declassify documents just by thinking about it? "the lead" starts right now. a defiant donald trump pushing back. the former president is insisting he had the power to be the classified documents seized from his mar-a-lago home just by thinking about it. but did he? plus, a revolt in russia, long lines to leave, as putin tries to ramp up his war in ukraine. the kremlin pin initialling

pro punishing protesters forcing some to fight in the very war they want to stop. and crisis of democracies, a warning to the world from french president macron, and his message to donald trump after being wrapped up in the mar-a-lago case. welcome to the lead. i'm pamela brown in for jake tapper. and we begin with our politics lead. and just in, special master of the trump mar-a-lago documents case opens the door to hearing witness testimony. this, coming after yet another legal defeat for former president donald trump. three judges from the 11th circuit court of appeals unanimously reversed district judge aleene cannon's decision. three-judge panel, one obama and three trump appointees. a special master's review of

that subset, about 100 records is now partially stopped after judge cannon amended her ruling today. and just a short time ago, a special master deliver a new order to trump's legal team to prove one notable aspect in the former president's public claims. an interview with sean hannity reported before the court's rule, the former president claims he did declassify the documents and could do so telepathically. >> if you're the president of the united states, you can declassify, even by thinking about it. >> the court noted trump hasn't presented any evidence to support that he declassified everything. and said the argument is, quote, a red herring. as cnn's jessica schneider reports, the opinion notes that even if trump declassified the documents they aren't his personal records. >> reporter: the justice department is once again digging into 1 radio 00 classified docu

that fbi agents seized. >> i think they're going to move forward. >> reporter: they unanimously ruled that the doj can continue declassifying material was part of the unlauchl retention of documents saying that the rule put in place caused a real and significant harm on the united states and public. doj said that if investigators and fbi agents need to work hand in hand assessing the national security risk of those document remaining unsecured at mar-a-lago. >> it's boxes and boxes of pictures. newspaper articles. >> reporter: in an interview last night, the former president said he didn't know exactly what was in the boxes. and that he had blanket authority to declassify anything. >> if you're the president of the united states of the united states, you can declassify, just by saying it's declassified. even by thinking about it. >> reporter: even trump al lyles in capitol hill questioning that logic. >> up here, we take it very seriously. people can get hurt. people can get killed if not

stored correctly. >> there's a process for declassifying documents. >> there is a process that one must go through. >> reporter: the judges on the 11th circuit also blasts trump's unestablished claims of declassification writing the record contains no evidence that any of the records were declaved. and before the special master resisted that he declassified any documents. the judges went on to say, that even if trump had declassified, he still wouldn't have had claim on the documents as personal records. >> u.s. government has every right to look at its own classified documents. trump derived no right to do that just because he took them to mar-a-lago. >> reporter: the ruling also prohibits trump's legal time and a special master from reviewing any classified documents. it was an about-face from what judge cannon had allowed and forced to amend her order. the special faster will now move forward, reviewing only the 11,000 documents that aren't classified. >> and a special master has just actually issued an order telling

trump's team to back up their out och court claims that the fbi planted evidence at mar-a-lago. in a sworn declaration, by the end of this month. of course, pam, it's an accusation that pump and his allies repeatedly. from the special master, he's even raising a possibility that at a future hearing he could call witnesses to talk about what was seized at mar-a-lago. potentially a lot more to come in the next few months. >> and this is who trump's team had initially suggested to the judge. jessica schneider, thanks so much. now, in russia, tear-filled good-byes as putin begins to send civilians to fight his bloody war in ukraine. a child hugging her dad seen in his video from eastern russia posted on social media as others race to leave. all direct flights to countries that do not require russian visas are sold out through friday. and there are massive traffic

jams that are clogging russia's borders. russia's top google search is how to break arms. and dlis have arrested more than 1300 anti-war protesters, some bloodied and directly drafted at the police station according to reports. cnn's kylie atwood is at the united nations. kylie, all eyes were on the foreign minister sergei lavrov. he accused ukraine of being, quote, racist. >> reporter: yeah, a number of erroneous claims from the russian foreign minister today. not truly unexpected. but noteworthy, given that he was sitting in the hot seat at a u.n. security council meeting on ukraine and ukrainian sovereignty. he also spoke erroneously about neo-nazis in ukraine. and ukraine being the one to clamp down on dissent in his country, of course, we know that's what happens in russia.

