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Video Of 17-Year-Old's Shooting Death Released; Officer Charged With First-Degree Murder; No Specific Threat Against U.S.; Obama Wants Answers On Questionable ISIS Intel; Suspect In Paris Attacks Traveled To Syria In 2014; Russia Says Turkey Planned Downing Of Russian Jet; Homeland Security Chief Discusses Holiday Travel; Jeh Johnson Press Conference; Paris Suspected Traveled to Syria. Aired 1-1:30p ET

Aired November 25, 2015 - 13:00   ET

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

(CROSSTALK)

JONATHAN GILLIAM, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: It could be anywhere.

JOEY JACKSON, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I would love to address all of those things.

ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: I know.

JACKSON: We have to do it some other time.

BANFIELD: And you've got to call -- you've got to call with her.

GILLIAM: Wow, no immediate threat whatsoever. Supreme Court says --

BANFIELD: Yes.

GILLIAM: -- he acted unreasonably. Look at the other alternatives.

JACKSON: You have to take the emotion out.

GILLIAM: And as the use of force continues, talk to somebody before you shoot them after six seconds.

BANFIELD: We could debate that as well. I think it's, again, a really tough case to overcome. But it is Wolf Blitzer's turn. And that means I am done. And thank you so much to the both of you. And happy Thanksgiving to the both of you.

GILLIAM: Thank you.

BANFIELD: Thank you, everyone, for watching. Wolf starts now.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, I'm Wolf Blitzer. It's 1:00 p.m. here in Washington, 8:00 p.m. in Ankara, 9:00 p.m. in Moscow. Wherever you're watching from around the world, thanks very much for joining us.

We start with what's going on right here in Washington with a holiday message from President Obama, reassuring the American people, as he stood with his national security team over at the White House. Here's what the president said just moments ago.

(BEGNI VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We know of no specific and credible intelligence indicating a plot on the homeland. And that is based on the latest information I have just received in the situation room. It is similar to the information that I -- the briefing that I received on Saturday before I left on my trip last week.

So, as Americans travel this weekend to be with their loved ones, I want them to know that our counterterrorism, intelligence, homeland security and law enforcement professionals at every level are working overtime. They are continually monitoring threats at home and abroad, continually evaluating our security posture. They are constantly working to protect all of us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Let's go to Joe Johns. He's over at the White House for us. Joe, the president was clearly trying to reassure the nation right now on this Thanksgiving eve. He had his attorney general, his FBI director, his national security adviser. He had all of his top national security, Homeland Security, Secretary Jeh Johnson was there as well. It was a deliberate message he was trying to send.

JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: It was. It was a show of force, wasn't it, Wolf? An acknowledgment that, number one, people out in the country are worried especially after Paris. The president made reference to the fact that this was a post-Paris security meeting. And an acknowledgment that the government is doing what it can to deal with this.

And the message has been coming very clear out of the White House over the last 24 hours, really over the last week or more since the 13th when those horrible attacks occurred in Paris. So, the president trying to put a finer point on this as his Thanksgiving message that they're doing what they can to keep people safe. And also, telling people to be vigilant -- Wolf.

BLITZER: And so, when the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department, they issue these alerts, the State Department a worldwide travel alert for the next three months, all Americans be careful traveling around the world. The Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, they tell local law enforcement be prepared in case a shooter, for example, were to emerge, that's done out of strictly an abundance of caution? Because the president keeps saying there's no specific, credible threat.

JOHNS: And abundance of caution certainly. But if you look at the whole track record over the last two or three weeks, it's been very disturbing on international terrorism. You've had what happened in Beirut. You've had the Russian aircraft being bombed. And more, Paris, of course.

And then, today, this report of a terrorist attack in Tunisia. So, there's a lot going on out there in the world. And while they can say there's no specific and credible threat to the homeland, they're very -- big concerns about the tempo that ISIS has picked up over the last several few days -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right, Joe Johns over at the White House. Thank you.

Let's talk a little bit more about the president's message. Joining us now to discuss what's going on, Congressman Peter King of New York. He's a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, also a member of the Select Committee on Intelligence. What's your reaction to the bottom-line message from the president, Congressman?

REP. PETER KING (R), NEW YORK: Well, I agree with the president. As far as I know, there is no specific threat against the United States. We're not aware of any specific plot.

