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Mother Who Confronted Pruitt Reacts To His Resignation; Will Pompeo Meet With Kim Jong-Un While In North Korea?; Baltimore Man Cleared Of Murder After 30 Years In Prison; Sharon Osbourne Reflects On Role In "The Osbournes". Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired July 06, 2018 - 15:30   ET

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

[15:30:00]

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: -- and we know -- he knows the ins and outs of how Washington works. He was also top aide to Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe, a vocal denier of climate change. When Wheeler was asked about his view on climate change during his confirmation hearing back in November, this is what he said.

"I believe man has an impact on the climate, but what is not completely understood is what that impact is." One mother made some news this week when she flat out confronted Scott Pruitt at a restaurant. So, here is the moment you have to see.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just wanted to urge to resign because of what you are doing to the environment and our country. This is my son. He loves animals. He loves clear air. He loves clean water. We deserve to have somebody at the EPA who actually does protect our environment, somebody who believes in climate change and keep it seriously for the benefit of all of us including our children. So, I would urge you to resign before your scandals push you out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: With me now the woman you saw on the video, mom and teacher, Kristin Mink. Kristen, guess you got what you wanted.

KRISTIN MINK, CONFRONTED SCOTT PRUITT AT D.C. RESTAURANT AND URGED HIM TO RESIGN: Well, kind of. I mean, Scott Pruitt is out. That was the first goal, but, unfortunately, his policies are still in place. Scott Pruitt, according to Donald Trump was doing an outstanding job. Of course, what Scott Pruitt was doing was detrimental to America and to American citizens, to our children, to the next generation.

Now Trump has appointed Andy Wheeler, who is going to do the exact same thing, take apart our regulations. So, you know, exciting moment to see that Scott Pruitt has resigned. I think that certainly shows that there is power in the people.

There are so many people who have been working to get Scott Pruitt out of office from the very beginning, and I was only one very, very, very small part of putting the heat on there at the end. We have to keep it up.

BALDWIN: Let me read for you. I don't know if you read his letter, but I read his whole resignation later earlier, and halfway through he says this. This is a letter to the president.

"I count it as a blessing to be serving you in any capacity. However, the unrelenting attacks on me personally, my family are unprecedented and have taken a sizable toll on all of us." Your reaction to that?

MINK: The unrelenting toll that his policies and his regulation roll- backs are taking on our environment and the American people is what we're all tired of Scott Pruitt. So, you know, if you didn't want to be attacked, you probably shouldn't be attacking our environment.

I mean, that resignation letter, I won't dwell on that for too long because Scott Pruitt is gone, but that was the most sniveling disturbing letter, just to show that somebody that was in office had that mindset of being loyal to the president. Only as opposed to serving the American people is very disturbing.

That just goes to show that, you know, we have a Congress who was willing to put Scott Pruitt in that position. We had a Congress who took somebody who had sued the EPA. I think it was 14 times for their efforts to protect the environment. Then put him in the position of pretending to protect the environment.

Now the Senate has already confirmed Wheeler who is going to be the exact same thing. I think this goes to show that we do not have a Congress in place who is willing to stand up to the president, who is willing to stand up for the American people and the health of our children, people, nation, on so many levels.

If anything, I think what this shows us is that we all need to get to the polls this November. It's urgent.

BALDWIN: Kristin Mink, thank you.

MINK: Thank you.

BALDWIN: Coming up next, the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency is warning a potential deal with North Korea on denuclearization may not be in the cards. So, why is the president not buying it?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:37:57]

BALDWIN: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in North Korea trying to nail down tangible signs that Kim Jong-un is committed to denuclearization. He is expected to meet with the North Korean leader before leaving tomorrow. But no official word on if that will actually happen.

And the president is dismissing intelligence reports suggesting Kim Jong-un has no intention of dismantling his nuclear and missile programs. Just yesterday, aboard Air Force One, President Trump is quoted as saying, "We'll see. We'll see. All I can tell you is this, you haven't had one missile launch and you haven't one rocket launch."

So, let's bring in Joseph Yun, CNN global affairs analyst and former U.S. special representative for North Korean policy. Jo, this is Secretary Pompeo's third trip to North Korea in so many months.

You know, he's there in Pyongyang. The fact that, you know, they haven't yet nailed down this meeting with Kim Jong-un. What do you make of that -- the uncertainty of that meeting, he's all the way over there.

JOSEPH YUN, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: This would be a very, very poor sign if Pompeo doesn't get to meet with Kim Jong-un. That would be the most negative sign I can think of quite honestly, Brooke.

