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U.K. Police: Stabbing Reported at Synagogue in Manchester.; Two Delta Planes Collide at LaGuardia Airport; Human Rights Watch: Saudi Arabia Using Festival to 'Whitewash' Abuses. Aired 6-6:30a ET

Aired October 02, 2025 - 06:00   ET

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

BRIAN ABEL, CNN ANCHOR: We want to go to Clare Sebastian, who is joining us from London now with what we know at this moment, Clare.

[06:00:05]

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.

ABEL: OK. Let's -- we're still working to get Clare. We will have more information throughout the day with what we learn on this breaking news situation of a stabbing at a synagogue in Manchester, England.

That's it for EARLY START. I'm Brian Abel in Washington, D.C. CNN THIS MORNING starts right now.

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ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: This is not the first government shutdown, but could it possibly end up being the worst. CNN THIS MORNING starts right now.

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DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: There could be firings and that's their fault. And it could also be other things.

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HILL: Mass firings, cuts to services. The pain is here as policy and the politics collide. A warning from the FBI: a prolonged government shutdown could put national security and the children in this country at risk.

Tense moments on the tarmac. Two Delta planes packed with passengers clipping wings on the ground.

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STEPHEN MILLER, DEPUTY WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: I see the guns and badges in this room. You are unleashed.

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HILL: Trump's White House on the ground for a crime crackdown in Memphis as the National Guard prepares to move in. Guess who else will be at the Super Bowl when Bad Bunny headlines the

halftime show? The White House says, yes, ICE will be there, too.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: From the folks that brought you 9/11 --

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HILL: Some of America's top comedians performing in Saudi Arabia, prompting plenty of backlash from others who say this is no laughing matter.

And a very good morning to you on this Thursday. A look, a live look there at the Capitol. Just past 6 a.m. here on the East Coast. Thursday, October 2nd. Thanks for starting your day with us. I'm Erica Hill, in for Audie Cornish.

We do begin this hour with the breaking news out of the United Kingdom. A stabbing has been reported. This is at a synagogue in Northern England.

Joining us now, CNN's Clare Sebastian, following these details from London. This, of course, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. It is Yom Kippur.

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Good morning, Erica. You're right. It is Yom Kippur. And this appears to have happened at a synagogue in the Northern part of Manchester.

We have few details coming through at the moment from Greater Manchester Police. They have declared a major incident.

They say they were called by a member of the public at about 9:30 this morning, about an hour and a half ago, stating that that member of the public had witnessed a car being driven towards other members of the public, and that one man had been stabbed.

So, they arrived on the scene, they say, about 9:31 this morning. Within seven minutes of that, the police say shots had been fired and one man was shot, believed to be the offender.

And paramedics arrived on the scene minutes after that.

So, look, the details are still coming through. It is being declared a major incident, and it is at a synagogue on the holiest day of the Jewish year, Yom Kippur, a very solemn day, a day of atonement, often involving fasting.

And we've heard from the mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, speaking on the radio this morning. He says he recognizes how people in the Jewish community will be feeling, and he said that there were lots of people at the synagogue attending a service. Some gathered outside. But is praising the speed at which the Greater Manchester Police responded to this -- Erica. HILL: Yes, absolutely. Clare, we know you continue to follow this and

update us as we learn more. Appreciate it. Thank you.

Back here in the United States, it is day two of the government shutdown. Hundreds of thousands of firings and furloughs, were told, are imminent. But there will likely not be much movement today in observance of Yom Kippur.

Senators set to return to the Hill tomorrow. The House isn't back until Monday, so the shutdown, given that, could likely stretch into next week, perhaps even longer.

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TRUMP: Well, there could be firings, and that's their fault. And it could also be other things. I mean, we could cut projects that they wanted, favored projects, and they'd be permanently cut.

KAROLINE LEAVITT, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: We believe that layoffs are imminent. They are, unfortunately, a consequence of this government shutdown.

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HILL: So, the White House is not saying who may be fired first, nor which programs will be axed. Democrats claim the cuts were coming with or without a shutdown.

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SEN. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D-CT): This administration is boundlessly cruel, and they have threatened maximum pain. They've done layoffs before. And they will continue them unless we take a strong stand and show we will not be bullied.

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HILL: Joining me in the group chat, Betsy Klein, CNN senior White House reporter; Meghan Hays, Democratic strategist; and Ashley Davis, former homeland security official. Nice to have all of you with us.

So, Betsy, to the point, you know, there have been shutdowns before, as we know, and wondering, during the first Trump administration, layoffs were not part of the shutdown. Why now?

BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's an excellent question. And we're getting a lot of mixed messaging from the Trump administration.

