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WH Doing Damage Control After Fatal Shooting Of Alex Pretti; DOJ Investigating Jerome Powell And Federal Reserve; Report: Bill Belichick Will Not Be A First-Ballot Hall Of Famer. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired January 28, 2026 - 09:30   ET

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

[09:30:00]

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: Of course, that donut shop is where the first witness saw all of this trans -- transpire with the killing of Alex Pretti but we are hearing from a business in St. Paul as well as a business in Minneapolis that said that when they came out publicly to decry the actions of ICE in their neighborhood, when they came out publicly and said they are supporting the protesters who are out in the street protesting against ICE, they were then -- one of them was visited by ICE, and they managed to shoo them away.

The other one was audited by ICE hours after they did an interview that went national. I am curious if you have heard of the fear of retaliation, or any other businesses that have been retaliated against because of their stance on what ICE is doing here.

AISHA CHUGHTAI, MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL: Yeah, I mean as -- as neighbors in this community, right and that's the folks that live here, the businesses that -- that are so important to our fabric as a community, people are taking to the streets as observers with phones and whistles to alert our community of ICE activity and document the masked thugs who continue to indiscriminately abduct loved ones based on the color of their skin.

We're seeing businesses step up to create new hubs for local mutual aid networks, donating to food shelves, providing neighbors with rides. People are protesting and missing work and interrupting their businesses, to be outside together, to wrap our arms around each other in below freezing temperatures, to stand up for what we believe in, and that organizing is making a difference and -- and I think we know that the -- that our power as a community, our power of people, is working because of what we're seeing on the ground.

Greg Bovino has been demoted. We whistled him out of Minneapolis, and we're going to keep going until -- until ICE is out of our city, out of our state, and no matter what they are doing, whether it's the retaliation that you're speaking about or continuing to abduct and separate our families and our neighborhoods, our resolve in loving our community has only strengthened.

SIDNER: We are seeing that on the ground. Aisha Chughtai, thank you so much for taking the time at this really busy and emotional time here in Minneapolis. A city council member there. Kate? KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Thank you so much, Sara. Just moments ago,

First Lady Melania Trump, was seen ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. There's video of it from moments ago, and take a look now at how markets are starting this trading day. There you go, take a look at that, also known as Federal Reserve day.

The central bank is set to make its latest rate announcement soon. The expectation is that it will keep rates right where they are. But that is not the whole story when it comes to this today. CNN's Matt Egan is in Washington getting prepared for it all. Matt, what do you see?

MATT EGAN, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Well, Kate, as you noted, the Fed is widely expected to defy the President's demands for dramatically lower interest rates. The market is only pricing in a 3 percent chance of a quarter point cut today. The expectation is that the Fed will pause. Now, if this plays out as expected, this pause would come after the Fed cut interest rates three straight meetings to end last year to three year lows, right.

Those cuts were designed to try to stabilize the shaky job market, but all of this does come at a pivotal moment in the Fed's more than 100- year history. We're really witnessing Fed independence, something the Fed officials take very seriously. We're witnessing it getting tested in real time by the White House and at the Supreme Court, the President has just put unprecedented pressure on the Fed.

This would be -- this will be the first time we're hearing from Jerome Powell since he had that extraordinary statement on January 11 where he revealed this Justice Department investigation. He struck a defiant tone. He made clear that he does not think that this DOJ investigation is about his testimony over controversial renovation projects at the Fed.

He drew a direct line between the investigation and this broader White House pressure campaign to get them to lower interest rates and the DOJ probe, I mean it drew a lot of push back, not just from Democrats, but also from some Wall Street CEOs.

From some lawmakers, some Republican lawmakers, and also all three living former Fed Chairs, Alan Greenspan, Janet Yellen and Ben Bernanke, they all said, look, this is not how monetary policy is done in the United States. This is how it's done in emerging markets with weak institutions.

And this also all comes after Jerome Powell decided to appear in person last week at that high stakes oral arguments before the Supreme Court over the President's efforts to fire sitting Fed Governor, Lisa Cook.

