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Erin Burnett Outfront

Russia, China, India Unite In Beijing Against Trump, Kim On the Way; Chicago's Warning To Trump; Deadly Doorbell Prank. Aired 7-8p ET

Aired September 01, 2025 - 19:00   ET

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

[19:00:28]

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: OUTFRONT next:

Major superpowers push back against Trump. China, Russia and India tonight united as they send President Trump a message.

Plus, keep out. That from Chicago's mayor, who's issuing a warning to the president as his administration may be on the verge of launching a massive immigration crackdown.

And a childish prank turns deadly. A young boy shot dead after ringing a doorbell with his friends. The horrific details coming up.

Let's go OUTFRONT.

Good evening. I'm Boris Sanchez, in for Erin Burnett.

OUTFRONT tonight, breaking news -- united against Trump. Leaders from some of the world's largest powers right now joining forces to take on the White House. And the images are striking. Russia's Vladimir Putin shaking hands and laughing with Chinese President Xi Jinping and India's Prime Minister Modi at one point even holding hands with Modi.

The show of unity in China clearly designed to send a message to Trump and what Xi calls his, quote, "bullying practices". The trio is notably about to be joined by another U.S. adversary, North Korea's Kim Jong Un. This is a picture of him in his bulletproof train, reportedly just now crossing into China.

Kim steps onto the world stage, fresh off a tour of his country's newest missile factory, one that North Korea claims is a cornerstone of its military expansion, a military that, according to Ukraine, is on the verge of sending up to 30,000 troops to Eastern Europe to provide Russia with more manpower.

And as Trump watches these world leaders gather without him, he is lashing out at one, India's Narendra Modi, writing online that America's relationship with India has been a, quote, totally one-sided disaster. And yet the one leader who is evading Trump's ire is Vladimir Putin, a man whose military launched a round of overnight attacks on Ukraine yet again. Also, the man who went before cameras today attempting to rewrite history, insisting that his invasion is all Ukraine's fault.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): I will remind you that this crisis was created not as a result of Russia attacking Ukraine. It emerged as a result of a coup d'etat in Ukraine that was provoked and supported by the West.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Trump's prolonged silence on Putin's actions may also be emboldening the Russian leader. We're now learning a plane carrying the European union's top official was targeted by the kremlin. Shortly before landing, we're told the jet's GPS system was jammed by Russian technology. Ursula von der Leyen's plane was able to land safely using paper maps. The E.U.'s top leader, we should point out, is a staunch defender of Ukraine.

We have Ivan Watson tonight OUTFRONT live in Beijing, as well as Kristen Holmes at the White House.

Let's start with Ivan.

Clearly, a busy and symbolically important day for Xi, who is readying to hold this one on one with Putin.

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right. That one on one, which is expected to take place here in the Chinese capital later today. You know, while the U.S. has and the Trump administration have been disrupting America's traditional foreign policy position by -- with its global trade war, with the cutting back on international aid with sharp criticism of traditional allies, China has been using this opportunity to present itself to its friends and partners and the world as a reliable, stable and predictable global power.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WATSON (voice-over): A show of international solidarity at a time of global uncertainty. Leaders of three of the world's largest countries happily rubbing shoulders at a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Tianjin, China.

The leaders of China and Russia have long complained that the U.S. and its Western allies have dominated international relations. So now they've gathered heads of state from across Asia and the Middle East into this vast building to call for the creation of a new world order.

The host, Chinese President Xi Jinping, denouncing bullying and double standards and promoting China as a champion for developing countries.

XI JINPING, CHINESE PRESIDENT (through translator): The house rules of a few countries should not be imposed upon others.

[19:05:04]

WATSON: Those points echoed by his close partner Vladimir Putin. Even as his military continues its nightly bombardment of Ukrainian cities defying U.S. President Donald Trump's demands for peace.

But the Russian president accuses the West of starting Russia's war with Ukraine and makes his own appeal for a new global system of governance.

VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): A system that would replace the outdated Eurocentric and Euro-Atlantic models, taking into account the interest of the broadest possible range of countries truly balanced.

WATSON: But it is the presence of India's prime minister that has been most notable at this gathering. Narendra Modi came to China still stinging from 50 percent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Indian goods.

Snubbed by Washington, Modi is now mending fences with China, despite an ongoing Chinese-Indian border dispute that five years ago turned very deadly.

