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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Police Heighten Security For July 4th; New York Prison Break: Escaped Killer's Promise; Tunisia Terror Attack: New Arrests; Joe & Jill Biden to Attend World Cup Final. Aired 5-5:30a ET
Aired July 03, 2015 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[05:00:00] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: EARLY START continues right now.
(MUSIC)
BERMAN: Fourth of July terror concerns across the country. Security enhanced as false alarms create high anxiety on the streets.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Stunning details on the New York prison break. The slain escaped killer writing his daughter a letter. What he promised her ahead.
BERMAN: Breaking overnight. New arrests in the ISIS terror attack at the Tunisia hotel, as the United Kingdom prepares for the moment of silence for the dozens it lost. We're live.
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm John Berman.
ROMANS: And I'm Christine Romans. It's Friday, July 3rd. It's a holiday in the U.S. And it is 5:00 in the East.
Across the country this morning, police ramping up security ahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend, and the concerned fan by an ISIS social media campaign, urging homegrown terror attacks. Officers are fanning out in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, and other major cities.
In New York, state police boats with radiation protectors are patrolling rivers and harbors. NYPD is deploying special forces units, bomb sniffing dogs, scanning the crowd with about 7,000 cameras.
The department's counterterrorism chief says the Macy's fireworks show will have, quote, "potentially the most complex counterterrorism overlay ever."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN MILLER, NYPD DEPUTY COMMISSIONER: Go to the fireworks, bring your family. Have a great time. You're going to be at the most well- secured event in the city.
(END VIDEO CLIP) ROMANS: In Washington, tens of thousands expected to squeeze through nine access points on the National Mall for that fireworks and concert. The tight security in Washington, D.C. and New York already getting a dry run with two false alarms, one, a bomb threat in a mosque in Patterson, New Jersey, that turned out to be a crank call, and the other, a report of gunfire at Washington's navy yard. That locked things up for a couple of hours yesterday morning.
For the latest on that, we turn to justice correspondent Pamela Brown.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAMELA BROWN, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, John and Christine, it is clear that law enforcement is on edge. The overwhelming response from law enforcement at the navy yard came in part, of course, because of the eerie similarity to the navy yard shooting two years ago. But it's a result of the officials being on heightened alert leading into the Fourth of July weekend, given the significant terror concerns.
The events there unfolded with a 7:30 a.m. 911 call from a woman inside the navy yard reporting possible shots fired. After that, the entire complex was put on lockdown. Hundreds of law enforcement personnel converged on the area. And helicopters hovered above.
The White House even canceled all tours. Nearly three hours later, after every room in the building was searched, the all clear was given by police.
Adding to the fear of that time, police in New Jersey were investigating a bomb threat at a mosque in a mosque. That turned out to be a hoax, but with the increase chatter from ISIS supporters leading into the weekend, law enforcement clearly doesn't want to take any chances --John and Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: Thanks, Pamela. Taking new chances at all.
Now, the possibility of a terror attack left to everyone's mind at a mall in Fayetteville, North Carolina overnight. Customers called police reporting a man with a Kevlar vest and carrying an AR-15 assault rifle. The mall was evacuated. Police stopped the man within minutes. No shots were fired.
Officials say charges against the suspect are pending. They are not disclosing why this guy cruising through the mall with a Kevlar vest and an AR-15. They don't know what the motive is, but they say charges are pending.
BERMAN: New details this morning about the New York prison. A report in the Buffalo News says Richard Matt wrote a letter to his daughter just before he and David Sweat staged their brazen escape from the Clinton correctional facility.
According to law enforcement, Matt said in the letter, quote, "I always promised I would see you on the outside." Adding, "I'm a man of my word." His daughter got his letter three days after the escape. Matt was killed by police one week ago today. Sweat was captured and remains hospitalized.
Let's get more on the investigation now from CNN's Jason Carroll.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, federal authorities releasing a bit more information about those final moments between Richard Matt and that border patrol officer, that officer telling Matt to put his hands up. He ended up firing on that officer only after Richard Matt failed to put his hands up and put a .20-gauge shotgun at that officer. He picked up that shotgun along with the liquor that he found while he was on the run.
So, as violent as those last moments were, they could have been worse if not for the quick thinking of the border patrol officer.
Also, new information coming to us about the alleged murder plot against Lyle Mitchell, Joyce Mitchell's husband. As you know, Joyce Mitchell denied she had anything to do with all that murder plot. David Sweat said she did.
