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President Trump Heads to Camp David; Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) is Interviewed about the Blanche Nomination; Witness in Houston ICE Shooting Breaks Silence; Clancy Triple Murder Trial Jury Visits Home. Aired 9-9:30a ET

Aired July 31, 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]

CLARE DUFFY, CNN TECH REPORTER: To detect A.I.-generated information like this and videos like this. But, of course, this could be really dangerous if people are using this as a replacement for real human medical advice.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, it's dangerous for sure. And also, it's just an example of kind of like the swimming against the tide. I mean, like, yes, Meta took it down after you flagged it, but how many more then are out there is -- right?

DUFFY: Totally. And we are seeing this happen across social media platforms. I did talk to a number of experts about why this is happening, and there are a couple of potential motivations for bad actors that are making this. On the one hand it could be financial. Either they're pushing people to buy supplements online or directing people to websites where they're looking to generate ad traffic. Also said it could be state-sponsored disinformation, looking to sow American distrust in health institutions. So again, very important for people to be skeptical when they see these kinds of videos coming across their feeds.

BOLDUAN: Even more so, yes.

It's great to see you, Clare. Thank you.

DUFFY: Thank you.

BOLDUAN: A new hour of CNN NEWS CENTRAL starts right now.

President Trump is about to head off to Camp David to host his cabinet today. And he seems ready for a fight over his pick to join that cabinet. His pick to be the next attorney general, Todd Blanche. What is going to happen today? We'll find out together.

A witness to the deadly ICE shooting in Houston is now speaking out. In an exclusive interview with CNN he says he is traumatized by what he saw and that the government's account of what happened is a lie.

Another CNN exclusive this morning. We're hearing from the CEO of Hugging Face, the A.I. builders platform that was the target of an unprecedented cyberattack by an A.I. agent.

John and Sara are out today. I'm Kate Bolduan, with Fredricka Whitfield. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: All right, we're standing by at this hour for President Trump to depart for Camp David, where he is set to hold a cabinet meeting today. And it comes as he faces a crises on multiple fronts, at home and abroad.

This morning, he's defending his administration's now scrapped $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, which has led to a revolt inside his own party over his pick for U.S. attorney general, Todd Blanche. The president is now going after John Cornyn, one of the two outgoing GOP senators at the center of the uproar. That fund, as we've reported, could have used taxpayer money to pay Trump supporters who claim that they've been wronged by the Justice Department, including January 6th defendants. Blanche has said that that fund is dead. But the GOP holdouts want it in writing.

CNN's Betsy Klein is live for us at the White House.

So, what is the president saying this morning ahead of leaving for Camp David, Betsy?

BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Well, Fredricka, it's going to be a very interesting meeting ahead here, but it comes at this moment of uncertainty for the president's agenda and strategy, both here at home and abroad. Especially new uncertainty for the president's nominee to be attorney general, the acting attorney general, Todd Blanche. Two members of the president's own party, Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, are the key holdouts here. And at issue is this $1.8 billion very controversial so-called weaponization fund that would give taxpayer money to people who believe that they have been unfairly targeted by the Justice Department.

Now, the president said on Thursday that he is open to pausing Blanche's nomination and renominating him after the November elections, when both Tillis and Cornyn have left office. These are two senators that he has repeatedly tangled with. But now the president says that he is defending that fund and continuing to attack Cornyn. He says in this brand-new post to social media, quote, "I will always feel that these victims of government abuse should be paid for, for what they were forced to endure. Their lives have been ruined. Millions of people agree with me, as was proven in my landslide presidential win where this was a major subject of debate, and so did John Cornyn until he lost his election to an opponent that I endorsed. Todd Blanche, a good man, should be immediately approved as U.S. attorney general."

Now, both Cornyn and Tillis met privately on The Hill with Blanche yesterday. They said they made progress, but they did not strike any kind of deal yet.

Now, moving along the cabinet table, Iran still a major source of frustration for President Trump. He is three months to midterms and no sign that this war is anywhere closer to a diplomatic solution.

Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Betsy Klein, at the White House, thanks so much.

Kate.

BOLDUAN: Let us talk about this. Joining me right now is Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois.

It's good to see you, Congressman.

Let's -- Todd Blanche, what do you make of this standoff over Blanche?

[09:05:02]

REP. RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI (D-IL): Good morning.

