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GOP Racing Against The Clock To Pass Trump's Agenda; Trump's Attorneys Trying To Block Release Of Special Counsel Jack Smith's Final Report; Congress Certifies 2024 Election Results For Trump. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired January 07, 2025 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[05:31:20]
KASIE HUNT, CNN ANCHOR: All right, 5:30 a.m. on the East Coast. Here's a look at the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, blanketed in snow this morning. I love Philly.
Good morning, everyone. I'm Kasie Hunt. It's wonderful to have you with us.
Before Donald Trump is even sworn in Republicans find themselves up against the clock when it comes to passing the president-elect's ambitious agenda.
No American president since Jimmy Carter has maintained control of both houses of Congress through a midterm election. If that trend continues the window of opportunity for Republicans shrinks to less than two years. That's something that President Barack Obama was keenly aware of back in 2010.
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BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In that kind of environment the easiest thing to do is to say things aren't good enough now. Throw the bums out. That's going to be their message, particularly since we have control of the House and the Senate, as well as the White House.
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HUNT: Of course, we all remember the Tea Party wave that overtook the country in 2010.
Our next guest, CNN senior political analyst Ron Brownstein, says the tight timeframe Republicans face feed the widening divide between the two parties, and he writes this.
"The shorter shelf life of unified government in modern time has almost without notice shaped behavior in both the White House and Congress -- subtly discouraging bipartisan compromise and pushing the majority party to stuff the top priorities of each incoming president into one massive legislative package, as Republicans are poised to attempt again this year."
And Ron Brownstein joins us now. Ron, good morning to you. A fascinating piece as always.
You know, you're underscoring -- I mean, this was a reality for me covering Congress in recent decades. It was these big packages where anything was actually going to happen at all basically. And it seems like the Trump team knows that.
RON BROWNSTEIN, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST, SENIOR EDITOR, THE ATLANTIC (via Webex by Cisco): Yeah. You know, this is one of those trends, Kasie -- and there are many -- in which our modern politics is really different from what has been the case for most of American history. But it's so much a part of experience -- our experience we don't even really notice it or comment on it. But the fact is that every president who has gone into a midterm with unified control of government since Jimmy Carter has lost it. Biden in '22, Trump in '18, Obama in '10, George W. Bush in '06, Bill Clinton in 1994.
That is the longest streak in American history of presidents who had -- who had unified control going into a midterm and then saw voters revoke it. We've had streaks of four before in the 19th century, but we're at five. And with Republicans clinging to a 220-seat majority in the House it would not surprise anyone I think if we get to six in 2026.
And what that means is, as you noted, there is a very tight timeframe for Republicans to pass their legislative agenda, which centers on extending the Trump tax cut at a cost of at least $4 trillion, plus his new additions over the next decade.
And when you have that kind of tight timeframe, and you are looking at using the reconciliation tool as kind of an omnibus attempt to pass as much of your agenda as you can you don't have a lot of incentive to work with the other party. And the other party doesn't have as much incentive to work with you as they used to because they are fairly confident, rightly or not, that in two years the wheel is going to spin and they're going to be back in control.
So it's a very different world even though it has kind of happened without us really taking notice of it.
HUNT: Yeah, it is -- it is remarkable that -- because it's a little bit like a frog in boiling water, right? When you live it every day you almost don't notice that it's -- that it's evolving.
[05:35:00]
BROWNSTEIN: Yeah.
HUNT: So it's interesting that you point it out.
Ron, you mentioned Jimmy Carter in the context of this. He is coming up to Washington, D.C. today to lie in state. And I've been listening to some of what you've had to say about him on the air in recent days. How would you reflect on him, his presidency, his post-presidency, and
what it says or doesn't say about how our country has changed and where are now?
BROWNSTEIN: Yeah. You know, look, I -- as I said, I think in office Carter was a symbol and a trigger really of cultural reconciliation but of kind of further political division. He was someone who bridged a lot of the social divides that had opened during the 1960s -- you know, a military veteran, a part of the Vietnam draft resisters, evangelical Christian who welcomed and celebrated rock and rollers.
And so that was all kind of a unifying theme. But as president he presided over and really accelerated the dissolution of the traditional new deal Democratic coalition. I mean, he was kind of the last hope of Democrats of holding white southerners -- conservative white southerners, blue-collar northern ethnics, along with their evolving constituency. And it all kind of -- he could not manage it in office and the fissures in the Democratic coalition widened under him to the point where he was routed in 1980.
