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Trump to Issue Around 100 Pardons and Commutations; U.S. Capitol Fenced Off, Guarded by Thousands of Troops; GOP Lawmaker: President Set Date, Time, Location for Event; Incoming CDC Director Warning of Dark Weeks Ahead in Pandemic; California Reports 42,000+ COVID Cases, 432 Deaths; U.K. Tightens Travel Entry Requirements; Vaccinations in France Begin for People Over 75; Vaccine Demand Outweighs the Available Supply. Aired 4-4:30a ET

Aired January 18, 2021 - 04:00   ET

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

[04:00:00]

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us here in the United States and all around the world, you are watching CNN NEWSROOM and I'm Rosemary Church.

Just ahead, new video reveals the rage of those involved in the Capitol Hill attack. It's fueling concerns about security ahead of Joe Biden's inauguration.

Donald Trump is planning to use his pardon power again in the last days of his presidency. We will tell you who's in line this time.

Also, the incoming CDC director makes a stark prediction over just how many American lives could be lost to COVID-19 by next month. The details ahead and a look at what the Biden administration plans to do about it.

Good to have you with us. Well with the U.S. Capitol on effective lockdown and his presidency coming to an end, Donald Trump is preparing clemency actions for dozens of people, but as of now he will not attempt to pardon himself. Sources say Mr. Trump will issue around 100 pardons and commutations on Tuesday. We'll have more on that in just a moment.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Capitol looks like a fortress ahead of President- elect Joe Biden's ee inauguration on Wednesday. Law enforcement is on high alert amid warnings of armed protests across the country. Only small numbers of demonstrators showed up at a handful of state Capitols Sunday, but new video of the chaos January 6th shows why heavy security is still necessary. A warning the video is graphic and contains profanity.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(VIDEO SHOWING RIOT AT CAPITOL)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: So let's get more on those pardons we told you about. For that we turn to our White House correspondent Jeremy Diamond.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: President Trump is expected to issue around 100 pardons on Tuesday. That will be his final full day in office. The pardons, we're told, are expected to include a mixture of some more controversial pardons, to white collar criminals, some high-profile rappers, as well as potentially some of the president's political allies.

But there will also be in this batch several pardons that are more about criminal justice reform minded, pardons that would be more akin to those to the one that the president gave to Alice Murray Johnson who, herself, has been advocating with the president for pardons for other individuals who have been incarcerated for a long time.

Now, this final batch of clemency actions comes were really cap off weeks of a scramble by the president's political allies to try and secure pardons either for themselves or for other people. In fact, The New York Times is reporting today that some of the president's allies have been paid tens of thousands of dollars to secure pardons or to at least lobby the president to try and secure pardons for certain convicted felons.

As of now though, our sources are telling us that a pardon, a self- pardon for the president is not expected at this time or at least that the paperwork for a self-pardon has not yet been drawn up. That is something that we are told President Trump has been considering in recent weeks, asking some of his allies and advisers whether or not it would be wise for him to do that.

And we're told that the idea of a self-pardon really has the chances of that have really gone down in the wake of these riots that took place on January 6th because of the optics of the president pardoning himself or something potentially that he is now being impeached for.

So, again, more than -- about 100 individuals expected to see pardons or commutations from the President of the United States on Tuesday as the president winds down the final days and hours of his presidency.

Jeremy Diamond CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[04:05:02]

CHURCH: Between heavy security and pandemic restrictions, Wednesday's inauguration won't look like anything we've seen before, but the terrifying images of the insurrection at the Capitol remind us why vigilance must be maintained. Alex Marquardt now with what's being done in Washington to keep people safe.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Here on the streets of Washington, D.C., things are pretty quiet. There's a sense that this is the calm before the storm. The question is whether the storm comes? Whether there is more violence in the days leading up to and on the day of Joe Biden's inauguration?

They are not taking any chances. We are here just near the eastern side of the Capitol building, you can see they have set up what is essentially, a fortress around the Capitol. Eight-foot fences, they've called them non-scalable, there is razor wire all along the top, there is just a staggering amount of security here in the streets of D.C., many of which have been closed down for traffic and for pedestrian traffic.

