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White House: Witkoff, Kushner To Meet With Qatari PM In Doha; New York Times: Agencies Fight Over Building A Master Spy List; FAA Investigating After Pilot Says Plane Hit Drone During Landing. Aired 7:30-8a ET

Aired June 30, 2026 - 07:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL)

[07:30:00]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Among the races we are watching today, Democratic socialist Melat Kiros taking on 15-term Congresswoman Diana DeGette in Denver -- what strategists call DeGette's toughest race in years.

With us now is Jackie Kucinich. She's the Washington bureau chief from The Boston Globe. Jackie, great to see you this morning.

Look, I think after what happened in New York City --

JACKIE KUCINICH, WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF, THE BOSTON GLOBE (via Webex by Cisco): Right.

BERMAN: -- everyone was looking to see if this would nationalize. If this trend would nationalize, which is why Colorado is so important today.

What are you watching there?

KUCINICH: You're absolutely right. You remember -- you mentioned DeGette's race. I believe she's running for her -- Diana DeGette is running for her 16th term. She is a very, very progressive member of Congress. But this is another race that we've seen that Israel has been a major factor here. Her primary candidate has made that a huge issue and we're going to see what happens here.

But you're right. There has been this progressive swell from the left and it is extending all the way out west at this point. You're also seeing it in that governor's race with Michael Bennet, who isn't an incumbent but he -- since he is an incumbent senator he's someone who is very well known statewide. He's also facing a tougher than normal primary -- or a very tough primary challenge that I don't think a lot of people saw coming.

BERMAN: So Jackie, I want to play some sound from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Let me play it then I'll ask my question because he was asked about what we're seeing around the country.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MANU RAJU, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Are you concerned with the perception that your party may be viewed as too extreme?

REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): No. We're going to win because, you know, Democrats are actually focused on trying to make life better for the American people. And it's the reason why we've been winning elections since January of 2025.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: So the leader knew these questions were coming. I mean, Manu asked them really well and then pressed him even further.

But to what extent do you think national Democrats have come to terms with what the trend seems to be?

KUCINICH: I don't know that they have. You know, my colleague, James Pindell, has a great column this morning in The Boston Globe positing that one of the reasons that Democratic socialists and the more progressive side of the Democratic Party are -- do have momentum is because of the force of their message and the specificity of their message where you do have national Democrats. I mean, yes, they are talking about affordability but a lot of it has to do with Republicans and the president.

So we'll see how this plays out but I think if Republicans -- excuse me, if Democrats do take the House of Representatives they're going to have to have a reckoning because they're going to have all of these new members that have a very different center in the party than perhaps maybe some moderate and even, you know, the further left of center Democrats that Hakeem Jeffries is used to working with.

BERMAN: You were talking about affordability which, of course, I think Democrats across the board would like to use as an election issue in November. And they keep getting new fodder for this from none other than President Trump who --

KUCINICH: Yes.

BERMAN: -- seems reluctant to address it in the way that most Republicans want. And the latest example is on this housing bill. Listen to what he said about this. He has not signed it yet --

KUCINICH: Right.

BERMAN: -- because he is using it as leverage to pass an election bill -- listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REPORTER: Will you sign that housing bill?

DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I have got to -- it hasn't been sent to me yet. It's coming, I understand, and then I'll make it -- and then I'll make a determination. REPORTER: (INAUDIBLE)

TRUMP: Here's what I would like to sign much more than a bill that -- a big deal. It's a yawn. Some people would say it's wonderful. To me, compared to the Save America Act, just about everything is a big yawn.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: The housing bill is a yawn. Affordability -- suggesting is a yawn.

You know, describe to me the inner monologue Republicans had when they heard that.

KUCINICH: Oh my gosh. Mike Johnson hasn't had a good day in so long.

So this is a bill -- we should go back. This is a bill that passed with bipartisan majorities, and we actually were told that President Trump was going to sign this bill. The White House has supported it in several different forms as the House and the Senate has actually worked to, you know, get a compromise bill. And then at the last minute, the president decided to blow it up because of the Save America Act.

And this was going to be an easy win. Another piece of legislation Republicans could hold up other than the big, beautiful bill, and say look, we're trying to address what some of the concerns -- some of the major concerns of the country are.

And right now it's in limbo. You know, might the president veto it? Might he just wait those 10 days and so it would become law? Maybe he'll sign it. They don't know.

