Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Trump To Address Reporters On Daring Airman Rescue Monday At White House; Today: Orion Will Enter The Lunar Sphere Of Influence; Trump: Tuesday Will Be Power Plant Day, Bridge Day In Iran. Aired 3-4p ET

Aired April 05, 2026 - 15:00   ET

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

[15:00:00]

JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Dozens of aircraft and hundreds of military personnel as well as intelligence personnel, CIA operatives were leading a misinformation campaign in order to throw off any potential captors. And then of course, that was -- there was the missing airman who was able to evade capture for more than 24 hours with a pistol, a communications device, and a tracking beacon.

So really, a lot of complex steps, a very intricate mission took place here. And Trump said that he monitored it all the way through, that he was watching along with top military officials including Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

We do expect Trump to give an update on this mission, specifically tomorrow. He has announced that that will be taking place at 1:00 P.M., and that more information could be coming then.

Now, switching over to what is next as Trump does continue his threats, he has repeatedly threatened to target Iranian power facilities if they do not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, that critical waterway where 20 percent of the world's oil typically passes through.

And this deadline has changed quite a lot throughout this process. He first made this threat late last month, set it for 48 hours. He then put that on pause for five days, extended it for another 10. Now, today, in a post he has said Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern is when we could expect to see some action.

Then there was this other post that you mentioned full of profanity, where he said, "Tuesday will be power plant day and bridge day all wrapped into one in Iran. There will be nothing like it. Open the --" and then used a very strong word there that I am not going to read directly, but it is there on your screen straight -- "... you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in hell. Just watch. Praise be to Allah."

Now again, we do expect to hear from the President directly during that press conference tomorrow in the Oval Office.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST, "THE SITUATION ROOM": All right, Julia Benbrook on the North Lawn of The White House for us. Thank you very much.

I want to continue this conversation right now with, retired Lieutenant Colonel Amy McGrath. She is a former U.S. Marine combat fighter pilot and a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Kentucky.

Also with us is former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, retired Admiral James Stavridis. He is also Vice Chair of The Carlyle Group, an international investment firm.

Colonel McGrath, let me start with you.

As we look at the details of this rescue operation, did the airman's training help save his life?

LIEUTENANT COLONEL AMY MCGRATH (RET), U.S. MARINES: Absolutely. I mean, and certainly all of us are relieved to hear of the rescue. But I think it also shows just how professional our military is and that we abide by this military ethos of "no one is left behind" and that is really real.

We have the best special operations, combat search and rescue forces in the world. This rescue mission appears to have been extremely complex. I have never seen a mission so daring, involving so many assets in my day, so deep into enemy territory.

And we know that Iran is a very big country with the population the size of Iraq and Afghanistan combined. Our bases are fairly -- they are not right there.

So, this is an extremely dangerous mission. And of course, the President told the American people last week, the air defenses in Iran were totally destroyed, and clearly that's not true, which makes this mission even more dangerous.

BLITZER: Admiral Stavridis, you're a former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, how vital was the role of the CIA in the success of this operation as far as you see it?

ADM. JAMES STAVRIDIS (RET), CNN SENIOR MILITARY ANALYST: Crucial and in a very innovative way, from reporting, they really conducted a misdirection campaign, convincing the Iranians of a variety of different things. We don't need to unpack each all of that, because we may need to do it again.

But clearly this was all hands on deck, and as Amy says, the training, I would argue, particularly the SEER school, the survival training that every one of our pilots, every one of our Special Forces go through was also very germane.

I will give you one other thing rattling around in my head about all this, Wolf, is how much is Russia involved in providing Intelligence that is enabling the Iranian remaining air defenses, enabling their ability to launch drones at ships? I am very concerned about that, and I think I see echoes of that, possibly in the Iranians' ability to shoot down this F-15. BLITZER: So you think the Russians are directly involved in helping the Iranians go after U.S. targets, if you will?

STAVRIDIS: I wouldn't go so far as to state that as a fact, but I look at how degraded the Iranian capabilities are and yet, over the last couple of days, they have managed to shoot down two of our aircraft.

