Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Trump Says Attack By Iran On Anything American Will Be Met With Obliteration; Inside America's Only Rare Earth Mine; Celebrities Perform Mueller Report As A Play. Aired 2-3a ET
Aired June 26, 2019 - 02:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[02:00:00]
(MUSIC PLAYING)
ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): A tragedy you can't turn away from. A father and daughter drowned in the Rio Grande, showing the dangers so many face as they search for a better life in the United States.
And the insults are getting pettier. But tensions between the U.S. and Iran don't seem to be dying down anytime soon.
Plus, a peace plan that some are already boycotting. Jared Kushner may be promising $50 billion but the Palestinians say it's about politics, not money, when it comes to finding peace.
Hello and welcome to our viewers all around the world. I'm Rosemary Church and this is CNN NEWSROOM.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
CHURCH: Images of a dead migrant father and daughter may come to symbolize the humanitarian crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Salvadoran government identified Oscar Alberto Martinez and his 2- year-old daughter, Angie Valeria, who were found face down on the Mexico side of the Rio Grande. The child's arm was around her father's neck.
Officials say they drowned Sunday as they tried to cross the river.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH (voice-over): Their bodies were found Monday, a Mexico newspaper reports the father had successfully taken his daughter across the river.
But when he started to swim back to get his wife, the little girl followed him into the water. They were swept away by a strong current.
A senator used the tragedy to criticize U.S. policy.
(END VIDEO CLIP) (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JEFF MERKLEY (D-OR): This father, this child were victims of American metering, where they attempted to cross at a port of entry; reportedly, they were refused the ability, put back into Mexico, where they had no family, no friends, no resources. They did what so many others try to do in that situation and say, we have just try to get across the border.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH: On Tuesday the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of a $4.5 billion aid bill to address the crisis at the border. The Senate has yet to weigh in. President Trump has threatened a veto.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): Today, our legislations will vote against the cruel attitude toward children of this administration. This bill does not fund the administration's failed mass detention policy; instead, funds effective humane alternatives to detention that have a proven record of success.
It secures this legislation, secures limits on how the money is spent and how the administration treats children.
Right now, little children are enduring trauma and terror. Many are living in squalor at Border Patrol stations. Some are sleeping on the cold ground without warm blankets or hot meals. Kids as young as 7 and 8 years old are watching over infants because there is no one else there to care for them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH: And all of this on a day when America's immigration policy and leadership on the issue appear to be in disarray. Joining me now in the studio is CNN's Rafael Romo.
This is the thing, all this political back and forth, all at play here and, in the meantime, the world reacting to this image of a father and his daughter drowned at the U.S.-Mexico border, which really underscores what this country is confronting in terms of the humanitarian crisis at the border.
I want to talk to you because you've done so many stories on this very issue, about the desperation this particular father would have faced to take this dangerous journey north and what the grandparents of that little girl are saying right now.
RAFAEL ROMO, CNN SR. LATIN AFFAIRS EDITOR: It's a very good point, Rosemary, because the reality on the ground in Central America -- and, as you say, I've been there quite a few times -- is that these families have no other option but to leave due to poverty, due to gang violence, the lack of opportunities. And that seems to be the case of this family. The mother of the
migrant, which would be the grandmother of the child who was found dead at the Rio Grande, spoke publicly for the very first time and she gave an explanation, if it is at all possible in this story, as to why they took the desperate measure of leaving their country and tried to come to the United States, where they lost their life as they crossed the Rio Grande. Let's listen.
[02:05:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROSA RAMIREZ, MOTHER OF OSCAR ALBERTO MARTINEZ (through translator): As a mother, you don't want your children to be so far away. But since the idea of leaving had gotten into their heads, since they lived here with me in the same house, they wanted to have their own house and that was what motivated them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMO: Rosemary, the family was living in a shelter for migrants, who were returned from the United States to Mexico to wait for their asylum cases to be processed. And a report by the Mexican daily, "La Cara," says that the family was complaining that at that center, the situation was so dire, temperatures of 133 Fahrenheit, well over 45 Celsius. And the mother and the father decided they could not take it anymore and wanted to come to the United States, even if they had to do it illegally.
The father was crossing the 2-year old baby and they got to the other side of the river, he went back to try to get the mother and that's when the 2-year-old girl decided to follow the father; in an effort to try to save her, he went back for her and a strong current took them in. And that's where they died.
