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Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) Tweets That No One Should Follow CDC's Guidamce; Six Members of a Jacksonville, Florida Church Have Died From COVID in Less Than Two Weeks; Canadian Border is Officially Reopened to Fully Vaccinated Travelers from the United States. Aired 6-6:30a ET

Aired August 09, 2021 - 06:00   ET

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

[06:00:00]

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Also over the weekend Republican Congressman Glenn Grothman refused to say whether he's been vaccinated because he doesn't want to, quote, "Take sides on the issue."

And despite the fact that masks prevent the virus from spreading, Senator Rand Paul tweeted out this video to his followers last night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. RAND PAUL (R), KENTUCKY: It's time for us to resist. They can't arrest all of us. They can't keep all of your kids home from school. They can't keep every government building closed. No one should follow the CDC's anti-science mask mandates.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: To be clear, the CDC isn't forcing anyone to wear masks. They don't have a police force. There is no CDC mask mandate. Some states and businesses in cities are issuing requirements based on CDC guidance. That's the distinction Paul clearly knows but doesn't care to be honest about.

Also some businesses in cities want the right to issue requirements for vaccinations for certain venues. The freedom to choose, the freedom to choose who comes into certain spaces. The Federal Government is issuing no such order, still podcast host -- a podcast host is trying to create fears of some imaginary dictator.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE ROGAN, COMEDIAN AND PODCASTER: When you give people freedom, you let people do whatever the (inaudible) they want to do they actually find ways to succeed and grow and thrive. But as soon as you put the boots to them, as soon as you tell them you have to do this or you can't do that. You have to listen to me, now you have a mini dictator.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right.

ROGAN: You have one step away from a king. You have a one step closer. You're moving one step closer to dictatorship. That's what (inaudible) happening. That's what's going to happen with the vaccine passport, that's what's going to happen if they close borders.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Right (ph) that is not what's happening. And listen tot his comment from Florida's Republican Senator Rick Scott. The irony is inescapable.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. RICK SCOTT (R), FLORIDA: It -- it's -- since COVID started it's been all political. Just give us good information. Americans are smart. They'll make good decisions for their families.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Now he is right, that the pandemic has been politicized from the beginning, but that is due in large part to his party. And in his own state the governor is literally selling anti-Fauci t-shirts on his website.

And as Americans listen to these dangerous takes or conspiracy theories on social media more and more children who cannot be vaccinated are becoming infected, including 11-month-old Ava who contracted the virus and had to be airlifted to a hospital 150 miles away from her home because there were no beds left at any of the pediatric hospitals in Houston.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ESTEFANI LOPEZ, MOTHER OF CHILD WITH COVID: It -- it hurts, like I wouldn't want this pain on no other mother and I -- to be witnessing their kids flatlining, having seizures, tubes down their throat, being hospitalized. It gets me kind of mad that like everybody's taking COVID as a joke. And it's not a joke. Like it's very, very serious. Our babies are in danger. Everybody's in danger.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: This morning we're learning that six members of a Jacksonville, Florida church have died from COVID in less than two weeks. The pastor of that church says all of them were unvaccinated. Four of them were younger than 35.

Joining us now CNN's Natasha Chen with this story, six in less than two weeks. What a tragedy Natasha.

NATASHA CHEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes John really heartbreaking. And the bishop of Impact Church in Jacksonville says one of them was 24-years-old. He'd known that person since he was a toddler.

Over the weekend he said that in addition to prayer he wants to take action. The bishop had the church host a vaccination event, telling his congregation that God is the one giving wisdom to the scientists creating the vaccines. So faith and science can work together.

Here's something the bishop, Reverend George Davis tweeted over the weekend as well.

He said, "I'm tired of crying about and burring people I love. So take the political and religious games somewhere else." Unfortunately there are a lot of political games being played here in the sunshine state at the moment, even as the seven-day average of new cases in Florida over the past two weeks has risen 84 percent. John and Brianna?

KEILAR: And Governor DeSantis there, Natasha, is standing by his ban on mandating masks in schools. He is now facing a number of lawsuits, maybe not surprising, but this includes a federal lawsuit from the parents of 15 kids who have compromised immune systems who say that the ban endangers them. What's the latest there?

CHEN: Well Brianna, there's just a lot of tension between parents, educators, officials at different levels. Meanwhile you've got schools resuming class in person this week, including Orange County Public Schools where we are. They start class tomorrow.

They've implemented a mask mandate for employees and for students, but parents can opt out of that and that's because of the state policy. DeSantis has ensured what he says is parent choice.

[06:05:05]

The Florida Board of Education on Friday decided that parents who feel like a school mask mandate amounts to harassment can even have the option of a voucher for private school. And meanwhile, let's show you some numbers here of what's happening to kids in Florida 12 and under.

