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Clinton and Sanders Vie for Home Turf in NY; "Boston Globe" Satire Creates News; Investigation Within U.S. Navy That Threatened National Security; New Orleans Police Investigating Shooting Death of Former NFL Star. Aired 4-5p ET

Aired April 10, 2016 - 16:00   ET

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

[16:00:00] FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: CNN hosts the democratic presidential debate. Don't miss Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders facing off live from New York Thursday night 9:00 Eastern, right here on CNN.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD (voice-over): Happening now in the "NEWSROOM," Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton united on one idea.

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT), DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We will do everything possible to prevent this country from seeing a Donald Trump or some other Republican in the White House. That would be a disaster for this country. And I will do everything I can to prevent that.

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I take him over Donald Trump or Ted Cruz any day.

WHITFIELD: As both crisscross New York in an all-out delegate battle. "NEWSROOM" starts now.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Hello again everyone and thanks so much for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

New York state of mind is an understatement. Candidates on both sides are laser focused on that state's upcoming primary. After laying low for a few days, Donald Trump held a rally in Rochester last hour. Bernie Sanders addressed a large crowd on Coney Island reminiscing about his childhood memories there even. And Hillary Clinton stopped by three churches in Manhattan today before hosting a rally in Baltimore, just last hour.

So despite Sanders winning the caucuses in Wyoming last night, Clinton appeared unphased in her interview with CNN's Jake Tapper reiterating that hundreds of delegates still set them apart.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CLINTON: Right now I am leading him with about 2.5 million votes in the popular vote. I'm leading him in pledge delegates with a larger margin than Senator Obama ever had over me. I feel good about the upcoming contests. And I expect to be the nominee. And I will hope to have a unified democratic party so that we can turn our attention to the Republican nominee.

JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: Are you preparing for the scenario where neither of you enter the convention with the exact number of pledged delegates you need? And there might be something of a floor fight or a contested convention? Are you getting ready for that just in case?

CLINTON: No. I intend to have the number of delegates that are required to be nominated.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right. Just for clarity that interview airing today, but the interview taking place before that Wyoming - the outcome of that Wyoming caucus that Bernie Sanders won.

All right. Let's talk more about this with CNN political commentator Hilary Rosen and democratic strategist Nomiki Konst. Hello, ladies. Good to see you.

Hilary, you first, is Clinton playing this right or should she feel more pressure going into New York, meaning she is looking at this as the race against Republicans as opposed to the race for nomination?

HILARY ROSEN, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, she feels it doesn't mean she should show it. But there's no question this New York primary means a lot. And, honestly, I think it means a lot personally to both of them.

Bernie Sanders is back in New York claiming his roots. She, you know, served New York as a senator for two terms and feels very personal about it. So this entire week I think for them has been a, you know, kind of not just old home week but really a sense of, hey, you know, I'm your person. I'm the one who knows you best. And, you know, by all accounts she has the advantage there that New Yorkers and the churches and in upstate and around the city do remember when she was an effective senator.

WHITFIELD: And so, Nomiki, Bernie Sanders is kind of riding the wave of this momentum while the polling shows that he is down like, you know, Hilary was explaining Hillary Clinton really have the advantage in New York, what is the word within the Bernie Sanders camp as to how he can try and use that momentum to change the dynamic in New York. Because things would certainly change considerably, would it not, in the confidence level of this candidate and his camp if he were indeed to do particularly well for New York?

NOMIKI KONST, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Well, New York state, from Buffalo to the Bronx, from Binghamton to Brooklyn, it's a very different state than it was when Hillary Clinton was first elected. The party machine has pretty much died across the state. Unions are working very hard for Bernie Sanders across the state. His message is resonating especially in upstate New York in working class communities, blue collar communities, who has been hurt by the economy of the '90s, the NAFTA economy of the Clintons.

That's why in the past three weeks alone Hillary Clinton went from a 40 percent lead to just about a 10 percent lead. And that is sending fear to the Hillary Clinton campaign. And that's empowering the Bernie Sanders campaign. And so what that means right now there's a 200-delegate difference. That 200 delegate difference has stayed that way for the past several months, for the last 10 primaries and caucuses.