CHURCH: It is such a tragedy, when you look at a picture like that and it really tells the story of so many others, doesn't it, because you've also covered families that have left violence, left death threats. There is incredible desperation. Any parent that takes a risk like that is driven by sheer desperation.
ROMO: And you mentioned the key word here, desperation. And that's what these families are going through. The grandmother said that they had been living with her because they did not have their own house. But it's not only about where they live, it is also about the outlook for the future.
What can they give their children?
Can they make ends meet?
And the answer to all those questions is no. The reality is, this case, unfortunately, it's not isolated. People have been dying at the U.S.-Mexico border for years, some died at the other end of the border in the desert trying to cross, walking miles and miles in the desert. But this picture is already iconic because you can see right there the
crisis, the immigration crisis that the United States is facing and the reality is that it is not looking better. There's a bill that went through the House, but that's really only the beginning. It will still have to go through the Senate. The president is threatening to veto, so it remains to be seen what will happen there.
CHURCH: Indeed. It is just a tragic story and there are so many other similar stories like this out there. Rafael Romo, thank you so much for joining us. We appreciate it.
ROMO: Thank you.
CHURCH: The rhetoric between Iran and the U.S. now involves terms like "obliteration" and "mentally disabled." A day after Donald Trump announced new sanctions, his Iranian counterpart questioned Mr. Trump's offer of talks, while he threatens military action. Boris Sanchez has more on the escalating crisis.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After deploying a round of threats on Twitter, President Trump insisting Iran takes his threats seriously.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do they take your threats seriously?
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think everybody does. I think you do, too.
SANCHEZ: Trump's maximum pressure campaign on Iran now getting personal. One day after Trump slapped Iran with new sanctions, Iran's president Hassan Rouhani taunting the White House, questioning how Trump could simultaneously ask for talks with the regime.
HASSAN ROUHANI, IRANIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): They do strange things that no sane person in the history of world politics has done, or at least I don't remember. This is because of their total confusion. The White House is suffering from mental disability.
SANCHEZ: Trump firing back with a string of tweets, promising war if Iran targets any U.S. interest, quote, "Iran's very ignorant and insulting statement put out today only shows that they do not understand reality. Any attack by Iran on anything American will be met with great and overwhelming force. In some areas, overwhelming will mean obliteration."
The new threat coming as sources confirm the U.S. military launched a major cyber attack on an Iranian proxy group last week. Trump today also repeated a claim that he has many Iranian friends and he wants the regime to get rid of their hostility.
But the president also boasted that if the U.S. went to war with Iran, there would be no need for an exit plan.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you have any exit strategy for Iran if war does break out?
TRUMP: You're not going to need an exit strategy. I don't need exit strategies.
SANCHEZ: President Trump also making clear during an interview with Hill TV, that he may consult with members of Congress whether to start an armed conflict with Iran but does not believe he needs their approval to start a war -- Boris Sanchez, CNN, at the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[02:10:00]
CHURCH: All right, we are going to have an interview a little later on that very issue. But let's move on for now.
And big money, big plans and a big boycott all played a role as Donald Trump's son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kushner, unveiled a $50 billion Middle East development plan to create jobs for Palestinians.
The White House hopes it can pave the way for Middle East peace. The Palestinians boycotted the event, saying the conflict is about politics, not economics. Kushner says he has their interests at heart.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JARED KUSHNER, TRUMP SENIOR ADVISER: This group has the ability to work together, to create a historic opportunity for the Palestinian people and the people of this region. Some people have mockingly called this effort the deal of the century.
But at its core, it's not just about making a deal. In fact, this effort is better referred to as the opportunity of the century if leadership has the courage to pursue it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH: Some envision mega projects but, as CNN's Oren Liebermann tells us, it is often the small grassroots projects that have more of an impact on the lives of Palestinians.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a farming village in the West Bank, the seeds of change start small. Narjes Qutet's new guest house took a few thousand dollars and a belief in herself. In a society where wives often live in the shadow of their husbands, change here in Rabud is driven by women.
NARJES QUTET, GUEST HOUSE OWNER (through translator): The women didn't really have the courage to leave the village. But now, they have a source of income and they have begun to explore life more.
LIEBERMANN (voice-over): The guest house is one of a few homegrown projects led by women in this village, nestled between settlements in the southern West Bank.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): This is a rural village. It is not easy for women to work here or to raise their voice or take decisions and participate. These projects have helped them get active and learn from their environment.
