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New Day

U.S. Officials Are Scrambling To Deal With The Biggest Hack Of The U.S. Government In Years; Attorney General Bill Barr Announced He Was Leaving The Trump Administration; Apparently A Terrorist Group Has Kidnapped 100 Of Boys In Nigeria; The Covid Vaccine Is Taking Off Around The World; Millions Of People On The East Coast Pretape For A Big Winter Storm. Aired 7:30-8a ET

Aired December 15, 2020 - 07:30   ET

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

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ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN HOST: U.S. officials are scrambling to deal with the biggest hack of U.S. Government agencies in years. CNN learned Monday that the Department of Homeland Security's cyber arm which is tasked with helping safeguard the nation from attacks by malicious foreign actors is among at least three agencies that were compromised by Russian hackers.

The "Washington Post" reports the State Department and the National Institute of Health were also targeted.

CNN's Jim Sciutto is live for us in Washington with more. Jim, this -- that doesn't sound as if it could be any more serious than hitting those places.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No -- no, it is enormous, it is damaging and these agencies are just beginning to do an assessment as to how far this went, what information was stolen and what damage was done. So, let's -- let's talk about the range of agencies that were targeted and infiltrated here.

It began with Commerce and Treasury, a big deal, but now it's gotten far bigger than that, because it now extends to the Pentagon, it extends, as you mentioned, to the NIH and the CDC, that of course is central because we're in the midst of fighting a pandemic, what kind of health or vaccine in formation might have been stolen.

The State Department, but also this, the Department of Homeland Security that, of course, the agency tasked with defending against these kinds of attacks and made even worse by the fact that these agencies didn't know it was happening.

They -- they had to be told by FireEye, which is a private security agency that does a lot of work for the government, but the NSA, the National Security Agency, of course the Intelligence Agency that does this kind of cyber stuff it didn't know. It had to be informed in effect, warned about this from the outside.

But let's talk just for a moment about how they did this. They did this as they often do with something of a spear fishing exercise. They got 18,000 government users at these agencies to download a software upgrade for a software called SolarWinds used widely throughout government and -- and that was compromised in some way and that allowed Russians access into these agencies.

You know, Alisyn, I've covered, I've written about a lot of major hacks, this -- this one seems similar to one that Russia did in 2014, '15 on the State Department but far wider. And -- and listen tot his point. The U.S. successfully defended itself it appears from Russian interference in this election. That's a big deal.

But, it appears that as that was happening Russia was doing something else, right? They were infiltrating attacking a whole host of other agencies. We don't at this point how far this went, but it is certainly serious.

CAMEROTA: Jim, that actually just makes perfect sense, because why would they give up on the election unless they had their eye on a bigger prize or a different prize of some sort.

SCIUTTO: Yes.

CAMEROTA: So Jim, thank you for your expertise in all of this and bringing us your reporting. All right, John.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN HOST: All right, also developing overnight Attorney General Bill Barr announcing he is leaving the Trump Administration next week. The news comes via presidential tweet after weeks of feuding with the president.

Joining us now CNN Legal Analyst Elie Honig, he's a former Federal Prosecutor and as important for the purposes of this discussion Elie, you're writing a whole book on Bill Barr, which is coming out in July.

I want to talk about his legacy in a second, leave that aside for a moment. But what does it say to you that this guy, this attorney general, who is willing to break so many norms for the President of the United States and break so many precedence for the President of the United States, what does it say to you that -- that something happened, something got between them and he just couldn't take it anymore. What could that be?

ELIE HONIG, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Yes, so it tells me, John, first of all that with Donald Trump it is all about loyalty. And I'm not talking about loyalty to the Constitution or the American people or the Justice Department, but loyalty to Donald J. Trump.

And the fact that William Barr just in the last couple weeks has done a couple things to reestablish the independence of the Justice Department, he's done a couple things the right way, that was it, deal breaker, relationship over. That's what it tells me about the way Donald Trump treats those around him.

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BERMAN: What does it say about Barr? And again, leave the legacy part for a second here, but what does it say about Barr? What -- what could he have been asked to do that he wasn't willing to that he would walk? Was it the election? Was it he wouldn't say there was massive fraud in the election?

HONIG: Yes, so look, I think the big -- the big sort of sticking point between Donald Trump and William Barr was when Barr said a couple weeks ago, we the Justice Department have not found evidence of widespread fraud. I think part of the reason there is there just is nothing.

Look, Bill Barr has shown time and again, he's willing and able to twist facts, distort the law, but he can't make something out of nothing. I mean the guy's not a wizard, he can't conjure facts where there's just nothing.