Lyle weighing in and telling CNN yesterday afternoon, quote, "Lyle only knows what Joyce has told him. That was she didn't want to hurt Lyle."
[05:05:02] Again, Joyce Mitchell telling investigators she had nothing to do with the murder plot, also telling her husband she did not want him hurt or anyone to go through with it -- John, Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: All right. Jason, thank you.
Breaking overnight in Tunisia, police arrested eight people suspected in the involvement in the terror attack in a beach resort in Sousse one week ago. In just hours, the 38 people killed in the attack will be remembered with a moment of silence across the United Kingdom. All but eight of those killed were British.
This as U.S. officials confirm two of Tunisia's most wanted terrorists were killed in coalition air strikes. One was a top lieutenant of Osama bin Laden. The other, a senior ISIS leader.
For latest on the developments, I want to bring in CNN's Phil Black live from Tunisia.
Good morning, Phil.
PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine.
Yes, those are investigation. Eight people in custody, including a woman and the authorities are still looking for more. They released the image and details of one man they are hunting specifically, who they say played a role in the attack on the beach at Sousse one week ago, but also the attack that took place in the capital Tunis at the Bardo museum back in March. That killed 22 people, again targeting Western tourists.
The theory the authorities are pursuing is one where both attacks are linked. They believe the gunman involved in both attacks who died at the end of the massacre trained together across the border in neighboring Libya. That increasingly lawless country where we know Islamist groups like ISIS are getting a stronger foothold day by day.
Otherwise, today, one week on, is about remembrance. For the people of Britain, they will pause for a moment at midday to think about the 30 lives taken. For the United Kingdom, it is the worst loss of life because of terrorism since the bombings in London back in July of 2005. There will be a poignant moment shared on the sands at the beachfront at Sousse where the attack began where people here in Tunisia will reflect upon that attack and the lives that were taken quickly and so brutally last Friday -- Christine.
ROMANS: All right. Phil Black for us in Tunis actually -- thank you, Phil.
BERMAN: There's some optimism, but no deal this morning with the Iran nuclear talks. France's foreign minister said he expected to be back with more work to be done on Sunday. But Russia's deputy foreign minister saying he is confident an agreement will be reached.
And in a concrete sign of progress, Iran was allowed to take possession of a 13-ton $485 million pile of gold bullion held up for two years by sanctions.
ROMANS: And some critics are saying, what, so they get gold, what does the U.S. get? Still sitting at the table.
All right. The Obama administration is reportedly scaling back deportation as a policy shift to ensure the majority of the more than 11 million undocumented immigrants can stay in the country. "The Washington Post" says Homeland Security agents have narrowed enforcement in recent months to three groups of illegal immigrants.
The focus is on convicted criminals, terror threats and those recently crossing the border. Executive action by President Obama which would protect nearly 5 million people from being deported, that is being challenged by the courts.
BERMAN: BP has agreed to pay $18.7 billion to the Justice Department and four Gulf Coast states to settle claims stemming from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. Eleven people died on the fire on the oil drilling rig and millions of barrels of crude oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico.
This is the largest corporate settlement in U.S. history involving Louisiana, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. Louisiana will get the biggest chunk, $6.8 billion.
ROMANS: All right. An early start on your money this Friday. The stock market is closed for the Fourth of July holiday. Government offices are closed. But the short week was bumpy.
Yesterday, a strong jobs report, a healthy jobs report, the lowest unemployment rate in seven years. Stocks fell. The Dow dropped 28 points. That healthy unemployment rate signals a interest rate hike could be around the corner, although weak wage growth casts doubt when that rate hike will happen.
In Europe today, stocks are down. Greece debt crisis still weighing on things, uncertainly about Greece's death and the future in the European Union. Greek stock exchange and local banks closed for a fifth day.
Breaking overnight, health care giant Aetna will acquire Humana for $37 billion. The Supreme Court ruling upholding Obamacare subsidies has helped clear the path to deal-making. "The Wall Street Journal" reporting Anthem and Cigna continue to talk about a possible merger.
BERMAN: All right. There is a new candidate in the Democratic race for president, former Senator Jim Webb of Virginia. In a statement, Webb acknowledged that his chances of winning are remote, but says the voice of an outsider is sorely needed in the race.
He says, "I understand the odds particularly in today's political climate where fair debate is so often drowned out by huge sums of money."
