Return to Transcripts main page
Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Tensions Spike In Trio Of Hotspots; Trump Doesn't Want Mueller To Testify; Russian Plane Crash Kills 41; Kentucky Derby Drama; Russian Foreign Minister On Trump-Putin Phone Call; Trump Renews China Tariff Threat; Hundreds Of Rockets Fired From Gaza Toward Israel; North Korea Missile Test; UNCC Hero Remembered At Memorial Service; NTSB, Plane Needs To Be Defueled Before Removal In St. John's River. Aired 4-4:30a ET
Aired May 06, 2019 - 04:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[04:00:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
DAVE BRIGGS, CNN HOST: Tensions escalating in three global hot spot, the U.S. deploying a strike group to counter Iran. A tenuous cease fire between Israel and Gaza and global market plummet after the president threatens to expand his trade war with China.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN HOST: The president reverse his course, says he does not want Robert Mueller to testify. Why try to keep the special counsel quiet now?
BRIGGS: Forty one people including an American perish when a Russian jet crashes during an emergency landing.
ROMANS: And after a historic disqualification, the owner of Maximum Security could take the Kentucky Derby results to court.
BRIGGS: What a mess. And I'm not talking about the track.
ROMANS: Good morning, everyone, welcome to "Early Start," I'm Christine Romans.
BRIGGS: Welcome home. Welcome to our new home.
ROMANS: That's right.
BRIGGS: I'm Dave Briggs, this is a different look for us. This is our new studio here in New York City's Hudson Yards, a bit of a fancy beautiful new set. What do you think of our new digs?
ROMANS: So far so good at 4:00 a.m. in the East. We'll bring you all the news from the new studio.
BRIGGS: Monday, May 6, not a quiet day to welcome you to our new studio. We start with breaking news at 4:00 a.m. Eastern Time, the U.S. deploying a carrier strike group and a bomber task force in response to what the White House is calling troubling actions by Iran. Officials not detailing the nature of the threats, but telling CNN they were against both U.S., sea and land forces in the Middle East, and the deployments are aimed specifically at deterring any Iranian military action.
CNN's Fred Pleitgen joining us with more from Finland, where the Secretary of State is headed right now. Fred, good morning.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Dave. And a clear show of force by the U.S. aimed towards the Iranian there, as those tensions continue to ratchet up between Tehran and the Trump administration. National Security Adviser, John Bolton, saying the following, quote, "That the U.S. wants to send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime as he called it that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force."
So, it's quite interesting, Dave. Because over the past couple of months I have actually been able to speak to some senior Iranian leaders, including leaders of the elite revolutionary guard core, the elite wing of their military, and there were some who are indeed talking about attacking U.S. assets that in it, the greater middle eastern area specifically in the area around the strait of Hormuz, of course, that vital shipping lane that was there. It's one thing that they said that they could do if in fact, there was an escalation with the United States.
On the other hand, Iranian politicians, like for instance, the Foreign Minister, Javad Zarif, talking about divisions in the Trump administration. He's saying, he believes that President Trump does not want an escalation or a war with Iran, but he says that he believes that for instance, national security adviser, John Bolton and Mike Pompeo, the Secretary of State are more inclined to have an escalation take place.
That of course, brings us to where I'm standing right here, Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, will be here later today in Northern Finland to speak with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. And between those two sparks flying, not just in terms of Iran policy, but of course, in terms of what's going on in Venezuela as well. The two trading barbs in a phone call, just a couple of days ago, the Russians accusing the U.S. of meddling in the affairs of Venezuela, and the U.S. is of course, saying that Iran Russia is playing a maligned -- at that Russia is playing a maligned role in that region, Dave.
BRIGGS: For that total clarity on what exactly the incident was that led to this. So, are you getting a better sense of that?
PLEITGEN: The carrier strike?
BRIGGS: Yes.
