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Trump Touts Federal Takeover; Vicky Lugo is Interviewed about Federal Crackdowns; Newsom Goes National; New Zealand Manhunt Ends. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired September 08, 2025 - 09:30   ET

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

[09:30:00]

REP. ADAM SMITH (D-WA): Because they're getting rid of vaccines, they're -- you know, we had zero job growth because of the illegal tariffs that are driving up costs. Housing is up. Insurance is up. Food is up.

So, yes, we should be doing that. But make no mistake about it, the Democrats stand for greater equality, greater opportunity for all Americans. We just need to get better at fighting for it and better at communicating it.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Congressman Adam Smith, thanks for coming in.

John.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, breaking overnight, a deadly end to the search for a fugitive father who hid in the wilderness with his three missing children for nearly four years.

And it's never too early. New polling on who was leading the field in the race to be the Democratic nominee in 2028, and how he or she got there.

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[09:35:26]

BOLDUAN: New this morning, President Trump is touting his federal takeover of local policing in the nation's capital, posting just a short time ago, we'll put it up, claiming that Washington, D.C. is a safe zone and asking also which city will be next. To be clear, the data shows that crime is down in the district since he moved in, but contrary to his claims, there is still crime in the city.

The federal crackdown also now has homeless in D.C. living in fear and taking new and extreme measures in the face of it.

CNN's Brian Todd has been following this and joins us right now from Washington with much more.

Brian, what are you learning in your reporting here? BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kate, we've spoken to several homeless people on the streets of D.C., as well as homeless advocates, like the ones who work at this homeless services center right behind me. What they're telling us is that homeless people in D.C. are taking some extraordinary and sometimes drastic measures to try to evade law enforcement during this surge. And we have to point out, homeless people are not breaking any laws just by being homeless, but they feel like, with the aggressive tactics that the Trump administration and police have used to crack down on the homeless, that they have to take some drastic measures. They're talking about doing things like sleeping in wooded areas. They're hopping on and off busses at night to sleep on the busses while they're on the move. They're going to libraries to blend in with people. And another tactic that they're using, and we were actually allowed to tag along with one of the homeless people who was doing this, some of them hike across the bridges to the Virginia side of the Potomac River just to hide and take shelter there.

Now, we followed one of them recently, a 60-year-old man named Jeff Padgett, who says he's been homeless on the streets of D.C. for about eight years now. He takes his two chihuahuas, Puppet and Luna, with him in a cart across one of the bridges here. And when he gets to the Virginia side, he hides out there at night just to evade law enforcement.

We caught up to him on the other side of the river, and he talked to us about why he does this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEFF PADGETT, HOMELESS RESIDENT OF WASHINGTON, D.C.: Because I don't want to be harassed or locked up or -- or given -- given -- it's crazy, given an ultimatum, either leave town, go to jail, or go into a psych ward. I'm not committing any crimes. I'm not cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. You know what I mean.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: Now, the Trump administration has said that homeless people would be taken to shelters far away from the city. They also said that they would be offering addiction and mental health counseling to the homeless. But about a month into the surge, homeless advocates tell us that so far none of that has materialized from the Trump administration, from the federal government. They say the D.C. government has scrambled to put up additional shelters, some additional beds. Some of those have been taken advantage of by homeless people, but a lot of them, Kate, don't want to go to these shelters because they feel it's not safe for them.

BOLDUAN: Much more reporting needed on this. Great job, Brian. Thank you very much for staying on top of it.

John.

BERMAN: All right, the White House border czar told CNN that federal agents are headed to Chicago this week. Organizers there, some, postponed public events. But in the predominantly Latino Pilsen neighborhood, Mexican independence day celebration went on.

With us now is Vicky Lugo, the organizer of those celebrations and the secretary of the United Merchants of Pilsen Chamber of Commerce.

Thanks so much for being with us.

I want to get to the parade in just a second here. But first, to show you this social media post that the president made over the weekend where he's got a picture of himself dressed like he's, you know, in "Apocalypse Now," and he says, "Chicago is about to find out why it's called the Department of War."

When you see something like that, what's your reaction?

VICKY LUGO, SECRETARY, UNITED MERCHANTS OF PILSEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: It's a shame that the president of the United States is sharing commentaries, sharing images like that. Is he really going to war with any cities in the United States of America? It's a shame. But that is not stopping us, particularly the Latino community, the Mexican community, to continue celebrating our traditions, our heritage, as we have for many years. You know, it's -- our parade, our celebrations are just like any other celebrations. You know, you have the Saint Patrick's Day parade, you have Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and so many other traditions, ethnicities that are celebrated throughout the nation.

BERMAN: How was attendance at the celebration this weekend compared to past years?

[09:40:03]

LUGO: It was great. We had more people wanting to participate in the parade. And we had so many supporters, so many spectators throughout the streets supporting us and celebrating with us. Yes, so it was -- it was very beautiful. It was heartwarming to see that so many people want to continue celebrating our traditions.

