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The Situation Room

Injured Ukrainian Soldier Rescued; NFL Season Nears; Will DOJ Release Ghislaine Maxwell Interview?. Aired 11:30a-12p ET

Aired August 05, 2025 - 11:30   ET

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

[11:30:00]

ELIE HONIG, CNN SENIOR LEGAL ANALYST: We won't have to rely on someone's notes or testimony, which can be fallible at times.

The other thing that's really important to note is the decision whether to release this is entirely the Justice Department's. It sits in Pam Bondi's hands. This is not a grand jury testimony, so they don't need to go to a judge. So the decision here whether to put this out is 100 percent up to Pam Bondi.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: How common is it, Elie, for the U.S. Justice Department to publicly release this type of recording?

HONIG: It's extremely uncommon, almost unheard of, Wolf. If we're talking about prosecutors going into a prison to speak with somebody who's a defendant, who's a potential witness, potential cooperating witness, you would never publicize and put out and make -- and disclose publicly the interview that you had with that person. That would be an investigative file.

That would be something you would keep in-house. You would never put it out. But, of course, a lot of what we have seen here is happening outside of the normal track.

BLITZER: We have also learned, as you know, Elie, that the U.S. Justice Department is seeking the public release of five days of grand jury testimony against Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Legally, what factors will the judge consider in deciding whether to release the grand jury transcripts?

HONIG: So grand jury transcripts, Wolf, are presumptively secret. They can only be released with the judge's permission in certain very narrow situations that are laid out in a law.

And, basically, those situations do not apply here. The law says that they can be turned over to other prosecutors, other investigators, perhaps other defendants, military tribunals, if they're needed in other cases. None of that applies here.

And so what DOJ is instead are arguing here is, to the judge, well, you should sort of recognize a catch-all exemption where there is broad public interest. Now, a judge in Florida already rejected DOJ's motion, but now there's a separate motion that sits with the judge in New York. And these judges, Wolf, have a lot of discretion, a lot of leeway to figure out what they want to do.

BLITZER: I know, Elie, that you have actually appeared in front of this judge, Richard Berman, when you were an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York. What can you tell us about Judge Berman and his temperament on the bench?

HONIG: Right. I did my first trial ever in front of Judge Berman.

He is a straight shooter. I don't even know what his politics are sitting here right now. I suppose you could Google them, but I couldn't tell you which president appointed him. He plays it right down the middle. He is very, very careful. He will try to get it right. And I assure you the number one consideration on his mind will be the victims.

When Jeffrey Epstein died, Judge Berman had the case. But when Jeffrey Epstein died, suddenly the case came to an end, and Judge Berman went out of his way to have a hearing after the death, after the case was over, to give the victims an opportunity to come in and say what they wanted to say, to be heard. That was unusual, but I think that shows you that Judge Berman is thinking about the victims first.

BLITZER: And, Elie, we learned from the Department of Justice filing last week that the entire grand jury testimony in this case consists of testimony from two law enforcement agents. Is that unusual or surprising?

HONIG: No, that's very normal, because the way that federal prosecutors at the DOJ indict cases, Wolf, is, we don't have to call every victim, every eyewitness. And we almost never do. When I say we, I mean federal prosecutors.

Instead, what you do in the vast majority of cases is, you call an FBI agent who you have usually worked with hand in hand on the case. You put that FBI agent on the stand for an hour, two hours, however long it takes. And that person then gives an overview of the evidence to the grand jury. And it appears that's what was done here.

The other thing, Wolf, is DOJ has suggested strongly in its filings not to suggest much that's new in this testimony, because whatever was in the testimony largely was reflected in the indictments of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, which we have already seen, so not surprising, maybe disappointing, though, if people are seeking some new layer of transparency here.

BLITZER: And what about all the other material? And there's a lot of other material that the Department of Justice has in its files beyond the grand jury testimony. What has to happen for the Department of Justice to release those materials?

HONIG: So the short answer is nothing. DOJ can release non-grand jury materials within its own discretion. Of course, they would have to redact and protect victims' names and identities. And now there's another wrinkle. You had reporting early in the hour

from Lauren Fox that the House has subpoenaed these materials from DOJ. And so Pam Bondi is going to have to decide, does she comply with that subpoena and turn it over to the House? Does she fight it in the courts? Or does she work with Congress to try to find some midpoint solution?

BLITZER: We also learned only yesterday that the attorney general, Pam Bondi, has instructed federal prosecutors to open a grand jury investigation of the Obama administration officials relating to intelligence around 2016, the 2016 presidential election.

What specific powers will prosecutors now exercise through the grand jury? And where do you see this going?

[11:35:04]

HONIG: Well, Wolf, this now gives federal prosecutors their full array of investigative powers. They can now subpoena records. They can subpoena witnesses. They can compel people to testify. So this is a very significant step in that respect.

With respect to the opening of a grand jury here, I just do not see any kind of potentially prosecutable crime here. First thing to keep in mind is the statute of limitations for virtually all, not all, but the vast majority of federal crimes is five years. So, conspiracy, obstruction, anything people have posited may be out there is going to be long expired.

