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Federal Judge Ordered Don McGahn to Testify; U.S. Navy Secretary Ousted from His Post; Hundreds of Jewelries Taken by Thieves from a Museum; Albania Struck by a 6.2 Magnitude Earthquake; Gas Company Executive Says Indicted Giuliani Associates Sought Corrupt Deals In Ukraine; Impeachment Inquiry, GOP Senator Backtracks On Ukraine Meddling Theory; Pete Buttigieg Looking For A Breakthrough With Black Voters; Serial Case Ruling; Chinese Trespasser In Trump Resort, Mar-a-Lago; Race For The White House; World Anti-Doping Agency; Hero Dog Visits White House; Dancing In The Rain; Thanksgiving Week Storms. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired November 26, 2019 - 03:00   ET

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

[03:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers joining from the United States and all around the world.

Coming up on CNN Newsroom, a judge rules that the former White House counsel must testify in the impeachment probe. What it could mean for other witnesses who so far refuse to cooperate.

Scramble to help survivors after a strong quake strikes just outside the Albanian capital.

Plus, the manhunt in Dresden for the thieves who grabbed priceless treasures in a brazen heist.

The U.S. federal judge has a harsh message for Donald Trump. Stop stonewalling Congress of the impeachment investigation. She ruled on Monday that former White House counsel Don McGahn must comply with the subpoena and testify.

The judge department will appeal so that's on hold. The Justice Department will appeal so that's on hold for the moment. House Democrats have been trying since April to get McGahn to answer questions about the president's handling of the Russia investigation.

But like many other White House officials McGahn defied a subpoena. The judge says when it comes to presidential aides "the president does not have the power to excuse him or her from taking action that the law requires. Stated simply, the primary takeaway from the past 250 years of recorded American history is that presidents are not kings."

The ruling could have broad implications for a number of key players in the impeachment probe. Beyond just Don McGahn.

CNN's Manu Raju reports from Washington.

MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Now the ruling that Democrats are hailing that it would force Don McGahn to testify before the House judiciary committee is probably not going to impact how the House is moving in its own impeachment proceeding that could lead to the vote of this president being impeached before the end of year.

That's because Democrats do not want to go the route that they went with Don McGahn. When it comes to other witnesses who have defied subpoenas, people like Mick Mulvaney, the acting White House chief of staff, Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state, John Bolton, the former national security advisor, Charles Kupperman who was a Bolton deputy, all of whom have resisted demands to come and testify before the House impeachment probe.

While this ruling could have implications for those individuals it could take some time to get them to come and testify before the House impeachment inquiry. They could be forced to go to court, they could be force to go try to get the same ruling that they got from this district judge in the McGahn case.

And at the same time, the McGahn case is already going to be appealed by the Justice Department so that may not be resolved for some time. So, Adam Schiff made it clear before that ruling came out saying in a letter to his colleagues that they were not going to let the president or others, quote, "drag this out for months on end in the courts."

They're making clear that these individuals don't want to testify it's on them. They're going to then use that as evidence of obstruction of Congress that they believe could be rolled into an article of impeachment against the president.

But the ruling from Don McGahn does add some pressure from Democrats to also include in articles of impeachment, article of obstruction of justice, which is of course which was laid out in the Mueller probe instances of the president seeking to undercut the Mueller probe.

There will -- there are already some Democrats that I've talked to who made clear they believe that should be part of the articles of impeachment.

But talking to Democratic leaders it's also clear they want to keep this focus narrowly on Ukraine on the president's handling of Ukraine policy. Their allegations that the president abused office in dealing with that country, dangling aid that the country wanted while pushing for investigations into his political rival.

They want that to be the focus. Not necessarily Mueller, not necessarily Don McGahn. So, while this ruling is being held by Democrats, ultimately it may not impact what will happen here in just a matter of weeks which is almost certain that the president could be the third of American president in history to get impeached.

Manu Raju, CNN, Capitol Hill.

FOSTER: Federal prosecutors investigating associates of Rudy Giuliani maybe looking into some serious allegations against him as well.

A grand jury subpoena sent to one witness points to possible criminal charges including conspiracy, obstruction of justice, money laundering, and campaign finance violation.