BERMAN: What are some of the -- the questions or concerns you are hearing about this continued promise that soon there will be an influx of federal at first immigration agents, and then, maybe we're not sure yet, National Guard on the streets of Chicago?

LUGO: Obviously, there was a lot of concern throughout the city, throughout festival and celebration event organizers. Many have canceled, unfortunately, because they're afraid that immigration, that ICE agents, that the National Guard and other federal agents might come to Chicago and other cities throughout the nation. And so, the fear is real. It is real. We have seen just this.

Yesterday, a street vendor that was selling flowers in a corner was arrested by immigration agents. And so, it's fearsome, but it is also the drive that is pushing us to continue to celebrate our traditions, our heritage, our culture, the diversity that lives here in the U.S. because the U.S. has embraced, for many, many years, people of all nations. And that is what makes America great.

BERMAN: Vicky Lugo, we appreciate you being with us this morning. Thanks so much for sharing your story.

Kate.

LUGO: Thank you very much for having me.

BOLDUAN: Also new this morning, polling is showing that California's governor, Gavin Newsom, clearly being successful in raising his profile with his aggressive approach in taking on President Trump now. Data showing he's seeing new support across key groups among white, black and Latino voters.

CNN's Harry Enten digging into this.

So, what do you see in what are the signs and signals that Newsom's very aggressive and loud pushback against President Trump on all issues is raising his profile nationally or setting in?

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: Yes. Yes, look, it's like week one of the NFL, it's still very early. But as a Buffalo Bills fan, I can tell you, you'd rather see your fortunes rising in week one than falling. Thank you. Go Bills. What a win last night. My goodness gracious.

Top Dem choices for the 2028 Democratic nominee. Look, back in April, look where Gavin Newsom was. He was at 8 percent. Look at where he is now, up to 21 percent, more than doubling his support from back in April, before he really started taking on Donald Trump. Kamala Harris, who, of course, was the Dem nominee last time around, from 28 percent to 19 percent. And then you have AOC rounding out the top three right here at 12 percent.

But the bottom line is this, very simply put, Gavin Newsom has gained a significant amount of ground since April. Now he's up there, in the upper echelon of candidates. And there is no doubt in my mind what he is doing out in California isn't just staying out in California, it is moving nationally. Democrats nationally really like what they're seeing out of the California governor.

BOLDUAN: And there's one kind of area or signal that you really think shows that the most, that there could be a coalition here that could go across state lines, could go across different states.

ENTEN: You know, you mentioned it in the intro, Kate Bolduan, and I think it is so important to note that the Democratic Party is very diverse, very diverse. White, black, Latino. Look at this, support for Gavin Newsom, 90 percent among whites, 21 percent among African Americans, 24 percent among Latinos. He does well across racial groups, unlike, say, a Pete Buttigieg, who, when you got to those diverse states like Nevada and South Carolina, his support fell apart. You need to be doing well across racial groups if you want to win in a Democratic primary. And right now, Gavin Newsom is doing exactly that, doing about equally well among whites, blacks and Latinos.

BOLDUAN: As you mentioned, this is quite early on if we were talking about 2028. How early is it, Harry? ENTEN: How early is it, Kate Bolduan? It is still very early. As I said, it's still like week one of the NFL. National early poll leaders, consistently at 25 percent or above. The Democrats usually have it. Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden. But at this particular point, there is no one who is consistently polling at 25 percent or above. It's still very early. Gavin Newsom out to a good start. Democrats like what they're seeing out of the gate. But we have still got two and a half years until the first primaries. There's going to be a lot of things that might potentially be happening. But so far, early signs for Gavin Newsom, just like for the Buffalo Bills, pretty gosh darn good. Where else would you rather be than right here, right now, if you're the Bills and, I guess, Gavin Newsom as well.

BOLDUAN: I was going to say, I mean you're laying it on pretty thick. So, how happy are you, Harry, about the Bills last night?

ENTEN: I am -- there we go.

[09:45:01]

There are those highlights. Oh, I screamed, I know I scream on air. But last night it --

BOLDUAN: That's all you do is scream.

ENTEN: I know it's -- you have no idea. I woke up the entire upper west side of Manhattan. My poor girlfriend, who was sleeping in the other room, she goes, what happened? What happened? We won, honey. We won. Oh, my goodness gracious. All my friends in western New York, it's just one game. But I got to tell you, if there's any sign that says that this is our year, last night was that sign.

BOLDUAN: Berman, you want to join in on this?

BERMAN: I'm just so happy for Harry and for the sleeping arrangements apparently.

BOLDUAN: I --

BERMAN: So, thank you very much for all of that.

BOLDUAN: I know. We always learn almost a little too much every time Harry gets -- when Harry's on little sleep, we always almost learn a little too much, which is kind of fun.

ENTEN: Go Bills.

BERMAN: All right, thank you very much, Harry.

All right, the devastating moment. A man's attempt to break a world record for carrying the most beers at one time, it fell apart right there in just seconds.