This all happened nine years ago. And more to the point here, I don't see any evidence of criminality, even in Tulsi Gabbard's summaries or other theories that have been proffered. There may be things that were done in the intelligence community that were controversial that were later disproved, but I am not aware of any provable prosecutable crime here that could support this move.

BLITZER: All right, Elie Honig, excellent analysis, as always. Thank you very, very much.

HONIG: Thanks, Wolf.

BLITZER: And coming up: A new season of HBO's "Hard Knocks" will take you inside the Buffalo Bills training camp as they gear up for the 2025 NFL season. We have got a first look at all of the action. Stay with us. The director of the new show is my guest.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:40:56]

BROWN: And now to a SITUATION ROOM special report.

The White House says envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Russia tomorrow. That's ahead of President Trump's Friday deadline for Russian President Vladimir Putin to make a plea deal with Ukraine or face new sanctions. But, today, on the front lines, the war rages on, as Ukrainian forces dodge an onslaught of bombardments from Russia.

In a new SITUATION ROOM special report, CNN's Nick Paton Walsh brings us the story of the incredible rescue of an injured Ukrainian soldier pinned down by Russian attacks who escaped near-certain death with a special delivery by drone.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This Russian assault brutal, even throwing land mines into the bunkers, had left all three of his fellow soldiers dead in the trench next to him.

And Andriy (ph), with his leg wounded, unable to run thought, like so many Ukrainian soldiers in tiny isolated positions pinned down by Russian drones, that he was done.

ANDRIY, UKRAINIAN SOLDIER (through translator): I didn't think I would get out of there, because I couldn't move. My leg was seriously injured. I could not walk.

WALSH: But back at his command bunker watching on drones, they had an idea. Maybe Andriy had the strength to cycle out. So, they attached an electric bicycle to a drone like this, moving it slowly, perilously in pieces to the front. It was dropped to Andriy whole, and then, remarkably, he cycled out.

ANDRIY (through translator): I thought, do or die. Either I make it or I don't. I was just riding in one direction. If I make it, good. If I don't, so be it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Come on, Tankist, speed up, speed up, as fast as you can, as fast as you can.

WALSH: The Ukrainians have tried to ensure the skies were free of Russian drones, but that wasn't enough. Andriy hit a land mine. The drone operator's heart sank. Had it all come to nothing? But then this tiny figure emerged limping out of the smoke, somehow alive, walking on, his bandaged leg visible.

ANDRIY (through translator): It gazed my forehead a bit. The wheel and fork were torn apart. But I was fine. I just fell on my side. That's all.

WALSH: Greeted by a Ukrainian and helped into another bunker, where he had to wait two more days for rescue. Necessity is the mother of invention in Ukraine, but nothing can beat luck.

Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, Kyiv, Ukraine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:47:52] BLITZER: For much of the summer, many of us here in Washington, of course, have been focusing in on President Trump's so-called Big Beautiful Bill. But, for me, my big beautiful Bill is in Buffalo right now.

Yes, I'm talking about MVP quarterback Josh Allen. He's a big beautiful Bill, a Buffalo Bill. And for hardcore Bills fans like me, our pursuit of a Super Bowl is now already under way.

For more on the journey, here's the first look at tonight's premiere of HBO's new season of "Hard Knocks," profiling the Bills and Josh Allen. And we should note that both HBO and CNN share a parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.

Here's the preview. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We got what spread zone. Where do you want to go?

JOSH ALLEN, BUFFALO BILLS: I just think it's the freshest that there's going to be. Let's get like some regular throws too.

You good, five? Give me one outside.

The best thing that you can do between a quarterback and receivers is have that open line of communication, understanding each other's expectations of when I'm thinking of releasing a ball or where he's expecting that ball to be, and then going out there and trying to marry them up.

JOSHUA PALMER, BUFFALO BILLS: Just learning his tells, just learning where he expects me to be on certain routes.

PALMER: You want another one?

ALLEN: A little more air. Yes, I got you. I will drop it in there. Last one here, five.

That's the one right there. Good. That's perfect. Yes, yes.

PALMER: All straight.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Looks great. Can't wait to watch it later tonight.

Joining us now, the show's lead director, Pat Harris.

Pat, thanks very much for joining us. I know you're a Rochester native. I grew up in Buffalo, not very far from Rochester. People in Rochester, like all the people in Buffalo, are Bills fans. Tell us a little bit about the process of capturing all the sights, the sounds, and the hits of training camp in Buffalo.

PATRICK HARRIS, LEAD DIRECTOR, "HARD KNOCKS": Well, thank you for having me, Wolf. I really appreciate it.

But, no, we have an Army of people that are out here. We have about 35 people, eight cameras at practice every day. We got between five and eight coaches mic'd up. So we're accumulating about 300 hours' worth of footage between practice and the meeting rooms that we're filming, so 300 hours of footage for every hour that makes TV.

[11:50:17]

So we are capturing an incredible amount of footage. Naturally, we get to see Josh Allen every single day. And he is as good as advertised.

