01x06 - The Interrogation

[bunniefuu]

Previously on "Designated Survivor"...

That there was a plan to make sure Congressman Peter MacLeish survived.

They built a b*mb shelter.

Speaker of the House?

We think you'd be the obvious choice.

I'm honored. I just don't want the job.

Tom: Maybe we offered him the wrong job.

What about the Vice Presidency?

Does Leo know... that the President might not be his father?

Hookstraten: It's been a whole week since Nassar confessed to the Capitol bombing.

Where are we on our search?

Recent NSA chatter indicates new att*cks, both at home and abroad.

Nassar could prove to be an extremely valuable source of intelligence.

Put down your g*ns!

[Woman screams, expl*si*n]

We have Majid Nassar.

♪ ♪

[Man shouts indistinctly]

[Chains rattling]

[Breathing heavily]

Notify. No one coming down now.

Male reporter: According to the White House, shortly after 11:00 P.M., a team of Navy SEALs launched a daring raid into a compound in Southern Algeria. While taking great care to avoid civilian casualties, the SEALs exchanged g*nf*re with the enemy, and in the end...

Here you go.

...Majid Nassar, the alleged mastermind behind the Capitol bombing, was captured.

Heads up.

m*llitary officials declined to disclose where Nassar is being held, but confirmed he remains under heavy security. After a video showing Nassar taking credit for the att*cks...

m*llitary Intelligence keeps working on Nassar, and, still, he hasn't said a word.

Is there a timetable for this sort of thing?

When can we expect some results?

Well, maybe today. Maybe tomorrow.

Maybe never.

We lost a good man bringing Nassar back alive.

We better get something for it.

Well, sir, let's focus on the positive.

The Nassar raid is a win.

Your approval numbers ticked up another two points today...

I don't care about approval numbers.

He doesn't care about approval numbers.

Anne, you look lovely.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Look, sir, you may not care about your approval numbers, but you need people's confidence to be effective.

I also need a Congress.

Well, governors wouldn't be here unless they wanted to give you one.

And you're giving them a chance to discuss their issues face-to-face.

And they all showed up.

Maybe that's half the battle.

[Chuckles] Well, the open bar should do the rest.

First we'll appoint a Senate, and then we'll get elections on the books for a House.

And remember, sir, they need this to work as much as you do.

Without a House, there is no federal budget.

The VA closes, farmers lose subsidies, public schools don't get funding.

Plus, no one wants to be responsible for not bringing this country together.

Ritter: Looking sharp, sir.

Apparently I clean up pretty well.

You coming with us to this thing?

No, sir. I'm done for the evening.

About to head out.

Nice. Big plans?

Bowling with my brother and his in-laws, so... no.

Good luck with the governors, sir.

Thanks, Mike.

Yeah.

Also, sir, when you meet Governor Rivera, remember to thank him.

He stepped up to accept a plane full of Syrian refugees.

It's scheduled to land in Miami tomorrow.

Okay.

[Sighs]

Stop it.

You look breathtaking.

Nice haircut.

Contacts, too.

Mm-hmm.

I don't even recognize you anymore.

[Chuckles]

Hey.

You think I'm wrong hosting a dinner this soon after the Capitol att*ck?

You can't invite 50 governors to D.C. and take them to Golden Corral.

[Chuckles]

I like Golden Corral.

[Indistinct conversations]

So, the White House is riding high on this Nassar news.

What's the goal now?

Well, the goal is to rebuild, starting with a full Senate that can confirm the president's cabinet.

And what's the plan for that, exactly?

Sorry, uh, who are you with?

I came alone.

The Chronicle. Lisa Jordan.

New White House correspondent.

Yeah, right. Uh, look, our hope is that before the governors leave at the end of the week, that they'll submit their appointments for the Senate and agree to special House elections.

Reporter: And the cabinet?

Does the president have nominees in mind?

Man: The President of the United States.

O'Neil, I'll get back to you. Our host has arrived.

["Hail to the Chief" plays]

[Applause]

Way to enter a room.

Stick with me, kid.

Hey. Great to see you.

Congressman MacLeish.

Mr. Shore.

Ms. Rhodes. How are you?

Ah, that depends on how tonight goes.