But this clearly underscores their effort to transform and reimagine the size and scope of the federal workforce. That's been a consistent theme throughout this administration.

[06:05:05]

But at the end of the day, we have to remember: federal employees are real people. Many of them voted for this president, and this is having real impacts to their lives.

HILL: Yes, absolutely. Senator Cruz, as we're -- as we're hearing. You talk about the mixed messages out of the White House. The president has been very clear in what he sees that this could, in fact, offer up for him, in terms of an opportunity. Here's Senator Ted Cruz, as well.

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SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX): President Trump is going to use that as an opportunity not to tell people, you're furloughed for a few days, but instead to send pink slips and to get rid of left-wing bureaucrats who are imposing left-wing priorities that are contrary to President Trump's priorities.

I think that is fantastic. And what it's going to do is it's going to cause Democrats in Congress to scream and weep.

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HILL: Senator Angus King of Maine, who, of course, is an independent, but caucuses with the Democrats, voted yes on that stopgap measure to keep the government open.

He said otherwise, shutting the government down, in fact, does give the administration more power. How much do you think that was taken into account by Democrats ahead of this?

MEGHAN HAYS, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: I think they fully understand. I mean, based on their age, we know how long they've been there. A lot of them have been through this many times.

But I think that the problem here is the American people are seeing how petty the White House is being, and they are seeing that these -- that they're threatening projects all across in blue states.

Red states are seeing that, too. People -- there are Democrats in red states. And this is going to backfire. People don't like that -- the pettiness, the lack of consistency here from the government.

But also, there's already been lawsuits filed on these mass firings that they are threatening. Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit the other day before the shutdown in California, that these actions are illegal, and they will be challenged in court.

And I know that doesn't help, as you're talking about real people and it affects them and, you know, it takes a while to overturn things. But there still is a rule of law here that they have to follow.

But I just think Democrats aren't the only people who are going to suffer here. Republicans are also going to suffer going into the midterms.

HILL: Well, it's interesting. I mean, every state, right, has people of multiple, you know, they fall in multiple parts of the political spectrum, as we know, regardless of how the state ultimately went in the 2024 election. Overnight, a judge actually blocked the Trump administration from

diverting or withdrawing $34 million in funding for New York for the transportation system. This was part of counterterrorism funding.

We had heard from the president they were going to go after Democratic things. They're definitely things that have been on the chopping block.

When we see this, when we see the judge pushing back so forcefully on it, does that have any impact, do you think?

ASHLEY DAVIS, FORMER HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIAL: On this administration? No, I mean, absolutely not. I mean, this administration from the beginning is not afraid of letting their policy run through the court system. I mean, how many lawsuits have been filed?

But I do want to go back just for a second. There's been -- this is the 22nd shutdown in 50 years. So, since I was born, my age. But I just think it's a horrible way to legislate both sides of the aisle.

I mean, look at this from a big picture. This is the same C.R. that was passed in March. There's really nothing added to it that's different. I -- we've always fought on both sides of the aisle that we do not do policy during shutdowns. We are going to handle the subsidies. We have to. There's too many people that will be impacted. That will be dealt with.

I actually have a more positive outlook on this one. I think that the fact that we did have an independent and two Democrats vote with Republicans this week. I think that there are several more: Jeanne Shaheen, Gary Peters, Hassan, I think, that could potentially flip. And, you know, from my perspective, I don't think this lasts more than, like, a week or ten days.

But the key date is October 20th. So, October 5th, everyone gets their paycheck that works for the federal government. October 20th is the next one that would be paused. And I think that's -- I mean, they -- most of them will all get back pay unless they're let go.

But that that will be the next, I think, tipping point, that people would lose that paycheck.

HILL: We'll see if we make it that long. I mean, if the shutdown continues that long, to your point.

DAVIS: Yes. I don't think it does. I think -- I mean, let's be positive.

HAYS: I agree with you. I think that people send their legislators to Washington. And they're all going to hear that they want them to open this government and get these subsidies continued. And let's all move on.

DAVIS: Yes. HILL: All right. We'll be watching for that. Stay with us. Lots more

to discuss in the hour ahead, including the pope weighing in on U.S. politics, challenging those who refer to themselves as pro-life. Why he says that term should not just be about abortion.

Plus, two planes collide on the tarmac. The moment the pilot called for help. We have that call.

And Republicans playing hardball. So, do Democrats actually need to maybe switch up their strategy? Democratic congressman from California, Sam Liccardo, joins me live.

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J.D. VANCE, U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: The Democratic Party shut down the government.

SEN. JOHN THUNE (R-SD): Unfortunately, we are here this morning in a government shutdown that Democrats wanted.

