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Trump Stands by Chief of Staff Susie Wiles After Bombshell Interview; Awaiting Word from Prosecutors on Possible Nick Reiner Charges; Man Hailed as Hero for Tackling Suspect in Australia; Police Release New Image of Person of Interest in Brown University Shooting; U.S. Tech Force Launches Next Week to Help Government Hire AI Talent. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired December 16, 2025 - 14:30   ET

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

[14:30:00]

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: She also had scathing words for the Attorney General, Pam Bondi, in which she said that Bondi had whiffed on the Epstein files, essentially underestimating the importance of the Epstein files to President Trump's supporters. Now, I will note, Bondi is one of the people who has come out in defense of Suzie Wiles. Now, one of the things to note here, they talk a lot, we've heard Suzie Wiles now say this, we've heard the press secretary say this, that these remarks were taken out of context.

Well, the author has told the New York Times that he has tapes of this interview. So what I was trying to ask her just moments ago when she came to the stakeout camera briefly for remarks was whether or not they were going to call on the author Whipple to release these tapes that they have, because if they're claiming it's out of context and now they're just claiming that there are recordings, will they end up doing that? So no answer on those questions yet.

But obviously this has really left the White House and not just the White House, but Trump world as a whole in a state of shock. I cannot tell you how many conspiracy theories I've heard about how this interview got published, whether it was the idea that she thought she was talking off the record, whether it was the idea that she was sitting for some kind of other interview that wasn't going to be published immediately, that it has something to do with the 2028 campaign.

Because Suzie Wiles is a calculated and political figure. Everything she does has meaning. She is not somebody who seeks the limelight. She doesn't get out there in the press and do constant interviews.

So the fact that she did this to so many people who are close to President Trump say that it must mean something. Now, of course, again, Wiles has said that that's not the case, that it was just taken out of context. There was an omission in much of what she said.

But again, this has caused quite a stir here at the White House.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: Yes, notably, it's about a year's worth of of interviews. So there is a lot of context in the piece. Kristen, we've also learned this afternoon that President Trump plans to address the nation tomorrow.

Do we know what about?

HOLMES: At 9 p.m. tomorrow. And from Karoline Leavitt's perspective, she just said it was going to be a chance for him to tout all that he had accomplished in the last year. I was also told by another senior White House adviser that it is likely to be an end of the year rap speech.

So expect him to likely talk about affordability, particularly as he is trying to change his messaging around that heading into 2026.

SANCHEZ: Kristen Holmes, live for us from the White House. Thanks so much for the update.

We are awaiting, meantime, a news conference from police and prosecutors on the deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, why they believe the couple's son, Nick, is responsible for their deaths.

[14:35:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: We're standing by for the Los Angeles County District Attorney to provide details on the killings of Rob and Michele Reiner. Investigators have not revealed how the couple died but confirmed their son was arrested on Sunday night on suspicion of murder and is, quote, responsible for their deaths. Sources tell CNN that Nick had argued with his dad Saturday night during a holiday party at Conan O'Brien's house.

What remains unclear, though, is what exactly transpired in the hours leading up to the Reiner's deaths. We're joined now by Michael Alcazar. He's a retired NYPD detective, also an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Sir, thanks so much for being with us. I guess the big question here is why this happened. I wonder how you think police will try to piece together a motive here.

MICHAEL ALCAZAR, RETIRED NYPD DETECTIVE: Well, they're going to go through the family history. I heard that the sister already identified the brother as the potential suspect, so they're going to go from there. So they're just going to put the puzzle pieces together.

They're going to interview witnesses and just really get a history of what was going on in this very affluent family.

SANCHEZ: We learned from Nick Reiner's attorney that there will not be a court hearing because he hasn't yet been medically cleared to go from the jail where he's being held to the courthouse. Our reporter Stephanie Elam said that this was going to be a day-to-day matter. What does that tell you?

Is that common?

ALCAZAR: Yes, he's probably going to set up some kind of a, you know, mental defense that he wasn't of the right mind. I heard a history of him with having mental issues and possibly schizophrenia and medication and not taking medication. So it looks like it's leading in that direction.

SANCHEZ: When it comes to this party, this holiday party at Conan O'Brien's house where sources indicate that there was some kind of altercation that got the attention of partygoers between the Reiners, how do police go about investigating whether there's a link there, whether something may have triggered what came after? I imagine they would have to probe everyone who was at that party.

ALCAZAR: Absolutely. They're going to interview everybody that was in that party. They're going to see if there's any kind of video surveillance of the argument, and they're going to try to establish any kind of motive.

You know, anything the witnesses can provide can help piece the puzzle together to help determine what led up to the homicides.

SANCHEZ: Michael Alcazar, we appreciate you sharing your expertise. Thanks so much for joining us.

ALCAZAR: You're very welcome.

