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Interview with Energy Secretary, Jennifer Granholm; Condominium Collapse in Surfside, Florida; Urgent Search for Survivors; GOP Lawmaker Defends Comment Sparking Rebuke from Top General; Top U.S. General Accuses Military of Woke Culture. Aired 7:30-8p ET

Aired June 25, 2021 - 07:30   ET

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

[07:30:00]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Reaches his desk. In other words, unless there is this reconciliation bill largely passed by Democrats, alone, that involves other funding. So, what does that mean, he won't sign it if it's the only thing that reaches his desk?

JENNIFER GRANHOLM, ENERGY SECRETARY: Well, it means that he's going to fight for his full agenda. When he rolled out the American jobs plan and the American families plan, it is a full agenda to right-size our economy and to make us as competitive in the 21st century.

This announcement, yesterday, you are right, is really encouraging news. I means that democracy -- as he said, it means that democracy works. You know, he came from back from this trip abroad and there is this whole argument about whether democracy or autocracy. This sends a message, if we were able to get it through, to the globe that, you know what, democracy functions. And we are grateful to the Republicans who signed onto this. And we're hopeful that they can persuade more of their members.

But the bottom line is, all of the stuff in what was announced yesterday are all things that Democrats and Republicans want to see. And the republic -- and the president is going to fight for the rest of his agenda, as well.

BERMAN: Well, he said he'd more than just fight for it. He said he won't sign the stuff that everyone agrees to unless he gets that. I just want you to confirm that that's the case.

GRANHOLM: Yes, that's what he said.

BERMAN: Did the Republicans, who were part of the bipartisan agreement, were they aware of that? Have they signed onto that notion?

GRANHOLM: Well, John, I mean, the thing in this Congress is you vote for what you want and you don't vote for the stuff you don't want. And so, there will be two bills. And hopefully, we get Republicans to support the things that would be super important for their districts, like universal-broadband access, rural broadband. Places that haven't had access to the internet. They're not going to vote against that when you've got something that helps their -- you know, their districts.

The -- you know, the other bill, if they don't like the fact that the president -- you know, the president wants to see, for example, help with childcare, help with preschool, help with caring for the elderly in one's homes. If, for whatever reason, they don't like that. Maybe, because of the pay-fors or whatever, then don't for it.

This is how it works. This was never a mystery. There were always two paths. Everybody has always -- has been talking for months about two paths to be able to get the president's agenda.

BERMAN: I get that. I get that. I am just curious if there's a specific sign-on from the Republicans who are negotiating there. Lindsey Graham, who, I think, has said he is supportive of it. Although, he wasn't one of the five senators -- Republican senators who specifically signed on yesterday. He says, there is no way that they knew that there was going to be this condition. He says, you look like an effing idiot now. He says, I don't mind bipartisanship but I'm not going to do a suicide mission.

GRANHOLM: Yes. I don't understand that at all, because this has been in the press. It's been publicly reported. Everybody has known that there are two paths to getting the president's full agenda. Let's get as much as we can in the bipartisan bill. And that was what was announced yesterday. And bravo, for those who signed on and we hope more do.

And then, there's this other path for the president to get the rest of his agenda through. And that's, unfortunately, a Democratic-only way. Maybe. I mean, maybe, some Republicans will sign on. But both paths have been reported on for months. So, it's not a surprise.

BERMAN: And, again, do you think, if, for instance, do you know that you have Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema and 50 senators to support the Democratic-only potentially version of this that goes outside of the bipartisan agreement?

GRANHOLM: Well, that's what has to be negotiated now, right? Is the second step and making sure that they're all on board. But the great thing about this, John, I mean, the reason why I think the administration is smiling, and those who negotiated this, is that the fact that you have a historic amount of money invested in broadband, invested in getting waterpipes to homes that don't have lead in them, historic amount invested in transmission, which is in the lane of the Department of Energy. When we see all of these transmission breakdowns because of climate change and extreme-weather events. The fact that you have an historic amount invested in transits and in rail. I mean, these are amazing accomplishments, if we can get that across the line.

So, the Republicans and the Democrats who want that, they should vote for it. If the Republicans and the Democrats who want the American families plan and what is entailed in the care economy, they should vote for it. But these are two separate pieces. But they -- but the president wants to see his full agenda on his desk.

