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Donald Trump Says Venezuela "Would Like To Talk" As Tensions Rise; Donald Trump Urges Republicans To Vote For Release Of Jeffrey Epstein Files; GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Apologizes For "Toxic Politics"; Inside The U.S.-Led Coordination Center For Gaza; One-On-One With Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister. Expected Changes: Fast-Tracked Deportations, Curbing Boat Crossings, And Residency Wait Time Increased To 20 Years; Soon: United Kingdom To Announce Significant Changes To Asylum Policy. Historic Preservationists Sue Trump Over Refurbishment Plans; Libya Attracts Global Skydivers Amid Tourism Boom; CNN Speaks To Stars Of Third "Now You See Me" Film. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired November 17, 2025 - 10:00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:00:22]
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN London, this is CONNECT THE WORLD.
CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to your second hour of the show, live from London. I'm Christina Macfarlane, Becky is off today.
This hour, the United States ups the pressure on Venezuela with a potential terror designation and a military arsenal in the region. We'll have all the
details for you.
Plus, Donald Trump reverses course and calls for the Epstein files to be released. Why is the U.S. president making this move now?
And the U.K.'s Labour Party set to unveil asylum policies that would be the toughest in Europe. We'll look at what the proposals might mean for people
hoping to make it to Britain.
And we begin with the United States bearing down further on Venezuela, insisting its government is behind a relentless flow of drugs that is
killing Americans.
Over the weekend, the State Department moved to designate a Venezuelan cartel as a foreign terrorist organization. The Trump administration
alleges the cartel is led by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and other high-ranking officials. And the terrorist label would allow the U.S.
military to target Mr. Maduro's assets and government structure.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It allows us to do that, but we haven't said we're going to do that. And we may be discussing,
we may be having some discussions with Maduro, and we'll see how that turns out. They would like -- they would like to talk.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MACFARLANE: Well, President Trump is weighing military options inside Venezuela as the U.S. builds its military presence off the country's
shores. The world's largest aircraft carrier sailing into the Caribbean carrying warplanes and thousands of U.S. troops.
Senior White House reporter Kevin Liptak joins us with more. Kevin, the president's statements on Venezuela have been evolving somewhat. We heard
him there saying is potentially planning to reach out to Maduro. What is his current stance as we understand it?
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, and we're told this morning that the president has not made any decision on taking military
action directly inside Venezuela. Certainly, he hinted at that last night when he suggested that there could be a diplomatic window opening with the
dictator. Nicolas Maduro.
Of course, we've seen the president speaking over the last several days. You know, it was just on Friday evening when he said that he had sort of
made a decision on how to proceed here. That comment came after the president received briefings on three consecutive days last week from top
national security and military officials going through the options that he has here, they range in severity, from striking military and government
facilities to potential special operations raids.
But it's clear that the president does seem to have some reservations about taking this path. You know, we understand that in these meetings, the
president has voiced some misgivings about potential risks that U.S. troops could face if he proceeds with some kind of action inside Venezuela. He
also seems attuned to whether or not this would be successful in the ultimate goal of getting Nicolas Maduro to step down.
Now, what exactly this diplomacy that the president is hinting at might look like is not clear at the moment. You know, the U.S. and Venezuela and
people around Maduro had been engaging in quiet conversations as recently as last month, but the president sort of cut those off because he didn't
think that Maduro was ready to agree to voluntarily step down.
Whether anything has changed on that front, it's not clear, but it's evident that the president, at this point is just not ready to go ahead
with direct military action, even as we've seen this massive force massing in the Caribbean Sea.
You know, the USS Gerald Ford is the world's most advanced aircraft carrier. When you put it up on its bottom, it would be almost as tall as
the Empire State Building. You know, about 14 percent of the entire U.S. naval fleet is now in that region. So, it's a massive military massing.
You've also seen the U.S. conduct these military exercises in Trinidad and Tobago, which is right near Venezuela.
So, you can see how these efforts are clearly meant to design to ramp up the pressure on Maduro. But whether or not that's successful in actually
getting him to leave voluntarily remains to be seen.
MACFARLANE: Yes, it is quite the pressure campaign, nevertheless. Just walk us through this terror designation from the State Department. How would
that work in effect, and what does it mean exactly?