Modi also spent an hour talking to Putin in the Russian president's limousine, demonstrating India has other powerful friends, if it can no longer count on U.S. support.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WATSON (on camera): So the Chinese leader Xi Jinping, has been flexing his diplomatic muscles at that river port city of Tianjin, at this regional security summit.

Now, expect him to flex his military muscles quite literally, because on Wednesday, he's going to be putting on a massive military parade here in the capital, Beijing, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the surrender of Japan in World War II. Dozens of world leaders are expected to attend. The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, is here in Beijing. The Iranian president is expected to attend, and the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, is expected to attend as well. And according to Korean central broadcasting, his train has crossed the border from North Korea into China and is likely on its way here to Beijing right now -- Boris.

SANCHEZ: That'll be -- that'll be quite a set of images.

Ivan Watson live for us in Beijing, thank you so much.

Let's go to Kristen Holmes, OUTFRONT at the White House.

Kristen, a major show of force by Americas adversaries, all organized by Xi. Trump, largely silent about the Chinese leader, though. What is the White House thinking on all of this?

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Boris, as you noted, I mean, the prime minister of India, Modi, sending a clear message to Washington amid these 50 percent tariffs, which we know from hearing from economists and India, have really been detrimental to the country in long term, will really hurt the country's economy. So, President Trump has been taking out most of his frustration on Modi.

It's a signal that Modi sent that was picked up by the White House. You noted that Truth Social post talking about this relationship, saying it was one sided, blaming the prime minister. We also heard from one of Donald Trump's top trade advisors, who called the show of unity troublesome.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PETER NAVARRO, WHITE HOUSE SENIOR COUNSELOR FOR TRADE & MANUFACTURING: It's time for Modi to step up. I have great respect for Modi. I love the Indian people. It's -- it was a shame to see Modi getting in bed as the leader of the biggest democracy in the world, with the two biggest authoritarian dictators in the world in Putin and Xi Jinping. That doesn't make any sense.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: So, clearly here, you have the White House blaming Modi, blaming India for this. But we should make one thing clear. And I know Ivan laid this out. There was a strained relationship for years between China and India. This is the first time Modi has been back in China for seven years, and partially it was about the economy as well.

And now you see India looking for other options. Essentially, if the United States is going to stand in the way of India growing its economy, which is something they've been trying to do, is become one of the largest economies in the world, bigger than they already are, then they are going to look for alternatives, and you're going to start to hear from a lot of people who oppose these tariffs, saying that this was bound to happen.

That, of course, these large global economies are going to find economies that want to work with them. The big question is how this impacts the United States, how this impacts the U.S.

And I do want to note one thing, Boris, we talk a lot about how President Trump hasn't called out Vladimir Putin, but we did hear something interesting from his secretary of treasury today saying that sanctions were on the table and that Putin has done basically the opposite of what he said he intended to do. So, they're still keeping their options open.

SANCHEZ: Kristen Holmes at the White House for us -- thank you so much.

OUTFRONT right now, Democratic Congressman Adam Smith, the top ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.

[19:10:01]

Congressman, thank you so much for sharing part of your Labor Day with us.

So, you have Xi, Putin and Modi in the same room, smiling, holding hands. Kim Jong Un on the way to join them. As Xi talks about a multipolar world, is it your assessment that U.S. global dominance is fading right now?

REP. ADAM SMITH (D-WA): Well, look, U.S. global dominance has been fading for quite some time. I mean, that's not really the issue. We were never going to continue to be where we were at in 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed. I mean, the rest of the world was going to catch up, build economies and get stronger.

And there's nothing really wrong with that. We have to figure out how to build partnerships and adapt to that world. But what Trump is doing is he is alienating the entire rest of the world, precisely at the point when that rest of the world is getting stronger and is in a position to have other options.

You know, a lot of Republicans like to say that America first doesn't mean America alone. Well, under Trump, it absolutely means America alone. We have alienated India, a crucial economic partner. Also, a crucial partner in battling against Russia and China. And we have taken them and shoved them into Russia and China's arms.

And why exactly? Why did Trump put this 50 percent tariff on India? As near as we can tell, it's because Modi refused to give Trump credit for ending the India-Pakistan conflict from a few months ago. And while Pakistan wanted to nominate Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize, Modi didn;t play ball on that.

So, because Trump was personally affronted, we're alienating a crucial partner and a crucial ally? That's just idiot foreign policy. It's a huge problem for our country.