BERMAN: I don't think there is any question that you have broad agreement in Congress and among Americans on many of the things you just mentioned there. I'm still, just curious to see how this all, develops over the next, I guess, it will be two months. It's not a short process, at this point. You have your work cut out for you. We do appreciate you joining us this morning. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, always a pleasure to see you.

[07:35:00]

This morning, we are hearing from worried-loved ones of the people. The 99 people still unaccounted for in the Florida building collapse. We are going to speak to a woman whose friend is missing along with her daughter. They will join us.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: And the country's top general going toe to toe with members of Congress over Critical race theory and the military.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEN. MARK MILLEY, CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: I personally find it offensive that we are accusing the United States' military, our general officers, our commission, non-commissioned officers, of being "woke" or something else because we're studying some theories that are out there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: One of the Republicans, who prompted that response from the Joint Chiefs chairman will join us next.

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[07:40:00]

KEILAR: As military officials face a chorus of Republican voices questioning the Defense Department's efforts to promote diversity and combat extremism in its ranks. This week, Joint Chiefs chairman, General Mark Milley, delivered arguably the strongest pushback, yet. He fired back at two Republican lawmakers, who criticized some teachings at West Point. One, in particular, who criticized a guest lecturer at West Point called understanding whiteness and white rage.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. MICHAEL WALTZ (R-FL): Can you agree, at least, that understanding whiteness and white rage presented (INAUDIBLE) over a hundred cadets probably is something that we shouldn't be teaching our future leaders of the United States army?

GEN. MARK MILLEY, CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: I want to understand white rage, and I'm white. And I want to understand it. So, what is it that caused thousands of people to assault this building and try to overturn the constitution of the United States of America? What caused that? I want to find that out.

I've read Mao Tse Tung. I've read Karl Marx. I've read Lenin. That doesn't make me a communist. So, what is wrong with understanding, having some situational understanding about the country for which we are here to defend? And I personally find it offensive that we are accusing the United States' military, our general officers, our commissioned, non-commissioned officers of being "woke" or something else because we're studying some theories that are out there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Joining me, now, is Republican Congressman, Michael Waltz. He had questions of these witnesses, including General Milley, specifically about this lecture.

Congressman, thank you so much for being with us. I wonder what your reaction is to what General Milley said?

REP. MICHAEL WALTZ (R-FL): Well, I just want to state very clearly that I fully support the Defense Department and the military's diversity initiatives. I want equal opportunity for all Americans to serve this great nation. And extremism, of all kinds, should absolutely be rooted from our ranks. Extremist activity should not be allowed in any way, shape or form, within the military.

That's not what this was about, Brianna. And what your clip cut out there was that, actually, I was addressing secretary of defense, Austin. And when I presented him this seminar on dealing with whiteness and white rage, which was given to me by very upset and outraged cadets, parents, soldiers that brought this to my attention. I want to be clear. This isn't some kind of a Republican-talking point. This is being brought to us by soldiers and by cadets and their families.

Secretary Austin actually agreed with me. That that is a bit too far. That this -- and where I disagree with General Milley who commented later was, this isn't some kind of history class. I have no problem with understanding our very checkered past with race and the atrocities that happened in the past. This was a seminar telling cadets how they should think and behave now. That dividing the United States along class lines and along racial lines of the oppressed and the oppressors is OK.

KEILAR: Well, to be clear, we haven't seen the seminar, right? We haven't seen the seminar. I know you're --

WALTZ: Well -- but that's what I presented and it was given by -- I'm sorry -- it was presented by a woman. It was presented by a woman who --

KEILAR: Who wrote white rage.

WALTZ: -- right now, says that -- who wrote white rage -- excuse me -- wrote white rage and says that Republicans and says that Republican-Party platform is one of white nationalism. And it says that the -- the underlying issue with critical race theory, frankly, for me, is that it teaches that our constitution, our civilian institutions, our courts, our political system, were established by oppressors to maintain that oppressive regime. And classifying anything along racial lines of all-white people is, in itself, racist. And I have real issue.

