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Special Counsel Seeks To Bar Trump's Legal Team From Sharing Evidence It Is About To Receive; Blinken To Discuss Detained Americans During China Trip; Texas Tornado Kills Three, Injures Up To 100 People In Small Panhandle Town. Aired 4-5a ET

Aired June 17, 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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[04:00:28]

KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN INTERNATIONAL 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. U.S. Justice Department is taking steps to prevent Donald Trump from releasing sensitive evidence in the classified documents case. We'll look at the new rules.

Plus, extreme temperatures lead to heat alerts for more than 45 million people across the deep South. Just after a violent and deadly tornado basically erased one Texas town.

And later, your grandparents may have more followers than you on TikTok. How seniors are making big money on the app.

ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Center. This is CNN Newsroom with Kim Brunhuber.

BRUNHUBER: The federal criminal case against Donald Trump is heading into the discovery phase. That's when government prosecutors have to give Trump's lawyers all of the evidence they have against the former president regarding the top secret materials seized from his home last year. And Special Counsel Jack Smith, who's charged Trump under the Espionage Act wants to make sure the evidence he turns over won't be leaked.

In filing for a protective order on Friday, prosecutors explained that "The discovery materials include sensitive and confidential information and materials also include information pertaining to ongoing investigations. The disclosure of which could compromise those investigations and identify uncharged individuals. Filing for protective order is standard court procedure and Trump's team has already agreed to the terms which are quite strict.

CNN's Paul Reid is in Washington with those details.

PAULA REID, CNN SENIOR LEGAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: The special Counsel's Office is asking the judge overseeing the Trump's document case to sign off on a set of rules for protecting sensitive information in this case. Now, according to this request, both sides both prosecutors and defense attorneys have agreed to these rules about how to handle the sensitive evidence that will soon be shared with defense attorneys.

Now we're not talking about classified information here, we're talking about the other sensitive information that is part of this case. Now among the rules that prosecutors are seeking here have to do with the defendants, former President Trump and his aide Walt Nauta. They are insisting that the two defendants not be able to view any of the evidence that is shared with attorneys without their attorneys present.

They also request that they not be given copies of it or be able to take notes and then take those notes. The notes need to be protected and kept safe by the attorneys. And the prosecutors say in this request that they worry that sharing this information with the public or others could compromise other ongoing investigations, witnesses or other people who haven't been charged.

We know the Special Counsel is of course looking at the events in and around January 6, and efforts to undermine the 2020 election. We also know that many of the witnesses in the Trump documents case are also interviewed in the January 6 investigation. Now when it comes to classified information, they're not quite there yet because the Trump attorneys need clearances before they can handle any of those sensitive secrets that are at the heart of this case.

The former president is accused of taking over 30 documents. Now earlier this week, the judge overseeing this case, Aileen Cannon. She told the lawyers to begin that process to get their clearances. She wants an update next week. Now the lawyers Todd Blanche and Chris Kise have said they're already in touch with the Justice Department to get that process started so that they can eventually be able to view classified evidence as well.

Paula Reid, CNN, Washington,

BRUNHUBER: The U.S. Secretary of State took off from Washington a few hours ago to begin his long-delayed trip to China where he will try to ease rising tensions between the two countries. Antony Blinken says he will hold talks on a range of issues including the safety of three Americans who Washington says they've been wrongfully detained in China areas.

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ANTONY BLINKEN, UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE: This has been an ongoing conversation with the PRC, and something that, for me is always at the top of my list that is looking out for the security and wellbeing of Americans around the world, including those who are being detained in one way or another including arbitrarily.

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BRUNHUBER: Blinken says this visit is also meant to improve communications with Beijing in order to avoid misunderstandings that can lead to conflict. In February, Blinken canceled a previous trip to China after the country was accused of flying a giant spy balloon over the U.S. to collect sensitive information from military sites.

[04:05:05]

Europe's Commissioner for Home Affairs says the migrant boat disaster off the Greek Coast is the worst tragedy ever in the Mediterranean Sea. Ylva Johansson says European nations must find ways to fight smugglers who are sending people to their deaths. Her comments come as the search continues for the missing. 78 people are confirmed dead but up to 750 people were on the vessel when it sank on Wednesday and hundreds are feared dead.