And by the way, in his resignation letter yesterday he undid some of that by going out his way to say, oh it was such a pleasure to brief you this afternoon Mr. President on our continuing efforts to investigate voter fraud, giving Donald Trump just a little bit of a hook to say, hey, they're still looking.

BERMAN: Yes, that felt like a little bit of a divorce agreement right there, language that they had both agreed upon in order part ways.

What about the next 36 days, Elie? What happens now that Barr leaves? Christopher Wray, who is the FBI Director, there's some reporting that Barr had been protecting Wray and that Wray may be in some kind of jeopardy now. What do you see?

HONIG: Yes, so even though we're at the very tail end of this presidency and this attorney general's term there's some big issues. Number one, Chris Wray, will he survive? Will the president fire him? Chris Wray has committed the same sins that Bill Barr committed last week or two weeks ago in coming out and saying publically no evidence of election fraud.

There's other big issues too. Will the new attorney general, Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen appoint a special counsel to handle the Hunter Biden investigation? That is a politically charged decision, that will have a major impact for how that investigation goes, for whether the public finds out about it, for whether Congress finds out about it. So, even though we've only got a few weeks left, look, this is the attorney general position. There are major decisions to be made there.

BERMAN: Now, to the larger question, which I know you're going to focus a lot on in your book, Bill Barr the legacy, Bill Barr act two, this -- this stretch in the Justice Department, what is the lingering legacy?

HONIG: Yes, John, I wish there was a nicer way for me to say this, but Bill Barr has been a disgrace. He has been a disgrace to the attorney general position, to the Justice Department, to himself. Here's what I mean by that, I served at DOJ under three Republican

appointed A.G.s, on Democratic appointed A.G. and I was taught under both administrations early and often all you have is your credibility and independence.

Without those things you cannot stand up at a podium in a courtroom and say, Elie Honig representing the United States. Bill Barr throughout his term has done the opposite of those two things.

He has lied to the American public over and over, from Mueller to his reasons for getting involved in Flynn and Roger Stone, to his efforts to try to keep the Ukraine scandal under wrap.

He has completely compromised DOJ's independence. He has used DOJ for political ends. Let's not forget, just a few months ago Bill Barr was out there mimicking, echoing Donald Trump's baseless theories about massive election fraud.

I know Bill Barr changed his tone a couple weeks ago, but that does not undo two years of dishonesty and politicization of DOJ. The damage he has done is long lasting.

BERMAN: Elie Honig, thanks so much for being with us. Congratulations on the book. I want to introduce you to the most important words in the literally universe, book party. Waiting for the invite. Thanks so much Elie.

So, this morning the terror group Boko Haram claims it has kidnapped hundreds of school children in Nigeria, the breaking details next.

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BERMAN: We do have breaking news this morning, a man claiming to be a leader of Boko Haram has released an audio message claiming the terror group has kidnapped hundreds of school boys in Northwestern Nigeria. A government spokesman tells CNN that hundred of students are unaccounted for after an attack on a school.

CNN's David McKenzie live for us in Johannesburg. David, what have you learned about this?

DAVID MCKENZIE, INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well John good morning. This audio message dropped just a short time ago. We cannot verify that this, in fact, the leader of this Boko Haram faction, but certainly this will strike terror into the hearts of the parents and the siblings of these students who were attacked and an untold number of them kidnapped on Friday evening at a school in Northwest Nigeria.

Now, witnesses tell us of a terrifying moments as gunfire came closer, some of them managed to get out of the school, run barefoot in the nearby forest. Now Boko Haram, of course, is the group that kidnapped more than 300 school girls back in 2014. They were in captivity for years before many of them were released. Now they say they attacked the school because they are against, quote, western education.

Listen to a mother and just the horrifying experience they're going through, which has just happened time and time again in Nigeria.

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ZAINAB MUHAMMAD, MOTHER OF ABDUCTED CHILD (through translator): If this government is just as they say they are, we want them to rescue our children because they have the capacity to do so, but their actions are slow because it is not their children that are involved in the incident. They put us in this situation where both we the parents and grandparents are in absolute confusion. They've stopped us from having peace of mind. We are totally sad.

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MCKENZIE: Potentially hundreds of mothers like her. The government says they have the surrounded these armed men in an area nearby, but there might be another situation the way that this plays out.

We are hearing, John and Alisyn, from a teacher in that school, that the kidnappers have made contact. That opens up the door to possible ransom negotiations. This area is not well known as being a main hub for Boko Haram. But, certainly they have moved into that area.

