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Democrats Stepping Up Their Calls For Impeachment Of President Trump Following A Growing Whistleblower Scandal; Democrats Have Surge For Senator Elizabeth Warren; Horror Scene In Pittsburgh; Former NFL Player Antonio Brown Unleashing On Social Media Saying That He Is Done With The League. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired September 22, 2019 - 14:00   ET

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

[14:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:00:16] MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN HOST: Hello there. Thanks for joining me. I'm Martin Savidge in for Fredricka Whitfield.

We are going to begin this hour with Democrats stepping up their calls for the impeachment of President Trump following a growing whistleblower scandal. A new push comes as the President faces an uproar over reports that he pushed the president of Ukraine to investigate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden's son during a call in July.

As the White House continues to resist Democrat's demands to release a transcript of the conversation, House speaker Nancy Pelosi released a statement a short time ago to all House members, if the administration persists in blocking the contents of the whistleblower complaints quote "it will be entering a grave new chapter of lawlessness," unquote.

Some Democrats in Congress now say impeachment maybe their only option if the administration refuses to make of the contents of that call public.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. ADAM SCHIFF (D-CA), CHAIRMAN, INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: I don't know if the whistleblower complaint is on this allegation, but if it is, and even if it isn't, why doesn't the President just say release the whistleblower complaint?

If the President is withholding military aide at the same time he is trying to browbeat a foreign leader to do something illicit that is providing dirt on his opponent during a Presidential campaign, then that may be the only remedy that is co-equal to the evil that conduct represents.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: Today the President once again defended his call with the Ukrainian leader, describing that conversation as perfect and admitted that he raised questions about the former vice President during the call.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is it OK with the Ukrainian government releasing their version of the transcript?

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, I think their version would be the same as our version. I mean, they would be identical. But they did. They did put out a statement last night. And in the statement they said it was a very, very fine conversation. And there was no pressure, no nothing. That was not pressure. That was not pressure I know when I give pressure, and that was not pressure.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: We should note that according to the Ukrainian prosecutor, there is no evidence of wrongdoing by either Joe or Hunter Biden.

For more now, let's bring in CNN White House correspondent Boris Sanchez. He is traveling with the President. And he has got a briefing on the floods in Houston. And Boris joins the -- rather, the President joins the prime minister on India in Raleigh and Boris joins me.

Hello, Boris, what did you got?

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hey, there, Martin. This is really present event. Some 50,000 people lined up to listen to prime minister Mr. Modi of India. He is actually speaking right now. A very warm words for President Trump. President Trump spoke for a short time touting the strength of the American economy saying no one who has been in the White House has been a better friend to India.

All of this overshadowing these growing calls for impeachment and this accusation that President Trump potentially influence the leader of Ukrainian to try to investigate a potential 2020 rival in Joe Biden. Of course, before the President deported the White House (INAUDIBLE), he was asked about this. He said as you heard there that the conversation is totally appropriate. And he specifically said that he wanted to the tape, a transcript of their conversation released. Despite that, officials in his own administration disagree.

Here is treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin and secretary of state Mike Pompeo.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: But with all of that being said, we had a very great conversation, very straight, very honest conversation. I hope they can put it out.

STEVE MNUCHIN, SECRETARY OF TREASURY: I think that will be a terrible precedent. Conversations between world leaders are meant to be confidential. And if every time someone for political reasons raised a question and all of a sudden those conversations were disclosed publicly, and when you disclose them to Congress, lots of times they leak to the press, then why would world leaders want to have conversations together?

MIKE POMPEO, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: We don't release transcripts often. It's a rare case. Those are private conversation. And it would not be appropriate to do so even in the most extreme circumstances. There is no evidence that would be appropriate.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Now Martin, President Trump is going (INAUDIBLE) headed to Ohio to tour a factory with an Australian prime minister. Then he heads to New York to take part in the United Nations general assembly. It is worth point out yet again, there is no evidence of any wrong doing by Joe Biden or his son Hunter -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: Boris, what the President's allies in Congress saying about all f this?

