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Fired FBI Director Andrew McCabe Breaks Silence On Why He Opened Investigations Into President Trump; Interview With Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL); Parkland Mom Pens Letter To Daughter Killed One Year Ago; Airbus Ending A380 Program. Aired 7:30-8a ET
Aired February 14, 2019 - 07:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:32:54] ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news.
Fired FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe has just broken his silence about why he ordered an investigation into President Trump. Here is what he told CBS's Scott Pelley.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREW MCCABE, FORMER DEPUTY DIRECTOR, FBI: I was speaking to the man who had just run for the presidency and won the election for the presidency, and who might have done so with the aid of the government of Russia, our most formidable adversary on the world stage. And that was something that troubled me greatly.
SCOTT PELLEY, CBS CORRESPONDENT, "60 MINUTES": How long was it after that that you decided to start the obstruction of justice and counterintelligence investigations involving the president?
MCCABE: I think the next day I met with the team investigating the Russia cases and I asked the team to go back and conduct an assessment to determine where are we with these efforts and what steps do we need to take going forward.
I was very concerned that I was able to put the Russia case on absolutely solid ground in an indelible fashion, that were I removed quickly or reassigned or fired that the case could not be closed or vanish in the night without a trace.
I wanted to make sure that our case was on solid ground and if somebody came in behind me and closed it and tried to walk away from it, they would not be able to do that without creating a record of why they've made that decision.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Joining us now, Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell of Florida, who is a member of the House Judiciary Committee.
I know that you were just able to listen to that sound which, again, CBS just released. The fact that Andrew McCabe said he was very concerned and, in his words, wanted the Russia case on absolutely solid ground so that it couldn't vanish without a trace, what's your reaction?
REP. DEBBIE MUCARSEL-POWELL (D-FL), MEMBER, HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Good morning, Erica.
You know, it's not surprising to me that day after day we keep getting more and more information as to allegations of corruption by this administration, ethics complaints, and Russian meddling in our 2016 election. So, it doesn't surprise me.
[07:35:05] I can tell you that we are now performing what we were elected to do here in Congress, which is our job of oversight. That's our constitutional duty, especially sitting in the Judiciary Committee, and we are taking all of this information very seriously.
But at this point, all I can tell you is -- you know, I just heard that sound bite right now -- is that we are trying to get all the facts and then take action and do whatever we need to do as we get all that information in.
HILL: As you look into it, you were also learning in that interview -- Scott Pelley telling us that there were meetings, according to Andrew McCabe, at the DOJ about the 25th Amendment -- about removing the president. That cabinet members were not specifically asked whether they would vote for or against removing the president, but there was speculation.
And he also went on to say that we had heard about Deputy Attorney Gen. Rod Rosenstein and conversations about possibly wearing a wire. Of course, that was then said to be a sarcastic remark -- that it didn't happen.
McCabe is saying to Pelley in the interview that it came up more than once and it was so serious that he took it to lawyers at the FBI at the time to discuss it.
There's a lot in there, as well.
MUCAREL-POWELL: Yes, and Erica, I can tell you that I don't have any of those details right now in front of me so I really can't comment --
HILL: Yes.
MUCAREL-POWELL: -- on it.
But being a member of the Judiciary Committee, we are staffing. We are getting the appropriate staff. You may have heard that we've hired two of the most eminent lawyers that investigate corruption, ethics, obstruction -- Berke -- and I'm going to -- I have the names here --
HILL: And, Eisen.
MUCAREL-POWELL: -- because I always forget. Barry Berke and Norman Eisen. So we are getting ready. We have several meetings coming up to see who we need to bring in for hearings. We are going to bring back Whitaker for an additional hearing.
HILL: Yes.
MUCAREL-POWELL: So, we -- we're trying to get all the facts. That's as much as I can say right now with the information that I have.
