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Outrage Over Journalists' Guilty Verdicts; Bowe Berdahl Granted Outpatient Status; Legal Protections For U.S. Advisers In Iraq; World Cup Frenzy Builds For Team Mexico; Money, Inequality And Hillary Clinton

Aired June 23, 2014 - 15:30   ET

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

BRIAN STELTER, CNN HOST, CNN'S "RELIABLE SOURCES": There were high spirits this morning when this verdict was about to be read. These journalists believe they were going to be coming home.

But they have now been sentenced to seven years in prison each, and one of the three is actually sentenced to ten years, had an additional three years because he had one souvenir bullet in his pocket from a story he had covered in the past. It is -- it's outrageous.

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: The White House weighing in today condemning this. What does someone need to do to get them out?

STELTER: The White House incoming press secretary, Josh Earnest, said that this flouts the most basic standards of media freedom. He condemned it about strongly as he could. Secretary of State John Kerry did the same thing today and he urged the new president of Egypt to consider pardoning these three journalists as well as so many of the other prisoners who have been held and who have been tried in what feel like sham trials.

The reality of this is it feels like a geopolitical battle between Egypt and Qatar. Qatar is the country that funds Al Jazeera. It is perceived to be supportive of the Muslim Brotherhood, which is a group that Egypt has denounced as being a terrorist group, which has been banned in Egypt. This terrible tug of war between these two countries and the journalists are stuck in the middle.

BALDWIN: Stuck in the middle. Brian Stelter, thank you so much for the update on those journalists. Let's follow this one. Thank you.

A 167 journalists, I should mentioned, are imprisoned around the world. This is according to this wonderful organization called "Reporters Without Borders." Another 28 killed this year along for simply doing their job, reporting the news.

Coming up next, a major announcement today by the Iraqi government that opens the door for U.S. military advisers to enter the country. We have more on that.

And Bowe Bergdahl seems to be making progress, albeit, it is slow, it is steady after five years in captivity with the Taliban. Cautious doctors say he can now take the first tentative steps towards freedom.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Just past the bottom of the hour, you're watching CNN. I'm Brooke Baldwin. New information today on Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. He has a new status, outpatient. Bergdahl was moved over the weekend to an outpatient facility in Texas to continue his reintegration process. Up until now, he had been receiving inpatient care at the Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

So let's go to CNN's Ed Lavandera live with a little bit more on this. When we say outpatient, Ed, what exactly do we mean?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is the next step in what the army officials had been calling the reintegration process for Bowe Bergdahl. Since he had returned from Germany to San Antonio there at Fort Sam Houston. He was at the Brook Army Medical Center. He had been basically in what was a hospital room without a television set, very limited number of people around him, psychologists and medical team treating him.

But now he's moved to a different part of Fort Sam Houston and Army officials there won't say much about his current living conditions. They do say that more people, he's being introduced to more people and things are slowly starting to change, but he is still very much part of the reintegration. It's the next small step forward for him.

BOLDUAN: You know, I was reading some of the e-mail guidance from you and your team, and I think one of the officials that you were quoting said, if he, at this point, even wants to have dinner out or go to a movie, he could.

LAVANDERA: He could. That was one of the things I was interested in. One of the things that you think about is someone like Bowe Bergdahl, as much attention as he's received here in the last month or so, he's still in the San Antonio area. If he wanted to walk down to the river walk in San Antonio, take a stroll or go see a movie, we asked the Army officials there, if he could do that.

Basically what I was told is he could. He would have to ask for it and then his reintegration team around him would have to decide whether or not he was ready for that sort of thing. If they said yes, they could make that happen. It wouldn't be something that he would do on his own. It's not like you're going to see Bowe Bergdahl walking the streets of San Antonio by himself, but he would have people with him.

They say that's part of the process of slowly getting back into regular society. More importantly, because that seems like a far- fetched deal. He's still a U.S. soldier and still has the command structure that he has to answer to. So reintegrating him to that part of it seems to be the part that's taking place now.

BOLDUAN: OK. Ed, thank you for the update.

Now this developing story out of the Pentagon at this hour where there's new information about the legal protections that will be given to those U.S. military advisers who are heading to Iraq. CNN Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr is standing by with more on that. So these legal protections, Barbara, I know it's been a sticking point in the past. What's the Pentagon telling you?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Here is where we are, Brooke. You'll remember last week, President Obama said he was prepared to send up to 300 military advisers to Iraq because of this emerging crisis there. But they weren't going just yet, because the U.S. had to reach an agreement with the Iraqis to provide legal immunity for any U.S. troops going as these military advisers, very standard procedure.

