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New Day

ISIS Threat; Interview with Rep. Keith Ellison; Former SEAL Shares Story of Becoming a Woman

Aired September 04, 2014 - 08:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Right now, NATO is meeting to discuss many issues, specifically the terror group ISIS. Our next guest is particularly touched by this threat. Two men from his district joined the fight for ISIS. He is Congressman Keith Ellison. He's a Democrat from Minnesota and the co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. And as ISIS continues to pervert Islam, it's worth mentioning that Congressman Ellison is one of two Muslim lawmakers. He joins us now.

Congressman, it's very good to have you here. I want to talk about what you're witnessing firsthand in your state. But first I want to talk to you on a personal level. As a member of the faith, a Muslim, do you believe the Islamic community has come out strongly enough denouncing the acts of extremists who hold up the banner of Islam in their own cause? On a personal level and on a state level, do you think we've heard enough?

REP. KEITH ELLISON (D), MINNESOTA: Well, I think that if you just check the record, Muslim organizations and individuals and leaders have come out foursquare (ph) in opposition to terrorism, to ISIS, to Hezbollah, to groups that engage in this sort of behavior. There's no doubt about it, if you look back, even to 9/11, you know, many of the people who died in that crisis were Muslim, many of the first responders were Muslim. In fact, one young man named Salman Mohammad Hamdani (ph) lost his life as a first responder trying to save other Americans. So I think, yes, people have been vocal. They need to continue to be that, as all Americans do. But I think that it's important for Muslim leaders to signal that there's nothing that ISIS is doing that bears any resemblance to the faith that we practice every day and that we need to reject and condemn their perversion of what we believe in.

CUOMO: And I ask you because, you know, you have these guys at NATO right now, right, and they're the names that we hear all the time.

ELLISON: Right.

CUOMO: But you don't hear Jordan, you don't hear Turkey, you don't hear Saudi Arabia. Yes, the Grand Mufti came out and said they - he condemned ISIS and they gave, you know, $100 million to the U.N. And they said the U.N. is the only one who can combat terrorism. Why aren't those countries stepping up and saying, we'll put boots on the ground, we will go and fight these because it's even more important to us?

ELLISON: Well, I mean, I think if you look at Jordan, Jordan has taken on refugees from Iraq, Syria, and has one of the most effective anti- terrorism agencies in the region. I mean that's just a matter of record. You should call an international anti-terrorism expert on to talk about the good work that they do. Saudi Arabia, I do - I can tell you that they've been foursquare on this. National security experts will tell you that they're in the fight, fighting terrorism too. And, of course, Turkey is as well.

Now, you may - you -- maybe they need to work more on PR. I don't know. But I can tell you that these are --

CUOMO: No, but when we say boots on the ground, everybody says, boots on the ground, will the U.S. be there. Don't you think - you know, let's put that question to the side.

ELLISON: Well - well, the Iraqis --

CUOMO: Don't you think the first boots there should be from that region? That's all I'm asking you.

ELLISON: I think that -- I hear you. I think the first boots there need to be Iraqi boots, right? This is their country.

CUOMO: (INAUDIBLE).

ELLISON: They're a sovereign nation. And they're the ones who should be called upon to defend their country, without regard to religion, right?

CUOMO: Right.

ELLISON: Any one of any faith or sect who is Iraqi needs to be the one carrying the fight to ISIS. And, of course, I will also tell you that the first problem I think is not necessarily military, but it's essentially political. And I think President Obama and the international community, including the region, has done, has made an important first step by making sure that Nuri al Maliki is not the head of state of that country, and that now that the new government that is formed will include the Sunni tribal leaders and the Sunni -- the regional leaders to make sure that ISIS cannot exploit grievance based on exclusion of the Sunnis.

So I think those political matters are forming right now, but they need to continue. And I think you're right when you say that the region needs to be right there at the table to help make sure that ISIS is suppressed and that the Sunni, the legitimate Sunni voice, is included in the governance of Iraq.

CUOMO: Now, an example of how difficult it is to control this problem is not seen abroad, it's seen right here at home, even in your own home state of Minnesota. People will be surprised to hear that there would be any kind of significant population of North Africans or Muslims in Minnesota. But I've been there. I've seen the problems that you're fighting with. Tell us about it. ELLISON: Well, let me tell you, we're really proud of our Somali

population. They make awesome contributions to our community. But there are certain individuals, a tiny number, only two -- we're talking about two people. We're not talking about communities here.

CUOMO: Right.

