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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Honoring the Legacy of Bush 41; What Does Michael Flynn Know?; Haspel to Brief Senators on Khashoggi; New Assault Allegation Against Kareem Hunt. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired December 04, 2018 - 05:00   ET

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

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DAVE BRIGGS, CNN ANCHOR: George Herbert Walker Bush lying in state at this hour. These live pictures. President Trump paying respects as funeral details are revealed.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: After a year of silence, we're about to hear how much Michael Flynn knows about the president's ties to Russia. Critical details expected today from the special counsel.

BRIGGS: CIA director briefing select senators today on the Jamal Khashoggi case. Her absence last week drew scorn from lawmakers.

[05:00:02] ROMANS: And another assault allegation against former NFL star Kareem Hunt. One NFL announcer says enough with the second chances.

Good morning and welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

BRIGGS: Kareem Hunt cleared waivers yesterday. No team claims him. We shall see if he gets another job.

I'm Dave Briggs, Tuesday, December 4th, 5:00 a.m. in the east on this Tuesday.

We start at this hour with George Herbert Walker Bush lying in state at the capitol rotunda. His body will remain there until tomorrow morning for public viewing. President Trump and first lady among the visitors paying respects last night. After a moment of silent prayer, Mr. Trump saluted America's 41st president, while Mrs. Trump held her hand over her heart.

ROMANS: Later today, the president will visit the Bush family at Blair House, just across the street from the White House. Lines to view President Bush stretched into the early morning hours.

More now from CNN's Sunlen Serfaty on Capitol Hill.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Dave and Christine.

Well, there's certainly been so many moving moments as a nation honors the life and the legacy of former President George H.W. Bush. Up here on Capitol Hill, there was so much emotion on Monday especially from his family as they watched his casket slowly being carried step by step into the U.S. Capitol where he once served, of course, as a congressman from Texas.

His body right now lies in state at the rotunda. It was opened all night for the members of the public to come in and pay their respects. Now, earlier in the day, there was a ceremony here on Capitol Hill where the common theme was not only speaking about the achievements of the former president, but mostly about who he was as a man. That he was humble, that he was kind and that he was someone who established deep relationships here in Washington.

REP. PAUL RYAN (R), WISCONSIN: He showed us that how we live is as important as what we achieve. His life was a hymn of honor. His legacy is grace perfected. His memory will belong to glory.

SERFATY: And the former president's body will continue to lie in state overnight tonight until Wednesday where it will be brought to the National Cathedral for his memorial service, where there, he will be eulogized by his son, former President George W. Bush -- Christine and Dave.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRIGGS: Thank you, Sunlen.

In addition to Bush 43, President Bush will be eulogized by former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, former Senator Alan Simpson and presidential historian Jon Meacham who wrote about 41. President Trump will attend the funeral Wednesday in Washington's national cathedral but will not speak. Presidents are traditionally asked to give eulogies, but the plans for the Bush funeral were in place before Mr. Trump was elected and there is, of course, another president in the family to speak anyway.

ROMANS: All of the living presidents are expected to attend the funeral on Wednesday which should make for a bit of political theater, at least an astonishing photo op. Putting President Trump side by side with predecessors he harshly criticized.

Bush 41 will be buried wearing socks that featured jets flying in formation, an homage of his life of service starting as an 18-year-old naval aviator in World War II, the last World War II veteran president of the United States. U.S. Postal Office will suspend regular mail deliveries tomorrow for the national day of mourning honoring George H.W. Bush.

BRIGGS: Meanwhile, special counsel Robert Mueller is expected to file a sentencing memo for Michael Flynn today. The document could provide details about what Mueller knows and where his investigation is headed next. Flynn was forced to resign as national security adviser in February of 2017. The White House says he was let go for misleading Vice President Pence about conversations with a Russian diplomat. In December of 2017, Flynn pleaded guilty of lying to the FBI and agreed to cooperate with Mueller. ROMANS: The special counsel also expected to file a sentencing memo

for former campaign chair Paul Manafort by Friday. Now, at least some of the memo will be made public. Mueller has promised to lay out the specifics of the Manafort's alleged lies which led to the termination of his plea deal.