Greek authorities are denying claims that the ship capsized after the Coast Guard tried to tow it to shore and as survivors grapple with the disaster, 71 of them were taken to a registration and identify identification facility near Athens on Friday.

Parts of the U.S. can expect to see extreme weather yet again this weekend. The threat of severe storms continues today for portions of the plains and the Southeast. Some 60 million people are in affected areas and that's on top of the blistering temperatures expected in the deep South. Right now, there's more than 45 million people under heat alerts from Texas to Florida. Much of Texas can expect to see temperatures in the triple digits this weekend.

Now as follows, an outbreak of dangerous storms on Thursday. The National Weather Service confirmed that six tornadoes touched down in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan and in Perryton, Texas. An E.F. three tornado killed three people and wiped out much of the town.

CNN's Isabelle Rosales has more from Perryton.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tornado just went through town.

ISABEL ROSALES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Severe weather cut a deadly path across parts of Texas. The small town of Perryton, Texas devastated by a tornado. This new drone video showing the sheer destruction debris scattered parts of the town leveled.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE) devastated this area.

ROSALES (voice-over): At least three people died including an 11-year- old boy and up to 100 more were sent to the hospital when the storm hit the Texas panhandle community.

JAMIE JAMES, PERRYTON RESIDENT: Tornado formed and it just dropped on us. It came out of nowhere on there was no sirens. No time to get to a shelter.

ROSALES (voice-over): Jamie James said she was forced to ride out the storm in her truck near her home.

JAMES: And I just lay down in my seat and turned my head towards the back of my seat.

ROSALES (voice-over): Her home is still standing but other buildings destroyed. Another man's that he is just grateful his family is still alive.

VICTOR MUNOZ, PERRYTON RESIDENT: I'm just happy. My brothers are alive. I mean, I know all the property and everything says trees can be replaced but life can never be replaced.

ROSALES (voice-over): And take a look at these photos posted on the Perryton Fire Department's Facebook page. The Department said it took a direct hit. But the fire trucks and ambulances are so drivable. Their first responders now working with federal emergency teams.

As residents tried to salvage their homes and businesses and a local high school has opened its doors to those looking for help.

COLE UNDERWOOD, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, PERRYTON HIGH SCHOOL: We moved pretty quickly to try to make this a safe haven for people to get through here in town. The shock is still sitting in. The sadness, the anger. Every emotion that people can be going through they're going through.

ROSALES (voice-over): Isabel Rosales, CNN, Perryton, Texas.

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BRUNHUBER: All right. Still ahead in this Montana courtroom. A landmark climate trial is underway as young adults sue the government and fight for their future. About their arguments coming up.

Plus, Vladimir Putin warns his troops can still destroy Ukraine's capital Kyiv and confirms Russian nuclear weapons are in Belarus. We'll have more on that next. Stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER: And welcome back. A developing story out of Uganda where police say ISIS-linked rebels attacked a secondary school, killing at least 26 students and abducting six others before setting the school on fire. The number of deaths is expected to rise as authorities believe there may be more victims inside the burn building.

Our Larry Madowo is following developments and joins me now. So Larry, just a horrific story. What's the latest?

LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's a horrific story. Indeed, Kim. What we know is that at -- about 11:30 midnight, Friday night, about 20 to 25 rebels attacked this Lhubirira Secondary School. This is an Mpondwe. It's a border town, just the school itself two kilometers away from the border for the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Ugandan military and the Ugandan police are blaming the allied democratic forces or ADF. This is an armed group that's operating in eastern DRC came out of here in Uganda that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. This is their most -- the deadliest attack in Uganda in recent years. It has carried out suicide attacks before here in Kampala, in the Ugandan capital most notably in 2021 where three people were killed and more than 20 were wounded. And in that same year, President Museveni and President Tshisekedi of the DRC agreed to launch joint military operations in the eastern DRC to stamp out the ADF.

And recently, President Yoweri Museveni has said that the aim is nothing that they will be defeated, that the Ugandan military has been successful in -- group but so far that does not appear to be the case, especially in this brazen attack across the border. The Ugandan people's defense forces, that is the Ugandan military says it is in hot pursuit of the attackers that carried out this horrific attack at the school.

At least six students were abducted in that operation. According to one military spokesman who was told CNN that 26 people died, six students were abducted. After they had finished this deadly operation, they set the school on fire. The Ugandan Police also say that they raided the school store. So, it's not just the attack, the killings, the destruction, but also even attacking the source of food for this school as a primary -- secondary school.

