>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON," A PRESIDENCY LIKE NO OTHER IS SET TO END WITH AN INAUGURATION DAY LIKE NO OTHER, WITH DONALD TRUMP AND JOE BIDEN NOT TALKING, NOT MEETING, AS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS FILL THE CITY, SOME GETTING PULLED FROM THEIR DUTIES FOR EXTREMIST VIEWS, A SLEW OF LAST-SECOND PARDONS COMING FROM ON HIGH, AND A TRIAL FOR A MAN ONCE ON HIGH.

RETIRED FEDERAL JUDGE NANCY GERTNER AND AXIOS POLITICS EDITOR GLEN JOHNSON JOIN ME ON ALL OF THAT.

THEN, LATER, THE NEW "FRONTLINE" DOCUMENT ON THE MAN TAKING THE REINS.

>> I DON'T THINK ANY PRESIDENT, CERTAINLY IN MY LIFETIME, HAS FACED THE PROBLEMS JOE BIDEN WILL FACE AS THE NEW PRESIDENT.

>> Braude: DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER MICHAEL KIRK JOINS ME ON HOW THE PRESIDENT-ELECT'S PERSONAL TRAGEDIES, POLITICAL FAILURES, AND NEARLY FIVE DECADES OF PUBLIC SERVICE WILL HELP SHAPE HIS FUTURE IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

PLUS, HOW THE SEASIDE TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT HAS BECOME AN UNWILLING POLITICAL TARGET AT THE HOME OF GOVERNOR CHARLIE BAKER AND BEYOND.

AND, FINALLY, SOME OF WHAT YOU'VE BEEN SENDING IN.

>>> AT THIS TIME TOMORROW A NEW PRESIDENT WILL BE IN THE WHITE HOUSE, HOPEFULLY LAYING OUT PLANS TO TACKLE THE MANY CRISES THIS COUNTRY IS FACING.

ALREADY JOE BIDEN AND KAMALA HARRIS HAVE STARTED THE TRANSITION PROCESS, HOLDING A PRE-INAUGURATION MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE NOW 400,000 PLUS PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC SO FAR.

♪ THE BAFFLED KING COMPOSING HALLELUJAH.

HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH ♪ >> Braude: AND NOW THE NATION'S ATTENTION TURNS TO WHAT WE'VE ALWAYS EMPHASIZED IS THE PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF POWER, BUT WITH GREEN ZONES, RED ZONES, AND AROUND 25,000 NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS OUT IN FORCE AROUND D.C., PEACEFUL ISN'T EXACTLY THE FIRST WORDS THAT COME TO MIND.

AND EVEN MORE TROUBLING, AT LEAST 12 NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS HAVE BEEN TAKEN OFF INAUGURATION DUTY AFTER THEY WERE FOUND TO HAVE TIES TO FAR-RIGHT MALITIA GROUPS OR POSTED EXTREMIST VIEWS ONLINE.

TRUMP IS OPTING OUT OF THE BIG HAND-OVER SERM,-OVER CEREMONY.

SO HE CAN HEAD OFF TO MAR-A-LAGO.

A FITTING IMAGE FOR A MAN WHO HAS LONG REFUSED TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY OF HIS ACTIONS, SKIPPING TOWN WHILE HIS SUCCESSOR TAKES THE OATH OF OFFICE UNDER THREAT OF VIOLENCE.

AND WHILE HE LIKELY COULD HAVE CALLED UF OFF THE DOGS ANY TIME BY ADMITTING TO HIS SUPPORTERS THE TRUTH, THAT HE LOST THE ELECTION, INSTEAD OF SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT, THE PRESIDENT IS EXPECTED TO USE HIS FINAL HOURS IN THE WHITE HOUSE TO ISSUE A SLEW OF LAST-MINUTE PARDONS, AND IF THIS BATCH IS ANYTHING LIKE THE OTHERS, IT IS LIKELY TO INCLUDE PLENTY OF TRUMP ALLIES, CORRUPT POLITICIANS, AND PEOPLE WHO PAID BIG MONEY TO TRUMP ASSOCIATES TO HELP MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

AS OF THIS TAPING, NONE IS OFFICIAL JUST YET.

JOINING ME IS RETIRED JUDGE NANCY GERTNER, AND AXIOS POLITICS EDITOR BEN JOHNSON, A FORMER COMMUNICATIONS FOR SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY, AND THE AUTHOR OF "WINDOW SEAT ON THE WORLD."

