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Democrats To Unveil Articles Of Impeachment Tuesday; FBI's Russia Probe Justified And Unbiased But Had Errors In Surveillance; President Trump Suggest Inspector General Report Proves Abuse By FBI; Lavrov In Washington; Boeing Whistleblower To Testify Before Congress; Destination Havana, Only Havana; New NAFTA, Revised Trade Deal To Be Signed; Cuban Officials Say Island Won't Bow To U.S. Pressure; War Of Words; Fresh Market's Shopping Bag, The Bag That's Also A Briefcase; Breaking Barriers, Finland's Sanna Marin To Become World's Youngest Prime Minister; 2019 Sportsperson Of The Year; Articles of Impeachment will be Pushed Again in Just a Matter of Hours; No Signs of Life on White Island After an Abrupt Volcanic Eruption; Saudi Official on his way to the United States to Have a Meeting with Officials. Aired 3-4a ET
Aired December 10, 2019 - 03:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[03:00:00]
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Big day here in Washington, much more to come tomorrow with House Democrats expected articles of impeachment against the president, coverage of it ahead as the news continues here on CNN.
ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers here in the United States and all around the world. You're watching CNN Newsroom. I'm Rosemary Church. Let's get started. Articles of impeachment in just a matter of hours, Democrats could unveil some of their charges against U.S. President Donald Trump.
No signs of life, the families of people missing after a volcanic eruption maybe running out of hope. A shooting investigation, a Saudi official is said to be on his way to the United States to meet with officials about the deadly shooting at a U.S. naval base. We start with breaking news in the U.S. impeachment inquiry. And we start with breaking news in the U.S. impeachment inquiry.
In just a few hours from now, Democrats plan to announce the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Sources tell CNN at least two are on the table, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. On Monday, at the House Judiciary Committee's hearing, Republicans struggled to counter facts from witness testimony in the Ukraine scandal. The committee chairman said that they were simply trying to deflect the heat away from the president.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. JERRY NADLER (D-NY), CHAIRMAN JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Republicans hardly attempted to defend the president's conduct. Well, they talked about was the improper process about Biden and Burisma in Ukraine, but nothing about defending the president's conduct. And that's probably because the evidence is overwhelming, and the conduct indefensible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH: At times, Monday's hearing turned into a shouting match between Democrats and Republicans. CNN's Jessica Schneider has that report.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JESSICA SCHNEIDER, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: The diametrically- opposed Democrats and Republicans repeatedly at odds during what was likely the final public hearing on impeachment.
NADLER: The president welcomed into -- foreign interference in our elections in 2016. He demanded it for 2020 then he got caught. The evidence shows that Donald J. Trump, the President of the United States, has put himself before his country.
REP. DOUG COLLINS (R-GA), HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: At the end of the day, all this is about is about a clock and a calendar, because they can't get over the fact that Donald Trump is President of the United States.
SCHNEIDER: The hearing spotlighted counsel for both sides arguing their clashing cases. Democrats counsel, Daniel Goldman, described President Trump's efforts to convince Ukraine to investigate the Biden's as a threat to American democracy.
DANIEL GOLDMAN, DEMOCRATIC COUNSELOR FOR HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: President Trump's persistent and continuing effort to coerce a foreign country to help him cheat to win an election is a clear and present danger to our free and fair elections and to our national security.
SCHNEIDER: While Republicans Counsel, Steve Castor, portrayed it all as a ploy to remove a president Democrats don't like.
STEVE CASTOR, COUNSEL FOR HOUSE REPUBLICANS: To impeach a president who 63 million people voted for over 8 lines in a call transcript is baloney.
(CROSSTALK)
SCHNEIDER: The day-long debate often erupted into disputes over process and the witness list.
(CROSSTALK)
REP. MATT GAETZ (R-FL): We just hear staff ask questions of other staff and the members get dealt out of this whole hearing for four hours. You're going to overturn the results of an election with unelected people.
(CROSSTALK)
NADLER: The gentleman will suspend.
GAETZ: We got a problem.
SCHNEIDER: Republicans railed against Democrats' refusal to call House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff as the main witness. Since Schiff authored the 300-page impeachment report sent to the Judiciary Committee last week.
