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A Look at President Trump's Speech Tonight to Congress; Interview with Rep. Mark Meadows; Interview with Rep. Jim Clyburn. Aired 1-1:30p ET

Aired February 28, 2017 - 13:00   ET

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

[13:00:00] JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR: American carnage, you may remember, in his inaugural address. The theme tonight, renewal of the American spirit, an optimistic vision for all Americans. The president says it is a chance to better get his message across.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think I have done just about more than anybody in the first four weeks because I think I have done great things, but I do not think I have - I and my people, I don't think we have explained it well enough to the American public. I think I get an A in terms of what I have actually done, but in terms of messaging, I'd give myself a C or a C+.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How are you going to change that then?

TRUMP: Well, maybe I'll change it during the speech.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCIUTTO: Let's get more on what we can expect from the president's speech tonight. CNN's senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta joins us along with senior congressional reporter Manu Raju. He is on Capitol Hill.

Jim, start with you. We know that repealing and replacing Obamacare will be a big part of the speech. What more have you learned about what the president will say about that and president's plans?

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Jim, it sounds like we're going to get more clarity tonight. I was talking to some Republican sources on Capitol Hill earlier today and what they're indicating is that House Speaker Paul Ryan is going to be a very happy man later on tonight during this joint - speech to a joint session of Congress from President Tromp, and that is because when the House Speaker was here yesterday meeting with the president and meeting with the White House team in terms of what is going to be in the president's speech, he was given some pretty decent assurances that the president is now moving in the direction of the House Republican plan of repealing and replacing Obamacare.

And just to give you some of the contours of what they are talking about, we can put this up on screen. What they're talking about at this point, Jim, is eliminating that individual mandate, but at the same time, they're trying to keep some of the items of Obamacare that people like, such as keeping the ban on discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions, also allowing young people to stay on their parents' insurance until the age of 26.

They are talking about reforming Medicaid. The expansion of Medicaid is a big part of the Affordable Care Act. That money is going to be scaled back over time, we're told by Republican sources. Of course, all of this is not set in stone. But the indication that the speaker's office got, Jim, that I am hearing from sources is that, yes, the president is moving in the direction of the speaker and the House Republican proposals, and that is going to go a great distance in terms of allaying the concerns a lot of those members in the House who have been going to these raucous town hall meetings where people have been yelling at them, saying, OK, you are going to repeal Obamacare, what are you going to show us in terms of a replacement bill. So, the contours of that are coming inti shape.

And, Jim, one thing we should also note, I think illegal immigration, the crackdown on illegal immigration that the president is going to be talking about tonight, I think that is also going to be a major focus of the speech. In the first lady's box during this - the speech to the joint session of Congress, there are a couple of folks who are going to be in that box who have been affected by undocumented people in this country who are criminals who killed members of the people - people's families who're going to in that first lady's box. That is an indication that the president is going to taking a tough tone, continuing to take a tough tone when it comes to illegal immigration.

So, while people are saying it's going to be an optimistic or positive tone in the speech tonight, keep in mind, there's there is a great deal of people in this country right now - undocumented people in this country. And also folks who may be documented and legally in this country were very worried about what the president is going to be saying about that issue tonight, Jim.

SCIUTTO: That's a tactic the president used at the debates too, inviting victims of crimes by illegal immigrants. Manu, what are you hearing from Democrats about the president's speech tonight, who is boycotting the event, will there also be some weaponizing of guests as it were to send a message to the president?

MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL REPORTER: Absolutely. In fact, the Democratic leaders, in both the House and Senate, say that they're going to - or rather, the rank-and-file members are going to invite people who have been affected in a negative way by Donald Trump's policies, namely on healthcare and also immigrants who have been affected by the travel ban and also the hard-line policies about deportation for those undocumented immigrants. So, watch for those political points to be made.

But at the same time, Democrats are urging their fellow members to be respectful not to speak out in ways that can look poorly on the Democratic Party. We all recall that moment in President Obama's healthcare speech to a joint session of Congress when Joe Wilson, the Republican congressman from South Carolina, said you lie to the president in the middle of his speech. The Democrats are trying to make sure that does not happen. Actually, Nancy Pelosi issuing this warning to her colleagues today in the caucus, saying I think we have to come, we have to deal with this in the utmost dignity, we cannot become them, we don't like what they did to our president. She said we cannot be outclassed by Donald Trump. That would be the worst of all outcomes.

