NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Monday, July 22, 2024

Episode Date: July 23, 2024

Pelosi among top Democrats backing Harris candidacy; Harris faces challenges on issues that helped her political rise; Harris faces tight deadline for shaping her campaign and ticket; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, a whole new race for president. Democrats rallying around Kamala Harris after Joe Biden stepped aside. The vice president greeted with cheers at what is now her campaign headquarters in Delaware. It comes as Nancy Pelosi adds her name to the list of top Democrats backing Harris after President Biden dropped out and endorsed her. In just 24 hours, her campaign ranking at a record $81 million in donations. And the questions, how will all this work with the Democratic convention less than a month away? And who will Harris pick as a running mate? And the shakeup forcing the Trump campaign to pivot attacks to Harris. J.D. Vance in his first solo debut as Donald Trump's running mate, saying he's annoyed he won't get to debate her

as top Republicans demand Mr. Biden leave office now. Also tonight, the director of the Secret Service grilled on Capitol Hill, saying, quote, we failed on the day a gunman tried to assassinate Donald Trump. The disturbing body cam an Illinois woman fatally shot in her home after she called 911. The deputy now charged with murder. And just four days to go, a historic Team USA honor for LeBron James as Simone Biles

and her teammates arrive in Paris to begin their quest for gold. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. Good evening and welcome. How the political universe has shifted just a day after President Biden's exit from the presidential contest. Vice President Kamala Harris riding a wave of Democratic Party endorsements is taking her place as the front runner for the nomination. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi now among the biggest names to throw their support to Ms. Harris, whose sudden candidacy has now energized the Democratic Party, a party that in recent weeks has been gripped by panic over its future. Still tonight, as the Trump campaign pivots its message, Democrats are facing urgency to lock the vice president in as their nominee and for her to

name a running mate. Several front runners for the number two slot emerging tonight in what is likely to be an expedited process. All as President Biden, who set this in motion by stepping aside, pledged to the Harris team that he will campaign for his vice president. Kelly O'Donnell is at the White House tonight with the latest developments. A whirlwind day for Vice President Kamala Harris. Visiting headquarters in Wilmington, the president's hometown, but a campaign that now bears her name. President Biden at home with COVID phoned into the campaign team late today. I'm hoping you'll give every bit of your heart and soul

that you gave to me to Kamala. And I want you to know, I won't be on the ticket, but I'm still going to be fully, fully engaged. An extraordinary campaign reset after the president ended his own run Sunday and endorsed Harris to finish the race to November. It is my great honor to have Joe's endorsement in this race. And it is my intention to go out and earn this nomination and to win. But Harris is not yet the official nominee, though she appears on her way. Aides said she spent 10 hours Sunday making about 100 calls to line up support. South Carolina Democrat James Clyburn touting a reshaped race. She is well equipped to prosecute.

I'm going to emphasize to prosecute the case against Donald Trump. Today, the endorsement of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who writes, we must unify and charge forward. Building on endorsements from the Clintons, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and the Congressional Black Caucus. Today, top House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries said he and Senate Leader Chuck Schumer expect to meet with Harris soon. She's excited the House Democratic Caucus, and she's exciting the country. Still, some Harris supporters described seeing reluctance around her potential nomination. Behind closed doors, while I won't name names,

that there were people that were absolutely like, it can't be the vice president. All of it after the president's stunning announcement that for the best interest of my party and the country, he would stand down, a statement that surprised much of his own campaign staff. In Harris's first public appearance today, a preplanned college champions event at the White House, the vice president honored his public service. Joe Biden's legacy of accomplishment over the past three years is unmatched in modern history. His decision appeared to unlock praise and appreciation after a few agonizing weeks when about 40 elected Democrats pushed him to leave the race, and he resisted. I am running and we're going to win. I'm not going to change that.

