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Muslim Ban Creates Chaos; Terror Attack in a Mosque; Trump's Pick for Supreme Court; New Law on Land; Politics at the SAG Awards. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired January 30, 2017 - 03:00   ET

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


[03:00:00] ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers in the United States and all around the world. Hello. I'm Rosemary Church.

GEORGE HOWELL, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm George Howell. Following the breaking news this hour here on CNN in Canada.

Here's what we know so far. Six people are dead and eight others wounded after gunmen opened fire at a mosque. This happened at the Quebec Islamic cultural center in Quebec City.

CHURCH: Police say two suspects have been arrested. The attack is being investigated as an act of terrorism. We want to get the latest now from Brynn Gingras who joins us from New York. So, Brynn, we are learning more about this attack and we understand that you you got more information on those who were wounded. Do we know any more about the two who were arrested?

BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We don't yet. And officials are cautioning to not speculate as to who those two individuals are. We do know, though, Rosemary, is that witnesses are describing this as a coordinated attack. And so that gives us a little bit more detail as how people perceived and saw what happened inside that mosque.

But further details really have not come out. We heard within the last half hour Paula talk about the emotional news conference where authorities said six people were killed and eight people were injured. Those injuries are described as critical at this point as those eight people are at a hospital.

If there's any good news out of this we also learned in that news conference that 39 people who were inside the mosque at the time of that attack were able to escape unharmed. So that is good news.

But again, this was described as a coordinated attack at a time when people were praying inside of that mosque, families included, Rosemary.

CHURCH: Yes. And of course this has made many people very uneasy. You're there in New York City. The mayor there has been talking about this. What did he say and what is he planning to do to protect the mosques there? GINGRAS: Well, of course, any time there's a situation where it is

described as an act of terrorism this city goes on high alert. And one of the first things that they do is they get their special teams to sort of begin to circulate around the city, change their patterns up to protect areas that they are concerned about.

And in this case there will be some extra protection at mosques across the city. These are those teams that were developed by New York City a few years ago. And they're specialized to highly trained heavily armed forces that really just travel around the city in times like this.

But the mayor as you said did tweet standing in unity with the Muslim community and saying, promising rather that they will protect Muslims here, Rosemary.

CHURCH: All right. Brynn Gingras keeping us up to date on this story there at 3, just after 3 o'clok in the morning in new York City. Many thanks to you.

HOWELL: Now Brynn on the story, we also have our Paula Newton following it. We'll stay with them.

Also, the other big story we're following. Opponents of the Trump administration's travel ban say they are gearing up for what could be a long legal fight.

President Donald Trump signed the executive order on Friday. This temporarily bans travel to the United States from seven Muslim majority countries.

Now the White House is trying to clear up the confusion saying that green card holders, people with lawful permanent resident status in the U.S. they will be allowed in, but they will also go through extra screening if they are coming from one of those banned countries.

CHURCH: Homeland security officials say no one is now being detained from the initial group who was stopped at U.S. airports. They have either been released or put on a plane back home. There has been some international backlash as well over the weekend.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told Mr. Trump the ban on refugees may infringe on the Geneva Conventions.

HOWELL: The President of the United States pushing back at criticism on this ban saying that he's just trying to keep the U.S. safe.

CHURCH: He also had some sharp words for two top republicans who said the ban likely will not improve U.S. security.

More now from Athena Jones.

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We are hearing from President Trump justifying and defending these moves these travel bans and refugee restrictions in the face of criticism including from some in his own party. I'll read to you part of his statement. He said, "We will continue to

show compassion to those fleeing oppression but we will do so while protecting our own citizens and voters." He added, "This is not a Muslim ban as the media is a falsely reporting, this is not about religion. This is about terror and keeping our country safe."

His first priority will always be to protect and serve our country. "But as president, I will find ways to help all those who are suffering."

[03:05:05] And so, that is the president responding. What's clear is that the White House very much feels that these moves are necessary. Senior administration officials said the vetting process, the current vetting process for screening people from these countries and refugees in general, is woefully inadequate to protect the U.S.'s national security.

And so, they believe that they're taking steps that Trump supporters, the people who elected him to office would applaud. But it seems as though they are a bit taken aback by the criticism they're receiving from many course including from their own party by, for instance, republican Senators John McCain of Arizona, and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina who put out a statement slamming this move.

