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Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) is Interviewed about Running for Governor; Suspect in Killing of a Georgia Mother Being Held without Bond; Remembering Mia Love; Alex Isenstadt is Interviewed about Greenland. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired March 24, 2025 - 08:30   ET

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

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[08:33:53]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: This Friday. Republican Congressman Byron Donalds holds a rally in Florida, kicking off his campaign to be the next governor there. Donalds already has the support of President Trump.

And with us now is aforementioned Republican Congressman Byron Donalds.

It is a big week for you, sir. Thanks so much for being with us.

So, what would the biggest difference be in a Byron Donalds administration than the current Republican leadership in Florida?

REP. BYRON DONALDS (R-FL): I don't really get too focused on that. It's really about the consistency of what we've done in Florida. We've made major strides in our state. We are the best state in the country. So, it's about taking the things that Governor DeSantis has done and building upon them to expand Florida to higher heights and to make it - to continue for it to be the leader in the country. It's really that simple. It's not about difference - it's not about differences. It's about making sure that Floridians continue to enjoy Florida and that the other 49 states see a state that knows how to govern, knows how to lead, knows how to build a strong economy, and knows how to allow its people to be free and really enjoy life in our state.

BERMAN: To continue what you see as the success of the DeSantis administration?

[08:35:03]

DONALDS: In short, yes, there's a lot of successes to build on. We - we are the best state in the country. We do things very well here. That's why people continue to choose Florida, come to Florida. You have young kids going to college in Florida. And we just want to make sure that our state remains the best state in the country.

BERMAN: And again, and you're well aware of some of the political intrigue surrounding this, because the governor's wife, Casey DeSantis, has not ruled out a run herself. Just Friday she basically said, we'll see.

DONALDS: OK. We'll see. I mean, I'm not concerned about that at all right now. Nobody else has declared. I have the endorsement of President Trump. I have the support of many people in our state. And we're going to continue to build that and demonstrate that strength.

But at the end of the day, it is about the people of Florida. It is about making sure that our state continues to be the best because they have chosen our state for a reason. And we want to make sure that if I'm lucky enough to represent the state and be the next governor, that we're just going to take it to higher heights.

BERMAN: The - you have the support, as you said, of President Trump. I think I saw Senator Rick Scott, Congressman Vern Buchanan. Elon Musk, has he endorsed yet?

DONALDS: No. But, you know, we'd love to earn Elon's support. I think he'd find that my plans for the future of Florida are going to be right up his alley. Things that he's going to want to see.

But not just Elon, things that every Floridian is going to want to see. When I campaigned, I'm not just looking for votes, I'm looking for endorsements from the people of Florida. We're going to work very, very hard to earn them in every of the 67 counties in our state.

BERMAN: I want to read you a quote from maybe the most famous Supreme Court decision, certainly one of the most famous Supreme Court decisions. Its Marbury versus Madison, written by Chief Justice John Marshall in 1803, and he's talking about the judiciary's review of laws. He says, quote, "it is emphatically the province and duty of the Judicial Department," he means the judicial branch, "to say what the law is."

How do you think that ruling and that statement from the chief justice, John Marshall, applies to the current debate over President Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act?

DONALDS: Well, two very important things. First, I think if you're going to Marbury versus Madison, that was to really outline the ability of the Supreme Court to speak to the constitutionality of American law that has been passed by Congress, signed into law by a president.

What it doesn't speak to is for a simple one - one federal district judge to be able to decide that they're going to take over all matters of immigration and foreign policy from the commander in chief. It does not give the court those types of powers. And I think that's the issue that you're seeing right now. Chuck Schumer, I believe, said it the other day on PBS that they have about 200 judges that they've put into the federal bureaucracy and that they are progressive judges who are now trying to do the job of impeding President Trump from executing his powers as the commander in chief. And Marbury versus Madison never spoke to anything like that.

BERMAN: It says the "Judicial Department." Do you think district judges and then, by your own reasoning, appellate judges should not be able to weigh in on what the law is?

DONALDS: I think that it's very clear, you can't have a federal district judge decide for the entire country what immigration deportation proceedings are going to be, because that's the question I think that you're - you're getting to.

BERMAN: No, no, I'm just - I'm just asking about interpretation of the law.

DONALDS: And where was this judge or any of these other judges -

BERMAN: Does the judge - does the judge have the power to interpret the law? Because that's what's going on here is - is - and the - the appellate court is going to hear this today, is, can a judge, an - a district judge, an appellate judge, weigh in on what the law says and how its applied?