After he left office though he really invented, I think, the modern role of the post-presidency. I mean, Dwight Eisenhower, and Harry Truman, and Lyndon Johnson -- they weren't citizens of the world. They kind of went home to the ranch.
I think Carter created the mold that most presidents who followed him have tried to meet of looking for ways to leverage the extraordinary convening power that still adheres to an American president after he leaves office to do good following their term. And he is sort of the inventor. He was present at the creation in many ways of that kind of vision of what the post-presidency could be.
HUNT: Yeah, a really interesting way to think about it.
Ron Brownstein, so grateful to have your perspective on the show. Thanks so much for being here today.
BROWNSTEIN: Thanks for having me.
HUNT: All right, let's turn now to this. Special counsel Jack Smith's final report on the federal investigations into Donald Trump expected to be released in the coming days, but not unless the president -- but not if the president-elect gets his way. Trump and his attorneys now threatening legal action if Smith makes the report public.
The latest court filings include a letter from Trump's former co- defendants Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira asking Judge Aileen Cannon -- remember, she's the one in the federal documents case -- to block the release of the report because she previously ruled that Smith's appointment as special counsel was unlawful.
CNN legal analyst Joey Jackson joins us now. Joey, good morning.
Is there any hope for the Trump team to actually have this be blocked -- is that possible -- or do you think the public is going to get to see this? JOEY JACKSON, CNN LEGAL ANALYST, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY, FORMER
PROSECUTOR (via Webex by Cisco): So everything's possible, Kasie. Good morning to you. But certainly, a report that Jack Smith worked on for a significant amount of time -- a prosecution that he worked on -- there's a public imperative to release it, at least to Congress.
I think you may see its release with significant redactions, meaning things that are taken out of the report really pertaining to the co- defendants in the case, right, because Trump is not going to face prosecution. And, of course, Aileen Cannon, the judge overseeing the case, right, said hey, special counsel doesn't have authority. All the cases are dismissed.
But we know that as it relates to the other co-defendants, even though Trump is not involved, right, there's an appeal to that. So if it's revived and the case moves forward and you release this information -- boy, would they be prejudice. How would they get a fair trail with all this information out there?
So like everything, it will be subject to controversy and there's a major race against the clock because who controls the Justice Department now, right? Biden and Garland does. Who will control it mere weeks from now? Trump will. So it's a race against time but it's likely that we'll see it with significant redactions removed from it.
HUNT: Joey, we've spent a lot of time talking about the various threats that Donald Trump has made against, for example, the members of the January 6 committee. He has made no secret of his displeasure with Jack Smith, the special counsel.
What are the chances, do you think, that he may face legal trouble himself from a Trump Justice Department?
JACKSON: It is concerning. I think it's concerning as it relates to Garland, as it relates to Jack Smith, as it relates to anyone who might be a person not in line or in favor of the incoming president. And so I think there are ways, right, against that. You could look to have Biden preemptively pardon Jack Smith and others who may be subject to political prosecutions.
There's been a lot of discussion Kasie about this whole weaponization of the Justice Department, meaning that the prosecutions are not predicated upon law and facts; they're predicated upon who is your enemy, who is not, who do you like, who you don't.
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So I think it really is troubling and problematic the time that we're in, and we might see before he leaves office Biden taking some steps to protect people who have worked for him -- like Garland who we just saw, the attorney general -- and, of course, Jack Smith, the special prosecutor. It's real.
HUNT: Yeah, for sure.
All right. So Joey, just briefly, Rudy Guiliani being held in contempt because he hasn't turned over his various assets to the election workers that he is -- has been convicted of defaming. What's next there?
JACKSON: Yeah. So what's next is that there will be a trial to determine -- you know, just backing up very briefly, Kasie, what happens is there's a distinction between winning a civil case -- and we know that Rudy Giuliani was found liable for defamation to the tune of $140 million. There's a distinction between winning a monetary judgment and collecting the judgment.
And so here, in order to collect the judgment, right, the plaintiffs' attorneys -- that is Ms. Freeman and her daughter -- have really looked to try to get this money. Guiliani has not been cooperative with respect to giving forward what he owes, with respect to sharing information. And so he's in contempt.
He's trying to protect briefly his Florida home. If he can establish that home is a home he lives in it gets protected. If it's just another asset it doesn't.
