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New Day Saturday
Trump To Make Public Remarks Since Aborted North Korea Summit; House Oversight Committee Issues Ultimatum To White House Over Kushner Security Clearance; Paul Manafort Appeals For Leniency In Final Days Before Sentencing; Bernie Sanders Returns To His Roots With Brooklyn Rally Today; House To Pursue Interviews With Trump Family Members, Close Associates; U.S. Set To Scale Back Military Exercises With South Korea; Osama Bin Laden's Son Emerging As Al Qaeda Leader; San Francisco Giants CEO Apologizes After Altercation With Wife. Aired 7- 8a ET
Aired March 02, 2019 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[07:00:00] CHRISTI PAUL, CNN ANCHOR: Are you sure this is anywhere in our vicinity, yes?
PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN ANCHOR: It's not. I'm not going to Peru. Nothing against Peru.
PAUL: Nothing against Peru. Very opposed to spiders of that size.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why did some of the president's closest advisers, like Kushner, get access to top security without clearance?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a matter of our national security.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I don't think I have the authority to do that. I'm not sure I'd do it. But I wouldn't do it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why does he keep lying about this stuff?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The parents of an American student who died after being imprisoned in North Korea have lashed out at the president.
TRUMP: He tells me that he didn't know about it, and I will take him at his word.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is not normal for a president of the United States to praise one of the worst dictators on the planet. The president of the United States insists he likes Kim Jong-un.
TRUMP: He's very smart, he's sharp as he can be, and he's a real leader.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The president really is a master negotiator that he was able to walk away from a deal. To tell you, now listen, Chairman, I really appreciate this, thanks but no thanks, got to go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL: Well, good morning to you on this Saturday. Another weekend always feels pretty good, doesn't it? I'm Christi Paul and...
MATTINGLY: I'm Phil Mattingly. We've survived an hour. You haven't kicked me out yet, so I'm going to hang around.
PAUL: I never would. I never would, Phil.
MATTINGLY: If you'll let me hang around. I'm Phil Mattingly, in for Victor Blackwell.
PAUL: So, his vice president, praising for standing firm. His acting chief of staff called it a masterful performance. And in a few hours, we're going to hear from the president himself, for the first time since he returned from the second North Korean summit, without a deal.
MATTINGLY: Now, President Trump will speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference this morning. And it comes at the tail end of a rough week for the White House. Joining us now with the latest on what to expect today: CNN White House Reporter Sarah Westwood. And Sarah, obviously, we've been talking a lot about the week that was, what are the expectations today at CPAC?
SARAH WESTWOOD, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Well, Phil, President Trump is recovering from a week of unflattering headlines and setbacks both from his foreign policy agenda and for domestic agenda, so we can expect to see the president try to put a positive spin on all of that. You know, just take a look at some of the headlines that came out of this week. First, you had the congressional testimony from Trump's former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, which raised new questions about Trump's conduct in business and on the campaign trail.
And Trump walked away from those highly anticipated talks in North Korea empty-handed. There were reports that Trump ordered his then- chief of staff to grant his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, a top security clearance -- that's an intervention, by the way, that he had previously denied. The House Intelligence Committee announced that Felix Sater, a former Trump associate, would soon be testifying about Trump Tower Moscow negotiations. And finally, the parents of Otto Warmbier, the young American student who died after being held in North Korean custody rebuked President Trump after Trump said in Vietnam that he believed Kim Jong-un when the North Korean dictator said he had no knowledge over harshly Otto Warmbier was being treated in North Korea custody.
So obviously, President Trump is trying to turn the page after that rough week. When he heads to CPAC, it will be a very friendly audience. It's an event, a conservative gathering that he has not missed since he became president. And lots of people trace the launch of his political career back to a speech he gave to CPAC in 2011. So, in a sense, this is Trump returning to an event that has shaped his political career. And so, we can expect to see President Trump try to argue that this week was not as tough for him as it appears to have been, Phil and Christi. MATTINGLY: Yes. Sarah, that's a great about the historical ties
here. And obviously, the president intends to go off-script in CPAC, so pay attention. Sarah Westwood, thank you very much.
PAUL: And again, just to reiterate, this week, the New York Times reported: President Trump ordered a security clearance for his son-in- law Jared Kushner. This is over the objections of other White House staffers. The congressional reaction to that report was immediate. The chairman of the House Oversight Committee says he wants to see White House documents on this decision by Monday. What comes next on the legal front? Constitutional Attorney, Page Pate, is with us now. So, let's talk about that. They're saying they want to see the documentation if the White House does not produce that by Monday, what is the consequence?
