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Death Toll Rises to 24 As Crews Race To Contain L.A. Wildfires; LAPD Temporarily Stops Escorts To Wildfire-Affected Homes; Judge Clears Way For Release Of Special Counsel Report On Trump Election Subversion Case; Senate Confirmation Hearings For Trump Picks Start Tomorrow. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired January 13, 2025 - 13:30   ET

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

[13:30:00]

VERONICA MIRACLE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: -- some homes were spared and entire blocks are still standing.

And that's why you have crews here right now working. I just spoke with one of the linemen who is saying that they are repairing these power lines. They're putting up new power poles that we're damaged.

And they're doing that because of the few homes that are still standing here. They want to make sure that people will have power when they return. But unfortunately, there's not going to be a lot of homes that these lines will be servicing.

Now, there has been an effort to try and get people back in. (TECHNICAL PROBLEM) -- have been halted unfortunately. There's a lot of issues, safety, and a lot of people trying to get in here.

Hear what authorities had to say this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DOMINIC CHOI, CHIEF, LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT: We tried to put -- be compassionate and put together a team to escort residents to their homes to either retrieve small pets or their medication.

But that line became exceedingly large, and it was causing more problems than solutions. We have halted this escort service for the safety of everyone involved.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MIRACLE: Yes, authorities are asking people to be patient. There are a number of issues right now. It's just not safe to be here. There's toxic ash in the air. In fact, we have masks here. And -- but when you're not wearing it, it hurts your throat.

They're also trying to find if there are still people who -- there are remains in these houses. Investigators are going grid by grid to make sure that those missing are here somewhere in the rubble.

But there is a lot happening here. And they're asking people to be patient.

Back to you, Brianna.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: All right. Veronica Miracle, live for us from Altadena, thank you.

Omar?

OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN HOST: Well, Brianna, as you know, so many people are dealing with loss right now. That includes the friends and family of Randall Miod, who was killed as the Palisades Fire overwhelmed his home.

I want to bring in his friend of many years, Chris Wizner.

And, Chris, thanks for being here. I'm so sorry for your loss and I'm sorry were even talking like this.

I mean, how are you holding up right now? How did you find out?

CHRIS WIZNER, FRIEND LOST IN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE: Hi, Omar. Thank you so much.

I found out, you know, after nonstop, relentlessly trying to reach out to him and invite him to my house to stay here and be safe with me and my wife and my family.

I was stalking on social media. I D.M.'d his cousin, and eventually I found out, you know, through a series of events. There was a picture posted. Both his cars were there. And one of his best friends, another best friend, Mike, said, that's a red flag. And he was so right.

Then it got reported that he -- there was a body found in the southeast bedroom. That's, indeed, Randall master bedroom. I used to live there for two years, so I well knew the layout of the property.

And then the "Malibu Times" reported that he was found holding his kitten, which, I got to tell you guys, I was there 10 days before and I'm so happy I got to say my goodbyes to him. And it was -- it was bittersweet. And I gave him the biggest hug and told him I love him like a brother that day.

But I remember he was searching all over for this new cat he got because he loved cats like they were his child. He had just lost a cat and it was named Boo. And he loved him. Made a memorial at Surfrider Beach for this cat.

And now he finally got this new cat. He was so excited to show me, but he just couldn't find the cat. He searched everywhere in the house. The cat hid well.

And you know, from everything I've put together, he must have just taken a few -- few minutes or a few seconds too long searching for that cat, and he underestimated this fire and the fire just came and got them both. And I -- it's heartbreaking. I -- I can't even believe what happened. I'm having nightmares about it every day, Omar. I can't sleep much. it's heartbreaking. My wife and I are crying all the time.

JIMENEZ: Well, and I was just going to say that, look, no one is prepared to see the name of a loved one or a friend in a newspaper or, you know, through a text saying that they're no longer with us.

What was that moment like for you? And it sounds like you read it in the "Malibu Times." You had been trying to reach him for so long.

