The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell - Season 9 / Year 2022

Guests: Representative David Cicilline, Mark Bowden, Matthew Teague, Tim O'Brian, Neal Katyal, Jay Rosen, Eugene Robinson, and Laurie Garrett

Donald Trump admits to having government documents "in storage." Also, Rachel Maddow discusses her new podcast, "Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra." Plus, Vladimir Putin launches deadly strikes across Ukraine. And anti-government protests in Iran enter their fourth week. Andrew Weissmann, Ben Rhodes, Rachel Maddow, Julia Davis and Yeganeh Rezaian join Lawrence O'Donnell.

The Justice Department responds to Donald Trump's Supreme Court appeal. Also, Professor Laurence Tribe says the Justice Department "pulverizes" all of Trump's arguments. Plus, Penn. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman discusses his Senate race against Dr. Oz. And Vladimir Putin's army targets civilians in new airstrikes. Andrew Weissmann, Joyce Vance, Bradley Moss and Timothy Snyder also join Lawrence O'Donnell.

The Washington Post reports that a Trump employee told the FBI that Donald Trump ordered them to move boxes of government documents at Mar-a-Lago. Also, Alex Jones is ordered to pay $965M for his lies about Sandy Hook. Plus, New Hampshire GOP Senate candidate Donald Bolduc pivots on key issues. And Arizona begins early voting with election deniers on the ballot. Daniel Goldman, Paul Butler, Glenn Kirschner, Jim Bergenn, Sen. Maggie Hassan and Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs join Lawrence O'Donnell.

The January 6th Committee presents evidence that Donald Trump knew he lost the 2020 election. Also, the Supreme Court denies Trump's request to intervene in the classified documents case. Plus, the Fulton County district attorney doesn't rule out calling on Trump to testify in the Georgia election probe. And a new video shows congressional leaders reacting to the riot at the Capitol. Andrew Weissmann, Barry Berke, Professor Laurence Tribe, Gwen Keyes Fleming, Michael Beschloss and Claire McCaskill join Lawrence O'Donnell.

The Justice Department files an appeal to end the special master review of documents that Donald Trump took to Mar-a-Lago. Also, Utah GOP Sen. Mike Lee is called out for sowing election doubts. Plus, GOP-led states sue the Biden administration over student loan debt relief. And Republicans remain silent about Trump's antisemitic comments. Neal Katyal, Glenn Kirschner, Bradley Moss, Evan McMullin, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Jennifer Rubin and Norm Ornstein join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: A recent poll finds 71% of Republicans would for a 2020 election denier. Also, Rep. Val Demings and Sen. Marco Rubio spar in a contentious Senate debate. Plus, Democrats rally against the GOP's anti-abortion extremism. The economy and inflation are top issues for midterm voters. And airstrikes knock out power for thousands in Ukraine. Joyce Vance, Paul Butler, David Rohde, Rep. Val Demings, Wendy Davis, Diane Swonk and Cal Perry join Ali Velshi.