GLEN AND JUDGE GERTNER, THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME.

>> GOOD BE TO HERE.

>> Braude: JUDGE, YOU WROTE A PIECE IN THE "WASHINGTON POST" A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE PRIOR TRUMP PARDONS THAT DID ADDRESS CRIMINAL UPJUSTICE, WE'LL GIVE YOU THAT.

AND WE KNOW THAT THE PARDON POWER IS ONE OF THE MOST ABSOLUTE IN THE CONSTITUTION, BUT IF PARDONS ARE EITHER SOLD OR TRADED FOR SILENCE, THERE IS POTENTIAL LEGAL LIABILITY, EVEN WITH THIS ABSOLUTE POWER ON THE PART OF THE PRESIDENT.

CORRECT?

>> YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU SAY, I'LL GIVE YOU A PARDON FOR YOUR CRIMINAL CONDUCT, AND IN EXCHANGE YOU DON'T TELL ANYBODY WHAT I DID, THAT WOULD BE THE USE OF A PARDON TO ESSENTIALLY AFFECT BRIBERY.

YOU BRIBE SOMEONE WITH THE PARDON POWER.

BUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN THEN, THE PROSECUTION WOULD CONTINUE IN COURT.

THE PERSON WOULD SAY I WAS PARDONED, AND YOU WOULD THEN LITIGATE THE LEGITIMACY OF THAT PARDON.

IT IS ONE OF THE FEW CASES IN WHICH THE PARDON COULD ACTUALLY BE EXAMINED.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW, GLEN, IT SEEMS TO ME WHO HE ENDS UP PARDONING MIGHT HAVE AN IMPACT ON HOW MANY VOTES THERE ARE FOR CONVICTION.

IF HE CHOOSES TO PARDON SOME OR ALL OF THE RIOTERS, THAT WOULD PROBABLY NOT ACCRUE TO HIS BENEFITS FROM SOME OF THE REPUBLICANS WHO ARE SCARED FOR THEIR LIVES, CORRECT?

>> ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF SOME OF THE EVEN MORE SHOCKING VIDEO THAT HAS COME OUT IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

"THE NEW YORKER" WORKED ON THE GROUNDS, AND HE SHOT FOOTAGE THAT THEY JUST BEGAN AIRING ON SUNDAY THAT SHOWED PEOPLE RIFLING THROUGH THE DESKS OF SENATORS ON THE FLOOR.

AND THE POLICE OFFICER THAT WENT IN THERE AND TRIED TO CALMLY DEFUSE THE SITUATION SAID YOU'RE IN ONE OF THE MOST SACRED PLACES.

SO THAT REALLY WENT INTO THE SENATOR'S HOME TURF AND VIOLATED IT.

AND SO IF THEY WERE GIVEN A MASS PARDON, HE'S GOING TO DEFINITELY AGITATE THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALREADY PRETTY UPSET ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED.

>> Braude: IT IS ONE THING TO VIOLENT THE CONSTITUTION, AND IT IS ANOTHER THING TO MESS WITH US, I GUESS YOU MIGHT SAY.

SPEAKING OF THE RIOTERS, GLEN, STAYING WITH YOU, YOU REFERRED TO THIS AS FORTRESS WASHINGTON.

YOU MENTIONED THAT JOE BIDEN JUST DROVE BY A FEW MINUTES AGO.

AND YOU RISE, I THINK, A REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTION, WHICH IS: WILL THIS LOSS OF FREEDOM BE PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY?

WHAT'S THE ANSWER TO YOUR OWN QUESTION?

>> I THINK, UNFORTUNATELY, EVERY SECURITY INCIDENT ALWAYS EMPOWERS A FREEDOM GRAB BY THE AUTHORITIES.

THEY NATURALLY WANT TO ASSURE SAFETY BY CREATING THE BIGGEST POSSIBLE BUFFER POSSIBLE.

SO WHENEVER THERE AN INCIDENT THAT LENDS CREDENCE TO WHY THAT SHOULD BE THE CASE.

I LIVED HERE FROM '98 TO 2003, AND HAVE BEEN COMING EVER SINCE.

