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New Day
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) is Interviewed about the Supreme Court Pick; Grocery Prices Climb Amid Inflation; Former Miss USA Jumps to her Death. Aired 8:30-9a ET
Aired January 31, 2022 - 08:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[08:30:32]
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The irony is that the Supreme Court is at the very same time hearing cases about -- about this sort of affirmative racial discrimination.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And -- and -- and -- and while adding someone who is the beneficiary of -- of this sort of quota.
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JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: The White House pushing back on those comments, saying President Biden's vow to nominate a black woman is in line with the best traditions of both parties and our nation, and that includes Ronald Reagan, who famously made this pledge as a candidate in 1980.
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RONALD REAGAN, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: I'm announcing today that one of the first Supreme Court vacancies in my administration will be filled by the most qualified woman I can possibly find, one who meets the high standards I will demand for all court appointments. It's time for a woman to sit among our highest jurists.
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BERMAN: Joining me now is Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii. She's a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will hold the confirmation hearing. SEN. MAZIE HIRONO (D-HI): Good morning, John.
BERMAN: Senator Hirono, the only difference between what Joe Biden said and what Ronald Reagan said that I can infer here, the only word that Biden used that Reagan didn't was "black" or "African-American" woman. So, what do you think the problem that Republicans, some, have here is?
HIRONO: I don't know to tell you the truth because Ronald Reagan cared about a court that much better reflected the diversity of our country. That meant putting a woman on the court, the first ever woman. So that -- you know, I very much agree with Lindsey Graham, that he's keeping definitely an open mind that the court should be much more reflective of the diversity of our country and putting a highly qualified black woman would do that.
BERMAN: Again, you know, Roger Wicker, and the way he phrased that and the way that you are hearing some people phrase things right now, it seems to suggest something, and I'm wondering what you hear in that.
HIRONO: I'm very disappointed that Roger is acting as though the president is not going to nominate somebody who is highly qualified, fair and objective. All of President Biden's nominees have had those qualifications.
BERMAN: What are you specifically looking for in a justice? Now, look, you're not going to get to choose who President Biden nominates here, but if you did have a say among the various jurists out there that he seems to be considering, what would you most like to see?
HIRONO: I'm looking for someone who will be fair and objective, who supports the rule of law and precedent, unlike too many of former President Trump's nominees.
BERMAN: I want to ask you about something that Donald Trump said over the weekend. He was at a rally, and he suggested that if he were to run and win again, he might pardon some of the people who were involved with the insurrection on January 6th of 2021. What are your concerns about a statement like that from a legal or political perspective?
HIRONO: This is president -- former President Trump once again -- you know what, he's telegraphing to people who support him, go ahead and break the law, I will pardon you. This is called (ph) abuse of his pardon powers. And he's not even the president. So, Trump is continuing to divide the country and trying to become relevant.
I totally disagree, of course, with where he's going. And, in fact, I am one of the sponsors of a bill that would prevent the abuse of the president's pardon powers.
BERMAN: Look, the Justice Department, Merrick Garland, said that he will investigate the January 6th insurrection as high as it goes. At this point, how much do you approve of what you know of the investigation? Do you feel like he is going far enough publicly? Do you think he should be investigating Donald Trump? HIRONO: For all we know, he may be investigating Donald Trump because
Merrick Garland has said that nobody is going to be immune from the kind of investigation they're doing.
The fact of the matter is that there are investigations going on.
[08:35:01]
The January 6th committee is revealing (ph) all kinds of things, including some -- I would say that there were some plans ahead of time which led to the insurrection and the riot that occurred on January 6th. Really, John, there is no question in my mind that these rioters, if they're -- if they found any of us that we would have been hurt or worse.
BERMAN: Senator Mazie Hirono, I appreciate your time this morning. Thank you very much.
HIRONO: Thank you. Thanks, John.
BERMAN: Here's what else to watch today.
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ON SCREEN TEXT: 9:45 a.m. ET, Jill Biden remarks at JFK Center.
1:00 p.m. ET, White House briefing.
2:00 p.m. ET, State Department briefing.
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BERMAN: A California man accused of setting off two car explosions just days apart. What we now know about a possible motive.
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: And one of the Americans who was kidnapped in Haiti is now breaking his silence. We'll speak with him about the terrifying 62 days that he was held captive.
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[08:40:31]
KEILAR: Time now for "5 Things to Know for Your New Day."
CNN has learned that then Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris drove within yards of a pipe bomb that was planted outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters on the same day as the Capitol insurrection last year. Multiple sources also revealing that Harris was in the building for nearly two hours before the bomb was discovered.
BERMAN: Police in Sacramento have made an arrest in connection with a pair of recent car explosions. Authorities believe it was the handiwork of 23-year-old Cody Wiggs. He was seen on surveillance tape detonating two pipe bombs placed inside the vehicles. It's not clear if he had any help. The investigation is ongoing.
