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Federal Probationary Workers Reinstated But Put on Paid Leave; Treasury Dept. Promotes Hunter Biden IRS Whistleblowers; White House Say Putin Agreed To "Energy And Infrastructure Ceasefire". Aired 1:30- 2p ET

Aired March 18, 2025 - 13:30   ET

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

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[13:30:03]

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: Tens of thousands of federal probationary employees fired by the Trump administration are back on the job. Kind of.

They're back on the payroll, some with back pay, after a judge's order to reinstate them, but they've not been allowed to actually come to work. They've been placed on paid administrative leave.

CNN senior reporter, Marshall Cohen, joins me now to explain.

Marshall, this is likely a relief to scores of civil servants, but you have to explain the nuance here. What's going on?

MARSHALL COHEN, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: There's a lot of nuance, Boris. For the federal workers, this is a good news/bad news situation.

The good news, they're thrilled they're getting their jobs back. But the bad news, like you said, they won't actually be allowed to do their jobs. They've been placed immediately on administrative leave.

So remember, how did we get here? Well, last month, the Trump administration fired thousands of these probationary employees. They're called probationary, not because they're on probation or did something wrong, just because they're new.

And that means that they don't have all the civil service protections that most of our public servants have. So it's easy to fire them. And that's exactly what the administration tried to do.

They filed lawsuits. A judge said last week that's not going to fly. You have got to reinstate these people, at least for now.

So at all of these agencies right behind us, the logos, the IRS, ETA, FDA, NOAA, one of the weather agencies, and other places, people were reinstated yesterday.

But at these agencies and maybe other agencies as well, they got a notice at the same moment that said, you will get paid, but please don't do any work. Let me read for you what the IRS told its employees, quote, "You

should not report to duty or perform any work until receiving further guidance."

And by the way, Boris, this whole, you know, come back but don't work situation caught the eye of one of those federal judges who said that this is not what he wanted the Justice Department to do, and he's asked the DOJ to explain itself by 3:00 p.m. this afternoon.

SANCHEZ: Yet another legal fight for the administration over DOGE.

I do wonder, Marshall, you have an update on the Treasury Department promoting some whistleblowers that were pivotal in Hunter Biden's case. Tell us about that.

COHEN: Yes, interesting split screen situation here. While some treasury employees are fighting to keep their jobs, others are actually getting big promotions.

And that's these two men, Gary Shapley, Joseph Ziegler. They're not household names, but they kind of burst on the scene two years ago when they went public with some very critical allegations about the Hunter Biden investigation.

They were part of the IRS team that looked into his taxes, looked into his finances, uncovered significant crimes that he pleaded guilty to last year.

But they claimed that the Justice Department went soft on Hunter Biden and that they were protecting Hunter and protecting his father.

I've got to point out that many of their allegations were refuted by senior IRS officials, senior officials from the DOJ and the FBI.

But regardless of whether they were right or wrong, they've kind of become heroes in many conservative circles. The House speaker, Mike Johnson, invited them to President Trump's address before Congress.

And during that day, they actually met with the treasury secretary, Scott Bessent. And that's where they basically made their case that they should be kept on the job.

The treasury secretary was on FOX Business this morning talking about his decision to give these guys a promotion.

Here's what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT BESSENT, TREASURY SECRETARY: We'll have them in treasury. We'll learn what's been going on at the IRS, what's been wrong? How could this Hunter Biden nonsense have happened? And we're going to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone again, whether they're Republicans, Democrats or Independents.

(END VIDEO CLIP) COHEN: So they're viewing this as a, you know, a victory for the truth. Obviously, people on the other side feel like bad actors were rewarded. But this is a big day for these guys.

SANCHEZ: Interesting development.

Marshall Cohen, thank you so much for those updates.

Brianna?

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: This just in. We have a readout from the White House of the call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which is obviously a very consequential call as they are looking to -- as the White House is looking to end the war in Ukraine.

Let's go to CNN's Jeff Zeleny, who is live with us from the White House.

Tell us what you're learning. We also should note what this readout does not include, Jeff, and also that we are awaiting any information from the Kremlin, which could be different to see what they emphasize.

JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Brianna. We are learning some significant details from that telephone call this morning, which spanned nearly two hours between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

And one thing we are learning is a ceasefire for energy and infrastructure points is part of this.

[13:34:59]

Let me read this with you. It said that, "Both leaders agreed to the need to end with a lasting peace."

They said, "The two leaders agreed that a future with an improved bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Russia has a huge upside. This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved."

But immediately it seems to be that negotiations for a ceasefire will begin between these two leaders and perhaps Ukraine as well. That, of course, is a central question in the Middle East.

