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"Top Secret" Saudi Documents Show Khashoggi Assassins Used Private Jets Owned by Company Seized by Crown Prince; Security Officials Solely Blaming Intel Failures Doesn't Add Up; WAPO Memo Warning of "War" Reached Officials Before Capitol Attack; Romney: Trump Would Win GOP Nomination if He Ran in 2024; Awkward Moment Between GOP Leads over Trump's Role; Fauci Tried to Comfort Child with Long-Term COVID Symptoms. Aired 1:30-2p ET
Aired February 24, 2021 - 13:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[13:30:00]
ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, this is an intel report that is written into law. This is required of the director of National Intelligence to release this unclassified report about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
This is actually a law that was flouted by the Trump administration that Biden's director of National Intelligence, Avril Haines, says she will release multiple sources, are telling me that this report to come as soon as tomorrow.
The Intelligence Community is required to show evidence that links current and former Saudi officials who have advanced knowledge and the roles in this murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
Now, the Intelligence Community has never said anything publicly about this murder. We have reported that the CIA determined with high confidence that MbS ordered the killing of Jamal Khashoggi.
The United Nations has said that it was inconceivable that an assassination plot of this sophistication could be done without the knowledge of MbS.
So the big question is: What does the Intelligence Community say about the culpability of MbS in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, and is there a smoking gun -- Ana?
ANA CABRERA, CNN HOST: And the next question being, after we learn all of this, what does that mean for U.S. and the relationship between the two countries.
Alex Marquardt, really appreciate your reporting. Thank you.
To our viewers, you can read his full reporting on these breaking developments at CNN.com. As you watch right here on CNN, security officials squared off in a
game of finger pointing and deflection about the January 6th capitol riots. They kept blaming intelligence failures for the lack of preparedness at the capitol that day.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVEN SUND, FORMER U.S. CAPITOL POLICE CHIEF: I think we need to look at the whole entire Intelligence Community and the view they have on some of the domestic extremists and the effect that they have.
I look at this as an intelligence problem that impacted this event, yes.
PAUL IRVING, FORMER HOUSE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: And during that call, we all agreed that the intelligence did not support the troops and collectively decided to let it go.
SEN. JACKY ROSEN (D-NV): Do you think this was an intelligence breakdown or a resource issue?
ROBERT CONTEE, ACTING CHIEF, D.C. METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT: I think that the intelligence did not make it where it needed to be.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CABRERA: While complicated, this is a false narrative.
Aside from warnings that they received prior to January 6th, beyond a Capitol Police intel report and an FBI memo, it was an open secret that there could be potential violence on this day as the president continued to lie saying the election could be overturned.
In fact, CNN reported on these fears on air in the days prior to the attack.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED CNN CORRESPONDENT: The D.C. National Guard is being deployed to back up local law enforcement during pro-Trump demonstrations in the city this week.
A number of protests in the nation's capitol have turned violent in the past year, including last month when protesters clashed over the November election.
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: That is what is bringing this wave of protests to Washington, so much so that the mayor is requesting help from the National Guard.
UNIDENTIFIED CNN CORRESPONDENT: They have warned that some groups that might try to start conflict with these people may descend on the nation's capitol. There may be some people bringing guns to the nation's capitol.
(END VIDEO CLIP) CABRERA: And just one day before rioters stormed the nation's capitol, an FBI office in Norfolk, Virginia, issued a memo warning of a potential war breaking out at the capitol on January 6th.
"The Washington Post" reports the memo was not acted on urgently enough to prevent the deadly domestic terrorist attack on the nation's capitol.
We're also learning more about a different report. This one is an internal report from Capitol Police on January 3rd.
I want to bring in Beth Reinhard, an investigative reporter for "The Washington Post."
Beth, you report that Capitol Police issued a report three days before the attack at the capitol. What was in that report, and who should've seen it?
BETH REINHARD, INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER, "THE WASHINGTON POST": We actually reported that before yesterday's hearing, a couple weeks ago.
And, yes, three days before the attack, the Capitol Police's own intelligence unit issued a report that, you know, warned that, quote, "Congress itself could be the target of an attack."
It talked about how inflamed tempers were among Trump supporters, how many of them could be armed.
And also pointed out that the president at the time, President Trump, was the one who was stirring the pot.
That report was not acted on obviously in a way that, just from what we can see and what we know about January 6th, in a way that law enforcement was not mobilized in a way that could have protected the capitol or any of the violence that happened.
So, I think we saw that theme during the hearing yesterday again and again, this disconnect between, while you got this piece of intelligence, but it was not acted on in a dramatic way that you would think would be, you know, the way they would act anticipating the crowds that we saw.
[13:35:09]
CABRERA: Exactly. And what's so interesting is that that was an intel report from Capitol Police, from within the capitol law enforcement core group.
I want to read from a different memo. This one was dated January 5th. This is an FBI memo that was quoting an online thread that stated this: "Be ready to fight. Congress needs to hear glass breaking, doors being kicked in."