Indeed. You know my wife, Beth.

Hi.

Ma'am.

Nice to see you.

Um, excuse me. I'm gonna get a drink.

MacLeish: All right.

Guys, I did want to just say, I hope you made it clear to the president I was saying no to the job of speaker, not to him.

He knows.

And there's another way for you to serve, if you're interested.

Hypothetically speaking, of course, how does vice president sound to you?

Hypothetically speaking?

I-I would be honored.

Tom: Thank you for coming.

Thank you for coming tonight.

You look lovely.

Man: Good to see you again.

Governor Rivera, great to see you.

My pleasure, sir.

Great to see you.

How are you?

My pleasure.

Thank you for being here tonight.

Nichols: Mr. President.

Governor Chris Nichols. Arizona.

Governor Nichols. What a pleasure.

Thank you for coming to Washington, D.C.

Oh, this is a great opportunity for us to get to know each other.

I couldn't agree with you more.

While I have you, perhaps we can find some time to discuss what happened with Governor Royce.

That was a very difficult situation.

Yes, yes, I'm sure you can understand how disconcerting it was for me to see one of my colleagues arrested.

Of course I understand, but, unfortunately, Governor Royce didn't give me much choice.

Mr. President, it's time.

Excuse me.

Perks of a promotion, huh?

You gonna talk to her or what?

[Sighs] No-fly zone, man. She's press.

Come on. This is D.C.

Hours you work, who else are you gonna meet?

Tom: Good evening, everyone.

To begin, I simply want to thank all of you for being here tonight.

Recently, our country was devastated by an unspeakable att*ck, and yet I can't think of a more fitting way to honor our fallen colleagues than by re-dedicating ourselves to the values and ideals of this great nation.

I am not the president you or the rest of the country voted for.

But I have to believe that we all want the same thing...

To rebuild the Capitol, the Congress, the Senate...

[Crowd murmurs]

...to rebuild our country.

I can't do it alone.

Nor would I ever want to.

[Chuckles]

I can't help but smile at the irony of that, because, well, I'm a registered Independent.

[Laughter]

It's nice to hear some laughter for a change.

But the truth is, I believe, as an Independent, I have a unique opportunity to effect positive political change, that I can help bridge the divide.

And together, we can find the common ground that has been missing in the American political landscape for years.

[Applause]

If we do this... If we work together...

I promise you we will be stronger and better than ever.

This is how we are gonna honor the incredible sacrifice...

[g*nf*re, guests screaming]

Everybody down!

Alex!

[g*nf*re continues]

sh*ts fired outside the East Wing.

Alex!

Go!

Down!

Down!

[Police radio chatter]

I was on my way home, heard the sh*ts.

Talk to me.

We believe there's only one gunman.

We've tracked him into the park.

The president?

Man: Safe.

The whole family is locked down in the residence.

No one injured.

[Siren chirps]

Man #2: You two, you're with me. Let's go.

♪ ♪

[g*nshots]

[Grunts]

[Indistinct shouting, voices echoing]

Agent down. Repeat... Agent down.

Lafayette Park.

[Indistinct distorted voice]

[Helicopter blades whirring]

Mike. Mike.

Stay with me.

I'm sorry, sir. We're still on lock-down.

You need to stay in the White House.

I get that I can't go to the hospital, but can someone please just get me an update on Mike's condition?

I'm on the phone with the hospital now, sir.

Thank you.

Well, what about all the governors?

They'll be escorted back to their hotels as soon as it's safe.

Seth: That was the chief of surgery at GW.

Agent Ritter was hit twice.

Kevlar vest stopped the first b*llet, but the second one penetrated his axillary artery.

They're prepping him for surgery now.

Oh, my God.

Tom: I-I just saw him.

He was going home to spend time with his family.

I know.

I'm sure he's in the best hands.

I got to go check on the kids.

Of course. Please.

Can you explain to me how they got close enough to sh**t at the White House?

AR-15. Range of 1,800 feet.

Luckily, the windows are bulletproof.

Sir, we have an update on the sh**t.

His name is Murad Yamadayev.

He's a Chechen national.

Is he in custody?

No, sir. He's dead.