[10:05:03]
LIPTAK: Yes, it's a foreign terrorist organization designation for the Cartel de los Soles, which the U.S. alleges Maduro is atop of, they're
calling him a narco terrorist.
Essentially, what it would do is expand the. Case for going after him directly. So, proud is atop of they're calling him a narco terrorist.
Essentially, what it would do is expand the legal case for going after him directly.
So, practically, this means it would ban entry by Maduro and his associates to the United States. You know, I'm not sure that they were planning to
come to the U.S., so not clear how effective that will be. It also criminalizes outside support for that organization and allows the U.S. to
seize its assets. Those are sort of the technical definitions of what this designation would do.
I think in reality, it sort of expands what the U.S. thinks is its legal case against going after Maduro directly as it tries to answer questions
from members of Congress, from foreign allies, about what exactly the legal parameters are for what it's doing there.
And so, this designation doesn't go into effect until November the 24th, that's some days away, but certainly you can see how this is just
contributing to this sense of pressure that Washington is now applying on Maduro as these tensions escalate.
MACFARLANE: All right, Kevin Liptak, appreciate it for now. Thank you.
Well, last hour, I spoke to Stefano Pozzebon on in Caracas about President Trump's suggestion that he and President Maduro could be speaking soon.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Maduro has been trying to broker for those discussions for months, frankly, and those discussions have happened
in the past. It was only last February then the U.S. Special Envoy for hostage negotiation, Richard Grenell, was here in Caracas and met
personally with Maduro several times, and they were working out a deal in exchange for oil. A lot of what happens in Venezuela, of course, has to do
with oil, as this country sits on top of the largest oil reserves in the world. And that the U.S. is the largest importer of Venezuelan oil in the
world.
So, there is a lot to discuss in that terms. And of course, discussing business deals is definitely much more palatable for Nicolas Maduro then
discusses the bellicose rhetoric that we have seen coming out of the White House in the last few months.
What I'm hearing from yesterday's stunning reversal, frankly, from the White House, is that I think that Trump and the White House, more in
general, is going back to an old, tried and tested approach towards Latin America, which is the carrot and the stick.
So, on the same day that the president opens the door to discussions with this government, and let's remember that the White House and the U.S. in
general do not recognize the Maduro's government as a legitimate authority here in Venezuela. The same time as they say that they're open to talk with
them, we have the Secretary of State announcing that they will be declaring the Cartel de los Soles, which is a an alleged narco trafficking cartel
headed by Maduro himself, as a foreign terrorist organization.
Now, we understand that that designation takes about a week to enter in place, and so I think that that gives us a window for this negotiation to
happen. That's why I'm quite confident in saying that there will be some sort of intent in the upcoming hours and days, at least, from Maduro.
I think that they will see this week almost as an ultimatum coming down from the White House, saying, let's sit down and let's really find a deal.
Let's find a profitable deal for all parties involved. Otherwise, you already know what's happening.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MACFARLANE: Well, former Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton says he's in favor of regime change in Venezuela, arguing the influence of
Russian, Cuban, Iranian, Chinese and other powers in Venezuela poses a threat to the Americas. He explained his stance a bit earlier to CNN's Kate
Bolduan.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN BOLTON, FORMER TRUMP NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: This was something that was attempted in Trump's first term in 2018, 2019 supporting the
Venezuelan opposition. It was unsuccessful, because I don't think we did all that we could do to help the opposition.
So, I support the idea of returning the government of Venezuela to its own people. What I'm troubled about here is I don't see what the plan is, and I
think the erratic shifts in Trump's public statements underline that we're not entirely clear either what the objective is or how we intend to carry
it out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MACFARLANE: Well, Bolton, we should note, was indicted last month by the U.S. Justice Department on charges of illegally transmitting national
defense information. He pleaded not guilty and said he was a victim of President Trump weaponizing the Justice Department against political
opponents.
Turning now to that major reversal by President Trump on the Epstein files. In a post on his social media website, the president called on House
Republicans to vote to release the files and move on from what he's calling a democratic hoax. His about face coming just days before a likely vote,
House vote to release the files, with Republican co-sponsor of the bill, Thomas Massie, saying it's possible a hundred or more Republicans could
support the measure.