Donald Trump's personal attorney hasn't been charged with anything and has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. The president defended Giuliani on Monday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Rudy is a great person and I think that maybe the press isn't treating Rudy very well. And I think that's unfair. But Rudy was a great mayor and great crime fighter.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[03:05:04]

FOSTER: Joining me now here in London, Leslie Vinjamuri, the head of U.S. and the Americas Programme as well at Chatham House. First of all, this Don McGahn angle. What's that mean for the White House? Because there are other witnesses of course that the House wants to call.

LESLIE VINJAMURI, HEAD, U.S. AND THE AMERICAS PROGRAMME, CHATHAM HOUSE: Yes. I mean, several interesting things here. One of course, is that there is just this fundamental sort of constitutional question about whether or not the executive the White House can claim immunity for those people working most closely with the president.

They've maintained the entire time that they can. And that's prevented of course Congress from hearing from John Bolton, for example, key witness in their view.

But of course, now that, you know, the judge ruled it will be appealed it could go all the way to the Supreme Court. So, even, you know, in addition to this basic question about impeachment it's raising a number of more fundamental questions about, you know, what is that check and balance role that Congress has to have oversight of the other branches of government.

FOSTER: When the judge talks about him being a president not a king, what is she saying there?

VINJAMURI: Yes. Well, that's exactly right. As U.S. government is designed to separate powers for Congress to oversee. And she's saying you cannot claim immunity for those who are absolutely central to these investigations.

Now other people may rule against that. But the stakes are high. Because I think people have wanted to hear from John Bolton. It's not clear which way he would go, what he would say about the president and others as well. So, I think that ruling and how it develops we are waiting to see. FOSTER: And how did you see the time line playing out now? As you

know the report now will, you know, the impeachment report will go to the Senate judiciary committee. Just explain how that progresses the process and how close that brings us to impeachment.

VINJAMURI: Yes. So, the House intelligence committee is aiming to put together a report sometime after Thanksgiving. There could be more hearings still, and that will go to the judiciary committee, again, in the House. And they will take on board very important questions about, you know, what is an impeachable. They'll really look at that evidence and scrutinize it. They could call more witnesses.

The it will go to the floor of the House and they will draft, right, the judiciary committee will draft those articles of impeachment. And you know, so far, we have -- we've -- we're under the impression that those will be, you know, narrowly drafted to really look at this question of whether there was a quid pro quo with respect to withholding military aid from Ukraine, waiting for those investigations of Joe Biden and his son.

But they could, they could if they wanted to decide to draft articles of impeachment that look at a much broader range of set of charges. So, once those impeachment articles are drafted it then goes to the floor and the House will vote. And then there will be a trial in the Senate.

FOSTER: And in terms of, you know, if the process goes at Democrats want it to go. How quickly could that vote in the Senate be?

VINJAMURI: Well, it's very difficult to know. And this is, you know, a question of strategy. We'll wait and see, you know, what the Senate decides to do. The word on the street is the (Inaudible) about this is right, which is it's very hard to imagine that the Senate will vote to impeach President Trump.

But I think the really interesting and important question will be here is what does that trial look like. And how does that narrative about the president's role with respect to Ukraine and any other number of charges that might be in this impeachment articles. How is that narrative, how is that set out, what does it say to the American people, and really how does it influence voters. What messages do they take as we approach of the primaries, of the conventions, and the presidential elections?

FOSTER: And how might they be affected by any sort of criminal proceedings against Rudy Giuliani as well? Obviously, a very well- known figure in the U.S. very close to the president. But presumably seen as set perform to some extent too?

VINJAMURI: Yes. I mean, it's been one of the, I think for many people watching Giuliani, it's been one of the, sort of bizarre transformations of somebody who had a very different reputation. And I think but many now as seen as really just being the right-hand man of the president. And pursuing a range of politics that don't look like they're above board. We'll see. But you know, the one thing that we're seeing in all of this is that Americans attitudes towards the impeachment aren't changing. Right? They're pretty locked in place.

There is a sort of question of how independents voters may change their minds as they watch these hearings play out and they watch the trial in the Senate. And I think, again, that will influence people as we approach the election.

So, whether it's really going to change, you know, those who have supported the president all along don't seem to be changing their opinions. Democrats are pretty fixed. But I think there is a broader question about the details. Right? What narrative is constructed about this president.

[03:10:00]

And there -- there are a set of voters not in considerable set of voters who really haven't made up their mind and I think, you know, that will influence what direction they take.

FOSTER: Well, Donald Trump's initial narrative of the last election was that this was, you know, there's an establishment conspiracy against him. Will that work for a second time when he's clearly very much part of the establishment now. He's been in -- he's been in the White House for years.

