Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

China Kicks Off Major Two-Day Security Summit; Chicago Mayor Resists Trump's Expected Federal Deployment; Ukrainian Politician Shot Dead in Kyiv; New Israeli Strikes in Gaza City; FDA's New COVID Vaccine Requirement. Aired 4-5a ET

Aired August 31, 2025 - 04:00   ET

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

[04:00:00]

KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to all you watching us here in the United States, Canada, and around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. This is CNN Newsroom.

World leaders are in China right now for a major security summit. President Donald Trump looms large over the event, even though he isn't even there. We'll have a live report from China. As President Trump's trade war faces a new legal setback, we're learning how the public is viewing his tariff policies now compared to when he won reelection. Plus, Chicago's mayor signs an executive order of his own, aimed at resisting the White House's planned immigration crackdown.

ANNOUNCER: Live from Atlanta, this is CNN Newsroom with Kim Brunhuber.

BRUNHUBER: Several world leaders are converging in Tianjin, China, where Chinese leader Xi Jinping is hosting a major security summit. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a group of 10 Eurasian member states and other observer states. It was set up to form a counterweight to the U.S. and western countries. China is taking the opportunity to tout its global leadership as Donald Trump upends U.S. relationships with various countries.

India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, received a warm welcome for his first visit to China in seven years. He just met with Xi in direct talks. Their countries are trying to mend their divisions as India's friction with the U.S. grows. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also in China. He's set to stay for four days as he dodges pressure to end his war in Ukraine.

CNN's Ivan Watson joins me now from Tianjin, China. So, Ivan, President Xi really hoping to make the most of this platform as a sort of counterpoint to President Trump.

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. I mean, this is a chance for China and for President Xi to flex their diplomatic might at this 25th anniversary meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. So, the countries that are here, they boast that they kind of represent nearly half of the world's population.

So, in comments that Xi made in his bilateral meeting with the Indian prime minister today, for example, he talked about a world that is swept by once-in-a-century transformations, saying that the international situation is both fluid and chaotic. And I think that the buzzwords here for China and for Russia, another founding member of this SCO, this Eurasian Security Club, is that they're calling for a fairer multipolar world. And they've long complained about a world order that's been dominated by the U.S. since the end of the Cold War, the collapse of the Soviet Union. And they have clearly wanted to rebalance this world order and this summit, this gathering is an opportunity for them to do that.

Experts saying it's a chance for China to present itself as a more stable, more predictable great power as opposed to some of the chaos in the Trump administration's foreign policy right now. And in a couple of days' time, China will get to flex its military muscle at this huge military parade that is scheduled to put on in Beijing on Wednesday. Kim.

BRUNHUBER: All right. And, Ivan, in terms of some of that chaos, it was sewn by President Trump with all those tariffs, and those huge tariffs on China, on India, particularly, President Trump seems to be pushing India towards China, right?

WATSON: That's certainly what some experts would say is that Trump kind of upended a quarter century of growing ties between Washington and New Delhi when he was seen by Indians to be siding with Pakistan during their border skirmishes in May and that he then punished India just a few days ago by imposing 50 percent tariffs on the country and that that really frankly shocked Indian diplomatic circles in the Indian government which had really been relying on kind of expanding these ties with the U.S.

So, for months now, India has been reestablishing connections with China that had cratered after deadly border clashes had erupted between India and China in this disputed border zone, in the Himalayas back in 2020.

[04:05:00]

And so, China and the Indian governments have been re-exploring and reestablishing ties. And now, you have Narendra Modi on the ground here in Tianjin, in China for the first time in seven years and talking about reestablishing friendly relations. Take a listen to what he had to say when he met face-to-face with the Chinese leader earlier today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NARENDRA MODI, INDIAN PRIME MINISTER (through translator): The interest of 2.8 billion people in both our countries are tied to our cooperation. This will also pave the way for the welfare of humanity. We are committed to taking our relations forward on the basis of mutual trust and respect.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WATSON: So, India and China are talking about reestablishing direct flights, which haven't existed for years now, allowing tourists to go to each other's countries. That has also been frozen for some time, and we'll see if there'll be further announcements as well. But it is really kind of a demonstration of how Trump's foreign policies has helped push an Asian giant closer towards China's embrace. Kim.