It's their legal protection so that if they get into trouble, they're under the U.S. justice system, not the Iraqi justice system. Very typical, but it took a few days to work it all out. Now it has been worked out. So what will happen next, we are told, is they will start -- the Pentagon will start assembling essentially six 12-man teams and they will start working in the coming days in Iraq.

What will these military advisers do? They will start out in the Baghdad area we're told, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the Iraqi security forces around the capital because in this crisis with these militants on the move, this is what the real crisis is right now. Can the Iraqi forces hold the capital? And that's part of what the U.S. troops are going to look at -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: So with the news of the legal immunity meaning these Americans wouldn't be thrown in Iraqi jails, might this pave the way perhaps down the road for a larger U.S. military presence in Iraq?

STARR: The Pentagon and the White House have been adamant, no. It will simply be up to 300 military advisers. Look, as they assess, they're also going to be looking at those militants, what do they have, how are they on the move, what do they threaten? Make no mistake, the U.S. intelligence community still gathering intelligence on the ISIS militants and still the option, the option of air strikes against them is out there.

That has not been taken off the table. So this is, assess the Iraqis, see what you can do to get them to get back into the fight and save their country and assess the militants and see what might need to be done, what could be done to stop their march and especially their march towards Bagdad -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: Barbara Starr, thank you, at the Pentagon for us this afternoon.

Now to this, listen a lot of Americans including myself, capturing a little World Cup fever, but some have had it much longer than the last two weeks. Mexican American fans can't wait to see their team play, minutes away. CNN's Nick Valencia is with them in Atlanta. Hi, Nick.

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Brooke, yes, we're at the epicenter for Latino culture where fans are slowly starting trickling in. Fan base here is a little bias. We'll bring you a preview of the match after the break. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Brazil may have had home-field advantage when it comes to the World Cup. The excitement for Team Mexico is boiling over not just in Brazil, but also here in the United States. We're mere minutes away from Mexico versus Croatia.

CNN's national reporter, Nick Valencia is live with some fans gearing up for the big game. Nick, I'll tell you, I lived and studied in Mexico City during the World Cup back into '90s, we got out of school to watch these matches.

VALENCIA: Well, full disclosure, being from north east L.A., I think I have a bias in this game as well. So do the fan base here. About 500 people are expected to turn out here. This is the epicenter of Latino culture in Atlanta. Twenty TVs around this mall area, Brooke. Right beside me is the biggest TV screen they have here. Why the excitement? Why the turnout for Mexican fans?

Well, despite the uncertainty coming into this World Cup, all the drama surrounding Team Mexico, they almost didn't qualify, had to have a home at home series in order to qualify for the World Cup. They've been energized by one goaltender, Guillermo, a national hero after his performance against Brazil.

That's why the excitement, the reenergized base here. He is going to have to be on his A game, Brooke, because Croatia is a fast-paced, energetic team. Mexico, one of the only teams in this World Cup, that has not allowed a goal so far. Croatia hopes to break that streak. Today's game starts at 4 p.m. Eastern -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: Nick, I'm looking at everyone behind you, everyone is so calm and quiet. Are they gearing up for the screams?

VALENCIA: Let's ask them. (Inaudible).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Inaudible) Princess.

VALENCIA: It's a Chihuahua, obviously a Mexican fan. This crowd is saving their energy for the start of the game. They're very nervous about this Croatian team, again, fast-paced energetic team, right now the rival that Mexico has. A lot of trash talk between these two teams over the weekend with Croatia's defender coming out and saying that Mexico should be the team that's nervous.

That they -- despite the performance of Guillermo against Brazil, they faced much better goaltenders so they're starting to sling the mud early here with this fan base. They are getting ready, Brooke, we're all excited.

BALDWIN: Nick Valencia, thank you so much. Have fun watching the match. Good luck.

Coming up next, she has not announced a run for president, but Hillary Clinton's finances are definitely under the microscope. More specifically what she is saying about her pennies, nickels and dimes. She's feeling the heat about recent comments about her bank account and this is not the first time.

By the way, Vice President Joe Biden chimed in today on his own finances. Was this a stealth attack on Hillary Clinton? Was he just talking about working on money? We'll put it all in context for you next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Hillary Clinton, OK, so she says yes, she and her husband have made a lot of money since leaving the White House, but she insists she's still one of us. In this interview with British newspaper "The Guardian," Hillary Clinton was asked how she could relate to Americans dealing with growing income equality.

