Return to Transcripts main page

Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Obama Takes on Guns in CNN Town Hall; South Korea Heightens "Defensive Posture"; Terror Fears in Paris. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired January 08, 2016 - 04:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:31:37] ALISON KOSIK, CNN ANCHOR: President Obama making the case for gun control in a live CNN town hall last night. Did he convince opponents it's time for change?

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: South Korea escalating security as it begins to broadcast propaganda across the border after North Korea alleged hydrogen bomb. Could this situation spiral out of control?

KOSIK: Renewed terror fears in Paris this morning. How is the country coping after the police killed a knife wielding man on the anniversary of the "Charlie Hebdo" attack.

Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Alison Kosik, in for John Berman.

ROMANS: Good to have you here this Friday morning.

KOSIK: Good morning.

ROMANS: Good morning.

I'm Christine Romans. Thirty-two minutes past the hour.

KOSIK: President Obama taking on his opponents face-to-face, his opponents on gun violence face to face at a town hall last night, right here on CNN. The president answering questions from a gun executive, a sheriff, a rape survivor and a widow who all oppose his executive actions on gun violence announced this week.

The president pushed back against the claims that he wants to take guns away from law-abiding Americans, which he called an imaginary fiction. The president also taking questions from people who agree with his plan to expand background checks. Among them, gun control advocate Mark Kelly, he's the husband of former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords who was gravely wounded in a 2011 shooting.

ROMANS: The president's campaign for gun safety continues in this morning's "New York Times", with an op-ed that looks ahead to election season. He writes, quote, "I will not campaign for, vote for or support any candidate, even in my own party, who does not support common-sense gun reform."

All the Democrats running for the White House support stricter gun laws, so the statement seems aimed at Democrats running in tight races for Congress who might want the president's support.

For the latest, let's bring in CNN's Jim Acosta. He's at the White House for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Christine and Alison, President Obama confronted critics of his executive actions on gun control at a CNN town hall last night. Gun rights supporters told the president they're worried those new executive actions aimed at expanding the nation's background check systems could prevent law- abiding citizens from buying firearms.

The president insisted his moves won't interfere with those rights and the president went off on the nation's top gun lobby, the NRA, accusing the group of skipping the town hall so it can continue to mislead gun owners about his record. He also blamed the NRA for skyrocketing gun sales around the country. Here's what he had to say.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Our position is mischaracterized. And by the way, there's a reason why the NRA is not here. They are just down the street. And since this is the main reason they exist, you'd think that they'd be prepared to have a debate with the president.

ACOSTA: The president insisted he supports the right to bear arms in the Second Amendment. The president also recounted his meeting with the family members of the children killed in Sandy Hook school shooting three years ago, adding it was the only time he'd seen the Secret Service cry on duty -- Christine and Alison.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOSIK: All right. Jim Acosta, thanks for that.

And the NRA last night responded to President Obama on Twitter, explaining why they won't sit down with him to talk gun control. They tweeted that the president, quote, "doesn't want an intellectually policy discussion. He wanted NRA to be an audience member at his PR stunt. No thanks."

The group also said the president's background check plan is a distraction from the fact that he can't, quote, "keep us safe."

[04:35:04] ROMANS: One question came from Taya Kyle, the widow of Americans sniper Chris Kyle, who was shot dead by an acquaintance in Texas. She said she wants the freedom to carry whatever weapon she chooses and tighter regulations won't stop criminals from getting guns.

The president responded that his proposal is akin to adding seatbelts and airbags to cars. It's about safety, gradually increasing safety without burdening gun owners.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: You will be able to purchase a firearm. Some criminals will get their hands on firearms even if there is a background check. Somebody may lie on a form. Somebody will intend to commit a crime, but they don't have a record that shows up on the background checks system.

There is a way for us to set up a system where you, a responsible gun owner, who I'm assuming given your husband and your family is a much better marksman than I am, can have a firearm to protect yourself. But where it is much harder for somebody to fill up a car with guns and sell them to 13-year-old kids on the streets.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: The president thanked Taya Kyle and her husband for their service to this country. Taya will be live on "NEW DAY" later this morning. So, don't miss that.

KOSIK: The town hall on guns came just hours after a CNN poll appeared showing most Americans support the president's plan, two- thirds including a majority of Republicans say they favor his executive orders, increasing the reach of background checks and improving enforcement of existing laws.

But many people are also skeptical the proposal will have any effect. Less than half think it will reduce gun related deaths. Many also oppose the way the president is making the changes. More than half disapprove of using executive actions to tighten gun control regulation.

