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Hala Gorani Tonight
U.K. PM Pushes Plan Ahead Of Key Week In Parliament; Furloughed Workers Worry As They Wait For Paychecks; World's Biggest Tech Show Kicking Off In Las Vegas; Surprises and Controversies At First Big Awards Show; Trump to Visit Southern Border as Government Shutdown Drags On; U.S. House Passes Bills to Reopen Government; British International Trade Secretary Speaks Ahead of Key Week; Liam Fox Speaks on No Deal Options for Brexit; Kevin Spacey Appears in Court on Sexual Assault Charge; Saudi Teen Allowed to Stay in Thailand for Now; Sex Trafficking Victim to Be Freed from Prison. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired January 07, 2019 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00] HALA GORANI, CNN HOST: Hello, everyone. Happy Monday. Live from CNN London, I'm Hala Gorani. Tonight, shutdown week three as
President Trump says he could call a national emergency if he doesn't get his way on funding a border wall. Also, tonight, preparing for Brexit
chaos. The U.K. is rehearsing some worst-case scenarios. We speak to senior government leader Liam Fox, and Kevin Spacey in court today on
sexual assault charges. We will have that as well just ahead.
It is already one of the longest American government shutdowns in history and there is still no end in sight as far as we can tell. But President
Donald Trump is getting ready to turn up the heat on Democrats that are refusing to fund his border wall, which you'll remember, of course, he
initially said Mexico would pay for. He, the President, will be visiting ground zero. The White House is claiming is a national humanitarian
security crisis. The spokesperson Sarah Sanders tweeted Mr. Trump will visit the southern border Thursday and meet with workers, quote, on the
front lines. All of that terminology, that language meant to bolster the President's insistence that the U.S. is facing a national emergency. He is
threatening to formally declare one, by the way, to get money to build his wall. But that's not all that Mr. Trump is also taking his P.R. campaign
directly to the American people. He just announced a few minutes ago that he will give a primetime address to the nation on Tuesday evening. Let's
bring in senior congressional correspondent Manu Raju and Sarah Westwood. Can the President really declare a national emergency? Manu, is this
something he could do? How realistic is it?
MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It depends who you ask. There is a belief in the White House he can. Some Democrats on capitol
hill also acknowledge that he potentially can. This has not been done in this manner before, so there is an ultimate question about whether or not
anything that he does do in this regard could pass legal muster typically when the way this works in the United States is that when congress
appropriates money, that's when the federal government can spend that money. That's the fighting that led to the partial government shutdown
affecting roughly 800,000 federal workers. If the President declares a national emergency and moves money around within the departments, Mick
Mulvaney, the acting chief of staff made clear that he is heavily involved in this effort to try to figure out how to spend money in that regard. So,
we'll see when the President addresses the nation tomorrow night if that's what he does do, declare a national emergency. And if anyone tries to
challenge him in court, Hala.
GORANI: The strategy obviously here is to use, Sarah, these words, like front lines and national emergency and portraying immigrants as invaders
when facts don't back this up. Illegal crossings have been down substantially over the last ten years. Clearly here the strategy has to be
one of using this fear tactic to get people to back his plans and to hope for him, at least, of getting funding for this wall.
SARAH WESTWOOD, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right. President Trump clearly wants this debate to be waged on his terms. He
wants to be controlling the terms of the debate when it comes to border security. That's why we're going to see him attempt to give this primetime
address tomorrow. That's why we're going to see him go to the border on Thursday and get some media attention and the images of him touring the
fence that is being renovated and the prototypes that the administration has already started building. And President Trump threatening to declare
this national emergency, even as he tries to keep the pressure up on Democrats to fund the wall legislatively, despite the stalemate the
President continuing to call the talks productive, continuing to suggest that there might be some kind of deal on the horizon when, really, aids to
lawmakers and both parties here at the White House will tell you there is no deal on the horizon, and perhaps the President could use this national
emergency declaration as a way to get out of this gridlock.
GORANI: And that was my question to you, Manu. I mean, where are we in these talks to try to reopen the government here? Because the Democrats
have been quite clear they will not appropriate money for a wall.
[14:05:00] RAJU: Yes, they will not even go anywhere near this $5.7 billion request that the White House is asking for. Only they have put
forward 1.3 billion for border security generally, but not for this now steel barrier that the White House is calling it. They don't want to give
anything for that. And on top of that, they're saying we're not even going to negotiate on border security until we reopen the government first.
That's the strategy the White House over the weekend in these private meetings flatly rejected. Now, what we're going to see this week are the
Democrats in the house will start taking steps to pass individual bills to reopen aspects of the federal government not related to the department of
homeland security, which oversees the customs and immigration, and is in charge of immigration enforcement. Instead focusing on things of tax
refunds, Treasury Department, Agriculture Department, Transportation Department, try to get those workers back to their jobs. But senate
Republicans have made clear that they will not move any -- on any issue if the President is not behind that legislation. So as a result, stalemate.
We'll see if the President's address changes anything or public sentiment changes how lawmakers react when they return to Washington tomorrow.