SANCHEZ: Well, I actually spoke to one of them, senator Cornyn who is at this event. I asked specifically if he felt that Congress should have access to that whistleblower statement. He seemed optimistic. Listen to more what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[14:05:01] SANCHEZ: The whistleblower complaint. A number of Democrats have demanded access to that complaint. Do you believe it should be handed over to Congress?

SEN. JOHN CORNYN (R), TEXAS: Well, I think we will get access tot hat information in due course. But I am a little trouble that apparently some of the initial reports came from somebody who didn't have firsthand knowledge. And then it sort of took off like wildfire with a lot of speculation. I would rather to wait until we get access to the real information to make a judgment, but I'm on the senate select committee on intelligence. And I'm sure as part of their oversight responsibilities, we will get access to the information and find out what the facts are.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Martin, I also asked him if he thought it was appropriate for Rudy Giuliani, the President's personal attorney, to lobby the Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden. He said he wanted to wait until he had all the facts. And he didn't want speak to Rudy Giuliani -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: Boris Sanchez, thank you very much, talking to us from Houston.

So what just are the legal implication of President Trump's call with the Ukrainian president? For that I'm join by Michael Zeldin. He is a former special assistant for Robert Mueller at the justice department. Good to see you, sir.

MICHAEL ZELDIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Good morning. Good afternoon, I guess.

SAVIDGE: It is.

Clearly, this phone call, this conversation appears that it may have been improper, at least asking a foreign government a political rival. But is it illegal?

ZELDIN: It depends on what was asked. If the conversation were -- if you want foreign aide, clean up your house. That's appropriate and there's nothing illegal about it. If it was clean up your house, and in addition, we want to know about Ukrainian interference in the 2016 presidential election, allegations there are about that. I think that is also appropriate. If, however, the conversation is, clean up your house, give us the 2016 information and also give us information about the Bidens which we can use in our presidential reelection campaign and work with our private attorney Rudy Giuliani about that, that is probably an abuse of power of the office and may violate extortion statutes in the United States.

SAVIDGE: And what about the specific of if President Trump promised to provide foreign aid or maybe deny foreign aid depending on if information or dirt was provided about the Biden family? How would that change things?

ZELDIN: Well, first of all, if you solicit a foreign actor for things of value, which opposition research is what this would be, in a sense, that violates campaign finance laws. If under the color of authority of your office, you say, unless you do this, give me the dirt, I won't give you the Senate-approved appropriations for your committee, that's a bit of a extortion-like shakedown and that could violate that statute.

It's a stretch, but the camp aid finance thing seems much more clear. And the abuse of office, the impeachable offense stuff that's been talked about all day today, is where that derives from. So it could be illegal but an abuse of office at the same time.

SAVIDGE: Yes, interesting.

Michael Zeldin, thank you so much for joining us.

ZELDIN: My pleasure.

SAVIDGE: All right. Let's talk about the politics of this now.

Elena Plot is a White House correspondent at 'the Atlantic" and a CNN political analyst. Also with me is Peter Beinart who is a contributing editor for 'the Atlantic" and a CNN political commentator. Thank you both for being here.

ELENA PLOT, WHIT HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, THE ATLANTIC: Thanks, Martin. SAVIDGE: Elana, let me start with you. Should the President be

concerned about this new round of impeachment talk if the White House doesn't share the whistleblower content with Congress and doesn't make a transcript of the call public?

PLOT: I certainly think that Adam Schiff's comments this morning on the "STATE OF THE UNION," I think it was, with Jake Tapper that, you know, he does believe that we have crossed the Rubicon, in a sense that, you know, he has been wary to call for impeachment in the past. But if this whistleblower complaints are made public and are the extent to which reports suggest they are, that you know, this would be kind of the rallying cry that Democrats need to finally move forward with impeachment.

However, I do think Nancy Pelosi's statement, as it has in the past, you know, with many of these so-called impeachable offenses that some Democrats like Jerry Nadler rallied around, she even said, you know, this may be a new stage in our investigation. But once again, she went shy of calling for impeachment.

