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The Situation Room

MLB's Top Draft Pick Speaks Out; Top 10 Climate-Related 2025 Stories; Religious Resurgence in Young Men?. Aired 11:30a-12p ET

Aired December 25, 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]

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[11:33:52]

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1ST LT. MICHAEL SMITH, U.S. ARMY: I'm Lieutenant Smith from 6-9 Cav Comanche Troop out of Fort Hood, Texas. I'm from Whitehall, Pennsylvania.

I just want to say merry Christmas to my fiancee, Ellie (ph), love you, and to my family, friends back home. So merry Christmas.

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PAMELA BROWN, CNN HOST: Well, Gen Z is reversing a decades-long trend of a declining number of people in the U.S. identifying as Christian, much of that being made up by men.

This shift in men's religious affiliation was one of the big reasons I felt compelled to sit down with Richard Reeves, the founding president of the American Institute of Boys and Men, which uses evidence-based research to better understand the unique challenges facing this group.

His research shows that driving young men back to church is a desire for discipline and structure in their lives, something that being part of a religious community can provide them.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BROWN: Why are so many Gen Z men in particular flocking to religion right now?

RICHARD REEVES, PRESIDENT, AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR BOYS AND MEN: I think that young men are searching for structure and meaning and purpose and maybe for some formation, like some moral formation. That sounds like a really old-fashioned word.

[11:35:07]

But if you think about all the influencers online saying you should work out this way, or have a cold plunge, or this is your morning routine or whatever, all of those are -- they're a demand for discipline in a way. They're a demand for structure. They're saying, tell me how to be in the world.

And I think that hunger for an answer to the question among young men of how should I be in the world is to some extent being answered by religion, because that does provide you with community structure, purpose, meaning.

And so I interpret it as an expression of a real hunger among young men to -- in a way, I think it's about finding your place in the world. It's about finding some solid ground to stand on. And that could come about in different ways, but I think some young men are trying to find that in religion now, a sense of themselves just by going to those institutions.

BROWN: And what kind of religion? Are we talking about, like, Orthodox, Christianity, Catholicism? What do you see?

REEVES: The evidence I have seen suggests that it is the more traditional religion, so it is Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, et cetera, which are very -- they're very structured. They haven't changed very much.

I was actually a Latin mass at a Roman Catholic cathedral quite recently, so it was almost two hours, mostly in Latin, a lot of it standing, and it was full of young men. And I was really struck by that. And I have spoken to some of the young men there and at other churches, and it confirms my suspicion that this is largely not politically driven.

It's more a sense of identity. It's more a sense of wanting to belong, wanting structure, wanting somewhere to go, maybe wanting somewhere you're welcomed to some extent. But it's interesting to me that it does seem to be those more traditional religions, or the more demanding religions, almost, that -- attracting more men.

It's almost like they want it to be quite hard. They want it to be quite old. They want it to be real. They want it to be authentic. And so you go to those really old religions, very traditional. And so in some ways I think that, because so many of our other traditions have fallen away around men, right, traditions of being a breadwinner, traditions of being head of the household -- and, to be clear, good news, because that's largely because of the rise of women.

But, if you're a young man today and you're looking for traditions to attach yourself to, maybe religion offers that in a way that some of the other things don't anymore. We're seeing that young men are a little bit more religious now than young women, which is -- it's a small gap, but, nonetheless, it's striking because it never goes that way around.

Historically, it's typically been women who are more religious than men. And so the stereotype is, if you see a guy in church, his wife or girlfriend's brought him there, whereas now you're seeing these churches filling up with men who are going on their own or going with their friends.

And so the turn to religiosity is a little bit stronger among young men than among young women.

BROWN: When did you start seeing that turn with more young men turning to religion?

REEVES: Just in the last few years.

BROWN: Why do you think that is?

REEVES: So this is really, really recent.

BROWN: You think COVID may have played a role?

REEVES: COVID definitely. So, young men are a little bit more socially isolated than young women. That's a problem generally. Isolation and loneliness are a problem generally, but young men are a little bit more likely to be isolated. And COVID definitely added to that.

