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Early Start with Rahel Solomon

President Trump Threatens Military Intervention in Iran; Tensions Flare After ICE Shooting of Renee Good in Minnesota; Trump: U.S. Must Take Greenland. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired January 12, 2026 - 05:00   ET

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

[05:00:00]

RAHEL SOLOMON, ANCHOR, EARLY START: Good morning and welcome to our viewers joining us from the U.S. and all around the world, I'm Rahel Solomon, it is Monday, January 12th, 5:00 a.m. here in New York and straight ahead on EARLY START.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Fears of a bloody crackdown by Iran's security forces against anti-regime protesters are being realized.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it. We're looking at some very strong options.

NICK WATT, CNN U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Everybody is watching the same videos of the death of Renee Good and drawing starkly different conclusions.

KRISTI NOEM, SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES: This officer defended his life and those colleagues around him and the public.

MAYOR JACOB FREY, MINNESOTA, MINNEAPOLIS: You know how many shootings we've had so far this year? Two. And one of them was ICE.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: U.S. President Donald Trump is doubling down on his push to acquire Greenland.

TRUMP: One way or the other, we're going to have Greenland.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOLOMON: We begin this hour in Iran as Tehran intensifies its violent crackdown on anti-government protesters. State media is reporting that large crowds are gathering in several cities in support of the country's clerical regime.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump says that Iranian leaders appear to be open to dialogue. That comment comes after he threatened to, quote, "get involved if the regime kills protesters." President Trump now saying that his administration is looking at military options.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: There seem to be some people killed that aren't supposed to be killed. These are violent -- if you call them leaders, I don't know if they're leaders or just a -- they rule through violence. But we're looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options. We'll make a determination.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOLOMON: Iran is entering its third straight week of anti-government protests. One U.S. based human rights group says that at least 483 protesters have been killed in the past 15 days of unrest. More than 10,000 people have been reported arrested since protests broke out.

And Iran's government has cut off internet access since Thursday. Let's bring in CNN's Paula Hancocks following and tracking the story from Abu Dhabi. Paula, as the death toll of protesters climbs, President Trump says that Iran has called him to, quote, "negotiate". What do we know about that?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Rahel, at this point, we just have it from the U.S. President. He said on Sunday that Iran had called him yesterday, meaning that would have been Saturday, and that they wanted to talk.

Now, we have not heard that certainly from Tehran at this point, they are pushing back against the Trump administration. We have heard from a number of different officials within that regime, including the supreme leader, that they believe that the U.S. is inciting some of the unrest within the country.

What they are calling rioters and terrorists and foreign-linked mercenaries. So, at this point, that's really all we have. But we do know that these protests are continuing at the same time as pro-regime protests are happening, en masse.

We're seeing significant numbers in Tehran, for example, there had been a call from the regime for people to come out and support the regime. They're waving the flag. They're holding up pictures of the supreme leader and copies of the Quran.

And it really reminds us that there is still some support within Iran for this regime, or at least, there are those that will come out when they are called on it. We are seeing that death toll rise. We are seeing a more significant, brutal crackdown as far as we are able to tell.

Of course, that internet blackout does make it difficult for those inside the country to be able to communicate with the outside world. Now, we do have some footage, I would like to warn our viewers that it is upsetting to watch, but this is from the Qazerac(ph) -- excuse me, Kahrizak Forensic Medical Center in Tehran.

What we see here is people looking at monitors showing deceased people. So, showing what appears to be up to 250 different people that have lost their lives, and the people that are watching are those that are looking for their loved ones.

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We also see on the pavement outside of this building, a number of black body bags, again with people looking for their loved ones. You hear screams of anguish as some appear to have found the bodies of their loved ones. So, some very harrowing images coming out of Iran at this point, as people, as far as we can tell, are still going out onto the streets to show their anger, their frustration against the regime.

But again, there is this internet blackout which has been in place since Thursday night. So, it is very difficult for people to be able to show the outside world exactly what is happening at this point. But we are seeing a more violent crackdown than we have for some time.

And certainly, the figures that we are hearing the death toll from one U.S.-based human rights group says where close to 500 protesters have been killed. We're also hearing from others that they fear that death toll could be a lot higher. It is simply the difficulty in communicating, which means we don't have a full idea of the picture at this point. Rahel?

SOLOMON: Yes, those concerns that are the blackout that we've been seeing there, underreporting some of the figures that have come out. But what we have seen just in your reporting here, Paula, certainly chilling. Thank you. Paula Hancocks in Abu Dhabi, thank you.

Los Angeles, no serious injuries after the driver of a large truck drove through a crowd of people rallying in support of the protesters in Iran. It happened on Sunday in the city's Westwood neighborhood. A warning that some people may find the following video disturbing.

