Return to Transcripts main page

CNN News Central

Paratroopers Expected to Deploy to Middle East; U.S. Negotiations with Iran; Special Elections in Florida; First Responder Saves Woman; Sara Nelson is Interviewed about Airport Lines; Kennedy's Grandson on White House Renovation. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired March 25, 2026 - 08:30   ET

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

[08:30:00]

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: The family of Mr. Coyle.

This morning, CNN has learned more U.S. soldiers in another scenario preparing to deploy to the Middle East despite President Trump's claim that the war with Iran has already been won. Sources say about 1,000 paratroopers with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division are now on standby. That's in addition to the thousands of U.S. forces already headed to the region, which includes 2,000 Marines.

CNN's Zach Cohen is joining me now from Washington with more on what we know about the troops that are now being deployed from the 82nd Airborne.

What are you learning, Zach?

ZACHARY COHEN, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY REPORTER: Yes, Sara, these are paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne, which is a division within the Army that can deploy anywhere in the world in 18 hours from their base in North Carolina. And we're told that written orders have been approved to send elements of the 82nd Airborne to the Middle East as part of this ongoing combat operations targeting Iran.

Now, as -- it's just pieces of the 82nd Airborne. It's not the entire brigade for now. But we are told that it will include the commander of the division, as well as leadership staff, and around 1,000 paratroopers that will act as what's known as an immediate response force. This is effectively a force that can be called upon at a moments notice if needed to serve in a variety of capacities.

It remains unclear, though, what exactly the mission for these U.S. troops will be once they ultimately do arrive in the Middle East. We've heard the Trump administration is considering various missions that would require -- likely require some U.S. presence on the ground in order to carry out a lot of discussion about Kharg Island and what it would take for the U.S. to seize that key piece of Iran's oil infrastructure.

But still, this is more troop movement to the Middle East at a time when Donald Trump is really highlighting or pushing this diplomatic effort, this renewed diplomatic effort. Obviously, there is a lack of clarity around whether the Iranians are open to the terms that have been set forth by the United States. But again, the military is still moving assets into the region and raising a lot more questions as to what ultimately is the end game here. That has been the question since the beginning. And will Donald Trump put boots on the ground remains a key question as well. That's something the president has not ruled out.

SIDNER: Yes, there are a lot of questions, but sending in more troops gives you somewhat of an answer as to where we're going unless this is all worked out between Iran and the United States.

Zach Cohen, thank you so much for your reporting. I really do appreciate it.

All right, Erica.

ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: There are also mixed messages this morning about whether the United States and Iran are even in negotiations to end this war. The president expressing optimism that a deal is, in fact, in sight to end the war. He says Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio are leading the talks. Iran, however, for its part, has not publicly acknowledged any talks. In fact, a spokesman for the Iranian military says the U.S. is essentially negotiating with itself, though an Iranian source telling CNN there has been some outreach, though, between the two countries.

The war itself is now in its 26th day, and it is stretching the patience of some U.S. allies, including the prime minister of Spain, who's been a prominent critic of the effort from day one.

Take a listen to what he had to say earlier today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PEDRO SANCHEZ, PRIME MINISTER OF SPAIN (through translator): What have the promoters of this illegal war achieved? In my opinion, this is what they have done. First, undermined the international law, destabilize the Middle East, reignited conflicts in Iraq and Lebanon, buried Gaza under the rubble, and the rubble of oblivion and indifference. They brought insecurity to gulf countries that, until less than a month ago, were safe, encouraged nuclear programs in Pakistan and North Korea, and given Vladimir Putin more than eight billion euros to finance his war and invasion in Ukraine thanks to rising fuel prices and the lifting of sanctions also brought about by the U.S. administration.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: Joining me now, CNN global affairs analyst Brett McGurk.

Brett, good to have you here this morning.

When we look at where things stand, what we know, President Trump touting this 15-point plan, which is basically what was in discussion before the U.S. and Israel started this war, does it surprise you that we would be dealing with essentially the same proposal at this point? BRETT MCGURK, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: Erica, I think this is not a

negotiation right now. I would call it positioning. So, you have intermediaries, Pakistan, Turkey, probably passing messages. The Americans, it appears, have put down a maximalist set of demands, I suspect the Iranians will do the same from their side, to see if there might be a path for some diplomatic off ramp.

But I just have to say, Erica, in my experience dealing with the Iranians and trying to assess the situation, right now I see that as unlikely. I don't see, given what's happening in Iran, someone rising up from the system, and the first thing they do is to do a deal with what Iran calls the "Great Satan." And this is just central to Iran, the regime, since 1979, their doctrine, Erica.