LIEBERMANN: Lisa Henry is here with Norwegian Church Aid and Danish Church Aid. The organization had put $42,000 into Rabud over the last three years. A modest sum, but one that deals directly with the village's own needs: a greenhouse to improve farming, a small bridge over a ravine with open sewage.
LISA HENRY, NORWEGIAN CHURCHAID AND DANISH CHURCHAID: Small funds go a huge way here. I mean, $2,000 can make a difference. A whole family can have a livelihood out of this. And I think we should remember that when we are talking about this big sums of money.
LIEBERMANN (voice-over): The projects have succeeded in the occupied Palestinian territories where other, much larger projects have struggled. Take Rawabi, a new billion-dollar city, meant to bring modern housing to Palestinians. Four years after the city opened its door, it remains largely empty.
Promises of more Rawabis do little to excite Palestinians, who have seen too many of these assurances fail to materialize.
In Rabud, everyday access to water and electricity are much more pressing problems than billion-dollar projects and the status of a moribund peace process.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): We hope we will see some benefits. The Palestinian Authority put some funds in here, but there have been a lot of confidences with no results. All the same, we remain optimistic.
LIEBERMANN: An economic workshop in Bahrain designed to open up the Palestinian territories to investment could hardly be less relevant. Unless we told them about it, the people we spoke with in Rabud had never even heard of the conference -- Oren Liebermann, CNN, Rabud in the Southern West Bank.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHURCH: All right, let's return to the issue of Iran now and the conflict between the U.S. and that country. An invitation to talk is giving way to an alarming series of threats and insults between the United States and Iran.
Bobby Ghosh is an editor and editorial board member of Bloomberg and he joins me now from London.
Good to have you with us.
BOBBY GHOSH, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: (INAUDIBLE).
CHURCH: So President Trump announced the new sanctions on Monday in the hope they would bring Iran back to the negotiating table. Instead, President Rouhani called the Trump White House "mentally disabled" and questioned how they could offer talks while at the same time threatening military action.
So how can Trump's strategy of maximum pressure work if it does not come hand in hand with diplomacy?
GHOSH: I think what the president is coming on is that the Iranians will eventually back down. So far, it is the Iranians who've been saying right from the beginning, no negotiations, no negotiations, no negotiations.
And they have been conducting military operations, (INAUDIBLE) tankers in the Gulf of (INAUDIBLE) Russia, they've (INAUDIBLE) oil installations. These actions I think from President Trump's point of view need some sort of a reaction.
Now the alternative to more sanctions in the White House's point of view is military action. Military action, that would be, in my mind, really mentally disordered.
[02:15:00]
GHOSH: In this way of thinking, sanctions are a more sane response. I think the Iranian actions cannot go without some sort of a response, this is the president's way of trying to send a message that if you keep doing these things, if you endanger (INAUDIBLE) shipping, if you endanger human life, this is what is going to come (INAUDIBLE).
CHURCH: Right. And of course there have been cyber attacks as well.
But how do both sides save face and get back to the negotiating table eventually in the midst of this heated, hostile rhetoric?
After all, that's where things stood between Trump and Kim Jong-un before those two leaders met for the first time at the Singapore summit in June 2018.
Could the same thing potentially happen with Iran's leadership, do you think, given the right circumstances or can you not compare the two?
GHOSH: I would not compare the two. Iran is a very, very different society and anti Americanism is a very core part of the belief system of the regime in Iran. It is hard to imagine that the supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei, will come out from Tehran and go meet Donald Trump somewhere.
This is going to need more than one breakthrough opportunity of a summit in a tropical island. This is going to need mediation, this is going to need negotiation at different levels. This is going to need a very clear statement from both sides about what it is they want.
None of these things have happened. If we are going to look for a parallel (INAUDIBLE) to look at is the very long and quite tortured negotiations that led to the (INAUDIBLE) nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers. It's going to need something like that. It is going to be slow, it's going to be one step forward, two steps back. It's going to take a very, very long time.
All we are waiting for right now is who is going to make the first step?
Who is going to reach out through the mediaries, through the (INAUDIBLE) reach out first?
President Trump is counting on the Iranians, because the sanctions are really hurting the Iranian economy, weakening the regime, he is counting on the Iranians to back down. The Iranians, by attacking shipping and making other threatening noises, are counting on the Americans or President Trump to back down.
CHURCH: Yes. And the fear is what goes on in between and whether this miscalculation, among all the other possibilities, right?
So last week, President Trump canceled a planned military strike on Iran because he wanted to avoid any loss of life. But a few days later, he is talking about obliteration, if Tehran attacks any American assets, and saying there is no need for any exit strategy if he goes to war with Iran.