[!6:05:10]

And when Hillary Clinton uses this term about - the number of the two million person lead, voter lead, that's not counting caucuses. Because caucuses don't count their votes. Unfortunately they're party run and that's a party rule. So all of those caucus votes that Bernie Sanders got are not being equated. So this momentum, we're feeling it but we're not seeing it in numbers because a lot of those numbers aren't being listed.

You know, the Bernie Sanders campaign feels very strong about their message of economic inequality, the $15 minimum wage that was just signed in New York state for universal health care. These are the issues that matter to New Yorkers. And we're seeing it everywhere we go, sold out crowds. Not sold out - they're free crowds, but 18,000- person crowds. And we think that it's going to be a really strong primary day for him.

WHITFIELD: So, you know, Hilary, you talk about Hillary Clinton not showing it. While they may feel the pressure, while they may be aware of this kind of momentum and potential for, you know, changing the tone of this race, what is the Hillary Clinton camp thinking and feeling as it pertains to the non-white vote? Whereas, you know, Clinton has felt very confident that ownership of about 60 percent compared to, you know, Bernie Sanders' close to 30 percent of the non- white vote has been very comfortable.

And when now director Spike Lee releases an ad that shows, you know, quite the array of diversity in a camp that is supporting Bernie Sanders, does Clinton feel like she has to change the dialogue, kind of customize it more to try to really secure that non-white vote?

ROSEN: Look, you know, I think that her record and her issues and (INAUDIBLE) speak for itself, she was the first candidate in this race to talk about criminal justice reform. She was the first candidate to meet with the Black Lives Matter Movement when they were still protesting Bernie Sanders until he moved.

And so, you know, there is just a really strong history of her she was in black churches in Brooklyn this morning. So I do think that if not a firewall, I do think that the significant support among now granted older minority voters are still going to be the stalworth for Hillary Clinton. That's not to say there isn't some pressure there.

But, again, presidential campaigns are at this stage in every presidential campaign every April it's about the math. We can say it's about the story because that's better TV, but really it's about the math. Bernie Sanders can actually beat Hillary Clinton in New York, Fred. Let's not forget this. And still not change really the delegate count much. Now, that doesn't mean it wouldn't give him some momentum, it wouldn't hurt a lot.

But -

WHITFIELD: In large part because of the super delegate commitment.

ROSEN: No, because it's not a winner take all state. So even if Hillary Clinton beats Bernie Sanders, she's still only going to have, you know, sort of a 10-delegate lead among those hundred delegates. So again, right now there's a lot baked in here that make it very tough for Bernie Sanders.

WHITFIELD: All right. Hilary Rosen, Nomiki Konst, we'll leave it right there. Thanks so much, ladies.

KONST: Thanks.

WHITFIELD: All right. It is indeed a big week of politics. And CNN Anderson Cooper will host three town halls with the Republican candidates and their families.

Monday night, Ohio Governor John Kasich will be joined by his wife, Karen and daughters, Reese and Emma. Tuesday Donald Trump will be joined by his wife, Melania and children, Ivanka, Eric and Donald Jr.. And Wednesday, Texas Senator Ted Cruz will be joined by his wife, Heidi.

The candidates and their families talking with Andserson and taking questions from the audience. It all starts tomorrow night 9:00 Eastern right here on CNN.

And then Thursday, all this leading up to the big Thursday. CNN hosting the democratic presidential debate. Don't miss Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders facing off live from New York Thursday night, 9:00 Eastern, right here on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[16:12:32]

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

WHITFIELD: This breaking news officials tell CNN at least nine people were killed and 55 others wounded in a suicide bombing in northern Iraq. Authorities say a suicide bomber detonated in the middle of Shiite militia troops as they were trying to take over two villages south of Kirkuk.

