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Discussion on Russian Hacking of DNC; U.S. Olympians Poised To Break More Records Today in Rio; Florida Officer Kills Elderly Woman During Demonstration; Turkey Tells U.S. to Hand Over Exiled Cleric; White House Responds to letter from Syrian Doctors; DEA Says Marijuana To Remain A Schedule 1 Drug. Aired 10:30-11a ET

Aired August 11, 2016 - 10:30   ET

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

[10:30:01] DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Now cyber security experts who investigated the hack do confirm that it is Russia, that they've identified both Russian national and military intelligence units, based on a variety of factors. But American officials believe that -- well, they have a high level of confidence that it's Russia. So far they've not come out definitively to say that. In part because of all the implications involved.

Also, American officials really haven't defined the motive. Is this just basic espionage or is this something more manipulative like trying to gain access to the political system, either for national security of Russia or Russian regime security. So all of that under investigation.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: I thought that investigators were pretty darn sure that Russian hackers hacked into the DNC.

FEYERICK: They -- absolutely. Cyber experts confirm it 100 percent. But again, American officials will not cross that line just yet. Because to do so opens up a whole area of discussion. What do you do? How do you retaliate? And what are the motives? Again, is this just espionage?

Because there's a lot of espionage that goes on in the cyber- intelligence community. That's how people keep track of what everybody else is doing. Everyone is in everybody else's system.

COSTELLO: But they are actively investigating whether Vladimir Putin's government was behind this hacking. But they don't know the answer to that yet.

FEYERICK: They know that the people they found in the DNC systems, in the DCCC systems, were Russian agents working on behalf of the military and national security for Russia. We have not heard it in those words as clearly from the U.S. government. Just from everybody around.

COSTELLO: OK, got you. Deborah Feyerick, thanks so much for clarifying. So let's dive a little deeper. With me now is Julian Zelizer, historian and professor at Princeton University. And CNN Political Analyst, Rebecca Burke. And CNN Commentator and Hillary Clinton supporter, Bakari Sellers. Welcome to all of you. Bakari, what do you make of this?

BAKARI SELLERS, CNN COMMENTATOR, HILLARY CLINTON SUPPORTER: Well I think what we're looking at here is again, Russia meddling in the elections of the United States. I was listening to the report just a moment ago, and I don't think there's any question about the motive. What we have here is a Russian government using Julian Assange, who is just blatantly a coward, and Wikileaks, attempting to move the United States elections in one way or another.

I was reading the New York Times report just recently, that was highlighting this hack. And I believe it was this article talking about how widespread it was. But it also said that the Republican National Committee and Donald Trump's campaign have had no incidents of targeting for this type of hacking. So it's pretty clear what's going on. I think Democrats ...

COSTELLO: But ...

SELLERS: ... we just brace ourselves, we'll deal with it and keep our eye on the road.

COSTELLO: But Donald Trump doesn't really use email, Bakari.

SELLERS: Well I mean Donald Trump doesn't use email, but I'm pretty sure that everyone around him does. Simply because Donald Trump doesn't use email does not mean that the RNC and Reince Priebus don't use email. Does not mean that Paul Manafort doesn't use email.

I mean the fact is, you have Donald Trump's Senior Advisor, Carter Page, who went over to Russia, who praised Putin, bastardized democracy, and then has interest in a natural resource pipeline in Russia. I mean these things are not made up, this is not a conspiracy theory. These are simply facts. It doesn't matter, Hillary Clinton's going to beat Donald Trump and she's going to beat Putin at the same time.

COSTELLO: But -- I'm going to bring Deborah Feyerick back into this for just a second -- but there's no connection between Paul Manafort's connections to Russia and this hack, right? There's no connection.

FEYERICK: Well no, there's no direct connection from the Republicans to Russia. Obviously a lot has been made over Trump's statements that the Russians should potentially look and find Hillary Clinton's emails.

But what we do know is that the Republicans did bring in cyber experts to look at their systems. We don't know whether their systems have been hacked just yet. But the Republicans are trying to make efforts to see whether anyone's in their system. So we do know that, the Republicans.