HILL: Well, in terms of those hires that you just mentioned, of course, if we look at part of what was written up this really made a lot of people sit up and pay attention because of what they wrote specifically, noting -- and I'm going to call this up here. This is PSO-3 for our folks in the control room.
"Our review of the facts and the law leads us to the view that the president likely obstructed justice, a conclusion even more strongly supported by the evidence now than it was last fall."
It is impossible to ignore those words as you're bringing on these attorneys. So what, specifically, are you hoping that they focus on and, and is there going to be more talk of impeachment proceedings?
MUCAREL-POWELL: Look, we saw what happened over the past two years. Republicans had absolutely no oversight. They were providing no checks and balances to this administration.
We are now in the majority. Democrats are sitting in -- a lot of us are sitting in the Judiciary Committee, so we are taking our jobs extremely seriously.
The hires of these attorneys are just showing that we are getting the stuff that we need as we proceed in the next year or so as we get the -- hopefully, the Mueller investigation. Once that is completed, we'll get all those facts to the Judiciary Committee.
So at this point, it's just making sure that we have the resources that we need to perform the oversight duties that we were elected to do.
HILL: I also want to get your take. Of course, today is a somber anniversary for folks in Parkland and, frankly, around the country as they look at what happened a year ago today. Seventeen lives cut short. This is a district that's not very far from your own, of course.
We know, yesterday, the background checks bill -- that was an important step forward for you. I know how important this is to you personally, as well.
Where are your thoughts on this day?
MUCAREL-POWELL: It was -- I can tell you that yesterday, we felt the Parkland families with us. We had a huge group of Moms Demand Action there the entire day. It took 10 hours for us to be able to pass HR8, the universal
background check, through committee because the Republicans in our committee were making it very difficult. They were using all sorts of delay tactics to make it very difficult for us to pass through a committee. And we were very determined that on the eve of this day -- of these -- of this very difficult day in Parkland, that we were going to get that done, and we did.
And there were many tears. Lucy McBath and I really felt that we had done our part and kept our promises that we were not going to stop until we passed common-sense gun reform. This was done for the parents in Parkland, this was done for Patricia and Manny Oliver, for Fred Guttenberg -- for all the parents that today are going through a very, very difficult day.
And we cannot forget because the lives of the kids that were in that school -- the parents -- they're never going to be the same. And people like me and Lucy, who have gone through that, understand that pain. Our lives change and it changes forever.
[07:40:04] And it is now our job, now that we have been elected, to make sure that we listen to these young adults, to the families, and to work. To do what we have to do in Congress so that we can avoid any other mass shootings.
And I just want to say one thing. For all the skeptics, yes, a universal background check may not avoid every single mass shooting. But if we can save just one life passing this bill, then that is what we are going to do right here in this Congress.
HILL: Appreciate your time today, Congressman. Thank you.
MUCAREL-POWELL: Thank you, Erica.
HILL: John --
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: A mother's pain captured in a heartbreaking letter she wrote to her daughter one year after she was killed in the Parkland massacre. She joins us, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BERMAN: One year ago today, a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 students and teachers. One of those killed was 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff.
This week, her mother, Lori, wrote a letter to her daughter that reads, in part, "Dear Alyssa, it's Valentine's Day. A day full of love, chocolates, and flowers. For me, it is more than that now. Last Valentine's Day was the last time I saw you.
Like many 14-year-old girls, you wanted a Valentine and were disappointed you didn't have one. High school love is magic. I wanted that for you.
[07:45:05] As I remember you, grief washes over me. But that grief emboldens me to fight for change. I wish I could take all the bullets for you.
It's been a year since I saw you. You, in that black and white dress, those Converse on your feet, and that smile. I'll never forget that smile.
It feels like yesterday. I just want you back."
Joining me now is Lori Alhadeff. She is a member of the Broward County School Board and founder of Make Our Schools Safe.
Lori, thank you very much for being with us this morning. I know it cannot be an easy day for you. Thank you, also, for writing that letter which I think puts so much in perspective for so many of us.