KEILAR: The nation mourning a shocking loss. Cheslie Kryst, who won Miss USA in 2019, died after jumping from a Manhattan building over the weekend. The circumstances leading up to her death are not yet clear. Kryst practiced civil litigation for a law firm. She also worked to help prisoners who may have been sentenced unjustly free of charge. She was 30 years old.
BERMAN: That's heartbreaking.
Joe Rogan apologizing to streaming giant Spotify and anyone he says he has offended with the coronavirus misinformation that is on his podcast amid fierce backlash from a number of artists threatening to leave the platform all together. Rogan pledged that moving forward he would have more balance and do better research.
KEILAR: Billionaire Elon Musk offering a teenager $5,000 to delete a Twitter bot account, Elonjet, which tracks his personal plane's whereabouts. But 19-year-old Jack Sweeney wants $50,000. Well, that's what he wanted, $50,000. They may have reached an agreement, not about money. Sweeney said he suggested using a blocking program to counter tracking and it appears Musk is using it.
BERMAN: Those are "5 Things to Know on 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. You can also find it wherever you get your podcasts.
Overnight, a plea deal reached for two of the men who are convicted of murdering Ahmaud Arbery. What it means for their future behind bars.
KEILAR: And breaking news this morning, new CNN reporting revealing just how close Kamala Harris was to that pipe bomb that was planted at the DNC last year.
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[08:47:09]
KEILAR: Americans are feeling the squeeze at the grocery store. Inflation coupled with the impact of omicron and the ongoing supply chain concerns are driving up the price of food and related consumer goods.
CNN's Gabe Cohen takes a look at the numbers.
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MIKE CROWDER, GROCERY SHOPPER: It's real tough.
GABE COHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): For Mike Crowder, finding affordable food has been difficult. He's battling cancer and living on a tight budget.
CROWDER: It's hard for me to get out here and work and be around people. Sometimes, you know, you just have to do without some things to eat.
COHEN: Grocery costs keep climbing, on everything from meat, to seafood, produce, cereal and much more, with overall prices up 9 percent from a year ago.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It feels like I'm paying a lot more at the register when I finally do check out.
COHEN: Now, big name brands are raising prices. Kraft Heinz is the latest, announcing hikes on Velveeta cheese, Oscar Mayer meats, coffee and Kool-Aid, joining General Mills and Campbell Soup and Procter & Gamble, which is raising the price of Tide laundry products.
DOUG BAKER, VP OF INDUSTRY RELATIONS, FMI THE FOOD INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION: So, they've put it off as long as possible and now we're going to feel the effect of that for the next few months.
COHEN: The entire food supply chain is facing surging costs, congestion, and a labor shortage, which have hardly improved. The number of cargo ships parked off the California coast hit a record high in January, with more than 100 still waiting. Even after the ports unloaded 13 percent more containers than ever before in 2021. The cost of ingredients, packaging and transportation keeps skyrocketing.
TONY SARSAM, CEO, SPARTANNASH: The extraordinary cost pressure that we're seeing across all different businesses right now is landing in that last resort. And that's why you're seeing the inflation.
COHEN: And omicron is adding to it, peeling workers from warehouses, processing facilities and grocery stores. This month, U.S. pork production dropped 8 percent in just a week, with staff sick or quarantined. With fewer employees, distributors are cutting orders to some grocery stores by 20 percent to 40 percent.
MICHAEL NEEDLER, OWNER, FRESH ENCOUNTER: It's been whack-a-mole. It's one item one day and then, you know, a completely different segment the next.
COHEN: And demand for groceries keeps surging with people suck at home and inflation at a 39-year high.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A lot of times you're limited with what you can get.
COHEN: A recent survey found 37 percent of customers are very concerned about shortages seen on items like pet food, paper goods and cream cheese.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's just not as many things on the shelves.
COHEN: The Biden administration says they're working to ease inflation, accusing some of the largest meat processors of raising prices just to drive up profits. But experts are projecting more grocery price hikes in the months ahead.
BETH MONCEL, CREATOR, BUDGET BYTES: Well, you have to be really strategic and intentional.
COHEN: Beth Moncel runs a blog about cooking on a budget. Her advice, look for sales flyers before shopping, join store loyalty programs, and plan meals around cheap filling items like rice and beans, as well as shelf-stable ingredients, like frozen vegetables.
[08:50:07]
MONCEL: Because every time you throw food away, you're literally just throwing money in the garbage.
COHEN: Every dollar counts for families struggling to eat these costs.
CROWDER: It's going to be kind of hard. But I -- you know, I've just got to get out here and find something to do and make it work.
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COHEN: Now, right now, experts are urging people not to go out and panic-buy groceries. They say there should be plenty of food but there may be limited options in the weeks ahead. Again, they are expecting those price increases to only continue with U.S. consumer sentiment already at its lowest level since 2011.
Brianna and John.
