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CNN This Morning

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy "Will Not Give" Land To "The Occupier"; Officer Killed Responding To Shooting Near CDC In Atlanta; Trump Orders Surge In Federal Law Enforcement In Washington, D.C.; Texas Attorney General Sues To Remove 13 Protesting Democrats From Seats; Middle Eastern Countries Condemn Israel's Move To Take Control Of Gaza City; HHS Slashes Funding For MRNA Vaccine Development. Aired 7-8a ET

Aired August 09, 2025 - 07:00   ET

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

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[07:00:45]

ISABEL ROSALES, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Welcome to CNN THIS MORNING. It is Saturday, August the 9th. I'm Isabel Rosales, in for Victor Blackwell.

Here is what's happening this morning. A high stakes meeting is set between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the talks to end the war in Ukraine don't actually include Ukraine. Reaction is coming from President Zelenskyy this morning.

There are new details in that shooting at the CDC that left one officer dead, bullet holes in the windows, and parts of Metro Atlanta locked down for hours.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And he was like, did you hear that? Did you hear that? And I said, no. Then, we start hearing the helicopters.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROSALES: What we know about the officer, the gunman, and his possible motive?

Some health experts say they are concerned about RFK Junior's plan to cut funding for mRNA vaccines. Warning, it could cost lives. The head of the pandemic center at Brown University weighs in this hour.

Plus, a major milestone in the MLB, a woman will be behind home plate for the first time in Major League history. Her name is Jen Pawol. Our Andy Scholes has her incredible story. That's coming up.

President Donald Trump is eager to deliver on one of his biggest campaign promises, ending Russia's war on Ukraine. He says he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. And now, we may have an idea as to the terms that could be discussed. He told reporters yesterday it could involve a land swap. But Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is already turning down that idea. He says he is ready to work with Trump, but says his people will not give up their land.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE (through translator): We are ready to work together with President Trump, together with all our partners, for a real and most importantly, a lasting peace, a peace that will not fall apart because of Moscow's wishes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROSALES: CNN's Kristen Holmes breaks down what we know about this meeting between Trump and Putin.

Kristen, good morning.

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. Isabel. This was certainly a big development. Friday, President Trump announcing that he would have this meeting with Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, in Alaska.

Still, a lot of missing details where exactly, if there is a venue, a city. All we have right now is Alaska, and I am told that part of the reason they chose Alaska was because it is in the middle of Russia and Washington. It was a place that they could both agree on. And I was told they agreed on it early on Friday.

Now, a couple of big questions still remain, in addition to what city is where -- what the role of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is going to be in all of this. When President Trump announced this sit down, he left off Zelenskyy.

Now, of course, this is supposed to be about a cease fire in Ukraine, and likely, Zelenskyy will have to sign off on any kind of deal. Now, what we know about a deal was that Putin did present a deal to the Middle Eastern envoy Steve Witkoff that he brought back to President Trump.

That's something that they've been floating now, and part of that was about potentially ceding territories to Russia, Ukrainian territories.

Here is what President Trump said about that when he was asked.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: You are looking at territory that's been fought over for 3-1/2 years, with, you know, a lot of Russians have died. A lot of Ukrainians have died. So, we're looking at that, but we're actually looking to get some back and some swapping.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Now, it is important to note that Ukraine has essentially said that, that was a non-starter. Not about this deal in particular, but about ceding territories overall.

So, again, leaving more questions about where Ukraine stands in all of this as we move forward. The other part of this is that President Trump said that he wanted to have this meeting, and we know from sources inside the White House that this was something he was urging his team to get on the books. He was pushing for this as soon as possible.

But one question is whether or not a deal is going to be made before or while the two leaders sit down together. We know President Trump and the White House wanted to have some kind of deal in place when they got to the table with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But the other part of this is whether or not there will be any kind of buy in from the U.S. allies like Europe for example.

[07:05:07]

Several U.S. officials had hoped that there would be European buy in, ally buy in on a deal before he sat down -- before President Trump sat down with Putin, still remains to be seen whether or not that can happen. Isabel?

ROSALES: Kristen Holmes, thank you.

We are learning more about the police officer who was killed while responding to a shooting near the CDC in Atlanta, Friday. The fallen DeKalb County officer, here he is, 33-year-old, David Rose. He leaves behind a wife, two children, and another was on the way -- is on the way.

