Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Trump Tweets Message Of Support To Iranian Protesters In Farsi; Iran Blames Human Error For Shooting Down Plane; Trump Talks Impeachment Trial; New Details On The Crisis Rocking The British Royal Family; Mind-Boggling Numbers On The Australia Bushfires: Half A Billion Animals Now Impacted; Saudi Service Members To Be Expelled From The U.S. Aired 7-8p ET

Aired January 11, 2020 - 19:00   ET

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

[19:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANA CABRERA, CNN HOST: You're live in the CNN NEWSROOM. Great to have you with us on this Saturday evening. I'm Ana Cabrera in New York and we begin with a major turn of events in U.S. tensions with Iran. President Trump is now tweeting in Farsi in show of support for Iranians.

Many are protesting today not as a call for unity, but to condemn their leaders after Iran admitted to downing a Ukrainian airliner due to "human error."

They're crying, Khamenei, have shame, leave the country. And a warning now, this video we are about to show you is disturbing. It shows the missile that Iran says an operator mistakenly fired hitting flight 752, killing all 176 people on board but as Iran accepts the blame, it seems to be shifting some of it on the U.S.

Iran's foreign minister says the error happened "at a time of crisis caused by U.S. adventurism." The Islamic Republic shot down the plane hours after its offensive against Americans in Iraq, retaliation for the death of General Qasem Soleimani and eight days now since the U.S. attack that killed him, the White House keeps changing its narrative on just how, "imminent" the threat he posed was.

The latest version from President Trump, Soleimani was planning to attack four U.S. embassies. A detail multiple lawmakers say was not mentioned in their classified briefing, this week. For more on these shifting narratives from the administration, let's get right out to CNN's Jeremy Diamond at the White House.

And Jeremy, first, I want to begin with this message of support the President is sending after protesters in Tehran. What can you tell us?

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right Ana. Well listen, the President and his top advisers have insisted that their goal in Iran is not regime change but tonight, we are seeing the President expressing solidarity with protesters in Iran who are calling for the resignation of that country's supreme leader. The President's tweeting both in Persian, Farsi that is as well as in

English saying, "To the brave, long suffering people of Iran, I stood with you since the beginning of my presidency and my administration will continue to stand with you. We're following your protests closely and are inspired by your courage."

So those are the words from the President of United States tonight as we see Iranians taking to the streets but the President and his administration have not quite gotten their message straight as it relates to their targeted killing of the Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.

Nine days after the President authorized that strike, the President and his advisers are still struggling to get their message straight about the imminence of the threat and the specifics of that intelligence that led to the President's order. Listen in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel.

MIKE POMEO, SECRETARY OF STATE, UNITED STATES: If you're looking for imminence, you need look no further than the days that led up to this strike.

TRUMP: We did it because they were looking to blow up our embassy.

He was looking very seriously at our embassies and not just the embassy in Baghdad.

POMPEO: We don't know precisely when and we don't know precisely where but it was real. We had specific information on an imminent threat and those threats

included attacks on U.S. embassies.

TRUMP: I can reveal that I believe it would have been four embassies.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAMOND: So there is of course there are the contradiction on the question of whether the United States did or did not know what the specific targets were. The President seems to say, yes. The Secretary of State seems to say no.

But then there is also the question of imminence because that is of course the legal justification that this administration used in order to authorize this military strike, claiming that there was an imminent threat but the Secretary of State himself has contradicted himself.

He has at the same time suggested that we did not know exactly where or when this attack would take place but insisting that's not a contradiction with claiming that an imminent attack was being planned. Ana. CABRERA: All right Jeremy Diamond, at the White House, fast moving developments tonight. Thank you. With us now former U.S. ambassador John Limbert. He was one of the 52 Americans held captive during the 444 days of the Iranian hostage crisis. Thank you so much for being here, Ambassador.

JOHN LIMBERT, FMR U.S. AMBASSADOR & FMR IRANIAN HOSTAGE, 1979-1981: My pleasure.

CABRERA: You know we've heard from other survivors of the hostage crisis who have described in you know these recent days and the past couple of weeks really having flashbacks or really reliving some of the trauma that they went through.

