Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Biden Invited By Zelensky To Visit Ukraine Amid Tensions With Russia; Putin Aide Accuses U.S. Of Stoking Hysteria; Los Angeles Rams Wins Super Bowl LVI; Biden Vows Swift And Decisive Action If Russia Attacks; Biden Gives First TV Interview Of 2022; Canadian Police Crack Down On Truck Protest. Aired 10-11p ET

Aired February 13, 2022 - 22:00   ET

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

POPPY HARLOW, CNN HOST: Hello, and welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Poppy Harlow in New York.

Tonight, high stakes diplomacy. President Biden holds a phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart promising swift and severe cost if Russia invades Ukraine. And a very exciting finish in Super Bowl LVI. We are live in California with highlights from one of the most watched television events of the year. And the decision is expected in just hours for Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva. The latest on the doping scandal that is rocking the Beijing Olympic Games.

We are also keeping a close eye on all the action for the Super Bowl right now with the game coming down to the wire. The Rams ahead winning final score 23-20. A nail biter there at the end. A victory for the Los Angeles Rams again. Stay with CNN for all of the highlights from the big game all hour on NEWSROOM.

The U.S. meantime is warning an attack against Ukraine could come any day as the White House reports an acceleration in the buildup of Russian troops on the border. President Joe Biden held another phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky just hours ago saying the U.S. will act swiftly and decisively if there's more aggression from Moscow. But there has been no indication the Kremlin is backing down.

The reality is what we have here. Heavily armed Russian troops surrounding Ukraine. Dozens of countries telling their nationals to leave Ukraine immediately. And while the West commits to arming and training Ukraine to fight back, the U.S. will not be sending in troops on the ground to help even if American civilians remain there. Listen to this interview the president did with NBC News.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LESTER HOLT, NBC NIGHTLY NEWS ANCHOR: What scenarios would you put American troops to rescue and get Americans out?

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: There's not. That's a world war. When Americans and Russia start shooting at one another. We're in a very different world than we've ever been in.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP) HARLOW: While European leaders continue to voice support for Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will head there on Monday and meet with President Zelensky. He'll then travel to Moscow. Germany is coming under fierce criticism for not committing to cut off the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline if Russia does invade Ukraine. And while many NATO countries are sending Ukraine more weapons, Germany is not. Ukraine's ambassador to Berlin slamming that decision just hours ago, calling it, quote, "German hypocrisy."

We're covering this story from around the world this hour. We're so glad you're with us. Let's begin this hour with our Arlette Saenz. She's in Washington and our international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson in Moscow. We begin with senior U.S. security correspondent Alex Marquardt in eastern Ukraine. He has details on what he is saying about the call with President Biden.

ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Poppy, there was a remarkable request from President Zelensky to President Biden in this hourlong phone call and that was that he visit the Ukrainian capital as soon as possible. President Zelensky said he believes that a visit by Biden would calm things down. Now we are told by U.S. officials that that is extremely unlikely.

But this is what President Zelensky told President Biden on that call. "I am convinced that your arrival in Kyiv in the coming days which are crucial for stabilizing the situation will be a powerful signal and contribute to de-escalation."

Now, Poppy, it is a near impossibility that Biden would come now because this is the moment where the U.S. is trying to get as many Americans out of Ukraine as possible. It is removing its non-essential diplomats and telling American citizens who are visiting and living here to get out. We understand on this call Zelensky also made requests for financial aid and military aid. That's according to a senior official who spoke with our colleague Matthew Chance.

Ukraine has been very appreciative of the military aid that the U.S. and others have been sending. But at the same time they say they need more. And they need more sophisticated weaponry including antiaircraft weapons that could be used against Russian planes or helicopters in a potential invasion.

But the attitude of Zelensky has really taken two paths. On the one hand he has said that he needs more aid in order to fend off this Russian threat. And on the other he has said that this threat is not significant enough to warrant panic or chaos. Now he is clearly trying to keep his population calm and that was on full display on Saturday when he was talking about new U.S. intelligence that showed that Russia could invade in the coming days.

