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Trump Criticizes Allies; Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is Interviewed about Iran; Voters Head to Polls in Illinois; Airport Security Lines Grow; Storm Makes Final Push. Aired 9-9:30a ET

Aired March 17, 2026 - 09:00   ET

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

[09:00:00]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Lasted only one season, was then made into a sequel film. But fans never gave up, kept demanding more. And so the show's star, Nathan Fillion, has now revealed on Instagram that he has the show creator's blessing and the sign off from Disney to make an animated sequel. The original cast also on board and working with an Oscar-winning animation team to keep the Serenity spaceship flying.

OK, so, we know that humanoid robots are taking over the world. They can clean your house, they can kind of play sports and much more. But it's also a growing trend in China for people to rent robots for a variety of tasks, now including to help you with your marriage proposal. And there, of course, is video to prove it. This groom to be rented the robot for $145, and the robot was actually the one to pop the question. No word yet if the robot's invited to any wedding ceremony, but very clearly the robot is already programmed with serious dance moves.

A new hour of CNN NEWS CENTRAL starts now.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, breaking this morning, a key leader killed, maybe. Israel says it has eliminated, their words, perhaps the most powerful man in Iran. We're waiting for word this morning from inside Iran.

The security lines at one airport this morning, on and on and on. Hours long. TSA workers walking off the job or calling in sick as they go without pay in the partial government shutdown.

And election day in a key blue state. What the primaries today might tell us about the direction of the Democratic Party.

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

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: We're following breaking news for you in the war with Iran. One of the most powerful leaders left in Iran has now been killed, according to the Israeli military, which says it, quote, "eliminated" Ali Larijani, who was Iran's top security official. The Israeli military also said it killed the head of Iran's Basij paramilitary force. Iran has not confirmed either of the deaths. Also overnight, the U.S. embassy in Iraq targeted again. Video from Baghdad showing an explosion and smoke rising there into the night sky. And there's some video here that seems to show that the massive gun that protects the embassy firing at projectiles and hitting them. That gun can shoot 4,500 rounds per minute. Two drones were shot down, but a third struck inside the embassy compound, according to Reuters.

In the Strait of Hormuz, a new attack reported near the key oil shipping route. Officials say an unknown projectile struck a tanker anchored off the coast of the UAE causing minor damage to it. And Iranian state media is now claiming an explosion ripped through another ship docked in the region.

President Trump, for his part, is slamming U.S. allies who've rejected his calls to help secure the strait. And there are conflicting accounts from the White House and Iranian officials over whether Iran has reached out to restart diplomatic talks.

CNN's Kevin Liptak joining us now.

There are a lot of threads to follow this morning. What are you hearing from the White House?

KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, there certainly are. And we should say the U.S. has not yet confirmed the death of that Iranian security chief. You'll remember President Trump, back when the supreme leader was killed at the very start of this war, came out on Truth Social and announced that. Of course, American officials have said that regime change is not one of the primary objectives of their part of this war, but certainly describing it as sort of an ancillary result of what is happening there.

You know, the question of who the U.S. would negotiate with if negotiations were to restart is a major one. You know, the security chief, Larijani, had been viewed and rumored as someone that the U.S. could potentially deal with as they try and reach an end game to this conflict. But the president seems wary at this point of restarting these negotiations.

You know, we heard yesterday from White House officials that the Iranian foreign minister had reached out to Steve Witkoff, the president's foreign envoy, to restart these talks. But they said that they rebuffed those advances. You know, the foreign minister has said that that wasn't true, that he has, in fact, not spoken with anyone since the onset of this war. Well, both sides seem to agree on is that there are no active negotiations underway at this point. In part because so many senior leaders in Iran are being killed. And that has made it difficult, I think, for the president to ascertain exactly who he should be talking to. And he did address this yesterday.

Listen to what he said there.

[09:05:02]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: They set up a new leadership to go and name a new leader, and that leadership is gone. And now they think maybe the son is gone. They're all gone. My biggest problem is, I have no idea who we're talking to because nobody ever heard of any of these people. They're all dead.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIPTAK: Now, one person the president does claim to be talking to is one of his predecessors, a former president. He said multiple times yesterday that he had spoken to one of the former presidents, who privately told him, quote, "I wish I did what you did when it comes to Iran."

But we reached out to all four former presidents and people close to those men, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden say that none of them spoke to President Trump about Iran. And, in fact, none of them have spoken to the president recently at all.

Sara.

SIDNER: All right, that is a curious detail that does not match.

Thank you so much, Kevin Liptak. Do appreciate it.

John.

BERMAN: All right, with us now, Congressman Eric Swalwell, a Democrat from California, who is running for governor of that state.