Thousands, 25,000 National Guard troops may be mobilized for the inauguration of Joe Biden. You can see that some of them right here behind me. They have been deployed near the Capitol, they are armed, and they have been joined by various law enforcement agencies to create this patchwork of security, this incredible, coordinated security operation.

Now, the FBI has said that there are no specific threats, but there is concerning online chatter. They have said in a bulletin that armed groups have expressed interest in carrying out protests in D.C. and in all 50 states. And one of the concerns expressed by the mayor of Washington, D.C. on Sunday was that because the federal buildings here in D.C. are so fortified, and there's so much security in the nation's capital, that the would-be protesters or rioters could target other parts of the city or state capitals. Take a listen.

MAYOR MURIEL BOWSER (D-WA): I'm not only concerned about other state capitals, I'm also concerned about other parts of Washington, D.C. What you are showing is really the federal enclave of Washington, D.C., not where the 700,000 of us live. So, our police department working with our federal law enforcement partners in the United States Army, quite frankly, also has a plan to pivot if we have any attacks in our neighborhoods.

MARQUARDT (on camera): The mayor of D.C., also saying that this is the most security the city has seen since 9/11. Normally there is a lot of security for inaugurations but not like this. They are confident however that they will have a secure event. The mayor of Washington, D.C. saying that all hands are on deck but this scene, this level of security is not what we think about when you hear that phrase, peaceful transfer of power.

Alex Marquardt, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Meanwhile, investigations into the violence on Capitol Hill are proceeding fast with an impeachment. Calls for inquiries and of course charges for many of the rioters themselves. But one Republican lawmaker spoke to CNN's Wolf Blitzer and laid blame directly at the president's feet.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REP. NANCY MACE (R-SC): Our lives were put at risk because the American people, millions of American people were lied to about the election. Congress had no business, authority, or power to overturn the results of the Electoral College and neither did the vice president. The President of the United States set the date, the time, the location of this event that happened on Capitol Hill and the rhetoric leading up to it is why all of this happened.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: The rioters, as I said, they repeatedly said they were sent there by the president, they were sent there by Senator Ted Cruz, they say, Senator Josh Hawley. The president has now been impeached by the House of Representatives. Do you think these Senators, for example, should face consequences for their role and maybe some members, Republican members of the House of Representatives should face consequences for stirring up these rioters?

MACE: I do, and I think that any person of any party in any chamber should be held accountable. They should be investigated to the fullest extent of the law. We also understand allegedly there was a member of Congress who was also gave the location of the Speaker of the House. And I don't care how much you disagree with Nancy Pelosi, because I am quite conservative and I disagree with her plenty of times, but that's not a reason to give her location when the Capitol doors are being breached and we're being stormed and there's a violent riot that killed five people.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: One Democratic lawmaker calls the Capitol riot an embarrassment but is quick to say those who took part don't represent the Republican Party. Stacy Plaskett is a delegate to the U.S. House from the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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[04:10:00]

STACEY PLASKETT, DELEGATE TO U.S. HOUSE, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS: This is a terrible embarrassment to our country, and we have an opportunity to right that wrong. There are good people in the Republican Party. I don't want people to believe that the Democratic impeachment managers are coming over there to cast aspersions on the entire party. This is something that Donald Trump has done.

This is something that he has incited among the American people and we have in this trial an opportunity to let the world as well as to let citizens of this country who are fearful, citizens of this country who feel wronged that America still is the greatest country of the world. We are a democracy. Our founders anticipated something like this, and we believe that justice will be done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: And we will have more on the inauguration security concerns shortly, but ahead on CNN NEWSROOM, U.S. health officials are warning Americans to expect many more deaths from the coronavirus by spring. We will find out where that staggering number could be just one month from now. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:15:00]

CHURCH: The incoming CDC director is warning Americans the dark weeks lie ahead as the U.S. continues to battle the coronavirus. In just the next day alone the U.S. is expected to top 400,000 total deaths from COVID-19 and in a month from now the numbers could jump even more dramatically.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. ROCHELLE WALENSKY, INCOMING CDC DIRECTOR: Nearly 4,000 deaths a day, almost 400,000 deaths total. By the middle of February we expect half a million deaths in this country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: And while a few states have improved their outlooks, many others haven't fared as well. According to Johns Hopkins University, 46 states had positivity rates higher than 5 percent as of Sunday. The W.H.O. has recommended governments not reopen until rates stay at or below 5 percent for at least two weeks.

