(upbeat music)
- [John] Tonight, ahead of tomorrow's
highly anticipated testimony from
former special counsel Robert Mueller,
the FBI director today is on Capitol Hill
facing questions on theRussia investigation.
Plus, protests in Puerto Rico.
The latest on the politicalunrest in the U.S. Territory.
And Britain's Conservative Party
chooses Boris Johnson to lead the country.
And his first order of business,
the rising tensions with Iran.
All this and more tonight on Faith Nation.
(upbeat music)
- Will there be fireworksor will it be a flop?
- That's what many inWashington are wondering tonight
ahead of Robert Mueller'sCapitol Hill testimony.
Welcome to Faith Nation, I'm John Jessup.
- And I'm Jenna Browder.
The former special counselheads to Capitol Hill
tomorrow morning likely facing questions
about Russian election interference,obstruction of justice,
and whether his investigationexonerated President Trump.
- But new today, a Justice Department memo
to Bob Mueller with a warning.
CBN News White House CorrespondentBen Kennedy joins us now.
Ben, what's in the letter?
- John and Jenna, the JusticeDepartment is advising
Mueller not to go beyondthe redacted report.
Today, FBI Director ChristopherWray became the opening act
as lawmakers prepare to probe Mueller.
- Are the Russians still trying
to interfere in our election system?
- The Russians are absolutely intent
on trying to interferewith our elections--
- Is it fair to say--
- [Wray] Through foreigninfluence in particular.
- Everything we've done against
Russia has not deterred them enough?
All the sanctions, all thetalk, they're still at it?
- My view is until they stop,
they haven't been deterred enough.
- [Ben] Today's Q and A withthe FBI director could act
as a preview of questionsMueller will face.
On Wednesday, he's in forfive hours of questioning
before two House committees.
Democrats are counting on the testimony
to lead to impeachment
or damage the president'schance at reelection.
- If we had had confidencethat the president
clearly did not commit acrime, we would have said so.
- [Ben] A letter released
by the Justice Department advises Mueller
that any testimony must remain
within the boundaries of the report,
a stance the formerspecial counsel has always
planned to take.
- I think that's what Bob Mueller said
from the start is that he's going to stick
to the report and his investigation.
- [Ben] President Trump says
lawmakers are wasting their time.
- You have no collusion, no obstruction
and yet it goes on and theythink this is helping them.
I personally think it's hurting them.
- Democrats push back on the president's
comments saying thehearing will help Americans
better understand the Mueller Report.
Neither committee expectsMueller to give long
answers anticipating yesor no to most questions.
John, Jenna.
- And Ben, break down the schedule
for tomorrow's hearing for us.
- Jenna, the hearingwill begin at 8:30 a.m.
before the House Judiciary Committee.
Mueller will testify there for three hours
then take a pretty short breakonly to pick back up at noon
with the House Intel Committeefor another two hours.
And remember guys, thesehearings are public
so we'll get to watch allfive hours of that Q and A.
John, Jenna.
- [Jenna] All right, Ben Kennedyat the White House, thanks.
- Congress is expected tovote on a new budget deal
before it leaves town next week.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosiand the Trump White House
reached an agreement yesterday afternoon.
It allows the governmentto continue borrowing money
to pay its bills and sets funding levels
for the next two years.
Critics say it does nothing to reign
in Washington's out-of-control spending.
Earlier this week, theWhite House said it expects
deficit spending in 2019to reach one $1 trillion.
The overall federal debt isexpected to hit $22 trillion.
- That budget announcementcomes just ahead
of the August recess, buthow likely is it to pass?
- Amber Strong joins us from Capitol Hill
with its prospects and other big items
facing Congress before they leave town.
- It is a big week on Capitol Hill.
When it comes to the budget,
President Trump ispraising that compromise
that includes a big boostin military spending
and puts the breaks on $125 billion
in automatic spending cuts.
But like most things here on Capitol Hill,
everyone isn't joining in on the applause.
That includes RepublicanRepresentative Mark Walker
who tweeted, "The debtceiling is here again.
"Our credit card is maxed out.
"What this budget deal doesis ask the credit card company
"for another $320 billionin credit now for the chance
"to get paid back $75 billion in a decade.
"No bank would take that.
