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Isa Soares Tonight
FBI Raids Former President Donald Trump's Private Residence; Ukraine Accuses Russia Of "Nuclear Terrorism"; Biden Signs Ratification Of U.S. Support For Sweden And Finland To Join NATO; Unprecedented Search On Former U.S. President Trump; Ukraine Accuses Russia Of "Nuclear Terrorism"; President Biden To Speak About NATO; Trapped Miners In Mexico Rescue Attempt; Gang Violence In Haiti; Israel Raid In The West Bank; Three Palestinians Killed In Israeli Raid; Fragile Truce Between Israeli Forces And Islamic Jihad Militants In Gaza; Serena Williams' Big Retirement Announcement. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired August 09, 2022 - 14:00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00]
CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: A very warm welcome to the show everyone, I'm Christina Macfarlane in for Isa Soares. Tonight, we've
entered a new and dramatic phase of the legal headache of former President Donald Trump. What we know about the unprecedented search warrant carried
out at Mar-a-Lago.
Then Ukraine accuses Russia of nuclear terrorism as the threat of disaster hangs over a nuclear plant in the middle of a war zone. And we're expected
to hear from the U.S. President any moment on Sweden and Finland's bid to join NATO, a move that the U.S. backs.
Now, Donald Trump and his allies are attempting damage control today after an extraordinary search of his home reveal that federal agents had probable
cause to suspect criminal activity. For the first time in U.S. history, FBI agents executed a search warrant at the personal residence of a former
president.
Sources tell CNN it involved the handling of presidential documents, including classified information that may have been taken to Mar-a-Lago.
They say the search focused on Trump's office and personal quarters, and boxes were carried away. Trump is trying to use the search to his political
advantage, stirring up outrage among his supporters by claiming a siege and occupation of his Florida estate.
He and fellow Republicans are accusing the government of weaponizing federal power against a political opponent. The current FBI director who
was appointed by Trump himself five years ago. Well, let's bring in CNN senior crime and justice reporter, Katelyn Polantz for more. She is live in
Washington.
And Katelyn, what more do we know on the details of this warrant? Have we learnt anything more at this stage as to why the FBI entered Trump's
residence?
KATELYN POLANTZ, CNN SENIOR CRIME & JUSTICE REPORTER: Well, the warrant at this point would be under seal, it would be secret, and we don't have a lot
of detail about what they were going after here, why they were going after it now. But what we do know is that this is a criminal investigation. It is
one that was able to obtain evidence for the investigation from Mar-a-Lago, the home of the former president.
And the Justice Department wouldn't have just done this on their own. They would have been able to get sign off from a federal judge that would be
required for them to get a search warrant like this. So, they would have had to make a strong showing that there would be evidence that would be
found there that could help them do their investigation.
And they would have also had to have revealed exactly what they were investigating. And so, that's a lot of information in the court system, we
just don't have access to yet. But what we do know about this search is that, it has been ongoing for some time. It's been about the handling of
classified documents at the end of the Trump presidency and after Donald Trump left office, returned to Mar-a-Lago to make it his primary residence.
Previously, we didn't know the national archives was very concerned about the handling of documents by this administration. They were able to seize
boxes, about 15 of them, from Mar-a-Lago earlier in the Spring. We know after that, there was a meeting between Trump's lawyers and the Justice
Department as this criminal probe was ongoing, and the Justice Department had stepped in to look at it.
And then we didn't know about what else has really happened between that June meeting and now. But clearly, there is a serious investigation here
that the Justice Department felt the need to physically go there. And that there is also a perception here in the U.S. that the steps that the Justice
Department is taking here, and the FBI are taking would be very much by the book. Christina?
MACFARLANE: And Katelyn, this comes in the last hour as we just heard the Federal Appeals Court has signed off on the house committee's request to
obtain access to Trump's tax returns. What more can you tell us?
POLANTZ: Right, I mean, it's not a great day for Donald Trump so far. What we learned from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, so, that's the appeals
court sitting in Washington D.C. below the Supreme Court, they ruled 3-0, unanimously against Donald Trump today, as he has been trying to block a
house committee, the House Ways and Means Committee from requesting his federal tax returns directly from the Treasury Department.
And this panel of three judges, included two Republican appointees, one Democratic appointee, they determined that this was within the scope of
what the House Ways and Means Committee was able to do. They were able to request these particular tax returns under the law. The law was valid. And
this wasn't something Trump was able to show, was retaliation by Democrats who hold the house right now.
All of that said, though this is a loss for Trump at the appeals level, this case dates back to 2019. He's been fighting it for some time. He's
lost repeatedly on court battles where he's trying to keep his tax returns out of the hands of the Democratic congress. But even on this ruling, he
could appeal. It could go all the way to the Supreme Court. Back to you.