[22:05:09]

He said that he still needs to analyze this information and that he had other information. So, Poppy, this divergent tone, this difference in attitudes, still very much on display at this critical moment between Ukraine and the United States -- Poppy. HARLOW: Alex Marquardt, thank you very much for that reporting.

Russia still denying it has any plans to invade Ukraine. Dismissing the continued U.S. warnings after phone call between President Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Our Nic Robertson is in Moscow with the latest on that -- Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Well, Poppy, nothing more from the Kremlin since an adviser to President Putin briefed on that phone call that he had with President Biden on Saturday, saying that it was coming from a position of hysteria in the White House. The accusation that Russia is going to invade Ukraine and remaking that point that the Russian leadership keeps making that their demands for NATO have not been met yet.

Some concerns showed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today on a different issue and that is the monitors of the OSCE, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Now they monitor the front line in the east of Ukraine between the pro-Russian, Russian-backed separatists in the east and the Ukrainian government. And U.S. and British have pulled out some of their monitors there.

And the Foreign Ministry here saying that's reason for concern. That this is part of a militaristic psychosis, that this again will be a cause or an opportunity for the Ukrainian government to attack those pro-Russian separatists in the east. That this is all being whipped up from Washington, D.C. So the pushback from the Kremlin, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the moment is really strong.

But no clues really in which direction President Putin is going particularly with that military buildup right around Ukraine -- Poppy.

HARLOW: Nic, thank you very much for that reporting.

Let's get much more analysis with CNN military analyst, Lieutenant General Mark Hertling, and former CNN Moscow Bureau Chief Jill Dougherty.

I'm so glad I have both of your minds on this tonight. And Jill, let me begin with you because there are so many, there have been seemingly countless diplomatic meetings and calls between Western nations and Russia and Ukraine in the past few days. But as you put it there's really no indication at all that Russia is getting anywhere on its demand which is to basically stop letting NATO expand anywhere east. There's no breakthrough on the call between President Biden and President Putin. So where does that leave Russia and Ukraine tonight?

JILL DOUGHERTY, PROFESSOR, WALSH SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY: Well, in a way, Poppy, I think it leaves President Putin watching this scene which is now very, very fraught. A lot of attention toward him, you know, look at all of these leaders who are going to Moscow, et cetera. He is actually doing something by keeping the tension going.

And then I notice that there was a statement just today by his press secretary Dmitry Peskov really kind of criticizing the Europeans for just being weak and following the Americans and saying, you know, why don't you try to have your own, stop taking directions from the cowboy. The word cowboy was used. So I think there is something happening precisely because it is so nerve racking and of course they blame the Americans for that.

But it begins to exert pressure on everyone involved. And I think Russia feels that they can begin to pull people apart especially the Europeans and the Americans.

HARLOW: General Hertling, you put it in your tweet yesterday in no uncertain terms, quote, "If Putin invades Ukraine it will be the biggest and costliest strategic error of the 21st century." It was clear from U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan's interview with our Jake Tapper this morning that they still believe there is a path, albeit a narrow one, through diplomacy here. To quote Jake Sullivan, "We believe that Russia could choose the diplomatic path." I wonder how likely you think that is at this hour?

LT. GEN. MARK HERTLING, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: I don't know, Poppy, to be honest with you, and I'm sorry for giving that answer. But no one can predict the potential for conflict because the decision to begin is in the mind of one person and one person only. And that's President Putin. That's the unfortunate part of this.

The diplomacy in my view has been extremely successful. Jill just mentioned the information war that's continuing to go on. But I think the United States and the NATO allies have put Russia on their back foot in terms of information exchanges because they have been able to get -- Russia has been able to get away with saying those kinds of things in the past. But every time they said something like that, it has been refuted.

The alliance is together. You know, there may be a few countries that are a little bit obtuse in terms of what they're thinking.

[22:10:04]

But for the most part the NATO alliance is seeing this in the same way. The countries of Europe are pulling together in this regard. And it's my belief that it would be catastrophic if --

HARLOW: Except -- except, General --

HERTLING: If Mr. Putin decides to make that decision.

HARLOW: Except what -- I find Germany's position in this really intriguing.