Agent Ritter got him before he went down.

[Sighs] And do we know why he did this?

Three minutes before f*ring on the White House, Yamadayev took to social media, pledged his allegiance to Majid Nassar.

Oh, my God.

Al-Sakar's shown us they can att*ck the Capitol, the White House.

What's next?

Tom: I have to be honest.

It's looking like bringing Nassar back alive was more of a liability than an asset.

Sir, I appreciate your frustration, but effective interrogation takes time.

Aaron: No, we don't have time.

How many more t*rrorists like Murad Yamadayev are out there?

If there are cells within the country, we need to know before they hit us again.

Sir, I believe we can get answers more quickly if you were willing to consider removing him from U.S. soil to a black site for enhanced interrogation.

My men can be extremely persuasive.

Mr. President, enhanced interrogation does not work.

Nassar will tell you whatever you want to hear.

That is your opinion.

We have extracted actionable intel that has headed off multiple threats.

Yeah, what about Abu Zubydah?

What about him?

We had him first.

We used rapport-based questioning.

We got names, dates, resources, turned him over to the agency, where you waterboarded him 83 times and got nothing but gibberish.

That is one gentleman...

An unconfirmed...

A black site is not an option.

Deputy Director Atwood, you believe you can make progress?

Yes, sir. I do.

You've got 24 hours.

[Indistinct conversations]

Tell whoever's running scheduling that I want to see the "ten day book" for the president, and have Aaron find me when he comes back.

Mr. Atwood.

Ms. Rhodes. What can I do for you?

I was gonna call you, but since I've caught you, we would like to begin the formal vetting process on a VP candidate.

Sure. I can get the ball rolling.

Who is it?

Congressman Peter MacLeish.

I'd appreciate if you could have your team forward all relevant research to myself and the chief of staff.

You know, with all the recent events, it's gonna take some time.

I understand that, but this is a priority for the president, so anything you can do to speed it along.

Will do.

Emily Rhodes.

Woman: [Through cellphone] The refugees have landed, but Governor Rivera won't let them off.

I'll let the president know right away.

Tom: Yes, Doctor.

Thank you. Goodbye.

[Telephone beeps]

Mike's out of surgery.

Doctor said it went well.

Oh, thank God.

[Chuckling] Yeah.

[Sighs]

I wanted to tell you, I-I kept the kids home today.

They're still scared?

We're all still scared.

Tom, was he sh**ting at you?

Honestly, from that far away...

...I think he was trying to hit anything he could.

Secret Service has raised security for you and the kids across the board.

They've extended the perimeter around the White House.

Hopefully, that'll reassure the governors.

They're supposed to come back soon.

Hey, hey.

Emily: I'm sorry to interrupt. We have a problem.

I just got word that the plane carrying the Syrian refugees has landed in Miami, but Governor Rivera won't let them off.

What?

The governors are due back in an hour.

See if you can get Governor Rivera here before the rest of them.

I'm on it.

Thanks, Em.

[Door closes]

Hannah: MacLeish?

Yes.

For VP?

They want to start the vetting.

Jason, you have to stall this process until we can figure out how he fits into all this.

[Sighs]

When's the last time you heard from the mystery caller that told you about room 105?

Not since that night.

I'll work on stalling the vetting, but in the meantime, we still have Nassar to deal with.

m*llitary Intelligence gave it a sh*t.

They got nothing.

That's because Nassar didn't...

He didn't blow up the Capitol.

That's exactly why we need you to get him to admit that as soon as possible.

[Door closes]

Tom: Governor, thank you for taking the time.

I asked my wife to join us because of her immigration-law expertise.

Ah, yes, I saw Sunday's "20/20" piece on you.

[Chuckles] It made my mom proud.

Governor, two days ago, you gave permission for a planeload of Syrian refugees to land in Florida, and now...

That was before a Nassar sympathizer fired on the White House.

Today I have protests across my state.

You and I both know that the att*ck on the White House had absolutely nothing to do with the people on that plane.

Those refugees are not extremists.

In fact, they came here to escape them.

With all due respect, ma'am, how can you be so sure?

I mean, do we really know who they are, whether or not they have links to terrorism?

Not one of those passengers has been flagged by DHS.

