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Activists Call for Nationwide Walkout Over Ferguson; President Creates Policing Task Force; President Devoting Today to Ferguson; President Devoting Today to Ferguson; GOP Staffer Resigns

Aired December 01, 2014 - 13:00   ET

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

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: In just under a minute, calls for a nationwide walkout. Protesters are calling for students to walk out of class, for employees to walk off their jobs. It's all being done to protest the ruling in the Michael Brown shooting case. We're live with all of the details.

Hello, I'm Wolf Blitzer. It's 1:00 p.m. here in Washington, it's noon in Ferguson, Missouri, 6:00 p.m. in London, 7:00 p.m. in Lagos, Nigeria. Wherever you're watching from around the world, thanks very much for joining us.

Developing right now, activists here in the United States calling for a nationwide walkout of students and workers to protest police violence. It's called for 1:00 p.m. Eastern time.

We're looking at live pictures right now. This is happening in New York City. Today marks one week since the Ferguson, Missouri grand jury decided not to indict Darren Wilson in the killing of the teenager, Michael Brown.

Over the weekend, Darren Wilson resigned from the police force saying he feared for more violence directed against the Ferguson Police Department, also against himself. We're going to have much more on this in a moment.

Jason Carroll is standing by. He's got information on a planned protest also in front of the Department of Justice here in Washington.

The White House, meanwhile, is also putting the focus on Ferguson in the Michael Brown case today. The president is spending much of the day out in Ferguson. He has a series of meetings stemming from the unrest over the last several of days here in the United States.

Jim Acosta is our Senior White House Correspondent. He's joining us from the White House. I understand you have some breaking news on a major review of community policing that the White House is announcing right now?

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf. The president ordered this review back in August when the unrest in Ferguson first broke out and now this review is in. I'm holding it in my hands right here. And it really calls for, according to senior administration officials, tighter controls on local law enforcement use of military equipment. And, Wolf, some of the findings in this report are pretty damming, pretty scathing stuff. Not only does it find sort of a lack of consistency when it comes to oversight of these programs and the use of this equipment in local law enforcement.

Take a listen to some of these numbers, Wolf. Over the last several years when the administration reviewed this program, they found that 92,442 small arms, 44,275 night vision goggles, over 5,000 Humvees and 617 mine resistant ambush protected vehicles and 616 aircraft were all doled out to these local law enforcement agencies by the Pentagon through this excess military equipment program over the last several years. And so, that is why the Obama administration wants tighter controls on that and the president is directing his administration to draft an executive order to that effect.

The other thing that we want to point out is that the president is appointing what he's calling a task force on 21st century policing. Wolf, that task force will be led by the former D.C. police chief and capital police chief, Charles Ramsey, who is now the police chief in Philadelphia and Lori Robinson who is the former Justice Department official. Those two -- those two law enforcement heads will be co- chairing this task force on that.

And then, one final thing that's a part of this release coming out of the White House, a $263 million investment package that's being announced by the White House. That money is going to be going towards the use -- the increased use of body-worn cameras. And, Wolf, as you know, there have been a lot of calls in civil rights' communities for more police agencies to have these body-worn cameras because they might reveal, in more cases, when there might be excessive force used by local police departments or when appropriate force is used by police departments.

Now, in addition to all of that, Wolf, the president just wrapped up a meeting with cabinet officials about these topics and the situation in Ferguson. And then, in about an hour, he's going to be meeting with some local civil rights leaders, young civil rights leaders in the Oval Office.

And then, later on this afternoon, a much bigger meeting that will taking place. The president, the vice president, law enforcement officials, church groups, civil rights' leaders, they're all going to be meeting in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building for a pretty free-willing discussion on this issue, this big issue that's cropped up since all of that unrest in Ferguson, that lack of faith in law enforcement that exists in many minority communities around the country -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Yes, the president devoting much of this day to the fallout from that Ferguson grand jury decision. Jim Acosta, we'll stay in close touch with you.

Violent protests here in the United States seem to have subsided but tensions remain high over last week's grand jury decision not to indict police officer, Darren Wilson, in the killing of the unarmed teenager, Michael Brown. The focus, though, still very much on Ferguson. Just yesterday, five St. Louis Rams' football players put their hands up as they ran onto the field drawing criticism from the St. Louis Police Association. One player said they were showing respect to the protests. The NFL says the players will not be disciplined.

Ferguson protesters have taken the lead in the "Time Magazine" poll for person of the year with a week left in the voting. You're taking a look, by the way, right now, once again, at Union Square in New York City. Take a look at this. These are live pictures.