GORANI: Sarah, lastly to you, what's plan b for the President if he doesn't get his way here?
WESTWOOD: Well, clearly the President is increasingly looking at the option of declaring a national emergency, hoping that would give him the
ability to get the funds using his executive power because obviously legislatively this has proven a challenge for him. It's not clear that he
would have the legal authority to do that as Manu mentioned. There are already congressional Democrats coming out against this. But the President
is not putting anything else on the table to incentivize Democrats to fund his wall. At this point, the most he's done to sort of come to their side
is to try to muddy the waters around what qualifies as a wall, now re- labelling it a steel barrier, hoping that can give some Democrats space to vote for wall funding. That's not fooling any Democrats at the moment.
They remain dug in against funding the wall.
GORANI: Sarah Westwood, thanks very much. Senior congressional reporter, Manu Raju in Washington, appreciate it.
Like most of us, not all of us, Brexit has had a few weeks off to digest the Christmas turkey. But Brexit is back and it's as complicated as ever.
Theresa May faces her most consequential week as prime minister since, well, since the week before Christmas. She still has to convince
parliament to support her Brexit deal. It's due to be voted on next week. The problem is it's still tremendously unpopular. She doesn't want Britain
crashing out without a deal at all. Lawmakers wrote to the prime minister vehemently opposing the idea of a no-deal Brexit. The government insists
no deal is not what they want, but they say they are still preparing for it. What you're seeing there on your screens is a rehearsal to test plans
for border disruptions in case no deal plays out. But it has to be said, only 89 trucks took part, and some drivers are saying it was just a bit too
small to really prepare anybody for any worst-case scenario. Let's bring in senior cabinet member of Theresa May's government, Liam Fox,
International Trade Secretary. He joins me from Las Vegas there on an effort, I'm sure, Mr. Fox, to try to sort of get trade deals and trade
relationships between the U.K. and the U.S. going in anticipation of Brexit. The prime minister today said there's further movement from the
E.U. in terms of this agreement that she struck with them to try to maybe get her deal through parliament. What movement is that? Can you tell us?
LIAM FOX, INTERNATIONAL TRADE SECRETARY, UK: Well, first of all, let me say we're here in Las Vegas because of the Consumer Electronics Expo which
is the biggest in the world and because the U.K. is one of the most innovative and successful countries both in exports and in terms of
investment, so we are obviously trying to reinforce our position on that.
On the question of Brexit, MPs next week will have a very clear choice because there are only three real outcomes to our deliberations. The first
is that we get a deal on exiting the European Union with a withdrawal agreement that minimizes any disruption to our economy as we leave and
gives us access to the European market as best we can while not tying our hands-on future trade agreements in other parts of the world where the
economy is growing faster. The second outcome is no deal, as you have mentioned. In which case there would be potentially greater economic
disruption because although we may be able to deal with the tariff issue, there is a non-tariff issue that needs to be dealt with. The third outcome
would be no Brexit at all which would be catastrophic outcome because it would say to the majority of the voters who voted to leave the European
Union, the parliament is going to defy their views. That could have -- consequence.
[14:10:00] GORANI: You could have a popular vote. There is support for that idea.
FOX: There is not a popular support for that --
GORANI: Even among Brexiteers the idea of voting on a final deal is not an unpopular one.
FOX: There are a number of issues in that. First of all, you're not right on that. There is not popular support. In fact, even those who voted to
remain in the European union don't want there to be another referendum. Secondly, were we to have one under our legal system, it would take a long
time to make that happen, long after the time where we would leave the European Union. Were we to extend the time that we were in the European
Union to allow such a thing to happen, Britain would have to take part in the European elections coming up in the Spring. Again, with un-noble
consequence. And then of course is the Democratic element.
GORANI: You've seen the polling that suggests that many Britons in some cases, a majority would support the idea of another referendum?
FOX: That is not typical of the polling that we see. What we see is that the vast majority of those who voted to leave the European Union, very,
very big majority don't want there to be another referendum. The majority of those who vote today remain in the E.U. don't want to go through the
divisive process of that all over again. What would happen, just supposing we had another referendum and it went the other way. Supposing it was 52-
48 in the other direction but the turnout was lower. Which one takes precedence? Parliament contracted its sovereignty on this issue to the
electorate in the referendum. Parliament said we will honor the results of that referendum. Both major parties fought a referendum in the election.
Saying we will honor the result of the referendum. It is time for parliament to honor its part of the contract.
GORANI: Let me put another -- this is another idea. I'm sure the prime minister has considered it though she said she will not pursue it. Why not
extend the negotiation period? This was a two-year negotiation window that was essentially obviously, as everyone now probably will see, a bit too
short. Why not extend the negotiation period, revoke article 50, and get back to triggering article 50 when there's more progress has been made in
the negotiations?
FOX: Well, the judgment made by the European Court wouldn't allow us to do that. They said we could unilaterally revoke article 50, but that would be
a one off and a permanent position and not used to extend negotiations. There is the potential of both sides agree to extend the article 50
process, but the government and the European Union have reached a negotiation. Both sides would be required to extend that period and the
European Union have said they would not be willing to do so unless there was a serious negotiation undergoing.
