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Trump Weighs Military Intervention In Iran; DHS Secretary Noem Tells CNN Domestic Terrorism Remark Was Not A Rush To Judgement After ICE Shooting; Interview With Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA); Fire Destroys Jackson, Mississippi's Only Synagogue, Suspect Arrested. Aired 3-4p ET

Aired January 11, 2026 - 15:00   ET

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

[15:00:02]

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN HOST: And hello again, everyone. Thank you so much for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

And we begin with new details on the deadly protests in Iran. Sources telling CNN that President Trump is reviewing a range of possible military options after Iranians calls for change have been met with violence.

(VIDEO CLIP PLAYS)

WHITFIELD: This is the scene playing out in Tehran, at least 490 protesters have been killed according to the latest estimated by a U.S.-based Human Rights group. It is a significant rise from yesterday, where a few dozen deaths were reported.

This is the third week of anti-government demonstrations that began over rampant inflation, but have since morphed into more general protests against the regime.

CNN's Julia Benbrook is near Mar-a-Lago where the President is spending the weekend.

Julia, what more can you tell us about the options that Trump is considering?

JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, President Donald Trump has not made a final decision yet, but we do know that he is weighing options when it comes to potential intervention in Iran, as the death toll there continues to rise, according to a U.S.-based Human Rights group. That death toll has gone above 400, and there have been more than 3,000 arrests as these anti-government protests have spread throughout Iran's provinces and have been going on for more than two weeks now.

As Trump is looking to make good on his vow to help the people there, he has been briefed on several different potential plans. Now, there is some concern within the Trump administration that military strikes could backfire and could actually undermine the protests there.

According to U.S. Officials who have spoken with CNN, a number of the plans presented have centered around targeting Tehran's security services, which have been used to tamp down some of the protests. Also under consideration, cyber operations that would target Iran's military or regime targets and could slow down some of those efforts to crack down on protesters.

The administration is also considering the potential of helping bolster internet access, as the people there have been in an information blackout going into the fourth day of that now. Trump commented yesterday, making it clear that he wants to do something. What was not clear is exactly what steps he would take.

He said that the U.S. stands ready to help. That was in a social media post. We heard him speak publicly on camera about this Friday. This was while he was addressing reporters before he traveled out here to Florida, where he is spending the weekend, and he was pressed on as this death toll continues to rise, at what point, if at all, would his administration take steps?

I want you to take a listen to his response.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: I think I've made this statement very strongly that if they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved. We'll be hitting them very hard where it hurts. And that doesn't mean boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts. So we don't want that to happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BENBROOK: A number of different agencies are preparing different potential plans to present to the President, and we do expect more formal briefings to take place next week.

WHITFIELD: Okay. And then, Julia, you know, Trump is also talking about Cuba today. What is he saying?

BENBROOK: Yes, he posted on social media and he said that he strongly suggests that Cuba make a deal with Washington. I want to pull up that post for you now. He does have some strong language in here.

He says: "Cuba lived for many years on large amounts of oil and money from Venezuela. In return, Cuba provided security services for the last two Venezuelan dictators, but not anymore."

The post continued on, saying: "Most of those Cubans are dead from last week's USA attack, and Venezuela doesn't need protection anymore from the thugs and extortionists who held them hostage for so many years. Venezuela now has the United States of America, the most powerful military in the world by far, to protect them and protect them, we will."

And here comes the additional details. He says, "There will be no more oil or money going to Cuba. Zero." And then adding, "I strongly suggest a deal before it is too late," -- Fred. WHITFIELD: All right, thank you so much. Julia Benbrook, appreciate it.

[15:05:01]

All right. Now, to the fallout of that deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is standing by the comments that she made immediately after the shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent. Noem insisting today on CNN that her domestic terrorism claims against Good were not a rush to judgment.

On the day of the shooting, Noem held a press conference where she said Good refused to obey the ICE officer's demands and then weaponized her vehicle in an effort to run the ICE agent over.

But videos that have since been released call that narrative into question, including this video right here. Well, today, Noem repeatedly insisted her version of events is the right one, and she refused to acknowledge the possibility that Good could have been trying to peacefully flee the scene.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: How can you assert with certainty that she was trying to hurt the officer, as opposed to she was trying to flee the scene?