Authorities say that the lone shooter had multiple guns and fired several rounds near the CDC and Emory University's campus. Witness video shows officers firing outside a CVS, the shooter ran into. Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROSALES: No civilians were shot and the gunman is dead. Police say that after speaking with the suspect's family, they believe he targeted the CDC because he was either sick or believed he was sick and blamed the illness on the COVID-19 vaccine.

CNN's Rafael Romo is live in Atlanta. Rafael, what are you learning this morning?

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Isabel, good morning.

Police here at the scene continue doing their investigation through the night. In addition to Atlanta police, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the FBI, and other agencies at the state and federal levels have had a presence here since the shooting happened.

We are also learning more about the shooting. According to Atlanta police, he was found deceased on the second floor of the CVS pharmacy. At this location, he had been struck by gunfire, but police say they do not know if it was from officers or self-inflicted.

This morning, the DeKalb Police Department is remembering 33-year-old David Rose, the fallen officer, someone dedicated to serving and protecting people. This is what Interim Chief Greg Padrick had to say about him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GREG PADRICK, INTERIM CHIEF, DEKALB COUNTY POLICE: This officer responded to the call as he did, as he was trained to do. And during that incident, he received gunfire and he lost his life in this incident. He was committed to serving the community.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMO: And Isabel, according to police, after being shot, Officer Rose was taken to nearby Emory University Hospital, where he died of his injuries. He joined the department in September 2024.

Regarding the investigation, we have also learned that the alleged shooter's father, called law enforcement before the shooting to report he believed his son was suicidal. It's not immediately clear how much time had elapsed between the call and the shooting.

After the shooting, there was chaos and confusion here and in and around the CDC campus for several hours. At one point, Isabel, parents were unable to pick up 92 children who were in a daycare on campus near the shooting, but they were all safe and were later reunited with their families. Isabel?

ROSALES: That officer, just 33 years old, had his whole life ahead of him. So sad.

Rafael Romo, thank you.

Now, the White House is calling President Trump's call for an increase in federal law enforcement presence, a, "great success". But as of Friday afternoon, CNN reporters have not seen an apparent increase in law enforcement presence at tourists or commercial areas across Washington, D.C.

The president says he is cracking down after a number of high-profile crimes in the capital city. But D.C. police says violent crime is down 26 percent this year.

CNN Brian Todd explains the plan. Good morning, Brian.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Isabel.

A White House official tells CNN that this stepped-up federal law enforcement presence will include officers that will be in "marked units" and will be highly visible.

This increased presence, which actually began at about midnight on Thursday, is being led by the U.S. Park Police, but will have participation from other agencies, including the U.S. Capitol Police, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the D.C. Metropolitan Police, the DEA, and other agencies.

This will be focused, according to this official, on high traffic tourist areas and other known hot spots you can count on them being around a lot of popular bars and restaurants and those types of areas in Washington, D.C., especially in the evening hours.

A spokesperson for the D.C. National Guard has told CNN that the National Guard has not been activated as part of this process. Now, in recent days, President Trump has said the administration has been considering, is looking at the possibility of what he called federalizing the entire city of Washington, D.C., and he's looking at the possibility of the federal government taking over at least temporarily the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. police, which they can only do temporarily if they want to do that.

[07:10:01]

This is all in response to an attack last weekend on a young former DOGE worker who was assaulted during an attempted carjacking in Washington, D.C. that was early last Sunday morning.

Now, President Trump has lambasted Washington, D.C. in the days since that incident occurred, saying that crime was rampant, including murders, robberies, et cetera. But according to the D.C. Metropolitan Police, violent crime has in fact gone down in Washington, D.C., and gone down considerably from a year ago at this time, about 26 percent down from that period last year.

Now, CNN has reached out to Mayor Muriel Bowser, to the D.C. Metropolitan Police, and we've reached out to all 12 members of the D.C. City Council, to see if any of them will comment on this increased federal presence and on President Trump's ideas about federalizing the city and other things. Well, all of them -- all of them have declined to comment or not responded, with the exception of one D.C. City Council member, who told us that their frustration was that neither the Biden or the Trump administration have nominated enough judges to handle the criminal case load in Washington, D.C.

Well, again, you get silence from most of these D.C. city officials, except for one, and that is D.C. Representative -- Democratic Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton. She is D.C.'s delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. She is been the only person to come out, actually on the record and issue a statement about this.