[15:05:07]

We lost another couple on the ground that you're showing pictures of right now. I think, definitely some hard questions need to be asked of Russia in this moment.

BLITZER: Yes, good point.

Colonel McGrath, President Trump had said previously that the United States had decimated -- his word -- decimated Iran's capabilities to retaliate, including its anti-aircraft capacity. How do you assess Iran's capabilities at this point?

MCGRATH: Well, the President told the American people just last week that Iran's defenses were totally destroyed, and clearly that's not true. I think that obviously, we don't know, but you have to understand that you can shoot down aircraft with just, you know, surface-to-air missile system that you can put on your shoulder.

I mean, even in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, we were always worried about the potential of being shot down. So I think that Iran, you know, they have even more capabilities and even after a month of bombing, that doesn't necessarily mean that everything is destroyed. It is very much decentralized. Iran is very good at asymmetric warfare.

So any of these proclamations that we have won here or that we have completely decimated everybody and it just -- it is a little bit of bluster. And again, the political objectives here have not been achieved and I think we still need to focus on that.

BLITZER: Admiral Stavridis, we just heard about President Trump's latest threat in that profanity-laced social media post saying the U.S. will target Iran's bridges, Iran's power plants on Tuesday, this coming Tuesday, if the Strait of Hormuz isn't reopened.

Where do you think this is headed?

STAVRIDIS: Clearly, the administration intends to just continue smashing Iran in the face with a two by four and if that doesn't get the desired result, they will get out a crowbar and continue.

I believe the Iranians have a lot of fight left in them, unfortunately. They have got some cards to play in holding the Strait of Hormuz. As Amy was just pointing out, they still have at least nascent air defense capabilities, particularly against low altitude. And above all, Wolf, what this says to me as I watch the incredible effort, this astounding military mission to rescue one man, 180 pounds, let's say, well, what does that tell us about how hard it would be to get almost a thousand pounds of enriched uranium, which is still stashed, probably in the desert 350 miles from land? Think about what that mission will look like.

So the point is, Iran still has significant cards to play here. President Trump is, striking them with great vigor. It remains to be seen whether they are going to continue to play their cards or back down.

BLITZER: Is attacking power plants and bridges, Admiral, a war crime under international law?

STAVRIDIS: It is certainly right on the edge. Attacking desalinization, so water supplies, pretty clearly a war crime. Attacking Iranian military capability, not a war crime. What is in the middle? What is in the middle is transportation grids, bridges, electric plants, because they are dual use. They provide capability to the population of Iran, but they also are linkages for military activity.

So it would really be case by case decision making, certainly saying that you're going to destroy the entire electric grid, I think verges on a war crime because of the impact on the civilian population.

BLITZER: And Colonel McGrath, is there any sign at all that the U.S. allies in the region are running out of patience right now? Or do they want to see Iran even more diminished by the time this war is done?

MCGRATH: My guess is probably mixed. I mean, I don't think that there is a whole lot of nations out there that really love Iran or the Iranian regime.

On the same token, though, I think that many of our allies are really ticked off that we started this without consultation with them. We've seen the last year and some months of, sort of attacking our allies in terms of like just insulting them, this President, and this administration here.

We now have a deadline set by this President for Iran to open up the Strait of Hormuz, threatening more strikes, this time on potentially civilian infrastructure. He is talking about blowing up the whole country.

[15:10:10]

And this is after the President has said we don't need the Strait of Hormuz. I mean, it is unclear if we are talking to anybody or who we are talking to with the regime right now, and we have a Congress that is missing in action.

Now, we are spending a billion dollars a day risking the lives of our military members, all while we have the largest, energy crisis in modern history and I am sure, our allies are looking at all of this saying, wow, what is going on with the leadership of our country right now?

BLITZER: Important point. Colonel Amy McGrath and Admiral James Stavridis, to both of you, thank you very, very much. And to both of you, thank you very much for your service.

