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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Wall Street Rallies on Federal Reserve Chief's Comments; Trump to Speak at D-Day Commemoration, GOP Senators Push Back Against Mexico Tariffs; Virginia Beach Gunman Targeted Supervisors; Warriors Look to Overcome Injuries in Game Three. Aired 5-5:30a ET
Aired June 05, 2019 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[05:00:00] CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: -- Omaha Beach. And just to hear her talk about that generation.
I took my kids back last year, and it's simply -- if you can, it is a place that every American should visit, this hallowed ground where American and English, you know, camaraderie really saved the world.
DAVE BRIGGS, CNN ANCHOR: Yes.
ROMANS: I mean, that generation saved the world. Just --
BRIGGS: And if you can't visit, take a few minutes and teach your kids what this is all about.
ROMANS: Absolutely. Absolutely. All right, it is the top of the hour. Let's get a quick check on CNN Business this morning.
Markets around the world are higher on Wall Street. You have Futures this morning also looking like they're going to lean a little bit higher here. There's a big rally yesterday, a two percent rally after the Fed Chief, Jerome Powell, said the Central Bank will take, quote, appropriate steps to sustain the economy amid the President's trade wars.
The Dow finished today at 500 points, its best day since January. The NASDAQ closed almost three percent higher. That is a big one-day move, erasing all the losses after that steep selloff on Monday driven by worries about tech regulation. The S&P 500 also a big move up, two percent. Both the NASDAQ and the S&P also recorded their best days since January.
BRIGGS: All right, EARLY START continues right now as the President continues his trip through the U.K.
President Trump speaking today at a D-Day commemoration but not before making more headlines in the British media.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think it's more likely that the tariffs go on.
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY), MAJORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE: There is not much support in my conference for tariffs, that's for sure.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: The President on a, perhaps, collision course with Senate Republicans over tariffs.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICHARD SWEARINGEN, COMMISSIONER, FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT: We swore an oath to protect the public. If you don't do your job, you will be held accountable.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: The deputy who stayed outside during the Parkland school shooting fired and arrested on felony charges.
ROMANS: Plus a dizzying helicopter rescue that almost spirals out of control.
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.
BRIGGS: Good morning, I'm Dave Briggs. It's Wednesday, June 5th. It is 5:00 a.m. in the East, 10:00 a.m. in England. That's where we start this morning.
The President departing from London in Air Force One at this hour heading to Portsmouth on England's southern coast. There he'll speak at an event in about 90 minutes marking the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
Before he even lands, though, the President making some big headlines in an interview he gave with Piers Morgan, the host of "Good Morning Britain."
CNN's Max Foster joining us now live from Portsmouth with the latest. Good morning, Max.
MAX FOSTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Morning, Dave. What didn't he touch upon in that half-hour interview? It was quite extraordinary.
One of the big contentious issues between the United States and the British government has always been climate change. So that came up, I know, in the bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May.
It also came up with a meeting with Prince Charles. He's a great champion of green issues and sees climate change as one of the biggest threats facing humanity. President Trump, meanwhile, has described it in the past as extreme weather.
Just one of the issues that he touched on in this interview, but let's hear what he had to say about climate change.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I believe that there is a change in weather, and I think it changes both ways. Don't forget, it used to be called global warming. That wasn't working. Then it was called climate change. Now, it's actually called extreme weather.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: All sorts of other issues as well. Of course, Meghan Markle came up. She was -- she is the only American royal. She's the one royal as well pretty much who didn't meet President Trump during this state visit. So does he think she's nasty?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I wasn't referring to her, she's nasty. I said she was nasty about me. And essentially, I didn't know she was nasty about me, so I said but, you know what, she's doing a good job. I hope she enjoys her life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: The other issue as well, Dave, was this issue about the National Health Service. So he talked a lot about a trade deal between the U.S. and the U.K.
The U.K. desperately wants that, but they don't want the NHS and procurement to be our -- NHS to be on the table. His Ambassador to the U.K. suggested it should be, but then he resolved that yesterday, saying it's not on the table. So a great relief to Prime Minister May and many here in the U.K., Dave.