[14:05:00]
MACFARLANE: Yes, he has tried to resist this for a long time. And Katelyn, thank you very much for bringing us up to date there. Now, back to the
search warrant in question. It's important to point out that U.S. presidential papers don't belong to presidents, they belong to the American
people, in the legal custody of the National Archives.
Now, we don't know if the investigation involves other matters as well, but we do know that the FBI had to meet a very high legal bar to search Mar-a-
Lago. Well, to get the warrant, they had to show probable cause that a specific federal crime was being committed, and that it was likely that
evidence would be found during the search.
The warrant had to be approved by a federal judge who conducted an independent review of the materials. OK, let's talk more about all these
legal issues at hand. We're joined by former U.S. federal prosecutor, Shan Wu. He's now a defense attorney. Thank you for joining us to help us break
this down.
I'm wondering as a former federal prosecutor, have you yourself ever been in a position to request a warrant like this? And regarding the
requirements I was just talking about there for probable cause. What does this suggest to you about the severity of this possible violation?
SHAN WU, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Many times I had requested a warrant, never on one of this sensitivity within the Justice Department. So, I think for our
viewers, it's important to distinguish the pure legal standard of probable cause by itself is not really that high of a standard. It's sort of more
likely than not, a bit more than 50 percent.
It's what's used to arrest and charge people. The significant legal standards here, as you were just talking about, are really the specific
articulation of what is the charge? What's the evidence? And the biggest bar was really having to run it up the chain within the Justice Department
to get clearance for this.
Same thing with the FBI, which actually, technically, is within the Justice Department. But they independently all would have had to satisfy the very
high ups, probably including the FBI director, including the attorney general. That they had specific, very strong evidence to present to a judge
to get the judge to agree with them that they should issue this warrant.
MACFARLANE: And Shan, this may be jumping a few steps down the line here, but just to clarify, because this warrant has been issued, this doesn't
necessarily mean that Donald Trump will be charged.
WU: That's exactly right. It means that there is a level of probable cause that a crime was committed. Whether you can link that to him, and whether
the Justice Department will decide that they would want to charge, because the evidence gathered from this, to them, could prove beyond a reasonable
doubt they could convict him.
They won't want to bring a case if they don't think they have the evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Although that's not the standard they
must meet for charging a probable cause, it's sufficient for that. But there's certainly going to be a lot of fog and smoke thrown up by the Trump
legal team even on the validity of this search warrant. They're going to toss around --
MACFARLANE: Yes --
WU: Concepts like violation of separation of power. So, there's ways to go before we'd reach the actual charge.
MACFARLANE: Yes, and it feels like that has already started. The timing of this is interesting to me as well. Because we know that law officials had
already been talking to Trump regarding these documents. There had been a dialogue, a conversation, an exchange. So, what has changed? Why is this
happening now?
WU: I think probably it's happening because since we saw reporting of a meeting in June where they were trying to get the documents, there's
probably been more back and forth. Something has happened either where they simply ran out of patience, didn't think there was really any real
compliance going on or, of course, the risk that they had some information that the documents could be at risk.
They could be destroyed, removed, et cetera. That's usually why, in a white-collar-type investigation, you would execute the search warrant
because you're worried that the evidence is going to disappear. And here, there could be digital as well as paper evidence.
MACFARLANE: So, what is the legal jeopardy here for Donald Trump? Will this ever bar him from running or holding office? Because that is an
important question right now, you know, with the months we have ahead of us.
WU: It certainly could. One of the statutes if you're concealing, altering or destroying the government property, carries with it potentially three
years and the disqualification from office. Now, that disqualification will certainly raise a lot of hot hairs on both sides about whether it can apply
to a former president. It certainly seems like it should on its face, it's right there.
But there are lots of legal arguments to be made. And of course, Trump's aides in the hole here is the Supreme Court that has a new conservative
majority. And I think -- like were just reporting by Katelyn on the taxes issue, the court of appeals, the lower courts, tend to actually follow the
law more.
By the time you reach the Supreme Court, they are in the business of interpreting the law. And there it becomes much more wishy-washy frankly.
MACFARLANE: Yes, Shan, as we said there, it's a long way to go on this. I'm sure we will have you back as this process evolves. Thank you very much
for now.
[14:10:00]
I want to turn live to Florida where we can go to our Leyla Santiago. She is near Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. Leyla, there are suggestions that Donald
Trump is already looking to seize on this to fire up his supporters. How has he been responding today? And how are the GOP rallying on this?
