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Team USA Stunned By Portugal In Final Seconds; Al Jazeera Journalists Found Guilty; Report: Federal Officials Cancel Flights To Fly Nearly 300 Immigrants To California; White House Focuses On Working Families

Aired June 23, 2014 - 10:00   ET

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

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And it is an equalizer!

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COSTELLO: Oh, a devastating draw and a last second tie by Portugal that's got everybody talking this morning. Team USA now laser focused on the big match against Germany.

Plus, breaking overnight, Secretary of State John Kerry in Baghdad as more cities fall to terrorist control. He is expected to speak at any moment. Will Kerry be able to convince the prime minister to do the right thing?

And, why did it take three years to put serial sex offender, Jerry Sandusky, behind bars? A report is due out this hour looking at possible political motivations for slowing down the investigation.

Also Hillary's head-scratcher saying, she's not truly well off. She and Bill have made $100 million in the past 13 years. Can the self- appointed crusader for the 99 percent really connect with working America?

Good morning. I'm Carol Costello. Thanks so much for joining me. Team USA just under a minute away from clinching a spot in the next round of the World Cup when Portugal went on a push in the final seconds scoring a key goal that tied the game. Here's a look at the key moments of the game that many of you are still talking about.

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UNIDENTIFIED ANNOUNCER: Can they do something here? It's Cristiano Ronaldo. It's a great cross. It's an equalizer.

TIM HOWARD, TEAM USA, GOAL KEEPER: Unfortunately, I don't think Portugal took us down. We let ourselves down. That's kind of a good sign because had we gotten torn apart.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was really an effort from all 11 players and the guys who came on, we'll have to continue for the next game. We're OK. We're confident and excited to go into the next game. (END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Yes, as you can see, fans are still excited as well because it isn't over yet. Team USA lives on to fight another day. Chris Cuomo is live in Rio Janeiro. Rachel Nichols is live in New York. Welcome to both of you. I want to head out to Rio and start with Chris though. What an exciting place to be?

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR, "NEW DAY": Carol, this play is amazing any time you are here. But especially when you are talking about football because in Brazil, they call themselves the country of football. They (inaudible) -- it's a way of live here. They have a game here like volleyball, but they play with their feet.

To host the World Cup and have all these different nations, countless flags here coming together in the spirit of fair play and sport, it's a beautiful thing. For the U.S., there are so many supporters down here. Second to Brazil, the U.S., they sold the most tickets for this. So it's growing there.

Last night was a huge game. I think the biggest goal of the whole game even though Portugal tied it up there at the end, was Jermaine Jones goal that tied it up the game originally that the U.S. needed something desperately and he gave it to them. Here's what he had to say to me about the game.

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JERMAINE JONES, TEAM USA MIDFIELDER: The players was talking and saying we have to shoot more, and some players come to me and say Jermaine, you always shoot in training, try to shoot. Yes, I shoot, and we celebrate.

CUOMO: You did celebrate and rightfully so. So we were hearing about the heat. There was the first water break called in the tournament because of the heat. What was it like, the conditions in the field?

JONES: The conditions was really hot, but the team show faith and, yes, we not 100 percent lucky that we already finished the group that we can say we be done for the next round, so we still have to go against Germany.

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CUOMO: So that's what he had to say, Carol, and he was the man of the match last night. But I think it shows that this team got a lot of confidence from that match last night, even though they actually wanted the victory.

COSTELLO: He was so calm. I would be a little more passionate and angry if I were him. But he's a better soccer player than I am. Rachel, what does Team USA have to do advance to the next round now, now that they've tied?

RACHEL NICHOLS, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: The simplest thing is win and you are in. There's a lot of other scenarios in which they can still advance. They have better than even odds no matter what happens. They could tie, have a draw. Then they will automatically go to the next round.