A federal judge says Donald Trump knew the voter fraud claims were false. Also, Trump-backed Doug Mastriano pushes an antisemitic trope in Pennsylvania. Plus, President Biden announces steps to lower gas prices. And Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse details the GOP "scheme" to control the Supreme Court. Andrew Weissmann, Barbara McQuade, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro and White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain also join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: A new filing by the Justice Department reveals Trump lawyers' claims about the seized documents. Also, New Hampshire Senate candidates spar over abortion in their first debate. Plus, the media face election deniers and conspiracies in covering elections in the post-Trump era. And Obama White House Photographer Pete Souza releases a new book and discusses capturing history. Harry Litman, Andrew Weissmann, Sen. Maggie Hassan and Margaret Sullivan also join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Justice Clarence Thomas temporarily blocks Sen. Lindsey Graham's testimony in the Georgia election probe. Also, an Iowa poll puts Sen. Chuck Grassley and retired Admiral Mike Franken in a statistical tie. Plus, North Carolina Senate nominees spar over abortion, crime and democracy. And a biography reveals new details about Sen. Ted Kennedy's life. Ben Rhodes, Bradley Moss, retired Admiral Mike Franken, Cheri Beasley and John Farrell join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump acknowledged to Bob Woodward that Kim Jong-Un letters were "top secret." Also, Pennsylvania Republicans move to restrict abortion access. Plus, new polls have J.D. Vance and Rep. Tim Ryan are tied in the Ohio Senate race. And President Biden is focused on delivering for the American people. Bob Woodward, Rep. Brendan Boyle, Mandy Steele, Rep. Tim Ryan, and Jen O'Malley Dillon join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: A GOP Senate could halt President Biden's judicial confirmations. Also, The New York Times reports the Justice Department is seeking to force Trump White House lawyers to testify in the January 6 inquiry. Plus, the Wisconsin Senate race is a toss-up. And over 1.6 million ballots have already been cast in California ahead of midterms. Sen. Chris Van. Hollen, Andrew Weissmann, Paul Butler, Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes and Rep. Katie Porter join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: The "big lie" is on the ballot in Arizona. Also, Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs says she and her staff have faced death threats since the 2020 election due to election denialism. Plus, a recent poll finds crime, inflation and democracy ranking as New York's most urgent issues. And a Texas woman nearly dies after being forced to wait to terminate her unviable pregnancy. Sen. Mark Kelly, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Beto O'Rourke also join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: The accused Pelosi attacker is facing federal and state charges. Also, Democrats send former President Barack Obama to stump in battleground states. Plus, The Washington Post reports that a top Justice Department national security prosecutor is joining the Mar-a-Lago document investigation. And a new biography explores Abraham Lincoln's views on democracy. Claire McCaskill, Andrew Weissmann, Eddie Glaude, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Jon Meacham join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: A new court document reveals more about the attack on Paul Pelosi. Also, the Colorado Senate candidates face off in a final debate. Plus, a New York Times poll finds 65 percent of likely voters in Kansas's 3rd Congressional District would rather vote for the pro-abortion access candidate. And NBC News reports the January 6 Committee interviewed a Secret Service spokesperson on the alleged Trump SUV altercation. Joyce Vance, Andrew Weissmann, Sen. Michael Bennet, Rep. Sharice Davids and Rep. Zoe Lofgren join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: The Wall Street Journal reports that the Justice Department granted a former Trump aide immunity for his testimony in the Mar-a-Lago documents investigation. Also, Democrats slam GOP candidates for extreme abortion views. Plus, a recent poll finds GOP Sen. Mike Lee leading Evan McMullin in the tight Utah Senate race. Republicans spend millions of dollars on racist ads in battleground states. And Sen. Mark Kelly speaks in Arizona ahead of midterms. Glenn Kirschner, Bradley Moss, Cheri Beasley, Wiley Nickel, Evan McMullin and Charles Blow join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Former President Barack Obama says that democracy "may not survive" GOP election deniers. Plus, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes looks to unseat Senator Ron Johnson in Wisconsin, and Katie Hobbs speaks to how democracy is on the ballot in Arizona. Also, Robert Draper details how Marjorie Taylor Greene went from fringe to mainstream in his new book. Sen. Maggie Hassan, Adm. Mike Franken, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Katie Hobbs, and Robert Draper all join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: The Ohio race could determine which party will control the Senate. Also, Arizona Democrat Sen. Mark Kelly campaigns with John McCain's sons. Plus, polls show Wes Moore leading in the Maryland governor's race. And abortion rights are on the ballot in Texas. Rep. Tim Ryan, Sen. Mark Kelly, Wes Moore and Beto O'Rourke join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Ballot counting continues in key states. Also, abortion was a key issue for North Carolina voters. Plus, Michigan Democrats win the governorship and flip the state legislature. And Maxwell Alejandro Frost is elected as the first Gen-Z member of Congress. Steve Kornacki, Deputy White House Chief of Staff Jen O'Malley Dillon, Rep.