And in the meantime, Democrats are getting all of the -- all of this fodder of what he's saying publicly to make their case in the midterm elections.

BERMAN: Yeah. Whether or not he supports it, the idea that affordability is boring is something that I think would make a lot of Republicans uncomfortable.

KUCINICH: Wah-wah.

BERMAN: Yeah, exactly.

Jackie Kucinich, great to see you.

KUCINICH: Totally.

BERMAN: Best to your daughter. Thank you very much, Jackie -- Kate.

[07:35:00]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: This just in. President Trump's Iran negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner -- they are in Doha right now, now expected to meet with the Qatari prime minister. They will not be meeting with Iran today despite President Trump saying that was exactly what they would do.

This round of talks pretty important given the weekend full of fresh military strikes traded between the United States and Iran. It seems those strikes have Congress maybe preparing for a reality that the war could be ramping back up.

House Speaker Mike Johnson spoke to USA Today suggesting that if the ceasefire falls apart, he believes Trump could get a fresh 60-day clock for congressional approval.

Here's the quote, "I suppose it would have to restart entirely. We ended Operation Epic Fury many weeks ago, and we had been in a period of peace. We are hoping that we can restore that so that there's not kinetic activity and ongoing war-like activities. We'll see."

Joining me right now, CNN senior military analyst and former NATO supreme allied commander, retired Adm. James Stavridis. He's also the co-author of a new book "2084: A Novel of Future War." It's good to see you.

Mike Johnson saying that Trump gets a clock reset if the MoU breaks down and the ceasefire falls apart.

Can you gut check us? What do you think about that?

ADM. JAMES STAVRIDIS (RET.), CNN SENIOR MILITARY ANALYST, FORMER NATO SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER, VICE CHAIRMAN, THE CARLYLE GROUP, CO-AUTHOR, "2084: A NOVEL OF FUTURE WAR" (via Webex by Cisco): Legally supportable but I think common sense says boy, that's dodging around the issue.

And let's look at the optimistic side for a second. I still think there is a 60-65 percent chance, as you and I have been talking about for a while now Kate, that the deal holds together. But I think there's a one in three chance it falls apart. If it does, we're back in the deep fight. That option for the president very expensive. And I think the Congress ought to have a serious check on that level of presidential power and not hide behind oh, we took a temporary timeout.

BOLDUAN: Yeah.

Witkoff and Kushner in Doha now. You know, there's been a -- it's been a jumble of messaging on what meeting was going to happen, with whom, at what time.

But regardless, if conversations occur with Iran while they're over there this time, what do you think -- what do you set as kind of a reasonable expectation for this trip given the fighting that occurred over the weekend?

STAVRIDIS: First and foremost, what the administration's team is going to try and do is move the ball on keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. That's become, let's face it, job one because it's directly tied to the global economy. Unfortunately, the Iranians feel quite full of themselves in terms of

having leverage in this scenario. They know President Trump doesn't want to go back to combat. They know he will not put ground troops ashore. He's talked about both those. And therefore, they feel a lot of leverage, and they are going to try and exert control over the strait. They're doing that by occasionally taking shots at tankers.

So at the end of the day, what messieurs Witkoff and Kushner need to try and do is get an accommodation that truly, really leaves the strait open. And here's where I think it lands, Kate. I think there will probably be a northern route that the Iranians will sort of watch over, but there will be a southern route by Oman. And let's hope -- final thought -- let's hope that out of the NATO summit comes a commitment from the Europeans to participate in keeping that southern route open. That north-south split may be the best we can hope for.

BOLDUAN: So this kind of plays into what I was going to ask you next, which is Reuters is reporting that Iran's deputy foreign minister is essentially declaring that Iran and Iran alone would be in charge of carrying out the -- any -- a de-mining operation in the strait from the mines that they put in the strait.

STAVRIDIS: Yeah.

BOLDUAN: This comes after France and Oman said that they wanted to collaborate to kind of get people involved to do it.

What do you think of this?

STAVRIDIS: I think it's a very bad idea to let the Iranians have complete control of the strait. It's a preposterous idea to put them in charge of de-mining it. That effectively makes them the firemen who can start a fire any time he wants and then come in and try and put it out. They also don't have the capability to do the de-mining in a confident way. It's going to have to be the U.S. and the Europeans.

And again, at this point, we might want to push for that north-south -- two routes. We take care of the southern one. We'll negotiate with the Iranians over time about fully opening. But we need to get that strait open.

