Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Democrats Struggle amid Omar's Comments; R. Kelly Behind Bars over Unpaid Child Support; Sen. Bob Menendez (D) New Jersey is Interviewed about Saudi Arabia. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired March 07, 2019 - 09:30   ET

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

[09:30:10] JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR: This morning, Democrats are divided on how to handle controversial comments by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. A resolution by Democratic House leadership condemning anti- Semitism in general is in the works, but sources say that a debate inside the party on the language of that resolution has been messy and tense.

Now, the timing of that vote is unclear as well. This as at least three 2020 Democratic candidates are defending Omar.

POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: So, how did we get here? Well, the congresswoman has a history of controversial comments. In a 2012 tweet she wrote, Israel has hypnotized the world.

We asked her in January what she meant by that. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. ILHAN OMAR (D), MINNESOTA: I don't know how my comments would be offensive to Jewish-Americans. My comments precisely are addressing what was happening during the Gaza war.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCIUTTO: Weeks after that interview, Omar tweeted the following. And we're quoting here, it's all about the benjamins, baby. Criticizing the prominent pro-Israel lobby here in the U.S., APAC, implying that they were paying members of Congress, that money drove these positions. While that group is certainly significant in terms of financially lobbying for Israel's -- pro-Israel interests in Washington, they, we should note, did not give money directly to politicians or to campaigns.

HARLOW: So that tweet of hers saying it's all about the benjamins, about APAC, sparked uproar with members of both parties. Many called those comments again anti-Semitic. She apologized. She deleted that tweet.

Days later, House Republican members responded by really forcing Democrats' hand to vote on a motion condemning anti-Semitism.

Last week, the Congresswoman made new comments, insinuating pro-Israel groups are pushing, quote, allegiance to a foreign country. And now Democratic leadership is drafting their own resolution condemning anti-Semitism. But there's a hang-up.

SCIUTTO: Joining us now to discuss this, Julie Hirschfeld Davis. She's CNN political analyst and congressional correspondent for "The New York Times."

Good morning.

JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Good morning.

SCIUTTO: Julie, so this is a party divided, and very publicly divided on this. And we've noticed how this is now bleeding into the 2020 campaign because you have Senators Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren defending Omar here. I'll just quote Elizabeth Warren's comments on this. She said, branding criticism of Israel as automatically anti-Semitic has a chilling effect on our public discourse and makes it harder to achieve a peaceful solution between Israel and the Palestinians.

Is it that distinction that's, in effect, driving this internal debate here?

DAVIS: Well, I think that's a big part of it, right, the distinction between making comments that are seen as anti-Israel or seen as questioning the actions of the Israeli government and using terms and words that are actually inherently anti-Semitic. And part of the issue here with Representative Omar's comments, as you pointed out in that clip and in some of the lead-up to this, is that she has used some phrases in the past like, Israel has hypnotized the world, this idea that, you know, money is driving all of this, and particularly in the most recent comments, this idea of dual loyalty, that if you are being asked to support Israel, that people are doing that -- they can't, at the same time, be -- you know, have allegiance to their own country, that they're -- instead they have allegiance to Israel. Those -- all three of those things are things that historically have been, you know, the tropes of anti-Semitism and very strong signs of anti- Semitism.

But Representative Omar and many of her advocates in Congress and the Democratic Party, particularly among members of the Congressional Black Caucus and some of the newer members, the progressives, who have stood behind her say, listen, she is raising legitimate issues and questions about support for Israel. And that can't be seen, as Senator Warren said, as inherently anti-Semitic otherwise that stifles debate.

So what you have is just this very emotionally wrought and very kind of sharp and bitter argument within the party about what is acceptable discourse and what is not. And it's not something that we've really seen internally among Democrats quite as loud as we see it right now.

HARLOW: Right.

