Top Story with Tom Llamas - Monday, December 2, 2024

Episode Date: December 3, 2024

Tonight's Top Story has the latest breaking news, political headlines, news from overseas and the best NBC News reporting from across the country and around the world.

Breaking tonight, a highway disaster, the major pile up on a busy highway as heavy snow overwhelms the Great Lakes. Cars and tractor trailers spinning out, shutting down on I-94 in Michigan. Drivers left injured as a historic storm dumps feet of snow on the region. Residents caught completely off guard, one woman describing being trapped in her home, unable to push through her own door. The urgent efforts underway to dig people out. breaking tonight Biden's pardon reversal. For months, President Biden and the White House insisted Hunter Biden would not be pardoned. Turns out that was not the truth. The blowback from both sides of the aisle and how the language in the pardon may protect Hunter for many future

investigations. The Trump transition and the president-elects picked for Secretary of Defense, Pete Heggseth, facing new accusations of being a terrible manager by colleagues and a terrible man by his own mother. The New Yorker reporting Hegeseth was repeatedly intoxicated while working for a veteran's non-profit, while the New York Times obtained an email from his mother accusing him of abusing women. Could these new allegations sink his confirmation chances? And Trump's picked to leave the FBI, Cash Patel, taking the top spot at the Bureau, why he may also face a tough confirmation. Plus, the brutal moment at Texans linebacker launches helmet first into Jaguar's quarterback Trevor Lawrence sending him into a fencing response.

The illegal hit sparking a massive brawl, the concerns over Lawrence's concussion, and the punishment that linebacker could face. Surviving the blast, six people pulled from piles of rubble after a house explosion in Missouri, while officials say it was a miracle, they all made it out alive. And the scare on the slopes, Olympic gold medal skier Michaela Schifrin carried away after a violent tumble down the mountain during a race, the terrifying moments and what we know about her injuries. And news from Elton John revealing he's lost his eyesight after a serious eye infection,

how he disclosed the devastating loss, and what it means for the iconic singer's future. Top story starts right now. And good evening. We'll get to the latest on the fallout after President Biden pardoned his son Hunter But first, we want to start with that breaking news, a dangerous snowstorm slamming the Great Lakes region, leading to a massive highway pile up. Take a look. Video showing the aftermath, tractor trailers jackknifed, and more than a dozen cars crashing into one another. Several cars sliding right off the road. We're told several drivers were injured.

Interstate 94 shut down for several hours due to the treacherous road conditions. The historic storm stretching from Ohio to Buffalo, pummeling neighborhoods hitting areas like Erie, Pennsylvania, especially hard with at least two feet of snow. This all happening, just as people were making their way home from the Thanksgiving holiday. NBC News correspondent Erin McLaughlin starts us off tonight. Tonight, the relentless wintry blast wreaking havoc, with icy conditions causing this pile-up, shutting down a section of the interstate in Michigan. One driver now in critical condition, according to Michigan State Police,

while millions dig their way out of a shocking amount of snow. This one has been the worst one that I've done. dealt with for as long as I can remember from Michigan to Buffalo, New York. And in Erie, Pennsylvania, the snow caught everyone by surprise, initially overwhelming the county's robust snowplow system, causing rooftops to buckle and trapping thousands in their homes for days, according to county officials. I just could not open that door, so I put all my weight into it, and I was like, okay, like this is what we're rolling with.

Kimberly Stoller was stuck for three days, forced to rely. on Thanksgiving leftovers for food. Do you panic just a little? Maybe a tad because I was like, okay, hold on. This is actually getting to a rather serious point. This kind of storm can be lethal. A fact that weighs heavily on Erie County Executive Brenton Davis, who today personally responded to a call of an elderly man trapped in his home and relying on oxygen.

What were you going to do if they didn't come help you? The end of spring. Davis says on a good day. His county ambulance services are stretched. You might wait 30 minutes on a sunny day. You had this. It could be ours. It could be deadly. It's 100% deadly. It costs people lives every time. Hard to believe just two weeks ago, first responders were focused on this. Unprecedented brush fires in Pennsylvania, fire and ice, no one here thought possible. With winter still weeks away.

All right. And with that, Aaron McLaughlin joins Top Story. live tonight from the northwest part of PA in Erie, Pennsylvania. So, Aaron, I know it's been snowing there nonstop. It's still snowing tonight. What more can you tell us about that pile-up we saw at the beginning of your report? Yeah, that pile-up happened over in Michigan, Tom, about 17 vehicles, according to police in total, 14 cars, three semi-trucks. And according to authorities, there was a result of the weather conditions, but also weather conditions, meeting people simply driving too fast. And that kind of pile up actually is not unique to Michigan during this storm.

On my way here to Erie, Pennsylvania, I actually witnessed a semi-truck spin out on the roads, which is why authorities are urging A people to stay off the roads during this weather, if possible. If you need to drive, they're saying go slow. Tom. All right, Aaron McLaughlin, leading us off tonight, Aaron, we appreciate that. For more on the forecast, NBC News, meteorologist Bill Carrens, joins us now. live in studio. Let's walk over here to the weather center. So, Bill, walk us through how much longer are the people in the Great Lakes area going to affect going to feel this winter?