It says, "The leaders agreed the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea -- in the Black Sea."

So moving toward discussions of negotiations in the Middle East. Of course, that's where these discussions have been held, in Saudi Arabia, with the leaders of all countries having conversations and really something of a shuttle diplomacy, if you will.

But that is one of the headlines here that they are moving towards a ceasefire.

It also seems to be that there is some conversation, at least in the Kremlin, readout of a prisoner exchange. So we'll be learning more about that.

But at least for the past week or so, Vladimir Putin has been skeptical about a ceasefire, putting up several questions and roadblocks and things. It seems like moving slightly closer to that. However, they're talking about negotiations, which would lead to that.

So it seems like another round of meetings in the Middle East before a full ceasefire could begin. But a temporary ceasefire of 30 days seems like where this is headed. But we will certainly keep reporting and bring you more information -- Brianna?

KEILAR: Jeff, it's also interesting to note in this readout that the White House emphasizes Putin and Trump speaking broadly about the Middle East as a region of potential cooperation.

And it says, "The two leaders shared the view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel."

We should note that, as the U.S. has called for nuclear talks with Tehran, Russia has joined China in backing Iran, calling for sanctions to be lifted, saying that there should be mutual respect if those talks were to proceed.

So can you just speak a little bit to that? Because they're obviously not on the same page when it comes to that region. But it sounds like, judging from this readout, Trump is really looking for broad cooperation with Russia on a number of issues.

ZELENY: On a number of issues on the economic front and other matters. So certainly these conversations with -- really have been reset over the last month.

It began with a phone call a little bit more than a month ago, and now has continued on to this. There's no doubt that the U.S. and Russia are saying the relationship is back.

And it's clear that the United States wants to have more economic conversations as well. So our -- our understanding of this phone call, it goes much beyond Ukraine.

The conversations between these two leaders have included Iran as -- as you said, and broader economic cooperation. So we shall see if sanctions will be lifted, will be pulled.

Of course, Russia has been essentially ostracized for the last three years or so and frozen out of so many deals and things because of the invasion of Ukraine.

All that has potentially been lifting bit by bit. But there is no doubt that this conversation was about much more than just Ukraine. Brianna, as you said.

KEILAR: Yes. So interesting.

Jeff Zeleny, thank you so much, live for us from the White House.

[13:38:38]

Still ahead, details pulled. President Trump saying Hunter and Ashley Biden will no longer get Secret Service protection. Well take a closer look at the fallout ahead on CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

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KEILAR: Today, Hunter Biden and his sister, Ashley, for the first time in years, without Secret Service protection. President Trump ended it, full stop, just hours after he was asked this question.

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UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: There were 18 Secret Service agents protecting Hunter Biden in South Africa this weekend. Who's paying for that? And do you plan to refocus Secret Service protection?

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, we have done that with many. I would say, if there are 18 with Hunter Biden, that will be something I'll look at this afternoon. OK?

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Sir --

TRUMP: I just heard about it for the first time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Some key context to keep in mind here. Back in 2021, before Trump left office, he extended Secret Service protection for all of his kids for six months. Typically, ongoing protection only applies for former presidential kids 16 and under.

With us now to discuss is former Secret Service agent, Jason Russell.

Sir, thank you so much for being with us.

What does revoking this protection mean for Hunter and Ashley Biden today?

JASON RUSSELL, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, SECURE ENVIRONMENT CONSULTANTS & FORMER SECRET SERVICE AGENT: Well, it means, eventually, those -- those agents are going to move on to other assignments. They're either going to have to source private protection.

You know, it won't be right away. It will take a little bit of time, I'm sure a few days or a week to kind of wind down that protection. But they're going to have to seek, you know, outside private protection if they want to continue to be protected.

KEILAR: What kind of threats could they face? And, you know, as we look at this, this is something that eventually does get phased out. But tell us why they tend to get extended protection, as was the case with President Trump's children after his first term.

RUSSELL: Yes, this is very typical. Six months, in fact, going all the way back to President Bush, he extended it. President Obama extended it. President Trump, in fact, himself extended protection for his kids for six months afterwards.

[13:45:05]

And I think because the threat, right when you come out of office is probably higher than it will be, you know, six months to a year down the line when there's less news coverage and things like that.

So this really should be a threat-based decision. Politics should not come into this in any way. It's an unfortunate reality. In this case, it seems like a retribution or some kind of, you know, political gamesmanship to -- to take protection away.

But the Secret Service really shouldn't be used in this manner. It should be, you know, all a threat-based decision.