The president taking to Twitter taking to respond to those two senators saying, "The joint statement of former presidential candidates john McCain and Lindsey Graham is wrong. They are sadly weak on immigration. The two senators should focus their energies on ISIS, illegal immigration and border security instead of always looking to start World War III."

So that is how the president is responding to a growing list of critics.

CHURCH: Athena Jones reporting there. And people are voicing their outrage across the United States over President Trump's travel ban.

In Texas, people gathered near the international arrivals exit of the Dallas Fort Worth Airport chanting "I believe that we will win."

HOWELL: Protesters also showed up in force at San Francisco's Airport saying "Resist" and "Refugees are welcome here."

And a stand with immigrants rally that was held at West Lake Park there in downtown Seattle, Washington.

Our Dan Simon has more reaction now from Los Angeles.

DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You can see a number of protesters there at the international airport at LAX. This represents really a small sliver of the number of protestors who are here earlier in the day. But as you can see the crowd is still strong, still very vocal. And they are making their displeasure known about this executive order.

We were told by an immigration lawyer that there are still some people who are in detention, who are still detained but we have been unable to confirm that with federal authorities. We did hear about one person who was released who was in custody for about 24 hours.

And we were told that border patrol went through her phone, looking at her photos, also going through her luggage before letting her go. That is just one of the stories that we had heard. And as you can see from this crowd behind me, they are very upset by what has happened.

And you have a number of lawyers also on the ground trying to assist those who may be impacted by this executive order. But given now that we have darkness, still a number of protesters here on the ground. And it's clear that they don't plan on going anywhere any time soon.

Dan Simon, CNN, Los Angeles.

CHURCH: The U.S. Senate's top democrat is among those denouncing the immigration order. Chuck Schumer visibly emotional said tears are running down the cheeks of the Statue of Liberty and he g vowed to get the president's order overturned.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHUCK SCHUMER, (D) UNITED STATES SENATOR: This executive order was mean spirited and un-American. It was implemented in a way that created chaos and confusion across the country. And it will only serve to embolden and inspire those around the globe who will do us harm.

It must be reversed immediately. Senate democrats are going to introduce legislation to overturn this and move it as quickly as we can. And I, as your Senator from New York, will claw, scrap and fight with every fiber of my being until these orders are overturned.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: We've told the story that a five-year-old detained for hours waiting to be reunited with his mother on his birthday, nonetheless.

CHURCH: Yes, absolutely.

HOWELL: You know, a family who are separated some plans that were cancelled. But earlier, Kellyanne Conway, a counselor to President Trump said the airport detentions are quote, "A small price to pay for the safety of Americans."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KELLYANNE CONWAY, DONALD TRUMP SENIOR ADVISER: I was -- I was stopped many times, weren't you, after 9/11? I didn't resemble or share a name with or departed any kind of terrorist conspiracy. But this is what we do to keep a nation safe.

I mean, there are, this whole idea that they are being separated and ripped from their families, it's temporary and it's just circumstantial in terms whether you're one of those 300 and some who are already on an aircraft to try to get them on an aircraft as opposed to the over 3,000 children who will forever more be more separated from their parents who perished on 9/11.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[03:10:04] HOWELL: Some counterterrorism expert says extremism who would use this travel ban as propaganda to recruit more followers.

In the meantime, leaders across the Middle East and beyond they are reacting to this travel ban.

Let's go live to Istanbul, Turkey. That is where CNN's international correspondent, Ian Lee is live this hour. Ian, the question is, how is this being perceived around the world? What are you hearing from different nations about what's happened here in the United States?

IAN LEE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, George, it really depends which nation it is. When it's one of these seven nations that were targeted in this travel ban there's been some strong words coming from Sudan.

We have heard them say that this, they regret this decision and they say that there were warm relations or warming of relations between Sudan and the United States that could be in jeopardy now.

Also hearing from Yemen who said that this will only support terrorists. And it shows division and they said there is no justification for it. Some really strong words though coming from Iran. They actually called in the U.S. the interest section of the U.S. in Tehran, that is the Swiss ambassador. They called him in to talk to him about this. That they said that it was baseless, it was discriminatory. They said there was no legal justification for this.

And so, these countries very much angry, but if you look at other countries in the region they're pretty quiet right now. A lot of them probably don't want to attack the ire of President Trump.

We know that when someone says something out against him then he usually responds harshly. But we did hear from the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek. He said that refugees welcomed in Turkey, the world's largest refugee hosting country who would happily welcome global talent not allowed back in the United States. So, a wide range of statements there and non-statements.

