Return to Transcripts main page

At This Hour

New York City Mayor Eulogizes NYPD Officer Wilbert Mora; Pentagon Announces 3,000 Troops Deploying to Eastern Europe; CNN President Jeff Zucker Resigns; Fired Dolphins Coach Sues NFL, Three Teams, for Racial Discrimination. Aired 11-11:30a ET

Aired February 02, 2022 - 11:00   ET

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

[11:00:00]

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

MAYOR ERIC ADAMS (D-NY), NEW YORK CITY: But he knew he wanted to be a member of the New York City Police Department right away. He was honored to serve and protect our city.

He gave back to this country. He did it the way so many immigrants do every day, with hard work and commitment and dedication to be part of our American experience. He was proud to wear the blue uniform and serve the city of New York. He saved lives.

But he did something else to really reflect on how special he was as an individual. After his transition from the physical to the spiritual, he donated his organs to five individuals, who are now going to have lifesaving abilities, based on what he did.

(APPLAUSE)

ADAMS: So my brother and sister New Yorkers, this has been a painful last few weeks. But the pain unites us in this moment. In this moment of grief, we will rise to the moment and the purpose.

But I know the powerful feeling that we have in this city, that will give us the strength to endure to move forward to do everything we can to end the senseless violence in our city, to build a city of peace out of the ashes of fear, we will rise, New York City, because we are a city of people, of people like Officer Wilbert Rivera and Officer Mora.

We'll never forget their names and their acts of heroism.

Officer Mora, our hearts are with you today and always. And we know your hearts is with us. Before I take my seat, I want us also to reflect on Officer Summit.

In that house, there were several rounds that was in that modified weapon. There's an AR-15 under the mattress. Officers responded to the 10:13 call, was willing to walk through the door and face danger.

If Officer Summit did not take immediate action, we would have lost more civilians and particularly more officers. When I stopped to visit him in Queens with his family and saw his commitment and dedication, I say to him he's a hero to save the lives of his fellow officers. And I thank him.

(APPLAUSE)

ADAMS: And I wondered, when I walked into his home, there was a question mark that lingered over his feeling and response that I felt. And I asked what's next.

He straightened that question mark with an exclamation point.

He said, I'm going to put on that uniform and I'm going to go back and I'm going to protect my city.

We will win this fight. We will win it together. Thank you.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, there, everyone. I'm Kate Bolduan. We've been listening together to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, eulogizing NYPD Officer Wilbert Mora, who was killed in an ambush, along with his partner, in New York two weeks ago.

These are powerful words from the mayor. We want to show you outside the church now, a sea of officers there, to honor, pay their respects, honor his sacrifice and reflect on Wilbert Mora's bravery. Shimon Prokupecz is live for us outside the cathedral.

[11:05:00]

SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN CRIME AND JUSTICE PRODUCER: Yes, I don't know if you can see this live but when you look down the street for 17 blocks, the thousands and thousands of police officers, lined up here, shoulder to shoulder, as they await for the services here to end and the procession for Officer Mora's coffin, his casket, to be brought out and driven down this avenue, as they get to say goodbye for the last time to this officer, who truly gave so much in such a young, young life.

Of course, his life sadly coming to an end after being shot inside an apartment in Harlem after responding to a 9-1-1 call.

But you heard the mayor here talking about what Mora did after he died, donating his organs. Almost every organ in his body was donated to someone to help. Five lives changed because his family agreed to donate his organs.

Also you heard the mayor again talk about New York City and how this death and the death of the other officer are to unite this city, to end the violence and also speaking to the thousands of officers inside the cathedral but also outside, telling them that he is going to give them the resources to end the violence, to end the gun violence.

Specifically the mayor hitting on the point that there are just too many guns on the streets and he's going to give them the resources to end the violence. We expect also shortly to hear from some of Officer Mora's family members. And then the final goodbye, when they'll be bringing out the casket and the officers here will be able to say goodbye.

