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NYPD Commissioner: 86 Arrests Made During Protests Last Night; Judge in Combs Trial Considering Request to Dismiss Juror; Trump, Vance to See "Les Miserables" at Kennedy Center Tonight. Aired 1:30-2 pm ET

Aired June 11, 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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[13:31:09]

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: What started as a protest against immigration enforcement in Los Angeles has now spread to cities across the country. Thousands of people have taken to the streets in places like San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and New York with even more demonstrations planned throughout the week. At least one state, Texas, is already deploying the National Guard in anticipation.

In New York City, police say they arrested 86 people during protests overnight after large crowds marched through lower Manhattan. Police blocking some of those demonstrators as they started to surround immigration offices. Notably, today, the police commissioner said New York does not need help from the National Guard or other federal agencies to handle the protests.

Let's discuss with New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Mayor, thank you for being with us. Those 86 arrests last night, generally, can you tell us what crimes they're being charged with and can you give us a sense of who these protesters are and whether you have any evidence that they're paid agitators?

MAYOR ERIC ADAMS, (D) NEW YORK CITY: Well, we have witnessed before, and New York is not unfamiliar with protests. I've marched in protests and I've also protected protesters as a police officer, but one rule will always be a constant. You can protest, but you would not destroy property and you would not harm innocent people in the process.

And when we make an arrest, it's because individuals have crossed the line and we are aware that there are members from Antifa who have made their way into the city and we saw this before. This is not the first time we have saw outside agitators that continue to disrupt the right to protest and this is not going to be tolerated here in this city.

SANCHEZ: And again, just to be clear, you have evidence that these are outside agitators or paid agitators as the administration has described them in some cases? ADAMS: I don't have a complete breakdown of who was apprehended, the 80 people, but if they're outside agitators or long-standing New Yorkers, you can't cross the line. You can't go from protesting to doing violent acts. And so, we're not going to state that you, if only you're an outside agitator, whomever decides to go from being a peaceful protester to disrupting the city, blocking traffic, sitting in the middle of the street, blocking emergency vehicles, that's not acceptable in this city.

SANCHEZ: Mayor, have you been in contact with Governor Hochul about mobilizing the state's National Guard over the coming days? I wonder if she were to reject that idea. Would you support the federalization of those units?

ADAMS: I communicated with Governor Hochul two days ago, and often whenever we deal with emergency situations, we collaborate together. And she stated that, Eric, whatever you need to make sure we maintain order, I told her that I have a police department of over 30,000 officers that are well-trained, that deal with large crowds, deal with disruptions, and I said, we have this under control, we do not need any assistance at this time. And there are other law enforcement entities that we can mobilize before going to the National Guard, but she has reached out and stated whatever we need, she's here to assist.

SANCHEZ: Understood. Mayor, I want to ask you about the City Council pushing for an investigation into whether the NYPD has shared sealed records with ICE, what could be a violation of local law. Can you confirm whether the NYPD or any other local agency is collaborating with federal immigration enforcement?

ADAMS: We've made it clear over and over again that we will not collaborate with any agencies when it comes to civil enforcement. The law does not allow us to do that, but we will collaborate when it comes down to criminal enforcement. And it's unfortunate that the City Council chooses to use their power to find out if there's any collaboration instead of really advocating for going after those who commit serious crimes, acts of violence, not only on New Yorkers, but also on migrants and asylum seekers. Forcing women into prostitution, selling drugs, shooting at police officers, assaulting individuals.

[13:35:28]

Our focus should be on protecting innocent New Yorkers. We're not collaborating with anyone when it comes down to civil enforcement. But I said this before and I'll say it again, ICE is not a criminal organization. It's a federal law enforcement organization like our other federal partners, and we will use them to protect innocent people in this city.

SANCHEZ: I wonder what you make of the allegation from Council Speaker and your rival mayoral candidate, Adrienne Adams, that you've been compromised by President Trump after the DOJ dropped your corruption case. Why should New Yorkers believe that this isn't a political tradeoff?

ADAMS: Well, I think that many like her, they've been compromised from the previous administration. This administration -- the previous administration cost us $7.7 billion with a B, and no one raised their voice. I raised my voice under the previous administration, and I raised my voice under this administration when $80 million was clawed back from us.

You cannot be silent based on what party is in power. You're seeing consistency from this administration. And first they stated that the charges were going to be held over my head. The charges were dismissed with prejudice, with prejudice, not coming back. So, there is no excuse for them to continue to remain silent when it comes down to protecting broken class New Yorkers. That's what I'm doing. I did it as under the previous administration, and I'm doing it under this administration. That's the consistency we should see from all elected officials.

