Bondi asks public to share evidence of voting irregularities

close

Video

Bondi asks public to share evidence of voting irregularities

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi asks citizens to assist with pending criminal investigation by contacting law enforcement.

This is a rush transcript from "Hannity," November 14, 2018. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

SEAN HANNITY, HOST: All right. Welcome to "Hannity."

So much breaking tonight. The first members of that migrant caravan, they have arrived in our southern border. Now, some are actually seen scaling the fence between Tijuana, San Diego. We have the video. Thousands more just days away marching by foot through Mexico, demanding passage into the U.S.

Now, coming up, we'll bring you a full report to what is now becoming potentially a serious situation and show you how the left is trying their best to play it down, ignore what could be a looming crisis.

Now, we'll also cover another serious situation, that is these massive, deadly wildfires ravaging California as we speak tonight. By the way, our prayers with everybody out there impacted by this horrific fire.

And we have more post absurd election drama out of Florida and Georgia tonight. We will reveal how Democrats are trying to rewrite the rules, upend the will of the American people. Once again, the armchair constitutional scholars on mainstream networks, left-wing networks, guess what? Dead wrong again. The Department of Justice, they are standing behind President Trump's appointment of Matthew Whitaker as the new acting attorney general.

We also have an update tonight. I knew it was coming. Mueller's which hunt.

And, by the way, we have serious news, Michael Avenatti. He is the attorney for Stormy Daniels. Has been arrested on serious charges.

And on minutes, I will take on two -- not one, two liberals on everything from the border wall, the Trump agenda, the caravan, you name it, we'll get to it.

All right. Sit tight. A lot of news. Time for our breaking news opening monologue.

(MUSIC)

HANNITY: All right. We've been warning you now for weeks, thousands upon thousands of undocumented migrants, they have been marching towards America, our southern border. Now, the vast majority of these people, I've been saying, I believe are coming here in search of a better life. More opportunity, a land of opportunity, and freedom.

But here's the problem. These individuals, they have not been vetted -- no background checks, no criminal history checks, no proof of employment, no family ties to the U.S., no comprehension, in some cases, of what the laws of America are, no case for asylum. Many have no paperwork whatsoever.  But they are demanding entry into the United States.

And tonight, the first migrants have now reached our southern border. A group of around 80 migrants that split off from the much larger group, they claimed widespread harassment, mistreatment at the hands of their fellow migrants, and they were able to fast-track their journey north and advance to the United States. According to the "A.P." tonight, while another group of several hundred migrants will arrive the next few days.

Now, some have tried to scale the U.S. border fence -- look at these videos -- right near Tijuana. Others crawled through openings forced to crawl back because U.S. border control agents responded and they are about to enforce the law. That is not a good first impression. This is just a small part of how many people are actually coming, and a clear warning of a looming crisis.

And according to reports from Mexican officials who as many as 10,000 migrants are just days away. Now, the Department of Homeland Security is warning and they have put out statements that over 270 suspected criminals, gang members, drug traffickers have been blending in with what is mostly a male caravan. We've also learned that some illegal immigrants previously deported from the U.S., they are also attached to the group.

Now, 7,000 active duty U.S. soldiers, they have been deployed to help secure the southern border. Now, they have been laying razor wire and conducting and constructing other barriers to prevent illegal immigration, protecting our sovereignty, our rule of law. We are a constitutional republic.

It's important to remember, weeks ago, we witnessed the breaking down of that fence as you can see in southern Mexico in their border, crashing the gates into that country. This is a serious situation and an important reminder about why strong borders the rule of law, and yes, the wall is so important.

Now, if the president's plan has been implemented so far for a massive border wall, that had been completed with the big door in it, as he has said, the situation would be mitigated. It would be controlled. As a matter of fact, it would not even be a possibility of some type of confrontation. America needs immigrants. But we have to vet anyone, everyone coming into this country. We have to do everything in our power, other bad people, even if they are mixing in with good people, from entering this country.

This is the very reason why Democrats few short years ago supported the enforcement of our border laws and our border. Remember this?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON, D-FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I voted numerous times when I was a senator to spend money to build a barrier to try to prevent illegal immigrants from coming in. I do think you have to control your borders.

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER, D-N.Y.: People who enter the United States without our permission are illegal aliens and illegal aliens should not be treated the same as people who enter the U.S. legally. The American people will never accept immigration reform unless they truly believe the government is committed to ending future illegal immigration.

BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT: Those who enter our country illegally and those who employ them disrespect the rule of law. And because we live in an age where terrorists are challenging our borders, we cannot allow people to pour into the U.S. undetected, undocumented, and unchecked.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANNITY: Oh, of course, now they are singing a much different tune. They sounded like Donald Trump.

