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Office Of The DNI Informs House And Senate Select Committees On Intelligence It Will No Longer Be Briefing On Election Security Issues; Seventeen-Year-Old Kills Two People During Protests In Kenosha, WI; NBA Players Protest Playoff Games In Wake Of Police Shooting Of Jacob Blake; Kenosha Police Association Releases Contested Details Surrounding Jacob Blake Shooting; President Trump Visits Lake Charles, Louisiana, To Survey Damage Done By Hurricane Laura; Actor Chadwick Boseman Dies After Battle With Cancer. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired August 29, 2020 - 14:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:00:29]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is CNN breaking news.

BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN HOST: Hello, everyone. Thanks so much for joining me. I'm Bianna Golodryga in for Fredricka Whitfield.

And we begin this hour with breaking new. CNN has learned that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence has informed the House and Senate Select Committees on Intelligence that it will no longer be briefing on election security issues. The unexpected move by new intel director John Ratcliffe comes as U.S. intelligence officials warn that Russia continues to target the 2020 election.

CNN's Jeremy Diamond is at the White House with the latest. And Jeremy, what more are you learning about the surprising decision?

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Well, Bianna, a senior administration official is telling our colleague, Jake Tapper, that indeed the Office of the Director of National Intelligence will no longer be carrying out any in-person briefings with those two congressional committees on the House side and on the Senate side who deal with intelligence matters as it relates to these crucial issues of election security.

Of course, we are now in the home stretch of this 2020 election, we're certainly entering it, and election security issues are of paramount concern, not only to lawmakers on Capitol Hill in both parties, but also, of course, to many in the American public who saw what happened in 2016, who saw Russia's influence and interference in that election, and our concerns about the potential influence and interference by Russia and by other countries, including China and Iran, heading into the 2020 election.

Now, this official did also say that other departments involved with election security issues like the Department of Defense, for example, the Department of Homeland Security, will continue, it appears at least as of now, to brief members in person.

Now, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence will still be providing written updates, it seems, to those congressional committees, but of course lawmakers have repeatedly said that there is little substitute for these in-person briefings where they can interact directly with some of these intelligence officials and press them on the U.S. intelligence community's latest conclusions and their latest information.

Now, earlier this month, Bianna, we did see the Office of the Director of National Intelligence put out a statement saying that three countries in particular, how they are interfering and seeking to influence the 2020 elections, namely a focus on the issue of Russia and the fact that they are continuing to try and denigrate former vice president Joe Biden, that they are interfering in that election with the aim of hurting his chances at winning the presidency. And it also talked about the fact that China would prefer to see President Trump not be reelected, and that Iran also would prefer not to see President Trump be reelected, it appears.

So certainly there are active influence operations by several countries, and the fact that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence will not be briefing members of Congress in person is sure to get some criticism and a lot of reaction on Capitol Hill. Bianna?

GOLODRYGA: And we are awaiting that reaction, as we speak. Jeremy Diamond, thank you.

Joining me now to discuss this is James Clapper. He's the former director of national intelligence, serving in that role from 2010 to 2017 under President Obama. James, thank you so much for joining us on a busy Saturday at such late notice. But let's get straight to this breaking news and your reaction to this development, the Office of National Intelligence will no longer update the House and Senate Intel Committees in person on election security.

JAMES CLAPPER, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Well, Bianna, I think it's both amazing and disturbing that here we are just a little over two months away from a crucial election, and of course we all know the history of 2016 where the Russians pervasively and deeply invaded us and our political process. And now what I take is probably the single most important government voice on this, the Director of National Intelligence, is going to go silent. I just find this amazing.

First, it's a new norm for me that appearing before the Congress is kind of optional. It certainly hasn't been that way in the past. And this is also, I think, consistent with the reluctance to engage publicly, or now, even privately with the Congress on critical national security issues. That was the case with the worldwide threat assessment that I suffered through for about seven times.

[14:05:00]

And I think this is a terrible thing with respect to the need to inform the electorate about what foreign nations are doing to interfere in our political process, most notably the Russians.

GOLODRYGA: Can you explain why these in-person briefings are so much more relevant and significant as opposed to written reports?

