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Trump Says Impeachment is Unconstitutional; Pentagon on Alert amid Signs North Korea May Conduct Another Test; India Protests; Australia Fires; East African Floods Benefit Fragile Ecosystems; What to Expect in the Impeachment Trial; Michigan Democrats React; Washington State Lawmaker Uses Trump's Impeachment as Defense in Domestic Terrorism Case; Why Trafficked Women Risk Being Smuggled; Jim Jordan's Jilted Jacket; Prince Harry and Family Spend Holidays in Canada. Aired 5-6a ET
Aired December 22, 2019 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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NATALIE ALLEN, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Ahead this hour, he may be on vacation but that's not stopping Donald Trump from slamming the impeachment inquiry. This time he says it's unconstitutional. We'll talk about that.
Also, catastrophic conditions as crews battle deadly wildfires across Australia. There have been 100 burning. We'll tell you what the prime minister is saying about the country's response after he was criticized for being on holiday inn Hawaii.
And heavy rains and floods have been devastating for the people in East Africa. But for the animals, it is a different story. A journey through one of Kenya's national parks coming up here this hour.
Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Natalie Allen. CNN NEWSROOM starts right now.
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ALLEN: 5:01 in the morning here in Atlanta. We appreciate you joining us.
Our top story, now that U.S. president Donald Trump has been impeached, he is falsely telling his supporters that Democrats violated the U.S. Constitution during that process.
Of course that's not true. And he offered no explanation. For more on what he's been saying, here is CNN's Kristen Holmes.
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KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, if there was any doubt that President Trump had impeachment on the mind, there is no longer. When he was speaking to this Turning Point Student Action Summit, he launched almost immediately into impeachment. He slammed Democrats. He slammed the process.
At one point he even brought up Dan Crenshaw, who voted no on the articles of impeachment. Crenshaw handed over the ticket that he used to vote against the articles of impeachment. I want to know one thing President Trump said. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Crazy Nancy. She's crazy. No, no. So now she says she has no case. She has no case. So let's not submit it. That's good, right?
That's good. But you know what, so unfair. It's so unfair. She has no case. Did they look back?
They are violating the Constitution. Totally. They are violating the Constitution.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Now I want to know that is not true. Would you know she is holding onto the articles of impeachment. This is not about the fact that she doesn't believe there is a case.
It is over a stalemate over what the Senate trial will look like. Nancy Pelosi and Democrats want a longer trial. They want to bring about White House aides, including John Bolton and Mick Mulvaney that the administration blocked from coming forward.
Mitch McConnell believes a shorter trial is better. They want it done and over with -- reporting from West Palm Beach, I'm Kristen Holmes, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE) ALLEN: Joining us is Scott Lucas, where he teaches at the University
of Birmingham.
Scott, good morning to you.
SCOTT LUCAS, UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM: Happy holidays to you, Natalie.
ALLEN: And to you as well.
We heard Mr. Trump calling the impeachment unconstitutional; not true. Again and again, when attacked, he says untruths. It is well documented.
What do you make of this?
LUCAS: Well, Natalie, you're right. You and I can talk about this every week.
ALLEN: And we do.
LUCAS: One of your correspondents, Daniel Dale, has documented there have been almost 100 lies in the past two weeks.
What do we do?
First, you call out the lies when they are lies. That was a lie about the impeachment process. And then you get to the core, get to the facts. We've got two things happening here.
One is we've got an impeachment and a trial, which has not determined that Donald Trump is guilty but is based on hard evidence, documents from 17 former current and former U.S. officials. That evidence goes before the Senate possibly as early as January.
But we have the second side of this, the Trump show. Now the Trump show doesn't care about the evidence. He can't confront the evidence.
What does it do?
It creates the circus, the spectacle and counts on enough people in the media focusing on the spectacle to get away from what is happening with the facts. And if he is the ringmaster, he has an able assistant in Mitch McConnell. But he's not the Trump show.
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LUCAS: He's not like Dan Crenshaw waving the ticket. He's limited, where there are no more witnesses, no more presentation of evidence.
So at the end of the day do you talk about the trial or talk about what Trump said about the trial?
ALLEN: Right. Well, I also want to talk about, when he said it was unconstitutional, the audience explodes in wild applause. It seems like no matter how many times we say this is untrue and this is untrue, the untruths are hard to keep up with because there are so many. Still, they wildly applaud for pretty much anything Donald Trump says.