What changed in that timeframe, that is very different language, isn't it?
GHOSH: I don't think a great deal changed, this is part of Trump's hyper rhetoric in any case, he has used those kinds of words before, the canceled military strike. It is part of the strategy of maximum pressure. He wants the other side to know what consequences they might face.
And a military strike, he is trying to tell them we will do enormous damage to your country, to your infrastructure, kill many people. You don't want that. He has said things (INAUDIBLE) said this before. So far, (INAUDIBLE) has had no actual impact. The Iranians are not showing any signs that they are frightened by this sort of language; on the contrary, they're growing more belligerent on their part.
What is lacking here is a very clear definition from President Trump about what is his end goal, what does he want from Iran?
Is it simply a redux of the nuclear deal that they struck with the Obama administration?
Is it more than that?
Those things have not properly been defined and, until they are, I think no matter what the rhetoric, we are not going to see movement.
CHURCH: Indeed. Bobby Ghosh, thank you so much for joining us and sharing your analysis with us. We appreciate it.
We will take a short break here. Still to come, scorching temperatures across Europe, with some cities seeing record highs. The latest forecast when we return.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[02:20:00]
(MUSIC PLAYING)
CHURCH: Former U.S. special counsel Robert Mueller is to testify in public next month about his two year investigation into President Trump and Russian election interference. The House Judiciary and Intel Committees subpoenaed Mueller. Democrats hope for more detail on potential obstruction of justice by the president. Republicans are expected to attack Mueller's team and the origins of his investigation.
An early heat wave spreading across Europe could potentially break records and turn deadly. Several countries are bracing for temperatures never seen before in June. Melissa Bell is in Paris with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The European summer is only a few weeks old. Already, temperatures are soaring.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I live in Zambia now and I can say it is cooler in Zambia than it is in France.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have been watching for 30 minutes, it was too hot, we had to rest.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BELL: In the days ahead, it's only going to get hotter. A high- pressure system over central and eastern Europe is drawing in very hot air from Africa, pushing up temperatures in Spain, France and Italy, as the mass of extreme heat moves north towards Germany.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We're expecting an exceptional - even heat wave for the month of June, meaning that we're going to reach temperatures over a period of six or seven days that have never been observed for month of June before.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BELL: Authorities in France are already drawing comparisons to the deadly 2003 heat wave which claimed lives of tens of thousands of people across the continent. The country's health minister urging citizens to take necessary precautions over the coming days.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): We give instructions to the various companies to adapt their schedules, the ways of their working in order to avoid public transport as much as possible. All companies that can telework should be encouraged and all those who can adapt their opening and closing times should do so.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BELL: The scorching heat is affecting the FIFA Women's World Cup, too, where the U.S. team is preparing to take on the French team in Paris in the quarterfinals on Friday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KARINA LEBLANC, HEAD OF WOMEN'S FOOTBALL AT CONCACAF: They may play different style, maybe not press as high, maybe find ways to adapt to the heat. But you'll see both teams doing that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BELL: In Germany, residents are already doing what they can to cool down.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is hot. But when you're in the water, it is nice and cool. So, when you're in the water, a bit of both.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BELL: Forecasters there. They're predicting the same weather to peak on Wednesday or Thursday. The earlier and more intense heat wave conditions are another reminder if it were needed of what scientists say is a climate crisis -- Melissa Bell, CNN, Paris.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(WEATHER REPORT)
[02:25:00]
CHURCH: A short break here, still to come, Hong Kong activists call on the international community to help rally against a proposed extradition bill, we take a look at the latest protests.
Plus, the U.S. secretary of state arrives in New Delhi but not everyone is happy to see him. How Mike Pompeo hopes to ease tensions with India, that is ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[02:30:39] CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. I'm Rosemary Church. I want to update you now on the main stories we've been following this hour. U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening Iran with global warming force if Tehran attacks anything American. Mr. Trump claims he still wants to negotiate Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the latest sanctions prevent diplomacy calling the White House mentally disabled.
In three weeks, former U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller is to testify in public about his investigation of President Trump and Russia election interference. Democrats hope for more detail on potential obstruction of justice by the President. Republicans are expected to attack Mueller's team and the origins of his investigation.
