Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Intelligence Officials Brief Lawmakers on FBI "Source"; New White House Attorney Attends Meeting at Justice Department; Trump Awards Medal of Honor to Retired Navy Seal. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired May 24, 2018 - 14:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:31:26] BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get you back to what's happening on Capitol Hill, the second of two back-to-back briefings based on this conspiracy theory that an FBI spy infiltrated the Trump campaign. This, quote, unquote, "spy" - the president's word -- is actually a confidential source the FBI employed to investigate Russian meddling in the U.S. election.

With me now, CNN special correspondent, Jamie Gangel, and Jack Quinn, who served as White House counsel for President Bill Clinton.

Great to see both of you.

Jamie, first to you.

Just on the meeting, initially, no Republicans were invited. I'm referring to --

JAMIE GANGEL, CNN SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT: No Democrats.

BALDWIN: Excuse me, no Democrats were invited. And, all of a sudden, we see Adam Schiff pops up ,right, at this first meeting. Everyone's wondering, whoa, what changed in the last couple of hours? Do we know?

GANGEL: We have a sense of what happened, and that is that the Democrats' heads were exploding. And Nancy Pelosi came out and said, how do you have one meeting for Republicans and one meeting for Democrats. How do we know we're hearing the same thing?

BALDWIN: Right.

GANGEL: So the Justice Department extended an invitation to her and she sent in her place Adam Schiff. But the thought behind it was a serious one. You want both sides of the aisle, especially at such a partisan time, to be hearing the same thing from the Justice Department.

JACK QUINN, FORMER WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL FOR PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON: And from the point of view of the Intelligence Community, they don't want to be party of what amounts to a shaping of the story. And we've seen this in so many ways during the course of this. The White House appears not to be engaged with others in a search for the truth but rather in a shaping of the story, trying to change the narrative. And that just sends all the wrong signals.

BALDWIN: On the White House, too, we knew that the Democrats specifically didn't not want a member of the White House at these meetings. And we found out that this lawyer, Emmit Flood, who he was apparently at the start of the DOJ briefing. He represented President Bill Clinton during his whole impeachment process. What is the role of the White House in all of this?

GANGEL: I'm not sure we know the answer for today in this. There were two people there from the White House. First, we heard that Chief of Staff John Kelly was going. Then we heard that Emmit Flood, who is a very serious -- he's the newest lawyer, came on in May, were there. We've heard we were there just at the top and then left. But again, there's a lot of concern about crossing lines. What is appropriate.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Was it appropriate? You're former White House counsel.

QUINN: Yes. Frankly, I would have wanted to be at that meeting or have somebody on my staff at that meeting. I think it's entirely appropriate for the person who represents the office of the president of the United States to be present at a briefing of lawmakers on this important intelligence-related investigation.

BALDWIN: OK.

At the end of the day, though, and the second meeting is still under way, Manu was just talking about we don't know what, if anything, they will actually get their hands on, right? So that's the big question mark.

Trump continues to attack intel institutions. Listen to what he has just said about James Comey.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNTIED STATES: I think a thing that I've done for the country, the firing of James Comey, is going to go down as a very good thing. FBI is great. I know so many people in the FBI. The FBI is a fantastic institution. But some of the people at the top were rotten apples. James Comey was one of them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(LAUGHTER)

[14:35:02] GANGEL: Sigh.

QUINN: It's so distressing.

BALDWIN: It's like he says, OK, the FBI is great. There's a couple of bad apples, but he also says deep state, deep state, witch hunt.

(CROSSTALK) QUINN: Yes. So I want to be clear about one thing.

BALDWIN: Yes.

QUINN: The president's right that there was a conspiracy. And he's right that there were spies. But he's wrong about something else. The conspiracy here was a Russian conspiracy, not an American conspiracy. The conspiracy involved Russia and it involved people spying, hopefully, not Americans involved in Russia's effort to undermine our democracy. But that is what this is about. And that's what is the huge gap between the president on the one hand and others. Russia is systematically trying to undermine not just the United States but the Western alliance. He is trying to make sure --

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: I wanted to you finish that thought.

QUINN: OK.

BALDWIN: But we do need to pause for this Medal of Honor ceremony just about to get under way there at the White House. Let's watch.