They've been checked and re-checked against multiple watch lists.

You'd find very few U.S. citizens who could pass that kind of scrutiny.

They're from a failed state... A country in chaos.

It's impossible to properly screen them.

And you cannot guarantee that one of them does not intend to harm us.

Ma'am, the people of Florida are scared.

Governor, in 1980, Congress passed the Refugee Act, empowering the federal government to place refugees across this country.

Sir, that was, what, 36 years ago?

Times have changed, and our country must change with them.

But change does not mean that we abandon our principles.

If we don't let these people off the plane...

You'll send in the Guard?

Arrest me?

That's not what I was going to say.

Please, Governor.

Mrs. Kirkman, I am not unsympathetic.

In fact, I'm the child of immigrants.

But it's my job to represent my people, not to impose my will on them.

The answer is no.

Well, Governor Rivera's a reasonable man.

A reasonable man keeping 300 refugees detained on a plane.

Well, he's under intense pressure from his constituents. Give him time.

He'll come back to his senses.

We don't have time.

We need to find another state to land this plane in now.

Yes, sir.

Mr. President, you need to focus on getting back on track with the governors.

You know what? She's right.

Let me make some calls to ICE, see what I can find.

Okay, thanks.

[Indistinct conversations]

Tom: Good morning, everyone.

Please, sit.

Given last night's events, I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am to see you all back here today, because the work we have in front of us could not be more important...

The rebuilding of our Congress and our Senate to ensure that all American citizens have a voice in all 50 states.

This...

Excuse me, Mr. President, but with all due respect, we can spend all day here talking about the issues that face us, but the fact is, we don't know who we're discussing them with.

We don't know what you stand for.

Sir.

Governor Mennuti.

Very nice to see you again.

The president and I go way back.

He's a fine man.

But most of these governors don't know you like I do, sir.

I think this is the perfect opportunity to change that.

What do you suggest?

Mr. President, your friend is right.

If we're to recognize you as the legitimate leader of our nation, we need our minds put at ease.

Answer our questions... All of them.

And if we're satisfied with what you have to say, you'll get your Senate appointees.

With all due respect, Governor Nichols, I'm not on trial here.

You are now.

♪ ♪

There is no other president in history who'd agree to this inquisition.

No president since Lincoln has faced questions of his legitimacy.

Enough. I don't need a history lesson.

This is about the future.

If we don't get the governors on board, it's over, and I'm not talking about my presidency.

I'm talking about the country as we know it.

Em, tell the governors I'll answer whatever questions they want.

Yes, sir.

Sir, this is a fundamentally bad idea.

The president does not answer to state leadership.

Then pretend I'm not the president.

It seems to be working for everybody else.

Look, for the last time, I have no new information concerning the interrogation of Majid Nassar, including his whereabouts or any information that he may or may not have provided and would have been classified.

Is there...

Yes, Ms. Jordan?

Rumor is Kirkman's on the verge of losing the governors' support and a Senate in the process. Any comment?

Lisa, you know I don't comment on rumors.

Thank you very much, everyone. That's all for now.

Thanks a lot. Appreciate it.

You are good at your job.

Of course, the last press secretary nearly drowned from flop sweat, so...

[Chuckles]

...low bar.

[Chuckles]

I may be way off-base here.

Did we have a thing last night?

A thing?

Eyes locked. Crowded room.

Uh...

Did y think we had a thing?

I did. But... I'm romantic like that.

I thought we had a thing, too.

Uh...

Um, it's just, um, you're, you know...

Press.

And you're press secretary, so you probably think asking me out would be...

A lapse in judgment.

Well, then, since you answer my questions for a living, why don't I make it easy for you?

Feel like having a drink with me tonight?

I need statistics on resettlement programs in the states with the largest refugee populations, so Texas, California, New York.

Mrs. Kirkman, a moment, please?

I'll catch up with you.

Yeah?

[Sighs] Ma'am, your husband's position with the governors is rather delicate right now.

Mm-hmm.

And it's my belief that...

So you don't want me to rock the boat.

In a manner of speaking, yes.

Nor do I.

But there are 300 Syrian refugees being denied basic human rights in our country.

This isn't a political issue.