BRUNHUBER: Ivan Watson in Tianjin, China, thanks so much. So, it's not just the countries gather there at the summit wishing they didn't have to deal with President Trump's tariffs. A Federal Appeals court ruled Friday that many of President Trump's sweeping tariffs are illegal, saying he went too far when he used emergency powers to impose import taxes on nearly every country. For now, they remain in place, and the White House is vowing to fight the ruling all the way to the Supreme Court. As Harry Enten explains, it comes as recent polling shows a growing number of Americans aren't happy about them either.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: Hey, there. On Friday, a federal appeals court struck down many of Donald Trump's terrorists, though delayed implementation of that striking down until October. Though in the minds of the American public, I bet many of them wish that the strike down began immediately.

What are we talking about here? Well take a look. New tariffs on imported goods. You go back to when Donald Trump was last elected in November of 2024, 52 percent at the majority favored new tariffs compared to just 48 percent who opposed them. Jump over to this side of the screen now. Look at the opposition, up like a rocket, 60 percent oppose, oppose new tariffs on imported goods compared to just 40 percent who favor. So, we've gone from majority favoring new tariffs to, get this, three in five Americans opposing them.

Why do Americans oppose these new tariffs? Well, it all comes down to money in the pocketbook, baby, money in the pocketbook. Impact of tariffs on prices. In the short-term, get this, 77 percent, my goodness gracious, believe that these tariffs will in fact increase, increase prices in the short-term compared to this itty-bitty loan number.

4, 1, 2, 3, 4 just believe -- percent believe that in fact the tariffs will decrease prices in the short-term.

Of course, the Donald Trump argument has been, stick with me, over the long-term prices will come down. Nuh-uh. No way, baby. Get this, just 25 percent of Americans believe that over the long-term the of tariffs on prices will be to bring them down compared to the plurality 50 percent who believe that in fact they will increase prices over the long-term.

Now, 50 percent is lower than 77 percent, but 50 percent is a whole heck of a lot bigger than the 25 percent who believe that price prices will in fact decrease over the long-term. The clear plurality believe that, in fact, they will increase. Now, of course, is this happening in a vacuum, right? Maybe it comes down to this, people don't like the tariffs, but it's not impacting their views on Donald Trump. That is not the case. Nuh-uh, baby. Look at this. Top reason Trump's doing a bad job, economy/tariffs ranks numero uno, ranks first, ranks first, in terms of the number one reason why those who disapprove of Donald Trump believe he's doing a bad job. Amongst those who approve, get this, trade and tariff rank 10th, 10th on the list of reasons why they, in fact, believe that Donald Trump is doing a good job. It turns out that the tariffs are doing a lot more to bring Donald Trump's approval rating down than to elevate them. Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Now, the fate of Trump's tariff policies may ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court and whether the justices will defer to him as they've done on previous cases. Former federal prosecutor Shan Wu explains how this case could play out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHAN WU, FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: The Supreme Court tends to be rather friendly to expansion of presidential power, but I think also when the law is extremely black and white, they don't have much trouble following that. So, I think the central question whether tariffs are authorized under the statute, pretty easy answer, it's not there. I think they're going to say Congress will need to act to add that to it. I mean, president may have some power to impose tariffs, but not under this particular provision, not under this law.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[04:10:00]

BRUNHUBER: Chicago is pushing back as sources say the Trump administration is preparing a major immigration enforcement operation that could see troops deployed to the city. Mayor Brandon Johnson is telling police not to collaborate with federal agents on patrols, arrests, or immigration enforcement. President Trump has already sent troops into two Democrat-led cities, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. for what he describes as a crackdown on lawlessness. He's threatened Illinois Governor JB Pritzker that Chicago is next, and said he's crazy if he thinks Chicago doesn't need help fighting crime. CNN's Julia Benbrook has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: President Donald Trump is focusing in on Chicago. According to multiple sources familiar with the planning, the Trump administration is preparing for a major immigration enforcement operation in the city as soon as next week. Now, the Chicago mayor, Brandon Johnson, is pushing back. He has accused Trump of, quote, "stoking fear" and signed an executive order over the weekend laying out the initial plans for how the city would try to resist a potential crackdown. He explained his reasoning for taking this step before he signed the order.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BRANDON JOHNSON, CHICAGO MAYOR: I do not take this executive action lightly. I would've preferred to work in a more collaborative approach. But unfortunately, we do not have the luxury of time. We have received credible reports that we have days, not week before our city see some type of militarized activity by the federal government. This is an erratic, impulsive administration and it is not always possible to understand and know exactly how he will move.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BENBROOK: Here were some of the key takeaways. The order says that the police will not collaborate with federal agents on immigration enforcement. It urges federal officers to avoid wearing face masks and identify themselves to members of the public with names and badge numbers. It also directs city departments to resist any efforts that violate the rights of Chicago citizens.

