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Ernest J. Moniz is Interviewed about the Strait of Hormuz; Turnout in Primary Elections; Brian Kelly is Interviewed about Airline Costs; Markwayne Mullin Senate Hearing. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired March 18, 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: We've got some new developments out of Iran. Central Command says it dropped 5,000-pound guided bombs along the coast of the Strait of Hormuz to target anti-ship cruise missiles in Iran. Just yesterday President Trump said it won't be long before the critical shipping passages reopen.

But it's not just missiles that are threatening the ships in the strait. It's also mines. Two sources tell CNN that Iran began laying mines in the strait last week.

There are several different kinds of mines in Iran's arsenal. A drifting mine floats on top of the water, drifting with the current, and it detonates on contact with a ship. A moored mine is similar but is anchored to the seabed by a cable. It also detonates when a ship's hull hits it. And there's also the seabed mine, or bottom mine. It sits on the sea floor. And it uses sensors like magnets and acoustics to determine the location of a ship. These use a much larger amount of explosives, causing an even bigger detonation.

Iran has also what are called limpet mines. These are smaller and are placed on a vessel by a diver, and they explode after a set amount of time. So, the goal is usually to target the underwater gear of a ship. According to estimates by the Defense Intelligence Agency, Iran has about 5,000 naval mines, which is part of what makes the waterway so extremely dangerous for ships.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, let's turn back to what happens in the Strait of Hormuz, that key shipping channel, especially when it comes to the world's oil.

Joining me right now is a former energy secretary under President Obama, Ernest Moniz.

Secretary, thanks for being here.

ERNEST J. MONIZ, FORMER ENERGY SECRETARY: Thank you.

BOLDUAN: I want to read for you what I just heard the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt say on Fox News at the top of this hour, talking about the status of the Strait of Hormuz. She said, "we don't need the Strait of Hormuz for our energy here at home."

As a former energy secretary, do you think that's the case?

MONIZ: Well, not really, because as we've seen, the oil price is really a global price. And so, if the oil markets are roiled internationally, it spills back here to the United States. We are paying $100 a barrel of oil. That's the reality. When you go to the gas station, you see the price of the pump is up $0.75 per gallon, whatever. What is -- what is different is natural gas. People forget that 20 percent of LNG also goes through the Strait of Hormuz. That is a case where the shortage of LNG has spiked prices in Asia and Europe without affecting domestic natural gas prices. But oil is a different business. It's a -- it's a liquid market and we are paying the price, just like everybody else is.

BOLDUAN: Secretary, the question then becomes, what are the options to getting it flowing once again? Bob McNally, who was an energy adviser to President George W. Bush during the Iraq War, he told CBS essentially, naval escorts through the strait are a sideshow, strategic stockpile oil reserves, releasing that, a sideshow. A gas tax holiday, a sideshow. What do you see as the options?

MONIZ: Well, when all is said and done, I would agree, I think, with the implication that we need to get barrels of oil on the market. And the amount that has to get on the market is, let's say, the order of 10 million barrels a day. You know, the shortage might be a bit more than that, but 10 million barrels a day would pretty much settle the issue.

Petroleum reserves you mentioned. So, for example, in the recent announcement of the coordinated release, the United States said it would release 172 million barrels. That's quite a bit of oil. However, the reality is that the status of the petroleum reserve physically allows us to release only up to about 1.4 million barrels a day. So, when you put the 400 million in context for OECD, we're not -- we're not approaching 10 million barrels a day by any means. The tax holiday, obviously, that would save people $0.17 or something like that a gallon for a while, but it's not a fundamental solution.

BOLDUAN: Yes, when you talk about the flow rate, I actually brought that up with the current energy secretary, Chris Wright, when he was on with me last week. And in our conversation I'd asked him about something Iran had said, which was they said -- threatened that Iran -- that oil could go up to $200 a barrel. I asked him about that. He said it was unlikely, but the implication is not impossible that oil prices could reach $200 a barrel. What do you think?

MONIZ: Well, I would agree, it's a possibility.

[09:35:00]

We don't see it right now. In fact, to be honest, I've been somewhat surprised by the stability in the -- in the oil price over the last several days. I mean it's the so-called brent benchmark is back over $100. And it's gone up today. There was also some, I think you mentioned earlier, some not so encouraging inflation data, for example, which has got nothing to do with Iran directly. It does -- it does indirectly.