One of the problems with that, of course, is that the European Union itself may want to open up areas where we already have an agreement where we
believe it to be to Britain's advantage.
GORANI: So, what are you left with, then? The deal that Theresa May has struck with the E.U. and their majority parliamentarians will get through?
What are you left with?
FOX: We have a very interesting political divide in the United Kingdom. The electorate voted to leave the European Union and the electorate voted
for parties that said they would honor the referendum. Parliament itself has a majority of those who want to remain in the European Union. My
message to my colleagues is they have to respect the Democratic wish of the people, and then the only way in my view as somebody who campaigned for
many years to leave the European Union, the only way that we can do that smoothly and predictability is to accept the deal that the prime minister
has set out. It doesn't give everybody everything that they want, but in any negotiation, who gets everything that they want? I think it's time for
us to be reasonably rational.
GORANI: It's not realistic right now. I'm sure you can see that just in the next few weeks, you're not going to get on side a majority of MPs.
what's your plan B?
FOX: Well, then, they will have to -- they will have to understand the consequence. The consequence of rejecting the prime minister's deal will
be either we leave the European Union without a deal at all, or that we betray the voters in terms of not leaving the European Union --
GORANI: What is the government's plan B?
FOX: Unpalatable outcomes.
GORANI: What's your plan B. If your deal doesn't get through parliament?
FOX: Of course, we are planning for the consequence of no deal would be in my department for international trade. We've been focusing on the trade
agreements that the European Union has with third countries so we can roll them over into U.K. legislation to make sure we get minimal disruption to
trade. That's our part of that process, and there are --
[14:15:00] GORANI: So, there's no plan B, the plan B is crashing out, basically?
FOX: If parliament doesn't accept the prime minister's negotiated settlement, the European Union hasn't offered any other alternative
settlement for the United Kingdom. It would be to either leave without an agreement, or as I say, betray the voters by not leaving the European Union
at all. Neither of those are economically politically palatable.
GORANI: What would be the consequence of a no deal?
FOX: The consequence of a no deal, we would be leaving the European Union on W.T.O. terms. Some of my colleagues would say that's perfectly OK.
It's perfectly survivable. We trade with the U.S. on W.T.O. terms. It seems to me illogical we would say W.T.O. was a good basis for trading,
but at the same time say we wanted a new free trade agreement with the United States because it was better. And so, it seems to me that if the
W.T.O. was so great on its own, countries would not look to join customs unions. They would not look to develop free trade agreements. And because
it gives them greater freedom. So, while I think the no deal is entirely survivable for the United Kingdom, it's in the short term likely to cause a
friction in terms of our economy and cause disruption that we don't need to have if we were to accept the deal that the prime minister has negotiated.
But that will be for every single member of parliament to determine over the next week or so what they want to happen. And the decision will be
dependent upon what they see as the consequence for their own constituents and for the country.
GORANI: Liam Fox, the International Trade Secretary joining us from Las Vegas. Thanks very much for being with us this evening, sir. Appreciate
it.
FOX: It's my pleasure. Thank you.
GORANI: Let's get reaction to all of that. Bianca is live in downing street with more. So, Liam Fox Is echoing what the prime minister has been
saying the last few weeks, essentially telling MPs, you either back the agreement I struck with the E.U. or it's a disaster either way. Either no
Brexit or we crash out. Is this going to be convincing enough to parliament, do you think?
BIANCA NOBILO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Hala, I think that depends what happens this week. Just today we've seen a Labour MP table an amendment to
the finance bill. Without getting too in the weeds, what it might mean is if it passes in the event of a no deal, the government won't be able to
change taxation laws. It's a way of really hamstringing the prime minister into even though she's not facing a direct amendment, precluding no deal
ever happening, the government would essentially be in the position where it knows it couldn't fall into a no deal because it wouldn't be able to
raise more funds from the country. So, if something like that was to happen, it really takes the sting out of this argument that a no-deal would
be a disaster and that it would be a dire economic scenario because it just seems so unlikely to ever happen. But that does remain the government's
chief argument, to essentially threaten the waivers with nothing at all or we've already heard today that something to the tune of $1 trillion worth
of assets has moved out of the U.K. since the referendum result in June. So, the economic forecast promising in that scenario Liam Fox was referring
to and he did acknowledge the short-term damage that would be expected, but obviously as a Brexit ear, he's an optimist. Other opportunities would
result.
GORANI: In fact, we have car sales numbers in Britain today that were really very encouraging, either experts blame on Brexit fears. Boris
Johnson has weighed in once again on the debate. He wrote in "The Daily Telegraph," the British people won't be scared into backing a Brexit deal
nobody voted for. You have this contingent of politicians who are pushing almost for a hard Brexit. Why? Why are they doing that when expert after
expert economist after economist have said this would be a disaster for the economy?