BRIGGS: Yes, that was on the front pages, a lot of -- a lot of your papers there. It didn't appear that the President knew what the NHS was or what Woody Johnson had said prior to that question.
Also, an interesting sound bite about transgender service in the military. Will try to have that for you.
Max Foster, live for us this morning. Thank you.
ROMANS: And the President, the tariff man, not backing down on Mexico. The President standing by his threat to impose a five percent tariff on Mexican goods next week. Here he is during a press conference in London.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I think it's more likely that the tariffs go on, and we'll probably be talking during the time that the tariffs are on. And they're going to be paid.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo scheduled to meet with Mexico's Foreign Minister today to talk about tariffs and immigration.
[05:05:02] The President has grown frustrated with the numbers of migrants crossing into the U.S. via Mexico, and he is using tariffs to punish Mexico even in the face of heavy criticism.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do you think of Republicans who say that they may take action to block you imposing those tariffs?
TRUMP: Oh, I don't think they will do that. I think if they do, it's foolish. There's nothing more important than borders.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell weighed in on trade developments yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEROME POWELL, CHAIRMAN, FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM: We are closely monitoring the implications of these developments for the U.S. economic outlook. And as always, we will act as appropriate to sustain the expansion with a strong labor market and inflation near our symmetric two percent objective.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Translation, if the President tanks the American economy with multi-prong trade wars, the Fed will rescue the American economy with a rate cut.
Stocks rallied after that comment. The Dow closed up 512 points, the best day since January 4th. Investors taking those comments, again, as a hint that the next move from the Fed will be to cut rates as a bailout for Trump's trade policy.
BRIGGS: Wow. The President also getting some Republican pushback on his threat to impose tariffs on Mexico. About a half dozen GOP senators railed against the idea at a lunch with White House and Justice Department officials Tuesday. Even the most hardened Trump loyalists are resisting.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITCHELL: There is not much support in my conference for tariffs, that's for sure.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Will you try to block those tariffs?
MITCHELL: Well, what I'm telling you is we're hoping that doesn't happen.
SEN. JOHN KENNEDY (R), LOUISIANA: I think it's a mistake. I'm not saying we don't have a crisis on the border. We do, clearly. I'm not saying it won't work, at least short-term. My concern has to do with the long-term ramifications.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas summed it up this way.
What we are seeing now is a giant game of chicken. It's like two trucks headed straight at each other on a country road. If the outcome of this is that Mexico blinks and they turn and they actually become active, productive partners in helping stop illegal immigration, that would be a good outcome. But if the outcome is massive new tariffs that destroy jobs in Texas and the rest of the country, that would be a terrible outcome.
ROMANS: To Florida now where the former Broward sheriff's deputy who waited outside Stoneman Douglas High School while a massacre was underway inside was arrested Tuesday on child neglect, negligence, perjury, and other charges.
Former school resource officer Scot Peterson retired after the massacre and has been collecting a pension. And that pension now in jeopardy after he was officially fired at a disciplinary hearing.
Peterson's arrest warrant says after he arrived on the scene, the gunman fired 75 times, killing five students and a teacher, and wounding four others.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SWEARINGEN: When we saw the timeline that day and he stood there for some 45, 48 minutes and did nothing, you know, as law enforcement officers, despite whatever policies and procedures our agencies have, we swore an oath to protect the public that we serve.
And I think it says now that you will be held of -- held accountable. If you don't do your job, you will be held accountable.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Peterson's attorney calls the charges a, quote, thinly veiled attempt at politically motivated retribution against Mr. Peterson. The parents of murdered Parkland students applauded his arrest.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LORI ALHADEFF, DAUGHTER KILLED IN MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING: He needs to go to jail, and he needs to serve a lifetime in prison for not going in that day and taking down the threat.
GENA HOYER, SON KILLED IN MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING: We miss our children every day, and there's nothing that's going to bring them back. And we know that, but it just hurts so much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Fred Guttenberg whose daughter, Jamie, was killed in the massacre tweeted this.
