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Interview with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY): Trump Predicts GOP and Democrat Partnership After Health Care Votes Fail; Rivers in Washington State Crest at Record-Breaking Levels; Ex-Michigan Football Coach in Court After Firing, Arrest. Aired 8-8:30a ET

Aired December 12, 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]

LISA FRANCE, CNN REPORTER: When you watch this, I don't think there's another celebrity that's like her. I'm going to say that because we just get to see so much of who she is, not just as a performer, but Taylor Swift, the person and the way she loves her fans. She says the reason why the show was more than three hours and so many songs is because she did not want her fans who had saved money to see her to feel like they missed out on anything.

And she gave them the show of a lifetime for many of them -- John.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Lisa France, welcome to the team. And let me just say --

FRANCE: Thank you.

BERMAN: -- on behalf of everyone at CNN NEWS CENTRAL, Taylor Swift, happy birthday tomorrow.

A new hour of CNN NEWS CENTRAL starts right now.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news just into CNN, 9-1-1 dispatch audio related to the arrest of former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore. What happened after he was fired that led to his arrest? That is coming up.

Plus, rescues underway in Washington state. Rivers are surging to their peak levels this morning, as the governor says we're entering the most critical 24 hours.

And the famous Rocky statue in Philadelphia is going to stay in its place. But why were there plans to move it in the first place?

I'm Sara Sidner with John Berman and Kate Bolduan. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

BERMAN: All right, this morning, did the president mean it when he was being sort of nice to Democrats? It matters because time is running out for millions of Americans about to see their health care premiums rise by a lot. Enhanced Obamacare subsidies are set to expire in just weeks. The Senate just failed to move on extending them. Overnight at the White House congressional ball there, the president suggested willingness maybe to do something he does not seem to do often, and that's work with Democrats.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: What a nice group of Democrats. We do have a lot of Democrats and we welcome you. Honestly, we do.

And I think we're going to start working together on health care. I really predict that.

We love the Republicans and we love the Democrats. So we love everybody else.

And I look forward to working with each and every one of you in the coming year to make our nation stronger, safer, wealthier, healthier. And I really believe we can work on health care together and come up with something that's going to be much better.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: All right, with us now is the House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Congressman, thanks so much for being with us. Those words from the president overnight aside, the reality of where Congress is right now is that the government was shut down for 43 days and all Democrats really got out of it was this vote yesterday in the Senate that went nowhere.

So was it worth it?

REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY), HOUSE MINORITY LEADER: Well, Donald Trump and Republicans made the decision to shut down the government as part of their my way or the highway approach. As Democrats, we just made clear we'll work together with our Republican colleagues, sit down, talk about the things that need to happen for the American people anytime, any place. We repeatedly made that clear, but we also made clear we were not going to support a partisan spending bill that continued to gut the health care of the American people and failed to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.

When tens of millions of Americans are now about to experience dramatically increased health insurance premiums, that's totally unacceptable.

BERMAN: You talk about needing to sit down and talk somewhat the need to compromise there. There are two measures now to discharge petitions bipartisan that would extend Obamacare subsidies one by one year. We just heard from Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer on that.

Another would extend them by two years again, which has bipartisan support. Why not throw Democratic leadership strength behind one of those two efforts? JEFFRIES: Well, as Democrats, when we reconvene early next week, we'll sit down, we'll have a conversation to look at the options that are in front of us. One option we know is that two hundred and fourteen members of the House of Representatives support our petition to trigger an up or down vote on a clean extension to the Affordable Care Act tax credits. That means all we need are four Republicans, John.

There are 220 of them. All we need are four to join us and we can deal with this issue in the House of Representatives in a manner that will provide certainty to working class Americans, middle class Americans and everyday Americans who rely on the Affordable Care Act tax credits to go see a doctor when they need one.

BERMAN: You don't have those four Republican votes now. Both of the other discharge petitions have enough Republican votes that with all Democratic votes would be enough to pass. So why not support one of those two measures?

Are you saying a three year extension or bust?

JEFFRIES: What I'm saying is that we're open to having a conversation with my Republican colleagues about finding common ground and a path forward. We know that conversation is not going to take place with Speaker Johnson or House Republican leaders because they've been clear.

[08:05:00]

All they want to do is rip away the Affordable Care Act tax credits and take away health care from the American people. This is the same group of folks who earlier this year enacted their one big, ugly bill where they cut Medicaid by the largest amount in American history and in the process took health care away from 14 million Americans. And hospitals and nursing homes and community based health clinics are closing all across the country.

So as we've always said, we'll sit down, talk to our Republican colleagues anytime, anyplace, particularly those who have now expressed an interest in dealing with this health care issue. And finally, perhaps addressing the Republican health care crisis that's breaking the American people.