(MUSIC)

UNIDENTIFIED CHAPLAIN: Let us pray. Almighty God, we come before you on this very special occasion from different backgrounds and cultures and expressions of faith towards you, but we all come as Americans and those who love her, those who have sacrificed for her, who have bled for her, and who have died for her. Today, as we gather in our nation's most-sacred home, we have the privilege to witness, to celebrate and to honor an extraordinary naval career and a life that has been set apart and called to service and devotion to this nation and those in it. Today, we are among the most privileged to watch as our nation's highest honor of special trust achievement and fidelity is both given and received from our nation's commander-in-chief to a leader of naval warriors whose opinion was sought, whose sacrifices were selfless and whose dedication to duty is unparalleled by any standard. Today, we lift up and honor our very own master chief, Britt Slabinski, as our nation's Medal of Honor is bestowed upon him. May he also take with him the absolute certainty in known that his days given to this great nation, to our beloved Navy and to the warriors of naval special warfare were of value beyond measure. We, as his fellow Americans, brother and sister warriors, friends and family alike, collectively, ask for your blessing upon our great president, this great naval warrior, these great military families and all they do, have done and will continue to do from this day forward on this most solemn occasion. On this sacred ground, we, as his teammates, say well done. And finally, whether swimming the depths, climbing the highest of mountains or soaring through the heavens, as we walk that lonely road of faith, may you always go with us. In your holy name, we pray, amen.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you very much, Chaplain. That's beautiful. And thank you to Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan. Thank you, Patrick. Undersecretary of the Navy Thomas Modly -- thank you. Thank you, Thomas. VA Secretary nominee -- will do a fantastic job for us -- Robert Wilkie. And Congressmen Scott Taylor and Brian Mast. Thank you, fellas, very much. Thank you.

Members of the Armed Forces and distinguished guests, please sit down. That actually worked out very nicely. (Laughter.) And join me in officially welcoming Master Chief Britt Slabinski to the White House. A special man. A truly brave person.

Today, we pay tribute to Britt's heroic service, and we proudly present him with our nation's highest military honor -- and I would go so far to say our nation's highest honor.

Joining Britt today is his son Bryce -- Bryce, thank you very much -- a rising senior at a wonderful school known to the world as Ohio State. Great place. That's a great school. Along with Britt's sisters, Brenda and Teka, and Brenda's husband, Tom. Thank you very much for being here. Here as well are Britt's significant other, Christina, and her two children John and Meghan, who we just met in the Oval Office. That's a special place, too. Thank you all for joining us for this really special day and special ceremony. Thank you very much.

Finally, we're honored to be joined by several previous Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. Would you please stand. Would you please stand. Thank you, fellas. (Applause.) Very, very special people. Your names and your immortal acts of valor are forever engraved in the memory of our nation. Our nation will always be grateful to you, and you know that.

Today, we induct a new name into the world's most exclusive gathering of heroes. And that's exactly what it is. Britt was raised in Northampton, Massachusetts. He became an Eagle Scout by the age of 14. His father was a veteran, who served as a frogman in the underwater demolitions group of the U.S. Navy. Those are tough people. While Britt was in junior high, his dad brought him to their reunion. Britt was inspired by their bond of friendship, their stories of service, and their boundless love of country.

As soon as he graduated from high school in 1988, Britt enlisted in the Navy to become a SEAL. That means he is a physically very strong person, and that also means he is a mentally very strong person. That's tough.

Throughout the grueling months of training, Britt proved himself every single step of the way. In 1990, he graduated the legendary BUDS training course and he earned that special badge worn only by the bravest few: the SEAL Trident.

In 2002, Britt was called to support Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. In the late evening hours of March 3rd that year, he led an elite team on a combat mission to establish a secure position on the peak of a 10,000-foot mountain known as Takur Gahr.

Britt and his teammates were preparing to exit the helicopter onto the mountain when their aircraft was struck by a machine gun and machine gun fire like they've never seen before, and a rocket-propelled grenade from al Qaeda terrorists down below. Not a good feeling. As the helicopter lurched away from the assault, Petty Officer First Class Neil Roberts was flung out of the aircraft -- tremendous, tremendous, horrible thing to witness -- and onto the side of the mountain before the helicopter crashed into the valley below.

After surviving, barely, the violent crash, Britt and his team were retrieved by a second helicopter; also, by the way, piloted by very brave people. At this point, Britt received information suggesting their comrade, Neil Roberts, the man thrown out of the helicopter, was probably still alive. The team faced a choice: to wait for reinforcements and pretty much safety, or to return immediately to the enemy stronghold in the hope of saving Neil's life.