VINJAMURI: Yes, I know it's incredible, right, that he's, you know, in many ways this is a president who is establishment. He's a wealthy -- wealthy man. He grew up with privilege background. But he's managed to maintain this narrative of being on the outside, of there being a witch hunt against him, that there is a deep state.

Remember the deep state conspiracy. And I think it's worked. It's worked for a certain segment of the population. You know, we talk about -- we've talked about his base for over three years now. And it certainly works.

But, if -- you know, if you go back to the midterm elections, right, there are a lot of people that it's not working with. He's lost the suburbs, he's lost a lot of the women, the white women. He had 53 percent of the vote if you go back to 2016. He's lost a lot of that vote. So, there's a lot at play even though he's managed to captivate a certain percentage of his voters, about 13 -- 38, 40 percent as we know.

FOSTER: OK. Leslie, thank you very much indeed.

VINJAMURI: Thank you.

FOSTER: The ousted U.S. Navy secretary isn't staying quiet about his bosses at the Pentagon or the White House, in fact. Richard Spencer was forced out as the navy's top civilian over the case of convicted Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher.

The chief petty officer was found guilty of posing with a corpse of a young ISIS fighter. He was also facing a navy review and the loss of his elite SEAL status and trident. But President Trump said he wouldn't let that happen.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper says Spencer was fired for opening a back channel with the White House on Gallagher. But the former navy secretary says Esper knew about it and that Mr. Trump intervention sends the wrong message.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD SPENCER, FORMER U.S. NAVY SECRETARY: What message does that send to the troops?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, what message does it send?

SPENCER: That you can get away with things. We have to have good order and discipline. It's the backbone of what we do. And the trident review process with the senior enlisted reviewing fellow senior enlisted is critical.

The senior enlisted of our military are the backbone of our military. They are the girder of good order and discipline. They can handle this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Well for now it looks like Gallagher is set to retire and he will remain a SEAL.

CNN's Barbara Starr has more from the Pentagon.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: President Trump has now ordered the Pentagon to allow Eddie Gallagher to keep his status as a Navy SEAL.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: He's a great fighter. He's one of the ultimate fighters. Tough guy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: The controversial case ended with a shocking firing of Navy Secretary Richard Spencer by Defense Secretary Mark Esper. Esper saying today that Spencer was conducting back channel communications with the White House without telling him.

(BEGIN VOICE CLIP)

MARK ESPER, U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: Secretary Spencer had proposed a deal, whereby the president allowed the navy to handle the case he would guarantee Eddie Gallagher would be restored to rank, allowed to retain his Trident.

(END VOICE CLIP)

STARR: That would have meant a precooked deal for what was supposed to be an impartial process.

(BEGIN VOICE CLIP)

ESPER: We had no knowledge whatsoever; we were flabbergasted by it.

(END VOICE CLIP)

STARR: Earlier this year, Gallagher was convicted of posing for a photo with a corpse of an ISIS fighter after being acquitted of premeditated murder and attempted murder. The president took a keen interest in the case, repeatedly intervening on Gallagher's behalf. All of which leave the Pentagon damaged.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EDDIE GALLAGHER, U.S. NAVY SEAL: It makes it appear like, as if there is really not accountability. That if people violate their oath or commit crimes there's a way out. And they can be -- they can escape accountability if they get the president in their corner.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: Spencer never acknowledged the back-channel talks in his forced resignation letter, writing, "I no longer share the same understanding with the commander-in-chief who appointed me. I cannot, in good conscience, obey an order that I believe violates the sacred oath I took."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GALLAGHER: This is all about ego and retaliation. This has nothing to do with good order and discipline. They could have taken my Trident at any time they wanted. Now they're trying to take it after the president restored my rank.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: Eddie Gallagher is expected to retire from the navy at the end of the month. But whether the bad feelings linger remains to be seen.

Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.

FOSTER: The wild fires are burning out of control in Southern California. The Cave Fire in Santa Barbara County has scorched more than 3,300 acres or 1,300 hectares in less than a day. It's threatening homes but there are no reports of any burns just yet. Power has been shut off to more than 400 customers in the area.

A pair of brazen burglars and the collection of priceless jewels. When we return, we'll tell you why Dresden museum heist reads like the plot of a Hollywood movie.

