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Missouri Shooting Suspect Could Appear in Court Today; McCarthy Says He has Votes to Pass Debt Limit Bill; Warnings for High Fire Danger in U.S.; Remembering the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising; Fake Trump Electors Implicate Each Other. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired April 19, 2023 - 09:30   ET

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

[09:30:00]

LUCY KAFANOV, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Is also likely to be monitored.

Now, we are anticipating a possible arraignment this afternoon. That would typically involve entering a guilty or a not guilty plea, as well as any other conditions set by the judge. We don't know if Lester himself is going to appear in court. We are still, as a network, trying to confirm these details.

We did also hear from the Kansas City mayor about an hour ago who expressed some concern that Lester is out on bail, someone that the mayor described as someone who he sees as a threat to the public. He said, we don't know what house he's in right now and what else could happen.

Take a listen.

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MAYOR QUINTON LUCAS (D), KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: It is shameful, in some ways, that he gets to live this very normal life, but I understand it's part of this system that we have which needs real tweaks.

And I think that this has everything to do with race, the defendant's fear of black people, black men, black boys, and I think that's why we are all discussing this now for some reason, right, because it is something that is tragic. And I think that if - if the young man wasn't black, we wouldn't be here today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAFANOV: We also know, based on a tweet by the White House, President Joe Biden, yesterday, spoke with the young teenager. He said, and I quote, no parent should have to worry that their kids will be shot after ringing the wrong doorbell. We've got to keep up the fight against gun violence.

And what that indicates, at least, is that we know that Ralph is well enough to speak. We don't know the -- any updates on his condition this morning, but the family attorney did speak yesterday saying, look, this child, the 16-year-old, was undergoing surgery on Thursday. By Saturday he was home playing with his dog. Those physical wounds, again, are likely to heal a lot faster than the emotional trauma that he suffered from this incident.

Sara.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: Very well put. Thank you, Lucy Kafanov, there live for us from Kansas City, Missouri.

Kate.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: This morning, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says that he suggests that he has the votes to pass his debt ceiling bill and pass it this week. The speaker can only afford to lose four Republican votes, as we know, to get it done because Democrats aren't going to be helping them out. And there are more than a few Republicans already expressing skepticism and frustration over his proposal as it stands today.

This debt ceiling fight is McCarthy's first real legislative test in his new speakership, win or lose, and it's a deal -- if a deal between Congress and the White House is not reached in two months, the nation will default on the government's $31 trillion debt.

CNN's Lauren Fox is following this on Capitol Hill for us. She joins us now.

Lauren, Speaker McCarthy is projecting confidence. Does he - does -- does he have good reason to do so, though?

LAUREN FOX, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A little bit of a reality check here is the fact that we haven't seen the legislative text. This bill is not finalized. Republicans are still getting a sense of what is going to be included. In fact, some Republicans still fighting for provisions to be included in this legislation.

But at the end of the day, a lot of Republicans and close allies of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy are arguing. this is about Republicans showing that they can govern. In fact, Kevin Hern, the leader of the Republican Study Committee, said yesterday, it's a about leadership.

Still, some Republicans say that they need more details. Scott Perry, who is a republican and the leader of the House Freedom Caucus, he's been involved in a lot of these early discussions. He says, quote, I don't know what's in the package. So, a lot of work for leadership to do. Yes, Kevin McCarthy is projecting that he could have the votes as early as next week when a lot of leaders are hoping this bill can come to the floor, but it's a huge gamble because the whole game here is to try to get the White House and Senate Democrats to negotiate. If Kevin McCarthy cannot show he has unity behind him, that gets a lot harder to do, Kate.

BOLDUAN: Lauren, it's good to see you. Thanks for the update.

John. JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Kate, there is a serious threat of wildfires across a large part of the country. Smoky, reason to be concerned. A critical fire danger warning from the southwest into the plains, while all of New Jersey is under a red flag warning.

CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam in the Weather Center tracking this for us.

Derek, why don't you tell us where there is the biggest threat of fires?

DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, you know, John, this is often a threat that's overlooked, but the danger is very real, like you stated. And, today, we highlight the potential for these fires across the southern plains and into the southwest. That's where red flag warnings are currently in place.

But I want to take you to the East Coast because the threshold has been made for and reached for red flag warnings across the entire state of New Jersey as well. So, gusty winds. And then as we look towards central portions of Kentucky, that is an area that we're highlighting for tomorrow for the potential of fire weather as well. So, it is the combination of very low relative humidity and the gusty winds I just mentioned a moment ago. We're talking about single digit relative humidities from El Paso to Albuquerque, as well as Lubbock, Texas. You combine that with winds gusting in excess of 25 mph, you get the fire risk, you've got the fuel to start these fires.

[09:35:04]

So, we've got to take it very seriously.

BERMAN: So that's fires. I do understand, Derek, there is another threat of severe weather facing, you know, millions of Americans.

