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Jan. 6 Committee Seeks To Interview Jim Jordan; Rally Organizers Sue To Block Jan. 6 Committee Subpoena; U.K. Reports More Than 100,000 Cases For First Time; Putin Holding Year-End News Conference; Kentucky Rescuers Find Two Babies In Tub After Tornados. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired December 23, 2021 - 04:30   ET

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

[04:30:00]

TYLER MAULDIN, CNN METEOROLOGIST: We're also looking at, in addition to all of this snow and rainfall across the West, really high winds in portions of the Rockies going on into the plains.

Now what about that heat? That heat, as I mentioned, is building and it is record breaking. We could potentially see 140 plus record temperatures in the coming days, Isa. So it is not going to be feeling much like Christmas. This year, Christmas 2021 is going to be feeling more like it's springtime.

ISA SOARES, CNN ANCHOR: Yes. Christmas is what you make of it, right? So let's hope everyone's have a lovely Christmas, yourself included. Tyler, thanks very much.

And still to come right here on the show, the January 6 House Committee is hoping to speak with one of Donald Trump's top congressional allies, Republican Representative Jim Jordan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

We know what this is about, this is about the Democrats attacking the president again, President Trump again like they've done for what now, five years.

REP. JIM JORDAN(R-OH): Of course, I talked to the President, I talked to him that day. I've been clear about that. I don't recall the number of times.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Was it before, during or after the attack on the Capitol?

JORDAN: I talked to president after the attack.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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SOARES: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM, I'm Isa Soares. If you're just joining us, let me bring you up to date with our top stories this hour. China is implementing its biggest COVID lockdown in the city of Cheyenne impacting nearly 13 million people. Mass testing is underway and transportation to and from the city has been suspended.

And U.S. President Joe Biden is trying to ease concerns over COVID testing shortages in an interview with ABC News. He said he didn't think his administration response to the current state of the pandemic has been a failure.

[04:35:08]

Well, in that same interview, the President also said he hasn't given up on his sweeping economic and climate plan despite democratic failure to Democrats failure, to get Senator Joe Manchin. You can see that on board. President Biden says he plans to speak with Manchin again next week, and still believes Congress can pass a significant amount of the Build Back Better legislation. He insists it will help lower inflation.

And we're now two weeks from the one-year anniversary of the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol. And in an interview with ABC News, President Joe Biden was asked if accountability should go all the way to the top over the January 6 attack. Have listen.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think accountability is necessary. Look --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And that means if it goes right into the previous administration?

BIDEN: Those responsible should be held accountable.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Meanwhile, a new lawsuit is looking to block a subpoena from the House Committee investigating the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Four people who stopped the pro-Trump rally that came before the Capitol riot, want to keep the panel from obtaining their phone records. Still, the committee is pushing ahead with its work and is now hoping to speak with a congressional ally of Donald Trump.

CNN Jessica Schneider has the details for you from Washington.

JESSICA SCHNEIDER, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: A lot unfolding from the January 6 committee. They've just sent out another letter requesting a voluntary interview with a Republican lawmaker. This time, it's Congressman Jim Jordan, one of Trump's top congressional allies.

The committee is telling Jordan, they want to hear from him about his communications with the former president on January 6th. They say that Jordan had at least one and possibly multiple chats with Trump that day. And now they want Jordan to sit down for a voluntary interview as soon as January 3rd.

But from what we've seen, it is highly unlikely that Congressman Jordan will cooperate. He's already warned the committee that targeting GOP lawmakers in any capacity will be met with political retribution if Republicans who retake the house after the midterms. And we even saw Republican Congressman Scott Perry lashed out at the committee's legitimacy already this week, where he eagerly rebuffed their request to interview him.

We have not seen a response from Jordan just yet. But the committee in their letter to him is trying to throw Jordan's words back at him by writing that Jordan did say back in August that he had, quote, nothing to hide.

Congressman Jordan did have at least one text message of note. His spokesperson confirmed that Jordan did forward a text to former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows on January 5th, outlining a legal theory of how Vice President Pence could block the certification of the election.

Now Jordan spokesperson though said the text was actually written by a former Defense Department Inspector General, and that Congressman Jordan was just forwarding that text on to Meadows. But it is clear this committee wants to know through Jordan, what Trump was up to inside the White House on January 6th, and they say that Jordan had at least one, if not multiple communications with Trump. Unlikely that Jordan would sit down for the voluntary interview, and then we'll have to see if the committee goes so far as to subpoena these GOP lawmakers.

And in addition, a federal judge has just rejected Michael Flynn's attempts to block the committee from getting any of his phone records or testimony. It's Trump's former national security adviser here, he filed a lawsuit Tuesday requesting immediate action. But then on Wednesday, about 24 hours later, the judge said he was not entitled to an immediate block of the information being given to the committee. And that instead his lawsuit should just continue to play out.