NOBILO: Well, Boris Johnson argues the reason he's doing that is because a no-deal Brexit, he argues, most closely resembles what he believes people
voted for in the referendum. He thinks a no deal would respect the outcome of the referendum most accurately. It is one of the chief ironies of this
process.
[14:20:00] While Theresa May is trying to pursue this path of moderation and get as many MPs on-site as she can, the binary option is more likely,
the prospect of a new deal. I was speaking to the people's vote campaign, campaigning for a second referendum today, Hala. They said the stepping
stone for them is if may's vote is defeated in parliament next week, that would be a pivotal movement for their campaign. Once it's rejected
movement will grow even further. There are big names in the prime minister's party coming out today, backing a referendum reluctantly because
they see no other way out of this impasse.
GORANI: All right, Bianca Nobilo on 10 Downing Street.
Kevin Spacey faces charges of sexual assault. Seeing a man, just an actor a short while ago, in house of in "House Of Cards," and movies, today in
court. We'll tell you what he pleaded next. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: Actor Kevin Spacey has had his first day in court to enter a not guilty plea for allegedly groping a teenage boy at a bar in Massachusetts.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This complaint charges in the town of Nantucket, July 8, 2016, indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Spacey was once a respected actor known for his role on the hugely popular "House Of Cards." His career has collapsed after multiple
accusations of sexual assault came to light in 2017. Let's find out what happened in court today. CNN's Jean Casarez joins us from outside court.
Tell us what happened in court. It was remarkable seeing Kevin Spacey in that situation.
JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right. And there were so many people here. It was a packed courtroom as you saw. So many photographers
outside. It was such a serious legal proceeding because there are other accusations. But this -- these are criminal charges. So, this is the most
serious of all because he's facing five years in prison and would have to be a registered sex offender if convicted of this charge. Well, today was
the arraignment, constitutionally based on this island of Nantucket where he actually had flown into because he doesn't live here. But it's where
the charges are told to him. He acknowledges what he is being charged with, but it turned into something a little different because the defense
mounted a type of argument for discovery, saying as is alleged in the complaint, that the unlawful touching occurred for about a three-minute
period. And during that time, the accuser was texting his girlfriend and the defense says, your honor, we want to have those texts. We want them
July 7 and 8, 2016. That's over two years ago, and we'd like six months beyond.
[14:25:00] Because what is in those texts contemporaneous to the alleged assault occurring is extremely important to us and the prosecution had to
agree. And even the prosecution said what is in there could be exculpatory, helping the defense.
But the accusation is, according to the complaint and the local restaurant a couple blocks away from here, during the summer of 2016, that a busboy
heard about Kevin Spacey was going to be coming to the restaurant, was very excited, as everyone was at the restaurant. He got off work at midnight,
changed his clothes, Kevin Spacey met him, they talked, exchanged phone numbers. Even went outside for a while. But he said to the detective that
he felt spacey was coming onto him and at one point after spacey had bought him four to five beers and four to five shots of whiskey, according to the
complaint, because the accuser, when asked by spacey, how old he was, he told him he was 23, but he wasn't. He was actually under age, 18. But he
says at that point spacey began to touch him inappropriately, to grope him. And he didn't know what to do. He didn't walk away. It was crowded. He
just didn't know what to do and sort of froze. And so that is the accusation right there. And what culminated was an investigation for a
year. He went to authorities about a year ago, and now we have this criminal charge, extremely serious for both sides.
GORANI: All right. Jean Casarez, thanks for the update. The next court appearance is in the beginning of march.
Now to a dramatic story unfolding in Thailand where authorities are promising not to send a young woman back to her home in Saudi Arabia.
She's left the hotel room in Bangkok after barricading herself over the weekend, begging not to be sent back. Alexandra Field tells us the woman
says it is for her a matter of life and death.
ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A Saudi teen who said she fears for her life if forced return to her home country is now under
U.N. protection.
Monday night, Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun left the Bangkok Airport hotel room where she had been holed up for two days while threatened with deportation.
On Twitter, she had begged to the world for help. "I'm not leaving my room until I see U.N.H.C.R. I want asylum."
She later says, "I need any country to protect me as soon as possible. I require asylum. And then? "I cannot leave the airport because my passport
has been taken away and they won't give me a visa." Human rights groups demanded Thai officials put an immediate stop to the plan to send her home.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She stated repeatedly she is deathly afraid of being sent back to Saudi Arabia. She believes that her family will kill her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FIELDS: Now Thai authorities are reversing course, allowing the U.N.'s refugee agency determine whether she needs refugee protection. Previously,
officials said they were deporting her because she didn't have proper documents. Thailand's immigration chief also said she was trying to escape
an arranged marriage.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LT. COL. SURACHET HAKPAL, IMMIGRATION POLICE CHIEF, THAILAND (through translator): We will talk to her and do whatever she requests. Since she
escaped trouble to seek our help, we are the land of smiles. We will not send anyone to their death. We won't do that. We will adhere to the human
rights principles under the rule of law.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FIELD: She says she never planned to stay in Thailand. She said she was changing planes in Bangkok on her way to Australia when she was stopped.