BRIGGS: President Trump's contempt for the special counsel appears to be boiling over and according to some legal experts, his latest Twitter rampage could amount to obstruction of justice or witness tampering. The president urging the maximum sentence for his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen who flipped on him with two guilty pleas.

ROMANS: Mr. Trump tweeting Cohen is making up stories to get a deal for himself, his wife and his father-in-law so they can get off scot- free. Notice the president's spelling of "scot free."

BRIGGS: The capitalization of, too.

ROMANS: Miriam Webster's Dictionary did and wanted everyone to know, scot has "T" means free from penalty or obligation. Scott with two "T's" is some guy named Scott.

[05:05:00] We get more from Kaitlan Collins at the White House.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Dave and Christine, it seems that President Trump bottled his anger toward the special counsel Robert Mueller and then unleashed all of it in a series of tweets going after the special counsel, but also after his former attorney Michael Cohen who recently pleaded guilty to lying to Congress.

President Trump is not only saying he lied under oath, but also calling for the maximum prison sentence for Michael Cohen, saying that he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for the crimes he committed that he says were not related to him. Of course, two high profile guilty pleas from Michael Cohen have had to do directly with President Trump. One admitting that he violated campaign finance laws which he said he did at the direction of President Trump, and two, lying to Congress, which he said he did out of loyalty to President Trump.

Now, this seems to have unnerved President Trump because, of course, we have reported Michael Cohen sat down with the special counsel's team for at least 70 hours over the last several weeks which is certainly something that is clearly giving the president a cause for concern -- Dave and Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right, Kaitlan. Thank you for that.

The president's tweet spawning a Twitter fight between his son Eric and the husband of presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway. Follow me? George Conway is a conservative lawyer who's been highly critical of the president in the last few months. It began Monday morning when Conway suggested Mr. Trump's tweets on the Russian probe amounted to witness tampering.

BRIGGS: Eric Trump responded with this: Of all the ugliness in politics, the utter disrespect for George Conway shows toward his wife, her career, place of work and everything she has fought so hard for to achieve, might top them all. Kellyanne is a great person and, frankly, his actions are horrible.

George Conway responding with the series of retweets. One of them referencing the Stormy Daniels saga.

ROMANS: All right. A temporary trade truce between U.S. and China in the G20. Tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods will stay at 10 percent, they will not rise as scheduled to 25 percent come January 1st. The Dow rose 288 points, all three major averages rose more than 1 percent.

Big moves for China focused stocks as well. Apple, Boeing, Caterpillar, Deere, all of them closing strongly higher. In addition to President Trump agreeing not to raise the 10 percent, tariffs on those $250 billion worth of goods, China said it would be willing to purchase a very substantial amount of agriculture, energy and other U.S. products.

Those details notably coming from the U.S. side. The Chinese have been more vague about where we're going here. The president tweeted about the success of the meeting with President Xi Jinping Monday. He said this, quote, relations are China have taken a big leap forward. Very good things will happen.

President Trump claims farmers would benefit most from the agreement, saying this: We make the finest and cleanest product in the world and that is what China wants. Farmers, I love you.

Now, analysts are worried this could be short lived. The two countries now only have 90 days to resolve all of that. Trade issues which have been in contention for years if not decades, and these are complaints by the U.S. that the Chinese have shown little, if any, inclination to change.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will be the lead negotiator. And a lot of papers noting today that they put, you know, a guy who was champion of the tariffs --

BRIGGS: That was my question. How significant is that, that he's leading?

ROMANS: It sends a signal to the Chinese that the United States wants timelines and results and concrete actions about those things on the list.

BRIGGS: And if they were Steve Mnuchin, might be different interpretation of where we're headed. Less confrontation --

ROMANS: Lighthizer is seen as, right, as the real negotiator and a hard liner.