[08:35:03]

One of the bloodiest wars of the 20th century, the Iran-Iraq War, went on for almost a decade, 500,000 casualties and Khamenei, the first supreme leader, declared that war a divine gift for Iran. That's kind of how they -- these guys see it. So, the idea that someone's going to rise up, the first thing to do is a deal with us, I just find unlikely. I hope so. I hope there's going to be a diplomatic off ramp. But I see this as positioning. And as you reported, we're getting more forces in place to give some more options to the president. The military campaign is continuing. So, bottom line, I think this is going to go on for some time.

HILL: It's interesting too, your word choice of positioning, right? Ass you point out, more troops moving into the region. And what we're hearing from both sides, right? Iran, as you lay out, maybe not that involved here, maybe not that interested in many ways, saying that the U.S. is negotiating with itself.

I was also struck by the comments that we heard from Secretary Hegseth yesterday, and I just want to play those to get your sense of how this could impact positioning, negotiation, wherever these talks stand. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PETE HEGSETH, DEFENSE SECRETARY: Because we have a president of the United States that when he sends his war fighters out to fight, he unties their hands to actually go out and close with and destroy the enemy as viciously as possible from moment one. And that's why we see ourselves as part of this negotiation as well. We're -- we negotiate with bombs.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: We negotiate with bombs. How does that impact negotiations, positioning, any sort of conversation?

MCGURK: Well, there is an element in a conflict like this where the military pressure plays into the diplomatic strategy. Frankly, that's a strategy Iran has used for years. They would turn the heat up, attacks on us, attacks on others, as they are negotiating. But stepping back, Erica, the military campaign and the military

objectives, degrading Iran's missile and drone capability, their command and control, their ability to project power, that is -- has been successful. And that is -- that is continuing. I think there are metrics to measure it. But strategically, if Iran remains in control of the Strait of Hormuz, then they have demonstrated a really essential element of their future deterrence that they can hold the entire global economy hostage. So that - still, it really comes down to the Strait of Hormuz. You can maybe get a diplomatic arrangement, but right now Iran is not -- they put a statement out last night, Erica, saying, yes, we'll open it, we'll allow ships to go through, but only ships that we approve. No ships that have any association with the Americans or friends of the Americans. And it looks like the Iranians are requiring a toll to go through there. That's just completely, I think, unacceptable. And it would be a very bad outcome.

So, yes, the military campaign on both sides has an element for how you shape the table to get to a negotiation. But at the end of the day, you have to have some arrangement for how this comes to a conclusion. And that still remains very much in doubt.

HILL: Yes. Brett, always appreciate your insight. Thank you.

Sara.

SIDNER: All right, thank you so much, Erica.

Democrats are celebrating a big win this morning in Florida's special elections. CNN projects Democrat Emily Gregory will flip a Republican- held state house seat whose district includes President Trump's Mar-a- Lago resort.

CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten is with me now.

I mean, ouch.

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: How delicious for Democrats this morning. My goodness gracious. They're waking up -- maybe they're going to get brunch at Mar-a-Lago and say, yummy, yummy. Because this result will make their stomachs feel quite good indeed.

Florida's 87th house district election margin -- Sara is laughing over there. Look at this. In 2024, Donald Trump won it by 11 points. Look at this swing all the way to the left. We got Gregory, the Democrat, winning it by two points in this state house special election.

I will also note that they flipped a state senate district as well further north in the state. So, double fun for Democrats in a state that they have been struggling with. Democrats have lost so much power in Florida over the last decade. And then they're able to win in Donald Trump's backyard. Democrats are absolutely loving it this morning.

SIDNER: I'm laughing because you said that they were going to have brunch at Mar-a-Lago, yummy, yummy. Really? Really, is that what's going to happen? ENTEN: Food is always on my mind because I intermittent fast.

SIDNER: Clearly. All right, how does this fit what we've seen nationwide so far?

ENTEN: Yes. OK.

SIDNER: And it follows a trend, right?

ENTEN: Yes, it absolutely follows a trend.

Look, what is happening around Mar-a-Lago is not just staying at Mar- a-Lago, it's expanding out. I mentioned that other districts of the state senate district they flipped last night in Florida. But it's not just there, it's nationwide as well.

Take a look here. OK, the average 2025, 2026 special election so far, Democrats are doing, get this, 12 points better, up like a rocket, versus Kamala Harris' baseline in 2024. This 12-points, very similar to this 13-point swing that we saw right in Florida, right around Mar- a-Lago in the 87th District.