And all I want for Christmas is a VMA Award. Yes, Mariah Carey just won her first. See what I did there? What took so long?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:50:40]

BERMAN: The trial begins today for the man charged with trying to kill President Trump in Florida. Ryan Routh is accused of pointing a rifle at the president while he was golfing. Routh is representing himself, and has made a number of unusual requests, including a golf showdown with the president. Also made an ask for strippers.

New this morning, the Australian woman at the center of a real life crime drama sentenced to three life sentences for killing three people using the world's most toxic mushrooms. Erin Patterson was found guilty of murdering members of her estranged husband's family by feeding them a meal she deliberately laced with death cap mushrooms. The life sentences will be served concurrently.

In Germany, a waiter going for the world record, attempting to carry 31 beer mugs at once. Then it was 30. And he goes on, though. I mean he persevered. He went on with those 30 beer mugs. Oh. Then it became like 29, 28. What an attempt. He works at Oktoberfest, the world's biggest beer place, and he promises that he's going to try again next year.

At the MTV Video Music Awards, Lady Gaga took home artist of the year. Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, who died in July, was honored with a tribute performance. And the night's biggest moment --

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIRIAH CAREY, MUSICIAN: I can't believe I'm getting my first VMA tonight. I just have one question. What in the Sam hell were you waiting for.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: She accepted it gracefully, as you can see right there.

She did win her first ever VMA, the Video Vanguard Award. I just -- and she asked the question many have been wondering, did she just do that? Won't we just -- did we just play that?

BOLDUAN: Are we playing it again?

BERMAN: We're going to play it again. One more time.

BOLDUAN: Just for good measure.

BERMAN: All right, I'm confused.

BOLDUAN: You don't need to be confused.

BERMAN: You know what, Mariah Carey, I always get a little bit flustered.

BOLDUAN: I can tell.

BERMAN: When we bring up --

BOLDUAN: I can see it. I can see it. I can see the blush on your face. Go with it (INAUDIBLE).

BERMAN: When we bring up Mariah Carey.

All right, we'll keep going here, even though you're here ready to go.

This morning an eight --

BOLDUAN: I'm here to support you.

BERMAN: Oh, no, we're done. No, we're back. We're done.

All right, this morning, an 87-year-old man was able to fend off a pair of suspects who tried to rob his wife and steal his $48,000 Rolex. Lawrence Schwartz, he and his wife, Joanna, were outside their senior center on the streets of Manhattan. They were approached by the suspects, who began asking for directions. And then these people tried to rob them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOANNA CUCCIA, FOUGHT OFF ATTEMPTED THIEVES: She wouldn't let go. She scratched me.

LARRY SCHWARTZ, FOUGHT OFF ATTEMPTED THIEVES: She got her hand under here. And that's where the clasp was. I grabbed her hand like this. She's inside the car. And I did this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: I mean, I'm not trying to rob this guy. Like, look at him, He's jacked. You don't rob a guy showing his guns in the tank top.

BOLDUAN: Like, legit. I think there's another moment when he goes, have I come across some -- some wise guys before? I was like, I would not mess with him.

BERMAN: All right, he walked away with only a few cuts and bruises.

BOLDUAN: Well, and he's an amazing person. What are we doing now? We're going to turn to this. Yes, we are.

It was a wild and gripping story out of New Zealand. After nearly four years on the run and living off the grid with his three children, a New Zealand father was shot and killed by police.

CNN's Marc Stewart is following this one.

And every detail I learned, Marc, makes it all the more wild. What happened?

MARC STEWART, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Nice to see you, Kate.

Indeed, this is a story that has captured the attention of people in New Zealand and really around the world.

Let's start with the three children. First and foremost, they are safe. They are OK. The children, ages nine, ten and 12, were all found earlier this morning. One of the children, one of the girls, was found with her father after a shootout with police. The other two children were found in what's being described as a very remote campsite in New Zealand that was surrounded by brush. There was a sense of urgency to find them right now because at the time the weather in New Zealand was very cold and that had investigators very concerned.

This whole drama, though, began in 2021 when the father, Thomas Phillips, became estranged with the children's mother and then ran away, as you said, living off the grid with these children.

Let's fast forward to overnight when a robbery was spotted taking place at a farm supply store.

[09:55:07]

Someone called police. Police saw an ATV, a four-wheeler, going away. There was a chase. They put down some spike strips to stop it. They did. And when police arrived, they shot the father, the man. Eventually, other police came and shot back. There was a small shootout.

But there is no question, a lot of relief because these children are safe. Listening to some of the interviews and some of the remarks by local police, this is a lot to process. They are sad that this man was killed, but they are also grateful at the same time that these children were OK.

I should finally point out that these children, when they were found at the campsite, they were on their own. Whether or not someone had been helping the father and the children along the way, it's one of the many mysteries that police and investigators, Kate, have yet to answer.

BOLDUAN: Absolutely. Marc, thank you very much for that. I really appreciate it. It's a wild story.

BERMAN: Yes, I hope those kids end up OK.

BOLDUAN: Yes.

BERMAN: All right, thanks so much for joining us. This has been CNN NEWS CENTRAL. A well-oiled machine. "THE SITUATION ROOM" up next.

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