COLLINS: Where's Adam? Where's Adam? It's his report, his name. Mr. Goldman, you're the attorney but you're not Adam Schiff, and you don't wear a pen (ph).
SCHNEIDER: Republicans press their own competing narrative, blasting Joe Biden and drilling into a disproven claim that Biden pushed to get a Ukrainian prosecutor fired to stop an investigation into Burisma, where Biden's son served on the board.
COLLINS: So Joe Biden, of everybody we discussed, is the only one that's done a quid pro quo. He's the only that's used taxpayer dollars to actually threaten a foreign government. And yet, we're sitting here pretending that this is not happening.
SCHNEIDER: And Republican counsel Castor tried to validate claims Ukraine interfered in the 2016 election.
CASTOR: Contemporaneous news articles in 2016 noted how President Trump's candidacy led Kiev's wider political leadership to do something they would never have attempted before, intervene, however indirectly, in a U.S. election.
[03:05:07]
SCHNEIDER: Something the intelligence community concluded is not true. Republicans also seized on the speedy pace in which the impeachment inquiry has proceeded, saying it's rushed.
CASTOR: Obviously, we all wished there was an easy button. But congressional investigations of consequence take time.
SCHNEIDER: Democrats though, urge time is of the essence.
NADLER: The integrity of the next election is at stake. Nothing could be more urgent.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH: CNN Legal Analyst Ross Garber joining me now. He is also a professor teaching impeachment law at Tulane Law School. Thank you so much for being with us.
ROSS GARBER, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: It's good to be with you.
CHURCH: Well, after a rowdy partisan hearing, who won the day with the most influential legal arguments, do you think, the Democrats or the Republicans?
GARBER: So first, as you know, impeachment isn't just legal. In fact, it's not primarily legal. It's mostly political. There are legal elements. And as you mentioned, today was quite rowdy. It was -- you know, it featured staffers from the House Republicans and Democrats sparring with each other and then answering questions from congressmen.
I am not sure anyone really won the day today. But that assessment is probably not good news for the Democrats who actually have the burden of convincing the public, and then potentially trying to win over some Republicans and keep all their members in check. So I am not sure today actually moved the ball at all, except that it actually moved us onto the next phase, which is the drafting of articles of the impeachment.
CHURCH: Yeah. And according to a number of our sources, House Democrats will now bring forward at least two articles of impeachment against President Trump in the coming hours, one on abuse of power, and the other on obstruction of Congress. There maybe a third article on obstruction of justice. But that's still being debated apparently. Is that your reading of what's likely to happen Tuesday?
GARBER: Yeah. It makes sense. I there are going to be two articles. And however they're described, one is going to relate to the allegation that President Trump used his office to benefit himself personally and politically in exchange for demands that the president of Ukraine conduct these investigations. So, you know, an allegation that the president got something
personally in exchange for Ukraine complying with his demands.
And that it will probably be described as some sort of abuse of office. And then the second article will be some sort of obstruction of Congress based on an allegation that the president and the White House ignored the House's demands for information and did so without any reasonable assertion of privilege or immunity.
CHURCH: Right. And whatever articles of impeachment are eventually drawn up, the Judiciary Committee will then begin debate on those articles of impeachment Thursday. How do you think that will all turn out, and what will be the process? Just walk us through that.
GARBER: Yeah. So the draft articles will be introduced. Members of the Judiciary Committee will debate back and forth. I expect that the debate is going to fall down along partisan lines. The Republicans will defend the president. The Democrats will urge adoption of the articles of impeachment. There maybe some amendments of the articles, although I doubt it.
And then there's going to be a vote. And so far, based on what we're seeing, that is also likely to be a party line vote, Democrats supporting the articles, Republicans voting no.
CHURCH: And then what?
GARBER: And then it goes to the full House. And there -- again, we expect it to be partisan. What I think we're watching for there is number one, will all the Republicans in the House stick with the president. So far, what we're hearing is that's likely to happen. But then, how many Democrats will vote no to one or more articles of impeachment.
So far, one Democrat has come out and said that he is not supporting the articles of impeachment. We'll see how many others, if any, follow him. And once that happens, it's onto the Senate for a trial.
CHURCH: Right. And that's what really annoys a lot of people, particularly Republicans, because that's where the Senate -- I mean the Republicans have it, don't they?
