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Markets Open After Jobs Report; Russell Vought is Interviewed about the Economy; Mark Duplass is Interviewed about Recovering from Los Angeles Wildfires; AI Models Defy Human Control. Aired 9-9:30a ET

Aired June 06, 2025 - 09:00   ET

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

[09:00:00]

PRISCILLA ALVAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What a federal judge found is that the way in which the administration went about this was in violation of his court order, which had said that they had to provide, quote, "meaningful opportunity" to the migrants to contest their removal to a country that was not their own. And what the judge found in the course of this, these detainees were given less than 24 hours' notice to contest their removal. During those hearings, which I had monitored, the judge also made the point that some of these detainees didn't have a moment to Google where exactly they were going. Again, all detainees that the administration says has criminal records.

Now we're getting a little more of a sense of what exactly the conditions are at the military base. I'm going to quote part of this filing to you from ICE that says, quote, "the conference room in which the aliens are housed is not equipped nor suitable for detention of any length, let alone for the detention of high-risk individuals. Notably, the room has none of the security apparatus necessary for the detention of criminal aliens."

Now, the reason that they are on this base, John, is because the federal judge said that there needed to be that meaningful opportunity. Therefore, they need to get those interviews to determine whether they have reasonable fear in South Sudan. But in the interim, they are being held on this base with these ICE officers in the heat. And, by the way, there has been frustration with Pentagon officials, according to this filing as well.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, a lot going on there.

Priscilla, thank you so much for sharing your reporting.

A brand-new hour of CNN NEWS CENTRAL starts right now.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

BERMAN: Happening now, we are standing by for the opening bell on Wall Street. You can see futures are up this morning. And they boosted a little bit more on the new jobs numbers released just a short time ago. Investors like them.

The U.S. economy added 139,000 jobs in May. That is slightly more than economists expected, but slightly down from the April figures. But, and this might be the important thing, overall solid, sustained job growth over the last several months, frankly, last several years.

Let's get to CNN's Zain Asher for what we really continue to see.

ZAIN ASHER, CNN ANCHOR AND BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: This is actually a bit of a surprise, right? This shows that the labor market, yes, it is slowing down in terms of job growth, but this is a solid number. Is it off the charts? Great? No. But it's certainly a solid number. We were expecting 130,000 jobs added. We ended up beating that ever so slightly, 139,000 jobs added. We did get some downward revisions for both March and April.

But this number, John, tells me three things. Number one is that even though consumers and businesses have been expressing a lot of fear about the trade war policies in this country and all the uncertainty, they're not actually acting on it just yet in terms of it affecting their hiring practices. One of the reasons could be the whole sort of Trump TACO trade idea. This idea that, you know, even though Donald Trump announces one thing when it comes to trade policy this week, you don't necessarily know what's going to happen next week, so why make changes when it comes to hiring based on that.

And that overall, John, this economy is really resilient. When you think about what the U.S. economy has been through over the past two or three months, you think about liberation day, you think about the fact that China tariffs are down to 30 percent, that is still high. Yes, it's not the 145 percent tariffs that we were expecting. Thirty percent tariffs against Chinese goods is still high. On top of that you've got reciprocal tariffs at roughly around 10 percent on pretty much most of the world.

So, this economy is robust. Some of the biggest gains that we saw was in healthcare. We've seen that time and time again because we've got an aging population in this country with a lot of chronic conditions. Hiring and healthcare continues to be robust.

We did see a down tick, down about 8,000 in manufacturing specifically, which is obviously not what the Trump administration wants to see. But those steel and aluminum tariffs have an effect on that.

Leisure and hospitality, that was up about 48,000 as we gear up to summer travel months. So, that -- that's where we're seeing a lot of hiring as well.

BERMAN: Yes, basically just this long sustained run --

ASHER: Right.

BERMAN: For the U.S. economy that isn't fading sharply. At least not yet.

ASHER: Not yet.

BERMAN: Zain Asher.

ASHER: We'll see what happens in the next few months.

BERMAN: Thank you very much for that.

Kate.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: And joining us right now for more on this and much more, the director of the Office of Management and Budget from the White House, Russ Vought.

Thanks for coming in. Appreciate it this morning. There's a lot going on.

RUSSELL VOUGHT, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET: Yes.

BOLDUAN: Your reaction first to the jobs data coming out for the month of May and what you think-- what the White House and you think this shows.

VOUGHT: Well, just another good jobs report. We're excited about it. It doesn't particularly surprise us. It's part in reflective of the president's economic agenda. And we hope it will -- and know it will continue as we get additional pieces of the puzzle put into place. The one big, beautiful bill, which will lead to additional job growth. And -- and we're very excited to participate in the agenda.