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(FEMALES SCREAMING)

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SOLOMON: The writing on the side of the truck reads, "no shah, no regime, USA, don't repeat 1953. No Malah(ph)". Law enforcement confirms the driver has been detained, and the FBI says that it is working with them to determine a motive. CNN has reached out to the LAPD for more information.

In other news this morning, the deadly mass shooting of Minneapolis woman Renee Good sparking massive anti-ICE protests in the U.S. Over the weekend in New York, protesters flooded the streets to voice their concern about threats to public safety.

Major cities like Atlanta and Los Angeles also witnessing massive crowds condemning the federal agency's actions. Here's why one protester says he's speaking out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's the responsibility of the people to stand up to leaders when our leaders are not actually looking out for the constituents that they swore an oath to protect. We are not protected by our leaders anymore. And it's time that the people reminded them of what their responsibilities are.

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SOLOMON: Now, despite the backlash, the Department of Homeland Security is sending hundreds more Customs and Border Patrol officers to Minneapolis. The Homeland Security Secretary says that the move is to ensure the safety of ICE and border patrol agents operating in the city.

During an interview with CNN, Kristi Noem defended her domestic terrorism comments made just hours after Renee Good was killed. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NOEM: If you look at what the definition of domestic terrorism is, it completely fits the situation on the ground. This individual, as you saw in the video that we released just 48 hours after this incident, showed that this officer was hit by her vehicle, she weaponized it and he defended his life and those colleagues around him and the public.

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SOLOMON: CNN's Nick Watt has more now on the fallout after the death of Renee Good.

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WATT (on camera): Everybody is watching the same videos of the death of Renee Good and drawing starkly different conclusions. In fact, the chasm between what the federal government says happened and what a lot of local and state politicians say happened.

That chasm is just getting deeper. Kristi Noem doubling down, saying Renee Good was a domestic terrorist. The mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, saying that perhaps Kristi Noem doesn't actually really believe what she's saying. He says he's watched the video and draws a completely different conclusion.

He wants -- he says, a quote, "neutral and unbiased investigation". He said I shouldn't be doing it, neither should Kristi Noem. We need an outside body to really determine what happened here. Take a listen to what else he had to say on CNN.

FREY: Because here's the thing. She's calling Minneapolis like this dystopian hellhole. You know how many shootings we've had so far this year? Two. And one of them was ICE. I said this was a federal agent recklessly using power that ended up in somebody dying, because that was a federal agent recklessly using power that ended up in somebody dying. It's exactly what happened. I mean, am I biased in this? Of course.

And I'm biased because I got two eyes.

WATT: Now, Sara Jacobs is a Democrat representative, serves on the Armed -- the Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committee. She said that Kristi Noem is, quote, "blatantly lying and should either resign or be impeached." Take a listen.

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REP. SARA JACOBS (D-CA): If the administration is so sure of their account of events, then they should welcome an independent investigation because the evidence would show that. But I think they're telling on themselves by not allowing it, because they know that what they're saying is completely wrong and made up and preposterous really.

WATT: Now, all of this while a group called ICE Out for Good, planned over a thousand demonstrations across the United States over the weekend. We saw demonstrations, protests in Arizona, Georgia, Maine, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York City, also overseas, outside the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, Germany.

All of those protesters remembering Renee Good, a vigil Sunday in Minneapolis, another vigil on the scene of Renee Good's death, vigil for her. So, this is not over in terms of the demonstrations, the protests, but also these dueling narratives over what actually happened here.

Was Renee good a domestic terrorist as Kristi Noem would have you believe? Or was this ICE agent reckless as the mayor of Minneapolis and many people across this country would say that Renee Good was innocent and she was murdered. Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOLOMON: Our thanks to Nick Watt. U.S. Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into the Federal Reserve and its Chairman, Jerome Powell. Over the Fed's $2.5 billion renovation of its Washington D.C., headquarters, a Justice Department spokesperson wouldn't comment specifically on the investigation, but they told CNN that the Attorney General wants to, quote, "prioritize investigating any abuse of taxpayer dollars."

Powell testified before Congress in June, saying that the renovation involved various agencies, and that the cost had changed over time. He says that this investigation is the latest pressure tactic in an ongoing struggle with the White House.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEROME POWELL, CHAIR, U.S. FEDERAL RESERVE: The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of a Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President. This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest

rates based on evidence and economic conditions, or whether instead, monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOLOMON: All right, let's take a live look now at Capitol Hill. That's where the U.S. Senate is expected to vote this week on a full measure to limit President Trump's war powers in Venezuela. It comes after five Republicans voted with Democrats last week to advance the resolution in a notable rebuke of the President's actions.