I'm wondering if you can sure how you've been feeling.

LIMBERT: Well, it's been 40 years. It's been 40 years and I mean, my own connections to Iran go back a lot longer than that. So this was one - one thing that happened. It wasn't - it wasn't the best thing, it was - it was very frightening, it was very distressing but again, there's a - there's a long relationship and there's a long relationship with the U.S. that is much more than hostility and trading insults.

[19:05:00]

CABRERA: You're right and that's a good reminder because I think, right now so many of us see Iran as such an adversary, right? And I wonder with that mindset, did seeing the Trump administration sort of stick up and you know, give it to Iran provide any comfort or satisfaction to you in any way, given your experience?

Having been held hostage by this country?

LIMBERT: Well, there was one - there was one bit of satisfaction in the fact 40 years - after 40 years that the President did raise the issue that has been completely forget, hasn't been completely forgotten. The sad thing is it remains festering sore between the two - between the two countries.

And as soon as - as soon as there is hostility or as soon as there's a misunderst - misunderstanding or incident, this gets dragged - dragged out and the Iranians - as long as the Iranians - as long the Islamic Republic every year demonstrates on the occasion, on November 4 in Tehran and pretends that this was a good thing or either ignores that it ever - ever happened at all, this festering sore isn't going to be healed.

CABRERA: I want to talk more about your experience with the region, with Iran specifically. You were the former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iran in the Obama administration so you know this region well.

I'd like you to look at the video, CNN obtained today of thousands of anti-government protesters in front of the former American embassy in Tehran. The protests occurred after Iran admitted to shooting down that Ukrainian airliner. What do you think the feeling is right now in the streets of Iran?

LIMBERT: I haven't been to Iran in 40 years, not by choice. I'd love to go but I'm not well - I'm not welcome there but it's very clear, this - this particular government - this particular Islamic Republic, this form of government is apparently not very - not very popular.

Doesn't have a lot of - a lot of fans. It stays in - it's the same people after 40 years. It's gotten - it's gotten old, it's gotten inflexible, it's gotten brutal, it's gotten brutal. It stays in power by force and by a small cadre of believers but you know, small - small things now.

Increasing gas prices, incident with the - with the Ukrainian airplane, just - just how fragile it is and it's hanging in. I think it's hanging on. I don't - I don't know what's - how it's going to change, what is going to change but I don't see it lasting much longer.

CABRERA: Well, that's interesting because remember, earlier this week, we saw millions turn out seemingly mourning the death of Soleimani. I mean, how do you, I guess square that scene, a morning to the anti- government protests that appeared to be happening today?

LIMBERT: That's - that's an interesting question because what he - he really was a mix of currents, represented a mix of currents. He represented some of the most brutal parts of a brutal regime. He was one of the tools that the regime used to maintain itself in power, through brutality and violence.

On the other hand, he represented defense of the homeland. He fought in Iraq, he fought against the Iraqis, he fought against - he fought against ISIS and that gave him credibility as an Iranian nationalist and a patriot with even with people who were not fans of the current - the current system.

CABRERA: Let's turn to the President's tweets just this evening that we've been talking about in Farsi. I want to get your reaction to this. I mean these clearly are meant for Iranians to see. We see there on the right hand of the screen, the one with the message in Farsi and we had a translator verify that it matches the English tweet in which tribe is rooting on the protesters and cautioning Iran that the world is watching.

What do you make of this strategy of tweeting directly to the Iranian people in their own language. Would they be welcoming this support of the American President?

LIMBERT: This is not - this is not new Ana. For 40 years we have been telling the Iranian people, we love the Iranian people but we don't like your leaders at all. This strategy has gotten us nowhere essentially. It is never - well - it is never - it hasn't worked.

I don't think it's going to work in this case.

CABRERA: Do the Iranian people feel like it's not genuine? LIMBERT: No, no, it's hard to believe. With all of the sanctions, with

all of the difficulties, with all of the talk of regime change, with supporting the cult of the MEK, the connections through Bolton and Giuliani and other - and others, it's not really very believe - it's not very believable.

