House of Cards (2013–2018): Season 5, Episode 12 - Chapter 64 - full transcript

I really wish I could have
changed your mind, Cathy.

-I just--
-Because, you know...

you know, this is just not good for you.

The negotiations with the committee
are just too far down the road.

Well, you agreed to see me
because you're smart.

Because doubt is what
you should be having.

Look, Cathy, I respect you.

We wouldn't have lasted as long together
if I didn't.

-My husband's waiting for me.
-But you're gonna be made to look a fool.

There's no need to insult me, Francis.

Witness after witness is gonna rebut
whatever you have to say.



My testimony is what it is.

It'll all be resolved
in the court of public opinion.

Yes, but who is the public
going to believe?

You or explosive residue
on a terrorist's computer?

Look, Cathy, your testimony's gonna seem
petty and vengeful.

And then where is that gonna leave you?
What prospects?

It's too late.

-You need to take a fall.
-Excuse me?

Look, the committee is just gonna
have to wait.

In two weeks, it's gonna be over anyway,

and you're gonna be
on the wrong side of this thing.

-Well, we'll see.
-Yes, we will.

After you.

But I meant what I said, Cathy.



-[Catherine groans]
-[thuds]

Cathy?

Cathy?

Help! Help! The secretary has fallen!

[theme music playing]

You're a lucky bastard.

Oh, not until the end of the night.
Or should I say, the morning.

Catherine Durant fell? How?

-Well, people fall. That's what they do.
-Yes, they fall when they need to.

Your new friend
is still gonna get impeached.

Well, I hope I can still count

on the good senator's support
when the time comes.

You're a good card player, Mark.

You never talk shop at the table.
It's always when you're cashing out.

Well, my mother raised me well.

The numbers are getting harder and harder
for the senator.

-[stutters] Why is that?
-The money and the calls coming in.

One number goes down,
and the other one goes up.

The senator's feeling the heat,
from where?

Why don't you come in later.
We can talk about it then.

[stammering] No, no, no. Wait a minute.

Danny... I'm counting on his vote.

-Well, you can count it out.
-No. No--

And half of the Democrats as well.

Forget about censure,
the House hasn't even voted yet

on articles of impeachment.

You're not the only one
working the Senate.

-Someone wants Francis out.
-And I'm asking you who.

You've been around a long time.
Nobody tells you how to vote.

They just tell you what happens
if you don't go their way.

Oil's at $50 a barrel.

Nobody's happy with that.

[newscaster] We were hoping
to bring you live coverage

of the judiciary hearing today.

But given the postponement due to
Secretary Durant's unexpected absence,

we'll be switching to the Armed Services
Committee meeting instead,

-[woman] Ma'am?
-where several military officials...

...are citing the increased threat
of ICO--

Today's schedule.

And I thought you might wanna see this.
It's a note from Tom Yates.

Oh, and reminder, we have to get back
to the Soldier Recovery Project.

[Frank] Peace.

That's our goal.

And through peace,
we must find a different way forward.

Colonel Ismat is the leader
of the Democratic faction,

dedicated to freeing the Syrian people.

And since Secretary Durant
is temporarily sidelined,

I'm stepping in today
because the American government

supports any concrete steps
toward stability.

If it is determined
that chemical or biological weapons

have been used in the Syrian conflict,
then from this moment forward,

the United States will be morally
obligated to intervene.

So, the Syrian president
should consider himself on notice.

[reporters clamoring]

Mr. President, given the potential outcome

that the House will affirm
articles of impeachment,

is this the right time to wade
into a Middle Eastern conflict?

Well, the question's off subject,
but I'll answer it.

[softly speaking Arabic]

First of all, the vote is never gonna
get to the Senate.

It's a senseless partisan circus.

My focus is to remain doing my job,

which is to ensure prosperity
for the American people,

and to try to achieve...

I'm sorry, how did you say it again?
Peace?

-Salam.
-Salam...

That's what we're trying to broker here.
Salam.

So let's give the president time
to meet with Colonel Ismat.

I'll take follow-up questions
in the press briefing room.

Maybe I'm being too literal,
but that's the sea at night.

-Do you like it?
-I prefer the reds.

I... I saw a show of his
at the Tate Modern.

I have trouble separating
the man from the art, though.

He was, uh, depressive,
as I'm sure you know.

You can see him fighting his demons.

