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The Situation Room

Now, Erin Lashing the North Carolina Outer Banks; Now, Texas Senate Meeting on Trump-Backed Map That Favors GOP; Parole Hearing on Fate of Menendez Brother to Begin This Morning. Aired 10-10:30a ET

Aired August 21, 2025 - 10:00   ET

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

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WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now, breaking news, mammoth Hurricane Erin, the sprawling and very dangerous storm now bringing flooding and 20-foot waves.

Plus, selling secrets, a U.S. Navy sailor convicted of espionage for sharing military information with China.

And fighting for freedom, Erik and Lyle Menendez making their case this morning asking for parole for killing their parents. The big question, are they a danger to society?

And a missing piece of a wing, the terrifying sight as passengers notice midair that part of their plane is missing.

Welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer. Pamela Brown is off today, and you're in The Situation Room.

And we begin with the breaking news on Hurricane Erin. Take a look at this, new satellite video just coming in of the storm swirling over the Atlantic Ocean and churning up the East Coast. In the center of your screen, you can see the well-defined eye. Watch this.

This is Buxton, North Carolina on the outer banks, the storm lashing the coast and whipping up very dangerous surf. Still on Hatteras Island, new images of the coastal erosion. Waves have overtaken the protective dunes and shut down North Carolina Highway 12. NC-12, as the locals call it, is a vital link between the islands of the outer banks. Choppy waves and blustery winds are now hitting Virginia Beach as well. These are live pictures coming in from CNN affiliate WTKR.

Let's go live right now to CNN National Correspondent Dianne Gallagher. She's on the ground in Nags Head, North Carolina, and our Meteorologist Derek Van Dam, he's over at the CNN Weather Center.

Dianne, first of all, what are you experiencing this morning? It looks pretty windy out there.

DIANNE GALLAGHER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Wolf. The bulk of what we're getting right now is these wind gusts that are sort of coming through. A couple minutes later, we get another really big gust. And if Nick kind of shows out here, we are getting these angry- looking seas.

The waves overall have not been as large the past hour or so, but still not an ocean that you want to go into and not one you're allowed to go into right now because there is still a swimming ban pretty much across the eastern seaboard at this point because of those dangerous rip currents that resulted in so many people being rescued earlier this week.

What we are seeing here in Nags Head again is this. There was obviously this high tide that came through at night, early this morning, again, some storm surge in the area. But, overall, we're not seeing any damage up here. Now, you mentioned what was happening on NC-12, the more than 50 miles that have been basically blocked off, shut down various parts of Hatteras Island, especially seeing some of that major overwash area, that's been the biggest concern from officials and locals just because, for most places in the outer banks, there's one way on, one way off the ferry stopped service yesterday, so NC-12 is it that connects the islands. And so you can't get off at this point.

They are still trying to work to determine just how significant the damage was, if it was significant, and that will be the determinant on whether or not this storm made a great impact or the outer bank simply survived yet another hurricane that came on by.

BLITZER: All right. Dianne, stand by. I want to check in with our CNN Meteorologist Derek Van Dam. Derek, I know you're keeping obviously a very razor sharp eye on the storm. What are you seeing right now?

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Check out these breakers on this live shot coming out of Ocean City, Maryland. This is the combination of the rough seas that Erin has punched up, but also just coming off of high tide and the storm surge component of this sprawling storm, which the cloud field, by the way, extends over 1,500 miles from north to south. That is gigantic.

Now, I want to show you the moment when it actually intensified, when it was at its strongest, it intensified to a Category 5. We know that. But a satellite actually passed over during that rapid intensification took this three-dimensional scan of the precipitation.

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And then what we did is we took it one step further. And during this particular intensification process, notice how it actually cooled the surface of the ocean. This is sea surface temperatures, and you're looking at the cooling effect from that rapidly intensifying hurricane. And so this is actually an impediment for any future storms that happen to move over this particular location.

So, I kind of thought that was very fascinating to show you how the upwelling from a major hurricane like that takes the warm ocean surface top and brings up the cooler waters from below. That doesn't last very long, but it's enough to kind of impact the season going forward here.

Now, look at this, the radar, you can see the outer rain bands are still over 200 miles off the coast of the outer banks. Of course, we're still getting these intermittent rain showers and the gusts in excess of 35 miles per hour. But the tropical storm winds, Wolf, they extend 550 miles across the storm. That's the equivalent of Atlanta all the way to D.C.

BLITZER: Yes, that's a long distance.