[10:10:09]
Well, Annie Grayer is joining us this hour from Capitol Hill. So, Annie, assuming the House votes to release those files this week, what can we
expect to happen next?
ANNIE GRAYER, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Well, that's a huge question, because it will go to the Republican controlled Senate, who's largely kept their
powder dry on this issue, but they are going to have to now answer for this. If they just shove this bill aside, there will be a huge public
pressure campaign, and with the president coming out now saying to release the files, that may give some Republicans in the Senate cover to vote for
this.
But even if it passes in the Republican controlled Senate, it will still have to go to President Trump's desk for signature.
Now, Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, who you mentioned earlier, says he hopes that enough Republicans in both chambers vote for this that it has
what's called a veto proof majority that Trump has no option but to sign it into law.
But this has been a huge about face for Trump and Republican leadership, who, up until last week, were trying to prevent this bill from coming to
the floor in the House, there were only four Republicans who signed on to the petition that brought this to the floor, and up until the last minute,
there was pressure from the White House, from Trump allies, from people on the Hill trying to pick off maybe even one of those signatures.
Once the 218 signatures were clinched that allowed for this floor vote to happen, then things started to move very quickly. House Speaker Mike
Johnson decided to schedule this vote quickly because he knew there was going to be such a large majority of Republicans supporting it. The
president now coming out in support of this shows that he understands how many Republicans are behind this.
And of course, this didn't need to come to a vote at any point, the president or the Department of Justice could have just released the files,
but it is this ongoing pressure campaign that is continuing to mount that is really causing this fire storm to go to continue to reign over the White
House and the President specifically.
So, Tuesday's vote is going to be really significant, because it is rare to see House Republicans in this Congress specifically so strongly rebuke a
position that President Trump has. They've largely been in step with the president every step of the way during this term, but this vote on Tuesday
shows that House Republicans have a different view. They want these votes. They want these files released. The Senate will have to take it up, and
we'll see what happens there.
MACFARLANE: Yes, and Annie on the big shift from Donald Trump himself, this 180 of we've been calling it today. I mean, how likely is it to do with the
fact that Donald Trump just doesn't want to be on the receiving end of a revolt here, if we are indeed expecting a hundred or more Republicans to
support the measure? I mean, I know it's early there on Capitol Hill, but what is the feeling as to that reversal?
GRAYER: I think the feeling is that Republicans want to move on from this as quickly as possible. This has been a storm cloud over their heads for
months, and it has caused a lot of distraction in both the White House and congressional Republicans agenda.
And at this point, Republicans, especially in the house, want to just get this vote, have it get it over with. It's why the speaker scheduled this
vote so quickly, it could have been dragged into December if the speaker wanted to use some delay tactics at his disposal.
So, I think everyone is reading the President's statement last night as an acknowledgement that it is time for Republicans to just address this head
on, and hopefully that will allow for some clarity here and the party to potentially move on.
MACFARLANE: All right, Annie, appreciate it for now. Thank you.
One of the more surprising developments of the Jeffrey Epstein saga is the change of stance by House Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene. She had been a
staunch reporter of President Trump heading into the 2024 election, and one of the highest profile MAGA voices in Congress, but that all changed as the
president repeatedly pushed to withhold release of the files. Greene criticized Mr. Trump for that, and went even further, apologizing for what
she says has been her role in toxic politics. She says she's been the subject of threats as her feud with the president escalates and talked
about with the CNN's Dana Bash.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DANA BASH, CNN HOST: Congresswoman, you posted on X that President Trump is with his comments fueling a, "Hot bed of threats against you." Obviously,
any threats to your safety are completely unacceptable, but we have seen these kinds of attacks or criticism from the president at other people,
it's not new. And with respect, I haven't heard you speak out about it until it was directed at you.
REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE (R-GA): Dana, I think that's fair criticism, and I would like to say, humbly, I'm sorry for taking part in the toxic
politics, it's very bad for our country, and I've -- it's been something I've thought about a lot, especially since Charlie Kirk was assassinated,
is that we -- I'm only responsible for myself and my own words and actions, and I am going -- I am committed, and I've been working on this a lot
lately to put down the knives in politics, I really just want to see people be kind to one another, and we need to figure out a new path forward that
is focused on the American people.