PAGE PATE, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Well, ultimately, we may end up in court. I've always wondered when this is going to happen. Obviously, we now have a very aggressive Democrat-led congress. They want to investigate a lot that's been going on at the White House; they're making requests. Eventually, they may have to issue subpoenas, but what happens when the White House says, no? We're not going to participate in this?
Well, it's complicated, because normally, when Congress want to enforce a subpoena, they go to the Department of Justice and they the cooperation of the Department of Justice to go to court and require the person who received that subpoena to respond to it. But are we going to see that cooperation when it involves the White House? It's going to end up in court to determine whether really Congress has the authority to get a lot of the documents and testimony that they requested.
PAUL: All right. I also want to ask you about Paul Manafort because we had Representative Gerry Connolly of the Oversight Committee saying, it seems as though Paul Manafort at this point is fishing for a pardon. Do you see elements of that?
[07:05:08] PATE: He's been fishing for a pardon since day one, I think. I think that's the reason they went to trial in Virginia. There was really no solid legal defense to some of the tax fraud and bank fraud allegations that he was facing. He knew he was looking at a lot of time. But I think always, he believed at the end of the day, the president was going to issue him a pardon. Now, why is it taking so long? I think they're concerned potentially about state criminal charges. And the president cannot someone for state criminal charges, only federal charges. So, the perhaps, Paul Manafort is thinking: I'm going to get my sentence, I'm going to do some time. But once that statute of limitations period runs, once the states can do no more to charge me, then I think we're going to see about it.
PAUL: What is that statute of limitations?
PATE: It depends on the crime but usually about five years. So, we may see him sit for a couple of years in prison, but I do anticipate eventually that we'll see the president pardon him. PAUL: All right, and the FBI, of course, says that releasing any
information that is related to Comey, the Comey memos which, you know, this is coming from a new court filing, where CNN is trying to get those released. The FBI says, look, that's going to compromise the Mueller investigation, is there credence in that?
PATE: Could be. I mean, we don't know what's in the memos and we don't know exactly where Mueller is in his investigation. I mean, we've heard reports they're about to issue their final report. It's about to go to the Department of Justice, to the new attorney general. But we don't know. And that's going to really be interesting for me to see, other lawyers who are watching this, especially people that are concerned about transparency in government. How much of this investigation are we going to know about? Congress is going to try to get at if we don't hear it from the Department of Justice. But we're going to see this same issue pop up. Congress cannot compel the Department of Justice to provide them with this full memo.
PAUL: We know Michael Cohen is going to be talking again to the House Intelligence Committee this week. This will be the fourth meeting he had in a week's time. Did you see any of his testimony this week?
PATE: I did. Absolutely. Yes.
PAUL: So, what was your takeaway?
PATE: Well, I think he's presented further evidence that the president and some of the people in his close circle may be involved in criminal conduct. We have known that the Southern District of New York, pursuing investigations that related to people very close to the president and individual one himself which we now know is the president. I think there is clear evidence that there are campaign finance violations that occurred here. But perhaps, the Southern District is saying, look, it's Department of Justice policy, we can't prosecute a president. So, I don't know how much more of an investigation they're going to pursue.
PAUL: So, I want to ask you about that, because, again, Representative Connolly said, I think it was on Wednesday or Thursday, he was talking about the optics of hearing from the family. Because of course, now, the committee wants to hear from Ivanka and Don Jr. And he was saying, you know, two subjects of the criminal probe of these people are in the Southern District of New York, and he says it may be better to let that play out before the committee and talk to them afterwards. What is your thought process?
PATE: That make sense. I think normally, and they've done this so far, Congress is trying to keep their investigation on one track and not interfere with criminal investigations. Because at the end of the day, if they do anything, if Congress does anything to upset, interfere, I wouldn't say obstruct, but in some way affect the criminal investigation before it's completed, it could jeopardize that investigation. These people don't want to talk publicly until they've resolved their criminal trial.
PAUL: Right, but real quickly because we have to go, but at the end of the day, how vulnerable is the president based on what we know so far?
PATE: I think very vulnerable, but that doesn't mean anything is going to happen to him in the office. I mean, we've heard people suggest that the Southern District is preparing this case to indict him once he leaves office. That's possible. They could indict him, put it under seal, put it on pause. We won't know until we know -- which will probably be after he leaves office.
PAUL: All right. Page Pate, always appreciate your insight. Thank you for being here.
PATE: Thank you.
PAUL: Phil?
MATTINGLY: All right, Bernie Sanders is hitting the campaign trail returning to his roots in Brooklyn for a rally this morning. A source tells CNN, expect to hear deeply personal remarks.