BRIGGS: Hard liner on trade.

OK. Later today, CIA Director Gina Haspel is expected to brief a group of lawmakers on the murder of "Washington Post" journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Some senators slammed the Trump administration last week when they were denied a CIA briefing on the case. Haspel may be able to provide details about the audio tape of the murder and some reported text messages from the crown prince.

The briefing last week without Haspel triggered a backlash with senators voting to advance the resolution that would cut U.S. military support for the Saudis for the war in Yemen. In an editorial for "The Wall Street Journal", Republican Senator Lindsey Graham says, quote, the recent vote should show Saudi Arabia and the Trump administration that Congress isn't mugging for the cameras. We are a co-we equal branch of government exercising leadership to safeguard the country's long term interests, values and reputation. After all, someone's got to do it.

ROMANS: I think I'm the most qualified person to be president. The words of former Vice President Joe Biden during a book tour stop in Missoula, Montana. Biden says his family now must decide as a unit whether they are prepared for a White House bid. He says a decision will be made in the next six-to-eight weeks.

Biden sounds like he is in campaign mode. He told the moderator, I'm a gaffe machine, but my god, what a wonderful thing compared to the guy who can't tell the truth.

[05:10:03] The question is, what kind of nation are we becoming?

Do you think he runs?

BRIGGS: I think he wants to. I think age and those gaffes he referenced are no longer an issue in 2018.

The names of 11 priests suspected of abusing children will remain private. Why the Pennsylvania court won't release the names, next.

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ROMANS: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has rejected the request to release the names of 11 unidentified priests in the clergy grand jury report. Now, the court says keeping the priests' identities under wraps is the only way to protect their rights to reputation under the state constitution. The state attorney general says while his office cannot release the names, the state's Catholic bishops can and should.

[05:15:06] An August grand jury report detailed decades of sexual abuse cases against children. The names of more than 270 priests were released in that report.

BRIGGS: The police chief in Springfield, Missouri, is promising to do better with the city's respond to sex crime case following a CNN investigation. Paul Williams apologizing to the sex assault victims after the investigation revealed rape kit destruction was a regular agency practice. Williams invited victims to contact him if they felt their cases were not investigated appropriately.

ROMANS: He says going forward, the department will no longer give sex crimes victims a ten-day deadline to respond to investigators or face the closure of cases. CNN discovered this practice is by no means limited to just Springfield. More than two dozen law enforcement agencies in 14 states destroyed at least 400 rape kits tied to cases that could still be prosecuted. The total number likely to be much higher.

BRIGGS: A voter fraud scandal in North Carolina may ultimately lead to a new election. Officials in the state's ninth district investigating allegations that absentee ballots were tampered with in the tight congressional race between Republican Mark Harris and Democrat Dan McCready. A review of some ballots revealed many were signed by the same small group of people, some connected to a long time operative working for Harris' campaign.

ROMANS: A set of absentee ballots obtained by CNN showed the same nine people signed at least 10 absentee ballots each. Many of those nine people seemed to know each other. Republican operative Leslie Dowless denied any wrongdoing to "The Charlotte Observer". McCready conceded last month after results showed Harris won by just 905 votes.

BRIGGS: All right. Coming up, we'll talk a little sports. On Monday night football, the defending Super Bowl champs, Eagles trying to stay alive in the playoff race against division rival Washington in a loss of yet another quarterback to Washington. Andy Scholes has details in the "Bleacher Report".

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[05:21:29] ROMANS: Comedian and "SNL" star Pete Davidson opening up about being cyber bullied and considering suicide. In a remarkably candid Instagram post, he has had some well-publicized troubles lately, including a controversial joke about a Republican candidate who lost an eye in combat and his break up with singer Ariana Grande. In the post, the 25-year-old Davidson talks about battling bipolar disorder, and hopes that what he has to say can help others coping with tough situations.

