Return to Transcripts main page

Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Istanbul Terror Bombers Identified; U.S. Airports Add Security; Trump: A.G. Meeting with Bill Clinton "Terrible"; Johnny Manziel Suspended 4 Games. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired July 01, 2016 - 05:00   ET

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

ALISON KOSIK, CNN ANCHOR: Even better news for home buyers, the Brexit vote took a Fed rate hike this summer off the table so rates should stay low for the next few months at the very least.

[05:00:05] It's once again part of the reason why you're seeing this rally happen.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Time to buy a house is what you're saying.

KOSIK: Go for it.

MARQUEZ: Got to do it right now. All right. Thank you very much.

EARLY START continues right now.

(MUSIC)

KOSIK: Breaking news this morning: new information on the suicide bombers behind the Istanbul attack. Where they came from and who gave them their orders.

MARQUEZ: And terror fears at the airport prompting briefed up security across the country as travelers head out for this Fourth of July weekend.

Good morning. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Miguel Marquez.

KOSIK: Good morning. I'm Alison Kosik. It's Friday, July 1st. It's 5:00 a.m. in the East.

And breaking overnight, new information on the three terrorists who bombed the Istanbul Airport, killing 44 people and injuring hundreds more. Investigators identifying the men as citizens of Russia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Officials believe the bombers entered Turkey about a month ago from the ISIS stronghold of Raqqah in Syria bringing with them the suicide vests and bombs used in the attack. The terrorists rented an apartment in an Istanbul neighborhood that's known for its pro-ISIS rallies.

For the very latest on this, let's go to CNN's Alexandra Field who's live for us in Istanbul.

Alexandra, what's the latest on the investigation?

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Alison, sources had told CNN they believe this attack was closely directed by ISIS, and now, U.S. officials are telling CNN they believe the ringleader of this attack is a well-known militant from the north Caucasus region of Russia. That's the person who they believe gave orders to the three men who had spent time in Syria according to sources and who then entered Istanbul about a month go, renting an apartment here.

That apartment has been at the center of the investigation into what happened here at Ataturk airport. It's the place where officers recovered a passport belonging to one of the men. It's also the place where investigators have been talking to neighbors, talking to residents, trying to determine what kind information they can find out about the three bombers. They've taken surveillance images that were recorded by the cameras at this airport and showing those to neighbors asking what they knew about these men.

One woman tells CNN that she smelled chemicals coming from that apartment but a source tells CNN the bombs had been made outside of Turkey.

All parts of the investigation as authorities also work to figure out who else these men could be connected to and whether or not any of their connections could be planning further attacks. That's part of what prompted the ongoing counterterrorism raids we've seen unfold over the last two days. Thirteen people were picked up for questioning in Istanbul. Another nine people picked up for questioning in the coast city of Izmir. Officials say it's related to the attack that happened here just a couple of days ago, Alison.

KOSIK: Alexandra, what are Turkish officials telling you about their intelligence? Was there any indication that this sort of thing was on their radar, or were they just caught blindsided?

FIELD: Look, you've got two facts here, Alison. One is the fact it's known to authorities that airports have become increasingly targets. You saw the Brussels airport being targeted back in march. This is an airport with a high level of security in place, a level of security that exceeded international standards.

So, there was preparation in place for the possibility that you'd have militants come and attack this airport. The other side of this is the reality that people in Turkey have become the targets of suicide bombings increasingly. There have been eight suicide bombings in this country alone in the last year and Turkish officials have linked three of those bombings, including the one that happened here, to ISIS.

So, there is certainly a level of preparedness here. There's almost a level of expectation that something like this can happen, something like this would happen. There were preventative measures put in play, including a plainclothes counterterrorism team that was working at this airport surveying the airport on a daily basis.

These are officers who are actually trained to spot people who looked suspicious. There's some chilling video we've seen recorded by the surveillance cameras that, according to the news agency Haberturk shows one of those plainclothes officers approaching one of the bombers before the attacks. He allegedly goes to ask this person for ID and that's when the suspect turns around and shoots him -- Alison.

KOSIK: Very disturbing video to watch.

All right. Alexandra Field, thanks so much.

