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Pence Speaks About Scalise; Speier Talks about Shooting Experience; Mueller Investigating Trump. Aired 1-1:30p ET

Aired June 15, 2017 - 13:00   ET

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

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WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, I'm Wolf Blitzer. It's 1:00 p.m. here in Washington. Wherever you're watching from around the world, thanks very much for joining us.

We're following two major stories right now. First, sources tell CNN that the special counsel, Robert Mueller's office, is looking at possibly expanding his investigation.

And "The Washington Post" reports that Mueller is already looking into the issue of obstruction of justice by President Trump. CNN has not independently confirmed that part of the story, but we do know that investigators are interviewing top national security and intelligence officials, as we speak.

Either way, the president is reacting to the news with a tweet saying, quote, "They made up a phony collusion with the Russian story. Found zero proof. So, now, they go for obstruction of justice on the phony story. Nice."

It's possible we'll hear more from the White House during an off- camera briefing from the deputy White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, later this hour. We will, of course, monitor that.

Our other top story right now, a change of tone up on Capitol Hill, in the wake of the shooting at a Congressional baseball practice. The majority whip, Steve Scalise, he's in critical condition and undergoing a third surgical procedure. President Trump today saying Scalise is still in some trouble.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Yes, he's in some trouble. He's a great fighter and he's going to be OK we hope.

We've had a very, very divided country for many years and I have a feeling that Steve has made a great sacrifice, but there could be some unity being brought to our country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Congressman Scalise is just one of the five people that were injured in Wednesday's shooting. Let's bring in CNN's Brian Todd. He's over at the MedStar Washington Hospital Center here in the nation's Capital. That's where the majority whip is being treated.

Brian, the president says the Congressman is in some trouble. Give us an update on his condition and who also has come by to visit.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, Wolf. We learned a short time ago that Congressman Scalise got some additional VIP visitors. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, came by to check on Congressman Scalise's condition. They met with doctors and other personnel, then departed for a trip to Miami.

What we can tell you now about the Congressman's condition is this. A source with knowledge of the situation has told CNN that Congressman Scalise has undergone a third surgery. A hospital official told me there was at least one additional surgery that was performed on him. It's not clear if he's still in surgery or if he's out of it, at this point.

The source with knowledge of the situation did caution us, though, to say that this is not as if he might have been rushed into surgery. That hospital officials and doctors did expect yesterday that he would need some additional surgeries and that is what we were told last night as well.

And when you, kind of, run down what the hospital has told us about what happened to Congressman Scalise, you can certainly understand why he would need additional surgeries. He was -- he was -- he suffered a single rifle shot to the left hip. The bullet traveled across his pelvis, broke some bones.

It also caused some internal injuries and some severe bleeding. He was transferred here in shock yesterday. And then, he had underwent one initial surgery and then some additional procedures to stop the bleeding. He had multiple units of blood transfusions given to him.

And, again, we did know yesterday that he would require additional surgeries. So, this was to be expected that he was going to undergo an additional surgery, at least one of them today. We hope to get you an update on how that went in a short time.

You know, you heard Sanjay Gupta on the air a short time ago talking about what critical condition means. The official definition of it, according to the American Hospital Association is that the person's vital signs are not normal, that they're outside the normal levels and that he could be unconscious. But that could mean a lot of different things.

Often times, Wolf, it has to do with excessive bleeding, so it can be expected that at least one of these procedures probably was done to address some bleeding issues.

BLITZER: Yes, it's a serious situation, indeed. All of us are wishing him only the best. We're praying for him right now.

Brian, thank you very much. We'll stay in close touch with you. Brian is over at the hospital.

Meanwhile, the FBI is leading this investigation into the gunman, looking more into his background. We know that James Hodgkinson, 66 years old, had been in the area -- the D.C. area, northern Virginia, for a few weeks, living out of a white cargo van.

Multiple people have mentioned seeing Hodgkinson work at his laptop at the YMCA which is right near that baseball field. Neighbors also said he actually hung out on a bench near the baseball field where the Republican team was practicing.

Illinois Congressman Mike Bost is joining us now live from Capitol Hill. Hodgkinson, Congressman, he lived in your district. He contacted your office, we're told, at least 10 times over the past year alone.

[13:05:02] First of all, what you tell us about this man?

REP. MIKE BOST (R) ILLINOIS: Well, Wolf, basically what -- we got the call yesterday morning before anybody else did and my chief was contacted. And they mentioned the name and instantly we started going through our records. He had contacted us 10 times in the last 11 months. He started last June.

And he -- of those 10 times, nine of them were e-mails. One of them was by phone. Most of them were just on the issues of the day. He usually had a different position than I take. But, you know, we took his communications. Gave response back.