Can you tell us why you decided to write that letter?
LORI ALHADEFF, MOTHER OF 14-YEAR-OLD ALYSSA ALHADEFF, KILLED IN PARKLAND MASSACRE, FOUNDER, MAKE OUR SCHOOLS SAFE: On 2/14, Alyssa's voice was silenced and I'm here now trying to be her voice. And I wrote that letter to express my love toward Alyssa, to tell Alyssa what this year has been like, and to honor Alyssa.
BERMAN: It was one year ago today. As I said, I can't imagine what it's like to be where you are this morning.
What did it feel like when you woke up today?
ALHADEFF: You know, it felt like any other day. But this day is one year ago when Alyssa was brutally shot down and taken from our hearts, and it is very painful. But I continue to be Alyssa's voice and fight for Alyssa and fight for change.
BERMAN: In so many ways, she has emboldened you. And in so many other ways, you've learned so many things this last year, including about her.
Tell us about that because one of the lines in the letter that jumped out to me -- jumped -- was that you learned over the last year that she once jumped off a bridge by the beach.
ALHADEFF: Yes. So, Alyssa and her friends went to the Deerfield Beach and they jumped off a bridge. And, you know, she just was a typical teenager and she had such zest for life. And there's a video of it, actually.
BERMAN: What's it been like to hear those stories over the last 12 months?
ALHADEFF: It's painful, but it's also knowing that she lived a full life and she made every moment of her life impactful.
BERMAN: And the girls' soccer team that she played on -- you note that they wear her number eight, but they were it sideways which, of course, is the infinity sign.
Do you see her in that team? Do you see her now in parts of your daily life?
ALHADEFF: I do. I mean, Alyssa is being remembered everywhere. Her name is everywhere, her picture's everywhere. And the kids, they're living for Alyssa, they're laughing for Alyssa, and they're playing for eight.
BERMAN: And what would you want people to know most about her one year later?
ALHADEFF: Alyssa was a talented soccer player. She had such zest for life. She was beautiful. She loved the beach.
Alyssa loved being with her friends and I just want her friends to live for her. And since her voice was silenced on 2/14 that just live your life to the fullest.
BERMAN: She is speaking through you. What does that say on your arm?
ALHADEFF: It says "Live for Alyssa". It's a tattoo.
BERMAN: "Live for Alyssa" -- a tattoo. And you made clear that that's what you're doing.
You write in the letter, "There are things I do in your memory that I never thought I could or would ever do." Like what?
ALHADEFF: So, shortly after 2/14, I started a nonprofit organization, Make Our Schools Safe. And our mission is to make school safe for all kids in all schools. And they can do that through starting a Dream Team Club in their school, anywhere around the country. And they could be a voice for school safety at their school and meet the needs of their school, specifically.
Also, I ran for the Broward County School Board and I won. And I am making a direct impact and change here in Broward County.
BERMAN: You're changing things in Broward County.
ALHADEFF: Also --
BERMAN: Go ahead.
ALHADEFF: Yes. And also, last week, Gov. Murphy signed the Alyssa Law into law into New Jersey, which requires every school in New Jersey to have a panic button so we can get law enforcement on the scene as quickly as possible to take down the threat, and EMS to come to triage the victims.
And I'm working in Florida with Sen. Lauren Book to get the Alyssa Law passed here in Florida. And this is a school safety measure that we can pass anywhere around the country -- the Alyssa Law -- and I would love to see that being passed in every state.
[07:50:06] BERMAN: You're making changes not just in Broward County but all around the country, truly, including here in the tristate area in New Jersey last week. I was reading that.
Part of your work -- as part of your work, you don't address gun safety and gun control, and that was a choice. Why did you make that choice?
ALHADEFF: You know, because John, it becomes too polarizing. People go to the right, people go to the left, and then they forget about making schools safe. And so that is why my focus is school safety because I think that Republicans, Democrats -- we can all agree that when we send our kids to school that they need to be safe.