REP. MIKE JOHNSON (R-LA): Democrats want to play political games with the lives and the livelihoods of Americans.

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[06:14:23]

HILL: A frightening moment on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport. Two Delta airlines jets collided while taxiing.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We need trucks on Alpha.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Emergency trucks, sir?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have two TRJs on Mike that collided.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You guys did clip, correct?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, we did. Their right wing clipped our -- our nose and the cockpit windscreen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anyone injured on board?

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HILL: The wings of one aircraft, as you heard there, clipping the nose and the window. The windscreen of another. At least one person was injured and taken to a nearby hospital.

CNN transportation analyst Mary Schiavo joins me now.

Mary, this isn't just, you know, sort of wings clipping, which would be an issue in and of itself. But given just the damage that you see there, what do you make of this moment?

MARY SCHIAVO, CNN TRANSPORTATION ANALYST: Well, you know, it's going to be interesting for the investigators, because from the pictures, you know, it's kind of surprising that at airports, it's kind of like the rules of the road. There are very clear rules for pilots taxiing.

And it does appear that the pilots were taxiing. They weren't being tugged or towed. So, the -- you know, the plane. One plane turning in front of the other.

Depending upon the clearances and ground control would have said who is cleared to go where. But it's like the rules of the road. One plane has the right of way. The other was turning in front of it, and so they will figure it out in a hurry.

But what is a persistent problem are what we call these incursions, runway incursions. And there are about four a day. It was down a little bit in 2024. But this keeps happening.

Why? Because we've packed a lot of planes in small airport space rather than spread them all out over the country. So, it's fortunate here that no one -- I guess one flight attendant was hurt.

But they will be looking at the rules of the road and seeing, you know, which plane was at fault. And unfortunately, like I said, about four a day.

HILL: That -- that number seems really high to me, Mary. And I fly a lot.

SCHIAVO: It is.

HILL: I'm not concerned about flying, but four a day?

SCHIAVO: Four a day. Now, you know, usually they don't -- they don't hit, they don't collide. But there have been a number of near misses in last year and this year.

But surprisingly, the number's down. The number was down in 2024 from previous years, because the FAA has put a real emphasis on this, what they call aviation hotspots.

There are some airports across the country, busy airports where there are a lot of incursions, which is what they call this. And so, there has been some emphasis placed on it.

Now in the new system that, of course isn't built yet, but where they would like to build, if the funding, you know, is ever available, there will be equipment embedded literally in the runways and taxiways that really reduces this. But that's many years off.

So, for now, it is literally seeing a void and practice good surface driving skills, just like the rules of the road.

HILL: Yes. Wow. It's really something. Mary, always appreciate your insight. Thank you. SCHIAVO: Thank you.

HILL: Just ahead here on CNN THIS MORNING, the feds unleashed? The Trump administration's crime crackdown now taking over Memphis. And we're told there are already a number of arrests.

Plus, not everyone is laughing. U.S. comedians defending a decision to play a comedy festival in Saudi Arabia.

And how about a good morning to our friends in Virginia Beach, as you prepare for the sun to come up there? 6:17. Good to have you with us.

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[06:22:05]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is true. There's a Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, comedy festival. I mean, how do you even promote that? You know, like "From the folks that brought you 9/11, two weeks of laughter in the desert. Don't miss it!"

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HILL: The Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia is no joke, actually, for many comedians: criticizing their fellow comics for accepting the gig in a country rife with human rights violations.

Dozens of A-list performers are taking part, among them Dave Chappelle, Louis C.K., Kevin Hart, Whitney Cummings. The nearly two- week festival, which is happening now, also coincides with the anniversary of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the hands of the same government putting on the event.

Comedian David Cross says he is, quote, "disgusted and deeply disappointed in the whole gross thing," going on to say, "people I admire with arguable -- unarguable talent would condone this totalitarian fiefdom for what? A fourth house, a boat, more sneakers?"

Pete Davidson, whose father, a New York City firefighter, was killed on 9/11, is performing tomorrow. Here's his response to the criticism he's received over that decision. This was in an interview with Theo Von.

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PETE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN: I just -- you know, I get the routing and then I see the number, and I go, I'll go.

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HILL: Joining me now, Pete Dominick, comedian, host of the "Stand Up with Pete" podcast. It has been a minute, my friend. Nice to see you this morning.

There have been some pretty clear lines drawn here in terms of the participation. Do you anticipate real backlash stateside for these comedians?

PETE DOMINICK, COMEDIAN: You know, I don't know. Erica, it's great to see you. And I don't know if there'll be a big backlash here.