So in her words, she said this, they don't see me as part of the problem because we pay ordinary income tax unlike a lot of people who are truly well off. Not to name names. We've done it through dint of hard work. What did she mean by that? Whose name is she not naming?

Let's talk about that with CNN political analyst, John Avlon, editor- in-chief of "The Daily Beast." John Avlon, always a pleasure.

JOHN AVLON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Brooke, always a pleasure.

BALDWIN: The Clintons have made more than $100 million since leaving the White House. So she is definitely well off. What was she -- what was she trying to say there?

AVLON: Yes, you know, just plain folks. You know, I think the thing is when you've been running for president and secretary of state, your husband's the president, first of all, you left normal folks a long, long time ago. If you're spending a lot of time with billionaires, being sent a millionaire just feels like you're somehow deprived and you got to count your cash.

It does speak to the sort of bubble that you inevitably live in when you're playing in these worlds. I think the real emphasis what my client meant to say as her lawyer might argue is that she and Bill Clinton are self-made. But it certainly does sound tone deaf.

And given some previous comments, there is a narrative that certainly some folks who are excited to start the 2016 race ahead can't wait to hit on her with income equality being a major issue not just in the United States, but in the Democratic Party.

BALDWIN: Yes, we've seen this in potential 2016 race and obviously races in the past, sort of this reality gap. These people do live in these alternate sort of stratospheres financially speaking. Then you have the Vice President Joe Biden who has definitely played the "I'm every man" kind of card and he was at it again this morning. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Don't hold it against me that I don't own a single stock or bond. I have no savings account, but I got a great pension and I get a good salary. And -- for real, for real. Sometimes we talk about this stuff about struggle. My struggle, my God, compared to where I grew up and the way people are trying to go through things now. Here's the point I want to make. I've been really, really fortunate.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: So again, just perspective, this is all part of this workplace initiative summit on behalf of the Obamas and Joe Biden opening it up this morning. But he again is another name that's been thrown out as a possible presidential candidate. What's going on there?

AVLON: Well, there's definitely a contrast. You know, Joe Biden has the virtue of truth on his back in this one. He was out washing his Camaro just before making those comments. He really does only have 15,000 in a savings account. He was the least wealthy senator before being tapped to the Obama ticket. It's been a major theme in his career.

He's never been a guy who certainly didn't come from wealth and he's been in public service really since he was barely 30. He has never developed the kind of wealth you do when these folks cash out and make $100,000 speeches. That's part of his charm. Got to love him.

BALDWIN: Charming, yes, but whoever it is in this different stratosphere they live in, how much do the voters really care when these folks say I'm just like you when it comes to finances?

AVLON: Hypocrisy is the unforgivable sin in politics, when people pretend to be something they're not, it offends folks. Given the country still is coming out of the great recession and income inequality is an urgent issue for many folks, if it rings falls, if you get in the Romney moments in the past where they didn't remember how many houses they had and tried to play plain folks, it's not going to work. It's a line you have to walk. It's a little bit of political judo we're seeing in the opening pregame skirmishes to 2016 trying to get potential candidates off their game.

BALDWIN: Let the Judo continue. John Avlon, we'll be talking about it. Thank you so much for joining me this afternoon. And have you seen this video, this man and daughter? Father and daughter come home? See a couple of robbers. What do they do, hop in the car, and chase them down. Stay with me.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Let me emphasize police say don't do this, OK? A Houston father and daughter come home to see robbers driving away from their home with a truckful of their stuff. What do they do? Watch this from Tim Wexal and our Houston affiliate, KHOU.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TIM WEXAL, HOUSTON REPORTER (voice-over): With a cell phone camera rolling they drove after the suspects. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good. Stop them. Wow. Wow.

WEXAL: They crash once and then alleged burglars through their truck into reverse and crashed into them again.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No way. OK. OK.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dad, what do I do?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. Just start it, baby. Start it.

WEXAL: This doctor and his daughter decide to keep on going.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm proud of my daughter. My daughter, Elaina is a tough one and a very, very hard-nosed girl.

WEXAL: They chase the men for several more miles and the suspects turn around and aim it right at them.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just like into the movies. They're coming at us. We need a witness. We need a witness.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: Yikes. By the way, Dad and daughter are OK. They caught two of the bad guys, the third one got away. With that, I say goodbye. I'm Brooke Baldwin. Let's go to Washington. John Berman in for Jake Tapper.