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The Situation Room

More Western Countries Recognize Palestinian State; Thousands Gather To Honor Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk; California Bans Most Officers & ICE From Wearing Masks On Duty. Aired 11-11:30a ET

Aired September 22, 2025 - 11:00   ET

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

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[11:02:06]

PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now, isolated but defiant. President Trump stands at odds with the growing international push for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, ahead of a major speech at the United Nations.

Plus, Pentagon pledge a new Defense Department policy could put severe limits on reporters' access. But media organizations are already preparing to fight back.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: And Prime Day. A new lawsuit goes to trial today. The government claims some of the hundreds of millions of people who use Amazon's Prime service may have been tricked into signing up.

Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer with Pamela Brown. And you're in The Situation Room.

BROWN: And new this morning, we begin with French President Emmanuel Macron at the United Nations General Assembly. This afternoon, he is expected to formally recognize a Palestinian state. And it comes just a day after the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Portugal all came out in favor of Palestinian independence.

BLITZER: Also this morning, we have this new video out of London. A special ceremony marks the raising of the Palestinian flag at the Palestinian mission to the U.K.

Also new this morning, tens of thousands of protesters in Italy calling for a nationwide strike to support Palestinians in Gaza. They are also demanding that their government join other Western nations to recognize a Palestinian state. Let's get some analysis right now.

Joining us now, Axios politics and foreign policy reporter Barak Ravid. He's also a CNN political and global affairs analyst. Barak, there's a lot of international momentum right now towards the recognition of a new Palestinian state. How is Israel, first of all, responding to this? BARAK RAVID, CNN POLITICAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: Hi, Wolf. I think Benjamin Netanyahu finds himself almost two years after October 7th, this horrible, horrific terrorist attack, more isolated than ever. And with Netanyahu, the -- the entire country is more isolated than ever.

And I think this is what we're going to see in the next few days at the U.N. General Assembly. You know, Netanyahu published his schedule for the U.N. General Assembly. And, you know, no offense to anybody, but he -- his bilateral meetings are with the leaders of Serbia, Argentina and Paraguay.

I covered a lot of his trips in the past. His itinerary looked very different in the past with many more leaders from more prominent countries. And I think it tells you a lot about where Israel is today.

BLITZER: It certainly does. How much concern is there, Barak, in Israel that the country is being increasingly isolated out there on the international stage?

[11:05:06]

RAVID: I think there's a lot of concern. Netanyahu himself said it publicly. I think isolation. He even said that Israel should be like Sparta. He called it Super Sparta, something that got the stock -- stock market in Tel Aviv to crash. And so I think a lot of people feel that way.

I think Netanyahu is totally aware of the situation. But at the same time, one of the things that he's considering at the moment in retaliation to those recognitions of Palestine is to not take a step back, but to double down by annexing parts of the West Bank, something that will only increase the international pressure and criticism on Israel. Even the Trump administration is telling Netanyahu that this would be one step too far and is urging him not to do it.

BLITZER: How much pressure is Netanyahu under right now to take steps to free the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza as the IDF, the Israel Defense Forces, ramps up its military campaign in Gaza, especially Gaza City?

RAVID: Well, there's only one person Benjamin Netanyahu cares about, and this is President Trump. The domestic pressure, the demonstrations, the tens of thousands of Israelis that are going to the streets to call for an end to the war and the release of the hostages, all of those, Netanyahu doesn't care about them. He cares about one person, and this is Donald Trump.

And the interesting thing is that Donald Trump tomorrow is going to meet with the leaders of six Arab and Muslim countries and present to them, maybe for the first time since his president, his ideas and his principles for ending the war in Gaza. And I think this would -- this could be a very meaningful meeting, especially that next Monday Netanyahu himself will arrive in the Oval Office for his fourth meeting with Donald Trump since January. And he will also be presented with those principles and ideas. So I think that Donald Trump, you see, while publicly he's giving support to Netanyahu, I think what he's doing is trying to find a way to end the war as soon as possible.

BLITZER: All right, Barak Ravid, thank you very, very much. Pamela?

BROWN: All right, Wolf, new this morning, thousands of people gathered in Arizona Stadium to mourn conservative activist Charlie Kirk. One moment at the service was especially powerful when Kirk's widow, Erika, fought through tears to say she forgives the man who allegedly shot and killed her husband.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIKA KIRK, WIDOW OF CHARLIE KIRK: On the cross, our savior said, Father, forgive them for they not know what they do. That man, that young man, I forgive him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: Such a powerful, emotional moment there. Many speakers also discussed Kirk's faith and desire to engage constructively with political opponents. President Trump and several members of his administration spoke at the service.

So let's go now to CNN senior White House reporter Betsy Klein. Betsy, what else stood out to you at that service?

BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, Pam, we saw officials from the highest levels of the U.S. government in Arizona to honor the late conservative activist, Charlie Kirk. And it was very solemn, very emotional at times. And there were intertwining and also divergent themes of faith and politics throughout the event.

