Return to Transcripts main page

CNN News Central

Senate Holds Marathon Overnight Session on Trump's Agenda Bill; Bryan Kohberger to Plead Guilty to Idaho Student Murders; Soon, Trump Heads to Florida for Tour of Alligator Alcatraz. Aired 7-7:30a ET

Aired July 01, 2025 - 07:00   ET

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

[07:00:00]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right. While you were sleeping, debate and amendments on the president's sweeping domestic policy bill, but still no clear sense of when a final vote will take place, and if it has the votes to pass. And now there's a new threat from Elon Musk to try to unseat any Republican who votes for it. And we could hear from the president on this any minute.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: And new this morning, a surprise plea deal. Bryan Kohberger, the accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students agreeing to plead guilty to avoid the death penalty. One victim's family says they are furious, accusing the prosecution of failing them.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: A crisis is unfolding at V.A. hospitals across the country, staffing shortages, hiring freezes, and low morale. One doctor telling CNN, I joined the V.A. for stability, but why would anyone want to come here?

I'm Kate Bolduan with Sara Sidner and John Berman, and this is CNN News Central.

BERMAN: All right, the breaking news, sleepless in the Senate. There's a live look at the Senate floor right now. You can see not a lot of smiles there, a lot of fatigue. Lawmakers have been at it all night as Republicans try to push -- they push to pass President Trump's sweeping domestic agenda bill. We're coming up on 22 hours now since the marathon voting session began.

Just a short time ago, Vice President J.D. Vance arrived on Capitol Hill. He could potentially cast a tie breaking vote if the bill falls short on Republican support. Is his arrival a sign that maybe they think they are close to voting? We don't know. Republican leadership says they're close, but the last we heard from him directly was at 4:30 this morning and there's still nothing scheduled. So far, the Senate has adopted only a handful of amendments.

President Trump, who is set to travel to Florida this morning, he's pushing to have the bill on his desk by Friday, it still goes back to the House of Representatives. The multi-trillion dollar legislation would extend the 2017 Trump tax cuts and spend billions on border security and defense and slash social safety net programs. Republicans have been working overtime to win over holdouts feeling queasy about the cuts it would make to Medicaid. More than 12 million people could be pushed from the rolls. And then there are those concerned about the fiscal cost. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates you would add more than $3 trillion to the national debt.

And that's where Elon Musk comes in. The President's one-time friend calls that, quote, insane. He's threatening to form his own third party and to fund primary challenges to any member of Congress who votes in favor of it.

Now, we're standing by to hear from President Trump. He leaves the White House shortly and he could comment out loud for the first time on this new threat from Musk.

So, a lot going on this morning on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Let's get to CNN's Arlette Saenz on Capitol Hill for the latest on whether or not there'll be a vote. What are you hearing?

ARLETTE SAENZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, John. Well, these senators stayed up all night and there is still not a clear end in sight for this vote on President Trump's domestic policy agenda bill.

Now, in the last 40 minutes, Vice President Vance arrived here at the Capitol and he was asked by reporters whether he thought they would be able to get this bill across the finish line today. And he said, we're going to find out. Now, of course, this is a top priority for President Trump and his team as this bill would help advance and implement many of his domestic policy priorities.

But there are still a number of hurdles that are standing in the way of this bill actually being passed. As you mentioned, these senators have been voting for close to 22 hours on amendments to this bill. So far, there have been three amendments that have been adopted relating to A.I. regulation in the states, Medicaid and also unemployment benefits.

But there's still many question marks around the amendment votes and the final passage. There is a group of conservative senators who want to see a vote on an amendment from Senator Rick Scott passed related to the federal match rate for Medicaid to states. There's also big question marks around Senator Susan Collins, who has not said how she would vote on final passage of this bill.

[07:05:05]

And another big question mark is Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. The Senate parliamentarian has struck down some provisions that would've benefited her state.

So, these are all people that Senate leadership will be trying to work in these coming hours as they are trying to push this bill across the finish line. Now, I can tell you these senators are quite tired. They've been fueled by coffee, energy drinks. Many have had blankets as they have spent the night on the Senate floor. Senator Thom Tillis actually playing a game of hide and seek via the television cameras with his family back home who are watching. So, many of these senators are eager to finish up the work on this, but there's still no clear end in sight, no timeline for when they will hold a vote on final passage. And then still major questions laying there as to whether they will have the Republican votes to get this passed.

BERMAN: Yes, we just don't know. We're looking for any signals, any signs of smiles or joy in the Senate floor. So far, none, zero, not a lot of happy faces down there. Although I do see Lisa Murkowski sitting in the well right now.

All right, Arlette Saenz on Capitol Hill for us, keep us posted as to what you hear. Thank you very much. Sara?

