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January 6 Committee To Hold First Primetime Hearings This Week; "Watergate: Blueprint For A Scandal"; Gun Violence In America; Philadelphia Police Press Conference; Russian Missile Flies "Critically Low" Over Ukraine Nuclear Plant; Queen Elizabeth Makes Surprise Appearance To Cap Off Jubilee; NOAA: Earth Carbon's Dioxide Levels Hit Record High. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired June 05, 2022 - 14:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:59:58]

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN HOST: All right. Hello again everyone. Thank you so much for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

And we begin this hour on the cusp of one of the most historic moments in American history. This week the January 6 Committee will begin revealing their findings to the public in the first of a series of prime-time hearings. The committee has interviewed or deposed more than 1,000 witnesses and collected more than 135,000 documents as it investigates the capital riot. The panel is promising to release disturbing new evidence and witness

testimony.

We have a team of correspondents covering this for us. CNN's Melanie Zanona has new developments for us on former President Trump's strategy for the hearings. Let's begin with a national security reporter Zachary Cohen.

So Zach, set the stage for what we can expect from Thursday's prime- time hearing.

ZACHARY COHEN, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY REPORTER: Yes Fredricka, the stakes really could not be higher for the committee ahead of these hearings. They've really worked over the last year completely in secret. And Thursday is the first time that they're going to present their findings to the American people.

And as you mentioned, they're going to do it in prime-time which really shows you that they're going to try to present the most compelling case possible around what they have collected.

Now, we know that they're going to present or they promised to present material that we haven't seen before. We know they're going to preview future hearings. They haven't released a witness list yet. But we expect Thursday's hearing to be really explosive and set the tone for the hearings that follow it.

Now, Congressman David Cicilline who's a Democrat, he served as a House impeachment manager during President Donald Trump's second impeach proceedings, he talked about his expectations for the hearings in a CNN interview yesterday. And he said that he expects the evidence to be disturbing.

Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. DAVID CICILLINE (D-RI): There will be, I think, substantial evidence that really demonstrates the coordination and the planning and the effort despite the fact that they understood that Donald Trump lost the election. And even once the insurrection began and the violence began, there was -- there were ongoing efforts to persuade the former president to stop the violence and call on folks to go home. And he refused to do it.

I think the American people are going to learn facts about the planning and execution of this that will be very disturbing.

COHEN: So as he mentioned there and our sources have told us previously, one of the main focuses of the hearings more broadly is expected to be what Trump was doing and not doing during those 187 minutes as the violence was playing out on Capitol Hill. And Thursday they're going to start presenting that case to the American people, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Zach, thanks so much.

Melanie, to you, you also have new reporting on how former President Trump is mobilizing his supporters on Capitol Hill to defend him during these hearings. In what capacity?

MELANIE ZANONA, CNN CAPITOL HILL REPORTER: Yes. Well, sources told us that Trump has directly reached out to some of his top allies on Capitol Hill and asked them to defend him and also push back on the select committee as these hearings play out.

Now, top Republicans have answered that call. There has already been some planning behind the scenes. Trump's demands could come to even greater focus earlier this week when he actually meets with some of the allies.

He's hosting a fundraiser on Monday for Elise Stefanik who's in charge of messaging for the conference. And then on Tuesday he's meeting with members of the House Freedom Caucus.

We also know that House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy has been involved in coordinating the behind the scenes effort. He of course, was subpoenaed by the committee. He also has been under pressure from his right flank to show support for Trump after he was recently caught on tape criticizing Donald Trump in the immediate wake of January 6th.

So we can definitely expect a heavy messaging attempt to try to pre- but whatever damaging information comes out from these hearings.

But look, I can tell you, Fred most Republicans on Capitol Hill would rather just ignore these hearings altogether. They think they should pivot to other issues that they think will actually matter in the midterms like inflation and gas prices.

So essentially what we're seeing here in terms of the counter strategy is for an audience of one and that's Donald Trump, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Melanie Zanona, Zach Cohen -- thanks to both of you. Appreciate it.

