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Trump Scrambles Georgia Senate Race with COVID Relief Demands; Mayor Calls for "Immediate Termination" of Officer Involved in Killing of Unarmed Black Man in Columbus, Ohio. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired December 24, 2020 - 15:30   ET

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

[15:30:01]

BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN HOST: Joining me now to discuss, CNN medical analyst, Dr. Jorge Rodriguez, an associate professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health, Dr. Roshini Raj.

Thank you both for joining me.

Dr. Rodriguez, you heard from that reporting from Omar. How can people living in neighborhoods without easy access to pharmacies be assured that they'll have access to vaccines? They're among those who need it most.

DR. JORGE RODRIGUEZ, CNN MEDICAL ANALYST: She's absolutely right. I think the analogy that she used about a lifeboat is very important. It's not that we're all in the same boat. We're all in the same storm.

And she's right. Some people are on lifeboats and other people on cruisers. It's going to depend on the government to analyze this, since they are responsible for distribution. That people in lower income neighborhoods or people that don't have pharmacies near them get the vaccine. Is the solution a mobile vaccination buses that go to different areas?

And, of course, then the possibility of theft of the vaccine comes into play. Do people get somehow stipend so they can take an Uber or a Lyft to the nearest pharmacy. The solution needs to be coming soon and it needs to being analyzed at this moment, because those pharmacy deserts are absolutely a reality.

GOLODRYGA: Which is why it's so important that we're talking about it right now.

Dr. Raj, we know that people of color are being hospitalized and dying from COVID-19 at higher rates than white people. Aside from pharmacies, how else might these groups get access to a vaccine, should there be a different system in place?

DR. ROSHINI RAJ, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE, NYU LANGONE HEALTH: Well, it's very interesting, because one of the things we have seen with this COVID pandemic is the glaring disparities in health care access. And that's something that preceded the pandemic, but has just been highlighted even more so now.

So, as you said, we're seeing higher rates of death and infection and hospitalization in certain communities. Certainly underserved communities and certain ethnicities like blacks and Hispanics, but we're also learning that more people in certain communities are more distrustful of getting the vaccine. So, it's even an all initiative distribution, but also education and really informing people of the safety of the vaccine, the importance of it, and like everyone just said before me, this is an issue that's going to affect all of us.

When you think about herd immunity, you know, we need to get 70 percent. We're getting higher numbers, 80, maybe even 90 percent of the population vaccinated. If there's a group that cannot access the vaccine, or too scared to get the vaccine, that's going to be a problem for everybody.

So the government needs to be involved, which they are already, you know, passing bills involving a huge amount of money to foster more education and access in certain groups and communities, but also it's going to be up to doctors and health care workers to really educate their patients.

And, you know, we're talking about pharmacies distributing vaccines, but doctor's offices will be doing it as well, if you are a patient of any doctor, making sure that you get to see them, you know, in a reasonable time to get the vaccine, that way if you don't have access to the pharmacies, another avenue to explore.

GOLODRYGA: And, of course, I don't have to tell you, that this comes as so many Americans still are apprehensive about taking the vaccine, so that message needs to be sent out and disseminated in these communities, too.

Doctor Roshini Raj and Jorge Rodriguez, thank you so much and happy holidays to you both.

RODRIGUEZ: Likewise. Happy holidays.

RAJ: Happy holidays.

GOLODRYGA: Well, coming up next, the two Democratic candidates in Georgia's critical Senate run offs were out today providing food and toys to families in Atlanta.

Meantime, President Trump isn't making life easier for the Republicans trying to hang on to their seats. How his threat to veto a COVID relief bill could put the balance of power in the Senate in jeopardy. That's coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:38:24]

GOLODRYGA: A new detail today. More than 2 million Georgia voters have cast ballots in the Senate runoff elections. But for some still deciding, the president is introducing a fresh complication. His decision to say the COVID relief deal is a disgrace puts incumbents David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler in awkward spots.

Last week, Senator Mitch McConnell told colleagues the two Georgia Republicans, quote, were getting hammered over the issue of stimulus checks.

So, before the president scuttled the deal, Senator David Perdue cut this ad.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. DAVID PERDUE'S POLITICAL AD: Senator Perdue never gave up. Purdue again delivered real, meaningful help for Georgians, $900 billion in new COVID relief, direct checks to Georgians, critical funding for vaccine distribution, small businesses, public schools and help for folks out of work. Ossoff obstructed, Perdue delivered.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLODRYGA: Oops.

Well, joining me now is CNN political commentator and Republican political strategist Doug Heye.

Doug, that ad seems to have been cut and released a bit too soon. It's no longer Ossoff that's obstructed but President Trump. How big is the president's decision to enter negotiations after Congress sent a deal to his desk?

