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Quadruple Murder Suspect Spotted on Security Cam Carrying Rifle; Bondi Orders Grand Jury Inquiry of Obama Officials Over Russia Probe; Interview with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (D-IL): Democrats Declare War Over Trump-Backed Redistricting Plan in Texas; Auto Supplier to Cut Jobs, Close Warehouse, Citing Trump Tariffs. Aired 8:00-8:30a ET

Aired August 05, 2025 - 08:00   ET

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

[08:00:00]

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: ... the four victims, as well as her 38-year-old grandmother and 50-year-old uncle on the mother's side of the family. Authorities were scouring a wooded area near Union University in Jackson on Monday afternoon as part of the investigation, only hours after they announced the arrest of a third person accused of helping the fugitive. The third person arrested was identified as 23-year-old Dearrah Sanders and is being charged with accessory after the fact of first-degree murder.

Over the weekend, John, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation had arrested two other men also accused of helping the suspect. Tanaka Brown and Giovontie Thomas, each 29 years old, are charged also with accessory after the fact of first-degree murder. Brown is also accused of tampering with evidence, according to law enforcement. It's unclear if any of the three have attorneys.

Officials warn not to engage with the suspect, whom they call extremely violent. A law enforcement source told CNN the suspect probably has connections to the Vice Lord's gang and suspect its members may be helping him.

Finally, John, two vehicles apparently tied to him were also located in different areas over the last several days, and several law enforcement agencies, local crime stoppers groups, and the Tennessee governor's office announced a joint $32,500 reward for any information leading to Drummond's arrest -- John.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: That surveillance video is chilling. Rafael Romo, thanks so much for that report. Keep us posted.

We have a brand new hour of CNN NEWS CENTRAL starting right now.

JESSICA DEAN, CNN ANCHOR: I am not some pawn in your political warfare. Scathing words from one of the victim of Jeffrey Epstein's and Ghislaine Maxwell amid the Justice Department's push to make some of the grand jury testimony public.

Democrats declaring war over Republicans effort to redraw the congressional map in Texas. The state House set to reconvene in just hours as the Texas governor orders the arrests of all the Democrats who fled the state.

And tensions flare at a Republican town hall in Nebraska. Congressman Mike Flood confronted by angry constituents over his support for President Trump's Big Beautiful Bill and the administration's handling of the Epstein files.

I'm Jessica Dean with John Berman. Kate and Sara are out today. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

BERMAN: A new chapter in President Trump's political retribution, a source confirms to CNN that Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed federal prosecutors to launch a grand jury investigation into members of the Obama administration over the 2016 Russia investigation.

This probe comes after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassified documents that she says show Obama administration officials manufactured intelligence to make it look like Russia interfered in the 2016 elections. Gabbard points to intelligence assessments showing the Kremlin did not alter election results through attacks on U.S. voting machines. Well, that's true. Really, no one accused them of doing that.

Intelligence officials also concluded that Russia had launched an influence campaign on the U.S. and a cyber operation on Democratic Party officials to interfere in the election.

CNN's Katelyn Polantz is with us now. What's going on here, Katelyn? Where does this go next?

KATELYN POLANTZ, CNN CRIME AND JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: John, it's yet another revisiting of the 2016 election and what Russia was trying to do in that election result. What happened yesterday is we were able to confirm that the Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is quite close to Donald Trump and his ire for all of these investigations that put him front and center over the years. She directed federal prosecutors to launch a grand jury investigation coming after the Director of National Intelligence, also a Trump appointee, Tulsi Gabbard, declassified documents and then wanted the Department of Justice to investigate former President Barack Obama, as well as other people in that administration, about what happened.

Now, step back for a second, John. Remember what the findings were. We've had multiple grand jury investigations already around this comprehensive reports. The finding of the Mueller investigation in 2019 was that there was no collusion or conspiracy between members of the Trump campaign and the Russian government, even though the Russian government was trying to hack and influence that campaign. And the Trump campaign was very receptive to what they were doing there.

There also was the Durham investigation in 2023. That was a special counsel appointed under Donald Trump's first administration. Durham's ultimate conclusion was that sometimes people in the federal government have bad judgment, but that might not mean that there is a crime there.

[08:05:03] And he also recommended quite a lot of reform to how the FBI makes surveillance applications. This is raising a lot of questions about what exactly could a grand jury be doing here. We know that they have an investigative function that is confidential pre-indictment. They can subpoena people. They can look at evidence. They can look at witnesses in the grand jury at the direction of federal prosecutors.

