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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Protests Erupt After Grand Jury Decides Not to Charge Louisville Police Officers with Killing Breonna Taylor; Trump Won't Commit to Peaceful Transfer of Power; Expert: Russia Using "New" Version of Chemical Weapon. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired September 24, 2020 - 05:00   ET

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

[05:00:24]

LAURA JARRETT, CNN ANCHOR: Grief and outrage in Louisville. Two officers shot in protests overnight, after no officers are charged directly in the death of Breonna Taylor.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Less than six weeks to the election, and the president boasts the once unthinkable, refusing to leave office.

JARRETT: And the president wants a vaccine before Election Day. And he's now threatening to overrule stricter guidelines to make it happen.

Welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world.

This is EARLY START. I'm Laura Jarrett.

ROMANS: Good morning, everyone. I'm Christine Romans. It's Thursday, September 24th, 5:00 a.m. in New York. Forty days now to the election.

Breaking overnight, a new version of all too familiar story, protests across the country, after no police officers were charged directly in the killing of 26-year-old black emergency room technician, an aspiring nurse, Breonna Taylor. The community's pain screaming from the front page of today's "Louisville Courier Journal."

And last night, two Louisville officers were shot. The wounds are not life-threatening. And a suspect is in custody.

JARRETT: One of the three officers involved in Taylor's death, Brett Hankison, was indicted. However, not for Taylor's death. He now faces charges of first degree wanton endangerment. Because officials say he fired blindly through a door, bullets that wound up in a neighboring apartment.

The charges immediately criticized as lacking and insufficient by protesters and activists all over the country. The other two officers who fired their weapons during this botched raid in March were not indicted. The state attorney general said one witness heard police identify themselves. But Breonna Taylor's boyfriend who was in the apartment did not. And he opened fire when he thought someone was breaking into her home.

The A.G. said that single shot is enough to justify the use of force by police.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANIEL CAMERON, KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL: Our investigations show, and the grand jury agreed, that Mattingly and Cosgrove were justified in the return of deadly fire after having been fired upon by Kenneth Walker.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: A serious outstanding question is why were the officers there in the first place. The attorney general says the federal authorities are looking into the warrant police are executing. Taylor's ex- boyfriend was the actually focus of the drug investigation that led officers to Taylor's apartment where incidentally no drugs were found. That man, the ex, was already under arrest ten miles away.

Taylor family attorney Benjamin Crump called the grand jury's decision outrageous and offensive.

Here's Taylor's cousin.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TAWANNA GORDON, COUSIN OF BREONNA TAYLOR: It is so insulting that you would say that the neighbors' lives mattered more than Breonna Taylor's life. There was negligence that night. If shot one time because they thought someone was coming into their apartment, they shot over 20 times, six of them hitting Breonna, killing her, and it's negligent. Our family is grieving all over again. It is March 13th all over again for us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JARRETT: Overnight, protests across the country remained mostly peaceful. There were, however, some arrests, civil rights leader Jesse Jackson saying that violent demonstrations would be a commercial for Trump. And this grand jury decision could reignite the protests just as health experts are warning the pandemic is getting worse heading into fall.

ROMANS: All right. A peaceful transition of power has always been the bedrock of American democracy. The president said so himself.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Every four years we gather on these steps to carry out the orderly and peaceful transfer of power.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: But our system doesn't secure the peaceful secession of power, it nearly assumes it will happen. Yet now, our system is faced with a president who refuses to say that he will honor that sacred pact.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REPORTER: Will you commit to making sure there is a peaceful transferal of power after the election?

TRUMP: Well, we're going to see what happens. You know that, I've been complaining very strongly about the ballots, the ballots are a disaster.

REPORTER: I've seen that. But people are rioting. Do you commit to making sure that there's a peaceful transferal of power?

TRUMP: We want to get rid of the ballots and you'll have a very transfer -- we'll have a very peaceful -- there won't be a transfer frankly. There'll be a continuation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JARRETT: Get rid of the ballots, he says, get rid of mail-in voting which is not only reliable and legal but has been done successfully for years in several states so that Trump can have in his own words a continuation of his presidency.

Here is Joe Biden's response to that sentiment?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: What country are we in? I'm being facetious. I said what country are we in? He says the most irrational things. I don't know what to say about it. But it doesn't surprise me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JARRETT: Republican Senator Mitt Romney calls Trump's answer unthinkable and unacceptable. He said it sounds more like Belarus.

This week, the president essentially admitted he wants a new Supreme Court justice confirmed before the November election in case he needs a swing vote for cases about disputed ballots.