But none of it, and I mean this, we've look today over a lot since yesterday. We turned it all over to the police. But nothing than you could see anything more than just a person that's an activist wanting to send his opinion to the local Congressman.

BLITZER: So, you never felt threatened by any of those e-mails or that phone call? You never saw any need, for example, to report to law enforcement any of his messages?

BOST: No. When we searched through it, there was -- the only thing that was even -- and this happens quite often if somebody disagrees with you. A statement was made in one of the e-mails, if you don't vote this way, we'll remember you. You know, I think that's -- we're going to work on your opponent's campaign or whatever. So, no, we didn't take that as a threat.

BLITZER: Yes, but those are -- with hindsight, potentially, that could have been ominous.

He also, as you know, Congressman, he had some very disturbing social media posts on Facebook, for example.

BOST: Right.

BLITZER: He wrote this back in March. Trump is a traitor. Trump has destroyed our democracy. It's time to destroy Trump and company. Now, when he says destroy Trump and company, that, potentially, could

be seen as a direct threat to the president of the United States which is -- which is a crime.

BOST: You're right. And because we didn't even look at his social media until yesterday. We didn't see a need to.

But, you know, we deal with these -- this situation in our office quite often. You know, you have people disagree with you all the time, whether you're a Republican, a Democrat. And you have people that get on and can say some pretty rough things.

We have, in times, turned things over. But this one never climbed to that level.

BLITZER: The whole notion, though, of a threat like that on Facebook to the president, with hindsight, should someone have reported that to the secret service?

BOST: Well, that didn't come through our office.

BLITZER: I know it didn't come through your office. But let's say other people read it on Facebook.

BOST: If other people read it -- if other people read it, I would say that if my staff read it, we would probably go, OK, this has -- this has climbed to a level that we need to report it. And we've done that before.

BLITZER: I know you know Steve Scalise, --

BOST: Very well.

BLITZER: -- the Majority Whip. Tell us a little bit about how you're reacting to this news now. He's undergoing his third surgery over at the Washington hospital center. He's listed in critical condition.

BOST: Well, let me tell you, everyone here has got him in our prayers. We love him. You know, he's the leader -- one of the leaders. He's always there. He's always there to help. He's got a joke, a good time.

Of course, remember, he also on fly in days for votes, he normally has a lot of good Louisiana food that he puts out for everybody. He's just a great friend and, you know, we never wish this on anyone. And it's so sad that something like this happens.

BLITZER: Are you increasing your own personal security? For example, when you go back to your district in Illinois, you have a town hall, a big event, are you going to ask local police to come over and help out?

BOST: We usually do anyway. But, yes, I mean, everybody -- this makes you become more aware.

You know, in the Marine Corp it used to be situation awareness. And that's what we have to do. We have to do our due diligence to make sure that we're safe.

But, remember, who would have thought on a baseball field in a good neighborhood that something like this would have happened?

BLITZER: It's shocking. I've spoken to many of your colleagues, especially a lot of Republicans. And there's no doubt that this guy had a -- you know, he wanted to go after Republicans. He tweeted, in February, Republicans are the Taliban of the USA. So, it's an awful situation.

Give us your reaction. It's now 24 hours later or so up on Capitol Hill. How are your colleagues dealing with this?

BOST: Here's the thing. And this is what I believe -- the road we need to go down. You know, there's a rider that used to use a quote that conflict is an admirable (ph) combat is optional. The work we do here has conflict but it should never climb to that level of combat.

And I think, right now, whether you're Republican or whether you're Democrat, we see each other in the halls, we're talking. You know, we're together on a lot more issues than people realize.

[13:10:00] And I know it doesn't sell to the news media as well when we get along. But we do a lot of things together. And that baseball game tonight, that's something we're doing together and trying to unite.

We're still going to have differences but we can't let the people of this United States get to the point that they are so angry that they step down the path that this shooter did.

BLITZER: Congressman, we'll see you at that game tonight, right?

BOST: Looking forward to it, you bet. Now, you won't see me playing, but I sure will be there watching.

BLITZER: Of course you will and we'll look forward to that game at Washington -- at Nationals Park here in Washington, D.C. It'll be a big, big moment I think for all of us.

Congressman, thanks so much for joining us.

BOST: Wolf, thank you.

BLITZER: Let's get back to the Russia investigation right now and another response from President Trump. Tweeting this, and I'm quoting now, "You are witnessing the single greatest witch hunt in American political history led by some very bad and conflicted people."

Let's go to our Senior White House Correspondent Jeff Zeleny. He's over at the White House.