And we also know that 2016 was a long time ago, John. There is generally a five-year statute of limitations for charges of federal crimes.

So what this could be, we just do not know yet. We just have the news that Bondi is directing the federal prosecutors to open the grand jury.

BERMAN: We know you'll be following it closely and find out what it is. Thanks so much, Katelyn Polantz. Appreciate it, as always -- Jessica.

DEAN: We're also following all the new developments this morning in the showdown in Texas. The state House is set to convene again today after the Republican governor ordered the arrest of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who have now fled that state. Those Democrats left on Sunday to block the GOP effort backed by President Trump to redraw the state's congressional map.

Now, that could have a huge impact on the 2026 midterms, potentially eliminating five Democratic seats in the U.S. House. And new CNN this morning -- CNN reporting this morning, California Democrats are in deep talks to retaliate by redrawing their own map to potentially do away with five Republican seats in that state. Sources briefed on those talks say the new maps are expected to be part of a ballot referendum in a November special election.

Let's bring in CNN's Ed Lavandera, who's joining us now live from Austin. Again, reminding everyone, Ed, the House set to reconvene very soon. Set the stage for us.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, that Texas House is expected to come back about one o'clock central time, two o'clock eastern time. When they gaveled in yesterday, that's when it was official that the Democrats had broken the quorum here by fleeing the state. We expect that to continue today.

We are about halfway through this 30-day special legislative session, about two weeks left in it, so they would have to stay away to at least kill the redistricting bill during this session. But a reminder that the governor here in Texas can simply call another special session, put the redistricting bill back on that schedule, and that all of this would start all over again. That's why there's so many questions swirling around whether or not and how long the Democrats are willing to stay away from the state to block this measure.

But what is interesting, as you talk about there in the lead-in, that, you know, one of the things that we heard from Democrats over and over in the days leading up to them leaving the state is that what they hoped would happen is that this would ratchet up pressure, intensify pressure on other states, and spread the word about what is happening here in Texas, and that other states -- in Democratic states, would follow suit.

And that was one of the things that several Democrats had told us leading up to yesterday's quorum break, that they had hoped to see, that that would be one of their goals in leaving the state and trying to build momentum for awareness of the redistricting issue.

But Republicans are fighting back. The governor is obviously threatening arrests, threatening fines, as well as threatening possible criminal charges of bribery as well.

Democrats dismissed that as hollow threats. But Republicans are also telling them they're simply cowards for not being here. And we talked to one Democratic representative about just that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LAVANDERA: There are Republicans out there saying that you guys are cowards for leaving the state, that you're not doing your job. How do you respond to that?

MIHAELA PLESA, (D) TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE: I see it that my colleagues are the cowards. My colleagues were the cowards when they took Donald Trump's call and then voted all but two Republicans for his voucher scam. And then they were cowards again when they took another call from Donald Trump, when he said, oh, we're just going to do a small change of the map, just five more seats.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAVANDERA (on camera): So, Jessica, one o'clock Central time the House is expected to reconvene. Yesterday's session lasted only a few minutes, just enough time for the speaker of the House to initiate the process of issuing the civil arrest warrants.

And then shortly after that, the Texas governor ordering DPS to bring -- state troopers, to bring the Democrats back. But of course, outside of the state lines, much of this is not enforceable. So the Democrats will remain gone. The question is, for how long -- Jessica?

DEAN: Yes, that is a big question. We are going to talk to a Democratic lawmaker a little bit later in the show. Ed Lavandera in Austin, Texas. Thanks so much -- John.

BERMAN: All right, with us now, Juliana Stratton, the lieutenant governor of Illinois, the state where many of those Texas Democrats have taken refuge. Lieutenant Governor, thanks so much for being with us.

[08:10:00]

Those Texas -- the Texas House has authorized civil arrest warrants for these Texas members kind of hiding in Illinois right now. What weight, what legal weight does that carry in your state? LT. GOV. JULIANA STRATTON (D-IL): Look, we've told them that the Texas Democrats have said that they are willing to do whatever it takes to protect democracy, protect the voting rights of the people that they represent. And we've said here in Illinois that we welcome them here and we stand with them shoulder to shoulder to do whatever we can to support them and protect them.