[03:15:01]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) FOSTER: Updating you on our breaking news this hour. Officials say at least six people are dead and at least 325 injured after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake shook Albania. It struck not far from the capital Tirana.

Journalist Blendi Salaj of affiliate A2 joins me live from the capital there. We're just getting a sense, aren't we, with the daylight about the level of damage and, you know, how many more people may be trapped there.

BLENDI SALAJ, JOURNALIST, A2: Hi, Max.

FOSTER: Hi, Blendi. Take us through what you know.

SALAJ: Yes. OK. So, this was a strange, strange morning. A lot of people woke up to long, you know, series of shakes. My family included. It was a little bit 4 o'clock in the morning and it was a hard earthquake.

I got to tell you that in September 21 we had another one. And we thought that was the big one but it turned out this, this morning was the big one.

And what we know so far is that six people have been confirmed dead. Over 150 have been injured in different area hospitals and we had several buildings collapse.

[03:20:03]

So there's a rescue effort going on right now all over Albania in the areas that are most affected, namely the city of Durres which is a port in the Adriatic, and then a village town of Thumane which is about 30 miles north of Tirana.

We know that there are people under those rubbles and they are screaming from inside. And there's a lot of volunteers and armed forces that have gone to the scene and are trying to help these people out.

Four or five of them have been pulled out alive. We know of some other ones that have been stuck under and they can't pull them out. So, they're pulling all these building equipment and excavators and trying to help these people the best way they can.

But it's a tough situation. It's a very strange morning, you know. I mean, it's a Tuesday morning and we were prepared to go to school and schools are off for today. And the situation is different. And it's dire.

FOSTER: Yes. Desperate. OK, Blendi Salaj with A2, thank you very much indeed.

In Hong Kong the chief executive is admitting the results of Sunday's local election highlight voter's dissatisfaction with the government there. Carrie Lam says she hopes the peaceful weekend was not just for the

election but a signal that residents want an end to violence during the pro-democracy protests.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CARRIE LAM, HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE: We were aware of the large number of voters coming out to cast a vote. Perhaps not only to select a preferred candidate to sit on the district council but also to express a view on many issues in society including -- now I would readily accept that -- including the deficiencies in government, including unhappiness with the time taken to deal with the current unstable environment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Pro-democracy candidates won almost 90 percent of the district council seats amid record voter turnout, flipping most of the districts away from pro-establishment candidates. The vote was seen as a referendum on the democracy movement and on the Beijing-backed leader.

A manhunt underway in Germany after thieves made off with a priceless hall of jewelry. The brazen heist took place early Monday morning. This surveillance footage shows two burglars smashing their way into the museum the Green Vault Museum in Dresden castle. Stealing around 100 pieces of historic treasure.

A local politician called the lost immeasurable and said it was an attack on the cultural identity of the region.

For the latest on the heist, I'm joined by CNN's Melissa Bell in Dresden. Many people say it's like a movie. But actually, it was incredibly simple, wasn't it? Climbing through a window and grabbing this jewelry and leaving.

MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It seems remarkably simple now that we have an idea of what happened. It's been now more than 24 hours, Max, still no sign of the thieves. No sign of the treasure.

But you're right. It was a simple grill, like a security grill on a window that was apparently taken off, the window behind it was smashed, and inside, and that's what you can see on the CCTV footage that was released last night by German police are two men smashing into one of those glass casings that held the jewelry that they made off with.

It took, Max, a matter of minutes. Now we've just been speaking to the local police who are in charge of this investigation who confirmed to CNN that 20 police officers are on this case trying to work out exactly what happened here in the early hours of yesterday morning and where those responsible might be.

Now what they say is that they are not only linking that early fire that happened here yesterday morning that put out the lights in street and would have made it very dark and therefore easier for the thieves to get in unnoticed.

But they actually think that given that local fire that took out the electricity grid they believe that more than just the two people on their CCTV footage pictures were involved. So, they are looking for several people more than two. That's what we understand this morning.

But again, the manhunt continues and still no sign of that treasure. Nor any idea, Max, of what it is the thieves are hoping to do with pieces of jewelry, pieces of art that are so instantly recognizable in the art world, Max.

FOSTER: Presumably they went for the items that could be easily broken down which could be the tragedy here because it could be happening as we speak.

BELL: That's right. I think that's one of the big fears. We were speaking yesterday to the lady who is the head of the state art collection here in Dresden, to whom we put the idea that given that these pieces were so instantly recognizable they might be broken down. They involve in -- we saw those pictures tweeted by German police yesterday that show some of those 100 pieces that are now missing.

