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Signs Of Normalcy Return As Millions Get Vaccinated; Around 50,000 Fans Returning To Churchill Downs For Kentucky Derby; India Grapples With Oxygen Shortage As Cases Soar To Record Levels; Trump Allies Worry Giuliani Raid Sent "Strong Message"; Five Americans Among 45 Killed At Israel Festival; Biden's Massive American Rescue Plan Facing Battle In Congress. Aired 11a-12p ET

Aired May 01, 2021 - 11:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:00:29]

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. Thank you so much for joining me this Saturday. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

We begin this hour with the U.S. hitting a major milestone in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic. The CDC says 100 million Americans are now fully-vaccinated, a little less than one-third of the country.

But that isn't stopping new restrictions from taking place. The U.S. is set to impose new travel limits on India, as that country deals with a devastating outbreak. India setting a new global record, more than 400,000 new cases in a single day.

Meanwhile, back in the U.S., more incremental steps toward normalcy. The Kentucky Derby set to take off this evening with limited capacity of about 50,000 people.

CNN's Evan McMorris-Santoro is at Churchill Downs. But first let's go to New York, CNN's Polo Sandoval with an overall look at progress and setbacks, Polo.

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Well overall, the numbers are looking extremely promising here Fred. Just consider that daily infection rate now dropping from about 60,000 a day to anywhere from 30,000 to 40,000. That's one of the reasons why the CDC essentially loosened some of those recommendations for fully-vaccinated people when it comes to masks.

And here in New York, not only as a reporter but as a New Yorker, it feels good to say that according to the governor's office -- or the mayor's office rather -- they are now eyeing a July 1st reopening, citing a drop in hospitalizations and infections here in the Big Apple.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL (voice over): Throughout much of the country, Americans are seeing signs that the light at the end of the tunnel draws near. Just over four months since the first public COVID-19 vaccines went into arms, the U.S. crossed a major milestone Friday with 100 million Americans fully vaccinated.

That may be less than a third of the U.S. population, but it's enough for a chance at more post-pandemic normalcy.

Disneyland is open again this weekend for the first time in over a year at 25 percent capacity and to California residents only.

The color-clad (ph) crowds are back for this year's Kentucky Derby, though masks are a must. And with a July 1st full reopening on the horizon for New York City, indoor dining there is increasing to 75 percent next Friday.

MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO, NEW YORK CITY: Our health care team worked to determine what was the date that we could do it the right way. They believe in July 1st. I believe in July 1st. We're on track to get five million New Yorkers vaccinated by July 1st. It's the right moment to make this move.

SANDOVAL: Across the country, the state of Oregon moving forward with plans to fully open its economy by the end of June. Though with the average number of new COVID cases there at their highest point since January, the governor says the state of emergency will stay in place until then.

Overall, it seems the worst of the pandemic may be behind us here in the U.S. says Dr. Ashish Jha.

DR. ASHISH JHA, DEAN, BROWN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH: Certainly we are headed in the right direction. Infections are falling, vaccinations have to continue. I think we're going to have a really good summer but we've got to be a little bit more careful against the big stuff right now.

SANDOVAL: The travel industry already bracing for a massive surge in its summer travel as vaccinated Americans regain confidence to hit the road. TSA numbers showing a steady increase in recent weeks.

DAN VELEZ, TSA MEDIA SPOKESPERSON FOR NEW ENGLAND: We expect passenger volume to rise significantly throughout the summer, Memorial Day being the official kickoff of summer travel season.

SANDOVAL: However vaccine hesitancy remains a challenge. While the average number of COVID-19 deaths are at their lowest in months, the number of daily vaccinations administered dropped to 2.6 million this week.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: COVID is still spreading throughout the country. As a result, the TSA did extend their mask-wearing requirement for people who board planes, trains and buses. That extension happened just yesterday. It was something that was implemented in February that was supposed to

expire this month. But instead, it will run through mid-September, Fred, a reminder that the pandemic for many of us, it might -- the worst may be behind us, it's still not over.