We're also continuing to follow new developments out of Brussels this afternoon. Prosecutors are now saying the terrorists who planned the deadly attacks in Belgium last month were actually plotting to hit France again. But as they saw how quickly the investigation into last year's attacks in Paris was moving, they switched gears and turned their target to Brussels instead. I want to bring in CNN global affairs analyst Kimberly Dozier. She's joining us now from Washington. Good to see you.

KIMBERLY DOZIER, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: Good to see you.

WHITFIELD: How much stock do you take into this information that's coming as a result of the arrests made?

DOZIER: Well, it matches previous information by one of the other attackers who'd been questioned in Paris who mentioned that one of the targets was a building complex called La Defense in Paris, for later targeting.

Now, a CNN French affiliate is reporting that La Defense and a Catholic association would have been part of this second round, but that the Belgian attackers decided with the arrest of Salah Abdelsalam that they had to move up their timeline and strike closer to home. The terrifying part is that they were competent enough to do that and that they had enough weaponry, explosives in place and they'd already mapped out some targets to hit, some soft targets, the subway and the airport. And that it was so easy for them to roll this out.

WHITFIELD: And then as we're learning more and more about the raids, the arrests, et cetera, we're also hearing a bit more about the raids, taking place involving what could be the safe houses. What does that mean exactly when you hear safehouse, doesn't necessarily mean this is where they lived? In some cases they may have been living there, but what is the connotation behind this safehouse?

DOZIER: I probably helps to think about these militant rings as you would a criminal gang where they have different places across the city to hide from the police to hide contraband, to hide money in case they make a quick getaway.

[16:15:03]

This group actually might be changing the way that the Belgian and European authorities look for militants in that they weren't overtly religious. A couple of them have thought to have traveled to Syria, but the rest seem to be locally trained. It's as if they learned their criminal skills on the streets doing robberies, things like that. And then they were looking for meaning. And they were vulnerable to being recruited into this kind of group.

WHITFIELD: Interesting. And then this is what President Obama said this weekend about the U.S. fight against terror.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: When I hear some candidates saying we should carpet bomb innocent civilians.

UNIDENTIFED MALE: Ted Cruz.

OBAMA: That is not a productive approach to defeating terrorism. When I hear people suggesting that we should ban all Muslims from entering the country, that is not a good approach to defeating terrorism. Our approach has to be smart.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right. So he is, you know, taking a dig at the Republican candidates some, including Ted Cruz who talked about the carpet bombing, et cetera. But what do you hear in the president's criticism of what doesn't work what they reveal about what this administration wants to do more of in the time that it has.

DOZIER: Well, what I'm hearing him say are the same things I've heard from U.S. counterterrorism officials, lessons they've learned the hard way. When they've gone in and hit areas accidentally indiscriminately, whether it be in Iraq or Afghanistan or say a drone strike in a place like Yemen, they've paid the price in terms of that image helping the militants in the area recruit more followers.

That's why you see this emphasis on targeted strikes. And then building local forces with the U.S. presence almost hopefully invisible on the ground, at least according to the special operators planning these missions, they want to give the militants no ammunition to recruit more people to their cause.

WHITFIELD: Kim Dozier, thanks so much, in Washington, appreciate it.

DOZIER: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right. Coming up, the "Boston Globe" warning of riots, a mutiny by the military and mass deportations. These are the headlines they say represent the prediction of what life would be like under a Donald J. Trump presidency, they say. We'll explain. And then, a Trump aide says Cruz, Ted Cruz, is using, "Gestapo" tactics in the delegate hunt.

More on that next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[16:21:25]

WHITFIELD: The "Boston Globe' is taking a hard stance today against a Trump presidency. Creating an entire section of the paper with a phony snapshot of what it says America might look like next year under Trump. The headlines glare with news of mass deportations, markets sink, trade war looms, U.S. soldiers refuse order to kill ISIS families. The fake front page is accompanied by an op-ed by the "Boston Globe" editorial staff, which says "The GOP must stop Trump. Donald J. Trump's vision for the future of our nation is as deeply troubling as it is profoundly un-American. And goes onto say, "the toxic mix of violent intimidation, hostility to criticism and explicit scapegoating of minorities shows a political movement is taking hold in America. If Trump were a politician running such a campaign in a foreign country, right now the U.S. State Department would probably be condemning him.