SIDNER: All right. Breaking overnight, a stunning turn, a plea deal in the murders of four University of Idaho students stabbed to death in their off-campus house nearly three years ago. Bryan Kohberger, the man charged with killing them, has agreed to plead guilty to four counts of murder. In exchange, prosecutors will not pursue the death penalty against Kohberger. He was scheduled to go on trial next month after multiple delays.

The families though learned about the deal through a letter from the prosecutor. In it, he said in part, this resolution is our sincere attempt to seek justice for your family. But this morning, at least one of the victim's families is outraged, calling the plea deal a secretive and hurried effort to close the case without any input from them.

Joining us now is CNN's Jean Casarez. Jean, first of all, to hear that from a family in this case really is stunning. How unusual is it that a prosecutor would send a letter as opposed to having a conversation with the families?

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well. We know that the families are never the last say. They don't make the final determination. But the consultation, the one-on-one discussion is paramount, understates victim impact and victim laws that they have. And this family apparently was not given a lot of notice. And this trial is weeks away. Everything was set, Sara, and the prosecution's case was very strong.

They showed that Bryan Kohberger on his Amazon account had purchased a KA-BAR knife. Months before these killings took place, it was delivered. A KA-BAR knife sheath was found close to the body of Madi Mogen. Single source male DNA statistical matched to Bryan Kohberger. He had lost many of the defenses he wanted, no alibi, he couldn't bring that in. He didn't have another possible conspirator or someone that committed this crime.

Well, the prosecution did send the letter to the families, and here's an excerpt of what that letter said. It said, this resolution is our sincere attempt to seek justice for your family. This agreement ensures that the defendant will be convicted, will spend the rest of his life in prison and not be able to put you and the other families through the uncertainty of decades of post-conviction appeals.

But the Goncalves family has spoken out and they are furious.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEVE GONCALVES, FATHER OF KAYLEE GONCALVES: I ask your audience if anybody knows judge Hitler, reach out to him and ask him to put his foot down and not accept this offer. It doesn't reflect anything in Idaho. This is not justice. We had an outsider come to our community, kill our kids in their sleep while they're getting a college education, doing everything that they should do, and we don't have the courage to hold him accountable. No plea deal. Let's go for this guy. 100 percent, let's do it. And that's how this family stands.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CASAREZ: That was News Nation. And what Mr. Goncalves is saying is that the judge has to accept the plea deal. That hearing is scheduled at this point for tomorrow, and we will see what the judge says and what the judge does.

You know, Sara, when I was in law school, and I bet your husband too, we were taught that the death penalty was not a bargaining tool. You don't bargain with the death penalty, the ultimate punishment, but that is being done in this day and age. That is what they are doing, and that is what was done here, they say, to save the expense of the money also because Moscow, Lata County, would pay for all of it and it will be expensive. However, the families deserve justice.

SIDNER: Yes. It's hard to see the families and how they're reacting to this. Thank you so much. That was really a surprise apparently to the families as well, this last-minute plea deal.

[07:10:03]

I appreciate all your reporting on this. You have been there through the beginning. I appreciate it.

CASAREZ: Thanks.

SIDNER: Kate?

BOLDUAN: Yes. Jean has had amazing reporting throughout all of this. We'll continue.

Also ahead for us, any moment now, President Trump's expected to leave the White House and head to the Florida Everglades. He's heading there for a photo op at the new migrant detention facility that they're now unveiling, dubbed Alligator Alcatraz. Much more as the president's about to leave the White House.

And he actually wanted to be a firefighter. That is what the family of the man accused of baiting and ambushing firefighters in Idaho Sunday. That's what the family is saying about that man. He killed two firefighters. He wounded a third before police says he killed himself. Now, we have new details coming in.

And an incredible rescue at sea, a father and daughter saved after going overboard on a Disney cruise.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:15:00]

BOLDUAN: All right. Any minute now, President Trump will be leaving the White House and headed to the Florida Everglades to visit the state's newest migrant detention facility that's been dubbed Alligator Alcatraz. The president's go in there to attend the opening of the 5,000-bed facility. It was before this, a small airstrip built to serve private jets.

It's now the latest battleground in the Trump administration's immigrant immigration crackdown. Over the weekend, thousands of protesters gathered near the site. Their protesting concerns about the impact the new construction will have on the fragile ecosystem. Immigration rights advocates and groups call it called the facility engineered to enact suffering.

CNN's Isabel Rosales is in Florida on the ground with much more on this. What is going to happen today? What are you learning?

ISABEL ROSALES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning. A caravan of what appears to be Secret Service agents just rolled into this makeshift detention center right here.

Now, Trump has long been enamored with the idea of reopening Alcatraz, the island prison, just off the San Francisco Bay, that's known for being almost impenetrable. And today, Governor Ron DeSantis is hand- delivering him Florida's version of Alcatraz built in just one week and one day, and located just 50 miles west of Trump's resort in Miami.