IF IT WAS 9/11OR THE TRUCK BOMBING IN OKLAHOMA CITY, AND NOW THIS INSURRECTION AT THE CAPITOL, THERE IS A FURTHER IM NATION IMMUNEIZATION OF THE PUBLIC ACCESS, ALWAYS UNDER THE GUISE OF PROTECTING AND SECURITY.

THE PEOPLE THAT ALWAYS PAY, WHETHER IT IS PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE BEING BLOCKED OFF, AND DURING THE WHOLE TRUMP ERA, A LARGER BUFFER IN FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE FENCE.

WHO SUFFERS?

THE NORTH AMERICA NORTH NORMAL, LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS.

>> Braude: ON ONE HAND I CONVINCE MYSELF THAT EVEN TRUMP'S DISAPPEARS WILL DO NOTHING TO CAUSE IT TO DISSIPATE WHEN PEOPLE ARE THIS ANGRY AND THIS OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY.

BUT THE FLIPSIDE IS -- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HEARD THIS -- THE RALLIES THAT HAD BEEN ORGANIZED MONTHS BEFORE, GUN RALLIES, IN THE CAPITOL OF TEXAS AND IN THE CAPITOL OF VIRGINIA THIS WEEKEND, WERE MUCH SMALLER THAN IN PAST YEARS, AND EVEN THE ORGANIZERS SUGGESTED THAT THE ARRESTS OF SOME THE INSURRECTIONISTS HAD A DETERRENT EFFECT.

IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS, DOES IT WORK?

>> I'M NOT SURE THAT IT DOES.

THE QUESTION IS: WHO IS IN THAT CROWD?

IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE WERE PEOPLE THERE JUST TO DEMONSTRATE.

THEY DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND THEY WERE THERE TO DEMONSTRATE.

AND THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO RUSHED THE CAPITOL BECAUSE EVERYBODY ELSE WAS DOING IT.

AND THEN THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO CLEARLY HAD AN AGENDA.

AS "THE NEW YORKER" SAID.

THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHERE NANCY'S DESK OR THE WOMAN WHO WANTED NANCY PELOSI'S COMPUTER.

THOSE PEOPLE, CERTAINLY WHAT HAPPENED IN THE CAPITOL DISSUADED THE PEOPLE WHO WERE JUST COMING ALONG FOR THE RIDE.

AND MAYBE THE PEOPLE WHO WERE OPPORTUNISTIC.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT DISSUADE THE HARD-CORE.

ONE OF THE SCARY THINGS IS HOW MUCH THE A.D.L., AND THE VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE MONITORING THESE GROUPS HAVE SEEN BEFORE, SO THEY WERE NOT SURPRISED, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE.

SO I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW HARD-CORE IT IS.

>> Braude: CAN WE TALK, STAYING IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER, THERE COULD BE A TRIAL FOR THIS PRESIDENT IN THE SENATE, MAYBE LATER THIS WEEK OR NEXT WEEK, AND I WANT TO PLAY FOR YOU WHAT MITCH McCONNELL HAD TO SAY ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE TODAY ABOUT LAST WEEK.

>> THE MOB WAS FED LIES.

THEY WERE PROVOKED BY THE PRESIDENT AND OTHER POWERFUL PEOPLE.

AND THEY TRIED TO USE FEAR AND VIOLENCE TO STOP A SPECIFIC PROCEEDING OF THE FIRST BRANCH OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH THEY DID NOT LIKE.

>> Braude: I DON'T KNOW IF HE HAD A HEAD TRANSPLANT, BUT THERE IS A NEW MAN, MITCH McCONNELL.

WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THAT?

THAT HE IS SENDING A MESSAGE TO HIS COLLEAGUES?

HE IS COVERING HIS OWN BEHIND -- THERE IS ALWAYS AN AGENDA WITH MITCH McCONNELL -- WELL, WITH ALL POLITICIANS.

WHAT IS THE AGENDA?

>> EVERYTHING YES TO EVERYTHING YOU SAID.

HE WAS COVERING HIS TALE.

IT WAS HIS PARTY THAT LARGELY ENERGIZED A LOT OF IT.

AND HE HAS A REAL CONCERN ABOUT THE PARTY'S CONTINUING ABILITY TO FUND RAISE.

AND YOU'RE SEEING THESE MAJOR CORPORATIONS CUTTING BACK FUNDING TO INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATES, AS WELL AS THE PARTY TO THE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE, AND THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO REALLY SUFFER IN THAT REGARD.

