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DHS and CBP Officials Call for Action from Congress; Eight- hundred-pound Great White Shark Tracked Off the Coast of New Jersey Today; Fifteen-Year-Old Coco Gauff Upsets Continue at Wimbledon. Aired 10:30-11a ET
Aired July 04, 2019 - 10:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[10:30:00]
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: -- administration would ultimately be defeated on appeal. Now, we haven't heard anything from the president on this yet, Jim, but we know that the president has frequently targeted the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals as it's blocked previous executive orders and executive actions from the president, particularly on immigration and border issues.
But as you mentioned, the president is tweeting, however, about the situation at migrant detention facilities along the U.S.-Mexico border. Despite these reports that we're seeing of squalid conditions and overcrowding at these facilities, the president is defending Border Patrol agents, saying, "Our Border Patrol people are not hospital workers, doctors or nurses. The Democrats' bad immigration laws, which could be easily fixed, are the problem.
TEXT: Donald J. Trump: Our Border Patrol people are not hospital workers, doctors or nurses. The Democrats bad Immigration Laws, which could easily be fixed, are the problem. Great job by Border Patrol, above and beyond. Many of these illegals aliens are living far better now than where they came from, and in far safer conditions.
No matter how good things actually look, even if perfect, the Democrat visitors will act shocked & aghast at how terrible things are. Just Pols. If they really want to fix them, change the Immigration Laws and Loopholes. So easy to do!
Now, if you really want to fix the Crisis at the Southern Border, both humanitarian and otherwise, tell migrants not to come into our country unless they are willing to do so legally, and hopefully through a system based on Merit. This way we have no problems at all!
DIAMOND: And he goes on to say, "Great job by Border Patrol, above and beyond." The president, now, is seeking Congress to take action. He's asking them to change the immigration laws, as he has been doing throughout this time.
But as he is tweeting about that, we have seen these devastating pictures and reports, including from government officials, describing the overcrowding, the lack of hot meals for children in these facilities, and other insalubrious conditions that have been described. That is still ongoing, as the president now is continuing to call for action from Congress -- Jim.
JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR, NEWSROOM: And as we note there, it's the DHS Inspector General report that got those pictures, the DHS policing itself, in effect, and finding these conditions. Jeremy Diamond, thanks very much.
Let's get more reaction from the border, on the border. Today, CNN correspondent Nick Valencia, he is live in El Paso this morning.
And, Nick, you're getting reaction, both from DHS and the Customs and Border Protection this morning. What are they saying? What's their reaction to these accounts?
NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Jim. I've had numerous conversations with DHS officials, Customs and Border Protection officials. And the spirit of what they say is that they feel as though the criticism against them is by and large unfair.
A DHS official and Customs and Border Protection official I spoke to said that for months, they'd been sounding the alarm, saying that they are dealing with overcrowded situations, saying that the resources that they have are stretched thin and that they simply cannot handle the influx with what has been provided to them, and the funding, up until now, provided to them by Congress.
What is very frustrating, though, here, not just at the local level but at the national level, is this public perception that there is a lack of accountability. And while you have DHS officials coming out and saying, "We are proud of the care that we are giving the migrants in our custody," there is no denying the facts of the images that we see, specifically from these internal -- from this internal Inspector General report.
These disturbing images of overcrowding, these -- you know, these statements that have been made, that there is a pervasive health crisis, not just putting the migrants at risk, but also putting agents at risk.
It's something that was briefly touched on yesterday in an interview with Wolf Blitzer and the former acting -- former ICE director, acting ICE director. Take a listen to this, what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RON VITIELLO, FORMER ACTING DIRECTOR, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT: Our (ph) belief, Congress has to act. We need to put ourselves in a situation where people can have their dur process while they're in custody, so that they can be removed.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST, THE SITUATION ROOM: Congress has to act, but the president has to act as well.
VITIELLO: The president's done everything he's got -- he's used all the tools he's had at his disposal.
BLITZER: There's nothing else he can do? VITIELLO: I don't believe so.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VALENCIA: So you see there, Jim, there continues to be a lot of finger-pointing and seemingly a lack of accountability -- Jim.