So what in some ways I think about is, there have been various phases where you have seen a lot of men going online. You have seen a lot of young men become quite isolated. And now I think some of them are coming out of that a little bit. So here's the positive interpretation. They're starting to realize themselves that they need to do more to connect, to get out, to find structure and purpose.

So I think what's happening is that young men are themselves coming to realize that there's something missing in their lives that no one else is going to provide for them. They're going to have to go find it for themselves. In the past, your role was kind of defined for you. There aren't enough tradwives to go around, to put it bluntly, right? They're just aren't.

(LAUGHTER)

REEVES: So one of the things I always say to young men, if they are leaning very conservative and saying, well, I just want a kind of -- I want a woman who just wants to kind of do what I say and stay at home and raise kids and grow carrots or whatever, I'm like, well, good luck with that, because there's a few of them on TikTok, but there aren't very many in the real world. Women quite rightly are taking their place in the labor market.

Women are quite rightly asserting their economic independence. And if you want a romantic future, you better get used to that idea, rather than hearkening to the past.

And so, at their worst, some of the religious institutions can act as a false call that we can somehow go backwards. And whether they say it explicitly or not, what they're sometimes saying is, and for that to happen, we need men to become more economically dominant over women again, and women need to know their place.

And that is morally wrong, theologically flawed, and incredibly bad advice to a young man today.

BROWN: What about just seeking certainty in an uncertain, chaotic world? How much do you think that plays into it as well?

REEVES: The really traditional and highly structured religions don't ask as much of you as an individual, other than that you just come and participate.

[11:40:07]

BROWN: And bear through a two-hour Latin service, standing.

REEVES: And do it, yes. It's just do it.

(CROSSTALK)

REEVES: And I think, in some ways, I do think that's quite appealing to a lot of young men, because the question a lot of them are asking is not, how should I feel? It's, what should I do?

They're looking for a to-do list. And I think, honestly, one of the problems with our contemporary culture -- and here I will put more of the blame on the progressive left -- has been to provide a very long list of don'ts to young men, don't mansplain, don't be toxic, don't take up too much space, et cetera, but not very many do's.

And so we have ended up with a situation where there's a lot more don'ts than there are do's. And I think there's a real hunger among a lot of young men for someone to help them or an institution to show them what to do, rather than how to feel. And I think that might be one of the reasons why these traditional religions are doing well.

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BROWN: And if you want to watch any...

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[11:45:36]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

1ST LT. RIDGE CLARK, U.S. ARMY: Hello. This is Lieutenant Clark stationed in Germany. I just want to wish a very merry Christmas to my family and friends in Maryville, Tennessee.

And I also want to give a birthday shout-out to my wife. Happy birthday, Angelique (ph), December 25. Love you all.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: At just 17 years old, Eli Willits was not only the youngest player in this year's Major League Baseball draft class, but he was also the league's number one pick.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: Willits was selected by my Washington Nationals. And, in August, he made his Minor League debut with the Nationals' single-A team in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Here's a closer look at what he told us after he was drafted.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Eli, thanks very much for coming in. Congratulations to you.

ELI WILLITS, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL NUMBER ONE DRAFT PICK: Thank you. I appreciate it. Thanks for having me.

BLITZER: What would you like to hear that announcement that you're not just the Washington Nationals' first round draft pick, but Major League Baseball's first round draft pick?

WILLITS: It's just a dream come true. I'm just grateful for the opportunity that the Nationals gave me.

I'm just excited to get out there and get -- build relationships with new coaches and new players and get out there and get to work.

BLITZER: Was it a surprise to you or were you expecting this?

WILLITS: It was definitely a surprise. I was just excited and ready for the opportunity. And the Nationals gave me a chance and I'm just grateful for that.

BLITZER: I know your dad is a former professional player, now coaches at Oklahoma. What has the reaction been like amongst your family?

WILLITS: Just super grateful for the opportunity. We got to fly the whole family out to D.C. So we're just excited, taking the moment in and enjoying this last three days as a complete family together.