BALDWIN: So, he has to meet with him.

YUN: He absolutely has to meet with him. Look, there's been really glacial speed with which things have been done since the Singapore meeting almost a month ago. Nothing that the North Koreans promised that they would do immediately including returning the remains of American soldiers. It has not happened.

And so, Pompeo has to get some clarity on why these things to happen is not happening, let alone the big issue of denuclearization. If he doesn't get to any of them, it's very bad news I think.

BALDWIN: So, on this rip roaring glacial speed on denuclearization, Joe, we know that by having the Singapore summit, Trump has only elevated Kim, right, on the world stage, and the fact that Kim has this win with the seizing of the unilateral military exercises on the peninsula, does Kim have all the leverage now?

[15:40:12] YUN: Well, it looks like he has played a masterful hand and he has met now, what, Xi Jingping three times, Trump, South Korean president, twice. He has become a major regional figure. He's no longer the kind of caricature that we used to see him as. Now he is seen as a regional leader.

Meanwhile, everything that has been promised by President Trump, well, it hasn't happened, and it just shows you how hard this is. We cannot approach it just because you have one meeting. Things are resolved. Well, no.

BALDWIN: We are here in the states, Joe, two years away from the next presidential election. We know Kim, this is about survival and a regime, and he is in for life. He has to know that there will be a new U.S. president either in two years or six years, and I'm just wondering what do you think Kim is thinking, should he just run out the clock?

YUN: Well, I definitely think he's thinking about taking it as long a time as possible. Look, the whole thing boils down to does Kim Jong- un trust Trump? Right now, all signs are, well, show me, and there will be more show me, more show me, and then the clock will have run out. I mean, this really begs the question, are we OK with North Korea having nuclear weapons? That really is the issue at the end, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Most immediately we'll wait to see that meeting between Kim and Pompeo, if it happens. If it doesn't, that's a big signal to your point. Joseph Yun, always a pleasure. Thank you so much, sir.

YUN: Thank you, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Coming up next, he spent 30 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. Now he has been set free. He joins me now live next.

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[15:41:36]

BALDWIN: This story, a Baltimore man has been exonerated after spending decades behind bars for a murder he did not commit. Jereome Johnson walked out of court a free man this week after serving 30 years in prison.

He was convicted based upon testimony from a 15-year-old girl who said at the time that Johnson was at the scene of the murder in 1988, but she was oh so wrong. Johnson's first wish upon being released --

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEROME JOHNSON, EXONERATED OF MURDER AFTER 30 YEARS IN PRISON: I think I'm going to get me a home cooked meal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: With me now the newly freed man himself, Jerome Johnson. Also, with us, Shawn Armbrust, the executive director of the Mid- Atlantic Innocence Project. So, welcome to both of you. My goodness, Jerome, I know everyone asks you about food, but let's get right to the heart of this. What does freedom feel like?

JOHNSON: It feels wonderful. It's a long time coming. You know, praying for this day to happen, and it finally happened.

BALDWIN: Who have you seen? What have you done? What have you eaten?

JOHNSON: Well, I had a chance to eat corn bread. You know, some home cooked meal, you know, basically. Got a chance to go see the Fourth of July.

BALDWIN: The fireworks. Did you see fireworks? When was the la time you saw fire woks?

JOHNSON: It's been a long time ago. It seems like a very long time that I've seen it. I guess, (inaudible) some years when I was young. When I was a young man, I used to go down to see them all the time.

BALDWIN: My goodness, talk about freedom in this country and freedom for you as a man. Sean, to you in the innocence project. I mean, you know, I was reading about this story and how years ago the shooter confessed. He wasn't even at the scene of the crime. How were you able to help exonerate him?

SHAWN ARMBRUST, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MID-ATLANTIC INNOCENCE PROJECT: Well, Jerome was very lucky that his -- by the time, he got to his eighth lawyer, Nancy Forester, he had someone who took his innocence claim really seriously. He was also lucky that the current Baltimore City state's attorney is so committed to writing wrongful convictions, and they reached out to finish the investigation that Jerome himself had started from prison, and so, we really did build on what Jerome himself started.

BALDWIN: Still back on hearing you say his eighth lawyer, right. It takes persistence and Jerome, back over to you. You know, 30 years later the justice system finally worked in your favor, but have you stopped to think about the other innocent people who are sitting in prisons across this country and if so, what is your message to them?

JOHNSON: Well, my message to them is it that, you know, if you really truly are innocent, keep fighting for your freedom. As long as you keep on fighting, eventually the truth will come out. Don't ever give up.

BALDWIN: Jerome, what is next for you?

