Bloomberg This Weekend — Shots Fired at WHCD

[0:01] Welcome to Bloomberg This Weekend. It is Sunday, April the 26th. I'm David Gura. [0:09] I'm Christina Ruffini. We are here along with Lisa Matteo. [0:11] And we're coming to you live from Washington, D.C. in our studio here where we're following breaking news this morning. [0:17] A suspect is under arrest after shots were fired last night at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. [0:22] The president and his cabinet are unhurt. [0:24] We got an update from the president shortly after this. [0:26] Christina, Lisa, we heard from him talking about his understanding of what had happened. [0:30] The suspect has been arrested, but there was such a yawning period of confusion after this happened, both within the ballroom and after we were. [0:36] It really was. So we were all at the dinner, and most of the Bloomberg Correspondents who you're going to hear from today were all at the dinner. [0:42] The story is not about us, but it's relevant, so that's why we're bringing it up. [0:45] But as you were just saying, David, we were in different places. [0:48] And, Lisa, you guys were evacuated, and I and Jeff Mason were stuck on the floor for quite a while with no information. [0:54] Yeah, and I think the amazing thing was just seeing the different responses from people, like whether it was fear, [1:00] or whether it was confusion, some people ducking under tables. [1:02] You know, people weren't sure. It was just a lot of confusion, a lot of chaos all at once. [1:06] And then after quite a prolonged period of time, I would say at least an hour, [1:10] Weijang, who's the president of the Correspondent Association, said, [1:13] Stand by, we're going to resume. [1:14] And we were at the table with White House personnel who were hearing on their phones that the president wanted to restart the event. [1:20] They wanted to have the dinner. [1:21] I think security and logistically, it was an act of crime scene that just wasn't possible. [1:25] So the president went back to the White House and had a press conference, [1:28] and we're going to play some of that for you here in a bit. [1:29] But first, Lisa, you want to kick us off with the headlines? [1:34] I apologize. I apologize. [1:36] We've got a, okay, we're waiting for something to push. [1:41] We've had some breaking news here this morning, so stand by just a bit. [1:43] We're going to play some of those clips for you. [1:45] We should have them shortly. [1:47] Let's talk a bit about just the scene itself. [1:49] So this is a president who has in the past avoided going to this dinner. [1:51] He has declined invitations to attend this dinner in the past. [1:54] This is the first time that President Trump agreed to do so. [1:56] The dinner took place at the Washington Hilton in northwest Washington in a very large ballroom. [2:02] It is the biggest ballroom in Washington, D.C. [2:06] It has been for years. [2:07] That's why the dinner is there, because it is such a popular ticket. [2:10] The capacity is huge. [2:11] I think it's just over 1,000 people. [2:13] It is a coveted ticket. [2:14] And over the years, I've been going to this dinner on and off for the last decade, [2:17] they've added more and more tables. [2:19] And I don't know if you noticed, when you sit down and the chairs are pulled out, [2:23] you actually can't move between the tables. [2:25] It's not safe passage. [2:26] And that's something I've always noticed, and a lot of us have always noticed, [2:30] if there were an emergency, how would you evacuate that room? [2:33] Because you really can't. [2:34] And we were on the floor. [2:35] You could see the Secret Service trying to evacuate the Cabinet members. [2:38] And we're going to play that video here shortly. [2:40] In order to get to them, they were literally tossing chairs. [2:43] Oh, we've got it right now. [2:43] So we're going to catch you up to date. [2:44] As the president was having his mind read by the evening's entertainment, [2:49] several thuds could be heard in the ballroom. [2:53] Initially, neither the president nor the guests took much notice. [2:57] Then, a column of security, Secret Service, and tactical teams swarmed the ballroom. [3:04] The vice president and president were quickly whisked offstage, [3:07] followed by the president of the White House Press Corps, Weijia Zhang. [3:10] Secret Service jumped tables and flipped chairs to rush Cabinet members, [3:14] including Stephen Miller and a pregnant Katie Miller, at a side door. [3:18] The Speaker of the House was rushed through the lobby. [3:23] Cabinet secretaries were extracted from their tables, [3:26] while ambassadors, VIPs, and guests sheltered under them. [3:29] Journalists ducked for cover while trying to record on their phones. [3:32] Guests who weren't evacuated were asked to wait. [3:35] But with an active crime scene just outside the ballroom door, [3:38] the president instead called a press conference at the White House. [3:41] Can you describe what was going through your mind, how you were feeling in that moment? [3:48] That's a very good question, actually. [3:49] It was — it's always shocking when something like this happens. [3:53] Happened to me a little bit. [3:55] And that never changes. [3:58] The fact, we were sitting right next to each other, the first lady on my right, [4:02] and I heard a noise and sort of thought it was a tray. [4:07] I thought it was a tray going down. [4:10] You know, I've heard that many times, and it was pretty loud noise. [4:13] And it was from quite far away. [4:15] He hadn't breached the area at all. [4:18] They really got him. [4:19] But — so it was quite far away. [4:21] But it was a gun. [4:23] And some people really understood that pretty quickly. [4:27] Other people didn't. [4:28] I was watching to see what was happening. [4:31] Probably should have gone down even faster. [4:33] Back at the Hilton, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, [4:37] mayor of D.C. and chief of police held a press conference. [4:40] I'm not exactly 100% familiar with this building. [4:42] I do know in this incident tonight, I know there was a security plan [4:45] that was developed by the Secret Service that the Metropolitan Police Department [4:48] assisted with. [4:49] And I know that security plan did work this evening. [4:51] Leaving many unanswered questions, an empty ballroom, [4:55] and visibly shaken staff left to clean up the mess. [5:00] Joining us now are Bloomberg's Eric Martin, who covers the State Department, [5:04] and Jeff Mason, Bloomberg's White House correspondent. [5:07] Jeff, you are also a former head of the White House Correspondents Association. [5:11] You have planned this dinner. [5:12] And when we were talking while the piece was rolling, [5:14] you were very adeptly correcting me. [5:16] I thought capacity was like 1,200 in that room, [5:18] but you were telling me it's much more than that. [5:19] It's more than twice that. [5:20] It's about 2,600, and as you said, it's a room full of journalists, [5:25] of course, members of the White House Correspondents Association, [5:28] their sources, government officials. [5:30] And last night was especially newsy before all of this happened [5:34] because President Trump was coming for the first time [5:37] and hadn't come during any of the years that he was president [5:39] during his first term, [5:41] and this is the first time he's come during his second term. [5:43] He's been, of course, before as a guest, [5:45] I believe in 2011 when President Obama was in office. [5:49] Jeff, talk about the effort that goes into planning this event. [5:53] You mentioned you were the president of that association. [5:55] My understanding is that's like a second full-time job to have to do all this. [5:57] This is the marquee event that you have to be working toward. [6:00] And I think a question that a lot of folks have is [6:02] what is it like to have this event at that hotel to secure it? [6:06] Was anything different about the way that the hotel was secured last night [6:09] compared to what you've seen in years past [6:10] and certainly when you were running the association? [6:12] Well, I can tell you, number one, in terms of the planning, [6:14] it takes months and the ballroom itself, the space, [6:19] is booked more than a year in advance. [6:21] So it was interesting to me that the president said last night [6:24] he wanted it to be rescheduled within 30 days. [6:27] I mean, just from a purely logistical level, [6:29] I don't know how easy that would be [6:31] given that that type of thing requires way advanced booking. [6:35] To your question about security, David, [6:38] I didn't notice anything different last night [6:39] other than to get into the hotel I had to show [6:44] and I bet you guys had to show [6:45] just a ticket outside on the street, [6:49] which was, that was a little bit... [6:50] I haven't had that happen in years past, though. [6:52] It's like any security situation, [6:53] it's only as strong as the person at the checkpoint, [6:56] so it can vary depending on how strict they're being. [6:59] But I have had in various years, [7:00] sometimes they make you show a ticket on the street [7:02] and sometimes not so much. [7:04] That's right. [7:04] But the key point in terms of security [7:06] is there's not a magnetometer available or necessary [7:10] until the ballroom floor. [7:12] So the floors above that, [7:14] not just including the guest room floors, [7:16] but the couple floors below or right above that [7:19] where there are receptions that people can go to [7:22] and do go to, are unsecure. [7:24] And that, I think, is going to be a question [7:26] for law enforcement authorities [7:28] as to how secure this whole space was [7:31] and is up until that point [7:34] where you go through the magnetometers [7:36] to go into the ballroom. [7:37] Eric, I want to ask you, [7:38] because you were there with us all evening, [7:40] we played that clip of the president, [7:41] and Jeff and I were talking about this as well. [7:43] It doesn't look like he either [7:45] doesn't register the noise or just... [7:48] It was a very... [7:48] I mean, David, you were there. [7:49] It was a very loud room. [7:50] I don't know what you guys heard, [7:51] but in hindsight, I figured out what it was, [7:55] but in the moment, it wasn't clear what it was. [7:58] And I'm wondering what the people around you [7:59] thought it was, [8:00] or if you, like most of my table, [8:02] didn't know this was happening [8:03] until we saw a phalanx of security [8:05] streaming down that one open center aisle, [8:07] and then the guns came out [8:08] and everybody got down. [8:09] So our table was in the outer ring [8:11] of the ballroom, [8:13] closest to where these shots rang out. [8:16] Okay. [8:17] And so we were just sitting there, [8:19] actually with our back to, [8:20] with my back to the stage, [8:21] the way the seating arrangement was, [8:22] a circular table, [8:24] and pouring a glass of wine, [8:26] having a salad, [8:27] and then suddenly out of nowhere, [8:28] I heard this pop, pop, pop, [8:29] like four successive, very quick sounds. [8:32] And there was kind of a... [8:35] Did you stop? [8:36] Like, was it loud enough [8:36] where you were that people, like, stopped? [8:38] Absolutely. [8:39] Everyone was, [8:40] I think everyone around us, [8:41] around me, [8:41] was wondering what that sound was. [8:44] And then there was kind of a group reaction. [8:47] I mean, that's almost like [8:48] a wave at a baseball park [8:49] when you see everybody else, [8:51] in that case, rising. [8:52] In this case, [8:53] everybody else was diving. [8:54] People were getting under tables. [8:56] We heard someone shout, [8:57] get down. [8:58] And so everyone just threw themselves [8:59] on the ground. [9:00] And, of course, [9:02] in this context and understanding, [9:04] you have the president, [9:05] the vice president, [9:06] basically the entire cabinet [9:07] at this event. [9:09] In that context, [9:10] certainly the first few seconds [9:12] it occurred to me, at least, [9:14] that this could be a target [9:15] for an attack. [9:16] I was terrified. [9:17] I was... [9:18] I thought about... [9:19] Also, when the secret service agents [9:21] burst through the door, [9:23] it wasn't apparent to me, at least, [9:24] whether it was an outside security response [9:28] to protect us [9:29] or an attack happening. [9:31] And so you wonder about [9:32] with the strength of automatic weapons [9:36] and things, [9:37] you're wondering, [9:37] is somebody, you know, [9:38] straying the ballroom with bullets? [9:40] What is going on? [9:42] Absolutely terrifying. [9:43] I might have my heart in my throat [9:45] for a few seconds [9:46] until we heard that the sound went down [9:50] and then you heard the security personnel [9:51] evacuating people. [9:52] I just want to echo what Eric's saying. [9:53] I was seated near him [9:54] and there was this huge well [9:56] where a lot of tables were. [9:56] You both included [9:57] and we were on this kind of [9:58] outer perimeter circumference [9:59] of the room, [10:00] closer to that noise. [10:01] And I think, Jeff, [10:03] what was striking to me [10:04] was kind of the quiet [10:05] that emerged after that happened. [10:06] And there was a very long period [10:07] where we were kind of all awaiting [10:08] instruction on what we should do [10:10] in the moments that followed. [10:12] And there really wasn't an announcement [10:13] for 10, 15 minutes [10:14] until we, I think, [10:15] on that outer rim, [10:16] were told that we had to leave [10:17] the place entirely. [10:17] And then there was this kind of [10:18] strange dichotomy. [10:19] You two both remained in the room [10:20] and others left. [10:21] We had no information [10:21] and the phones were not working. [10:22] At one point, [10:23] like they were not working [10:24] and, you know, [10:25] protocol is to jam signals [10:26] and stuff like this. [10:27] I don't know if this happened or not. [10:28] And then this always happens [10:29] in any crush of people. [10:31] There's just not enough bandwidth [10:31] in people. [10:32] But we were getting no information. [10:33] I didn't know you guys had left. [10:35] And we were all just kind of [10:36] looking around. [10:37] The other question, Jeff, [10:38] is there were so many [10:39] cabinet members there. [10:41] Who was a designated survivor? [10:42] Do we know? [10:43] I don't know the answer to that. [10:44] But I do think, [10:45] to your point, David, [10:46] and to what both of you are saying, [10:48] the information sort of [10:49] depended a little bit [10:50] based on where you were [10:51] or the signals [10:52] and the instructions [10:52] depended a little bit [10:53] on where you were. [10:54] Where I was, [10:55] there were no instructions. [10:56] I could also hear [10:57] those popping sounds. [10:59] And everyone at my table [11:00] also went straight down [11:02] underneath [11:03] and stayed there for a while. [11:04] But my own feeling was like, [11:07] okay, [11:07] so what are we supposed to do? [11:08] Because when you started [11:09] to hear any sounds [11:12] or words from people, [11:13] one of them, [11:13] I know that you had [11:14] in your video, Christina, [11:15] was of some people [11:16] shouting, [11:17] USA, USA. [11:18] My initial thought [11:19] at that point [11:21] was a negative one [11:22] that whoever was shouting [11:23] that might be a gunman [11:24] himself or herself [11:26] coming through. [11:27] So there just wasn't much [11:29] that you could tell [11:29] when you were underneath [11:31] the table [11:31] and listening for instructions [11:33] as to whether to stay, [11:34] whether to go, [11:35] whether to evacuate, [11:36] whether to wait. [11:37] And that played out [11:38] up on the stage as well. [11:40] The president, [11:40] the vice president [11:41] were evacuated, [11:42] but I know that [11:42] some members of the board [11:43] of the White House [11:44] Correspondents Association [11:45] who were seated [11:46] on the dais [11:47] were told not to move [11:48] until the principles [11:49] were secured. [11:51] With the USA, [11:52] Eric, to your point, [11:53] I was next to someone [11:54] who was shouting [11:55] USA, USA. [11:55] So I knew who it was [11:57] and I knew it was [11:57] an administration official. [11:59] That's interesting. [12:00] Of course, [12:00] then you would have known that. [12:01] So I mean, [12:02] I did turn to them [12:03] and say, [12:03] they need to clear the room, [12:04] you need to be quiet. [12:05] And they did. [12:07] But I heard from you [12:08] and from others, [12:09] especially those [12:10] who had been at January 6th [12:11] or those who had been [12:12] at events like that, [12:14] that that was the scariest part [12:15] to your point [12:16] because it was very unclear [12:17] if the threat was coming [12:18] from outside [12:18] or inside the ballroom [12:19] and because there was [12:20] no instruction [12:21] and really never was [12:22] security wise for us, [12:23] not a lot, [12:25] that that was one [12:26] of the more terrifying moments, [12:27] especially for people [12:28] who've covered January 6th [12:29] and other things like that [12:29] is where is this coming from [12:31] and are they already [12:31] in the room? [12:32] And we heard these, [12:33] the doors burst open. [12:34] And when you take a moment [12:36] to reflect, [12:37] you realize that probably [12:38] given how secure [12:39] the ballroom itself was, [12:42] that it would have been [12:42] very hard for somebody [12:43] to get through those doors. [12:44] But in the moment, [12:45] it was very unclear. [12:47] It was just a lot of noise. [12:48] Everyone was down. [12:49] I saw a few colleagues, [12:51] particularly photographers, [12:52] who have perhaps been [12:53] in this kind of hostile [12:54] environment before, [12:55] standing up and taking photos [12:57] to document what was going on. [12:58] I think for many of us, [12:59] it was just a survival [13:02] and self-preservation instinct. [13:03] I know it was not, [13:04] I had someone ask me, [13:05] were people screaming, [13:06] were people shouting? [13:07] I said, no, [13:07] it was quite organized. [13:08] People were being very cautious [13:13] and trying not to spread panic, [13:15] but I think just trying [13:16] to get down [13:17] and to listen for instructions. [13:19] Obviously, [13:20] the fact that the shooter [13:22] was able to gain access [13:23] to the hotel [13:24] or to the space at all [13:26] is concerning, [13:27] and I'm sure it's something [13:28] that security, [13:30] secret service, [13:31] police, [13:31] FBI will be reviewing. [13:32] In a certain way, [13:34] as President Trump said, [13:35] the secret service performed, [13:38] I mean, [13:38] they performed valiantly. [13:39] They kept everyone [13:40] in the ballroom safe. [13:42] No one in the ballroom [13:42] was injured or killed, [13:45] and so that part [13:46] of the security plan [13:47] to secure the ballroom worked, [13:49] but obviously extremely concerning [13:50] that someone could get as close [13:52] as this individual [13:53] apparently did [13:55] to all of the activity, [13:56] to the cabinet, [13:57] to thousands of people. [13:58] This could have turned out [13:59] far worse than it did. [14:01] Jeff, pick up on something [14:02] that Eric said. [14:03] I was in the lobby waiting [14:04] after we'd been taken [14:05] out of the ballroom. [14:05] I noticed there are just [14:06] regular guests at the hotel [14:07] there as well. [14:09] Explain, [14:10] clarify that for us as well. [14:11] It's not like the White House [14:12] Correspondents Association [14:13] buys out the hotel [14:14] for the night. [14:14] It is very much a hotel [14:15] where other visitors [14:17] to Washington are staying. [14:18] So to Eric's point, [14:18] a huge challenge here [14:19] must be having that level [14:21] of separation between [14:22] regular guests at the hotel [14:23] and those who are attending. [14:24] There was actually a woman [14:24] with her hair in a towel [14:25] and slippers [14:25] as several of the people [14:27] were coming in the door. [14:27] Yeah, [14:28] because she's looking for a key. [14:29] I have no doubt. [14:30] It's a hotel in central D.C. [14:31] for our listeners [14:32] who are listening [14:33] from outside of this town. [14:35] It's a storied hotel [14:36] in that it is also the hotel [14:38] where President Reagan [14:39] was shot. [14:40] Back in 81. [14:40] Back in 81. [14:41] Sometimes it's referred to [14:42] as the Hinkley Hilton [14:43] because of the salient [14:45] at that time. [14:46] But that's also [14:46] an important point [14:47] because the security measures [14:49] for a president, [14:50] any president, [14:51] at that hotel [14:52] are particularly high. [14:54] The year that I was [14:55] the president [14:56] of the White House [14:56] Correspondents Association, [14:58] President Trump didn't come, [14:59] but we were in the area [15:00] backstage and in a waiting room, [15:03] I got to see [15:04] where there's a special entrance [15:05] that was created [15:06] for presidents [15:07] to come through [15:08] that is secure. [15:10] And that entrance [15:11] was created [15:11] after the Reagan shooting. [15:13] So there's a special area. [15:15] That's one reason [15:15] why the association [15:17] continues to have [15:18] its dinner there every year. [15:19] It's number one [15:20] because of the security protocols [15:22] and number two [15:23] because of that large space. [15:24] There's also, [15:25] that is the reason [15:26] when we have [15:26] the White House pool system [15:28] is because of that shooting [15:30] because when Reagan was shot, [15:32] there were not [15:33] all the cameras there. [15:34] It used to not be, [15:35] you know, [15:35] we all travel with the president, [15:36] we take turns. [15:37] That used to not exist. [15:38] When Reagan was shot, [15:39] not everyone was there. [15:40] So after that, [15:41] all the networks [15:42] wanted to follow [15:42] the president all the time [15:43] and it became overwhelming. [15:45] Jeff, check me if I'm wrong. [15:46] It became overwhelming [15:46] for the president [15:47] to kind of manage [15:48] and so they worked out [15:49] this deal, [15:50] this like pool rotation system. [15:51] But that, [15:52] my understanding, [15:52] is the precipitating incident. [15:53] I think it goes back [15:55] a little earlier than that [15:56] but certainly that was [15:57] an example of a time [15:59] when the pool was there. [16:01] I mean, [16:01] one piece of the pool [16:03] of responsibility [16:03] is just to be there [16:04] in case something like this, [16:06] God forbid, [16:06] ever happens again. [16:08] Jeff, [16:08] very quickly here, [16:09] there was a lot of resonance [16:09] to what's happened [16:10] in years past. [16:11] Butler came up [16:12] during that briefing [16:12] that the president gave yesterday. [16:13] Talk a bit about that. [16:15] It's something that I, [16:16] perhaps we all thought of [16:16] in that moment [16:17] that this is a president [16:18] who has lived through [16:18] something like this before. [16:20] Sure. [16:21] I would say a couple of things. [16:22] Number one, [16:22] we don't know the motive [16:23] of the shooter yet. [16:24] I mean, [16:25] it's possible that he was there [16:26] wanting to shoot [16:27] the president of the United States. [16:29] It's also possible [16:29] that he knew [16:30] it was a room full of journalists [16:31] and wanted to take on that crowd. [16:33] We just don't know. [16:34] But it's absolutely spot on [16:36] to say that [16:36] this president [16:37] has faced [16:38] a couple assassination attempts [16:40] since the campaign [16:42] and that one being, [16:43] of course, [16:43] the biggest one [16:44] in Butler [16:44] where two other people [16:46] were shot and killed [16:47] and he was injured [16:48] on one of his ears. [16:50] Then there was someone [16:50] who was apprehended [16:51] at his Mar-a-Lago estate [16:53] in, [16:54] no, [16:54] at his golf course, [16:55] rather, [16:55] in Florida. [16:57] And he was asked [16:58] about that last night [16:58] and he used that question [17:00] to say that he felt [17:02] that he was targeted [17:03] because of the impact [17:04] of his presidency [17:05] and the things [17:06] that he was doing. [17:07] He also talked about [17:08] the need [17:08] for a White House ballroom. [17:10] So he brought politics [17:11] into that very extraordinary [17:13] press conference last night [17:15] that he held [17:15] after this shooting. [17:17] Guys, we're going to come back. [17:18] I know over the course [17:19] of the next few hours, [17:19] Jeff Mason, [17:20] Eric Martin, [17:20] thank you both [17:21] for joining us [17:21] on the heels [17:21] of this event [17:22] last night [17:23] in Washington, D.C. [17:24] coming up here [17:24] on Bloomberg this weekend. [17:26] What else do we know [17:26] about that suspect [17:27] set to appear in court [17:28] on Monday [17:29] facing federal charges [17:30] brought here [17:31] in Washington, D.C.? [17:32] We're going to get [17:32] into that straight ahead [17:33] on Bloomberg this weekend [17:34] on Bloomberg Radio, [17:35] Bloomberg Television, [17:36] Bloomberg.com, [17:37] and the Bloomberg Business app. [17:38] Stay with us. [17:39] Thanks for joining us [17:59] live on Bloomberg this weekend. [18:00] I'm Lisa Mateo. [18:01] Let's get you up to date [18:01] on today's top stories [18:03] and the investigation [18:03] continues [18:04] after an alleged gunman [18:05] opened fire [18:06] at the White House [18:07] Correspondents' Dinner [18:08] in Washington, D.C. [18:09] last night [18:09] forcing President Donald Trump [18:11] to be rushed from the stage [18:12] and the event [18:13] to be postponed. [18:14] Now, authorities say [18:15] Cole Thomas Allen [18:16] of California, [18:17] he was a guest at the hotel. [18:18] He's being charged [18:19] with using a firearm [18:20] in a crime of violence [18:21] and assaulting a federal officer [18:23] with a dangerous weapon. [18:25] Jeffrey Carroll, [18:26] Metropolitan Police Department [18:27] Interim Chief, [18:28] described the scene. [18:29] We know the individual [18:30] charged the checkpoint [18:31] with a firearm in his hand. [18:33] We know he was running [18:34] in the direction [18:34] of the ballroom [18:35] that the president was in [18:36] as well as other [18:37] cabinet members. [18:38] So, what his specific [18:39] motivation was, [18:40] we can't say at this point. [18:43] Now, despite the chaos, [18:44] President Trump says [18:44] the event will return. [18:46] We'll do it again [18:47] within the next 30 days [18:49] and we'll make it [18:50] bigger and better [18:51] and even nicer. [18:55] In other news, [18:56] a planned trip to Pakistan [18:57] by President Trump's [18:58] top envoys [18:59] has been canceled. [19:00] The president on Saturday, [19:01] he told his son-in-law, [19:02] Jared Kushner, [19:03] and special envoy, [19:04] Steve Whitcoff, [19:04] to skip the trip, [19:06] adding in a social media post [19:07] that there's been [19:08] too much time wasted [19:09] on traveling. [19:10] Now, meanwhile, [19:11] Iran's top diplomat [19:12] left Islamabad ahead [19:13] of the planned arrival [19:14] of the U.S. envoys. [19:16] Foreign Minister [19:17] Abbas Arajci [19:17] met with mediators [19:19] in Pakistan, [19:19] calling his visit [19:20] quote, [19:21] very fruitful, [19:22] but said Iran [19:23] has yet to see [19:24] if the U.S. [19:24] is truly serious [19:25] about diplomacy. [19:27] Prasina and David. [19:28] Lisa, thank you very much. [19:29] Well, the suspects [19:30] in last night's shooting [19:31] has been identified [19:31] as 31-year-old Cole Allen. [19:33] According to reports, [19:34] he traveled across the country [19:35] from Southern California [19:36] to that dinner [19:37] to target Trump [19:38] administration officials. [19:39] Bloomberg's Jeff Mason [19:40] is back with us [19:41] along with Elliot Williams. [19:42] He's a CNN legal analyst [19:43] and former federal prosecutor. [19:45] He's also the author [19:46] of a new book, [19:47] Five Bullets, [19:48] chronicling one of [19:49] New York City's [19:49] most infamous shooting. [19:51] Thank you guys both [19:51] so much for joining us. [19:53] Elliot, I want to ask you, [19:55] at the moment, [19:56] this individual, [19:56] as far as we know, [19:57] is only charged [19:58] with gun-related charges. [20:00] Are we expecting [20:01] that will be upgraded [20:02] as the facts become clear? [20:05] How does this work? [20:05] I would think [20:06] it would be upgraded [20:07] if more facts come out [20:09] that give a sense [20:10] as to why the shooting [20:11] took place. [20:11] Now, if you notice, [20:12] the two crimes, [20:13] Prasina, that they've identified [20:14] really are quite specific [20:16] to just simply having a firearm, [20:17] assaulting a federal officer, [20:19] you know, [20:19] someone goes after an officer, [20:20] but also using a firearm [20:22] in the commission [20:23] of a crime of violence. [20:24] Those are two things [20:24] that are obvious [20:25] to anybody that's on the video. [20:26] Right now, [20:26] no one knows [20:27] if he attempted [20:28] to kill the president legally. [20:29] No one knows [20:30] who he went there [20:32] to kill or assault. [20:33] And until you know [20:34] that information, [20:34] you can't really charge him [20:35] with those things. [20:36] There are federal crimes [20:37] for attempting to kill [20:38] a president of the United States, [20:40] a vice president, [20:41] a member of Congress. [20:42] None of that has come out yet. [20:43] Give us some sense [20:44] of what's happening [20:44] at this point in time. [20:46] So we heard from Kash Patel, [20:47] the head of the FBI, [20:47] we heard from the acting [20:48] attorney general [20:48] last night as well, [20:50] talking a bit about [20:51] the contours [20:51] of this investigation. [20:53] What's happening [20:53] behind the scenes [20:54] and what is that interface [20:55] like between main justice, [20:57] U.S. Attorney Janine Pirro's office, [20:58] and the FBI as well? [20:59] Right. [21:00] Certainly the FBI [21:01] would be leading [21:02] any investigation here [21:03] because, [21:04] and the Secret Service too, [21:05] for a few reasons. [21:06] FBI handles [21:07] general violent crime [21:10] at a federal level, [21:11] but also acts of terrorism. [21:12] And if there is [21:13] some terrorist nexus, [21:14] that would make it squarely [21:16] within the FBI's purview. [21:17] So they're looking into that. [21:18] I think the FBI [21:19] is gathering the kinds of things [21:20] that I was talking about here, [21:21] which would be, [21:22] why did this person [21:24] commit this thing? [21:25] Now, you can get that [21:25] just from searching his person. [21:26] Is there a manifesto somewhere? [21:28] What does he say [21:29] in his emails? [21:30] What is the record [21:31] of his staying at that hotel, [21:33] getting to the hotel? [21:34] What can they put piece together [21:36] about why he was there? [21:37] It's very easy, [21:39] particularly in a morning like this [21:40] where feelings are raw [21:41] for people to think, [21:42] oh, this person must have gone [21:43] to try to kill the president [21:44] of the United States [21:44] or committed terrorist acts. [21:45] And it seems obvious, right? [21:47] You know, we saw on the television [21:49] and I think that's [21:50] a natural conclusion. [21:51] But prosecutors can only charge [21:53] what they can prove [21:54] beyond a reasonable doubt. [21:55] And right now, [21:56] at least based on what I'm reading [21:58] in the newspapers [21:58] and seeing on the television, [22:00] it's a person with a gun [22:02] at a big event [22:03] where the president was, [22:06] but that discharged his weapon [22:07] perhaps in a violent manner. [22:09] Or in a violent manner, of course. [22:11] What is the legal threshold [22:12] to upgrade those charges? [22:14] What are they looking for? [22:15] Yeah, it's not a question [22:15] of even upgrading them. [22:17] It's the same standard [22:18] of the time. [22:19] Adding to? [22:19] Yeah, or just adding new charges. [22:20] It would be, [22:21] do you have probable cause [22:22] to believe that this crime [22:25] was going to be a probable cause [22:26] being it's more likely than not. [22:27] So do they have evidence [22:30] to suggest that there's [22:31] a decent chance [22:32] that any of these things happen? [22:33] Now, that's just the threshold [22:35] for charging. [22:36] Convicting him [22:37] is beyond a reasonable doubt. [22:38] We've all heard that [22:38] in cop shows [22:39] through our whole lives. [22:40] And are they convinced? [22:42] And prosecutors can't [22:44] and shouldn't, [22:46] frankly, even with respect [22:47] to their law licenses, [22:48] can't bring charges [22:49] that they don't believe [22:50] they can win [22:51] beyond a reasonable doubt. [22:52] So, yes, [22:53] I think we think [22:54] of prosecutors [22:55] as just, you know, [22:56] I was going to say [22:57] shooting into the air. [22:58] That's maybe not [22:58] the right metaphor to use here. [22:59] But you think of prosecutors [23:00] as blindly going after charges [23:02] simply because [23:03] to go after someone. [23:04] No, they have to really [23:05] be convinced and confident [23:06] that they can win [23:07] if they bring this to trial. [23:09] Jeff, let's talk a bit [23:09] about the tableau [23:10] that we saw last night [23:11] which was so striking. [23:12] That was the White House [23:13] briefing room full of [23:14] reporters in tuxedos [23:15] and evening gowns. [23:15] The president wearing [23:16] a tuxedo as well. [23:17] And as I mentioned, [23:17] you had Todd Blanche [23:18] there with Kash Patel. [23:20] What stood out to you [23:21] from their remarks [23:22] as they talked about [23:22] what had happened [23:23] in the investigation? [23:24] Kash Patel talking [23:24] a lot about [23:26] the success of law enforcement [23:27] at this moment [23:28] and them being emboldened [23:29] or helped or encouraged [23:31] by what the president [23:31] has done. [23:32] What stood out to you [23:33] from the comments [23:33] that they made, [23:34] those law enforcement officials [23:35] made during their comments [23:36] last night? [23:37] A handful of things. [23:38] Number one, [23:38] it was all staged. [23:41] And that is, [23:42] I mean, [23:42] it was staged in real time. [23:43] That's not a criticism, [23:45] but that's very Trumpian. [23:46] I mean, [23:46] the president leaving [23:47] the ballroom [23:49] and then going straight [23:49] to the White House [23:50] and holding a press conference. [23:52] With many cabinet members present. [23:54] And his wife. [23:55] Yes. [23:55] Also unusual. [23:56] And he answered reporters' questions. [23:59] He talked about his feelings [24:00] in the moment. [24:01] But he also, [24:02] as I referred to [24:02] in the previous block, [24:03] brought in a little bit [24:04] of politics, [24:05] brought in this sort of push [24:07] for the new ballroom, [24:09] which I can tell you, [24:11] as a former White House [24:12] Correspondents Association president, [24:14] we wouldn't be planning an event [24:16] in the White House ballroom [24:17] unless that was directed perhaps [24:20] by the Secret Service. [24:21] So I understand [24:22] that he's been making that case [24:24] for the ballroom, [24:24] which is caught up [24:25] in the legal system right now [24:26] for state dinners. [24:27] But it was a first [24:28] to hear him make an argument [24:29] that you needed the ballroom [24:30] for an event planned [24:31] by an outside organization. [24:33] But to your broader question, [24:34] you also heard Kash Patel, [24:36] as he often does, [24:37] begin his opening remarks [24:39] when he was given the podium [24:41] last night praising President Trump. [24:42] So lots of little pieces [24:45] of politics and praise [24:49] for the president [24:49] who may or may not [24:52] have been facing [24:53] a third assassination attempt. [24:55] Elliot, what's your take on that? [24:56] Can the Secret Service, [24:58] should the Secret Service [24:59] be able to secure [25:00] an external ballroom [25:02] or does the president [25:03] need to retreat behind those gates [25:05] on Pennsylvania Avenue? [25:06] Oh my goodness. [25:07] It, there are such [25:09] longstanding procedures [25:11] with respect to [25:12] how to secure a space. [25:13] I think one of the issues [25:14] that they confronted here [25:15] is the fact that this event, [25:17] and this is touching on [25:18] what Jeff was talking about [25:18] a little bit, [25:19] this event takes place [25:19] in a hotel with residents [25:21] that have nothing to do [25:22] with this event. [25:23] And to some extent, [25:24] people have a right [25:25] or at least ought to have [25:27] the ability to come [25:28] and go from the place [25:28] they're staying. [25:29] That said, [25:30] the president of the United States [25:31] gets 24-hour [25:32] Secret Service protection. [25:33] And as we see [25:34] from events like this, [25:35] sometimes that breaks down [25:36] at least to us [25:37] as lay people [25:38] out in the public. [25:38] There has to be [25:40] a balance somehow [25:41] where we secure [25:42] the president [25:43] and the people around him [25:44] and the people who [25:45] are entitled to legal protection [25:46] under the law, [25:47] but also that, you know, [25:49] Americans can go about [25:50] and live their lives freely. [25:51] And I think that's [25:51] what they run into [25:52] having this event [25:53] in a regular hotel [25:55] that's open to the streets. [25:57] You can just walk in. [25:57] Yeah, and it has, [25:58] as I was saying before, [25:59] it has the biggest ballroom [26:00] in Washington, D.C. [26:01] and a ballroom [26:02] in an area [26:03] that has been [26:04] a historically [26:05] very safe place [26:06] for presidents [26:08] and leaders. [26:08] This is also where [26:09] the National Prayer Breakfast [26:10] is held every year. [26:12] I have to assume [26:13] after last night [26:14] that there are going [26:14] to be lots and lots [26:16] of questions [26:16] about that hotel specifically [26:18] and the security protocols [26:21] for holding events, [26:23] not just like [26:23] the White House [26:24] Correspondents Association [26:25] last night [26:25] that we were at, [26:27] but also other events [26:28] like the Prayer Breakfast [26:29] and other things. [26:29] But just quickly, [26:30] as a matter of common sense, [26:32] again, none of us [26:33] are Secret Service agents [26:34] here. [26:35] I dealt with law enforcement [26:36] for much of my career, [26:37] but as a matter [26:38] of common sense, [26:39] the idea that the ballroom [26:40] was secured, [26:41] but someone could still [26:42] get into the hotel, [26:44] yes, that probably fits [26:45] protocol and makes sense, [26:47] but just thinking about it [26:48] as well. [26:48] Well, and we want to [26:49] have you in just a sec. [26:51] We've got live photos [26:52] of the suspect's house [26:54] in Torrance, California, [26:55] and I do want you [26:56] to look at this footage [26:57] that's coming up [26:57] and talk a little bit [26:59] about what folks [26:59] are looking for. [27:00] But also to that point, [27:01] and Jeff, you know this too, [27:02] when you travel, [27:03] and you do as well, [27:04] I mean, you've been [27:04] around these trips. [27:06] When you travel [27:06] with the president abroad, [27:08] he stays at hotels. [27:09] Other people can stay [27:10] at those hotels, [27:10] but that perimeter [27:12] is pushed way out. [27:13] You cannot get into [27:14] that hotel [27:15] without going through a mag, [27:16] even if you are just [27:17] a guest staying there. [27:18] I've never seen that here, [27:20] but when you're overseas, [27:21] that is always the protocol [27:22] because it's a pain [27:23] and you don't want [27:23] to stay at that hotel [27:24] because you don't want [27:25] to go in and out. [27:26] And I wonder if that's [27:27] what we see if they do [27:28] this again, [27:28] is that that perimeter [27:29] is going to get pushed [27:30] way out. [27:30] Right, and I think, [27:31] you know, [27:32] I worked with the Department [27:33] of Homeland Security [27:33] for several years. [27:34] I think we're constantly [27:35] chasing the last vulnerability [27:37] and the last problem, [27:38] and I would think [27:39] that the problem [27:40] they fix now is, [27:40] wait a second, [27:41] people are getting [27:42] too close to the president [27:42] of the United States, [27:44] and now we need to, [27:45] whenever he's in a hotel, [27:46] extend the perimeter [27:48] a little bit more. [27:48] It's tragic in many ways [27:50] that it requires [27:52] a vulnerability breach [27:53] to fix the problem, [27:54] but that's sort of [27:55] what will happen next. [27:56] I'm certain we're going [27:57] to see something out of this. [27:58] I think your point [27:58] is spot on, [27:59] and that is absolutely true [28:01] domestically as well [28:02] when you're traveling [28:02] with the president. [28:03] If you're in San Francisco, [28:04] if you're in New York, [28:06] the hotel that you're staying at with, [28:08] in our case, [28:09] is often the press pool, [28:10] is very frequently [28:12] at the same hotel [28:12] as the president [28:13] of the United States. [28:14] You can't get into the building [28:15] without going [28:16] through the magnetometer. [28:17] So again, [28:17] it raises the question [28:18] about the security hotel, [28:20] the security parameters [28:21] at this hotel, [28:22] not just last night, [28:23] but in previous nights as well. [28:25] And I think also worth [28:26] explaining to people [28:27] that the ballroom [28:28] is on the very lowest level [28:30] in the Hinkley Hilton, [28:33] in the Washington Hilton. [28:34] You have to go down, [28:35] I think it's three floors. [28:36] You have to go down [28:37] two sets of staircases, [28:39] or... [28:39] It's at least two escalators. [28:40] Escalators is the word [28:41] I was looking for. [28:42] I gotcha. [28:42] And so this gentleman, [28:44] this person, [28:45] would have had to go down [28:46] that many levels [28:47] with what reportedly [28:49] was a shotgun, [28:50] a handgun, [28:51] and multiple knives. [28:52] That, I don't know [28:53] if he had it in a backpack [28:54] or in some sort of a bag, [28:56] but the fact, again, [28:57] that he got as far [28:58] as he did [28:59] before he was apprehended [29:00] is something that people [29:01] are going to be asking questions about. [29:02] I've got about a minute left [29:03] before the break, [29:04] but I'm curious [29:04] what the investigation looks like [29:05] both within that hotel, [29:07] in that ballroom today, [29:08] and also as we see [29:08] these videos of Torrance, [29:09] California, [29:10] the house of the suspect. [29:11] What law enforcement's doing there, [29:13] and who indeed is in charge? [29:14] Is it D.C. police? [29:15] Is it the FBI [29:15] who's leading all of it? [29:16] I think that there's probably [29:17] a task force [29:17] who's working together. [29:19] I would think the FBI [29:20] is leading it, [29:20] but again, [29:21] I can't speak for how [29:22] they're proceeding. [29:23] You know, [29:23] the evidence in the room [29:24] is probably the least [29:25] interesting evidence [29:26] because you see it, [29:27] it's either firearms [29:28] or casings, [29:29] anything like that. [29:30] The interesting materials [29:32] will be at his house [29:33] and on his computers. [29:34] We live in a world right now [29:35] where everything is electronic. [29:37] Receipts for purchases [29:38] for those firearms, [29:39] they're going to be looking [29:39] for those. [29:40] They'll be looking for statements, [29:41] emails, text messages, [29:42] none of which lie. [29:44] There's a perpetual record [29:47] of someone's communications [29:48] with others, [29:49] and those, [29:49] at least in the world [29:50] we live in today, [29:51] are hugely important [29:52] bits of evidence. [29:52] I know they're scouring [29:53] for those at his house [29:54] right now. [29:55] Switch history. [29:55] All right, [29:56] Elliot Williams, [29:56] Jeff Mason, [29:57] stick with us. [29:57] We're going to come back. [29:59] Excuse me. [30:00] Jeff, we're all struggling [30:00] a little bit this morning. [30:01] We're going to come back [30:02] to you guys shortly. [30:03] Escalators, escalators. [30:04] It's a hard word. [30:06] Elliot's book, of course, [30:07] is titled Five Bullets, [30:08] The Story of Bernie Goetz, [30:10] and we're going to talk [30:11] about that here in a bit. [30:13] Another major event [30:14] is set to take place [30:15] this week in Washington, [30:16] and that is the first state [30:17] visit from King Charles. [30:19] Will we see any changes [30:20] to security? [30:21] All the things [30:22] we've been talking about, [30:23] many of those events [30:24] set to take place [30:25] at the same places [30:26] we have been this week. [30:27] There were parties [30:27] at the British Embassy. [30:29] A lot of these venues [30:30] are standard venues [30:31] to host important people [30:32] and fancy parties, [30:33] and a lot of the same people, [30:34] including a lot of folks [30:35] here in Bloomberg, [30:36] will be at those same events. [30:37] It's going to be interesting [30:37] to see how they change. [30:38] A huge multi-day event [30:39] with the king here in Washington [30:41] traveling to New York as well. [30:43] So as you mentioned, [30:43] Christina, [30:44] there are going to be events [30:44] here in the city [30:46] at the White House as well. [30:47] The president going up, [30:47] I think, to Harlem [30:48] to visit a neighborhood [30:50] there as well. [30:51] So back and forth, [30:52] and it is an open question, [30:53] I think, [30:54] sort of how what happened [30:55] in D.C. last night [30:56] colors the way [30:56] that that trip [30:57] is going to be arranged [30:57] and how it's going to play out. [30:58] We still don't have a guest list, [30:59] for instance, [30:59] for that state dinner. [31:00] No, and as you mentioned, [31:01] Prince Charles [31:02] has a lot of internal travel plans, [31:04] and we'll have to see [31:04] if they scale that back [31:05] given everything that's going on [31:06] and where the resources are. [31:08] We provide for those [31:09] visiting diplomats [31:10] with U.S. assistance, [31:12] and they may not have [31:13] the bandwidth to facilitate [31:14] a trip like that at this time. [31:15] We'll have to see what happens. [31:16] Our coverage is going to continue [31:17] here in just a moment [31:17] on Bloomberg Television, [31:18] Bloomberg Radio, [31:19] Bloomberg.com. [31:20] It's Bloomberg This Weekend. [31:21] Stay with us. [31:28] Thank you for joining us live [31:29] on Bloomberg This Weekend. [31:30] I'm Lisa Mateo. [31:30] Let's get you up to date [31:31] on today's top stories. [31:32] And gunfire erupted. [31:34] It's disrupted [31:35] President Donald Trump's [31:36] first appearance as president [31:37] at the White House [31:38] Correspondents' Dinner [31:39] in Washington last night. [31:40] The Secret Service officers, [31:41] they rushed into the room [31:42] to evacuate President Trump, [31:44] the First Lady, [31:44] Vice President J.D. Vance, [31:46] and Cabinet officials, [31:47] while attendees, [31:48] they were ducking under tables [31:49] to take shelter. [31:50] Janine Pirro, [31:51] she's a U.S. attorney [31:52] for the District of Columbia. [31:53] She says the suspect, [31:55] Cole Thomas Allen, [31:56] is being charged [31:57] with two felonies. [31:59] Right now, [31:59] the defendant is being charged [32:01] with two counts, [32:02] 924C, [32:04] using a firearm [32:05] during a crime of violence, [32:07] and a second crime [32:09] under 111, [32:10] which is assault [32:11] on a federal officer [32:13] using a dangerous weapon. [32:17] Authorities say [32:18] the suspect was taken [32:19] to a local hospital [32:20] to be evaluated [32:20] and is expected [32:22] to be arraigned on Monday. [32:23] President Trump said [32:24] that a motive is unclear, [32:26] but it is believed [32:27] to be a lone wolf incident. [32:29] Now, in other news, [32:30] a ceasefire in limbo [32:31] after President Trump [32:32] canceled a planned trip [32:34] by his Pakistan, [32:35] by his top envoys [32:36] for negotiations [32:37] over the Iran conflict. [32:38] And Iran's top diplomat [32:40] met mediators in Pakistan [32:41] and left Islamabad [32:43] well ahead of the planned [32:44] arrival of U.S. envoys. [32:46] Despite Iran tensions, [32:47] King Charles III [32:48] will follow his mother's lead [32:50] in celebrating U.S. [32:51] and U.K. relations. [32:52] King Charles and Queen Camilla [32:54] will begin their [32:55] four-day trip tomorrow [32:56] when they will have tea [32:57] with the President Trump [32:58] and First Lady Melania Trump. [33:00] And the formal arrival ceremony [33:02] will take place on Tuesday, [33:03] but no word if this has all changed [33:05] in lieu of all of yesterday's events [33:07] in D.C., Christina and David, [33:08] we will keep you updated on that. [33:10] Thanks, Lisa. [33:11] World leaders are posting [33:13] on social media overnight [33:14] and early this morning [33:15] condemning the violence [33:16] at last night's [33:17] White House Correspondents' Dinner [33:18] and voicing relief [33:19] that President Trump [33:20] and guests are now safe. [33:22] Joining us now, [33:23] Michelle Hussain [33:23] from The Michelle Hussain Show [33:25] and, of course, [33:26] Bloomberg News [33:26] State Department reporter [33:27] Eric Martin [33:28] is back with us on set. [33:30] Michelle, [33:31] we were originally [33:31] having you on to talk Iran [33:33] and a couple of other things, [33:33] including the state visit [33:34] with King Charles coming. [33:36] I know you've been talking [33:37] to sources in the U.K. [33:39] about whether or not [33:40] they're possibly changing [33:41] the agenda for that. [33:43] But first, [33:44] I just want to talk to you. [33:44] I mean, [33:45] was this the first time [33:46] you've been in that kind [33:46] of situation? [33:47] I know this is something [33:48] people from abroad see [33:49] happening often in America. [33:51] And, I mean, [33:52] did you think you'd ever [33:53] experience that yourself? [33:54] It was really uncanny [33:56] to be under the tables [33:58] in the eerie stillness [34:00] of that room [34:01] as all of us were last night [34:02] with so many others [34:04] and all the thoughts [34:05] that go through your head [34:05] at that moment. [34:06] But absolutely, [34:07] as an outsider [34:07] to the United States, [34:09] someone who doesn't live here, [34:11] I was thinking, [34:12] like, [34:12] there are people in this room [34:13] who have been through [34:14] these kinds of situations [34:15] in drills, [34:16] in school, [34:17] you know, [34:18] in other ways. [34:18] Possibly more than one. [34:19] You had a lot of people [34:20] who were January 6th, [34:20] a lot of people who were [34:21] at Butler. [34:22] Absolutely. [34:22] Yeah. [34:22] Absolutely. [34:22] And I was really conscious [34:23] that, you know, [34:24] whatever was happening, [34:25] as we now know, [34:26] actually outside the doors [34:27] of the room that we were in, [34:28] the nature of the United States [34:30] and particularly a place [34:32] where the president is, [34:33] that there would be [34:34] many other guns in the room. [34:35] So I was absolutely conscious [34:36] that there was the possibility [34:37] of some kind of crossfire [34:39] and that was why [34:40] we were down where we were [34:42] because that's immediately [34:43] what comes to your mind, [34:44] that this is a country [34:45] where there will be [34:46] many weapons [34:47] potentially around. [34:49] So, yeah, [34:50] it was that kind of thing [34:53] that was going through my mind. [34:55] And, you know, [34:55] we were sitting close [34:56] to British diplomats [34:57] who were immediately thinking [34:59] about the implications [35:00] for the visit of the King. [35:02] His Majesty is due [35:03] to fly in tomorrow morning. [35:05] So in a visit [35:06] that was already complicated [35:07] for other reasons [35:08] we can discuss, [35:08] but which now has this added level [35:10] of having to look again [35:11] at security. [35:12] Michael Grimbaud [35:13] in the Times [35:13] said a phrase, [35:13] the nauseating silence [35:15] of what happened afterward. [35:17] And it was a very strange [35:18] that we've talked about [35:18] moment when the room got quiet [35:20] as security made its way [35:21] up to the front of the room. [35:22] Eric, Michelle's bringing up [35:23] the fact that we had [35:24] a lot of diplomats [35:24] there at the dinner last night. [35:26] There were representatives [35:27] of various embassies [35:27] throughout the city. [35:29] Talk a bit about that. [35:30] Just the great we've seen reaction [35:32] from international leaders [35:33] thus far, [35:34] but this was a moment [35:36] when we had a kind of [35:36] broader international community [35:37] gathered in the room as well, [35:38] not just members of Congress [35:39] and journalists [35:40] and members of the administration, [35:41] but a good diplomatic corps [35:42] as well. [35:43] Absolutely. [35:44] This kind of incident [35:46] obviously is not unique [35:48] to the U.S., [35:49] but we sure seem to have it [35:50] more than any place else [35:51] in the world. [35:52] We have some statistics [35:54] that we were looking at. [35:55] I know 120 mass shootings [35:58] at least in the U.S. [35:59] so far this year. [36:01] And we've also seen [36:03] some statements coming in, [36:04] statements of support [36:06] and compassion [36:11] and identification [36:12] from leaders elsewhere [36:14] in the world [36:14] that have experienced [36:15] political violence. [36:16] We saw a statement [36:17] from Prime Minister Netanyahu, [36:19] obviously in recent years [36:21] and kind of perennially, [36:23] Israel is under threat. [36:25] And the Prime Minister [36:26] talking about the shock [36:28] of himself [36:29] and his wife, [36:31] Sarah, [36:32] in terms of what happened [36:33] last night. [36:34] Israel obviously [36:34] also looming large [36:35] with the recent example, [36:38] the recent experience [36:39] of October 7th of 2023. [36:42] Also, the president of Mexico, [36:44] Claudia Sheinbaum, [36:46] expressing her concern [36:48] and sending her well wishes [36:51] to the American president [36:52] and to everyone who was there. [36:55] Mexico has had less [36:58] at a national level, [37:00] but certainly at a local [37:01] and regional level, [37:02] Mexico has experienced [37:03] a lot of political violence [37:04] and assassinations of leaders. [37:06] So these statements [37:08] of support [37:10] and coming in [37:13] from across the world, [37:14] even last night [37:15] in the minutes [37:16] I was following [37:17] on social media, [37:18] on X, [37:19] and all of these statements [37:20] that were coming out [37:21] in real time, [37:22] leaders reacting [37:23] and sending that support [37:25] to Washington [37:25] and to everyone [37:26] who was affected by this. [37:27] I hope it's okay to say [37:28] that the Canadian ambassador [37:30] was at our table [37:30] in a lovely, classy, [37:32] very Canadian move [37:33] as everybody [37:34] was getting released [37:35] and we were realizing [37:36] we could leave. [37:36] He said, [37:37] I'm going to order some pizzas [37:39] and if you guys want [37:39] to come back to the embassy, [37:40] we can just like chill [37:41] and decompress [37:42] and you can come over [37:43] for some pizzas. [37:44] It was a very lovely, [37:45] diplomatic and very Canadian. [37:47] Quite revealing [37:47] to see different people's reactions, [37:50] you know, [37:50] some much more alarmed, [37:51] some much more stoic. [37:53] But I was really thinking [37:53] as we gathered last night [37:55] that despite this really tense [37:57] international moment [37:58] and tense also [37:59] in the relationship [38:00] between politics and the press, [38:01] you know, [38:02] we were all wondering [38:02] at the start of the evening, [38:03] what is the president [38:04] going to say [38:04] and everybody was. [38:06] But yet in the room, [38:07] it is an extraordinary [38:08] coming together, [38:09] maybe unique. [38:10] I mean, [38:10] we certainly don't really [38:11] have anything like that [38:11] in the UK. [38:12] But the fact that [38:14] these members of the cabinet [38:15] are across the room, [38:17] invited guests [38:17] at different tables, [38:19] invited by different news [38:20] organizations, [38:21] and you have guests [38:22] from the world of business, [38:23] you have the diplomatic core [38:26] as well. [38:26] So it's like this [38:27] really extraordinary gathering [38:29] and then it ends up [38:29] being extraordinary [38:30] for a completely different [38:31] and really quite chilling way. [38:33] Talk a bit about this royal visit [38:34] and sort of what your expectations [38:35] are for it, [38:36] the reason that it's happening now [38:37] and as we see [38:38] a less than good relationship, [38:40] I think, [38:41] between the president [38:41] and the prime minister, [38:42] his affection for the royal family, [38:44] the president's affection [38:44] for the royal family [38:45] has been palpable [38:46] over these last many years. [38:47] This