ROMANS: While the president was making the case for tightening gun restrictions for gun safety, Donald Trump was promising to get rid of some restrictions. At a rally in Burlington, Vermont, Trump vowed to get rid of gun free zones in schools and on military bases. He called gun free zones bait for sickos with weapons.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We need our guns. We need the guns. Whether we like it or not, we need our guns.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Now, Burlington, of course, is Bernie Sanders' territory. Not only is Vermont the state he represents in the Senate, he was once mayor of Burlington itself, which made it challenging for a Trump event.

CNN's Jeff Zeleny has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Christine and Alison, Donald Trump is used to loud and raucous rallies, but the one in Burlington last night certainly topped most of them. Throughout the evening, he was interrupted by protesters again and again. Many of them were wearing Bernie Sanders shirts.

Take a listen to some of the action.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is not Vermont! Trump ruins Vermont.

(CHANTING)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get Trump out!

ZELENY: It was clear as the evening went on, Donald Trump was agitated how long it took security to remove some of the protesters.

TRUMP: OK, security, move a little faster please. Thank you, security. Get them out of here.

ZELENY: But after most of the protesters left, Donald Trump talked about guns. He said he is against gun free zones in America. He also delivered sharp criticism of his Republican rivals, as well as the Democratic candidates.

From here, Donald Trump goes to South Carolina on Friday for another rally and kicks up his campaigning in Iowa over the weekend -- Christine and Alison.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOSIK: OK, Jeff, thanks for that.

And Ted Cruz now defending himself on two fronts against questions about his eligibility to be president. John McCain has joined Donald Trump, saying that Cruz's birth in Canada to an American mother makes it uncertain whether he can run for president. Cruz says McCain is bringing up the issue because the Arizona senator plans to endorse Marco Rubio. A spokesman says McCain isn't endorsing anybody at this stage. This morning, Cruz's marathon bus tour of Iowa enters its fifth day.

ROMANS: Bill Clinton on the campaign trail in Iowa, shoring up for votes for his wife Hillary. The former president spoke to hundreds of people Thursday at the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library. He told the crowd you'll never have a chance to vote for a better candidate.

Meantime, Hillary Clinton expected to pick up an endorsement from Planned Parenthood. A formal announcement set in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Sunday.

KOSIK: Breaking overnight. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula ratcheting up. South Korea this morning heightening its defensive posture near the border with the North and increasing its cyber security defense following the North's claim it tested an H-bomb.

[04:40:06] Also overnight, South Korea renewing its propaganda broadcasting, blasting messages across the DMZ on loud speakers. It is something the North regards as an act of war.

Let's go to CNN's Will Ripley who just came back from a tour of North Korea's nuclear complex.

Will, tell us what you learned.

WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We actually toured a science center in Pyongyang, Alison, where North Korean citizens go to learn about the kind of technology that North Korea claims was used in the H-bomb that was detonated a couple days ago. That's North Korea's fourth nuclear test in some 15 years. It took the world by surprise and certainly took South Korea by surprise.

And that's why you are seeing them taking this action, blaring those loud speakers with propaganda across the border into the North. Now, here in Pyongyang, no official response yet to the action, but we do know over the summer when South Korea turned on the loud speakers last time after two of their soldiers were injured in a pair of land mine lasts. North Korea assembled troops to the border along the demilitarized zone. It became a very tense situation, some were saying almost to the brink of a greater conflict before they were able to talk and calm things down.

We don't know if that's going to be the case time. North Korea could be expecting some sort of retribution as a result of this nuclear test. Last night, I met with some officials who said, for example, they are not afraid of more sanctions from the United States. The U.S. legislature will be talking on Tuesday about the possibility of more sanctions. The North Koreans told me bring it. They have been living under crippling sanctions for so many years, they will tighten their belts and continue to move forward aggressively developing their nuclear program which they say is their only defense against the U.S. and its allies in this region -- Christine.

ROMANS: All right. Thank you so much for that, Will Ripley. Really interesting that access that Will is having there.

All right. Forty-two minutes past the hour. Let's get an early start on your money this morning.

Dow futures solidly higher. The average is coming off the worst four-day start to any year. Markets in Europe posting gains, thankfully. Asia finished mixed.

Some of this optimism or I guess relief this morning coming after China ditched its circuit breaker rules which halted trading twice this week after big declines. If investors don't have enough to worry about this monthly jobs report from the U.S. government later this morning, here's what CNNMoney survey forecasts -- 212,000 new jobs created in December. The unemployment rate expected to stay at 5 percent.

And here's something, Alison, we really been looking for, right, wage growth. Looking to see that tick up to 2.6 percent year over year. If those predictions hold, it would be a great year for hiring. So far, the U.S. economy has added 2.3 million jobs in 2015.