They involve a lot of diamonds and gems, rubies. Incredibly Precious gems that they could be taken apart and sold individually. She said that it was a thought too horrible to contemplate.

But we've also been hearing yesterday from art experts who say that the very cut of the gems themselves might make them difficult to fetch any kind of value on the open market simply because they are so unusual, they are antiques. They are of incredible value of course, but equally that's what's makes them very difficult to sell.

So, what was the plan, what were the thieves hoping to achieve. Those are some of the questions that remain unanswered this Tuesday morning, Max.

[03:25:06]

FOSTER: OK. Melissa Bell in Dresden, thank you very much indeed.

You're watching CNN. Thank you for being with us. Inside Africa is for you if you're watching internationally. If you're joining us in the United States do stay tuned because we're going to have more news just ahead for you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: Welcome back to our viewers in the United States and around the world. You're watching CNN Newsroom. I'm Max Foster.

We are going to check the headlines for you now this hour.

Albania is dealing with a strong earthquake. Officials say at least six people are dead, 325 injured after a 6.4 magnitude quake struck near the capital of Tirana. It shook buildings and homes in the middle of the night, local time. It comes just two months after September's tremor injured dozens of people in the same area.

The U.S. Justice Department will appeal a federal judge's ruling that former White House counsel Don McGahn must testify in the impeachment inquiry. The judge said the presidents are not kings and can't keep aides from taking an action the law requires.

U.S. prosecutors maybe weighing some serious charges against President trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani. A grand jury subpoena in a related case hints that possible conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and money laundering charges. Giuliani insists he's done nothing wrong.

Meanwhile, an executive of Ukraine state-owned gas company who is cooperating with federal prosecutors tells CNN Giuliani's associates were seeking corrupt deals in Ukraine.

[03:30:00]

Senior investigative correspondent Drew Griffin has the details for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT: Andrew Favorov thought it was a joke the two shady businessmen from South Florida had no backing, no experience, but what they did have they said was the Trump administrations ear and they wanted a cut of Ukraine's natural gas business.

ANDREW FAVOROV, NAFTOGAZ SENIOR MANAGER: This is completely crazy. It was the first time in my experience when two private actors were offering or discussing the issues that are supposed to be part of U.S. foreign policy.

GRIFFIN: He says what Parnas and Fruman were proposing was a takeover of management at the Ukraine state owned oil and gas company, NAFTOGAZ. Favorov would be their new CEO. Parnas and Fruman would then get sweetheart deals and anyone who got in their way, like U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, who opposed this old style corruption would be removed.

FAVOROV: Honestly, I didn't take it seriously at first. You know, you hear crazy stories and it actually took place. That's when it was just a moment of wow for me. How does this happened?

GRIFFIN: Did you fear that they really were connected to the Trump administration? And had the power to carry out what they were doing?

FAVOROV: After the events transpired with Ambassador Yovanovitch. Yes, I thought it was a distinct possibility.

GRIFFIN: Parnas and Fruman have been indicted for violating federal campaign laws. Federal prosecutors in New York alleged the two men illegally funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars in foreign funds into the campaigns of Republican Party candidates and a Trump super- PAC in an effort to buy political influence for their new gas company called Global Energy Producers.

They have pleaded not guilty. Igor Fruman's attorney declined comment for their story and attorney for Lev Parnas has yet to respond. Favorov says, he immediately turned down the offer Parnas and Fruman were making to him this past March and reported their actions to the U.S. Embassy in Kiev. He is also cooperating with the federal investigation which CNN reports is also focusing on the actions of President Trump's personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani.

A source familiar with the matter says federal prosecutors are investigating Giuliani's possible business ties to Parnas, Fruman and their company Global Energy Producers. An attorney for Giuliani told CNN, Mr. Giuliani had no interest in GEP at any time. Earlier this month Giuliani vehemently denied any wrong doing.

RUDY GIULIANI, NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: And the reality is that everything I have done is totally legal.

GRIFFIN: Favorov says, he never met or discussed anything with Giuliani. But says the two men who came to him with a corrupt plan used their association with Rudy Giuliani as proof they could carry it out.

Did they mention Rudy Giuliani?

FAVOROV: Yes.

GRIFFIN: As their conduit?

FAVOROV: They mentioned that -- yes, as one of the channels of communication and getting the right message across to the decision makers within the U.S. administration.

