RUSH EXCERPT:
MADDOW: "That’s okay. Let me know first and after ways the status right now of reporting this out in your shop and the response you guys are trying to assemble in terms of what the special counsel’s office has said tonight?"
SMITH: "We’re obviously continuing to face the story as we have been for two years. And, you know, right now trying to understand the special — what this special — what the special counsel is actually saying in his statement. Which is obviously disputing some element of the story but very difficult to understand which one."
MADDOW: "Have you had interaction with the special counsel’s office about this specific story prior to getting the state tonight from Peter Carr?"
SMITH: "I personally haven’t but obviously the reporters — they declined to comment but did sent over bits of Michael Cohen’s testimony. Then 24 hours released. We have, you know, we describe our sources here as federal law enforcement officials involved in the investigation of the matter of the Trump Tower Moscow. And we’re not playing games with that characterization. These are strong sources close to the investigation. Involved in the investigation. Who told us it was accurate and stood by it."