Yeah, we get a little bit of a break tomorrow. We have more snow tonight. And what we're dealing with is snow squalls. Now, the highest total I've seen coming off of Lake Ontario is 65 inches. That's near Watertown Fort Drum area, someplace called the Tug Hill Plateau. The highest total I've seen the Buffalo South towns, the snow towns they call them, was 54 inches of snow. So we have some very hefty totals. A lot of the big cities did not get as much, but we still have these squalls going on, and these create very low visibility in a heartbeat. That's why we get these actions, because you're driving at 60, 65 on the highway, everything's fine. You go through a snow squall, there's an inch or two on the roads, and that's when we get these pile-ups. Here's

Interstate 94, and here's one of those snow squalls going down here in between Benton and Kalamazoo. So this is what we'll worry about through the overnight, and then tomorrow we get a little bit of a break, and then here comes a little clipper system, Tom. This is going to produce some snow through the Great Lakes, once again, heavy lake effect, and even some snow in the northeast, Wednesday night. No break for all those Americans there. Okay, Bill, we appreciate that. We do want to get back to our other major headline tonight. The blowback in Washington after President Biden issued that pardon for a son Hunter. The move drawing widespread condemnation from Democrats and Republicans alike, especially after the President and the White House

repeatedly insisted that he would not grant clemency to his son. Have you ruled out a pardon for your son? Yes. Is there any possibility that the president would end up pardoning his son? No. Will he pardon his son? No. His son, Hunter, is also up for being sentenced next month. Does the president have any intention of pardoning him?

We've been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is no. President Biden reversing course issuing that surprise pardon last night, saying, quote, you see it here. I believe in the justice system, but as high-restled, with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process, and it led to a miscarriage of justice. Critics arguing Biden's language undermines his own DOJ and further supports President elect Trump's argument that the Justice Department is politicized. This is new today, the special

counsel in Hunter Biden's tax case calling President Biden's allegations, quote, baseless and citing a dozen judges who already rejected those, quote, selective prosecution claims. And here's a reminder of what Hunter Biden was facing, 12 total counts between his tax and gun charges which carried a maximum prison sentence of 42 years. Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges and was convicted of three felony charges linked to a gun purchase back in 2018. President Biden sparing his son just over a week before he was set to be convicted and sentenced for his federal gun conviction and two weeks before his sentencing in his federal tax evasion case. And don't forget that stunning plea deal that completely fell apart last year. The agreement, the agreement

would have allowed Biden to plead guilty to a misdemeanor tax charge and dismiss all gun charges against him. But a judge questioned the package, prompting Hunter's legal team to reject it. President Biden's decision facing bipartisan backlash, Jared Polis, the Democratic governor of Colorado, saying, while as a father, I understand, President Biden's natural desire to help his son by partying him, I'm disappointed that he put his family ahead of the country. This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later presidents. Democratic congressman, Greg Staten from Arizona, saying, I respect President Biden, but I think he got this one wrong.

Republican Senator James Langford writing, writing quote, so Oklahomans are now supposed to believe DOJ is unbiased and nonpolitical when they go after Trump or Republicans, but they're biased when they go after the Biden family. Senior White House correspondent, Kelly O'Donnell, has more on this firestorm from Washington. After wielding presidential power to protect his son, Hunter Biden, from a potential prison sentence,

with a full and unconditional pardon. Tonight, President Biden is facing sharp criticism from Democrats and Republicans, even as some express sympathy for Joe Biden, the father. If it was my son, I'd pardon him too. But here's what I didn't like. Don't lie to us. Don't tell us you're not going to do it and then do it.

Arizona, Congressman, Democrat Greg Stanton. I'm pretty angry because it's going to be incredibly important that political leaders of both parties stand up for the independence of the Department of Justice. President Biden and White House officials repeatedly insisted there would be no pardoned. I said I abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon him. We've been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is no. Tonight on a three-day visit to Africa, the president did not respond to reporters' questions.

Mr. President, will you answer a few questions? But at a White House Christmas event, First Lady Jill Biden expressed her support. for the pardon. The pardon was first reported by NBC News Sunday night, and shortly thereafter, President Biden explained his grant of clemency in a statement. The president asserted, I have watched my son being selectively and unfairly prosecuted. The pardon is sweeping, covering not only a son's felony convictions on firearms charges and tax evasion, where he faced potential prison time at sentencing this month.

But the president provided more than a decade of blanket protection, preventing further federal prosecution for any offenses dating back to January 2014. Months before, the younger Biden joined the board of a Ukrainian energy company while his father was vice president. Blaming a heated environment, the president argued that raw politics has infected this process. He invoked his son's recovery from addiction. There's been an effort to break Hunter, who, has been five and a half years sober and claimed his political adversaries could pose future

risk to his family, writing, in trying to break Hunter, they've tried to break me. And there's no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough. All right, Kelly O'Donnell joins us tonight from the White House. So, Kelly, you mentioned this in your report. I want to walk our viewers through this. Do we know why the parting goes as far back as 2014 to cover offenses, quote, which he Hunter has committed or may have committed or taken part in. 2014 is that year Hunter joined the board of Burisma, the Ukrainian gas company that hired Hunter, though he had little to know experience in the sector or in Ukraine, but his father was vice president. So, Kelly, do we know why the time span on this pardon is so broad?

