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U.S.-Iran Talks Stalled But Not Over Yet; Trump Threatens Iran's Delegates Over Closing Of Strait; FIFA Says 250,000 Visitors To Atlanta Fan Fest Over Past 10 Days; Crucial Pennsylvania Races Could Decide Control Of House; Algae Bloom And Peeling Coating Issues Plague Reflecting Pool. Aired 6-7p ET

Aired June 21, 2026 - 18:00   ET

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

[18:02:19]

OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to the CNN NEWSROOM, everyone. I'm Omar Jimenez in New York.

Tonight, a source tells CNN face-to-face talks between the United States and Iran are now in a holding pattern in Switzerland. The talks coming to an impasse after President Donald Trump issued a series of threats over the Strait of Hormuz, but that source says the negotiations aren't over, and backchannel talks are still underway.

Officials from Iran and the U.S., including vice president J.D. Vance, are in Switzerland for negotiations after an interim agreement was signed earlier this week. Yesterday, Iran said it was closing the strait after alleging Israel violated a ceasefire by attacking Lebanon.

A lot to get to here, we're covering this from around the world. CNN international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson is with us from Switzerland and CNN correspondent Julia Benbrook has the latest from the White House.

Nic, I just want to start with you first. Where do negotiations stand at the moment? It seems things have moved quickly, but also haven't quite gone out the window.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, and that does feel as if where we are, with these sort of backchannel diplomatic efforts to get Iran back at the table to get them over President Trump's comments, if you will. That does seem to be going on, but at the same time, it's being done in extreme secrecy, it's not being talked about.

Look, there was already high security around this venue. There were very few journalists allowed in. Qataris, for example, also able to take their own team in. You know, each delegation could take one sort of media team in. So there is no sort of media or very small media information coming out. And no one is really talking, you know, various people have various sources who are close to this. And we get some information coming out.

But really, even that information dried up over the past couple of hours. So at the moment, there's nothing. As best we know, the Iranians are still here. They're still in Switzerland. And that, I think, you know, for the mediators, Pakistan and Qatar, who will be trying to talk to them, that's a positive thing. And they've been here before, these mediators trying to persuade the Iranians that President Trump's rhetoric doesn't really represent the intent of where he's trying to go, to de-escalate, to have a memorandum of understanding that can be worked through.

And I think perhaps what will have sort of been a catalyst for concern among the Iranians is they come into this not trusting the United States fundamentally. They will have heard the Vice President J.D. Vance speak very eloquently about the possibility of a diplomatic push and initiative coming from the United States, coming from the president himself, to try to make a better peace in the Middle East, to try to have a better relationship with the Iranian people.

[18:05:07]

And then they will have heard the president say something completely different, and that just plays to the Iranian fears completely that the U.S. can't be trusted. And whatever is said isn't worth what is written on the paper. And in this case, it's the MOU. And that's in question now.

JIMENEZ: And Julia, what are we hearing from the president tonight?

JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we've heard a lot from him this morning. Now, in addition to those talks being focused on Iran's nuclear program and the fate of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, other key areas of interest there in Switzerland are the Strait of Hormuz and the conflict in Lebanon. And those are two topics that President Donald Trump has been making some comments on today.

And I want to start with his social media post from this morning. In it, he said, "Iran must immediately stop their highly paid proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble," adding, "If they don't will hit Iran very hard, just like we did last week, only harder."

Now, the renewed fighting in Lebanon has already tested this memorandum of understanding. As earlier in the weekend, Iran said that it had once again closed the critical waterway, the Strait of Hormuz. Now the U.S. military has pushed back on that, saying that they would make sure to see the passage of vessels through that strait. But Iran said that it once again closed it, citing an Israeli violation of the ceasefire.

Trump, in an interview with FOX News today on the phone, this was roughly a 20-minute phone call, he said that the United States could just take over the strait and charge tolls itself. He also appeared to threaten the Iranian delegation, saying that if they were to close the strait, that they would not have a country anymore. Now, adding to that, he also went on with strong language, saying, "You won't even make it back to your effing country."