The party has moved so far radical left that virtually no Democrats supports border enforcement. And now with the caravan marching north, the left is doing anything and everything to play this situation down. It could get serious.

Imagine, for a second, thousands of people -- not just 80, at the border, what happens then? Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When we are sending 15,000 troops to the border for a political stunt? That's a warning sign.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is no doubt that what the president has been considering great strategy to bring out his base? You know, this stupid caravan conspiracy which hasn't been talked about since election day.

REP. RUBEN GALLEGO, D-ARIZ.: We see what he's doing with our troops at the border, essentially using them as props.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It seems we've got the all clear. The emergency is over. The solution of the caravan invasion all along, it wasn't the troops, it wasn't the wall, it was apparently just getting past the midterm elections.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I just remember when I would look up every night it was, the caravan is coming! They are going to take your job! They are going to be doing all this. And it's like, and now, you don't hear anything.

Those people, they bought it hook, line and sinker. People bought it, oh, my gosh, we should be putting a barbed wire.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Some people did, some people --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANNITY: Now, unlike CNN, MSNBC, their cohorts in the Democratic Party, we are going to continue to track what is a very serious situation.

And meanwhile, we're also following some horrific news out of California.  Wildfires ripping through areas in both northern and southern California.  Now, the statewide death toll is up now towards 51.

Thousands of buildings, homes, other structures destroyed, billions of dollars in damages. And an entire town was even burned to the ground. The devastation was shocking.

Tonight many are looking for answers, making a serious case. Could this fire have been prevented?

Now, according to The Wall Street Journal editorial board tonight, federal, state, environmental protections have left the drought impacted forest invulnerable to these fires. Now, there's nearly 130 million trees that are dead. That have died in the past seven years alone, the government has prevented them from being cleared.

For example, quote, the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act have hampered tree clearing, controlled burns, timber sales on federal land. The article goes on, quote: California also restricts timber harvesting and requires myriad permits and environmental impact statements to prune overgrown forests. And in California, quote, to burn leaves, tree limbs, land owners must obtain air quality permits.

Now, these permits are extremely restrictive, can be difficult to produce, controlled maintenance in California's forest, we get these forests put out -- when these fires are put out, this has to be a top priority. We cannot put peoples' lives in jeopardy. These fires cause more far worse at environmental damage than a controlled burn, or timber excavation and human lives are irreplaceable here. It shouldn't take another fire for laws to be adjusted and all the people in California now in these areas have their lives at risk.

And, by the way, our prayers are with all of them. All impacted by this horrific crisis. Look at that. It is out of control. And we will continue to track this story.

But first, we do turn to Florida. The election catastrophe that is ongoing. Tonight, the statewide recount continues with tomorrow's deadline looming. Both Republicans, Ron DeSantis, Rick Scott, they do look poised for victory.

And tonight, there are still so many questions surrounding the sketchy actions of Broward County and its supervisor of elections Brenda Snipes.  Now, she somehow managed to magically find -- oh, I found it -- 75,000 purportedly uncounted ballots days and days after election night, by the way, all in violation of state law and the state constitution. And Snipes continued to report these ballots in the week following the election. And for days, she wouldn't tell anybody where these ballots were coming from.

Now, tonight, we still have no idea what happened and President Trump, he's calling for her to be fired. But as the recount rolls on, Snipes, well, did have time to go on CNN and defend herself. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have been cited, Ms. Snipes, as a problem in this process, that you're not doing the job a transparency, and you're not doing it with the efficiency that gives confidence in the overall process. How do you respond?

BRENDA SNIPES, BROWARD COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS: Well, you know, those are opinions that people have put forward for their own various reasons. But I like to call your attention that this midterm election, in addition to running very smoothly, was one of the most highly participated midterm elections probably that we've had in 20 years or more.

There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to make an election possible, to make it efficient, and to make it something that voters want to participate in. And, obviously, we are doing that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANNITY: All right. Now, given a poor track record as we have detailed every night on this program with deadlines, maybe she needs to be doing her job, counting the votes instead of going on interviews.

Now, tonight, Florida is not the only state facing insane election drama.  In the state of Georgia, Democrats are refusing to concede that governor's race. That's between Stacy Abrams and Republican Brian Kemp, despite no path to victory for Abrams.

By the way, they're not stopping there. Far left Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, he is ramping conspiracy theories, and accusing Republicans of outright stealing the election, kind of rich considering all we've seen in Florida. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. SHERROD BROWN, D-OHIO: If Stacey Abrams doesn't win in Georgia, they stole it. It's clear. I say that publicly. It's clear.