BERMAN: On year ago after your daughter was murdered you made a very emotional plea to President Trump. You said on our air, "President Trump, please do something."
What has he done, do you feel, in the last year, and is it enough?
ALHADEFF: So, I met with President Trump a few weeks ago and he came out with his school safety assessment report and -- that has different recommendations for schools to implement around the country, and it's a start. But I think that we also need money to back up these recommendations to be able to implement them into our schools.
BERMAN: So I want to go back to the letter. The last two lines of it are, "I just want you back" and "love, forever". And I think as a parent, really as anybody, those are very hard for me to read.
But I want to focus on the last two words there -- "love, forever". What does that mean to you?
ALHADEFF: I will love you, Alyssa, forever. You're forever in my heart and I just want you back.
BERMAN: Lori Alhadeff, I know she would be proud of you and the work you've done over the last year.
ALHADEFF: Thank you.
BERMAN: Thank you for being with us this morning. Thank you --
ALHADEFF: Thank you, John.
BERMAN: -- for sharing memories of your daughter. I really appreciate it.
We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:56:40] HILL: It's time for "CNN Business Now." Car loan delinquencies have hit a record high. And in the skies, it is the end of the era of the superjumbo jet.
Chief business correspondent Christine Romans joins us now with more. Good morning.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT, ANCHOR, "EARLY START": Good morning.
You know, cracks in the very strong U.S. economy and more evidence that millions of Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck. A record number are behind on their car payments. The New York Federal Reserve says more than seven million car loans were at least 90 days past due in the fourth quarter.
Now, the Fed's report said, quote, "The substantial and growing number of distressed borrowers suggests that not all American have benefited from the strong labor market."
The Fed found Americans have more loans out today -- auto, credit cards, and student loans -- than at any other time.
Too many loans and not enough savings. A new survey from Bankrate found just 40 percent of Americans say they have enough money -- enough savings to pay a $1,000 emergency expense.
And breaking this morning, it is the end of the superjumbo jet. Airbus announced today it will stop delivery A380s in the year 2021 after its key customer, Emirates, slashed its orders for that jetliner.
Airbus is killing the A380 after it simply failed to deliver on pretty big expectations. Airbus has delivered less than a quarter of the 1,200 jets it predicted it would sell when it first introduced that double-decker.
Emirates, instead, is buying 70 smaller passenger jets from Airbus -- John.
BERMAN: The planes are kind of cool --
ROMANS: They are very cool.
BERMAN: -- having been on one. It's kind of cool to be on the top level but apparently, not very efficient economically.
All right, Romans. Thank you very, very much.
A revealing interview with fired FBI deputy director. What Andrew McCabe says happened behind closed doors after James Comey was fired. This is new and it's significant.
Let's get right to the breaking news.
ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.
BERMAN: Good morning and welcome to your NEW DAY. It is Thursday, February 14th, 8:00 in the East.
Alisyn is off. Erica Hill is with me.
And we do begin with breaking news. Andrew McCabe, who was the fired FBI deputy director -- he was temporarily the acting director after James Comey was fired by the president. McCabe is speaking out for the first time.
In a new interview with "60 MINUTES" McCabe talks about meeting with President Trump hours after Comey was fired, and McCabe explains why he launched an obstruction of justice and counterintelligence investigation into the president.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MCCABE: I was speaking to the man who had just run for the presidency and won the election for the presidency, and who might have done so with the aid of the government of Russia, our most formidable adversary on the world stage. And that was something that troubled me greatly.
PELLEY: How long was it after that that you decided to start the obstruction of justice and counterintelligence investigations involving the president?
MCCABE: I think the next day I met with the team investigating the Russia cases and I asked the team to go back and conduct an assessment to determine where are we with these efforts and what steps do we need to take going forward.
END