Many justices, including some of the conservatives, they sounded skeptical, Kate about the President's assertion that he has the right to fire a sitting Fed governor, and now investors are going to watch to see how today's decision plays out, whether or not Jerome Powell, he addresses the elephant in the room here, which is all the pressure on the Fed, and if he drops any hints about what it will take for the Fed to resume cutting interest rates later this year. Back to you. [09:35:00]

BOLDUAN: Yeah, if he doesn't address it, he's sure to be asked about it. There's few certainties in life. That's one of them. It's great to see you, Matt. Thank you so much.

EGAN: Thank you.

BOLDUAN: So it is the snub heard round the sports world. Bill Belichick, a man with what is it, eight Super Bowl wins under his belt, has apparently been boxed out from being a first ballot pick for the Hall of Fame. Why?

Plus one of the stars of the hit show, "Heated Rivalry" joins us to talk about that show's sudden and viral success.

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[09:40:00]

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JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Incredible political shifts when it comes to ICE and opinions on the President's action on immigration, not to mention Kristi Noem, who runs Homeland Security. You've got Republicans calling for investigations into ICE, you've got Republicans saying that Kristi Noem should go. So what is it that everyone's seeing here with these political shifts?

Chief Data Analyst, Harry Enten is here. He's been here the whole time hearing me say all of this. So let's talk about this. When you're -- these politicians you know, perhaps changing your positions on what you want to see from the administration, what are they seeing?

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: What are they seeing? They are seeing that the story of ICE and the story of Minneapolis is crowding out everything else. I mean, just take a look here. Google searches for ICE up 1300 percent versus last month. That is an all-time high.

And more than that, the story isn't going away. The Google searches, the interest just keeps climbing higher and higher and higher to quote, Jackie Wilson, and it is way higher than the other big political stories of this month, Greenland or Jerome Powell. This is the political story of 2026 so far.

BERMAN: And what's interesting is this just the last month, I bet you, wasn't even that low a month ago.

ENTEN: No, it wasn't. Remember, this has been a story been going on, and this is breaking records, just climbing higher and higher.

BERMAN: This is ICE specific when we're talking about the President's immigration efforts writ large, there's something different about ICE within that. Yes?

ENTEN: That's exactly, right. You know, we talk sometimes about immigration at large, and I think one of the things that President Trump is paying attention to is the story had been previously with immigration. You go back a year ago, it was border security, right? That was a story that Donald Trump really liked and continues to really like, but ICE isn't part of that.

Take a look at this, the net approval rating of Trump's handling of the U.S.-Mexico border. He's actually on the plus side of the ledger at plus four points. This is what he wants the story to be, right? This is why Tom Homan, who, of course, the border czar, is going to Minneapolis, right? Going to Minneapolis, because that's what he likes.

He does not like this story to be about immigration and custom enforcement. I mean, just look at the difference in these numbers, right? Again, we often talk about immigration with this broad brush, but within there, there are very important details, political details, in which the American people are seeing massive differences. And that is why I think you're seeing the political actors, Congressmen, reacting very differently to these two different situations.

Because we're talking about what? A 31-point difference on the net approval rating. Trump's handling of U.S.-Mexico border, still getting the thumbs up, but ICE and what's going on in Minneapolis, that is a political anchor on the president of the United States.

BERMAN: In a very real and metaphorical way. It turns out the U.S.- Mexico border not near Minneapolis. What has this done to approval ratings of the president's cabinet?

ENTEN: You know, this is again, you see these numbers here, and this is why in that opening slide, you know, I said, you know, Kristi Noem is having big issues, because just take a look here. Take a look at the net approval rating of Trump cabinet members. I mean, who's the lowest on the list?

It's Kristi Noem at minus 16 points. RFK Jr, minus 11. Pete Hegseth, minus nine. Marco Rubio, the best like to the bunch here at minus three points. But the story here is pretty simple, which is that Kristi Noem is the one who is pulling Trump down the most. And this is very much what we see in this slide as well, where you see that ICE much less popular than Trump's immigration efforts.

And again, Kristi Noem being the most unpopular member of the cabinet.

