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Biden Briefed on Options if Russia Invades Ukraine; NATO Allies Put Forces on Standby; Staff Reductions at U.S. Embassy in Ukraine; Steps to Address Crime in New York City; William Barr Talked with January 6th Committee; Gingrich Comments about January 6th Committee. Aired 9-9:30a ET

Aired January 24, 2022 - 09:00   ET

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

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[09:00:14]

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR: A very good Monday morning to you. I'm Jim Sciutto.

BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Bianna Golodryga.

This morning, U.S. and western allies taking major steps ahead of a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine. Just hours ago, NATO allied putting forces on standby and sending additional ships and fighter jets to eastern Europe.

Now, it comes as the State Department announced it will reduce staff at the U.S. embassy in Kiev, ordering some family members to leave because of the, quote, increased threats of significant Russian military action.

SCIUTTO: Soon, Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with European foreign ministers. This as CNN has learned and reported overnight that President Biden is now considering a series of military options, including shifting thousands of U.S. troops to shore up eastern European and Baltic allies. On CNN's "STATE OF THE UNION," Blinken warned Russia not to advance.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANTONY BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE: If a single additional Russian force goes into Ukraine in an aggressive way, as I said, that would trigger a swift, a severe and a united response from us and from Europe.

(END VIDEO CLIP) SCIUTTO: We are following our top story this morning with correspondents in Ukraine, in Moscow and here in the U.S.

Let's begin, though, with CNN White House reporter Natasha Bertrand here in Washington.

Natasha, this is a significant option that the president was briefed on this weekend to move perhaps thousands of forces closer to the Russian border.

NATASHA BERTRAND, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, Jim. So while at Camp David this weekend, President Biden met virtually with his national security team, including senior defense officials who briefed him on these options that they are weighing for a potential increased presence in eastern European amid this massive Russian troop buildup that includes anywhere between 1,000 and 5,000 additional U.S. forces to be stationed in eastern Europe, including those Baltic countries, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, in response to these aggressive moves by Russia, including the force buildup that we're seeing now in Belarus, which U.S. officials fear could be a precursor on some kind of move on Kiev, Ukraine's capital.

Now, this, of course, is of great irony because this is exactly what Russia did not want to see happen, which is why it says it has positioned forces near Ukraine in order to protect its own security and stop that expansion eastward of NATO. The irony, though, is that NATO, in response to this Russian aggression, in response to this buildup, is now looking at reinforcing its posture in eastern Europe. The Biden administration has said that it is not looking right now at putting American forces actually inside Ukraine to fight a war with Russia if it did come to that. But the idea that they are weighing preemptively to station additional forces in eastern Europe to kind of head off any kind of Russian incursion against Ukraine is definitely a pivot from the Biden administration's previous position that it did not want to do anything that might provoke Ukraine. The Biden administration now thinking that it's -- we're beyond that now. It's a little bit too late for that. Now they have to think about defending allies in the region.

GOLODRYGA: Yes, I know --

SCIUTTO: Yes. And, Bianna, there's an important distinction there, right, to say these are not U.S. forces going to Ukraine to right -- fight Russian troops. It's going to U.S. NATO allies in eastern Europe to shore them up in the case of future threats against them from Russia.

GOLODRYGA: Yes, and this, I know, was part of your reporting as well. And, in response, you have the prime minister of Estonia saying that she would like to see U.S. troop presence there permanently. Clearly this having a major impact.

On the stock market as well, we should note. The Russian stock market experiencing another major selloff.

And let's go to Moscow now where CNN international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson is there.

And, Nic, there are reports this morning, Russian news is reporting, that 20 Russian navy vessels have set out into the Baltic Sea for drills. This as the Kremlin is also saying that it is expecting to get a written response to its demands, not only from the U.S. this week, but now also from NATO.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, the Kremlin spokesman said that Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary-general at NATO, had given Russia now his word that there would be a written response from NATO. Remember, Russia sent these what they call security proposals, but are actually, in fact, demands, sent them to -- a separate letter to the United States and a separate letter to NATO. So now they'll be getting that response, as well as the U.S. response, in pretty short order. And they what that response is likely to be.

Now these warships, these Russian warships, are heading out into the Baltic. Not the first to be traveling through there recently. Russia announced just about -- just a few days ago that it was having navy drills globally in all the seas around the world where it operates, 140 warships, 10,000 personnel involved in that.

