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Democrat-Run Cities Brace for Immigration Raids, Federal Crackdown; Trump Signals He's Ready to Hit Russia With More Sanctions; Bessent Warns of Refunds if Supreme Court Rules Against Tariffs. Aired 7-7:30a ET

Aired September 08, 2025 - 07:00   ET

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

[07:00:00]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: This morning, a new city targeted by ICE raids, as President Trump claims he is not going to war with Chicago after a post that suggested he is going to war with Chicago.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: People running for their lives after two attackers open fire on a bus stop in Jerusalem. So far, at least five people have been killed. We are live. At that scene.

And a sign of the times, how some influencers are sharing videos and how there's a surge in popularity on how to feed your family for as little as $1 a day.

Sara is out today. I'm Kate Bolduan with John Berman. This is CNN News Central.

BERMAN: This morning, raids in Boston, the newest target by the Trump administration, as it expands its immigration crackdown. They are signaling Chicago is next. Protesters gathered in the streets of Chicago to oppose plans for that enforcement surge. Border Czar Tom Homan confirmed to CNN that there are plans in place for this week.

President Trump posted an A.I.-generated Apocalypse now inspired image with the message, Chicago is about to find out why it's called the Department of War, in reference to his attempted rebrand of the Department of Defense.

The president later downplayed that post saying, quote, we're not going to war with Chicago. Then he said this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Chicago is a very dangerous place, and we have a governor that doesn't care about crime. I guess we could solve Chicago very quickly, but we're going to make a decision as to where we go over the next day or two.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: I want to get to Kevin Liptak at the White House? Kevin, with the struggling jobs numbers, it's clear that the president really wants to keep as much focus as he can on what he's doing in U.S. cities with immigration.

KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, absolutely, John. And all signs are pointing to a major escalation in the president's crackdown on illegal immigration this week. The focus very much on these Democrat led cities and states that the administration accuses of being sanctuary cities.

Now, this operation in Massachusetts began late last week, the Department of Homeland Security saying that they were going after the worst of the worst criminal, illegal aliens living there. They're calling the operation Patriot 2.0, saying quite harshly that if you come into our country illegally and break our laws, we will hunt you down, arrest you, deport you, and you'll never be able to return.

Now, the administration has harshly criticized the mayor of Boston, the Democrat, Michelle Wu, of essentially harboring undocumented criminals. She said over the weekend that this will not make our communities safer. And she says that local resources will not be used to aid this effort.

Of course, this comes as the administration signals nearing action in Chicago. Of course, the president has been going quite harshly after the nation's third largest city for several weeks now, and that meme that he posted over the weekend, really making clear his intentions, the president posting that Apocalypse now themed image essentially of the skyline of Chicago being napalmed.

Now, the president said that he was not planning to go to war with Chicago, and we also heard from the border czar Tom Holman trying to put a little more context about what the president was intending with that image.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM HOMAN, TRUMP BORDER CZAR: Look, I think it's worth being taken out of context. I said, we're going to war, we're going to war with the criminal cartels. We're going to war with illegal aliens, public safety threats that rape children, that raped citizens, that committed armed robberies that distribute narcotics that kill Americans.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIPTAK: Now, you heard the president say that he would be making a decision on action in Chicago over the next coming days.

Now, we're told that officers from ICE, from CBP have already been trickling into Chicago ahead of this expected surge in immigration enforcement actions. The big question is whether President Trump plans to deploy the National Guard.

And that is something that Homan and other administration officials have said is an option that remains very much on the table as the president makes these considerations. Of course, just last week, a federal judge in California said that the president's use of National Guard in Los Angeles over the summer was illegal, but certainly that has not left administration officials or Trump to reconsider their use of the National Guard in the coming days in Chicago.

[07:05:08]

John?

BERMAN: Seem to be moving ahead. Kevin Kevin Liptak at the White House, thank you very much. Okay?

BOLDUAN: So, this morning President Trump has a message for President Putin. He's tired of waiting. Trump says that he's going to speak with the Russian leader, quote/unquote, very soon but after setting and seeing Putin blow through some seven deadlines now to come to the table to negotiate peace in Ukraine, it is a big question of what more talking is going to do. President Trump is also signaling that he might be ready to finally move to hit Russia where it would hurt, with a new round, a new phase of sanctions.

All of this coming on the heels of Russia's largest air assault on Ukraine, the largest since the beginning of the entire war playing out this weekend, Moscow launching more than 800 drones, even hit a government building in Kyiv for the first time.

CNN's Nick Paton Walsh watching all of this for us. Let's start with the second round of sanctions. What is the president signaling? What are you hearing about this?

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it is still unclear as to exactly when or what we could potentially be talking about, but obvious signs of impatience from President Trump, again, after a significant aerial assault against Kyiv that killed a child amongst the three killed there.

