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New Day

Released Hostage Back in U.S.; American ISIS Fighter Killed in Syria; Interview with John McCain; Audio Possibly from Shooting of Michael Brown Being Analyzed; Ferguson Waits to See if Evidence Supports Witness Statements

Aired August 27, 2014 - 08:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking overnight, journalist Peter Theo Curtis back on U.S. soil and back with his family after being held captive for almost two years by Islamic terrorists in Syria. He was reunited with his mother Tuesday night in Cambridge, Massachusetts. And that's where we find our Miguel Marquez.

Hi, Miguel.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: How are you there, Alisyn?

Yes, that one picture it does say a thousand words, snapped at Boston Logan Airport, a mother and son embracing. Nancy Curtis just beaming at Peter Theo Curtis. The family calls him Theo. He's very much cleaned up after being in captivity for 22 months. A clean shirt, not looking so scraggly. So a shower and certainly he has had a shave. He even released a very brief statement saying in part, "I have been so touched and moved beyond all words by the people who have come up to me today, strangers on the airplane, the flight attendants and most of all my family to say welcome home. I am also deeply indebted to the U.S. officials who have worked on my case. I especially want to thank the government of Qatar for intervening on my behalf." He also says that the Qatari say they did not - they insist they did not pay a ransom for his release.

This is also a bittersweet day for the Curtis family. They became friends with James Foley's family as both families struggled to get their sons released. They are extraordinarily sad that James Foley is not making that same trip home today.

Two other notes for you. We know that Mrs. Curtis says she is a very good cook and I think anything that Theo wants now will be on the menu. We also note that he likes to do road biking and I think some nice mellow time reintegrating with the world will be spent on a bike here in lovely Massachusetts.

Back to you, Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: I'm sort of interested in finding out what his first meal request will be if you happen to get that information. Miguel Marquez, thanks --

MARQUEZ: I'm dying to know. We've asked. I'm dying to know.

CAMEROTA: OK, good. We will stand by for that. Thanks, Miguel.

Let's go over to Michaela.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: All right, here we go with the five things you need to know for your new day.

At number one, an American has been killed fighting for ISIS in Syria. Douglas McCain was killed last week in a firefight with a rival militant group. The U.S. is considering options now for slowing that ISIS threat.

As you just heard, American Peter Theo Curtis reuniting with his family on American soil after being held captive for almost two years by Islamic terrorists in Syria.

Ukrainian officials say Russia is firing over the border near Donetsk. Thirteen Ukrainian troops were reportedly killed, dozens more have been injured, in just the last 24 hours.

The FBI is attempting to validate a possible audio recording obtained by CNN of the shooting of Michael Brown. This as more than 100 demonstrators marched peacefully in St. Louis and Ferguson on Tuesday.

An open-ended cease-fire between Israel and Hamas appears to be holding. No expiration date has been set to allow the two sides to continue with their peace talks in Cairo. The cease-fire comes after seven weeks of fighting that has left almost -- or actually more than 2,000 people dead.

We do update those five things to know, so be sure to visit newdaycnn.com for the very latest.

Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: All right, Michaela.

The U.S. considering options for fighting ISIS terrorists in Syria after an American jihadi is killed. We will talk with Senator John McCain about what the U.S. should do.

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: America does not forget. Our reach is long. We are patient. Justice will be done. We have proved time and time again we will do what's necessary to capture those who harm Americans.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: That was President Obama addressing the brutal death of American James Foley at the hands of ISIS. This morning, still no decision from the president on whether the U.S. will launch air strikes inside Syria against the terrorist group, and now an American has been killed fighting for ISIS in Syria, raising fears about the threat the militants pose to the U.S. Joining us to discuss all of this is Republican Senator John McCain.

Good morning, senator.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Good morning, Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: So it must have hit sort of close to home for you yesterday when you found out that an American had joined ISIS and his name was Douglas McCain.

MCCAIN: Yes, it certainly was an interesting coincidence, and I can assure you this is just the first of many. There are some estimates as much as 100, some more, some less, but there's no doubt that ISIS is attracting people from all over the world who have been indoctrinated by this radical form of Muslim religion. And it's not going to stop. And it's increasing. And it's really a greater danger to the United States of America.

But that's not just my opinion. That's the director of national intelligence, the head of the CIA, and the secretary of homeland security's view as well.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

MCCAIN: This is a direct threat over time.

CAMEROTA: Now, senator, it's no secret that you have been frustrated with President Obama's approach to ISIS. You put out a statement that said, in part, "American and our allies and partners will only be secure when ISIS is defeated. That means we must get beyond half measures, tactical responses and defensive actions." What half measures are you referring to?

MCCAIN: Well, the fact that the president -- we could go back to his commitment to attack Syria and then, after telling the world that, changing his mind. That was a similar event throughout the Middle East and the world. That was over the chemical weapons issue.

CAMEROTA: So you're - so you're saying that because -

MCCAIN: By the way, there's no evidence - evidence from --

CAMEROTA: But I just -- I want to be clear.