Jeff, the special counsel, Robert Mueller, two days ago, we were talking about him, potentially, being fired by the president. Some associates of the president were raising that possibility. But now, he's moving ahead possibly with an obstruction of justice investigation. Have you heard anything more from over where you are other than that tweet by the president this morning?

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the president was asked directly about this, if he believes he is under investigation, as he was signing an executive order earlier today by our Athena Jones. She asked the question a couple times.

He did not answer that question, Wolf. But that is on the minds of staffers and officials here at the White House. It is something that is spoken in hushed tones, mainly. But there is a sense that this investigation certainly is moving toward the Oval Office.

Now, it's just an investigation. That does not mean that there's any wrongdoing, at this point. But, certainly, the investigation and the sense that this is happening is hanging over this White House again.

But the president clearly venting his frustration this morning in a round of messages. And he is still calling this a witch hunt.

But, Wolf, there are so many other Republicans in this town who are saying simply, let Bob Mueller do his job. And they say it's not a witch hunt. Senator John Boone is among those who was on morning television this morning, saying, look, no, it's not a witch hunt.

So, the question here is, you know, is the White House going to be able to avoid, you know, being completely consumed and distracted by this?

Now, the president's lawyer, his spokesman issued a blistering statement about this "Washington Post" report. It says this. It says, the FBI leak of information regarding the president is outrageous, inexcusable and illegal. So, that was the only official comment from the president's lawyer or anyone here at the White House about this bombshell, Wolf.

But in about a half an hour or so, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the Deputy White House Press Secretary, she'll be briefing reporters off camera. But we will have a chance to ask her about this. And, of course, everything else that's going on here today in Washington.

BLITZER: Yes. As you point out, a couple tweets, official tweets from the president of the United States, including the one that says, you are witnessing the single greatest witch hunt in American political history, led by some very bad and conflicted people. Hash tag MAGA, make America great again. We can see that as an official reaction from the president of the United States.

ZELENY: Right.

BLITZER: All right, thanks very much, Jeff Zeleny. We'll stay in touch. You'll let us know what Sarah Huckabee Sanders has to say in her off camera briefing coming up in a little while.

Up next, the Congresswoman Jackie Speier, she's a member of the House Intelligence Committee. We'll get the latest on their investigation and Robert Mueller's possible investigation of the president.

Also, the shooter, James Hodgkinson, had a connection to the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign. Later this hour, I'll speak with James Sanders, the Senator's wife, about that apparent connection.

[13:14:00]

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[13:17:45] WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get back to the congressional Russia investigation. "The Washington Post" now reporting that the special counsel, Robert Mueller, is looking into whether President Trump obstructed justice. CNN has not confirmed the details of the report, but we do know Mueller's team is interviewing top national intelligence leaders, including the director of national intelligence, Dan Coats, and the National Security agency director, Admiral Mike Rogers.

Joining us now is Congresswoman Jackie Speier of California. She's a Democrat. She's a member of the House Intelligence Committee.

Congresswoman, thanks for joining us.

REP. JACKIE SPEIER, (D), CALIFORNIA: My pleasure, Wolf.

BLITZER: What's your reaction to this report from "The Washington Post" that Mueller is investigating the president for possible obstruction of justice?

SPEIER: Well, i think it was -

BLITZER: Hold on one second. Hold on one second. The vice president is speaking about the majority whip, Scalise, right now. I want to listen in.

MIKE PENCE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Republican congressional baseball team, injuring five people as they practiced for tonight's annual charity baseball game. And I served with many of these congressmen. They're my friends. Including Representative Steve Scalise, who was seriously wounded. But I can say with confidence that he continues to receive the best possible medical care at Medstar Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Congressman Scalise is a good man. He's a principled leader and a patriot. And like all those who come to serve in our nation's capital, Steve loved this country and his service does credit to the people of his state and the people of this nation.

Karen and I join millions across America in praying for Steve, for all the injured and their families in this difficult time. But we're especially grateful to the brave police officers who ran into danger without regard to their personal safety. As I told her and her family this morning at the hospital, the courageous actions of Officer Krystal Griner and that of Officer David Bailey saved lives and prevented an even greater tragedy. And the American people are grateful for these courageous police officers. [13:20:10] While there will always be those who seek to divide, who choose insult over incite, tonight, on a baseball field in our nation's capital, the world will see America is better than that. As President Trump said yesterday, we are strongest when we are unified, when we work together for the common good. And when a neighbor is hurting or under attack, the American people always come together with generosity, compassion, and prayer. And we always will.

It's in that spirit that I'm honored to stand here with all of you today, our neighbors as well, from across South America, Central America, and North America, at this historic gathering.

