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Long Lines in Chicago for Real ID; Markets Open Ahead of Fed Decision; Conclave Process for Pope; Jury Not Seated in Combs Trial; Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired May 07, 2025 - 09:30   ET

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

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[09:30:10]

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: A story we've been following this morning. Starting today, you now need a Real ID to travel. And that means drivers licenses now must have certain federal requirements to fly. But not everyone has one of those IDs yet. So, delays are expected at airports across the country. Although we checked in in Philadelphia and things are going pretty smoothly on this Wednesday.

Our Whitney Wild is in Chicago, however, this morning at a Real ID processing center.

Whitney, what can you tell us about whether or not people are jumping in line now, knowing that the deadline is today?

WHITNEY WILD, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT CORRESPONDENT: One hundred percent. They are in line. And here's the proof, Sara. So again, this is the Real ID super center, downtown Chicago. This is on Clark Street. We're in the loop. Let's walk the line. I hope you have enough air time because it's going to take a while. This goes around the block. This took me I'd say two or three minutes, which in TV time is quite a long time.

We talked to a couple people in line. One of the people I spoke with -- oh, Martin, watch out -- Martin, my photographer here, is working the streets with me and doing great because it's a little chaotic.

But anyway, Sara, back to what I was saying before. One of the women we spoke with out here came with her two kids, and she said the reason she came out today was actually not because she's traveling, but because she just moved to Illinois. So, she needs a new license to transfer her title. But she's wrapped up in this lengthy Real ID line. She got out around seven. She was still a ways back at, like, five after eight.

So, again, this is a long line. See, Sara, we're not even done. This is -- this goes on and on. It goes on. Again, the whole city block here in downtown Chicago.

A couple quick things to remember. Today is not the deadline to get a Real ID. So, for people who are thinking that there's this rush to get a Real ID by today, you only have to do that if you're traveling. That's something that the secretary of state here really wants people to understand.

Oh my gosh, Sara, I'm out of breath walking this line. I think I need to exercise more.

So, again, we're still --

SIDNER: Girl, you just did all your exercise. What are you talking about?

WILD: Oh my gosh, we're still walking, Sara. We're at -- I know, I'm getting my steps in today for sure. We're at Dearborn and Lake now. The super center is on Clark Street. OK, we're still going. Let's keep going.

SIDNER: Oh, my.

WILD: And now we're getting somewhat closer to the line.

SIDNER: Uh-uh, no ma'am.

WILD: But here's a couple things that are making it a little easier here. They have some people from the secretary of state's office going through the line, and they're helping people check their paperwork, making sure they have the right stuff. The other thing that, again, the secretary of state wants people in Illinois to understand is that you do not have to get your Real ID today if you're not traveling. This is not the last day to get it. They are going to be giving them out in perpetuity.

Again, I'm out of breath walking that line and talking, Sara.

SIDNER: Wow.

WILD: So, I need to do some more cardio, which I will get today walking this line.

SIDNER: Yes. Is that -- you went from Clark Street all the way -- is that the Goodman Theater behind you?

WILD: Yes. Yes.

SIDNER: Oh, this is nuts.

WILD: That's how far this line goes.

SIDNER: That is insane.

WILD: I know. I was shocked when I saw it this morning.

SIDNER: Kudos to you and Martin, who had to bravely go backwards trying to do that line and then turn around. But, wow. I guess maybe people will start trickling out of that line after having to go to work because it is 9:30. And I will let you take a quick break because I feel like you deserve one after that long walk.

WILD: Oh, why thank you, Sara. SIDNER: Whitney Wild, to you and Martin in Chicago, thank you so much.

John.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, I thought she was going to end up in Ohio by the end of that live shot right there she was walking so much.

SIDNER: I mean --

BERMAN: All right, the markets opened a short time ago on Wall Street. You can see, in the green, up a little bit after the opening bell. And it comes as we are expecting a major decision, or really kind of non- decision from the Federal Reserve on interest rates today.