But I think these wild spikes are still possible, in particular, if Iran decides that it's going to restrict flow through the Strait of Hormuz for quite some time. We don't know what's going to happen. The strait is not fully closed. I mean Iranian oil is getting out. Ships are going to China with oil. They're -- they've spoken about allowing Indian and Pakistani vessels through. So, there's a partial flow, but not for our allies. And the rate of going through is a few ships a day rather than say the hundred ships per day that might be more typical. I don't mean only oil tankers. I also mean cargo ships and other kinds of -- other kinds of commodities. But, obviously, oil tankers make up a big part of that.

BOLDUAN: Yes, a big part of the conversation, for sure.

Former Secretary Ernest Moniz, thank you for coming in.

Sara.

SIDNER: All right, thank you, Kate.

Ahead, dashcam footage captures a wild ride. What happens when a woman steals an ambulance?

And, what two NASA astronauts are going to do today that, boy, I wish I could be with them, but it's going to last six hours, so maybe not

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:41:30]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, the dust settling over big primary elections in Illinois. We're going to talk about not who won but who voted, because that may have a bigger impact nationally.

With us now, CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten.

So, let's talk about what we saw in terms of turnout.

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: Democratic enthusiasm through the roof. They are so excited they just can't hide it.

What are we talking about? Share of Illinois midterm Democratic primary ballots. In 2022 Democrats cast 53 percent of the primary ballots, compared to 47 percent of Republicans. Look at what we have in 2026. Hello. We're talking about Democrats casting 68 percent of the primary ballots with an estimated more than 90 percent of the vote. And outvoting Republicans by a more than two to one margin. What was a very tight race in 2022 in terms of primary ballots cast in the Illinois primaries, became a blowout for Democrats in 2026. As I said, Democrats very enthusiastic in Illinois.

BERMAN: I was just going to say, and that's what's notable here because it can be indicative of enthusiasm, which can carry on over time.

What are we seeing in terms of primary turnout for Democrats compared to, you know, the 2024 elections?

ENTEN: You know, we're right now talking about Illinois, right? But now we've had five primaries this primary season. I decided to tally them all up. What share are Democrats making up of the votes cast so far? We're talking about 55 percent of the votes cast so far, Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas. Not many blue states on the board right there. A lot of red states. Yet Democrats are outvoting Republicans. Very much unlike what we saw in 2024 when Kamala Harriss vote share in those same exact states was 46 percent. So, now Democrats are the majority of primary ballots being cast and Kamala Harris actually lost cumulatively in these states to Donald Trump. So, these are red states and they are turning blue in 2026.

BERMAN: And this is something that I learned -- I learned only from you, which is that when you're talking about turnout in a primary, how predictive is that in terms of which party is turning out more?

ENTEN: You know, sometimes I'm academic, but I like to be in the real world as well. This is not just an academic discussion. Why is this important that Democrats are turning out in such large numbers? Because take a look here. National primary turnout edge by party then went on to win the U.S. House of Representatives that fall. In 2006, it was the Democrats. In 2010, the Republicans. In 2014, the Republicans. In 2018, the Democrats. In 2022, the Republicans. When one party outvotes the other one in primaries during midterm primary seasons, they then go on to win the House five out of five times. The fact that Democrats are so enthusiastic this primary season is very big news come the fall because, historically speaking, that means they have a very delicious fall. They go on to win the House of Representatives.

BERMAN: And what are the prediction markets thinking about all this?

ENTEN: Yes, OK. So, you see this. You see the primary votes being cast, right? What about the prediction markets? What about the Kalshi prediction markets?

Chance Democrats take the House in 2026. You go back to just before election day 2025. Democrats had just a 58 percent chance. Hello, we're now talking an 84 percent chance near record high for Democrats to take back the House, according to the Kalshi prediction market. V very much matching what we're seeing so far this primary season. Democrats are so enthusiastic they just can't hide it. The same as I feel every single morning when I'm with you.

BERMAN: Yes, I was going to say, as Robert De Niro said in "Untouchables," enthusiasm

[09:45:00]

ENTEN: Enthusiasm.

BERMAN: Enthusiasm.

