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Pulte's Large-Scale Firings; Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH) is Interviewed about Pulte; Primaries Test Mayor's Sway in New York; Deaths in Montreal Shooting; Note Sent to Media Outlets Regarding Nancy Guthrie. Aired 9-9:30a ET

Aired June 23, 2026 - 09:00   ET

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

[09:00:00]

SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): "Into the beautiful facade of what took so much work, competence and money to build and complete." He added, quote, "they also poured corrosive and destructive materials into the pool."

Today, Trump increased the size of the alleged gash.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, let's put it this way. When you have a 350 -- I think it's 350, not 250 -- a 350-foot slit from one end to the other.

SERFATY (voice over): Tampering with federal property carries a prison sentence of up to ten years in federal prison.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've never seen this many National Guards in the National Park area. They came up to me and two other women asking if -- asking if we've touched it, and then just promoting us not to, that we would get arrested or charged with vandalism if we did.

SERFATY (voice over): President Trump and the U.S. attorney in D.C. have been very clear, they intend to push forward to penalize those accused of wrongdoing as much as possible.

SERFATY: And earlier today we saw several trailers full of equipment come down to the Reflecting Pool and start unloading equipment. You'll see some of that behind me. Workers tell us that those are actually six security cameras that will go up and give 360-degree views of the Reflecting Pool at all times.

Meantime, President Trump has convened a meeting with the contractors of this project to talk about the necessary repairs and, of course, draining the Reflecting Pool once again.

Sunlen Serfaty, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Just days into his supposedly temporary job, the new acting Director of National Intelligence is making big job cuts. Democrats now warning he's putting national security at risk. It is election day again in America. Why the primaries in New York are

being watched so closely as sending a big message for Democrats heading into the midterms.

And new images are showing what is no longer behind the tarp at the Kennedy Center in Washington. President Trump's name.

I'm Kate Bolduan, with Sara Sidner and John Berman. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, this morning, a purge underway inside the U.S. intelligence community (ph). Sources tell CNN that Bill Pulte, President Trump's acting Director of National Intelligence, has begun mass firings at the office that oversees 18 agencies. This is just his first full week on the job, and he's only keeping the seat warm until the Senate confirms a permanent replacement, though the president is the one who is blocking that right now.

Pulte, who was in the Oval Office on Monday, has no intelligence or national security experience. He's a housing official whose claim to fame before this was targeting the president's political enemies with mortgage fraud allegations.

Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois just spoke about this with Kate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): Pulte has no business supervising our intelligence agencies. Eighteen agencies that are trying to keep America safe every minute of every day. And for this man, with no security clearance, no intelligence background, to walk in with a shopping list of people to fire is not very encouraging.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: All right, let's get right to CNN's Kevin Liptak at the White House this morning.

So, what is happening at this moment, Kevin?

KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, it's clear Bill Pulte very eager to get started on the task that President Trump has made explicit he wants to see him doing, which is to downsize this agency. Sources have told us at CNN that his targets inside the DNI will be at the National Counterterrorism Center, although a source just told us this morning that firings in that office haven't started yet. That still seems to be sort of the subject of Bill Pulte's focus as he slashes through this coordinating agency.

I think that's going to cause some concern, particularly, you know, given the geopolitical situation with Iran, these major events that are coming up, the world cup, the 250th birthday celebrations, all potential targets for terrorism that this center ostensibly would be trying to focus on. And so, it was clear, you know, even before Bill Pulte came into this job, that he was looking to cut through some of the staff. He actually showed up before his official start date last week to ask for lists of names of staffers at the agency that actually caught the incumbent DNI, Tulsi Gabbard, by surprise when he showed up there last week.

Now, today is a sort of day three of his tenure. He officially started on Friday. President Trump, before he came into this job, said that he wanted Pulte to, quote, execute the immediate and needed downsizing of the office.

You know, Trump is not the only person who thinks DNI has become bloated and inefficient in the two decades since it was founded after 9/11. Tulsi Gabbard had already cut the office by 40 percent.

[09:05:02]

The real concern, I think, is who is doing the cutting. Bill Pulte, a Trump ally, has no experience in national security and has demonstrated in his current position a real willingness to go after the president's perceived enemies. This has drawn blowback from Democrats. The two top Democrats in the House and Senate Intelligence Committee wrote a letter to Pulte yesterday saying that, quote, "given your lack of experience within the intelligence community, it is difficult to imagine that in such a short amount of time you've already developed fully informed views as to how to shrink ODNI without incurring risks to national security. Making significant structural changes to ODNI to include a reduction in force is not an appropriate course of action for anyone in an acting capacity, let alone without consultation with Congress, and you should refrain from doing so."