And coming up, all eyes on the Strait of Hormuz after President Trump's latest threat, we are going to break down the escalating oil crisis and what it could mean for gas prices and for airfare.

But first, it is the last day for astronauts to make course changes as they prepare to fly by the moon. The final steps needed before they can make space history.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:15:55]

BLITZER: Right now, defiance from Iran as President Trump appears to set a new deadline for Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz.

A top Iranian official says the crucial waterway, which carries a fifth of the world's oil supply, will remain closed unless financial damages from the war are "fully compensated."

That response from Iran, coming just hours after President Trump issued an expletive filled ultimatum to Iran threatening to bomb the country's power plants by Tuesday, this coming Tuesday, unless the Strait is reopened.

Take a look at this. You're looking at live footage from inside the Orion capsule on this day five of the Artemis II mission to the moon.

Right now, the crew is about 65,000 miles away from the moon and is expected to enter the Lunar Sphere of Influence. That's the point when the moon's gravitational pull on the Orion space capsule is stronger than the Earth's.

This will set the stage for tomorrow's historic journey past the far side of the lunar surface.

CNN senior international correspondent, Ed Lavandera is joining us right now from the Johnson Space Center in Houston. He has got more details.

How is the crew, Ed preparing today?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the crew has been up for several hours now. This is officially the fifth day of this mission and they are going through, as we look at live pictures of inside the space capsule there, the crew is reconfiguring and going through a series of tests for what is known as the Orion crew, the suits to make sure that they are well-protected.

Remember, a lot of this, in a lot of the testing that they are doing on this mission is to ensure that the life support systems inside that capsule work properly, not just for them, but also for future missions. So they need to figure out what needs to be improved on, what needs to be worked, what worked, what didn't work, all that kind of stuff.

And now, they are going through these simulations of having to put on the spacesuits in case there was an emergency situation. So, that is some of the drills and the testing that they are doing right now.

But there have also been a lot of moments where they are spending -- they have a great deal of photographic equipment up there with them, and they have been snapping some amazing photos outside of the four windows that they have inside that capsule. And the astronauts have talked about what this moment and what this experience has been like for them so far.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEREMY HANSEN, ARTEMIS II MISSION SPECIALIST: There has been a lot of disbelief up here. Just the fact that what we are seeing, where we are, it is hard to wrap your mind around. I mean, that sincerely.

It really bends your mind. And the emotions that come along with that, there is a lot of happiness just to experience these unique things, just brings you joy as a human.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAVANDERA: And Wolf, you know, one of the fascinating things in watching this mission is from the camera that is often up on a live stream. You can really see not only just some of the work that they are doing, like right now, when you see them preparing to put on their spacesuits, reconfiguring the cabin, depending on what kind of work they need to do.

But you really see the mundane stuff that just goes on with living, for example, or just a few hours ago, we saw a couple of the astronauts, brushing their teeth. Obviously, we've talked a lot about the toilet issues that they have. The toilet is up and working and everything is fine there.

But you know, these are all parts of -- a part of what needs to happen to make sure that crews can be properly sustained in this capsule for these future missions -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Ed Lavandera in Houston for us at the Johnson Space Center. Thank you very, very much.

Coming up, a dramatic end to a very high-stakes search, the second U.S. airman trapped inside Iran has now been rescued by U.S. Forces, pulled off one of the most daring missions in years.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:24:14]

BLITZER: Continuing now with our breaking news coverage on the massive and very dangerous operation to rescue the American airmen whose jet was shot down in Iran. That crew member, a weapons system officer, avoided being captured by hiding in a mountainous area for nearly two days until a team of commandos swarmed in, bringing the officer to safety.

President Trump announced the rescue earlier this morning and hours later, he issued new threats to Iran while appearing to set a new deadline to Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

CNN national security reporter, Haley Britzky is here in Washington, D.C. with us.

Haley, what more can you tell us about this rescue operation?