It wasn't explicitly stated in the president's remarks, but what we know is that the investigations that have looked at Hunter Biden and his conduct go back to that period when he was on the board of Burisma, questions about whether there were any improper activities at that time. There have been no charges to that effect, but by doing this, the president allows that the time in which Hunter Biden might be vulnerable to a future committee on Capitol Hill or future prosecutors looking at that period of time when his father was in office as vice president, and then subsequently the other charges where he does have convictions, it just gives him that broad protection. So if he's going to use a pardon,

He's using it for the broadest possible time frame, also including things like statute of limitations and so forth. But again, the president doesn't explicitly explain that. We have to infer it. Kelly O'Donnell walking us through a very major moment at the White House there. For more on this historic presidential pardon, I want to bring in NBC News legal analyst and friend of top story, Danny Savalo. So, Danny, say Hunter Biden stays a Boy Scout, he stays sober, gets in no more trouble. Are his legal troubles over, or can Republicans still go after him? Yes, mostly, but not forever. For example, a pardon can't pardon future crime, so he's not off the hook forever and ever after Biden gets out of office, and also Republicans can go after

him in Congress. They can hold hearings, they can haul him in. None of that is covered by the pardon power. The pardon power can only control within the branch that it exists, and that is the executive branch. It does not exist in the judiciary or in the legislative branch, which is where they can haul him in if... But they can't go back and look into Burisma his time and Burisma and say, hey, if they do find any crimes there, they haven't yet so far, but if they do,

they can't go after him during that time. You mentioned crimes. So crimes would be DOJ, and the answer to that would be no. But in terms of a legislative investigation, can they ask him about it? Do you get into a thorny area about the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination? If there's no possibility he could incriminate himself now,

that might be an issue as well in a legislative investigation. Here's a portion of the president's statement. I want to put it up for our viewers here. I want to read it to you to get your take on this because some of this is what's gotten President Biden in trouble today. The charges in his cases, this is from the president, came after only after several of my political opponents in Congress, instigated them to attack me and oppose my election, that a carefully negotiated plea deal agreed to by the Department of Justice unraveled in the courtroom with a number of my political opponents in Congress taking credit for bringing political pressure on the process. Had the plea deal held, it would have been a fair, reasonable resolution of Hunter's cases.

But what the president fails to mention here is that it was Hunter's own legal team that backed out of that plea deal, correct? Exactly right. And Hunter Biden was prepared to plead guilty or take responsibility for these crimes. And essentially, what Biden is saying in what I think is a very ill-advised statement, is that this prosecution on the whole was unjustified, that no reasonable person would have brought this prosecution. I'm paraphrasing. He doesn't exactly say that. But even that is something, in my mind, as a criminal defense attorney, he's essentially casting aspersions on the juries, the grand jury and the pedigree, the one that convicted him. Those were civilians. They weren't part of any government process. And it rings too much like what the right would argue about lawfare and government persecution. So what does this do to all those U.S. attorneys who worked on this case and the DOJ right now? Yeah, look, I mean, the essence of a pardon from the beginning has always been a bit of an anonymous. It's a paradox. It's the head of the executive branch, essentially undoing a lot of hard work by others in the executive branch and, of course, all the money and the resources spent prosecuting people. But even more so, to give a statement like this where you're essentially criticizing the same members of the DOJ who work under your command, I mean, to some degree, the special counsel is independent. But that's, we know what, you know, that's the deal here. It's the DOJ. It's his DOJ.

Danny, we appreciate all that. to new questions about President-elect Trump's cabinet nominees, Trump's picks for two key positions, Pete Hegseth, as Defense Secretary and Cash Patel as FBI director, facing scrutiny over their past and uncertainty over the future of their confirmations. NBC's Garrett Hake is following it all from Capitol Hill tonight. Tonight, Donald Trump's embattled selection for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, on Capitol Hill, following shocking new reports about his personal conduct. Hegsteth ignoring questions as he met with Republican senators. to talk to senators today.

It's a great process. A new article from the New Yorker revealing the contents of a previously undisclosed 2015 report written by former employees of a veterans organization Heggseth Rann, alleging he was repeatedly intoxicated, quote, to the point of needing to be carried out of the organization's events.

The New Yorker reporting he was eventually forced to step down. So that article suggests you have an alcohol prominent. Okay. Thank you guys. All right, thanks guys. Let's go. NBC News has not independently verified the report. Heggseth attorney declined to comment, but in a statement to the New Yorker, an advisor said the claims were, quote, outlandish and came from a petty and jealous disgruntled former associate. The Trump transition team referred NBC News to a previous statement in support of Hegsef.