CLAPPER: Well, with a written release, or a written report, you avoid the back and forth of questions, some of which could be quite probing. And I think the DNI would like to avoid that and avoid the risk of saying something that might incur the wrath of the president.

GOLODRYGA: Even at the expense of free and democratic U.S. elections. As we mentioned, this comes just weeks after the ODNI issued a report that multiple foreign actors, including Russia, China, and Iran were attempting to interfere in the U.S. election. There was a lot of pushback, mainly among Democrats, about lumping Russia's behavior in with the other countries because Russia is so much more sophisticated, and Russia has done this before. Do you think today's reporting is related in any way to that?

CLAPPER: Like everything else, this, too, is politicized, as important as it is, to keep the electorate informed. And what I thought had happened was that Bill Evanina, who is the director of what's called the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, was designated to be the lead spokesman and the lead discussant on behalf of the DNI with the other relevant components, notably of the Department of Justice, to keep people informed. So apparently even he can't do that.

So, again -- and the other thing about this, and even with Bill's statement, which I thought was good, is the relative weight of effort devoted by the Russians and the Chinese versus the aggressive and pervasive efforts of the Russians. And that didn't quite come across in the previous statement, and I think that's what caused criticism on the part of Democrats.

GOLODRYGA: Quickly, what message does this send Vladimir Putin? You know the president has reportedly not wanted to be briefed on anything related to Russia's ill behavior towards the west, towards the United States, toward election interference. His own national security adviser has gone on television and said, hey, there's nothing left we can do to deter Russia. We've imposed so many sanctions on them. What message does that send Vladimir Putin once again?

CLAPPER: Well, I think it just reinforces the pass that Putin is getting for this kind of behavior. He, of all people, is going to push the envelope. And you ought to consider Putin's background here, a trained KGB officer who knows how to use his intelligence tools and does so very aggressively. And now he sees that the Director of National Intelligence apparently has been muzzled, at least partially, in describing his efforts.

GOLODRYGA: James Clapper, we will have to leave it there. Thank you so much for joining us on this pressing and urgent development.

I want to go now to President Trump in Louisiana, just arriving at a relief distribution facility in Lake Charles, and he is speaking with folks there. Let's take a listen.

(LAUGHTER)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Great potential, great politicians. Your governor, your senator, and your Congressman --

GOLODRYGA: And we know the president will be traveling from Lake Charles to Orange, Texas, as well today to tour some of the other damage in the area following the massive destruction from hurricane Laura. And we will keep you posted on his travels later today.

New details in the police shooting of Jacob Blake. The Kenosha Police Association has now released its own version of events that led up to Blake being shot in the back seven times.

Plus, the world is remembering an actor who took powerful roles and had a powerful impact on and off the screen. Ahead, a look at Chadwick Boseman's shocking death at the young age of 43. You're in the CNN Newsroom.

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[14:13:50]

GOLODRYGA: New conflicting details over the police shooting of Jacob Blake. The Kenosha, Wisconsin, Police Association released its own version of the events that led up to Blake being shot in the back seven times. In this video, taken by a witness, Blake can be seen walking back to his car, and police guns are drawn. The police union says Blake had a knife in his possession and was combative with officers. But that account is being disputed by Blake's family.

Just moments ago, Kenosha police released photos of two officers involved in the Blake shooting. They say they are Officer Rusten Sheskey and Officer Vincent Arenas reportedly used their tasers to stop Blake, which had both failed.

The shooting set off a new round of nationwide protests, some turning violent. Demonstrators are now demanding justice and police reforms. And that message is extending into the world of sports. Today many sports leagues, including the NBA, are returning to play after staging walkouts in response to the shooting. And now President Trump is also weighing in for the first time.

CNN's Sara Sidner is in Kenosha, Wisconsin. And Sara, it is just days ago that a teenager killed two people during protests in Kenosha. What is the latest on that case?