It's more of a humanitarian one.

All due respect, ma'am, but everything is political.

So what do you want me to do?

Sit down and shut up? Is that it?

[Scoffs]

No, I-I didn't say that.

Yes, you did, and that's okay 'cause that's your job, but here is mine.

As a wife of 17 years and an immigration attorney of 22, I am gonna counsel my husband through this.

And if there is a political fallout, then I trust that you can handle it.

[Sighs]

[Man shouting indistinctly]

[Buzzer sounds]

The prisoner will be shackled throughout the interview.

If you need assistance, guards will be stationed outside the interview room.

Chow time.

Guess your guy will have to wait.

Shame.

There'll be no video.

They're keeping your name off the log.

We've got one sh*t. Don't waste it.

I won't.

We have less than 24 hours.

Prisoner is being transported now.

[Man speaking indistinctly over P.A.]

Man: Keep walking.

Man #2: Behind you.

♪ ♪

[Indistinct conversations]

Have a seat.

Hands.

[Handcuffs click]

He's all yours.

[Door closes]

[Buzzer sounds]

[Speaking Arabic]

All right, tell you how this is gonna go.

We're gonna ask you some questions.

You're gonna answer them.

The sooner you do, the sooner we'll be done.

If you do not wish to speak to us, other arrangements can be made.

[Sniffs]

Look at me.

Look at me.

First, I want to make sure that you know your rights.

You have the right to a lawyer.

You have the right not to speak to us.

You have the right to humane treatment, to an appeal.

You have the right to confront your accuser.

But only if you're here, in the U.S.

We already have an extradition request for you from Pakistan for a car bombing in Karachi.

So, this is your last sh*t to talk in a comfortable, seated position, because in Pakistan, human rights are optional.

Six years ago...

U.S. Maverick missiles struck an apartment building outside Barmal holding over 100 civilians, including my wife and two daughters.

I spent seven days sifting through the rubble hoping to find their remains.

Searched day and night and found nothing.

I didn't sleep for one second that week, nor the week after.

So if you think you can break me, I suggest you re-evaluate your methods.

Tom: I understand that you all have questions about me.

If I was in your position, I would probably feel the same way.

My only hope is that when we are finished, that we can all move forward together.

Mr. President, would you consider yourself an impulsive man?

[Chuckles]

Uh, according to my wife, no.

[Laughter]

So, if you're not impulsive, can you explain why you overhauled the Department of Housing and Urban Development within weeks of your appointment as HUD Secretary?

Well, w-when I was appointed, it was expected that I would infuse the department with fresh, new ideas.

And so you just fired anyone that didn't get on board?

The department was stagnant.

I needed community activist leaders, not civil servants.

President Richmond appointed me to effect change.

I did it in the most efficient way possible.

Brownley: Speaking of change, sir, why did you fire General Cochrane?

Was he just a "civil servant" to you?

The general was insubordinate.

He advanced a m*llitary operation without my authorization.

And Governor Royce?

I know him, sir.

He is a good man.

He may be, but what the governor did was tantamount to sedition.

I'm sorry, Mr. President.

To be clear, the staffers at HUD were complacent, Cochrane was insubordinate, and Royce seditious.

Perhaps, sir, you're just threatened by people who disagree with you.

Atwood: We know all about you.

You know, we've been tracking you for a long time.

College in Egypt.

Selling Islamic banking systems in Jordan.

You came to the jihad dance kind of late.

The Taliban had already moved to Pakistan.

Hannah: But you're big-time now, right?

Al Sakar brought down the temple of democracy.

Did something no one thought was possible.

And it's already fired up new recruits.

One of them att*cked the White House last night.

So, explain something to me.

Up until now, Al Sakar has always been a leech.

You just attach yourself to bigger groups.

In 2013, you took credit for the Rabat night club bombing, when it was actually AQIM that did it.

You want to know what the truth is?

You don't have the skills to pull off something as complicated as the Capitol att*ck.

Do you?

Anti-t*nk mines with Cyrillic on the outside.

Pakistani lock rings.

Iranian f*ring pins.

Someone fed me that info, too.

You think a small-time organization can get their hands on such mines in such quantities?

