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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Orlando Victims Remembered at Huge Vigil; Anti-Trump Republicans Plot Convention Coup; England Mourns Murdered Lawmaker; Humanitarian Crisis in Fallujah; Aired 4-4:30a ET
Aired June 20, 2016 - 04:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[04:00:12] CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: New vital information to be released today about the Orlando terror attack as tens of thousands of people mourn the victims of last week's horrific shooting.
RYAN NOBLES, CNN ANCHOR: And the Senate to vote on four different gun control amendments today. But none are expected to pass. Could there be a compromise?
ROMANS: Four people dead from scalding temperatures. Wildfires raging. The lethal heat wave stretching across the country.
Good morning. Good Monday morning. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans. Nice to see you.
NOBLES: And I'm Ryan Nobles. Good morning. It is Monday, June 20th. It's 4:00 a.m. in the East.
And later today we'll get new information on the Orlando nightclub massacre. Law enforcement officials will release partial transcripts from the three phone calls that gunman Omar Mateen made to police describing his motives. Attorney General Loretta Lynch says only limited transcripts will be released, quote, "to avoid re-victimizing those people that went through this horror."
The attorney general travels to Orlando tomorrow to meet with victims and their families, first responders, federal prosecutors and others. 18 victims are still hospitalized from the attack after one was released Sunday. Four remain in critical condition. Last night victims were remembered at a huge vigil organized virally on Facebook. Hundreds cheered and took pictures when a bright beautiful rainbow appeared over the event.
CNN's Ed Lavandera has more.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christine and Ryan, when this event was organized a week ago the organizer tells me that he expected maybe 100 people to show up. But on Sunday night here in downtown Orlando on the banks of a lake, some 50,000 people turned out for this memorial service and candlelight vigil for those who were killed and gunned down in the deadly shootout there at the Pulse nightclub a week ago.
An unbelievable sight of outpouring of grief and public emotion here at this vigil. It's staggering to see the numbers of people who have come out here to show their support for the survivors and the victims, and victims' relatives, as well.
But Monday will also be a day where we learn much more about what happened inside of the Pulse nightclub more than a week ago. Authorities plan on releasing transcripts -- partial transcripts of the conversations they had with the killer during the attack inside of the Pulse nightclub, and so that is news that will emerge here later on today -- Christine and Ryan.
ROMANS: Well, Ed, thank you for that.
In the wake of the Orlando tragedy, the Senate votes on four different gun control amendments today. Two sponsored by Democrats, two by Republicans. The first two proposals set for a vote are aimed at tightening up gun purchase background checks. The second two make it harder to buy a gun if you are on a federal terror watch list. None of these amendments is expected to pass. A fifth proposal will be unveiled this afternoon. A compromise measure from moderate Republican Susan Collins would reduce the number of people who can't buy guns because they're on a terror watch list. Unknown when or if the compromise will get a vote.
NOBLES: Donald Trump has asked for a meeting with the NRA about banning gun sales to those on terror watch lists. But that meeting may now get off to an awkward start. The National Rifle Association says that Trump's new suggestion that nightclub patrons should be armed, quote, "defies common sense." Last week Trump said fewer people would have died in the Orlando massacre if some of the club- goers had guns. But on Sunday, the NRA president Wayne LaPierre told CBS he did not think that it was a good idea for people to drink while armed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: If you had guns in that room, if you -- even if you had a number of people having them strapped to their ankle or strapped to their waist, where bullets could have flown in the other direction right at him, you wouldn't had the same kind of a tragedy.
WAYNE LAPIERRE, CEO, NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION: I don't think you should have firearms where people are drinking.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: All right. Donald Trump stirring another controversy over the weekend. Renewing his call for the U.S. to consider racial profiling to prevent future terror attacks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I think profiling is something that we're going to have to start thinking about as a country. And other countries do it, and you look at Israel and you look at others, and they do it and they do it successfully. And, you know, I hate the concept of profiling but we have to start using common sense and we have to use -- you know, we have to use our heads. (END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Not the first time Trump has called for such tactics. After the San Bernardino attack he also called for barring some Muslims from entering the country and for increased surveillance of Muslims and of mosques. Attorney General Loretta Lynch warning against approaches that alienate the Muslim community. She told CNN Sunday that anyone being radicalized will notice first -- will be noticed first by their friends and family.
NOBLES: Donald Trump hitting back this morning at the criticism he's been getting from top Republican leaders who are upset at his controversial rhetoric.
[04:05:02] Over the weekend Trump threatened to return to self-funding his campaign and told top GOP leaders to stop bad mouthing him. This as anti-Trump Republicans held their second strategy call in less than a week. Organizers said there were about 1,000 people on the conference call last night all trying to chart a plan for blocking Trump from the nomination.
More now from CNN's Chris Frates.
