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Body of Missing Mother Found In Car Trunk In Houston; Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) Talks About Speaker Pelosi's Holiday Letter To Congress; Trending Stories Of 2019. Aired 9:30-10a ET
Aired December 25, 2019 - 09:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[09:30:00]
ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And she was reunited with her father.
Now investigators are not identifying a suspect in this case, but we have learned from a source familiar with the case that the suspect is Megan Fieramusca. And this woman is charged with two counts of kidnapping and one count of tampering with the court. She is being held on $600,000.00 bail in a Travis County Jail.
And investigators say that more charges could follow. We tried reaching out to her attorney. Her attorney e-mailed us back on Saturday, Brianna, and she said that she was meeting with her client that Saturday but she has not returned our e-mails since -- Brianna.
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: And no word on possible motive at this point, Rosa?
FLORES: No word yet. There's a lot of hearsay on the internet right now, Brianna. We're trying to stay away from that. But again, police officers -- from what we learned from a source are looking into the relationship between Broussard and Fieramusca.
KEILAR: Yes, it's very, very interesting. It will probably lead somewhere, Rosa. Thank you, Rosa Flores for us on that report.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi is hinting several House Democrats want to be impeachment managers in President Trump's upcoming Senate trial. So who could do a good job? I'll be asking a Democratic Member of the House, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:36:26]
KEILAR: As House speaker Nancy Pelosi tries to negotiate what she considers a fair impeachment trial in the Senate, she penned a Holiday letter to her caucus applauding their 2019 accomplishments and previewing what is next, what's ahead in 2020.
At the top of her list, House impeachment managers who will be present for the Senate trial, and joining me now to discuss this is Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. She's a Democrat from Michigan. Merry Christmas, Congresswoman. Thank you so much for being with us. REP. DEBBIE DINGELL (D-MI): Merry Christmas, Brianna and to all the
viewers that are watching this morning.
KEILAR: Yes. Thank you for that. And I as we look, this is going to be one of the next steps. One of the next steps will be -- for these articles going to the Senate, but as Nancy Pelosi considers who she wants to be an impeachment manager, my spidey sense is telling me this is something maybe you wouldn't want to do, am I right?
DINGELL: I have no desire to be one of the managers. I think there are people far more qualified that were on the Intelligence and Judiciary Committees.
Nancy, the Speaker is waiting to understand what the rules of the trial are going to be, so she is appointing the right people.
Quite frankly, I want to get back to continue to work on lowering prescription drug prices, getting PFAS listed as a toxic chemical. That bill will be one of the first up in January on the House floor. Privacy and a number of critical issues to the auto industry.
So we're going to keep working for the people. That's where I am. Those are my committees. Well, I've got a big bill on the -- that we reported out of natural resources on conservation. That was one of the most bipartisan bills quite frankly, passed so far this year.
And the people that have been part of this who know what they're doing will work on holding the President accountable for actions that he took to threaten their national security.
KEILAR: And impeachment really just, it just sucks all of the oxygen out of the room. It takes away so much of the attention of the House. I hear you talking about these issues that are so important to you, so important to the people of your state, you'd like to concentrate on them.
So with that in mind, as you're watching this hold up with sending the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate. I mean, what is your concern? Are you concerned that that this holdup is stopping you from focusing on other work?
DINGELL: So one, it's absolutely not stopping me at all. I was fighting on PFAS until the last second of last week, but let me also -- everybody, yes, there's been discussions. There's been, as one would expect in this kind of emotional tense subject.
But when Bill -- President Clinton was impeached, he was impeached on December 19th and those articles -- the managers weren't appointed until January 6th of that trial.
We don't come back. The House and Senate are until January 6th. We have seen that there are discussions between Speaker, Senator Schumer and Senator McConnell, let's see what happens. I'm going to defer to the Speaker on that.
But I'm also going to say to Senator Mitch McConnell, who frequently likes to say that's all the House is focused on. They haven't done anything. We have more than 400 bills that we have passed; 275 of them are bipartisan, waiting for Senate action.
So yes, there is -- the Senate is going to be holding a trial. They're going to be totally -- they are going to be in their seats at noon every day, Monday through Saturday while this trial goes forward, and then he needs to get back to the people's work, too.