So Mr. Nasser has arrived?

Uh, here and waiting for my call
at the Four Seasons.

Well, I just... [sighs]
I don't think it's a good idea

for anyone in our administration
to be meeting with a member of ICO.

-He's not a member.
-He went to school with Yusuf Al Ahmadi.

He's a lawyer.
He represents people, organizations.

-One organization, to be exact.
-And he's meeting with me.

[stutters] Where is all this hesitation
coming from?

[stuttering] I'm sorry.
I just have a splitting headache.

Gelsemium.

For migraines. I get them all the time.
It comes out of China.

But don't worry, it's herbal.

You have to be careful of the dosing,
though. Just two drops.

[Claire] Hmm.

You know, it's pure feeling for me.

Light versus dark.

And that line where they meet.

The president had no idea.

[Frank] You were close to Mr. Macallan?

Yes, but that doesn't mean
that I knew what he was up to.

But then how do you know
the president wasn't involved?

I was the last person to see Aidan.
He confessed to me.

He secretly used the NSA, FISA,
to manipulate the electorate.

We're meeting with counsel
to perfect the rest of the testimony.

As long as no one has anything
that contradicts you.

No one does.

-Does it feel good to be back, LeAnn?
-It does. Thank you.

Well, I know Claire is delighted
to have you back in her office.

Will you let me know as soon
as the vice president's meeting is done?

Yes, sir.

I hate having her back. She's a liar.

You think Macallan gave her something
for insurance?

She won't admit it.
But, yeah, I think he did.

Let's get her in front of that committee
when they're up.

Then she'll have to make a choice.

Green is hesitant to testify.

You know, if I didn't know better,
I'd think he was the leak.

He has far more information
than anyone should be comfortable with.

Also, Senator Richardson
hasn't called me back.

Colonel,
my apologies for the interruption.

[speaking Arabic]

And I want to assure you
that your concerns are my concerns.

[continues in Arabic]

The Ahmadi brothers...

their idea of radical Islam
is unsustainable.

Nasser represents members of ICO
who are tired of death.

They essentially control numerous
oil fields and several refineries.

Nasser already met
with the president of Syria.

And Petrov's minister of foreign affairs.
He's looking for a deal.

They wanna be a corporation trading
on the Dow before the decade is over.

They wanna be a part of OPEC.

So where does that leave Colonel Ismat
and the Syrian people?

Alive... once we're on the ground.

Yes, but Russia was invited in.
We need cause.

The Syrian president has gassed civilians.
He will again. I can guarantee it.

Colonel Ismat will make sure of it.
He'll instigate an attack from the regime.

We put troops on the ground,
leave ICO resources alone...

and Nasser will make sure they cooperate.

What is it?

Are you afraid he's gonna be impeached?

'Cause there's a good chance
that he will be.

Is that why you wanna wait?
'Cause... I can make it all wait.

[Claire] Ms. Davis and I had
a very productive talk.

I let her know that our involvement
is contingent on the delivery of Ahmadi.

Yes, but the window is closing for me
to be able to act on this.

Judiciary's not gonna wait.

For this to be effective,
it has to be now or never.

I'll have her reach out to Mr. Nasser.

And, uh, what about the other matter?

-You mean LeAnn?
-Mmm-hmm.

Ms. Davis will speak to her
later this afternoon.

[receiver clatters]

You heard the president.

[clears throat and speaks Arabic]

[in English] Uh,
I'm still at the White House.

-Once we get into Syria--
-Sir, my name is Sean Jeffries.

-I work with--
-Yes, I know who you are.

Sean...

I know what Tom Hammerschmidt
is working on.

Mr. Jeffries, if you need an appointment,
I can arrange one...

Sir, if I could.
Just a moment of your time.

It's confidential.

[door opens]

Oh, if you don't mind,
we'd like this room for a moment.

You have 30 seconds.
But before you start,

am I mistaken,
or is Mr. Grayson your superior?

Yes, I'm sorry, but...

Tom thinks Doug Stamper and yourself, sir,

are somehow involved
with the death of Zoe Barnes.

And Mr. Hammerschmidt has a phone
that was given to Ms. Barnes.

It called only one number,
and that number was yours.

Now, it seems that number has shown up
on the phone that she died with.

It was damaged, but there's technology now

that will give them access to the data
leading up to the day of her death.

Its internal memory. Calls, texts.

It's all there.