[09:05:00]

These vessels' task the state news agency here saying they're heading out for part of those planned drills in the Baltics. We know the Danish, as part of their commitment to security in the east of Europe, are sending a frigate to the Baltic Sea. They're very concerned there. We know that the Swedish also stepped up their security just last week when five Russian landing craft passed through the Baltic Sea. They're now on their way further south, believed most likely to be on their way to the Mediterranean and then the Black Sea. Again, part of Russia's naval drills. But it appears, if they're headed towards the Black Sea, as is expected, that would potentially contribute to raising further the tensions around Ukraine. Of course, Ukraine there has Black Sea coast.

So, all of this, at this time, is bringing a great deal of concern, just as European Union foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to concern (ph) this. And it is the Baltic states, as you have been saying there, the Baltic states that are raising the highest level of concern.

SCIUTTO: No question. Very close to Russia and Russia has meddled with them before.

Clarissa, CNN chief international correspondent, is in Ukraine.

The other development, of course, overnight, Clarissa, is the U.S. reducing its diplomatic footprint in Kiev, ordering family members home, reducing non-essential staff.

I wonder, the Ukrainians don't seem to be particularly happy with this move.

CLARISSA WARD, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: They're not, Jim. They basically are very concerned that these kinds of moves lead to potentially a state of panic here in Ukraine. And they're worried that the more that people sort of beat the drum of war, it contributes to a sense of anxiety among the populous. We saw the president, Vladimir Zelensky, last week, in a video on Facebook, telling people to calm down. This is nothing to worry about. Reminding everyone in the -- outside the international community that Ukraine has really been in a state of defacto war with Russia for eight years now. And so the threat has been consistent.

It is, obviously, now at a much higher level. But I think that Ukraine would like to project an image of strength and an image of being in control. So that's why you heard the foreign ministry essentially saying that they thought that this was unnecessary and perhaps overly cautious.

Another development here overnight, though, Jim, which was interesting, more U.S. military aid arriving, approximately 198,000 pounds of weaponry. That's part of the $200 million in lethal aid that's been earmarked for Ukraine. It's the second shipment in just a few days and there is more expected. And that's what Ukraine really wants to see, honestly, is continued military support from the U.S. and continued support, obviously, on the diplomatic stage as well.

GOLODRYGA: Yes, big question is what role, if any, will Germany play in this, right, as we see more of a united front from NATO allies and the EU really stepping in here. A lot of people questioning on what Germany will do, not only, right, with Nord Stream 2, Jim, but in terms of military aid as well.

SCIUTTO: Yes.

GOLODRYGA: A lot of fast-moving pieces here on this story. Of course, we'll continue to cover them.

Natasha Bertrand, Nic Robertson and Clarissa Ward, thank you.

In other news we are following, China flew 39 airplanes into Taiwan's air defense identification zone Sunday, which Taiwan says is the largest incursion this year. Taiwan responded by deploying its air defense missile system to monitor the situation.

SCIUTTO: China's action comes one day after the U.S. and Japan conducted large-scale naval drills east of Taiwan. But it is notable, watching China and Russia perhaps move in tan. As one threatens Taiwan, another threatens Ukraine. Perhaps not coincidental.

Later today, back here in the U.S., New York City's major will give a public address about the rise in violent crime in the city. Eric Adams already reinstating a modified plainclothes anti-gun unit. And the governor of New York is announcing a new interstate task force on illegal guns. Bianna, when I've spoken to NYPD officers, they talk about the flow of illegal guns into the city as a major factor in the rise in violent crime.

GOLODRYGA: Right, of course, because they are not manufactured in the city or the state of New York. CNN crime and justice correspondent Shimon Prokupecz is following all

of this.

Shimon, a really, really sad weekend here for residents in New York City. A really -- real show of unity amongst the NYPD.

This is in part -- you know, all of this is in response to the fatal shooting, obviously, of the 22-year-old NYPD officer Friday.

What more are we learning about this investigation?

SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN CRIME AND JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Right. That officer, sadly, ambushed, right? He and his partner responding to this family dispute. When they went to talk to the son of this woman, and there's gunshots at them -- behind -- came from behind the door. It just started shooting at them.

And as you said, there is this unity right now in the city. City officials using this as an opportunity to say that this city needs change.

[09:10:04]

The mayor talking about how this city needs to be saved.

Many of the officers -- we've been out here all morning -- who work here at the 32nd precinct are not even at work today. Many of them have been given the time off to grieve. But what we have been seeing here is they're been coming here to pick up their dress uniforms because they're going to have to attend a wake and services for the now dead officer.

