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Mangione Pleads Guilty In Federal Court, Admits Shooting CEO; Now: Trump In Nassau County, NY To Talk About Crime; U.S. Official: USS Washington Traveling To Relieve USS Lincoln; Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) Discusses About USS Abraham Lincoln; Flash Flooding Underway In Indiana & Illinois As Storms Slam Midwest. Aired 3-3:30p ET

Aired August 14, 2026 - 15:00   ET

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

BILL WEIR, CNN CHIEF CLIMATE CORRESPONDENT: This drought means higher crop prices for everybody. So, this is a trickle effect. The biggest hope is that this El Nino will create a big snow year. Last year's snow was pathetic in the Rockies. They really need it. But as Pat Mulroy (ph) would say, praying for snow is not a sound national water policy.

BRIAN ABEL, CNN HOST: Yes, that is not a solution. Bill Weir, fascinating reporting. Thank you for highlighting that, sir. A new hour of CNN NEWS CENTRAL starts right now.

Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to federal stalking charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. What to expect from his sentencing hearing and what could happen to the state charges he's also facing.

Plus, Operation Puppet Master, how federal agents allegedly launched an undercover surveillance operation targeting groups protesting the immigration crackdown in Minnesota. The state's attorney general will be joining us live in just moments.

And a flooding emergency in the Midwest. Six days of rolling storms and heavy rain leaving communities in Indiana and Illinois submerged and devastated.

We're following these major developing stories and many more all coming in right here to CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

We begin this hour with the news that Luigi Mangione has pled guilty to federal charges, admitting before a judge that he stalked UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson before killing him on a New York sidewalk. Mangione in court saying, quote, "I shot Mr. Thompson and he died." Brian Thompson's family was also in the courtroom holding one another, apparently crying, as Mangione described why he planned the assassination and how he carried it out. CNN's Kara Scannell was inside the courtroom watching all of that happen.

Kara, take us behind those closed doors of federal court. What was it like?

KARA SCANNELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Boris, it was an emotional time for Brian Thompson's family. Luigi Mangione was sitting at the defense table and he was sitting as he read a statement of what he said he did. He put this on the healthcare industry saying that he has been enduring severe back pain from a broken back. And he said, "In November of 2024, I traveled from outside of New York State to Manhattan. I then emailed UnitedHealthcare leadership, posing as an investor at a firm managing over $50 billion in assets and requesting information about the conference. Unlike my previous interactions with insurers, I received an immediate response within an hour."

Mangione said then he traveled to New York, he had made a gun out of 3D printer and he said he used a silencer. And then he said that he had killed -- he had gone to New York with the intent to kill Brian Thompson and he died. He said, I knew what I was doing was illegal.

It was at that moment that you could see the real emotion hit Brian Thompson's family. They were seated in the front row and the woman who was his widow was wiping her eyes. She was clutching the person next to her, kind of the emotions reverberating from each person in the row as they kind of dealt with this very cold, calculated murder.

And as Mangione described it in court, he showed no remorse. He spoke in a very matter of fact way describing his actions and pleading guilty to these two federal stalking counts. Now outside of court, his lawyer said that he was the victim of the healthcare industry. Here's more of what she said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAREN FRIEDMAN AGNIFILO, LUIGI MANGIONE'S DEFENSE LAWYER: UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was a single tragic event, yet he's being prosecuted twice for the same conduct. As Luigi explained in court today, he endured years of severe debilitating pain following a broken back while struggling to navigate our healthcare and health insurance systems. Like the thousands of people who've reached out since this tragedy to share their own experiences, he believed that the system had failed him and destroyed his life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCANNELL: Now, she also said that she's filed a motion to dismiss the state murder and weapons charges saying that it's double jeopardy. In New York state, you can't be charged for the same crime twice. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office, which investigated this case and brought the state charges, said that they intend to litigate this. They want to bring justice for Brian Thompson's family. These federal prosecutors out here also sending a message to those who are out supporting Luigi Mangione in the early stages of this case, saying that assassins are not celebrities and killers are not heroes.

Now, everyone will be back in court on December 18th for Mangione's sentencing, and the prosecutors say that they intend to seek the stiffest sentence, which is a maximum of life in prison on both counts. They expect to hear members of Brian Thompson's family address the judge at that time. Boris?

SANCHEZ: And before that, we'll see if this state trial resumes as planned in September. Kara Scannell, thank you so much for bringing us that report. Brian?

ABEL: President Trump is in Nassau County, New York, where he's about to speak at the new police academy there.