They would be outmanned, outgunned, and fighting uphill on a steep, icy mountain. And every soldier knows you don't want to fight uphill. They learned that at Gettysburg -- you don't fight uphill. But they would face freezing temperatures, and bitter winds, at the highest altitude of battle in the history of the American military. This was the highest point where we ever fought. The odds were not good. They were not in their favor.

But Britt and his team didn't even hesitate for a moment. They made their decision. For them it was an easy one. They went back to that mountain.

When their helicopter reached the mountain peak, they jumped out into a furious onslaught of machine gunfire like none of them had ever seen before.

Britt and his teammate Sergeant John Chapman charged uphill toward the enemy, where John was shot after clearing a bunker.

Britt continued to engage the enemy, repeatedly exposing himself to horrendous fire. Two of his other teammates, Stephen "Turbo" Toboz and Brett Morganti, both suffered very, very serious leg injuries.

Britt helped them to safety and called in airstrikes as continuous fire drove them ever-further down the face of the mountain -- got worse and worse, more and more dangerous. He kept going.

In a treacherous descent, Britt and his men carried Turbo through the snow. At one point, they fashioned a makeshift harness out of their gun straps to hoist Turbo down a 13-foot cliff, in itself treacherous, because if you miss that little area, they go down the mountain. No stopping them.

When they could go no further, Britt tended to the wounded and coordinated their escape until his team was finally evacuated from enemy territory.

Seven of the brave men who fought with Britt are here with us today, and maybe they'll stand up as I call their name. Petty Officer Second Class Brett Morganti. Pretty dangerous place, huh? Way to go, Brett. Chief Warrant Officer Kyle Soderberg. Thank you, Kyle. Petty Officer Second Class Stephen Toboz. Thanks, Stephen. Chief Warrant Officer Al Mack. Thank you. Sergeant Christopher Cunningham. Master Sergeant Eric Stebner -- a Master Chief Petty Officer still on active duty is quietly not with us today.

I just want to thank you all. Unbelievable acts of bravery. Thank you very much. (Applause.) Thank you, folks. Thank you very much. Incredible.

Today, we also remember the brave soldiers who gave their lives on that mountain: Technical Sergeant John Chapman, Corporal Matthew Commons, Specialist Marc Anderson, Sergeant Bradley Crose, Senior Airman Jason Cunningham, Technical Sergeant Philip Svitak, and of course, Petty Officer First Class Neil Roberts -- who met a horrible death -- for whom these events are now known -- it's called the Battle of Robert's Ridge. Incredible event.

To the Gold Star family members of those heroes who are here today, please stand up. Please, stand up. (Applause.) Please. It's an honor to have you accept our nation's profound sorrow and a deep love and everlasting gratitude. These were incredible, incredible men, and you can be proud that they were in your family. And they are looking down right now, and they are very, very proud of you. Thank you very much. Thank you for being here. Thank you.

To Britt, and to all of the men of Robert's Ridge: You waged a fierce fight against the enemies. And these really have become the enemies of America and the enemies of all civilization. Through your actions, you demonstrated that there is no love more pure, and no courage more great, than the love and courage that burns in the hearts of American patriots.

We are free because warriors like you are willing to give their sweat, their blood, and, if have to, their lives for our great nation.

Britt, you went on to serve many more years in the U.S. Navy before finally retiring in 2014. Today, he continues his life of serving by volunteering with the Navy SEAL Foundation, and on behalf of Gold Star families. Special, special, incredible families. And as one of his fellow service members testifies, he is an amazing father to Bryce, who, like his dad, is now an Eagle Scout.

Britt wants the country to know that for him, the recognition he is about to receive is an honor that falls on the whole team -- he wants you folks to know that -- on the whole team, on every American warrior who fought the forces of terror on that snowy Afghan ridge. Each of them has entered the eternal chronicle of American valor and American bravery.

Britt, we salute you, we thank you. We thank God for making you a United States SEAL. We love our Navy SEALs. They've very special, very incredible people. It's now my tremendous privilege to present to you the Congressional Medal of Honor.

And I'd like the military aide to come forward and please read the citation. Thank you.

MILITARY AIDE: The President of the United States, in the name of the Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Sea, Air, and Land, Britt K. Slabinski, United States Navy, for service as set forth in the following: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while assigned to a joint task force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In the early morning of March 4, 2002, Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Slabinski led a reconnaissance team to its assigned area atop a 10,000-foot, snow-covered mountain. Their insertion helicopter was suddenly riddled with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire from previously undetected enemy positions. The crippled helicopter lurched violently and ejected one teammate onto the mountain before the pilots were forced to crash land in the valley far below.