We reached out to the White House for a response to this order, a spokesperson said in part, if these Democrats focused on fixing crime in their own cities instead of doing publicity stunts to criticize the president, their communities would be much safer.

In a social media post Saturday night, Trump called out Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, saying that he better straighten it out or quote, "we're coming." Now, in the recent days, as Trump has taken aim at Chicago specifically, both when it comes to immigration and his anti-crime agenda, Johnson and Pritzker have voiced concerns about the lack of communication from the administration to their local teams.

Julia Benbrook, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: A migrant whose arrest was captured in a video that went viral has been talking to CNN about being torn from his family and what he hopes for the future. CNN's Maria Santana has the story. But first, we just want to warn you, her report includes video that might be disturbing to some of viewers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can't do that. You can't do that.

MARIA SANTANA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): 42-year-old Leonel Chavez captured his own arrest in Norwalk, Connecticut. He says he was driving to work with his brother Ricardo on the morning of August 15th, when federal immigration agents surrounded his truck demanding they get out. He says the agents gave no explanation before they smashed his window, cut his seatbelt, and shocked him with a taser.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What are you looking for?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get out of the car.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why?

SANTANA (VOICE-OVER): Speaking from Mexico, Leonel shows us the scars left by the taser. But he says the wounds run much deeper.

LEONEL CHAVEZ, MIGRANT DEPORTED TO MEXICO: I'm screaming because I'm scared. But after that, trying to pull me up and like I said, the seatbelt on the place they cut the seatbelt and just pulled me out.

SANTANA (VOICE-OVER): After being detained for about a week in a Massachusetts detention center, he was deported, forced to leave behind his family and the life he built in the United States.

CHAVEZ: I don't feel home like, because all my life is in the U.S. I miss my kids. I miss my wife, my church, my community.

SANTANA (VOICE-OVER): Leonel says he was just 17 years old when he moved to the U.S. He started his own masonry business, married an American citizen, and has three U.S.-born children. He says he has worked with an attorney over the years to file for legal status, but was never able to get his papers.

SANTANA: I could see in one video how proud you were when your daughter graduated college. What is it like being away from your children and your wife and knowing that you may not be part of more big moments like that?

CHAVEZ: It's sad. It's sad because my son is graduating this year and my daughter, too for high school and my son for college. But after that, I leave in everything God's hands.

[04:15:00]

SANTANA (VOICE-OVER): Leonel says his brother, who had been in the U.S. since 2008 was also deported. In images shot by a passerby, Ricardo can be seen running from an agent who shocks him several times after he falls to the ground. With his face bloodied, Ricardo is then handcuffed.

That video of his brother's arrest has drawn questions from officials in Connecticut. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum, went further calling it a possible human rights violation.

But in a statement to CNN, the Department of Homeland Security said their agents followed protocol and used only the minimum force necessary. They also called Leonel an illegal immigrant with a long criminal record. Court documents show Leonel has several decades' old misdemeanor convictions, mistakes he says were made in his youth.

CHAVEZ: That's my in past, like in my teenage years, you know. After maybe 25, I do everything right and try to be a better person.

SANTANA (VOICE-OVER): He now longs for the day he is reunited with his family in the only place he's ever called home.

CHAVEZ: I love America. I love USA. because I got all my family there, all my, like I say, all my friends, families, church. Sooner or later, I'll be back. But I got to do the right thing, you know? Legal, straight everything so I can start a new life.

SANTANA (VOICE-OVER): Maria Santana, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Donald Trump has declared he'll issue an executive order requiring all voters to present identification. In his post on Truth Social, Trump also says, only paper ballots will be allowed. The only exceptions, he says, will be for the very ill and the, quote, "far away military." Now, the president doesn't mention that states conduct elections and any executive order requiring voter ID or paper ballots would be challenged in the courts. He continues to falsely claim that he was cheated at a victory in 2020 by fraud.