GRIFFIN: They thought they could remove the ambassador of the United States.

FAVOROV: To this day, I find it hard to digest how it's possible.

GRIFFIN: Favorov says, what's at stake is much bigger than just NAFTOGAZ or even Ukraine. Russia he says, is hoping Ukraine will fail and that Russian style and even Russian supported corruption will creep back into Ukraine's struggling economy helping Russia to further destabilize Europe. Rooting out corruption is the best way for the U.S. and the west to fight back. He only hopes the leader of his adopted country still believes that.

FAVOROV: That's why people all over the world look to the United States to set the standard. To show how things can be done in a moral and ethical and a transparent way. And I certainly hope as a U.S. citizen that this beacon does not lose its value, because of some bad actors and because of some greed and you know, opportunism.

GRIFFIN: Drew Griffin, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE) FOSTER: U.S. Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana is back checking on

his comments about election meddling. A number of Republicans including Donald Trump have been repeating a debunked conspiracy theory that Ukraine not Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential campaign. The president's former top Russia adviser, Fiona Hill addressed the issue last week.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FIONA HILL, FORMER OFFICIAL NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL SPECIALIZING IN SOVIET, RUSSIAN AND EUROPEAN AFFAIRS: Some of you on the committee appear to believe that Russia and its security services did not conduct campaign against our country and that perhaps somehow for some reason Ukraine did. This is a fictional narrative that is being perpetrated and propagated by the Russian security services themselves.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Senator Kennedy completely ignored her testimony on a TV interview on Sunday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Senator Kennedy, who do you believe was responsible for hacking the DNC and Clinton campaign computers? Their E-mails? Was it Russia or Ukraine?

[03:35:05]

SEN. JOHN KENNEDY (R-LA): I don't know. Nor do you. Nor do any of us. Miss Hill --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let me just interrupt to say, the entire intelligence community says it was Russia.

KENNEDY: Right. But it could also be Ukraine. I'm not saying that I know one way or the other.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Well, on Monday Senator Kennedy changed his tune.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KENNEDY: I was wrong. The only evidence I have and I think it's overwhelming is that it was Russia who tried to hack the DNC computer. I see no indication that Ukraine tried to do it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Well, countless U.S. Intelligence officials and even many Republicans say Russia continues to interfere with its sights set on the 2020 presidential race. Voters in Iowa and New Hampshire like to look at Pete Buttigieg, meanwhile, but he's hitting a wall with black voters. The latest on the race for the White House. Next. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: The Thai warning on the climate crisis in the United Nations, a new report shows greenhouse gas levels have hit a new record high. And the Paris climate accord doesn't seem to have made a dent. In fact, the U.N. support goes on to say that the gap between targets and reality is quote, glaring and growing.

The U.S. Supreme Court will not review a murder case that grab international attention when it was featured on the pod cast to (inaudible). Attorneys for Syed, asked the justices to reverse a lower court ruling refusing to grant him a new trial. Syed, is serving a life sentence for the 1999 murder of his ex-girlfriend. He's attorneys argued Syed deserve a new trial due to ineffective counsel by his trial attorney. They said they are now deceased attorney failed to call an alibi witness.

[03:40:09]

A Chinese woman caught trespassing at President Trump's Mar-a-Lago Resort has been sentenced to eight months in prison. Yujing Zhang was found guilty in September in a bizarre case that raised questions about whether she was a spy. The 33 year-old had a flash drive with malware and other electronic devices. She wasn't charged with espionage. Instead prosecutors said, she was illegally entered -- she illegally entered the Florida property and lied to a federal officer. She has already been in custody for almost eight months, meaning she could be released within days.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN (D-MA), 2020 U.S. DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE: (Inaudible) you know, it would be cheaper to spend a few hundred million just buying the presidency instead of paying that 2 percent wealth tax.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: U.S. Democratic presidential candidate, Elizabeth Warren there taking a swipe at rival Michael Bloomberg without naming him. Bloomberg hit the campaign trail on Monday in Virginia. Officially joining the 2020 race. The billionaire and former New York City mayor got the ball rolling by spending millions of dollars on political ads. He says he's squarely focused on defeating President Trump. But fellow White House hopeful Bernie Sanders says Bloomberg is just another member of the wealthy elite.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS, (I-VT), U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What he believes, and this is the arrogance of billionaires. I can run for president because I'm worth 55 billion. And maybe I'll take 1 billion out of that $55 billion and (inaudible), when you worked that much and start running a massive amount of TV ads. In California and in fact all over this country. And I think that is precisely one of the factors that is undermining American democracy. (END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Another Democratic hopeful has a problem after jumping to a commanding position in Iowa and improving his chances in New Hampshire. Pete Buttigieg is confronting his existential problem which is courting black voters. CNN's Abby Phillip, explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ABBY PHILLIP, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: It's Sunday morning in South Carolina. And this is Isaiah McCall's church. Isiah is young, black gay from the south and he supports Pete Buttigieg.

