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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Security Failures Revealed in First Hearing in Capitol Riot; Tiger Woods "Awake, Responsive, and Recovering" After Car Crash; Several States Push to Get Kids Back in School; House to Vote Friday on Biden's $1.9 Trillion Rescue Plan. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired February 24, 2021 - 05:00   ET

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


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CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to our viewers in the United States and all around the world. This is EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

LAURA JARRETT, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Laura Jarrett. It's Wednesday, February 24th. It's 5:00 a.m. here in New York, 2:00 a.m. in California, where we have new information on Tiger Woods' condition afternoon his car crash. More on that in a moment.

But first, prepared for war. Federal officials paint a damning portrait of a historic security failure before the deadly attempt to overrun the U.S. Capitol. Three former officials testified they did not receive an FBI memo warning of violence and war in Washington.

ROMANS: In a critical hearing on Capitol Hill, we learned lapses included a missed email. And a larger failure to act on the threat posed by right wing extremists. Two officials were at odds on a critical piece of the law enforcement response. When exactly was the National Guard requested?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL IRVING, FORMER HOUSE SERGEANT AT ARMS: Senator, from my recollection, I did not receive a request for approval for National Guard until shortly after 2:00 p.m.

SEN. ROY BLUNT (R-MO): Mr. Sund, do you know when you asked for National Guard assistance? Was it 1:09 or was it 2:00 p.m.?

STEVEN SUND, FORMER U.S. CAPITOL POLICE CHIEF: It was 1:09, sir.

BLUNT: One o nine. And who did you ask for assistance at 1:09?

SUND: It was from Mr. Irving. I believe he was in a company with Mr. Stenger at the time as well.

IRVING: The first conversation I had with Chief Sund in that time frame, was at 1:28, 1:30. And in that conversation, he indicated that conditions were deteriorating. He might be looking to -- for National Guard approval.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JARRETT: All of this confusion and lack of clarity in the timeline raising the stakes even more for next week's hearing. That one focusing on the Defense Department and delays in employing the National Guard.

CNN's Jessica Schneider reports now from Washington.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JESSICA SCHNEIDER, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Laura and Christine, this is the first time we've heard directly from the officials who made the decisions on that fateful day, and we're now learning they did not have all of the crucial details. They knew there could be violence, but they weren't prepared for the beating of officers from everything from pipes to flag poles. Or the fact that these rioters had their own radio system to coordinate the attack. And now, we know leaders also didn't get alerted to a crucial FBI bulletin.

"The Washington Post" reported last month that the FBI bulletin voted individuals saying be ready to fight. And also, go there ready for war, we get our president or we die.

But Steven Sund who stepped down as Capitol police chief days after the insurrection, he said he only found out about that bulletin this week.

SUND: I actually just in the last 24 hours was informed by the department that they actually received that report. They received it the evening of the 5th, reviewed it, and then forwarded over to an official at the intelligence division over at U.S. Capitol police headquarters.

SEN. AMY KLOBUCHAR (D-MN): So, you hadn't seen it yourself?

SUND: No, ma'am, it did not go any further than that.

SCHNEIDER: But D.C.'s acting police said more should have been done to alert officials especially since this bulletin was only delivered via email.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would certainly think that something as insurrection warranted a follow-up call or something. I think the intelligence did not make it where it needed to be.

SCHNEIDER: It was also revealed that most of the police officers were not equipped with riot gear or the right kind of training to respond to the violence they faced. There will be more details. Additional hearings will be held next week with the FBI, and of course, the Defense Department where, of course, there will be more inquiries and maybe more answers about why it took so long to get National Guard troops to respond to the Capitol -- Laura and Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE) ROMANS: All right, Jessica. Remarkable hearing and another one next week.

All right. New overnight, Tiger Woods is awake, responsive and recovering from surgery in a Los Angeles hospital this morning after that horrifying rollover crash on a dangerous stretch of California road. Downhill and winding, local authorities say the stretch is known as a spot where it's easy to pick up speed.

Overnight, Tiger's management team tweeted that he had been through a long surgical procedure on his lower right leg and ankle. Doctors say he suffered significant orthopedic injuries.

TAPPER: Tiger was trapped but conscious in his battered SUV when emergency responders reached the accident scene early yesterday morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEX VILLANUEVA, LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF: The interior of the cabinet of the vehicle was more or less impact. The front end was totally destroyed. The bumpers, everything was destroyed.

[05:05:01]

Air bags deployed all of that. And, however, thankfully, the interior was more or less intact which kind of gave him the cushion to survive what otherwise would have been a fatal crash.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JARRETT: Let's go live to UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles and bring in CNN's Josh Campbell.

Josh, what's the latest at this hour?

JOSH CAMPBELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, good morning.

The golfing legend continues to recover at this hour behind me here at UCLA-Harbor Medical Center. After this crash yesterday, he was brought here, about eight miles from the crash site to the local level 1 trauma center. That's because he received very serious injuries.

