Return to Transcripts main page

CNN News Central

Interview with Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI): Trump Defends Promise of $5,000 for Americans if GOP Wins in Midterms; Nation Marks 25 Years Since 9/11 Terror Attacks; 25 Years Later, 9/11 Responder Recounts Attacks, Aftermath. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired September 11, 2026 - 15:30   ET

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

[15:30:00]

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: President Trump issuing new challenges and new promises at the Republican midterm convention in Texas. Over the course of the two-day event, the president encouraged voters to pretend he was on the ballot this November, even though he is not. And at one point, he urged Republicans, quote, to cheat like hell.

The president also defended his plan to give $5,000 to every American adult if Republicans maintain control of Congress. And in an interview with CBS, he insisted he may not even need lawmakers to make it happen.

We're joined now by Republican Congressman Tom Barrett of Michigan. Congressman, thank you so much for being with us. All right, I wonder what you'd say to your constituents.

Should they bank on these $5,000 checks? Do you think Congress would have to get involved here? What is your expectation?

REP. TOM BARRETT (R-MI), VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: Well, I do think Congress have to be involved in any decision of that magnitude, certainly. And, you know, there are a lot of competing interests for how we spend funds out of the public treasury. You know, we're running a $40 trillion debt right now.

I think that we have to be wise about the investments we make as a country, how we spend money. There's a tremendous amount of pressure on our federal budget right now. And I think it demands a conversation about how we go about spending money that that requires, you know, debate and consideration.

KEILAR: So maybe don't factor it into your budget yet. Would that be your advice?

BARRETT: Well, you know, I think that, you know, if we want to look at, you know, some of the tariff revenue that's come into the country and how we apply that and how we best apply that to benefit American citizens, I think that's worthy of our consideration. But I think it's something that, again, demands a debate from Congress to have that discussion.

KEILAR: As I mentioned, the president led the crowd in this pledge, whether they're registered or not, to, quote, try to cheat like hell. Your state, of course, was the target of an unsuccessful Trump lawsuit on alleged voter fraud after the 2020 election. What is your message to voters on how they should be approaching their duty this Election Day?

BARRETT: Well, I certainly think that every voter who is registered to vote is a legal citizen of the United States and legally registered in their home jurisdiction. Certainly should avail themselves of the privilege of taking advantage of our voting rights here in our country. That's something that I've always stood for.

When I was in the state legislature in Michigan, I was able to successfully pass legislation that requires our clerks in Michigan to use paper ballots because there were concerns about these electronic voting machines that, you know, weren't leaving a paper trail as to how people were voting in case there was need for a recount or an audit of a particular election. I think that's something that is very common sense and something that we ought to demand. But also here in Michigan, just a few weeks ago, our board of canvassers that sets the terms for the upcoming election was reviewing petitions that were submitted by citizens of our state to place on the ballot through direct citizen-initiated legislation to amend our state constitution to require that only citizens would be voting in our election and to amend the use of voter I.D. to stipulate that only those who are actually registered and actually present with their I.D. would be able to cast a ballot in an election, something that 80 percent or more of Americans support.

And when the board of canvassers met to review that, a Whitmer -- Gretchen Whitmer appointed board decided to disregard the signatures of the people of the state of Michigan to place that before the voters. They said that the sample that they drew of review was not sufficient to place it on the ballot. And then the organization that that brought these signatures forward actually had notarized statements from people that they had rejected signatures from saying, yes, this was my signature.

I signed this document and you can be assured that this is my actual signature. And they still rejected it. So that is an absolute violation of the constitutional protections in our state.

It should be an outrage to everybody in Michigan, and it should be an outrage across the country that that can happen, that voters voices would be silenced in that way because of a political opposition and not allowing the voice of the voters to go forward. It's an egregious overreach that I haven't seen anything like that happen before.

KEILAR: I think they rejected it based on the validity of the signatures.

BARRETT: But I do want those people brought forward affidavits signed and notarized. So a notary public attested to the fact that this person said I had signed this petition when it was put in front of me. You mistakenly disregarded my signature.

I have a notarized document saying, yes, this was me. Yes, I signed it. Overwhelmingly rejecting that idea that they were not valid signatures and they still rejected them after that.

That's I mean, I don't know about you.

[15:35:00]

I'm just an army grunt. I'm not a sophisticated CNN host, but that to me seems like a pretty egregious violation of people's rights.