We blew up your Capitol and brought it to the ground.

No one else.

Mennuti: In defense of President Kirkman, I would like to point out that in a few short weeks, under the most unyielding of circumstances, not only did he ascertain the identity of the group behind the bombing, but oversaw the operation which led to the swift capture of the mastermind himself.

I'm sorry, but that was good intelligence and good operations.

It wouldn't have mattered who was in the White House.

The fact remains that President Kirkman has no credentials, no accomplishments, no real experience.

Nichols: Exactly.

As much as we can appreciate the position you're in, I just can't get behind the fact that you're the president simply because you were the Designated Survivor.

Everyone here knows what that means.

It wasn't an honor. You were a formality.

And the truth is, the former president didn't even want you in his administration.

So if you weren't good enough to be the HUD Secretary, please, from your heart, can you tell me why you think you should be my president?

I can't.

Excuse me?

♪ ♪

You may be right.

Maybe I should not be president.

[Indistinct conversations]

This is getting out of control.

Sir, you need to get in there and fight back.

Fight back how, Aaron?

You can start by reminding them that you're the President of the United States.

Governor Nichols is right.

I wasn't Richmond's choice for president.

I wasn't anyone's choice.

Richmond didn't want me in his cabinet.

He didn't want me at the State of the Union.

That's why I was named Designated Survivor.

Tell me I'm wrong.

Look, six weeks ago, I barely remembered your name.

I didn't know much about you, and, frankly, what I did know didn't impress me.

But, sir, I don't feel the same way anymore.

Iran, Royce, Nassar.

And what you said at the Capitol site that day...

That we would rise better and stronger than ever before.

I believed you.

So don't let those people bring you down.

I truly believe you're the only chance this country has.

What he said.

[Chuckles]

[Knock on door]

Come in.

Hey.

Oh, is it a bad time?

No.

Thank you both.

Aaron.

Thank you.

Mr. President. Ma'am.

Alex: What's going on?

I got to get back to the governors.

Emily can't hold them off forever.

One of the Syrian refugees is only 30 weeks pregnant, and she's just gone into labor.

We need to get Governor Rivera to let her off that plane now.

Governor Rivera won't be taking any requests from me.

But this is beyond a request. This is an emergency.

I understand what you're saying, Alex.

I've got no leverage with him.

I need you to handle it, please.

Okay.

Man: [Over P.A.] Shift change in 10 minutes.

Hannah: You pulled it off...

Something that we all thought was unimaginable.

But you were sloppy.

One of your bombs didn't detonate, and a congressman survived.

That must bother you, not finishing the job.

We will take out your congressman and anyone else we missed.

Because you want MacLeish dead.

I want them all dead!

Whoever blew up the Capitol wanted MacLeish to live.

But you don't know that because you didn't do it.

Why are you taking credit for something you didn't do?

Alex: Governor, she's in preterm labor.

Y-You have to do something.

I'll send in a doctor.

If that baby is born on the plane, he or she becomes an American citizen, so why not take her to the hospital, where she can deliver it safely?

Fine. She can go.

And the husband... The baby's father?

Yes. Him, too.

Thank you.

And once they're off the plane, it can return to Istanbul.

But what about the rest of the passengers?

No.

As we discussed, they are all registered with DHS.

And as I told you before, ma'am, the people of my state are frightened.

And after Brussels, Paris, Nice, Washington, they have a right to be suspicious.

But what about the millions of Syrian refugees that Europe has taken in?

What have they done?

It's what they could do.

Uh...

Ma'am, why don't you quit while you're ahead?

I'll let the family know.

So you didn't blow up the Capitol, but you took credit for it because the actual attackers wanted to stay anonymous.

Atwood: And the only way for them to do that was to contact you, let you know what type of munitions they used so you can convince the public that it was you.

I'm done here.

That's fine. We're done, too.

Who's gonna call GID?

About Dena?

Yeah.

I'll do it.

Okay.

[Desk clangs]

So, you didn't know that we know about your other family?

The one that wasn't k*lled.

They have such a nice life in Dubai.

Your boy with his soccer team, and your mom getting such great treatment for diabetes.

The thing is, if we send you to Pakistan, they'll also be on a plane in six hours out of DXB.

