Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Biden And Putin Hold Hour-Long Call On Ukraine Crisis; U.S. Evacuating All Non-Emergency Staff From Embassy In Kyiv; Snowboarders Lindsey Jacobellis & Nick Baumgarten Win Gold For Team USA; Hearing On Russia's Figure Skater Doping Scandal To Be Held Tomorrow; CNN Poll: 63 Percent Of Americans Disapprove Of Biden's Handling Of Economy; Security Preparations Underway For Super Bowl. Aired 1-2p ET
Aired February 12, 2022 - 13:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: At 12, you were denied an opportunity to be in a dance company. How did you endure that and not let go of your dream to be a dancer? [13:00:03]
DEBBIE ALLEN, EMMY AWARD-WINNING PRODUCER: It was mama, who continuously make us believe she found a teacher to come to the house, a retired ballet master. She found opportunity for her children. Every mother is not so resourceful, which is why I am here to help. I am here with these kids.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: She's amazing. I mean, she's a mother, mentor, a producer, creator, you name it. T.V. producer, screenwriter Shonda Rhimes says people often credit her for putting people of color on television, but then Shonda Rhimes says, no, she owes that to Debbie Allen, as should everyone else who continues to do just that on television, in film and on stage. Miss Debbie Allen.
All right. Hello again, everyone. Thank you so much for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. We begin with breaking news. The White House releasing details of the call that took place between President Biden and Russian President Putin just moments ago. Arlette Saenz is at the White House for us. And Alex Marquardt is in Ukraine. Arlette, you first, what are you learning about this call?
ARLETTE SAENZ, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: This call between President Biden and Russia's President Vladimir Putin lasted just over an hour and ended at 12:06 p.m. Eastern. The President conducting that call from Camp David where he has the secure conferencing abilities to hold calls with foreign leaders. And the White House offered a readout of that call saying that they told Putin they are willing to engage diplomatically but yet they are also preparing for all scenarios.
I want to read you a portion of that readout from the White House, which says President Biden was clear if that if Russia undertakes a further invasion of Ukraine, the United States together with our allies and partners will respond decisively and imposed swift and severe costs on Russia. President Biden reiterated that a further Russian invasion of Ukraine would produce widespread human suffering and diminish Russia's standing.
President Biden was clear with President Putin that while the United States remains prepared to engage in diplomacy, in full coordination with our allies and partners, we are equally prepared for other scenarios. Nothing in this readout offers guidance whether the playing field in this situation regarding Russia and Ukraine has really changed. It's unclear if the President going into it was going to be able to defuse the situation with Russia, but the White House is -- we are hoping to learn more information about that call in the coming hour.
Now this all comes as we've seen this flurry and ramped up warnings from the administration over the course of the last 36 hours that Russia could decide to act at any moment. In the coming days regarding a possible invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. has said that they've posed -- that that Russia has positioned the capabilities to launch such an invasion, if President Putin decides to ultimately do so.
Now, the U.S. has been preparing measures of working with allies for pair sanctions against Russia, should that they move forward with an invasion. The U.S. also bolstering some of the military presence in Eastern European NATO ally countries, not specifically in Ukraine, but still trying to reaffirm to those Eastern allied -- NATO allied countries that the U.S. can help protect them militarily.
Now, the U.S. has also moved to draw down most of its embassy staff in Ukraine as this threat of a possible invasion looms. The U.S. is also warning American citizens in Ukraine to depart the country immediately saying that they need to leave this weekend, as there are mounting concerns about Russia's next moves when it comes to Ukraine. Fred?
WHITFIELD: Arlette, thank you so much at the White House. Alex, so how is the message being received there in Ukraine? I mean, the Ukrainian president says one thing, we're being calm but our Ukrainian citizens feeling at rest and at ease or they nervous?
ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Fred, if the goal is to keep the Ukrainian population calm, then Ukrainian leaders are succeeding. President Zelensky and many of his top ministers are projecting calm. They are projecting reassurance and defiance. You know, this is something that we've talked a lot about in recent weeks, as the U.S. has increased their dire warnings that Arlette was just talking about as this crisis has grown.