Israel is conducting news strikes in Gaza City and its troops could move to take it over at any moment. Ahead, why the International Red Cross says Israel's plan to evacuate the city is impossible.

Plus, a Ukrainian lawmaker gunned down in the street. We'll have the latest on the investigation and the search for the shooter. Those stories coming up next. Stay with us

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:20:00]

BRUNHUBER: Indonesia's president has canceled a trip to China as protests continue to rock his country. President Prabowo Subianto had been set to mark the anniversary of the end of World War II in Beijing on Wednesday, but he's dropped those plans amid escalating demonstrations that began days ago in Jakarta. Protests began over lawmakers' pay. They escalated on Friday after a police armored vehicle hit and killed the driver of a ride hailing motorbike. Protests early on Saturday saw several regional parliament buildings set on fire, and local media reported that one was looted. On Friday, three people were killed in an arson attack on another regional parliament building.

Anti-immigration protests took place across the U.K. on Saturday, one day after a court barred the eviction of immigrants from a hotel that had housed a migrant charged with sexual assault. British police arrested five people at a protest near Heathrow Airport after masked men attempted to force their way into another hotel used by asylum seekers. Immigration continues to be a dominant political issue in the U.K. The British government is currently housing more than 32,000 migrants in more than 200 hotels across the country.

Ukrainian officials say a prominent politician was shot dead in the western City of Lviv on Saturday. Now, I just want to warn you, the following images are disturbing. Andriy Parubiy was previously the chair of Ukraine's Parliament. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his, quote, "horrendous murder was carefully planned." Police say he was shot several times with a short-barreled firearm. The killer hasn't been identified and is still at large.

Meanwhile, President Trump is now casting doubt on whether the leaders of Russia and Ukraine will meet one-on-one. But he still seems confident that a trilateral meeting is still possible even as Vladimir Putin bombards Ukraine with massive new attacks. President Trump said he began arranging direct talks between Putin and Zelensky as the next step toward reaching peace that Putin hasn't signaled he's willing to come to the table.

Israel is stepping up attacks and cutting back on aid Gaza as it prepares for its planned full-scale operation in Gaza City. Hospitals say strikes like this one killed at least 47 people on Saturday. Several children were among the injured in the attack. At the same time, a source tells CNN that Israel will halt airdrops over Gaza City and cut the number of aid trucks that are entering as part of its plan to evacuate residents from the city. But the International Red Cross says that plan is impossible. The group's president says, starving, disabled, and injured Palestinians aren't capable of moving.

Now, as all this is going on, the Israeli military has identified the remains of the second hostage found earlier this week. He's 28-year- old Idan Shtivi. officials say he was killed at the Nova Music Festival on October 7th, and Hamas carried his body into Gaza.

In the meantime, Houthi rebels say an Israeli airstrike this week killed the group's prime minister. More on all of this now from CNN Jerusalem Bureau Chief Oren Liebermann.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: It took the Houthis several days to acknowledge the results of an Israeli airstrike on the capital of Sanaa, but they now say the strike, which we had reported targeted senior Houthi leadership killed their prime minister, Ahmed al- Rahawi, as well as other ministers, though they don't detail who else was killed in the strike. They say it was a group of their leaders that were meeting in Sanaa and that was where the Israelis struck.

[04:25:00]

It is another example of the Israeli military using its intelligence to target the senior leadership of Iranian proxies in the region. We saw it when Israel targeted and assassinated Hamas' political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran, as well as when they killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut and strikes that have targeted Hamas leaders in Gaza.

Now, we see that same MO being used by the Israelis to go after Houthis leaders after a number of ballistic missiles have been fired at Israel as the Houthis say they're standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza. We saw Israel's defense minister warn in December that they would start targeting Houthis leadership. And now, after the Israelis struck power plants, military bases, civilian infrastructure that they say was used by the Houthis, we see a shift in what Israel is targeting here as they go after the leaders of the Iran-backed rebel group.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, a source familiar with Israel's planning says Israel intends to halt airdrops into Gaza City. Meaning that Palestinians, up to a million of them in and around Gaza's largest city, will be forced out of the city if they're looking for desperately needed aid. And that is part of Israel's bigger plan as it prepares for the takeover and occupation of Gaza City. The plan is to force the evacuation and then to move in with the military.