So I do think it's up to Democrats at this point in a political sense if they do believe this is something they want to pursue in terms of impeachment. They have to keep the public engaged in this, right. Because the problem with the Mueller probe is that because attorney general Bill Barr got the first word, it was in many ways the final word, that the President was totally exonerated.

And so in this specific case, Democrats, I do think, are trying to learn from past mistakes and make sure that the public stays engaged with this as something they should take seriously.

[14:10:16] SAVIDGE: Well, you mentioned, Congressman Adam Schiff. And let's play that soundbite for the people out here. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCHIFF: This would be I think the most profound violation of the presidential oath of office certainly during this presidency, which says a lot, but perhaps during just about any presidency. There is no privilege that covers corruption. There is no privilege to engage in underhanded discussions.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: Peter, do you -- what do you make of what the congressman said? Do you agree with that?

PETER BEINART, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Look, as a moral and ethical question, I think there is no question that this justifies a serious inquiry which could potentially lead to impeachment. I mean, the simple fact that the President talked to a foreign leader and asked him, apparently, to investigate Trump's political rival, even if you can't prove a quid pro quo, the fact that we kind of expect quid pro quo from military aid is basically a sign of how much Trump has degraded the moral discourse already. For any other president, simply bring up an investigation of your political rival and inviting a foreign government to do that would itself be really almost unimaginable.

But as a political matter, the math remains the math in Congress, which is that unless Republicans do something that Republicans have not been willing to do since Donald Trump took office, which is put their own political careers on the line in defense of the country and the constitution, which they have so far overwhelmingly shown themselves too cowardly to do, the Democrats just don't have the numbers for impeachment.

SAVIDGE: Elana, this is a complicated story as it were to understand all of the moving parts here. So do you think this is going to remain or will it becoming larger an issue in the election of 2020, not only, you know, for the President but of course for his challengers as well?

PLOT: You know, Martin, I remember in early 2018, I'm being asked on another show on this network whether Stormy Daniels and potential campaign violations would be an issue in the midterms. And of course by the time we got there, you know, Kavanaugh and his confirmation hearings were sort of dominating discussions around mid terms midterms.

So I do think in this presidency, to say something is happening right now over a year out from the election will remain kind of top of mind is so entirely difficult to say. But to go back to my earlier point, that's why I do think, you know, you have Democrats on the hill in both the upper and lower chambers, you know, talking seriously now about how do they keep this topic top of mind, not just heading into 2020 but for pursuing potential impeachment proceedings?

SAVIDGE: Peter, real quick, we are almost out of time. How do you think this benefits Joe Biden?

BEINART: I think it actually hurts Joe Biden in the sense that Democrats now know that the supposed bribe and corruption would be a major Trump talking point. I think it would make them look to some of the alternatives like Elizabeth Warren who wouldn't have this hanging over her head. Irrespective of whether if there is something there there. So far we have no evidence that there is.

SAVIDGE: Yes, fascinating point.

Peter Beinart and Elana Plot, thank you both for joining me.

PLOT: Thank you.

BEINART: Thanks.

SAVIDGE: Still ahead, and speaking for Democrats have surge for Senator Elizabeth Warren, new CNN polling of the Democratic shakeup in the Democratic race for President.

Plus, Alaska reportedly now just the latest state to scrap a Republican primary. It's a blow to President Trump's Republican rivals. We will have the details next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [14:17:25] SAVIDGE: Now to 2020, a new CNN/Des Moines register poll shows a neck-and-neck race between senator Elizabeth Warren and former vice president Joe Biden in the first voting state of Iowa. Warren now has 22 percent support to Biden's 20 percent. This comes on the hills of Warren rising in other national polls. And she has the highest favorability rating of all the other candidates at 75 percent.

CNN political reporter Rebecca Buck is here with us.

Hello, Rebecca.

