Return to Transcripts main page
The Story Is with Elex Michaelson
Interview with Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX); Savannah Guthrie Posts Video Pleading for Mom's Safe Return; Talks Between Ukraine, Russia and U.S. to Resume in Abu Dhabi; U.S. Justice Department Facing Criticism Over Redaction Errors; EPA Chief Tasked with Helping California Rebuild after Palisades Fire; Seahawks, Patriots Hold First Official Practices of the Week; Essential for Visitors: How to Order Coffee in Italy. Aired 12-1a ET
Aired February 05, 2026 - 00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[00:00:00]
LAURA COATES, CNN ANCHOR: First start by asking him about what he'd figure skate to because that, that, my friend, that's some interview.
Have a great show.
ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR: And he had quite the outfit on today, too.
COATES: I mean, hey, that --
MICHAELSON: All right. Yes.
COATES: That could the outfit. I don't know.
MICHAELSON: Yes.
COATES: I don't know.
MICHAELSON: Yes. All right, Laura.
COATES: Have a great one. Bye.
MICHAELSON: Have a great night. THE STORY IS starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAELSON: THE STORY IS softer touch. President Trump indicating a change in ICE tactics as lawmakers are nowhere close to a deal on DHS funding. With us, Republican Congressman Pete Sessions.
THE STORY IS emotional plea.
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE, "TODAY" SHOW ANCHOR: Everyone is looking for you, Mommy, everywhere.
MICHAELSON: "Today" show anchor Savannah Guthrie speaks directly to her mother's captor and tearfully asks her safe return. And THE STORY IS peace talks. Negotiators work to end Russia's war in
Ukraine. Are they getting closer to a deal? CNN's Fred Pleitgen in Moscow for us.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: Live from Los Angeles, THE STORY IS with Elex Michaelson.
MICHAELSON: And welcome to THE STORY IS. I'm Elex Michaelson.
The top story is the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration and new signs that it's looking to actually dial things back. In an interview with NBC's Tom Llamas, President Trump says he wants federal agents to still go after criminals, murderers, rapists, drug dealers. But in a broader sense, their tactics could change.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM LLAMAS, NBC NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Speaking of Minneapolis, what did you learn?
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I learned that maybe we can use a little bit of a softer touch, but you still have to be tough. These are criminals. We're dealing with really hard criminals.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: The president says he doesn't believe polls that show him underwater on immigration. For example, a FOX News survey taken right around the time Alex Pretti was killed shows that 59 percent think that ICE deportation efforts are too aggressive. 24 percent say they're about right, 17 percent say they're not aggressive enough.
President also said the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good should not have happened, adding that neither one was an angel and no one feels worse about it than the people of ICE.
The Trump administration's border czar is announcing a partial drawdown in Minneapolis. Tom Homan says 700 personnel will be leaving immediately, with around 2,000 federal agents remaining in the city. He says a complete drawdown would depend on several factors, including cooperation with state and local law enforcement.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM HOMAN, WHITE HOUSE BORDER CZAR: My goal with the support of President Trump is to achieve a complete drawdown, and end this surge as soon as we can. But that is largely contingent upon the end of the illegal and threatening activities against ICE and its federal partners that we're seeing in the community.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz welcomed the drawdown as a step in the right direction, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey had this to say. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR JACOB FREY, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: He's right that a softer touch has been required. The drawdown of both federal agents, as well as the implementation of body cameras, is obviously a step in the right direction. That being said, the continued presence of 2,000 federal agents in a city that only has 600 police officers is still not de-escalation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: The top Democrats in Congress are laying out their demands for reforming immigration enforcement. They include limiting activity to target enforcement, a ban on masks for officers, and requiring federal agents to display I.D. and wear body cams. Democrats also want to end racial profiling, defined, reasonable use of force policy, and coordination with state and local authorities.
System safeguards, protection of sensitive locations like schools and churches, and no what they call paramilitary police.
Joining me now is Republican Congressman Pete Sessions of Texas, a member of the House Oversight Committee, joining us now from Washington.
Congressmember, welcome to THE STORY IS for the first time.
REP. PETE SESSIONS (R-TX): Thank you very much. It is our first time to be with you. And, you know, you're in Los Angeles and I'm in Washington, and I wish I were in the sun.