When did you start with us?

A week ago.

And it was the vice president
who brought you on?

That's correct.

A week...

and you're already having confidential
conversations with the president.

I am.

If you hear anything else,
you come directly to me.

Yes, sir.

[Green] Whatever you say it is,
it's perjury.

Oh, perjury, huh?

That's where you draw the line?

I'm done.

The case has already been prepared.

TATP was found
on Muhammed Kalabi's computer.

It doesn't matter what Secretary Durant
believes or not.

One is speculation, and the other is fact.

Fact? Really? Is that what it is?

If it sounds like a fact,
then it is a fact.

Kalabi had explosive residue
on his keyboard.

You know the rest of the bureau is done
with the president.

I'm not talking to them.
I'm talking to you.

They've looked the other way,
but for how much longer?

Doug... he's done.

-Where does that leave me?
-That's what we're discussing right now.

Do you know what the president thinks?

He thinks you're the leak.

I wish.

I'm going to give you a moment
to take that statement back.

I'll do what I have to do. I'll testify.

But the president is done.

He's losing support. You can smell it.

Are you working for anyone else?

-Are you working for anyone else?
-No.

And I don't wanna know anything else.

I'm tired of what I know.

[door closes]

Consider me a proxy.

-What?
-They don't wanna ask, but I will.

You need to be fully committed,
which means being fully transparent,

which means handing over what you have.

Slow down, will you, please?

I'd like to get home, Ms. Davis.

LeAnn? LeAnn?

Some nights, I go to a hotel to sleep,
just to get out of my apartment.

Being a woman in this city,
the vigilance it takes...

You're not allowed to make a mistake...
get distracted.

It's a heavy price.

To be on the edge that way
for years and years...

My testimony won't disappoint.

Well, the president and vice president
are pleased, I assume.

But how long before the media starts
asking questions about Macallan's death,

and how he was killed?

[softly] I have your gun, by the way.

-Good night.
-Yes, good night.

[Frank] Claire?

-Yes?
-Claire?

What's the matter?

Hammerschmidt has a new theory.

He thinks Doug Stamper and I
killed Zoe Barnes.

They may have access to my cell phone,
to my texts.

Someone in this White House is talking
to Hammerschmidt

and now this.

[sighs] Oh, Doug.

Poor Doug.

Yes.

He's an unlucky person.

Always has been.

[cell phone vibrating]

[sighs]

-Sir, the senator's support is wavering.
-[Claire] Doug, it's Claire.

I'm sorry, I...

Francis and I were wondering if you could
come up to the residence tomorrow evening.

For dinner.

It'll give us a chance to take a breath
with all that's been happening.

-[sighs]
-[dog barks]

-[cell phone ringing]
-[sighs]

Hello?

[distorted voice] Happy birthday.

-Who is this?
-Come on, you must know by now.

-No, I don't.
-Aidan Macallan.

Look into how he used and abused
the FISA ruling.

How do we know each other?

Now come on. If I told you that,
how can I possibly keep helping you?

And don't you want me to help you?

[stuttering] But where do we meet?
Just give me that.

-In the muck.
-Wait.

Zoe Barnes' death was not an accident.
Doug Stamper killed her.

But you already know that.

[stutters] No, don't hang up.
Don't hang up.

-[line disconnects]
-[dog barks]

[grunts]

The Judiciary Committee may be hoping
Secretary Durant recovers.

But the rest of the world is waiting
to see

how the Syrian president responds
to President Underwood's line in the sand.

Moscow, meanwhile,
calls the president's statements,

"The desperate act of a man
on his way out of office."

Are you in contact with your brother?

[swallows] No.

-Sundays. Occasional birthday.
-Hmm.

I thought you were closer than that.

No. We usually only speak
when one of us is in trouble.

[chuckles]

Well, that's why I ask,

'cause in times like these,
we all need support.

-Well, I'll have counsel.
-[Frank] No, you'll have the best lawyers.

The best of everything. The best.

Would you like some more fish?

No, thank you.

Whatever the Herald has is circumstantial.

Of course.

No one knows what really happened to her,
and no one ever will.

But, look, Doug...

The reason that Claire
and I invited you over tonight

is because we want you to know
how much you mean to us.

To both of us.

-Yes, sir.
-Before we say anything else,

we just wanted to be
absolutely certain that...

you knew that.

Of course.