[14:15:04]

SARA SIDNER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, so Kyle Rittenhouse was in court -- or actually had a court date, and that court date actually has now been extended for 30 days. They're fighting extradition to come here to Wisconsin from Illinois where he was turning himself in after the shooting. His attorney saying that he believes that this was all self-defense. To be clear, he is charged with six counts in the case, including two intentional homicides and one attempted homicide. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SIDNER: Seventeen-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse accused of fatally shooting two people in Kenosha is due to appear in an Illinois court next month after an extradition hearing was pushed back. Authorities are fighting to have him sent to Wisconsin where he faces six charges in two fatal shootings and the wounding of another.

Police and social media videos reveal the 17-year-old suspect came to Kenosha with a rifle and a plan, later laid out in the charges against him. He explained it that night to the conservative media outlet "The Daily Caller."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People are getting injured, and our job is to protect this building. And part of my job is to also help people if there's somebody hurt.

SIDNER: Instead, authorities say Rittenhouse ended up killing and injuring people. Several social media videos show it playing out in the streets of Kenosha. His attorney telling NBC News his client acted in self-defense. Hannah Gittings boyfriend, shown here, died trying to stop the gunman using a skateboard.

HANNAH GITTINGS, SHOOTING VICTIM'S GIRLFRIEND: He loved the city because it was his city, and he wanted to make it better. Like he wanted to stay in this house with me and my daughter and raise her here, and make it a better place.

SIDNER: Anthony Kennedy, a Kenosha alderman, is clear on who he believes is to blame for the worst violence.

ANTHONY KENNEDY, ALDERMAN, 10TH DISTRICT: The last time there was a police shooting in this town was six years ago. This narrative that the police are out of control is something I'm pushing back on. The agitators are the ones who are showing up with guns and want to kill people.

SIDNER: The protests that created this volatile mix sparked by another shooting, the police shooting of Jacob Blake that left him paralyzed after being shot seven times in the back. Jacob Blake's family telling CNN police have cuffed Blake to his hospital bed.

JACOB BLAKE SR., FATHER OF JACOB BLAKE: When I walked into that room, he's paralyzed from the waist down, why do they have that cold steel on my son's ankle? He couldn't get up if he wanted to. So that's a little overkill to have him shackled to the bed. That just makes no sense to me.

SIDNER: The sheriff says he's cuffed to the bed because Blake has felony warrants for his arrest, including one from July for third- degree sexual assault.

Friday afternoon, Blake's local attorney says the cuffs were finally removed and Blake's warrants vacated.

Dispatch audio from the moments before Blake's shooting is shedding a little more light on why police approached him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Complainant says Jacob Blake isn't supposed to be there and he took the complainant's keys and is refusing to give them back. It looks like he's trying to leave. We're trying to get a vehicle description.

SIDNER: The Blake family attorney explaining these two shootings, in his opinion, are an example of two different justice systems in America.

BENJAMIN CRUMP, ATTORNEY FOR JACOB BLAKE AND FAMILY: No police officer that he walked by, no National Guard that he walked by shot him in the back. Nobody killed him. And so it is the tale of two videos that perfectly highlight the frustration of African-Americans and the NBA players and the major league players and everybody who wants equal justice in this society.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SIDNER: Jacob Blake's family is here. We have just met and seen his uncle. They are here because this is where there is going to be a protest that was scheduled for today in just about 30 minutes from now. We should also mention they are outraged hearing from the police association who has put new information out that they say is relevant to the case, saying that Jacob Blake had a knife. They are accusing him of fighting with officers before he ended up being shot in the back by one of their officers.

We should be clear they are not the investigating agency. The investigating agency, the State Department of Justice, is saying that they are going to be doing an impartial investigation, and that that does not reflect all of the details that they will be coming out with. They are very adamant that they are the official investigation to put out information.

GOLODRYGA: Sara, we can see local people there gathering for what is to be another day of protests and peaceful, hopefully, demonstrations. Thank you.

NBA players will be back on the court today after protesting several playoff games in the wake of Jacob Blake's shooting. Joining me now to discuss is Rashad Robinson, a civil rights leader and the president of Color of Change.

[14:20:03]

Rashad, thank you for joining us to talk about this important story. What does it mean to see NBA players and other athletes really standing in solidarity with people like you who are working to create change?

RASHAD ROBINSON, PRESIDENT, COLOR OF CHANGE: I think it's incredible. Athletes, artists, black athletes and artists, have constantly been a part of social movements. But for folks to stand up and use their platform, to watch these athletes in the tradition of folks like Bill Russell and so many others that had to endure so much on the court and so much off the court.