[13:05:07] Now, some Democrats are also taking a different approach when they did impasse speeches by a president to Congress past State of the Unions, including Eliot Engel of New York who was one of those members who awaited - reserved a seat along the aisle in the House Chamber, so you can shake the president's hand as the president came down the aisle. He said he is not going to do it this time.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. ELIOT ENGEL (D), NEW YORK: I have deep respect for the presidency and I will attend the joint session, but that respect between branches must be mutual. He has cozied up to Vladimir Putin, the strongmen who attacks our democracy. He has moved to gut the Affordable Care Act and look the other way when threats against the Jewish community have increased in recent year. This isn't part of our normal political discourse. This goes beyond ideological and political differences. The president needs to work with all people and, therefore, I will listen to what he has to say today, but I will not greet him and shake his hand.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

RAJU: Now another lawmaker who has actually done something similar, save that seat along the aisle, is Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas. Now, a spokesperson for Congresswoman Lee says that she has not made a decision yet on whether or not to shake Donald Trump's hand and sit along the aisle. But at least one Democrat is boycotting this event. That's Maxine Waters, the Democratic Congresswoman, long time veteran of the Congressional Black Caucus House Financial Services Committee, says that she will not be attending this event altogether. And, Jim, she is one of those lawmakers who was raised significant concerns about Trump , even raising the specter that he could be impeached someday. That's, of course, now where Nancy Pelosi is at the moment, but showing still a lot of consternation within the ranks as Democrats grapple with the first Donald Trump address to a joint session of Congress, Jim.

SCIUTTO: Manu Raju on the Hill, Jim Acosta at the White House, thanks very much. I want to talk more about tonight's address by President Trump and some of the main themes, main issues, policy questions we expect to hear. Joining me now from Capitol Hill, North Carolina Republican Congressman Mark Meadows. He's a member of the House Oversight Committee, the Foreign Affairs Committee, chairman as well of the Freedom Caucus.

So, Congressman Meadows, thanks very much for joining us today. One of the key issues tonight -

REP. MARK MEADOWS (R), NORTH CAROLINA: Great to be with you, Jim. SCIUTTO: Great to be with you. One of the key issues tonight is going to be healthcare, the replacement plan. This is an issue on which you disagree with the president particularly as it relates to tax credits. Tell us why.

MEADOWS: Well, I don't disagree with the president. The president's been very consistent to say that he wants to make sure that more people are covered at a lower cost. Really the position that we've taken is one in support of a plan that actually does exactly what the president wants. It happens to disagree with our leadership, primarily because the leadership plan as I see it doesn't really affect the overall healthcare costs. It doesn't drive it down for my constituents, and yet at the same time to replace one of - the Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act, with another federal program that does not work actually won't affect moms and dads on Main Street. So, for me, it is not at odds with the president as much as it is at odds with the tactic that we're trying to do right now in implementing a replacement that only partially repeals and partially replaces.

SCIUTTO: But is if the president is - if the reporting is correct, moving towards the leadership plan here. You said you would vote against that plan, is that correct?

MEADOWS: That's correct. And I can tell you there is a number of reasons why I would vote against it, that I believe is consistent with where the president is. When we look at the plan, about taxing the hard-working American taxpayers that have employer-based health insurance, to be able to give us subsidies to people that may be millionaires that don't need the subsidy, that's a non-starter for me. It should be a nonstarter for all Americans, but I can tell you it's a nonstarter for the president as well. We are about making sure that it's affordable and providing a safety net that's there for all of those people that perhaps can't afford health insurance now.

SCIUTTO: We did a little research and found that there are more than 40,000 people in your district who currently take advantage of Obamacare, of the Affordable Care Act. What do you say to them, to those constituents who are concerned they won't have health insurance if the current plan disappears?

MEADOWS: Well, I've made a very strong commitment. There is three things. One, in North Carolina, if you did your research, you'll realize that insurance rates have gone up at 30 percent, 35 percent and again 30 percent this year. So, that is unsustainable. So we're trying to drive the cost of healthcare down.

The other part of that is all about the pre-existing conditions and making sure that insurance companies can't kick people off. I've made a commitment here on CNN to make sure that we address those things, so any replacement plan will actually help those constituents, the 40,000 that you mentioned, and drive healthcare down, so that they don't have to make a decision between paying for their insurance and a mortgage.

