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Rwanda Prepares For First Migrants From U.K.; Russia: Ukraine Suffering Significant Losses In Donbas; Russia Claims It Has Secured Land Bridge To Crimea; Refugee Crisis; Rwanda Prepared for First Migrants from UK; Aircraft crashed in China's Hubei Province; Michigan Sheriff's Office Says Budget for Gas Has Dried Up; January 6th Committee Holds First Prime-time Public Hearing Tomorrow. Aired 2-3a ET

Aired June 09, 2022 - 02:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PAUL NEWTON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello and a warm welcome to our viewers joining us from all around the world. You are watching CNN Newsroom. I'm Paula Newton. Just ahead. This is the slow bloody battle that will decide the fate of eastern Ukraine as Russia gains ground in Severodonetsk. Ukrainian fighters are backing up, but refusing to give up.

Heartbreaking pleas from grieving parents and child survivors to U.S. lawmakers to do something about gun violence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIAH CERRILLO, 4TH GRADER AT ROBB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: So I grabbed the blood and put it all over me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON: Will their words help prevent another scene like this one. Plus, CNN goes inside Rwandan hostile to the first time look at how the country is preparing to house migrants soon to be deported from the U.K.

So, Ukrainian fighters have fallen back to safer positions in Severodonetsk where local officials say most of the city is now in fact under Russian control. It's a major turn of events after Ukraine claimed to control almost half of the city just a few days ago. Severodonetsk has been in fact a key Russian goal for weeks now as Vladimir Putin's forces look to capture all of Luhansk and Donetsk regions, together known as the Donbas.

Civilians who remain in the region are taking shelter from continuous shelling. They are in basements, and frankly, wherever they can find that shelter. Russia's military says Ukraine is suffering significant losses of manpower, weapons and equipment throughout the Donbas. Ukraine's president says his forces are not giving up.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE: Severodonetsk remains the epicenter of the confrontation in Donbas. We defend our positions inflict significant losses on the enemy. This is a very fierce battle, very difficult. Probably one of the most difficult throughout this war. I'm grateful to everyone who defends this direction. In many ways, the fate of Donbas is decided there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON: We're going to straight to our Salma Abdelaziz. She is live for us in Kyiv. You know, we've discussed this before, Salma, the fact that this has long been the goal -- strategic security goal of Russia to have that all important land bridge between the Crimean peninsula right through the Donbas and to Russia. They appear to perhaps have it now. What really would be the likelihood that they're able to hang on to it, though?

SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN REPORTER: That's a very good question, Paula, I think we have to look at Crimea, the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Of course, something that is not internationally recognized, but is in practice, of course, Russian occupied, Russian controlled. And that's exactly what Russian forces are going for with this land bridge. Let's pull up that map. Because, again, you said this is the strategic goal, this is important. And why is it important?

Well, Crimea, again, that Peninsula that was annexed in 2014, that provides Russia with its only all year round-functioning port. That's because it's a warm water port. That is absolutely, of course, important for trade, for movement. So what the goal here was, was to connect Crimea to Russia, a major hurdle in that was of course, trying to solidify those areas in the south Mariupol for example, Kherson, all of those now under Russian occupation.

And what Russian forces are doing over the course of the last weeks in months is solidifying those gains by repairing transport links. We understand hundreds of miles of railways are now functioning so that rails can go between Crimea all the way up through those regions into the Donbas all the way up to Russia. That goal. They are also repairing ports, these very important ports in Berdiansk in Mariupol.

They have been demined. Russian forces say they are now operating again. So, you have on the ground, this strategic move to continue to try to restore these transportation links. I'm going to point out one other thing here, the North Crimean canal that's in Russian-occupied Kherson right now, an again that was taken just at the beginning of this conflict, that is crucial because it provides freshwater to Crimea.

[02:05:08]

ABDELAZIZ: It was -- it was dammed essentially after the annexation of Crimea in 2014. So now that provides water to Crimea. So you're looking at essentially infrastructure being built that connects Ukrainian territory that is under Russian occupation with Russia itself and connects Russia to the critical infrastructure it needs. Those ports and that connection to trade, yes, of course, the international community does not recognize this.

Yes, of course Ukrainian forces are pushing but you do -- they simply do not have the capability at this time to take back areas like Mariupol and Kherson. So this is really about the realities on the ground, you ask how long can they hold it? It's hard to imagine how places like these can be won back militarily by Ukrainian forces that are already trying to fight, trying to win in the Donbas region where it appears that they are on their last legs.