LEYLA SANTIAGO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, congressional Republicans are defending them -- are defending him, rather. We've seen a number of
statements, and I'll take you to one that came from the former Vice President, Mike Pence. He tweeted out, and I will read it to you. He says
"I share the deep concern of millions of Americans over the unprecedented search of the personal residence of President Trump. No former president of
the United States has ever been subject to a raid of their personal residence in American history."
And I've got to tell you, as we've been here today, as well as yesterday, we've seen a bit of that sentiment echoed by a lot of the supporters that
quite frankly are lining the streets in front of Mar-a-Lago, as well as the bridge where we are right now behind Mar-a-Lago. That is the private
residence of the former president.
And while we saw them yesterday in front of his home, today, it's a bit quiet. We do see some law enforcement at the entrance. But here on this
bridge where we've been all day, you see a lot of the base really kind of riled up by this. So, you know, the former president himself was the one
who made the announcement of the FBI executing this search warrant at his home.
And you are seeing the political ramifications of that. His base coming out to support him. The bit of the political divide. There are still some who
drive by here and yell out, not so kind words about the former president. So, that is the impact we're seeing just blocked away -- blocks away, from
his home.
And what we're hearing reflected in the statements of other Republican leaders defending the former president, and how the FBI executed this
search warrant. A search warrant, by the way, which was signed by a judge. So, that suggests that there were some sort of probable cause that could be
linked to criminal activity.
So, you know, still a lot of questions left unanswered by what the FBI took from the home. We know from Trump's attorney that some documents were taken
out of the home yesterday, during when the search warrant was executed. But in terms of the mood out here near his home, and within the Republican
Party, many coming to his defense here, Christina.
MACFARLANE: Yes, and as you say that, Leyla, it sounds like a very noisy backdrop of supporters there behind you. And the fact that, as you say,
Republicans seem to be rallying to his cause. Is this going to help Trump politically as he moves forward to try and run for re-election here?
SANTIAGO: Well, we'll have to wait and see. Obviously, he felt it was the right move to get -- to be the first to announce what was happening at his
private residence. But there has obviously been a lot of talk here in Florida about a potential run, and a potential bid for the White House by
former President Donald Trump.
So, you know, whether he moves forward with that or when he moves forward with that, if he decides to do so, will be something we'll have to wait and
see. But this is clearly a key moment for him. A development in his political career that we'll have to wait and see what the actual impact is
in terms of any potential future bid for the White House.
MACFARLANE: Yes, well, he's accustomed to using backdrops of adversity to his -- to his advantage, as we know. Leyla Santiago there, thank you very
much, from Mar-a-Lago. OK, we're moving on to Ukraine now because powerful explosion sent a massive plume of smoke soaring Tuesday at a Russian Air
Force base in Crimea.
But what caused it is not clear. Telegram video shows a mushroom cloud rising from the direction of the base. Officials say at least one person
was killed, and at least four others injured. Russia blames the blast of the detonation of aviation ammunition, not an attack. Ukraine says it can't
determine what triggered the blast.
Our CNN International correspondent David McKenzie is in Kyiv for us. David, those are pretty dramatic pictures we saw there of the blast. What
more, if anything, do we know at this point?
DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Christina, very dramatic pictures. And you can imagine those civilians there, they're
utter surprised that this large series of explosions happened in this part of Crimea, occupied by Russians, of course. The blast, according to a
Russian sources saying it happened at the Saky Airfield, the military airfield there.
[14:15:00]
The obvious question to pose, of course, is whether Ukrainians, the Ukrainian military have the capabilities to strike that far outside of its
controlled territory. Whether they have the weapons and the capability. So far though, of course, the Ukrainians saying they cannot comment on the
cause of these explosions.
At least, one person has died, according to the authorities in charge there in occupied Crimea. You saw scores of people leaving the scene, causing
traffic jams out of that western part of Crimea, and a very dramatic pictures there. And I think this will come out in the coming hours just
what exactly caused this, and whether it was a strike or an accident as the Russians seem to suggest. Christina?
MACFARLANE: And David, meanwhile, we know that the situation around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant remains extremely volatile. Yesterday, we were
hearing from the IAEA, them wanting to access the plant to assess the damage. Has there been any movement on that front?
MCKENZIE: Well, the Russians said they welcome any inspectors, but haven't made any moves, Christina, to actually make that happen. This plant is at a
contested zone, in a very contested zone of this conflict, and because of that, this is sparking fears around the region.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
MCKENZIE (voice-over): Drone footage of the Russian military right inside Europe's largest nuclear site. Ukrainian and western allies often blame
Russians for shielding their weapons here. Now, they accuse them of much worse.
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT, UKRAINE (through translator): We are actively informing the world about Russian nuclear blackmail, about the
shelling and mining of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
ANTONIO GUTERRES, SECRETARY-GENERAL, UNITED NATIONS: Any attack to a nuclear plant is a suicidal thing. And I hope that those attacks will end.