And just last month, the Joint Chiefs chairman, General Mark Milley, told Congress that the military will not play a role in the election and will not help settle disputes if the results are, in fact, contested.

ROMANS: All right. Meantime, some officials tried desperately to get the politics out of science. President Trump injects the politics right back in.

CNN is reporting that the FDA is considering tougher vaccine guidelines. But on the same day, the Vice President Pence asked governors to boost confidence in an eventual vaccine, the president says he can overrule steps that could delay the time line.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: It's up to me. It's purely political. Why would they do this if they come back with great results? Why would we be delaying it?

But we're going to look at it. We're going to take a look at it. And ultimately, the White House has to approve it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JARRETT: The director at the National Institutes of Health says the last thing we need is to create another cloud of uncertainty over the vaccine development. There's been a major dip in this trust issue over the summer as more issues appear to be politicized by the administration.

Top members of the federal response were on Capitol Hill Wednesday, the same day that 1100 Americans lost their lives. The CDC director also warns many Americans are still at risk for catching this virus.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. ROBERT REDFIELD, CDC DIRECTOR: Primary results on the first round show that a majority of our nation, more than 90 percent of the population, remains susceptible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: We just surpassed a grim milestone. 200,000 Americans killed. So, if 90 percent are still at risk that could balloon. That also shows how deadly it could be to rely on herd immunity, as President Trump has suggested.

The government is now warning about a sharp decline in children being vaccinated, and critical health screenings during the pandemic. It could result in long term damage and outbreaks of measles and other diseases.

JARRETT: Syracuse University says it's cancelling spring break to minimize travel-related risks.

In New York City, the Metropolitan Opera will remain shut for another year. That's a big announcement for New York's entertainment venues. And when this year is finally over, Times Square will be hosting a virtual ball drop.

ROMANS: Sign of the times.

All right. The message to Washington is very clear. More stimulus is needed to keep the economic recovery from back sliding. The business roundtable, the top lobby of corporate leaders said Tuesday the economic outlook remains fragile, adding the recovery requires more support to be sustained and accelerated. CEOs remain especially concerned about implications for small businesses. The corporate leaders joined Fed Chief Jerome Powell, the airline

industries, small business and jobless workers, millions of them urging Congress to act. But Congress is getting ready to leave Washington this week, until after the election, without passing a stimulus bill that both parties agree is desperately needed.

Meanwhile, corporate America is addressing how racism is affecting the economy. A new report from Citi shows if four key racial gaps for black Americans, wages, education, housing and investment, if those gaps were closed 20 years ago, $16 trillion could have been added to the U.S. economy. If those were closed today, Citi says the country would add $5 trillion to the GDP over the next five years.

Laura, we're putting into numbers what so many people are worried about where actually this country suffers because of racist policy are that are embedded in the system.

JARRETT: Yeah, helpful to see it in concrete terms there.

Well, another Trump loyalist is a key position of power. President Trump plans to nominate national security adviser Allen Souza to serve as the inspector general of the intelligence community. Souza is the former aide to Republican Congressman Devin Nunes. Remember, Nunes was chairman of the House Intel Committee where he developed a reputation for apparently serving the president's interests.

[05:10:00]

The president fired the previous inspector general, Michael Atkinson, for his handling of a whistleblower complaint about Trump's call with Ukraine's president that ultimately led to Trump's impeachment.

ROMANS: All right. Russia could be developing new nerve agents. How the Alexei Navalny poisoning set off an alarm.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JARRETT: Welcome back.

A South Korea official is shot down after crossing a maritime border into North Korea. South Korea says a staffer with the maritime affairs ministry went missing along the islands on the offshore border between the north and south. At some point, the South Korea crossed into the North Korea waters and the North troops open fired, later burning the body. The South Korean military demanded a full explanation and punishment of those responsible.

ROMANS: A leading chemical weapons expert tells CNN that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned by a different and new version of Novichok. That's raising concerns Russia may still be developing versions of this deadly chemical.

[05:15:02]

Matthew Chance is in Moscow tracking the latest developments for us.

What do we know, Matthew?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's certainly a line of speculation that's being floated, Christine, in intelligence circles, why Alexei Navalny after being poisoned with what is known as an extremely dangerous nerve agent Novichok has not died. In fact, he's getting better, he's been discharged from hospital in the past 36 hours. So, he's back on his feet, posting on social media about the need for him to have daily physiotherapy sessions.

But according to the doctors there, it looks like he's going to make -- it's possible he's going to make a full recovery. Although, the caveat, they don't know at this stage what the long-term effects the poisoning could have had on him.