MARQUEZ: To help us sort through all the information about this attack and the attackers themselves, we want to bring in CNN military analyst, Colonel Cedric Leighton. He's a former member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Good morning. Thanks for being with us.

KOSIK: Good morning.

COL. CEDRIC LEIGHTON (RET), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Good morning.

MARQUEZ: What are we to draw that these individuals were from the Stans, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Russia itself. Is it a -- can ISIS not get their own people in? It just seems to me to be a huge tactical error on ISIS' part to go after Turkey, a place where they had so much support. People transiting through. They view this as a grocery store basically.

Why these individuals, why go after Turkey now?

LEIGHTON: Well, I think, Miguel, the big issue here is Turkey is actually see as now in the enemy camp. They are providing logistical support to U.S. and coalition forces who are going after ISIS, U.S. airplanes and drones take off from Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey, and go after targets in Syria and Iraq. So, there is a legitimate reason from a tactical military perspective for them to go after Turkey but there are also reasons as you correctly point out where Turkey should have been off limits to ISIS.

So, what they did was they basically took the types of people that belong in ISIS right now, belong to ISIS that speak a Turkic language and use them to integrate into Turkish society so they could blend in as much as possible and mount this attack in Istanbul.

What you're seeing is the end result of a need by ISIS to execute terrorist operations wherever they possibly can. And they're doing this for as much maximum propaganda effect as well as tactical military effect as they possibly can.

KOSIK: You know, Colonel, you look at the broader picture of what's happening here. As we see on the battlefield as ISIS is being pushed out of Fallujah, we're seeing these attacks on Turkey and in Paris and Brussels being stepped up.

How -- what is the trick here? How can intelligence officials stay one step ahead of these ISIS attacks? Is there a way to?

LEIGHTON: Well, it's very difficult. One of the key things, Alison, is the fact that intelligence agencies are very good usually at predicting things that have already happened. They tell you about what has happened. They're not very good at actually using the idea of anticipatory or predictive intelligence.

And that's a really difficult thing for intelligence agencies or any bureaucracy to really do. And what you're seeing here is the result of, in essence, a lack of imagination. What we have to do is put ourselves in their shoes. We are getting better at this, and the Turks are getting better at this, but sometimes better is not good enough and certainly is not the way in which you can prevent these kinds of attacks. It takes more than we've seen to prevent and intercept many of the attacks taking place.

MARQUEZ: By now this situation allows the Turkish security forces very aggressive already to go in and roll up and investigate much more heavily whoever they want.

Does this attack strike you as a desperation move by ISIS or does it have some rationality behind it?

LEIGHTON: There is some rationality behind it, Miguel, but it is a desperation move because, as Alison pointed out with Fallujah going on, the fact that ISIS forces have been forced from Fallujah and it looks as if the Iraqi forces are moving into Mosul fairly soon or at least moving in preparation for an attack on Mosul, what you're seeing is ISIS is basically running from a lot of its engagements.

Now, it doesn't mean ISIS is on the run and to say that would be a mistake at this point. What you're seeing is ISIS is basically lashing out. It's what I would call where yore going in after a particular target and as soon as ISIS is a victim of something or feels its very existence is threatened, it's going to lash out. These types of attacks are certainly planned, but they are acts of desperation in the sense they are needed in order for ISIS to maintain its momentum.

KOSIK: Something you said, Colonel, before we go. I think it's interesting that you said intelligence officials have to put themselves in the shoes of ISIS who can imagine such horrific things to do.

All right, Colonel --

MARQUEZ: Presumably, we're going to see more of this. Thank you very much, Colonel.

KOSIK: Thanks very much.

LEIGHTON: You bet. Absolutely.

MARQUEZ: Happening now: heightened security as millions prepare for travel for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, in the wake of the Istanbul airport attack. Surveillance screening patrols all heightened in soft target areas outside secure TSA checkpoints.

For more, we want to bring in CNN's Rene Marsh. She's at Reagan's National Airport.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RENE MARSH, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: Well, Alison and Miguel, it's projected some 43 million people will travel this holiday. That's the most on record for the Fourth of July weekend. The majority of those people will be driving but some 3 million will be flying. And after the attack in Istanbul, the concern is about the soft areas, the soft target areas in airports across the country.

