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U.S. Official Says, Iranian Maritime Forces Have Raised Readiness in Gulf; Hundreds of Children and Adults with Severe Medical Issues Receive Vaccine; GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) Calls for Standalone Vote on $2,000. Aired 11:30-12p ET
Aired January 01, 2021 - 11:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:30:00]
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Because these moves come at the same time intelligence is showing that Iranian-backed militias inside Iraq have increased their preparations and planning for some kind of potential, again, we don't know, attack against U.S. forces in that country.
So you have a lot of concern all the way around. Why the timing on all of this? Well, we are coming up on the one year marker of the assassination ordered by President Trump against Qasem Soleimani, the Iranian general who headed their Quds Force.
And just a short time ago, in the last hours, his replacement made a statement that was equally concerning about all of this, saying, and I quote, our path in resistance will not change according to U.S. mischiefs. With the extent of the crimes that you have committed, people from your own house may end up being the ones who retaliate.
So a veiled warning there perhaps that some kind of action could be coming and all of it does seem to be tied to this one year marker of the assassination of General Soleimani, something the Iranians still feel very, very deeply about and a lot of signs and signals that concern the U.S. a great deal. Ana?
ANA CABRERA, CNN NEWSROOM: Everybody is on edge right now. Barbara Starr, thank you.
Let's bring in CNN National Security Analyst Samantha Vinograd. Sam, you've obviously been behind the scenes in discussions when it comes to national security as a former adviser to the national security adviser in the Obama administration. What's your assessment of the current threat level from Iran?
SAMANTHA VINOGRAD, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Well, Ana, we have to do some multitasking here. It is a fact that Iran represents a real threat to U.S. national security, particularly during this period of heightened risk due to the upcoming anniversary of the Soleimani assassination. But we also have to acknowledge the fact that we really can't trust a lot of what the administration tells us when it comes to Iran. When we look at the threat from Iran, Ana, it is clear that Iranian aggression has increased across every theatre, on land, at sea, in cyber space and, of course, their nuclear program is progressing. Recently, Iranian-backed proxies struck the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, for example.
At the same time, President Trump and members of his team have fabricated or twisted intelligence, including on Iran, to suit personal or political objectives. It is no secret that striking Iran has been on President Trump's bucket list for some time. And with 19 days to go, he may want to go out with a bang.
That's why we have to assume that just based on standard operating procedure, U.S. officials are monitoring and redirecting assets to monitor threats associated with Iran in and around this period. And at the same time, the public, and I hope members of Congress, are questioning any intelligence that the administration is pointing to about a purported Iranian attack.
In terms of the attack, Ana, I do think that Iran will calibrate any attack associated with this anniversary because they do not want to box themselves in ahead of Biden coming into office and ostensibly restarting nuclear negotiations that would lead to the lifting of sanctions.
CABRERA: So we have this what appears to be a threat or a warning from the head of Iran's Quds Force that suggested retaliation against the killing Qasem Soleimani may come from within the U.S. Share what types of discussions may be taking place to try to assess the severity of this specific threat.
VINOGRAD: Sure. And, again, there is a lot of saber rattling going on right now. The war of words is not unexpected particularly from the commander of the IRGC Quds Force.
In terms of potential threats from within the homeland, it would be malpractice for the FBI and other members of the intelligence and law enforcement communities not to be monitoring the social media space, online chatter to see if the IRGC is trying to inspire, direct, suppor any kind of attacks here in the homeland. They've done this around the world before.
And according to the Department of Homeland Security, in terms of foreign terrorist organizations attacks on the homeland, inspiring attacks is the most likely scenario.
Concurrently, we also do have to acknowledge that Iran has launched cyber attacks against the United States, including during our election. So I think those are primarily the two buckets of issues that officials are looking at when it comes to the homeland. But I think an attack overseas is more likely because we're so exposed in the region when it comes to our assets and our interests.
CABRERA: And all of this, of course, will be inherited by President- elect Biden once he takes office and becomes President Biden. But his transition team continues to accuse the Trump administration of withholding crucial information that could damage national security, allegations the Trump defense officials have denied. What do you make of this? Could it undermine our national security?
VINOGRAD: The sabotage of the transition process by Trump and his team could undermine national security on day one.