[08:40:02]

And I will note, I was counting it up. I believe that is about a dozen different special elections in which we have seen a flip from Republican control to Democrat control. So, what is happening and happened last night in Florida is really emblematic of what we have seen nationwide so far, which is Democrats very much outrunning the baseline from 2024.

SIDNER: All right. How does this look for the midterms? Because you can't absolutely predict it. But, boy, you're starting to get some real signs.

ENTEN: We are getting some really big signs. Look, part of the reason we look at this, it's not just because I love elections, which I absolutely do. I mean there was a reason why I wrote in my high school paper about elections. Why I watch old election night videos as well. It is because they mean so much for power come November.

Look back through the history books. Look back, since I was in high school. Look at the special elections in midterm results. When a party outperforms a midterm -- special elections in midterm cycles since 2005, look at this, five out of five times that same party went on to win the U.S. House of Representatives. The fact that Democrats are outperforming not just around Mar-a-Lago but nationwide as well is a very telling sign for the future.

Look, sometimes history isn't always prolog, but in this particular case, based upon everything we're seeing, I'm betting it is. What happened last night in Florida probably is emblematic of a larger sign that Democrats are very much likely heading towards getting back the U.S. House of Representatives.

SIDNER: You know what we learned also today? ENTEN: Yes.

SIDNER: Is that your dream has come true.

ENTEN: Yes.

SIDNER: From high school to now, you're now working elections. You're involved.

ENTEN: My -- let me just tell you this. If you had told me a decade or two decades ago I'd be right here with my dear friend Sara Sidner, I would have taken it every single time.

SIDNER: Dreamcatcher.

ENTEN: Dreamcatcher.

SIDNER: Dreamcatcher.

Come on, Harry.

All right, to you, Erica.

ENTEN: There you go.

HILL: Well, you know what? I think we need to get you a new Carvel cake in honor of this moment.

ENTEN: Fudgie the whale?

HILL: Fudgie the whale.

ENTEN: Yes.

SIDNER: Oh, it is done.

HILL: Harry's favorite. We're going to take care of that.

ENTEN: Sounds great. It's a date.

HILL: Breakfast tomorrow. Breakfast of champions.

SIDNER: Good times.

ENTEN: That's right.

HILL: But before we get to that, we want to get to this.

ENTEN: Fine. Go ahead.

HILL: Police and fire departments often work closely together. That partnership, though, really proved to be life-saving last February on an Arizona highway. Ryan Young has this story now, a harrowing story of two men in the right place at the right time for this month's "Beyond the Call of Duty."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RYAN YOUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): On the morning of February 18, 2025, then Officer Brian Larison had just started his shift when he decided to mix things up in his daily routine.

SERGEANT BRIAN LARISON, CHANDLER POLICE DEPARTMENT: My normal route is to go down south from my house, but for some reason that day something just told me, take the 60.

YOUNG (voice over): It wasn't long before he'd happened upon a fiery wreck on U.S. 60 near Mesa.

LARISON: As I approached the truck, I noticed there was a young lady inside. You could see her hands were flailing around on the inside.

YOUNG (voice over): Moments earlier, the vehicle had been rear ended by a cement truck, flipping it over and trapping the mother of three, Aymee Ruiz, inside. She had just dropped off her kids.

LARISON: So, I ran back to my motorcycle and I grabbed my PR 24 baton, which is a side handle baton.

Here. Get out of the way! Get out of the way!

YOUNG (voice over): After a handful of strikes, Officer Larison was finally able to break open the window.

LARISON: Get out! Get out! Get out!

YOUNG (voice over): But just as Amy was about to escape, the vehicle rolled back on its wheels, throwing her back inside.

LARISON: At that point I started running back up to the truck to reach in or try to get her out, and that's when I looked to my right and I saw a fireman in his flame-retardant gear.

Get her out of there!

CAPTAIN ASA PAGULA, PEORIA FIRE-MEDICAL DEPARTMENT: We're going to get her out!

LARISON: Get her out, dude!

YOUNG (voice over): Off duty at the time, firefighter and paramedic Asa Pagula was unusually prepared for the situation.

PAGULA: I don't normally bring my fire gear home with me. That day I had worked an overtime shift, so I happened to have my fire gear in my vehicle.

I couldn't see her. But when I reached in, I felt her legs and I was able to grab her legs and pull her and help her out of that vehicle.

LARISON: We got you. We got you. Anybody else in there?

AYMEE RUIZ, CRASH SURVIVOR: No. LARISON: Help me carry -- help me carry her over here.

RUIZ: No. Help me.

PAGULA: She cried out for help, and she was very confused or hypoxic, so she had probably been low on oxygen from the smoke inhalation. And so, she wasn't very cognizant of where she was or what's going on.