-elect Wiley Nickel, Michigan State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, Rep.-elect Greg Landsman, Rep.-elect Emilia Sykes and Rep.-elect Maxwell Alejandro Frost join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Sen. Mark Kelly widens his lead over Blake Masters in the Arizona Senate race. Also, Maura Healey flips Massachusetts's governor's seat. Plus, Andrew Campbell becomes the first Black woman elected to a statewide office in Massachusetts. And Kansas Rep. Sharice Davids wins her third term after campaigning to protect abortion access. Steve Kornacki, Sen. Gary Peters, Gov.-elect Maura Healey, Massachusetts Attorney General-elect Andrea Campbell and Rep. Sharice Davids join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Democratic Sen. Cortez Masto closes the gap in the tight Nevada Senate race. Also, NBC News projects that Democrat Adrian Fontes wins Arizona's secretary of state election. And the Georgia runoff could determine the Senate's balance of power. Steve Kornacki, Rep. Greg Stanton, Sen. Jacky Rosen, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Arizona Secretary of State-elect Adrian Fontes and Rep. Nikema Williams join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Democrats retain the majority in the U.S. Senate. Also, President Biden says he's unsure if there are enough votes to codify abortion rights. Plus, Democrats flip a long-held GOP House seat in Washington. And Democrats add seats in legislatures of key 2024 battleground states. Sen. Gary Peters, White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain, Rep.-elect Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Jessica Post and Simon Rosenberg join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump launches his 2024 presidential campaign amid multiple criminal probes. Also, Sen. Mitch McConnell says voters were "frightened" by the "chaos, negativity and excess attacks" within the GOP. Plus, President Biden meets with G7 leaders after an explosion in Poland. And Ukraine President Zelenskyy says the liberation of Kherson is a turning point in the war. Andrew Weissmann, Rep.-elect Dan Goldman, Rep. Matt Cartwright, Peter Alexander, Ben Rhodes and Timothy Snyder join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: NBC News projects that Republicans win a narrow House majority. Also, Cisco Aguilar defeats an election denier for Nevada Secretary of State. Plus, Democrats flip a conservative New Mexico House district. And a Connecticut state House race shows the importance of voting. Rep. Eric Swalwell, Stuart Stevens, Norm Ornstein, Nevada Secretary of State-elect Cisco Aguilar, Rep.-elect Gabe Vasquez, Sen. Chris Murphy and Connecticut State Rep.-elect Chris Poulos join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Nancy Pelosi steps down from House Dem leadership. Also, Karen Bass becomes the first woman mayor of Los Angeles. Plus, Democrats blunt GOP dominance in state legislatures. And former prosecutors make the case for why the Justice Department has a "strong precedent" to indict Donald Trump over the Mar-a-Lago documents. Joy Reid, Rep. Eric Swalwell, Mayor-elect Karen Bass, fmr. Attorney General Eric Holder, Neal Katyal and Rep.-elect Maxwell Alejandro Frost join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Attorney General Merrick Garland appoints Jack Smith as special counsel in the Trump investigations. Also, Donald Trump faces legal jeopardy in the Georgia election probe. And Michigan voters reject a Trump-backed election denier. Andrew Weissmann, Harry Litman, Paul Butler, Gwen Keyes Fleming and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Lawmakers demand renewed ethics rules for Supreme Court justices after the alleged 2014 leak. Also, oral arguments in the Justice Department's appeal of Trump documents special master is scheduled for tomorrow. Plus, a top Maricopa elections official is moved to an "undisclosed location" after midterm threats. And Democrats win the Pennsylvania House for the first time in 12 years. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Professor Laurence Tribe, Gov.-elect Katie Hobbs, Pennsylvania State Rep. Joanna McClinton and Pennsylvania State Rep.-elect Mandy Steele join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Appeals court judges are skeptical of Trump attorneys' claims in court. Also, top House Democrats usher in a new generation of leaders. Plus, Colorado Springs mourns for the five people killed in the Club Q shooting. And the Cherokee Nation pushes to seat a delegate in Congress. Andrew Weissmann, Rep.-elect Daniel Goldman, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Rep. James Clyburn and Cherokee Nation Delegate-designate Kim Teehee join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: The U.S. never had 600 mass shootings in a year before 2020. Also, Mike Pence is reportedly "open" to speaking to the Justice Department for the January 6 probe. Plus, a Georgia judge rejects the GOP attempt to block Saturday voting. And a Navy veteran reflects on Speaker Nancy Pelosi's LGBTQ rights advocacy. John Feinblatt, Kierra Johnson, Kelley Robinson, Neal Katyal, Glenn Kirschner, LaTosha Brown, Stuart Stevens and James Brown join Jonathan Capehart.