[19:10:00]

And the interesting thing was last Tuesday, Tuesday night when the President spoke, he changed that a little bit. If you remember, he said I want to speak to the Iranian leaders and people.

That was very - believe it or not, that was very Obamaisk. For all--

CABRERA: I don't think President Trump would like to hear that.

LIMBERT: No, I'm sure not because for all of his rejection, of everything connected to Obama, in that particular case he echoed Obama's statements and Obama's tone, saying, we can't just say we love the people, we love the people, we hate the leaders.

No, we have to deal with the leaders even if we don't like them, even if we consider it a very unattractive and brutal and repressive regime.

CABRERA: Ambassador Limbert, so great to have you here. Thank you very much.

LIMBERT: My pleasure, Ana.

CABRERA: We really appreciate your insights. President Trump making his opinion known when it comes to who he would and wouldn't want to see at the Senate impeachment trial and whether he'd be willing to use executive privilege to stop certain witnesses. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[19:15:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CABRERA: In a new interview, President Trump says he would love to see witnesses testify at his upcoming Senate impeachment trial to a point that is first, who he wants to hear from.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: See, I'd like a trial and I'd love to have sleepy Joe Biden. I'd love to have his son. I call him, Where's Hunter. I've changed his first name to Where. Where's Hunter. I'd love to have the whistleblower who wrote a fake report. The whistle blower is a person that is you know, you know who the whistleblower is.

By the way everybody knows who the whistleblower is.

(END VIDEO CLIP) CABRERA: But then here's his response when asked about allowing his

former national security adviser John Bolton to testify.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LAURA INGRAHAM, FOX NEWS HOST: Why not call Bolton? Why not allow him to testify? This thing is bogus.

TRUMP: I would have no problem other than one thing. You can't be in the White House as President future, I'm talking about future, many future President and have a security adviser, anybody having to do with security and legal and other things--

INGRAHAM: You're going to invoke executive privilege?

TRUMP: Well, I think you have to for the sake of the office.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CABRERA: Let's bring in our CNN Political Commentators, Former Republican Congressman from Pennsylvania Charlie Dent and former Special Assistant to President George W. Bush, Scott Jennings.

Scott, if there's nothing to hide, why stand in the way of Bolton testifying?

SCOTT JENNINGS, COLUMNIST, USA TODAY: Well, there are legitimate executive privilege claims that every White House invokes regarding its top advisers and when you serve at that rung of the White House, the national security adviser, an assistant to the President, you are the top level of adviser and so President of jealously guarded this privilege over the years.

President Obama, President Bush, President Clinton, dating back at really the beginning of the country, the idea that the President's advisers would be able to give him candid advice without being dragged before Congress. It's a core separation of powers issue and I do think the President raises a legitimate gripe about it.

Now whether the Senate decides to subpoena him or not, I don't know but my guess is he would invoke executive privilege just as I would expect any President to do.

CABRERA: Sure but would it actually cover everything that John Bolton would potentially be testifying about? Remember, we had Fiona Hill testify before Congress that John Bolton told her to go to the council to White House Council, I should say National Security Council lawyers to say you know, I wasn't part.

This is being John Bolton telling her, tell them, I didn't want to be part of any kind of drug deal that Sondland and Mulvaney were cooking up and he talked - she talked about how he called Giuliani, a hand grenade. He was going to blow everybody up.

So he had conversations with other people who weren't the President. Don't you want to know what he has to say about what he knew? JENNINGS: Well, sure. I mean, I guess and look, there's nothing

stopping him from telling us right now. That's what I found puzzling about Bolton's statement that he was prepared to testify.

Well, you don't need to be subpoenaed to say what you know. You can write it all down and send it over Congress - to Congress today or you could have told the House. You could just show up and talk. You don't need a subpoena in order to talk. So I've always been dubious that he actually wants to do this.

I think maybe he wants the appearance of looking like he wants to do it but then knowing that White House might invoke executive privilege could prevent it from actually having to do it.

CABRERA: Congressman Dent, you have been critical of this administration. You said you probably would have voted to impeach the President. I want to ask you about this report that Republican Senator Susan Collins is now working with a fairly small group of Republican lawmakers in the Senate toward a goal of allowing both parties to call witnesses.