All right, Derek Van Dam and Dianne Gallagher, we'll stay in very close touch with both of you. Thank you very, very much.

Also, new this morning, firefighters battling wildfires on opposite coasts in California. The so-called Coyote Fire has prompted evacuation warnings in an area about an hour east of Sacramento. So far, more than 550 acres have been burned. And this is the scene in South Florida, smoke Blackening parts of Broward County as firefighters are working to contain a brush fire burning in the Everglades. Officials say it may take days, if not weeks, to get the flames under control.

And there's more breaking news we're following here in The Situation Room, a Texas Senate committee meeting right now. Take a look at these live pictures from inside that meeting. A Senate vote is expected as soon as today on a new Congressional map that favors Republicans. The State House already approved the plan that would ultimately give Republicans five additional Congressional seats in the House of Representatives.

Leading up to today's vote, protesters making their voices heard throughout the week in Austin, chants in of let her go, chance of let her go in support of the state representative who opted to sleep in the Capitol instead of being allowed to leave under police surveillance.

Let's go live right now to CNN Correspondent Arlette Saenz. She's joining us from Austin, Texas State Capitol. Arlette, assuming the Senate there approves, what comes next?

ARLETTE SAENZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the Senate could approve these new Congressional maps that would net Republicans up to five U.S. House states in the next midterm elections. As soon as tonight, right now, there's that procedural process. The bill is being considered in committee, and then it will be referred over to the Senate. Once it passes the Senate, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has pledged to sign it as soon as possible.

And this will really end a multi-week standoff between the GOP and Democrats. Democrats tried to do everything they could to stop this, including fleeing the state, but, ultimately, they had few legislative tools to actually block this from going into effect. Now, they will pursue their legal options.

But Republicans believe this will stand up in court and they say it's well within their rights to draw these maps based on partisanship. Take a listen.

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STATE REP. TODD HUNTER (R-TX): What's wrong with Republicans standing up and Republicans stepping up and Republicans being honest, which you don't like, which is, Supreme Court says, we can use political and partisanship to do Congressional redistricting?

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SAENZ: California Democrats could also approve their new Congressional map. Then that would send that to voters to decide on in November.

BLITZER: All right. Arlette Saenz reporting for us, we'll stay in close touch with you as well.

Also happening now, final preparations for the first parole hearing of the Menendez Brothers, a case that's captivated the nation for decades now. Erik and Lyle Menendez have been imprisoned for more than 30 years for murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills home back in 1989. Next hour, Erik will argue for his release.

Let's go live right now to CNN National Correspondent Nick Watt, who's joining us in Los Angeles. Nick, you're following all of this. Walk us through what exactly is going to happen in that hearing later today and how we will learn what the parole board eventually decides.

NICK WATT, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, as you say, Wolf, today it is Erik Menendez's turn. He's now 54 years old. The hearing will start in a little over an hour and last maybe two or three hours. Now, in that meeting, Menendez, his lawyers, his family will argue that he is rehabilitated. He is remorseful. He poses no threat to society. The D.A. of Los Angeles will argue, no, he does not have insight into his crimes and could pose a risk, so should not be let out.

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Now, we should get a decision on this today, but that will not be the end of it. Governor Gavin Newsom has 120 days. It's ultimately up to him to decide whether they get out.

Also, they are trying to get a retrial. They're also appealing for clemency. So -- but we're not going to see a Menendez brother walk out of prison in the next couple of days. That's not going to happen.

Now, tomorrow, it'll be the same process for his older brother, Lyle, who is now 57 years old.

Now, Wolf, this, of course, captured the imagination back in 1989 and interest has been reignited by some documentaries, some drama. It's become a cause celeb. And, you know, back at the trial the boys said that they killed their parents because they were being abused. Prosecutors said, no, they killed their parents for the money. That, say the family, is water under the bridge. They say the boys did a terrible crime, but they've done their time. Worth noting, by the way, Wolf, those murders, 36 years ago last night in Beverly Hills. Wolf?

BLITZER: Yes. All right, Nick Watt staying on top of this story for us, thank you very much.

There's more breaking news right now as far as the war in Ukraine is concerned. Russia launching its largest drone and missile attack against Ukraine in more than a month overnight. According to the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia launched 574 strike drones as well as 40 ballistic missiles on Ukraine. Officials say nine people were killed.

The massive offensive comes less than a week after the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and President Trump met in Alaska to discuss a potential end to the war. And just a few hours ago, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accusing Ukraine and Europe of undermining U.S. efforts to resolve the conflict. Just three days ago, Zelenskyy and top European leaders visited Washington following President Trump's meeting with Putin.

