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New Day

Did NSA Leaks Reach Terrorists?; Trayvon's Parents Speak Out; Man Left In Coma From iPhone Shock

Aired July 19, 2013 - 06:30   ET

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

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: They have six legs, it is called the leg, I thought there would be some fancy word for it, but there isn't. But they do have these things at the end of their legs that can clean -- they're called tarsi that can clean their antenna and do other functions.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: We have a bee nerd on our set.

CUOMO: And maybe he was actually not trying to tell them to buzz off, maybe he was saying let me clean that off for you.

(CROSSTALK)

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: You got a little --

CUOMO: Yes, you got a little.

PEREIRA: The bee-ologist Chris Cuomo.

BOLDUAN: We're going to do some research on that. But let's now go to our political gut check, checking all the stories you need to know coming out of Washington and around the country this morning.

First up, the director of the National Security Agency saying surveillance programs are there to keep secrets -- are keeping secrets to protect you from the operatives trying to kill you, he says. And also, how terrorists are changing their strategy after the leaks of NSA leaker, Edward Snowden.

Our chief national --

CUOMO: John King is being attacked by a bee right now, look at him.

BOLDUAN: John might have lost his audio.

CUOMO: No, he's being attacked by a bee. He's being attacked by a bee right now. He's saying yes, I was attacked by a bee and I killed it and now I can move on with my debrief.

BOLDUAN: John doesn't know what you're talking about.

CUOMO: Yes, he heard all of it.

JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: No, I do. I saw the dangers of live interweb access. (CROSSTALK)

BOLDUAN: All right. Can we focus on? The bee is important but can we focus on other important things like national security?

OK, great. Thank you so much.

OK. So, John, you were in Aspen where this big security forum was taking place and that's where the director of the national security, Keith Alexander, made some news there.

So, what is he saying here?

KING: In a sentence, he's saying Americans are less safe, he's saying because of the revelations of the NSA collecting all this data, because of all the information Edward Snowden has put out there about how the NSA tracks terrorists and Edward Snowden tracks everyday Americans is the case he's trying to make, Keith Alexander is saying the terrorists are already adapting.

And I talked to a number of people out there, I did not talk to General Alexander but a number of other people who know how this stuff works, and they say there's already evidence the terrorists are starting to communicate in different ways or the people tracking have gone dark because they think they're being tracked.

So, what he's saying is Americans are less safe because of these leaks and, you know, the problem is, it's hard to quantify that, but he makes a passionate case this is damaging to national security, damaging for efforts to protect all Americans.

I can tell you something, though, this Aspen security forum is dominated by the debate, privacy versus the surveillance programs.

BOLDUAN: And at the forum did you get the focus is shifting slightly away from trying to just track down Snowden and find out what he was leaking and more trying to find a way to fix the system that allowed the leak in the first place.

KING: Tracking down Snowden is left to the executive branch, the Justice Department, State Department and the president of the United States. When it comes to national security, when it comes to the CIA, when it comes to other consumers of intelligence like the Defense Department like the FBI, they are worried about what to do next. And so, one of the proposals is the government doesn't keep the database that the phone companies keep the database.

General Alexander said he was open to that. But you still would have the database. It would still be abuse to some abuse. It would just be abuse maybe out in the private sector as opposed to in the government sector. So, that's one of the things that's being kicked around.

The head of the ACLU says Edward Snowden did the country a favor by starting this debate. I think people would question, do the country a favor part, many people would, but it is now a very healthy debate, going forward, about how to do it, whether the government is overstepping the line, whether you need more congressional and other legal oversight.

So, there's no question, Kate and Chris, whether you agree or disagree with what Snowden does, he's sparked a pretty intensive debate among the intelligence pros, if you will.

BOLDUAN: Now, talking once again about the executive branch, a lot of names have been floated out there, as potential Republican presidential candidates for 2016. One of the names that has not really been among that group is Republican Congressman Peter King. But he is now out there saying that he is considering running if only to bring the focus to national security issues and to keep other Republicans that are being floated from defining the party, like Senators Ted Cruz and Rand Paul.

What is he trying to do here? Is he actually serious about running?

KING: Two words -- raise money is what he's trying to do here.

Mr. Cuomo just showed you, you can use the interweb on live television or live in your life to go back, and you cannot only watch bee videos and learn about bees. You can also go back and look and see, Peter King -- this is not the first time he has done this. If you go back just a couple of years, you'll see a press release from Peter King saying, "Friends are telling me I should consider running for president, and because they're telling me this, I'm going to think about it. As I think about it, help me think about it. Send me money if you think it's a good idea."

Look, I'm not trying to be too sarcastic here, but there's a test where we separate the wannabe candidates and the real candidates. They're called Iowa, and it's called New Hampshire. If he's serious, we'll see him there soon. If not, he's looking to raise a little cash.