[03:09:49]
GARBER: Well, the Republicans do have it. Assuming nothing else happens, and that's a big assumption. Assuming nothing else comes up, nothing else dramatic happens. The Republicans actually do have the majority in the Senate. It's a relatively narrow majority, but they still have the majority, which means they set the rules. They set the timing.
And they determine the result, because in order for conviction in the Senate, you need a two-thirds majority. Republicans have the majority right now, so getting to two-thirds is very, very difficult.
CHURCH: Right. And of course, the Democrats say they have no choice but to impeach President Trump given the overwhelming evidence of abuse of power and the betrayal of a nation. Republicans call it all baloney and say it's all about a clock and a calendar. How will the people of America likely view this whole back and forth in the end?
GARBER: Yeah. One thing to keep in mind is this is incredibly rare in the United States. Only two presidents in the history of the country have been impeached. It seems that Donald Trump is poised to become the third. And I think what we're going to see is if this plays out as you and I have just described it, where the House impeaches, the Senates votes to acquit.
The president will portray this as a completely partisan effort that didn't have the support of the majority of people. And that -- a Senate victory he'll say is a complete win for him. Democrats will still say that they had to do this, that there was misconduct. And we won't know really until, I think, Election Day ultimately what the American people have to say about it.
CHURCH: CNN Legal Analyst, Ross Garber, many thanks.
GARBER: Good to see you again.
CHURCH: Well, police in New Zealand say there are no signs of life on White Island after a sudden volcanic eruption. Officials say at least five people were killed. Eight others are missing and presumed dead. Earlier, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met with first responders and thanked them for helping to evacuate victims from the island.
For the latest, let's bring in journalist Donna-Marie Lever who is in Tauranga, New Zealand. So Donna-Marie, a few hours ago, New Zealand police, they did announce a criminal investigation into the loss of life in the wake of this volcanic eruption. They have since retracted that. What are they saying now and what's the latest on the investigation?
DONNA-MARIE LEVER, JOURNALIST: Yes. New Zealand police moved very quickly to what they say is clarified the situation. They say there will not be a criminal investigation at this point. It will simply be an investigation to try and work out the circumstances of the deaths. So they will work on behalf of the coroner and they'll work alongside WorkSafe New Zealand as well.
They're not ruling out a criminal investigation. They're just simply saying they won't be doing that at this point. And even as night falls here at Tauranga port, crowds are still coming here, forming what has become a flower wall. You can see some of the flowers behind me. Messages of love and support are being put with the flowers.
Candles are being lit. It's become really a place where people feel they can just come and reflect and let go some of their grief. Some of those messages are big and long, and others simply short. One just says uh-roh-huh, and that's the Maori word for love.
CHURCH: Donna-Marie, what's the latest on the 31 people who were still in hospital?
LEVER: We do know from officials that some of those people have very critical injuries. Some got very hurt in the eruption. They are at multiple hospitals around New Zealand. We know that boons units are almost at full capacity here in the country. And the situations are fairly fluid. So -- just updates continue to come in on the status.
CHURCH: It is a heartbreaking tragedy for New Zealand. And New Zealand has had to cope with so much in the last few years. Donna- Marie Lever, many thanks to you. Well, President Trump takes the softly-softly approach towards Saudi Arabia in the wake of a deadly shooting but a Saudi national at a Florida naval base. Why Mr. Trump's reaction is raising some eyebrows.
And two leaders meet for the first time with a daunting agenda, efforts to bring peace to eastern Ukraine.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[03:15:00]
CHURCH: A Saudi defence official is travelling to the United States to meet with authorities investigating Friday's deadly shooting at a Florida naval base. The FBI presumes it was an act of terrorism. Investigators are focused on the gunman's ties to his native Saudi Arabia. President Trump appears to be maintaining his support of Riyadh. Nic Robertson is live for us from the Saudi capitol.
So Nic, President Trump still supports the Saudi government. But the FBI is calling this an act of terrorism. So what's expected to come out of this visit from the Saudi defence attache to Pensacola?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Well, I think first of all, when the FBI framed it as terrorism that's going to be hugely sensitive for Saudi Arabia. They'll be critically aware of how somebody -- one of their nationals acting out through terrorism. Killing U.S. citizens is going to be a huge negative blow for the relationship between the two countries.