Senior Chief Slabinski boldly rallied his five remaining team members, and marshaled supporting assets for an assault to rescue their stranded teammate. During reinsertion, the team came under fire from three directions, and one teammate started moving uphill toward an enemy strongpoint. Without regard for his own safety, Senior Chief Slabinski charged directly toward enemy fire to join his teammate. Together, they fearlessly assaulted and cleared the first bunker they encountered.

The enemy then unleashed a hail of machinegun fire from a second hardened position only 20 meters away. Senior Chief Slabinski repeatedly exposed himself to deadly fire to personally engage the second enemy bunker and orient his team's fires in the furious, close- quarters firefight. Proximity made air support impossible. And after several teammates became casualties, the situation became untenable. Senior Chief Slabinski maneuvered his team to a more defensible position, directed airstrikes in very close proximity to his team's position, and requested reinforcements.

As daylight approached, accurate enemy mortar fire forced the team further down the sheer mountainside. Senior Chief Slabinski carried a seriously wounded teammate through deep snow, and led a difficult trek across precipitous terrain while calling in fire on the enemy, which was engaging the team from the surrounding ridges.

Throughout the next 14 hours, Senior Chief Slabinski stabilized casualties and continued the fight against the enemy until the hill was secured and his team was extracted. By his undaunted courage, bold initiative, leadership, and devotion to duty, Senior Chief Slabinski reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

(THE MEDAL OF HONOR IS PRESENTED)

(APPLAUSE)

[14:56:16] UNIDENTIFIED CHAPLAIN: As we close today, let us close with one final prayer. Let us pray.

Almighty God, those of us who have had the privilege to witness this very special ceremony are reminded once again that we serve among the greatest of warriors, among the greatest of Navys, within the greatest of nations only because of the brave few who continue to raise their hand in the protection of this great nation and those in it from those who would wish us harm. Men such as our very own master chief, Britt Slabinski, who personifies that most cherished of virtues that we strive for, which is courage. Courage for when our moment comes and we look into the abyss and we promise ourselves and others on our honor to do our best, to do our duty, for God and for our country and, in so doing, forge an unbreakable bond in the heat of battle, in the furnace of affliction, which strengthens, molds and galvanizes that bond only to come forth as pure gold. And in this case, gold in the form of a naval trident. And as we close this ceremony today, may Master Chief Slabinski take with him the certainty of knowing that his days spent in service of this nation in the pursuit of freedom for all were a value beyond measure, as well as those virtues and values which delivered him to this very moment. May it never be far from our thoughts the price that he and many others have paid in the pursuit of that freedom. And may that inspiration be breathed into each one of and live on in those in the generations to follow, especially to our brother and sister warriors, teammates, friends and family of naval special warfare as we collectively wish our teammate and his family God speed. In your holy name, we pray, amen.

ANNOUCER: Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats until the president has departed --

BALDWIN: Our most profound gratitude to the master chief as well as the other servicemembers in that room and especially to those Gold Star families there at the White House as well.

And let's go to the Pentagon to Barbara Starr.

Moments like these, so special and humbling, these Medal of Honor ceremonies there at the White House, Barbara. Extraordinary.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: It really is. You have to cast your mind back to 2002, and I suspect, though I don't know, the master chief, as he had those very deep thoughts and looks in his eyes, was perhaps casting his own mind back to 2002, a 10,000-foot snow-covered mountain in Afghanistan in the early days of fighting al Qaeda after the 9/11 attacks. Fighting up a 10,000-foot mountain in the snow. Helicopter crashes under enemy fire. Uncertainty as they tried to get out of there. Who was still potentially even alive on that mountaintop? There has been long controversy about whether tech sergeant, John Chapman, may have still be alive for perhaps an hour after this.

This Medal of Honor ceremony actually quite extraordinary and not talked about very publicly because there was a significant look at the imagery on that mountaintop during the firefights about who might still be alive, who was no longer alive, how it all unfolded. This may be the first Medal of Honor that was largely decided upon technology, on the imagery analysis, not just on reports from other men on that battlefield. It was an extraordinary battle, known as the battle of Robert's Ridge over the years. Thankfully, something that hasn't been seen in recent years, but it does remind everyone that in the early months after 9/11, small groups of U.S. troops were called upon to --