Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Biden Awards Medal Of Honor To 94-Year-Old Korean War Veteran; Investigators Seize 18 Devices From Rudy Giuliani's Home & Office; IOC: Now "Clearer Than Ever" Games Will Be Safe For Everyone. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired May 21, 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]

PRES. MOON JAE-IN, SOUTH KOREA (through translator): Colonel Puckett is a true hero of the Korean War, with extraordinary valor and leadership he completed missions until the very end, defending Hill 205 and fighting many more battles requiring equal valiance. Without the sacrifice of veterans including Colonel Puckett and the Eighth Army Range Company, freedom and democracy we enjoy today couldn't have blossomed in Korea.

Earlier, Colonel Puckett told me when he was in Korea during the Korean War, it was absolutely destroyed. That was true. But from the essence of the Korean War, we rose, we came back. And that was thanks to the Korean War veterans that fought for Korea's peace and freedom. And now thanks to their support and efforts, we are enjoying prosperity.

On behalf of the Korean people, I expressed deep gratitude and respect to them. Through the war veterans, the Korean people soul, a great soul of America, they marches toward freedom and peace. There act of gallantry, sacrifice, and friendship will forever be remembered.

The ROK-U.S. Alliance forged in blood of heroes has become a lynchpin of peace and prosperity on the Korean peninsula and beyond. Colonel Puckett and his fellow warriors are linked, that strongly binds Korea and the U.S. together. I pray that they stay with us in good health for a long time. Thank you very much.

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, thank you, President Moon. Now I'd be remiss if I didn't note that Ralph Puckett service to our nation did not end in the Korean War. It did not end after his service in the Vietnam War, where he earned a Second Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Brown Stars with V for valor, and add to that during his service, five Purple Hearts for injuries suffered in combat.

And it didn't end. After his retirement from active duty or his induction into the Ranger Hall of Fame, it didn't end there either. When he served as the honorary Colonel for the 75th Ranger Regiment, where he'd helped new generation of rangers during their training missions, even now, even now, you can find him out in Fort Benning sharing on the Rangers and let him know he's there with him.

Over his career, he mentored countless young people. He's always believed that all that mattered to be a ranger was you had the guts and the brains that the standard he applied when he picked his first ranger unit in Korea, and an army that only recently been integrated, he chose with his team included a Black, a Latino, an Asian American members.

My mother would say God's love you man. In 2015 during the Obama-Biden administration when the military is considering an open all combat positions to women, including rangers, Colonel Puckett let it be known that he thought women could meet the standards and said I want to see them do it.

[13:35:12]

He leads from the front. He leads by example. He leads with his heart. He's a ranger. And that's how rangers lead. That's how you lead. So now, it is my great honor to ask for the citation to be read and to award Colonel Puckett Jr., Ralph Puckett Jr. with a Medal of Honor.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The President of the United States of America, authorized by act of Congress, March 3rd, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant Ralph Puckett, Jr. United States Army for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

First Lieutenant Ralph Puckett, Jr. distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the commander, Eighth U.S. Army Ranger Company during the period of 25th November 1950 through 26th November 1950 in Korea.

As his unit commenced a daylight attack on Hill 205, the enemy directed mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire against the advancing force. To obtain fire, First Lieutenant Puckett mounted the closest tank, exposing himself to the deadly enemy fire. Leaving from the tank he shouted words of encouragement to his men and began to leave the rangers in the attack.

Almost immediately, enemy fire threatened to the success of the attack by pinning down one platoon. Leaving the safety of his position with full knowledge of the danger First Lieutenant Puckett intentionally ran across an open area three times to draw enemy fire, thereby allowing the rangers to locate and destroy the enemy positions and to seize Hill 205.

During the night, the enemy launched a counter attack that lasted for hours. Over the course of the counter attack, the rangers were inspired and motivated by the extraordinary leadership and courageous example exhibited by First Lieutenant Puckett. As a result, five human wave attacks by a battalion strength enemy element were repulsed.

During the first attack, First Lieutenant Puckett was wounded by grenade fragments, but refused evacuation and continually directed artillery support the decimated attacking enemy formations. He repeatedly abandoned positions or relative safety to make his way from foxhole to foxhole to check the company's perimeter and to distribute ammunition amongst the rangers.

