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37-Count Indictment Against Trump Alleges He Risked National Secrets, Conspired to Obstruction Investigation; Four Children Found Alive After Weeks in Amazon; Ukraine Dam Collapse Aftermath; Pope Continues to Recover After Surgery; Poor Air Quality Smoke Pose Healthy Threats. Aired 4-5a ET

Aired June 10, 2023 - 04:00   ET

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

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[04:00:29]

KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR: And welcome to all of you watching us here in the United States, Canada, and all around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. Ahead on CNN Newsroom, former U.S. President Donald Trump is facing a 37-count federal indictment related to his handling of classified documents. We'll break down some of the most serious charges.

Found alive, four children rescued after surviving a plane crash in the Amazon, their 40-day ordeal in the jungle. And what could be history in the making. English soccer club Manchester City will go for a historic treble against Inter Milan.

The hours ahead could see Donald Trump speak publicly for the first time about the 37-count federal indictment he faces. He's due back on the campaign trail today with stops planned in Georgia and North Carolina. Trump has already railed against the investigation on his truth social platform. We're learning more about the charges leveled against him. How sensitive those documents were, the investigators say, were in his possession and where they were kept.

Now, this photo is among those released. Prosecutors tell us those are boxes of documents stored in the bathroom at his Mar-a-Lago resort. They say the former president risked exposing national security secrets and conspired to obstruct their investigation. Counts 1 through 31 charged Trump with willful retention on national defense information, conspiracy and withholding or concealing documents all carry maximum 20-year prison sentences.

Trump is also charged with a scheme to conceal evidence and making false statements, each carrying five-year maximum sentences. The White House and President Biden are keeping their distance.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. President, (inaudible) in light of the Trump indictment, if everybody (inaudible).

JOE BIDEN, (D) U.S. PRESIDENT: (OFF MIC).

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Now, someone who is commenting on the indictment for the first time is Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith. He made a brief statement on Friday defending the work of prosecutors and the FBI. Here he is.

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JACK SMITH, U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SPECIAL COUNSEL: Our laws that protect national defense information are critical to the safety and security of the United States, and they must be enforced. Violations of those laws put our country at risk. Adherence to the rule of law is a bedrock principle of the Department of Justice, and our nation's commitment to the rule of law sets an example for the world. We have one set of laws in this country, and they apply to everyone.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: The indictment is full of new details on Trump's alleged crimes, including stunning photos of classified documents at his Mar- a-Lago resort. CNN's Senior Legal Affairs Correspondent Paula Reid reports.

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PAULA REID, CNN SENIOR LEGAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: In this indictment, prosecutors lay out how former President Trump allegedly, intentionally retained over 300 classified documents, including information about U.S. defense and weapons capabilities, as well as its nuclear programs and potential vulnerabilities to its hack, as well as plans for possible retaliation in response to a foreign attack.

Now, according to prosecutors, these documents were kept at various locations at Mar-a-Lago, including a ballroom, a bathroom, a shower, and office space, his bedroom and even a storage closet. And the indictment even includes a photo where you can see documents, sensitive secrets meant only for a handful of our closest allies strewn about the floor of a storage room.

Now, prosecutors also say that on two occasions, former President Trump shared classified information with people who did not have proper clearances. The first incident is actually something that was first reported by CNN. It was a meeting at his Bedminster, New Jersey golf club in 2021, where he showed people information that he said was highly secretive and that he could not declassify it because he was no longer president.

He also allegedly shared a classified map with a representative from his political action committee. The prosecutors also lay out how they allege he was trying to press his lawyer about possibly lying to the FBI after the government subpoenaed Trump to get its records back.

They also lay out a series of damning incidents and conversations with one of his aides, Walt Nauta, where it appears that he is pressuring Nauta to move boxes containing classified materials, not only to keep them from Trump's lawyers, but also to keep them for investigators.

Now, we heard from Jack Smith for the first time Friday, and he insisted that he wants this trial to move along as quickly as possible. Likely mindful of an upcoming election next year. Paula Reid, CNN, Washington.

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[04:05:13]

BRUNHUBER: Republicans in the U.S. Presidential race have been weighing in on Donald Trump's indictment, and so far the reactions have been mixed, ranging from condemnation against law enforcement to criticism of the former president's alleged actions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS CHRISTIE, U.S. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Tried to get them to lie on his behalf, and when he knew they wouldn't -- and his own lawyer had to make recordings to protect himself when he knew they wouldn't, he directed his folks to hide boxes from his own lawyer in order not to turn these documents over to the government. Is this the type of conduct that we want from someone who wants to be President of the United States?