BOLDUAN: Let's talk about that bill, because that's a huge focus for you and a huge focus on Capitol Hill at this moment.

[09:05:02]

A lot of heartburn that we are hearing on The Hill, some from Republicans, clearly from many Democrats. Senator Ron Johnson said that he's a no on this, Russ, because of the deficit projections, saying that -- the way he put it yesterday was, he refuses to accept $2 trillion plus deficits as the new normal and said that the savings in the bill are, quote, "barely a rounding error" in this massive spending.

And I want to play for you also what Chip Roy has said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. CHIP ROY (R-TX): They need to go further or the bill's dead. And, hell, even if it bounces back as it was, I'm not sure it passes the House again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: Russ, what are you telling members of Congress like Chip and -- and Senator -- and Senator Johnson?

VOUGHT: Well, we're talking to them literally every day. And we're making quite a bit of progress. I know where they're at. But this bill has historic levels of mandatory savings. Historic. We've never seen anything like the level of $1.7 trillion in mandatory savers. It's why the bill, over ten years, actually reduces debt and deficits. It's not a rounding error when you have historic levels. When you look back in the first -- the last time we were even in the conversation of savings like this was 1990s.

Can the bill be improved? Sure. We're very happy with what passed out of the House. We're having great conversations in the Senate and continuing with House members to make improvements to the bill. But this bill, in addition to accomplishing vast amounts of the president's agenda -- and that's really what this is. It is an agenda bill. It is not a budget bill. It is a device to get through the Senate without the Senate filibuster, and to put as much as you possibly can into it.

And any one of these provisions in any other year would have been the subject for six to eight months of debate. This bill puts them all together, helping the American people on so many different fronts that the president was promised -- promised to them on the campaign. And in addition, it reduces debt and deficits over ten years by $1.4 trillion.

BOLDUAN: You say it does, but -- and I know you disagree with the CBO projection and the way they do their math. But Senator Tommy Tuberville and others, but Tuberville being another Republican, he doesn't believe you. He believes the CBO numbers.

Let me -- let me play this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. TOMMY TUBERVILLE (R-AL): Well, it's going to drive up the debt. I mean we've -- it's -- all you've got to do is look at the numbers.

The big, beautiful bill is big. Not a lot of it is beautiful. Some of it's beautiful. But again, when you mix it all together, it just makes it that much harder.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: What do you do with that?

VOUGHT: Kate, what I think what you're hearing is people who are concerned about the current fiscal reality of our country. And this president was elected to do something about it. And the watchdogs that are out there don't want to use an accurate reflection of what current law is with regard to tax relief that causes this bill to be skewed in -- in -- to suggest that it doesn't reduce the deficit and debt over ten years.

But many of these members, all of them, we work with very closely and are -- have a desire to do something about debt and deficits. We're working with them closely.

BOLDUAN: Right.

VOUGHT: They will be allies in that fight. And as we explain this bill, I think we're going to get to a great result in the senate.

BOLDUAN: But the thing is, you're -- you're talking about the way that they are -- these watchdogs go about these projections. Are you just saying Tommy Tuberville doesn't understand the math?

VOUGHT: No, look, I think the way the watchdogs are presented to the American people, people are going off the -- of -- of the watchdogs. Whether that's Congressional Budget Office or whether that --

BOLDUAN: But generally they -- but generally that's what the Senate does. And that's why Tuberville is saying, and he believes, and Ron Johnson believes that this is going to add to the deficit over ten years.

VOUGHT: Kate, I can't explain what -- people's belief. You're asking me about what the facts are, what is reality. The reality is that this bill reduces debt and deficits. And I'm explaining to you why Congressional Budget Office skews their results. And they -- it's not just that they skew the results and don't reflect reality. They also have a historic inability to project the costs of things properly or the savings properly. They are not dynamic. So they don't do tax relief well and they -- and they -- then they look at spending, like the -- the Biden -- the Biden green energy deal. And when they did that, that was $300 billion by their count. And we now know it cost $1 trillion. They are historically off. And -- and we're -- we're just not going to accept that as we plow forward to get the American people what was promised to them.

BOLDUAN: I get it. But the question is, is -- it -- it -- the way you describe it, you would think every Republican senator, especially those who are deficit hawks, would be super happy to jump on board then, but they're not.

VOUGHT: Kate, you can ask the question three or four different times. The answer is the same. We have to articulate and -- and explain what the bill does and -- and how the -- the watchdogs go about their business.