So there will be a trial as to that and the judge will prohibit him from really making the argument that it's his home because he hasn't provided information to that fact. And so what's next --
HUNT: Right.
JACKSON: -- is really a determination as to whether they can get these assets and get paid the judgment that they won.
HUNT: All right, Joey Jackson for us this morning. Sir, always grateful to have you. Thank you so much for being here.
JACKSON: Thanks, Kasie.
HUNT: All right. Still coming up here after the break, this has got to sting a little. Vice President Kamala Harris presiding over Congress to certify the election that she lost.
Plus, the New England Patriots' owner delivering a blow to its newest head coach.
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KAMALA HARRIS, (D) VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The votes for President of the United States are as follows: Donald J. Trump of the state of Florida has received 312 votes. Kamala D. Harris -- Kamala D. Harris of the state of California has received 226 votes.
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HUNT: Wow, quite a moment. Kamala Harris making it official, presiding over Congress as they certified the 2024 election results. And as you heard there her own loss to Donald Trump.
Monday's events on the Hill stood in stark contrast to what happened four years ago when a violent mob stormed the Capitol to contest Joe Biden's 2020 electoral victory.
Harris telling reporters that what took place yesterday -- well, it should be -- it really has been, except for 2021, the norm.
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HARRIS: And today I did what I have done my entire career, which is take seriously the oath that I have taken many times to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, which included today, performing my constitutional duties to ensure that the people of America -- the voters of America will have their votes counted. That those votes matter and that they will determine then the outcome of an election.
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HUNT: And joining us now to discuss, Kevin Frey, Washington correspondent for Spectrum News NY1. Kevin, good morning.
KEVIN FREY, WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT, SPECTRUM NEWS NY1: Good morning, Kasie.
HUNT: Remarkable to see her read that, you know?
FREY: Yeah.
HUNT: But also worth noting that we saw Al Gore do it in 2000, right? This is supposed to be a normal -- it's supposed to be boring, right?
FREY: Yeah, mundane.
HUNT: Most people, like, would never want to watch it on TV.
FREY: Yeah.
HUNT: But, of course, considering what happened in 2021 it simply wasn't.
And one of the things that we saw yesterday was a tweet from Mike Pence who, of course, came under incredible pressure in 2021 --
FREY: Yeah.
HUNT: -- but did his duty.
And he wrote this. "I also commend the members of the House, Senate, and vice president who did their duty under the Constitution of the United States. It being particularly admirable that Vice President Harris would preside over the certification of a presidential election that she lost."
It shouldn't have to be noteworthy to point that out, but it is. FREY: Well, and that's -- if anything, that kind of defines the Trump era in broad strokes, which is that it's so extraordinary that we make and have to make so much news out of the fact that basic norms are being followed, but that's essentially what played out yesterday.
And one of the things that's remarkable is there is some reporting that Mike Pence apparently told Al Gore, or at least took some inspiration from Al Gore when he was a member of Congress watching him perform this sort of duty where he had to announce to the world that the man that he ran against and contested in court -- up to the Supreme Court -- was ultimately the winner of this contest.
HUNT: Right. And that election, of course, being one that was decided by hundreds of votes, right --
FREY: And hanging chads.
HUNT: -- in one -- in one state.
There has been this sort of rewriting or attempted rewriting --
FREY: Yeah.
HUNT: -- of history by President-elect Donald Trump.
Here was Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Trump ally, on Monday -- watch.
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REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE (R-GA): It's absurd. January 6 was not an insurrection. I'm completely sick and tired and fed up with the Democrats' narrative and the media narrative, and it's a total lie. Today is a great day.
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HUNT: And that, of course, something that clearly there are a lot of voters out there who didn't think that what happened on January 6 was disqualifying enough not to vote for President Trump.
FREY: Yeah. I mean, that's kind of this extraordinary thing.
So look, you talk to Democrats, and the ones that I spoke to yesterday are really concerned about the idea of whitewashing this event into basically oblivion. That you just look at it, as Marjorie Taylor Greene just basically argued there, as just another day. That it was the "tourist visit." It was a beautiful day, depending on who you talk to.
But at the same time voters know what they voted for. I mean, this is not out of the bloodstream. It's not like this is some surprise.