KEILAR: Yes, I mean, I've been noticing this and I know a lot of people have. And it seems to be also sometimes random stuff that you can't get, like we're struggling to find jalapenos in my house. I don't eat them, but I have family members who love them, and there aren't enough.
COHEN: Yes, and it's hit or miss for a lot of people. And they go to the store. They don't know what they're going to find. And now a lot of folks are frustrated.
BERMAN: Yes, Brianna, you said jalapenos, anchovies and juice boxes.
KEILAR: Anchovies. Juice boxes. Oh, my God, that -- that's --
BERMAN: Which, I don't want to tell you how to live. I would not mix those three. That's not --
KEILAR: They don't go together.
BERMAN: I mean, you do you, but that's not how --
KEILAR: They don't go together.
BERMAN: That's not how I would live.
KEILAR: I will tell you, juice boxes, obviously, for my kids. Anchovy is the key to tasty vegetables if you cook vegetables. Just a little olive oil, little anchovy. No one will know it's in there. It's delicious.
BERMAN: As someone who occasionally has to sit next to you, I know. Trust -- trust -- trust (INAUDIBLE).
KEILAR: I eat them onset for breakfast.
BERMAN: Sorry -- sorry, Gabe, you had to listen to this.
I -- but the last thing, Gabe, I'll say is, you know, look, a lot of this -- a lot of this has to do with demand. We're seeing unprecedented demand in this economy for many things. So it's not in some cases there's mass shortages of anything, it's just that more people want the anchovies now than ever before.
COHEN: Yes, more people are stuck at home. More people are cooking meals. And so, you're right, grocery store sales are through the roof. And so they're really just trying to meet that demand. And every time you see something like a massive snowstorm that throws just another wrinkle in this supply chain congestion that's causing so many problems.
KEILAR: Yes. Gabe, great report. Thank you so much.
Just in --
BERMAN: Gabe didn't want to take sides.
KEILAR: I know.
BERMAN: Yes, he didn't want to -- he didn't want to take sides there.
KEILAR: He really didn't.
BERMAN: I mean Gabe was going to play it straight no matter what, even though he knows I'm right.
KEILAR: He wasn't going to insult me for eating anchovies and not being able to get them.
All right, just in, the NYPD now investigating a tragic loss this morning after a former Miss USA jumped to her death from a Manhattan high-rise building. Cheslie Kryst, who was named Miss USA in 2019 was just 30 years old.
CNN's Jean Casarez is joining me now.
This is a very tough one because she also -- she was on social media the morning of, Jean, and this is someone with so many beautiful things ahead of her in life, too.
JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Yes. And so many accomplishments already.
KEILAR: Yes.
CASAREZ: We just learned the NYPD says that there will be an investigation into her death. Now, this is protocol in many jurisdictions because when you have a death there needs to be an investigation. The NYPD came out very quickly yesterday saying that she jumped from a
building to her death on Sunday. And those are facts. And those are the facts that they assessed and believed were relevant. And, of course, they are.
But now there needs to be more. And we're working on right now to see if there, in fact, will be an autopsy performed on the body, any toxicology taken, any other tests that are protocol normally in a situation like this. Ut at this point we have confirmed that there will be an investigation, a death investigation, into this beautiful young woman, a former Miss USA in 2019, and an attorney.
KEILAR: And an attorney, doing stuff for free for people with her, you know, legal abilities in order to try to help them out.
CASAREZ: Yes. That's right.
KEILAR: It's really a loss.
Jean, thank you so much
CASAREZ: Thanks.
KEILAR: And, look, we just want to highlight this. I know when you're looking at a story like this, if you or someone that you know is struggling, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
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[08:58:44]
BERMAN: Time now for "The Good Stuff."
A Pennsylvania community has found a way to say thank you to 14-year- old Cohen Stahl, who's made it his business to dig out his fellow neighbors, even plowing around their bright red fire hydrants.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In this day and age, with all the technology, you don't see kids out doing things, let alone helping out the community like this. And it's such a vital thing that he is doing for the community.
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BERMAN: Stahl has been making the cleanup rounds using, in addition to the shovel, a plow attached to his all-terrain vehicle. But a fire took that option out of commission. His all-terrain vehicle there up in flames. No details as to why or how.
Fast-forward to Stahl's rather appreciative neighbors. What they did is they started a Go Fund Me site to help Cohen get a new set of wheels.
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COHEN STAHL, 14-YEAR-OLD HELPING COMMUNITY: I'm helping them and they just helped me back, which I think feels great. I'm glad that they're helping me out. And I'll just keep doing what I'm doing, plowing mailboxes and driveways and fire hydrants.
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BERMAN: So, at last count, the Go Fund Me has raised $8,000 and counting.
[09:00:02]
That should set him up with a new vehicle and a new plow.
KEILAR: Yes.
BERMAN: Everyone wins. Everyone wins.
KEILAR: It's a virtuous circle. A beautiful story.
KEILAR: Good for him.
All right, CNN's coverage continues right now.
