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"Dying" Kremlin Critic Transferred To Prison Hospital; U.S. Surgeon General Murthy On COVID-19 Vaccines; U.S. Cities Brace For Chauvin Verdict As Closing Arguments Begin. Aired 7:30-8a ET

Aired April 19, 2021 - 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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[07:32:35]

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Developing this morning, Russian authorities have transferred opposition leader Alexey Navalny to a hospital for prisoners as his health deteriorates from a hunger strike that is now in its third week. Navalny is said to be in, quote, "satisfactory condition and taking vitamins."

Over the weekend, the Biden administration issued this stern warning to the Kremlin.

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JAKE SULLIVAN, U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: We have communicated to the Russian government that what happens to Mr. Navalny in their custody is their responsibility and they will be held accountable by the international community.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: I want to bring in Vladimir Ashurkov. He is the executive director of the Anti-Corruption Foundation and he is a colleague of Alexey Navalny's. He is joining us from London where he has been granted asylum. Vladimir, thank you so much for being with us.

Russian Prison Services are saying that your colleague, Alexey Navalny, has been moved to a hospital. Can you tell us how he is doing if you have any updates on his condition?

VLADIMIR ASHURKOV, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ANTI-CORRUPTION FOUNDATION, RUSSIAN DISSIDENT AND COLLEAGUE OF ALEXEY NAVALNY (via Cisco Webex): He has been moved from one penal colony to another penal colony about 200 kilometers from Moscow. The one that he has been moved to has a tuberculosis ward. It's, of course, not adequate medical care that Alexey requires so we don't have high hopes for the transfer to the hospital.

His lawyers are following him to this new location but we don't yet have an update on his condition since Friday.

KEILAR: Do you know if he has access to doctors? ASHURKOV: Well, Russian prison doctors are not very helpful in his case. As you know, he has been poisoned with a nerve agent and his recuperation is really not complete. He has developed pain in his back and has limit on the movement of his legs, and his condition has deteriorated over the last few weeks.

On Friday, the last bit of information that we got was that his blood test showed a normal level of potassium, which is associated with kidney failure and heart issues. So that's what prompted us to call everybody and pull all our strings for expressions of concern and support for him.

[07:35:07]

KEILAR: This is to the point where advocates, like yourself and others, are raising the real possibility that he could die. If Navalny were to die in prison, should Vladimir Putin be punished?

ASHURKOV: We are making all efforts for this not to happen. I'm not yet ready to entertain this sort of -- his death. I don't think that's appropriate at this time.

KEILAR: Do you think Russia is entertaining it? Do you think Russia is taking this seriously? And what do you think Russia wants the outcome to be here?

ASHURKOV: Over the last few months, there has been a big crackdown on our organization. Alexey Navalny, after he returned to Russia, was unlawfully incarcerated. Now, his treatment and denial of medical care amounts to torture.

But our organization, Anti-Corruption Foundation, has been in motion in the last few days to deem it extremist, so it will be on the level of ISIS (ph) in Russia with our employees and support has potentially facing criminal prosecution. So, Putin is really clamping down on Russian -- on the Russian opposition and that's what has been happening.

We, of course, have the escalation of tensions internationally. He has parliamentary elections coming up in September. His ratings are falling. So this situation is really approaching a political crisis for Russian authorities.

KEILAR: Vladimir, thank you so much for being with us. We are, of course, wishing the best when it comes to the health of your colleague, Alexey Navalny.

ASHURKOV: Thank you.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: So, the Biden administration making a big announcement today on vaccines and who is now eligible. The surgeon general is here, next.

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[07:41:30] BERMAN: As of this morning, all U.S. adults are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. This is a major milestone in the fight against coronavirus and already, half of adults in the U.S. have received at least one dose.

Joining me now is the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy. Doctor, thank you so much for being with us.

I want to get to vaccines in just a moment -- or at least where we are in the vaccination process. First, on Johnson & Johnson -- the pause on Johnson & Johnson.

Dr. Fauci, this weekend, told our Dana Bash that he expects a decision by this Friday. And while he didn't want to go too far in predicting, he anticipates some kind of restrictions or guidance about who or who should not receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Broadly speaking, what type of restriction do you anticipate?

