i was disturbed. to me, it means that we have to take that step back from being hand in glove with the defense. and so i -- i heard what leader mcconnell had said. i happen to think that that has further confused the process. >> murkowski is disturbed mcconnell said this. >> everything i do during this, i'm coordinating with the white house counsel. there will be no difference between the president's position and our position as to how to handle this. total coordination with the white house counsel's office. >> all right. so, you just heard him say there very clearly total coordination with the white house. it comes as one former republican lawmaker is letting everyone know where he stands on this issue. saying trump is psychologically, morally, intellectually, and emotionally unfit for office, adding we can only hope congress impeaches and removes him so we have a choice between two adults in 2020. joining me now is

senator lisa murkowski of alaska says mitch mcconnell should not be working with the white house to settrial. she told an anchorage tv station that the house impeachment was flawed, but regardless, there should be distance between the white house and the senate. >> i heard what leader mcconnell had said. i happen to think that that has further confused the process. for me to prejudge and say there's nothing there, or on the other hand, he should be impeached yesterday, that's wrong. in my view, that's wrong. >> murkowski's opinion could be important because republicans only have a four-vote majority in the senate. the switch of a few senators could change how the trial is set up or its outcome. >>> the remains of a green beret killed in afghanistan have been returned to the u.s. multiple officials were on hand for the dignified transfer at dover air force base in delaware. sergeant first class michael goebel of new jersey died monday after a roadside bombing. the taliban is claiming responsibility for the attack. goebel was 33. >>> turning now to hong kong. protesters who didn't take ch

key senators you see there from both sides of the aisle includes lisa murkowski from alaska. murkowski is a moderate republican who said she's undecided on how she'll vote on impeachment, and she did voice concerns about her own senate majority leader mitch mcconnell saying he's coordinating with the white house on how to approach impeachment. >> in fairness, when i heard that, i was disturbed. to me it means that we have to take that step back from being hand in glove with the defense. and so i heard what leader mcconnell had said. i happen to think that that has further confused the process. >> and we're back with our panel. you walk those halls every day, you talk to these senators. what are you hearing from them about the cross-current of pressures they're feeling back home? >> i think it's important to state at the top, nobody is expecting the votes to remove the president from office. this fight is about the structure of the trial. the fight you're seeing democratic leader chuck schumer push for right now is to try to lock in witnesses, try to lock in subpoenas for docu

this is by alaska senator lisa murkowski. mr.nell promises "total coordination with the white house." this is a rare dissent in a partly that is largely unified behind president trump. u.s. military officials are preparing for potential election interference from russia. the planes would target senior leadership and russian elites, though likely not president vladimir putin. that is considered too provocative. the intelligence community warns russia will try to meddle in the u.s. election. party's governing likud is holding primaries, the first serious internal challenge to prime minister benjamin netanyahu. this despite the shadow of corruption indictments hanging over him, he remains popular among likud members. over to hong kong, where moralities are being held in the areas shopping malls. protesters say they hope forcing malls and stores to close will attract attention to the cause. on christmas day, police firing tear gas to disperse protesters. two dozen people were hurt. this comes at a bad time for hong kong retailers viv

the bigger question at this point in time when susan collinss is open to witnesses or lisa murkowski,l they vote with democrats, that we'll have to wait and see on. >> doug, susan collins said she's open to having witnesses. she didn't name any names. is phil right that this is just for the crowd back home and when it comes down to it she'll vote the way mitch mcconnell and the way republicans in the senate vote. >> i would say that is a cynical view but not necessarily a wrong view. certainly if you look at what happened with the kavanaugh hearing and ultimately with the vote, that is the impression that a lot of voters in her state got. i think it is right as a republican, i think we should hear from more witnesses and presumably hunter biden is not one of the witnesses to talk about. but we've gotten fast and far and maybe we've gotten too fast and too far and too soon and maybe we could have getten witnesses from the administration and more information as to whether or not we've got impeachable offenses here or not. >> and what is this about, paul, is whether or not, since senate

blake: what do you make of the comments from lisa murkowski?senator alaska, she is disturbed mitch mcconnell will be juror in impeachment trial is quote, unquote total coordination with the white house? >> i think first thing that is interesting is none of this will matter at all if speaker pell lows doesn't send over articles of impeachment never before in the history of the country has the house impeached the president and house speaker held on to the articles, deciding at her whim when she will send articles over. leave it to the left-wing media to pull out one little thing in her interview, most of that interview she talked about the poor rules in the house and how the house handled their unfair process. if you want to talk about fairness, the house process was anything but fair. the reports, the reports that i read show that mcconnell and schumer were going to agree to the clinton rules that they used in the clinton impeachment. schumer wasn't willing to agree to that. blake: you bring up the clinton rules. congresswoman debbie dingell, de