She issued a statement to CNN saying that sending in these officers throughout the district is, "a disproportionate overreaction that is offensive to D.C."

And Norton is warning that this is a needless escalation that will heighten tensions and potentially make Washington, D.C. less safe. Isabel?

ROSALES: Brian Todd, thank you. Well, evacuations are underway in areas near Los Angeles, because of the Canyon Fire spreading at an alarming speed. It started Thursday, and has burned nearly 5,000 acres. About 2,700 residents are under evacuation orders.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I went up, it was just like a big explosion. I said for sure, the house was going to get it, but they saved it.

ROSALES: Authorities said extreme heat has created dangerous conditions for flames to spread rapidly. Now, how much longer will this extreme heat out west pose a danger? CNN's meteorologist Allison Chinchar is here from the Weather Center to explain.

ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: And it's not just for the fires, it's also the firefighters.

(CROSSTALK)

ROSALES: Right.

CHINCHAR: Because it makes it very difficult for them. You know, when these temperatures are in the well into the triple digits. And even if you're not a firefighter, but maybe you just want to spend some time outside. It's not exactly pleasant having those temperatures even that hot.

We've got heat alerts across much of the country and a lot of different areas. So, you still have them in the southwest, where they have been for most of this week. We are starting to see them spread into portions of the Pacific Northwest, and even across the central and southern plains.

And we also have those red flag warnings, because when you mix in the hot temperatures with dry conditions and gusty winds, that is fuel for a lot of those fires that are out to the West.

You look at Phoenix again. Yes, we get it. It's a hot place, but their average high this time of year is about 105. They are going to spend every single one of the next five days above that. We don't start to see it come back to normal until the end of the upcoming week.

Now, that he is going to start to spread, it's in the West, but we're going to start to see it slide into places like the Midwest and the Northeast once we get into next week.

Take a look at this. Buffalo, the normal high is 80 degrees. You're going to be in the 90s starting tomorrow and into Monday. Same thing for Cleveland, a high of -- normal high of 83, it's going to be in the 90s on Sunday and Monday and a lot of other areas. Even if it's not that hot, it's still going to be about five to 10 degrees above average.

Looking at New York, for example, their average is 84. We'll be pretty close to that for today. But then, notice the trend of those temperatures just really starting to jump, especially Tuesday and Wednesday,0 where you're looking at almost 10 degrees above normal, and they kind of hold steady, at least until we get into next weekend.

ROSALES: I'm already waiting for winter.

CHINCHAR: Fall. Fall is on its way.

ROSALES: Fall.

CHINCHAR: Soon.

ROSALES: And spice latte is right around the corner. Thank you.

Well, it was a scary moment for some cruise passengers trying to beat the heat. Part of a water slide on a Royal Caribbean ship broke off while a guest was on the slide. Take a look at this. That guest was treated for injuries.

Now, one point, the water was gushing through a hole in the slide. The slide understandably now closed for the remainder of the cruise.

Well, the hammer starting to drop on the Texas lawmakers at the center of the redistricting fight. The consequences they are already facing for being absent. Plus, we're looking ahead to what could happen next week.

And there are strong reactions to Israel's decision to take control of Gaza City. We'll take you live to Germany, a country whose support for Israel could now be wavering.

Plus, history will be made on the baseball field today, as the gender barrier will finally be broken among MLB umpires. We'll tell you about the first woman to umpire a regular season baseball game.

[07:14:55]

You're watching CNN THIS MORNING.

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ROSALES: Welcome back.

The Texas redistricting standoff is rising to a new level. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says he is filing a lawsuit with the state Supreme Court to remove some of the lawmakers who haven't shown up. And officials have suspended direct deposit for Texas lawmakers who continue to be absent.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[07:20:01]

REP. DUSTIN BURROWS (R-TX): Any member absent for the purpose of breaking quorum will no longer have their paycheck or per diem deposited electronically. While the Constitution forbids us from withholding pay, it does not dictate how we issue the pay. Those checks must now be picked up in person on Capitol grounds effective immediately. (END VIDEO CLIP)

ROSALES: The House will reconvene, Monday, and try once again to reach a quorum as Republicans continue their push to advance efforts to redraw the state's congressional maps. With me now to talk about all of this is Ric Pildes, professor of constitutional law at NYU. Rick, good morning.