ELLISON: We're talking about two individuals. One of them is African- American. One of them is Somali, allegedly. So I don't want to overblow the problem.

CUOMO: Sure.

ELLISON: But we are concerned about it. And I think it is important to continue to do a few things. One, we need to continue to argue to people that whatever grievance you may have with U.S. foreign policy or anything like that, these things can be addressed, but then your constitutional rights as an American to safely and peacefully express your view as to what our country should or should not be doing. To take up arms for a foreign army that is terrorist in its organization like ISIS is unacceptable and we cannot tolerate it.

Now, let me also say, but it's not just a matter of what we do here. I mean we've got to - we've got to work with Turkey to make sure that, you know, people don't fly from here to Istanbul to go to join ISIS. That's been one of the routes that people have taken. We need to work with our NATO ally to help close off that avenue. We've got to close off financial resources. We've got to tighten the noose around ISIS financially in terms of recruitment and things like that.

But I've got to tell you, Chris, I think it's very important for us to realize that one of the things that ISIS banks on, and this is a fact, they bank on an exaggerated response that causes collateral damage, because they use it as a recruiting tool. So it's important for us to not go beyond what is warranted by the facts. It's very important for us to do what is necessary, but not more than is necessary, because they're hoping to be able to go to somebody and say, see, you've been aggrieved. Your family was a collateral damage. Your family was mistreated in some way. So then come join us. That is one of the ways they try to recruit, and we should not help them in that endeavor.

CUOMO: Yes, you make a very strong point there, congressman. People look at the videos of these beheadings and say, these ISIS people, they must be asking for trouble.

ELLISON: Right.

CUOMO: But they're forgetting that every time we attack them --

ELLISON: They are asking for trouble.

CUOMO: That's right. They are literally asking for trouble because it helps them recruit.

ELLISON: Yes - yes -- right. Right. They are trying to draw us in. It's very -- look, the world knows that the United States is a country that is - it believes in its strength, OK? And they're hoping that we will have a response in excess of what is necessary. That's why the boots on the ground must be Iraqi boots. It must be young Iraqi men and women and people -- Iraqi of all ages, defending their country. Now, if we're going to support it, it should be diplomatically, politically, and there might be a role for air support, but this has got to be their fight because we do not want to help them say, well, hey, we're being invaded by the United States again, so come join this fight. No, that's not what's going to - that's not what should happen. What should happen is, that the international community should get around Iraq. Iraqis should fight this fight on the ground. And if the international community needs to support it, then that's warranted. But at the end of the day, ISIS is a cancer. They are a danger in their perversion, and their -- I'm personally offended how they distort the faith that I'm a member of.

CUOMO: And it's important now because we keep throwing the word "Islamic" around, somewhat legitimizing their role that they are --

ELLISON: I'll call them -

CUOMO: Right.

ELLISON: Right, I call them "Islamic" with quotes on it.

CUOMO: Right.

ELLISON: I mean, you know, there's nothing in Islam that allows you to murder innocent people. What they've done to the Yazidis is an outrage. There is nothing in it that can be condoned. And I encourage people of all faiths to condemn what they are doing. They are bandits. They're criminals. And I would also add, Chris, that they like to use the veneer of religious respectability. They want to be -- they want to look like they're the standard-bearers for the faith -

CUOMO: Right.

ELLISON: But they're nothing close to that.

CUOMO: There's nothing --

ELLISON: In fact, they are opponents of it.

CUOMO: There is nothing righteous in their cause. On that, all should agree.

ELLISON: Nothing. Nothing at all.

CUOMO: Congressman, thank you very much for what you had to say this morning.

ELLISON: Thanks, Chris.

CUOMO: And I look forward to getting back up to Minnesota with you and see the good work you're doing there.

ELLISON: Hey, come on down. CUOMO: All right. Now, someone else we want to introduce you to this

morning is Kristin Beck, a decorated Navy SEAL. She was also once a man. We're going to talk with her about her most personal and most difficult mission ever. That would be her transition from male to female, when NEW DAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: All right, here we go with the five things you need to know for your new day.

At number one, the NATO Summit now underway in Wales. The leaders will tackle the growing ISIS threat and continued Russian aggression in Ukraine, among other critical topics.

Russia's foreign minister says Ukraine's NATO ambitions may derail peace talks in Belarus tomorrow. Russian-Ukraine have said they are working on a deal to end months of fighting in eastern Ukraine, but no cease-fire deal is on the table right now.

The Justice Department expected to announce today an investigation into police practices in Ferguson, Missouri. This is separate from a civil rights probe into the Michael Brown shooting itself.