DR. VIVEK MURTHY, U.S. SURGEON GENERAL (via Cisco Webex): Well, John, it's good to be with you and Brianna, and good to see you as well.

The Johnson & Johnson pause -- just to recap for viewers who have heard about it and may have concerns about it -- that was a pause initiated because of six causes of a rare but dangerous blood clot. And the FDA and the CDC are now working together to go through the data they have about those patients and to look and see if they are potentially any other cases. And they're also working with the medical community to help them understand how to treat these rare clots.

But what could come out of this -- and I anticipate a decision will come on the order of days -- you know, that it will require the CDC and FDA to come together to make that decision. But it may involve, for example, restrictions around age or gender, depending on what the data tells them.

If we think about the AstraZeneca experience in Europe, they ended up placing such restrictions as well. It narrowed a group of people who were not only eligible for the vaccine but more specifically, needed to take some additional precautions in mind before they took the vaccine just so they understood the full risks.

But the bottom line is this -- that this pause, for the vast majority of people who have received J&J, will not have an impact on them. Seven million people have gotten the vaccine and will be fine.

And it's also important to note that this is the safety system working. A signal was seen and it's being investigated. That's what you want -- to know your vaccines are both safe and effective.

BERMAN: You're part of an administration push today, first of all, to tout the fact that half of all U.S. adults have been vaccinated with at least one dose so far, which is a terrific number. But also, to push to get more people vaccinated over the coming days, weeks, and months. What are the chances that the pandemic lasts longer? If folks are reluctant to get the vaccine from here on out, will that make the pandemic last longer?

MURTHY: Well, John, it's a really important question because what we know now, not just from theoretical experience but from practical experience, is that the vaccine is the most important pathway towards ending this pandemic and it means we've got to get everyone in our country vaccinated.

The reason today is such an important day is because a year ago, when many of us were looking at this emerging pandemic and seeing how bad it was getting, we knew that we needed a vaccine. But to know that a year later we would have a vaccine and have over 200 million shots actually administered in the country, that's an extraordinary feat.

And today, every adult -- every person above the age of 16 in all 50 states is now eligible to get a vaccine. That -- now what we've got to do is number one, get that vaccine; and number two, turn around, look at our family and friends and ask them if they have a plan to get vaccinated and if they need help, whether in terms of information or setting up their appointment. That's what we've got to do because that's how we ultimately will end this pandemic.

[07:45:03]

BERMAN: And if you're not getting vaccinated, are you making the pandemic longer for the rest of us?

MURTHY: Well, you know, these are obviously personal decisions that everyone makes about their health. I think when people know the actual data -- the rigorous science behind these vaccines -- the way they've been tested -- when they know that these aren't brand-new technologies. These technologies, particularly for the mRNA vaccines, have been in development for more than two decades.

And when they see the real-world experience -- the fact that, again, nearly 200 million shots given in the United States and the still very strong safety profile, particularly with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines -- when they see that we've seen a dramatic drop in cases among the elderly, particularly in nursing home residents, because they've gotten vaccinated, that tells us that this vaccine is ultimately a good thing for us.

And that, listen, the consequences of getting COVID in terms of death, in terms of long-term symptoms, those far outweigh any concerns --

BERMAN: So --

MURTHY: -- I believe, with the vaccine itself.

BERMAN: -- Israel lifting outdoor mask mandates. Israel has had terrific success getting people vaccinated. Why do people who have been vaccinated -- received two doses -- still need to wear masks outside? MURTHY: Well, this is a good question. What we're seeing is as people get vaccinated more in greater numbers, we are actually able to ease some restrictions. Now, for example, the CDC has said that people can gather indoors without masks if everyone there has been vaccinated. And we will see a further and further relaxation of those restrictions.

What Israel has done is they've vaccinated a far greater number of their population and as a result, they've also seen cases drop dramatically.

In the U.S., while we've vaccinated many people, we're a much bigger country so we've got a ways to go. But we are also still struggling with very high levels of ongoing new daily cases. And so that's why we've got to still wear our masks. We've still got to keep distance and avoid these close indoor gatherings.

But the more people who get vaccinated, the closer we get to that day when we can relax all of those restrictions as well.

