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Trump Fires Members Of Election Commission Ahead Of Midterms; Maine Democrats Scramble To Replace Platner By July 27 Deadline; Powerhouses Spain And Belgium Face Off At World Cup. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired July 10, 2026 - 14:30   ET

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

[14:30:00]

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: Election officials are sounding the alarm after President Trump fired all three sitting members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission on Thursday. The EAC was created by Congress in 2002 to help officials carry out elections. The administration's decision to oust these members is now raising serious concerns about interference just months before the midterms.

Let's discuss with the Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read. He oversees the state-level election administration and voter registration. Sir, thank you so much for being with us.

What do you think these firings will mean for voters in your state?

TOBIAS READ, (D) OREGON SECRETARY OF STATE: Well, I think this is just the latest example of the President's effort to sow distrust in our elections. It is desperate, it is reckless, it is irresponsible, and there could be some disruptions. But let's remember what the Election Assistance Commission is charged with doing.

It is helping to make the administration of elections easier and to increase voter participation. That's it. They do technical things, and this shouldn't be a partisan issue.

So I'm disappointed, but I also want to assure people that states are ready to step up, and we will have the safe, accurate, and fair elections that this country needs. Because this government, every government, has to face accountability from voters. That's the hallmark of democracy, and we will make sure that that happens.

SANCHEZ: Critics have charged that the White House can now use this commission to change voter registration requirements. Do you share those concerns?

READ: Well, I'm always concerned when someone is trying to make it harder for eligible citizens to vote. But the Constitution is also very clear in Article 1, Section 4. The President does not have the power to interfere in elections.

That's what we have been successful in defending in Oregon. We've knocked down every one of the President's illegal executive orders and defeated them in court. We're prepared to do that again and again, as many times as it takes. [14:35:00]

SANCHEZ: You say you received a letter from the Department of Justice. Can you share what that was about?

READ: Yes, I got a letter from Harmeet Dhillon, the 2020 election denier who runs the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, threatening me and election officials around the country with prosecution and imprisonment if we knowingly allow non-citizens to be on voter rolls. I don't know any Secretary of State who does that, and I'm happy to assure the Department of Justice at the federal level that we run safe, accurate, and fair elections in Oregon. That's what we're going to continue to do every time, and I am not intimidated by this kind of manufactured controversy or attempts at intimidation.

SANCHEZ: Has DOJ told you that they're planning to send election monitors to polling locations, and if that were the case, would you comply?

READ: Well, they don't generally check in with us at this point, but one thing to remember is one of the advantages we have in Oregon is that we conduct our elections by mail, so it allows people in to fit voting into their busy lives. They can fill out their ballots in their home or anywhere else they want to and return those ballots at a time that works for them. It's convenient.

So we don't have polling stations or polling places in Oregon like many other states, and that makes it better for us because we need the country when it comes to voter turnout. It makes it easier, more convenient for people to vote and hold politicians and government accountable.

SANCHEZ: I imagine that's why last night you called on the U.S. Postal Service to commit to picking up mail ballots on or before Election Day. What is your message to them?

READ: The message is that they play a key role in our system, but my message also is to voters because we have hundreds of drop boxes across our state, and when it's convenient for people, we are really encouraging them to use that drop box because the elections officials across Oregon then pick up those ballots directly, don't have to worry about delays and cuts that are going on at the Postal Service.

SANCHEZ: Tobias Read, we have to leave the conversation there. We appreciate your time. Thanks for joining us.

READ: Thank you.

SANCHEZ: Now to some of the other headlines we're watching this hour. People in rural Missouri are dealing with dangerous flash flooding after a one-in-1,000-year rainstorm. At least five people who were camping along the Black River are now unaccounted for.

The town of Redmondville, Missouri, which is about 70 miles southwest of St. Louis, measured more than a foot of rain Thursday evening. That community, now one of several areas under a rare flash flood emergency, more than a foot of rain in fewer than 24 hours means this highly localized ongoing event is at least a one-in-1,000-year flood for the area. The heaviest rain moved east from the area this morning, but any more moisture over the next few days could make matters significantly worse.

Also, a federal grand jury has indicted eight men in an alleged plot to attack last month's UFC event on the White House lawn. The defendants are charged with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder. The indictment says the men used online chat forums to coordinate their plans.

Officials say the alleged plot was foiled when the mother of a 19- year-old in the group alerted police. All eight defendants face up to life in prison if convicted.

And a mission that could have been led by Indiana Jones unfolding overnight as a historic artifact was returned to Britain for the first time in 1,000 years. The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most famous surviving works of the medieval world. It was brought from France to the British Museum in London in the dead of night. And as you saw there under police escort, this artwork is going to be on display from September to next July before it returns home to France.

Still to come, the race to replace Graham Platner, several contenders already queuing up to become Maine's Democratic Senate nominee in a critical midterm contest. We'll discuss with one of them when we come back.