And Elliot Engel, who, of course, chairs the Foreign Relations Committee that she sits on said, no, no, no -- like, I hope she grows from this and learns but she shouldn't be taken off the committee or stripped of this title. Here's the thing, it seems like Republicans, President Trump, are able to capitalize on this. Here's a tweet from the president recently. It is shameful that House Democrats won't take a stronger stand against anti-Semitism in their conference. Even though they are putting forward this resolution that they're going to vote on soon condemning anti-Semitism. From the president who himself has been, Julie, as you well know, accused of trafficking in these anti-Semitic tropes. Remember this, 2016, a tweet during the campaign showing that picture of Hillary Clinton over a stack of money next to a star of David.

So, you know, despite that, you know, this -- he's making these comments and it seems to be hurting Democrats more.

[09:35:02] DAVIS: Well, there's no question. I mean it is -- it is fairly ironic coming from this particularly president who, as you point out, has been accused of being insensitive and sort of condoning anti-Semitism and, you know, his comments after the Charlottesville violence where he seemed to equate neo-Nazis with -- with other --

HARLOW: There you go.

SCIUTTO: Both sides, yes.

DAVIS: Other -- both sides.

So -- but there is no question, he is not the first Republican, I'm sure he won't be the last, to try to use this as a wedge. I mean we actually saw this a couple of years ago during the debate over the Iran deal.

HARLOW: Yes.

DAVIS: There was a big effort among the right, among conservative Republicans, to, you know, present themselves as the party that is more strongly aligned with Israel, the people -- you know, the -- sort of the logical home of supporters of Israel. And that is something that, you know, is easy for them to do right now. That's part of the problem for Democrats is that some of this in-fighting is giving Republicans an opening to sort of try to drive that wedge even deeper. And that's part of the reason they're having so much trouble coming up with, you know, what is the acceptable language here? What should they do with this resolution?

SCIUTTO: Yes.

HARLOW: And now having to delay the vote that was supposed to already have happened.

Julie, thanks for the reporting on it. We appreciate it.

SCIUTTO: Yes, thanks, Julie.

DAVIS: Thank you.

HARLOW: R. Kelly behind bars this morning, just hours after that explosive, emotional interview. Now two women who say they are his girlfriends are coming to his defense in a new interview. You'll see it, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:40:46] SCIUTTO: Singer R. Kelly is back behind bars this morning. He was taken into custody for unpaid child support just hours after that explosive television interview. Kelly won't be released until he plays the $161,000 he owes. I mean, pay your child support.

HARLOW: Yes. There you go.

SCIUTTO: As simple as that.

HARLOW: For starters.

Meanwhile, today we're seeing part two of that shocking, explosive interview, this time featuring two women who say they are R. Kelly's girlfriends. And they spoke in his defense. Here's that interview with Gayle King.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AZRIEL CLARY, R. KELLY'S GIRLFRIEND: When I first met Robert, my parents told me to lie about my age. So, when I met him, he thought that I was 18.

JOYCELYN SAVAGE, R. KELLY'S GIRLFRIEND: Both of our parents are basically out here to try to get money and scam because they didn't agree on what happened, you know, with the music or where we could be. And they're just very upset.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCIUTTO: What parents would tell their kids to lie about their age? I just -- I'm flabbergasted.

HARLOW: For starters.

Ryan Young following the developments this morning. Wow.

Good morning.

RYAN YOUNG, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: So much -- hey, guys, there's so much to this story. And, in fact, the twists and turns are crazy.

When you watch that interview, first of all, you're just kind of sitting there waiting for the next shoe to drop. And I think this sort of teed up what happened in court yesterday because so many people were in the hallways of the court just waiting to see R. Kelly walk down the hallway. So many people believe that the singer has more money. In fact, one of the most revealing things from today's interview, I believe, was the fact that R. Kelly said he had never even been to his own bank to look in his bank account and he realized he had less than $400,000 left. So you look at that child support payment of $161,000 that he wasn't able to pay.

His publicist told us yesterday that he was preparing to pay $50,000 or $60,000 worth. The judge was not taking that. They want the full payment yesterday. So he was sent back to jail. In fact, we saw him walking by our cameras in the distance when they were taking him back into custody.