Now, one of the big questions right now is just how long Pulte will be in this job. President Trump has said because he's acting he thinks he's, quote, "less shackled" and will be able to do things that a permanent DNI might not be able to. President Trump. just last week, pulled back his nomination for the permanent DNI job in order to allow Pulte to act in this position. How long he's in there remains to be seen, but certainly it seems as if it will be enough time at least to carry out some of the president's objectives for this role.

John.

BERMAN: Important to note, it's President Trump creating the space for him to keep that job, perhaps indefinitely at this point, or at least for quite some time.

Kevin Liptak, at the White House, thank you.

Sara.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Now to discuss this and much more, joining me now, Democratic Congresswoman Joyce Beatty of Ohio.

Thank you for being here this morning.

First to the firings at the Office of Director of National Intelligence. Were you, as a congressperson, made aware of the firings happening in

the first place by the acting director?

REP. JOYCE BEATTY (D-OH): Well, Sara, thank you, first of all, for having me here.

Absolutely not. This is the business as usual that Trump and his administration is doing. They are not working within the confines of what they should do. We've seen that across the board with every issue. But this is an all-time low. To bring someone in who has absolutely no experience, totally unqualified to do the job, and while we are facing all of the critical wars that we are in, this is very dangerous. This is more than just terminating people. This is very dangerous to our national security and to this country.

SIDNER: Democrats on the intelligence committees that warned Pulte against these sweeping firings, it appears that's what's happening. So, what do you -- what do you do now?

BEATTY: Well, I think that we're going to have to stand up to this. It's not only Democrats. There were also some Republicans who --

SIDNER: That's true.

BEATTY: Were against this because he's unqualified. We are back in session in the House today. This is at the top of the agenda. We have a very strong intelligence committee. And we're going to continue to push back and fight back with this because it's what we must do.

And we're having some victories across the board. People are now feeling more empowered to take Donald Trump on because we know that he does not have the best interests of this country. We also know that he's not qualified to do the job. Anyone that would put someone in this position and back him up with all that's going on speaks for itself.

SIDNER: I do want to ask you about something you were deeply involved with. CNN has now, this morning, seen images of what is behind the curtain draping part of the Kennedy Center. Those images confirm that Donald Trump's name has been removed because of a lawsuit that you brought as a Kennedy Center board member who was denied the right to speak or vote on the name change.

Why do you think the removal of President Trump's name on the memorial has been kind of hidden from the public, and there still something draping the front of the building?

BEATTY: I think that it's another one of the things that Donald Trump does. I think he was embarrassed. We were very victorious because it was unlawful. And I filed the lawsuit. We won on several of our motions. And I think because on the 12th, the day that it was to come down, we got -- we gave him -- the courts gave him an extension because of the weather. So, on that Saturday, remember, this was Donald Trump's birthday weekend. And he is so vain, I think he didn't want the thousands of people who would be out there taking pictures, celebrating the victory, that he put that tarp over it. But there's no tarp that he can put up there to cover up what he has done.

[09:10:04]

I was there at 4:00 in the morning when the letters actually came down. So, I can tell you, his name has been removed. And we are certainly standing up against this tarp to have it also come down.

SIDNER: You told "The Washingtonian," quote, I didn't want to be in one of these screaming matches. When someone is doing something unlawful, you take it to the courts.

BEATTY: Absolutely.

SIDNER: In March the court also ruled that you must be allowed to participate in board meetings. A couple of days later, the board met to vote on closing the Kennedy Center for renovations. Now, do you think renovations need to happen? But also, what's it like being on a board after taking the board to court?

BEATTY: Well, two things. Yes, I think the renovations are needed. Keep in mind that the review and all the plans that this board is looking at came from the previous board chair and president of the Kennedy Center. So, we recognize that things need to be done to renovate it, but it can be done and still maintain being open.

I think when you are fighting someone like Donald Trump, I decided that what he was doing was illegal and I was going to fight injustices with justice. I wasn't going to compromise on who I am. I wasn't afraid to go into the board meeting. As awkward as it may have seemed. I thought about Ruby Bridges and how that nine year old girl walked in with police officers to a school where no one looked like her.

And so, I have been empowered by many strong women, black and white. Eleanor Roosevelt, Shirley Chisholm, Rosa Parks. So, I did what was right and we won because it was unlawful what Donald Trump did.

Now, we're going to stay focused on this. We're going to make sure that we bring programing back. That's the next step that the federal judge has ruled on, that we have to have a plan. And I want to be there because I believe in the Kennedy Center and what it stands for. So, I'm going to stay on the board and speak up and also be someone who wants to make sure that we restore it and that we are having artists come back and that we do bring the National Symphony Orchestra back.