LARISON: I'm glad you're here, brother.

YOUNG (voice over): The two former Marines modestly say they were simply doing their jobs. That's what they signed up for, to serve and protect.

RUIZ: We can't thank you guys enough for my life. There's no words to describe -- there's no word big enough.

YOUNG (voice over): Ryan Young, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HILL: Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's grandson slamming President Trump, accusing him of demolishing her legacy at the White House.

And if you've ever dreamed of having a whole row to yourself on a flight, well, you can. There is a catch, though. You're going to have to pay for it. Details on United's new "relax row" that's giving couch comfort in the sky.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:49:31]

SIDNER: This morning marks 53 days since Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her Arizona home. And her daughter, "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, has a message for anyone with any information about what happened to her mom.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE, "TODAY" SHOW HOST: Someone needs to do the right thing. We are in agony.

HODA KOTB, "TODAY" SHOW HOST: Yes.

GUTHRIE: We are in agony. It is unbearable.

[08:50:05]

I did think of what she went through. I wake up every night, in the middle of the night, every night, and in the darkness I imagine her terror. And it is unthinkable. But those thoughts demand to be thought.

KOTB: Yes. GUTHRIE: And I will not hide my face. But she needs to come home now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SIDNER: Oh, my god, the tragedy this family is going through. Savannah, you saw her there, speaking with Hoda Kotb, who's been filling in for her while she's trying to spend time with family, trying to do everything she can to find her mom. The full interview will air tomorrow and Friday according to the "Today" show.

A source tells CNN that Savannah Guthrie will be back at the anchor desk herself sometime next month. Officials say the investigation into her mother's disappearance is still very much active, with almost two dozen people dedicated to trying to find Mrs. Guthrie.

All right, this morning, Meta says it plans to appeal after a New Mexico jury found it liable for failing to protect children from sexual predators and misleading users about the dangers of its platform. The jury ordered the tech giant to pay $375 million in damages for violating New Mexico's consumer protection law. The state attorney general, who filed the lawsuit, called this a historic victory, saying, quote, "Meta executives knew their products harmed children, disregarded warnings from their own employees and lied to the public about what they knew." A Meta spokesperson says they respectfully disagree with the verdict and remain committed to removing, quote, "bad actors or harmful content." They are appealing, of course.

Erica.

HILL: This morning, the wait times to get through security at airports across the country, they vary. And what they really, though, are is unpredictable. Take, for example, Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport. It's reporting at least a four hour wait this morning. So, the picture that you're looking at, these are lines that have been created in what would have been a drop off area outside the terminal. The strain on TSA workers is obviously impacting the entire air travel industry.

Joining me now, Sara Nelson. She's the international president of the Association of Flight Attendants.

Sara, it's good to have you with us.

So, I know you and the flight attendants union have been so vocal in your support for TSA workers, about the need for them to be paid. Can you walk us through, from your perspective, what you have seen over the last 40-ish days? What has it been like?

SARA NELSON, INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT, ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS: Erica, this is unsustainable. These are people who take an oath to this country. They are there to ensure that our transportation system is secure and that there is free movement of people in commerce. That is their mission. And that was put in place after 9/11.

I know very well what it looked like when we had security for the lowest bidder. I was a Boston-based flight attendant. I walked through Terminal C, where those terrorists went through at those private security checkpoints. And the TSA was formed to federalize that workforce and to integrate with all of our law enforcement agencies. They have been keeping us safe for a very long time, and they have a job to do, and they should get paid for it.

So, right now, TSA officers are coming to work, even though they can't put a tank of gas in their car. Sometimes they're staying at the airport because they can't afford to go home. They're stretching insulin. They're not able to go to medical appointments. This is absolutely unsustainable. And what it does is it puts all of us in danger. And flight attendants are saying, pay TSA now. There may be a point at which our aviation system becomes unsafe and unsecure. And in that case, we will not fly in it.

HILL: So, I'm curious too, I mean you talk about the very real, very important safety issues. We also -- look, I know what you deal with or we've spoken about what you can deal with as a flight attendant when it comes to dealing with passengers. When you have passengers arriving on board your planes who have perhaps waited in a four hour line, as we're seeing today in Houston, a number of them are sympathetic to what the TSA security screeners, who they encounter, what they are going through, arriving at work, not being paid. But I'm curious if you're -- if you're seeing a ripple effect in terms of how passengers are handling this and how they're dealing with you as a flight attendant, how they're dealing with their fellow passengers. How is it impacting that part of the equation?