This all happening as those talks are taking place in Switzerland, the delegation being led by Vice President J.D. Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Vance, in remarks today alongside mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, he expressed optimism in these talks, but also looked to lay some expectations, saying that he did not expect to solve all the disagreements immediately.

JIMENEZ: Nic Robertson, Julia Benbrook, appreciate the reporting as always.

I want to bring in CNN senior military analyst and former NATO supreme allied commander, Admiral James Stavridis. He's also the vice chair of the investment firm, the Carlyle Group.

So I want to start by just getting your reaction to the president's threat to take over the Strait of Hormuz.

ADM. JAMES STAVRIDIS, CNN SENIOR MILITARY ANALYST: I think it's a bad idea. We have stood, we, the United States of America, have stood for freedom of the high seas, freedom of international right of passage for two centuries, going back well toward our very founding, including wars in the early 1800s against the Barbary pirates in the Mediterranean. So for the United States to suddenly claim sovereignty over a strait that will charge tariffs for is a huge mistake in every dimension.

Let's back up, Omar. I think what's happening here is a bit of good cop, bad cop. President Trump is being, as is usual, quite aggressive in talking about taking over the strait and you won't make it back to Iran. That's about as bad cop as it gets. I think on the other hand, Vice President Vance is trying to be the good cop, to be on scene, on station and have a real conversation.

I think I'll close with this. I think the Iranians need to be careful they don't overplay their hand in the sense that if they continue to simply walk away from conversations with Vice President Vance, I think they'll end up having to deal with President Trump. They probably don't want to go there.

JIMENEZ: And, you know, on one of your earlier points, we're still far away from any sort of solid actual decision on the Strait of Hormuz. But President Trump has threatened to start charging tolls in the strait if there wasn't an actual deal. And I wonder, just from your perspective, what kind of resources would it take for the U.S. to be a so-called guardian angel, as he's described it, to vessels there? I mean, is that something that the U.S. could realistically do?

STAVRIDIS: We could do it. It would be enormously expensive. Would have to keep at least one, maybe two nuclear powered aircraft carriers. Each of them carry 80 combat aircraft, would have to keep 200 combat aircraft forward in the Middle East at full readiness, would probably need Marines and possibly Army paratroopers.

[18:10:10]

You can't really hold the strait open, Omar, without controlling the Iranian side of it. So it would entail boots on the ground. Very expensive, very painful politically, not a good strategy. A better approach would be to continue to press Iran economically, continue to go after their economy. That's their weak spot. Again, they have a fairly weak hand of cards, but so far they're playing it pretty well.

JIMENEZ: You know, I want to turn to actually one more question on this, is that President Trump has suggested that Israel should let Syria enter the fight with Hezbollah, and experts are warning that could pose its own risks, considering the many religious factions that make up Lebanon. What is your assessment of that possibility? Do you think that would help or hurt?

STAVRIDIS: I think it would complicate it in ways that are difficult to predict. Syria itself is completely unfinished business at this point. What we ought to be trying to do with Syria is give them time and space to get reorganized, to act like a sovereign state after a lengthy civil war. What we should do with Israel is find a way for them to be able to diminish the missiles, the long-range threat that Hezbollah affords Israel but at the same time restrain them from going after major civilian areas.

That's a very narrow sea to sail. But I think we've got to work with Israel and not simply say to them, hey, stop everything. I don't think that's realistic. And then final thought here, Omar. We're not going to land this deal until we can get a solution north of Israel between Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel. It's going to be crucial to landing the deal.

JIMENEZ: I want to turn to another story that we've been following, because earlier this week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the Pentagon plans a six-month review of U.S. forces in Europe, calling it a way to, quote, "transform NATO back into a real military alliance that's focused on hard power and real deterrence."

Obviously, that falls into your former life here, but how do you see NATO when it comes to effective deterrence? And do you believe there are improvements that could be made?

STAVRIDIS: NATO has never been stronger. Here are 32 nations that collectively have 52 percent of the world's GDP, three million troops under arms, almost all volunteers, 28,000 combat aircraft. We can have an argument about how much the U.S. does, as opposed to the Europeans, but the Europeans are stepping up. They're increasing their defense spending. That's a good thing.