Again, Russian-backed forces saying they control 97 percent of Luhansk. Severodonetsk is now largely under Russian control. It paints a bleak picture right now and it shows an intention to solidify these gains, Paula.

NEWTON: Yes. By solidifying the gains they certainly -- Russia hopes it makes a difference if and when they return to the negotiating table for some kind of a diplomatic agreement. Salma for us live in Kyiv, Ukraine. Thanks so much.

Now it Meantime, Russia we've told you many times is weaponized energy and it began doing so really the moment that this war began. Now it's accused of doing the same with the global food supply. Besides blocking millions of tons of Ukrainian grain from market, it's being accused of stealing now some 600,000 tons. The head of the European Commission says Russia's actions are an attack on the world's most vulnerable.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

URSULA VON DER LEYEN, EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT: This is a cold, callous and calculated siege by Putin on some of the most vulnerable countries and people in the world. And therefore, honorable members, food has become now part of the Kremlin's arsenal of terror.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON: OK. Now, Turkey's government is trying to use its regional clout and close ties with the two warring countries to break the blockade. Ukraine calls now a global threat. That blockade was in fact front and center as Turkey's foreign minister hosted his Russian counterpart Wednesday in Ankara. Turkey's top diplomat calls a U.N. plan to end the blockade reasonable.

Meantime, leaders and representatives from nations of the Western Hemisphere will meet for talks in the coming hours at the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles. U.S. President Joe Biden officially kicked off the event Wednesday calling for cooperation and common purpose. The agenda will focus on issues like immigration economy, climate change, and Mr. Biden is urging leaders to renew the focus on democracy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Our region is large and diverse. We don't always agree on everything. But because we're democracies, we work through our disagreements with mutual respect and dialogue. At this summit, we have an opportunity for us to come together around some bold ideas, ambitious actions, and to demonstrate to our people the incredible power of democracies to deliver concrete benefits and make life better for everyone.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON: Now reminder that several key leaders are missing from the summit including Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador who boycotted after the U.S. decided to exclude Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela from the event. Journalist Stefano Pozzebon reports now from Caracas.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEFANO POZZEBON, JOURNALIST: U.S. President Joe Biden kicked off his appearance at the ninth Summit of the Americas on Wednesday in Los Angeles with a strong plea to fellow Western Hemisphere leader to join together in defense of democracy.

BIDEN: As we meet again today, in a moment, when democracy is under assault around the world. Let us unite again and renew our conviction that democracy is not only the defining feature of American histories, but the essential ingredient to America's futures.

POZZEBON: But while the U.S. is trying to portray an image of unity across the region, we're really dominated today in Los Angeles was the issues of those countries whose leaders decided not to take part in the summit. Four Nations in particular, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, with whom the U.S. is trying to partner with in order to try to stem the flow of migrants towards the U.S. southern border.

And while Joe Biden is holding a series of bilateral meetings with leaders across the region, such as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro those leaders who can really address the root causes of migrations are simply not there. And why these leaders decided not to take part in the summit, others were not invited all together due to their anti- Democratic governments.

[02:10:06]

POZZEBON: One of them, Venezuela strong man Nicolas Maduro paid a visit to Turkey or on Wednesday in order to try to boost his international statement credentials. For CNN, this is Stefano Pozzebon, Caracas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: Now gun reform meantime is taking center stage in the U.S. Congress says the nation reels from a string of deadly mass shootings. On Wednesday, House lawmakers passed a sweeping gun control package which among other things would raise the minimum age for buying most semi-automatic guns. But the legislation is likely in fact dead in the water because it's not expected to pass in the Senate.

And that's despite heartbreaking testimony that House lawmakers heard before the vote, including from a fourth grader whose teacher and classmates were gunned down right before her eyes. CNN's Phil Mattingly has more now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you feel safe at school? When?

CERRILLO: Because I don't want it to happen again.

PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Searing words of Miah Cerrillo.

CERRILLO: When I went to the backpacks he shot my friend that was next to me. And I thought he was going to come back to the room so I grabbed the blood and put it all over me.

MATTINGLY: The haunting paint on the voices of Kimberly and Felix Rubio.