Images of migrant father and daughter found dead on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande is fueling the debate over U.S. border policies. The man had apparently taken his child across the river safely but when he went back to get his wife, the child ran after him into the water where they tragically drowned. Well, President Trump says he is concerned about conditions for children in border detention facilities but he didn't say what his administration is doing to improve the situation. Here is CNN's Nick Valencia.
NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: As the drama plays out in Washington here along the U.S.-Mexico border in Clint, Texas, Customs and Border Protection announcing on Tuesday that they would move 100 child migrants back into a facility. It was described by independent monitors as having unconscionable conditions. Heartbreaking stories where children are left to sleep on the floor, some with no mattress.
Some children going three weeks without a shower, a facility where children are left to fend for themselves. It was allegations that were addressed by Customs and Border Protection on a call with reporters. They push back on those allegations saying that not only were they reported to the Inspector General but also things like water and so were customarily and continually available for child migrant despite reporting otherwise.
One thing it's clear, the politics is being played on both sides. While the fate of hundreds, if not thousands of child migrants hangs in the balance. Nick Valencia, CNN, Clint, Texas.
CHURCH: And the public has responded to the border crisis by trying to donate much-needed items such as soap, toothbrushes, and clothing. But as CNN's Brooke Baldwin explained to one man who had hoped to help, a technicality prevents that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: CNN actually reached out to a former CBP adviser who told us that the agency actually cannot accept donations because essentially, they would count as spending and that they haven't been appropriated by Congress. But today, CBP they told reporters that they are looking into how they could at least potentially accept donations. Does that at least make you at all hopeful? How do you feel hearing that?
GABRIEL ACUNA, TRIED TO DONATE TO DETENTION CENTERS: I missed the last part that they were looking at possibly accepting donations?
(CROSSTALK)
CHURCH: They're looking at possibly accepting donations, exactly. But they can't right now, because of technicalities.
ACUNA: I mean, there should be some kind of policy in place where -- I mean, it's the simplest -- we go -- it's going back to this conversation that, you know, it's the simplest basic needs that these children should have. I mean, in general let alone children and -- that are watching infants as well, that should have been resolved a long time ago. So, if they're going to do this, yes, make it happen, let the community step forward.
Obviously the community wants to help out, obviously there's resources there and nonprofits that want to help out. So let the community get involved, if anybody higher up in terms of the administration or likewise in the government is not able to do so.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH: So let's get more on all of this with Professor Warren Binford. She met migrant children detained at a facility in Texas and she joins us with details on what all she witnessed there. Thank you so much for being with us.
WARREN BINFORD, PROFESSOR OF LAW, WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW: Thank you, Rosemary.
CHURCH: Now, of course, you have helped put the treatment by the U.S. government of these detained migrant children under the spotlight, how is it possible that the wealthiest country in the world would treat children in such an appalling way? Failing to give them access to sufficient food, water, and basic hygiene, including soap, toothbrushes and showers?
BINFORD: You know, I think that we've had a massive mismanagement of this entire system.
[02:35:04] But these children, 86 percent of them have families in the United States, and all that the government needs to do is to take most of these children to their families or call the families and ask them to come down and get their children because they're certainly willing to do that. By the third day that we were at this facility, we actually were calling the parents on the telephone, calling the families in the United States and many of them had not heard from their kids yet and were desperate to come down and get them or to arrange for them to come to where the family's home was.
So, really, you know, what we're seeing is children are being detained in horrific conditions and then being kept there illegally for extended periods of time at a tremendous cost to the American taxpayer.
(CROSSTALK)
CHURCH: So how -- why is that happening though? So, it seems logical, if you're talking about over 80 percent of these children have families in the United States why is no effort being made to reunite them with these families? BINFORD: Well, that's actually the question. There is an effort
that's being made to reunite them with the families, that is something that the government is required to do. But what's happening is that it's taking so long to reunite these children with their families because of the mismanagement of the system for the last two years. Basically, what's happened is that they've tried to impose additional requirements on parents and family members before the children will be transferred to them.
They have brought in private companies to run these detention camps for the children. And so they are being paid, these detention camp operators are being paid $775 per day per child to lock these children up in tents. For that amount of money, these kids could be staying at the Ritz Carlton. And, oh, by the way, they get free bars of soap there. So what's happening is that you're bringing in a lot of profiteering.
You're bringing in additional regulations that are really unnecessary. And really, all they need to do is these kids need to be able to call their moms and dads, their aunt, their uncle, their older brother or sister and then they can get them home and, they can take care of them in a -- in a safe, clean, sanitary way, such as all children are entitled to.