There are now more than 13,000 new cases and that's up 28.4 percent over the previous week. And remember, those kids cannot be eligible right now to get the vaccine. So it is very controversial and a tricky situation. Brianna?

KEILAR: It certainly is. Natasha Chen live for us from Orlando. Thank you.

BERMAN: So starting today the Canadian border is officially reopened to fully vaccinated travelers from the United States, this is after more than a year. Visitors can expect new health measures to be enforced, including proof of a negative COVID test.

Paula Newton joins us now from Cornwell in Ontario. Paula what are you seeing?

PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Just behind me upstate New York and I can tell you that for the last several hours indeed Americans, U.S. residents fully vaccinated have been coming into Canada.

So much pent up demand here and there have been certainly some long sought after family reunions, reunions with friends, but also Americans who have property here in Canada. Think about it John, this border was closed for more than 16 months. I don't even think anyone in the United States or Canada, the leaders themselves, thought this would happen at the beginning of the pandemic.

You know during 9/11, John, this border was only closed for two days -- two days. It has been more than 16 months. And what's interesting here is that this is not reciprocal. While Canadians have been able to enter the United States by air since the pandemic began and still do that today, the Biden Administration is not letting certainly Canadians cross the border point over there by land.

You know, we haven't really gotten much reason about that, but certainly a business community I talked to says the Biden administration is very key at this point to not normalize things because they do believe it's still a critical point for the pandemic in the United States.

I know a lot of Americans were concerned about given the infection rate in the United States that Canada might close the border. But indeed, for right now it is open and no one taking anything for granted.

John, I don't have to remind you how much of a bite this pandemic has taken out of tourism and leisure businesses all a long this border. So many businesses that I've spoke to are relieved. It's a tentative first step, but it is a first step.

BERMAN: Yes, it's been really hard on families too. You know, I -- we have friends who have grandparents in Canada. They haven't been able to see their grandparents face-to-face, you know, in 16 months. It's a long time.

Paula Newton thanks so much for being there for us. Appreciate it.

KEILAR: And amid the push to vaccinate some families are now facing the task of convincing a loved one to get the shot or at least trying.

One woman chronicled that debate with her brother in an op-ed for "USA Today" titled, "My Brother is one of millions who won't get the COVID- 19 vaccine. I asked why. Here are his reasons and my responses."

Joining us now is Nicole Carroll. She is the editor-in-chief for "USA Today" and she is the author of this op-ed. This is wonderful to read because I think so many people can connect with this discussion that you're having with your brother as you're trying to ask him to make a decision for his health. You know, you're concerned about him.

What's the issue as you see it? The big issue?

NICOLE CARROLL, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF USA TODAY: The big issue is trust. It's -- you know -- we went through all the reasons and they're laid out in the column that he doesn't trust the vaccine, he doesn't trust the FDA if they're got give full approval later this month. He doesn't trust President Biden. He doesn't trust big pharma.

So, you know, we really talked about the facts and we laid them all out and he said I just can't get there. I just don't believe that.

KEILAR: Even as you said, well what about when it gets full approval it still wasn't enough. Why do you think that was?

CARROLL: You know, he said because the FDA is part of the government and Biden runs the government and so he's not going to believe it. And so, that's when I asked is this political and he said absolutely. He's from Texas, right outside of Dallas.

KEILAR: But he also seemed to think that with Trump, Trump was under pressure to roll out a vaccine quickly, so he didn't totally trust Trump on it either.

CARROLL: Well, when I asked about that he said that Trump was under pressure and sort of gave him a pass on that.

KEILAR: So, he gave him a pass on that. It does seem, I think, anyone who has experienced trying to convince a loved one to get a vaccine that when you to try to get convince them it can so easily backfire. It seems to further entrench them in their position. Is that what you've found?

CARROLL: It does. And in fact Chris (ph) told met hat. That the more the media pounds on this or the more Biden pounds us the more he digs in. And so, I really approached this from a position of love. I love my brother. You know this is one part of him and we have a full history together. So we really approached it from respect and love and had a really good conversation.

KEILAR: I do think that's something that stood out in your column, because sometimes I hear people very frustrated with folks who won't take the vaccine. Look, it makes sense they're frustrated, but they're not approaching it with love or compassion or an understanding for people who are entrenched in their position.

[06:10:00]

Did Chris (ph) give you any insight for what might convince him or others?

CARROLL: You know, for him I think there's different groups of people. I think there's people who are kind of on the fence and a reasonable argument like this might sway them. And there's those who are like Chris (ph), who are pretty entrenched and it's very political for them.

When I asked him, will anything change your mind? And he said maybe in 10 years if everybody is fine and there's been no side effects he'd think about it then.

KEILAR: Maybe in 10 years, even as you point out it's really about six weeks --

CARROLL: Right (ph).

KEILAR: -- when it comes to vaccinations that you start -- CARROLL: Absolutely.