AND I THINK THERE IS JUST A REAL ANGER.

HE FANCIES HIMSELF A MAN OF HISTORY, HE TITLED HIS BOOK "THE LONG GAME," AND I THINK HE KNOWS THIS WILL BE LOOKED AT VERY HARSHLY IN RETROSPECT.

WHEN HIS INCREASINGLY TART WORDS ABOUT DOOMENT, DONALD TRUMP, HE IS GIVING MORE COVERAGE TO REPUBLICANS WHO WOULD VOTE TO CONVICT.

HE HAS BEEN A DEFENDER OF THE PRESIDENT THROUGHOUT, AND AN ENABLER IN A LOT OF WAYS, BUT AT THIS POINT NOW, IT IS EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF, AND HE IS GOING TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR HIMSELF AND HIS CAUCUS.

>> Braude: JUDGE GERTNER -- I'M SORRY, GO AHEAD.

>> I ALSO WONDER WHETHER THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO AFFECT A PURGE.

OF TRUMP FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

SO THE INVESTIGATIONS OF WHICH HOUSE MEMBERS OR SENATORS WERE, YOU KNOW, COMPLICIT IN ANY WAY -- I MEAN, I WONDER IF THIS IS A MOMENT WHERE HE CAN SAY -- I THINK HE SAID IT AS ONE POINT, WE CAN FINALLY RID THE PARTY OF TRUMP AND TRUMPISTS, BECAUSE HE CAN'T CONTROL THEM.

>> Braude: IF PURGE IS THE GOAL, AND I AGREE WITH YOU, THE ULTIMATE PURGE IS NOT A CONVICTION WITH 67 VOTES.

IT'S A BAN FROM RUNNING FOR OFFICE AGAIN BY -- ALLEGEDLY BY A MAJORITY OF VOTES UNDER THE 14th AMENDMENT, WHERE ONE HAS ALLEGEDLY ENGAGE IN INSURRECTION OR REBELLION.

I READ A LOT ABOUT THE 14th AMENDMENT IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO, AND MOST REPORTERS AND POLITICIANS SAY IF HE IS CONVICTED, THEY COULD THEN VOTE TO BAN HIM FROM RUNNING.

MY READING OF THE HISTORY IS, EVEN IF HE IS NOT CONVICTED, THEY COULD VOTE TO BAN HIM FROM RUNNING FOR FEDERAL OFFICE.

AM I RIGHT OR ARE THEY RIGHT?

>> THERE ARE TWO WAYS THEY COULD BAN HIM.ONE IS THROUGH THE IMPEACHMENT POWER, WHICH SAYS REMOVAL AND A SEPARATE VOTE TO BAN HIM FROM OFFICE.

THE OTHER WOULD BE IF HE WERE CON -- WELL, THE OTHER WOULD BE UNDER -- THE 14th AMENDMENT, SECTION THREE, WHICH WAS THE PROVISION USED TO KEEP CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS FROM RUNNING FOR OFFICE IN THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD.

SO THEY COULD USE THAT, BUT THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE A FINDING THAT HE ENGAGED IN THE INSURRECTION.

AND THE QUESTION IS: WHAT'S THE ENTITY THAT WOULD MAKE THAT FINDING?

SO LET'S IMAGINE TRUMP IS NOT IMPEACHED, OR HE IS IMPEACHED BUT NOT BANNED FROM OFFICE.

>> Braude: HE WAS IMPEACHED.

>> HE WAS IMPEACHED BOT BUT NOT BANNED FROM OFFICE.

LET'S SAY HE TRIES TO RUN IN 2024, AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF NEW YORK, OR FLORIDA, CANNOT ACCEPT HIS CREDENTIALS ON THE GROUNDS HE PARTICIPATED IN AN INSURRECTION.

THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE A LEGAL PROCEEDING TO DETERMINE IF THAT WERE TRUE.

>> Braude: SPEAKING OF THAT, WE ONLY HAVE A MINUTE LEFT.

STARTING WITH YOU, JUDGE, WHAT IS DONALD TRUMP'S GREATEST LIABILITY STARTING AT 12:01 TOMORROW?

>> CLEARLY IT IS NEW YORK STATE.

IT IS CLEARLY -- THE D.A.

OF NEW YORK, SUFFOLK COUNTY IN NEW YORK CITY -- HE HAS ONGOING FINANCIAL INVESTIGATIONS THAT HAS TO DO IRISHLY WITH INITIALLY WITH THE PAYMENT TO STORMY DANIELS.

