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Rating Obama At White House Correspondents' Dinner; Masses Congregate In Boston To Honor Bombing Victims; Congressman Peter King Attacks Eric Holder In Boston Bombings Update

Aired April 28, 2013 - 17:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, I'm Carol Costello. Thank you so much for joining us this afternoon. This is CNN's special edition coming to you from Boston.

Take a look around me. I'm standing in Copley square in the midst of this make shift memorial. And look at all the people still coming through here. It is just amazing. Hundreds and hundreds of people coming to look at this wonderful display. And you are looking at it right now. Running shoes and obviously runners have left their shoes. Don't know if they're from the actual Boston marathon, but on many of the shoes you can see "Boston." So, I'm assuming this person ran in the Boston marathon, then left the shoes as a memorial to those who are injured at the Boston marathon.

There is also this chain. And you know, everyone has a theme. I'm just going to read some. Strength. Hope. Love you, Boston. This one, God bless Boston. Love Erin, Kristin, Katherine and John. God bless Boston. Stay strong.

That's pretty much the theme from the messages you read here. It's we love you, you're in our hearts, we cried for you, but now, we are only hopeful because we know Boston will bounce back. And Boston will be strong.

And I'm telling you, I just want you to see the number of people here because it is just so amazing. So, take a look at crowds of people. And they are coming from all over the east coast just to take a look at this make shift memorial that popped up seemingly out of nowhere.

We are going to be talking to people a little bit later to ask them why they feel it is so important to come here today on this beautiful day in Boston and remember a tragedy.

But first, we want to talk about the investigation because there are some new developments, some new leads. Susan Candiotti is in Devens, Massachusetts where the federal prison is, where the youngest suspect is now being held.

Susan, bring us up to date.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Carol.

Well, as you said, there are so many aspects of this investigation that are going on. But there's considerable debate now about the disclosure that the Russians had been wiretapping the mother of the bombing suspects, at least we know of in early 2011. This information coming to light only in the last 24 hours or so that the Russians were wiretapping the bombing suspect's mother and our sources tell us, sources who have knowledge of this investigation, that the wiretap involved a phone call from one of the bombing suspects, we don't know which brother, to his mother who was in Russia at the time in early 2011 and that the subject was about jihad.

Now, sources describe this conversation as being vague, but nevertheless, the Russians did not disclose it to the FBI until, well, within the last few days. So, everyone is wondering why is that? It makes one wonder what was the context of this investigation, how long had the Russians been wiretapping, eavesdropping on this mother. Why were they eaves dropping on her, and why are we only learning about this now?

So Carol, that's just one of the things we're discussing this day.

COSTELLO: So many still unanswered questions.

Susan, you are outside that prison. That's where this youngest suspect is being held. Is there any update on his condition?

CANDIOTTI: No, we don't know about his condition. The prison here is not announcing that. They are saying it is up to the FBI which has no information for us at this time. We do know this. The prison spokesman did tell us that the suspect in this case, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, is talking with the people who are taking care of him. However, no one is telling us whether he has had any visits from his lawyer or from investigators, for that matter. So now, we are simply waiting to see what will happen next. For example, we know he is charged. The question is when might he be indicted by a federal grand jury? Perhaps that could happen as early as this week -- Carol.

COSTELLO: I'm sure you will be standing by and we will see.

Susan Candiotti, reporting live from Devens, Massachusetts.

Harsh words today for attorney general Eric Holder and his handling of the Boston bombing suspect.

Athena Jones joins us from the White House.

And some Republicans are blasting Mister Holder.

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Carol.

That's right. The issue here is the timing from when this suspect was read his Miranda warnings, when he was advised he has the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer. That happened on Monday and there are a lot of members of Congress, many of them Republicans, who say they should have waited longer, they could have don't more information from this suspect had they waited to read him those rights and that now we might not get answers to many, many questions like how they were radicalized, if anyone else was involved in this.