So, we're going to stay on this. The tarp will be coming down. And we will have it as the law created it to be, the John F. Kennedy Memorial. The only living memorial for former President John Kennedy, who was assassinated.

SIDNER: Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, thank you so much for chatting with me this morning. I do appreciate it.

Kate.

BOLDUAN: Americans are having their say today. Voters heading to the polls for primaries in four states. A lot of people watching the primaries in New York very closely because the results today could give you a first look at the political power of New York City mayor, Mayor Zohran Mamdani. He's made several endorsements, including backing Brad Lander over incumbent Democratic Congressman Dan Goldman in New Yorks 10th Congressional District. That endorsement is putting a spotlight once more on the growing rift and debate within the Democratic Party over support for Israel.

CNN's Gloria Pazmino is live at a polling site in New York.

Gloria, what are you hearing and seeing today and what it means?

GLORIA PAZMINO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's exactly right, Kate. We've been seeing a steady stream of voters coming into this polling site this morning.

I'm standing in the 12th Congressional District. And you mentioned the mayor's endorsement. This is actually the one district that he declined to make an endorsement on. But this is the district where the mayor lives. He did cast a vote in this election, but he declined to reveal who he voted for. And I think that speaks to those same divisions that you're mentioning, especially here in this district.

You know, the 12th Congressional District, the heart of Manhattan, and home to some of the most highly educated, politically engaged, politically active, affluent voters in the nation. So, this is an overwhelmingly blue district, and it's a race that has attracted a lot of big names. This is the race where Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, is running. George Conway, former Republican turned Democrat, a fierce critic of President Trump, and ex-husband of Kellyanne Conway, he's also running in this race. There's also two local lawmakers, Michael Lasher and Alex Bores, who are hoping that their connections to this district will give them an edge going into election primary night this evening.

Now, I also want to mention the other races because if we go a little bit to the north, Washington Heights, Inwood, parts of the Bronx, that's where we're seeing a pretty close fight for the 13th Congressional District. That's between an incumbent, Adriano Espaillat, and a challenger, Darializa Avila Chevalier, who has the backing of the Democratic Socialists of America, and also of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

[09:15:12]

The two appeared at a polling site this morning. And I think that shows us just how close it is and how invested the mayor is in making sure that the candidates that he decided to endorse in these primaries actually pull out a win.

Now, in the 13th Congressional District there's been some debate over recent days about AIPAC funding, specifically to Congressman Espaillat. The mayor has gotten a lot of criticism for how he described AIPAC donations to the campaign, but he doubled down on his messaging yesterday. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI (D), NEW YORK CITY: When I am speaking about AIPAC, I'm speaking about an organization that has been supportive of the status quo, that has fought any attempt to actually deliver safety to people, not just in Palestine, but, frankly, through much of the region. And it is a status quo for immorality. It is one that I will not accept. And when it comes to the way in which they defend the status quo, oftentimes they defend it through direct contributions, as we are seeing right now in New York 13.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PAZMINO: Now, Kate, a lot on the line here for Mayor Zohran Mamdani, not just because he made these endorsements. He's been campaigning for these candidates, three out of the four in New York. Two of them are challenging Democratic incumbents. And, of course, a test for the Democratic Socialists of America, who are also running candidates in these races. They are going to be put to the test tonight as well.

And, of course, we have the 10th Congressional District. That is also challenging an incumbent, Dan Goldman. Brad Lander, who formerly ran for mayor just a few months ago, is challenging him in that election.

Kate.

BOLDUAN: Gloria, thank you so much. Voting happening right now.

John.

BERMAN: All right, breaking this morning, Savannah Guthrie speaking out after new reporting that a ransom note for her mother said she had died.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE, HOST, "TODAY" SHOW: This is the moment to tell you that we need your help. We're begging for your help.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: New reporting on an ambush that killed two people, including a police officer. Why authorities believe the shooting was a targeted attack.

And Amazon Prime Day is here. A behind the scenes look at the best deals and how to grab them.

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[09:21:38]

BERMAN: We have new images just in of the victims in a deadly ambush in Montreal. Authorities released photos of an Israeli citizen and a veteran police officer killed in what is being described as a, quote, "targeted shooting."

CNN's Jason Carroll has been following this.

You've got the latest on the investigation, including some new reporting on the writings link to the suspect.

JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Yes. And at this point, investigators at this point are combing through that so-called manifesto that may have been left behind by the suspect. It has more than 100 pages. So, you can imagine investigators have a lot to go through.

Sources are telling us that this may have been a targeted attack on police. This all started early yesterday at about 11:30 a.m. That's when police initially got the 911 call. And when they got that call, it was a call of gunshots and a man shooting outside a window. And the minute that police got there, they were immediately ambushed and came under fire.