So joining me right now Brian Stelter, CNN senior media correspondent and host of "Reliable Sources." Good to see you. So a lot of very unusual things here.

The editorial on the page prominently under the newspaper banner. And then of course you see those words such as the GOP must stop Trump. The opening line saying the future of our nation is deeply disturbing as it is profoundly un-American. So at the same time how un-American or how bold is it that anyone in America would be stopped at the urging of the content in a newspaper that is supposed to be unbiased?

BRIAN STELTER, HOST "RELIABLE SOURCES": Yes, in this case this is kind of going to the extreme, isn't it? I was reading this morning the headline "deportations to begin." This is certainly coming with a point of view, there's no doubt about that. It's coming from the editorial page of the "Boston Globe," which is separate from the newsroom.

But I realize a lot of people don't necessarily see or care about the difference. And it's already being bashed online as an example of liberal media bias. I think what we're seeing here are editors in the "Boston Globe" as one example of a place where editors and producers and anchors want to make a statement, want to get people's attention and pay attention to what Trump has been saying in his own words. So that's what the "Globe" says it's doing. Using his own words to preview the future. But it is definitely been controversial. It's almost like something out of the onion newspaper, the satirical newspaper, but in real life.

WHITFIELD: Yes, turn it around again. Let's see the hard copy. Because it presents itself differently when you go online to the "Boston Globe."

STELTER: Yes, there's the whole thing. It does look like a real front page. Now, if you open it up you'll see the actual normal ideas section and you'll see the editorial saying the GOP must stop Trump. Of course Massachusetts is a pretty liberal state. But we know there is a big amount of support there for Trump as well.

We saw that in the state's primary. I do wonder if some Trump supporters will be calling and canceling their subscriptions. I don't know if there will be a big dent to the "Boston Globe," they knew what they were doing with this cover. They were seeking to create controversy and they have. There are a few jokes here as well even though it has a serious point. They suggest that Ahma Rosa from "The Apprentice" would be the education secretary, they refer to Kid Rock being an ambassador to Japan. So they're having some fun with it while at the same time trying to make a serious point.

WHITFIELD: It's dated Sunday, April 9th, 2017, looking ahead one year from now.

STELTER: Right.

WHITFIELD: So in a time where newspapers particularly across this country, you know, are really in a tight place, many are kind of staying - or trying to stay alive as best they can with their hard copy.

STELTER: Right.

[16:25:00]

WHITFIELD: Did the "Boston Globe" calculate this as a necessary risk to take? What was behind the decision making for the "Boston Globe," traditionally a fairly conservative mainstream newspaper, taking this kind of risk.

STELTER: Right. I think you're onto something there. Earlier this week the "Boston Globe," an unusual internal memo came out from the top editor saying "we need to rethink everything we do. Can we come up with a plan for the future that isn't as reliant on print and come up with new bold strategies to gain readers?"

Now, this was already in the works before that memo came out. But that is exactly what's happening in newsrooms, print newsrooms all across the country. People being urged to try new things, to be experimental and to try to come up with new ways to find readers. Now, this might turn off some readers, but impress a lot of other ones.

This is an example of out of the box thinking whether you love it or hate it. I think it's sort of reflecting on what we're seeing in other newsrooms as well. Trump is a one of a kind, out of the box candidate. So there are attempts to cover him one of a kind ways.

We've seen that on websites as well especially liberal leaning websites that want to make a point about Trump's very offensive remarks over the months. This is another way to try to put a spotlight on what Trump has said. Keep in mind the editorial page also says Ted Cruz would be an equally extreme perhaps even more dangerous candidate. Those are the words of the editorial page. But they're not making a front page about Cruz, they're making a front page about Trump.

WHITFIELD: Right. No comments about John Kasich. But they did take the time to talk a little bit about Mitt Romney as well and Paul Ryan.