And a lot of people in shock today. There are pictures and videos circulating on the Ugandan social media that shows the attack and the bodies of the dead lying in blood.

[04:15:05]

We're not showing those pictures here at CNN because they're too graphic to put on air but it speaks to the scale and the destruction that was witnessed here, Kim.

BRUNHUBER: Just really disturbing. All right. CNN's Larry Madowo in Kampala, Uganda. Thanks so much.

Ukraine says its forces sometimes have to fight for every yard as they make slow headway in their offensive. Official say Ukrainian troops continue their advanced around Bakhmut without giving details. In the south they say Russian troops have been pushed back up to one kilometer but the Ukrainian offensive has been slowed by airstrikes artillery and the maze of defensive fortifications. Moscow denies that Ukraine has made any progress at all.

Meanwhile, Ukraine says Russia conducted a massive strike on Kyiv just as a group of African leaders was visiting on Friday. Six people were wounded in three homes were destroyed according to a preliminary Ukrainian report. 12 missiles were shot down during the attack.

And President Vladimir Putin is confirming that Russia has deployed some of its tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus. He also said the reason Russia has nuclear weapons is to guarantee the security of the state. Here he is.

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VLADIMIR PUTIN, PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA (through translator): The use of nuclear weapons undoubtedly is theoretically possible for Russia. For Russia, it is possible if there's a threat to our territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty. So the existence of the Russian state.

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BRUNHUBER: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says there's still no need to change the U.S. nuclear posture. And in the coming hours, Putin will welcome a group of African leaders to St. Petersburg. Their goal to pitch their peace plan for Russia and Ukraine. One day after doing the same with President Zelenskyy. The African leaders are calling for negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. But Zelenskyy made it clear, that's a nonstarter for now.

So for more, Nada Bashir joins us from London. So, Nada, take us through the message the African leaders are delivering and the reaction.

NADA BASHIR, CNN INTERNATIONAL REPORTER: Well, the message from the delegation we had yesterday was clear. They are calling for de- escalation on both sides of the conflict from both Russia and Ukraine. Now certainly the messaging from the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa who spoke alongside President Zelenskyy in Kyiv as they gave that press conference calling for an end to the conflict but saying this can only be achieved through diplomatic means, namely, through negotiation.

This is a message we've heard in the past through -- from the world leaders trying to mediate peace between Russia and Ukraine calling for both sides to come to the negotiating table. Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday saying that it is better for all of this war ends sooner rather than later. But as you mentioned there. We have heard repeatedly now from Ukraine's president Zelensky about his thoughts and the thoughts of the Ukrainian government when it comes to the prospects of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

And the clear red lines that President Zelenskyy has been clear for months that this can't happen, at least not in the eyes of the Ukrainian government, unless there is a full and complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. Take a listen.

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VOLODYMR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE (through translator): Today, as I said many times, making it very clear that to allow any negotiations with Russia now, while the occupier is on our land is to freeze the war, to freeze everything, pain and suffering.

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BASHIR: Now, there was also some skepticism has to be said from President Zelenskyy yesterday when it came to that suggested roadmap for peace. He did call on the African leaders part of this delegation to put forward a message to push President Putin to release political prisoners captured by the Russian Armed Forces, particularly in Crimea, which was, of course, annex-backed in 2014.

They are set to meet with President Putin later today. But of course, the focus will primarily on trying to negotiate some sort of peace between Russia and Ukraine is also one of concern for the impact this conflict is having and will likely continue to add on the African continent. This is of course, a region that has long held close ties to Moscow, particularly dating back to the Cold War. And of course, there are real concerns around food security.

That was certainly a key topic of discussion yesterday between this delegation and President Zelenskyy. Of course, Russia and Ukraine have been part of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was brokered by the U.N. in Turkey in the summer of last year. The African continent varying degrees, heavily dependent on grain and fertilizer exports from both Russia and Ukraine. So, this is a real concern for the delegation leaders.

They did speak about the real questions around food security. That will certainly be on the agenda today. But of course, it remains to be seen what those key focus will be in this discussion with President Putin later today. Kim?

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BRUNHUBER: All right. We'll be watching. Thanks so much, Nada Bashir. Appreciate it.