KIMBERLY RUBIO, MOTHER OF UVALDE SHOOTING VICTIM: I can still see her walking with us toward the exit. In the reel that keeps scrolling across my memories, she turns her head and smiles back at us to acknowledge my promise. And then we left. I left my daughter at that school. And that decision will haunt me for the rest of my life.

MATTINGLY: The visceral detail from Dr. Roy Guerrero.

DR. ROY GUERRERO, UVALDE PEDIATRICIAN: Two children whose bodies had been pulverized by bullets fired at them decapitated, whose flesh had been ripped apart, that the only clue at their identities was a blood spider cartoon clothes still clinging to them, claiming for life and finding none.

MATTINGLY: A fourth grade survivor, the parents of a murdered child, a pediatrician, the voices of Uvalde, Texas. Pleading for action in Washington.

RUBIO: Somewhere out there, there's a mom listening to our testimony, thinking I can't even imagine their pain, not knowing that our reality will one day be hers. Unless we act now.

MATTINGLY: As bipartisan senators engaged in yet another day of intensive talks. Wait a narrow agreement that would include incentives for state red flag laws, opening juvenile records to background checks and funding for mental health programs. It's a deal if it comes together that would fall short of the explicit requests of the witnesses.

RUBIO: We seek a ban on assault rifles and high capacity magazines.

MATTINGLY: But it presents the most significant opportunity for change. White House officials and lawmakers say they've seen in years. A recognition of the horror reflected in the words of Maya Cerrillos father.

MIGUEL CERRILLO, MIAH CERILLO'S FATHER: I could have lost my baby girl but she's not the same little girl that I used to play with, hang around with and do everything. MATTINGLY: And the response from those who've witnessed the carnage firsthand.

GUERRERO: Making sure our children are safe from guns. That's the job of our politicians and leaders. In this case, you are the doctors and our country is the patient. We are bleeding out and you are not there. My oath as a doctor means that I signed up to save lives. I do my job. And I guess it turns out that I am here to plead, to beg, to please, please do yours.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MATTINGLY: And in talking to White House officials over the course of the day, there is genuine if cautious optimism that something can actually get done. Now to be clear, it will not be everything President Biden laid out. And keep in mind at this moment in time the president is actually on the west coast for the Summit of the Americas but that plays into the White House strategy to some degree.

Give lawmakers space, allow the senators to reach their own deal, a recognition that the president will obviously have to sign anything that they agree on, but they don't want to do anything to unsettle a very delicate set of negotiations. Now, if it falls short of what the president lays out, White House officials make clear one thing, as one official told me earlier, you cannot overstate the significance of getting something anything done.

After more than a decade of a blockade due to Republican opposition, they just want to get something across the finish line. Phil Mattingly, CNN, at the White House.

NEWTON: Brian Busse is a former firearms executive and author of Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry That Radicalized America. And he joins me now from New York. And you were in actually D.C. for what was absolutely heart-wrenching testimony, tears were shed, emotions ranged from outrage to despair and why wouldn't it?

[02:15:09]

NEWTON: Bottom line, do you think it made a difference? Do you think it will change anything?

RYAN BUSSE, AUTHOR, GUNFIGHT: Well, I do sense like many people in the United States sense something different about this one. Sad that we say that and I think a lot of people said the same sort of thing after Sandy Hook and after Parkland, and after so many. It's pretty gut- wrenching what we saw today, what we know to be true. It's tough. Obviously, we saw the House pass a bill today.

We're going to find out how deeply intertwined that kind of all or nothing NRA-ism, NRA politics is in the -- in the DNA of the Republican Party when it gets to the Senate. I don't think we're going to find a lot of people with GOP members in the Senate with courage. But I think -- I think it's possible we're going to find a few, so we'll see what happens. NEWTON: What was the mood though? You were there. And when I say the mood, I mean, the mood among those who need their mind changed on this issue?

BUSSE: Well, I think like so many other times, I do think that there are GOP senators who are very touched and distraught over this, but they tend to be more distraught over a very loud radicalized portion of the GOP base. They don't want to deal with, you know, the trolling, the sort of angry calls, the primaries that they might have to deal with. And sadly, I think we've learned that they're more distraught about the outcomes, those sorts of political outcomes, and they are about doing the right thing on things like this.

I hope that we're in the middle of seeing a shift. I'm not optimistic that we're going to see it across the board. But again, we just need a few of them.

