Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Trump Impeachment; Hawaii Officials Find Crashed Tour Helicopter; Bush Fires Threaten Australia's Koala Population; Top Trending Stories of 2019. Aired 3-3:30a ET
Aired December 28, 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]
(MUSIC PLAYING)
NATALIE ALLEN, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Hello from CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Natalie Allen.
Ahead here on CNN NEWSROOM, President Trump is showing signs he is frustrated, over what's happening in Washington, as an impeachment trial in the Senate looms.
Also, a tragic outcome in Hawaii, where remains have been found in the search for, a crash tour helicopter, two families were on board.
And, we're talking about Australia, yet again, relentless bush fires are so bad, there wiping out, swaths of the koala habitat. They could be facing extinction.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
ALLEN: Thank you for joining us. Our top story here President Trump's demand for a speedy impeachment, trial is going nowhere fast and it is apparently ruining his holiday getaway in Florida. That's evident by looking at his Twitter feed. CNN's Phil Mattingly has the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As President Trump continued his holiday Twitter barrage against Democrats on impeachment, Speaker Nancy Pelosi continuing to press her party's case in her own tweet, saying, quote, "President Trump abused his power for his own personal gain."
Yet, for all the 280-character thoughts, the battle over what the looming Senate trial will look like remain where it's been for days, at an impasse -- sources telling CNN no conversations between the top two Senate leaders have occurred or are likely to before January.
And with tangible action tabled for the moment, it's the rhetorical fights sitting at center stage.
REP. MARK POCAN (D-WI): All the people that Donald Trump has said that can profess his innocence, he hasn't let come before Congress and she's trying to make sure that they're going to be able to testify before the Senate.
MATTINGLY: To some degree, a clear Democratic strategy to get under the president's skin, something sources tell CNN is exactly what's happened.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: They're playing games. They don't want to put in their articles, their ridiculous, phony, fraudulent articles.
MATTINGLY: But even more importantly, Democratic sources say, to exert pressure on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
REP. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (D-FL): It would be unprecedented for the United States Senate in an impeachment trial to -- that will decide on whether the president is convicted and removed from office -- to not hear any witnesses.
MATTINGLY: McConnell has rejected Democratic calls to subpoena witnesses and documents in the initial trial rules resolution and has scoffed at the Democratic pressure play.
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY): I'm not sure what leverage there is in refraining from sending us something we do not want.
MATTINGLY: The reality is the expectation, at least to people I talk on both sides of the aisle, is the answers to most or all of these questions should come quite soon after lawmakers return to Capitol Hill in January.
The reality here is nobody is actually totally sure and here's, why Speaker Pelosi has kept her plans, what she wants to do going forward, when she wants to send those articles to the United States Senate very closely held. Nobody really has a firm understanding of what her next steps will be. As one Democratic lawmaker texted me earlier today, just stay tuned, I guess -- Phil Mattingly, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ALLEN: Joining me now Siraj Hashmi, commentary writer and editor for the "Washington Examiner,"
Siraj, good to see you, thanks for coming on.
SIRAJ HASHMI, "WASHINGTON EXAMINER": Thank you for having me.
ALLEN: The President of the United States, trying to relax, not sure how that's going, is talking, of course and tweeting about impeachment quite a lot. He's alleging the Democrats are playing games by withholding the articles.
But on the other side, as we just heard from a Democrat from Wisconsin in our story, Donald Trump has not allowed those he says could profess his innocence to come before Congress.
So are there two or more games going on here on both sides? HASHMI: Absolutely there are games on both sides. I mean that's just the nature of Washington, politics in many ways, people like to compare it to a game of course, there are people outside who sort of actually don't like it when people compare it to a, game but that's kind of what's happening, here because with impeachment, it's always been a political process.
What you see here from the Democrats is that Nancy Pelosi the House Speaker, has talked about how they need to defend the Constitution of the United States by defending it through impeachment.
What you're seeing here from the Senate majority leader is he automatically, immediately said that he is not an impartial juror, so as a result of that, you're seeing how both sides are laying bare their partisan agendas here. And they're going to do whatever they can to sort of make their side look the best.
[03:25:00]
HASHMI: That's sort of the games that's kind of being played right now.
ALLEN: Right and they are sticking to it for now but we do have one Republican senator, from Alaska saying, hold on a minute to Mitch McConnell who has stated as you just pointed out that he will run the trial at the behest of the White House. He sounds adamant he won't, break she doesn't, like it.
Do you expect any other Republican to speak out about that?
HASHMI: Lisa Murkowski is sort of, she's always been somewhat of an independent, a lot of people, sort of think she's not a real Republican, because she doesn't kowtow to every single line, that Mitch McConnell sets.
The same could be said about Susan Collins and a few other Republican senators. I will say that when it comes to, the number of Republicans who may be speaking out about it, sure, they might air their grievances, because they feel it will work for them, at least within -- electorally, their own states and their constituents.
