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Trump Signs 10 Percent Global Tariff after Supreme Court Ruling; Taiwan "Closely Watching" U.S. Tariff Policies; Police Search Former Home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor; Iran Lays Out Vision of Nuclear Deal amid Military Pressure; Trump Trade Deals in Limbo; No Clarity on Returns of Tariff Revenue; Olympic Gold Medalist Alysa Liu on Her Trademark Style; Olympic Ring Noodles, 2026 Winter Games Sensation. Aired 5-6a ET

Aired February 21, 2026 - 05:00   ET

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

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KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Welcome to all of you watching us here in the United States, Canada and around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. This is CNN NEWSROOM.

Reaction is rolling in after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump's tariff plans are illegal. We're live in Taipei with the latest.

Plus, the investigation into Britain's former prince Andrew following his arrest. We're live in London with a look at where that now heading.

And CNN speaks with the former deputy commander for CENTCOM about the U.S. military buildup in the Middle East. What he says he would target in a potential strike on Iran.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): Live from Atlanta, this is CNN NEWSROOM with Kim Brunhuber.

BRUNHUBER: President Donald Trump is opting for plan B and finding other ways to impose tariffs after the Supreme Court ruled his use of emergency powers unconstitutional.

He's slapping a new 10 percent levy on all countries under a trade law known as Section 122. But these tariffs can only be in place for 150 days unless Congress extends them. The president is lashing out at the justices who ruled against his tariffs, calling them a disgrace to our nation.

Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch, both Trump appointees, joined with chief justice John Roberts and the three liberal justices in the 6-3 ruling. The decision is a massive blow to president Trump's foreign policy and economic agenda.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: The Supreme Court's ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing and I'm ashamed of certain members of the court absolutely ashamed for not having the courage to do what's right for our country.

They also are a frankly disgrace to our nation. Those justices they're just being fools and lapdogs for the RINOs and the radical left Democrats. They're very unpatriotic and disloyal to our Constitution.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: The ruling boosted stocks on Friday but rising gold prices signaled that traders are also weighing potential uncertainty over future tariffs. CNN's Vanessa Yurkevich has more now on how U.S. businesses and corporations are reacting to the ruling.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN BUSINESS AND POLITICS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, business groups across industries are applauding the Supreme Court's decision on president Trump's wide sweeping tariffs.

American businesses and importers have been paying those tariffs while trying to absorb as much as possible but ultimately having to pass a lot of those tariffs down to the U.S. consumer.

Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America said they're looking for a predictable trade policy they can rely on that doesn't place a burden on the industry; 99 percent of the shoes sold here in the United States are imported.

The Distilled Spirits Council said the tariff reversal will help ease financial pressure on bars and restaurants at a time when U.S. consumers are struggling with affordability.

And many industry groups, including the National Retail Federation, which represents major U.S. retailers like Target, Macys and Walmart, called on a speedy refund of tariff revenue, which totals $134 billion.

The Supreme Court did not make any decision on how the money would be returned but Chief Justice Roberts, who wrote the decision called that would-be process a, quote, "mess."

But some industries will not benefit from the reversal of these emergency tariffs by the Supreme Court. The auto, lumber, copper, steel and aluminum industries are all still facing tariffs under Sections 301 and 232, which are still in place and still legal -- back to you.

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BRUNHUBER: And CNN's Will Ripley is joining me now live from Taipei.

So Will, you've been looking at the global reaction to all of this; still plenty of uncertainty out there. What are you seeing?

WILL RIPLEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, one year and one month into president Trump's second term, Kim, and chaos and uncertainty kind of are par for the course for countries around the world.

A lot of nations suspected that there would be legal challenges to these reciprocal tariffs. And yet they told their exporters that they had to comply as they scrambled to negotiate these trade deals.

And now, of course, there are questions about how specific trade deals will be affected that are still in place, tariffs that are still in place, because of other laws that the Supreme Court has not ruled against.

And so there is a lot of reaction coming in at the European Union. There are voices saying that this is a victory for the rule of law.

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However, also a lot of questions about what the impact of this ruling will be in the United Kingdom. They're expecting their strong trade ties with the U.S. to continue.

But business groups are saying it's really unclear if anything is going to be changing at all.