[10:15:10]
Because as Americans, no matter what side of the aisle we're on, we have far more in common than we have differences, and we need to be able to
respect each other with our disagreements.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MACFARLANE: Well, last hour, I spoke to CNN's Politics Senior Reporter Stephen Collinson about Greene's political evolution and what it could
spell for President Trump and the MAGA movement.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEPHEN COLLINSON, POLITICS SENIOR REPORTER: She adopted a lot of his stunt politics. She, for example, heckled President Joe Biden from the floor of
the House during his State of the Union address. She was well known for conspiracy theorists.
She is on something of a political journey herself. She certainly has toned down the sharp edges of her rhetoric. It's not just over Epstein that
Marjorie Taylor Greene has broken with Trump. She's also criticized him over his foreign policy trips, and most notably, over the rising cost of
health care and the cost of living. She says that Air Force One should be parked in the United States and Trump should adopt a purely domestic focus.
What she's basically arguing is that Trump, the architect of the MAGA philosophy in America first, is no longer being faithful to those
principles. You know, it's interesting because she obviously is living much more in the real world than the president is with his gilded lifestyle
trips to Mar-a-Lago, his Winter Palace in Florida at the weekend. And I think she's probably channeling some Republican concerns that the president
is becoming out of touch.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MACFARLANE: OK, coming up, CNN gets a first look inside the coordination center where U.S. forces are monitoring the Gaza cease fire.
Plus, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister tells CNN his country's nuclear program remains intact, despite Americans and Israeli strikes earlier this
year, our exclusive interview next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MACFARLANE: Welcome back. President Trump will rep -- will welcome Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House tomorrow. It's his
first visit to the U.S. Capitol in more than seven years. President Trump says he plans to discuss the Abraham Accords with the Crown Prince. The
administration has made a major push for the kingdom to normalize relations with Israel, but Riyadh says there must be a viable pathway to Palestinian
statehood for that to happen.
The U.N. Security Council is set to vote in the coming hours on a U.S. draft resolution based on President Trump's 20-point post war plan for
Gaza. It features a board of peace to run an interim government, and a proposal for an international peacekeeping force aimed at demilitarizing
the enclave. The draft also includes language regarding Palestinian statehood, something Israel has flatly rejected.
[10:20:03]
Several western diplomatic sources tell CNN, the lack of details in the plan will make it hard to put into effect, and they are pessimistic that
the cease fire will hold even if it does pass.
And on the ground in Israel, the United States has set up a military presence to monitor the cease fire agreement. CNN's Oren Liebermann has
this report from the facility.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: We got our first chance to take you inside the U.S.-led Coordination Center for Gaza here in Kiryat
Gat. And the first thing that strikes you is the size of the facility, what's called the CMCC, the Civil Military Coordination Center. There's a
floor for the Israelis, a floor for the Americans, and what we were able to see, which is a joint floor where there's a multinational force that's
monitoring what's happening on the ground in Gaza and planning the key next steps of the U.S. brokered 20-point cease fire plan.
We saw troops from Germany, Spain, Singapore and a number of other countries. The joint floor is dominated by a map of Gaza showing the so-
called Yellow Line. One side is Israeli occupied territory. On the other is Hamas controlled territory. Teams inside are monitoring what's happening in
real time.
As for planning for what's next, there are teams working on the intended reconstruction effort, focused on debris removal right now. There's also a
large group that works on humanitarian issues, the aid going in logistics and more.
One of the crucial teams here also works on security, not only planning for the intended disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza, but
also managing the training of the Palestinian police force for Gaza.
One key step here is the international security force for Gaza. A number of countries have signaled they're willing to contribute troops, but not until
there's a clear, well-defined international mandate to make that happen. This whole effort is still waiting on that mandate.
Oren Liebermann, CNN in Kiryat Gat.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MACFARLANE: Now, five months after the U.S. and Israel carried out strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities, it remains unclear just how much damage
was really done. U.S. President Donald Trump initially claimed the Fordow nuclear facility have been obliterated, but U.S. intelligence assessments
later suggested that Iran's nuclear program may have only been set back about two years.