when it comes to his presence that the meeting, he was only there for a few minutes. he came in before delivering his remarks and left directly after delivering the remarks. it cases that the foreign minister could bear to sit there and listen to the repeat criticism of russia. and it shows further weakness of the russians in this situation. now, we should note that the secretary of state took a very direct attack on president putin, saying he is the one who chose this war. and calling on the word to be critical of president putin and saying if the russians were stopped, were to stop fighting right now, this war would come to an end but ftd ukrainians stopped fighting, ukraine would come to an end. he said democracy is the only way forward. but no diplomacy that would go against the u.n. charter or reward russia for the veinics. >> kylie atwood, thank you. one of the strongest rebukes of putin came from the french

president emmanuel macron who told the u.n. that the war paves the way for other annexation of others and beyond. jake tapper sat down with the president for a exclusive interview. >> joining me now is the president of france, emmanuel macron in an exclusive. thank you for being here. appreciate it. >> thank you. >> we're happy to have you here. you gave a very forceful speech at the united nations. you said that vladimir putin is making a new mistake following his announcement that he's going to mobilize hundreds of thousands of russian troops. had you said he has made russia more and more isolated because of a war you said was illegal and illegitimate. you are perhaps the western leader who has had more time talking with putin one-on-one than any other. why do you think he's doing this? and can he be talked out of it? >> look. i -- it's hard to me to give an explanation. i think this is not the most

rational decision for sure. when decides to launch a war 21st of february, i think he made the first mistake, a huge one. and decided to show the situation and yet to be the new imperial country and to launch a cold war. during the past few months, i have to say that all of us were very impressed by the ration of the resistance of the ukrainian people. we hugged them from a military point of view, but they did resist. and i think they did much better than a lot of people thought a few months ago. now, i think after the counteroffenses, vladimir putin is much more under pressure. and after especially some clear statements made by a lot of

leaders, not just western leaders. a few months ago, vladimir putin conveys a message i was addressed by united nations. they triggered the situation and i just reacted. now, it's clear for everybody that the leader who decided to go to war, the leader who will decided to escalate, is president putin. and i have no rational information. i think this is a series of resentment. is this a strategy of it, and this is a post february 19th consequence. he's isolated. >> you think he's isolated. >> i think so. i think so. >> do you think the countless hours you've spent reaching out to him, attempting diplomacy, do you think that has been helpful or will be helpful?

>> we will know that at the end of the day. i'm sure, years and years we chancellor merkel, we spent a lot of time to speak with president boris yeltsin and with president zelenskyy. in trying to implement the minsk agreement signed was the best way to avoid escalation. i think what we got in 2019 was very positive for ukraine. and was definitely a progress for this. but as i told you, post-covid-19, there was a situation, and he decided to break the situation and go to the war. and i do believe that all of the suspicions we had. second, i think in his own logic, i'm not saying this is an

explanation or i don't give an excuse, but we have to take into consideration that there is a lot of resentment on the russian side. you have a feeling that post 1990, we didn't respect him totally. i think it's a reason. to do what he did. >> but it's his mind-set? >> it's his mind-set, it's actually to be more respectful and find a way when you have this decision. i think, for instance, thanks to this dialogue, wing wered to organize this mission with national diplomacy to go to z zaporizhzhia and have an independent mission and we are, i hope, finalizing a very important agreement to protect this nuclear power plant. and go to ddemilitarization, bu at least make sure there's no more weapons in this area. i want to insist on that.

we have to avoid the abuses of war. we have to help ukraine could be free and get the full control of its territory. but at the point of time -- >> does that include crimea. >> it would be ukraine to decide it. the ukrainians and the russians would have to go at the table to negotiate. so it would be the end of this. >> president biden said at the u.n. that russia isn't just attacking ukraine, russia is attacking the united nations charter. >> yeah. >> because you have here in the united nations security council a country, russia, that has committed human rights abuses. and potential war crimes. invaded a sovereign nation and on and on. has russia prove than the u.n. does not worth the building it's in? because the u.n. can't stop it? >> no, i don't think so because

