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The Lead with Jake Tapper

Interview With Fmr. Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI); Unrest in Wisconsin Following Police Shooting; RNC Speakers Deliver Message of Fear; Jacob Blake Family Attorney Provides Update On His Condition. Aired 4-4:30p ET

Aired August 25, 2020 - 16:00   ET

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

[16:00:01]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE, TRUMP CAMPAIGN OFFICIAL: They want to destroy this country and everything that we have fought for and hold dear.

RYAN NOBLES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The four-day event kicked off with a series of speeches that offered an often misleading portrayal of the Trump presidency, from his record on race relations to his handling of the coronavirus response.

NARRATOR: One leader took decisive actions to save lives, President Donald Trump.

NOBLES: Campaign officials had previewed a hopeful vision. Much of the evening was filled with dire warnings about the prospect of a Biden presidency.

PATRICIA MCCLOSKEY, RESIDENT OF SAINT LOUIS: What you saw happen to us could just as easily happen to any of you who are watching from quiet neighborhoods around our country.

MARK MCCLOSKEY, RESIDENT OF SAINT LOUIS: President Trump will defend the God-given right of every American to protect their homes and their families.

NOBLES: A theme echoed by the president's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.

DONALD TRUMP JR., SON OF DONALD TRUMP: It's almost like this election is shaping up to be church, work, and school vs. rioting, looting, and vandalism, or, in the words of Biden and the Democrats, peaceful protesting.

NOBLES: Trump also seeking to turn Biden's decades of Washington experience into a liability.

TRUMP JR. Joe Biden is basically the Loch Ness Monster of the swamp.

NOBLES: Well, Kimberly Guilfoyle charged that a Biden/Harris ticket would put the country on a path to socialism. GUILFOYLE: They want to steal, your liberty, your freedom. They want

to control what you see and think and believe, so that they can control how you live.

NOBLES: Amid those grim warnings were efforts to reach out to voters beyond the president's base, from speakers such as South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.

SEN. TIM SCOTT (R-SC): Our family went from cotton to Congress in one lifetime. And that's why I believe the next American century can be better than the last.

NOBLES: And former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who spoke about being the daughter of immigrants.

NIKKI HALEY, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS: America is not a racist country. This is personal for me.

NOBLES: Haley spending the morning defending her comments.

HALEY: They want to call us a racist country. And I will tell you, ask my parents. They do not believe this as a racist country. Ask Tim Scott. This is not a racist country.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NOBLES: And we ended up seeing President Trump twice last night during prime-time programming. That is out of the ordinary for a national convention.

And his campaign said to expect more of that tonight. They say the president will appear at least more than one time tonight. Now, they're not telling us exactly what those appearances will entail. But they said it won't be a speech. The president won't be speaking from prepared remarks.

Instead, they're just dubbing these presidential surprises. So, Jake, I guess we will have to wait and see.

TAPPER: All right, Ryan Nobles, thanks so much.

Joining us now to discuss, Scott walker, the former Republican governor of Wisconsin and a 2016 GOP presidential candidate.

Governor Walker, good to see you again.

I want to play for our viewers a snippet of what we heard last night from the president's son.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP JR.: This time, the other party is attacking the very principles on which our nation was founded, freedom of thought, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the rule of law.

It's almost like this election is shaping up to be church, work, and school vs. rioting, looting, and vandalism.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TAPPER: Do you agree that Democrats oppose church, work and school and support rioting, looting, and vandalism? That seems like kind of a crazy charge to me.

FMR. GOV. SCOTT WALKER (R-WI): Well, I think there is a real contrast.

What I think he's talking about is not the principle of church, but whether or not you can go to church. In many places, in many states, you can't go to church, you can't go to school. But you can go out and protest. You can riot without leaders even like the governor here in Wisconsin calling people out for things such as that.

I think the larger issue I talked about last week is how Joe Biden has really outsourced his agenda to the radical left, including his running mate, Senator Harris, who "Newsweek" says has a voting record more liberal than Bernie Sanders.

Bernie Sanders said at that convention that ideas that were considered radical just a few years ago are now considered mainstream. They may be mainstream at that convention, but they're not mainstream here in Wisconsin.

