NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Sunday, April 14, 2024

Episode Date: April 15, 2024

Escalating concerns about wider war in the Middle East; President Biden urges restraint after Iran’s attack on Israel; Former deputy national security advisor weighs in on how Israel may respond to Iran following attack; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, new and escalating concerns about a bigger war in the Middle East as Israel pledges to respond somehow to Iran's unprecedented attack. Celebrations on the streets of Tehran, even as the Israeli war cabinet meets today to consider what any retaliation could look like after its military neutralized hundreds of Iranian drones and missiles. The Israeli president calling Iran's attack a declaration of war, but saying Israel doesn't want one. The White House pushing restraint as President Biden huddles with world leaders. We don't seek a war with Iran. We're not looking for escalation here. Why the U.S. is so worried about what could happen next. Donald Trump on trial for the first time ever.

A former president set to face criminal charges in court tomorrow, with thousands of potential jurors being brought in and several high-profile witnesses expected. So, could we see Mr. Trump himself take the stand? The frantic search for two missing women from Oklahoma. Four people under arrest tonight, but the women still nowhere to be found. Where the investigation goes from here. So-called burglary tourism on the rise. How professional thieves are flying legally into the U.S.

and the new crackdown to try to stop it. And how the legacy lives on for this very good boy who cheered on Boston marathon runners. This is NBC Nightly News with Hallie Jackson. Good evening. We're coming on the air tonight with the world holding its breath for what could come next in the Middle East. Will Israel retaliate against Iran after that unprecedented and dramatic attack against it? Or will the Israelis take President Biden's advice to basically walk away with a military victory after its defense forces managed to block nearly the entire aerial assault? Whatever the decision, it could be the difference between a devastating regional war and an explosive wider conflict, one that could engulf most of the Middle East and draw in the U.S.

even deeper with the U.N. Security Council meeting late into the night. We have team coverage here at home and overseas, starting with our Richard Engel in Jerusalem. In Iran today, they celebrated what many consider a turning point and a moment of defiance. Iran's first ever direct assault on Israel. Iranian television released footage of the more than 300 drones and missiles it launched at Israel, sending a message to the Iranian people that their government isn't afraid of Israel, even with its American backer, and that Israel's deadly airstrike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus two weeks ago crossed a red line. But the attack proved to be largely symbolic

and highlighted the effectiveness of Israel's multiple air defense systems. We watched as they lit up the sky over Jerusalem. For the last several minutes, we've seen these flares streaking all across the skies over Jerusalem. And now for the first time, we're hearing the air raid sirens. It created a striking juxtaposition. The world's most advanced air defenses countering drones over the ancient, holy, contested city. This is unacceptable. This attack is just another example of how they operate for years and years, spreading havoc, terror, instability all over the world and especially in our region. Israel says it destroyed 99 percent of the incoming Iranian fire, stopping all of the 170 Iranian drones and 30 cruise missiles before they even entered

Israeli airspace. Only a handful of Iran's 120 ballistic missiles made it through, causing minimal damage to an airbase, the military said. But Israel had significant help. The United States and other allies, including neighboring Jordan, shooting down dozens of the drones and missiles. And Iran could have made its attack more difficult to stop, launching the slow-flying drones in waves from about a thousand miles away, giving Israel hours of advance warning. It seems Iran wanted to send a message, not provoke a war. Prime Minister Netanyahu convened his war cabinet and left vague any military response. Over the last few hours, we approved operational plans for both offensive and defensive action. We will continue to protect the state of Israel. There is a strong sense here tonight that things could have turned out very differently

had it not been for the air defenses and extensive American help. Iran fired 60 tons of ordnance at this country. Almost none of it made it through. Had it, it is very possible that Iran and Israel would be at war tonight with the United States involved. Hallie. Richard Engel in Jerusalem for us tonight. It's against that backdrop that world leaders are huddling this evening, including President Biden, who says the U.S. stands by Israel, but who's also recommending restraint as the Israelis consider what to do next. Monica Alba is at the White House. President Biden tonight urging restraint as concern grows among senior officials that the U.S. could be dragged into a broader conflict in the Middle East, depending on how Israel responds to Iran's attack.