BOLDUAN: Yes.

CUOMO: All right. Quick take on student loans. We hear that there's progress. Boehner saying it looks like it models the market, the market, tying it into the market, that the House bill has. So, maybe this will be OK.

Good news?

KING: Good news. I told you yesterday from Aspen that was a rare moment. I was going to say, be optimistic about this. I would say today, be even more optimistic.

And what do we have here? The other day, we talked about the deal to prevent the nuclear option in the Senate. Right, it's a rule change.

There was -- Republicans talked to Democrats. They figured something out. On this one, what happened? Republicans who wanted to change the policy saved the policy, Democrats they talked to each other. They worked it out. God forbid. Two examples in one week that if people will set aside politics and go into a room and saying, what are our differences, can we work this out -- they can actually make progress. The Senate now has a bill. The House speaker says it's very close to the House bill. You can expect this one to actually make it to the president before it snows.

BOLDUAN: Before it snows, there is our measure of success at this point.

Great to see you, John. We'll talk to you soon. Have a great weekend.

KING: All right, guys.

CUOMO: Before it snows but people are signing their loans now because school stops in September.

BOLDUAN: Right. August is the big one --

CUOMO: One of the reasons they'll pay attention to this is because of you. So, you know, keep pumping up the volume on this, contact your lawmakers. Let them know this matter and you're going to remember what happens with these college loans if they matter to you, because otherwise, change is risky when something's left to only Washington's devices with all the partisanship down there right now.

All right. Thirty-six minutes past the hour here. We're going to take a break.

And when we come back, a feeling that the justice system failed. Trayvon Martin's parents are speaking out about the verdict that set George Zimmerman free. They are not mincing their words. So, we'll take you to that.

BOLDUAN: They sure are not.

Plus, this is coming up. Talk about happy to see each other, a man and his dog back together after six months apart. It's our must-see moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CUOMO: Welcome back, everybody.

The parents of Trayvon Martin are speaking out about the verdict in the George Zimmerman case. Trayvon's mother, Sybrina Fulton tells Anderson Cooper that she sat through every day of Zimmerman's trial because her son was not here to say anything for himself. She says the verdict came as a complete shock.

Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: You all had talked ahead of time about not being there on the day the verdict came down. Why did you not want to be there on that day?

SYBRINA FULTON, TRAYVON MARTIN'S MOTHER: We didn't want to be there because we were told by the court system that there were -- you couldn't do any outbursts. How could you be quiet? How could you not say anything? How could you not show any emotions?

So, I think, by us not being there, it took the sting out of people seeing us react to it, because it literally broke us down.

COOPER: When you heard the verdict on television, you broke down?

FULTON: Yes. Yes.

COOPER: Did it come as a total shock?

FULTON: It came as a complete shock for me, and the reason I say that is because I just look at people as people. And I thought for sure that the jury looked at Trayvon as an average teenager that was minding his own business, that wasn't committing any crime, that was coming home from the store and were feet away from where he was actually going.

COOPER: Does it surprise you how much the jury seemed to agree with the defense's version of events?

TRACY MARTIN, TRAYVON MARTIN'S FATHER: My answer to that would be what if it was their child that was murdered, that was shot in the heart? Would they feel as though it was their child's blame to blame for their death? I think that was a very insensitive statement coming from her. From the beginning of the trial, she had her mind made up.

COOPER: You believe she had her mind made up from the beginning of the trial?

MARTIN: No doubt. No doubt.

COOPER: As you know, the Juror B-37 and I assume the other jurors as well didn't discuss race in the jury room. She clearly does not believe that race played any role in the profiling of Trayvon Martin at any level in this case.

What do you think of that?

FULTON: I think that's a joke because he clearly said in the 911 calls that it was a black teenager, an African-American teenager. So, that was the profile.

Trayvon had every right to be in that community. I don't understand why she wouldn't see that, but then again, there's the disconnect. There's definitely a disconnect.

COOPER: Do you think if George Zimmerman had been black, he would have been allowed to go free that night after shooting somebody?

BENJAMIN CRUMP, MARTIN FAMILY ATTORNEY: Absolutely not. That's ridiculous. If the roles were reversed and Trayvon Martin shot George Zimmerman, he would have been arrested right there on the spot, hour one, minute one, second one, if he wasn't shot because a black man have a gun, it's a different ball game.

COOPER: What change do you hope to effect?

FULTON: The change we hope to effect is with the laws. We want to make sure that any teenager that's walking down the street can feel safe, that they won't be killed and that they will make it home safely.

Another thing we hope to accomplish through the foundation is to connect families that are victims of senseless gun violence. God wanted us to be the spokesperson. So, hopefully, we can find some positive, some bright side out of all of this.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BOLDUAN: All right. Let's go around the world for the news happening across the globe starting in Egypt.