We're still waiting on word on the condition of the other officer who was shot. He was moved to NYU last night. We're waiting for an update on his condition.

As to the investigation, really, the big question is, what ultimately led up to this? What was going on in the suspect's mind? We have yet to hear really from the police. We know that he -- police say that he was armed with an illegal gun. That it was a gun that was stolen from Baltimore.

And now the city, of course, focusing on the number of illegal guns here on the streets of New York City. An while the governor has announced this task force. But the mayor realizing that something needs to be done immediately. You can't wait for task force. You can't wait for guns that are going to come in, in the future. The fact is that there are too many guns on the streets of New York City right now. And so we expect to hear from the mayor around 2:00 this afternoon on what he plans to do really to try and combat the violence and try and stop so many of the guns that are on the streets of New York City from getting into the wrong hands.

So 2:00 we'll hear from the mayor and, obviously, we're waiting for an update on the condition of that other officer. SCIUTTO: And I believe we have a picture of the gun that was used, but

also crucially the high-capacity magazine. A tommy gun-style magazine which allowed for so many shots to be shot in such a short period of time.

PROKUPECZ: Yes.

SCIUTTO: That's part of the investigation.

Shimon Prokupecz, thanks very much.

In Texas, a manhunt is now underway after a gunman there shot a killed a Harris County deputy, Charles Galloway. There he is. A 12-year veteran of the force.

GOLODRYGA: Yes, the shooting happened early Sunday morning in Houston. The Houston police chief says Corporal Galloway was conducting a traffic stop on a white four-door Toyota Avalon. That's when witnesses say a man got out of the car, fired at Galloway multiple times, then drove off. And our thoughts are with Officer Galloway, his family. He leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter. It's just tragic.

Well, up next, new CNN reporting that former President Trump's team is working to decide which aides targeted by the January 6th committee should get help from a legal defense fund.

Plus, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich says the committee members are the ones who should be jailed. And Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney is fired back.

SCIUTTO: Yes, remarkable words from a former speaker of the House.

Also ahead, we are crunching the numbers on the omicron variant. And there's some good news here, signs they've reached a peak in parts of the country. When do experts think we can get back to something of a new normal.

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[09:17:17]

GOLODRYGA: The January 6th committee is getting information from a major player in the trump administration. Former Attorney General William Barr.

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REP. BENNIE THOMPSON (D-MS): To be honest with you, we've had conversations with the former attorney general already. We have talked to Department of Defense individuals. We are concerned that our military was part of this big lie on promoting that the election was false. So, if you are using the military to potentially seize voting machines, even though it's a discussion, the public needs to know.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCIUTTO: One member of the committee told CNN overnight that those conversations with Barr were quite informal, also voluntary.

CNN law enforcement correspondent Whitney Wild is following the latest.

So, Whitney, I'm curious, were these conversations about perhaps coming and speaking to the committee or were they, do we know, conversations about what the attorney general knows?

WHITNEY WILD, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT CORRESPONDENT: Well, those are still details we're trying to work out. But, again, our understanding is that these were very casual conversations.

And the reality is, the former attorney general may not have a lot of insight about what happened in the days -- we're talking really close to the riot. So, three and four days leading up to the riot. But what he does do is provide -- or at least could provide is this basis for what really the committee is going after, which is that basically everybody in Trump's orbit knew that this election fraud was a total lie and told him so. And that is so critical because what the committee needs to do is build up the idea that everybody knew that this was a lie and still tried to work every avenue they could to overturn the election.

The former attorney general is so critical in that because he was out there front and center saying there was not enough fraud to overturn the election. I mean he said that point-blank and has been unequivocal about it. He left the administration a couple days before Christmas. That was about a week after this memo was issued that basically suggested seizing voting machines.

The question for the former attorney general is, did he see this memo? What does he know about it? Who did it go to? And then further, what was the reception when he told people in Trump's inner circle that this election lie is just total bogus? And, again, that will be a very critical piece of information for the committee.

Here's another one of those committee members saying a little bit more about what they hope to hear from him.

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REP. ELAINE LURIA (D-VA): He is someone who was in the inner circle of the president, who understood what was happening, who was at the Justice Department into the month of December and, you know, really could shed some light for the committee on some of the background, where these things came from.