MCKENZIE: Ukraine blames Russia for shelling at the giant site, Russia blames Ukraine, but the attacks threaten six Soviet-era nuclear reactors.
The Atomic Energy Agency head says, there is a real threat of a nuclear disaster.
(on camera): And what is the consequences of that?
PETRO KOTIN, CHAIRMAN, ENERGOATOM: There could be a cloud, radioactive cloud. And then all consistencies will depend on the weather actually, and
what is the wind direction and where it will go and how strong is this wind? So --
MCKENZIE (voice-over): The head of Energoatom, Ukraine's nuclear company says that after the strikes, just one electrical cable is left intact,
powering the cooling of Zaporizhzhia's reactors. If the power supply and the backup fail, Europe faces the specter of a Fukushima-like disaster,
where the 2011 tsunami caused catastrophic reactor meltdowns.
KOTIN: This is dangerous actual situation because if the diesel stops, then you will have like already a disaster, this melting of nuclear
materials within one and half hour.
MCKENZIE: Back in March, Russian forces demonstrated their level of concern for nuclear safety as they took control of Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainians
say a 1,000 technicians are still held hostage. And as the war grinds on, the threat to the plant and Ukraine's energy security continues.
Ukrainian officials now believe Russia is trying to connect the plant to its own grid, attempting to cut off the country that they are determined to
conquer.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MCKENZIE: Christina, it is worth noting that, it would need a very large direct attack on a nuclear silo -- well, a reactor, I should say, for it to
be damaged. They are very heavily protected. But it's more this issue of the power supply, and that it has been damaged. And if the fail-safe also
goes, this could create some kind of accident that would be very dangerous for those on the site and beyond.
That is why they want this zone to get those inspectors and secure that site from any kind of military intervention, no matter who is doing it.
Christina?
MACFARLANE: If that were to happen, David, I mean, you talk about how dangerous this could be potentially, not just for Ukraine here, we're
talking but Europe itself, because this is the largest nuclear plant in Europe.
MCKENZIE: It is. And the worst-case scenario as that official described, would be a large-scale reactor leak or other issue or a meltdown caused by
a power interruption like happened at Fukushima. But there's also the opportunity for less severe incidents that could still be very serious.
You know, he mentioned that, obviously, they always have these plans in place, and safety and security is the paramount concern of those working in
a nuclear reactor like this.
[14:20:00]
But now, they also have to deal with Russians controlling that reactor, holding them hostage, effectively. And any kind of evacuation of the site
will have to go --
MACFARLANE: David, we'll have to break away there to bring you President Joe Biden who is signing the ratification of Sweden and Finland's accession
into NATO. Let's listen in.
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Members of Congress, thank you all for being here today. I think it's a pretty big day. Just a few months
ago, I welcomed -- I welcomed President Niinisto of Finland and the Prime Minister Andersson of Sweden to the White House to demonstrate the strong
support the United States had for Finland and Sweden's decision to apply for membership in NATO.
And two proud and independent countries, each with a long tradition, a long tradition of non-alignment, exercising their sovereign rights to make their
own decisions about their own security, and responding to the will of their citizens following the democratic processes they have chosen to join NATO.
It was and is a watershed moment, I believe, in the alliance, and for the greater security stability, not only of Europe and the United States, but
of the world. And today, we take another important step toward bringing Sweden and Finland in NATO. In just a few minutes, I'm going to sign the
U.S. document of ratification, making the United States the 23rd ally to approve Sweden and Finland's membership to the strongest, most powerful
defensive alliance in the history of the world.
I just got off the phone with both the president and the prime minister, they send their best.
(LAUGHTER)
And offer my congratulations on the enormous progress thus far. Together, we're committed that the United States, Finland and Sweden would continue
to remain vigilant against any threats to our shared security and deter any confrontation, and confront any aggression or threat of aggression that
might come up.
And I urge the remaining allies to complete their own ratification progress as quickly as possible. For more than seven decades, a strong united NATO
has been the foundation of America's security, not just in Europe, but quite frankly, the basis of our security around the world.
It's how we've led the world together with those nations that share our vision and even more importantly our values. It's critical now to deter
threats before they harm our people, our allies, and our interests. You know, it's how we address the instability and aggression. With allies at
our side, amplifying the capacity to respond effectively.
Sweden and Findan(ph) -- Sweden and Finland have strong democratic institutions, strong militaries, and strong and transparent economies. They
will meet every NATO requirement. We are confident of that, and we will make our alliance stronger and we'll make America and the American people
safer in the process.