CHRIS FRATES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christine, Ryan, a small group of Republican delegates is pushing for the party to adopt a so-called conscience clause that would allow delegates to vote against Donald Trump.
Now convention coup has little shot at success for a couple of reasons. Number one, Trump has installed his loyalists on the convention's most important committee so he's got a lot of influence there and perhaps more importantly there's no alternative to Donald Trump. The never Trumpers have been unable to find someone, to find anyone frankly to challenge Trump. But the group and top Republicans who have been critical of Trump have gotten the billionaire's attention.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: They shouldn't be talking so much. They should go out and do their job. Let me do my job. I have tremendous support from both politicians and the people. Tremendous support. Unfortunately, the media just likes to cover really a small number of people that maybe have something to say. I think they should go about their work. Let me run for president. I think I'm going to do very well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FRATES: Still, it's Trump's own rhetoric that has helped the dump Trump movement stay alive. His comments at a judge hearing a lawsuit against him had a conflict of interest because he was of Mexican descent, were called racist by members of his own party, and when he doubled down on his policy to ban Muslims immigration in the wake of the Orlando shootings, top Republicans again oppose that idea, with House Speaker Paul Ryan even suggesting the House might sue a President Trump to stop that ban. But with the general election under way Republicans had hoped Trump
would tone it down a little bit and act more presidential. Something Trump has said he'll do as soon as he is president. But many Republicans worry that if he doesn't do it sooner, he'll never get that chance -- Christine, Ryan.
ROMANS: All right. Chris, thanks a lot this morning.
Hillary Clinton headlines big money fundraisers in New York today and Washington, D.C. tomorrow. She'll be joined by top Democratic lawmakers. Tomorrow the former secretary of state also delivering a big speech on the economy. Watch for that. She is expected to paint Donald Trump as a shady, self interested candidate who is unfit for office.
NOBLES: And speaking of the candidate, take a look at the first photos of Hillary Clinton's new grandson. Aiden Clinton Mezvinsky came into the world at 7:41 Saturday morning. Hillary and her daughter Chelsea releasing these pictures late Sunday afternoon with Grandma Clinton tweeting, "What a joy being with our new grandson Aiden. So grateful."
ROMANS: Well, that's a nice reason to get off the campaign trail for just a few minutes. Right?
NOBLES: And the timing was perfect. This kid already seems to have a pretty wise political sense.
ROMANS: Yes. Exactly. Born right into the news cycle. Welcome to the family, little guy. All right. Congratulations to all of them.
Time for an EARLY START on your money. Is Donald Trump's campaign fund -- campaign running low on funds? The campaign released its first emergency fundraising e-mail over the weekend. It asked for immediate $100,000 to counter an ad blitz from Hillary Clinton's campaign.
Urgent fundraising is routine for most presidential candidates, but this is notable. Since Trump frequently said during the primary season that he was self-funding, which isn't exactly true, according to the Federal Election Commission, one-third of his funds come from individual donations. That is roughly $14 million of nearly a $60 million raised. The rest comes from loans from Trump himself. He'll probably need more donations as the election season goes on.
History shows presidential campaigns can be very expensive. Both candidates spent more than $1 billion in the 2012 election.
NOBLES: A deadly heat wave stretching across the country leaving at least four people dead and five wildfires raging. Next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[04:13:11] ROMANS: Campaigning has resumed with just three days remaining before the big Brexit vote in the U.K. It's this historic referendum on whether Britain should stay in the European Union or exit. It's been overshadowed in recent days by the stunning murder of Jo Cox. Over the weekend mourners remembered the 41-year-old lawmaker, a mother of two, as a shining example of what politicians should be. She was the first sitting British lawmaker to be killed in 26 years.
Want to go live now this morning to Bristol, England and bring in CNN's Nic Robertson.
This has been such a painful debate in the U.K. and then the murder of this bright, vibrant young lawmaker has really shaken the debate.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: It really has. I mean, the debate went on pause because of her killing. The -- a lot of the most contentious language and divisive language was all around the issue of immigration. Those who wanted Britain to stay within the European Union said yes, they can control immigration, yes, there are ways of dealing with it. Those who wanted to leave said no. There is too much immigration. The only way to -- the only way to take control of it is to leave the European Union.
But we've been out this weekend talking to people about how they think Jo Cox's death has impacted the way that they think. They're all happy to see the politicians toning down their rhetoric. But a lot of people we talked to particularly women, particularly around the age of Jo Cox as well, are all saying they are reconsidering. Some of them were saying they were thinking to vote to leave. Now they're reconsidering, they're worried about what the impact that may have. And now they're saying they may vote to remain in the European Union.
And that's represented more broadly across the country. Last week, the Leave campaign was really surging ahead. Now the gap seems to be narrowing. That momentum slowed -- Christine.