WHITFIELD: No, not at all.

All right. Polo Sandoval, thank you so much for that.

So as states loosen restrictions, people are excited about being at Disneyland, and at an apex of horse racing, this evening's running of the 147th Kentucky Derby.

CNN's Evan McMorris-Santoro is at the luckiest dog in town. He is there at Churchill Downs. Evan, I don't see you with a topper right now, that's ok. I saw it earlier and you were really sporting some good looks.

[11:04:51]

WHITFIELD: But talk to me about this attendance. Who are the lucky people who get to fill that, you know, arena -- that stadium, you know, to 50 percent capacity? And what are the safety measures still in place?

EVAN MCMORRIS-SANTORO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred -- oh, of course. Well Fred, I wish you were here. You can wear a hat much better than I can.

WHITFIELD: Me, too.

MCMORRIS-SANTORO: The main difference here is just in the sheer numbers. So this is a very, very big event. The record crowd in 2015 was 170,000 on Derby day. Today the expectation is around 40,000 to 50,000 because of restrictions on tickets, restrictions on social distancing inside the place, and also just general shifting and people trying to be careful about this -- about the derby and about COVID, which is still ongoing.

Now, when you do come here, you get your temperature checked. You get handed a goody bag full of hand sanitizer and things like that. And then when you're not actively drinking juleps, which people are doing very actively already, I can tell you, you have to wear a mask.

I spoke to some people who are here though. This is a big deal to have this back. It's a big test of what Polo was talking about, the idea that we can get back to some normalcy. And people who have come to this derby over and over for years and years and years.

And I talked to some people about what it's like to be back here as fans even with these restrictions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRITTANY OLSON, KENTUCKY DERBY SPECTATOR: This year I think everyone seems to be a lot more excited. I think also with COVID, it's something like fun we can do outside together and the weather has been absolutely beautiful. So it's been great so far.

MEGAN HENSON, KENTUCKY DERBY SPECTATOR: I didn't feel nervous at all, especially in our seats. Everything -- everybody just pretty spaced out and, you know, the mask mandate and everything. Everybody is wearing masks as needed. I feel pretty safe here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCMORRIS-SANTORO: So far, so good. The crowd feels good. The people who are running the place feel good. The weather is beautiful, but this is that major, major test, that can people go out like they used to, have a day out on a beautiful spring day like they used to, and not bring the virus back with them, Fred.

WHITFIELD: Right, a big test. Very serious business. While the number may be small there, however, it's clear, you've got to go big when at the racetrack today at the Kentucky Derby.

We'll check back with you. Thank you so much at Churchill Downs, Evan McMorris-Santoro.

So as the United States begins showing shades of normalcy, other countries around the world are facing a very different reality.

The Biden administration is set to begin restricting most travel from India on Tuesday in response to a record surge of cases in that country. India reporting more than 400,000 new infections today alone shattering the global record for the most cases in a single day.

And now more pain and heartbreak, as we get devastating pictures out of India this morning. 18 people died after a fire broke out in a hospital's ICU ward overnight. The cause of the fire is unclear, but investigators believe it may have been electrical.

CNN's senior international correspondent Sam Kiley has more on the cost of India's ongoing oxygen shortage.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A sensor reveals dangerously low levels of oxygen. Stifled by COVID-19, this canister of gas buys this patient time.

All of these patients arrived barely able to breathe. This isn't a medical clinic. It's a tent. On the outskirts of India's capital, run by volunteers.

(on camera): Without the initiative being shown by these volunteers from the Hemkunt Foundation who are providing oxygen on the street, on the outskirts of Delhi, they say many dozens, perhaps over 100 patients would be in deep trouble medically now.

They already had one death just over there earlier on today. They've treated over 100 people who have come in, desperate for oxygen, unable to breathe. And it's all about this, the supply of these oxygen cylinders. It's a 300-mile drive each way to get one of these filled and brought back to Delhi.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They cost about $25 when filled.

KILEY: How easy has it been to find oxygen?