SCIUTTO: Right, but let's get to the facts here. Because I spoke to the Customs and Border Protection deputy commissioner the other day. One reason you have more people in detention facilities is that it is policy now to hold them longer, is it not? They're being held longer than they were in the past.
And I know that you will hear from CBP folks that, "Well, that's because the system is overwhelmed." But when you press officials there, do they point to administration policy at all as a factor here, or do they blame it entirely on Congress?
VALENCIA: They blame it entirely on Congress. They are unwilling to say that this is a policy issue. But we know that there are factors from these policies from President Trump that have contributed to this crisis. This is, without a doubt, a crisis. And I've been saying it since last year in the coverage on the border here.
The problem is, what is happening is, the processing. They are being held for a longer period of time. And even though they are processed, these officials are saying there isn't enough room in ORR centers or HHS centers, so they have to hold them longer.
They're spinning a message, in some sense. But they're also frustrated because they feel that their message is not getting out. That they have been sounding the alarm, and they continue to point towards Congress, you know, and not towards policy -- Jim.
SCIUTTO: Nick Valencia, thanks very much. At the border.
[10:34:37] Well, beach-goers this July 4th, you might want to beware. Researchers right now are tracking this 800-pound shark. They put a little tag on it, that's how they can follow it. You could see it there, they're tracking it along the East Coast. Is it coming somewhere near you? Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SCIUTTO: East Coast beach-goers today, you may want to listen up because this 800-pound shark is now messing with 4th of July plans for some. Her name is Miss May, and researchers say that she is lurking along the New Jersey coast. They put a tag on her to know where she is at any time.
Miguel Marquez is in Ocean City.
Miguel, beaches still getting packed behind you. I can see there, doesn't seem like people are too worried.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: No one's too worried about Miss May right now. But this is like -- a story about knowing that sharks live in the ocean, and knowing that one's in your neighborhood. So for 2,700 miles, they've tracked this thing.
[10:40:01] And about 24 hours ago, 15 miles south and east of here, they got the last ping. Now, is it headed north? Is it headed out to sea? Nobody really knows for sure. But clearly, the beaches are packed. It's not holding folks back very much.
I have the Huntzingers here. Jackie and Doug Huntzinger, your two kids. You've heard about Miss May, the 800-pound great white shark.
DOUG HUNTZINGER, NEW JERSEY RESIDENT: Yes, we have.
MARQUEZ: Any concerns?
D. HUNTZINGER: No, not really. I mean, look, you can eliminate the possibility, stay where it's safe, listen to the lifeguards, have fun.
MARQUEZ: Right.
Jackie, you know sharks live in the ocean.
JACKIE HUNTZINGER, NEW JERSEY RESIDENT: Yes.
MARQUEZ: But knowing that one is lurking?
J. HUNTZINGER: It's a little -- it's a little weary (ph), you know, you don't want to go too far in.
MARQUEZ: Right.
J. HUNTZINGER: Worried about my kids, really.
MARQUEZ: Are you a strong swimmer? Do you guys usually --
D. HUNTZINGER: No, I'm actually (ph) crippled and I'm probably 70 pounds overweight, so I don't consider myself a strong swimmer. Not -- when I was this age, I was.
MARQUEZ: May be shark food though?
D. HUNTZINGER: Shark food sounds good.
J. HUNTZINGER: Yes, yes.
D. HUNTZINGER: I mean, I'll fill him up pretty good, dude.
(LAUGHTER)
It might be a good idea because then maybe he'll go away, so. What do you think, you know?
MARQUEZ: But -- but just another -- another piece of information on your holiday plans. How does this affect your holiday?
D. HUNTZINGER: It really doesn't. You know what? You know, they do a good job out here. If you really listen to the lifeguards, do what you're supposed to do, have fun, come on. Let's just be real here. We should all have a good time. Everyone should.
MARQUEZ: Two kids out here, what -- any concerns with them being in the water?
J. HUNTZINGER: Just keep your eyes on them. But that goes for any day, not just on a shark day.
D. HUNTZINGER: When I was his age -- no, no concerns. Fourteen and 15 years old? Very concerned.
J. HUNTZINGER: Very.
MARQUEZ: You know, we did see paddle-boarders, swimmers much farther out today. So it's not like people aren't taking advantage of this absolutely spectacular weather and enjoying it. Everybody though -- many people -- waiting for that next ping of Miss May -- Jim.