And so, Eric Holder made his first comments to our own Brianna Keilar last night when she had had a chance to ask him about this whole debate about the timing of the reading of those Miranda rights. Let's listen to what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIC HOLDER, U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: The decision to Mirandize him is one that the magistrate made and that was totally consistent with the laws that we have. We had a two-day period that we were able to question him under the public safety exception so I think everything was done appropriately and we got good leads.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JONES: And so, that was the attorney general answering some questions on this for the first time. But I can tell that you that Republicans aren't satisfied with this. We heard from Republican Peter King who responded to holder's remarks. Let's listen to that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. PETER KING (R), NEW YORK: Eric Holder now said he approved that interrogation being stopped? That's absolutely disgraceful because that interrogation could have ended up saving American lives. We don't know what the full consequences are going to be, who else was involved, who was involved then, who could be involved in the future. We may not know because of Eric Holder.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JONES: And so, you heard Peter King, not happy. And this debate is not going to end even though those rights were already read, it was already a done deal. We still have people who are asking questions, for instance, house intelligence committee chairman Mike Rogers had sent a letter to the justice department demanding answers to a long list of questions about how this decision was made to Mirandize this subject. So, the story's definitely not over here -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, Athena Jones reporting live from Washington this afternoon.

Nearly two weeks after the bomb blast, dozens of people are still in the hospital. Here is what it stands right now. Twenty-eight victims remain in Boston hospitals. That's three fewer than yesterday though. One patient is in critical condition. The largest number of patients remains at Brigham and women's hospital. Nine people being treat there.

So many people have come to downtown Boston today to pay their respects to the bombing victims. And while we mourn those who died an remember those who were hurt there is a sense of healing and hope an defiance. Bostonians refuse to cower in the face of terror.

Joining me now is Mary Beth Morgan. She came down here to take a look at memorial.

Thank you so much for talking to me. Are you from Boston?

MARY BETH MORGAN, BOSTON: Yes, Cambridge.

COSTELLO: So, is this a normal day in Copley square?

MORGAN: A little more people though it is usually pretty busy.

COSTELLO: I couldn't believe earlier the number of people here. There was a line around the block of people waiting to go through this memorial.

MORGAN: Well, I think a lot of people want to be here an feel what's going on and be with everybody else.

COSTELLO: Why did you decide to come and take a look at memorial today?

MORGAN: Some friends and I came down for a song for peace concert here at trinity church. So, it was a beautiful group of folk singers.

COSTELLO: Have you wandered through yet?

MORGAN: Yes, I did.

COSTELLO: And what struck you as you wandered through?

MORGAN: I think just seeing all the different thoughts and prayers that people send in their own ways, from shoes to flags to just little statements.

COSTELLO: The flowers, the teddy bears, you know, older people, younger people, children. It is amazing to me. There's sort of a theme to the messages, I think. It is -- the theme is we love you, Boston. Be strong because we are there for you.

MORGAN: Right. I think a lot of people feel that and just want to have a way of saying it and just feeling together. I mean, marathon day is pretty big in Boston. It's just an amazing energy and for events to happen on that day, it touches people deeply.

COSTELLO: Well, it's interesting. You know, as I go by and I talk with people. And sometimes when I'm live on the air people want to stand beside me and they want to chant "Boston strong." I mean, they're eager to talk. That's unusual. Usually people don't want to talk to the media, and they certainly don't want to be on camera. But, they seem eager to and just surprises me. Why do you think that is?

MORGAN: I think people are just holding on to something. And right now it is about being strong and pulling together and finding support in one another because it is hard to understand and put any meaning and sense to this. So, I think just kind of chanting that "Boston strong" helps you feel it and then bring it to everybody else. COSTELLO: It is nice to be in the midst of an America where people care about one another.

MORGAN: Yes, it is. Boston doesn't always have the reputation after warm and friendly place. Think -- I hope people see it in a different light.

COSTELLO: I'm sure they do. Mary Beth, thank you so much for talking with me. I so appreciate it.