HOWELL: Ian, what has been the impact on many different people? I'm sure you have spoken with people, you've heard stories yourself of people who were impacted by this. You know, many of these, people just innocent people going about their way then held for hours, detained for no reason.

LEE: An interesting thing. You talk to a lot of people who have experience this or who are afraid of going back to the United States or what this means for them. All of them have done everything they needed to get a visa, to get a green card. They did everything legally, they pay their taxes, they're productive members of society.

Some of these people are doctors, they're scientists. And there's this bedrock principle of the United States, this presumption of innocence that you're innocent until proven guilty. And a lot of them say that we didn't do anything wrong.

We were law-abiding people in the United States and yet, we're being treated as criminals. And so this has really affected them. And you just have to look at what the deputy prime minister of Turkey tweeted out. There are a lot of talented people.

There are people who work for tech companies who are doing research in different medical fields and speaking to one person who is of Iranian descent. His wife or his fiancee can't meet them so they can't get married because she is in Iran. She has all the proper paperwork to go to United States. He is from Iran. He has all of the proper paperwork to be in the United States but they can't meet to get married. So, just a lot of stories there, George.

HOWELL: CNN's international correspondent, Ian Lee, live for us in Istanbul. Turkey. Thank you so much for the reporting.

CHURCH: Now we'll take a very short break here. But coming up, President Trump is set to name a replacement for the late Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court. A look at his potential picks that still to come.

HOWELL: Plus, Israel set to pass a controversial new law over outposts on Palestinian land. The details ahead as CNN NEWSROOM continues.

[03:15:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WORLD SPORTS)

HOWELL: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM. The world will soon learn President Trump's choice to fill the empty seat on the U.S. Supreme Court.

CHURCH: And he said last week he would name his nominee on Thursday, but at least two officials say the announcement might come earlier than that.

CNN's Victor Blackwell has more on Mr. Trump's potential picks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We have astounding candidates and we will pick a truly great Supreme Court justice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: President Donald Trump is done interviewing candidates according to a senior administration official. And Trump now making it clear he has winnowed down his list of potential Supreme Court nominees.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I have made my decision pretty much in my mind, yes. And it's subject to change at the last moment, but I think this will be a great choice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: If approved the president's nominee will replace Justice Antonin Scalia who passed away last February. The seat has remained vacant since then after Senate republicans refuse to hold a vote for then-President Obama's nominee, Judge Merrick Garland.

The administration officials tell CNN that Trump has narrowed his list to four candidates, three men and one woman. They are Judge Neil Gorcuch who sits on the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in Colorado.

He's a former clerk for Justices Byron White and Anthony Kennedy. He closely aligned with Antonin Scalia's conservative policy. Gorsuch is 49 years old.

Also on the consideration is William H. Pryor, Jr. who serves on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeal in Georgia. He was appointed by George W. Bush in 2005. Pryor is 54 years old, and disagrees with the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion.

Judge Thomas Hardiman sits on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Pennsylvania. He was nominated by George W. Bush in 2006. He served on the same court as Trump's sister. Hardiman is 51 years old.

The fourth finalist is Diane Sykes. She serves on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago. She was also nominated by George W. Bush and Sykes is a former reporter for the Milwaukee. She is 59 years old.

[03:20:13] Whomever the president picks finding support from democrats still upset over their treatment of Obama's court nominee may pose a challenge.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCHUMER: If the nominee is not bipartisan and mainstream we absolutely would keep the seat open. I'm hopeful that maybe President Trump would nominate someone who was mainstream and could get bipartisan support. We shall see. But if they don't, yes, we'll fight it tooth and nail as long as we have to.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Victor Blackwell, CNN, Atlanta.

HOWELL: Victor Blackwell, thank you so much.

Now President Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are talking about improving relations.

CHURCH: Mr. Trump and Vladimir Putin spoke by phone for about an hour on Saturday. Apparently, there was no mention of lifting the sanctions Washington imposed on Moscow for the annexation of Crimea.

HOWELL: For more on that let's go live to the Russian capital with Clare Sebastian, live this hour. Clare, it's good to have you. So what more do we know about the substance, the content of this call?

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, George, I think it's interesting to look as you said at what wasn't said as well as what was -- what was said. No mention explicitly of the word sanctions. But they did say according to the Kremlin read out that they were looking to restore trade and economic ties between the two countries which of course would be greatly held by lifting of sanctions.

