Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Rep. Gaetz Defiant In Face Of Sex Trafficking Probe And Calls To Resign; GOP Rep. Gaetz In Potential Peril As His Associate Likely To Strike Plea Deal In Sex Trafficking Probe; CDC: 68-Million-Plus In The U.S. Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19; Prince Harry To Attend Funeral For Prince Philip; Second Week Of Testimony In Chauvin's Murder Trial Comes To A Close; Law Enforcement Witnesses Criticize Derek Chauvin's Use Of Force; Boehner: Trump "Incited" Insurrection For "Selfish Reasons". Aired 12-1p ET
Aired April 10, 2021 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[12:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN HOST: Hello again, everyone. Thank you so much for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Alright troubling new developments today in the fight against the pandemic, the CDC issuing a warning as the U.S. saw another 80,000 new cases on Friday.
One state in particular seeing a rapid rise Michigan, the state's positivity rate is now 18 percent. Some hospitals are now delaying non-emergency procedures amid the surge. Meanwhile, the investigation into Congressman Matt Gaetz is also heating up. The House Ethics Committee is now opening its own probe as the Justice Department investigates allegations of sex trafficking and prostitution. But Gaetz will not be deterred.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. MATT GAETZ (R-FL): I'm built for the battle and I'm not going anywhere.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: More on the Gaetz investigation in a moment but first, the surge in Coronavirus cases in Michigan. CNN's Polo Sandoval is in Detroit for. So Polo, what's behind the rise?
POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, you know what, Fred, is the governor just yesterday laid it out very clearly for her residents here in a very blunt reality check saying that her state unquestionably still remains a national COVID hotspot especially when you consider the fact that about 80 percent of COVID tests are coming back positive right now.
Fred, for contact set is four times higher than what we saw in mid- February. So, it's deeply concerning and the state of Health Department here in Michigan says that these numbers they clearly show broad community spread right now especially among younger people. (BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
SANDOVAL (voice-over): Pfizer is requested to expand the emergency use authorization of the drug makers COVID-19 vaccine to include people ages 12 to 15 in the U.S. The FDA will evaluate the requests as quickly as possible said the agency's Acting Commissioner Janet Woodcock.
The FDA currently allows to vaccines use and people 16 and up the other two COVID-19 vaccines in the United States make by Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are authorized for emergency use in people ages 18 and older. CDC is aware of several incidents involving an adverse reaction to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in four states says the CDC.
DR. LEANA WEN, CNN MEDICAL ANALYST: That's something that needs to be investigated. People do just get blood clots and when you have millions of people who get the vaccine some people are going to get blood clots so important to investigate. But right now, I am not concerned for myself or for anybody else. We've got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
SANDOVAL (voice-over): Johnson & Johnson also working closely with the FDA to resolve any manufacturing issues that the emergent facility in Baltimore.
JEFF ZIENTS, WHITE HOUSE COVID-19 RESPONSE COORDINATOR: The company also expects a cadence of up to 8 million weekly doses in total, across state and federal channels later in April. Importantly, Johnson & Johnson has also reiterated its commitment to provide at or near 100 million vaccine doses by the end of May.
SANDOVAL (voice-over): Currently, more than one in four adults are now fully vaccinated in the U.S., experts hope to get more Americans vaccinated quickly it's locked down fatigue takes its toll just as more transmissible variants of the virus become dominant.
DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, CHIEF MEDICAL ADVISER TO PRESIDENT BIDEN: I don't think that there needs to be concern about any shift or change in the efficacy of the vaccine.
SANDOVAL (voice-over): All 50 states have committed to opening vaccinations to all Americans 16 and up by April 19th.
DR. ROCHELLE WALENSKY, CDC DIRECTOR: As cases increase in the community, we expect the cases identified in schools will also increase. This is not necessarily indicative of school-based transmission.
SANDOVAL (voice-over): Duke University the latest of at least 16 colleges and universities to require all students receive COVID-19 vaccines. States including California and Vermont plan to fully reopen this summer, experts are warning that truly declare victory against the variants Americans need to get vaccinated and continue mitigation measures.
