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Legal View with Ashleigh Banfield

President Obama Pushes Trade Pact at Nike HQ; Slain NYPD Officer's Funeral Draws Large Crowd; Atlanta Highway Scene of Small Aircraft Crash. Aired 12:30-1p ET

Aired May 08, 2015 - 12:30   ET

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

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[12:31:52] ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, CNN HOST: And we're continuing our breaking news, awaiting the President to the best take to that podium in Beaverton, Oregon, and why there? Because it is the headquarters of Nike.

That is the brand almost every American knows well. But why there? It's really all about trade, free trade, with an 11 nation group.

And if the deal that the President wants to go through actually goes through, it could make a big difference for 11 countries and the United States. And some people say a good difference and some people say a bad difference, and of course that's always been the argument when you talk about that kind of a trade pack, the likes of which we haven't seen since NASDAQ 20 years ago.

We are also waiting to find out if President Obama is going to address this breaking news story today about the increased threat level at American military basis on the Continental United States. We are now at forced protection bravo, increased from forced protection. Alpha, nothing specific being listed except for that constant drumbeat of threats from ISIS. And of course so many of these suggestions that there are homegrown terrorists among us that may be targeting military bases.

And as we await this breaking news from the President, we are also looking at the other coast. We want to draw your attention to Seaford, New York on Long Island where the funeral for a fallen New York Police officer named Brian Moore is taking place where we shot on Saturday while he was on duty in Queens.

He and his partner were in their car. They were questioning a potential suspect, had something in its waistband and he grabbed it. It was a gun and he open fired on him and then he hit Moore straight in the head. It happened so fast they had no chance to return fire.

Here is where it gets interesting. Today, about 30,000 police officers and people are expected to attend this funeral, 30,000 police officers of course from New York, but also from right across the country. JetBlue offered to pay for their flight if they came to this funeral. The flags at city and state government buildings had been flying at Half-Staff in memory of Officer Brian Moore and that's been going on all week. After the shooting, Officer Moore was taken to the hospital. He was there in critical condition until he died on Monday.

Jean Casarez our correspondent now in New York joins me from Seaford, New York and with me here in the studio is New York Retired NYPD Detective Perry Hub (ph).

First to you Jean Casarez on the ground, 30,000 people attending. Take me there and set the scene please.

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Ashleigh, thousands upon thousands of police officers from all around the country are here to honor this fallen officer of the N.Y.P.D.

People have come from the community and I ask them, why? And they say "Because we want to honor his family." For the fact is, this young man, 25 years old, Officer Brian Moore had been a member of the force almost five years, two accommodation medals. The funeral is taking place right now. And the priest that's officiating said that he had a vocation to serve in law enforcement, a vocation to go into the trouble not away from it. His family wanted a miracle, a miracle they did not get.

[12:35:10] BANFIELD: And Jean, just that in terms of the sheer volume of people who have shown up there, look, we just went through two New York City police officer's funeral and there were up to 25,000 people that came, many of them officers from all around the country. And now we're looking at 30,000. How safe does it -- as it seems there, I hate to even say that with that many police officers that it's also frightening to think that these are often targets of opportunity for terrorist.

CASAREZ: Well, there's heightened security here, no question. First of all, I have seen the New York City counter terrorism squad here. There are officers positioned on the top of the building with their binoculars all to make this area safe. But inside, they are celebrating the life right now of an officer taken far too soon.

Officer Brian Moore was 25 years old, the son, nephew and cousin of police officers. He joined the NYPD in July of 2010. New York Police Commissioner William Bratton says Moore had a commitment to the job that made him stand out.

WILLIAM BRATTON, NEW YORK POLICE COMMISSIONER: In his very brief career, less than five years, he'd already proved himself to be an exceptional young officer. In that career, he had made over 150 arrests, protecting and serving the citizens of the city. He'd already received two exceptional police service medals, two meritorious police service medals. We don't give them out easily. We're proud (inaudible).

CASAREZ: More also had a connection to Baltimore, Maryland, his favorite team, the Baltimore Orioles. On Tuesday, the Orioles played the Met. Moore had bought tickets to attend the game with his girlfriend and father, a retired N.Y.P.D. sergeant. When the Mets heard about it, they honored more wearing N.Y.P.D. hats during batting practice. There was a moment of silence in his memory.

Baltimore first baseman Chris Davis was Moore's favorite player. He presented the family with a signed baseball.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio met with his parents. He said serving as a New York Police Officer was Moore's dream. He did everything a good officer is supposed to do.

BILL DE BLASIO, NEW YORK MAYOR: We need to be there for the Moore family and we need to be thankful that there was a hero amongst us known as Brian Moore.