LUCAS: You have to respect what those folks do. You can't simply dismiss what they say. But I would say more than 99 percent of America was not at that rally. And It's our responsibility, when we're discussing, not to simply take that small group that was Donald Trump's rally and say, that must be a sign that all of America is going along with the show.
In other words, the whole Trump strategy right now is to actually tell the media there will be a backlash. People will love me. People will love the fact that I'm the greatest president. They will see the Democrats as being a sham. And then if they keep repeating the line maybe more folks than at that rationally think it is true.
Look, the rally occurred. But my focus today, when I report, when I write, is going to be what is the evidence regarding Donald Trump, Ukraine, Joe Biden and the demand for the investigations and what happens next in the consideration of that evidence.
ALLEN: Yes. Let's talk about what happens next. It will be a strange holiday in Washington as the Senate trial parameters are decided or not decided.
Who do I believe, Nancy Pelosi or Mitch McConnell, who claimed he will not be impartial in a trial but will work with the White House?
LUCAS: Again, get away from the show and the boxing match and get to the Constitution and the U.S. system. The reason why Nancy Pelosi did not transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate yet for a trial is because Mitch McConnell has refused, refused witnesses who have first-hand knowledge of the Trump-Ukraine affair -- that may include Mike Pompeo, John Bolton, Mick Mulvaney.
Those witnesses, however, have been blocked by the White House from testifying for months. They were told not to appear before the hearings. And Trump and his people have gone so far as to say, you defy subpoenas, you do not accept Congress' authority, which is why Mitch McConnell is supporting one of the charges against the president over impeachment, obstruction of Congress.
ALLEN: Well, we appreciate your insights, Scott. We will be talking with you again likely as this presses on. Thank you.
LUCAS: Thank you, Natalie.
ALLEN: The ongoing impeachment process isn't the only thing hanging over the U.S. president, of course. Also of concern, the potential threat from North Korea as peace talks stall yet again.
New satellite images seem to point to growing capabilities in their long-range missile program. They show new work at buildings at a military facility linked with producing intercontinental ballistic missile launchers. David Culver is live from Hong Kong. He is following the story.
What more do we know about this site and what it could be doing?
DAVID CULVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Natalie, these are images showing construction going on there. It is construction of an automotive plant. You may say, OK, a car factory.
Why do we care about that?
According to analysts, this is a place where North Korean military can modify some of the launchers they import from China. It is also a place where they can use domestic vehicles and retrofit them to support their intercontinental ballistic missile program.
The last two weeks we know, according to the North themselves. They put this out in statements. They have been conducting significant tests at the Sohae satellite launch station. They did not give details what they were had he testing.
According to some experts, it is likely they were going forward with rocket engine testing. That, again, plays into this ICBM concern that they can find something to power the long-range missiles -- Natalie.
ALLEN: Yes. We know Kim Jong-un has been promising a Christmas present for the U.S.
Is there still a sense there could be a provocative act like a missile launch?
CULVER: Let's put it this way. Just a few hours ago, state media in North Korea put out a release that Kim Jong-un met with his top officials and had a conversation about political and organizational measures and as well as steps to bolster their armed forces that they portrayed as an act of self-defense.
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CULVER: It seems, though, there could be some provocation going forward as this rhetoric intensifies between the U.S. and North Korea.
The question is, what will that be?
Will it be a test launch of an ICBM or will it go further and perhaps be nuclear?
ALLEN: All right. A story to watch for sure. Thank you, David.
The case of the U.S. diplomat's wife killing a British teenager in a motor crash has reached the highest levels of the U.S. and U.K. governments. An official U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo and British foreign secretary Dominic Raab discussed the matter by phone Saturday.
The official added nothing new came out of that conversation. Harry Dunn died in August when his motorcycle was struck by a car going the wrong direction. Anne Sacoolas is now charged with death by dangerous driving. Her attorney says she is contrite about what happened but will not return to the U.K. voluntarily.
Mark Bolton is covering the story for us in London.
Certainly the family of Harry has been distraught and wanting justice.
What's the latest?
MARK BOLTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anne Sacoolas' legal team said this is a terrible but unintentional accident. But as you say, they refuse to accept that she should voluntarily return to the United Kingdom to face what is now criminal proceedings. This death by dangerous driving charge carries a potential jail sentence of 14 years.