Something else that wasn't mentioned Russian allege of interference in the U.S election. We know that Mr. Trump has expressed skepticism about that but that does not come up in either of the two readouts that we got either from the Kremlin.

Although the White House, and other elephant in the room, NATO, no mention of that at all. Despite the fact that President Trump mentioned that in course with other European leaders, obviously a key concern for Russia as NATO has recently deployed troops on its border where the Poland and the Baltic States.

But they did have discussed corporation in other areas. The North Korean issue, the Iranian nuclear program the non-proliferation in general, and they said the key point was that they were going to work together to get the Islamic extremism terrorism internationally, and particularly in Syria.

A corporation that has eluded the previous Obama administration and Russia. So, you know, a positive tone from both sides that both saying that this was, you know, a starting point for warming relations between the two sides. And they did say that they are planning towards a meeting face to face. We don't know when exactly or where that will be as yet.

HOWELL: Another big elephant in the room. The alleged Russian hacking that was not discussed on this phone call. It had several members of the president's own cabinet, it had democrats and republicans urging caution when it comes to the warming relations with Russia. What more do we know about the divide, how that's being perceived in Russia, the divide between the president and many others who are urging caution?

SEBASTIAN: Well, I mean, certainly what we are seeing in the Russian media, George, is that they're very much touting the fact that this is a new tone from the president himself and really very much dismissing any opposition from members of his own party. You know, we have had talk of a new tone.

One Russian, well, he's known here in Russia by critics says as Russia's chief propaganda saying it was very interesting that Mr. Trump brought out the fact that there's a positive attitude among Americans towards the Russian people that that was very much a new thing.

But really there's an interesting narrative here about the new world orders that it's really Russia and the U.S. who are now resolving conflict around the world and Europe's role is waning. So, a particularly interesting line there as well. HOWELL: Clare Sebastian, live for us in Moscow. Clare, thank you so

much for your reporting today.

CHURCH: Well, meanwhile, President Trump is reiterating Washington's ironclad commitment to defend South Korea against threat from the North. Mr. Trump spoke with South Korea's acting president by phone Sunday.

Alexandra Field joins us from Seoul with the details. So, Alexandra, President Trump is giving an ironclad commitment now as we say, but that wasn't the case during his election campaign when he threatened to withdraw U.S. forces if South Korea didn't step up its financial support for defense. So, what's changed here?

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Rosemary, certainly the election campaign rhetoric raised concerns. But it seems that the call between the two leaders today did quiet some of the fears that South Koreans have expressed about the reliability, the dependability of their partner in the U.S., a long-term ally.

You did hear some very strong words from President Donald trump when he was candidate Trump issuing those threats. We are told in the readout from the call from the blue house that that the issue of sharing costs for maintaining a U.S. troop presence here in South Korea did not come up during the conversation.

[03:25:04] Both sides responding to the call said that this call was largely about the alliance, the partnership between South Korea and the U.S., and the U.S.'s ironclad commitment to maintaining that alliance and that partnership.

Their commitment to continuing to provide deterrents against the mounting nuclear threats over North Korea. And their commitment to maintaining to -- maintaining any military capabilities that are necessary to continue to deter North Korea.

The Blue House says that the message from Donald Trump was that the relationship between South Korea and the U.S. will be, quote, "better than ever before," Rosemary.

CHURCH: All right. And to another topic, A new satellite images suggest that North Korea has restarted a reactor at its plutonium site. What are you learning about that?

FIELD: Which is exactly why this reassurance is from President Trump to the acting president of South Korea were so important. It comes at this time, just weeks after Kim Jong-un had announced that the country is in its final stages of preparing for a test of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

That has put the world on notice monitoring agencies including the U.S. based group, 38 North have been watching for any signs of activity. The latest signs where you're seeing on the screen they say there's water plume coming from one of the cooling water outlets there, which is a sign that their analyst say of operation at that facility which they say is the main nuclear facility in North Korea, the place where plutonium has previously been produced that's been used in prior nuclear test.

So this is something that everyone is closely watching. It doesn't come as entirely as surprised. There were other satellite data images that was released earlier in the month by the same group, 38 North which suggested that operations were perhaps beginning to get underway at that plant.

Those images showed some snow melt on the rooftops there suggesting that the buildings were again being occupied and at least minimally heated. So, all eyes on the HB on what exactly is going on at that facility, Rosemary.

CHURCH: Yes. Our Alexandra Field keeping an eye on those developing stories. Joining us there live from Seoul in South Korea where it is nearly 5.30 in the early evening. Many thanks.