You know, the Ukraine has really been at odds with Washington, accusing them of alarmism. And so, what we're seeing today now after this, you know, this this warning again from the White House last night that that Russia could invade before the end of the Olympics on February 20th is more messaging of calm and asking the population not to panic. We did hear from President Zelensky earlier today.
He said that he still needs to analyze all of the information. He said that he, you know, essentially there is still no 100 percent certainty that Russia will invade.
[13:05:09]
MARQUARDT: And then you're also seeing a lot of pride about the progress that this country has made in terms of building up its armed forces over the course of the past eight years. And eight years ago in 2014 was when Russia waltzed into Ukraine and just took over the peninsula of Crimea without firing a shot. Fred, I want to read you part of this rousing statement that we heard from Ukraine's Foreign Minister earlier today.
He said, everyone who has looked into the eyes of our soldiers at least once is sure that there will be no repeat of 2014. Do not doubt that the armed forces of Ukraine are absolutely ready to fight back and will not give up Ukrainian lands. In terms of the population, Fred, you know, we've been driving across this country in the -- in the center of Ukraine and eastern Ukraine over the course the past few days.
You don't see any military buildup. You don't see any signs of panic, you don't see people going out and, you know, buying all the -- all the food they can at the grocery store to stock up. There really is calm. I mean, this is the weekend people are out and about in the cities. I've spoken to Ukrainians who said that they're not worried, they're not thinking about it. Someone actually said to me, this is not something that I'm thinking about or that I'm worried about.
So, Fred, for now, that message of calm is being received. That's how Ukrainians are living their lives. Of course, that all could change very quickly. Fredricka?
WHITFIELD: All right. Alex Marquardt, Arlette Saenz, thank you so much to both of you. Appreciate it.
All right. Thousands of Ukrainians marched in Kiev today. They call it a march of unity for Ukraine. Many of them carry Ukrainian flags and signs with pro-Ukrainian slogans. Several demonstrators are told CNN they want to show their support for a Democratic Ukraine amid the threat from Russia.
And the U.S. has been moving troops to Eastern Europe to reassure its NATO allies. CNN's Fred Pleitgen has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): As Russia has just kicked off massive military drills with Belarus right on the border with Ukraine, the U.S. is not backing down. Sending an additional 1000 troops from the second cavalry regiment to Romania.
LT. COL. BENJAMIN NAGY, U.S. ARMY: Our mission here is to reassure the allies and show faith that we are here to support and deter aggression.
PLEITGEN: The reinforcements setting up here are only part of a larger deployment of thousands of troops ordered by President Biden. That also includes additional combat aircraft, both for air policing and for deterrence.
(on camera): With deployment of forces here to Romania, the U.S. says it wants to send a clear message to both its allies and its adversaries, that the United States remains fully committed to collective defense on NATO's eastern flank.
(voice over): U.S. troops will be training with Allied NATO forces to make sure the alliance can operate as a single coherent force in case of aggression from Russia.
LT. COL. DANIELL HILL, U.S. ARMY: If the time ever come, we, you know, they know that they can trust us and we know we can trust them in
PLEITGEN: The U.S. says Russia already has well over 100,000 troops amassed near Ukraine, and Vladimir Putin could order an attack at any time. You know, Russia claims it would not. The next days could be critical. NATO Secretary General told me in an exclusive interview,
JENS STOLTENBERG, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL: Russia is increasing both the number of troops but also the readiness and the capability to act and to conduct aggressive actions on very short notice. So, the number of troops is going up, while the warning time is going down.
PLEITGEN: And the Secretary General tells me that's exactly why the additional U.S. support is so important.
STOLTENBERG: I strongly welcome the deployment of more U.S. forces partly because United States is by far the biggest ally and they contribute thousands of troops, but also because it of course sends a very strong message of the ironclad commitment of the United States to NATO and European security.
PLEITGEN: Both the U.S. and NATO say they hope diplomacy can prevail, but they are stepping up preparations in case it fails. Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Bucharest, Romania.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right. Fred Pleitgen, thanks so much. Still ahead. Police are working to remove protesters in Canada right now. Demonstrators have blocked a critical international crossing for six days and protests are starting to spill into the U.S. More on that.