They can't win elections because there's way more of us than there are them. They can't win elections fairly. They win elections by redistricting and reapportionment and voter suppression, in all the ways they try to scare people, particularly people of color, how to make it hard for people in college campuses, especially community college where there are more low income people and more people of color.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANNITY: It's beyond sad, despicable, sadly predictable sometimes with some people, you know, stirring racial tensions. And remember, redistricting, that would have zero impact or effect on the statewide race.

But of course, this is nothing new from this crop of radical Democrats.  There seemed to be no moderates left in the party. They are all literally cheering for Robert Mueller. Please, find something, anything. We can't do it on our own.

And tonight, we have new developments from that witch hunt. Fox News has learned that President Trump and his legal team are on the verge of making a decision about whether to submit written answers to the special counsel.  That development follows the latest on from Senator Jeff snowflake who again today exposed himself, well, not as a conservative.

Now, Majority Leader McConnell flatly rejected Flake's bill for, quote, protecting Mueller to the floor. President said recently he has no plans to do anything with Mueller and Flake is threatening the president, all his Republican colleagues, saying he will oppose all the presidents judicial nominees until he gets his way and the Senate votes on that legislations that supposedly protects Mueller from being fired by the president which isn't happening, blocking conservative judges, breaking a promise to the people you represent in Arizona? Senator Flake, tonight, he should be ashamed.

And also breaking tonight, the armchair constitutional scholars on left- wing mainstream so-called media networks and the Democratic Party, they were all wrong. The acting attorney general, as we all told you on this program, Matt Whitaker, he did receive the full backing of the Department of Justice. The DOJ releasing a 20-page memo explaining the things we told you, that Whitaker is unquestionably authorized to lead the department.

And they cited the very law we had cited, a 1998 law that called the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, and the Appointment Clause of the U.S. Constitution, adding that there have been, quote, countless similar presidential orders dating back over 200 years.

And finally tonight, we're going to end with one very important topic and it's called due process, the presumption of innocence. I have been saying all during the Kavanaugh hearings, a foundational principle in a fair and just society, it has served this country so well, a pillar, our constitutional republic.

And, by the way, if you remember during Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings, we defended this principle from baseless attacks and irresponsible accusations by individuals, some on the left, some for political gain.  And, of course, we have that fame seeking attorney Michael Avenatti who is one of those irresponsible actors. And he brought forth claims from a client who accused Kavanaugh of gang rape almost on a weekend basis and drugging young teenage girls, boys lining up in the hall, and one by one, quote, waiting their turn to rape these young women.

There was no evidence, that story eventually changed. Avenatti demanded his client and all others, you know, who had made accusations, that they should all be believed. You might remember this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL AVENATTI, STORMY DANIELS' ATTORNEY: If the president was smart, if he wasn't so arrogant, he would see the writing on the wall, and he would pull this nomination immediately.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you make accusation or allegation of whether or not you stay or go, Michael, what does it set up for the future?

AVENATTI: I mean, that's a very good point, Chris, but I think we're beyond that from what I understand, relating to the lie detector test being passed, which of course is not admissible in a court of law. We're not talking about a mere accusation or allegation.

And here's another important point. This isn't going to be adjudicated in one day or even two days.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANNITY: Now, we learned tonight that Michael Avenatti has been arrested.  He was taken into custody by the LAPD. He's been charged with a serious charge, and that would be felony, domestic violence. He is denying these allegations. He is proclaiming his innocence.

And I will be consistent on the issues of due process and the resumption of innocence. But one can only wonder if now maybe Michael Avenatti would apply the same standard to himself that he had applied to Justice Kavanaugh. Or maybe tonight that he would prefer the country give him due process, and the presumption of innocence. Or will you lock yourself up and just throw away the key?

I believe he deserves assumption of innocence, due process. Let the legal system do their job. And hope and pray that the right justice and answer comes through.

All right. Joining us now with an update on Florida is the attorney general of that state, Pam Bondi.

Pam, thank you for coming back.

Let's go to the criminal investigation of what is going on there. I have been told by numerous sources that varying pieces of evidence have now been handed over to various law enforcement agencies in Broward that know things about what happened in Broward County and Palm Beach? Can you confirm that?

PAM BONDI, R-FLA., ATTORNEY GENERAL: No, Sean. It's a pending criminal investigation. FDLE has opened a hotline with us. Folks can call in if they have information.

But right now, it is a pending criminal investigation. I laid out in my letter why we do believe there is plenty of reasonable suspicion for criminal activity. And that investigation will continue.