They could lose this game and there are still a bunch of other scenarios, including a Portugal and Ghana draw that would advance the U.S. to the next round. So they have good odds going forward. Of course, the fact that a tie game against Germany will get them in that match that's already causing conspiracy theories, Carol, because of course, Jurgen Klinsmann, the coach of the U.S. team used to coach the German team.

There is five German-Americans on the USA team and we've seen before in World Cup play. In 1982 in Spain, we saw an extremely suspect match where it was to both team's advantage to have a certain result and that result strangely happened with players not giving their all. A lot of eyes will be on this. The players and coaches say there's no validity to this at all.

COSTELLO: If Team USA and Germany tie, they both advance so that's the conspiracy theory. What are you hearing in Rio about that, Chris?

CUOMO: It's a lot of yip yap about it. It's more of a free association because it's sport, you know, if you're yip yapping like that about an election or something, I think it comes with a little bit more need for substance behind it and again, as Rachel pointed out, there is this kind of controversy in the past, World Cup to give a little credence to it. When you look at the U.S. disposition, they want to win.

They are all about earning it. They have done the whole way the hard way. I think I would stick to what happens on the field and taking it for what it is. I mean, you know, there's really no reason to believe it will go any other way. It's interesting, wow, they tied Portugal. The U.S. is really in good shape.

The U.S. everybody is like they could have won and not. Now they are their way out. We are so fickle in the U.S. You know, you're a hero and then you're a goat. It's like up, down, up, down.

COSTELLO: That's we are. Rachel Nichols, Chris Cuomo, thanks to both of you.

Despite international outrage, three al Jazeera journalists accused of aiding the Muslim Brotherhood have been found guilty. In a tensed courtroom, a judge sentenced two of the two journalists to seven years in prison, the other to 10 years. The three men and the al Jazeera Network have steadfastly denied all charges, which also include spreading false news and endangering national security.

Joining me now for more host of CNN's "RELIABLE SOURCES," Brian Stelter and CNN correspondent, Ian Lee, who is live in Cairo. Welcome to both of you. Ian, I understand you spoke to the brother of one of the convicted journalists. What did he tell you?

IAN LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Really what a lot of people are feeling here and that is shock. Shock by this verdict, going into the courthouse today, talking to the defense lawyers, talking to the family members of the defendants. They were hoping that there would be -- there would be an acquittal, but talking to one of the journalist's brother. This is what he had to say.

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MIKE GRESTE, BROTHER OF CONVICTED JOURNALIST: We're at the loss for words, and perplexed, disappointed. You know, it's beyond our comprehension really. We're just struggling to pick ourselves off the mat. But we're determined to continue to fight for Peter's innocence and we'll have to decide where we go to from here.

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LEE: And that was me interviewing him outside the courthouse just a little bit earlier today. One of things that really has come into question is the evidence. The evidence the prosecution brought forth, they said, ties these journalists to their charges of aiding a terrorist organization as well as spreading false news, and I want to give you a sense of what the evidence they presented was.

One of them was footage was a trotting horse that was aired by Sky News Arabia, a BBC podcast as well as a documentary from the BBC, all of this was presented as evidence in the trial against these journalists even though it has actually nothing to do with them.

Looking forward, what are their options? They can appeal this, but they are likely to appeal it, but in Egypt, the appeal process takes a long time, months, if not over a year. There's also the option of a presidential pardon although we haven't heard anything from the president's office yet.

COSTELLO: So Brian, why is this happening? Al Jazeera says these men were just reporting the news and they are paying a price for it in Egypt?

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: They seem to be political pawns in a game that's happening between Egypt and Qatar. Al Jazeera is funded by Qatar, and Qatar is perceived to be supportive of the Muslim Brotherhood, which is the group that is banned in Egypt. They were classified as a terrorist group in Egypt.

Now only a few days after that ban came into effect in December, these men were arrested in their hotel where they were working on stories just like many other journalists. They were taken away to prison.

When I asked the parents of Peter Greste the other day, if they thought their son was a political prisoner, they said that was a fair phrase. That they feel that he's been kidnapped by Egypt and as we learn today, he unfortunately may be there a while longer.