KOSIK: And, hopefully, a positive jobs report will be just the distraction investors need to keep those green arrows going through the close.

ROMANS: A tonic, we need a Friday tonic.

KOSIK: Here you go.

Paris on edge this morning after a shooting outside a police station on the anniversary of the "Charlie Hebdo" terror attack. How is this city increasing security this morning?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:46:26] ROMANS: All right. We have some breaking news this morning. Brand new information about the November Paris terror attacks. Prosecutors in Belgium revealing that the fingerprints of Paris attack fugitive Salah Abdeslam were found in a Brussels apartment. All this on top of yesterday's terror attack on a Paris police station. In that event, a man brandished a meat cleaver, attempted to enter the police station just at the moment the country was marking the anniversary of the "Charlie Hebdo" attacks a year earlier.

I want to get more from CNN international correspondent Erin McLaughlin who is live in Paris.

Erin, tell us about this new information.

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Christine. This morning, we are getting some new information about the search for France's most wanted man, Salah Abdeslam, known as the eighth Paris attacker, this time coming from the Brussels prosecutor's office, who said that on December 10th, authorities had searched a house in Brussels and what they found inside that house alarming. They found the following, material used to fabricate explosives, traces of TATP, which is an explosive, three handmade belts used to transport explosives, as well as a fingerprint from Salah Abdeslam himself. The apartment, they say, according to the prosecutor statement was rented under a false identity, but might have been rented by a person already in custody.

So, what is not apparent from the statement given by the prosecutor this morning is the date of those fingerprints. Very critical because Brussels is the last known location of Salah Abdeslam. Some were the fingerprints left prior to the attacks or after the attacks? Something the authorities, no doubt, are trying to work out as I speak. This as authorities here in Paris are working to get more information on the man behind the alleged attack from yesterday. Authorities treating that incident as a loan wolf style attack -- Christine.

ROMANS: Erin, do they know who that man is in that event yesterday and they are not releasing it yet?

MCLAUGHLIN: It seems that they do, Christine. At the moment, no formal public announcement revealing that man's identity. They are saying, though, that they believe he had a criminal background. They are also saying that they are working to determine whether or not the piece of paper found on his body, which was of an ISIS flag was an indication that he had ties to ISIS, or was simply mentally ill. They said that they had no history of the man with any sort of connections to extremism.

So, at the moment, it seems that they are treating it as a lone wolf style attack, which is really concerning to authorities in terms of how do you prevent, how do you predict, how do you stop those attacks?

ROMANS: Absolutely.

All right. Erin McLaughlin for us this morning in Paris, thank you, Erin.

KOSIK: The feud between Iran and Saudi Arabia taking a new turn. The Saudi-led coalition that's fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen is rejecting Tehran's accusation that its warplane struck the Iranian embassy in Yemen's capital.

CNN international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson is tracking the latest for us from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Good morning, Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Good morning, Alison.

The Saudis are pushing back on that. What they are saying in the past few months, the Houthis have misfired three bombs. Two of them in the capital and one of them elsewhere in the country, and they say this was another case of that, that the Houthis lack capacity and that the bomb that apparently fell on the Iranian embassy there was in fact a Houthi weapon.

[04:50:09] It is hard for anyone to sort of get hard details and substantiate that, you know, the details and the chance of getting independent witnesses to get in there and get samples of whatever missile or bomb fell is remote and unlikely. We understand that the street in the capital there where the Iranian embassy is, is cordoned off.

And the Iranians, cause for their part, have ever reason to make the allegation that the Saudis bombed their embassy because, of course, the Saudis are making a huge issue over the Iranians torched their embassy in Tehran last weekend following the execution of the Shia cleric here, Alison.

KOSIK: Yes, and we are seeing this at the embassy in Yemen really enflaming the tensions between these already rival powers. What's it going to take to sort of ratchet down the tension that's really ramped up since that execution last weekend?

ROBERTSON: Yes, it's quite a few countries that are sort of coming behind Saudi Arabia, cutting their diplomatic ties with Iran. Somali was one of the latest, Djibouti another, even the Pakistanis, the foreign minister from Saudi Arabia was in Pakistan yesterday, the prime minster there. So, they give their full support for Saudi Arabia.

The reality is, the Saudis are saying Iran is interfering in our domestic affairs. The Iranians are saying you, Saudi Arabia, are making a bigger issue out of this, because you've got domestic, internal problems and you kind of want to divert attention. There's a lot of international pressure them to step back. The Saudis are just saying just stop interfering in our affairs.

What does that look like and how's it going to fill, you know, here on the ground. That's really hard to pin down. I think at the moment, we're going to see a continued heighten tension before we see this settle back to where the relations normally are, which hasn't been very good recently anyway -- Alison.