Before Thai authorities blocked her from going further, she said she was intercepted by officials from the Saudi embassy who took her passport. On
Twitter she said it had since been returned. Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry has denied the claims saying the teen was being deported for
violating Thailand's immigration policies and that its officials remain in touch with her family. The family could not be reached. They have not
made any public statements. Alexandra Fields, Vietnam.
GORANI: According to the U.N. Office On Drugs And Crime which says the number of trafficking victims is rising, not declining, CNN has, as you've
seen over the years, been committed to shining a light on exploitation with our freedom project. The U.N. says children now account for 30 percent of
the victims and nearly 60 percent of all cases involve sexual exploitation. Other cases involve forced labor forcing children to be soldiers or suicide
bombers.
[14:30:00] And, in fact, I want to update you on one of our stories, "FREEDOM PROJECT" series involving a woman who said she was a sex
trafficking victim. The governor of the U.S. state of Tennessee has allowed the release of Cyntoia Brown.
She was convicted of murdering a man 15 years ago when she herself was a teenager. She said she was forced into prostitution and she feared for her
life. She got a life sentence and would not be have eligible for parole for 50 years. The governor agreed with critics who said that was way too
harsh. He himself said that was too harsh a sentence and has issued that decision. That will come as a relief to Cyntoia Brown and her family.
Still to come tonight, more on one much our top stories. The week is make or break for Theresa May's Brexit plan. Her party is fractured and her
government is repairing for a worst-case scenario. Break. We'll be right back.
[14:30:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: Back to one much our top stories. Parliament is back in session in the U.K. and Theresa May is hoping to convince lawmakers to back her
Brexit deal. But her parley could not be more splintered as it has into what could be a decisive week. Parliament is scheduled to begin debating
the plan on Wednesday, how the debate shape up will be a very important next step.
Downing Street says Parliament will vote on the Brexit deal sometime next week. The U.K. is, of course, set to leave the European Union on March
29th and that is just 81 days from now. Nina dos Santos has the latest on the U.K.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In British politics today, all paths lead to Brexit. And with just over two months to
go before the U.K. leaves the E.U., the roads to and from the country's biggest trading port are clogged. In a dry run to prepare for a possible
return of customs checks.
Parliament is gridlocked, too. With M.P.s returning from their winter break, support for various solutions to the Brexit impasse is split
multiple ways as the P.M. once more prepares to put her unpopular deal to a vote next week. One which May include some concessions.
THERESA MAY, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I've been speaking to European leaders in the intervening periods, speaking to colleagues. I'll be
continuing with that talking to colleagues, listening to colleagues and speaking to European leaders.
DOS SANTOS: More than 200 MPs have written to Theresa May demanding that she rule out a so-called hard or no deal Brexit. Well, some vocal members
of her own party suggest that only a clean break with Brussels will deliver upon the result of the 2016 referendum.
THERESA VILLIERS, BRITISH CONSERVATIVE MP: I don't see how it's got the numbers to pass. Unfortunately, the deal on the table from -- that's being
put forward by the government just isn't in the national interest. And doesn't respect the vote to leave which is one that I feel that I can't
support it.
DOS SANTOS: And support for a second referendum is also growing even though it's unclear as to whether the U.K. would have the time to hold one
before Britain leaves the E.U. in March.
The leader of the opposition accused the government of wasting precious time by delaying December's vote with little to show for that decision.
JEREMY CORBYN, BRITISH LABOUR PARTY LEADER: The government is trying to run down the clock in an attempt to blackmail this House and the country
into supporting a botched deal.
DOS SANTOS: The Downing Street, the New Year begins with a charm offensive, opening its door to doubters for drinks on Monday before the
Brexit secretary unveils a new information campaign set to hit the press on Tuesday.
Debate resumes in the House of Commons on Wednesday and M.P.s will cast their ballots on the 15th.
[14:35:01] If May's deal still doesn't pass, she may have to return to the E.U. for further changes. Otherwise, scenes like these could soon become a
way of life. In Brexit-era Britain.
Nina dos Santos, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GORANI: From one seemingly impossible deal to another, it's now well into day 17 of the partial American government shutdown with no end in sight.
Weekend meetings on resolving the shutdown did not yield any progress. The shutdown is starting to hit home in a very big way for furloughed workers
facing life without a paycheck. President Trump is trying to smooth their anger and uncertainty, but his words are having little impact as Suzanne
Malveaux explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR (voice-over): President Trump says he understands what the hundreds of thousands of federal workers
coping with the uncertainty over when they will receive their next paycheck are going through.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I can he relate and I'm sure that the people that are on the receiving end will make adjustment. They
always do.
MALVEAUX: But some affected by the government shutdown aren't buying it.
ERIN KIDWELL, FURLOUGHED U.S. FOREST SERVICE WORKER: I have had a hard time believing that someone who's been a millionaire since childhood can
relate to having your family's income taken away and with no notice.
MALVEAUX: Erin Kidwell and her husband both work for the U.S. Forest Service in Oregon, working to prevent and reduce the risk of wildfires,
like the ones that devastated the region last year. But with neither receiving paychecks, Erin has resorted to applying for unemployment and
looking for temporary jobs to support her family.