Plus, a legendary Olympian says goodbye to the games. Shaun White's emotional send off after his final Olympic run. That's straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[13:13:50]
WHITFIELD: All right. Right now, police in Windsor, Canada are clearing protesters who have been blocking access to a critical U.S. border bridge, which being called the Freedom convoy began with truck drivers against vaccine mandates in both Canada and the U.S. but has spread to include all COVID mandates. CNN's Donie O'Sullivan has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DYLAN FRIESEN, PROTESTING VACCINE MANDATES IN CANADA: I want all these mandates gone, and I'm not leaving until all the mandates are gone.
DONIE O'SULLIVAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What is the stuff that you can't do right now as a non-vaccinated person?
SAMUEL GAUTHIER, SUPPORTING TRUCKERS PROTESTING IN CANADA: I live in Quebec, so it's a bit more intense than other places in Canada. But look, I can't go skiing, I can't go to Wal-Mart. I can't go to Canadian Tire. I can't go to Home Depot. I can't go to restaurants. I can't go to bars. I can't go to the gym.
O'SULLIVAN: Truckers here in Canada have brought part of the country's capital to a standstill right outside the national Parliament.
FRIESEN: I was hired on at a job not too long ago for a transport company out of Whitby, Ontario. And I was let go due to not willing to get the vaccines for my job. And I mean, that's not right for companies to be able to decide that and take away our right to earn money and support our livelihood.
[13:15:07]
O'SULLIVAN: Now, this is all happening despite these protesters representing a small minority of Canadians. More than 80 percent of eligible Canadians are fully vaccinated. And the Canadian Trucking Alliance, the primary advocacy group for Canadian truckers, which has condemned these protests, has said about 85 percent of Canadian truckers who regularly cross the U.S. border are vaccinated.
And for you, why is it important for you to be here today?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, because --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fake news. No, don't talk to them because they're fake news.
O'SULLIVAN: But despite the fact that these people may be part of a minority in Canada, they are receiving a lot of support from conservatives and other right-wing figures in the United States.
CHIEF PETER SLOLY, OTTAWA POLICE SERVICE: We are now aware of a significant element from the United States that have been involved in the funding, the organizing, and the demonstrating.
SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX): The Canadian truckers are heroes, they are patriots and they are marching for your freedom and for my freedom.
O'SULLIVAN: This is very much a 21st century protest playing out as much on the internet as it is on the streets. Viral memes and sometimes false and highly offensive historical comparisons that circulate online are being repeated verbatim here, like this.
And because you're not vaccinated, have you -- is there business, is there stuff you can't do in Canada now?
LAURIE BUNCH, SUPPORTING TRUCKERS PROTESTING IN CANADA: Yes, I'm like -- well, basically, if you want to compare Canada to anything, it's like Hitler's Germany and we're like the Jews. One of the goals is to simply -- is to get a group of people you can get -- you're angry with. And this case is the vax -- unvaccinated.
O'SULLIVAN: There's a lot of people here streaming live online.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm just going to follow you guys and make sure you tell the truth.
O'SULLIVAN: Documenting every moment on social media.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You take those cans off of that truck. Is that your property?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is now.
O'SULLIVAN: In an effort to clear the protesters, police have begun confiscating gas canisters, resulting in encounters like this, that clock up thousands of views online.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My name is Jim Kerr, and I give a shit of opinions. How do you feel? Hi, my name is Jim Kerr. And I care about human beings, especially once who are trying to keep themselves warm in a truck while fighting for the freedoms of Canadians. How do you feel?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The main problem I have is all the censorship that's going on. That's the main problem that I have. There is censorship everywhere. Yes, people's accounts get taken down and even Facebook, if you don't say the right thing -- even this convoy, a lot of groups started and people are even live streaming and all of a sudden, I heard yesterday in the restaurant, my feed was cut -- my feed was cut.
O'SULLIVAN: Facebook shut down some groups on its platform supporting the truckers after the online outlet Grid News found that they were being administered by a hacked account that had belonged to a woman in Missouri. So, whoever was really running the groups wanted to hide their identity and GoFundMe shut down a fundraiser for the truckers after police told them the protests had become an occupation.