NEWTON: And it is -- it would be a shame that those families put the laid bare everything that had happened to them in such raw terms, and that it still wouldn't change anything. You know, I want to ask you, Ryan, for people from the outside looking and people who don't live in America, it is incredibly difficult to understand why law abiding gun owners refuse to accept any limitations on gun use.

I want you to listen now to an interview that CNN did with the manager of a gun shop here in Georgia. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIC WALLACE, GUN SHOP MANAGER: Changing the age requirement. I don't agree with that. I don't really agree with any additional laws or legislation when it comes to firearms. I don't think this is a gun issue. We need to enforce the laws that we have on the books. I know countless times when, you know, laws couldn't be enforced more when it comes to firearms that are already on the books. There's no need to add more laws, more regulations.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON: Ryan, what you said is likely identical to what people heard after Columbine. What do you say to people for them to understand that kind of sentiment in America?

BUSSE: Well, first off, that's dangerous silly talk. Both of the shooters, the shooter in Buffalo and the shooter in Uvalde, they didn't break any laws until they started committing the crime. In other words, they purchased the guns completely legally. They transported them legally, they purchased their ammunition legally, they didn't break any laws. And so, don't tell me that we don't need additional laws to stop this, obviously do.

Moreover, they could have broken laws, they could have got the guns before they were 18. They could have got them when they were 16 or 17. If the -- if they're law breakers, they could have done that. They didn't do that. They waited until they were 18, meaning they evade the law, meaning the law matters. Now as to why and I can -- I get it, international viewers may think, you know, it's crazy. How can this be happening?

We're in the middle of a cultural war in the United States. And a large portion of our populace has been told that guns are emblematic. They're symbols of this sort of freedom and a way to own the Libs. And that they should never be given up and that there's a slippery slope and that, you know, the democracy will come to an end if anybody gives one inch. That's a made-up culture war largely by the NRA.

It's been adopted by the GOP and by the GOP base. But that's the sort of thing that -- that's the fever that has to be broken for this to change. And I do sense that responsible gun owners have really had enough. I hear a lot more of them standing up. We just have to have enough of them stand up. Like I said that we can convince some GOP Senate members that now's the time to get some courage.

NEWTON: You know, when we talk about those law abiding gun owners and quite frankly, these crimes give people like that a bad name because they have guns. They legally use them. They know how to use them. They store them properly. They're responsible. Other countries have widespread gun ownership. Australia, New Zealand, Canada, that's just naming three. They have licensing and storage requirements.

You're required to have a license in this country to drive a car. Is it possible to finally turn the conversation from gun control to gun safety? Could that spark some progress here?

[02:20:10]

BUSSE: Yes. I think, you know, I tell people, this really isn't about gun control. This is about people control. This is about controlling ourselves. It's not about an inanimate object. Switzerland has widespread gun ownership. They also have very extensive mandatory safety training and repermitting every couple of years. They don't have these -- they don't have these kinds of shootings.

So yes, it's a complex problem. But guns and gun radicalization are at the center of it. And we have to accept that and we have to make changes. As you said, I value the right to commerce and to drive across town and to use my vehicle to go to the store. But I don't value it so much that I drive 90 miles an hour through a school zone. Because I value live kids a lot more than I value dead ones.

And I -- we care about those kids in a crosswalk. It's about time we care about the kids in the school.

NEWTON: Yes. And if everyone gave everyone the benefit of the doubt for caring about those kids, perhaps there would be some kind of bipartisan meeting in the middle there. Ryan Busse once again. Thanks so much.

BUSSE: Thanks for having me.

NEWTON: A car barrels into a crowd of pedestrians in Berlin and leaves police wondering about the motive. But now we're getting an idea of what the drivers mental state before the incident. We will be live in Berlin, next. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NEWTON: Police are looking for clues after a driver plowed his car into a crowd of pedestrians in Berlin Wednesday. Officials say one person was killed, 17 others injured. Six of them still fighting for their lives. And the big question here of course is why? For more, Nada Bashir joins us from the scene in Berlin. You know, the city and indeed across much of Europe, there's still a lot of shock about this incident. What more do we know about a possible motive? And if this group of children, school children was intentionally targeted?

NADA BASHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well look for the police investigation here in Berlin is still very much ongoing. But we are learning more about the suspect in question. According to police officials, a 29- year-old German-Armenian man was identified as the driver of that vehicle. He was apprehended at the scene by locals in the area before being handed over to police.