COSTELLO: Brian Stelter, Ian Lee, thanks to both of you. We're keeping a close eye on the U.S. Supreme Court where some major decisions could be announced any moment with the 2013 term ending a week from today. The Supreme Court will issue decisions on three days this week. The topics range from presidential powers to free speech writes of protesters outside of abortion clinics, and more. I'll keep you posted

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, a sudden surge in illegal immigration at the U.S. border. Now some critics are taking aim at the White House for not putting enough focus here at home to curb the problem.

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COSTELLO: As federal officials beef up security at the Texas border to deal with the recent surge of illegal immigrants, border patrol officials have reportedly axed plans at least for now to fly nearly 300 Central American immigrants from South Texas to California for processing. It's unclear why the flights were canceled.

This is happening on the same day the Texas Governor Rick Perry prepares to tour a federal facility where children who have crossed the border without their parents have been given shelter. Let's dig deeper with CNN's Rosa Flores. She is in New York this morning. Good morning.

ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, good morning. You know that saying, don't mess with Texas, well, Governor Rick Perry taking that to heart today. Of course, saying that Texas is not waiting for Washington to do something about the border. Texas taking it into its own hands to secure the border.

Now, Governor Rick Perry will be visiting a facility in Texas today. This facility houses unaccompanied minors. Let me tell you why that facility is significant. It's in the Rio Grande Valley. According to Customs and Border Protection, about 47,000 unaccompanied minors crossed into the U.S. in the southwest border this fiscal year.

Now 33,000 of those crossed through the Rio Grande sector. You heard that right. It's the same area that Governor Rick Perry will be visiting. He will also be getting a briefing from the Texas Department of Public Safety on the surge, which is the increased law enforcement efforts along the border that Texas has promised to make spending $1.3 million a week to make sure that border is secure.

Now, the White House, of course, also promising aid to Central America and that is not sitting well with some Texas politicians. Now, take a look. Here is some of that money that is going to Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

Millions of dollars for security, at risk youth, crime prevention as well among other things. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott had this to say about that aid that's going to Central America.

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GREG ABBOTT (R), TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL: We have these needs right here in Texas right now. This humanitarian need and yet Vice President Biden was in Central America announcing almost $100 million of funds for Central American countries as opposed to spending a single dime helping out the humanitarian effort that we need here in Texas or spending any money to help secure the border here in Texas.

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FLORES: So what is Texas doing? It plans to spend $1.3 million a week to secure the border to flood it with law enforcement and technology to make sure that area is safe. They are not releasing their exact plan for this surge that they call it, and that, of course, is for obvious reasons.

COSTELLO: I know that you had a chance to speak with some of the families of these children who are here alone in this country. What are they telling you?

FLORES: You know, they do tell me that one of most difficult things is family separation. Dealing with family separation. I actually met a 15-year-old girl who was trying to make her way to the United States to meet up with her mother and she told me, I have not seen my mother in eight years. The only thing that I want to do is I just want to reunite with my mother.

That mother, of course, reportedly paid someone to get her daughter to the U.S., which is other point that I wanted to make, Carol. One of dangers of this crisis is that a lot of people are paying thousands of dollars to these coyotes.

These are unscrupulous people who are smuggling minors from country to country to try to get them into the United States. It's a real crisis not only for governments, but also for people just emotionally as try to reunite with their families.

COSTELLO: Rosa Flores reporting live for us this morning. Still to come in the NEWSROOM, as terrorists march toward Baghdad, America's top diplomat goes there to discuss Iraq's best defense. John Kerry says it doesn't involve guns or bullets either. We'll talk about that next.

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COSTELLO: Checking some top stories for you at 21 minutes past. Australian officials are expected to announce a new search area in the hunt for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. Experts say additional analysis of the plane's satellite data could move the primary search zone hundreds of kilometers south. Two hundred thirty nine people were on board when the plane disappeared in March. So far, nothing has been found.