INDERPREET SINGH, HEMKUNT FOUNDATION VOLUNTEER: Oh my God, trust me, this has been the toughest thing we have to (INAUDIBLE).

KILEY (voice over): With COVID-19 infections and numbers of deaths breaking records daily in India, many patients in Delhi have given up on hospital treatment, where they know that oxygen is scares and beds often shared.

Pankaj Chandrawal said he was turned away by three hospitals. He took off his oxygen mask, demanding to be heard.

PANKAJ CHANDRAWAL, COVID-19 PATIENT: They are just not entertaining anything and they're just refusing all things. I cannot tell, whom I can blame. It is both government and the hospitals also.

KILEY: Bottled oxygen is mostly produced outside Delhi. And neighboring states are prioritizing their own needs. And so the city gasps and many die unrecorded in their homes.

[11:09:56]

KILEY: Ditinda (ph) Shunti collects the bodies of patients who die at home. He'll pick up three in this one-hour run. Many are even afraid to take their dying loved ones to hospital.

Prashant Sharma's family decided to keep his grandmother at home.

PRASHANT SHARMA, MOURNER: We were scared, seeing the condition around, so we got scared to take her to any nearby hospital, who is going to, you know, be in touch with her. Who is going to give us the information, exact information of what is going on within the hospital?

KILEY: India's government has promised a vaccination campaign with renewed vigor, but with around only 2 percent of the nation inoculated so far, that's cold comfort here.

Sam Kiley, CNN -- Delhi.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Devastating situation there.

And for ways that you can support India's fight against the coronavirus pandemic, check out CNN.com/impact.

All right. Still ahead, sources close to former President Trump are telling CNN a federal aide at the home and offices of former attorney Rudy Giuliani, has some Trump allies feeling rather uneasy about what may be next.

Plus, a deadly stampede at an Israeli religious festival. CNN now learning there were several Americans among those killed.

We're back in a moment.

[11:11:29]

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WHITFIELD: Raids by federal agents of Rudy Giuliani's apartment and office this week are raising fears within former President Trump's inner circle. The searches are linked to a criminal probe of the former mayor's dealings in Ukraine. But sources close to the former president tell CNN Trump's allies worry about what could come next.

CNN's Alex Marquardt has the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (on camera): The raids on Rudy Giuliani's home, office and colleagues, showing a real escalation in the federal investigation into Rudy Giuliani. And they have clearly rattled Trump's orbit and have them fearing for what may come next.

A Trump adviser told CNN that it has his inner circle worried that the Department of Justice is showing they may be more willing to investigate the former president and his inner circle than they previously thought.

That Trump adviser told my colleague, Gabby Orr, quote, "This was a show of force that sent a strong message to a lot of people in Trump's world that other things may be coming down the pipeline."

That same Trump adviser called the raid on Giuliani to seize his electronics overkill, but admitted that it's a very real possibility that Giuliani could turn on Donald Trump.

Another person close to the former president said, quote, "Even the most loyal people have their breaking point."

Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who turned on Trump, told CNN that Giuliani could, quote, "Give up Donald in a heartbeat if he faces indictment."

Cohen had previously said that he would take a bullet for Trump. So Trump World appears to be considering the very real possibility that Giuliani could flip and what the implications of all of this could be for them and for the former president.

Alex Marquardt, CNN -- Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right. With me right now to discuss these developments, Michael Zeldin. He is a former federal prosecutor and a former assistant to Robert Mueller at the department of justice, and he's also host of "That said with Michael Zeldin" podcast.

Michael, so good to see you.

MICHAEL ZELDIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Good morning, Fred.

WHITFIELD: Ok. So let me get started, you know, with your thoughts on these raids of Rudy Giuliani properties. How much trouble could Giuliani be in?

ZELDIN: Well, that's a great question because we just don't know what is at the heart of this investigation. Many have said that it concerns one count of Rudy Giuliani failing to register as a foreign agent for his work on behalf of Ukraine. Giuliani has denied that. His lawyer has denied that.