And, of course, with that comes the extradition process which is now underway. That is a three-stage process, two parts judicial; one is more political. A judge will review it and see if it's fit to be submitted to the home office, a government department. If it happens, it is their decision whether they make a formal application for Sacoolas to be moved from the U.S. to the U.K. to face charges. It goes to the State Department.
The home secretary is Priti Patel, she is meeting with the family of 19-year-old Harry Dunn. Sacoolas fled the country, claiming diplomatic immunity because her husband was here working at a RAF base in Northamptonshire.
The family say the criminal charge is just to an extent for them, though his mother understandably was in tears as were the other family members when they got the news yesterday. They said this marks a step forward and is for them significant in following through the promise they made to Harry after his death, that they would seek for justice to be done.
Home secretary Patel said she wants justice as has Prime Minister Boris Johnson who said he will press the U.S. at every level for extradition to take place. He said he has spoken to President Trump about this. Trump expressed his sympathy.
But Johnson also said he's aware that the U.S. is very are reluctant to have its citizens tried abroad here under U.K. jurisdiction.
The trade, the Brexit transition period will expire at the end of 2020. The U.K. trying to find a bilateral agreement with the European Union, which it is leaving. It wants a free trade agreement with the United States as well.
We know in the conversation that you alluded to, that Mike Pompeo and Dominic Raab did speak about a free trade agreement that will undoubtedly have a bearing on whether the home office push for this extradition hearing.
Ultimately, you hope that solace is found for the family of young Harry Dunn.
ALLEN: It's a complicated case, is it not?
Mark Bolton, thank you for bringing us the latest.
More now on a story we're following out of Chicago we heard about the last hour. Police say now at least 11 people have been shot at a home there. It happened after midnight local time.
Authorities say it may have happened during a house party. Victims have been transported to hospitals. Officials have not released details on their conditions. We'll continue to bring you more on this shooting as we get more information.
The death toll is rising in India. The country is in the grip of some of its most turbulent protests in four decades. Tell you more about that.
Plus, a heat wave fueling deadly wildfires in Australia. Coming up, why some are saying the government isn't doing enough to help.
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(MUSIC PLAYING) ALLEN: This is Hong Kong. Protesters have been holding a massive
sit-in, this time demonstrators rallying in support for human rights for China's Uyghur Muslim ethnic group and against Beijing's security crackdown. Then police moved in.
China has repeatedly denied accusations that they have rounded up thousands of Uyghurs into what are essentially prison camps. They call them "vocational training centers" with a focus on deradicalization and counterterrorism.
Protests in India over a controversial citizenship law continue to grow more deadly; 22 people have been killed across the country since demonstrations erupted last week. A law was adopted that fast-tracked citizenship for non-Muslim religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who arrived in India before 2015.
Authorities temporarily shut down the Internet and roads were barricaded in New Delhi to curb demonstrations.
In Australia, firefighters continue to work furiously to contain massive bushfires as the death toll continues to rise. Since September, nine people have been killed as a heat wave continues to fuel active fires. It's amplifying a call for action on climate change. CNN's Simon Cullen has more on what's going on.
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SIMON CULLEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The devastation in Australia's bushfire crisis is continuing with confirmation that the death toll has risen to nine, including the two firefighters who died last week while battling the blazes.
Authorities say about 800 homes have now been destroyed. The worst hit is New South Wales where more than 3 million hectares of land has been burned out. Dozens of fires there continuing to burn out of control. Each state is facing its own emergency and as heat wave conditions sweep across the country, it's only getting worse.
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CULLEN: As this continues to evolve, mounting criticism that the Australian government is not doing enough to support the thousands of volunteer firefighters who have been battling these fires for several months. That criticism only increased last week when it was revealed the Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, was on a family vacation in Hawaii.
When that criticism became too much, he brought forward his return date and arrived back in Australia Saturday night and had this to say Sunday morning.
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SCOTT MORRISON, AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER: I've obviously returned from leave and I know that has caused some great anxiety in Australia and Jenny and I acknowledge that. You had your time over again and you had the benefit of hindsight,
then we would have made different decisions. I'm sure Australians are fair minded and understand that when you make a promise to your kids you try and keep it.
But as prime minister you have other responsibilities and I accept that and I accept the criticism and that is why Jenny and I agreed that it was important that I return, particularly after the terrible tragedies that we saw late this week.
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CULLEN: He is facing criticism that the government is not doing enough to combat climate change. He said the policy is working and doesn't need to be changed.