What I think this is an example of that Governor Abbott clearly is losing and he recognizes that. And so all he has is threats. And we're going to stand with the Texas legislators, and we'll make sure that we do this not just for the people of Texas or the people of Illinois, but for Americans all across our country.

BERMAN: What are you willing to do if it does work? If Texas does redistrict, what will you push for inside Illinois regarding your own congressional map?

STRATTON: Well, look, we are clearly saying that anything and everything is on the table right now. They have thrown out the rulebook. They're clearly trying to cheat. And I think this is a moment when we all recognize that we must fight fire with fire.

Tomorrow, we recognize the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. And here we are 60 years later, and we are seeing a blatant attempt by Donald Trump and Texas Republicans to not just strip away voting rights, but to silence particularly the voices of black and Latino Texans. And we are not going to stand for it.

You know, my father marched from Selma to Montgomery 60 years ago for voting rights and passed down in me a real desire to fight for people. That's what people are looking for. We're not going to just sit idly by and see our democracy crumble because of the cowards that are trying to take away the voices of so many across our country.

BERMAN: I want you to listen to what former Illinois Congressman Republican Adam Kinzinger had to say about districting gerrymandering in your own state. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ADAM KINZINGER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: So in Illinois, I got redistricted out of my district twice, including this last time by Democrats. There's not a lot of juice left to squeeze in Illinois. But what's happening in this mid-cycle redistricting or mid-decade redistricting is a pure power grab.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: I want to break that down into three separate things, if I can. Illinois is 14 Democrats, three Republicans. And you did. The Democrats did district basically, you know, gerrymander Adam Kinzinger out of his seat. What's your response to that?

STRATTON: Well, in so many ways, that's comparing apples to oranges. I mean, look, we have competitive districts here in Illinois. And the reason why those those competitive districts have gone to Democrats is because Governor Pritzker and I have delivered big things for the people of Illinois.

They know what we've delivered. We've broadcasted that message far and wide, the way that we have defended the rights, the constitutional rights and the fundamental rights that people have. We've protected reproductive freedoms.

We protected civil rights. We have created jobs all across our state, put our state on the path to a clean energy future. Those are the messages that we have gotten out.

And people have responded. Voters responded. And that's why in those competitive districts, they have gone Democrat.

The difference to what's happening in Texas right now is it's a clear power grab. This is taking away voting rights. It's stripping away people.

And remember, they're doing all of this while Republicans are also stripping away health care from millions of Americans, ripping food out of the mouths of hungry children, rising cost and price prices for middle class families. This is -- it's hitting them with the one to punch. And we as Democrats are not going to stand with it.

We are seeing from the people that we represent. I'm running for United States Senate right now and I'm traveling the state all across Illinois. And what people are saying to me is I am looking for a fighter. I'm looking for someone who's going to stand up. That's the energy that they want to bring. That's the energy we're seeing from Texas Democrats right now.

And we're matching that in energy here in Illinois.

BERMAN: I mean, the difference is mid-decade. Mid-decade is different than other efforts we've seen before. Beyond that, I mean, there are some similarities in how districts are shaped into his other point, where the representation is 14 three right now.

Not a lot of juice left, he says, in Illinois. Are you concerned or what are your concerns? Bigger picture.

If Democrats do engage in all out war, redistricting war, which maybe you feel you have to, that Republicans can squeeze more seats out nationally than Democrats can.

STRATTON: Look, we are going to consider every tool in the toolbox. I think the main thing is, is that this is a moment where we must fight. We must stand up and recognize that our democracy is at stake, and what they are doing to take away the voices to rig an election and to do so at the direction of Donald Trump.

I mean, this is a time when they were supposed to be in special session, really focusing on the victims of flooding and thinking about disaster relief. And instead, they have turned it into a spectacle. They have turned it into something where they are scared that they're going to lose. Donald Trump is scared that he's going to lose. And so that's what they are doing. And if we don't all stand up in this particular moment in history again, 60 years, almost to the day of the Voting Rights Act. We have to make sure that we are demonstrating that we are not going to stand down when it comes to fighting for the people that we represent. And again, we stand with Texas Democrats, and we'll do everything we can to support them.

BERMAN: Illinois Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton, thanks for being with us this morning. Appreciate it.

.Jessica.

DEAN: Still to come in a matter of days, the president's new global tariff plan is set to go into effect. How American companies are planning to navigate their way through what is an unknown economic era.