BOLDUAN: I love that minor detail. We are the only ones who'll be -- who will be in charge of de-mining. But oh, we forgot to add we don't have the equipment to do it.

[07:40:00]

Admiral, it's great to see you. Thank you, always. It's always in the details -- Sara.

STAVRIDIS: Yeah.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: It always is. Thank you so much, Kate.

New this morning, a new battle heating up in the intelligence community. The New York Times has an interesting piece out reporting that the White House is pushing to build a so-called "master spy list" demanding intelligence officials to turn over the names of all foreign espionage targets, including suspected spies. But there's some serious concern with this from some in intelligence. Officials fearing it could compromise intelligence operations.

When asked for a comment, a spokesperson for the FBI told the Times that the bureau was working with other intelligence agencies "to open the books for the American people in historic ways." Part of what he characterized as a broader push for transparency under Director Kash Patel.

The CIA declined to comment.

An official from acting DNI Bill Pulte's office told the Times it was following a directive President Trump issued in his first term called "National Security Presidential Memorandum-7."

Joining me now is Devlin Barrett, one of the reporters who broke this story for the Times. He covers the Justice Department and the FBI. He is also the author of "The Department of Revenge: How Trump Took Control of American Justice."

Um, first to you. I am a little confused here. Great article. I'm a little confused about what the administration wants because they tell you that they want this to be more open to the public. These are spy lists. This isn't something they're planning on releasing, right?

DEVLIN BARRETT, REPORTER, THE NEW YORK TIMES, AUTHOR, "THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENGE: HOW TRUMP TOOK CONTROL OF AMERICAN JUSTICE" (via Webex by Cisco): Right. This is the very definition of government secrets that are supposed to stay secret because these are the people you are hunting out in the world.

And to a spy hunter this idea is a terrible one. You know, it may sound like something out of movie but for them, the practical implications of this are you would be creating a master list that could be hacked or compromised or misused in some way that could blow up potentially years' worth of work.

SIDNER: Were you surprised by the response that you got from some of the agencies? And is this very much an interagency frustration and worry? Because as you said, if there is a list that is really easy to obtain and it has every single name and every single, you know, code as to who these people are that perhaps that gets leaked.

BARRETT: Right. I mean, that's the concern and it's -- and it's widely shared among intelligence professionals.

I think the public comments you're hearing from the agencies reflect two things. One, that the intel agencies, even when they're -- they disagree, don't like to air those disagreements in public. They have been trying to resolve this for months. And if you think about when the Trump -- when the president first signed this back in 2017, this is really sort of a 9-year project in some ways.

But, you know, for the -- for the professionals, this sounds like a terrible idea that should not get off the ground because it's just simply too dangerous.

SIDNER: I was looking at Memorandum-7 that -- the -- you know, the administration is saying hey, we're trying to get through this and we're trying to -- but it's really about domestic terrorism. This is about, you know, sort of foreign operatives as well.

How do they square that?

BARRETT: So one thing that's a little confusing about how this all played out is there are actually two Memorandum-7s. One was written in 2017 about foreign intelligence, and one was written last year about domestic investigations. So we're talking about the old one --

SIDNER: Yeah.

BARRETT: -- the old Memo-7.

And look, the vision for this makes sense on a certain level, although it makes sense sort of more as movie plot than as an actual spy agency operation. To create -- imagine you had a big map on the wall and that it could just show you where every suspected spy was in the world in real time. In theory, that could be quite useful to a spy agency.

The problem is two things. One, it's incredibly risky to put all that information in one place, as we said. And two, you know, the office of the director of national intelligence is not operational. They don't run operations. So you're giving, in theory, all that information to people who don't do this for a living, and that's the other great concern.

SIDNER: Yeah. I think you -- this is a really, really well-written and well-reported article that's worth reading. Because like you said, this ain't the movies. There is real danger and real problematic ideas that could come from this when you have people that even inside the agencies don't know this information for a reason.

Devlin, great reporting from you and your team. Thank you so much. I do appreciate you -- John.

[07:45:00]

BERMAN: All right. This morning, strong winds and dry conditions fueling dozens of fast-moving wildfires. You can see some of the remarkable images we're getting back. Thousands have been evacuated from their homes in Colorado and Utah. State officials have imposed sweeping restrictions on fireworks ahead of the holiday weekend.