MCCAIN: Yes, sure.

CAMEROTA: You're saying because he drew a red line and then did nothing, that was what caused the rise of ISIS?

MCCAIN: No, I think that that was a seminal event in not attacking Syria, which is -- now has our free Syrian army people on the run, rise of ISIS, success of Bashar Assad, but it certainly helped. But it gave an indication of the lack of credibility. These things don't happen by accident, Alisyn, but right now you have a ISIS with the largest caliphate in history, richest with hundreds of millions of dollars, using American equipment. They have obliterated the boundaries between Iraq and Syria. So we're launching air strikes in Iraq for reasons which are really not totally specified yet.

But surveillance in Syria, how does that work? There is no strategy. If the president of the United States would go to the American people and outline a strategy and our goal, then I think the American people and Congress would be very supportive. But right now there can - there is no one that I have met that can describe what the strategy of this administration is. One day the secretary of defense -

CAMEROTA: So, senator -

MCCAIN: Yes, could I just say that with the secretary of defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs talk about how this is a huge threat this is and the biggest we've ever seen, et cetera, and then -- and there's nothing to follow that up because there's no strategy.

CAMEROTA: So, senator, what is your strategy or your recommendation to defeat ISIS?

MCCAIN: What I have said for a long, long time, you're going to have to use air strikes. That may require air controllers and special forces people on the ground. It does not require the same kind of military involvement that we had before, but we've got to go after them. We cannot give them sanctuary just because of the boundary, and we are going to have to arm the Kurds and we're going to have to support a reconciliation with the Sunni, and all of those are going to have to take place almost simultaneously in the context of an overall strategy, which as I say right now is not there. In fact, what is the president's goal right now? That's even the first question.

CAMEROTA: Well, the president - I believe the president has said that his goal was to contain ISIS in Iraq and by hitting the convoys to save the Yazidis or the other people that ISIS has persecuted.

MCCAIN: But that's not a - that's not a strategy. If you think you can contain ISIS, do you really believe that? You can't contain ISIS. You have to defeat it. It is -- look at the way that it's grown and morphed in just the last year or so. They have now attracted young people, young men, from all over the world and they are growing in strength. They have U.S. equipment, they have money, and they are a direct threat. And you can't just contain direct threats. It's not like the cold war. They are going to be exporting terror to the United States of America. That's what Mr. Baghdadi said after he left our prison in Iraq, Camp Buca (ph), and said I'll see you in New York.

CAMEROTA: I want to talk to you about how you would recommend dealing with ISIS in Syria. Syria's foreign minister said this week that they, Syria, are willing to collaborate and cooperate with international forces to fight terrorism. Should we collaborate and cooperate with the Assad regime to try to get rid of ISIS?

MCCAIN: Oh, I think it would be terrible. I think - I can't imagine us being that cynical. What we need to do is -- and what we've needed to do all along was help the Free Syrian Army. Another seminal event was when the president overruled this entire national security team, including the secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, when they all recommended that we arm the Free Syrian Army. Decisions have consequences and this president doesn't want to lead.

Two things happened this week very interesting. One, the agreement cease-fire between Hamas and Syria. No American role. To UAE and Egypt, launching attacks against the Isla mists in Libya without even telling us. This is a diminution of American influence in the region, which is just remarkable.

CAMEROTA: So where does that leave us with Syria? Would you support air strikes over Syria and, as you said, even special forces on the ground to figure out where to affect those air strikes?

MCCAIN: I wouldn't put them on the ground in Syria, but I certainly would put air strikes and also air strikes against Bashar Assad, which we have advocated, to establish a free sanctuary on the border, so that the Free Syrian Army can train and equip. That's the ultimate goal, should be the ultimate, the overthrow of Bashar Assad, the same statement the president made a couple of years ago where he said it's not a matter, well Bashar should leave and he also said it's not a matter whether Bashar Assad would leave, it's a matter of when, because we didn't help. Nobody believes that anymore.

CAMEROTA: Alright, Senator John McCain, thanks so much for joining us to outline your strategy this morning. Always nice to see you.

MCCAIN: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: Alright, next, protesters took to the streets again in Ferguson, Missouri.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

CAMEROTA (voice-over): A day after the funeral of Michael Brown. And new possible audio evidence in his shooting could cast doubt on witness accounts. We'll take a look at where the case stands.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Just 24 hours after Michael Brown was laid to rest, protests resumed over the teen's death. They came on the heels of that new possible, alleged audio recording obtained by CNN of the Brown shooting that we've been talking about. That tape is now in the hands of the FBI which is said to be evaluating it. Our Sara Sidner is live in Ferguson with more. Good morning, Sara.

SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. Certainly people are listening to that audio and it is raising eyebrows. A lot of people talking about what it might mean as investigators look at that, but they're also looking at the community. Things have really quieted down and what's happening now is a lot of soul searching trying to, as one organization put it, turn a moment into a movement that creates lasting, positive change here in Ferguson. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SIDNER (voice-over): Supporters wanting justice for Michael Brown hit the streets once again. At the federal courthouse, some protesters making their way through police, demanding that the federal authorities look into potential human rights violations. This, as new potential evidence surfaces. The FBI is currently dissecting a series of alleged gunshots caught on tape during an online video chat.

(GUNFIRE)

SIDNER: CNN hasn't been able to confirm its authenticity, but audio experts say it's six shots, then a three-second pause, followed by four more shots.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How could I forget?

MARK O'MARA, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: It doesn't really contradict or fit in to any of the narratives that have been created so far.

SIDNER: Listen to what witnesses told CNN about the fatal shot fired by Officer Darren Wilson. His friend, Dorian Johnson, suggesting Wilson was shooting, then Brown turned, then Wilson fired again.

DORIAN JOHNSON, WITNESS TO SHOOTING OF MICHAEL BROWN: I see the officer proceeding after my friend, Big Mike, with his gun drawn, and he fired a second shot, and that struck my friend, Big Mike. And at that time he turned around with his hands up, beginning to tell the officer that he was unarmed and to tell him to stop shooting, but at that time, the officer was firing several more shots into my friend and he hit the ground and died.

SIDNER: Piaget Crenshaw recorded the scene from this angle and also mentions a pause.

PIAGET CRENSHAW, WITNESS TO SHOOTING OF MICHAEL BROWN: Michael then turned around like almost in awe, like, how he had just gotten shot that many times, so he looked down and then he just tried to put his arms up. And once he put his arms up, the police shot his face and his chest and he just went down.

SIDNER: Listen again to the shots recorded.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You are pretty.

(GUNFIRE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're so fine. I'm just going over some of your videos. How could I forget?

(GUNFIRE)

SIDNER: The only account allegedly from Officer Wilson himself comes from a friend who calls herself Josie who called into a radio station. Police sources have confirmed to CNN her account is similar to what Wilson reported. "JOSIE", FRIEND OF DARREN WILSON: He stands up and yells, "Freeze."

Michael and his friend turn around and Michael starts taunting him, "Oh, what are you gonna do about it? You're not going to shoot me." And then he said all of a sudden he just started to bum-rush him, he just started coming at him full speed, and so he just started shooting and he just kept coming. It was unbelievable, and then so he finally ended up, the final shot was in the forehead.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If there was a confrontation, then the last four shots may have been justified. If there wasn't, if Mike Brown says, "I surrender, I'm sorry," and he shoots him, that's an execution.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SIDNER (on camera): We have not yet heard a full account, an official full account, from police as to what happened as the investigation continues. We do know that a grand jury has been selected and the worry here is from the residents. They want to see that process, they want to know that that process is going forward, and then we may find out, but not until October according to officials, as to whether or not the jury decides to indict the officer. John?

BERMAN: Sara, but it is interesting they just want to see that process at work to begin with. Sara Sidner in Ferguson, thanks so much.

CAMEROTA: Alright, John. A heroes welcome for the kids who captured the world's imagination.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

CAMEROTA (voice-over): The team from Jackie Robinson West comes home to Chicago from the Little League World Series. It's the Good Stuff.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PEREIRA: With all of these women over here, poor thing.

Alright, shall we do some Good Stuff?

BERMAN: Yes.

PEREIRA: We have been following, of course, the Little League World Series that culminated over the weekend.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

PEREIRA (voice-over): Chicago's Jackie Robinson West All-Stars. They may have lost the Little League World Series championship to South Korea, but, you know, the run of theirs nothing short of historic.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

PEREIRA (on camera): So this is why hundreds of fans waited in line for hours upon end at Dick's Sporting Goods store in Chicago when the team's official championship shirt went on sale. And guess what, those shirts sold out within hours. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is wonderful exposure for this particular

community. You know, and people can't help but being proud when you see, you know, their community doing something better than what's been out there.

PEREIRA: Absolutely. Think about what's been going on in Chicago. This is a great story to get behind. 100 percent of the net proceeds will go directly to the Little League program, but for the fans, the shirts are priceless.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's something special. One's going to go in a frame and that will be hanging in my basement wall forever.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just history, Chicago history.

PEREIRA: Chicago history indeed. They are champs to us. Well done, Jackie Robinson West. We should point out there's a welcome parade that kicks off this morning for the hometown heroes right there in Chicago, the smallest heroes of them all.

CAMEROTA: That's great. What a great lifelong experience for them.

BROOK BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: And I hope they had fun, which I think they did.

BERMAN: I hope people turn out. If I were in Chicago I'd go see that parade.

PEREIRA: Did you see, during the series they showed cutaways of people in the street celebrating so I think there will be people there.

BERMAN: That is all for us today. Thanks so much for joining us. The "NEWSROOM" with Carol Costello begins right now.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Thank you, have a great day. NEWSROOM starts now.