KRISTI NOEM, U.S. HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: If you look at what the definition of domestic terrorism is, it completely fits the situation on the ground.

This individual, as you saw in the video that we released just 48 hours after this incident, showed that this officer was hit by her vehicle, she weaponized it and he defended his life and those colleagues around him and the public.

TAPPER: And the question is, I don't doubt -- my position is, I wasn't there. I didn't see it. Some people say that it clearly showed that she was trying to hit him and did, some people say no, she was clearly trying to move her car and flee and get away.

I don't know. What I am saying is, how do you know? How can you assert for a fact within hours before any investigation this is what happened?

NOEM: The facts of the situation are that the vehicle was weaponized and it attacked the law enforcement officer. He defended himself and he defended those individuals around him. That is the definition. When there is something that is weaponized to use against the public and law enforcement, that is an act of domestic terrorism. It happened in our shores. It happened here in our country.

You don't get to change the facts just because you don't like them. We will continue to look at this individual and what her motivations were.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: In that CNN interview, Noem also defended the decision by federal authorities to not share evidence in the case with Minnesota officials. In a highly unusual move, the Justice Department has blocked state investigators in Minnesota from participating in the probe into that shooting.

Secretary Noem also announced today that the Trump administration is sending hundreds more Customs and Border Patrol officers to Minneapolis in the coming days.

So it comes as tensions continue to flare in the Twin Cities over the shooting. Huge anti-ICE protests erupted in the Minneapolis area and across the country on Saturday, with more demonstrations planned for today.

CNN's Nick Watt is joining us right now with a look of all of this.

So what are city and state leaders in Minnesota saying about the investigation, the direction it is going and the situation there now?

NICK WATT, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, we are having a game of she says-he says. We've got Kristi Noem laying out what she believed happened to Renee Good, and we have the mayor of Minneapolis, Mayor Frey, laying out a very different narrative. They're both watching the same videos, they're both coming to entirely different conclusions.

You mentioned the protests spreading now, demonstrations and protests spreading well beyond Minneapolis. We are getting some pictures in now of demonstrations in Atlanta, Georgia. We've seen in Austin, Texas last night. We saw police -- or officers, I am sorry, firing what appeared to be pepper pellets and we saw a number of arrests.

We've seen demonstrations in North Dakota to Arizona, all across the country. And meantime, as I say, still, this fundamental difference on the belief in what actually happened to Renee Good.

The mayor of Minneapolis is calling for an independent investigation. Take a listen to what else he had to say this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR JACOB FREY (D), MINNEAPOLIS: Because here is the thing, she is calling Minneapolis like this dystopian hellhole. You know how many shootings we've had so far this year? Two. And one of them was ICE.

I said this was a federal agent recklessly using power that ended up in somebody dying, because that was a federal agent recklessly using power that ended up in somebody dying. That's exactly what happened.

I mean, am I biased in this? Of course. And I am biased because I've got two eyes. Anybody can see these videos. Anybody can see that this victim is not a domestic terrorist.

I mean, my goodness, she is like doing a three or four or five-point turn. This looks like somebody that's trying to get out of there. If doing a three-point turn or a four-point turn is a domestic terrorist, and my wife is a criminal every single day. This does not make sense.

We've got to be operating from a point of, of course, have this investigation. It should be a neutral, unbiased investigation where you get the facts, you know, and by the way, I shouldn't be the one conducting the investigation nor should Kristi Noem.

[15:10:16]

But you should have an entity that is able to do it with some common sense and operating in reality.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WATT: Now, meantime, Kristi Noem is accusing Mayor Frey and other local politicians of "inflaming the situation." And she says, listen, we do work with local authorities on things like this when they work with us, we are getting pictures right now, you can see them there. That is the federal building in Minneapolis, a demonstration protest building there right now, and we will be keeping an eye on Minneapolis and everywhere else in the country to see how those demos develop over the day.

Now, the other thing that Kristi Noem, we've just discovered on Thursday, she banned any visits by lawmakers to any ICE facilities without a week's notice. Now, the DHS justifies that they say it is because of "escalating riots and political violence targeting those ICE facilities." And they don't want to have to divert agents and officers, they say, to protect a lawmaker when those agents and officers are needed to protect those facilities.

Fred, back to you.

WHITFIELD: All right, Nick Watt, keep a close watch on things for us and we will check back with you. Appreciate it.