ASA HUTCHINSON, U.S. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is unprecedented that we have a former president criminally charged for mishandling classified information, for obstruction of justice. This obviously will be an issue during the campaign, but for the sake of the country, he doesn't need this distraction. The country doesn't need this distraction as well.

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS, U.S. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: When I was in Congress, I remember, you know, Hillary had the emails with the classified, and my view was, well, gee, as a naval officer, if I would have taken classified to my apartment, I would have been court martialed in a New York minute. And yet they seem to not care about that. And is there a different standard for a Democrat Secretary of State versus a former Republican president? I think there needs to be one standard of justice in this country.

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BRUNHUBER: All right, for more on this, I want to bring in Thomas Gift, he's the Director of the Center on U.S. Politics at University College London. Thanks so much for being with us here again. So, Thomas, let's start with what we just saw, the GOP reaction. But I want to look beyond those presidential hopefuls, looking at the wider Congressional reaction. What surprised you more, the amount of support Donald Trump has received or the relative silence from certain others?

THOMAS GIFT, DIRECTOR, CENTER ON U.S. POLITICS, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON: Well, it's great to be with you, Kim. Thanks so much for having me. You know, the support that Donald Trump gets from other Republican primary candidates as well as in Congress, that never surprises me. You know, Trump's primary candidates opponents have really been walking a tightrope with all of his legal difficulties.

And so far, a lot have come out to support him because they feel that they have no choice. It's either that or alienate the MAGA base. And the MAGA base is, by and large, the GOP primary electorate. Now, there are some exceptions. We just heard Chris Christie, for example, he's really highlighted Trump's misconduct. He's gone after him with kind of a single-minded focus, calling himself serving and self-consumed.

And he's basically posed this rhetorical question to Republican voters, which is, do you really want this man who's been so dishonest and so reckless to be your party's standard bearer? But I think the problem with that question is rank and file Republicans have consistently answered, yes, we do. So to think that that's some kind of a mic drop doesn't really reflect the reality of the GOP in 2024. But in the end, you know, maybe it doesn't matter if you take the knives out against Trump or you treat them with kid gloves because Trump has such a commanding lead, everyone else right now seems like they're either running for second place for a book deal or to be Trump's VP.

BRUNHUBER: All right, so few minds seem to have changed by the allegations in the indictment, but you mentioned voters there, do you think there'll be any reconsideration, if not by Republican politicians, than by Trump supporting voters?

GIFT: I really don't, Kim. And I think Trump is absolutely in his element when he's up to his neck in scandal. And it's possible, I think, that this indictment even exceeds both of his two impeachments in terms of just the political ammunition it gives him. You know, to my mind, this really puts his campaign into overdrive, because time and again we've seen it with Mar-a-Lago, with the Alvin Bragg indictment in New York. It's going to help his poll numbers, at least among Republicans. It's going to bolster fundraising. He's already using it to get more money. That's true, I think, almost regardless of what evidence comes out at trial, because that's what it means to be part of the MAGA base. Support him and you don't ask questions.

You know, it's interesting. I heard a commentator the other day say it's kind of intellectually lazy to say that nothing ever moves the needle on Trump when it comes to the MAGA base. And you don't know how voters will react until they actually react. You know, I guess that there can always be an exception. But all the evidence that we have from the past suggests that Trump's base never leaves him.

And even this burning question, I think, of why Trump took these documents and the extent of national security risk might have exposed the United States too. It really doesn't seem to resonate.

BRUNHUBER: You mentioned fundraising there, and we know that he will be trying to fundraise off of this. I'm wondering if this might affect fundraising, not so much maybe in the small donors, but perhaps the big donors might want to edge away and not be associated with this, as this unfolds.

[04:10:08]

GIFT: Yeah, I mean, that's a really good question, and I think that it is possible. Because when you think about the more elite donor base, they seem to be a little bit more concerned. I think, at least in private, of the long run and short run effects that Donald Trump is having on the Republican Party. And that's why you've seen so many fundraisers and donors who supported Donald Trump in the past, now moving to Ron DeSantis.

So, I think on the margins, that could matter. But when you think about sort of the nickel and dime type donations, I think we're certainly going to see those spike.