DONALDS: I want to be clear on this. That's - that's not actually what's happening. It's one thing to determine the constitutionality of law. That's really what the federal justice system is supposed to be doing. What these federal district judges are doing is that they are now bringing their own viewpoints on how the law is executed. That's a very different thing.

And secondarily what I would say is, where were these federal district judges when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were flagrantly misusing and abusing or ignoring federal immigration law? They were nowhere to be seen. They weren't filing these types of injunctions. They were actually promoting the activity that's put us in the place that we are.

So, now you do have rogue judges who now want to step into the fray and tell the president of the United States that he's not allowed to deport criminal illegals out of our country when the American people resoundingly have said time and time again, they said it at the ballot box last November, that they want the president to deport criminal illegal aliens.

So, who matters more now, John? Is it the voice of the American people or a sweet two, three, four, ten federal district judges?

[08:40:00]

I would side with the American people.

BERMAN: We will see ultimately what the district appellate and Supreme Court says about how this law is applied. I don't think anyone disagrees that there is a way to deport, as you say, criminal illegal aliens. But if you're using a certain law, that law has to apply to it, and the courts will weigh in.

Congressman Byron Donalds, thank you for your time this morning.

Kate.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: The family and friends of a murdered mother of five are demanding justice today. The body of 52-year-old Camilla Williams was discovered on March 13th in a wooded area hidden under a bush in the suburb outside Atlanta, Georgia. Now police have arrested, we'll show you, this man right here, a 21-year-old, originally from Honduras, in connection with her death.

CNN's Rafael Romo is following this one for us. He's got new reporting on this.

And, Rafael, what is the latest?

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kate.

Well, bond has been denied for the suspect in this shocking murder. According to court records, Cobb County Police here in Georgia have identified the suspect as 21-year-old Hector Sagastume Rivas, a migrant with no legal status to live in the United States. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson has confirmed to CNN that Sagastume Rivas is from Honduras. He's charged for now with felony murder. ICE also told us that Sagastume Rivas crossed the U.S. border illegally in March of 2021. He was issued a notice to appear and later ordered removed by an immigration judge in July 2023.

He's accused of killing 52-year-old Camillia Williams, a mother of five and grandmother who was originally from Louisiana. The arrest warrant says that late on March 11th or early the following day, Rivas killed William, putting her in a chokehold, then kneeling on her neck with his full body weight. The woman's body was found in a wooded area hidden under a bush on March 13th. The suspect was arrested several days later. A brother of the victims told CNN affiliate WSB he had told his sister he wanted her to return home to Louisiana.

Let's take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TONY WILLIAMS, CAMILLA WILLIAMS' BROTHER: The kids are going to miss her. Her grandkids are going to miss her.

I chatted with her last week. Tried to get her to move back down.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMO: And the murder has been strongly condemned by several Republican leaders here in Georgia, including Governor Brian Kemp.

Kate.

BOLDUAN: Rafael, thank you so much.

Sara.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Mia Love was a first in American history. She was the first black woman to serve in Congress as a Republican. She represented Utah for four years, worked here at CNN as a political analyst, and then brain cancer invaded her life. She died at just 49 years old. CNN's Jake Tapper has details about the legacy she leaves behind.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR (voice over): At the 2012 Republican Convention, Mia Love, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, made her national debut.

MIA LOVE: My parents immigrated to this country with $10 in their pocket and a hope that the America they heard about really did exist.

TAPPER (voice over): As Utah's first black woman mayor, she was running for Congress and voiced opposition to President Obama.

LOVE: Mr. President, I'm here to tell you, the American people are awake, and we're not buying what you're selling in 2012.

TAPPER (voice over): Mia Love narrowly lost that race, but she won over the Republican Party faithful with her pro-gun, pro-tax cut, anti-abortion stances. When she ran again in 2014, she made history.

LOVE: Many of the naysayers out there said that Utah would never elect a black Republican LDS woman to Congress. We - not only did we do it, we were the first to do it.

TAPPER (voice over): A rising star, Mia Love built connections on both sides of the aisle. She was a reliable Republican vote, but she occasionally broke with her party on issues such as access to contraception and gun regulation and immigration reform. She even spoke out against some Trump administration policies in his first term.

LOVE: The practice of separating loving families from their children at the border is heartbreaking to watch.

TAPPER (voice over): After losing a tight race in 2018, Mia Love became a CNN contributor, where she relished political debate.

LOVE: Let people vote on them. Let them pass or fail. But at least they have a voice.