STELTER: Right. They're suggesting at the convention this summer the editorial board would like to see Romney or Ryan as the eventual nominee of the party.

WHITFIELD: Probably. All right. Brian Stelter, always good to see you. Thank you so much.

STELTER: Thanks.

WHITFIELD: We'll have much more from the "NEWSROOM" right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Back to "The Road to the White House."

Just moments ago Donald Trump back on the campaign trail. [16:30:00] He didn't waste any time going off on that Boston Globe

article, you know, the one with the kind of dummy front page what America would look like if it were Donald J. Trump who were president. This is what Donald Trump had to say about this paper and a few of the others.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: How about that stupid Boston Globe? It's worthless. Sold for a dollar. Did you see that story? The whole front page they made up a story that Trump -- they pretended Trump as the president. And they made up the whole front page is a make believe story, which is really no different from the whole paper for the whole thing. I mean, the whole thing is no different.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: OK. So, CNN's Chris Frates is in Rochester where Trump just held that rally and said that stuff. And Jeremy Diamond is a reporter over at CNN politics, also with us out of New York.

So, Chris, let me begin with you. I mean, clearly he's talking to his supporters who are very much in agreement with him. Give me a little bit more about what else happened there.

CHRIS FRATES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. I mean, he was really firing up this crowd. That we are told that this hanger can fit 6,000 people in it. It was pretty packed here, Fred, but what kind of struck me today from Donald Trump was how much he hammered away at the system. He called the whole primary system corrupt. He said it was rigged by the big party establishment.

And the context of this is so important. When you see Donald Trump talking about a rigged system, it's because Ted Cruz has pretty much run the table on him a little bit for the last four contests. Big wins in Wisconsin, big wins in Colorado.

In fact, he won all 34 delegates in Colorado. And you saw his campaign coming out today and talking about how he thought that this was a Gestapo tactic, that they were threatening delegates to come on board.

The Cruz campaign say dismissing it and has to say this is ridiculous. This is Donald Trump throwing another temper tantrum because he didn't get what he wanted and it sour grapes.

And in fact, the Cruz campaign just has a better delegate operation. And we're seeing the Trump campaign really trying to amp up their delegate operation. They hired a delegate expert. And, you know, he's the guy who's going to try to come in and be a Mr. Fix-it.

The question is, is it too little too late. Because you're already hearing Donald Trump starting to bang the drum as if he might not get to that magic number of 1237. Say that it's a, you know, corrupt, rigged system and that a vote should mean something.

Now, of course a vote does mean something, but the way the delegate game works Donald Trump has it really approached the campaign that way. He's approached it more as a national speaking tour than a nuts and bolts political campaign. He's starting to approach it much more like a traditional campaign. The question really is, Fred, is it too little too late.

KURTZ: And Jeremy, you spent a lot of time on the trail with Donald Trump and his camp. So, in what ways do you see this recalibration?

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN POLITICS REPORTER: Yes, well, we've certainly seen Donald Trump kind of, you know, becoming aware of this recently. I had a source that tell me just recently told me that Donald Trump actually became aware of this on Good Friday and he called one of his informal political advisers Roger Stone and said is it true that they can, quote, "screw me on this convention thing."

And Roger Stone said yes. And then recommended Paul Manafort to come in and help effort. So, we're certainly seeing Donald Trump in the last few weeks, you know, that was just a few weeks ago, becoming aware of this convention problem or at least really to a point where he need to act upon it.

And that's what we're seeing him do now. He's acting on it and he's trying to craft this delegate-focused strategy which involves targeting areas a little bit more precisely. And we're seeing just now in New York, you know, he canceled the trip to California to instead double down on his efforts here to come as close as he possibly can to winning the 95 delegates -- the 95 delegates here in New York.

WHITFIELD: Well, you know, Chris, isn't it extraordinary that, you know, his camp is not trying to, I guess, help protect the image, protect the public from getting to know that Donald Trump doesn't seem to be that knowledgeable about the process that that is becoming a very overt message and he's showing his vulnerabilities?