KEILAR: I do want, as you say, you are an army grunt. I want to ask you on this occasion, 25 years after 9/11, which changed certainly the course of this nation, changed the course of your life. You spent many years in the army and you're a veteran of the post 9/11 wars.

How are you reflecting on this anniversary?

BARRETT: Yes, I'm like all Americans and certainly Americans of my generation that were serving during the war on terror. I spent 22 years of my life in the Army and really my entire career was spent in the war on terror. I was in the Army.

I was a young private over in South Korea 25 years ago today. It was actually the early morning hours of September 12th when we learned of the terror attacks of 9/11 because of the time zone difference between New York and South Korea, where I was stationed at the time. And originally, we didn't understand what was happening.

We actually thought it was part of the training exercise we had recently started and that this was embedded in the scenario that we were given. And it wasn't until later in the day that we understood the full weight of what was happening in our country. And that really did change the course of my life and the life of so many other Americans, whether they lost family in 9/11, whether they lost loved ones in the war on terror, whether they served themselves in that capacity.

But it's a reminder to me every day to certainly never forget what happened on 9/11, but also remember the veterans, the first responders and other who made sacrifices on our behalf. I spent the next 20 years after 9/11 serving in the Army. So it is a day of great reflection for me and for, as I said, so many others in my generation.

And it's a call to really do our best to make good on that sacrifice that was made on our behalf. We had 7,000 American troops that died in the associated conflicts of the war on terror. But perhaps maybe more devastating than that is that we lost 30,000 more war on terror troops to suicide after they returned back home.

That's an indictment against us as a society and our culture and what we do and how we treat veterans. And I think it's a demand that we do our absolute best to do everything we can to recognize their service and help their return back home to reintegrate into society.

KEILAR: And one of the ways that a number of veterans service organizations say that needs to be done, which you're well aware of, you're on the Veterans Affairs Committee. They say, and we interviewed this week the head of MOAA, which is one of those lead organizations. They say Congress needs to pass the Take Care of America's Veterans Act.

And for Americans out there who don't know what that is, this is actually a collection of a number of bills that would help out veterans, caregivers of wounded veterans. It really runs the gamut. Gold Star families, so many things.

And Congress went into recess without passing the bill. Is that going to pass?

BARRETT: Well, you know, I can't speak for other members of Congress and how they would vote on a bill, but I can tell you that about seven of my own personal bills that I sponsored were actually embedded within that bill package. And, you know, I would really encourage you to reach out to Representative Takano from California, who's the ranking member on the Veteran Affairs Committee, who opposes this legislation and ask that question of him. You know, as I said, I can't speak for other members of Congress, but about seven of my bills that I introduced running everywhere from upgrading.

KEILAR: You're in the majority, at least for now, right? So let's so let me ask you this. Are you guys going to pass this?

BARRETT: Well, you know, as you know, I'm a freshman member of the majority and I get to have one vote on the floor of the House of Representatives. I don't take responsibility for any other members vote, but I can tell you where I've been on the bill.

KEILAR: But you're a veteran, I mean, people listen to you.

BARRETT: I am.

KEILAR: I respect that you're a freshman.

BARRETT: Yes.

KEILAR: But you have an important voice, right?

BARRETT: And I spoke on the floor in support of the bill. I co- sponsored it and I have seven of my bills included within it. You know, I can't, you know, you've seen me vote in different ways against my own Republican majority at times.

I voted, you know, on bills that passed that I voted against and I voted for bills that didn't pass before. So I can't stand here as somebody who takes responsibility for others votes in Congress. I can vote according to what I think is the right course of action that we take.

But you're right. There are so many measures in that bill. One that I introduced that would give our Guard and Reservists easier access to the VA home loan program so that they can more easily go out and purchase a home, an issue that we need to encourage more of.

Others that would finally elevate the benefits for our Gold Star families, the surviving families of those that lost their lives in service to our country. [15:40:00]

They haven't had a meaningful upgrade to their benefits in about 30 years. So these are things that I want to see us get done. And I think there's a lot of volatility and a lot of division in Congress right now.

And I wish at the very least when it came to issues concerning our veterans, that it wasn't stuck in the normal just division that has really affected every single facet of Congress. That has been, honestly, my biggest disappointment serving in Congress over the last year and a half has been the absolute partisan division in every single step of every single work that we do. Nothing seems to be avoided in that partisan division.

And, you know, I'd love to see that move forward in a way that didn't require so much divisive rhetoric. But sadly, we're in a point it seems like in society right now, frankly, I think, enabled by the media that likes to see this division continue in our country, that really makes it so much harder to just go forward and do the ordinary legislating that used to not take so much division, you know, that we could just do the right thing and get it done for our veterans.