And there's more breaking news out of the Middle East right now. Watch this.

New video this morning shows an Israeli strike on the Deir al-Balah site in Gaza. Here, you can see people running as smoke fills the sky. Two Israeli officials tell CNN that the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is expected to approve plans for Israel's offensive on Gaza City at a meeting in Southern Israel later today, that despite widespread international opposition to the planned Israeli takeover.

CNN International Diplomatic Editor Nic Robertson is joining us now from Jerusalem. Nic, this next major operation is expected to require Natanyahu to mobilize tens of thousands, maybe 60,000 or more Israeli reserve troops. What do we know about this and the Israeli military's current capabilities?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes. 60,000 is a number we've been hearing, Wolf, of additional reservists to be called up for the Gaza City operation. An additional 20,000 already serving in Gaza will be -- have their time periods of service as reservists extended. So, that commits more forces.

The total number including active duty already, not just reservists, isn't clear, but the operations are already underway. Zaytun, in the west of Gaza City, the IDF says they already have ground troops in that outer suburb of Gaza City.

They still say -- however, the IDF still says they have a number of steps to go before they are fully ready for this operation. Undoubtedly, the prime minister giving his views at that meeting this afternoon in the south of Israel, but it also expressed yesterday, the prime minister also expressed yesterday, that he wanted the IDF's operation in Gaza City to go more quickly than it was originally planned, which does appear to be sending a very strong signal to Hamas that their last holdout, if you will, will be sacrificed around them unless they agree to his terms to release all the hostages. Wolf? BLITZER: All right. Nic Robertson in Jerusalem, thank you very, very much.

Also new this morning, quote, an egregious betrayal of trust that placed in him as a member of the U.S. military. Strong words, very strong words from the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California, after a jury convicts a U.S. Navy sailor of selling sensitive information to China.

CNN National Security Correspondent Kylie Atwood is here with me in The Situation Room. What information was this sailor allegedly selling?

KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, he was taking photos, he was taking videos of the USS Essex, which is an amphibious assault ship where he was serving as an engineer. This was a ship that was based at a naval base in San Diego, and he was also sharing the locations of other ships that were at that base in addition to thousands of pages of technical and operational information that were located in restricted access Navy computer systems.

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So, this was not information that was supposed to be shared with anyone outside the U.S. Navy, let alone this Chinese intelligence officer who he was selling this information to.

Now, Wolf, over the course of about a year-and-a-half, Jinchao Wei, who is this U.S. Navy sailor, he made more than $12,000, and that was by selling this sensitive information. I want to read to you a pretty mind-blowing quote from the hearing in which he wrote in a text message to his mother, quote, other Chinese serving in the U.S. Navy are still trying to figure out how to make extra money and drive in cabs, whereas I am just leaking secrets.

Now, this all began when he was arrested about two years ago, but it started in 2022 when he was recruited by this Chinese intelligence officer on social media.

BLITZER: Yes, very serious case indeed. All right, Kylie, thank you very much, Kylie Atwood reporting for us.

Also new this morning, a federal judge in Miami dismissing part of a lawsuit that claimed detainees at a controversial detention center dubbed alligator Alcatraz by the Trump administration were being denied access to the legal system. According to the Associated Press, after the lawsuit was filed, the Trump administration designated a processing center near Miami as a place for immigration court hearings to actually take place, and that rendered those claims moot.

Still, the facility is the center of more than one legal battle with some arguing, it should be shut down completely.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) REP. MAXWELL FROST (D-FL): We have cages where humans are being held. I want to be clear about what this facility really is. It's an internment camp for immigrants, and not just all immigrants, but immigrants that look like me, black and brown folks.

We believe it just needs to be shut down.

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BLITZER: All right. There's more breaking news coming into The Situation Room right now. Walmart warning this morning it's raising some prices because of tariffs. This comes with the company just releasing a new report about its outlook for the rest of the year.

I want to go live right now to CNN Business and Politics Correspondent Vanessa Yurkevich in New York. Vanessa, you were on that call. What more can you tell us?

VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN BUSINESS AND POLITICS CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, America's largest retailer, largest employer, and really a bellwether for the U.S. economy, posted strong sales growth in the second quarter, but definitely faced some headwinds from tariffs. And we saw that profits in the second quarter did not meet Wall Street's expectations, and that's actually why you see Walmart's stock down right now, about 4.5 percent.