Well, I think that these Republican senators are right to hold out. You know, Todd Blanche is the chief architect of the cover up with regard to the Epstein affair in the White House. He's the one that has directed that millions of pages of documents not be produced, contrary to what the Epstein Files Transparency Act requires. He's also not pursued any investigations. He said that he thinks that this is not a 2026 issue. And so they are right to make sure that he doesn't become attorney general. He is the president's lawyer. He's not the -- he's not the lawyer for the people of the United States right now.

BOLDUAN: You raised something that's interesting. Elie Honig actually had raised this to me yesterday, which is, you bring up the fact that one thing that was definitely known even before this anti- weaponization fund or tax audit, blah, blah, blah, settlement came up was his handling of the Epstein files release and how Pam Bondi put it all on him, saying that any mishandling, the botched way it was rolled out, the way that the victims and survivors feel about how they've been just left aside, they put this on him. So, what do you make of the fact that the thing that could be threatening his nomination has nothing to do with the Epstein files, has everything to do with this IRS settlement that Trump struck with him?

KRISHNAMOORTHI: Well, I think Thom Tillis, in particular, was concerned about Todd Blanche's handling of the Epstein situation. As you said, the survivors have yet to receive a single measure of justice with regard to their abuse decades ago. But I do think that this anti-weaponization fund is yet another reason why he should not become attorney general. They're not willing to put this in writing, Kate. That's the -- that's the fundamental issue. Trump, as you said in your preview of this segment, has reiterated that he wants this money to be able to pay the insurrectionists off from January 6th. And what we know is that not only is it morally wrong, it's just going to encourage more insurrections. And so, we've got to do whatever we can to prevent him from becoming attorney general.

BOLDUAN: You also sit on the House Intelligence Committee. And one thing that we're getting more reporting in on is that we've just learned that in -- that Minnesota and the federal government are investigating a massive, coordinated cyberattack on 30 local water systems in that state, in Minnesota. And what they -- the little that we've learned about it so far is that official personnel, they got locked out of online systems, IP addresses were changed.

The former deputy director of the FBI, Andy McCabe, was just on with me, and I want to play for you what he said about who he thinks could be, of course this isn't yet stated by the federal government, but who he thinks could be behind this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDREW MCCABE, FORMER DEPUTY DIRECTOR, FBI: We do know one of the most likely suspects here is the government of Iran. We know this because they have a history of targeting water treatment, critical infrastructure facilities. Back in 2016, the Justice Department indicted a number of Iranian hackers who had conducted all sorts of activity.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: Has House Intel been briefed on this breach?

KRISHNAMOORTHI: Not yet. But what we know in our prior briefings is that Iran has the capability of doing this. And now, given the spread, the escalation in the war and the chaos that is ensued, it's entirely quite possible that they conducted this attack.

The other part of this is that we are just not prepared with regard to defending our utilities from these cyber attacks. I happen to be the ranking member on the subcommittee of the full intelligence committee that's looking at this particular issue, and we've sounded the alarm that now the Russians just recently hacked into U.K. private industry, causing billions of dollars of damage. The Chinese and the Iranians both have the capability of doing so here with regard to utilities. And instead of defending them and coordinating with those utilities, the federal government is now cutting funding for DHS and CISA, the Cyber Information Security Agency, that would otherwise be charged with helping to coordinate and defend against those attacks.

BOLDUAN: Yes, quite a moment and just scary. I mean 30 water systems. Though they say that they don't have any reports that the water is unsafe. It's still just a terrifying prospect and a threat of what is out there.

I just want to finish with you on, we have a bunch of new polling coming out from CNN this week talking about the president facing historic lows, but also a look at kind of a new -- a fresh look at this discussion, debate, fight going on within the Democratic Party about pull it, pull it to the left, or pull it more to the center.

[09:10:15]

And the polling shows that about a third of Democrats and Democratic- leaning adults now identify as Democratic socialists. As someone long considered a moderate, do you think this is a good thing, in your view, for your party? KRISHNAMOORTHI: Well, I think that, you know, our party has long been

a big tent for a lot of different viewpoints. I think right now the two I think common denominators that we have to rally around as all Democrats is making sure that everyone has a chance at upward economic mobility. And then secondly, fighting the hate, discrimination and prejudice that bedevils so many people in this country, especially now given the president's rhetoric.

I think whatever the president is doing right now and the differences between his approach and we, as Democrats, is so large, you know, any differences among us pale in comparison to that. And I think we have to remember that we're still on one team and we have to take back control of the House and the Senate.

BOLDUAN: Congressman, thanks for your time this morning.

Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, Kate.