What we're up against,

what this administration is facing...
Well, what I'm facing...

Even though both of us believe that

there's very little chance
that I could ever be indicted, we still...

have to find a way to remove
this entire issue from the table.

I just can no longer
be associated with this.

I'll resign while I'm dealing with this.

I think this is going to require
more than that.

Well, I'll make a statement...

and blame it on the politics
of personal destruction.

No, Doug, I'm afraid that's just
not going to be enough.

We have to shift... the suspicion.

We need you to--

We need you to implicate yourself
in the death of Zoe Barnes.

Now, before you react, just listen.

You are the most likely candidate
at this point.

You were distraught, you were drinking.

[stammers] The... I don't know.

We'll make up some story,
and then we'll leak it.

You... you were loyal, you did it for me.

You were too loyal. You went too far.

And... and then, in the end,
[stammers] there'll be no question--

Can you excuse me?

Well, it's either a crank looking
for a headline,

or someone on the inside
telling the truth.

-What's your sense?
-He knew about the birthday cards.

[sighs] I don't know.

Maybe the story is the call.
The flash drives. The leaks themselves.

If we call out the leaks,
he may stop contacting me.

And the Macallan business,
is that even a real lead?

None of these sites will admit
to anything.

Because it's an embarrassment.

[woman] An overwhelming amount
of Underwood material

was reported by social media users
in counties that he was expected to lose.

But anyone I reach out to
does not wanna be talking about this.

The leak said it was unauthorized
domestic surveillance.

All the administration has to say is
"terror," and they seem justified.

[stammering]
He wasn't rooting out terrorists.

He was trying to win an election.

And very convenient that
the Secretary of State hits her head.

-Now you sound like a conspiracy--
-I'm not a conspiracy theorist.

I try to imagine what it's like
inside his mind,

what I would do if I were him.

And I'm telling you, it is all sorts of...

He has no ideology. No North Star.

Isn't that the scariest thing of all?

Tom, do you think Zoe Barnes was murdered?

How often does a 27-year-old fall
in front of a train?

-All right, then. Let's prove that.
-All right.

What's wrong?

Doug Stamper's office called.
They wanna set up a meeting.

Soon as possible.

This is good.

Whatever your boyfriend read
off your phone this morning

made its way to the right person.

I don't know how much longer
I can do this.

[stutters] You're lying to a liar.

You can't get anything
off the phone Zoe died with.

They just need to believe we can.

What is this job?

Not what it used to be.

I don't want you to overreact.

But Tom kept writing.
It seems he finally finished his book.

And he alludes to things.

What do you mean "alludes to things"?

I don't know. Lines are blacked out.
It's like it's redacted.

There are paragraphs here and there...

What did you tell him?

What does he know?

Has he shown this to anyone?
Sent it to anyone?

-Publishers, the press?
-I don't know.

Well, what do you know?

I will handle him.
I just wanted you to be aware.

-Son of a bitch.
-I said I'll take care of it.

No, I'll take care of it.
You stay a million miles away from this.

How could you be so stupid...

to fall in love?

[Frank] This thing isn't on the floor yet,
and we're losing senators.

We're losing some maybe, but...

What I like about the Senate
is what I hate.

It's contagious.

One of 'em gets an idea, and it spreads
through the body like a flu.

-I'll look into it.
-[sighs]

There's 100 of 'em.
All we need is half.

[sighs] Can I just lay down?

-I don't think that's a good idea.
-Just for a few minutes.

I'm just so fucking tired,
and I need to think.

-[sighs]
-Why do you need to think?

[sighs]

The longer you hang on
to whatever he gave you,

the more danger you're in.

You're reading this wrong.

You think it's some kind of insurance,
but it's not.

LeAnn...

Whatever happens to the president,
it's not your fault, or mine.

-You don't think I make a difference?
-I didn't say that.

You... you don't think
that I'm dedicated enough?

Too dedicated.

That can be a problem.
That can make you blind.

You have no idea...

[sighs]

I've done something unforgivable, LeAnn.

What?

I killed Zoe Barnes.

Why would you say that?

All I ever tried to do was keep her safe.

She said she wanted to be invisible.

I knew it wasn't possible.

I knew that she would only ever go away...
if I made sure of it.

I don't believe you.

Yes, you do.

Believe me... I deserve this.

Zoe Barnes fell in front of a train.
It was ruled an accident.