This is something that they don't want to happen. So it's not clear precisely what that defence attache will do when he gets to Pensacola, Florida. We do know that the Saudis that are in -- that are on the base there have been asking questions about when they can leave the base. They have had access to lawyers and they've been described by investigators as being mostly cooperative.
[03:19:58]
So precisely what this visit is supposed to achieve isn't clear at this time. But obviously, a lot of scrutiny on the level of cooperation that Saudi Arabia is going to give, and also I think the openness of the investigation -- of the help that they're giving as well.
CHURCH: Right. And you touched on this. But what could this mean for Saudi-American relations going forward, and can that trust ever be restored, particularly with the 9/11 history.
ROBERTSON: Yeah. Trust is -- once it's damaged, it's very hard to repair. I think a lot is going to depend on the particular motives of Mohammed Alshamrani. What we have been able to see from his Twitter thread, or what appears to be his Twitter thread, what officials investigators are taking to be his Twitter thread, is somebody who wasn't just posting in the last minutes before the attack anti- American sentiment.
There have been a little bit of that in the past over the past few months. It wasn't that, if you will, exceptional in this region. However, some of the threads that he was reposting were sort of anti- Saudi. One of them was reposting, you know, from a Saudi author who has been in jail here for three years.
These things you might have thought would have hit tripwires somewhere. And perhaps they didn't. And perhaps this will be part of the focus of how to build trust.
CHURCH: Right. We will, of course, continue to watch this story. Nic Robertson, joining us live there. Thanks so much for joining us. Well, the presidents of Ukraine and Russia made some commitments toward resolving their conflict. But they also sidestepped some challenges. Volodymyr Zelensky held his face to face meeting with Vladimir Putin in Paris Monday.
They agreed on a prisoner exchange and a ceasefire. Nick Paton Walsh joins us now from Paris with more. So Nick, Russia and Ukraine have agreed to implement this ceasefire. We don't have a timetable at this point. But what more have you learned about that, and of course, the conditions set here.
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY EDITOR: Yeah, I mean, there's an aggressive now, three-week expectation that all violence will cease in Eastern Ukraine before the end of this year. But really, there was much old, much new in this summit. The old, what was being suggested, prisoner exchanges, de-mining, and possibly elections in separatist-held areas in the months ahead.
What was new, the two men, Volodymyr of Ukraine and Vladimir or Russia, almost caricaturing frankly their differences when they arrived. Mr. Zelensky turning up in a Renault and walking up to the Elysee Palace, Vladimir Putin turning up in an enormous black armoured Russian limousine. And their differences I think extenuated during the press conference, separated by the French and German leaders after lengthy negotiations.
An hour between the Russian and Ukrainian teams met 10 minutes between Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin themselves. What do they agree? Well, yes, ceasefire in the next three weeks. After that, disengagement in three key areas on the frontlines by March of next year, and then meetings in four months in sort of March, April time frame to advance the idea of local elections.
Because ultimately, both sides seem to agree they want see a vote happen in separatist-held areas to define their future going forward. But the key sticking point was impossible to avoid, and that is who is going to control the border between these separatist-held areas and Russia. Currently, it's the separatists and the Russians.
Ukraine won't touch elections unless they control that border. There was no real sign of rapprochement that area and the state. These issues have been tried before. Volodymyr Zelensky pointing out there had a ceasefire 20 times or so called since the fighting started in 14, 15, 2014, 15, so key issues ahead. Cynics will say, well, Russia used diplomacy to advance its aims on the ground as a smoke screen.
Optimists will say at least we have these two men in the room here and a renewed push for peace with the Europeans trying to ferment the process. But a lot to be asked for, a lot has been tried before, possibly a moment though for positivity, because after a three years freeze, these talks are now starting again, Rosemary.
CHURCH: All right. Nick Paton Walsh, keeping a close eye on all of that, bringing us that report from Paris, many thanks. Well, breaking news coming into CNN now from the Czech Republic. Police say at least six people are dead, two seriously wounded after a shooting rampage at a university hospital in the north eastern city of Ostrava.