HERTLING: Yes.

HARLOW: I mean, the position they are taking is if we were to step in as other Western democracies are and arm Ukrainian and help train that, that would further escalate tensions and make it worse.

HERTLING: Yes. HARLOW: I wonder what your position is on that. Especially given Nord

Stream 2, the pipeline that runs from Russia to Germany, and is incredibly consequential in terms of the flow of gas to -- and oil to Western Europe.

HERTLING: Well --

HARLOW: I mean, given Germany's position on that as well.

HERTLING: Yes. But having spent about 12 years of my life in Germany it's a unique position for them to take. That's true. But they -- the German government has to consider their own domestic audience. It's the middle of winter. And they do depend on that oil. But they're also concerned about what Russia might do to them.

Here's the interesting piece, though, German President Steinmeier was reelected today and following the reelection he said something that was very unusual for him to say. He said Russian troop movement cannot be misunderstood. Russia bears the responsibility for any of this action and they are a threat to Ukraine. For him to step up like that, and to have Chancellor Scholz saying the same kinds of things, I think if bad things begin to happen caused by Putin, Germany will be in this full throatedly.

HARLOW: That's very important observation.

Jill, we know that President Biden on that phone call with the Ukrainian president today said that the U.S. would respond and I quote, "swiftly and decisively" if Russia takes further aggressive action. Can you explain what the U.S. could do? Biden made clear, you know, no boots on the ground. What would be swiftly and decisively and most effective from the U.S. if it comes to that?

DOUGHERTY: Massive sanctions. I mean, that is something I'm sure that he has, you know, told directly to President Putin, probably in great detail, what will happen. But the question is, is that enough to convince President Putin not to take any action?

But one thing, Poppy, I think that's really important. You know, I was spending most of the day not watching the game but watching Russian TV.

HARLOW: Right.

DOUGHERTY: And to me there was a different tone. This is speaking to their own people. Up to now it's been we're not going to take any action, don't worry, et cetera. Today there was a lot of anti- Ukrainian invective. And a series of programs and some documentaries showing attacks by Ukrainians going back to like 2014 Crimea where women and children are dying. There are graves. It was really sobering video.

And then a lot of, you know, setting up Ukraine as being goaded into military action by the United States. Enough to attack the Donbass region, which is a Russian-speaking region. So it was -- I would say, you know, an escalation in their domestic propaganda. And that is worrying to me because up to now it hasn't quite had that tone. But we'll see. But it is something did change I think.

HARLOW: Such an important observation to be watching the media and how it is speaking to the Russian people within the country.

Finally, General Hertling, to you, we know the U.S. has urged all Americans to leave immediately. And there was this press conference a few days ago in Ukraine where President Zelensky said, and I quote here, "The best friend for enemies is panic in our country. And all of this information only helps to create panic. It doesn't help us."

It seems like a message to United States in particular. And it was notable that again the National Security Adviser to the United States, Jake Sullivan, responded to that criticism this morning. Listen to this.

Do we have that sound? Let me read you what he said. He said, "Only one country has amassed more than 100,000 troops on the border of Ukraine. It's not the United States. It's Russia. That's the source of the alarm." What do you make of his response and Ukraine sounding the alarm on what they, it sounds like, believe is alarmist from the United States?

HERTLING: Yes, well, that alarmism that Ukraine's president continues to talk about, unfortunately there's significant intelligence that not just the United States but several other, the key Five Eye nations have collected and they've shown it to the Ukrainian military and government.

[22:15:07]

And again Mr. Zelensky has to balance that intelligence with what could happen. With what he sees as trying to sustain his government and the people within Ukrainian territory.

The other thing I'd say, Poppy, here's the most important thing. In the military and in government you always plan for the worst while hoping for the best. There is the potential, Russia has mounted this large population of soldiers and equipment on Ukraine on three of Ukraine's borders. It just doesn't make sense why they would do that. Initially they were probably probing to see what both the West, the United States and NATO would do in these circumstances.