HALEY BRITZKY, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY REPORTER: Yes, well, so it was exactly, as you say, a daring, very dangerous operation. This involved hundreds of military personnel and Intelligence personnel. It involved dozens of aircraft. The CIA was simultaneously sewing their own misinformation campaign on the ground in Iran in order to confuse IRGC members who were searching out this weapon systems officer who, as you said, was hiding in the mountains while balancing trying to make contact with U.S. Forces in order to be rescued, but not getting the attention of the Iranian Forces in the area looking for him.

[15:25:28]

So an incredible operation that was carried out. The President announcing just after midnight last night that this weapon systems officer was rescued, saying that he did sustain injuries, but that he will ultimately be okay.

And of course, as you know, Wolf, having covered the Pentagon, as dangerous as this is, it is something that none of these service members would have balked at, at the chance of being able to bring home safely one of their brothers in arms. So it is a truly incredible operation and tale here that I am sure we will be hearing more details about in the coming days.

BLITZER: And then, Haley, there is this brutal threat today from President Trump about the Strait of Hormuz. How is Iran reacting?

BRITZKY: Yes, So Iran -- a senior Iranian official saying today that the Iran will reopen the Strait of Hormuz when they are fully compensated for damages from the war, saying that the President is acting out of sheer desperation and rage.

So certainly leaving some questions here about will Iran meet this new deadline that the President has set? As CNN has reported, this deadline has sort of shifted over the last several weeks for reopening the Strait. The President even suggesting last week that the Strait would reopen naturally after the war concluded.

But now, of course, seeing a much more aggressive stance from the President and holding their feet to the fire on this. If Iran will meet that deadline is very much still in question, but saying today that Iran's Parliament Speaker, that the region is going to burn because of the actions of the President.

So certainly something we will be watching very closely as that deadline approaches -- Wolf. BLITZER: All right, Haley Britzky reporting for us. Thank you, Haley, very much.

Coming up, a rather frank Easter message from Pope Leo, his call for leaders to lay down arms and choose peace.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:31:45]

BLITZER: You've been watching our breaking news coverage of the war with Iran. A U.S. airman whose fighter jet was shot down over Iran has been rescued, sources telling CNN that an operation was carried out overnight deep inside Iran.

President Trump is also stepping up his threats against Iran over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. All of this, as last ditch efforts go on behind-the-scenes.

CNN's chief global affairs correspondent, Matthew Chance is in Doha, Qatar with more.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CHIEF GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, tonight, Wolf, there are growing concerns in this region because Iran has again vowed to step up its retaliation against its Gulf Arab neighbors if President Trump eventually carries out his threat to strike Iranian civilian infrastructure. One Iranian official warning tonight that the region will burn.

President Trump now appears to have extended his self-imposed deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, but there is no sign of any negotiations between Washington and Tehran or any public word of compromise by either side. In fact, Iran has suggested it would only open the Strait, which effectively closed to most shipping at the start of the Iran War, once war reparations are paid, doubling down on its defiant rhetoric.

Now, there have been other talks underway, including between Iran and the Gulf Arab state of Oman aimed at striking a deal to open up the Strait, through which, of course, some 20 percent of the world's oil and gas supply is normally shipped.

An Omani source tells CNN tonight that their discussions have been underway for two weeks and are focused on tankers agreeing to register with Iran before being allowed to pass, but that would effectively formalize Iranian control of the global energy supply route, something the U.S. and many other countries in the region do not want to see.

But the alternative at the moment seems to be escalation. More risks to the region, more risk potentially to U.S. military personnel and more risks for the global economy.

Wolf, back to you.

BLITZER: All right, Matthew Chance, thank you very much.

The war in Iran rages on and calls for peace are ringing out globally, including from Pope Leo this Easter Sunday.

The Pope delivered his Easter message to the crowds packed into St. Peter's Square, urging leaders to choose peace instead of domination and war.