KOSIK: All right. CNN's Nic Robertson, thanks so much.

ROMANS: All right. Fifty-two minutes past the hour.

Fear and uncertainty sweeping through the stock market, global stock market this week. Do not panic, we will tell you why when we get an early start on your money -- a preview of what we're expecting today, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:55:25] ROMANS: Two Iraqi refugees living in the U.S., they are in federal custody this morning. They face terrorism related charges. The arrests, one in Houston, the other in Sacramento, they don't appear to be directly related.

Authorities say the Texas man is charged with trying to provide material support to ISIS. Both are accused of lying to immigration officials about alleged ties to terror groups. Federal officials say there were also arrests in Milwaukee related to one of those suspects.

KOSIK: An Oregon sheriff plans to meet again today with protesters trying to peacefully resolve the armed occupation on the wildlife refuge. Harney County Sheriff David Ward meet with the leader on Thursday offering safe passage out of the county, but Ammon Bundy refused. The group took over the building last week in a protest against federal land use rules and have shown no sign of leaving. Oregon's governor says they, quote, "need to decamp immediately and be held accountable".

ROMANS: The Texas state trooper charged with perjury in the case of Sandra Bland's death is in custody. Brian Encinia turned himself in yesterday afternoon. Sandra Bland was found hanged in her jail cell three days after being arrested by Encinia. This is the traffic stop here. He had claimed she was combative during that traffic stop. Prosecutors say the Texas DPS is now moving to fire Encinia.

KOSIK: Tonya Couch, the mother of the so-called affluenza teen, is now jailed in Texas after being extradited from Los Angeles. Couch is scheduled for an arraignment this morning on charges of hindering the apprehension of a felon, that would be her son Ethan Couch. The two fled to Mexico after the teen violated his probation in a drunk driving crash that killed four people. Ethan Couch is still in Mexico fighting deportation.

ROMANS: A New York corrections officer accused of helping two convicted killers escape also due in court this morning. Gene Palmer is facing a felony charge. Authorities say he was the courier Joyce Mitchell used to deliver frozen hamburger meat with hacksaw blades inside to Richard Matt and David Sweat, who broke out of maximum security prison last June. The 57-year-old Palmer is accused of providing other tools to the inmates in exchange for Matt's art work.

KOSIK: And the party is already on in Hollywood, leading up to the 73rd Golden Globes on Sunday. Ricky Gervais returns to host the star-studded ceremony for a fourth time after a controversial three- year run from 2010 to 2012. The Globes is often a barometer for the academy awards. Among the films competing for best motion picture are "Spotlight" and "Carol" on the drama side, and "The Martian" and "The Big Short" in the comedy musical category and a couple of my favorites today.

ROMANS: Yes. "The Big Short" is really good film.

KOSIK: It was.

ROMANS: All right. Let's get an early start on your money this morning, 58 minutes past the hour. Point to an open higher for stock futures, thank goodness.

The Dow has lost more than 900 points in the past four sessions. That makes it the worst start to a year for the Dow ever. Markets in Asia finished mixed. Europe a little change so far. But again, that is a relief after a big horrible week. One major factor that could move the market today, the U.S. government's monthly jobs report that comes out an hour before the opening bell at 8:30. So watch for that.

Despite the market turmoil, now is not the time to panic. That's the biggest question all of you asked Alison and I, should I panic? No, it's never good to panic.

About 50 percent of Americans have some kind of exposure to the stock market. If you are one of them, relax. Here are two reasons: first, the U.S. economy is in good shape. Major downturns usually happen when the economy is struggling. Second, staying in stocks pays off. Since World War II, investors who stayed in stocks for 15 years made money, many times a lot of money.

But at the start of this year or major market move is a time to check your investments. Make sure you are diversified and appropriate risk for your age and your investing goals. The older you are, you should have 100 percent stocks if you're going to retire next year. And the younger you are, you should have an awful lot of stock exposure. You have time to ride it out.

Another money move you should not make, stocking up on Powerball tickets. Bad retirement planning to play the Powerball. But guess what?

KOSIK: You can't buy a few?

ROMANS: It is a sure bet no one is going to listen to me. I know. The jackpot for Saturday's drawing now a record $700 million. That's $428.4 million after taxes, $428 million. Those numbers will likely rise as people rush to buy tickets.

It's the biggest lottery jackpot in history, surpassing a megamillions drawing back in 2012. So, let me remind you your chances to win: 1 in 292 million.

KOSIK: So, you are telling me you will not buy one Powerball ticket?

ROMANS: I was going to ask John Berman if he wanted to go in on an office pool, and he said he never goes in an office pool.