Now, we have aerial footage from our CNN affiliate, WSVN, where you can see these heavy duty tents and also these repurposed FEMA trailers that once completed is set to house more than 5,000 detainees awaiting deportation.

Now, DeSantis, the governor has stressed that this is both, temporary and necessary due to the influx of migrants that are overburdening jails from their immigration crackdowns. State officials also touting it as low cost and efficient, saying that it is fortified by mother nature via all the pythons and alligators here in the Everglades. And then during a Fox interview, Governor DeSantis also said that the conditions here will be humane and pointing to air conditioning units, also comparing the tents to the very same ones used by those displaced during hurricane season.

Now, of course, this is drawing major backlash from indigenous Americans who view this as a threat to their sacred lands, environmental groups, two of which have sued the state of Florida and the federal government, and also immigrant rights advocates who are saying, quote, this is engineered to enact suffering. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THOMAS KENNEDY, FLORIDA IMMIGRANT COALITION: We've been down this road before, right? I mean, we saw this with Joe Arpaio in Maricopa County in Arizona where he had a tent city. The fact that we're going to have 3,000 people detained in tents in the Everglades, in the middle of the hot Florida summer during hurricane season, right? I mean, this is a bad idea all around.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROSALES: A senior DHS official tells CNN that this will cost roughly $450 million a year, Alligator Alcatraz, to run. The governor insists that this will be fully paid for by the federal government.

And, of course, we're keeping an eye here on the president set to leave any moment now from the South Lawn and make his way here to the Everglades where he will participate in a walking tour of the facility and also a round table discussion. Kate?

BOLDUAN: All right. Much more to come. Thank you so much, Isabel. We'll be getting back to you. I appreciate it. John?

BERMAN: All right. The fight is back on, Elon Musk and President Trump, after Musk threatens to try to unseat any Republican who votes for the President's domestic policy bill. We're standing by to hear from the president on this any minute.

And when he does speak, what will he smell like? It's a weird question, but maybe we have an answer. Trump perfume hits the market.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:20:00]

SIDNER: Wimbledon has never been so hot. Literally, a blistering heat wave is hovering over London, but the players still managing to bring the energy.

CNN Sports Anchor Andy Scholes joining us now. Boy, they were on fire. Sorry with all these punts.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Yes, it was a sweaty day one out there, Sara. It was the hottest opening day of the tournament in Wimbledon history, 91 degrees. You know, here in the U.S. you know that's a mild summer day in a lot of places, but that's really hot for London. The previous record, it was 85 degrees back in 2001. But defending French Open and Wimbledon Champ Carlos Alcaraz, he kicked things off on center court. He didn't have it easy against Fabio Fognini in his first round match. It took five sets for Alcaraz to advance.

Now, during the match, a fan actually became ill in the stands and Alcaraz noticed it. He ran over and got them a water, brought it to the security guard, who then brought it to them. Pretty cool move by Alcaraz there. A 15-minute delay in that match while that fan was being helped.

Now, it's hot out there again today. As play continues, Novak Djokovic is set to take the court this morning for his first round match as his reigning French Open champ, Coco Gauff.

All right, meanwhile, we had some history in baseball last night. Red Sox hosting the Reds. Wilyer Abreu gets into this one. It goes 423 feet off the wall and then bounces into center field. And Abreu, he's going to make it all the way around for the inside the park, home run. That's always fun. Then in the eighth inning, Abreu was up again this time with the bases loaded, and that's a grand slam. Abreu was the first player since Roger Maris in 1958 have an inside the park home run and grand slam in the same game. Red Sox won big in that one, 13- 5.

All right, and, finally, happy Bobby Bonilla Day. July 1st is the day every year the New York Mets send Bonilla a check for $1.19 million, and that's because back in 2000, Bonilla negotiated a buyout of his $5.9 million contract, and instead of taking a lump sum, Bonilla took deferred payments at 8 percent interest and he structured the deal to get $1.91 million, get a payment of that every July 1st from 2011 to 2035.

[07:25:03]

Sara, it is still considered one of the best deals ever made. Bonilla is going to get paid until he is 72 years old.

SIDNER: More than 20 years of $1 million payments hitting on July 1st, bam. That is quite a deal-maker.

Andy Scholes, thank you so much. I appreciate it. That was fun. Kate?

BOLDUAN: Yes. No matter how you are feeling today, we know one man is feeling fantastic, one Bobby Bonilla having a great day. May we all be Bobby Bonilla today.

Well, also ahead for us right now, we're watching the Senate floor. Take a lookie-loo. Yes, they're working. They've been up all night and they're still going this morning debating, voting on possible changes to the President's tax cut and spending bill, and there is new CNN reporting coming in on what the president's tax plan in all of this could mean for your energy bill.

And a shocking twist in the case over that quadruple murder in an Idaho college town, a plea deal with the suspect, why some of the victim's families are outraged.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:30:00]