ISAIAH MCCALL, PETE BUTTIGIEG SUPPORTER: When Barack Obama did, he was the first black president. So he inspired other African-Americans, you know, to take the step. So, like with Pete Buttigieg he's inspiring other LGBTQ individuals to, you know, run for office so you can change laws that needs to be changed.

PHILLIP: His flock is small, but committed. A little bit like the South Bend Mayor's support among black voters here which right now doesn't even register in some polls. Buttigieg is the front runner in Iowa and a top contender in New Hampshire. But he's hitting a wall with black voters. Which presents a crucial challenge for him. No Democrat has claimed the party's nomination without winning black voters in more than 30 years.

MAYOR PETE BUTTIGIEG (D-SOUTH BEND-IN) 2020 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The majority of black voters in South Carolina say they don't have an opinion of me right now.

PHILLIP: If he's going breakthrough here it might start with voters like Isaiah.

MCCALL: He has to find what makes us tick in South Carolina. He got me so that's why I'm out here spreading the word about him.

PHILLIP: Isaiah says he is drawn to help openly Buttigieg's talks about his faith.

MCCALL: Back in the day for most African-Americans we got together in the church. So, if he can connect with the faith community that will be a strong way to get the African-American vote.

PHILLIP: That's something the campaign is ready to seize on.

BUTTIGIEG: It's time for a White House where no one ought to look on the news and ask themselves whatever happened to the scripture that says whoever oppresses the poor (inaudible) their maker.

PHILLIP: Here in South Carolina, the message from voters to Buttigieg is simple.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Spend time in the state.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Come up to our events. PHILLIP: Buttigieg has been (inaudible) to organize here. Only

recently building up senior staff in the state.

City council woman Nikita Jackson hasn't endorsed in the race. But she introduced Buttigieg at a recent rally here in Rock Hill.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is an exciting day.

PHILLIP: That wasn't attended by many black voters.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sometimes you need to meet people where they are, if you want to get your message across to them.

PHILLIP: And this year more than ever, voters are hesitant to take chances says Jamie Harrison. A Democratic running against Trump allies Senator Lindsey Graham.

JAMIE HARRISON, FORMER CHAIR SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PARTY: But you also have to understand these voters. They are extremely pragmatic. The driving force is we have to get rid of Donald Trump.

[03:45:00]

PHILLIP: Another concern.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I guess, his personal life might come into play. It might throw them off a little bit and make them a little stand offish about it.

PHILLIP: And by his personal life, you mean, because he's gay and married?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. Because he's gay.

PHILLIP: But for a supporter like Isaiah, he is proof that change is possible.

MCCALL: How can you expect to move forward if you don't embrace the new? You have to embrace the new.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: CNN's Abby Philipp reporting for us there.

Now to sports a committee from the world anti-doping agencies wants to slap Russia with a four year Olympics ban. Recommendations comes from WADA compliance review committee, it also covers world championships and major events. Russia is being accused of state sponsored doping before. And WADA investigators think it's still a problem. The committee says Russian athletes who want to compete have to show they're not involved in non-compliance. And athletes cleared during the ban cannot represent the Russian federation. Wada's executive council will meet to discuss the recommendation on December 9th.

Coming up, it's rare that a member of the U.S. Army's elite Delta Force goes public, but this one got a trip to the White House. More on the president's visit with the hero dog from the Abu Dhabi raid, ahead.

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[03:50:00]

FOSTER: Dancing in the rain and jumping for joy. You are looking at footage of the volunteer firefighters that had been battling ferocious wildfires in Australia. They couldn't resist celebrating by busting a few moves and when the heavens finally opened on Sunday in parts of the South Wales. Australia suffered a devastating early bush fire season with deadly fires burning through hundreds of thousands of hectares.