This clearly is one of the elements of Russia's brutal assault against Ukraine that gets to Trump the fastest. Asked about the next wave of sanctions, he said, yes, they were thinking about that. But what that actually contains is unclear. Is it banking sanctions against particular Russian banks to try and further cripple that sector? Is it more tariffs against the consumers of Russian oil? 50 percent tariff against India hasn't seem to make too much difference, yet we are hearing that India's actually going to increase its oil purchases from Russia. And its president went to Beijing for a summit alongside Putin just last week. China though potentially impacted by further sanctions as well.

So, it's the real detail of what they're willing to do, what pain the U.S. is willing to give, but also absorb itself that's going to be key here. Trump also suggesting that European leaders unnamed might arrive today or tomorrow to talk about Ukraine further at the White House.

But this comes after a record assault against Ukraine. 800-plus drones launched on the night, Saturday to Sunday, nine cruise missiles, four ballistic missiles that killed a total of three, but, importantly, damaged the key government building in the center of Kyiv, in the government sector there. The Ukrainian prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, showing around a number of European diplomats, western diplomats, the extensive damage done to that key government facility. Yes, it was hit at night when it was likely to be lesser occupied, but, again, a sign that Vladimir Putin thinks certain things that were possibly unthinkable a year ago and now very much on the table. Remember, the European Union officers were recently struck in another aerial assault against Kyiv. Trump's own envoy, General Keith Kellogg, called that attack at the weekend an escalation. Clearly, it overwhelmed part of the capital's air defenses. That's key because it probably shows to Moscow they can do it again and its assaults like this that clearly upset Trump, and that may inform what he decides to do in the days ahead, but the details of that still in his head and down to him to decide to implement. Kate?

BOLDUAN: Absolutely. Nick, thanks so much for putting it together. I really appreciate your reporting, as always.

Still ahead for us, a lot to come. If the Supreme Court rules against President Trump's tariffs, the treasury secretary now says that America will have to refund about half the tariffs collected so far. What that could look like?

And an incredible fourth quarter comeback leads to a stunning victory for the Buffalo bills. What happened after you went to sleep or at least we went to sleep last night?

Plus, an 87-year-old man fends off robbers trying to steal his nearly $50,000 watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have I had different run-ins with people, whether it be drunks or wise guys, yes. Bing, bang, boom, so I'm doing it slow, but it happened in milliseconds.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:10:00]

BERMAN: New this morning, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is warning the U.S. could be forced to issue major refunds, tens of billions of dollars worth, if the administration loses its tariff case at the Supreme Court. President Trump urged the high court to overturn a lower court ruling that found he acted unlawfully by imposing reciprocal tariffs, saying that if the justices rule against them, it would mean devastation for the United States.

CNN's Matt Egan is with us now. We're talking a lot of money here.

MATT EGAN, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Yes. John, look, this could be the mother of all refunds, right, because the federal government's tariff revenue has skyrocketed this year. I mean, that's what happens when you slap historically high tariffs on imports. Look at this. This shows tariff revenue over the past year. You see, it was higher and higher. Just since April, the U.S. government has collected $130 billion from U.S. importers paying tariffs. But now much of this tariff regime does remain in legal limbo, right. Because as you mentioned, late last month, we had this federal appeals court finding that the president unlawfully relied on emergency powers for much of his tariff policies, right. And they've set this October 14th deadline to have that ruling take effect.

Now, the president, of course, has asked the Supreme Court to step in here, but the stakes here are very significant. Take a listen to what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, conceding that, yes, they may have to return some of this money.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT BESSENT, TREASURY SECRETARY: I am confident that we will win at the Supreme Court, but there are numerous other avenues that we can take. They diminish President Trump's negotiating position.

[07:15:03]

So, we would have to give a refund on about half via the tariffs, which would be terrible for the treasury.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And you're prepared to give those refunds?

BESSENT: Well, I mean, there's no be prepared if the court says it, we'd have to do it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

EGAN: Now, just to give you some context here on the tariffs that are in question here. Trump's tariffs, they impact about 70 percent of all U.S. imports, so very significant. If the Supreme Court struck this down, then that means his tariffs would only be impacting about 16 percent of all U.S. imports, so obviously a major difference.

Now, what's less clear here is how refunds would even work. Is this something that would automatically get returned to the U.S. businesses that are paying the tariffs? Would they have to file a separate legal action? Would they have to formally request a refund? I think all of that would just have to get settled here.

But, look, this would be a big win for the businesses that are paying tariffs. But as Bessent noted, this would be pretty terrible for the Treasury because they've been relying on this tariff revenue, right? It's allowed them to borrow less than otherwise. So, if they have to refund a boatload of money, they might have to borrow more, which would increase borrowing costs for not just the federal government, but really for everyone because you're looking at higher mortgage rates as well. So, there's a lot at stake.