That's why the United States Senate gave their voice and consent to Sweden and Finland's membership with overwhelming support, 95 votes in favor, near
-- a near-record pace. This year, we're celebrating significant bipartisan steps that are going to make our country stronger and enhance our ability
to lead the world.
We're showing the world the United States of America can still do big things. This nearly unanimous bipartisan ratification sends another
important message. The United States is committed -- the United States is committed to the Trans-Atlantic alliance. Together with our allies and
partners, we're going to right the future we want to see.
The future we want to see. And in a moment when Putin's Russia has shattered peace and security in Europe, when autocrats are challenging the
very foundations of a rule-based order, the strength of the Trans-Atlantic alliance and America's commitment to NATO is more important than it's ever
been.
That's why in June, in Madrid, at a pivotal NATO Summit, all 30 nations came together to invite Finland and Sweden to apply. It was a display of
allied unity, allied strength and allied resolve. Proof that NATO's door remains open to countries in Europe that share our values, and to meet the
high standards of our alliance.
Putin thought he could break us apart when this all started, he believed he could break us apart in my view, weaken our resolve. Instead, he's getting
exactly what he did not want. He wanted the finlandization of NATO, but he's getting the Natorization(ph) of Finland along with Sweden --
(APPLAUSE)
[14:25:00]
I really mean it. And seeking to join NATO, Finland and Sweden are making a sacred commitment in an attack against one, is an attack against all. It's
Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, and the core, the very core of our alliance. And our allies committed to Article 5, and it's stronger than
ever, that commitment.
The only time in history Article 5 has been evoked was on 9/11, when the United States was attacked, and all our allies rallied to our side. The
United States will never forget that, and we will never fail on our pledge to defend every inch of NATO. That's why, together with our allies, we're
taking steps to reinforce NATO's eastern flank and strengthen our deterrence against any threats of aggression toward the alliance.
You know, and we're going to be better able to meet the new challenges of a change to European security environment, with two strong, reliable, highly
capable new allies in the high north. You know, NATO was formed out of the wreckage of World War II, as we all know.
Where war, you know, just be straight about it, wars have repeatedly riven the continent and engulfed the world in conflicts. And there's no way to
avoid that if we were not together. NATO laid a new foundation for lasting peace and security. And through more than seven decades it follows. NATO
has proved the indispensable alliance committed to Europe whole, free, and at peace.
Today, we see all too clearly how NATO remains an indispensable alliance for the world of today and the world of tomorrow. Our alliance is closer
than ever. It is more united than ever. And when Finland and Sweden bring the number of allies to 32, we'll be stronger than ever. Stronger than
ever.
(APPLAUSE)
And this will benefit all our people, all of our people. Now, I'm going to go over that table there and sign a U.S. system of ratification.
Communicate the support of the United States for Finland and Sweden's membership in NATO. And thank you all for being here, and I want to ask the
ambassadors whether they're willing to come up and stand with me while I sign.
(APPLAUSE)
MACFARLANE: You have been listening to President Joe Biden there speaking from the White House, offering his congratulations to Finland and Sweden on
their ratification that the U.S. is signing into NATO. President Biden called NATO the strongest, most powerful defensive alliance in the world.
He said that the U.S. was showing the world that they can still do big things, and that at the moment, that Russia has shattered peace in Europe.
And that in doing so, Russia and President Putin are getting the opposite of what they wanted, which of course, is a stronger alliance in NATO.
And he finished by saying towards the end, that the NATO -- the door to joining NATO remains open for other nations who wish to do so. Let's bring
in CNN Pentagon correspondent Oren Liebermann who is live at the Pentagon for more on this big moment for NATO.
Oren, this was largely a ceremonial moment, I guess you could say because that bilateral decision was taken last week. But how symbolic and
significant was what President Biden was saying there when it comes to the strengthening of the alliance of NATO at this particular moment?
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's incredibly significant. And you made the point right there, Christina, about why it's
so important at this moment. The goal, at least ostensibly of Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, was to get NATO farther
away from his borders, farther away from Russia, and he's ended up doing the exact opposite.
Not only with Finland and Sweden now joining NATO, but also NATO countries moving more forces, more power, more manpower, towards the eastern flank of
NATO, that is closer towards Russia. So, he has accomplished exactly the opposite of at least what his stated goal was.
Now, of course, as you pointed out, the U.S. ratification is just part of what is a lengthy process, a process that is relentlessly moving forward in
Sweden and Finland joining NATO. But there are still a handful of countries that need to join or need to approve the joining of Finland and Sweden.
So that process needs to work out its own course. But however long that takes, whether it's a few weeks, a few months, until the end of the year,
that process is playing out right before our very eyes here. Significant expansion, and Finland and Sweden in joining NATO here.