He actually underwent a medical examination before facing police questioning what we've learned overnight from Berlin's interior senators that the man appears to be mentally impaired. So that may give us some clues as to the cause behind this incident, but I have to stress that the Berlin police officials have stated that that investigation is still ongoing and they are still very much trying to determine whether or not this was an accident or deliberate. Take listen

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THILO CABLITZ, BERLIN POLICE SPOKESPERSON (through translator): To reconstruct the event we are obviously looking if this was an intentional act or a traffic accident that might have occurred due to a medical emergency.

[20:25:09]

CABLITZ: We are currently trying to clear this up, which is why so many colleagues are working here right now to collect evidence to reliably determine if it's one or the other.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASHIR: Now yesterday, this busy high street was closed to the public, police cordon lines up. Now this road has reopened, many people are getting on with their days. We -- yesterday we saw the police getting on with that investigation. The car used in this incident was actually driven up this high street and crashed into this cosmetic store just behind me. That car has been pulled away from the store (INAUDIBLE) undergo a forensics examination.

Police have also asked any locals who may have been in the area at the time to upload photos or videos they may have to the Berlin Police Web site to support that investigation which is of course still ongoing. But of course you mentioned there that tragic news that at least 17 people have been injured. Among them, some are facing life-threatening injuries. School children who had been on a trip to the city were injured in this incident.

Of course, that tragic news that their teacher was killed in the incident. So, because this city is still reeling, the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz issuing a statement just last night saying that he has been deeply saddened by the news, expressing his condolences to those families impacted. Paula?

NEWTON: OK, Nada. Thank you so much for the update on the investigation there. Appreciate it.

Boris Johnson is hoping to rebuild his political standing by revitalizing the British economy. The prime minister is expected to deliver a speech in the day ahead outlining his plan to tackle the rising cost of living. Among the pledges he's expected to make, make home ownership more accessible, boost the country's productivity and recover from the COVID pandemic. Johnson's leadership was severely weakened Monday when he survived a closer than expected confidence vote in Parliament.

We are now just hours away from the primetime public hearings on the U.S. Capitol riot in Donald Trump's attempt to overturn the election. The lawmakers investigating behind closed doors are about to throw them wide open.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NEWTON: The House panel investigating the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol is about to go primetime. Committee members will hold a televised public hearing in the coming day and start laying out what they've learned about the unprecedented attack which after more than 1000 interviews should be quite a lot.

The panel is zeroing in on former President Donald Trump's role in all this chaos and is expected to argue that his abuses of power nearly upended American democracy. CNN's Ryan Nobles has our details.

[02:30:00]

RYAN NOBLES, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Thursday night marks an important stage of the investigation into the January 6th insurrection. Now, House Select Committee investigating the riot will hold its second public hearing and the first one since last fall. And the Committee promises to unveil a lot of new information that hasn't come to light, as of yet. Including just how much evidence that they've uncovered that what happened here on January 6th was actually a premeditated act.

And to that end, we're going to hear witness testimony from two different individuals that interacted directly with the Proud Boys, that right-wing extremist group who had a big presence on January 6th. Many of these Proud Boys have already been charged and indicted by the Department of Justice. Some with the charge of seditious conspiracy. One of the people who we'll hear from is a Capitol police officer who interacted directly with the Proud Boys on that day. And that's important because the Committee believes, and they want to show that many individuals came to the Capitol that day inspired by the Former President Donald Trump because of his claims that the election was stolen. They came here with a specific purpose to cause chaos and violence.

Quested -- they consider Nick Quested, who's a documentarian they consider to be a first-hand fact witness because he was embedded with the group essentially served as a fly on the wall during that period of time. Now, this first hearing happened during primetime. All the major news networks will be covering this event. It will just be the first of several hearings expected to take place in the month of June. Of course, the Committee's final report not expected until this fall. Ryan nobles, CNN, on Capitol Hill.

NEWTON: David Zurawik is a CNN media analyst and he joins me now from Baltimore, Maryland. Good to see you. This is a big deal in terms of primetime placement. We're going to see some -- apparently, slick video production. This is vent TV. What will it accomplish, though, in your estimation?

DAVID ZURAWIK, CNN MEDIA ANALYST, FORMER BALTIMORE SUN MEDIA CRITIC: Well, you know, it's a big hill to climb here. The Committee is trying to find a way to cut through and to make a dent in the audience to tell its story. To find a big audience, a big, big audience to tell its story about what happened on January 6th. But and it's being compared, you know, the touchstone -- one of the touchstones we have is the Watergate hearing.

