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Trump's Surgeon General Pick Testifies to Key Senate Committee; Gov. Andy Beshear (D) Kentucky Discusses About President's State of the Union Address; Trump Praises Presidency, Trashes Dems in Address to Nation; FBI Serves Search Warrants at L.A. Unified School District's Headquarters, Superintendent's Home; GOP Sen. Kennedy Criticizes FBI Director for Olympics Trip; Noem: TSA Could Still Close Pre-Check Lanes During DHS Shutdown. Aired 3-3:30p ET

Aired February 25, 2026 - 15:00   ET

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

ERICA HILL, CNN HOST: ... thanks again.

A new hour of CNN NEWS CENTRAL starts right now.

OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN HOST: President Trump's controversial pick for Surgeon General faces sharp questioning during her confirmation hearing. We'll tell you what she said about birth control, vaccines and autism.

Plus, Patel under pressure. Lawmakers now raising concerns about the FBI Director's decorum while at the Winter Olympics and his personal travel since taking office.

And Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says she may once again suspend TSA pre-check amid the partial government shutdown. Ahead, we'll tell you what this means for you.

We're following these major developing stories and many more all coming in right here to CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

HILL: A major MAHA influencer vying to become the top doctor in the United States has her moment on Capitol Hill today. Dr. Casey Means facing tough questions during her confirmation hearing to be the next Surgeon General. The doctor, who was an early ally of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy's MAHA movement, is facing criticism over some of her more controversial positions and also facing questions about her qualifications. CNN Medical Correspondent Meg Tirrell is with us now.

So, Meg, as you watched this entire hearing earlier today, did senators get answers?

MEG TIRRELL, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, they got answers. Whether they were satisfied with those answers probably depends on the senator and it really depends on the topic. One area of agreement was on things like ultra-processed foods. This is an area that Dr. Means has said she really wants to focus on. She wants to use the power of the Surgeon General's office to draw more attention to these and what she says are the dangers of what she calls Frankenfoods made in factories. But where there were a lot of questions and probably less satisfaction

with the answers was on vaccination. Listen to this one particular exchange with Senator Kaine from Virginia where he was asking her about something that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had said about any evidence supporting flu vaccination. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. TIM KAINE (D-VA): Do you believe that there is evidence that the flu vaccine prevents serious disease and prevents hospitalization or deaths in children?

DR. CASEY MEANS, SURGEON GENERAL NOMINEE: I believe that all patients should talk to their doctors.

KAINE: I -- and -- and so do I, and that's not what I'm asking you. Your qualifications have been much discussed. There is a mountain of evidence about this. Do you -- do you believe that there's no evidence that there's -- the flu vaccine has efficacy in reducing serious injury or hospitalization?

MEANS: I -- I (INAUDIBLE) ...

KAINE: This is an easy one, Doctor. This is an easy one.

MEANS: I support the CDC's guidance on the flu vaccine. And I will always be working with the CDC, ACIP and the agency.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TIRRELL: And we should say, guys, this exchange went on for a lot longer than that. And Senator Kaine ultimately cited CDC data that came out in June showing the effectiveness of the flu vaccine both for children and adults. But the key question, of course, is going to be how Senator Bill Cassidy votes on whether to advance this nomination. He could be a pivotal vote in whether it proceeds. Erica?

HILL: Yes, absolutely. Meg, really appreciate it. Thank you. Omar?

JIMENEZ: Now, let's get to President Trump's State of the Union address, in the midterm playbook for Republicans this year with control of Congress at stake. The President strongly defended his policies at length, arguing America is right now winning so much, as he repeatedly clashed with Democrats who didn't boycott the speech.

Moments later, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered the Democratic response.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. ABIGAIL SPANBERGER, (D) VIRGINIA: Is the President working to make life more affordable for you and your family? We all know the answer is no. Is the President working to keep Americans safe both at home and abroad? We all know the answer is no. Is the President working for you? We all know the answer is no.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JIMENEZ: Let's bring in another Democratic governor here, Governor of Kentucky Andy Beshear.

Governor, thank you for taking the time. You know, there was this moment during the State of the Union address where the President asked members to show support if they agreed with the statement that the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens and not those in the country illegally. Many Democrats did stay seated for that.

Look, it's not typical. The opposition party stands and claps for every moment. But on that line, would you have?