I'm all for a conversation between the U.S. and Europe that leads to fewer U.S. troops in Europe itself. Europeans are ready for this, but simply declaring it abruptly at a NATO meeting is not a path to a reasonable outcome. So bottom line, we ought to cherish the NATO alliance. It's done wonderful things for us to include sailing into combat with us after 9/11, but at the same time, yes, there's room for change. But for God's sake, let's do it in concert with Europe, not simply dictating terms to them at a single meeting.

JIMENEZ: Admiral James Stavridis, always appreciate the insight and perspective. Thanks for being here.

STAVRIDIS: Thanks, Omar. Bye-bye. JIMENEZ: All right. Coming up for us, it's not often that so many

members of the president's own party disagree publicly with the commander-in-chief. But when it comes to the Iran agreement, there's some complicated feelings. President Trump is being sharply criticized in some cases. That's next.

Plus, President Trump says the reflecting pool will need to be redrained and repaired again. But we'll tell you who he is blaming here.

And then later, it's like a Super Bowl party every day. World Cup Fan Fest are in full force. A lot of celebrating.

You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:19:06]

JIMENEZ: Critical talks between the United States and Iran started this morning in Switzerland, but have since stalled, according to an Iranian source, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Tehran's delegation in an interview. But here at home, the president has been facing some criticism from his own party over the war with Iran and the ensuing negotiations.

So I want to bring in to talk about this and more, CNN senior political commentator Scott Jennings and CNN political commentator Karen Finney.

Scott, I just want to start with you. Is there any world in which Republicans are willing to accept the $300 billion reconstruction fund? And if so, what is that world?

SCOTT JENNINGS, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, first of all, it's important to note that this supposed fund would only be investments from other countries, probably in the Middle East, not a set of U.S. taxpayer dollars. And apparently it only comes if Iran does every single thing they are supposed to do. And otherwise exhibiting better behavior than they have exhibited thus far. So that's number one.

[18:20:05]

Number two, look, this agreement, it's with the Iranians. And, you know, you can trust them about as far as you can throw them. My main problem with it is we're dealing with very untrustworthy people here. And so I hope it works out. And I pray that it works out because getting rid of Iran's nuclear capability and toning them down as the largest state sponsor of terror in the world, would be a good thing for the region and the world.

And that's what Vice President Vance is doing. I was just reading our analyst Barak Ravid's story about the talks. Apparently there are some good vibes coming out of Switzerland so far, but again, we're dealing with the Iranians here. I don't think you can fault Trump and Vance and the American delegation here for trying. We have a framework to get this conflict done and to get them from not having nuclear weapons.

And at the same time, gas prices are falling under $4 a gallon there, $3.60 where I sit out here in Kentucky today. I think that's something the American people will welcome if that's the trend we stay on.

JIMENEZ: And the question is, if that the -- is that the trend that we stay on? But obviously, progress still ongoing, the talks have not ended even if the reporting is they stalled for a little bit. We've got reporting that there's backchannel negotiations still going on.

Karen, how do Democrats see these negotiations?

KAREN FINNEY, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Look, I think Democrats are looking at this in two ways. There's the politics, obviously, and then there's the policy. From the political side, this has been a disaster for the president in that I think it really broke faith with another part of the president's core coalition from 2024. Young men and those who believed him when he said no more war.

Now, look, everybody agrees we would never want Iran to have a nuclear weapon. At the same time, we have to remember it was Donald Trump who got us out of what was a solid agreement that was actually had same -- similar accountability measures in terms of nuclear weaponry, and was actually moving forward when he pulled out, which means they had four years to kind of catch up.

Now, on the policy side, look, one thing I agree with Scott on is the sort of trust piece. And that is part of why, again, the JCPOA that under President Obama took a lot of time to actually get done and to get the accountability measures in place. And so I think from a policy perspective, Democrats are wary because they understand something that it's unclear our own administration does, and that is that the Iranians, you know, other countries watch our politics more closely sometimes than we do.