[05:10:05] This is my favorite part, "Let's clean out the manure- filled stables of a political system that has become characterized by greed."
The guy has written ten books. Good books, by the way.
ROMANS: The guy wrote ten books?
BERMAN: He has a better grasp of the English language than some of us do.
Some candidates are busy campaigning this holiday weekend, Bernie Sanders, Martin O'Malley, Bobby Jindal, they will be in Iowa today. While Chris Christie, Rick Perry and Hillary Clinton, they are stumping in New Hampshire.
And as for the White House occupant, President Obama, he sounded like a current candidate, though he cannot run for president again. He was savoring recent political successes, having to do with Obamacare, also same-sex marriage. Perhaps trade deal as well. He took a swipe at the crowded Republican field.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We've got some healthy competition in the Democratic Party. I lost count how many Republicans are running for this job. They'll have enough for an actual "Hunger Games." That is an interesting bunch.
(END VIDEO CLIP) BERMAN: Again, I point out I do not think there is a minimum amount to compete in "Hunger Games." You can do that with four or five or six. You don't need 16.
ROMANS: Only you would fact check the president.
BERMAN: When he says enough for "The Hunger Games", and I don't think there is a minimum amount. It's true. PolitiFact, get on that.
All right. Republicans running for president. Some of them are now on the record on Donald Trump, but others being asked to say more about the controversial comments made about Mexican immigrants. What's holding them back? That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: This morning, Republican leaders and presidential candidates are trying to figure out what to do about Donald Trump, just as the party is trying to build bridges with Latino voters. Trump painted Mexican immigrants as criminals and rapists, as he entered the race for the Republican nomination.
[05:15:00] Now, the party chairman, the Republican Party chairman is calling Trump's remarks not helpful and his opponents, well, they're starting to blast him out right.
The latest from CNN's Athena Jones.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ATHENA JONES, CNN REPORTER: Good morning. Donald Trump is rising in recent polls, but, the firestorm over his offensive remarks about Mexican immigrants is coming as the Republican Party is trying to make inroads with Hispanic voters so they can win back the White House in 2016.
So, now, many of Trump's GOP rivals are trying to make clear that they don't agree with him. Take a listen.
RICK PERRY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't think Donald Trump's remarks reflect the Republican Party.
GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE (R-NJ), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The comments were inappropriate. They have no place in the race.
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: When you label a group of people as rapists and drug dealers, it's more about you than it is him.
JONES: And Trump's remarks are costing him some lucrative business deals with Univision and NBC Universal and Macy's. Now, Serta is putting to rest its line of Trump home mattresses. That's a luxury line of mattresses.
Trump may have the support of rising Republican primary voters, but more and more others are showing they don't want to touch him with a ten-foot pole.
In fact, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has said he's going to review the city's' contracts with Trump, focusing in part on a golf course in the Bronx -- John, Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: All right, Athena. Thank you for that, Athena Jones.
Trump's Miss USA pageant, it has found a home, after NBC and Univision dropped the pageant. It looked for a while like it might be available only streaming online. But the small independent cable channel Reelz is going to pick up, going to pick the July 12th pageant broadcast.
But not even Reelz is standing behind Trump. Overnight on CNN, network CEO Stan Hubbard, he backed away from Trump's immigration comments, but embrace the pageant's tradition.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STAN HUBBARD, REELZ: I think those kind of comments are completely ridiculous. I think most of America thinks the same way. I also think when you are a giant corporation, you have lots of entanglements that an independent network doesn't have. An independent network Reelz is able to look at contestant and community and American tradition and get our arms around the good parts of it and bring it to television on July 12th.
The agreement that we made is with the pageant officials, not with the Trump organization.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: They will need to do casting, because all the previously announced hosts and performers have backed out. So far, Reelz has not announced replacements.
BERMAN: Concerning and unacceptable, that is what Baltimore police tell CNN about a sign found inside one of the department's inmate transport vans.
This is the sign. "Enjoy your ride because we sure will." Department officials tell our affiliate WBAL that the photo is real, that inspections are underway on all department-owned vehicles. This comes from the wake of Freddie Gray's death.
In April, Gray died after suffering a severe spinal cord injury while being transported in a similar van. Six Baltimore police officers have been charged in his death.
ROMANS: Investigators say the cause of the fire that destroyed the Mt. Zion AME Church in Greeleyville, South Carolina, was natural, not criminal. They believe a lightning strike sparked Tuesday night's blaze. However, the Justice Department says it is investigating several church fires that broken out across five states over the past two weeks. Federal investigators say so far, they have found no link between the fires.