BRUNHUBER: Yeah. So looking at that top secret, you know, material that they found in Mar-a-Lago, some of that relating to national defense and to allies as well, the so-called Five Eyes alliance, to which the U.K. is part of, I mean, you're there. What message do you think that this sends to America's allies and its enemies as well?

GIFT: Yeah, no, it's a great question, Kim. I think both the Trump presidency and its aftermath, what we're going through right now, it removes the veneer that the U.S. is somehow different or immune from the sorts of democratic problems that afflict other countries.

You know, the regrettable aspect of the indictment isn't that Trump is going to face consequences. I think it's the damage that's being wrought both at home, but also internationally, by a leader who's just consistently shattered democratic norms and really brought this prosecution on himself through his own maleficence. You know, Trump's shown contempt for the rule of law. He's dismissed regulatory constraints that bind the executives. He's, you know, put personal gain above the office that he was sworn to serve. It's all the same. And I think if you are an ally of the United States, you really have to be concerned about that. If the leader of the free world is being so casual about the treatment and the protection of classified secrets that bears on your own interest.

And so looking forward to 2024, you see that this individual is the prohibitive favorite to take the Republican nomination, could very well be president again. That has to be a concern. I mean, I don't think it's a wake-up call for international leaders. They know who they're dealing with Trump. But, you know, it's just another layer of concern, I think, that's added.

BRUNHUBER: Well, we'll have to leave it there. Always great to get your perspective. Thomas Gift in London, thanks so much.

GIFT: Thanks, Kim.

BRUNHUBER: All right, and now a remarkable testament of survival in the Amazon rainforest. That's how Colombian President Gustavo Petro described the incredible rescue of four indigenous children who've been missing since the first of May.

Now, this is video of the children being taken off a military air ambulance that brought them from the jungle to Bogota for further treatment. The four siblings went missing when the small plane they were traveling on with their mother crashed in the jungle. Stefano Pozzebon is covering the story for us and has the latest from Bogota.

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STEFANO POZZEBON, JOURNALIST: A rescue mission successful against all odds. Four children found alive after spending 40 days in the thick of the Amazon jungle bringing their relatives to tears.

NARCIZO MUCUTUY, CHILDREN'S GRANDFATHER (through translator): Let them come here to their grandparents, to their aunt and their uncle, their grandmother.

POZZEBON: Colombian President Gustavo Petro, sharing the good news with reporters.

GUSTAVO PETRO, COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT: The indigenous and the military together found the kids after 40 days. They were alone. A historical statement of survival today. These are the children of peace and the children of Columbia.

POZZEBON: The rescue on Friday night caps an all-round effort by hundreds of soldiers and indigenous scouts to locate the little ones who had gone missing since the small plane they were traveling on with their mother crashed in the forest on the first of May. The bodies of their mother and two other adults were soon recovered, but hope never faded to find them alive. The Colombian military finding footprint and scattered relics to keep the search going day after day until finally a photo emerged from the depth of the forester. We have them. They're coming home. Stefano Pozzebon, CNN, Bogota.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Ukraine takes a long view of a devastating dam collapse that caused massive flooding. Still ahead, why some farmers may have to wait for years to see their crops grow again.

Also ahead, we're live in Rome as the Pope continues to recover after abdominal surgery earlier in the week. Stay with us.

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[04:18:43]

BRUNHUBER: Ukraine is coming to grips with the long-term effects of the devastating dam collapse in its south. The breach of the Nova Kakhovka dam caused massive flooding that inundated entire villages and forced thousands to evacuate. Officials now say much of the surrounding farmland could lose access to irrigation for years which may drive farmers out of business. At least five people have been killed in the flooding and 13 are still missing. Humanitarian workers are now concerned about potential outbreaks of waterborne illness and they say people in the affected areas depend entirely on handouts for their drinking water.

Military officials are worried that mines dislodged by floodwaters could be pushed into the Black Sea and create new dangers there. While pieces of homes picked up by flooding or washing ashore as far as Odessa which is more than 200 kilometers away from the dam.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's military operations have been picking up along the front lines in the Zaporizhzhia region. Russian President Vladimir Putin now says Ukraine's counter offensive has begun and says it's failing. And Ukraine has said it will not officially announce the but a local Ukrainian commander says his forces are only testing Russian defenses for now. As Fred Pleitgen reports from one frontline town fighting is hard to ignore there.

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FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Aid deliveries in one of the most dangerous places in Ukraine. We're with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation in Orikhiv, the frontline town where the Russians say Ukraine's military is trying to punch through their defenses. Constant artillery and mortar barrages driving residents underground.

