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White House Holds Briefing as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Escalate; Major Flooding for Eight Rivers & Creeks in Washington State; Ex- Michigan Coach Sherrone Moore Under Police Investigation; Parent of Student Charged in Deadly Kentucky State University Shooting; Concerning Spike in South Carolina Measles Cases; Powerball Jackpot Hits $1 Billion After No Wednesday Winner; 26th Army-Navy Game Kicks Off This Weekend. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired December 11, 2025 - 13:30   ET

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

[13:30:00]

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR OF "CNN NEWS CENTRAL": -- oil tanker taken over by the United States off the coast of Venezuela. She was asked specifically whether this pressure campaign by the Trump administration on Venezuela's leader, Nicolas Maduro, was specifically about the U.S. taking over Venezuelan energy interests. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAROLINE LEAVITT, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Peter?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks, Karoline. Based on the way that things stand right now, is Operation Southern Spear about drugs or is it about oil?

LEAVITT: What I will tell you, Peter, is that the Trump administration is focused on doing many things in the Western Hemisphere. The president has taken a new approach that has not been taken by any administration for quite some time, to actually focus on what's going on in our own backyard. And there are two things that are very important to this administration. Number one, stopping the flow of illegal drugs into the United States of America, which we know has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. The president promised on the campaign trail that he would demolish the foreign terrorist organizations and drug cartels around the world, especially right here in our own hemisphere. And you have seen that he is delivering on that promise.

With respect to the oil and what happened yesterday, the Department of Justice requested and was approved for a warrant to seize a vessel because it's a sanctioned shadow vessel known for carrying black- market sanctioned oil to the IRGC, which you know is a sanctioned entity. So, the president is committed to stopping the illegal flow of drugs into our country. He's also fully committed to effectuating this administration's sanction policy, and that's what you saw and the world saw take place yesterday.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And because you said the president is trying to do a lot of things at once. He talks a lot about how he thinks the way to bring down prices for everything would be to bring down the cost of energy. Would he use this seized Venezuelan oil to try to help Americans with affordability here in the United States?

LEAVITT: Well, what I can tell you right now, the vessel has been seized, as you know, and the Department of Justice did that in conjunction with the Coast Guard and the Department of War. The vessel is currently undergoing a forfeiter process right now. The United States currently has a full investigative team on the ground, on the vessel, and individuals on board the vessel are being interviewed and any relevant evidence is being seized. With respect to the oil, that's a different issue, as you know Peter. The vessel will go to a U.S. port and the United States does intend to seize the oil. However, there is a legal process for the seizure of that oil and that legal process will be followed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And just my last one on this, if President Trump launches a bigger military campaign in the Caribbean, is he jeopardizing a possible Nobel Peace Prize?

(LAUGH)

LEAVITT: Look, the president has proven over the past year that he is more than worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize. I think he's been nominated for it nearly 100 times this past year, which is definitely a record. He has solved, I think, nine conflicts around the world, we are up to now. He's actively working on the Russia-Ukraine war, which is the big one as we speak and has been over the past year. With respect to any additional action in Venezuela, I'm definitely not going to get ahead of the president or the United States Military. Mary?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It now seems all but certain --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: We've been listening there to Karoline Leavitt in the press room at the White House, saying that the administration is focused on doing many things in the western hemisphere, demolishing drug traffic networks, and saying that the Justice Department approved a warrant to go ahead and seize this oil tanker that was off the coast of Venezuela, saying that the vessel is now headed to a U.S. port, emphasizing that there's a legal process for its seizure and that it is now being investigated. Individuals on board the ship are being interviewed and evidence is being gathered. Of course, we're going to keep monitoring her remarks and get more answers on exactly what happened and what is next. Stay with CNN.

Still ahead as well, a dangerous storm system shattering records in the northwest. Rescue is underway as rising flood waters leave residents trapped. We have your latest forecast, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:38:20]

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CO-ANCHOR OF "CNN NEWS CENTRAL": Happening now. Heavy rain from an atmospheric river is prompting a flood emergency in Washington State. There are evacuations underway in several areas with residents along the Skagit River being told to get out now. At least eight rivers and creeks have now reached the most severe major flooding stage. The good news is an end to the heavy rain, that is actually near. We have CNN Meteorologist Allison Chinchar, who is tracking all of this. So many rivers and creeks, this is something to behold there in Washington State. Give us the latest, Allison.

ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yeah, so you can see right next to me, again, they're trying to reinforce one of the walls, the barricades that is up to make sure that when these rivers do rise, that water does not creep into some of the towns and the communities around many of these rivers. But yes, as you mentioned, this is not the only river that we are concerned about over the next several days. There are dozens that could get above flood stage. Now some of them just getting to minor flood stage, others getting to moderate and even major flood stage. All of these dots that you see here on this map, so again, you can see it's not just one tiny small area.