BANFIELD: And New York's mayor is speaking live right now at the St. James Roman Catholic Church at the funeral. Let's listen in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DE BLASIO: Our heart broken, as are the people of our city. Brian Moore dedicated his life to protecting all of us. He gave what President Abraham Lincoln called the last full measure of devotion to that cause.

Our hearts today are heavy and our hearts are with the Moore family, with Brian's father Raymond, his mother Irene, his sister Christine, all of the members of his family but also all the members of his extending family at the N.Y.P.D. and particularly with the men and women of the 104 precinct who he served with over these past five years.

Brian Moore represented the best of New York City. He was brave. For sure but his bravery was matched by his compassion and it came by it through his family, it's in his DNA from a family so devoted to the N.Y.P.D. His father and uncle both retired sergeants. As three cousins, police officers one, and the NYPD two, and police forces in Long Island.

Brian looked up to his father in every way and sought to emulate him and did a fine job, and not just when something as important as patrolling the streets and keeping us safe, and other matters as well. Brian took after his father and was a devout Baltimore Orioles fan like him.

And Raymond, I want to say I admire your choice to bring up your son supporting a different team in the American League East. I think it was one of the many reasons your son had the tremendous character that he has.

In middle school, Brian already knew still so early on he knew the path he wanted to walk. He knew he wanted to carry on the noble tradition and become a member of the N.Y.P.D. He didn't wait a moment. The age of 17 he had already taken the N.Y.P.D. entrance exam.

[12:40:19] He just couldn't wait to be old enough to join the force. And when he got their, when he finally became an officer, he didn't it halfway, he devoted his whole being to the job, he cared so deeply, he work so hard, a stories I've heard and we've all heard in last days.

Young man who cared so deeply to do the job right. He learned quickly, he was constantly asking questions became clear to many he was a rising star.

And a few short years he had made it to the elite anticrime unit. It was respected by his elders, and he was looked up to by junior officers and regardless of seniority all son has a friend.

Even at the age of 25, others flock to him seeking advice and guidance. He was a consummate professional. By the same time he had a tremendous ability to enjoy life. He never took himself too seriously. He always found the joy in what he did. And then the deep bonds he felt with others.

His enthusiasm and his smile were infectious. Do you photos is obvious those around him felt joy in his presence. People want to work him. If Brian was doing something they wanted to be part of it.

He was always ready with a joke. And he is always ready for a friendly competition. And ready to won up his friends and fellow officers, off duty as well. He live life to the fullest. He loved many, many things and people. He loved everything about the life that he had created.

He was devoted to his german shepherd Smoky, he loved his copper black Accura. And he excelled at making his own home made videos filmed while singing to the radio, his own version of karaoke. Acting out songs and then sharing them with his friends.

All those things mattered so much to him. His work and things he loved to do. But nothing mattered more than his family. Clearly above all in his life, he cherished family the most. He love to spend time with his father, he went to baseball games, he went bowling.

He also make sure that every Monday his day off, was a time he devoted to his mother. That was a time that he kept sacred to make sure he had that time with her.

Wherever he was, whatever...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BANFIELD: As the mayor continues to address the church on Long Island, I want to take you to the President who's about to speak live at the Nike headquarters in Beaverton Oregon. It is a bid trade deal that's being announced he is entering now to try to pitch this nation and other obviously on a pacific free trade zone.

Nike says it will create thousands and thousands of jobs. Critiques say it will send the whole bunch of jobs into cheaper labor countries that don't respect their rights as much.

It is a contentious issue even among his fellow Democrats. But he is pushing hard. And with him is also Mark Parker the president CEO of Nike. Let's listen. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA: Hello Oregon. Wow. Who arrange this thing? Every time I come to Oregon this is what it looks like.

Yeah, the -- it never rains in Oregon doesn't it. Never.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... California.

OBAMA: All right. Well listen it is wonderful to see all of you, first of all please give Mark another round of applause for his hospitality.

And thanks to everyone at Nike for hosting us today here in federal plots. You know, the White House is cool. We got a basketball court. Actually it's a tennis court that we repainted some lines when I came in the office.

[12:45:05] So it's a combination basketball tennis court. There is a punning green that President Eisenhower were put in. Can you imagine by the way if I'd put in punning green. Things have changed.

But you got all that and the 18th tee box from Petal beach. Come on. I'm sure some of my staff is running around right now in the Michael Jordan and Mia Hamm buildings. They want to be lab rats for your new gear.

But it is wonderful to be here. Please give it up for two people who fight every single day for Oregon workers, your representatives in congress, they do a great job. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici, they are both here. Give them big round of applause. Yehey.

And there are two people who couldn't make it here today. But they're doing a great job and you should give them around of applause, Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Kurt Schrader.

