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Iran Dismisses Trump's Threat of "Crushing" Economic Operation; DOJ Announces Major National Security Arrest; DOJ Alleged ISIS Bomb Plot Thwarted at New York Capitol; Hospital Chaplain Testifies in Lindsay Clancy Trial 3-3:30p ET

Aired August 20, 2026 - 15:00   ET

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

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: ... as we head toward the midterms in November. Clare Duffy, thank you so much for bringing us that update.

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

ERICA HILL, CNN HOST: The ever-growing national debt just crossing a new milestone. America now owes more than $40 trillion, and that number is growing by the minute. Is there any appetite in Washington, though, to deal with the crisis?

Plus, COVID on the rise. The new CDC data, which shows cases climbing in every state. And the DEA now joining the investigation into the sudden death of actress Hayden Panettiere.

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

SANCHEZ: Happening now, Iran dismissing President Trump's latest threat to wage a crushing economic operation against Tehran. Today, Iran's foreign minister posted the so-called economic D-Day is a diversion from America's own crisis, unprecedented debt and surging interest costs. U.S. national debt has hit a staggering $40 trillion.

Earlier, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent blamed the debt in part on the Biden administration, and then he further explained President Trump's economic plan for Iran and any country that helps that regime.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT BESSENT, TREASURY SECRETARY: We are going to all of our allies, and this is going to be the greatest coordinated economic isolation in the history of the world. And we are going to them and saying, you are either with us or against us. If you insist on doing business with them, either transferring money, buying their oil, they are doing seaborne ship transfers, then the U.S. Treasury and the U.S. government, they will put its full might and force toward enforcing against you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: With us now is CNN senior political commentator and former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger.

Adam, thank you so much for being with us.

Destroying Iran's economy would take, by some estimates, potentially years. Do you think President Trump has the patience to do so, especially as the November midterms inch closer?

ADAM KINZINGER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I mean, clearly no. This -- he -- he didn't have the patience to really do anything on this. He thought this would be a one or two day war. And here's the thing, you know, you take diplomatic information, military and economic, it's called the dime model. Those are usually the four instruments of power you use when doing a foreign policy thing.

At the very beginning of the war, remember they actually relieved sanctions for Iran. During the so-called MOU at the beginning, they allowed Iran to export a lot of oil. They have not brought our allies in. They've spent their time going after our allies, attacking them, calling them weak.

And then when they don't join, unsurprisingly, you know, like with South Korea, then making friend -- best friends with his enemy. And then, on the information front, you know, Iran puts out Lego videos and the White House spent their whole time attacking Democrats. That's how this works.

So, does he have the patience? I -- I don't think so because he clearly hasn't had the patience so far for this war that we've won, you know, at least 20 times. But I do think, I will say, this is, you know, probably a -- a option that we have to press forward with because we put ourselves in a pretty bad situation here and allowing Iran to come out of this stronger, which has happened so far, would be a really bad outcome.

SANCHEZ: Though traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains greatly reduced, greater volumes of oil are finding routes out of the Middle East, especially with U.S. protection and -- and the promise of it. At what point do you think that economic pressure paired with these punishing actions that the U.S. is apparently going to take, is that going to be enough to tilt leverage against Tehran? In other words, is economic pressure going to be enough?

KINZINGER: I mean, I think in the near term, no, because keep in mind, we have a very low in the United States, we have a very low pain threshold. That's probably a good thing because we want to have a great economy. Iran has a very high pain threshold, not because the people there necessarily do, but because the government's in-state goal is simply to stay in power. This is, you know, when people would say like, well, we destroyed only about half of their missiles, by the way, but when they would say, well, we've destroyed their missiles, their Navy and their Air Force, it's like, well, the reason they have those tools is to keep the regime in power. That's what they're using to do that.

So,, staying in power is their ultimate goal, so until the people rise up, until they plain run out of money or you see a massive economic collapse, they're going to continue to hold out. But that said, again, I think this is of all the bad options out there, this is probably the best for now, as long as Donald Trump doesn't change his mind like he does every 42 hours and come up with something different.

[15:05:09]

SANCHEZ: The -- that question about an uprising in Iran is interesting because we've seen it previously happen when there have been economic difficulties. We've also seen it, as you described, the government in Tehran crush any form of dissent. Now, you have the National Iranian Gas Company warning of shortages coming this winter.

If we do see some form of widespread protest, how should the United States respond?

KINZINGER: Well, I think we need to be obviously verbally supportive. I think there should be real discussion about whether there's certain groups that are trustworthy that potentially you arm. I think building strong alliances with our friends in the region. This is why allies are important, Boris, which seems to be something the administration has forgotten. Not just allies in the Middle East, but allies in Asia, allies in Europe. Bringing all of that power to bear can help give encouragement to the people to rise up.

