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According to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter, Scarborough and Brzezinski were credibly concerned that they could face governmental and legal harassment from the incoming Trump administration.

Knowing that Trump has threatened retribution against his perceived political opponents, and that Trump has promoted lies about Scarborough and Brzezinski in the past, the MSNBC hosts decided to reach out to the president-elect.

The two sources agreed with Joe and Mika's impression of the situation – namely, that the incoming Trump admin could use its wide-ranging powers to punish people deemed enemies. Others at MSNBC are not so sure. Here's my story about the internal debate >>