CHURCH: So, you think profit is at the core here? And --
(CROSSTALK)
BINFORD: I think the profit is certainly part of it. But I think that's --
CHURCH: And deterrence presumably because this -- by sending out these sorts of images, the hope is on the part of the U.S. government that others will not come, is that what's going on here?
BINFORD: Well, I really struggle with that because on the one hand I know that deterrence has been stated in some of the policy documents around some of these practices, and it's hard for me to believe that we live in a country that truly would abuse and neglect children severely in order to achieve political gains. I, you know, I just can't believe that that's what America is, but I do know that that has been written in some of policy documents.
What I try and focus on instead and it helps me to wake up in the morning and be a part of this nation, you know, with feelings of hope is that really, we are seeing mismanagement of a system on a profound basis which is creating a backlog that doesn't need to be there. We had 50,000 children last year who needed to be processed, we have 12,000 beds in that system, and those children are supposed to be reunited with their families within 20 days maximum.
All you have to do is the math and you know that the beds are there, you know that the resources are there, it's just a matter of managing it differently. And that requires simpler, more straightforward, more humane policies that put children first. And that's what we are calling on, both the administration and the Congress to do. Stop wrapping up these child welfare issues into immigration issues which is a divisive issue in this country.
CHURCH: Right.
BINFORD: They really need to focus on what are the standards for safe and sanitary conditions for these children who are in government custody.
CHURCH: Right. And of course we're talking about images going out to the world. I want to bring up a really shocking image of a father and daughter who drowned at the U.S.-Mexico border. This is just incredible. I mean, it is impossible to think that this is happening at the border of the wealthiest country in the world.
BINFORD: Yes. I had not --
CHURCH: And people are looking at this all throughout the world saying, how is this possible? Surely, when they look at this, the U.S. government must be saying, we can't allow these sorts of images to be going out. I mean, that really underscores what is happening here with immigration and the crisis that's going on in this country.
BINFORD: So, I have not seen that image before, and let me tell you why that image is so upsetting to me because when I was interviewing a young mother in the Delhi Family Detention, the South Texas Family Detention Center located in Delhi, Texas, and she told me the story of her coming across the border and she came across the Rio Grande with her two little children and they don't swim.
[02:40:05] And they got into a giant raft with a bunch of other people who were escaping horrific conditions back home in the northern triangle, and she told me about how the two-year-old fell out of the raft and went under the brown muddy waters of the Rio Grande and she just panicked but she couldn't swim and she couldn't get to the child quickly enough. And somebody else from the raft completely unrelated to that mother and those two children jumped into the Rio Grande after the little girl, lifted her up over his head as he submerged under the water.
He couldn't swim either and somebody else from the raft who was unrelated to this family went into the water and he himself then was able to rescue the other person. These are carrying people, these are decent people. These are people who are putting their lives at risk because what's happening back in their home countries is so terrible. We need to greet them with humanity.
We need to greet them with gentleness, and we need to give them support so that they can rebuild their lives either here or back in their home countries but we need to stop treating people with cruelty.
CHURCH: Yes. I think this country does need to reassess where it stands as it -- when we look at the statistics, it's actually developing nations that are reaching out helping refugees in these recent months and years, not the wealthy nations. They need to rethink that. Warren Binford, thank you so much for joining us. I do appreciate it.
BINFORD: Thank you, Rosemary.
CHURCH: Well, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the U.S. is prepared to remove forces from Afghanistan. He made the remark during a surprise visit to Kabul before heading to India. Pompeo is in New Delhi meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's Foreign Minister. And CNN's New Delhi Bureau Chief Nikhil Kumar joins us now with more on this. So Nikhil, what's expected to come out of Pompeo's meeting with these Indian counterpart and of course the country's prime minister and what exactly is the purpose of this trip?
NIKHIL KUMAR, CNN INTERNATIONAL NEW DELHI BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Rosemary, part of this is about laying the groundwork for a meeting in a few days at the G20 in Japan between Prime Minister Modi who has just won a massive electoral victory in this country and President Trump. They've of course met before during Mr. Modi's first term, but they will be meeting for the first time in his second term at the G20 later this week in a few days.
But this also comes off the back, this also comes off the back (INAUDIBLE) some tension in the India-U.S. relationship is. These are two countries that historically weren't the closest, but in recent decades successive governments in India, successive U.S. administrations they worked to build closer ties. Trade over the last decade is more than doubled. The U.S. says designated Indian major defensive partner, they're growing ties in -- on the economic front and others fears around the world.