These athletes in so many ways are standing on the shoulders of folks who came before them, but live in the communities, have families in these communities, are dealing day in and day out with the impacts of systemic racism.

And so the athletes standing up and speaking out sends a really powerful message. And having it come four years after Colin Kaepernick took that brave step and suffered so much as a result and was blackballed, to see so many folks rally around, also, I think, shows how much we've been able to change the conversation and move the conversation as a result of more people coming into this conversation and speaking out.

GOLODRYGA: I'm glad you mentioned Colin Kaepernick because the NFL's Baltimore Ravens put out a strong statement calling for police to arrest the officers who killed Breonna Taylor and shot Jacob Blake. Let's show the statement, reads in part, "This is bigger than sports. Racism is embedded in the fabric of our nation's foundation and is a blemish on our country's history. If we are to change course and make our world a better place, we must face this problem head on and act now to enact positive change."

As you mentioned, what a difference four years can make given how blackballed Colin Kaepernick was for his stance in just taking a knee. How much longevity do you think this movement has as far as other teams coming forward and embracing similar statements?

ROBINSON: What's going to continue to happen is that more of these moments are going to happen, more of these killings are going to happen, more tragedies are going to happen in communities until real systemic change, until accountability actually occurs.

There have been from Kaepernick to now so many folks standing up. I couldn't have this conversation without talking about the work of the WNBA and the women basketball players who stood up and have been so powerful on these issues and have sacrificed, many of them taking time off the league, out of the league to engage and work directly on social justice movements, athletes setting up foundations and other things.

And so the fact of the matter is every couple of years we hear, has the movement lost steam? The movement isn't about just people standing up and raising their voices because we have nothing else to do. The movement is about us standing up and speaking out because we can do nothing else, because our lives and our families are on the line, because day in and day out we are dealing with the impacts of systems that are not broken, but are operating exactly the way they are designed, and are set up to harm and hurt us, and then to not deliver accountability and justice.

And this is simply not about hearts and minds. It is about power. And that is why we need folks who have platforms, who have power, to stand up and use it.

GOLODRYGA: Well, I was going to ask you, unfortunately, we're out of time, about the platform of Facebook and how it's amplified some of the responses we've seen. We saw a rare apology, really, from Mark Zuckerberg for their role. But we will continue this conversation another time. Rashad Robinson, thank you so much. I really appreciate it.

President Trump is in Louisiana at this hour getting a look at hurricane damage. We'll have a live report just ahead. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

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[14:28:36]

GOLODRYGA: And right now President Trump is in Lake Charles, Louisiana, surveying damage after it was slammed by hurricane Laura this week. The storm claimed at least 15 lives according to officials there. There are still half-a-million customers without power. And hospitals are evacuating patients because the city is without water.

CNN's Gary Tuchman is in Lake Charles. What are things like on the ground there, and what are some of the things the president -- we're looking at a live image of him surveying downed trees. What else is he expected to see there?

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It will be on after a festive week with the Republican National Convention and a rally in New Hampshire, President Trump has come to a solemn place, Lake Charles, Louisiana, population 80,000. And this is live right now. The president is touring a neighborhood with immense destruction, power lines down, trees down, houses damaged.

And this is just one neighborhood. He could have been at 100, 200, 300, 400 neighborhoods. We have toured the city over the last two days. There are very few blocks where you don't see some damage, and many blocks where you see immense damage. So that's what the president is looking at right now and talking to residents here.

And like I said, it's very solemn. Why is it solemn? Why is it so particularly solemn? First of all, you have the death toll of 15, which we hope doesn't grow, but you also have no power, as you said, for half a million customers at least. And also, and this is unusual because we cover a lot of hurricanes, but there is no water in the city. The water facilities were busted, they were broken. It's anybody's guess how long they will be out.

[14:30:06]

So what's happened is the president also went to a relief distribution center where they're sending water and food out to people who need it. And people right now already are getting very desperate because it is very hot outside. Right now it's 90 degrees, the humidity is at 66 percent. The heat index is 100 and people don't have water.

