Return to Transcripts main page
Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
President Obama to Speak at Memorial for Fallen Officers; New Protests Across the Country; Donald Trump: I Am the Law and Order Candidate; Giancarlo Stanton Dominates Home Run Derby. Aired 5-5:30a ET
Aired July 12, 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: In just hours, President Obama arrives in Dallas, set to speak at a memorial for five police officers slain in the street. What you can expect today.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCOHR: New protests across the country over police violence. Thousands on the streets. New arrests at demonstrations overnight.
KOSIK: Donald Trump declaring himself the law and order candidate with new reaction to protests and police shootings.
Good morning and welcome to EARLY START. I'm Alison Kosik.
BERMAN: Nice to see you today. I'm John Berman. It is Tuesday, July 12th, 5:00 a.m. in the east.
And in just hours, an important moment for this nation to come together after a week of pain and tension, a memorial service in Dallas for the five officers murdered after helping protect the peaceful protests.
[05:00:02] President Obama and former President George W. Bush are both set to speak in later visit with victims' families.
Overnight, emotions run high at the candlelight vigil organized by the Dallas police association. Chief David Brown embraced the families of those killed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF DAVID BROWN, DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT: Families, we love you. Have. We are now your surrogate family members. We're your brothers and your sisters. When you need us, you call because we'll not only be loving you today, we'll be loving you always, always, until the end of time. We'll be loving you until you are me and I am you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: The probe into the Dallas gunman's plans and motives is still under way this morning with new questions emerging.
Let's get more now from CNN's Ed Lavandera in Dallas.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John and Alison, investigators continue combing through the community college building where Micah Johnson was killed early Friday morning after several hours of a standoff with police in the hours just after he had shot and killed five police officers and wounded seven more. One of the things that investigators and detectives are taking a look at in trying to unravel is the bomb-making explosives that was removed and found at Micah Johnson's house.
We've told by a federal enforcement source that there was about 3.5 pounds of different kinds of explosive material that was found inside the home. But what is not clear is what the intentions of that was. Was this part of a bigger plan? Was this part of a plan that Micah Johnson had thought about carrying out and didn't, or what exactly the intention was there? So, that's what we are looking at.
Local law enforcement here in Dallas tells me the material was found in every room in various parts of the house. So, that is one of the things that investigators are trying to unravel as well as those in the mysterious initials "RB" that according to the Dallas police chief Micah Johnson wrote with his own blood in two locations inside that community college building -- John and Alison.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: The shooter's parents are now speaking out saying his time in the army changed him turning him from an idealist who actually wanted to become a police officer into a disillusioned hermit. The gunman's father says he was stunned by his son's actions.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMES JOHNSON, GUNMAN MICAH JOHNSON'S FATHER: I don't know what to say to anybody to make anything better. I didn't see it coming.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOSIK: Overnight, new protests across the country against what demonstrators called police brutality. In Atlanta, police arrested at least 16 people after hundreds took to the streets, protesting last week's police killing of two black men. One in Louisiana and the other in Minnesota.
The protesters marching to the Georgia governor's mansion and met with top Atlanta City officials.
CNN's Polo Sandoval has more from the scene.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The city of Atlanta, one of several across the country erupting with protests now for the fifth night in a row. We ever march along with what were really hundreds of demonstrators, part of the Black Lives Matter movement that made their way here to the Georgia state governor's mansion, calling for accountability, for transparency, calling for justice.
Meanwhile, several police officers not just here on the ground but also in the air, keeping a very sharp eye on the crowd and making sure that they at least keep distance away from the governor's mansion.
I should mention that there is at least a good sign that there is some common ground here, as we are now seeing Atlanta City officials, including Kasim Reed, the mayor, and also, the police chief, a native of this city, George Turner, also have conversations with some of these demonstrators, even asking them into what is a mobile command center that's been set up here, to talk about finding that common ground. So, that is a good indication that things could potentially improve.
While these demonstrations have remained simple, we have seen several arrests. While the NAACP chapter here in Atlanta, Georgia, here in Atlanta has raised reaction by law enforcement level of restraint, they say there are limits. What we have seen are police officers reach the limit and actually make their way into the crowd and actually begin to detain individuals who have defied orders to remain on the sidewalk.
Ultimately, at least 15,000 protesters that have already taken to the streets of Atlanta and only a few dozen arrests.
[05:05:04] That is a good sign that there is that dialogue that continues in one of several major American cities that are erupting with.
Polo Sandoval, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOSIK: All right. That was Atlanta, and to Memphis where the mayor and police held a town hall where people spoke out for community policing and more funding for youth programs. In Brooklyn, more than 200 people gathered for interfaith vigil honoring the officers killed in Dallas and the victims of the police shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota. A third day of the protests taken over the streets of Chicago's Loop, up to 1,000 people took part. The demonstrations did remain peaceful there.
And in Sacramento, hundreds marched on the state capitol. And many walking silently, telling reporter there is nothing to say that hasn't already been said.