But yes, look, the Iranian government, the regime responds brutally to this. And keep in mind, at the beginning of this war, Donald Trump told them to rise up. He told them their freedom was here. And then all of a sudden he lost interest and a lot of them died as a result. So, I think we just have to be clear. And this is one of my biggest criticisms besides the launching of the war itself with this administration, is just be honest with the American people.

You know, when you keep saying the war is over, we've already won, there's nothing left. And then here we are six months later, seven months later, people know you're not telling the truth. Lay it in front of the American people, what the cost is going to be, how long this -- you expect this to take. And America is willing to do a lot of stuff as long as you're honest with them.

SANCHEZ: Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger, always appreciate getting your perspective.

Breaking news to CNN, the FBI says it has thwarted an ISIS-inspired plot to bomb New York's Capitol building. Officials began speaking just moments ago. Let's watch.

JOHN SARCONE, FIRST ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NY: ... I would say a milestone here in this -- in this district. It's been some time since anything like this has happened. But we wanted to announce the arrest of Jessica Bowie, age 35, of Albany, New York. She's charged with one count of 18 USC 2339B, attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, namely the Islamic Republic of Iran -- I'm sorry, Iraq, commonly known as ISIS.

On Wednesday, August 19th, 2026, Bowie was apprehended by law enforcement for her actions attempting to provide material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations. Bowie had pointed to use -- had plotted to use an explosive device to attack the New York State Capitol and the New York State Senators.

The American people embody an enduring spirit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, values fundamentally opposed by foreign terrorists. Organizations such as this one and this defendant is accused of supporting. As alleged, this defendant was radicalized online and spread messages of hate and violence against the American people.

Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Department of Justice, along with our law enforcement partners here today, will continue to use every resource at our disposal to identify, investigate, and stop anyone who seeks to engage in terrorist acts.

The charge against Bowie carries a statutory maximum prison term of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a lifetime term of supervised release. The charge in the complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The allegations in this complaint are deeply disturbing, that someone would harbor such hatred toward our way of life and seek to target the New York State Capitol and New York State Senators. That's an attack on democracy itself and one we will not tolerate.

I'm incredibly proud to work with the men and women of the FBI and our law enforcement partners who identified, investigated, and ultimately stopped this defendant before she could act on her plot to bring terror to the Capitol region and the United States. I am grateful for their dedication and the people of the Capitol region and across the nation share in that gratitude.

[15:10:04]

Before I turn it over to Special Agent-in-Charge FBI, Craig Tremaroli, who will discuss the investigation in further detail, I want the American people to know this: Today's announcement will have a chilling effect on anyone in this country who is being radicalized or considering acts of violence and on our enemies whose governments support death to America. We are vigilant, we are prepared, and just as we stop this defendant, we will continue to disrupt plots and protect the American people.

My office looks forward to aggressively prosecuting this case and delivering justice for the American people. At this time, I'd like to turn it over to Special Agent-in-Charge FBI, Craig Tremaroli. Craig?

CRAIG TREMAROLI, FBI SPECIAL AGENT-IN-CHARGE, ALBANY FIELD OFFICE: Thank you to our First Assistant United States Attorney, John Sarcone and thank you all for being here today for this very significant announcement. I want to sincerely thank our partners from Secret Service, Albany Police Department, New York State Police, the Albany County Sheriff's Office, and HSI.

As the First Assistant United States Attorney said, Jessica Bowie was arrested by FBI Albany's Joint Terrorism Task Force and has been charged by the Northern District of New York with attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. In this instance, that foreign terrorist organization is ISIS, perhaps one of the most vicious organizations that is hell-bent on murdering Americans, destroying our democracy, and disrupting our very own way of life.

As alleged in the complaint, Ms. Bowie swore her allegiance to ISIS through multiple audio recordings in both English and Arabic. She clearly stated her desire to carry out an attack at the New York State Capitol. In her own words, as alleged in the criminal complaint, she said, quote, "I want to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting. I want them to lose a lot of important documents as well."

She continued, as referenced in the complaint, quote, "I don't want to take this kind of risk and have it kill, what, two or three people. What good is that?" The complaint alleges that she arranged to have an explosive device made out to carry this attack. Even purchasing several of the required materials herself.

She conducted surveillance at the Capitol at least five times, taking dozens of photos. She requested a gun she intended to use on any law enforcement officer who tried to stop her. More specifically, according to the complaint, she said, quote, something powerful, but easy enough to conceal, so if the cops do get towards me during the operation, I can shoot back.