Others speculate this has to do with campaign finance violations and his dealings with others who are under indictment in the United States. But there's been no -- there's -- no connection has yet established that Giuliani did anything that is criminally-related to that.

So there's a "waiting for the shoe to drop" moment here, but we don't know what's involved completely.

WHITFIELD: Yes. But we do know there had to be something very specific that they were going after in order to get those kinds of warrants, but we also know that other discoveries could be made, which is often what happens during any raid, right? And that could ultimately be used against him, too.

(CROSSTALK)

ZELDIN: Yes. Exactly right, Fred.

So you need specific probable cause that there is evidence of a crime and that that evidence may be in the location that you are seeking to obtain, and that evidence has to be relevant and recent. And so there's something here that's relevant and recent that gave a judge -- you know, permission for the agents to come and get the cell phones from Vicky Toensing and from Giuliani. We don't know whether that relates again back to Giuliani's efforts to oust Marie Yovanovitch, the Ambassador to the United States.

The attorney for Rudy Giuliani said that her name was one of the names mentioned in the search warrant. So maybe there's something that has to do with interfering with the workings of the government, the federal election in their efforts to remove Yovanovitch so they could get more information relevant to the Biden sort of escapade that they were on in this 2020 election cycle. Just not knowable yet.

[11:19:50]

WHITFIELD: So others in Trump's orbit have expressed their -- a bit concerned about what could be next. Should they, too, be fearful or concerned that the feds may be able to execute warrants on them, on their properties, that they could come after them depending on what kind of discoveries are made at Giuliani's residence?

ZELDIN: Well, so this was an aggressive move. It's very unusual that you get a search warrant against an attorney, especially one who said he was willing to cooperate, in these sort of cases. There are very many guidelines that govern it.

So because it was so aggressive, it could give rise to worry among others if anyone else has committed any acts that would give rise to the U.S. Department of justice investigating them, and we don't know that there is anything of that.

But sure, this is a signal that the DOJ is intent on finding out what was going on during this period of time. They've indicted people, they've got a person who's in Vienna, Firtash who's conduct is, you know, corrupt and racketeering and they're trying to extradite and bring him back here.

So there's an aggressive campaign here to figure out what was going on. So anyone who touches on that, sure, they have reason to be concerned.

WHITFIELD: Yes. And I guess if you haven't done anything, then you don't have -- you don't have reason to be concerned.

ZELDIN: That's right.

WHITFIELD: So former, you know, Trump personal attorney Michael Cohen had his homes and businesses raided by the feds a while back, everyone will recall that. He later cut a deal, pleaded guilty, gave authorities everything that he knew about Trump's business dealings and then he served a year in jail.

Cohen says if Giuliani has evidence on his electronic devices, the feds will find it. This is Michael Cohen. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL COHEN, FORMER TRUMP ATTORNEY: Well, who knows what Rudy was involved with? What we're going to find out is there are text messages, there are emails, there are different types of communication apps that the FBI knows how to re-establish, even if Rudy, who I don't think is technological, tried to, you know, tried to delete or what have you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: So it could be very valuable information is what he's saying on any kind of electronic devices. What do you say?

ZELDIN: Sure. And that's what gave rise to the search warrant, the belief that those devices contained evidence relevant to a criminal investigation. But Fred, one of the reasons I love being on the show with you is that always over the course of the Mueller investigation, you and I have said let's see the evidentiary basis for what we are talking about before we speculate.

WHITFIELD: Right.

ZELDIN: Michael Cohen is very fond of speculating. You and I have been less willing to do so. So it is pretty speculative to figure out what it is that is at the heart of this investigation.

I think what we can conclude is what we've concluded. It's an aggressive act against an attorney for information on his cell phone and other electronic devices. It relates probably to his activities in Ukraine.

But beyond that and the scope of the circle of people that's engaged, we just have to wait and see.

WHITFIELD: Yes. Hey, I'm following your lead. You're the smart one.

Michael Zeldin, always good to see you. Thank you so much.