But the end of the day, if it doesn't meet the standard for impeachment because they are moving closer towards the Senate trial, they are not going to vote for removing the president.
So you might see a Republican like Murkowski say these, things but when it comes to voting for, it I doubt she actually would vote to remove Trump.
ALLEN: Meantime Joe Biden has spoken out about this, he has said if he is called to testify, that would be by the Republicans, he would refuse, is that a risky move here?
In an election year?
HASHMI: That's a good question. It's tough to say whether Joe Biden, saying anything is actually helpful to, him. The fact that many times, as soon as he opens his mouth, his foot is inserted, because there just so many times in which he said something, that doesn't come off right, it doesn't land.
And as a result, he's kind of generated a lot of buzz, in different news cycles, for sort of being so gaffe, prone that he may not have the fitness to go up against Trump in the general election.
Of course if you're going up against Trump, it's going to be no holds barred, so with Trump he's going to go after whoever he thinks is the weakest or in this case whoever thinks is the, strongest.
And Joe Biden, within his dealings with Ukraine through his son Hunter, Biden as well as his dealings with China, he -- whether there is any truth to it or not, he's going to try to expose him for what he thinks it is and use, it to his advantage.
For Biden to testify in a Senate trial would only hurt him. It wouldn't help him.
ALLEN: In the meantime, the first votes in the election year, which can you believe it's just a few days away now, the election year is here, it's taken a while.
The Iowa caucuses are a little more than a month away.
Will this drawn-out impeachment process, affect Democrats in any way, in Iowa?
I mean there's still no front-runner, in that state, should they address impeachment directly and talk about it and bring up President Trump?
HASHMI: They shouldn't talk about impeachment on the campaign trail. But if this whole process, is drawn out to the point where Mitch McConnell is drawing out a Senate trial, into early February, when the Iowa caucuses happens, you're looking at several senators who will not be able to campaign as frequently, like Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders or Amy Klobuchar because they will be in the part of litigating whether they believe Trump should be removed from office.
Of course, all three of them at least believe that he should.
If we're going into, Iowa which is a left leaning state, although I believe in 2016 I think Trump took it, but it's one of those states, where if they are trying to at least resonate, with other constituents, talking about their agenda and impeaching Trump doesn't really go hand in hand because they're running to replace him when you get down to it.
ALLEN: My goodness, if they have to go back in February at the time of the Iowa votes that would be an interesting dynamic
HASHMI: And you can't rule it out because Mitch McConnell is absolutely capable of doing that to them. ALLEN: Yes he is, all right it may get worse before it gets better,
thanks so much for joining us. We appreciate your insights.
HASHMI: Thank you for having me. Happy holidays, Happy New Year.
ALLEN: And to you, thank you.
The United States is trying to figure out who is responsible, for a rocket attack that killed an American civilian contractor, on a military base, in Iraq. It happened Friday in Kirkuk province. A U.S. official tells CNN it appears similar to other attacks, carried out by militia believed to be backed by Iran, in recent months.
Authorities say several American troops and at least one Iraqi security officer, were wounded.
In Hawaii, the remains of six people have been recovered after Thursday's crash of a tourist, helicopter.
[03:10:00]
ALLEN: Six passengers and the pilot were on board. Authorities do not believe anyone survived. The search for the last person resumes in the coming hours. Our Josh Campbell has more about it from Hawaii.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOSH CAMPBELL, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: The crash site in a remote area inside a state park in the northwest section of the island of Kauai. This tourism helicopter was one of many that you typically see here in Hawaii, a popular attraction that allows tourists the ability to look inside volcanoes, at waterfalls, to get a sense of the state's landscape and wildlife, a routine tourist excursion ending in tragedy.
This all began on Thursday afternoon. The Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy as well as Kauai Fire and Rescue were alerted after the tourism helicopter failed to return to base at its allotted time. That missing aircraft report launched a massive search and rescue effort involving multiple agencies throughout the night, working some 16 hours by sea, air and land.
As far as the cause of this incident, that remains under investigation. We're told that officials from the National Transportation Safety Board as well as the Federal Aviation Administration are currently on the way here to launch that investigation to get to that root cause.
We're told earlier reports possibly point to inclement weather, especially high winds. Now as far as those who were on board, sad developments we are learning today from officials. We are told that in addition to the pilot, there were two families aboard, including four adults, two children.
Officials announcing the remains from six of those people have been recovered, a search for the seventh continues -- Josh Campbell, CNN, Honolulu.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ALLEN: Bush fires are threatening Australia's koala population. Just ahead, see how the government and experts are trying to save these adorable animals, their habitats are going up in flames.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
ALLEN: A total ban on open and campfires in place in New South Wales, Australia, and the capital territory now as the country braces for a major heat wave this weekend. Deadly bush fires have been burning for two months now.
And the fires are having a devastating impact on koalas, the cute and cuddly animals are revered symbols of Australia but they are being hard hit in New South Wales as flames destroy their habitats and they just can't escape.