But you're right, there is a speculation floating around in intelligence circles a couple of years ago as well, that Julia and Sergey Skripal, former British agent in Russia and his daughter were poisoned in Salisbury, in England, they didn't die either. Although another member of the British public did.

And it's been around for a while, this idea that the Russians may have developed a kind of Novichok nerve agent that is less toxic. It's less fatal. It's designed to incapacitate, rather than to kill, and certainly, that would account for the fact that those individuals targeted with Novichok are still walking around in relative good health, given that they served nerve agent poisoning.

But it's unexpected. At this point, the Kremlin, of course, denying anything to do with this. They say -- they've changed their narrative a couple of times. Earlier, they said they destroyed all of their Novichok. Yesterday, the foreign minister said Russia has never had Novichok at all, Christine.

ROMANS: All right. Matthew Chance for us in Moscow -- thanks.

JARRETT: The State Department says it cannot consider Alexander Lukashenko the legitimately elected leader of Belarus. Lukashenko was inaugurated Wednesday in a surprised ceremony as widespread protests continue in his country. The U.S. considers the August 9th election neither free nor fair and calls the outcome fraudulent.

Overnight, the European Union also said it is reviewing relations with Belarus. ROMANS: All right. Professional athletes spearheads this year's social justice campaign. What prominent stars said over night about the Breonna Taylor case.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:21:47]

ROMANS: Hot, dry conditions return this weekend to the fire-ravaged west coast. And those conditions could last for weeks. That means more wildfires are likely in a season that has already shattered records. The forecast shows temperatures nearly 30 degrees above normal with no chance of rain after Monday. No chance of rain for up to ten days. The Creek Fire has been burning for more than two weeks in the

mountains of Fresno and Madera Counties. It is now the largest wildfire in state history, burning 289,000 acres.

JARRETT: Well, news as the decision in the Breonna Taylor case has sparked widespread reaction from all corners the sports world.

Carolyn Manno has more in this morning's "Bleacher Report".

Hey, Carolyn.

CAROLYN MANNO, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, Laura.

Athletes are using their platforms to express their disappointment in the decision. Colin Kaepernick among them, drawing protests on Twitter, for fundamental change, the white supremacist news of polices that stole Breonna Taylor's life from us must be abolished for safety and well-being of our people.

This from LeBron James: We want justice for Breonna, yet justice was met for her neighbors apartment walls, and not her beautiful life.

The most disrespected person on earth is the black woman. I promise you I'll do my best to change this as much as I can and even more.

NBA and WNBA players have led the charge on social justice. The WNBA dedicating its entire season to Breonna Taylor, her name on the back of every jersey.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAYLA MCBRIDE, LAS VEGAS ACES GUARD: She's always on our hearts and our minds. We wear Breonna Taylor's name on the back of our jerseys for a reason. It's not a game that you win or lose. It's not one movement that can change everything. It's a journey. We may not win this battle, but we're going war.

JIMMY BUTLER, MIAMI HEAT FORWARD: You may not know my name, it could be me. It still could be me even if people do know my name. That's what it's all about, is the fact that we're all equal. No matter what. No matter the color of our skin, we're all equal. We just see it that way.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MANNO: And Jimmy Butler's Miami Heat facing the Boston Celtics last night in a game that many players described as tough as the grand jury decision in Taylor's case.

Miami rookie Tyler Herro was that, the story of the game. The 20-year- old coming up from the bench to score a career high 37 points that is the most by a rookie in the playoffs since Magic Johnson. Herro leading his team to a victory.

The Miami leads the series 3-1. They're now one win away from the NBA finals. The Heat can close it out in game five tomorrow night. And now we know why Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor wasn't available

in game two against the Chiefs. The team's doctor reportedly punctured the veteran's lung by accident, while trying to administer a painkilling injection. Taylor briefly out with a rib injury. He's now out until further notice, with rookie Justin Herbert stepping in as his replacement.

The NFL Players Association is investigating this incident, Christine. This medical misstep could cost his job. He's a veteran.

But the team says for now, if he's healthy, they're going with him as a starter if he's back. That's certainly that has long-term repercussion, legal even.

[05:25:03]

ROMANS: Absolutely. All right. Carolyn Manno, thank you so much for that, Carolyn.

And the indictment in the Breonna Taylor that will hold no one accountable for her death. How Louisville and the nation responded overnight.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: Grief and outrage in Louisville. Two officers shot in protests overnight, after no officers are charged directly in the death of Breonna Taylor.

JARRETT: Less than six weeks to the election, and the president boasts what was once unthinkable.