THERE IS AN ATTORNEY-GENERAL INVESTIGATION IN NEW YORK ABOUT HIS VARIOUS NOT-FOR-PROFITS.

GEORGIA STATE MAY HAVE AN EXTORTION INVESTIGATION BECAUSE THREATENING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

WHO KNOWS?

AND THEN THERE IS THE COLLAPSE OF HIS FINANCIAL EMPIRE.

WHO KNOWS AT THIS POINT.

I THINK WE HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE IF HE IS GOING TO PARDON HIMSELF.

REPORTS SAY HE IS NOT.

>> Braude: AND IF HE DOES, WHETHER IT HOLDS UP.

GLEN, YOU HAVE 15 SECONDS.

WHAT ON THAT LIST DO YOU THINK TRUMP FEARS MOST?

>> I THINK HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT HIS LIQUIDITY FOR HIS FINANCIAL EMPIRE, THE BANK CUTTING OFF FUNDING OR SOME OF THE MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES GETTING NERVOUS ABOUT LENDING HIM MONEY GOING FORWARD, AND I THINK THE COURT ACTION IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF MANHATTAN, AND A GEORGIA SECRETARY OF STATE WHO TAPED HIS ENTIRE PHONE CALL.

THAT IS PRETTY SOLID EVIDENCE HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO OVERCOME.

BOTH WILL MAKE IT VERY HARD FOR HIM.

>> Braude: GLEN AND JUDGE GERTNER, THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR TIME.

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, JOE BIDEN PORTRAYED HIMSELF AS THE ANTI-DONALD TRUMP.

AND TOMORROW HE IS EXPECTED TO DO THE SAME, CENTERED AROUND THEMES OF UNITY OVER DIVISION.

THEY ARE CHARACTERISTICS BIDEN HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR.

SHAPED IN LARGE PART BY A SERIES OF PERSONAL TRAGEDIES AND FAILURE, INCLUDING HIS OVERSIGHT OF THE ANITA HILL HEARINGS IN THE SENATE, AND THE DEATH OF HIS FIRST WIFE, NEILA, THEIR INFANT DAUGHTER, NAOMI, AND IN 2015, HIS SON BEAU BIDEN.

WHOM THE PRESIDENT MENTIONED EARLIER TODAY.

>> I ONLY HAVE ONE REGRET: HE IS NOT HERE.

BECAUSE WE SHOULD BE INTRODUCING HIM AS PRESIDENT.

>> Braude: AND NOW A NEW DOCUMENTARY FROM FRONTLINE IS LOOKING AT HOW THESE LOW POINTS LED TO HIGHER ONES.

>> THIS MAN WHO WANTED TO BE PRESIDENT FOR HALF A CENTURIES, WHO FAILED, AND FOUND HIMSELF AT THIS NATIONAL CRISIS, AND THAT'S WHEN THE COUNTRY SEES HIM FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> IT WILL TOUCH EVERY BIT OF WHAT JOE BIDEN HAS LEARNED OVER HIS 50 YEARS IN OFFICE.

>> Braude: THE FILM IS TITLED "PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN."

AND MICHAEL KIRK IS HERE.

WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT A 50-YEAR RETROSPECT OF THE GILE, YOU WOULDGUY, YOU WOULD THINK IT IS ABOUT -- YOU WOULDN'T THINK IT WAS ABOUT FAILURES.

BUT IT IS ABOUT FAILURE AND PAIN.

>> IT IS AN AMAZING SAGA OF FAILURE, INADEQUACY, MISTAKES, FAILED POLICIES.

AND JOE BIDEN COULD NEVER GET MORE THAN A 1% VOTE NATIONALLY AND SUDDENLY FINDS HIMSELF MEETING THE MOMENT NOW.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW WHAT IS MOST AMAZING FOR ME, PARTICULARLY IN THIS TIME OF ALLEGED RACIAL RECKONING, I GUESS HISTORY WILL DECIDE IF WE'VE HAD A RECKONING, HE TOTALLY MISHANDLED THE ANITA HILL HEARINGS, AND I THINK THERE IS A BROAD CONSENSUS ABOUT THAT, AND CHAMPIONED A CRIME BILL THAT TREATED PEOPLE OF COLOR VERY UNKINDLY, AND NOT ONLY DID HE SURVIVE THOSE, BUT COULD MAKE THE ARGUMENT HE WAS ELECTED BECAUSE OF THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT OF BLACK AMERICANS.

HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THAT?

>> FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, HE HAS BEEN PART OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

FIRST IN DELAWARE, AND, YES, HE HAS MADE ALL OF THESE MISTAKES.

THE THING ABOUT BIDEN IS HE APOLOGIZES, HE LEARNS, HE MOVES FORWARD AND PERSEVERES.

AND IN THE CASE OF KAMALA HARRIS, FOR EXAMPLE, SHE DEVOURS HIM IN THAT FIRST DEBATE.

HE NOT -- IT'S NOT THAT HE FORGIVES HER, IT IS THAT HE RECOGNIZES SHE MIGHT HAVE BEEN RIGHT.

I THINK HE HAS PAID A LOT OF PENANCE FOR THINGS HE HAS DONE IN THE PAST, AND SOMETHING CRITICAL HAPPENED FOR JOE BIDEN, AND I THINK IT IS WHY HE IS HERE TODAY.

HE GOT WHAT THEY CALL THE OBAMA HALO.

BY WORKING FOR OBAMA, A BLACK PRESIDENT, AND BEING SENT INTO THE FRAY TO DEAL WITH AN AWFUL LOT OF THOSE KINDS OF ISSUES, HIGHLY-CHARGED RACIAL ISSUES, AND I THINK HE EARNED THE RIGHT TO BE BACK.

THAT IS PART OF WHY WE FIND HIM HERE TODAY, AND IT IS CERTAINLY WHY HE MIGHT HAVE WON IN SOUTH CAROLINA, ACCORDING TO CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN WHO SAID, THIS IS IT, THE BLACK PEOPLE MADE JOE BIDEN PRESIDENT.

>> Braude: SPEAKING OF MISTAKES BY BIDEN, HE SURVIVED THE CLEAN AND ARTICULATE LINE ABOUT THE FIRST SERIOUS AFRICAN-AMERICAN CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENCY, AND BY SERIOUS MEANING ONE WHO HAD A CHANCE FOR THE NOMINATION.

AND THEN HE IS PICKED AS HIS VICE PRESIDENT.

AND IN ONE OF HIS MANY TAISKSTASKS OF JOE BIDEN, WHEN THERE WAS RACIAL CONFLICT, THE GUY THAT WAS SENT OUT WAS JOE BIDEN.

THE PART OF THIS FILM THAT WILL STAY WITH ME FOREVER, WHEN HE GOES TO SPEAK AT THE MEMORIAL, WHEN TWO COPS ARE KILLED IN NEW YORK CITY, RAMOS AND LOU, AND THE FAMILY OF THE LATTER IS NOT THERE, HE SAYS TO HIS PEOPLE, I WOULD LIKE TO GO VISIT OFFICER LOU'S FAMILY.

CAN YOU TELL THAT STORY, PLEASE, MICHAEL.

>> THEY HASTELY ARRANGED AN ESCORT AND THEY TAKE HIM OUT TO QUEENS, TO THE HOUSE.

HE GOES IN -- HE AND JILL GO IN.

AND THE HOUSE IS FILLED WITH LOU'S FAMILY.

THE FATHER DOES NOT SPEAK ENGLISH.

HE SITS NEXT TO JOE.

THEY'RE IN THE KITCHEN DOING WHAT BIDEN HAS BECOME FAMOUS FOR, A LONG TALK, PERSONAL TALK.

THE FATHER SAYS HE KEEPS LEANING INTO HIM SAYING, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THE ONLY WORDS HE KNOWS.

SUDDENLY THERE THEY ARE, IT IS OVER, AND HE IS OUT ON THE STREET, AND MR. LOU HAS FOLLOWED HIM OUT, AND THERE IS A HUG, ONE OF THE MOST EMOTIONAL MOMENTS IN THIS FILM, MAYBE THE MOST EMOTIONAL.

AND IT SAYS SOMETHING THAT IS DEEP AND PROFOUND ABOUT JOE BIDEN.

THERE MAY BE MANY PARTS THAT ARE QUESTIONABLE, BUT THIS PART IS RIGHT -- IS LAID OUT RIGHT THERE FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Braude: I WAS LOOKING, AS YOU WERE SPEAKING, AT THE PHOTOGRAPH OF MR. LOU HUGGING THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, DOESN'T SPEAK ANY ENGLISH, NEVER MET HIM, JUST SUFFERED THE LOSS OF HIS SON.