Listen, tariffs was the big point of conversation on this one hour call with investors. A lot of questions about what price pressures were going to be trickling down to consumers. You had the CEO, Doug McMillan, of the company saying that, so far, tariff impacts have been gradual, so consumers haven't reacted so much to price hikes, but where they're now putting out post-tariff inventory and they're going to see price level increases on a week-to-week basis. So, that's obviously concerning for the company.

On that full screen you just had up there, another point on the call was, despite these price hikes, they have seen resiliency from the U.S. consumer. Ultimately, Walmart, still has some of the best prices and that's why you're seeing increases in the grocery department, you're seeing increases in consumer spending, on E-commerce. They did bring in a lot of inventory ahead of tariff hikes, and that's why they've been able to mitigate a little bit better. Walmart also raising their full- year economic outlook, talking about being able to mitigate some of these price pressures a lot better than other retailers.

Walmart, Wolf, obviously is in a much better position because of size and scope to absorb some of these price pressures because of tariffs. A big comparison to just yesterday with Target talking about the loss of sales in the second quarter and seeing consumers pulling back, Walmart saying that they are expecting to see growth the rest of this year despite having to raise prices on some of their items. Wolf?

BLITZER: We'll see if that happens. All right, Vanessa Yurkevich in New York, thank you very much. Still ahead, we're tracking Hurricane Erin as the storm moves along the east coast, bringing rough surf and coastal flooding, I'll speak to the mayor of Atlantic City on how they're preparing.

Plus, part of a Delta plane's wing dangling midflight. What the airline is now saying about all of this.

Stay with us. You're in The Situation Room.

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BLITZER: We continue our breaking news coverage of Hurricane Erin.

Joining us now is Marty Small, the mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey. Mayor, thanks so much for joining us.

So, what are your conditions there in the Atlantic City area like right now? What do you expect in the coming few hours?

MAYOR MARTY SMALL (D-ATLANTIC CITY, NJ): Yes, Wolf. Thanks for having me in The Situation Room and in spite of the weather. It is a great day here in the city of Atlantic City. The high tide this morning was higher than we expected. It was about '6"4. We expected it a little under six. Certain streets in the great city of Atlantic City are closed. The roads were closed, Route 30 and Route 40, which is an entries way to the great city of Atlantic City. Streets that normally flood have been flooded. They've been shut down.

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And over the next eight hours or so, we're expecting 45-mile-per-hour winds with 55 mile per hour wind gusts. And the remaining 16 hours into tomorrow morning, we're expecting 35-mile-an-hour winds with 45- mile-per-hour wind gusts.

BLITZER: Yes, that sounds pretty serious to me. The storm, as you know, Mayor, is expected to pass Atlantic City some 300 miles off the Atlantic Coast. Given that, has it been a challenge to convince people to take all these warnings seriously?

SMALL: Yes, it's always a challenge because anytime, you know, a storm underperforms, people think that, you know, the next time you call a serious alert. So, we're proactive here in the small administration in the great city of Atlantic City. We're prepared. We've shut our beaches down yesterday. We've been putting restrictions on the entire week. And this weather event, surfers like this. So, we're encouraging surfers and everyone to stay away from the beach.

Unfortunately, it looks like that we're going to lose some beach. Hopefully, we can save enough beach for the next two weeks in the summer season. And we just had the Army Corps of Engineers replenish our beach, so we're expecting to lose some. And we're just trying to, you know, weather the storm. More importantly, we're prepared. And, you know, shout out to our emergency management team, our fire department, police department, public works and more, you know, to get the residents and visitors safe through this storm.

BLITZER: We are grateful to all of those people doing enormously important work, saving lives, potentially.

Mayor Marty Small of Atlantic City, New Jersey, thank you so much for joining us. Good luck to all the folks in Atlantic City, a city that I love very, very much. I appreciate it very much.

SMALL: Thank you. I appreciate you.

BLITZER: And new this morning, this is definitely something you do not want to see midflight. Look at this. That's a piece of a plane's flap dangling behind the wing. This happened on a Delta flight from Orlando to Austin yesterday. The Boeing 737 landed safely and none of the 68 people on board were hurt. But one passenger said there was bad turbulence and the plane was shaking. That's when she looked out her window, saw the broken wing.

The FAA is now investigating. Delta says the aircraft is out of service and undergoing maintenance right now.

Coming up, happening now, Texas State senators are reviewing the new Congressional maps that the House there passed yesterday. Democrats coming up short in their efforts to stop Republicans. I'll ask a Texas Democrat where the party goes from here.

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