And certainly, Trump has made part of his argument on the campaign trail, even if it wasn't the dominating message. He did not make any sort of effort to hide the fact that he seems to want to pardon some number of these January 6 defendants. Who they are -- is that the Proud Boys and those that literally attack police officers? Is it a different cohort that he hasn't fully outlined and explained? We just simply do not know yet.
But that's the -- kind of the fine line that Democrats kind of have to acquiesce to is that even with this information out there people backed Trump again.
HUNT: Indeed, they did.
Kevin Frey for us this morning. Kevin, thank you.
FREY: No problem.
HUNT: I appreciate it.
All right, time now for sports. Patriots owner Robert Kraft says he takes full responsibility after firing his head coach after just a single season.
Coy Wire has this morning's CNN sports update. Coy, good morning.
COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Good morning to you, Kasie.
The Patriots didn't even wait until the so-called "Black Monday" to break out the pink slips. Robert Kraft decided to fire head coach Jerod Mayo almost immediately after his team beat the Bills in the season finale.
Mayo was hired as Bill Belichick's handpicked successor last year, but the Pats only managed to win four games. The win on Sunday ended up costing the Pats the number one overall pick in the draft.
Kraft took ownership of the underwhelming season yesterday.
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ROBERT KRAFT, OWNER, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: This whole situation is on me. I feel terrible for Jerod because I put him in an untenable situation. I know that he has all the tools as a head coach to be successful in this league. He just needed more time before taking the job.
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WIRE: There are now five coaching vacancies in the NFL -- the Patriots, along with the Jaguars, Bears, Saints, and Jets.
The College Football playoff semifinals kick off on Thursday and Friday, but all eyes were on the FCS championship game last night featuring one of the most dominant programs in college sports. North Dakota State taking on Montana State. The Bisons sprinted out to a 21- 3 halftime lead after a pair of running touchdowns and a passing TD by quarterback Cam Miller. But the Bobcats scratched their way back with a pair of scores in the
third. Montana State cut the lead to within three late in the fourth, but they could not convert on that onside kick attempt.
North Dakota State wins 35-32, a record 10th national title in 14 seasons.
To the NBA. Suns coach Mike Budenholzer benched two starters, including three-time All-Star Bradley Beal looking to snap a four-game losing skid facing the Sixers. Beal was a pro about it. He did not pout. He just came off the bench and showed out. He scored a team-high 25 in a 109-99 win.
Afterwards the 31-year-old said it was a little difficult making the switch.
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BRADLEY BEAL, GUARD, PHOENIX SUNS: Coach made a decision. I'm not going to sit there and argue with him, I'm not going to sit here and be a distraction. I'm not going to sit here and be an (bleep). Like, he made his decision, I (INAUDIBLE). I'm -- he's the coach. You know what I'm saying? So I've just got to go out and play my game and do what I do and whatever happens from there happens from there.
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WIRE: Spurs start Victor Wembanyama played a game of one-on-one last night in chess. The seven-foot-four Frenchman taking on Benny, the Bull's mascot, right in the middle of their pregame warmups.
Now, Wemby tried to put Chicago in check with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and eight blocks. But it was Coby White calling checkmate, going straight Magnus Carlsen on Wemby. A huge dunk with 15 seconds to go right on Wemby's head.
White finished with 23 of his own in a 114-110 win. Chicago has now won four out of the last five games.
Finally, a goalie submitting three save of the year candidates in one game. New Jersey Devils' Jacob Markstrom denying Seattle goals like my wife denies me my share of the comforter at night. Early in third -- look at this -- six-foot-six stretched out like pantyhose on hippos. Full extension glove save denying the crack. And again, the focus is unreal.
Then this wrister. He denies that. He's flailing, falling to his back. But Kasie, he comes through with the stick save as the puck is about to go in -- incredible.
Devils win 3-2.
[05:55:00]
Being six-foot-six and a contortionist like that, Kasie, is just unreal athleticism. HUNT: Unreal.
I'm counting down the seconds, Coy, until you get a text from your wife about the comforter. How nice.
WIRE: No, she knows. All right.
HUNT: Coy, thank you.
WIRE: You got it.
HUNT: I appreciate it. See you soon.
Coming up next on CNN THIS MORNING, Elon Musk wading into European politics. How the presence of the world's richest man is playing in Trump world.
Plus, dashing through the snow. While the winter storm has caused headaches for millions, the pandas here in D.C. could not have been happier about it.
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HUNT: It's Tuesday, January 7. Right now on CNN THIS MORNING.