KEILAR: -- to be sure that no, there's really no side effects.

CARROLL: Absolutely.

KEILAR: It is so wonderful to have you on Nicole Carroll. Thank you.

CARROLL: Thank you.

BERMAN: You know, it's interesting because you point out, obviously you want to have compassion and understanding when you have these discussions but I do also know there are people who feel like, OK, we tried the compassion --

KEILAR: Yes.

BERMAN: -- and understanding and now we have this Delta surge thanks to all the compassion and understanding that have been provided over the last six months when people could the vaccines and chose not to.

KEILAR: And they also don't feel like they're getting compassion, right?

BERMAN: Zero.

KEILAR: I mean we just talked about that lawsuit with the parents of immunocompromised kids who want their kids to safely be able to go back to school in Florida. They're wondering, where's the compassion for their child, you know. So there's this demand for compassion in that direction as well. They're not getting it.

BERMAN: It's a one-way street that demand apparently.

KEILAR: Yes.

Breaking overnight, a major development in the sexual harassment scandal involving New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Why his highest ranking advisor just quit.

BERMAN: Plus, the Senate closer to passing a bipartisan infrastructure bill. Hear what 18 Republicans did overnight.

And a dramatic turn in the attempted coup by Donald Trump and her allies. What his former acting attorney general testified that investigators call frightening.

[06:11:50]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:15:58]

BERMAN: Developing overnight New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's top aide Melissa DeRosa has resigned. This comes as Cuomo stares down possible impeachment after a report by the state attorney general found he sexually harassed 11 women.

CNN's Polo Sandoval live in Albany. This the governor's closest aide, in some ways his attack dog, Polo. And this resignation didn't even mention the governor by name.

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And all of that is extremely notable, John. Not only did she hold the highest ranking appointed position in state government, as you mentioned, she was one of those closest him as he faces not only the possibility of impeachment, but even most recently the possibility of even criminal charges. And as you mentioned here it was quite notable that she did not mention her now former boss in that statement.

I'll read you a portion of what she put out just yesterday evening as she announced her resignation. DeRosa writing, "New Yorker's resilient strength and optimism to the most difficult times has inspired me every day, personally the past two years has been emotionally and mentally trying. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such talented and committed colleagues on behalf of our state."

Now we should mention the New York state attorney general report that was released less than a week ago, it certainly paints a less than favorable picture of DeRosa, especially if you read the bottom of page -- I believe it page 105, in which she allegedly coordinated the release of some confidential information that had to do with the state employee Lindsey Boylan which she was also one of the 11 accusers that has come forward accusations against Governor Cuomo specifically.

According to the attorney general's report that she coordinated that release of information and the A.G. labeling that effort as a basically retaliatory in nature. Now, if you keep reading that report it does say, at least multiple witnesses do explain that that point of that was to correct demonstrably false information that had been released.

But we should also point out that DeRosa does not actually address those kinds of claims in that statement that she released yesterday. And then we should also point out that just as recent as February DeRosa was also came under scrutiny for her role in the administration's mishandling of the -- of the COVID pandemic, specifically that underreporting of COVID related deaths in nursing homes.

But again, that significance there of one of the most trusted advisors of Governor Cuomo stepping down and what's expected to be a very critical week for the chief's -- for the state's chief executive.

KEILAR: We learned from this A.G. report that an executive assistant to Cuomo had accused him of groping her breasts and we're now hearing from her for the first time. Tell us what she said, Polo.

SANDOVAL: Yes, what we have now Brianna is a face and a name to go with some of the most serious allegations that have -- that have been made against Governor Cuomo. Of course talking about Brittany Commisso. She sitting down in an exclusive interview with CBS News. Want you to hear a little bit about what she had to share regarding some of those encounters that she had with Governor Cuomo.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRITTANY COMMISSO, FORMER EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO ANDREW CUOMO: I believe that he groped me, he touched me, not only once, but twice. Then they started to be hugs with kisses on the cheek. And then there was at one point a hug and then when he went to go kiss me on the cheek he'd quickly turned his head and he kissed me on the lips.

JERIKA DUNCAN, CBS NEWS ANCHOR: What did you say?

COMMISSO: I didn't say anything. I didn't say anything. I didn't say anything this whole time. People don't understand that this is the governor of the state of New York. There are troopers that are outside of the mansion and there are some mansion staff. Those troopers that are there, they are not there to protect me, they are there to protect him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: And we should also remind viewers that Commisso actually is the complainant that came forward on Thursday here in Albany County and sat down with investigators and filed a criminal complaint.

[06:20:00]

This was the first criminal complaint that was actually filed against Governor Cuomo, which additionally triggered this investigation that is ongoing right now.

