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New Day
Severe Flooding in South Carolina; Rosenstein Discussed Taping Trump; Ford Agrees to Testify Publically; Woods Wins Tournament. Aired 6:30-7a ET
Aired September 24, 2018 - 06:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[06:32:31] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: We have some breaking news.
Iran is announcing it has arrested most of the terrorists it says involved in Saturday's deadly attack on a military parade. Speaking at a funeral for victims, the intelligence minister said that some suspects were killed or captured and they're still working to find everyone else involved. Twenty-nine people were killed, 70 others wounded in the attack. Earlier, Tehran claimed -- blamed, I should say, American and Saudi Arabia for the violence. Now despite that claim, an ISIS affiliated news agency is circulating a video claiming to show three of the four attackers accused of carrying out the blast.
ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: Bill Cosby will find out his sentence this week. He, of course, was convicted of aggravated assault charges for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004. Prosecutors plan to push for the maximum 30 year prison term for the 81-year-old disgraced comedian. The hearing could last two days. The first order of business to determine Cosby's status as a sexually violent predator. Constand has the option to give a victim impact statement. Cosby can then speak to the court.
BERMAN: All right, brace yourself for some pretty crazy flight video. An Air France flight swept sideways by powerful wind gusts as it was going in for a landing at Birmingham Airport in the United Kingdom. Just feet from touchdown. Watch this. Yikes. The landing was aborted and you can see it taking off there again after sort of going down sideways.
HILL: Oh.
BERMAN: The plane attempted a second approach and landed safely 15 minutes later, but (INAUDIBLE).
HILL: Really glad I wasn't onboard. That must have felt like the -- must have felt like the longest 15 minutes of their life. That is a -- yes.
Meantime, the rain has subsided. Flooding, though, remains a major threat across parts of the Carolinas. Six rivers, four of them in North Carolina, are at major flood stages. Severe flooding is now anticipated near the South Carolina coast as well. CNN meteorologist Chad Myers has more with your forecast.
Chad.
CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: All right, we've been talking about this, Erica, now for more than a week, but the water is still running downhill, so some areas still have water rising. And there are still over 400 roads that are closed in North Carolina.
This weather is brought to you by Purina, your pet our passion. So let's get to it.
Rivers are still going up. The Waccamaw River near Conway, have a reporter there, going to 22 feet this week. The old record was less than 18. So not even flood stage, but over record flood stage by four feet there and more rain is in the forecast for today and for tonight for some areas. Now, we're not talking about the significant rain that we saw with 20 and 30 inches, but four to six inches in places that are already flooding, the ground's not going to take it, it's just going to come back up. These rivers could actually go back up.
[06:35:12] Eight-five today with a chance of showers. Eighty percent for Conway. And so, yes, you will get some rain, probably two to three inches there. It does get cool in the northeast for today, but warming up by the middle of the week.
John.
BERMAN: Chad, great to have you with us. Chad Myers, thanks very much.
MYERS: You're welcome.
BERMAN: The deputy attorney general, Rod Rosenstein, does he still have a job this morning? New fallout from that explosive report that the deputy AG wanted to record the president perhaps talking about the 25th Amendment to have him removed from office. We have new details, next.
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HILL: President Trump's allies urging him not to fire Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein after a "New York Times" report alleges Rosenstein floated the idea of secretly recording the president and recruiting cabinet members to remove him from office.
[06:40:06] (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEAN HANNITY, HOST, FOX NEWS: I have a message for the president tonight, under zero circumstances should the president fire anybody.
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: He shouldn't fire Rosenstein unless you believe Rosenstein is lying. He said he did not do the things alleged.
REP. TREY GOWDY (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: Rod deserves the right to be heard. And I'm sure at some point the president will bring Rod in and say, Rod, if you think I am incompetent, if you feel the need to wear a wire when you're talking to me, then why are you serving in my administration?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Joining me now, CNN national security analyst and former director of both the CIA and NSA, General Michael Hayden.
General, always good to have you with us.
And I'm just curious, your take, first of all, on this report in "The New York Times"?
GEN. MICHAEL HAYDEN, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST Well, there's something in there for everyone, isn't there?
HILL: Yes.
HAYDEN: I mean if you're -- if you're a supporter of the president, there you have it, it's the deep state. What further need do we have of discussion.
On the other hand, one could ask the question, how could a newly appointed deputy attorney general, appointed by this president, find things so chaotic within the administration he it -- he would even have to speculate about wearing a wire into the Oval Office to record a president. And so I think it's a reflection of perhaps the style of government that we have.