DOUG HEYE, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: It's massive complication. One we see quite often with Trump, is where Republicans think everything is set, a deal has been made, and Trump comes along and pulls the rug from out from under them. The challenge for Perdue here is not his rhetoric has now been complicated, but Jon Ossoff is now on the offense by being able to say, yeah, I agree with president Trump.

[15:40:01]

We should do this. This is not the message that either Republican candidate wants to send right now. They want to be unified moving forward.

We have less than two weeks until this election. So any day that you're off message or distracted is a day you don't get back. It's a real challenge.

GOLODRYGA: And we should also note that that ad doesn't mention the president at all. I don't think that's by accident. It's pretty telling in and of itself, isn't it?

HEYE: It is, and further highlights the real problem that Republicans are having right now because President Trump won't go away, won't concede defeat. Their best message right now, aside from talking about how important the COVID relief package is, is to every day talk about, and this is true whether you're David Perdue or Kelly Loeffler, that you're a check and balance on the Biden administration.

So, you're not even able to really concede the reality that there is a President-elect Biden. They're still dealing with this reality of Donald Trump not going anywhere, they can't use their best weapon and their best messaging, and it sends the message further to their voters as they're talking about stolen votes and things like that, that aren't real, that they're not out there saying your vote is important, your vote matters, and let's get every vote that we can. Well, the Democrats will be able to do that. Democrats have a better message right now than the Republicans.

GOLODRYGA: No doubt it puts those two in a very tough spot.

Let me read this to you. Josh Kraushaar writes in "The National Journal", that voters in Atlanta's wealth suburb may decide the Senate balance of power and their distaste for the president could actually be the deciding factor.

Let me read this to you: Even if Republicans still show up in large numbers for the runoff, the party's brand in Georgia has gotten yet more toxic for those swing voters in the Atlanta suburbs. With Republicans tying themselves even more closely to Trump in the immediate aftermath of the election, it's possible some of those cross pressured GOP voters in November become reluctant Democratic supporters two months later.

Do you think there are enough of those Republicans to tip these races blue? I would have said that's not the case a few weeks ago, but now, maybe there is a chance.

HEYE: Yeah. You have two factors going on. I'm coming to you today from North Carolina, where we saw a lot of that in the Raleigh suburbs where I am right now. It's not just about Republican voters who might cross over, it's Republican voters who might just stay at home.

We have two Senate raises on the ballot, and that's it. You have to be specifically concerned about what's going to happen in a Biden administration, what's going to happen in the United States Senate. There are no mayor races, there's no presidential ticket on the ballot. It's strictly about the United States senate. So, turnout is incredible -- incredibly important.

If you're not able to turn out your voters as you best like, the messaging again from Republicans right now about essentially suppressing our own vote doesn't help. A vote that stays at home hurts Republicans at this point. It's clear this is happening in the suburbs in and around Atlanta. And it's no surprise when Donald Trump has going down there, he went down to Valdosta which is far away from Atlanta and the suburban areas surrounding Atlanta as you can get.

GOLODRYGA: Yeah, no doubt this is a nightmare scenario for Mitch McConnell right now, trying to hold on to those two seats and the balance of the Senate.

Doug Heye, always great to have you on. Nice candy cane tie, don't think I didn't notice. Happy holidays to you. Good to see you. Take care.

HEYE: Thank you so much.

GOLODRYGA: You bet.

Well, the mayor of Columbus, Ohio, is calling for a police officer to be fired after he shot and killed an unarmed man. And the officer's body cam wasn't turned on until after he fired. Details on the investigation straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:48:13]

GOLODRYGA: mayor of Columbus, Ohio, now calling for the immediate termination of a city police officer in the shooting death of an unarmed black man. Forty-seven-year-old Andre Maurice Hill was described as a guest at the home where he was shot. A neighbor had called to report someone sitting in their car and turning the engine on and off.

But after Officer Adam Coy arrived, at some point during the call, he fired at him. The officer didn't turn on his body cam until after the incident, but it does have what's called a look back feature that captured the 60 seconds prior to the camera being turned on. That portion does not have any audio, and we're going may you that clip.

I want to warn you the video is disturbing but important to show you what CNN has obtained to provide context for this case.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ADAM COY, POLICE OFFICER: Put your (EXPLETIVE DELETE) hands out to the side now! Roll on your stomach now!

Yeah. Don't get (EXPLETIVE DELETE) close. I can't see your (EXPLETIVE DELETE) close. Get your hand out from underneath you now!

We got a medic coming?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLODRYGA: Joining me now is CNN security correspondent Josh Campbell.