When the enemy launched a sixth attack, it became clear to First Lieutenant Puckett that the position was untenable due to the unavailability of supporting artillery fire. During this attack, two enemy mortar rounds landed in his foxhole, inflicting grievous wounds, which limited his mobility.

Knowing his men were in a precarious situation, First Lieutenant Puckett commanded the rangers to leave him behind and evacuate the area. Feeling a sense of duty to aid him, the rangers refused the order and staged an effort to retrieve him from the foxhole while still under fire from the enemy.

Ultimately, the rangers succeeded in retrieving First Lieutenant Puckett, and they moved to the bottom of the hill, where First Lieutenant Puckett called for devastating artillery fire on the top of the enemy controlled hill. First Lieutenant Puckett's extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

BIDEN: Let me invite the family up. Come on, get the family up here. All of you including the grandkids.

[13:40:01]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jack (ph).

BIDEN: Hey, Jack, how are you doing today? It's good to see you, man.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Chip.

BIDEN: Hey, Chip (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Antonio (ph).

BIDEN: Antonio (ph), how are you doing?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pleasure to meet you, Sir.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Lauren (ph).

BIDEN: Hi Lauren (ph).

(INAUDIBLE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi. My name is Jack (ph).

BIDEN: Hey, Jack (ph), good to see you.

(INAUDIBLE)

BIDEN: Now, Mr. President, you might stand here too? Is that OK?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Of course.

BIDEN: All right. Jill, come on up.

(INAUDIBLE)

BIDEN: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.

BIDEN: This has been an honor for both of us --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.

BIDEN: -- to be able to do this. Thanks Colonel, thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

BIDEN: Appreciate it.

(INAUDIBLE)

BIDEN: OK. Wow.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, please join me as we conclude today's ceremony of Colonel Puckett who it 94, but I see the same written determination of the young lieutenant in your body of vestiture (ph). Please join me in a word of prayer.

Most Holy God as we leave this ceremony, inspire and encourage us to greater acts of service to our nation and armies people. Give us the fortitude to always give 100 percent and then some. May you bless Colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr. as he joins the pantheon of heroes who have distinguished themselves through selfless acts of bravery.

May his leadership and legacy be a waypoint for us to follow. Keep us all strong in spirit and give our leaders wisdom as they serve our nation's people. Bless and protect our armed forces as they preserve our precious freedoms. Keep the lamp of liberty, burning bright on the United States of America, our allies around the world as well. I asked these things in your most blessing in holy name. Amen.

BIDEN: (INAUDIBLE) protocol. Come on up and say hi. The Vice President is down, what am I talking about? Vice President?

(INAUDIBLE)

RETIRED ARMY COL. RALPH PUCKETT, KOREAN WAR HERO: Thank you. Don't fall.

(INAUDIBLE)

ANA CABRERA, CNN HOST: Ninety-four-year-old Colonel Ralph Puckett now the recipient of the Medal of Honor, a big smile on his face. What a day, an amazing man, truly a hero.

Quick break, we'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [13:45:55]

CABRERA: We have new details today about the federal investigation into Rudy Giuliani. Newly unsealed court filings reveal the FBI took 18 electronic devices when they raided his home and offices last month. Giuliani who served as former President Trump's personal lawyer has been the focus of an ongoing investigation concerning his activities in Ukraine. And CNN politics reporter Chris Cillizza is joining us now. What are we learning, Chris, about what investigators took and what they've found?

CHRIS CILLIZZA, CNN POLITICS REPORTER: All right, let's go through, Ana, because we've learned a lot more about, as you said array that took place in the end of April. So let's go through. You went through the numbers here. Eighteen devices seized, OK. Initially, we thought it was 18 electronic devices that were just Rudy Giuliani's which is someone who only has one phone, obviously, that's a lot, no.

There were some other ones related to he and his staff, 11 they have gotten the data off of seven remain password protected. Obviously they're trying to get through that. Now, this is what's interesting. Most of what they've gone through to date actually comes from a 2019 covert search of his iCloud account. So it's actually not even related to what they got in April. That's sort of on the newer end of things.

Most of it comes from way back when and again, as you mentioned, this is not a new investigation. This has been going on for years. And that speaks to it.