(On camera): Yes, so we have to go downstairs in the basement because there's been a distinct increase in shelling. And while you can't really see the counter offensive of the Ukrainians here, you can certainly hear it and feel it as well.

(Voice-over): In the basement shelter, leader Valery Kubushka hands out aid boxes to the mostly elderly residents, many traumatized, but resilient.

It's very dangerous here, but I got used to it, 72-year-old Olga tells me. I can already distinguish rockets by their sound. I calm myself down. I ask 71-year-old Nina (ph) if she thinks the counter offensive can succeed.

Yes, I know about the counter offensive, she says. We will be closer to victory. Ours will push them back step by step until they drive them out, until there is a complete victory for Ukraine.

But for now, the going appears to be tough for the Ukrainians. While Kyiv hasn't acknowledged major offensive operations here, U.S. officials tell CNN the Ukrainian military is facing stiff Russian resistance. This Russian video purporting to show a column of Western donated armor struck by Moscow's forces. And the uptick in fighting has made it nearly impossible to get aid into Orikhiv, Valery tells me.

VALERY KUBUSHKA, HOWARD G. BUFFETT FOUNDATION: Orikhiv is one of the most dangerous, dangerous areas in Zaporizhzhia region. Orikhiv, Preobrazhenka it's 24 hours bumped, 24 hours.

PLEITGEN (voice-over): But they have to get aid even to those too frail to make it to the distribution points. Grandma Polya (ph), as she's known here, can barely walk and refuses to be evacuated from her tiny house, even as shells keep raining down, her fate, she says is now in God's hands.

Will we survive or not, she asks, you're still young. May God give you health and help you to survive this war. It's very difficult for old people. Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Orikhiv, Ukraine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: NATO is about to launch the largest air force drill in its 74-year history. Starting Monday, about 10,000 service members from 25 nations will take part in the German led air defender exercises using more than 200 military planes, they will train how to quickly deploy allied troops from Germany in the event of an attack. Officials say the 11-day drills are meant to deter threats to Europe's security and showcase the air power of the alliance.

All right, let's go to Rome now, where Pope Francis is continuing to recover after undergoing abdominal surgery earlier this week. A Vatican spokesperson said on Friday, the Pope gathered in prayer and devoted himself to work. CNN's Barbie Nadeau is in Rome. So, Barbie, you're there just outside the hospital. So what's the latest on the Pope's recovery?

BARBIE NADEAU, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, his Vatican spokesperson did say this morning that he had another tranquil night. And of course, that's really good news because this is an 86-year-old man who underwent his second surgery in the last two years and the second hospitalization this year. He was in this hospital behind me in March for an infectious bronchitis, and now he's had this surgery. So of course, everyone's worried. But it was a beautiful moment when the children of the children's ward in this hospital behind me drew pictures and did, you know, some well wishes for the Pope, including some lovely little renditions of the Pope himself, and some of those images.

So, of course, you know, everyone's really hoping that he continues to make the progress that his doctors say is following along, as it should be. Kim.

BRUNHUBER: Yeah, Barbie, I mean, you talk about the well-wishers. Obviously, there's concern for his health from Catholics around the world, but they're in Rome. What more are locals and visitors saying?

NADEAU: Well, you know, there's the -- the Pope is always a huge important figure in a city like Rome. You know, people when the Pope is elected, they go to the Square, St. Peter's Square, to see who the new Pope will be. There's always a following here, and on Sunday, he usually gives an Angeles blessing from St. Peter's Square. So everyone's wondering what's going to happen tomorrow, if he is going to be well enough to give some sort of message, whether it's recorded or not. People are waiting and wondering to see if and when we hear from him next.

But the prognosis, his doctors say, is good, and it's really important because he's got two really big trips for the Catholic faithful coming up. He's supposed to go into Portugal the first week of August for World Youth Day, where, you know, lots and lots of people are anticipating his appearance there. And at the end of August, he's scheduled to go to Mongolia for an apostolic visit.

So these are two really important events on the Catholic calendar for him coming up. And, you know, this surgery that he had on Wednesday lasted 3 hours, but his doctors say it wasn't urgent. It was something to take care of this persistent pain he was having. And we can all understand that that's probably, so he's in good shape to continue his work starting in August. Kim?

[04:25:05]

BRUNHUBER: All right, thanks so much, Barbie Nadeau, there for us in Rome. I appreciate it.