I should note the president came wearing the presidential windbreaker with the hood. The hood may come in handy because thunderstorms are on the way. But like I said, it's very hot outside right now, and people without food and water, they're hoping for those relief supplies to be sent out as quickly as possible.

I will tell you one thing the president wasn't wearing, not surprisingly, was a mask when he arrived off the plane, and there's a mask now, he's not wearing it all day. He's being greeted by Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards, Republican Senator John Kennedy. They were wearing masks. Other people who were greeting the president were not wearing masks. They were very close up at time. We just want to tell you that for the record.

Either way, the president is here, and hopefully giving comfort to the people who are afflicted here, to so many victims, so many people without homes and so many people who will have a tough time rebuilding here in this city, the biggest city in southwestern Louisiana, the fifth biggest city in the state, Lake Charles. Bianna?

GOLODRYGA: And as you said, Gary, that street could be symbolic for so many neighborhoods that have been damaged as homes have been torn apart there following Laura. The president will also be traveling to Orange, Texas, which is nearby there at the Louisiana later on as well, and you will be continuing to follow the story for us. Gary Tuchman, thank you.

In other news, actor Chadwick Boseman had had big roles both on screen and off. Coming up ahead, his life, his legacy, and shocking death at the age of 43. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:35:49]

GOLODRYGA: Fans around the world are mourning the loss of actor Chadwick Boseman. The "Black Panther" star died after a four-year battle with colon cancer. He was only 43-years-old. Former President Barack Obama reacted to Boseman's passing on Twitter, saying in part, quote, "You could tell right away that he was blessed, to be young, gifted, and black, to use that power to give them heroes to look up to, to do it all while in pain. What a use of his years." Right before his passing, Boseman also released a PSA encouraging Americans, especially young people, to go out and vote. Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHADWICK BOSEMAN, ACTOR: All that 70 million group of young people who will come out and vote, I believe in you. I think you can turn our nation around. You can make it live up to what it's supposed to do. It's not just that you are the future. You're actually the present. You're actually what we're supposed to be at this moment.

And the fact that you have a voice, the fact that you can have a say -- vote for whoever you want. Vote for what you believe in. But I believe that the majority of you can see what's actually happening, and you want things to change. So I say all that to say, thank you in advance for your input and the victory that is to come.

(END VIDEO CLIP) GOLODRYGA: So much heartfelt passion for such an important topic. Here with me now to talk more about Boseman's legacy is Scott Evans, an entertainment reporter and host of "Access Hollywood." Scott, this is a tremendous loss, not only for the entertainment industry but especially for those in the black community. Can you speak to Boseman's impact and what he represented to you and other black men?

SCOTT EVANS, HOST, "ACCESS HOLLYWOOD": I can tell you this -- first, thank you, Bianna, for having me on to talk about this figure, this incredible man who stood for the artistic representation, but a truthful representation of our culture. Losing Chadwick Boseman is like losing a limb. In 2020 it feels like it's loss after loss after loss in a lot of ways. And so the surprise of losing him at 43 when we really just in a lot of ways feel like we just got him, you know what I mean, it is hard to contextualize, I'll be honest with you.

But you don't have to look for to see his impact on not only the black community, but on American cinema, on the culture, right. To think that in 2013 we were introduced to him on the big screen as Jackie Robinson in "42," and that was just seven years ago, to know that he would choose role after role in telling the stories of notable black figures is unparalleled.

And to see a black man on screen who is profoundly dark, he is a brown-skinned brother representing so many of us, pulling images up on a screen, throwing images to our forefront that maybe we had never really seen before in this way, validating so many of us who don't see enough images of us. But you can scroll through Instagram, Twitter, and you can see the outpouring of love and respect and admiration. You don't need necessarily me to be the spokesperson, for sure.

GOLODRYGA: Well, and the determination, the poise, the passion for what he did at such a young age, right. At 43 he had already played the likes of James Brown, Jackie Robinson, you mentioned this, "Black Panther," Marshall, Thurgood.

[14:40:06]

These are real icons, right, that not too many actors have a resume that's comparable to what he was able to achieve. And not just that, while he was battling a deadly disease, right? And nobody knew.