WIZNER: It was one of the worst moments of my life. I just lost it.

I first got the call from one of my other good friends, a girl named Danielle Dutcher. She told me she thought it was Randall and I just lost it that second, I told my wife, "I need time, I need time."

And I probably did the stupidest thing a man could do. But it was all to memorialize Randall Miod.

I went right down to Malibu. I drove straight down to Malibu, to his favorite beach, Surfrider Beach, which was totally off limits in the evacuation. And I wrote in sand, "We lost a legend, Randall Miod." And I said my goodbyes to him.

And at the same time, the Kenneth Fire broke out one mile from my family, forcing me to rush back for impossible obstacles. Took about 4.5 hours and three near-car accidents to get home.

[13:35:06]

But I got back to my family safe. And it was just -- it's been the worst news I've ever had.

And if I could say a few things about Randall Miod, please. Look, for anyone that knows him, you know, one of his favorite terms was "full metal." And if there was any full metal kick-butt, way to go, he went out a hero.

That cat was like a cat -- that cat was like a human child to him. It was everything in his whole world. And every cat person out there knows that feeling.

And he was not going to leave without that cat. He was an absolute hero. He went out -- and forgive the statement -- but full metal blaze.

And you know, he was just this epic character. He was always the life of the party. Anyone that knew him knew he had two sides. He had this nickname. It was Crawdad or Crawdaddy or Craw. Those are the variations all locals used. And he was the life of the party and the coolest surfer on the beach.

But there was also Randall, who -- I lived with him for two years. I've known him nearly 25 years. And Randall was the sweetest, kindest soul. He grew up an only child. That's why he only said I was like a brother

to him. And you know, we had our own language that was like a Beavis and Butthead meets surfers. I'm going to miss him to death.

JIMENEZ: Sounds like --

(CROSSTALK)

WIZNER: You know, we talk about "chumash (ph)."

(LAUGHTER)

JIMENEZ: Yes.

WIZNER: He was -- yes. He always made me smile. And I'm a businessman and an entrepreneur. But he would bring out the wildest side of me. And, you know, it was such a treat. And he would do that for everyone.

So, you know what a hero. He absolutely -- you know, he lived his life 150 percent full metal. And he went out the way he lived life. And, you know, in some weird way, I've got to find my peace with that. And I'm trying.

But, you know, I'm always going to miss him. I don't believe it's true. I've been in great denial, Omar. Like I - so many times I screamed out, it's not true, it's not true, it can't be true. But, you know, I'm afraid it is.

And you know, if I any last wish from my side as a friend to him for the city of Malibu itself, if they're listening, make a new program called the Surf Legend of the Year and make Randall Miod that surfer for this year.

He would paddle out, join the paddle out, because I know there will be one. Make him a legend -- (TECHNICAL PROBLEM.

JIMENEZ: I think we just - Chris, I think we just lost your signal.

(CROSSTALK)

JIMENEZ: We got you back just at the end.

But, Chris, I just want to say --

WIZNER: OK.

JIMENEZ: -- I really appreciate you being here and helping us learn to much more about him. You know, I think you cover all these stories and caught up, you know, where it started and, you know, what's next.

And you know, being over 20 dead, which is what we have confirmed at this point, and sometimes, it's easy to lose sight that each number is a person, individual lives, individual hopes dreams.

Chris, I just really appreciate you helping us learn about some of this individual's hopes and dreams. WIZNER: Thank you.

JIMENEZ: Thanks for being here. Of course.

WIZNER: Hey, thanks, Omar. I really appreciate it.

JIMENEZ: Of course.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:42:37]

KEILAR: We have some break news. A federal judge has cleared the way for the release of the special counsel's report on Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

JIMENEZ: CNN's Paula Reid joins us now.

All right, I have a very simple question: When could this drop? When could we see this?

PAULA REID, CNN CHIEF LEGAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Omar, the earliest this could be released is tonight at midnight. There is currently, you know, a rule in place that sets a deadline. They can't release it before then.