BERMAN: New details in Minnesota this morning on the police shooting of Philando Castile. The lawyer for the police officer who shot Castile tells CNN that a broken taillight was not the only reason Officer Jeronimo Yanez pulled Castile over. The lawyer says Yanez also stopped Castile because he matched the description of a suspect in an armed robbery days earlier.
Later this morning, Castile's family is going to be holding a news conference to give their side of the story.
KOSIK: New developments in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge. Sterling's family is calling on police to release surveillance video taken from the convenience store where the incident occurred. The owner of the store is now suing police, claiming officers illegally detained him for four hours, and confiscated his video security system without warrant. Baton Rouge police say the video will be turned over to the Justice Department.
And the district attorney in the case has now recused himself because he is friends with the parents of one of the officers involved.
BERMAN: A lot of politics going on today. Donald Trump declares himself the candidate of compassion. He's also the law and order candidate. New words about the police shootings, that's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[05:11:08] BERMAN: New this morning, Donald Trump calling for an immediate end to hostilities against police and declaring himself the law and order candidate.
The presumptive Republican nominee also attacked Hillary Clinton as weak during a campaign appearance with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, one of those on the Trump short list to be vice president. His vice presidential pick.
Let's get more now from CNN's Jim Acosta.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: John and Alison, Donald Trump will tryout another potential running mate later today when he appears at a rally with Indiana Governor Mike Pence.
The Indiana governor, along with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich appear to be the finalist for the vice presidential slot on the GOP ticket. Christie and Trump both spoke at the veterans event yesterday in Virginia Beach. That is where Trump ended the pause and political attacks since the shootings in Dallas and dubbed himself the candidate law enforcement can trust.
Here's what he had to say.
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: I am the law and order candidate.
(APPLAUSE)
Hillary Clinton on the other hand, is weak, ineffective, pandering and as proven by her recent e-mail scandal, which was an embarrassment not only to her, but the entire nation as a whole, she is either a liar or grossly incompetent. Personally, it's probably both.
(APPLAUSE)
Not only am I the law and order candidate, but I'm also the candidate of compassion. Believe it. The candidate of compassion.
But you can't have true compassion without providing safety for the citizens of our country. Every kid in America should be able to securely walk the streets in their own neighborhood without harm.
ACOSTA: Mike Pence, who is running for re-election as governor, has until Friday to make up his mind as state law bars him from seeking two offices at once in Indiana. But don't count out Chris Christie. One source familiar with the process said Christie has been fully vetted for vice presidential slot -- John and Alison.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOSIK: All right, Jim. Thanks for that.
And we have a big day ahead of us in politics today. Let's get right to it and talk about it. Joining us from our Washington bureau, CNN politics reporter Eugene Scott.
Good morning, Eugene.
EUGENE SCOTT, CNN POLITICS REPORTER: Good morning, Alison.
KOSIK: So, we've got President Obama heading to Dallas today for the interfaith memorial service to speak to the country at a time when the country is going through such turmoil. In the background, we've got Donald Trump saying that he's a law and order candidate. He is the compassionate one.
What do you think about how this is playing out?
SCOTT: Well, it certainly depends on who you are talking to. You know just because you say that you are something doesn't make you that. I think a lot of people will be continuing to watch Donald Trump to see how he responds to these types of situations and the complexity of them.
Yes, this is something -- these incidents in Dallas which were traumatic deeply impacted the police community, which is a significant part perhaps of Donald Trump's base. But there certainly were racial dynamics there that Donald Trump has not been as aggressive in addressing as some would hope. That I think for some people will be a test to his compassion, how compassionate he is.
BERMAN: So, this afternoon, the president speaks in Dallas. This morning, at 11:00, there's a big political event that a lot of people thought was a long time coming. If you are a Hillary Clinton supporter, maybe too long in coming. Bernie Sanders will officially endorse Hillary Clinton today in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
What are you going to be watching for here? The body language? Sort of the enthusiasm in what Sanders says?
SCOTT: I'm very much watching for the enthusiasm.
[05:15:01] Senator Sanders has been very vocal up until this point about the fact that his main priority is defeating Donald Trump. So, we know that will be part of the speech talking about why Donald Trump is not the best fit for the presidency.
I'm personally very interested in two things. One, I would love to see him make a case for Hillary Clinton to progressives about why she is the best person to lead this country forward. Secondly, I'm very interested in seeing how Sanders supporters react.
As late as last week, I would tweet about this endorsement coming. And there seems to be a small group of Sanders supporters who still are not yet convinced that their candidate will get behind Clinton. We will see today that they are wrong.
KOSIK: But you think about it. There has been an acrimonious campaign against each other. Clinton and Sanders. And although, you know, Sanders finally coming out in support of her, is that really going to resonate in the way that Clinton needs in votes.
SCOTT: Well, she's certainly she's hoping so. We saw when President Barack Obama made the case for Hillary Clinton while campaigning in North Carolina that he highlighted that their past relationship was acrimonious. But ultimately, they were able to get on the same team and page to move America in the direction that they thought was best.
I think that is what Hillary Clinton is hoping that Senator Sanders is able to communicate today, because ultimately to their voters, this is bigger than both of them individually.