But we already see the military operating on the ground in the neighborhoods around Gaza City, neighborhoods like Jabalya and Zeitoun. And then, we have seen strikes closing in on Gaza City itself. In the Al Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City itself, Israel said that they targeted a key Hamas terrorist without providing any more details about who they were targeting or whether they believed the target was killed in the strike.

Meanwhile, a Saturday night in Israel means there were more protests on the streets. This time protestors holding a massive sign that called on President Donald Trump to, quote, "make history" and force Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the deal on the table, get to a deal to end the war, and bring home the remaining hostages.

Orn Lieberman, CNN in Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Changes to requirements for this fall's COVID vaccine have some health experts worried. We'll explain why and tell you why some pharmacies in the U.S. are no longer offering the vaccine.

And Labor Day weekend in the U.S. is bringing sunshine for many and storms for some. Your holiday weekend forecast is up ahead. Please stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:30:00]

BRUNHUBER: Welcome back to all of you watching us here in the United States, Canada, and around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. This is CNN Newsroom.

Workers with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have orders to return to their Georgia campus in a little over two weeks. CDC staff received an e-mail telling them to report back to the Atlanta headquarters on September 15th. Now, many had been working remotely since a gunman opened fire at the campus on August 8th, and an attack that left a police officer dead.

Last week, the CDC lost much of its top leadership, including the director, Susan Monarez, who was ousted after clashes over vaccine policy with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Several others resigned in protest and colleagues gathered to say goodbye on Thursday. Also, last week, at least 600 CDC employees received permanent termination notices. Now, this after the agency lost a quarter of its staff during reduction and force layoffs.

Changes to FDA guidelines on COVID-19 vaccines are raising concerns about how widely available they'll be. The FDA approved updated vaccines this week specifically for seniors and for younger people who have conditions that put them at higher risk from COVID-19. Everyone else will need an off-label prescription from a doctor. Federal officials insist the vaccine is available to everyone who wants it. But health experts say that's misleading. They say the changes complicate insurance coverage and vaccine availability.

And now, CVS pharmacy says it's no longer offering COVID-19 vaccinations in 16 states. The company says that's because of, quote, the current regulatory environment. CVS officials say they must adhere to state level pharmacy guidelines and several states forbid vaccinations not recommended by the CDCs advisory committee.

All right. Joining me now to discuss this from Valencia, Spain is Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine with the University of California San Francisco. Good to see you again. Thanks so much for being here with us. So, it sounds as though only certain people in certain age groups and with specific risks will be able to easily get the shot. So, exactly who qualifies, and when it comes to those risks, I mean, how are they supposed to actually prove it?

DR. PETER CHIN-HONG, PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO: Yes. So, who qualifies what's staying the same as those who are 65 and older, those who are under 65 with a comorbidity, including those over six months and those under 18 months. But the problem with the under 18 -- sorry, under 18-year age group is that they have to have a discussion with a healthcare provider.

So, what is this setting up is really just a lot of barriers. You have to have a healthcare provider, even if you are in the eligible group, maybe you heard rumors that your kids couldn't get the vaccine, so why try? Because you're worried about a $200 payment at Walgreens. Right now, the CDC advisory board hasn't met. So, if the drugstore is waiting for the CDC advisory board to meet, and that is very uncharacteristically several weeks after the FDA approval. I think there's a lot of uncertainty.

BRUNHUBER: Yes, absolutely. And certainly, just anecdotally, a lot of people have come to me asking me questions about this because nobody seems to know whether it'll be covered and whether they can actually get it. I mean, you used to be able to just walk into a pharmacy and get a shot. Now, as you say, so many hoops for people to go through and adult without insurance, that $200 figure you mentioned, that's what the -- it'll cost you if it isn't covered. So, what effect do you think this will have on the population with so many people possibly not getting the shot?

DR. CHIN-HONG: Well, I think it will have a demonstrable effect with an increase in hospitalizations, and some of the groups that are not covered, that are higher risk, like those under two years old who have to, again, have a healthcare provider, those who are pregnant, who are healthy, because right now, they're not incorporated in the rules. And we know that that's an age group -- or that's a risk group at higher complication rates -- with a higher complication rate.