TAPPER (voice over): After being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2022, she responded with her typical fighting spirit.

LOVE: I actually had a doctor look at me and say, you're going to die from this. It's inevitable. They can figure out my diagnosis -

TAPPER: Right.

LOVE: But I don't have to take the prognosis.

TAPPER (voice over): Mia Love underwent surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and cutting edge immunotherapy. Far-outliving expectations. Her determination to survive and her faith were fierce.

LOVE: I have to say, this is for everyone who's struggling with something like this, do not underestimate the power of a positive attitude.

[08:45:05]

TAPPER (voice over): She took solace in her Mormon beliefs, her family and her friendships.

LOVE: Hey. What's up?

TAPPER: I'm coming in to give you a hug.

LOVE: I love you, Jake. You're awesome.

TAPPER: I love you too.

TAPPER (voice over): A wife and mother and trailblazer, Mia Love will be remembered by many, mainly as a beautiful soul, someone who brought a valuable perspective and a sense of humanity to the world of politics.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BOLDUAN: So true. Mia Love was 49 years old.

There's also this. Fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid, it is in the headlines for many reasons. How powerful it is, how deadly the crisis has become, and also now how President Trump is targeting other nations to stop the flow of it coming into the United States. Well, coming up, a preview for you of my two-year investigation into this crisis. A look at fentanyl in America in a way you've never seen before.

Also ahead for us, California's attorney general is urging millions of 23 And Me users to delete their genetic data as the DNA testing firm is filing for bankruptcy.

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[08:50:35]

BOLDUAN: This morning, leaders in Greenland are fighting back, saying that the White House call - saying what the White House calls a cultural visit is actually highly aggressive. Second Lady Usha Vance and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz are expected to be among the Americans traveling to Greenland later this week. The White House says that Usha Vance will attend the island's national dog sled race. Greenland's prime minister, though, responding with this, quote, "what is the national security advisor doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us."

Joining us right now is Alex Isenstadt, national political correspondent with "Politico" and the author of the new book, "Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump's Return to Power."

It's good to see you, Alex.

This also seems to be part of that inside story is what kind of made me think of it. I mean so many people saw what the Greenland issue as - first as a trolling exercise. But what's the inside story here now?

ALEX ISENSTADT, NATIONAL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, "POLITICO": Well, it feels like it's becoming increasingly serious now, right? The fact that you have the national security advisor going, the fact that you have Usha Vance going, which itself is kind of interesting, right, because now maybe she's going to start to become more of a prominent figure in this administration.

But, you know, what's also interesting here is, is that this is part of this broader annexation effort that you've seen Trump really being fixated on in his second term in office when you talk about the Gulf of America, when you talk about what he's been doing with Canada. And just as a -what he's now been doing with Canada, you're now seeing some pushback from Greenland officials on this front.

BOLDUAN: I'm also thinking what the inside story is coming out of - after this weekend. There was an interesting moment from Republican Senator John Curtis, breaking from Elon Musk and his accusations that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme.

ISENSTADT: Yes.

BOLDUAN: Curtis did say that Republicans aren't being honest with the American people about this.

Let me play this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN CURTIS (R-UT): We're not being honest when we look people in these - in the eye and say, we're not going to touch it. If we don't touch it, it touches itself. You know that, right? That's not being honest with the American people. And I think that's one of the things that makes them not trust us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: And he also said that there's - the context to it, Alex, is that, you know, he said that the government needs to assure those in retirement or near retirement that their benefits won't be touched, but that younger people, they need to start that conversation, that Social Security is insolvent. How is that going to land inside this White House, do you think?

ISENSTADT: Well, here's the thing is that the White House has made very clear that social -- that entitlements are off the table. And there's a reason for that. From a political perspective, Republicans who've tried to make - who have tried to suggest changes to entitlements in years past have faced severe political blowback. You'll remember George W. Bush faced blowback for this when he tried it in 2005. Paul Ryan, in the early 2010s tried to - tried to talk about Social Security reform. Faced - the party faced tremendous blowback. So, the White House is acutely aware of this.

But now when you have someone like John Curtis going out there and talking about this, talking about making changes - Curtis, by the way, has been outspoken, says he wants to be the tip of the spear in terms of being able to talk about potential reforms to entitlements. It potentially creates an opening for Democrats to run on in next year's midterms.