COSTELLO: So Julian, this is just, it's just, it's just bizarre to talk about. But the most disturbing aspect of this is the information it could uncover. Some of which may be helpful to voters and some of which may harm the country. JULIAN ZELIZER, PROFESSOR, HISTORIAN, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY:

Absolutely. You know this is like watergate combined with international foreign policy. Remember that started with the break-in of the DNC.

I know, I think candidates don't like uncertainty. And so part of this is the uncertainty that Hillary Clinton and the Democrats face at this point, in terms of what information is going to come out. And obviously the other part of this is national security. And there's a sense that nobody really has control, in the age of the internet, over what kind of information can be released.

So I do think this is causing a lot of fear, and it raises this other question of why at this point, the hacking seems to be partisan, where only one party has been subject to it. So it raises all the kinds of accusations and charges that we just heard.

COSTELLO: Well Rebecca, I just heard from a reporter in the field, Manu Raju. He was talking to Nancy Pelosi, who called this "electronic watergate." Is that an apt description?

REBECCA BURKE, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well there are certainly some similarities here, right? Because watergate was a physical break-in by Republican operatives trying to affect the election outcome. To the Democratic national committee, this is a virtual break-in to the Democratic National Committee. Of course, not by Republicans, but by the Russians, probably, we think.

And so there are some similarities here. But there's also a political, strategic reason why Nancy Pelosi is saying this, why Clinton's campaign is stressing the origin of this hacking, and of the leaks that will come of it.

Because this is sort of them trying to go on the offense in advance of leaks to come. They expect that the Russians and Wikileaks are going to release more emails that were hacked, into the future. Perhaps at a point in the election when it could cause the most damage, like October, even next month in September.

And so they're trying to turn the focus to the origin of the emails and the hacking, rather than the content of the emails. Which was pretty damaging during the Democratic National Committee. So whether they are successful, is going to be very important. Because we don't know what is coming, they don't necessarily know what is coming ...

COSTELLO: So ...

BURKE: ... We know, of course, that the Clinton Foundation was also hacked. And so the possibilities are really endless. And they need to try to be on defense as much as possible.

[10:36:15]

COSTELLO: So Bakari, is Rebecca right?

SELLERS: Well I mean I can tell you what's in the emails. I mean, I can pretty much assure you what's in the emails. The country knows what's in the emails. You have a Democratic Party, a DCCC, a DGA, that's trying to win elections. The language is going to be crass, people are going to maybe have some jokes that shouldn't be said. Some people are going to get fired for the language that they use, and not having the proper temperament, conducting personal business. But what you're going to see is the Democratic Party trying to win elections.

The problem with this is that you're already seeing donors and their personal identification being used in criminal ways. I mean you're seeing people's personal information being hacked. And if anybody thinks this is a joke, or anybody thinks that this is OK, this is not a part of politics at all. So I think that you'll see a couple of things come out of this. And at the end of the day, I don't think this is going to affect the outcome of the general election like many people think it may.

COSTELLO: Well and Julian, on that point, these emails are slipping out in one, or two, or -- exchanges, right? They sort of tantalize us but they don't really tell us the whole story.

ZELIZER: Well yeah, I mean that's the difficulty with all of these Wikileaks and other kinds of data dumps. In that there's tons of information, most people don't read through them. People pick and choose aspects of the email that doesn't provide the context. We don't know the full story.

And so there is a danger in how this is processed and disseminated. And it will be incumbent on the press to really play a strong role in filtering some of this. Otherwise it's very easy to use bits and pieces to attack Hillary Clinton, or whoever else becomes the subject of this information.

So we have to proceed with caution. We also have to proceed with caution in talking about the origins. We don't know right now, the entire story of the origins. And as we remember in the early cold war, these kinds of accusations can also be dangerous. So we just want to handle this with caution and with rigor.

COSTELLO: All right, I have to leave it there. Julian Zelizer, Rebecca Burke, Bakari Sellers, and Deb Feyerick, thanks so much.