Meanwhile, the New York Times is reporting Hegeseth's mother sent him an email in 2018 during his second divorce, calling him, quote, an abuser of women. Penelope Heg Seth, writing, quote, I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around, and uses, women for his own power and ego. NBC News has not independently obtained the email, but Mrs. Hegeseth told the Times she apologized almost immediately and disavowed her original note. Pete's the type of guy that he's going to work. He's got great work ethic. He's very, very smart. And on Saturday, President-elect Trump naming Cash Patel as his choice to take over the FBI. Patel, a fierce Trump ally and an outspoken critic of the Bureau. I'd shut down the FBI Hoover building on day one and reopening the next day as a museum of the deep state.

Patel would replace Trump appointee Christopher Ray, who was just seven years into a 10-year term and would have to be fired or resigned to clear the way for Patel, a former public defender, federal prosecutor, and Trump national security official. He's experienced not only in putting criminals behind bars, but also can understand what happens when government overreaches. Patel has little management experience and has promoted lies that the 2020 election was stolen. We will follow the facts and the law and go to courts of law and correct these justices and lawyers who have been prosecuting these cases based on politics. The combative Trump loyalist is also the author of a children's book, The Plot Against the King, in which a wizard-like cash, defends King Donald. If you have the power of that office, the FBI directorate, and you're using it to go after political. enemies or the press or people you regard as adversaries, that's worse than incompetence. That's abuse of power that you have.

All right, Garrett Haig joins us tonight from Capitol Hill. Gary, let's break down both these nominees. Let's start with Pete Heggseth first. Are you seeing any real signs that more Republicans are willing to break ranks with President like Trump over these new revelations? Well, Tom, Republican senators are being very careful not to show their cards right now. When Hegsteth was first announced, you heard initial skepticism. about his background that he would be fit for this job.

Now we've seen several stories which have raised concerns about his character and about his sort of overall fitness to serve in the administration. What I'm hearing from Republican senators on the record right now is that they want to see this process work. But this process is about where we were just about now when Matt Gates pulled out a few weeks ago for his confirmation process to become attorney general. So I'm trying to ascertain if behind the scenes

some of the same signals are being sent to the Trump team that this may not be working out. It's just too early to say tonight. Okay, and then over to Cash Patel now, President-elect Trump is touting his credentials, but what kind of scrutiny do you think he's likely to face when he makes his rounds on the hill? He's going to face substantial scrutiny,

in part because a lot of Republicans who aren't particularly Trump-aligned, Chris Ray, the current FBI director, who is still in that job, is doing a perfectly acceptable job. So why you would need to replace him with another Republican appointee when he still has three years left

is a question, I think, is going to have to answer. That said, most Republican lawmakers have towed the line, at least to some extent, on the idea that, you know, the DOJ and the FBI needs some level of reform, needs some level of overhaul. So Patel's message on that, I think, will be greeted, if not warmly, at least senators will listen, whether the time that he's going to spend between now and whenever he ultimately gets a confirmation hearing terms up more about his own personal background, as has been the case with some of these other Trump selections, I think will be the thing that's really determinative on whether or not he gets the votes to be the next FBI

director. All right, Garrett Hake, on Capitol Hill for us. Garrett, thank you for more on the Trump transition and the future of his latest cabinet picks. I want to bring in our panel tonight. Frank Figuzy, former FBI agent and NBC News senior national security and intelligence analyst. Hogan Gidley, former Trump White House Deputy Press Secretary, and Andrea Goldstein, a former director of force resiliency for the Department of Navy, who also served on the House Committee of Veteran Affairs and on active duty in the Nievy. She continues to serve in the reserves. All right, we thank you all for being here tonight. Frank, your first up here. As a former FBI agent, what are your greatest concerns about Cash Patel?

You know, ironically, it's not the fact that he's remarkably unqualified for the job, as has already been said, but rather it's his blind allegiance to Donald Trump. He seems to have no other value system than to simply make Trump happy. That could get us to a situation where a very powerful federal law enforcement agency starts abusing its authority to go after citizens, go after political enemies, members of the media, people who had simply done their job as prosecutors or investigators. That's the troubling part of this. If you combine it with the language that Pam Bondi has used, the nominee for AG, you've got essentially a hijacking of the federal criminal justice system by Trump. We've seen an abuse of FBI before under Jay Edgar Hoover. History tells us that it's not good when a president and an FBI director go after enemies and unlawfully wiretap and surveil and blackmail people as happened during the Hoover era.

And that's my chief concern. Hogan, you've worked with Cash Patel. You've just listened to Frank. What's your response? Also, the FBI was doing that under Joe Biden. We all know the lie they told about the 51 into. agents who signed this letter, claiming that the Hunter Biden laptop wasn't, was actually Russian disinformation. All of that turned out to be not true either. The FBI has a storied history

of mistakes, missteps, all types of problems. What Cash Patel is going to do with his background at DOD, also at DNI, not to mention the fact he won an award while serving for the Obama administration as well. So he's worked for both Republicans and Democrats. He's going to shake things up. Two words I'd pay attention to in the Trump administration. Transparency is one of those things, and then accountability as the other. Oftentimes, it takes a long time to get to the fact that we pull the curtain back and you get to see exactly what's going on. The American people are shocked and worried by that, but no one ever gets held to account. Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, obviously conspiring to do damage to the Trump administration. They actually ended up

