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Reporting Indicates President Trump Plans to Dismiss Leadership of U.S. Postal Service and Absorb It into Commerce Department; Some Republicans Criticizing President Trump's Rhetoric about Russia- Ukraine War; U.S. Economy Continues to Experience Inflation; U.S. Resists Putting "Russian Aggression in GT Statement on Ukraine; Interview with Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA); Senate Confirms Kash Patel as Trump's FBI Director. Aired 8-8:30a ET

Aired February 21, 2025 - 08:00   ET

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

[08:00:00]

JOEY JACKSON, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Nature of the offenses that were committed there, which again, was a fake I.D., having a firearm itself, lying to police, and related charges. But New York, I think --

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: There are so many bits of evidence that the public has already seen. We will have to watch what happens. But obviously the defense is going to try to get some of that kicked out of court on whatever --

JACKSON: Yes.

SIDNER: Reasons that they can, correct?

JACKSON: That's right. So what happens, Sara, is that once you get the discovery and everything else, then you go into -- because it's not like the movies where all of a sudden there's a trial the next day. There's a lot of component parts that have to happen. And as part of that component parts, they'll challenge the evidence. We'll see what hearings are issued or not. And then after all of this takes place, we will then have a trial. We're not there yet. I don't think we're close to being there yet.

SIDNER: Yes, there's a lot more to do. And I would just like to say with the shot of you standing there, you look like Judge Joey. I feel like that could be a show.

(LAUGHTER)

JACKSON: Where's my hammer? Where's my hammer?

(LAUGHTER)

SIDNER: Look at that. You definitely have judge vibes this morning.

JACKSON: You're the best.

SIDNER: I am so glad to see you, and I am not judging you. I will let you judge me, Mr. Joey Jackson. Appreciate it.

A new hour of CNN NEWS CENTRAL starts right now.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: More mass firings are coming. A federal judge ruling gives a green light for the Trump administration to move ahead with the federal purge for now.

And dissent among the world's richest nations. President Trump's refusal to say the words "Russian aggression" now causing a major rift between G-7 nations.

And an Amazon employee being hailed a hero after a delivery driver risked her life to save a family from a burning home.

I'm Kate Bolduan with John Berman and Sara Sidner. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, in the White House with a chainsaw, but no Colonel Mustard. The breaking news this morning, word that President Trump is preparing to wipe away the leadership of the independent U.S. Postal Service and absorb it directly into the Trump administration. This was first reported by "The Washington Post." This has huge implications for political patronage, huge implications for all the packages and Valentines you get in the mail, but also for the future of this independent service that "The Washington Post" notes, ranks as one of the most popular in the country.

Let's get right to CNN's Alayna Treene at the White House for these new post office plans. Alayna, what are you learning?

ALAYNA TREENE, CNN POLITICAL REPORTER: Well, it's also not just one of the most popular agencies, John. It's also one that's been around for more than 250 years. So keep that in mind. But look, you're exactly right. There have been multiple reports, and we've been hearing as well that the president may move to sign an executive order that would seize control, essentially, of the United States Postal Service, fire its leaders, and place it under the control of the Commerce Department.

Now, I will say this is something that the White House has denied, but it's also something that we know Donald Trump has been fixated for several years on. I mean, going back to his first term, the president tried at one point and talked about wanting to privatize the United States Postal Service. He also talked about it as recently as December, when he was doing a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago home. Then he was still president-elect. He said, you know, I don't think that would be such a bad idea. Take a listen to how he put it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) U.S. PRESIDENT: Well, there is talk about the postal service being taken private. You do know that? Not the worst idea I've ever heard. It really isn't. You know, it's a lot different today with, between Amazon and UPS and FedEx and all the things that you didn't have.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TREENE: Now, John, one reason I know that the president has been fixated on this is about the money aspect of this. The postal service has been losing money for several years now. And when that was brought to the president's attention, he said the United States government shouldn't be subsidizing this. This is actually something that other reports have shown. He met with Howard Lutnick, then it was his co- chair of his transition. Now, of course, Howard Lutnick is going to lead the Commerce Department, something that they discussed in a meeting in December as well.

So again, just to emphasize, this is something that the president has thought about and talked about previously doing. But just to give some context as well about this, you mentioned it's a very popular agency. I mentioned it's 250 years old. Just think about, though, how much Americans rely on the United States Postal Service, one, of course, for critical deliveries like prescriptions and other things, but also a lot of the different private companies rely on the postal service to really go that extra mile. There's questions of whether or not if privatizing this would end the practice of being able to deliver to all Americans all across the country. A lot of private companies sometimes don't want to go to those very rural or hard to reach locations. So questions over that.