All of us: President, Senator McConnell made a promise that they were going to do something about lowering prescription drugs. I went home -- go ahead.
[09:40:11]
KEILAR: I was going to say, yes, the House managers were picked. The Articles were sent over much more quickly during the Clinton impeachment, and with that in mind and look, there are a number of Democrats who, you know, this was such a tough choice for them.
And are you confident that Speaker Pelosi has that in mind when she is considering how quickly she needs to move?
DINGELL: So I have nothing but the greatest respect for Speaker Pelosi. She understands our caucus. She understands all sides.
I watched her last summer when there were a number of members of the Judiciary Committee that were calling for impeachment every single day. My colleague Rashida Tlaib from the district next to me and she knew that the time wasn't right. We didn't have a clear, understandable this is a danger to our national security.
She kept the caucus together. She did not whip it. And she really did not. She did not put pressure on a single person I know about which way they were going to vote. She listened to the members.
When a group of veteran members really were worried about what was going to happen to our national security that became a tipping point.
She knows what she is doing. She wants to make sure that there's a fair trial in the Senate. She is doing what she needs to do and I have the most confidence in her that she will do what's right for this country.
And I know the Speaker. That is the number one thing she does -- it is protect our democracy and our Constitution.
KEILAR: The Republican Minority Leader, Kevin McCarthy says his plan for House Republican impeachment managers is John Ratcliffe, Jim Jordan and Doug Collins who really led some of the vociferous opposition that came from Republicans during the impeachment?
DINGELL: Yes, he did.
KEILAR: That was my diplomatic way of saying it. They -- you know, the President wanted a circus. They delivered for him on that. Do you think as the Speaker is considering impeachment managers that that is going to have any impact on who she chooses to represent Democrats?
DINGELL: I think she is going to pick the strongest managers that will deliver the message, conduct a trial, and I would hope that the whole country does not want to have a circus.
The Senate certainly can be more sometimes, I think they're too rigged and whatever, but I don't think the Senate is going to want a circus. And I think Senator McConnell and what I do know of him is that he is not going to want to circus in his United States Senate.
I do think that the managers that -- I have a great deal of respect for the Minority Leader are certainly going to try to cause chaos.
But we have got to stop causing chaos in everything that we do. Our democracy is being threatened by this daily confrontation, chaos, spreading of fear and hatred and I hope we're all going to find a way that as we go into this impeachment trial, we are going to look at the facts, the senators will be all impartial, make up their mind, and we're going to all protect the democracy that we love.
And that this country is going to find a way to start to come together because the fear and hatred that's dividing it is threatening the very roots of our democracy.
KEILAR: Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, thank you so much. Merry Christmas, and we are thinking of you on this Holiday.
DINGELL: Thank you. Merry Christmas back and happy 2022 to all.
KEILAR: Yes, a new decade.
DINGELL: But you need to buckle up because I predict -- I know what kind of year it's going to be. I'm not wishing for a lot of things because I know they're not going to happen.
KEILAR: Yes, I'm buckling up. Here, I've got my seatbelt here. All right, Congresswoman, we'll see you later.
DINGELL: Take care.
KEILAR: From baby announcements to historic celebrations, we look back at moments that grabbed your attention on social media.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KEILAR: As we count down to 2020, we're taking a look back at some of the biggest and most interesting stories of the year.
Here's Brooke Baldwin with more on the top nine stories that captured your attention on social media.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN HOST: From the U.S. women's soccer team demanding equal pay to the passionate teenager fighting to save the planet, social media remained a powerful weapon for advocacy in 2019. And then of course, there were the memes. So here are our top nine
trending stories of the year.
Number nine, a friend who nearly broke the internet. Jennifer Aniston joined Instagram and the internet just couldn't handle it. Her first post actually managed to crash her page, her first photo, an epic "Friends" reunion selfie and the caption, "And now we're Instagram friends, too."
It became one of Instagram's most popular photos of the year with more than 15 million likes.
Number eight, and now to even more Instagram Royalty, the young son of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor whose birth, gender and name were all announced on the social media platform.
The family regularly post pictures of their son to their Instagram page before they're seen anywhere else. Just another way these modern Royals are shaking up the monarchy.