Are you all in? Because I'm all in. During a weekend of decision dealing with COVID in Delaware, sources familiar with the situation tell NBC News, the president felt hurt, angry and betrayed by allies like Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi, who he believes turned on him. One close advisor upset, saying the president was treated disrespectfully. Kelly, let's turn back the clock here for a moment. Top Democratic donors had been demanding that President Biden drop out, but now the Harris campaign is seeing a big fundraising boost. You're right, Lester. Those donors had threatened to hold back their money. But now the Harris campaign said today that it has raised $81 million since the

president left the race and endorsed the vice president. Lester. Kelly O'Donnell at the White House. Thank you. Among the challenges Harris faces as a presidential candidate, picking a running mate and fashioning her background before and during her vice presidency into a narrative that will appeal to voters. Here's Hallie Jackson. Vice President Harris working the room today, trying to capitalize on this critical moment and reintroduce herself as a presidential candidate. The latest twist in a journey that's taken her from the West Coast to the White House. The daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants shaped by her parents' civil rights activism? Harris, reflecting on her childhood while running for president in 2019,

memorably criticizing her future running mate Joe Biden for his record on busing. You know, there was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bused to school every day. And that little girl was me. Harris rose to become California's first black and South Asian attorney general in 2010 before her Senate run six years later, where she at times turned congressional hearings into cross-examinations. I'm asking you a very direct question, yes or no? Democratic allies arguing Harris's background as a prosecutor helps her press the case against former President Trump and his felony convictions. Now, Harris will likely run

on the broader Biden-Harris agenda, with Republicans already seeking to exploit what they see as political liabilities on the economy, inflation and immigration after Harris was tapped to lead the White House response to root causes of the border crisis. We've been to the border. We've been to the border. You haven't been to the border. And I haven't been to Europe. And I don't I don't understand the point that you're making. I'm not discounting the importance of the border. But on the issue of abortion access, which Democrats think could mobilize voters come November, Harris has been among the administration's loudest voices advocating for protections. How dare these elected leaders believe they are in a better position to tell women what they need. Now, the one time running mate set to select a

running mate of her own, racking up endorsements from those speculated to be on the short list, like California's Gavin Newsom and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. The contrast between her and those running on the other side couldn't be clearer. Other possible contenders, Democrats who could help in key battlegrounds like Pennsylvania's Josh Shapiro, Arizona's Mark Kelly and North Carolina's Roy Cooper. I want to make sure that Kamala Harris wins. And tonight, multiple sources tell NBC News former Attorney General Eric Holder has been tapped to lead the vetting process for the vice president's potential running mates. Lester. All right, Hallie, thank you. Laura Jarrett joins me now. Laura,

even with many Democrats backing Harris, there's not a lot of time here. No, Lester, there's a big push right now to button things up soon. Otherwise, Democrats risk missing some key state deadlines for certifying who exactly is on the ballot. Now, Ohio has the first deadline on August 7th, but the Democratic Convention doesn't start until the 19th. That's why you see all this urgency around holding a virtual roll call vote that would nominate the party's candidates and not just the president. The vice president has to be certified as well for both to appear on the ballot in time. And that just doesn't leave vice president here. It's much time here to vet someone, Lester. All right, Laura, thanks very much. Let's look at now this all from the angle of the Trump campaign.

It's a reset for them as well. A new opponent who the campaign says they have spent weeks preparing for. Garrett Haik now with our new reporting. After 615 days focused on Joe Biden, the Trump campaign tonight shifting gears for a likely showdown with Vice President Harris. I guess she's going to run for president now. Mr. Trump's running mate, J.D. Vance, mocking Harris at a rally in his Ohio hometown. I was told I was going to get to debate Kamala Harris and now President Trump's going to get to debate her. I'm kind of pissed off about that. Trump campaign aides tell NBC News they've worked for weeks preparing to run against Harris, the former president expanding his attacks on Harris in recent days. She's not a competent person. She shouldn't be president.