[08:05:00]

One thing as well, just as we've seen, of course, a lot of the president's executive orders this first month in office, this would likely face, if it goes forward, significant legal challenges. Legal experts say, one, it would likely get caught up in the courts, but also would likely need congressional approval. John?

BERMAN: There was a 1970 law that Congress passed that kind of took this out of the direct powers of the administration. Alayna Treene at the White House, thank you very much for that reporting. Sara?

SIDNER: All right, thank you, John. Let's bring in CNN senior political analyst Mark Preston. This just in, you just heard what happened there with Trump, considering disbanding the committee for the post office. I want to ask you, isn't it true that the postal service does not receive direct taxpayer funds?

MARK PRESTON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Yes, but it's still one of these federal government entities that has this quasi relationship. The fact of the matter is, is that the postal service, this is nothing new. There has been a lot of talk about the postal service being privatized over the years. And he is right that we see the likes of Amazon, and, of course, Federal Express has a big piece of the market, and what have you. So there is certainly a lot talk about it.

What's interesting, I mean, I got to say from a personal standpoint, one of my closest friends works for the post office. And I was talking to this person last night who was actually walking in like the bitter snow and cold, and just telling me how miserable it was to be out there. So, yes, while specific example, Sara, for all the criticism, and we talk about cutting the federal government, remember, there are real people lives behind it. And that's, this is a perfect example of that.

SIDNER: Yes. I do want to talk to you about what is happening with the president vis-a-vis Ukraine. This was "The New York Post" headline this morning. It says "This is a dictator", and has Putin on the front. This is not exactly an anti-Trump paper. This is a Murdoch owned paper that often praises Donald Trump. And we're now seeing Ukraine, of course, one of the hot button issues brought up in the marathon of overnight votes in the Senate. What do you think is going to happen here when you see the response to this by not just Democrats, but Republicans as well?

PRESTON: You know, Sara, when we talk about Donald Trump coming in and taking over the Republican Party and remaking it in his own image, and really making the Republican Party become the MAGA party now, this seems to be one of those building blocks that has been, remains and is left over from the legacy GOP, which is to be, you know, tough on defense, to be pushing democracy across the world, and understanding that fighting wars across the sea prevents terrorism coming to our own land.

So what I do think is we're starting to see a little bit of a schism in the Republican Party right now about everybody all in in agreeing to get behind Donald Trump and those war hawks who, you know, deep down inside, still have that, you know, that bit of GOP, traditional GOP still in them.

SIDNER: Let's turn to the economy. That is what Americans really want the president to tackle when it comes to inflation, when it comes to prices. Inflation up. Obviously, he's only been in office for a month. So this is not something that he has done himself. But he said he would fix it on day one. What do you think is going to happen here when you consider that the public is starting to get real frustrated with the fact that that is something that he hasn't tackled, and he's sort of warned people that there could be more pain coming?

PRESTON: No doubt. Listen, during the campaign, he said, basically every ill that that we face as a nation was going to be fixed on day one, including lowering prices. The reality is, is we know that prices will never go lower. We'll see gas prices go down, of course, as they fluctuate, but food prices are basically going to stay where they're at because we're not going to see those companies lower prices now that they've reached a certain level.

What we are seeing, though, in the CNN polling numbers that were just released yesterday, shows that Trump still has support of his party. It's still 88 percent of his party are behind him. And they're also supportive of Congress, 88 percent of Republicans are supportive of the Congressional Republicans backing Donald Trump.

So when will the full pushback be on Donald Trump from Congress? I don't know yet. I do think he certainly has a few more months to get some things done. But the reality is he will start seeing some slippage. We're starting to see it amongst young people, and we're starting to see it amongst some of those Democratic groups, traditionally Democratic groups, African Americans and Hispanics are starting to slip a little bit from where he was just even a month ago, Sara.

SIDNER: Yes. And we should mention, probably the point at which Republicans will respond to this differently is when their constituents do.

[08:10:01]

And we're starting to see that happen in deep red Georgia. We just saw some really, it stunned the representative, Representative McCormick, walking in to boos after talking about some of the things that Trump has already done. So we will see what happens here. Mark Preston, it's always a pleasure to see you on this show bright and early. Appreciate you. Kate?