As conditions continue to worsen, firefighters from Canada and the USA arrived to help bring the fires under control. And while the cooler change is expected to bring some relief, it is only going to be temporary. More hot weather is expected. New South Wales authorities say no significant rain is forecast until at least the end of January.
The hot, dry weather is likely to continue and that means the bushfire crisis still has a while to go -- Simon Cullen, CNN, Australia.
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ALLEN: Well, East Africa has had a turbulent year of dangerous wet weather. We've been talking about all the dry weather. But what was a disaster for humans due to that was quite the opposite for animals. Farai Sevenzo shows us how animals at a national park in Kenya are thriving.
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FARAI SEVENZO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For months now, East Africa has had heavy rainfall. Hundreds died across the region in landslides and flash floods. But what did the heavy rains do to the region's animals?
This park, we're talking about the rangers, had 1,930 elephants at last count. The heavy rains fell here, too, sending water down from the mountains. This park is looked after by Kenya's Wildlife Services.
SEVENZO: The rains which had been falling so heavily all through Kenya and East Africa have affected this area, too, Amboseli National Park, up near the border with Tanzania. These rains have been a huge blessing. You can see the animals wading, the flamingos are back.
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SEVENZO: And, of course, the tribesmen and villagers who live around this area are coexisting with the animals.
SEVENZO (voice-over): The rains have led to new grass and fresh foraging for the beasts here.
SEVENZO: Were the animals adversely affected by this?
JOSEPH KABERERE, KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICES: Not at all. Not at all. As you can see, we have seen a lot of elephants and hippos. Physically, because of the range that we had, you can see the area is green.
SEVENZO: When the East Africa rains first came cascading down mountains like Mount Kilimanjaro, they caused a lot of flash floods and there were rumors that animals were being swept away.
But of course, they are very instinctive creatures, these beasts. They know when to move away from earthquakes, from volcanoes and, indeed, from flash floods.
What was a dry region an area is now lush with green vegetation just before Christmas. It is a wonderful sight, which is, of course, completely the opposite of what happened to people in East Africa.
SEVENZO (voice-over): In this age of climate change debates, the rains are seen as another standoff between people and nature. But here, in Kenya's Amboseli National Park, a delicate balance between man and beast seems to have been struck for now -- Farai Sevenzo, CNN, Amboseli, Kenya.
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ALLEN: We'll take that.
Next here, while the timing is not clear, the impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump will head next to the Senate. We'll tell you what to expect as this process goes forward.
Plus, the U.S. lawmaker that's being accused of domestic terrorism. How he is using the Trump impeachment as a defense. That's coming up as well. Please stay with us. Much more of CNN NEWSROOM ahead.
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ALLEN: Welcome back to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. You're watching CNN NEWSROOM. We appreciate it. I'm Natalie Allen. Here are the headlines.
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ALLEN: When the House Speaker finally does deliver the articles of impeachment to the Senate, the next phase of the process will be triggered. Our Tom Foreman has a look at what a Senate trial may look like. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: When and if the impeachment of Donald Trump moves from the us House of Representatives over to the Senate, much of the freewheeling drama could be replaced by a much more staid process. Here's the outline for the trial.
Impeachment managers for the House will present their case, arguing the president did indeed abuse his power and obstruct Congress in the Ukraine affair. The president's team will refute those charges and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts will preside.
When does it happen?
Well, it was expected to start in early January at noon each day, that's not at all clear now with all the maneuvering going on. We'll just have to see how that shakes out.
Who is the jury?
All of the Senators, Democrats and Republicans. Indeed, they have to take an oath of impartiality which could be awkward, since some of the top Republicans have already said the president is innocent and they have no intention of being impartial.
Will there be witnesses?
Probably not. The minority Democrats wanted them; the head of the Republicans, Mitch McConnell has said he's rejecting that request that matters, because witnesses can only be summoned by a majority vote.
How much power does the Chief Justice really have in all of this?
He will maintain general order and rule on evidence. If senators have questions they have to submit them to him in writing. But big catch here, he can be overruled on almost anything by a majority vote.
What will we see?
The rules say TV cameras can show us who's talking, but no shots of who is listening or not listening.
Are the rules the rules?
Not really, because at any time they can be turned upside down, changed by a simple majority vote.
And how do we get a verdict?
With a view at the end of all of this, each senator must stand and cast a vote. And if that happens, remember the number 20, because even if all the Democrats and the two independents stand together, that's how many Republicans would have to cross the aisle and join them to reach the two-thirds vote necessary to convict and remove Donald Trump from office. That is not likely.