But organizers here have still been able to raise millions of dollars through an alternative service, a self-described Christian fundraising platform. Organizers say the money will help keep the truckers on the streets.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): The last time I saw my wife was on January 28. I have not seen her since. I am here of my own volition, 100 percent. There are some groups with resources trying to help us, sending us money, helping us so we don't go bankrupt.
DONALD TRUMP, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We want those great Canadian truckers to know that we are with them all the way. O'SULLIVAN: Trump indicating he is supportive of truckers descending on Washington, D.C., other American right-wing figures goading their audiences to act.
TUCKER CARLSON, FOX NEWS HOST: The question is how long before protests like this come here?
LAURA INGRAHAM, FOX NEWS HOST: Will we need our own trucker rally to end all of this insanity once and for all?
O'SULLIVAN: What is the main goal, the main objective of the truckers here?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Freedom.
O'SULLIVAN: Donie O'Sullivan, CNN, Ottawa.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right. Still ahead. After 16 years and three gold medals snowboard sensation, Shaun White says goodbye to the Olympic Games, his emotional sendoff next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[13:23:39}
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: So, after 16 years, three gold medals and countless other accolades. It was a pretty emotional and for snowboarder Shaun White after making the final Olympic run of his career.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHAUN WHITE, U.S. OLYMPIC SNOWBOARDER: Gosh, it's hard to describe. I mean, there are so many thoughts going through my head and, you know, it's a mixture of wow, this is sad, I won't be doing this anymore. But then again, a relief of wow I've come this far and I deserve, you know, the rest and the, you know, the anxiety and the fear and all these things you have to deal with and cope with during, you know, a competition season.
And especially with snowboarding we're flying 20 feet out of a 20-foot halfpipe and it's like, you know, there's consequences, and you're riding this fine line of that danger and, you know, I remember sliding into the bottom and just this rush of relief and then seeing all my competitors kind of lined up, you know, with some really kind words to say to me and I just like broke down, I couldn't handle it.
And the crowd was cheering. I mean, such an amazing support from all the Chinese, you know, fans and volunteers and just people that have come out to or were allowed to come and watch. I mean it was incredible. (END VIDEO CLIP)
[13:25:05]
WHITFIELD: Joining me right now is retired U.S. Olympic speed skater and winner of eight Olympic gold Apolo Anton Ohno. Apolo, so good to see you.
APOLO ANTON OHNO, U.S. OLYMPIC SPEEDSKATER: It's wonderful to see you.
WHITFIELD: Fantastic. So, you've said goodbye to the games after your very lengthy career. And now we've heard, you know, Shaun White kind of reflect on what was going through his mind. If you're watching, you know, in his last run that evening, I was watching it. I just saw, you know, the tears welling up in his eyes. You know, he's waiting for the score, even though he hadn't, you know, completed that run, like he had wanted, and people were high-fiving him.
We heard him now reflecting on what he was thinking. But at the time of that last run, what were you imagining he was going through?
OHNO: Look, I think Shawn is a competitor, he's shown over a very long duration, both his consistency but also his love for the sport and his love for the Olympic path. So, when you watch these athletes in their final kind of bow, in the thing that gave them all the signals of affirmation, that this is your purpose, this is why you're here. It's a beautiful sight. And it's also sad, right?
So, what happens now is this kind of quasi great divorce where he's going to be transitioning from one chapter in his life into the next and that reinvention stage is going to be exciting. I think Shaun has a tremendous amount of opportunities. But not just Shaun, all of these Olympic athletes, some are deciding either by choice or by force to say what's next? And that great divorce is very visceral and real as they come back home after the closing ceremonies.
WHITFIELD: You made that transition. I mean, you would be a motivational speaker, author. I mean, you've involved yourself in a lot of, you know, entrepreneurial efforts. So, what does that transition you think going to be like for him? I'm sure a lot of people are coming to him with ideas as well. But I guess in the end, you really have to go with what your heart says, or how comfortable you are, how exhausted mentally and physically you might be at the time, too.