SANCHEZ: Just to be clear, Mayor, when DOJ dropped your case, they explained that they did so in order to keep you from being, quote, "unduly restricted in your ability to help with immigration." You don't see that as potentially undermining your credibility on this issue, especially with voters in the upcoming election. You can attest that you feel no obligation or pressure from the administration.

ADAMS: Well, it's clear when I moved throughout the city and talked to New Yorkers, over close to 80% of New Yorkers support my position that those who are undocumented that commit criminal acts after they serve their times, they should be deported from our country. I think I speak on behalf of broken class people in the city that want to live safely. We know, I took an oath, under oath in federal court, I responded to that question. So, those who want to continue to reiterate a lie, there's nothing I can do about it. But broken class people support my position around dangerous undocumented individuals.

SANCHEZ: And quickly, Mayor, I want to get your reaction to New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg endorsing former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the race. What did you make of that?

ADAMS: Great deal of respect for former Mayor Bloomberg, a great New Yorker. He has been a constant advisor on things that are important. I'm not in the Democratic primary. We're going to see the results of the Democratic primary. And I'm going to meet my opponents in November and have an opportunity to let New Yorkers know how we turn around crime, increase the environments in our city, and dealt with major issues from COVID to migrants and asylum seekers. And that's why bond rate has increased my bond, because they know we've managed during difficult times.

And I look forward to a very lively discussion during the campaign season. This election is not over until November, and we're looking forward to that.

SANCHEZ: And finally, Mayor, the late Congressman Charlie Rangel, a strong advocate for immigrant rights, is lying in state in City Hall this week. What does his legacy mean to you at this moment when there's so much division about the issue of immigration and protest as well in your city? ADAMS: Well, you know, he was a mentor, a friend. And yes, he was an advocate for immigrant rights, but he also was an advocate for the country. He was a soldier, a staff sergeant, served in the Korean War, and he loved his country.

And he made it home, but there's countless number of soldiers who didn't, like my Uncle Joe at 19 years old. And so, when we talk about his love of immigration, let's also talk about his love for the country and the rule of law. He would completely agree that those who come here should come here to contribute to the country and not hurt those who are in the country. And may he rest in peace. I'm looking forward to meeting his body when it comes today to City Hall and for the ceremony we will perform tomorrow. He's a great American.

[13:40:13]

SANCHEZ: Mayor Eric Adams, we have to leave the conversation there. Thank you for the time.

ADAMS: Thank you. Take care.

SANCHEZ: Stay with CNN. We'll be right back.

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SANCHEZ: We're following breaking news in the sex trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs. Day 21 of testimony began just minutes ago, and the defense has an issue with a juror.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: That's right, the prosecution is seeking to dismiss juror number six -- the defense is, pardon me, that's right. You were saving me there.

SANCHEZ: Let's get that straight, because I'm not sure if it was the prosecution or the defense.

KEILAR: We're going to figure it out. We're not committing to that fact, but we'll let you know. Let's go to CNN Correspondent Kara Scannell, who can tell us. Kara, who has the problem with the juror here? What's happening?

[13:45:05]

KARA SCANNELL, CNN REPORTER: Hey, good afternoon, guys. So, the government appears to want to have this juror dismissed. We don't know what the underlying issue is, because that has been dealt in the robing room off the courtroom between the judge and the attorneys, and that portion of the transcript is still sealed.

But today, Combs' lawyers are saying that they want a chance to respond to the government, because they say what the government is asking for is, quote, "a thinly veiled effort to dismiss a black juror. This was an issue that Combs' team raised during jury selection. They accused the prosecution of trying to cut black jurors from this case. Now, one of the lead attorneys on the case, Maurene Comey, said that

the government was very reluctant to submit this letter, but they said what they understand about the juror's situation is that it reveals a lack of candor, which raises some serious issues in the case. But the judge saying that he will rule on this before the weekend, but Combs' team will have another opportunity to respond in writing, but they're raising this issue that it's a potential racial issue. But the judge will decide, he said, before the weekend. There are six alternates in this case, so if a juror is dismissed, it will not affect the trial moving forward.

Guys?

SANCHEZ: And, Kara, what is on tap for testimony today?

SCANNELL: So, Jane, that's Combs' former girlfriend. She is testifying under that pseudonym. She's back under cross-examination. And Combs' lawyers have been trying since yesterday to undercut her credibility. And the issue at the heart of this is consent and whether she was a willing participant in these hotel nights with men. So, they have shown her text messages that she has sent Combs after a hotel night, including one where she said that she had so, so, so, so much fun.

Other ones where she is contacting some of these men to arrange these meetings. And they're also showing that she had a good relationship with Combs, that he invested in her business, that he took her on trips. They showed a video that Jane had taken of them in Turks and Caicos with Combs on the beach.