So now the question is, can the singer come up with the money to get out on bail for this last charge. There was also a gag order put into this case because there's minor children involved.

But listen to another part of this interview. The twists and turns are just so unbelievable. Listen to what he told Gayle King again this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

R. KELLY, MUSICIAN: How can I pay child support? How? If my ex-wife is destroying my name and I can't work? How can I work? How can I get paid? How can I take care of my kids? How?

GAYLE KING, ANCHOR, CBS' "THIS MORNING": Your ex-wife --

KELLY: Use your common sense!

KING: Your ex-wife says you abused her, Robert.

KELLY: Three -- thirteen -- lie.

KING: Robert --

KELLY: What kind of woman would tear down a dad who is trying to have a relationship with their kids. You know how many kids need a relationship with their father?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

YOUNG: And so many questions about this. You talk about the fact of whether or not he should be paying his child support. Of course he should be paying his child support. But the idea that he is also taking care of two young ladies and maybe hasn't paid his child support in quite some time. Don't forget, the actor -- not the actor, but the R&B singer now faces ten counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and a class two felony.

So many questions about this. People were in court yesterday actually showing up to show their support for R. Kelly. So it's interesting to see how this is all unfolding. Of course, the next drop -- the -- we're told next Wednesday they believe he might be able to get out because they -- his publicist was actually telling us they were hoping to see if they could get some money together to get him out. This just keeps twisting and turning. We're getting more details and more alleged victims seem to be coming forward. So, this is not over just yet.

HARLOW: Ryan, he is paying a publicist.

SCIUTTO: Uh-huh. Yes. HARLOW: A publicist. OK. He's not paying his child support, but there's a publicist whom I just assume is not working for free on this.

SCIUTTO: And, by the way, child support is not a negotiation.

YOUNG: Well, they -- there's actually a question about whether the publicist and the lawyers are getting paid at this point as well.

HARLOW: Really?

YOUNG: So it will be interesting to see how this all rolls out.

HARLOW: OK.

Thank you for the reporting.

SCIUTTO: Ryan Young, thanks for staying on the story.

[09:44:48] The man President Trump picked to become U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia at a difficult time promising to hold the nation accountable for Jamal Khashoggi's brutal murder. We're going to speak to the most senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to see if that can actually happen.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SCIUTTO: Well, this just in to CNN. We're learning from a Democratic source in the House that the House will vote today on a proposed resolution condemning anti-Semitism. We don't have the phrasing of that resolution. As you know, that's been a subject of controversy within the Democratic Party.

HARLOW: Sure.

SCIUTTO: But a vote will take place today. And as we learn more, we'll certainly bring that to you.

HARLOW: We will indeed.

Also this morning, a stinging rebuke of Saudi Arabia over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Thirty-six European delegates at the United Nations condemning Saudi over its lack of transparency. At the same time, President Trump's pick to become U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia is vowing to hold the Saudis accountable for Khashoggi's death and senators on both sides of the aisle slamming a recent update from the White House on the matter. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham even calling it worthless.

[09:50:23] So joining me now is the ranking Democratic on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey.

We appreciate your time this morning.

I think it's also worth noting that, you know, we've gone this long without a U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, which is also important. You questioned him yesterday. This is retired General John Abizaid.

And you questioned him about a lot of important things. I read through your questioning of him. But you also said that he, quote, has the right experience and kind of leadership we need at the embassy. He said, senator, he will hold Saudi Arabia accountable. Do you trust that will happen?

SEN. BOB MENENDEZ (D), NEW JERSEY: I believe the general's straightforward. I believe he's sincere. And we're going to hold him to that upon confirmation.

Look, we just cannot continue to allow Saudi Arabia, admittedly an important relationship in terms of our national security questions, to just move ahead and act with impunity. And so we need a relationship. But that relationship has to change. And one of the elements of it that has to change is a consequence for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. And that's what I'm hoping to continue to press in the committee. And we have bipartisan legislation ready to do that.