There's confusion and uncertainty in South Korea, where they had to call a special interministerial meeting today to review this ruling and assess next steps. Of course, South Korea has pledged to invest tens of billions of dollars in the United States.

Japan as well. There are questions about whether those investments will be slowed down in any way because of this ruling and the impact of the potential reversal of these tariffs.

In New Zealand they're saying any relief from tariffs would be welcome. But again, I think everybody is kind of summing it up, Kim, saying that this uncertainty really does remain around the world. And certainly here in Asia as well.

BRUNHUBER: All right. Well, then, let's drill down on exactly where you are, Taiwan.

I mean, how are they digesting this news there?

RIPLEY: Yes. The government put out a pretty brief statement, saying that they're monitoring all of this very closely. Taiwan's government, of course, worked very hard to negotiate their trade deal with the United States. They're saying that this new 10 percent tariff would have a very limited impact.

President Trump actually mentioned Taiwan specifically during his press conference at the White House. Let's listen to a clip from that.

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TRUMP: Taiwan came in. They stole our chip business. Now all those companies in Taiwan are building factories in Arizona, Texas and various other places because they don't want to pay tariffs. They are all pouring into the United States.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

RIPLEY: Well, now, U.S. imports from Taiwan are actually higher than China. Imports from China fell sharply at the end of last year as imports from Taiwan surged. So the United States is now Taiwan's top export market. So obviously they're watching this very closely.

They're also watching what's going to be happening on March 31st into the early days of April, when president Trump is expected to travel to Beijing and meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

I think the bottom line, Kim, both here in Taiwan and really around the region and around the world, is that people are aware the rules could change again. Existing trade deals are now in question and the global uncertainty and the chaos stemming from the United States continues.

BRUNHUBER: Yes, absolutely. Will Ripley, thanks so much. Appreciate that.

Well, as Will mentioned, president Trump is set to visit China at the end of next month for a high-stakes meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping. The visit will be complicated by that Supreme Court ruling striking down Trump's tariffs.

When negotiating over a potential trade deal, the president has used tariffs as his main source of leverage. The tariffs on China went beyond efforts to reduce the U.S. trade deficit. They also slapped duties to pressure Beijing to reduce shipments of chemicals used to produce fentanyl. The visit is scheduled for March 31st to April 2nd.

The estate of Jeffrey Epstein is agreeing to pay up to $35 million to settle a class action lawsuit brought by survivors of the late sex offender. The 2024 complaint alleges Epstein's former personal lawyer and accountant helped create a complex financial web that led Epstein to hide his abuses while they were richly compensated for their work.

Both Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn deny having any involvement in Epstein's sexual crimes they also say they don't believe anyone was harmed or damaged by their work with the convicted pedophile.

Now British police will likely continue to search the former home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor through the weekend. This comes after the former prince Andrew was released from custody on Thursday. He was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Andrew has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged. Once police finished their investigation, the U.K. government could introduce legislation to remove Andrew from the line of royal succession. That's according to U.K. media reports. He's currently eighth in line to the throne.

I want to bring in Nada Bashir, live this hour in London, to bring us up to speed on the latest and where things head from here.

NADA BASHIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kim, according to police officials, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince, has been released under investigation, so he's not released on bail at this stage. He's not under any specific conditions but he could be called back in by police for further questioning.

That investigation at this stage is still ongoing and, as we understand it, police are carrying out searches at both his residence on the Sandringham estate, the location of his arrest on Thursday morning, where he has been taking up residence since being evicted from his former home at the Royal Lodge.

And that property in Berkshire is also being searched by police officials for any information that might pertain to the ongoing investigation.

Now as you mentioned, he has was arrested on Thursday morning on suspicion of misconduct while in public office. And it's understood that these allegations are centered around his time as the U.K. trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.

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And this comes, of course, after documents were released by the U.S. Department of Justice as part of the Epstein case, which appeared to indicate that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor may have provided sensitive, high-level government information to Jeffrey Epstein during his time as trade envoy.

That information is said to have been around a potential investment opportunities and, of course, that would have been, in the eyes of the law and the English law, a case of misconduct during his time as trade envoy.

And, of course, this also comes amid growing questions around Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, his awareness of the ongoing questions around sexual misconduct and, of course, the fact that Jeffrey Epstein was a convicted sex offender.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has, as you mentioned, Kim, repeatedly denied these allegations.