CABRERA: What happens now?

CILLIZZA: OK. Interesting question, because of course, there's a debate because this is a legal proceeding. I'll hit on the what now button because that'll help us a handle that, Ana. OK. First of all, there's a privilege review. So at the 2019, when they've got his iCloud stuff, they use a filter team. It's called basically attorneys and some FBI agents to go through it and figure out what might deal with attorney client privilege and what might not.

Well, now, there's an issue over, the prosecutors want to appoint a master, a special Master, essentially, an independent person who goes through and says, this is protected by attorney client privilege, and therefore prosecutors can't use it and this is not.

But the Giuliani folks are fighting that. And they are saying, well, we want to find all of the reasons, the affidavits that allowed you to make these initial searches back in 2019 to which the prosecutors have essentially said, look, you can read this yourself. What they've said is, there's really no reason for us to do that. We don't typically do that. And we're not going to do it in this case. So that is pending at the moment. And that's where we are.

Look, none of this is good for Rudy Giuliani. OK. Eighteen devices seized. That's not a good thing. 2019 iCloud account covertly looked into, you know, he has not been charged yet. I should say that. But it doesn't bode well if you're just reading the tea leaves, Ana. CABRERA: OK. Well, we'll see where it lands. But I have to ask you about something else as well that you wrote about today. To sum it up, Senator Ted Cruz --

CILLIZZA: Yes.

CABRERA: -- is essentially trolling the U.S. military, lay it out for us.

CILLIZZA: Yes, yes, so you'd be surprised, right? Always Republicans saying we support our troops. We support our troops. OK. Let's -- I want to first before we get to anything else. I want to play to give a little context. Here is something that YouTuber tweeted. It's a TikTok video comparing Russian military ads and American military ads. Let's play that and we'll come back and talk about it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Speaking in Foreign Language).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It begins in California, with a little girl raised by two moms, who also marched for equality. I like to think I've been defending freedom from an early age to marry my other mom. With such powerful role models, I finished high school at the top of my class. And after meeting with an army recruiter, I found it, a way to prove my inner strength.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CILLIZZA: OK. So Ted Cruz, United States senator said this, holy crap, perhaps a woke emasculated military is not the best idea attach to this tweet. I don't know what he objected to graduating top of her class, joining the military not entirely clear there. Tammy Duckworth who served obviously was injured in combat said this, holy crap perhaps U.S. senators shouldn't suggest that the Russian military is better than the American military that protected him from an insurrection he helped foment.

[13:50:13]

This is ridiculous, Ana. This is Ted Cruz trying to troll the liberals to appease the Trump base because he wants to run for president in 2024. I understand what he's doing. It doesn't make it right, Ana.

CABRERA: Yes, and in the process putting down people who are serving this country right now. Chris Cillizza --

CILLIZZA: Active military.

CABRERA: Exactly.

CILLIZZA: Yes.

CABRERA: Thank you. Thank you for that.

CILLIZZA: Thank you. CABRERA: Tokyo Olympics, the organizers are scaling back the number of people allowed from foreign delegations as COVID cases are surging in the host nation. The games are all about bringing the world together, right, but in a pandemic. Can it happen safely? Bob Costas weighs in, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CABRERA: The International Olympic Committee says its quote, clearer than ever that the games will be held just two months from now. But they won't look anything like we're used to seeing. The number of foreign athletes and support staff coming to the games has been cut in half down to 78,000. No foreign spectators will be allowed at the game. So that means no families, 230 doctors and 300 nurses will be on site. There will be between 50,000 and 60,000 COVID test carried out every single day. And once athletes are done competing, they have 48 hours to leave the country. Now one thing that won't be required is vaccinations.

With us now a man synonymous with the Olympics, the one the only Bob Costas, it's great to have you here, Bob. I wish we had even more time --

BOB COSTAS, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Thanks Ana.

CABRERA: -- to have this discussion today because I love the Olympics. You have hosted every single Summer Olympics since 1988. So you know what the games are like, what the villages like, what's going on behind the scenes. You know, we have seen other sports make adjustments for COVID and they've succeeded but the Olympics I have to imagine is a whole different animal. Do you think the games can go on safely?