It goes on to say, "Get violent, stop calling this a march or rally or a protest. Go there ready for war. We get our president or we die. Nothing else will achieve this goal." So, Beth, clearly there wasn't a lack of intel. But they argue there
wasn't enough specificity? This seems pretty specific to me.
REINHARD: Right. They spoke about the quality of the intelligence. They described it as raw intelligence.
And that excerpt that you just read from, apparently they were unable to identify the person who wrote that and be able to verify it as credible.
And what we've heard from law enforcement sources is the deluge of online very incendiary rhetoric these days has made it difficult for them to distinguish between something in their basement boasting and someone who has a gun and is ready to travel and has the financing to do that.
What was interesting were a couple other themes that emerged at the hearing.
One was this idea that the Intelligence Community hasn't been taking white supremacists and other extremists seriously enough.
That because perhaps they're white, because they were Trump supporters, they weren't viewed the same way Black Lives Matter protests were viewed. And obviously, we saw pretty swift response from law enforcement to those protests.
So, I think there will be -- this will continue to be part of a broader conversation about the Intelligence Community, how it gathers information about these folks on the right and how quickly it decides to act on them.
One of the members of the committee said, you know, we have to be able to distinguish between chatter and intelligence that we need to act on quickly.
CABRERA: I just keep thinking about the old adage, hope for the best, prepare for the worst. It just didn't seem like that was the mentality going into this day.
We do know there will be additional hearings to try to get to the bottom of where the missing links were leading up to the attack on January 6th.
Beth Reinhard, I appreciate your reporting. Thank you so much.
REINHARD: Thank you.
CABRERA: Senator Mitt Romney says Donald Trump would win the Republican nomination again if he runs in 2024. Hear why.
Plus, an awkward moment today between a couple of Republican leaders, Kevin McCarthy and Liz Cheney, that perfectly illustrates the divide in the Republican Party. See what happened.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [13:42:59]
CABRERA: Despite being the first and only president in history to be impeached twice, former President Donald Trump is still a frontrunner if he runs again in 2024, at least if you ask Senator Mitt Romney.
Romney was the only Republican Senator to convict the president in both of his impeachment trials. But here is what he told the "New York Times."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. MITT ROMNEY (R-UT): I don't know if he'll run in 2024 or not, but if he does, I'm pretty sure he will win the nomination.
I look at the polls, and the polls show that among the names being floated as potential contenders in 2024, if you put President Trump in there among Republicans, he wins in a landslide.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CABRERA: Let me turn to CNN's chief political analyst, Gloria Borger.
Gloria, we know Trump is headed to the annual conservative committee conference CPAC this weekend reportedly to make the case that he is the presumptive 2024 nominee.
But just take a listen to this very awkward moment on the Hill today with two Republican leaders in the House. Clearly, there's no consensus on what to do in the post-Trump era.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Do you believe President Trump should be speaking -- or former President Trump should be speaking at CPAC this weekend?
REP. KEVIN MCCARTHY (R-CA): Yes, he should.
REPORTER: Congresswoman Cheney?
REP. LIZ CHENEY (R-WY): That's up to CPAC. I've been clear on my views about President Trump.
I don't think that he should be playing a role in the future of the party.
MCCARTHY: On that high note, thank you very much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CABRERA: Clearly, there's no consensus on what to do in the post-Trump era.
GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: Yes. Let me just say, first of all, about Liz Cheney. The woman has a spine. She could have ended it by saying, you know, it's up to CPAC, I've been clear about my views, period, end of sentence, end of paragraph, good-bye.
Instead she said that Donald Trump should have no role in the future of the Republican Party. That's her view, she is sticking to it, and she is going to continue to stick to it no matter what the political peril.
And there is political peril because the party is split.
[13:45:01]
I had to laugh today. The head of the Republican Senate Campaign Committee, Senator Scott, put out a press release, and let me quote from the headline of it, which said, "The Republican Civil War Has Been Canceled."
Well, somebody better tell him it is not canceled.
And Donald Trump is smack dab in the center of it. And where you line up on his future is really the fault line of the party right now.
CABRERA: And so then that brings us to Mike Pence, who has declined an invitation to CPAC.
BORGER: Yes.
CABRERA: But a conservative lawmaker, who was in the meeting with him yesterday, says the former vice president is still speaking highly of Trump.
Quote: "He spoke very favorably about his relationship with President Trump. I got the sense they speak often and maintain the same personal friendship and relationship now that they have for four years."
This is, to me, stunning, Gloria, considering Trump was still badmouthing Pence on Twitter as a mob was attacking the capitol as people were chanting, "Hang Mike Pence."
And I know you have some reporting about their relationship as well, right?
BORGER: Yes. I think that is a little overstated, what you just said. I have a source with knowledge of the relationship, who told me that the two men have spoken twice since inauguration. Each man initiating the call once.