SCIUTTO: I like the attitude of those folks. Enjoy the day. It's a beautiful day. Miguel Marquez, I'm a little jealous of where you are right now, so you enjoy the day as well.
MARQUEZ: Best job of the day.
SCIUTTO: Well, also happening now, 4th of July parades across America. CNN's getting in on the fun as the nation's small towns celebrate Independence Day in a big way. These are, really, some of the most fun celebrations on July 4th.
Polo Sandoval is in Darien, Connecticut, where the 15th annual Push-n- Pull Parade is under way.
So, Polo, tell us what you are pushing and pulling.
POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: With my athletic ability, Jim, I think it's pretty safe to say the children will be doing the bulk of the pushing and the pulling here. And they are off to the races here.
This is really giving you a window -- or at least an insight -- of what 4th of July celebrations are like across the country. Two hundred and forty miles away from Washington, D.C., it is more about the families here, as organizer Sharad Sami tells us. He's with the VFW that has put on this particular event. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHARAD SAMI, LOCAL VFW ORGANIZER: I do think it's critical that people remember that it's these small-town events and the small-town feeling is really the basis for everything we live. And this reflects it for our local community.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANDOVAL: So as you hear from the organizer, again, it's a reminder of what's happening at towns and cities across the country. Again, here it's -- the focus is on family, and of course on the reason for today's celebration. And that is, essentially, the family here, celebrating.
As you can see here, some of the participants. One of the things that we expect to happen here, Jim. There will be some judging here, to see who's got the float that's tricked out the most. There were some heavy winners last year, and the competition this year is obviously pretty tough as well.
But, again, a lot of excitement here. Gives you an idea of what's happening across the country, not just in the nation's capital. Jim, back to you.
SCIUTTO: Polo, I want to know where your scooter is. I'm sure it's parked off-camera somewhere.
SANDOVAL: Ours is not as decked out here, Jim. This is more on the technical side, but this is what we need to get all this amazing talent on TV with you.
SCIUTTO: All right. Well, enjoy it out there. Happy 4th to everybody with you, working on this holiday. Thanks very much.
SANDOVAL: Thank you.
SCIUTTO: Let's be frank. Nothing says the 4th like Nathan's hot dog eating contest. The annual event reportedly started in 1916. Returning champ Joey Chestnut looks to hold on to the mustard belt and win $10,000. Chestnut has won the contest 11 times now. Last year, he set the world record by eating -- wait for it -- 74 hot dogs in 10 minutes. I mean, it's just kind of incredible.
The biggest competition for Chestnut is Matt Stonie, who actually beat Chestnut back in 2015. We're going to be watching that. It's a July 4th event.
[10:44:22] And the dream lives on. Teen Coco Gauff advances at Wimbledon. What's next? The next step for this 15-year-old tennis phenom.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SCIUTTO: America's newest tennis phenom is shining at Wimbledon, and she doesn't even have her driver's license yet. Fifteen-year-old Cori Coco Gauff -- I said "Gowff" before, "Goff" -- won again yesterday, advancing to the third round. Gauff's second-round win came in straight sets, a remarkable follow-up to her first-round upset win over Venus Williams.
CNN's Coy Wire is watching Gauff's incredible ascension into the spotlight.
COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Coco Gauff is the real deal, Jim. When she was four, she asked her dad why the word "goat" was being used when they were watching Serena Williams play on TV. And when he said that it meant "Greatest of All Time," Coco said, "I want to be that."
[10:50:07] Before her match yesterday, she met another goat. Roger Federer, saying, "There she is." And then going out of his way to shake her hand and wish her good luck.
Gauff picked up where she left off against Venus Williams. This kid might be the baddest 15-year-old on the planet. You can see it in her eyes, Jim. She looks across that net and fears no one. She rolled past Magdalena Rybarikova in straight sets, a woman who was a semifinalist here two years ago.