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But right now at this hour many, many parents and teachers worried for those young boys who may still be kidnapped in that remote part of Nigeria. Alisyn?

CAMEROTA: What a nightmare. David, please keep us posted when you hear any developments there. Thank you very much for the reporting. Back here, vaccinations are underway in Connecticut but hospitalization levels in the northeast remain a big concern.

On Monday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio told us that he was considering more restrictions. Take a listen.

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BILL DE BLASIO, NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: There's a potential of having to do a full pause, a full shutdown in the coming weeks because we can't let this kind of momentum go.

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CAMEROTA: All right. Joining us now is Connecticut's Governor Ned Lamont. Good morning, governor.

NED LAMONT, GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT: Good morning, Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: Let' start with the good news. So yesterday I know you witnessed one of the first vaccinations given to Keith Grant. He's a U.S. Air Force airman and you were standing by there watching -- well, actually we have video watching him receive it. And so, how many vaccinations do you think Connecticut will achieve by the end of this week?

LAMONT: We'll do close to 32,000 this week. We'll have all of our frontline healthcare workers and folks in nursing homes vaccinated with first and second doses by the end of January, so that is a big deal.

CAMEROTA: That's great news. And can you just explain to people who are not in nursing homes or frontline workers where do regular people go? Like how do they know where they are in line? How do they know where and when to show up?

LAMONT: Well, some time in late January we move into our next group. Those are essential or critical workers, those that can't telecommute or Zoom. Those are food service workers.

Those are many that have to interface correctional facilities and such, so we expand the group -- teachers, we'll expand the group quickly starting in late January. And you'll be notified by your healthcare provider.

CAMEROTA: We've been talking this morning about how there's a new poll, a Kaiser poll that shows vaccine hesitancy in certain demographics.

I mean like up to 50 percent of Republicans say that they don't plan to get the vaccine. I know that you've seen in your state some of that. And has there been an evolution to people now feeling more enthusiastic?

LAMONT: I think so. Look, just nine months ago the state capital at Harvard we were circled by anti-vaxxers saying you can't make me get vaccinated. Just a month ago we heard all about the hesitancy and not now and it's been rushed. I think now even the Republicans are going to want to get vaccinated.

I think we see people get vaccinated and breaking words been approved with the Pfizer vaccine. Canada I think they're going to see their neighbors increasingly get vaccinated here in Connecticut. So I think slowly over the next few months you'll find more and more people saying I want my turn too.

CAMEROTA: Let's look at the positivity rate in the northeast. Connecticut as far as I know is at 7 percent positivity rate right now right around its neighbors Rhode Island 8 percent, Massachusetts 6 percent, New Jersey 7 percent, New York 5 percent.

And then I'm sure you just heard Mayor Bill de Blasio told us on New Day yesterday that he sees an actual shutdown on the horizon. That it is a distinct possibility because of hospitalization rates. What do you see in Connecticut? Are you looking at imposing more restrictions?

LAMONT: I don't at this point. The number one thing I look at is hospital capacity, make sure we have the beds, make sure we have the nurses to take care of folks in need and that's been pretty stable over the last week or two. And that's very important.

Obviously if the metrics change suddenly we found we're hitting capacity. But the first thing I'd look at is the elective surgeries since that's who two-thirds of the people in those beds are. Find those non-urgent electives, if we pull that back we can add some capacity that way.

CAMEROTA: But right now retail stays open in Connecticut, indoor dining stays open in Connecticut, schools stay open.

LAMONT: Yes, with a comma. I mean, our schools are going to be going on vacation end of this week, maybe earlier with the snow storm coming. Restaurants they are open until 9:30, that's last call.

And you're going to find that fewer and fewer people are actually going in for indoor dining anyway. Reservations are way down. So somehow these things can be self correcting.

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CAMEROTA: Governor, at last as you know Congress has been at a stalemate about getting states relief during this time. The attest information we have is that they are considering splitting a COVID relief bill where by the second one would have money for states.

$160 billion is the proposal. If they don't decide on this and agree to this by Friday what happens in Connecticut?

LAMONT: They got to decide. That's their job is to decide. And I know they keep whittling this thing away. We need money so I can get the vaccinations out to people. We need money so that we can provide the public support necessary to do this.

Our revenues have gone down quite a bit. Our municipalities don't want to layoff teachers and cops. So, I think it's really important that the federal government figure this out. That means the Republican led Senate, it's time for them to come together and make a deal.