But the Watergate hearings took place in a totally different world, before network universe, ABC, NBC, CBS, and TBS. Now, we not only have this incredibly splintered media environment but we have this really strong right-wing media, MAGA media, led by Fox News. So, it's going to be hard to reach the people, to reach that kind of critical mass in terms of the audience.

Now, they brought in Jim Goldstones, former ABC News president, to try and make this TV -- not TV-friendly, really TV attractive. And if people have been using words like, because it's in primetime, where the biggest audience is from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. evenings. They've used a lot of words like blockbuster to describe it. But I don't know. I mean, I'm skeptical of what these hearings can accomplish. And I'm skeptical of how you stage anything even for TV and think it's going to be a big event. When it's a government hearing, you can dress it up in a lot of ways, but you may really, sort of, steal the seriousness out of it and still not reach an audience.

NEWTON: So, I guess that's my point. Is there any hope of actually reaching people with this so-called production that you need to reach? Because Fox News is not running it on their main, you know, channel or they're running it online and on their business channel. Those are the people that have to be convinced. If you're just talking to the people who already know how serious January 6th was what will it accomplish?

ZURAWIK: You're absolutely right. And you know, Fox is not going to show it on Fox News. Fox News, in primetime, has an audience of about three million people per show like Tucker Carlson's. Fox Business, on the other hand, where they are going to show it, has an audience of about 100,000. So, you know, you figure out what audience they're not touching, the main audience. 100,000 versus the three million. They're just shuffling it off so they can say they've offered some coverage and they take too bad a hit in terms of the notion of public service and public responsibility.

[02:35:00]

A term that seems totally alien coming out of my mouth at the mention of Fox News, I should say. It's not just that they're not showing it, they're going to minimize it. They're going to mock it.

NEWTON: In terms of what the Democrats though are trying to do here, some have argued in recent days that the -- that in particular this Committee, but also the Dems in general, they do not understand that at this point, any attempt to discredit the former president or convince Donald Trump supporters that January 6th was anything other than, you know, some rally that got out of control, is just a waste of time. Some are just accusing the Democrats of, look, just trying to change the subject right now and that they need to be able to answer for that as well.

ZURAWIK: You know, as a media critic I'm glad to see that the Democrats and people in media -- in politics believe, understand how important media is to getting their message out on something like this. So, you know, I can't fault them for trying. And I credit them for trying to bring in something new with Goldstone and trying to produce something that is TV-friendly. But it's a tall order, I agree with you. But I -- look, I think we have to try. We have to get this hearing -- the information that they've gathered, we need to get it to as many people as possible. Am I confident that this will do that? I don't know. I don't think so. I mean, I have to admit, I'm skeptical.

NEWTON: And I should say that the Committee is saying that we will learn new things. It goes without saying that CNN will have full coverage. David Zurawik, thank you for previewing it for us. Appreciate it.

ZURAWIK: Thank you. Thanks, Paula, for having me.

NEWTON: And more on that coverage now. Our live coverage of the January 6th Committee meeting starts 7:00 pm on Thursday in Washington, that's Friday at 7:00 in the morning Hong Kong right here on CNN.

Still to come, Rwanda is preparing to house migrants that will soon be deported from the UK. CNN visits a hostile that will be hosting these asylum seekers, that'll be after the break.

CAMERON BARR, FOUNDER AND CEO, CRAFT AND TAILORED: The Omega Seamaster is the longest-running product line that's still produced by Omega. The Omega Seamaster was first introduced in 1948 and was loosely based upon the designs that were made for the British royal navy towards the end of World War II. What's interesting is most Omega Seamasters will have a seahorse adorned case back. So, at the back of the case of the watch you'll see a seahorse. And this actually pays tribute to Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. The seahorse logo was actually conceded by the engraver Jean-Pierre Borle, who also has a bit of history with the sea and also from an artistic perspective. And he was actually inspired by an image of Neptune driving a chariot pulled by seahorses which is why the seahorses are depicted wearing bridles and on the back of the Omega's Seamaster base watches.

STEPHEN JAMIESON, GLOBAL HEAD OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY SOLUTIONS, SAP: I'm Stephen Jamieson, global head of circular economy solutions at SAP. The aim of the circular economy is to eliminate waste, circulate materials, keep products in use as long as possible, and regenerate natural systems.