KIDWELL: We'll have to make those decision on what bills we can pay and, you know, you have to take out loans. I don't know, I'm just really hoping
this isn't very long.
MALVEAUX: Three hundred eighty thousand federal employees remain furloughed and another 420,000 continue to work without a paycheck.
CHARMAINE BLAKELY, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR WORKING WITHOUT PAY: It's ironic that the people who are making the decisions are still getting paid.
But we have to not get paid and still do our job.
MALVEAUX: TSA agent, Brian Turner, has been deemed an essential employee, meaning that he has to work but he hasn't been paid since mid-December.
BRIAN TURNER, TSA AGENT WORKING WITHOUT PAY: I live about a half hour from work and it's going to come to a point where you say, do I put gas in my
car or do I feed my family?
MALVEAUX: Brian and his wife Rachel had a baby five months ago and say they will run out of money by the end of the month. Without a solution,
they fear they will lose their house.
RACHEL TURNER, WIFE OF TSA AGENT: Our child care payment is more than our mortgage. We're already stretched thin with that. And without the
paycheck, it's just almost an impossible situation.
MALVEAUX: Despite these hardships, President Trump continues to insist that shutting down the government over his demand for a border wall is
worth it.
TRUMP: Many of those people that won't be receiving a paycheck, many of those people agree 100 percent.
MALVEAUX: Erin adamantly disagrees.
KIDWELL: As a union rep, I have not heard anyone that agrees with this shutdown and not receiving a paycheck.
MALVEAUX: Isaac Ortiz, a senior correctional officer in El Paso for 27 years, says he has a message for the president.
ISAAC ORTIZ, SENIOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICER WORKING WITHOUT PAY: If I was to have a time to talk to him, I would tell him, look, we understand the
agenda of border security, but don't put government employees in the middle of it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GORANI: Well, thanks to Suzanne Malveaux for that report. A U.S. pilots association is weighing in, it's urging the president to end the shutdown
for safety sake, they say.
Rene Marsh joins me now from Washington with more. Because, of course, TSA agents and security agents at airports are also foregoing their paychecks.
What impact is that having?
RENE MARSH, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, morale is pretty low, but the issue that we've really been talking about the last few days
after I spoke with two senior TSA officials, as well as three TSA union representatives, is that what they're seeing is an uptick in the number of
TSA employees calling out sick.
They're calling out sick. Many of them, for practical reasons, because the rent is due, the utility bill is due, or any other cost that they have in
their life and the paycheck is not coming in. So many of these workers are forced to look outside of the government for cash-paying jobs so that they
can keep the lights on, keep their bills paid while this government shutdown goes on.
And the big concern is, Hala, how long will this go on for? Sure, they may get their back pay, but they don't know when they'll get their back pay and
those bills continue to come in. So the concern is that we may see even more of these sick calls as people feel like they have no other option and
they have to find cash-paying jobs.
GORANI: Sure. So they will get back pay. But as you said, they don't know when. And how is that impacting security at airports? I mean, should
passengers worry that there aren't as many checks?
MARSH: Well, you hit it on the head earlier. The largest pilot airline union is sounding off on this, saying that they're concerned about the
impact that it will have on security.
[14:40:09] Again, I spoke to several people within TSA's union, the largest union representing the TSA workers. They're concerned that the longer this
drags on, yes, potentially this will have an impact on security. Why? Because obviously they're doing the same job with fewer resources. They
don't have the manpower that they usually have.
So they believe that at some point, security could be compromised at these airports. Are we at that point yet? Probably not, but the key here is
that they will miss their first paycheck on Friday. So this week is a critical week.
And then if this drags on for weeks to come, we're talking about several paychecks missed. So you will see most likely, at least what I'm being
told, is that more and more of these employees will begin calling out.
And if you have these call outs reaching an epic proportion and they're unable to staff these checkpoints the way they usually are, then certainly
the next question is how can security not be compromised?
GORANI: Right. Rene Marsh, thanks so much for joining us.
Still to come tonight, the biggest tech show on the planet is about to kickoff. Our Samuel Burke is there.
SAMUEL BURKE, CNN BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY CORRESPONDENT: Hala, the consumer electronics show is supposed to be all about riding the next
consumer wave. But the trade war has people jumping off. We've got all the details coming up right here on HALA GORANI TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: Well, tech enthusiasts are descending on Las Vegas for this year's CES. It's all about the gadgets and gizmos at the world's biggest tech
show. The latest and greatest on display giving us a glimpse into what the future might hold for us. Though frankly, I don't know what gadget we
could need at this point. Samuel burke is there for us.
Samuel, are you still on that scooter? Do you ever get off scooter, Samuel?
BURKE: Everywhere CNN sends me around the world, I'm very inexpensive to ship around because I'm just on this e-scooter. We'll talk more about
these in a second, Hala. But the number one topic here this year isn't gadgets, it's geopolitics. There are actually 20 percent fewer Chinese
companies here this year in the wake of the trade war.