Well, what we're waiting for right now is if the Trump team makes some kind of effort to block this. They have fought Jack Smith and the Justice Department every step of the way in both of the federal investigations.

It would not surprise me if they at least attempt to block this report. But it's not clear how they would actually successfully do that. So part of this is fighting for the sake of fighting.

And I also want to note, sources on both sides of this case tell me there's not a lot of news in this January 6th report. Because remember, Smith was required by regulations to submit reports detailing the decisions that he made in his investigation.

He submitted a report for the election subversion probe. That's what we're talking about now. There's also a different report related to the classified documents case. That is not coming out any time soon because that case is still active.

When it comes to January 6th, we have the January 6th Committee. They issued a report in the Trump indictment. And back in October, we saw something we almost never see, which is a lot of this case was released publicly, something you never see before trial.

So both sides agree there's not going to be a lot of news in this report. What I'm looking for right now is if the Trump team will continue to fight this release, even though they know there's news. It's not clear if they're going to be successful but maybe they can just run out the clock for a few more days. That would be yet another way for them.

JIMENEZ: Possibly. We'll, no news but still potentially no news from this.

I know you'll probably be up tonight.

(LAUGHTER)

REID: -- Eileen Cannon --

(CROSSTALK)

JIMENEZ: Yes, exactly.

Paula Reid, really appreciate it.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump's inauguration is in exactly one week. But you may see some early fireworks tomorrow on Capital Hill when Senate confirmation hearings begin for some of his cabinet. Among Tuesday's slate, Pete Hegseth, the president-elect's controversial choice for defense secretary.

KEILAR: The former FOX host has been accused of past sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement of a veterans group that he ran and also alcohol abuse. Hegseth has denied the allegations.

[13:45:00]

CNN's Alayna Treene is covering the story from West Palm Beach, near the president-elect's Mar-a-Lago estate.

Alayna, give us a preview of these hearings tomorrow.

ALAYNA TREENE, CNN REPORTER: Well, look, there's actually - when I talked to the Trump team, they said that they have a considerable level of optimism heading into these hearings this week.

And really are hoping that many of Donald Trumps cabinet nominees will be confirmed within Donald Trump's first few weeks in office.

Now, already, this week, there are going to 13 of Donald Trump's picks who will have their confirmation hearings. You laid out some of the ones that we're going to see tomorrow.

Most notably is Pete Hegseth, just given how controversial that pick has been, including his background of sexual assault allegations against him.

And others we're also going to hear from, Doug Collins, the former Georgia congressman, who is Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Veteran Affairs.

As well as Doug Bergman, Donald Trump's previous Republican primary presidential challenger, but now Donald Trump's pick to lead the Interior Department.

Now, all of this comes as Donald Trump's team has rigorously been preparing his different nominees behind closed doors. We are told that Donald Trump advisors, his allies and even some Republican Senators have spent, at times, hours behind closed doors with many of these different members, including Hegseth.

Again, we will see tomorrow in front of the Senate -- in front of different Senate committees to really go through some of these kinds of mock hearings with them, having people role play. I'm told some of it was like debate prep that Donald Trump himself engaged in.

Role play some of the Democratic Senators, some of the moments that they think might come up, really forcing these different members to confront their vulnerabilities.

Now one thing that I find really interesting in these conversations I'm having is that it's very different from what happened eight years ago when Donald Trump was first pushing through his picks for his first administration.

Number one, Donald Trump didn't actually personally know a lot of these members. But a lot of them were trying to distinguish themselves from some of Donald Trump's more controversial viewpoints.

That is not the case this time around. We've seen with Hegseth and the others that they are really showing that they are loyal to Donald Trump and trying to show that they're going to carry out his agenda, very much in detail -- Brianna, Omar?

KEILAR: Alayna Treene, thank you for the report.

Do not let your guard down. That is the message coming from officials in California as firefighters are dealing with another dangerous strong win event. So how is that going to impact their efforts? We'll ask someone from CalFire next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:51:47]

KEILAR: In Los Angeles County, it's not a good forecast here. Winds are actually picking up. It is a bleak turn of events for firefighters who are battling those deadly wildfires out west.