PAUL: Also, the U.S. is planning to scale down a large-scale military exercise that it has had with South Korea. So, what does that mean for North Korea? We'll talk about that.
[07:09:23] And Major League Baseball looking into a heated altercation between San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer and his wife, Pam. Pam Baer has now given us a response to that video. And you're going to see the video as well. Stay close.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PAUL: 13 minutes past the hour right now. And the field of candidates for the 2020 race for the White House, I think is growing every day.
MATTINGLY: It's less than 100 but more than 10 at this point with the possibility of getting to 100?
PAUL: Absolutely. Look at the screen there. The Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, jumped into the crowded pool of Democratic candidates yesterday, and we're still waiting to hear whether former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke is going to join that field. He gave a us a little teaser --
MATTINGLY: We'll tease. The decision has been made. Now, O'Rourke was expected to announce his intentions by the end of February, hasn't yet, again, decision has been made. And this morning, Vermont Senator, Bernie Sanders, is returning to his roots for a campaign rally in Brooklyn. According to excerpts of the speech given to CNN by a campaign source, the senator will deliver deeply personal remarks about his family's working-class struggles. I'll discuss this. Immediately. All of it. There's no short of things to be talking about.
Joining me now, Eliza Collins, Politics Reporter at the USA Today; and Kurt Bardella, Political Commentator and Columnist for the (INAUDIBLE) USA Today and former Spokesman for Republican Congressman Darrell Issa and the Oversight Committee. Eliza, I run into you all the time in the hallways on Capitol Hill. Kurt, we dealt with each other a lot in your old life. So, plenty to get into. And Eliza, I want to start with you. The personal touch from Bernie Sanders to some degree -- it's not something we saw a lot in 2016, why are we going to see it now?
ELIZA COLLINS, POLITICAL REPORTER, USA TODAY: Well, we did not see it in 2016 but we're seeing it now because Bernie Sanders has to set himself apart. The field is much more crowded this time around. And in 2016, Bernie Sanders realized that he was sort of this long shot bid. Now, in 2020 race, he's coming in as one of the front-runners in this field. But the field is also a lot more aligned with him on policy, so he has to set himself apart. He also has a story that his campaign is hoping will resonate more with voters. Going to Brooklyn, he's able to talk about his family -- his immigrant family. In Chicago, he can talk about his activism. And it sort of an appeal to bring in some of those people that he was not able to bring in 2016.
[07:15:38] MATTINGLY: Yes, it's a great point. And it's going to be fascinating to watch. Everybody has co-opted his ideas to some degree at this point.
COLLINS: Exactly.
MATTINGLY: (INAUDIBLE) how does he differentiate himself. One more for you, Eliza, one of the things I saw this week and, obviously, it was a news avalanche, but there was a New Hampshire poll that came out. And if you take a look at the poll, Bernie Sanders is sitting at 26; Joe Biden at 22; Kamala at 10; Elizabeth Warren at seven percent. And New Hampshire is Boston media market. New Hampshire is right next to Massachusetts, and actually I would think, it would be Elizabeth Warren's place to make a move. Is this a big problem for her?
COLLINS: It could be. I think it is still very early. New Hampshire is also very close to Vermont that is also Bernie Sanders country. But we could really run into a situation where we have such a big field that different candidates are winning each of the early states. And we don't know who a front-runner is for a while. But New Hampshire is certainly a place that she should be polling higher. So, I think that her team probably was nervous seeing that poll, but we still have a long time.
MATTINGLY: Yes, the always important caveat. It's very early. All right, Kurt, I want to get to you on a couple things, your past life, but also a column you wrote talking about kind of what -- what the fallout would be from this week. I want you to take a listen to a sound from Debbie Wasserman Schultz during that very explosive hearing with Michael Cohen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (D), FLORIDA: Was Ivanka, Jared, or Don Jr. still involved in the Russian tower deal at that time?
MICHAEL COHEN, FORMER TRUMP LAWYER: The company was involved in the deal which meant that the family was involved in the deal. SCHULTZ: If Mr. Trump and his daughter Ivanka and son Donald Jr. are
involved in the Russian Trump Tower deal, is it possible the whole family is conflicted or compromised with a foreign adversary in the months before the election?
COHEN: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTINGLY: Now, Kurt, in reading your piece, I think you and I may have had the same reaction to watching that, which was people are laying the groundwork for something, to some degree. Is that kind of your take on what that hearing meant for the family?
KURT BARDELLA, POLITICAL COMMENTATOR AND COLUMNIST: Yes, and I thought, what stood out to me was for Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz there, she was the first Democrat to ask question of Cohen outside of the Chairman Cummings. And what's very revealing that the tact that she took -- remember, this is someone who is the former chair of the DNC. Cohen had talked about (INAUDIBLE) and some of the things that happened at the DNC.