BLITZER: You said that you wrote down this goal to become the first overall pick two years ago. What was it like to actually see this come to life?

WILLITS: I think it's just the power that God possesses. It's just grateful that he can do that for people. I wrote down in my Bible that I want to be the first overall pick. And to see that come true is just the power of him.

BLITZER: Give me some advice for young boys who are watching right now. What should they be doing to become a Major League player? Forget about being number one draft pick, but a Major League player.

WILLITS: Just be who they are. Just continue to work hard. Continue to play. Enjoy the game. Have fun. At the end of the day, it's just a game and you're there to have fun.

BROWN: I just want to follow up with you because, in the break before this, you were talking about how ever since you could stand, you have been playing baseball. Tell us about being a little boy, playing, and then getting to this point in your life, this dream.

WILLITS: Yes, I have grown up around the game. My dad's had the privilege to play and then coach in a great organization. So just being around such great players and enjoying the work and how I go about my business, I enjoy doing that and I'm just grateful for this opportunity.

BLITZER: What was the phone call like from the Washington Nationals? What did they say to you?

WILLITS: They just told me I was going to be a National, and I couldn't help but cry and I was there with my family. So it was just a never-forgetting moment. So I'm just excited and thankful for the opportunity.

BLITZER: So what happens next? Walk us through the next few weeks and months.

WILLITS: So I will sign my contract tomorrow. I will officially become a National. And then Sunday I fly down to Florida and start getting to work and building a relationship with coaches and start meeting new players.

BLITZER: Spring training.

WILLITS: Yes.

BLITZER: Did you ever think you would be doing spring training in Florida?

WILLITS: It was always a goal of mine when my dad was down there in Florida, he was in Tampa. So to see what he did and the players down there, it was always a goal to go down there and play.

BROWN: I want to just ask you more about your dad because he's been such a big role model for you. Tell us more about that.

WILLITS: Yes, my dad, he -- I wouldn't be here without him. He's taught me how to work hard. He's showed me how to play the game the right way. I'm just thankful and grateful for him to be here and helping me throughout the whole situation.

BLITZER: What position did you play in high school and what position do you hope to play for the Washington Nationals?

WILLITS: In high school, I played shortstop, and I see myself as a shortstop. And I hope to see myself playing in Nationals Park as a shortstop as well.

BLITZER: What about your hitting? How's your hitting?

WILLITS: I would say my hitting's pretty good. I feel like my power's up and coming. I'm still a 17-year-old kid so I'm still maturing and getting stronger. So I feel like getting into a great organization like the Nationals, they're going to help change that and take that to the next level.

BLITZER: Have you been over to Nats Park yet?

WILLITS: I was there earlier this summer, but we go tomorrow and get everything finalized and get to hit B.P. on the field, so it'll be good. [11:50:05]

BLITZER: You're going to love this. This is going to be great. And we're all so excited for you as a role model for a lot of young boys out there who are playing baseball. They're 7, 8, 9, 10 years old, and they're thinking about you.

BROWN: Yes.

WILLITS: Yes, I'm just thankful that I have such a support system. They showed me how to play the game the right way and how to carry myself off the field. Just I'm very grateful for that and thankful for the opportunity I have got from the Washington Nationals.

BLITZER: Eli, I will leave you with these words. Go, Nats.

(LAUGHTER)

WILLITS: Oh, absolutely.

BLITZER: All right? I'm with you.

BROWN: Go, Nats.

WILLITS: Thank you. Thank you.

BLITZER: I will be watching all those games.

WILLITS: Thank you.

BLITZER: I'm a huge fan.

WILLITS: Good.

BLITZER: You're a huge fan too, Pamela.

BROWN: Best of luck, Eli. Huge fan.

BLITZER: Yes.

BROWN: And I know your grandson Ruben, my son Benny love baseball.

BLITZER: We all love baseball.

BROWN: They're big fans too.

BLITZER: Yes.

BROWN: So...

WILLITS: Awesome.

BLITZER: Yes.

BROWN: Best of luck.