A witness to the fatal ICE shooting in Houston is now speaking out for the first time and speaking exclusively to CNN. Jose Trinidad was a passenger inside the white van when Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot and killed by a federal immigration agent last month -- this month, rather. ICE claimed Salgado rammed a law enforcement vehicle and refused their commands. And now, after being released from ICE custody, Trinidad says the government's account is wrong.

CNN's Ed Lavandera has this exclusive interview.

Ed, what is he saying?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Fredricka.

Well, there were three men inside that van with Lorenzo Salgado on the morning that he was shot and killed by an ICE officer. They are key witnesses to how all of this unfolded. And one of those men is now speaking out, saying that the way DHS and ICE has described what happened is simply a lie.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOSE TRINIDAD ROJAS PLIEGO, KEY WITNESS IN TEXAS ICE SHOOTING (through translator): I feel a bit traumatized or something like that. I'm sad about what happened, and especially about what I saw, since I was the one who witnessed it all.

LAVANDERA (voice over): Jose Trinidad says things will never be the same. That he's traumatized by the shooting because he saw it all.

The 52-year-old construction worker witnessed the final moments of Lorenzo Salgado's life from inside the van, driven by the man he simply called El Patron, "the boss."

It was just before 7 a.m. on July 7th when ICE officers in unmarked cars started pursuing the four-man crew of construction workers in east Houston. Trinidad says he was sitting a few feet behind Salgado in the van.

Jose tells me, during the pursuit, he heard the men up front say they were being chased by ICE officers. Videos show ICE officers pursuing Salgado's van in unmarked cars. At one point, racing past the van on Canal Street. The last video shows ICE officers taking the three other men into custody and Salgado on the ground, handcuffed, just after being shot.

LAVANDERA: When the ICE officer shot, where was he standing?

TRINIDAD (through translator): On the side.

LAVANDERA (through translator): Who's side?

TRINIDAD (through translator): Of his brother.

LAVANDERA (through translator): On the passenger side?

TRINIDAD (through translator): The passenger side.

LAVANDER (voice over): Trinidad says the ICE officer shot Salgado through the passenger window.

The Department of Homeland Security say during the chase Salgado attempted to evade arrest, then weaponized his vehicle and tried to run over an ICE officer, and that's when an agent opened fire in self- defense.

TRINIDAD (through translator): That's a lie.

LAVANDERA (through translator): That's a lie?

TRINIDAD (through translator): Yes.

LAVANDERA (voice over): Trinidad says the DHS statement is a lie. There are no known videos that capture the moment of the shooting. The ICE officers were not wearing body cameras.

Trinidad says ICE agents were never in front of or behind the van, and that Lorenzo was about to turn himself over to the officers.

The three men with Salgado inside the van have been in custody since the shooting, but this week a judge ordered Trinidad's release. And this is the first time he's spoken publicly in detail about what happened.

After his release, Trinidad paid tribute to his friend at the memorial honoring Lorenzo Salgado on Canal Street, and then prayed at his friend's gravesite.

Jose Trinidad says he and the other men in the van were simply going to work, and that he's speaking out in hopes of getting Lorenzo Salgado and his family justice.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAVANDERA (on camera): And, Fredricka, Jose Trinidad's lawyer tells us that he still faces possible deportation. The timing of that is very much up in the air. But there are conditions to his release. Trinidad must wear an ankle monitor. He's not allowed to work legally in the U.S.

[09:15:02]

And he has to check in with ICE regularly.

We reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for their response to Trinidad's allegations that he's saying essentially that they are lying about their version of events. DHS simply referred us to the FBI, which is still investigating the shooting.

Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, still so many questions.

All right, Ed Lavandera, thank you so much.

Kate.

BOLDUAN: So, it is an emotional day ahead for the jury in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial. They are expected to visit the home where her three young children were killed today.

And A.I. models that pulled off another -- have pulled off another hack. Anthropic now calling this virtual lab leak a misunderstanding.

And the dramatic rescue of a woman swept into dangerous river rapids. How rescuers found her and brought her to safety, all caught on camera.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, this morning, the triple murder trial of Lindsay Clancy resumes outside the courtroom at the home where prosecutors say she murdered her three children.

[09:20:07]

They say the mom of three planned the killings. Clancy's defense team says she suffered from postpartum psychosis, and she could not be held criminally responsible.

Well, yesterday, first responders took to the stand, speaking about how they found the children in the home's basement and their failed attempts to revive them.

Joining us again now is CNN legal analyst and criminal defense attorney Joey Jackson.

All right, this has been riveting. It has been heartbreaking.

JOEY JACKSON, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Yes.