ROMANS: You say Jo Cox was in favor of staying. She was a fierce advocate for Syrian refugees and refugees in general.
[04:15:03] And you know, it's interesting, Nic, when I look at world markets right now, they are higher. About 2 percent gains in many of the stock markets around the world in part because of what you're talking about. The idea that the polls now, Nic, are swinging toward the Remain camp.
ROBERTSON: Absolutely. The pound sterling had been dropping in value towards the end of last week because of the uncertainty, because it looked like there might be a Leave vote, and really this has reversed it. And if the sentiment -- if the financial sentiment really matched with the outcome of the referendum, there is a real possibility here that people might be able to say in the future that as terrible as it was, and as horrific as it was, Jo Cox's death may have actually turned the course of the future of Britain -- Christine.
ROMANS: All right. Thursday, that vote is on Thursday. Nic Robertson. Thank you for that, Nic.
NOBLES: At least five deadly wildfires are burning across the desert southwest right now. This as the broiling heat kills at least four people over the weekend in Arizona. Two of them dying while hiking in triple-digit temperatures. The scalding temperatures will continue today.
More on the threat now from meteorologist Pedram Javaheri -- Pedram.
PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Christine and Ryan, good morning to you both.
(WEATHER REPORT)
ROMANS: All right. Pedram Javaheri, thanks for that. Be careful about heat up there, folks.
Dustin Johnson is golf's U.S. Open champion. He posted a 69 at Oakmont Sunday. Good for a four-shot win. But it will go down as a three-shot win with officials assessing Johnson a one-stroke penalty after the round because his ball moved while he was about to putt on the fifth green. The penalty could have cost him the title. But he managed to compose himself down the stretch to win his first major.
NOBLES: Which is a change for him. Sometimes he's had a hard time closing. He's able to do it this time around.
And the city of Cleveland celebrating its first major sports championship since 1964.
ROMANS: Wow. Wow.
NOBLES: LeBron James capturing his third ring in the Cavaliers' 93-89 Game Seven victory last night over the Golden State Warriors who did have the best record in NBA history in the regular season. That happened in Oakland. No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win an NBA title. James, this series' MVP, put up a triple-double with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
ROMANS: I got to say the Warriors were really fun to watch this season. They really were and they didn't get their title but they were so much fun to watch. And Chicago fans are like, hey, if Cleveland can do it, maybe the Cubbies have a chance to come back from their drought.
NOBLES: Right.
ROMANS: I was looking for a reason to be hopeful.
NOBLES: And those of us that root for a sports team in Buffalo also feel very, very hopeful after seeing Cleveland finally captured a title.
ROMANS: Anything can happen. Anything can happen.
All right, 18 minutes past the hour. Iraqi forces push deeper into Fallujah. Tens of thousands of residence fleeing ahead of the troops conduct this desperate fight to clear ISIS from their former stronghold. We go there next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[04:23:28] ROMANS: Iraqi Security Forces are gaining the upper hand in the bloody struggle to liberate the city of Fallujah from ISIS. Military officials in Iraq, they expect the remaining insurgents to be driven out soon, they say.
Well over 80,000 civilians have been forced to flee Fallujah during four weeks now of fighting. Nearly half of them displaced in just the half three days.
Want to get the latest this offensive from senior international correspondent Ben Wedeman. He is live from Baghdad.
Ben, bring us up to speed on this.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, the humanitarian situation in and around Fallujah is increasingly a cause of concern for Iraqi officials. 30,000 alone have fled in the last three days. And they're fleeing to camps that have been set up rather hastily and they simply aren't prepared, the Iraqi authorities and NGOs for that sudden influx of people.
There is one camp, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council that's been working around Fallujah that says there are 1,800 people there and only one latrine for women. They say supplies are running slow. And they are doing all that they can. But this is really a number that nobody clearly anticipated.
Now the fighting goes on in Fallujah. We were there just the other day in the center of the city. We're told by Iraqi officials that ISIS is still holding out in the northern part of the city. But it's a bit of a struggle trying to get control because they've left behind snipers in various parts of the city that are making real control rather difficult.
[04:25:06] Now complicating this situation not only is the flood of civilians leaving this city, but possibly of ISIS sympathizers and members trying to sneak out among the civilians. One Iraqi officer on the front is saying that as many as 1,086 ISIS fighters have been captured by Iraqi forces trying to flee out, sneak out among the civilian population.
So the battle goes on, Christine. It's a difficult one complicated by so many civilians caught in the crossfire -- Christine.
ROMANS: So, so dangerous. All right, Ben Wedeman, thank you for that. Keep us posted.
NOBLES: New crucial information about the Orlando terror attack being released today. Tens of thousands of people mourn the victims of the horrifying shooting.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[04:30:08] NOBLES: Overnight, tens of thousands of people mourning the victims of the Orlando terror attack as vital new details --