And important to underscore, of course, that the ongoing police investigation in the U.K. at this stage is very much focused solely on misconduct at this stage, the questions around his role as trade envoy, as opposed to any other potential allegations that have been laid against the former prince.

But, of course, there are many questions growing internationally around the accountability of those involved and implicated in the Epstein scandal. This has been welcomed, of course, by many of the victims of Jeffrey Epstein as a potential first step. Again, to underscore, these are very separate cases but there is a

question as to whether this may lead to a broader investigation into further charges of accountability later on. Again, Andrew Mountbatten- Windsor has denied the allegations.

But, of course, there has been speculation for some time as to whether there would be any police accountability which had previously from Buckingham Palace saying that they would cooperate with any attempt by Thames Valley Police to carry out any investigation if that was reached.

And, of course, we did hear from King Charles himself following that arrest on Thursday morning, saying that he had learned of the arrest with deep concern but again indicating his cooperation and support for the full course of the law.

At this stage, the investigation continues. It remains to be seen whether or not the former prince is recalled for questioning by the police.

BRUNHUBER: I appreciate that update. Nada Bashir in London. Thanks so much.

The U.S. is building up forces near Iran ahead of possible military strikes over its nuclear program. Still ahead, which targets the U.S. may go after if the operation gets the go-ahead.

Plus Ukraine's president spells out a possible timeline for the next round of peace talks. But he also points to a possible stumbling block in the negotiations. We'll have those stories and more coming up, please stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER: Iran is laying out its vision of a nuclear deal with the United States, just as more American military assets are moving in for possible strikes on the country. The USS Gerald Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, is set to join the USS Abraham Lincoln and other vessels already in the region.

But Iran's foreign minister says there's a win-win solution which would allow Iran to keep a peaceful nuclear program in return for lifting some sanctions. He also told MS Now that a deal could be reached in as little as a week or so. On Friday at the White House, Trump was asked about Iran. Here he is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

QUESTION: Do you have any message to the Iranian people?

TRUMP: The Iranian people?

In Iran or people here?

QUESTION: People in Iran.

TRUMP: They better negotiate a fair deal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: On Thursday, Mr. Trump said he'd know in up to 15 days if a nuclear deal is still possible. His military options are ranging from limited strikes to sustained operations that could last for weeks. Paula Hancocks spoke with a former deputy commander of the U.S. Central Command about potential targets.

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BOB HARWARD, FORMER DEPUTY COMMANDER, CENTCOM: Number one, the missiles that's their really their best -- ability to project power. Number two, then the protection of the Strait of Hormuz, their ability to mine the waterways and that the naval forces that can put at risk international shipping bringing and taking oil.

So those would be my two priorities. And then after that, I'd focus on those elements that really oppress the people. They're on the IRGC, where their facilities, their barracks, their head command and control. Those would be almost the pecking order my priorities.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Is this all simultaneous?

Or this would be over a number of --

HARWARD: Well, it depends on how they respond. One of the things that's really happened in our military our capacity is unprecedented. So the amount of ordnance we can deliver real time and over a short period of time is massive.

HANCOCKS: Can military power alone topple this regime?

HARWARD: Well military power in support of the Iranian people. Again, this has to be about the internal dynamics of Iran. And as we've seen, they've had enough and this regime murdered more people in a matter of weeks than we lost in the Iraqi-Iranian war over 15 years in those wars.

So again, it has to be in support of the people and they've shown the capacity, they've shown the desire, they've been murdered. I think that's if these strikes and our military actions enable and support that transition through the people, then it's effective.

HANCOCKS: Do you believe these military strikes are imminent?

HARWARD: I'd say they're more likely than not. And again, it's driven by two things. I'd say the negotiation, what comes out of the negotiation sign. We'd also say how well we understand the impact of the internal. I think both those dimensions are being assessed at the moment and that will define if and when we go but I sense it's more a matter of when, not if.

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BRUNHUBER: In the last hour I spoke with Fawaz Gerges, a professor of international relations at the London School of Economics. And I asked him if the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on tariffs could change president Trump's calculus on Iran. Here he is.

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FAWAZ GERGES, PROFESSOR, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS: What I fear is that president Trump's domestic challenges the Supreme Court transformative decision.