when you have the statements like we had on christmas eve from lisa murkowski, that does start to makehings difficult for him. i have found it interesting that in the days since mcconnell has not really done anything to criticize her publicly, even though her criticism of the way that the process is coming together was directed absolutely straight at her leader, at mcconnell, saying that this should not -- the senate should not be a rubber-stamp, she doesn't want to take part in a process that looks like it is being run fairly and giving the defend in this case, the president, a chance to make his case, but also to give the case itself a good hearing. and that's a reflection of her independent streak but also the fact that she has been willing in the past to buck her party, and mcconnell has to know that, and has to know that he has to give people like murkowski, like romney, a little bit of elbow room. >> senator blumenthal suggested some republicans might not support the way it's going. do you think that's plausible? >> it seems like a little on the high end. there certainly are five

the latest, one of the republican senators who may be on the fence, lisa murkowski of alaska is voicinger concern with majority leader mitch mcconnell's coordination with the white house over the upcoming impeachment trial. in an interview, murkowski said and in fairness, when i heard that, i was disturbed. to me, it means we have to take a step pack from being hand in glove with the defense. so i heard what leader mcconnell had said. i happen to think that has further confused the process. murkowski also criticizing house democrats, saying that their impeachment process was rushed and incomplete. and before a senate trial can happen, house speaker nancy pelosi has to send over the articles of impeachment to the senate. she did address that in her dear colleague letter that was dated on the 21st, writing, this week the house solemnly honored our oath of office bypassing the articles of impeachment. it now remains for the senate to present the rules under which we will proceed. we can then appoint managers. the vote was overwhelming and inspiring and the number of people who want to be m

derate alaska republican senator lisa murkowski, qumoote disturbed by senate majority leader mitch mcconnell saying he's in lock-step with president trump and the white house counsel. at the same time, president trump continuing his christmas day twitterstorm, insisting the whole thing is a scam. abc's rachel scott is in florida with the president. >> reporter: tonight, a potential crack in the president's wall of republican support. >> when i heard that, i was disturbed. >> reporter: moderate republican senator lisa murkowski of alaska is reacting in an interview with ktuu to majority leader n otal with the white house during the senate trial to come. >> to me, it means that we have to take that step back from being hand in glove with the defense. >> reporter: murkowski is one of several lawmakers under the microscope. when congress returns from the holiday recess, all eyes will be on a group of centrist senators, including republicans susan collins and mitt romney. but also democrats doug jones and joe manchin, red state senators who may feel pressure to vote against an impeachment convict

folks like mitt romney and lisa murkowski and susan collins and the whole list, martha mcsally, you know, cory gardener they have an opportunity in this moment to be remembered for the infinity, the history of our country as the people who stood up, spoke up and did what's right. that's what we're hoping for. >> all right, jennifer horn, irvin, shannon pettypiece, thank you for being with us. >>> and coming up prosecutors probe into the origins of the russia investigation is setting up a potentially toxic confrontation between the justice department and intelligence community. cia director gena hasical right in the eye of it brewing storm. plus who's winning the democratic race for president? normally you'd check out the polls. what if there aren't any? i'm going to take you through that and irregularities in new voting machines. we have an exclusive report on that coming up. stay with us. exclusive report n that coming up ay with us [farmers bell] (burke) at farmers insurance, we've seen almost everything, so we know how to cover almost anything. even a "three-ring fender bender." (clow

lisa murkowski facing pushback after saying she's disturbed by mitch mcconnell's bow to move in coordination with the white house in a senate impeachment trial. >> the fact of the matter here is that the houses job is done and the idea that they should have any say in how a senate conducts this trial is not supported by what is written in black-and-white in the constitution. >> lisa: this is "outnumbered," i'm lisa boothe. here today, carley shimkus, kat timpf, host of "sincerely kat." fox news contributor jessica tarlov and here in the center seat today, david has been. david, you my friend, are "outnumbered." looking forward to hearing what you have to say about a bunch of stuff, rich edson's live in west palm beach, florida, where president trump is spending the holidays. rich? >> this is florida whether, in case you can't tell. the president is a short while from here, where they are experiencing -- earlier today, he's been going back and forth with house speaker nancy pelosi, really focusing on her impeachment charge in the house. the speaker has now responded, she tweeted earlier today