Over the weekend I had an opportunity to actually hear from the Albany County sheriff. They say they'll be treating this investigation just like any other, saying simply because the target or at least the subject of this investigation is Governor Cuomo doesn't mean that it will move faster or slower than it has to. Guys?

BERMAN: Polo Sandoval in Albany. Polo, thanks for being there for us.

The bipartisan infrastructure bill clearing a final procedural hurdle in the Senate overnight, inching through the U.S. Senate. But what about the House? We're learning of new possible obstacles there.

KEILAR: Plus, new testimony about former President Trump's efforts to steal the election. Why one Democrat says the U.S. came close to total catastrophe.

[06:20:47]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:25:05]

BERMAN: New and dramatic evidence of former President Trump's scheme to overturn the election.

Former acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen testified over the weekend to the Senate Judiciary Committee about Trump's pressure campaign on the Justice Department.

Judiciary Chairman said what Rosen revealed was frightening.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. DICK DURBIN (D), ILLINOIS: Just how directly personally involved the president was. The pressure he was putting on Jeffrey Rosen, it was real, very real. And it was very specific. This president's not subtle when he wants something.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Joining us now CNN Political Analyst David Gregory and CNN Political Commentator Amanda Carpenter.

Amanda, you know, I think maybe the number one takeaway from this is Jeffrey Rosen is talking. The former acting Attorney General who was running the Justice Department in the days before the insurrection isn't just talking but like wanting to talk, wanting to give information at this point. What's the significance about what we're hearing?

AMANDA CARPENTER, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I mean, I think it just shows how dedicated Donald Trump was to this effort. And if you don't mind me looking back a little bit, I'm a little bit frustrated, because this would have been very relevant information during the second impeachment trial.

Clearly you've had people who are willing to talk and maybe they just needed the cover of the DOJ ruling saying that they would be free to do so, but I mean the second impeachment was really -- it -- this is the same as the first. It's Donald Trump abusing official resources in order to get his way politically and stop Joe Biden from becoming president.

I mean, it's clearly a pattern here. And so, I am very thankful that we have a January 6 select committee, because I've got to believe there are many more people like Rosen. So, once they have the legal clear pathway in order to talk they're going to sing like canaries.

KEILAR: You know, David, I think that this isn't registering for a lot of Americans, just how serious this is. And I wonder, you know, what do you think that means? Is that problematic?

DAVID GREGORY, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, I think Amanda's point is what's so important, is that the reason this committee's so important, the reason a report is so important is that we have a full view that is mildly partisan as it can be in this environment to spell out exactly the lengths to which Donald Trump as willing to subvert the law and our democracy to try to stay in office. That needs to become clear because he's still a political force and people can't shy away from what the facts are about not only January 6, but this entire period.

And to Amanda's point, the reason why Jeffrey Rosen was willing to talk is that it was painfully clear at that point. The attorney general had already left, saying there was no evidence of irregularities in the election at all.

It was painfully clear that Trump was done and that he was still fighting. And it was only then that people would step up and talk and say no more. That was not true in the second impeachment because people still feared Donald Trump and feared his political impact. So that's the key point.

The other one is I think we have to also look at these horrible events and realize that our institution held. I mean, here is somebody who is put in an acting capacity at the -- at the Justice Department and still has the guts to say, you know what, there's something bigger than me. That's this role that I'm in at the Justice Department and our government has to work with integrity. And he's stepping forward to say exactly what happened.

BERMAN: It's a -- it's -- it's a -- go ahead.

CARPENTER: But to that point --

BERMAN: Go ahead Amanda.

CARPENTER: To that point, you know, there's a lot of talk about how partisan this committee supposedly is. It's not because there's Republicans on it. But I think it's important to note and emphasis the fact that the people who will be testifying with the most important information served Donald Trump, right?

There's going to be many Republicans I think who are willing to talk, particularly like younger staffers who don't -- who don't want this to ruin their careers forever. Who have information, who wants to give it as long as they're given a pathway to do so? And there -- there will -- they will be Republicans.

BERMAN: What I was going to say --

KEILAR: How --

BERMAN: -- to David's response -- sorry to interrupt. Is sort of what John Bolton was telling us in a spirited discussion last week is his main takeaway here is that Donald Trump couldn't pull off the coup, right?

The big thing is here is the institutions held and Trump as too ham- handed to make it happen. That's sort of the glass half full interpretation of the insurrection. There's also the glass half empty, which is the guy do (ph) try, right?

CARPENTER: Yes.

BERMAN: He tried. He had Jeffrey Clark the number three in the Justice Department trying really hard to overthrow the government. So what are we supposed to feel? We're supposed to feel good it didn't work or should we be terrified that it really got very close, David?

GREGORY: I think we can feel both. I think we have to feel both, because I think the importance of this committee is to spell out how dedicated Trump was to pulling this off. And what Durbin himself has described is really the process of an attempted coup. But we also have to be relieved that the institutions did hold.