getting a cash payment from the government for what they were accused of doing when it was clear they were trying to undermine Donald Trump at every turn, you're going to see a cabinet here that really does go to not just perpetuate and move forward the MAGA movement, but one that works for the American people. And I'm sorry, but it's not new that a president would appoint people to his cabinet that do show some level of allegiance and loyalty to that person. It happens in every administration. This one is no different. Hogan, I want to get your take on this. The Wall Street Journal had an editorial about Cash Patel. And here's what they wrote over the weekend. It was titled Cash Patel, the FBI, and Retribution. Besides pointing out that

he's never worked in the FBI, they also write this. Voters didn't reelect Mr. Trump to practice lawfare the way his opponents have. The country wants a bureau, it can trust, not a Republican version of the Comey FBI. Hogan, isn't this essentially exactly what President Trump, President-elect Trump campaigned against, was bringing politics in the FBI, into the FBI, to these other branches of government. Isn't that what he's essentially doing now? No, and these things are all going to get adjudicated by, of course, the U.S. Senate. Cash is going to make his rounds, have those conversations.

It's going to play out either before in those private meetings with the U.S. Senate, or it's going to play out in public when we actually have those hearings. Cash Patel isn't going to do that. What he is going to do is take that FBI, which has had so many problems over the past several decades, and actually align it with what it's supposed to do. being the chief, the top cop, I guess, for the United States of America, and prosecuting those that deserve prosecution. We've seen this from the federal government for a long time, going after people. It just disagrees with politically. It happened under Joe Biden. It's not

going to happen under Donald Trump. Frank, real quick, give me an example here, because in that editorial they point out that he was not a former G-man. Give me an example here of a scenario where you think someone with zero experience in the FBI now leading that department where it becomes a problem. I think he has no knowledge of the law or the Constitution. He's a half-baked prosecutor who spent a few years in a courtroom, and by all accounts of witnesses who worked with him, doesn't know his way around the courtroom. He's been admonished by a federal judge for unprofessionalism. And so what he's going to do, just listen, don't listen to me, listen to what he's told us he's going to do. He's going to go after the media.

He's going to go after prosecutors and investigators. And it's all premise on this false lie that Hogan is perpetuating tonight, which is that there's some deep state and that the Russia inquiry was unfounded, which has been found repeatedly to be properly predicated. Multiple indictments in that Russia special counsel case. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. And struck were restored in terms of pension. It was found that they were wrongly fired, and all of this is fabricated. Steve, they knew, the FBI knew about the Hunter Biden stuff years before, 51 intel agents signed that letter, and only one of two things can be true.

One, they knew that that thing was real and they lied about it. Or two, they can't spot and rushing disinformation at all. They don't have the ability. Either way, it's not good for the American people. I'm not perpetuating a lot. What does that have to do with the FBI? What does it have to do with the FBI? Many times.

Everyone understands that. Gentlemen, I want to turn it. I want to get Andrew into this conversation. I want to get Andrew into this conversation. Let's talk about Pete Hexseth and Segway here. On the topic of President-elect Trump's appointments, there's new reporting about Hexeth that emerged this weekend. I want to read you a portion. This is from the New Yorker detailing Hegset's past, including one specific instance. It says, quote, a trail of documents corroborated

by the accounts of former colleagues indicates that Heggseth was forced to step down by both of the two non-profit advocacy groups that he ran. Veterans for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America in the face of serious allegations of financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety, and personal misconduct. A previously undisclosed whistleblower report on Hegset's tenure as the president of Concerned Veterans for America from 2013 to 2016 described him as being repeatedly intoxicated while acting as an official capacity to the point of needing to be carried out of the organization's events. Andrea, what do you say to this? Yes, thank you for having me, Tom. So even before this reporting came out, Hexseth was already

incredibly unqualified for the position. He'd never let a large civilian, he'd never let a large organization. He had no civilian experience in government. Within the Department of Defense, and certainly within the military services, we repeatedly say that leadership sets the tone. And the tone that Heggseth set, particularly at a time when the military is trying to address harmful and destructive behaviors like sexual assault, sexual harassment, hazing, and bullying, this is alarming and continues to highlight that he's not qualified to lead the largest government bureaucracy. Hogan, what's your sense here? Do you think President Trump has the appetite for a big fight on Capitol Hill over these confirmations? Is Peter Hegg says someone that he's willing to fight for, you think? Well, listen, Donald Trump has a lot of political capital to spend, and it's going to be up to him to decide how he actually spends it.

Obviously, winning all the swing states, winning the popular vote, the guy's got some cash to spend on Capitol Hill. It wasn't going to happen, obviously, for Matt Gates. He did the responsible thing because he didn't want to get the administration started on the wrong foot. And Matt Gates selflessly said, I'm going to step down from this position. I think right now Donald Trump is absolutely behind people. Pete Hegseth. It's a strong pick, someone who's actually been in the field, won several accommodations, of course, and awards for his service, you know, in combat. And so it remains

to be seen what plays out in front of the Senate. But the fact is, Pete Hegseth is going to enter this fight with all of the bravery he's faced in the past as well, ready to kind of talk about his past and ready to talk about the future, which is what the DOD desperately needs at this time when they're suffering in all kinds of ways. Andrea, has there been any efforts, you know, maybe it's a grassroots efforts from veterans. You're still on active duty with the reservists. I mean, are people talking about this? Are they talking about Pete Heggsett?