[15:05:00]

GOV. ANDY BESHEAR (D) KENTUCKY: Yes. The President had a choice last night, to speak to the American people or to spar with those in the chamber, to either try to unite our country or further sow division. And -- and that's what he did.

Sure, the -- the duty of public safety is critical. It's one I work on every single day. It's why I'm so proud that our recidivism statistics are down, as are violent crimes in Kentucky. But when he starts talking about immigration, what everyone immediately sees are those videos of American citizens dying at the hands of untrained and overly aggressive ICE agents.

I've called for the withdrawal and retraining of every ICE agent that's out there in a city in America. But let me tell you, if they believe there is a dangerous criminal here in the country illegally, you send us his or her name, we'll go get them for you.

JIMENEZ: And I just wonder, though, on that point, obviously, look, it's not a political debate during the State of the Union. It's the President speaking and -- and folks in the audience. But what do you make of the overall Democratic response, largely reserved or absent, but with some protests from Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and Congressman Al Green, for example? Did you see any of that as playing sort of into what the President wanted in terms of -- from his opposition?

BESHEAR: Well, as -- as governor, I give a State of the Commonwealth every year. And a large part of our Republican legislature doesn't come. It doesn't bother me because I'm there to speak to the American people. But that's not what Donald Trump was doing. I mean, he -- his speech was way too long, but also entirely out of touch.

He claimed a golden age for our economy. Maybe it's a golden age for his family, which is profiting off the presidency. But the American families are struggling. Costs still so difficult. If you talk to most American families, they'll say they're either treading water or drowning. And then he has the gall to say that he has protected Medicare when he -- when he -- Medicaid, when he has gutted it.

His big ugly bill threatens to close 35 rural Kentucky hospital, fired 20,000 of my people and kick about 200,000 people off their health care coverage. Each of those hospitals is the largest payroll in their community. So, when it closes, so does the restaurant, coffee shop, bank insurance company. Donald Trump's actions towards Medicaid are a punch in the face of rural America. They're going to hurt pretty badly.

JIMENEZ: Well, on the implications of that bill, we -- we are set to see potentially flat over the course of this year and beyond. And I want to talk about that a little bit because despite the sort of ...

BESHEAR: (INAUDIBLE) ...

JIMENEZ: ... yes, go -- go for it, Governor.

BESHEAR: We're seeing -- we're seeing them now. We just had another birthing center in Kentucky close. I think it was in Lincoln County. And what that means is a pregnant woman in Kentucky in some places have to drive an hour, an hour and a half just to give birth. Our job should be expanding access to healthcare. The idea that everyone should be able to see a doctor in their own community and -- and the big ugly bill is going to take that away from people.

For me, it's also an issue of faith. Jesus said a doctor is for the sick, but there's going to be a lot of sick people out there that are going to have to travel way too far to see a doctor.

JIMENEZ: Well, and Governor, what I was going to ask about was about, despite the tone of President Trump's speech. I mean, polls have shown that the public does trust president Trump less on the issue. Now, less on immigration. At least, less in support he had at this time last year.

But, you know, trusting in less on those issues is one thing, what is the solution that -- that the Democrats can actually lead on in the midterms and beyond?

BESHEAR: Yes, I think you make an important point, that Democrats have to be more than just against Trump. We have to be for the American people. You know, the two biggest challenges I see in America right now, the two biggest threats are the level of division and the belief that the American dream is no longer attainable. Democrats need to be a party of reviving, reigniting and refueling that American dream.

It's about the creation of jobs that -- that pay well enough to be able to not only afford groceries at the end of the week or the month, but to be able to take your family on that same vacation that you went on as a kid. It means being able to buy a home around the same age that your parents were able to, which means we've got to build a lot of housing across America.

Democrats have to be for it and we're going to have to be for pulling back some regulation to do it fast. It means Democrats need to be the party of public safety, but that's about real steps that make us safer, not the stunts that Donald Trump does, sending in the national guard, knowing that it's only temporary.

We've got to be the party that's where the people are, that -- that tells them that we are going to work harder, so much harder than anyone you've ever elected to make your life just a little bit better, just a little bit easier.

JIMENEZ: Well, and Governor, the question on that one is, do you believe the Democratic Party has the credibility to -- to pull that off? And I, and I asked that because for example, when former President Biden left office, the job market was strong and inflation was falling.