PLEITGEN: It is really interesting, and a very interesting question that is being asked. On the one hand, of course, you have the National Security Adviser, John Bolton, saying this is a direct reaction to threats from the Iranian, on the other hand, there are some who I have been talking about the fact that perhaps the deployment of these carrier strike was something that had been preplanned, that it was set to go there anywhere. It's interesting, Dave, because actually, just a little over a week
ago, I was actually on that very carrier strike group when it was still conducting operations in the Mediterranean. Obviously, with the movement of those carrier strike groups, always very highly inclined not to tell you in advance where that carrier strike group is going to go.
But one of the things is that the Iranians are trying to called America's bluff, but of course, the national security adviser saying absolutely a reaction to what the Iranians have been doing there in the greater Middle Eastern region, Dave.
BRIGGS: Anything but a quiet Monday. Fred Pleitgen live for us in Finland. Thank you, sir.
ROMANS: And then this, trade trouble this morning, a renewed threat from the president, tariffs on Chinese goods days ahead of talks to end a damaging trade war. Now Trump warns Sunday afternoon, he would increase tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods to 25 percent from1 10 percent this Friday.
[04:05:00] That is a departure -- a sharp departure from upbeat messaging about these trade talks. This is the president just Friday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The deal itself is going along pretty well, I would even say very well. We'll see what happens over the next couple of weeks, but we're getting close to a very historic, monumental deal. And if it doesn't happen we'll be fine too. Maybe even better.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: And now, he's threatening new tariffs, support from the president's sharp tone though from Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer who said this, strength is the only way to win with China. The president's threat also comes as Chinese negotiators are scheduled to arrive in D.C. on Wednesday.
The "Wall Street Journal" is reporting China is now considering pulling out of those talks. Global markets reacting as you might expect to that renewed threat around the world. Declines 5 percent in Shanghai, almost 3 percent in Hong Kong. Markets in London are closed for a public holiday here. Wall Street futures also taking a hit, when you look at this 481 points, that's almost 2 percent in DOW futures.
Now, Trump says that China pays these tariffs. That is not the case. This is something he said in his tweet, that China had paid billion into the American treasury -- American consumers pay the price. American companies pay the price after the higher cost of goods gets passed on to importers. And China retaliatory tariffs have hit U.S. farmers harder than consumers. Farm bankruptcies are on the rise. This move once again, get in way of a great economic message for Trump, by the way, a strong jobs report last week is almost an afterthought now. The Chinese have not responded to the new threat yet.
BRIGGS: At this hour, a cease fire appears to be taking hold between Israel and militants in Gaza. Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had been threatening quote, massive attacks against terrorist elements in the region, after an estimated 600 rockets were fired toward Israel. CNN's, Oren Liebermann has the latest live from the Israel Gaza border. Good morning to you, sir. We'll get to the ceasefire in a moment, but first, the iron dome that it fails is just overwhelmed over the weekend.
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN CORESPONDENT: It looks like it was just overwhelmed. Palestinian militants groups inside of Gaza had realized that if you batch fire rockets, fire them essentially in barrage 10 or 20 rockets in once, you can essentially overwhelm what is a very high quality system in terms of its ability to intercept a rocket, it's almost like a bullet shooting another bullet out of the sky, but it's also limited in the numbers you can fire and that's why as it about last night, Israeli military says some 35 rockets have landed in urban areas, had essentially gotten through the iron dome aerial defense system there.
BRIGGS: All right. Now as to that relative calm we're seeing right now, how far do you project that lasting?
LIEBERMANN: Well, that is an excellent question. These ceasefires are always tenuous, but over the course of the past month, there had been relative calm leading into this round of fighting. We will get to that in a second, but Palestinian Islamic Jihad, one of the militant groups inside of Gaza have announced the cease fire. And said, it took affect at 4:30 this morning.
In fact, having been here along the border for most of the past 48 hours, it has been quiet. We hear a drone overhead at the moment, but that is about it. Israel never acknowledges or confirms that there is a cease fire, but as of 7:00, Israeli military said that civilian restrictions around Gaza have been lifted and that is the strongest indication yet that there is in fact a cease fire here.