BLITZER: Yes, he certainly is. The NFL MVP, Josh Allen, is the biggest star of our Buffalo Bills. What might we learn about him from the incredible access you had to training camp and working on this "Hard Knocks" documentary? What do you think we're going to learn?

HARRIS: I think you learn just how -- the attention to detail he has for his craft, I think, with everything he's doing, but also I think the person that he is, not only when he's on the field, but when he steps off it, the ability he has to connect with fans, to take extra time out of his busy day to sign any and all autographs.

I think it resonates with fans and they truly appreciate it.

BLITZER: What would you say, Pat, are the biggest storylines that we will see featured on "Hard Knocks" later tonight on HBO for the Bills heading into this upcoming season?

HARRIS: Yes, I think it's as much they have accumulated a level of play that makes them. They were one of the best four teams in football last year, but I think realizing that it all starts over this season. It's a fresh start.

I think we're going to get a chance to meet some iconic characters with the team, Dion Dawkins, a familiar face that's back, and Tre'Davious White. So, hopefully, besides Josh Allen, you kind of fall in love with the variety of different players on the team today.

BLITZER: Yes, some great players on our Buffalo Bills. And every year at the end of every season, I always say there's always next year and we can't wait for next year. And next year is about to begin in the coming days.

What's the one thing you can't wait for Buffalo Bills fans to see this season?

HARRIS: I think a chance to learn about -- more about coach Sean McDermott. I think he's an incredible coach. He's done a great job, him and Brandon Beane.

But I think we're trying to take an opportunity to not only showcase the coach, but also the person. So in this episode and in episodes to come, I think we're going to try to peel back a few of the layers a little bit, because he is such an incredible person that we really want people to be able to see. BLITZER: So what do you think, bottom line, about my Bills' chances

this coming season? Is this the year they bring home the Lombardi Trophy from the Super Bowl?

HARRIS: Well, look, I am also a very die-hard Bills fan. So I too am always saying next year, let's hope for next year.

I think theirs is as good a year as any. I would say I'm very optimistic, very hopeful. I think, as Bills fans, we can't be too hopeful. We have had our hearts broken before. But I think the team looks incredible. I think they have all the right pieces to do it. And then we just got to kind of see what happens.

BLITZER: Yes, I'm always optimistic that we could go all the way. Even though we went to four Super Bowls in a row and we lost four Super Bowls in a row, this could be the year. I'm optimistic about that. And I assume you are as well, Patrick.

HARRIS: No question. I think -- I feel almost fortunate that I don't remember those Super Bowls because I feel like the heartbreak, I don't know how my dad did it, watching and going to all those games.

But I'm hoping that I think we got the right guy in place with Josh, we waited a long time for that. And then I think they're just continuing to get better and better. And we have seen that on the field. I think their performance each day, the attention to detail they have, it's like nothing I have been around.

BLITZER: Yes, I watched off four of those Super Bowls, and they were heartbreaking. There's no doubt about that.

"Hard Knocks," the training camp of the Buffalo Bills, we're going to be watching it later tonight. This must have been such an exciting opportunity for you to do what you do for a living, namely, you're a great director and you do these sports documentaries, but to do something that's so personal about our Buffalo Bills.

HARRIS: No question. It was very surreal when I found out. I have had very surreal moments, I think throughout this whole process and I have been trying to soak it all in, I think, realizing this opportunity doesn't come very often.

So it's been an incredible time thus far in Rochester. I think we're close to moving on to Buffalo, but it's been cool to see family and friends at training camp for me getting to be on the field, watching my favorite team, getting to build relationships with players, Sean McDermott, Brandon Beane.

So I have definitely appreciated every second of it.

BLITZER: So when I say that Josh Allen is my one big beautiful Bill, you identify with me?

HARRIS: A hundred percent. I definitely had a smile on my face when you were saying that. That was a good segue.

BLITZER: All right.

(LAUGHTER)

BLITZER: All right, good.

All right, the senior director, Patrick Harris, thanks so much for all the good work you're doing. Thanks so much for joining us.

And let me remind all of our viewers "Hard Knocks: Training Camp With the Buffalo Bills" debuts later tonight 9:00 p.m. Eastern on HBO and HBO Max. And we will all be watching.

[11:55:01]

BROWN: Yes, I know what you're going to be doing tonight at 9:00 p.m.

BLITZER: I will be watching.

BROWN: Usually, that's probably your bedtime, but...

BLITZER: Will you be watching too?

BROWN: Sure. Yes, absolutely.

(LAUGHTER)

BLITZER: Of course, we all be watching.

(LAUGHTER)

BLITZER: It's the Buffalo Bills.

BROWN: I usually go to bed pretty early, Wolf, but maybe...

BLITZER: Well, you will tape it.

BROWN: Yes, I will tape it. There you go.

BLITZER: Yes, no doubt about that.

And, to our viewers, thanks very much for joining us this morning. You can always keep up with us on social media @WolfBlitzer and @PamelaBrownCNN. We will see you back here tomorrow morning, every weekday morning, 10:00 a.m. Eastern.

BROWN: "INSIDE POLITICS" with Manu Raju is next after a short break.