is an important visit [38:48] for him, [38:49] for the president. [38:50] I'm curious how, [38:51] from the other side of the Atlantic, [38:52] they're viewing this moment. [38:54] Well, [38:54] it's not that long [38:55] since we had President Trump's [38:56] second, [38:56] unprecedented second state visit [38:58] to the UK, right? [38:59] So we've had a few interactions, [39:01] the late queen, [39:02] this king, [39:02] and now the king coming here. [39:04] The reason for the visit [39:05] is the forthcoming 250th anniversary [39:07] of the Declaration of Independence. [39:11] So it is that [39:12] which was the spur for it. [39:14] But of course, [39:15] it's coming at a moment [39:16] where not only the United States [39:19] is engaged in conflict, [39:20] even though we are [39:21] in a ceasefire period [39:22] at the moment, [39:23] but also he has been, [39:25] you know, [39:26] very, very rude [39:27] about the prime minister [39:28] and about UK military capability [39:30] and about the UK in general [39:31] at that time. [39:32] So, [39:32] so in that sense, [39:35] from the UK government [39:36] and diplomacy's point of view, [39:37] it's welcome to have [39:38] a kind of moment [39:39] which reminds the president [39:40] that there is [39:41] at least a special relationship [39:43] for him personally [39:44] with the United States [39:45] because of his mother's, [39:47] with the United Kingdom, [39:48] because of his mother's heritage. [39:49] And the idea [39:50] that in the period [39:51] that the king's here, [39:52] that he can do [39:53] some of that diplomatic work. [39:54] And frankly, [39:55] he's been a diplomat [39:55] all his life. [39:58] But on top of that, [40:00] it's also personally, [40:02] there is an awkwardness [40:03] for the king [40:03] because of the call [40:04] for him to meet Epstein survivors [40:06] and the connection [40:07] that his brother [40:07] had with the late [40:09] Jeffrey Epstein. [40:10] So there are all those layers [40:12] that make this [40:12] a tricky visit [40:13] in many ways. [40:15] It's going to be [40:15] a short visit [40:16] and everyone involved [40:17] will be hoping [40:18] that it goes off [40:19] completely smoothly. [40:20] We have to go to break, [40:22] but I do want to ask you [40:22] very quickly [40:23] in about 30 seconds, [40:24] what is the king's security? [40:26] I apologize that I don't know. [40:27] I know they do have security, [40:28] but is it a secret service [40:29] equivalent? [40:30] And when they're here, [40:31] are they going to be [40:31] relying a lot on U.S. assets? [40:33] I think the way it works [40:34] in any host country [40:36] is that the host countries [40:37] are the four. [40:37] I think it's a bit difficult [40:38] for different for Americans [40:39] when the American president [40:40] goes elsewhere. [40:41] It's clearly [40:42] a secret service. [40:43] But normally it's the other way around. [40:47] All right. [40:47] Thank you so much. [40:48] Eric Martin, [40:49] thank you for being here. [40:51] Michelle, you're going to come back [40:51] after the break [40:52] to discuss some of the other stories [40:54] still unfolding, [40:55] including the war in Iran [40:56] and your interview [40:57] with Wendy Sherman, [40:58] the lead negotiator [40:59] of the first Iran nuclear deal, [41:01] the JCPOA, [41:02] which we've been talking about [41:03] as nauseam, [41:03] and I know you can help us [41:04] break it down. [41:05] We really appreciate it. [41:05] That's coming up next [41:06] on Bloomberg this weekend [41:08] on all the platforms, [41:09] radio, TV, streaming. [41:10] We will be right here. [41:11] Stick with us. [41:12] Be right back. [41:13] Welcome back [41:30] to Bloomberg this weekend. [41:31] I'm Christina Ruffini [41:32] here, of course, [41:32] with David Gurra. [41:34] Last night, [41:34] after the shooting incident [41:35] at the Hilton Ballroom [41:36] here in Washington, D.C., [41:37] President Trump ruled out [41:39] a connection to Iran [41:40] with that war [41:41] nearing its two-month mark. [41:43] Ceasefire talks [41:43] between the U.S. and Iran [41:45] were scrapped this weekend. [41:46] Once again, [41:46] Michelle Hussain spoke [41:47] with Wendy Sherman, [41:48] the lead negotiator [41:49] of the 2015 [41:49] first Iran nuclear deal, [41:52] about her concerns [41:52] over the way peace talks [41:53] are playing out. [41:55] Right now, [41:56] all I see is [41:57] a disequilibrium. [42:00] What I mean by that [42:01] is some broad outline [42:04] where folks are going [42:08] to have to spend [42:08] quite a long time [42:09] making sure the details [42:11] undergird that broad outline. [42:14] And while all of that happens, [42:18] my guess is [42:19] that Iran will still have [42:21] some measure of control [42:24] over the strait. [42:25] What will happen [42:27] to that stockpile [42:28] of highly enriched uranium? [42:29] It's not like [42:31] you can resolve that [42:32] in a day. [42:33] It is a complex, [42:36] tedious operation [42:37] under very difficult [42:39] security arrangements. [42:41] Buried underground? [42:42] Buried underground, [42:43] deep underground. [42:44] We've done things [42:45] like this before [42:46] in Kazakhstan, [42:48] but we did it [42:49] with Kazakhstan's [42:50] working with us. [42:52] And I don't know [42:54] how anyone will feel secure [42:55] doing this with Iran. [42:58] So there's so much [43:00] to work out here, Michal. [43:02] I worry about [43:05] the administration's [43:06] ability to do it [43:07] since I don't think [43:09] they've brought [43:10] the technical expertise [43:11] to the table. [43:12] In the last round [43:14] in Islamabad, [43:15] I was glad to see [43:16] that Vice President Vance [43:17] brought some experts [43:19] with him, [43:20] but I'm not sure [43:21] any of them were [43:21] in any of the rooms. [43:23] I'm not sure [43:24] they were really working [43:25] on everything [43:26] that was needed [43:26] to be done. [43:28] And none of this [43:29] is achieved [43:29] by one person [43:30] or even three negotiators, [43:33] the Vice President [43:33] Witkoff and Kushner. [43:34] I had a core team [43:36] of 15. [43:38] I had the President [43:38] of the United States, [43:40] the Secretary of State, [43:41] Secretary of Energy [43:42] who was a nuclear physicist [43:43] who was brilliant. [43:45] I had nuclear physicists [43:46] and sanctions experts [43:47] and lawyers [43:47] and Treasury folks [43:49] on my team. [43:51] I had people [43:51] who spoke fluent Persian [43:53] on my team, [43:54] Farsi as some people [43:55] call it. [43:56] I had literally [43:57] hundreds [43:58] in the U.S. government [43:59] who were engaged [44:01] in this. [44:01] All of our national labs, [44:04] all of our nuclear labs [44:05] who could do [44:06] the exquisite calculations [44:07] that are necessary [44:08] to know whether [44:09] you've got [44:10] what you think you've got. [44:12] I don't see [44:13] any of that infrastructure [44:14] here to be able [44:16] to get this job done. [44:19] All right, Michelle [44:20] is back with us. [44:21] This is something [44:22] we've been talking [44:23] a lot about [44:23] with our guests [44:24] is how these talks [44:26] actually happen, [44:27] how they are executed [44:28] and when they are successful, [44:29] the framework [44:30] that is required for that. [44:31] If they do manage [44:33] to restart [44:33] these negotiations, [44:34] how do you see [44:35] that all playing out [44:35] and how was she able [44:36] to enlighten us? [44:38] So I think [44:38] when Wendy Sherman [44:40] lets us into that world [44:41] of the negotiation, [44:42] particularly on exactly [44:43] this front, [44:45] you realize the gap [44:46] between the level [44:47] of detail and engagement [44:49] that is required [44:50] and the kind of diplomacy [44:51] that has happened so far [44:53] and that hopefully [44:54] at some point [44:54] will happen again [44:55] in Islamabad, [44:56] where the administration [44:57] is looking for a quick fix, [45:00] is looking for a quick win [45:02] and Iran is in it [45:03] for the long haul [45:04] and the actual issues [45:06] of substance [45:06] are difficult [45:07] and complex [45:09] and detailed. [45:09] So I think there [45:10] you already see [45:11] the gap in appetite [45:12] as well as perhaps [45:14] the gap in capacity [45:15] for detail. [45:16] But I think [45:17] when it gets down to it, [45:18] look, the issues [45:19] on the table, [45:20] there's the actual stockpile [45:21] of enriched uranium [45:22] which is buried underground. [45:23] Would Iran ever agree [45:25] to that being removed [45:26] from the country? [45:27] Then there is the issue [45:29] about some kind of time frame [45:31] or moratorium [45:32] on the enrichment [45:32] of further uranium. [45:33] But then you have [45:34] the wild card [45:35] of the Strait of Hormuz [45:36] and this extra weapon, [45:38] if you like, [45:38] that Iran has discovered [45:40] and deployed [45:40] in these last eight weeks. [45:42] So what is the kind [45:43] of arrangement [45:45] or commitment [45:46] that Iran would give [45:47] to keep that open [45:48] and what would it want [45:49] in return for that, [45:50] presumably sanctions relief? [45:51] So in some ways [45:53] what the U.S. will have [45:54] to get into [45:54] is a repeat [45:55] of what Wendy Sherman [45:56] worked on [45:57] and in other ways [45:58] it's really hard [45:59] to imagine [45:59] that kind of [46:00] long detailed negotiation. [46:03] But I think one thing [46:03] that really struck me [46:04] and Wendy Sherman [46:05] kind of acknowledged this [46:06] but didn't really want [46:07] to describe it [46:09] in the way I did [46:09] is that that JCPOA, [46:12] there was a big part of it [46:13] that was a secret [46:15] back channel [46:15] between the U.S. and Iran [46:17] which was kept to... [46:18] The Europeans didn't know. [46:18] The Europeans didn't know. [46:20] Wendy Sherman [46:20] was the one [46:21] who eventually [46:21] had to go to Brussels [46:22] and say, [46:22] by the way, guys, [46:23] we have been negotiating [46:24] directly with Iran [46:26] for more than a year [46:27] and you guys [46:27] didn't know about it. [46:29] We have about a minute left [46:30] and something that was [46:31] fascinating to me [46:32] was her commentary [46:32] on the interpersonal [46:33] relationships [46:33] between her diplomat [46:35] and the Iranians as well [46:36] and we saw that she was [46:36] in such constant contact [46:38] with Javad Zarif, [46:39] the former foreign minister. [46:41] What insight did she have [46:42] in the degree to which [46:42] each side has to trust [46:44] the other? [46:44] She said that she didn't [46:45] trust the Iranians. [46:46] She didn't [46:46] and I thought that was [46:47] interesting because [46:48] trust is a word [46:48] that comes up a lot [46:49] in negotiations [46:50] but actually she's saying [46:51] it's more like [46:52] you have to understand [46:52] each other. [46:53] You have to understand [46:53] that however unequal [46:55] the negotiation is [46:56] and it was unequal then [46:57] and it will be unequal [46:58] whenever it happens [46:58] in earnest, [46:59] still the other side [47:00] in this case, [47:01] Iran wants to get something. [47:03] So if you're not willing [47:03] to give them anything [47:04] then it's not a negotiation [47:05] then you're back [47:06] to the world of force [47:07] and force alone. [47:08] It's very pragmatic. [47:09] Yeah, she said it was about [47:10] what she said [47:10] it was about respect [47:11] almost. [47:12] I couldn't remember [47:12] what the exact quote was [47:13] but it was... [47:14] You have to understand [47:15] where they are coming from [47:16] that they have interest [47:17] just as you have interest [47:19] and if you can't [47:19] acknowledge that [47:20] then it's a non-starter. [47:22] It's a fascinating conversation [47:23] I think what comes across [47:24] as well, Christina [47:25] we've talked about this too [47:26] is just the amount [47:26] of time and engagement [47:28] yes, the level [47:28] of technical expertise [47:29] that was involved [47:30] but also the commitment [47:31] that Wendy Sherman [47:31] and others made [47:32] to being in Geneva [47:33] being in Switzerland [47:33] People decamped in Geneva [47:35] for a really long time. [47:36] So this notion [47:37] that this could be solved [47:38] quickly with a flight [47:39] to Pakistan [47:40] over a weekend [47:41] seems a bit like folly [47:43] given what we've seen [47:43] in the past [47:44] but certainly what we'll [47:45] be watching for [47:45] and again the interview [47:46] is terrific. [47:46] Michelle Hussain [47:47] host of the Michelle Hussain Show [47:48] editor-at-large [47:49] for Bloomberg Weekend [47:49] thank you very much [47:50] for joining us here [47:51] on set in DC. [47:51] Thank you so much. [47:53] Alright, we're coming up [47:54] on 8am here in Washington. [47:57] Our coverage of what [47:57] happened last night [47:58] at the White House [47:58] Correspondents Association [47:59] dinner is going to [48:00] continue as we dig into [48:01] what we know of the suspect [48:02] and what we know [48:03] of what happened there [48:04] last night [48:05] as the salad course [48:06] was served [48:06] and everyone was [48:07] squired out of that ballroom. [48:08] The next hour [48:09] of Bloomberg This Weekend [48:10] starts right now [48:10] on Bloomberg Television [48:11] Bloomberg Radio [48:12] and on Bloomberg.com. [48:13] Welcome back [48:34] to Bloomberg This Weekend [48:34] It is 8am here in DC [48:36] We are broadcasting [48:37] this weekend [48:38] from Bloomberg Studios [48:39] in the nation's capital. [48:40] I'm Christine Ruffini [48:41] along with David Gura [48:42] and Lisa Mateo. [48:43] Our focus this morning [48:44] yes, on what we were [48:45] just talking about [48:45] the state of these negotiations [48:46] between the U.S. [48:47] and the Iranians [48:48] but much more acutely now [48:49] what happened last night [48:50] at the White House [48:51] Correspondents Association [48:52] dinner in Washington, D.C. [48:53] The three of us [48:53] were in attendance there [48:54] along with many of our [48:55] Bloomberg colleagues [48:56] and to get everyone [48:57] up to speed [48:57] shots were fired [48:58] early on in that dinner [49:00] the president [49:00] the vice president [49:01] many members of his cabinet [49:02] ushered out of that building [49:04] the president giving [49:05] a statement afterward [49:06] at the White House [49:06] about what had happened [49:07] we know that a suspect [49:08] has been apprehended [49:09] from California [49:09] but still [49:10] the uncertainty that followed [49:11] in the immediate aftermath [49:12] of that shooting [49:13] remains [49:14] there's a lot [49:14] that we still don't know [49:15] and ongoing [49:15] I mean we are assuming [49:16] a motive [49:17] but to what we were [49:18] talking about earlier [49:18] they haven't charged him [49:20] with that yet [49:20] so that means that [49:21] they haven't proven [49:22] that that was the intent [49:23] of weapons charges [49:26] because that is [49:28] the clearest thing [49:28] that they can get [49:29] before investigating this more [49:30] but we need to know [49:31] more about this subject [49:32] and the other big question [49:34] is basically [49:34] how did this happen [49:35] and that's something [49:36] that we think [49:36] we're going to be talking about [49:37] a lot here in Washington [49:38] and throughout the week [49:39] at least we were sitting [49:40] near each other [49:41] and it was just [49:42] a startling moment [49:43] it was amazing [49:44] it was [49:44] and hearing the stories [49:45] of everyone we've had [49:46] on this morning [49:46] of exactly what happened [49:47] from people ducking [49:48] under tables [49:49] to the confusion [49:50] to the fear [49:50] in people's faces [49:51] I saw one woman in tears [49:53] so it's an example [49:55] of what can happen [49:56] in this type of situation [49:57] that people were just confused [49:59] and didn't know where to go [50:00] and what to turn [50:01] and what to do [50:01] all right [50:02] we've got some sound [50:03] and some video [50:04] we're going to kind of [50:05] run everybody through [50:05] what happened [50:06] as the president [50:08] was having his mind read [50:09] by the evening's entertainment [50:10] several thuds [50:14] could be heard [50:14] in the ballroom [50:15] initially [50:15] neither the president [50:16] nor the guests [50:17] took much notice [50:18] then [50:19] a column of security [50:23] secret service [50:24] and tactical teams [50:25] swarmed the ballroom [50:25] the vice president [50:27] and president [50:27] were quickly whisked [50:28] offstage [50:29] followed by the president [50:30] of the white house [50:31] press corps [50:31] Weijia Zhang [50:32] secret service [50:33] jumped tables [50:34] and flipped chairs [50:35] to rush cabinet members [50:36] including Stephen Miller [50:37] and a pregnant Katie Miller [50:38] at a side door [50:39] the speaker of the house [50:44] was rushed through the lobby [50:45] cabinet secretaries [50:46] were extracted [50:46] from their tables [50:47] while ambassadors [50:48] VIPs [50:49] and guests [50:50] sheltered under them [50:51] journalists ducked [50:52] for cover [50:52] while trying to record [50:53] on their phones [50:54] guests who weren't evacuated [50:56] were asked to wait [50:57] but with an active crime scene [50:58] just outside the ballroom door [51:00] the president instead [51:01] called a press conference [51:02] at the white house [51:03] can you describe [51:05] what was going through your mind [51:07] how you were feeling [51:08] in that moment [51:09] that's a very good question [51:11] actually [51:11] it was [51:12] it's always shocking [51:13] when something like this [51:14] happens [51:14] happened to me [51:15] a little bit [51:16] and [51:17] that never changes [51:19] the [51:20] fact [51:21] we were sitting right next [51:22] to each other [51:23] first lady on my right [51:24] and [51:25] I heard a noise [51:27] and sort of thought [51:28] it was a tray [51:29] I thought it was a tray [51:31] going down [51:32] I've heard that [51:33] many times [51:34] and it was pretty loud noise [51:35] and it was from quite far away [51:37] he hadn't breached [51:38] the area at all [51:40] they really got him [51:41] but [51:41] so it was quite far away [51:43] but it was a gun [51:43] and [51:45] some people [51:47] really understood that [51:48] pretty quickly [51:49] other people didn't [51:50] I was watching [51:52] to see what was happening [51:53] probably [51:53] should have gone down [51:54] even faster [51:55] back at the Hilton [51:56] the U.S. attorney [51:57] for the District of Columbia [51:58] Mayor of D.C. [51:59] and Chief of Police [52:00] held a press conference [52:01] I'm not exactly [52:02] 100% familiar [52:03] with this building [52:04] I do know [52:04] in this incident tonight [52:06] I know there was [52:06] a security plan [52:07] that was developed [52:07] by the Secret Service [52:08] that the Metropolitan Police [52:10] Department assisted with [52:10] and I know that security plan [52:12] did work this evening [52:13] leaving many [52:14] unanswered questions [52:15] an empty ballroom [52:16] and visibly shaken staff [52:18] left to clean up the mess [52:20] on this Sunday morning [52:22] we have Joe Matthew [52:23] the co-anchor [52:23] of Bloomberg's Balance of Power [52:24] with us [52:25] and Jeff Mason [52:26] back with us as well [52:26] yes a White House [52:27] correspondent here [52:28] at Bloomberg News [52:29] but also a former president [52:30] of the White House [52:31] Correspondents Association [52:32] Joe great to have you [52:33] with us here [52:33] on this Sunday [52:34] and I would be very eager [52:36] to get your sense [52:37] of what transpired yesterday [52:38] as I said [52:39] there was a great element [52:40] of confusion [52:40] as all of this unfolded [52:41] I think from where [52:42] I was seated [52:42] where Eric Martin was seated [52:44] we did hear these shots [52:45] very clearly [52:45] for those like you [52:47] closer to the stage [52:48] down in the well [52:48] of this giant ballroom [52:49] in Washington D.C. [52:50] compounding the confusion [52:52] was I think it was [52:53] largely inaudible [52:53] those shots [52:54] well you know [52:55] it's interesting [52:55] the way the president [52:56] described it [52:56] because I actually thought [52:57] and we all thought [52:58] the same thing [52:58] it sounded like [52:59] something had crashed [53:00] to the floor [53:01] like a train went down [53:02] or something [53:02] and it was a couple of [53:03] but once you started [53:05] seeing people dive [53:06] to the floor [53:07] and you realized [53:08] something had gone wrong [53:09] it was interesting [53:10] how long the president [53:11] was left at the dais [53:13] they whisked J.D. Vance [53:14] pretty quickly [53:15] and the president [53:15] was still talking [53:16] to Weijia Jiang [53:16] as if nothing had happened [53:17] and pretty quickly [53:19] everyone was dispatched [53:20] but to see the secret service [53:21] running across the tops [53:23] of tables [53:23] was not only dramatic [53:26] but remarkable [53:27] to watch how they [53:28] identified the location [53:29] of each cabinet official [53:32] in the room [53:32] they practically lifted [53:34] RFK Jr. and Scott Besson [53:36] off their feet [53:36] to get them out of there [53:37] and it was pretty remarkable [53:38] I know there's going to be [53:39] a whole conversation [53:40] about the way this went [53:41] and whether security [53:42] was effective [53:43] but if you were sitting [53:43] in the room [53:44] it was quite impressive [53:44] to watch [53:45] and we had a line of sight [53:46] from where we were [53:47] of Stephen Miller [53:48] and Katie Miller [53:48] his wife is pregnant [53:50] and one of our other colleagues [53:51] I think from CBS [53:52] had a video that was closer [53:54] where almost immediately [53:55] to your point Joe [53:55] while they were waiting [53:57] to find a line of egress [53:59] out of the room [53:59] because as we've discussed [54:00] those were not clear traffic paths [54:02] and Secret Service [54:02] was throwing chairs [54:03] to make that happen [54:04] and a Secret Service agent [54:06] I'm assuming [54:06] had arms on both of them [54:08] and then was huddled [54:08] and said wait, wait, wait [54:10] and then when they cleared [54:11] they ran out the side door [54:12] that was closest to my table [54:14] and someone nearby [54:15] I don't know who [54:16] did shout [54:17] Stephen can we go with you [54:18] so that was [54:19] that was an interesting moment [54:20] Todd Lynch [54:21] the acting attorney general [54:22] on Meet the Press [54:22] this morning [54:23] and the Associated Press [54:23] writing up the interview [54:24] that's taking place right now [54:25] and the information [54:26] that we're getting [54:26] from that interview [54:27] is the gunman [54:27] who tried to breach the ballroom [54:28] at the White House [54:29] Correspondence Association dinner [54:30] believed to have been targeting [54:32] members of the Trump administration [54:33] that according again [54:34] to the acting attorney general [54:35] Todd Blanch [54:36] also saying officials [54:37] believe the suspect [54:38] traveled by train [54:39] from California to Chicago [54:40] and then on to Washington [54:41] where as we talked about [54:42] over the course of the last hour [54:44] he checked in as a guest [54:45] at that hotel [54:45] at the Hilton [54:46] where as the AP puts it [54:48] one of Washington's [54:48] glitziest events [54:49] was being held [54:50] on Saturday night [54:51] Jeff, your reaction to that [54:52] I mean we learned [54:53] in broad strokes here [54:54] information about the suspect [54:56] last night [54:56] but as we've said [54:57] a lot that we still don't know [54:58] about who this individual is [55:00] Indeed [55:01] and that's something [55:01] that we'll be asking [55:02] Hang on just a sec Jeff [55:16] we're going to go [55:17] we're fixing your mic [55:18] your mic is not currently on [55:19] so I've been told [55:20] to ask you to pause [55:20] but I mean Joe [55:21] you can talk about this too [55:22] it's not your doing [55:24] I would never [55:25] ever [55:25] you know Jeff Mason [55:27] it's like [55:27] I'm sorry Jeff [55:28] we can't hear you [55:28] because obviously your mic is muted [55:29] so you know [55:30] we'll just pivot right to Joe [55:32] I mean Joe [55:33] the other thing that I noticed [55:34] I don't know how long [55:35] you hung around [55:35] as we were leaving [55:37] and most of us had left [55:38] and Jeff [55:39] if his mic ever works [55:40] can talk about this again too [55:41] is it's not just us [55:43] there's a huge back of house staff [55:45] that makes that dinner possible [55:47] oh my god [55:47] and they by some reports [55:49] were very close [55:50] to where this action [55:51] all went down [55:52] they were told [55:52] to put their hands up [55:53] which we really were not [55:54] and I was watching [55:55] the aftermath [55:57] and these caterers [55:58] and the staff [55:59] try to clear these tables [56:00] and some of their hands [56:01] were shaking [56:02] and I just went up [56:02] to these two women [56:03] and I said [56:03] are you okay [56:04] and they said [56:04] thank you so much [56:05] for asking [56:06] you know [56:06] got teary [56:07] because it's not just [56:08] journalists love to talk [56:09] about ourselves [56:10] and we should stop doing that [56:11] but it's not just us [56:12] that is going to be [56:13] impacted by this [56:14] and I think they had [56:14] a much harder night [56:15] than a lot of us did [56:16] well that's right [56:17] I mean look [56:17] there are thousands [56:18] of people in that [56:19] in that room [56:20] in fact they've been [56:21] packing more seats [56:21] in there [56:22] over the past 20 years [56:23] than maybe some [56:25] feel is appropriate [56:26] and maybe that's [56:27] going to be reconsidered [56:28] you know I was listening [56:29] on the way into [56:29] your conversation [56:30] with Jeff [56:31] who referred to this [56:31] and I don't know [56:32] if you did it on purpose [56:33] Jeff [56:33] is the Hinkley Hilton [56:34] which is what we all [56:36] call that hotel [56:37] here in Washington [56:39] I used to live [56:39] on the block [56:40] on Vernon Street [56:41] right behind [56:42] that hotel [56:43] and I think you live [56:44] pretty close to there [56:45] Miss Ruffini [56:47] and there's a plaque [56:48] that was put up [56:49] on the wall [56:50] right at the base [56:51] of the hotel [56:51] where the assassination [56:53] attempt of Ronald Reagan [56:54] took place [56:55] this was within feet [56:57] of that happening [56:57] and when you consider [56:59] the history [56:59] of this room now [57:01] and what might come next [57:02] maybe it's not a mystery [57:03] why the president's [57:04] talking about a ballroom [57:05] at the White House [57:06] to better secure [57:08] these types of activities [57:09] Jeff [57:09] pick up that [57:10] because that wasn't [57:12] a moment that struck me [57:12] as a bit odd [57:13] in the course of him [57:14] recounting what had happened [57:15] to him over the course [57:16] of the dinner [57:16] he has made [57:17] many justifications [57:19] for the construction [57:19] of the ballroom [57:20] on the White House grounds [57:21] this was a novel turn [57:22] I thought [57:22] during the president's remarks [57:24] last night [57:24] that what happened [57:25] last night [57:26] is a proof of concept [57:27] for there needing [57:28] to be a space [57:29] that can accommodate [57:30] maybe not 2,900 people [57:31] as the Hilton one does [57:32] as you pointed out [57:33] 2,600 [57:34] 2,600 corrected [57:35] but needs to have [57:38] a space like that [57:38] otherwise [57:38] what did you make [57:39] of the president [57:39] kind of wading [57:40] into those waters [57:41] last night [57:41] I mean I've covered [57:42] the president [57:43] in a long time [57:43] he uses any opportunity [57:46] that he can get [57:47] to make an argument [57:48] for things that he cares about [57:49] and this is one of the things [57:51] that he really cares about [57:52] right now [57:52] is that ballroom [57:53] which is tied up [57:54] in the courts [57:55] after he knocked down [57:56] the entire east wing [57:57] of the White House [57:58] and decided to build [57:59] this ballroom [58:00] without getting [58:00] additional permission [58:01] so he's been talking [58:02] about that [58:03] he's talked about [58:04] the fact that [58:04] there are security [58:06] additional security [58:07] not