All right. Joining us right now, CNN contributor and former Nixon White House counsel John Dean. He is featured in the new "CNN ORIGINAL SERIES: WATERGATE, BLUEPRINT FOR A SCANDAL".

John, in the tease, I kind of described you at the center of the scandal but really you're the center or revealing the scandal. We know who was at the center of the scandal.

All right. So we're going to talk about that and your role in a moment.

Let me ask you about, you know, the hearings upcoming. I mean, the Watergate hearings attracted huge television audiences. This hearing this week, prime-time. Do you believe it has the potential of changing minds, influencing Americans?

JOHN DEAN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: I certainly hope it has the chance to change some minds. Watergate actually moved very slowly. The hearings initially had very low level people. It was so dull that the networks that were covering it threatened to pull their coverage if they didn't get going.

[14:04:53]

DEAN: The committee did not change its plan. Starting and building up to higher level and more important people.

So it went on for quite a while. There was not just days. There were months of hearings. And they were slow moving. But in the end, they did educate the American people.

WHITFIELD: What do you think is going to be the important focus of this panel? We do understand by, you know, talking to a former federal prosecutor yesterday that there are chapters, that this will be laid out like in book form -- beginning, middle, and an end.

In your view, what will be important about how the panel presents its new evidence and eyewitness testimony?

DEAN: It appears they have a massive amount of evidence, and they're going to digest it to what is really important and what the people, the country need to understand of why they're pursuing this, why it's important to them, why it's important to Congress, why it's important to the way our democracy works.

I think that's the goal. They set a very tight range of hearings. Watergate did not appear -- the hearings in prime-time. PBS, Public Broadcasting rebroadcast the daytime hearings. So this is also new, using prime-time and they'll have to use it effectively, or they'll lose that opportunity.

WHITFIELD: Right. And the whole idea is to get more eyeballs, you know, people will be at home presumably --

DEAN: Yes.

WHITFIELD: -- in a better position to absorb the hearings, the testimony.

So we mentioned there -- there is promise of new evidence, testimony, some of which involves what the former president knew about the insurrection and when. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DENVER RIGGLEMAN (R), FORMER U.S. REPRESENTATIVE: I think when you look at the totality of the evidence and some of these are my personal opinions, but if you look at the totality of the evidence, it's pretty apparent that at some points President Trump knew what was going on, obviously, right.

I mean if you're having meetings within the White House, if you're having individuals that you're paying out there, you know, doing lawsuits -- you know, the 64, 65 lawsuits. If you're pushing this sort of lie even on Twitter and social media which is very important which I think the committee is going to concentrate on.

If you look at what's happening in the message that's being pushed by President Trump himself on social media and other individuals, you start to see this pipeline of information that's very damaging and it's pushing things like Stop the Steal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Will this hearing need a smoking gun that will point the finger and more than just imply but directly attribute the former president's possible direct involvement in the planning of this insurrection?

DEAN: It could reveal many smoking guns, or it may reveal a lot of smoke. I don't know the answer to that question. I hope they have some very persuasive, clear evidence that shows Trump's state of mind, Trump's behavior, his involvement. Because we all know anyone (INAUDIBLE) who has worked in the White House knows this would not have gone as it did go had the president not wanted it that way.

He would have jumped -- you know, most presidents would jump on the telephone and say let's get this stopped. Let's get this off television. Let's get this resolved. Let's make this peaceful. And let's have this transfer of power which is fundamental to our constitutional system.

He did all the opposite. And how they can show that when -- I think they have enough witnesses and enough information that they will have to bring that picture forth so the American people understand how unprecedented what happened on January 6th was.

WHITFIELD: All right.

Now let's talk about Watergate. I mean I think we were all -- we just cannot wait to hear more about your thoughts and recollections about being in the center stage of all of this.

