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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

DHS Warns of Increased Danger from Domestic Terrorism; Biden to Sign Order Making Health Care More Accessible; Boris Johnson Under Fire for Handling of Pandemic; A Divided Post-Trump GOP Tries to Patch Major Rifts. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired January 28, 2021 - 05:00   ET

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

[05:00:27]

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world, this is EARLY START.

We have reports this morning from Washington, London, Jerusalem, Beijing, Hong Kong and Moscow.

Good morning. I'm Christine Romans.

LAURA JARRETT, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Laura Jarrett. It's Thursday, January 28th. It's 5:00 a.m. here in New York.

And we begin this morning with the U.S. on alert. The Department of Homeland Security says U.S. terrorists emboldened by the capitol insurrection and fueled by misinformation pose a growing threat. DHS does say the potential for violence is from a broad range of ideologically motivated groups.

But the rare warning signals something of a shift by DHS. Under Trump, the department had been reluctant to warn of the dangers posed by white supremacist groups.

ROMANS: CNN has now learned that federal agents are scrambling for leads on whoever placed bombs outside of Democratic and Republican headquarters in Washington. The worry here is they will strike again. Authorities say the heightened threat will likely remain over the weekend, and over the coming weeks and months.

CNN's Jessica Schneider has more from Washington.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JESSICA SCHNEIDER, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Laura and Christine, this is a significant bulletin from the Department of Homeland Security because it warns about threats from domestic extremists. Typically, we see advisories like this when it pertains to foreign terrorism threats that we saw a year ago when there were Iran-related threats after the U.S. killing of Iranian General Soleimani. But this pertains to domestic threats.

Now, DHS has not raised the alert level, this is just a bulletin warning of possible threats.

DHS putting it this way, saying that they do not have any information to indicate a specific credible plot. However, violent riots have continued in recent days and we remain concerned that individuals frustrated with the exercise of governmental authority and the presidential transition, as well as other perceived grievances and ideological causes fueled by false narratives could continue to mobilize a broad range of ideologically motivated actors to incite or commit violence.

This bulletin also says that these domestic extremists are now emboldened after the January 6th capitol insurrection. And we've heard this from administration officials, both at the Trump administration and now that there continues to be this chatter about possible violence though no specific threat.

And at the same time, we're hearing about increased concern about congressional members' safety. There are hundreds of congressional members and many of them do not have the kind of security that congressional leaders have. And that's leading to some big concerns here.

I talked to staffers on Capitol Hill who say that the big worry is that when these members go back to their home districts and they're often faced with threats, whether they're online or in person, they just do not have the right security. So, now, the security is being stepped up. Some of these members are getting security whether it's at the airport when they arrive home or actually at their residences.

So, there is a lot of concern and it's all culminated with this DHS bulletin now -- Laura and Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JARRETT: Jessica Schneider, thank you so much for that.

Well, later today, President Biden plans to take executive action on health care while grappling with a health crisis. Nearly 4,000 more Americans were reported dead of COVID-19 on Wednesday. And the CDC is predicting 514,000 more Americans will die by February 14th. That's less than a month from now, and it's more than the populations in major cities like Atlanta and Sacramento.

At a CNN town hall last night, CDC director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, faced questions about why half of the vaccine that's already been shipped out hasn't been used.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. ROCHELLE WALENSKY, CDC DIRECTOR: There are some doses we need to make sure for the four or five day window we give people to give their second shot either at three weeks or four weeks, we need to make sure that's available for them when they return for their second shot. When you do all of that math, you still end up with some millions of doses that are sitting on the shelves and have not yet been administered. President Biden promises more vaccine is on the way, but CNN has reported and officials now confirm to us that the Trump administration's claims about a stockpile of second doses were bogus. Pfizer's CEO did say this week that if the vaccine supply chain is backed up, second doses can be administered 19 to 42 days after the first dose.

So that does buy some time.

JARRETT: And the pace of vaccinations is picking up. But there's still a long way to go. Remember, 75 percent, we say this almost every day, 75 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated for us to even think about returning to normal.

[05:05:06]

And we're only at 1 percent of the population with West Virginia, the Dakotas, New Mexico and Alaska leading the way. So, why is that?

Well, these states rely less on the federal plan from the Trump administration, and more on their own strategic planning and local partnerships to take ownership of the process.

ROMANS: It's also critical to avoid issues like Vermont is experiencing. Eight hundred and sixty doses of the Moderna vaccine wasted because the temperature for storage was off by 0.1 degree. At the same time, these new variants of the virus causing more concern.