[13:10:10] SCIUTTO: Let me ask you this. Because another big issue tonight may very well come up in the speech is the president's budget plan. He is talking about adding $54 billion increase to the defense budget, built in part on cuts, particularly large cuts to the State Department, other agencies and departments.

We heard just a short time ago from Senator Lindsey Graham, of course, a Republican, he said that that budget in his words is dead on arrival into Senate. I imagine you've had a look at the president's budget outlines. Would you vote for or against the president's budget as it stands?

MEADOWS: I support the president's effort to increase the spending for our military. And I talked to Director Mulvaney last night about the budget proposal that has come across. Now, Lindsey Graham nor myself has seen the details of that on what gets cut. We do know that $54 billion gets added to the military. And so, as we start to look at that, the Senate will work on their budget. The House will work on ours. And hopefully, altogether, we'll be able to reconcile it together.

But I applaud the president for putting forth a conservative plan that strengthens our military. The devil will be in the details and we will see that in the days and weeks to come. But as we look at that and we're working on the budget here, I look forward to working very closely with the president and the new Director Mick Mulvaney on providing a conservative solution that actually re-prioritizes what the spending and the type of spending that goes on here in Washington DC.

SCIUTTO: But to be fair, Congressman, one pretty big detail is already out there and that is a significant increase in the defense budget, which sounds like you support -

MEADOWS: I do support that.

SCIUTTO: But built on as much as a 30 percent cut to the State Department budget. Is that a fair trade-off in your view?

MEADOWS: Well, again, you and I both have not seen the details, Jim, because I know that they are not out there because I asked for those last night, so that I can make an informed decision on that. I can tell you I am a foreign policy guy. I see the value in the State Department and a number of the issues there. But I also understand where some of the weaknesses are within the State Department and where we're spending money and not providing return. And so, it's critically important before we make a pass or fail on that budget to look at the details. And so, as we do that, not forming any opinion today based on just a few talking points, it's important that we look specifically at the numbers, Jim.

SCIUTTO: Congressman Mark Meadows, thanks very much.

MEADOWS: It's great to be with you. Thanks so much.

SCIUTTO: Tonight, CNN's special coverage of President Trump's first joint Congress address to Congress starts at 8 PM Eastern Time. That is right here on CNN. Be sure to join us.

Up next, why President Trump says Obama is to blame for leaks coming out of the Trump White House and angry protesters at Republican town halls. Congressman James Clyburn joins me next to discuss.

Plus, president is proposing budget cuts to the State Department. Why that's not going all over well with military leaders? Some members of the president's own party and potentially even his very own Secretary of Defense.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:17:15] SCIUTTO: Welcome back. At this hour, President Trump scheduled to sign an executive order instructing the EPA to review their clean water rule, eliminate those rules if there is a cost to the economy. This order comes as the president is planning deep cuts for the agency, all as part of his upcoming budget.

That budget and healthcare will be big topics in tonight's speech to a joint session of Congress. Joining me from Capitol Hill is Congressman Jim Clyburn of Southern Carolina, Democrat and a member of the House Democratic leadership, the third ranking Democrat. Thanks very much for joining us, Representative Clyburn.

REP. JAMES CLYBURN (D), SOUTH CAROLINA: Thank you very much for having me. Appreciate it. Thank you.

SCIUTTO: The president's theme tonight, renewal of the American spirit, an optimistic vision for all Americans. What do you need to hear from the president tonight to deliver on that theme?

CLYBURN: One word. Optimism. I think he should develop that theme in a positive way. If it does, it will be good for the country, good for him personally and it will be the kind of thing that I would love to see. I think that we have heard enough of the negative stuff. It is time to get beyond the name calling, beyond the campaigning and let's see what we can do to find a common ground to carry out an agenda that the American people would be proud of.

SCIUTTO: The president this morning in an interview offered up his own assessment, his own grade of his first month in office. He gave himself an A for his achievements, but said only a C or C+ on communicating those achievements to the American public. What grade would you give the president so far?

CLYBURN: Well, I don't think I would grade the president at all. I'm an old school teacher. I started my professional career as a public school teacher. And one of the things I learned early that we are much better off if you give the grade in private, that you don't publicly discuss grading of anybody. And so, I am not going to grade the president. I'm going to wait on the president to put forth an agenda for the country, irrespective of what he's been doing thus far. It has been him acting on his own emotions, reacting to things that he's been seeing and hearing and tweeting about, rather than laying out a roadmap and agenda for the country. That's what he's going to do tonight.