The original series that CNN is airing tonight "WATERGATE: BLUEPRINT FOR A SCANDAL". I mean I was in elementary school when my parents and we had just moved to Washington D.C. as a family and my parents said start reading the newspaper right now, the "Washington Post" because of what was going on with the White House and Richard Nixon.

So let's take a look at a portion of the "WATERGATE: BLUEPRINT FOR a SCANDAL" right now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John Dean is part of this discussion because he's already aware of investigations associated with the Political Enemies Project. It was always understood that Liddy's the main job would be spying on Nixon's political opponents.

And Liddy has a very dangerous understanding of power.

PEGGIE RAYHAWK LEWIS, RESEARCH ASSOCIATE, HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BANKING AND CURRENCY: Some of the people they had hired (INAUDIBLE) were of a mind set, whatever he asked them to do, they were going to do it. They went beyond what he could have thought of himself sometimes.

[14:09:57]

DEAN: Six months before the Watergate break-in, I got a call to come to John Mitchel's office and Liddy is setting up an easel. And I can see he's got big charts. It was a sales pitch.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Liddy is tasked with coming up with a plan.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: My goodness. I mean the tension building.

So as you reflect, was there anything, perhaps, that you have reflected on that you would have done differently or how do you embrace or kind of, you know, remember your role in it and the role that you played to help unravel and help reveal to the public what was happening?

DEAN: Well, this is a very fast-paced factual clearing of the cobwebs of Watergate, if you will, after 50 years, and there are some cobwebs. So this tries to drive right down the middle and tell the story of what happened.

It's very frank. I'm very blunt in my assessment of my own behavior. I am explaining that of others. I want it out there for what it is so we understand it. Because you really can't appreciate what happened on January 6th two years ago without understanding what happened 50 years ago. And how it was dealt with slowly but effectively in the end.

WHITFIELD: And how remarkable it is that here we are at the 50-year marker of Watergate, and then we also are anticipating these prime- time hearings to help unravel or reveal all that happened before, during, and after the insurrection. Strange coincidence, would you say?

DEAN: A fast 50, I'll say that, for one thing. But it is important that we do learn from our past and just not forget the past. I think this series does an excellent job of just telling the core story, and that's what most Americans really don't know today.

WHITFIELD: I can't wait to watch it all. John Dean, always a pleasure to talk to you. Thank you so much.

DEAN: Thanks, Fred.

WHITFIELD: Be sure to tune in tonight at 9:00 for the premier of "WATERGATE: BLUEPRINT FOR A SCANDAL" right here on CNN.

All right. Straight ahead this hour -- Pennsylvania, Arizona, Kentucky, South Carolina -- I mean, the list goes on. These states all saw deadly shootings just within the last 24 hours. What will Congress do about it?

Plus stunning video out of Ukraine shows a Russian cruise missile flying critically low over a nuclear power plant. This as President Vladimir Putin issues a new warning for the U.S.

[14:12:45]

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WHITFIELD: It was another bloody violent weekend across the U.S. Mass shootings claiming the lives of nearly a dozen people in just the last 24 hours.

In Philadelphia, police are now searching for multiple suspects that opened fire in a crowded restaurant and bar area overnight. Three people died, 11 more were injured.

A similar story in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Another three killed and 17 injured as gunfire erupted outside of a nightclub.

In Mesa, Arizona two people were killed and two others injured in a shooting outside a bar.

And then to Lexington, Kentucky. One person was killed and another injured in a shooting at a funeral.

In Phoenix, one person was killed, 8 others injured in a shooting outside a strip mall.

And then to Summerton, South Caroline one woman was killed and seven teenagers were injured when someone opened fire on a graduation party.

And sadly, these are just some of the incidents CNN has learned about.

CNN's Polo Sandoval is in Philadelphia today. So Polo what are you learning as we await this police press conference. What do we know so far?

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, I can tell you there is a bit of a sense of normalcy right here at the South Street District in Philadelphia. But there are so many questions about what took place overnight. Investigators saying overnight, where the patrol officer was only about 10 to 15 yards away from one of the gunman that is believed to be responsible for the shooting. In fact, investigators adding that that patrolman even opened fire prompting that gunman to drop the pistol and then flee.