NELSON: We're concerned about all of this. We know what happens when the planes stop, and so do the TSA officers. That means that our economy will crater. We know that this is a strain on our jobs. The people who are standing in those lines, some of them have decided to go home, not to even take their trip.

[08:55:01]

This is an attack on our jobs. It's an attack on all Americans, putting us in this position. It is unnecessary. This is about Congress having oversight over all of the agencies doing the work. Some are getting paid. Active Coast Guard members are getting paid. ICE is getting paid. CBP is getting paid. These are all parts of DHS. TSA can be paid now, too. And that is -- that's what they're withholding to try to make this a political game. This isn't a political game. This is our lives. This is our jobs. This is our economic security. And so, Congress needs to do its job, if the White House will not, and they need to override this. They need to pass a package that will ensure that TSA is paid and that there is oversight in all of our law enforcement agencies so that we can ensure public safety as it's supposed to be.

HILL: You mentioned -- you mentioned pre-9/11. You mentioned the private contracted security in Boston. There are about -- I believe there are 20 airports right now around the country, that includes SFO, San Francisco, Orlando, Kansas City, and 17 smaller airports who use private contractors for their security checkpoints. So, this is done actually through a program with the TSA. It's called the Screening Partnership Program. Those screeners are getting paid. Would that model, that still has some oversight and federal training, better serve security workers because they would get paid, as well as travelers and the broader industry, including flight attendants?

NELSON: TSA has to be a federal agency that is integrated with the other federal agencies. And where we have that private screening, San Francisco, for example, they were union prior to 9/11. Those were good jobs. They attracted people who were committed to the work. They have good jobs, good benefits, good pay. And they were integrated into the system.

But there has to be an oversight. There has to be a central training system that all of these screeners go through. And that is what happens with TSA. Privatization is not the answer here. You will continue to see an erosion of the security system if we move to that system.

That is part of the plan here, is to starve people out, make Americans suffer in these long lines, make people say, fix the problem. When, in fact, the problem was created by this administration and by the refusal of Congress to move forward with a package that makes sense.

Senator Thune can solve this today. We don't need the president's permission. This can get solved with a sensible package that has regular oversight over all of the law enforcement agencies and pays TSA today. The fact that we are putting people in this position is absolutely outrageous. And it is the opposite of what we were supposed to do when the TSA was formed.

HILL: Sara Nelson, really appreciate you taking the time to join us this morning. Thank you.

NELSON: Thank you. Erica.

SIDNER: All right, on our radar this morning, new this morning, police in London arrest two men following Monday's anti-Semitic arson attack. Several ambulances belonging to a Jewish volunteer rescue organization were set on fire. The suspects, ages 47 and 45, were arrested at two separate addresses on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger.

All right, Tampa police helped rescue a man after his car burst into flames following a crash. Investigators say the victim suffered a medical emergency while driving, which then caused him to lose control of his car and slam into a pillar. When officers arrived, the car's doors were locked, so they had to smash a window and to help pull him out. The man was treated for injuries and is doing fine. He was released from the hospital.

And the entire row can be all yours. United Airlines just announced a set of economy seats that can transform into a lounge. What? Starting in 2027, customers will have this option on long haul flights. You'll get a mattress pad, blankets, extra pillows. The airline says it's ideal for families with small children or anyone, like myself and pretty much every other flier who wants some space. Here's a question, how much is this going to cost you? It looks a lot like business and first class. We'll see. We'll see. But it sounds good. HILL: Yes.

SIDNER: Erica.

HILL: If you have to buy all three seats, it's not as exciting, right?

SIDNER: No, it's not happening is what that is.

HILL: Yes. And there's -- and there's that too. There's that too.

Well, when the White House East Wing came down last year for President Trump's new ballroom construction, the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, it was dedicated in 1965, that was dismantled as well. And now her family is speaking out, slamming these new plans. Jack Schlossberg, one of Kennedy's grandsons, spoke with CNN and had some pretty strong words about the controversial demolition.

CNN's senior White House reporter Betsy Klein is covering this for us. Where is Betsy? There you are. I found you, Betsy. So, what more do we know about -- what more is the family saying, I should say, in terms of reaction? We know they're definitely not happy.

BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, Erica, the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden was demolished months ago, but we are only just now getting a look at what is going to replace it. And it was back in 1962 President Kennedy wanted a garden where his children could play. After his assassination, Lady Bird Johnson met with the landscape designer Bunny Mellon and they decided not only to get this project over the finish line, but to dedicate it to Jacqueline Kennedy to honor her stewardship and preservation of White House grounds.

[09:00:02]

Since then we've seen it be a respite for first families, a soccer field for Barron Trump, a pen for the Biden's dog, until it was demolished this fall.