[05:10:01] In many airports, this is the situation. The TSA checkpoint is the first line of defense. It leaves that other section of airport, the perimeter, that part is very vulnerable. We heard from the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson.

He said that passengers will notice an increase of police officers in the soft target areas of airports across the country. That includes the TSA's Viper Team assigned to do random bag checks, random passenger checks to prevent a terrorist attack. However, no changes have been made to the screening process for passengers.

Back to you, guys.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KOSIK: All right. Rene Marsh, thanks for that.

A political firestorm igniting for Bill Clinton and Attorney General Loretta Lynch after the two meet while the FBI investigates Hillary's use of e-mail as secretary of state. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:15:00] MARQUEZ: A new storm brewing for the Clinton presidential campaign over a meeting this week between Bill Clinton and Attorney General Loretta Lynch. Lynch says the two met by chance when she and Bill Clinton found themselves on the same airport tarmac in Phoenix, Arizona.

Republicans say the meeting undermines confidence in the FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton's e-mail. Lynch, the FBI's boss as head of the Justice Department said she and Bill Clinton had only a social conversation about grandchildren and golf and did not talk about his wife's e-mail. The White House defending the integrity of the federal investigation as Donald Trump weighs in calling the meeting terrible.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)

REPORTER: Do you think that was an appropriate conversation?

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Well, it was shocking. It was shocking to me, but it was shocking to everybody that's saw it take place. I was so surprised to see that. It's the system. I guess it's the system. But it was very disappointing. JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Both the president and the

attorney general understand how important it is for the Department of Justice to conduct investigations that are free of political interference. She's made clear that that's the expectation that she has for the way that this investigation should be conducted. The president has made clear that that certainly is consistent with h& expectation about how this should be handled.

(END VIDEO CLIPS)

KOSIK: OK. Let's continue this part of the discussion.

Let's go to CNN political reporter Tal Kopan who is live in our Washington bureau.

Good morning.

TAL KOPAN, CNN POLITICAL REPORTER: Good morning.

KOSIK: So, I've got to ask this about this chance meeting on the tarmac in Phoenix between Bill Clinton and Loretta Lynch. You know, there' a question about judgment here. There's also a question about trust here, because this is what's dogging Hillary Clinton anyway is the trust factor.

This doesn't help things for her, does it?

KOPAN: I think the technical term may be face palm here at the very least. The idea that a former president might want to say hello to the sitting attorney general when both are on the tarmac together is not unreasonable, but it seems that Bill Clinton really didn't think through the optics of what might happen if this came out. And you have to imagine that Hillary Clinton and inside her camp, were not pleased when they found out this occurred because regardless of what they talked about on the plane, if it was grandchildren as was the read out that we got, it just doesn't look good because Loretta Lynch is ultimately going to have final say over whether any charges may be brought over this probe into the e-mail server. And so, you know, whether it was nefarious or not, the optics are not quite very good.

MARQUEZ: Especially for Bill Clinton who was under such fire as president. Apparently, he also waited for her to arrive. So, strange for him to even put himself in that position.

Donald Trump, on the other hand, still having issues with his own party. He's going after the Chamber of Commerce. He's having tough times raising funds and then he said this about the other candidates getting behind him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: You know, these people, they signed a pledge. Remember, they all wanted me to sign a pledge. So, I signed the pledge and then they did, too. The only difference is I would have honored the pledge. They don't honor the pledge. They broke their word. In my opinion, they should never be allowed to run for public office again because what they did is disgraceful.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUEZ: This may be face plant -- face palm number two for the morning. Is this a workable strategy for him going after the very heart, blaming them for not supporting him as the nominee, as he would have supported them, going after the Chamber of Commerce, just going after Republicans in general?

KOPAN: I would separate going after the Chamber of Commerce and going after his former opponents. He has not much to lose. Part of what his appeal was driving this entire campaign was that he sort of did go after, even people that are supposed to be off-limits, the rogue-ness of his campaign was part of the appeal.

And, you know, he has an argument to make of this pledge. It's a message that can resonate.