Thanksgiving holidays just two days away, but a pair of lucky birds are living it up at the capitol. Bread and butter as the White House has named them. Were both receive a presidential pardon that would spare them from Thursday's dinner table? Until then, this fortunate foul of flocking together in a luxury hotel in Washington. The presidential turkey pardon is an annual White House tradition dating back to 1947.

Millions of Americans will be on the move this week for the thanksgiving holiday, of course. Meteorologist Karen McGinnis is keeping an eye on the travel weather for them if they need to setup their (inaudible)?

KAREN MCGINNIS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, because it is going to be quite the quagmire. Just about everywhere we look with few exceptions. Lots of interstates and secondary roads will be affected with ice, wind, rain and snow. There's hardly a weather event that's going to be left out, 55 million people according to the American Automobile Association are going to be flying or driving. About 90 percent of that 55 million will be headed out in their automobiles.

All right, if you're headed to Denver there could be as much as a foot of snowfall on the ground. Thanks to a system that is exiting out of the four corners region headed towards the Midwestern United States. Not before another weather system moves in off the Pacific. That would drop the snow levels again and could produce wind gusts close to 110 maybe 120 kilometers per hour. Or maybe about 70 to 80 miles per hour.

All right, here's the area of low pressure that moves away from Colorado. Heads across Kansas and Nebraska into Iowa and in Minneapolis along interstate 94. Problematic there with reduced visibility. Very hazardous driving conditions. We will keep a warm sector of the system meaning, that's where the warm moist air will move up from the Gulf of Mexico. This could trigger a different form of severe weather. In the form of hail, high wind.

The potential for isolated tornado. Very interesting considering into the Rockies we could see staggering snowfall totals. Good for skiers. Also, here comes the secondary system moving in across the Pacific. On shore across the West Coast. The wind gusts very high and plenty of snowfall there.

All right, for our visitors headed towards New York City and international visitors those temperatures mostly in the 40's. This is actually a little bit below normal for this time of year. Washington D.C. well, it looks like Friday temperatures edging close to 50 degrees. Atlanta temperatures above normal. Before they are below normal. So, we're all over the map as far as weather is concerned, Max. But a lot of people as they say need to pack their patience. Back to you.

FOSTER: Listen to those wise words everyone. Thank you, Karen. Now before the pardons, those turkeys -- pardon U.S. turkeys, President Trump signed a new federal ban on animal cruelty. It is called the preventing animal cruelty and torture act. Activists joined him for the event. Bipartisan initiative also banned so called crush videos that depict animal torture or (inaudible). Some exceptions to the law are made for hunting and fishing. Penalties can include fines and up to seven years in prison.

And a person also hosted dog at the White House on Monday. A very good dog. Conan, is the military canine, he was injured in the raid against ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. CNN's Jeanne Moos has more on the visit.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Remember the time President Trump said.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: How would I look walking the dog on the White House lawn? Here's a little phony.

MOOS: Well, here he is walking with a dog out of the White House. The hero dog that chased down the leader of ISIS.

TRUMP: So, this is Conan, we just gave Conan a medal and a plaque.

MOOS: You can almost hear Conan thinking, I was told there would be junk food. You know, like all those athletes get. Even Fox News host analyze the body language.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mike Pence was snuggling up to that delicious Conan. President Trump a little bit further away.

MOOS: The president was hands off while Vice President Pence couldn't stop petting Conan. And Conan kept sniffing and nosing Pence.

Conan himself had nothing to say to the White House press. Not a whimper, not a bark. Unlike the SNL's version, with a canine interpreter providing Conan's commentary.

[03:55:05]

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What is this junky fake medal the president put on my neck. It's just has a picture of a paw on it, what the hell is that? You don't give humans a medal with a foot on it.

MOOS: When the real Conan emerged he was greeted with -- well, actually the poll reporter was told that Conan is a good girl, a female. But then the White House official reversed gender. And the poll reporter noted Conan is a good boy. Again, finally resorting to Conan is a good dog. Which led to comments like didn't anybody just look. It's not like dogs wear pants. Conan the dog had better clarify their gender situation before Trump tries to ban them from serving. At the last minute, a reporter yelled --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you want to adopt a dog for Baron?

TRUMP: No.

MOOS: But Conan, didn't take it personally.

TRUMP: Conan is a tough cookie.

MOOS: Don't call him a cookie. Give him one. Make that tail wag even more. Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Thank you for joining us. I'm Max Foster. Early Start is next.

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