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States Consider Suing Trump Administration; Coronavirus Victim's Daughter Speaks Out; College Students Protest Tuition. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired August 18, 2020 - 08:30   ET

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

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[08:30:29]

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: The embattled postmaster general has agreed to testify before Congress next Monday where he will have to explain why he's making changes to the mail system that are slowing down the process. Because of all of this, Massachusetts and other states are considering legal action against the Trump administration.

Joining us now is the Massachusetts attorney general, Maura Healey.

Madame Attorney General, thank you very much for being here.

So we're already seeing this happen in real time. We're 77 days away from the election and already the postmaster has taken mail sorting -- hundreds of mail sorting machines out of commission. They're removing mailboxes. They're taking away overtime. They're closing post offices for lunch and early.

And so I guess my question is, what are you waiting for? What are you still considering in terms of legal action?

MAURA HEALEY (D), MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY GENERAL: Well, first up, Alisyn, thanks for having me on this morning.

And what we are see is absolutely outrageous and appalling. It's a combination of a couple things, right? Donald Trump is attempting to undermine confidence in mail-in voting because he believes that serves his electoral interest if people don't vote by mail. And so he's trying to create this specter of chaos and confusion so that people don't have confidence in mail-in voting.

And the second thing is, there are real issues, as your other guests have pointed out, and as you've covered, with respect to actual actions by the postmaster general. So I can assure you, Alisyn, that I have been in contact with any of my colleagues over the last several days. We are prepared to take action, including legal action, as necessary to stop DeJoy, to stop Donald Trump from engaging in efforts that undermine and thwart people's ability to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

And we're also mindful that as we speak, Alisyn, there are other things going on where people aren't able to get their prescription drugs, their Social Security checks and the like.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

HEALEY: And so we're going to look to work with others to stop this.

CAMEROTA: I understand, but, I mean, again, what are you waiting for? I mean it's happening.

HEALEY: Well, there are things happening, Alisyn, but you know as a matter of fact and law, we need to make sure that we have an understanding of what's happening on the ground so that we can take the appropriate action. And, you know, I think we -- a lot of us have spent a lot of time talking to postal workers. We've been in close contact with folks on the ground. And it's important that we put together -- if we're going to file a case, the strongest case possible so that we're able to get the remedy that we need.

It's also important, though, Alisyn, that, you know, we recognize this isn't going to come down to just litigation. It is imperative that Congress continue to call for accountability and oversight. I'm glad to see that happening. And it's imperative that the American people continue to speak out and demand accountability, particularly from Republicans in leadership, to put an end to this outrageous conduct and the specter of more outrageous conduct. We know how important this is.

CAMEROTA: Yes. As I mentioned, we're 77 days away. If you were going to take some legal action or file a case, when would that happen?

HEALEY: I think we know the urgency and the immediacy of needing to act right now. I anticipate that you'll see that soon, Alisyn.

But I also want to be clear with the -- with the American people, Alisyn, that part of what's going on here is an attempt to undermine confidence in mail-in voting. And we know that people are voting by mail in record numbers because of Covid. And so my message and the message of my colleagues to people is, continue to exercise your right to vote, have confidence in mail-in voting and vote early. We don't want people to be dissuaded or essentially afraid to go to the polls by exercising their right to mail-in vote.

So vote, including vote by mail. And, meanwhile, you know, those of us in government have got to find the way and the will, of which we are doing, to hold the Trump administration accountable and to get immediately accountability from DeJoy. There's been some progress this week on that and I expect that you'll see a heck of a lot more in next day or so.

CAMEROTA: Madame Attorney General Maura Healey, thank you very much for the status report. We will be watching closely to see what happens with the Postal Service.

Thank you for being here.

HEALEY: It's good to be with you, Alisyn. Thank you.

CAMEROTA: It was the most poignant moment of the first night of the Democratic Convention. Here's a little taste.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KRISTIN URQUIZA, FATHER DIED OF CORONAVIRUS: His only pre-existing condition was trusting Donald Trump. And for that he paid with his life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[08:35:00]

CAMEROTA: That woman is going to join us to tell us about her father's life and how he died of coronavirus.

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JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: The daughter of a Trump supporter who died of coronavirus is now speaking out. Kristin Urquiza blames President Trump for the loss of her father, Mark, to coronavirus.

Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KRISTIN URQUIZA, BLAMES PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR FATHER'S DEATH TO CORONAVIRUS: My dad was a healthy 65-year-old. His only pre-existing condition was trusting Donald Trump. And for that he paid with his life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: And Kristin Urquiza joins us now.

Kristin, thanks so much for being with us. And we are so sorry for your loss.

The story that you tell is that your father, in Arizona, after the stay at home orders were lifted and the bars were reopened, went out to sing karaoke with a group of his friends. He caught coronavirus and then got sick and died, as you said, alone with a nurse holding his hand.

Why did you want America to hear this story?

KRISTIN URQUIZA, BLAMES PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR FATHER'S DEATH TO CORONAVIRUS: Thanks for having me on.