nobody proposed an alternative order or a more picefficient on. >> you can understand why people are skeptical of u.n. when you have russia on the security council? >> well, sure. especially with the african continent and some emergent countries that i do believe that our responsibilities to make this international certainly. but we have to preserve our venues and the charter. everybody is at stake. we are speaking about respect of sovereignty. and it's exactly why we build this charter, post world war ii and after the colonization area. i think defending this principle is not just defending ukraine. it's defending all of the

countries and possibility of peace in the world. during the past few months you have the nationality and the west versus the rest. this is a big danger. >> you have said that china and india and some other countries are siding with this russian imperialism through their complicity, by not standing against russia's aggression of ukraine. are you seeing any indication that china, issundia, some of te countries in the african world are seeing your argument, hearing president biden's argument that the world has to align with democracy and republics and against authoritarian governments. is there any hope? >> i do believe there is hope. i think we have to be very respectful. i think we have to avoid lecturing people and saying we are on the good side of the story.

if we have a lot of understanding, and try to understand what they do believe in and what their feelings, we can't condemn them. these guys are different from it. let's all together being respectful we can work -- because what is at stake is global order. peace, climate change, food security. all of these things can be fixed if we have cooperation between the u.s., europe, china, india, asia pacific. af africa. >> so your ally, u.sally german has been criticized. that is this enough, do they need to do more? >> i mean, it's very unfair to

blame somebody. because this war, nobody predicted a few months ago. and the way to function is that they listen together. on the fact that trade, cooperations, integrations of value chains is probably the best for any country. i mean, the rational of the past decade. it's true, what europe is apt to adapt to is that we were based on a model. and germany more than france because we are nuclear power. but we are in perfect solidarity. we have to shift from the model where we thought cooperating with everybody is the best way to preserve war. and to where you have to build more independence in some way. so, this is why i'm a firm believer of sovereignty. in technology, security, for

digital-based technology, and for differences we can have cooperation. we are aligned. >> but independent on energy. >> we have more much more independent. up next, the rise of nationalism and extremism. and it's not only in the u.s. president macron's take on what's fuelling this trend. and why it's so dangerous. that's why at chevron, we're increasing production in the permian basin b by 15%. and we're projected to reach 1 million barrels of oil per day by 2025. all while staying on track to reduce our carbon emissions intensity in the area. because it's only human to tackle the challenges of today to help ensure a brighter tomorrow. only on prime video. the steelers. the browns. our hopes and dreams out on this field right re.

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and we are back with more of jake's interview with emmanuel macron, the french president weighed in on the delicate diplomacy involving iran. as well as whether democracy is in peril here in the u.s. and around the world. >> president biden reiterated in his u.n. speech that the u.s. is not going to allow ire ran to weaponize its nuclear program. you met with the president of iran. based on your conversations, where do you think iran is on revitalizing any sort of duke deal association they would be prevented from weaponizing their nuclear program? >> we have two steps. the first one is getting access to enriched uranium with different dlthresholds and how

present that it's exactly as stipulated. pushed by the u.s. administration in 2015. left bill the u.s. administration another one in 2018. and that's europe and the american one to resume. i think a deal is feasible. but we know that we have to finalize it as we go. and we have now to be clear that this is the final and final offer. what we make clear to president risi is the fact that we have this bill and we have some guarantees and some existing technical points as defined by the international agency. they have to be fixed from a technical point of view, without any political indifference. and that it's not part of it.

now, we know a very important topic for the u.s. domestically. we know it's very important topic for the situation of the whole region this and the neighboring country. and i do believe that iran, it could be a reasonable and positive deal, if they accept precisely the progress that would normalize the situation. and i'm not an ambassador, i cannot speak on behalf of them. >> right. >> but i think they have an increasing threshold. and i think they have now the geopolitical context which is the one we were discussing about, so i think having a deal could be a good option. so if you can clear that stage, that's is it. the decision is on the table to be taken or abandoned, that's

good. weaponization of this nuclear capacity is a separate step. and i think this is something that we have to work on with the whole region. i was to stress the fact that for me, the region is out of priority. we have to discuss about activities. we have to discuss about regional fronts of iran and we have to elvolve until the work all of it. >> i want to discuss the trend of populism and racism that we're seeing all over the world gaining power. a party founded by ultranationalist extremists and neo-nazis gaining interest in sweden. italy has a group of neofascists leading in the polls. right now, we see obviously some of these elements in france. we see obviously some of these