And so, in recent weeks what we've seen is that India has imposed tariffs and some U.S. goods, and that came off the back of the U.S. taking India of the special program that gave about $6 billion worth of Indian goods duty free access to the U.S. markets. Now, India had been basically avoiding imposing these tariffs for about a year ever since the U.S. introduced tariffs on global steel and aluminum importing including Indian ones.
But ever since then India has basically been differing doing this and did this after the U.S. took India that special program that I mentioned. And that's raised questions about this relationship. The numbers over here are nothing like China. We're talking much, much lower numbers but nonetheless, the fact that India did this, the fact that the U.S. to India that special program introduced tension.
And so part of this is prep but part of this visit by Secretary Pompeo, part of it will be making sure that the relationship remains on track and sending out the message that the relationship remains on track that all these tensions that people have been talking about that analysts have been parting for recent weeks that this relationship still holds strong and the U.S. still considers Indian ally and a partner.
And that's the message that they've sending out even before the meeting between Secretary Pompeo and Prime Minister Modi earlier today and now of course he's meeting the foreign minister. Rosemary?
CHURCH: All right. Many thanks to Nikhil Kumar bring us that live report from New Delhi, where it's barely 12:15 in the afternoon. And when we come back, America's one and only rare earth mine was on its last legs just a couple of years ago. We'll explain why it has come roaring back to the life and why it matters. Back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[02:47:21] CHURCH: Hong Kong's government faces a no-confidence vote over a proposed extradition bill that spurred weeks of protest.
Demonstrators have been marching to the consulates of the G20 countries to place pressure on the Chinese government ahead of this weekend summit. But Beijing has warned it's not up for discussion. So, let's turn to CNN's Andrew Stevens, who joins us live from Hong Kong. So, Andrew, what's the latest on this?
ANDREW STEVENS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the latest, Rosemary, is that the protestors are now really targeting the G20, as the place to get their message out. They've had what they've described as a -- as a consulates or embassies at marathon here.
So, several hundred -- many younger protestors have been walking from consulate to consulate to embassy, delivering a petition which calls on those countries to be aware of what's happening in Hong Kong and to try and talk about it when they go to the G20. And that petition particularly asks for what the protestors have been asking for all along,
The complete scrapping of the extradition bill and more recently, an independent inquiry into the police tactics used in that -- when the protestors were swept out of the parliament building, or parliament area on June 12th.
Now, they want the G20s as I say -- G20 countries to get involved in this. China, as you point out, has said, "No, we are not going to discuss Hong Kong at the G20 in Japan. G20 is for economic discussions only. And it -- that, to a degree, they are right, it is that first, in the focus on the economic issues.
But certainly, this is a little bit embarrassing for the Chinese, if this keeps on coming up there. And it's all aimed from the Hong Kong protester's point of view of getting their message across.
What they've also done, Rosemary, which is quite sophisticated, the protestors crowd-sourced funding to actually take out advertisement, front page advertisement on the key international newspapers to coincide with the G20 meeting in Japan.
So, major newspapers will have big advertisements on the front page from the protesters talking about what they want. So, keep that message alive at the G20, Rosemary.
Now, as far as a no-confidence motion is concerned, that is likely to be debated a little later today. It was postponed last week because of what's happening in Hong Kong. Carrie Lam, the chief executive is likely -- very likely to survived that motion because she does have the numbers there enough pro-Beijing legislators to make sure that she wins the day there. But it's certainly a symbol that a lot of people are still very, very unhappy and they want changes here in Hong Kong still.
[02:49:56] CHURCH: All right, we'll continue to monitor this story. Our Andrew Stevens bring us the latest there from Hong Kong. Many thanks.
Well, rare earths. They are the precious elements that help power devices like smartphones and electric cars. China dominates the market, and just a couple of years ago, America's one and only rare earth mine filed for bankruptcy. But the US-China trade war has helped bring it back to life. And our Clare Sebastian paid a visit.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Three, two, one, fire in the hole.
CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Blasting through the rock.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very good.
SEBASTIAN: To reach the precious metals underneath.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Beautiful sightseeing.
SEBASTIAN: These are busy times here in Mountain Pass, California. A mine thrown into the spotlight by the U.S.-China trade dispute.
Is this the busy as you've known it?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right now it is, and we continue to accelerate more and more each day.
SEBASTIAN: This is the only rare earth mine in the United States, but just two years ago, it was sitting idle after the previous owners went bankrupt. Now, though it's well and truly back up and running the current owners say, it accounts for more than 10 percent of global rare earth supplies.