So for now, the committee has cleared at least one small legal hurdle. But with at least eight other people suing the committee to hamper their investigation, it really could be a long court battle on multiple fronts.

Jessica Schneider, CNN, Washington.

SOARES: Thank you, Jessica.

You're watching CNN Newsroom. Just ahead, ad growing number of European countries are rolling out COVID vaccine for kids. We've got the details in the live report next.

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04:42:18]

SOARES: Now a study out of the U.K. suggests people infected with the Omicron variant of 40 to 45 percent less likely to be hospitalized. The country reported more than 106,000 new COVID cases on Wednesday, the first time it's crossed the 100,000 threshold since the pandemic started.

U.K. regulators have now approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages five to 11. Some good news there. Germany's Health Minister says people will eventually need a fourth vaccine dose. He says it's clear. Three doses don't fully protect against the Omicron variant.

Meanwhile, Spain is set to bring back outdoor mask mandates starting Christmas Eve. And Belgium is canceling indoor events and activities although gyms and museums can stay open.

Let's come on all and all the strands. CNN's Salma Abdelaziz is covering developments across the continent. But we begin first with Salem Abdelaziz in London. And Salma, let's talk more about this study that I believe will be published later today, really raising hopes that those infected with Omicron will be less likely to be hospitalized compared the likes of Delta here.

SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN REPORTER: Yes, more evidence, growing evidence that Omicron appears to be milder this adds to what we've heard from doctors in South Africa. But in recent days two pre-print studies now published. Important to emphasize pre-print study so this is very preliminary data. But again showing that Omicron appears to be milder.

The first paper is -- was pre-print published yesterday from the University of Edinburgh and Scotland, and it shows there's a two- thirds reduction in the risk to hospitalization when you compare the Delta variant to the Omicron variant. So the researchers said, at this point, given the amount of infections in Scotland, they would have expected 47 people in hospital at the point in which the study was being done.

47 people in hospital, with Omicron they had 15 people in hospital with Omicron. So two-thirds reduction really significant there. The other paper coming out of South Africa shows there is 80 percent lower odds of being hospitalized with the Omicron variant.

And researchers also found that if you have that third shot, if you have the booster jab that reduces your risks even more, it'll give you 50 percent lower reduction in the possibility of severe illness if you have that third shot. Important to note that with all these studies, they're talking about the double vax double here, of course the unvaccinated of course highly risk for the Omicron variant.

But this again, adds to that growing body of evidence that Omicron could be milder that it could lead to less hospitalizations based on preliminary evidence, but it's again about that overwhelming spread of, Isa. Even if you have --

SOARES: Yes.

Salma: -- less people winding up in hospital with the Omicron variant. If you have an overwhelming number of people getting that variant, then you just have a huge ratio, a huge proportion that's going to wind up in hospital.

[04:45:03]

But we already know that this is being looked at very closely by authorities, by governments, ministers here in the U.K. are watching this closely, because that's what Prime Minister Boris Johnson had said he would do, watch that data hour by hour. Dr. Anthony Fauci use this in a White House briefing. So really important figures here for governments to help make their decisions. Isa?

SOARES: Yes, the next few weeks will be important as we try and protect, of course, Salma, the National Health Service, the NHS here. Stay with us.

Let's get to Nada. And Nada, we are continue to see a surge, of course, in cases across the continent, and we are seeing European countries pushing ahead with vaccination for children as well here.

NADA BASHIR, CNN PRODUCER: Yes, absolutely. As Salma mentioned, there's been a huge focus on really doubling down on that vaccination campaign in England. And of course, now in Europe, we're seeing that being extended to that younger age group of five to 11-year-old. France., Finland, Denmark, Belgium, amongst those countries, now widening that vaccination campaign.

And we're also seeing some countries now taking a different approach. Germany was recently now announcing that it's looking at a fourth booster dose. The health minister there saying that three doses just doesn't seem to be durable enough against the Omicron variants. So they are now encouraged to go ahead with this fourth dose and they will be keeping their vaccination centers open over Christmas, all part of their efforts to really double down on that vaccination campaign. They're looking at getting something like an additional 30 million doses administered by the end of January.

And of course, this comes alongside the tightening of COVID restrictions in Germany after Christmas. They are restricting social gatherings pretty tightly and have canceled New Year's Eve celebrations. But of course, this comes as warnings from the WHO that Europe is once again at the epicenter of the pandemic.

There is a storm coming and potential for further hospital admissions. And we've seen other European countries taking a similar approach to Germany, doubling down on vaccination efforts, but as you mentioned, tightening their restrictions ahead of the winter.