It's also worth noting that these are not countries that have to be caught up with NATO standard weaponry, with a NATO standard military. They both
have very strong, very advanced militaries that will fold easily into the alliance. And this is something we've heard from officials here
repeatedly.
They -- even before they were members of NATO, they exercised routinely with NATO countries.
[14:30:00]
So, there is already more than just a familiarity here, it is a working together that will only expand now in the wake of what we have seen in
Ukraine over the course of the past few months.
And it's worth pointing out that that was really the driver of this. There was a lot of indifference, perhaps even a lot of the populations of these
countries that weren't in favor of joining NATO until Putin made the decision to invade Ukraine. And then, there was overwhelming support for
what we are seeing right there, for President Joe Biden signing of the approval, the ratification of the joining of NATO. And we will see this
play out in a few more countries before this process is completed.
MACFARLANE: And this also being seen as a big win for U.S. national security aside from anything else as well. Oren Liebermann there. Thank you
very much, Oren, for giving us the interview.
We are going to take a short break. But much more ahead, including this.
Gang violence, hunger, and an exodus of people. We will have an exclusive report from Haiti, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MACFARLANE: Welcome back. Haiti is descending into chaos. Gangs not control dozens of neighborhoods in the country's capital. Violence is
spilling out onto the streets and hundreds of people have been killed so far. Our International Security Editor Nick Paton Walsh has this exclusive
report from Port-au-Prince.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY EDITOR (voiceover): The descent into the abyss in Haiti is fastest here. For one certainty, is when
the police swat team we are with cross into gang territory, they will take fire.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're shooting. They're shooting.
WALSH (voiceover): It is now a blunt war for control of the capital.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Where are they shooting from?
[14:35:00]
WALSH (voiceover): The police need to prove that they can be here. The gangs, the police cannot. And it is ordinary citizens who are caught in
between. Here, a passenger on a civilian bus that was hit in the street.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): take the injured people to the hospital. Make sure you take them to the hospital with the armored vehicle.
You guys are close to there.
WALSH (voiceover): In the days before, police said they've rescued six hostages in this same area and killed a leader of the 400 Mawozo gang. But
police struggled to hold ground so the gangs, whose currency is kidnapping and drugs, are gaining far too much, especially right here.
Rounds hit the armored vehicle. They think that they see where the gunmen are.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): They building that says SMS. The yellow and red one.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Get away. You're too exposed. It's dangerous.
WALSH (voiceover): They run, but not like it is their first time under fire, perhaps even this day.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): As soon as we get to that point anything that movies, light it up.
WALSH (voiceover): They slide back, perhaps the gang have fled down the alley.
WALSH (on camera): It's this kind of intense violence that so many cite when they talk about Haiti's spiral towards collapse.
WALSH (voiceover): The firepower they bring does not in itself change who's in control. Gangs are able to block main roads at will with trucks.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Stay behind the wall there.
WALSH (voiceover): And it requires a major operation to clear them. We have seen these scenes play out in the last decades wars. But now, they
have come to these people's homes. And it is daily, terrifying.
Listen to this man stop himself from saying the wrong thing about the violence.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): It's bad, bad.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): What happened over there?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I don't know anything.
WALSH (voiceover): This is a world where even the bulldozers are armored.
WALSH (on camera): And how often do they come under fire?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Often.
WALSH (voiceover): Haiti's entire police force only have one armored car like this. Gangs now often match or outgun the police. They have a
bulldozer too, demolishing rival houses in one area, Cite Soleil.
Locals fled at night during 10 days of clashes in July that left over 470 dead, injured or missing, said the U.N. as the G9 gang expanded control,
burning and demolishing. Those who survived fled tonight here where a mix of flies and rain stop them from even sleeping.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): They burned my house in Cite Soleil and shot my husband seven times. I can't even afford to see him at
the hospital. Down here, the children are starving.
WALSH (voiceover): It is no life, but the U.N. has warned that infant still stuck in gang areas risk starvation as their parents struggle to get
food aid.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): The state abandoned us. We have to pay to even us the toilet.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I have four kids, but my first is missing and I can't find him. I looked for him everywhere, but I can't
find him.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): My mother and my father have died. My aunt saved me. I want to go to school, but it was torn down.
WALSH (voiceover): With the president assassinated a year ago, what is left of Haiti's emergency interim government is crumbling. The capital's
vital port is strangled by gangs who control the road outside as they do to here, the route to Haiti's entire south, where an earthquake struck also a
year ago.
In time neighborhoods are sealing them off with walls, these are new in July, as the gang spread in the north and east of the city, one security
force's source estimating they may control or influence three quarters of the capital.