On the other hand, they could be using encryption. There could be a plot we're not aware of. Even though, again, the FBI and homeland security, all of our intelligence agencies, they can still uncover many of these plots even if there is encryption. But also, there could be the self-starter, the lone wolf, the person who's inspired by ISIS.

So, the president's right. There's no specific plot. We should go about our daily lives. But, on the other hand, it's still a very dangerous world. And if anyone's looking for an absolute guarantee, they're not going to get it. And there's not going to get it for quite a while because, again, ISIS wants to kill us. Al Qaeda wants to kill us. Al Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula wants to kill us. And they are constantly maneuvering and trying to find a way to penetrate our defenses.

[13:05:11] So, we have to be on our guard. We also have to go on with our lives. And that's the world we live in.

BLITZER: That's a basic bottom-line message.

As far as the war against ISIS is concerned in Syria and Iraq, the president, and I'm quoting him now, "We're going after ISIL or ISIS wherever it hides. That's been our strategy for more than a year." Is that strategy working?

KING: No, it is not. And the president, to me, it's been a very half-hearted type strategy in that he talks about, you know, the 65 nations involved in the -- in this alliance or this coalition. The fact is the U.S. is doing almost all of the airstrikes and there's only a few other countries that are actually helping us.

And also, there are real restrictions on our air power. For instance, the French, the first day they got involved in Syria, were able to take out a command and control center of a training camp. Why didn't we take them out in the previous 15 months? I believe there are too many restrictions -- too many restrictions on our military, as far as civilian casualties. The reality is, Wolf, there are always going to be some civilian casualties in war. And I think the president is trying to minimize it too much. And by doing that, it results in more people being killed.

BLITZER: What's the security situation in New York City now on the eve of Thanksgiving?

KING: New York realizes that it's always the number one target. And certainly with someone like ISIS, we clearly are the number one target. Having said that, the NYPD under Bill Bratton, they do a phenomenal job. They have over a thousand police officers who do nothing but focus on fighting terrorism, getting intelligence. That is their -- that is their mission. They also have these critical response teams now. They can get out and respond. They are -- they are everywhere. And not just what you see on the ground, not just what is obvious but also where you don't see them.

So, I would -- listen, I would urge anyone or encourage anyone, if you're going to Manhattan, go to Brooklyn, go to Queens, go the Bronx, go to Staten Island. New York City is as safe as it can be. Again, a dangerous world, no guarantees. But it's the safest big city in the United States and the NYPD is second to none.

BLITZER: Let's talk about the tension now between Turkey, a NATO ally, and Russia. Was Turkey justified in bringing down that SU-24, that Russian warplane that violated -- presumably, if you believe the Turks, violated the Turkish airspace for less than 30 seconds, according to U.S. military officials? Were they justified in having an F-16, use an air-to-air missile to bring down that Russian plane?

KING: Wolf, if this were just a one, you know, 30-second type incident, I would say no. But there's more involved here than that. Russia is constantly penetrating Turkey's airspace. Also, Turkey was -- I mean, Russia was bombing the Turkmen who are fighting Assad. They are allied with Turkey. So, this was, really, I'd say, a combination of things. Constant penetration of Turkey's airspace, plus the bombing of the resistance forces against Assad.

And so, under those conditions, I think Turkey was certainly right in doing it, from their perspective. They have to maintain their national sovereignty. And I believe it's important since Turkey is a member of NATO. They've not always been a reliable ally of the United States, but they are a member of NATO. And I believe it's our obligation to stand with Turkey in this -- in this confrontation.

BLITZER: As you know, the Russians and others accuse Turkey of being a major source of the revenue that ISIS is getting because ISIS ships oil to Turkey and they make money out of that. Have you heard those allegations?

KING: I've heard the allegations. Also, there's the allegations that Turkey's border has not been secure enough, that Turkey has not done enough to prevent the foreign fighters from going back and forth from Europe through Turkey into Syria and then, you know, back through Turkey again.

As I said, Turkey has not been a perfect ally and many of their actions, in recent years, I've been very much opposed to, including the way they turned against Israel, the way -- going back to 2003 when they wouldn't allow President Bush to bring troops in into Iraq. So, I mean, it's -- you know, to the northern border.