It would have made a lot of sense for her to go down that path, but she didn't. She instead, went down this line about the Trump family. And what that told me was this is an area of interest for the committee, this is getting a corroborating witness with firsthand knowledge on the record, naming names, and those names are going to be clearly the path that this Congress and this committee is going to go to pursue. They're going to bring these people in for depositions or for hearings.
They're going to ask for documents related to anything with their name on it that they were aware of. And that's why that she asked about -- you know, throughout the heard them asked: well, were they involved in meetings? Were they briefed? How many times did that happen? That's going to be a huge focus for the Oversight Committee going forward. And Cummings said that yesterday -- Chairman Cummings said that, all you have to do is look at the transcript to know where they're going to go next.
MATTINGLY: Yes. He kind of made clear who the targets are. Look, can you take us behind the closed doors. You've been behind closed doors when these big oversight hearings ramp up, when a new chairman comes in and has subpoena power. What are the dangers for Democrats right now as they look at just the sheer scope of the investigations that they're trying to take on?
BARDELLA: Well -- and I think, that right there, Phil, is the real challenge. There are so many different threads to consider and to pursue, and so many other committees looking at things, there's a lot of overlap intersecting. So, there has to be clear communication, there's has to be clear lines of investigative inquiry for each committee to follow. And rhetorically, you have to let the facts tell you where you're going to go. Going out ahead of time and making declarations, which frankly and candidly, we as Republicans, when I work at the committee, we did that a lot. We make a lot of declarations and we would spend a lot of time trying
to make sure that the facts would align with our narrative. Well, I think you're seeing from Cummings, a very different tract, a very much more responsible and deliberative rhetorical tract because he's, he's being very reserved; he's not making any declarations, any judgments. His message is: we just want to get to the facts; we just want to get to the truth and that will take us where it goes. And that's where the all Democrats across the entire Congress need to look at it. Don't make pronouncements, don't make assumptions, don't make judgments, just let the evidence speak for itself.
[07:20:00] MATTING: And to that point, Eliza, you know the Hill as well as anybody, what are the odds that what Kurt is saying right there and will actually come to fruition that all Democrats will kind of hold their fire, that leadership can keep them in line and just, kind of, stay laser-focused on things that they already are searching for answers for.
COLLINS: I think it's pretty long. I think so far, Democrats have done a really good job of being united. I think leadership has sent a message down: we're not talking about impeachment; we need to make a case. I mean, we're seeing that with the tax returns, right? Democrats ran, they said we want to get Trump's tax returns as soon as we take power. They have not done that yet. They've had hearings. We're seeing Richie Neil, who's the Chairman of Ways and Means Committee, who can request the tax returns; he has not done that yet.
But there is a growing, sort of a growing anger on the progressive wing of the party that they aren't moving fast enough on the tax returns. I think, now that there are names being named, we're going to see the progressive wing expect those people to come in and expect some answers. And so, I think right now, they've done a good job of staying united. But I'm not sure how long that will last, the more that things come out.
MATTINGLY: Yes, it gets a little more complicated as things move on. Kurt Bardella, thank you very much. Eliza, I'm sure I'll see you in the hallways on Monday. Thank you.
COLLINS: See you Monday.
PAUL: So, the U.S. says, it will likely have a much smaller-scale military exercise with South Korea this year. We're going to talk about how that will impact North Korea.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:25:34] PAUL: We've been waiting for you. 25 minutes past the hour on this Saturday. I'm Christi Paul.
MATTINGLY: I'm Phil Mattingly. You're awake at 7:25 on a Saturday. You must have kids.
PAUL: Phil, we know how that goes well with you. So, we want to talk about the U.S. and South Korea right now, because they are expected to announce the annual military exercises between the two countries are going to be scaled back. U.S. Defense officials say they will have exercises at a small level that could involve virtual training.
MATTINGLY: Now, this video is for previous large-scale military exercises. And this year's exercises known as full eagle and key resolve had been scheduled for the spring. Now, this all comes as President Trump, who likes to be known for his art of the deal, walked away from the North Korean summit without said deal in hand, but his Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, Mr. Trump did exactly what he should have done.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICK MULVANEY, ACTING WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: The president really is a master negotiator, and he was able to walk away from a deal to tell you -- now, listen, chairman, I really appreciate this. Thanks, but no thanks. Got to go, OK? And did so in such a fashion to keep all of the connections, all of the relationships still intact. So that you can pick up a discussion whenever you want do in the future; there's no wounds to be healed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTINGLY: Now, this might surprise you but Democratic presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren, well, she disagreed. She said the president is making the U.S. look bad on the world stage.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN (D), MASSACHUSETTS: President Trump proved once again that he is a terrible negotiator. He showed up without having done his homework. He then thought he could come in and sort of roll through it without any real preparation, and he walked away empty- handed. He doesn't make America stronger. He makes it the laughingstock.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL: Now, President Trump is clarifying his comments regarding American student Otto Warmbier's death.