BOLDUAN: And it's also reminded me of something the commerce secretary said last week about also Social Security on a podcast. Let me remind - let me remind people.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HOWARD LUTNICK, COMMERCE SECRETARY: Let's say Social Security didn't send out their checks this month. My mother-in-law, who's 94, she wouldn't call and complain. She just wouldn't. She'd think something got messed up. And she'll get it next month.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

LUTNICK: A fraudster always makes the loudest noise, screaming, yelling and complaining.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: You talked about how the White House has been clear. They say they're not going to touch it. They just want to root out waste, fraud and abuse from Social Security.

ISENSTADT: Yes.

BOLDUAN: But what is the inside scoop when it comes to Lutnick and Trump's return to power?

ISENSTADT: Right. So, Lutnick is a guy who has - he's ruffled some feathers in Trump world because he has a reputation for going a little bit off message sometimes.

[08:55:04]

And if you look at what Democrats could do with that clip is, they could send it around, easily use it in TV ads. Why? Because Lutnick himself is a billionaire, might not be the best look for the Republicans politically to have a billionaire going out and talking about cutting entitlements like that. So, it's interesting because Lutnick is a guy who became prominent in Trump world towards the end of the campaign. He showed up at the Madison Square Garden event, appeared with Elon Musk, and ever since then he's become known as a bit of a bomb thrower on television. You'll remember that last week he also was on TV and suggested that people buy Tesla stock, which was also sort of surprising.

BOLDUAN: Yes, I'd say so. But just the beginning, potentially.

Alex, thank you very much. Congrats on the book. It's good to see you.

Sara.

SIDNER: Yes, not every mom has a billionaire son to call upon if their Social Security check doesn't come in.

Anyway, this morning, the pope is back at work. Pope Francis in the Vatican after spending five weeks in the hospital. The 88-year-old pontiff was released from a hospital in Rome yesterday, where he has been battling double pneumonia. He was able to wave and briefly address the crowd from a balcony before he left. His medical team said that his condition has now stabilized.

All right. President Trump is demanding Colorado remove a portrait of himself in the state capitol that he says is, quote, "intentionally distorted." In a lengthy Truth Social post, the president criticized Colorado's governor and demanded he take down the portrait. He then followed the post with alternative photos of him - of himself.

This morning, California's attorney general is issuing a stark warning to people, urging anyone who has submitted their sensitive information to the genetic testing company 23 And Me to delete it immediately. 23 And Me says it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after struggling for years to turn a profit.

Kate.

BOLDUAN: Fentanyl is the synthetic opioid that has dominated headlines for many reasons, including being a crisis of supply. The Trump administration focusing its attention on Mexico, Canada and China for not doing enough to cut off the flow into the United States. But there is more to it. For the past two years I've witnessed firsthand the extraordinary challenges of people trying to break free from, not the supply, but the demand, the addiction to one of the most powerful opioids on the street right now. When it comes to fentanyl, it's a challenge that touches even those yet to be born. What you're about to watch is an excerpt from my special project, two years in the making, set to air this Sunday.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ON SCREEN TEXT: Sisters of Charity Hospital, Buffalo, New York.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She is in severe withdrawal. This is the group of babies that was all born to moms that are opiate users. They can be very, very irritable. They have these very high-pitched cries. They can be very shaky and tremory. And in the most extreme form, they can have actual seizures from the withdrawal.

Right now she is having some tremors. The fentanyl crisis has been very real. I mean opiate use in general, since the time I started practicing in pediatrics and neonatology,, there's been an increase in over 300 percent of patients.

BOLDUAN: Oh, my God.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know.

What we found is that there are so many of these moms that are using that were not comfortable with sharing that information.

BOLDUAN: If a pregnant woman comes in and she holds this information back, how does that impact the care?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If they wouldn't have shared it with their provider, they wouldn't know that it's actually more dangerous to stop using if you're already pregnant. So, they would try to get themselves off of it. And sometimes cold turkey, stop using.

BOLDUAN: People are going to hear that and, what?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The baby can die inside. So, the baby will then also go through withdrawal, much like the mom will if she stops using, and it can cause the baby to actually die in utero.

BOLDUAN: Why do they not want to share it?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, because of the judgment that goes along with it. The more that we judge these mothers, it will continue to get worse because they won't come for help.

In the early 2000s, every mom that had any type of history of drug use, including marijuana, they had oftentimes automatic CPS calls.

BOLDUAN: That's changed in a great way.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. They know that we're not here to take their kids. We're trying to keep them together as best we can.

[08:59:57]

BOLDUAN: My family is no stranger to addiction. My mother battled alcoholism for most of my life.