As alleged in the complaint, when she met up with the confidential human source to retrieve the materials she asked for, she paid the agreed upon price for the gun, and when asked to make a donation to the purported bomb maker, she provided another $200.

Now, I want to be clear, she left that meeting with both items. Make no mistake about it, Ms. Bowie's alleged plot was serious, it was dangerous, and thanks to the partnerships on the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, it was foiled.

This investigation started just over a month ago, and I'm incredibly proud of the work of our team who worked around the clock to accomplish this disruption and subsequent arrest. Now we begin the process of working backwards to determine what led to her actions. We will continue to dedicate every resource to ensure she's held accountable for her alleged actions. We are thankful to do it in concert with our outstanding partners at the Northern District of New York, who have matched our intensity and passion with this investigation since its inception.

As we stand here today, we're just weeks away from commemorating the 25th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11. This investigation highlights the harsh reality that there are still adversaries intent on conducting terrorist attacks on American soil. As alleged in this complaint, Ms. Bowie is one of them. You'll see in the court documents that she once wrote, quote, "Praise be Allah for September 11th."

[15:15:00] Also in the court documents, she told the source that she went from a little girl waving the American flag after 9/11 to now having stickers of the fallen towers. Folks, let that sink in.

Again, Ms. Bowie didn't just want to kill lawmakers, she wanted a complete disruption of our government. And after that, she planned to flee the country and one day come back to, quote, "Do more," such as New Year's Eve in Times Square, even stating she would come back to attack the White House and the President, but only after she bombed the state capitol.

I'm here with our partners to say, not on our watch. Let this be a message to any individual out there committing -- considering similar criminal acts, this FBI will find you. Under this leadership team, alongside our brilliant partners, we're moving more decisively than ever to identify, locate, arrest criminals before they can carry out their alleged plots.

Since the beginning of 2026, this FBI has already prevented over 400 individuals from carrying out such alleged attacks here at home and abroad. This FBI is built to crush those threats and defend Americans, and we will. As I turn it back to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone for questions, I just want to be clear that we included an incredible amount of detail in this criminal complaint. But this point of the investigation, we must stick to just those facts.

We'll do our best to answer any questions you may have, but please understand, this is a very active and ongoing investigation. I'll turn it over to First Assistant United States Attorney.

SARCONE: Thank you. Thank you, Craig. At this time, as you know, it is an active investigation, but we'll try to answer as many questions as -- as we can. So, if you have a question, just stick your hand up, and when I call on you, identify the -- who you're -- who you're representing. So, yes.

KATE WIESEL: I'm Kate Wiesel (ph) with City & State. First wanted to know, how did you become aware of this? You know, and does this signify there needs to be better security anywhere?

SANCHEZ: We've been listening to officials in New York announcing that they've prevented an ISIS bomb plot, a terror attack against New York's state capitol, arresting 35-year-old Jessica Bowie of Albany -- apprehended as she planned to attack New York state lawmakers in the name of ISIS. Let's go to CNN Senior Crime and Justice Correspondent Shimon Prokupecz, who's with us.

What else do we know about this 35-year-old woman, Jessica Bowie?

SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN SENIOR CRIME AND JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: So, this is a really, Boris, a -- a really fascinating case, because I'm trying to read here through these documents that we just got a short time ago, and it's really detailed. I think the government there told you that they have released a lot of information, and they truly have, including photos and other items, right? But something that I find really interesting here, given -- having

covered ISIS-inspired plots, and that's what this is. This is not a cell network. This is not anything of some large group planning this attack. It's one person, a woman, Jessica Bowie. Her age is striking to me, because a lot of times we see in these cases, it's men who are much younger, 18, 19, 20, men who are radicalized online, which is what the government is alleging in this case. Here we have a woman, Jessica Bowie. She's 35 years old. She lives in Albany, according to the government. And what the government says in these documents is that Bowie converted to Islam approximately five years ago. And so, her radicalization -- unclear as to when this radicalization started.

But the government here stresses that this was all developing within the last month. And important to note here, they -- the government, the FBI, through the Joint Terrorism Task Force -- was fully in control, and what I mean by it is they were monitoring this woman. They were monitoring her at every step. They had what they called confidential human sources who were engaging with her, allegedly, and were in on what was happening. And you heard them describe some of those conversations in that press conference that she was having with individuals.

Those individuals were working on behalf of the FBI. And so you have here, there's this stunning photo that they released as part of the documents that they filed with court, allegedly showing Bowie trying to buy some of these items, nails, at a Home Depot.