CAMEROTA: Governor Ned Lamont, we really appreciate all of the information this morning. Thank you.

LAMONT: Thanks, Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: Millions of people on the east coast are under the threat of what could be the biggest snow storm in years. Yu just heard Governor Lamont allude to it. We have the latest on the timing and the track of this snowfall next.

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BERMAN: So Monday night football the Ravens and Browns play was really the game of the year. It's like a different sport than the Jets play. Andy Scholes has more on the Bleacher Report. Hey, Andy, it really is like a completely different universe.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Looks a little different when they're scoring this many points, John. Yes, the Ravens and Browns they combine to score 89 last night. It was the third most in Monday night football history. And Raven's Quarterback Lamar Jackson had to leave this game late with cramps.

But when the Raven's backup got injured with two minutes left Jackson reemerging from the locker room. And on fourth and five Jackson rolls out, hits Marquise Brown for the 44 yard touchdown.

So the Ravens retake the lead at that point 42 to 35. But Baker Mayfield was not done. He leads the Browns right down the field, finds Kareem Hunt. He's going to fight his way to the pile on for the touchdown.

So we're tied again at 42 with a minute left, plenty of time for Jackson to lead the Ravens into field goal position and then Justin Tucker arguably the best kicker ever nails the 55 yarder to win it. The Ravens did tack on a safety in the final second. They win the throw at 47-42.

All right, it's official. The Cleveland Indians will be changing their name but it won't happen immediately. Team's owner Paul Dolan says while they look for a new team name they will continue to use the Indians name.

In the statement about the change Dolan said, "Hearing firsthand the stories and experiences of Native American people we gained a deep understanding of how tribal communities feel about the team name and the detrimental affects it has on them."

In the meantime, Native American groups are applauding the change. In a statement the leader of the Chance the Mascot campaign said, "By finally acting, Cleveland's team is moving the team and professional sports forward down a new path of inclusivity and mutual respect."

And John you know of course now all the fans are looking for a new team name and some of the favorites right now are the Cleveland Rockers and the Cleveland Spiders. Cleveland actually had a baseball team in the last 1800s known as the Cleveland Spiders, would make for some cool uniforms I imagine.

BERMAN: I was a big fan back then, Andy. All right. Andy Scholes thanks so much.

CAMEROTA: Rockers is so much better. Rockers, that's what it should be, Rockers. Winter storm watches and warnings are up for 45 million Americans. The biggest snow storm in years is taking aim for northeast and CNN meteorologist Chad Myers has our forecast. When is this going to hit, Chad?

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, for you I think in New York City somewhere around 4 o'clock tomorrow afternoon and then it'll be over by Thursday morning. This is a quick, quick storm. 60 million people right now are under some type of watch or warning. Let's get right to it. The storm one of them now still back into Oklahoma. And then it's going to combine with another storm off the east coast and make a true nor'easter. This really will be the definition of what a nor'easter is. And by 10 o'clock tomorrow night the heaviest snow across New York state, across parts of Boston.

But here's the issue this storm is so quick this is going to be less than a 12 hour storm. I know you see 18 to 24 inches in Pennsylvania, eight to 12 Boston, 12 to 16 New York. Philadelphia much less than New Jersey but six to 12 for you and D.C. kid of a mix. The problem is how do you get 24 inches in six or eight hours?

It will be a very blustery windy almost blizzard like day in some spots -- or night. And so, Philadelphia by 3 o'clock it's snowing. New York City some dry air over you probably takes until after dark to get to the snow. But by the time you go to bed and when you wake up there could be eight to ten inches on the ground already.

And then by tomorrow morning or really Thursday morning we are going to see everything tapper off. So this is a big quick hitting storm. Windy, winds are going to be 45 or 50. The snow will be very heavy. Most of it in Pennsylvania but here right along that I-95 corridor south of D.C. nothing. Rockville, Gaithersburg a lot.

South of Philadelphia Gloucester Township not much to the north and west of Philadelphia a whole bunch. Right along let's say Coney Island maybe four to five inches there. But get back into Ridgewood and get into White (inaudible), Wayne (ph), you can see at least 12 to 14 inches of snow before it finally stops, Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: OK. I'm taking that very seriously, Chad. Thank you so much for the minute by minute--

MYERS: Yes, absolutely.

CAMEROTA: -- commentary. OK. New Day continues right now.

ANNOUNCER: This is New Day with Alisyn Camerota and John Berman.

BERMAN: All right, welcome to our viewers in the United States and all around the world.