ZAIN ASHER, CNN ANCHOR AND BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: I know. That's what they say, right?

BERMAN: Zain Asher is here.

So, what do we expect?

ASHER: Yes, nobody is anticipating any kind of rate cuts today. We're expecting the Federal Funds Rate is going to remain unchanged, where it's been since December, 4.25 to 4.5 percent. The Fed has made it very clear that any kind of move that they make going forward is going to be data dependent.

And what does the data show, John? The data shows that inflation is roughly around 2.4 percent. It has come down, but it's not really where it needs to be.

Also, we got that pretty good jobs report on Friday, 177,000 jobs added, which obviously came in better than expected. And even when you look at first quarter GDP, yes, of course, it did contract. But we, of course, know that that was partly because of front loading when it comes to imports. So, there was absolutely no reason for the Fed, at this point in time, to make any major changes when it comes to monetary policy.

[09:35:02]

The Fed is going to cut interest rates, John, when there is data that shows that we are in trouble. So, for example, if the unemployment rate starts to go down significantly or if there's any indication that businesses are slowing down on investment. But for now they are going to leave interest rates unchanged.

One of the key things is that it's not necessarily about the statement that comes out at 2:00. It's really about that press conference at 2:30, right? And so, if the Fed or if Jerome Powell deviates from the script at all, so the script being, you know, the labor market is resilient. Inflation is moving in the right direction. If he deviates from that script and starts to talk about perhaps softening in the labor market at all based on surveys, then you're going to start to see the markets really react to that. BERMAN: I was going to ask you, put on the decoder ring, let us know

what we should be listening for from Jerome Powell that would signal he's feeling one way or another.

ASHER: Yes, he's actually going to also -- I mean people are going to be watching to see what he's more worried about. Is he more worried about perhaps this idea that any kind of price increases or price hikes is going to be not just temporary, that it's going to be sort of leading to more inflation, or is he more concerned about a slowdown in economic growth? And what does that mean about which mandate the Fed needs to defend? Obviously, they are in a bit of a tricky situation. They are between a rock and a hard place, having to manage the economy and also not allow inflation to heat up as well.

BERMAN: Yes, the problem is, the last time we heard from Jerome Powell he said he was worried about both, right?

ASHER: Yes.

BERMAN: And then --

ASHER: Well, there's a stagflation issue that people don't want to use that word but people are absolutely concerned about that.

BERMAN: So, we will be listening very closely.

Thank you for helping us with the decoder ring right there.

ASHER: Of course.

BERMAN: Sara.

SIDNER: I know what the ring says. It says drink more velveteen (ph). That's what it -- OK, for anyone that watched -- never mind. It's a Christmas joke. It's not even anywhere near Christmas. What is wrong with me?

All right, for centuries, the conclave has shaped history. Now, a 3-D glimpse inside the sacred process to elect the new pope.

And, as Sean Combs' trial nears, can jurors who have been able to see that damaging footage of him and his girlfriend remain unbiased and on the jury? We'll have that story, coming up.

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[09:41:48]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Minutes from now, the secret process to elect the next pope. The conclave will get underway. And you're looking at live pictures outside the Sistine Chapel, where the college of cardinals will enter any minute now. Once they file in, the doors will be locked, cell phone service blocked, and the first round of voting will begin.

CNN's Boris Sanchez has more on what the process entails. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The secretive process for voting for a new pope all happens here, inside the Sistine Chapel. After the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church must choose a new pope in a process called a conclave. On Wednesday, the conclave begins with a mass for the cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica. And after the mass, the cardinals will gather in the Pauline Chapel.

Then the voting members of the college of cardinals, those under the age of 80, will enter the famous Sistine Chapel. The lowest ranking cardinal first, the highest ranking cardinal last.