President Trump berated those GOP lawmakers, saying that they should, quote, never be elected to office again. The final resolution is expected to pass in the Senate, and the House will take up a similar measure later this month. President Trump is set to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado this week.

That comes after he recently doubted Machado's ability to lead a post- Maduro government. According to Trump, Machado, quote, "could only win an election with his support." Meanwhile, President Trump told reporters that he'd be willing to meet with Venezuela's new acting President Delcy Rodriguez, a leader that Machado dismissed as, quote, "absolutely temporary". CNN's Paula Newton has the latest.

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PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Another pivotal week ahead for Venezuela's opposition as they remain on the outside looking in, and Nicolas Maduro's inner circle still has a tight grip on Venezuela. Now, Maria Corina Machado will meet with the President sometime this week, and she will continue to press her case that there must be some kind of democratic transition.

In fact, in the last few days, things with repression and political prisoners seem to be backsliding in Venezuela. I want you to listen now to one of the family members demanding the release of political prisoners. Listen.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): We are Venezuela. We are Venezuela that is in the streets. We are Venezuela that wants to live in freedom. We are Venezuela that wants freedom, freed them all because Venezuela's prisons are full of innocent Venezuelans.

NEWTON: In fact, Foro Penal, which is a human rights group in Venezuela, indicates that maybe a little bit more than a dozen political prisoners have been released so far, and more than 800 remain incarcerated. It is for that reason that so many say the Trump administration needs to demand some signals from acting President Delcy Rodriguez that she is serious about moving forward. I want you to listen now to a former U.S. diplomat who was in Venezuela. Listen.

TODD ROBINSON, FORMER ACTING U.S. AMBASSADOR TO VENEZUELA: We should be talking about what legislative -- new legislative elections look like, and we should be talking openly about support for the democratic opposition. None of those things were happening earlier in the press conference the President did.

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They disparaged the democratic opposition.

NEWTON: The week ahead will also be pivotal for Cuba. Now, President Trump indicated on social media that, in his words, "there will be no more oil or money going to Cuba. Zero. I strongly suggest they make a deal before it's too late." Now, once again, Cuba depends on Venezuela for most of its oil supplies.

The Cuban President shooting back, saying "Cuba is free, independent and a sovereign nation. Nobody dictates what we do." But again, in the days going forward, the Trump administration will seek to get closer to what they feel is an ideal situation in the western hemisphere.

And that also includes trying to curb Cuba's influence and also threatening it, obviously, with not being able to get any oil in the next few weeks. Paula Newton, CNN, Ottawa.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOLOMON: And still ahead on EARLY START, the biggest names in Hollywood came together for the 83rd Golden Globes Award. We'll take a look at who took home the trophies in film and television straight ahead. And later, it is the road to the Super Bowl. We'll have action from the NFL's Wild Card Sunday, including the Philadelphia Eagles trying -- operative word being trying to defend their crown against the San Francisco 49ers. We'll be right back.

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SOLOMON: Welcome back. The first major Hollywood awards show of the year just wrapped up just a few hours ago. The 83rd Golden Globe Awards celebrated achievements in both film and television, and in case you were asleep like many of us on this show were, don't worry, we have you covered.

One film and one series rose above the rest to score the most trophies of the night. So on the TV side, it was Netflix's limited series "Adolescents" that swept its categories, taking home four awards for best, limited or anthology series, best performance by a lead actor in a limited series, as well as performances by supporting actor and actress on TV.

And for film, Paul Thomas Anderson's star action comedy, "One Battle After Another", taking home four Golden Globes. The film was produced in part by Warner Brothers, part of CNN's parent company. It won for best motion picture, musical or comedy, best director, best screenplay, and best performance by a supporting actress in a motion picture, marking Teyana Taylor's first Golden Globe win. Here's part of her emotional acceptance speech.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) TEYANA TAYLOR, AMERICAN ACTRESS: To my brown sisters and little brown

girls watching tonight, our softness is not a liability. Our depth is not -- depth, it's not too much. Our light does not need permission to shine. We belong in every room we walk into. Our voices matter and our dreams deserve space. Thank you so much everybody.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOLOMON: All right, joining us now to break down the big night is entertainment journalist Segun Oduolowu, good to see you Segun, thanks for waking up early while staying up late. I never know what people on the west coast -- are you staying up late? Are you waking up early? Regardless, we're happy to have you here.

Let's start there with Teyana Taylor's speech. Huge night for her. Do you think that's going to be remembered or one of the night's most talked about moments? I mean, she looked so beautiful and obviously speaking to a lot of people at home watching.

SEGUN ODUOLOWU, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Yes, hey, Rahel, yes, if we stay up late --

SOLOMON: OK --

ODUOLOWU: And because in Hollywood we never go to sleep. And what I will say is, Teyana Taylor's speech was one of the highlights of the entire evening for me, watching her glow up. Because for a lot of people, she's an R&B singer, but she's also a visual artist and a choreographer.