On faith, many speakers described it as a religious revival and not a funeral. We saw music performances. There were pyrotechnics. And then, as you just showed, that very powerful moment of radical forgiveness from Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika Cook -- Kirk. The entire audience silent as she spoke and then giving her a standing ovation.

But the event also turned starkly political at times, really laying bare some of the deep divisions in this country in the aftermath of Kirk's assassination. We heard from Stephen Miller attacking unnamed enemies, Donald Trump Jr. going after Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris and attacking the media, and President Trump blaming the radical left for Kirk's death.

The President weaving in details of Charlie Kirk's personal story and their relationship. But at times, it diverged into what felt like a political rally. The President talking about tariffs, previewing that upcoming announcement on autism later today, as well as an upcoming crime crackdown in Chicago.

But the President also laid out the one area where he disagreed with Charlie Kirk. Listen. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[11:10:03]

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them. That's where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent. And I don't want the best for them. I'm sorry. I am sorry, Erika. But now Erika can talk to me and the whole group, and maybe they can convince me that that's not right, but I can't stand my opponent. Charlie's angry. Look at that. He's angry at me now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KLEIN: Now, one thing that was abundantly clear during this event was the deep influence that Charlie Kirk had on this White House. He was really instrumental in helping the President to select top aides, as well as members of his cabinet during the presidential transition.

We heard from Vice President J.D. Vance that they wouldn't be here without Charlie Kirk, so, so many at the White House grieving the loss of a close friend. And another notable moment, Pam, was that as Secretary Hegseth spoke, we saw President Trump in a box suite with Elon Musk, marking the first time these two had been seen together publicly since their explosive falling out earlier this summer, a moment that one friend of Charlie Kirk said he wanted to see. He had been a key mediator between those two men, so very poignant there, Pam.

BROWN: All right, Betsy Klein, thank you so much. Wolf?

BLITZER: And happening now, the Trump administration is condemning a new California law that bans most law enforcement from covering their faces while they're working. Governor Gavin Newsom says the No Secret Police Act, as it's called, is a direct response to immigration raids in the Los Angeles area.

Federal agents have been wearing masks while making mass arrests. The Trump administration says they need to protect their identities. CNN's Julia Vargas Jones is in Los Angeles for us. Julia, what are you hearing from state officials about this first-of-its-kind law?

JULIA VARGAS JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, it's not only a direct response to those sweeping immigration raids that we've been seeing in California, it is also another move in this ongoing political chess match between Governor Gavin Newsom and President Trump. The governor's argument is that basically anyone on American soil has the right to due process, including undocumented immigrants.

He's also saying that public trust in federal law enforcement has been eroded over the past few months here in California and that this legislation is an attempt to restore it. Take a listen.

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GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM (D-CA): Unmarked cars, people in masks, people quite literally disappearing. No due process, no rights, no rights in a democracy where we have rights. Immigrants have rights. And we have the right to stand up and push back.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JONES: But the Trump administration, Wolf, bashing this law. We heard from Tricia McLaughlin, the DHS assistant secretary for Public Affairs, citing concerns for the safety of ICE officers. They're saying that they're protecting themselves from being doxed or targeted by terrorists by covering their faces.

And then in California, we also heard from acting U.S. attorney Bill Essayli saying that this law will have no effect on federal operations and that officers here will continue to cover their faces. What the law is actually saying is not just covering their faces that will be banned. There will be some exceptions for undercover agents, medical masks and tactical gear, but they will also be required to show I.D. to local authorities.

And then another law that the governor also signed on Saturday makes so that federal officers will need warrants to enter schools and hospitals. And schools will be necessary to notify parents when ICE is on campus. And the law is expected to go into effect, Wolf, on January 1st, but the governor already said that he is expecting challenges in the course.

Again, Newsom's move is not just about the mask. It's about positioning himself as a counterpoint to the Trump administration on a federal stage.

BLITZER: Julia Vargas Jones in Los Angeles, thank you very, very much. Pamela?

[11:14:07]

BROWN: And still ahead right here in The Situation Room, Amanda Knox is using a new Hulu series to tell her story. She's going to join us next to talk about the show, working with Monica Lewinsky and more.

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BROWN: Now to a Situation Room one-on-one. Amanda Knox captivated the world nearly 20 years ago when she was wrongfully convicted for the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher, as an exchange student in Italy. Now she's sharing her story with the new Hulu series, "The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox." She created with Monica Lewinsky. Yes, that Monica Lewinsky. Here's some of the trailer.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't move. Don't make a sound.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Amanda, I don't like this. We should just turn back.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why would I return to a country where I was convicted of murder? Because in order to move forward, I need to go back.

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BROWN: And joining us now is Amanda Knox herself. Amanda, thanks for joining us. So the average person may hear the names Amanda Knox and Monica Lewinsky. And wonder how in the world did these two women get together? Explain what brought you together.