And I think now Mr. Putin hopefully is trying to find a way to back off of this. I'm not sure what's going to happen next. But what we won't see first, and I'll say this emphatically, we will not see massive hordes of Russian forces rolling across the border as the first indicator that something bad is going to happen. We will see other things first and that will probably determine what we will do next in one of the many courses of actions we plan for this operation.

HARLOW: Well, General Mark Hertling, thank you so much. Jill Dougherty, thank you both for your expertise and staying up late with us tonight.

HERTLING: Thanks, Poppy. HARLOW: Still to come, a historic Olympic run for Russian figure

skater could be cut short in light of doping charges. We'll take you live to Beijing where the latest on this case in front of the court deciding her future is being held. And a thrilling Super Bowl LVI just wrapped up moments ago. Everything from the big game and a live report ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[22:20:40]

HARLOW: Don't we wish we were there? A nail-biting Super Bowl LVI just finished moments ago at SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles area. And the hometown team won, the Los Angeles Rams, the new champions of National League Football. The National Football League, I should say.

They defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in a nail biter. The Rams scored with less than two minutes to go to win the game. Some 100,000 fans packed in to see the sports' biggest game of the year including just a remarkable halftime show.

Let's go to our Patrick Snell. He joins me for much more on the big game. People in L.A. are pretty darn happy right now.

PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORTS: I bet they are, Poppy. Hi. Thank you so much for having me. An exciting back and forth game Sunday night in Southern California. Just for our viewers worldwide this by far the biggest sporting occasion they have over here in the United States. Quite appropriate then we got the Hollywood ending that every fan of the L.A. Rams would have been hoping for.

It was a dream start for them. A team led by their superstar quarterback. Matthew Stafford, and they were looking to become only the second team ever by the way to win a Super Bowl in their own stadium, in their own backyard. The first team would be Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season and a certain Tom Brady. Well, this one coming right down to the wire.

Stafford leading his team down the field with just 90 seconds left, Poppy. He finds his main man, Cooper Cup, for the touchdown. That puts the Rams ahead, 23 points to 20. But there was still time left for the Bengals and their own star man Joe Burrow who's delivered time and time again during the playoffs but not on this occasion. The Bengals turning it over on fourth down. And the Rams, your Super Bowl champions, they get the job done 23 point to 20.

Now, Poppy, you mentioned the halftime show. We have to talk about it because it's been the talk of the town, or should I say Tinsel Town. Old school hip hop for a lot of parents out there. I'm a certain age watching with intent and probably a lot of nostalgia as well, showing the kids more than a thing or two. Such storied names such as Snoop Dog and Dr. Dre performing with Mary J. Blige and rap star Kendrick Lamar and Eminem.

This marking the first time hip-hop artists were the main performers for the halftime show. A bit of halftime history there when it comes to the big show and a surprise guest appearance from 50 Cent as well.

We got a tweet from NBA superstar, the L.A. Lakers' LeBron James, no less. He was at the big game. "OMG, wow, wow, wow. The greatest halftime show I have ever seen." That tweet really does speak volumes.

But listen, there is so much more to come with Super Bowl. Our very own Andy Scholes watching all the action unfold for us right there Sunday night inside SoFi Stadium. He'll be joining us shortly to capture all the excitement, all the drama, a little later right here on CNN.

Poppy, it is a Sunday night that will be enjoyed a lot by the victorious Rams and their fans. Back to you.

HARLOW: Yes. Good for them. Patrick Snell, thank you so, so very much. We will be live in just a few minutes from SoFi Stadium with Andy Scholes, a little bit later in the show.

In the coming hours we're also going to learn the fate of 15-year-old Russian figure skating phenom, Kamila Valieva. She tested positive for a banned heart drug in December. But Olympic officials only found out about this last week following a hearing on Sunday. The Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected to announce whether the 15-year-old will be able to compete in the women's single short program.

That of course is coming on this Tuesday. So far Valieva is still set to compete our Steven Jiang joins me from Beijing with more.

So, I mean, I think -- I mean, this is imminent. We should know within hours, is that right?

STEVEN JIANG, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: That's right, Poppy. And that decision will not only determine whether or not she could compete on Tuesday but also what happens to the Russians' gold medal from that team event on Monday just one day before her positive test result returned.