In Serbia, tens of thousands of people gathered in front of the parliament building in Belgrade on Friday to protest against violence. This is the 6th weekly protest since the beginning of May, when the country was rocked by two mass shootings that left 18 people dead. Protesters blamed the deaths on a culture of violence. They are demanding that the interior minister and the intelligence agency director be dismissed. They want the broadcasting licenses of television stations that promote violence to be revoked.

Donald Trump is now facing serious federal charges in the Mar-a-Lago documents case, and his repeated denials of wrongdoing won't make them go away. Coming up, we'll tell you what some of his fellow Republicans are now saying.

Plus, a closer look at the Trump appointed judge who will hear the government's case against the former president. Those stories and much more, when we return. Please stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER: The federal indictment against Donald Trump lays out some of the most serious criminal charges the U.S. government can bring against a citizen, particularly a politician. Of the 37 counts 31 are related to the Espionage Act because of their potential threat to national security and the penalties, if convicted, can be severe.

The indictment alleges Trump knew he wasn't supposed to have classified materials, that he stashed them carelessly throughout his Florida property and they obstructed government efforts to get them back. We get more now from CNN's Melanie Zanona in Washington.

[04:30:04]

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MELANIE ZANONA, CNN CAPITOL HILL REPORTER: Well, Republicans have been racing to defend and former President Donald Trump even before the indictment was unsealed. Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Thursday put out a statement calling the charges unconscionable, saying that this is a dark day for America and vowing accountability for the Department of Justice, whether that's in the form of investigating the investigator s or potentially targeting DOJ in upcoming spending bills. But Kevin McCarthy still has yet to address the substance of the

charges, including the fact that Donald Trump allegedly refused to turn over classified documents and obstructed justice. Take a listen to what else Kevin McCarthy told Fox News.

REP. KEVIN MCCARTHY, (R) HOUSE SPEAKER: This is a very dark day in America when you think about what they're trying to indict President Trump on, I think Jim Jordan is going to bring it out tonight. That when you learn of some of the things that he had said of how this investigation was carried out, you'll see then that this judgment is wrong by this DOJ, that they treated President Trump differently than they treat others. And it didn't have to be this way.

Now, what Kevin McCarthy was referring to there is a letter from the House Judiciary Committee to the Attorney General, Merrick Garland, which was sent on Friday. And in the letter, Republicans are seeking new information about the search on Mar-a-Lago for classified documents. And they also revealed in the letter that Chairman Jordan conducted a transcribed interview with a former FBI official, which Jordan says raises new questions and concerns about that search on Mar-a-Lago.

So this really is just the opening salvo in the House GOP's efforts to defend. But it is a slightly different story in the Senate. Over there, you have Mitch McConnell and John Thune, the number one and number two Senate Republicans, respectively, and they have been silent so far. Both men, of course, have not made any secret of their distaste for the former president. But this divide between House and Senate GOP leaders really speaks to the broader divide in the GOP about Donald Trump and whether he should be the presidential nominee. And that divide likely only to grow deeper in the weeks and months ahead. Melanie Zanona, Capitol Hill, CNN.

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BRUNHUBER: Now, Donald Trump has fiercely condemned the indictment over his handling of classified documents. But it's worth noting that in the past, he's called for severe consequences is against those who mishandle sensitive files. You probably remember the chance of locker up regarding Hillary Clinton. CNN's Kfile uncovered more examples. Our Andrew Kaczynski explains.

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ANDREW KACZYNSKI, CNN KFILE SENIOR EDITOR: When he fires James Comey, he says that Comey was leaking classified information to the press. He did an interview with Time magazine around that time where he says, classified information, you go to jail when you release stuff like that. And take a look at this tweet where he talks about Comey. He says he leaked classified information for which he should be prosecuted.

Now, let's fast forward a few years to 2020 during that election, John Bolton was his National Security Director. He leaves the administration under bad terms. He writes sort of a tell-all book. And Trump is very angry about this. He says in interviews that he releases classified information. Again, says he should go to jail for many years. And then in this tweet, he says he must pay a very, very high price for this. Talking about Bolton's book, saying that he released classified information in it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Now, this case has been assigned, at least for now, to a federal judge in southern Florida who was appointed by Trump in 2020. Many are now asking if Judge Aileen Cannon can be impartial, giving her controversial involvement in the case last year. CNN's Brian Todd has our report.

