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New Day

Fact-Checking about January 6th; Evan Dale is Interviewed about his Experience on January 6th; Children Grapple with Toll from Lockdowns; Lt. Dan Baldassarre is Interviewed about a Dog Aiding in a Rescue. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired January 05, 2022 - 08:30   ET

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

[08:30:00]

DANIEL DALE, CNN REPORTER: Just wrong.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Armed.

Line number two, the idea that they were actually protesting a rigged election.

D. DALE: This -- this Trump lie is impressive to me. It's like a double lie in one sentence. So, again, we know the election was not rigged. President Biden won fair and square.

Second, this was, of course, in mere protest. Approximately 140 police officers were assaulted. As Chief Judge Howell of a D.C. district court keeps saying, these were not mere trespassers, they were not people merely exercising First Amendment rights, they came to Washington to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power.

BERMAN: Now, another lie, this is a doozy. Look, they're all doozies.

D. DALE: Yes.

BERMAN: The rioters, the idea that they were invited into the Capitol by police.

D. DALE: This is ridiculous. There were hours long pitched battles between police officers desperately trying to secure the building and these rioters. We know officers still bear mental and physical scars from that day.

Now, there were some cases where some officers have retreated or stood aside or tried to politely engage with the rioters because they were so outnumbered. But that's not the same as inviting people in, of course.

BERMAN: Then there's the idea that these rioters who were jailed now are non-violent political prisoners.

D. DALE: This is a claim that's been made in court by some of the people charged, and it's been consistently knocked down by judges, including at least two judges appointed by former President Trump. Of the more than 700 people who have been charged so far, John, the vast majority were released shortly after their arrest. Only a few dozen remain in jail. And those people were detained, again, by judges, not by, you know, liberal zealots in the Biden administration, because they're deemed too dangerous to release, often because they engaged in violent conduct or they're believed to have links to far right extremist groups.

BERMAN: In conclusion, lie number five, that this was all some kind of false flag attack, Daniel.

D. DALE: This is almost insulting to Americans' intelligence. We know this was a mob attack, an insurrection, orchestrated and perpetrated by supporters of former President Trump. We heard them. We saw them that day. And they've confirmed their allegiance to Trump in social media posts, in the media interviews that they have given, and in their own admissions in court. So, the idea that this was some sort of, you know, secretly plotted attack by left wing Antifa is ridiculous.

Of these more than 700 people charged, not one has shown to have any affiliation with left wing Antifa. By contrast, John, hundreds of them have been confirmed as supporters of former President Trump, including members and people affiliated with far right extremist groups, not far left, but far right, the groups like the Oath Keepers, like the Proud Boys and others. So, the false flag idea is insulting and ridiculous.

BERMAN: Three hundred and sixty-five days of lies.

D. DALE: Yes.

BERMAN: That's what we're, you know, noting today.

Daniel Dale, thank you so much for your work.

D. DALE: Thank you.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: And joining us now is Evan Dale. We only have Dales during this segment.

BERMAN: No relation.

KEILAR: No relations.

So, Evan is a former Capitol Hill staffer who barricaded himself inside Congresswoman Silvia Garcia's office during last year's riot.

And, Evan, you know, just tell us, as we're coming up here on one year later, tell us about your experience. I know that you were alone. What happened and what did you see and what did you experience that day?

EVAN DALE, FORMER CAPITOL HILL STAFFER: Yes. Thanks for having me.

I spent my day in the Longworth House Office Building, which is the building directly south of the Capitol. In the day leading up, you know, we knew that there was going to be a protest presence throughout the day. Obviously, when former President Trump demanded -- or started guiding people toward the Capitol, that it became apparent that there was going to be some type of violent altercation.

In the early afternoon, I actually watched as the east barrier -- barricade broke and protesters began to work their way up the Capitol steps. And by the time I got back to my office, which was all but 90 seconds later, the first videos became apparent that protesters were in the Capitol, in the Rotunda, began, you know, barricading -- you know, barricading the House floor and then working their way on to the Senate floor. So, obviously, a very scary experience.

BERMAN: I'm sure it was. And the picture is still horrifying to look at now 365 days later, Evan.

You know, what did this do to you?

E. DALE: Yes, it's interesting. In the days afterwards, I was reflecting -- I think it's easy to doubt that, you know, you kind of think, well, in hindsight, maybe I wasn't in any danger. I have no reason to be scared. There's no reason to, you know, react the way I did. And the House actually held a series of trauma and resilience workshops in the -- in the days afterwards. And one of the things they showed was common symptoms of trauma.

[08:35:00]

And it really wasn't until I realized that I had six or seven of the ten listed, that I felt like, you know, wow, this actually had quite a lasting effect. And, obviously, it's something that lives with you when you have to go into that office every day. And it's something that sits in the back of your mind that could happen again.

KEILAR: Yes. And, Evan, we should mention, you have since left The Hill from being a staff member there. The insurrection part of your decision to do that.

And here on the eve of January 6th, we really appreciate you being with us and telling us about your experience.