WHITFIELD: Jurors heard the ex-husband, Patrick, and his 911 call. And he, you know, yelled out that she killed the kids. How will her defense establish possible provocation through previous suicidal thoughts, or perhaps even being overmedicated?

JACKSON: Yes, Fredricka, good morning.

Listen, the bottom line is, defense has a lot to work with. Why? Because there's a medical history.

You mentioned the husband and his testimony. And he pretty much went through the issue she was having. Not only with regard to the lack of evaluation by medical professionals -- let's remember, there's a civil lawsuit, right? That civil lawsuit is predicated upon really misdiagnosing and not treating her appropriately, not evaluating and overmedicating her. That's another forum, but clearly its important when you have a husband who thinks that that's what this is really about. This is about his wife, who he says was not a monster, but essentially just really turned into a person who became really psychologically damaged.

And I think here, you know, heartbreaking, horrific case. But when you look at it, we -- when we talk about criminal cases, we say that you never have to show motive. And that's true. But inquiring minds always want to know. And when you look at the motivation, I think the defense is going to say, why would this mother do this but for the psychological trauma and what they have classified, and you just noted it, the postpartum psychosis she was undergoing.

So today, I think, is a critical moment when they actually go to that home.

WHITFIELD: Right.

JACKSON: But, boy, there's a lot to process here.

WHITFIELD: There really is.

And, you know, people have really been watching and they've been on the edge of their seats, you know, paying attention to this. I mean it really hits close to home for a lot of folks. And among the viewer questions that we have received is, you know, big picture kind of thing. You know, if she were to be found guilty, what kind of penalty would she face?

JACKSON: So, what happens is, is that if she's found guilty, now you're talking about, you know, obviously life without parole. And I think from a defense perspective, let's just be clear about that, if she's found not guilty by reason of insanity, you don't walk out the door.

WHITFIELD: Right. JACKSON: You go to a mental health institution which treats you until you're better. So, it's not as though -- and jurors are told this, right? They're told, generally we don't talk to jurors about what's the punishment or whatever. That's up to the judge. But jurors will be told, if they find that -- her, you know, guilt is associated with a mental defect, that that's exactly where she's going. So, that's the battleground. Is it, as the prosecution said, that she did it, you know, deliberated and premeditated, or was it based upon some mental break that caused this?

WHITFIELD: I mean it's a different case, but it does remind me of the Andrea Yates case.

JACKSON: Yes.

WHITFIELD: I don't remember if you recall. Back in Houston, I actually covered that shortly after. You know, she drowned her five kids outside Houston home.

JACKSON: Five, yes.

WHITFIELD: She was convicted. But then that conviction was overturned. And very similar situation in that postpartum psychosis became a role here. I mean do you see any parallels, quickly?

JACKSON: Definitely do. But I think the bigger parallel is to understand that this is real. And this particular case, with regard to postpartum depression and what it does, and then the overmedication and what it does. And so, jurors are going to have to determine why a mother would do this when they just got back from vacation, et cetera. And so, they are trying, prosecutors, to show, it was premeditated. It was deliberate. And the husband is essentially saying, yes, she sent me out on errands for 55 minutes so that I can -- so that she can do this. That's their theory.

WHITFIELD: Oh, boy.

JACKSON: Prosecutors, get him out of the house, let her do this, and it was premeditated. But if you look at her mental health history, Fredricka, there's a lot here to establish that she could indeed have been insane at the time.

WHITFIELD: All right. We'll continue to watch and hear your evaluations, too. Joey Jackson, thanks so much.

JACKSON: Thanks, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, experts are raising concerns now about America's dwindling weapons stockpile. Coming up, the key weapon systems they say are rapidly being depleted.

And Six Flags is promising thrill seekers a wild ride at 100 miles an hour. Still ahead, new roller coasters at this amusement park that could break world records. Are you ready for that?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [09:29:13]

BOLDUAN: So, there's a new report out, and it offers a glimpse into how much the war with Iran is impacting, depleting the U.S. stockpile of munitions. The Center for Strategic and International Studies has been closely tracking this and now finds that the U.S. military has fired more than 60 percent of its key patriot and THAAD missile interceptors. Two of the most critical air defense systems in the American arsenal.

The THAAD is -- it's an acronym. It stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense. You've heard this term, I'm sure, over and over again. It employs interceptor missiles using hit to kill, as it's described, technology to stop incoming fire. A single THAAD interceptor costs more than $12 million to make. An entire battery can run into the billions.

[09:30:00]

The new CSIS report also shows that before the war began, the U.S. interceptor inventory was at 452. Less than two months into the war, on April 8th, during