[09:10:05]

And we're having great conversations across the board. These members want to make this a moment that can be maximized for fiscal responsibility and debt and deficits. And we do too. And that's why we're supportive of the House bill. Just like some of the members that voted for the House bill, we will continue to have those good conversations and get to as good a result as we possibly can. And it will be historic once the Senate passes this bill.

BOLDUAN: As those conversations continue, this feud between the president and Elon Musk has spilled into the wide open. How much is Musk's attacks here hurting you guys in trying to get this passed?

VOUGHT: Look, the -- we were disappointed by Elon's comments. But look, we have a job to do. The president has a job to do. He made promises and campaigned to the American people that we would change the way this town works. And we're in the business of doing that. So, we're -- we're full steam ahead. We're moving forward And we will

continue to educate and explain to the detractors of this bill what we think it does, what we know it to be -- to do. And that won't change.

BOLDUAN: One of the things that the president said in the midst of this back and forth with Musk is that the best way to save money in the budget is to terminate Elon's governmental subsidies and contracts. Is that under serious consideration?

VOUGHT: Look, you know, look, we -- we recognize that Elon benefits from -- and his companies benefit from the taxpayer dollars, right? I think that's just a reflection of that. And the reality of that, as you assess a bill and assess a bill as big as this one, there's a lot of moving parts. And I think that tweet is a reflection of that -- that reality. And, you know, we are aware of the interest that Elon's various companies have. And we are trying to put together the best bill for the American people as we possibly can.

BOLDUAN: It sounds like a yes.

VOUGHT: No, I didn't say -- I said -- what I said was that it is a recognition, as we explain to the American people, the realities of peoples interests with regard to assessing as a bill good for the country or bad for the country. And the president was stating the reality that the businesses of -- of Elon Musk benefit and work in tandem with the federal government. And the American people need to know that.

BOLDUAN: Absolutely. I mean, is -- is the -- just take the one contract, SpaceX. I mean is a $152 billion contract with SpaceX from NASA, is that -- is that worthwhile government spending?

VOUGHT: Again, the reality of the ways that Elon has constructed his businesses, Kate, is that he has contracts with federal government, federal agencies, and it's a point to the American people, in the midst of a very complicated back and forth legislative process, that as we have outside parties now, outside of the federal government, who are opposing, for various reasons, the bill, it is a point the administration will continue to make that these contracts and relationships with federal agencies are present. These policy provisions in law are present. And that is something that the American people should factor in when they assess where people are given the back and forth and who's opposed and who's supportive of a bill that we believe is historic, will help reduce the deficit, will help balance the budget over time, and lead to a host of -- of important reforms.

BOLDUAN: One thing is certain, this is a very important week, has been for this bill, and it will be -- you've got some very important days ahead in where this heads.

Russ Vought, thank you so much for coming in. I appreciate your time.

Sara.

SIDNER: All right, it is not just Elon Musk and Trump battling over that mega bill. There is another war going on brewing on Capitol Hill. It's over this unusual provision for artificial intelligence. We'll speak to Senator Ed Markey, who says it has dangerous ramifications.

Plus, six months after the Los Angeles wildfires that devastated many areas, help is still needed for the hundreds of victims of those fires. Who's stepping up? That's ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:18:59]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, this morning, it is graduation season, including for students who survived the fires in Pasadena and Pacific Palisades. This morning marks nearly six months, five plus, since devastating wildfires burned through much of Los Angeles. The Palisades and Eaton (ph) wildfires killed at least 29 people, they scorched thousands of acres. Thousands of homes were left in ashes.

With us now is award winning actor and filmmaker Mark Duplass. He is the co-founder of the Soul Points Fund, a nonprofit that has made its mission to help the wildfire victims.

Mark, thanks so much for being with us.

You know, we are reaching the six month point shortly and the recovery effort still very much continues. And your charity is launching a new effort.

MARK DUPLASS, AWARD-WINNING ACTOR, FILMMAKER, PRODUCER: Yes, you know, we've noticed that the -- the news cycle has sort of understandably moved on. There's a lot going on. You know, Donald and Elon are getting after it. And we -- we get it. But, you know, the -- the recovery really has just begun.

So, my wife Katie and I, who run the Soul Points Fund, we are going to donate $100,000 and -- and match everybody a dollar for dollar over the next month as we lead up to the six month anniversary, because, you know, what we're seeing is, you know, people are still sleeping in tents on the burn sites or they're living on hotels.

[09:20:17]

Or, if they've just moved into their new apartment, they don't have furnishings because they were either underinsured or the insurance companies are -- are, you know, sort of slow or resistant to take care of them.

So, you know, we're -- we're just kind of grassroots-ing it and putting it all together ourselves, what we can.