And have they thought about maybe even approaching President-elect Trump if they have issues with him? Yeah, I can't speak to any grassroots efforts regarding approaching the president-elect, but there certainly are conversations about his qualifications. There have been a lot of efforts regarding accountability, regarding issues like creating toxic environments. And there are a lot of concerns that doing this would create a continued environment of hostility towards service members. Okay, Andrea Goldstein, Hogan Gidley, Frankfurt Luzi, we thank you so much for joining us tonight. And in California, Governor Gavin Newsom now spearheading efforts to what he calls Trump-proof, the state lawmakers,

holding a special session today to discuss protecting California's progressive policies from attacks by the Trump administration, including a $25 million legal fund that's going to focus on reproductive rights and environmental causes. I want to bring in veteran political reporter Conan Nolan from NBC News, Los Angeles, for more. Conan, thanks for joining Top Story tonight. Talk to us to our viewers about what this special session is all about. Well, keep in mind Gavin Newsom. In the first Trump term represented the resistance.

There were 120 different lawsuits against the Trump administration, the first four years, and all sorts of things, from immigration to the environment. This is part two. The Attorney General today saying he accepts the $25 million. He believes it'll cost more than that. They're hiring staff because they believe they'll be going to court a lot on elements such as California's law, which the state says we're going to get rid of fossil fuel engines, cars being sold in 2035. That's something the federal government and the Trump administration says is not, is not, they are going to do everything they can to overturn. That's just one case where the state is trying to gear up for some serious litigation.

Let's talk about Governor Gavin Newsom, right? Because he has a moment now where he's still in charge of the biggest state in the country. California by itself would be one of the biggest countries as well. It's so massive, but with its economy, I do want to ask you, what role do you think he takes now in leadership within the Democratic Party as they look for a North Star and already start to talk about who is qualified to maybe sort of be the voice. of the Democratic Party going over the next four years. You know, Tom, I always thought that Gavin Newsom, even during the Biden administration,

was running to be the face of the new Democratic Party. Once the octogenarian president and some of the other older members of the party moved on, Gavin Newsom wanted to be the guy who you thought of when it came to the resistance during the first Trump term. And so, you know, there was a political scientist at USC who said the election was really bad for Governor Gavin Newsom, but really great for potential presidential candidate Gavin Newsom. All of a sudden, he has resonance now, and we expect him to, again, seek the mantle of being the person, the Democrat, taking charge for the party going forward.

I have to tell you, though, I think a lot of people will ask themselves, does the Democratic Party want to go to another Californian in four years to be their nominee for the White House? Good question, but Mr. Newsom, I think, sees that the next two years is an opportunity for him to reassert himself as the leader of the Democratic Party, the next generation, if you will. Conan Nolan, a legendary reporter from Los Angeles. Conan, we thank you so much for joining Top Story tonight. All right, we want to head overseas now to the Middle East where there's word tonight on the fate of two American hostages held in Gaza as another conflict. This one in Syria escalates. Syrian rebels reigniting a civil war and seizing Aleppo, the country. country's second largest city. Matt Bradley has the late details. Tonight, the fate of two young American-Israeli hostages coming into focus.

Israel's military announced today that Omer Nutra, a 21-year-old IDF soldier from New York, was killed in the Hamas terror attacks on October 7th. For more than 400 days, his family thought he was still alive. His mother at a rally for hostages yesterday before word of his death. We pray that this time, miracles should happen, and they should happen really quickly. Along with that news, word another American hostage is still alive. Appearing in a Hamas propaganda video on Saturday, Edam's mother appealing to Israel's prime minister and president for a hostage deal. While in Gaza, U.S.-based charity World Central Kitchen pausing its operations after three

of its local staff members were killed in an Israeli airstrike, Israel said one of the three had participated in the October 7 terrorism. But the organization said it has no knowledge of any of the staff in the targeted vehicle having participated in that day's attacks. Meanwhile, war in the Middle East appears to be spreading. Syrian rebels launched their first major offensive against the regime of Bashar al-Assad in nearly five years. The regime and its Russian backers answering, with more than 400 air strikes in the cities of Aleppo and Idlib, according to a UK-based human rights group. Thousands of people, if you can say, now fleeing their homes, the situation getting worse and worse

as we are talking now. The big question now is whether the regime of Bashar al-Assad will mobilize to defend itself or whether the rebels will keep winning territory. Tom? Okay, Matt Bradley. Still ahead tonight, the closing arguments underway in the Daniel Penny case. The trial for the former Marine accused in the chokehold death of a subway performer could soon head to the jury, how both sides made their final case. Plus, this just in a woman who went missing during a flight connection in Los Angeles

reportedly spotted crossing the border into Mexico, what we've just learned. and the dramatic ski race crash involving Olympic gold medalist Michaela Schifrin. Could this put her career in jeopardy? Stay with us. We are back down with the latest in the case that sparked debate in New York and nationwide. Attorneys made their closing arguments today in the trial of Daniel Penny, the former Marine charged in the chokehold death of subway performer Jordan Neely. The debate around whether Penny, who is 26, protected other subway rail, who feared nearly was on the verge of violence, or if Penny was acting like a vigilante

and killed a man who may have needed help. Rahima Ellis has been following this case closely, and she joins Top Story tonight. So, Rahima, walk us through the closing arguments and what's happened so far. Let me tell you off the top that the defense started closing arguments today. The prosecution went last. They haven't finished. They're going to continue tomorrow before this case goes to the jury. But for the defense part, let me read some of what they said to you to the jurors today.