Now because she's a minor we now also understand the World Antidoping Agency has launched an investigation into her entourage and her age is also a factor in any potential sanctions she may face with experts saying she may face reduced sanctions or even no punishment because she is only 15.

[22:25:05]

Now the Russian Antidoping Agency has been saying that she's been passing her doping tests both before and after December 25th. That was the date when her positive sample was collected. And they say she's been testing negative since she arrived here in Beijing. That's why that test result should not apply for the Winter Games period. The IOC obviously disagrees.

But Russian Sports Authorities have been throwing growing support behind her with the country's sports minister and the head of its figure skating federation both saying they have no doubt over her honesty and also pointing out that the circumstances surrounding the test result was kind of interesting, saying how unusually long it took the lab in Sweden to analyze her sample.

Obviously, reports have indicated that was due to a wave of COVID cases in Sweden at the time but undoubtedly that was one point raised during the hearing. A lot of people around the world including many here in Beijing are eagerly awaiting that decision with so much at stake -- Poppy.

HARLOW: Steven Jiang, thank you for the reporting. We'll wait for the decision from that court.

Meantime President Biden giving his first television interview of the new year, weighing in on the one of the most pressing issues facing Americans right now. And that is the incredibly high inflation. Hear what the president thinks and when Americans may see relief from that, ahead right here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[22:30:16]

HARLOW: Welcome back to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Poppy Harlow. You're watching CNN NEWSROOM. Thanks so much for joining us this evening.

With the threat of a Russian attack on Ukraine looming, U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Zelensky are staying in close contact, holing another call earlier today. Security officials have warned an attack could come any day as Russian forces continue to mass on Ukraine's border. Really surrounding it.

Our Arlette Saenz has much more on what the leaders discussed.

ARLETTE SAENZ, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: President Biden spent a total of 51 minutes on the phone with Ukrainian President Zelensky on Sunday as U.S. officials continue to warn that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could happen at any moment. The president held this call while spending the weekend at the presidential retreat at Camp David. And the White House said that President Biden made clear that the U.S. would act swiftly if Russia were to invade Ukraine.

In a White House statement, a readout of that conversation between Biden and Zelensky said President Biden made clear that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively together with its allies and partners to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine. The two leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrents in response to Russia's military buildup on Ukraine's borders.

Now this conversation with Zelensky occurred just one day after President Biden spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin. A U.S. official said there were no major breakthroughs during that phone call but stressed that the president told Putin there would be severe cost if he moves forward with an invasion.

The U.S. of course has been readying a sanctions package to implement with allies should Putin decide to move forward with an invasion into Ukraine. And the U.S. has also said they are ready to offer defense support to the country of Ukraine. Right now, National Security adviser Jake Sullivan has said that Ukraine -- Russia could attack Ukraine at any moment. But ultimately the White House still is hoping that there might be some way to achieve a de-escalation through diplomacy.

But the White House has also been clear to say that they are clear- eyed about Russia's military moves, that the maneuvering that they have seen, the positioning of troops around Ukraine do hint that there is a distinct possibility Russia may move forward with an invasion. Now one thing of utmost importance to the administration at this moment is ensuring the safety of American citizens.

The U.S. has drawn down most of its embassy presence in Ukraine, evacuating non-emergency personnel, and they've also encouraged Americans to depart the country immediately including a direct message from President Biden in an interview with NBC's Lester Holt. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BIDEN: What I have asked is American citizens should leave. Should leave now. We're dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. This is a very different situation and things could go crazy quickly.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

SAENZ: Now those comments came in President Biden's first network television interview of 2022. And it comes as the president has conducted fewer television interviews than his recent predecessors. But right now at this moment, Ukraine and Russia remain a top priority for President Biden heading into this week as the window for possible diplomatic negotiations appears to be narrowing and a possible Russian attack looms -- Poppy.

HARLOW: Arlette Saenz, at the White House, thank you so much.

Meantime the topic really front of mind for many Americans is inflation and how long it will take before there's some relief from soaring prices. NBC anchor Lester Holt pressed the president on that in his interview. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HOLT: Back in July, you said inflation was going to be temporary. I think a lot of Americans are wondering what your definition of temporary is.