As for the fighting itself, Israel says nearly 700 rockets were fired from Gaza. Some of the shorter range rockets, but also more powerful rockets that reach some of the major cities in Southern Israel, as well as an antitank missile fired at Israel civilian vehicle. Israel carried out a wave of air strikes against more than 350 targets from smaller military posts to larger multistory buildings and even the first targeted killing that Israel has carried out in years.
After the fight, four were killed on the Israeli side, 23 on the Palestinian side. Dave, in a rare move, Dave and Christine, in a rare move, the U.N. and the European Union condemned Gaza, primarily for the rocket fired targeting Israel. So, far at this point the ceasefire is holding, see how this last, over the next few days, of course, in weeks.
BRIGGS: Right. All right, the Israel Gaza boarded the three of -- third of three hot spots around the globe. Oren Liebermann live for us, thank you. ROMANS: All right, 41 people including one American killed in a fire
aboard a Russian passenger plane. We are going to warn you here, some of the video you are about to see is pretty disturbing. Now, this jet made an emergency crash landing and caught fire Sunday at a Moscow airport.
There are two children among the dead here. First reports say the air flight Super jet 100 was flying from Moscow to (Inaudible), when a fire broke out on board. The jet returned to the airport making a hard landing, 37 people survived.
BRIGGS: All right. To politics now, President Trump reversing course and now says Robert Mueller should not testify before Congress. A pair of tweets, Trump suggests Democrats are looking for a redo, because Mueller couldn't prove collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. The president was asked Friday about the possibility of Mueller testifying.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[04:10:13] UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. President, should Mueller testify? Would you like to see him testify?
TRUMP: I don't know. That is up to our attorney general, who I think has done a fantastic job.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH: So the president says it's up to his A.G. but Bill Barr didn't seem to mind when he testified last week.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What about Bob Mueller, should he be allowed to testify before this?
WILLIAM BARR, ATTORNEY GENERAL: I have already said publicly, I have no objection.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: So, what change here? Why doesn't the president want to hear from Mueller? Who knows? Trump's reversal came after House Judiciary member, David Cicilline said, the committee has reached a tentative date of May 15th for Mueller to testify. Mueller has yet to confirm that date.
BRIGGS: And will the Attorney General be held in contempt of Congress? Well, we may find out in just a few hours. House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler said a deadline of 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time for Bill Barr to respond to an offer he made Friday.
ROMANS: Nadler said his committee could work with the Justice Department to prioritize which investigative material in the Mueller probe it will turn over to Congress. But Nadler did not budge on Democrats bottom line that Congress must be able to view grand jury material redacted from the Mueller report, material Barr says he is not allowed by law to provide. Now Nadler says if the Attorney General does not comply, he will move to contempt proceedings.
BRIGGS: Next stop for Michael Cohen, the federal prison in Otisville, New York. President Trump's former lawyer and fixer set to begin his three-year sentence today for crimes that included arranging a hush money scheme at the president's direction. It caps nearly yearlong saga since Cohen publicly broke with the president and later implicated him in federal crimes.
Cohen had sought to reduce his prison sentence offering to provide federal prosecutors and Congressional investigators with more documents about the president and his associates. That outreach has largely been rebuffed since Cohen testified before Congress back in February.
The result of the Kentucky Derby could now be headed to court.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They disqualified him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They did.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So for the first time in the history of the Kentucky Derby, the horse that crossed the line first has been disqualified.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: Truly stunning outcome, Gary West, the owner of Maximum Security, tells the daily racing form, he wants to appeal the steward's decision, but according to Kentucky regulations, the decision is final and not subject to appeal, 65-1 Long Shot Country House was declared the derby winner and the jockey aboard Country House, (inaudible) says Maximum Security drifted out and turned Pratt's Horse sideways.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA BORDEN, KENTUCKY CHIEF STEWARD: The riders of the 18 and 20 horses in the Kentucky Derby lodged objections against the seven horse, the winner, due to interference. We determined that the seven horse drifted out and impacted the progress of number one in turn interfering with the 18 and 21.
BRIGGS: Bettors could --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Bettors could not believe the turn of events. Maximum Security's D.Q. resulted in $9 million being lost by bettors. But some who had Country House to win could not believe their luck. Oh, and President Trump weighed in on the results, blaming the decision on political correctness. The second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown the Preakness stakes will be run on May 18th in Pimlico race course in Baltimore.