And basically various challenges in the United States and the midterm elections could really basically speed up president Trump's decision to attack Iran.

Historically speaking, American presidents tend to divert attention from their domestic trouble by basically carrying out attacks overseas. This has been the pattern, even though we have to wait and see whether the decision by the Supreme Court will basically have a direct influence on president Trump's decision to attack Iran.

But let's keep in mind that this is the most significant American military deployment in the Middle East since the United States invaded and occupied Iraq in 2003.

This is not a simple game. This is a real military force. It costs billions of dollars. And unless president Trump intends to really basically attack Iran, I doubt it very much he would have deployed such a massive and costly military force.

BRUNHUBER: Well, I mean, given that, I mean, president Trump has given Iran this deadline, some 10 to 15 days, let's say, to come to the table. There have been two rounds of indirect talks already ended without a breakthrough.

But Iran's foreign minister said that he is optimistic a deal could be reached quickly.

Do you share his optimism?

Doesn't sound like you do.

GERGES: No, no I don't. I mean, I think the Iranians are too optimistic. The Iranians have been really talking about progress in the past two rounds in Oman and Geneva. The Iranians would like to have a deal with the United States. The Iranians are -- know very well that they are really fighting for

their survival. They realize that president Trump and the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, are trying to really change the regime in Iran itself.

So -- and we know what Iran wants. Iran seems to be genuine about reaching a nuclear deal with the United States, they have made it very clear, in return for lifting the sanctions.

Here, what I don't know, what does really president Trump want?

Do we -- does anyone know the end game?

President Trump, has he told the American people why he is basically deploying such a military force in the Middle East?

Has he basically sought authorization from either the Congress, let alone from the United Nations?

Have we had a debate in the United States about why the United States seems to be basically plunging into war in the Middle East, another unpredictable and costly war?

So there are many more questions than answers. And president Trump, I mean, this war, if you ask me to summarize it, I mean, I think this is a war by choice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: The British government is reportedly taking action that could make U.S. strikes on Iran more challenging. U.K. media reports Prime minister Keir Starmer is blocking a request from president Trump to allow U.S. forces to use British air bases in the U.K. and the Indian Ocean to coordinate a possible attack on Iran.

Starmer is reportedly concerned that any preemptive strikes against Iran would violate international law.

Ukraine's president expects the next round of peace talks to be held before the end of the month. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met his negotiating team on Friday following trilateral talks in Geneva earlier this week.

He said there was no positive movement on the issue of territory, one of the main sticking points. But he revealed more details about discussions on a future ceasefire and a possible prisoner swap. Here he is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): In the military subgroup, I believe there is a constructive outcome. All three sides recognizing that if there is a ceasefire, if there is an end to the war, then the Americans will be primarily responsible for monitoring the ceasefire. They will take the lead in this area. The humanitarian track was

discussed with the political subgroup. And also it is still too early to speak of positive results.

A constructive outcome was also found. In the coming days, the details of the swap will be determined, including the number of prisoners and the timing, the swap of Ukrainian prisoners of war for Russian prisoners of war.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Russian negotiators also reported back to president Vladimir Putin on Friday but the Kremlin says it can't confirm when and where the next round of talks will be held.

Still to come here on CNN NEWSROOM, president Trump's trade talks with foreign nations are in limbo following the Supreme Court's tariff ruling. We'll look at how the international community is reacting, next.

And changes are ahead for targeted immigration enforcement across the U.S. Just ahead, how the Trump administration plans to rework the playbook. Stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER (voice-over): Welcome back, I'm Kim Brunhuber. Let's check some of today's top stories.

British lawmakers are considering whether to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of royal succession. U.K. media reports the government may introduce the legislation once police finish their investigation.

Andrew was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He has denied any wrongdoing and hasn't been charged.

More U.S. warships are headed toward Iran as president Trump considers possible strikes on the country. The USS Gerald Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, has entered the Mediterranean Sea. Iran says a possible compromise could include keeping its nuclear program peaceful in return for sanctions relief.

President Trump says he's signed a new 10 percent global tariff after the Supreme Court struck down his sweeping emergency tariffs. The court ruled 6-3 that his so-called reciprocal tariffs violated federal law. But the justices didn't say what should happen to the more than $130 billion in revenue that's already been collected.