EVANS: That's the part --

GOLODRYGA: He took on so many roles. It's almost the question should be who is going to play him now, given what he went through.

EVANS: Bianna, that's a great question. And to think about the fact that he was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer and then would go on to give us roles like Thurgood Marshall. He would go on to give us roles like T'Challa "Black Panther," he would go on to give us roles like the Spike Lee joint "Da 5 Bloods." It was, it is incredible. He would produce and star in "21 Bridges." It is, I think, a testament to his strength. It is a testament to his dedication, his real-life purpose, his realization that this means something, this work means something. I think it also stands for the support of his family, the love of his

close friends and family, that he while battling for his life, fighting for his life, was giving us some of the highest art. "Black Panther" would go on to break records, topping the billion-dollar mark worldwide, validating the fact that black stories and black textures in truth, not stereotyped, is a bankable and necessary thing.

GOLODRYGA: It just highlights his support and his respect for his fans, continuing to work through such personal pain and trauma, and of course our thoughts are with his family today and all those fans who have lost an inspiration. Scott Evans, thank you so much. I really appreciate it.

EVANS: Bianna, I do want -- if I can get one more thing.

GOLODRYGA: Quickly.

EVANS: I do think that his story is also a reminder to us that we should be just as courageous and maybe more courageous in our acts of compassion than we are in our acts of fear, and that we are all in this together, and that we should each one bring one along, you know what I mean?

GOLODRYGA: Amen. Thank you. Thank you so much.

EVANS: Thank you.

GOLODRYGA: Scott Evans.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:47:06]

GOLODRYGA: Once again, we want to take you to Louisiana where the president has been on a surveying, sight-seeing mission there, getting a tour of the damage and the destruction in Lake Charles from hurricane Laura. Earlier this week, 15 fatalities that we know of thus far, but immense damage, trees blown away and uprooted, homes destroyed. And the big problem there is no water. And in 90-degree heat this time of year, that is devastating for the folks on the ground.

So the president there meeting with officials and FEMA officials as well and thanking everybody for their quick work in making sure that this devastation wasn't even worse. The president will also be traveling later today to Orange, Texas, just a few hours away there on the other side of the Texas-Louisiana border. We will bring you updates throughout the day on the president's travels as he tours and surveys the destruction.

And quickly, let's just listen in as the president continues speaking and thanking officials there.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: You took a big punch. You'll be back, 100 percent. So when people get used to air- conditioning, and this is very hot, when people get used to air- conditioning and all of a sudden they don't have it, that's a very traumatic situation.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is. You find out how acclimated we are to modern conveniences at a time like this. And no power, very limited amounts of water right now make it difficult for a lot of people in Lake Charles.

D. TRUMP: You have a great reputation. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Michael Danahay, Michael. Hi, Michael. How are you doing, Michael? That's the mayor of Sulphur. Are you hit, would you say, like this one? Pretty much like this one? Very close, huh? How is it going?

(INAUDIBLE)

D. TRUMP: Good job. Good luck. And the Mayor of Westlake Bob Hardy. Thank you, Bob. How is it going?

(INAUDIBLE)

D. TRUMP: Similar?

(INAUDIBLE)

D. TRUMP: You'll all get it going. One thing I know about this state, they rebuild it fast. There's no problem. And we'll supply what we have to supply, and you know what a lot of that is, a thing called green, right? And we'll take care of you. I'll be speaking with you and John.

[14:50:04]

And I just want to recognize Bill Cassidy and Congressman Ralph Abraham, two great people. And Bill is going through a problem, and I hope Ralph is fine, right? Ralph is fine. And Bill is going through a problem, but I spoke to him the other day and it sounds like he's doing well. And he's been, along with John, a terrific senator.

So hurricane Laura was a category four storm, and it was actually, for a little while, a five. It was up to 175, almost 180 miles an hour. Few people have ever even heard of that. With winds currently when it came in, it was at 150 miles per hour, at landfall, damaging thousands of homes and causing hundreds of road blockages and major power outages. And I heard, I think this is correct, that it was the most powerful storm coming in and hitting your land in 150 years.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, sir.

