Welcome to the Beat. I'm Jason Johnson and for Ari Melburgh. Tonight, Jack Smith calling the Republicans

bluff on their conspiracy theories. Plus, our live interview with the Democratic lawmaker who is

suing Speaker Johnson for refusing to let her get to work. And then, that moment in the New York

City debate when Mamdani calling out Cuomo on his sexual harassment allegations.

One of those women, Charlotte Bennett, is here in the audience this evening.

She cannot speak up for herself because you lodged a defamation case against her.

I, however, can speak.

But we begin tonight with Trump demolishing part of the great symbol of American democracy.

The east wing of the White House now reduced to rubble so Donald Trump can build himself a

playroom. Earlier today, Secret Service reportedly closed access to the ellipse to block

journalists from capturing footage of the wreckage. The AP managed to get this photo.

Trump promised his ballroom project would not impact the East Wing at all, and now he's made

an abrupt bout face. With the current building, I won't be, it'll be near it, but not touching it, and pays total

respect to the existing building, which I'm the biggest fan of.

It's my favorite, it's my favorite place.

I love it.

We determined that after really a tremendous amount of study with some of the best architects in the world,

we determined that really knocking it down, trying to use a little section.

You know, the East Wing was not much.

In order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure.

The American people are overwhelmingly opposed to this destruction.

Only 24% are behind the idea.

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