KEILAR: I will just note on this bill, we are out of time, unfortunately, we'll just note Republicans are in the majority in the House. They do control the floor.

BARRETT: Absolutely.

KEILAR: So we'll see.

We'll see where this bill goes. The Take Care of America's Veterans Act.

BARRETT: And you can talk to the other, you know, 220 Republicans in the House to ask their opinion. I can only render mine on where I've been and how I voted in the past and what I've done.

KEILAR: You work with them. You'll have even better luck than me asking them about it. But Congressman Tom Barrett, thank you so much.

BARRETT: Thank you for having me.

KEILAR: Ahead on CNN NEWS CENTRAL, honoring those who lost their lives in the September 11th attacks and the responders who risked their lives in the days that followed.

[15:45:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JIMENEZ: Every year, this day is painful. It's emotional for so many Americans, as the nation pauses to never forget 9/11. It has now been 25 years since the terror attacks killed nearly 3,000 people, changing our world forever. With us now is John Feal. He is a 9/11 responder, advocate for those impacted by the attacks, and founder of the FealGood Foundation. He is also the author of "I Will Follow You Anywhere, The True Story of the 9/11 Responders Who Took On Congress."

John, I really appreciate you taking some time for us today. Because look, you fought so hard for so many years for victim compensation, for first responders, beyond 9/11, the day itself. And then for the first time, there is a moment of silence for those who died from 9/11- related illnesses.

What did that moment mean to you?

JOHN FEAL, 9/11 RESPONDER: Well, one, thank you for having me. And today was, well, this whole week was rough. But, you know, when I heard that seven toll at a bell, and then they played taps, there was a lot of crying and a lot of hugging.

And, you know, I exchanged some pleasantries with Mayor Bloomberg. And, you know, that seven toll gives the 9/11 community validity. And they are now included with those who died from senseless violence that horrific Tuesday morning.

And those heroes that ran into harm's way that never went home to their families. We're now united as one. And that seven toll represents the past, present, and future.

Because more people will get sick and more people will die. Because, frankly, we lost 9,700 people since 9/11. There's 57,000 people with a certified 9/11-related cancer.

And there's 155,000 people in the World Trade Center Health Program. And when I heard that bell toll, it shook my body. It crushed my soul.

Sorry. Knowing that for many people today was the 25th anniversary, 25th remembrance, however you want to phrase it. But for us directly affected by 9/11, it's the longest day in the history of days.

It hasn't ended. It's still going on for us, and it's still taking its toll, and it's still killing.

JIMENEZ: I know it's been a really hard day for you, as it has been for so many. When you stopped just a moment ago, what were you thinking? What was top of your mind?

FEAL: The amount of loss of life, you know. But I also always bring myself back to September 12th. I always bring myself back after the initial shock and awe and the devastation and carnage and destruction, how we came together, how we were one, how we became united.

And we put aside our differences and our ideologies and our politics and our religion. It didn't matter if you were tall, short, skinny, fat, black, white, Muslim, Jewish, Catholic. We were human beings.

And the outpour of empathy and compassion and humanity was stronger than ever. And I'm going to live my life that way, and I'm not going to conform to the finger point and the disdain and the hate because that's not getting us anywhere. And this country needs today to remember how good we used to be.

JIMENEZ: Yes. You know, everyone's thinking back 25 years, so much time. As you have put it correctly, many still going through this, physical tolls, emotional tolls. There are so many words to also describe exactly what we saw on September 11th, the exact day.

But given your experience and your work, how would you characterize the deadly impact that's come afterward?

FEAL: Well, it's getting worse. The 9/11 community is a finite number. We're not getting bigger.

We're getting smaller every day. It's getting worse.

[15:50:00]

And the World Trade Center Health Program, NIOSH, the CDC, the Victims' Compensation Fund, everybody who takes care of us and treats us with health care and compensation, the VCF lawyers, the law firms, everybody needs to evolve.

We're a dying community that's evolving for the worse. And that goes for the advocates. That goes for myself.

We need to do better to take care of these men and women, uniform and non-uniform, so we can ease their pain as they get older.

JIMENEZ: You know, I know you saw it this week. New York City released over 170,000 pages of documents revealing officials repeatedly misled residents about the toxic air quality levels. If I'm not mistaken, because I listened to one of your earlier interviews, you're glad for the transparency, but you wish this had been released sooner.