Despite the online bullying, Davidson refuses to give in. He writes, quote, no matter how hard the Internet or anyone tries to make me kill myself, I won't. I'm upset I even have to say this. To all those holding me down and seeing this for what it is, I see you and I love you. Davidson criticizes the media and culture echoing the sentiments of the Republican he joked about, Dan Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL.

Dave?

BRIGGS: All right. Thank you, Christine.

We'll talk a little sports now.

Kareem Hunt now a free agent after going unclaimed on waivers. Now, a new assault claiming to light.

Andy Scholes has more in the "Bleacher Report."

Goo morning, buddy.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Dave.

You know, Kareem Hunt reportedly kicked a man at a Kansas City nightclub in January of this year. So, there are now three violent incidents Hunt has been accused of in 2018 alone. The latest to come coming to light happened in January. According to the police report, Hunt and several others repeatedly hit the victim, breaking his rib and nose.

The 37-year-old unidentified male did not pursue charges in that incident. Chiefs released Hunt on Friday after TMZ posted a video of him assaulting a woman in February. Hunt has apologized publicly and says he deserves another chance.

All right. It's not a good year for quarterbacks of the Washington Redskins. Alex Smith's season ended breaking his tibia and fibula a few weeks. Well, Colt McCoy's season coming to an end last night as he broke his tibia on that play right now. The Redskins are now left with Mark Sanchez as their quarterback.

Adrian Peterson meanwhile had a 90-yard touchdown run in this game. He finished the game with 98 years rushing, just eight yards on the other eight carries. The Eagles would win 28-13. They are 6-6 with the match up with the Cowboys coming on Sunday.

All right. Warriors looking to snap the road losing streak last night in Atlanta. Steph Curry on fire early. He out scored the Hawks by himself in the first quarter. Curry with 18. The Hawks is 17. Warriors going to win easy, 128-111.

Now, before the game, Curry making the fan's day. Boston Smith, huge Curry fan. The 18-year-old involved in a car crash that left him with severe injuries in June. Curry signing autographs for him and taking pictures with Boston and his family. And his family tweeted it was a dream come true for Boston to meet Curry and gave him motivation to keep going in a rehab.

All right. Finally, the Heisman Trust announcing the three finalists for this year's award. It's going to be Oklahoma's Kyler Murray, Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa and Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins, all quarterbacks, for the first time, since 2008.

And, Dave, you know, Kyler Murray trying to follow-up Baker Mayfield, to win back to back Heismans for Oklahoma. It seems like if you want to win the Heisman trophy, the plan is go play for Lincoln Riley. It is like Heisman U there.

[05:25:00] BRIGGS: Yes. Well, you mentioned 2008, I think that was Sam Bradford, right, Oklahoma.

SCHOLES: Yes. BRIGGS: So, there's some symmetry there.

And I think Kyler wins. You?

SCHOLES: Yes, I have a vote, Dave. I'm not allowed to say who I voted for, but I'll say that the person I did vote for is good at baseball.

BRIGGS: Nice hit there, Andy Scholes. Thank you, my friend.

Romans, over to you.

ROMANS: Very diplomatic. Thank you, guys.

All right. A holiday light display in Texas is lighting up 911 emergency switch boards. Chris Herland (ph) was inspired by "National Lampoons Christmas Vacation", recreating the scene where Clark Griswold is putting up Christmas lights.

A man driving by dialed 911 and stopped to help before realizing it was a dummy. The man was a veteran and the homeowner invited him over and thanked him for his service and reward him with $500 gift cards so he could afford groceries for the holiday.

I'm trying to figure out if I should watch that movie with my kids, but I think --

BRIGGS: Absolutely. Dave Briggs approved.

ROMANS: Well, that means I mean, I have to do research, I think.

BRIGGS: Yes, it does. Did the guy stay up? Did they leave the display up or has he taken the fake man down? There's a lot to love about this story and that movie.

Ahead, our 41st president, a war hero, lies in state. People showing up to pay tribute to the late George Herbert Walker Bush.

ROMANS: And is Michael Flynn the next Twitter target for the president? It depends on what Robert Mueller shares today.

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