The reason why I wanted to hear this -- I wanted America to hear this story was because I knew I wasn't alone.

[08:40:03]

My dad represents literally tens of thousands of people whose lives have been prematurely cut short because of the way that we've handled the coronavirus here in the United States. CAMEROTA: And, Kristin, tell us more about how your dad had his own

realization at the very end in the final days of his life about how he had put his trust in President Trump and felt betrayed.

URQUIZA: I couldn't help myself but engage my dad on the conversation about politics while he was in the hospital. My dad and I always talked politics. We were always on opposite sides of the aisle. And I, you know, engaged with him. Dad, how do you feel now? You know, what are you thinking? And not in an accusational way because I never blamed him, but in a curiosity way to see if his views had changed.

And over the course of those few days, he basically told me that he felt sideswiped and betrayed by the Trump administration and the Ducey administration in Arizona who was executing Trump's orders to a tee.

CAMEROTA: Had your father thought it was -- I mean maybe hoax is too strong, but -- but what had his feeling about coronavirus been before he got sick?

URQUIZA: Thanks for asking. He was a believer. He was practicing social distancing. He was wearing a mask. He also was only going to the grocery store and doing sort of essential, you know, activities outside of work during the entire shelter in place.

A big part of that was because I had been counseling both my parents since February about the dangers of coronavirus and the need for us to come up with a mitigation plan to minimize risk.

But when President Trump came to Arizona on May 5th, and then subsequently Doug Ducey lifted the stay at home order on May 15th, what I saw over the airwaves in Arizona, and that was reiterated through my father, was that it -- we were on the other side of the pandemic and that if you didn't have an underlying health condition it was safe to be out there.

My dad was following the advice of the people in charge. And for that it cost him his life.

BERMAN: And, again, we are so sorry for your loss. I -- you know, I don't want to lose that in all of this, that you are still suffering and going through this.

What do you think your father would have thought of you speaking last night in front of tens of millions of people?

URQUIZA: My dad was always my biggest fan. He would have been so proud of me. And my aunts and uncles and my mom told me every single day to keep going and to keep fighting for my dad. And so I know that wherever he is, he is proud of what I'm doing and that I'm continuing, not only just to share his story, but to do it for a bigger cause, to help make sure that we are taking this crisis seriously and prioritizing life.

CAMEROTA: We're looking at pictures of you both together. And what a warm family it looks like you have. And even pictures of him as a young man that you've shared with us. So tell us about your dad. URQUIZA: Sure.

My dad was generous. One of the kindest people that I knew. He would give the shirt off his back. Even though he didn't have a lot to give, he would give anything he could away to somebody in need. And that was just the kind of guy that my dad was.

He also, like I said, was very proud of me and would take any opportunity to boast about something that I had accomplished. He was just very much a great individual who loved his community, loved his country. He was a huge patriot and didn't deserve the ending that he got.

BERMAN: Have those around you learned from this? Have people changed their behavior based on what happened to your father?

URQUIZA: To some extent, but also, you know, I still know people who are not quite sure what to do. And I think part of that all boils up to we don't have a coordinated data driven response to this pandemic and we need leadership who will prioritize that to ensure that we can both reopen safely and do that with public health at the center of it.

CAMEROTA: Yes. How can people not be confused, honestly, with all of the different mixed messages in leadership?

You know, last night Michelle Obama talked about President Trump as having a lack of empathy she felt and she alluded to when he said it is what it is about the 1,000 plus Americans who die --

URQUIZA: Exactly.

CAMEROTA: Who die every year. What did you think when you heard him say, well, it is what it is?

[08:45:00]

URQUIZA: Oh, it was infuriating. Those people are -- they're humans. They have people that love them and their lives mattered. We're -- we're not expendable. And part of the reason why I've been sharing my story is to help for others to have the opportunity to come forward and share theirs, to help put faces and names to the people that we've lost and to help hold politicians accountable for the mistakes that they have made and also demand that our needs are met and that things like we can vote safely can happen.

So, yes, I was infuriated and I continue to be infuriated to see how this president cares more about his imagine than protecting people like my dad and my community.

BERMAN: Have you heard from Joe Biden? I'm curious.

URQUIZA: I did receive a letter from the vice president, Joe Biden, saying he was sorry for my loss. It was incredibly touching and very moving, which I appreciated very much.

CAMEROTA: Kristin Urquiza, thank you very much for sharing your dad with us, for sharing the photos, for sharing your story. We really appreciate you just giving us some more meaning behind your powerful and emotional speech last night.

Thanks so much for being with us.

URQUIZA: Thank you for having me.

CAMEROTA: Here is Mark Urquiza again.

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[08:50:41]

CAMEROTA: Many college students will not be back in the classroom in fall -- this fall. So they're wondering why they and their families have to pay full tuition for less of a college experience.

CNN's Bianna Golodryga joins us with more.

What's the answer to that, Bianna?

BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN SENIOR GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: Hello.

CAMEROTA: Hi, can you hear us?

GOLODRYGA: I can hear you.