BOLDUAN: For the second time in just a week, Shimon. It's really remarkable. But as the mayor said, the city will unite in this moment. We sure hope it does. Thank you, Shimon, appreciate it.

We have breaking news. The Pentagon just announcing they will deploy 3,000 additional U.S. troops to Eastern Europe in just days. These are separate from the 8,500 troops that the Pentagon put on heightened alert to deploy last week.

All of this having to do with Vladimir Putin continuing to build up tens of thousands of Russian troops near Ukraine.

These new satellite images you're looking at here show just that, Russian forces and equipment along Ukraine's border. CNN's Barbara Starr is live at the Pentagon with breaking details.

Barbara, you asked a pressing question in that press conference about why now to John Kirby.

What did you hear?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: One of the key questions, has something actually changed on the ground?

Why not last week, why not next week?

Look, they are saying that Vladimir Putin poses a direct threat to Ukraine with his buildup, with his aggression. And they want to make a move to bolster NATO allies in Eastern Europe at this time.

The question is, do they have any reason to believe that Putin might make a move, may cross the border into a NATO country?

You don't get a very clear answer. You get the answer they want to send these troops from both already in Europe and from the United States to bolster the allies. But here's a little bit more of what Kirby had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ADM. JOHN KIRBY (RET.), PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY: In terms of why now, here's just a couple of factors. Mr. Putin continues to add forces, combined arms, offensive capabilities, even over just the last 24 hours. He continues to add in western Russia and in Belarus and in the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic.

He has shown no signs of being interested or willing to deescalate the tensions. And it's not just the United States that has noticed this; our NATO allies have noticed this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: So the NATO allies, according to the Pentagon, want the reassurance, the signal sending, of having U.S. forces on their territory. These troops will largely go to Poland, Romania; some will go to Germany as a headquarters to command all these troops if it comes down to it. The Pentagon says this will be temporary.

But a key question is temporary?

How do you really know when you have success?

How do you know when Vladimir Putin won't be reassembling any troops threatening once again? -- Kate.

BOLDUAN: Good point, Barbara. Joining us is CNN military analyst Col. Cedric Leighton. Also with us, William Taylor, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.

Colonel, your reaction to Barbara Starr's reporting now, your reaction to announcement from the Pentagon.

COL. CEDRIC LEIGHTON (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: I think it's a move that needs to be done. In this particular case, you need to send signals to someone like Vladimir Putin to let him know that not only are we watching but we're prepared to deploy, to do certain things.

[11:10:00]

LEIGHTON: It has the effect of shoring up NATO's morale, in essence, and the ability of NATO to defend itself, should the need arise, should the Russians move into Ukraine territory. Nobody thinks right now that's going to happen.

But I think there is enough uncertainty about Putin's moves that either a miscalculation could occur or that, you know, he may deliberately try to do something like this at some point.

We may be looking at the start of long-term deployments to Europe precisely for that reason. And it also means that, in this particular case, we're doing this independent of NATO but in concert with NATO. So that's what's going on at the moment with this. And it is the U.S. response, I think, that is necessary at this moment in time.

BOLDUAN: Ambassador Taylor, what's your reaction?

From a diplomatic standpoint, what does this do to the state of this conflict?

WILLIAM TAYLOR, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE: So Kate, I think this is a very good signal, as Colonel Leighton just said. I think that this is a demonstration, an indication that the Biden administration, the United States, is willing to take active deterrent measures. Again, this is designed to deter an invasion of Ukraine. Putin has all

the necessary forces to do that and he surprised us before. He has invaded Ukraine in 2014 and no one expected that. So we do have to be ready.

And part of being ready is to deter him, is to show that the United States is willing to take active measures, is willing to move troops in the direction of the eastern part of the NATO alliance to deter him, to demonstrate that we're ready to deal with any of those kind of contingencies.

Now my own sense is that President Putin is deterred, is being deterred. He's looking for a way out, I think, and this kind of active measure will reinforce the doubts in his mind that he can achieve what he wants through an invasion.