[04:35:00] And you know, I think all of this means that -- and then, of course, with the people who are supposed to get it, they're not really sure if they're going to have it covered. It changes one day. Right now, you need a prescription in 16 states, like you said, even if you are under the guidelines. So, who knows when that will change, and that leads to a blanket of uncertainties, like a fog. So, probably, you know, an increase in hospitalizations in some group, increase in healthcare utilization, particularly for the kids who are the drivers of emergency room visits, even higher than adults over 65.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. And many people might be wondering, you know, considering the expense. You know, do I really need a shot? So, going into the fall and into flu season and so on, I mean, what are experts like yourself saying?

DR. CHIN-HONG: Well, I think that there are probably three main groups who I'll continue to recommend very highly, those who are 65 and older. That's because those are the people I'm seeing in the hospital right now when I'm seeing people with COVID. Those who are pregnant, regardless of if you have comorbidities, and those who are kids, particularly those two and under. The problem is whether or not those groups will be able to get the vaccine easily.

I think everybody else will probably do fine. Of course, comorbidities like extreme immune compromise I always worry about as well, but it's really the older, very immune compromised and the very young, like flu that are being affected.

BRUNHUBER: Got you. Now, many people might not be too bothered, I guess, because we don't hear much about COVID these days. So, where do things actually stand, sort of, what are you seeing out there?

DR. CHIN-HONG: So, right now, we have COVID rising across the country, but as the years go by, we're seeing a fewer proportion of people hospitalized. But on the other hand, we are still seeing people hospitalized. Last year, we had about 50,000 deaths, which is very similar to influenza. So, it's not like it's nothing or gone away. And I think it's really hard because we're existing in these two worlds where most people seem to be doing fine. But then, when you go behind the walls of the hospital, you're taking care of people who are getting very sick. Still not a lot like in 2020, but still a number that shouldn't be there because we have all the tools to keep them out of the hospital.

BRUNHUBER: Quick question for you, because so many people still are confused and with the -- all the, you know, process with the CDC going on, it certainly has added to a lot of that chaos out there. What's your advice on who folks out there can turn to when they're looking for medical advice on this?

DR. CHIN-HONG: Well, you know, the Kaiser Family Foundation survey still says that Americans trust their clinicians. So, talk to your doctor. And you know, I think various states and coalitions and of course, professional organizations are getting together right now to sort of like, in the early days of COVID, come up with their guidance as well. But at the end of the day, whether or not it will be paid for is going to make a big difference to Americans.

BRUNHUBER: Yes, absolutely right. Listen, all this has been a very valuable reminder for so many people out there. Peter Chin-Hong, thank you so much for speaking with us.

DR. CHIN-HONG: Thanks so much, Kim.

BRUNHUBER: The Environmental Protection Agency has fired at least eight employees who signed a letter criticizing the agency's leadership under President Trump and Administrator Lee Zeldin. Officials claim the letter contained inaccurate information that mislead the public, but the EPA's largest union says the move is clearly retaliation and an assault on free speech.

The firings followed disciplinary action against more than 100 workers, many of them, scientists, engineers, and lawyers who raised concerns about cuts to staffing and programs. 140 employees were already put on leave earlier this summer as the EPA moves ahead with plans to shrink its workforce by thousands.

A Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer here in the U.S. And with millions of people traveling and spending time outdoors, whether it can make or break those holiday weekend plans. Here's CNN Meteorologist Chris Warren with what to expect.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS WARREN, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Taking a look across the country, most areas are looking pretty good and actually feeling even better. There's definitely some exceptions. Let's talk about that. Showers and storms again on Sunday for parts of the middle of the U.S. In the Plains, showers and thunderstorms, in Florida as well. Look at this boundary right here. The red, the blue, the red. That's a stalled boundary, which means it's not going to move very much, which means the chance for showers is not going to move very much. So, more showers, more thunderstorms, but mild.

It's going to be hot in the southwest, but it's going to be mild across parts of the northeast with temperatures topping out Sunday afternoon, topping out in the lower 70s. In Boston, it's going to be 78. In New York, a little bit warmer than Saturday and still in the 80s, even some parts of the southeast parts of the Carolinas in the upper 70s.