It's pretty much statewide that we are concerned, especially one river in particular. The Skagit River, again, take a look at this. When you're talking about where we expect this to crest, we're talking roughly 40 feet is where they are looking at this river to finally get to a topping point before it comes back down. Even if it doesn't get that high, even if it, say it gets about a foot less than that, it's still going to break the previous record of roughly 37-and-a-half feet, OK? So, but what does that number look like? What does that translate into? So here's a look at the river itself and the wider shot of the community.

[13:40:00]

Now, we have a program that can show you what the forecast impacts would look like, where the inundation would be with that water. So we zoom down in and all of these areas where you see that light blue color extending out from the dark blue line, this is where that water is expected to go out of its banks and flow into. Here's a look. This is a community right through here. This is a town. You're talking homes and businesses that could potentially be impacted by all of that water as it crosses out of the banks and down onto roads and streets.

Here's a look at the radar, getting a little bit of a break in some of these communities, but it's not over just yet. We still have rain chances through the remainder of the evening tonight before we finally get a decent break through the weekend. This is why you still have flood watches in effect, not only for Washington State, but also farther to the east because that's where this system is going to be headed next and taking with it the potential for very heavy rain. Here's a look at the forecast. Again, you can kind of see, there's the rest of it through the overnight hours tonight. Then we get a little bit of a break through the weekend, which is very good. We need that break. But then we get more rain on top of it as we head into early next week.

Now, the key thing to note is with a lot of these rivers, creeks and streams, even if you get a break like this where you don't see much activity on the map, for a lot of rivers, creeks and streams, it's a delayed effect. So even though the rain ends today, many of those rivers that we showed you, the ones that are expected to get to flood stage, will not crest until this weekend. So, we still have to keep an eye on them over the next few days, even if the rain itself actually lets up a little bit. Here's another thing to note too. You've got a lot of green here on this map, so you're still looking at, at least another one to two inches of rain on top of what has already fallen. And then you also have some pretty heavy snow expected across portions of the Cascades as well as portions of the Northern Rockies.

KEILAR: All right, Allison, thank you for keeping an eye on that. We know that you will continue to, this is going to be going on for days there. Let's go now to a moment just -- that happened moments ago at the White House. Our Kaitlan Collins asking in the White House press briefing of White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt about the affordability crisis.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LEAVITT: -- go battle in court. Kaitlan?

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT AND ANCHOR OF "THE SOURCE": Two questions. I have one on Venezuela and a follow-up. But first on affordability, since we were talking about the economy at the beginning. If the economy is as strong as the president has said it is, then why is he telling parents two weeks before Christmas that they should only buy two or three dolls for their children?

LEAVITT: Look, what the president is saying is that if we want products made right here in America, if we want them to be made from American small businesses, which is a large part of the reason the president has effectively implemented tariffs, then we're going to have better quality products right here at the United States. Maybe you'll pay a dollar or two more, but you will get better quality and you'll be supporting your fellow Americans by buying American. And that's what the president was saying.

Again, with respect to affordability, every economic metric, Kaitlan, and I wish you would report more on it, does in fact show that the economy is getting better and brighter than where it was under the previous administration. I will repeat, inflation as measured by the overall CPI has slowed to an average 2.5 percent pace. Real wages are increasing roughly $1,200 for the average worker. Gas prices are down in almost every single state across the country. Again, in 22 states, it's below $2.75. You look at the tax cuts, those are going to go into effect next year. So the best is yet to come.

The president is digging our country out of the economic hole that the previous administration put us in, and that's what he's talking about.

COLLINS: It was a year ago, as you know, and grocery prices have been up. So we've covered the economy, but there's mixed signals in terms of what that looks like. But on --

LEAVITT: Inflation is down from where it was. As measured by the overall CPI, it has slowed to an average 2.5 percent pace. This is down from what the president inherited. The president inherited 2.9 percent in January. Today, it's at about 2.5 percent. So we're trending in the right direction with more to come. And I would remind you, when President Trump left office in his first term, inflation was 1.7 percent and the previous administration jacked it up to a record- high 9 percent. So again, in 10 months, the president has clawed us out of this hole. He's kept it low at 2.5 percent, and we believe that number is going to continue to decline, especially as energy and oil prices continue to decline as well.

COLLINS: It wasn't (ph) high under Biden. They're just saying it's not --

LEAVITT: Well, nobody reported on it being high under Biden. My predecessor was standing at this podium, but now, you want to ask me a lot of questions.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: We reported a lot about inflation, just to be clear. But there are obviously a lot of concerns and polls are showing this. Americans very concerned about affordability right now, and certainly the cost of some products are down, but the cost of a lot of ones, including groceries, are up and cannot be ignored by people who have to purchase them day in, day out, week in, week out. We'll continue to cover this and monitor the briefing at the White House. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:49:08]

SANCHEZ: Former University of Michigan Head Football Coach, Sherrone Moore, is part of an active police investigation. Moore was fired yesterday from the Wolverine Storeyed program for cause according to the school, because of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Then just a few hours later, he was arrested and put in jail. CNN Law Enforcement Correspondent Whitney Wild is in Ann Arbor, Michigan for us. Whitney, really stunning, not just for the football program, but obviously because of the arrest and now a police investigation.