BERMAN: Yes, tell me more about the reality on the ground, because we were just reading that in Long Beach there's a new report that homelessness is up 6.5 percent this year from last. And one of the things they blame is -- is people displaced by the wildfires. So, what is the situation on the ground? DUPLASS: Yes, I mean houselessness has been a real issue for -- for

Los Angeles for a long time. And it's no doubt, you know, exacerbated. But I think what we're -- we're also seeing is, you know, the rents have really gone up despite a lot of efforts to -- to keep them reasonable. So, you've just got a lot of people who are under resourced. And I think there's been a lot of money raised, but there's also a lot of bureaucracy out there.

And again, I don't want to criticize anybody. I know how this happens. But, you know, we're seeing these wonderful fundraising efforts, but only 5 percent of the funds are deployed. And so, you know, I came up as an independent filmmaker. And when we saw the fires happening, we were like, we just got to triage this thing and use the sword that's in our hand. And so we started gathering gift cards from all of our friends, and then we ran a national gift card campaign where people sent us their unused gift cards. And, you know, before we knew it, we had pivoted this nonprofit and sort of found ourselves at the center of this thing.

And we're -- we are by no means fixing the problem. Let me be clear, you know. But one thing we can do, because we're so small and we're so nimble is, you know, my wife and I cover the costs of -- of everything. So, literally, every single penny you give to us goes directly to the victims. And we've got great partners on the ground. You know, the -- the local churches, the moms groups, the parent- teacher orgs. We know exactly who need these things. And most of them have my cell phone number. So, they can text me and in five minutes I can get it right into their hands.

BERMAN: Yes, talk about cutting through bureaucracy.

In terms of government response, obviously, over the last five or six months there's been a lot of shifts in federal resources here and there and some cuts here and there.

DUPLASS: Yes.

BERMAN: What impact have you seen of that?

DUPLASS: Well, what we're seeing is, you know, again, there's a -- is an (INAUDIBLE) all sounds really, really good. And then when you dig in on the inside of it, we're realizing that it's incredibly complicated is how they're choosing to allocate it. And it's moving very, very slowly.

So, you know, the people who need those immediate things, which, look, the insurance companies may come through in the long run, but, you know, what we're focused on is, let's not only get people the immediate needs, but let's still show them that we're here and that we care. You know, we offer (INAUDIBLE) $1,000 wish list on Amazon, send it to our company. And we're not going to vet you rigorously and like crazy. We know that you're in need. We know you -- you're having these issues. And we show up and we take a Zoom call. We say, we're here for you. Here's something to get you started. You come to us if you need anything more. And I think we just got to move more quickly. That's really as simple as it is. BERMAN: Yes. Mark Duplass, appreciate the work you're doing. Thank you

for all of that. Thank you for coming on. I know you're no stranger to morning shows, as they say. Appreciate your time.

DUPLASS: Yes. Yes. I don't envy you your job. Yes.

BERMAN: Even if you play it on TV.

All right, Sara.

DUPLASS: That's right.

SIDNER: Good one. Good one, John. Great, great job.

All right, ahead, another big fight brewing over President Trump's mega bill. Democrats and Marjorie Taylor Greene agreeing? They're agreeing over a provision that would prevent states from passing AI legislation. We will speak with one senator leading that charge.

And we are minutes away from the opening bell on Wall Street, where investors are in a buying mood, it seems, on news of a slightly better than expected jobs report.

Those stories and more, ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:28:44]

SIDNER: Artificial intelligence is evolving really fast, and some are warning it may be crossing a dangerous line. Some advanced AI models are reportedly ignoring human commands and even rewriting it's own code. Experts warn this could be the start of something we can't easily control, raising serious questions about safety.

CNN's Tom Foreman digs into what's going on and what it might mean for all of us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Artificial intelligence staging a real-life revolt. In a series of tests, a new, powerful AI model directly refused human commands, according to Palisade Research, which studies the technology. Specifically, Palisade says the new program from the company OpenAI sabotaged a shutdown mechanism, even when explicitly instructed, allow yourself to be shut down. Not every time, but enough to raise alarms.

JUDD ROSENBLATT, CEO, AGENCY ENTERPRISE STUDIO: We have no idea how AI actually works. We need to be fairly concerned that behaviors like this may get way worse as it gets more powerful.

FOREMAN (voice over): The idea of intelligent machines resisting human control has been a sci-fi trope for ages. In movies like "I, Robot," but AI developments are sharpening concerns. When another company's AI chatbot was threatened with being shut down, it threatened to expose the engineer in charge for an alleged extramarital affair.

[09:30:09]