Sudanese rights organization say atrocities are being committed in Darfur. And CNN has uncovered evidence that the Russian mercenary group, Wagner is complicit continuing to support the RSF. Sudan's Rapid Support Forces paramilitary throughout the months of fighting despite calls by the U.S. and others to -- for support to seize. Now in an exclusive CNN investigation, we uncovered the Russian supply lines prolonging the conflict between the RSF and Sudan's armed forces.

That has displaced around two million people since mid-April and push the country further into humanitarian crisis. The RSF denies links to Wagner and any involvement in mass rape. Now, as part of this investigation, CNN verified and corroborated incidence of rape perpetrated by the RSF including one which was captured on video. Now, we feel it is important in the face of the RSF's repeated denials to broadcast part of that video and we must warn you it is graphic and disturbing.

CNN's Chief International Investigative Correspondent Nima Elbagir brings us the story.

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NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The fighting on the streets of Sudan is relentless. Ceasefire after ceasefire has not held. Forces previously accused of genocide returning to a well-worn playbook. Terrorize, expel and ethnically cleanse. The paramilitary rapid support forces RSF are currently engaged in a fight for dominance with Sudan's army.

But years before that rivalry spilled blood in Sudan's streets, they were implicated in atrocities in Darfur. Now once again Darfur to the west of the country is stopped by the specter of genocide.

The damage brought by these forces so extensive you can see it from satellite images. This is El Geneina, West Darfur. Hundreds killed, whole districts raised to the ground. And it's not only El Geneina that is burning. This is Ander and this Kutum.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (text): This is our livelihood. The market is destroyed.

ELBAGIR: On the ground it looks like this. These scenes sadly familiar in Darfur. 20 years ago, the region descended into genocide. The same RSF leadership in place as their men were killed, occupied and raped. Now, once again women's bodies are part of the field of war.

This video is too disturbing to broadcast in full. But it goes on to show a girl, believed to be just 15 years old, being raped. You see here a man in

light colored fatigues matching those worn by the RSF. We've paused the video just before the camera pans to show another soldier wearing the same uniform forcing himself on to the prone girl.

CNN verified and geolocated the area where this happened. We're not revealing the exact location in Khartoum to protect our sources and the young girl. This is not an isolated incident.

We received and reviewed dozens of cases where women say they were raped by RSF soldiers. Identifying them by their light-colored fatigues and the insignia on their right soldiers. So who is complicit in this pain?

The RSF's key ally, the notorious Russian mercenary group Wagner has been sustaining their fight and providing the impetus to slaughter innocent people by supplying arms. We're going to show you. This is an Ilyushin 76 cargo plane operated by Wagner sitting at a Libyan airbase. A previous CNN investigation exposed how this Russian cargo plane was providing the RSF with deadly arms from a Russian naval base in Latakia, Syria, by Wagner-controlled bases in Libya.

This passage starts just days before the war begins in Sudan. Libya, Syria, and back. And it picks up pace. What's interesting here is the new focus on the city where it goes next. Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. After our exposure of the Libya route, a route directly from the Central African Republican into Darfur became crucial for the RSF. Eyewitnesses at key transit points and intelligence active in the region told CNN, arms and supplies from this Ilyushin transported over land using the truck captured here and others like it.

[04:25:07]

First to a Wagner base in Birao and then into South Darfur to an RSF base in Um Dafuq. Wagner putting their thumb on the scales here to secure access to Sudan's resources through Darfur. Creating chaos and terror. Helping tip the balance of power in their war in the Ukraine whatever the cost.

Nima Elbagir. CNN, Juba, South Sudan.

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BRUNHUBER: U.S. condemnation of the latest violence in Sudan has been swift with the State Department's African Affairs Bureau issuing this warning. "Rape, murder targeted ethnic-based killings, the destruction of whole villages, these are the horrors that the war in Sudan has brought back to Darfur. Credible sources place blame at the feet of RSF and allied militias attacks on civilians in Sudan by any party must end."

Three years after the police killing of George Floyd, the U.S. Justice Department has released a scathing report on Minneapolis Police. We'll have details on the findings next. Stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER: And welcome back to all of you watching us here in the United States, Canada and all around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber: This is CNN NEWSROOM. The U.S. Justice Department says systemic problems in the Minneapolis Police Department made the murder of George Floyd possible. On Friday, the Justice Department released a scathing report on the city's police.