REBECCA BUCK, CNN POLITICAL REPORTER: Hi, Martin. Well, in this poll we are really seeing the fruits of Elizabeth Warren's labor over the past few months. She has been methodically laying the groundwork for her campaign in Iowa and across the country, establishing a very clear message for her candidacy. And finally in this Iowa poll we are seeing the fruits of that, with her now neck and neck with Joe Biden in the top tier.

Normally in this poll, she is ahead of him by two points, but the margin of error I should note is four percent in this poll. So really it's a toss-up between Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren clearly in the top tier.

But it is such a different story when you look at Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden in this race. She has been very much on the rise, rising seven points over the past few months since June in this poll, 13 points since March. It has been the opposite for Joe Biden since March. He has gone down seven points in this poll and his favorability has also eroded. It was 81 percent in March, now at only 66 percent.

So you can see the toll that this primary process has been taking on him. And we are also seeing that as these voters in Iowa get to know other candidates, they are liking what they are seeing, not just with Elizabeth Warren but with people like Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris.

And so, one of the things I want to underscore is just how fluid the race is at this point. Only 20 percent of Iowa Democrats in this poll say that they have made up their minds. So most of the electorate still deciding, still weighing their choices in this race. And so it's possible over the next three to four months we could see a lot of change still -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: Let me ask you about something else. The GOP party in Alaska became the fifth state I believe to cancel primaries or caucuses, at least according to the Anchorage daily news. South Carolina, Nevada, Arizona and Kansas, they hold in the same. Bill Weld, Mark Sanford, Joe Walsh, they are all challenging Trump for the party's nomination. But the message seems to be form these state, but what's the point?

BUCK: That's absolutely the message. And you know, I think it would be a different story if you had a lower level of support for the President among Republicans. But he has catches support so strong not only among Republican officials but also Republican voters. And so Republican officials have been emboldened to take these steps to essentially show their support for the President by cancelling these primaries saying, you know, challengers need not apply here because our voters are not going to be interested.

And so these candidates have been talking about this in recent days. Mark Sanford has said, you know, maybe a legal challenge in South Carolina, for example, could be on the table to challenge the state party's decision. But because there is that strong support among Republican voters for the President, you really haven't been seeing this uprising of backlash in support of these challengers. And so it's been -- you know, these officials are emboldened to continue cancelling these primaries.

[14:20:49] SAVIDGE: Yes, indeed they are.

Rebecca Buck, good to see you. Thank you so much.

BUCK: Thanks, Martin.

SAVIDGE: Well, there are indications in northern Minnesota's mining country, that is, that politics are beginning to shift. I traveled there this week far to the north to a town called Eveleth. Until now that area had been a Democratic stronghold that I want to talk to the people there about signs that they may not be turning from blue to not just red, but to Trump red.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE (voice-over): In rural northern Minnesota, things are changing -- the temperature, the leaves, the politics.

Are we talking thousands of people sort of shifting and changing their politics?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. We are. Oh, yes.

SAVIDGE: Once a Democratic stronghold, many of the voters we talked to here say more and more they align with the President.

JEFF FORSEEN, MOUNTAIN IRON, MINNESOTA RESIDENT: There are two brothers were been staunch union Democrats for years, and they are not anymore.

SAVIDGE: This is mining country, not coal mining but Takamine, a mineral used in making steel. Forty or 50 years ago, the iron range, as it's called, was booming, bringing big city prosperity to small towns like Eveleth.

MAYOR ROBERT VLAISAVLJEVICH, EVELETH, MINNESOTA: Things were just went gangbusters. Businesses all over. Then when it crashed, everybody was caught by surprised. It crashed and crashed hard.

SAVIDGE: The number of mining jobs in the region went from over 14,000 in the '80s to just about 4500 today, leaving families and main streets to suffer. Robert Vlaisaljevich has been the mayor of Eveleth for years on and

off. He votes Democrats on state races but he has a Trump sticker on his desk, a Christmas card from the President on his bulletin board and a deer on his office wall, sports omega hat.

The political support for the President, part of this is really just a matter of survival.

VLAISAVLJEVICH: Economics. Yes. He is our guy. He supports mining. He is our guy.

TRUMP: Our steel industry is (INAUDIBLE). It was dead.