They've showed other photos from those trips. And they also elicited testimony from Jane that he did invest in her business. He gave her $20,000 for a dress business in addition to paying for her rent, $10,000 a month for a more than 5,000-square-foot home.

So, all trying to show that this was something that was not forced, not coerced, not a fraud, but something that she willingly engaged in. Her testimony is expected to continue until tomorrow at least.

Guys?

KEILAR: Yeah, ultimately we see how the jury is going to respond to that.

Kara Scannell, thank you so much for following every twist and turn in this.

And still ahead, President Trump set to attend tonight's opening of Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center after his makeover of the famed cultural institution, putting in his own loyalists, already leading to major drama even before the curtain goes up. We'll have details next.

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[13:52:17]

KEILAR: Do you hear the people sing, singing the songs of angry men? Not all of them. The show will be going on. Hours from now, the president is set to attend tonight's sold-out performance of Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center. But sources tell CNN that at least 10 performers, including some in leading roles, will be sitting out of the show tonight. They're protesting Trump's aggressive leadership takeover at the famous Performing Arts Center.

SANCHEZ: Trump has filled its board with loyalists and named himself its chairman. Culture Writer Rebecca Ritzel joins us now.

And Rebecca, what is tonight's show going to look like without some of these lead performers?

REBECCA RITZEL, CULTURE CRITIC: Well, you could be seeing any performers from one of the 15 productions going on around the world of Les Mis. The performers who are not going to be on stage tonight or working as stage managers, playing in the pit orchestra, are taking a paid vacation. And that's a deal that was worked out with Cameron Mackintosh and the production company that brought Les Mis to the Kennedy Center.

So, we're not going to know who is not performing until tonight. They've been encouraged to say -- to sort of, you know, not be public on their socials. But we could be seeing people from any Les Mis production around the world. The show premiered in 1980, so there are so many actors all over the world that know these roles and could step in very quickly.

KEILAR: And not just people in the arts, but I think people are looking at this. And you have a musical. It's about the French Revolution. And then there's all this turmoil around it. Is there some irony in what is happening?

RITZEL: So, it's not about the French Revolution. It's actually about a separate student uprising. And that's one of the things there are a lot of sort of things that people don't always know about Les Mis, although it is very popular.

So, I think -- right, so I think it is, though, what it does say, though, is that we know that the president likes choruses of songs, right, and then doesn't often pay a lot of attention to the context. So, definitely the fact that you hear the people sing, and that's sort of the idea of a crowd that's enthusiastic, we know that's something that he likes. So, I think that might be some of why that this show resonates with him.

SANCHEZ: We're in the same boat. I candidly know nothing at all.

KEILAR: I've seen it, so at least you haven't. So, there is your --

SANCHEZ: I was told not to admit that I know nothing about Les Miserables because it makes me look uncultured, but alas. I do want to ask you, though. Wait, you have some thoughts about me not knowing anything about Les Mis.

RITZEL: Oh, about Les Mis? OK, I was a huge fan, especially as a teenage girl in the 90s. That's when Les Mis was really all over the United States, especially. And songs like "On My Own" became quite popular and sort of could stand alone outside the musical.

[13:55:11]

So, yeah, I mean, there are a lot of people who like the show, and there are also a lot of people who start with Les Mis. For me, it was sort of a gateway drug musical, and then go on to like a wider variety of theater. And that's a great thing about Les Mis.

SANCHEZ: A gateway drug musical.

KEILAR: I love it.

SANCHEZ: Getting back to the story at hand with Trump and members of the administration going, part of the event tonight is a fundraiser to benefit the Kennedy Center. I want that rearrangement of the performance calendar, scrapping Hamilton's plan run, for example. How has that affected the bottom line?

RITZEL: It has not been good. We know that subscriptions for next season are way down. A lot of the shows that would have typically come to the Kennedy Center are going to go across town to the National Theater, another D.C. venue that doesn't have enough bathrooms, frankly, where the Kennedy Center does, and then also the Hippodrome up in Baltimore.

So, they're going to be heard, and producers want to make money. The producers are separate from the Kennedy Center. And so, if they know that if they play the Kennedy Center under Trump, they are not going to be able to make as much money. They may not even want to bring their shows either. So, there's sort of multiple things in play in terms of what shows agreed to come there. And now that's put the Kennedy Center in the boat where it's in, where they need more money from Congress. They're asking for about, I think, six times their normal amount from Congress, and they're holding this fundraiser tonight to try to bail themselves out.

SANCHEZ: Wow. Rebecca Ritzel, thanks so much for sharing your point of view.

RITZEL: You're welcome. Thanks for your curiosity.

SANCHEZ: Thanks.

Still ahead, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggesting that the president's order to federalize the National Guard could be replicated in other states. What this signals, next.

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