SANCHEZ: The administration has argued that the 50 percent tariff on India has to do with Russian oil imports. But to your point, a lot of other countries import oil from Russia and over the invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. is not actually levied such tariffs on China, for example.

I want to ask you about the fact that without mentioning Trump, xi said that he would oppose bullying practices, in his words, by others. I wonder how you think these leaders behind closed doors are talking about the United States, or talking about Donald Trump?

SMITH: Look, I mean, it's impossible for us to argue that we are not using economic coercion. I mean, what is it? It's over 100 countries that Trump has slapped tariffs on. And part of what enabled us to begin to build a coalition to counter China was China's economic coercion. They used it against Australia in particular, when Australia had the audacity to suggest that China could be more transparent with COVID. China went ballistic and launched a full economic war against Australia, which pulled Australia closer to our orbit, which we benefited from.

Now we're the ones slapping tariffs on all of these countries. So, I mean, I think Trump thinks that economic coercion is a way to force people to basically, you know, acquiesce to U.S. demands. But those countries have other options. They will pursue those other options. Is that really in the best interests of the United States to shove them away? I don't see where we get an advantage in the global economy we live

in. This is a disastrous policy. And by the way, also these tariffs, as several courts have ruled, are illegal. The president does not have power to impose these tariffs. This is a disastrous policy that we're going to be paying consequences for, for a long time.

SANCHEZ: In previous conversations that we had -- have had you've expressed support for the U.S. putting more pressure on some of these countries that are backing Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. And as you hear the treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, suggest that with President Trump, all options are on the table when it comes to furthering sanctions. I wonder if you think it's time to put more pressure financially on Beijing.

SMITH: Yeah, well, actually, what I've mostly expressed support for is putting more pressure on Russia. All right. Let's go directly after the country that's causing the problems. I'm not as enthusiastic about widespread secondary sanctions for all the reasons that we've talked about here. I mean, if you're shoving potential partners away, there's risk in that. But why?

You know that it's a joke that Trump claims that he's putting the tariffs on India because of Russian oil. He won't put sanctions on Russia itself. All right? So you're punishing the secondary country. Why don't you directly punish the country in question?

So yes, we should ramp up pressure, but the biggest thing that I've emphasized when we've talked and elsewhere is back Ukraine. Stop this, you know, attacking Zelenskyy, buying into Putin's way of looking at this war as happened so much in the first six months of this administration. Make it clear that we are going to stand with Ukraine and the 53-nation coalition that is helping defend them, continue to supply them with weapons and economic support, to stand up to Russia.

[19:15:03]

That can send the strongest signal to Russia, and that Trump has been very inconsistent in doing that. The summit he had with Putin, just what was it a couple of weeks ago where he didn't put any pressure on Putin whatsoever? I mean, that's how we can best support Ukraine and stop the war.

SANCHEZ: Congressman Adam Smith, we'll leave the conversation there. Appreciate the time.

SMITH: Thanks, Boris.

SANCHEZ: OUTFRONT next, Congress is about to get their hands on a number of Epstein documents as his accusers are now just hours away from meeting with lawmakers.

Plus, schools and daycare centers in the nation's capital consumed with fear as Trump escalates his federal crackdown.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If you don't have this on you, how do you feel?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Unsafe. I don't feel safe.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: And miles of pristine beaches, brand new hotels, there's just one thing missing from this image -- tourists. North Korea, though, is trying to change that. One person who was allowed in by Kim Jong Un's regime to see the new resort shares what she saw.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[19:20:15]

SANCHEZ: Tonight, fallout surrounding Trump and the Epstein files is about to reignite, as lawmakers are now hours away from returning to the Capitol. The House oversight committee preparing to speak behind closed doors with Epstein accusers beginning tomorrow. At the same time, Republican Congressman Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna will start collecting signatures for their petition to fully release the Epstein files.

With all Democrats on board, they need just six Republicans to sign on, something that Congressman Khanna is confident of, despite House Speaker Mike Johnson shutting down their push in July by sending lawmakers home on summer recess.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. RO KHANNA (D-CA): Leadership and White House is not just talking to them. They're trying to intimidate them there. They're 12 Republicans, I admire their independence, and I'm quite confident that we are going to get the vast majority of them to sign, and maybe some others. This is about making sure rich and powerful men don't have a separate system of justice in this country. And it's about fundamental transparency and trust in government.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Brian Todd is OUTFRONT.

Brian, lawmakers pushing full steam ahead with the Epstein investigation. What's the latest?