Right now, investigators looking over surveillance video in the area, trying to see if they wounded that individual and where that person went.

Overnight, investigators did say that the officers had observed what they described as several active shooters that opened fire on a group of individuals on this very street here.

However, we are hoping to get a little bit more about that in just a few moments. In fact, I'm monitoring for a press conference that's expected to begin any moment now here in Philadelphia. Investigators will hopefully update the latest on this investigation including a motive.

What we do know however is that three people were killed during that violence -- that shooting that took place on the street. Two women and -- rather, two men and one woman and 11 people who were injured. So it's certainly speaking to just the extent of the impact here.

As for the mayor in Philadelphia, we heard from Mayor Jim Kenney as well basically describing this as a brazen -- describing this as a despicable shooting, and he along with several city officials now are really urging other leaders to take a good look at the level of gun violence that they've seen, especially here in the city of Philadelphia.

The mayors say that they have seen a significant increase in the level of gun violence in just the last several years and now what took place on the street just yesterday, just the latest example that left three people dead, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thank you so much. Polo Sandoval, appreciate it.

So meantime Congress is facing mounting pressure to do something, anything, to stop this epidemic of shootings in America.

[14:19:51]

WHITFIELD: This morning Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, who is the leading Democratic negotiator in a bipartisan push for gun control legislation said he's more confident than ever that Congress will reach a deal. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. CHRIS MURPHY (D-CT): We're not going to do anything that compromises people's Second Amendment rights. We're not going to do anything that compromises the ability of a law-abiding American to be able to buy a weapon. What we're talking about is trying to make sure that dangerous or potentially dangerous individuals don't have their hands on weapons.

Senator Cornyn has also talked about his interest in looking at how we act with juvenile records for these young men who tend to be 18 to 21 committing these mass murders to make sure that they can't get their hands on a weapon if they have had problems with the law in the past.

So I think there's agreement amongst the negotiators that we're going to take some common sense steps that do not compromise Second Amendment rights. We are likely going to pair it with some significant mental health spending which will make a difference as well. And I think everything Senator Cornyn has said is consistent with the negotiations we're having.

Listen, we're not going to do everything I want. We are not going to put a piece of legislation on the table that's going to ban assault weapons or we're not going to pass comprehensive background checks.

But right now people in this country want us to make progress. They just don't want the status quo to continue for another 30 years.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: The Senate returns from its Memorial Day break tomorrow. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says he wants a deal in place by the end of the week.

All right. Let's go to Philadelphia now and listen to the press conference underway after another devastating shooting.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And also joining us is the managing director of the city of Philadelphia. So after we give this presentation, we just ask that everyone wait until the end to ask questions.

Remember, this is very early, so we're going to be limited to the information that we can give out as of now. But once it's finished all the folks that are behind us are available to answer these questions including Mr. Tumar Alexander.

So now to give an update on the incident itself is Commissioner Outlaw, Commissioner.

DANIELLE OUTLAW, PHILADELPHIA POLICE COMMISSIONER: Good afternoon. Yesterday was a dark day for Philadelphia. And while many of us were out enjoying the beautiful day in the city, horrendous and unthinkable acts happened in a very popular local and tourist hangout. Acts that claimed the lives of three people, we now know, and injured 12 others.

On Saturday, June 4th, 2022 at approximately 11:31 p.m., multiple Philadelphia police officers were stationed on South Street when they heard multiple gunshots coming from the area of 400 South Street. Two of these uniformed officers who were assigned to the 200 block of South Street proceeded to the block of 400 South Street from where they heard the gunshots.

There they observed several civilians suffering from gunshot wounds lying on the sidewalk and in the street. Officers on location began to render first aid to the wounded. And another responding officer who was on location and responding to the incident observed an unknown male on the southwest corner of South and American street, firing a handgun into a large crowd on the 400 block of South Street from approximately a half a block away.