MORGAN: Thank you so much.

COSTELLO: When we come back, in the NEWSROOM, last night the White House correspondents dinner took place. President Obama took the stage, but he also took some time to remember those affected by the Boston bombings and thank the first responders who rushed in to help. We will look at what else he said ahead and we will run some his jokes by you, too.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Whatever you think of his politics, the president proved he can deliver a one-liner. After his performance at the White House correspondents dinner, Mr. Obama earned a new title -- comedian in chief. Here's a sampling.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The problem is that the media landscape is changing so rapidly. You can't keep up with it. I mean, I remember when buzz feed was just something I did in college around 2:00 a.m.

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: It's true. Recently though I found a new favorite source for political news. These guys are great. I think everybody here should check it out. They tell it like it is. It's called whitehouse.gov. I cannot get enough of it.

The fact is, I really do respect the press. I recognize that the press and I have different jobs to do. My job is to be president, your job is to keep me humble. Frankly, I think I'm doing my job better.

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: So, part of the problem is everybody is so cynical. I mean we are constantly feeding cynicism, suspicion, conspiracies. You remember a few months ago, my administration put out a photograph of me going skeet shooting at camp David? You remember that? And quite a number of people insisted that this had been photo shopped. But tonight I have something to confess. You were right. Guys, can we show them the actual photo?

(LAUGHTER) OBAMA: We were just trying to tone it down a little bit. That was an awesome day.

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: There are other new players in the media landscape as well, like super PACs. You know that Sheldon Adelson spent $100 million of his own money last year on negative ads? You have got to really dislike me to spend that kind of money. I mean that's Oprah money. You could buy an island and call it Nobama, for that kind of money. Sheldon would have been better off offering me $100 million to drop out of the race.

(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: I probably wouldn't have taken it, but I thought about it. Michelle would have taken it. You think I'm joking.

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: I know Republicans are still sorting out what happened in 2012. But one thing they all agree on is they need to do a better job reaching out to minorities. And look. Call me self-centered, but I can think of one minority they could start with. Hello!

(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: Think of me as a trial run. You know? See how it goes. If they won't come to me, I will come to them. Recently I had dinner. It's been well publicized. I had dinner with a number of Republican senators, and I will admit, it wasn't easy. I proposed a toast. It died in committee.

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: Of course, even after I've done all this, some folk still don't think I spend enough time with congress. Why don't you get a drink with Mitch McConnell, they ask? Really? Why don't you get a drink with Mitch McConnell?

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: You have to admit, that was funny, OK. Of course there is another side to the White House correspondents dinner as well. That would be the social side. That's where Washington power players mixed with the Hollywood elite. We are going to talk about that when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: I understand second term, need a burst of new energy, try some new things. And my team and I talked about it. We are willing to try anything. So, we borrowed one of Michelle's tricks. I thought this looked pretty good.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: I think that was my favorite part. White house correspondents dinner is the place are where Washington's elite mixes with Hollywood a-listers. And it just shows us a side of life in the capitol we don't often see, the social side, a side with a sense of humor.

Let's talk about that with a woman who really knows D.C.'s social scene, Amy Argetsinger, writes a column called a reliable source for "the Washington Post."

Hi, Amy.

AMY ARGETSINGER, WRITER, RELIABLE SOURCE, THE WASHINGTON POST: Hello.

COSTELLO: OK. So, I take it you were there last flight. So, tell me what the red carpet was like.

ARGETSINGER: You know, I actually avoid the red carpet. And if you are a real Washingtonian, you just avoid the whole red carpet scene. The red carpet is for the tourists and for it is for the stars. If you are a regular Washingtonian going to dinner, you scoot around that. No one wants to see you walk around that and neither do you want to be in the mob of people who are watching it. If you can get a ticket to the dinner, you'll have a chance to see these stars up close, you don't want to mingle with them on the red carpet. Wait until they are hovering over their bread plate until you approach them.