[11:35:04]
Much of what the Trump team is doing certainly makes it look like Trump wants to disadvantage Biden on day one based upon some personal vendetta, I suppose, because Biden won the election. That said, Biden and his team, including the folks that he's nominated over at the Pentagon, do have a lot of experience.
But Biden will have to play some degree of catch-up on day one. His predecessors have not been in that position before. And that presents a unique challenge for Biden. He'll have to play a degree of catch-up. He will be faced with an atrophied national security apparatus. And keep in mind, world affairs don't go on pause while Biden and his team get up to speed. So that will be an unprecedented number of challenges facing our 46th president.
CABRERA: Sam Vinograd, good to have you here. Happy New Year, my friend.
VINOGRAD: Happy New Year, my friend.
CABRERA: A shot in the arm is giving families hope as children with severe medical conditions are reunited with their parents getting the coronavirus vaccine.
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[11:40:00]
CABRERA: The vaccine rollout is now reaching some of the nation's most vulnerable. About 350 children and adults with autism and other complex medical conditions are receiving the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine. And for some, it ends months' long separations from their loved ones. CNN's Gary Tuchman reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): In New York State's Cat Skill Mountains, it's a landmark day for these young people. All of them who have severe medical issues and co-morbidities, today is the day.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Okay. one, two, three, awesome.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good job.
TUCHMAN: They get the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That was awesome.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Awesome, bud.
TUCHMAN: This is the 1,500-acre Center for Discovery, where hundreds of vulnerable children and adults with complex medical conditions live and visit for clinical treatments and educational, social, nutritional and recreational experiences.
24-year-old Kaditra Dis (ph) has cerebral palsy.
That's a beautiful hat. How do you know how to make a hat? I have no idea of how to make a hat.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You do.
TUCHMAN: I do? I couldn't do it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We are done. Good job, yes.
TUCHMAN: For months, the residents here were not able to see their parents and families in person because of COVID. Now, with proper precautions they can and parents are with their children as they get their vaccines.
R.J. has severe autism. His mother said his grandfather died from COVID in April.
DENISE LOMBARDI, R.J.'s MOTHER: I know that my dad would be so proud of how well R.J. has done through this entire ordeal. And particularly today, you saw how much of a trooper he was getting his shot.
TUCHMAN: Jody also has profound autism and seizure disorders.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Looks like a boo-boo.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. Can we just call it boo-boo?
TUCHMAN: Her mother says not being able to see Jodie in person for months was excruciating.
ALISON SINGER, JODIE'S MOTHER: Just the thought of that, for me, has been the worst part of the pandemic. So, getting the vaccine today, it's the beginning of the end of that nightmare.
TUCHMAN: Although residents and employees here have tested positive for COVID over these months, there have been no deaths. Credit is given to the diligence of the employees here, about 1,700 of them. And they too are getting the vaccine. After all, it's the employees who
can bring the virus in.
PATRICK DOLLARD, PRESIDENT AND CEO, CENTER FOR DISCOVERY: Their courage and their efforts just keep us moving forward but we have to stay with it. It's not a mic drop yet. We still have to get through this still.
TUCHMAN: The parents visiting realize this frightening time is not over, but the relief on this day is palpable.
MICHAEL ROSEN, NICKY'S FATHER: It is so emotional. And he knew in his gut that this is something he wanted to do. I can't tell you how emotional it is to watch someone you were so worried about for so many months and, automatically, you see a hope on the horizon.
TUCHMAN: And remember the hat-maker we met earlier --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Okay, a little pinch. Ready? Can you feel it? Not at all.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right, good job.
TUCHMAN: Well (INAUDIBLE) says she is most grateful that she too has now been vaccinated.
Gary Tuchman, CNN, Monticello, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CABRERA: Up next, President Trump touts a banner year on Wall Street as millions of Americans struggle to make ends meet.
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[11:45:00]
CABRERA: Welcome back. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is now adding his voice to calls for a standalone vote on the $2,000 stimulus checks.
[11:50:00]
He says, with seven Republicans already supporting the idea, just five more would be needed for this measure to pass.
The House already approved the higher stimulus checks last week, but there's little sign that a stand-alone bill will get a vote in the Senate.