All right, joining me now to talk more about these developments is Congresswoman Sara Jacobs. She is a Democrat from California and a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees. Congresswoman, great to see you.

REP. SARA JACOBS (D-CA): Nice to see you. Thanks for having me.

WHITFIELD: So, Secretary Noem continues to stand by her comments at this Minneapolis shooting was a case of domestic terrorism. The FBI has chosen not to share the evidence in this case with Minnesota state and local authorities, those investigators.

Do you trust the federal government when it comes to the handling of this investigation, and what the potential outcome might be?

JACOBS: Absolutely not.

I mean, I have seen all the same videos that that you and everyone watching has seen. And to me, it seems very clear that this woman was trying to get away. You know, her last words were, "I'm not mad at you."

And if the administration is so sure of their account of events, then they should welcome an independent investigation, because the evidence would show that. But I think they are telling on themselves by not allowing it, because they know that what they're saying is completely wrong and made up and preposterous really.

And, you know, I am really concerned that Kristi Noem is blatantly lying about this young mother who is a year older than me, who had stuffed animals in her car and that's why I think she needs to resign or be impeached. She has no regard for human life or the rule of law.

WHITFIELD: Noem says she is also sending hundreds more Custom officers to the Minneapolis area in the coming days. California experienced a very similar ICE crackdown and ICE protests last year.

What are your concerns about what could potentially transpire in Minneapolis or quite frankly, across the country?

JACOBS: I am incredibly concerned. First of all, I think ice, you know, is showing that they have not trained their officers well, given by the actions of this officer in Minneapolis. And we know that they are hiring hundreds more officers with the money from the one big ugly bill. And what kind of vetting, what kind of training are these officers going to get?

We also know that, like the majority of people that they are picking up are not criminals, not the hardened criminals that Donald Trump promised to go after. They're people who are going to work, who are trying to contribute to our society.

You know, I represent San Diego, a border community, and we've seen ICE go after people when they're at their green card interviews, when they're literally going through the legal process and they're at their places of work, literally trying to work and contribute to our economy, not to mention the fact that, you know, when you talk about the drug trade and fentanyl and all of these things that Donald Trump claims he is addressing, well, 90 percent of fentanyl actually comes across the border through legal ports of entry, which is where we should have CBP be focused on instead of deploying them to cities all across the country.

WHITFIELD: One of your House Democratic colleagues from Minnesota is urging people to take videos of interactions with ICE and Customs officers to help bring transparency and accountability. Listen to what she said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. ILHAN OMAR (D-MN): I think it is really important for Americans to record, to create the level of accountability and transparency that we need. What we have seen in Minneapolis is ICE agents oftentimes jumping out of their cars. These are unmarked cars. Oftentimes, they are wearing a mask. They're approaching -- running towards cars.

[15:15:09] They're pulling people out of those cars, oftentimes these people are citizens.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Do you agree that this could be an important tool?

JACOBS: Absolutely. We know that this administration is blatantly lying about what happened in -- even when there is video. So it is more important than ever that we are documenting. And, you know, taking video of all of these incidents.

I think one thing that's important to note is that ICE doesn't have a law enforcement -- a local law enforcement mandate. They are actually not allowed to just stop cars. They are only allowed to deal with immigration enforcement. And so the idea that they're stopping cars, pulling U.S. citizens out, like we absolutely need to be documenting that as much as possible so that when we are back in the majority, we can hold them accountable.

WHITFIELD: All right, let me shift gears now to Iran. Today, President Trump says he is weighing a range of military options in Iran due to the violent crackdown on protests in that country. I mean, this is also coming just days after he ordered military strikes on Venezuela, captured President Maduro. And of course, after now this deadly incident, we were just talking about there in Minnesota.

I mean, how are you seeing this? Are you seeing hypocrisy here? Are you seeing this as a constructive and instructive? What?

JACOBS: I think its two sides of the same coin, which is that Donald Trump and his administration have absolutely no respect for the rule of law, both domestically and internationally and he thinks he can do whatever he wants with impunity.

Whether that's literally kidnapping a world leader without congressional -- any sort of congressional approval, any sort of congressional notification or what he is doing domestically even as you are seeing court order after court order, say that that is not allowed.