I mean, she's being laughed at all over the world. But her potential elevation could change some of the fundamental dynamics of the race, with Trump now the oldest candidate. Running a possible Harris-led ticket could also re-energize younger and more diverse voters. A poll taken within the last 24 hours shows Harris doing better than Biden against Mr. Trump, the race within the margin of error, and previewing a new Trump line of attack against Harris, an allied group releasing this ad accusing Harris of a cover-up. Kamala was in on it. She covered up Joe's obvious mental decline. Our president is in good shape, in good health, tireless, vibrant. The GOP also not letting up on President Biden,

with top Republicans, including the House speaker, demanding he step down now. The president should resign. The reason is, if everyone acknowledges that he is incapable of running a campaign, then he's clearly incapable of running the country. I mean, he has the nuclear codes. And Vance arguing today that any Democratic voter turned off by what he called a coup against President Biden should vote for the Republican ticket instead. It's an argument the Trump campaign hopes will gain traction here in Virginia, a state that hasn't voted for a Republican for president since 2004. Lester. All right, Garrett Haig, thank you. It's all sending shockwaves through the critical battleground states. Zinclay Esamwa is in Pennsylvania where she is asking voters, will it change

how they cast their ballots? Swift reaction tonight in Pennsylvania after a major shift in the race to the White House. I was surprised because he said that he was staying in and I was supporting him. The battleground state is critical with 19 electoral votes up for grabs and polling already close. We spoke to three Democratic voters and one undecided. What went through your mind when you heard the president was not going to run? I almost felt relief because there's been so much back and forth. Just speaking to like a lot of other Gen Z voters and a lot of other young people. I think for a long time we've been feeling a bit disenfranchised.

Earlier this month, NBC News polling showing 83 percent of Democrats under the age of 34 wanted a different nominee, like first-time voter Nick Urkel, who is undecided, now weighing new options. Even in her four years as vice president, didn't hear much from her except the occasional immigration thing. Voters today raising concerns about key issues like abortion, the economy and civil rights. As a black woman, mother, wife, I worry about my children. You said you're a mother. Your daughter's right next to you. Do you worry about those things?

Definitely. If you had to vote today, who would you vote for? Kamala Harris. Kamala Harris, without a doubt. Kamala Harris. RFK Jr. Nick says he wants to learn more about Harris, but has reservations. It's just, it's going to be really hard to pull off a campaign in this short a time.

In the next month, she still has to convince everyone in the party to unite behind her. Zinclea Samuam, NBC News, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. And nine days after the attempted assassination of former President Trump, the head of the Secret Service faced new calls to resign and some heated questioning about the security lapses that day. Ryan Nobles has details. For Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheadle, it was a bipartisan unloading. Not only should you resign if you refuse to do so, President Biden needs to fire you. If you have an assassination attempt on a president, a former president, or a candidate,

you need to resign. Would you like to use my five minutes to draft your resignation letter, yes or no? No, thank you. Cheadle, appearing by subpoena and testifying under oath, directly addressed the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. On July 13th, we failed. As a director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse of our agency. But facing off with members of Congress, she left many frustrated. Was the gun already on the roof or did the shooter carry

the gun up with him? I do not have that information at this time. Cheadle pressed on why the building Thomas Crooks fired shots from, less than 150 yards from the stage, wasn't secured. Wasn't that building within the perimeter that should be secured? Do we agree with that? The building was outside of the perimeter on the day of the visit. That is one of the things that during the investigation we want to take a look at and determine whether or not

other decisions should have been made. The director also speaking to reports that Crooks had been photographed and identified as suspicious well before Mr. Trump took the stage. Why was he allowed to take the stage with a suspicious person having been identified in the crowd?

So I appreciate the question. The detail had been passed information that there was a threat. The detail would never have brought the former president out onto stage. So you distinguish between someone who is suspicious and someone who's threatening? Is that right?