Inside, each cardinal takes the conclave oath, part of a vow of secrecy, under penalty of excommunication. The Sistine Chapel is then placed under a total lockdown, including cell blockers installed in 2013 that prevent any calls, texts or internet access. Nine cardinals are then chosen at random to perform specific roles in each voting session. These three are the scrutineers who oversee the voting. There are also three revisers who verify the results. And finally, three infirmary (ph) leave the chapel to collect votes from any sick cardinals.

Next, the vote. Vatican law specifies the ballots be rectangular paper, bearing on the upper half the words eligo in summum Pontificum, or I elect as the supreme pontiff. The cardinal then writes his choice for pope on the lower half, folding the ballot twice. Then highest ranking cardinals first, they carry the ballots to the altar, holding it in their hand like this so that it can be seen. Each cardinal then places the ballot on a receptacle covered by a plate that sits in front of the three scrutineers.

After all the cardinals have cast their votes, the scrutineers add them up and the totals are checked by the revisers. The names are then read aloud for all the cardinals to hear. And then a scrutineer pierces the ballot with a needle threaded with red string through the word eligo, or I elect, and secures it to the rest of the votes. As many as four votes a day can take place, two in the morning and two in the evening. A candidate must receive more than a two-thirds majority to be elected pope.

Next, the ballots are taken to stoves in the back of the Sistine Chapel. The stove has an electronic device that adds chemicals to alter the color of the smoke. The color of the smoke from these ballots is the only indication to the outside world of whether a new pope has been chosen. Black smoke means that no candidate has received a two-thirds majority, and a pope has yet to be picked. White smoke means that the cardinals have come to a consensus, and the pope has been chosen.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: We should note, even though Boris was in a virtual Sistine Chapel, he does not get to vote.

A heated exchange between a federal judge and a defense attorney over a, quote, "six pack of white women."

[09:45:05]

New details from the sex trafficking trial of Sean Combs as jury selection gets underway today.

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BOLDUAN: It was a pretty terrifying moment of apparent road rage on a highway in Oregon caught on camera. Police are now investigating the hit and run after the minivan you're going to see there, look at that, just sideswipes a motorcycle speeding down the highway in Beaverton, Oregon, just west of Portland. The video, and you can see it, it appears to show the motorcycle is pointing at the minivan just before it suddenly speeds up and swerves into the biker.

[09:50:01]

The minivan then speeds away from the scene. Police were later able to locate and, oh, my God, and arrest the driver of the minivan after a tip. The motorcyclist sustained serious injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital.

Sara.

SIDNER: Oh, that's awful.

All right, we've got breaking news. We are learning that a jury will not be seated in the federal sex trafficking trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs until Friday. This update coming from inside court, where the third day of jury selection is now underway. Attorneys spent yesterday narrowing down the pool of prospective jurors. Many of them who qualified said they had seen that hotel surveillance video that allegedly showed Combs dragging and kicking his then girlfriend Cassie Ventura. It wasn't alleged. He admitted to it and apologized for it.

Joining me now, CNN legal analyst Joey Jackson.

Let's first start with this. The judge had initially said that they believed that there was going to be a jury seated by today. And now this change, that it will not be until Friday. What can we read into that?

JOEY JACKSON, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Sara, always good to be with you. Good morning.

The answer is really nothing. And here's why. What happens is, is that judges always typically set target dates as to jury selection and as to other matters in the trial but it's very fluid.

Why? You may (INAUDIBLE) fair. I can't be partial. I'm going to be partial because I can't be impartial and I want out. And that could happen repeatedly. You could have other things that come up. And so, read nothing into it other than there was a target set for having a jury Wednesday, for having openings set on Monday, but it's simply a target. And I would not be surprised, Sara, if we speak again and they say, hey, by the way, we'll get a jury on Monday or Tuesday.

SIDNER: Right.

JACKSON: And so this is the process. The objective is not to be very quick in getting a jury. The objective is to be careful, to impanel members who could be objective, who could listen to the facts and evidence and could -- who could make a determination based solely on that, not on social media or anything outside of that courtroom. So, we'll wait and see if they can do that.

