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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Manchin Talks Insurrection, Filibuster, And More In CNN Interview; Medical Expert Says George Floyd Died From A Lack Of Oxygen; Black Market For COVID Vaccine And Fake Test Results. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired April 09, 2021 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[05:31:25]
LAURA JARRETT, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everyone, this is EARLY START. I'm Laura Jarrett. About 31 minutes past the hour here in New York.
And this morning, exclusive new comments from one of the most powerful men in Washington right now, Sen. Joe Manchin. The West Virginia Democrat holds outsized influence in a chamber where Democrats control by the narrowest possible majority.
And sitting down for a wide-ranging interview with CNN's Lauren Fox, Manchin said the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol changed his perspective on a divided Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOE MANCHIN (D-WV): January sixth changed me and I was very clear with everybody. I never thought in my life -- I never read in history books to where our form of government had been attacked at our seat of government, which is Washington, D.C., at our Capitol, by our own people. Now, the British did it, but not Americans.
So something told me wait a minute, pause -- hit the pause button. Something's wrong. You can't have this many people split to where they want to go to war with each other.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JARRETT: Sen. Manchin also standing by his position on the filibuster -- that Senate rule that requires 60 votes to end debate for most legislation and get a bill passed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAUREN FOX, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You said --
MANCHIN: I'm not (INAUDIBLE) the filibuster.
FOX: -- on that bill, never, ever -- MANCHIN: I've been very, very clear. I think if you read my op-ed it was very clear. I think we can find a pathway forward -- I really do. I'm going to be sitting down with both sides and understanding where everybody's coming from.
We should have an open, fair, and secure election. If we have to put guardrails on we can put guardrails on so people can't take advantage of people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JARRETT: Senator Manchin also talked to Lauren about President Biden's new executive orders to combat gun violence.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MANCHIN: I support what the president did today. From what I heard, OK -- what he's doing on executive order. Now there's an awful lot of other things he talked about, but the executive order says those guns should not be allowed to be legally made or sold or used. It's illegal because they're making them off of printers and you can't detect them.
FOX: But you still can't support the House-passed background check bill?
MANCHIN: Not the way the House bill is. But there -- you know, that's negotiations.
FOX: Have there been any negotiations during this recess?
MANCHIN: We haven't gotten a bill yet. We haven't gotten a bill yet. No, we haven't.
FOX: OK.
MANCHIN: And I'm happy -- I'm happy to work with them. I'll sit down and I think that just we call common gun sense.
And if you come from a gun culture such as I do in West Virginia, I don't think there's a person -- I don't know a person who doesn't have a gun, OK? It's a different background.
I'm anxious to work with them and try to do something in a most constructive way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JARRETT: CNN's Daniella Diaz has the latest from Capitol Hill. So, Daniella, I think that's good news for the president. You listen to the senator there, he sounds like he's at least open on some of these limited actions. But the bigger, bolder action that the president is calling on Congress to do here, how's that looking?
DANIELLA DIAZ, CNN CONGRESSIONAL REPORTER: Laura, if Sen. Joe Manchin is saying he doesn't support this House-passed bill as it stands, it's pretty telling about where this stands in the Senate. Look, Manchin told my colleague Lauren Fox that he does not support this House-passed bill as it stands, he said, because it would expand universal background checks, something that he doesn't support right now. But Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer has committed to putting this bill on the floor despite the fact that it doesn't the votes right now as it stands.
Senator Joe Manchin has said he supports commercial background checks -- expanding commercial background checks. This is similar to a bill that he tried to pass in 2013 with Republican Sen. Pat Toomey that failed to pass.
He said that right now there aren't any discussions about consensus between Republicans and Democrats on this issue. But this points to a larger issue, which was a theme with Lauren's interview with Manchin where Biden needs even some Democrats to be able to support the legislation he wants to pass through Congress.
[05:35:10]
Joe Manchin, a Democrat, doesn't support this bill as it stands right now, which is an issue for Biden if he wants this bill to pass. So, bottom line here is that Biden needs to work with members of his own party to be able to pass the legislation he wants.
So the Senate actually comes back next week, so we'll see how these conversations proceed on these background check bills.
JARRETT: And at the same time, he's trying to get infrastructure done. He's got -- he's got a lot on his plate so we'll see where this goes.
Daniella, thank you -- appreciate it.
OK, a big day ahead in the Derek Chauvin murder trial. A key witness is set to take the stand. Jurors will hear from the medical examiner who performed that much-debated autopsy on George Floyd.