COSTELLO: OK. So, I don't know if I agree with you there because I like to be close to Hollywood royalty as much as possible.

ARGETSINGER: But the after-parties, of course, the public doesn't get to see that part of the correspondents dinner where networks host their own parties and, you know, they are full of journalists and such having lots of fun. So, what was the -- what was the party to be at last night?

Well, you know, it's tricky. "Vanity fair" as Bloomberg co-host a party that has become such a coveted ticket. It is impossible to get in. If you can get in as a reporter does to cover it, you will find no one you know there because everyone is absolutely a-list. It is nothing but brand name Washington, heavy hitters and movie stars. They are all there. That party is so impossible to get into --

COSTELLO: Come on, give us some dirt from that party! We want dirt!

(LAUGHTER)

ARGETSINGER: You know hot star of that party was actually? It was RG3. Robert Griffin III, the redskins quarterback. My colleague Roxanne was talking to Gerard Butler, Scottish movie star. And she was trying to get a conversation going with him. He looks over her shoulder, goes who's that? She said, it is RG3. He bolts away to go talk to RG3. Kevin Spacey is running out to get his photo taken with RG3. Hayden (INAUDIBLE) completely star struck. He was the star of the night. And you know what, he didn't even go to the dinner. He skipped the dinner an went straight to the after-parties.

COSTELLO: Oh, my God! I would have loved to see RG3. That would have made my entire year. It made a lot of people's years. I mean, all the A-listers were ling up to see him.

OK, for some reason I'm obsessed with the duck dynasty cast because they were also at the dinner. Did they show up at any after parties?

ARGETSINGER: Yes, what was funny about the duck dynasty people, is that you mention to some people duck dynasty is going to be there, and they just lose their minds. They are so excited. You mentioned it to other people and they have no idea what you are talking about.

So, there they were at the MSNBC party. And everyone I knew was sort of poking around saying who's the guy in the plaid shirt and bandana who's smoking in the corner. And like there's a whole world of people who don't know. They're all Googling. And finally, they're thinking back, yes, didn't Conan make a joke about "duck dynasty?" Is that duck dynasty and everyone is googling. Yes, that's the duck dynasty. And it is then they want to get a photo with him even though they didn't know he was. But they seem to be having a good time though.

COSTELLO: I love that. Well, thanks for the scoop thing for the dirt because we certainly enjoyed it.

Thank you, Amy.

We will be right back with more from Boston.

Stick around.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Welcome back to the special edition of NEWSROOM. I'm Carol Costello live in Boston. Lots and lots of people took to the streets this morning for the Oklahoma city marathon. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We ask you now for 168 seconds of silence, please.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Very touching. The race started after a moment of silence for the victims of the oak city bombings in 1995. Of course security was really tight after the attacks here in Boston. Many runners wore t-shirts though and Red Sox to show support for the victims and some of those who did not get to finish the race in Boston did cross the finish line in Oklahoma city.

For some, a big event like another marathon is a way to heal after Boston, but for others it can be terrifying. How do we stay safe at these special events when thousands pack into arenas, parks and cities.

Nick Valencia has more for us.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Almost two weeks since the Boston bombings, a new Gallup poll reports half of Americans believe a terrorist attack on the United States could be imminent. Forty percent worry than a family member will be a victim of an attack with the anxiety of another attack still fresh in the minds of many Americans, exactly how security might change at major U.S. events is as relevant a question as ever. And while total security cannot be guaranteed, especially in large crowds, experts say the risk of an attack can certainly be reduced.

LOU MARCIANI, DIRECTION, NATIONAL CENTER FOR SPECTATOR SPORTS SAFETY AND SECURITY: It's all about risk management.

VALENCIA: As the director of the national center for spectator sports safety and security since 2006, Lou Marciani has trained thousands of first responders and universities to increase sports security and awareness. For him, the Boston marathon bombings was a lesson learned in preparedness.