So, that seems very strange that a camp would allow that to happen. Are they looking at this in some way benefitting Donald Trump?

FRATES: Well, I think it certainly plays into that Donald Trump brand, the idea that he's not a politician; he's an outsider, so why would he know the political game. But it also points to the vulnerability that he just wasn't paying attention.

We saw warning signs of this for the last year or so when people had criticized his campaign for not being fully political operation, that it was too much of a speaking operation, too many of the big crowds.

And so I think, you know, that's a big vulnerability for Donald Trump. And he's starting to address it. But certainly here in New York, he's ahead in the polls, he's beating Ted Cruz by a lot and he would do himself well in that delegate game if he can get enough votes to take all 95 delegates and move himself closer to that magic number of 1237, Fred. [16:35:02] WHITFIELD: And so, now we see, you know, with Manafort

kind of taking the helm and assisting Donald Trump the camp with, you know, delegate count, Jeremy, how do you see him playing a role in a kind of makeover of Donald Trump's message?

DIAMOND: Yes, that's interesting. We've seen, you know, he's been appointed convention manager. And what he made very clear is that he reports directly to Donald Trump and not to campaign manager Cory Lewandowski. He did that in an interview with CNN's New Day just last week.

But what we're seeing him also do is it seems, you know, its recalibrating the strategy, you know, maybe also helping Donald Trump be a little bit more message disciplined.

You know, in the last few days we've seen Trump kind of disappear. You know, he wasn't, he hasn't had an event since last Wednesday. And then, you know, all he did on Saturday was he made a quick visit to the World Trade Center museum where he didn't even talk to reporters. You know, he resisted the glare of the cameras.

(CROSSTALK)

WHITFIELD: And not even gracing all the Sunday talk shows either.

DIAMOND: Exactly. And today as well that's the last point is that, you know, he didn't appear on any Sunday talk shows for the first time since we believe thanksgiving.

WHITFIELD: Wow.

DIAMOND: So, that's more than four months of time during which Donald Trump has appeared or phoned in to at least one Sunday show. Today, there was none of that. So, he's certainly targeting his efforts a little bit more precisely. And deciding what's worth it and what's not worth it, what could be potentially a distraction and what could help him in this delegate math.

WHITFIELD: All right, Jeremy Diamond, Chris Frates, thanks so much, guys. I appreciate it.

FRATES: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: So, indeed this is the start of a very big week of politics on CNN. Anderson Cooper will be hosting three town halls with the republican candidates and their families. Monday night, Ohio Governor John Kasich will be joined by his wife Karen and daughters Reese and Emma.

On Tuesday, Donald Trump will be joined by his wife Melania and children Ivanka, Eric and Donaldld Jr. And on Wednesday, Texas Senator Ted Cruz will be joined by his wife Heidi. The candidates and their families will talk with Anderson and take questions from the audience, and that all starts tomorrow night, 9 Eastern, right here on CNN.

And then we're not done. There's Thursday right here on CNN hosting the democratic presidential debate. Don't miss Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders facing off live from New York Thursday night, 9 Eastern right here on CNN.

And we'll be right back.

[16:40:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. CNN is getting new details about an investigation within the U.S. Navy that officials say could have threatened national security.

According to heavily redacted documents just released to CNN, a U.S. Navy officer has been arrested for espionage and is being charged with giving secret information to a foreign government which could result in the death penalty.

CNN's Nick Valencia has been digging into this for us all day long. So, we understand there are several wide ranging potential charges.

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Very severe accusations here ranging from espionage to adultery. These details became public over the weekend. He had his first court appearance or preliminary court appearance on Friday where the details became public.

And we'll get into some of those here. He's been charged with failure to safely store classified information. He also is accused of communicating secretly and possibly giving advantageous information to a foreign nation, the information related to national defense.

He also tried to hide foreign travel, so there is an intent to deceive charge there, he failed to report foreign contacts and he's also being charged with bringing discredit upon armed forces for soliciting at least one prostitute and see that adultery charge there being charged with having sex with somebody who is not his wife.

