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CNN International: Trump Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Overturn Colorado Ballot Ban; Epstein Unsealed Documents List Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump; Loud Condemnation Over Calls to Resettle Palestinians; Iran State Media; 84 Killed in Blasts Near General's Grave. Aired 4-4:30a ET

Aired January 04, 2024 - 04:00   ET

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

[04:00:00]

BIANCA NOBILO, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, and a warm welcome to our viewers joining us in the United States and all around the world. I'm Bianca Nobilo.

MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Max Foster joining you live from London, just ahead on CNN NEWSROOM.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Former President Trump asking the nation's highest court to keep him on the ballot in Colorado. We need the high court to weigh in and give clarity to all 50 states.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Allegations regarding him and his relationship to Epstein surfaced almost two decades ago. Obviously, that statement, if he's referencing underage girls, that would be incredibly troubling.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What we see here is absolute mayhem. This is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It affects every American and every citizen along here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: Live from London, this is CNN NEWSROOM with Max Foster and Bianca Nobilo.

FOSTER: It is Thursday, January 4th, 9 a.m. here in London, 2 a.m. in Colorado, where Donald Trump is fighting to stay on the ballot, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Colorado's ruling disqualifying him from the state's Republican primary.

NOBILO: State courts and election officials across the country have come to different conclusions on the former president's eligibility to run again, with Colorado and Maine removing him from the ballot after legal challenges accusing him of inciting the January 6th Capitol riot.

FOSTER: The U.S. Supreme Court is now facing mounting pressure to decide once and for all whether Trump can be disqualified from holding public office. CNN's Paula Reid has the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA REID, CNN CHIEF LEGAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: So, the way the Trump team has framed this, they are asking the Supreme Court to return to voters the ability to choose the candidate they want. They argue that the Colorado Supreme Court's decision to remove Trump from the ballot was the first time in this country's history that the judiciary has prevented voters from selecting a party's primary candidate.

Now, then they go on to advocate for their interpretation of the Constitution, specifically Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. That is the part that has been litigated now across multiple states, and it says that if you engage in an insurrection, you cannot hold a future office. They insist that it doesn't apply to presidents because it doesn't explicitly say that it does.

They argue to the high court that if you believe that this applies to presidents, you have to believe that the drafters decided to bury the most visible and prominent national office in a catch-all term. They insist that this reading defies common sense and is not correct. This question, this divided the courts, even within the state of Colorado. So that's a question that is ripe for the Supreme Court.

They also argue that the mechanism for determining eligibility, that it is Congress, not the states, and attack the Secretary of State of Colorado's power to assess the eligibility based on her assessment of a candidate's qualifications.

So now, all eyes are on the Supreme Court. Today's appeal increasing the pressure already on the high court.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NOBILO: To be specific, in their Colorado appeal, Trump's attorneys are arguing the Constitution's insurrectionist ban isn't relevant because in the 14th Amendment, only officer of the United States is mentioned, a term that they claim doesn't apply to the president. CNN legal analyst Elliot Williams takes a look at how a post-Civil War era clause in the Constitution could impact the 2024 election.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELLIOT WILLIAMS, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: It's sort of preposterous as a matter of plain language. You and I talking, saying that the president of the United States is not an officer of the United States is ludicrous. However, read the language of the Constitution and it is quite clear that they say, frankly, there's another provision in the Constitution that says the president, comma, vice president, comma, and officers of the United States, suggesting that the term officer of the United States does not intend to apply to the president.

Again, it's one of these many areas in the law in which our understanding of what terms mean and what the framers put on paper are completely different. Now, this is why we have a Supreme Court. It exists for the purpose of sorting out these complicated legal questions, frankly, precipitated by the mess that the framers left us. In their wisdom, there are ambiguities in the Constitution and they have to be sorted out and this is precisely one of them.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NOBILO: Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, and Britain's Prince Andrew are among the names appearing in newly unsealed documents in the Jeffrey Epstein case. He's, of course, the multimillionaire accused of sex trafficking before his suicide in prison in 2019.