Earlier in the day, Pope Leo celebrated his first Easter Sunday mass since becoming the head of the Catholic Church.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(POPE LEO XIV singing)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: CNN's Christopher Lamb has more from Rome.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, thousands turned out in St. Peter's Square to listen to Pope Leo's first Easter Sunday message and the first American Pope underlined once again the need to end the conflict taking place around the world.

He insisted that the Easter message is one of nonviolence, and this is what he had to say from the balcony of St. Peter's Square.

[15:35:04]

POPE LEO XIV (through translator): Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace. Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue, not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them.

We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it and becoming indifferent, indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people, indifferent to the repercussions of hatred and division that conflict sow.

LAMB: Now, we've seen during these last few days, Pope Leo really step into the role of being Pope. He has been very outspoken during this Holy Week and Easter about the war going on in Iran. He said to me that President Trump needs to find an off ramp to end the conflict, and also saying on Palm Sunday that God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, very pointed remarks, which some took as responding to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has sought to frame the U.S. intervention in Iran as divinely supported. Now, Pope Leo is pushing back against that.

We also saw Leo carry the cross for the first time for the entirety of the stations of the cross. That's the first time that's happened in decades and that was also a powerful symbol.

Leo, on Easter Sunday, celebrating a mass, then, of course, delivering his Easter Sunday message and then circulating around the Square.

We saw him just drive by us, and you know, there was cheers and people waving at the Pope. There is a sense that Leo can offer some hope during difficult and turbulent times.

There was a banner raised up that said, "Pope Leo, We Are With You. Guide Our Future."

Leo, the first American Pope celebrating his first Easter since election with a message of peace and hope at Easter.

Christopher Lamb, CNN, Rome.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: A special thanks to Christopher Lamb for that report.

Coming up, oil prices surging as the Strait of Hormuz stays closed to most tankers. However, an Iranian official just put a price tag on reopening it. We have details, that's ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:42:07]

BLITZER: We are continuing to follow the very dramatic rescue of a U.S. service member inside Iran. Iranian state media has released this video confirmed by CNN showing a wreckage site after President Trump announced Special Forces rescued the last crew member from last week's downed F-15 fighter jet.

Sources tell CNN, two damaged Special Operations aircraft have to be blown up during this rather daring operation involving hundreds of U.S. troops and Intel officials.

CNN's Jim Sciutto is in Jerusalem with more on the effort to get the service member out from behind enemy lines.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM SCIUTTO CNN ANCHOR AND CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: This was a daring and dangerous operation involving dozens of aircraft, hundreds of U.S. military and Intelligence personnel, but also the remarkable actions of this military pilot.

The U.S. carried out multiple efforts at once. Of course, launching this search and rescue team, but also the CIA carrying out a disinformation campaign inside Iran to spread false information that both pilots had already been rescued by then. That, of course, wasn't true. The U.S. was searching desperately for the pilot.

The CIA helped locate him, but the pilot himself went 7,000 feet up a ridgeline, hid inside that ridgeline as the CIA pinpointed the location, and then those aircraft and those commandos went in to get him out.

This all began on Friday, when, of course, that F-15 went down. The U.S. got their first communication from him Friday night, indicating he was injured. That, of course, added to the urgency of this, but very much a happy ending. That pilot on his way home, a great relief to the U.S. Military and also, of course, to his family and loved ones.

Jim Sciutto, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Very good work indeed. Thank you, Jim, for that report.

This is all happening as a senior Iranian official responds to President Trump's latest ultimatum, saying the Strait of Hormuz will only reopen when damages from the war are, "fully compensated." The crisis over the Strait is driving up oil and gas prices.

While prices for jet fuel have doubled in the last two months, airfares are only up modestly, at least right now, but that could quickly change as prices for summer air travel are rising due to higher fuel costs.

Here to discuss what is going on is travel expert with going.com, Katy Nastro.

Katie, thanks so much for joining us. Is it too late to start planning for summer travel right now with these prices for airfare going up and up?

KATY NASTRO, TRAVEL EXPERT, GOING.COM: Yes, Wolf, we want travelers to always be in the habit of booking for a peak season, like the summer in the opposite season, and with this year, we are seeing both a combination of domestic and international flights being up roughly 11 percent, year-over-year for summer. We want travelers to book immediately.