But it's not just affecting Chinese companies. I've been talking to American start-up CEO's and they're telling me that they're using this
opportunity, CES, not to figure out what the next gadget is, but to figure out how they move their supply chains. Take a listen to what the CEO of
this e-scooter company told me. It's called Jetson and he's telling me how he's taking advantage of CES to try and figure out the trade war.
JOSH SULTAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, JETSON: It's going to be very important that we explore it from all angles. We're going to be talking to
our competitors. We're going to be talking to manufacturers. We're going to be talking to our customers. It will definitely be on the agenda of
every meeting we have.
[14:45:06] Ten percent, 25 percent tariffs are big numbers. They're going to affect not just the way we manufacture, but the way that our consumers
purchase product.
BURKE: But, Hala, the trade war impediment is not stopping them from launching new devices, including e-scooters for kids. This is not a razor
scooter. It's actually an electric scooter. They think as more moms and dads are using e-scooters, they'll want their kids to scoot behind them.
Don't worry, I'm taking a helmet with me wherever I go in case any 8-year- olds want to use this. Yes, it's meant for 8-year-olds. It will set you back $100.
Can you imagine the kids in our neighborhood, Hala, scooting down on an e- scooter, mom and dad in front of them?
GORANI: But I initially thought it was a great idea to have an e-scooter. And then when I was in Paris, I almost got run over once a day by people
using the e-scooter on sidewalks when they shouldn't be.
And certainly not wearing helmets when they're out on the street. So then I sort of reconsidered. I wondered if it was that -- if it was a great
idea.
But what I love about this tech show is they have all these new gadgets and some of them potentially could make their way into all of our futures.
What are you seeing? What are some interesting things you've been able to try out?
BURKE: Well, one gadget that -- one gadget that really intrigued -- one gadget that's really intriguing me is this little camera from DJI. That's
the drone company. But they also make cameras.
Now, it's interesting because a lot of them are saying for the first time they're saying China out innovate American companies. DJI is a Chinese
company.
Now, this is a Gimbal camera, Hala. You're used to that, probably in your studio right now you've that big steady cam. You've got the jib cam, we
call it. That's this camera but packed into something much smaller. This is the size of my iPhone.
So what happens is this camera, no matter which way I turn, it stays steady. It'll cost you $345. The only thing I think that's missing right
now is a microphone. DJI says it'll have that soon.
But we were outside the Bellagio when those famous fountains went off. And our cameraman Jordan was able to get some really great shots that show off
exactly what this technology can do. Amazing to think that those big 70- pound cameras that you have in your studio, Hala, can now literally fit in my hand.
GORANI: Unbelievable. What else have you seen? Because what -- OK. So you sent me a message earlier saying, I saw an internet connected toilet
just now and thought of that live shot we did a couple of years ago. Please explain because I can't remember a live shot that reminds me of an
internet toilet.
BURKE: I thought I was going to be able to have one CES where we didn't mention the internet connected toilet from two years ago, Hala. But I did
see these smart glasses that were really interesting. Because I thought that the smart glasses craze was over because, you know, it never worked
out for Google Glass.
This company, Focals by North, think the problem with those Google Glasses was they looked like smart glasses. They didn't focus on aesthetic. So
these look like normal glasses. But the difference is you have -- and company like this to scroll the way Google Glass did, you have this ring to
scroll which they say is a bit more discrete. It'll set you back about a thousand dollars.
It just lets you do the basics. They say you don't need to do too much. You don't need to see video. It lets you check your calendar. It lets you
have directions. If you're walking or driving. You don't have to look down. You can just be looking up. There's no camera here so nobody thinks
that you're recording them.
You can also do text messaging, Hala. So, who knows? During a live shot, I could be texting and reporting at the same time. Don't worry. I'm not
doing that right now.
GORANI: Interesting. I'm glad we didn't get too deep into the internet toilet this time around. Thanks very much, Samuel Burke. Have fun at the
tech show.
Check us out on Facebook, facebook.com/halagoranicnn. And @HalaGorani on Twitter.
Well, he's one of the most famous and successful sports stars on the planet. Roger Federer known and admired all over the world for his
incredible achievements on the tennis court. He spoke exclusively to CNN.
And while he's so often the epitome of composure. Here, we see a different side as he reflects on the mentor who shaped his career.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROGER FEDERER, TENNIS PLAYER: Pete was really, a really important person in my life because I think if I can say thank you for my technique today,
it's to Peter.
CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: But disaster struck before Roger could show his mentor Peter what he was capable of. Carter
died in a car crash while on honeymoon in South Africa 16 years ago.
He passed away the year before you won your first slam at Wimbledon, obviously. What do you think he would have thought to see you here now
with 20 grand slams?
It's OK. I'm sorry.
FEDERER: I hope he would be proud. I guess he didn't want me to be a waste of talent, so I guess it was somewhat of a wakeup call for me when he
passed away. And I really started to train hard.
[14:50:15] MACFARLANE: Is there anything you'd like to say about him in context of where you're at in your life right now?