Josh, thanks for coming in. What does that body cam video reveal to you?

JOSH CAMPBELL, CNN SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, Bianna, you know, for viewers wondering why they couldn't hear the first part of that, as you mentioned, this video was captured after the fact.

[15:50:04]

This officer was approaching this residence. He did not have his body camera on. What we're told is that he was there responding to a nonemergency call. A neighbor called and said there was a man inside this residence at about 1:30 on the morning early Tuesday. Turning his car on, turning it off.

So, the officers responding, it wasn't an emergent situation. He didn't have his body camera on. But as he approached the residence, something caused the officer to engage the innocent person there that was taken down by gunfire at the hands of that police officer. We don't know what that is.

What we are told the officer immediately turned on his camera after the shooting, and that had this look-back feature, so it was able to capture 60 seconds of what occurred right before, but it was dark. It's early in the morning.

We still don't know why that officer felt that use of force was needed. But this man who is now dead, Andre Hill, laid there on the ground. This caused many questions about why the officer responded. The person who owned the house said Mr. Hill was actually a guest there.

And so, it's still incumbent upon the police department to tell us what was the emergent situation. I can tell you, Bianna, that one thing I think is most controversial or as controversial is what happened after the officer fired his weapon, because what you don't see, we have additional minutes of footage, is none of the responding officers, including this officer that fired, rendered aid to Mr. Hill as he laid on the ground.

He was unarmed. Again, he was coming out. It appears to show he has a cell phone in one hand. You can't see the other hand.

But as the officer fired, the man goes to the ground. You can hear him moaning. He's obviously in distress. The officers do not come in to render aid.

And that is causing a question about not just one officer's actions but something endemic to this department. Why did none of these police officers who showed up try to render aid? Could that save this man's life?

Now, finally, we are hearing from the mayor there in Columbus speaking out calling for this officer's termination. Take a listen to his reasoning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR ANDREW GINTHER (D), COLUMBUS, OHIO: Clearly not having the cameras turned on, not rendering aid are two of the major issues. That was not done just by one officer but multiple officers, the refusal or inability, unwillingness to render aid. Clearly, we have a problem that we need to address.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMPBELL: Now, the city of Columbus is facing its second shooting of an African-American male in about three weeks. The actual mayor there who was speaking was leaving the funeral of another black male who's killed about three weeks ago by sheriff's deputies. That shooting under investigation by the FBI.

We're told the latest investigation into the shooting of Mr. Hill, that's been turned over to state authorities. That officer who fired the weapon has been placed on administrative leave. Now we're waiting for that investigation to get additional information. This community definitely seeking answers.

GOLODRYGA: A really disturbing story, Josh. I know you will stay on it for us. We appreciate it. Thank you very much. Happy holidays, my friend.

CAMPBELL: You as well.

GOLODRYGA: Well, coming up next, a dire new prediction from a key modeling group that more than 500 million Americans could lose their lives by -- to coronavirus by spring.

And moments ago, the president and first lady addressed the COVID crisis in a new video. We play that for you in moments.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:52:52]

GOLODRYGA: You are looking at live pictures tracking Santa's progress this Christmas Eve. He's over Central Africa right now wearing a mask even after being vaccinated by Dr. Fauci as he told us last week.

And just in, a Christmas message from President Trump and the first lady as they pay tribute to the front line workers and those among the most affected by this year's deadly pandemic.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MELANIA TRUMP, FIRST LADY: As you know, this Christmas is different than years past. We are battling a global pandemic that has affected all of us. Yet through this great challenge, we have been inspired by the kindness and courage of citizens across this country.

Teachers have worked extraordinarily hard to keep our students learning. Students have delivered groceries to elderly neighbors. Communities have found new ways to stay connected to one another. Courageous first responders, doctors, and nurses have given everything to save lives. Brilliant scientists have developed treatments and vaccines.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We are delivering millions of doses of a safe and effective vaccine that will soon end this terrible pandemic and save millions and millions of lives. We're grateful for all of the scientists, researchers, manufacturing workers and service members who have worked tirelessly to make this breakthrough possible. It is truly a Christmas miracle.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLODRYGA: So many heroes to thank out there. We should note it is unclear when this video was actually taped as no independent media was allowed inside.

And this, the NBA announcing another two players have tested positive for COVID-19. One player tested positive last week. The NBA season getting off to a rough start.

The league postponed last night's game between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder. This after the league fined Rockets star James harden $50,000 for violating the league's health protocols by reportedly attending a private indoor party on Monday. The NBA says Harden can return for Saturday's game if he continues to test negative for COVID-19.

Go Rockets.

That's it for me. "THE LEAD" starts right now.