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1/6 Committee To Vote On Whether To Refer Former DOJ Official, Jeffrey Clark, For Contempt; Twitter: CEO Jack Dorsey Stepping Down Effective Immediately; Sex-Trafficking Trial Begins For Epstein Partner, Ghislaine Maxwell; "Smash-And-Grab" Mobs Hit Retail Stores Across U.S. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired November 29, 2021 - 14:30   ET

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

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[14:33:01]

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN HOST: Let's move forward on the breaking news. The House Select Committee investigating the January 6th insurrection will soon vote on a criminal Contempt of Congress referral for Jeffrey Clark.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN HOST: CNN's Ryan Nobles has the latest.

When could this happen, Ryan?

RYAN NOBLES, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Alisyn and Victor, it's going to move very quickly.

In fact, the House Select Committee investigating the January 6th insurrection is set to meet on Wednesday for a business meeting, where they expect to vote out a criminal Contempt of Congress referral for Jeffrey Clark, the former Department of Justice official.

And this will go to the full House for a vote, as soon as Thursday. It will then go to the Department of Justice who will decide whether or not Clark should be prosecuted for ignoring the subpoenas from the Department of Justice.

Clark is an important player. He was a Trump loyalist inserted into the Department of Justice after the November elections. And was specifically peddling the Big Lie within the Department of Justice.

And encouraging the acting attorney general at that time and his deputy to use the Department of Justice to investigate fraud claims that are no basis in fact.

Clark was also someone who, when subpoenaed by the January 6th Select Committee, was pretty defiant.

Now he did come to Congress. He came in front of the committee. But once he was behind closed doors to sit for his interview, he wouldn't answer any questions.

Claimed that he had executive privilege claims. And also claimed that there was some level of attorney/client privilege that prevented him from answering questions.

The committee disagreed with that. They believe he has a responsibility to answer the questions. That is why they're taking this step.

Alisyn and Victor, important to point out, this rarely happens. Before the Steve Bannon criminal context referral, the last time this happened was during the Reagan administration.

And it's now happened twice in a couple of months.

BLACKWELL: Ryan Nobles for us on Capitol Hill. Thank you, Ryan.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey is out, effectively immediately. Dorsey co- founded Twitter back in 2006. But he will stay on the board until his term expires. That happens next year.

[14:35:01]

CAMEROTA: OK, let's bring in CNN tech reporter, Brian Fung.

Brian, why is he leaving?

BRIAN FUNG, CNN TECH REPORTER: Well, Dorsey says it is time for someone who isn't a founder to lead the company.

He said companies often place too great of an emphasis on what founders want and how they believe the company should be run. And that is limited and increasing a single point of failure, he says.

Yes, Dorsey is a co-founder of the company. He sent the first tweet in 2006 and was brought back in 2015 to reinvigorate growth at Twitter.

And since then, Twitter has have dealt with a number of new problems, which is misinformation and hate speech on the platform as well as the potential for regulations and legislation now facing the company, and other tech companies as well.

And but at the same time, Twitter insists that this is the right time for Dorsey to step aside. And Dorsey does acknowledge this was his decision and he owns it.

Let me read you a snippet of what Dorsey wrote to employees earlier today.

He said, quote, "I want you to all to know that this was my decision and I own it. It was a tough one for me, of course. I love this service and company and all of you so much. I'm sad, yet really happy."

"There aren't many companies that get to this level. And there aren't many founders that choose their company over their own ego. I know we'll prove this was the right move."

Big step, turning point for Twitter here. We'll see what happens next under the new CEO Parag -- excuse me -- CAMEROTA: We know exactly who you mean.

(LAUGHTER)

BLACKWELL: Thank you.

FUNG: Apologize.

CAMEROTA: We know exactly who you mean. The new CEO.

BLACKWELL: Parag Agrawal.

All right, Brian Fung, thank you so much.

The sex trafficking trial for Ghislaine Maxwell is now underway. We'll tell you what is going on inside of the courtroom for Jeffrey Epstein's long-time companion. That is next.

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[14:41:27]

CAMEROTA: Opening statements in the sex trafficking trial of British socialite, Ghislaine Maxwell, are now underway.

The long-time companion of convicted pedophile, Jeffrey Epstein, is alleged to have conspired with the disgraced financier to sexually exploit under-age girls.