The officer drew his weapon and fired several times in the direction of the unknown male, we believe striking him. The unknown male dropped his handgun on the sidewalk and ran southbound on 600 American Street. The male was then lost in the area.

The PPD officer-involved shooting investigation unit, or OISI as we refer to it, and the homicide unit are conducting a joint investigation.

This harrowing incident claimed the lives of three individuals. At this time we believe that one of the three decedents was a male involved in a physical altercation with another male that was potentially the genesis of the shooting. These individuals eventually began firing at one another. With both being struck, one fatally.

We also believe that the two other decedents as well as a number of other shooting victims were uninvolved in the initial altercation and were innocent bystanders.

The first victim was a 34-year-old African American male who was taken to Presbyterian and was pronounced at 12:05 a.m. The second victim was a 27-year-old African-American female who was taken to Jefferson Hospital and was pronounced at 11:49 p.m. The third victim was a 22- year-old African American male pronounced at 11:49 p.m. after being taken to Jefferson hospital.

[14:24:51]

OUTLAW: An additional 11 victims were struck by gunfire. These victims range in age from 17 to 69 years old. Their conditions range from stable to critical.

We're absolutely devastated. Devastated by this incident. And we mourn the lives lost and the dozens and dozens of lives affected by this tragedy, not just here in the city but obviously this is getting national attention.

These incidents have an exponential effect on our community, and it not only impacts the individual that's been directly victimized, but it victimizes their loved ones, their families and their neighbors, neighborhoods all over the world.

It's unacceptable, it's beyond unacceptable. And we're still using every resource available to get to the bottom of what occurred not just out there last night but behind this gun violence in the city, period.

It's important that we bring justice to the victims, their families, and our community. We're working with our local, state, and federal partners to make sure that no lead is lost. And that no stone remains unturned.

Standing behind me are special agent in charge of the Philadelphia's FBI office Jackie McGuire, and assistant special agent in charge of the ATF Philadelphia field office Eric Degree (ph) who are lending additional resources to this case.

There were hundreds, hundreds of individuals out there last night, and I'm asking the public that if any of these people, anyone out there who was out there saw anything, witnessed anything, immediately before, during, or after to please call or text our tip line at 215- 686-tips, 215-686-8477. Or you can contact the homicide unit at 215- 686-3334.

As with all of our homicides, there is a standing $20,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.

So with that, I understand there's going to be a lot of questions, but please keep in mind that this investigation is complex, and is still in its infancy. And we'll do our very best today to answer any questions that you may have, but we may be limited in what we can say.

So with that, I will turn it over for any questions.

WHITFIELD: All right. You were listening to the Philadelphia police commissioner Danielle Outlaw, using her words, she says this shooting that left three people dead and 11 others injured is devastating. It's beyond unacceptable. And she says they're still trying to get to the bottom of gun violence in this city. Among the 11 victims who were struck by gunfire and injured, they range in age from 17 to 69. We'll have much more after this.

[14:27:46]

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[14:32:17]

WHITFIELD: Stunning video shows a Russian cruise missile flying critically low over a nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, as you see right there. Ukraine security officials warned a missile strike could be catastrophic potentially.

The attack happened as Russia also fired missiles at the capital Kyiv. Ukraine's military chief said five missiles were launched from offshore, and destroyed a train repair plant, hitting Kyiv.

There was a warning today from Vladimir Putin saying Russia would start hitting new targets if the U.S. supplied long-range missiles to Ukraine. And President Vladimir Putin issued new warnings of the U.S. Let's bring in now Steve Hall. He's a CNN national security analyst,

and former CIA chief of Russia Operations.

So, good to see you.

So let's begin with that cruise missile flying past the nuclear plant. Ukraine warning a strike, even an accidental one could be catastrophic.

So, what is the message that Vladimir Putin is trying to send there?

STEVE HALL, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Well, first of all, absolutely, Fred. Any time you mix cruise missiles or anything explosive with nuclear power plants or anything nuclear for that matter, the results could be catastrophic. And then, of course, in my mind, those concerns are made greater by the fact that Vladimir Putin and the Russian military doesn't care.