We're talking about a fundamental reworking of how we deliver the economy. At the moment we're based upon an extractive system which depends upon nature but is ultimately extractive. That will only go one way in the long term. A regenerative economy ultimately creates abundance of opportunity, abundance of materials, abundance of resources that enable us to thrive as a species and thrive as a piece of nature and part of nature.

NEWTON: We're following reports right now of an air crash in Hubei Province in central China. According to Chinese State Media, the pilot ejected from a military aircraft before the crash and only suffered minor injuries. But video on social media appears to show homes on fire at the suspected crash site. One resident was reported killed and two others injured.

Rwanda is preparing to take the first batch of migrants deported from the UK due to arrive next week. Britain is paying the African nation more than $150 million to house the asylum seekers, hoping that it will deter others from making the dangerous crossing by boat. And the deal has come under fire. CNN's Larry Madowo explains.

[02:40:00]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LARRY MADOWO, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: These are the final touches at Hope Hostile in Kigali, before the first migrants deported from the UK arrive.

MADOWO (on camera): And so, this is the new place waiting for the migrants?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

MADOWO (voiceover): This building, that until recently housed the young survivors of the Rwandan genocide has a new purpose. This newly renovated hostile can host up to 100 people, two to a room, and sharing communal bathrooms.

MADOWO (on camera): So, this is one type of room.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, this is one type of room for the first floor. They have amenities.

MADOWO (on camera): They've got towels. They got iron bars, they got a change of sheets.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

MADOWO (voiceover): This is where the migrants will live under the watchful eye of Rwandan authorities. The hostel is functional. Not luxurious. But the Rwandan government says the migrants will be free here, not in detention, like in the UK.

MADOWO (on camera): View Kigali.

MADOWO (voiceover): Officials are also promising health care and support for at least five years, or until they're self-sufficient. But the plan has been widely criticized by many refugee rights groups in the UK, internationally, and here in Rwanda. The main opposition party here says, Rwanda shouldn't have to bear the UK's burden.

JEAN-CLAUDE NTEZIMANA, SECRETARY GENERAL, DEMOCRATIC GREEN PARTY OF RWANDA: It is their responsibility.

MADOWO (on camera): So, you think the UK is violating its international obligations by passing that off to Rwanda?

NTEZIMANA: Yes, and we don't see why. We are still struggling over having enough infrastructure, electricity, water, roads, schools, hospitals. We are not the same like UK. We have to think twice.

MADOWO (voiceover): Rwanda and the UK expect these migrants came to disrupt the business of people smugglers. But many international bodies, even the UK, rank Rwanda poorly on some human rights indicators. Critics also say accepting migrants rich countries don't want is cruel and inhumane.

YOLANDE MAKOLO, RWANDA GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON: It's cruel and it's inhumane that people are dying in the desert -- trying to cross the desert. Making these dangerous journeys. Drowning in the Mediterranean. We're interested in protecting vulnerable people and this has been our philosophy for the last 30 years.

MADOWO (voiceover): Rwanda has also welcomed refugees and asylum seekers evacuated from Libya, after unsuccessfully trying to cross to Europe. Orientation has started for the latest arrivals at the Gashora Emergency Transit Center. They're mostly from the horn of Africa.

MADOWO (on camera): How do you compare the conditions in the four years you spent in Libya and here in Rwanda?

ZEMEN FESAHA, REFUGEE AT GASHORA EMERGENCY TRANSIT CENTER: Here, you know, it is so difficult to compare it because we can say from hell to heaven.

MADOWO (on camera): Being in Libya to Rwanda is like, coming from hell to heaven?

FESAHA Yes, yes, yes.

MADOWO (voiceover): Zemen is grateful for the peace and freedom in Rwanda but it's still not his destination of choice. None of the people we spoke to here wanted to stay. Even though it's one of the options.

MADOWO (on camera): Your final goal is still to go to Europe?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

MADOWO (voiceover): Rwanda has become the global market leader in migrant offshoring. After the UK scheme, a deal with Denmark is in the works. It's helped clean up Rwanda's image internationally. But some accuse it of trying to paint over a dark reputation. Larry Madowo, CNN, Kigali.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: I want to thank you for joining us. I'm Paula Newton. World Sport is next. And I'll be back with more news in about 15 minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:45:00]

LEMON: He appeared in federal court today and agreed to remain in jail. So, let's bring in now CNN's Chief Legal Analyst, Mr. Jeffrey Toobin.

