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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Brett Kavanaugh, And His Accuser Are Both Expected To Testify Next Week; President Trump Orders The Declassification Of Materials Related To The Russia Investigation; Police In Texas Say That Border Patrol Agent Accused Of Killing Four People. Aired 4-4:30a ET
Aired September 18, 2018 - 04:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN HOST: He said, she said, in front of a national audience. Brett Kavanaugh, and his accuser both expected for a riveting day of testimony next week.
DAVE BRIGGS, CNN HOST: Expect to pay more for your tech products. The President's latest tariffs on China mean half of Chinese imports could face extra cost. China expected to retaliate.
ROMANS: Rising rivers are worsening a dire situation in the Carolinas, water stretching for miles. What's left of Florence said to soak the North East.
BRIGGS: Adding (ph) some new stars and old favorites take top honors at the 70 Emmy Awards. And, Romans, how do you feel about public proposals? Do you like them?
ROMANS: I don't know. It's risky. I think it's risky, but there was one last night.
BRIGGS: We've got one for the ages ahead.
ROMANS: All right, good.
BRIGGS: Good morning. Welcome to Early Start. I'm Dave Briggs.
ROMANS: And I'm Christine Romans. It's Tuesday, September 18. It is 4 a.m. in the east. It promises to be one of the most dramatic, Dave, in memory on Capital Hill. The Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, his accuser, Christine Blasey Ford both set to testify, Monday, about the decades old allegations of sexual assault that have thrown Kavanaugh's nomination into a tailspin. The stakes for the White House's lawmakers are enormous ahead of the midterm elections with female voters, in particular, galvanized by the Me Too movement.
BRIGGS: At the eye of the political storm, President Trump, showing noticeable restraint here. Instead of going on the attack, the President says, he is open to a delay to get Kavanaugh confirmed the right way. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'd like to see a complete process. I'd like everybody to be very happy. Most importantly, I want the American people to be happy because they're getting somebody that is great. I want him to go in at the absolute highest level. And, I think, to do that, you have to go through this. If it takes a little delay, it will take a little delay. It shouldn't, certainly, be very much.
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BRIGGS: True key Senate Republicans now say Monday's hearing will be crucial to determining how they vote on Kavanaugh's nomination, Congressional Correspondent, Phil Mattingly, with the latest from Capital Hill.
PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello Christine and Dave. There will be a public hearing. It will not be a committee vote to approve Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination, this week. There will be a public hearing next week. Brett Kavanaugh is expected to testify. His accuser is also expected to testify.
Really, the allegations that have riled, both, publically and privately, the U.S. Senate, Senate Democrats, Senate Republicans for the better part of the last couple of days, coming to a head with a recognition in a private meeting between Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, that moving forward without airing out the allegations, publically, simply, wasn't an option. Why was it not an option? Well, take a look at some of the Republican senators who have very real questions.
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SEN. SUSAN COLLINS (R), MAINE: There are an awful lot of - of questions, the consistencies, gaps. And that's why, to be fair to both, we need - we need to know what happened. If Judge Kavanaugh has lied about what happened, that would be disqualifying.
SEN. JEFF FLAKE (R), ARIZONA: We'll have to see it as it unfolds. It's a - all I could say is, this was - these were serious allegations, and as soon as she came forward she deserved to be heard. So, that's what we're doing as the - as the committee.
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MATTINGLY: So, you guys, obviously, the big question now is, what happens at this public hearing, and then in the wake of this public hearing, if Brett Kavanaugh who at one point, was pretty much on the glide path to confirmation? Can he still get the requisite number of votes?
Everything will, mostly, hinge on who believes who at this public hearing. Obviously, there were a lot of days before then and we've seen a lot happen over the course of the last 72 to 90 or so hours. But those are the big questions going forward. I will tell you this, there's one thing to keep a close eye on; the split between committee Republicans and committee Democrats, not just over the nomination, but these allegations, has become stark.
It has become a very deep divide to where both sides are barely even talking to each other. How that will matter when this actual public hearing comes to be. How the hearing is actually held. The dynamics of that hearing as it happens. Well, it will certainly be one to watch and as I noted, one with enormous stakes, Dave and Christine.