MARCIANI: We work so hard in this country, as I said, to harden stadiums and arenas so people look at maybe softer targets and if you look at access, events like marathons, cycling, et cetera, it is hard to maintain a level of security.

VALENCIA: And as tens of thousands peep for this weekend's New Orleans' jazz festival and next week end's Kentucky derby, that is exactly would officials will try to do. But, even with the tighten security making crowds feel safe post-Boston may be the biggest challenge.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Let's bring in Nick Valencia now.

So Nick, at these big open events it is going to be tough to make sure that everything's secure. Is there any changes we should expect to see to make things safer at stadiums, let's say?

VALENCIA: Well, according to Marciani, who we featured in that report, he anticipates there to be a tighter perimeter at the starts and finishes of races and marathons across the United States. He says one of the hardest things to secure is an open-door event with no controlled access. He says because of that, Carol, expect there to be a conversation very soon about how to better screen backpacks at these events. Carol?

COSTELLO: All right. Nick Valencia reporting for us live for us this afternoon.

Thousands of Bostonians have come downtown to reclaim their home. The sheer volume of the people is a statement of pride and defiance. Powerful words. Everywhere you look, signs of hope as the heart of this beautiful city comes back to life.

With me now is a man who did something kind of crazy but beautiful at the same time. His name is Dennis. He's standing right here. Tell us what you did today, Dennis.

DENNIS DEANER, BOSTON MARATHON PARTICIPANT: Well, 13 days ago I was doing the marathon. I was walking it, and I got to the top of Heartbreak Hill and that's when all -- broke out. Obviously the race stopped for me (INAUDIBLE). I was watching Big Poppy on TV and the Red Sox game. And he used some colorful language about these terrorists. And I said they're not going to stop me, I'm going to go do it again.

First I was going to just do it from where I left off. I'd stopped before. But then I said, no I should do the whole thing again.

COSTELLO: Oh my goodness! So -

DEANER: So 10:00 this morning, I started in Hoffington and here I am.

COSTELLO: Oh, man!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

COSTELLO: That is insane! That is awesome. So as you were walking, the 26.2 miles --

DEANER: I had my ribbon, and I kept looking at it and I said, another mile. Another mile. You know, Boston strong.

COSTELLO: So, what kinds of thoughts were going through your head? Since you were there on that terrible day. And then you are walking on this beautiful, wonderful, glorious, gorgeous days in Boston. What goes through your mind.

DEANER: One thing going through my mind was not to trip. You have to look where you're going.

(LAUGHTER)

COSTELLO: You people from Massachusetts have got it tough!

DEANER: Or don't get hit by a car or something like that. But actually I was waiting to get here so I could see Carol.

COSTELLO: Oh, I love that the most! I do. I mean, when you look at this memorial, the spontaneous memorial -- DEANER: Actually, I haven't even gotten there yet. I came over here and saw you and you said to stay around. So, right after I'm finished here -- that's one of the reasons I wanted to come down. There was actually in Hoffington, they've made a small memorial at the start line, too. It doesn't compare with this, but it is very meaningful.

COSTELLO: It's meaningful all the same. A lot of runners left their shoes apparently from the Boston Marathon. Just in honor of those who were injured and those killed. Tell us about the running community and what draws runners together.

DEANER: It's just about our life. They feel the same way about things, and it's like we're doing the best we can. It's -- I wouldn't say it is a small community. It is a big community but small. Everybody -- wonderful people in it.

COSTELLO: Yes. Certainly what's been illustrated --

DEANER: My sons are on. It's great.

COSTELLO: That's awesome. Well, Boston strong, and congratulations for you and thank you for sticking around.

(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)

COSTELLO: I appreciate it. Oh, give me a hug. Thank you, Dennis.

DEANER: Thank you, Carol!