RICHARD PILDES, SUDLER FAMILY PROFESSOR OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY: Good morning to you.

ROSALES: Well, let's start with this. States are required to draw new legislative maps after the census takes place every 10 years. For viewers who haven't been following this redistricting drama very closely, how unusual is it for states to redraw congressional maps in the middle of the decade?

PILDES: It's extremely rare for states to attempt mid-decade redistricting. Since 2000, we've had only two of these that have actually been accomplished, and typically, they're accomplished, or they're used if a state court has drawn the maps initially after the census, and then, the legislature is finally in position to be able to draw maps after new elections. But this is the most aggressive mid- decade redistricting, certainly in my memory.

ROSALES: Let's talk a little bit about some of the punishment we heard there in the start of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, filing a lawsuit to actually remove the lawmakers. We've heard about their suspended direct deposits, $500 per day fines, civil arrest warrants. There is bribery investigations. Have you seen anything like this before?

PILDES: This is just, you know, hardball politics upon hardball, hardball politics. You know, the Democrats are trying to block this by leaving the state, making it impossible to legislature to act because it won't have a quorum. Then, various actors in Texas are up in the ante in the ways you described.

We have had this kind of legislative walkouts in the past, I think, last time Texas Democrats walked out over other issues, it was about a five-week walkout. I think these walkouts mainly are designed to raise the visibility of the issue, make it clear to voters what's at stake. But at the end of the day, usually, the walkouts don't ultimately succeed in blocking legislative action. They may delay it significantly, but they ultimately tend not to succeed.

ROSALES: Right. As we saw the last time around, with them actually reaching a quorum. Republicans are targeting democratic held us House seats beyond Texas and states like Ohio, Indiana, South Carolina, Missouri, Nebraska, and Florida.

Now, if these maps are redrawn as Republicans hope, how many seats could realistically flip in the House? And what does this all mean for control of Congress?

PILDES: Yes. So, actually, let me put this in a larger context first, also because we have been living through a really exceptional era in American politics. Since 2000, the country has basically been divided 50-50. We've never been in a position in which, as is the case since 2000, either the House or the Senate or the presidency changes hands in every election we've had except for two elections since 2000.

So, you know, that's what's driving this. The House is on an incredibly fine margin. Control is at stake, and so, you actually have the White House coming in, pressuring the Texas legislature to squeeze out more seats for Republicans.

It looks like Republicans could roughly, maybe squeeze out an additional 12 seats or so.

That's a rough estimate, but that doesn't mean every one of these states controlled by Republicans would actually go ahead and go forward in doing this. But that seems to be kind of the maximum number we're talking about, and then, the Democrats will certainly try to retaliate to the extent they can and squeeze out more democratic state seats in states where they have unified control.

It's a little bit more difficult in some of these democratic states, because some of them have adopted constitutional constraints on the districting process, whether through a commission or through provisions that prevent partisan gerrymandering.

So, Democrats in California and New York, where the most democratic seats could be squeezed out in a new redistricting are trying to figure out, is there a legal path to doing this? What does that path look like? Can it be done in time for the 2026 elections?

So, you know, once the -- once the door is open to this, it becomes a real kind of race to the bottom.

[07:25:04]

And this is obviously not good for voters who are scrambled around between districts, and it creates a lot of -- and --

ROSALES: Yes. I think we lost you there, Rick. Thank you very much, though, as you mentioned, a race to the bottom and certainly not good for our democracy. That was Ric Pildes. Thank you for your time.

Well, the California governor is calling President Trump's latest move against UCLA extortion, and threatens to sue. Why the Trump administration is seeking a $1 billion fine against the university.

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[07:30:14]

ROSALES: Well, this morning, a satellite image shows Israel is building up its military forces near the border of Gaza City. It is the latest show of force indicating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is putting his military escalation plan for Gaza into action. It follows his security Cabinet approving his plan to take control of Gaza City. Joining us now is CNN Sebastian Shukla.

Sebastian, what is the reaction internationally to this plan?

SEBASTIAN SHUKLA, CNN FIELD PRODUCER: Yes, good afternoon. It's been a vociferous condemnation from the international community towards Benjamin Netanyahu and the Cabinet's plan to go into and launch this offensive into Gaza City.

The prime minister yesterday began the day by talking to Fox News and saying that it seemed to be the intention of the Israeli government to occupy all of Gaza. And since then, though he's managed or begun the process of rowing that back.