Do you really see that happening?

CHARLIE DENT, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Yes, I actually do. I think Senator Collins is sincere and I think she is going to work with other Senate Republicans and probably with senate Republican leadership on a deal to bring forth some witnesses. I could see her - her fellow colleagues Lisa Murkowski and Senator Romney and perhaps some of the retiring members or maybe Cory Gardner, Martha McSally or Joni Ernst tell us those who are up for election. It could easily be four votes to help.

And there should be witnesses including John Bolton who frankly is not going to be able to - they're not going to claim executive privilege on what may be corrupt acts so I think, they're - I think the administration's going to have a tough time with executive privilege arguing on Bolton based on the nature of what his - what has transpired.

CABRERA: Scott, GOP sources say they want to get Trump acquitted by the State of the Union address so he can tout the outcome in front of a national audience in prime time. When you look back to when Bill Clinton was acquitted, he spoke to the nation and he was contrite.

He did not gloat. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BILL CLINTON, FMR PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: I want to say again to the American people how profoundly sorry I am for what I said and did to trigger these events and the great burden they have imposed on the Congress and on the American people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[19:20:00] CABRERA: So Clinton apologized for the misery he had put the nation through. Scott. does the President - this President need to strike a tone more similar to that versus taking a victory lap.

JENNINGS: Well, two things. One, this is an election year and I don't anticipate the President in an election year going forward to the American people and apologizing. Number two, he doesn't think he has anything to apologize for.

In the Clinton case he clearly obviously had a moral failing that he needed to apologize for and the President today just doesn't see it that way. So no, I don't think he's going to - I don't think he's going to do anything like what Bill Clinton did. I expect him not just the to tout at State of the Union. Frankly, I expect his campaign to have exoneration rallies all over the country when this is all said and done because they think they're on the winning side of it as a political matter.

They've raised a ton of money off of it. They're - they think their base's energized by it. So no, I wouldn't - I wouldn't expect any contrition. I would expect full blown offense when he's acquitted.

CABRERA: Congressman, your thoughts about the President and his tone at the State of the Union.

DENT: Well, I like - I think he should be apologetic. I mean even though most - most Republicans I know recognize that the President has done something wrong here and the question is does it rise to the level of impeachment.

If I were the President, I would certainly stand up and say yes, I shouldn't have used my office to pressure of foreign head of government you know, to investigate my opponent. I should've have tried to withhold vital defense assistance to that country in exchange for it.

I mean, I think this is - it's wrong. I mean, it's OK, it's the state that it's wrong and I think it's - it's shameful that the President the United States would actually use this sad chapter in our history as a way to develop himself politically.

Can you imagine if a Democratic President had done something like this? Republicans would have been up in arms and this guy would've been impeached a long time ago. So I mean, that's a sad part of nature of politics in America today. It's so situational and so tribal that somebody could use this - this event as a way to make money, raise money off. It's really sad.

CABRERA: Former congressman Charlie Dent, Scott Jennings, thank you both. Good to talk to you.

JENNINGS: Thanks you.

DENT: Thank you Ana.

CABRERA: Coming up a new CNN poll and what appears to be a very tight race in Iowa just 23 days out from when the first votes are cast.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[19:25:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CABRERA: Three weeks until Iowa and three weeks until the final debate before the voting begins. We have some brand new polling to share with you. A CNN - Des Moines register poll out of Iowa finds that Senator Bernie Sanders is on the rise in what is now a close four-way race in that state.

We have Sanders at 20 percent, Warren at 17 percent, Buttigieg at 16 percent and Biden at 15 percent. This new read on the field comes as these front runner storm the campaign trail with Warren and Sanders currently in Iowa and Buttigieg and Biden holding events in Las Vegas, this afternoon.

That's where we find CNN's Jessica Dean.

And Jessica, you were at Biden's event earlier this afternoon. what was his message to voters there?

JESSICA DEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Ana, he was reaching out to the Latino community here in Las Vegas, Nevada. So a lot of what they talked about was centered around immigration but we also heard from him from the broader themes that we've heard over the months that he's been running for President.