This comes after powerful testimony Thursday from a breathing expert who said Floyd died from a lack of oxygen and not from preexisting conditions and drug use, as the defense has been arguing.
CNN's Adrienne Broaddus is live in Minneapolis for us. Adrienne, I was on the edge of my seat watching Dr. Tobin yesterday. I found it so compelling. It sounds like the jury did, too.
ADRIENNE BROADDUS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, Laura, you were not alone. A powerful day of testimony.
Dr. Martin Tobin's show and tell approach was captivating and I really think that is how he was able to hold the attention of the jury. Throughout, members of the jury were taking detailed notes, and when they weren't taking notes they were listening.
And his expert opinion -- he specializes in the study of lungs -- he's done this for 45 years -- he says George Floyd died as a result of Derek Chauvin's actions. Specifically, he said low levels of oxygen led to Floyd's death. Those low levels of oxygen caused brain damage and essentially, his heart to stop.
And he was the type of witness every prosecution wants. He not only gave clear and concise information about what was happening in the video, taking us frame-by-frame, but he also had pictures and illustrations to help members of the jury and people watching at home understand. It felt like we had a class in breathing yesterday and he was the professor.
And then, if you thought he couldn't be even more clear or direct, he was on the redirect. Listen in.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JERRY BLACKWELL, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY: You were asked quite a few questions about Mr. Floyd's preexisting health conditions.
DR. MARTIN TOBIN, PULMONARY CRITICAL CARE DOCTOR: Correct.
BLACKWELL: And remember, he cited a number of those.
TOBIN: Yes.
BLACKWELL: Do any of those conditions have anything to do with the cause of Mr. Floyd's death, in your professional opinion, whatsoever?
TOBIN: None whatsoever.
BLACKWELL: And again, what was the cause such that those conditions don't matter?
TOBIN: The cause of death of a low level of oxygen that caused the brain damage and caused the heart to stop.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROADDUS: And up until this point, perhaps, it's pretty clear he has been the most compelling witness the prosecution has brought to the stand.
Inside of the courtroom yesterday it was also emotional. Keep in mind, a member of George Floyd's family was in, and as that video was played she looked away and, at moments, sobbed.
Back to you.
JARRETT: I just -- I can't even imagine the family having to watch that video over and over again.
Adrienne, while I have you I want to talk about what we're likely to see today from that medical examiner. This dispute over the autopsy, of course, coming down to the fact that the medical examiner said that the manner of death was homicide, but he did list several causes, including the drug use. But then, the family got a second autopsy.
So what do you expect today?
BROADDUS: You know what? This is perhaps the testimony everyone is waiting to hear. We're going to hear from Dr. Baker. He is the Hennepin County medical examiner and he's the medical examiner that conducted the autopsy.
Hearing from him, we will get a chance to hear what he found in his report. There's been a lot of controversy surrounding this autopsy because initially, parts of the autopsy were released in those charging documents by prosecutors. So he will get to clear up any doubt, any question.
And it's also important to underscore after that information was released in the charging documents, Dr. Baker received death threats.
JARRETT: This is -- this is going to be a huge day in the trial. All right, Adrienne, glad you're on it. Thank you.
All right.
The CDC says about a quarter of all American adults are now fully vaccinated. Still, health officials are really concerned about the surge in cases we are seeing right now, and states are about to see a sharp decline in one of the three available U.S. vaccines.
CNN has the pandemic covered coast-to-coast.
[05:40:00]
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KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm Kristen Holmes in Washington, D.C.
According to the CDC, the number of Johnson & Johnson doses that is distributed to states and jurisdictions by the federal government is expected to drop 84 percent next week. So that means that this week those states and jurisdictions received about five million doses of the vaccine. Next week, they're only expecting about 785,000 doses.
Now, the good news in all of this is that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, especially that first-round vaccine -- those doses are remaining steady.
ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm Alexandra Field.
The state of Ohio is seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases. At least a quarter of those cases related to variants, according to state health officials.
Less than a month ago, Ohio's variant case count was around 92. It's now up to about 797. Health officials say the vast majority of those cases are related to the variant that was first discovered in the U.K. and the two variants first discovered in California.
NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm Nick Valencia in Atlanta.
Alabama's Gov. Kay Ivey is letting a statewide mask mandate expire at the end of the day. The mandate had been in place since July of 2020. And although the governor called the mandate the right thing to do, saying it was the greatest tool in combating the virus, she said masks now should be a personal responsibility and not mandated by the government.