OHNO: I mean, I -- look, I think Shaun is going to have a tremendous amount of opportunity posts his career here. He's already shown his interest in seeing how he can elevate his brand and also grow the sport of snowboarding and halfpipe. He's done an incredible job and really a testament to kind of his foresight to understanding that this will all come to an end, in terms of him standing on top of the podium.
I think for a lot of these athletes, it's a deeper psychological conversation that they have with themselves. What are they good at what is really the most aligned with their true north and purpose? And how can they contribute. And so, many of these athletes have put school off for a long time. And maybe they're entering into their late 20s, early 30s, where they're having to start brand new.
They've got all of these incredible attributes that have been -- that have been life lessons, yearned and earned throughout the path of the Olympics. And now applying them towards the next chapter of their life is going to be a challenge and also one that they should be able to embrace. And so, as all of us have for the past 24 months, needed and required, it's been a critical part of us embracing change.
Regardless of kind of these chaotic environments that I think we live in. That's really, really important as we try to show up fully on a daily basis.
WHITFIELD: Others who might be thinking soon about that transition too. I mean, we've got -- we have seen now during this Olympics, particularly in some of the American athletes. We've seen seniors, you know, who dominate. I mean, Shaun White, 35, Lindsey Jacobellis, 36, and her snowboard cross partner, Nick Baumgartner at 40. And both of them just clinched gold last night.
So, in their stories, just like, you know, your story. I mean, you all are architects of your sports. And the sports have reached heights that no one has ever seen before because of the sacrifice of these athletes that we're talking about. So, what are your thoughts when you see kind of these old cats, you know, competing against these whippersnappers who are the beneficiaries of a sport that they help transform?
OHNE: Well, I can relate. I can relate to all of them. When I made my first team in 2002 and then when I made my final Olympic team, nearly almost 10 years later in 2010. There were team members on my team who started speed skating because they had watched my first ever Olympic Games. So, I know what that thing is like. The cool part about this is the technology that has transformed sport is now accessible to so many.
And so, much later in your career, you can do so much more with far less. You understand overtraining, you understand recovery, obviously, the mind is still the greatest asset that we have and learning how to really kind of compound these things in the smallest of increments over time, give us incredible ability over the long run to really be your absolute best.
[13:30:00]
So I think we're going to see a trend of older athletes, typically older, performing at the highest levels.
We saw Tom Brady and what he's been able to do as an incredible example.
This is going to be the trend moving forward. I think athletes' careers are going to be extended, which is great.
Which hopefully gives them more time to prepare for when they have to hang up those skates, so to speak, and figure out how to contribute to our communities and society at large.
WHITFIELD: Oh, that's so great.
From those high points to a real low point. Let's talk about the 15- year-old Russian skater, Kamila Valieva.
The court of arbitration for sports will have a hearing tomorrow after she tested positive for a heart drug back in December that might assist in her stamina.
So what is the message now being sent if she is allowed to continue to compete in Beijing, even if she was surreptitiously given this drug?
OHNO: So, I don't know the details around, you know, the amounts, what type -- are these trace amounts? Is this something that was much more intentional? It's very hard.
The World Anti-Doping Association and all these governing bodies, it's their job to provide the most equal and level playing field.
At 15 years old, her performance was incredible.
CABRERA: Yes.
OHNO: And to have that happen in some capacity is tough, especially in a beautiful sport like figure skating.
Hopefully, we can figure out the best way moving forward.
But, again, rules are there. We need our guardrails.
And athletes, regardless of where they're training and competing, regardless of those culture environments, need to make sure they're having that same time of mentality and same system.
That's the only way the Olympics can kind of maintain this.
And by the way, we look at the Olympics as the one source of being the place where we can actually corral around and is a fundamental playing ground.
So it's really important that we stay on top of these things and make sure it is fair, it is clean.
And these athletes are giving their best every single time we see them.
WHITFIELD: Right. The greatest peacetime event epitomizing all the abilities and strengths of human beings.
Apolo Anton Ohno, always good to see you. Thank you so much. Thanks for helping us go down the path of what it is to transition, be an Olympian and beyond. Thank you.