ZELDIN: Nice to see you, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Coming up next, a human smuggling raid uncovers more than 90 people found inside a Houston home. That is setting off concerns about coronavirus now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The concern with their health, their safety and getting them back to being treated like human beings.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[11:23:28]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Welcome back.

In Israel, mourning is turning to demands for accountability after a stampede at a religious celebration left at least 45 people dead. Tens of thousands of Ultra Orthodox Jews gathered at a mountainside compound for an annual pilgrimage on Friday. But dozens of people were trampled when celebrants poured out of a narrow passageway, crushing those caught inside. The State Department now says five American citizens were among the victims.

Hadas Gold joins us now from Jerusalem. So Hadas, what more have we learned about what happened yesterday?

HADAS GOLD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, we are learning that there were five U.S. citizens as you noted, as well as two Canadians among the 45 people killed.

And what we're learning is that actually there were several officials who for years have been worried about that site. It's around an ancient tomb of a rabbi, so it's the (INAUDIBLE) of a very ancient site.

And we were up there and the infrastructure there doesn't seem like it can hold tens of thousands of people. We actually were on the actual passageway, the ramp and the stairs where this incident took place. And even when it was empty of people and I was just walking up it, it was pretty slippery just for me to walk on it. So I can't imagine what it was like with tens of thousands of people there.

Shlomo Levy, he was the former head of the regional council for that area told reporters yesterday that when he was in charge, every year that an incident did not happen he breathed a sigh of relief.

He said that the writing was on the wall that something like this could take place, and he is just astounded that nothing has been done already.

Now, there are many questions. First of all, how were tens of thousands of people allowed up the mountain, not only because of the infrastructure issue, but also because of coronavirus restrictions?

Now, although Israel has done rather well with the infections here -- with the infection rate here because of their robust vaccine program, there are still technically limits on gatherings. And from these images we're seeing, it doesn't seem like there was any social distancing to speak of at this event.

[11:29:49]

GOLD: There's also questions about police and what they were allowed or not allowed to do. A commander for the northern region -- the police commander for the northern region has already said he is taking responsibility. And the attorney general is launching an investigation into this.

But there are calls for an independent inquiry into exactly what happened and how. Whether politics was involved in some way because Fredricka, this is turning into one, if not the worst civil disasters in Israeli history. And it's something that many people are looking at and saying this could have been prevented. This should not have happened.

WHITFIELD: Yes. 45 people dead. That's a pretty sizable number, indeed.

Hadas Gold, thank you so much, in Jerusalem.

Still ahead, President Biden outlines his vision for rebuilding America, and it involves more spending. So what are the chances that he can get Democrats and Republicans on board?

Plus, from Johnny Carson to Jimmy Kimmel, the stories of all your favorite late-night legends are coming to CNN. "THE STORY OF LATE NIGHT" premieres tomorrow at 9:00 p.m.

Here's a preview.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHNNY CARSON, LATE NIGHT HOST: Now look, don't start anything you can't finish.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The laughter.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The jokes.

CONAN O'BRIEN, LATE NIGHT HOST: I was hooked.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He brought all this energy into your room.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Whoa, this could be a game-changer.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Johnny Carson was the one that made late-night TV important.

JIMMY FALLON, TV HOST: There were no rules. No one even knows what to expect.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anything could happen.

O'BRIEN: Late night became this ritual.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It just felt like one big party.

FALLON: It's electric.

CHELSEA HANDLER, TV HOST: It's part of American culture.

JAMES CORDEN, TV HOST: You really realize the power of these shows to inform and to uplift.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[11:31:41]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Welcome back.

President Biden is spending the weekend in Delaware before hitting the road again to help sell his multi-trillion-dollar infrastructure and economic plans.

His vision -- more government money to spend for child care, community college, health care, infrastructure, like roads, bridges, and the power grid. Biden is calling it the biggest jobs plan since World War II, and a renewed role for U.S. government. The president is already taking his case to voters in this new ad.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's just getting started. With a new plan to create millions of good jobs, putting Americans to work -- you won't hear him yelling or sending angry tweets. Because for Joe Biden, actions speak louder.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right. Let's talk about this. Tim Naftali is a CNN presidential historian and a former director of the Nixon Presidential Library. Good to see you. And Karoun Demirjian is a CNN political analyst and congressional reporter for "The Washington Post". Good to see you as well.