It's one thing for a kid in California to believe this. But these are our future-military leaders, Brianna, that need to be subordinate to this civilian oversight. Critical race theory is teaching them that they need to resist that. That they need to push back on that. And I have real issue with the future generals of this country to have their finger on the button being taught that at a very early age, and they do, as well. And that's why this is such a problem.

KEILAR: OK. So, I have a lot to talk to you about this. Of course, you do not, obviously, support Critical race theory. There are many folks who see value in it. They say it talks about white racism. How racism has shaped public policy. And, to them, that is a positive.

[07:45:00]

But, I guess, my question for you is, you know, when you look at, really, the issue that is facing West Point, the predominant one, when it comes to issues of race and how that is perceived. I'm sure you're familiar with a policy report that was put out last year by nine recent graduates of West Point. These are people of color. Very accomplished cadets, including a road scholar. And they detail compiled from some of their students, incidents of racism at West Point.

One is, I was called a N-word during my freshman year at West Point. A student made a noose and put it on his black roommate's desk as a joke. I was called white because I speak intelligently, which is built on the assumption that white people speak better than black people. Another person said I was called a N-word during my plebe year. When I reported it to my tactical officer, they instead accused me of lying and initiated an honor investigation against me. And another one said an African-American cadet committed an infraction and received a company board with walking hours, whereas a Caucasian cadet committed the same infraction and received a verbal warning.

And these kinds of things are documented over and over. A noose. Being called the N word. These -- you know, these differences in how infractions are punished which --

WALTZ: Brianna --

KEILAR: No. Let me finish.

WALTZ: That's disgusting.

KEILAR: Hold on. Just a moment, Congressman.

WALTZ: Yes. Sure.

KEILAR: Because I let you finish. And I am not to my point, yet. But, you know, you see these things. And these black students, I think, what people don't realize, when they go to West Point, they will take their morning jog down Robert E. Lee Road. They will walk past Lee Gate. And they will probably, at some point, live in Lee Barracks at West Point. And so, I wonder, why you aren't more concerned with that than an elective class, a non-required class that 23 cadets, out of 4,300 will attend or one seminar that you -- look, you may disagree with it and have objections about it, but as you said, you are talking about dozens of people who go there. Why aren't you focused on the more pervasive problem that does assault unit cohesion?

WALTZ: Absolutely. I think that should be rooted out at every level. As I stated at the beginning, the military has no place for racism. No place for extremism. My actual point, and you're reinforcing my point, the military that I came into and that I believe it absolutely should be is one where you're taught you bleed green. The only skin color you are worried about is camouflage.

I could tell you firsthand, when you are in that foxhole, nobody cares about black, white or brown. They certainly don't care about political party. The enemy's bullets, absolutely, don't care. All they care about is that you are American and that you are merit-based mission focused --

KEILAR: But we're not talking about what the Taliban says. We are talking about, internally, what matters. We're talking about, internally, how cadets in the military relate to each other.

WALTZ: Oh, absolutely.

KEILAR: And I am giving you examples of how they don't, which seems more pervasive than any teaching of critical race theory that you are talking about.

WALTZ: But I don't think -- and I think that needs to be dealt with, rooted out, and is unacceptable. But what I also think is unacceptable is when you have someone like Dr. Ibram Kendi's book on the chief of naval operations suggested reading list that says dealing with racism, the only way to deal with it is to be an anti-racist. And classifies, you know, all-white people a certain way. That's also unacceptable.

So, it's not -- we are all in agreement that extremism and racism has no place in the military. But, you know, where I think we differ is that, you know, we need to be -- have a merit-based, mission focus. This is about standards, not about gender or race or any other socioeconomic background. It is about having the best of the best for our military to win our nation's wars, and that should be the focus of West Point teaching our future leaders.

And what should not be, I don't think, should be inculcated in them is that our constitution was built to maintain white oppression. And that's -- the problem -- the difference I have with General Milley is, this isn't studying history or something years ago.

KEILAR: No, it is. It is. I actually -- it is.

WALTZ: These teachings are saying that are court system --

KEILAR: Sir -- but did you read the book, Congressman?

WALTZ: -- no, our court system today, our political system today --

KEILAR: Did you read -- you asked --

WALTZ: -- is systemically racist.

KEILAR: You asked for information from -- excuse me.