BRIGGS: Indeed in is, Phil Mattingly, thanks. The hearing on the calendar, but there are signs Democrats want to delay it. Senate Judiciary Ranking Member, Dianne Feinstein, says Republicans are rushing the process. She is one of several democrats asking for the FBI to investigate the assault claims first.
ROMANS: Judge Kavanaugh spent nine hours at the White House, Monday, huddling with his confirmation team. One official describes him as shaken, but focused. The administration is determined to defend Kavanaugh's integrity and bolster his public image ahead of Monday's hearing. White House officials are now contacting many of the 65 women who signed a letter of support for Kavanaugh to see if they are willing to, publicly, back the judge next week.
BRIGGS: President Trump, meanwhile, ordering the declassification of materials related to the Russia investigation, and that includes selected sections of the application for surveillance on former Trump Campaign Advisor, Carter Page. The president's top allies claim without proof, that the FBI wrongfully obtained its warrant for Page and is hiding information that could discredit the Mueller probe.
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The President also ordered the Justice Department to release all text messages related to the Russia investigation from four former top FBI officials, and one current Justice official, all regular Twitter targets of the President.
ROMANS: Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intel Committee warns the release of these materials could compromise sources and methods used by law enforcement, but the top Republican on the committee, Devin Nunes, is not buying it.
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REP. DEVIN NUNES (R), HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: I don't know how many times they're going to run that play call, but it's laughable that they're saying this is going to, somehow, endanger national security. This is, really, full transparency for the American people.
This will be all of the information, really, that is - that I think the American people will need to see because for two years, we've been force feeding this Russia Kool-Aid to the American people.
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ROMANS: It is not clear when these materials will be made public.
BRIGGS: Florence has finally made its exit from the Carolinas, but the death toll and the flood waters continue rising, the former hurricane being blamed for 32 deaths now. Virginia reporting its first storm related fatality after a tornado from the system's outer bands collapsed a building near Richmond. Yesterday a train derailed in Louisville where the storm washed train tracks away. A dam burst in the same area, last night, forcing evacuations.
ROMANS: And there's more rain coming, now, folks. Officials are bracing for catastrophic and historic river flooding across the Carolinas. Take a look at this, Interstate 40 in Pender County, water as far as the eye can see overflowing from the Cape Fear River. That river will start rising again today. So, conditions could get even worse.
BRIGGS: James Ammons just moved to Wilmington a few weeks ago. He lost his car in the storm when he tried to help a girl who needed food. He's been in and out of three shelters, but keeping it all in perspective.
JAMES AMMONS, EVACUEE: We've got people in here who've lose houses, people who've lost relatives, people - you know, and it's - it's hard to see that. And - but, at the same time, you just got to be grateful for what you have right now because I think, to a certain extent, I feel like that's what's happening to a lot of people is that, you know, we haven't been so grateful for what we have so it's being taken away from us.
BRIGGS: Perspective indeed. Later this morning residents of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, where Florence made landfall, will be allowed to return home. About 350,000 customers in North and South Carolina are still without power. At least 2,600 people have been rescued from flood waters.
ROMANS: All right. For a look at the biggest threats that remain in the Carolinas - again, this - this - the worst of the flooding is yet to come. And for a look of how the reminisce of Florence will soak the Northeast today. Let's get to Meteorologist Pedram Javaheri.
PEDRAM JAVAHERI, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning Dave and Christine. Yes, the flood is still an ongoing issue across portions of the Carolinas. We're going to expect to see these flood warnings in place for, at least, the next several days, maybe even the next week or so as the gauges continue to report a moderate to major flood stage, and the fact the numbers have risen a little bit in the last 24 or so hours.
And we're watching all of that water, gradually, recede back through a lot of these counties, and eventually on into the Atlantic Ocean. So, that's the biggest concern in this slow motion disaster as often described when it comes to these, sort of, flooding events.
But here's what's left of this system. Notice the post-tropical system right around portions of New York into Western Pennsylvania. That's, essentially, where the core of what is - what was once posed - what was once Florence beginning to push through the region.
I expect some heavy rainfall into the afternoon hours to the late morning, early afternoon. Philly and New York get some - a few thunderstorms. And that is about it, generally speaking, less than an inch.