SOARES: Nada Bashir and Salma Abdelaziz, thank you very late -- very much, ladies. If I don't see you, have a wonderful Christmas, Happy Holidays.

And still to come right here on the show, Vladimir Putin holds his annual marathon news conference as Russia wants to hold talks with U.S. and NATO next month. You are looking at live pictures from Moscow. We have the latest next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:51:18]

SOARES: Now, at this hour, Russian President Vladimir Putin's holding his annual year end news conference. You're looking at live pictures coming out coming to us from Moscow. This news conference comes really amid tensions of the -- over the country's military buildup along Ukraine's border which we've been reporting on the show for several days now.

And as Russia really looks to hold talks with U.S. and NATO over security guarantees, talks are expected in the New Year. CNN's Melissa Bell is following orders of elements from Moscow. And she joins us now. And Melissa, I suspect this might be quite a lengthy news conference as we have come to witness over the past few years. What are we expecting to hear from the President here at this time, of course of heightened tensions with the West and with NATO?

MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, for the time being and you're quite right, this can go on for some time the record in 2008 when it lasted 4.5 hours with some 80 questions from journalists. So it's been going on for just under an hour now, just over half an hour. And so far, it's concentrated very much on things like the pandemic, the economy, the soaring inflation, that Russia is seeing rising food prices and salaries. So very much on the economy and how it's impacting ordinary Russians.

What we expect later, though, and what we're looking to is what comments Putin might make on the latest developments on the crisis in Ukraine. Now we have an idea of what he's going to say since we heard from him only a couple of days ago, when he spoke to a defense ministry meeting about those talks that we now expect to take place between NATO, Russia, and the United States in January.

We know that he believes that what Russia wants is to avoid bloodshed, and very much to look towards dialogue. I mean, these are talks that Russia has requested that will be based on demands that Russia has made, many of them already judged unacceptable by the West. And yet there will be those talks.

So we'll be looking to see what he has to say about that. We expect him also, though, Isa to be asked about more domestic issues, and particularly that crackdown on dissenting voices that we've seen very much in Russia this year, and particularly the naming, the designation as foreign agents of organizations that essentially don't see eye to eye with the Kremlin.

He's likely to be asked about that. But of course, it is in the midst of this Ukraine crisis this press conference takes place. So we expect a lot of questions on that. And hope to hear more about Russia's thinking particularly now that Washington and NATO have been very clear about the nature of the discussions that they hope to have with Russia and specifically the fact that they deem many of Russia's demands unacceptable to begin with. Isa?

SOARES: And I know Melissa, you'll keep an eye on that news conference. Get yourself a strong cup of coffee. I shall speak to you later. Thanks, Melissa.

Now, to U.S. food companies, Dole and Fresh Express are recalling some pre-packaged salads because they could be contaminated with listeria. The FDA says two separate outbreaks dating back several years have led to more than two dozen illnesses and three deaths across the United States. Both outbreaks are still being investigated. For now, The FDA advises avoiding all the -- all of the recalled products, which are listed on its website.

McDonald's locations in Japan are temporarily limiting the sale of French fries because of global potato shortages. The company cites the pandemic as well as extreme flooding in Canada for causing shipping delays for one week. Beginning this Friday, customers will only be able to buy a small serving of fries.

The CEO of McDonald's Japan says they're exploring other shipping options like ML to get more spuds really into the hands of their faithful customers. Don't panic yet.

Now researchers in Virginia are quite surprised after opening a time capsule from the late 1800s. It was unsealed on Wednesday days after work has found in the pedestal of a Confederate statue in Richmond.

[04:55:06]

The capsule contains three books, an envelope as well as a coin, but not dozens of other items mentioned in an 1887 newspaper story about the capsule, including a picture of President Abraham Lincoln flying in his coffin. The researchers are now wondering if there's another capsule in the area.

And we are getting a look at the remarkable rescue of two babies in Kentucky who was swept away in a bathtub when tornadoes ripped through the state earlier this month. Take a look at the moment sheriffs and neighbors pull them free. Look at this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 329, we've got the theme (ph) or the -- I think a 15-month-old Central, can you send us med center?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh my god. (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We'll try to get them pretty. They --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right, go ahead.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There you go.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You do. She OK? Where do we go?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good there.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All right.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No shirts on her leg.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Well, the 15-month-old and three-month-old with their grandma -- grandmother at the time, she put them in the bathtub with a blanket, pillow and a Bible and so she held on to the tub and he was ripped out of our hands. One of the infants was taken to hospital with a head injury after reuniting with their grandmother.

And that does it for me here on CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Isa Soares in London. Thanks very much for your company this year. I wish you a happy and healthy holiday to you and your loved ones. I shall see you in 2022.

But do stay with us right now, our coverage continues of course on "EARLY START" with Christine Romans and Paula Reid. You are watching CNN.

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