DR. VIVEK MURTHY, U.S. SURGEON GENERAL: We still have high confidence that these vaccines are effective but because they are not perfect is precisely why we are still urging people to be cautious is why we still have such an emphasis on getting the overall case numbers down which means - which we can only do by vaccinating and by making sure that people until we have a critical mass vaccinated are wearing masks keeping distance washing their hands avoiding indoor gatherings.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
[12:05:00]
SANDOVAL: And finally, let's bring it back here to Michigan. And I want to share with you some of those key metrics that are certainly concerning for health officials here some of those key points, including daily pediatric hospitalizations.
When you look at these numbers here, Fred that is a considerable increase about 237 percent since mid-February, one of the reasons why some hospitals are actually having to delay non-emergency procedures, we should be clear, that's not because of any potential COVID risk to non-COVID patients that's simply to allocate some of these resources.
And then finally, also on that list, the Governor is urging not requiring but urging some high schools or all high schools in the state to actually suspend in person learning for the next couple of weeks Fred. We should be clear the Governor is not requiring any of this simply recommending that some schools do this to try to curb those numbers that are on the rise.
WHITFIELD: All right, Polo Sandoval thanks so much. We'll check back with you out of Detroit. All right now in Washington where the House Ethics Committee is opening an investigation. Florida Congressman of - Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, rather, Gaetz is facing a federal investigation into sex trafficking and prostitution allegations.
And in his first public appearance, since news of the investigation broke, Gaetz speaking at a conservative women's organization, sounding defiant.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GAETZ: They lie about me because I tell the truth about them. And I'm not going to stop. So when you see the leaks, and the lies, and the false hoods, and the smears. When you see the anonymous sources and insiders forecasting my demise know this. They aren't really coming for me. They're coming for you. I'm just in the way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: CNN's Daniella Diaz is on Capitol Hill with more on this. Daniella, what's the latest on these investigations?
DANIELLA DIAZ, CNN CONGRESSIONAL REPORTER: Fred Congressman Matt Gaetz is making clear that he's not going anywhere. In this clip that you just played from last night he was much defined, as you said. He has denied all the allegations against him and made clear that he is not staying quiet. He wants to be outright denying these allegations. And in fact, instead of staying quiet, he actually sent a fundraising email around these allegations. So he's outwardly denying them. But look, he's facing a slew of allegations against him that have you know, developed over the past couple of days, federal investigators are working to determine whether Gaetz provided travel and women in exchange for political favors.
And they're also looking into whether Gaetz had sex with an underage girl who was 17 at the time and with other women who provided drugs and money in violation of sex were trafficking and prostitution laws. These are some really strong allegations against Gaetz.
And as you mentioned, the House Ethics Committee opened up - the House Ethics Committee opened up a probe against Gaetz, they're actually going to investigate these allegations that have come out in the past couple days in CNN and other outlets.
And Gaetz in a statement denied through his office all of these allegations as he has been doing through his lawyer and his office and publicly himself. The statement he said from his office read a once again, the office will reiterate these allegations are blatantly false, and have not been validated by a single human being willing to put their name behind them.
So actually, Fred right now Congress has been in recess for two weeks, and they come back next week for the first time. This will be the first time we might see Gaetz in Washington since these allegations around him arose for the first time, but he actually has a proxy letter to vote remotely right now.
So it's unclear whether he will actually come to Washington, in person? So, we'll be keeping an eye out to see if he actually comes, Fred.
WHITFIELD: Oh, that's an interesting little tidbit as well. All right, Danielle Diaz, thank you so much on Capitol Hill. All right, coming up the Royal Family says goodbye to Prince Philip. Next, we'll have new details about the funeral arrangements and tell you who is expected to attend?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:10:00]
WHITFIELD: Alright, this just into CNN, the Royal Family confirming Prince Harry will return to the UK for the funeral of his grandfather, Prince Philip who died yesterday at the age of 99. Meghan is not expected to attend the service, which will be held one week from today. CNN's Max Foster is with me now. So Max, so good to see you so was there ever any question you know that Harry may not come back for this funeral?
MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: I don't think so. Everyone speaks so fondly of Prince Philip in the family. And I know that Prince Harry has even very recently spoken from Prince Philip. So, I don't think there's any real doubt that he would want to come and - but there was some doubt about whether he'd be able to we're trying to work out the travel restrictions there. But he will likely have to isolate for five days.
So, we expect him to come early in the week because the funeral we now know will be next Saturday, three o'clock in the afternoon UK time 10 am Eastern time. So, he will be attending but the Duchess can't come we're told because her doctors advise against it. She is of course pregnant.
So, she has a reason not to come despite, you know, a lot of the gossip around this event. I think it's a pretty straightforward decision actually, ultimately.
WHITFIELD: So, Max, how do you see Prince Philip's life being a celebrated throughout the UK and beyond? And what might that funeral or occasion actually look like even though it's going to be private?
FOSTER: Well, it's going to - it's going to be private in extent that the public aren't invited to go. There won't be any crowds, but that's really because of the pandemic. But it will be public in the sense that it will be televised, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out because they can only have 30 guests under the current UK rules, one of which will be Prince Harry, of course, we'll get the rest of the guest list on Thursday.
And I think that we'll expect to see them in masks for example, but Prince Philip didn't like a lot of fuss, he didn't want a big state affair.
[12:15:00]
FOSTER: So actually, I think this is a very sort of honest tribute to him in a way. The other thing you'll notice at the service, so there's a main entrance that the state entrance to the Castle, if you like. There will be a procession that starts there before the service begins. And it will be procession of two land rovers, which have been customized one of them, will carry the coffin.
And those land rovers were partly designed by Prince Philip who was very involved in this whole process. So that's a very principal at moment. And they will be, you know, some people along the route of that procession, representing his many charities, causes and military interests.
WHITFIELD: And married 73 years. So, what do we know about how the Queen is doing?
FOSTER: Well, we know that Prince Edward, her youngest son visited today and yesterday, Prince Charles visited, and the Duchess of Sussex says she was doing well, effectively. And, you know, she was very impressed with how the Queen was doing?
She's in the Castle on our own effectively, but she has to keep busy with signing off on these funeral plans as she did. Or the Palace tweeted a quote from the Queen today and describing Prince Phillip as her strength and stay.
I think what was interesting about that is that she would have approved that tweet. And I think that's the quote that really speaks to how she feels about Prince Philip? And how the world much of the world feels about Prince Philip as well?
So, I think that was quite a poignant quote put out today, and I think that was very much speaking to how she feels?
WHITFIELD: Wow! The one and only love of her life smitten since she was just a tender little age of 13 amazing and then they would go on to have an extraordinary life together 73 years Max Foster, in the UK thank you so much.
All right, coming up it was an emotional week of testimony in the Derek Chauvin murder trial. We'll take a look back at some of the most crucial moments plus, later this hour the attorney for George Floyd's family joining me live. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:20:00]
WHITFIELD: Alright, it was another week of full hard to stomach testimony in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis Police Officer accused of killing George Floyd. The focus shifting to the medical analysis of Floyd's cause of death as the defense argues he died of a drug overdose and pre existing health conditions. One expert witness making clear that she believes Chauvin's actions are to blame.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. LINDSEY THOMAS, FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST: The activities of the law enforcement officers resulted in Mr. Floyd's death, and that specifically those activities were the sub dual the restraint and the net compression.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Dr. Thomas the prosecution witness. CNN's Adrienne Broaddus has more on the second week of testimony.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
ADRIENNE BROADDUS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The second week of the Derrick Chauvin murder trial concluded with a key witness Hennepin County Medical Examiner Andrew Baker.
JERRY BLACKWELL, PROSECUTOR: You conducted the autopsy on Mr. George Floyd.
DR. ANDREW BAKER, HENNEPIN COUNTY CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER: I did.