BERMAN: Yes. I wonder if it will factor into the Supreme Court's decision or whether they'll decide the case on its merits.

EGAN: Yes, we'll see.

BERMAN: Matt Egan, thank you very much. All right. Startling week. Job number, stubborn inflation, especially at the grocery store. Two sisters going galactic online by offering solutions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Today's video is more broke meals, meals to make when you're broke.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: So, when I went to sleep. Last night, late after the third quarter, I thought, surely, there is no way that Baltimore could lose. Well, Josh Allen of the Bills say not so fast. And don't call me Shirley, a comeback for the ages.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:20:00]

BOLDUAN: So, it was nothing short of insane. That is a technical term. The Buffalo Bills finally catching in on some history, pulling off a comeback so wild that fans are still catching their breath, including the one and only Coy Wire.

As it was written, and I'll try to read it, Coy, an -- I can't even say it, unbelievable, unbelievable comeback. You say it.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Unbelievable. I could hear you try to say that all day. I'm a happy man this morning. I play at six seasons in Buffalo. Oh man, not going to be able to wipe this smile off my face, Kate. One of the most improbable comebacks you could imagine, unless you're a believer, but even a lot of Bills fans left the stadium early.

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, they were rolling, Their star running back Derrick Henry, AKA King Henry, AKA Human Wrecking Ball, running for 169 yards, two touchdowns. Lamar seemingly putting this one out reach. Just before the fourth, unreal catch from his new target, DeAndre Hopkins, a sick one-handed grab extending the Ravens lead to 15.

But here's where it all changed. All Baltimore had to do was wind the clock down, but Derrick Henry loses the ball, forced fumble, recovered by the Bills. And while Lamar played like an MVP, Bill's Q.B. Josh Allen is the reigning MVP, huge pass to their blocking tight end, Jackson Hawes, setting up a score. 394-yard passing, four total touchdowns for Allen, including this leaping over the top td bringing it within two to get the ball back.

Less than two minutes to go, look at this throw, Kate, hitting Joshua Palmer on the sideline, bringing it within field goal range. Enter Matt Prater, less than a hundred hours in Western New York, a field goal from 32 yards for the win. He doesn't even know all his teammates names yet, Kate. Buffalo scoring 16 points in the final four minutes to pull off the unbelievable comeback. Bill's win on a scorigami, first time in NFL history a game ended 41-40.

Here's their star Q.B., Josh Allen, after the win.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSH ALLEN, BUFFALO BILLS QUARTERBACK: There's just no quitting in this team. Welcome to Buffalo. I mean, what a vet kicking the game, winning field going, a tough, weird situation you don't see too often. He came in prepared, ready to go. Our team didn't quit. I mean, I think there's people that left the stadium. That's okay. We'll be fine, but have some faith next time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: All right. Flushing Meadows, Carlos Alcaraz has won the U.S. Open again, repeating his feat from 2022 with a defeat of world number one Jannik Sinner. With his six major championship title, the 22-year- old Alcaraz will replace him as the top player in the world rankings, plus $5 million prize payout, biggest in the history of tennis.

Our Andy Scholes was there and caught up with Carlito on court after the win.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CARLOS ALCARAZ, WINS SECOND U.S. OPEN TITLE (2022): It's a better taste when you win a Grand Slam or a tournament when you're the best player in the world. So, for me, it's great to play as much as I can with Jannik in the biggest tournaments, in the biggest stages.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Could you do the golf swing celebration with the trophy?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: There we go. Between Alcaraz and Sinner, Kate, of the last eight majors, each of them have now won four of them. We're watching this budding rivalry just continue to get better and better.

BOLDUAN: I am still stuck on -- I just want to do something cool enough someday to earn you saying something about calling something a scorigamii for me. Like that is an unbelievable Coy Wire-ism.

WIRE: No. That's actually a thing. I'm just going with the crowd.

BOLDUAN: It is?

WIRE: Yes. Scorigami has become this thing. It's very rare to have a score that ends in a score that had never happened before. And it just happened I had to work that one in there for you, Kate.

BOLDUAN: I mean, I just love you see, and you even gave attribution. You could've totally claimed that one. I would've believed you all day.

[07:25:00]

WIRE: I could've totally done it, yes.

Good to see you, Kate.

BOLDUAN: Thanks, buddy.

All right, we got a lot more coming up, including this. We have following breaking news out of Jerusalem. At least five people have been killed after two attackers opened fire on a bus stop. This is still developing. We've got new details coming in.

And the wedding crashers that we talked about last week, we have an update, an arrest over the $60,000 stolen and gift from the bride and broom.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: All right. There's breaking news out of Jerusalem this morning. At least six people were killed, several others injured when two gunmen opened fire toward a bus stop.

[07:30:04]

This happened along a busy highway just after the morning rush hour.

CNN's Jeremy Diamond has rushed to the scene.