SANCHEZ: And we'll be right back. Stay with us.

[14:40:41]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: As the funerals are being planned for the 15 victims of the Bondi Beach shooting, investigators say the father and son suspected of carrying out the attack were driven by Islamic State ideology.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: Now a video has emerged of a couple confronting one of the men just before the massacre. CNN senior international correspondent Will Ripley has the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WILL RIPLEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: New dash cam video may be giving investigators their clearest picture yet as to how this attack may have unfolded. Investigators found what appears to be an ISIS flag inside the suspect's car, like the one visible on the windshield in that footage that showed the couple fighting off the gunman and taking his rifle away briefly. They also say this attack may have been inspired by Islamic State ideology, and now investigators are looking beyond Australia.

The father and son traveled to the southern Philippines, a region long plagued by ISIS-inspired violence. The pair arrived on November 1st for what they describe as military-style training, staying nearly four weeks before returning to Australia just over two weeks before the attack. Authorities stress the purpose of that trip remains under investigation.

Here at Bondi Beach, the grief remains raw. The prime minister visited on Tuesday, meeting with families of victims, and also Ahmed Al Ahmed, the man being widely hailed as a hero, for running toward gunfire and wrestling a rifle away from the attacker.

[14:45:00]

An act authorities say likely saved lives. Ahmed remains hospitalized, needing multiple surgeries for gunshot wounds. His parents are Syrian refugees. An act authorities say likely saved lives.

Ahmed remains hospitalized, needing multiple surgeries for gunshot wounds. His parents are Syrian refugees. They say his actions were driven by instinct and duty.

MOHAMED FATEH AL AHMED, FATHER OF MAN WHO TACKLED BONDI BEACH SUSPECT (through translator): My son is a hero. He served with the police, and he has the impulse to protect people. When he saw those people on the ground, covered in blood, his conscience and morals compelled him to attack one of the terrorists and take away his weapon.

RIPLEY: Right now, authorities emphasize the investigation remains active. There's no evidence at this stage of additional suspects, but investigators continue reviewing travel records, communications, and online activity as they work to determine how and when the suspects may have been radicalized.

Meanwhile, the crowds and candlelight vigils here at Bondi Beach continue to grow, and funerals are getting underway for some of the victims, including an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor and a 10-year-old girl.

Will Ripley, CNN, Bondi Beach, Australia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KEILAR: Thanks to Will Ripley for that.

And funerals are also being planned for victims of the latest mass shooting here in the U.S. The campus of Brown University rocked by Saturday's horrific attack that left two students dead, 19-year-old Ella Cook of Alabama and 18-year-old Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov of Virginia.

Another nine people were wounded in the attack, and the shooter is still at large. Moments ago, police released this enhanced video of this person of interest they're looking for. Authorities have also released several new videos and are asking the public's help in identifying this person.

I'm joined now by Rabbi Josh Bolton, Executive Director of Brown Rhode Island School of Design Hillel. Thank you so much for being with us. And we've heard from students, they're so afraid, and they've been heading home ahead of time.

What have you been hearing from students in the aftermath?

RABBI JOSH BOLTON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BROWN-RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN HILLEL: Well, thanks, Brianna, for having me. And first of all, you know, I want to wish Refuah Shlema, wishes of healing to the students who are recovering in the hospital. And, of course, Dhikr Subhanallah, blessings to the families of Ella and Mukhammad Aziz who lost their lives on Saturday night.

As you could expect, you know, students are of many different minds. This was, you know, something that hit so close. And yet also, of course, you know, violence like this is something that, you know, this generation has become quite used to.

You know, my sense is that students were eager to get home, to be in the places of safety and security, and to begin, you know, to make sense of this moment and to comfort one another, but mostly to get away from campus and to return home to their families.

KEILAR: How are you feeling, Rabbi?

BOLTON: I feel, you know, look, I feel on the one hand shaken up. I think all of us who were here on campus that evening feel shaken up. I feel profoundly grateful to the colleagues and to the first responders and to everyone who showed up as they did.

And, you know, I'm grateful. I'm grateful to do this work. I'm grateful to live in this community.

Brown is an extraordinary community. It's a small community, and an event like this is going to impact everyone. And, you know, the blessings of living in a community this size and working here are also, you know, abundant and visible, you know, every day.

So I feel profoundly grateful, shaken up. And, you know, unfortunately, over the past four or five years, I've had plenty of opportunities to lead through crisis. So, you know, this feels familiar in some ways.

But, of course, the tragedy impacts us so close and so scary.

KEILAR: It is so scary. And after the holiday break, students will be set to return to campus. It's still outstanding whether they will be returning with this person of interest having been detained or whether they're still going to be out there.

That is a huge question mark that I know is on the minds of so many students. But whatever the situation, there's going to be a lot of grief to be counseling them through. There's going to be a lot of work to be done so that they can feel OK being at Brown, doing what they're supposed to be doing, just being students.