MATTINGLY: Now, the Warmbier family had sent a scathing statement out after the president's initial comments defending North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. CNN's Brian Todd has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Analysts called it a low point in an already dismal news conference.
TRUMP: He tells me that he didn't know about it and I will take him at his word.
TODD: The president saying he supported North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un's stance, that Kim didn't know of American college student Otto Warmbier's deteriorating condition in a North Korean prison.
TRUMP: I don't believe that he would have allowed that to happen. TODD: Otto Warmbier, a student at the University of Virginia was
arrested for allegedly stealing a political sign during his tour of Pyongyang in early 2016 -- during what was widely seen as a show trial he left.
Warmbier was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. A year and a half later, North Korean diplomats abruptly asked for a meeting with their U.S. counterparts and told them the young American was in a coma. Warmbier was quickly evacuated and died just a couple days after returning home. Trump initially attacked Kim and his regime for the death.
TRUMP: We need only look at the depraved character of the North Korean regime.
TODD: And he embraced Warmbier's parents even inviting them to the State of the Union address.
TRUMP: You were powerful witnesses to a menace that threatening our world, and your strength truly inspires us all.
TODD: Analysts said that seemed to be a far cry from his comments this week.
TRUMP: He felt badly about it.
TODD: Trump has, in fact, struck a different tone for months now with Kim Jong-un.
TRUMP: And then we fell in love, OK? No, really. He wrote me beautiful letters. And they're great letters.
TODD: Tonight, facing backlash from the family, the president took to Twitter saying he had been misinterpreted on Thursday: "Of course, I hold North Korea responsible for Otto's mistreatment and death. Most important, Otto Warmbier will not have died in vain. I love Otto and think of him often."
KELLYANNE CONWAY, COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT: This president is responsible for having Otto Warmbier return to this country and be reunited with his family in his final hours. What the president is saying is that there's no indication Chairman Kim knew what happened to Otto Warmbier when it happened.
TODD: But that seems improbable, expert say, because after his death, doctors who examined Otto Warmbier said they believed he'd been in a vegetative state for 14 months before being sent home.
If he's in a vegetative state for 14 months does Kim Jong-un not know about it at all, during that time?
ROBERT KING, FORMER SPECIAL ENVOY TO NORTH KOREA FOR HUMAN RIGHTS: Kim would have known this as soon as they had determined that this was something that wasn't reversible. He would have known immediately.
[07:30:07] TODD: Brian Todd, CNN, Washington. (END VIDEOTAPE)
MATTINGLY: For more than a week. Well, the big question I have with all of this, and we've seen the domestic backlash here is what was the president thinking when he said that about the Warmbier family and Kim Jong-un? Was there a strategy there or was it just he got lost and he was -- what was actually going on?
WILL RIPLEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I think that press conference, Phil, was an attempt by President Trump to salvage what was really a diplomatic nightmare that signaled a clear lack of preparation and lead-up to the summit in Hanoi.
I mean, you don't fly a U.S. president and have a North Korean leader travel by train across China to Vietnam to come for nothing. To leave without a signed agreement.
I mean, the North Koreans were so confident they'd have a signed agreement. They did not have a back-up plan, my sources say. And so, Kim at -- I'm sorry, Trump at the podium was trying to play nice, trying to still preserve that good personal relationship with Kim Jong-un, and not say anything to offend him, hoping that, that is going to be the kind of string that holds this whole thing together since clearly, they couldn't come to terms on the key issues of sanctions relief and meaningful steps toward denuclearization.
PAUL: So, let's talk about the other news of the day here. These U.S.-South Korea military exercises that are being scaled back. These have been significant up to this point, the president has called them expensive and provocative. What is the consequence of pulling back on those, Will?
RIPLEY: Well, the suspension of the joint drills has contributed to the easing of tensions on the peninsula. There's no doubt, as has Kim Jong-un's more than year-long freeze and missile and nuclear testing.
But the problem, military analysts say is that when U.S. troops are not able to train in the manner that they are used to training with South Korean forces over time as U.S. troops get phased out, and new South Korean soldiers come in. The state of readiness for the two countries to work together in the event of a conflict or a crisis continues to diminish.