So one family's Ring camera captures flames closing in on their property. This had to have been terrifying. The owner says the home is a total loss, but his family and pets are safe.

Happening now, a manhunt is underway in Monaco after a bombing in an apartment. Officials say two adults and a child were injured when this parcel bomb went off. A man was caught on camera fleeing the scene, officials say. A CNN affiliate says the target seems to have been a Ukrainian-born businessman who lives in Monaco.

Outside Philadelphia an explosion leveled a home. Look at the aftermath there. Officials say it may have been caused by a propane tank leak. So a worker near the property was injured but luckily, somehow is supposed to be OK. The owners were not home at the time -- Kate.

BOLDUAN: Goodness, there's nothing left.

BERMAN: Nothing left.

BOLDUAN: My God.

All right. So the White House aide you haven't heard of, but who has enormous influence over the president, it appears. Why Natalie Harp has earned the nickname "The Human Printer."

And an emotional moment at the World Cup when a player reveals a tragic loss for his family.

We'll be right back.

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[07:51:00]

SIDNER: A huge shakeup at the World Cup. This morning two European giants are out -- knocked out by underdogs. Both matches going to penalty kicks. A stunning day of upsets and crazy drama. And today France is in action.

CNN's Amanda Davies with me now. Huge celebrations for it -- we're seeing some of them now -- Uruguay and Morocco, and heartbreak for Germany and the Netherlands. How did this happen?

AMANDA DAVIES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Yeah, we're at that point in the tournament. It's brilliant or it's brutal. As simple as that.

That U.S. 4-1 win over Paraguay now looks even more impressive this morning after the South Americans pulled off the biggest upset of the World Cup so far, knocking out four-time World Cup winners Germany in the round of 32.

It was in the most dramatic fashion those dreaded penalty shootouts after the game finished 1-1 after extra time. A country for so long known for their spot kick prowess. The high-stakes nerves were showing. Germany saw efforts from Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade saved. Paraguay missed two chances to step up and win it. And when Jonathan Todd couldn't take advantage, sending his kick into the Boston sunset up steps, Jose Canale sent Paraguay into the round of 16.

Germany's first-ever World Cup penalty shootout defeat. But for Paraguay, their first World Cup final since 2010. Have a look at these scenes. This is what it meant for fans at home in Ascencion. And the party goes on into Tuesday with President Santiago Pena calling it a national holiday to celebrate. It looks like a few folks might need it.

Penalty exit as well though for another European powerhouse. The Netherlands beaten by 2022 semifinalist Morrocco. A 91st minute thumping header from Issa Diop broke Dutch hears to pull them level and send the game into extra time. And then ultimately, to spot kicks. It was shootout to forget. The Dutch missing three of their efforts, allowing Ismael Saibari to step up and score the winner to book a place in the round of 16 and set up a match against Canada next.

Amidst the drama, today's "What A Shot" is brought to you by HBO Max. And just have a look at this image. The Dutch players coming together to show their support for teammate Cody Gakpo in the middle there. His emotions came pouring out after he scored in the second -- 72nd minute just days after announcing that he and his partner Noah had lost their baby during pregnancy at the weekend. A really poignant moment putting things in perspective.

Well, the day's other game. Brazil were given a scare by coach Carlo Ancelotti insists they are on the right path after coming from a goal down to beat Japan 2-1 to book their place in the last 16. Japan had the better of the first half and took the lead on 29 minutes. But former Manchester United player Casemiro, who looks to be headed for the MLS, pulled them level in the 56th minute. And as things seemed set for extra time, a dramatic 96th minute effort from Gabriel Martinelli giving the five-time world champions the win and a place in the last 16.

So some definite warning signs for the likes of France, Norway, Mexico -- all in action on Tuesday.

And, of course, we have to mention it is Serena day at Wimbledon, her first singles match on tour since August 2022 on those iconic grass courts as well -- Sara.

[07:55:00]

SIDNER: Amazing. I'm sorry, I'm still back at the Paraguay-Morrocco game, which John Berman was making mouth sounds over here and screaming. I'm like it already happened. What's going on? But my God that was exciting. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Amanda. I know Germany is heartbroken as is the Netherlands.

But man, it's just incredible to see the response, especially from the underdogs, which I was going for Morrocco. I'm not gonna lie.

BERMAN: Well, they're barely an underdog. Morrocco is legit.

SIDNER: I know.