And nowhere in the U.S. is the pain of surging coronavirus cases felt more than in California. Even as the state began stepping up its vaccinations, tens of thousands of new infections were reported on Sunday. CNN's Paul Vercammen has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: More awful numbers out of California today, 42,000 new cases of COVID-19 and more than 430 deaths.

And in Los Angeles County, this weekend we've passed that horrible benchmark, which is 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases. All of this staffing the resources of hospitals, firefighters, funeral homes and so much more.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People are working nonstop. They're working hard. I talked to a captain who had two hours of sleep, trying to set this up, trying to set up the logistics part of this huge on-taking here at Dodgers. And you see him, and he has a smile on his face, because he's doing everything he possibly can, humanly, to make this a success and make us efficient.

VERCAMMEN (on camera): Now, they hope to put a dent in those numbers by a mass vaccination campaign, including at this mega site now at Dodgers Stadium. The goal at one point: vaccinate 12,000 people a day. They did not vaccinate on Sunday.

One of the things they're concerned about is will they have enough vaccine in the end. Right now, Los Angeles County is focused on vaccinating healthcare workers and people in related fields, and then they'll get to more of the vaccinating of seniors and people 65 and over down the road.

Reporting from Los Angeles, I'm Paul Vercammen, now back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Well now to Europe where the U.K. has just tightened its travel entry requirements in an effort to protect against new COVID-19 variants. Its travel corridors are now closed, meaning anyone traveling into the U.K. must show proof of a negative COVID test and quarantine for 10 days regardless of where they came from. And in an effort to speed up vaccine distribution, England has transformed some of its cathedrals into temporary vaccination sites. CNN's Scott McLean has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The bells are ringing in this cathedral in England, but this is not a traditional service.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A sharp scratch.

MCLEAN (voice-over): The high ceilings and open layout make it and some other cathedrals across the country a perfect space for makeshift vaccination centers. So far, a good turnout. The U.K. government says around 45 percent of people 80 and over have been vaccinated.

STELLA BENNETT, VACCINE RECIPIENT: I feel a bit safer. I do feel a bit safer. I live on my own, so you know, it's important.

MCLEAN (voice-over): So important that Britain's foreign secretary says the goal in the U.K. is for every adult to be offered a first dose of vaccine by September.

As shots go into arms, the U.K. is also taking tougher measures to try to stop new variants of the virus from entering the country. Starting Monday, all travel corridors are temporarily closed, and all incoming travelers must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test and quarantine upon entry.

Austria is also extending its current lockdown until February 8 over fears of new variants. Even though thousands of people rallied in Vienna on Sunday calling for the government to resign, to protest the third round of closure since March.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): It can't go on like this. The measures are simply too much, from all sides.

[04:20:00]

MCLEAN (voice-over): Riot police used water cannons on thousands of protesters in Amsterdam, gathered in similar protest after the Dutch government extended its closures of schools and most shops.

In France, only melting snow on some city streets as a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. went into effect over the weekend. In Norway, health officials are looking into the cases of 23 elderly people who died after receiving the vaccine. The Public Health Institute says it can't rule out that common reactions to the vaccine like fever or nausea may have contributed to the deaths of elderly frail people with underlying disease.

Scott McLean, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: And in France COVID-19 vaccines are now available to all people over the age of 75. It is the latest move to help speed up vaccinations and stop the spread of the virus. CNN's Melissa Bell joins us now live from Paris. Great to see you, Melissa. So how are those vaccinations progressing and why is France lagging behind some other European countries?

MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: France doing much worse than some of its neighbors. We know that Germany and Italy have managed to vaccinate more than a million people. Here in France we're at under half a million people for the time being. It's been particularly slow.