The third American to be infected with the Ebola virus has been identified as Dr. Rick Sacra. Dr. Sacra had gone to Liberia after Nancy Writebol and Dr. Kent Brantly contracted the disease in July.

Former Israeli President Shimon Perez and Pope Francis meeting this morning at the Vatican. Perez updated the pontiff on the Israeli- Palestinian cease-fire and the wave of terrorism now gripping the Middle East.

We do update those five things to know, so be sure to visit newdaycnn.com for the very latest.

A former Navy SEAL's incredible and brave story. Deciding after 20 years and 13 deployments as a member as the elite SEAL Team 6 to make the transition to being a woman. I'll speak with Kristin Beck, live, next.

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(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Chris Beck, awesome to party with, you know, total life of the party. We partied down in Tampa, we partied in San Diego. Put alcohol in him, he was good to go. But when he was sober, yes, he was a pain in the ass.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look at that mean look. Holy Toledo.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He did a lot of things that were on the verge of suicidal. You know, trying to hide under this mask of bravado. Putting himself in harm's way, going on voluntary deployments consistently. You only had to go so many times, but he did, what? 14, something like that. That, to me, is almost suicidal.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

PEREIRA: That was a look at the new CNN film, "LADY VALOR". It airs tonight. It looks at the life of a former SEAL Team 6 member with quite a shocking secret. After retiring after 20 years of active duty service and 13, count them, 13 deployments as a Navy SEAL, Christopher Beck made the brave decision to transition to a woman. The film looks at Beck's journey and his new start as Kristin. Kristin Beck joins me now from Atlanta. Kristin, how was it, first of all, to see your life in film, especially your story?

KRISTIN BECK, RETIRED UNITED STATES NAVY SEAL: Good morning, Michaela. It was, it was difficult. It was quite a journey. And we're still working on that journey. I think everyone in life, you know, continue the journey and just work as hard as you can and do the best you can. I'm always going to try to do my best.

PEREIRA: Brave of you to tell about this journey, because I know it has been very difficult. I want to go back to the fact that SEAL Team 6, 13 deployments. This is a masculine, warrior environment. There is some irony there. What were you driven to or drawn to about life as a Navy SEAL?

BECK: As a Navy SEAL, you know, it's the toughest of the tough, but its also the defenders of America, just like a lot of people in the military. And it was just doing the best I could. And the best I could was the Navy SEALS.

PEREIRA: You said you were happiest when you were deployed. Explain that to us.

BECK: Well, I was happiest as I was deployed because I was over there, you know, with my teammates. And we lose a lot of guys in combat. I lost a lot of guys along the way, and every time you leave, you still feel remorse and you want to get back over there, protecting your comrades in arms and doing the fight, you know? Fighting for liberty and justice.

PEREIRA: But I get a sense, too, Kristin, that 13 deployments. You went above and beyond above and beyond. Do you think that it was drowning out some of the noise in your own head?

BECK: Yes, definitely drowning out some of the noise. I think that a lot of guys come back, PTSD and everything else, and it's difficult reasserting yourself into civilian society after the rigors of combat. The war is something that no one should ever have to endure, but its something that we're stuck with as human beings and I don't know why. It would be nice to get rid of it. But we have it, and when you come back, it's difficult. And I also had my difficulties because of my extra journey.

PEREIRA: Right.

BECK: So we're working on it. PEREIRA: Absolutely. We all are, Kristin. And you speak about PTSD,

and there are going to be people, and I'm sure you've had your share of critics, and I know you've shared about the fact that you've had your share of hate mail, et cetera, et cetera, that are going to just say oh, this is some sort of PTSD reaction. But this isn't. This has been a journey for you for many years.

BECK: For my entire life. Its a non-ending journey. We're born the way we are. People say this is a wrong body, this is not the wrong body, this is not my wrong life. This is the life I was given. These are the troubles and the lessons I need to learn to become a better person and maybe to become a better spirit or soul or whatever you want to call it. But this journey was given to me and I'm going to take it onboard and do the best can i.

PEREIRA: Good for you. You've got family and friends around you, but we also know that as you go through your journey, it's one thing, but its also a journey for them and they have to come at it in their own time and process. And even in the film, a very dear friend of yours talks about you with such emotion and so glad that you're home and safe, but in that emotion, refers to you as a he.