BERMAN: But you won't commit to supporting either one of those measures now, yes or no?

JEFFRIES: No, I haven't ruled anything in, I haven't ruled anything out, because we have to have a conversation with ourselves as a House Democratic caucus family and of course, Republicans, if they're interested in good faith and trying to find common ground.

BERMAN: So there was a vote on a resolution yesterday in the House pushed by by some, a handful of Democrats to impeach President Trump. You and Democratic leadership voted present on this in June on a separate push. You voted no.

You voted to block it affirmatively. So why did you move from no on impeachment in June to sort of meh yesterday?

JEFFRIES: Well, we issued a statement that speaks for itself. But essentially, we've said impeachment is a serious issue. It requires a serious process.

And that process was missing as it relates to the resolution that we voted on yesterday.

BERMAN: Finally, the president pardoned Congressman Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Texas, last week. He was charged in federal crimes, basically taking six hundred thousand dollars in bribes. After that pardon, you sort of welcomed it and welcomed Congressman Cuellar back into the fold.

There's an op ed in The New York Times today written by a couple of former federal prosecutors who work for special counsel Jack Smith, who took issue with your moves after the pardon. They said, "Hakeem Jeffries welcomed the pardon and engaged in shameful pandering, apparently to maintain Mr. Cuellar's party loyalty. Most disturbingly, Mr. Jeffries did so by attacking the legitimacy of the criminal case against Mr. Cuellar, publicly dismissing the indictment against him as very thin."

What do you say to this? Because Democrats have been very critical of a lot of the pardons that President Trump has made. But in this case, where it may benefit you, you seem to support it.

JEFFRIES: I didn't welcome the pardon. I basically made a factual observation based on how I saw the indictment, that in my view, it was thin. These prosecutors are free to go out there and defend whatever they want to defend, say whatever they want to say.

They have a track record that they need to be able to articulate and justify to the American people. I'm unfamiliar with these particular individuals, so I can't really comment on what they may have said. But the reality is anyone, any American, whether you're a congressperson, an everyday American, whether you serve in office, don't serve in office, you are entitled to the presumption of innocence.

You are innocent until proven guilty. It's shocking to me that these people would take issue with that reality.

BERMAN: Well, they were charged. I mean, it's not an issue of being innocent until proven guilty here. He was charged, Congressman Cuellar was charged, and it never went to trial because of the pardon.

It's not an issue of innocence or guilt now. It's an issue of pardoning someone before there is that determination. Correct.

JEFFRIES: No, it's an issue that if you if you are charged, but you're not convicted, you are presumed innocent. That's what the whole presumption of innocence is all about.

BERMAN: All right, Leader Hakeem Jeffries, we appreciate your time this morning. You have a busy few weeks before the end of the year. Thank you -- Kate. KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking overnight, rivers in the Pacific Northwest surging to their highest levels yet. Rescues underway, some even by helicopter, and more rain could be on the way soon.

Also today, the now former head of the University of Michigan football team heads to court for his first appearance. The shockwaves of his firing and arrest are still being felt. And we also just got new dispatch audio in. That is coming up.

Plus, an 86-year-old man left trapped dangling off his roof after he slipped. The video this morning of the moment police officers jumped to the rescue.

[08:10:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: All right, the breaking news this hour out of the Pacific Northwest. We've now learned that rivers across western Washington have crested. That is good news.

But the warnings and the threat of what this has presented still remain. Over the next day, the governor says that the floodwaters will be moving into more populated areas, places that may not have seen this kind of flooding ever before. Overnight, we got new video in of a Coast Guard helicopter rescuing people who were forced into an attic of a home as they were surrounded by 8 to 10 feet of water.

There have been dozens of other rescues needed as well. In some areas, they've seen floodwaters hit 15 feet.

CNN's Veronica Miracle is in Mount Vernon, Washington with the very latest on there. What are you seeing?

[08:15:00]

VERONICA MIRACLE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kate, we're in one of those highly populated areas that the governor of Washington was talking about these next 24 hours. So critical as the water levels -- as the water rather comes off of the Cascade Mountains where dropped about a foot of rain and it heads down towards the ocean into these communities.

Now, here you can see behind me, it's still dark out. Sun hasn't risen yet, but what we're showing you is basically we're right at next to a bridge that has been shut down by police. And the river has completely come over.

This is actually a park. And it's a little hard to see, but right behind me, there is a welcome to Edgewater Park sign. You can't even see it.

All you can see is the welcome to sign. The roadway has been completely flooded here. But here's what's really critical.

So right here, we're going to show you this way. It's a levee. And right on the other side of that levee are a ton of homes.