Jason Carroll is on the scene for us. So, what is going on, Jason? Not only in New York but nationwide, students, employees, they want to go out on this walkout right now to protest the decision in Ferguson?

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's correct, Wolf. They -- what they're doing is a walkout to mark the time that Michael Brown was shot at 12:01 Central time, 1:01 Eastern time. They just wrapped up a moment of silence here in Union Square. They've begun chanting again. More than 100 people showing up, holding signs, shouting that familiar chant that familiar chant, hands up, don't shoot.

They're here not only, Wolf, for Michael Brown but also for Eric Garner. That was the case here in New York City of a man who was arrested in July for illegally selling cigarettes. He was taken to the ground by officers, put in a choke hold and Eric Garner died. And a grand jury is meeting to decide whether or not the officer involved in that case should be charged.

So, this is here -- the folks who are here are not just here for Michael Brown. They're here for Eric Garner. They're here to speak out against police brutality. So far, this protest has been peaceful, nothing like some of the tense-filled (ph) protests we saw in Ferguson, when I was there just a few days ago.

In terms of police presence, let me show you what we have right over here across the street. A number of members of the New York City Police Department are here as well. But, once again, you can see that, so far, things have been peaceful. The number of officers here standing guard just in case. I spoke to one of the organizers out here. He said they plan to stay here all day chanting for what they believe in -- Wolf.

BLITZER: I know there have been protests here in Washington, D.C., the nation's capital. These are happening all over the country right now. Modest, I guess the numbers where you are at Union Square in New York City. You said about 100 protesters right now?

CARROLL: Yes. Yes, it's modest so far. And, in fact, a little bit earlier, the organizer -- the organizer was calling out on his bull horn, telling people to get on Facebook to try to encourage more people to come down and support the cause. Again, somewhat of a modest crowd. But their passion is just as vocal as ever. You can hear them there. They say they may not have the numbers right now but their feelings are very strong for what they believe in.

BLITZER: All right, Jason, thanks very much. Jason Carroll reporting from New York. Up next, does President Obama need to go to Ferguson? Our political

experts, they're stand by to weigh in on the pros and the cons of what the president should do next.

Also coming up, a new warning for members of the United States military about the threat from ISIS. We're going to tell you what U.S. military personnel are now being told to avoid.

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BLITZER: Demonstrators -- we heard from Jason Carroll just a little while ago. Jason Carroll reporting that about a hundred protesters in New York City right now. There are similar protests, we don't know how big, that we're are monitoring around the country right now, people upset about the grand jury decision in Ferguson, Missouri.

This is the issue that's front and center at the White House today as well. President Obama is basically devoting almost all of his day today in an effort to ease the tension across the country, build more trust between the African-American community and the law enforcement. The president has already met with his cabinet over programs and funding that provide military-style equipment to local police forces around the country.

Up next, a meeting that the president will have with civil rights leaders, then the conversation continues with elected officials and faith leaders.

Let's talk about all of this with CNN's Chief Political Analyst Gloria Borger and our CNN Political Commentator Paul Begala. Ana Navarro is going to be joining us shortly. But, Paul, the president has got to make some major decisions right now in the aftermath of this grand jury decision. Does he go to Ferguson, Missouri? If he goes to Ferguson, Missouri, does he meet with the Michael Brown family? These are not easy decisions for this president.

PAUL BEGALA, CNN POLITIAL COMMENTATOR: They're very difficult because you don't want to be a lightning rod, but, then again, Dr. King said a riot is the voice of the voiceless. And if this president can listen to those voices, people, you know, I think he can do a lot of good. President Bush Senior, when we had riots in L.A. 22 years ago, he went. It was a good thing. You know, it did not enflame things when President Bush went to Los Angeles after those riots.

So, on balance, I think it's always better for the president to go places and to listen. But it's so important that -- now that the justice system in the eyes of many Americans have failed Michael Brown's family, it's really important, I think, that at least people be able to express themselves without violence and to salute those who are trying to keep the peace there rather than --

BLITZER: And if he goes -- which I assume, at some point, he'll probably go to Ferguson.

GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, that's the question. BLITZER: Does he meet with the family of Michael Brown?

BEGALA: I think absolutely. I could -- again, it doesn't mean that he's trying to overrule a grand jury. It doesn't mean -- you know, there is still a federal investigation and no president should ever try to sway a federal investigation. But of course you want to comfort grieving family. They lost their son and that is a tragedy. And everybody agrees with that. And I think if -- you can certainly do that.