Coco is having the time of her life, her parents there to witness it all. Coco's been acting, though, like she's been there before.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CORI COCO GAUFF, TENNIS PLAYER: I think I've kind of reached -- I'm basically almost the best mentality I can get to. I mean, you always can improve. But right now, I'm just -- I feel like the way I'm acting and the way I kind of feel inside -- because you can kind of fake it 'til you make it, but I'm not faking it. Or at least right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WIRE: All right. The magical run continues. Coco Gauff, taking on Polona Herzog tomorrow. And, Jim, listen to this. Gauff is set to earn at least 139,000 bucks for making the third round. Forbes, though, projects she'll earn about $1 million this year. Not bad for 15 -- Jim.
SCIUTTO: No, not at all. She seems just so, so poised there. Incredible, Coy Wire. Thank you.
Team USA knows who it will have to beat to repeat as world champions. The Netherlands scored an extra time goal to beat Sweden -- there it is there -- Wednesday, the 99th minute goal propelled the Dutch squad to its first World Cup final, setting up a Sunday showdown with the U.S.
Ali Krieger spoke to CNN this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR, NEW DAY: Did you feel that the game against England was a little too close for comfort?
ALI KRIEGER, DEFENDER, U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM: That's the way it always is at the highest stage. You know, you want to play against the best teams in the world because that's the most rewarding feeling in the end, where you really feel like you have succeeded and you've beaten everyone and you are that best team.
And I think we encompassed that through the entire tournament. We've proven ourselves, time after time, game after game. We've had the toughest games, we've had the little amount of rest -- or the least amount of rest compared to any other team.
So I think we just have to continue to focus on ourselves, and prepare for this game just like we do any other day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCIUTTO: For the Team USA this morning, Krieger also doubled down on teammate Megan Rapinoe's comment, saying the team would rather visit Congress than the White House if they win the championship.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KRIEGER: Absolutely. Yes. I could say after this game, we could pack our bags and we'd be on our way. But that's obviously not my choice, so we'd have to regroup and see what happens.
But most importantly, we have this game on Sunday. We have to perform. We have to win. And then everything else will come after that.
SCIUTTO: Yes. That's going to be a tough one. By the way, Rapinoe, who missed the semifinal with a hamstring injury, she has said she will be ready to go for Sunday's match. That is good for Team USA.
[10:53:06] Former Vice President Joe Biden on the campaign trail, this as his campaign and Senator Kamala Harris' face off once again on the issue of busing.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SCIUTTO: From the first silent film to the current blockbusters, the history of American cinema is sometimes beautiful, occasionally controversial and often inspiring.
This Sunday night, our new CNN original series, "THE MOVIES," delves into the stories behind the movies you love. One of those movies? "Blade Runner." Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL SCHULMAN, WRITER, THE NEW YORKER: Bladerunner is based on Philip K. Dick's novel, "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" And the central question of the novel is, what's the difference between humans and non-humans? Is Harrison Ford human? Can you fall in love with an android?
HARRISON FORD, ACTOR: She doesn't know.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She is beginning to suspect, I think.
FORD: Suspect? How can it not know what it is?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Commerce is our goal here at Tyrell. "More human than human" is our motto.
RIDLEY SCOTT, DIRECTOR, BLADE RUNNER: The screenplay was excellent, a rare entity because it told not only very fascinating and different story, but it was written and described as well. So you could smell (ph) the movie.
MICHAEL MANN, DIRECTOR, HEAT: I don't think there's any director who can encode content into the visual presence like Ridley can. So that when you see the street markets, that tells you that in the future, technology runs cross-class. That populations are tremendously mixed. There's overcrowding, there's poverty. He's projecting so much content into those images. And you just soak it in.
SCOTT: I was constantly beaten up every day, people saying, "Why is it raining always? Why do you want it to be at night?" So I said, "Because that's the way I (INAUDIBLE) want it."
SCHULMAN: Harrison Ford thought that his character Deckard was a human being. And Ridley Scott was planting clues in the movie, that he actually was a replicant with implanted memories, like this unicorn that he daydreams about.
SCOTT: Harrison's in full denial today that he is a replicant. At the end, the whole point of leaving that unicorn on the floor when he walks out, stops, picks it up and he nods. That nod is an assent. "This is correct. Somebody knows about my most private dream, which is about a unicorn." Duh.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[11:00:00] SCIUTTO: Really a great movie. The movie premieres this Sunday night, 9:00 p.m. Eastern time and Pacific time, only here on CNN.
Thanks so much for joining me today.