Jeffrey, good evening to you. This is a very serious story. This man said that he was upset about the leaked SCOTUS opinion on abortion rights. He's said that he's concerned about an upcoming gun control case. The FBI affidavit says that he thought killing Kavanaugh would give his life purpose. This was very nearly another tragedy.

JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN CHIEF LEGAL ANALYST: Yes, I mean, this is a really scary business. I mean, that list of stuff that this guy had with him, I mean, this is a terrible, terrible thing. It's bad enough that it happened, but we can only be grateful that it didn't get worse. You know, they didn't turn into a real act of violence. But you know, this is just a sign of how ugly things are out there.

You know, the Supreme Court has this enormous ugly fence around it now that's been put up since that leaked opinion came out. And I think that's indicative of the security system -- state of affairs at the Supreme Court now.

LEMON: As I said in the introduction to you, he is still in jail. He remains in jail. What do you expect to come for him on these charges?

TOOBIN: Well, I think he's going to be prosecuted. And he's charged with attempted murder which is, you know, a 20-year sentence. But I think, you know, in the larger sense -- you know, when I started covering the Supreme Court 20 years ago, they walked around more or less like members of Congress. They didn't have security. They were public figures but they were not under constant threat. That's changed. And it's only going to get more intense, the security around the justices. And you know, it's too bad it's come to that. But, you know, given the circumstances, you have to think that's the right decision.

LEMON: And we got to -- we have to talk about what just happened just this week to Judge Roemer, right? A retired judge in Wisconsin was found zip tied and killed in his home by a gunman with an apparent hit list. There were 4,500 threats to judges last year alone. It didn't use to be like this, you know, judges and their families were able to, as you said, lived their lives pretty publicly and pretty freely. What has changed here?

TOOBIN: Well, I think it's the general ugliness of our -- of our lives, you know, the today that there's just -- there's more violence. I mean -- actually, the number of murders is down from where it was in the '90s, but there is this tremendous, you know, there are a tremendous number of guns out there. Public figures get death threats more than they used to. And it's just, I think, indicative of where we are as a society.

You know, one of the federal judges in New Jersey, someone came to her house a couple of years ago, trying to kill her, wound up killing her son. She's become a big spokeswoman for increased security. There's a bill before Congress to increase security for judges. I think it's just got to be done. But -- because there's just no alternative. People are in danger.

LEMON: Jeffrey Toobin. Jeffrey, thank you. We'll be watching tomorrow as you're covering the January 6th hearings. Thank you.

TOOBIN: All right, pal.

LEMON: That's why Jeffrey is in Washington and not in New York on the set with me. We'll see you tomorrow night. Thanks.

TOOBIN: All right. See you. OK. Bye.

LEMON: A sheriff's department says that they're out of gas money. Out of gas money and that means that they won't be able to respond to some calls.

Plus, January 6th Committee putting on a public hearing tomorrow. Those details straight ahead.

[02:50:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:55:00]

LEMON: Tonight, new audio, what Republicans were saying just before, during, and right after the January 6th insurrection. It's all from "New York Times" reporters Alex Burns and Jonathan Martin. Here's Republican Congresswoman Debbie Lesko talking about Trump supporters on January 5th.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. DEBBIE LESKO (R-AZ): I'm actually very concerned about this because we have who knows how many hundreds of thousands of people coming here. We have Antifa, we also, quite honestly Trump supporters who actually believe that we are going to overturn the election. And when that doesn't happen -- most likely, will not happen, they are going to go nuts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: We're going to have more new audio in just a moment but this is the eve of the January 6th select Committee's first public hearing. CNN's Pamela Brown has the latest on what we can expect.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): After a nearly year-long investigation, the January 6th Committee is preparing to share their findings with the American people. And they're zeroing in on one man, Former President Trump.

REP. JAMIE RASKIN (D-MD): I think that Donald Trump and the White House were at the center of these events. That's the only way really of making sense of them all.

BROWN (voiceover): From the beginning, the investigation has focused on the unprecedented efforts by Trump and his allies to try to stop the transfer of power to President Joe Biden. While Trump was impeached by the house just days after the riot for inciting the pro- Trump insurrectionists, the Committee says it's uncovered more since then.

RASKIN: The select Committee has found evidence about a lot more than incitement here.

[03:00:00]