BOLDUAN: Coming up for us, Europe now preparing to deal with an American president who continues to repeat Russian talking points. What the words "Russian aggression" now mean for the G-7.

And the deep cuts President Trump is planning for FEMA, the agency that oversees America's emergency recovery from the largest disasters and what it means for future disasters.

And how Turkey, the country, not the bird, could be the solution to America's egg crisis.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:15:22]

BOLDUAN: This morning, two words are causing an escalating rift among the world's most powerful nations. The words "Russian aggression", a term that you would think would be easy to include in a joint statement of the G7 as Russia's war in Ukraine approaches its third anniversary, but not according to President Trump, who this morning is refusing to include the words.

Russian aggression has been used in G7 statements dating back to the start of the conflict. So, understandably, this change is causing a problem. One official putting it this way -- the talks are still happening, but there is a lot of concern at equivocating who is responsible for the war?

Joining me right now is Democratic Congressman from Massachusetts, Bill Keating. He sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

As we're saying in the break, Congressman, I was looking through I found your press release from January, as you've been leading an effort to try to keep Russia from being able to join the G7 again.

Russian aggression is right there in your press release. What is your reaction to this move now from the White House? And what do you think the real impact of it could be?

REP. BILL KEATING (D-MA): Well, Kate, thanks for having me on. And I want to tell you that just Russia's being discussed and being part of the G7 is the exact opposite of really the mission statement of the G7. They are the leading industrial democracies in the world. And in fact, with Ukraine, they have $100 billion of their own money for Ukraine, as well as $50 billion they have in Russia frozen assets.

So, they have been very much, opposed to Russia's aggression in Ukraine and supportive of Ukraine. So the concept being introduced by President Trump that actually it's a good thing to have them part of this is just the opposite of what's actually happening and the opposite of the direction of the G7.

BOLDUAN: The sensitivity of just the words Russian aggression, is kind of emblematic of this -- it's become like awkward and evasive way that Donald Trump's team is sidestepping straightforward questions about the war in Ukraine and the negotiations that are taking place now.

I want to play for you what we heard from Donald Trump's National Security adviser, taking questions from reporters in the White House briefing room just yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REPORTER: After the president's post on Truth Social yesterday, we need to know, who does he think is more responsible for the Russian invasion of Ukraine? Putin or Zelenskyy?

MICHAEL WALTZ, WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: Well, look, his goal here is to bring this war to an end. Period. And there has been ongoing fighting on both sides.

His frustration with President Zelenskyy that you've heard is multifold.

REPORTER: The President has called Zelenskyy a dictator. Does he view Putin as a dictator?

WALTZ: President Trump is obviously very frustrated right now with President Zelenskyy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: Now, Congressman, if this is part of a negotiating tactic to keep people at the table in the end, bring an end to this war by not saying the reality of things in the state of the war and who started it publicly? Is there a world where you think it is worth it?

KEATING: This is going to occur in any real world. This negotiation right now with his envoy, Keith Kellogg, talking to Zelenskyy and Trump. They're taking the roles of good cop, bad cop, trying to really coerce Ukraine solely to his making concessions while not dealing with Russia itself, not calling them out.

Central to all of this peace agreement is indeed a country that will be a rule of law country that has freedom, that has, a democracy in place, that's Ukraine and making sure that they're secure from Russian threats of aggression and illegal and immoral wars.

And that's the center point with this, for them to just focus on Ukraine only and ignore Russia won't be successful. And honestly, the sooner that we get to that, the more we'll work with our allies. We're leaving out Ukraine.

Ukraine should be center stage at all negotiations and the European countries, our allies, our NATO allies, they have to be too. My fear is this we have lost trust with our closest allies, an 80-year coalition that people like my uncle were killed in action for during World War II to start this democratic world order we have now.

President Trump thinks he can change the world order unilaterally. And America First doesn't mean that America is secure.

So, I think, honestly, the approach has to change. We have to deal with our allies. And I hope, that this change can occur with members of Congress. It was great to see some senators speaking up yesterday with members of Congress speaking up. We have a role in this, and this role is going to be challenged like it never has been before.

[08:20:28]

BOLDUAN: You can see that in the in the efforts of the Executive Branch, of DOGE in trying to essentially eliminate agencies that Congress has created. I mean, the administration has had some legal victories this week, allowing them to continue with DOGE's efforts in mass firings.