It's been a pattern of this conflict since the beginning that the Russians have used whatever weapons, however high grade, however devastating they can be against civilian targets, they simply don't obey the common laws of warfare and even a general understanding of what's to be considered humane and not humane.

So, you know, first of all, the idea of a cruise missile flying that close either by accident or by purpose to a nuclear power plant is extremely concerning. And it's also not out of the realm of the possible that Putin might decide -- well, maybe I'll just target one of those to really create chaos. So, it's concerning really across the board.

WHITFIELD: Right.

And you just said, I mean, Russia doesn't seem to really mind any rules. I mean, it's always breaking the rules, yet, Russia has the nerve at this point to say -- wait a minute, if the U.S. is going to supply long-range missiles, you know, now the game has been elevated to something else. President Biden has said, yes, they'll supply the long-range missiles to Ukraine, but there is a condition, as long as Ukraine doesn't actually use it inside Russia.

So talk to us about why the condition has been put out there now, why this administration perhaps is changing its mind, or elevating its promise to assist Ukraine with these long-range missiles. They go, what, 50 miles?

HALL: Yeah. There's a lot of different discussion about this, and it is a very delicate and difficult topic.

[14:35:00]

The -- to answer your last question, the multiple rocket systems go in different distances, although I'm not a military expert, my best explanation is we've sort of given the middle distance and not the longer distance for fear that there maybe either accidental or on purpose launch against Russia. That calls into question why is the West concerned about that? It was Russia who talked Ukraine? Shouldn't it be legitimate for the Ukrainians to strike at Russia if they want given that attack?

The answer is more than a simple yes, of course, because we have to recall that the Russians do have nuclear capabilities. There is a strong argument that says yeah, but they haven't kept any of their other promises so even if they've withheld using battle field nukes or other things that are concern, they're not to be believed. That is also true.

At the end of the day, I think what we're looking at is a legitimate concern on the part of not just the Biden administration, but the NATO alliance and our Western allies in general that if we push Putin into a situation where he does feel legitimately cornered as opposed to propaganda saying this is an attack against Russia, that he could become unpredictable, and anybody with nuclear weapons who is unpredictable, that's something Western leaders must take into consideration, I think.

WHITFIELD: And then one of your thoughts about Russia hitting Kyiv? The capital, with five missiles. You know, and it is claiming that they were military targets, but our reporting has been that at least one involved some sort of train depot area. What are your thoughts?

HALL: Well, this is interesting. I think what's happening is Putin is sending the message that he is displeased and understandably with the West, providing these new weapons which are going to make the Russian military's life much harder on the ground in Ukraine. And so his way of expressing those concerns is in that anger is by using long-range missiles and cruise missiles against targets like Kyiv that can be attacked without having anybody on the ground nearby.

But it's interesting also to note that Putin while he said well, you know, we reserve the right or we will strike other targets if the West continues to provide this weaponry, he also said it doesn't matter. The weapons aren't that critically important. You kind of can't have it both ways. Either you're concerned about the weapons and you want to make a point about by bombing something in Kyiv or you're not concerned about the weapons and you don't do anything.

So, it's another example of Putin speaking out of both sides of his mouth, which he's very good at.

WHITFIELD: Right, and if it's tit for tat, I mean, Russia was using them first, right?

HALL: Right.

WHITFIELD: Oh, gosh, it's not a laughing matter. I mean, it's really very serious, because so many people are dying, but, I mean, this is just a war of words, it's gotten ridiculous, too.

All right. Steve Hall, thank you so much.

HALL: Sure.

WHITFIELD: All right. Coming up, a balcony surprise, how Queen Elizabeth is celebrating the finale of her jubilee.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:42:42]

WHITFIELD: All right. Today, a triumphant closer to Queen Elizabeth's platinum jubilee celebration. The roar of the crowd there. Queen Elizabeth making a surprise appearance on the balcony at Buckingham Palace with members of the Royal family.