And so, you know, I am very concerned about what he might do in Iran. Look, the Iranian people have a right to make their voices heard. They have a right to protest, and they have a right to choose their own government. And what their regime is doing against them is horrible.

But we should not be going in with our military. That's only going to make things worse. First of all, we will have no control over what happens next. And we know that regime change can create vacuums and chaos, and no guarantee you'll get a better leader on the other side. But also, it could serve to discredit the protesters. And the most important thing is that the protesters maintain their credibility with the Iranian people, because only the Iranian people should be deciding who governs them.

WHITFIELD: Okay. And then on the affordable health care matters, the subsidies which have expired and face an uphill battle of passing the House and Senate, what do you say to your Senate Democratic colleagues who allow the government to be reopened with the promise, it was a condition, right, that there would be also a vote on these Obamacare subsidies.

JACOBS: Look, I think we, in the House always knew that that promise was a false promise. I am glad that 17 of my Republican colleagues worked with us to be able to pass a three-year extension in the House. I think, it is incredibly important that the Senate does the same thing.

So many folks across the country are already dealing with the chaos and uncertainty of having these tax credits expire. And frankly, Republicans had a year to deal with this. And the fact that we are even in this position trying to fix this after they've already expired is, I think, a real testament to the fact that Republicans have no real plan on health care and are not actually focused on bringing peoples costs down.

WHITFIELD: All right, we will leave it there for now. Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, thank you so much for being with us today.

Still ahead, a synagogue set on fire. An investigation underway now after officials find the only synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi engulfed in flames. What we are learning about a suspect now in custody.

Plus, freezing in Kyiv. Residents battling brutal temperatures after Russian strikes knocked out water, power and heat.

And cancelled, a wave of artists dropping their shows at The Kennedy Center. I will speak to 18-time Grammy winning banjoist, Bela Fleck about why he is bowing out.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: New today, the only synagogue in the state of Mississippi is in ashes, and a suspect is in custody facing arson charges, leaving the congregation of Beth Israel temple to rebuild for the second time in its 160-year history.

CNN's Rafael Romo is with us now. What happened?

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, as you can imagine the community is devastated. I've been in touch with several of its members, and they say they're just very, very sad about this horrific attack. And the Jackson, Mississippi Fire Department says they got the call about the fire around 3:00 on Saturday morning. Fire investigations Chief Charles Felton said at a news conference that firefighters found smoke and flames at the synagogue when they arrived and had to force their way inside.

Officials said it took firefighters almost two hours to get the fire under control. Beth Israel is Mississippi's largest synagogue in its original location, built just after the end of the Civil War. It was the first Jewish temple built in the state, according to the congregation. It is also Jackson's only synagogue.

According to the synagogue's website, the 1967 Beth Israel temple was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan members, in part because of the congregation's work in the Civil Rights Movement.

In a statement to CNN, the Beth Israel Congregation said that the cause of the fire has been established as arson and a suspect has been arrested, adding that no one was injured in the fire. That happened in the early morning hours of January 10.

[15:25:05]

Several local officials have expressed support for the congregation during this difficult moment for its members.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLEOTHA SANDERS, DEPUTY CHIEF, JACKSON FIRE DEPARTMENT: We just want to let the community know that the city of Jackson is standing with this community. So attack against the synagogue is an attack against all of us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMO: In a statement, Beth Israel Congregation President Zach Shemper told CNN that: "As Jackson's only synagogue, Beth Israel is a beloved institution and it is the fellowship of our neighbors and extended community that will see us through. We are still assessing the damage to the building, but we will be continuing our worship services and other programs. Location to be determined."

Fred, I also spoke to former Congregation President Michele Schipper on the phone. She said that several churches have extended kind offers for Beth Israel congregants to use their building as a worship space as they rebuild.

She also said that there is significant damage to the library of the temple and near the offices, as well as smoke and ash damage throughout the building. But again, the commitment there, she is saying, we will rebuild and we will continue our programs and services.

WHITFIELD: Oh my goodness! All right, Rafael Romo, thank you so much. Bring us more as you learn more. Appreciate it.