BLITZER: All right, so those strong very powerful words from the vice president of the United States, Mike Pence, speaking about Congressman Steve Scalise, the majority whip, who's now undergoing his third surgical procedure at the Medstar Washington Hospital Center here in Washington. We, of course, wish him only, holy the best, speedy recovery from that gunshot wound that he took yesterday simply while practicing for a baseball game later tonight.

We're back with Congresswoman Jackie Speier.

You're going to be at that game tonight, right, congresswoman?

SPEIER: Absolutely.

BLITZER: So tell us what -

SPEIER: We'll be there -

BLITZER: Yes.

SPEIER: And praying for Mike (ph) and his family.

BLITZER: Tell us about your reaction when you heard that a fellow member of the United States House of Representatives, Steve Scalise, and others were attacked yesterday morning simply practicing baseball, getting ready for a game for charity later tonight.

SPEIER: Well, you know, my heart sunk. And I think that this is a time for us all to pray for Steve and his family, for his children, Madison and Harrison, and his wife, Jennifer, in hopes that all will go well. It's also a time for this Congress to heal itself, to find ways to work together. And I must say, having personally, you know, suffered from gunshot wounds myself, it's a very difficult experience. It's very difficult what he's going through right now, what he will go through for probably months and years ahead.

BLITZER: You were shot five times, as a recall, back in 1978 in Guyana, in South America, and the congressman that you worked for, Congressman Leo Ryan, he was killed in that Jim Jones cult attack. So you have personal experience in an attack along these lines. Talk a little bit about that.

SPEIER: Well, you know, Congressman Ryan was the first congressman to be assassinated in the line of duty. He was shot 45 times trying to save American constituents from his district from Jim Jones and the People's Temple. I was shot, as you mentioned, five times. And I was on that airstrip for 22 hours without medical attention. I had those moments to think about the value of life, and whether or not it was going to continue, what I was going to do with it. So it's a - it's a very, very difficult experience to go through. It's difficult for the family. It's certainly going to be difficult for Steve. And we need to be there to support him and his family.

BLITZER: And we all need to be praying for him right now. He's listed in critical condition over at the Medstar Washington Hospital Center. We hope he does make a full recovery.

Let's talk a little bit about a very different subject right now. Your House Intelligence Committee investigation. You saw that report in "The Washington Post" about Robert Mueller, the special counsel, involved now, according to "The Washington Post," an investigation into possible obstruction of justice on the part of the president. What are you hearing? What's your reaction?

SPEIER: Well, I would say that, you know, it was predictable that the Mueller special counsel would, in fact, look into that. Whether there's, you know, truth to that or not, he certainly has to establish whether the president himself attempted to obstruct justice. I mean in a historical standpoint, that's often been the case where, you know, presidents have gone too far. And I hope that's not the case with President Trump, but certainly that's something that Special Counsel Mueller has the right and responsibility to explore.

BLITZER: The Senate Intelligence Committee apparently is not looking into the obstruction of justice allegation. They've got other issues they want to look into. What about the House Intelligence Committee?

SPEIER: Well, we haven't actually, you know, decided how far we're going on that particular component. We do have a responsibility to look into the Russian hacking into our election system, that their potential collusion with Trump campaign operatives in trying to interfere with our election process. I am deeply troubled about the election system, the very systems that exist in our various states and the extent to which the Russians attempted to access those forms of software and could have corrupted many of those systems. So we have a lot of work to do in that regard.

[13:25:32] BLITZER: Next week you'll be hearing open testimony, I believe, from Jeh Johnson, the former secretary of Homeland Security during the Obama administration. What do you hope to get from him?

SPEIER: Well, certainly he'll be able to provide us with a perspective having served as the secretary of Homeland Security for most of the last four years of the president's term. And he will be able to shed some light on the efforts that were underway by Russia to interfere, not necessarily in the election, but interfere in the operation of our country and hack into various systems within our country.

BLITZER: Congresswoman Jackie Speier, thanks so much for joining us. And, you're OK, right, that incident where you were shot five times, what, back in 1978, you're fine, right? SPEIER: Yes. No, I had a long recovery, but, yes, I'm perfectly fine,

thank you.

BLITZER: Thank God for that. All right, thanks so much for joining us.

We just want to alert our viewers to a CNN exclusive that's coming up later tonight. The House speaker, Paul Ryan, the minority leader, Nancy Pelosi, they will sit down together, together, for their first joint interview. That will be later tonight. They'll be interviewed live from the congressional baseball game at Nationals Park here in Washington, D.C. Our own Jake Tapper will be interviewing both of them. That's at 7:00 p.m. only here on CNN.

Still ahead, the Russia probe. While Special Counsel Robert Mueller begins talking to top intelligence officials, President Trump tweets about his dissatisfaction with the investigation. And up next, our political team standing by to weigh in on his social media diplomacy, or lack thereof.

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