D. TRUMP: Coming in.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And that's assuming the measuring was right.

D. TRUMP: Yes, you don't know.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't know.

D. TRUMP: How do they do it? They put their finger up, right? I just visited the Cajun Navy, the relief center. They're fantastic. I want to thank the pastors. And we had a great pastor just gave us a little prayer. And he didn't choke. He gave a great prayer, I'll tell you. He got up there and he just gave it. I've seen some that didn't quite get it out as nicely. But he did a fantastic job, and I want to thank all of the pastors across the state, people of faith across the state who have been helping families and communities recover.

Before the storm struck, I approved an emergency declaration under the auspices of John and John Bel. We had a very quick one, I would say. You got that almost immediately, wouldn't you say, John? I think before the storm got here you had your emergency. We knew what was coming. Thank you, John. But we got it very quickly, and we're going to be discussing some other things in a little while.

Yesterday I approved a major disaster declaration that helps individuals and business owners, which is a little bit different, but it goes right to the individual. And I've signed that already, and so you're all set to go on that. FEMA has delivered 2.6 million liters of water and 1.4 million meals, and that's a lot of meals. So you're pretty busy, I guess, Pete, right? That's incredible. Great job. Your people are incredible.

I haven't had -- Pete has done this for a long time, I haven't had one complaint, with all of the storms we've had in Texas and here, I haven't had one complaint. So you've done a hell of a job, Pete. Thank you. Pete Gaynor, everybody. Don't hire him away, please. Private enterprises look and they say, hey, let's go. Let's go take him away. Don't let him leave, John, please, all right? Is that all right?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's the best.

D. TRUMP: We're also assisting state and local officials to restore water to roughly 180,000 residences and to protect energy infrastructure. I want to thank the men and women of FEMA and the first responders and the law enforcement which we love and we cherish and doing a fantastic job and don't get the kind of recognition that they should get. But actually, they do, because the people love them, right? The people love them, and we appreciate our law enforcement. Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones. What is the number, would you say, John, right now?

(INAUDIBLE)

D. TRUMP: Amazing. Well, it's a tremendous number, but you were thinking it could have been a lot worse.

(INAUDIBLE)

D. TRUMP: Yes, amazing. Amazing.

So 15 years ago this week, Louisiana was devastated by hurricane Katrina. That seems to be -- Katrina seems to be the standard. It seems to be the one that -- is it actually today, 15 years ago today. And whether you come from Louisiana or 5th avenue in New York City, you know all about Katrina, right? That was a bad, bad deal, and devastation. The devastation was far greater, even though the storm probably wasn't as powerful.

(INAUDIBLE)

D. TRUMP: Correct.

(INAUDIBLE)

D. TRUMP: Are your levies now in good shape?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The best ever.

D. TRUMP: The best ever. Good, that's good.

So you came together and you rebuilt. America helped, and here we are today, and you're going to have this situation taken care of very, very quickly. I'd like to ask Governor John Bel Edwards to say a few words. And then, John, if you would say a few words, and we'll take a few questions from the press, if you'd like. We'll talk about primarily the storm.

[14:49:45]

GOV. JOHN BEL EDWARDS, (D-LA): Thank you very much, Mr. President. We really appreciate your close cooperation and all the communication you've had, the members of your cabinet.

(INAUDIBLE)

EDWARDS: The biggest challenge will be power restoration.

(INAUDIBLE)

EDWARDS: They counted 172 major transmission towers --

(INAUDIBLE)

EDWARDS: There's only 30 in the state.

(INAUDIBLE)

EDWARDS: And the last thing I want to share with you is last night, because of your help --

(INAUDIBLE)

GOLODRYGA: And you have been listening to the president there getting a survey tour on the ground at Lake Charles, Louisiana, just days after the damage from hurricane Laura. We've lost 15 lives as we know of, but, of course, it could have been much worse given the magnitude of this storm. The president there speaking with local officials and Governor Edwards speaking right now. The president will be taking some questions later before he travels to orange, Texas, just a few miles away on the Texas-Louisiana border. The folks there in Lake Charles are now really suffering without electricity and water, so the president is addressing those issues right now.

Thank you so much for watching. I'm Bianna Golodryga. CNN Newsroom continues with Ana Cabrera in just a moment.

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