COSTELLO: Oh, that was so awesome! We're going to talk much more about what's happening here in Boston because as you can see, I'm telling you, the city is coming back to life. I don't think it actually -- I don't think it actually ever died. I think -- Boston strong. We'll be back in just a minute. I'm speechless.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: If you are planning to take a vacation soon, you might want to explore Colombia. Good food, spectacular scenery and a lot more to offer. Anthony Bourdain has more on why this is a great country to visit.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANTHONY BOURDAIN, CNN HOST: Should you come here, yes, because it is beautiful. Yes, because the people are nice, and yes, because the food is awesome. This is a country with mountains and jungles, beaches, with a lot of good stuff.

What do you need to know? Don't talk politics here. Issues of the day that seem newsworthy to you might well be something that's impacted the person you are talking to in a very painful and personal way. Best to leave it alone. But more importantly, people are welcoming and open to outsiders and interested in them and what they've been up to. There are a lot of things you'll see here. You may not fully understand but you'll become aware of that will echo other places that you go. You come to Colombia and you understand -- or you begin to understand how the world outside of the United States -- how the world in general works.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Thanks, Anthony. Discover Colombia and other exotic destinations with Anthony Bourdain. Watch PARTS UNKNOWN on Sundays, 9:00 p.m. Eastern on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: The father of the Boston bombing suspect says he's hospitalized. He's in the hospital in Russia with an illness. He didn't give any details exactly what that illness is, but he did say it will force him to postpone his trip to the United States indefinitely. He's planning to fly to Massachusetts to meet with his son, Dzhokhar, who's now in a federal prison and also to bury his older son, Tamerlan.

As the investigation into the bombings goes on, we're learning about a communication between the suspected bomber's mother and someone Russian authorities think may have been one of her sons. Guess what they discussed? Jihad. Here's Phil Black.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Carol, CNN has been told Russian authorities intercepted a communication between the bombing suspect's mother and one of her sons. That is one of the suspects, in which they were said to be, to quote "discussing jihad." This information comes from a U.S. official, not Russian authorities, and he says this recording was made in 2011 but only made available to U.S. officials within the last few days. The reason for the delay is not known.

It is known that back in 2011, Russian authorities asked the FBI to investigate Tamerlan Tsarnaev and his mother because they were concerned he was becoming radicalized. The FBI investigated, asked some questions, interviewed them both and could find no evidence to suggest they were in any way a threat. They say they reported back to the Russians, asked more questions, asked for more information but never heard anything back.

Now we know this piece of information from roughly the same time frame did exist. It is difficult to determine the precise significance of this information, but it raises some interesting questions. Such as would the FBI investigation have been handled differently? Could its outcome have been different had the investigators known about this intercepted communication at the time?

No one within the Russian government has commented specifically on just what the Russians an their security services knew in 2011 when they were worried with Tamerlan Tsarnaev. Only the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has said to his greatest regret Russian security services were not able to provide any information to their American colleagues of operational significance. Carol.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Thanks, Phil Black. Investigators are also concerned about a man who they think may have influenced Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the older brother who died. His mother's (INAUDIBLE) named Misha.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZUBEIDAT TSARNAEV, BOMBING SUSPECT'S MOTHER: When Misha visited us, we just kind of -- he just opened our eyes, you know, really wide about Islam. He was really -- he's devoted and he's a very good, very nice man.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Let's bring in our CNN national security analyst Juliette Kayyem and former deputy director Phil Mudd at the FBI's Counterterrorism Center to talk about this. Talk about strange, new developments, frightening new developments.

And Juliette, I'll start with you. So the Russians, we finally find out, have recorded this secret conversation between the mother and maybe one of the sons and they mention the word jihad, but they don't tell authorities here in the United States until now.

JULIETTE KAYYEM, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ANAYLST: So, two takeaways from this. First, jihad means a lot of things. So, we're sort of curious in what context was jihad actually said. It sounds like it made the Russians nervous enough.