BERMAN: Fireworks on the freeway. A Chevrolet van packed with fireworks exploded near the Nevada border Thursday afternoon. No one was injured, but that van engulfed in flames, sparks were flying, stalling traffic on the main freeway, between Los Angeles and Las Vegas for hours. The driver fled and is still at large.
ROMANS: Hip hop mogul Sean Combs will not face felony charges n the UCLA assault case, but the Los Angeles district declining to file felony charges against Coombs who was arrested last month after an altercation with one of his son's football coaches. The D.A. says it will turn the case over to the L.A. city attorney's office, which could file lesser misdemeanor charges.
BERMAN: All right. A stunner at the all England club. Rafael Nadal, he is a wonderful guy it turns out, but he lost at Wimbledon. Who was responsible for an early exit? A guy you have never heard of. We will have the details next in the bleacher report.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[05:22:47] BERMAN: All right. NASCAR tracks across the country asking fans not to display the Confederate flag at races.
ROMANS: Coy Wire has more of this morning's bleacher report.
COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS: Good morning, guys.
NASCAR doesn't use the Confederate flag in any capacity. They haven't for ten plus years. But their fans have been always able to fly at races if they chose to do so. NASCAR Tracks released a statement saying in part, "We are committed to providing a welcoming atmosphere free of offensive symbols. This is an opportunity for NASCAR Nation to demonstrate its sense of mutual respect and acceptance for all who attend our events while collectively sharing the tremendous experience of NASCAR racing."
Now at Sunday's NASCAR race, the Coke Zero 400, fans are encouraged to bring in any flag, including the Confederate flag and trade it in for a United States flag. We'll keep eye on that.
Now, in tennis, you mentioned, there was a stunner yesterday. Ranked l02, the dreadlocked German Dustin Brown beat down two-time champ Rafael Nadal. Brown, this is a guy who's raced in Germany and Jamaica. He once traveled around Europe in a camper van trying to stay on tour.
Cool story, cool hair, maybe the coolest Twitter handle on tour. You can follow him @dreddytennis. He has the Serbian Viktor Troicki in round three.
In hoops, Dwyane Wade has decided to stay at home in Miami. He's agreed to a one-year $20 million deal. That squashed the rumors he would join LeBron James in Cleveland. Wade spent his enter 12-year career with the Heat. Now, let's talk soccer, baby. The U.S. women's national team has
their final practice this afternoon before facing Japan in the final on Sunday. It was announced last night that Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill will be at the match to clear on the U.S. They are heading a U.S. delegation with former U.S. greats Mia Hamm and Cobi Jones.
We're going to see if the U.S. can do what they haven't done in 16 years, and win the cup. I have to catch a flight in a couple hours, guys. I'll be reporting from Vancouver all weekend and hopefully join on Monday with some good news.
John, I know you're jealous.
BERMAN: I am so jealous. That's great.
[05:25:04] You're going to the ship with the World Cup team.
Coy Wire, have a great time. Looking forward to this game Sunday night.
ROMANS: All right.
WIRE: Thanks, guys.
BERMAN: Twenty-five minutes after the hour.
Fourth of July terror threats creating concerns across the country and false alarming creating anxiety on the streets from bomb threats to a gunman at a shopping mall. Details next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Fourth of July terror threats creating concerning across the country. Security enhanced. False alarms create panic. New developments overnight, ahead.
BERMAN: New details in the New York prison break. One escaped killer writing to his daughter just days after breaking free. The promise he made. That's ahead.
ROMANS: Breaking overnight. New arrests in an ISIS inspired hotel terror attack. We are live.
Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.
BERMAN: Good to see you today. I'm John Berman. About 30 minutes past the hour.
New concerns about security this morning as law enforcement across the country launch new measures to battle terror this holiday weekend. Worries over ISIS social media chatter has officers spanning out in major cities.
In New York, state police and boats with radiation detectors are patrolling rivers and harbors. The NYPD is deploying special forces units, bomb sniffing dogs, scanning the crowd with about 7,000 cameras.
The department's counterterrorism chief says the Macy's firework show will have potentially the most complex counterterrorism overplay ever.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN MILLER, NYPD DEPUTY COMMISSIONER: Go to the fireworks, bring your family. Have a great time. You're going to be at the most well- secured event in the city.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