VAN DAM: Yes, just today, 17 million Americans within the past half hour. We had an update from the Storm Prediction Center. Kind of focusing in on this state borderline between Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and portions of Nebraska. That area is an enhanced risk. That's a level three of five on the scale for very large hail. Can't rule out a tornado. But the real threat today is hail. So, looking at the current radar, not too active right now, with the exception of some snow and light rain to the north. But we do believe by this afternoon we get the sunshine helping destabilize the atmosphere. We get what is called a triple point. That's where the cold front, warm front, and included (ph) front meet. And that is the focal point that we will look for, for the potential of these strong (INAUDIBLE) storms to form later today. By the way, John, the severe threat pushes south tomorrow.

BERMAN: All right, Derek, I know you'll be watching it today and tomorrow.

VAN DAM: We'll do.

BERMAN: Thanks so much for being with us.

Kate.

BOLDUAN: In Fulton County, Georgia, some of the fake electors for Donald Trump, they're beginning to turn on each other. The district attorney there saying that they're now pointing fingers at each other over possible crimes. Those details are next.

Plus, a ceasefire in Sudan crumbled almost immediately after it set in. Hundreds are dead as the horrible fighting there continues. The very latest, next.

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[09:40:53]

SIDNER: Next hour, the man in charge of tracking how U.S. dollars are spent in Afghanistan is set to testify on Capitol Hill. And in his prepared testimony, exclusively obtained by CNN, the special inspector general is expected to express frustration in how difficult it has been to track aid money now that the Taliban are in power in Afghanistan.

In Sudan, a fragile ceasefire was broken almost immediately after it began. And now Doctors Without Borders is warning that half of the country's hospitals are out of action. The aid organization also says one of its compounds in Darfur was rated by armed men who stole everything, including medical supplies.

Also, terrifying video here out of Beijing that showed people climbing out of windows to escape a hospital fire that killed 29 people. It's not clear if those people on the rooftop were actually able to be rescued, but this is the deadliest fire in Beijing in two decades. Twelve people have been detained on suspicion of gross negligence, including the hospital's director.

Kate.

BOLDUAN: People from all over the world are gathering today to remember the heroes of the largest uprising of Jews during World War II. On this day 80 years ago, the Warsaw ghetto uprising began when hundreds of young Jews took up arms against the Nazis in Poland. The Germans set up the Warsaw ghetto in 1940. It was the largest ghetto in German occupied Europe. The 1.3 square mile area was bound by a 10 foot wall with barbed wire, trapping and sealing off some 400,000 Jews.

By 1942, the Nazis began mass deportations from the Warsaw ghetto, moving tens of thousands of Jewish people to their deaths at concentration camps. By that summer, it was clear, those deportations meant almost certain death, and the resistance then began on April 19, 1943, on the eve of Passover. Seven hundred young Jewish fighters battled Nazi German forces for almost a month, resisting longer than some countries could. The uprising ended on May 16th, when the Nazis leveled the ghetto. And at least 7,000 Jews died fighting or in hiding in the ghetto. Some 42,000 survivors were sent to forced labor and death camps and where, of course, most were murdered. Today, the world pays tribute to these -- this heroic effort. The

presidents of Germany, Poland and Israel, three nations forever linked by this history, they joined together in Poland today, vowing to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive. And in the United States, President Biden is vying to -- vowing to continue the fight against anti- Semitism, saying, quote, evil will not win, hate will not prevail, and the violence of anti-Semitism will not be the story of our time. Together we will ensure that never again is a promise we keep.

We're joined now by two of our CNN colleagues, themselves children and grandchildren of survivors, CNN's Wolf Blitzer and Dana Bash, in Warsaw, Poland.

That's such a powerful image having you both there.

Wolf, what is it -- what are you seeing there today?

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: It's so amazing, Kate, and it's so moving, especially for those of us who have a personal connection to the Holocaust, like Dana and I do. And we're here at the POLIN Museum, which was built to remember the history of the Jewish people of Poland. And they had a very, very moving ceremony here remembering 80 years ago today, as you correctly point out, the anniversary, 80 years ago today, the start of the Warsaw ghetto uprising, where these Jewish people began to resist the Nazis. And the speakers here, Dana, I think you agree, we've heard from the presidents of Poland, Israel and Germany make the point how significant this day is.

And one of the things, Dana, that really jumped out at me, and I'm sure to a lot of our viewers who watched and people that were here, were the very strong words from President Steinmeier of Germany.

[09:45:03]

And let me read, Kate, a couple sentences from what President Steinmeier of Germany had to say. He said, it is so necessary and yet so difficult to come here as a German and as the German president. He then added these words, the horrific crimes committed by Germans here fill me with deep shame, but at the same time it fills me with gratitude and humility that I can take part in this commemoration as the first German head of state ever to do so.

You know, it was really significant, and Dana and I were talking about this, he was saying Germans. He didn't say Nazis, he said Germans. And this is the president of Germany who was blunt, very powerful, very strong, as were the presidents of Israel and Poland as well. And I was personally very, very moved.