But this piece of information that's come out in the last couple days is really the piece that starts to make U.S. intelligence agencies' actions seem more consistent, right? We kept thinking what was up with the FBI? Why didn't they follow this? It is because the Russians essentially just said here is a name and we're a little bit worried. Well, that happens a lot actually. Not just with the Russians. Lots of countries.

If the Russians had more, it would have triggered some of the more intensive and of course intrusive surveillance that the FBI actually just never got to. The older brother never got from the environmental watch list, the (INAUDIBLE) into a higher one. So, this starts to put the pieces together what happened.

COSTELLO: So, OK, Phil, is Juliette right? Does this excuse the FBI for not further investigating these two brothers?

PHIL MUDD, FORMER SENIOR FBI & CIA OFFICER: Well, look, we want answers too fast here. In these kinds of investigations you'll find facts that unrule themselves over the course of weeks or months.

But I think Juliette's right here. People are going to want to put this in a little box with a bow on it, say look, we have foreign extremists, the word jihad was used, we should have resolved this more quickly. There are a lot of extremists in this country. Free speech allows you to talk about jihad. We've got left wingers, right wingers, white supremacists. I don't see anything here that tells me if we were told about this, we would have furthered this investigation substantially.

COSTELLO: OK, well, let's talk about the mother herself. If I were an investigator, I sure would want to have access to this mother to ask her questions. Will Russia grant the United States that right?

KAYYEM: They probably will if that's not already occurring. Now obviously, there is a huge - I keep saying there's a huge credibility issue with all the family members. So, one of the reasons why we should take a lot of what they're saying with a grain of salt is because there's obviously family dynamics that came in to play with the sons, with the uncles and everyone else.

You know, this Misha character, I was saying to someone last night, every mother who has two killer sons has a Misha. Right? In other words, she's trying to find another reason for why her sons would be responsible for this. That may be understandable but maybe not credible.

COSTELLO: But still, I mean, if the mother was having a conversation with someone and she mentioned the word jihad, might that mean that she had something to do with this bombing, too, Phil?

MUDD: Maybe. But if I had to place a bet, I'd say no. There is a big difference between ideas and action. That is, family members in the cases that I saw over the course of decades might know their son's going astray, that there's someone new in his life leading him down a path. That's a big difference than saying she knew there was a conspiracy that might lead to the loss of innocent life in Boston. Lot of family members know that they're kids are doing something they're uncomfortable with. That doesn't mean they know there's an operation underfoot.

COSTELLO: So, with all we know right now, and apparently, it's not really very much, what's your sense as to why these two young men did this? And are they really part of a larger organization? Do we know that for sure now?

KAYYEM: No, I don't. I think it is very important that we sort of reserve judgment because I do think there's two different plausible scenarios. One is that that six months in Russia, the older brother met with people to plan an attack. Or he just became radicalized, more disenfranchised from society and community, and then planned something with his brother. I'm not convinced -- I don't know where either story line is, but I do think that this idea that we have the solution about the watch list or sharing information -- you heard a lot from congressional folks this morning about we need to fix this. It is not clear to me we know exactly what we need to fix yet. I know people are impatient, but these things come out in time.

COSTELLO: Juliette, Phil, thanks so much for enlightening us today. We sure appreciate it.

MUDD: Thank you.

COSTELLO: We'll have more on the alleged radicalization of the suspects after a quick break. Stay with us. We'll be right back in Boston.

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COSTELLO: Let's go back to our discussion about the Boston bombings and when and how the bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev may have been radicalized. Want to bring back Juliette Kayyem and Phil Mudd. Welcome to you both once again.

MUDD: Thank you.

COSTELLO: OK, just wanted to make sure you're still there, Phi. So Phil, I want to ask you about the relationship between the United States - oh good, I'm glad! I want to ask you about the relationship between the Russians and the Americans. I mean, do they have a good enough relationship where they can work together effectively to try and help solve the why of this case?

MUDD: They do, but you've got to assume, to be blunt, it is going to be testy. You have the successor to the KGB in Russia. We in the bureau spend as much time chasing the Russians as we do talking to them because they have a big intelligence effort in the United States.