EVAN MCMORRIS-SANTORO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm Evan McMorris-Santoro.
More colleges are requiring all students be fully vaccinated before they attend classes on campus this fall. On Thursday, two major schools, Notre Dame and Syracuse, joined that list.
A CNN analysis finds 14 schools across the country are currently requiring full vaccination before students return for classes, and that number is expected to grow.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm Martin Savidge in Atlanta.
Florida's governor says he is suing the federal government and the CDC to immediately allow cruising to resume. Cruise ships have been prevented from leaving port with passengers under a no-sail order issued by the CDC more than a year ago. In October, the CDC replaced the order with a conditional sail order, outlining health guidelines for a return to cruising, but still no sailing yet.
The plan isn't moving fast enough for Gov. Ron DeSantis who called the continuing shutdown unreasonable.
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JARRETT: Thanks to Martin and our other correspondents for those updates on the virus.
Now to this. A blistering report by the watchdog for the U.S. Capitol Police revealing even more law enforcement failures leading up to the January sixth insurrection.
The report includes new details about expired ammunition, ineffective shields, and a previously unreported warning more than two weeks ahead of the deadly riot. That warning was about a map of the Capitol's underground tunnels that was posted on a pro-Trump Web site.
The findings suggest there were several lingering issues that the department failed to address.
Well, if you think you can buck the system and find a black market coronavirus vaccine on the Web, think again. CNN explores the COVID underworld online. That's ahead.
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[05:47:29] JARRETT: The global scarcity of COVID vaccines is now creating a ripe opportunity for criminals to exploit. A black market for vaccine or what sellers say is vaccine is exploding, along with a booming trade in fake vaccine passports and negative COVID tests.
CNN's Anna Stewart has a closer look at this growing online underworld.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER (voice-over): Available now, satisfaction 100 percent guaranteed. Adverts claiming to sell authentic COVID-19 vaccines found on the dark web.
DEREK MIDDLEMISS, EMEA HEAD OF SECURITY SOLUTIONS ENGINEERING, CHECK POINT: We can see that we're more than three times more vaccines that were on offer in three months, so it's constantly going up.
STEWART (voice-over): Cybersecurity firm Check Point has been investigating COVID-related ads on the dark web for months.
MIDDLEMISS: So initially, it was the medicines and how to treat it. Then we found the vaccines and then more and more this thing snowballed on.
And what we then found later on was as they became more interested in society starting to unlock and move forward, we then found more interest in being able to buy negative tests. And also now, with the vaccines rolling out, we're finding vaccine passports as well.
STEWART (on camera): So this is the marketplace that you initially found where we're seeing Moderna, Pfizer --
MIDDLEMISS: The latest one we have here is the single-dose from Johnson & Johnson. We can see that as an example of an advert.
STEWART (voice-over): Check Point tried to buy a Sinovac vaccine on the dark web back in January for $750 worth of Bitcoin. Nothing ever arrived.
MIDDLEMISS: We don't have any evidence that anyone's bought successfully and got a vaccine and had it delivered.
STEWART (voice-over): These products aren't just appearing online. Interpol issued a global alert last year warning that organized crime networks would take advantage of the pandemic.
JURGEN STOCK, SECRETARY-GENERAL, INTERPOL: Criminals are using it any opportunity with these fake certificates concerning COVID-19 vaccinations or tests.
We have even been seeing in some parts of the world that criminals are getting physically close to the borders and they offer these kind of services providing people who desperately would like to cross a border, for instance, to see their relatives -- providing them at the border with a fake certificate concerning a negative test result or even a vaccination.
STEWART (voice-over): Last month, a fake vaccine distribution ring operating across two continents was dismantled.
STOCK: That led to more than 80 arrests in both countries and all of these thousands of doses of fake vaccines could be taken away from the market before they again put harm to people.
[05:50:02]
STEWART (voice-over): Both Interpol and Check Point stress you cannot legitimately buy a COVID-19 vaccine online. You may never receive a vial -- and if you do, you don't know what's in it.
MIDDLEMISS: If something looks too good to be true then it probably is. This is what's preyed on -- this feeling, this desperation is the reason why this exists. But my advice 100 percent would be, you know, just -- it's not going to happen.
STEWART (voice-over): Anna Stewart, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
JARRETT: Anna, thank you.
This morning, St. Vincent and the Grenadines are on red alert awaiting a possible volcanic eruption. Evacuation orders are in place for thousands of people on the southern Caribbean Islands. A disaster alert is also in place after at least six tremors were detected at the La Soufriere volcano.