MICHAELSON: Well, open invite. You got to come join us on set, and then we'll take you around maybe to the beach next time you're in town. But let's talk about this serious issue of immigration. We just heard from Tom Homan today, this idea of drawing down folks in Minnesota.
Is drawing down agents a good thing? Is it time to change tactics around the country? You know, because these agents could be going somewhere else. Should they go somewhere else or should we change tactics at this point?
[00:05:00]
SESSIONS: Well, I think that the entire matter has been under review, and I think it should be. And I would like to say that I think there should be better balance on both sides. I think that certainly Homeland Security wants to reevaluate how they do what they do. They've got agents that are put in the line of danger. They have agents that can be worn down with repeated attempts against them. So it's not a positive thing for Homeland Security.
On the side of what we as members of Congress want, I think that at least, and I'm a Republican, I want balance. I think it's appropriate for the federal government to have a role in taking out those people, perhaps, who come across illegally. But for sure criminals, criminals that are in our neighborhoods, wherever they are in the United States, whether that be what might be a blue state or a red state.
And then I think that the people who are in these areas who do not wish that ICE to be doing the job they're doing, even they need some balance. They need some balance to know that local law enforcement would be there to protect them. But they have rights and responsibilities, and those responsibilities extend to the way that they're interfering with federal law enforcement. So I think all of this is a time to take a time out, a delay, reassess.
And it's my hope that Tom Homan, who is a friend of mine, will be able to articulate to us what is that new mission, what does it look like, and I think it's in everybody's best interest.
MICHAELSON: And what does balance look like for you? Because now we're going to have this two-week window to try to negotiate some sort of deal for funding the Department of Homeland Security. What are maybe concessions you would make or what are changes you'd like to see as a Republican that you'd be comfortable voting for to create the balance that you want?
SESSIONS: Well, that's a good question. Let me say this. The balance also comes. We've got to accomplish it because FEMA and other agencies, the Coast Guard, are right in this funding also. And it would be a bad thing if we cannot reach some kind of compromise.
So what would that look like to Pete Sessions? That would look like the Department of Homeland Security saying, OK, we will put cameras on people and we will videotape that, and it will be something that they will have to explain, not just their actions, but someone could review that. And I think that that could be positive.
But I think on the corresponding side that we would want to say, please don't allow us to have to come into contact with people who hold real strong opinions against what Homeland Security was doing. And I think separating that would be just as important as knowing the conduct of the agents.
Next I think there is a question about the masks or people wearing these masks.
MICHAELSON: Right.
SESSIONS: The identity of people is what is behind that. And I think that what's good for the goose is good for the gander. So as long as people who would be engaging them or coming there could not wear a mask, I think that would -- I could handle that. Is that a balance that Mr. Homan wants to do? I don't know, but I think that on correspondingly on each side of this, the balance is what is important.
MICHAELSON: So you basically would only support a ban on masks if protesters also had a ban on masks?
SESSIONS: Well, wouldn't that be fair to you?
MICHAELSON: Well, I'm not getting a check from the federal government. SESSIONS: I know -- well, you're also --
MICHAELSON: So, yes.
SESSIONS: You're also -- I'm trying to create a balance. And you see, I think members of Congress would err on the side of trying to make sure that the job is being done, but without harassment also, and they should not be harassed when they're off duty. They should not be -- they should have a professional conduct on duty, but not to be harassed when they go back home or their families.
MICHAELSON: Right.
SESSIONS: So I think that correspondingly, it would be a fair thing. I didn't say this is what would happen. I'm simply saying when you ask, well, what does Pete Sessions thinks balance is, I think balance is both sides being equal in the equation.
MICHAELSON: Sure. And that's what negotiation is all about. And I'm glad that there is a conversation about this. And that's going to be happening over the next few weeks.
Pete Sessions, thank you so much for joining us and having part of that conversation here with us on THE STORY IS. Really appreciate it.
SESSIONS: Thank you.
MICHAELSON: Now to an emotional and tearful plea from "Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie and her siblings days after their mother's apparent abduction from her home near Tucson.
[00:10:01]
Eighty-four-year-old Nancy Guthrie was last seen Saturday night and remains missing right now. On Wednesday, an increased law enforcement presence was seen outside her home in what the Pima County Sheriff's Office called a follow up at the property. Then came this gut wrenching video from her kids.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GUTHRIE: Mama, if you're listening, we need you to come home. We miss you.