[15:19:59]

She was essentially trying to build a bomb. A bomb to use on the state capitol in Albany because they say she wanted to harm, number one, the United States, on behalf of her being inspired by ISIS and to hurt the United States and to hurt our senators here in New York State.

Now, she lives in Albany, not far from where this happened. They also released photos of her conducting surveillance near the capitol. So, they were monitoring her. They were watching her at every step. And in one of the more recent meetings that occurred on August 5th, Bowie, this document says, told a confidential human source that she had a DoorDash bag that delivery drivers use that could be used to hold the explosive.

And there's that bag, allegedly, that the government says she planned to place the explosive in and essentially wanted to commit a lot of harm and a lot of damage. Radicalization here, the government says. The age is very striking. The fact that this was a woman. Certainly, also, this is something that the government was clearly monitoring. She had allegedly posted things on social media. So, I think that's perhaps, in some way, how she got on the radar of the government. You heard the U.S. attorney and the FBI there talk about the partnership with the Joint Terrorism Task Force. That's involving the Albany State Police, other Albany police officials.

So, all of them working together to really try and get ahead of this to make sure that, in fact, that she couldn't do anything here. The other thing, I think, and one last thing, as we approach September

11th, I think it's important to note that she mentioned September 11th in her -- during some of these text messages that she sent. She said, quote, "Praised to be Allah for September 11th." So, certainly, the government here, concerned here, saying this was a serious plot, but they were able to intercept this. They were able to get ahead of this using confidential human sources, and now we have this arrest.

HILL: Yes, absolutely. Quite a development this afternoon. Shimon, really appreciate it (INAUDIBLE) going through those documents. Stay with us. We'll be right back.

PROKUPECZ: Yes, it's a lot.

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[15:26:41]

HILL: Closing arguments in the Lindsay Clancy trial could begin as soon as Monday. The jury was dismissed this morning after hearing from just one witness. Sheila Cavanaugh, a hospital chaplain who met with Clancy a week after the Massachusetts mother killed her three young children and attempted to take her own life. The prosecution has called those killings deliberate, the defense says Clancy was suffering from extreme mental illness. CNN Correspondent Brynn Gingras is joining us now with more of the development.

So, what did we heard -- what did -- pardon me, Brynn -- what did you hear before court was -- was cut short for the day?

BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Erica. So, Sheila Cavanaugh, as you mentioned, a chaplain in the hospital Lindsay Clancy was in directly after these killings happened. She met with her a week later, but she since has also met with her more than 200 times. So they have a pretty strong relationship in the spiritual sense. And she was a key witness for the defense trying to prove this argument that Lindsay, you know, was in the throes of a postpartum psychosis moment when she killed her children. And I want you to hear the exchange between Cavanaugh and the defense attorney, Kevin Reddington about exactly what he was getting at to -- to make his point.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHEILA CAVANAUGH, HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN: She said to me, as I held her hand to comfort her, I am so glad my children are safe.

KEVIN REDDINGTON, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Was there any other conversation that you had with her?

CAVANAUGH: I replied theologically to Lindsay and I said, Lindsay, your children are safe. They're safe in heaven with God. And I held her hand throughout that conversation. And we prayed for them.

REDDINGTON: Did she make any other statements to you?

CAVANAUGH: She did. She alluded to having heard a voice and the voice, according to Lindsay, told her that if she did not follow the command, neither she nor her children would be safe.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GINGRAS: Again, a critical witness for the defense. As we've seen in another witness, we've seen two that have said this about voices. The other -- I'm sorry, the cross-examination pointed to the same thing. And that is basically asking Cavanaugh, how come we have never heard about these voices prior to the killings? Basically in the notes of any of the help that Lindsay's -- you know, was seeking out. To her answer, she basically tells the prosecution that they had a spiritual relationship and that's, you know, privileged information between the two.

So, she wouldn't have actually written down that sort of thing in her notes. So, these are the sort of, you know, tense exchanges that we also see on the cross-examination as well. But again, a key moment for the defense, a key moment for the jury to hear. We're seeing the defense, Erica, wrap up at this point. We expect them to call one more witness. Of course, that could always change. There could be more, but as of now, we expect one more witness. We don't expect it to be Patrick Clancy, Lindsay's ex-husband or Lindsay herself, but we do expect this case to possibly wrap up sometime next week when the prosecution has a chance for a rebuttal case and then closing arguments, as you said, probably early next week.

HILL: All right. Brynn, appreciate it. Thank you.

We are following a summer surge in COVID cases and a new warning from experts as we see this spike in activity coming ahead of the usual schedule. That's up next.

[15:30:03]

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