E. DALE: Thanks for having me.

KEILAR: All right, Evan Dale.

Highway hell. How did thousands of drivers sit for more than 27 hours on the interstate? What are officials -- what were they doing? We'll have some new details there.

BERMAN: And what would you do with $610 million? One lucky Powerball winner is about to ask themselves that very question.

KEILAR: I'm ready. I'm ready for it.

BERMAN: What if it's two? It could be two. It could be three winners.

KEILAR: I'm fine with that.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:40:50]

KEILAR: Time now for "5 Things to Know for Your New Day."

Classes canceled today for Chicago Public Schools, the nation's third largest district, after the teachers' union there voted to refuse teaching in person until coronavirus cases fall sharply. Chicago's mayor says teachers should still report to their classroom today or they will be placed on no pay status.

BERMAN: The House committee investigating the deadly Capitol insurrection released a series of texts between Sean Hannity and the Trump White House. The panel says the messages suggest Hannity was aware of the former president's plans to contest Joe Biden's election victory on January 6th and is asking Hannity to voluntarily cooperate.

KEILAR: And the CDC has updated its isolation guidance for people with Covid, now saying that if you want to take a rapid test, do it toward the end of your five-day isolation period. This does appear to contradict what the CDC chief told CNN last week about not changing guidance based on the result of the rapid test.

BERMAN: The district attorney in Albany County, New York, has declined to prosecute former Governor Andrew Cuomo for a misdemeanor charge of forcible touching. David Soares says despite reviewing the evidence and finding the accuser credible, he cannot prove the charge in a courtroom to the criminal standard of proof.

KEILAR: And the Powerball jackpot soaring to $610 million. This is the seventh largest pot in its history. No winners in Monday's draw. The last winner was October 4th. And the odds here, great odds, right, one in 292.2 million. The drawing is tonight at 11:00.

BERMAN: Those are the "5 Things to Know for Your New Day." More on these stories all day on CNN and cnn.com. And don't forget to download the "5 Things" podcast every morning. Go to cnn.com/5things.

KEILAR: And here's what else to watch today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ON SCREEN TEXT: 11:00 a.m. ET, White House Covid-19 briefing.

12:15 p.m. ET, White House press briefing.

2:30 p.m. ET, AG Merrick Garland speech on January 6th.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Parents, you'll want to know about this story. New studies on the emotional toll taken on our kids as the omicron variant continues to derail the return to normal.

BERMAN: Plus, highway hell, or highway to hell, as AC/DC says.

KEILAR: Right.

BERMAN: Which is a great song. For those about to rock, we salute you.

What happened that led to the 28-hour standstill in Virginia.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:47:17]

BERMAN: New evidence that the transition in and out of Covid lockdown is taking a dire, emotional toll on so many children.

CNN's Elizabeth Cohen joins us now.

And I have to say, Elizabeth, it's just easy to see this happening before our very eyes.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: It is easy to see, John. I mean, our children spent a year, a year and a half at home with their families. Not that that was where we wanted them. We wanted them back in school. But that transition back to school has proved to be challenging for many children and teens.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COHEN (voice over): Like other families, the Kitleys in Chicago were thrilled when last fall their four children could finally go back to school. But halfway through the school year, there have been bumps in the road, leaving home, going back to school.

KELLEY KITLEY, MOTHER: That transition back to school has been difficult, mostly for my youngest child, who felt this sense of safety and security from the age of seven until eight and a half, and then needing to go back to school.

COHEN (on camera): So it sounds like your daughter got used to having the comfort of having mom and dad around all the time.

KITLEY: Absolutely. And then is expected to just go back to school from zero to 100. There wasn't a gradual transition.

COHEN (voice over): Kitley, a therapist herself, sees the tension in her patients.

KITLEY: They are feeling increased anxiety around just how to be and communicate with people and build friendships and being able to feel comfortable in their environment.

COHEN (on camera): Have you seen children hit crisis points?

KITLEY: Low self-esteem, and low confidence and feeling depressed. And, as a coping mechanism, turning to eating disorder behavior or cutting behavior and really not being able to manage the intensity of being back in a school environment.

COHEN (voice over): Last month, the U.S. surgeon general issued this 53-page advisory outlining how the pandemic has had an unprecedented, negative impact on the mental health of children. One global study finding symptoms of youth depression and anxiety doubled.

DR. VIVEK MURTHY, SURGEON GENERAL: I am so concerned about our children, because there is an epidemic, if you will, of mental health challenges that they have been facing.

COHEN: Kitley says an empowerment group for girls that she started has helped.

Atlanta area counselor Teshia Stovall Dula say when children feel overwhelmed by the transition back to school, she offers them a safe place.

TESHIA STOVALL DULA, SEVENTH GRADE COUNSELOR, HULL MIDDLE SCHOOL: They'll often come to my office just to get a break from the noise. And I was very surprised by that. That they needed to come and get a break from the noise.

[08:50:04]

COHEN: Her advice to parents, remember that if your children seem immature for their age, there's a reason. They missed out on more than a year of development with their peers.