BERMAN: What are the prediction markets saying about whether the Homeland Security Secretary will survive this?

ENTEN: Yeah. OK, so you see this number here, she's the least like member of the cabinet. You see here, ICE being very much disliked. You see here, of course, ICE crowding out every other story. And that is why, at this particular point, the chance to be the first to leave Trump's cabinet, Kristi Noem. Look at this shift.

On Friday, it was 18 percent but then the shooting over the weekend all the way up to 43 percent. By far, the most of any cabinet member, Kristi Noem, the most likely to be the first to go again. BERMAN: Yeah, the President says she's not going anywhere. We'll see

what happens. Harry Enten, thank you very much.

ENTEN: Thank you, John.

BERMAN: A lot of news. We'll be right back.

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[09:45:00]

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BERMAN: New this morning, Amazon just announced it is cutting 16,000 corporate jobs as the company says it is shifting toward investments in A.I.. Amazon says the layoffs will not become a quote, new rhythm, but this is the company's second round of big layoffs in the last three months.

A mountain lion has been captured after prowling around the streets of San Francisco, which was the best show in the 70s, starring Karl Malden and Michael Douglas. Animal Care and Control were able to track and corner it near an apartment building. They eventually tranquilized the lion in order to get him out safely. Officials now say they will release him back into the wild.

New this morning, I got to say the sports world was just shocked after a report that Bill Belichick, who has won more Super Bowls than any coach in history, was not elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He's got six Super Bowls. ESPN says he didn't get the necessary 40 votes from the 50 person panel of voters.

The reaction, like I said, from the football world, is pretty stunning. Patrick Mahomes wrote, it's insane. LeBron James, who does not play football, wrote egregious. President Trump weighed in, calling it ridiculous. Belichick's 333 wins in the regular season and playoffs are second most all time. There are some you know, iffy spots in his career, including the fact that the Patriots were involved in what's known as Spygate stealing signals before a Super Bowl.

[09:50:00]

A daylight robbery in California. Thieves drove a stolen car into the front window of a jewelry store. They ransacked the place before driving off. A short time later, they crashed the getaway vehicle. Eight suspects, including someone under age, were arrested. Kate?

BOLDUAN: How it's going to happen? And I just want to note how the -- your unbiased assessment of the Belichick's case (ph) is.

BERMAN: I think Halls of Fame are stupid. So I'm not particularly into this story, but it's pretty --

BOLDUAN: I just fell more in love with you, if that was even possible, I just fell more in love with you because I concur, Doctor (ph).

BERMAN: It's just stupid that they didn't elect him. It really is.

BOLDUAN: There's stupidity abound, except for this. This is the smartest thing we've done all day. CNN News Central is CNN's official "Heated Rivalry" headquarters. Earlier this month, you will recall star-crossed lover Shane Hollander, aka Hudson Williams, joined us on set to talk about the show's wild, viral success.

To say the stars of the HBO Max's hit show are riding a wave of enthusiasm would be quite an understatement. For the uninitiated, the show has, well, it all. It has hockey, rivals, romance, some seriously steamy scenes, and it's also all about family.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So when?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Since our rookie season.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Since your rookie season?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, it's not true, since before that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not helpful.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Before?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Summer before.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So you've been in love since --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, no, no, no, no.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Just what?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Leo?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, OK.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just what?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Lovers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. No one is allowed to use that word again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: There's so much said in the not said portions of that, it was amazing. Joining us right now is another star of the show, Christina Chang, who plays Yuna Hollander, Shane's devoted mom, and on this wonderful show, "Heated Rivalry." Thank you for being here. CHRISTINA CHANG, ACTRESS, HEATED RIVALRY: Thank you for having me.

BOLDUAN: It's great to have you. What do you attribute to what -- the wild success of this show?

CHANG: I think we're currently in a space where we could use a little joy in our world. And so I think this is a really joyful, happy story, and the end of the day, it's about love.

BERMAN: So you're kind of currently the world's most famous hockey mom.

CHANG: Oh.

BERMAN: Right?

CHANG: Maybe.

BOLDUAN: Totally.

CHANG: I'll take it.