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Boris, we're about to see a lot more activity in the Jeffrey Epstein case than we've seen in a long time and most, if not all of that activity will be on Capitol Hill. It all starts tomorrow when the House Oversight Committee, according to its Republican chair, Congressman James Comer, will meet with some victims of alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, and the panel will meet with those victims' attorneys.

This will be Republicans and Democrats meeting with the victims, according to Comer. Now, recently, the oversight committee received a set of documents from the Justice Department on the Epstein case. But Democrats have said those documents do not contain much new information. Comer says the committees review of the documents and the meeting with the victims are part of an effort to increase transparency around the committee's dealings with the Epstein case, but Comer says they need to meet with those victims first tomorrow to discuss the idea of releasing sensitive, unredacted documents to the public.

Now, meanwhile, other lawmakers are trying to force a vote in the House on a bipartisan bill that would require the Trump administration to turn over all relevant Epstein case material. That effort, as Boris mentioned, is being led by Democratic Representative Ro Khanna and Republican Representative Thomas Massie. House Speaker Mike Johnson said to not be in favor of that bill, and Congressman Massie just posted this on X, quote, "I pray that Speaker Johnson will listen to the pleas of these victims and quit trying to block a vote on our legislation to release the Epstein files," end quote.

Massie and Khanna say they'll host a news conference this Wednesday, September 3rd, with Epstein victims who they say have never spoken out publicly. Also, some things on the timeline. Boris, Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia, ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, says Epstein's estate is going to provide the committee with the so-called Epstein birthday book. And a lot of -- a lot of other documents that will be next Monday, September 8th.

And James Comer says the oversight committee on September 19th will conduct an interview with Alexander Acosta, the former U.S. attorney in Florida who oversaw a plea deal with Jeffrey Epstein in 2008.

Lots of activity coming up regarding Epstein, mostly in the House Oversight Committee -- Boris.

SANCHEZ: Yeah, a lot of a lot of folks wanting to hear from Alex Acosta about that sweetheart deal.

Brian Todd, thank you so much for the reporting.

OUTFRONT now, Arick Fudali, he is an attorney who's representing 11 Epstein accusers.

Arick, thanks so much for being with us on this Labor Day.

You're going to be coming to dc this week for a rally with these accusers. First, talk to us about the significance of this step for them coming to the U.S. capitol to share their stories.

ARICK FUDALI, ATTORNEY REPRESENTING 11 EPSTEIN ACCUSERS: Well, I think its about time the public finally hears from the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein. You know, the name Jeffrey Epstein has become you know, he's almost become an A-list celebrity these days. He's always talked about.

And I think with all this politics going back and forth, I think what's been forgotten is the survivors and the damages and the devastation he caused to these young, young women. So, I think it's time that the public finally hears what Jeffrey Epstein actually did to him, beyond the sex trafficking. But the intimidation, the fear tactics he used on them.

I'm really looking forward and hoping that the public is going to listen to these survivors, listen to what they have to say, and learn that they don't care about whether you know who was on the plane more, you know, Eps -- you know, Trump or Clinton. It's -- for them, it's about justice. It's about exposure, and it's about accountability. It's about finally getting the closure they deserve.

SANCHEZ: I understand that two of your clients are contemplating attending the rally with you, though they've never actually told their stories before publicly. What can you tell us about the fear that they still fear today? What's holding them back years after Epstein's death?

FUDALI: Yeah, so that's another thing that I think has been underreported and the public doesn't really understand is we hear about the sex trafficking and the abuse of Jeffrey Epstein on these young women.

[19:25:06]

What we don't hear so much about is the fear and intimidation he instilled. These were very vulnerable women, him and Ghislaine Maxwell, as she's been convicted of, found and picked out vulnerable women and then used their vulnerabilities to really prey on them and instill fear he can intimidate, he would threaten. He would show them pictures of him with powerful people and infer the type of damage he could inflict on them and their families if they ever spoke publicly about it or disobeyed him.

And that fear, believe it or not, has lasted even beyond the grave for Jeffrey Epstein. Many of the survivors I spoke to are just -- continue to live in fear of him and his powerful circle of friends. So, it's really remarkable, and I commend these really brave survivors who are going to be speaking at this press conference and speaking at this rally, pushing to get these Epstein files released and pushing for the justice, accountability, exposure and closure they deserve.

SANCHEZ: Arick Fudali, we very much appreciate you and look forward to hearing from them. Thanks so much.