HOWELL: And still ahead this hour, Israel is said to pass a controversial new law, why critics say it amounts to annexing parts of the West Bank.

We are live across the United States and around the world this hour. You're watching CNN NEWSROOM from Atlanta.

[03:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: A warm welcome back to our viewers here in the United States and all around the world. I'm Rosemary Church.

HOWELL: And I'm George Howell. You're watching CNN NEWSROOM with the headlines we're following for you this hour.

Six people are dead, eight others wounded after a shooting that took place at a mosque in Quebec City, Canada. Two suspects as we understand have been arrested. Police say the situation there is under control. The attack is being investigated as an act of terrorism.

CHURCH: The White House says President Donald Trump's travel ban does not apply to people who have green cards which allow them permanent residence in the United States.

There was some confusion over that as thousands protested the ban over the weekend. Homeland security officials say green card holders will still face extra screening at airports.

HOWELL: Many of those protests they took place at airports across the United States. New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. President Trump's executive order bans people from seven Muslim majority countries from entering the U.S. for the next 90 days and suspends the admission of all refugees for 120 days.

CHURCH: We want to get more now on that deadly mosque shooting in Quebec Xity. CNN's Paula Newton is on her way there. She joins us now on the phone. So, Paula, what more are you learning about the casualties and indeed, the two arrests made in this deadly attack.

PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Unfortunate, a very emotional press conference by the Premier of Quebec, Philippe Couillard in the last hour basically announcing that there are indeed six dead. That's now confirmed. Eight injured. Of those eight six are in a very serious condition.

They have people under arrest and they assure the public that the scene itself was secure, although they added that of course, places of worship throughout Quebec, as well as other high-security places, the government buildings and things like that would be under even more stringent security.

Above all, Rosemary, you want to stress and to say, look, to the Muslim community we reach out to you. You are home, you are with us. The hash tag just Quebec, I am Quebec is trending.

And I think you really got that sense of the profound shock that everyone is feeling. About the two suspects who are in custody, refuse to say anything about them. There's been a lot of speculation in the media. Authorities want to avoid that speculation at this point, because they say this investigation is still in its preliminary stages.

Agaih, so crucial here, Rosemary, is the fact that this was two people. At least they are waiting to see if there were any conspirators carried out with guns. What is very disconcerting for the authorities here is that this was a coordinated attack.

CHURCH: Yes, And Paula, you mentioned there the profound shock of course, there is that. But talk to us too about the situation in Quebec City have there been tensions there?

NEWTON: Well, there have been tensions specifically at this mosque and no one would wire was responsible. But in June during the holy month of Ramadan there was a bloody pig's head and just horrific left on the front steps of the Islamic center.

I mean, Rosemary, Quebec arguably one of the provinces in Canada having the hardest time really trying to come to terms with the secular value that this problem share should so much and yet, still want to be very open and diverse.

Having said that, many today and you can hear them on radio opponent shows and social media saying that has nothing to do with what happened tonight, that it was an act of terrorism pure and simple as people were worshipping. And no matter what, you know, kind of cultural awkwardness there may be, that this is something that no one could have predicted.

CHURCH: Indeed. Our Paula Newton joining us there on the phone. And she makes her way towards Quebec City in Canada where that deadly attack took place. Many thanks to you, Paula.

HOWELL: Israel appears to be set to pass a controversial new law over Israeli outposts on Palestinian territory. The so-called legalization bill makes such outposts on private Palestinian land legal under new Israeli law. [03:35:02] For more on this bill and its ramification let's go live to

Jerusalem. Our Oren Liebermann is with us this hour. Oren, a pleasure to have with us. What level of support or opposition is there to this bill? Is it likely to pass the Knesset?

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: At this point that's a good question. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who said has his weekly cabinet meeting yesterday that he would advance this bill tomorrow needs almost every member of his coalition to get this bill through.

But one party has already come out and said they oppose the bill and another party it's unclear whether they opposed the bill. Those will be critical in deciding whether the legalization bill actually goes through. But those answers haven't been made clear yet. They haven't answered those questions.

Meanwhile, the opposition says they're ready to filibuster and they have a number of other steps to try to delay and stop this vote by any means they can. So, even this is being introduced today there are some political analyst here who say the vote itself may not actually come until early tomorrow morning because of those filibusters.

And that gets that exactly how controversial this bill is and the ramifications it has. Even the Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit has said this law is unconstitutional. It violates international law, it opens Israeli leaders up to prosecution of the international criminal court. And he won't support it. He won't defend it when he believes it will challenge at Israel's high court.