Now, you could argue that North Korea's missile program also suffers in some extent because they're not -- you know, launching and testing missiles and nuclear devices. But they already have conducted so many tests and learned so much from them.
Now, all the money that they're saving from not testing can go into other areas of the nuclear program, and that's exactly what U.S. intelligence analysts have seen happening in terms of North Korea expanding its missile bases, and there was even a Stanford University study earlier this year suggesting the North Korea has been able during this diplomatic entente to enrich enough nuclear bomb fuel to produce up to seven new weapons.
MATTINGLY: Wow, nobody covers this issue closer. Will Ripley in Hanoi, thank you very much.
PAUL: Thank you.
MATTINGLY: All right, this is a story they'll make you take notice. U.S. officials say a new leader of al-Qaeda is emerging. And he has an infamous last name.
PAUL: Jake Tapper has more on the new addition to the U.S. State Department's most-wanted list.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAKE TAPPER, CNN CHIEF WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Like father like son. Osama bin Laden's son is now one of the State Department's most wanted. The U.S. offering $1 million for information on the whereabouts of Hamza bin Laden. The man said to be emerging as a new leader in al-Qaeda.
MICHAEL EVANOFF, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DIPLOMATIC SECURITY: It's a heads up that we are -- we are looking for you, and we will get you.
TAPPER: Hamza's terrorist's pedigree notches from his famous last name. Video released by the CIA in 2017, showing Hamza's wedding in 2009 to a senior al-Qaeda leader's daughter in Iran.
And Hamza has appeared in al-Qaeda propaganda video since he was a child. U.S. officials say documents recovered from the 2011 Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden indicated he was grooming Hamza for a leadership role.
PETER BERGEN, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: His father was writing him fairly extensive letters when he was on Iran. He was supposed to be in the about, about compound in Pakistan where bin Laden was killed, the night of the raid.
TAPPER: And it's that 2011 raid that may be driving Hamza.
EVANOFF: He has threatened to attacks against the United States in revenge for the May 2011 killing of his father.
TAPPER: The U.S. officially designated Hamza as a terrorist in 2017. And now, all United Nations members are required to freeze all of Hamza's assets. The intelligence community warns that al-Qaeda which perpetrated the 9/11 attacks is rebuilding. Attacks that led to the U.S. war in Afghanistan, the nation's longest war, continuing today with 14,000 U.S. troops still in the country.
Al-Qaeda has been weakened in recent years, and the U.S. has been focused on the threat from ISIS in Syria and Iraq. But al-Qaeda is rebuilding and wants to re-establish itself as the leader of a global extremist movement.
DAN COATS, UNITED STATES DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE: Al Qaeda is showing signs of confidence as its leaders work to strengthen their networks and encourage attacks against Western interests. NATHAN SALES, UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE, COORDINATOR FOR COUNTERTERRORISM: Al Qaeda retains both the capability and the intent to hit us. One of the last major al-Qaeda attacks on the West was the 2005 London bus and subway bombings, killing 52 people.
However, al-Qaeda affiliates have been carrying out attacks more recently. In January of this year, al-Shabaab killed 21 in an attack on a Nairobi hotel.
In response to the State Department's action against Hamza, in his home country of Saudi Arabia, revoked Hamza's citizenship. The U.S. State Department now says they believe Hamza is somewhere on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and could possibly cross over into Iran.
[07:35:29] BERGEN: Somebody like Hamza, a younger guy who's been in the group since basically he was a child is -- I think a significant threat.
TAPPER: Jake Tapper, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MATTINGLY: All right, thanks, Jake, for that piece. Up next, San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer and his wife are apologizing after a very public altercation in a San Francisco park. We have the video the police are investigating, right after the break.
PAUL: Also a reminder for you, join us tomorrow for a new CNN "SPECIAL REPORT" Fareed Zakaria shares the story of "SAUDI ARABIA, A KINGDOM OF SECRETS." That is tomorrow 8:00 p.m. Eastern only here on CNN
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:40:24] MATTINGLY: And welcome back to NEW DAY this morning. San Francisco police are looking into a video that shows the San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer, having an -- and his wife, having an altercation at a public park.
PAUL: Yes, this is -- you know, one point an altercation that became physical. And we have the video for you. CNN's Kaylee Hartung is here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAM BAER, WIFE OF LARRY BAER: Oh, my God, help.
KAYLEE HARTUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, my God help. Pam Bear screams as her husband, San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Bear tries to grab what appears to be a cell phone out of her hand. Caught in a struggle, she falls to the ground in the chair she's sitting in.