And what I heard were mainstream ideas, as you just mentioned, from Tim Scott, from Nikki Haley, and I thought a lot of other great speakers, the woman who was recovering from cancer, who talked about right to try and going from hopelessness to hopefulness.

That's the sort of message I hope we continue to hear tonight and the coming days.

TAPPER: Do you think that there needs to be more of that?

There was a lot of rather stark language about the unruly mobs in the street. I think probably a lot of voters have a difficult time imagining that Joe Biden supports lawlessness in the streets. Even your governor to whom you lost in the last election, a liberal Democrat who now runs Wisconsin, has just a declared a state of emergency because of all the rioting in the streets in Kenosha.

[16:05:03]

I don't think any -- I mean, do you really think that Wisconsinites think that Joe Biden supports anarchy?

WALKER: No, but silence is complicit.

While the president, the vice president, Republicans across the country spoke out against the travesty that happened in Minnesota with George Floyd, as did Democrats across the board, we haven't heard a word from Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and others about the rioting, not just in Kenosha recently, but in Chicago, in New York and Portland in Oregon. And I think, while he may not be advocating for it, what we saw even

in Kenosha in the last few days is, when you have a Democrat governor and the Democrat nominee both immediately leapfrogging over an independent investigation that will look into all the facts on this and ultimately make recommendations on potential charges or not, they went right to the argument that the police were at fault, without even going through that investigation.

That basically sends a green light to many of the rioters out there that it's OK to do this.

TAPPER: Wait a second.

WALKER: Instead, now, sadly, the governor -- no.

(CROSSTALK)

TAPPER: You think expressing -- I mean, you saw the video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back.

I mean, you don't -- you don't think -- expressing empathy and outrage is the same thing as now go destroy furniture stores?

WALKER: No, no, I'm saying, when you immediately say that you -- it's tragic. I have talked about the situation being tragic for that family, being tragic for the police department, being tragic for the city of Kenosha as a whole.

But then I didn't leap to say that automatically I knew whether someone was guilty of something or not.

When you start saying that the police are at fault, before you go through the process we have here in Wisconsin to have an independent investigation, they may very well find that.

But when you start saying that, instead of saying, hey, we all need to calm down -- I actually think the family members were very effective in saying, violence does not help the situation. Violence only makes it worse.

TAPPER: Right.

WALKER: We need to go through this process.

That's not what we heard from neither the governor nor Joe Biden. The family members were much stately when it comes to responding to this issue. And I think that's the point that's being made all across America. We're not hearing that kind of call from Democrats.

It's almost like they're looking the other way. They're not advocating it. At least the former vice president isn't advocating it. But he's also not speaking out about -- against it.

I think that's the kind of leadership America needs, regardless of party, is to say, it's one thing to peacefully protest. And that's what America -- we're founded on the ability to do just that. TAPPER: Right.

WALKER: But rioting is not the same. And leaders of either party need to call that out.

TAPPER: Well, the governor of your state just declared a national emergency and has -- is getting the National Guard involved.

I don't know what more you need from him to suggest that he doesn't support the rioting that is destroying businesses in Kenosha.

WALKER: Finally, a day after the flames came and the protests came, and the buildings were burnt down. Same sort of thing happened a month or so ago in the city of Madison, where rioters came and tore statutes down and beat up a state senator.

It wasn't until a day later when they brought in the state National Guard and when they called the Capitol Police in. You have to take action immediately to make sure that things that might have began peacefully, others don't -- aren't able to hijack into something reckless up there.

TAPPER: Well...

WALKER: And I think that's the concern that many Americans have, is you can't look one way and the other.

He had to call the National Guard because it was so out of control. That should have been something that was taken care of immediately.

TAPPER: I guess the point I'm making here is, you see this incident, we all saw it, a man who appears to be completely unarmed walking away from police, getting in his car, and he -- we saw -- we all saw the video, shot in the back seven times.

Now, I agree that, before any verdict comes down, there needs to be an investigation. But I don't understand why expressing sympathy for what happened and outrage that once again an unarmed black man is shot and, in this case, paralyzed, at least temporarily, hopefully just temporarily, by police officers, this keeps happening in this country.

Do you not think it's a problem? Do you not think that there is a problem when it comes to black men, usually, not black women, who are not armed being shot and killed unnecessarily by white police officers? Is that not a problem in this nation? Does that not happen too often?