We hear him talk a lot about the soul of the nation. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We have to restore the soul of America. America's soul is at risk. This guy comes down on an escalator and not much higher than those steps and what's the first thing, he says?

He's running because he's going to get rid of those Mexican rapists. What's he done? The way he's treated Latinos from the day he ran? Everything is about we're being invaded. You know the words President speak matter. They matter even if the President is like this one, spewing hate that been designed to divide us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN: Again making that case, that President Trump cannot have another four years in office and also that he, Vice President Biden would be the person that could assume that office on day one ready to go. Ana.

CABRERA: Jessica, how concerned is the Biden camp about his standing in Iowa? He is not dominating.

DEAN: Yes, I talked to a campaign aid today and they told me look, polls are going to go up and down. They always expected a very tight race there in Iowa that they're not focusing on those polls. They want to focus on caucus goers, that this is the time where they want to take those people who are still on the fence, they're persuadable and convert them into Biden supporters and to that end Ana, the campaign really believes that Joe Biden is at his best when he's in these one on one situations, when he's in front of these crowds and he can really connect with people.

So we're going to see more and more of him in Iowa as we get closer and closer to Feb 3 making the case in person to these people that he is the man that on day one can be ready to be President. Ana.

CABRERA: Jessica Dean in Las Vegas, thank you and a reminder of the last debate before the first vote is right here on CNN. Tune in this Tuesday at 9:00 PM Eastern for the CNN Presidential debate in partnership with the Des Moines register.

We have new details about a big royal meeting in the works after that shocking announcement about Prince Harry and Meghan's exit. Next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[19:33:53]

CABRERA: New details tonight on the crisis rocking the British Royal Family over the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, otherwise known as Harry and Meghan.

A Palace source telling CNN, senior members of the Royal Family will hold a Summit Monday to discuss the couple's decision to step back from official Royal duties.

We were told this meeting will include the Queen along with Princes Charles, William and Harry. Meghan is expected to call in from Canada. And of note, this will be the first time all of the senior Royals have met since Harry and Meghan made their big announcement.

And you can now count President Trump among those weighing in on this Royal crisis.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think it is sad. I do. I think it -- she's a great woman and she was blindsided by this whole situation and I think it's too bad.

But you know, she has been the Queen -- it has to be an all-time record, from the time she was like 25 and now she is 94, she has never made a mistake if you look. I mean, she's had like a flawless time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CABRERA: It's not clear when Meghan is planning to return from Canada. For now, Prince Harry remains in the U.K. dealing with the fallout. CNN's Max Foster has more on their announcement rocking the British monarchy.

[19:35:08]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): This is a life governed by Royal protocol. But with this week's bombshell announcement, Prince Harry and wife, Meghan make it clear they want to set their own rules.

The couple defied the Queen when they issued a statement on Wednesday, saying they will pull back from their duties a senior Royals. CNN understands, she had asked him not to speak out.

The Palace at first, blindsided today swung into action. Officials acting for the Queen, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, are holding crisis talks about what to do, a source telling CNN they wanted, quote, "workable solutions within days."

But the decision by Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex raises more questions than answers. The couple make no mention of giving up their role titles. They say they'll continue to do work for the monarchy and support their patronages, but they want to become financially independent.

They say they'll give up funding from the sovereign grant - money from the British government and try to earn their own income, as many minor members of the family do.

One potential and significant source of income, the Royal brand. They've applied for a trademark for the name Sussex Royal which, if approved they could stamp on scores of items and services from books and clothing to educational materials and social care.

But there's a risk being accused of monetizing the very monarchy from which they're trying to distance themselves. And critics of the couple points out their security will still be funded by the taxpayer.

They also hope to keep their official residence, Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VICTORIA MURPHY, ROYAL COMMENTATOR: Will people accept the premise that they are appearing on the world stage as working Royals, and then also going off and acting autonomously taking a private income with a private venture?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: If the family can't agree on a new role for the couple going forward, the Sussex's may be forced to consider resigning their Royal roles altogether.

Max Foster, CNN, Buckingham Palace, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CABRERA: Joining us now, CNN Royal commentator, and expert on all things Royal, Victoria Arbiter. Thank you, Victoria for coming here.