All right, coming up next, I mean, what a pleasure this will be, 18- time Grammy winning banjo player, Bela Fleck live in the CNN NEWSROOM. Let me tell you, we've been listening to you for a long time. I still have your cassette tapes. Can you believe it? Can't wait to talk to you. But for now, were just going to listen.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, you are listening to the musical stylings of renowned banjoist, Bela Fleck. Sometimes it is a little bluegrass, sometimes a little jazz, sometimes quite international. The Nashville musician joins a number of performance now who announced that they are canceling upcoming shows at The Kennedy Center. The high profile withdrawals come after President Trump and his newly installed Board of Trustees instituted broad thematic changes, including a rebrand of the iconic facility to include Trump's name.

Fleck posted the news online saying that: "Performing there has become charged and political when the focus should be on the music."

Joining us right now from Nashville is 18-time Grammy winner, Bela Fleck.

Bela, great to have you. I've been listening to you for a very long time. I mean, however, but when we talk about The Kennedy Center, you've performed there several times. So what did, you know, this booking to play three performances with the National Symphony Orchestra mean to you? How special was this to be?

And then what was the tipping point on canceling it all?

BELA FLECK, 18-TIME GRAMMY WINNER: Well, sure, and thanks and hi, how are you doing?

Yes, I have gotten to play there many times. Yes, and it is a great experience, but I've never gotten to play there with the Symphony, and I've been dying to do that for a long, long time. We've been talking for a long, long time and we finally had it. And I was going to get to play "Rhapsody in Blue" with them.

But there is just so much going on that made it just not feel like the right thing to do. So I made that decision.

WHITFIELD: So have you heard from other musicians or performers about that decision?

FLECK: Yes. In fact, I am getting more attention for canceling a show than I ever have gotten for playing one. So that's interesting.

WHITFIELD: Yes, it is.

FLECK: It is not really what you want, and maybe I am getting the message that I shouldn't really play shows, but at any rate, yes, I've had a lot of reaction, mostly great, but you know, it is a media circus and I am used to watching it on television and not being part of it. So, it is a bit surreal.

WHITFIELD: Oh, so now you are in the center of it all. I mean, The Kennedy Center President, Richard Grenell actually responded on X, you know, to your statement accusing you of actually making it political. I mean, what is your response to that and the stance that you're taking as to why you are not performing at The Kennedy Center?

FLECK: Well, I mean, he said a number of things. He said that a woke mob had talked me into it, and there isn't a woke mob. You know, I want him to know that. But my mom is glad I canceled. So I don't know. You know, it is just crazy, it is just crazy times, that's all. I am just trying to navigate it in a way that feels right to me and I love playing music, and I love playing for all kinds of people, but this was just feeling like it wasn't about music. It was about this whole political back and forth and the circus and I just couldn't get into it.

WHITFIELD: Yes, and we love that you play your music. Oh, go ahead.

FLECK: I just said, but I love the symphony and I hope we get to play together sometime.

WHITFIELD: I am sure there will be some kind of opportunity. Somehow you all will come together again, because it definitely seems like it is meant to be.

Meantime, you have joined a list of other artists who have canceled performances at The Kennedy Center. Kristy Lee, a touring production of "Hamilton," Wayne Tucker, Issa Rae, just to name a few. And Friday, the Washington National Opera announced that it is parting ways after more than a decade with the center.

I mean, what do you think will happen moving forward with other artists who, you know, might -- who also believe it is very special to perform at The Kennedy Center, but for whatever reason or for a variety of reasons, feel like they just can't do it right now.

[15:35:10]

FLECK: Yes. I mean, you just have to respect people's feelings about this kind of thing. When we perform art, when we play music, we put ourselves on the line, and you have to feel really good about it. At the same time, I love playing for everybody.

So, I mean, I also feel like I am in good company here. There is a bunch of wonderful people that I respect that made that call. And, you know, that has an impact as well.

WHITFIELD: Do you -- are you concerned at all about what fans of the performing arts are thinking and feeling? They might be on one hand looking forward to the performances, but then also understand the message that you and other artists are sending as to why you feel uncomfortable or why you have decided not to play at The Kennedy Center.

I mean, what are you -- what are you hoping fans of performing artists or -- you know, should think and feel?

FLECK: Everyone has a right to whatever they feel. But I mean, half the -- we are so were so split anyway that, I mean, it shouldn't be a surprise that some people are not going to agree with you. I am not surprised. I understand what's going on out there.