This video captured by a bystander and first released by TMZ shows just a few seconds of the scuffle. After a cut in the video, you can see Larry Bear, cell phone, cup of coffee in hand, saying, "Stop, Pam, stop," and walking away. Bystanders are heard yelling for her to stay away from him. The couple, married for nearly 30 years, says they're embarrassed by the heated argument over a family matter. In a joint statement, they say they resolve the issue. But this video is now an issue for authorities.
The San Francisco Police Department is investigating the incident. And so, is Major League Baseball. A statement from the league says, "Just like any other situation like this, they will immediately begin to gather the facts." Major League Baseball's strict domestic violence policy applies to executives as well as players.
Baer is part owner of the Giants and as seen as a major part of the successive jour by the organization which won the World Series three times in the last 10 years.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL: Kaylee Hartung, reporting there for us. Thank you, Kaylee. Now, Pam Baer did send CNN an e-mail, response about what happened. Here is what she wrote. "Ha. An unfortunate public marital argument. I grabbed his phone, and I fell back. I love Larry more than anything."
MATTINGLY: All right, coming up. It's Women's History Month, Rolling Stone magazine is celebrating with a cover featuring four history- making Congresswoman. We'll hear from the journalists who talk to these women about their experiences on Capitol Hill.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:46:37] PAUL: 46 minutes past the hour. And you know, there are more women in Congress now than there have ever been. 102 in the House to be exact. Rolling Stone magazine is celebrating Women's History Month by put in four history-making congresswomen on the cover.
Look at that. The headline, Women Shaping the Future. The magazine interviewed new Democratic Representatives, Jahana Hayes of Connecticut, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
So, we've got a staff writer for Rolling Stone magazine. Tessa Stuart with us now. Tessa, thank you so much for being here. Glad that you made it in snow in New York. I know it looks slow crazy there right now. But I want to ask you right out of the gate.
I understand that you all asked each of these women whether they would vote for impeachment. What would -- what reaction did you get in that?
TESSA STUART, STAFF WRITER, ROLLING STONE: Well, I think, it -- their reactions really look ran honest, they were really on a spectrum. I guess starting with Jahana Hayes, who was a little bit more cautious about it. She said, you know, "I don't know if I would vote for that today. I think that we need to figure out -- we need to get the report and we need to have all of the details before we move to do that.
Ilhan Omar who grew up in Somalia before she was immigrant to the U.S. She said that you know, "Every time countries overthrow a dictator, that's a really big deal, so, we need to be careful about that. She spoke about her fear of what a Pence presidency would look like if Trump was impeached.
Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House who obviously has the most power in a decision like that. She said, you know, "This is a really resource intensive of process. We need to wait for the Mueller report, we need to really figure it out."
And then you had Representative Ocasio-Cortez, who was like, "Yes, no question. I would absolutely vote to impeach and I have no reservations about that. I don't know why it would be controversial."
PAUL: Speaking of AOC and Nancy Pelosi, obviously, very different experiences that they're bringing. But Nancy Pelosi, as I understand, it was very open about talking about her skepticism of the new green -- of the New Green Deal.
STUART: Yes.
PAUL: And that's something, of course, that is a hallmark of AOC's -- you know, policy and in what she wants to promote. How do those two -- how do those two come together?
STUART: So, one thing that's really interesting about, and part of the reason we wanted to have these women on the cover together is because they do have this really interesting dynamic which they both spoke to in each of the interviews.
Nancy Pelosi talked about having these protesters, including Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, staged a sit-in in her office in November demanding action on climate change.
And she said, you know, "I -- that's how I got into politics in the first place. I was an activist, I was an organizer, I was on the streets carrying signs, and asking why our representatives were going back to Washington and compromise -- and compromising." And she said, "I have a different role now, I'm the Speaker of the House. My job is to -- is to build a coalition and to achieve compromise and make sure that whatever legislation we're getting, we're putting together we're going to get passed." You know, she's never lost a vote in the House.
And Ocasio-Cortez, in her interview said the same thing. She said, "I know that Nancy Pelosi has a responsibility as Speaker to build consensus and build a coalition. I know that she's a progressive at heart, but my job is to shift the Overton window." Is -- that's her term. "And to make sure that the conversation we're having is the most progressive conversation possible."
So, that's kind of I think gets at the heart of this -- of their respective reactions to the Green New Deal. Ocasio-Cortez is talking about this huge plan that includes jobs guarantee and addresses health care, disparities, addresses social justice issues. And Nancy Pelosi is saying, "You know, I -- there's a lot of good ideas in there, but I want something that can pass."
[07:50:48] PAUL: All right. All right. Hey, Tessa, thank you so much for being here. Thank you.