All right. So Karoun, let me begin with you. You know, just how tough is this fight going to be for Biden? Not only is he going to battle Republicans, but Democratic Senator Joe Manchin is looking for some big changes if he is going to support these measures.

KAROUN DEMIRJIAN, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Yes, I mean, what Biden laid out was fairly expansive and you've already heard Joe Manchin starting to express his discomfort with many of the specific proposals within Biden's plan.

Joe Manchin has always been on the more conservative end of the Democratic Party and when it comes to these massive spending programs, he's living up to that history and reputation. He's expressed discomfort with the idea of this universal pre-k. He's expressed and discomfort with the price tag for all of this and the idea of raising taxes on the wealthy in order to pay for many of the programs that Biden outlined.

But remember, this isn't just about Biden stating his position and needing to then bring along Joe Manchin and potentially another -- and appease Manchin, if not the Republicans.

There are Democrats in Congress who think Biden's plan doesn't go far enough and want to push for a more expansive version of Medicare to make the health care side of this actually broader than what the president laid out.

So the president kind of trying to pull this balancing act. But because there's momentum on the left of the Democratic Party in Congress, Joe Manchin is now sounding even more negative about many things than he would have been if we were just talking about Biden's plan versus this one less senator. And that could make for a much messier fight as we go ahead and actually try to parse through all of these individual programs and costs.

WHITFIELD: Yes. So Tim, you know, presidents aren't able to make everybody happy. This president seems to be channeling right now FDR in making this plan, you know, appealing. Are there a lot of similarities between what Roosevelt was trying to do and what Biden is trying to do here?

TIM NAFTALI, CNN PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN: Yes, there's some interesting parallels that actually haven't gotten much play lately.

(CROSSTALK).

NAFTALIA: We always -- that's true. We always -- we always -- we talk about the New Deal, we talk about the stabilization of the banks, we talk about the Civilian Conservation Corps which put a lot of Americans to work cleaning actually national parks.

We don't talk about the help for rural America. In those first 100 days, Franklin Roosevelt and Congress together passed the Agriculture Adjustment Act, which helped farmers by pushing up prices, and more importantly, the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Only 3 percent of Americans living in North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia had electricity in 1933. The TVA brought them electricity and what happened? rural folks started to see the Democrats as supportive of their interests.

And it's all about what's in it for me? If we just talk about big government, right, most Americans when they hear big government, they grab their pocketbooks --

WHITFIELD: Right. They're turned of.

NAFTALI: -- they turn off.

WHITFIELD: Yes. But what can you do for me?

(CROSSTALK)

[11:39:47]

NAFTALI: But if you say -- but if you say Washington is going to help your state establish broadband -- you know, there are counties in Ohio where only 60 percent of the people have access to the web and of those very few have access to high-speed Internet.

If you're saying the federal government is going to help make your life better in rural America, that's going to change -- that may change the politics. And that's what Biden is doing. That's what we should be watching.

Biden is basically refocusing the Democratic approach to make it clear to rural America, Democrats are with you.

WHITFIELD: So Karoun, I mean that's part of the strategy here. You know, the president's team already had this ad ready to go shortly after his address Wednesday night. I mean is he trying to exert some pressure on lawmakers by making sure that his plan is appealing to Americans? In other words, is he trying to shame lawmakers into supporting him?

DEMIRJIAN: Well, I don't know if shame is the word. But sometimes the best way to get a lawmaker with you who is not with you is by getting their constituents to be with you. And then there's upward pressure on that lawmaker to change his or her position to respond to what those constituents are clamoring for. I mean we've seen that happen in both positive ways and negative ways.

Remember the health care battle during the early Obama years. I mean that was a big phenomenon, everybody fighting for appealing to the public and the public showing up at these town halls and influencing those lawmakers.