BIDEN: Well, you're being a wise guy with me a little bit. And I understand, that's your job. According to Nobel Laureates, 14 of them contacted me and a number of corporate leaders it's ought to be able -- start to taper off as we go through this year.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: Let me bring in CNN senior political analyst Ron Brownstein who is joining me from Los Angeles. I bet you can't stop smiling because your team just won the Super Bowl.

RON BROWNSTEIN, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: If you hear explosions over my shoulder, hopefully it's just fireworks.

HARLOW: How did we get you to say yes to come on after the Super Bowl? But congratulations, Ron, and thank you.

BROWNSTEIN: I was confident it would be done by now.

HARLOW: OK, well, thank you. What's your overall reaction to -- I mean, I watched Biden's entire interview.

BROWNSTEIN: Yes.

[22:35:02]

HARLOW: There were a lot of very defensive answers on inflation, on Ukraine, on the Afghanistan report. What was your read?

BROWNSTEIN: Well, I think the first -- my first reaction was, the most important thing about this interview was that it happened. You know, the president has been less visible in these kinds of high-profile settings. Obviously, a choice by the White House. I have seen focus groups in both parties where voters will say that they're glad Biden is not as omnipresent 24/7 in their life as Trump was with his constant tweeting and his kind of picking of fights and, you know, starting little (INAUDIBLE) all the time.

But the fact that Biden hasn't been more visible has left them wondering what exactly he's doing. What his priorities are. And I think -- you know, given the struggle that they are having to advance the big-ticket items on their legislative agenda, which, you know, is kind of derailed if not defunct, it's important for him politically to show in other ways that he is still working on what America care about and one of the ways is being more visible and talking about it.

HARLOW: Although wasn't the way that the Obama administration got Obamacare passed kind of similar? When it -- you know, the first attempt, failed, and then at least in front of many people they were quieter on it, working behind the scenes to ultimately get it passed. I'm not saying that's the strategy here but I'm saying, I wonder, you know, if there could be shades of that.

BROWNSTEIN: Clearly they have decided to dial back his personal involvement, right, I mean he had the comment a few weeks ago where he said people did not elect me to be the 101st senator.

You know, Joe Manchin has defined himself through his career as the Democrat who says no to other Democrats. In his first ad back in 2010 was literally firing a gun at Obama's cap and trade bill. So that is part of his identity and in that way it's not shocking that he chose when the spotlight was highest to use that moment of maximum attention to say no and pull the rug out on the whole thing.

You would think once you got the benefit out of that you would also want to kind of have your cake and eat it too by eventually making a deal and being able to run around West Virginia for three years opening pre-K centers and new, you know, EV battery plants because of all the incentives to locate clean energy jobs in kind of the old fossil fuel terrain. But we don't know. I mean, we don't know if that's what he wants to do.

And that is really, you know, that is really the disappointment more than anything Biden does which what Manchin thinks is in his interest.

HARLOW: Ron, there's a new CNN poll out this morning that's really interesting. And one of the numbers that struck me is that it shows 51 percent of Democrats and Democratic leaning voters want to see a different nominee in 2024. Not Biden. And I should note the Republican Party pretty similarly evenly split, 50 percent-49 percent in terms of whether they want Trump to be the nominee of the party or not. What does that tell you?

BROWNSTEIN: Look, you're talking about two guys who would each be I think other than each other the oldest nominee ever. Certainly by then. Right? I mean, Trump would be the oldest of anyone except Biden.

HARLOW: Yes.

BROWNSTEIN: And Biden of course would be the oldest. And it is not entirely surprising when you have three quarters of the country now saying that we are on the wrong track, although the CBS poll did have a, you know, somewhat of an improvement in that today that people are looking for fresh leadership. You know, Biden is at a low ebb right now. He is, you know, barely above 40 percent in approval which is not surprising for a president when that high a share of the country says things are going, you know, off track or going in the wrong direction.