OUTFRONT next, a showdown in Chicago. The city's mayor refusing to back down as the Trump administration could be just days away from launching a major immigration crackdown.

Plus, the tragic end of a silly prank. A young boy shot dead after police say he rang a doorbell and then ran off with his friends.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[19:30:34]

SANCHEZ: Tonight, stay out. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sending that message to President Donald Trump as a large-scale immigration operation in the city appears imminent.

Here's the mayor earlier today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON (D), CHICAGO: No federal troops in the city of Chicago. No militarized force in the city of Chicago. We're going to defend our democracy in the city of Chicago. We're going to protect the humanity of every single person in the city of Chicago.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Johnson's comments come just days after he signed an executive order banning Chicago police from cooperating with federal forces. And as people hit the streets to protect protests, Trump's expected moves.

We're joined now OUTFRONT by former Democratic Congressman Max Rose and former Republican Governor of Minnesota Tim Pawlenty.

Thank you both for being with us and sharing part of your Labor Day with us.

Congressman, what do you make of how Chicago is trying to stand up to President Trump here?

MAX ROSE (D), FORMER U.S. REPRESENTATIVE: Look, the Chicago leadership is exactly correct, because what Donald Trump is doing, in essence, is utilizing the national guard and critical precious military resources as a political tool. Now, that's not to deny that Chicago has a public safety issue, albeit one that is trending in the right direction. But if Donald Trump and his administration were actually serious about crime across the country, they would have a national policy for the allocation of these resources that would also include Republican areas, many of which are hard hit by crime as well. But it's clear they're just playing politics.

SANCHEZ: Governor, I wonder what you make of J.B. Pritzker, the Illinois governor, saying that he believes Trump is only looking to inflame tensions given that he hasn't actually heard from the administration, even if they wanted to work together.

Here's a soundbite for you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. J.B. PRITZKER (D), ILLINOIS: No one in the administration, the president or anybody under him has called anyone in my administration or and me -- have not called the city of Chicago or anyone else. So, it's clear that in secret, they're planning this. Well, it's an invasion with U.S. troops. If they in fact do that.

And the other thing is, you know, they ought to be coordinating with local law enforcement. And I must say, it's disruptive. It's dangerous.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Does Pritzker have a point, Governor?

TIM PAWLENTY (R), FORMER MINNESOTA GOVERNOR: Well, Boris, just before we came on air, I Googled how many people were shot this holiday weekend in Chicago. And the number is 54 and the weekend isn't over yet. And that's not an uncommon number for that city, and on long weekends. And so, this is a multi-decade chronic problem.

As to Pritzker's -- Governor Pritzker's points, they should be talking to each other. But the problem is if you tip off the locals about an ICE enforcement in this atmosphere, you're going to have massive protests and actually radicalize the street in a way that's going to make it more dangerous. And I think President Trump is trying to demonstrate appropriately so that if you massively increase law enforcement in D.C. or in Chicago as a case study, you will reduce crime. And so far in D.C., by the way, it's working.

SANCHEZ: Well, Congressman, to that point, President Trump is not letting go of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is admission the other day that his crime crackdown is working. Trump posting in part, quote, Mayor Muriel Bowser of D.C. has become very popular because she worked with me and my great people in bringing crime down to virtually nothing in D.C. It's not a miracle. It's hard work, courage, and being smart.

Bowser admitted that a number of different crimes have gone down, including carjackings. Does she help Trump make the case to keep doing what he's doing?

ROSE: No. Look, if Donald Trump wanted to make a case that what he cared about here was law enforcement and the good of the country, he would even consider doing this in Republican areas. That alone, I can't tell you how destructive and damaging that is to his overarching political leadership of the country. This man is almost allergic at this point to being a unifier.

This is to say nothing of the fact that the military isn't an infinite, easy button between the National Guard and the active duty, we're looking at only 18 infantry divisions, combat divisions that have obligations throughout the throughout the world.

[19:35:00]

So, this is not something that is anything but political. Now, that's not to say that law enforcement -- we shouldn't be doubling down on law enforcement, but if this guy actually cared about public safety, he wouldn't, at the same time, be cutting law enforcement funding for many of these blue areas through the FEMA urban security grant.

SANCHEZ: Governor, your response? Why not have more of a surge in Memphis, Tennessee, for example, which has a higher crime rate than the nation's capital?