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BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This 42-year-old judge from south Florida now faces enormous scrutiny because of her history with former President Trump. Multiple sources familiar with the matter tell CNN federal District Judge Aileen Cannon has been assigned, at least initially, to oversee the criminal case against Trump in the Mar-a- Lago documents investigation.

JENNIFER RODGERS, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: If she does end up with this case on a permanent basis, I'm concerned that her bias is out there, that she will not handle the case fairly.

TODD: The concern stemming not only from the fact that Donald Trump appointed Cannon to the federal bench when he was president, but also from her earlier involvement in the Mar-a-Lago documents probe. Last year, she approved Trump's request to block Justice Department access to the recovered documents until a special master could review them for potential executive privilege, a ruling that even surprised legal conservatives.

WILLIAM BARR, FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: The opinion, I think, was wrong, and I think the government should appeal it. It's deeply flawed in a number of ways.

TODD: The government did appeal Cannon's ruling, and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned it. If she now oversees Trump's federal criminal trial --

RODGERS: She only has to take really small steps in order to throw this thing off track for the Justice Department by delaying it until we're past the election. And Trump, of course, hopes that if he manages to get himself elected again, this case goes away, as he would direct his Justice Department to drop it.

[04:35:10]

TODD: But a former colleague of Cannon's in private practice disputes accusations that she favors Trump.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think she has any bias at all. I know that she would do the right thing.

TODD: Judge Cannon was nominated to the federal bench by Trump in May of 2020, confirmed later that year. During her confirmation hearing, Cannon thanked members of her family including her maternal grandparents who she said had to flee Cuba in 1960 and her mother.

AILEEN CANNON, THEN FEDERAL JUDICIAL NOMINEE: To my loving mother, Mercedes, who at the age of seven had to flee the repressive Castro regime in search of freedom and security -- thank you for teaching me about the blessing that is this country and for the importance of securing the rule of law for generations to come.

TODD: A graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, Aileen Cannon once practiced law at a firm in Washington where she said she handled cases related to government investigations. She also served as an assistant U.S. attorney in Florida in the Major Crimes Division.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If I learned one thing about working with Judge Cannon, I know that she can be counted upon to work as hard as she can work to get the right answers.

TODD: We reached out to Judge Cannon's chambers to ask for response to the criticism that she's been biased in favor of former President Trump. We didn't hear back. During her confirmation hearings, she was asked if she'd ever had any discussions about loyalty to Trump. She decisively responded, no. Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Joran van der Sloot is being held in the Shelby County Jail in Alabama. It comes after guilty plea was entered in U.S. Federal court for van der Sloot on Friday. The Dutch national accused of extorting of Natalee Holloway's mother. Holloway was an American teen who disappeared during a high school graduation trip to Aruba in 2005. Van der Sloot was one of the last people seen with her before she vanished.

A relief is on the way following a week that saw some of the worst air quality in decades, North America may be getting a break from the historic wildfires this weekend. We'll talk to an expert about potential long-term consequences of all that smoke. That's coming up, please stay with us.

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[04:40:24]

BRUNHUBER: The worst seems to be over for parts of the northeastern U.S. which had been blanketed by heavy smoke from wildfires in Canada. At one point it got so bad it could be seen from space. But weather patterns are pushing the smoke into the Atlantic. Paula Newton reports from Ottawa.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Canadian officials say that there are fewer fires burning now than there were earlier this week. Having said that, you have to keep in mind there are fires burning right across this country, from the west to the east. It is on track already to be the second worst fire season ever in this country, and it will likely be surpassed given the fact that this is still early in that wildfire season.

Now, having said all of this, what is going to help the most is some cooler, wetter weather moving through some critical regions like Quebec hopefully in the next few days. This will continue to be a problem, though, and I want you to see why. Have a look at this map. This is Canada. In fact, North America, that includes Alaska, the boreal zone. It includes millions of hectares of boreal forest. Those places have been susceptible to more wildfires given climate change. It's not a clear pattern. It is incredibly complex. But the fact remains that there have been more wildfires and they emit carbon of their own. That also adds to the climate crisis.

Given what you see there officials in the United States and Canada are trying to see if they come up with some kind of joint fire management system that includes better ways to try and manage wildfires in the future. And also, obviously, trying to pool resources, trying to really not just prevent the fires, but when they see hotspots, get on top of it right away. Having said that, officials say to prepare for what unfortunately will be a very severe wildfire season in the months to come. Paula Newton, CNN, Ottawa.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Well, as we saw that smoke from the Canadian wildfires drifted south and created some of the worst air quality the northeastern United States has seen in years have a look here. Just look how bad it was in the nation's capital on Thursday. One day later, the smoke started to clear as some of the polluted air was pushed towards the Atlantic. But air quality concerns remain and pose obvious health concerns.