And after he has laid that out, I will grade his agenda, and then I will watch and hopefully participate in helping him to achieve those things that I think make sense. Now, if he lays out an agenda that doesn't make sense, that takes this country backwards rather than forward, then I will not just grade his performance, I will loudly disagree with it.

[13:20:18] SCIUTTO: But you won't fail him, you're saying? Or at least you won't do it in public. You'll save that for private. The president is putting the blame on former President Obama for these town hall protests we've seen at the town halls of many GOP representatives. Your colleagues - as well as for leaks coming out of the Trump White House. Is the former president - are his people behind these leaks, behind those protests?

CLYBURN: Well, I don't think so. Down in South Carolina where we had some pretty interesting town hall meetings with Sen. Scott and Congressman Mark Sanford. I don't think those were Obama people out there at all, unless they were Obamacare people.

The fact remains that people are reacting based upon what they see and hear. Now, it's one thing for you to have disagreements over whether or not something should be offered to people. But when you start taking away that which has been working well, telling someone that they've got to kick their kids - children, I might add, or their children off of their insurance policies as soon as they turn 21 years old irrespective of whether or not they're gainfully employed, when you tell someone that your child born with diabetes will not be allowed to come on to your insurance policy or say to someone who gets sick that we're going to kick you off of your insurance policies, we cannot go back to that sort of thing. And these people are saying to this administration, to this Congress, we do not wish to go back to having CEOs making determinations as to whether or not I or my child should be taken care of on my insurance policy.

So, that's what's going on in these town hall meetings. And nobody needs Barack Obama or his people - and I consider myself to be one of them - to tell them that that's just not a good thing to do, that's just not a good place to go.

SCIUTTO: Congressman, you'll remember at Mr. Trump's inauguration, there were members of Congress who boycotted as a form of protest. California Democrat Maxine Waters says she will not attend tonight's presidential address. Do you approve of that decision?

CLYBURN: Well, people have to make up their own minds about how they react to anything. I am going to be at the speech tonight. I am going to be as courteous as I know how to be. I understand I am on the Escort Committee. I will carry out my responsibilities as I did with Obama, as I did with President Bush. I'm going to do that which my constituents would expect me to do and would like to see me do.

I am hopeful that the president will do what my constituents are hopeful that he does. And if so, it will be a good evening. So, I am not going to, in any way, get rid of my, as we say, upbringing, my manners. My daddy used to tell me all the time, the first line of a good education is good manners. So, I will demonstrate good manners in hopes that that will be interpreted by my constituents and by the president as someone who is pretty well educated.

SCIUTTO: Well, Congressman Clyburn, my mom told me the same thing. So, we share that. Thanks for joining us this afternoon.

CLYBURN: Well, thank you so much for having me.

SCIUTTO: Coming up, President Trump has announced potential cuts - Draconian cuts to the State Department, but more than 120 retired military leaders say that that funding is critical to keeping America safe. We will discuss with a former State Department official, Ambassador Richard Haas. He will join me live right after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:28:25] SCIUTTO: When President Trump speaks to Congress tonight, he is expected to present a detailed vision of his agenda for the country. Trump aides are promising optimistic speech designed to rally Americans. I want to speak now to Ambassador Richard Haas. He is president of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is also author of the just public book, A World in Disarray - a book best enjoyed with a bourbon or choose your poison really sucks - lays out all the problems facing the next president.

Mr. Ambassador, I want to listen - I want you to listen to some experts from - excerpts rather, of President Trump's recent speeches on his view of the world. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: From this day forward, it's going to be only America first.

Getting along with other countries is good. It is very important, but there is no such thing as a global anthem, a global currency or global flag. This is the United States of America that I am representing. I'm not representing the globe.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCIUTTO: Ambassador Haass, does America first, this vision, as President Trump lays out, in your view - you've served Republican and Democratic presidents - does it make America safer?

RICHARD HAASS, PRESIDENT, COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS: Well, it's a formulation that I find awfully narrow. The United States leads the world. The United States is active in the world, not as a form of charity, not as a form of philanthropy, but because we have learned the hard way that a stable world makes the United States stay safer. An unstable world will ultimately come back and hurt us and will undermine our own security.

[13:30:03] So, an America first formulation, I worry, seems a little bit narrow.