So it is great to be at the world headquarters, such an iconic company. The company that helps athletes succeed from the individual to the world stage.

And as you've heard I've come to Oregon to talk a little bit about trade. Which initially may have had some people thinking what is maybe go (ph) in some place that we didn't know about or yeah.

And he's going to be great. He's an outstanding young man, he's going to be terrific and from Hawaii by the way. You know, local boy. But this is important and I want to tell you why I think trade deals and our willingness to go out there and compete on the global stage is so important.

You know, before I came out here, had a chance to meet with some small business owners from across Oregon. Whose workers make everything from bikes, to tea, to stationary, to wine. And they know how important this is to them.

Sometimes when we talk about trade we think of Nike or we think of Boeing or we think of GE, we think about this big multinational companies. But those small business leaders came here today because they understood that these markets outside the United States will help them grow. And will help them hire more folks. Just as all the suppliers to Nike or Boeing or GE or any of these other companies understand this is going to be critical to their growth and their ability to create new jobs.

In fact that's why Ron Wyden is not here because he's in Washington D.C. as we speak quarterbacking this effort on behalf of Oregon small business owners and workers. The small businesses are backbone of our economy eventually like Nikes they grow sometimes in the really, really big companies.

They employ millions of people. 98 percent of exporters are small businesses. They're the once who made an Oregon and made in the U.S.A. mean something and they represent something essential about this country the notion that if you got to good idea and you're willing to work at it you can turn that idea into a business, you can grow that business, eventually who knows what might happen.

You can give other people a chance to earn a living even as you do well. That's America's promise. And it's up to us to keep that promise a lot. Now that promise was threatened for almost everybody just about seven year ago, when the economy nearly collapsed, and millions of American's lost their jobs, and their homes, and their life savings.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BANFIELD: As the president continues his discussion pitching the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal he's got a big selling congress for this by the way. But he thinks it's a great deal that it will create thousands of jobs.

Nike share was once said as well and says they'll create I think 40,000 if that deal goes through pardon me 10,000 if the accord is approved by the United States congress.

We're going to continue to monitor, to see if he has in the reference points for this new threat level that has been raised today on the Continental United States every military base now has a force protection bravo it will operate under, you will see some of the changes and you won't see some of the changes in security protocols at those bases.

[12:50:04] We're continuing to watch the president and we have that breaking story in Atlanta, where a Piper went down on the freeway. We are now live on the ground with our shots as the NTSB is starting to sort through some of the rubble that is remarkable to see that an aircraft carrying four people could be reduced to that in a concrete barrier in between two different directions of that freeway.

Four people dead we're going to update you from the ground with a live report in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BANFIELD: Breaking news down in Atlanta I want to take you to I-285 where you see a scene like this very often.

A Piper aircraft crashing to the ground right on one of the lanes of that freeway and virtually disintegrating four people onboard lost their lives. The officials have been holding press conferences that have very little information.

Our Martin Savidge is now on the ground right next to that wreckage. So Martin we saw DeKalb County officials saying they didn't know what cause this plane to crash behind you. But now I'm seeing the additional federal officials are on site as well. Have that change in the last half hour?

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well we still haven't had an update is to what may have cause this crash. But you're right the federal authorities, the people who are in charge with investigating are now on scene NTSB.

But we should point out that the bodies of the poor victims, they have not been identified. But it has been revealed that there were four or three males and one female as well as the family pet that was onboard this aircraft. All were killed.

And so this is the investigative process, you know, as you take a look there are couple of things that strike you, the bodies have been removed so we can zoom in on the wreckage without fear of in anyway being a problem.

[12:55:06] You are struck by a little of this airframe has left. And then on top of that you can see the burn mark up against the burn that's a center barrier there on I-285 Eastbound. And that is thought to be the point of impact at least according to witnesses.

Those who were hear and there was a lot of traffic report that there was huge fire ball and also heavy, heavy black smoke. The Fire Department then have to come in and use fomes to put it out. But this happened around 10:10 from a nearby Peachtree DeKalb Airport.

The four people took off again it's assumed that whatever went wrong, went wrong pretty quickly because that airport is just a very short distance away.

So right now, the biggest problem is the impact of traffic and that's likely to last all day. Ashleigh.

BANFIELD: Oh Martin, that scene that you're showing as for the first time live on the ground is really just so distressing. You're right it's just virtually took disintegrated single in Piper PA-32 with the four people and the family pet onboard.

Our Martin Savidge reporting for us live. Thank you for that.

We are continuing to watch the change in the threat level for military bases all over the Continental United States. We are now at force protection bravo for those sites. It affects the military service personnel on the site and a whole lot of civilians too, perhaps even you.

Our Wolf Blitzer is going to continue this coverage and a lot of other breaking news right after the break. And have a good weekend.

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