So, there is cooperation on terrorism. But to suggest there is not a testiness to the relationship would simply be misleading.

COSTELLO: But the Russians have a lot to gain from cooperating with the United States, too, doesn't it?

KAYYEM: Yes, but you have to put this case in the context of -- sorry, Phil. Go ahead.

MUDD: I was just going to say absolutely they do. Very have an interest in having us follow Chechens across the United States because Chechen is a big problem for them. But remember, we are coming out from an environment where even after 9/11, they've expanded their presence in the United States. And we can't look at this case and say hey, everything they tell us is something we have to follow up on. We have to take it with a grain of salt.

COSTELLO: OK, Juliette, you were saying?

KAYYEM: I totally agree with Phil that -- Russia is a complicated ally for a variety of reasons. Plus you have to put this case in the context of all sorts of other relationships we have with Russia, including what is going on in Syria right now. And Iran and -- this is a piece of a complicated relationship with a country that has a president who is, let's just say, also complicated. If I can say that. Complicated.

COSTELLO: That's a good way to put it. Complicated. I like that. OK, Juliette and Phil, thank you so much for joining us. We appreciate it this afternoon.

KAYYEM: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Just ahead, we'll have much more on the investigation and also the outpouring of support for the bombing victims here in Boston's Copley Square. It has been truly amazing.

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COSTELLO: Before we continue to talk about the wonderful people that have come down to Copley Square to pay homage to the victims of the Boston Marathon, we are going the take a look at week ahead.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO (voice-over): Jackson's mother, Katherine, and the three children are suing concert promoter AEG Live. Lawsuit claims the company was negligent in hiring Dr. Conrad Murray to care for Jackson. Last week, Murray appealed his 2011 involuntary manslaughter conviction in Jackson's death.

On Tuesday, we get the latest consumer confidence report, and it will give us a sense of whether people are feeling optimistic or pessimistic about the economy.

On Wednesday, the George W. Bush Presidential Library officially opens to the public. The library was dedicated last week.

On Thursday, closing arguments are expected to begin in the Jodi Arias trial. Arizona taxpayers have paid almost $1.7 million for defense costs of the case. Arias claims she killed her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander, in self-defense.

And on Friday, gun owners get ready to lock and load. The NRA's annual three-day meeting begins in Houston, Texas. One of the big events, the Stand and Fight Rally on Saturday.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: A look at the week ahead. I'm Carol Costello live in Boston in Copley Square at this wonderful memorial honoring the victims of the Boston City Marathon. We'll have much more from Boston when we come back. Stay with us.

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COSTELLO: I'm Carol Costello live in Boston. With me now is Don Lemon who will take over in, what, 45 seconds. I just wanted to chat a little bit about what I have seen all day today. Because it has been absolutely amazing. The number of people who have come down here to this makeshift memorial --

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Right.

COSTELLO: -- just to leave a flower or a prayer. Cry a tear and then say Boston strong.

LEMON: I have to say, I mean, it's heartening to see all of this. And having been here a week ago when it happened, I mean, it's a different mood in the city. When I came he the city earlier today, I was like, wow, is this is same Boston I left three or four days ago? The city -- just taking a monumental steps to get back to normal.

And as you have - I've been watching you, people have been saying all day, you know, that phrase they say. Since I got off the plane, I have been hearing that all the way to the hotel. And now to this memorial.

COSTELLO: Mayor of Boston very much wants it to be that way. Yesterday was free parking. No tickets. Police officers says we can't ticket you. You park anywhere you want. We just want you to go into a store or a restaurant and spend at least $25 to help the business people get back up to speed because they lost so much money.

LEMON: They lost a lot of money. We are actually going to talk to some business owners to see how -- if they are recovering from that. They will be back. Some are, some aren't.

Thank you, Carol! Thank you.

COSTELLO: See you later, Don!

LEMON: Good to see you. Have a good one.