And bear in mind, even here some people could dodge accountability by simply voting present.
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ALLEN: Many Americans are keeping a close tab on the impeachment proceedings especially in battleground states like Michigan. Our Jason Carroll traveled there to get the pulse of local Democrats.
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JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The Democrats we spoke to say the impeachment long overdue but there is no cause for celebration. They say looking ahead they have a lot of concern for their party and the country.
CARROLL (voice-over): As the impeachment proceedings winded down members of the Greater Royal Oak Democratic Club gathered to mark what they called somber day in U.S. history.
PAULA MARTINO-MANTAY, MICHIGAN RESIDENT: It's very disheartening to me to see people who used to call themselves Republicans who are simply standing up to support Donald Trump.
CARROLL: Keeping tabs on the impeachment proceeding was especially important to Lauren Jasinski.
LAUREN JASINSKI, MICHIGAN RESIDENT: I think it's really a fantastic opportunity to see democracy in action.
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CARROLL: Jasinski teaches government to high school students. (on camera): Has there been any particular moment that stood out to you?
JASINSKI: I think I'm surprised in how forward people are being and their minds already being made up.
CARROLL: Interesting.
Is that surprising to you?
JASINSKI: Yes. Yes. I would expect a little more openness.
CARROLL (voice-over): No one in the group say the expected Republican leaders to support impeaching the president. But Paul Curtis, who has now watched two Presidents be impeached says he was still surprised by the behavior of some Republican members of Congress.
PAUL CURTIS, MICHIGAN RESIDENT: The Republican Party members have spent the day making a show of it, so far as to call the president of the United States equal to Jesus Christ and the Democrats in Congress are like Pontius Pilate. This is absurd.
CARROLL: Earlier Wednesday hours before the vote took place, Jeffrey Nolish and his friends were already feeling the weight of the day.
JEFFREY NOLISH, MICHIGAN RESIDENT: We're witnessing procedures that were put into practice by founders. You know, play out in real time and I guess it is a bit more of a somber day, but it's a day to be, to learn and be educated.
TEDDY DORSETTE, MICHIGAN RESIDENT: Who would have thought in our lifetime that we and others, an impeachment debate?
I'm holding my son and thinking to myself, will we ever see this again in his lifetime?
I hope not.
CARROLL: Still this group felt it was important to mark the day in history together.
LESLIE TOM, MICHIGAN RESIDENT: Processing it together, collectively. There's something that's nice about Detroit and being able to find the spaces to meet up, gather and discuss.
CROWD: Impeach now.
CARROLL: While hundreds demonstrated Tuesday in support of the proceedings, in the progressive enclave of Ferndale just outside Detroit, the political reality is, Michigan is a swing state. The question on their minds, will Democrats pay a price at the ballot box as a result of impeachment?
DIANA RAINE, MICHIGAN RESIDENT: I'm terrified they will pay a price. But at the same time, they'll be able to live with themselves.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think the Democrats are doing the right thing and whatever the political cost.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's sad and it's good, too. I mean, it shows that --
CARROLL (on camera): Good in what way?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Constitution works.
CARROLL: And some of the Democrats we spoke to reacting to the comments the president made about the late Congressman John Dingell.
For example, Paula Mantay called the comments, quote, "uncalled for, heartless, cruel and unnecessary," while Jeffrey Nolish said that the comments were, quote, "inappropriate and immature," and that the president should apologize -- Jason Carroll, CNN, Detroit.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ALLEN: A Washington state lawmaker is refusing to step down despite being accused of taking part in domestic terrorism. Now Republican Matt Shea is using President Trump's impeachment to defend himself following a months-long investigation by his own party. Our Sara Sidner has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) MATT SHEA (R), WASHINGTON STATE REPRESENTATIVE: Thank you, Madam Speaker. This just seeks to put this to a vote of the people.
SARA SIDNER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a stunning finding, this Washington state Republican lawmaker is facing accusations of domestic terrorism against the country he swore to serve.
And that's according to an investigation commissioned by the Washington state legislature.
REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), HOUSE SPEAKER: Article I is adopted.
SIDNER: And the state rep is using President Trump's impeachment as part of his defense. The state has now forwarded the report against state House Representative Matt Shea to the FBI and U.S. attorney.