Joining us to discuss, CNN Economics Commentator Catherine Rampell. She is also an Opinion Columnist for The Washington Post. Catherine, Happy New Year, good to see you.
In your recent op-ed, you say, simply put, sending money to nearly every American family to ensure help gets to the much tiniest fraction who actually need it is not a terribly efficient use of resources. So, whether it is $600 or $2,000, you say it is not really the issue. What is?
CATHERINE RAMPELL, CNN ECONOMICS COMMENTATOR: The issue is getting the aid to people who need it most. Look, there is a portion of this country that has borne the brunt of this economic crisis, as well as, frankly the public health crisis.
But if we're just talking about jobs lost, hunger, evictions, et cetera, it is a relatively small fraction of the country. It is tens of millions of people but it is not the majority. They need help. They need food. They need unemployment aid, they need rent payments, et cetera. We absolutely need to give them the assistance that they need.
But there's also a portion of this country in what I would call and others called a two-track recovery, that is doing, at least, financially relatively fine. These are people who haven't lost their jobs, who are still working from home, their asset values, whether we're talking about their 401(k)s or the value of their house has gone up, they are doing fine.
And, unfortunately, this $2,000 check proposal doesn't really differentiate between the two. It does phase out, but it still benefits 94 percent of households, including some households that make more than $300,000 a year.
I would much rather see that funding targeted upon the households who really need it, rather than giving a few dollars to $300,000 households for whom it is a pittance, they might just save the money. Spend more of that money on the households for which those checks would be insufficient. Do it through more weeks of unemployment insurance, for example, more generous food stamps, that sort of thing.
So, I would really love to see Congress aiming more of their fiscal firepower at the needy.
CABRERA: Where are you getting that $300,000 number? Because my understanding was, and correct me if I'm wrong, But I thought it was -- these checks were going to go to people who are making $75,000 or less and couples who are making $150,000 or less, so double the $75,000 reward (ph).
RAMPELL: So, this is a good question. The thresholds that you mentioned are the maximum -- or thresholds for maximum check amount. But the check continues at lower levels going much higher up the income scale, so it phases out gradually. It's basically like, for every additional $100,000 your household makes, you get $5 less in checks.
And because it is a bigger check, that means it takes longer for the check to phase out. And as a result there are households that make $300,000, 340,000, depending on how many kids that they have, who would still be eligible for some money. They wouldn't get the full $2,000 per person but they would still get some money.
Do they need that money? You know, the law doesn't differentiate. Some of those people may have lost jobs, right? They may need some assistance. But the law doesn't differentiate. So that's why I'm saying there is this misconception that there's a sharp cutoff at $75,000, which is not that much money if we're talking about the middle class, for example.
But $300,000, that's like at the very top or close to the top of the income distribution, it is not clear that those households are really going to do much with that money. It will be much better to reallocate the need to those who actually do need it. CABRERA: I hear you. It is interesting to hear how you really laid that out. I don't think all of us knew all the details, so it's important that we get those details out to our viewers.
I do want to read a tweet from the president, who is, you know, championing what is happening on the stock market. He writes, finished off the year with the highest stock market in history, setting records with your 401(k)s, just like I said you would. Congratulations to all. The Dow and the S&P 500 started and ended this unprecedented year at all-time highs, a lot of volatility along the way.
Catherine, reconcile this with the millions of Americans that are barely able to pay bills, struggling to pay rent and mortgage, they can't put food on the table, they're trying to figure out, do I pay my electric bill or can I feed my child dinner.
RAMPELL: Again, this is a two-track economy. Some have called it a K- shaped economy. For those who have a lot invested in the stock market who are -- or maybe theya are in white collar jobs, where they can work remotely.
CABRERA: Which is only 50 percent of people who are invested in the stock market, right?
RAMPELL: Right, and so it is not everybody.
[11:55:00]
But those people are doing well. And stock markets are doing well for a number of reasons, including that they're much more forward-looking right now that we have a vaccine available. Investors are pricing in the fact that the economy will eventually recover but we're not there yet.
So there's still a lot of suffering and that's not reflected in these equity values.
CABRERA: Catherine Rampell, thank you so much.
RAMPELL: Thank you.
CABRERA: And thank you for joining me today. Happy New Year again. I'm Ana Cabrera. Newsroom with Alison Kosik starts after a quick break.
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