"American taxpayers shouldn't either."
I spoke with DemocraticCongressman Ro Khanna today.
Khanna sits on the House Budget Committee.
He too has concerns about the budget
but says it's likely to pass.
- I still have to review it.
There's some good things in there.
They don't have cuts inMedicare or Social Security
or a number of key domestic programs.
But I have concerns.
It means our deficit is gonnabe over a trillion dollars
and there's nothing that'sreducing the deficit.
And our defense numberscontinue to increase.
- Another source of the bipartisan support
here on the Hill is an effortto condemn the Boycott,
Divestment, and Sanctionsmovement against Israel.
An overwhelming majority of Republicans
and Democrats areonboard with this effort.
Congressman Khanna is aco-sponsor of the measure
and tells us that supportfor Israel is evident
on Capitol Hill andshould remain that way.
- It's a historical relationship.
When you walk on to that House floor
and you look up, you seeMoses' sculpture looking down
as a lawgiver and his wisdom
that helped American during the founding.
But it's also an economic relationship.
I represent SiliconValley and the economic
innovation relationshipbetween the United States
and Israel is significant.
This resolution, in no way,undermines the First Amendment.
It's as if people wantto go protest or boycott,
they absolutely can.
They can even boycottagainst the United States
or against Israel.
All it's saying is thatit's the sense of Congress
that boycott or divestmentthat delegitimizes
Israel isn't gonna get usto a two-state solution
and isn't what the Congressshould be supporting.
- Of course, the muchtalked about event here
on Capitol Hill is thetestimony of special counsel
Robert Mueller which willtake place on Wednesday.
A lot of Democrats seethis as an opportunity
to sort of bring the report to life.
For Americans who may not havegotten a chance to read it,
they now get to kinda see the details
of what happened in 2016.
Of course, skeptics say it's nothing more
but their chance to try togain sentiment for impeachment.
- I haven't supported that.
I voted to table the previous resolution
that Al Green introduced.
My view is that what people want
in this country is for us to solve issues.
They wanna see how we create jobs,
how we build ourinfrastructure, how we make sure
that we're reducingprescription drug costs,
how we're expanding healthcare.
That's why people sent me to Congress.
Bob Mueller has more credibilitythan anyone in Congress.
And congresspeople are viewedin a more partisan way.
We're just hoping that hetestifies and makes the case
to the American people about the report.
- While that budgetcompromise is a likely step
toward unity here on the Hill,
tomorrow's testimony will likely divide
even further and erase that progress.
Amber Strong, CBN News on Capitol Hill.
- Thanks, Amber.
The back and forth continuestonight between President Trump
and Representative IlhanOmar exchanging more
harsh rhetoric in a fightthat just will not die down.
- CBN News Chief PoliticalAnalyst David Brody is here.
David, President Trump is not backing down
and nor is the so-called squad.
For sure, it is a political death math,
it's a cage match, WWF, allthose syllables for sure.
It really is Armageddon out there.
And look, racism and politics.
Not a day goes by without the toxic
subject making an appearance.
Now, the latest entry, a presidential
tweet calling Muslim Congresswoman
Ilhan Omar America hatingand an Anti-Semite.
And Omar firing back.
- Right now, even when we aretalking about the president,
people will say, "You know,his remarks are racist"
and we'll forget the inherent racism
that has always been part of him.
- [David] Also part ofthe latest back and forth,
Trump tweeting how Omarand her liberal freshman
squad members are a"Nightmare for America."
- I think it's clear thatPresident Trump wants
to make a foil out of the squad.
- [David] Caitlin Conant is the political
director for CBS News.
Trump has no doubt taken what he views
as the squad's anti-American views
and morphed it from a news cycle
to both a news cyclone and anew contour for the 2020 race.
But will that guarantee a second term?
- In 2016, President Trump won election
in large part due to independents
and I think they wouldprobably rather be talking
about the economy, the courts,
than having this Twitter fight play out
between the President and the squad.
- [David] But conservativegroups see an opening.
They've found these commentsthat Palestinian Congresswoman
Rashida Tlaib made a few months ago.
- I'm more Palestinianin the halls of Congress
than I am anywhere inthe country or world.
- [David] The materialis not hard to find.
In the research for this story,
we came across thisinterview from Ilhan Omar
when she was running for Congress.