PAWLENTY: Sure. If you were to pick cities where you wanted to do a case study like this, L.A., D.C., Chicago are not irrational choices. That being said, if he does ten of these and all of them are in blue places, I concede the point. Obviously, there's some politics here. But also, if you look at volume, not just percentage or rates of crime

in terms of total volume, New York and Chicago has some of the largest volume. And by the way, you know, to the party and I don't mean this towards Max, but to the party that is defund the police, open borders, anything goes, you know, soft on crime, catch and release.

Chicago needs a jolt. They've been sitting with their heads up their butt on these issues for decades. And yes, crime is down a little. But since the COVID peak. So, it's like saying I'm a little better than the worst I've ever been, and they need a jolt. They just can't seem to solve it on their own. Forty-four people shot this weekend. They should be ashamed of themselves.

SANCHEZ: Governor Pawlenty, Congressman Rose, appreciate the conversation. Thanks for being with us.

OUTFRONT now, Chicago Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez. He represents an area that is more than 50 percent Hispanic, and he was with the mayor over the weekend.

Alderman, thanks for being with us.

First, I want to ask what is the latest you're hearing about when this immigration operation is actually set to start?

BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ (D), CHICAGO ALDERMAN: Well, thank you again for the opportunity to share this. We are hearing that can be any moment. Trump has said that he wants to do it after Labor Day. So, we are expecting deployment any point probably before September 5th.

SANCHEZ: So, as Trump touts the way that the crackdown in D.C. has led to a decrease in crime, he argues that cities like Chicago should work with the administration to see similar results. What's your response?

SIGCHO-LOPEZ: Well, we have a very direct response to the Trump regime because this cannot be considered administration. This is a -- this is a regime that is trying to solve critical and chronic problems as a governor with more violence, with deployment of military forces that have proven, in the case of L.A. to just escalate and make matter worse.

I think that the correlation that they are using to say that Chicago or any other city will be safer is completely driven by an administration that is really out of touch, is really consolidating for what we're seeing a dictatorship, an authoritarian regime that is distracting Americans from the real issues, distracting Americans from the Epstein files is distracting Americans for the for the failed policies to address inflation, poverty, and the issues that Americans care about.

This is about punishing Democratic cities. This is about a governor, a president that is more interested in undermining black leaders. Those are the cities that they said. It's not that they've been chosen randomly. These are leaders that are that are being led by that are being led by black mayors with the support of labor leaders. Today, we have a wide demonstration in, in Labor Day here in Chicago,

where we are unifying more. We have a lot of work to do in terms of safety, but certainly the trends are going down. If this really was about safety, as the question was right on point, this would be the point to the areas that are the most -- that have the largest or the highest numbers of violent crime, like Memphis, Tennessee, as you mentioned.

This has nothing to do with safety. This has everything to do with distracting Americans by the issues that Americans care about. Addressing the issues of safety, poverty, immigration and also the Epstein files, many of those things that the -- in our opinion, Trump was trying to -- is trying to distract the American public.

SANCHEZ: And how do you respond, Alderman, I heard you sort of allude to it there, that there's more work to be done. How do you respond to the argument that there were something like 50-plus shootings, 53 people, 52 people, I should say, were shot in Chicago, 30 different shootings over the holiday weekend, seven people killed.

Aren't numbers like that still a problem that your city needs to address? What more can be done to address that?

SIGCHO-LOPEZ: Well, I think that what we need to be doing, what we need to do, is we also had a mass shooting, in a Catholic School. We also have had many, many instances where the administration has really escalated -- exacerbated the violence in our -- in our -- in our country, in our -- in our cities.

[19:40:06]

Trump is a dictator. I think we have to be very clear. He's trying to normalize violence. He's trying to normalize military deployment in American cities like L.A., D.C., Chicago, and many others to come.

But what we have not seen is really a systemic investment that will actually address the core issues. That mass shootings in my ward. One of them was a tragic shooting of an unhoused neighbor.

So, the Trump administration is saying that they're going to address the issue of unhoused residents by putting them in jails and concentration camps? Are they going to address the issue of violence by withholding $800 million that have gone to the cities like Chicago for violence prevention programs? $200 million that the Trump administration is withholding for substance abuse programs?

I think that this has to do a lot with distracting the public and to create a distraction in a time the American public needs solutions. And here in Chicago, that's why we are working together. And as a united front, I think the Trump administration regime is unifying. Our city is unifying our state is working people against the billionaires that are funding his administration and are simply out of touch.