[14:40:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: One deadline after another right now in Maine. First Monday, July 13th, that is the deadline for Graham Platner to officially withdraw from the Senate race. Then Democrats have just two weeks to hold a party convention, choose a new nominee, and get that candidate on the ballot to take on Republican Senator Susan Collins all by 5 p.m. on July 27th. Platner says he will formally suspend his campaign Monday following a rape allegation that he denies.

A growing number of Democrats are already making their interests known, including our next guest, Dr. Nirav Shah, the former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Thank you so much, doctor, for being with us.

You are calling at this point for two or more televised debates. I know you're in touch with the Democratic Party. Are they receptive to that?

DR. NIRAV SHAH, (D) MAINE SENATE CANDIDATE: They are, as has been the local and even national media, not just in Maine, but again across the country. And these debates are critical because of the way the nominating process is going to eventually work. Not everyone in Maine will get to have their say in the nominee, but everyone in Maine should get to see who the nominee is, and particularly to see them in action.

Debating is a core skill of a U.S. senator. It's even in the Constitution. In the speech and debate clause, Mainers should be able to evaluate candidates on their ability to stand and deliver.

[14:45:00]

KEILAR: So as soon as you threw your hat in the ring for this Senate seat, as you are well aware, Illinois Senator and combat veteran Tammy Duckworth opposed your run, citing your handling of outbreaks of Legionnaire's disease at an Illinois veterans home that killed 13 people starting in 2015 when you were Illinois public health director. She actually said, "Too many of our heroes lost their lives under Nirav Shah's watch. I called for his resignation then, and I strongly oppose his run for Senate now."

How do you respond to that criticism?

SHAH: Well, the outbreak that she's referring to back in 2015 was tragic. And sadly, American veterans lost their lives. And I deeply respect Senator Duckworth and her service to this country.

In this respect, I happen to disagree with her. The health department in the setting of a Legionnaire's outbreak responds to the scene of an emergency, much like the fire department does. In this situation, we responded after the outbreak was underway.

We helped tamp it down, and we made sure that the outbreak didn't get any worse than it already was. This outbreak was carefully reviewed by the CDC and others. And indeed, after that outbreak, Maine's Democratic governor and indeed the Biden administration both hired me for top public health positions.

KEILAR: So I know you're saying they responded like the fire department would. The fire department normally responds very quickly. And I know that you have said you were proud of the response, which is certainly in line with what you're saying today.

You said it was quick, coordinated and responsive. But aside from what we're hearing from the senator, Illinois' Auditor General did a pretty in-depth investigation and a report which specifically outlined how the response was none of the things that you're describing. And Maine voters are known for being very independent.

They want it told to them straight. How can they rely on you to be straight with them during tough times when certainly that report is very different from how you were describing your then department's response to this Legionnaire's disease? For instance, it was, I think, about three days after it was confirmed that there were multiple cases of Legionnaire's before they even went to the veterans home.

SHAH: Well, that latter part is not correct. The county health department was in immediate contact with the facility. And then as the situation evolved, they then looped in the state health department.

And that's when we became -- that's when we became involved. At no point where public health --

(CROSSTALK)

KEILAR: Well, they said it was six -- they said it was 67. Are you are you taking issue?

They said it was 67 hours before your health department was physically on site and that there was actually a lot of lack of coordination between your health department in the home and other officials.

SHAH: In any outbreak and crisis situation, we can always improve the coordination between state, county, and federal officials. And many of those processes were in fact improved. But Brianna, to the question that you raise about what do Maine voters and what do Maine voters know and need to know about this situation?

During the course of my time as public health director in Maine, as well as during the course of the gubernatorial race, this issue has come up several times. And Maine voter -- including on the stage at one of the gubernatorial debates. And Maine voters have heard me discuss it since my very, very first moments ever setting foot in the state of Maine.

This issue has come up. Maine voters have internalized it. They know the facts.

More importantly, during the crisis of COVID, Maine voters saw me show up for them every single day, hundreds of times on TV, on the radio, and on social media talking about what was going on. Those are some of the lessons that I learned during the legionnaires crisis. The fact of the matter is, is that leadership in times of crisis is a challenge.

And I learned a lot during the legionnaires crisis. And I am a better leader for it. If what we demand are leaders who are unblemished, then what we will end up with are leaders who are untested.

I have been a tested leader, and I'm a better leader as a result.

KEILAR: Dan Kleban says he will not vote for Chuck Schumer to lead Senate Democrats. Will you?

SHAH: I'm not an automatic yes or an automatic no. And that's because what I want to do is meet with Senator Schumer to fundamentally talk about what the direction of this party is. Right now, what is the Democratic Party's values?

What do we stand for? What is our position on core issues of the day? We used to be the party of big, bold ideas, FDR and the New Deal, LBJ and the Great Society.

Right now, in many respects, our party stands in opposition to Donald Trump. But what is our affirmative vision for this country? Those are the conversations that I look forward to having with Senator Schumer as we move forward.

My goal right now, however, is making sure we are in the best position to defeat Susan Collins come November.

KEILAR: During his campaign, Graham Platner was trailing Senator Collins by more than 20 points with registered voters who did not have a four-year college degree.