- A lot of conservatives, inparticular, would say the rise
in Islamaphobia is a resultnot of hate but of fear.
A legitimate fear theysay of quote unquote
"jihadist terrorism"whether it's Fort Hood
or San Bernardino or the recenttruck attack in New York.
What do you say to them?
- I would say our countryshould be more fearful
of white man across our country
because they are actually causing most
of the deaths within this country.
We should be profiling,monitoring, and creating policies
to fight the radicalization of white men.
- [David] Omar is also now the center
of an ethics complaint filed
by the conservative group Judicial Watch.
It's over allegationsthat the Somalian-born
congresswoman may havemarried her biological brother
and in the process committed perjury,
immigration fraud, and marriage fraud.
Reporters like Jeff Mason of Reuters know
this is just the beginningof a fight relished
by the White House.
- I think they've been relatively happy
with how the last week has gone.
A lot of controversy forsure but it's coming down
to be a clear part of his strategy going
into the 2020 campaign.
- As this political food fight plays out,
here's something to keep in mind:
the president may be toxicand despised by liberals
but his approval rating is far higher
than anyone from the squad.
Recent polling shows the highest any
of the squad members get isAOC, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
who clocks in at a whopping 23%.
- David, what CongresswomanIlhan Omar is saying
may not be statistically inaccurate
but is there some level of hypocrisy here?
The media seems to kinda be treating her
with kid gloves when it comes to race.
Yet she is hitting withraw fists when it comes
to President Trump anda lot of his supporters.
- It's a really good point, Jenna,
and the media has beentreating her that way.
And the media typicallyhas been somewhat complicit
in all of this as the years have gone by.
However, along comes Donald Trump,
he's not treating her with kid gloves
as she knows and as the squad knows
and that's the difference this time.
Because with Donald Trump,
he's the best counter-puncherin the business
and so what happens iswhen Ilhan Omar delivers
those types of remarks,well, Donald Trump is gonna
pretty much match her, ifyou will, word for word.
- Today, ChristopherWray, the FBI director,
he testified on Capitol Hill, David,
saying that the FBI made about a hundred
domestic terrorism arrests this year,
most of those related to white supremacy
in one way or another.
How do you square that?
- There's no doubt that domestic
terrorism's a problem in this country.
No one's disputing that.
I think the issue here is that,
and the context is interesting,
that when Ilhan Omar wasasked about Islamic terrorism
in the United States, 'causeremember, there are a lot
of plots that have been foiledas well beyond Fort Hood
and all of those otherones, San Bernardino.
When she was asked aboutit, she quickly deflects.
And I've watched three or four
Al Jazeera interviews with her.
She doesn't really wannatalk about Islamic terrorism
as much as she wants to talkabout domestic terrorism.
And I think that's kind ofan interesting tactic here
where she pretty muchdoesn't give it oxygen
and rather wants to giveoxygen a whole lot more
to the domestic terrorismangle which kinda plays
to what Christopher Wray wassaying on Capitol Hill today.
- David, as far as this war ofwords continues to play out,
how does this benefit President Trump?
- There's a couple different ways
it benefits President Trump.
First of all, PresidentTrump, this just in,
he's been branded, we know who he is,
there is no more that you can do
from a negative standpointto President Trump.
All of the criticism is out there.
AOC, on the other hand, Rashida Tlaib,
Ilhan Omar, all blank slates.
And when you have a blank slate
and you have PresidentTrump punching pretty hard,
you have the real chance of those numbers,
that 23% for AOC, to go quickly downward.
And if they go downwardand if he defines them
as the face of the party,that's bad news for Pelosi,
it's bad news for the Democrats,
and good new for Trump in 2020.
- What does it mean for Joe Biden
who is seen as sort of moreof the moderate candidate?
- This makes Joe Biden looklike a far-right conservative,
I mean according to the squad.
The squad has really gotten so far left
that Joe Biden all of asudden, I have to tell you,
kinda picked up somesteam in the latest polls
that we've seen recently.
And that doesn't surprise me.
Because one again, if the sand is shifting
to the left underneath Biden,Joe Biden's gotta be smiling
all the way to the bankor the political bank.
I don't know what bank he shops at.
But you know what I'm trying to say.