And there's a California tie-in to my first question here because overnight Israel claiming that they have eliminated, their words, Ali Larijani, and also the head of the paramilitary Basij force. These two guys -- and we have the pictures we can show them -- credited for being responsible for the brutal crackdown of protests in Iran over the last several months. California is home to the biggest Iranian American population in the country. Largely people who have fled the brutal regime here. So, the death of these two men, you know, blamed for some of the brutality. Is that something that should be welcomed?

REP. ERIC SWALWELL (D-CA): Sure. I mean there's no sympathy for these individuals. And Iranians in California are some of the biggest dreamers we have in our state. And they want to see women able to drive anywhere they want, to wear the clothes that they want to wear, and to be able to go to the polls and vote openly. But they also understand that a revolution in Iran has to be built brick by brick by Iranians. And we have a 70 plus year history of failure, not just in Iran, but all over the world, of trying to force regime change. And, by the way, it's being led by a guy who has more plans for the ballroom he's trying to build at the East Wing than anything he's going to do next in the Middle East.

BERMAN: But do you see this as progress or something, you know, is it progress in Iran, the elimination of these two? Is this something that could force positive change? SWALWELL: The people in Iran are better off without these individuals.

But there's no plan as to where we go next. And the president has not justified why we did this in the first place. The justification seems to change every single day. And he has not articulated where we go next. And he has no interest in going to Congress and asking for direction or following what the Constitution says he must do. So, this will predictably be a complete disaster. And what we are seeing is Americans stranded in the region, at home. And, yes, I'm running for governor of California. I talk to Californians. No one from San Diego, Sacramento says, hey, I think we should go to another war. They're just saying, can you keep the costs down and they're looking at gas prices approaching perhaps $10 a gallon.

BERMAN: Over $5 a gallon now in California, were it's always more expensive, but a seven cent increase overnight nationally.

There are lines at airports right now. I don't know how you're getting back and forth from California to Washington and whatnot.

SWALWELL: Yes.

BERMAN: But the lines of the TSA checkpoints are brutal right now with TSA workers not being paid because of the partial government shutdown.

SWALWELL: Yes.

BERMAN: We just had Chris Sununu, former Republican governor of New Hampshire, who is now in an airline association.

SWALWELL: Yes.

BERMAN: This is what he said needs to happen.

SWALWELL: Yes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS SUNUNU, PRESIDENT AND CEO, AIRLINES FOR AMERICA: The political opportunity is there, right? Because the issue was, folks wanted to see a change at Homeland Security. They're going to get new leadership. They wanted the Minnesota issue to calm down and be better managed. They're getting that. They wanted body cameras. They're getting that. So, the -- whether you want to call it the White House or the administration has kind of given in and made some changes that folks wanted to see. Well, now, pay your own federal workers that have nothing to do with this. And that's your TSA agent.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: You know, Kristi Noem is gone, he said. You're getting body cameras. Is it time to bring this partial government shutdown to an end?

SWALWELL: We should pay TSA agents. And there was a vote last week in the Senate to do that and Republicans voted it down. But it's also time to end public executions and to stop deporting little kids like a six year old named Joseph.

I want to tell you about this kid. He's from Hayward, California. Heart of my district. Two weeks ago he, his brother and his mom have ICE come to their home, take him out of their home, arrest him, send him to Colombia. And oh, by the way, he's deaf. And they did not allow him to take his assistive hearing devices. My staff flew to Colombia, took those devices there. But that's the cruelty that this administration is bringing in their immigration policy. And that's what I and fellow democrats are refusing to further fund.

BERMAN: Even if it means these lines at this airport, even if this means TSA workers walking off at a time when the security risk could be higher with the war on Iran?

SWALWELL: What I don't understand is, why can't we fund TSA and not fund ICE? It doesn't have to be all or nothing.

BERMAN: I want to ask you finally, again, you're running for governor of California.

SWALWELL: Yes.

[09:10:00]

BERMAN: The man you're trying to replace, Gavin Newsom, may or may not run for president. He has a book out. He talks about -- he has dyslexia, which is something he has dealt with his whole life.

SWALWELL: Yes.

BERMAN: President Trump had comments about that overnight. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: That's how crazy it's gotten with a low IQ person, you know, because Gavin Newsom has admitted that he is a -- that he has learning disabilities. Honestly, I'm all for people with learning disabilities, but not for my president. I don't want -- I think a president should not have learning disabilities, OK. And I know it's highly controversial to say such a horrible thing. The president of the United States, Gavin Newsom, admitted that he has learning disabilities, dyslexia.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: What's your reaction to that?

SWALWELL: He called him the president of the United States and he's also claiming that the guy has disabilities.