[14:50:40]

That is actually better, though, than Democrats usually do in Maine. What is your plan to appeal to working-class Mainers?

SHAH: Well, what working-class Mainers are looking for are two things. A leader with progressive values that translate into improvements in their day-to-day lives. Things like actually moving toward Medicare for all, so that no one in the United States can go bankrupt because of the medical bill.

What independent and working-class voters are also looking for is someone coming from outside the political establishment. These are the two areas in which Graham and I have commonality. We are both progressives who come from outside of the political establishment.

That is what Maine voters are looking for right now. That's what I can deliver, and that is going to be the formula that we need to defeat Susan Collins come the fall.

KEILAR: Dr. Nirav Shah, thank you so much for taking time for us. Obviously, all eyes, disproportionately compared to how they normally are on Maine. So thanks for being with us.

SHAH: Thank you.

KEILAR: Spain is about to face Belgium for a spot in the World Cup semifinals. And up next, what to watch as the two European heavyweights collide on the pitch.

[14:55:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: A collision of two European powerhouses at the World Cup today. Spain looking to advance as one of the favorites to win it all.

SANCHEZ: And Belgium, fresh off its statement victory against the U.S. CNN's Patrick Snell is here. Patrick, Spain is yet to give up a goal during this tournament. How tough is this going to be for Belgium?

PATRICK SNELL, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: It's going to be extremely tough, Boris, no question about that. But I will say the Belgians are a team that are a growing force in this tournament. We saw the way in which they swatted aside Team USA in the previous round, winning that one comfortably in the end by four goals to one.

Much is made of their so-called golden generation that didn't really happen for the Belgians. You know, in 2014, they were quarterfinals 2018. They got to the semis and four years ago they were eliminated from the group stages. But they had a reprieve in this tournament when they stayed alive against Senegal. They really should have been eliminated in that match. When you reflect upon it, they got that reprieve.

They beat the USA 4-1. But they know how tough this is going to be, this match kicking off in about three and a half minutes from right now. Let's hear from their high-profile goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois ahead of the matchup today against the Spaniards.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THIBAUT COURTOIS, BELGIAN SOCCER GOALKEEPER: The most important is to win and to continue. And that's what we did. And Spain is a great team.

I think they are one of the favorites to win it. So obviously we start as an underdog against them. But I say football, everything is possible.

And I believe that we can win with all respect. But obviously they are the favorites.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNELL: They are. They won the World Cup back in 2010. That was 16 years ago, La Roja. They're led by teenage superstar Lamine Yamal as well. But they hadn't got any knockout wins under their belt since that 2010 triumph.

So the Spaniards as well, scrooge-like in defense, as you mentioned, Boris. They're on a 35-match unbeaten streak, which is incredible. That ties La Roja's men's national team record.

Yet to concede a goal. They will be brimming with confidence, no question, about this game in Southern California today. I'm fascinated to see how this all plays out.

The winner has a reward against Le Blanc France, who beat Morocco yesterday 2-0 the final score in that one. That's the first goal. And it's a stunning goal as well, isn't it, from Kylian Mbappe, which means now he's joint top scorer at this World Cup with a guy by the name of Lionel Messi in the race for the golden boot.

Le Blanc France looking to get to their third consecutive final and win this tournament for a third time as well to add to their 1998 triumph and their 2018 triumph on Russian soil as well. So can't wait. Starts in less than two minutes.

I know what I'm doing for the next couple of hours.

SANCHEZ: Watching CNN NEWS CENTRAL, at least.

SNELL: Well, yes, that too, of course.

KEILAR: He's getting paid to watch football.

SNELL: What was I thinking? What was I thinking? I'm bad.

KEILAR: Patrick Snell, thank you. He'll watch both, I'm sure.

SANCHEZ: Yes, two TVs.

KEILAR: Two TVs, yes.

So in marriage, there are mistakes that can test your relationship. And then there is what Garrett Jackknife Lee did. Lee is a well-known music producer.

Among the artists that he has worked with, a little-known songwriter named Taylor Swift. So last week, when the world watched as Swift tied the knot with her beau, Travis Kelce, or we didn't watch, right? But man, did we talk a lot about it, right?

SANCHEZ: There were reports from the exterior.

KEILAR: That's right. We were watching on the outside. But his wife, Lee's wife, Melissa, asked, huh, that's kind of weird. Like, why weren't we invited?

SANCHEZ: Yes, that's when her husband revealed a small, tiny mistake, an infraction, a boo-boo that he had made. Swift's manager had reached out to him by text, and he deleted it. He thought it was spam.

Melissa wrote about this in the Huffington Post in an article titled, quote, my husband deleted our invitation to Taylor Swift's wedding when he told me why I lost my mind. She writes, so let me get this straight. You mean to tell me that we were invited, and you didn't click on the invite?

Yes, he shrugged. I guess I thought someone was trying to hack my address book or something. Which is fair. That does happen, doesn't it?

KEILAR: Yes, you would think that if you thought she was having, like, an intimate affair with her family.