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The Situation Room

24 States and D.C. Sue Over Trump's Cuts to AmeriCorps; Steep DOGE Cuts; Trump Blames Biden for Economic Slowdown; Kamala Harris: Trump Tariffs "Clearly Inviting a Recession"; Bill Belichick Takes Aim at CBS. Aired 10:30-11a ET

Aired May 01, 2025 - 10:30   ET

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

[10:30:00]

PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia are suing the Trump administration for slashing AmeriCorps as part of President Trump's efforts to shrink the federal government. The lawsuit accuses the service and volunteer agency of violating congressional authority after 85 percent of its staff were put on leave last week, and $400 million worth of programs were terminated.

Let's get reaction from the official leading this legal crusade, Colorado's Democratic Attorney General Philip Weiser. So, AmeriCorps isn't the only agency that's being targeted for major cuts by the Trump administration without congressional approval. Why are you fighting back against these AmeriCorps cuts in particular?

PHILIP WEISER (D), COLORADO ATTORNEY GENERAL AND SUING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR CUTTING AMERICORPS: Pamela, we're taking on all of these illegal dismantling of agencies from the Department of Education, to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Institute of Libraries, and here AmeriCorps. This one is personal to me. I wanted to play a leading role because national service is critical to our future.

Inspiring young people, a sense that they can make a difference, bringing them to parts of Colorado and my state, like the San Luis Valley, where they can fall in love with our rural communities, work on meaningful projects. It's transformative. And now, it's being decimated. Even though Congress is the one that set this agency up the president can't just terminate it.

BROWN: So, the White House says AmeriCorps failed eight consecutive audits and is a prime target for the president's efforts to eliminate waste. How do you respond to that and does that concern you that it failed so many audits?

WEISER: When you have audits that show concerns, you address the concerns. You don't take apart an agency in its entirety, thereby undermining what Congress decided. Congress makes the laws. This is the way our constitution works. Congress set up AmeriCorps as an agency to serve this critical purpose. And here we are talking about whether the president can unmake the laws. That's not how our system works. That's why we're in court. BROWN: Do you think the larger question of Trump's authority to dismantle federal agencies, not just AmeriCorps, here ultimately winds up being answered by the U.S. Supreme Court? How do you see that bigger fight playing out?

WEISER: In these cases, we have this basic point about separation of powers. We're winning in the lower courts. If this administration continues to act like it's above the law and can ignore the Constitution, yes, it'll be up to the Supreme Court to tell the Trump administration that separation of powers is a cornerstone of our republic, and the president has to faithfully execute the laws, to quote the Constitution, "doesn't get a chance to unmake them."

If the president wants to end an agency, Department of Education, AmeriCorps, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, it needs to propose that to Congress, have Congress consider it, and have Congress act. What's happening here is lawless, it's reckless, and it's harming in Colorado where we depend on this critical service that AmeriCorps provides.

BROWN: Tell us more about that. How does Colorado depend on this service and what will it mean across the country, frankly, for this -- those services to go away?

WEISER: Colorado is a perfect example. $8 to $10 million a year in grants, all for voluntary service organizations. Hundreds of volunteers who work in AmeriCorps projects often in hard hit parts of our state. Places that are more vulnerable. I mentioned the San Luis Valley and the southern part of our state. Working on critical services, like helping young people learn how to read.

After the pandemic, we had a really hard setback. A lot of young people weren't in school. The reading levels fell. They're reading below grade level, AmeriCorps programs, working with young people, helping improve literacy. AmeriCorps programs, addressing the opioid crisis. AmeriCorps programs, supporting veterans. This is what we're talking about. Programs designed to help people, to inspire a sense of service and helping people develop this commitment to make a difference. I don't understand why this is on the chopping block. If there are ways to improve it, that's great, but that's not what's happening here. This is dismantling this program.