- Withdraws from.
- Withdraws from, thank you.
I'm glad you know what I'm saying.
- We got it.
Thanks, David.
- Thanks, guys.
- [John] Coming up, callsfor the governor to resign.
The latest on the turmoil in Puerto Rico.
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- [Announcer] Introducingthe CBN Bible from CBN.com.
Now an easier way to study theBible and grow in your faith.
Highlight your favorite verse.
Read separate versions at a glance.
Click and read a commentary.
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The CBN Bible available at CBN.com/bible
or the iTunes app store.
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- [Announcer] Get the Builda Better Gut booklet free
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- You need to make sure thatyour microbes are working
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- [Announcer] And if you order online,
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(dramatic music)
- Here, we're committed to a heritage
of rigorous scholarship datingback over a thousand years.
- [Student] And to afaith tradition dating
back a thousand more.
- [Student] This is how wecreate a culture of inquiry
where no topic is off-limits.
- [Student] And a culture of hope.
- [Students] Where anything's possible.
- It's Christian leadership.
- And it's changing theworld for the better.
- It's higher learning.
- It's greater knowing.
- It's what makes us whole.
- It's what makes us Regent.
- Tonight a judge in PuertoRico has issued search warrants
for the embattled governorthere and his aides.
This as tens of thousandsof people are calling
for Ricardo Rossello to step down.
CBN News National Security Correspondent
Eric Philips join us with the latest
on the scandal rocking Puerto Rico.
Eric.
- John and Jenna, the protestshave been going on now
for more than a week andthe crowds have been growing
and increasingly unruly which is why
Puerto Rico police wereforced to fire teargas
at protestors within the last 24 hours.
(metal clanging)
Tens of thousands of people have taken
to the streets of San Juan to demand
that governor RicardoRossello resign immediately.
(guns popping)
Days of unrest and clashes with police,
all meant to drive home that message.
- I think it's important forthe people of Puerto Rico
to stand up and protestagainst corruption.
- [Eric] The governorhas long been the subject
of scrutiny because ofthese ongoing allegations.
Then came the powder keg with the release
of 900 pages of chatmessages between the governor
and his inner circle, messages laced
with sexist and homophobic language.
The embarrassed governorconceded his wrong doing
and publicly apologizedwhile also admitting
that would not suffice.
(speaking in foreign language)
- [Translator] I recognizethat it is not enough
to apologize, only work thatwill help restore the trust
of these sectors to headtoward a true reconciliation.
In the face of this, Iannounce that I will not seek
reelection as governor next year.
- [Eric] Plus, Rossello saidhe would resign the presidency
of his political party.
That's not enough for protestors.
- We need him out!
We need a good governor!
We need leadership!
- The governor's done a terrible job.
- [Eric] A sentimentechoed by the president,
especially after Congressapproved billions in relief
for Puerto Rico afterthe island was devastated
by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
- Incompetent, totallygrossly incompetent leadership
at the top of Puerto Rico.
- Despite Rossello's refusal to resign,
it seems his administration is imploding.
Just last week, the FBI arrested two
of his top former officialson corruption charges
and several presidential hopefuls
and members of Congress are adding
to the chorus of thosecalling for his resignation.
John and Jenna.
- [John] Britain has a newprime minister tonight.
A closer look at the new leader
and the challenges hefaces when we come back.
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- [Announcer] Life.
It's meant to be lived fully.
Jesus said it, "I came to give you life,
"life to the fullest."
Life in your family.
Life in your finances.
Life in your body, mind, and spirit.
Life in your every day.
At CBN.com, we're takingwhat Jesus said seriously.
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Life, live it fully.
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You'll enjoy a richsouthern blend of bluegrass,
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with the all new CBN Southern Gospel.
Now available at CBNradio.com.
- An effort to save the Iranian nuclear
deal will take place this weekend.
Britain, France, Germany,Russia, and China are set
to meet with leaders of the Iranian regime
to discuss how to salvage the 2015 deal.
It comes as tensions continueto rise in the region.
Iran, on Monday, released images of what
it says are CIA spies, somewho face the death penalty.
President Trump is refuting that claim.
The regime also released footageof Britain's captured ship,
the Stena Impero, and its crew.