He'll try to achieve what he wants now, I hope, through negotiations. That's the way to go. It's not through a military invasion of Ukraine. And that's what this movement of troops does today.

BOLDUAN: Ambassador, you also just met with Ukraine's President Zelensky.

How do you assess what he's doing?

Is this something he wanted to see?

TAYLOR: It is something he wanted to see, Kate. President Zelensky, as we know, has been trying to send a message, a firm message, a calm message, a determined message, that they're ready. They're prepared.

They would like to have a negotiation rather than an invasion. When it comes to an invasion, President Zelensky has indicated that his troops are ready, his civilians are ready.

The other thing that I noticed in Ukraine, in Kyiv yesterday or the day before, was that a determination, a kind of grim determination, among civilians. They're ready to defend their land.

So they are happy; President Zelensky is happy to see this movement, this active measure, active deterrent measure by the United States, to reinforce the capabilities of the United States in Europe.

BOLDUAN: This feels like another important moment in this very tense conflict. I really appreciate both of your perspectives on this. Please stay close. Thank you very much.

Coming up for us, an explosive lawsuit by a fired NFL coach accuses the league of racial discrimination while also alleging an NFL owner offered him money to lose games. That's next.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:15:00] (MUSIC PLAYING)

BOLDUAN: We have news now to report involving our network. CNN's president Jeff Zucker has just resigned after disclosing a consensual relationship with a colleague. Jeff has led CNN for the last nine years.

Joining me now is Brian Stelter.

What more do you have?

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: As you said, he's been a larger than life figure at this organization for nearly a decade, a pioneering figure. And now his resignation is stunning this newsroom and the news industry. Let me read his memo in full and put it into context for the viewers.

He wrote to staffers a few minutes ago, quote, "As part of the investigation into Chris Cuomo's tenure at CNN" -- Cuomo fired last month -- "I was asked about a consensual relationship with my closest colleague, someone I have worked with for more than 20 years.

"I acknowledged the relationship evolved in recent years. I was required to disclose it when it began. But I did not. I was wrong. As a result, I am resigning today.

"I came to CNN on January 28, 2013. Together we had nine great years. I certainly wish my tenure here had ended differently. But it was an amazing run and I have loved every minute.

"I am grateful to thousands of incredibly talented CNN and Turner Sports employees who've helped make this such a joy for me and such a success for all of us. I wish each of you nothing but the best in the years ahead."

That was a stunner for the CNN NEWSROOM. The head of WarnerMedia just announced he will be announcing interim leadership plans shortly. In other words, he's not naming a new boss right away..

[11:20:00]

STELTER: That tells you this did happen very suddenly. The key detail not included in the memo is the name of his colleague, he refers to a consensual relationship with his closest colleague. That colleague is Allison Gollust. She has worked with Zucker for decades. They were together at NBC at the "Today" show in the '90s, then at NBC Universal, now at CNN and WarnerMedia.

According to the memo here, it was a consensual relationship that evolved in recent years and he did not disclose it. And thus, that is why he's resigning.

Kate, while we're speaking here, I've received a statement from Allison Gollust as well, a top marketing executive for CNN, she is remaining with the company and here's what she says. "Jeff and I have been close friends and professional partners for over

20 years. Recently our relationship changed during COVID. I regret that we didn't disclose it at the right time. I'm incredibly proud of my time at CNN and look forward to continuing the great work we do every day."

This is a scenario where you have people who are working together for a long time, then they start a personal relationship. And because they're both acknowledging they did not disclose it at the time, Zucker saying he should have disclosed it right away, that is why he said he's resigned effective immediately.

Kate, we both know Jeff Zucker has been the rock for this organization. The last few days he has not been on the morning editorial calls. Some people even noticed and wondered if something was amiss.

I don't think anyone saw this coming this morning in an announcement like this. But I think if Zucker was on this call this morning, I know what he would say. He would say it's important at CNN is not the person on top, it's the team we all play for. It's CNN as an organization.