It details racial discrimination, excessive and unlawful use of force, First Amendment violations and the lack of accountability for officers among other issues.

[04:30:07]

Report comes more than three years after a Minneapolis Police Officer knelt on George Floyd's neck and back for more than nine minutes while he was handcuffed and gasping for air. The U.S. Attorney General paid tribute to George Floyd.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MERRUCK GARLAND, UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL: His death has had an irrevocable impact on the Minneapolis Community, on our country and on the world. George Floyd should be alive today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Floyd's murder in May of 2020 prompted global protests against police brutality.

In Pennsylvania, Robert Bowers has been convicted of carrying out the deadliest attack ever on Jewish people in the U.S. The trial now moves to the penalty phase. Jurors must decide whether to sentenced Bowers to death or to life in prison without parole.

CNN's Danny Freeman reports.

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DANNY FREEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Silence in the courtroom Friday morning as Judge Robert Colville read the verdicts. 63 federal charges guilty on all counts. 22 of those charges punishable by death. The jury agreed with federal prosecutors that the man who killed 11 Jewish worshippers and injured six other people in October 2018 targeted them specifically because they were Jewish.

JO RECHT, PRESIDENT, DOR HADASH: I am feeling a sense of relief that after 4-1/2 years, the world has heard again about the horrific acts on October 27, 2018. And the shooter has is being held accountable for those awful acts.

FREEMAN (voice-over): Throughout more than two grueling weeks of testimony. Prosecutors showed how the defendant turned a sacred house of worship into a hunting ground. Body camera video and 911 calls revealed chaos and terror. Jurors heard 84-year-old Bernice Simon's 911 call as she held a prayer shawl to her husband's bullet wounds. We're being attacked. I'm scared to death, she cried out before she was shot and killed while hiding in a pew.

The defense did not dispute their client killed the 11 worshippers but the shooter's attorneys tried to argue the attack was motivated by immigration-related conspiracy theories not by a hatred of Jews. Prosecutors called that argument absurd.

JEFF FINKELSTEIN, PRESIDENT AND CEO JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER PITTSBURGH: This was an anti-Semitic incident. Period end of the statement.

FREEMAN (voice-over): Community leaders in Pittsburgh say Friday's result was a victory. But the death penalty phase looms large.

FINKELSTEIN: While we're pleased with the verdict, very pleased. We know that there is still more to come. This is only the first phase.

STEPHEN COHEN, CO-PRESIDENT, NEW LIGHT CONGREGATION: It's difficult to say the emotions we feel right now. One of relief obviously, that the jury returned a full verdict of guilty to all 63 counts. But there's also a degree of trepidation. Because this is just the first third of the trial. And in a sense, it was the least complicated part.

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FREEMAN (on camera): Now as we look ahead to the death penalty phase of this trial, one of the things we'll be looking for is exactly what kind of defense will be mounted. Remember in this guilt phase, the prosecution called the 60 witnesses to the stand while the defense team called no one. But now the government's attorneys will be fighting to spare his life.

Danny Freeman, CNN, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

BRUNHUBER: A landmark climate trial is underway in Montana. The attorneys for a group of 16 young adults and children have finished the first week of arguments. They accuse the state of pursuing the use of fossil fuels at the expense of their health and future. A case could have a profound legal impact on other climate lawsuits brought by young people.

CNN's Bill Weir reports.

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BILL WEIR, CNN CHIEF CLIMATE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a big sky country, it's a story fit for a big screen.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You got this, guys. We love you.

WEIR (voice-over): On one side, 16 young people from ranches, reservations and boomtowns across Montana, ranging in ages from five to 22. On the other side, the Republican-led state of Montana which lost the three-year fight to keep this case out of court but is still determined to let fossil fuels keep flowing despite the warnings from science that burning them will only melt more glaciers, blacken more skies, and ravage more rivers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Based on the evidence you've seen, there's a point to harm for these youth plaintiffs. Harm now an accelerating harm the future.

WEIR (voice-over): And the whole plot pivots around the Montana constitution that promises the states shall maintain and improve a clean and helpful environment for present and future generations.

NATE BELLINGER, SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY, OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST: They filed seven different motion to have and try the case dismissed. None of those motions have been successful.