I guess mom's just gonna have to take her chances with Pakistani hospitals.

Yeah.

And who knows? In her condition, it's gonna be a rough flight.

Wait!

[Breathing heavily]

He said he wanted the same thing...

Death to America.

And you took the credit so they could stay under the radar.

What's his name?

I don't know.

What is his name?!

He didn't say.

You're telling me you signed on to this, and you don't know the person who set you up?

You're gonna lose this family.

You're gonna lose your mom.

All for someone who's playing you like a damn fool!

Catalan!

He said his name was Catalan.

Catalan.

Guard.

[Door beeps]

If you tell anyone... he'll k*ll you, too.

Let him eat.

[Exhales sharply]

[Door slams]

Tom: Earlier, you asked me why I thought I should be your president.

That is a question that I have wrestled with every single day and night since I have been sworn in.

And the only answer I keep coming back to is what I told you last night.

I think that I can effect change and promote unity.

Never before in my life have I felt this more strongly...

The depth of love that I have for this country and its survival.

But I cannot do this alone.

Nor can I waste any more time fighting with you.

We need to move forward together, or I need to step down.

Ladies and gentlemen... this is your moment to choose...

To decide what side of history you want to be standing on when the dust settles.

Thank you.

[Indistinct conversations]

It's in their corner now.

Yeah.

[Sighs] We'll know soon enough.

Those were thoughtful words, Mr. President.

Thank you.

But if you want us to get behind you, don't just tell us what you're gonna do.

Show us.

I would love that opportunity.

Then let's begin with the situation in Florida.

These refugees are emblematic of a much larger issue...

The thr*at to our country from unchecked immigration.

And so we want you to suspend it until we feel safe.

Suspend immigration from where?

Everywhere.

Everywhere?

You understand what that means?

We're not just talking about refugees, then.

We're... We're talking about Australian students, German scientists, engineers from India.

Our security is worth the sacrifice.

And you all feel this way?

Enough of us to stand in the way of your Congress, Mr. President.

So, which do you want more?

Immigration or a Congress?

The choice is yours.

♪ ♪

A nationwide ban on immigration?

I can't believe you really want that.

Please, sit.

Mr. President, we're not talking permanent.

We're talking until things settle.

Are you really so scared of these refugees that you'd be willing to leave your own constituents without a voice in their federal government?

Sir, our people are scared.

It only takes one person to set us back, and that plane is simply a microcosm of a much larger issue.

Our borders are compromised every day.

Foreigners are streaming in on all sides, and we need to stop it.

Our country is not the same anymore.

Not since the t*rrorists took down our Capitol.

Just so we're clear.

If I refuse to allow these people to enter the country, the rest of the governors will get behind me?

A majority, Mr. President.

At that point, no one would want to be left out in the cold.

[Sighs]

[Horn blares]

[Sighs] It's the one time in life I did not want you to be right.

Honestly, me neither.

But you heard him, Jason.

Al-Sakar didn't blow up the Capitol.

And who the hell is Catalan?

[Computer beeps]

We're about to find out.

[Keyboard clacks]

[Computer beeps]

[Sighs]

[Rapid beeping]

Nothing.

How can it be nothing?

Let me try a different spelling.

[Keyboard clacks]

[Computer beeping]

[Sighs]

[Rapid beeping]

No results.

Nothing for our entire t*rror1st database?

What are we missing?

Maybe he lied.

Maybe there is no Catalan.

Or maybe Catalan's bigger than we think.

Maybe he's above even your clearance.

We have 14 hours till we lose him.

Emily: Seth told me what you said to the president.

I think it was really great.

Hello? Aaron?

Rare compliment here.

I-I'm sorry.

What are you reading?

Well, I got... I know you asked the FBI to start vetting MacLeish, but since the president let it leak to some of the governors, I figured I'd get a head start, so I contacted my researcher.

The one who resurrected Jeffrey Myers?

Yeah.

How's it looking?

Well, very vice-presidential.

Hey.

Hey.

Thank you, Wyatt.

Ma'am.

So, I just got off the phone with Governor Baylin of Missouri.

He says the plane can land in Jefferson City and that he will accept all of the refugees, even if Florida won't.