BECK: Yes, it happens. I mean, people knew me as Christopher for 40- something years. And it's a little difficult for them, sometimes. And sometimes they just slip up. But you have to let people grow with it also. It's a journey that I've had my entire life, but maybe some folks only get to be part of this journey right now.

PEREIRA: Sure.

BECK: So it's brand-new for them. So give them a chance, they're going to figure it out. You know when people are being disrespectful, and you know when people just make a mistake. If you make a mistake, I'm going to give you some time to forgive you and I'm going to let you know, hey, this right here, this is me, this is Kristin Beck. And then we can go on from there.

PEREIRA: We can go on from there.

BECK: Yes.

PEREIRA: And your family, how has that been?

BECK: It's, it's still - - it's a work in progress, but isn't every family?

PEREIRA: Isn't every family?

BECK: Growing up and, you know, living with my father, a football coach, my mother was a schoolteacher, and holy cow, the ruler would come out sometimes. But everybody has families. And we have difficulties.

PEREIRA: We do.

BECK: You can never really hate them. Sometimes I don't like them, but it's -- there's always going to be, you know, that love and that support behind the scenes. And a little scolding here and there along the way.

PEREIRA: They're the ones that keep us honest, right?

BECK: They have to be there.

PEREIRA: Let me ask you, when you see the images of Christopher and you think about the 13 deployments, the brotherhood, the service, the challenges. I mean, you were the baddest of the bad. SEAL Team 6. What does it feel like inside? I know you're fiercely proud, and in fact, you're still working as a consultant and a contractor with aspects of the military. What does it feel like when you see Christopher now?

BECK: That's me. So the person you see on there with the big beard and everything else, that is me right there and this is me right now that you're seeing right now. I can never deny that. That's -- like I said, that's part of my journey. I had to go through all of that to get where I am today. And if we deny that, we try to push that down, then what does that make you? So I just -- I don't embrace it. I'm like, yes, that was me, and the toughest of the tough, and you keep saying that about me, but there's a lot of people out there. You know, cancer survivors, one of my friends is a four-time cancer survivor, that's the toughest of the tough. And there are so many people on this earth, everybody has a tough journey, and I hate comparing it, I don't want to compare it. Everyone out there has a tough journey and I just want to try to lend out a helping hand to whoever I can and just try to get past this (inaudible).

PEREIRA: Leading with your heart.

BECK: Yes, ma'am.

PEREIRA: Kristin, you are the toughest of the tough. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Keep on holding your head proudly as you go, okay?

BECK: Thank you.

PEREIRA: A real pleasure to speak with you today. I want you to catch this film, "LADY VALOR." If you are thinking you have ideas about all this, I challenge you to watch the film, you might change your mind, open your heart a little bit. Tonight at 9:00 p.m. right here on CNN.

We've got the Good Stuff coming up, stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CUOMO: Twisted Sister for a twisted situation. It is time for the Good Stuff. Today's dish is a little unusual.

PEREIRA: Right.

BOLDUAN: It's complicated.

CUOMO: And here's why, it starts from the very bad stuff.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

CUOMO (voice-over): A beautiful couple we want to tell you about, they both have cerebral palsy, they're relaxing at the Northgate Mall in Seattle. They're both in wheelchairs, as you can see. They live life to the fullest. Now, who would rip someone off like this, defenseless? Here's who. Take a good look at these guys, Seattle. I'm talking to you. They scope the couple out and then the guy in red does the unthinkable. He's going to yank the tablet out of Carolyn's hand and run away. Just did it. There's the crime, okay? Now, this is obviously the bad stuff. What makes it the Good Stuff? Two things. First, the character and the bravery of the victims have already forgiven these guys. Listen.

CAROLYN, VICTIM OF MALL ROBBERY: They've got bigger problems than I do.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You really feel sorry for these people? You feel like they have it worse off if they're willing to stoop to doing something like this?

CAROLYN: Yes, I do.

CUOMO: The power of perspective - -

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): No kidding.

CUOMO: - - is what Carolyn just showed us. The second reason, because we're going to get these guys, take a close look. Spread it around, if you were in the mall, look, you can't see the face feature for feature, but it was a distinctive shirt, it was a distinctive outfit, hairdo.

BOLDUAN: Someone always knows.

CUOMO: Yes. If you have any information, look at the number on your screen. I know everybody's busy in the morning, getting out, take a look. 1-800-222-tips. That's what will make it the Good Stuff.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

CUOMO (on camera): A lot of news this morning for you as well. Lets get you right to the "NEWSROOM" and Carol Costello. Hey, Carol.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Alright, I wrote the number down. Don't worry.