The five-month-long probe found Shea participated in an act of domestic terrorism against the United States, engaged in and supported the training of youth and young adults to fight a holy war and advocated the replacement of U.S. democracy with a theocracy and the killing of all males who do not agree.
The investigation also cited Shea's engagements with the Bundy family anti-government activists who call for armed resistance and the takeover of federal lands. The report list Shea's militant actions across three states, in 2014 in Bunkerville, Nevada, in 2015 Priest River, Idaho and in January 2016 in Burns, Oregon.
Shea engaged with militia members in the planning of an armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
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SIDNER (voice-over): That incident ended with federal and state law enforcement moving in to remove armed militia members and ultimately killing militia member Robert LaVoy Finicum after a police chase.
Last night, Shea defended himself in a statement on Facebook, saying, in part: "Like we are seeing with our president, this is a sham investigation." He added: "I will not back down. I will not give in. I will not resign."
SIDNER: The House Republican leadership has removed Representative Shea from the caucuses and from his ranking positions. They note his did not take part in the investigation, did not respond to investigators or their report. He also did not return calls from CNN -- Sara Sidner, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ALLEN: Next here, two women smuggled into the U.K. speak with CNN after dozens of bodies were found in the back of a refrigerated truck in Essex. Hear why these trafficked women risked their lives.
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ALLEN: People in Vietnam looking for a better life sometimes end up with smugglers heading to the U.K. CNN correspondent Scott McLean tracked down two Vietnamese women who took that dangerous journey to England. They tell him how they risked their lives and how organized crime played a role.
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SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In October, the world heard news of a horrifying scene, 39 people found dead in the back of a truck. For the victims inside, it was the end of a long journey that they would not live to see. But many others are still willing to make that trip.
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"HANNAH," VIETNAMESE TRAFFICKING VICTIM (through translator): I feel very scared because that might have been me.
MCLEAN (voice-over): In Northern England, we met two Vietnamese women we're calling Hannah and Michelle, who separately have made this dangerous trek themselves. For Hannah, it wasn't by choice. She says she was sold by an abusive uncle and taken to China, where three men forced her into prostitution.
Months later, she was handed a Chinese passport and boarded a flight to a place she was told was Hungary. From there, a white man loaded her into a trailer with another woman. She fell asleep only to wake up somewhere in England, where she managed to escape from the back of the truck.
MCLEAN: Did you feel like you were treated as a human?
"HANNAH" (through translator): They wanted me to work so they could get their money. That's all.
MCLEAN (voice-over): Debt that the trafficker said her uncle owed them.
MCLEAN: Did you feel safe?
"HANNAH" (through translator): I was very scared then. Right now, I'm still scared. I'm scared that one day, the Chinese men will catch me. Or that if they see my uncle, he will sell me away again.
MCLEAN (voice-over): Hannah has since found safety at a shelter supported by the Salvation Army.
Michelle came to the U.K. for another reason. She says her family was the victim of religious persecution at home. Her grandmother had to sell land to pay for the journey. "MICHELLE," VIETNAMESE TRAFFICKING VICTIM (through translator): I follow traditional Buddhism and it's not allowed in Vietnam. And therefore I was beaten up. I'm very scared because my father, my grandfather, my uncles and my grandmother have died from being beaten up.
MCLEAN (voice-over): She says a smuggler took her to China, gave her a Chinese passport and together, they boarded a flight to Paris. A day later, she climbed into the cab of a truck that was loaded onto a ferry sailing across the English Channel.
The driver was white and her Asian smuggler never left her side. She's not sure how they avoided passport checks.
"MICHELLE" (through translator): I only know that I was transported in a boat and across the Channel and nothing else.
MCLEAN: Both journeys trace a well-established route from Vietnam through China to Europe and then by truck to the U.K., involving both Asian and European smugglers. Almost all of it is fueled by organized crime, sometimes even rival groups working together.
ALAN MCQUILLAN, FORMER BELFAST DETECTIVE: Money makes for strange bedfellows, but it's about the (ph) two companies, really (ph), that he (ph) regarded in exactly the same way, they regard themselves as a business. The biggest barrier, in the end, is usually getting them across the Channel and actually into the U.K.
MCLEAN (voice-over): Former Belfast Detective Alan McQuillan says cutting off the flow of illegal entries is a massive challenge for police. Some European ports have sophisticated technology to detect stowaways; others have much less stringent checks.