really protocols [58:10] but security measures [58:11] that would be put [58:12] into place [58:13] with having that ballroom [58:14] but it's not a public space [58:16] that ballroom [58:17] if and when it gets built [58:18] this is a public space [58:19] where an outside organization [58:20] in this case [58:21] the White House [58:22] Correspondents Association [58:23] which I used to lead [58:24] plans the dinner [58:25] so it's not an [58:27] apples for apples comparison [58:28] but it was something [58:29] that he used [58:29] when speaking [58:30] at the press room [58:31] or speaking in the press room [58:33] as an opportunity [58:34] to talk about [58:34] Joe, this was our colleague [58:36] Michelle Hussain's [58:36] first one of these dinners [58:37] she's coming over [58:38] from the UK [58:39] and she was talking about [58:40] how there was [58:41] this brief moment [58:42] of unity [58:43] after the silence [58:44] or during the silence [58:44] when all these [58:45] different people [58:45] administration officials [58:46] diplomats [58:47] journalists [58:47] were all kind of [58:48] in the same boat [58:49] the irony for me [58:51] there is [58:51] this dinner [58:52] is supposed to do [58:53] exactly that [58:54] for all its controversy [58:55] and its distractors [58:55] the idea is to get [58:56] all these people [58:57] in the room [58:57] have a laugh [58:58] have some common ground [58:59] and kind of have [59:00] a better working relationship [59:02] what does this do [59:03] for that relationship [59:04] what does this incident [59:05] do for any of this [59:06] I'm not sure [59:06] that changes [59:07] you know [59:07] there are [59:08] you've got the dinner [59:10] on a Saturday night [59:10] but as you know [59:11] and I don't know [59:12] if you've had a chance [59:12] to sleep [59:13] since you've been [59:13] in Washington [59:14] this week [59:14] there are many days [59:15] of events [59:16] that surround it [59:17] and that's [59:17] including this day [59:18] there are a series [59:19] of brunches [59:20] that a lot of the folks [59:21] in that room [59:21] will be attending [59:22] and I don't know [59:22] maybe this brings [59:23] people ever closer [59:24] together [59:24] there's a shared [59:25] experience now [59:26] obviously [59:26] that we would not [59:27] have had before [59:28] but we'll see [59:30] where that goes [59:30] we're in a time [59:32] of war right now [59:33] with a heightened [59:34] urgency [59:34] around domestic [59:35] terror threats [59:36] and so [59:36] let's see where [59:37] this conversation [59:38] goes [59:38] in the next couple [59:40] of days [59:40] I will say [59:41] that someone [59:41] is going to write [59:43] a remarkable story [59:44] about what happens [59:45] to the 3,000 steaks [59:46] that were about [59:47] to come out [59:47] in the dining room [59:48] last night [59:49] you talk about [59:49] the service staff [59:50] there was a massive [59:51] dinner that was [59:52] about to be served [59:53] and I hope [59:53] some charity [59:54] in Washington [59:54] is doing better [59:55] for it today [59:55] Jeff there is [59:57] always an argument [59:58] you're familiar [59:58] with it [59:59] that this dinner [59:59] shouldn't take place [1:00:00] you were the [1:00:01] president of this [1:00:01] organization [1:00:02] you had to [1:00:02] engage with those [1:00:03] who say [1:00:04] look this is [1:00:04] as Joe's pointed out [1:00:06] a much larger event [1:00:06] than it was in the past [1:00:07] maybe it's too glitzy [1:00:08] it's moved beyond [1:00:09] just elevating [1:00:10] the first amendment [1:00:11] it's become something [1:00:11] perhaps untoward [1:00:12] in the eyes of others [1:00:13] what do you say to that [1:00:14] and square that [1:00:15] with what we heard [1:00:15] from the president [1:00:16] from the current [1:00:16] president of the [1:00:17] association [1:00:17] last night [1:00:18] that this is going [1:00:18] to not only happen [1:00:20] next year [1:00:20] but they intend [1:00:20] to have this [1:00:21] within the next 30 days [1:00:22] a redux of the [1:00:23] dinner that we had [1:00:23] last night [1:00:24] well and to be clear [1:00:24] it was the president [1:00:25] of the United States [1:00:26] who said he wanted [1:00:26] that to happen again [1:00:27] within 30 days [1:00:28] we'll see if that's [1:00:29] possible logistically [1:00:30] but this is a president [1:00:32] the president [1:00:33] president Trump [1:00:34] who has not been [1:00:35] supportive of that dinner [1:00:36] and the year that I [1:00:37] was president [1:00:38] in 2017 [1:00:38] was the first time [1:00:40] that a president [1:00:40] hadn't attended it [1:00:41] in 30 years [1:00:42] since president Reagan [1:00:43] had been shot [1:00:44] was that a surprise [1:00:45] to you [1:00:46] just to interrupt [1:00:46] quickly [1:00:47] I mean as you say [1:00:47] he hasn't been [1:00:48] didn't go during [1:00:49] his first term [1:00:49] this was the first time [1:00:50] he intended to go [1:00:51] how did that kind of [1:00:52] shape your sense [1:00:53] of the dinner [1:00:53] not having a president [1:00:55] willing to go to it [1:00:56] well the president [1:00:57] the dinner has always [1:00:58] been about press freedom [1:01:00] but I really recast it [1:01:01] the year that I was [1:01:02] planning it to be [1:01:04] focused on the first [1:01:04] amendment [1:01:05] there's a toast [1:01:06] at the dinner [1:01:06] which of course [1:01:07] didn't happen last night [1:01:08] that used to be [1:01:09] a toast to the president [1:01:10] you had a first amendment [1:01:11] lapel pin on [1:01:12] I did [1:01:12] and those were pins [1:01:13] that I gave out [1:01:14] during my year as president [1:01:15] we changed the toast [1:01:17] in 2017 [1:01:17] as to a toast [1:01:19] to the first amendment [1:01:19] I don't know [1:01:20] what the toast [1:01:21] was going to be [1:01:21] last night [1:01:22] but I presume it was [1:01:23] going to continue [1:01:24] in that tradition [1:01:24] so it is a dinner [1:01:26] about the first amendment [1:01:27] about press freedom [1:01:28] it's an opportunity [1:01:29] to give out scholarship [1:01:30] money to students [1:01:31] and also to give awards [1:01:32] to members of the [1:01:33] Washington press corps [1:01:34] who do really excellent work [1:01:36] but you're spot on [1:01:37] to say that there's [1:01:37] controversy around it [1:01:38] that people show up [1:01:39] as we all did last night [1:01:40] in glitzy clothing [1:01:42] and sit down [1:01:43] and break bread [1:01:43] with members [1:01:44] of the administration [1:01:45] whether it's democratic [1:01:46] or republican [1:01:47] with lawmakers [1:01:48] and the correspondents [1:01:51] association [1:01:51] which I no longer wear [1:01:52] a hat to represent [1:01:53] but I can speak broadly to [1:01:56] sees it as an opportunity [1:01:57] to show [1:01:58] that these two sides [1:01:59] the press [1:02:00] and the people [1:02:01] we are covering [1:02:01] can come together [1:02:02] and break bread [1:02:03] one evening [1:02:04] literally [1:02:04] quite literally [1:02:05] one evening of the year [1:02:06] and it was remarkable [1:02:07] that president Trump [1:02:08] was coming to it [1:02:09] last night [1:02:10] because of his history [1:02:11] but to pick up [1:02:12] on your question [1:02:13] to Joe as well [1:02:14] he referenced that [1:02:16] a little bit [1:02:16] in the press room [1:02:17] last night [1:02:18] by saying [1:02:19] that the speech [1:02:20] that he was given [1:02:20] is not one [1:02:21] that he could now give [1:02:22] and I think [1:02:23] we were all eager [1:02:24] to see what sort [1:02:25] of a speech [1:02:25] it was going to be [1:02:26] but that was conciliatory [1:02:28] he was also [1:02:28] he was very complimentary [1:02:30] of Weijia Chang [1:02:31] from the podium [1:02:33] and apparently [1:02:34] rode with her [1:02:35] in the limousine [1:02:36] or invited her [1:02:37] to ride with him [1:02:38] in the limousine [1:02:38] on the way back [1:02:39] to the White House [1:02:39] amazing [1:02:40] she's an outstanding colleague [1:02:41] I worked with her [1:02:41] for CBS many years [1:02:42] none better [1:02:43] Joe I do want to pick up [1:02:45] on what Jeff was saying [1:02:46] about the first amendment [1:02:47] because sometimes [1:02:48] in conflict [1:02:48] with the first amendment [1:02:49] is the second amendment [1:02:51] and at that press conference [1:02:52] we have President Trump [1:02:54] talking about [1:02:54] how no country [1:02:55] is immune [1:02:56] from political violence [1:02:57] we're not the only country [1:02:59] you look at [1:02:59] there's great violence [1:03:00] with all countries [1:03:01] I was talking to somebody [1:03:03] from another country [1:03:04] today [1:03:05] and they have [1:03:07] numerous assassinations [1:03:09] of political figures [1:03:10] all over the world [1:03:12] you look at South America [1:03:13] and South America [1:03:13] it's like [1:03:14] some of the numbers [1:03:15] are just horrific [1:03:16] it's dangerous [1:03:18] it's dangerous stuff [1:03:18] whether it's here [1:03:19] or someplace else [1:03:20] no country is immune [1:03:22] that may be true [1:03:26] but we were with [1:03:26] a lot of European colleagues [1:03:28] at this dinner last night [1:03:29] I was sitting with the Canadians [1:03:30] there was a German embassy [1:03:31] representative nearby [1:03:32] this is the thing [1:03:34] they talk about [1:03:35] when they talk about America [1:03:36] is this becoming [1:03:37] the thing people think about [1:03:39] when they look [1:03:40] at the United States [1:03:41] and how does that impact [1:03:42] how people interact [1:03:43] with our leaders [1:03:44] and with us as a country [1:03:45] these are great questions [1:03:46] I tend to think [1:03:47] that people were already [1:03:48] thinking of America [1:03:49] in that way [1:03:50] and I'm not sure [1:03:50] what happened last night [1:03:51] changes any of that [1:03:52] I also think people [1:03:53] have incredibly short memories [1:03:54] and a couple of weeks [1:03:56] from now [1:03:56] when we're talking about [1:03:57] whether to have this dinner again [1:03:58] this might feel like [1:03:59] a long time ago [1:04:00] Butler went by very quickly [1:04:02] or went away very quickly [1:04:03] in the minds [1:04:04] of a lot of Americans [1:04:05] so I guess we'll have to see [1:04:07] with all of that [1:04:07] but I do believe [1:04:08] in the essence [1:04:10] the spirit of this dinner [1:04:11] I think there's actually [1:04:12] something really wonderful [1:04:13] to be said [1:04:13] about these groups [1:04:15] of people getting together [1:04:16] who have a typically [1:04:17] pretty antagonistic relationship [1:04:19] there weren't all that [1:04:20] many celebrities there [1:04:21] really last night [1:04:21] it was largely a journalistic [1:04:24] and policy maker [1:04:25] get together [1:04:26] and of course [1:04:27] yeah there are always [1:04:27] going to be celebrities there [1:04:28] but striking to see [1:04:30] in 2026 [1:04:32] how quickly people have [1:04:34] the playbook in their head [1:04:35] of what to do [1:04:36] when they hear a sound [1:04:37] like that [1:04:37] or see people running [1:04:39] I had an ambassador [1:04:40] at my table [1:04:40] who was under the table [1:04:42] within seconds [1:04:43] people dove to the floor [1:04:45] long before they had [1:04:46] any idea of what was happening [1:04:47] and that's kind of sad [1:04:49] to think about this morning [1:04:49] I want to pick up on that quickly [1:04:50] because yes they did that [1:04:51] and they did it impulsively [1:04:52] there was [1:04:53] and there will be critiques [1:04:54] of how all of this unfolded [1:04:55] I'm sure [1:04:55] there was a real gap [1:04:56] of information [1:04:57] for a very long time [1:04:58] and I think that's something [1:04:59] that was very striking to me [1:05:00] as I made my way [1:05:01] out of there eventually [1:05:02] made my way back [1:05:03] to the hotel [1:05:03] yes we're sadly [1:05:06] inured to a lot of this [1:05:08] but in that moment [1:05:09] I personally expected [1:05:10] more guidance [1:05:11] on do you stay [1:05:12] or do you go [1:05:12] or how are you supposed [1:05:13] to comport yourself [1:05:14] within what [1:05:14] maybe 20 or 30 minutes [1:05:16] and said [1:05:16] we're trying to get it together [1:05:17] hang on [1:05:17] we're going to resume [1:05:19] the program [1:05:20] which they did not do [1:05:21] I've got to think too [1:05:22] and I don't know [1:05:23] if Jeff has a thought on this [1:05:24] that the president [1:05:24] of the United States [1:05:25] wanted to come back out [1:05:26] pump the fist [1:05:27] fight fight fight [1:05:28] do the routine [1:05:29] and I'm assuming [1:05:30] the Secret Service [1:05:31] didn't think that was viable [1:05:32] yeah I know that [1:05:33] from sources [1:05:33] that he wanted to stay [1:05:34] and that's one reason [1:05:35] why those mixed messages [1:05:36] were coming [1:05:37] because the president said [1:05:38] he wanted to come out [1:05:39] and give that speech [1:05:40] so that was [1:05:41] that was a competing [1:05:42] thing last night [1:05:43] I'd like to talk about [1:05:44] gun violence in a second [1:05:45] but I think we're running [1:05:45] we'll come back [1:05:46] yeah but I think [1:05:46] as you say [1:05:47] he blamed it on protocol [1:05:48] the fact that he couldn't [1:05:49] do that last night [1:05:50] following those protocols [1:05:50] he couldn't go back [1:05:51] and finish what was underway [1:05:53] want to recap that breaking news [1:05:54] I mentioned just moments ago [1:05:55] the acting attorney general [1:05:56] Todd Blanche [1:05:56] confirming the suspected shooter [1:05:58] traveled from California [1:05:59] to DC [1:06:00] to target Trump [1:06:01] administration officials [1:06:02] we're gonna have more [1:06:03] of the charges [1:06:04] that he's facing [1:06:04] here in Washington [1:06:05] what the charges [1:06:06] beyond that might be [1:06:07] that's straight ahead [1:06:08] on Bloomberg this weekend [1:06:09] on Bloomberg Radio [1:06:10] Bloomberg Television [1:06:11] Bloomberg.com [1:06:12] on the Bloomberg Business App [1:06:13] thank you for joining us [1:06:29] live on Bloomberg this weekend [1:06:30] I'm Lisa Mateo [1:06:31] let's get you up to date [1:06:32] on today's top stories [1:06:33] a man armed with guns [1:06:34] and knives [1:06:35] stormed the lobby [1:06:36] outside of the White House [1:06:37] Correspondents Association [1:06:38] dinner last night [1:06:39] forcing President Donald Trump [1:06:41] to be rushed from the stage [1:06:42] and guests ducking under tables [1:06:43] now police say [1:06:45] Cole Thomas Allen [1:06:46] was a guest [1:06:46] at the Washington Hilton [1:06:48] where the dinner [1:06:48] was being held [1:06:49] he was taken into custody [1:06:50] and is expected [1:06:51] in court on Monday [1:06:52] now they believe [1:06:54] he opened fire [1:06:55] and acted alone [1:06:55] but did not say [1:06:56] who was his intended target [1:06:58] or describe a motive [1:06:59] but on NBC's [1:07:00] Meet the Press [1:07:00] acting attorney general [1:07:01] Todd Blanche [1:07:02] said the gunman [1:07:03] is believed [1:07:03] to have been targeting [1:07:04] members of the [1:07:05] Trump administration [1:07:06] now at a press conference [1:07:07] President Donald Trump [1:07:09] thanked the press [1:07:09] officials [1:07:10] and also the Secret Service [1:07:11] a man charged [1:07:14] a security checkpoint [1:07:15] armed with multiple weapons [1:07:17] and he was taken down [1:07:20] by some very brave [1:07:21] members of Secret Service [1:07:22] and they acted very quickly [1:07:23] the president said [1:07:26] he wants to hold [1:07:27] that event again [1:07:28] within the next 30 days [1:07:30] well in other news [1:07:31] U.S.-Iran peace talks [1:07:32] have stalled [1:07:33] as the conflict approaches [1:07:34] the two-month mark [1:07:35] President Donald Trump [1:07:36] canceled a planned trip [1:07:37] by his top envoys [1:07:38] and the Islamic Republic [1:07:39] said it won't negotiate [1:07:41] so long as [1:07:41] it's being threatened [1:07:42] but both countries [1:07:44] they are maintaining [1:07:44] a blockade [1:07:45] on the Strait of Hormuz [1:07:46] now meanwhile [1:07:47] Israeli Prime Minister [1:07:48] Benjamin Netanyahu [1:07:49] will he ordered [1:07:50] his country's military [1:07:51] to strike Hezbollah [1:07:52] targets in Lebanon [1:07:53] on Saturday [1:07:53] without giving details [1:07:55] the Israeli defense [1:07:56] Israel Defense Forces [1:07:57] later said [1:07:58] it carried out strikes [1:07:59] on weapons storage sites [1:08:00] in southern Lebanon [1:08:01] earlier it said [1:08:02] two projectiles [1:08:03] were launched [1:08:04] from Lebanon [1:08:04] toward Israel [1:08:06] Christina and David [1:08:07] thank you very much [1:08:08] for that update [1:08:08] we're going to put up [1:08:09] some live pictures now [1:08:10] outside the suspect's home [1:08:11] in Torrance, California [1:08:12] that's in Los Angeles County [1:08:14] a short time ago [1:08:15] the acting attorney general [1:08:16] Todd Blanche said [1:08:17] Cole Allen traveled [1:08:18] via train [1:08:19] to Washington [1:08:20] via Chicago [1:08:21] to that dinner [1:08:22] obviously still early [1:08:23] there on the west coast [1:08:24] you can see the sun [1:08:25] just coming up [1:08:25] joining us now [1:08:26] with more on the [1:08:27] criminal investigation [1:08:28] into Roy Taylor [1:08:29] Roy Taylor [1:08:30] who spent his year [1:08:31] in law [1:08:31] his career [1:08:32] in law enforcement [1:08:33] at the federal [1:08:34] state and local levels [1:08:35] and Elliot Williams [1:08:36] is back with us [1:08:36] he's CNN legal analyst [1:08:38] former federal prosecutor [1:08:39] and author of a new book [1:08:40] Five Bullets [1:08:42] Roy I want to start with you [1:08:44] we've been talking a lot [1:08:45] about how this investigation [1:08:46] is going to proceed [1:08:47] and one of the things [1:08:48] that's always complicated [1:08:49] in Washington [1:08:50] is you have so many [1:08:50] different agencies [1:08:51] and it's a bit of [1:08:52] a jurisdictional soup [1:08:53] who is going to take the lead [1:08:55] how does this work out [1:08:56] and how many people [1:08:57] are going to have a hand [1:08:58] in figuring out [1:08:58] what went down here [1:08:59] most likely [1:09:01] the secret service [1:09:02] will be the lead [1:09:03] investigative agency [1:09:04] and supported by the FBI [1:09:06] with all of their resources [1:09:07] because the protection [1:09:08] of the president [1:09:09] falls under the secret service [1:09:11] so most likely [1:09:12] the charges will come from them [1:09:13] what are investigators [1:09:16] looking for [1:09:17] at this point in time [1:09:17] we talked a bit about this [1:09:18] in the last hour [1:09:19] searches I imagine [1:09:21] continuing [1:09:21] at the Hilton here [1:09:22] in Washington D.C. [1:09:24] now at that home [1:09:25] in Torrance California [1:09:26] what does that investigative process [1:09:28] look like do you think [1:09:29] well they're doing [1:09:31] the background investigation [1:09:33] they already know [1:09:33] that he acted as a tutor [1:09:34] for a company called C2 [1:09:36] in California [1:09:37] I mean they've basically [1:09:38] already dissected [1:09:39] this guy's life [1:09:40] they know all about him [1:09:42] no criminal history [1:09:43] that we're made aware of [1:09:44] they're going to look [1:09:45] for where he purchased [1:09:46] the firearms [1:09:47] the knives [1:09:47] where he got on the train [1:09:50] how he had disassembled [1:09:51] the weapon [1:09:52] to reassemble it [1:09:53] once he got onto the site [1:09:54] when he made the reservations [1:09:56] to stay in that hotel [1:09:58] they'll have a complete timeline [1:10:00] and background [1:10:01] on this individual [1:10:02] within the next 48 hours [1:10:04] Elliot we've been talking [1:10:06] a lot about [1:10:07] what they're going to do [1:10:08] how they're going to charge him [1:10:09] and how they're going to impress it [1:10:10] does the fact that he had [1:10:12] lower caliber weapons [1:10:15] you know he wasn't there [1:10:16] with an automatic weapon [1:10:17] he could have done [1:10:19] a lot of damage [1:10:20] does that factor into intent [1:10:23] does that factor into [1:10:23] these charges at all [1:10:25] and does it matter [1:10:25] when you're looking at [1:10:26] how they proceed with this [1:10:27] no as long as it is a firearm [1:10:29] for the most part [1:10:31] merely an operable firearm [1:10:32] is enough [1:10:32] it's the same charge [1:10:33] he has the same charge [1:10:34] now [1:10:34] if it's a machine gun [1:10:36] and that term [1:10:37] then there are separate charges [1:10:39] for carrying [1:10:39] brandishing [1:10:40] displaying [1:10:41] or firing a machine gun [1:10:43] a modified firearm [1:10:46] if there are things [1:10:47] that he put on it [1:10:48] to make it operate differently [1:10:49] there are charges for that [1:10:50] and sentencing enhancements [1:10:52] for that as well [1:10:53] and then any other devices [1:10:54] that he might have had [1:10:55] so certainly [1:10:56] one merely needs to have a firearm [1:10:57] at least for the things [1:10:58] that he's said [1:11:00] to be charged with tomorrow [1:11:01] but all the proof [1:11:03] is in the type of weapon [1:11:04] that he had [1:11:05] and how important [1:11:06] is it in this case [1:11:07] whether he purchased [1:11:07] those guns legally [1:11:08] or not legally [1:11:09] it's not [1:11:10] again that's when you start [1:11:11] well it's a couple things [1:11:12] one if it's an unlawfully [1:11:14] purchased firearm [1:11:14] he could be charged [1:11:16] with that purchase [1:11:17] and again [1:11:19] there's a difference [1:11:20] between convicting someone [1:11:22] of a crime [1:11:22] and sentencing them for it [1:11:23] all of these things [1:11:24] can come in at sentencing [1:11:25] it's much more of a free for all [1:11:27] to bump someone's sentence off [1:11:28] if you find that he [1:11:29] stole the firearm [1:11:30] you know [1:11:31] illegally manipulated [1:11:33] the serial number on it [1:11:34] or whatever else [1:11:35] all of those things [1:11:35] might factor in [1:11:36] I want to ask you [1:11:37] about the moment [1:11:37] that we are in right now [1:11:39] focusing in specific [1:11:40] on the security camera footage [1:11:42] that we saw [1:11:42] thanks to the president [1:11:43] who posted it online [1:11:44] I'm curious first of all [1:11:45] what you take away [1:11:46] from seeing that [1:11:47] him charging through [1:11:47] that magnometer area [1:11:49] into the ballroom [1:11:50] before he stopped [1:11:51] but more than that [1:11:52] sort of this moment [1:11:53] at which the president [1:11:54] can put something like that [1:11:56] out on social media [1:11:57] obviously he opined [1:11:58] on this suspect [1:11:59] last night [1:11:59] behind the podium [1:12:00] at the White House [1:12:01] suffice to say [1:12:02] this colors [1:12:03] the investigation [1:12:04] and potential prosecution [1:12:05] of an individual [1:12:06] when the president does [1:12:07] this is not the first time [1:12:08] that he's done that as well [1:12:08] right [1:12:09] I cringe and cringed [1:12:11] whenever anyone [1:12:12] who is not the FBI [1:12:14] or the Secret Service [1:12:15] releases anything [1:12:17] that could be evidence [1:12:18] right [1:12:18] because number one [1:12:19] at the time [1:12:20] it was released [1:12:21] perhaps it had been vetted [1:12:22] perhaps it had been [1:12:23] cleared by law enforcement [1:12:24] but it's potentially evidence [1:12:26] in an active [1:12:27] and open criminal investigation [1:12:28] it was so early [1:12:28] I mean we've all covered [1:12:29] these cases [1:12:30] and usually you're waiting [1:12:31] and waiting and waiting [1:12:31] for some form of video [1:12:32] it's days sometimes weeks [1:12:33] before you get something like that [1:12:34] and I want to be clear [1:12:35] whatever we saw there [1:12:37] is horrible [1:12:37] it was potentially unsafe [1:12:39] to the president [1:12:39] many members of the cabinet [1:12:40] and many members of the public [1:12:42] however [1:12:42] as of right now [1:12:44] no one is charged [1:12:45] with a crime [1:12:45] there's any [1:12:47] you know [1:12:47] I think we all have [1:12:48] a great sense [1:12:49] as to who the person [1:12:49] who's charged [1:12:50] with the crime will be [1:12:50] but it's incredibly risky [1:12:52] to start putting out [1:12:53] images or surveillance footage [1:12:54] before any charges [1:12:56] have come down [1:12:56] and even after [1:12:57] because then you're talking about [1:12:59] how do you affect the jury pool [1:13:00] if you want [1:13:01] this guy to get convicted [1:13:02] you want the investigation [1:13:04] to be as clean as possible [1:13:05] and that also means [1:13:07] releasing as little [1:13:08] information to the public [1:13:09] as possible [1:13:10] before he goes to trial [1:13:11] Roy [1:13:12] I'm sorry [1:13:12] go ahead [1:13:12] that's okay [1:13:13] Roy when you look at that video [1:13:15] and David can jump in [1:13:16] with his question as well [1:13:17] I'm wondering what you see [1:13:19] as someone with a lot of experience [1:13:21] at different levels [1:13:22] of law enforcement [1:13:22] if you see any tactical errors [1:13:25] if you see any holes [1:13:26] in that checkpoint [1:13:27] because it seems like [1:13:28] he was able to penetrate [1:13:29] that initial line [1:13:30] fairly quickly [1:13:31] now they did get him [1:13:32] to the ground [1:13:33] but why was he able [1:13:34] to get through that [1:13:34] in the first place [1:13:35] well he surprised [1:13:37] the officer that was [1:13:38] on the post there [1:13:39] that we see in the video [1:13:40] that was released [1:13:41] the officer happened [1:13:42] to be looking the other way [1:13:43] he most likely heard [1:13:44] the running footsteps [1:13:45] he turned [1:13:46] he saw the person [1:13:47] run past him [1:13:48] and then immediately [1:13:49] drew his firearm [1:13:50] and I give him credit [1:13:51] he didn't leave his post [1:13:52] he stuck with his post [1:13:53] other officers responded [1:13:54] and gave chase [1:13:56] to the individual [1:13:57] which was all off camera [1:13:58] but that just shows [1:14:00] the importance [1:14:01] of having different levels [1:14:03] of security [1:14:04] different perimeters [1:14:05] of security [1:14:06] so that these people [1:14:07] can be stopped [1:14:08] at the farthest most point [1:14:11] from the protectees [1:14:12] even though we got past them [1:14:14] the dinner was sealed off [1:14:18] there was no way [1:14:18] for him to get inside [1:14:19] that room [1:14:20] so he would have been stopped [1:14:21] before he could even [1:14:22] get in sight [1:14:22] with the president [1:14:23] Roy I wonder if you [1:14:25] could talk about [1:14:26] the way that law enforcement [1:14:27] cooperates and collaborates [1:14:29] on events like these [1:14:30] and those of us [1:14:30] who have lived in Washington [1:14:31] know how many different [1:14:33] police departments [1:14:34] are in this jurisdiction [1:14:35] how many different branches [1:14:37] of law enforcement [1:14:37] there are here [1:14:38] how complicated [1:14:40] how difficult [1:14:40] is it a task [1:14:41] for all those [1:14:42] different agencies [1:14:42] to work together [1:14:43] as seamlessly as possible [1:14:45] on a big marquee event [1:14:46] like the one that took place [1:14:47] here in Washington [1:14:47] last night [1:14:48] it's difficult [1:14:50] I planned one big event [1:14:52] when I was in that area [1:14:53] for General Clapper [1:14:54] when he retired [1:14:54] from the National Geospatial [1:14:56] Intelligence Agency [1:14:57] and the entire [1:14:59] the president [1:15:00] the cabinet [1:15:00] everyone [1:15:01] all the top military leaders [1:15:03] were supposed to attend [1:15:04] and we started that planning [1:15:05] a year out [1:15:06] and we had monthly meetings [1:15:07] so that we could [1:15:09] you know coordinate [1:15:10] and liaise with each other [1:15:12] establish communications [1:15:14] points of contact [1:15:15] specific duties [1:15:17] but it is a long process [1:15:19] and it starts early [1:15:20] and like I said [1:15:21] mine was a year out [1:15:22] with monthly interaction [1:15:24] with the involved agencies [1:15:26] Elliot I saw you scribbling [1:15:29] over there [1:15:29] I was wondering [1:15:30] if there's anything [1:15:30] you want to comment on [1:15:31] otherwise I'm going to [1:15:32] play you some sound [1:15:32] but is there anything [1:15:33] you want to talk [1:15:33] Scribbling is how [1:15:35] I stay following [1:15:36] everybody has their [1:15:37] tactics and techniques [1:15:38] for being up [1:15:40] no I'm agreeing [1:15:40] with everything he's saying [1:15:41] and quite frankly [1:15:41] to the point [1:15:42] you know [1:15:43] two dozen law enforcement [1:15:45] entities in Washington D.C. [1:15:47] I've worked [1:15:47] with the U.S. Attorney's [1:15:48] Office and ICE [1:15:49] and the Justice Department [1:15:50] and quite frankly [1:15:50] often they are at odds [1:15:52] over who gets to [1:15:52] handle the case [1:15:54] who gets to proceed [1:15:55] with it [1:15:55] and so yes [1:15:56] I know they're doing [1:15:57] their best [1:15:57] but there's long history [1:15:59] between all these [1:16:00] agencies [1:16:00] also [1:16:01] it's not supposed [1:16:02] to be political [1:16:03] but we know [1:16:04] that this is Washington [1:16:05] and I'm wondering [1:16:06] when it comes to [1:16:07] I know it's early yet [1:16:08] but when it comes [1:16:09] to potential charges [1:16:10] he's facing [1:16:10] whether it's federal [1:16:11] whether it's local [1:16:12] if there could be [1:16:14] pressure or influence [1:16:14] from the White House [1:16:15] to elevate those charges [1:16:17] or to charge him [1:16:17] in a way that [1:16:18] like how amenable [1:16:19] or subjected [1:16:21] how does that happen? [1:16:22] Absolutely [1:16:23] and this is a very [1:16:23] important question [1:16:24] to ask in this moment [1:16:26] and I will note [1:16:27] that this is [1:16:28] other people's reporting [1:16:30] juries in Washington D.C. [1:16:32] have lost a fair amount [1:16:33] of faith [1:16:33] in the Justice Department [1:16:34] over the last several years [1:16:35] as you see [1:16:36] you know [1:16:37] they have one of the lowest [1:16:37] conviction rates [1:16:38] of offices around the country [1:16:40] cases are getting thrown out [1:16:41] by grand juries [1:16:42] and regular juries [1:16:43] right they refuse to indict [1:16:45] the guy who threw the sandwich [1:16:46] at the yeah [1:16:46] all of those things [1:16:47] and that's a function [1:16:49] of the public statements [1:16:50] from the president [1:16:51] and the Justice Department [1:16:52] to some extent [1:16:53] that can taint [1:16:54] this prosecution as well [1:16:56] it will have to be prosecuted [1:16:57] in Washington D.C. [1:16:59] in all likelihood [1:17:00] this is where it happened [1:17:01] this is where [1:17:02] any number of the events [1:17:04] around it would have happened [1:17:05] I think it's hard [1:17:05] to make the case [1:17:06] to charge it in California [1:17:07] so these years of trouble [1:17:10] around the Justice Department [1:17:11] might not imperil this case [1:17:13] but certainly [1:17:14] it's in the jury's mind [1:17:15] I want to go to your book [1:17:16] which is about an incident [1:17:17] that took place [1:17:17] many decades ago [1:17:18] but I want to kind of bring up [1:17:20] the crucible [1:17:20] in which you wrote that book [1:17:21] and it was one of [1:17:22] political violence [1:17:23] the killing of Jordan Neely [1:17:24] on the subway [1:17:25] in New York City [1:17:26] and in the book [1:17:27] you write about [1:17:28] how that's very much [1:17:29] informing the way [1:17:29] that you were looking [1:17:29] at that incident [1:17:30] if you could talk [1:17:31] just a bit about that [1:17:32] we were talking about [1:17:33] how we're kind of inured [1:17:34] to the way [1:17:35] that mass shootings unfold [1:17:36] if we haven't experienced [1:17:37] them ourselves [1:17:37] we've seen the way [1:17:38] in which people have [1:17:39] how have you thought about that [1:17:41] as you explore this incident [1:17:42] again that took place [1:17:42] many years ago [1:17:43] right certainly [1:17:44] the shooting [1:17:46] where Bernard gets shot [1:17:47] for black teenagers [1:17:48] on the New York City subway [1:17:49] came at a moment [1:17:50] of profound violence [1:17:52] and roughness in New York [1:17:53] the crime rate [1:17:53] the homicide rate [1:17:54] was 1700 a year [1:17:55] which is far more [1:17:56] than anything we see today [1:17:58] I think the bigger moment [1:17:59] about all [1:18:00] I guess political [1:18:01] or high profile violence [1:18:02] is how quick [1:18:04] the rush to judgment [1:18:06] is from the public [1:18:06] and I know [1:18:07] Bernard Goetz [1:18:08] got made into a hero [1:18:09] right away [1:18:09] because of the news media [1:18:11] to some extent [1:18:11] people around him [1:18:12] today [1:18:13] anyone who commits [1:18:14] a serious violent act [1:18:15] particularly a political one [1:18:17] you can expect [1:18:17] that the internet [1:18:18] is probably celebrating [1:18:19] this individual [1:18:20] anyone who has a cell phone [1:18:22] or open social media [1:18:23] knows that there are [1:18:23] probably people [1:18:24] cheering [1:18:25] an assault attempt [1:18:26] or an assassination attempt [1:18:28] on the president [1:18:28] of the United States [1:18:29] because [1:18:29] our news climate [1:18:31] or certainly [1:18:32] our social media climate [1:18:33] rewards that [1:18:34] and throughout time [1:18:37] people's willingness [1:18:38] to celebrate violent acts [1:18:39] is something that [1:18:40] is as American [1:18:41] as political violence [1:18:42] that's the thing [1:18:43] we need to tamp down [1:18:44] I do talk about this [1:18:45] quite a bit [1:18:45] in the book [1:18:46] Five Bullets [1:18:46] that when [1:18:48] these acts happen [1:18:49] the tragedy [1:18:51] that follows the tragedy [1:18:52] is often how quick [1:18:53] people are to celebrate [1:18:54] these acts [1:18:55] and we ought to be able [1:18:56] to just put it aside [1:18:57] judge and adjudicate [1:18:59] everything fairly [1:19:00] but recognize [1:19:01] that it does not help [1:19:02] to go out on social media [1:19:03] clapping and celebrating [1:19:04] when many many people [1:19:07] could have been [1:19:07] seriously hurt or killed [1:19:08] or even how quick [1:19:10] to forget [1:19:10] which is something [1:19:11] that Joe was talking about [1:19:12] and I remember [1:19:12] when I covered [1:19:13] we just have a little bit [1:19:14] of time [1:19:14] but you know [1:19:15] the memory of these things [1:19:17] tends to fade [1:19:18] and is that one of the reasons [1:19:18] you wanted to address [1:19:19] this specific case [1:19:20] absolutely [1:19:21] and we write books [1:19:22] for the future [1:19:23] not today [1:19:23] and I remember [1:19:25] the Bernard Gett shooting [1:19:26] vividly from growing up [1:19:27] in New Jersey [1:19:28] 9-11 [1:19:29] my god people [1:19:30] have forgotten that [1:19:30] to some extent [1:19:31] that's insane to me [1:19:32] I know [1:19:32] I know [1:19:33] all right [1:19:33] thank you so much [1:19:34] for being on set with us [1:19:35] Roy Taylor [1:19:36] we also appreciate you [1:19:37] joining us early this morning [1:19:39] thank you both [1:19:39] for being with us [1:19:40] coming up a big week [1:19:41] here for the Fed [1:19:42] Jerome Powell's [1:19:42] final press conference's chair [1:19:44] and a vote on [1:19:44] Kevin Warsh's confirmation [1:19:45] scheduled for Wednesday [1:19:47] of this week [1:19:48] our colleague Michael McKee [1:19:49] is going to join us next [1:19:50] on Bloomberg This Weekend [1:19:51] live from Washington D.C. [1:19:52] thank you for joining us [1:19:59] live on Bloomberg This Weekend [1:20:00] I'm Lisa Mateo [1:20:01] let's get you up to date [1:20:02] on today's top stories [1:20:03] investigators [1:20:04] continue to search [1:20:05] for a motive [1:20:06] in a shooting [1:20:06] at the White House [1:20:07] Correspondents Association [1:20:08] dinner last night [1:20:09] President Trump [1:20:10] was set to speak [1:20:11] at the annual event [1:20:12] to celebrate press freedoms [1:20:13] when gunfire erupted [1:20:14] outside of the ballroom [1:20:15] of the Washington Hilton [1:20:17] now a California man [1:20:18] is in custody [1:20:19] and is expected [1:20:20] to be arraigned [1:20:21] on Monday [1:20:21] police identified him [1:20:23] as 31-year-old [1:20:24] Cole Thomas Allen [1:20:25] President Trump said [1:20:26] no country is immune [1:20:28] from political violence [1:20:29] I was talking to somebody [1:20:31] from another country [1:20:32] today [1:20:34] and they have [1:20:35] numerous assassinations [1:20:38] of political figures [1:20:39] all over the world [1:20:40] you look at South America [1:20:41] South America [1:20:42] it's like [1:20:42] some of the numbers [1:20:44] are just horrific [1:20:44] it's dangerous [1:20:46] it's dangerous stuff [1:20:47] whether it's here [1:20:48] or someplace else [1:20:48] no country is immune [1:20:50] the president said [1:20:53] he wants the event [1:20:54] rescheduled [1:20:54] within 30 days [1:20:56] now in other news [1:20:57] the ceasefire is in jeopardy [1:20:58] after President Trump [1:20:59] canceled a planned trip [1:21:00] to Pakistan [1:21:01] by his top envoys [1:21:02] for negotiations [1:21:03] over the Iran conflict [1:21:04] and Iran's top diplomat [1:21:06] met mediators [1:21:06] in Pakistan [1:21:07] and left Islamabad [1:21:09] well ahead of the planned [1:21:10] arrival of U.S. envoys [1:21:11] despite Iran tensions [1:21:13] King Charles III [1:21:13] will follow his mother's lead [1:21:15] in celebrating [1:21:16] U.S. and U.K. relations [1:21:17] King Charles and Queen Camilla [1:21:19] will begin their [1:21:19] four-day trip tomorrow [1:21:21] and they will have tea [1:21:22] with President Trump [1:21:23] and First Lady Melania Trump [1:21:24] the formal arrival ceremony [1:21:26] that will take place [1:21:26] on Tuesday [1:21:27] Christina and David [1:21:28] I bet this will come up [1:21:30] as a topic of conversation [1:21:31] when he sits down [1:21:32] with the president [1:21:33] thank you Lisa very much [1:21:34] this will likely be [1:21:36] an historic week [1:21:37] for the Federal Reserve [1:21:38] not just because [1:21:38] of a pending decision [1:21:39] on interest rates [1:21:40] but for the man [1:21:41] who leads the century [1:21:42] old organization [1:21:43] with us now is [1:21:44] Michael McKee [1:21:44] Bloomberg's [1:21:45] international economics [1:21:46] and policy correspondent [1:21:47] who covers the Fed [1:21:48] for us no doubt [1:21:48] booking his trip here [1:21:49] to Washington D.C. [1:21:50] for Wednesday of next week [1:21:51] when the Senate Banking Committee [1:21:52] is going to have a vote [1:21:53] we have learned [1:21:54] on Kevin Warsh [1:21:55] the president's picked [1:21:56] to be the next chair [1:21:56] of the Federal Reserve [1:21:57] Mike what can we expect [1:21:58] it's the start of the new week here [1:22:00] what is that hearing [1:22:01] going to be like [1:22:01] I guess we're waiting [1:22:02] with bated breath here [1:22:03] to see what one member [1:22:04] of that committee [1:22:04] is going to say [1:22:05] well the vote on [1:22:08] the meeting of the banking committee [1:22:10] to hold a vote [1:22:11] may not be open [1:22:12] they don't always do it [1:22:13] in open session [1:22:14] but it'll be short [1:22:16] they'll already have [1:22:17] the votes counted basically [1:22:19] and they'll come out [1:22:20] and make a move [1:22:21] to accept him [1:22:22] and then it goes [1:22:24] to the floor [1:22:25] of the Senate [1:22:26] it's a little bit tough [1:22:27] these days with the Senate [1:22:28] because they've got [1:22:29] so many other [1:22:30] pending legislative issues [1:22:31] but one feels that [1:22:32] John Thune will find a way [1:22:34] to get it to the floor [1:22:36] before May 15th [1:22:37] so Kevin Warsh [1:22:38] can be sworn in [1:22:39] we have to assume [1:22:41] we haven't heard yet [1:22:41] from Tom Tillis [1:22:42] but we have to assume [1:22:44] that they would not [1:22:45] have scheduled the vote [1:22:46] unless he had agreed [1:22:48] to vote in favor [1:22:49] of the nominee [1:22:51] there's a lot happening [1:22:54] around this meeting [1:22:55] but we're not exactly [1:22:56] expecting anything [1:22:57] to happen right [1:22:58] we're not expecting [1:22:59] any significant changes [1:23:00] on rate cuts [1:23:00] it's mostly about [1:23:02] the things we've been [1:23:02] talking about [1:23:03] about Powell [1:23:03] and all this [1:23:04] surrounding this meeting [1:23:05] itself [1:23:06] it's really going to be [1:23:08] about Jay Powell [1:23:09] it's technically [1:23:11] his last meeting [1:23:12] as Fed chair [1:23:13] if Kevin Warsh [1:23:14] is confirmed right away [1:23:15] then he will take over [1:23:17] on May 16th [1:23:19] but there isn't going [1:23:20] to be any move [1:23:22] in interest rates [1:23:22] there's not a new [1:23:24] set of economic projections [1:23:25] there's not a new dot plot [1:23:27] so a lot of this [1:23:28] is going to be focused [1:23:29] on what Jay Powell's [1:23:30] future plans are [1:23:32] there is a headline [1:23:33] out this morning [1:23:34] that Todd Blanche [1:23:35] was on one of the other [1:23:36] morning shows [1:23:36] the acting attorney general [1:23:38] and he said [1:23:39] if the probe uncovers [1:23:41] anything [1:23:41] the probe by the [1:23:42] inspector general [1:23:43] then we are going [1:23:45] to investigate [1:23:45] and that's exactly [1:23:46] what Jay Powell said [1:23:47] he doesn't want [1:23:48] he said that [1:23:49] until this is really [1:23:50] and finally closed [1:23:52] he's not leaving the Fed [1:23:53] so even if [1:23:54] Warsh takes over [1:23:55] as chair [1:23:55] Powell may still [1:23:57] be on the Fed [1:23:58] as a governor [1:23:59] he can stay [1:23:59] until 2028 [1:24:01] so a lot of the [1:24:02] questioning I'm sure [1:24:02] we'll focus on that [1:24:03] yeah you've taken me [1:24:05] right where I want to go [1:24:06] and that is what [1:24:07] Powell has said [1:24:07] in the past [1:24:08] that he won't be [1:24:08] satisfied until [1:24:09] the investigation [1:24:09] is completed [1:24:10] with transparency [1:24:11] and finality [1:24:12] we haven't heard [1:24:14] from Tom Tillis [1:24:15] the senator [1:24:15] from North Carolina [1:24:15] we haven't heard [1:24:16] from Jay Powell [1:24:16] either [1:24:17] do we have any sense [1:24:18] of what he meant [1:24:19] by that [1:24:20] if this investigation [1:24:21] by the DOJ [1:24:22] has been dropped [1:24:22] as Janine Pirro [1:24:23] says it has been [1:24:24] and it's kicked over [1:24:25] to the inspector general [1:24:26] of the Federal Reserve [1:24:26] do you think that's enough [1:24:28] to satisfy the Fed chair [1:24:29] has he indicated as much [1:24:30] he has not indicated [1:24:32] I've been told [1:24:34] that the Fed [1:24:34] is not particularly happy [1:24:36] with what they have heard [1:24:37] but it's going to be [1:24:38] Powell's decision [1:24:39] he wanted the case [1:24:42] closed with prejudice [1:24:43] meaning you can't file [1:24:44] anything new [1:24:45] now the inspector general [1:24:47] has been working [1:24:47] on this for a year [1:24:49] almost since July [1:24:51] of last year [1:24:51] when Powell asked him [1:24:52] to investigate [1:24:54] so it shouldn't take [1:24:55] very long for the IG [1:24:57] to get a report out [1:24:59] and the banking committee [1:25:00] has asked for a hearing [1:25:01] within 90 days [1:25:02] it may not even [1:25:03] take that long [1:25:04] and if the IG clears Powell [1:25:06] then maybe he will resign [1:25:09] but if not [1:25:10] or if it's indeterminate [1:25:12] then Powell probably stays on [1:25:14] now I would guess [1:25:15] that Powell is going to stay [1:25:17] on until and until [1:25:19] at least we see the [1:25:20] inspector general's report [1:25:22] because he's still [1:25:24] in some legal jeopardy [1:25:26] if the IG finds [1:25:28] that there was something wrong [1:25:30] Michael McKee [1:25:32] I'm going to go out [1:25:32] on a limb here [1:25:33] and Beth you watched [1:25:34] our interview yesterday [1:25:35] with Dan Yergin [1:25:36] we talked to him [1:25:37] the great energy expert [1:25:38] about the Fed's capacity [1:25:39] to see through [1:25:40] what's been going on [1:25:41] in the Middle East [1:25:41] and he expressed [1:25:42] some real hesitation [1:25:43] that they'll be able [1:25:44] to do that [1:25:44] so even as Christina [1:25:45] points out [1:25:46] there's not going to be [1:25:46] any sort of cuts [1:25:47] or increases [1:25:48] at this meeting [1:25:48] this week [1:25:49] I suspect the dialogue [1:25:50] around that table [1:25:51] is going to be fascinating [1:25:53] and I wonder if you could [1:25:53] talk a bit about that [1:25:54] the way that Fed policymakers [1:25:55] in their speeches [1:25:57] and interviews [1:25:57] leading up to this meeting [1:25:58] have addressed [1:26:00] all of the uncertainty [1:26:01] that is part of [1:26:02] the war [1:26:03] that this war has wrought [1:26:04] as they kind of [1:26:05] see their way through [1:26:06] the economy [1:26:07] well there are kind of [1:26:09] two aspects [1:26:10] because there are [1:26:10] two mandates [1:26:11] before the war [1:26:13] even there were concerns [1:26:14] about the labor market [1:26:15] the Fed's been more worried [1:26:16] since the war started [1:26:17] about inflation [1:26:18] so they'll be talking [1:26:19] about both [1:26:20] and what they think [1:26:21] is going to happen [1:26:21] in each [1:26:22] the feeling is [1:26:24] is that the labor market [1:26:25] is stable [1:26:25] but not all that healthy [1:26:27] while inflation [1:26:28] may be a real danger [1:26:30] they want to look [1:26:30] through the energy prices [1:26:32] because those are temporary [1:26:33] and at some point [1:26:34] they'll start to come back down [1:26:35] but they won't go as low [1:26:38] as they were [1:26:39] for some time [1:26:40] and the stories [1:26:41] that you read about [1:26:42] the second round effects [1:26:44] Bloomberg had a great one [1:26:45] yesterday [1:26:46] I encourage everybody [1:26:47] to read that [1:26:48] there's a feeling [1:26:50] that like an offshore tsunami [1:26:51] this is going to start [1:26:52] hitting all kinds of companies [1:26:54] in the U.S. [1:26:55] and around the world [1:26:56] because supplies [1:26:58] have not been delivered [1:26:59] and because companies [1:27:00] can't operate [1:27:01] without enough fuel [1:27:02] and so prices [1:27:03] are going to continue [1:27:04] to go up [1:27:05] not just for energy [1:27:07] we noted that [1:27:08] China has already [1:27:10] started raising prices [1:27:11] on exports [1:27:13] that are not energy related [1:27:14] and we import a lot [1:27:16] from China [1:27:16] so we could continue [1:27:18] to see inflation rise [1:27:19] for some months [1:27:20] and that creates [1:27:21] a real dilemma [1:27:22] for the Fed [1:27:23] do they threaten [1:27:24] the labor market [1:27:25] by raising rates [1:27:27] to head off inflation [1:27:28] or do they [1:27:29] stimulate the economy [1:27:31] and risk further inflation [1:27:32] by cutting rates [1:27:33] so this is not going to be [1:27:35] a story that goes away [1:27:35] soon for the Fed [1:27:37] and whoever is the chair [1:27:39] but I want to ask you [1:27:41] about that [1:27:41] because one of the [1:27:42] criticisms of Powell's tenor [1:27:44] and the Fed [1:27:44] under his command [1:27:45] was that they were slow [1:27:46] to respond initially [1:27:47] to inflationary trends [1:27:49] and if we're seeing [1:27:50] these second stream effects [1:27:52] from the war [1:27:53] and we see all the things [1:27:54] you just talked about [1:27:54] starting to kick in [1:27:55] if you have this uncertainty [1:27:57] lingering at the top [1:27:58] of the Fed [1:27:59] does that impact [1:28:00] their ability [1:28:01] to be nimble [1:28:01] and to respond [1:28:02] where they need to [1:28:03] to these economic trends [1:28:05] probably not [1:28:06] because Kevin Warsh [1:28:08] is really going to be [1:28:08] the only change [1:28:09] and we sort of know [1:28:10] where Stephen Myron [1:28:11] comes down all the time [1:28:13] so the rest of the [1:28:15] open market committee [1:28:16] has been dealing [1:28:16] with shocks like this [1:28:18] for now years [1:28:19] and they've had [1:28:20] a lot of chance [1:28:21] to talk through [1:28:21] what's going on [1:28:22] with the war [1:28:24] and its effect [1:28:25] on prices [1:28:26] and scenarios [1:28:27] for what might happen [1:28:29] I think they'd be able [1:28:31] to react appropriately [1:28:32] the question is [1:28:33] what's the best reaction [1:28:34] and that's hard to know [1:28:35] it's interesting [1:28:37] that Kevin Warsh [1:28:37] is coming into the Fed [1:28:39] critical of the Fed's [1:28:41] performance [1:28:41] with the inflation [1:28:43] breakout in 2021 [1:28:44] and he said he wants [1:28:46] to change the Fed's [1:28:48] inflation framework [1:28:49] so it will be interesting [1:28:50] to see whether he can [1:28:53] and by how much [1:28:54] in a short period of time [1:28:55] to try to head off [1:28:57] any criticism [1:28:57] that the Fed might be slow [1:28:59] or react wrongly [1:29:00] this time [1:29:01] our international economics [1:29:03] and policy correspondent [1:29:04] Michael McKee [1:29:05] joining us here [1:29:05] on this Sunday morning [1:29:06] that interview with Tom Till [1:29:07] is scheduled to take place [1:29:08] here in a few minutes [1:29:09] time we'll be monitoring [1:29:10] that of course [1:29:10] bringing you any headlines [1:29:11] from what the North Carolina [1:29:12] senator has to say [1:29:13] about his position [1:29:14] on Kevin Warsh's nomination [1:29:16] now that those charges [1:29:17] or that investigation [1:29:19] rather into Jerome Powell [1:29:20] has been passed [1:29:20] from the Justice Department [1:29:21] on to the IG [1:29:23] at the Federal Reserve [1:29:24] and I should note [1:29:24] that Mike McKee [1:29:25] is going to have [1:29:25] special coverage for us [1:29:26] on Wednesday [1:29:27] a special edition [1:29:28] of Surveillance [1:29:28] the Fed decides [1:29:29] starting at 1.30 p.m. [1:29:30] on Bloomberg Radio [1:29:32] and Bloomberg Television [1:29:33] all right [1:29:33] last night's shooting [1:29:34] at the Washington Hilton [1:29:35] reminded many [1:29:36] of the attempted assassination [1:29:37] of President Reagan [1:29:38] at that exact same hotel [1:29:40] a look back [1:29:41] at that time [1:29:42] in 1981 [1:29:43] with presidential historian [1:29:44] Douglas Brinkley [1:29:45] to help talk to us [1:29:47] about the trends [1:29:48] we're seeing [1:29:48] and all the historical moments [1:29:50] that echoed [1:29:51] what we saw this week [1:29:52] stick with us [1:29:53] Bloomberg this weekend [1:29:54] we'll be right back [1:29:55] we've been reporting [1:30:00] on the shooting [1:30:01] at the White House [1:30:01] Correspondents Association [1:30:02] dinner last night [1:30:03] here in Washington D.C. [1:30:04] shortly after [1:30:05] President Trump [1:30:05] addressed the press [1:30:06] opening up about [1:30:07] being a potential target [1:30:08] for would-be assassins [1:30:10] here we have the same [1:30:10] I've studied assassinations [1:30:13] and I must tell you [1:30:15] the most impactful [1:30:16] people [1:30:18] the people that do [1:30:19] the most [1:30:19] you take a look [1:30:20] at the people [1:30:21] Abraham Lincoln [1:30:22] I mean you go [1:30:23] through the people [1:30:24] that have gone [1:30:26] through this [1:30:26] where they got them [1:30:27] but the people [1:30:29] that do the most [1:30:30] the people [1:30:31] that make [1:30:31] the biggest impact [1:30:33] they're the ones [1:30:34] that they go after [1:30:34] they don't go after [1:30:36] the ones that don't do much [1:30:37] because they like it [1:30:38] that way [1:30:39] and when you look [1:30:40] at the people [1:30:41] that have [1:30:42] either [1:30:43] whether it was an attempt [1:30:45] or a successful attempt [1:30:46] they're very impactful [1:30:48] people [1:30:49] just take a look [1:30:50] at the names [1:30:50] here [1:30:51] the big names [1:30:52] and I hate to say [1:30:54] I'm honored by that [1:30:55] but I've done a lot [1:30:57] we've done a lot [1:30:58] joining us now [1:31:01] is not Doug Brinkley [1:31:02] it is our internal [1:31:03] historian [1:31:03] Joe Matthew [1:31:04] Joe have you studied [1:31:06] assassinations [1:31:07] as the president [1:31:08] says he has [1:31:08] I mean [1:31:09] but seriously [1:31:10] like talk to us [1:31:11] about the history [1:31:11] of that building [1:31:13] of what has happened [1:31:14] there previously [1:31:15] and of other attacks [1:31:16] on presidents [1:31:17] and how that's [1:31:18] kind of changed [1:31:18] Washington the apparatus [1:31:19] around the president [1:31:21] including the TV pool [1:31:22] yeah well [1:31:22] we were speaking earlier [1:31:23] you know [1:31:24] in the wake of Butler [1:31:25] the sort of muscle memory [1:31:26] that so many people have [1:31:27] not just the press corps [1:31:28] but there were a lot [1:31:29] of folks in the room [1:31:30] officials [1:31:30] people who were [1:31:31] just invited guests [1:31:32] and everybody [1:31:32] seemed to move on cue [1:31:34] before they knew [1:31:35] what was going on [1:31:35] in many cases [1:31:36] they were on the floor [1:31:37] they were under tables [1:31:38] there was a picture [1:31:40] that I saw [1:31:41] on the front of our website [1:31:42] and on the terminal [1:31:43] last evening [1:31:44] of our booker [1:31:45] Matt Shirley [1:31:45] who jumped on top [1:31:47] of one of his colleagues [1:31:48] and that's the [1:31:48] you know [1:31:49] the spirit [1:31:51] of what took place [1:31:52] in that room [1:31:52] and the people [1:31:53] who had a shared experience [1:31:54] is really sad [1:31:55] to think about [1:31:56] that that's an automatic [1:31:57] but yes [1:31:57] I wonder if that dinner [1:31:59] will ever be held again [1:32:00] in what is known [1:32:01] affectionately here in Washington [1:32:02] as the Hinkley Hilton [1:32:03] because that is where [1:32:04] the assassination attempt [1:32:06] on Ronald Reagan [1:32:07] took place [1:32:07] when you walked [1:32:08] into that entrance [1:32:09] and went on the red carpet [1:32:10] Christina [1:32:10] you walked right by [1:32:11] where that took place [1:32:12] as a plaque [1:32:13] commemorating [1:32:14] that awful day [1:32:15] and so we do have [1:32:17] a shared history [1:32:19] here in Washington [1:32:19] of these tragedies [1:32:21] the way the president [1:32:22] went after that [1:32:23] with the rhetoric [1:32:23] last evening [1:32:24] to take this [1:32:25] as some sort of compliment [1:32:26] is bizarre [1:32:27] but that in a way [1:32:28] is very Donald Trump [1:32:30] that awful day [1:32:32] March 30th 1981 [1:32:33] the president [1:32:33] was there to speak [1:32:34] to the AFL-CIO [1:32:35] if I'm not mistaken [1:32:36] and he kept a journal [1:32:39] I remember him writing [1:32:39] it's a pithy quote [1:32:40] getting shot hurts [1:32:41] is what he wrote [1:32:42] but speak to the confusion [1:32:44] that surrounded [1:32:45] all of that [1:32:46] of course [1:32:47] one of his closest advisors [1:32:48] was injured grievously [1:32:49] in that attack [1:32:49] that's right [1:32:50] the president [1:32:51] as I recall [1:32:52] didn't know [1:32:52] that he had been shot [1:32:53] until he was in the limousine [1:32:54] noticed he was bleeding [1:32:55] and thought [1:32:56] perhaps he'd cut himself [1:32:57] or of course [1:32:59] was much worse than that [1:32:59] he ended up in the hospital [1:33:00] for a couple of days [1:33:01] and as you both know [1:33:01] we still call it [1:33:02] the Brady briefing room [1:33:04] for that reason [1:33:04] at the White House [1:33:05] you know [1:33:06] I'll tell you guys [1:33:07] we saw J.D. Vance [1:33:09] taken out of the room [1:33:10] immediately [1:33:11] and I was struck [1:33:12] by the fact [1:33:12] that there weren't [1:33:13] five or ten [1:33:14] secret service members [1:33:15] jumping on top [1:33:16] of the president [1:33:17] behind the dais [1:33:18] he was still talking [1:33:19] sitting next to [1:33:20] Weijia Jiang [1:33:20] for a good 30 seconds [1:33:21] to a minute [1:33:22] while all of this chaos [1:33:24] was unfolding [1:33:24] and then they came [1:33:25] and got the president [1:33:26] I don't know [1:33:27] if there'll be [1:33:27] an exercise [1:33:29] in which all of this [1:33:29] is reviewed [1:33:30] I'm sure there will be [1:33:31] but it was a different look [1:33:33] than what we saw [1:33:34] in Butler [1:33:35] the president [1:33:36] was kind of calmly [1:33:37] taken off the stage [1:33:38] and I'm sure [1:33:39] was brought into [1:33:39] a holding room [1:33:40] immediately [1:33:41] we didn't