One FDA official suggested tests may not even detect them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. TIMOTHY STENZEL, FDA: We are starting to see mutations to impact tests, and obviously single target and multiple target, multiple targeting versions of SARS virus. There may be a performance difference going forward.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: According to a CNN analysis between vaccinations and natural immunity for people who have recovered from the virus, as much as a third of the U.S. population may already have some level of protection against COVID-19.

JARRETT: Searching for another way. Democrats now considering alternatives to impeachment as Republicans appear ready for a swift acquittal of Donald Trump.

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine has drafted a resolution to censure the former president for inciting the attack on the U.S. Capitol. Now, a censure could get more GOP support than impeachment but other Democrats argue censure lets Trump off the hook when you have a riot that left five people dead and many, many police officers badly injured in that attack.

Now, here's the hook. The resolution from Kaine and Republican Senator Susan Collins would try to bar Trump from ever holding office again. Kaine says instead of impeachment, the chamber could use time to pass a much-needed COVID-19 relief package.

ROMANS: All right. It was a rough day for investors after the Federal Reserve warned the U.S. economy was slowing. The Dow fell 2 percent, the biggest lost since October. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both down 2.6 percent, both averages are down year to date.

Stocks fell after the Central Bank dismissed worries about inflation and left interest rates unchanged and pledged to keep those rates low while the economy recovers. Both the Fed Chief Jerome Powell and newly appointed Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen have said more stimulus is key to helping this economy and to worry about inflation and deficit, that's something to worry about later.

Powell did warn recovery and job market have moderated because of the pandemic, adding the path of the economy will depend specifically on the course of the virus, including progress on vaccinations. Vaccinations key here. Investors with the reading of the fourth quarter domestic product in just hours.

Economists believe the economy grew at an annual rate of 4.4 percent last year. Now, in a normal year that would be great news, but look at the trajectory, a sharp slowdown. And that's rear-view mirror. It doesn't bode well for the recovery in 2021, Laura.

JARRETT: Still ahead, the pandemic response in the U.K. under growing scrutiny now for decisions and the indecision adding up to one of the highest per capita death rates in the world. We'll tell you why.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:12:29]

ROMANS: Welcome back. Twelve minutes past the hour.

You know, it's been a little more than a year since Boris Johnson was reelected as prime minister of the United Kingdom, with a sweeping mandate. But since the pandemic hit, it's been a bumpy road.

Johnson landed himself in the ICU, of course, and the death toll is rising in the U.K. after a series of unsuccessful lockdowns. Now, Johnson's legacy is on the line.

Here's Nic Robertson.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BORIS JOHNSON, U.K. PRIME MINISTER: I am deeply sorry for every life that has been lost. As prime minister I take full responsibility for everything that the government has done.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR (voice-over): More than 100,000 dead. U.K. PM Boris Johnson's credibility under fire, questions piling up. SIR KEIR STARMER, LEADER OF THE U.K. OPPOSITION LABOUR PARTY: The

question on everyone's lips this morning is why? So can he tell us why he thinks that the United Kingdom has ended up with a death toll of 100,000, the highest number in Europe?

ROBERTSON: Wednesday, Johnson dodging that question but bending to weeks of pressure to quarantine Brits arriving from 30 different nations, a U-turn.

JOHNSON: We will quarantine, all such arrivals, who cannot be refuse entry, to isolate in government provided accommodation.

ROBERTSON: A year into the pandemic, Johnson's COVID-19 track record is littered with reversals. The opposition says it cost lives.

STARMER: It's a damning indictment of how the government has handled this pandemic repeating the mistakes over and over again.

ROBERTSON: Johnson's first U-turn at the beginning of the pandemic.

JOHNSON: We can turn the tide within the next 12 weeks.

ROBERTSON: Four days later forced to declare a national lockdown.

JOHNSON: You must stay at home.

ROBERTSON: Johnson's optimism often preceding climb downs.

JOHNSON: We will have a test track and trace operation that will be world beating. And, yes, it will be in place. It will be in place by June 1st.

ROBERTSON: Four months and much criticism later, finally admitting shortcomings.

JOHNSON: I share people's frustrations and I understand totally why we do need to see faster turnaround times and we do need to improve it.

ROBERTSON: Johnson's defense, he follows government scientist advice.

[05:15:00]

JOHNSON: When the data changes course, we must change course too.

ROBERTSON: Some reversals more humiliating than others. U.K. soccer star Marcus Rashford helping humble the PM into a hasty U-turn on free school meals.

Johnson's Christmas u-turn came next.

JOHNSON: We don't want to, as I say, to ban Christmas, to cancel it.

ROBERTSON: Days later, a new variant and run away infections, Johnson effectively spiking Christmas plans for millions.

JOHNSON: As prime minister, it's my duty to take difficult decisions. I must tell you, we cannot continue with Christmas as planned.