SAVIDGE: Trump's tariffs on imported steel are popular, so has his easing of environmental regulations. They also like his crackdown on immigration. In the state that is 80 percent white, the influx of Somali refugees has been a contentious issue.

Minnesota representative Ilhan Omar is a controversial figure here.

VLAISAVLJEVICH: She offends a lot of pe here.

SAVIDGE: She is not popular.

VLAISAVLJEVICH: No, not at all.

SAVIDGE: Folks here say they didn't leave the Democratic party, the party left them.

Melissa Axelson's husband works for mining company.

MELISSA AXELSON, EVELETH RESIDENT: I think they have changed. I see conservative candidates seem to be more for the working person.

MIKE VOLKER, EVELETH RESIDENT: The Democrats kind of shifted more to the left and the Republicans are kind of kicking over party for jobs.

SAVIDGE: All of this matters because in 2016 Trump barely lost Minnesota by just 44 votes. Political experts say gains in places like the iron range could help boost the GOP's prospect in the state in 2020.

CINDY RUGELEY, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, DULUTH: I don't think by any means this is a lot bound Democratic state that it used to be.

SAVIDGE: Cindy, do you think that this area could flip the state? In other words, do you think this area could be key to the President's win if he wins?

CINDY FORSEEN, MOUNTAIN IRON, MINNESOTA RESIDENT: I do, if we keep pushing.

SAVIDGE: Supporters say they would like to see the President plans some campaign rallies in the region, believing that in Minnesota's mining country when it comes to votes, President Trump could strike gold.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: To give you more of an idea of the political shift taking place in district 8, which incorporates the iron range, it helped propel Obama to the White House in 2008. Yet eight years later, Donald Trump won the very same district by 16 percentage points.

Still ahead, a horror scene in Pittsburgh after police find several people dead, all wearing orange wristbands. Now police are piecing together clues to figure out what happened.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:28:52] SAVIDGE: Pittsburgh police are piecing together clues after three people died and four others were hospitalized from what appears to be an apparent drug overdose.

CNN's Polo Sandoval is following the story for us.

And Polo, are investigators believing this is an isolated situation or something worse?

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It seems to be the case here, Martin. Let me give you the quick background. Paramedics in Pittsburgh called out to an apartment complex early this morning at about 2:00 a.m. to report of an unconscious man. Another call came in from another individual in a similar situation. Then they were able to trace those two individuals to an apartment complex in Pittsburgh's south side where additional patients were located. In the end, three of those were pronounced dead. Four of them continued to be hospitalized right now.

Not a lot that we know about just who they are, only that they shared something in common. That they were all wearing orange wristbands, something similar you would wear if you gained access into a concert venue, for example. That initially prompted some concerns that this could have been some sort of health emergency that started at a concert venue. However, authority said that they are not exactly quite sure.

They were also initial concern that this could potentially been some kind of tainted drug that was being passed around. But the authorities quick to point out that they don't believe that that was actually that case. That they do believe this was an isolated incident.

As for representatives of that apartment complex, they say that these patients, these some individuals didn't actually live there. But at least one of those patients was in acquaintance of one of the residence that is currently in good standing.

So there certainly are questions here that are still being ask. But what we do know for sure here, Martin, is that authorities are very confident in saying that this wasn't some sort of wider health emergency, instead a drug overdose. But they are certainly use thanksgiving as an opportunity, Martin, to point out just the dangers of using narcotics.

[14:30:34] SAVIDGE: Of course. And the fact that you point out those bracelets could have indicated perhaps something larger. Right now it appears not so.

Polo Sandoval, thank you very much.

Next, secretary of state Mike Pompeo, target on some of his toughest rhetoric yet. Why he says an attack on the Saudis was an attack on the world.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:35:00] SAVIDGE: Greek police have made a major arrest in the 1985 hijacking of an American airline in which an American was killed. A 65-year-old Lebanese man was stopped and arrested after a security check (INAUDIBLE). Police believe the suspect and others hijacked TWA flight 847 that was bound from Athens to Rome with more than 100 passengers and crew. They were held for 17 days before being released. The hijackers killed an American Navy diver on board.