see him again [1:33:42] until he was back [1:33:43] at the White House [1:33:43] at that point [1:33:44] but the enduring vision [1:33:47] I will have [1:33:48] is of these [1:33:49] SWAT team [1:33:51] dressed [1:33:52] law enforcement officers [1:33:54] behind the dais [1:33:55] that I actually shot [1:33:55] from my phone [1:33:56] that we can roll [1:33:57] pointing their weapons [1:33:59] into the crowd [1:33:59] and they had lights [1:34:00] on the scopes [1:34:01] and when we saw [1:34:02] the guns pointed at us [1:34:04] we knew that this was [1:34:04] not a normal moment [1:34:06] as everybody was down [1:34:07] you know [1:34:08] the journalist instinct [1:34:09] rolls hard [1:34:09] and a couple of us [1:34:10] were up a little higher [1:34:11] than we probably [1:34:12] should have been filming [1:34:12] and Joe to your point [1:34:13] I do remember [1:34:14] I saw the scope [1:34:15] on the stage [1:34:16] one of the [1:34:17] you know [1:34:17] the tack guys [1:34:18] turn [1:34:19] and my fear was [1:34:20] you know [1:34:21] in a crowd [1:34:21] whether this would [1:34:22] reflect and catch [1:34:24] their eye [1:34:24] and I didn't want [1:34:25] them to think [1:34:25] it was something else [1:34:26] so I lowered it [1:34:27] I do want to go back [1:34:28] to talking about [1:34:29] Jim Brady a little bit [1:34:30] because to your point [1:34:31] in the White House [1:34:32] that is the Brady [1:34:33] briefing room [1:34:33] and even though [1:34:34] this alleged assailant [1:34:36] did not as far as we know [1:34:37] have an assault weapon [1:34:38] something that came [1:34:40] out of that attack [1:34:40] on President Reagan [1:34:42] was the Brady bill [1:34:43] and talk to us [1:34:44] about what that did [1:34:45] and why it no longer applies [1:34:46] well that's interesting [1:34:47] and I'm surprised [1:34:50] that there was not [1:34:50] any conversation [1:34:52] in the briefing [1:34:53] with the president [1:34:53] last evening [1:34:54] about a potential [1:34:56] congressional response [1:34:57] I know you'll probably [1:34:58] talk to the chairman [1:34:59] about this coming up [1:35:00] that's usually [1:35:00] the first [1:35:01] leg in the story [1:35:03] what are we going [1:35:04] to do about this [1:35:05] how did he get [1:35:06] the guns [1:35:06] and will there be [1:35:07] a second amendment [1:35:09] response [1:35:10] will there be [1:35:10] a legislative response [1:35:11] I wouldn't expect [1:35:12] that now [1:35:13] you can't even [1:35:14] talk about bump stocks [1:35:15] on Capitol Hill [1:35:16] these days [1:35:16] never mind [1:35:17] a more considered effort [1:35:19] to control [1:35:20] access to guns [1:35:21] so I don't think [1:35:22] we're going to be [1:35:22] doing that this time [1:35:23] you mentioned [1:35:24] his comments [1:35:24] that he made [1:35:25] last night [1:35:25] there was a bizarre [1:35:26] aspect to it [1:35:27] but it is something [1:35:27] that kind of animated [1:35:28] him throughout [1:35:28] his re-election [1:35:29] campaign [1:35:30] that was a [1:35:30] seismic moment [1:35:32] what happened [1:35:32] in Butler [1:35:33] and it is something [1:35:34] that clearly [1:35:34] as we heard from him [1:35:35] last night [1:35:35] is something [1:35:35] he's engaged with [1:35:36] a lot [1:35:37] he's thought about [1:35:38] that moment [1:35:38] as one would [1:35:39] as one would [1:35:39] I assume [1:35:40] and it is something [1:35:41] that I think [1:35:42] he invokes [1:35:43] from time to time [1:35:44] that it gives him [1:35:46] some sort of [1:35:47] his surviving [1:35:48] that attack [1:35:49] has really animated [1:35:50] his political career [1:35:50] well he's talked [1:35:51] about divine intervention [1:35:52] that the hand of God [1:35:53] reached down [1:35:55] that day [1:35:55] in Butler [1:35:56] he certainly talked [1:35:57] about that [1:35:57] at the convention [1:35:58] while he had [1:35:58] the gauze [1:35:59] on his ear [1:35:59] but he seems [1:36:00] to think [1:36:01] that this is [1:36:01] an acknowledgement [1:36:02] that he's doing [1:36:03] the right thing [1:36:03] that if you're [1:36:04] a disruptor [1:36:05] if you're a change agent [1:36:06] as he wants to be [1:36:07] that these kinds [1:36:08] of things happen [1:36:08] and it's up [1:36:10] to the Secret Service [1:36:10] to keep him safe [1:36:12] Joe Matthew [1:36:13] thank you very much [1:36:13] Joe Matthew [1:36:14] the co-anchor [1:36:14] of Bloomberg's [1:36:15] Balance of Power [1:36:15] who was with us [1:36:16] at that dinner [1:36:16] last night [1:36:17] will continue [1:36:17] to follow all [1:36:18] of the news [1:36:18] coming out [1:36:19] of the investigation [1:36:19] into that suspect [1:36:20] and what happened there [1:36:21] of course [1:36:21] the latest news [1:36:22] from Todd Blanche [1:36:22] the acting attorney general [1:36:24] that suspect [1:36:24] came from California [1:36:25] to Washington D.C. [1:36:27] and Mr. Blanche [1:36:28] suggested the motivation [1:36:29] there was to attack [1:36:29] the president's administration [1:36:30] and as Joe mentioned [1:36:31] we've got some [1:36:32] big guests coming up [1:36:33] we're coming up [1:36:33] on the 9 a.m. hour [1:36:34] here in Washington [1:36:35] next will be Republican [1:36:36] Congressman Mike McCall [1:36:37] who was also [1:36:38] at last night's dinner [1:36:39] and we're going to ask him [1:36:40] what Congress is going to do [1:36:41] as well as Congressman [1:36:42] Don Beyer of Virginia [1:36:43] we start right now [1:36:45] welcome to Bloomberg [1:37:06] this weekend [1:37:06] we are coming to you [1:37:07] live from Bloomberg's [1:37:08] Washington D.C. studios [1:37:09] I'm Christina Ruffini [1:37:10] I'm David Guerrero [1:37:11] with Lisa Matteo [1:37:12] it is Sunday [1:37:12] April the 26th [1:37:13] and we are following [1:37:14] the breaking news [1:37:15] from last night [1:37:15] on the shoot-in [1:37:16] at the White House [1:37:17] Correspondents Association [1:37:18] dinner in Washington D.C. [1:37:19] this just in from [1:37:20] Bloomberg's Miles Miller [1:37:21] who covers the Department [1:37:21] of Homeland Security [1:37:22] for us [1:37:22] the man accused [1:37:23] of storming [1:37:24] the White House [1:37:24] Correspondents Dinner [1:37:25] spent years quietly [1:37:26] acquiring his arsenal [1:37:28] purchasing a shotgun [1:37:29] from a Torrance [1:37:30] California firearms dealer [1:37:32] eight months [1:37:33] before this attack [1:37:34] and a semi-automatic pistol [1:37:35] two years earlier [1:37:36] that's according to [1:37:37] a law enforcement [1:37:37] intelligence profile [1:37:38] that has been reviewed [1:37:39] by Bloomberg News [1:37:40] all right we're gonna go [1:37:41] to Lisa now [1:37:42] for the updates [1:37:43] let's get more [1:37:44] to those nuts and bolts [1:37:45] of the story [1:37:46] and let's get to that [1:37:46] suspect [1:37:47] he is in custody [1:37:48] that's after shots [1:37:49] were fired [1:37:50] at the White House [1:37:50] Correspondents Dinner [1:37:51] in Washington [1:37:52] last night [1:37:53] now police say [1:37:54] 31 year old [1:37:55] Cole Thomas Allen [1:37:55] he was armed [1:37:56] with a shotgun [1:37:57] a handgun [1:37:58] multiple knives [1:37:59] and charged [1:38:00] through a security [1:38:00] checkpoint [1:38:01] President Donald Trump [1:38:02] was rushed off stage [1:38:04] now FBI agents [1:38:05] they assembled [1:38:06] overnight outside [1:38:07] their home [1:38:07] linked to the suspect [1:38:08] and towards California [1:38:09] on NBC's [1:38:11] meet the press [1:38:11] acting attorney general [1:38:12] Todd Blanch [1:38:13] said the gunman [1:38:14] is believed [1:38:14] to have been targeting [1:38:15] members of the [1:38:16] Trump administration [1:38:17] and despite the chaos [1:38:18] President Trump says [1:38:19] the event [1:38:20] will be held again [1:38:21] and within the next [1:38:25] 30 days [1:38:26] it will make it [1:38:27] bigger and better [1:38:28] and even nicer [1:38:30] well that suspect [1:38:33] was taken into custody [1:38:34] is expected to be [1:38:35] in court on Monday [1:38:37] now to other news [1:38:38] U.S. Iran peace talks [1:38:39] they have stalled [1:38:40] as the conflict [1:38:41] approaches the two month mark [1:38:42] President Donald Trump [1:38:43] canceled a planned trip [1:38:44] by his top envoys [1:38:46] and the Islamic Republic [1:38:47] said it won't negotiate [1:38:48] so long as it's being threatened [1:38:50] the U.S. has been trying [1:38:52] to increase pressure [1:38:53] with Iran [1:38:53] with a continued [1:38:54] naval blockade [1:38:55] President Trump [1:38:57] he ordered the U.S. Navy [1:38:58] to shoot any boat [1:38:59] putting mines [1:38:59] in the Shrad of Hormuz [1:39:00] and said the Navy [1:39:01] is clearing out [1:39:02] Iranian mines [1:39:03] from the waterway [1:39:04] now experts say [1:39:05] sweeping for underwater [1:39:06] explosives [1:39:07] that could take months [1:39:08] meanwhile [1:39:09] Israeli Prime Minister [1:39:10] Benjamin Netanyahu [1:39:11] he ordered his country's [1:39:12] military to strike [1:39:13] Hezbollah targets [1:39:14] in Lebanon [1:39:15] on Saturday [1:39:16] the Israel Defense Forces [1:39:17] said it carried out [1:39:18] strikes on weapons [1:39:19] storage sites [1:39:20] in southern Lebanon [1:39:21] in other news [1:39:22] also King Charles III [1:39:23] and Queen Camilla [1:39:24] will begin their [1:39:25] four-day trip [1:39:26] to the U.S. tomorrow [1:39:27] when they will have tea [1:39:28] with President Trump [1:39:29] First Lady Melania Trump [1:39:30] the formal arrival ceremony [1:39:32] will take place [1:39:33] on Tuesday [1:39:33] and also this week [1:39:35] Elon Musk's case [1:39:36] against Sam Altman [1:39:37] and OpenAI [1:39:38] and its backer Microsoft [1:39:39] heads to trial [1:39:41] jury selection [1:39:41] is set for tomorrow [1:39:42] and must lawsuit [1:39:44] against OpenAI [1:39:44] the company they founded [1:39:45] together more than [1:39:46] a decade ago [1:39:47] is looking to unwind [1:39:48] the company's [1:39:48] for-profit conversion [1:39:50] and could cost [1:39:51] OpenAI big money [1:39:52] as well as trigger [1:39:53] an overhaul [1:39:54] of that chat [1:39:55] GPT maker [1:39:56] Christina and David [1:39:57] over to you [1:39:57] Lisa thank you very much [1:39:58] getting a tweet here [1:39:59] from the President [1:40:00] a post on Truth Social [1:40:01] from the President [1:40:01] of the United States [1:40:02] talking about the prospects [1:40:03] of there being [1:40:03] a new ballroom [1:40:04] at the White House [1:40:05] that we've been discussing [1:40:05] over the course of the morning [1:40:06] the President brought that up [1:40:07] in his comments [1:40:07] to the press last night [1:40:08] saying what happened [1:40:09] last night at the Hilton [1:40:10] here in Washington D.C. [1:40:11] is further evidence [1:40:12] of the fact [1:40:12] there needs to be [1:40:14] a space of size [1:40:15] at the White House [1:40:15] for an event like this [1:40:16] could be held [1:40:17] we've talked with Jeff Mason [1:40:18] a bit about the complication [1:40:19] factors around all of that [1:40:20] that wouldn't be a public venue [1:40:21] of course [1:40:22] but the President here [1:40:23] taking issue [1:40:23] with the lawsuit [1:40:24] that's been filed [1:40:25] against the construction [1:40:26] of that ballroom [1:40:27] you see there [1:40:27] a very lengthy post [1:40:28] I'm not going to read [1:40:28] all of it [1:40:29] but taking that [1:40:30] that litigant to task [1:40:31] suggesting again [1:40:32] that this is something [1:40:33] that needs to happen [1:40:33] and would have perhaps [1:40:34] prevented what we saw [1:40:35] last night [1:40:35] Christina [1:40:36] and Jeff Mason [1:40:37] in that big block of text [1:40:39] the part that stands out [1:40:40] to me is right at the top [1:40:41] and the President says [1:40:42] this is the exact [1:40:44] what happened last night [1:40:45] is the exact reason [1:40:45] our great military [1:40:46] secret service [1:40:47] law enforcement [1:40:48] and every President [1:40:49] for the last 150 years [1:40:50] have been demanding [1:40:51] that a large safe [1:40:52] and secure ballroom [1:40:53] be built on the grounds [1:40:54] of the White House [1:40:54] is that accurate [1:40:56] and why is this the thing [1:40:57] the President is focused [1:40:58] on this morning [1:40:59] no it's not accurate [1:41:00] and it seems [1:41:01] almost uncomfortable [1:41:02] to have to be fact checking [1:41:04] the President [1:41:04] on something [1:41:05] that is not [1:41:06] as important [1:41:07] as what happened [1:41:07] last night [1:41:08] but he is following [1:41:09] a political adage [1:41:10] which is [1:41:11] never let a good crisis [1:41:12] go to waste [1:41:13] and I think that's [1:41:14] exemplified [1:41:15] in what he said [1:41:16] last night [1:41:16] and in this particular post [1:41:18] the President's ballroom [1:41:19] is going through [1:41:20] a whole bunch [1:41:20] of legal threats [1:41:21] that's really gotten [1:41:22] under his skin [1:41:23] he wants to have it built [1:41:24] before he leaves office [1:41:25] at the end of [1:41:26] his second term [1:41:27] there are question marks [1:41:28] about that [1:41:29] even as there's [1:41:29] a big pile of nothingness [1:41:31] where the East Wing [1:41:32] used to stand [1:41:32] and he is emphasizing [1:41:34] that if this event [1:41:36] had been there [1:41:36] if that existed [1:41:37] then there would be [1:41:38] more security [1:41:39] but you're right [1:41:40] to mention [1:41:40] which I did earlier [1:41:41] as well [1:41:42] the ballroom [1:41:44] at the White House [1:41:44] is not going to be [1:41:45] a public ballroom [1:41:46] for outside organizations [1:41:47] to use [1:41:48] and the White House [1:41:49] Correspondents Association [1:41:50] is an organization [1:41:51] of journalists [1:41:52] that does not work [1:41:54] for the White House [1:41:55] you can't book it like a wedding venue [1:41:55] correct [1:41:56] some 12 hours [1:41:57] after this incident took place [1:41:58] we're getting more information [1:41:59] on what transpired [1:42:00] more information about [1:42:01] the suspect Jeff [1:42:02] and across television [1:42:04] this morning [1:42:05] we're hearing from [1:42:05] policymakers and politicians [1:42:06] who were in attendance [1:42:07] at this dinner [1:42:07] we're going to hear [1:42:08] from a couple here [1:42:08] in just a moment [1:42:09] but Todd Blanche [1:42:10] the acting attorney general [1:42:11] was on Meet the Press [1:42:12] this morning [1:42:12] talking about that investigation [1:42:14] what did he learn [1:42:15] how does that advance [1:42:16] the story as we know it [1:42:16] of who this individual [1:42:17] is and indeed [1:42:19] what the focus [1:42:20] of this law enforcement [1:42:20] investigation is going [1:42:21] to be going forward [1:42:21] just getting a few more details [1:42:23] but not a lot [1:42:25] it's a 31 year old [1:42:26] apparently teacher [1:42:27] from California [1:42:28] who traveled [1:42:29] to Washington D.C. [1:42:32] by train [1:42:33] to the extent [1:42:33] that that's interesting [1:42:34] we know that he had [1:42:36] apparently a shotgun [1:42:37] another gun [1:42:38] and multiple knives [1:42:40] he stayed at the hotel [1:42:41] at the Washington Hilton [1:42:42] which we were referring to earlier [1:42:44] as the Hinkley Hilton [1:42:45] and that is how he had [1:42:47] those weapons [1:42:47] but still raising [1:42:48] a lot of security questions [1:42:50] about how he made it down [1:42:52] at least two escalators [1:42:53] to get very close [1:42:56] to the ballroom [1:42:56] before he was taken down [1:42:57] all right Jeff Mason [1:42:58] thank you so much [1:42:59] and joining us now [1:43:00] is Republican Congressman [1:43:01] Michael McCaul of Texas [1:43:03] he serves on the Foreign Affairs [1:43:04] and Homeland Security Committees [1:43:06] he was also our guest [1:43:07] at the White House [1:43:08] Correspondence [1:43:09] Correspondence [1:43:10] Dinner last night [1:43:10] Chairman [1:43:11] first of all [1:43:12] how are you [1:43:13] and the first thing [1:43:15] I want to ask you [1:43:15] is we spent a lot of time [1:43:16] standing in that well [1:43:17] after this all happened [1:43:18] last night [1:43:19] when you went about [1:43:20] the dinner last night [1:43:20] do you think [1:43:21] there was enough security there [1:43:22] you've been there before [1:43:23] what was your [1:43:24] what are your thoughts [1:43:24] yeah that's putting my chairman [1:43:25] of Homeland Security hat on [1:43:27] I was a former [1:43:28] counterterrorism federal prosecutor [1:43:30] I would say [1:43:32] the Secret Service [1:43:33] did an amazing job [1:43:34] the Capitol Police [1:43:35] escorted the members [1:43:37] out in emergency vehicles [1:43:39] but the outer perimeter [1:43:41] if you will [1:43:42] was very free access [1:43:44] it's an open hotel [1:43:46] and I think that was part [1:43:47] of the risk [1:43:48] you know involved here [1:43:49] if you had to analyze it [1:43:51] it's very difficult [1:43:52] to harden that kind of [1:43:54] environment [1:43:55] when you have the president [1:43:56] coming in [1:43:56] what I was sort of amazed [1:43:58] you had the president [1:43:59] and the vice president [1:44:00] at the head table [1:44:01] and the speaker [1:44:02] so you had the line [1:44:04] of succession right there [1:44:05] if a bomb had gone off [1:44:07] or something more dramatic [1:44:08] you know [1:44:10] it would be [1:44:11] it would fall to [1:44:12] Chuck Grassley [1:44:12] amazingly [1:44:14] after this took place [1:44:15] you thanked Secret Service [1:44:16] and the Capitol Police [1:44:17] for squiring you [1:44:18] and your congressional [1:44:18] colleagues out of the room [1:44:19] something Joe Matthew [1:44:20] brought up a few minutes ago [1:44:21] is what it was like [1:44:23] to see [1:44:24] those security officials [1:44:25] on stage [1:44:26] yes with weapons [1:44:27] but then [1:44:28] how Secret Service [1:44:29] those law enforcement [1:44:30] knew exactly where [1:44:30] everybody was [1:44:31] there was an eerie [1:44:32] quiet in this space [1:44:33] but talk a bit about that [1:44:34] what you were thinking [1:44:35] as you watched all of that [1:44:36] unfold [1:44:36] because I confess [1:44:37] from where I was sitting [1:44:38] we were beginning to eat [1:44:39] there was some commotion [1:44:41] and then it became [1:44:42] very very quiet [1:44:42] in the room [1:44:43] well I heard three gunshots [1:44:45] so I knew something [1:44:46] was horribly rolling [1:44:48] and you're not quite sure [1:44:50] what's going to happen [1:44:51] after that right [1:44:52] and I saw the president [1:44:53] being taken off the stage [1:44:55] Secret Service [1:44:56] jumping up on the stage [1:44:58] with their weapons [1:44:59] pointed [1:44:59] towards the audience [1:45:01] and it was surreal [1:45:03] you know [1:45:04] like you know [1:45:04] it's not an ordinary event [1:45:06] unfortunately [1:45:07] it's becoming too commonplace [1:45:08] in this country [1:45:09] but they went into action [1:45:11] very quickly [1:45:12] and escorted [1:45:13] the cabinet members [1:45:15] out of the room [1:45:16] but you don't know [1:45:17] what's going to happen [1:45:18] quite after that [1:45:19] I didn't know [1:45:19] if we're going to have [1:45:20] like an AR-15 [1:45:21] and a spray of bullets [1:45:23] and are we going to be [1:45:24] diving under the tables [1:45:25] and fortunately [1:45:27] we heard of three gunshots [1:45:28] and that was the end of it [1:45:29] but you know [1:45:33] this country's getting [1:45:34] too violent [1:45:34] you know [1:45:35] and the rhetoric [1:45:36] needs to tone down [1:45:38] in my opinion [1:45:38] I was at Texas A&M [1:45:40] talking about civility [1:45:41] and politics [1:45:42] just this last week [1:45:44] with Henry Cuellar [1:45:45] a Democrat [1:45:45] talking about [1:45:47] you know [1:45:47] how we can agree [1:45:49] to disagree [1:45:49] but with civility [1:45:50] and I think [1:45:52] last night's a good lesson [1:45:53] for all of us [1:45:54] and you know [1:45:55] amazingly the press [1:45:56] right [1:45:57] we were celebrating [1:45:58] the First Amendment [1:45:59] and the freedom [1:46:01] of the press [1:46:01] and the press [1:46:02] were there [1:46:03] along with Republicans [1:46:04] and Democrats [1:46:05] all together [1:46:06] celebrating [1:46:07] our Constitution [1:46:08] and the First Amendment [1:46:10] does not allow [1:46:11] for political violence [1:46:12] we were talking [1:46:14] about the First Amendment [1:46:14] but it often comes [1:46:16] into contradiction [1:46:17] it seems [1:46:18] with the Second Amendment [1:46:19] especially [1:46:19] when your party [1:46:21] votes on issues [1:46:23] they've been very reticent [1:46:24] more and more [1:46:24] we were talking about [1:46:25] Jim Brady [1:46:25] and the Brady Bill [1:46:26] that was the Reagan [1:46:27] administration [1:46:27] this is a current [1:46:28] Republican climate [1:46:29] in which almost [1:46:30] any gun control [1:46:31] even logical gun control [1:46:32] is impossible [1:46:33] to get past [1:46:34] is that something [1:46:35] your party should [1:46:36] reevaluate [1:46:37] given what you just talked about [1:46:38] the heated political rhetoric [1:46:39] and the violence [1:46:40] that we're seeing [1:46:40] you know it's interesting [1:46:41] as I was talking [1:46:41] to your CEO [1:46:42] right next to me [1:46:43] about this very issue [1:46:44] before the shooting [1:46:45] and when I met [1:46:47] with Michael Bloomberg [1:46:47] and he donated [1:46:50] my campaign [1:46:50] this is many years ago [1:46:51] he said [1:46:52] you're from Texas [1:46:53] and you know [1:46:55] where are you on guns [1:46:56] right [1:46:56] and you know [1:46:57] we were having [1:46:58] this conversation [1:46:59] that you know [1:47:00] of course [1:47:00] the weapons purchased [1:47:01] I think he had a [1:47:02] it wasn't like [1:47:03] an AR-15 [1:47:04] it wasn't [1:47:05] I used to [1:47:06] prosecute gun cases [1:47:07] a lot of them [1:47:08] were stolen [1:47:09] but there has to be [1:47:10] a way to [1:47:11] usually after the fact [1:47:12] flags come up [1:47:13] like yeah [1:47:14] I knew this guy [1:47:15] and I thought [1:47:15] there was a problem [1:47:16] but they don't report [1:47:17] until after [1:47:18] and I had to build [1:47:20] like a fusion center [1:47:21] to capture the red flags [1:47:23] and then be able [1:47:24] to act beforehand [1:47:25] or at least provide [1:47:27] more security [1:47:28] if there's a threat [1:47:29] out there [1:47:30] so I think [1:47:31] there is room [1:47:32] for improvement here [1:47:33] I don't think [1:47:34] you're going to see [1:47:35] my party [1:47:35] you know [1:47:36] infringing on the [1:47:37] second amendment [1:47:38] per se [1:47:39] but you know [1:47:41] there are certain [1:47:41] weapons under the [1:47:42] 1968 gun control act [1:47:44] you know [1:47:45] like fully automatic [1:47:46] machine guns [1:47:47] that are you know [1:47:47] and that was an out [1:47:48] growth of you know [1:47:50] Robert Kennedy [1:47:51] you know [1:47:52] of course you had [1:47:52] JFK assassinated [1:47:54] in the 60s [1:47:55] Robert Kennedy [1:47:56] and then you had [1:47:56] Martin Luther King [1:47:57] and we had that [1:47:58] legislation in 1968 [1:48:00] that's the last time [1:48:01] we've done that [1:48:02] Chairman Emeritus [1:48:02] mentioned Michael Bloomberg [1:48:03] of course the majority [1:48:04] shareholder of Bloomberg LP [1:48:05] the parent company [1:48:06] of Bloomberg News [1:48:07] when we get that out there [1:48:07] I want to ask you [1:48:10] about what Homeland Security [1:48:11] is going to do next [1:48:11] here the Committee [1:48:12] on Homeland Security [1:48:13] will there be [1:48:14] an investigation [1:48:15] do you think [1:48:15] what questions [1:48:16] do you have [1:48:16] about the way [1:48:17] in which all of this [1:48:17] unfolded [1:48:18] I think a lot of us [1:48:19] took note of the way [1:48:20] that security was set up [1:48:21] you rightly bring up [1:48:22] the fact [1:48:22] this was an open hotel [1:48:24] there were guests [1:48:24] there totally unaffiliated [1:48:25] with this dinner [1:48:26] what do you want [1:48:28] to see investigated [1:48:29] in terms of [1:48:29] what that perimeter [1:48:30] was like [1:48:31] how fortified it was [1:48:32] I think we have to [1:48:32] we have to take a look [1:48:33] at the outer perimeter [1:48:35] now as I understand [1:48:36] he was a guest [1:48:37] at the hotel [1:48:38] so anytime you have [1:48:39] a big event like that [1:48:40] and you know [1:48:41] it's known as [1:48:41] the Hinkley Hotel [1:48:43] because in 1981 [1:48:44] Reagan was shot there [1:48:45] so it has a bit [1:48:47] of a checkered past [1:48:48] and so I do think [1:48:49] we'll be analyzing that [1:48:51] I think also [1:48:51] it just reemphasizes [1:48:54] how important it is [1:48:55] to fully fund [1:48:56] the Department of Homeland Security [1:48:57] and stop this nonsense [1:48:59] of a shutdown [1:49:00] of a very important agency [1:49:02] within our federal government [1:49:04] still partially shut down [1:49:05] it is [1:49:06] what is your take [1:49:07] on the appropriateness [1:49:08] of the president's [1:49:09] true social posts [1:49:10] that we just saw [1:49:11] this morning [1:49:12] and everything we've talked about [1:49:13] violence political rhetoric [1:49:15] that the president [1:49:16] is focusing on [1:49:17] building a ballroom [1:49:17] what's your [1:49:18] what's your take on that [1:49:19] well let me say first [1:49:21] I think his [1:49:21] remarks last night [1:49:23] were very [1:49:24] gracious towards the press [1:49:26] you know [1:49:28] and to both Democrats [1:49:29] and Republican alike [1:49:30] I'm glad he took [1:49:32] the high road [1:49:33] and the rhetoric [1:49:34] which I think [1:49:34] needs to be addressed [1:49:35] you know the ballroom [1:49:37] you know I was in the [1:49:39] east wing [1:49:40] and he pointed to [1:49:41] it's a big hole [1:49:42] in the ground [1:49:42] it's going to have [1:49:43] a lot of security features [1:49:44] to it in the basement [1:49:46] but I think [1:49:48] as was pointed out earlier [1:49:50] this is a private association [1:49:52] it's not [1:49:52] you know [1:49:54] that's a federal building [1:49:56] essentially [1:49:56] so I don't know [1:49:57] I mean I think [1:49:58] it would certainly [1:50:00] be a lot more secure [1:50:01] if it was done [1:50:03] in a place like that [1:50:04] the next time [1:50:05] the president shows up [1:50:06] I think [1:50:07] they're going to [1:50:08] tighten up security [1:50:09] even more so [1:50:10] on the outer perimeter [1:50:11] and again [1:50:12] the line of secession [1:50:13] all being there [1:50:14] at the same time [1:50:15] I think we had to [1:50:16] take a look at that [1:50:17] as well [1:50:17] is that concerning [1:50:18] is that something [1:50:18] Congress should investigate [1:50:20] yeah [1:50:20] of course [1:50:21] I was really shocked [1:50:24] that the president [1:50:24] and vice president [1:50:25] were at the table [1:50:26] all together [1:50:26] surprise [1:50:27] yeah [1:50:27] I want to go back [1:50:30] to the rhetoric [1:50:30] and I'm curious [1:50:31] how hotter rhetoric [1:50:33] has shaped the way [1:50:34] that you approach [1:50:35] your job [1:50:36] is it something [1:50:36] that you give more [1:50:37] thought to [1:50:38] god forbid something [1:50:38] like this were to happen [1:50:39] how has it shaped [1:50:41] the way that you [1:50:41] and your colleagues [1:50:42] in Congress [1:50:42] approach the job [1:50:43] we've seen [1:50:44] some reticence [1:50:45] to attend town hall meetings [1:50:46] if they get pretty fractious [1:50:47] who knows what might happen [1:50:48] what are the consequences [1:50:50] on a day to day basis [1:50:52] for having the kind [1:50:53] of heated rhetoric [1:50:53] that we have in this country [1:50:54] well we're a reflection [1:50:55] of the American people [1:50:56] and there is a violent [1:50:58] rhetoric out there [1:50:59] but we don't have to [1:51:01] be an echo chamber [1:51:02] for that [1:51:03] and the irony was [1:51:05] I was just at this [1:51:06] symposium [1:51:07] at a university [1:51:09] in my district [1:51:09] where we talked about [1:51:10] this very issue [1:51:11] yeah [1:51:12] and how it needs [1:51:13] I mean I've been up there [1:51:14] 22 years up here [1:51:15] and it's changed [1:51:16] for the worse [1:51:18] and it's okay [1:51:19] to go on social media [1:51:21] and say vile things [1:51:22] about the other party [1:51:24] and other members [1:51:25] of Congress [1:51:26] and the president [1:51:27] but isn't some of that [1:51:28] coming from the top down [1:51:29] isn't the president [1:51:30] partly to blame for that [1:51:31] well I think we're [1:51:32] probably all to blame [1:51:33] and you know what happens [1:51:34] when these [1:51:34] when these things occur [1:51:36] everybody says [1:51:37] the right things [1:51:38] for a couple days [1:51:40] and then I'll give this [1:51:42] a couple weeks [1:51:43] and we're going to be [1:51:43] right back [1:51:44] at you know [1:51:45] this violent rhetoric [1:51:47] out there [1:51:47] and it doesn't seem [1:51:49] to change [1:51:49] you can't legislate that [1:51:52] that is a conduct issue [1:51:54] it's a moral clarity issue [1:51:56] and I think [1:51:57] the institution [1:51:58] is weakened [1:51:59] and hurt by [1:52:00] and then political [1:52:02] politics [1:52:02] in general [1:52:03] are hurt by [1:52:04] this violent rhetoric [1:52:06] that is out there today [1:52:07] and I hope [1:52:08] members do reflect on this [1:52:10] the ones that want [1:52:10] their five minutes of fame [1:52:12] on YouTube [1:52:13] and social media [1:52:14] I hope they reflect [1:52:15] it's not how I conduct [1:52:16] myself [1:52:17] I wasn't raised that way [1:52:18] it's on my value system [1:52:19] I show respect for people [1:52:21] that have other opinions [1:52:23] and that's what democracy [1:52:24] is all about [1:52:25] that's what the press [1:52:26] the first amendment [1:52:27] freedom of speech [1:52:28] and press [1:52:28] is all about [1:52:30] and we [1:52:30] we got to respect [1:52:31] each other a little bit more [1:52:32] last night [1:52:33] you know [1:52:34] I've been in war zones [1:52:34] in Iraq [1:52:35] and Afghanistan [1:52:36] and I've [1:52:36] you know [1:52:37] heard mortar shells [1:52:38] and you know [1:52:39] Ukraine [1:52:40] rounds of ammunition [1:52:41] I'm going to Ukraine [1:52:42] and this summer [1:52:43] and you know [1:52:44] drones [1:52:45] and all that kind of stuff [1:52:46] but you don't expect that [1:52:47] you know [1:52:47] at the Hilton Hotel [1:52:49] in Washington D.C. [1:52:51] Do you have confidence [1:52:52] in who's going to be leading [1:52:53] this investigation [1:52:54] and prosecution [1:52:54] so Kash Patel [1:52:55] not somebody [1:52:55] who has traditional background [1:52:56] for somebody running [1:52:57] the FBI [1:52:58] Mark Wayne Mullen [1:52:58] just taking this job [1:52:59] over as DHS secretary [1:53:01] should we be at all [1:53:02] worried about [1:53:02] those individuals [1:53:04] capacity to see this through? [1:53:06] Well they're the figurehead [1:53:07] I do think [1:53:08] like when I was [1:53:09] a federal prosecutor [1:53:10] the line FBI agents [1:53:12] line [1:53:13] you know [1:53:13] secret service [1:53:14] they've been doing this [1:53:16] for many years [1:53:17] they're professional [1:53:18] and they know [1:53:19] how to conduct this [1:53:20] I'm a little surprised [1:53:21] we don't know [1:53:22] anything more [1:53:23] about the shooter [1:53:24] to be honest with you [1:53:25] other than [1:53:26] he took a train [1:53:26] which I think [1:53:27] is very strange [1:53:28] he had a couple [1:53:30] weapons and knives [1:53:31] you were there [1:53:32] last night Christina [1:53:33] we were at the table [1:53:34] together [1:53:34] yeah [1:53:35] somehow he runs in [1:53:37] he gets pretty darn [1:53:38] close to the ballroom [1:53:39] and then we heard [1:53:41] the gunshots [1:53:41] and so [1:53:42] yeah [1:53:43] there were a lot [1:53:44] of unanswered questions [1:53:45] I didn't know [1:53:46] if it was going to be [1:53:47] like in Austin Texas [1:53:48] we had the property [1:53:48] of all [1:53:49] Islamist terrorists [1:53:51] you know [1:53:51] it doesn't look like [1:53:53] this is [1:53:53] that's the case here [1:53:54] and I don't know [1:53:55] what motivates somebody [1:53:56] to do something like this [1:53:58] and we don't know [1:53:59] the answer to that [1:54:00] right now [1:54:00] very quickly [1:54:01] before I let you go [1:54:01] you said you think [1:54:02] Congress should look [1:54:03] into why all the [1:54:05] cabinet officials [1:54:05] were there [1:54:06] you know [1:54:06] the last survivor issue [1:54:08] but I'm wondering [1:54:09] you think there should be [1:54:09] a congressional investigation [1:54:10] into what we've been [1:54:11] talking about [1:54:12] how he got that far [1:54:12] the perimeter [1:54:13] and the security [1:54:13] precautions around the [1:54:15] president [1:54:15] oh yeah 100% [1:54:17] and we will [1:54:17] and I think the [1:54:18] Homeland Security [1:54:18] Committee will be [1:54:19] charged with that [1:54:20] responsibility [1:54:21] but I do [1:54:23] let's not lose fact [1:54:25] that the Secret Service [1:54:27] immediately popped up [1:54:28] in the room [1:54:29] yeah [1:54:29] went into action [1:54:30] and the Capitol Police [1:54:32] so I'm very proud [1:54:33] of what they did [1:54:33] all right [1:54:34] thank you so much [1:54:34] for joining us [1:54:35] Congressman Michael [1:54:35] nice to see you again [1:54:36] up next we're going to [1:54:37] speak with Democratic [1:54:38] linemaker Don Beyer [1:54:39] of Virginia [1:54:40] that is straight ahead [1:54:40] on Bloomberg this weekend [1:54:41] right here on Bloomberg [1:54:43] Television [1:54:43] Bloomberg Radio [1:54:44] and at Bloomberg.com [1:54:45] thank you for joining us [1:55:01] on Bloomberg this weekend [1:55:02] I'm Lisa Mateo [1:55:03] let's get you up to date [1:55:04] on today's top stories [1:55:05] the armed suspect [1:55:06] who tried to enter [1:55:07] a Washington ballroom [1:55:08] where President Donald [1:55:09] Trump was speaking [1:55:09] was likely targeting [1:55:11] administration officials [1:55:12] now that's according [1:55:13] to acting Attorney General [1:55:14] Todd Blanche [1:55:15] on an interview [1:55:16] with Meet the Press [1:55:16] Blanche said 31 year old [1:55:18] Cole Thomas Allen [1:55:19] is believed to have [1:55:20] acted alone [1:55:21] after traveling [1:55:22] by train from California [1:55:23] he had been staying [1:55:24] at the Washington Hilton [1:55:26] which was hosting [1:55:27] the annual White House [1:55:28] Correspondents Dinner [1:55:29] Jeffrey Carroll [1:55:30] he's Metropolitan Police [1:55:31] Department Interim Chief [1:55:32] he described the scene [1:55:33] outside of the ballroom [1:55:34] we know the individual [1:55:36] charged the checkpoint [1:55:37] with a fire on his hand [1:55:38] we know he was running [1:55:39] in the direction [1:55:40] of the ballroom [1:55:40] that the president was in [1:55:42] as well as other [1:55:42] cabinet members [1:55:43] so what his specific [1:55:44] motivation was [1:55:45] we can't say at this point [1:55:46] President Trump said [1:55:48] he would like the [1:55:49] event to be rescheduled [1:55:50] in the next 30 days [1:55:52] now in other news [1:55:52] a planned trip to Pakistan [1:55:54] by President Trump's [1:55:55] top envoys [1:55:56] has been canceled [1:55:57] the president on Saturday [1:55:58] he told his son-in-law [1:55:59] Jared Kushner [1:56:00] and special envoy [1:56:01] Steve Whitcoff [1:56:02] to skip the trip [1:56:03] adding in a social media [1:56:04] post that there has been [1:56:05] too much time wasted [1:56:06] on traveling [1:56:07] now meanwhile [1:56:08] Iran's top diplomat [1:56:10] left Islamabad [1:56:11] ahead of the planned [1:56:11] arrival of U.S. envoys [1:56:13] Foreign Minister [1:56:14] Abbas Aghrachi [1:56:15] he met with [1:56:16] mediators in Pakistan [1:56:17] calling his visit [1:56:18] quote very fruitful [1:56:19] but said Iran [1:56:20] has yet to see [1:56:21] if the U.S. [1:56:22] is truly serious [1:56:23] about diplomacy [1:56:24] Christina and David [1:56:25] over to you [1:56:25] Lisa thanks very much [1:56:26] and going into this show [1:56:27] yesterday we thought [1:56:28] that'd be the focus [1:56:28] of our conversations [1:56:29] this morning [1:56:30] that back and forth [1:56:30] the talks about the talks [1:56:31] as our Washington Bureau [1:56:32] chief Peggy Collins [1:56:33] put it yesterday [1:56:34] which has been playing out [1:56:34] over the course of this week [1:56:35] would they continue or not [1:56:37] it seems like they are off [1:56:38] the Iranian foreign minister [1:56:39] having moved on [1:56:40] and this other trip [1:56:40] not taking place [1:56:41] still very much [1:56:42] an open question [1:56:43] in the background [1:56:43] to what we're talking about [1:56:44] mostly this morning [1:56:45] that's exactly right [1:56:45] and before we move [1:56:47] to the news of day [1:56:48] one of the things [1:56:48] that really told you [1:56:49] that those talks [1:56:50] were no longer happening [1:56:51] is I saw reporters [1:56:52] who've been there [1:56:52] on the ground [1:56:53] saying that they were [1:56:54] taking down [1:56:54] those security barricades [1:56:55] and all the things [1:56:56] that they had set up [1:56:57] to make those talks [1:56:59] safe and secure [1:57:00] and facilitate that operations [1:57:01] you know sometimes [1:57:02] logistics guys [1:57:02] know before the policy guys [1:57:03] and those were all coming down [1:57:04] security theater [1:57:05] but all of the apparatus [1:57:06] the security apparatus [1:57:07] that was there [1:57:07] taken down [1:57:08] exactly right [1:57:09] okay we want to turn [1:57:10] now to Democratic Congressman [1:57:11] Don Beyer of Virginia [1:57:12] he serves on the Ways [1:57:14] and Means [1:57:14] and Joint Economic Committees [1:57:15] Congressman thank you [1:57:16] for coming down [1:57:17] I know [1:57:18] I guess up [1:57:19] it's been a long day [1:57:20] I know you weren't [1:57:21] at the dinner last night [1:57:22] but I also know [1:57:23] you know what's going on [1:57:24] and you watched it [1:57:25] I just want to get your reactions [1:57:26] to what happened [1:57:26] and where you think [1:57:27] we go from here [1:57:28] and what if anything [1:57:29] Congress should be investigating [1:57:30] my youth was dominated [1:57:33] by the [1:57:34] assassinations [1:57:35] of President Kennedy [1:57:37] Dr. King [1:57:38] Bobby Kennedy [1:57:39] and we had this long [1:57:41] other than the [1:57:43] the tragic [1:57:44] shots at the same hotel [1:57:46] with Ronald Reagan [1:57:47] a long period of time [1:57:49] with peacefulness [1:57:49] this has really been upsetting [1:57:51] and you find that [1:57:53] on Capitol Hill [1:57:54] there's a lot more [1:57:55] security all around [1:57:56] metal detectors everywhere [1:57:58] a lot more Capitol Police [1:58:00] they actually put [1:58:01] a lot of money [1:58:02] in the budget [1:58:02] for personal security [1:58:03] for members [1:58:04] and now when we do [1:58:05] town hall meetings [1:58:06] we're always talking [1:58:07] to the local police [1:58:07] making sure there's [1:58:08] two or three of them there [1:58:09] just in case [1:58:10] and that's because [1:58:11] the rhetoric has gotten [1:58:12] so heated [1:58:12] exactly [1:58:13] and it's a terrible thing [1:58:15] you know [1:58:16] I don't support much [1:58:17] of what President Trump [1:58:18] has done [1:58:19] but the last thing [1:58:19] I want is for him [1:58:20] to be shot [1:58:21] let me give you a variation [1:58:21] on the question [1:58:22] I asked the chairman [1:58:23] emeritus [1:58:23] of the Ford Affairs Committee [1:58:24] that is [1:58:25] has it affected [1:58:26] the way that you go [1:58:26] about your job [1:58:28] your awareness [1:58:28] of that rhetoric [1:58:29] a sense that something [1:58:31] terrible could happen [1:58:32] at a town hall [1:58:33] or a public event [1:58:33] or is it something [1:58:34] you worry about [1:58:35] or think about [1:58:35] I don't worry [1:58:35] I think my wife [1:58:36] worries about it [1:58:37] more than I do [1:58:37] also I don't feel [1:58:38] like I'm a particularly [1:58:40] high profile [1:58:42] in terms of going [1:58:44] viral [1:58:45] you know [1:58:46] if I were AOC [1:58:47] or Marjorie Taylor Greene [1:58:49] something like that [1:58:49] I'd be much more [1:58:50] worried about it [1:58:51] we have [1:58:51] Attorney General Todd Lynch [1:58:53] was on CNN moments ago [1:58:56] we want to play you [1:58:57] what he just said [1:58:57] we've got some sound [1:58:58] from our preliminary [1:58:59] investigation [1:59:00] it does appear [1:59:02] the suspect [1:59:02] was targeting [1:59:03] members of the administration [1:59:04] I don't [1:59:05] I don't want to go [1:59:06] beyond that [1:59:07] because we don't have [1:59:07] specifics yet [1:59:09] about particular [1:59:10] members of the administration [1:59:11] except that we do [1:59:12] understand that [1:59:13] that was his goal [1:59:14] and his target [1:59:14] he of course [1:59:17] is the acting [1:59:18] AG [1:59:18] I want to correct [1:59:19] myself there [1:59:19] but what is your [1:59:21] take on the fact [1:59:22] that he was there [1:59:23] to possibly harm [1:59:24] not just the president [1:59:25] but members [1:59:26] of the administration [1:59:27] and the cabinet [1:59:28] and people who [1:59:28] may not be as high profile [1:59:30] may be not safe [1:59:31] in this climate either [1:59:32] although [1:59:33] even if you look [1:59:34] through different [1:59:35] administrations [1:59:35] a lot of Trump's folks [1:59:37] think Pete Hegseth [1:59:39] or Kash Patel [1:59:40] they're much higher profile [1:59:41] than Pam Bondi [1:59:43] than they have been [1:59:45] in the past [1:59:46] I'm trying to think [1:59:47] sometimes you reach back [1:59:48] and say [1:59:49] who was that person [1:59:50] for Barack Obama [1:59:51] or Joe Biden [1:59:52] we want to talk about [1:59:54] what's happened [1:59:55] in Virginia politics [1:59:56] over the last few weeks [1:59:57] but let me get [1:59:58] one more question [1:59:59] to you about this [1:59:59] and that is [2:00:00] how would you like [2:00:01] to see Congress' role [2:00:02] going forward [2:00:02] in all of this [2:00:03] so it's early hours [2:00:04] not even early days [2:00:05] yet in this investigation [2:00:06] the suspect likely [2:00:07] to be charged [2:00:08] on Monday [2:00:08] as we understand it [2:00:09] what's Congress' role [2:00:11] here in the wake [2:00:12] of what happened yesterday [2:00:13] the very first thing [2:00:14] David I'd say [2:00:15] is that we continue [2:00:16] to try to improve [2:00:17] our rhetoric [2:00:18] we're the country [2:00:19] one of the things [2:00:20] that most upsets me [2:00:20] is that we're more divided [2:00:21] than we've ever been [2:00:22] maybe back to the Civil War [2:00:24] we seem to have [2:00:25] different understandings [2:00:26] of who we are [2:00:27] and our factories [2:00:28] our understanding [2:00:29] of our history [2:00:30] so the notion [2:00:31] of treating each other [2:00:32] with respect [2:00:33] even though we could have [2:00:34] very different policy approaches [2:00:35] seems to still be [2:00:37] essential to that [2:00:38] should Congress [2:00:39] be investigating [2:00:39] either why so many members [2:00:41] within the line of succession [2:00:42] were in the same room [2:00:43] or the security apparatus [2:00:45] and how this all happened [2:00:46] I was really concerned [2:00:48] when I saw [2:00:48] Marco Rubio [2:00:49] and the Vice President [2:00:51] and the President [2:00:51] that was really concerning [2:00:52] I know it shouldn't just be [2:00:54] one person [2:00:54] that could take over [2:00:56] should you be investigating that [2:00:57] should Congress investigate that [2:00:58] well [2:00:59] that would be a good oversight [2:01:01] thing for sure [2:01:02] on ways and means [2:01:04] I tend not to [2:01:04] thinking more about the tariffs [2:01:06] and the taxes [2:01:07] fair enough [2:01:07] and plenty to think about there [2:01:08] we can talk about that [2:01:09] in a minute as well [2:01:10] but let's talk about redistricting [2:01:11] and what's happening [2:01:12] in Virginia [2:01:12] and what's stalled [2:01:13] for the moment in Virginia [2:01:14] I was saying during the break [2:01:16] I was on vacation [2:01:17] traveling through Virginia [2:01:18] and the signs were everywhere [2:01:19] vote yes [2:01:20] vote no [2:01:20] oh really [2:01:21] yes [2:01:21] on this referendum [2:01:22] it's still up [2:01:23] see if they get taken down [2:01:25] it did pass [2:01:26] what your governor [2:01:27] had pushed for here [2:01:28] this redistricting [2:01:29] that was advantageous [2:01:29] for Democrats [2:01:30] now it's a standstill [2:01:32] as Republicans [2:01:32] have filed a lawsuit [2:01:35] against it [2:01:35] where does it stand [2:01:36] how do you see [2:01:37] all of this playing out [2:01:38] and I don't need to point out [2:01:39] we're getting [2:01:39] closer and closer [2:01:40] here to the midterm elections [2:01:41] well I was glad [2:01:43] that it passed [2:01:44] with some reluctance [2:01:45] we passed a constitutional amendment [2:01:47] four or five years ago [2:01:48] getting rid of gerrymandering [2:01:49] so we had the least [2:01:50] gerrymandered districts [2:01:51] in the country [2:01:52] before this [2:01:52] but after Donald Trump [2:01:54] said he was entitled [2:01:54] to five seats in Texas [2:01:56] it took three [2:01:57] in North Carolina [2:01:58] two in Ohio [2:01:59] one coming up in Missouri [2:02:00] Florida's about to meet [2:02:02] I think [2:02:02] to do the same thing [2:02:04] we felt we had to push back [2:02:06] and it [2:02:07] we got three million people [2:02:08] showed up [2:02:09] it was gubernatorial style [2:02:10] turnout [2:02:10] for an election in April [2:02:12] and it didn't pass by a lot [2:02:14] three percent [2:02:15] that's 90,000 votes [2:02:16] and now [2:02:17] you know [2:02:18] in a perfect democratic world [2:02:20] it's ten Democrats [2:02:21] and one Republican [2:02:22] but that's not a given [2:02:23] we still have to go [2:02:24] win those seats [2:02:25] and we'll be running [2:02:27] in many cases [2:02:28] against Republican incumbents [2:02:30] who've been there [2:02:30] many years [2:02:31] and have deep relationships [2:02:32] in the community [2:02:33] but I do want to ask you [2:02:34] as we talk about [2:02:34] turning down [2:02:35] the political rhetoric [2:02:36] it is very hard [2:02:37] to get elected [2:02:38] as a moderate [2:02:39] in Congress right now [2:02:39] partly because of [2:02:40] the way these districts [2:02:41] are drawn [2:02:42] and the way voters [2:02:43] are mobilized [2:02:44] that they tend to vote [2:02:45] for the extremes [2:02:46] of the party [2:02:47] which is why [2:02:48] initially [2:02:49] Democrats were the [2:02:50] you know [2:02:51] when they go low [2:02:51] we go high party [2:02:52] is there [2:02:53] could there be [2:02:54] a potential backlash [2:02:55] to changing tactics here [2:02:57] and that the things [2:02:57] you say [2:02:58] that we should have [2:02:59] in Congress [2:03:00] might be harder to get [2:03:01] there could be a backlash [2:03:03] but Christine [2:03:03] you go to something [2:03:04] that's been really important [2:03:05] to me my 11 years [2:03:06] in Congress [2:03:07] which is [2:03:07] the notion [2:03:08] that you have [2:03:08] so many safe seats [2:03:09] that Democrats [2:03:11] have to run to the left [2:03:12] and their primary [2:03:12] Republicans run to the right [2:03:13] we typically worry [2:03:14] about who's going to [2:03:16] take us out in the primary [2:03:17] not in the general election [2:03:18] and that then means [2:03:19] when you come to Congress [2:03:20] there's no overlap [2:03:21] when I was a kid [2:03:22] there were lots of [2:03:23] very conservative Democrats [2:03:24] and liberal Republicans [2:03:25] that are [2:03:26] you don't have many of them [2:03:27] anymore [2:03:27] not to get nerdy on you [2:03:29] but there's [2:03:30] we love nerdy [2:03:31] this is Bloomberg [2:03:31] bring it on [2:03:31] okay [2:03:32] Fair Representation Act [2:03:33] which I've been pushing [2:03:33] for 11 years [2:03:34] takes us back to [2:03:35] multi-member districts [2:03:36] which we had for the first [2:03:37] 60 years in America [2:03:39] and ranked choice voting [2:03:40] and that then makes you [2:03:42] Northern Virginia [2:03:43] that I represent [2:03:43] would have three districts [2:03:44] and you'd be [2:03:45] you'd be fighting for the middle [2:03:46] rather than the extreme [2:03:48] it would hopefully bring [2:03:50] also you end up [2:03:51] not that you don't want [2:03:53] to have the extremes [2:03:54] the Marjorie Taylor Greene's [2:03:56] and the like [2:03:56] but it should get [2:03:57] cut off those ends [2:03:59] and bring people back together [2:04:01] you mentioned you're on [2:04:01] Ways and Means [2:04:02] you're also the Senior Democrat [2:04:03] on the Joint Economic Committee [2:04:04] we just got news [2:04:06] that Senator Tom Tillis [2:04:07] of North Carolina [2:04:08] is prepared to go ahead [2:04:09] with voting for Kevin Warsh [2:04:11] because of what's happened [2:04:12] with the investigation [2:04:13] into Jerome Powell [2:04:14] and the Federal Reserve [2:04:14] your reaction to that [2:04:17] I wonder if you are [2:04:18] a supporter of Kevin Warsh's [2:04:20] candidacy for that position [2:04:21] and also just your reaction [2:04:22] to the way that all of this [2:04:23] has unfolded [2:04:24] both the investigation [2:04:25] on the Justice Department side [2:04:26] and now it being punted over [2:04:26] to the IG at the Federal Reserve [2:04:28] well I'm thrilled [2:04:29] that they've withdrawn [2:04:30] the case against Jay Powell [2:04:32] it was silly to begin with [2:04:34] if you look at cost overruns [2:04:36] there are so many [2:04:38] in the Federal Government [2:04:39] for many many different reasons [2:04:40] and the thought [2:04:42] that blaming him for it [2:04:43] was pretty ridiculous [2:04:44] and I'm so glad [2:04:45] that Senator Tillis [2:04:46] had stood up for that [2:04:47] and for Kevin Warsh [2:04:49] it's interesting [2:04:49] you look at his history [2:04:50] he was largely [2:04:51] a deficit hawk [2:04:53] and somebody that believed [2:04:54] in managing higher interest rates [2:04:56] so and I was very pleased [2:04:59] with his testimony [2:05:00] saying that he wasn't [2:05:01] going to be a sock buffet [2:05:02] for Donald Trump [2:05:03] but do you think [2:05:05] this is enough [2:05:05] for Powell to step away [2:05:07] because as we've been [2:05:08] talking about here [2:05:08] there's no guarantee [2:05:09] that they can't restart [2:05:10] this investigation [2:05:11] he could do what [2:05:13] the president wants him to do [2:05:14] and then still end up [2:05:15] facing these charges [2:05:16] yeah but as we've seen [2:05:17] with so many of these [2:05:18] investigations [2:05:18] once you get to a grand jury [2:05:19] they throw it out right away [2:05:21] you know there's a lot [2:05:22] a lot of this is showmanship [2:05:23] that and it does have [2:05:25] it costs the poor person [2:05:27] that's being persecuted [2:05:27] you know dollars for lawyer [2:05:30] time and money [2:05:30] time and money [2:05:31] and anxiety [2:05:32] of course [2:05:32] so it's unfair [2:05:34] and the going after [2:05:36] political enemies [2:05:37] whether it's a democrat [2:05:38] or republican [2:05:39] is a bad thing [2:05:39] you again [2:05:41] join the economic committee [2:05:42] have a great vantage on this [2:05:43] U.S. economy [2:05:44] its place in the global economy [2:05:45] this war is continuing [2:05:47] lasting longer [2:05:48] than the president said [2:05:49] it would [2:05:49] and we've heard so many [2:05:50] warning signs from our guests [2:05:51] policymakers and experts [2:05:52] about what the fallout [2:05:53] has been so far [2:05:54] and what it's likely to be [2:05:55] as we see in Asia parts [2:05:57] there were real difficulty [2:05:58] in getting oil [2:05:59] getting refined fuel products [2:06:01] and fertilizer [2:06:02] all that's going to have [2:06:03] your sense of what this means [2:06:05] for the economy [2:06:06] how worried you are [2:06:07] about the prospects [2:06:08] of a war [2:06:09] that lasts longer and longer [2:06:10] well [2:06:12] I think [2:06:13] one of the main reasons [2:06:15] Donald Trump got elected [2:06:16] was because of all the inflation [2:06:17] during COVID [2:06:18] which is during Biden [2:06:19] and his tariffs [2:06:21] have moved us [2:06:21] in the wrong direction [2:06:22] and then the war [2:06:23] has had a huge impact [2:06:25] on both grocery prices [2:06:26] and fuel [2:06:27] I'm paying [2:06:28] in northern Virginia [2:06:29] it's only $4.99 [2:06:30] to defend my car [2:06:32] only [2:06:32] yeah [2:06:33] and it could get worse [2:06:35] however big picture [2:06:37] I still very much believe [2:06:38] in the American economy [2:06:39] there was an awful lot [2:06:40] of interesting things going on [2:06:41] including [2:06:42] and I know Mike and I [2:06:44] your previous guest [2:06:45] co-chair of the AI caucus [2:06:47] there's so much good [2:06:48] coming out of AI [2:06:49] including 5% productivity growth [2:06:51] in the last quarter [2:06:52] and so much danger [2:06:53] because of the real plausibility [2:06:56] of huge job displacement [2:06:57] you're studying it [2:06:58] weren't you [2:06:58] I remember that [2:06:59] you were like studying AI [2:07:00] I'm still [2:07:00] getting a master's [2:07:01] or something like that [2:07:02] yeah I still get nine courses [2:07:03] to go out of George Mason [2:07:04] but I'm working on it [2:07:05] so [2:07:05] we only have a tiny bit of time [2:07:07] but when it comes to AI [2:07:08] spiking energy prices [2:07:09] this is all coming into focus [2:07:11] with what's going on in Iran [2:07:12] and there's a crunch [2:07:13] on supply [2:07:14] and demand [2:07:14] and everything else [2:07:15] as you look towards the midterms [2:07:17] as you look towards November [2:07:18] you talk about those [2:07:20] kitchen table issues [2:07:21] and how they got [2:07:22] President Trump [2:07:22] into office [2:07:23] will Democrats [2:07:24] take advantage of that [2:07:26] and will this help you [2:07:27] going into the fall [2:07:27] oh I think so [2:07:29] you know [2:07:29] things look very good [2:07:31] right now [2:07:31] but it's April [2:07:32] and a week's a long time [2:07:33] in politics [2:07:34] but we have [2:07:35] many seats [2:07:36] we think we can take [2:07:37] relatively few [2:07:38] that we need to defend [2:07:39] and with the President's [2:07:40] disapproval rating [2:07:42] at 58% [2:07:43] this is potentially [2:07:45] wave election [2:07:45] although you look back [2:07:47] to Charlie Cook [2:07:47] he said [2:07:47] wave elections [2:07:49] tend to follow wave elections [2:07:50] one way or the other [2:07:51] so there aren't that [2:07:52] we have to temper [2:07:54] our expectations [2:07:55] and really only need [2:07:56] three or four seats [2:07:57] the gentleman [2:07:57] from the 8th [2:07:58] Congressional District [2:07:58] in Virginia [2:07:59] Don Beyer [2:07:59] thank you very much [2:08:00] for joining us here [2:08:00] thank you sir [2:08:01] appreciate it [2:08:01] great to talk [2:08:02] about the Commonwealth [2:08:03] of Virginia [2:08:04] in the news [2:08:04] of the day [2:08:05] as well [2:08:05] we're going to have [2:08:06] much more [2:08:06] on the breaking news [2:08:07] I mentioned just a moment [2:08:08] ago on the shooting [2:08:08] at the White House [2:08:09] Correspondents Association [2:08:10] dinner [2:08:11] after this [2:08:11] also talk more [2:08:12] about those comments [2:08:13] from Senator Tom Tillis [2:08:14] on Meet the Press [2:08:15] about Kevin Warsh [2:08:16] and Federal Reserve [2:08:16] Chair Jerome Powell [2:08:17] you're watching [2:08:18] Bloomberg this weekend [2:08:18] on Bloomberg TV [2:08:19] Bloomberg Radio [2:08:20] and Bloomberg.com [2:08:21] thank you for joining us [2:08:32] live on Bloomberg [2:08:32] this weekend [2:08:33] I'm Lisa Mateo [2:08:34] let's get you up to date [2:08:34] on today's top stories [2:08:36] we're learning more [2:08:36] about the man accused [2:08:37] of storming [2:08:38] the White House [2:08:39] Correspondents Dinner [2:08:40] according to a law [2:08:41] enforcement intelligence [2:08:42] profile reviewed by [2:08:43] Bloomberg [2:08:43] Cole Thomas Allen [2:08:45] he spent years [2:08:46] quietly acquiring [2:08:47] his arsenal [2:08:48] purchasing a shotgun [2:08:49] from a Torrance California [2:08:50] firearms dealer [2:08:51] eight months before the attack [2:08:53] and a semi-automatic pistol [2:08:54] two years earlier [2:08:55] now he's expected [2:08:56] to be arraigned [2:08:57] on Monday [2:08:58] President Trump said [2:08:59] no country [2:09:00] is immune [2:09:00] from political violence [2:09:02] I