On the flip side, we are working tirelessly right now, constantly, on the civil suits that are being filed, and frankly not by Bill Nelson, but by everybody who's been using him as a pawn.

HANNITY: Explain -- before we know that, we do know laws were broken. And we do know, for example, 30 minutes after the polls close, you are supposed to report. You're supposed to report every 45 minutes. Other laws that we know have been broken, and it seems like certainly it's been mishandling.

I mean, all of a sudden, you find a box of ballots in a rental car in Tampa from Broward County. That seems pretty problematic to me. The laws that we thought were broken, what the judge said on Friday said was the Florida constitution not being abided by, what happens in those cases.

BONDI: Well, Sean, everything is being reviewed and looked at as it comes in. And again, citizens, if you have more to bring to us, bring it to us.  Please? Call the Florida department of law enforcement.

And that's why we're not waiting until this is over. We've started a criminal investigation now. I can't discuss any more about it because it is ongoing. And that's much different than the civil lawsuits that have been found.

But this is very serious. We are taking it very seriously. Law enforcement is taking it very seriously, because it's the integrity of our elections.

HANNITY: Putting aside the recount in 2000. You have 2004, we had problems. 2012, 2014, 2016, '17, and in August of last year, we had a judge's ruling about misconduct in a particular election. My question is how is it even possible, with all of those violations leading up to this, that the very same people were in place?

I think people of Florida and the country need to know. This is not just a Florida issue. This impacts all the country.

BONDI: It sure does. It does. It's the integrity of our democracy, our elections, the bedrock of which we are founded, our country. And that's why we are taking it so very important.

But ethically, I cannot talk about a pending criminal investigation. You should be a prosecutor, though, because you've come up with some very good points that I think law enforcement, I'm certain, are taking into consideration.

HANNITY: All right. Pam Bondi, thanks. We will update this obviously until we get a results. Of course, another delay because the machine got heated in the recount in Palm Beach. The machines don't work. It's unbelievable.

Pam Bondi, thank you.

All right. When we come back, Senator Lindsey Graham says he will be ready to reopen a Hillary Clinton email investigation. We'll talk about the recount with him. He will also be the next chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. We'll explain that.

Later, well, it kind of takes two on one. I'm going to debate two liberals about what is going on with the migrant caravan, we'll talk more about Avenatti, and the California wildfires.

A lot more news straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HANNITY: All right. The recount continues tonight in Florida. But, first, according to new reports, Senator Lindsey Graham may be the next chair of the Judiciary Committee as Senator Grassley weighs his departure, increasing the chances of a full investigation into the FBI, their handling of the Clinton email probe.

And joining us now with more reaction, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham.

Senator, good to see you.

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM, R-S.C.: Thank you.

HANNITY: Before we get to that, I want to ask you about your thoughts on the recount and all of a sudden, you know, 80,000 here, 15,000 here, they just keep showing up.

GRAHAM: Well, if Rick Scott had not weighed in the way he did, and President Trump had not spoken up, I think they would've stole this thing from us. Ninety-something thousand votes counted after the polls close.  We stopped the bleeding. He has a lead now that can't be overcome in my view by a recount.

So, I think Rick Scott is going to win this and I think mathematically Nelson is eliminated. But thank God that President Trump and Rick Scott took this seriously.

HANNITY: Yes. Senator, we have a lot of important judicial appointments.  We have the threat by Jeff Flake tonight about protecting Mueller. And I know you said that is fine, but the president said he has no intention of firing Mueller. It looks like some agreement has been made by the reports I read, between the president's lawyers and the special counsel, written answers. That would mean this is now coming to an end, at least in my mind.

GRAHAM: Well, this is a manufactured problem. President Trump is not going to fire Mueller. Mueller is going to be allowed to do his job. And we need conservative judges on the bench, as many as we can, as often as we can get them.

I don't know what Senator Grassley is going to do. He's been a great chairman of the committee. If I'm chairman next chairman, we are going to do judges, judges, and more judges.

And at the end of the day, I am convinced that Mr. Mueller will be allowed to do his job. I've not seen one scintilla of evidence of collusion. The obstruction of justice thing never made any sense to me. You can fire somebody who works as a political employment, the FBI director can be fired for almost any reason. And the Democrats wanted Comey fired.

So, I feel good about everything right now.

HANNITY: In many things, I think you had a key moment in the Kavanaugh hearings when you spoke up. It was a powerful moment and an important one in terms of what was going on with Justice now Kavanaugh.

And one of the people that made the most outrageous claims was Michael Avenatti.