[15:10:06]

But falling from a steep peak that left Americans with -- with steeper costs for housing, healthcare, higher education and more. So, I guess the question is how big of a hole is this to dig out of for whoever's leading and does it hurt the trust in a Democrat to actually get it done?

BESHEAR: Well, that's why I think Democratic governors are so important. We have the receipts. In Kentucky, I've broken every economic development record from private sector investment to new jobs. We have the best three-year average for wages in our history. Our average incentivized wage for a new job last year was almost $30 an hour. We've made historic housing investments, the largest ever in Western Kentucky and in Eastern Kentucky.

We're moving people out of the hollows that flood -- those are the valleys -- up on top of former abandoned coal mines to where they will not only never flood again, but the homes are -- are affordable. They're better quality. The utility costs are about $50 a month because we're building them with solar panels. When you look at Democratic governors, we get results. We are pragmatic. And that's why I think now is the time for Democratic governors to take the lead.

JIMENEZ: All right. Governor Andy Beshear, thank you for taking the time. Appreciate it.

BESHEAR: Thanks for having me.

JIMENEZ: Of course. All right, still to come. Democratic senators are calling for an investigation against FBI Director Kash Patel after whistleblowers complained that his past air travel caused delays and high-profile investigations. We'll bring you the details.

Plus, the White House slaps new sanctions on Iran just hours before a new round of key nuclear talks.

And later, we now know the astronaut who suffered a medical event and forced an early departure from the international space station, that and much more coming up on CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:16:17]

HILL: This just in, the FBI is serving search warrants, we've learned today, at the headquarters of the Los Angeles Unified School District and at the home of the superintendent. A person familiar with the investigation tells the Associated Press the search is part of an ongoing probe. The focus, though, of that probe? Any potential allegations that are being examined? Well, that's not immediately clear.

The L.A. Unified School District is the nation's second largest, has more than half a million students, covering more than two dozen cities. Alberto Carvalho has been superintendent since 2022. Before that, he oversaw the Miami-Dade public schools. We'll keep an eye on that and keep you posted as we learn more.

There is also growing scrutiny today after FBI Director Kash Patel was spotted over the weekend celebrating with the U.S. men's Olympic hockey team in Italy. Republican Senator John Kennedy taking aim at Patel.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KENNEDY (R-LA): I guess I think to myself, if I'm being candid, Miss Rice and the Director this week seem to be in a competitive match to shoot their own toes off. And those are the things you want to avoid. Given the fact that Congress polls right up there in the minds of the American people with hemorrhoids (ph), perceptions are important.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: Well, now the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Dick Durbin, says that new whistleblower information on Patel's use of government resources needs further investigation. CNN Senior Justice Correspondent Evan Perez joins us now.

So, there are these new allegations from Senator Durbin. What are we learning here?

EVAN PEREZ, CNN SENIOR JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, the allegations come from a whistleblower. Now, we haven't confirmed what the whistleblower is saying, but according to the senator, the -- the -- the FBI's Director's use of aircraft has had an impact on the ability of deploying evidence teams, for instance, in response to shootings, including the -- the -- the Charlie Kirk assassination and the shooting in December at Brown University.

Now, according to this whistleblower, there were some delays in being able to send an evidence team up to Rhode Island from Quantico, Virginia, that they had to drive through the night to be able to get there. And again, this is all about the -- the allegation that the -- the FBI Director has been using FBI aircraft for his own personal use, to go to visit his girlfriend, he -- who -- to go to Vegas, where he has a home, to go on -- on various personal trips over the years. And, of course, over the last year and also, of course, over the last week when he went to Milan Cortina to do some, according to the FBI, to do some work, trips where he had some meetings, and then he stayed over to watch the Olympic gold medal game. And, of course, those - those viral videos of him chugging beer with the men's hockey team in -- in -- in the locker room after the game. Now, if you -- if you look at this situation, right, the FBI Director

has to fly on these planes because it is, according to government policy, he has to be always reachable by the President and the attorney general, so ...

HILL: So, it's a -- it's a safety issue in many ways.

PEREZ: There is a National Security reason.

HILL: (INAUDIBLE) communication National Security that he has to take that plane.