Tonight on The Last Word: Special counsel Jack Smith files a Thanksgiving brief with a federal appeals court in the Justice Department's Special Master appeal. Also, Rachel Maddow discusses her podcast, "Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra." Plus, Lawrence explains how the K.I.N.D Fund helps to improve girls' attendance in school in Malawi. And early voting is underway in the Georgia Senate runoff.  Andrew Weissmann, Mary McCord, Rachel Maddow and Trymaine Lee join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Kevin McCarthy condemns Nick Fuentes, but stops short of criticizing Donald Trump. Also, the Oath Keepers founder is found guilty of seditious conspiracy. Plus, U.S. holiday shopping breaks records. And questions over Herschel Walker's residency grow. Stuart Stevens, Joyce Vance, Maria Teresa Kumar, Paul Butler, Jared Bernstein, Maya King and Rep. Nikema Williams join Ali Velshi.

Tonight on The Last Word: House Democrats gain access to six years of Donald Trump's tax returns. Also, the Justice Department requests access to "all" of the January 6 Committee's transcripts. Plus, the Senate votes 61-36 to pass the Respect for Marriage Act. And former Trump staffers speak out in a new book about the danger that Trump and his allies pose to democracy. Rep.-elect Daniel Goldman, Andrew Weissmann, Rep. Adam Schiff, Sen. Tammy Baldwin and David Rothkopf join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump's suit against the Justice Department is tossed out by the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. Also, Kanye West praises Hitler in a two-hour Alex Jones rant. And Lawrence provides an update about how much the KIND Fund has raised this week. Glenn Kirschner, Barbara McQuade, Joyce Vance, Laurence tribe and Peter Beinart join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: President Biden urges political leaders to condemn antisemitism. Also, Georgia sets a new record for single-day early voting. Plus, Donald Trump complains about the "weaponization" of the Justice Department after a federal appeals court shuts down his appeal in the classified documents case. Texas Rep.-elect Jasmine Crockett is chosen as the Dem Freshman Leadership Representative. And 12 Republicans voted to protect same-sex marriage. Melissa Murray, Jennifer Rubin, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Greg Bluestein, Eugene Robinson, Harry Litman, Cynthia Alksne, Rep.-elect Jasmine Crockett and Kelley Robinson join Jonathan Capehart.

Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump calls for the "termination" of election rules, "even those found in the Constitution." Also, Arizona officially certifies the midterm election results. Plus, Sen. Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker make their final pitches to Georgia voters. And Iran's morality police status is unclear as protesters call for a three-day strike. Rep.-elect Daniel Goldman, Andrew Weissmann, Sen. Mark Kelly, Rep. Nikema Williams and Masih Alinejad join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: The Trump Organization is found guilty of fraud and financial crimes. Also, a fringe legal theory could upend American democracy. Plus, Sen. Raphael Warnock returns to Capitol Hill after a decisive victory. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is named TIME's Person of the Year. Barry Berke, Harry Litman, Janai Nelson, Melissa Murray, Caroline Randall Williams and Simon Shuster join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: The special master review ends in the Trump documents case. Also, Professor Laurence Tribe says Justice Clarence Thomas violated the law "in plain view." Plus, Sen. Raphael Warnock's win gives Democrats a 51-49 Senate majority. And Britney Griner is released from Russia in a prisoner swap. Rep. Eric Swalwell, Paul Butler, Bradley Moss, Quentin Fulks and Rick Stengel also join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Trump-backed candidates lost key Senate races. Also, Republicans try to score political points with Americans being detained by Russia. Plus, Brittney Griner reunites with her family after  10 months in Russia. And Missouri GOP Rep. Vicky Hartzler is called out by her nephew in a viral TikTok. Stuart Stevens, Melissa Murray, Jennifer Rubin, Amb. Michael McFaul, Rep. Greg Stanton and Andrew Hartzler join Ali Velshi.