GRAHAM: Yes.

HANNITY: He's facing serious charges tonight. But that story, we now know, it changed with the client that he was representing. It changed pretty dramatically in terms of what she said.

He made these accusations, and as I've been playing, I'm not saying this -- I believe in due process and the presumption of innocence, especially with serious charges. It has served this country so well. And to not be consistent, make me a hypocrite, I am consistent.

But I wonder if you have thoughts about this tonight.

GRAHAM: Well, number one, Ms. Swetnick's affidavit on its face just made no sense. Who would repeatedly go to parties for women who are being drugged and raped and not say anything about it and keep putting yourself at risk? So, the claim by Ms. Swetnick that was authored by Mr. Avenatti actually helped us because it was over the top.

Now, he's being charged, seems like a credible allegation, but he's entitled to the presumption of innocence. And I will give him that do.  I'm not out to get Mr. Avenatti by turning the legal system upside down.

HANNITY: Nor am I. Whatever is fair, right, just, moral, let's stay with that.

GRAHAM: Right, exactly.

HANNITY: You said you are ready, perhaps, to reopen the Hillary email investigation. We know the Democrats in the House, they've been doing hundreds of different investigations. This is what is important to me, and people have said, well, why do you talk about Clinton? Because it's -- do we have dual justice system, or equal justice under the law, equal application of our laws?

That would mean an exoneration before an investigation in the case of Hillary Clinton. That would mean if we are going to talk about Russia and Russian influence, that has to go to the dossier, bought and paid for, funneled money into a law firm into an op research group, to a foreign national.

GRAHAM: Yes.

HANNITY: The bunk lies the author wouldn't even himself stand by when pressed in an interrogatory in Great Britain. Then, the leaking of such information to influence the 2016 elections, lies about Donald Trump paid for from Russia. And then of course, being used to appoint a special counsel. It is all of that on the table for you?

GRAHAM: You know, to my Democratic friends, if you want to look backwards, we are all going to look backwards. I want to know why the FBI reached to the conclusion along with the Department of Justice that Hillary Clinton didn't commit a crime. Was it because of political bias?

If you really wanted to stop Trump, how in the world could you indict her? Was the reason she wasn't indicted is because they wanted to make sure they stop Trump and how can you stop him if you indict her?

HANNITY: Yes.

GRAHAM: Did the Department of Justice and the FBI use a document paid for by the Democratic Party? Research by foreign agents to get a warrant against an American citizen that was inappropriate, potentially unlawful?

We need a special counsel to look at all of this. But I intend to look at it.

HANNITY: I agree.

GRAHAM: I'm going to look at it. If you are going to keep plowing everything up in 2016, count me in. If you want to look for it, I will look for it. If you want to look back, we will all going to look back to everything and everybody. Not just a Trump.

HANNITY: Let me ask you this. I forgot the fraud on the FISA court, because that was the--

(CROSSTALK)

GRAHAM: That's the fraud on the FISA court.

HANNITY: -- Grassley-Graham memo.

GRAHAM: yes.

HANNITY: The bulk of -- quote, "the bulk of information came from the phony, unverified, uncorroborated dossier that mostly has been debunked."

You know, there's a proposal by the White House today about prison reform.

GRAHAM: Yes.

HANNITY: I had the opportunity. We also had the video of Alice Marie Johnson, and when -- one defense, it was serious, 22 years in jail, raced out to the arms of her family. It was beyond a touching moment. And said thank you, America, for giving me a second chance, I'll not let you down when the president pardoned her.

And I look at prison reform. We've got two million people in jail.

GRAHAM: Yes.

HANNITY: In a five-year period, a 77 percent recidivism rate. I want to find every Alice Marie Johnson in America and I'd love the president to pardon one such person, 10 people a day if we can do that, because I think we do need real reform. There is unfairness in the system.

GRAHAM: Yes. Wouldn't it be ironic if it was Donald Trump who fixed the problems created by the three strikes, you out rule passed by Bill Clinton? Wouldn't it be ironic it was Donald Trump and the Republican Congress working with Democrats that allowed just thousands of African-American and Hispanic males a second chance for nonviolent offenses? And create bed space for truly violent people.

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: Well, punishment is not working. If you have a 77 percent recidivism rate, locking you up in a place with bad people and you're not helping or advancing and changing hearts and minds, it makes sense to me.

But senator, well follow that more. I think there is a lot of potential there.

GRAHAM: Yes, sure.

HANNITY: Imagine the president transforming the power of the pardon for every Alice Marie Johnson who I met and is an amazing woman. I think it would be great for the country.