BRIADDUS (voice-over): Acknowledge that heart disease and drugs played a role in George Floyd's death, but the manner of death remains a homicide.
DR. BAKER: That's what I put on the death certificate last June, law enforcement sub dual restraint and neck compression.
BROADDUS (voice-over): Baker's statements capped off a week of testimony from medical experts and law enforcement officials repeatedly poking holes in Chauvin's defense, which argues Floyd, died from a combination of underlying health conditions, along with the ingestion of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
DR. MARTIN TOBIN, PULMONOLOGIST, EXPERT WITNESS: That's the moment the life goes out of his body.
BROADDUS (voice-over): Dr. Martin Tobin, a world-renowned pulmonologist broke down in detail, four critical factors that he says cause Floyd to stop breathing, like Floyd's position on the asphalt which restricted his lungs.
BLACKWELL: You mentioned several reasons for Mr. Floyd's low oxygen. You mentioned one handcuffs and the street, right?
DR. TOBIN: Correct.
BLACKWELL: You mentioned knee the neck?
DR. TOBIN: Yes.
BLACKWELL: Prone position?
DR. TOBIN: Yep.
BLACKWELL: And then the knee on the back arm inside were those the four?
DR. TOBIN: Yep, these are the four.
BROADDUS (voice-over): Defense Attorney Eric Nelson argued that Floyd could have died as a result of taking drugs moments prior to officers forcing him to the ground.
ERIC NELSON, DEREK CHAUVIN'S ATTORNEY: Is it fair to say that you would expect the peak fentanyl respiratory depression within about five minutes?
DR. TOBIN: Right. I mean, obviously, it would depend on how much of it was ingested. But what if there was any amount of it ingested? Yes, the peak will be five minutes.
BROADDUS (voice-over): Tobin ultimately concluded drugs didn't kill Floyd, testifying that he had not taken a proper breath for almost 10 minutes, at which point the carbon dioxide in Floyd's body had reached lethal levels.
The jury also heard from Chauvin's former boss, Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo. He later said what happened to Floyd was, "Murder". The chief was asked about Chauvin's use of force. STEVE SCHLEICHER, PROSECUTOR: So, is it your belief then that this particular form of restraint, if that's what you will call it, in fact violates departmental policy?
CHIEF MEDARIA ARRADONDO, MINNEAPOLIS POLICE: I absolutely agree that violates our policy.
BROADDUS (voice-over): The defense pushback arguing that Chauvin's knee placement, which they say was actually on Floyd's back was a proper police prone hold.
[12:25:00]
NELSON: Does this appear to be a neck restraint?
ARRADONDO: No, sir.
NELSON: Does this appear to be a prone hold that some an officer may apply with his knee?
ARRANDONDO: Yes.
BROADDUS (voice-over): But the testimonial theme from law enforcement and use of force experts was clear. Witnesses clearly told the jury that Derek Chauvin used "Excessive and deadly force on George Floyd when restraining him with his knee for more than nine minutes".
(END VIDEO TAPE)
WHITFIELD: Adrienne Broaddus, thank you so much for that report. All right, coming up he was one of Donald Trump's closest allies. Now Congressman Matt Gaetz is facing a federal investigation into sex trafficking. Next, we'll take a look at his career and what the scandal means for his future?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:30:12]
WHITFIELD: In a fiery defense of his reputation Friday night in battle Florida, Congressman Matt Gaetz claims he is the victim of an orchestrated witch hunt.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. MATT GAETZ (R-FL): I may be a canceled man in some corners. I may even be a wanted man by the deep state. But I hear the millions of Americans who feel forgotten, canceled, ignored, marginalized, and targeted.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Gaetz is currently under federal investigation over allegations that include sex trafficking and prostitution. CNN's Sunlen Serfaty has a closer look at Congressman Gaetz and his rise in the Republican Party. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GAETZ: The left in America has incited far more political violence than the right.
SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Congressman Matt Gaetz, bombastic, antagonistic, unapologetic.