JOHNSON: Well, I'm just going to enjoy life, and, you know, see what happens. When I was inside, I became a certified fitness trainer. That was something I loved to do. So, I'm sure I will probably be pursuing that.

[15:50:02] BALDWIN: Best of luck to you, Jerome Johnson, and Shawn Armbrust, thank you so much, and congratulations. Thank you.

ARMBRUST: Thank you so much for having us, Brooke.

BALDWIN: You got it.

Now let's highlight this week's CNN Hero. In the state of Texas, more than 40 percent of kids who go to jail once will be back within 12 months. Chad Houser, a chef in Dallas wanted to do something about that until he says he has this a-ha moment when he meat excited young man from the Dallas County Juvenile Justice Facility who just discovered his love for cooking.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I remember consciously thinking that the system is rigged. Based on choices that were made for him, not by him. The color of his skin. The part of town that he was born into. The schools that he had access to and I just thought it's not fair.

He deserves every chance that I had. And I thought if you're not willing to do something yourself then you're being a hypocrite so either put up or shut up, and that was it for me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Let's see how Chad is putting up. Go to cnnheroes.com and please while you're there nominate someone you think should be our next CNN Hero.

Coming up, hello, love. Remember the Osbornes? Sharon Osborne joins me next to talk about our all-new CNN original series, "The 2000s."

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[15:56:00]

BALDWIN: It was the era of flip phones and Blackberrys, rise of reality tv, the start of the global war on terror and the election of first black president. This Sunday, CNN takes you back to the first decade of the 21st Century with the premier of the original series "The 2000s." This week's episode explores some of the most popular tv shows and trends of the decades.

So, joining us now, Sharon Osbourne who with her rock star husband and two children were featured and MTV's reality show, "The Osbournes." She is now host of "The Talk" on CBS. Sharon, it is a pleasure.

I look back at my 2000s fondly and I watched your show. Talk to me about how it was so groundbreaking. Because this was the first big, you know, whole family reality show, won a primetime Emmy. Where did the idea even come from?

SHARON OSBOURNE, FORMER STAR, MTV's "THE OSBOURNES": It really came from a show that MTV had called "Cribs." My husband and kids were on that show and it was really popular episode and people requesting it. So, MTV came to us and said, what else can we do with you and your kids? I'm like, well, just come in and film. We see what we get. That's how it started and initially they were only meant to be there three weeks and stayed three years.

BALDWIN: My gosh, because you always think of the end of "Cribs." It is get out but it's "The Osbournes" opening the door to these cameras and crews. It was such a hit. Fans loved it, but can you talk to me about the toll it took on your family?

OSBOURNE: It was -- you know, I have to say it was an amazing experience. We had so much fun together. It was, you know, the best job I'd ever had, staying home and being filmed. I mean, you know, nothing gets better than that. But it was -- it was great because it's always great to be the first and my husband who was the celebrity, not me, not my kids. And it was great to be for him to be the first celebrity that actually let cameras into their home, and let the world see what you live like.

BALDWIN: Do you have a favorite memory?

OSBOURNE: All of it was just amazing. It was just an amazing ride. And it was amazing that it ended. We couldn't have kept it up any longer, you know, my husband's schedule is the fact that, you know, it was impossible and also, my kids had had enough of it. And when they said, we don't want to do it anymore, it is like, OK. That's it. It is over.

BALDWIN: Fair. Because there had been this talk of maybe a reboot of "The Osbournes." Ozzy and Jack are doing a show for the History Channel together. Will we see ever see all of you ever under a roof doing something like that again?

OSBOURNE: I don't know but I think they got pretty close to it on this episode of the show with Jack and Ozzie because Kelly is in a lot of the episodes but not me. Who knows in the future? You never say never. I learned that a long time ago. You never say never but, you know, I think the mystique has gone out of it now. It's done.

BALDWIN: Is there anything, just last question. Is there anything from the 2000s -- we mentioned flip phones and Blackberrys or all the tv shows and that time, do you have a favorite thing that you would like to bring back?

OSBOURNE: No. Because I like to keep moving on and I'm just really inquisitive for the future. OK. What's going to be in the future? I don't want anything to come back. I'm glad they invented Spanx in the 2000s.

BALDWIN: Amen to that. Sharon Osbourne, thank you so much.

OSBOURNE: Thank you so much.

BALDWIN: Do not miss the new CNN original series "2000s" starting this Sunday night at 9 only here on CNN. I'm Brooke Baldwin. Thanks for being with me. Erica Hill in the hot seat. "THE LEAD" starts now --