CNN's Frederik Pleitgen sat down for an exclusive interview with Iran's deputy foreign minister to talk about the strikes and the state of Iran's
nuclear program.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SAEED KHATIBZADEH, IRANIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER: If the other side accept the logic of compromise, the logic of negotiation, and which is give
and take, and abandon the -- some delusions that they do have. And abandon this tendency to achieve whatever they couldn't achieve through military
campaign, through any sort of political or diplomatic means, then we think, within the framework of what Grand Ayatollah Khamenei said, we can move on.
FRED PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Are you already rebuilding your nuclear program? And is it going to be as strong as it was
before?
KHATIBZADEH: The nuclear program, the peaceful nuclear program, is intact as we are speaking. Yes. They have attacked. They have ruined many of our,
you know, infrastructure, machineries, buildings.
But the program is very much based on our indigenous knowledge, very much spread across our country, which is a huge country. Ninety million people,
1,600,000-square-meter country.
And this country is not a country that you can bomb. And then -- and then think that, you know, you are going to ruin everything.
This is a science, and this is a knowledge, and this is a know-how that we actually possess. And we are going to be protecting that.
PLEITGEN: Does that mean expanding and strengthening your missile program?
KHATIBZADEH: The battle of repair and recovery started the moment that ceasefire happened. The battle of repair and recovery happened in Tel Aviv
by receiving thousands of shipments full of military equipment from the United States and NATO members.
And also, we started our battle of repair and recovery. Our aim was to prevent another war. The other side, the now aim was to be prepared for
another war.
So, we think that, you know, any means of defense, legitimate means of defense should be -- should be boosted by Iran, because no country on Earth
compromises on its national security. And Iran is not an exception.
PLEITGEN: What is your message, then, to the Trump administration as it looks at the situation in the Middle East? What would you say to them as
far as dealing with Iran?
KHATIBZADEH: Iran is the oldest living continuous civilization on earth. I repeat, Iran is the oldest living civilization on earth.
This country and this nation is master of survival and master, you know, of just conquering all the turbulences and all the -- and all -- and all ups
and downs.
The language that we respond is the language of respect and equal footing. And I think this is the language that, based on which, we can talk to other
side, even if there are those aggressors.
PLEITGEN: President Trump said that the U.S. is now in wars to win them. Are there people in Iran who think, at the higher level, that Iran must
rethink its stance on nuclear weapons?
[10:25:09]
KHATIBZADEH: We are a member of the IAEA. Even after all these atrocities and crimes that President Trump and his administration did by bombing over
U.N.-safeguarded, peaceful nuclear facilities, we decided not to withdraw from NPT, Nonproliferation Treaty.
And you know that this is why Israelis, by possessing hundreds of nuclear warheads, they are not actually party to the Nonproliferation Treaty.
Why Iran is -- has decided to remain in the realm of NPT, because Iran is very clear about its peaceful nuclear program. Not only we do have, you
know, a fatwa by our leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, but also in our doctrine.
The only thing that we are following is peaceful nuclear program. And also, legitimate military program to defend our national interests and our
national security.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MACFARLANE: Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. A three-judge panel found
her responsible for inciting hundreds of extra judicial killings during last year's crackdown on a student led protests. It is believed at least
1,400 people were killed in the demonstrations that eventually toppled her government. Some of the victims' families were inside the courtroom for the
verdict.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That is sentence of death.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MACFARLANE: The 78-year-old former leader was tried in absentia after she self-exiled to India. She has criticized the trial as politically
motivated. New protests erupted during the trial, and her son has warned of further violence if her party, the Awami League, are blocked from taking
part in next year's elections.
France reaffirmed its support for Ukraine with new arms deal that will significantly boost Kyiv's air defenses. The Elysee Palace confirmed the
agreement between the two countries leaders inked earlier today will allow Ukraine to buy up to a hundred French fighter jets, eight air defense
systems and drones.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says it will strengthen Kyiv's military capabilities as Russia escalates attacks on its power plants and
substations. He also says he will discuss how to accelerate diplomatic efforts to end the war.
OK. Still to come, the U.K. is poised to announce some of the most significant changes to its immigration policy in decades, why it's
happening and what it means for asylum seekers when we return.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MACFARLANE: Welcome back to CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Christina Macfarlane. Here are your headlines this hour.