And yet, the opposition has been -- I'm sorry, the coalition under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been pushing this anyway. They held it before President Trump's inauguration. Now they're pushing it forward possibly just weeks before President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet.

So, it will be a long day here in the Knesset as the debates about this go back and forth. And then of course, it will come down to the numbers on the vote. George?

HOWELL: That's the situation in Israel. But what has been the reaction from Palestinians from neighboring Arab nations about this legalization bill?

LIEBERMANN: There's an international consensus that includes Palestinians, the Arab countries, the U.N., the E.U. that this law is illegal and won't be accepted. Many critics have called it a first step towards annexation, which is exactly. Why many on the right wing here have held it saying it will lead to the annexation of parts of the West Bank and that is where much of that criticism comes in.

That this is an application of Israeli law to the West Bank. And critics have said it is a first step towards annexation of the West Bank, something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have said he opposes at this point while many in his right wing coalition are absolutely in favor of it and calling on it to happen. HOWELL: Oren Liebermann, following the legalization bill there in

Israel. Oren, we'll stay in touch with you, live for us in Jerusalem this hour. Thank you.

CHURCH: Benhoit Hamon will represent the Socialist Party in the French presidential election in April. He clinched the nomination on Sunday. An easy victory over former Prime Minister, Manuel Valls.

Opinion polls, though, suggest the socialist will struggle in the election after the unpopular administration of Francois Hollande.

And Jim Bitterman joins us now from Paris with more on the election. Jim, as we mentioned the socialist will have an uphill battle here anyway. It looks like there is a move to the right.

JIM BITTERMANN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Rosemary. In fact, a snap poll taken right after the premier election last night indicated that Benoit Hamon would come in fourth out of the fifth -- of the five leading candidates in the general elections that began on April 23rd.

The fact is that this was pretty much a rejection last night. The politics of President Hollande five years in power as a socialist leader. The Socialist Party decided, I think from the indications anyway that he was too far to the right, that they wanted someone more left. And that's Benoit Hamon, certainly he's a much more liberal person than I think Hollande ended up being.

At the beginning, Hollande had some of the same ideas but Hamon has got some ideas that is pretty interesting. One could say, for example, of guaranteed wage paying everyone in the country of 750 euros whether they work or not that would replace unemployment and other things, other benefits that marginalized people could get.

So, he's got some ideas like that are very appealing to the left. And the voters now in the general election have a pretty clear choice all the way across the line. They have a very far left candidate. They have Hamon which is -- who's fairly far left. They have centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron, they have a right candidate in Francois Fillon, an extreme right candidate and Marine Le Pen.

So, they have a broad spectrum of candidates to choose from. And who they are end up picking there are still a couple of months left, Rosemary.

CHURCH: Yes. Certainly Marine Le Pen seems to think that the win that Donald Trump achieved in the U.S may push her into the front. But we will see. Of course, it could and change in the months ahead.

Jim Bitterman joining us there, live from Paris where it is nearly 9.40 in the morning. Many thanks.

[03:40:01] HOWELL: Still ahead, a Syrian refugee family arrived here in the United States just days before President Donald Trump made it harder for people like them to be admitted to this country. We'll have their story next. CHURCH: Plus, actors get political at this year's SAG Awards, what some of Hollywood elites had to say about the controversial travel ban. That's coming your way in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOWELL: Whole morning we've been talking about families that have been separated with this new travel ban are children detained, plans that were changed.

This is the story of an Iranian mother reunited with her five-year-old son. Her five-year-old caught up in the confusions surrounding this travel ban.

CHURCH: Yes. She anxiously awaited his arrival at Washington's Dallas Airport Saturday night only to learn he was one of the travelers detained.

HOWELL: After hours spent without answers she finally got to hold her son in her arms again. Here's part of the moment when they were reunited. Let's watch.

Probably not the day that a five-year-old wanted for his birthday.

CHURCH: And surely overwhelmed, no doubt.

HOWELL: Sure. But reunited with his mother in that moment that we saw.

CHURCH: Yes.

HOWELL: The executive order on immigration signed by president it prevents the U/S from admitting refugees for the next four months.

CHURCH: That order also tops the total the number of refugees who will be accepted at about half of the current level.

Our Randi Kaye met with a Syrian family in Vermont.

[03:45:00] RANDI KAYE, CNN'S INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER: One week, that's how long this Syrian family has been in the United States. They arrived just two days before Donald Trump was inaugurated.