CAMEROTA: OK.

GOLODRYGA: I kept hearing something else. I'm sorry. This is what live television is.

CAMEROTA: Technology.

GOLODRYGA: Sorry, Alisyn. did you -- did you want me to give you my report? I mean is that what I'm here to do?

CAMEROTA: If you have time. If you have time, yes.

GOLODRYGA: I'm so sorry about that.

So, let's be clear, this is not an ideal situation for college students. And I was really struck by one online survey that I read with more than 13,000 college students asked this question, 93 percent of them believe that if they are not in school physically the tuition should be lowered. Seventy-five percent of them say that online classes are not ideal, and the quality is not as great as in person. A third of them say they may leave school altogether and some are even thinking about suing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SHREYA PATEL, STUDENT, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY: So we kind of find out on their website, on their frequently asked questions it said, will we be getting a refund, and they said no. GOLODRYGA (voice over): When Shreya Patel launched her petition to

lover tuition fees at Rutgers University in July, the New Jersey university had just announced that most of its fall classes would be conducted online.

PATEL: So it just doesn't make sense to be paying such a high amount for something that's not being, you know, used to the full advantage.

GOLODRYGA: Nearly 31,000 signatures later, she's created a movement for other frustrated students like Janani Subramanian.

JANANI SUBRAMANIAN, STUDENT, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY: So I think the biggest thing is a lack of transparency. We don't know where this money is going.

GOLODRYGA: The pressure from nearly half of the student body ultimately led the school to cut campus fees for the semester by 15 percent. Not enough says Janani.

SUBRAMANIAN: Tuition reduction would be great, but there's -- so fees are what we are paying for. And if we're not going to be here, then what's the point?

GOLODRYGA: Experts like Scott Galloway, himself a university professor, believe students are right to be outraged.

SCOTT GALLOWAY, PROFESSOR, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY STERN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS: Universities have backed themselves into the corner, and that is, we have raised tuition on average two and a half fold over the last 20 year.

GOLODRYGA: More than 75 percent of the country's 5,000 colleges and universities are expected to be partially or fully online this fall. And some are joining Rutgers in discounting fees.

Williams College is dropping tuition by 15 percent. Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Georgetown, Spellman and Clark Atlanta University are cutting tuition by 10 percent. While other schools, such as USC, offer their students living at home grants for those choosing to study from home.

TERRY HARTLE, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION: Interestingly enough, some students will be in residence halls at the campus but their courses will be online.

GOLODRYGA: But the majority of schools, from state schools, like Temple University and the University of Massachusetts System, to elite private schools, like Harvard and Stanford, are keeping tuition as is.

GOLODRYGA (on camera): Are you surprised that we haven't seen more offer, even a small tuition reduction?

HARTLE: I think universities have handled this about as well as they could possibly have handled. The universities have to balance their budgets.

GOLODRYGA (voice over): Terry Hartle, an advocate for higher education, says ever since Covid-19, universities have lost millions.

HARTLE: Every institution of higher education in the country has suffered losses. Room and board, international students, the hotel, the bookstore, all of those have just largely disappeared.

GOLODRYGA: Experts also say higher education institutions are better equipped for online learning than K-12 schools, which could help drive down tuition costs.

GALLOWAY: It is time to lower costs and move education back to the way it used to be.

GOLODRYGA: But millions of college students, like Shreya, still feel deprived of campus life and depleted in their bank account.

PATEL: I don't think the financial well-being of a billion dollar institution should be compared to the students who are severely struggling.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GOLODRYGA: And in response to CNN, Rutgers issued this statement, Alisyn. The Rutgers board of governors took the unprecedented step of freezing tuition and fees for the coming year. This action was taken in recognition of the economic stress that confront every member of our community and despite cost increases in virtually every area of our operation.

[08:55:03]

So this is a really -- a debatable issue here. There's no winner that comes out of it. And a lot of our experts are telling us, listen, if parents and students are confused about what to do, perhaps they should consider taking a gap year, taking the semester off and reassessing next year.

CAMEROTA: Oh, my gosh.

GOLODRYGA: But as you can see, with technology, you know, you didn't have my attention at the top of the show. I couldn't hear you. So it makes a difference being in person as opposed to being online.

CAMEROTA: It really does, as we've learned.

Bianna, thank you very much. Great to talk to you.

GOLODRYGA: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: John.

BERMAN: All right, time now for a very quick "Good Stuff."

After exchanging their vows last weekend, a newlywed couple in Ohio grabbed some hair nets and got to work donating what would have been the food at their wedding reception to a women's shelter in Cleveland. Melanie and Tyler -- CAMEROTA: Tipajano (ph).

BERMAN: You got it -- had to change their wedding plans because of coronavirus. They decided to ditch the big party but not the tux and gown. After a small backyard ceremony, the couple headed over to the Loweris (ph) Home Shelter to make the donation and serve the food to 135 women and children.

Good for them.

CAMEROTA: That was fantastic. They're so much better than us. They are just wonderful people.

BERMAN: CNN's coverage continues next.

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