According to a U.S. official I spoke to earlier on the phone, this investigation into this navy officer had taken place for months. He was arrested eight months ago, but as I mentioned this only became public over the weekend. But he was arrested at an airport while trying to leave the country.

He has been held in a brig in Chesapeake, Virginia. And the case now after this preliminary court appearance goes to a convening authority who will decide whether or not these charges will be referred to court Marshall.

And Fredricka was saying you heard her say a while ago that this could be, depending on the severity and sensitivity of the information this could be punishable by death.

WHITFIELD: Oh, my goodness. All right. Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

VALENCIA: You got it, Fred. Thanks. WHITFIELD: All right. Former New Orleans Saints player, Will Smith is killed, his wife hospitalized. We're still learning details surrounding the incident.

But coming up, we'll talk with someone who knew the pro athlete.

[16:45:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: New Orleans police are investigating the motive for the shooting death of former NFL star, Will Smith who was going to be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame this fall.

But late last night, the former Saints team captain just 34 years old, was gunned down following a fender bender and a verbal altercation with 30-year-old Cardell Hayes. Hayes is now charged with second degree murder.

Police say Hayes opened fire hitting the young father of three multiple times and shooting Smith's wife, Raquel twice in the leg. Will Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife was taken to the hospital where she remains.

Already there has been an outpouring of condolences from former teammates, coaches, star athletes and of course fans on social media. They're all shocked and saddened about Will Smith's death.

The Smith family has released a statement saying this, quote, "On behalf of the Smith family, we are thankful for the outpouring of support and prayers. We ask that you continue to respect the family's privacy as they grieve the loss of a devoted husband, father and friend."

Joining me right now is Lauren Renschler, she is the publicist for Will Smith's foundation called Where There's a Will, There's a Way.

Lauren, thanks so much for being with us, but of course our condolences go out to you and the family, all of the lives touched by this incredibly talented football player Will Smith. How is everyone doing as far as you know? How is Raquel doing, who continues to be hospitalized.

LAUREN RENSCHLER, WILL SMITH'S FOUNDATION PUBLICIST: Well, first of all, thank you so much for having me, Fredricka, and for honoring Will with time on your show today. The family as you can imagine is devastated and shocked. Raquel at the hospital recovering and surrounded by her family. And we're just praying that she has the strength to get through this.

WHITFIELD: Will Smith playing with the New Orleans Saints for a very long time and then staying in New Orleans. His foundation touching the lives of many young people. And that's in large part how you've been able to work with him.

Tell me about, you know, his commitment to the community of New Orleans during his time with the Saints and even after that. RENSCHLER: You know, Will's career was unique because he was there

right when hurricane Katrina hit the city. And he felt such a devotion to the city of New Orleans. And he loved that city. And they loved him right back.

And so, as a result he wanted to do everything he could to make sure that the families of children who are underprivileged or underserved had the resources and the hope to not live a life of violence or drugs or in gangs or on the streets.

And Will and Raquel were so devoted to helping those in need, they feel like they had Will Smith the saint on their side and very fabulous at touching lives in New Orleans.

WHITFIELD: And we look at these pictures of Will Smith, his family, his three kids. You know, beautiful family. Clearly very devoted to his family as well as to the community as you just underscore.

[16:49:59] And, you know, through various reports there in New Orleans, we understand that not long before that tragic shooting last night he was, you know, with friends having a great time, even tweeting out a beautiful picture of he and his wife.

You know, and saying having a great time. And then suddenly something goes wrong. An hour later, he's dead, his wife remains hospitalized.

What do you know about how his children are doing, what's been shared with them? And there's been such an outpouring of fans, of other pro athletes, et cetera. What do you know about how they are coping right now?

RENSCHLER: You know, I know the family is together. And that's all that matters at this point. Will had such a unique relationship with the city of New Orleans. Most professional athletes move away from their playing city when they're done playing, but Will and Raquel felt it was important to keep their home there to raise their children in New Orleans, to send their children to New Orleans schools.