Up next, it is day six of the Rio games. Team USA leading the medal count, bringing home 11 gold so far. So what's in store today? Coy Wire in Rio.

COY WIRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: bom Dia, Carol. It's heating up here in Rio and the competition's heating up, too. Michael Phelps with a chance for olympic history yet again. But it might not happen because of his roommate? We'll talk about it coming up.

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[10:43:05]

COSTELLO: It could be a day for the record books for Team USA. Bringing home 11 gold medals already, today is set to be another big day. U.S. favorite, Michael Phelps is looking to add a 22nd gold medal to his collection. He's competing in the 200-meter medley today.

In women's swimming, Katie Ledecky dominating the 2-by-4 hundred-meter relays, taking a third gold medal yesterday. And in gymnastics, Simone Biles is set to break a record if she wins today. Coy Wire is in Rio. Wow.

WIRE: Ah, not bad Carol. Good to talk with you. I want to start talking about Katie Ledecky. Just 19 years-old and she continues her push to become the greatest female swimmer the world has ever known. Last night another gold. This time in the 4 by 200 meter freestyle relay. She swam the anchor leg, the last leg of the race. And when she jumped in the pool she was almost a full second behind the leader.

But her teammates were there cheering her on, watching amazed as she gobbled up that lead -- taking the lead away from the Aussies. Claiming victory, not just for her team, but her fourth total medal, third gold, here at the games. She's a favorite, Carol, to dominate the 800 meter freestyle, which gets underway today, also.

Now we are also set to see today, a showdown between the two most decorated men in American olympics history. Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, going for gold in the 200 IM (ph) final tonight. And Carol, these guys are roommates here in Rio.

Phelps can become the first swimmer to win gold in the same event in four consecutive games. And Ryan Lochte's looking to add to the 12 olympic medals to his name. But these two say that they are embracing this opportunity to compete against a friend.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL PHELPS, 21 TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST: For me, he brings the best out of me. We're racers, so you know it's meets like these that I love the most. Where him and I get to go in and kind of duke it out.

RYAN LOCHTE, 12 TIME OLYMPIC MEDALIST: We bring the best out of each other. We've been doing it since 2004. And anytime I get up and race him is the best.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: The modern day cold war playing out in the pool is on pause for now here in Rio. American gold medalist swimmer Lily King fails to qualify for the 200 meter breaststroke finals tonight against her Russian rival, Yulia Efimova.

Now Lily King made a huge splash, you'll remember, here in Rio when she openly criticized her rival for being allowed to compete here in Rio despite two previous doping suspensions. King told CNN's Don Riddell in part, "I am glad to be a poster child for clean sport."

Michael Phelps has stood behind King's comments, Carol, there seems to be a groundswell of the athletes here speaking out against cheaters and demanding change. All right, one more thing we have to see today. Women's gymnastics, individual all-around competition. And it'll be the high-flying, amazing Simone Biles and Aly Raisman representing USA. Carol, they have already won team gold together here, now they're going to go against each other for individual honors.

COSTELLO: Ah, I have quite a night ahead of me, I love gymnastics. Coy Wire, thanks so much. And go USA. Coming up next on the Newsroom, a police officer in Florida accidentally shoots and kills a woman during a demonstration. We're waiting for a news conference in just a few minutes where we could learn more about how this could have happened.

[10:46:35]

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[10:50:30]

COSTELLO: We're expecting to learn more today about the fatal shooting of a 73-year old woman taking part in a police exercise in South Florida. She was killed during something called "shoot or don't shoot" training. I recently had the chance to participate in a similar drill and experience just how little time officers have to make life or death decisions. That me (ph).

And trust me, I was not using real bullets, no real bullets, and neither was -- neither were the other guys who were participating in that drill. CNN's Victor Blackwell is reporting. You know, this elderly woman, she wanted to experience what officers deal with on the streets daily. And tragically, it cost her her life.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEVE KNOWLTON, SON: It just doesn't seem real that the brightest light in our life is gone.