BRUNHUBER: Many questions remain following the Supreme Court's ruling, especially the impact it has on trade deals with different nations. We have two reports on international reaction. CNN's Melissa Bell has the story from France. But first, Paula Newton in New York.

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PAULA NEWTON, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: All of these trade deals around the globe. Look, I mean anyone who's already gone to the Trump administration and struck that trade deal, unlikely that it will hurt that.

But will they come back understanding that the Trump administration no longer has the power that it once did to threaten them with expensive tariffs, unilateral tariffs, punitive tariffs that they did before?

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And that also changes the balance of power when the Trump administration is trying to negotiate with these countries. And again, not just geopolitics but geoeconomics really here at play.

Then we drill down to those individual economic sectors, right?

Retail will likely do quite well in the United States from this. But it will be interesting to see how steel is impacted by this, how aluminum is impacted like this.

And I do want to point out that, look, there was no data so far that said that these tariffs were even good for jobs in the United States. If you point to the issue of manufacturing jobs in 2025, the U.S. lost manufacturing jobs, didn't gain any.

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MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: On one hand you can imagine a touch of schadenfreude in the hearts of all of those leaders who were targeted so brutally back on liberation day, when the announcements of these tariffs were made.

But on the other, it does add a huge layer of uncertainty to a world where essentially unilateral levies are no longer the thing. All of these trade agreements have been put in place as a result of that liberation day.

And efforts on the parts of international governments to mitigate the consequences of that by seeking deals with the United States.

So I'm thinking here, for instance, the free trade deals between Canada and the United States, Mexico and the United States, the U.K. and the United States, Europe as well.

What becomes of them?

And it is that whole layer of uncertainty, I think, that is really on the minds of global leaders as they watch this unfold from outside. We've had a couple of early reactions to this. I think most people are just standing by to wait and see how Washington deals with the fallout of this.

Because we were just hearing the question of what the Trump administration now decides to do in terms of continuing to impose those tariffs. So there is an element of wait and see until more clarity comes from the American side.

But we've already heard in the initial reactions, one from the Mexican leaders, suggesting, noting, first of all, that some of these tariffs are outside this decision, specifically those on steel and aluminum.

But also suggesting that they're going to be looking very anxiously at what it means for the trade agreements between, say, Mexico and the United States.

Similarly, a commission spokesman just now reacting saying that the European Commission is going to be analyzing this decision very carefully but explaining that what is actually needed on both sides of the Atlantic for businesses is clarity and stability and certainty.

Precisely what we seem to have less of as a result of this decision today. And, of course, make no mistake, there isn't anyone involved in any kind of trade toward the United States that is not considering whether it isn't best at this stage to wait and see.

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BRUNHUBER: Now earlier, I spoke with Ryan Patel from the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. I asked him about the whiplash effect on the economy from president Trump imposing the new 10 percent tariffs immediately after the court's decision. Here he is.

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RYAN PATEL, GLOBAL BUSINESS EXECUTIVE: The decision, what does it imply?

It implies it's a reset of the governance of trade policy. But let me be clear here. That doesn't mean that the U.S. trade policy becomes predictable.

And so I think what you take away from all this, where does investment happen?

Does it pause?

What is the global aspect?

Look at it. And right now it, the investment does a little bit pause. The ruling doesn't really kind of change the way businesses are looking the way they're doing. Obviously there is more uncertainty, which is where we were kind of already.

And you know, the markets need to be stable and the predictability is still not there. So we're still at -- I don't want to say status quo -- but in the short term, tariff action, people are looking at where it's going to do.

And obviously with the 10 percent you mentioned, doesn't really push the needle but some industries don't get affected. And we're kind of seeing how that's going to be used.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. So many angles to follow here. I mean we're talking about potentially $134 billion in tariff refunds that businesses could be owed.

Do you think that they'll actually get reimbursed?

And if so how complicated is that?

PATEL: That's a really great question because that kind of goes off to the side and snuck in here. And this is what I -- this is my take on it, right?

Yes. It could be subject to refund claims. Looks and sounds good externally. But the timing of the process is going to take years. And this is -- it's, I mean, if you had to break it down, if I had to break it down, right, it's -- they have to file for that. The government has to review it. The court becomes the referee.

It's like a chess game for over the years. And then on top of that, only the larger importers, I think, that can fight this and have the resources then can push back.