[15:05:01]

He's expected to talk about a reduction in violent crime, but on his way to New York, he commented for the first time about the worsening conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. The Navy confirms one sailor jumped overboard last month, and families of crew members say others have tried. Alayna Treene is at the White House for us.

And Alayna, these are the President's first comments about the aircraft carrier, which has had families of sailors very concerned. What did he say?

ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, that's right, Brian. The President on Friday, you know, speaking with reporters once he had landed in New York or about when he -- before he was set to depart for New York, I should say, he dismissed those claims from the families of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, who said that they were concerned about the mental health crisis on the ship and also the length of the deployment.

The President also claimed that the ship's lengthy deployment had not, in fact, been long enough. I want you to listen to exactly what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Family members of U.S. service members are concerned about the conditions on board the USS Lincoln.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, no, that ship is moving. No, they're not. That ship is moving right now, or very shortly, and it's being replaced with another very similar ship.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Has their deployment gone on too long?

TRUMP: No, no, no.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you worried about the mental health concerns?

TRUMP: Not nearly long enough.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TREENE: Now, Brian, I just want to give you a little context on how long this ship has actually deployed. Since the Lincoln left its home port of San Diego last November, the aircraft carrier has been deployed for more than 250 days after being directed to the Middle East to support operations. It's now been deployed for nearly nine months in total. And look, we've heard from several Democratic lawmakers now calling for answers about these concerns raised by family members. They say that they're deteriorating living conditions aboard the ship and worsening mental health. But as you heard from the President, he said that another aircraft

carrier, the USS George Washington carrier group, which just finished a port visit in Vietnam on August 5th, that it is heading its way to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln of its duties. But this has been a huge controversy here in Washington, one that the President is so far trying to downplay,

I will note as well. We did hear from the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, yesterday, also arguing that these claims of a mental health crisis are being mischaracterized.

ABEL: It's a record-breaking deployment for the Lincoln. On a different issue, what can you tell us about the President filing this emergency request today, asking the Supreme Court to allow him to build his ballroom at the White House?

TREENE: Yes, this has been obviously a huge saga that this White House, and specifically this president, has been incredibly fixated on for several months now, Brian. And look, the Supreme Court, I should note, has ruled on a whole host of matters related to executive authority since the President has been in office. But this is the one, I think, that he has been most obsessed with.

Trump solicitor general, John Sauer, made several arguments in this filing today. One is essentially that it was too late to stop construction now, noting how there's been so much work that has already been completed. Obviously, if you see these images on your screen, it's basically a huge hole in the ground at this moment. So that was one of the key arguments. They say that the project was already 65 percent complete and a 250-person crew has been working 20 hours a day, seven days a week.

They also argued that the concrete and steel superstructure, which stretches five stories deep and is 70 feet high, they're arguing that stopping the project now would be the wrong move. So they're very much pushing back on the filing that said they have to halt production. Obviously, they are taking this to the Supreme Court to see which way they ultimately rule. Brian?

ABEL: Alayna Treene covering it all for us from the White House. Alayna, thank you.

Still to come, more on the reports of worsening mental health and living conditions aboard the USS Lincoln during this extended deployment. Lawmakers demanding answers now. We will discuss with Navy veteran Congressman Chris Deluzio.

Plus, catastrophic flooding in Illinois and Indiana. Entire towns submerged after a sixth straight day of storms. And later, a federal prosecutor confirms the white substance found inside the van of a Houston man who was shot and killed by ICE agents was not methamphetamine. That and much more coming up on CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:13:48] ABEL: As we've been reporting, President Trump is downplaying concerns from military families worried about conditions on board the USS Abraham Lincoln. The aircraft carrier had its deployment extended earlier this year to support the war with Iran. Its sailors have now been at sea for more than 250 days and more than 200 days without a port call, breaking a record.

Families have raised concerns about the serious mental toll the deployment is taking on the crew. And CNN has learned a sailor jumped from the ship earlier this month. The Navy says the USS George Washington carrier group is heading to the Middle East to relieve the Lincoln.

Joining us now, Democratic Congressman Chris Deluzio, a Navy veteran and a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

And Congressman, I want us to first listen again to what we heard from the President when he was boarding Air Force One this afternoon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Family members of U.S. service members are concerned about the conditions on board the USS Lincoln.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, no, that ship is moving. No, they're not. That ship is moving right now, or very shortly, and it's being replaced with another very similar ship.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Has their deployment gone on too long?

TRUMP: No, no, no.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you worried about the mental health concerns?

TRUMP: Not nearly long enough.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: Congressman, what's your reaction to the President's words there?