PEREZ: Right, and the question that has been raised is whether he's abusing the use of this aircraft.

HILL: And -- and the fact that this delayed getting teams to Brown, that it was an issue getting teams to the Charlie Kirk, the scene of the Charlie Kirk shooting, and that investigation. Just walk me through, there was a delay, according to the whistleblower, because he was on the plane when they needed it or because they needed to turn around the flight crew? What was the ...

PEREZ: There were -- it -- it's complicated because they said that he was in Florida and he had put a hold on the use of the aircraft. Now, according to the FBI, this is their response, they say that there is -- there was no delay.

[15:20:07]

There obviously was an evidence response team from Boston. We saw that. There was a big response from Boston that went directly to the Brown shooting, that there was no delay, and that just because Kash Patel was in Florida doesn't mean that there weren't other aircraft available for a response to Brown.

Now, we should also point out the FBI says that Kash Patel reimburses, according to what the law -- the law requires, reimburses the government for any personal use, any personal travel that happens on this aircraft. And, again, we should emphasize that, according to the government policy, he is required to travel on this plane, whether he is traveling on business for government work or if he's going on vacation, he has to travel on FBI aircraft.

HILL: All right, Evan.

PEREZ: He has to be reachable.

HILL: It is fascinating stuff. Thank you, my friend.

As Secretary Kristi Noem says that TSA could once again suspend the pre-check program if the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security continues. Those details are next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:25:48] JIMENEZ: The Department of Homeland Security may again suspend TSA pre-check as the partial government shutdown drags on. And it comes just days after the agency reversed its decision to pause the program, which allows travelers to get through airport security more quickly. I want to bring in CNN's Manu Raju, who's on Capitol Hill for us, who joins us now.

You spoke with DHS Secretary or with Secretary Kristi Noem. What did she say?

MANU RAJU, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, this came in the aftermath of news that broke late Saturday night into Sunday morning that TSA pre-check lines across the country were expected to be closed because of concerns over TSA staffing shortages during this government shutdown of the Homeland Security Department, which oversees TSA. And we are now in day 12 of this government shutdown.

But back on Sunday, as this news was breaking, the Department of Homeland Security seemed to backtrack and reverse course, despite suggested reports that they were going to go through with this, but because there was a significant uproar, perhaps there was one big reason why there was a change in course.

But when I asked the Secretary about this last night, after President Trump's State of the Union address, she made clear that this was still an option on the table to close TSA pre-check lines because of concerns that TSA agents may not report to work as they start to miss paychecks coming because the government is shut down and this critical agency is shut down and suggested that this -- this action might be necessary, which, of course, could have significant impacts for so many people traveling across the country.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KRISTI NOEM, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: You know, we, as we go forward and without funding for DHS, if we end up in a situation where these TSA officers have to go get other jobs and provide for their families, we'll have to prioritize where the most travelers go through their security checkpoints, so ...

RAJU: (INAUDIBLE) ...

NOEM: ... we prioritize security lanes as we can staff them. So, the ones that use the most travelers, which is the standard lanes, will be prioritized because most of the traveling public goes through those lanes.

RAJU: Why did you reverse that decision?

NOEM: We never reversed a decision. We never reversed a decision. We just talked about what priorities we'd have to make if we had the situation where callouts went high.

RAJU: Now, Democrats have accused the Homeland Security Department of essentially using this as a way of leverage in this government funding fight, noting that back in the fall, during that 43 government -- 43- day government shutdown that included the entire federal government, including the Homeland Security Department, that TSA pre-check lines were not closed at that point.

And, right now, global entry, though, has been paused for travelers amid this, so people coming back from the country could experience delays if they do have global entry. But as you heard from the secretary right there, TSA pre-check, that means domestic travel could have significant impacts as well if this continues to drag on. And right now, this fight over the Homeland Security Department, particularly as it pertains to how ICE agents are being deployed, that's what the sticking point is right now over this Homeland Security Department fight. That is nowhere near being resolved, which means this shutdown could last for a significant time longer. Guys?

JIMENEZ: Yes, definitely a dynamic to monitor moving forward. Manu Raju, appreciate the reporting, as always.

Coming up for us, a Pennsylvania high school senior is facing hundreds of charges -- hundreds -- over an alleged sex-tortion scheme at school. We'll bring you the details, coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)