What happens to the smaller businesses?

They may say it's not worth it for them to get the refund, to fight for that. So I mean, we're talking about a couple of years over time.

And again, to that point, do the consumers see that refund?

No, they won't. I mean, it is back to the businesses to see what they choose to do with it. They can reinvest it back into the business somehow.

[05:35:02]

So that number sounds really large.

But does it really trickle down all the way to consumers?

Most likely it won't.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Another American strike on a suspected drug smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean has left three people dead. The U.S. military released an online statement saying the vessel was operated by, quote, "designated terrorist organizations" and that no U.S. military personnel were injured in the attack.

At least 138 people have been killed in strikes on boats which were aimed at curtailing narcotics trafficking.

The Trump administration's next steps in immigration enforcement could soon spread to multiple cities across the United States.

But because of protests nationwide against the deadly tactics used in Minneapolis, things could look more like immigration enforcement of the past. CNN's Priscilla Alvarez explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PRISCILLA ALVAREZ, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The Trump administration is planning to double down on targeted immigration enforcement operations.

That means that is a return to the way ICE typically does operations, identifying who they're going to go after, strategizing and, in the process of that operation, if they run into other undocumented immigrants, they, too, may be swept up.

But that is still different from the way that top Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino and his agents were operating in the interior of the United States over the last year in those broad sweeps, typically in areas trafficked by immigrants.

Now many officials see this as a rebuke of the Bovino approach and, instead, a vote of confidence in the Tom Homan playbook, one that was used after Tom Homan was dispatched by president Donald Trump following the death of two Americans in Minneapolis.

One Homeland Security official telling me that the Bovino, quote, "show is shut down."

Another official saying, quote, "ICE has been doing interior enforcement before Bovino got involved. They prefer to conduct their ops without the optics. Border Patrol never wanted anything to do with these interior ops and will go back to focusing on the border."

Now, of course, these changes come amid waning public support over the approach that the administration was taking to immigration enforcement. And some sources see this as a recalibration.

But, they stressed, this is not a softening of the immigration crackdown. They still anticipate that to be aggressive. It just may look slightly different than the way it had over the last year.

Now in a statement, the White House said the following, quote, "The president's entire team is working together to implement his immigration enforcement agenda, which has always focused on prioritizing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens."

Now, of course, as it relates to Minneapolis White House border czar Tom Homan, saying on CNN on Friday, that that operation is drawing down. It will no longer be a surge of agents with the caveat that they continue to get local cooperation.

But that type of playbook and approach is one that is likely to be seen, the Homan playbook, in other cities moving forward -- back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Netflix has released a final message from actor Eric Dane to his two young daughters. It's part of the platform's posthumous interview series, "Famous Last Words."

In it, the "Grey's Anatomy" and "Euphoria" star reflects on what he's learned about life since his ALS diagnosis and what he wants to pass on to his daughters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIC DANE, AMERICAN ACTOR: Finally, fight with every ounce of your being and with dignity. When you face challenges, health or otherwise, fight. Never give up. Fight until your last breath. This disease is slowly taking my body but it will never take my spirit.

The two of you are different people but you're both strong and resilient. You inherited resiliency from me. That's my superpower.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Dane died Thursday at age 53. He revealed his ALS diagnosis last year and advocated for more research, funding and easier access to better treatments. He also took his message to the halls of Congress with the nonprofit, I AM ALS.

He partnered with the group on a short documentary chronicling his fight against the disease and his efforts to raise awareness. The documentary is expected to be released later this year.

We'll be right back with more here on CNN NEWSROOM. Stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER: A hockey hero and a veteran figure skater will represent Team USA as the 2026 Winter Olympics ends. Hilary Knight and Evan Bates will be the flag bearers in the closing ceremony at this year's games.

Knight became the all-time leading goal and point scorer in U.S. Women's Olympic history. She also scored a late equalizer against Canada, which helped her team win the gold medal.

Bates had a successful Olympics as well. He won a gold medal in team figure skating and a silver medal in ice dancing.

Well, the second to last day of the 2026 Winter Olympics is underway in Milan and Cortina, Italy, and gold medals will be awarded in 10 events. Athletes will be vying for the top of the podium in men's and women's speed skating mass start, women's curling, women's ski halfpipe, women's bobsleigh and men's team aerials, just to name a few.