We don't seek an escalation. We don't seek a wider war in the region. The president meeting virtually with G7 leaders, with all members writing they unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms Iran's unprecedented actions, demanding that Iran and its proxies cease their attacks and vowing to take further measures now and in response to future moves that would destabilize the already fraught situation. A senior administration official says the U.S. and Tehran had contact through Swiss intermediaries both before and after the attack. Overnight, the president conveyed to Prime Minister Netanyahu by phone that while U.S. support for Israel is ironclad, it will not participate in any retaliatory counteroffensive by Israel, according to senior administration officials. Whether and how the Israelis will respond, that's going to be up to them. The White House also applauding Israel's defense capability, aided by the U.S., which shot down dozens of missiles and drones

launched from Iran, Syria and Yemen. The president calling members of several fighter squadrons to commend their airmanship and skill, while some Republican critics argue the Biden administration hasn't done enough to contain the threat. I think they've emboldened Iran. Well, this administration's failing to say there is a red line. There should be a red line. Monica is joining us now from the White House. And, Mon, we're learning some new details now about the president's outreach to congressional leaders, right? That's right, Hallie. The president spoke with the so-called Big Four to discuss Iran's attack.

And I'm told he really stressed the urgency of passing a foreign aid package for both Israel and Ukraine as soon as this week, though it's unclear if the speaker will put it up for a vote. Hallie? Monica Alba at the White House, thank you. Let's bring in Ben Rhodes now, former deputy national security adviser in the Obama administration, now an NBC News political contributor. So listen, Ben, based on some of the signals that we're seeing from the Israelis tonight, how much should the world be bracing for some kind of retaliation here? Well, there's definitely going to be a retaliation. However, what's not clear is

whether it's going to be the kind of retaliation where Israel hits Iran directly inside of Iran, which could risk a wider war, huge economic disruptions. I think it's quite possible that Israel responds in some other way, either through some kind of cyber action or by attacking Iranian proxies in places like Lebanon and Syria. You know how critical a moment like this is. If you were advising President Biden right now, what would you tell him? The interest for the United States is for this war to not continue to escalate. That would pose huge risks to U.S. forces in the region, huge risks to the global economy. And so I think what the administration is doing is counseling Israel. Look, we, together

with you, were able to shoot down almost this entire bombardment. Thankfully, you look strong coming out of this exchange. It's Thankfully, you look strong coming out of this exchange. It's just not necessary to take the risk of taking a military strike inside of Iran. This is the end of this escalatory cycle. And we need to get back to diplomacy here in trying to resolve the tensions in the region generally. Ben Rhodes, thank you. To the campaign trail now and its collision course with the courtroom in former President Trump's first criminal trial set to begin tomorrow with jury selection. We're learning new details about the process and the preparations

with an intense security footprint in downtown Manhattan. Vaughn Hilliard has more. Tonight at this lower Manhattan courthouse, an unprecedented case just hours away. The first ever criminal trial of a former president of the United States. When I walk into that courtroom, I know I will have the love of 200 million Americans behind me. Donald Trump this weekend rallying supporters before the start of jury selection in his criminal trial Monday over the alleged hush money scheme to cover up payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 election. I go into court over nothing.

It's not a crime. Trump has said he did nothing wrong. Same with his supporters. If they do find him guilty. Who? Trump? I won't believe that. NBC News has learned some 6,000 New Yorkers have been summoned as potential jurors. This is a case that's going to burn through a lot of potential jurors during jury selection. And that's probably because a lot of jurors are going to have very strong views one way or the other about the defendant. Prospective jurors will be asked more than 60 questions, including what news sources they read and watch, and whether they have attended a Trump rally or follow him on social media. Per the judge's