SANCHEZ: I wonder, Jason, is there a tangible difference, a noticeable difference between private security and the kind of security that Secret Service offers?

RUSSELL: Yes, I think you're going to see, you know, private security certainly obviously comes with significant expense, which means a lot of the advance work that the Secret Service would do, which kind of happens automatically the 24/7-nature of protection, which the Secret Service does.

When you go to source that privately -- you know, we do executive protection at my company -- it's extremely expensive and time consuming. So what you'll likely see is a step down, you know, depending on what they can afford financially.

Certainly the level of protection I think is likely to decrease just in terms of the amount of people that they have and the amount of advance resources and other things that come into play.

Not to mention, the Secret Service as a government agency that can often use other resources.

KEILAR: Yes. Well, as you say, Jason, it's atypical for this to happen. It sounds like you may have a -- a wealth of new customers coming out of this administration, though.

Jason Russell, thank you so much. We do appreciate it.

And still ahead, countdown to splashdown. American Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams finally coming home after a nine-month stay in space.

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SANCHEZ: Finally, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are coming home. The astronauts now just hours from splashdown. Last night, the veteran space travelers in the white suits waved goodbye to the relief crew on the International Space Station.

Remember, the two we're supposed to be there for eight days, but that turned into nine months.

Right now, they're in a SpaceX capsule with two others headed to the water somewhere off the coast of Florida. And it will be a hard stop. Parachutes are going to deploy, and the crew is going to go from 17,000-plus miles an hour to just under 20 as their spacecraft splashes into the ocean.

Joining us now to discuss is retired Air Force Colonel Ron Garan, a former NASA astronaut, who is the CEO of ispace technologies, U.S., a lunar exploration company.

Sir, thank you so much for being with us.

Tell us what it's like to be on that return trip home for Butch and Suni.

COL. RON GARAN, CEO, ISPACE TECHNOLOGIES & RETIRED NASA ASTRONAUT: Well, it's exciting. It's exciting for the whole crew, but especially for Butch and Suni, since they've been up there so long and been up there longer than they expected.

But, you know, you're about to do something really amazing. Probably one of the most amazing things we do is as humans. And that's to reenter the atmosphere.

So they're traveling at 17,500 miles an hour when they're on board the space station and they basically have to slow down to zero and splash down in the ocean.

And so that's quite a dynamic ride. The temperatures outside the spacecraft can be up 3,500 Fahrenheit. There's a lot of vibration. There's a lot of G forces. And G forces are something, especially after you've been in zero G for 286 days, in Butch and Suni's case.

But there's also the feeling of anticipation. Anticipation of being back with their families, anticipation of the completion of a really exciting, successful mission.

And especially, again in Butch and Suni's case, where their families, when they launched, weren't expecting them to be up there that long. So all the, you know, vacations, they missed, the holidays, the birthdays, it's -- its probably a very, very emotional time for them.

SANCHEZ: Yes. You have to imagine so.

And obviously one that is very technical because, as that spacecraft splashes down, then a series of speedboats come out, right? Walk us through that portion of what we're going to watch tonight. GARAN: Yes. So the SpaceX team has been very, very good at very

accurate pinpoint landings. And so there's a lot of boats in the area that are stationed in different, different positions, getting ready to -- to capture the capsule.

Bring it back to the awaiting ship, hoist it up onto the deck, and then open the hatch and -- and let the -- let the crew out for the first time in nine and a half months.

SANCHEZ: And then they're -- they're essentially taken from there to Texas, I believe, to help sort of acclimate them to being back on earth.

What is that specific work like? I imagine they do some physical exercises, maybe some psychological ones as well?

GARAN: Well, I mean, there's -- it's twofold, right? One is they have to re-adjust back to one G, back to -- to a gravity field here on earth.

But they're also scientific experiments themselves. Right? And so the -- the clock is ticking when they land. There's a lot of experiments that need to be done. There's a lot of analysis of their health.

[13:54:59]

But while we're on board the International Space Station, we spend about two hours a day exercising, about an hour of aerobics, an hour of weightlifting.

And that's designed to keep our muscle mass intact, our bone density intact, especially the muscles of our heart, to make sure our cardiovascular system is good.

And so I know Butch and Suni very well. And I know that they are very physically fit and they take that very seriously.

So I'm sure that they're in great shape and they're going to do just fine when they get back. But it -- it does take some getting used to back -- back in gravity.

SANCHEZ: I can only imagine.

Colonel Ron Garan, thank you so much for sharing your perspective.

GARAN: My pleasure Boris. Thank you.

SANCHEZ: At any moment, the Trump administration could release tens of thousands of files on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. What those files might reveal, when we come back.

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