[10:30:02]
As the U.S. amasses naval assets near Venezuela, it is making a move to target the assets of its president. The state department says it will
declare the Cartel de los Soles as foreign terrorist organization, which the Trump administration claims is run by Nicolas Maduro, his government.
President Trump is now calling on the U.S. House to vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. In a social media post, he says it's time to move on
from what he's calling a democratic hoax. His about-face comes ahead of a likely House vote this week on releasing the files.
Charlotte, North Carolina, has become the latest target of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in the U.S. Over the past weekend, at least,
81 people were arrested during a mass deportation campaign dubbed Charlotte's Web. Immigration is taking center stage here as well in the
U.K. today.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to announce a massive overhaul of the country's asylum policy for migrants and refugees. The changes are expected
to include curbing illegal boat crossings from France, fast track deportations, as well as quadrupling the wait time for permanent residency
status to 20 years.
It comes after the summer of anti-immigration protests, and as criticism and pressure increase from the far-right Reform Party.
Well, joining us now is the senior researcher for the Migration Observatory, Peter William Walsh. He is also a University of Oxford
lecturer in Migration Studies.
A very warm welcome to you. So, William, we know that this overhaul will, of course, make UK immigration among the strictest in Europe. U.K., of
course, hoping to emulate the policies laid out by Denmark, who have really remarkably and rapidly reduced their immigration to the lowest mark now in
40 years.
But you have said this week that these new measures don't necessarily mean that number of small boat arrivals will come down in the U.K. Can you
explain why not?
PETER WILLIAM WALSH, SENIOR RESEARCHER, MIGRATION OBSERVATORY: I can. So, this is a deterrence policy. The government is very clear on that. And it's
not entirely clear how this will affect asylum seekers' decision making. We know that a lot goes into a decision to go to a particular country, asylum
seekers are not always fully aware of policy changes, but I think there are two things that asylum seekers do care about and are being restricted here,
which could have some deterrent impact.
The first is that asylum seekers do care about durable, permanent residents. That's being restricted. We are essentially saying goodbye to
permanent status in the U.K. for refugees, and the other is, of course, the ability to be reunited with family members.
We don't have the details on exactly how that's being restricted, but that understandably, is something that individuals do take into account when
they are choosing destination countries.
MACFARLANE: And there is a big question mark, I think, over how implement take -- implementable, you know, is that the right word? I think it is.
That all of this is.
I just want to pull up for our viewers an overview of the proposals that are being put forward here, because technically, speaking, there are some
question marks over how these could be implemented. I think I want to take a look there at the cases that would be reviewed every 2-1/2 years.
Now, that would mean that the U.K. government would have to process something like, I've read, 60,000 cases every 2-1/2 years. The current
system is facing a backlog of 50,000 in a year's wait time.
So, how realistic is that from a technical standpoint?
WALSH: Well, I think what that shows is that at the point of review, after 2-1.2 years, the government won't be conducting as detailed an examination
of an individual's case, as was considered when they received their initial grant of status.
That would imply a very heavy administrative burden. What's more likely is a light touch review where the government simply looks at the country of
origin. Has there been a change of regime? Could it possibly be safe to return the individual? And if it is, then, try and effect a removal.
MACFARLANE: I mean, isn't this dependent too on the U.K. partners being in lockstep with the U.K. government on this? And I mentioned that because I
think it was just last week that the second migrant who had been deported to France was actually returned to the U.K. on this one in, one out scheme.
So, what is your view on that?
WALSH: You are absolutely right. Returns deals are absolutely critical so that individuals can be returned to countries of this -- countries of
origin when it's safe to do so, or if they have had their asylum claim refused, that we can return them to their country of origin.
[10:35:00]
And the U.K. is not alone among European countries now that has found returning individuals increasingly difficult. Not that hard to understand
why the most common nationality on small boats these days and for some time, has been Afghans. We do not have a returns agreement with
Afghanistan.
The most common nationality amongst asylum claimants in the U.K. in recent years, Iranians. Similarly, we don't have that kind of agreement. So, that
is probably going to remain a major sticking point here in this -- the U.K. is not alone.
MACFARLANE: I mean, as we know as well, Peter, fleeing persecution and death is one of the primary reasons as to why people are seeking asylum.