Now U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu is on top of the world after winning Olympic gold in women's free skating. The last time the U.S. took home gold in that event was 2002, three years before Liu was born. The 20- year old sat down with CNN's Coy Wire.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COY WIRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: When you knew you won that gold medal, what was that feeling that hit you?

And don't worry. We have a bleep button.

ALYSA LIU, OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST, WOMEN'S FIGURE SKATING: I mean, it didn't really change how I felt about anything. The moment I finished my program, I was like, on such a high. Literally, nothing could bring me higher or lower.

WIRE: When you stepped away from figure skating, what did maybe the silence and the absence of the crowd teach you that the roaring arenas never could?

LIU: I mean, it showed me a different side. That's for sure. And I got to experience something new and that's always valuable.

WIRE: Watching you out there. I don't know what was stronger. Your jumps or your joy is just emanating from you.

LIU: Thank you.

WIRE: Who is Alysa Liu now compared to the 13-year-old kid who burst onto the scene?

LIU: Oh, I mean, I would say I know myself a lot better but I hope I do at 20. But yes, I don't know. I -- I'm a lot happier now.

WIRE: As athletes through all the highs and the lows, the ups and the downs, parents, family are there every step of the way. How much has your family meant to you in this journey?

LIU: Family is everything to me. Same with my friends. They keep me grounded and, yes, honestly, like, they're the reason why I feel like I am able to do so much.

WIRE: When young girls look at you now, what do you hope they see?

LIU: I hope they see that they have limitless potential.

[05:45:00]

Limitless?

WIRE: Yes. And this is unlimited. What's next for the hair? LIU: I mean, it's -- I'll let it grow out and then December, I'll add another one.

So this will end up down here and I'll just add a new one.

WIRE: And what would this last ring say about this past year?

LIU: I don't know. I don't know. Another year.

WIRE: Just another year.

LIU: Just another year.

WIRE: Easy breezy. You come out here with your striped hair, your unique piercings. What do you hope you being you says to anyone out there kind of struggle to find their place?

LIU: Oh my god. I hope they know that it's good to break down, I guess, barriers and do risky things and go against some people sometimes.

Yes. It's liberating.

WIRE: Can you teach me a pose, a position?

I got to show these to my daughters.

LIU: OK.

WIRE: All right. What do we got for you?

LIU: We'll do my ending pose.

WIRE: Your ending pose.

LIU: So you point your toe.

WIRE: Point my toe.

LIU: Hand on your hip.

WIRE: Hand on my hip.

LIU: And then point up.

WIRE: Point up.

LIU: And that's it.

WIRE: Oh. I got that gold medal glow.

Congratulations.

LIU: Thank you.

WIRE: Amazing. (END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Coy having too much fun there.

All right. So here's where the Olympic medal count sits right now. Norway still leads the pack with 37 total medals, including 17 gold, the most of any country so far.

Team USA is in second place, with 29 total medals, including 10 gold and 12 silver.

And host country Italy is close behind in third place, with 27 total medals, including the most bronze so far.

Sports and world class athletes have been getting lots of attention at the Winter Olympics in Italy. Just ahead, we'll share a very special pasta dish that's taken Milan by storm. Stay with us.

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[05:50:00]

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BRUNHUBER: Barcelona's iconic Sagrada Familia church has reached a major milestone in its century-long construction. Cranes installed the upper arm of the tower, dedicated to Jesus, marking the highest point of the basilica and officially making it the tallest building in the city.

Famed architect Antoni Gaudi began working on the church back in 1883 and led the project until his death in 1926. Well, now, a century later, it's finally nearing completion. Pope Leo has been invited to lead a commemorative mass and opening ceremony of the tower this summer.

Well, pasta shaped like the five Olympic rings has become one of the surprise sensations of the 2026 Winter Games. It's only served at the Olympic Villages and not sold anywhere.

Italian Michelin star chef Carlo Cracco created a dish to showcase the unique noodles and he cooks it for CNN's Antonia Mortensen at his restaurant in Milan, giving us rare access to one of the Olympics most buzzed-about dishes.

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ANTONIA MORTENSEN, CNN SENIOR PRODUCER (voice-over): Carlo Cracco is one of Italy's most renowned Michelin star chefs. And today he shares a taste of the Olympics with us.

