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Sources: Sudan's President Steps Down; Blizzard Conditions Slam Central U.S.; Police Arrest Suspect in Church Fires; Family Wants Recall after Baby's Death; Sanders Rolls out Medicare for All Plan. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired April 11, 2019 - 06:30   ET

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

[06:30:00] JOE LOCKHART, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Much further than the DHS secretary who's leaving. The come in with a reparation, they leave with it sullied, and the common denominator is Donald Trump.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Joe, Phil, Jen, thank you.

We've got a lot more to talk about, clearly, on this subject and many more. A morning full of breaking news, including this huge bomb cyclone. A major weather event hammering the central United States. More than 4 million people under blizzard warnings. And let me remind you, it's April.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Are you sure?

BERMAN: It's April, I'm told. A live report, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: All right, we have breaking news.

Sources tell CNN that the president of Sudan has stepped down and is under house arrest. The end of Omar al-Bashir's 30-year reign is triggering celebrations in the street. We are lucky to have CNN's Nima Elbagir with us in the studio this morning with the breaking details of a story that I know is very close to your heart.

[06:35:01] NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. I'm from Sudan. And I grew up under Omar al-Bashir's rule. So this is almost -- I mean it's inexplicable to me that it's finally come to an end. We were there a few weeks ago covering the infrastructure of torture houses that he had put in place to try and prolong his rule. And now we're hearing that it was his own closest officers who put him under house arrest. That the head of his intelligence agency, his defense ministry, came to him and told him that it was over.

What is extraordinary is that the protesters are still on the streets, John. They believe that this still is not enough. Their biggest fear is that what will happen is what happened after Tahir Square, that you'll lose the head of the -- of the hydra but that it will sprout more heads. So what they want is nothing short of a civil transition of power. And what they want, one person said to me, is what everybody wants, we want freedom.

BERMAN: It's what they want. Do you have any sense of what will happen?

ELBAGIR: That, unfortunately, is still unclear. When we were on the phone with a few of them, I could hear gunshots in the background. It is not clear that the situation has stabilized yet, but there is a sense at least that extraordinarily that this generation that grew up under this dictator has gotten somewhere close to freedom.

BERMAN: And, again, just put him in historical perspective because, to an extent, he's been at the crossroads of suffering and terror for a long time.

ELBAGIR: He is an indicted war criminal. He used rape as a weapon of war in at least three conflict within Sudan.

But, at the same time, he was able to reach an accommodation with the U.S., with Europe. He's a key counterterror partner. In November, the FBI signed a counterterror agreement to cooperate with Sudan. This is someone who people around the world, governments around the world, felt that they could do business with. And the worry is that many of the diplomats we were talking to, as they teetered (ph) from the U.S. and from European countries were saying, we're worried about what comes next, because he made himself so indispensable on the counterterror issue.

So while people are celebrating in Sudan, there are going to be some intelligence agencies around the world that are concerned.

BERMAN: Nima Elbagir, the imagery of you hearing gunshots while you're on the phone to Sudan doing reporting on that, so vivid. Thank you for being with us and helping us understand what's going on there.

Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: All right, John, back here, a massive and historic winter storm in April, it has slammed the central U.S. with heavy snow and dangerous winds. Blizzard warnings are up in six states today. This storm is causing a nightmare for travelers.

And CNN's Scott McLean is live in Minneapolis, where the snow may still be falling.

What's the situation there, Scott?

SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Alisyn. Last I checked, it has been spring for more than three weeks, but winter really is not giving up without a fight, at least across the plains. Yesterday at this time you would be hard-pressed to find even really a single flake of snow on the ground here in Minneapolis. But 24 hours later, we have this.

There's a bit of a lull in the snow right now, but at times we were having this heavy snow coming down. It's wet. It's icy. You can see it better against the backdrop of the football stadium here. Now, snow in April, it is not uncommon across the West and Midwest.

What is uncommon is a storm of this strength. We're talking blizzard warnings from Colorado all the way to Minnesota. That means whiteout conditions.

There are also heavy -- or strong winds as well that are causing blowing snows. That is an issue on the roads. In fact yesterday, just in the first couple of hours of this storm, officials actually shut down a section of the main interstate south of Minneapolis because so many cars had either crashed or spun out. There were 200 -- as of last night, more than 200 crashes in the state of Minnesota alone. There are also plenty of cancellations at the airport. There were a lot in Denver yesterday. Now they seem to be moving toward another hub here in Minneapolis.