I pushed her off the platform
and I walked away.

I know you reached out to Bridget Cohen.

Telling that committee or her
how I got my liver

is not going to help this administration
or you.

But here is what is going to help.

This is what you're going to tell
that committee about Doug Stamper.

You actually live here?

Well... I'm not here that much.

I let friends use it now and again.

-Thanks for your discretion.
-Of course.

I won't be too long.

Take your time.
If you need anything, I'll be on call.

He's reasonable.

Yeah, he needs to be.

Uh, they didn't look that hard.

The Secret Service knows
I have nothing to hide.

He's downstairs.

Make yourself at home.

I used to love to hide as a kid.

I was really good at it.

I could always choose the best places.

Nobody ever found me.

One time, everybody just gave up.

So I stayed put for, like,
13 hours straight.

What do you want?

He said I wouldn't regret it...
if I said yes.

Francis.

When I agreed to write the book
about his origin story way back when.

Hmm.

Well, he regrets asking you now.

I said yes 'cause
I have always been a sucker

for what people tell themselves
about themselves.

Who has the manuscript?

You do.

And publishers?

-Not yet.
-[sighs]

So what did you think?

There are huge sections blacked out, Tom.

You portrayed us
like a couple of monsters.

-I never used that word.
-You didn't have to.

On the flight back from Moscow,
not long after we met...

[liquid pours]

...you and Francis had a fight.

A real knock down.

I told Francis I heard the yelling,
but not the words.

But...

you said you were murderers.

He said you were survivors.

I was dreading coming here.

-Why?
-You can't publish it, Tom.

I'd rather not.

So, what? Money?

Yeah... but enough.

Enough so I can really get lost
for a while.

Buy some time till I figure out
what I'm gonna do next.

We can figure something out.

I bet.

You know, those parts
you blacked out, that's...

-I've never told anyone but you.
-I know.

I know everything.

But isn't that what you wanted?

I miss touching you.

I don't know how to not be around you.

I think of you all the time.
It almost makes me hate you for it.

-I don't know what to do.
-[sighs]

-[Yates] You're so beautiful.
-[both breathing heavily]

-[Claire] Keep going.
-Not just beautiful, beautiful.

There's lots of people like that.

You are radiant, Claire.
And good. You are so good.

-I'm not good.
-[panting] Yes, you are.

-Why won't you kiss me?
-I wanna look at you.

I really do wanna go to Greenland one day.

-We should go.
-Don't stop.

It's so frozen and remote.

The way the...

[groggily] The way the...
Smells before it...

The... You know what I mean?

[mumbles indistinctly]

[grunting]

Help. Help.

[grunting]

-[Yates panting]
-[gasps]

[exhales sharply]

[softly] Tom?

[sighs]

[shuddering]

-There are close to half a million dead.
-[camera shutters clicking]

Over four million refugees,

women and children who have left
the region and require care.

-At least 12 million displaced people.
-[baby fussing]

Homeless wanderers
who no longer belong anywhere.

We are all students of history.

Syria was one of the founding members
of the United Nations, for God's sakes.

How did we get here? We, who sprang from
one of the most ancient civilizations?

At some point, we must accept peace
as the only answer.

All parties must lay down their arms
and begin to talk.

[water running]

[water stops]

Okay.

You were always good at tracking me down.

It wasn't easy.

Movie theater,
the occasional classified meeting.

I know what you're doing.

Well, that's a bit vague.

You're sabotaging him.
Peeling off senators.

I know it's you.

You were much more interesting
when you smoked.

No, I wasn't.

[sighs] The money's not with him, Mark.

The... the Koch brother types,
Wall Street, oil and gas...

Even labor's walking out on him.

He's more resourceful than you think.
He's done a lot without money, okay?

I want you to back off,
let me handle these hearings.

I just got to the White House.
I intend to stick around.

I don't want him to be president.

-The country needs a change.
-Okay, so...

And they don't need to look
any further than his wife.

She's tough, smart.
He's smart, too, but he's not reliable.

Her? You can work with her.
I know you see it, too.

I see a partner when it comes to Syria,
or what's left of it.

Let me try one of those.

I mean, far be it from us to tell
an ancient civilization its business...

but Syria is now basically unrivaled
as the most violent place on the planet.

I know, I know.