Look, no person in any state in America is more protected by their governor than Californians by Governor Newsom. He's been a fighter, protector. Donald Trump worked with Texas to try and take five congressional seats through the redistricting process. Within 90 days we went to the voters. Sixty-four percent passed our own Prop 50. This guy is a fighter, protector, and Donald Trump wouldn't know what

that looked like. And that's probably why he feels, I would say, a little smaller when he's in the presence or compared to Gavin Newsom.

BERMAN: Congressman Eric Swalwell, thanks for being with us this morning. Appreciate it.

SWALWELL: My pleasure.

BERMAN: Kate.

BOLDUAN: So, it is primary day in Illinois, where a crowded field of Democrats are vying for the seat being vacated by retiring Senator Dick Durbin. The winner of this Democratic primary is favored to win in the general, as no Republican has won statewide in a dozen years.

This contest, though, has really become a test of the future direction, potentially, of the Democratic Party, which is why it is now being tracked so closely.

CNN's Steve Contorno in Chicago for us.

Steve, what are you hearing from people there?

STEVE CONTORNO, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Well, Kate, I am in a Chicago super voting site in downtown, where anyone in the city can vote. There are dozens, in fact, up to 80 voting booths where people can weigh in. And they will be voting, especially Democrats, on this U.S. Senate race where Dick Durbin is retiring. For the first time in 30 years this seat will be open.

And we were talking to voters about some of what they will be considering as they vote today. Take a listen to what they said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONTORNO: Do you want to see someone fight Trump or work with Trump?

JULIO ROSSO, ILLINOIS VOTER: I don't think -- I don't think that man wants to work with anybody. So, unfortunately, bullies only respond to strength. And, you know, you're going to need someone who's going to stand up and fight.

BRIAN HENN, ILLINOIS VOTER: A key for me is affordability and people who are going to work with others to pass bills and not just fight around.

DANTE HAMILTON, ILLINOIS VOTER: Oh, yes, Kelly was my choice. I was mainly looking for somebody with experience. And so, I thought that that was my deciding factor, experience.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CONTORNO: Now, that Kelly he was speaking of was U.S. Representative Robin Kelly. She is one of the three front runners in this race, along with U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi and the lieutenant governor of Illinois, Juliana Stratton. She has the endorsement of Governor J.B. Pritzker, who's put a considerable amount of his own money into the race.

This has become a very expensive race, more expensive even than that Texas Democratic primary for Senate that captured the country a few weeks ago. And one of the things we're going to be watching closely today is the weather because it is very cold outside. It's about 15 degrees. Feels closer to six. It's not going to get much warmer than that. How does that affect turnout, Kate, in what is going to be a critical Democratic primary?

BOLDUAN: Absolutely. Steve, thank you so much for laying the groundwork. A big day there in Illinois.

John.

BERMAN: We were just talking about the security lines stretching for hours at the world's busiest airport in Atlanta. TSA workers, some quitting, some calling in sick. They've been working without pay because of the partial government shutdown.

And then a country-wide blackout in Cuba after the U.S. shut off the flow of oil to the country. President Trump says he could, and these are his words, "take the island."

And the kit is here. That's what we call it in soccer. The kit. This is what the U.S. players will be wearing in this summer's World Cup.

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[09:18:50]

BERMAN: This morning -- these are live pictures of the security lines at Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta, stretching all the way to baggage claim. That doesn't look very pleasant, have to say. We've seen long wait times at hubs across the country. The partial government shutdown is forcing TSA agents to work without pay, leading hundreds to quit or take unscheduled time off.

Let's get right to CNN's Ryan Young, who is at the Atlanta airport this morning.

Ryan, what are you seeing?

RYAN YOUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, we are trying to negotiate all the people here. So, we are standing within the mix of this security line. And you see people coming back this direction. Look, it stretches all the way down there. But I want to show you something. The boards are now back working here at this airport. If you turn around and you look at the sign here, look at the main checkpoint, hundred minutes, 71 minutes. And then, of course, you see that precheck line that says 16 minutes. A lot of people dispute that as well.

If you look down here, they are pushing all the passengers to go into these checkpoints way down that direction here. We've talked to several people who say they've been in line for over an hour.

And I just want to walk you back this way because the reflections here have had people -- look, look at her face.

[09:20:04]

She is blown away by the lines. We were here yesterday, the lines were long. This line is longer than what they were yesterday at the peak, when we saw all the people packed in here. International is backed up. Domestic flights. People are missing it. You add in the fact that they have weather issues. You have people who are so upset about the idea of standing in this line.

According to folks who work here at the airport, there have been more TSA callouts over the last 24 hours. You have families here waiting to go to spring break. Some folks trying to get back home for work. And they are being directly impacted by the massive amounts of call-outs that have happened.