And, of course, officials would love it if people could stay off the roads until this passes. But for most people affected, that won't be until tomorrow.

John.

BERMAN: You just had a near miss there by a snow plow that drove by you. We were waiting -- I don't want to say hoping -- to see whether you would get hit by the flying snow. But thank you very much for being with us.

We have more breaking news this morning.

Police in Louisiana have arrested a suspect in connection with fires at three historically black churches.

Our Josh Campbell is live in Louisiana with the breaking details on this.

Josh.

JOSH CAMPBELL, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Good morning, John.

A 21-year-old subject was arrested yesterday in a major development in this case. As you know, we've been reporting over ten days there were three fires at African-American churches here in this parish in Louisiana.

Now, what we're told, and we're learning new details from local reports, that the subject is actually the son of a law enforcement official. That's all the details we have right now. We do have the subject's name. We are not reporting it at that point.

We do expect to get additional details from law enforcement officials who will be holding a press conference here in just a few hours. The governor of the state will also be here on scene. We're hearing from local members of the community. Obviously they've been on edge for a number of weeks now, over ten days, along with these fires, and now getting that sense of comfort that the subject has been taken into custody. [06:40:00] Lastly, I'll tell you that we don't yet know whether or not

this will become a federal hate crime. We're told by a law enforcement source that that is being sorted out. Again, that -- they'll need additional details as to the motivation before they make the determination. We'll hope to get those details in the coming days.

Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: All right, thank you very much for all of the reporting on the ground for us, Josh.

Now to this horrible story.

Their son died in a baby sleeper that has now been linked to dozens of infant deaths. What these parents want to warn other parents about this Fisher-Price product that has not been recalled. And these parents join us live, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CAMEROTA: Fisher-Price's Rock 'n Play Sleeper is a popular product. And this morning you can still buy it as most major retailers. But the American Academy of Pediatrics is calling for its immediate recall citing the product's ties to at least 32 infant deaths.

Joining us now are Keenan and Evan Overton. Their five month old son, Ezra, died a little more than a year ago while he slept in a Rock 'n Play Sleeper.

Guys, we are so, so sorry for your loss. Your story is every parent's nightmare. And we so appreciate that despite your grieving you are coming on to try to warn other parents.

[06:45:08] And so, Keenan, can you tell us what makes you think that it was the Rock 'n Play Sleeper that killed Ezra?

KEENAN OVERTON, SON ACCIDENTALLY SUFFOCATED IN FISHER-PRICE SLEEPER: There's no doubt in my mind. Ezra was very strong and healthy. And everything was normal with him.

After we found him in the chair, we just did our research and looked up the chair and the angle. And it's just -- it's just appalling that there was a lack of research done by Fisher-Price about having babies sleep at such an angle. It can jeopardize their breathing. And just scientifically it's not safe. It's not a safe design.

CAMEROTA: And just to let people know the story, you were asleep nearby, on a sofa nearby. And when you woke up, your son had turned somehow in this sleeper, thereby suffocating.

K. OVERTON: Yes. He had turned into the cloth of the seating. I was in the living room. It was -- I was going to take over that -- that night and give Evan a rest. And I had him right by me in the living room, by the couch. And when I woke up, he had already turned into the seat and passed away. CAMEROTA: Evan, tragically, you are both not alone. The American

Academy of Pediatrics believes that there are dozens of parents in your situation. Let me read their statement to you. The American Academy of Pediatrics calls on the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission to issue an immediate recall for the Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play Sleeper, which has been tied to 32 sleep-related infant deaths according to a new analysis by Consumer Reports.

Evan, what do you want Fisher-Price to do today?

EVAN OVERTON, SON ACCIDENTALLY SUFFOCATED IN FISHER-PRICE SLEEPER: I want Fisher-Price to just immediately take it off the shelves. I mean one baby is enough. But add on 30 and plus that, it's just outstanding that it's still being sold. I just really want them to take into account all of the parents' stories and all the families who are grieving and just save other people's heartache and just remove it immediately. That's the best thing.

CAMEROTA: Here is the Fisher-Price statement they gave to us. I will read it in part because it's too long. They say the safety of our children is our highest priority. The loss of a child is tragic and heartbreaking. We stand by the safety of the Rock 'n Play Sleeper. The product meets all applicable safety standards, including those of the International Standards Association. We continue to work closely with the Consumer Products Safety Commission regarding the safe use of our product, including the Rock 'n Play Sleeper. It is essential the product warnings and instructions are also followed.