GRAHAM: Well, getting minorities out of jail, giving them a second chance, improving the economy for African-American, Hispanic families is a very big deal.

HANNITY: Senator, good to see you. Thank you for being with us. When we come back, I'm not taking on one. No. It's kind of always unfair when a conservative debates a liberal. I'm taking on two. I'll explain next.

We also have deep state news and an update on the Mueller investigation. Sara Carter, Gregg Jarrett, they have the latest, and Trace Gallagher here he will give us an update on Michael Avenatti's arrest as Hannity continues. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HANNITY: All right. So, some of the migrant caravan have arrived at our southern border and now we see thousands of others also coming. The A.P. reporting, quote, "migrant caravan groups arrived by hundreds at U.S. border."

Joining us now for a debate, former chair of the council of economic advisor of President Obama, Austan Goolsbee, and civil rights attorney, Daryl Parks.

Austan, it's so good to see you, you know why? Because I just played at the beginning of the show, I hope you are watching a guy by the name of Barack Obama, who you love! You absolutely adore and who I think did a horrible job. OK. We disagree.

And he sounded like Donald Trump about protecting our borders, respecting our sovereignty. What has happened from then until now?

AUSTAN GOOLSBEE, FORMER BARACK OBAMA CHIEF ECONOMIST: Only good things. You know, look, Sean, you and I have been friends for a long time.

HANNITY: Yes.

GOOLSBEE: And I will say among Democrats, among liberals, I'm totally in agreement that a country should control who comes into that country. So we should secure the border.

HANNITY: All right. Hang on. Mark this moment, that means you and your wife, who I have met and had dinner with, I finally had influence with you.

GOOLSBEE: Yes.

HANNITY: We are making progress.

GOOLSBEE: Well, look, here's what I'm saying. The caravan -- I'm glad you are at least following up on this. The president was out Trumpeting this as an invasion and the biggest threat to national security.

The vast majority of the people in this caravan are still in the city of Guadalajara which is a 800, 900 miles away from the U.S. border.

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: But they are now getting transportation.

GOOLSBEE: And there are women escaping domestic violence in Guatemala. There are four-year old kids -- this is not what we should be -- if you're concerned about border security--

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: Well, let me tell you why we should be concern.

GOOLSBEE: -- let's put the focus where it should be. Not on these kids.

HANNITY: Daryl, let me -- let me concede. Putting aside, 300 have been identified by both Mexican officials and Department of Homeland Security as to be bad elements that are trying to mix in with the caravan crowd of migrants.

And as I watch them, I would argue probably 99 plus percent are good people, live in poverty, horrible lives, want what we all take for granted in this country. It's the 300 others that we have to worry about.

Here's what I am afraid of. Here's the video of what happened at the southern border in Mexico. And that is they take defense, they knock it down, they race across the border. For the safety and security of everybody, if this happens on our southern border, I don't want anybody hurt. All we are asking, if you want to come to this country, to do it legally. You are a lawyer. Do you respect the law?

DARYL PARKS, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Without question we respect the law, Sean. And we expect that those people who want to get to the border they are going to do the right thing. These people are -- we shouldn't demonize them. They are trying to escape poverty, they are trying to escape political instability.

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: I didn't demonize -- did I demonize?

PARKS: I know you didn't. And I'm glad you didn't. You didn't. Tonight, you are doing great, Sean. Thank you.

HANNITY: Tonight, I'm doing great, all right. Just tonight, though.

PARKS: You are doing great tonight. You do well all the time, but tonight you are doing great. Let me say this thing.

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: I know you are doing better tonight.

PARKS: These people are looking for a better opportunity. They are looking for better opportunities like all of us in America. I'm sure once they get in, they'll follow their rules.

HANNITY: But we have laws.

PARKS: I don't think we need to be in--

HANNITY: We are a constitutional republic. We have borders, sovereignty, laws.

PARKS: Yes, we are.

HANNITY: And if you really want to be here, the first -- the first prerequisite has to be, obey our laws, respect our laws. Don't just take it upon yourself.

PARKS: OK.

HANNITY: Go ahead.

(CROSSTALK)

GOOLSBEE: I agree with Daryl. You know, the only think I'd say--

PARKS: But at this point we have no indication that they are going to break the rules.

GOOLSBEE: Yes, that's true. And remember, our law, if you are coming to apply for asylum, our law requires you to come to a port of entry to apply for asylum. Hundreds of these migrants are literally trying to make appointments to come in and apply for asylum, and we've sent 15,000 U.S. troops skipping their Thanksgiving with their family to go down there and do nothing.