Hazar Mansour was a French teacher. Her husband Hassam Alhallak, an accountant. They fled from Damascus to Turkey with their children to escape the violence. After two years of background checks they finally made it to Vermont.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HAZAR MANSOUR, SYRIAN REFUGEE, (through translator): We were worried about ourselves, worried about our children. We came here we want to live in peace. It's better than living in the war situation we were in.

(END VIDEO CLIP) KAYE: They are the first of about 25 Syrian and Iraqi families

expected to arrive in Rutland, Vermont by September. About 100 refugees in all. Rutland's mayor invited them to settle in his city around the same time then-candidate Donald Trump vowed if elected he' stop the flow of refugees into the U.S. and deport the ones already here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTOPHER LOURAS, RUTLAND MAYOR: This is just been the right thing to do from a compassionate and humanitarian perspective.

KAYE: But that's not the only reason the mayor is welcoming the refugees to his city. He's hoping they'll help to revitalize it.

The city of Rutland has suffered a major population loss making it hard for big companies here to fill jobs. The mayor is hoping that Syrian refugees will not only add to the population but also to the work force. The unemployment rate here is about 3 percent, dangerously low, says the mayor.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LOURAS: We've got dozens scores of employers in this community saying they've got hundreds of job openings they just can't fill.

KAYE: But now his whole plan to revive Rutland could be in jeopardy pending an executive order from President Donald Trump.

LOURAS: I think all of us have fears about that. I think his concerns are misplaced. The security measures are in place for refugees especially coming from Syria will not put this community at risk. That's a fact.

KAYE: This couple is hosting the Syrian family until their apartment is ready.

Do you wish that President Trump could meet the couple and the family that you now have in your home?

MAUREEN SCHILLINGER, HOSTING SYRIAN FAMILY: I wish anybody who thinks that it is a bad idea for them to come could just even take a little snapshot. They're wonderful people. They're not coming here to harm us, they are coming here to escape harm.

KAYE: Tim Cook, a doctor in town says he doesn't want refugees settling in his city, not because he thinks they're dangerous but because he thinks they'll end up costing taxpayers money.

So you're saying the mayor and whoever decided that the refugees should come here got it all wrong?

TIM COOK, PHYSICIAN: Yes. Unequivocally.

KAYE: He said he fully supports President Trump's opposition to taking in refugees. COOK: I think we've done enough as a country. I'm tapped out. And this nation is tapped out. We need to fix our own problems first and then we can you know, reconfigure and see if we can rescue the rest of the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: This family says they're not worried about President Trump's plan. They feel safe and secure in Vermont already.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HASSAM ALHALLAK, SYRIAN REFUGEE: I like Vermont and the people in Vermont.

KAYE: The people.

ALHALLAK: Yes.

KAYE: They're very nice.

ALHALLAK: Yes. Yes.

KAYE: You might have to learn to ski.

ALHALLAK: Sure. I like skiing.

MANSOUR: New sport.

ALHALLAK: New sport.

KAYE: New sport, exactly.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: One week, they hope it's only the beginning of their new life in the United States.

Randi Kaye, CNN, Rutland, Vermont.

HOWELL: Randi Kaye giving us the many sides of this very complicated issue that's been playing out.

CHURCH: Yes, absolutely. Yes. Well, up next, Hollywood honors its own. Find out who won big at this year's Screen Actors Guild Awards and who used the spotlight to get political.

[03:50:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good day to you. I'm meteorologist Pedram Javaheri at CNN Weather Watch time.

Look at the eastern United States very cold temperatures locked in around the Great Lakes of the United States around the northeastern corner of the U.S. as well. All of this will want to be displaced off over the next several days. We'll see a rebound in temps for a lot of the area over the next several days.

But still some late effect snow showers in the forecast across the Great lakes. In fact, places like Cleveland, like Detroit, also Grand Rapids onto say Cadillac getting some decent snow showers. Generally, 10 to 15 centimeters. Of course as you work your way towards a Cleveland metropolitan-type population center 10 to 15 centimeters could be very disruptive. And that's what we are watching across that region.

Chicago will keep it dry, minus one. We're looking at 12 in Atlanta. Temperatures in Los Angeles finally moderating a little bit after a Santa Ana wind event there. They're looking at 23 degrees on Monday.

But notice this, a very cold temps return across the northeastern part of the United States over the next several days and back out towards the western U.S. where it has been quiet as far as rainfall for a couple of days.