Everything about this story is pretty unprecedented. We were discussing during the break, that's part of the intrigue for all of us here. First they dropped the news, then Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, she goes to Canada almost immediately while Harry is left to kind of pick up the pieces and deal with the fallout.

What is the latest you're hearing about this crisis meeting or Summit that's supposed to happen on Monday?

VICTORIA ARBITER, CNN ROYAL COMMENTATOR: Well, you're absolutely right. We've got really the Royal Family at the center of a Royal soap opera, the likes of which we haven't seen probably since the early '90s.

Now, what we've learned late this afternoon is that the Queen has called a Summit at Sandringham on Monday, which is when we will have Harry there for the first time with William, Charles and of course the Queen.

Meghan will be dialing in, as you mentioned before, and really the goal of that Summit is to iron out all the finer details. Now, there is so much at play here. There is no way they're going to be able to tackle everything. We've got titles, security, income.

But then at the other end of the spectrum is what happens with Harry's ceremonial military roles? What happens with their patronages in the U.K.? Can they still work as Commonwealth Youth Ambassadors? These are all so many intricate details that really should have been ironed out before this statement was made public because now they're negotiating on a public platform and that becomes very difficult for all parties.

CABRERA: So let's talk about why these details weren't ironed out before the announcement? Talk to us about the timing and why they chose to make the announcement when they did.

ARBITER: The Royal Family knew that Harry and Meghan needed to do something different. There's no question this couple was struggling throughout 2019. They were very vocal about their struggles towards the end of 2019.

So the Royal Family were not surprised by Harry and Meghan wanting to make a dramatic twist. What happened, unfortunately, "The Sun" published a story about Harry and Meghan potentially moving to Canada. Harry and Megan felt their hand was turned, and so suddenly, they wanted to release things on their terms. They wanted to take control of the narrative.

So they released all of the information as they understood it, and they released a website, more importantly that laid out all of the terms. Unfortunately, none of those terms had been agreed upon by the Royal Family, such as their funding and their security and how they saw their role unfolding in the years ahead.

And so that's really where things got incredibly complicated. CABRERA: And here's what I don't understand because on the one hand,

they say they want to step back from Royal life and their Royal roles and want to be financially independent; but on the other hand, they're doing some things that seem almost contrary to that plan.

I mean, they're trying to trademark the brand, Sussex Royal. As we heard from Max Foster, they want to keep the estate the Queen gave them, Frogmore Cottage. They apparently still want money from Prince Charles even though they didn't consult with him ahead of this, we understand, is the British public going to get on board with this?

[19:40:04]

ARBITER: Well, that's really the million-dollar question. And that's where it becomes very difficult for the Queen because at the end of the day, she is a grandmother here and she wants to do right by her family.

But at the same time, as the Head of State, she is responsible to answering to the British public.

Now, the British public have been supportive of Harry and Meghan and polls over the weekend have said that they support Harry and Meghan wanting to step away from the Royal Family. What they don't like the idea of is them continuing to be funded.

And it is difficult to say to the British taxpayer, okay, you're going to fund Harry and Meghan's half Royal life while they are potentially earning hundreds of millions of dollars from endorsements and sponsorship deals, potentially from the public speaking circuit.

There are going to be companies lining up to get Harry and Meghan on board, and that's where it's difficult for Harry and Megan because they need to make sure whatever income they generate comes from clean sources. There can't be any controversy to come back on them.

CABRERA: Do the British people think they should give up their titles?

ARBITER: At the moment, yes. It's looking like the British public are saying look, you're either Royal or you're not and if you want to go and have a private life, go for it.

They want Harry to be happy. I think they've been glad to see Harry find his wife. He'd been very vocal about wanting to settle down. We've watched Harry grow up and anyone who was around when Diana died, remembers that pained little boy. So yes, I think they're fully in support of Harry and Meghan being private citizens if that's what they want to do, but in that case, be private citizens. You can't be half Royal as well. So it'll be interesting to see what the Summit comes up with on Monday.