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: Well, Austan, the problem is this. You know, we saw what happened -- we just played the tape what happened at the southern Mexico border. We can't have that happen here. And I'll tell you why.

PARKS: But Sean, a few people--

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: The first people that need to be protected are the innocent people that want a better life, let's protect them first.

GOOLSBEE: OK, I agree with that. We can all agree on that. Yes. Now 40 percent of the people--

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: This is a really bad--

GOOLSBEE: -- that come to the U.S. illegally, 40 percent of the people that come to the U.S. illegally come to the airport, Sean. They come in and then they overstay their visas.

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: And we are trying to make improvements there as well, Daryl.

PARKS: Well, without question. I hope and pray these people will come, they will apply properly and they will get the opportunities that our country can provide them to and be--

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: I think you should give them pro bono legal work. I think you should do them for free and Austan will help pay for it because he's a really rich guy.

(CROSSTALK)

GOOLSBEE: When you finally pay me for my bet, Sean, I will be a rich guy.

HANNITY: I have overpaid you for your debt. you don't remember the dinner I paid for?

GOOLSBEE: Wait a minute, wait a minute, you did pay for that dinner, but that was on a technicality.

HANNITY: A technicality! A thousand dollars--

(CROSSTALK)

GOOLSBEE: But you bet me six -- you said Obamacare was going to cost 100 million people their insurance. So, I'm still waiting for that one.

HANNITY: Excuse me, millions -- OK, the cost--

(CROSSTALK)

GOOLSBEE: You said 100 million.

HANNITY: -- is between 100, 200, and 300 percent -- so many counties have one option. Many millions lost their doctors, their plans and everybody is paying more. Broken promises.

GOOLSBEE: Yes, but not 100 million. So, you are going to be paying me more!

HANNITY: Well, what do you say to the millions of Americans paying more, lost their doctor, lost their plan, only have one option now? That's it.

GOOLSBEE: I tell those people to say, thanks, President Trump.

HANNITY: You've lost your mind. But see, it takes two liberals, once conservative. This way it works. Anyway, thank you both.

When we come back, we have some big breaking news, Sara Carter, Gregg Jarrett. Surprising developments in the Mueller probe. Also, the latest on Michael Avenatti's arrest from earlier tonight. Does he tonight believe in due process? Has he changed his mind on the presumption of innocence? That straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HANNITY: All right. The Mueller investigation maybe finally wrapping up tonight, the Trump administration, according to reports, maybe turning written responses to questions from special counsel as early as this week.

And today, in the U.S. Senate, Mitch McConnell blocked the legislation put forth by Senator, well, Jeff 'snow' Flake that would, quote, "protect Mueller from being fired." Even though President Trump said he's not firing him.

Here with reaction, the author of the number one New York Times bestseller, "The Russia Hoax: The Illicit Scheme to Clear Hillary Clinton and Frame Donald Trump," Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett, Fox News contributor, Sara Carter.

Sar, you just heard Lindsey Graham, and very clear that starting in the beginning, Hillary Clinton, exoneration before an investigation. Then of course the FISA abuse and FISA court fraud that was committed, the bulk of information being the unverified dossier that not even Christopher Steele would stand by, and of course trying to influence the 2016 election with bought and paid for Russian lies and using the false information circular reporting to also influence the appointment of special counsel. A lot there.

SARA CARTER, FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR: A lot there, Sean. And I think Senator Graham is right off the money. If we get Senator Graham and he takes the chairmanship of the Senate judiciary committee, I can guarantee you that he's going to move forward with this.

The American people need this. They want this to wrap up. They want to know the truth. This is why not only does there need to be an investigation by the Senate judiciary committee, but we also need those documents declassified and only the president can do this.

The only way to get to the truth is to get transparency, to get those documents declassified. That's the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrant on Carter Page. We also need the gang of eight to find her.

HANNITY: The gang of eight, 302's.

CARTER: Yes, and the 302s by Bruce Ohr. This is what needs to be done now so that we can move forward.

HANNITY: You know, it's interesting. Because Donald Trump was able to defy the history of Bill Clinton who lost 60 seats, eight Senate seats in his first midterm. Obama who lost, Gregg, six seats in the Senate but 63 House seats. And he fought to keep the Senate as hard as he did.

GREGG JARRETT, FOX NEWS LEGAL ANALYST: Right.

HANNITY: It's rather profound now because all of the threats that the Democrats are making, all of this would move right over to the U.S. Senate, wouldn't it?

(CROSSTALK)

JARRETT: Right. It's absolutely would.

HANNITY: And oversight.