I've seen some hateful stuff. You know, I made the mistake of looking on X a little bit, but my favorite was, I am throwing away all her records, and I am never listening to her again. And it just seems like a lot of bot action, a lot of just ugliness that this is -- you know, I am trying not to be that way at all. I am just -- it just doesn't feel right to me.

So -- and the orchestra was okay with me making that call. So, I think we can care about musicians and music where the musicians don't share our ideology and still be inspired by their music and what they do. So I am not going to -- I am not going to worry about it. I will take whatever I get and, and stick to how I feel.

WHITFIELD: Well, it always feels right to hear your music. Bela Fleck, so how about we hear some more of your music as we go to break? And of course, everyone is going to look forward to hearing you when you next perform. Maybe it will still be with the NSO at some point, but for now, we are just going to enjoy your music.

FLECK: Okay. Thank you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:42:57]

WHITFIELD: All right, the recent Russian launch of a hypersonic missile into Western Ukraine left a huge hole in the side of a residential building. Ukrainian authorities say Russia followed up that strike with attacks on its energy services.

CNN's Ben Hunte has more on how Kyiv's residents are struggling without heat and power.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN HUNTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Eighty-five-year-old Serhii is bundled up in a hat and coat inside his Kyiv apartment. It is more than ten degrees below zero Celsius outside, it is freezing inside, too, after Russian strikes recently cut off power, water and heat to many parts of the city.

SERHII PRZHISTOVSKIY, KYIV RESIDENT (through translator): Before the strike, it was good, normal warmth. We had everything. Until they turn the heat back on, I will have to sleep in my clothes.

HUNTE (voice over): Serhii's apartment is stocked with piles of blankets and buckets of snow to melt for water. With the city's infrastructure under repeated attack, residents have learned a trick or two on how to survive.

PRZHISTOVSKIY (through translator): Well, thank God they fixed the electricity in our building entrance. They connected it properly. Now I can even heat up a little water.

HUNTE (voice over): Seventy-one-year-old Kyiv resident, Halyna says she too is prepared for times like these and says she will have a hot meal with or without her power returning.

HALYNA TURCHYN, KYIV RESIDENT (through translator): These little gas canisters, we use them to heat things up. Today, we will cook something to eat because we haven't cooked anything for two days already. HUNTE (voice over) But nearly four years of war is taking a toll on Kyiv's electricity grid. On Saturday, the country's national energy grid operator temporarily shut off emergency power so engineers could repair the damage done by the strikes. Officials say planned hourly outages are gradually returning, but Kyiv's mayor is urging people to use electricity sparingly to avoid overloading the system.

Temperatures are expected to drop and there will inevitably be another round of Russian airstrikes. Cold facts in a city that's become acclimated to winter at war.

Ben Hunte, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:49:36]

WHITFIELD: All right, outrage is spreading across the country after a woman was shot and killed in her car by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. This is a crowd gathered today on a freeway overpass in Atlanta to protest Renee Good's death in Minneapolis.

As the outcry grows, The White House Border Czar is urging critics of last week's shooting to tone down the rhetoric.

[15:50:01]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THOMAS HOMAN, U.S. BORDER CZAR: We need to let this play out, but while we are doing that, we've got to stop the hateful rhetoric.

Saying this officer is a murderer is dangerous. It is just ridiculous. It is just going to -- and it is going to infuriate people more, which means there are going to be more incidents like this, because the hateful rhetoric is not only continuing, now its tripled down and doubled down.

If you want to protest, protest, but don't actively impede and interfere and certainly don't drive a 4,000-pound vehicle toward an officer.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: We are also learning more about Renee Good, the 37-year-old mother of three, who was fatally shot. Here is CNN's Brian Todd.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Renee Nicole Good's father said his 37-year-old daughter was a wonderful person, telling "The Washington Post," "She had a good life, but a hard life."

One of Good's college professors recalled his conversations with her about dealing with those challenges.

KENT WASCOM, TAUGHT RENEE NICOLE GOOD AT OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY: She was pregnant and working and balancing both of that with getting an education. So, we had to work together to be able to make class attendance and assignments accessible and possible for someone who's carrying a child.

TODD (voice over): Renee Good was a mother of three, according to the "Associated Press", with a 15-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son from her first marriage, and a six-year-old son from her second marriage.

Her father said she spent most of her life in Colorado and briefly moved to Kansas to live with her parents after one of her husbands, a military veteran, died about three years ago.