What do you think when you both hear that statement today?

E. OVERTON: Honestly, it just makes me feel as though the parents are being disregarded and that their pain isn't insurmountable by the loss of a child. If they stand by safety and these seats have been shown not to be safe for children, why still sell it? It doesn't make any sense to me, especially if there are other recommendations to also take the chair off the market as soon as possible, actual doctors. That's what we need to be listening to.

K. OVERTON: Yes, it's so frustrating to see the blame placed on the parents, who have lost their bundles of joy, their whole future, their whole live and parenthood and they're putting it on a label that wasn't visible on the chair that we had. It's insane and it's infuriating to say that this chair is safe when it's clearly not. And one baby's loss should be enough, but this is just insane. We feel so devastated right now.

CAMEROTA: Well, we do, too, and we understand your devastation and we so appreciate your efforts to try to save other parents from going through the heartbreak that you are going through.

Thank you very much. We will stay in touch with you as we see what Fisher-Price does.

Thank you both.

E. OVERTON: Thank you. K. OVERTON: Thank you. Thank you.

CAMEROTA: John.

BERMAN: Just devastating.

All right, health care is a major focus on Bernie Sanders' 2020 campaign. And he just rolled out a revamped Medicare for all plan. How will this fly in Washington? That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:53:38] BERMAN: Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is rolling out his all new Medicare for all plan. This would replace job- based and private health insurance with a government plan that guarantees coverage for all.

Now, Sanders not exactly saying how he plans to pay for it.

Our Ryan Nobles with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Good morning, everybody. And --

RYAN NOBLES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Bernie Sanders doubling down on Medicare for all.

SANDERS: They want a health care system which will guarantee them freedom of choice in terms of the doctor or hospital they go to.

NOBLES: The Vermont senator, flanked by his 2020 rival Kirsten Gillibrand, unveiling Medicare for all 2.0.

SEN. KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND (D-NY) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The money, the greed, the corruption that surrounds our health care system today is what is in the way.

NOBLES: The revamped proposal would add new provisions to cover long- term care and eliminate premiums, deductibles and co-pays, except for a potential $200 copay for brand name drugs.

The sweeping overhaul of the country's health care system would effectively eliminate the private health insurance industry.

SANDERS: The American people want, and we are going to deliver, a Medicare for all single payer system.

NOBLES: Gillibrand addressing the role of private insurers during Tuesday night's CNN town hall.

ERIN BURNETTE, MODERATOR: When you call insurance companies, though, the middleman, under a president Gillibrand, would they be gone? No private insurance companies, yes or no?

[06:55:02] GILLIBRAND: You'll have to see whether they want to compete or not. I don't think they will.

NOBLES: The ambitious new plan, which does not come with an estimated price tag, raises the stakes for the rest of the 2020 field. Four of Sanders' rivals, Gillibrand, Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker have signed on as co-sponsors, but each is still seeking to carve out their own path when it comes to health care policy.

SEN. CORY BOOKER (D-NJ) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Anybody who says those words, Medicare for all, who's running for president, the next thing out of their mouth should be talking to people about, well, if we have 50 -- if we have a split Congress, what are we going to actually do in your first year to make health care more acceptable and affordable?

NOBLES: But other 2020 rivals are taking a more measured approach. Minnesota's Amy Klobuchar passed on the chance to support the Sanders bill and argues the path forward requires a balance.

SEN. AMY KLOBUCHAR (D-MN) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I've made clear what I think I'd like to do to get us to universal health care more quickly and to move more quickly, and that is to, first of all, put in a public option.

NOBLES: For their part, Republicans seem eager for this fight. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders releasing a statement calling out Bernie Sanders directly saying his proposal is, quote, a total government takeover of health care that would, quote, cripple our economy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NOBLES: And Sanders did not take questions at his rollout event yesterday, so we couldn't press him on some of the key issues, including just how much this whole plan would cost. But we did follow up with his office and they told us a very important point about just how serious he is about Medicare for all. He said, if necessary, he's willing to push for the nuclear option to get the bill over the finish line with only 51 votes in the Senate.

Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: All right, Ryan, thank you very much. An interesting topic we will explore later in the program.

Much more ahead on the breaking news this morning. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has just been arrested. He was, as you can see, extricated from the Ecuadorian embassy by British police this morning. We have much more to show you. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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