Our colleagues at "The Los Angeles Times" reporting his injuries included a shattered ankle, two broken legs, two fractured legs, again very serious injuries. Now, this occurred just after 7:00 a.m. local time in South Los Angeles, in the area of Rancho Palos Verdes.

And you can see from the images of this vehicle, a very violent collision as the golf superstar was driving down the hill. Now, authorities say this is a slope known and prone for accidents. Take a listen to what the sheriff said about how this violent incident occurred.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) VILLANUEVA: No skid marks, no braking. So, apparently, the first contact was with the center median, from there, then, crossed into the opposing lane of traffic. Hit the curve. Hit a tree. And there were several rollovers during that process.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMPBELL: Now, authorities and medical experts say it's nothing short of a miracle that his injuries were not even more severe or possibly fatal, again, going down that slope, the speed, crossing over into incoming traffic into a wooded area. That vehicle rolling over multiple times.

Now, authorities said they didn't notice any sign of impairment. Now, after any type of car accident, they'll look for whether a person is intoxicated or under the influence of some kind of medication. Authorities saying they did not see that, they did not notice that with Tiger Woods, whenever they responded.

Again, he was brought to the hospital where we are today where he was recovering from the injuries. It's also worth noting that Tiger Woods is no stranger to injuries. He had back surgery just last month, the fifth surgery of his career. He talked to CBS Sports on Sunday and was asked if he would be looking forward to competing this April in the Masters tournament in Augusta. He said he hope so.

Of course, this whole incident now raising questions about what his condition will be as he continues to recover from these injuries -- Christine, Laura.

JARRETT: All right. Josh, thanks so much.

ROMANS: You know, Tiger's legacy extends far beyond the golf course. Will he ever play again? That is the big question here.

Andy Scholes, this accident adds more questions about the legend's future.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, good morning, Christine.

No question, Tiger Woods, he's a legend. I've been to so many golf majors. Some when he's playing, some when he's not. There's just a different type of feel to a tournament when Tiger is out there playing. I mean, he brings just so much energy and excitement to the game of golf.

And at 45 years old, you know, Tiger was already basically in the ninth inning of his golf career. But, you know, one thing for sure, you can't ever count out tiger. In 2019, he won his fifth Masters title which was his first major victory in more than a decade.

In December, he had that fifth back injury, with the hopes of recovering in time to play the Masters this April. Over the weekend, Tiger hosted the Genesis Invitational in southern California. Yesterday, he was on his way to continue shooting a series for golf TV and he gave celebrities lessons, NBA great Dwyane Wade was learning from Tiger on Monday.

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DWYANE WADE, 3-TIME NBA CHAMPION: I picked up the golf club like many in the black community because of Tiger Woods. I got that opportunity yesterday to get out there and -- you know, he taught me a few things. Hopefully, it translates.

But, you know, to be out there with the GOAT in my eyes, in this sport, and to be able to talk to him about Sam and Charlie and his father. It was just a great day.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Last time we saw Tiger in competition was back in December playing alongside his 11-year-old son Charlie until a father and son tournament. So many golfers on the tour idolized Tiger growing up. They now call him friend.

World number three Justin Thomas struggled to answer questions ahead of this event in Florida.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUSTIN THOMAS, 2017 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER: I'm sick to my stomach. You know it hurts to see one of your -- now, one of my closest friends, you know, get in an accident. I just hope he's already. Just worry for his kids, you know. I'm sure they'll struggle.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Yeah, your friends and fans reacting on social media, many offering their thoughts and prayers to Woods and his family in this difficult time.

Phil Mickelson his rival for so many years tweeting: We are all pulling for you, Tiger. We are so sorry you that and your family are going through this tough time.

[05:10:00]

Everyone hopes and prays for your full and speedy recovery.

Former President Trump also released a statement shared by one of his campaign advisers. It reads: Get well soon, Tiger. You are a true champion.

And, Laura, here's hoping Tiger recovers and we get to see him back out there one day.

JARRETT: Yeah, certainly glad he's okay. But a long road ahead for him, that is for sure.

Andy, thank you. Appreciate it.

Still ahead for you, a critical tool to stop the pandemic abandoned by the last White House now back on the table.

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ROMANS: A renewed push to get kids back in the classroom. The governor of Massachusetts says he's hoping to phase out remote learning in April.

The governor of Kentucky signing a new executive order recommending all school districts offer or expand in-person learning by March 1.

[05:15:00]

And West Virginia's board of education approved full in-person learning for pre-K through eighth grade students starting March 3rd. That's next week.

President Biden is now indicating the White House will send masks directly to the American people. The idea was originally proposed during the Trump administration and then blocked by the former president.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSEPH R. BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: So many things that we can do that are just within our own power. We're probably going to be sending out an awful lot of masks around the country very shortly.

There's a growing awareness that, you know, injecting bleach into your system doesn't do it for you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JARRETT: The White House says the vaccine supply in the states will rise to 17.5 million doses per week. That's more than going out the door and 70 percent higher since President Biden took office.