[09:20:03]

I mean, you know, we have this draft executive order, but there's a lot of questions that we still have about it. Where did it come from and how far did it go?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WILD: Exactly. The Department of Justice, such a critical component of this larger puzzle of what actually happened.

Meanwhile, we're learning more about who may be able to access money to defend against scrutiny from the House select committee. We've learned that Trump allies are being directed to this fund from another major Trump ally that could top seven figures.

However, access to that fund will depend on how people view the committee. So it's not going to go to people who are, quote, aiding and abetting the committee. However, it will go to the -- heads of this fund say, go to people who are, you know, trying to put up the biggest fight.

I feel compelled to point out, some of those people putting up the biggest fight don't need the money, which is why they're fighting it so hard.

Back to you.

GOLODRYGA: Whitney Wild, thank you so much.

And, Jim, it's worth noting whether these talks were formal or informal, it seems every week we're hearing more and more revelations coming out of the committee as to just how many people they have actually spoken to at this point.

SCIUTTO: Yes. And one person who certainly is getting money from the defense fund is Trump himself. Never been a question about that.

GOLODRYGA: Yes.

SCIUTTO: Other development this weekend, just a disturbing claim from a former speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich. He said over the weekend that lawmakers investigating thing January 6th attack could see jail time if Republicans win back Congress in the midterms.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NEWT GINGRICH (R), FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER: When you have a Republican Congress, this is all going to come crashing down and the wolves are going to find out that they're now sheep and they're the ones who are, in fact, going to, I think, face a real risk of jail.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLODRYGA: CNN congressional correspondent Lauren Fox is on Capitol Hill.

And, Lauren, that was quite alarming for many people who were watching him say that.

SCIUTTO: Yes.

GOLODRYGA: How are committee members reacting to this, specifically Liz Cheney?

LAUREN FOX, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it looks like Gingrich has really no basis for saying that members of a committee doing a congressional investigation could face jail time given the fact that everything they've done has really been out in the open in terms of requesting information, requesting documents, subpoenaing witnesses. That is all part of a normal congressional investigation. Newt Gingrich, the former speaker, should be very familiar with that.

But, yes, members of this committee are lashing out. Liz Cheney, who is a Republican member of this committee, said in a tweet, quote, a former speaker of the House is threatening jail time for members of Congress who are investigating the violent attack on our Capitol and our Constitution. This is what it looks like when the rule of law unravels.

You also had Zoe Lofgren, a Democrat on the select committee, saying that these comments were just bizarre and she thought that Newt Gingrich had really lost it. I mean the reaction coming from members of the committee make a lot of sense given the fact that this is a standard protocol for an investigation. Yes, the select committee is up against a tight deadline. Yes, if Republicans take back the House of Representatives, it's quite possible and likely that they're going to shut down this investigation, which is why Democrats and Republicans who are serving on it realize they have a lot of work to do heading into the midterm elections. But facing jail time for doing your congressional work, that's -- that's very, very rare as a comment to make in any -- in any avenue.

SCIUTTO: Yes. And, by the way, even if there is a change in the midterms, the Justice Department will still be run by an attorney general appointed by a Democratic president. Although, I suppose, 2024 could portend something different.

Lauren Fox, thanks so much.

Coming up next, the former FDA commissioner says now is not the time to get rid of masks in schools. But in Virginia, parents have that option starting today.

And we're moments away from the opening bell on Wall Street. Stock futures pointing lower once again this morning after really a tough run lately. Last week was the worst week for the Dow since October 2020, the worst week for the Nasdaq and S&P since March 2020. Investors worried about rising interest rates as the Federal Reserve meets this week. No immediate hike is expected. Instead, Wall Street is betting the first one comes in March. Market analysts also keeping an eye on energy prices as the situation escalates on the Russia/Ukraine border.

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[09:29:17]

SCIUTTO: As we begin a new week, there is, thankfully, some good news to report about the direction we're headed when it comes to the omicron variant. There's been a lot of speculation about when it might peak here in the U.S. So here are the facts. Cases are down in the last week from more than 800,000 per day to more than 600,000. You can see on this map a cluster of dropping cases, particularly in the Northeast, as well as a handful of other states where omicron first took hold in large population centers, like New York.

But, importantly, hospitalizations have also started to decrease when you look at the national picture. Look at that graph there. Down just over 2 percent in the last week. That is the statistic we've been watching most closely because the goal of the vaccine rollout was to prevent severe illness and to keep people out of the hospital.

[09:30:06]

Again, that dip in hospitalizations most pronounced in the northeast