Our mom is our heart and our home. She's 84 years old. Her health, her heart is fragile. She lives in constant pain. She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive. She needs it not to suffer. We too have heard the reports about a ransom letter in the media. As a family, we are doing everything that we can. We are ready to talk.
However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us.
(END VIDEO CLIP) MICHAELSON: With me now is CNN's senior national correspondent, Ed Lavandera, who is in Tucson, Arizona.
Ed, just as a reporter, as a human being, your emotional reaction to that video of Savannah Guthrie and her siblings.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, we watched that video as we're literally standing in front of Nancy Guthrie's house watching investigators come back, searching for more evidence, collecting more evidence. They were literally in the process of tearing down the crime scene tape and wrapping up their work here this afternoon. And it is excruciating to watch. You think of someone like Savannah Guthrie, who has a storied career in TV journalism. She is presented in front of a camera for years and years.
The thought that she had to deliver a message like that on camera is just gut wrenching. You know, there aren't enough words to kind of capture just the magnitude of how difficult that must have been, not only for Savannah, but her sister and her brother as well. I mean, I think we can all, you know, you have to take a moment just to kind of take all that in because it is just excruciating to watch.
MICHAELSON: It really is. And you just mentioned there some of the police activity today talk about what you've seen from your perspective and how maybe today was different than the other days.
LAVANDERA: Well, you know, today is interesting because there have been kind of briefings, where we've been trying to figure out exactly what is going on from the sheriff's investigators here. Today the sheriff did not give any briefing, but, you know, late this afternoon, it was late in the afternoon and for about two hours, a group of agents, probably a dozen or so from what we could -- we were able to count.
They came here to the property and quickly taped off the entrances to the house with crime scene tape. There was a K-9 unit that was brought out here. From what we could tell, Elex, we saw the agents spending a great deal of time in the backyard, going through areas out there. We also saw some of the agents and investigators go into the house through the garage. And as they were wrapping up, we did see at least one agent carrying out several bags of, like, these brown paper bags of evidence.
We have no clue what is in them or what exactly prompted them to come back. They would not answer any questions here at the scene, and we have not heard officially from the sheriff here in Pima County in Tucson exactly why they were returning here, or were they looking for something new? Were they looking for something that might have been missed in the initial search?
Because what is interesting that since investigators were out here in this neighborhood on Sunday there has been very little activity and the area has been opened up. In fact, I think at one point a few days ago, investigators said that the home had been turned back over to the family. So, you know, this is -- there has not been this level of investigative presence here on the ground in the house since Sunday afternoon.
MICHAELSON: And it was interesting, Ed, that Savannah in that video referenced the ransom note possibility and seemed to have a direct message for a potential captor of their mother sort of saying, we're ready to talk. I mean, I found that particularly striking.
[00:15:10]
LAVANDERA: Yes. Let me offer a little bit of context here for this because I think it might help. We are at a point, from what has been clear from investigators, is that they've had very little, very few tips if any or any kind of clear indication as to who might have been behind this, why she was abducted, anything. And outside of these ransom notes that have been sent to TMZ, as well as two local CNN affiliates here in Tucson, there has been very little.
But investigators have also been quick to point out that they're treating this as like any other piece of evidence. They didn't really have any clear indication. They still don't. And perhaps this might be one of the motivating factors for this video as to determine whether or not these ransom demands in these letters are actually real, or they're hoax, or is it just a, like, illegitimate request to, you know, some sort of prank that someone might be playing?
It seems clear that it is not clear whether or not these ransom notes and these ransom demands are, in fact, legitimate and authentic. And that is, you know, a motivating factor in trying to figure out if this is indeed real or if there needs to be more work done on pursuing some other investigative leads that might lead them in another direction. So, you know, clearly, multiple things happening here as investigators are trying to figure out what is the truth and the reality behind these notes, or if they need to really be looking at something else altogether.
MICHAELSON: Yes, although if that ransom note is real, and if they're able to get proof of life of their mother, that may be the best case scenario based off of everything that could be happening right now.
Ed Lavandera, thank you for your continued reporting on this sensitive and very sad story in Tucson. Thank you, Ed.