SANCHEZ: Alderman Sigcho-Lopez, thank you so much for the time. And Trump's crackdown in D.C. is also causing panic in schools and daycare centers across the nation's capital. Sunlen Serfaty is OUTFRONT.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: If you don't have this on you, how do you feel?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Unsafe. I don't feel safe.

SERFATY (voice-over): A passport is typically not something that a teacher needs to bring to their classroom, much less the bathroom.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Every time I go outside or whatever, I go always with me. Yeah. I like even in the bathroom. I just keep it with me all the time.

SERFATY: But such is the reality for this preschool teacher as she begins this new school year in Washington, D.C.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good morning. Welcome.

SERFATY: Were the joy of kids returning to the classroom is meeting the political moment.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I just want to thank everybody --

SERFATY: As President Trump's federal law enforcement surge cast a shadow on the start of the school year with national guard troops, checkpoints and immigration raids, parents, teachers and students are fearful about getting caught up in this, even if they are U.S. citizens.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I came with an excellent --

SERFATY: At CommuniKids, a Spanish immersion preschool in northwest D.C. administrators are making very specific changes to respond to the new environment aimed at protecting teachers, students, and families, as fears mount.

JEANINE PIACENZA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COMMUNIKIDS PRESCHOOL: Our Spanish speaking staff feels targeted. They feel that there's profiling and they're fearful.

SERFATY: The school has spent weeks ensuring employees documentation is in order. It now has hard copies of those records at each of their sites in case they are asked for them, and is advising teachers to carry their papers and passports with them. For the first time, the school has created an ICE protocol outlining for teachers exactly what to do if immigration officers arrive.

PIACENZA: This was something we never had to even think about in the past and ICE policy.

SERFATY: Some parents are also taking precautions. KARLA MARRERO SANTOS, PARENT OF A DC PRESCHOOLER: I'm afraid of

speaking my language. I'm sticking to English just to feel safe, especially when my daughter outside.

UMBERTO VILLALON, PARENT OF A D.C. PRESCHOOLER: A few years before, it was a very happy environment to grow a family. And so, we're looking for -- for that to, to get into a normal, normal stage back into the city.

SERFATY: During back to school meetings, administrators say parents asked an unusual combination of questions if the snacks they serve are organic, and what are their plans for dealing with ICE enforcement?

PIACENZA: Probably a year ago, nobody knew what ICE was, and now we have parents asking us what is your ICE policy? It's very unsettling.

SERFATY: Other schools and daycares, especially from less affluent areas of D.C., tell CNN they are taking other steps to navigate the current environment, posting teachers both on campus and beyond school grounds to provide help if needed. Others setting up a more formalized system of chaperons to walk kids to and from public transportation stations as they go to school.

And one school is even pulling money from its budget to charter a private bus for some of their students. Parents at one school asked for a remote option to keep their kids safely at home.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you giving me a hug?

SERFATY: Administrators are still trying to maintain a sense of normalcy, greeting students with colorful balloons and joyful teachers while trying to make sense of a start of school like no other.

PIACENZA: I never thought that I would see the National Guard patrolling a city, that there are not riots going on now.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SERFATY (on camera): Now, ICE so far has not showed up to any schools here in D.C. and in an interview before school started, the acting ICE director said parents should not expect to see that, but did not rule out the possibility that ICE may need to come into schools for special circumstances in the future -- Boris.

[19:45:08]

SANCHEZ: Sunlen Serfaty, thank you so much.

OUTFRONT next, a young boy's prank turns deadly, killed after ringing a doorbell and running off with his friends. We have the tragic details straight ahead.

Plus, North Korea opening up its new beach resort to a very select few. As stores in the capital are now resembling U.S. staples like Apple and Starbucks. We'll take you there in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Tonight. A tragedy in Texas. An 11-year-old boy shot and killed while playing ding dong ditch in Houston.

According to one witness, the child was running away from a house after ringing the doorbell when a man chased after him and then shot the boy in the back. He was pronounced dead just hours later at a hospital. As of tonight, no charges have been filed.

[19:50:01]

Ed Lavandera is OUTFRONT.

So, Ed, where does the investigation stand? Do we expect that charges are going to be filed?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We do expect some sort of criminal charges to be filed. I guess the question becomes exactly what those will be. We reached out to Houston police late this afternoon. They tell us they are still investigating the case.