The industrial and mining city is about 400 kilometers or 250 miles from the capitol Prague. Police said on Twitter they are searching for the shooting suspect and they're asking for the public's help. We will, of course, bring more details on this story as they come in to us. Well, if you're watching internationally, thank you so much for being with us.
Inside Africa is next for you. And if you're joining us here in the United States, do stay tuned. We'll have more news after this short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) CHURCH: Welcome back to our viewers here in the United States.
You're watching CNN Newsroom. I am Rosemary Church. This morning, Democrats are getting ready to announce at least two articles of impeachment against President Trump.
[03:30:00]
And it comes after hours of heated arguments at Monday's House Judiciary hearing. CNN's Phil Mattingly, breaks down what's next in the impeachment process.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHIL MATTINGLY, NEW YORK BASED CNN CORRESPONDENT: What appears to be the final House Judiciary Committee impeachment hearing is done. Now it's time for the articles of impeachment. Sources telling CNN that House Democrats plan to move forward on at least two articles of impeachment. Abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
They are also considering and still discussing behind closed doors a potential third article of impeachment related to obstruction of justice. But sources had made clear that the discussions on that third article lean towards the fact that it won't be included and here's why.
Moderate members of the Democratic caucuses had made clear to their leaders, they want these process to be narrow and they want it to be focused. Particularly on Ukraine. Specifically on Ukraine. And the idea that the president withheld U.S. security assistance in exchange for investigations into his political rivals, moving into obstruction of justice that would start bringing in elements of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report.
Something a lot of these front line Democrats have asked for their leadership not to do. So, still fluid at this point in time. But that's basically the lay of the land. Here's what's going to happen. Democratic leaders will announce the articles of impeachment on Tuesday morning. After that announcement, things will mostly move behind closed doors where they will start to navigate the process going forward.
Most notably, on Thursday the House Judiciary Committee will start considering those articles of impeachment. It will be a long process. It will be an (inaudible) process, but the bottom line is what this all sets up going forward. This sets up the House to stay on the schedule that leaders have been talking about behind closed-doors for several weeks. And that scheduled is this. The House -- the U.S. House will vote to impeach President Trump by next week. Before they leave for the Christmas holiday before the New Year. That is the schedule they are on right now, that's the schedule they have been shooting for the last couple of weeks.
And we know with at least two articles of impeachment that is the path way forward. Again, a lot to play out over the next couple of days. Including what specifically is cited in each of those articles of impeachment. But as of now, House Democrats very much on the path to impeach President Trump next week. Phil Mattingly, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHURCH: Well, the U.S. Justice Department internal watchdog says the start of the FBI probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election was unbiased and legal. The department inspector general lays out the findings in a new 435 page report. It refutes President Trump's claims of a conspiracy and that the FBI was spying on his campaign.
But it also found errors in how the FBI got surveillance warrants targeting former campaign adviser Carter Page. Former FBI Director James Comey was fired by Mr. Trump and became a favorite target of the president. Comey spoke earlier about the report with CNN's Anderson Cooper.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON COOPER, BREAKING NEWS SHOW HOST: Do you think this is vindication?
JAMES COMEY, FORMER FBI DIRECTOR: It is. I mean, the FBI had to wait two years while the president and his followers lied about the institution. Finally the truth gets told. I hope it's not too late. But on all the important things, it tells the truth. They don't want to talk about what we just talked about. That the report is a complete vindication for the FBI against charges of treason, of spying, of planting informants in the camp of all the criminal conspiracy that is supposed to land to all us in jail, turns out to be non-sense. That's not a message apparently they want to be spending the couch time talking about.
There's a risk we have become so numb to the lying. That we just move on to the next outrage. And we can't do that. For two years the president of the United States accused our premier law enforcement agency of treason. Of trying to defeat him of trying to stop him. And it turns out that was all non-sense. That was all lies.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH: But President Trump had a very different take on this report. And he's not backing off his conspiracy theories.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The I.G. report just came out. And I was just briefed on it. It's a disgrace what happened with respect to the things that were done to our country. It should never again happen to another president. It is incredible. Far worse than I would have ever thought possible. And it's an embarrassment to our country. It's dishonest. It's everything that a lot of people thought it would be except far worse.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH: And I spoke earlier with CNN legal analyst and former FBI general counsel, Jim Baker. I asked him for his reaction to the report. And it's finding that there was no political conspiracy by the FBI against the Trump campaign.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMES BAKER, FORMER FBI GENERAL COUNSEL: I think it's very significant. I think there's mainly two big conclusions from the report. On the one hand that's right, the FBI did engage in a coup. In a political motivated conspiracy, sedition, treason or anything like that.
