Madam Secretary

- Morning everyone. - Morning.

The Senate Intelligence Committee will begin

its investigation into the McCord campaign

this afternoon with a closed hearing

with counselor to the president

and former campaign manager Michael Barnow.

While President McCord is wholly confident that

the Senate Intelligence Committee will find

no evidence whatsoever to support

Senator Hanson's claims that the McCord campaign

cooperated with Iran's interference in the election,

she respects and supports Congress' right

to oversee the executive branch,

and pledges full cooperation.

President McCord's historic education, science,

and infrastructure bill passed with bipartisan support

in Congress last week, and is moving forward.

Finally, following a long-standing

White House tradition,

President McCord will throw out the first pitch

for the New York Mets' opening game at Citi Field this week.

I'm told Syndergaard better watch his back.

I'll take questions.

- Daisy. Daisy. - Steve, go ahead.

This morning saw three major demonstrations

protesting the severe hike in gas prices

brought on by the new gas tax in the infrastructure bill.

How does President McCord respond to the criticism

that this tax unfairly burdens lower-income Americans?

The president is very aware that Americans are

feeling it at the pump this week.

As tough as it is, it's important to keep in mind

that this is a short-term hardship

that will lead to long-term gains.

It's also true that the recent oil refinery fire

outside Philadelphia

caused a spike in fuel prices

- in many eastern states. - Daisy. Daisy.

Keira.

This morning's poll in the Washington Chronicle

show's President McCord's lowest approval rating

since she took office.

Is the president concerned that the controversial

gas tax is responsible for the drop?

Well, the ESI bill is

the most sweeping legislation since the New Deal.

And it's gonna take months and years

before its effects will reach every community.

A poll is just one moment in time.

But the point the protesters are making is that

a uniform fuel tax puts a greater burden

on lower-income Americans,

and it should be replaced by a tax commensurate with income.

Again, the minimal fuel tax is being temporarily inflated

due to the recent oil refinery accident.

So-so you're saying the protesters are overreacting?

Of course not, Frank.

When do you expect the prices to go down?

I don't have projections on that.

Why is the president throwing out

the first pitch for the Mets?

Does she have a special connection to the team?

Well, as president of the United States,

she supports every great American team.

And also, the Mets worked with her schedule.

Thanks, everyone, that's all.

I can admit when I'm wrong.

Are we taking this healthy thing too far?

I wouldn't call it wrong.

It's just a lot of chewing.

You know, you could get your chief of staff

to bring us some of those dumplings.

The fried ones from Imperial Palace.

Sneak it right by the kitchen. Chef Cindy will never know.

It's almost like we both worked in intelligence.

Oh, it's just growing pains.

Madam President?

Good morning.

Oh, you're just in time for

ancient grains and, uh,

marinated tofu.

Yeah, I'm cutting back.

- Russia briefing. - Right.

Yeah. Wait a minute.

Where did I leave that binder?

Bedside table. You really should find

some lighter bedtime reading, babe.

No. Actually, it was great.

State is killing it on this deal with Russia.

You're killing it as well, ma'am.

He has to be nice to me now. It's weird, right?

Well, he is right.

ESI was a huge victory.

Yeah. Not for everyone.

Honeymoon's over.

At least 40% of the country's gonna hate you

at any given time, you might as well get used to it.

I was thinking about responding to the protests.

You know, explain the long-term benefits

- of the bill. - It already passed.

People hear a president talking about taxes,

that's all they hear.

Yeah, well, that's all they're talking about as is.

I mean, we're losing the message.

Well, then, let Daisy face the firing squad.

That's her job.

Elizabeth is the one that talked the Russians into

de-alerting their nukes, Russell.

Why not let her get out there?

Because she's not a diplomat anymore.

She's a leader.

Leaders don't negotiate with protesters, it looks...

- Responsive? - Weak.

You ready?

By all means, let's go hold hands

with a bunch of protesters

who don't know how to open a savings account.

I need the briefing materials for the meeting

with the secretary of commerce.

And cancel my lunch with Senator Baker.

Reschedule it for after the Russian signing.

Where are we with the head count

on the signing ceremony?

Sorry. Yes, they're waiting for you.

Did you hear anything I just said?

Mr. Barnow asked me to wear these. He says

all assistants are leakier than his grandfather's dinghy.

But I assure you, I would never offer

confidential information to any...

I'm confused.

Did we cooperate with the Iran hack or not?

Good morning. We did not.

Then why the hell do I have

22 pages of strategy

for a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing about nothing?

Obviously, this is pure theater.

But with Mike's unusual position at State

and some of his relationships,

we wanted to think through every angle.

Is there anything to worry about?

Is it ever pretty when some puffed-up senator

wants to play Jimmy Stewart and shine a light on the operatives

who actually make this country run?

I never crossed any lines, and I definitely didn't

help Iran hack into somebody's divorce records,

if for no other reason than I wouldn't want anyone

to hack into mine.

That's actually not a bad argument.

Well, keep it minimal in there.

You want political theater? Let's bore 'em to death.

The president made it clear she wants full cooperation.

This is Washington.

I can fully cooperate without giving them anything.

Why is POTUS weighing in on this?

I'm White House counsel, Russell.

She reached out to reiterate her wishes.

I thought I made it clear she's out of the loop.

One leaked comment about strategy,

the press will turn it into a full-blown coverup.

I haven't read her in on anything substantive.

She did, however, say that if questioning gets into

Mike's time as chief of staff, she wants us to answer.

Sure. Why would we bother claiming executive privilege?

This is why I don't want her in the loop.

Don't shoot the messenger.

Guys, we all serve at the pleasure.

That doesn't mean we help her commit suicide.

- Answer, but keep it minimal. - Yeah.

And for God's sake, stop reading her in!

That is her.

Yeah, that is her.

- Hey. - Hi. Hey.

- Uh... - Oh, I'm sor...

- Griffin. Sorry. - Hey. Stevie.

Sorry. I'm never sure if I should introduce myself or...

Yeah, sure. I mean, I have the same problem all the time.

- Not really. Uh, thanks for meeting me. - Of course.

I mean, thank you.

Um, Blake had very nice things to say about you, so...

Really?

That's... Gosh, that's funny. I always thought that

he found me to be a horrible roommate.

No.

But I was a reliable baritone

- in the a cappella group, so... - I see.

...that must have made up for my poor dish washing skills.

- Boy, you're even prettier in person. - Oh...

Sorry. Oh, my God, that's a weird thing to say.

No. No, no. It's totally fine.

- Um... - Forgive me.

No, it's...

I'm actually not really, like,

used to being out in public.

I usually just eat lunch alone at my desk and...

- Sure, sure. - Oh, you have that...

That's so cool, you're with the

- Human Amnesty Association. - Yeah.

They must be really grateful for the attention.

I... hope I'm bringing more to it

than just attention, but they probably are, yes.