HARLOW: OK. So alongside you at this hearing yesterday, Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, said the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has gone, in his words, quote, full gangster, saying he's reckless, ruthless and increasingly willing to test the limits of what he can get away with.

Do you agree with that assessment? And if you do, if confirmed, what can General Abizaid do about that, do to check that?

MENENDEZ: Well, I do agree that the crown prince is reckless and I think the crown prince thinks that he has carte blanche from this administration to do largely what he wants to do as long as he continues to be supportive of us as it relates to both Iran and Israel. And that message is the wrong message. You cannot have a global message that says you can kill a journalist with impunity, you can have a humanitarian disaster in Yemen that the Saudis have been a big, significant part of driving.

HARLOW: Right.

MENENDEZ: You can't constantly violate human rights, arrest and detain American citizens and alleged torture of American citizens.

HARLOW: Yes.

MENENDEZ: That -- that doesn't matter what the relationship is.

So I think the general -- we have had nobody there for two years to contest and challenge the Saudis. I think the general will have an opportunity to do that. And I expect that the Congress will support him in that. I hope the administration will support him in that as well.

HARLOW: Let me ask you about a dual U.S./Saudi citizen, Dr. Walid Fitaihi, who has been held first at the Ritz Carlton against his will in Riyadh and now in jail in Saudi Arabia. His family, as you know, believes that he's been tortured and beaten while he's in jail. Listen to what National Security Adviser John Bolton said to our Jake Tapper just this week about it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN BOLTON, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: As of this moment, my understanding is, we have had what's called consular access, meaning American diplomats in Saudi Arabia have visited with him. Beyond that we don't really have any additional information at this point.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: What do you want the administration, senator, to do about this?

MENENDEZ: I want the administration to do more than a consular visit. I want to insist that his detention be ended and to be a full investigation as to the allegations of torture.

Look, you can't have a United States citizen detained and allegedly tortured by a foreign government, whether it be the Saudis or anyone else. And so I think that if this detention and allegation of torture was in any other country, we'd have a far more robust answer than Ambassador Bolton had for you in that report.

HARLOW: You -- you do -- you do. So it sounds like you're saying you think that because of the important relationship in the region with Saudi Arabia, the arms deal, et cetera, that the president points to, you think that they're going too soft on Saudi when it comes to this dual U.S./Saudi citizen?

MENENDEZ: I think in general they're going too soft on the Saudis, certainly on this dual citizen, but just in general. It is just fundamentally wrong. And that's why our Saudi Arabia Yemen Accountability Act would create a real consequence, both for the death of Jamal Khashoggi, to send a message to the Saudis about it's time to end the war in Yemen and that, in fact, they cannot act with impunity. Yes, it's an important relationship, but it's not an unbridled relationship.

HARLOW: Right. Right.

[09:55:01] Finally, senator, look, this is an historic Congress right now for sure for a number of reasons, including the fact that you have a number -- a record number of women serving in this Congress and their voices are being heard in new ways. As the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, are you concerned that Senator Jeanne Shaheen is the only woman on your committee?

MENENDEZ: Well, I'm thrilled that she is on the committee. She's an invaluable member of our committee. Of course, to the extent that members seek out assignments, it's not because I think that the Democratic leadership hasn't created opportunities for women on the committee. I think that the women have largely chosen to find other places in which they want to make their mark.

I hope more women, as openings become open on the committee, will join us. I think Jeanne has been invaluable in our overall context in Europe, but in driving the message about the rights of women internationally, about challenging heads of state when we meet with them privately, about the advancement of women in their societies and those voices are incredibly important.

HARLOW: And it sounds like you'd like to see more of them on the committee.

MENENDEZ: Absolutely. We'd welcome them.

HARLOW: Senator Menendez, thank you for your time this morning on all this.

MENENDEZ: Thank you.

SCIUTTO: That would be a good thing.

We are following breaking news just in the last few moments here. The House will vote today on an anti-Semitic resolution. Stay with CNN. We'll have more.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)