So yes, this new phase in the vaccine rollout should make a difference. Rosemary, until now vaccines were reserved here in France for residents or nursing homes or those who work there. Now they'll be available to those who are 75 and over who are not in nursing homes. And then it will work down the age groups to try to get as many people vaccinated as they can.

This hour European ministers are meeting to discuss that vaccine rollout and how effective it's been. You know, Rosemary, it's been now more than three weeks and it's been remarkably slow in getting up to speed, especially as European figures continue to worsen.

We know that here in France the French government, although it's put in place from Saturday, that new curfew from 6 p.m. Nationally is keeping a close eye on the figures because it's made clear that if they continue to worsen, they will not hesitate to bring in the kind of third partial lockdown that you saw protested in Holland or in Austria over the weekend.

We know also that Angela Merkel is Germany is facing a very serious situation will be meeting with the heads of the federal states to work out whether a further tightening of the partial lockdown that's in place might be necessary. They'll be looking at things, whether a nationwide curfew as we have in France might be necessary. Also SFP-2 masks on public transport for instance. So some extra measures that might be needed there. For the time being though vaccinations continue. They cannot be counted on of course to bring these figures back under control for the time being -- Rosemary.

CHURCH: All right, many thanks to our Melissa Bell. Appreciate it.

So let's bring in Oksana Pyzik. She is a global health expert at University College London. Good to have you with us.

OKSANA PYZIK, GLOBAL HEALTH EXPERT, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON: Good morning.

CHURCH: So as we've heard, and we know of course, most countries are struggling with administering vaccinations on a massive scale. Appointment computer systems have crashed. Supplies haven't met demand. It is a daunting task given everyone needs to be vaccinated. So, how does this get done better and faster?

PYZIK: Certainly and this is not a surprise, really. We have had a turbulent start in the U.S. and in the U.K. There are some lessons that we can learn from other countries as well. But that is to be expected given that this is the largest immunization program in history. So I do think in the coming weeks and months these problems can be ironed out and learning from that experience on the ground and particularly ensuring that all hands are on deck. And that we are leveraging existing public health infrastructure.

And in the U.S., there is a significant plan to scale up the participation of large community pharmacies, the CVS and Walgreens, et cetera, who have the capability to immunize 50 million Americans per month, whereas we contrast this with the U.K., currently there are plans to include 200 community pharmacies alongside GP Clinics and mass immunization centers as well.

But there is a part that if we want to do this faster, we should be using all the expertise on hand. Pharmacies already are immunizing for the flu routinely. They have the training and expertise. So, with 11,400 pharmacies in England I think we could be doing more on that front.

But we do see some creative innovative solutions coming from the U.K. as well. For example, in the heart of communities, using churches and other sites that are embedded in communities is also going to be very effective in drawing out more people to get their vaccines.

[04:25:00]

CHURCH: And of course, in the U.S. we have learned that the Trump administration has no reserves of vaccine doses left despite claiming last week they would release all available reserves. How can those supplies be increased, and how do you make sure everyone gets equitable access to those doses?

PYZIK: And that is going to be prove -- to be proving to be an enormous challenge not in the U.S. but worldwide as well. In terms of the vaccine itself, what we need to be seeing is that there is no wastage of any doses right now. Sometimes the policies of hospitals and other centers meant that anything that -- whoever did not need that particular eligibility criteria wouldn't receive their vaccine.

However, there has been a turnaround given the reports from the frontline and healthcare workers about this precious resource going to waste. So that's the first thing, is to ensure that we are using what we are using appropriately.

In terms of getting more vaccines, it's a race against everyone else as well. And there have been manufacturing delays, for instance, with the Pfizer vaccine that could have knock-on impact later on in the year due to refurbishing of their plan, et cetera. So all sorts of challenges in terms of actually increasing supply.

So, what we need to be doing in the meantime is to ensure that we are using supply that we have as smartly as we can and to ensure that as many people who are vulnerable will be able to access it but equally that none go to waste.

CHURCH: All right. Oksana Pyzik, many thanks to you for joining us. I appreciate it.

PYZIK: Thank you.

CHURCH: And still to come, streets in front of government buildings militarized as states are taking the threat of unrest ahead of the inauguration very seriously. Those unusual scenes when we come back.

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