Hi there, everyone, 4 o'clock in New York, to understand the import and the stakes of what happened on Capitol Hill today.

And to understand how it shows us exactly how Donald Trump, a second term as president has given up on even

pretending to want to govern. We begin with a moment from exactly eight years ago. Here's a

snippet from the confirmation hearing of Donald Trump's first defense secretary, General Jim Mattis.

I'll join my colleagues and thanking you for your service.

You've spent your entire life in service of country, keeping us safe.

And we all know the most important function of federal government is to keep its citizens safe at all times.

And you've done that with honor and with integrity.

So thank you on behalf of a grateful nation.

If you end up in this job, our national security may well depend in part on your willingness

to voice your opinions, even when others disagree, even when you are under pressure to remain silent.

We are counting on you.

I believe that your appreciation for the costs of war in blood, treasure, and lives,

and the impact on veterans afterward will enable you to be a check on rash and potentially ill-considered use of military force

by a president-elect who perhaps lacks that same appreciation.

And so I think you will have a critical role as Secretary of Defense in providing a check on that kind of action.

So all those comments made to Jim Mattis.

Jim Mattis would go on to be confirmed by the United States Senate 98 to 1.

A celebrated and politically uncontroversial pick

by any ideological standard.

Donald Trump at the time was proud

to stand with him and to have nominated him.

...