CABRERA: The British press in particular has been pretty bad so far, and even the famous wax museum, Madame Tussaud, already making this move to take out the statues of Harry and Meghan from the Royal Family display. But a columnist for "The New York Times" wrote something interesting,

an op-ed entitled "Black Britons know why Meghan Markle wants out." It's the racism and I'm quoting here, "From the very first headline about her being almost straight out of Compton, and having exotic DNA, the racist treatment of Meghan has been impossible to ignore.

Princess Michael of Kent wore an overtly racist brooch the duchess's company, a BBC host compared the couple's newborn baby to a chimpanzee. Then there was the sublimely ludicrous suggestion that Meghan's avocado consumption is responsible for mass murder while her charity cookbook was portrayed as somehow helping terrorists."

Wow. Has she been treated more unfairly than other Royals?

ARBITER: When you read it like that, it's pretty horrifying, isn't it? Now this no question, many a Royal woman who is married into the Royal Family has been exposed to sexism, classism, elitism, but racism in particular is incredibly insidious.

And I'm sorry, yes, I do believe that she has been subjected to horrendous racism. Some of it on an unconscious level, some of it has been overt. There are many across the U.K. who will say that's nonsense. She's had the same criticism as any other Royal would have. I don't think that's the case.

When you're calling Meghan vulgar for wearing a one-shoulder dress, but Kate is ethereal. Kate's bouquet was beautiful, fresh picked from the garden, but Meghan's was in danger of killing Princess Charlotte because Charlotte was allergic to the flowers. These are all the comparisons that we've seen as well.

So I think there's no question racism has been at play and that's really devastating for the U.K. as a country because on the wedding day, Meghan represented the Royal Family being propelled into the 21st Century. Suddenly, England is a multicultural, multi-faith society. It was being reflected in our First Family, and yet here we are, just over 600 days later, and it's all come tumbling down.

CABRERA: Wow. And where it goes from here, we will not know for a little bit. Thank you. Only time will tell. Victoria Arbiter, always good to have you here.

ARBITER: Thank you.

CABRERA: Thank you. Coming up, mind boggling numbers on the Australia bushfires: Half a billion animals now impacted. Up next, meet the tireless vets trying to save as many creatures as possible.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[19:48:14]

CABRERA: Now to Australia where at least half a billion animals are believed to have been affected by the devastating bushfires. Millions of creatures are feared dead, and those that have managed to escape are in dire need of medical help. That's leaving vets with a very grim choice of which ones to save. CNN's Anna Coren reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNA COREN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A mob of Eastern Grey Kangaroos on the golf course in Mallacoota, Victoria has always been part of the scenery. But these animals aren't just here for a pick. Their habitat was completely obliterated during the bush fires and the fairways provide the only grass remaining.

A young joey move slowly. It's caught the attention of vets Chris Barton and Elaine Ong. This husband and wife team have flown from Melbourne to these coastal towns surrounded by national park that remains cut off by the fires.

As volunteers, they've brought desperately needed medical supplies and bags of pellets.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS BARTON, VETERINARIAN, VETS FOR COMPASSION: This little one is not walking well or hopping well, and we're going to dart him and assess what he's got to be like.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COREN (voice over): They find a tranquilizer dart and within minutes it takes effect. Inspecting her paws and hind feet, their worst fears are realized.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARTON: See this?

ELAINE ONG, VETERINARIAN, VETS FOR COMPASSION: It's terribly burned. This is a third-degree burn.

BARTON: And this is all cooked up in here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COREN (voice over): The decision has been made to euthanize. There is no other alternative. She is among hundreds of kangaroos and more than a dozen koalas that had to be put out of their misery.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARTON: I've been a vet for over 40 years and I still don't get used to it. It is wholesale slaughters. It's awful. It still brings tears to my eyes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[19:50:02]