The big question we're going to see will be if the COVID, you know, situation stabilizes and improves, if inflation recedes, can Biden recover when people's attitudes about the country also recover? Or has there been a judgment made by the public independent of conditions that will prevent a rising tide from kind of lifting him up? I mean, to this point we're kind of on the same trajectory as Reagan, Clinton and Obama.

Each came in when the country was unhappy with the way things are going. Things didn't improve fast enough or as quickly as people expected. Their approval rating went down and their party got whacked in the midterm election. But then in the second half of their first term, as the economy stabilized, people got more optimistic, their approval rating recovered and they all won reelection.

Is that trajectory still out there for Biden? I mean, I don't think we know the answer. But until proven otherwise you do have those precedents.

HARLOW: I was just going to say, you're talking about three two-term presidents. So let's see. Let's see where this goes.

Ron Brownstein, great to have you. Congrats again on the Super Bowl win.

BROWNSTEIN: Thanks, Poppy.

HARLOW: All right, coming up, a Hollywood ending at the Super Bowl. The Los Angeles Rams winning the big game on their home turf.

[22:40:03]

We'll take you live to California ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: What a night. The Los Angeles Rams now Super Bowl champions. After a thrilling comeback win the Team rallied with less than two minutes to go to score the game-winning touchdown and top the Cincinnati Bengals. This is the franchise's second Super Bowl title but their first one in Los Angeles.

Our Andy Scholes, lucky as he is ever year, got to go to the game, joins us outside the stadium. It was a nail biter, Andy.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Poppy, what a great Super Bowl. We are going to remember this one for a long time. Not only for all of the emotion and the back and forth we saw during the game. The halftime show was also incredible. I mean, you know, the story coming into this game was, you know, would the Cincinnati Bengals be able to protect Joe Burrow? Would they be able to keep Aaron Donald and Von Miller from getting to him. And in the end they were not successful doing that.

Let's take a look how it all went down tonight, Joe Burrow entering the stadium in an all-time great outfit before the game. Look at that shiny suit, had a Walter White from "Breaking Bad" hat going.

[22:45:02]

Then the Rock got everyone pumped up before the game coming out on the field. I tell you what, the atmosphere was electric in there. And all the Rams fans were cheering loud when Odell Beckham Jr. caught that touchdown from Matthew Stafford to give the Eams the early lead. But unfortunately OBJ hurting his knee, a non-contact injury. He was unable to return after that. Huge blow for L.A. at that point. And OBJ was emotional when he was unable to come back in.

First play out of the second half, though, the Bengals taking the lead. What a throw from Joe Burrow right there, 75 yards to Tee Higgins, may have been offensive pass interference, a lot of people a little upset about it right there but it wasn't called. Then the Rams, they had a chance to come down the field to win this game. May have gotten a makeup call right here because they called defensive holding against Cooper Kupp. Questionable there.

Rams ended up at the one-yard line. Kupp catching his second touchdown of the game. He was amazing on that long Rams drive. Joe Burrow had one more chance to get this done. But Aaron Donald was just incredible this entire game forcing Burrow to throw that ball away on fourth down. And it was -- the celebration was on at that point. Los Angeles winning 23-20. There's OBJ, you see how happy he was right there. The Rams Super Bowl

LVI champions. And here's an emotional Aaron Donald after the game.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AARON DONALD, LOS ANGELES RAMS DEFENSIVE TACKLE: I'm just so happy. I wanted this so bad. I dreamed this, man. I dreamed this and this is like it's surreal. Look at this. Look at this, man. This is -- it's been amazing. It's so amazing. I feel great.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Yes. Happy for Aaron Donald there. You also got to be happy for Matthew Stafford after spending 12 years with the Detroit Lions. So many losses. So many tough times in Detroit. First season with the Rams, he met with head coach Sean McVay while they were both on vacation in Cabo.