FEAL: Yes, you know, Mamdani, transparency. The other four administrations, not so much. The first administration, shame on them.

But if it was done sooner, maybe we wouldn't have made 400 trips to Washington over two decades. Maybe it would have only been 150. Maybe 9,700 people wouldn't be dead.

Maybe it would only be 4,100. Maybe the city could have said, you know what? The water's not that safe.

The air's not that safe. Let's not put those students in the 14 schools in the geographic zone that was considered contaminated. You know, maybe we didn't put those people in their apartments so quick.

Maybe we didn't open Wall Street six days later. Maybe we would have taken care of human life because we don't value human life. Human life takes a backseat to economics and the almighty dollar.

I'm never going to live my life that way. I'm never going to conform to that. This is hard to wrap your arms around that we have such little regard for human life.

Shame on the Giuliani administration.

JIMENEZ: You know, you were talking about it earlier that the 9/11 survivor community, the first responder community, it's only getting smaller as time goes on. And, you know, just by the way time works, the amount of people that are growing are people who were not alive when 9/11 happened, new generations trying to understand and grapple with the significance of this day. For you personally, how do you reflect on that day 25 years later, and what would you say to get a newer generation trying to learn about this, to understand the magnitude of what happened?

FEAL: Well, I'm never going to fault anybody for being born after 9/11. I mean, I was born 25 years after Pearl Harbor. I didn't really know about Pearl Harbor until I went to school and learned about it.

But here's what's going to happen. Man-made, mother nature, terrorist, historic events are going to happen in their lifetime. And like we did on 9/11, the American people ran towards harms way with those first responders and everyone else.

And the federal government is going to be slow in responding. And what's going to happen is advocacy is going to be born out of that. And I hope and I pray somebody steps up and challenges their federal, state, or local governments, challenges their leadership, their decision-making, and their empathy and compassion and their humanity to ensure the safety of those who live in that area and those who run into harms way.

That's what advocacy is.

JIMENEZ: John Feal, I know it's been a difficult day for you personally as well, like so many others. So I really appreciate you taking just a few minutes to be with us today.

FEAL: Thank you for having me. It means the world to me.

JIMENEZ: Of course. We'll be right back.

[15:55:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: The first of two men's semifinal matches underway right now at the U.S. Open. The number one-seeded Alexander Zverev is facing off right now against Karen Khachanov. Later tonight, fans will watch an all-American semifinal between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe.

JIMENEZ: I will be locked in for that. On women's side, Coco Gauff was bounced by the new World's number one Elena Rybakina, who will meet Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Let's bring in CNN's Patrick Snell, who's in Queens, New York City.

Where do things stand with the match happening right now on the men's side? PATRICK SNELL, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Omar Briana. Welcome to Flushing Meadows. Just outside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Your timing absolutely impeccable because the German player Alexander Zverev has just taken the first set in that match. So a good start for him. But of course, the thousands are going to be here later on, right here to see the all-American clash between two crowd favorites, Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton.

I tell you what, Shelton coming off the career performance of his lifetime in the quarterfinal, taking care of business in five sets against Carlos Alcaraz from Spain, the defending champion. An epic classic all-timer of a match. You finished it just after 3:30 a.m. I foolishly stayed up to watch it all. So you got that dimension. And then you got Tiafoe coming off his own classic quarterfinal, a five- setter against an American player, another American, Alex Michelsen there. So you've got those two dynamics.

But the Tiafoe one is really interesting because he's had two semi- final defeats already at this tournament, the U.S. Open. He says that is a learning experience for him. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FRANCES TIAFOE, SEEKING FIRST CAREER MAJOR FINAL APPEARANCE: I'm just a different person in general. You know, those two rounds were great, something I'll cherish forever. But I'm not that person who I was when I made one in 22, when I made one in 24.

I'm not that person. I'm excited to see what this me does come Friday.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNELL: A heartbreaking loss, meantime, for Coco Gauff, who won here in 2023 against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan. Coco looks so good. She made such a dream start in that one, cheered on by Michelle Obama, no less, amongst other people.

But she couldn't get the job done. She said afterwards it was a painful defeat, but it's going to be a learning experience for her, she hopes. Heartbreak for Coco.

Back to you.

[16:00:00]

KEILAR: Yes, such heartbreak. But what's not heartbreaking, as Patrick Snell's reports, where you're always having the very best time.

I love it, Patrick. Thank you so much for that update.

SNELL: Appreciate it, thank you.

KEILAR: "THE ARENA" with Kasie Hunt starts right now.

END