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Dad Of Baby Hospitalized With COVID Pleads With Unvaccinated; Justice Barrett Refuses To Block University's Vaccine Mandate; July Busiest Month For Illegal Border Crossings In 21 Years. Aired 7:30-8a ET

Aired August 13, 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: Imagine what it's like to have a child in the hospital and not be able to go visit him, which is your situation right now. But just tell us how Carter is doing.

KYLE BUTRUM, FATHER OF CARTER BUTRUM, 1-YEAR-OLD HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID (via Skye): Thanks for having us. It really helps deliver the message. We appreciate everything that everyone has done for us in trying to get the message out.

As far as what it's like, we can't -- we can't be there. I mean, it just -- it's one thing to have a child with an illness and to be there and help, but just due to hospital regulations their visitor restrictions -- I mean, I can't even -- I can't even go in. And I don't blame the hospital for that. They're just trying to protect their employees as well. Their employees have families, so I don't blame them for that.

But it's terrible. You can't even communicate with the people that are trying to help.

BERMAN: You know, I just can't imagine it. I know your wife is there and I know -- you know Carter is young but I'm sure that he feels your presence there with him as well, not that it makes it any easier on you.

Just give us a sense of how Carter is doing.

KYLE BUTRUM: It's been really touch and go. The past 24 hours have been better. He's still on oxygen and his doctors are still treating the build-up in his lungs, trying to -- trying to get that out with breathing treatments and that's moving along.

The good thing for him now is that he's kept his fever down for the past 24 hours, so that's a good sign. Really, what's hurting him the most at this point, I think outside the oxygen, is the exhaustion. You know, it's so difficult for anyone, really, when you can't sleep, but especially someone that doesn't understand the gravity of the situation.

And a baby's used to sleeping. I mean, he sleeps here and we don't bother him. But every hour, somebody's checking on him, rightfully so. But it's difficult for a baby to understand that that's there to help.

BERMAN: We were putting some pictures up on the screen of Carter so people could see that face and just how adorable he is.

Kayden, tell me a little bit about your brother. I understand -- oh, that's a picture for you. I understand he sleeps like a wrestler.

KAYDEN BUTRUM, SISTER OF CARTER BUTRUM, 1-YEAR-OLD HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID (via Skye): Yes. Most of the time he's happy. He doesn't cry very much until he sleeps (INAUDIBLE). He always wants to play. He likes going on walks and stuff. He's very energetic, so to see him very exhausted hurts me a lot.

BERMAN: Well, let's get him home with you so that you guys can wrestle again.

And Kyle, I think this is the important thing. What's your message to people out there? What do people need to do to make sure that kids like Carter aren't getting sick?

KYLE BUTRUM: You know, I've heard from many, many friends and co- workers -- people reaching out after they saw this story -- asking what they can do to help. And my message to that or to anyone going through this or to preventing one from going through this -- that is an awesome gesture.

That's a very nice gesture but the gravity of the situation is there's nothing you can do to help me. I can't go to the hospital. I can't even help him. There's nothing you can do to help the family members. There's nothing you can do.

[07:35:00]

What you -- the only thing you can do to prevent someone else from doing this is to get your vaccine so that another child doesn't have to do this and another family doesn't have to send their kid away.

BERMAN: Kyle --

KYLE BUTRUM: So another father doesn't have to stand in the back of an ambulance and wonder if that's the last time you're going to see your son because you can't with him. That's how you can help me. And that's -- I hate to be so blunt about it but there's nothing you can do to help me. The only thing you can do to help me is help the next person.

BERMAN: I hope people are listening to you, Kyle. I hope people are listening to you. I think it's such an important message and I know how --

KYLE BUTRUM: There's no -- no 1-year-old needs to go through that ever.

BERMAN: Ever.

Kyle, we're with you. We're sending you all the love in the world that we can and we're doing our part to get your message out. You know, go get vaccinated. Help kids like Carter be at home with their families where they should be.

Kyle, Kayden, we send you all the love in the world and we hope Carter is home real soon.

KYLE BUTRUM: Thank you. We appreciate it.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: I think there are a lot of people watching that who are having as hard a time as I am, honestly, keeping it together. It's just -- it's so hard to hear him say that -- there's nothing you can do for him, you know. It's what can you do for future families -- maybe even your own family, you know?

BERMAN: It's every day we're hearing stories like this.

KEILAR: Yes.

BERMAN: It's just -- it's hard -- it's hard not to jump out of your skin when you hear a father like that who can't be with his baby --

KEILAR: Yes.

BERMAN: -- pleading with people to go get vaccinated because it's the only thing that's going to keep this from happening to another family.

KEILAR: And I think -- look, we talk about children. They are, in general, less at risk, but there are still a lot of them who are. There are many in the hospital right now just like Carter, whether they are babies or they are toddlers, or they are teenagers, and this is hitting them hard.

And it's an unacceptable number. I don't think anyone wants to play the odds on your kid being one of those that's in the hospital.

BERMAN: And we didn't have to be here talking about this, this morning. This was a choice that many of Americans made.