HE IS TALKING TO SPOUSAL SOMEBODY WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT LOSS.

IT IS AS BEAUTIFUL AND TOUCHING MOMENT OF AMERICAN POLITICS, OUTSIDE OF POLITICS.

YOU HAVE TO COME FULL CIRCLE, WHEN BEAU BIDEN DIES, I THINK JILL BIDEN TELLS YOU THERE WAS SOMEBODY STANDING IN THE LONG LINE AT THE MEMORIAL.

WHO WAS THAT, MICHAEL?

>> SIX MONTHS AFTER THE PICTURE WHERE THEY'RE HUGGING IN THE STREETS, BEAU DIES.

AND SUDDENLY JOE AND JILL ARE SHAKING HANDS WITH EVERYBODY, AND WHO WALKS UP?

MR. LOU AND HIS WIFE.

>> Braude: UNBELIEVABLE.

WE ARE REPLACING A MAN WITH ABSOLUTELY NO EMPATHY WITH A MAN WHO EXUDES EMPATHY OUT OF EVERY PORE.

HERE IS JOE BIDEN AT ONE OF THE DEBATES WITH DONALD TRUMP FROM YOUR FILM.

>> YOU FOLKS AT HOME, HOW MANY OF YOU GOT UP THIS MORNING AND HAD AN EMPTY CHAIR AT THE KITCHEN TABLE BECAUSE SOMEBODY DIED OF COVID.

HOW MANY OF YOU ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU LOST YOUR MOM OR DAD AND YOU COULDN'T EVEN SPEAK TO THEM.

YOU HAD A NURSE HOLDING A PHONE UP SO YOU CAN SAY GOOD-BYE?

>> Braude: WHETHER ONE LIKES HIS POLITICS OR NOT, WHETHER YOU VOTED FOR HIM, THIS IS A HUMAN BEING WHO CARES DEEPLY ABOUT FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN PAIN.

ARE YOU IN THE SAME PLACE I AM?

>> GRIEF COUNSELOR IN CHIEF IS WHAT GOT HIM ELECTED.

THE QUESTION WOULD BE: HOW DO YOU PLAY THAT ROLE TO 80 MILLION PEOPLE, 90 MILLION PEOPLE, 200 MILLION PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE DIVISION THAT HAS BEEN MADE EVEN WORSE AFTER JANUARY 6th, AND THE THREATS THAT HANG OVER HIS PRESIDENCY FROM ALL DIRECTIONS?

HOW DO YOU DO IT?

IS THAT WHAT YOU FALL BACK ON?

CAN YOU FIND THE WAY TO HAVE THE MODERN-DAY EQUIVALENT OF THE FIRESIDE CHAT WITH 500,000 AMERICANS, WHICH SEEMS TO BE WHERE WE'RE HEADED WITH THE DEATHS OF CORONAVIRUS.

I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE BIG CHALLENGES FACING JOE BIDEN.

HE MAY HAVE BEEN ELECTED ON THAT, AND NOW HE HAS TO DELIVER AND HOW DOES HE DO THAT?

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE WATCHING.

ME, ESPECIALLY, I'M ON THIS CASE, AND IV TO KNOW WHATI HAVE TOKNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING AND TELL IT TO YOU.

>> Braude: MICHAEL, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THE FILM IS "PRESIDENT BIDEN," AND YOU WATCH IT HERE AT GBH 2 AND ONLINE.

POLITICIANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE SEEN THEIR HOMES BECOME POLITICAL TARGETS, FROM DEMOCRATS LIKE HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI AND MICHIGAN GOVERNOR GRETCHEN WHITMER, TO MITCH McCONNELL TO NEW HAMPSHIRE GOVERNOR SUNUNU.

ARMED MEN OUTSIDE HIS HOME CONVINCED HIM TO MOVE HIS INAUGURATION INDOORS.

IT IS A DYNAMIC THAT IS PLAYING OUT HERE IN MASSACHUSETTS, TOO.

UNFORTUNATELY FOR GOVERNOR CHARLIE BAKER, AND HIS NEIGHBORS.