elements in the united states. how worried are you, spreading throughout europe, spreading throughout the world? >> i think we have increasing democracies, what i would call liberal democracies. let's be clear about that. why? because, to be very open in democracies, put pressure on your. people. its could destabilize them. and is this why we always have to articulate the respect of people's willingness middle class referring to, and all of the progress made by the democracies welcoming different cultures. this is a matter of balance. and it's clear during the past two years we had an increasing pressure in our society. and we are at the point where in our different countries there is -- what will i would call the

crisis of middle classes. they confront it marginalized weakened. i think social platforms bring very important role. >> and they're negative? >> i mean for the best and for the worst. >> yeah. >> at the very beginning, it's the best way to cooperate. to social networks and corporations, we were some full controversy, we extended it. >> accelerate lies and racism? >> that. >> right. >> it's clear this is a platform for fake news and clearly this new way. and this new collective vision which is it is completely brea

the relationship to presuming and to science and the basis of our dmraekemocracy. i think this is a second. and first, we have to deliver. for a lot of people, they will not go to extreme. a lot of them, for people, for this type of sentiment, we didn't find these guys. >> right. >> and they go to try them. and because of lack of reference, and because they underestimate the fact this is out of the spectrum of what are political differences. people going against all principles. just we didn't try them. so this is the addition of all of the sentiment which is clear. it's a stake in your ghakdemocr

and it's a stake until our democracy. >> are you worried about our democracy? >> i'm worried for all. i hate saying to people i worry for you. >> you worry as well? >> and it's sufficient for me. i do believe what is at stake is what we built in the 18th century. and france had an interesting war. >> i've read some history books, i know. >> i want to share, i'm very proud. >> sure, sure. >> i'm a french guy. >> you're our oldest ally, of course. >> let me say that we created and invent smd ed some stuff. but i want to stress that this idea of democracy was built on liberal values. the frindividual is highest tha everything else. in freedom and prosperity for

middle class. and the fact that each generation will better than this one. and this is a sort of balance and integration between the different peoples. when one of them is at stake, and we have a big issue during the past few years about prosperity for middle classes. we have some people challenging the fact that seemed -- irrational and difficult is the most important thing. and we have a crisis in the functioning of our democracy and the ability to believe it. >> so because they're all together, all connected, they could all fall down. >> so you have to bring them something forward. up next, another world leader who is not sold on the president of france. we'll get his reaction. plus, what macron has to say about his name being wrapped up in the documents that were seized at mar-a-lago. new iph.

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and we are back with jake tapper's exclusive u.s. interview with french president emmanuel macron. he reacts to a not so glowing review from a fellow leader. plus what he thinks about reportedly being linked to those declassified mar-a-lago documents. >> i do want to ask you about this odd exchange with the new prime minister of united kingdom liz truss that you had right before she took office, before she met with you. take a listen. >> president macron -- the jury's out. [ applause ]

if i -- if i -- if i become prime minister, i'll judge him on deeds not words. >> the jury is out whether or not you're a friend or foe. you have met with prime minister truss, what do you make of that, and what do you make of your meeting with her? >> well, the first remark to give you the insult of the jur. i've always been clear on the fact, brexit, no brexit, we're alike. we're friends. we do share the same values. we fought together for liberty and freedom. and bruitish people came to france for independence. >> so the jury's not out for you. >> never, ever. no. and we have such a implicated world. if we start raising doubts about this, we'll lose a lot of time, energy and create a lot of frustration. >> lastly, i want to ask you,

former president trump theres were an fbi raid on his former mar-a-lago estate. i'm sure you read about it. the reports are some of the classified materials that the fbi found was about you. i'm wondering if anybody has briefed you on this or if you have any idea what that information is? >> i've read information in the paper about what that was. if you have more information i'd be delighted to share them. >> but you don't know what it is? nobody's talked to you? >> i'm not part of the fbi, i'm not one of president trump's lawyers. i have no information about that. i will not say it's for a president to say -- this type of information, i try to be less these days, i mean, i'm cool, i'm here. i would be delighted to have more information but not on my