[03:35:05]
And that the investigation was properly and lawfully authorized. So, therefor it wasn't a hoax. It was a real case. We know that from the Mueller investigation. All the indictments of the Russian individuals there.
But also, look, the I.G. did take the FBI to task for mistakes that were made with respect to the information that was included in the Carter Page FISA application and the renewals of that applications and those mistakes and what the FBI left out of the application is unacceptable. And people should be held accountable and management changes need to be made with respect to the policies and procedures and the FBI Director is pursuing that. So, you know, it's a balanced report in that regard, but I'm very pleased to say that he concluded that there was no political bias or attempt to over throw the president.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH: And thanks again to CNN legal analyst, Jim Baker. In the after math of the Inspector General report, President Trump is set to meet with Moscow's top diplomat. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is due in Washington in the coming hours. They should have a lot to talk about including Ukraine, Syria and North Korea. But that maybe over shadowed by Russia related controversies surrounding the president.
When Lavrov was at the White House in 2017, Mr. Trump reportedly shared classified information. The president's allies in Congress are also repeating the debunked claim Ukraine meddled in the 2016 U.S. election. A talking point promoted by Russia.
Well, a Boeing employee is expected to testify before Congress as a whistleblower on Wednesday. According to a source the employee worked on the 737 Max program. And had alerted managers to his concern. The FAA administrator is also scheduled to testify on the same day. The Boeing 737 Max is under close scrutiny, of course, and was grounded worldwide after two fatal crashes.
Well, Donald Trump policies have already hurt Cuba's tourism industry. And things are about to get worse. The new rules facing U.S. travelers. That's coming up in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[03:40:00] CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. Well, U.S. House Democrats say a
revised North American free trade agreement is expected to be signed in the coming hours. A source says the U.S. Trade representative is traveling to Mexico City with White House Adviser, Jared Kushner, for an event with Mexican and Canadian officials. The agreement comes after months of secretive negotiations between lawmakers and the White House. The deal would be, President Trump's primary legislative victory since Democrats took control of the House last November.
American tourists who want to jet off to Cuba will have to settle for Havana. The Trump administration is officially suspending commercial flights to other parts of the island starting Tuesday. CNN's Patrick Oppmann reports, it's the latest move to roll back policies from the Obama era.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, herds of American visitors once roamed Havana's colonial (inaudible). Now there's something of an endangered species. The morning we filmed here we couldn't find anyone from the United States. Cuba's tourism industry is suffering after the Trump administration once again is making it more difficult for Americans to visit the communist run island. On Tuesday an administration ruling cancelling U.S. flights to nine destinations in Cuba takes effect. Rafael, who dresses up as a dandy in old Havana, and charges tourists to take photos of him with his huge cigar, says he's hurting.
Now there's nothing. There isn't anyone, he says. Trump blockade doesn't let us make a living. As a candidate for president. Trump campaigned on reversing the Obama administration opening with Cuba. A promise to anti-engagement Cuban Americans mainly in Florida. That he has more than fulfilled since becoming president.
The Trump administration has placed sanctions on the ships that bring oil to Cuba from ally Venezuela. Leading the long lines across the island for gas. U.S. Administration officials blame Cuban support for the Maduro regime survival in Venezuela despite U.S. sanctions. U.S. cruise ships did once filled in Havana harbor and the tourists they brought with them are now gone. After the Trump administration ordered the cruise lines to leave immediately in June.
In April the U.S. for the first time allowed people who lost property after the Cuban revolution to sue for foreign companies using that property in the U.S. courts. Angry allies like Canada and Spain. The administration says they will continue to ratchet up the pressure.
MIKE POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE: The Obama administration cuddling up to Cuba by applying heavy new sanctions. We recognize that engagement has not improved Cuba's regime. It hasn't made it better. The human rights record was worse.