Epstein reportedly died by suicide in prison in 2019 awaiting his own trial on sex trafficking charges.

BLACKWELL: CNN's Brynn Gingras is joining us now.

This is expected to go on for about six weeks. What should we expect during the weeks?

BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We're expecting to hear just a lot about the inner workers of this conspiracy that the government alleged with Ghislaine Maxwell and her friend and former really associate, what they allege, Jeffrey Epstein.

Essentially, there are six federal charges against this former British socialite, having to do with recruiting of underage women for sexual exploitation of Jeffrey Epstein purposes.

The government essentially saying that she would recruit the woman and make them feel comfortable, evening buying them things so they would go and do sexual favors for Jeffrey Epstein.

So we'll get more details about the inner workers, including hearing from six of the alleged -- rather four of the alleged victims throughout the trial.

On the government side, we're expecting opening statements to start momentarily. They should last about an hour today before we might get to the government witnesses.

But their argument is that Maxwell actually thinks -- I'm sorry -- arguing that these alleged victims maybe don't remember everything that happened. Of course, all of the alleged incidents happening decades ago.

So we're waiting to hear more about how the opening statements go before we start hearing from the witnesses.

But as you said, this trial expected to take six weeks, go through the holidays. Ghislaine Maxwell is going to turn 60 during that time behind bars.

And remember, this is a pivotal moment again for the "Me-Too" movement. We've seen these trials go on. But, of course, this is one where we have women as a defendant.

We're still learning about the makeup of the jury to see how they will be perceiving this woman as well throughout the aftermath of this movement.

BLACKWELL: All right, Brynn Gingras, thank you so much.

Let's bring in CNN legal analyst and criminal defense attorney, Joey Jackson.

Joey, let's start here. Jeffrey Epstein is dead.

JOEY JACKSON, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Right.

CAMEROTA: And there are members of this jury who want some justice for these girls. The vehicle for that is Ghislaine Maxwell.

How does a defense attorney navigate that, that variable?

JACKSON: Yes. So with great difficulty is the answer. People want accountability, right?

And when it comes to that accountability to the extent that he's not there, who is next up? Who aided and who facilitated and groomed and assisted him in this endeavor?

I think the attorneys will do it say she's just equally a victim of him as these girls were.

She had no knowledge of this. She put her trust in him like everyone else.

Think about Mr. Epstein and how many people he fooled to gain the riches and the status that he made. And the fact of the matter is she was one of his victims just like the others.

I think we'll hear that the big thing to overcome is you're going to hear compelling testimony, from now women then little girls, with respect to chapter and verse what was done. When did you meet Miss Maxwell? What did she do with you? Where did

she take you? What promises were made as to schooling, as to other things you might want in your life?

How do they overcome that? I think they'll attack the victims' credibility, as the defense, of the victim's credibility, saying, it happened so long ago, are you sure?

And the issue is whether that is enough.

CAMEROTA: Many of the many salacious details or elements, I should say, about this trial are the big-name friends that Jeffrey Epstein had, from Prince Andrew and beyond.

[14:45:10]

Is that all likely to come out at this trial?

JACKSON: So, it depends, Alisyn, because the issue is one of relevance.

If you're in the courtroom, the issue is how is that relevant as to Ghislaine Maxwell?

What does it show and establish as to whether her conduct was more likely or less likely to have been committed or less likely to have been committed?

And I think there will be limitations by the judge on those issues.

But make no mistake about it, the person who is going to loom the largest over this case is going to be the one, to your point, who is not there, and that is going to be Jeffrey Epstein.

BLACKWELL: Let me ask you about one of the jury -- one of the witnesses the jury will hear from. This is minor victim number three.

The judge has determined that jurors will hear the account but cannot convict Maxwell based on what is revealed about her because she was 17 at the time. That was the age of consent.

As a defense attorney, how do you keep a jury from hearing that account and not taking that into account?

JACKSON: Yes, so there's a lot of different things that will happen. Because what you're dealing with is a mass amount of conduct.

You're dealing with issues and allegations as to him flying people to Florida, to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to London, to New York. And you have this confluence of factors.

If this were a one-off, right, there would be easier to otherwise justify and explain what your client was doing. When there's a whole bunch of other evidence, it is difficult to limit it.