GAETZ: My fellow patriots, don't be shy and don't be sorry.
SERFATY (voice-over): The 38-year-old Republican from Florida has only been in Washington for four years, but his flair for drama has captured national attention.
GAETZ: You weren't elected by anybody.
SERFATY (voice-over): Gaetz's theatrical style --
GAETZ: Our citizens come first sorry, not sorry.
SERFATY (voice-over): -- rooted in an upbringing once featured on the big screen.
JIM CARREY, CANADIAN-AMERICAN ACTOR: Good afternoon, good evening, and good night.
SERFATY (voice-over): Gaetz grew up in the house used to film the movie "The Truman Show."
GAETZ: In the mid-90s one day some producer just shows up in a golf cart and tells my mother that they want to make a movie in this house starring Jim Carrey.
SERFATY (voice-over): In this white picket house in Seaside, Florida.
GAETZ: This is the house I grew up in, and this was my bedroom during my formative years. And walla, love America.
SERFATY (voice-over): His mother is partially paralyzed after she suffered complications while pregnant with his sister and refused to terminate the pregnancy. It made an impression on a young Gaetz, who later said that it contributed to his anti-abortion stance when he entered politics.
GAETZ: So, every chance I get to stand up for life, I will.
SERFATY (voice-over): The Gaetz's were wealthy and powerful in the community. His father, Don Gaetz, made a fortune over $25 million through for profit hospice company. He eventually went into politics. Don Gaetz was elected to the Florida State House rising to become a power player in Florida politics.
DON GAETZ (R-FL): He is the new America. He is the new Republican Party.
SERFATY (voice-over): After graduating from William and Mary Law School in 2005, Matt worked as a lawyer in Florida for only a few years until a seat opened up in the Florida State House.
GAETZ: There is no cause in Northwest Florida, more worth fighting for than strengthening our military mission.
SERFATY (voice-over): Matt leveraged his family name to easily win his first campaign in a special election to become a state representative in 2010.
GAETZ: I hope everyone's ready to cut some taxes today.
SERFATY (voice-over): He served in the State House alongside his father for six years.
GAETZ: It is my privilege to introduce the President of the Florida Senate, a guy know -- I know pretty well, the senator from Northwest Florida Don Gaetz.
SERFATY (voice-over): And took on the nickname Baby Gaetz among locals. And nod to his father's early influence.
MICHAEL VAN SICKLER, SENIOR EDITOR, TAMPA BAY TIMES: He's in the State House. There were -- there was a cadre of young lawmakers at the time that got a lot of attention. There was a crowd that like to stay out late and, you know, have fun.
SERFATY (voice-over): Political observers say it was in the State House where Gaetz started to showcase his flashy and effective political instincts.
SICKLER: He would get on the floor of the State House and just speak in these spellbinding monologues.
SERFATY (voice-over): It was then that Gaetz latched on to a tool that would help amplify his voice.
SICKLER: His approach on Twitter definitely anticipated the Trump era.
SERFATY (voice-over): In 2016, Gaetz ran again, this time for Florida congressional seats and won.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey Matt, how you doing? Who's with the Bible?
GAETZ: This is my mother.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey mom. Good to see you. Yes, you just go right in the middle here. Just like that.
SERFATY (voice-over): Came to Washington the next year.
DONALD TRUMP, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Congressman Matt Gaetz, come on up Matt. A man I just watched last night on television, he was fantastic.
SERFATY (voice-over): He quickly cozied up to then newly elected President Trump. GAETZ: Hey, Mr. President, it's Matt Gaetz. I don't need anything, Sir. Just calling to tell you, you did a great job today. Don't let these people get you down. We're going to keep fighting for you with all we got.
SERFATY (voice-over): Becoming one of the president's chief defenders.
[12:35:00]
GAETZ: President Trump sometimes raises his voice and a ruckus. He knows that's what it takes to raise an army of patriots who love America and will protect her.
SERFATY (voice-over): And allies in Congress.