LAVANDERA: You got it. Thanks.
MICHAELSON: And authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff's Department. That number on your screen right now, 520-351-4900. You can also contact the FBI.
Overseas now, peace talks between Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. set to resume in Abu Dhabi in the coming hours. Ukraine's top negotiator says the trilateral talks on Wednesday were substantive and productive. They focused on specific steps and practical solutions, including a possible demarcation line. U.S. was represented by special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
The Kremlin says Russia will continue its so-called special military operation in Ukraine until Kyiv, quote, "makes the appropriate decisions in the negotiations." Meanwhile, Ukraine's air force says Russian drone strikes killed at least 12 people and wounded 50 others on Wednesday. The country was already reeling from Russian attacks the day before.
Ukraine says it wants a, quote, "dignified and lasting peace." CNN's Fred Pleitgen is in Moscow with more on the Russian side of the talks.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I think for the Russians, those security guarantees are also an issue as well. The Russians, of course, have for a very long time said that they believe that the root causes of what they call their concerns around Ukraine need to be addressed in any sort of final agreement. And of course, those security guarantees for Ukraine are things that could be interpreted by the Russians as encroaching on their own security.
So the Russians will certainly want to have a say in that and how that goes forward. What kind of security guarantees, for instance, the United States could provide to Ukraine? Also other allies as well. Of course, one of the things that the Russians have said they would be very averse to would be any sort of NATO troops or European troops on Ukrainian soil. So those are certainly details that would have to be worked out.
But definitely one of the things that seems the most tricky in these negotiations appears to be the territorial question, that of what sort of concessions the Ukrainians would have to make as part of any sort of agreement, what the Russians maybe would be willing to give back to Ukraine of land that their troops currently stand on. All of that definitely issues that could be quite difficult to reach an agreement on in these negotiations.
Nevertheless, the Ukrainians are saying that they believe that the fact that these talks have now been extended to another day are going to take place on the 5th of February as well, is already a good sign. The chief negotiator for the Ukrainians, Rustem Umerov, he came out after the negotiations and he said that they were, as he put it, quote, "substantive and productive," with a focus on specific steps and practical solutions.
So already in a stage where they're talking about practical solutions. Nevertheless, of course, both sides acknowledging there are still big hurdles to overcome. And the Russians, of course, also saying that they are going to continue what they still call their special military operation, meaning, of course, their war efforts in Ukraine until a final agreement is reached.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[00:20:08]
MICHAELSON: Our thanks to Fred Pleitgen in Moscow.
As those peace talks continue, Russia is looking to bolster its ties with China. President Putin held a virtual call with the Chinese leader on Wednesday. According to Chinas state TV Xi Jinping urged Putin to seize what he called a historic opportunity and continue strengthening their relations.
Ukraine and the European Union have accused China of providing military aid to Russia's war effort, an accusation Beijing denies.
President Trump issues a new warning to Iran's supreme leader just days before negotiations on its nuclear program begin. We'll have the details. Plus fresh criticism for the Justice Department and its handling of the Epstein files. The department is accused of making some victims' information public while over redacting the identities of alleged abusers.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[00:25:18]
MICHAELSON: President Trump had a lot to say about Iran during his wide-ranging interview with NBC News. That included an ominous message for its supreme leader. Donald Trump said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei should be, quote, "very worried."
Here's part of his exchange with NBC's Tom Llamas.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LLAMAS: Should the supreme leader in Iran be worried right now?
TRUMP: I would say he should be very worried. Yes, he should be. As you know, they're negotiating with us.
LLAMAS: I know they are. But the protesters have said, you know, where are the Americans? You promised them we would have their back. Do we still have their back?
TRUMP: We've had their back. And look, that country is a mess right now because of us. We went in, we wiped out their nuclear supply chain.
(CROSSTALK)
LLAMAS: So that's the question, if we want him out --
TRUMP: We want to have peace in the Middle East.
LLAMAS: Yes. Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: President Trump also warned Iran that if it tries to revive its nuclear program at alternative sites after the U.S. strikes in June, quote, "We're going to do bad things to you."
Trump administration has been weighing another major strike against the Iranian regime. A U.S. carrier strike group is already present in the waters off Iran. Now, despite that tough talk from President Trump, Iran and the U.S. are moving forward with nuclear talks. Iran's foreign minister says he will meet with American envoy Steve Witkoff in Oman on Friday. However, Iran has imposed conditions.