[04:05:00]

FOSTER: Most of the information in these documents has already been made public and it's important to note the inclusion of someone's name is not an indication of wrongdoing. More now from CNN's Shimon Prokupecz.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN SENIOR CRIME AND JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: The documents released by the court stem from a lawsuit that was brought back in 2015 against Ghislaine Maxwell, who was the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein. It was a civil lawsuit for defamation. Eventually, they settled the case, but finally, after years, the documents have been released and some specific and pretty important information coming from depositions that were taken by the lawyers from an associate of Jeffrey Epstein, a woman who used to work for him, where she says that Jeffrey Epstein told her that former President Bill Clinton liked them young, referring to girls, she says, and she said they had a conversation about the former president.

Now, the former president has denied any wrongdoing and there are no accusations in the court filings of any kind of wrongdoing or any kind of criminal activity on the part of the former president. A spokesperson for the former president said that as long as he did in 2019, he denies doing anything wrong. He does admit to being on Jeffrey Epstein's plane, but he says that it's been nearly 20 years since the former president had any contact with Epstein and, of course, that Clinton has not been accused of any crimes or wrongdoing related to Epstein.

And also, in that same deposition from the former employee, we learned that, she says, according to her deposition, that Jeffrey Epstein, they were on a plane together, on one of Epstein's planes heading to New York City, and they couldn't land in New York, and so they had to go to Atlantic City. And she says while on that plane, Jeffrey Epstein told her that we'll call Trump and we'll go to Atlantic City, and she says they wound up going to a casino. She doesn't remember what that casino was.

And again, the significance of this is that we're seeing, you know, two former presidents' names here being mentioned. These names being mentioned are not necessarily new. It's certainly something that we expected. And then now, you know, in the coming days, we do expect to see more documents as the court and the attorneys work through some more of those filings and plan to release more information in the coming days.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Shimon Prokupecz reporting there.

We should also note Donald Trump is not accused of wrongdoing related to Epstein in the documents. CNN has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment on that.

NOBILO: CNN spoke earlier with attorney and legal affairs commentator Areva Martin, and she explained what these documents could mean for Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, and others.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

AREVA MARTIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: It's important to note that Bill Clinton was in favor of the release of the documents. Allegations regarding him and his relationship to Epstein surfaced almost two decades ago. So, there's nothing really new about Clinton other than his comment from someone in the deposition about he likes young, he likes them young, or something to that effect. And it, too, could be a very troubling statement if he's making reference to young girls.

Obviously, that statement, if he's referencing underage girls, that would be incredibly troubling. But I think it's important to note that Donald Trump is also mentioned in these documents. And unlike Bill Clinton, Donald Trump is running for president.

Yes, it's very clear that he had a relationship with Epstein. There's also something in the documents that said that one of the victims was going to stop with Epstein at one of Trump's casinos in Atlantic City. So there are mentions of two former presidents, it's important to note, in these documents.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NOBILO: There was more deadly fighting in Gaza Wednesday, with Israel striking several areas of the enclave, according to both the IDF and sources within Gaza.

FOSTER: We're told the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza was the site of a substantial explosion with a number of civilian casualties. The Gaza Health Ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, says the Palestinian death toll since the October 7th terror attacks now exceeds 22,300.

NOBILO: Meanwhile, a key water line in central Gaza that has been out of service for days has been repaired, and many neighborhoods once again have access to clean water, and that's according to a local municipality.

FOSTER: Sources tell CNN Hamas recently issued an ultimatum to Israel, a permanent ceasefire in exchange for releasing all remaining hostages. Israel, though, rejected that demand, and Hamas has since returned to negotiations.

NOBILO: But the sources familiar with those talks, mediated by Qatar and the U.S., say they produce very little progress of late.

[04:10:02]

Hamas is still believed to be holding more than 100 hostages in Gaza, and rallies continue to be held in Israel demanding their safe return.

In Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands and Slovenia have joined the U.S. in condemning remarks by two far-right members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

FOSTER: Both National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gavir and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in recent days publicly pushed the idea of making Palestinians leave Gaza. Smotrich, on the right, said Israelis could then, quote, make the desert bloom, according to multiple news agencies.

NOBILO: The U.S. State Department has called the comments about resettling Palestinians inflammatory and irresponsible, and a White House National Security Council spokesperson added this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KIRBY, U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL: That statement does speak for the United States government and for this administration in terms of our complete refusal and rebuke of any forced displacement outside of Gaza of any Palestinians. We have made that clear to our Israeli counterparts in private sessions, certainly have made that publicly, and that's not going to change.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Well, there has been some pushback over the U.S. rebuke. Itamar Ben Gavir posting on social media: Very appreciative of the United States of America, but with all due respect, we're not just another star in the American flag.