Reza Sayah is in Cairo where supporters of the country's ousted president, Mohamed Morsy, are rallying -- Reza.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REZA SAYAH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: In Egypt, another day of dueling demonstrations in a conflict that keeps going on and on. Supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsy plan to hit the streets and protest their calling, breaking the coup. Not to be outdone, opponents of the former president, those who helped push theme, they're coming out to flex their muscle, too.

As always many here concerned about the possibility of violence. Last night, Egypt's interim president calling for calm and inviting all political factions to take part in this government. But the Muslim Brotherhood, supporters of the ousted president saying, how can we believe your invitation when many of our leaders are in custody -- Kate.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: Reza, thanks so much.

To Beijing now with another near fatal case of an electrocuting iPhone.

David McKenzie has more.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A 30-year-old man here in Beijing has been electrocuted and put in a coma by his charging iPhone, says state media. Now, this comes in the back of another incident, in western China, where a young woman, a flight attendant, was killed by a similar incident. State media here suggests that it could be dodging third party charges to blame. Apple says it's investigating the woman's killing in western China, but really, it might mean that these kind of non-Apple products are dangerous to consumers.

Kate, back to you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: All right. David McKenzie, thanks so much for that.

CUOMO: Coming up on NEW DAY, he said he was her father and he's now reacting to news that they aren't related. The tweeting congressman and the aftermath of a DNA test. That story still to come.

BOLDUAN: Plus, such a sweet moment for this man and his dog, reunited. You have to see it, coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CUOMO: Peaches and Herbs sang this song "Reunited."

BOLDUAN: I'm sorry. I have never heard the song before.

CUOMO: Peaches and herb?

BOLDUAN: I'm sorry. I'm acknowledging a failure.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PEREIRA: Hey. Welcome back, everybody, to NEW DAY. Are you ready for our must see moment? It might make you shed a tear. We have shown you a number of really heartwarming videos of U.S. servicemen reuniting with their families after long tours of duty. You know who else, though, misses their heroes? Their pet. This is a beautiful reunion. You have to listen to between Lieutenant Gary Doherty (ph) and his dog Bugboo.

They already spent more than six months overseas. Listen, you can hear how much Bugaboo missed him, and he's so glad to have him back. Just listen for a second.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PEREIRA (voice-over): It's almost like he's talking. I missed you so much. There's so much to tell you. I love you. Isn't that powerful?

CUOMO (voice-over): That's a big dog, that's a Lab.

BOLDUAN (voice-over): That's a big dog. He'll knock you over.

PEREIRA: And then, it's like he hugs him on the chair.

CUOMO: The bond, the bond between dog and human.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN (on-camera): You know what? That makes a good Friday.

(CROSSTALK)

BOLDUAN: Beautiful dog and owner reunited.

CUOMO (on-camera): We always say the whole family serves when somebody goes off to war, even the pets. Even the pets.

BOLDUAN: Welcome home. That was awesome.

CUOMO: Good for them.

Coming up on NEW DAY, a major city pleads for help. Why Detroit is asking a court to set it free from $18 billion in debt?

BOLDUAN: And also this, coming up, a very different image of the Boston bombing suspect, new pictures of him bloodied as he's coming out of hiding. Well, now, they have a police photographer in trouble.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONAN O'BRIEN, HOST, "CONAN": The royal baby is past due. It's supposed to be born like two days ago. Yes. So, ladies and gentlemen, once again, a member of the British royal family is avoiding labor.

(LAUGHTER)

DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST, "LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN": Tradition here in New York City on Christmas, a TV station broadcast 24 hours of a yule log blazing in a fire place to make you feel more Christmas. Listen to this, talk about more genius. That same station for the heat wave look what they're doing.

(LAUGHTER)

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: Leave that up. It feels cooler already.

CUOMO: I like they had the Christmas music --

(LAUGHTER)

PEREIRA (on-camera): Too early.

(CROSSTALK)

(LAUGHTER)

CUOMO: All right. Tiger Woods, we're going to talk about him this morning. He is in the hunt at the British Open, and it's getting to be good. It's day two, started Thursday, now Friday. Let's bring in Andy Scholes with the "Bleacher Report." Good news, just one day, but we like what we're seeing from Tiger Woods, that's the word?

ANDY SCHOLES, BLEACHER REPORT: Yes. Good morning. Looking good, so far, you know? He's looking to win his first major in more than five years this week at the Open championship. And, right now, he's near the top of the leaderboard. Tiger about half way through his second round this morning.

So far, so good. He's birdied, he's bogeyed, but most importantly, he had not played himself out of contention. Your leader as American, Zach Johnson, he tease (ph) off later this morning.