Iranian leaders have said the talks must be fair and equitable and free of threats. And the U.S. is preparing to talk to Iran.
A top human rights activist is pushing back against the regime from behind bars. The family of the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate says they have received reliable information that she started a hunger strike. She's reportedly protesting her unlawful detention and the conditions in which she's being held in Iranian prison.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he regrets appointing Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington. Mr. Starmer is under fire for appointing Mandelson after his ties to Jeffrey Epstein were made public. Mandelson, who was fired last year, is now under criminal investigation for allegedly passing government information to the late sex offender. British lawmakers have agreed to release their own files relating to Mandelson's appointment.
On Wednesday, Mr. Starmer told parliament Mandelson lied about his Epstein connections after some MPs called the prime minister's judgment into question.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEMI BADENOCH, BRITISH OPPOSITION LEADER: The whole house will be disgusted by the latest revelations about Jeffrey Epstein. All of us want to see his victims get justice but the political decision to appoint Epstein's close associate, Peter Mandelson, as Britain's ambassador to Washington goes to the very heart of this prime minister's judgment.
KEIR STARMER, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Mandelson betrayed our country, our parliament and my party.
Mr. Speaker, he lied repeatedly to my team when asked about his relationship with Epstein before and during his tenure as ambassador. I regret appointing him. If I knew then what I know now, he would never have been anywhere near government.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: Back here in the U.S., the Justice Department is feeling similar pressure after Epstein survivors said private information was revealed in the latest document release.
CNN's MJ Lee reports on concerns about over redactions.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MJ LEE, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Justice Department under fire tonight facing criticism for over redacting information about individuals who may have aided Jeffrey Epstein. In a 2014 e-mail released in the files, a person writes to Epstein, quote, "Thank you for a fun night. Your littlest girl was a little naughty," but the identity of the individual who wrote that message is redacted.
And in this image of Epstein's inner circle from the files, we see associates like convicted co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff, but several others in the graphic are blacked out. The release files also showed numerous e-mail exchanges that appear to describe the procurement of women. "New Brazilian just arrived, sexy and cute, 19 years old," a 2013 e-mail to Epstein reads from someone at a Paris modeling agency. That sender's name redacted.
"I found at least three very good young poor," a 2018 e-mail to Epstein reads. "Meet this one," the person continues, "not the beauty queen, but we both likes her a lot." This sender's name also redacted.
A DOJ official said in a statement to CNN, "Any fully redacted names are of victims, and many instances that it has been well-documented publicly, those who were originally victims became participants and co-conspirators. We did not redact any names of men, only female victims".
Names of law enforcement officers were also among the redactions.
[00:30:07]
Also included in the released Epstein files, a highly controversial draft indictment from the 2000s that would have charged Epstein, along with three others. They were described as having been employed by Epstein and having conspired to persuade, induce, and entice individuals who had not attained the age of 18 years to engage in prostitution. Their names are redacted.
REP. RO KHANNA (D-CA): So, you have a Justice Department that's leadership cared more about protecting the men who committed these crimes than the survivors who were victims of the crime.
LEE (voice-over): The law that forced the DOJ to release the Epstein files mandates the DOJ to make certain redactions, such as identifying information about victims and child pornography.
Some individuals who helped connect Epstein with young women were also victims.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, acknowledging errors were made and that his department is working around the clock to correct failures to redact victims' information.
TODD BLANCHE, U.S. DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: You're talking about pieces of paper that stack from the ground to two Eiffel towers. And so, the minute that a victim or their lawyer reached out to us, since -- since Friday, we immediately dealt with it and pulled it down. And we're continuing to do that. We knew that there would be mistakes.
LEE (voice-over): Epstein survivors are outraged.
SHARLENE ROCHARD, JEFFREY EPSTEIN SURVIVOR: Publishing images of victims while shielding predators. It's just a failure of complete justice. Why should anybody come forward? Because the justice system is not going to be the justice system.
LEE (voice-over): M.J. Lee, CNN, Washington, D.C.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR: When we come back, my conversation with EPA chief Lee Zeldin about his efforts to help wildfire victims rebuild in California. President Trump just put him in charge. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[00:36:30]
MICHAELSON: Welcome back to THE STORY IS. I'm Elex Michaelson. Let's take a look at some of today's top stories.
"Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have made an emotional plea on social media for the safe return of their mother.
That came on the same day law enforcement returned to the Tucson area home of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, who was believed to have been abducted.
In response to reports of a potential ransom note, Savannah Guthrie said, quote, "We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen."
The man who was convicted of trying to kill then-presidential candidate Donald Trump from a sniper's nest, has been sentenced to life in prison.
In September 2024, a Secret Service agent thwarted Ryan Routh's plot to shoot Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course in Florida.
Routh told the judge who sentenced him, quote, "Sadly, execution is not an option."
"Washington Post" has laid off about one-third of its staff. Sources say the sweeping layoffs include more than 300 employees in the newsroom and primarily affect the sports, books, and podcast units. Several foreign bureaus also being eliminated.
Cuts come as "Post" owner Jeffrey Bezos has been pushing management to return the publication to profitability.
Cuba says it is ready to have, quote, "meaningful talks" with the U.S. that don't include changes to its government. Cuba's deputy foreign minister made the announcement in an exclusive interview on CNN.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARLOS FERNANDEZ DE COSSIO, CUBAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER: The U.S. government knows that Cuba is ready and has been ready for a long time to have a meaningful dialogue with the U.S. government to deal with our bilateral issues. At the moment, we've had some exchanges of messages, but we cannot say we have set a bilateral dialogue at this moment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: The U.S. has had an embargo on Cuba since the late 1950s, and lately, it has been trying to starve the communist island of its oil supplies, causing power outages and long gas lines.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the U.S. would like to see a regime change, but won't necessarily try to make that happen.
U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for California to use a new voting map that benefits Democrats. Republicans in the state claimed one of the districts was redrawn based off of race, instead of politics.
The court sided with the state, with no noted dissents in their decision on Wednesday. California's new map will put five House seats held by Republicans in play.
The Supreme Court previously approved a redistricting effort in Texas, which also puts five seats into play that will likely help Republicans.
Nearly two-thirds of California voters, a largely Democratic state, backed the new app in a referendum.
Well, a couple of weeks ago, President Trump appointed Lee Zeldin, administrator of the EPA, to oversee California's response to last year's deadly wildfires.
Well, today, Zeldin was in L.A. to meet with some local leaders and survivors. He did not meet with California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is asking for $35 billion in federal funds.
Zeldin says President Trump hears personally on his cell phone from friends who lost their homes in the Palisades.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEE ZELDIN, EPA ADMINISTRATOR: Now, at the one-year mark, he's getting these stories of logjams locally. And he says, you know what? He's sending me -- and others were with me here today -- and meet with the locals.
And the message was clear to them. You could ask them yourself. These were productive meetings. They were candid. They were substantive.
And the message that I'm trying to convey, loud and clear, is that we want to help. We want to work together as best as we can.
And I also provided some, you know, some unsolicited advice along the way on some of the topics that they had raised. One of which, you know, the governor has a very big top-line ask for -- for funding.
[00:40:13]
MICHAELSON: He wants $35 billion for funding. Right? And -- and they say they need that money. And you say what?
ZELDIN: Yes. So, a few things I would say as far as strategy. One is, when you're asking for money, you ask for as little as -- as you need. It has to pass the commonsense smell test. And everything that you view as being legitimate and essential and necessary needs to actually be vetted out that way.
And in this case, you have asks at the county level. You have asks at the city level. And the governor comes in over the top and adds a whole lot of billions on top of what the locals are asking for.
And my message to the -- to the locals was -- and again, unsolicited -- is that it would be helpful for them to go through their current ask and to sort out what they view as legitimate and essential, what's needed, and what's aspirational.
Because I have found with this Office of Management and Budget, you come in with an ask, and they are going to vet it to a "T" to make sure the proper oversight and accountability and not a not a dollar is wasted.
And then tactically, if you're going to come up with a massive ask that includes an aspirational astronomical figure, it probably isn't best to bury that ask in the middle of a day that is filled up with whatever kind of, you know, quips, insults of the day you could come out with the guy who you're asking for the money from.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAELSON: In our next hour, much more of my conversation with EPA administrator Lee Zeldin.