SIDNER: Yes, I mean, a lot of us were surprised when the judge said that they thought that they were going to seat a jury today. It just seemed really, really quick. Being that a lot of people, as you heard, had seen that video, they are aware of the case. But like you said, if they can be impartial and not judge one way or the other until they hear all the evidence, then that jury -- juror can be seated.

I do want to ask you about a witness that has so far been a no show. They cannot find -- get in touch with the attorney, nor the potential witness. This is a witness for the prosecution that relates to victim number three. Is this going to hurt the prosecutor's chances here?

JACKSON: So, it could. And -- but let's say this. What happens is, is the federal government, right, they really play hardball. I think what you're going to see is you're going to see FBI agents go to the last known location of this person. They're going to try to find them. They're going to look for a material witness order, which means, in English, that you are an important witness in this case. We need you in this case. We're compelling you to be here under threat, right, of violating a court order as we look there at the five counts that he faces. So, while they can't find the witness now, Sara, it's not to say that they will not.

However, assuming they don't find the witness, yes, it would be a blow to the prosecution's case. Why? It's a blow inasmuch as the prosecution is trying to identify a pattern of conduct allegedly engaged in by Mr. Combs where he coerced others to engage in behavior that was salacious. The jury will determine whether it was criminal. And so, if you have one of those cogs in the wheel who are missing, obviously it puts a dent in your case.

In addition to that, Sara, you cannot open on it, meaning opening statement wherein you would lay out facts that would be elicited from this specific witness you cannot do. And, obviously, if they don't show up, then that's one less piece of testimony that corroborates and supports the others.

So, yes, it's problematic as we look there, the ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, right, we know certainly she's slated to testify.

SIDNER: Right.

JACKSON: And we'll see what the other witnesses say, who comes forward, and ultimately what testimony they give to that jury.

SIDNER: I do want to ask you about this because it was brought up in court, that other stars might testify. People with well-known names may be a part of this case and put on the stand. Why was that important to say that to jurors?

JACKSON: So, what happens is this, Sara. You want the jury not to have any surprises. First of all, you want to give the jury a list of potential witnesses. You want to see, number one, whether they're known to any of the jurors. And, number two, whether or not perhaps a jury has a favorite celebrity. And anything they say is gospel. That's not how it works in court. Everybody's testimony is evaluated for what it is. Does it make sense? Is it rational? Is it relatable, right? Is it reasonable considering what they observed or what they did not observe, not because you're a celebrity, you get, right, more credibility or less credibility. It could work the other way. I hate that celebrity, and as a result, I'm going to discount anything they say.

[09:55:00]

And so you want to be fair with the jury. You want to lay out to the jury what you can anticipate that you'll hear and who you'll hear it from. And if there's any issues, those issues are raised now so that jurors can be excused, not at the moment, so that the juror -- it otherwise prejudices the case for the prosecutors or, of course, for the defense.

SIDNER: Joey Jackson, always a pleasure. Thank you so much. You are closing out the show. The music is playing.

BERMAN: Yes. Almost.

SIDNER: Almost.

BERMAN: Almost.

SIDNER: But that was just in my head. Never mind.

BERMAN: That was just -- yes, they only do it for you.

BOLDUAN: Exactly.

BERMAN: We don't get the music.

BOLDUAN: Sweet serenade.

SIDNER: They want me to shut it.

BOLDUAN: Wrap it.

SIDNER: Got it.

BERMAN: Joey, it's so great to see you.

BOLDUAN: Oh, Joey's still there. Hi, Joey.

SIDNER: Hey, Joey.

BOLDUAN: Thanks so much for joining us. And, oh, I don't know who's doing it today.

BERMAN: This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL. "THE SITUATION ROOM" --

SIDNER: "THE SITUATION ROOM," up next.

BERMAN: Up next.

SIDNER: There it is. You're welcome.

BOLDUAN: We really (INAUDIBLE) that one.

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