They recognize that with an election coming in the fall and the political danger that this poses to the president, you know, continuing to sort of talk and then walk away from talks, that's in their interest, because they recognize that's an embarrassment to the president. And so they're working in a very different political framework than we are.

And they understand that the more they sort of drag this out, the more they make it look like, you know, the big, powerful United States has come and used its -- you know, our might, but really hasn't gotten what we said we were going to get, that that's an embarrassment to the United States and it puts, you know, the economic -- global economy really in danger.

JIMENEZ: And Scott, I think I saw you shaking your head when she brought up the JCPOA. You know, the chief criticism of that agreement has been that it didn't do enough to stop funding of proxies to terror. And I just wonder, Scott, as you now monitor this process, you know, still ongoing, we don't quite have anything concrete, what would you like to see as part of any agreement that you believe would improve on the JCPOA?

JENNINGS: Well, you just named one of them. Look, one of the main problems with Iran is that they constantly destabilize the Middle East. They are the head of the terror octopus. You know, their mantra is death to America and death to Israel. They fund and set up Hamas. They fund and set up Hezbollah. I mean, they are the main bad actor in the Middle East and in the world. And so taking away their nuclear weapons, that's job number one.

But at the end of this, and I think the president has a chance to do this here because he's put together this Gulf State, you know, Arab State coalition. They're tired of Iran destabilizing the region. So at the end of this, you would hope that the regional partners would stay on top of Iran and really not permit them to continue to wreak havoc. And one of the main issues is going on right now is Hezbollah. They continue to attack Israel.

Israel cannot be put in a position where it cannot have national self- defense. I mean, they're being attacked by a terrorist organization that is backed by Iran. That has to stop. And that's one of a million examples of where Iran sets up people to destabilize the region and, you know, put all this in jeopardy.

JIMENEZ: And we've already seen how that dynamic has affected the overall U.S.-Iran talks. Maybe we haven't seen the last of that.

Karen, I want to ask you about the upcoming New York elections on Tuesday because New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani told me this week that Democrats should be focusing on cutting the cost of living, and he's endorsed a number of candidates going into Tuesday. And I just wonder for you, do you see this as just a test of Mamdani's power or a greater test of where the Democratic Party is actually heading?

[18:25:08]

FINNEY: Well, I think this particularly feels like a test of Mamdani's power simply because he has put so much into it. I mean, he's in ads. He is barnstorming. I mean, he's put a lot of his own personal capital into this. It's a little bit -- you know, Brad Lander, who's one of the candidates he's backing, is a pretty well-known entity in New York. So, you know, probably doesn't hurt to have Mamdani, but it's not like he's a new figure in his contest.

But I think the other piece of this, I know Scott has got all kinds of fun quips about Democratic socialists and socialism and, you know, but at the same time, what I think we need to be paying attention to is what is this actually also tell us about where voters are, because we know that there were Trump voters who voted for Mamdani. There are parts of what he has talked about and what we will remain to see if he is able to accomplish, that is resonating with people.

I mean, obviously, the Democrats who've been winning these early primaries in these special elections throughout this year have focused on cost. And that's a key part of the Democratic message. Frankly, it's part of why Trump knew he needed to get a deal on Iran because of the cost of gas being a real issue going into the election. So I think it will be more of a test of Mamdani. But I think we should not also -- we should not ignore what this also says about where voters are and what they are looking for from candidates.

JIMENEZ: And Scott, to one of Karen's points, I mean, maybe one of the few places that Trump voters and some Mamdani voters seem to have intersected is over cost of living. And we know it's going to be a big issue this November. And I just wonder, do you think Republicans have a good strategy to address that issue, given what's been going on in Iran?

JENNINGS: Well, cost of living is related to a lot of different things. The first and foremost related to the fact that for four years, we saw prices taken to the moon by a Democratic administration. Now the rate of inflation has come down, has not come down enough, but it has come down. Gas prices are coming down right now. Republicans cut taxes substantially last summer, and a lot of people saw pretty decent refunds during this tax season. So those are good things.