WALKER: If it happens one time, it's a problem.

Actually, the numbers show clearly that unarmed individuals -- and, again, we don't know -- we won't know until this investigation is completed...

TAPPER: Absolutely.

WALKER: ... whether there was a firearm in the vehicle or not. I don't know. I'm not going to prejudge that.

But, to me, whether it's an African-American individual, a Hispanic individual, a white individual, one individual who's unarmed, who's unnecessarily injured, or in the worst case killed is absolutely wrong.

But I'm just saying we shouldn't leap to conclusions until we know all the evidence. In the case of George Floyd, where we did know, where we clearly saw it, where the evidence was presented, I think it was fairly universal across party lines, across demographics.

[16:10:00]

People said that is wrong and we need to hone in on that. And those are the things we should be focused on, which is why Tim Scott mentioned it again last night, which is why it was so disheartening that Tim Scott, Senator Scott, had something he'd worked on for years, and yet he couldn't get Democrats to compromise to even pass the simplest of reforms.

And, as he said, he believes, unfortunately, it was more likely Senate Democrats wanted to use it as an issue to rile people up in the election, as opposed to actually passing comprehensive reform.

TAPPER: I think Democrats would disagree with that.

And they would also disagree with the idea that, because somebody expresses sympathy, they're therefore giving a green light to rioters.

But, Governor Scott Walker, it's been too long. It's always good to talk to you. Thanks so much for joining us today. Hope you enjoy the convention this evening.

WALKER: Thank you. Good to be with you.

TAPPER: Speaking tonight at the convention, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, first lady Melania Trump. Our live coverage begins at 7:00 Eastern here on CNN.

And as this pandemic weighs heavily on the Trump administration today, the explosion of cases on yet another college campus, adding to more concerns about in-person learning.

Plus, we are waiting to hear from the family of Jacob Blake and attorney Benjamin Crump at any moment.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TAPPER: Let's go live now to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where a press conference is under way with the family of Jacob Blake and their attorney, Benjamin Crump.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

BENJAMIN CRUMP, ATTORNEY FOR JACOB BLAKE: We have the honor of representing James Blake and his family.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jacob Blake.

CRUMP: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm about to reintroduce Pastor James Blake.

Jacob Blake and his family. Present with us is his family, his father, Jacob Blake Sr., his mother, Julia Jackson, his brothers and sisters, sons, cousins, a large black family unit, who are all standing united in prayer for Jacob Blake to recover from this brutal use of excessive force, once again, on an African-American that was captured on video, and that is just shocking and outrageous and devastating.

[16:15:32]

Devastating to all of us, but mostly devastating to his three little boys who were seated in the car when the police literally shot him at least seven times at point-blank range.

Before we begin, because this is a very faithful family, we are going to begin with prayer. And then the attorneys will give you the updates on his medical condition and the action that we are demanding legally. And then you will hear from his parents, his sisters, both Latedra (ph), Meghan, and Zyetha (ph). And then we will take some of your questions.

But first, we will start with Pastor James Boyd (ph) Jr. to lead us in prayer.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, Attorney Crump.

Good afternoon, everyone. My name is James C. Ward (ph) Jr., and along with my wife, Pastor Sharon, we've been highly privileged to be the family pastor for more than 30 years to ms. Julia Jackson, the mother of Jacob Blake and also her mother Jamie Johnson for more than 30 years. And Julia's request and at Attorney Crump's request, I want to just set the tone for our press conference today by briefly representing Julia's faith in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and offer a brief word of prayer.

There are three types of law that govern our nation, spiritual law, moral law, and civil law. But we're only familiar with civil law and we're often ignorant of the ramifications of violating spiritual and moral law, which civil law alone cannot remedy. When these spiritual and moral foundations are destroyed, societies implode. People hurt each other. And what can the righteous do? So we're calling our nation back to faith in God.

Despite our differences, every citizen of America can agree that we indeed have a monumental problem in our nation, a problem that people created but people are capable of solving. We have a sin problem and not just a sin problem.

