Hi Nicole, we've asked you and I'll do the spoiler and say you've agreed to stay over and be our first guest tonight.

So first thank you for that. Of course.

We watched your interview, newsworthy with great interest on this newsworthy day. I will tell you when we are less busy,

we can get to your Billy Joel lyric references, which we appreciate around here.

But in all seriousness, congratulations on the news with the interview. There's so much going on.

We want to get, of course, to the court ruling, which we will. But first I want to get your thoughts really on the interview you did.

And I want to play for viewers who may have seen it or see this part where you did discuss what is a huge issue for the nation right now.

One president who does oversee a DOJ, but it's supposed to be independent.

While former president waits trial, I want to just play from your interview.

I made a commitment that I would not in any way interfere with the justice department.

Who they prosecuted, if they prosecuted how they proceeded. I've not spoken once,

not one single time with the Attorney General. On any specific case, not once.

I have faith that just to part, we'll move in a direction that is consistent with the law.

And so it may take time, but I have faith that they're going to do the right, but I've not spoken about that.

The president's answer there to you. I'm curious your thoughts.

You know, it won't surprise you that it was Rachel Maddow that sort of articulated this better than I could.

What's clear is that this president's defense against attacks to our democracy from his predecessor

is to double down in a near zealous defense and protection of institutional norms.

So, you know, I think that there was an open question, right? What would happen to DOJ

after Trump and Barr and Durham made so clear that they were comfortable politicizing it?

And what would happen is what you just saw. That would happen.

That the next president who ran on restoring our institutions would do so

...