ENTEN: Enthusiasm. BERMAN: Harry Enten, thank you very much for that.

ENTEN: Thank you.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SIDNER: Air travel, as you know, is chaotic in some parts of the country right now. The ongoing partial government shutdown forcing TSA workers once again to work without pay. And some of them just can't afford to do it anymore. So, they're not showing up. The TSA administrator, Adam Stahl, just spoke with our John Berman about whether some airports may have to close if this continues.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ADAM STAHL, TSA ACTING DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR: There are a variety of factors that will make a -- help us make a determination.

[09:50:02]

But staffing, of course, is a huge component of that. But again, we make those determinations on a case by case basis. But again, the reality is, is the longer these individuals don't get paid, the more difficult it will be for them to afford to come in to the airport. And they will also look for another job to make ends meet. That's the reality of the situation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SIDNER: The points guy, Brian Kelly, is here now to break down some of the rising costs that we are all experiencing and what you might be able to try to do about it.

Boy, this is complicated because gas prices are up. Fuel is up for the airlines. And that price is often trickles down to the rest of us trying to get a flight. What is some advice that you can tell fliers who are going on spring break now?

BRIAN KELLY, FOUNDER, THEPOINTSGUY.COM: Yes. So, I mean, flights prices, especially international, we've seen increases of up to 100 percent. You know, the world is largely avoiding the Middle East, which is a huge connecting hub to Africa and Asia. So, if you're traveling internationally, book as far in advance as possible. You know, at ThePointsGuy we've researched this summer, there's still some pretty good deals to Europe. So, you know, spring break travel is now. If you haven't booked, good luck. But I would really start booking summer travel and be as flexible as possible.

SIDNER: That is really good advice, just talking about doing things way early. But there's so much uncertainty now. A lot of people are kind of holding back and wondering, do we even travel at all?

Are you seeing any difference in the number of people who are traveling, considering they're starting to see all of these lines and the difficulties and the price of things just really high?

KELLY: Yes, we haven't -- you know, there's still a record number of people traveling, but I know anecdotally, a lot of people are canceling trips right now. But I do want to calm peoples nerves. In most airports around the country, you're not seeing the three hour lines. Certainly, you know, Atlanta, Houston, New Orleans have seen record call out numbers, and that probably will get worse. But, by and large, especially if you have pre-check and if you have pre-check, enroll in touchless I.D. with the major airlines. That's the fastest lane in most airports these days that people don't know about.

So, with the couple preparation tips, you can still travel well. It's not chaos everywhere, at least not yet.

SIDNER: Brian Kelly, thank you so much. People are going to do what they got to do to try and save themselves a little bit of money, as they should.

Let's just quickly jump in live now to the confirmation hearings for Senator Markwayne Mullin, who is vying to be DHS secretary. It has been pretty spicy so far.

Listen.

SEN. MARKWAYNE MULLIN (R-OK), DHS SECRETARY NOMINEE: Regardless if I have an opinion about you or not, you were elected by your state, and I respect that. I may disagree with you, but I respect it, because we all make decisions based on two things, that way we're raised, which never changes, and our life experiences, which constantly change.

For me, to be able to have the love of my life behind me, somebody I literally fell in love with in third grade, I knew I was going to marry her in eighth grade. She didn't know that yet. We had to work through that process. But at 18 years old, and I was 19, she agreed to marry me. I didn't have anything. I was on a wrestling scholarship, living in a dorm. She was cheering at Northeastern State University. I think she fell in love with my truck because my truck was pretty cool.

But the truth is, we didn't know what we didn't know, but we did know we loved each other. And I haven't been perfect. And I apologize to her quite often and send her flowers all the time. But I still am humbled by the fact that we've got to enjoy this walk together. We've had God on our side and her right beside me.

And to our six children, who's been on this adventure with me, what an adventure it's been. We have a saying in our family, you're never going to change anything you're willing to tolerate. That's how we live our life, and that's how we move forward.

And regardless of -- regardless of what's in front of us, we always take it on as a family. And I'm not scared of a challenge.

I am scared of failure. And so, I will work hard each day. I'll work hard to make the 280,000 employees at DHS with the 22 agencies that's underneath me, proud. They'll show -- I'll show them somebody that no one will outwork. I'll work beside them every single day, to not just secure a homeland, to bring peace of mind and confidence to the agency.