instructions, the questions do not include whom potential jurors have or intend to vote for. Witnesses expected to be called include Trump's former aide, Hope Hicks, Stormy Daniels herself, and Trump's one-time personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, who has already served time for his role in the alleged scheme. It's always somebody else's fault when it comes to Donald Trump. Trump indicating he too will take the stand. All I can do is tell the truth. And the truth is that there's no case. Vaughn Hilliard is at that courthouse in Manhattan. So Vaughn, to that point, how realistic is it that Mr. Trump could actually testify? Hallie, legal experts say that it's unusual for criminal defendants to testify

because the risk on cross-examination is too high. But for Donald Trump, this is not just a trial. It's also a political stage, a chance to fire up his most fervent supporters. Hallie? Vaughn Hilliard live for us in New York. Thanks. Also tonight, the urgent search for two women missing in Oklahoma, nowhere to be found, even with four people now arrested. George Solis has the latest. Tonight, there are new developments in the desperate search for missing Kansas moms Veronica Butler and Jillian Kelly.

Authorities arresting these four people Saturday in connection to the women's disappearance. Butler and Kelly vanished on March 30th somewhere near rural northwest Oklahoma. Authorities say the pair left Hugin in Kansas to pick up their children but never made it. Their car later found abandoned near the Kansas-Oklahoma border. Tonight we spoke with Hunter McKee with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. We are still looking for these women and we cannot confirm that they are dead. Tonight, we spoke with Hunter McKee with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. We are still looking for these women, and we cannot confirm that they are dead. However, based on the evidence, we did believe that it is necessary and appropriate to charge all four suspects with first-degree murder. In custody tonight, Tad Cullum, Tiffany Adams, and Cole

and Cora Twombly, charged on counts of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy. Court documents obtained by NBC News show Veronica Butler and the father of her children had been in a custody battle and that at least two of the suspects arrested were known to Butler. Retired FBI agent Rob D'Amico weighing in on the case. Why the first-degree murder charge and is that significant? I think it is because something in this investigation has really led them to his premeditated. Tonight, it's not clear if any of the four suspects have hired attorneys. And as the mystery deepens, heartache in the women's hometown where loved ones are tying yellow ribbons in their honor, hoping for answers.

I see those yellow buttons and think, well, maybe today, maybe we'll know today. George Solis, maybe today. Maybe we'll know today. George Solis, NBC News. Still ahead tonight, new concerns about burglary tourism. Professional thieves who fly to the U.S. legally to rob homes. We are back with new calls tonight for a crackdown on what's being described as burglary tourism. Professional thieves traveling to the U.S. to rob upscale houses. Here's Dana Griffin. We do, and you know, you kind of feel like it is your sanctuary. On Valentine's Day 2022, Dr. Nancy Silverberg's safe space, perched on this hillside in Orange

County, was targeted by thieves. Climbed up over there and fell through. There was a big hole in the patio cover, stealing more than $100,000 in jewelry and family heirlooms. You feel violated? Oh, yes. Investigators say she was likely the victim of so-called burglary tourists, gang members in an organized South American crime ring, and it's happening all across the country. Thieves caught on camera breaking into this home in Scottsdale, Arizona, and this pair who hid a home in Miami. Law enforcement officials say thefts like these have been an ongoing problem for the past five years, but there's been a recent uptick.

This is organized crime, hands down. And these thieves are not sneaking across the southern border to get in. Instead, they're flying to the U.S., entering legally on tourist visas under a program known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA. For $21 online, 43 countries participate. You can come here for 90 days at a time. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer says these professional thieves use camouflage while watching your home and may be armed with the latest technology. Wi-Fi jammers. So if you have a Wi-Fi system, then they block that. If the police are being dispatched because there's a silent alarm from the alarm company, they have the ability to block these police transmissions. That's like military level type stuff. It's totally military. And

Spitzer says many of the suspects come from just one country. People we've arrested here in Orange County have criminal records coming from the country of Chile. Congresswoman Young Kim says that's because a key part of the agreement is being ignored, allowing these gang members to enter the United States. Under the agreement, Chilean government has to vet every single passenger that gets on the plane, but they're not doing it. Chilean officials say while the total number of cases are relatively small, quote, we recognize the severity of the problem. And Homeland Security says they are working with

the Chilean government to detect, deter and prevent travel to the United States by known criminal actors. Nancy Silverberg has added extra security to her home and she hopes lawmakers will solve the burglary tourists problem. This seems like such an easy backdoor way that I think could be addressed. Dana Griffin, NBC News. We are back in a moment with the American helping to rebuild Notre Dame five years after that catastrophic fire. We are back with a closer look at an icon in Paris, five years after the fire that nearly destroyed Notre Dame. Now, as Keir Simmons reports, it's an American carpenter at the cathedral doing his part to restore a piece of history. Five years since a fire ravaged Notre Dame Cathedral.