Even retracing the route and the people involved is near impossible. Most people, like Hannah and Michelle, never actually learn the true identities of their smugglers or traffickers. Plus, there's a bigger problem: police budgets are dwarfed by revenues from organized crime.
MCQUILLAN: The police were facing an uphill battle from the very start.
MCLEAN (voice-over): Hasn't stopped Hannah from praying for justice.
"HANNAH (through translator): I just want those people arrested soon so they can't put other people in the same situation as me.
MCLEAN (voice-over): Scott McLean, CNN, London.
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ALLEN: And next here, Prince Harry's holiday message.
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ALLEN: Cuba's Communist government now has something it hasn't had in more than 40 years, a prime minister. Fidel Castro was the last person to hold that title back in 1976.
Manuel Marrero Cruz was named prime minister after leaving the country's tourism ministry for the past 16 years. The position of prime minister had been eliminated after Castro but was restored in a new constitution adopted last February.
All right. So let's take another look at impeachment, a little lighthearted look. If there is one thing we have learned over the past several weeks of hearings and votes is that Republican congressman Jim Jordan really doesn't like wearing a sport coat. We put our Jeanne Moos on the case.
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JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You may know him as Republican Representative Jim Jordan.
REP. JIM JORDAN (R-OH): Guess what?
MOOS (voice-over): But we guess many know him as the congressman who never wears a jacket.
BILL HADER, ACTOR, "JIM JORDAN": I'm so angry, I couldn't even wear a jacket today.
MOOS (voice-over): He carries it but rarely wears it. Leading to jokes like "Found Jim Jordan's jacket. FLOTUS has it."
Even when he goes on TV talk shows, no jacket.
"I'm going to start a telethon to get Representative Jim Jordan a blazer."
He's usually ablaze about something.
JORDAN: We've got six people having four conversations in one sentence.
MOOS (voice-over): But always in shirt sleeves.
This week, something truly historic happened. No, not impeachment; Jim Jordan dressed up.
JORDAN: Of course, the whistleblower.
MOOS: Yes, the Ohio congressman actually put his arms through the sleeves of a jacket. Jim Jordan is wearing a suit jacket and he looks almost as uncomfortable as he makes all of us. HADER, "JORDAN": Ooh, I'm about to pop off!
MOOS (on camera): So, what's the deal?
Does Jim Jordan have hangup about wearing jackets?
JORDAN: I don't know why. The only time I wear the jacket is when I have to. I wear it on the House floor because you have to.
MOOS (voice-over): The rules required him to wear one for the impeachment vote on the House floor.
JORDAN: And I wear it around the president. Whenever I'm at the White House, I wear it there.
MOOS (voice-over): There are multiple Twitter accounts purporting to be Jim Jordan's jacket.
"All I want is to be worn."
When Jordan posed in the overly big jacket belonging to a radio host, Jim Jordan's missing jacket posted, "Who the bleep rolls up a suit jacket sleeve?"
Jordan has a theory.
JORDAN: You can't really get fired up and get into it if you got some jacket slowing you down. So --
HADER, "JORDAN": Mr. Morrison told Ambassador Taylor that I told Mr. Morrison that I conveyed this message to Mr. Yermak on September 21st, 2019.
MOOS: Shirt sleeves for speed -- Jeanne Moos, CNN --
MIKEY DAY, ACTOR, "JIM JORDAN": OK, what?
MOOS: -- New York.
DAY, "JORDAN": Chairman, I object.
[05:55:00]
ALEX MOFFAT, ACTOR, "ADAM SCHIFF": I'll allow it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ALLEN: Sometimes you have to roll up your sleeves and get to work.
Now we turn to the British royals celebrating Christmas away from the U.K. Prince Harry is celebrating the holiday with his wife, Meghan Markle, and son, Archie, in Canada. A spokesperson tells CNN the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been spending private family time.
Harry put out a seasonal video, however. It shows the prince dressed as Santa sending a message to bereaved children. It was for those who lost parents in the British armed forces. Harry, of course, 12 when his mother died.
His grandmother headed to her estate for the weekend but not before enjoying her version of Three Kings Day. Here she is with the three future British monarchs. They are having a go at making Christmas pudding, a tradition that dates back to medieval England. She looks amused as 6-year-old Prince George whips up a festive dessert.
And that is CNN NEWSROOM. Thanks for watching. I'm Natalie Allen. If you're joining us from the U.S., "NEW DAY" is ahead. For everyone else, I'll be back in just a moment with the headlines.
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