I have no comment except to say, rot in hell, Scot Peterson. You could have saved some of the 17. You could have saved my daughter. You did not and then you lied about it and you deserve the misery coming your way.
BRIGGS: Turning to the mass shooting in Virginia Beach. Witnesses now say the gunman appeared to target supervisors in his department during his shooting rampage that left 12 dead Friday.
The survivor of the attack and a city councilman say DeWayne Craddock walked past several employees before firing his first shots in an area where senior engineers and supervisors sat. Councilman Louis Jones says Craddock was apparently looking for specific people, at least initially.
The 40-year-old city engineer submitted a resignation letter Friday before the rampage. Officials say he was in good standing and was not on the verge of being forced out.
ROMANS: The Governor of Virginia is convening a special session of the state legislature to take up gun violence measures in the wake of the Virginia Beach massacre. Democrat Ralph Northam says there's an urgency to act and wants to see common sense public safety measures passed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[05:10:00] GOV. RALPH NORTHAM (D), VIRGINIA: I will be asking for votes and laws, not thoughts and prayers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Republicans in Virginia's House of Delegates are heading in a different direction. They plan to push legislation to stiffen penalties for those who use firearms to commit crimes, including mandatory minimum sentences.
Meantime, President Trump told the journalist/T.V. host, Piers Morgan, that he is, quote, seriously looking at banning gun silencers.
BRIGGS: One was apparently used in the shooting.
The Democrat-controlled House passing a bill that would offer a pathway to citizenship for many undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers. The measure would allow DACA recipients and two other undocumented categories the chance to gain lawful, permanent resident status.
The bill, though, is unlikely to become law any time soon. Even if it passed the Republican-controlled Senate, it would then go to the President who has sought to end the programs.
ROMANS: All right. 2020 Democratic front-runner Joe Biden fending off attacks from opponents who say he's stuck in the past. You'll hear straight from him, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[05:15:52] ROMANS: Joe Biden's presidential campaign scrambling to amend his $1.7 trillion climate change plan just hours after releasing it. That's because questions were raised about several passages in the proposal that appeared to borrow language from progressive policy papers and Web sites.
The Biden campaign says it inadvertently failed to cite sources and immediately corrected the problem once it was pointed out.
Biden's first bid for the presidency was in 1988. Of course, it was derailed when plagiarism in his campaign speeches came to light.
BRIGGS: Joe Biden also fending off allegations he's stuck in the past following this dig from rival Senator Elizabeth Warren.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: So here's the deal. We have this chance. We have this time. We have this opportunity together. It comes to us, this fundamental question about what kind of America do we want to be.
Do we want to be the America of the last two years?
CROWD: No.
WARREN: Well, here's the deal. I don't want to be the America of 10 years back or 20 years back or 30 years back. I want to build a better America, and I think this is our moment. This is our time.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: The former Vice President and 2020 front-runner calling for unity while also doubling down, saying he's not looking to go back to the past.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You got to get people working together because, otherwise, there is no way this country can continue to function like it had in the past and will in the future.
It's really -- and I'm not talking about going back to the past. I'm talking about avoiding a terrible future -- if we do not -- if we do not figure out how to make this work.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: Biden campaigns again today in New Hampshire before moving on to Boston, Warren's backyard.
ROMANS: All right, check out this dramatic video of a helicopter rescue that turns into a terrifying ride for a 75-year-old woman who was injured while hiking in Phoenix.
As she's being hoisted to safety, the basket is windmilling in a furious, out of control spiral. Emergency responders, in an effort to explain, they say sometimes, you know, stuff happens.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL APOLINAR, CHIEF PILOT, AIR SUPPORT UNIT OF THE PHOENIX POLICE DEPARTMENT: Sometimes if we're in a canyon, if there's -- if it's a strong windy day, it'll just -- it'll spin on us. It doesn't happen very often, but sometimes it just does. And when it does, we're trained to take care of it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Yes, wow, O.K.