GAETZ: What we see in this impeachment is a kangaroo court and Chairman Schiff is acting like a malicious Captain Kangaroo.
SERFATY (voice-over): On Capitol Hill he has cultivated a reputation as a brazen provocateur with a penchant for political stunts, focusing more on his personal brand than passing legislation.
GAETZ: We're going to try to figure out what's going on.
SERFATY (voice-over): In 2019, leading a group of Republicans to storm a closed-door deposition that was happening during the impeachment proceedings.
GAETZ: We're going to go and see if we can get inside.
SERFATY (voice-over): And causing a dust up with this tweet about Michael Cohen seemingly threatening the President's former personal lawyer with a release of damaging personal information ahead of Cohen's congressional testimony. After an uproar that he could have committed witness tampering, Gaetz issued a rare apology.
In March of last year he wore a gas mask while voting on the floor of the U.S. House, mocking concern that was rising over the spread of COVID-19. And then just days later, having to self-quarantine after coming into contact with someone who had tested positive for the virus.
GAETZ: Defeat Liz Cheney in this upcoming election.
SERFATY (voice-over): This February Gaetz went to battle against a fellow Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, traveling to her home state to lead a rally against her after she voted to impeach former President Trump.
GAETZ: I've been here for about an hour. And I feel like I already know the place a lot better than your misguided Representative Liz Cheney.
SERFATY (voice-over): Last year, the Congressman announced for the first time that he has a 19-year-old son, a Cuban immigrant that he says he's been parenting for years as a single dad. GAETZ: I couldn't imagine him loving him any more if he was my own flesh and blood. I've raised him for the last six years and he is just the most remarkable young man.
SERFATY (voice-over): And announced his engagement this past December after proposing to his 26-year-old girlfriend at Mar-a-Lago.
(on camera): And as he is fighting for his political life amid all of these allegations, he continues to dig in in an op-ed this week. The Congressman defiantly says he will not resign and suggest people are out to get him because he's happily engaged now.
Sunlen Serfaty, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right, President Biden is meeting with his senior team members today. It's not clear on what they're discussing, but we're also learning that the President's border coordinator will step down at the end of the month. Her departure comes at a crucial moment with the administration dealing with a record influx of unaccompanied migrant children at the U.S. southern border.
Roberta Jacobson says it was always the plan that she would leave after Biden's first 100 days. Vice President Kamala Harris will lead efforts at the border going forward. And the White House says Jacobson's departure won't change the Vice President role.
[12:38:02]
All right, coming up, an emotional week of testimony in the Derek Chauvin murder trial coming to a close, I'll talk to the attorney for George Floyd's family next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: The second week of testimony in the murder trial over the death of George Floyd a wrapped up on Friday. The prosecution spending the week keying in on the actions of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who has pleaded not guilty to second degree unintentional murder, third degree murder, and second degree manslaughter charges. And the medical analysis of Floyd's cause of death, as the defense argues he died of a drug overdose and preexisting health conditions.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JERRY BLACKWELL, PROSECUTOR: Those other contributing conditions are not conditions that you consider direct causes. Is that true?
DR. ANDREW BAKER, HENNEPIN COUNTY CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER: They are not direct causes of Mr. Floyd's death. That's true. They're contributing causes.
BLACKWELL: And in terms of manner of death, you found then and do you stand by today that the manner of death from Mr. Floyd was as you would call it, homicide?
BAKER: Yes. I would still classify it as a homicide today.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: And that's the Prosecutor Jerry Blackwell leading that examination. Joining me right now to discuss is Benjamin Crump, the attorney representing George Floyd's family, so good to see you, Ben.
So the first week of testimony, I mean we were collectively I mean, the nation saddened and shocked to hear what witnesses saw, did, and felt. And then in this second week of the trial, viewers have expressed anger and exasperation when hearing these medical experts and the former police chief's testimony on what was a slow suffering, killing by unauthorized use of force. So how have you and family members been feeling during all of this?