I'm not saying what to do
with Frank Underwood

-is not gonna be a difficult problem.
-[chuckles]

But... if we don't establish
a presence in the region...

it's gonna be too late.

-I'd rather have a cigarette.
-Spit it out.

Well... let me buy you dinner
or something.

What? What happened? What's the matter?

I had that child in my arms.

I could feel her breath on me,
but I couldn't look down.

[cell phone ringing]

Excuse me.

Yeah?

Uh, 20 minutes away.

-Okay. I have to go. I'm sorry.
-Do, please.

[sighs]

I'm tired. I'm going to bed.

[door closes]

I need your services.

Jesus.

No.

Now.

I believe Doug Stamper killed Zoe Barnes.

I believe he was unstable

and killed her
to benefit Francis Underwood.

Stop. Stop it, please?
Uh, off the record.

Can you give us a second?
I'll call you back in.

[sighs]

Seth, this has nothing to do
with pay for play, or Kalabi,

or anything else
the president is accused of.

-Where are you getting this?
-This is what I know about Doug.

The chair will not let you testify
in front of the committee with this.

-This is what I have.
-Can you prove any of it?

He's implied that he did it.

I can speak to his behavior.
Things that he's done.

You need to go to the US attorney.

Seth, if you don't, I will.

"I told the president there were
four men by the same name

the State Department was tracking.
Two in the United States."

So said a senior White House source,
as quoted in the Washington Herald.

Were you aware of this conversation?

No, sir, I was not.

The source went on.
"I believe the president understood

that the Muhammed Kalabi in Tennessee
was not a legitimate threat."

Was this conveyed to you in any way?

Again, no, sir.

Still, the committee's looking forward to

Secretary Durant's testimony
on this matter.

I have no idea what the secretary
will say or not say, but I...

have great respect for her
and wish her a speedy recovery.

We were operating off of facts and reports
coming in at an accelerated rate that day.

[scoffs]

I'll try this again.

Did the president indicate to you
at any time

that he knew this was not a threat?

No. And I'd like to point out
that I'm proud to be representing

the men and women of the FBI here today,

who conducted that investigation
as they always do

in a competent, honest,
and independent way,

in the finest tradition of the FBI.

-Did they?
-Our people did their job.

And it's unthinkable to assume the FBI
would involve itself in an election.

Because there may be an innocent man
sitting in a cell as we speak.

I can comment on this
since it was mentioned in the press.

Trace amounts of an explosive material
were found on Mr. Kalabi's computer.

[people murmuring indistinctly]

Your assertion is
that the president was unaware

of what was happening
in his own White House?

Aidan Macallan was an NSA employee,

so, no, the president had no idea
what he was up to.

Honestly, he was quite busy campaigning.

But surely he knew the effects
of Mr. Macallan's work? These exploits?

[LeAnn] No.

The president and... [sighs]
I've been with him out on the stump.

He likes to shake hands.
He's not paying attention to social media.

Ms. Harvey,
there was a FISA ruling issued,

which the Underwood administration used
to spy on American citizens

for the sake of swaying an election.

Congressman Romero,
Aidan Macallan was a troubled person.

His mind worked fast,
faster than I think anyone's should.

What he was up to
went to the grave with him.

Ms. Harvey, please,
spare me the semantics--

-[LeAnn] Okay, fine.
-I just need you--

Was he collecting data? Yes.
Did he cross a line? Most likely.

I did visit with him,
checking in on his work.

Have you seen a screen of code?
Computer code.

It's indecipherable.

[reporters clamoring]

Why did Seth Grayson end up
not testifying?

No comment.

We heard that his testimony had to do
with the president's chief of staff.

Who I would welcome testifying
in front of our committee.

I urge Doug Stamper
and the rest of the administration

to stop hiding behind executive privilege.

All we learned so far
is that the president knew nothing

about anything going on
in his White House.

There were six of them,
and they all took a turn.

Except for Romero.

He only watched.

Or... at least
that's what he told the dean.

But I know the real story.

Her name was, uh, Rochelle.

I thought you had nothing on this guy.
How long have you known this?

I was holding it until...
Or, if we needed it.

No, until you needed it, you mean.

Look, it makes no difference.
I might use it, I might not.

But I still wanna testify.

For you to testify now,
excuse me for saying it, it's crazy.

Do you think it's crazy, Claire?

-I wanna defend myself against this guy.
-We have witnesses.

Our witnesses, surrogates.
Let it come from them.