This news operation so much bigger than any single person, so the news goes on but now without the top executive.

BOLDUAN: Keep reporting the news. That's what he would say. Brian, thank you so much. Really appreciate it.

We have to turn to another story we're watching very closely today. The NFL rocked for by explosive discrimination lawsuit. Former Miami Dolphins coach, Brian Flores, who is Black, is suing the NFL and three teams, alleging racial discrimination in the league's hiring process.

He says he was forced to sit for a sham interview with the New York Giants even though he says a white coach had already been selected. He makes another stunning allegation in this lawsuit as well, accusing Dolphins owner Steven Ross of offering $100,000 for every loss in order to improve their chances at a top draft pick in the 2020 season.

Flores talked to CNN's John Berman this morning about why.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRIAN FLORES, FORMER MIAMI DOLPHINS HEAD COACH: This is not about me. And I understand that. This is bigger than me. This is bigger than football. Many have come before and done a lot to create change in this country for people of color.

And I just felt like, in this instance, you know, it was my turn to step up and be an agent for change. And I'm proud to do that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(WORLD SPORT)

[11:25:00]

BOLDUAN: Joining me is Carron Phillips, senior writer and editor at Deadspin and CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig.

Carron, you've been writing about this, the lack of diversity in the NFL, this for a long time.

What do you make of the Flores lawsuit and the impact it's going to have?

CARRON PHILLIPS, DEADSPIN: It's about time. And the irony that this happened on the first day of Black History Month just two years after 2020, which was dubbed as this so-called racial awakening in America, which we now see was not.

But the thing I want people to realize, no matter how this plays out, as Brian Flores is dealing with the same thing Colin Kaepernick had to face a couple years ago. And despite the inspired change in racism, it takes slogans and decals, the NFL has tried to put out there and say they have made some changes, we are back in the exact same situation.

And that's the thing I want people to remember about this situation.

BOLDUAN: I have more questions on that but let me ask Elie about this lawsuit.

What do you make of the legal case?

What does he have to prove?

Why a class action lawsuit?

What is your take on this?

ELIE HONIG, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Kate, this is real a legal nightmare for the NFL because it hits at three core issues that the NFL has long had problems with.

One, first and foremost, racial discrimination in hiring. Also tanking, the practice of intentionally losing games to get a better draft pick. And finally tampering, which means recruiting players not eligible to be recruited, not free agents yet. All of these are longstanding concerns for the NFL.

Now what does Brian Flores need to show?

He needs to show that this is a pattern and a practice in the NFL. The way he does that is one of two ways. One, he uses specific examples. He uses his own experience. He uses statements made by NFL officials acknowledging that.

And two, he uses statistics. He says we have 32 teams, 70 percent Black players, one Black coach. That's less than 20 years ago.

(CROSSTALK)

BOLDUAN: Elie, attorneys have told "NEW DAY" (ph) they think it's a slam dunk case.

Do you think it is?

HONIG: It's a straw case on the face of it. The NFL will fight this. They will try to get the case dismissed. They will try to get the case over to arbitration, which means outside of the formal court system, there are provisions in the NFL league rules and the contracts that require some of these disputes to go over to arbitration.

That's going to be a key dispute. The NFL will not go without a fight here.

BOLDUAN: Carron, my colleague, John Berman, asked Flores if he feels he's putting his career in jeopardy with what he's done in this lawsuit. I want to play for you what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FLORES: I understand the risk. Look, I love coaching football, I'm called to coach football and I'm gifted to coach football. And I still want to coach. Let's be clear about that.

But this is bigger than coaching, this is bigger than me. You know, the numbers speak for themselves as far as the hiring and firing and the lack of opportunities for minority and Black head coaches and executives in the National Football League.

And we need to change. We need things to change.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: He's had interviews the past few days with the Texans and the Saints.

But do you think Flores will coach in the NFL again?

It's a key question, because, as you're talking about the Colin Kaepernick example, how do you show progress if you don't show progress, right?

PHILLIPS: Correct.