OHNO: Thanks for having me. WHITFIELD: Still ahead, prices of just about everything keep on
soaring. Will there be any reprieve for your wallet? Much more on that straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[13:37:07]
WHITFIELD: A new CNN poll this week shows many are losing confidence in how President Biden is handling the economy.
In December, 45 percent of Americans said they approved of how Biden was handling the economy. And now that number is at 37 percent.
Here's CNN's Matt Egan -- Matt?
MATT EGAN, CNN BUSINESS REPORTER: Fredricka, there are a lot of positives about the U.S. economy. GDP grew last year at the fastest pace since 1984. Unemployment rate down to 4 percent. Recall it went to nearly 15 percent in the spring of 2020.
There's no doubt that the high cost of living is casting a shadow over this recovery.
In January, we saw record year-over-year price spikes for new cars and trucks, seafood, restaurant meals, furniture and bedding, appliances.
For many years, inflation was subdued. COVID changed all of that. Supply chains got messed up. And demand returned faster than supply did.
Now inflation is going almost straight up. It's going further and further away from the Federal Reserve's goal of 2 percent. And that's going to force the Fed to cool things off by raising interest rates, perhaps significantly.
The problem is that paychecks are just not going as far as they used to. The average household is spending $276 more per month to keep up with inflation. That adds up.
Americans are growing more concerned about high inflation. The University of Michigan said on Friday that consumer sentiment in February fell to a fresh decade low.
The bad news is that inflation could get worse before it gets better. Gas prices are sitting at seven-year highs.
And that was before escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine sent oil prices to $94 a barrel for the first time since 2014.
Meanwhile, the trucker-inspired protests in Canada have derailed production at factories owned by Ford, G.M., Toyota, Honda, and Chrysler.
Keep in mind, we were already dealing with a shortage of cars driven by a worldwide shortage of computer chips. This latest disruption won't help. And it could make prices go even
higher depending upon how long this disruption lasts.
The good news is that many economists do think inflation will cool off, perhaps by the spring. And by the end of the year, we could be looking at an inflation rate well below current levels.
Fredricka, I think the bigger question is whether or not inflation cools off enough or does it become such a burden for American families.
WHITFIELD: All good points.
Matt Egan, thank you so much.
[13:39:44]
WHITFIELD: All right, coming up, the countdown is on. Superbowl LVI is just around the corner. But security preparations at Sofi Stadium have been underway for over a year now. We'll bring you a behind-the-scenes look next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CABRERA: All right, that music is the indicator. We're almost there, the big dance. And security preparations are already and have been in full swing ahead of the Super Bowl.
Tens of thousands will flock to the L.A. area, and they'll be greeted with a massive police presence on the ground and in the skies.
Here is CNN's Natasha Chen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
[13:45:00]
NATASHA CHEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You can see final preparations for the Super Bowl.
But what you may not see is the long game, the security preparation going on for more than a year now with thousands of law enforcement personnel on the ground and in the air.
UNIDENTIFIED PILOT: About five minutes --
CHEN: Up in a Blackhawk, we toured with Customs and Border Protection.
(on camera): You said you've done seven Super Bowls, right?
(voice-over): The difference with this Super Bowl is the enormity of Sofi Stadium and its campus. The host committee estimates Super Bowl LVI will draw more than 100,000 visitors and temporary workers into the L.A. region.
(on camera): Customs and Border Protection has been flying Blackhawks like this for about a week now over the L.A. area.
And on game day, they can fly them low to the ground by the stadium. If they spot a problem, they can actually do what they call back roping (ph).
They'll just drop in?
BRANDON TUCKER, CBP DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF AIR & MAINE OPS, SAN DIEGO: On a big rope. Yes, we have that capability.
CHEN (voice-over): Brandon Tucker, with CBP, says one thing they'll look for is any unusual traffic pattern.
(HONKING)
CHEN: Especially with trucker protests on the Canadian border fueling threats of a potential convoy outside Sofi Stadium --
(HONKING)
CHEN: -- against COVID-19 restrictions.
(on camera): Hi. This question is for Secretary Mayorkas.
CHEN (voice-over): I asked the secretary of Homeland Security about that this week.
ALJANDRO MAYORKAS, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: We have plans and we are prepared to address it, whatever materializes. But those protests have been civil in nature.