WEIR (voice-over): While the first week included scientists testifying to the data.

[14:35:01]

BELLINGER: Dr. Stanford has fishing for a bull trout and native cutthroat trout, already been impacted by climate change?

JACK STANFORD, PROFESSOR EMERITUS, UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA: Oh, very definitely.

WEIR (voice-over): The emotion has come from plaintiffs, laying out their stories of loss.

SARIEL SANDOVAL, PLAINTIFF, OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST: You know, it's really scary seeing what you care for disappear right in front of your eyes.

BELLINGER: How does that make you feel knowing that the state is not considering the climate impacts in its permitting (ph) decisions?

TALEAH HERNANDEZ, PLAINTIF, OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST: It makes me feel like the state is prioritizing profits overs people because they know that there is visible harm coming to the land and to the people and they're still choosing to make money instead of caring for Montanians.

WEIR (voice-over): While the state's attorneys briefly question the plaintiff's ability to connect through mental health to the climate, they've mainly saved cross-examination for the experts.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If the judge ordered that we stop using fossil fuels in Montana, would that get us to the point where these plaintiffs are no longer being harmed, in your opinion?

STEVEN W. RUNNING, PROFESSOR EMERITUS, UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA: We can't tell in advance, because what has been shown in history over and over and over again is when a significant social movement is needed, that often is started by one or two or three people.

RIKKI HELD, LEAD PLAINTIFF, OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST: I know that climate change is a global issue but Montanians need to take responsibility through our hearts (ph) and acts (ph). We can't just blow it off and do nothing about it.

WEIR (voice-over): Judge Kathy Seeley doesn't have the power to shut down any extraction or usage of fossil fuels. But a judgment for the young plaintiffs could set a powerful precedent for Our Children's Trust.

BELLINGER: I think we're really at a tipping point.

WEIR (voice-over): The Orga (ph) nonprofit is also helping kids in Hawaii sue their state over tailpipe emissions. And they've revived Juliana V. United States, the federal case that could end up before the Supreme Court.

CLAIRE VLASES, PLAINTIFF, OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST: I just recently graduated high school but I think that's something everyone knows is that we have three branches of government for a reason. The judicial branch is there to keep a check on the other two branches, and that's what we're doing here.

WEIR (voice-over): Claire Vlases grew up in beautiful blooming Bozeman, and like the other kids, too young to vote, she sees the courts as the only place for someone like her to have a voice.

VLASES: It's hard knowing the power to make a change is in the hands of other people, especially my government. And I hope that as a young person, you know, we might actually have a chance to make a difference. And for my -- for my wife and for my kids' life, you know, not all hope maybe lost.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Well, the young plaintiffs wrapped their part of the case on Friday. The state has all of next week to mount their defense. They told the judge the -- they probably won't use it. They say the case is about toothless statutes and that Montana's emissions are just a drop in the bucket for global warming. Daniel Ellsberg, the whistleblower who risked his life and career to leak the Pentagon papers has died at the age of 92. Ellsberg shared the material with the New York Times and The Washington Post in 1971. During the Nixon administration, the government took the publications to court to stop the leak, but the Supreme Court found in favor of the newspapers in a landmark ruling.

The record has painted the devastating picture of the U.S. war in Vietnam, including revelations that officials knew the conflict was unwinnable. Ellsberg announced this year he had pancreatic cancer and would not be receiving intensive treatment.

All right. Still to come. The Trooping the Color ceremony is set to begin next out in London marking King Charles first official birthday since being crowned. We're live from Buckingham Palace coming up. Stay with us.

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[08:42:05]

BRUNHUBER: And one of the perks of being the British sovereign is celebrating your birthday twice a year. King Charles's actual birthday is November 14. But ever since 1748, the monarch's birthday is officially celebrated in the summer when the weather is usually best. King Charles will be celebrating his birthday with a traditional parade known as Trooping the Color. The king will join 1500 parading soldiers and 300 horses in the ceremony.

Now this will be the first time a reigning monarch has joined the parade since Queen Elizabeth II in 1986. This is also the first time King Charles will enjoy an official birthday since ascending to the throne.

So let's go live now to Anna Stewart outside Buckingham Palace. So, unlike the coronation much better weather there, what can we expect to see in the coming hours?

ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: Yes. We can hope actually the rain won't ruin the parade as it slightly did for the coronation, which were extraordinarily was only a few weeks ago, five weeks ago I think by my account. Today will be similar in some respects. You will see lots of pomp and ceremony, lots of soldiers of course, it will be smaller, though in terms of how many troops there are.

Just 1500 and 300 horses, which is actually much smaller than we saw at the coronation. And also, the procession route is a little shorter. What we'll see in about half an hour is His Majesty, the King leaving Buckingham Palace here in a procession down the mound and to Horseguards parade where he will inspect the troops. And then you see the Trooping of the Color. And this year and it moves between the various foot guard regiments of the household division.

This year as the Welsh guards who are tripping the color. The kernel for the Welsh guards is actually Prince William, the Prince of Wales. It's added speciality I guess that we'll get to see him play a key role here. And I'm joined here by our wonderful guest Bidisha Mamata. And what are you most excited about in terms of today? It certainly got a different feel from the coronation.

BIDISHA MAMATA, BRAODCAST AND ROYAL WATCHER: On the one hand, it feels much more intimate. We might see King Charles astride a horse, he won't be galloping around. It'll be very ceremonial and appropriately sober. But there's a real sense of celebration. It's such a gorgeous day here in June, the coronation was very serious, very, very rich. There was a lot of medieval pageantry, this is much more military focused.

This is so much more about connecting King Charles with his own history in the Marines, the RAF, he has a strong connection to the -- to the military, and he has a nominal head. So of course, he's not ordering troops around but he he's really got a personal connection to all of this. It's going to be a chance for him to celebrate his first official birthday. His personal birthday is in November, of course.

STEWART: Which would be terrible weather for a parade.

MAMATA: Well, that was the thinking behind these November royal babies. It's very unfortunate for them but we all get a chance to party in the sunshine.

STEWARR: And it is about the official bond really between His Majesty and the troops. For King Charles I think this will be a particularly poignant ceremony in many ways because he has been trained by the RAF, he served with the Royal Marines, he was Colonel in Chief of the Parachute Regiment on one stage, actually trained with them because he said he wanted to look the soldiers in their eyes. So I feel like King Charles especially, this will be a big moment.

MAMATA: I think that's absolutely right. He's had such an intense year and a half, if you see it from his point of view, it's a chance for him to have regrouped since the coronation. And to say, this is what I'm interested in. This is actually a passion of mine. It's not a state event where you see Royals sort of standing there and going along with it. This is his chance to say, OK, we are beginning my reign. I am crowned, I have been involved with the military for all my life.

I'm passionate about this. I have attended all of those trooping of the colors that my mother the Queen did. And now here I am, front and center of myself.

STEWARET: And at one stage actually as colonel of the Welsh guards, which is of course now what Prince William, the role he will be performing. And actually, we'll see a few members of the royal family on horse today, won't we?

MAMATA: Yes. We're going to see someone horseback summon carriages, even the Queen herself was a stride for a good long way into her reign, and then later switched to a carriage. We're going to see the royal family in a much more intimate and close up setting than we did before precisely because of that slightly shorter route that you mentioned. And also, because they're going to come out onto the balcony and wave and there's going to be an RAF flyover with craft from 15 different locations, starting off and then sort of joining together and swooping overhead.

It's going to be a real chance to see the royal family after all of the events around the funeral, all of the events around the coronation, it's going to be a reset. And I think we should focus on who's here rather than who isn't.

STEWART: Well, now you've mentioned it. Who isn't here because there are of course, some notable absences.

MAMATA: Harry and Meghan are not here today. There's been lots of gossip, which I don't think we should really favor too much about whether or not they're invited. The fact is, they can't make it and so they're not going to be here.

STEWART: And given they're not working them as the royal family. They weren't going to play an official role.

MAMATA: No. I think that's fair enough. I think more than anything. This is about saying to the populace and all the billions of people watching all over the world. We're still here. We're still together. We can still bring it when we have to. And we can connect the pomp and the pageantry with us as people.

STEWART: What about Prince Andrew because he did play a role, I suppose in the coronation in terms of he was visible. He was there. He was wearing ceremonial robes. Do we expect to see Prince Andrew today?

MAMATA: I personally do not. The coronation is obviously a once in a generation event. The Trooping of the Color. It is annual it is a formal celebration of the sovereign's official public birthday. I don't think that anyone is particularly looking at him. I think more than anything we want to see King Charles do what he does best and what he's served an apprenticeship for all his life.