CNN also has amateur video of what happened there at the scene. Officers were able to kick through a glass door in order to get inside the building, where the suspect was holed up. One of the eyewitnesses actually saw it all unfold right in front of their eyes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why is he walking? What is wrong with him? Guys, what the (EXPLETIVE DELETED). They're just shooting the cops. Holy (EXPLETIVE DELETED).

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: Absolutely terrifying for those who had to witness this.

This all took place in the Cote-des-Neiges area of Montreal. It's a very diverse part of the city. A part of the city that has deep connections to the Jewish community. When all was said and done, the suspect is dead. He appeared to be acting alone. The officer -- another officer was also injured. That officer now in stable condition. Also killed an Israeli citizen who was there in Montreal, who had deep connections to the Jewish community.

But again, as for motive, police are really looking at that manifesto. Again, more than 100 pages long. It appears to support misogyny, and it also, we are told, has incel ideology written in throughout that manifesto. Of course, incel referring to men, in this case, who have problems finding romantic relationships and blame society, blame women for their problems.

The shooting, as you can imagine, a complete shock to the community there in Montreal. This is the first time in more than two decades that an officer there has been killed in the line of duty. So, incredibly shocking for the community there.

BERMAN: It's a horrible story. And that video is just chilling to hear the voice, the fear in the voice of that witness.

Jason Carroll, thank you very much. CARROLL: You bet.

BERMAN: Sara.

SIDNER: All right, thank you, gentlemen.

"We are in agony." Those words this morning from "Today" show anchor Savannah Guthrie as she made an emotional plea for help to find Nancy Guthrie and those who are responsible for taking her nearly five months after she was abducted. It comes as we're learning new information about ransom notes law enforcement believes the kidnaper sent to the Guthrie family and media outlets back in February. One claim that Nancy Guthrie died shortly after being kidnapped.

[09:25:01]

CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter has been in touch with the family since the very beginning.

What are you learning? Because these notes were in the hands of the media, including us. And the FBI said, please don't release them. They were trying to solve this case. Now, where are we?

BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST: Right. This news about the ransom note and the claim that Nancy Guthrie died early on in the kidnapping is not news to the Guthrie family, but it is news for everyone else. And it is now bringing this story back onto the public radar in a way that Savannah Guthrie can now use to try to reiterate her family's plea for help.

So, it's another heartbreaking day for Savannah Guthrie and for her family with this case back in the news, with Nancy's disappearance back in the news. And it was so striking to hear Savannah talk about this on the "Today" show for one of the very first times that she has, ever since she returned to work back in April, she has mostly been trying to go about her normal life to the greatest extent that she possibly can. But today, with this case back in the news, here's what she said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE, NBC NEWS ANCHOR: I don't have any comment on this story, and I'm not involved in our coverage. But I can't pretend I'm not here. And so, since I am, I wanted to just take the opportunity to ask people to -- really to beg people to come forward. Somebody knows something. And this is a new story today that is on your radar. But this is the life that my sister lives, that I live, that my brother lives that are extended families live, that our children live every day.

And we are in agony. We cannot be at peace. So no matter how much I try to come out here every day and smile and find that joy, and I will, I promise I will, this is a moment to tell you that we need your help. We're begging for your help.

(END VIDEO CLIP) STELTER: And she referenced there this moment. This current moment came about because of some reporting initially a few days ago from the online website, from the publication "Air Mail," and then confirmed by NBC and CNN and other outlets about that second note of the numerous notes that were reported back in February, there were two that investigators believed were genuine communications from the kidnapers. The second note referred to Nancy Guthrie inadvertently dying early on and being buried in nature. But I think the point that Savannah is stressing this morning is that, whatever the claims were in the notes, whatever happened back then, there still has not been closure for the family.

A source close to the Guthrie family saying to me this morning, this family truly still needs help. And reiterating that there is $1 million reward still on the table for information that leads to Nancy Guthrie, or, you know, increasingly in this case, leads to her body so that the family can have a proper memorial.

So, once again, here is that FBI tip line number that the Guthries want to make sure everyone has. It's 1-800-CALL-FBI.

SIDNER: Yes, it's important to keep that out there. And you can see the way in which she's struggling, but also in the way in which she's trying to go forward, do her job and live her life. Very difficult things to do when this is in the background.

Brian Stelter, thank you so much. I do appreciate it.

Kate.

BOLDUAN: A fire now burning for six days. Crews say frozen food is actually making it harder to get it under control. We have an update on that for you.

And Olivia Rodrigo announcing that she's hosting an all women music festival. And the star-studded lineup, just announced, set to perform.

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