Look at the storm system pinwheel out there slated to arrive across the San Francisco bay area sometimes towards the middle of the week. So if you have travel plans keep that in mind when it comes to disruptions.

Kingston, Jamaica at 29 degrees. Looking at some showers onto to say Belize City, temps into the mid-20s. Cartagena also looking at temps in the lower 20s over the several days. Quito, some storms in the forecast. Caracas, some scattered showers as well.

CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. Well, Hollywood honored its best and brightest on Sunday at the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.

HOWELL: Tonight's big winners and also one of the biggest surprises was the film "Hidden Figures" for best motion pictures on SAG Awards.

CHURCH: Some of the other winners include Denzel Washington for best actor in the film "Fences," Emma Stone won best actress for her performance in the movie musical "La La Land."

HOWELL: The best TV drama ensemble that went to the sci-fi series "Stranger Thing," and "Orange is the New Black" it won for the best ensemble in a comedy series.

CHURCH: Joining me now to talk more about this 23rd annual Screen Actors guild Award is entertainment journalist Kim Serafin. Kim, always great to see you.

KIM SERAFIN, IN TOUCH WEEKLY SENIOR EDITOR: Thanks much.

CHURCH: So, it was certainly a more diverse night in terms of winners. "Hidden Figures" winning outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture. Denzel Washington, outstanding performance by a male actor. And a leading role, Viola Davis, best supporting female actress both in "Fences" there. And Mahershala Ali best supporting actor in "Moonlight," to name just a few, in fact.

It's something we haven't seen in past years at various awards night. Can we expect this to be a sign that the Oscars will be less than they've been in years before?

SERAFIN: Yes. This is worthy then definitely is not a hash tag Oscar so white kind of awardees and we are seeing a lot of diversity. And I think tonight's SAG Awards really, really shows that. As you mentioned Denzel Washington for "Fences." You know, obviously such a beloved actor.

But you know, Casey Affleck a lot of people thought he was the one that was going to win this. So, Denzel Washington is really throws of the Oscar race into kind of turmoil. Because a lot of people predicted Casey Affleck would win, but Denzel Washington certainly now has front runner status.

Because a lot of times the SAG Awards do predict who will win in the Oscars especially when it comes to the actor and actress.

As you mentioned, Viola Davis I don't think this is a surprise for anyone certainly she was going to win, she'll win the Oscar. I don't think there's any doubt about that. And Mahershala Ali also who won tonight at SAG Awards. He was also publicly predicted to win the Oscars.

But yes, we are seeing a lot of diversity and especially as you mentioned with "Hidden Figures." This is such an uplifting great movie. People love this movie.

[03:55:00] Taraji P. Henson gave an uplifting speech at the end of tonight and it's just, it's a crowd pleaser. It's doing well at the Box Office. So, this might throw "La La Land" front runner status into a little bit of a spin.

CHURCH: Yes, we might just see some of that, right. And of course, the other big theme running throughout the night was President Trump and his travel and immigration ban. What all was said and what stood out?

SERAFIN: Yes. I think everyone knew this was an award show, it's happening at a very political time on a very political day, certainly you're going to hear actors talk about this.

The show opened with Ashton Kutcher talking to people at airports saying, we love you, we welcome you. Julia Louis Dreyfus was one of the first winners she got up there first made a joke about there might have been a Russian hacking and how she saw million, a million half in the audience cheering her on, but then gave a more serious note saying she was a daughter of an immigrant and this immigrant ban is un- American.

You saw this throughout the evening. Sometimes it was kind of in a joking matter. When Dolly Parton got up to introduce Lily Tomlin for a life achievement award, she said people were asking me for my I.D.'s out there before I could get it in or maybe it was my double d's. But that was kind of a joke.

But then there were a lot of other people who made very serious passionate speeches and passionate comments about the immigration ban. Sarah Paulson talked about people, encouraging people to give to the ACLU the winner for David Harper who won for "Stranger Thing" got up there and made a very passionate speech about unity and about how acting can help change the world.

And people were standing and cheering him on. So, it was really a very political night in a lot of the speeches that were given.

CHURCH: Yes, most definitely was. Well, Kim Serafin, thank you so much for joining us. We appreciate it.

SERAFIN: Great. Thank you so much.

CHURCH: And thanks for your company. I'm Rosemary Church.

HOWELL: And I'm George Howell.

The news continues here on CNN right after the break.

[04:00:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)