Happening right now, talks are ongoing in Israel as that country struggles to form a new government. Long-time prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu forced to snap election after he couldn't get a majority in a vote this year. But that moved actually caused him some seats and his rival, then again could end up as the new prime minister.

Oren Liebermann is in Jerusalem. And Netanyahu, Orin, used his close relationship with President Trump in his campaign. So that that help as he fights to form a new government?

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well at this point, there is little President Donald Trump can do to help his best friend overseas. And that because Netanyahu is in serious trouble here.

Trump's major political gift begore the April election weren't enough. And suddenly before this past election they seemed like much less major gifts. And then Trump himself said, the relationship is with Israel. And that must have been blown at Netanyahu who has spent years cultivating their relationship here.

As for what's happening right now, it seems like a political deadlock that stands in Israel is almost certain to stand. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival Benny Gantz met with Israel's president, Reuven Rivlin, or at least representatives of their party's did and recommended, of course, guns and Netanyahu. The key one, though, is former defense minister, (INAUDIBLE). He is what's known as the king maker. He has the seats that determine or at least could determine who will be the next prime minister and what did he tell the president, he decided he wouldn't recommend anybody. And that means that it seems neither Netanyahu nor Gantz will have the necessary 61 seats to put together a government. And the deadlock, the political deadlock that has been in placed here since past half year or so is almost certain to continue.

The President will continue meeting with parties tomorrow. He will meet with the smaller parties and hear their recommendations. But at this point there is little that can change the difficulty of forming a coalition here. And that means it's in the President's hands, Reuven Rivlin, of what to do here to try to break the stalemate and try to prevent third elections.

Martin, it is almost crazy to think that we are not even a week from the last election and there is already a growing speculation that we are in for another round in a few months.

SAVIDGE: My goodness.

Oren Liebermann, thanks very much. Reporting to us from Jerusalem.

Now to some breaking news. Today Iran is expected to release a British oil tanker it seized back in July. British authorities previously seized an Iranian oil tanker they said was breaking European Union sanctions by delivering oil to Syria.

Tensions with Iran have been rising since the U.S. blamed Iran for the recent attack on a key Saudi oil facility. But just today secretary of state Mike Pompeo reiterated those sanctions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE POMPEO, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: This was an attack by Iran on the world. This was act of war, hurt the U.N. The U.S. primary charters is to prevent --.

(CROSSTALK)

POMPEO: The U.N.'s primary charter is to protect peace around the world. This was a state on state act of war.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The Iranian foreign minister said it was not Iran.

POMPEO: I don't know why anybody listens to the Iranian foreign minister. He has nothing to do with Iranian foreign policy and he has lied for decades and then he resigned. It is not even worth responding to him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: With me now is Aaron David Miller. He spent more than two decades as an advisor and negotiator for both of Republican and Democratic administrations. And he is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for international peace. Thanks for joining me.

AARON DAVID MILLER, DORMER STATE DEPARTMENT NEGOTIATOR: Martin.

SAVIDGE: Pompeo is at the U.N. general assembly meeting this week. And I'm wondering, is there any chance for diplomacy in New York taking place between these nations.

MILLER: It's hard to see. I think President Trump very risk averse heading into 2020 doesn't want a war with Iran, doesn't want a recession, doesn't want to spike or sustain rise in oil prices. I think he would like to talk and I think he would and should talk if, in fact, you could actually get the Iranians to cooperate and create a set of commitments that would make this a one-off meeting.

But if this is going to be a summit of the vanities like so many of the President's other meetings with America's adversaries and not lead to something concrete particularly in a moment of crisis, I suspect they should not go to war right now and not attempt to set up a meeting with Rouhani. That's only going to fail.

SAVIDGE: And sort of pushing that a little farther, the response to, you know, this attack, which was clearly very serious, seems to have been pre-measured by both the U.S. and the Saudis. Are there elements on both sides who are working to avoid an all-out confrontation and escalation?