It's the same sort of play right now, as Tim said, Biden can kind of reach over the heads of these more recalcitrant senators and convince their voting populations and the people that keep them in office and keep them in this job to be with the White House. Then yes, it makes that a much more easy transition.

But I guess I would just say one thing, which is that, you know, we have to be careful of falling into the trap of just looking at West Virginia's style of rural America.

Remember the recent history of the COVID stimulus battle. You know, Manchin was not an island unto himself. There were other senators who also resisted some of these more expansive moves like the $15 minimum wage, like the eligibility of who would receive the stimulus payments from the government.

So this is conceivably going to be a broader strategy than just Joe Manchin. This ad is going out in more places than just West Virginia most like and so we have to look at how the Biden administration tailors this message that Tim is talking about to (INAUDIBLE) that each of these parts of the country that have these representatives that are not necessarily going to play ball with what the White House and frankly, the rest of the Democratic Party wants because of that, you know, being pulled from both ends phenomenon that I was talking about before.

WHITFIELD: Tim, you're nodding your head. You're in total agreement with that?

NAFTALI: Oh, totally. And look, Mitch McConnell is nervous. When Mitch McConnell, who doesn't really care much about the writing of history, frankly, starts talking about the 1619 project, when others in his caucus start talking about the fact that the federal government doesn't want you to eat red meat, they're trying to change the subject because the Biden approach -- look, Biden has been in power -- has been in Washington so long, he knows how Democrats have failed.

Biden understands you've got to change the message. You've got to also deliver for rural America. Mitch McConnell sees that as a threat. So he's trying to change the subject. The question is will he be successful if the people of Kentucky start to see the benefits of a Biden-pushed stimulus and infrastructure program.

WHITFIELD: Fascinating. All right. We shall see. Tim Naftali, Karoun Demirjian -- thanks to both of you. Appreciate it.

NAFTALI: Thank you.

DEMIRJIAN: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Ok. And then there's this alarming discovery in Houston. More than 90 illegal immigrants crammed into a suburban home in what authorities are calling a suspected human smuggling case.

[11:43:21] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. In Houston, what started as a kidnapping report turned into a suspected human smuggling case after police found more than 90 people crammed into a suburban two-story home.

Reporter Myra Moreno (ph) from CNN affiliate KTRK has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MYRA MORENO, REPORTER, KTRK (voice over) : just before 8:00, the last of these white buses rolled down Chessington Street. Inside, the very people who were cramped up in a small, two-story home.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is really surprising.

MORENO: Over 90 people -- five women, the rest men. Neighbors had no idea.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is awful. I wasn't expecting it to be a (INAUDIBLE) group.

MORENO: They were found only in their undergarments, in deplorable conditions. Five of them testing positive for COVID-19. HPD assistant chief Patricia Cantu says everyone here on scene quickly put their money together to get them food and water, even clothes to wear.

PATRICIA CANTU, HPD ASSISTANT CHIEF: Any time you see people being mistreated, it doesn't matter what race, culture, where you come from. There's no excuse for people to be treated -- mistreated like that. Not being fed, not given the basic common things that you require as a human being, not being allowed to use the restroom.

MORENO: She says this started as a kidnapping investigation. It's unclear if the smugglers were in the home. She said some were from El Salvador and Honduras.

CANTU: I didn't want to focus on immigration. I didn't want to focus on legality because that wasn't the main issue. The concern was their health, their safety, and getting them back to being treated like human beings.

ALEJANDRA FLORES, NEIGHBOR: Surprising and scary because I never hear or see anything weird, you know, like people going in or out.

MORENO: Next door neighbor Alejandra Flores says she had only seen one couple there, but doesn't know them well. It's unclear where the people were taken to. Now the feds will take over the investigation and HPD will assist.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[11:49:54]

WHITFIELD: And that was reporter Myra Moreno from CNN affiliate KTRK. All right. More than a dozen army officers and non-commissioned

soldiers are facing discipline for not only failing to respond when army specialist Vanessa Guillen disappeared last year but for also failing to take action when she stepped forward about sexual harassment claims.