NOBILO: Elliott Gotkine is following all of this live from Tel Aviv. Elliott, we're obviously talking about statements made by two politicians, but how widespread is that sentiment, perhaps more privately among Israeli politicians or the country at large? And tell us more about the global reaction to all of this.

ELLIOTT GOTKINE, JOURNALIST: So, Bianca, I think first and foremost, it's important to understand that these are two of the most extremist ministers in the current government, and they don't make government policy. Even before Israel disengaged from the Gaza Strip, removed its settlements, moved all of its security personnel out of the Gaza Strip, so with no presence on the ground, they were against that disengagement from the Gaza Strip. And even before October the 7th and those Hamas terrorist attacks, they have been advocating for Israel to resettle the Gaza Strip.

So, against that backdrop, their comments are nothing new. I think it's also important to note that they are advocating for voluntary immigration rather than forced immigration.

And I think finally, the most important point is that they don't make government policy. This isn't Israeli government policy. And even if it were Israeli government policy, all opinion polls suggest that were elections held tomorrow, this government would be out on its ear.

That said, as you say, there has been condemnation from Saudi Arabia, from the European Union, from the United States as well. And while there are people, and you hear this from people in, whether it's Tel Aviv or outside of Tel Aviv, inside of Israel, remarking, as one of the freed hostages did, that there are no good Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. And there are certainly concerns as to what happens the day after this war ends.

I don't think there is widespread support for, you know, forcing -- certainly not for forcing, Palestinians to leave the Gaza Strip and an understanding that something needs to happen after this war to ensure that Hamas cannot again repeat those attacks of October the 7th as it has vowed to do. And to ensure that Israelis living around the Gaza Strip and beyond can live in security.

There isn't really anything on the table right now that would square those two seemingly opposing objectives. But I think, as I say, important to bear in mind that as those comments by those two ministers are not government policy.

And indeed, the U.S. State Department spokesman has said that he's been repeatedly assured by the Israeli government that this isn't government policy -- Bianca.

FOSTER: Some sounds that seem to be positive for the families of hostages as well, possibly going back to negotiations on getting them out.

GOTKINE: That certainly was the hope as we moved into 2024. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, just a couple of days ago, meeting again with families of those who still have hostages, more than 100 still believed to be alive, held in captivity by Hamas after being kidnapped on October the 7th. There was hope that negotiations were happening. Netanyahu suggested that talks were beginning to happen.

And I suppose one of the proposals that we understood was on the table was that Hamas, the Israelis had been told by Qatari mediators, was in principle agreed to resume talks on the basis of something like 40 of those 100 hostages being released in exchange for releases of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails and a ceasefire of up to a month in length.

But there's nothing solid on the table that we are aware of. And it's unclear as to whether the presumed assassination of one of the founding members of Hamas' military wing, Saleh al-Arouri, in southern Beirut the other day, is going to impact those talks.

[04:15:04]

It's unclear if they will impact those talks. But as I say, certainly the families of those hostages still being held in captivity in the Gaza Strip are hopeful and certainly putting pressure on the government to do some kind of deal. That would lead to another kind of truce and those remaining hostages freed.

But as I say, nothing solid on the table yet and unclear if and when a truce and an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners will take place -- Max.

FOSTER: Elliott in Tel Aviv, thank you so much.

NOBILO: And if you would like to know how to help humanitarian relief efforts for Gaza and Israel, please do go to cnn.com/impact. There you'll find a list of vetted organizations providing assistance. That is at cnn.com/impact.

FOSTER: Southern England needs for about more rain. I mean --

NOBILO: Breaking news. England gets more rain.

FOSTER: -- how long, after months of rain?

NOBILO: But forecasters say it will not nearly be as severe as Storm Henk, which inundated parts of the U.K. on Tuesday. It also brought strong winds that knocked out power and interrupted train service. The Met Office has now issued a new severe weather warning for heavy rain set to go into effect in the next few hours.

Forecasters expect up to 50 millimeters or about two inches of new rain across southern England, which could cause more flooding and travel disruption.

FOSTER: I look forward to going home.