BERMAN: Look, so the FDA paused the entire rollout of Johnson & Johnson after six people out of six million had complications from the vaccine. Yet, eight people died in one mass shooting on Friday night -- in one shooting. So, you know, how much of a public health issue is gun violence?

MURTHY: Well, John, I mean, this is tragic and every time a mass shooting like this takes place in our country it is -- it is absolutely heartbreaking.

Look, I come at this as a -- as a doctor who has cared for many patients who have been the victims of gun violence and I've cared for families also whose loved ones have gone through that tragedy. It's not just in the immediate aftermath of losing a life, it's the years and years of trauma that it visits on individuals and communities.

I do think we need to take action as a country. I do think this is a public health crisis.

But I also think we have to do it in a way that brings people together. That recognizes that this is not a problem with gun owners versus non-gun owners. The vast majority of gun owners in our country are responsible individuals.

But what we've got to do is invest in science to understand how to -- how to treat and prevent gun violence. We've got to have the courage to take that action at state, local, and federal levels.

And we've got to recognize that none of us are safe until all of us are safe. We all want our children to do well -- to be able to go to school, to be able to go to the mall without worrying that they are going to be in harm's way, so we've got to come together and get this done as a country. It is way, way overdue.

BERMAN: Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, we appreciate you being on NEW DAY. Thanks so much. MURTHY: Good to be with you, John. Take care.

KEILAR: It is a public health crisis. You look at the numbers, you know?

BERMAN: He's been saying that for years, by the way.

KEILAR: Yes.

BERMAN: He got in trouble for being one of the early adopters to the notion that gun violence is a public health crisis.

KEILAR: Yes, it's very obvious.

Next, we are going to roll the tape --

BERMAN: Oh, goody.

KEILAR: -- we are, indeed -- on the Fox propaganda machine, including the headlines that they show on the screen.

BERMAN: And you've got to see this vintage bomber making a surprise appearance all too close to the beach.

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World War II bomber landing on the beach.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Bleep).

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BERMAN: The beep tells you everything there.

KEILAR: A great landing, though.

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[07:53:21]

KEILAR: Fox in the era of President Joe Biden is a carousel of conspiracy theories and fearmongering. So really, what I'm saying is not much has changed.

But the chyrons -- those headlines that you see at the bottom of your screen -- they are getting noticeably more creative. Fox uses them to push their conspiracy theory that Biden is, essentially, senile. At least this one has the qualifier scenes on it.

TEXT: "Biden Seems Lost and Confused During First Press Conference."

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SEAN HANNITY, FOX NEWS HOST, "THE SEAN HANNITY SHOW": The frail, the weak, the cognitively-struggling, clearly, commander in chief -- or is he -- did not do well today.

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KEILAR: Other Fox banners imply that Biden basically belongs in a home. And one of their main experts on this literally calls in from his retirement home in Florida.

Another is this guy -- the infamous Fox doc they have on to give a, quote, "virtual medical examination." Then reaching the evidence-free conclusion that Biden is off his rocker and pushes the conspiracy theory that he's a puppet of a deep state.

TEXT: "Who Is Pulling The Strings In the Biden White House?"

See the question mark there? That's really just a fig leaf for a conspiracy theory. Like what? I didn't say it, I'm just asking a question.

But this conspiracy theory isn't even trying to hide its identity -- "Yikes." Question mark? No. Just plain "Yikes."

Fox reliably provides the public disservice of pandemic disinformation. And sometimes it uses pictures -- top health officials shown in straightjackets.

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LAURA INGRAHAM, FOX NEWS HOST, "THE INGRAHAM ANGLE": These people caused needless deaths and helped fuel social unrest.

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KEILAR: One year into the pandemic, despite undeniable evidence that masks work, Fox's chief science officer, Mr. Carlson, suggests they're a national security risk with this screaming headline.

TEXT: "Mask Mandate May Be A National Security Risk."

[07:55:00]

KEILAR: When the new president marked one year of grief and loss, Fox got impatient, telling viewers Biden's taking too long. How dare the president not wrap up before the power-hour of cockamamie commentary starts?

They love culture wars, from Seuss and Cardi B to Mr. Potato head -- even extending the war on Christmas all the way to April by connecting the release of a rapper's Satan shoes to Easter.