The Super Bowl just days away. New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks are getting ready with their first official practice. Up next, an update on the status of quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Drake Maye.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[00:41:41]
MICHAELSON: A live picture right now from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, as they get ready for the Super Bowl on Sunday. The Seahawks and Patriots just had their first official practice of Super Bowl week.
Good news for Seahawks and Patriots fans. Quarterback Sam Darnold and Drake Maye participated following injuries, though Darnold's participation was limited.
For more, I'm joined by Yahoo! Sports NFL analyst Jason Fitz, live from the Super Bowl in San Francisco. Jason, welcome to THE STORY IS for the first time.
JASON FITZ, NFL ANALYST, YAHOO! SPORTS: Thanks for having me. I'm really excited to be here and talk about what looks like it's going to be an exciting game. MICHAELSON: I hope so.
Let's start with the Patriots. Drake Maye, who has an injured shoulder. He's really struggled in the playoffs, despite the fact that he had an MVP, potentially, caliber season.
FITZ: Yes, that's one of the difficulties in trying to assess where we are with Drake. Because you're right. He's absolutely an MVP finalist.
But when you look at the way he's played throughout the course of the playoffs, it just hasn't been good enough. And now, even though he has played three top five defenses in the AFC, he's likely about to face, I think, what is going to be the strongest of all the defenses in Seattle.
So, he's going to have to play better. He's going to have to play more efficiently. He's going to have to be more careful with the football.
New England is going to need a much closer version of Drake Maye to what they saw in the regular season than what they've seen so far, if they want to try and win this football game.
MICHAELSON: Meanwhile, the Seattle quarterback is Sam Darnold, who had a lot of success at USC and then didn't have a lot of success in his first few teams, including the New York Jets. He's not the most respected quarterback in the NFL, but man, he's had a great playoffs.
FITZ: Well, and at some point that narrative changes, right? I mean, nothing takes away the fact that he won 14 games in the regular season as a starter last year and did the same this year.
But everybody's been a little bit hesitant to jump on the bandwagon simply because we have seen a couple of meltdown moments. I think the real key turning point was the NFC championship game.
As good as Seattle's defense is and has been, they aren't the reason that they won that NFC championship game. It was Sam Darnold being capable of going toe to toe with Matthew Stafford that really made the difference in this football game.
He's playing right now at a much better level, frankly, than Drake Maye has throughout the course of the playoffs. I think we're seeing a different version of Sam Darnold right now and frankly, a Super Bowl win will force a change in the narrative on how we see him as a quarterback.
MICHAELSON: Yes. But Sam Darnold not going to win the MVP tomorrow. The -- we are going to find out who does win, though, because it's the NFL Honors. You think it's going to be Matthew Stafford and the Rams?
FITZ: I think so. This is a curious year, though, because most years we look at it, and we see one player or two players that have just absolutely stood out and dominated the league.
So, we're used to such fantastic physical traits from guys like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. We've become sort of enamored with that. Patrick Mahomes that makes so many highlight plays.
This year was just different. I don't think that there was necessarily one clear-cut, dominant quarterback or player in the league. It typically goes to a quarterback.
So, what you have is Stafford and Drake Maye. And many people will sit and tell you -- I don't have an MVP vote, but as it comes down to the wire, some of it is New England had a little bit softer schedule in the path.
And Matthew Stafford's certainly been around the league a long time. There's a bit of a sense of it is his turn. I don't always love that. But in a year where you have such, such a close race, it just feels like, to me, right now, I'd be pretty surprised if it isn't Matthew Stafford.
[00:50:13]
MICHAELSON: Well, when you're 37, you don't know how many more turns you get.
FITZ: Sure.
MICHAELSON: So, he may be the MVP tomorrow at the NFL Honors.
Also at the NFL Honors, they'll be on stage; the next Hall of Fame class will be celebrated. We know that that is not going to include Bill Belichick, who won six titles with the New England Patriots, while Robert Kraft was owning that franchise, whose team is back in the Super Bowl.
How do you think that's going to be seen and thought about at the big event tomorrow?
FITZ: This is a dark cloud over the entire Hall of Fame process. And, you know, frankly, people will tell you, voters will tell you that, you know, part of it is the complication of the way all of these guys are categorized together and the voting.