BROWN: You talk about Congress, you know, Republican lawmakers have been reluctant to assert congressional authority over spending in the face of Trump's cuts across the federal workforce with one branch of government, essentially seeding some of its power to another. Is that affecting your legal strategy here?

Ultimately, we do need Congress to do its job, and we need people of both parties in Congress to show a commitment to protect the Constitution, to reign in a presidency that, as you put it well, is overreaching, taking on responsibilities the Constitution does not give the president. And someone ideally from the Republican Party is going to say, you know what, this is too far, and start drawing lines.

[10:35:00] The courts can and will enforce the Constitution. But there's another coordinate branch, the Congress, who also has responsibilities for checks and balances. We need Congress to do its job as well.

BROWN: All right. Philip Weiser. Thank you so much, Wolf.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Important interview. Thank you very much for doing that.

And just ahead steep DOGE cuts. Almost half of all layoffs this year in the United States are tied to DOGE. Up next, I'll discuss this and more with Democratic Congressman Jared Moskowitz of Florida. He was the first Democratic lawmaker to join the DOGE Caucus.

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[10:40:00]

BLITZER: New this morning, a stunning new report on job losses impacting the nation's economy. It says, DOGE related cuts within the federal government are behind nearly half of all job cuts in the United States so far this year. More than 280,000 layoffs in all.

Let's discuss this and more with Democratic Congressman Jared Moskowitz, a Florida Congressman. Thank you so much for joining us. I know you were what's being described as the first Democrat to join the so-called DOGE Caucus. You said you believe in, quote, "streamlining" government processes and reducing ineffective government spending. Is that what you've seen and have these cuts been good for the country so far?

REP. JARED MOSKOWITZ (D-FL): No, Wolf. First of all, let's just talk about the first hundred days. I mean, maybe the only president to have a worse hundred days was William Henry Harrison. I mean, it's just been absolutely disastrous.

First of all, the DOGE Caucus in Congress is dead. It's defunct. It met twice I was there and never met again. They weren't included in any conversation. So, the DOGE Caucus in Congress officially dead. DOGE of the executive branch, a complete failure. They have met -- not met their goals by 85 percent and they didn't do any efficiency. Nothing in government is more efficient. They just did dog. They forgot the E part.

And so, it's been a complete and utter failure. That's why Elon's had a runaway back to his company. He's ruined his name, he's ruined his company, and he's gone on to ruin the federal government.

And so, look, consumer sentiment is down to the lowest level to 1990. GDP obviously is underwater, completely reversed. The tariffs are the biggest manmade economic disaster of the modern era.

BLITZER: Strong words indeed, Congressman. We've also learned that the U.S. economy contracted during the first three months of this year. That's the worst showing since 2022. Many economists blame President Trump's policies, including, of course, his tariffs, the trade war. But the president has pointed the finger at former President Biden. How do you respond to that?

MOSKOWITZ: I thought Biden was in the basement, right? I thought Biden didn't have all his faculties, but yet they continue to do these two things with Biden. Like, oh, he's slow and he wasn't with it, but yet, he's this mastermind.

Let's be clear. Donald Trump said this was his stock market in January of this year. January 24th, he's put out a nice tweet and said, this is the Trump stock market. And then, on April 30th, he put out, this is the Biden stock market. What happened? Oh, it was Liberation Day. Liberation day. He liberated the American economy of $5 trillion.

And so, look, this was a major mistake of theirs. They didn't calculate how this would go. They tariffed the whole world, including the penguins at the same time, friend and foe alike. They didn't do reciprocal, it was more. They can't make all these deals in time because they got to deal with governments that then have to vote on things.

And so, yes, look, they've walked a lot of this back. They've walked it back because they're trying to save the bond market from completely collapsing. And so, look, I want the president to figure a way out of this, right? I don't want the economy to collapse. I don't want the American people to lose money in their pensions and their stock market. I don't want people to be laid off.