Going to read you a tweet from Netanyahu last night, which said, "We are not going to occupy Gaza, we are going to free Gaza from Hamas."

So, that is a very clear change. Now, whether that is a change because of the condemnation or a change of rhetoric as a -- as a messaging about this new offensive that will take place is -- remains unclear. But as you were alluding to, that satellite image, which we now have from the region, shows Israeli forces some 100 plus vehicles, mustering on the Gaza border at the crossing of Nahal Oz, which is just two miles away from Gaza City itself.

So, whether or not the condemnation has changed, the mind -- it will not change the mind of Prime Minister Netanyahu. The first phase of this five-part operation to liberate Gaza City appears to be in the offing. We will wait to see exactly when that takes place.

But as we have said, the -- but as we've said, the condemnation has been broad and sweeping across the world, in particularly here in Europe. You know, France, Canada, Ireland, Germany, in particular, have been very, very clear that this is a red line for them. Germany, in particular, so long a vociferous, ardent supporter of Israel has said, we're not going to send any more weapons to you. And that follows hot on the heels of some comments earlier this year, made by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, where he said he doesn't see what the accomplishment or what the final goal is here by Israel anymore.

And the change and tone there is important, because Germany has been for such a long time a steadfast supporter of Israel, obviously, given the atrocities committed here against Jews during the Second World War. So, it's a change of tone here, and a one that is now being echoed across Europe, where nations are falling in line to condemn this, and in no uncertain terms.

ROSALES: Right. To see Germany, one of the staunchest supporters of Israel, to say, hey, we're not sending equipment, we're not sending arms for this purpose. I think that was an eye-opening moment for the international community.

Sebastian Shukla, thank you.

Well, the Trump administration is seeking a $1 billion settlement from UCLA to restore millions of dollars-worth of federal funds. The White House began freezing the money last week as it seeks significant concessions from the university.

A proposed agreement sent to the school Friday requires UCLA to pay the government more than $1 billion in multiple installments. It also prohibits overnight demonstrations and revises its policies on protests.

It also requires UCLA to discontinue race and ethnicity-based scholarships, among other things. The school's chancellor said yesterday that it's reviewing the deal, but that the billion-dollar figure is a non-starter that would devastate the university.

Well, history on the baseball field. The first female umpire ever to work a regular season game. We'll take the field in Atlanta today. This is a big moment.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: It is. It is. It was just what a moment for Jen Pawol, you know, what a journey she is been on. She's umpired more than 1200 minor league games over the past 10 seasons. But today, getting the call up to the big league. She is going to be on the field for the Braves, double header against the Marlins.

Pawol will be at first base for the opener, then, third base for the night cap. Then, she is going to be calling the balls and strikes behind home plate tomorrow.

Pawol steadily climbed the umpire ranks since beginning her pro career and rookie ball back in 2016.

[07:35:01]

So, she reached AAA in 2023, becoming the first female to umpire at that level in 34 years. This year, she became the first female umpire in 17 years to work at MLB spring training game.

Commissioner Rob Manfred said, this historic accomplishment in baseball is a reflection of Jen's hard work, dedication, and the love of the game. So, the first woman to ref in the NBA, that was Violet Palmer and Dee Kantner back in 1997, and we had Sarah Thomas in the NFL in 2015. Now, we've got Jen Pawol, making this history in baseball today.

(CROSSTALK)

ROSALES: That's Jen, Jen. Go, Jen.

SCHOLES: So, you know, congrats to her, and looking forward to seeing her out there on the field.

ROSALES: A big moment. And so many little girls will be watching that.

SCHOLES: Certainly.

ROSALES: I mean that is -- that is life changing.

SCHOLES: Yes.

ROSALES: Well, Andy, thank you.

There is a concern this morning about President Trump's decision to end funding for mRNA vaccine development. We'll speak with an expert who claims this move could put American lives in danger. That's next.

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[07:40:38]

ROSALES: Welcome back.

Health experts say the Trump administration's decision to end funding for mRNA vaccine development will put American lives at risk.

This week, the Health and Human Services Department announced it is canceling half a billion-dollars in funding through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.

MRNA is the medical technology used to develop the COVID-19 vaccines. In a statement, HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., who has a history of anti-vaccine claims, said this. "BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu.

Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo is the director of the pandemic center at the Brown University School of Public Health, and she joins me now.