As you mentioned, this happened Saturday night around 11:00 p.m. This 11-year-old boy and a group of kids going through the neighborhood, knocking on doors and ringing doorbells and then running away. And according to what a Houston police detective said over the weekend, really kind of suggests some insight into where investigators are headed. The police detective said that they do not believe that this appears to be a case of some sort of self-defense case, because the shooting happened away from the home.

And the police detective said that a murder charge could very well be likely. But officially that has not been filed yet. We still do not know the identity of the shooter or the identity of the 11-year-old boy at this point.

SANCHEZ: Ed, it's probably not going to surprise you that I used to play ding dong ditch when I was a kid. It's an age old prank. Also, though increasingly popular on TikTok and unfortunately, that's led to other incidents like this happening.

LAVANDERA: Right. You know, kind of experience a resurgence once again of that time honored tradition that so many kids have taken part in. And there have been a number of incidents over recent years.

In July, there was a -- in the Dallas suburb, there was a man who was charged with aggravated assault for firing at people who had done the same thing.

In May in Virginia, an 18-year-old was killed while filming himself, ding dong ditching as well.

And back in 2020, there were 3 16-year-olds who were killed after a man retaliated by ramming his car into their car and killing all three of those young people. And that man was charged with three counts of murder and is serving life in prison.

So, there have been a number of high-profile incidents surrounding these types of situations.

SANCHEZ: And different world now, I guess.

Ed Lavandera, live for us in Dallas, thank you so much.

OUTFRONT next, for the first time, North Korea opening up its new beach resort to a number of tourists. What did they see? We're going to introduce you to a tourist who was there next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[19:57:03]

SANCHEZ: Tonight, inside a rare look at North Korea. Kim Jong Un opening his regime to a handful of tourists, allowing them to visit a new beach resort. And now, they're sharing what they saw.

Will Ripley is OUTFRONT.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WILL RIPLEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): North Korea wants the world to see this as its Waikiki, miles of white sand, brand new hotels. But one big difference -- it's nearly empty.

So far, no western or Chinese tourists are allowed here. Just a handful of Russians, including Darya Zubkova and her friend.

There were no other foreigners apart from us, 15 people, she says.

They were in the first group of foreigners allowed to visit the Wonsan Kalma Beach Resort on North Korea's east coast. Strict COVID rules still apply. North Korea always isolated, has yet to reopen.

Darya says they basically had the whole place to themselves.

The resort is divided into domestic and international zones. Russian tourists are not allowed to mingle with everyday North Koreans, essentially keeping the foreigners in a bubble. The only North Koreans they met were staff, always close by, always watching.

And in the capital, Pyongyang, a growing consumer culture with a North Korean twist. A posh cafe serving $8 mochas. The layout and logo just like Starbucks reserve, a furniture store staged almost like IKEA, with nearly identical products.

It doesn't get more American than French fries and milkshakes.

I remember eating at a fast food place in Pyongyang. The packaging a lot like McDonald's, minus the Golden Arch.

I also visited their version of the Apple Store. Smartphones selling for hundreds of dollars.

People wouldn't expect to see this kind of thing here in North Korea.

One, two, three.

Of course, most North Koreans don't live like the privileged class in the capital and along the coast.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's pretty good.

RIPLEY: Swedish visitor Johan Nylander and his son ran in this year's Pyongyang marathon. The only time Western tourists were allowed in the capital since COVID.

Were you surprised to see all of that given how isolated North Korea has been?

JOHAN NYLANDER, VISITED NORTH KOREA: Oh, man. When you go to North Korea, you will be surprised by so many things. I was surprised by the amount of Western brands, that mobile phones are everywhere.

RIPLEY: He says these days, mobile payments with QR codes are standard in a nation cut off from international banking.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un wants his country to appear world class, open for business. But for almost all outsiders, the doors remain bolted shut.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

RIPLEY (on camera): Tourism is one of the few sectors in North Korea not targeted by U.N. sanctions. Observers say Kim sees it as a lifeline, a way to bring in foreign currency while polishing the country's international image. The Wonsan Kalma project, in particular, has been touted as a symbol of progress, and some have even floated it as a potential venue for future summits, perhaps even with President Trump someday -- Boris.

SANCHEZ: Wow. Will Ripley, thank you so much for that.

Thank you so much for sharing your Labor Day evening with us. I'm Boris Sanchez.

Erin Burnett is back tomorrow.

The Fareed Zakaria special "BIG, BEAUTIFUL TARIFFS" starts in just a few seconds. Have a good night.