WHITNEY WILD, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT CORRESPONDENT: It's shocking enough to see an abrupt firing of a head coach here. A history-making head coach for the University of Michigan football team a Storeyed university with an enormous alumni base. And then later, Boris, when we learned that he had been arrested, it was just another shocking development. And again, what had already been a very surprising afternoon, our understanding is that he was arrested around four o'clock yesterday.

[13:50:00]

He was booked later in the evening. There is very little information at this point. We don't know, necessarily what he's going to be charged with. This is the latest information we have from the Washtenaw County prosecutor's office. They're the -- obviously, the District Attorney's office is going to take this case forward. As this remains an active investigation, we are unable to comment further at this time, but our office will provide an update once a decision on charges is made. Further, they said, Boris, we do not expect charging decisions or any arraignment today.

Mr. Moore remains in custody at the Washtenaw County Jail. He is in this building, just a few yards behind me, Boris. We are still trying to learn more details, not just about the University of Michigan investigation, but then what led up to this arrest and if perhaps the incident of this arrest was somehow in reaction to his firing from the University of Michigan. We sent the university a very detailed list of questions. When did the investigation begin? How many people were interviewed? What changed by this week, perhaps that would've led the school to say, OK, now we can take action against Head Coach Moore? They are simply not talking.

They've released very little information. Boris, saying -- sorry, I'm trying to find the statement here in my email. I've got it now. Following a university investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship, as you said, with a staff member. This conduct constitutes a clear violation of university policy and UofM maintains zero tolerance for such behavior. Many more questions to answer, Boris. We are continuing to ask them. But at this point, our expectation is that he's going to be arraigned tomorrow. He is still in this building behind me. No further information other than that, Boris.

SANCHEZ: And Whitney, this is only the latest in a series of scandals surrounding the university's football program.

WILD: Absolutely. At a time when the university should be celebrating, within the last couple of years, winning a national championship, there was the sign-stealing scandal under Coach Jim Harbaugh. There was a recruiting scandal under Coach Jim Harbaugh. And then, as the university was investigating those incidents and after the NCAA had concluded their investigation, it was Sherrone Moore who had led the team during that very fraught time because Jim Harbaugh could not coach. He had been suspended for multiple games. Then later, Sherrone Moore served his own suspension, again for that sign-stealing scandal.

So, this is a team that has really had to find leadership, basically among the ranks of the players here because their head coaches here embroiled in scandal for what feels like way too long, at least going back to 2023, Boris.

SANCHEZ: Whitney Wild, live for us in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Thank you so much, Whitney. Brianna?

KEILAR: Now to some of the other headlines that we're watching this hour, a parent of a Kentucky State University student has been charged with murder in an on-campus shooting that killed one student and critically injured another. Police say Jacob Lee Bard was at the school's campus in Frankfort on Tuesday and fired shots at the victims at a residence hall. Investigators believe the shooting was isolated, but they have not publicly shared details of the circumstances or possible motive. The shooting killed 19-year-old student, De'Jon Fox. A second student who was shot remains in critical condition.

Also, officials say a measles outbreak in South Carolina is accelerating with hundreds of people now in quarantine. The state's reporting dozens of new cases since Friday with most coming from an exposure at a church. More than 100 cases have been reported since the outbreak began in October. The vast majority of patients are unvaccinated.

And the Powerball jackpot reaching $1 billion after no one hit the drawing last night. The $930 million Powerball jackpot may have gone unclaimed. Three lucky winners each won $1 million. Those tickets were sold in Maryland, Michigan, and New Jersey. Not too bad money there, right? But this new $1 billion jackpot is going to be up for grabs in the next drawing scheduled for Saturday.

And on Home Front this week, one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports happens this weekend. It is of course, the 126th Army-Navy game. The grand prize beyond bragging rights is the coveted Commander in Chief Trophy, and the stakes are high for both teams this weekend. For Navy, it is the chance to get to 10 wins after a promising start to the season with seven straight wins before back to back losses at North Texas and Notre Dame. And then for Army, let's be honest, it's about revenge or redemption, maybe both. Last year, the Black Knights were 11-1 before a devastating beat down by Navy.

After that game, Army Coach Jeff Monken was asked how long it would take for his team to get over the loss. He said, this game is going to take 365 days to get over and probably a lifetime for me.

[13:55:00]

Well, coach, here's your shot. Army versus Navy kicking off at 3:00 p.m. Eastern at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, and as always, full disclosure, when it comes to this game, I cannot both sides it, not even close. I will be doing the rocket cheer on Saturday. I'll be wearing black and gold. So, go Army! Beat Navy! And we'll be right back.

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