JARRETT: And Lindsey Graham is the perfect person to conduct the investigation. Because he knows there is a plethora of evidence that there was an illicit scheme by the FBI and Department of Justice to clear Hillary Clinton and frame Donald Trump. And he would reopen the Hillary Clinton email case -- you know, it's a crime for an FBI director or official or agent--

(CROSSTALK)

HANNITY: Eighteen USC 793 I have it etched in my brain.

JARRETT: Yes. It is a crime to hide incriminating evidence and to make a decision about a case, the Clinton case, for political reasons. So Lindsey Graham will investigate that.

HANNITY: Let me ask you this. If it's true, all the reports that there are going to be written answers only on Russia, not on any obstruction -- because the president can fire anybody he wants. You know, Jerry Nadler saying, well, he wants to investigate, you know, what the president said -- it's meaningless if he said something, didn't do it.

But is this the beginning of the end if, in fact, there is not going to be a subpoena, written answers are going to be handed in? It sounds like the airplane is now heading in for a landing, Sara.

CARTER: It is. It is. Every source that I've spoken with tonight and over the past week says that Mueller is going to wrap up this investigation. We are not going to see anything happen to President Trump. What we might see is some indictments, maybe Roger Stone, Jerome Corsi who is his assistant, Roger Stone's assistant very closely involved with him.

One of the things that I did, Sean, that to me is so important, and there was never any evidence -- never, from the very beginning of this investigation by the FBI, that there was any kind of collusion, which isn't a crime anyway, but there was never any evidence--

HANNITY: None.

CARTER: -- the the Trump campaign was working with the Russians.

HANNITY: Only on Hillary's side.

CARTER: Only on Hillary's side. Absolutely.

HANNITY: We only have about 40 seconds I want to give it to Gregg. I believe in due process deeply.

JARRETT: Right.

HANNITY: The presumption of innocence, you are on a lot with us during the Kavanaugh hearings. Michael Avenatti serious charges tonight. I believe he deserves that also.

JARRETT: He does.

HANNITY: I'm sincere.

JARRETT: You should be commended for what you said about that. Because everybody, including Michael Avenatti, deserves the presumption of innocence and due process, but isn't it ironic that Avenatti was the one who didn't want to afford due process and presumption of innocence to Brett Kavanaugh?

HANNITY: Maybe.

JARRETT: I wonder how he feels tonight.

HANNITY: That's the question. You know, does he now believe in that? Because he is claiming his innocence? And as a matter of fact -- thank you, both. We will have a full report and an update on Michael Avenatti's arrest as we continue tonight on HANNITY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HANNITY: All right. Joining us now with the very latest news on the arrest, serious charges, Stormy Daniels' lawyer, Michael Avenatti, Fox News Correspondent, Trace Gallagher. Trace, very serious charges, it's a very strong denial by attorney Michael Avenatti. Tell us.

TRACE GALLAGHER, FOX NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Sean. Michael Avenatti was booked on felony domestic violence. The Los Angeles Police Department wouldn't identify the alleged victim or say how Avenatti knew her, but police did say she had visible injuries.

And TMZ is reporting the injuries were on her face and were, quote, "serious." There are also reports that Avenatti says she hit him first, calling the situation, quote, "B.S." Police say the alleged violence happened yesterday in West Los Angeles. Avenatti was arrested today and posted a $50,000 bond just a short time ago. When he walked out of jail, Avenatti diplomatically thanked the police for their hard work and then said this. Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL AVENATTI, STORMY DANIELS' ATTORNEY: I have never struck a woman. I never will strike a woman. I have been an advocate for women's rights my entire career and I'm going to continue to be an advocate. I am not going to be intimidated from stopping what I am doing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GALLAGHER: Unclear exactly what he's, quote, "doing," but there's been talk of a 2020 presidential run. He was reportedly set to speak this weekend at events for the Vermont Democratic Party but had to cancel.

Avenatti became well known for being Stormy Daniels' attorney and then brought forward serious allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Those allegations were later knocked down. We don't know when the Avenatti has to appear in court again. Sean?

HANNITY: OK. And these are felony charges, correct, that we are looking at?

GALLAGHER: Felony assault charges against him. Very serious. Don't know what the jail time is, but these are serious charges if proven.

HANNITY: All right. Trace Gallagher, thank you. I do believe in due process, presumption of innocence. And it should take place here as well.  Let not your heart be troubled. We're always fair, balanced, not the destroy-Trump media. Laura Ingraham? Take it away. 
 
Content and Programming Copyright 2018 Fox News Network, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Copyright 2018 CQ-Roll Call, Inc. All materials herein are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of CQ-Roll Call. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content.