To see where acute desperation can lead, we travel to where what's left of the government rarely treads. Don't be fooled by the beauty, there is no
paradise here, only hunger, heat, trash and the business of leaving. Traffickers boat out to the Bahamas, Cuba, Florida, if you are lucky. And
while these places are sending Haitians back in record numbers, the U.S. Coast Guard is also stopping four times as many this year as last. These
exits are what Johnny arranges.
[14:40:00]
JOHNNY, MIGRANT SMUGGLER (through translator): If we die, we die. If we make it, we make it. I am the one who buys the boat. It can cost up to
$15,000. We are hoping to get 250 people for the next trip, because the boat is big.
WALSH (voiceover): Not everybody made it on their last trip three months ago.
JOHNNY: The boat had an engine problem, water got inside of the boat, we called for help, but it took too long, 29 people died on that trip.
WALSH (voiceover): These are not people who usually share their trade secrets, but maybe now they are relaxed as the authorities are busy. The
boat is aging, scraps of the net plugging holes, engines not fixed yet. But this is where Johnny hopes that 250 people will huddle, maybe as early as
next week.
WALSH (on camera): I mean, not something you want to be in on dry land, let alone out at sea for days.
WALSH (voiceover): One man tells us why he saved for a year to get into here.
I graduated and worked as a teacher, he says, but it did not work out. Now, I am driving a motorcycle every day in the sun and the dust. How will I be
able to take care of my family when I have one? I am not afraid. I will be eaten by a shark or make it to America.
A hope so remote, it could only exist here, where they say the choice is between fire and water even if all day, every day, already feels like
drowning.
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MACFARLANE: Truly a horrendous situation for the people of Haiti there. OK. Still to come tonight, Israel launches a new military operation in the
West Bank at a time when tensions in the region are already high.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MACFARLANE: Welcome back. Rescue efforts to free 10 trapped miners in Northern Mexico have been hampered by unsafe conditions in a flooded
tunnel. New footage from a motion drone showed piles of wood and debris blocking access for search teams. Mexico's civil protection say they are
working around the clock to pump water from the tunnels, as parts of ongoing attempts to reach the men who have trapped since last week.
[14:45:00]
A Palestinian official say three men were killed during the Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank Tuesday. One of them was
Israel's apparent target, a man believed to be involved in a series of shooting attacks on Israeli's. According to Israeli statements, it's
security forces surrounded a building before launching shell defied missile. Members of the Islamic Jihad militant groups said its members were
involved in violent confrontations. Palestinian officials say around 40 people were injured in the clashes.
This operation in the West Bank comes as a fragile truce between Israeli forces and Islamic Jihad militants in Gaza continues to hold. Our Ben
Wedeman shows us the aftermath of the weekend of violence in Gaza.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): It is over, for now. The airstrikes, the rocket barrages have come to an end. But
in Gaza, it never ends. 16-year-old Mahamud (ph) surveys what, until Saturday, was his home in Gaza's (INAUDIBLE) neighborhood.
You feel like you don't have a life here, he says.
For more than 20 years, this mall strip of land home to more than 2 million people has reeled from one round of death and destruction to another. In
Gaza city, Shifa hospital, 10-year-old Miyar Shikyan (ph) is recovering from shrapnel wounds to her shoulder, chest, and abdomen. She was wounded
on her way to the corner store. Her 11-year-old cousin, Hasam (ph), was also wounded. Miyar (ph) mother, Mona, despairs for the children's future.
It seems when I die, she says, the generations after me will inherit bigger and bigger wars.
In the next room, two-year-old Bashear (ph) lies sleeping, shrapnel lodged in his head.
Outside the hospital, life goes on. The markets are bustling.
WEDEMAN (on camera): Gaza seems to have an incredible ability to bounce back, war after war. But each one of these wars leaves yet another layer of
scars.
WEDEMAN (voiceover): Psychologist Ayes Samur (ph) has been treating people here for decades. He lists the woes awaiting the young.
No work, no life, the feeling there's no tomorrow, he says. It's as if they are on death row, no hope, no optimism.
10-year-old Aktala (ph) tries to find buyers for his mint but no luck. Surviving war, surviving peace, it is all a struggle that never ends. Ben
Wedeman, CNN, Gaza City.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MACFARLANE: Our thanks to Ben for that. OK. Still to come tonight. Big news from the world of sport. I am terrible at goodbyes, those words from
Serena Williams. Details of the tennis superstar's major announcement, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:50:00]
MACFARLANE: Serena williams says she never liked the word retirement. But the tennis superstar's bombshell announcement indicates she is doing just
that after the upcoming U.S. Open. Williams posted on Instagram with a picture of herself on the cover of "Vogue," the title says, Serena's
farewell, I'm terrible at goodbyes.