And, you know, what this is laying out is that it will be someone's job to decide for how long those asylum seekers will be allowed to stay, possibly,
up to 20 years, and when they can return home, because if the country of origin is suddenly deemed safe, they will be sent home. That's what the
government is laying out today.
I mean, whose job will it be to decide that?
WALSH: That will be the job of the home office, our interior ministry, and that is indeed what the government is laying out.
Now, interestingly here, if we look at the Danish case, there is a cohort of about 30,000 Syrian refugees. Only about 1-1/2 thousand actually had
their claims revisited, and only a few hundred were actually returned.
So, there is this question about the difference between the law on the books and what actually happens in practice.
MACFARLANE: All right. Peter, well, we will watch to see what the outcome of this will be in Parliament today, but we appreciate your thoughts for
now. Thank you.
Still ahead, historic preservationists take President Trump to court, as he announces plans for yet another federal building refurbishment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MACFARLANE: Historic preservationists are suing U.S. President Trump over his plans to paint the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the
White House, a bright white they are warning it could cause irreversible damage to the nearly 140-year-old building.
The suit asks a court to stop Trump from making any changes until it goes through a standard review process, something Mr. Trump failed to do before
demolishing the East Wing of the White House to build a ballroom.
He recently talked about his plans for the Eisenhower Executive Office Building with Fox's Laura Ingraham. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAURA INGRAHAM, HOST, FOX NEWS CHANNEL: Instead of knowing dating myself.
(CROSSTALK)
TRUMP: So, you know, was always considered --
INGRAHAM: Grayish color.
TRUMP: -- an ugly building.
INGRAHAM: I kind of like --
TRUMP: And it's actually one of the most beautiful buildings ever built.
INGRAHAM: Yes. I kind of like it.
TRUMP: Other than how beautiful that is with a coat of paint.
INGRAHAM: So, is it just painting there?
TRUMP: It's all painting. Most of it is painting.
INGRAHAM: So, what is it now? (INAUDIBLE)?
TRUMP: Cleaning and pointing and painting. It needs other work too.
[10:40:00]
Look at that how beautiful that is.
INGRAHAM: But you are not worried that's like a big white blob? That's --
TRUMP: Yes. No,
INGRAHAM: No?
TRUMP: What it does, is it brings out all the detail.
INGRAHAM: So, you are a builder. I'm not. I have no effect.
TRUMP: No. It really -- it brings out the detail.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MACFARLANE: And Greg Werkheiser joins me now live. He is the founding partner of Cultural Heritage Partners, which filed the suit. Thank you for
joining us.
It is quite clear, I think -- quite clear, I think, from what we've seen from the demolition of the East Wing of the White House, that the president
is very intent on putting his physical stamp on Washington.
Your film -- your firm, really drew a line in the sand on Friday in the move to sue President Trump. So, just tell us why you chose to do this now.
GREG WERKHEISER, FOUNDING PARTNER, CULTURAL HERITAGE PARTNERS: Yes, well, it's not every day we feel the need to file a temporary restraining order
against the president of the United States. But when the president announced, for instance, that he was going to make a ballroom next to the
East Wing, he reassured the American public that he would not touch the East Wing, and then, within days, the east wing was completely gone and
demolished.
And so, unfortunately, we just can't be in a position to trust what the president is saying about his intent for interior or exterior design. And,
of course, this is not his property. This belongs to the American people, and it doesn't matter which president office, they all have to follow the
same rules.
MACFARLANE: And as I understand it, your legal team will seek to make the case that the Constitution says the president is obliged to take care to
follow the rules. But I think it's pretty clear, after seeing him take a literal wrecking ball to the East Wing, that he cares very little for such
semantics, as he would see it.
So, you said you brought a restraining order on the president. What are your expectations for the case, and whether this will -- you'll be able to
halt this?
WERKHEISER: Well, on Friday, we filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, one of our federal courts, and today,
we are filing a number of additional documents, including a request for a restraining order that will give us enough time to then formally have a
request for a -- an injunction heard. And frankly, it will give the president enough time to change his mind about whether or not he wants to
comply with the law that Congress passed almost 60 years ago, and that Congress has held strong to since.
MACFARLANE: I mean, a law that passed 60 years ago. He doesn't seem to comply with Congress these days, whether or not he'll pay attention to
something 60 years ago. We'll see.