And I was told that the relationship is, quote, "amicable," but it didn't sound to me like it's back to being warm and fuzzy.
I think Pence understands the political reality of the situation. He is going to hang back for six months.
I was told he's doing that because that is the tradition for what presidents and former presidents, former vice presidents normally do.
But I think it's easier for him also. He gets his sea legs. He gets to talk about the Trump/Pence administration, his successes and distance himself a little bit.
CABRERA: OK. Thank you, as always, Gloria Borger.
BORGER: Sure.
CABRERA: Some Republicans have called President Biden's COVID relief plan radical. But today, dozens of top business leaders are endorsing it. Hear why.
Plus, Dr. Anthony Fauci comforts a child dealing with long-term COVID symptoms. We'll hear his story next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[13:50:47]
CABRERA: The National Institutes of Health is launching an initiative to research long haulers. They are coronavirus patients, too many of them, who are still experiencing debilitating symptoms months after contracting the disease.
And among them is 13-years old Hudson Beard. He had the chance recently to ask for help from the president's chief medical adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HUDSON BEARD, CORONAVIRUS LONG HAULER: Hi, Dr. Fauci.
DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, BIDEN'S CHIEF MEDICAL ADVISER: Hi, Hudson.
BEARD: Every day when I wake up, I have constant migraines, severe headaches and I'm super dizzy. My stomach hurts. I vomit. My heart races and I can't read or write.
No other doctors can help me. Can you help me?
FAUCI: You know, Hudson, I don't know if I can help you right now. Clearly, the virus triggered something in your system.
So even though you don't have the virus in you anymore, it triggered something that has gotten out of control.
And we hope that the body's own mechanisms will recalibrate and, over a period of time, get you back to normal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CABRERA: Hudson Beard, his mother, Lisa, and his father, Christopher, all joining us now from Montana.
First, Hudson, I know you're not feeling well today and I want you to know we are with you and I'm sending you so much strength and courage for this battle.
Thank you for speaking up and sharing your story with all of us.
Lisa, it's got to be so hard as a parent to watch your child suffer through this. What has your son and your family been experiencing these past few months?
LISA BEARD, MOTHER OF HUDSON BEARD: It is so difficult to watch your own child hurting and see the central nervous system and brain being attacked.
And for me, as a nurse, it's very difficult, because I want to help him. And I've tried countless medications and countless specialists.
And we're just seeing kind of an assault on many different systems in his body.
And we are hopeful that, in time, we'll see some long-haulers research and different programs pop up where they see some similarities and are able to help these pediatric children suffering with long haulers.
CABRERA: Can you back us up and talk us through the journey up to this point?
L. BEARD: Absolutely. So Hudson came down with COVID in mid-November. My husband and other young son recovered within a week and a half, and Hudson never recovered.
His symptoms began with dizziness and just lethargy, brain fog. He didn't really have any abdominal issues at that time, but just didn't want to get off the couch.
Then it progressed where we started going to doctors and asking them, is there medications we can try? What can we do?
About three weeks after symptoms, he started vomiting violently every time he ate or drank. Then he was admitted with what's called gastroenteritis where his small intestine completely shut down.
CABRERA: Wow.
L. BEARD: And then they told nervous system dysfunction, no longer reading or writing. His eyes affected. His whole nervous system.
In Colorado, we found out that his heart had been affected. He has dilated coronary arteries and takes medications so he doesn't get blood clots or too much stretching of the arteries.
CABRERA: Wow.
L. BEARD: So many, many systems throughout his body have been affected.
CABRERA: You are so tough, Hudson.
Christopher, I imagine that, beyond the physical symptoms, it's been very tough emotionally and mentally for everybody. What has that been like.
CHRISTOPHER BEARD, FATHER OF HUDSON BEARD: Yes, tell you what, it's just so complex, because we have a son who was a straight-A, athletic, just amazing young man.
And you see on news everything that's going on and to have your own son who is kind of at the epicenter of it, and just so desiring him to get well.
[13:55:04]
And even just not having the answers. It just drags and drags and drags. And just the complexities of, is there an end? What will it look like? You know?
Imagining there's other kids that are out there. They're going through the same struggle.
CABRERA: Right.
C. BEARD: And I'll tell you what, it's -- it is very difficult.
CABRERA: I -- I hear you. I'm praying for you, your family. Definitely in my thoughts.
You're right, though, you're not alone. Hopefully, your story can help, you know, raise awareness and also bring comfort to other families --
C. BEARD: Right.
CABRERA: -- to know that, you know, there's power in numbers in some respect.
And, Hudson, again, wishing you, buddy, the very best. You're going to get through this.
Lisa and Christopher, thank you for taking a few moments of your day to share with us.
L. BEARD: Thank you.
C. BEARD: Thanks.
CABRERA: It is a potential game-changer. The FDA revealing data from Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccines. When will it hit the market? Will America get to choose?
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