And they were so committed to making their home there. And the city really embraced Will while he was playing, but it was a relationship that continued on. So, it seems very fitting that his last night was spent in New Orleans, a city that he loved and that he called home and that his family called home.

WHITFIELD: And what was it about New Orleans, do you think, that kept him, you know, that made him and the family say, you know, I may not be playing for the Saints anymore but I'm very much a part of this community forever?

RENSCHLER: They experienced tragedy together. And they experienced recovery together. I think Will was there for hurricane Katrina and was evacuated to San Antonio with the team. But he came back, and he won a Super Bowl with the team as a defensive captain.

And together the city and Will embraced each other and rose up above tragedy together. And it's my hope that the city embraces the Smith family now and helps Raquel and those kids rise above those senseless tragedies that took Will's life last night.

WHITFIELD: It is heartbreaking. And our hearts go out to the family, the three children, Raquel and her recovery. We're so sorry for the loss of Will Smith.

Lauren Renschler, thank you so much for your time. I appreciate it.

RENSCHLER: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: We'll be right back.

[16:55:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Here at CNN we recognize people who go above and beyond. And we call them CNN heroes. Now I want you to meet one hero who introduces kids to the ocean.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When you're in the third grade and they come on our field trip, they come over the hill on the bus, and they see the ocean. And they gasp. Because it's literally the first time many of them have ever seen the ocean. It's a place of discovery to really explore their own potential in science all through studying the ocean.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Nice catch. Sarah's full story at cnnheroes.com. And while you're there, nominate someone you think should be a 2016 CNN hero.

All right. Before we go, we have to share Jake Tapper's take on the candidates storming New York City this week, as you probably heard Ted Cruz made Motza in Brighton Beach, for John Kasich in the Bronx, it was manja-manja and all the candidates were trying to show some New York street cred. It's this week's state of the cartoonion.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: New York, ever present in our cultural imagination, and this year taking an outsize role in our political process. Even before the fight for New York's delegates was underway, New York played a starring role in the campaign.

SEN. TED CRUZ, (R-TX) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think most people know exactly what New York values are.

TAPPER: Donald Trump hit back as a manmade in Manhattan. And he promised to take an electoral bite out of the big apple.

TRUMP: I love New York, OK.

(CROWD CHEERING)

And I will be campaigning in New York. And if we win New York, it's over, you understand? Because we pick up so many delegates. TAPPER: Trump is likely to beat John Kasich here. Kasich lost a lot

of New Yorkers when he was spotted digging into a slice with a knife and fork.

Meanwhile, the city's mean streets will be the scene of the next faceoff between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When you're a jet you're a jet all the way from your first cigarette to your last dying days.

TAPPER: Brooklyn is home to both in their own way Sanders born and bred there, Clinton the state's former Senator who headquartered her campaign there. Only one can win on either side, hopeful that as sinatra sang...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: New York, New York

TAPPER: If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Yes. A very fun stuff. So it is indeed a big political week on CNN. Anderson Cooper will host three town halls with the republican candidates and their families.

Monday night, Ohio Governor John Kasich will be joined by his wife Karen and daughters Reese and Emma. Tuesday it's Donald Trump with wife Melania and children Ivanka, Eric and Donald Jr. And then Wednesday, Texas Senator Ted Cruz will be joined by his wife Heidi.

The candidates and their candidates will talk with Anderson and take questions from the audience. It all starts tomorrow night at 9 Eastern right here on CNN. And then on Thursday CNN hosts the democratic presidential debate.

Don't miss Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders facing off live from Brooklyn, New York, Thursday night 9 Eastern. Big week. All right. It's been a big day, too.

Thanks so much for being with me all weekend long. But stay with CNN. We have much more straight ahead in the NEWSROOM. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. All starts right now.

And you are in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Pamela Brown in Washington in for Poppy Harlow on this Sunday.

Well, New York is filled with the sounds of presidential candidates making their pitch. The big apple of course is the bulls eye of the political universe right now.

[17:05:05] For the first -- for the past few days, Donald Trump has been unusually quiet. Trump's silence ended today, though, with a big rally in his home state.