I would say that, if your process is so complicated that Bill Belichick doesn't make it as a first-time Hall of Famer, then your process, frankly, is broken.
And above and beyond that, if the answer is, well, some of the cheating scandals, things like that that people think might have influenced voters, that wasn't the voters' opportunity. That's not their punishment to give. The NFL already did that. The NFL already dictated those things.
So, to me, this is a dark cloud, not just on, you know, the Hall of Fame overall, but also on the class that is going to get inducted.
I feel bad, genuinely, for all of the men that are going to be announced into the Hall of Fame, because immediately, there will be this conversation of why this person instead of Bill Belichick. It doesn't necessarily -- shouldn't have to be this or that. But when you're leaving out such a glaring example of, clearly, a first-ballot Hall of Famer to put other people in, it creates that sort of discourse.
MICHAELSON: Sure.
FITZ: Which is unfortunate for the inductees and unfortunate for Bill Belichick and everybody around the Patriots.
MICHAELSON: And lastly, because we're out of time, real quickly, who do you got, Patriots or Seattle?
FITZ: I think Seattle. This is the best team that the Patriots have had to face along the way. This offense is absolutely dynamic. Jaxon Smith-Njigba should have a very big game. I think Seattle rolls in this football game.
MICHAELSON: Well, I hope it's close, because I'm going to be hosting a Post-game show, and it's much more fun when it's close.
But I think you could be right about the dominating performance from Seattle.
Jason Fitz, thank you so much for joining us. Really appreciate it.
And speaking of that post-game show, join me, Andy Scholes on the field after the game Sunday. That will be at Levi's Stadium, starting at 8 p.m. here on the West Coast, 11 p.m. in the East Coast, 4 a.m. for our football -- American football -- fans in the U.K. We can't wait to be there for that.
Also happening this weekend is the Olympics. It's a live look at Cathedral Square in Milan, where the Winter Games are already technically underway. We've got an update from there when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[00:57:39]
MICHAELSON: Competition is now underway at the Winter Olympics ahead of the opening ceremony on Friday.
Britain scored an early win in the mixed doubles curling tournament, which is always one of the funniest things to watch. Canada, Sweden, and Switzerland were also winners in that event.
A power outage interrupted the preliminary round shortly after play began. The lights went out, and the scoreboards went blank, but it didn't last for long.
Well, a dancing robot is stealing the show in Milan. It welcomed visitors to China's hospitality house, which opened to the public on Wednesday. The robot showed off its hip-hop dance moves and its tai chi skills. It was also seen interacting with visitors and even shaking their hands. Well, Italy, of course, is famous for its espressos, cappuccinos and
macchiatos, but it's essential for Olympic visitors to understand one thing: the unwritten rules of Italian coffee. Here's how to order and enjoy the perfect cup.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANTONIA MORTENSEN, CNN SENIOR PRODUCER: For athletes and visitors coming here to Milan for the Winter Olympic games, who'd like to get a taste of daily Italian life, there's one key ritual and that's how to order coffee.
MORTENSEN (voice-over): In Italy, coffee isn't just a drink.
MORTENSEN: It's a precise, everyday choreography. I'm here at marchesi, one of Milan's oldest and most famous coffee bars and pastry shops.
MORTENSEN (voice-over): The ritual starts before the first sip.
MORTENSEN: And for those unfamiliar, it can feel like decoding a cultural script.
Once you enter, there's no formal queue. What you have to try and do is catch the barista's eye and say hello in Italian, which is "buongiorno."
Buongiorno. Un cappuccino per favore.
GRAPHIC: I'll have a cappucino, please.
MORTENSEN: Grazie.
GRAPHIC: Thanks. Thanks so much.
LASNAME: Grazie mille.
Your order should be short and precise. Un cafe is an espresso. Machiatto is an espresso with a dollop of hot, foamy milk. Cappuccino is a cappuccino. Italians usually don't order that after midday.
And if you ask for a latte, you will most probably receive a glass of milk, because "latte" in Italian means milk. If you want to have a latte, you have to say latte macchiato.
DIEGO CROSARA, CHIEF PASTRY CHEF, MARCHESI 1824: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
GRAPHIC: A typical breakfast in Milan is for those who have it at a pastry shop or a cafe. Naturally, coffee reigns supreme.