My goal in six months is that we're not in the lead story every single day. My goal is for people to understand we're out there, we're protecting them, and we're working with them.

[09:55:00]

My goal is to make every one of you guys proud. My goal for those that don't support me, regret not supporting me.

But we have to get DHS funded. We have to. My friends, we have to set the partizan side down and we have to realize that we're putting our homeland and the peace of mind at risk for the American people. Sometimes it's political theater. Sometimes it's true differences. But what we do know is that we're playing with fire.

We have 280,000 DHS employees right now that are on day 30 without pay, and they're still showing up every single day to do their job. That is a dedicated group of people. And we should all be proud of them. We should all be working together and we should all be trying to fund them.

So, I pray, seriously, I pray that we can get past this. That once this hearing is over and once we go through this process, I get it, I get some of it's got to be political theater. I understand it. I've had to really pray about my attitude. But I will say, once it's over, I hope we can work together and get them funded so when I walk in, if I'm fortunate enough to be confirmed, if I walk in as secretary, that these guys are ready to go to work day one.

So, God bless you. Thank you so much for this opportunity. And I look forward to your questions.

SEN. RAND PAUL (R-KY): It's the standard practice of this committee for the chairman to ask nominees the following question. Do you agree, without reservation, to comply with any request or summons to appear or testify before any duly constituted committee of Congress if you're confirmed?

MULLIN: I do.

PAUL: We'll now proceed to seven minutes of questioning.

The record should show, and I think will show, a lack of contrition, no apology and no regrets for your support. You completely understand the violence that was perpetrated on me. You're unrepentant. The only thing you quibble about is whether I met you somehow when you were in the House. I don't think we ever met when you were in the House. And this idea that the only thing you're upset about is not that you were for violence. What you're upset about is that I called you a liar because you said it to my face. Which really more about this machismo that you have.

When in Oklahoma the media asked you about the refugee welfare programs, the programs you voted to continue funding, it was this whole idea that you were going to transfer because you were uncomfortable. You were anger. Low impulse control. You know, causes you to then go after and decide that you're going to go after me as well. And so you say you completely understood that I was assaulted from behind, had six ribs broken and part of my lung removed and that was just fine. That's something that you, I guess, approve of as far as resolution of political problems.

When I talked to you on the private -- on -- privately on the phone, there was no apology. You just said, well, we can let our political difference, you know, go by. And you say -- you said a few minutes ago, we can just set it aside. Well, political differences we can. But when you say that you agree with a felon, a Trump-hating felon who attacked me, somehow you think I'm just going to set that aside? Oh, it's no big deal. You know, I lay in pain for two months, had six ribs broken, three of them separated, grinding upon bone on bone for months, had part of my lung removed, and you think that's great? And to be extolled. I mean, the sheer lack of any kind of self-awareness that you're going to be leading thousands of men and women who will be -- have the use of force. And there's been great questions in our country about how that will be used and you think a violent attack is just fine.

So, I guess my first question is, do you think that justifying that kind of violence sets a good example for the men and women of ICE and Border Patrol?

MULLIN: Mr. Chairman, first of all, I didn't know the extent of your damage. When the phone call was made, I made it to you and I tried to talk to you. You didn't engage at all. In fact, you said, get your paperwork in, it's got to be in three work -- three days in between (INAUDIBLE).

PAUL: You offered no apology.

MULLIN: Sir --

PAUL: And you offer no apology today. And no regrets.

MULLIN: I don't --

PAUL: Haven't heard the word apologize. Haven't heard the word regret. Haven't heard, I misspoke and it was heated and I made a mistake. I haven't heard any of those words.

MULLIN: Actually, it -- sir, actually it wasn't heated and I'm not apologizing for pointing out your character.

PAUL: Good. Good. So, you're jolly well fine. And you want the American public, and the people up here to vote -- that may or may not vote for you to know that you supported the felonious, violent attack on me from behind.

[09:59:59]

MULLIN: I did not say I supported it. I said I understood it. There's a difference.

PAUL: Oh, so that --

MULLIN: By calling you -- by calling you --

PAUL: And so that means you really didn't approve of it. Just completely understand it. What do you think most people would interpret