I think to a certain extent, several of these comedians lose their kind of moral authority that they certainly have had much of their career to call out all kinds of different regressive, aggressive, awful offenses that people and governments do.

But I don't know if anybody's going to lose a lot of ticket sales here.

I do give credit to and respect any artist -- music, golfer, or comedian -- who says no to -- you know, the least of these comedians are probably getting $250,000, Erica, for about an hour of telling jokes. Many of us who started out, you know, working for drink tickets or -- or barking on the street, trying to get audiences in. And there they are getting that kind of money. That's a lot of money to turn down.

HILL: It is. It is a lot of money to turn down. And yet, there has been encouragement, as you know, to do just that. Human Rights Watch accusing the Saudi royal family of timing it to coincide with the anniversary of, of course, Jamal Khashoggi's murder. Urging -- and I'm quoting here, the human -- from Human Rights Watch -- "Comedians performing in Riyadh should speak out against Saudi Arabia's serious rights abuses, or they risk bolstering the Saudi government's well- funded efforts to launder its image."

You have, you know, at least one comedian who turned down the job, talking about the limitations that they have in the contract that she was sent. And among them, you cannot, in any way, ridicule the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including its leadership, public figures, culture and people; the Saudi royal family, legal system or government; and any religion, religious tradition, religious figure or religious practice."

[06:25:13]

HILL: Do you think that given that, and given the contract, anyone actually would put something in their set that would, in any way, speak out against these concerns?

DOMINICK: I do, I do, and they probably have. You know, you dip your toe in the water a little bit. You might not go after a specific prince, which is just crazy to think that there's just going to be a prince in the audience.

But we've all -- comedians, every gig that we take, there can be restrictions, especially corporate gigs or college gigs or certainly nonprofits. They say what you can and can't say.

I think the difference here is, obviously, this is the Saudi government, and we know what kind of human rights abuses that they're known for. But, you know, comedian Bassem Youssef, who is Egyptian, made a pretty

interesting comment about America and what we have become. And what he said was the genocide in Israel that we have supported. So how do we have the moral authority?

I reached out to one of these comedians who just got back from Saudi Arabia, off the record. So, I won't say his name. But, you know, he also called out all these comedians that are performing in places like Texas that have banned abortion, jailing brown people, taking away gay rights, et cetera. Again, that's not the Texas government. It's a festival.

HILL: Right.

DOMINICK: It's a comedy club paying you. So. there are distinctions, but let's -- Erica, you know, we've -- we've been celebrating comedians because, for the last week or so, because of what happened to Jimmy Kimmel and Colbert and celebrating freedom of speech.

But let's not -- not confuse the fact that a lot of comedians have not bathed themselves in glory over the years in terms of their personal behavior.

HILL: If this offer were to come to you, quarter of $1 million, nothing to sneeze at. How would you have responded?

DOMINICK: My conscience is clear, and I have led, as I think you know, a very principled career in what I've done and what I've not done, what I've said and what I haven't said.

I should say, I am doing the Pyongyang, North Korean comedy festival next week. It's just me --

HILL: Breaking news here.

DOMINICK: -- Kim Jong-un, though. That's different.

HILL: Have you two been working on that bit already, or are you just going to wing it when you get there? Is this an improv situation?

DOMINICK: I think I'm just going to, quote, "wing it" back and forth with him and his family and probably never return.

No, I mean, I've not been offered this kind of money, but when you think about the types of jobs that people do, I mean, I think deeply about these things. Because you know, I'm alone a lot, Erica.

And people who go to work for oil and gas companies every day, or tobacco companies every day, or sell sugar cereal to kids every day. They're taking that bag, that paycheck every day to poison people, to do bad things.

These comedians are taking it one day. And one argument I also heard was they're liberalizing and bringing to the Saudi community and world, you know, the rest of what everybody else thinks and believes. Somehow, they're making a positive difference, which is what a lot of these comedians think, or at least they're telling themselves.

HILL: All right. Pete Dominick, nice to see you. Thank you. Keep us posted, by the way.

DOMINICK: Great to see you, Erica.

HILL: Maybe a live stream of you and Kim Jong-un. Just a thought. Just a thought.

DOMINICK: I think we might be able to arrange it, if we have the connectivities.

HILL: Yes. Great. You've got my number. Send it my way.

Straight ahead here on CNN THIS MORNING, the president continues to warn mass layoffs could be coming soon. What we know this morning about who could be impacted and when this might happen.

Plus, Bad Bunny, of course, chose not to bring his global tour to the U.S. over fears that ICE might target his fans. Well, now the administration has a new promise about ICE and the Super Bowl.

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