Just in to CNN, moderate Democrats in the House threatening Nancy Pelosi's plan for the Biden agenda. More on their demands, next.

KEILAR: And why some conservatives aren't too happy with a Trump- appointed Supreme Court justice this morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:42:21]

KEILAR: Just in to CNN, moderate Democrats are threatening their support for the party's budget resolution until House Speaker Nancy Pelosi allows their chamber to vote on the bipartisan infrastructure bill that was passed by the Senate this week.

Daniella Diaz is live for us on Capitol Hill. And Daniella, this -- you know, this could seriously jeopardize Pelosi's plan to pass that budget resolution this month. What is she saying? DANIELLA DIAZ, CNN CONGRESSIONAL REPORTER: Well, she hasn't spoken out directly, Brianna, but we have heard from her office, a senior Democratic aide told me just moments ago.

They said that they are not sufficient votes to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill this month. This aide put it as this is only nine moderate House Democrats who are saying they will withhold their vote on this budget resolution. Instead, there are dozens upon dozens who will vote against the bipartisan infrastructure proposal unless it's after the Senate passes reconciliation.

So all eyes are on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as she tries to navigate this really tricky divide between moderates and progressives, which is always the story we're talking about when it comes to Congress.

And, of course, this matters for Democrats because this budget resolution, which will eventually become a budget reconciliation bill -- this $3.5 trillion package -- sweeping package is filled with Democratic priorities such as funding to combat climate change, paid family and medical leave, and, of course, expanding the child tax credit.

And this is something the Biden administration really wants to see passed in this Congress, as well as progressives who are putting up a fight and also want to see this passed, which is why they want this vote first.

So the bottom line here is that this threat for -- against Pelosi could really put her plans in jeopardy as she tries to navigate passing both these bills through the House where, of course, she only has a slim majority. She can only afford to lose three votes and these are nine House moderates who are putting up a fight right now on this budget resolution. So we'll have to wait and see how this happens but, of course, the math does not add up -- Brianna.

KEILAR: Yet, not a lot of wiggle room there, which adds to the suspense here.

Daniella, thank you for that report.

BERMAN: Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett rejected a challenge to Indiana University's decision to require students to be vaccinated by the start of the fall semester. That begins August 23rd. In other words, she's letting these vaccine requirements stand.

CNN's Ariane de Vogue is in Indiana and joins us now -- Ariane.

ARIANE DE VOGUE, CNN SUPREME COURT REPORTER (via Webex by Cisco): Hi, John.

This was the first time the Supreme Court had been asked to consider a vaccine mandate. It was brought -- this challenge was brought by a handful of students at Indiana University challenging that school's vaccine mandate that's set to take effect in the beginning of the fall semester. They wanted the courts to issue an emergency order to block it while the appeals court -- or the appeals process played out. [07:45:12]

They lost in the district court. They lost in the federal appeals court, and that opinion was interesting because it based its reasoning back on a 1905 decision that the Supreme Court issued allowing a vaccine mandate for the smallpox. And that court said that I.U. was even on stronger legal footing because they I.U. mandate, like many others, allows exceptions for people with religious or medical objections.

But that didn't stop the students here. They went to the Supreme Court and they went specifically to Amy Coney Barrett because she has jurisdiction over the federal appeals court that ruled here.

And she was interesting. She acted swiftly. She didn't stop to ask I.U. -- the university -- to file a brief to reveal its thinking. She didn't ask the rest of the Supreme Court to weigh in. Instead, without comment, she denied the students' request.

And the reason that this is important here is this was obviously just about I.U. But it sends a strong signal that other mandates that we're seeing popping up across the country may be on strong legal footing. That's why it was important -- the way she acted so swiftly last night.

BERMAN: Yes, it did not seem like there was much doubt in that ruling. It seemed pretty clear, as does the case law on this.

Ariane de Vogue, thank you so much -- on the ground in Indiana for us. Appreciate it.

So be sure to join CNN next week for "WE LOVE NYC: THE HOMECOMING CONCERT," celebrating the city's comeback from COVID. It is Saturday, August 21st, exclusively on CNN.

KEILAR: And up next, the unprecedented surge of migrants at the southern U.S. border. What should the Biden administration do about it?

BERMAN: And a big development in the "Free Britney" case. What her father says he is now going to do.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRITNEY SPEARS, SINGER-SONGWRITER: Singing "Stronger."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:50:53]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS, SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY: We are facing a serious challenge at our southern border. And the challenges, of course, made more acute and more difficult because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: That is Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas at the U.S.-Mexico border yesterday, as new data reveals more than 212,000 migrants were taken into U.S. custody in July, exceeding 200,000 for the first time in two decades and the second-highest number of arrests along the Mexico border on record.

Joining us now is John Sandweg. He served as director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the Obama administration, and former acting general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security.

Sir, thanks for being with us to talk about this. What we're really seeing is a crisis on the border, even as you hear Mayorkas calling it a challenge. What can the Biden administration do in the absence of Congress doing anything, which it clearly doesn't have the appetite to?