And a wildfire scorches tens of thousands of acres in California. The battle unfolding to tame those flames of the state's second largest wildfire this year.

Plus a new type of space race, a new report on the NASA plan to build a nuclear reactor on the moon.

[08:20:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DEAN: In just two days, President Trump's sweeping tariffs on goods across the globe are officially set to take effect. Their implementation has the director of the National Economic Council, Kevin Hassett, telling the American people to relax, that the quote, tariffed uncertainty period is behind us. But for a lot of business owners, the future is still very much uncertain as they navigate this new economic era, trying to figure out exactly what it means for their businesses, their employees, their livelihoods moving forward.

One Detroit auto supplier says he's going to have to lay off employees and close a warehouse because of the president's tariffs. Joining us now is the CEO of Detroit Axel, Mike Musheinesh.

Mike, thank you so much for being here with us this morning. I really appreciate it. You have a family owned business. I believe your dad started it. You took over. Walk people through the impact on your business right now.

MIKE MUSHEINESH, CEO, DETROIT AXLE: The impact has been extreme. I mean, I'd like to put it in context here. The first Trump administration, he levied tariffs.

Back then, if we were to receive a million dollars in products, we would pay $25,000 in tariffs. And today, for that same million dollars in products, we're looking to pay $725,000 in tariffs to the federal government.

DEAN: Wow. MUSHEINESH: Incredibly devastating.

DEAN: So what does that mean for you practically?

MUSHEINESH: Practically, it's a you try to source products from different countries. So a drop of a dime, it's almost impossible to do. But we've done so. So we went to India to procure products from there, trying to save our consumers money. And now. India is hit with tariffs.

I mean, auto parts are the most heavily tariffed commodity out there at 72.5 percent. Also, we had an operation in Mexico where we leveraged the de minimis exception. And that also at a drop of a hat gone.

So everywhere we turn, we're starting to see more and more roadblocks. So it's been quite discouraging.

DEAN: And so where does this leave you? You may have to lay people off. Are you worried about keeping your business?

MUSHEINESH: Well, of course, I mean, our people that work for us are the ones who made the company. I'd like to say that when we gave the notice to the state of Michigan, we started to draft it back in May. Now, I mean, the world has changed.

We've seen that our industry as a whole has increased price dramatically. We've seen the other competitors, perhaps, you know, smaller or medium sized competitors have actually exited the market. So as it stands now, we have picked up more customers than ever before because of the woes of others.

So now we don't plan to lay off anybody just because of the simple fact that there's been dozens and dozens of exit at the market already prior to us even considering it. So it's challenging times for many, many distributors and manufacturers since we also produce product. And that's also costing us more for the internal components to produce them.

DEAN: I'm curious if you could speak to President Trump, what would you tell him?

MUSHEINESH: I'm a supporter of the idea of reshoring our industry back to the U.S. I mean, it gets to the point where there's absolutely nothing produced here in this country, which is very, very dangerous.

[08:25:00]

So setting the atmosphere and the environment conducive for entrepreneurs to be able to build and produce is important. And having the federal government help initiate that is very important. But none of that was done. All that I see done was just you slam the tariff button.

And, you know, once upon a time, three months ago, we were paying $6-, $700,000 in tariffs. And now we're north of $7 million a month in tariffs. So all that revenue that was once used for investments and machinery and employment is all gone. And Uncle Sam owns it now.

So give us time, set the environment so we can produce these products here and we're ready to serve, Mr. President.

DEAN: Yes, look, oftentimes the president himself, they've said there's going to be short term pain, that they believe long term this will be better, that it really won't be that bad or that customers aren't going to have to pay for this. Or even if they do, it won't be that bad. It won't be that bad for small business owners.

But what you're describing sounds quite challenging.

MUSHEINESH: Of course. I mean, we run on small margins. The factories we procure from run on small margins.

So who's left to pick up the tab? Except the consumer.

DEAN: Right. All right, Mike, thank you so much. Good luck to you. We really appreciate your time.

Breaking just moments ago, President Trump speaking out on his firing of the jobs data chief. We've got much more on that.

And a Republican congressman comes face to face with angry constituents at a heated town hall.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. MIKE FLOOD (R-NE): You choose not to work, you do not get free health care.

(CROWD BOOS)

FLOOD: You do not get free health care.

(CROWD BOOS)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[08:30:00]