In just a matter of hours, Republican lawmaker, Darrell Issa, will get his chance to grill the commissioner of the IRS. The House is expected to hold a hearing on the recent IRS controversy involving missing emails and allegations that targeted the Tea Party. Earlier this month, the IRS informed Congress that emails from former IRS official, Lois Lerner had vanished because Lerner's hard drive crashed.

The Honda Fit and CRV are among nearly three million vehicles being recalled because of faulty airbags. Japanese automakers including Mazda and Nissan say the glitch could pose a fire risk to the driver and passengers. The announcement comes as auto giant General Motors faces increased scrutiny over driver's safety because of a delayed recall over a faulty ignition switch.

An estimated six out of ten American households with children is led by parents who work and today the Obama administration is putting a spotlight on those families in an attempt to help them strike a better balance between work and home. It's all part of the White House summit on working families. Vice President Joe Biden opening the day long event will feature panelists from Wall Street, Congress and the academe. Kate Bolduan talked with the president about it.

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KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR, "NEW DAY": You know this, but you talk to ten different people, you are going to get ten different challenges they face to succeed at both. What are the three things that you would like to see companies, employers businesses do to make it work? Because you know those priorities don't always align.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Yes, there are some things that we know will make a difference in people's lives. Paid family leave. We're the only advanced country on earth that doesn't have it. It doesn't make any sense. You know, this is not just a women's issue. The most precious memories that I'll ever have is when my first daughter was born, I was lucky enough that my schedule allowed me to take that first month off.

And staying up at 2:00 in the morning and feeding her and burping her and creates a bond that is irreplaceable and a lot of companies are already doing it and it's working and Michelle and I have talked about this. You know, when we knew that employers had our backs and were willing to give us flexibility to look after family, that made us want to work harder for that employer.

Even if it meant taking work home with us. So we have unpaid family leave right now but for a whole lot of families, it means they can't use it because they just can't afford it. Number two, workplace flexibility. If I've got a parent teacher conference, you know, we always say that we want parents involved in our kids' education.

There are millions of families out there who can't even imagine taking time off to go to a parent-teachers conference. And then third thing is the issue of childcare. You know, we don't do a very good job providing high quality, affordable childcare and there are a lot of countries, a lot of our competitors do it.

That means it's a lot easier for women to be in the workforce and not have to make choices that ultimately mean they are in some cases getting paid less or having less opportunities. I should add on that list equal pay for equal work. We've done some things administratively on that front. That shouldn't be a women's issue. I always wanted to make sure Michelle made sure she was getting paid fairly, when she brought her paycheck home that went into the overall pot to help us pay our bills.

BOLDUAN: Republicans will be critical of some of the initiatives --

PRESIDENT OBAMA: I think that's fair to say. BOLDUAN: It's no secret --

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Shocking.

BOLDUAN: It's no secret that Democrats midterm election strategy is to pitch to women to get the women to come out to vote. They have said that.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Yes.

BOLDUAN: Is this all politics?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: I was raised by a single mom who had to work, go to school, raise two kids. It didn't come from a wealthy family. We were helped by my grandparents and the primary breadwinner there was my grandma who never got a college education, but work her way up from a secretary to being a vice president of the bank, but also hit a glass ceiling.

I've got a strong, successful wife who I remember being reduced to tears sometimes because she configure out how to juggle everything she was going and I've got two daughters that I care about more than anything in the world, and so this is personal for me and I think it's personal for a lot of people.

This is not just a women's issue. It's a middle class issue and an American issue. I would welcome a bipartisan effort with ideas coming from the private sector and from Republicans and from Democrats and, you know, from non-profits and faith community about how we make sure that we're supporting families and reducing their stress.

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COSTELLO: First Lady Michelle Obama and the vice president's wife, Jill Biden also participating in this day long summit.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, did the Jerry Sandusky investigation take too long, was it properly handled? A new report coming out in minutes. We'll talk about it after a break.

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