BRIGGS: Whoa.
ROMANS: Officials say the woman felt nauseous and dizzy after being whipped around but otherwise was not injured during that rescue.
BRIGGS: Seventy-five, spinning around like that.
ROMANS: You know what, great for her. I mean, that's a tough hike.
BRIGGS: Whoa.
ROMANS: That's Piestewa Peak in Phoenix. That's a tough hike.
BRIGGS: Sure.
ROMANS: I did that hike recently and turned around when I saw a rattlesnake.
BRIGGS: Very brave of you.
ROMANS: I'm not brave.
(LAUGHTER)
BRIGGS: All right, ahead, if the Golden State Warriors plan to three- peat in the NBA, they're going to have to do it without Kevin Durant in Game Three. And he's not the only starter who might have to sit. Andy Scholes has that news in the "Bleacher Report," next.
[05:18:59] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BRIGGS: All right. After that scary incident in Houston last week, Major League Baseball will look into further extending the protective netting at ballparks around the league, but it won't be happening this season.
Andy Scholes has that story in the "Bleacher Report." Good morning, my friend.
ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Dave. Yes, the protective netting, once again, became a topic of discussion last week after, like you said, a little girl was hospitalized after getting hit by a foul ball at an Astros game. At the start of last season, all 30 teams extended their protective
netting to the end of the dugouts after several fans were injured during the last season.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred says, if extending the netting even further is what is needed to protect the fans, then so be it. But it won't be happening this season.
Manfred told reporters yesterday, it's very difficult given how far the clubs have gone with the netting to make the changes during the year because they really are structural issues. But because safety is so important, I'm sure that conversation will begin and continue into the off-season.
All right, the NBA Finals continues tonight with Game Three. Kevin Durant, once again, ruled out for the Warriors with his injured calf.
[05:24:56] Klay Thompson, meanwhile, will be a game time decision. He injured his hamstring at the end of Game Two and was unable to finish the game. But Klay says he's going to do whatever it takes to get out there tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KLAY THOMPSON, SHOOTING GUARD, GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: If I can just be out there even at 80 percent, I still think I can be very effective, so I'll do whatever I can to get to that full hundred. But if not, I'll still be out there to try and do what I can to help my team win.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCHOLES: A tipoff tonight, a little after 9:00 Eastern, make sure to tune in early. Metallica is going to be singing the national anthem.
All right. We had some high drama last night in the Women's College World Series. UCLA up four to three, the Sooners seizing down to its final out when Shay Knighten, Big Play Shay, comes through with a clutch home run to tie the game. Everyone in the stands in Oklahoma City just going absolutely nuts.
A bottom of the seventh now. Runner on for UCLA, Kinsley Washington, is going to come to the plate, and she comes through with a single in to left. Jacqui Prober running the bases. She makes a nice slide to avoid the tag. That's your winning run right there.
The Bruins celebrate. They run over and dogpile Washington. The 12th title for UCLA, the first since 2010, ending their longest championship drought.
All right, finally, Serena Williams adding yet another accolade to her already impressive haul. Serena now the first athlete ever to make it on to Forbes' richest self-made women list.
The magazine estimates Williams' net worth at $225 million putting her at number 80 on the list. Serena has made close to $90 million on the court. And according to Forbes, that's double any other female athlete.
And she was ousted at the French Open earlier this week, Dave. Two Americans remain. Both of them are going to be in action this morning.
Seventeen-year-old American Amanda Anisimova, she plays defending champ to Simona Halep. That's at 8:00 Eastern this morning.
And Madison Keys is also hanging around. She's going to take on Ashleigh Barty, Dave.
BRIGGS: All right, very good. I'll be watching. Andy Scholes, thank you.
SCHOLES: You got it.
BRIGGS: Romans, what's coming up?
ROMANS: All right. Well, the President is in the U.K. right now, and he's getting ready to speak at a D-Day event. We have live pictures there of Portsmouth, England. He is also making some news about climate change and Meghan Markle. We've got a full report on the President's trip, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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