On the other hand, going after an institution like the Chamber of Commerce, that's a bit more of an eyebrow raiser when this is an institution that's actually supported Republicans by far throughout its history, says it doesn't meddle in presidential elections, starts going after the trade policies of the presumptive GOP nominee. That's remarkable. And to wage war back is truly something we haven't seen in modern American politics.

KOSIK: All right. Sticking with Trump for a minute. It's being floated who could be his V.P. We're hearing Newt Gingrich. We're hearing Chris Christie.

Senator Susan Collins talking about who Trump chooses as his vice president is key. Listen to this.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

SEN. SUSAN COLLINS (R), MAINE: It's going to be very important to me whom Donald Trump chooses as his running mate. And that is arguably the most important decision that a candidate can make.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

[05:20:03] KOSIK: OK. So the most important decision, she says. But we've heard Donald Trump say, listen, I need to get a Washington insider for my V.P.

Chris Christie doesn't fit that bill.

KOPAN: Well, he said he wants to have a politician, someone who sort of understands how the politics of everything work. And, you know, Chris Christie may is been a governor but he really is an insider. He was the chairman of the Republican Governors Association for a year. He has a really connected fund-raising network, the New Jersey/New York/Acela corridor. He has that's ability to bring political muscle to the ticket.

It is a very difficult decision for Donald Trump. He needs someone that can sort of help him mend some bridges with the Republican Party, can potentially, if he makes it to the White House, help him understand deal making in Washington and how to actually get a policy agenda passed while at the same time not turning away his base, not looking like he's contradicting himself in terms of who he can work with.

So, he is in a bit of a difficult spot. And his short list is, by all accounts, pretty short in some cases.

KOSIK: All right. Tal Kopan, thanks so much for waking up early with us this morning.

KOPAN: Thanks.

MARQUEZ: Thank you.

And is this the last straw for Johnny Manziel. The once promising quarterback now suspended by the league. Will any team take a chance on him? Andy Scholes, the man with all the answers, has the bleacher report, up next.

There he is. See you in a second.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:25:51] KOSIK: Troubled former quarterback Johnny Manziel's chances of joining a new team taking a serious blow.

MARQUEZ: Andy Scholes has it all in the morning's bleacher report.

Hello there, Andrew.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, guys.

Don't expect to see Johnny Football on the field any time soon, even if he does sign with another team. The NFL suspended Manziel for the first four games of the upcoming season for violating the league's substance abuse policy and it could get even worse for the former browns quarterback. He could face further discipline over his domestic violence case if he ever does sign with another team.

Now, last week, Manziel's own father told ESPN his son is a druggie and said jail would be the best place for him. Manziel has been posting on social media from Mexico.

All right. The ultimate underdog has its day at the College World Series. Little known Coastal Carolina beat Arizona in yesterday's winner take all game three to win their first ever baseball national championship. In fact, this is the first ever national title in any sport. And they are the first team since 1956 to be crowned the champs in their first ever appearance at the college world series. Congrats to them.

It's the duel in t pool tonight at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials. Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte will square off in the 200 individual medley. Both swimmers won their preliminaries. Lochte hasn't qualified for an individual even yet. Phelps has already made it in the 200-meter butterfly.

All right. Finally, last July 4th was not a good one for Jason Pierre-Paul. He nearly lost his hand in a fireworks accident. This year, Pierre-Paul is trying to help others not make the same mistake that he did.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JASON PIERRE-PAUL: Keep fireworks away from kids.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Leave professional fireworks to the professionals.

JASON PIERRE-PAUL: To the fireworks professionals.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Everyone, remember to be safe this weekend with the fireworks.

NBA free agency began at midnight and since midnight, we've seen some crazy deals happen. Guys like Andre Drummond, Bradley Beal and Nicolas Batum, guys, you might not be aware of, they all got $120 million guaranteed each.

MARQUEZ: What?

SCHOLES: Some crazy money getting thrown around in the NBA these days.

KOSIK: That's not bad, huh? That's more than you make.

MARQUEZ: I think I'm going to join the NBA.

SCHOLES: Try out. Miguel, try out.

MARQUEZ: I'm on it.

SCHOLES: The Knicks have some spots open.

MARQUEZ: Thank you, Andy.

SCHOLES: All right.

MARQUEZ: New information on the suicide bombers behind the Istanbul airport attack. That coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)