CHEN: But a Homeland Security bulletin warned local law enforcement of the potential for severe disruption through gridlock and counterprotests.
While law enforcement says there's no sign of any specific threat, a joint threat assessment says the Super Bowl is a potentially attractive target with possible threats from ISIS to drones to cybersecurity.
(SIREN)
CHEN: Large x-ray scanners typically used at the ports have been inspecting every vehicle bringing supplies into the stadium.
There could also be potential threats from within, including the type of fatal crowd surge seen at Astroworld.
JACK EWELL, CHIEF, SPECIAL OPS, LOS ANGELES SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: We don't let situations get to the point where a large number of people could rush a stage or the field or things of that nature. We have too many security checkpoints.
CHEN: But nothing prevented a man in a 49ers jersey from being assaulted two weeks ago in a parking lot outside Sofi Stadium at the NFC championship game, leaving him in a medically induced coma. MIKE FRONTEROTTA, CHIEF, INGLEWOOD, CA, POLICE DEPARTMENT: It's very
unfortunate what happened. And we also ask citizens to be responsible and -- with how much they drink. And, you know, when you've had enough, you've had enough.
CHEN: Law enforcement is repeating the mantra, if you see something, say something.
And when you see the Blackhawks above --
UNIDENTIFIED PILOT: Just wave at us and enjoy the game.
CHEN: Natasha Chen, CNN, flying above Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Thank you, Natasha, and for that view. I appreciate that. We're all excited about the big game.
And tune in today at 2:30 for the CNN "Bleacher Report" special, "KICKOFF IN LOS ANGELES."
Also joining me right now is the director of the L.A. County Department of Public Health, Barbara Ferrer.
Good to see you, Director.
DR. BARBARA FERRER, DIRECTOR, L.A. COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH: Hi, Fredricka. Thank you so much for having me.
WHITFIELD: Fantastic.
How excited are you about the Super Bowl happening in your backyard?
FERRER: I'm super excited. Huge Rams fan here. So obviously thrilled that we get an opportunity to showcase, you know, L.A., all we have to offer. But also that, you know, our home team is headed for this big championship.
WHITFIELD: Oh, lots of excitement.
But of course, you know, not to be the dark cloud, we do still have the cloud of a pandemic kind of hovering.
And Governor Newsom is dropping the mask mandate in California for indoor events. Will your county be doing the same?
FERRER: Yes, you know, thank you so much for that.
Our county unofficially is one of the counties in California that still has a very elevated case transmission rate. We're still reporting over 5 new cases a day on average.
And, you know, we have about 2,300 people still hospitalized with COVID. So we're on the decline. We're so grateful for being on the decline. But the masks help, they definitely help us continue to see the
transmission rates drop. They protect our workers. They protect those that are most vulnerable.
So we'll be keeping the mask mandate indoors for a while to come.
You know, we're really aligned with the CDC, you know, when we get down to moderate transmission.
Which we anticipate to continue this rate of decline, is only, you know, three to four weeks away, we'll go ahead and lift that indoor masking requirement.
WHITFIELD: All right. So for now, at least in the county, you'll keep it in place.
So, do you agree with Newsom's decision for the rest of the state?
FERRER: Well, I agree that the governor has to consider what is going on with the rest of the state.
There are some counties with half of the rate of the case transmission that we have here in L.A. County.
[13:50:05]
And also some counties that are much smaller and they don't have as many essential workers as we have here in L.A. County.
And we are a big manufacturing center, we're a huge port, we have lots of retail, we've got lots of factory. And so we will continue to need to pay attention to protecting our workers.
And making sure that we get the transmission down as low as possible, before we take off this very important layer of protection.
WHITFIELD: Last week, we saw the L.A. County Board of Supervisors vote to give the county's personnel director the power to discipline or fire any county employee who is not vaccinated.
This, after the Los Angeles sheriff declined to enforce the mandate among his deputies.
So from a public health perspective, do you believe that people should be fired if they are not vaccinated?
FERRER: Well, I think that, like with all of the jobs, you know, I am sure with your jobs, too, there are conditions that you accept when you come to work.