BERMAN: So, Eugene, from the opposition research file this morning, "The Wall Street Journal" has an article out with sound from Hillary Clinton -- sorry, from Donald Trump in 2008, saying he thought Hillary Clinton would be a great president. It is interesting to listen to.
Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Hillary Clinton said she would consider naming Barack Obama as her vice president when she gets the nomination, but she is nowhere near a shoo-in. For his part, Obama said he is just focused on winning the nomination, although at least one member of his team said Clinton would make a good vice president.
Well, I know her and she would make a good president or a good vice president.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: Now, it's no surprise that Donald Trump was once close to the Clintons, or at least knew them, and donated to her campaigns. But it is interesting to hear that sound. It is only eight years later.
SCOTT: Right, very much so. I think at this point, as you referenced, it's not that shocking that he expressed support for Hillary Clinton because we had so many stories and so many examples over the last several years of his support for the candidate. I think what is surprising as you mentioned also, is that really was not that long ago.
It begs the question what happened from 2008 to 2016 that led him to go from, she would be the best candidate for president to the worst he mentioned earlier about her being weak and ineffective and a liar. I think it brings into question not only his conservatism, but the sincerity of much of what he is saying about Clinton and about who he is right now.
BERMAN: All right. Eugene Scott, thanks so much for being with us. We'll check back in with you in a little bit.
KOSIK: See you in a bit.
BERMAN: One man right in the middle of the election who is not a candidate, House Speaker Paul Ryan. He faces voters in our town hall tonight hosted by Jake Tapper. This is going to be a really interesting. I mean, Paul Ryan is on the hot seat every day now. Once again, it happens here at CNN. That's at 9:00 p.m. tonight.
KOSIK: Time for an early start on your money. The S&P 500 has never been higher than where it is right now. The index gaining a third of one percent on Monday, closing at an all time high of 2,137. The previous record, that was set in May of 2015.
OK. So, you want to know what $12.6 trillion of market value looks like? There it is. That's how much investors have made since the S&P 500 hit the bottom during the recession on March 9, 2009. It's an incredible 215 percent gain.
Next up is the Dow. It's about half a percent or 85 points away from a fresh closing high. We could see the blue chips hit that mark today.
We are seeing futures pointing to a positive open. Stocks in Europe are higher. Asian stocks closed higher overnight. We are seeing oil prices up as well.
BERMAN: All right. San Diego's Petco Park usually where home runs go to die. Last night's home run derby, that man right there, he crushed the ball and destroyed the record books. Coy Wire has the details in the bleacher report, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[05:24:08] BERMAN: So, if you like the long ball, you loved last night's home run derby. A Miami Marlins star made a huge splash.
KOSIK: Coy Wire has more in this morning's bleacher report.
Good morning.
COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Alison and John.
Giancarlo stands 6-foot-6, 240 pounds, a pure power. A record 61 home runs, beating the old record by 20. These weren't just barely making it over the wall. These were rocket shots, straight to the moon. His blast traveled a total distance of more than five miles, almost
two miles farther than any other batter. He beat the defending champion White Sox Todd Frazier in the finals.
Stanton is the highest paid player in baseball, $325 million contract. But he wasn't selected for the all-star game tonight at 8:00 Eastern. Maybe this is the boost he needs for the second half of the season. His Marlins are squarely in the playoff hunt.
[05:25:03] Did you hear about Warriors star Draymond Green facing an assault charge? Police in East Lansing, Michigan, say Green gotten into an altercation with another man at a restaurant at 2:30 Sunday morning, not far from Michigan State University where Green has attended college.
No one was hurt. Green was released on a $200 bond. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.
After 19 seasons in the NBA, Spurs star Tim Duncan is retiring. He is not known for his flashy clothes. His humble, he's quiet. You may not know what his voice sounds like, but he is a sure fire hall of famer who did all his talking with his play.
Five NBA championships with the Spurs, two-time league MVP. Teammate Manu Ginobili tweeted, "Even though I know it was coming, I'm still moved by the news. What a huge honor to play with him." LeBron James tweeted, "Timmy D., you know how I feel about you, what you did for me and the entire NBA. Thank you for an amazing career. #bestpowerforwardever, #legend."
Finally, guys, two-time major winner Jordan Spieth is the latest top golfer to pull out of next month's Rio Olympics. This according to international golf federation. Spieth is concerned over health issues. That means that none of the world's top four are going to play when golf returns to Olympics for the first time since 1904.
Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Roy McIlroy have all withdrew from the games because of the Zika virus. The opening ceremony, guys, in Rio is just 24 days.
KOSIK: Who is competing?
BERMAN: Not many people. Rickie Fowler for the U.S. Dustin Johnson --
WIRE: Bubba Johnson.
BERMAN: Yes, Bubba Johnson.
WIRE: Dustin Johnson's out too.
BERMAN: Dud.
WIRE: I'll be there. I'll have a lot of bug spray on, guys.
BERMAN: Coy Wire will be playing for the U.S. in every event. Thanks so much, Coy. Appreciate it.
WIRE: You're welcome.
BERMAN: President Obama arrives in Dallas in just hours, set to speak at the memorial for five Dallas police officers. New details, that's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