How do you handle that?

[14:50:00]

BOLTON: Yes. I mean, first of all, you know, when you do this work, you come to understand that there's always grief underneath the surface, you know, whether it's personal, familial, whether it's grief regarding, you know, cultural realities or social incidents. And, you know, I think that during times of joy, during times of challenge, you know, our community, the Jewish community, you know, we gather, we comfort one another, we eat together, we break bread, we check in on one another.

You know, I think that here at Hillel we'll be both providing, you know, additional pastoral resources, staff, as well as programs and opportunities to gather. And, you know, I think that we also want to focus on a message.

You know, in fact, it's the message of the season that we're in right now, the message of the Hanukkah season, which is that, you know, even in times of profound darkness, a little bit of light can illuminate that darkness in profound ways. And so, you know, we want to be through relationships, through experiences, through opportunities, creating light, passing light from one heart to the next, from one person to the next.

And, you know, again, this is a remarkable community, and, you know, we see it in the kindness constantly between students, and I expect that, you know, folks will rise to the occasion as they already have, and we'll begin the coming semester with that sentiment as well.

KEILAR: Yes, they will need that message for sure. Rabbi Josh Bolton, thank you so much for being with us.

BOLTON: Such a pleasure. Thank you.

KEILAR: And our thoughts are certainly with everyone there in Providence. We also have just learned that officials will be providing an update on this case at 5 p.m. Eastern. We're going to bring that to you live, and we'll be right back.

[14:55:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: Now to some of the other headlines that we're watching this hour. The unemployment rate hit a 4-point high of 4.6 percent in November. And for young people, that number is even worse.

The unemployment rate for 16- to 24-year-olds rising to 10.6 percent. That's also a 4-year high. The labor market is now on pace for its weakest year of job growth since 2020.

SANCHEZ: Meantime, many Americans who are lucky enough to have a job are struggling to keep up with inflation. Today's labor data shows the average worker got a 3.5 percent wage increase over the past year, barely enough to keep up with a 3 percent annual gain in consumer prices. It was the lowest annual paycheck growth that Americans have had since May of 2021.

And the FDA says it sent warning letters to several major retailers after finding recalled baby formula still being sold. An infant botulism outbreak has been linked to the company Byheart, sparking a nationwide recall last month. But the FDA says some Target, Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, and other stores continued selling the recalled products.

Target and Kroger did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Walmart and Albertsons say they've taken steps to address the recall and are prioritizing customer safety. The retailers were given 15 days to address the steps they've taken to fix the problem.

AI-savvy job seekers should get their resumes ready. On Monday, the White House is going to start taking applications to fill what it calls the U.S. Tech Force. The White House says its aim is to apply artificial intelligence to improve and streamline some of the most complex employers out there, the federal government.

KEILAR: And this new force is not only looking for those early in their careers. The program will also bring in some of Silicon Valley's top talent to become mentors.

CNN tech reporter Clare Duffy is here with more on this. All right, Clare, there's a talent war in AI right now. Is this program going to make the federal government a more attractive employer?

CLARE DUFFY, CNN TECH REPORTER: That is certainly what they're hoping. They are dealing with both this technical skills gap, they just don't have enough people with these tech and AI skills in the federal government right now, and this broader talent war where we're seeing companies shelling out massive pay packages and other benefits for the top AI employees. So the federal government is hoping to attract at least some of those data scientists, software engineers, product managers into at least temporary positions in the public sector.

The Office of Personnel Management is hoping to hire around 1,000 people for this first U.S. Tech Force cohort to work across government agencies for a two-year period. And as you said, during that time, they will be getting mentorship and career planning advice from top Silicon Valley executives. There are about 25 companies that have signed on as partners to this program, including big names like Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and XAI.

And at the end of this two-year period, members of this tech force will have access to a job fair with both public and private sector opportunities, so they can move back into the private sector if they want to. And just to give people a sense of the kinds of projects that members of this tech force will be working on, it could be applying AI to modernize intelligence at the State Department or applying AI to improve weapons and drone systems at the Department of Defense or building out the Trump accounts platform at the IRS. And all of this, of course, is, you know, the goal here is to make the federal government a more attractive employer, although OPM director Scott Kupor did acknowledge that this is a really competitive space right now.

They're offering salaries between $130,000 and $195,000 a year. And what he told reporters yesterday is that there is an incredible race for talent in these areas, so part of what we want to do is be competitive on compensation. He said members are going to learn a bunch, they're going to tackle really complex problems, and then they can ultimately go back to the private sector if that's what they want to do.

So we'll see if this ends up being an attractive offer to people. Come gain skills in the government and then potentially go make money in the private sector.

SANCHEZ: Clare Duffy ...

END