And many of the conditions are really to make sure that we are able to take care of each other, be safe at our workplace. And we have a host of, you know, rules here that we all follow.
And so, you know, I appreciate the right of businesses to actually make that decision. In this case, the county did decide that, because so many of us in the
county, that are county employees and in service of the residents.
And so many of the residents really rely on us to protect them that it made sense for the county employees to go ahead to get vaccinated.
There's an exemption process in place as well. So I wanted to note that, as in most places, folks with a medical or religious exemption can continue with the employment and continue with the regular testing.
WHITFIELD: OK.
Back to the Super Bowl thing, Super Bowl LVI tomorrow, folks will be in the stadium, near the stadium, or at their homes or restaurants or bars.
So what is the rule or the guidance on the whole masking, you know, requirement?
FERRER: Well, it is a great question. So, obviously, you know, we have 70,000 or so folks to go to the stadium and watch the game. But we have 100,000 of people who will be gathering elsewhere to watch the game.
So we want everybody to be safe. We want everybody to go ahead and have a great time while you are being safe. We think that is possible.
So if you are going to the restaurant or a bar that is in the city of L.A., you will need to be fully vaccinated.
If you are going to a bar anywhere in the county of L.A., and in indoor portions, you need to be totally vaccinated.
If you are going to the stadium, you also need to be fully vaccinated or show a negative test result to get in.
And obviously, when people are eating or drinking, they won't have their masks on. But we ask that folks to wear their masks when they are not eating or drinking.
And again, we will have thousands and thousands of new cases every day. And no one wants to -- you know, to take an action that is going to create risks for someone else.
I think that is what is best about L.A.. We believe in taking care of each other.
And this is the opportunity for us to have the best time ever, because our team is doing great.
(LAUGHTER)
FERRER: And we are all here rooting for our team.
But we -- (CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: Get that in there.
FERRER: And we can do that and still, you know, take excellent care of each other. They are not mutually exclusive.
I am going to have a great time and celebrate while I do that.
WHITFIELD: And I was in your area a few weeks ago and, yes, getting into any eating establishment, it meant to show your vaccination card.
And that was great. And it did not seem like anybody around me seemed to have a problem with it. I don't know what's been happening in between.
But it seems like people have gotten into the rhythm of it. And everybody wants advocate for them, for some good public health practices.
FERRER: Yes. L.A. County residents are the best. They have done it for two years now, and really helped each other out.
And I am confident that we are going to have a great day tomorrow.
WHITFIELD: All right. I am not rooting for any team but rooting for the best Super Bowl ever. Even though I am not there and I don't have a ticket.
(LAUGHTER)
FERRER: It will be a great day for everybody here in L.A. People will have a great time.
WHITFIELD: OK, fantastic.
Barbara Ferrer, good to see you. Thank you so much.
FERRER: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: All right, straight ahead, President Biden and President Putin speaking on the phone for more than an hour today, as officials fearing an invasion of Ukraine may happen, could happen at any time.
We will bring you the new details of the call straight ahead.
[13:55:02]
But first, here's this week "START SMALL, THINK BIG."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAWN HARRIS-MARTINE, OWNER, GRANDMA'S PLACE: When kids come into my store, I want them to feel like they are coming to Grandma's house. Whatever is in here, they can experience. They can play with it.
I believe it is important to have a toy store that represents all of the children. Every culture is represented here.
I such a great collection of books. I want to turn the whole world on to reading.
Chelsea is my oldest granddaughter. She has been a very major part of the store.
Kids would come into the store, and she would be calling me "grandma," and so everybody started to call me Grandma Dawn. That is how I got the name.
I opened Grandma's Place in 1999. I was working as New York City schoolteacher. I saw the need for a literacy center.
After five years, they went up on my rent, and I was doing this out of pocket.
I had 25,000 volumes of books that I had collected. So I started selling the books. And then I added educational toys and games, and then it started to get busy.
Grandma's Place is located in Harlem. Through the pandemic, the community came to my aid and helped me to raise the back rent.
So I am always in debt to the community. We support one another.
And it is not going anywhere. I am passing it on to my children and my children's children. It will be here after I am gone.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