JOHN SANDWEG, FORMER ACTING DIRECTOR, IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT UNDER THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, FORMER ACTING GENERAL COUNSEL, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, PARTNER, FRONTIER SOLUTIONS (via Skype): Well, I think the administration is doing what it can. They're focusing really hard on trying to limit the flow of individuals coming to our border.

The real challenge here, though, is it's very difficult for the U.S. to stop people from showing up at our border. We can't enforce our laws in Mexico or in Central America.

So the focus has been, thus far, on trying to rebuild those economies. The problem there is that is a long-term solution. We have an immediate crisis.

For the moment, it's under control in the sense that we are able to rely on public health authorities to push these people back into Mexico. But the question is how much longer can we rely on those authorities to push these people back into Mexico, and how much longer will Mexico continue to take these people before they start saying no more.

BERMAN: You know, this isn't supposed to happen in the summer because the heat is supposed to be such a deterrent. It's just physically grueling to attempt this kind of crossing in the summer.

So what does it tell you -- the numbers are so high this time of year? And if you wanted to have a bigger deterrent -- I mean, what could you do to have more of a deterrent?

SANDWEG: Well, look, I think two things.

First of all, you're right -- the numbers coming up like this in the summer is very alarming. Typically we see numbers drop significantly in the summer months. They pick up in the spring. But seeing these elevated numbers in the summer suggests we might be

in for even bigger numbers in this -- you know, part of a trend that there might be more demand to get to this country than we've seen in a long, long time.

I think the other thing that's concerning is the demographics of the numbers are starting to change a bit. The last four years, it's been primarily Central Americans in the majority, with some Mexican Nationals. Today, Mexican National numbers are starting to pick up.

Central Americans are still the majority but now we're starting to see Ecuador, Venezuela, Cuba, Brazil, other countries, which tells me -- look, everything at this border is driven by smugglers. Everything is recruited -- all these people are recruited by smugglers, they're all paying smugglers.

It's telling us the smugglers have found new markets where there's new desire for people to come. So as the people -- as the migration from Central America starts to get exhausted or Mexico starts to get exhausted, they find less people willing to pay everything they have to make this horrific journey. It looks like they're finding new markets and I think that's very alarming as well. We could be in for even bigger numbers in the coming months.

BERMAN: John Sandweg, it keeps on getting worse. I'm sure we will speak to you again. Thanks for being with us.

SANDWEG: Thanks.

BERMAN: Just ahead, CNN's Don Lemon visits the Louisiana hospital where he was born and finds it overrun with COVID cases. Don joins us live.

KEILAR: And the Biden administration scrambling as the Taliban takes over Afghanistan with stunning speed. We have a live report from Kabul.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:57:47]

KEILAR: A Pensacola, Florida police officer was off-duty and just at the beach this past Mother's Day when suddenly, duty called. He went beyond the call to save not one but three members of a family that had driven three hours from Mississippi to enjoy a special day.

And CNN's Martin Savidge has this story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For Pensacola Police Officer Anthony Giorgio life isn't always a day at the beach, but that's where he was on a Sunday last May.

OFFICER ANTHONY GIORGIO, PENSACOLA POLICE DEPARTMENT: It was Mother's Day. My mom wanted all of her children to be at the beach. SAVIDGE (voice-over): Kenya Nguyen had the same idea with her kids.

KENYA NGUYEN, MOTHER: So it started out as a typical Mother's Day. We were out at the beach.

SAVIDGE (voice-over): Typical almost became tragic with Nguyen's children and two cousins went swimming. It started with a scream.

NGUYEN: So I get up and what I see is terrifying.

SAVIDGE (voice-over): Officer Giorgio's mom saw it, too.

GIORGIO: She almost -- she turned pale in the face and she goes oh my God, Anthony -- they're drowning.

SAVIDGE (voice-over): Growing up swimming and surfing, Giorgio instantly knew the danger -- a rip current.

GIORGIO: And so if you fight against it, it's a losing battle.

NGUYEN: I just see my kids' lives flash in front of me. No birthdays, no graduation. All of that is running through my mind.

SAVIDGE (voice-over): The officer never hesitated.

GIORGIO: I remember -- I remember the moment I dove in the water and getting to the first kid.

COLIN LY, SURVIVOR: I remember thinking I was going to die. I barely remember any of it, but I do remember him reaching me.

GIORGIO: I'm swimming him back and giving him off to the first person I could see.

SAVIDGE (voice-over): Then he went back for the others still trapped in the rip current's grip.

GIORGIO: Everything inside of me said that everybody out here has got to get to shore.

SAVIDGE (voice-over): And everyone did.

Giorgio credits many on the beach who stepped up to help.

GIORGIO: Oh, yes, hey. How are you all doing?

SAVIDGE (voice-over): Officer Giorgio now shares a bond with those he helped save.

Remember the birthdays and graduations Kenya thought she'd never see? Her daughter has since turned 13 and her son graduated high school.

NGUYEN: He was definitely a guardian angel put in place for a reason.

SAVIDGE (voice-over): Thanks to Police Officer Anthony Giorgio, Kenya Nguyen got a Mother's Day gift she will cherish the rest of her life. Martin Savidge, CNN, Pensacola.

(END VIDEOTAPE)