[14:40:04] MILLER: I mean, Mohammed bin Salma, MBS, the young king of Saudi Arabia doesn't have a reputation for prudence and wisdom. He is impulsive and he is reckless. But on this one I think the Saudis fully understand it's all good and well fort the secretary of state to describe this as an act of war. The problem is the Saudis have the most vulnerable, if in fact there is a military response. I think MBS, Mohammed bin Salman, and the Amaradis (ph) understand they are on the front line. And if a number of cruise missiles and drones could do this kind of damage, take one of the key processing facilities and literally half the production in a matter an hour, imagine what a full-blown Saudi-Iranian military confrontation might do to the price of oil.

SAVIDGE: Right. It would be a staggering impact.

President Trump heads to Houston today where there I think 50,000 people have registered for event with him and Indian prime minister Modi. It is called howdy Modi. The Indian prime minister has done several events previously elsewhere in the U.S. Why does this relationship important to Trump?

MILLER: I mean, I think he has identified Modi as a potential partner. I think the President has actually said it several months ago that he would be interested in essentially brokering a dispute to Kashmir.

Playing the Indian card against Pakistan arguably could help the administration gain additional leverage in Afghanistan. Pakistan is a critically important player. And I think he sees Modi, frankly, even though India may be world's largest democracies, some I think Modi has done lately in Kashmir reflects certain degree of authoritarianist, a strong authoritarianism and strong leadership which I suspect the President respects.

SAVIDGE: While I have you, I want to ask about Egypt. There have been protests against president Sisi going on there. Trump has repeatedly praised Sisi in the past and Egypt has been a key U.S. ally. Do you think we can see some kind of regime change there?

MILLER: Hard to imagine. You know, Martin, the problem in Egypt -- the problem challenge in Egypt is since 1952 have a military government essentially running the country and right now, a fair percentage economy. And I think Egyptians, as frustrated as they may be with the economic situation, particularly corruption, which was the reason for these most recent protests, clearly would like a change. But what they fear worse, I suspect, is a return of Muslim brotherhood and the sort of chaos in rounds that followed. So I suspect for the moment, unless his fellow military officers want to remove him, Sisi for now is a keeper.

SAVIDGE: Aaron David Miller, always good to see you because it means we get to talk about so much going on in the world. Appreciate it.

MILLER: Thank you, Martin.

SAVIDGE: Well tonight, tonight television's brightest stars will be honored for their work on that small screen. Coming up, what to expect from the prime time Emmy Awards.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:47:07] SAVIDGE: Well, the stars are getting ready to walk the red carpet tonight at the big prime time Emmy Awards. And taking the cue from the Oscars this year's event, doesn't going to have a host.

CNN's Stephanie Elam is live in L.A. with the preview of tonight's hopefuls.

Hello, Stephanie.

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Martin. Welcome to the purple carpet of the Emmys here. As you can see, they are getting ready for today. It's only going to be about 90 degrees here. So we have about 152 fans on the red carpet to keep all the stars, all television royalty, ergo the purple carpet, to keep them nice and cool as they make their way down here.

Obviously, if you have heard anything about television in the last year, you know that "Game of Thrones" is probably going to walk away with one or two. They have already won some in the creative arts Emmys, but that is the most nominated show ever. And it is expected to be the big drama winner again tonight.

Many of its cast members are also nominated as well. So in the drama category that's one thing you could definitely look for.

I also have to mention, the comedy side, though, you have got "deep." And the reason why that is really note-worthy is that star Julia Louis-Dreyfus, she actually had to stop for a year because she had to have cancer treatment and then she came back. And so, this is their season. A lot of people have a lot of love for Julia Louis-Dreyfus and the comedy writing on that show. So it wouldn't be surprise if she wins in this category. In which case, I think she becomes the most winningest performer ever in this category as well.