WALTZ: This is an issue going forward.

KEILAR: You asked for information from the general who was superintendent of West Point. He told you about the class. It's not a whole class on CRT. It's a couple lessons where they explain what it is. He told you what the reading was. Did you read the book? Did you look at it? Critical race theory an introduction? Did you --

WALTZ: I do have the book. I did order it.

KEILAR: And?

WALTZ: "Critical Race Theory: Introduction." I have ordered it from Amazon. And that's the problem.

KEILAR: OK. No, it's not.

WALTZ: Is it teaches our fundamental institution --

KEILAR: Well, I've read it. I've read it, sir. It's academic. It's very dry.

WALTZ: The fundamental institutions of this country --

[07:50:00]

KEILAR: It is an explainer in a class in systemic racism. But I want to ask you because you did -- I want to talk about this letter.

WALTZ: But when you have --

KEILAR: You sent this letter.

WALTZ: Sure.

KEILAR: You sent a letter to the superintendent. And one of your other concerns was about the gathering of the entire core of cadets, which that's what the whole student body at West Point is called. You said, "white police officers were described as murderers with no context or court documents provided to corroborating the anecdotes of police brutality."

And the superintendent responded, at no point were police officers ever described as murderers. He said, a cadet described how the trajectory of his family's life changed as a result of his father being beaten to death by police when he was six years old. The cadet did plainly state that his father was killed by police officers. He closed his account by having one simple request of the crowd to listen to each other because everyone at West Point matters. And so, I hear that you are getting complaints from, you know, the families of cadets, but I wonder if knowing what the superintendent said to you after that if, perhaps, you reconsider that you have clearly a complaint coming in from someone who hears someone talk about their father dying in police custody, whatever the circumstances, and the takeaways for them to be offended. For them to be offended about what is said -- I mean, it sounds like it's pretty harmless with the way this cadet closed this.

But why are they so fragile that this kid, this guy who's lost his dad suddenly that becomes about the other cadet?

WALTZ: Well, Brianna, you know, these issues were brought to me by a number of families and a number of parents. One of them was a family of law enforcement officers. They're saying that actually the response from the superintendent was an accurate -- a fully accurate portrayal. But the other part of the letter also says --

KEILAR: And how many of these are black families, Congressman?

WALTZ: The other part of the letter also says that we had a colonel talking to the entire core of cadets about how as a white colonel she became woke to her white privilege. And again, I think that is -- I think that's unacceptable to start classifying people along completely racial lines. This should be a color blind military that is focused --

KEILAR: Well, don't you -- it's not.

WALTZ: -- on merit.

KEILAR: West Point isn't colorblind.

WALTZ: That is focused on defeating on our enemies.

KEILAR: It's well documented. It's very clear that West Point is not colorblind.

WALTZ: But it should be. And that's where -- actually, we're in agreement there.

KEILAR: So, I guess, my question is --

WALTZ: It should be. You know, all Americans -- and regardless -- your head is shaved. You're given the same uniform. Regardless of where your background was, you are now all focused on your mission and defending this great nation, which is flawed and has been flawed. But we should all seek to improve it. And the mission of West Point is to defend our country against our adversaries abroad that they need to absolutely understand how to defeat.

KEILAR: I just wonder if you've reconsidered some of the complaints that you are getting here when you are getting them from families that are looking at examples like this. And I'm wondering, I asked you, are these black families that are complaining to you?

WALTZ: You know, for some of them, they are not. But actually, some of the others, I don't know. I don't know their race or ethnicity. I don't think it --

KEILAR: Wouldn't that be relevant? I mean, look, it's not lost on --

WALTZ: I don't think it --

KEILAR: -- you we're two white people --

WALTZ: I'm not going to dismiss it.

KEILAR: And listen, we are two white people talking --

WALTZ: Yes. But I'm not going to dismiss their --

KEILAR: OK. But this is --

WALTZ: -- their complaints.

KEILAR: -- what I'm asking you.

WALTZ: And -- but a part of a congressman --

KEILAR: We, sir, are two white people talking about --

WALTZ: The role of a congressman is to ask these questions.

KEILAR: Sure. OK. But listen --

WALTZ: And it was provided an answer.