DULA: I mean my 12-year-old, they still act so young. They're more like elementary school kids.

COHEN (on camera): Missing a year to a year and a half of social interaction for a middle school student, that -- that's a lot.

DULA: It was a lot.

COHEN (voice over): And, be patient with your child as they transition from one way of life to another.

DULA: Their world was turned upside down. As adults, we are able to bounce back quicker, usually faster. But for them, you know, it's going to take a little more time.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COHEN: Parents tell us that omicron has made it worse, yet one more thing for children to worry about as they go back to school after the holidays.

John.

BERMAN: Yes, you know, look, I know children are resilient, they are, but we've really asked so much of them over the last two years. And there really is only so much they can take.

Elizabeth Cohen, thank you very much.

So, change of plans, former President Trump cancels his January 6th stunt from Mar-a-Lago. What is behind that decision?

KEILAR: And this very good dog did something extraordinary, ultimately saving the life of her owner. You're really going to want to hear this special story.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:55:51]

KEILAR: All right, dogs really are man's best friend. And sometimes they are even their saviors. New Hampshire police received calls that a lost dog was frantically running up and down the I-89 bridge that connect Vermont and New Hampshire. And in an effort to catch the dog, a German shepherd named Tinsley, police went after the dog and they ended up finding a brutal car accident where Tinsley's owner and another passenger were found alive but injured, quite injured.

Joining us now is New Hampshire State Police Officer Lieutenant Dan Baldassarre.

Lieutenant, thank you so much for being with us. I know that you were the supervisor of the trooper who experienced this. Can you just take us through what happened with this dog?

LT. DAN BALDASSARRE, COMMANDER, NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE POLICE TROOP D: Sure. Thanks for having me.

So, Monday (ph) night we got a call for a loose dog running on Interstate 89, in Lebanon (ph), which borders Vermont. The trooper went out there to go check the area, did find a loose dog, a German shepherd running up the northbound side of the highway. And in an attempt to just get the dog off the highway, which is the number one priority so it didn't get hit, they tried to shoo it off the highway.

The dog wouldn't leave. It was a little bit skittish, wouldn't come up to the trooper, so -- but the dog continued to run north and the trooper followed the dog, which ultimately led them to a section of guardrail damage, just over the Memorial Bridge, which is right over the line in Vermont. And as they looked down the embankment, they could see a truck that was involved in a pretty bad crash, and two gentlemen laying outside the truck that had been ejected from the vehicle. Seriously injured. And at that point, suffering from hypothermia.

BERMAN: I mean this really is, like, Lassie, going to, you know, get help for the kid who fell down the well or something, Lieutenant, here.

What's the condition of the people who were in the car at this point and would they have made it if they hadn't been found?

BALDASSARRE: They were transported to the hospital for their injuries. As far as their condition, Vermont State Police was handling the aspect of the crash. But, in my opinion, I'm not a medical professional by any means, but the odds are, given the temperature of that night and how long they were out there, it's still unknown at this point, you know, the odds are I'm not sure if they -- if they would have made it. That dog definitely saved their lives. If not, definitely lessened the injuries they did suffer from the crash.

KEILAR: So what is it -- you know, what is the conversation there like at the department? I mean have you seen anything like this?

BALDASSARRE: No, I haven't. And it's -- it's -- we call it, just like you just said, a real life Lassie story, where someone's in distress and the dog is bringing that person to the owner. I mean we have had calls, you know, for dogs on the road, or other animals many times, but nothing to this extent where the dog wouldn't leave, but kept leading the trooper and the officer to a different location. It's remarkable. I mean it's a heartwarming story with a happy ending and it's just -- it's something that -- we're talking about that it just -- you don't hear every day.

BERMAN: Am I allowed to ask the big question?

KEILAR: You have to ask the big question that I have, please.

BERMAN: All right. All right, Lieutenant, I don't want to drag you in to our -- to our maras here, but have you ever seen a cat do anything like this?

BALDASSARRE: Not yet, no.

BERMAN: This proves our point.

KEILAR: I'm just saying, if -- if you had a cat in this situation, you would definitely be a goner, right? They're not going to help you, right, Lieutenant, the way that a dog would.

BALDASSARRE: I don't think the cat would stick around, no. I think you're right.

BERMAN: Yes, there you heard it right there.

KEILAR: Wow.

BERMAN: Lieutenant, we could not appreciate you being with us more. We're glad you had this nice story to deal with around the new year. Happy New Year to you and everyone who works with you.

BALDASSARRE: Same to you. And thanks again for having us.

BERMAN: I'll tell you what the cat would have done.

KEILAR: Oh, contraire, the cat would stick around, I would say.

BERMAN: I -- the cat would sit there and judge you. That's all a cat ever does is it judges you. It's not going to help, it's just going to judge.

[09:00:00]

KEILAR: No, it would say -- it would say, why did you get in this accident and then it would make a little snack of you.

BERMAN: (INAUDIBLE).

KEILAR: That's what I think.