Rare Earths (ph) are 17 naturally-occurring elements crucial ingredients in everything from cell phones to electric cars.
JAMES LITINSKY, CO-CHAIRMAN, M.P. MATERIALS: This is very valuable product right here.
SEBASTIAN: The co-chairman of the mine, James Litinsky is aware he's leading a lone U.S. competitor. In an industry dominated by China, where labor costs to cheaper and environmental rules less strict.
LITINSKY: If there's going to be an American rare-earth industry, it's going to be led by us. We're it.
So, this is actually the product. This is the concentrate coming out of the mill. And we will package this into those containers over there. And that is currently the product that we're shipping.
SEBASTIAN: So, right now, everything you produce, everything goes to China.
LITINSKY: Yes, that's correct.
SEBASTIAN: That's because China processes much of the material from other countries. Currently producing 90 percent of the world's supply. Beijing recently threatened to use that dominance as leverage in the trade dispute hinting it could restrict rare-earth exports, cutting off not only U.S. companies but also the military which uses rare earths in jet engines, satellites, and missile defense systems.
The Pentagon told us they are "working closely with the president, Congress, and the industrial base to mitigate U.S. reliance on China for rare earths."
LITINSKY: My first reaction is, wow, what do we bought?
SEBASTIAN: Mountain Pass has its own plans to reduce its reliance on China this massive processing facility that they plan to get up and running by next year.
LITINSKY: There really is nothing like this facility in the world. The scale of that the amount of investment that has gone into it, and there were a lot of people who doubted that we could get this thing going again.
SEBASTIAN: How's the trade war provided more impetus to get this off the ground?
LITINSKY: Soon, there's definitely a greater sense of urgency.
SEBASTIAN: This plant would allow them to sell separated rare earths directly to global companies. Litinsky, says it's a mission he feels the U.S. government needs to support.
LITINSKY: And if the United States of America is going to be a leading power in the world, we need to continue to grow our economy, and so, there needs to be a recognition that the industries of the future drive GDP, they drive employment, and ultimately, that will drive your military budget.
And so as a matter of national security, we need to lead in these industries of tomorrow.
SEBASTIAN: A recognition that could help turn this mineral-rich soil into an American rare earths revival. And a viable alternative to China. Clare Sebastian, CNN, Mountain Pass, California.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHURCH: And you're not going to want to miss this. The Mueller report performed by famous actors. We will take a look at how these special prosecutors work was brought to life. Back with that --
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[02:55:25] CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. Well, despite the big build-up to the Mueller report, politicians and pundits are saying few Americans have actually read it. But would people be more interested if it was brought to life as a play? CNN's Alexandra Field takes a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN LITHGOW, ACTOR: Oh, my God. This is terrible, this is the end of my presidency. I'm --
ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hollywood stars and Washington's biggest drama.
LITHGOW: How can you let this happen, Jeff?
FIELD: The Mueller report, coming to life on stage for one night.
LITHGOW: I need loyalty.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You will always get honesty from me.
LITHGOW: That's what I want, honest loyalty.
FIELD: The play featuring a star-studded cast, including John Lithgow as President Trump.
LITHGOW: You were supposed to protect me. Everyone tells me that if you get one of these independent counsels, it ruins your presidency. It takes years and years, and I won't be able to do anything. This is the worst thing that ever happened to me.
The president then told Sessions that he should resign as attorney general.
JOEL GREY, ACTOR: Sessions agreed to submit his resignation and left the Oval Office.
FIELD: Annette Bening, Mark Hamill, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, all taking part in the live reading. Ben McKenzie in the role of Donald Trump Jr.
BEN MCKENZIE, ACTOR: And if it's what you say, I love it, especially later in the summer.
FIELD: And Kyra Sedgwick as outgoing White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders.
KYRA SEDGWICK, ACTRESS: He weighed in, offered suggestions like any father would do.
FIELD: The show's creators describe it as a historic live play in 10 acts ripped from the pages of the Mueller report. And even portraying the weeks after capping off the night with lines from Robert Mueller's long-awaited statement at the Justice Department last month.
KEVIN KLINE, ACTOR: As set forth in our report, after that investigation, if we had confidence that the president clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said that. FIELD: Alexandra Field, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHURCH: And thank you so much for joining us this hour. I'm Rosemary Church. I'll be back with another hour of news in just a moment. You're watching CNN. Do stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[03:00:00]