KEILAR: I know it's not lost on you that we are two white people talking about race. So, I do think it's relevant and I wonder why you wouldn't seek that out considering that's -- those are very important stakeholders in this process. Not just white cadets at West Point, but black cadets at West Point.

WALTZ: Sure. And should a black family come to me with concerns, I will absolutely address those concerns with the United States military. It is a taxpayer funded institution. I have an oversight role as a member of the Armed Services Committee. And I -- regardless of their race, I will take all of their complaints and concerns that seem to be credible very seriously. I'm just really not -- that's just the case and it absolutely should be.

KEILAR: I also -- I want to -- I hear you object to this seminar that was offered, this talk that was offered about understanding whiteness and white rage. And you make this point, which I think is a good one, that you shouldn't be having military being told that they should oppose civilian institutions that, you know, should be overseeing them.

But it's also -- you know, we have to recognize that when you look at what happened on January 6th, military was over represented in that group. Those were not critical race theorists, you know, going to the capitol. Those were anti-government extremists. I want to look at some of the footage from that day.

[07:55:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CROWD: Stop the steal. Stop the steal. Stop the steal. Stop the steal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: I mean, Congressman, what do you call that if you don't call it white rage?

WALTZ: Well, you know, Brianna, I don't know what you mean by over represented. I think any one member of the military today is completely unacceptable.

KEILAR: No, no, no, by over represented compared to the population, there's a lot of them.

WALTZ: And they need to be brought to justice.

KEILAR: You have anti-government extremists who purposely recruit people from the military. There were a lot of military, even active duty, but mostly veterans who were in that crowd. A lot.

WALTZ: Yes. We need to be very careful about implying that the military had anything to do with that awful day. Those individuals need to be brought to justice. They are being brought to justice. I was there. It was a terrible day for the country, period.

KEILAR: Isn't --

WALTZ: I don't think those pipe bombs built themselves.

KEILAR: But is that white rage? Look at the people in that crowd.

WALTZ: I don't think --

KEILAR: Sir, look at the people in that crowd.

WALTZ: Yes. But my issue with that seminar and the person teaching it is that, you know, she is teaching that white rage is a result of black advancement. Not 100 years ago today. And, you know, I find that offensive. I just sponsored a bill for minority serving institutions to have a better role in our STEM education. Of course, we want the advancement of all Americans, including those of color. But that's what's being taught at West Point.

Again, not a history class, today. And I don't think white rage is a result of the advancement of black people. And I certainly don't think it should be taught to our future military leaders who should be colorblind, mission focused and merit-based. That should be the focus of the United States military and the United States military academy.

KEILAR: Look, you are a member of Congress, you served very honorably as a green beret. And I certainly understand, you know, you can object to what is going on there. But I would just like to point out that we're talking about really dozens of students at a school of 4,300. This is a tiny group of people that are learning about this --

WALTZ: No, over 100 attended that seminar. No. I'm sorry, Bri. Over 100 attended that seminar according to that same letter. So, I think that's a little bit of a misrepresentation. That is a significant number of the member of the core of cadets. And just one of them could be the next chief of staff for the army --

KEILAR: I think he said 40 in the letter replied to you.

WALTZ: -- that has been taught to resist our institutions.

KEILAR: I think they said there were 40 --

WALTZ: No. Please read it again.

KEILAR: -- and that were 100 personnel who went.

WALTZ: There was over 100 attended.

KEILAR: Those are not people who are required to go, just to be clear. That was very clear in the letter that it was a reply to you. And this disagreement you're going to have is indoctrination or this people aware being taught about something versus being indoctrinated --

WALTZ: That is the key issue.

KEILAR: -- into this.

WALTZ: That is the key issue.

KEILAR: And I think that that -- you know, I think that that's really something that should be a discussion. But, Congressman, thank you so much for coming on. Congressman Michael Waltz.

WALTZ: And, Brianna, thank you and thank you for your family's service. I appreciate it.

KEILAR: Thank you, sir.

BERMAN: All right. Moments from now we are expecting to get an update on the search for survivors in Surfside, Florida. The task of combing through the rubble continues this morning. And CNN has just confirmed now at least four people have been killed in that. Nearly 100 still unaccounted for. So, four confirmed deaths. The search continues next.

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