BENJAMIN CRUMP, FLOYD FAMILY ATTORNEY: Well, Fredricka, one of the things I told the family with our legal team was that it was going to be a very emotional trial that the defense lawyers for Derek Chauvin was going to assassinate George Floyd's character every chance they got. They would say that it was everything but Derek Chauvin's knee on his net that killed him. They will try to say it was a trace amount of drugs in his system. They were saying it was a health condition.
[12:45:00]
And what was shocking to me, Fredricka, was that they even tried to blame the crowd, those six or seven people that were out there pleading for George Floyd life, sending this subliminal message. It was this angry black person is the reason why Derek Chauvin kept his knee on his neck. That's just an attempt to distract everybody. We just have to remain focus on what we saw on that video of Derek Chauvin putting his knee on George Floyd's neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds. The only thing that killed George Perry Floyd Jr. was overdose of excessive force by Derek Chauvin.
WHITFIELD: And we heard that under no uncertain terms from Dr. Thomas who said, his death, George Floyd's death came from the interaction with police. And then last night, you said on CNN that members, at least one member of George Floyd's family might testify. Can you tell us who that will be and why?
CRUMP: Well, it'll be a family member that's going to testify to talk about who George was that he was a human being that he had people that loved him because, Fredricka, to most of us, George Floyd is a cause. His case is a hashtag. But to them, that's their blood. That's their family.
You know, his brothers, they slept in the bed with him when they were growing up, he was always there protected. And so it was so heart wrenching that they watched that video, and they can't offer any protection to him. And so I believe it would be one of his brothers who grew up with him that would testify on next week in the state's case in chief. WHITFIELD: The expert witnesses that we heard this week, among them spending these days focused on the direct cause of George Floyd's death, take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BAKER: He has a heart that already needs more oxygen than a normal heart by virtue of its size. And it's limited in its ability to step up to provide more oxygen when there's demand because of the narrowing of his coronary arteries.
DR. MARTIN TOBIN, PULMONOLOGY EXPERT: That healthy person subjected to what Mr. Floyd was subjected to, would have died.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Do you feel like the prosecution has already proven the case and that the evidence is so overwhelming, it'll be very complicated for the defense to unprove the circumstances of Floyd's death?
CRUMP: Fredricka, I think Attorney General Keith Ellison and his team of prosecutors have made for a very compelling case. They presented it very strategically. I've been a civil rights lawyer for the balance of my professional life, but I have been black all of my life. And I know, we can never take for granted that a police officer in America will be held accountable for killing a black person unjustly.
That's why this case is a tipping point. So many people watching this case, saying we're for Floyd. George Floyd brothers saying, if a black person can't get justice based on what we see in that video, then what can we get justice for?
WHITFIELD: And do you feel like too, that this is a tipping point, because what we're seeing is very unusual here. You've got a former police chief, and you have fellow officers who were testifying against the defendant and now former Minneapolis police officer that is not customarily what you see in these criminal cases.
CRUMP: Absolutely Fredricka. And not a former police chief, the current police chief testified against him in court as well as many other police officers. And I pray that it sets a precedence that more police officers who have come from behind that blue wall of silence and tell the truth.
You know, they say to people in our communities, marginalized minority communities all the time, we want you to tell the truth when you see something bad happen when people commit criminal acts. We're saying to the police officers, we want you to show us how it's done, be the example so all of us will stand for truth and justice no matter who might be held accountable.
WHITFIELD: You said you believe this is a tipping point. Do you also believe that this potentially is a turning point for police conduct for the relationship between police and particularly the black community across the country, and consequences that might come from actions that otherwise have not been seen?
[12:50:00]
CRUMP: And that is the hope, Fredricka, because we're better than this what we saw in that video, America, we're better than this. We have he have a better world where Breonna Taylor, a black woman with no criminal history can sleep at peace in our house without the police busting open her front door on a no not 1 in the morning and mutilating her body with bullets.
We're better than Jacob Blake Jr., Andre Hill in Columbus, Ohio, or Anthony McClain in Pasadena, California, all being killed in 2020 all on video in just the most unbelievable ways. We're better than that America. We can have better policing where everybody can be protected and served and not brutalized.