side. >> president macron, thank you very much. really appreciate your time. >> no, i appreciate you very much. and up next, a screaming match as alex jones took the stand, a contentious day in court for the conspiracy theorists who for years called the murders s of more than 20 children and teachers s a hoax. d got t a crack... she scheduled with safelite in j just a few clicks. we came to her house... ...replaced the windshield... and installed new wipers. that's service on her time. >> grandkid: here you go! >> tech: wow, thank you! >> customer and grandkids: bye! >> tech: bye! don't wait, schedule now. >> singers: ♪ safelite repair, safelite replace. ♪ she was supposed to be the one. i used to believe in the one. and then i rlized, there's plenty of savings in the sea. what? amaz has daily deals, so every day is a chance to meet the deal thatatches your eye,

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(kari) i just switched to verizon business unlimited. it is just right for my little business. (jeni) we switched, too. (kari) unlimited premium data. unlimited hotspot data. my point of sale is on point. (vo) switch to verizon business unlimited today. from the network america relies on. alex jones nearly got in a screaming match in the stand of a defamation trial against him. the judge will decide how much he has to pay after he profited after the lies of a hoax. cnn's brynn gingras has more. >> reporter: pam, it was hard to

sky what was accomplished in court. because as you said there was a screaming match going on between the objections, the judge, the defense attorney, alex jones yelling. at one point, the judge some to turn to alex jones and said to him, this is not a press conference. this is not your show. you need to respect the rules of the courtroom. that is what was happening. i want to bring to your attention where the plaintiff's attorney showed a video of a man who lost his daughter. and talked about hey, these families are real. they're sitting in the courtroom. this was a fiery exchange, take a listen. >> you have families in this courtroom here that lost children, sisters, wives. moms. >> do we have china? i've already said i'm sorry at times. and i'm done saying i'm sorry. america may be to the blame as the left did so we objected. but i legitimately thought it

might be staged. i stand by that and i apologize for that. >> don't apologize, mr. jones. please don't apologize. >> i've apologized to the parents. i don't apologize to you. >> objection, guys. objection. argumentative. >> i'm not apologizing to you. >> not able to get a word in edgewise. >> that was the frustration felt by the judge. she's made it clear there are no incendiary comment as allowed in her courtroom. and he is going to be back on the stand tomorrow, pam. >> jones also testified that he called the judge a tyrant, right? explain what happened? >> this happened earlier in the day, the defense attorneys bringing up the point that the infowars is still spreading lies as the trial is going on. mocking that judge, calling her a tyrant, having laser eyes, showing an actually picture of her with laser eyes.

this happening in front of the jurors. it's just been an interesting trial. and there is so much order that needs to be brought by the judge. keep in mind this is happening while the families of these who have lost loved ones are sitting there, crying, having to live a with this a decade later. and again, he's going to be cro cross-examined tomorrow, pam. >> brynn gingras, thank you. up next, one of the most powerful forces in media. the murdoch family. and you can find him right now on upwork.com when the world is your workforce, finding the perfect project manager, designer, developer, or whomever you may need... tends to fall right into place. find top-rated talent who can start today on upwork.com

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largest media empires in history over the last several decades. and now the new cnn original series "the murdochs: empire of influence" reveals through exclusive reporting how one family's ambitions are shaping business, media, and politics around the globe. cnn's athena jones has more. >> rupert murdoch. >> rupert murdoch. >> reporter: rupert murdoch, patriarch of arguably the most influential media family in the world. billionaire businessman who has already transformed america's political and media landscape. and who could shape the next presidential election. >> there really hadn't been this kind of media political power in american history. >> reporter: over seven decades the news corporation chairman built an empire, amassing unrivaled power on three continents. supporting conservative politicians and policies from margaret thatcher -- >> his newspapers had backed her. and she in turn backed him.