If I were advising the House Republicans and the Senate Republicans, I would tell them this summer they need to pass another reconciliation bill, cut taxes again, do more relief, particularly for working class Americans. You have the majority. Why not use it? Now, can they get there? I don't know. There's a bunch of Republicans that want to do it, and a few that seem to want to throw a wet blanket on it.

But if I had a governing majority, as narrow as it is, that's what I would do. But I see this fall as something more than tactical. When I look at that stage we just put up on the screen, I mean, those people all right there, those are not any kind of Democrats that Karen Finney recognizes. Those are pure, full-blown socialists. They are way to the left of your granddad or your dad's Democratic Party.

And that's why working class America right now has been gravitating towards the Republican Party. They don't believe in socialism. They believe in an America that has capitalism at its core, where you work hard and based on your talent and your work ethic, you can succeed. They're preaching something different. They're preaching something that's antithetical to the American system and frankly antithetical to Western civilization. And I think that's what's on the ballot this November.

JIMENEZ: Well, and we will see if Republicans can buck the trend of midterm swings in an off-power election. But we shall see.

Scott Jennings, Karen Finney, appreciate you both being here.

JENNINGS: Thank you.

FINNEY: Thanks, Omar.

JIMENEZ: All right. Coming up, four World Cup games every day. It's giving fans plenty of time to party. We'll get into it coming up.

You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [18:33:08]

JIMENEZ: A big day of action in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Uruguay is looking for its first win of the tournament right now, facing off against Cape Verde. The African country playing its second ever World Cup match following Monday's stunning goalless draw with the powerhouse Spanish team. For its part, Spain bounced back pretty decisively earlier today with a four-nil victory over Saudi Arabia.

Our Rafael Romo joins us from the fan fest outside the Atlanta stadium, where that match took place.

Rafael, what's it been like out there today?

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Oh, let me tell you, Omar, this crowd behind me erupted into cheers just a few moments ago when Cabo Verde, the underdog in this game between that team and Uruguay, they score their first goal ever in World Cup history, and they're becoming fan favorites. People are very excited here.

Also, I have to talk about Spain because after today's four-zero victory over Saudi Arabia, they tell us, the fans tell us that their faith in the team ranked number two by FIFA, has been restored. And this is, Omar, a festival, a sporting event, a rock concert and a day at the park all rolled into one. Earlier, we saw massive crowds here at Centennial Olympic Park, but many people left after the second match between Iran and Belgium.

It has mostly been a sea of red here at the 2026 super fan fest, with fans from across the region and all over the world, including Spain, of course, showing up to support La Roja fans who know the sport, not as soccer, but football. And also, there were many Saudi Arabia fans as well as, wearing the Saudis team green color.

[18:35:00]

For local fans, this is a moment to remember and to experience welcoming international visitors, telling them bienvenidos, and being part of it all. This is what some of them told us earlier. Let's take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HALEY MEDVED KENDRICK, ATLANTA SOCCER FAN: Not having the World Cup here since I was a child, I want to be part of the fun and action. So I came out to get to enjoy some of the fan energy and international interaction and get to celebrate hopefully with whoever wins today and just be part of it.

ASHLEY LEDOUS, ATLANTA SOCCER FAN: I love it. I'm born and raised here. You know, I haven't seen this much excitement really in a city in a very long time. So I'm loving it. That's awesome.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMO: Atlanta will host eight matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Two have already been played. Atlanta is one of 16 host cities for the 2026 World Cup, played not only here in the United States but also in Canada and Mexico. And the city will also host a semifinal game on Wednesday, July 15th.

The fan fest here at Centennial Olympic Park was scheduled to operate for 16 days over the course of the World Cup, and fans tell us, Omar, it's the second best thing to being at the stadium itself. Now back to you.

JIMENEZ: Incredible. I mean, FIFA says 250,000 visitors to Atlanta Fan Fest over the past 10 days.

Rafael Romo, there bringing it to us live. Good to see you.

All right. Coming up, could a small section of Pennsylvania flip in November, and with it turned the House of Representatives from red to blue? Our John King hits the road. We'll take you there.