Let me just add one additional point that I think is more important. What you just played were tactical considerations. Does he stay, does he go before or after the midterms? But at the strategic level, what you've got -- clearly, he was elected for this -- is the most norm busting president in American history. And now you've got the institutions of the American government trying to hold their ground, in most cases trying to support the rule of law, but in doing that they are sorely tempted very often to violate their own norms as a way of self-defense. And I think that's exactly what played out here.
HILL: What does it take, though, to get someone to that point, because as you point out, the reporting in this piece -- and we should say that in his initial statement Rosenstein called it inaccurate. He said that, you know -- he said that the reporting here was inaccurate, did not specifically deny that he had floated the idea of recording. He then came out with a second statement, and in that second statement, which I want to put up for folks in case you didn't see it over the weekend, noting, I never pursued or authorized recording the president and any suggestion that I have ever advocated for the removal of the president is absolutely false.
What's interesting in that second statement is he still doesn't denying that perhaps the idea of recording was floated.
HAYDEN: Right.
HILL: What would it take, just based on your experience, to push someone in that position to the point that they may even consider something like that?
HAYDEN: Well, let's put out a couple of data points here. Number one, you've got the anonymous op-ed to "The New York Times" about someone staying in government to control the president. You have multiple antidotes in Bob Woodward's book "Wired." And now -- or "Fear." And now you've got the Rosenstein story.
What's the common denominator? Where do all the lines cross? They cross at the president. And I do think that what we've got here is, let me be kind, a very untraditional president acting in a way that is not bounded by the normal norms of the office. And, most importantly, presidential actions is less bound by law or Constitution than it is by accepted norms. And here we have a president, in the view of many of the institutions of government, coloring outside the lines fairly routinely.
HILL: One of the things that you've pointed out off the top, which I think is an excellent way to sum this up, is that there's something in this article for everyone, and there really is, because almost as soon as this was published, you could cue the conspiracy theories, talking about the timing, talking about what the president should do, what he shouldn't do. Yes, he should fire him. No, he shouldn't. Does the report -- could it also, in some ways, if ultimately the special counsel comes out with findings that the president does not like, does this also give the president some cover in saying, well, look, I knew for a long time that Rosenstein was -- you know, who was overseeing this was not on my side. I didn't do anything because I was playing by the rules, but, here we go?
HAYDEN: Exactly so. And, again, that's one of the -- one of the great temptations for the folks inside government to make sure that they are absolutely pure in their approach to this, because if we get to a dark moment internationally, we need as many of America's citizens to believe that the process was sufficiently fair, that this judgment is the correct judgment and that they should support it.
HILL: Really quickly before we let you go, what do you think the impact is of this reporting, of all the reaction that we've seen from the players and even folks on the sidelines? What's the impact?
HAYDEN: Well, the impact for those still inside government, I know if I were still inside government, I would be telling my workforce, I can't -- I can't effect what the president says an awful lot of the time, I cannot effect some other reactions that that engenders inside the federal bureaucracy. We've got to play in our lane. We've got to block and tackle. And I'd probably add, if there's any larger issues to be addressed here, it's my business as the director. You just do your work. We need you to perform well.
[06:45:24] HILL: General Michael Hayden, always appreciate you joining us. Thank you.
HAYDEN: Thank you.
BERMAN: She has been thrusts into the national stage. So what do we know about Christine Blasey Ford, who says she was sexually assaulted by Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh? What we know about what she is dealing with head into Thursday's hearing and how she's preparing? We've learned quite a bit over the weekend. We'll tell you what, next.
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BERMAN: Christine Blasey Ford says she was assaulted, sexually assaulted by Brett Kavanaugh 36 years ago. Kavanaugh denies it. Since this allegation has surfaced, Professor Ford has been thrusts into the spotlight. CNN has been learning from friends and colleagues how she is handling all of this attention, unwanted attention we might add, and the impact that these sexual assault allegations have had on her life.
[06:50:08] CNN's MJ Lee is live in Palo Alto, California, with the very latest.
MJ.
MJ LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, John.
Well, Christine Blasey Ford has been so intensely under the national spotlight that you might even forget that she initially, of course, did not want her identity to be revealed. And it is safe to say that since coming forward one week ago her life has been thrown into turmoil.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEE (voice over): Christine Blasey Ford's life suddenly turned upside down after a stunning allegation that Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her more than three decades ago.
ANA CABRERA, CNN ANCHOR: The woman accusing him of sexual assault when the two were both in high school has come forward. Her name is Christine Blasey Ford.
LEE: Ford says a drunk Kavanaugh forced her into a bedroom at a house party, then groped her and attempted to remove her clothing, as he put his hand over her mouth.
Kavanaugh has forcefully denied the allegations, saying, I have never done anything like what the accuser describes to her or to anyone.