[15:15:05]

REP. CHRIS DELUZIO (D-PA): You know, when Donald Trump's turn to serve in Vietnam came, he dodged the draft. And for him to tell the families of those service members who've spent more days at sea than any American sailors in modern history is just a disgrace. He should go and say that to the faces -- right to the faces of the family members and see what they have to say about that. It's such disrespect for sailors and Marines under his command. He's the Commander-in-Chief and he is responsible ultimately for the conditions of the captains that he puts in command of the carrier strike group that's affecting these sailors and Marines. That is his responsibility and he should take some accountability. It's disgraceful stuff.

ABEL: You've been at sea with the Navy so you understand the lifestyle. Have you had conversations with your fellow Navy veterans across the aisle about what Congress needs to do and can do right now?

DELUZIO: Well, we're out of session away from Washington. The Republican leadership sent us out some weeks ago. But I think the Armed Services Committee should get to the bottom of this. I've been part of efforts to get answers about the treatment of personnel aboard the Lincoln. This should not be a partisan fight. Republicans should join us. I don't care if that's getting the secretary in front of us or getting a congressional delegation on the carrier to find out what's happening.

Families are sharing reports of what's gone on with offices like mine and offices all over the country. They are saying clearly that their loved ones, their sailors and Marines are not being treated well, are pushed to the brink.

And remember, they've been at sea now for months and months. They went more than 200 days without a port visit. That is horrible for any sailor in any condition, yet these are folks supporting combat operations, accepting and launching aircraft, doing all the things that you would do in tough environments. It's really, really brutal on these sailors and Marines.

ABEL: How many families have you heard from, Congressman, and what specifically are they telling you?

DELUZIO: Look, I want to respect the confidentiality of those conversations because my -- my sense, and there's been reporting of this, is that there is fear of reprisal for their service members. So, I'm going to respect that confidentiality, but there have been plenty of reports of family members reaching out to offices like mine, talking about the conditions, talking about food, lack of mail, how tired and stressed out their sailors are.

And again, if you were just deployed, you know, at sea, out to sea for a month, that'd be a long time because you're on watch, you're doing your job. Ships work 24/7. When you put on top of that combat operations and going 200 days without a port visit -- port visit, you see the problem, you see the stress these folks are under. It's really unacceptable. We got to get to the bottom of what's gone on to our sailors and Marines.

ABEL: Let's talk a little bit more about the backing of the Defense Department. The proposed White House defense budget for next fiscal year is asking for $1.5 trillion, in part, to bolster munitions and build out the U.S. Naval fleet that's shrunk since the first Gulf War in 1991. Is that $1.5 trillion necessary to address what is clearly a U.S. readiness concern?

DELUZIO: Well, the readiness concern has been made worse by Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth starting this war without understanding our defense industrial base's capacity, without understanding what the burn rate of munitions would be, without having a plan to relieve the Lincoln. Now, they're going to leave a void, apparently, in the South China Sea because they're moving George Washington in -- to the Persian Gulf. That's the reported plan publicly. Remember, they're asking for this trillion-plus dollars to continue this war. That's where the funding shortfalls are coming from, from a war that the American people and the Congress never authorized and do not want. The most responsible thing at this point would be to put an end to this war and get our troops and our sailors and Marines back home.

ABEL: Congressman, if this war is still ongoing in November and your party retakes the House as the majority, what do you expect constituents want to see Congress do to change the course of the war?

DELUZIO: They want us to put an end to it. I mean, this has cost American lives. It's cost billions and billions of dollars. We're all paying for this at home. Anyone who's filled up their gas tank, any farmer who's having to buy fertilizer, I could go on and on. The costs are tremendous.

The American people, and I've heard this all over Pennsylvania, they want us to put a stop to this. And if Democrats take control of the House, we should end this war. We should stop funding this war. And we should put investments into our military that are actually about making us safer and more ready for the next fights that we actually might have to take. And I continue to believe this war in Iran was not a fight we had to send Americans to go fight.

ABEL: And Congressman, while we're on the topic of electoral politics in your state, fellow Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman told the Washington Examiner earlier this week he will not campaign against his Republican counterpart, Senator Dave McCormick, if McCormick decides to run again in 2030.

[15:20:04]

Do you think voters are looking for that type of bipartisanship right now in today's political climate?

DELUZIO: John Fetterman was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate here in Pennsylvania, and yet 70 percent of Democrats disapprove of the job he's doing. I'm out there trying to help us win congressional races, State House and State Senate races. Democrats are fired up to win and deliver more responsible government. No one's asking John Fetterman to campaign with them. He has real, real work to do to earn back any trust with Democrats in Pennsylvania.