So, all of that, I would say, I'm not crazy about Turkey. On the other hand, Russia, now they have violated a number of countries airspace. They have been provocative. We've seen what they've done in the Ukraine. And they are bombing forces that are allied with us right now in Syria. So, under those conditions, I would say, in this instance, Turkey is right. And the larger issue is if a NATO ally is threatened by Russia, do we stand with the ally? And I say we have to.

BLITZER: As you know, there are allegations that elements in the U.S. military central command were pressured to sugar coating some of their intelligence estimates about ISIS, the war against ISIS to make it sound more rosy, that it was going much better than it actually was. And there's a full-scale investigation now by the Department of Defense inspector general. I'm -- I assume, as a member of the Intelligence Committee, you've looked into these allegations. What can you share with us?

[13:10:10] KING: Well, again, the Intelligence Committee is aware of these. I would just tell you about the people I have spoken to, not in classified situations but people who are familiar with the situation. And they say that, unfortunately, there is a lot to these allegations, that there have been changes made to make the situation look better than it really is. There's people who are doing the analysis who are very concerned about the way their reporting has been distorted. And so, there's a lot to this and we have to get to the bottom of it. It's bad enough, again, that the situation is not going well on the ground. But it's even worse if the reports going to the president are sort of papering that over. And who's doing that under whose direction? And is somebody giving a -- you know, giving a wink and a nod here to this from the White House?

BLITZER: It's a very disturbing development. We'll stay on top of it. Congressman Peter King of New York. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Thanks very much for joining us.

KING: Thank you, Wolf. Happy Thanksgiving to, Wolf. Thank you very much.

BLITZER: Thank you.

Coming up, France announces its stepping up efforts in its fight against ISIS, amid new reports that another Paris attacker had spent time in Syria before slipping back into the country unnoticed. We'll go live to Paris.

Plus this, Russia believe Turkey planned to shoot down its fighter jet for a while, that it wasn't a spur of the moment decision. We have details. That's just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Take a look at this, Jeh Johnson, the Secretary of Homeland Security, is at Union Station in Washington. He's briefing reporters on travel plans in the United States. Let's listen in. (JOINED IN PROGRESS)

JEH JOHNSON, U.S. SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY: -- we continue to know of no specific, credible threat of a plot on the U.S. homeland by a terrorist organization. However, those of us in law enforcement, homeland security, the intelligence community, continue to be vigilant, to work overtime, to monitor what's happening here in this country and for public safety.

JOHNSON: We are working overtime to protect the homeland, to evaluate and reevaluate what we see. We also want to encourage the public at the beginning of this holiday season to be vigilant yourself and to be aware. IF you see something, say something, has to be more than a slogan.

And so, this holiday season, this Thanksgiving weekend, I'd like everybody in the public to express thanks to those in law enforcement, in homeland security, and certainly our U.S. Military for keeping us all safe.

I have time for a couple of questions.

Yes, sir.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

JOHNSON: I can't comment on specific cases. We are in contact with our Mexican partners in homeland security and law enforcement continually. And so, it's something we're monitoring very carefully. I am aware of the case you referred to involving families, but I can't comment any more specific than that.

Yes sir.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

JOHNSON: In April I put out a directive to tighten up airport security, specifically around those who work at airports. Fewer access points, more continuous, random screening of airport personnel, and we're evaluating whether more is necessary right now.

That's something that I and TSA have been focused on as recently as -- as today.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

JOHNSON: Well, given the differential in sizes of airports, you take Atlanta, for example, there's something like 63,000 people who work in Atlanta. So there's no one size fits all solution for every -- every airport in the U.S.

Airport security is something that TSA works in collaboration with the local airport authorities, the city, the mayor, the commissioner and the security people at the airport. And so, this is something that we began to focus on early this year and we're continuing to focus on it.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

JOHNSON: We know of -- we in the U.S. Government know of no specific, credible threat of a terrorist plot to the homeland. What we are focused on and continue to be focused on as we have before Paris are potential copy-cat acts, similar to things that occur overseas. We're focused on the -- the lone actor as well, and we've seen some of that overseas and here in recent months, and so this is something that our law enforcement community, the FBI, does a very good job of detecting, investigating, interdicting, and -- and prosecuting. And we're gonna continue at this. But we are vigilant, we are aware -- around the country at different events, basically, there is a reinforcing of existing security measures, and it should be obvious to the public that there's a heightened presence in places like here -- like Union Station, here, at airports -- other places, other public events -- other public gathering places.