WILLITS: Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: An historic snowstorm buries parts of the Gulf Coast, while Los Angeles burned over and over.

BLITZER: CNN's Bill Weir counts down the top 10 climate-related stories that impacted our planet in 2025.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL WEIR, CNN CHIEF CLIMATE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Starting off the year at number 10, deep freeze in the Deep South?

January's Gulf Coast blizzard warnings resulted in up to 10 inches of snow in Florida's Panhandle, eight inches in normally steamy New Orleans, tripling the previous record for snow in the Big Easy.

Number nine, DOGE takes a hatchet to critical weather agencies, including NOAA. And, in the process, the Trump administration fires hundreds of National Weather Service experts. Fewer staff and weather balloon launches may have led to missed forecast of an October storm which devastated communities in coastal Alaska.

At number eight, a monster march of the tornadoes, 114 of them across 14 states, with one EF-4 traveling 120 miles across Arkansas.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, my God. We are in a tornado.

WEIR: While the twisters took 23 lives, windblown dust caused a 50- car pileup in Kansas that killed eight and fanned deadly wildfires in four Oklahoma counties.

Number seven, Super Typhoon Ragasa. The storm hammered the Philippines and Taiwan before coming ashore near Hong Kong with 10 feet of storm surge. While two million were forced to evacuate, China got a harsh lesson on the need for new kinds of infrastructure.

At number six, New York's subways flooded. A wet July brought enough rain to turn streets to rivers and train platforms into waterfalls. As a result, the city is spending hundreds of millions on raised grates and entries and bigger pumps, just a few of the costs of protecting cities built for a cooler, drier world.

At number five, the president of the United States insists that climate change is a hoax.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world, in my opinion.

WEIR: And in doing so, Trump launches an all-out war against the scientists and startups working to fight it. Trump has so far closed labs, sought to cancel Earth-monitoring satellites, and shut down climate research. He's eliminated E.V. incentives, halted the rapid growth of wind, solar, and energy storage, all while easing regulations on fossil fuels. According to one study, these actions have already undone the carbon

reduction progress made by the Biden administration.

Number four, cyclones, monsoons, floods, and landslides lead to a catastrophic year-end for South Asia. From Indonesia, to Thailand, to Malaysia, and across the entire nation of Sri Lanka, almost 1,400 people are reported dead, hundreds more missing in landscapes that range from villages to beachside resorts.

At number three, hurricane season. This year's brought a trio of category fives through the Atlantic Basin, starting with Erin, which wreaked havoc on North Carolina's Outer Banks, but the American mainland was spared this year. Jamaica was not so fortunate, as Melissa became not just the strongest ever hit the island nation, but with winds of 185 miles an hour, it was one of the strongest to ever make landfall on Earth.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We need help in Jamaica, please. I'm appealing to anyone, please.

WEIR: The common signature in all these Cat 5's was the rapid intensification of winds fueled by overheated oceans.

At number two, tragedy in Texas Hill country, this after a month's worth of rain fell in hours, creating what officials called an inland tsunami. The raging Guadalupe River ripped little girls from their bunkhouses. And with 27 campers and counselors among the 145 souls lost, there is a fierce debate over warning systems and future flood zone construction.

[11:55:13]

CARRIE HANNA, MOTHER OF CAMP MYSTIC FLOOD VICTIM: I told her camp was the safest place she could be, and she would make new friends and learn new things. I lied to her.

WEIR: And, at number one, the City of Angels ablaze. 2025 began with the worst urban megafire in modern American history. Drought-thirsty brush provided the fuel. Santa Ana wins the oxygen, until huge swathes of hillside Altadena and oceanside Pacific Palisades were ablaze.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everyone needs help. Sorry for crying, but it's really emotional seeing my friends lose their houses and people losing their animals.

WEIR: We've since learned that arson allegedly started a fire connected to the Palisades, but crews failed to put it out, allowing it to smolder for days. These are tough lessons, and there are others measured in over 15,000 structures lost, $60 billion in damages, and dozens of lives lost.

Here's hoping the new year brings healing and hope.

Bill Weir, CNN New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)