All right. here's something rarely see while watching golf. Thomas Bjorn hitting out of the rough on the 1st hole wait for it. Pow! his shot goes right into the camera. Pretty expensive shot as it shattered the lens of an $80,000 camera.

All right. The number one story in the line-up section of BleacherReport.com today is about the buzz being back in charlotte. Yesterday, the NBA board of governors approved the Charlotte Bobcats request to officially change their name back to the Hornets. Now, they're going to be Bobcats this season, but then in the 2014-2015 season, they will don the teal and purple once again as they'll change their name back to the Hornets.

Guys, this is all possible, of course, because the New Orleans franchise now changed their name to the Pelicans giving the Hornets franchise --

CUOMO: I know. I know. This is confusing.

(CROSSTALK)

CUOMO: The Charlotte Hornets moved to New Orleans, became the New Orleans Hornets and then they changed their name to the Pelicans freeing up the name Hornets so the team in Charlotte now, which is the Bobcats, is going to change their name to the Hornets because that's what the name used to be.

SCHOLES: Nailed it. Nailed it, Chris.

(LAUGHTER)

CUOMO: Accurate but confusing. Andy Scholes, thank you very much, my man. Have a great weekend.

BOLDUAN: Thanks, Andy. You hear the music. You know what it means. It is time for the "Rock Block," everyone. A round of all the stories you're going to be talking about today. First up, Michaela.

PEREIRA: And here we go, first up in the paper, from the "Wall Street Journal," it pays to quit smoking. A Federal Reserve study finds the people who quit smoking for at least a year earn higher wages than smokers and their co-workers who have never smoked. In "U.S.A. Today," a survey that shows how texting has transformed the world of dating. It found a third of daters ranging an age from 21-50 say a text is less intimidating than a call when asking someone out.

And from the "Kansas City Start," let's get loud. This season, Kansas City Chief fans will try to set a new record for the loudest stadium. The current record was sat during a soccer match in Turkey. I think I need earplugs. Christine Romans with the business news.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Happy Friday, folks. Look at your 401 (k) and you'll likely see evidence of what has been an incredible run. The Dow and S&P 500 hit record highs again and the NASDAQ is having its best year in more than a decade. Disappointing tech earnings, though, today could ding the rally at the end of this week.

Remember, house flipping is back. Realty track midyear flipping report says flipping activity is up 19 percent from a year ago and 74 percent from the first half of 2011. The average profit on a flip is up 246 percent from a year ago.

General Electric a great barometer for global demand released its earnings report just minutes ago. Profits came in as expected. Revenue less than the market was hoping for. We'll watch it closely for direction on Wall Street.

Finally, let's get to Indra Petersons for the weather this morning.

INDRA PETERSONS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: I can't believe I'm still saying it. It's going to be hotter today than it was yesterday. We're talking about heat indices anywhere from 105 to 110. Take a look at this. We're talking about major cities now taking it up and notch (ph) from advisories to extreme heat warnings. So, even more dangerous. We are going to be seeing some relief. It's going to come in way of a cold, but it also means severe weather headed our way shortly.

BOLDUAN: All right. Indra, thank you so much. We are now just about at the top of the hour, which you, of course, know means it is time for the top news.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CUOMO: Stunning pictures of the Boston bombing suspect the moment he surrenders. Why they've left a police photographer in hot water?

BOLDUAN: When will it end? The brutal week long heat wave in its final days, but what's coming behind it may not be much better. We're tracking it all this morning.

PEREIRA: Mob mystery. A man one step (ph) to testify an alleged mob mastermind, Whitey Bulger's trial, turns up dead. The question this morning, was it a hit or something else?

CUOMO: You're NEW DAY starts right now.

ANNOUNCER: What you need to know.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The trade is broke. The citizens deserve better services and this is one way to get that to happen.

ANNOUNCER: What you just have to see.

This is NEW DAY with Chris Cuomo, Kate Bolduan, and Michaela Pereira.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CUOMO: Good morning. Welcome back to NEW DAY. It is Friday, TGIF. I wish I could say it more than once a week, but we only get it once. It is seven o'clock in the east. We're in the middle of 30 minutes of commercial free news, by the way. I'm Chris Cuomo.

BOLDUAN: Good morning, everyone. I'm Kate Bolduan. We're joined by news anchor, Michaela Pereira.

PEREIRA: Good morning.

BOLDUAN: Coming up this morning, nearly a week after the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial, more anger and more protests, and we're hearing for the first time from Trayvon Martin's parents who say the justice system didn't work for them. We'll have more from their interview with Anderson Cooper coming up.

CUOMO: Also, the question. Edward Snowden's leaks, are they actually changing the way terrorists operate already? Startling accusations from the NSA director. He says it's already making it harder to protect the country.