You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:41:18]

JIMENEZ: The November midterms are in less than five months and the political stakes couldn't be higher for both parties. In battleground Pennsylvania, for example, three House races could help determine control of Congress.

CNN's John King spoke with voters in each of those districts about the issues driving their decisions at the ballot box.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Welcome to Pennsylvania and a journey through a critical slice of the midterm map.

Right here in eastern Pennsylvania, three districts that run 105 miles from just outside of Philadelphia up to the New York state border. If this stretch here flips from red to blue on election night, then the Democrats are taking the House, without a doubt.

(Voice-over): Stop one, Bucks County. Suburban. Upscale. Moderate. A short commuter train hop to Philly.

Luckily, I read my gardening for dummies book last night.

MICHAEL PESCE, PENNSYLVANIA VOTER: Quick and easy. See?

KING (voice-over): Michael Pesce likes his Republican congressman, yet he is almost certain to vote for his Democratic challenger.

PESCE: Big picture, Trump is the problem that I see the president is not doing what I think a president should be doing, and that's disturbing to me. One more person in the Congress that is going to stand up to Trump, that's going to get my vote.

KING (voice-over): Pennsylvania One is represented by Brian Fitzpatrick. He's in his fifth term, first elected in 2016. Fitzpatrick won with 56 percent in 2024, and he is one of just three House Republicans from districts won by Vice President Harris.

The first is Pennsylvania's most affluent district. The median annual income $114,000 a year, and the median home value $440,000. Pesce was a Reagan Republican when we met three years ago. A registered Democrat now because he won't be in Trump's party. A Coast Guard veteran angry at the price of a war he says makes no sense.

PESCE: I fill up my tank once a week. I was filling it up for $35. Now it's $60 to fill up my tank. So that's money that we weren't spending before that we were putting to something else. And now we're like, well, maybe we can't go to do that something else.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Italian dressing. Girl Scout cookies.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We'll take it back?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

KING (voice-over): Even here, the affordability crunch is obvious. Demand at this Bucks County food bank was already up. Rising gas prices brought even more cars.

Tilford straddles the Bucks and Montgomery County lines. The night market, a local favorite for food, for crafts. And right now --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't want to mail in. Can I take it in and drop it off?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You can take it anywhere.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You cast a provisional ballot.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

KING (voice-over): For recruiting voters.

PATTY DUSZA, PENNSYLVANIA VOTER: You want me to get you a beer? You got it.

KING (voice-over): Democrat Bob Harvey will get Patty Dusza's vote to send Trump a message.

DUSZA: I don't feel like he's honest. All those kind of things. Now, I'm saying that in front of my husband, which I don't usually say.

KING (voice-over): Jeremy Dusza is frustrated by gas prices, frustrated Republicans have done nothing to help with health care costs, but he doesn't blame Fitzpatrick.

JEREMY DUSZA, PENNSYLVANIA VOTER: I think he's been doing a good job.

P. DUSZA: Yes.

J. DUSZA: Our taxes haven't been raised up so high that we can't afford it.

KING (on-camera): A glimpse there at our first stop on our journey. That was the First Congressional District. This will be the toughest of the three districts we visited for the Democrats to win. From there to the north and the Seventh Congressional District, Democrats believe, look at the margin last time, they should have a good chance here. And then on to the Eighth. Again, a very, very narrow margin last time. Democrats believe they have a good shot here.

[18:45:03]

And guess what, do the Democrats need to win all three? No, but two of those three at least would tell you the Democrats are off to a good start as they try to retake the House. And we'll know that pretty early on election night because Pennsylvania is in the east. The polls close early. So can they get two? Can they get three? Are the Democrats having a tougher night than anticipated? We'll know that pretty early on come election night.

JIMENEZ: All right, John King, appreciate it.

Algae. It's taken over the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall. It's happened before. But is it going to stay green when the red, white and blue goes front and center for America's 250th birthday?

We'll talk about it. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:50:18]

JIMENEZ: President Trump is blaming vandals for the damage at the recently renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, saying it will now need to be drained again for repairs. But officials haven't provided evidence of vandalism. President Trump has said multiple people have been arrested, alleging they damaged the pool's newly painted floor.