ROBERTSON: In 2021 critics say some lessons still not learned. The U- turns continue, January 3rd telling parents to send their children to school.

JOHNSON: Schools are safe. Very, very important to stress that. The threat to -- the risk to kids, to young people is really very, very, very small.

ROBERTSON: Next day shuttering schools in another national lockdown, something he had previously called a last resort nuclear option.

JOHNSON: Primary schools, secondary schools and colleges across England must move to remote provision from tomorrow.

ROBERTSON: Where Johnson is building back some credibility is the U.K.'s vaccination program. More than 7 million have received first doses so far. Better than any other European nation, but with the death toll still peaking, it's buying him no respite from his critics, even as he announces schools could reopen March 8th.

Nic Robertson, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JARRETT: Nic, thank you for that piece.

Well, day one on the job for President Biden's new secretary of state and Tony Blinken wasting no time diving into critical national security issues, especially in the Middle East. Sam Kiley is in Jerusalem for us this morning.

Sam, nice to see you.

Something of a fresh start here for the U.S. and the Middle East. What is at the top of the agenda?

SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, at the moment, there are two issues really and they rather intertwine. The issue of Yemen, a humanitarian crisis, possibly the worst in the world, and relations really with the Gulf countries. One of whom, Saudi Arabia, is still involved in the war in Yemen. The other united Arab emirates has removed itself from that maelstrom of misery.

But nonetheless was declared by the Trump administration, a key strategic partner and was declared as going to be the lucky recipient, if you like, of 50 new fighter jets from the United States. That has been paused by the Biden administration and on top of that so, indeed, is the Biden administration, Mr. Blinken was saying yesterday, looking again at the designation of the Houthis in the Yemen.

This is the group that controls most of the north, about 80 percent of the population being designated as a terrorist organization which makes any kind of humanitarian work there either by Americans or indeed by the United Nations using essential banking systems and so on very, very difficult indeed. Mr. Blinken has indicated that will be urgently reviewed, probably

reversed, and they pause on the United Arab Emirates and other arms deals to Saudi Arabia coming amid pressure coming from Democrats in the Congress and, indeed, the Senate, unlikely necessarily to undue relations there but definitely something of a reset -- Laura.

JARRETT: All right. Sam Kiley in Jerusalem for us this morning, thank you so much.

ROMANS: All right. If you needed any proof the path to Republican power still runs through Donald Trump, look no further than what's happening today in Florida.

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[05:23:31]

ROMANS: A House divided. New fault lines developing over what kind of people the GOP wants in position of power.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE (R-GA): Why are you supporting red light gun laws that attack our second amendment rights and why are you using kids as a barrier?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: That is Marjorie Taylor Greene following and badgering park Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg as he walks towards the capitol. There she is. The video was from March 2019, before Greene, right there, was elected to Congress. This video, this position coming under new scrutiny as she's set to join the education and labor committee in the House.

JARRETT: The video emerged one day after CNN's KFILE found Greene had indicated support online for executing prominent Democrats back in 2018 and 2019. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy says he plans to talk to her about her comments, unclear what that will do.

But as extreme as Greene seems, in many ways, she represents the new face of the GOP built under Trumpism and that's the subplot for a meeting today in Florida.

CNN's Manu Raju has the state of play for Republicans from Capitol Hill.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MANU RAJU, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine and Laura.

Some concern about crossing the Republican base seeing what happened on the House side. On the House side, ten Republicans voted to impeach Donald Trump earlier this month, and we're seeing what happened to the number three Republican who voted to impeach Trump. Liz Cheney, she is facing a backlash from pro-Trump supporters,

particularly within her own conference where they are trying to strip her from a leadership job.

[05:25:02]

There has been a back and forth that's gone on for some time. Matt Gaetz, the Florida Republican, traveling up to Wyoming today to rally opposition to Liz Cheney.

Now, at the same time, Kevin McCarthy is caught in the middle, House Republican leader. He voted not to impeach Donald Trump. He criticized Trump on the House floor but then he's backtracked and tried to please various constituencies within his House Republican conference.

He warned his colleagues on a private conference call yesterday to not attack each other. In fact, he said, quote, cut that crap out. He wanted them instead to focus exclusively on Democrats, not each other, to avoid Twitter attacks as his party tries to find its way forward.

Will he succeed? Another question. He is going to be down in south Florida today meeting with Donald Trump who wants to go after his critics on Capitol Hill. Whether he can get the former president to agree with them remains to be seen, and whether McCarthy intervenes in a more aggressive manner, also an open question -- guys.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Manu, thanks for that.

With all that in mind, join Fareed Zakaria for an in-depth look at American political hatred. How did it get so bad? A Fareed Zakaria special, "Divided States of America", Sunday night, 9:00 Eastern, on CNN.

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