Guillen's case caught national attention because she was missing for more than two months before her body was found bludgeoned to death miles away from Fort Hood where investigators believe she was killed.

The soldier named in Guillen's murder died by suicide as officers tried to detain him. Five current and former personnel are to be relieved of duty and eight others are having to -- having their cases rather, sent to their own leadership for possible action.

All right. A rave with no masks and no social distancing? We'll explain this coronavirus experiment at a live music event.

But first, about an hour's drive south of Denver, you'll find the Garden of the Gods, towering sandstone formations reaching for the sky. And with more than 20 miles of trails, it's a great place to do some socially distanced exploring in this "Off The Beaten Path".

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN STARK, PARK MANAGER, GARDEN OF THE GODS: Here in Gods Park, it's truly incredible. This is a city-owned and operated park right in the middle of Colorado Springs. The park is available to the public to come free of charge.

There's over 20 miles of trails in the park and those trails range from soft surface trails to paved, accessible trails that wind through the central garden.

When you see these rocks 300 feet soaring over the central garden, anybody can come here and appreciate its beauty.

ANNA CORDOVA, ARCHAELOGIST: There's millions of years of history just in the geology and the paleontology that we find here in the park. It's beautiful to look at but it also holds such significance for so many people both in the past and the present and into the future.

STARK: The Garden of the Gods park really is a way to get away and escape. Have an adventure like rock climbing. Get on a horse, go explore those trails. It's just a place for adventure and a great place to get outside with your family and friends to remain physically distant and to enjoy the outdoors in a way that can give you peace of mind and feel like you're in a world apart.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[11:52:26]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Thousands of partygoers pack into a live music event in the U.K. with no masks and no social distancing. Officials say the government-sanctioned event was held as a scientific experiment to help determine how large-scale events can safely return this summer.

CNN's Cyril Vanier joins me now from London. So Cyril, explain. How is this going to work? How is this experiment going?

CYRIL VANIER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we're going to have to wait a few weeks to find out how this experiment went but for the moment, it's being conducted at pace. There are two day raves that were organized -- one yesterday, one about to start today.

And the idea is to bring thousands of people and let them have fun, you know, as if 2020 never happened. Let them have a regular night at the nightclub and then see what happens.

Now, there's one thing there that isn't quite ordinary about it. You mentioned no face masks, no social distancing, they're indoors. So, you know, this doesn't look like what we've seen the last 14 months, of course.

But the people who were allowed in all had a negative COVID test. So really, it's thousands of COVID-free people who are being brought together to see whether that works, right? To make sure this does not become a super-spreader event.

And this is open to people, young people in Liverpool. Bear in mind they're people who in many ways have had the last year stolen from them. This was their reaction.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're just excited. All of us are excited. We're all on the verge of tears ready to go in.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank God for Liverpool for having the best non- social distancing even in the country. We love this city. We love this city.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VANIER: Authorities are asking them to take a COVID test five days after the day rave. And with that authorities will be able to monitor whether there are any infections, whether there is any outbreak after an event like this one.

And this will help form a blueprint for what could come because less than two months from now, Fred, the country will reopen totally. June 21st everything comes back online, that includes large live events -- nightclub, concerts, football games, et cetera, Fred.

WHITFIELD: Right. I can see their excitement. So they're COVID-free but they're not necessarily uniformly vaccinated.

VANIER: Correct.

WHITFIELD: Are there similar experiments taking place in other countries?

VANIER: Yes, absolutely. The Netherlands did something similar. Barcelona, Spain did a concert that was observed by many observers over the last few weeks because we now have enough hindsight. We know what the result of that particular concert was.

[11:59:51]

VANIER: They brought 5,000 people together. Now note that in that one they did wear a face mask. Importantly, there was no outbreak, we now know. No outbreak because of that concert.

That's a very encouraging sign for all these events that are going to bring fans, concert goers, et cetera, back together that all this is possible if you do it the right way, Fred.