Now if you go to the limited series, "Chernobyl" on HBO, a lot of people talking about that. A lot of people are saying they didn't even know really how dangerous of a situation that was, so they watched that show. That's a top contender, as well as if you take a look "When They See Us" and that's a series about the central park five. When you take a look at that one and the acting on that one, it's really close between which one of those two will be the one that wins. Interesting to know that both of them based on real life stories here.

So those are some of the frontrunners that we are looking at. There is also "Fleabag" which is on Amazon. It star Phoebe Waller-Bridge, is also a writer on "Killing Eve." I remember that show is also a favorite as well. So when you take a look at it, you have a lot of fan favorites.

And when you think about television these days, Martin, there is so much content out there now. There so much demanding our eyeballs that it really is a lot stiffer competition when it comes to the Emmys at this time of the year.

SAVIDGE: Yes, I was thinking the same thing, television. It is just such great. I mean, you can call it another golden era. Real quick, how is it going to work without having a host?

ELAM: Well, you know what, if you remember the Oscars of a whole thing, they were trying to find a host. And then they can find a host and they decided to go host less. It worked. The numbers were OK.

And so for FOX, looking at this, they don't have a big late time host who could have come in and take over those reins. There is no one really to do that for them, so it works for this era in this era. However, will see all of the award show doing this? I don't know if they will do this long term. A lot of people have a host to kind of be the glue to bring it together. But there is precedent for not having a host in this way. And then the focus is all on the winners, all on the show, all on the stars.

[14:50:10] SAVIDGE: Where it should be.

Stephanie Elam, our focus is on you. You look great. Thanks very much for being with us.

ELAM: Thank you, Martin.

SAVIDGE: Still ahead, former Patriots player, Antonio Brown is ripping the NFL and his old team after he was fired over sexual abuse allegations. Why he says he would rather not work for the league anymore.

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[14:53:58] SAVIDGE: Former NFL player Antonio Brown unleashing on social media saying that he is done with the league. This morning Brown tweeted he will not be playing for the NFL any more. These owners can cancel deals, do whatever they want at anything. The Patriots cut Brown on Friday amid multiple allegations of sexual assault and sexual harassment. Brown denied all of those allegations and he hasn't been charged with any crime. It is important to note. CNN correspondent Nick Valencia joins me now.

And he is also ripping his former quarterback and the Patriots' owner. And he has got a list going.

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He is arguably the best receiver in the NFL. And after the series of tweets, this tirade that he went on Sunday, he says he doesn't want to play with the NFL at all anymore. He has had a series of tweets, as I mentioned, some of them that have since been deleted.

I want to bring up those tweets on the screen to show here. He is implying there is a double standard in how he has been treated versus how others who have been accused of sexual assault or misconduct have been treated.

He says here, four games for big Ben, refencing his old quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with the Pittsburg Steelers. Crazy world I'm done with it, linking to a story of his past allegations of sexual assault.

And then in this tweet, he seems to post a photo of him with one of his accusers, Britney Taylor, longtime friend and former trainer, where he says Kraft, Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, got caught in the parlor AB speculations fired different strokes different folks clearly. We should point out that Robert Kraft has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of soliciting a prostitute. But, clearly implying here that there is a double standard.

As you mentioned, Martin, he has been accused of sexual misconduct, rape by one woman. No federal -- I'm sorry, of no criminal charges have been filed. A federal civil lawsuit, Brown has denied all these allegations.

Is this a tantrum or is this the real thing, that is for the league to decide, and clearly the league fans to decide as well.

[14:55:50] SAVIDGE: It will be interesting to watch, right, Nick. Good to see you. Thank you.

And still ahead, a grave new chapter of lawlessness. That is what Democrats are saying as their outrage over the White House's refusal to release the transcript of the President's call with the Ukrainian President after a whistleblower filed a complaint. Why they say impeachment could be the only option.

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[14:59:41] SAVIDGE: Hello there. Thanks for joining me. I'm Martin Savidge in for Fredricka Whitfield.

We are going to begin this hour with Democrats stepping up their calls for impeachment of President Trump following a growing whistleblower scandal. The new push comes as the President faces an uproar over reports that he urged the president on the Ukraine to investigate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden's son during a call in July.