But human error with vaccines is still a real problem. Investigation by the Tennessee Health Department showed that Shelby County, home to Memphis, wasted more than 2,000 doses. Multiple incidents of spoiled doses and insufficient record keeping.

And variants still a concern heading into spring, Maryland will expand its screening for variants to 10 percent of all COVID cases.

ROMANS: The Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell once again emphasizing the pain in the labor market is worse than it seems.

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JEROME POWELL, CHIARMAN, FEDERAL RESERVE: When we say maximum employment is a broad and inclusive goal that means we're looking not just at the headline numbers.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Not just the headline numbers. You know, Powell has said again and again the unemployment rate is closer to say 10 percent if the people who dropped out of the labor market were counted as unemployed. And the official unemployment rate of 6.3 percent masks just how much some groups are still struggling.

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POWELL: The economic downturn has not fallen equally on all Americans, and those least able to shoulder the burden has been hardest hit.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Here's what he means, even though the jobless rate fell last month, unemployment much lower for white workers at 5.7 percent. While the unemployment rate for black workers is 9.2 percent. You can see the disparities there.

The pandemic has forced millions of women to drop out of the labor force to take care of kids or older parents, and they aren't counted in the unemployment rate. Some 2.5 million women have simply dropped out. Five million jobbed held by women have disappeared since February.

Powell says some parts of the economy like house having recovered. You're seeing a boom in jobs in some parts. But more help is needed for the overall economy. He testifies again later today.

JARRETT: Christine, why aren't women being counted in those figures?

ROMANS: It's a funny thing the way the statistics are gathered, really. If you drop out of the labor market, you lost a job but you're not actively looking you're not counted as unemployed. You're counted as unemployed who are actively looking for another job.

There are a lot of people afraid to go back to the old job. There's not an old job to go back to. Their family issues right now Trump the need to go back. Think about the children, family workers who you've taken from an elder care facility or assisted living and keeping them at home to protect them, that means somebody has got to be home. In many cases that's women.

JARRETT: That's an undercounting there.

ROMANS: He's highlighting that and that's important.

JARRETT: Yeah. Well, still ahead, a firm timetable for the house to vote on President Biden's coronavirus relief plan. Will it pass enough to help all of those at risk of losing unemployment benefits yet again? We have a live report from Capitol Hill, next.

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BRAD SMITH, PRESIDENT, MICROSOFT: At this stage, we've seen substantial evidence that points to the Russian enforce intelligence agency, and we have found no evidence that leads us anywhere else.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: That's Microsoft president Brad Smith pinning the blame for a devastating hack squarely on Russian intelligence. The SolarWinds security breach compromised at least nine federal agencies and dozens of corporations. Smith told senators the Russian spying disrupted the software updating process which he called the digital equivalent of our public health service.

JARRETT: New overnight, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer announcing the House will vote on President Biden's $.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.

Daniella Diaz is on Capitol Hill for us this morning.

Daniella, all signs pointing to the passage of the president's plan. But what are the hurdles that lawmakers are going to have to clear first?

DANIELLA DIAZ, CNN CONGRESSIONAL REPORTER: That's right. House Democrats are set to vote on this package. They're going to pass this package likely this week on Friday but despite broad support, Republicans, they're expecting little to no support from Republicans to sign on to this legislation.

Republican leaders are urging their members not to support this legislation because they argue that this legislation is filled with Democratic priorities and does not have any bipartisan amendments added to this legislation. So this is going to be a huge test of unity for Chuck Schumer when the Senate votes on this because he needs every single Democratic senator to sign on to this legislation. He can't afford to lose one vote.

So, we're watching two Democratic senators who have said they don't support having this $15 minimum wage increase in the legislation, these senators being Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin. In fact, Manchin would prefer an $11 increase. And he's going to propose an amendment if this can actually be passed using budget reconciliation.

But White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki wouldn't say if it would only include an $11 minimum wage.

[05:25:07]

Here's what she had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEN PSAKI, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The president proposed $15 because that's what he feels is right for the American worker, American workers, I should say, men and women working hard just trying to make ends meet. There'll be an opportunity for Senator Manchin and others to put forward proposals and we'll see where that process lands.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAZ: But Manchin really wants to see this $11 minimum wage increase instead of the $15 minimum wage increase and Chuck Schumer cannot afford to lose his vote on this legislation. But really all eyes are on the parliamentarian whether she'll allow that to be included, because needs to be passed using budget reconciliation. So, she gets to decide when she meets with senators this week, as she's currently meeting with senators this week, whether this will be included in this legislation.

JARRETT: All right. We know you are tracking all of the details, Daniella. Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

ROMANS: All right. Brand-new details overnight on the extent of Tiger Woods' injuries after that car crash that could have killed him, frankly. Will he ever play again? We're going to have a live report from Los Angeles.

JARRETT: And an FBI memo that the mob was preparing for war unread by the people charged with protecting the Capitol. What we learned and what we didn't about all of the security failures before that Capitol attack.

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