So I invite you to join me in a brief moment of prayer as we ask our gracious God for his help during these very perilous times. Let's pray. Our Father in Heaven, we humbly come to you in the name of

our Lord Jesus Christ and we ask you to forgive us all for straying from our ways -- and from your ways and from word, which invites the curse and results in repeated harming and the destruction of each other. I declare the mercy of God, the grace of God, the peace of God, the goodness of God, and most importantly the love of God over Kenosha, over black people and white people, over citizens and police, and over these United States of America.

Father, unify us by your Holy Spirit. We pray for Jacob Blake even now and ask you to heal his spirit, soul, mind, and body as well as the entire family. We ask you to give us wisdom on how to navigate our way forward as we deliberate to seek justice and to seek to bring healing to a hurting nation. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray, amen.

CRUMP: Amen.

And now you will hear from his father Jacob Blake Sr. who will pray also.

JACOB BLAKE, SR., JACOB BLAKE'S FATHER: Our family is very diverse. And we don't represent just one thing. So if you all could give me one second, please, this is for my son, Jacob Blake.

(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

[16:20:06]

I like to thank everyone for coming out in support of my son with this senseless attempted murder that was committed on him. They shot my son seven times, seven times, like he didn't matter. But my son matters. He's a human being, and he matters.

CRUMP: We are going to now hear from his mother, Ms. Julia Jackson. This is her only biological son, Jacob Blake Jr.

JULIA JACKSON, JACOB BLAKE'S MOTHER: Mom son has been fighting for his life. And, um, we really just need prayers. As I was riding through here, through this city, I noticed a lot of damage that doesn't reflect my son or my family. If Jacob knew what was going on as far as that goes, the violence and the destruction, he would be very unpleased.

So I'm really asking and encouraging everyone in Wisconsin and abroad to take a moment and examine your hearts. Citizens, police officers, firemen, clergy, politicians, do Jacob justice on this level and examine your hearts.

We need healing. As I pray for my son's healing, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, I also have been praying even before this for the healing of our country. God has placed each and every one of us in this country because he wanted us to be here. Clearly, you can see right now that I have beautiful brown skin. But take a look at your hand, and whatever shade it is, it is beautiful as well.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Amen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

JACKSON: How dare we hate what we are? We are humans. God did not make one type of tree or flower or fish or horse or grass or rock. How dare you ask him to make one type of human that looks just like you?

[16:20:02]

I'm not talking to just Caucasian people. I am talking to everyone -- white, black, Japanese, Chinese, red, brown. No one is superior to the other. The only supreme being is God himself.

Please let's begin to pray for healing for our nation. We are the United States. Have we been united? Do you understand what's going to happen when we fall because a house that is against each other cannot stand?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Amen.

JACKSON: To all of the police officers, I'm praying for you and your families.

To all of the citizens, my black and brown sisters and brothers, I'm praying for you. I believe that you are an intelligent being just like the rest of us, everybody. Let's use our hearts, our love, and our intelligence to work together to show the rest of the world how humans are supposed to treat each other. America is great when we behave greatly. Thank you.

CRUMP: Julia Jackson, j-u-l-i-a, Jackson, j-a-c-k-s-o-n.

And before we have the sisters address you, we want to give a brief update on his medical status and also our demands. So, at this time I will have attorney Patrick Salvi Jr. and Attorney B'Ivory LaMarr join me as we update you.

And as they come, I will tell you what his mother and father just did certainly touched my heart praying for humanity. The question is, is it touching the hearts of the people with authority that we have legally given the right to use force in America? That is, the people who are supposed to protect and serve us.

When you look at that video, that horrific video that showed Jacob Blake Jr. being shot at least seven times at point-blank range when his officer holding his T-shirt and you see it on the video.

Remember what his mother just said. Where is the humanity? Where was the humanity for this citizen? And as she said it shouldn't matter the color of his skin. Where is the humanity?

In the law, we often talk about deliberate indifference. Well, I think we don't have to give you a lot of legal treaties to let you know that what they did to Jacob Sr. and Julia's son was done with deliberate indifference. As she said, think for a second, think for a second what other things these police officers could have done instead of firing at least seven bullets into the back of Jacob Blake Jr., leaving him at this moment paralyzed.

And his family is very faithful and they believe in miracles. But the medical diagnosis right now is that he is paralyzed. And because those bullets severed his spinal cord and shattered some of his vertebrae, that Attorney Salvi will get to in more detail, it is going to take a miracle.

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