STEWART: And the focus very much on that core part of the royal family and their deep connection with the military, particularly the household division of course. And this is all going to be kicking off (INAUDIBLE) shortly we are going to see this little kick off in about half an hour as the King's procession leaves and heads down them out towards Horseguards parade. We will walk you through everything that is happening. It's going to be quite a day. Back to you.

BRUNHUBER: Absolutely. And we will bring it to all of our viewers as it happens. Anna Stewart there with royal watcher Bidisha Mamata at Buckingham Palace. Thanks so much.

TikTok isn't just for Gen Z. Have a look here.

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BRUNHUBER: Older creators are having a moment and companies are taking notice. We'll meet some great influencers next. Stay with us.

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[04:52:52]

BRUNHUBER: Well, if you're scrolling through TikTok, you might see more and more older people popping up on your feed. These so-called granfluencers are the newest generation of influencers.

As CNN's Vanessa Yurkevich shows us they're taking the social media app by storm.

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VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN BUSINESS AND POLITICS CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): Six strangers pick to live in a house and have their lives taped for social media.

This isn't exactly the real world house. These six strangers are well into retirement age, but they're TikTok, the retirement house is anything but. These seniors were doing a bit of acting are pumping out curated content, rivaling influencers more than half their age, while amassing more than five million followers. They're called granfluencers and are pulling in huge brand deals. The creator economy is worth $250 billion and could double to 480 billion by 2027.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was good for me.

YURKEVICH (voice-over): The retirement house promoting SeraVe. Four friends from Palm Springs known as the old gaze on TikTok and have 11 million followers partnered with Hyundai. And Choabni took notice of 74-year-old Lynn Davis's cooking videos and her 15.7 million followers.

LYNN DAVIS, SOCIAL MEDIA SENSATION: That's good.

YURKEVICH (voice-over): Sixty-two-year-old Helen Polise is approaching one million followers on Tiktok.

HELEN POLISE, INFLUENCER, THE MUTHERSHIP: It's daunting to think about that many people because it's like populations of cities. Here we go.

YURKEVICH (voice-over): Polise found tick tock over the pandemic. A distraction and a way to have fun.

YURKEVICH: Was there a point that this turned into more of a business?

POLISE: Some people would ask me. Oh, how did you do that transition? How did you figure that out? So, I said I'll make a tutorial for you. And that was the turning point in social media for me.

YURKEVICH (voice-over): Instead of brand deals. She's teaching her followers how to TikTok through paid tutorials. It started with mostly older people, but now it's younger people too.

POLISE: Really get to technology, probably a better than a lot of young people. So, I want to highlight that it's OK to get older I feel more authentic not afraid to be myself and I think that's really helpful on social media especially.

[04:55:10]

YURKEVICH (voice-over): And for older influencers, success comes in the form of connection to millions of people often a quarter of their age.

DEBRA RAPOPORT, INFLUENCER: It also opens up a lot of community. I have more friends than I can count. And I have more friends who are like 25 and 30 than 75, 80-year-olds.

YURKEVICH (voice-over): At 78, Deba Rapoport has found a new audience for her sustainable wearable art on Instagram. She's able to promote her upcoming shows, workshops and sell what she's made.

RAPOPORT: And I've modeled this naked.

YURKEVICH voice-over): To her nearly 60,000 Instagram followers.

YURKEVICH: Why do you think they're attracted too?

RAPOPORT: I think young people are craving authenticity. And that's what I try to encourage.

YURKEVICH: Is being older actually an asset on social media?

RAPOPORT: Totally, totally. Not only on social media, but in life itself. I'm not afraid at 78 to put myself out there and say, this is who I am. This is what I do. I've been doing it a very long time. I don't intend to stop.

YURKEVICH (voice-over): For many granfluencers. This is fun and doesn't feel like work. Even while we filmed with Polise she was capturing her very next TikTok.

Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN, New York.

BRUNHUBER: I'm Kim Brunhuber. I'll be back with more CNN NEWSROOM in just a moment. I want to leave you here with live pictures from Buckingham Palace as they prepare for the first ever Trooping the Color birthday celebration of King Charles's reign. We'll bring you more in the next hour live from London coming up here on CNN.

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