The defense attorney said to the jurors, I want you to imagine that you were on that train that day when Jordan Neely walked in and, quote, a violent, desperate Jordan Neely entered the train filled with, and these are her words, his words, I should say, filled with rage and not afraid of any consequences, causing passengers in the defense attorney's words to be frozen with fear before Daniel Penny acted to save those people's lives. The defense also countered the prosecution's argument that it was the chokehold that caused the death. They presented a witness that said that wasn't it, that Jordan Neely died from medical circumstances, including a genetic condition and marijuana that had been found in his system. The prosecution now, it had its turn this afternoon. And it's interesting how the prosecution presented it, saying, in fact, that no one had to die that day. They said that Daniel Penny was, quote, an honorable veteran and a young man and a nice young man, they said, but he used too much force for too long and was reckless with Neely's life because he didn't recognize his humanity.

You know, I want to show one of the pieces of evidence shown to jurors. It was body cam video from police. And these are eyewitnesses who were on the subway train. Here's what they told police. The whole train was freaked out. He was either going to like pull a gun a knife. The whole train that said, I'm willing to die, I'm willing to get killed. The whole train was freaked out, saying that Ely said, I'm willing to die, I'm willing to die. You've been following this case. Do we have a sense of what the jury is going to think? No, I don't think we do, because both the prosecution and the defense presented witnesses

on the prosecution side where some said, you ride the subway in New York, you're going to hear sounds like this. And they didn't take it to mean that it was as serious as Daniel Penny presented it. therefore required him to put this person, Jordan Neely, in a chokehold. But as you just heard, there were witnesses on that train who said they were definitely afraid for their lives. And part of this case, right, because we know the Manhattan DA was in court today for some of these closing arguments, Alvin Bragg. The defense has said that this was politics at play, that because there were reports and the newspapers, because there were protests, that's the reason why they brought charges. That's been part of this court case as well, correct?

Absolutely. There are some who said that this never should have been brought. This man did not go into the subway that day, meaning Daniel Penny, intending to kill anyone. But that's why the charges are manslaughter and reckless endangerment of life. If he's found guilty by these jurors of 12, seven women, five men, he could face up to 15 years in prison. Okay, we will wait for that verdict. Rahima Ellis, we thank you for that. Coming up, the violent hit on the field leaving the Jaguars QB concussed. The video of the moment a Texan's linebacker slams into Jacksonville's. Trevor Lawrence, a brawl breaking out moments later,

the potential punishment over the illegal hit and how Lawrence is doing tonight. All right, we are back now with Top Stories News Feed and an update in the case of a missing woman in Los Angeles. Law enforcement sources telling NBC News Los Angeles that video shows Hannah Kobayashi crossing the border into Mexico about a day or two after her face. family lost contact with her. The sources say so far there is no evidence of foul play.

Kobayashi was reported missing after she was traveling from Hawaii to New York and missed her connecting flight in Los Angeles. And over the weekend, six people somehow survived their home blowing up in the middle of the night. New images show first responders working to pull those six survivors from under the debris. They were there for more than three hours. Right now, they are all in the hospital, three of them in critical condition. Two pets were also safely rescued. From this footage, you can see the residents nearly flattened nowhere yet on what caused that explosion. Out West, as talk of the Winter Olympics are gearing up, slalom superstar Michaela Schifrin crashing and injuring herself during a World Cup event in Vermont on Saturday. Schifrin was the verge of winning her 100th World Cup event when she lost her balance, tumbling down the mountain, crashing through gates before slamming into the catch fence.

The U.S. ski team said that the two-time Olympic gold medalists suffered a puncture wound to her right abdomen, but has since been released from the hospital. No word yet on when she'll be back on the slopes or competition. And if you went to the movies, the lines were long this holiday weekend. In fact, they were the longest ever. The release of three major blockbusters, Moana 2, Gladiator 2, and Wicked, shattering the Thanksgiving holiday box office record, raking in more than $400 million in ticket sales, surpassing the previous record set in 2018. 2018. Moana 2 led the charge crossing over $200 million since its premiere just last week. Okay, now to that late hit sparking outrage on and off the field.

Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence out with a concussion after facing what his teammates are calling, a dirty hit. NBC's Guadvenegas has this look at the fallout and what's next for the players involved. A controversial hit causing mayhem over the weekend. Triggering a bench-clearing brawl in Jacksonville. Houston Texans linebacker, Assis Al-Shaheer, clocking Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence midslide. A brutal hit. Lawrence remaining on the ground for several minutes before being ruled out with a concussion. How do you compare this to other hits?