BRIGGS: So, imagine that, the president doesn't believe interference can impact the outcome of a race, this just in.
All right, head, Kim Jong-un, fires off a missile just days after meeting with Vladimir Putin, but the president doesn't seem too concerned. We're live in Seoul with the latest.
[04:15:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: All right. New satellite images obtain exclusively by CNN show the smoke trail of a rocket launched by North Korea on Friday. It is believed to be a short range missile. It has the Trump administration scrambling to salvage nuclear talks with the Kim regime. Let's go live to Seoul and bring in CNN's Paula Hancock.
And Paula, this is being taken by many observers here as a message to the Trump campaign. I mean, the state media showed pictures of Kim, you know, watching with binoculars as this test was happening.
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that is right, Christine. They also brought out their most important news anchor to announce this news, to show just how much they wanted it to be noticed and they were showing off and it's widely been seen as a sign of frustration from Kim Jong-un, a very clear message to the U.S. president that he wants things to change.
He has publicly said Kim Jong-un that the U.S. needs to change its attitude and change the way that it's dealing with Pyongyang, i.e. Pyongyang wants some of those sanctions to start to be eased somewhat. But we did see from the South Korean Defense Minister, as well they said, not only was there a tactical weapon system being tested, they believed it was a new model.
So it is a message to the U.S. president and they're also trying to test new technology, but the U.S. president didn't seem to mind too much. In a tweet he pointed out that Kim Jong-un still knows the importance of the economic aspects of any deal, they do say, he is with Kim Jong-un and a deal will happen. Now we also saw a similarly positive tune from the U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.
MIKE POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE: So we know a couple of things, one, at no point was there ever any international boundary crossed, that is they landed in the water east of North Korea, and didn't present a threat to the United States or to South Korea or to Japan. We know that they were relatively short range. We still believe that there's an opportunity to get a negotiated outcome where we get fully verified denuclearization.
[04:20:03] HANCOCKS: Now South Korea is actually been more critical of that launch on Saturday than the U.S. has and that is unusual. Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: All right. Paula for us in Seoul, thank you so much for that and we'll continue to watch that story.
BRIGGS: So many thousands of tweets to catalog over the recent years, but I'm with him as we approach 2020 depending on where that goes could come back to haunt this president.
Ahead, military honors for a student who died a hero. Riley Howell saved classmates during a recent school shooting.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[04:25:00] ROMANS: Military honors for Riley Howell, the hero at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. He died as he tackled the gunman in last week's campus shooting.
Close friends and family recalling a humble young man who loved the outdoors and was kind to everyone.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LUCAS TATE, FRIEND OF RILEY HOWELL: He had this sense of trust in people and love for others, even that he didn't know. Something that I may never learn, but I can sure say that I'm on the right track, thanks to Riley. Thank you for being the big brother I never had. Thank you for being my hero before you were everyone's.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH: Howell was 21 years old and an ROTC cadet at the University. He charged the shooter, as the shooter open fire, saving the lives of others. Howell was killed along with 19-year-old, Reid Polyer (ph), four others were injured.
BRIGGS: A plane that skid in St. John's River in Florida on Friday, will need to have all the fuel drained before it can be removed from the water. The aircraft slid into the river at the end of the runway, naval air station Jacksonville. Since the wing is sitting on top of the water, holes had to be drilled above the wing to defuel the plane. There are about 1200 gallons of fuel remaining. The NTSB says, the plane was originally supposed to land from the West, but the pilots requested to land from the East instead. The charter jet was carrying members of the military and their families. All 143 passengers and crew survived, but several pets in the flooded cargo hold are presumed dead.
ROMANS: All right, 26 -- 27 minutes past the hour. Almost tensions ratcheting up overnight in three global hot spots, a strike groups heads to the Middle East to deter Iran. Global markets plummet after the president threatens more tariffs on Chinese goods, and a cease fire reach between Israel and Gaza, but for how long.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