There's the broad, evidence-free declaration that the left is currently engaged in a race war ("String of Hate Crimes Hoaxes Imeril Left's Race War"), while Fox's actual war on cancel culture is in full swing ("Cancel Culture Run Amok in America"). Because cancel culture, they say, is destroying America -- unless, of course, it's Fox or a Fox ally doing the canceling. Like calling for baseball, America's national pastime, to get the boycott. Sometimes they wax poetic, editorializing by a rhyme ("Left is

Woke?ntil It Makes Them Broke"). Same topic, but editorializing with a simple verb and an adjective, leaving no doubt what side they are on.

Which, in the case of this headline ("Falling Sperm Count Is a Threat to Humanity"), is on the side of increasing sperm counts. Quote, "America's real crisis" even though Mr. Carlson would later say this about the border crisis.

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TUCKER CARLSON, FOX NEWS HOST, "TUCKER CARLSON TONIGHT": This is becoming a crowded country, and crowded countries are ugly, unhappy countries.

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KEILAR: So falling sperm counts or a white-dominated America, very bad. But when brown people want to come in, too crowded, no room. We need it for the sperm.

And sometimes they think they're lashing out but, actually, they are just inadvertently telling the truth about themselves, admitted the damage that they wreak and the propaganda they peddle. Like the writing the autobiography of their network in 30 characters or fewer, give or take, that Fox is not news no matter what it calls itself.

BERMAN: You know, it occurs to me, and I was struggling to find the word, that there might be a little projection going on here with some of the things that they say. I mean, I'm just asking the question, right?

Sperm count, for instance. Could that be projection?

KEILAR: Well, you're just asking the question, right? It's a -- it's not a statement, it's a question.

BERMAN: I'm just asking the question, really. Will you put that in the chryon also?

I can't tell you how long I've waited to sit beside you while you do a roll of the tape. It was everything I hoped it would be and more. Just asking the question, though.

KEILAR: Do I shock you?

BERMAN: Delight.

KEILAR: Delight.

BERMAN: I think delight. I think delight is more the word, right there.

KEILAR: You delight me, John Berman.

And more ahead. NEW DAY continues right now. BERMAN: All right, I'm John Berman alongside Brianna Keilar.

On this NEW DAY, closing arguments now just a short time away in the Derek Chauvin trial. Are America's city -- cities ready for the fallout that could follow the verdict?

Plus, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib calls for no more policing in America. A big-city police chief calls her comments disgusting. He'll join us live.

KEILAR: Should your boss require you and your co-workers to get vaccinated? The debate is intensifying as more people are heading back to the office.

And as the Biden White House kicks off a media blitz to promote the vaccine, new evidence that one group, in particular, is not on board.

BERMAN: All right, good morning to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. It is Monday, April 19th. Patriots' Day, by the way, in Massachusetts.

KEILAR: It is.

BERMAN: It's an exciting holiday for those of us who grew up there.

Two hours from now, closing arguments begin in the Derek Chauvin murder trial. Cities across the country, including Minneapolis, bracing for the worst-case scenario. Razor wire is now protecting police stations.

The jury will be sequestered before deliberations begin.

KEILAR: There is, already, anger in the streets. That's what we're seeing. Protesters are demanding justice in Minneapolis and other cities as well, following two more deadly police shootings. Thousands of National Guard troops ready to deploy quickly, if needed, in downtown Minneapolis.

And that is where Josh Campbell is this morning. Josh, tell us what the scene is like there.

JOSH CAMPBELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Brianna. You know, this is the day that people have been waiting for here for over -- almost over a year now -- this -- closing arguments in this trial. This will be the final day of presentation. We expect to hear from prosecutors and the defense, and then the jury will start their deliberation.

Of course, this is all happening against the backdrop of a city that has virtually become a fortress here, essentially, where you see members of the National Guard, you see members of law enforcement -- local law enforcement, the state police in and around the city. And for those who know Minneapolis, this would be unrecognizable right now.

We have been driving throughout downtown. You see fencing that's up. There is now razor wire surrounding all five of the city's police precincts. And just this image of members of the National Guard throughout is simply stunning.

And it's not just around downtown and buildings. I was actually driving out looking out on the freeway. You have members of the National Guard on overpasses as lookouts, just preparing for any eventuality as this trial ends up wrapping up.