[04:40:00]

So, feeling a little bit cooler than average, cooler than what you might expect this time of year. But this time of year, typically is pretty warm. So, a little bit cooler than average. It's not quite super-hot, but it is still warm. You're still looking at temperatures in the upper 80s in New Orleans, mid-80s on Monday and Tuesday, and highs in the upper Midwest. The Midwest, and throughout the northeast, mostly in the 70s. And on the warmest side of things will be right around 80 degrees. There's still going to be over the next couple of days a chance for some showers and a few storms.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: President Trump is taking a personal interest in design changes in Washington. Ahead, we'll explain what he's doing to change the look of the nation's capital. Plus, why some groups are calling for an end to a famous New York institution, horse-drawn carriage rides. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRUNHUBER: President Trump is putting his mark on architecture and design in Washington from New stonework in the Rose Garden to the look of federal buildings. CNN's Betsy Klein reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Well, presidents typically don't wade into stonework or federal architectural policy, but this president does, marking his latest effort to impose his style and tastes on Washington, D.C. And one thing that I've learned from observing and interacting with President Trump since back in 2015 is that he is still deeply attuned to his background in real estate. It's one of those things that makes him tick.

The president making that very clear in a post to social media on Saturday as he took aim at some damaged rock in the Rose Garden. He says, quote, "Three days ago, while admiring the stonework, I happen to notice a huge gash in the limestone that extended more than 25 yards long. It was deep and nasty. I started yelling, who did this? And I want to find out now. And I didn't say this in a nice manner."

[04:45:00]

The president was able to track down some surveillance video of the incident in question. It appears to show two men pushing a steel cart on that limestone. It does not appear to be intentional. Limestone is a very soft rock. The president also saying those contractors would not be allowed to work at the White House again. And separately, the president issuing an executive order this week that mandates that all federal buildings embrace classical architecture. It also says that those buildings that do not must be run by the president, and that includes those brutalist buildings, some of the iconic geometric buildings that you see in Washington, D.C. like the J. Edgar Hoover FBI building as well as the D.C. metro system.

It says, quote, "In the District of Columbia, classical architecture shall be the preferred and default architecture for federal public buildings absent exceptional factors." Now, all of this comes as President Trump has taken other steps to impose his taste here at the White House, including those efforts to adorn the Oval Office and cabinet room with gilded accents. His efforts to pave in the White House Rose Garden to make it look more like his Mar-a-Lago resort, as well as a planned expansion of a '90s thousand-square foot White House Ballroom expected to break ground in the coming days. Altogether, the president taking steps to apply his aesthetic vision to Washington, D.C.

Betsy Klein, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Visitors heading to New York City for the Labor Day weekend might want to take one of those charming horse-drawn carriage rides through Central Park, but that longtime fixture may soon become a relic of the past. CNN's Leigh Waldman explains why.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTINA HANSEN, CARRIAGE HORSE DRIVER, CHIEF SHOP STEWARD TWU LOCAL 100: Hey. Hey. Good morning. Good morning.

LEIGH WALDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's a familiar sound in Central Park. The carriage horses and their drivers welcoming tourists and locals into the heart of the city.

HANSEN: I think it's a misconception that, you know, oh, we're just a holdover from when everybody had horses. No, this is something that's always been special.

WALDMAN (voice-over): For more than a decade Christina Hansen has been a carriage horse driver in New York City. She also sees herself as an advocate for the working animals that are under a new wave of scrutiny.

HANSEN: But the conservancy has sort of taken sides with the animal rights activists because their timing was clearly designed to help push this anti-carriage horse ban bill that we've got. I know.

WALDMAN (voice-over): The nonprofit that maintains New York City's iconic green space, the Central Park Conservancy, is pushing for a ban on the carriage horses, but not for animal rights reasons.

BETSY SMITH, PRESIDENT, CEO CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY: The horse carriages have been an ongoing issue. And really, it was a couple of safety issues in May that really brought it again to the fore.

WALDMAN (voice-over): In her letter to the mayor's office, Betsy Smith described two instances in May where carriage horses broke loose from their handlers, writing, the risk to public safety can no longer be responsibly overlooked.

SMITH: We have 40 million people use the park, things like that are very, very unsustainable and worrisome to people.

WALDMAN (voice-over): The Conservancy also points to damaged infrastructure from the horse carriages and sanitation issues from what's left behind by the animals. It's the first time the Central Park Conservancy is adding its voice to the fight over the decade's old tradition.