And you see these lines. People have been standing in these lines for more than an hour just trying to figure out when they're going to get closer to maybe get through security to catch their flights. And what we're seeing is a lot of people are standing in this line again and finding out that they're missing their flights. Some folks trying to join clear to make it happen.

And I just want to bring you this -- a little bit closer here, John, just to show you, if you look right here, you can see this is the main checkpoint. And this is a snake of people just standing here. It's a sea of humanity at this point, John, with people just trying to figure out how they can get through all this security. It is unreal.

BERMAN: It really is. And normally, you know, time at the Atlanta airport is so pleasant. But I have to say, Ryan, the reaction of that woman's face when she walked by you, she was either completely starstruck by you or horrified by the length of that line. She was -- the look on her face was amazing.

YOUNG: Yes, and that's what we're seeing here. And I'm going to walk you a little closer because, John, you gave me a little break here so I can show you this. Those of us who love this airport, have lived here a long time, knows how well this can function. But one of the things that stands out to me all the time is this TSA security line here. And you can see the empty chairs. So, right here normally you would see dozens of TSA workers sitting here, checking folks in. And that has been down to two lines that are open far in the distance there. So, you just understand what they're dealing with in terms of the lack of security personnel that are here.

BERMAN: Quite a morning at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport in Atlanta.

Ryan, I am sure people are thrilled to see you there. Good luck over the next several hours. Thank you.

YOUNG: Maybe. Thank you. SIDNER: Well, he's like huffing and puffing this morning. Like, that's how long the line is. Did you notice that?

BERMAN: No. Excuse me?

SIDNER: He's huffing and puffing this morning. He's like a black belt in judo or something. And he's like, you know, oh, and now he's getting it. He's getting it from a passenger, frustrated.

Dude, that was wild.

BERMAN: Right.

Kate.

BOLDUAN: All right, we'll continue to -- we will continue to track that. And also that could be adding to the travel trouble for everyone. I hate being the additional bearer of bad news but there's also then the chaotic weather system that brought thunderstorms, tornadoes and blizzard conditions. It is making a final push, bringing about a rare snow day in Alabama and a big freeze across the deep south. In Kentucky, a man woke up to a tree just on and inside his house. Fortunately, no one was hurt here.

CNN's Derek Van Dam is tracking all of this for us.

And, Derek, where is it headed now?

DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: So, the storm system responsible for the over a dozen record low temperatures that were set just this morning, the incredible snowfall that dropped (ph) over three feet across parts of the Great Lakes. That's exited the East Coast.

But what's left behind it is what's setting -- sending shock waves to our system, right? We are a good 30 to 40 degrees cooler right now compared to yesterday's temperature. So, 24 hours ago, you look at Buffalo, you were 43 degrees warmer yesterday at this time. More of the same in Chicago -- or rather New York and into Norfolk and into the Roanoke region, the nation's capital. That is significant. So, you want to plan ahead as you head outside.

We should not be seeing below freezing wind chill values this far south. And that, of course, is impacting some of the early season blossoms that have come out already.

This is the cold front responsible for the chill that has set in. I do want to show you some positive notes though. So, this is the actual temperatures for this afternoon, but were going to race forward to Saturday because there's a lot more red and orange on this map. Warm up is going to come through the course of the eastern half of the country, but this wild stretch of weather is all because of this really amplified jet stream. The upper levels of the atmosphere where we drive weather patterns across North America. And, unfortunately, what it's going to do is it's going to drive a ridge of high pressure over the west. And that's going to set all-time record high temperatures for not only the month of March, but also the month of April. We're having trouble coming up with the superlatives to describe the record-setting heat that is coming.

Just take this, for instance. Phoenix, the projected temperature for this weekend, 106 degrees.

[09:25:00]

Why is this important? Yes, you say Phoenix is a hot place. Well, guess what? It's only reached 100 degrees one time in the month of March, and that was back in 1988. That was the earliest triple digit heat they've experienced. Their all-time April high temperature was 105. We could best that this weekend. And their earliest 106 degree temperature is back in 1947. So, if we get to that this weekend, we're talking about middle of May temperatures for that part of the country. Wow.

Kate.

BOLDUAN: Yes, it's -- records on one coast, records on another coast, and everything in between.

VAN DAM: That's right.

BOLDUAN: Derek, thank you so much for tracking it for us.

Sara.

SIDNER: All right, oil prices are kind of like a seesaw, up and down, but higher than they've been for a very long time. Gas prices, though, continue to climb, hitting nearly $3.80 a gallon overnight, though futures looking up this morning. How the markets are going to react when that bell rings in just a few minutes.

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