Doctor, thank you so much for your time, and good morning to you. Let's start with this before we get into all of that. We've seen an undermining of science with mis or disinformation about mRNA vaccine safety, effectiveness, and its gradience. Leading some in the public to distrust them more than ever.

And last night, we may have seen the repercussions of this firsthand, after a gunman killed a police officer here in Atlanta, police are operating under the theory that the shooter was targeting the CDC because he was either sick or believed that he was sick and blamed the illness on the COVID-19 vaccine, which is an mRNA vaccine.

What is your reaction?

DR. JENNIFER NUZZO, DIRECTOR, PANDEMIC CENTER, BROWN UNIVERSITY: I mean, it's just absolutely gut wrenching. And I know you're broadcasting out of Atlanta, and I know that many people who work for the CDC are there, many people who support the CDC who are there.

And I just want to say, I'm utterly sorry. I'm so sorry for you. You deserve better. You have been under attack for such a long time for simply doing your jobs, showing up to protect the American people. And the fact that this may have occurred because of the dangerous lies being spread about vaccines is just -- it's an outrage, and we should not stand for it.

ROSALES: Let's get into this, especially about the Secretary, Secretary Kennedy. In a statement about the cancelation of the $500 million in federal funding for new mRNA vaccine projects, he said that the decision was based on a review of science and expert opinions.

And then, he went on to say this, "Let me be absolutely clear: HHS supports safe, and effective vaccines for every American who wants them. That's why we're moving beyond the limitations of mRNA and investing in better solutions."

Dr., the administration just walked away from one of the fastest vaccine technologies in history. Do you think this is rooted in science?

NUZZO: No, absolutely not. I mean, much of what he -- you just repeated he said, is utterly not true.

Listen, this decision will make us less prepared for the next pandemic. There will be another pandemic. They happen on average three times a century. There could also be a biological attack. This decision just makes us much more vulnerable to that. And I am sure our adversaries are looking at us and thinking, the United States is not determined to protect itself, and it is now more vulnerable than ever.

There is a reason why countries around the world are looking towards mRNA technologies as the best bet in preparing for events like this, the best bet to protect them and to deter these events from happening. For the United States to just simply walk away based on what are frankly lies about the vaccines, their safety, and their effectiveness, is just utterly mind boggling and profoundly stupid.

The assertion that these vaccines are not safe or that they don't work just doesn't pass the common-sense test we have given them to billions of people. Millions of people are alive today because of these vaccines. I do not believe that there is any attempt to want to look towards other vaccines. One of the things the Secretary mentioned was we should invest in things like whole virus vaccines. Those were used during the pandemic. China used them. They didn't work as well as the mRNA vaccines.

So, I don't understand why the United States wants to look backwards 100 years when the rest of the world is looking forward and trying to get themselves ready. We just seem determined to open ourselves up to attack.

ROSALES: And in fact, President Trump's own former surgeon general posted about this on X. Here is what Jerome Adams said, "I've tried to be objective and non-alarmist in response to current HHS actions. But quite frankly, this move is going to cost lives," to what you're saying doctor.

[07:45:06]

And then, he goes on to say that "mRNA" technology, has uses that go far beyond vaccines, and the vaccines that they helped develop in record time is credited with saving millions. So, you have even a top member of the president's former health team sounding the alarm. What should the rest of us be doing?

NUZZO: I mean, people should be outraged, and they should be calling their representatives. Listen, we have been warning about Secretary Kennedy since before he was appointed. His group of anti -- the anti- vax community was meeting before the COVID vaccines were even used, and making these same arguments. So, they have been making these arguments before there was even evidence to look at. This is not about safety. This is not about pursuing alternate vaccine paths. This is about restricting Americans abilities to be protected with the safety and efficacy of vaccines.

This is also about the fact that his community has made millions of dollars in spreading lies about these vaccines. And now, we are allowing him to do that from the vantage point of being the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. It is utterly outrageous, and it needs to be stopped.

ROSALES: Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo, thank you for your time.

NUZZO: Thanks for having me.

ROSALES: Well, there was a scary moment that suspended an NFL pre- season football game. Next, we have an update on the Lions player who was carted off the field in an ambulance.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:50:53]

ROSALES: An NFL pre-season game ended early after a scary injury. Andy he's here with more on what happened.