I think I can win.

Or maybe I should wait
until I lose the Senate--

I just think there are other ways--

If you give up executive privilege,
we lose leverage. We lose it all.

Tell the chair I'm ready to appear.

I mean, the damage your testimony could do
to your wife is not worth the risk.

Oh, its worth is what
we're here to discuss.

I... I don't appreciate being the one
to tell you this, but...

your presidency is beyond repair.

You don't know what I'm going to do next.

Isn't that it?
Isn't that what really bothers you?

Don't think I haven't been watching you
from the moment you stepped on board.

You're full of promises, Ms. Davis.

The information about Macallan
is still out there

and Ahmadi is, oh, so elusive.

You've been sabotaging me from the moment
you stepped into my house.

You don't care for me very much, do you?

No, I don't.

I couldn't care less.

But if you make Claire happy,
that makes me happy.

-If you can help her, good.
-What's it worth to you?

Well, what kind of deal
are we talking about?

For me not to testify.

Well, I have contacts outside the Beltway.

I can set you up in any number
of lucrative positions.

No, that's not good enough.
Anyone could offer me that.

You tell me.

No, no, no.
It's not going to work like that.

-You tell me what you can do for me.
-I've been around your kind.

Not usually at this level.
But you can't help yourself.

[chuckles]

Make me an offer, Ms. Davis.

What is she worth to you?

A lot.

So then here's what I'm thinking.

[chairman] Do you solemnly swear
and affirm

that the testimony you are
about to give is the truth,

the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth?

I do.

Let the record reflect that the witness
has answered in the affirmative.

Mr. President,
I want to thank you for appearing...

and I hope we get to clear some
things up for the American people.

Mr. President, the floor is yours.

You can take as long
or as short as you like.

If you have any written statement,

we will include it after
and it will be part of the record.

-Mr. President, you are recognized.
-Thank you, Mr. Chairman...

and to the other members
of this committee.

I have agreed to appear
before this committee today...

because...

I'm guilty.

[people murmuring]

Guilty of having spent
the last 30 years of my life here...

in this Congress.

In this House.

Then as vice president
and now as president,

trying to do the people's work.

Now, this committee has accused me
of a great number of things.

You accused me of pay to play.

And so I accuse you of exactly the same.

I also accuse you of playing politics
only when it suits you.

[people murmuring]

You're all being paid.

You're all serving some master.

Each and every one of you,
and you know I know that for a fact.

You, for example, Congressman Romero...

and your crusade to take me down,
is it for justice?

For the good of the nation?

[chuckling] Is the truth
what you're really after?

Or is it for some personal gain?

Perhaps to try to fill
the small hole in your soul

that you sold off a long time ago?

-[chairman] Mr. President.
-No, no, no.

This is my opening statement,
and I will give it in full.

I am not done, ladies and gentlemen.

You accuse me of breaking the rules,

and I tell you, I am playing by the rules.

The very rules
that you and I all agreed upon.

The very rules
that you and I all wrote together.

So, yes, I'm guilty as hell,
but then so are all of you.

Yes, the system is corrupt,

but you wanted a guardian
at the gate like me.

And why? Because you know
I will do whatever it takes.

And you have all enjoyed it,

been party to it and benefited by it.

Oh, don't deny it. You've loved it.

You don't actually need me
to stand for anything.

You just need me to stand.

To be the strong man. The man of action.

My God,
you're addicted to action and slogans.

It doesn't matter what I say.
It doesn't matter what I do.

Just as long as I'm doing something,
you're happy to be along for the ride.

And frankly, I don't blame you.

With all the foolishness and indecision
in your lives, why not a man like me?

I don't apologize.

In the end, I don't care
whether you love me or you hate me,

just as long as I win.

The deck is stacked. The rules are rigged.

Welcome to the death of the Age of Reason.

There is no right or wrong. Not anymore.

There's only being in...

and then being out.

So I will not be party to this any longer.

I will not wear the target
for any of you anymore.

You have all used me far long enough.

So, the party's over, the ride's done.

I respect the office too much
to allow this to continue going on.

That's why I am announcing
to this committee and to the nation

that as of 6:00 p.m. tomorrow evening,

I shall resign the office
of President of the United States.

-[all speaking indistinctly]
-Order!

And I will be happy to take
any questions you may have.

But my gut tells me
that isn't really going to be necessary.