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Michael Isikoff is chief investigative correspondent for Yahoo News and the author of Hubris: The Inside Story of Spin, Scandal, and the Selling of the Iraq War. He is a former investigative correspondent for NBC News and for Newsweek magazine.
British angered over leaks in the Manchester investigation British officials have said they’ll stop sharing intelligence with the U.S. about the Manchester bombing. They’re outraged over leaks to the American Press -- including publication of the attacker’s name -- and pictures of debris from the explosion. Trump has ordered the Justice Department to look into them and review the possibility of prosecution.
Why the CIA and FBI disagree on Russia's motives The CIA says Russia meddled in the US election to help Donald Trump win -- through hacks and other cyber-attacks. Trump rebuked the CIA’s report and challenged the agency’s credibility. The FBI was reluctant to agree with the CIA on Russia’s motives.
Trump transition names loyal hardliners Three major appointments we announced this morning by the Trump transition team: Alabama Senator and hardliner Jeff Sessions for Attorney General; Kansas Republican Congressman Mike Pompeo to head the CIA; and former Lt. General Mike Flynn as the President's National Security Advisor. Flynn is famous for leading the chant "lock her up," aimed at Hillary Clinton during the Republican National Convention.
Trump University Donald Trump's Trump University promised to teach students to make a lot of money doing real estate deals. But three lawsuits by former students say the claims were fraudulent. One of those suits, a class-action launched against Trump in 2010, is finally heading to trial in San Diego. In CNN's Republican debate last week, Marco Rubio jumped on the issue. Will it hurt Trump's winning streak? More: Trump plays the victim card against Hispanic judge
The Targeted Killing of US Citizens The Obama Administration used drones to kill three American citizens located in Yemen, including a 16-year-old boy. No trial. Not even judicial review. The Obama Justice Department has given intelligence committee members in the House and Senate access to a long-classified legal justification for killing Anwar al-Awlaki, an American citizen identified with al-Qaeda in Yemen. The move this week followed a white paper being leaked to a reporter that says civil rights can be ignored if there's an "imminent threat" of terrorism against the US. But Constitutional scholars and others see twisted logic, the redefinition of language—and a stunning overreach of the President's powers. What constitutes an "imminent threat?" Who makes the decision? What does the CIA have to do with it?
Docs Show Rove Played Key Role in US Attorneys' Firings A former federal prosecutor, fired during the Bush Administration, says White House e-mails now confirm his "worst nightmares:" that Karl Rove and his deputies violated the law. David Iglesias was the US Attorney for New Mexico, and he spoke with Michael Isikoff of Newsweek magazine.
Docs Show Rove Played Key Role in US Attorneys’ Firings A former federal prosecutor, fired during the Bush Administration, says White House e-mails now confirm his "worst nightmares:" that Karl Rove and his deputies violated the law. David Iglesias was the US Attorney for New Mexico, and he spoke with Michael Isikoff of Newsweek magazine.
Facing Opposition, Obama Intel Czar Pulls Out Another high-level Obama appointee has withdrawn after complaints about past behavior. Chas Freeman was chosen to head the National Intelligence Council , but became a target of Israeli interests in Washington and of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In an email obtained by Foreign Policy magazine, he says, "The tactics of the Israel Lobby plumb the depths of dishonor and indecency." Michael Isikoff is an investigative reporter for Newsweek magazine.
Clinton Papers Reveal Little about Readiness for 'Day One' Yesterday, in response to a freedom of information act request and a lawsuit, the National Archives and the Clinton Library released more than 11,000 pages of Hillary Clinton's schedules as First Lady. What do they reveal? Michael Isikoff, investigative correspondent for Newsweek , has given them a quick study.
The Sudden Impact of Mike Huckabee Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is an ordained Baptist minister who still delivers sermons full of Old Testament stories and New Testament fire. The Baptist preacher tells reporters he wants the Rolling Stones for his inaugural ball. He also wants to abolish Social Security , Medicare and the IRS . Huckabee has spent $400,000 in Iowa; Mitt Romney has spent $7 million. Despite his shoestring campaign against millionaires and household names, he's now leading among Republican presidential candidates—in Iowa and in national polls . Huckabee says it's divine intervention. Others suggest that Republicans aren't satisfied with their other options. Is it for real or is Huckabee just the latest front-runner in a party that hasn't made up its mind?
Gonzales Resigns, Bush Says Critics 'Dragged Him Through the Mud' Brutal treatment of terrorist detainees, electronic surveillance without judicial approval, politics in the administration of justice. Republicans as well as Democrats accused Attorney General Alberto Gonzales of being less than candid about policies dealing with human rights and the Constitution. Today, he announced his resignation , effective September 17. The son of migrant workers in Texas, Gonzales said, "Even my worst days as Attorney General have been better than my father's best days," and thanked President Bush for his friendship and the opportunity to serve the American people. Less than two hours after he stepped down, President Bush reluctantly accepted , lamenting that "his good name was dragged through the mud for political reasons." Bush said Solicitor General Paul Clement will be interim Attorney General until the Senate approves a full-time successor. We look at the latest transition at the highest levels of the Bush Administration and explores where the President goes from here.
Alberto Gonzales Preps for Senate Hearing Advance copies of what Alberto Gonzales will tell the Senate Judiciary Committee tomorrow have failed to silence his critics. Alberto Gonzales has released the 25-page opening statement he plans to read tomorrow to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. It says he has "nothing to hide," that no US attorney was fired "for an improper reason," and that he "never sought to mislead the Congress or the American people." Republican Senator Arlen Specter questions whether Gonzales is "capable of administering the Department of Justice." Democrat Charles Schumer says the hearing will "make or break" the Attorney General. It's all about Gonzales' role in firing US attorneys. What did politics have to do with it? What about Karl Rove and missing White house e-mails?
A Presidential Pardon for Lewis Libby? While President Bush says he will respect the conviction of Lewis "Scooter" Libby on four felony counts of perjury and obstructing justice earlier this week, conservative allies already have begin a campaign to secure him a presidential pardon . Vice President Cheney's former chief-of-staff has been one of the most trusted members of the White House inner circle. But it might not be so easy for Bush to grant such a pardon, says Newsweek investigative correspondent Michael Isikoff.
The Prosecution Rests Its Case in the Libby Trial Scooter Libby has watched silently as prosecutor Paterick Fitzgerald has methodically presented a perjury case against him. Now it's Libby's turn to respond—and perhaps Vice President Cheney's. Where does the case stand after three weeks of prosecution testimony? What has Fitzgerald revealed that we didn't already know? What can we expect from the Libby defense? Is this a trial about how America went to war or just a petty grudge match led by a frustrated prosecutor who found himself investigating a crime that was never committed? Guest host Lawrence O'Donnell speaks with journalists and attorneys formerly with Congress and the US Justice Department.
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.