SMITH: There is something iconic about the horses in the park, we feel sympathetic to that, but actually, trumping that is our feeling that we have to manage the park to make it safe for everyone. And these issues really together made it really the point. WALDMAN (voice-over): Ultimately, it's not up to the Conservancy or the Carriage Horse Union. The decision on whether or not to keep horses strolling through Central Park lies with the mayor and the city council.

ROBERT HOLDEN, NEW YORK CITY COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT 30: Well, you can't think of a worse place to be for a horse than on the busy streets of Manhattan.

WALDMAN (voice-over): Councilman Robert Holden introduced a new piece of legislation hoping to ban the practice by next June. For him, it's an issue of animal safety.

HOLDEN: Day in and day out, they're pulling carriages and they're suffering. And that's why you see horses drop.

WALDMAN (voice-over): His bill, Rider's Law, is named after a horse that collapsed in "Hell's Kitchen" in 2022 and was later euthanized. Earlier this month, another horse collapsed and died on the street after working in New York City for less than two months. Drivers like Hansen say these issues are isolated, that their horses are cared for and have strict safety regulations.

HANSEN: It's my hope that this is an opportunity for the city council, for New Yorkers or whatever to remember like what we're actually all about here and what kind of protections that we have.

WALDMAN: Now, Holden says that he would like to see these animals replaced with electric carriages, but the union who represents their drivers say their animals pose no risk to public safety. Instead, pointing to the electric scooters and bikes that rush to this area, they say they are a greater risk to the pedestrians who frequent this park. We asked the mayor's office where they stand on this issue. They said, mayor Eric Adams is working to find a solution that's good for the animals and for the people.

In Central Park, Leigh Waldman, CNN.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[04:50:00]

BRUNHUBER: Taylor Swift said yes to Travis Kelce. Just ahead, we'll have the latest on the wedding now being planned for the music superstar and the football champ. That is coming up next. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRUNHUBER: All right. No date has been set, but she's wearing the massive diamond ring and the coming marriage of pop superstar Taylor Swift and football champ Travis Kelce is already being called America's royal wedding. CNN's Lynda Kinkade gives us a preview.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LYNDA KINKADE, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is a love story that broke the internet.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They're just such a cute couple. I think that they would -- are going to be amazing married.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm excited to see wedding pictures, obviously, and excited to see her as a bride.

KINKADE (voice-over): Just as she's dominated music and pop culture, Taylor Swift will be a very influential bride. The wedding of the pop princess to Travis Kelce, her night in Kansas City Chief's armor, will likely set the stage for new wedding trends for years to come.

ELANA FISHMAN, NEW YORK POST, PAGE SIX STYLE AND SHOPPING DIRECTOR: Taylor and Travis' wedding is basically shaping up to be our royal wedding, and I think the guest list will be completely star-studded. But I also sort of could see them keeping it rather intimate instead of doing like a huge glitzy blowout.

[04:55:00]

KINKADE (voice-over): The engagement is already a hit. Swift's Ralph Lauren engagement dress is sold out on the designer's website and her diamond engagement ring is turning heads, not just for its size, but for its unconventional style.

TOBIAS KORMIND, 77 DIAMONDS MANAGING DIRECTOR: I'm excited by this because I do think actually this proposal will start a whole new trend. I think given what a strong following she has, I think we're very, very likely to see a whole new level of interest in old mine cut diamonds.

KINKADE (voice-over): Whatever Swift says does and wears usually captures public attention with her legions of devoted followers around the globe. But that fascination is also a highly bankable one. Swift is a billionaire, and her recent Eras Tour is the highest grossing tour of all time, with many cities saying it generated hundreds of millions of dollars to local economies.

So, it's no surprise that the upcoming nuptials are a topic of conversation, even in some of the highest officers of power. U.S. President Donald Trump, sending his regards.

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: So, I wish them a lot of luck.

KINKADE (voice-over): And the prime minister of New Zealand making a special pitch to the couple.

CHRISTOPHER LUXON, NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER: But there would be no better place in the world than to have the wedding here in New Zealand or even your honeymoon.

KINKADE: It's only been days since Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement in opposed to sharing this photo of the rings and the moment Swift said I do. And now, the location of the wedding, just like who would design her wedding gown and who will be on the guest list are widely anticipated. Blank spaces for now, but there's no doubt the engagement era will be one to watch.

Lynda Kinkade, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: All right, that wraps this hour of CNN Newsroom. I'm Kim Huber. I'll be back with more news in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:00:00]