BORGER: You know, I think it's question of time. I think, at some point, you will see the president in Ferguson. It's just a matter of when is the right moment to pick where he won't further enflame an already enflamed situation. Of course, he's going to meet with the family. Right now, as you pointed out, Wolf, he's got his entire day taken up with the policing issues, for example; dealing with this cabinet, for example. Those are -- those are issues that his own Justice Department is investigating, vis-a-vis Ferguson, in particular. I think he needs to let his Justice Department do its work. He sent his attorney general. At some point, I would argue that he does need to go to Ferguson.

BLITZER: He's -- by the way, these are live pictures outside of the U.S. Justice Department here in Washington. They've -- people have been coming out just after 1:00 p.m. here on the east coast to protest the decision. These are live pictures. Very peaceful protest outside the Department of Justice.

BORGER: And I bet, when he meets with local and national and civil rights leaders today, that he will say to them, when should I go? What is the right moment? What would be the right opportunity for me? I think this is something the president needs to do in complication with people on the ground, with national civil rights' leaders, with law enforcement in Ferguson, because, again, he doesn't want to create more of a problem there.

BLITZER: And you raised an interesting legal issue, Paul, because there are two separate Justice Department investigations underway right now, whether Michael Brown's civil rights were violated, a separate investigation into the Ferguson Police Department, whether they were doing the right thing over the years to begin with. If the president goes there, as the leader of the country, does he seem to be weighing in on what the Justice Department ought to be doing?

BORGER: Right.

BLITZER: In other words, is it appropriate, at this stage, while those investigations are still underway, legally for the president to get involved?

PAUL BEGALA, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I think he can go and listen and try to bring some healing.

BORGER: Right.

BEGALA: He is a unifying force. He's the only president we have and his whole career has been built on unity and especially on racial unity. Maybe the best speech of his life was when he talked about race during the 2008 campaign in Philadelphia. So, yes he can.

Now, he is a lawyer and he is the chief executive of the executive branch, which is looking into this. So, you're right, he must say nothing that would prejudice a case. He cannot say, gee, I hope we bring charges or I hope we don't bring charges against Officer Wilson.

BORGER: And that's why a lot of people thought he fell flat, you know, after -

BEGALA: He's such (ph) a lawyer.

BORGER: After the grand jury decided and then he spoke. A lot of people were listening to him and said, gee, it was sort of flat, but he had to be flat because he's president of the United States, right?

BEGALA: And he's a lawyer and he gets criticized a lot by operating from his head more than his heart. But then remember when Trayvon Martin was shot in Florida.

BORGER: Right.

BEGALA: He operated from his heard and he said, gee, that could have been my son. If I had a son, he would look like that. Oh, and then everybody got all mad at him.

BLITZER: Yes.

BEGALA: So the poor guys can't win for losing.

BORGER: Cant' win. He can't win. No, no -

BEGALA: But I think that he is a unifying symbol and he's got a really remarkable gift to bring people together.

BLITZER: All right, hold on, guys, because we have a lot more coming up on what's going on in Ferguson. Right now, the fallout continues, these demonstrations in New York, here in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere. We'll update you on what's going on.

Also, a very different story. The first family, the daughters normally off limits, but that didn't stop one Republican operative from taking a direct shot at the young girls. We'll take a closer look at the fallout.

And later, the line between free speech and threats. The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a landmark case today. We're going to take you through the details.

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BLITZER: All right, these are live pictures outside the Department of Justice here in Washington, D.C. Protesters, they're lying on the sidewalks right there in front of the Justice Department. They're protesting the grand jury decision in Ferguson, Missouri. These kinds of demonstrations have occurred over the past several

minutes, not only here in Washington, D.C., but in New York City. Not a huge crowd outside the Department of Justice, but you see these people are peacefully protesting the grand jury decision. Similar protests underway in New York City right now. You saw Jason Carroll reporting from Union Square in Manhattan.

We're going to monitor these protests across the country. A lot of people are angry with that grand jury decision. Earlier today, by the way, here in Washington, there were people lying on the streets of some of the major bridges crossing from Virginia into Washington, snarling traffic, protesting the decision. We'll stay on top of this story.