As Kavanaugh's allies question her story, Ford's long-time friends describe the mother of two psychology professor as loyal and honest.
SAMU QURESHI, BLASEY FORD'S FRIEND: She's the last person I could possibly imagine would ever make up such a story because she's such a kind-hearted, caring person.
LEE: An avid surfer with a love for the ocean, dedicated to her family, as well as her research and intensely devoted to accuracy.
SAMANTHA GUERRY, BLASEY FORD'S FRIEND: She's a biostatistician. Someone who's really devoted her career to accuracy and data and facts. She's someone who doesn't put pen to paper unless she can prove it.
LEE: According to "The Washington Post," Ford first spoke about the alleged assault in 2012, when she told her husband and her therapist. Her close friends say Ford is still haunted by the encounter. They tell CNN that she is uncomfortable in rooms without multiple exit routes and that the 51-year-old does not like to fly on airplanes because it is a closed space from which you cannot escape. Her husband, Russell Ford, telling "The Washington Post," when Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement in June, his wife dreaded Kavnaugh's nomination. He says she contemplated moving out of the country, even as far away as New Zealand. Since coming forward, Ford has gone into hiding.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're just taking care of their dog. She's fine. She's not interested in talking to you guys, though.
LEE: She has met with the FBI to discuss death threats her lawyers say she's received.
LISA BANKS, BLASEY FORD'S ATTORNEY: She's been spending her time trying to figure out how to put her life back together, how to protect herself and her family.
LEE: As she prepares to travel to Washington, D.C., to testify in front of senators.
SEN. CHUCK GRASSLEY, (R), IOWA: Well, I'm not worried about anything other than just focusing for the next few days on encouraging her to come.
LEE: Some of her neighbors in Palo Alto say Ford has their full support.
KRISTEN PODULKA, NEIGHBOR: She's a hero. That she's an absolute hero of women as a female during this Me Too era, if you will. I believe every word she says. And she truly -- the word I keep using is hero.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEE: Now, we have barely heard from Ford over the last week and we'll see if she or her lawyers have any reaction to that "New Yorker" story and whether that new allegation against Brett Kavanaugh end up affecting Ford's testimony on Thursday.
Erica.
HILL: MJ Lee with the latest for us in Palo Alto.
MJ, thank you.
Tiger Woods making a remarkable comeback, winning his first tournament in Five years. The "Bleacher Report" is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[06:57:54] HILL: Tiger Woods back on top of the golf world after winning the tour championship.
And Scholes has more in this morning's "Bleacher Report."
Andy, good morning.
ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, Erica.
You know, this is Tiger's first win of the PGA tour since 2013. And if you needed a reminder of how much he means to the game of golf, the scene at East Lake was just that. Look at all the fans in the gallery running, cheering for Tiger as he walked up 18 on the way to victory. It was just an incredible scene. And after multiple back surgeries, Tiger said he didn't know if he'd ever be back after putting in for his 80th PGA win of his career, Tiger raised his arms in the air to celebrate, and then he got pretty emotional when talking about his comeback.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TIGER WOODS, PROFESSIONAL GOLFER: I just can't believe I -- I pulled this off after, you know, what the season's gone though and -- um --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCHOLES: So it has been 1,876 days since Tiger last one the PGA tour. In that time there have been 239 tournaments in which 119 different people won.
And after his first win in five years, Tiger spoke with CNN's Patrick Snell.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WOODS: It's been unbelievable to get to this level again. I didn't know if that would ever happen again. And low and behold here we are. Worked through the -- an unknown. And that was the hardest part. It wasn't unknown. I didn't know if I'd -- what -- I'd be able to do this again or at what level, to what degree, and here we are with 80 wins. It's a pretty cool number.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCHOLES: And Tiger is now off to Paris, where he's going to compete for Team USA in the Ryder Cup.
And, guys, in case you're wondering, Tiger is the favorite to win at the 2019 Masters.
BERMAN: Andy Scholes, I appreciate that.
And, more importantly, I appreciate you not bringing up the Patriots, who were awful. Who are a bad football team.
SCHOLES: Not going to focus (ph) on Sunday night football. One and two for the first time in -- since 2012, John.
BERMAN: They're a bad football team.
Andy Scholes, thanks for being with us. Appreciate it.
SCHOLES: All right.
BERMAN: Thank you to our international viewers for watching. For you, CNN "TALK" is next. For our U.S. viewers, NEW DAY continues right now.
[07:00:04] (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: Dianne Feinstein calling for an immediate postponement of Kavanaugh's confirmation after a new allegation.
BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Kavanaugh is saying this is a smear. She would like the FBI to investigate.
REP. TREY GOWDY (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: Dr. Ford and