FEDERER: I think what I would like to say is that I've been incredibly fortunate. I mean, I've had the right people at the right time, the right
coaches at the right time. I mean, I'm sure you can argue I make those decisions, but I also got lucky along the way.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GORANI: All right. Well, there you have it. Interesting. And you can watch more of Christina's exclusive interview with Roger Federer all week
at "CNN WORLD SPORT."
More to come, including the big winners at the Golden Globe where anything but predictable. That story when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: Well, there were some big surprises in Hollywood yesterday. The second most coveted statue in the film industry behind that guy named Oscar
produced some pretty big surprises for best picture among the other awards, as "Green Book" won best drama. And "Bohemian Rhapsody" won best musical
or comedy.
Nether film was considered the favorite in their categories.
The Globe seem to fall in love with "Bohemian Rhapsody" and its star Rami Malek, also won best actor for his portrayal of Queen front man Freddie
Mercury.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RAMI MALEK, AMERICAN ACTOR: Thank you to Freddie Mercury for giving me the joy of a lifetime. I love you, you beautiful man.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: And the evening was not without controversy. Christian Bale won best actor in a drama for his portrayal of former U.S. Vice President Dick
Cheney. And he cited some unlikely inspiration.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTIAN BALE, ACTOR: Thank you to Satan for giving me inspiration on how to play this role.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Thank you to Satan, he said. He says Satan gave him inspiration to play Dick Cheney.
Let's get more now from CNN's Stephanie Elam in Los Angeles. So, and then there were other -- I mean, there were other categories that were a little
bit less surprising in terms of who was awarded the Golden Globe. Tell us more.
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's true. But I definitely think that was probably the most colorful moment from the entire broadcast
was Christian Bale thanking Satan for inspiration playing Dick Cheney.
But if you haven't seen the movie "Vice," it is phenomenal how much he looks like Dick Cheney, even the way he breathes, the way he talks out of
the side of his mouth. So it was no surprise that he won. What was surprising is that "A Star is Born" was pretty much kept out except for
winning best song for Shallow which Lady Gaga went up to accept that award. So that was surprising as well.
It's worth pointing out, Hala, that the Hollywood foreign press that's behind the Golden Globes is a much smaller group of people and it makes
sense that they would be behind a movie like "Bohemian Rhapsody" which is a movie that made $744 million worldwide. Over 500 million of that overseas.
So it would make sense that they would be behind a movie like that and Rami Malek probably will get nominated for an Oscar, I would think, for his
performance in that movie. But you can't necessarily say what happens at the Golden Globes will happen at the Academy Awards.
GORANI: Yes. Not necessarily. And by the way, I don't know how many of our viewers out there know Carol Burnett. But when I was a kid in the
U.S., '70s, '80s, I mean, this was the variety show. It was such a crowd pleaser across generations. She was given the first Carol Burnett Award.
And I loved her speech because she still has it. She mesmerized all those actors and actresses. Listen to what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[14:55:17] CAROL BURNETT, AMERICAN ACTRESS: I'm just happy that our show happened when it did, and that I can look back and say once more, I am so
glad we had this time together. Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: I thought -- and she -- and she -- did you ever watch Carol Burnett, Stephanie?
ELAM: Everybody, I think at some point -- well, maybe people of a certain age, watched Carol Burnett.
GORANI: Right. If you're a millennial, I don't know. But if you're in your 20s, probably not. But she has the kind of like --
ELAM: But those variety shows, they were everything at the time. Yes, they were everything at the time, those variety shows. Her ear tug that
she did at the end of every one like you were mentioning.
She was the grandma of that -- of comedy, of the sort of like humorous turns that she would do in and out for years, for decades. And so she's
really paved the way for a lot of people, whether folks nowadays know it or not. Carol Burnett helped them to get to where they are.
GORANI: And, by the way, she was a comedian during an age when it was acceptable for men to say women can't be funny. And she paid no attention
to that. And as you said, paved the way for so many of the funny women, the hilarious women whose work we enjoy today.
Did you notice someone in nearly every single red carpet photo Sunday night, Stephanie? Take a look. I just do not.
ELAM: Maybe a certain woman who took her moment, knew that she had her moment and took advantage of it?
GORANI: I don't understand how she ended up in every single shot. Was no one aware that the Fiji girl, Fiji water girl was photo bombing everyone?
ELAM: I was on the carpet and I have to tell you, there are a lot of people very close together. All of the news outlets, everyone is very,
very close. So there's a lot of people taking pictures. And not all of them -- they're not talking to each other about the pictures they're
taking.
So all of these pictures go out, they're sent out. And you can see -- I mean, you look at her face. That's a face of someone who knows that their
picture is being taken. It's not -- she's never caught out of guard. Like her face is always very pleasant. So I hope it works out for her because
she definitely figured she'd take advantage of her moment.
GORANI: Of course it's now 2018, '19 and so she's become a meme.
Stephanie Elam, thanks very much live in L.A. Have a good one.
Thanks for watching. "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS" is up next. I'll see you tomorrow.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