BERMAN: Morrocco made the semis last time around. They're really good.

SIDNER: OK. See, John knows these things. I'm just joining.

BERMAN: I've got to tell you I'm exhausted and it's like just game one of the knockout rounds. I don't know how I'm going to make it all the way through, let alone the U.S. game. All right, new concerns this morning about drones flying in U.S.

airspace. The FAA is investigating after a JetBlue pilot reported hitting a drone near JFK International Airport while coming in for a landing.

Let's get right to CNN's Pete Muntean for the latest on this. This just sounds bad, Pete.

PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: And right now it's a bit of a mystery, John. JetBlue says it found no damage to the plane and the FAA is just beginning its investigation, so it's still unclear whether this flight actually collided with a drone.

But at the very least this is the most significant in a string of possible drone sightings reported by pilots in the New York area since Friday. That's when the pilots of a United Airlines flight reported seeing a drone as they were reporting -- approaching Newark. And that report was corroborated by the pilots of a regional jet next in line for landing.

Which brings us to this case. JetBlue flight 948 descending into JFK just after 7:00 a.m. on Monday when the pilots reported striking what the crew believed was a drone at about 3,000 feet, roughly 15 miles from the airport over New Jersey. And here is how the pilot reported it to the control tower.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JETBLUE PILOT: We are clear to land, 13L. Just quickly, I couldn't talk to approach, but we collided with a drone back there on the turn as we were coming to ASALT. I just wanted to pass that to you.

JFK TOWER: You said you collided?

JETBLUE PILOT: Yep, it hit us right above the cockpit.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MUNTEAN: So JetBlue says the plane was removed from service, but a post-flight inspection found no damage or evidence of a collision.

But this clearly prompted a lot of concern from other pilots, including the pilot of helicopter flying from JFK to Manhattan, who reported seeing what appeared to be a large remote-controlled airplane nearby. He reported that to air traffic control. It briefly broadcast a warning to all pilots near JFK on the airport's weather system. But it's likely that sighting was not an authorized drone since there is a model aircraft flying field used by hobbyists at the former Floyd Bennett Field and naval air station in Brooklyn.

Even still, federal authorities have been on high alert for drones due to the World Cup. The FBI just said since the start of the tournament law enforcement has seized more than 500 drones being flown illegally in restricted airspace around stadiums and at fan sites in 11 of the U.S. host cities -- John. BERMAN: Yeah, I just don't know you get this under control. But obviously, a cause of major concern, especially if it's around airports.

Pete Muntean, thank you --

MUNTEAN: Yeah.

BERMAN: -- so much for your reporting on this -- Kate.

BOLDUAN: So she is so loyal and close to President Trump that he reportedly tells staffers she is the only one who loves him as much as his wife and children. Her name is Natalie Harp, the president's 34- year-old personal assistant.

And the new book on Trump's second term, called "Regime Change," is now kind of reigniting questions around Harp's role in the Trump inner circle.

CNN's Randi Kaye reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NATALIE HARP, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PERSONAL ASSISTANT: Good evening. I'm Natalie Harp, a formerly forgotten American from California.

RANDI KAYE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): Her name is Natalie Harp. She's a former host for the far-right network One America News. And today, at just 34 years old, is considered one of President Donald Trump's closest personal assistants.

JONATHAN SWAN, CO-AUTHOR, "REGIME CHANGE": She's just totally devoted to him. In Oval Office meetings she sits on the chair at the side of the room with her laptop open.

KAYE (voiceover): Harp is known for toting around a portable printer and printing stacks of papers and positive press for President Trump on the spot. She's become known as "The Human Printer."

SWAN: Trump basically just says, "Natalie, get me this" or he's, you know, "Google this."

KAYE (voiceover): In their new book "Regime Change," New York Times reporters Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman also report on letters that Harp has left for Trump. Swan described them as odd, adoring, and intimate.

SWAN: She has written him numerous letters that she's left for him, including one that says, "You are all that matters to me" or some version of that. It raised the eyebrows of the Secret Service during the campaign.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mine too. Mine are up.

SWAN: Some of these letters that were left in some of his private quarters. KAYE (voiceover): According to "Regime Change," Trump's chief of staff

Susie Wiles asked, "Where am I?" upon learning about the letters.

Harp first connected with Trump during her battle with stage two bone cancer, thanking Trump publicly for saving her life by signing the Right to Try Act in 2019.