SCHOLES: Yes. You know, injuries like this are always just so terrifying, and you can imagine, for all the players out there on the field, you know, to continue playing, it's got to be just so tough. And that's why the Lions and Falcons, they decided to just call their preseason game after Morice Norris was injured last night.

Happened in the fourth quarter. Norris, who's a rookie, trying to make the team. He's going for the tackle here, but his head just bounces off running back Nathan Carter.

Norris, he was attended to for about 20 minutes on the field as players from both teams joined hands. He was taken off the field in an ambulance, taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.

Now, Lions, in a statement, said Norris is in stable condition and has feeling and movement in all his extremities. Now, after Norris was taken off the field, the Falcons did snap the ball. Did -- both teams just stood there and let the clock run. They then got together to pray for Norris.

And shortly after that, an official announced the game was being suspended. Lions head coach Dan Campbell, and Falcons coach, Raheem Morris made the call to stop playing.

Here is Campbell afterwards on how Norris is doing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) DAN CAMPBELL, HEAD COACH, DETROIT LIONS: He is breathing, he is talking. It's good. He's got some movement. So, and now, they are running more tests.

It's a little different. And you know, it puts things in perspective. And man, it's a violent game, and we love it. And when something like this happens, the silver lining is man, the brotherhood. I mean to see all those guys you know, from that team, our team, kind of come together, and everybody is thinking about another player just means a lot.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: All right. Elsewhere in the NFL, last night, Shedeur Sanders is making the start for the Browns, and he played great.

Fifth round pick, led the Browns on three scoring drives, thrown for 138 yards, and two touchdowns. Sanders said after the Browns 30 to 10 win, he wasn't nervous at all and knows he's ready for the moment. So, could Sanders be the brown Starter? Well, it's likely going to be 40- year-old Joe Flacco, but certainly an impressive start for the rookie.

Finally, the Patriots unveiling Tom Brady statue outside of Foxboro last night. You know, some statues don't look too flattering, but this was pretty good. Looks like Tom. Brady had some jokes when giving his speech.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM BRADY, SEVEN-TIME SUPER BOWL CHAMPION: To think that a kid from California might someday travel here to this plaza, stop, gaze at this work of art and say, who the hell is that guy?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: He also made a jab at the jets. That statue?

(CROSSTALK)

ROSALES: Yes.

SCHOLES: Sometimes their life size, 12 feet tall. Because Tom Brady is 12.

(CROSSTALK)

ROSALES: I think we need one of those in Tampa.

SCHOLES: Oh, you wanted Tom Brady in Tampa. So, maybe one day.

ROSALES: Yes, I was there when he got us the win.

SCHOLES: Maybe one day.

ROSALES: Andy Scholes.

SCHOLES: All right.

ROSALES: Thank you. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:58:16]

ROSALES: Welcome back.

We are learning more about the police officer who was killed while responding to a shooting near the CDC in Atlanta, Friday.

The Fallen DeKalb County officer was 33-year-old, David Rose. He leaves behind a wife and two children, and he had another on the way. Authorities say the lone shooter had multiple guns and fired several rounds near the CDC and Emory's University's campus. One nearby witness captured the sounds of rapid gunshots from their car.

Now, no civilians were shot and the gunman is dead. Police say that after speaking with the suspects family, they believed he intentionally targeted the CDC because he was either sick or believed he was sick and blamed the illness on the COVID-19 vaccine.

Let's go to CNN's Rafael Romo, live in Atlanta. Rafa, what have you learned?

ROMO: Isabel, good morning. Regarding the investigation, well, the most shocking details we have learned since the shooting here at the CDC campus is that the alleged shooter's father called law enforcement before the shooting to report he believed his son was suicidal. It's not immediately clear how much time had elapsed between the call and the shooting.

Also, Isabel, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said the alleged shooter was a "known person" to authorities with interest in what he described as certain things, without elaborating more than that, saying, he will wait until the investigation is fully conducted.

According to Atlanta police, the alleged shooter was found deceased on the second floor of this CVS pharmacy, at this location behind me. He had been struck by gunfire. But police say they do not know if it was from officers or self-inflicted.

This morning, the DeKalb Police Department is remembering 33-year-old David Rose, the fallen officer, someone dedicated to serving and protecting people.

[08:00:05]

There were very kind words said by DeKalb County CEO, Lorraine Cochran-Johnson about his death. And is -- as you can imagine, hitting the department very, very hard.