But what you have to do is remember to look at everybody in isolation. Could their memories have been faded? You've going to hear an expert, I believe, as to the issue of memory and how it fades and how things happen.

But you'll hear other experts, one from the government, as to grooming and sexual abuse, which is basically the person who is the predator really getting them to the notion that, hey, I'm going to abuse you now.

You're going to hear an expert from the defense counteract that.

And I think what the expert witness -- the defense is going to say, look at it in isolation. Is it truthful? Are they reliable? Are they credible? My client is not guilty.

And I also think that she'll testify, quite frankly. I think she's certainly very savvy. I think she has a story to tell and it could be very compelling.

Whether that carries the day and she can counteract these other very compelling women -- now women, then girls -- is going to be another matter.

CAMEROTA: That will be interesting. Too bad there aren't cameras in the courtroom.

JACKSON: Yes.

CAMEROTA: What if Ghislaine Maxwell said, I didn't know they were underage?

JACKSON: She's going to say a lot. One of the charges, Alisyn, is a deposition that she gave that she sat for sworn testimony in connection with a lawsuit.

And as part of that, she denied knowing anything about massages, anything about Jeffrey Epstein's conduct, or anything. So that's charging her with perjury relating to that.

But if she does testify, and she has a story to tell and she tells it in a compelling way, she'll, again, he's a manipulator, and I'm a victim, and they're victims, don't convict me for putting my faith in someone like everyone else did.

CAMEROTA: Joey Jackson, thank you.

JACKSON: Always.

CAMEROTA: A wave of smash-and-grab crimes is plaguing up-scale stores in major U.S. cities. There are mobs of thieves who make off with all of these expensive items in these very brazen raids. As you can see, they're caught on camera there. So what could be done to stop all of this?

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[14:52:47] BLACKWELL: Across the country, we are seeing the continuation of really alarming trend, coordinated mobs targeting retail stores in these smash-and-grab robberies. It's been happening from California to Illinois to Minnesota.

CAMEROTA: The day after Thanksgiving, stores in Los Angeles, Lakewood and Monterey, California, all got hit. In Lakewood, thieves made off with sledgehammers and crowbars from a Home Depot store.

CNN's Josh Campbell joins us from Los Angeles.

Josh, did they catch those Home Depot robbers?

JOSH CAMPBELL, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yes, well, a development in that specific case, we're learning over the weekend that the Beverly Hills Police Department, here near Los Angeles, stopped a vehicle matching a description from that brazen robbery.

Four people were taken into custody in that vehicle. Police say they also found new tools.

That one brazen incident really of concern to officials because we're not just talking about stolen merchandise, stolen handbags and clothing but they stole crowbars and hammers, things that could be used in future robberies.

We have seen so many. At a Nordstrom's near Los Angeles, thieves took off with over $25,000 worth of merchandise. A security guard was injured during that incident.

In Oak Brook, Illinois, a dozen suspects overwhelmed security making off with over $100,000 worth of merchandise.

These obviously of great concern to law enforcement.

We're told many cities are placing officers on tactical alert, including here in Los Angeles. Which means additional officers will be available to respond to these types of incidents.

In Oakland, they're doing the same. Officials there issued a statement saying, "OPD will have additional staffing to address the increase in violent crimes. Several tactical teams will support the parole officers responding to armed caravans, illegal side shows and other violent crimes."

So we're seeing police respond.

Of course, this isn't just an issue for law enforcement. These retailers want to see more customers. They want to allay concerns that customers might somehow feel unsafe.

We heard from one security official in Los Angeles who says his team is working with police. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) LOUIS SCHILLACE, SENIOR GENERAL MANAGER, WESTFIELD CENTURY CITY: We are monitoring the situation with the smash-and-grab robberies across the country closely. And we have a great relationship with LAPD and local authorities. And are working closely with them to make sure we're preparing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[14:55:00]

CAMPBELL: Now, as it relates to the suspects themselves in these different incidents, not all of these are connected but we're seeing the same type of tactic, going in with overwhelming force to overwhelm security.

Officials say they are still trying to glean information about these groups. Obviously, it appears coordinated where sometimes you have over a dozen people rushing into some of these locations.

As for why this is happening, we're told that the stores are full of goods, obviously, around the holidays. It also remains a very hot market for hot items -- Alisyn, Victor?

CAMEROTA: OK. Josh Campbell, thank you.

And we'll be right back.