A few pockets around - so, southern areas of Vermont and New Hampshire could get a couple of inches. But a front comes by and skirts this offshore. And, finally, we begin to see the weather pattern, at least, improve for the eastern United States, guys.
ROMANS: All right, Pedram. Thank you for that. A new darling of comedy cleans up for the 70 Emmy Awards.
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WILL FERRELL, ACTOR: Outstanding comedy series goes to the marvelous, Mrs. Maisel.
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ROMANS: She's really terrific. The Amazon series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, was the big winner, taking home five Emmys, including best comedy series. The show's star, Rachel Brosnahan won for lead actress.
BRIGGS: On the drama side, HBO's Game of Thrones was, once again, king winning best drama series for a third time. The show hosted by SNL Weekend Update duo, Colin Jost and Michael Che. The pair addressed Hollywood and the Me Too movement in their monologue.
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MICHAEL CHE, CO-HOST, EMMY AWARDS: It is an honor to be here, sharing this night with the many - many talented and creative people in Hollywood who haven't been caught yet.
COLIN JOST, CO-HOST, EMMY AWARDS: This year - this year, the audience is allowed to drink in their seats. Are you excited about that?
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Yes, because the one thing Hollywood needs, right now, is people losing their inhibitions at a work function. Netflix, of course, had the most nominations tonight.
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JOST: That's right. That's right and if you're a network executive, that's the scariest thing you can possibly hear, except maybe, sir, Ronan Farrow is on line one.
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BRIGGS: Well done.
ROMANS: Ouch. It was also a big night for veteran actor, Henry Winkler, who received a standing ovation after winning his first ever Emmy for his supporting role in the HBO series, "Barry."
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HENRY WINKLER, ACTOR: I only have 37 seconds, I wrote this 43 years ago.
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WINKLER: Okay, can I just say, Skip Brittenham said me to a long time ago, if you stay at the table long enough, they chips come to you and tonight I got to clear the table.
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ROMANS: All right.
BRIGGS: Good for him. And one of the nights stranger moments was this surprise marriage proposal after winning an Emmy for directing the Oscars. Glenn Weiss proposed to his girlfriend on the Emmy stage, as you can see, and she said, yes.
ROMANS: So what's you position on public proposals?
BRIGGS: I'm not a fan, generally speaking, would never do that to my wife, but that one works. You?
ROMANS: I think that would work.
BRIGGS: But, do you agree?
ROMANS: I agree. It's risky.
BRIGGS: You would not enjoy that. All right. Ahead, North Korea says, gangster logic by the U.S. A slowing denuclearization talks, the third summit of the year happening right now between North and South Korea. Will it ease concerns? We're live in Seoul with the latest.
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ROMANS: All right, the Trump Administration announcing that new round of tariffs on China, this time on $200 billion worth of goods. These new taxes go into effect later this month.
They start at 10 percent and jump to 25 percent at the end of this year, combined with tariffs enacted earlier this year, roughly half of all the products China sells to the U.S. will now be subject to American tariffs. That means you, the consumer, will likely pay more for a number of things.
New items include a wide array of tech products like routers, circuit boards, other I.T. equipment. It's bad news for companies like Facebook and Google which rely on Chinese electronics for their cloud computing and their data centers. Apple caught a slight break, the Apple watch and other Bluetooth devices are exempt for now.
Yesterday President Trump threatened additional tariffs and called on China's leaders to take swift action to end their countries unfair trade practices. That did not go over well. Overnight China announced it will be forced to take counter measures, but no specific numbers are in action yet. Markets in Shanghai up, almost two percent, overnight.
BRIGGS: This morning a third Korean summit is underway. South Korean President, Moon Jae-in, landing overnight in Pyong Yang, greeted by North Korean dictator, Kim Jong Un, as you can see here. The three day meeting as tensions rise between the U.S. and North Korea, with frustration growing over the denuclearization process.
Joining us live from Seoul, CNN's Paula Hancocks with the latest. Paula, once again, it seems as though we have different definitions of what denuclearization is.