Chef, what are you making for us today? CARLO CRACCO, MICHELIN STAR CHEF (voice-over): Today we will prepare the specialty pasta tomato. But we use the limited edition pasta that we serve only in the Olympic Village, created for this Olympic Games.

MORTENSEN (voice-over): It's beautiful. And also you can't buy it anywhere.

CRACCO (voice-over): No, we can't buy it. It's served only in the Olympic Village.

MORTENSEN (voice-over): So we're in for a treat today. We managed to track the pasta down.

CRACCO (voice-over): OK.

We started with the tomato, OK?

We cut and then we put on the pan.

MORTENSEN (voice-over): It's almost like searing the tomatoes.

The burnt edge concentrates the flavor, the foundation of this deceptively simple dish.

CRACCO (voice-over): We boiled the pasta. OK.

MORTENSEN (voice-over): OK. In that goes.

And how long is that going to be in there?

CRACCO (voice-over): Is around 10 minutes. A little bit part white. OK, is too much, again.

And when you are not sure, you eat. You need two minutes.

MORTENSEN (voice-over): Two minutes?

CRACCO (voice-over): 500 grams of tomato. You reduce it to around 100.

MORTENSEN (voice-over): Oh, wow, OK.

And then how long does that take to do?

How long do you have to...

(CROSSTALK)

CRACCO (voice-over): Oh, you need one hour.

MORTENSEN (voice-over): That deep reduction is what makes the sauce glossy and intense, the tomatoes almost caramelized.

Once the pasta is just shy of ready, it finishes directly in the pan, soaking up every bit of that concentrated tomato flavor.

Gorgeous. Look at that color. It's a beautiful orangey red, isn't it?

CRACCO (voice-over): Yes.

MORTENSEN (voice-over): Smells good, too.

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CRACCO (voice-over): A touch of a skin lemon.

MORTENSEN (voice-over): And why do you use the lemon peel?

CRACCO (voice-over): You don't have the acidity but you have the...

MORTENSEN (voice-over): The zest.

(CROSSTALK)

MORTENSEN (voice-over): And that citrusy tanginess.

Simple ingredients elevated by technique.

CRACCO (voice-over): Bon appetito.

MORTENSEN (voice-over): Gracias.

Perfection, absolute perfection. It creates another layer, the fresh juice from inside and the burnt on the outside. It's really, really good. I can keep on eating.

(LAUGHTER)

MORTENSEN (voice-over): I feel very honored to try the Olympic pasta, an exclusive taste. The Olympic ring-shaped pasta has quickly become one of the most talked-about dishes inside the Olympic Villages and unavailable anywhere else.

Today, chef Carlo Cracco let us experience a small taste of the games on a plate.

Amazing. I have one more spoon.

(LAUGHTER)

[05:55:00]

MORTENSEN (voice-over): OK, now we finish.

Antonia Mortensen, CNN, Milan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: All right. Well, if you love Topo Chico, brace yourself. The brand's flagship mineral water is temporarily unavailable here in the U.S. Coca-Cola says it's upgrading facilities to address quality issues that have impacted Topo Chico's water source in Monterrey, Mexico, forcing a temporary halt in production. In order to distributors (ph), Coca-Cola says it expects the mineral

water to return to U.S. shelves later this year. Other Topo Chico drinks, including the brand's canned cocktails, will not be affected.

Colombian pop star Shakira will perform a free concert in Mexico City next month. It is set to happen in Zocalo square on March 1st. The singer sold out more than 12 shows during her last tour.

Shakira is also expected to headline at Rio de Janeiro's public concert at Copacabana Beach.

And NASA is getting ready for its long-awaited flyby of the moon. The U.S. space agency says it expects to launch its Artemis II mission no earlier than March 6th. NASA's new heavy lift rocket will carry its Orion spacecraft with four astronauts on board into deep space.

The crew will spend 10 days traveling to the moon, looping around it, then returning to Earth. On Thursday, the agency conducted a key rehearsal. It was a fueling test and said everything went well. The mission will be the first trip by humans to the moon since the Apollo missions in more than 50 years.

A long wait.

All right, that wraps this hour of CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Kim Brunhuber. For our viewers here in North America, "CNN THIS MORNING" is next. And for the rest of the world, it's "AFRICAN VOICES."