That's when McVay decided he needed to trade for this guy to help the Rams get over the hump and win a Super Bowl. And lo and behold, Stafford getting it done in his first season in L.A. And this was him right after the game.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATTHEW STAFFORD, LOS ANGELES RAMS QUARTERBACK: I'm so proud of this team. There's so many guys on our team that deserve this. So many great players. Guys who have just given their heart and soul to this team. Guys that are either playing in this game or not. You know, because of injury or whatever it is. But I'm just so proud of this group. I mean, our game today is the story of our season. You know, it's up and down. It's tough. And we're a freaking tough team. Showed up late and got it done. I'm just, I'm excited.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Yes. And the big reason the Rams were able to get it done was this stellar play of wide receiver Cooper Kupp. He was the best receiver in football the entire season. Won the Triple Crown. That means he had the most receptions, most yards, and most touchdowns than any receiver. He's been incredible this entire playoff run and he was great again tonight in this Super Bowl. 92 yards, two touchdowns. Had a huge run to get a first down on fourth down in that final drive.

And Kupp has such a great story, Poppy. You know, he's just a great story of perseverance. You know, he came out of Eastern Washington. He worked his butt off at the senior bowl to get noticed, to get drafted. And then in 2019 the last time the Rams were in the Super Bowl Kupp had torn his ACL. He had to miss that game. But he worked his way back from that injury and like I said became the best wide receiver in the NFL league this season, and now he's a Super Bowl MVP.

HARLOW: Makes the win even sweeter, right, Andy?

SCHOLES: Certainly does. Certainly does. It's almost like a Hollywood ending here in Los Angeles. HARLOW: Right? Imagine that. Have a great time tonight, my friend.

Thank you so much.

All right, well, coming up on CNN NEWSROOM, Canadian police crack down on anti-mandate protests arresting dozens in hopes of restoring a major trade route between Canada and the United States.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[22:53:00]

HARLOW: Welcome back. Canadian police are stepping up their crackdown on protesters on the Ambassador Bridge arresting 30 people, seizing vehicles. They're also working to restore the flow of traffic at North America's busiest border crossing. Meanwhile, the mayor of Ottawa says he's reached a deal with the Freedom Convoy to leave the residential areas in the city's downtown core.

For more on all of this, I'm joined by my colleague Paula Newton who joins me in Ottawa.

Paula, explain, I mean, apparently, they have had enough and arrested dozens of people. Now what?

PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I mean, look, Poppy, it's been an incredibly chaotic weekend in this country literally almost from one side of the country to the other. Let's start where I am in Ottawa. As you said, this is where the protest pretty much began in terms of the truck-in, the sit-in that we're calling it, just finished its third weekend, still going strong by the protesters' estimate of things.

The mayor sent CNN a letter that he had sent to council saying that, look, I've negotiated with the organizers to try and get those trucks off of some of the city streets and consolidate them just on the street in front of the nation's capital, in front of, pardon me, the national parliament. But now, you know, on social media, on Twitter, two of the organizers have kind of indicated that there is no deal.

As I said in the beginning, Poppy, chaotic. Where are we now? This is still a very dire situation in this country because we continue to have protests pop up and police and authorities just don't know where they're going to pop up next. You talked about Windsor, that is that key bridge that really was clogging up a key supply chain between the United States and Canada. They do hope to have it open in just the next couple of hours, at the latest, early morning.

We will begin to see if that transport trucks, if that's commercial goods can start going back and forth, police were still having stragglers, these protesters that would come in and threaten again to block the road. But, Poppy, I want to take you to the other side of the country.

[22:55:01]

This is British Columbia where a border protest has been going on there this weekend, and police now apparently, the RCMP have moved in there as well to make arrests. Again not a lot of protesters but causing many, many delays at yet another crossing in Canada. You know, at the end of the day, Poppy, this is really becoming a national emergency, while authorities even having to declare an emergency in the province I am, in Ontario.

And this still doesn't seem to be the action that people need to get going. For their part, the protesters say they're not going anywhere. They want an end, a reminder, Poppy, to all COVID-19 restrictions. This started and it was about a vaccine mandate for truckers, it has really mushroomed into so much more.

HARLOW: It absolutely has, Paula. Thank you. Your reporting on this has been so important really since the beginning. We appreciate the update. Paula Newton for us in Ottawa tonight.

Much more news ahead right after this. Stay here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: Hello, and welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Poppy Harlow.