What is it?

It's too late.

The plane left 10 minutes ago for Toronto.

The mother, the father, the baby can stay.

Everybody else had to go.

Well, who says?

The governors.

Me.

I had to make a deal to keep the rest of the governors on board.

Wh... I thought we were on the same page.

We were. We... We are.

Look, they threatened to withhold Congress over this.

I had to give them something.

Tom, those people gave up everything to come here.

This country made them a promise.

Alex, they're going to Canada, not back to Syria.

They'll still be free. They'll still be safe.

Yeah, but they could be free and safe here.

Governor Baylin is ready for them.

Well, unfortunately, he's not in the majority.

No, he was standing up for an American principle.

Who are we without our principles?

Alex, it was an impossible choice.

I know, and you had to make it and you will again, a-and the choices will always be impossible.

That's not gonna change.

But y-you will, and I will, and... this will.

It used to be you and me against the world.

I have an obligation to the country.

I took the job!

I'm not angry with the president.

I am disappointed in my husband.

I need to call Governor Baylin.

[Door slams]

[Sighs]

Aaron: Mr. President.

Please tell me you've got an update on Nassar.

Not yet, sir, but the FBI still has several hours with him.

Then what is it?

Emily: The FBI has indicated that the MacLeish vetting might take some time.

So I had someone do some preliminary digging, make sure there weren't any red flags.

And?

Well, actually, sir, it's looking really good.

I see no reason why we shouldn't move forward.

Okay. Great.

You know, on second thought, I'd like to get to know Congressman MacLeish as a person, not just a file.

What are the chances of having he and his wife over to the White House for dinner later tonight?

Sure. I'm sure that could be arranged.

What about Mrs. Kirkman?

I'll let her know.

Thank you. Have a good night.

Sir.

Mr. President, are you okay?

It's fine.

Thank you.

Good night.

[Door opens]

[Cellphone vibrating]

[Device beeping]

[Cellphone beeps]

Ritter.

Mike. It's Tom Kirkman.

Yes, Mr. President. I know.

[Chuckles]

How are you feeling?

Lucky.

The pain meds don't hurt, either.

[Chuckles]

How are you?

To be honest, I'm just glad to hear your voice.

I don't know how to thank you enough.

You went above and beyond.

I just did my job.

And it's an honor, sir.

I'm about to watch my Caps crush your Islanders.

[Chuckles]

That'll be all the thanks I need.

Well, for one night only, Mike, I'm gonna be rooting for your Caps, too.

Good night, sir.

Get some rest.

Thank you.

[Telephone beeps]

[Sighs]

[Indistinct conversations]

Hey, sorry. Uh, meeting ran over.

Look, basically, I have no time off ever.

Uh, but there's a bottle of sparking cider on the second floor if you still want that drink.

Sounds juvenile. I'm in.

[Chuckles]

But mind if I get a little business out of the way first?

I need a comment.

Sure. What's up... Congress, Al-Sakar, refugees?

It's more of a personal nature.

Okay.

I have a source claiming that Leo Kirkman is not the president's son.

♪ ♪

[Cellphone ringing]

[Cellphone beeps]

Atwood.

What?

How the hell did that happen?

No, we're right outside.

All right, we'll be right there.

What is it?

Nassar.

President Kirkman's promise to rebuild the government is closer to reality today. At the close of the governors' summit, the White House confirmed that all 50 had delivered their appointees to the new Senate and agreed to hold special House elections. This was the first major step for...

You got your Congress.

Hey.

We've got a ways to go, but it's a start.

Look, about earlier today, I...

No. I get it.

You're always gonna disappoint someone.

It's a professional hazard, especially in your line of work.

[Chuckles]

I invited the MacLeishes over for dinner tonight.

I'm vetting him for VP.

I'll just tell them you're not feeling well.

No.

I'll be there.

[Chuckles]

Thank you.

♪ ♪

Man: Let's go. Don't move.

Man #2: Clear the area! Medical personnel only.

Full lock-down.

Full lock-down now!

What happened?!

I went in to get his dinner tray, and I found him like this.

They tried to revive him, but it was too late.

[Sighs]

[Breathing heavily]