And so, I do want him to find a way out. And if he wants to work with Congress, we can do that. But, you know, Congress took power away. The Republicans took power away to even be involved in tariffs and gave it to the president. And so, look I hope he finds a way out of this for the American people.

BLITZER: Let's see if that happens. Congressman, I also want to get your reaction to something President Trump said during a NewsNation Town Hall when asked to name the biggest mistake of his first 100 days. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: I'll tell you, that's the toughest question I can have because I don't really believe I've made this mistake.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You made any mistakes.

TRUMP: I'm (INAUDIBLE).

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: All right. Congressman, no mistakes. What's your reaction?

MOSKOWITZ: Well, I don't know, Wolf. Is Canada the 51st state? Have you bought a condo in Gaza? I mean, is Greenland part of the United States yet? I mean, I could go on. I mean, clearly, the tariffs are the largest mistake that he has made. And by the way, if you listen to Republican podcasts, what they're saying I think really is true, is that, look, some of their ideas had merit, but the execution of what they did is what has killed all of this. Finding government waste, good idea. Execution, total failure, right? Trying to figure out how to bring jobs back to America, good idea. Execution, total failure.

And so, it's been the execution of how they've done this. Rather doing it -- rather than doing it with a scalpel, they've done it with a chainsaw. And that's what has been the mistake.

BLITZER: You know, I'm hearing from friends down in your district in Boca Raton, that a lot of Canadians who normally visit Boca Raton, tourists, are stopping coming to Boca Raton and other communities in Florida right now in protest of what Trump is saying about Canada becoming the 51st state. Have you noticed a drop in Canadian tourism to Florida?

[10:45:00]

MOSKOWITZ: Yes, it's 80 percent less is what we're seeing in the travel data. And yes, they don't want to come. And look, obviously, we're getting into better weather for folks in Canada. So, as we're getting out of that season, we're not going to see as large of an impact. But when we get back into season. I mean, I expect businesses to suffer unfortunately, in Florida and in America. And it's not just the Canadians. We're seeing the sentiment, obviously, around the world.

And so, look, this is not too late to reverse, OK? Some of this damage will take time to fix, but figuring out a way out now is what this administration needs to do. I mean, look, Donald Trump, you know, he's good at winning elections in America. He's also good at swinging elections in Canada. The guy was losing by 20 points, and Donald Trump said, make it the 51st state. And he wound up winning and the party won the election. And so, look, the Canadians are paying attention to this. Yes. And this was not a fight to pick with Canada.

BLITZER: It's not just the Canadians. People all over the world are paying a lot of attention to what's going on here in the United States. On a separate issue, Congressman, Kamala Harris gave her major first speech since leaving last night, and she used her remarks to go directly after President Trump's policies in which he called his greatest man-made economic crisis. I want to play a clip of what she said. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAMALA HARRIS, FORMER U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: Some people are describing what's been happening in recent months as absolute chaos. And of course, I understand why, and it's certainly true of those tariffs. Tariffs that, as I predicted, are clearly inviting a recession.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Do you think, Congressman, the former vice president, speaking out now publicly as she did last night is going to be helpful for Democrats?

MOSKOWITZ: Well, look, it's good to see her back. I'm glad she's out there. Obviously, we'll have to see what she wants to do on a go forward basis. What -- where -- what she wants to run for or want to have a position. But she has a big voice in the party, right? She was our last nominee. She the former vice president. And yes, she was right on tariffs, as was every e economist.

You know, but look, Trump is doing everything he said. I know there were people were like, oh, he doesn't mean it, right, but he's doing everything he said. The only thing he hasn't done is he hasn't had dinner with Hannibal Lecter, everything else that is -- that he said on that stage he has done exactly as he said it. I'm sorry. Some people didn't think he was telling the truth.