I mean, this is going to be one of the worst hits we see in the NFL this season. When I saw Trevor Lawrence get hit and I saw his arms go out in front of him, I immediately felt tremendous sympathy because when that happens, it's called the fencing response and it means he has a traumatic brain injury. Alshahair ejected for the hit. Jawar's rookie Jerry and Jones also thrown out for throwing a punch during the scuffle that followed. Both coaches condemning the hit that started at all.

Yeah, it's not unfortunate with the hit, with the Zs. It's not what we're coaching. It's a play that really has no business being in our league. And still on the minds of players post game. It was just a, it was a, a dirty hit. Prayer is a Trevor, you know, and I really hope and pray he's okay. Late Sunday, the Jaguars quarterback posting this message. Thank you to everyone who has reached out, been praying for me. I'm home and feeling better. And Altsa Air now apologizing to Lawrence

writing in part. I genuinely didn't see him sliding until it was too late. And it all happens in the blink of an eye. Monday afternoon, Coach Peterson says he'll defer to the league on the appropriate punishment. I think the league is going to handle these situations as they come up. But NFL insiders are predicting more consequences could come. This is one of the most brutal hits. I've seen the brakes on. That to me is why he'll get, he'll get suspended. That's why. And this wouldn't be the first time Alsharear faces disciplinary actions from the NFL. Earlier this season, he was fined $11,000 after he punched the Chicago Bears player during a scuffle on the sideline. Now, that incident was different to this one, but both fans and experts

are making reference to it as they wait to hear from the NFL. Tom? When we come back, Elton John sharing some tough news. He has a hit show playing the West End, but the Rocket Man telling fans he can't see, read, or watch anything right now. What's going on with his vision? Next. Welcome back. We have an update tonight on Grammy-winning performer Sir Elton John. The singer revealing more details about his long and difficult back. with an eye infection that started back in September.

Over the weekend, the legend telling theater goers in London, he is now struggling to see anything at all. Chloe Malas has more on this. Tonight, the Rocket Man sharing a devastating update on his health condition. The five-time Grammy winner addressing a theater full of fans who had gathered to attend the London premiere of the Devil Wares Prada musical. John, who composed the energetic score,

this has been quite a journey, confessing to a pack London theater that he had trouble watching the show. I've lost my eyesight, so it's hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it. And boy, sounding good tonight, okay? The singer sang via Instagram in September

that the trouble began this summer with a severe eye infection, Going on to say, I am healing, but it's an extremely slow process. A lot of viruses can cause inflammation of the back part of the eye called the retina. That's a very important part of the eye where all the input from the world, you know, hits the eye and then gets transported to the brain. There are sometimes surgical remedies, such as a corneal transplant, for example, of corneal scarring is the reason for the diminished eyesight. And so, you know, I'm hopeful that he would be able to recover a meaningful amount of his vision. The 77-year-old singer's iconic career has included dozens of platinum albums

and stunning live shows that have packed venues for decades. The vivacious performer bringing his musical magic to the silver screen too, from writing songs in the Lion King to dazzling audiences of all ages on the Muppets. Fans eagerly awaiting his recovery, but just last week, John revealing on ABC News that the condition is still preventing him from recording new music. I'm kind of stuck in the moment because I can do something like this, but going into the studio and recording, I don't know, because I can't see a lyric for a start. Now many music lovers wishing Elton John a speedy recovery and hoping he will be back behind the piano soon. Coe Malas, NBC News, New York. When we come back, return to Lahaina, a family's dream home destroyed when deadly and devastating wildfires tore through Maui. Now with a newly rebuilt house, they are one of the first families able to go back home for the holidays, how the community is coming out to welcome them.

Stay with us. Finally tonight, we take you back to Lahaina just in time for the holidays. More than a year after that devastating wildfire ripped through that town, one family now returning to the park. place they call home. Here's Morgan Chesky. On an island where heritage runs deep. The town of Lahaina is out to prove a painful past does not define its future. Everything was perfect. Which is why for the Ahee family of four. We got a bathroom with a crying baby. This home tour is historic. And then we've got three bedrooms right now. A three bedroom two bathroom miracle rising from the ashes. After one of Maui's darkest days. You don't appreciate it until you lose it,

you know. We worked really, really hard for that house. And it's hard to see your hard work gone. Mao and Ariel Ahi's dream home, one of the more than 2,000 lost to a fire, forcing many to leave for good, as Lahaina figured out how to reclaim their paradise. There's so many people that need help that I'm just trying to do what I can. Derek Wintavo helping the Ahe's fast-track building on a bigger, better home. I can't believe it. We're just grateful and so blessed. Lahaina's very first home back, receiving a Hawaiian blessing all its own, with more than 100 other homes following their lead.

We look at this home as like a Hokupa as a North Star. I just want the kids to experience what I grew up with, the ocean, the rivers, you know, family. This is the home. Morgan Chesky, NBC News. Okay, that does it for us tonight. Thanks so much for watching Top Story. I'm Tom Yamerson, New York. Stay right there.

More news on the way.