was talking to somebody [2:09:04] from another country [2:09:05] today [2:09:06] and they have [2:09:08] numerous assassinations [2:09:10] of political figures [2:09:11] all over the world [2:09:13] you look at South America [2:09:14] and South America [2:09:15] it's like [2:09:15] some of the numbers [2:09:16] are just horrific [2:09:17] it's dangerous [2:09:19] it's dangerous stuff [2:09:20] whether it's here [2:09:20] or someplace else [2:09:21] no country is immune [2:09:23] the president added [2:09:25] that he wants the event [2:09:26] rescheduled [2:09:27] within 30 days [2:09:28] now in other news [2:09:29] is a ceasefire [2:09:30] in jeopardy [2:09:31] after President Trump [2:09:32] canceled the planned trip [2:09:33] to Pakistan [2:09:33] by his top envoys [2:09:35] for negotiations [2:09:36] over the Iran conflict [2:09:37] and Iran's top diplomat [2:09:39] met mediators [2:09:39] in Pakistan [2:09:40] and left Islamabad [2:09:42] well ahead of the planned arrival [2:09:43] of U.S. envoys [2:09:44] now despite Iran tensions [2:09:46] and also developments [2:09:47] in Washington D.C. [2:09:48] King Charles III [2:09:49] and Queen Camilla [2:09:50] they are still expected [2:09:51] to begin their four-day trip [2:09:53] tomorrow to the U.S. [2:09:54] the formal arrival ceremony [2:09:55] that will take place [2:09:56] on Tuesday [2:09:57] and Republican Senator [2:09:59] Tom Tillis says [2:10:00] he's prepared to move ahead [2:10:01] with a confirmation [2:10:02] of Federal Reserve Chair [2:10:03] nominee Kevin Warsh [2:10:04] now he made those comments [2:10:05] during an NBC interview [2:10:06] this morning [2:10:07] it comes after [2:10:08] the Justice Department [2:10:09] ended a criminal probe [2:10:10] targeting Fed Chair Jay Powell [2:10:12] Christina and David [2:10:13] we'll send it over [2:10:14] thanks so much Lisa [2:10:14] earlier [2:10:16] and just a little while ago [2:10:17] we spoke with [2:10:17] Virginia Democrat Don Beyer [2:10:19] and Texas Congressman [2:10:20] Michael McCaul [2:10:20] about toning down [2:10:21] the political rhetoric [2:10:22] in the wake of that shooting [2:10:24] at the White House [2:10:24] Correspondence Center [2:10:25] here to discuss more [2:10:26] is Rising Communications [2:10:27] Founder and former [2:10:28] Republican Congressional [2:10:29] Advisor Leslie Shedd [2:10:29] and former Senior Advisor [2:10:30] for Political Engagement [2:10:31] during the Biden Administration [2:10:32] John McCarthy [2:10:34] great to have both of you [2:10:34] with us [2:10:35] we saw you at the dinner [2:10:36] last night [2:10:36] and John let me start [2:10:37] with you [2:10:37] I'm kind of piecing together [2:10:39] each of our own experience [2:10:40] of what unfolded there [2:10:41] and I'm curious [2:10:42] sort of where you were [2:10:43] in the room [2:10:44] and the degree to which [2:10:45] in the moment [2:10:45] you had an understanding [2:10:46] of what was happening [2:10:47] and what unfolded after that [2:10:49] well I don't think [2:10:49] that anybody in the moment [2:10:50] had any you know [2:10:51] clear picture of what was going on [2:10:53] obviously it being [2:10:54] a room full of journalists [2:10:55] people kind of then [2:10:56] once the activity stopped [2:10:57] I went around the room [2:10:58] and kind of started [2:10:59] comparing notes [2:10:59] and I think I heard [2:11:00] about six different retellings [2:11:01] of what had actually transpired [2:11:03] I was sitting at the back [2:11:04] of the room [2:11:04] kind of by the door [2:11:06] where a lot of the main [2:11:06] central activity occurred [2:11:08] and my face was to the door [2:11:10] and at the time [2:11:11] you saw agents [2:11:12] kind of come out of that door [2:11:13] you'd hear gunshots [2:11:14] and at that point [2:11:15] people dropped to the table [2:11:16] pretty quickly [2:11:17] it's obviously a very crowded ballroom [2:11:19] and you know [2:11:20] people watching [2:11:21] don't always know [2:11:21] but you don't actually know [2:11:22] a lot of the people [2:11:23] you're sitting around [2:11:23] necessarily [2:11:24] so about half your table [2:11:25] is kind of under the table [2:11:27] under the tablecloths [2:11:27] other people have their heads down [2:11:29] that transpires [2:11:30] for a couple of minutes [2:11:31] probably [2:11:32] and then folks [2:11:33] kind of started [2:11:34] to put their heads up [2:11:35] and then there ended up [2:11:36] being a lot more [2:11:37] kind of noise [2:11:37] coming from the center [2:11:38] of the room [2:11:38] which in retrospect [2:11:39] was probably the detailees [2:11:41] being kind of removed [2:11:42] from the room [2:11:42] the cabinet members [2:11:43] exactly [2:11:43] and then the thing [2:11:45] that really amazed me [2:11:46] is kind of once [2:11:47] that seemed to clear [2:11:48] I mean there was no [2:11:48] kind of announcement [2:11:49] that everything had cleared [2:11:50] but the thing [2:11:51] that kind of amazed me [2:11:52] is once you're [2:11:52] looking up for a second [2:11:54] you look around the room [2:11:55] and I mean [2:11:55] I spent four years [2:11:56] in the last administration [2:11:57] and I've always been so [2:11:58] amazed by the secret service [2:12:00] I mean without missing a beat [2:12:01] I mean they stood up [2:12:02] and physically stood [2:12:03] in front of the president [2:12:03] which I am always [2:12:05] amazed by them [2:12:05] and then I was really amazed [2:12:07] by the journalists [2:12:07] in the room [2:12:08] the fact that they were able [2:12:09] to kind of stand up [2:12:10] and just start muscle memory [2:12:11] you know kicking in [2:12:12] start doing their job again [2:12:13] I thought was pretty remarkable [2:12:14] and you know people [2:12:15] sometimes give this dinner [2:12:16] and this weekend [2:12:17] a little flack [2:12:17] but you know [2:12:19] as you looked around the room [2:12:19] and saw those people [2:12:20] kind of stepping in [2:12:21] and doing what they're [2:12:22] supposed to do [2:12:22] in that moment [2:12:23] they kind of reminded you [2:12:24] that what they're doing [2:12:24] is very important [2:12:25] and that a lot of the people [2:12:26] who do it are very good at it [2:12:27] and you also said [2:12:28] we were talking about [2:12:29] the other folks [2:12:30] who helped make that dinner [2:12:31] happen including all the [2:12:32] back of house staff [2:12:33] and you said at some point [2:12:34] you saw them [2:12:34] with their hands up [2:12:35] or yeah [2:12:35] and the kind of rooms [2:12:36] that kind of [2:12:37] open up off the ballroom [2:12:39] a couple of the doors [2:12:40] flung open [2:12:40] and it looked at [2:12:41] you know at some point [2:12:42] that they were kind of [2:12:42] being held in kind of [2:12:43] a security like posture [2:12:44] and that was pretty alarming too [2:12:47] because at this point [2:12:47] you didn't know [2:12:48] what was happening at all [2:12:49] you didn't know [2:12:49] if someone was still in the room [2:12:50] you know you didn't know [2:12:51] how many [2:12:51] and again no one sits and says [2:12:53] okay now you're clear [2:12:54] feel free to move about [2:12:55] so it was kind of [2:12:56] a jarring posture [2:12:57] and you know [2:12:58] a lot of the people [2:12:59] in that room [2:12:59] are probably used to being around [2:13:01] you know protected individuals [2:13:02] situations like this [2:13:03] obviously a lot of the journalists [2:13:04] were there for the incident [2:13:06] in Pennsylvania [2:13:07] with President Trump [2:13:08] and January 6th [2:13:09] but for these people [2:13:10] who you know [2:13:11] are there just to kind of [2:13:11] support this function [2:13:12] I've been going to the dinner [2:13:14] for years [2:13:14] and I've actually really enjoyed [2:13:15] talking to a lot of the wait staff there [2:13:17] because they actually take [2:13:18] such a point of pride [2:13:19] in working there [2:13:20] I actually remember [2:13:21] a couple years ago [2:13:22] there was this one man [2:13:22] who was a waiter there [2:13:23] and I was asking him [2:13:24] how many of these [2:13:24] he'd worked at [2:13:25] and he actually went back in [2:13:27] and pulled out [2:13:28] a bunch of the old programs [2:13:29] that he kept there with him [2:13:30] because he always took it [2:13:31] as such a point of pride [2:13:32] that he gets to kind of [2:13:33] work at this historic event [2:13:34] and it really [2:13:35] when you step back for a second [2:13:36] it is exactly what [2:13:37] Washington is supposed to be [2:13:39] in the sense of [2:13:40] it should be about [2:13:40] mutual respect [2:13:41] it should be about [2:13:41] lowering the temperature [2:13:42] and finding kind of [2:13:43] comedy in difficult times [2:13:44] so I mean [2:13:46] again every kind of [2:13:47] player in it [2:13:48] from the wait staff [2:13:48] to the journalists [2:13:49] in the room [2:13:50] kind of all ended up [2:13:50] doing what they were [2:13:51] supposed to do [2:13:51] and it does kind of [2:13:52] give you some hope [2:13:53] in humanity [2:13:54] in pretty difficult times [2:13:55] let's say I want to [2:13:56] ask you about rhetoric [2:13:57] so there have been [2:13:58] these calls to tone down [2:13:59] the rhetoric [2:13:59] I mean I think the [2:14:00] conversation about rhetoric [2:14:01] began before the event itself [2:14:03] there were a lot of people [2:14:03] wondering what tack [2:14:04] the president would take [2:14:05] giving this speech [2:14:06] to the White House [2:14:06] Correspondents Association [2:14:07] and its guests [2:14:08] given he hadn't gone [2:14:09] to the dinner before [2:14:10] given what he said [2:14:11] to the press before [2:14:12] there was a marked change [2:14:13] in his tone last night [2:14:15] when he did speak [2:14:15] to the press [2:14:16] in the briefing room [2:14:16] he was very gracious [2:14:17] to the president [2:14:18] of the Association [2:14:18] and also [2:14:20] somewhat jokingly [2:14:21] said he couldn't [2:14:22] give the speech [2:14:22] that he intended to give [2:14:23] after what had happened [2:14:25] it's maybe folly [2:14:27] to kind of look [2:14:27] at a moment like this [2:14:28] and predict whether [2:14:29] it's going to change things [2:14:30] but does it feel like [2:14:31] this is a moment [2:14:33] when there's the prospect [2:14:34] of change [2:14:34] in the way that [2:14:35] people with differing views [2:14:37] get along with them [2:14:37] yes I mean I would love [2:14:38] to see that right [2:14:39] civility in our conversation [2:14:41] it seems to be gone [2:14:43] and it's really frustrating [2:14:46] and scary [2:14:47] when you work in politics [2:14:48] to think [2:14:48] I can't go to a party [2:14:50] with my friends [2:14:51] without having to walk [2:14:52] through magnometers [2:14:52] and have secret service [2:14:54] and police [2:14:55] and roads closed off [2:14:57] everywhere just so that [2:14:58] we can get together [2:14:59] and celebrate the first amendment [2:15:01] I mean it's just a really [2:15:02] it's a scary time [2:15:03] I will say one of the things [2:15:05] that stood out to me [2:15:05] last night [2:15:06] with the president's remarks [2:15:07] was when he said [2:15:08] you know it wasn't [2:15:09] a Trump event [2:15:10] there were Republicans there [2:15:11] there were Democrats there [2:15:12] conservatives [2:15:12] liberals [2:15:13] members of the media [2:15:14] we were all gathered [2:15:16] there together [2:15:17] to celebrate [2:15:18] the first amendment [2:15:19] and this horrible [2:15:21] thing happened [2:15:21] and it's just [2:15:22] it's scary to me [2:15:23] more than anything [2:15:24] but you know [2:15:25] Mike McCall [2:15:26] your former boss [2:15:27] he was a long time [2:15:28] we just swapped you [2:15:28] out of these seats [2:15:29] he was saying that [2:15:31] this is not something [2:15:32] you can legislate [2:15:33] and there is a point [2:15:34] to that [2:15:34] so what do you do [2:15:36] you're a realist [2:15:36] you've been in this town [2:15:37] a long time [2:15:37] but you guys are on [2:15:38] opposite ends [2:15:39] and are very close friends [2:15:40] what do you do [2:15:42] does it have to come [2:15:43] from the top down [2:15:44] or could Republicans [2:15:45] in Congress [2:15:45] take the lead on this [2:15:46] and will they [2:15:47] I have to [2:15:48] I don't want to [2:15:49] not place blame [2:15:50] on different politicians [2:15:52] and people in D.C. [2:15:53] for sure [2:15:54] there are definitely [2:15:55] some politicians [2:15:55] that have not great rhetoric [2:15:57] on both sides of the aisle [2:15:58] but you know [2:16:00] you just said that [2:16:00] John and I are friends [2:16:02] I have a lot of friends [2:16:02] that are Democrats [2:16:03] Republicans and Democrats [2:16:04] get along here [2:16:05] this is our city [2:16:06] we all work together [2:16:08] we all live together [2:16:09] I do think that [2:16:10] there's a lot of camaraderie [2:16:11] between Republicans [2:16:13] Democrats [2:16:13] journalists [2:16:14] you know [2:16:14] people that work here [2:16:15] and that [2:16:16] what you see online [2:16:17] often are people [2:16:18] that don't know [2:16:19] anything about D.C. [2:16:20] they've never been here before [2:16:21] they see something online [2:16:23] and they want to be [2:16:25] a part of a conversation [2:16:26] or they have a specific [2:16:27] you know [2:16:27] idea about something [2:16:29] and they go off the rails [2:16:30] this guy came from California [2:16:32] so you know [2:16:34] I think that [2:16:34] the congressman's right [2:16:35] they're trying to legislate [2:16:37] the way that somebody [2:16:38] thinks [2:16:39] and especially in a country [2:16:40] that prioritizes free speech [2:16:41] it's going to be hard [2:16:42] I do think that [2:16:44] you know [2:16:44] we want to see more leaders [2:16:46] out there [2:16:47] trying to lower the tone [2:16:49] of the rhetoric [2:16:49] and you know [2:16:50] congressman McCaul [2:16:51] is a perfect example of that [2:16:52] I think he mentioned this [2:16:53] he was just at a big event [2:16:54] like last week [2:16:56] I think in Texas [2:16:57] with Henry Cuellar [2:16:58] talking about the importance [2:16:59] of bipartisanship [2:17:00] and civility [2:17:01] yeah [2:17:02] and I mean [2:17:03] I hope that that's true [2:17:03] I think there's kind of [2:17:04] two issues at hand here [2:17:05] the first of which [2:17:06] is there's not really [2:17:07] a political reward [2:17:08] for being a centrist [2:17:09] and being kind of a [2:17:11] you know [2:17:11] not that flashy [2:17:12] not that exciting [2:17:13] elected official [2:17:14] that's true [2:17:14] and that's not what [2:17:15] and we're partly [2:17:16] to blame for this as well [2:17:17] because that's not [2:17:18] what we pick up [2:17:18] that was the second point [2:17:19] I beat you to it [2:17:22] I beat you to it [2:17:22] I was going to say [2:17:23] that's part of the problem [2:17:24] whether it's the media [2:17:24] or the algorithms [2:17:25] it doesn't reward someone [2:17:26] who wants to sit and say [2:17:27] have you read my [2:17:28] substantive white paper [2:17:29] on this issue [2:17:30] instead it's the [2:17:31] kind of snappy sound bite [2:17:32] that gets the political [2:17:33] reward in the end [2:17:34] so you know [2:17:35] I think that these [2:17:35] elected officials [2:17:36] need to step up [2:17:37] and remember that [2:17:38] they are really elected [2:17:38] to be in many ways [2:17:39] chief citizens [2:17:40] but simultaneously [2:17:41] both the media [2:17:42] and of course [2:17:43] the tech platforms [2:17:44] etc [2:17:44] need to also recognize [2:17:45] that they play [2:17:46] an important moderating force [2:17:47] in all of this too [2:17:47] I will read your snappy white paper [2:17:49] on whatever issue you've got [2:17:49] David Gurra reads [2:17:50] all of the snappy white papers [2:17:52] John McCarthy [2:17:53] Leslie said [2:17:54] hang on [2:17:54] we're going to keep you here [2:17:55] actually [2:17:55] we've got to go to break [2:17:56] but we want to keep talking [2:17:58] to you more about all of this [2:18:00] because a lot to break down [2:18:01] and we do want to talk [2:18:02] we don't want you to fight [2:18:04] but we want to talk [2:18:05] a little bit about [2:18:06] some of the contentious issues [2:18:07] going on on the hill [2:18:08] we are still in a partial [2:18:09] government shutdown [2:18:10] we've got a fed chair [2:18:11] we've got a whole bunch [2:18:12] of other stuff [2:18:12] and the king is going to visit [2:18:13] so we want to discuss [2:18:14] all of this [2:18:15] so stay in your seats [2:18:15] and you at home [2:18:16] please stay in your seats [2:18:18] Bloomberg this weekend [2:18:19] will be right back [2:18:20] on all the platforms [2:18:21] stick with us this morning [2:18:22] welcome back to Bloomberg this weekend [2:18:32] David Gurra with Christina Rufina [2:18:33] we have John McCarthy [2:18:33] and Leslie Shedd [2:18:34] with us again as well [2:18:36] John let me start with you [2:18:37] on what's just transpired [2:18:38] over the last hour [2:18:39] that is Senator Tom Tillis [2:18:40] of North Carolina [2:18:41] has dropped his opposition [2:18:42] to the nomination [2:18:43] of Kevin Warsh [2:18:44] he had locked it in protest [2:18:46] because of what had been happening [2:18:47] with the Department of Justice [2:18:48] and Jerome Powell [2:18:49] he writes in a statement [2:18:50] that he's posted on X [2:18:51] with the assurances [2:18:52] that he's gotten [2:18:52] I look forward to supporting [2:18:54] Kevin Warsh's confirmation [2:18:55] he's an outstanding nominee [2:18:56] and it's time for the Federal Reserve [2:18:58] to move beyond this distraction [2:18:59] and return its full attention [2:19:01] to its mission [2:19:02] curious for your reaction broadly [2:19:04] but more specifically [2:19:05] your reaction to [2:19:06] this emboldened Tom Tillis [2:19:08] who yes is outgoing [2:19:10] his days are numbered [2:19:12] as a senator from North Carolina [2:19:13] but what is his attitude toward this [2:19:16] the way that he's approached this [2:19:17] say to you about the way [2:19:18] that lawmakers perhaps more broadly [2:19:19] could take a stand [2:19:21] in a way that they haven't [2:19:21] in recent months and years [2:19:23] yeah I mean [2:19:23] outgoing lawmakers [2:19:24] tend to be some of the [2:19:25] emboldened [2:19:26] emboldened yes [2:19:27] but they also you know [2:19:28] are the most ones [2:19:29] open to deal making [2:19:29] when I was back [2:19:31] in the Biden administration [2:19:32] when we were looking [2:19:32] towards the bipartisan [2:19:33] infrastructure law [2:19:34] the senators who are [2:19:35] really available to us [2:19:36] are no longer serving [2:19:38] by and large [2:19:38] they're the ones [2:19:39] who are willing to [2:19:40] kind of cross the aisle [2:19:40] get a couple things done [2:19:41] and they're thinking [2:19:42] about their legacy [2:19:43] the only thing I would [2:19:44] caution here is that [2:19:45] assurances tend to not [2:19:46] last very long [2:19:46] inside of the Trump administration [2:19:48] I think we saw [2:19:49] a lot of assurances given [2:19:50] around the nomination [2:19:51] of Secretary Kennedy [2:19:52] and we've heard people [2:19:53] kind of speak out since [2:19:54] saying that they were [2:19:55] a little concerned [2:19:55] about some of his actions [2:19:56] since so I don't know [2:19:58] you know what these [2:19:58] assurances were [2:19:59] but I don't know that [2:20:00] I would you know [2:20:00] take them to the bank [2:20:01] if I were the senator [2:20:02] Leslie I want to get [2:20:04] your take on why [2:20:05] this happened [2:20:06] why the DOJ [2:20:07] backed off this investigation [2:20:08] because the president [2:20:09] had gone really hard [2:20:10] on this despite [2:20:11] members of his own party [2:20:13] saying you are [2:20:14] you know [2:20:14] as my mother would say [2:20:16] cutting off your nose [2:20:16] despite your face [2:20:17] you have a long-term goal [2:20:18] this is going to complicate it [2:20:19] why was he so set [2:20:21] on this in the first place [2:20:22] and what do you think [2:20:22] ultimately changed his mind [2:20:23] well I want to start [2:20:24] by saying I am here [2:20:25] for Tom Tillis's [2:20:26] YOLO-like moment [2:20:28] right now [2:20:28] I honestly just can't wait [2:20:31] to see what happens [2:20:31] next on this one [2:20:32] because you know [2:20:33] he's funny [2:20:34] and he cares about stuff [2:20:35] and he's not afraid [2:20:37] to you know [2:20:38] hold people's feet [2:20:38] to the fire [2:20:39] you know I'm a lawyer too [2:20:41] I like to say [2:20:42] I play a lawyer on TV [2:20:43] but you know [2:20:44] I think if you go through [2:20:46] and look at the case [2:20:46] it just wasn't a strong case [2:20:48] and attorneys can actually [2:20:49] get in trouble [2:20:50] if they are pursuing cases [2:20:51] like aggressively over time [2:20:53] where they just don't have [2:20:54] the evidence to back that up [2:20:55] so I would be willing to bet [2:20:57] it's probably a little bit [2:20:59] to do with that [2:20:59] probably definitely to do [2:21:00] with the Kevin Morsh nomination [2:21:02] I personally thought [2:21:03] always that this was [2:21:04] a bit of a distraction [2:21:05] we've got a really big election [2:21:07] coming up in November [2:21:08] a little bit [2:21:09] a little bit [2:21:09] and I'd really like to see [2:21:11] you know the president [2:21:12] and the administration [2:21:13] be 100% focused [2:21:14] on that right now [2:21:15] we were talking about [2:21:16] gerrymandering [2:21:17] and what happened in Virginia [2:21:17] a couple of weeks back [2:21:19] and I'm curious [2:21:19] how you see the evolution [2:21:21] of this story [2:21:22] so Florida is poised [2:21:23] perhaps to do [2:21:24] some of this itself [2:21:25] but I think a warning [2:21:26] that we got early on [2:21:28] was if Republicans [2:21:28] initially were to [2:21:29] start doing this [2:21:30] it would be this kind of [2:21:31] tit for tat thing [2:21:32] and lo it seems to have been that [2:21:33] where do you see [2:21:34] all of this leading [2:21:35] this conversation [2:21:36] about the way that states [2:21:37] decide [2:21:37] yeah so I think [2:21:38] no offense to John [2:21:40] but I think that there was [2:21:42] kind of a belief [2:21:43] among Republicans [2:21:43] that Democrats would [2:21:44] roll over [2:21:45] because they had been [2:21:46] for quite you know [2:21:47] several months [2:21:48] at the beginning [2:21:48] of the administration [2:21:49] several years perhaps [2:21:50] it's the story [2:21:51] of the Democratic Party [2:21:51] right there [2:21:52] look at this agreement [2:21:53] so you know [2:21:55] I think what [2:21:56] we're at a wash [2:21:56] kind of right now [2:21:57] right like 10 seats [2:21:58] for Democrats [2:21:59] 9 seats for Republicans [2:22:01] I go back again to [2:22:03] you know [2:22:03] I just feel like [2:22:04] this is a bit of a distraction [2:22:05] it's taking time [2:22:06] away from people [2:22:07] it's taking money away [2:22:08] it's taking political capital away [2:22:10] that I would rather be seen [2:22:12] invested in races [2:22:13] that we need to try to protect [2:22:15] members that we already have [2:22:17] as well as really great candidates [2:22:18] that we've got coming up [2:22:20] and you know [2:22:20] I know there's a lot of attention [2:22:21] paid to these federal races [2:22:24] but we've got a lot of really great [2:22:25] governors candidates [2:22:26] attorneys general candidates [2:22:28] there's gonna be a lot of interesting races [2:22:30] this November so [2:22:32] all right [2:22:33] all right [2:22:33] we've got about two minutes left [2:22:34] yeah [2:22:34] I would just say [2:22:36] it actually exemplifies [2:22:37] the tension that's in the Democratic Party [2:22:39] right now [2:22:40] because you know [2:22:40] this is something that Democrats [2:22:41] would largely not be for [2:22:43] right [2:22:43] Democrats have overwhelmingly [2:22:44] each Congress [2:22:45] introduced a lot of good government bills [2:22:47] from money out of politics [2:22:48] to independent redistricting [2:22:49] but there's also this new lane [2:22:51] of the party [2:22:51] that's telling them [2:22:52] that they want their nominee [2:22:53] to fight more [2:22:54] so I think that this is playing out [2:22:55] in a really weird way [2:22:56] where Democrats are trying [2:22:57] to find their new footing [2:22:58] in this new generation [2:22:59] and I think that's why [2:23:01] you're seeing some of the kind of [2:23:02] you know outside groups [2:23:03] come in and support with such vigor [2:23:04] some of these independent [2:23:05] redistricting efforts [2:23:06] you know reforms [2:23:07] but you know [2:23:08] these kind of more partisan [2:23:09] efforts in practice [2:23:10] trying to correct the overcorrection [2:23:11] right [2:23:12] with Joe Biden [2:23:12] that was this overcorrection [2:23:14] I think to President Trump [2:23:15] and trying to figure out [2:23:16] this new happy medium [2:23:18] how can they be [2:23:19] you know [2:23:19] against the way [2:23:20] that they don't like [2:23:21] the way the president speaks [2:23:22] or his policies [2:23:23] but still be interesting [2:23:25] and you know [2:23:26] get attention [2:23:26] exactly [2:23:27] we've got a very short [2:23:28] jump ball here [2:23:29] when it comes to [2:23:30] kitchen table issues [2:23:31] and the midterms [2:23:32] and November [2:23:33] which party is going [2:23:34] to do it better [2:23:35] easily Democrats [2:23:36] I mean the Republican Party [2:23:37] the Republican Party [2:23:39] has not been able [2:23:39] to focus on this [2:23:40] since they got here [2:23:40] I mean the president [2:23:41] had a mandate [2:23:42] to lower costs [2:23:42] and I mean [2:23:43] take your pick [2:23:44] ballroom wars [2:23:45] you know foreign invasions [2:23:46] you know [2:23:46] none of that is bringing down costs [2:23:48] I don't need to [2:23:48] owes the mentalist here [2:23:49] to figure this one out [2:23:50] but Leslie [2:23:50] it's definitely Republicans [2:23:52] you know [2:23:53] and I know [2:23:54] I know everybody's surprised [2:23:55] right [2:23:55] but I think too [2:23:57] the biggest reason [2:23:57] is that Republicans [2:23:58] have a record [2:23:59] to run on [2:24:00] right now [2:24:00] I just see a lot [2:24:01] of anti-Trump stuff [2:24:02] for Democrats [2:24:02] and you know [2:24:03] not a lot of ideas [2:24:04] Leslie Shedd [2:24:05] John McCarthy [2:24:06] thanks to both of you [2:24:06] for joining us here [2:24:07] on this Sunday [2:24:08] after what was an eventful [2:24:09] and difficult weekend [2:24:10] for a lot of folks [2:24:11] appreciate your perspective [2:24:12] here on this Sunday morning [2:24:13] thank you both so much [2:24:14] if Washington worked [2:24:15] like you two [2:24:15] I think we'd all be [2:24:16] in a better state [2:24:16] so we appreciate you [2:24:18] and we appreciate [2:24:19] all our viewers [2:24:20] and listeners [2:24:20] and streamers today [2:24:21] we had a lot of news [2:24:22] Lisa Mateo [2:24:24] of course [2:24:24] is with us [2:24:25] and we want to thank Lisa [2:24:27] it's been a pleasure [2:24:29] you guys have been rocking [2:24:31] since we started this show [2:24:32] and it's [2:24:33] you have been keeping it [2:24:34] keeping holding down the fort [2:24:35] it's even hard to think [2:24:37] at this point [2:24:37] and great thanks to you [2:24:39] for getting us all [2:24:39] of the up to date news [2:24:41] about the suspect [2:24:41] and this investigation [2:24:42] and what's unfolding [2:24:43] over the course [2:24:44] of this morning [2:24:45] again we've learned more [2:24:45] about that suspect [2:24:46] from California [2:24:47] traveled to D.C. [2:24:48] by train [2:24:49] expected to be charged [2:24:50] here in Washington D.C. [2:24:52] on Monday [2:24:52] and we'll see what happens [2:24:53] with further charges [2:24:55] on Monday as well [2:24:55] thank you all for joining us [2:24:56] here on Bloomberg [2:24:57] this weekend [2:24:57] live from Washington D.C. [2:24:58] you can join our colleagues [2:24:59] in Asia this evening [2:25:00] when global markets [2:25:01] kick off trading [2:25:02] at 7 p.m. Eastern time [2:25:04] I'm David Dura [2:25:04] I'm Christine Urfini [2:25:06] and of course [2:25:06] we are here with Lisa Mateo [2:25:08] we'll be back with you [2:25:09] Saturday from New York [2:25:10] at 7 a.m. [2:25:11] please come back with us [2:25:13] we'll see you then [2:25:13] for our audience [2:25:14] on Bloomberg TV [2:25:15] Michelle Hussain [2:25:16] starts right now [2:25:17] you