[15:40:07]

It is likely that we are going to see the window of opportunity to score a great price, to be a little bit shorter and to close quicker this year.

So, our biggest piece of advice would be if you are traveling this summer and you need to book a flight, book it immediately.

BLITZER: So we can always assume that with costs going up for fuel, for example, airlines are just going to continue raising ticket prices to make up the difference, is that right?

NASTRO: Yes, you know, Wolf, it is interesting. Yes, jet fuel is a large expense for airlines. It is roughly the second largest expense for them. But if demand completely bottoms out, then they are going to have to soften their prices. It is not as though they can just price really high and the market will need it.

Now, yes, while we have seen a very aggressive march, we actually saw roughly almost two percent more travelers, according to TSA data this year versus last. We are sort of trying to figure out if that demand will last throughout the summer. Are we going to continue to see travelers want to get out and about, even amid these higher prices? That's really the question.

Will the demand hold if those prices are higher year-over-year?

BLITZER: Is it smart for travelers to start buying or ordering their tickets now for travel much later in order to save money down the road?

NASTRO: Yes, Wolf, you know, look, you can look to buy your fall flights now. We are starting to see some deals come in for those. However, because we don't -- there are so many unpredictable -- there is so much unpredictability for the months ahead that really focusing on those higher priced flights like summer are really where travelers should focus their attention immediately.

We would, if we would actually suggest, if you are looking to travel in the fall, for example, book that main economy ticket, because if the price actually does drop and it is likely it will, airfare is volatile we know it can change. You want to take advantage of those price drops by calling the airline getting rebooked at that lower price, and then you use the credit that you get from the difference for future more expensive flights.

You really can't lose out when you book that main economy ticket, even when you're booking for, say, yes, the fall or even your winter flights. It is just, you don't have that liquid back. You don't have the cash back. You just have a credit.

So some folks might not want that, but you're never losing if you do book that main economy ticket and that goes for summer fares as well, you should definitely look to book that main economy versus basic, which is more restrictive.

BLITZER: Good advice, Katy Nastro, thanks very much for joining us.

NASTRO: Thanks so much for having me.

BLITZER: And our special coverage of the breaking news on the rescue of the missing U.S. airman will continue right at the top of the hour.

But first, the Men's College Basketball Finals are now set. The top seeded Michigan Wolverines take on the UConn Huskies. We are live from Indianapolis, where the championship game is just one day away.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:52:55]

BLITZER: On this Easter Sunday, Georgia Democratic Senator, the Reverend Raphael Warnock reflects on his faith and reacts to claims that Donald Trump was "chosen by God" to be President.

He also tells CNN's Jake Tapper why he prays for the President. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. RAPHAEL WARNOCK (D-GA): Oh, absolutely. He needs a lot of prayer and --

JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: What do you -- what do you pray for? What are you asking?

WARNOCK: Well, I pray -- I pray inasmuch as he has influence and power over people I care about, I affirm his humanity as I affirm the humanity of anybody and everybody.

But part of that, prayer is about accountability. I have to be honest about what he is doing. His kind of unabashed, unvarnished bigotry, the cruelty that he is unleashing on American streets through his version of ICE. Those things have to be condemned.

And so for me, prayer and prophetic speech, which holds power accountable, those two things go hand in hand.

I am not about to be the Chaplain blessing that which is ungodly and unjust.

TAPPER: There are a lot of religious leaders who go to The White House and not only pray for the President, but make a show of suggesting that he was chosen by God for this mission.

WARNOCK: Yes, they are wrong. And there were Christians who thought that slavery was you know, somehow godlike, American chattel slavery, and they justified it and they used scriptures to support their position.

It just so happens that, that I am the product of a countervailing tradition that was literally born fighting for freedom that understood that, that God didn't create us to be slaves. That's why the Black Church was emerged.