And so there's a heightened presence by law enforcement, by security personnel, but in general, we want to encourage the public as the holiday season begins to travel, be with your family, celebrate the holidays, go to public events, go to public gatherings, but be vigilant, and be aware.

[13:20:24] Thanks a lot.

BLITZER: All right, so there he is, Jeh Johnson, the secretary of Homeland Security, with another message to the American public, similar to what we heard from President Obama in the White House just a little while ago. Both of these men were at the national security meeting in the White House situation room earlier with the FBI director, the president's national security adviser, the attorney general of the United States, the White House counterterrorism adviser, all of them sending the same message, no specific, credible threat to the United States homeland. However, be careful. If you see something, say something as you go about your Thanksgiving and holiday travel plans.

We have more breaking news coming into CNN. We're going to take a quick break. Much more right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:25:25] BLITZER: A wreath laying ceremony in Paris. The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, is there, together with the French president, Francois Hollande. That just occurred just moments ago. In fact, they're still there at this ceremony. Francois Hollande, the president of France, continuing his consultations with world leaders in the aftermath of the Paris terror attacks, meeting yesterday here in Washington with the president of the United States. Tomorrow he'll head to Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin. Met with David Cameron, the British prime minister, as well. But at the same time - he will also meet, by the way, with the leadership in Italy, as he continues to forge - try to forge a new coalition to fight and destroy ISIL.

There are other new developments happening right now, and including this. A source close to the investigation says an individual named Mohamed Abrini, who police believe was the driver of a car used in the terror attacks in Paris, traveled to Syria back in 2014.

Meanwhile, some normalcy returning to Brussels with a heavy police presence on the streets. Children did return to school today. Most subway lines were reopened at the same time. The capital was in shutdown for four days after the alert level there was raised in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.

For more on all of these developments, let's go to our senior international correspondent Ivan Watson. He's joining us live from Paris.

Ivan, this new information about one of the suspects in the Paris terror attacks, what more can you tell us about Mohamed Abrini's trip to Syria?

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Just a second, Wolf. I just want to point out that the French and German leader are still here on the other side of the Place de la Republique with the mayor of Paris right now, again, paying their respects to victims after the worst - the deadliest attacks Paris has seen since World War II.

And one of the issues they're, of course, discussing is an effort by the French president to deal with the serious security challenges posed by foreign fighters, by citizens of Europe, of France, like potentially this suspect, Mohamed Abrini, who we're learned now from a source close to the investigation that he was believed to have been in Syria in 2014. The investigators don't know when he came back to Europe, but he's definitely one of the suspects in this investigation. The international arrest warrant issued yesterday.

He joins another suspect, Salah Abdeslam, a resident of Belgium, as being some of the most warranted men in Europe. They were filmed by security cameras two days before the November 13th Paris attacks. And Abrini is believed to have dropped off one of the suicide bombers at the football stadium here in Paris just moments before the attack.

So a lot of reason to be looking for them. Nobody knows where he is right now. And the fact that he was able to get in - back into Europe from Syria along with several other of the suspects in the Paris attacks really gets to the core of some of the challenges now facing Europe, challenges that Francois Hollande, the French president, wants to bring up with European leaders. It's part of why his government is proposing a $10 billion euro fund to put more money towards strengthening border security and intelligence sharing to stop failures like potentially this suspect getting through the borders from Syria back to Europe.

Wolf.

BLITZER: The meetings that the French president, Francois Hollande, have been having, specifically today with Angela Merkel, what does France really want Germany to do?

WATSON: Well, you know, France has made it clear, it wants to destroy ISIS. And it continues to bomb suspected ISIS targets, not only in Syria, but in Iraq as well. Now, Germany, its assistance on the military front in the Middle East in that campaign has not been as robust. It has provided some weapons, some essential anti-tank missiles to the Iraqi Kurds who are fighting against ISIS in northern Iraq. But again, one of the main initiatives we've heard from the French government is that they want to put this fund together, again, of some 10 billion euros with Germany to strengthen security.

Another big issues is going to be, can they get the Germans on board to help put more pressure on Russia, to help resolve this terrible conflict in Syria.

Wolf.

BLITZER: I know President Hollande goes to Moscow tomorrow to meet with President Putin.

[13:30:02] All right, Ivan, thanks very much.

Still ahead, the surviving pilot of that Russian fighter jet downed by Turkey now says he received no warning at all before his plane was hit.