BERMAN: There's like, many different things going on with this story, but one of the things that's kind of cool is your portrayal of this mother who's obsessed, really, genuinely obsessed with hockey and her son.

CHANG: That's right. She grew up watching hockey and being obsessed with it, and then was obviously very excited when she found out her son was also really talented and rose in the ranks and was -- and she's a true hockey mom, right?

Like all the hockey moms I know, like a real loyal advocate of their children and the sport.

BOLDUAN: I was reading about it that you had not read the books before you joined the show, and then you said in an interview that when you read the scene when Shane comes out to his parents, to you, that was part of the reason why you wanted to join the show. What was it about that?

CHANG: Correct. I think we haven't seen this portrayal as much, and it's a nice reflection of other people's experiences. You know, not to take lightly other -- the other side, which we've seen portrayed more right, the more traumatic experiences. And I wanted to highlight that and normalize it, you know, to this experience for families.

BERMAN: You talk about normalize it. That scene which is really terrific.

CHANG: Thank you.

BERMAN: And has like 18 different beats in it, you know, for an actor. But my favorite again, on the hockey mom thing, you just found out that your son is gay, has been sleeping with his main rival, has been keeping it with you for seven years, and one of the things you care about the most and you know, spoiler alert, but that's OK, everyone's seen it already, is the idea that you know that your son's rival might actually be willing to move cities to be closer to him, because you can't even conceive that a player would leave his original team.

CHANG: Why? Loyalty is everything, right? And so she's like, no, listen, you know what's -- where is your loyalty truly, right? So, I mean, it's hockey or my son. Hockey or my son. Don't make me choose. Gosh.

BOLDUAN: Is there a moment for you when you realize, not only you know you're proud of your work, at your -- your entire body of work that you've done, but would you -- was there a moment for you when you realized, oh my gosh, this is really a thing, this show?

CHANG: What drew me to the show and the script and it was the story, so I thought that was -- I know what you're talking about, but I will say just briefly, before we knew it was going to be what it is, I was just drawn to the story and loved it, and was hoping for great success in Canada on Crave.

And then when HBO came in two weeks prior and picked it up, I was like, well, maybe this will reach the world, or at least the U.S. and Australia. And now, no, we didn't have any idea, though, that it would be this big.

[09:55:00]

BERMAN: All right. So you -- one of the things that obviously people are focused on are the love scenes, the sex scenes, right?

CHANG: Yes.

BERMAN: You were obviously not there when they were being filmed, because that would be really inappropriate, right.

CHANG: No, I wasn't. That would be really -- yes, inappropriate.

BOLDUAN: What if Hudson's like everyone's seen every part of me --

CHANG: Yes, they have.

BERMAN: So when you first saw -- I mean being a part of the show, but not being there, then when you did first see it, what was your reaction?

CHANG: I was, like, everybody else, you know, like, oh my gosh, what's happening, that's my son. No, yeah, I -- you know, I had read the scripts, obviously, right? And those were also written in some detail.

BERMAN: But there were no pictures in the book.

CHANG: I dint see it. No pictures. I thought it was beautifully shot. You know, Jackson, our DP and Jacob, our director, did a beautiful job filming all of it. So I think it was really well done. But yes, it's steamy, it's -- it's sexy, it's -- that's what hooks you, right?

BOLDUAN: It's all the things. And now on to Season Two.

CHANG: Yeah.

BOLDUAN: Congrats.

CHANG: Thank you. Very excited.

BOLDUAN: Thank you for sharing a little bit of your morning.

BERMAN: We're really, genuinely big fans so thanks for coming in.

CHANG: Thank you.

BERMAN: Congratulations on all the great work.

CHANG: Thank you.

BERMAN: Christina Chang. And thank you all for joining us.

BOLDUAN: Thank you, John Berman.

BERMAN: Thank you.

BOLDUAN: Thank you.

BERMAN: Kate Bolduan.

BOLDUAN: Thank you.

BERMAN: Star Search, she's a star. This is CNN News Central. Situation Room on next.

BOLDUAN: You're never going to love it.

BERMAN: Star Search.

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