>> reporter: -- and ronald reagan to boris johnson and brexit. through properties like the "wall street journal," "the new york post," and particularly fox news the media titan plays a major role in republican politics. >> you used to talk about the republican national committee. now we talk about fox news. >> reporter: but as potential gop contenders eye the white house, how will murdoch and his holdings approach 2024? especially former president donald trump. the journal and post editorial pages provide some clues. >> a lot of the former president's problems are of his own creation. >> reporter: and on fox? >> when rupert murdoch got on board with trump we saw a diminishment of critical voices in its commentator ranks, in its analyst ranks. now we're seeing commentators and even some hosts who have been very critical of trump. >> reporter: murdoch has criticized trump's hyper focus on the 2020 election saying conservatives must play a forceful role in political debate. >> if that will not happen, president trump stays focused on the past. >> reporter: he was not an early

supporter of trump. eventually coming around as trump's popularity with fox viewers grew. >> my friend donald j. trump. >> reporter: fox's fawning, uncritical coverage helped the real estate mogul build a large and loyal following that has dominated the gop. >> sean hannity, come on up. sean hannity. >> reporter: that support on full display in 2018, when one of the network's most prominent hosts joined a campaign rally with trump. fox later calling his appearance a distraction. this time around -- >> rupert murdoch is moving back to where he was, or has moved back to where he was in 2016, where trump will get no free ride and his son lachlan is right there with his father. they're going to make it hard on him. >> reporter: and it is the next in line, murdoch's elder son, now co-chairman of news corp., whom many will be watching. >> 2024 will be the first full open republican election where lachlan murdoch is as important

if not more important than his father. he's not a trump lover. so he could be the real it factor in how this plays out during the primaries. >> reporter: athena jones, cnn, new york. >> our thanks to athena. and be sure to tune in. the all new cnn original series "the murdochs: empire of influence" premieres sunday at 9:00 p.m. eastern with back-to-back episodes only on cnn. and ahead, the updated track for hurricane fiona and a new storm system that could spell trouble for the gulf coast. oh, that i can't believe i scored this price feeling! wayfair always delivers small prices for big dreams. ♪ wayfair you've gotrs just what i ed ♪

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right now a hurricane, a tropical storm and three other systems spell trouble in the atlantic. let's get rate to meteorologist tom sater in the cnn weather center. tom, let's start with hurricane fiona. it could be be one of the most powerful storms ever to hit canada, right? >> oh, most likely. in fact, the lowest pressure they've ever had in canada, we measure in millibars, is 940. this is going to be about 925, 935. that's equivalent to a category 4. now, it's not going to be a hurricane when it makes landfall. but superstorm sandy wasn't either. this is going to be their superstorm sandy. thank goodness it's west of bermuda. conditions are deteriorating there. they're into the wind. they're into the rainfall. but it stays in the east as a category 3, then plows into atlantic canada. more on that in a minute. we've got our own problems here. dangerous rip currents and high seas. already we're saying wave heights up to 50 feet, and they're going to get higher when it passes by bermuda. so that's their biggest issue. but watch how these wave heights continue just to slam into nova

scotia and newfoundland. 29, 39 feet. this is amazing. that's why this is unprecedented to them. and when you look at the warnings in place for good reason, when it gets into the gulf of st. lawrence we're going to be looking at tremendous storm surge. we're going to have winds of 400-mile swath of tropical storm force winds. tens and tens of thousands of trees will be down. they're going to lose power to hundreds of thousands. just a tremendous storm. not good as it moves in this weekend. >> and another tropical storm is taking shape as well. that could be a problem for the gulf coast. >> yeah, it really could. and this is the one we're concerned about. it's not even named yet. it's off the coast of south america. this is the acorn that could become the oak tree. and the first hurricane to really affect mainland u.s. the models take it in a couple different areas. will it come up through western cuba? will it go up toward the yucatan? but this is monday. and one of the models, the european one, brinks it in to southern florida while the others bring it up more toward the panhandle. the two models very close agreement on monday. it isn't named yet. its name will be hermine. that is something to watch in the next couple of days. and probably will be named soon.

>> thanks tom sater so much. you can follow me on twitter @pamelabrowncnn. or tweet the show@theleadcnn. and if you miss an episode you can get the show where you get your podcasts. our coverage continues now with wolf blitzer in "the situation room." happening now, growing division inside russia's military as vladimir putin struggles with new setbacks in ukraine and angers his generals by giving them direct orders. we're following all the backlash after putin's massive call-up of military reservists including spreading protests across russia right now. also tonight, the special master reviewing documents seized from mar-a-lago is pushing back at the trump team again. he just instructed the former president's lawyers to offer proof if they have it of trump's claim that the fbi