Now, we are starting to see, though, some Republicans facing some tough questions from voters back in their districts. I want to play for you what we just saw happen in Georgia. Republican Congressman Rich McCormick, he was asked about what Congress will do to push back against Donald Trump's DOGE executive order efforts. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. RICH MCCORMICK (R-GA): When you talk about presidential power, I remember having the same discussion with Republicans when Biden was elected.

The funny thing is you're sitting here and a lot of you would probably say those January --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: And it continued. You know, if members face these types of questions and pushback, do you think that could -- do you think it will actually -- could actually slow Elon Musk down?

KEATING: You know, that's an important clip, Kate, because what you're seeing there is the fact that the Republicans right now have all three levers of government -- the presidency, the House, the Senate. They have the ability and the responsibility to make the cuts they deem necessary. They can do it the right way. They can do it legally. They can do it while knowing how what they're cutting, how that affects the functioning of government. That is not being done right now by Elon Musk. And the approach has been so harmful to so many Americans. I had over 10,000 people in a town hall last week from my district alone, so upset with these cuts, everything focused on those cuts.

The Republicans bear the responsibility. If they don't take the responsibility and actions they have themselves to do, the cuts themselves the right way and the harm that Elon Musk is doing, and he's doing harm, will rest with them for their inaction.

So, they can have town meetings like the one we just saw, try and dodge the issue. They're in control. They have the power, they have the responsibility, and they're going to be responsible for the harm that's done by just ceding this power to someone who doesn't know what they're doing, who's not even elected, who's not even accountable. And his conflicts of interest are so rampant that he should never be a mile near that place.

BOLDUAN: It's interesting that you're also saying that you're getting packed town halls now, with people asking big questions about this as well. It seems like that. We'll see how that trend grows because the efforts by DOGE definitely are not going to be slowing. Congressman, thank you for coming in -- John.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, this morning, for the first time, the FBI will be run by someone with a long history of attacking the FBI. New details on how Kash Patel plans to "rebuild" the bureau.

And memo to every sport trying to fix their all-star breaks, which is frankly, every sport. Take a look at what hockey just did because it was awesome.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:27:30]

BERMAN: This morning, newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel is promising not to seek retribution as he takes the helm of the agency. His nomination faced intense scrutiny on Capitol Hill from Democrats and a couple of Republicans, who warned that Patel is poised to attack President Trump's perceived political enemies and people saying he doesn't have the qualifications for the job.

With us now is former deputy director of the FBI, Andrew McCabe. So, Andy, just talk to us again by experience and disposition. How is now confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel different than every other director the FBI has had before.

ANDREW MCCABE, CNN SENIOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Yes, John, so, when you look at the previous FBI directors, particularly in the post J. Edgar Hoover era, they all have a few things in common.

They all come from distinguished legal careers as judges or high level officials in the Department of Justice or maybe prior assistant U.S. Attorneys, things like that, or significant law enforcement careers. Clarence Kelly, notably, was an FBI agent, ran a field office and was the chief of the Kansas City Police Department. You know, the list goes on and on.

Kash Patel has none of those qualifications. He has no significant law enforcement background. He has a fairly undistinguished legal career up to this point and he has never led an organization of any size. So he lacks even the leadership experience that you normally would say would be necessary to run a massive institution like the FBI.

BERMAN: And I don't know that we've ever had -- I mean, J. Edgar Hoover aside and that's complicated because he was there for so long -- had an FBI director who was such just a close political ally of a president and for whom that really is the primary connection.

MCCABE: John, even J. Edgar Hoover, if he were here to have this conversation with us, would vociferously protest that he was a political person and he really wasn't.

When you look at Hoover, he wasn't attached so much to one political ideology or one politician. He was very much the tool and the executioner for every president he ever served.

Kash Patel is fundamentally different. He is intrinsically connected to our current President. He is admittedly, as he as he put in his Senate confirmation questionnaire, served as a surrogate for the President for the last two years.

He has campaigned with the President, appeared at campaign events and things like that. So, this is the first time the FBI has ever had an over admittedly political FBI director. And I think that opens up a lot of really serious concerns.

BERMAN: We will see how it plays out.

Andy, one other thing that we learned overnight, "The Washington Post" reporting that the first ever national database tracking misconduct by federal law enforcement. That database "deleted" was the word that "The Washington Post" used. You know, poof, it's gone now.

That was actually something that was proposed under the Trump administration, but now it's gone. What's the impact?

[08:30:36]