Number seven. Winter came and fans were not happy. It was one of the most eagerly anticipated final seasons ever and the most tweeted about show of all of 2019 and all viewers were split on the ending of "Game of Thrones."
[09:50:10]
BALDWIN: It was some unintended product placement that brought divided fans together: A coffee cup left on set. The internet erupted in memes. The official "Game of Thrones" account tweeted this response out, "News from Winterfell. The latte that appeared in the episode was a mistake. Daenerys had ordered an herbal tea"
Number six --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST: Another death on Mount Everest, bringing the total to 11 thus far this climbing season.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: These amazing pictures went viral, showing how record numbers of climbers packed the summit.
Some mountaineers think this traffic jam actually contributed to this year's death toll. Climbers endured waits of two to four hours while in the death zone, that's near the top of the mountain, where there's only one third of the oxygen found at sea level.
Number five. A scientific events of intergalactic magnitude.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A huge breakthrough for humanity. (END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: The first photo of a Black Hole.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Black holes are the most mysterious objects in the universe. They're cloaked by an Event Horizon, where their gravity prevents even light from escaping.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Located 55 million light years away in a galaxy called M87. In this galaxy, another black hole photo went viral. The moment researcher, Katie Bouman processed the first image showing the massive phenomenon.
To see it, scientists in multiple countries around the world linked local telescopes to create this virtual observatory. Predictively, Twitter couldn't escape the donut memes.
Number four. In Paris, a catastrophic fire shocked the world.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: The world famous Notre Dame Cathedral is on fire.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Millions watched in disbelief as flames engulfed Notre Dame, the city's iconic 856-year-old Cathedral.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We heard the tower fall. People screamed.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's so sad.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What went through my mind was the heart of Paris was burning.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: People poured onto the streets to pray.
And on social media, so many paid tribute by posting photos of their visits to the Holy Site, #NotreDame became the most tweeted news related hashtag of 2019.
The loss inspired generosity near and far, establishing a $700 million reconstruction fund. Restorations are now underway.
Number three. In 2019, Democrats took back the House. Nancy Pelosi regained the Speakership and had some of the year's most viral moments from the infamous State of the Union clap back, the rebuke that launched thousands of hashtag #Don'tMessWithMe memes.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): As a Catholic, I resent you're using the word hate in a sentence that addresses me. I don't hate anyone, so don't mess with me when it comes to words like that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: And staring down Trump from across that Cabinet Room table. The image meant to be an insult, the President's caption, "Nervous Nancy's unhinged meltdown," instead went viral showing Washington's most powerful woman standing up to the President.
Number two, the U.S. women's soccer team proved once again, they are the best in the world. Congratulations poured in from all over social media. Ellen DeGeneres said, "Her world cup runneth over." While former President Barack Obama thanked the women for being a strong inspiration to women and girls and everybody all across the country.
The players' game poses became instant memes --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AUDIENCE: (Chanting "Equal pay.")
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: And many of the players took their pleas for pay equity right to their fans via their social media pages.
And number one, she is the teenager on strike for the planet.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GRETA THUNBERG, TEENAGE CLIMATE ACTIVIST: Our house is on fire.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: "Times" Person of the Year.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THUNBERG: Change is coming, whether you like it or not.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Greta Thunberg is leading a generation of climate kids.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THUNBERG: People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Her impassioned speech at the U.N. Climate Action Summit catapulted her meteoric social media rise, making her the face of climate activism online.
Thunberg used her new platform to lead a global climate strike with more than 4,600 events in nearly 150 countries. #ClimateStrike was the eighth most popular hashtag of the year.
So for this 16-year-old and her army of climate kids, it's only the beginning.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[09:55:00]
BALDWIN: An appeal for peace from the Pope as he delivers his Christmas message to the world.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KEILAR: In his Christmas message this morning, Pope Francis appealed for peace in several countries rocked by war and violence.
A huge crowd gathered to hear his annual speech in St. Peter's Square and the Pope asked for peace and comfort for the people of South Sudan and also Syria.
He mentioned conflicts in Iraq, Yemen, Ukraine and Venezuela as well.
And a look now at Bethlehem, which is home to the Church of the Nativity and how they're celebrating there today.
This year, a relic believed to be from Jesus' manger was returned to Bethlehem.
[10:00:10]