[15:55:06]

When we say the Black Church, we never meant anything racially exclusive about that. We are literally talking about the antislavery church, a church that was born correcting the American heresy that somehow tried to reconcile the faith of Jesus to slavery.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: And you can watch Jake's entire interview on cnn.com.

Also happening now, the Women's College Basketball Championship Game between South Carolina and UCLA in Arizona.

Meanwhile, the Men's title game was determined last night in Indianapolis. That's where our Coy Wire is joining us to break down the matchup -- Coy. COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Wolf, the national title game is set, Michigan and UConn. I am here in UConn's locker room and it is not lost on me, Wolf, that my head looks exactly like one of the basketballs behind me.

We will start with Michigan. They steamrolled their way back to the title game for the first time since 2018. Fab Five were in attendance, and on the call, the Wolverines thrashed the number one overall seed, Arizona Wildcats.

Michigan had an early injury scare to all-American, Yaxel Lendeborg, though, sprained mcl, but he returned in the second half, hit a three pointer and the fans went wild.

From there, it was all Aday Mara dunks and Trey McKinney threes as the Wolverines rolled to a 91-73 win.

Michigan student section all smiles. Dusty May's Michigan looking for their first title since 1989.

I caught up with Coach just moments ago and asked what they are about to face in the Final, the UConn Huskies.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DUSTY MAY, MICHIGAN MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM COACH: This program that over the last four years has done something that we in coaching didn't think could be done. Three national championship games in a four-year window in the current landscape of college athletics is unprecedented.

And it is a tribute to their daily work, their daily grind and the culture of their program.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: In the early game, UConn, winners of two of the last three titles in total control against Illinois.

Inside center, Tarris Reed, Jr. was dominating with a team high of 17;outside sharpshooter Braylon Mullins continuing his hot tournament shooting spree with some key three pointers.

UConn wins 71-62. Coach Dan Hurley, now 11 and oh in the Sweet 16 and beyond. You may remember Coach Hurley went viral for going forehead to forehead with a ref after their dramatic Duke win. Well, it has become a thing.

He was head butting all his players after their win last night. I caught up with Coach just a bit ago and asked about his final opponent, the Michigan wolverines.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN HURLEY, UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH: I am really, really glad were not playing them in a seven-game series or a nine or an 11-game series. The beauty of this tournament is, we just got to kind of be better for one night on Monday night. And, obviously we are going to have to have a great night to beat such a formidable team.

WIRE: You mentioned getting in people's faces, Coach, I am pumped. This was a freaking awesome interview, dude.

HURLEY: You don't know how pumped I was for this. Let's go!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: The passion is palpable. Coach brings out the husky dog mentality in everyone. One game left after weeks of buzzer beaters and Wolf, our broken brackets, it will be Dan Hurley's UConn facing Dusty May's Michigan in the Final. That's Monday night here in Indianapolis.

BLITZER: It will be an exciting game to be sure.

Coy Wire, thanks as usual for joining us.

And to our viewers, thanks very much for joining me today. I am Wolf Blitzer in Washington. You can always join me and Pamela Brown in "The Situation Room."

We will be back in "The Situation Room" tomorrow morning, 10:00 A.M. Eastern for two hours. CNN NEWSROOM with Jessica Dean starts in just a moment.

But before we go on this Easter Sunday, I want to share a message from Victor Glover, the pilot aboard the Artemis II rocket heading towards the moon.

"A beautiful reminder as this mission has been, that there is far more that unites us."

For all those celebrating a very Happy Easter to your family, here is Victor Glover.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VICTOR GLOVER, ARTEMIS II MISSION PILOT: In all of this emptiness, this is a whole bunch of nothing, this thing we call the universe. You have this oasis, this beautiful place that we get to exist together.

I think as we go into Easter Sunday, thinking about, you know, all the cultures all around the world, whether you celebrate it or not, whether you believe in God or not, this is an opportunity for us to remember where we are, who we are, and that we are the same thing, and that we've got to get through this together.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[16:00:00]