In recent days, chunks of the coating have been floating to the pool's surface. Things like this of what you're seeing on the screen, and a significant algae bloom has turned the water into a sea of green. Now crews have been deploying aggressive treatment measures to clear the water, but so far haven't quite been successful.

So I want to bring in Steven Goodale, a swimming pool and spa expert. He's also known as "Swimming Pool Steve" on his YouTube channel.

So, Steven, I guess just to start out, if you were brought in right now to take care of this problem, what are you doing here?

STEVE GOODALE, SWIMMING POOL AND SPA EXPERT: Well, thank you for having me. That would be a tall order to be sure. I mean, really what it would come down to is evaluating the situation. There's been claims of vandalism. Obviously you would need to inspect these. I haven't seen any videos or pictures or anything like that that would allow me to make any more confident claims as to what's exactly happened or what remediation efforts might look like.

But I understand that if there is damage, regardless of what that damage is from, very likely it's going to need to be drained in order to remediate that.

JIMENEZ: You know, what's -- some of what's been talked about to this point is crews have been dumping hydrogen peroxide and deploying nano bubble technology to clear the water from algae for nearly a week now. And just based on your expert opinion, is that a strategy that is typically effective in dealing with an issue like algae? What's your take on how crews are handling this problem?

GOODALE: Indeed, this is a mainstream, accepted practice that we see being employed here. And I think really this comes down to just the grand scale of this pool in particular, and new technology that's been implemented here, a new color that's been implemented, we're changing variables here. And as a result, the effects to the water can change and be somewhat unpredictable as we've seen.

JIMENEZ: You know, we've been showing some of the images, some is up right now, of those chunks of blue coating that began peeling off the pool's floor and floating to the surface. That was just after the $14 million renovation. What do you believe is causing that? Or what would cause something like that to happen?

GOODALE: I'm an independent contractor following this from a distance. You know, I only -- I don't have the benefit of inspecting this in person or in-person details. But, you know, I have worked with not this exact product, but products similar to this. And you know, that -- the process, the technical process of getting this material, this very robust, extremely strong puncture resistant material, getting it to bond securely to the substrate is the most challenging part of working with this process.

When I saw delaminations, as a contractor, that was the first thing I was thinking. I was -- I wondered if there was some problems with the bond to the substrate.

JIMENEZ: And, yes, and to be clear, as you've made clear, you would have to actually see it in person. You know, you're not contracted for the job. We're all just sort of looking at these images and trying to figure it out here. But one of the things that the president has said is that the pool will need to be drained for repairs ahead of the Fourth of July celebrations.

Look, it's -- we're past mid-June right now. July 4th is coming up. Is that timeline something that's feasible here?

GOODALE: You know, to answer that question, it really comes down to the extent of the damage or the vandalism or the extent of the delaminations. You know, it's not really known or publicly available yet just how extensive this is. And if it's a small area, sure. If it's a giant area, maybe that could pose a logistical problem getting this finished in time.

JIMENEZ: Something to watch for moving forward.

Steven Goodale, really appreciate the perspective. Thanks for being here.

GOODALE: Thank you.

JIMENEZ: All right. And tonight on a brand new episode of "THIS LAND," a look at America's last frontier, a wild and rugged part of the country that many people too easily forget about. Here's a preview.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Welcome. Welcome to the top of the world. This place has an incredibly otherworldly feel to it. We are hundreds of miles north of the Arctic Circle. It has always been really critical to us that while we utilize resources, we also took great care in the land that we are stewarding.

[18:55:02]

My great grandfather found something incredibly valuable here that has absolutely transformed the state of Alaska and really the entire United States.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JIMENEZ: Looks absolutely stunning. Two back-to-back episodes of "THIS LAND," new episodes, air tonight at 9:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, only on CNN and streaming the next day on the CNN app.

All right. As Vice President Vance holds talks with an Iranian delegation in Switzerland, President Trump is threatening them from afar. We'll explain.

You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

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