COREN (on camera): As you can see, so much pristine bushland here in Mallacoota has been wiped out by the bushfires. And the concern is for the wildlife that has survived and injured, the loss of habitat could mean starvation in the coming weeks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ONG: In a way, maybe the ones that died quickly were lucky. The survivors may not be so lucky.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COREN (voice over): Due to the overwhelming number of injured animals that have been found and brought to the makeshift clinic in town, some have been transferred to Melbourne for treatment, while others are recovering in local shelters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And we have to change these every two days. But she's one of the lucky ones.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COREN (voice over): As is Wilbur, the koala.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Healesville Sanctuary have said he's good to go. This happy little fella too so --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COREN (voice over): He was rescued during the fires. But now it was time to send him back to the bush.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey mate, it's time to go home. He's been in the cage for I think five days now so we'll let him have a bit of a walk and find his leg before we send him off the tree.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COREN (voice over): Nearby, a healthy mother and baby is spotted in a gumtree. A hopeful sign some of Mallacoota's fauna was spared and can help rebuild this natural and incredibly fragile ecosystem.

Anna Coren, CNN Mallacoota Victoria, Australia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CABRERA: To learn ways you can help the victims of the Australia bushfires, log on to cnn.com/impact. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)\

[19:56:22]

CABRERA: We have this, just in to CNN, more than a dozen Saudi service members will be expelled from the United States in the wake of last month's deadly shooting rampage at a Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida.

Let me bring in CNN Crime and Justice Producer, David Shortell tail joining us by phone with this breaking news.

David, what can you tell us about why this is happening?

DAVID SHORTELL, CNN CRIME AND JUSTICE PRODUCER (via phone): Yes, that's right, Ana. After this investigation began last month into the deadly shooting where you'll remember three U.S. sailors were killed by a Saudi national that was training at this Florida airbase.

The F.B.I. and the Pentagon began a review into a number of Saudi trainees that were studying at U.S. military installations across the country, well, now, Ana, tonight, we can report that more than a dozen Saudi servicemen that were training at these bases across the country will be expelled.

We've learned that a number of them are accused of having some connection to an extremist movement and some of them as well for possessing child pornography.

Ana, we should note that none of these Saudi service members who are expected to be expelled are accused of being co-conspirators or aiding this 21-year-old shooter in any way, and the Saudis have pledged their full support. The Justice Department and the F.B.I. did not comment to us tonight -- Ana.

CABRERA: Now, tell us more about a letter the F.B.I. apparently sent to Apple this week to get more information from the shooter's phone.

SHORTELL: Yes, Ana, that's another really interesting wrinkle in this investigation that we've learned about in the past few days. On Monday, the top lawyer for the F.B.I. sent a letter to Apple requesting the tech company's help in bypassing the passcode on one of the shooters or two of the shooters' iPhones.

I should say we've learned that this shooter, a 21-year-old Saudi trainee had two iPhones with him as he attacked the base last month. One of them he left in the car and a second he took in with him and actually is believed to have shot which had led some investigators to believe that there may be some information on that phone.

You'll remember, we reported at the time that this Saudi service member who was accused of killing the three Americans that he was believed to have some type of extremism, radicalization in his Twitter account, led investigators to believe that he had been radicalized in some sense.

Well, investigators now want to learn more about what his connections potentially could have been to these radical movements, and that's why they've requested this help from Apple on it.

It's a real harkening back to a 2015 case. You'll remember this big standoff between the F.B.I. and Apple at the time after Apple refused to unlock the iPhone that belonged to a terrorist who killed over a dozen people at a Holiday party in San Bernardino, California. Well, the F.B.I. actually took Apple to court in that situation and it was resolved only at the last minute when the F.B.I. was able to get a third party company to unlock that iPhone.

Well Ana, it appears that we may be in the first opening steps of a similar situation playing out here regarding two iPhones belonging to the Saudi military member who attacked the Pensacola Base last month.

CABRERA: OK. Wow. Lots in there that you wrapped in. Thank you very much, David Shortell for that reporting.

And just to recap. The headline there was that there are now more than a dozen Saudi service members who will be expelled from the United States in the wake of that deadly shooting last month in Pensacola at the airbase there.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

CABRERA: You're alive in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Ana Cabrera in New York. Topping this hour with breaking news, a brand new snapshot about how voters in Iowa feel about the impeachment saga, and President Trump's bid for reelection.

Now, in just moments, we will unveil the results of our latest CNN/Des Moines Register poll.

[20:00:10]