Joining me now is Rebecca Schmidt, Professor and Molecular Epidemiologist in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the U.C. Davis School of Medicine. Thanks so much for being here with us. So when it comes to the health effects of the wildfire smoke, we've been talking generally about the acute problems that can cause, breathing difficulties, cardiovascular and so on, but it could potentially have many longer-term effects as well, including on pregnancy and newborns, which is something you've been particularly interested in. What has your research found?

REBECCA SCHMIDT, U.C. DAVIS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE: Yeah, so far we're still waiting to follow-up our ongoing studies to see the long-term impacts. But so far what we're finding with wildfire smoke is that there's similar effects as other types of air pollution with wildfire smoke exposure. And even though it's shorter exposure, it's having some of the similar effects on things like birth outcomes, including low birth weight and preterm birth it.

BRUNHUBER: Yeah, I mean, that's obviously potentially really serious. And later on, I mean, what effects will that have down the road, do you think?

SCHMIDT: Yeah, so we -- just because we're seeing some of the similar outcomes associated with wildfire smoke exposure, we're anticipating to see maybe some of the similar long-term effects on child neural development. So different behaviors and cognitive functioning differences in children that were exposed in utero to wildfire smoke. But we don't know that yet, so that's what we're waiting to find out.

BRUNHUBER: I mean, the research is generally still in its early stages, but are you aware of any other potential long-term effects that maybe not just affecting people who are who are pregnant or newborns?

SCHMIDT: Yeah, I guess similar to the other findings, we're thinking that there's probably going to be some of the similar long-term impacts on health in terms of aging and other cancer, maybe other impacts that we see with long-term air pollution exposure. Even though we're having such shorter exposures with these wildfire events, it's much greater concentrations of smoke and particulate matter. And these things tend to have similar biologic impacts including inflammation and other short-lived things that might lead to longer-term impacts on health.

[04:45:08]

BRUNHUBER: Are you aware of any research that tells you if there's a particular length of time needed to be exposed to this kind of poor air to suffer these long-term health effects?

SCHMIDT: We don't know the long-term effects yet because it has been that long that we've been exposed to these repeated, really severe wildfire events.

BRUNHUBER: Yeah, it's really worrying for folks who have been exposed to this to hear all this. I mean, is there anything that people out there can do to mitigate the effects? Do you think we learned any lessons, for example, from COVID about this using masks, air filtering? Exactly to avoid the worst of it?

SCHMIDT: Exactly. A lot of those same strategies that help protect you from COVID keeping small particles from getting breathed in, that's what we can do to prevent our exposure or lessen our exposure to wildfire smoke particles.

So, again, using N95 masks, it's really important that you have those on when you're outdoors and when you're exposed to the smoke as much as possible. And those ones, N95 do work the best to keep out the very small particles that tend to get deeper into the lungs and cause more inflammation and other types of damage.

And then also, as you mentioned, filtering your air as much as possible. So running, keeping inside is always a good strategy with the windows closed and keeping the smoke out as much as possible by keeping doors closed, windows closed and sealed. And then also running things like air conditioning if you have it, or if you don't, an air purifier or both together, if you can, to clean the air as much as possible in the rooms that you spend the most time in.

BRUNHUBER: Yeah, it's great advice because with global warming obviously wildfire season is becoming longer and longer, and this is becoming a more and more important area of study. Really appreciate your insights, Rebecca Schmidt, thanks so much for joining us.

SCHMIDT: Thank you.

BRUNHUBER: A quest for a historic trouble and a chance to win the biggest prize in European soccer. Ahead, a preview of the Champions League Final between Manchester City and Inter Milan.

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[04:51:15]

BRUNHUBER: In the NBA, the Denver Nuggets are just one win away from capturing their first championship in franchise history on Friday, they beat the Miami Heat in Game 4 to take a commanding three one series lead. Nikola Jokic led Denver with 23 points and 12 rebounds, and he became the first player in league history to record more than 250 points and 150 assists during the playoffs. The Nuggets will try to close out the series on Monday when game five kicks off in Denver.