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a heart-breaking irony, the tragedy that dimmed that light was not supposed to have been real. Steve Knowlton's 73-year old mother, Mary Knowlton had volunteered to participate in a fake police emergency in her coastal Florida community, when she was struck by a real bullet in what police are calling a tragic accident.

The simulation was part of the citizens police academy night, hosted by the Punta Gorda Police Department. It was billed as an opportunity to meet the officers and learn about the tough choices they have to make. But Knowlton says his mom signed up for a different reason.

KNOWLTON: We had been talking two nights before about how bad things were for the police in this nation after all the shootings. And she wanted to show her support. She wanted to make it clear to them that she supported them.

BLACKWELL (voice-over): During the first role play scenario of the night, Knowlton teamed up with another volunteer, and Officer Lee Coel for a shoot/don't shoot role play. It's an exercise these officers have led many times before. Even using the same revolvers during other simulations. But that revolver, which is usually loaded with blanks, held live ammunition. The officer fired at least one round at the retired librarian, as nearly three dozen other volunteers looked on.

CHIEF TOM LEWIS, PUNTA GORDA POLICE DEPARTMENT: We were unaware that any live ammunition for this particular weapon existed. We believed that the particular caliber of the weapon used, that there were only blank rounds available to the officer.

BLACKWELL (voice-over): Knowlton, a wife for more than 50 years, and a mother of two, was shot once, according to police. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

KNOWLTON: Why he had to shoot at her, I don't know. I just -- you sit and question, second guess. You -- I wish I had a time machine, I can go back a day and stop her from going. I'd give anything to talk to her again.

BLACKWELL (voice-over): A loss also felt personally, by the Police Chief, Tom Lewis.

LEWIS: Mary Knowlton is a phenomenal person in this community. I know her very well. She attends a lot of community events. It's just a horrific time for all of us, I think.

BLACKWELL (voice-over): As the Florida Department of Law Enforcement tries to figure out how and why that live round was used, Officer Coel has been placed on administrative leave.

KNOWLTON: I know this guy that did this is probably -- can't even live in his own skin right now. But I, you know, want him to know that we know he -- I'm sure he didn't intend on this happening, and we forgive him.

BLACKWELL (voice-over): Grief counseling has been offered to the officer and to those who witnessed the shooting. As police try to understand how such a tragic accident could have happened outside their own police station. Victor Blackwell, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Still to come in the Newsroom, Donald Trump speaking in front of a home builder's group just moments from now. Will he address claims that the GOP is concerned about his effect on House and Senate races? Trump's comments just ahead.

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[10:58:35]

COSTELLO: Checking some top stories for you at 58 minutes past. Turkey is giving an ultimatum to the United States, hand over an exiled cleric living in Pennsylvania, or it's relationship with the NATO ally is in jeopardy. Turkey's Prime Minister believes the cleric was behind the failed coup attempt last month. There has been no public response from the U.S. government.

The White House is responding to an open letter penned by doctors in Aleppo. As a suspected gas attack there killed three people and injured dozens more. Doctors in Syria wrote, "we do not need tears, or sympathy, or even prayers. We desperately need a zone free from bombing over Eastern Aleppo to stop the attacks and international action to ensure Aleppo is never besieged again. The White House responded saying, "The U.S. has repeatedly condemned indiscriminate bombing of medical facilities by the Assad regime in Aleppo and elsewhere in Syria."

The DEA says marijuana will remain a schedule one drug. Which declares it has no medical use or purpose. This is according to a U.S. official. The agency was asked to reconsider the designation to benefit research. Right now, 25 states and D.C. have approved the use of medical marijuana for conditions ranging from epilepsy to arthritis.

The Air Force is looking for a good you -- a few good fighter pilots. The military expects a shortage of 700 pilots by the end of the year. And that's expected to reach 20,000 by 2022. To battle increasing competition from commercial airlines, they're looking at upping the $25,000 a year retention bonus to get pilots to stay longer.

Thanks for joining me today, I'm Carol Costello. "AT THIS HOUR" with Berman and Bolduan starts now.

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