[13:55:14]

COSTAS: Well, some 70 percent of the populace in Japan thinks they should either be postponed or canceled altogether. There's a very large number of health officials both in Japan and internationally, who feel the same way. Internationally known Japanese athletes like the tennis great Naomi, Osaka or Hideki Matsuyama, who recently won the masters have expressed reservations as well.

But as you just said, the organizing committee says full speed ahead. And in truth, the final decision, barring the most extreme of circumstances, the hammer belongs to the IOC. And they reiterated again today that the Olympics will happen this summer. It's nine weeks to the day from now that the opening ceremony is scheduled.

But as you said, everything is going to feel different. Is the competition at the heart of it? Yes. But so too, is the pageantry, the cultural panorama, the travel log aspect, the interaction between the athletes, many of whom don't speak the same language, but they share their athleticism and their commitment to this event. All of that is going to be different.

You feel for the athletes who already have tried to peak for 2020 and it's been pushed back. So and I also feel from my longtime friends and colleagues at NBC, who devote themselves to putting on the best possible presentation, and they will still do it, they'll work tirelessly to do it. But the backdrop, the whole texture of it will be entirely different. And some of it will ring hollow, and it won't be NBC's fault and won't be the athletes fault.

CABRERA: I do worry about some of the magic being lost because of all these changes that aren't necessary in terms of safety. But as a mom and as an athlete myself, one of the things that always stands out to me during the games is the reaction from the athlete's parents and the fans.

COSTAS: Yes.

CABRERA: As the athletes are competing. I think a lot of people probably remember watching gymnast Aly Raisman's parents squirming in the stands in Rio.

COSTAS: Sure.

CABRERA: What do you think it'll be like for these athletes to compete without even their own families there, their biggest supporters?

COSTAS: I know there may be some dispensation for immediate family maybe I'm not certain about that. It's worth noting that only about 3 percent of Japanese citizens have been vaccinated at this point, fully vaccinated. They've had a lot of difficulty with their rollout. Far less than 100 percent of athletes and officials will be vaccinated upon arrival in Japan, although they say they're going to ramp that up. And they're going to have daily testing and all the rest, it's just going to be a very peculiar experience.

And what I'm sure is occurred to a lot of people, Ana, is why don't they just postpone it until 2022. Until the 90s, they used to have the Winter and Summer Olympics in the same calendar year anyway, that would give them more time, the athletes have already adapted once they can adapt twice. But there are contracts to consider, you know, those venues, they're already committed to other businesses or they turn the Olympic Village into residential housing or commercial real estate. Those contracts have been pushed back by a year already.

The broadcast contracts, advertisers made it clear decades ago, they didn't want to commit the big advertisers to that much of a budget for two Olympics in the same calendar year. But these are explanations, not excuses. These are extraordinary circumstances. And to the average person, it would seem it makes more sense to postpone it than to cancel it and makes more sense to postpone it than to carry on starting nine weeks from today.

CABRERA: Right. Because a lot of things seem to be going in the wrong direction right now, there's this surge. We're seeing host cities pulling out. We're seeing more states of emergency enacted. So it just doesn't make logical sense to keep plowing forward and trying to force this in. We'll see what happens. Bob Costas let's continue the conversation as we get closer. Thank you for being with us.

COSTAS: Sure. Thanks, Ana.

CABRERA: So this week, I asked you to show me how you're making your comeback from the pandemic. And here is some of what you're sharing. I love seeing all of these pictures and videos. Rachel says, I got to finally hug my 77-year-old critical care pulmonologist dad, my own personal hero.

Gem writes, Argentine tango dance socials, Milongasm, are back at the Milford Arts Council. Tango friends hug each other and dance for the first time after more than a year. And don't we miss this? Alex says, seeing friends with margaritas again. I love that pic.

And we had include one of our viewer sharing, he's hanging out in Mexico. And clearly, he's not alone. Keep sending us your pictures or your videos. You can say something in these videos too. Tell us what you're doing in those videos. Tag me @AnaCabrera. And you can also use the hashtag which is important so we can find it when we want to come back and round them up later, the hashtag, the come back and we'll be featuring some of you on this show next week.

[14:00:10]

That does it for me for now. Thank you so much for being with me today. Hope you smiled watching that ceremony like I did. The news continues next with Alisyn and Victor.