[11:20:05]

AMANDA KNOX, AUTHOR, "WAITING TO BE HEARD": You know back in 2017, Monica was my mentor really. She was the one who was writing the Vanity Fair articles and doing the TED talks. Really emerging as a person who was vilified and shamed in her youth. And was making a path for herself. And really forging the path for those like me to come behind her. And -- and really reassert the fact that we are real people. And we have a voice and a perspective that's valuable to share.

BROWN: And you've talked a lot about the hatred that women accused of wrongdoing face. Do you still endure backlash from the public when you're out and about?

KNOX: I mean certainly there is this ongoing feeling that we -- we tend to try to find fault in the woman instead of the bigger world around us that tried to find fault in us. And so I think that something that is ongoing is this ongoing pursuit to try to find something wrong with us, to blame us for what happened to us. And really, you know, again, Monica is such a great mentor for me because she has really proven that you can stand up for yourself. And -- and tell the truth about what happened. And not allow those voices to really put you down.

BROWN: How do you expect the series will shed light on that dynamic?

KNOX: Well something that was really important to both Monica and I in the making of this series is that it wasn't your typical true crime biopic. It isn't just limited to a courtroom drama. It's very much the story about how I went through this terrible experience. But then I made a choice to go back to Italy to confront my prosecutor face to face.

And it's that ongoing story of trying to figure out. How do we grapple with the trauma? How do we grapple with our adversaries? How do we build bridges in a world that wants us to be walled off and shut down? That's what this series is really about. And it was really important to Monica and I to tell that more expansive story.

BROWN: Tell us more about what that was like to go back to Italy. And confront your prosecutor face to face and how that impacted your healing journey.

KNOX: Yes I mean it was incredibly nerve wracking. Everyone that I knew and loved told me that I was making a mistake. But I did feel like I had something really important to do there. I was -- I was seeking closure. I was seeking understanding. And I think I made the right choice because, you know, I -- I went there and I confronted him. And I sat, you know, sat down with him. And I came away feeling like I was a superhero. Like nothing could stop me.

And that was the first time in my life that I really felt like I had finally done something in response to this horrible trauma. That actually defined me for who I am instead of this horrible thing that defined me that I had nothing to do with.

BROWN: As you well know there has been some criticism of this series including from the family of Meredith Kercher with some pointing out that it primarily focuses on the miscarriage of justice that you endured and detracts from Meredith's killing. What do you say to that?

KNOX: I mean I think this is an example of trying to find fault in me and finding fault in the -- giving me the opportunity to tell my story. I think what this -- this series does is first of all it sheds light on the truth of what happened to Meredith. It sheds light on the relationship that I had with her. And how an important part of my life she is.

And -- but it also unapologetically says that my life and what happened to me matters too. And since I'm, you know, this is something that I'm partaking in, I'm -- I'm participating in, I'm telling my story. And I'm not presupposing that I have the right to tell Meredith's story.

BROWN: In the making of this series there was a lot of research done about your case. I know it gave you some new insights. Help us better understand what you learned. What more you learned through making this about your case. And did it give you any new insights into how Meredith may have been killed?

KNOX: Absolutely. So K.J. Steinberg our creator and show runner, did extensive, extensive research. Reading all of the case files. Having everything translated. And she discovered things that I wasn't even really aware of. Like how the downstairs apartment where there were -- there was blood found downstairs. Very well could have been a place that the actual murderer had gone downstairs to change his clothes before running away.

And, you know, I think that the evidence from the very beginning showed what really happened to Meredith but what -- as far as how the murderer got away and -- and how the police suppressed evidence in the case was something that K.J. really revealed to me and I think reveals through this show.

[11:25:04]

BROWN: Was it tough to sort of relive the trauma of everything you went through in creating this series?

KNOX: I mean it's always tough to confront a traumatic past. But something that was really unique about working on this show is that I wasn't alone. You know for the first time this was me confronting my past with a village of other people who were really working as best as they could to honor the truth and to honor the experience of everyone involved.

And for that reason I actually felt very well like held and supported through this process. And even when there were really difficult moments that, you know, I -- I wept when I was on set, reliving those horrible experiences that I had gone through. But I wept from a sense of relief that we were finally getting it right.

BROWN: Have you and Monica Lewinsky worked with any other women who have dealt with similar situations? If so who?

KNOX: Well, not yet in the sense that this is the first time that Monica and I are working together. But I would love to continue working with Monica to uplift women's voices and to platform those stories of women who have been diminished and shamed. So that we get a better perspective of how women have been taken advantage of in the past.

BROWN: Amanda Knox thank you so much for your time and for joining us here in The Situation Room.

KNOX: Thank you so much I really appreciate it.

BROWN: Wolf?

BLITZER: I'm looking forward to watching her documentary.

Up next, the Pentagon has new rules that would sharply restrict reporting on the Defense Department or as Trump now calls it the War Department. And that has news outlets gearing up for a potential legal fight. CNN's new reporting is straight ahead.

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