Well, today was the final day of a four-day celebration marking 70 years of Queen Elizabeth's reign. The appearance followed a huge parade through London that including the queen's golden carriage, as you see there, with a surprise image as well.

And a concert last night in London that included Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, and the band Queen.

Sally Bedell-Smith joining me back again. She's a contributor and author of the book "Elizabeth the Queen".

Okay. So, Sally, you know, she missed several appearances over her mobility issues. But after a couple days in her comfy clothes, watching it on the tele, she pulled it together and then glistened in emerald there. Did you feel like she was going to appear on this last day?

SALLY BEDELL SMITH, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, I think everybody was hoping.

WHITFIELD: Yeah.

SMITH: At 4:30, those that were paying attention saw the royal standard go out and replace the union jacket. We knew it was coming, and it was such a symbolic tableau, even though this has been a celebration of her 70 years and a lot of looking back at her accomplishments and what was happening over those seven decades, that was part of the pageant today.

There was a lot about the future.

WHITFIELD: Yeah?

SMITH: And it was seen on the balcony, the heir to the throne, the heir to the heir of the throne, and the heir to the heir. There was Charles, there was William, there is George, there were two future queen consorts and Cambridges who have really been in front and center for the entire weekend, this is deliberate.

This is the queen acknowledging she's 96 years old. She feels the monarchy is in good shape.

[14:45:02]

It will be in good hands, and I think that was very much the message today. WHITFIELD: I loved her, I can call it now delicate wave. It seemed

like it cued little Charlotte to give a wave, too, on the balcony.

SMITH: She's teaching them early.

WHITFIELD: Yeah, she sure is and they're learning early.

So, also give me your impressions of that 20-something queen in that golden carriage, right? It was via some television screening or hologram. There it is right there, kind of a for old time sake. What were your impressions of that moment?

SMITH: Well, I just thought it was great. It's the first time in 20 years that 24-foot behemoth has been hauled out on the streets of London. It dates from the 17th century. It was used by George III, and it was used, of course, by this queen for her coronation in 1953. She's often said it's not a very comfortable thing, so I don't know if it will be used for another one. It was just great. And it was so kind of ingenious that they had that hologram of her in her crown.

A lot were saying I hope that's not the only vision of her today, and we were rewarded with a wonderful appearance.

WHITFIELD: Well, it was brilliant. Still gilded and gorgeous as well, that carriage.

SMITH: And if I had -- if I had to come up with some words to describe it, I'd say the whole four-week -- whole four days were an expression of love and gratitude, and pride, really. There was a lot of pride in Britain, in the commonwealth, and with the royal family and what they've done and how the queen really binds everybody together.

WHITFIELD: Yeah. You're right. That's a beautiful assessment. And she sounded gracious, and --

SMITH: Very gracious. You use the word humble.

WHITFIELD: Yeah, and actually, very humble. It did seem that she appeared to be or at least seemed to be humble.

Sally Bedell Smith --

SMITH: She is. She is a modest and humble person.

WHITFIELD: Nice. Yeah, well, all of us would love to know that personally or get a chance to meet her, but she exuded that. I think we got it. Thank you so much.

And guess what. Yesterday remember I asked you that question about what is in the queen's handbag? It's just what I've always wanted to know, and now guess what. We have an answer.

Listen. Watch and learn.

SMITH: We have a marmalade sandwich. That was such an --

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PADDINGTON BEAR: I love it.

Who would like a marmalade sandwich? I always keep one for emergencies.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II: So do I. I keep mine in here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right. I love it. That is cute. And all this time I was thinking maybe just a lipstick, right?

Well, this was a prerecorded skit. Now we know that aired during last night's celebration at Buckingham palace and the queen hosted tea with another British icon, Paddington bear. So cute. I love to know the marmalade sandwich is in there.

And it's our first acting gig. I remember you reminded us, right, back in 2012, she joined James Bond on screen as part of the London Olympics opening ceremony. That was a fun moment. She has a great sense of humor.