ABEL: Will you challenge him?

DELUZIO: I haven't decided. And look, my ambition for this country is far bigger than any one job. I want our country to be a place where your hard work translates to the good life, the American Dream. And it's not just about one job, and I haven't decided what I'll do after this year (INAUDIBLE) ...

ABEL: Have -- have you set a timeline ...

DELUZIO: ... election and (INAUDIBLE) ...

ABEL: Have you set a timeline for where -- when you will decide, Congressman?

DELUZIO: I'm sorry? No, I haven't yet.

ABEL: All right. Congressman Chris Deluzio, appreciate your time. Thank you.

DELUZIO: Thank you.

ABEL: Ahead, water rescues and evacuations are underway in parts of the Midwest after six straight days of severe storms. We'll take a look at the widespread damage and just how long this threat will last.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:26:01]

SANCHEZ: The flood ravaged Midwest is being slammed by heavy rains for a sixth straight day, and right now Indiana is taking the brunt of it. Entire communities are underwater. A once-in-a-thousand-year rainfall has sent rivers over their banks with floodwaters pouring into homes, forcing residents to flee with just the clothes on their backs and in the case of that gentleman with his pet in his arms.

Crews across the region are conducting water rescues. Mandatory evacuations are also in place. The storms have knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses. The assistant fire chief in Connersville, Indiana, says the community is going to need help.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NATE STEVENS, ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF, CONNERSVILLE, INDIANA: These houses down here have been completely destroyed. Our hardware store that we get all of our lumbers completely under -- was underwater, so they're going to have to, you know, provide material for these houses to be, you know, rebuilt.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Let's bring in CNN meteorologist Allison Chinchar.

Allison, what's in the forecast?

ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Unfortunately, more rain, which is the last thing these kind of areas need. Here you can see all of that water just sitting there because it has no place to go. Now, this is from Indiana, but it's not the only state that's been dealing with a lot of the heavy rain. Again, you've got flood watches in effect right now from very eastern Nebraska, stretching all the way over into portions of West Virginia in anticipation of more rain that is expected to come.

And as we mentioned, it's the last thing they need. You see all of the orange and red color here on the screen. A lot of those areas have already picked up half a foot of rain just since Monday. The pink area here on the map, focused right there in portions of Indiana, those areas have picked up 10, 12, even 14 inches of rain. Keep in mind, that is several months' worth of rain in just a few short days.

Now, the water that's kind of in some of the homes and businesses will gradually go away once it stops raining. But rivers, it's a more prolonged impact. That water takes a lot longer to recede. And you have more than 50 river gauges that are at or above flood stage, and it's likely going to be early next week before we really start to see those come back down to normal levels.

Here's a look at the radar. Again, you've still got several flash flood warnings out there, the heaviest rain right now across portions of Iowa. That is going to continue to push eastward as we go through the evening hours. By early Saturday morning, you're looking at heavy rain for places like Chicago, down through Toledo, Columbus, Dayton, Ohio, noting that Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois are really going to take the brunt of it early tomorrow morning before that system finally spreads over into areas of the Mid-Atlantic.

But notice right behind it, yet another system. So, this is still going to take several more days before we finally get some relief to some of these areas, not just Friday, but even Saturday. Notice Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and places like Chicago on the list for both days.

SANCHEZ: All right, Allison Chinchar, thank you so much for that. Brian?

ABEL: And now to some of the other headlines we are watching this hour. Tropical storm Lala is expected to become a hurricane this weekend as it moves dangerously close to Hawaii. Forecasters say even a slight shift in Lala's path could determine if it makes a rare landfall on the Big Island or narrowly passes to its south. Either way, the storm is threatening to bring damaging winds, heavy rain, mudslides, and life-threatening flooding. Hawaii's governor, Josh Green, has declared a statewide emergency.

Also, firefighters across Europe are still battling multiple wildfires as a new wave of record-breaking heat grips the continent. In Germany, all 1,800 residents of a village were forced to evacuate when a forest fire threatened their homes. Fires are also burning in Greece, Croatia, Albania, the U.K., and France, where temperatures in some places topped 106 degrees today.

And Italian officials say they've recovered three paintings that were stolen from a museum in northern Italy back in March, and we're now seeing surveillance video of the brazen heist from that night. The new video reveals it took the thieves just three minutes to make off with masterpieces by Renoir, Cezanne and Matisse.

[15:30:02]

The three paintings are valued at more than $10 million. Authorities reportedly discovered them while executing a search.