Hank silver a carpenter from New England helped rebuild the roof made by medieval craftsman. It still doesn't feel real if I'm honest, it's still a bit bit of a dream really. He belongs to coppenters without borders, who restore historical structures the world over. And last year, he watched overwhelmed as the trusses he crafted were transported and lifted into position.

What was it like to watch that? To see a truss of that scale, hand-hewn, pegged together, flying through space. It's a really out-of-time kind of experience. A journey that took him to the top of the cathedral, following in the footsteps of carpenters from 800 years past. For five years, only a select group have been allowed inside Notre Dame. As NBC News was last December. five years only a select group have been allowed inside Notre Dame. As NBC News was last December.

So this is the spy that went crashing down it's actually we all watched it all around the world. We first met Hank last summer at a workshop in northern France painstakingly crafting the roof beams in the U.S. we have a built tradition that's much newer but that is derived from these European methods. Being able to work on this building which is the birth of

this technique is particularly meaningful. Using replicas of medieval tools like these axes. Hank and his colleagues reconstructed each trust exactly as they were made in the 13th century. We've had to recreate all this in can spell these inconsistencies all these deformations that have accrued over the centuries. For Hank helping transform Notre Dame has changed his

life for the rest of your life you can come here. Yeah, I look at this know that you had a part in it. I'll be dining out on this for. And 5 years on clear signs the medieval landmark is now nearing the finish line. Kier Simmons NBC News Paris. When we come back, there's good news tonight about the impact of this golden retriever at the Boston Marathon and how his legacy is living on. There's good news tonight about a legacy living on at tomorrow's Boston Marathon with man's best friend becoming a hometown hero.

When Dory and Rich Powers adopted their golden retriever Spencer in 2009, they knew he was something special. What was it about Spencer that first drew you to him? He was just so sweet and unassuming. And once I picked him up, I just did not want to let him go. An angel, they called him. But for just did not want to let him go. An angel, they called him. But for thousands more, he was also a hero. Two years after the marathon bombing in 2015, Spencer began spending every year, rain or shine,

roadside, cheering on runners with a flag, Boston Strong strong reminding the athletes that they were too spencer was like the marathon mascot for so many people beyond just your family he faced a lot of challenges he had some severe health issues and he miraculously bounced back and he just took his spot every year he was such a symbol of hope and inspiration that people could latch on to. And latch on they did. People stopping for snuggles and selfies. Spencer, so beloved, he became the marathon's official dog. So when he died last year, it broke hearts in Boston and beyond. Sympathy cards pouring in.

His obituary in the New York Times. Here we come. Spencer! And now, a statue funded by donations right along the marathon route near where Spencer always stood. I can't thank you enough. This boy meant the world to us. And he meant the world to a lot of people and where tomorrow morning here you go beautiful boy a new guard will greet boston marathon runners meet jimmy and jade does he live on in these in these new puppies that you have i think so yeah

definitely they're so sweet and they have a mission and they they're gonna do it like spencer they're training to become therapy dogs part of of Spencer's legacy in a way. Honoring a hometown hero this community cannot forget. He was a symbol of hope and resilience and an inspiration for so many that we want this to go on for generations. He was just a symbol. You can do way more than you think you can, and you can do it. Rich and Dory say Jade and Jimmy will be on the route tomorrow, ready for some snuggles. That's nightly news for this Sunday. Lester Holt will be back tomorrow. For all of us here at NBC, I'm Hallie Jackson.

Have a great week. Love seeing these guys out there.