Later today, soccer history could be made at the Champions League Final. Manchester City will try to win the competition for the first time and complete a rare treble. But standing in the way is three-time European champions league winner Inter Milan. CNN's Amanda Davis has a preview of the match with former champion Steven Gerrard.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

AMANDA DAVIES, CNN WORLD SPORTS: I am getting tingles, standing here, thinking back about that night, but what does it feel to you?

STEVEN GERRARD, 2005 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WINNER: Well, very similar. The hair is on me next. When I first walked in the stadium, it feels extremely special to be back here. It's the first time I've been back since 2005. The best night in my life in terms of, you know, football and career.

So to be here now, to enjoy again another special occasion, Man City and Inter Milan, I'm really looking forward to the game.

DAVIES: And so that's a fair amount for the two sides tomorrow to live up to. So, I mean, what are you expecting from Man City against Inter Milan?

GERRARD: Well, I think Inter have got the same dream as we are as Liverpool, massive underdogs, less pressure, but huge opportunity to go and be champions of Europe. I think City will have learned the lessons from previous years. I think they're in the zone, the focus, they're in the form of the lives. They've got the best manager on the planet at the moment, form wise as well. So I think it's there for City to go and deliver and take, but I don't think it'll be easy.

I think they'll find a pragmatic opposition, a stubborn opposition who deserve respect as well. And it'll be a warm night in here, I've experienced it. There won't be much air. I don't think we'll get a three-three extra time of penalties. I hope we get it for myself, yourself and the viewers, but I think we'll get a City win, but I think it'll be in difficult circumstances.

DAVIES: And the midfield is where you created so much of your magic as a player, very much being talked about as a key area tomorrow. What do Inter need to do to try and stop City?

GERRARD: I think team selection is important. With all due respect to Mkhitaryan, I think they'll go with Brazonavich (ph). I think he needs to play. He's more controlled in terms of control and space. He's more aggressive out of possession. So I think Inter will go more pragmatic. They have to get up and get close to Gundogan, to Rodriguez and De Bruyne, because them three players are the best midfield partnership in world football right now. They can hit you at any given moment. They complement each other so well. If Inter don't get close and get tight and nullify space and nullify City threats. I think Inter could be in big trouble.

DAVIES: So much talk, of course, for City, it's not just about winning the Champions League for the first time, but winning that European treble.

GERRARD: Well, they deserve it. They deserve it. And I've obviously been a huge rival of City for many years, but out of respect, I think you have to pay compliments to the players individually, to the management, to the staff of the club, they've gone and delivered so far. This is the last piece and I expect them to do it because they're a fantastic team. And if they do it, they deserve every accolade, every bit of praise that's going to come their way. And if they are compared to the 989 team of united any other team on the planet, they deserve all accolade.

DAVIES: And there's been such a debate, hasn't there, that you have to win this trophy, the Champions League, to be considered a great team?

[04:55:00]

GERRARD: People said that to me about the Premier League. Listen, that the media and the outside opinion of you will always be like that, what you haven't got or you haven't done. People will always point fingers and accuse and that's football, that's the world we live in. This is a special team. Whatever happens to City, they will remember that being one of the best team that's ever been, best manager, world class players. That's the respect I've got for this City team. But if they don't tip this box, I'm not sure many fingers from a negative point of view can come their way.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: A 36-year-old Indiana man has been arrested and charged with stalking and harassing singer Taylor Swift. An affidavit says the man allegedly traveled to Swift's home in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was escorted away by Swift's security team.

The affidavit also says that despite being on a security threat list, he managed to buy tickets to a concert in Nashville and entered Nissan Stadium. It's alleged he also sent a voice message to Swift saying, he would happily wear a bomb if he couldn't be with what he called his soulmate.

Finally, our scientists have just assembled what they're calling the biggest skull of a dinosaur ever found on Earth. The skull is believed to be that of a Torosaurus, a dinosaur that lived in North America about 70 million years ago. The staff at the Museum of Evolution in Denmark pieced the skull together, as you can see there, and named the dinosaur Adam. Exhibit opens to the public on Tuesday.

While they say twins have a special bond, on Friday, twins from across Europe all bonded with each other at a special gathering in Austria. Many came from Germany, Switzerland, and France to celebrate their lives as pairs for three days. The event started 39 years ago. According to the organizers, in this year, 50 sets of twins took part.

That wraps this hour of CNN Newsroom. I'm Kim Brunhuber, I'll be back with more news in just a moment. Please do stay us.

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