And now, winning this award, cementing her as a legitimate Hollywood actress opposite, you know, Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio del Toro, Paul Thomas Anderson, Sean Penn, like these were the names that she was in the movie with who are Oscar winners.

And now, she has the hardware to back it up. And I thought what she said hopefully will open doors for more brown-skinned young girls to see themselves in roles and in opportunities. She was amazing. She always looks amazing. The dress, the body, the whole nine like it was just a perfect moment for an otherwise uneven evening.

SOLOMON: We'll say more. I mean, were there some snubs that you were surprised by?

ODUOLOWU: Well, yes, the blasphemy that was "Sinners" being snubbed left and right in my opinion, because look, there were think-pieces about Ryan Googler's directing on the movie, "Sinners". Just the technical brilliance about it. You have Michael B. Jordan playing three roles, two twins -- you know, a pair of twins, and then a vampire twin.

And all of this, you know, in a -- in an otherwise Golden Globes, the Hollywood foreign press, I've never met, sat down with or had a cup of coffee with someone who knew anyone in the Hollywood foreign press. So, who are these secret illuminati-like-voters --

(LAUGHTER)

ODUOLOWU: That didn't see the brilliance of "Sinners"? Didn't recognize Coogler's directing, you know, magnificent --

SOLOMON: Yes --

ODUOLOWU: Or Michael B. Jordan's performance. I thought that was one of the biggest snubs of the evening, almost to the point where Chloe Zhao, when she accepted for "Hamlet", and I would like to say, as brilliant as her talking points were, and as amazing as some of the acting is in "Hamlet", I defy you to find six people in a room anywhere that saw "Hamlet".

So, that's all I'm saying. You know, everyone was talking about -- everyone was talking about "Sinners" throughout the year for the movie, the reach of it, the cultural impact for it to be snubbed at the Golden Globes shows that the Hollywood foreign press, and that event still needs some more fixing.

SOLOMON: Yes, it's an interesting point because there was also so much subtext in "Sinners", and when "Sinners" came out, I mean, it -- I went to the movies for the first time, and I don't know how long to see "Sinners" just because everybody was talking about it, and people were seeing it for the second and the third time by the time I even got there to see it for the first time.

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So, it was really interesting that it didn't win any of its categories. Before I let you go, Segun, for the first time, there was a podcast category, Amy Poehler's podcast taking home the award there. How do you think that's going to be received?

I mean, she's already Hollywood actress. She's a comedian versus some of the other nominees like Mel Robbins, for example, who are better known or best known for their podcast work. How do you think that's going to be received?

ODUOLOWU: Well, so for me, this category, Rahel, was an absolute sham. And I know it's early in the morning or late at night, depending on where you are, but it was an absolute sham. So, all year long, 2025, you saw a presidential election played out over podcast with Joe Rogan, you saw the Joe Budden podcast written about in rolling stone and billboards all over Times Square.

None of them are even in the category nominated. So, you don't have the two big Joes. Then you have a former host of the Golden Globe winning the inaugural podcast award. It just -- it didn't -- it didn't land well with me. Again, going back to what I said about "Hamlet", how many people are really listening to this Amy Poehler podcast?

And so, I feel like that was a missed opportunity. You know, all things -- you know, there were a lot of other podcasts that are not only bigger, but have a wider reach and do more than just talk to celebrities. And so, this, I think, was, again, a swing and a miss by the Golden Globes. No -- SOLOMON: Yes --

ODUOLOWU: Shade to Amy Poehler, but it did seem kind of interesting that you --

SOLOMON: Yes --

ODUOLOWU: Hosted the award -- you hosted the award show four times and you win for a podcast? Maybe it's the 6-7, I don't know --

SOLOMON: Yes -- no, I think it's a really interesting point, Segun, about the two Joes, Joe Rogan and Joe Budden, especially considering all of the political events of the last 12 months. But, you know, Segun, you might be on to something because wouldn't that be an interesting podcast? Joe Rogan and Joe Budden. That would be -- that would be a podcast that would --

ODUOLOWU: That's what I'm talking about --

SOLOMON: A lot of people would watch. Segun, we're going to leave it here. Thank you so much, appreciate you being with us this morning.

ODUOLOWU: Thank you Rahel, and yes, I'm sad about the Eagles too, that was --

SOLOMON: Wasn't going to say anything, but yes, I appreciate that. Thank you. All right, in other news this morning, Russian attacks have left thousands of people in Ukraine without heat or power and freezing weather as the war enters its fourth year. Is this the worst Winter yet? We'll have more on that after the break.

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