A total of four cruise ships from the Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity Cruise Lines are headed to that area to help with evacuation efforts.
Well, Saks Fifth Avenue phasing out animal fur. The luxury chain plans to close all of its fur salons by the end of 2021's fiscal year and all products containing animal fur will be discontinued both online and in stores by the end of fiscal year 2022.
Saks Fifth Avenue says it will continue to sell faux fur products, as well as leather.
Well, Justin Rose's masterful performance gives him the early lead at the Augusta Nationals. Coy Wire has this morning's Bleacher Report live from the Masters. Hey, Coy.
COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Hey. Good morning to you, Laura.
The tournament back where it belongs in April, and the challenging conditions and fast greens gave the world's best golfers fits. Fifty- three guys were under par after the opening round in November. Five months later, only 12 are in red figures.
But it didn't seem to affect England's Justin Rose. The two-time runner-up here hadn't played competitively in more than a month due to some back issues, but an eagle on the eighth sent him into the zone. He'd shoot nine under par on his final 11 holes. Rose's seven under 65 was his best round ever at Augusta National and has him four shots in front of the lead after opening day.
Here he is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JUSTIN ROSE, LEADS MASTERS BY FOUR SHOTS: I hadn't golfed for a month or so, so I never quite knew what was going to happen out there exactly. But I just got on a great run and I was just trying to stay out of my way and just kind of get into the clubhouse and just keep doing what I was doing. And it's a good reminder that you just never know what can happen out there and just to stick with it on the golf course.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WIRE: All right. It is the fourth time that Rose has held at least a share of the lead after the opening round. That ties him with the great Jack Nicklaus for the most in tournament history.
Rose tees off his second round just after 9:30 eastern.
Now, some history being made as the day began. Eighty-six-year-old Lee Elder becoming the first African-American to be an honorary starter. He was the first Black man to ever play in the Masters back in 1975 and says that being there with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player at the first tee was one of the most emotional moments of his life.
And although Rory McIlroy finished four over on the day, he maybe -- he maybe had the most memorable moment -- not with a birdie or a bogey, but a daddy -- hitting his dad with an errant shot, Laura, on seven. I asked him all about it after the round.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RORY MCILROY, FOUR-TIME MAJOR CHAMPION: I knew it was my dad when I was aiming at him, so probably 30 seconds before it hit him.
WIRE: He told a reporter nearby that he was going to demand an autographed glove. How might you have some fun with that as a follow- up?
MCILROY: Um, he's seen me sign plenty of stuff over the years so I think that's the least of his worries. I think he just needs to go and put some ice on it. Maybe I'll autograph a bag of frozen peas for him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WIRE: Now, you knew you were hitting towards that and you knew you hit him. Oh, you're in trouble. Right, Laura?
JARRETT: I mean, I hope he's OK. He seems fine. But that's got to hurt from that distance, right? Geez -- all right.
WIRE: Oh my goodness, absolutely. And what are the chances, of all people, Laura?
JARRETT: Exactly.
All right, Coy, thanks so much. Have a nice weekend.
Thanks so much for joining us, everyone. I'm Laura Jarrett. "NEW DAY" is next.
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[05:58:50]
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FRITZ SCHELLER, ATTORNEY FOR JOEL GREENBERG: I'm sure Matt Gaetz is not feeling very comfortable today.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The investigation surrounding Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz enters a new phase as a key associate signals he might strike a plea deal.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's clear that everybody expects Greenberg to cooperate against Gaetz.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Every statement he's made is potentially incriminating and can work against him.
TOBIN: Mr. Floyd died from a low level of oxygen.
SARA SIDNER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Dr. Tobin said four things caused Floyd to stop breathing, including Floyd's position on the concrete.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The doctor destroyed Derek Chauvin's defense theory.
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ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Welcome to our viewers in the United States and all around the world. This is NEW DAY. It's Friday, April ninth, 6:00 here in New York.
I'm John Berman. Erica Hill with me here this morning.
ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: Happy Friday.
BERMAN: It is Friday and we're going to make it.
New overnight, there are receipts -- Venmo receipts -- the latest sign the walls may be closing in on Congressman Matt Gaetz. A flurry of new developments.
So, Congressman Adam Kinzinger became the first Republican member of Congress to call for Gaetz to resign in the face of a federal investigation into alleged sex trafficking. The investigation includes scrutiny of a trip to the Bahamas.