Good graduated from Old Dominion University in 2020 with a degree in English, and during her time there won a prize for her poetry. Her professor says her work in his class was unique.

WASCOM: She wrote outside of her circumstances. A lot of times, young writers write about themselves, right? You write what you know.

Renee wanted to write about other people. She wrote about elderly people and about people from other places, and in circumstances that were unlike her own.

TODD (voice over): Good's ex-husband, who asked not to be named, told "The Associated Press" she was a devoted Christian who took part in youth mission trips to Northern Ireland and loved to sing.

On an Instagram account appearing to belong to Good, she said she was "experiencing Minneapolis" and posted a pride flag emoji.

CNN spoke to one of her Minneapolis neighbors.

KIMMY HULL, NEIGHBOR OF RENEE NICOLE GOOD IN MINNEAPOLIS: She was a very welcomed member of the community. Somebody is always going to be a daughter, a son, a mother, a brother, a sister, a child, a grandchild, you know? I mean, each and every one of us here, were one of those to somebody else, you know? It matters.

TODD (on camera): Renee Good's ex-husband told The Associated Press she had just dropped her six-year-old son off at school on Wednesday and was driving home with her current partner when they encountered the ICE agents.

Her son's grandfather told "The Star Tribune" there is no one else in the child's life.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:57:15]

WHITFIELD: Hollywood's party of the year, the Golden Globes is happening tonight and celebrities are dressed in their best and the red carpet is out and that's where we find CNN's Stephanie Elam.

Oh, sparkling and shimmering and sauntering on the red carpeted stairs.

Stephanie, what's happening? You look ravishing.

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thank you, Fred, it is good to be back with you. Happy New Year.

WHITFIELD: Happy New Year.

ELAM: We are back here at the Golden Globes on the burgundy carpet as you can see here.

WHITFIELD: Oh, burgundy.

ELAM: And this is the way that the stars -- yes, burgundy -- this is the way the stars are going to walk in the likes of, you know, Dwayne Johnson, Julia Roberts, Timothee Chalamet, maybe Sterling K. Brown will come in this way.

This is the way that they are going to walk in and make their way in. And of course, the Golden Globes is known for trying to get as many stars into the audience as possible. So they've expanded categories to six nominees, and they've added a few new categories as well, like podcast is up for an award this year.

So there are some changes, but obviously we are all going to look to see the regalia as the stars start to make their way. And I already saw Teyana Taylor. I saw her getting in, going in to get dressed and get ready. So I am starting to see the stars make their way here -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: Oh well, you are the star. They are following. The other stars are following you. And I do know that you spoke with the host or the hostess for tonight, comic, Nikki Glaser. She is back, after universal praise last year.

But what did she share with you?

ELAM: Yes, it was so fun to talk to her. I sat down with Nikki Glaser ahead of her second time hosting the Golden Globes. Remember? She broke ground. She is the first woman to host the Golden Globes by herself. And many people are saying she single handedly made the award show watchable again.

So she is back to do it again this year. I asked her what her pep talk from Nikki to Nikki is. This is what she told.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NIKKI GLASER, COMEDIAN: I was injured on "Dancing with the Stars" and a woman that was a fan of mine who is a gymnastics coach said, hey, I heard you're injured and you have to dance today. I tell all my injured gymnasts to just say this mantra over and over and you'll heal whatever you're dealing with -- I am strong. I am prepared. This is easy. I am strong. I am prepared. This is easy. I am strong. I am prepared. This is easy." You just say it all day, thousands of times, muttering to yourself. And you just start to believe it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ELAM: Strong, prepared and ready. After talking to her, I believe that she is actually all of those things -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: I am believing it, too. And then I understand. Not only are you on the burgundy carpet, but you might be inside sipping a little champagne, too. Yes?

ELAM: Well, I will be working, but yes, I will be inside for the show. And I am actually going to just send what I see going on behind-the- scenes that you may not see on T.V. I will be sending updates to cnn.com throughout the show too, so stick with us here on CNN. We are ready for a really great night here at the Golden Globes -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: We are ready for all of it. Thank you so much. I am living vicariously through . We will be hanging on your every word.

Stephanie Elam looking glam on the burgundy carpet, shall we say.

ELAM: Thank you. Thank you.

[16:00:22]