There is hope, as experts fight to save one koala at a time.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALLEN (voice-over): A koala hospital in Australia overwhelmed with patients with wildfire injuries.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He seems to be quite dehydrated and probably quite hungry.
ALLEN (voice-over): Not all were lucky like this little one.
[03:15:00]
ALLEN (voice-over): Animal experts estimate hundreds of koalas have died in deadly bush fires raging in Eastern Australia since September.
Australia's environment minister saying on Friday up to 30 percent of koalas in the country's New South Wales region may have been killed in the ongoing fires. The region's Port Macquarie Koala Hospital has admitted more than 300 of these adorable animals so far this year.
But the hospital's director says the support from the public has been equally overwhelming. The hospital has received over $2 million in donations on the GoFundMe page site.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The number of visitors that are here at the Koala Hospital over the last 5-6 weeks has been phenomenal. Everyone is so afraid that we're going to lose koalas that they want to come and see them. That's the power of the koala worldwide.
ALLEN (voice-over): The government says it's working with koala experts and $6 million has been set aside to help save and rehab them. A new heat wave is expected to hit parts of the country over the weekend and into next week, raising fears that high temperatures and dry winds could further intensify the raging infernos.
That's all bad news for the already vulnerable koala community.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very little would actually survive in there unscathed. Wallabies, kangaroos, deer would get out because they can run but koalas just really can't.
ALLEN (voice-over): The Australian Koala Foundation says the numbers are dwindling and the species is at risk of extinction if the population continues to shrink. Rising temperatures, which dry out their habitats, deforestation and disease are taking a toll.
The staff here hope his fate will be different in a time when the death of even one koala could be one too many.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ALLEN: Coming up here from throwing shade in the House to history on fire in France, stores that captured the Web's attention in 2019.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
ALLEN: 2019 was quite the year for trending topics. From the "Friends" reunion selfie, to the epic showdown between Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and President Trump, social media went wild. CNN's Brooke Baldwin breaks down the top trending stories, of this year.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: 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, 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 could not handle it. Her first post managed to crash her page. The first photo, an epic "Friends" reunion selfie on the caption, "And now we are Instagram friends, too."
It became one of Instagram's most popular photos of the year with more than 15 million likes.
[03:20:00] Number eight, 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 posts pictures of their son on their Instagram page before they are 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 in all of 2019. While viewers were split on the ending of "Game of Thrones," it was some intended 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:
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST: Another death on Mt. Everest bringing the total to 11 thus far this climbing season.
BALDWIN (voice-over): 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 is near the top of the mountain, where there is only one-third of the oxygen found at sea level.
Number five, a scientific event of intergalactic magnitude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A huge breakthrough for humanity.
BALDWIN (voice-over): The first photo of a black hole.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Black holes are the most mysterious objects in the universe. They are cloaked by an event horizon where their gravity prevents even light from escaping.
BALDWIN (voice-over): 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. Predictably, Twitter couldn't escape the doughnut memes.
Number four, in Paris, a catastrophic fire shocked the world.
JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: The world famous Notre Dame cathedral is on fire. BALDWIN (voice-over): Millions watched in disbelief as flames engulfed Notre Dame, the city's iconic 856 year-old cathedral.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Behind the tower, full, people screamed. It is so sad.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All that came through a mind was the heart of Paris is burning.
BALDWIN (voice-over): 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 here speakership and had some of the year's most viral moments from the infamous state-of-the-union clapback, the rebuke that launched thousands of hashtag #Don'tMessWithMe memes.
REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), HOUSE SPEAKER: As a Catholic, I resent your 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.
BALDWIN (voice-over): 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 player's game poses became instant memes 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.
GRETA THUNBERG, CLIMATE ACTIVIST: Our house is on fire.
BALDWIN (voice-over): "Time's" Person of the Year.
THUNBERG: Change is coming whether you like it or not.
BALDWIN (voice-over): Greta Thunberg is leading a generation of climate kids.
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 fairytales of eternal economic growth.
How dare you?
[03:25:00]
BALDWIN (voice-over): 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 the 16-year-old and her army of climate kids, it is only the beginning.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ALLEN: And we are certain to see more of Greta in 2020. We hope so. We'll be right back.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALLEN (voice-over): That is China's successful rocket launch right there, prompting a round of applause at mission control, two previous attempts by China failed and on Friday they announced that its long march fry carried a satellite into orbit. A former NASA astronaut talks about what it means.
LEROY CHIAO, FORMER NASA ASTRONAUT: China's space program, first and foremost, as in any national space program, is about national pride and prestige. The other countries are definitely paying attention to the Chinese space program. China has made it clear there in it for the long haul. They are in for the long investment and they've already marked up several successes, both in unmanned probes and in human spaceflight as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ALLEN: The country's space program is focusing on some ambitious goals including landing a person on the moon in the 2030s.
And that is CNN NEWSROOM I really appreciate you watching. I'm Natalie Allen, follow me on Twitter, @AllenCNN. Your headlines are right after this.