David Acuna is the CalFire battalion chief. He's with us now.

David, thank you for being with us.

Talk to us a little bit about the winds, what they're doing right now, and how firefighters are preparing as they're increasing.

DAVID ACUNA, CALFIRE BATTALION CHIEF: Thank you for having me, Brianna.

So the winds are actually very calm right now, which is a little misrepresentative of what's happening. Because the winds that were coming out of the west are now going to be shifting to the north and the east.

And they're predicted to get up to 70 miles per hour, which is why we have not only a red-flag warning but one that's been identified as a potentially dangerous situation.

KEILAR: So how does this compare to last week?

ACUNA: I would say it's very comparable because, last week, we had winds from 60 to 100 miles per hour. And we had a large number of resources prepositioned in southern California for that.

So not only do we have the fires that are currently active with all the resources that there, we also have a mobilization center in southern California prepared to respond to wherever the next fire pops up.

KEILAR: OK, so you prepositioned a lot of assets at this point. We've been reporting on that.

As these winds shift, what's -- what is the concern about what it will do to these fires, especially the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire? And what are your concerns about what it could mean if other fires get started in southern California?

ACUNA: So, first, with the existing fires, the concern is that the control lines that we've been diligently trying to create, 14 percent for Palisades and 33 percent for the Eaton, are going to get challenged.

And there's a possibility that 70-mile-per-hour winds could blow embers over the control lines and then additional fires can start.

As far as any other fires, the entire region from Ventura all the way down to San Diego is going to be under those red-flag warnings.

So anyone out there, the members of the public, you need to be very diligent not to create one additional spark.

So what we want to see them do is not mow, you know, possibly striking a rock. Be careful not to drag chains or make sure your vehicle's fully serviced so that it doesn't kick out exhaust particles.

KEILAR: Yes. Very good warning. People need to be extremely careful.

And this -- we have the map up now just to give people an idea of what you're talking about.

This is a huge swathe, not just what is actually compared to this map, a small area that is burning in Los Angeles. Even though, of course, the fires are huge and thousands and thousands of acres.

That Super Scooper airplane that Canada has brought down that encountered a drone last week -- we have a picture of it up right now. There was a hole there in the wing. That's now been fixed. It's back in commission starting tomorrow, we understand.

When you're talking about 70-mile-per-hour winds, can planes -- can the Super Scooper, can these other planes fly in those kinds of conditions?

[13:55:00]

ACUNA: You know, we have exceptionally talented and dedicated pilots that fly our fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. However, physics works. So if the wind is coming in that strongly, we rely on our aviation assets to tell us, no, it is unsafe to fly.

Not only do we not want to risk the aircraft and the pilots inside, but also, if something were to happen, we would also be putting the people on the ground at risk, none of which is any good.

So as soon as they determine it is unsafe to fly, we listen to our aviation assets.

KEILAR: And, David, what's your biggest concern and what do you want people to know?

ACUNA: So right now, we need the partnership from the public to make sure we do not commit any more sparks. And we do not have any additional wildfires.

And then I also need to request some patience from members of the public that are affected by these fires. I know they want to get back into their houses. I know that the evacuation orders, they want them to be lifted.

But we have to consider the fact that there are power lines. We do not know if they are live or not. We have open gas lines. We do not know if they're secured or not. There are structures where half of the building is standing, which means it could collapse at any moment.

And overall, there's toxic ash out there made from the petroleum products in all of our homes that is out there not safe for families to be out in.

KEILAR: Yes, very, very good warnings.

Chief David Acuna, we have so appreciated you checking in with us for days now. And thank you for being with us again today.

ACUNA: You're welcome.

KEILAR: Minutes from now, President Biden will be delivering one of his last major speeches before he leaves office. The focus of this is going to be foreign policy, his legacy on foreign policy. We're going to bring you his remarks, live.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)