But let's move on to some other news we're watching right now, get back to Ferguson in a few moments. A senior Republican staffer up on Capitol Hill is now stepping down after posting comments highly critical of the two Obama daughters. Elizabeth Lauten, the communications director for Tennessee Republican Congressman Stephen Fincher, tells CNN she will resign today over the controversy. It began when she blasted 16-year-old Malia, 13-year-old Sasha, on FaceBook for what she called inappropriate outfits and bored looks at last week's annual White House turkey pardoning event. Here's part of her post. Quote, "act like being in the White House matters to you. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar."

Joining us once again, our CNN political - chief political analyst, Gloria Border, and our CNN political commentators Paul Begala, Ana Navarro's joining us from Miami as well.

Quickly, Ana, when you heard about all of this, what went through your mind?

ANA NAVARRO, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I just cringed and I thought somebody must have had too much wine or not taken their medication today. It was obviously a huge lack of judgment and it was inappropriate and beyond the pale.

And I think it reminds us, Wolf, of two things. One, let's keep the kids off limits. Let's -- you know, they're not the ones that ran for an elected office. They're not making national agenda. They're not making national policy. Let's respect the families, really. And, two, things that you say in social media actually have an effect and do matter. It - you know, sometimes amazes me. I see perfectly normal people go off and become monsters on social media. Let's not do that. It matters. Let's have a little restraint. And I think it's, you know, a lesson for all of us to learn about how we treat families and how we deal with social media.

BLITZER: Well said, indeed.

Gloria, I assume you agree?

BORGER: Yes. I think people maybe ought to start having a ten-second delay. So before you post something, before you send something, maybe you can reread it and self-edit. What stuns me about this is that this woman is a communications director. She should know a lot better if communications is her life's work. And, you know, these -- I totally agree with Ana. I'm sure Paul will say the same thing, the kids are off limits. It's ridiculous to do that to them. These poor kids spend their lives in the spotlight, many times when they don't want it. They didn't run for office. Their father did. And, leave them alone.

BLITZER: Yes, she was -- she had been very active in social media, posting all sorts of things over the years, including for a CNN iReport at the Republican Convention. So she's been very much involved in the social media process.

BORGER: She knew better.

BLITZER: But, Gloria is right, you'd think somebody who was involved in communications would have known better.

BEGALA: She should have known better. And Ana's right, you know, even the mafia leaves the kids out of it. And surely in politics we can rise to the levels of the mafia.

Look, the Bush daughters, being raised in that White House, they, several times, were treated terribly and disrespectfully. That was awful. I remember when Rush Limbaugh called Chelsea Clinton, age 13, the White House dog. So there is a really vile tradition that's sprung up. Maybe all of our history, I don't know, but certainly in the last several presidencies. And it's just awful. Maybe this is a chance for everybody to take a breath and, boy, let's -- we'll go after these politicians, but families should be left out. And, by the way, as a damage-control expert, let me tell - give Ms. Lauten some advice. When you apologize, actually apologize. She didn't apologize to the first family.

BORGER: She didn't say - yes, yes.

BEGALA: Secondly, follow it up with a personal note. These are human beings. These are girls, teenage girls, who she --

BORGER: These are children. I'm sorry. They're kids, right?

BEGALA: Who she insulted. And then she actually said something - I have to say of a person of faith that bothered me.

NAVARRO: OK, guys, but let's all go get -

BEGALA: She said, I prayed about this for hours to come to -- hours? It took her hours? Love thy neighbor as thyself is five words. It did not take her hours of prayer to figure out that was hateful.

BLITZER: Go ahead, Ana.

NAVARRO: Yes, listen, Paul, but let's get a little perspective here. Nobody's died here. Nobody's been, you know, physically hurt. She's apologized. She's now lost her job and we're all talking about her and frankly saying that she's got no judgment. So she's made a mistake. Plenty of people have made a mistake on both sides of the party and I think that it's important that we take this as a lesson for all of us to take a deep breath and figure out what we are going to say and the meaning of that before we say it.

We just all -- listen, we just saw Ray Rice this weekend who clocked his now wife get a second chance. Frankly, I don't think we need to stone this woman to death or go and tar and feather her in a public square. She made a mistake. She's paying the consequences. And we can all learn from her actions.

BLITZER: All right, well said again, Ana Navarro, thanks very much. Paul, Gloria, guys, I'm sure this conversation will continue.

When we come back, protests continuing over the shooting in Ferguson, Missouri. Activists calling for a national walkout over community policing. We're going live to New York, we'll go live to Ferguson, Missouri. Much more coming up. And these are live pictures. Take a look at this. This is outside the U.S. Department of Justice. People there, they were lying on the sidewalk. Now they're having a little conversation. We'll continue our coverage right after this.

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