>> IT IS EASY TO FEEL ENVIOUS WHEN YOU SEE THE GOVERNOR'S HOMES, BUT ON DOZENS OCCASIONS HERE THE SCENE HAS BEEN FAR FROM ID DILL LICK.

IDYLLIC.

TIME AND TIME AGAIN, BAKER'S HOME HAS BECOME A HEADLINE-MAKING TARGET.

ONE GOT HIT WITH A RETRAINING ORDER AFTER DUMPING USED NEEDLES ON A SIDEWALK.

A DANVERS MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER WALKING RIGHT INSIDE.

AND THEN THERE ARE THE REGULAR VISITS FROM DIANA PLOSS, A RABID SUPPORTER OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

FOR MONTHS, PLOSS AND HER ALLIES HAVE BEEN SETTING UP IN THE VICINITY OF BAKER'S HOME, RAILING AGAINST COVID RESTRICTIONS, AND CLASHING WITH COUNTERPROTESTORS.

>> I'M NOT TOUCHING YOU.

>> YES, YOU DID.

>> Reporter: FOR BAKER AND HIS NEIGHBORS, THOSE ARE A POLITICAL MIGRAINE.

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR SEAN FITZPATRICK CITES TRAFFIC PROBLEMS AND THE SHEAR VICINITY OF THE PRO-TRUMP RALLIES.

>> SEEING A CONFEDERATE FLAG RIGHT ON OUR CIVIL WAR MONUMENT SHOULD CAUSE EVERYONE TO REALLY PAUSE AND THINK, WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

AND WHAT KIND OF RACISM IS IT?

>> Reporter: BUT HE SAYS GIVEN THE FIRST AMENDMENT, THE TOWN DOESN'T HAVE MANY OPTIONS.

>> WE'VE BEEN IN CONSTANT CONVERSATION WITH TOWN COUNSEL, LOOKING AT WHAT ARE OUR LEGAL REMEDIES.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO PREVENT SPEECH, NOR, I THINK, WOULD ANY OF US WANT TO.

>> Reporter: THAT LACK OF RECOURSE IS ESPECIALLY DISMAYING TO TAM TAMY MENEIDE, THE FACILITATOR OF OF AN ONGOING CONVERSATION ABOUT RACISM IN TOWN.

SHE HAS BEEN TARGETED BY PLOSS, WHO SHE HAS NEVER MET, WHO ACCUSED HER OF WORKING FOR THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY.

>> I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THIS WILL PASS.

BUT IT DIDN'T.

IT'S A LITTLE SCARY GOING OUT, PARTICULARLY WITH MY SON.

>> Reporter: ADDING TO THAT UNEASE, THE RECENT EMBRACE OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE BY SOME TRUMP LOYALISTS.

STILL, FITTIPALDI SAYS FITZGERALD SAYS HE IS GUARDEDLY OPTIMISTIC.

>> WE HAVE A CLEAR AND PRESENT CHALLENGE, AND I THINK WE'LL RISE TO IT.

>> Reporter: THAT IS THE BEST-CASE SCENARIO AT A TIME WHEN DARKER ALTERNATIVES ARE ALL TOO EASY TO IMAGINE.

>> Braude: TAMY MENEIDE SAYS SHE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE SWAMPSCOTT P.D.

TO ENSURE HER SAFETY, AND SHE HOPES WE KEEP CRAP PELLING WITH HOW RACISM PLAYS OUT IN TOWN.

JANE SENT IN THIS PHOTO OF A REFLECTION OF THE SKY ON A BUILDING IN BOSTON HARBOR.

AND THIS ONE, ABOUT A COUPLE AT A HOME CARE, AFTER THE COVID OUTBREAK, THEY STARTED SINGING TO EACH OTHER TO STAY CONNECTED.

♪ IT MAKES MY HEART BEAT FAST ♪ ♪ I HOPE THIS FEELING LASTS ♪ >> Braude: I TOTALLY LOVE THAT.

IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SEND IT TO US ON THE ADDRESS ON YOUR SCREEN.

THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT.

PLEASE COME BACK TOMORROW AS WE REFLECT ON THE TRANSITION FROM ONE ADMINISTRATION TO THE NEXT, AND START DOWN THE LONG AND BUMPY ROADED AHEAD.

I'LL BE JOINED BY THE CHAIR OF THE NAACP COMMITTEE MICHAEL CURRY AND HEATHER COX RICHARDSON.

FOR NOW, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

PLEASE STAY SAFE.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org