All of these people have been evacuated. We actually just spoke with the Skagit County firefighters who have been going up and down this levee making sure that it holds. So far, they said it's been good.

They've been tracking it since midnight. They've also been making sure to see if anybody is still around and making sure that everybody is safe. And these levees holding are so critical over the next 24 hours as the water levels continue to rise.

Although we did hear from firefighters, they think that at least in this area, here in Mount Vernon, the water levels probably peaked at around 4 a.m. And they are starting to see it slowly go down and heading towards the ocean, which is incredibly good news. We know that about 100,000 people are facing evacuation warnings, mandatory. And so many people on edge this morning and throughout the day as those water levels continue to head out into the ocean.

Back to you, Kate.

BOLDUAN: Absolutely, Veronica. Thank you so much for being there. When the sun comes up and the water starts receding, they're going to get a good look at what they're dealing with there, for sure. Thank you -- Sara.

SIDNER: Coming up, it's a black hole. That's what longtime staffers of the Civil Rights Office in the Department of Education that help families with complaints about discrimination are speaking out as the Trump administration slashes jobs at that office.

And a true Hollywood dynasty, Alexander Skarsgard sits down with his legendary father to discuss what it's like growing up in a show business household.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEXANDER SKARSGARD, ACTOR: My dream was to just kind of for my family to be normal and fit in and be like everyone else's family. Like you said, for you to have a briefcase, that would have been fantastic.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[08:20:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SIDNER: Breaking news developing this morning. The new former head football coach at the University of Michigan, Sherrone Moore, expected to be in court for his first formal arraignment after being accused of assault. It caps off what has been a shocking few days for one of the most storied programs in all of college sports where Moore was fired for an inappropriate relationship.

CNN's Whitney Wild joining us now from Ann Arbor. Whitney, you just got some audio in. I think it is from a 911 call.

What did you learn? What did you hear?

WHITNEY WILD, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT CORRESPONDENT: Well, it is a very brief clip. And I just want to explain to our audience how we know what we know and why we feel comfortable running this piece of audio. This is audio that captures basically police response at the same time and at the same location as an alleged response and an address connected to a staff member of now former head coach, Sherrone Moore.

Police have confirmed Sherrone Moore is in custody. And again, as you said, his arraignment is expected today. So that's all the information we have that helps us as an organization feel comfortable sharing this with our audience.

Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Subject just call the caller and told her there's a male at the location in the house attacking her and states he's been staking her for months.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

So again, Sara, that audio says that a caller called in, that a man was attacking her, that this man had been stalking her for months. We could also share with you, Sara, new reporting from CNN's Dana O'Neill, that the University of Michigan is now using an outside law firm to investigate Sherrone Moore alleged inappropriate behavior and dismissal.

So major developments here in Ann Arbor. We are waiting to see what more information we can get as this day unfolds. But a lot of questions, a lot of people asking those questions in the most vocal way possible.

And so we will continue to do the same -- Sara.

SIDNER: Yes, this is a real shock for a lot of folks who watch and pay close attention to college football across the board. Thank you so much, Whitney Wild. I know you'll give us all the new details as you get them. Appreciate it -- John.

BERMAN: For many, this time of year is about giving back. This holiday season, your generosity can go twice as far. Dollar for dollar matching is in effect when you donate to the top five CNN heroes.

They're working to make the world a better place in their own unique ways. CNN's Anderson Cooper shares how you can make a difference too.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Anderson Cooper. Each of this year's top five CNN heroes proves that one person really can make a difference. And again, this year we're making it easy for you to support their great work. Just go to cnn.com/heroes and click donate to make a direct contribution to that heroes fundraiser on pledge. You'll receive an e- mail confirming your donation, which is tax deductible in the United States. No matter the amount, you can make a big difference in helping our heroes continue their life changing work.

And right now through January 4th, your donations will be matched by the Elevate Prize Foundation. Dollar for dollar, up to a total of $50,000 for each of this year's honorees. CNN is proud to offer you the simple way to support each cause and celebrate all these everyday people changing the world.

[08:25:00]

You can donate from your laptop, your tablet, or your phone. Just go to cnn.com/heroes or text the word HEROES to 707070 or scan the QR code. Your donation in any amount will help them help others. Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: All right, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confronted by a military veteran on Zoom. A congressional hearing goes wild.

And yo Adrian, where's the statue? Philadelphia's famous Rocky statue, the one from Rocky 3, R.I.P. Mickey. New developments on where the statue will end up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SIDNER: New this morning, the results of the Trump administration's gutting the civil rights office in the Department of Education, staffers are still struggling to deal with a backlog of cases. A handful of fired attorneys have been called back to work.