Tonight on The Last Word: Judge Aileen Cannon officially dismisses Trump's lawsuit against DOJ. Plus, Neal Katyal on his "masterful" oral argument before the Supreme Court in an important elections case. Also, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema changes her party voter registration from Democrat to Independent. And the ‘Lost Tapes' of Nelson Mandela are released. Barbara McQuade, Glenn Kirschner, Neal Katyal, and Rick Stengel join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Mark Meadows and 34 GOP lawmakers reportedly exchanged texts about challenging 2020 election results. Also, Vladimir Putin cancels his annual year-end news conference as Ukraine losses mount. Plus, Scott Kelly meets with President Zelenskyy during his Ukraine trip. And Lawrence shares the stories of Malawians who help build desks for the K.I.N.D. Fund. Andrew Weissmann, Mary McCord and Amb. Michael McFaul also join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Talking Points Memo obtains Mark Meadows's texts about Rudy Giuliani. Also, mass shooting survivors urge Congress to act on guns. Plus, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis forms a panel of anti-vaxxers to counter the CDC. And researchers announce an historic clean energy milestone. Joyce Vance, Paul Butler, Stuart Stevens, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Brandon Wolf, Florida State Sen. Tina Polsky, Dr. Michael Haller and Andrea Kritcher join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump underwhelms with his "major announcement." Also, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's life and career are chronicled in a new documentary by her daughter. And Rep. Katie Porter secures her third House term after a tight race. Harry Litman, Neal Katyal, Alexandra Pelosi and Rep. Katie Porter join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: NBC News reports that the January 6 Committee is considering referrals for insurrection, obstruction and conspiracy. Also, Elon Musk is under fire for banning journalists from Twitter. Plus, Russia fires a new wave of missiles against Ukraine. And stocks fall after retail sales drop 0.6% in November. Garrett Haake, Glenn Kirschner, Jill Wine-Banks, Jennifer Rubin, Roger McNamee, Nick Kristoff and Mark Zandi join Ali Velshi.

Tonight on The Last Word: The January 6 Committee refers Trump for criminal prosecution. Andrew Weissmann, Neal Katyal, Mary McCord, Professor Laurence Tribe and Michael Beschloss join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: The House Ways and Means Committee votes to make public Donald Trump's personal and business tax records. And the January 6 Committee is actively cooperating with the Justice Department. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, David Cay Johnston, Rep. Adam Schiff, Neal Katyal and Ben Rhodes join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: President Zelenskyy tells Congress that Ukraine will "never surrender." And the January 6 Committee releases 34 interview transcripts. David Remnick, Andrew Weissmann, Neal Katyal, Jill Wine-Banks, Timothy Snyder and Michael Beschloss join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: The January 6 Committee releases the final report on its Capitol riot investigation. Andrew Weissmann, Rep.-elect Daniel Goldman and Barbara McQuade join Lawrence O'Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: The January 6 Committee's report details Donald Trump's efforts to stay in power. Also, GOP Rep.-elect George Santos admits to lying about parts of his resume. Plus, Texas Governor Greg Abbott sends over 100 migrants to Washington, D.C. on Christmas Eve despite freezing temperatures. And support for Vladimir Putin and the Ukraine war wanes inside Russia. Glenn Kirschner, Paul Butler, Azi Paybarah, Amy Fischer, Andriy Kulykov and Ruth Ben-Ghiat join Jonathan Capehart.

Tonight on The Last Word: A new Cassidy Hutchinson transcript says Mark Meadows burned documents after meeting with Rep. Scott Perry. Also, a federal judge suggests Donald Trump may have urged his supporters to "do something more" than protest on January 6. Plus, Rep.-elect George Santos is under investigation in New York. And the right wing targets LGBTQ Americans with hate and lies. Joyce Vance, Barbara McQuade, Kimberly Atkins Stohr, Jill Wine-Banks, Rep. Colin Allred, Azi Paybarah, Jennifer Rubin, fmr. Rep. Steve Israel and Rep.-elect Robert Garcia join Jonathan Capehart.

Tonight on The Last Word: A new January 6 documentary shows the Capitol riot from the survivors' perspective. Also, David Cay Johnston says Donald Trump committed "brazen" tax cheating. Plus, President Biden tops his predecessors with diverse judicial nominees. And the Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus is exploring the benefits and risks of AI technology. Jules Naudet, Glenn Kirschner, Cynthia Alksne, David Cay Johnston, Danielle Holley, Michele Goodwin and Rep. Don Beyer join Alicia Menendez.