(CROSSTALK)
STUART: Very interesting article, great cover.
PAUL: We appreciate your time.
STUART: Thanks.
PAUL: Absolutely. Phil?
MATTINGLY: All right. Still, to come, the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska kicks off in a few hours. And already, guess what, Mother Nature presenting challenges.
ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Challenges, yes. And the biggest one may actually be too much snow. We'll talk about why coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:55:34] PAUL: I know you, like me, probably wonder what is life going to be like when we get older. Well, apparently, social isolation and loneliness can be an issue for seniors. But researchers at the University of California have discovered using their voice in a specific way can really enhance their well-being. It's this week "STAYING WELL".
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ISABEL HEREDI, CHOIR, COMMUNITY OF VOICES: When we sing, we feel this emotion of happiness, enjoyment.
JULENE JOHNSON, COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENTIST, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA: Feelings of loneliness are a significant issue for older adults. The arts are particularly innovative for helping improve health inequities in these communities.
We do see changes --
If somebody is lonely, they're at higher risk for mortality and developing disability. We started 12 different choirs at senior centers throughout San Francisco with the aim of better understanding if singing in a community choir could improve the health and well- being of diverse older adults.
We enrolled almost 400 older adults. The main benefits of the choir that we discovered, older adults had a reduction in their feelings of loneliness. And also, an increase in their interest in life.
Well, if we think about a choir, it's a group activity. So, individuals are coming to the Senior Center every week to participate in a group activity that has cultural meaningfulness to them.
HEREDI: Having a schedule, having to go out, enjoy what you're doing, it is very important. And singing has an emotional component. So, I am so glad to be in this choir.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MATTINGLY: Starting today, mushers and hundreds of sled dogs will swarm the streets of Anchorage, Alaska for the 47th Annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race.
PAUL: Yes, this year apparently stretches some deep snow could be a bit of a challenge for them. Allison talked to us about that. Alaska isn't the only area getting heavy snow this weekend either, right?
CHINCHAR: Yes, so let's start with Alaska, because yes, this is actually going to be a big challenge. You wouldn't think too much snow would be. But, you look back to past races to really understand. OK?
So, two years ago in 2017, they had very little snow. It was very hard packed on the ground. So, because of that, they were ended up with the fastest race time ever. Eight days, three hours, and 40 minutes.
The following year, just last year, they had a little bit more snow. So, in turn, it ended up taking a little bit longer about. Nine days and 12 hours. This year, there are portions of the course that have really high snow. You're talking well over a foot high.
The problem there is that it's likely going to slow the mushers and the teams down. Here is a perfect example of this. OK? This is why I want you to understand why this is so important. And video of cute dogs always help. Here is a look at some video.
These are dogs that are trying to push through the snow. They are trying to make some forward progression. But it's very difficult because of how deep the snow is.
Now, I will point out, the Iditarod dogs are going to be slightly larger than this but you get the point. It's difficult to push those sleds forward when the snow is so deep. And that's the problem that we have.
Today begins the ceremonial start in Anchorage. They'll go for about a few miles and then they'll drive over to Willow. Tomorrow is the restart. This is when the "real race" begins and they'll continue all the way up to known.
Now, let's add in current snow depth. Look at this, widespread amounts of about 10 to 15 inches are already on the ground. Here is the other thing to note. A lot of these locations could potentially pick up as much as an additional foot of snow before the race ends.
And Christi, likely, most of these teams will end Tuesday or Wednesday the following week. Meaning, March 12th or 13th, but given the amount of snow, it's more likely to be on Wednesday.
MATTINGLY: Puppy -- puppies running in snow was a nice play there. That was -- that's (INAUDIBLE)
PAUL: (INAUDIBLE)
MATTINGLY: But it is worth noting. Alaska is not the only area getting hit with heavy snow, there is about 75 million people under a winter weather alert this morning. Tell us about them.
CHINCHAR: Yes. So, let's focus on the Northeast because you've got a lot of the big cities. Boston, New York, and Philadelphia that are expected to get several inches out of this next system. Here is a look. It really starts to develop overnight tonight around the Ark- La-Tex area. It will bring snow to places like Missouri, Kansas, stretching over to Illinois and Ohio.
Then, as this storm continues to push off to the east by tomorrow afternoon and evening, that's when it really starts to push guys into the mid-Atlantic into the Northeast.
And yes, places like Philly about two to four inches. New York, about three to five, and Boston, guys, could potentially pick up as much as four to six inches of snow before it's done.
PAUL: And it's this time of the year that Allison is happy to be reporting from the studio. Allison Chinchar, thank you.