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and, Katie, if I might add, the idea of the German president coming here, as he said, he was the first to do so, and taking full responsibility for the horrific acts here, was important for historical record, but it's also important for what is happening around the world, particularly in the United States right now with Holocaust denialism on the rise. It's hard to imagine that they can ignore the president of Germany taking responsibility, talking about the shame that the German people have for the murder of six million Jews and many, many more. It's critical, critical to the current events, again, not just for historical record and for legacy.

BOLDUAN: And so many have been discussing, and it's important today, especially, there are so few survivors left. You know, on the -- on the 100th anniversary of the Warsaw uprising there will be no survivors -- you know, there will be no survivors left. There are so few Jews in Poland that even live in Poland today, as you guys have been discussing. What does that mean kind of in the context of how the importance of this anniversary, this one especially?

BLITZER: I think it's really significant the point you're making, you know, Kate, because the eye witness history that these survivors bring is so powerful, especially to the next generation. And right now, as we saw here, the March of the Living yesterday, when tens of thousands of people from so many countries came to Auschwitz and Birkenau to remember all those who were lost during the Holocaust, the survivors themselves, they tell the stories of what they went through, and that is so, so meaningful to teach a new generation of exactly what happened, because if we don't learn what happened, those mistakes, those blunders, those horrible situations, potentially, God forbid, could come back.

BASH: And, Kate, maybe to help answer that question, I want to show you this. This is -- it's a daffodil that goes on your lapel. And 450 thousands of these -- 450,000 of these, rather, were given out around Warsaw today. And you see people in the streets wearing these. Why 450,000? Because at its peak, where we're standing right now, we are standing in what was the Warsaw ghetto. And at its peak, there were about 450,000 Jews crammed in to the walls and the barbed wire you described earlier, given very little food, very little help. They had almost no way to make money. Never mind sort of deal with the basics in life. And so the daffodil towards the end was a signal - a symbol of hope. And so that's why people wore daffodils. And people also move it down and wear it like this. And you know what that looks like. You remember the Nazis made Jews wear a Star of David. And so there's a little bit of a reclaiming there as well.

BOLDUAN: Guys, it's so moving and so powerful to have you there. It's really beautiful. Thank you, guys. Thank you so much.

Do want to let you know, you can hear more from Wolf and Dana and how their own families were impacted by the Holocaust, and listen to other stories of Jews who were in Poland during the uprising. It's all -- you can go to cnn.com/warsaw.

John.

BERMAN: Thanks, Kate.

Some of the fake electors for Donald Trump in Georgia are beginning to turn on each other. That's according to the Fulton County prosecutors. What are the implications of this going forward?

Plus, growing concerns about the release of unaccompanied migrant children who were in HHS custody amid reports that some of those kids ended up in dangerous and risky jobs.

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[09:53:42]

BERMAN: So, in the Georgia investigation of former President Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, the Fulton County district attorney now says some of the fake Trump electors are turning on each other. The DA is now pushing to have the lawyer representing those 10 fake electors disqualified. Fani Willis says it is unfathomable how attorney Kimberly Burroughs can offer competent and adequate counsel. And Willis says there are conflicts of interest because some of the electors have, as we said, implicated each other.

With us now is Sara Murray, who has been covering this situation in Georgia from the very beginning here.

Put this in context for me. Explain what's going on here.

SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, look, you know, we know that the special grand jury that was investigating this for months completed its work a while ago and that the DA has been sort of deciding who, if anyone, to bring charges against in this case. So now we're learning that what's going on behind the scenes is they're trying to get more cooperators. They are trying to flip more people to offer potential immunity deals, bring them into the fold and get a bit more information before they decide who to bring charges against.

And as part of this, they're having discussions as recently as last week with some of these GOP fake collectors. Now, I'm learning that there was one Republican elector who has an immunity deal in place from a source familiar. A separate source tells me there are others who are now cooperating with the district attorney, although it's unclear if they have formal immunity deals.

[09:55:06]

So, what the DA is saying in this filing is, look, people are flipping. People are starting to turn on each other. There's no way one lawyer can handle this. In the filing they say, any claim of all 10 of her clients being similarly situated has gone out the window. The DA office also claims that they made these immunity deals last year, and this attorney never brought them -- these offers to her clients.

Now, the attorney for this group of 10 fake electors is disputing some of this. She said in a statement this morning, the DA's motion is baseless, false and offensive. None of my clients have committed any crimes, and they necessarily have not implicated themselves or each other in any crimes. Although it's clear that people are concerned enough that they could end up as possible defendants in this case that they want to strike deals, they want to offer the DA some information before she decides who she's actually going to bring charges against, John.

BERMAN: So, there's some process issues going on here, but also, according to the DA, some of these witnesses who may be flipping, which is interesting in and of itself.

Sara Murray, thank you for explaining that so well. Appreciate it.

MURRAY: Thanks, John.

BERMAN: Sara.

SIDNER: All right, the accused leaker of top secret Pentagon documents was set to appear in court today, but a judge just agreed to cancel it and grant a delay. Details on that ahead.

Also, a grand jury hands down several felony charges, six years after a white nationalist protests in Charlottesville, Virginia. Those details ahead.

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