WHITFIELD: Benjamin Crump, thank you so much for joining us. We'll Of course continue to talk to you along the way. Appreciate your time.
CRUMP: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: All right, coming up, former House Speaker John Boehner pens an explosive new book about his time on Capitol Hill. Next, we'll take a look at some of the most stunning allegations.
But first, as moms returned to the workplace, a Vermont company is on a mission to revolutionize mother's nursing experiences. Here's today's Start Small Think Big.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SASCHA MAYER, CEO AND CO-FOUNDER, MAMAVA, INC.: Mamava is the originator of the freestanding lactation suite, a place for moms to privately use a breast pump or nurse. My name is Sascha Mayer.
CHRISTINE DODSON, CEO AND CO-FOUNDER, MAMAVA, INC.: And I'm Christine Dodson. We're the co-founders of Mamava. The design of Mamava came from our own experience as moms. We had one prototype in the Burlington Airport in 2013 just to see if it got traction. Today, we have over 1,500 lactation pods across the country and even a few internationally.
Moms find it a quiet peaceful place. And they like the fact that it's dedicated. They don't have to ask someone how to get in it because they can use our app.
MAYER: The app allows you to search for pods. And then once you find one to access it by pressing a button, they can go inside, lock the door, and it will signal to anybody else that the unit is occupied. There's an outlet to plug in their breast pump wipes to help clean the surfaces and the ability to control lighting and the ventilation.
You can even use the USB to charge your phone. The app not only has our lactation pods, but over 6,000 other locations that we have vetted. During the pandemic, the key usage has been with essential workers. That feels really good during this time to be able to provide that added oasis and the support for those important employees.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[12:57:40]
WHITFIELD: Former House Speaker John Boehner is throwing some punches in his new book going after Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and the party he wants led. CNN's Brian Todd has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There was a time when John Boehner tread lightly when it came to Donald Trump.
JOHN BOEHNER, FORMER SPEAKER OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: The President is probably the most unique person that we've had as President but in fact, as he's president.
TODD (voice-over): Consider that chapter closed in the former House Speaker his new book "On the House", Boehner rips into the former president accusing Trump of inciting the January 6th attack on the Capitol, quote, perpetuated by the bullshit he'd been shoveling since he lost a fair election. And he skewers Trump for being petty and bullying.
Boehner writes of a time he went golfing with Trump before Trump ran for president. An aid to Boehner, he writes, mistakenly introduced their two golf partners by the wrong names. At the end of the round when Trump found out he'd been calling the two men by the wrong names the entire time, Boehner writes, Trump got into Boehner's aides face quote, Trump shouted, what are you some kind of idiot? You want to know how to remember somebody's name? You effing listen.
DAVID SWERDLICK, ASSISTANT EDITOR, THE WASHINGTON POST: That example of the golf outing really shows the contrast between the two men in terms at least of temperament. President Trump was mercurial, undisciplined, immature, self-centered.
TODD (voice-over): A Trump spokesman responded to Boehner's accounts by calling Boehner, a quote, swamp creature and suggested Boehner's criticism was motivated by his business ties to China. Boehner writes that he wants told then Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid to go F himself at a White House meeting.
He recalls an incident where fellow Republican Congressman Don Young got so angry with Boehner over Boehner's criticism of earmarks that Young held a 10 inch knife to Boehner's throat just off the House floor.
Young told "POLITICO", Boehner's account is mostly true. In the book excerpts John Boehner shows a particular detestation of Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who Boehner had already spoken derisively about for years.
BOEHNER: Lucifer in the flesh. I get along with almost everybody. But I have never worked with a more miserable son a bitch in my life. TODD (voice-over): In the book discussing the rise of the Tea Party while he was speaker and younger Republicans who were less interested in cutting deals with Democrats, Boehner writes, there is nothing more dangerous than a reckless a-hole who think he is smarter than everyone else. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Senator Ted Cruz.
[13:00:04]