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Dave it was interesting, because at the same time as we saw that very warm welcome for the South Korean President, Moon Jae-in, we also saw on the front page of the North Korean state run newspaper, "Rodong Sinmun," an article slamming the U.S., saying that the U.S. is totally to blame for the deadlock in the U.S., North Korean relations.
Now this article went on to blame conservative politicians, not President Trump himself, and that's notable as we have heard from Kim Jong-Un through a South Korean envoy (ph) that he still has unwavering trust in the U.S. president, but it's really just a reminder to the South Korean President, Moon Jae-in, that he has a tough battle ahead of him.
He has agreed to be the mediator between the U.S. and North Korea until they get to the point where they have more direct dialogue with each other. And simply (ph), it's going to be difficult to try and keep those positions close, because they're far apart at this point.
This article, saying that the U.S. is gangster like, and saying that they need complete denuclearization before discussions about concessions, which is effectively what Washington has said publically, but what North Korea wants is that they want more of a quid pro quo approach, they want a step-by-step denuclearization, they give something up and then they're rewarded for it. Dave.
BRIGGS: A long way to go in this process. Paula Hancocks live for us in Seoul. Thank you.
ROMANS: All right, the Trump Administration is capping refugee admissions at their lowest levels since the resettlement program started nearly 40 years ago. A drastic cut to the number of refugees allowed into this country. Only 30,000 will be allowed in 2019, a third less than last year's low of 45,000.
Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, claims the drastically reduced number should not be the soul barometer of the Administration's commitment to humanitarian efforts.
Refugee resettlement agencies and immigrant rights groups have been pushing for an increase in the cap, sighting the rising number of refugees around the world who need help and America's traditional role as a safe haven.
All right, 19 minutes past the hour. A SpaceX has it's first lunar tourist.
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YUSAKU MAEZAWA, JAPANESE BILLIONARE: I choose to go to the moon.
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ROMANS: A Japanese billionaire will take a trip around the moon. Who he's bringing with him next.
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ROMANS: Welcome back to Early Start. Julie Chen is stepping down as co-host of the CBS daytime series, "The Talk." It comes a week after her husband, former CBS chairman and CEO, Less Moonves, was forced out under a cloud of sexual misconduct allegations. Chen is expected to address her decision in a taped message on today's episode.
A source tells CNN, she has decided her focus needs to be clearing her husband's name and tending her son. Chen will continue to host the CBS reality show, "Big Brother." It seemed unlikely she would return to the talk given the obvious tension that would exist every time the Me Too movement is discussed on the talk show.
BRIGGS: Police in Texas say that border patrol agent accused of killing four people, over the last few weeks, knew his victims and that he met them on multiple occasions to gain their trust. Officials say, Juan David Ortiz, manipulated the victims into his truck before driving to the outskirts of town to kill them.
ROMANS: Police say Ortiz mentioned, in his confession, his dislike for the community they ware part of, meaning prostitutes. Ortiz is now jailed on murder charges, held on a $2.5 million bond. The charges could be upgraded to capital murder, which carries the death penalty.
BRIGGS: SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk, announcing the companies first space tourist, Japanese billionaire, Yusaka Maezawa, will take flight aboard the companies Big Falcon Rocket as soon as 2023.
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YUSAKA MAEZAWA, JAPANESE BILLIONAIRE: Ever since I was a kid I have loved the moon. Just staring at the moon fueled my imagination.
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It's always there and has continued to inspire humanity. That is why I could not pass up this opportunity to see the moon up close.
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BRIGGS: SpaceX says the lunar getaway will last four or five days, although Maezawa won't land on moon, he is planning to take six to eight artists with him on the mission free of charge. Price tag, well Musk declined to say how much Maezawa paid, but described the amount as non-trivial.
ROMANS: That means a lot.
BRIGGS: That definitely means ...
ROMANS: That means more than you and I could afford.
BRIGGS: Comfortably in the safe seven figures territory.
ROMANS: We will not be going to the moon. Either of us.
BRIGGS: No time soon.
ROMANS: All right, it is impossible to overstate how much is riding on Monday's hearing on Capitol Hill. Brett Kavanaugh and the Christine -- and Christine Basey Ford will both share their stories. Who will senators believe, who will the voters believe just weeks before the midterms.
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