Chito said Crooks, who was seen on the roof by people in the crowd minutes before firing shots, wasn't deemed a threat until seconds before the gunfire began and said that even though the Trump campaign had been denied requests for additional Secret Service resources during the past two years, that was not the case the day of the shooting. What I can tell you is that for the event on July 13th, the details that were requested, the assets that were requested for that day were given. And at the end of today's hearing, the top Republican and Democrat on the committee

sent Director Cheadle a letter telling her it is time for her to resign, a call that she is so far resisting. Lester. Ryan Nobles of the Capitol, thank you. Coming up, she called 911 for help, but when deputies responded, they shot her. Now one of them has been charged. What the body cam just shows next. There is outrage in Illinois tonight after a woman was fatally shot in her own home by a deputy

after she called 911 to report an intruder. Authorities today releasing the body cam. Maggie Vespa now with the video. We have to warn you, it is disturbing. 36-year-old Sonia Massey is seen on body camera video opening her front door to her Springfield, Illinois home for the final time. After investigators say in the early morning hours of July 6th, she called 911 about a possible intruder. Massey at times seeming confused. I'm trying to get help, y'all, but... What do you need help with? Nothing. I just... Roughly halfway into the 36-minute clip released late today by Illinois State Police,

Massey walks to her stove and picks up a pot of boiling water. It's difficult to hear what she says. That's when the deputy on screen identified as Sean Grayson replies. You better fire. I'll shoot you right in your face. Okay, I'm sorry. Drop the f***ing pot! The f***ing drop the f***ing pot! Drop the f***ing pot! 19 shots fired. Shots fired! Shots fired! Officials later saying Massey, a mother of two, was shot in the head. I'm not taking hot boiling water to the f***ing face. Video of her body blurred by police.

Last week, a grand jury indicting former deputy Grayson on three counts of first-degree murder. Grayson's lawyer declining to comment. You know what I want? I want justice for my baby. Massey's family, alongside civil rights attorney Ben Crump. She needed a hip and hand. She didn't need a bullet to the face. President Biden saying in a statement they deserve justice, calling it an unthinkable and senseless loss. Maggie Vespup, NBC News. We'll take a break right here. Up next, days after that massive

computer meltdown, it's still a travel meltdown for some. The latest right after this. It's been three days now since the global computer meltdown, and today Delta Airlines is still struggling, canceling hundreds of flights nationwide. Tom Costello joins us. Tom, what's the latest? 22 percent of flights canceled today, 840, and that means 7000 since last Friday morning. We've seen long lines at airport checkpoints nationwide, lines that stretch on for hours, people on telephone hold for nine hours and more. Many complain that Delta has been struggling following this computer outage that many airlines struggled with, but they got back up and running over the weekend.

Delta says its crew scheduling computer went down over the weekend, and that's why it's been struggling to catch up. On the busiest summer travel period in history. Delta now says it could take a couple more days to get fully back up and operational. Several days. All right, Tom, thanks. Up next, Paris says you've never seen it as the Olympics take over. And LeBron James talks about the honor he never dreamed of. Finally, just four days until the opening ceremony. And as Stephanie Goss reports, when Team USA makes its entrance in Paris, they'll be led by an NBA superstar.

In the heart of Paris, the Olympic Games have taken over. On Friday, the opening ceremony will make history outside the confines of a stadium for the first time and on the water. A floating celebration down the River Seine. Today, Team USA announced LeBron James will have the honor of holding the flag. You get to wave the flag in Paris, my man. Fellow Olympian Steph Curry giving him the news. Never thought it was never a dream,

but it's an absolute honor. For two weeks, athletes will compete across the city, many on the doorstep or actually inside some of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. In the 17th century, Louis XIV turned this place into a palace. In the 18th century, Louis XVI was kicked out during the French Revolution. Now, in the 21st century, the Chateau de Versailles is the setting for the equestrian event. It's all too perfect. This is absolutely extraordinary. The Wintersteens from Pennsylvania have a horse in the competition, Fetterman B,

nicknamed Bruno. You're hopeful you're going to get a medal? It's a very stiff competition. The English have a very strong team. No medal is ever guaranteed, but for the athletes who have finally made it here, one thing is certain. Guys, we didn't get this experience last Olympics, so we're like overly hyped. Overly hyped. This is their chance. Stephanie Gosk, NBC News, Paris. And that is nightly news for this Monday. Thank you for watching. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night.