William says, there comes a time in life when we have to decide to move in a different direction. That time is always hard when you love something so
much. But now, the countdown has begun. The 23-time Grand Slam winner turns 41 this month. Williams says she has to focus on being a mom. Well, Serena
and her older sister, Venus, transformed tennis over the past three decades.
Let's bring in CNN's Sports Analyst Christine Brennan, who is also a sports columnist at "USA Today."
Christine, it's great to speak to you again on this bombshell day because, Christine, this was always going to be a powerful, defining moment, not
just for tennis, but all of sports. As it is, she says she is evolving. But it's clear from the op-ed that she put out in "Vogue" that she is tormented
by this decision.
CHRISTINE BRENNAN, CNN SPORTS ANALYST AND SPORTS COLUMNIST, USA TODAY: Absolutely, Christina. Great to see you and be with you again, and talking
sports again with you.
And absolutely. This is a tough one for Serena. She is one of the great competitors, really, in sports worldwide, not just tennis. She's one of the
greatest of all-time in any sport, and she loves it. She loves to compete. You know, she always has said she is going for another Grand Slam title
even if she's been injured, and, of course, she gave birth, and coming back from that, and all of the things that she has been championing on the court
and off, obviously, equality for mothers, equal pay for moms, working mom issues, as well as, of course, being such an icon, not only as a woman in
tennis, but as a black woman in tennis.
And so, this is difficult. And I understand that. I think you understand that. And I think she's also very aware that she has so much else going on
in her life, especially her husband and her daughter, maybe another child at some point. And certainly, all the business opportunities in the world.
And that's always been with about Serena, Christina, is that it's much more than just tennis. She's always cared about other issues. And now, all those
other things will be there in her retirement.
MACFARLANE: Yes. I want to get to that point in just a moment, Christine. But just touching on what you were saying about the women now. It's
interesting to me that in this moment she also decided to reflect on the fact that it's because she is female that she has to step away from the
sport at this moment. I think that, for me, has been a theme of her career. You know, speaking up, redefining what it means to be a female athlete.
And she said in the article that she hoped that she has helped female athletes to be themselves. I mean, that in itself is a powerful legacy.
BRENNAN: Exactly, great point. And she certainly has. Yes, the answer is absolutely. She's helped so many others as someone who has been up there
and out there doing it first, a trailblazer, dealing with issues, being so honest. I mean -- and also, I mean, she is a muscular woman, a tall woman.
You know, it used to be that we kind of looked at that, we meaning society over the -- maybe 30 or 40 years ago, and thought, is that the look we want
for a female athlete? Well, in the last 10, 15 years the answer has been a resounding yes, absolutely.
So, in every way, she has led the way, Christina. In every step of the way she has just been born for this. And frankly, I can't wait to see what
comes next. Because we're surely going to see her. It's not like she's going to go away. But we will miss her on the tennis court. I mean,
obviously, one of the greatest --
MACFARLANE: Yes. And, Christine, we are going to see her at the U.S. Open, right? And there will be so much focus on now on whether she can go out
with a bang, you know, the Grand Slam 24th, tying Margaret Court's record. You and I have spoken about this so much over, what, the last, I don't
know, five, six years now.
And in these last few weeks, you know, that we will see her playing tennis for the rest of her career, how much -- how important is it for us to, in
fact, not fixate on that point?
BRENNAN: Right. This is -- let's -- you know, it's the end for her, sure. I think -- you know, I think, for her, it's -- let's appreciate the moment.
And by the way, I'm not sure we won't see her in exhibitions or hitting tennis balls again. She may well coach. You know, she would be an excellent
coach. I think there is also international coaching opportunities for her as well.
[14:55:00]
What's an interesting point though to have her be at the U.S. Open. 1999, I covered that first Grand Slam victory for Serena Williams. Her sister, of
course, both of them, such amazing athletes. And for it to come full circle, Christina, and now, to have her, if in fact, is the end, to have it
happen on that same court, her home court, what a grand stage that is for Serena Williams, if in fact, this will be the last time we see her in a
major or even on a tennis court.
MACFARLANE: Yes. It's going to be a huge moment for us all. And probably for yourself, Christine. I'm sure you will be there for that moment. I just
want to show our viewers something I believe Jean King sent to us just a couple hours ago. She gave us a statement on Serena, saying, when Serena
steps away from tennis, she will leave as the sport's greatest player, after a career that has inspired a new generation of players and fans. She
will forever be known as a champion who won on the court and raised the global profile of sports off of it. That is exactly what Christine Brennan
has just been saying to us.
Christine, thank you for your insight. Great to speak to you again.
And thank you all for watching tonight. Stay with CNN. "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS" is coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:00:00]
END