(CROSSTALK)

WHITFIELD: Yes, I love her humor.

SMITH: She does.

WHITFIELD: Thanks, Sally. Good to see you again.

SMITH: OK, my pleasure.

WHITFIELD: Back in a moment.

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[14:53:01]

WHITFIELD: All right. Disturbing new numbers about the state of our planet. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the amount of planet warming carbon dioxide in the atmosphere hit an all- time record this spring. New data shows carbon dioxide levels rose to 421 parts per million in May. That number is more than 50 percent higher than preindustrial times.

CNN's Sara Sidner shows us how increasing the CO2 levels are impacting sea levels right here in the U.S.

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SARA SIDNER, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Just a couple of hours away from Raleigh, North Carolina, an ecological disaster is hitting the shore.

Where are we? MARCELO ARDON, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, NORTH CAROLINA STAET UNIVERSITY: So, we're in a ghost forest right here. This, you know, 20 years ago used to be a full-functioning forest, and now the water has risen. The storms have eroded away the soil, and what we have is a bunch of dead stumps.

SIDNER: You can really see all of the corpses of trees just littering the entire coastline.

ARDON: Right.

SIDNER: Researcher Marcelo Ardon has been studying these so-called ghost forests for over a decade, once thriving trees dying, turning white and dying. Here in Columbia, North Carolina, Ardon says the effects of climate change can be measured in many ways.

ARDON: We're going to measure where the shore used to be in 1993.

SIDNER: I can't believe you're still going. That's insane.

ARDON: So this is where the shore used to be back in 1993.

SIDNER: How many feet is that?

ARDON: That's 82 feet.

SIDNER: So, 30 years ago, about, the shore was where you are, and this is where it remains now.

ARDON: Right.

SIDNER: That's a lot of loss of beach and the soil.

ARDON: Exactly.

SIDNER: Destruction that researchers say is imminent from rising sea level, increased salinity killing the trees and an uptick in more intense hurricanes and superstorms.

[14:55:07]

A 2021 study by the Ecological Society of America found that between 1985 and 2019, up to 11 percent of North Carolina's forest and wetlands which are generally near the state's coasts have deteriorated into ghost forests, nearly 3,000 acres of land disappearing entirely into the ocean.

What would this look like in 100 years if nothing changed?

ARDON: So, unfortunately this area in 100 years would probably be under water. It would be completely flooded, because this is a very low elevation area, and we're in an area where we have high rates of sea level rise. I think it's probably safe to say that 30 years from now, a lot of these trees that we see right here are going to be gone.

SIDNER: And it's not just here. These ghost forests are popping up in other places across the country, like Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Delaware, and New Jersey.

ARDON: People the end to think of climate change as something that's going to happen by 2100 or maybe something that's happening to polar bears. This is change that's happening right now. It's change that we know it's accelerating.

SIDNER: It directly affects human beings. Correct?

ARDON: Yes. It directly affects human beings. And North Carolina we have this common sticker that it's no wetlands, no seafood, and we depend on seafood a lot. So, if we're losing the wetlands because of the increasing salinity, increase in storms, that's going to affect the seafood industry as well.

SIDNER: And without the barrier of trees and vegetation, the winds of hurricanes will lash communities inland harder, because there's no barrier to slow them. Scientists from duke and the University of Virginia predict that coastal forest and wetlands will be drowned and salted out of existence in North America within 100 years. A looming sense of darkness that Ardon hopes to brighten.

ARDON: Something that I keep coming back to is, like, I'm seeing this change happen while I'm doing research out here. What's this going to look like for my kids? Right? And that's why I like talking about this, because we're not too late. We can make changes. And we can avoid the worst consequences.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Thank you, Sara Sidner and Ardon, for opening our eyes to that.

All right. Straight ahead, high stakes hearings head to prime time. What the January 6th committee plans for this week's first public hearings and how the former president's allies plan to defend him.

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