Storm Henk also caused trouble in northern France, which is dealing with flooding for the second time in two months. On Wednesday, rescue crews scrambled to evacuate people from inundated homes. Severe weather also affecting parts of Belgium and Scandinavia.

NOBILO: And those rainstorms in France are expected to move into northern Germany in the coming day, where some areas are already dealing with flooding. Emergency crews have been setting up a temporary dam two kilometers long, made of large containers filled with water, before more heavy rain moves in.

FOSTER: Now, Iran warns of a harsh response after twin blasts killed dozens of people. We'll have the latest developments for you just ahead.

NOBILO: Plus, investigators in Japan have plenty of new evidence to work with in the deadly plane collision on a runway in Tokyo.

FOSTER: And fighting for the number two spot, the strategies of these Republican presidential hopefuls as they try to close the gap on Donald Trump.

[04:20:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NOBILO: Iran is now marking a day of public mourning and threatening retaliation for a pair of deadly explosions.

FOSTER: Iranian state media has now revised the number of those killed to 84, with more than 280 injured in Wednesday's twin blast near the gravesite of the late Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani. Crowds had gathered to honor the general who was killed in a U.S. air strike in Baghdad four years ago.

NOBILO: So far there's been no claim of responsibility. The U.S. says it was not involved and has no reason to believe that Israel was either.

But Iran's president put the blame squarely on Israel, warning the country will pay a heavy price.

FOSTER: The blast came just a day after a senior Hamas leader was killed in an attack in Beirut. Again, fueling fears that this latest violence could lead to wider regional war. It's a concern Lebanon's foreign minister addressed in an interview with CNN.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ABDALLAH BOU HABIB, LEBANESE FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): We don't want an escalation in the war. We don't want what's happening in the South to be spread over Lebanon. We don't like a regional war because it is dangerous to everyone. Dangerous to Lebanon. Dangerous to Israel and to the countries surrounding Israel.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: CNN's Paul Hancocks is following developments from Abu Dhabi and joins us now live. I mean there's lots of different things happening right now isn't there and different incidents? And there is a concern that it does suggest a wider conflict. But how can you -- how are you reading it?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Max, this couldn't have come at a worse time. There's already very high tensions across the region and there are concerns that this could just add to concerns that it spreads even wider.

Now when it comes to these deadly twin blasts in Iran, no one has claimed responsibility yet.

We have heard though from the Iranian side, from the Iranian president specifically, that he blames Israel. Listen to what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EBRAHIM RAISI, IRANI AND PRESIDENT (through translator): I warned the Zionist regime, don't doubt it. You will pay the price for this crime. These crimes that you have committed, you will deeply regret.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANCOCKS: There's been a no comment from Israel.

We've heard from the U.S. State Department saying that the U.S. was not involved. There's no reason to believe that Israel was involved.

And CNN is also heard from another U.S. official saying that they believe that this has all the hallmarks of an ISIS kind of attack, believing that they or a similar group could be responsible, something we've heard from analysts as well.

But Iranian officials are saying there will be a heavy price for this.

Now what we know of what exactly happened, it all started at about three o'clock in the afternoon when many were going to commemorate the four-year anniversary of the death of Qasem Soleimani. The first blast at three o'clock was just about 700 meters away from the grave itself.

It's believed that it was put inside a suitcase, a bomb planted there and then put inside a car and appeared to be detonated remotely. And then the second, and we are being told the far more deadly blast happened just 20 minutes later. And that, of course, was when those responsible knew that many would be in that area. That happened about a kilometer away from the grave. That is when many were going in to try and help those that had been injured in the first blast.

Now it has been widely condemned across the region, including by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, many saying that this simply should be condemned.

[04:25:03]

But of course, the question is who was responsible and what the motive was. That is a question that is going to be asked at this point. But it does come at a time of heightened tensions.

It comes, as you say, just a day after a Hamas leader was assassinated in southern Beirut. It comes also just several days after another member of the Iranian military was killed on Christmas Day as well. So certainly, tensions heightened even more.

FOSTER: Yes, OK, Paula in Abu Dhabi, thank you.

NOBILO: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Bianca Nobilo.

FOSTER: I'm Max Foster. If you're joining us just now, let me bring you up to date with our top stories this hour.

Donald Trump is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Colorado ruling that removed him from the state's 2024 primary ballot.

[04:30:00]