Meanwhile, the U.S.will continue to enforce
its maximum pressure campaign on Iran.
- Boris Johnson is the new prime minister
of the United Kingdom.
Britain's conservatives chose him
to lead their party and the country today.
- He is an American supporter
and has defended President Trump.
He's also vowed to makeBrexit happen in three months.
But as Dale Hurd reports,first he has to deal with Iran.
- Boris Johnson arrives atNumber 10 Downing Street
at a challenging time forany new prime minister.
With fears that war couldbreak out with Iran.
Iran's Revolutionary Guardsseized a British-flagged
oil tanker in the Straitof Hormuz last Friday,
revenge for the British seizure
of an Iranian tanker offGibraltar earlier this month.
But Boris Johnson has alreadysignaled he's no hawk on Iran.
During last week's TV debates,Johnson said he would not
support U.S. military action against Iran.
And in 2018, then foreign minister,
Johnson traveled to Washington to try
to persuade President Trump to stay
in the Iran nuclear deal andsaid the British government
remained committed to the deal.
As for his pledge toleave the European Union
by October 31st no matter what,
Johnson inherits the samedivided Conservative Party
and Parliament that helped stymie
and finally bring downPrime Minister Theresa May.
Johnson may also be handeda no-confidence vote
and early election within weeks.
But he does have a friendacross the Atlantic.
- I like him, I like Boris Johnson.
I spoke to him yesterday.
I think he's gonna do a great job.
I think we're going tohave a great relationship.
- [Dale] And that irks a lot of people
in the British establishment.
A BBC interviewer tried to get Johnson
to say something badabout President Trump.
When he wouldn't, itprompted this exchange.
- Will you be as craven ifyou were prime minister?
- You mean towards the UnitedStates of America, craven?
- [Interviewer] Towards anybodywho's powerful in the world?
- Don't be ridiculous, if I may say so.
When it comes to stickingup for UK interests
whether it's over climate change
or over disputes with Iran,over the Iran nuclear deal,
we have been very, very forthright
with the United States of America.
- [Dale] In 2015, Johnson accused Trump
of "stupefying ignorance"
and said Trump was"unfit to hold the office
"of president of the United States."
The former mayor of London, known for his
occasionally wacky style,has adopted a populism
that so far has served him well.
But now as primeminister, he must navigate
through an international crisis,
as possible war clouds loom.
Dale Hurd, CBN News.
- Thanks, Dale.
Mark Esper has officially been confirmed
as the secretary of defense.
The Senate approved thepresident's pick today
with broad bipartisan support.
Esper will be the firstconfirmed secretary of defense
since Jim Mattis left the administration
late last year in December,the longest period
of time the Pentagon has gone
without a congressionally approved leader.
Most recently, Esper has beenserving as an Army secretary.
He was confirmed in avote today of 90 to eight.
- [Jenna] 2020 hopeful Joe Biden releases
his plan for criminal justice.
What it includes next.
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- [Announcer] Life.
It's meant to be lived fully.
Jesus said it, "I came to give you life,
"life to the fullest."
Life in your family.
Life in your finances.
Life in your body, mind, and spirit.
Life in your every day.
At CBN.com, we're takingwhat Jesus said seriously.
We're here to help you discover life.
Life, live it fully.
CBN.com.
- [Announcer] On October 1st, 1961,
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of the Christian Broadcasting Network.
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- Just moments ago theIron Dome intercepted
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- In ministering in this area,
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- In Kenya, 40% of themedical services are actually
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- [Man] Young people, millennials,are flocking to church.
- [Woman] It's not anexaggeration to say that we love
to meet them and that welove to know their stories.
- Finally tonight, he may lead Democrats
in the race for the White House
but Joe Biden is following the rest
of the pack on criminal justice.
- The former VP released his own
$20 billion criminal justice reform plan.
It focuses on redemptionand rehabilitation
to help reduce incarceration rates
and disparities in the justice system.
Biden's frequently attackedby fellow Democrats
for his support of the1994 Crime Bill responsible
for increased drug-relatedarrests and stricter sentences.
His new plan also calls for an end
to mandatory minimum sentences
and the death penaltyat the federal level.
- That is going to do itfor tonight's Faith Nation.
- Hope to see you back tomorrow.
(upbeat music)