But again, I -- we want -- I want the president to succeed. I don't want him to continue to ruin the economy. I want him to figure out to fix this. I got seniors who depend on their pensions. I've got seniors that depend on their Social Security, their Medicare, their Medicaid, which they're talking about cutting up here. And so, we have to figure out how to now get us -- get ourselves out of this now that we've opened Pandora's Box.

I mean, I can tell you I meet with ambassadors because I'm on a Foreign Affairs Committee, OK, I'm not going to name different countries, but they all recognize that this is an economic disaster created by America. This is -- that's a different conversation than wanting to bring jobs back to America.

Look, I was the director of Emergency Management for Ron DeSantis during COVID. I saw the supply chain issues, right? We do have to onshore some jobs. We could have done that when we spent $6 trillion in the Trump administration, the Biden administration. We could have figured out how to onshore jobs. That was a missed opportunity, but we can do it now. We can't tariff the whole world and bring all those jobs back because then the cost of goods is going to go up dramatically.

Trump talked about how, you know, you'll only be able to afford two dolls instead of 30. It's a weird analogy for an 80-year-old president. But at the end of the day, costs are going to go up and we have to figure out how to make things more affordable for Americans.

BLITZER: Congressman Jared Moskowitz, a member of both the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees, thanks so much for joining us.

MOSKOWITZ: Thank you.

BLITZER: Pamela.

BROWN: All right. Wolf, coming up on defense. Why Bill Belichick is now taking aim at CBS after a viral moment between the legendary coach and his girlfriend.

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[10:50:00]

BROWN: Coach Bill Belichick is throwing a red challenge flag at critics. His interview with CBS included his girlfriend Jordon Hudson objecting to a question about how they met. Now, Belichick says that CBS did not honor the expectations set for the interview. CBS denies there were predetermined conditions.

BLITZER: CNN Sports Anchor Andy Scholes is joining us right now. Andy, the legendary coach is no stranger to being combative with the news media. What is he saying?

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Well, Wolf and Pam, you know, Bill Belichick released a statement yesterday defending his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, in the wake of that CBS Sunday morning interview. And in that interview, the 24-year-old Hudson, she shut down a question about how they met here. Here was that interaction.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How did you guys meet?

JORDON HUDSON, BILL BELICHICK'S GIRLFRIEND: I'm not talking about this.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No?

HUDSON: No.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a topic neither one of them is comfortable commenting on.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Now, Belichick in his statement said, I was surprised when unrelated topics were introduced, and I repeatedly expressed to the reporter Tony Dokoupil and the producers that I preferred to keep that conversation centered on the book. After this occurred several times, Jordon, with whom I share both a personal and professional relationships, stepped in to reiterate that point to help refocus the discussion.

[10:55:00]

Now, CBS responded to Belichick's statement, releasing a statement of their own. They said there were no preconditions or limitations to this conversation. This was confirmed repeatedly with his publisher before the interview took place and after it was completed.

Now, many people are interested in this relationship. Belichick says he met Hudson on a flight back in 2021. And, Pam, you know. Bill Belichick's coaching the North Carolina football team now.

BROWN: I know.

SCHOLES: I know you went to North Carolina. How closely are you following this? BROWN: I actually am following it much more closely than Wolf. That's for sure. Because he's a (INAUDIBLE) now.

BLITZER: Yes.

BROWN: And it's interesting. I mean, she's 24 years old.

SCHOLES: Yes. I mean, hey, I haven't watched a lot of North Carolina football games over the past few years. I probably will now.

BROWN: There you go, Andy.

BLITZER: Andy, I've been busy watching NBA playoff games, including the Lakers who lost last night. So, I've got a different agenda right now.

BROWN: Yes.

SCHOLES: Yes.

BROWN: Two different sports agendas here.

BLITZER: Yes.

BROWN: All right. Andy, thank you so much.

SCHOLES: All right.

BLITZER: And still ahead, we'll have more of our Situation Room Special Report of President Trump's first 100 days. Today, we're tackling immigration. That's coming up.

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