[03:45:05]
OPPMANN: But it doesn't appear the Trump's sanctions are changing Cuba's domestic policies. In October Cubans arrested Jose Daniel Ferrer, the head of the islands largest anti-government dissident group. Cuba says, he's a violent criminal. The U.S. says he's a civil rights leader. Despite U.S. international outcry, Ferrer remains jailed. Cuba's government concedes Trump policy towards Cuba has cause more economic hardship, but says won't achieve (inaudible) goals.
As the Cuban saying goes, they want to cut the light, water and even air we breathe. Cuba's president said in a nationally televised address. Why. To force concessions from us. Cuban officials say U.S. bullying will backfire.
With each new round of sanctions the Cuban government says, it will maintain its solidarity with Venezuela and other regional allies and U.S. pressure will cause them to retreat one inch. With much of the rest of the world doing business here and visiting Cuba. After 60 years of economic sanctions, it's not clear anymore if the United States isolating Cuba or itself. Patrick Oppmann, CNN, Havana.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHURCH: A senior North Korean official is calling the U.S. President a heedless and erratic old man. It's the latest insult in an escalating war of words between the two countries. A day earlier President Trump warned that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un might void their special relationship after reports that Pyongyang conducted a test at a missile site. Another official warned President Trump to think twice if he does not want to see bigger catastrophic consequences.
Up next. Are you a high powered attorney, but somehow can't find a briefcase? Have no fear. The big green shopping bag is here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[03:50:00]
CHURCH: Welcome back everyone. Well, Finland is about to make history. With the youngest sitting Prime Minister in the world, 34 year-old Sanna Marin will be sworn in in the coming hours after narrowly winning a vote among social Democrats, the largest party in a governing coalition. The Prime Minister elect's age is making a lot of headlines across the globe. But she says she's never really thought about it. Focusing on instead on issues that won her the public's trust. Well done.
Well, women's soccer icon Meghan Rapinoe has scored yet another win. But this time it's off the field. She has been named Sports Illustrated 2019 Sports Person Of The Year. And she's gracing the cover in a Valentino gown, holding a sledge hammer. Rapinoe led the U.S. Women's national soccer team to a World Cup title in June. On Twitter Sports Illustrated said, Rapinoe was quote a galvanizing force on a team that is now looked up to by any woman who doesn't want to be told she's come far enough, who is taking matters into her own hands. Love it. And well done.
Well, looking for the perfect holiday gift for the man who's got everything. How about a stylish green tote. Perfect for groceries, clothing or all the legal documents you need. To defend the U.S. President from impeachment. Here's Jeanne Moos.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You may use them to carry groceries. But counsel for the Republicans used one to carry impeachment documents. You think he committed a high crime or misdemeanor from the reaction. Hey, you're bringing your briefcase today for your nationally televised impeachment hearing right?
No, no, I'll be fine with this. Steve Castor was pulling out documents from his recycled grocery bag as if he were yanking out sandwiches and milk. Well, at least, we know what he need for Christmas. Instead of a monogram briefcase his bag read, live, eat, shop, reuse. Maybe it should -have said --
STEVE CASTOR, GENERAL COUNSEL FOR THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE REPUBLICANS: -- hearsay, presumption and speculation.
MOOS: Or --
CASTOR: -- bribery, extortion or whatever.
MOOS: Someone tweeted it should read recycled whacky conspiracy theory. The bag's maker, the Fresh Market is now calling itself the official briefcase maker of Steve Castor and offering free bags for a limited time to anyone who mentions Castor's bag.
Someone even made a Ukrainian joke. My Ukrainian husband would call this his Ukrainian suitcase. But amid all the mockery, some came to the defense of the bag. Don't shame reusable bags. Maybe Castor should have used one of the Be Best bags Melania Trump was handing out that same afternoon. Castor could warned his impeachment documents backpack style. He's reusable tote was compared to the big reusable water bottle from which a previous witness drank. Castor's sipped from a less ecofriendly plastic bottle.
[03:55:00]
Make that badgering the bag literally. On the floor, the House Judiciary Committee, this impeachment brought to you by the Fresh Market. Jeanne Moos, CNN. New York.
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CHURCH: Truly brilliant. Thanks for your company. I'm Rosemary Church. Early Start is next.
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