I mean, you've said that going around this preservation review, that the federal laws -- the federal law requires, will lead to irreversible damage
of this building. In your mind, what sort of -- what sort of damage you talking about? How bad could it be?
WERKHEISER: It could be bad. The U.S. government has a set of written standards on how to treat historic properties depending on what they are
made of and where they are located.
And one of their clearest instructions is you don't paint granite. And the reason you don't paint granite is it can permanently harm the surface. And
so, this is not an instance where the president is, for instance, putting up maybe some gaudy gold decor inside the Oval Office, which can be
reversed.
I mean, if somebody kept the Home Depot receipts, we can take that back in a couple of years and put it back the way it was.
But if you damage the granite, the slate, the ornate iron work of this building, which the United States has designated as one of its national
landmarks, we don't do that for every building, and we are a young country, so, what is old over here matters to us.
And so, it's important that the president do two things that are required by the law. Do this in front of the American public, not in secret. And
secondly, consult the experts that are there for the purposes of ensuring that we can sustain our national treasures, whether they are landscapes or
buildings or art or architecture.
MACFARLANE: I mean, he's not the first to call this building a bit of an eyesore. Mark Twain, reportedly described it as the ugliest building in
America. And President Harry Truman called it a monstrosity, though.
But to your point, just there, about the need for preservation, especially among, I guest, a historically young country. Why should this building and
many others in Washington not be tampered with? Because we know President Trump is also talking about other buildings and other, you know, building
within Washington, at the same time as he's talking about redoing the Eisenhower Building.
[10:45:02]
WERKHEISER: Well, I want to be clear that our lawsuit is not because we disagree with the president's tastes, whether those tastes are good or they
are gaudy. The lawsuit is because we have a process in place to ensure that no matter how tastes change over time, we are doing right by the historical
architecture and the nature of our assets.
And so, this building is become beloved over time. There is a lot of things in this country where the original take on it, as it were, in terms of
taste, has changed and evolved over time.
It's a stunning building, it is a massive building, and, you know, there is an artisticness to it that is, I guess, to each his own. But the point is,
there's a process in place. And that process will take into consideration what's needed to make sure that, that building is around for another 137
years.
And I guess to our point in this lawsuit is simply that, that building has survived for 137 years in its present state with some exterior cleaning.
The president can certainly wait a couple of months and do what's necessary to comply with the law before determining whether or not his plan to
whitewash the entire building is one that's consistent with the U.S. federal law.
MACFARLANE: Well, Greg, we will continue to follow this with interest, be it good, gaudy, or otherwise, and we appreciate you coming on and talking
to us about it. Thank you.
WERKHEISER: Well, thank you. It's nice to see you, Christina. Take care.
MACFARLANE: Now, to a transformation in Libya, once torn apart by war, the North African country is becoming a surprising hot spot for tourists
seeking thrills and adventures.
CNN's Isobel Yeung explains how Libya is rebranding after years of conflict and isolation to attract tourists.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ISOBEL YEUNG, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We are flying over Benghazi, Libya right now, which just a few years ago, the scene of some very heavy
fighting. But right now, we're up in disguise with a bunch of sky divers who've come here from all over the world. Pretty insane people, to jump out
of a military helicopter just for fun.
YEUNG (voice over): Here in Libya, things have changed. Just a decade ago, ISIS was a powerful force. Fierce battles between jihadi fighters and the
Libyan National Army raged across the territory.
Benghazi, itself, was already a buzz word in American politics.
TRUMP: Take a look at Benghazi.
HILLARY CLINTON, FORMER FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: Benghazi.
TREY GOWDY, CONTRIBUTOR, FOX NEWS CHANNEL: Benghazi.
SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX): Benghazi.
REP. JIM JORDAN (R-OH): Benghazi.
JOHN MCCAIN, FORMER SENATOR, ARIZONA: Benghazi.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Welcome back. We are following breaking news this morning.
YEUNG (voice over): In 2012, militants allied with al-Qaeda killed the U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens, sparking a partisan firestorm in Washington.
The politics may have moved on, but the scars of war are everywhere. Libyans are keen for a rebrand, and thrill seekers from around the world
are all too happy to help out.
YEUNG: How was it?
UNKNOWN: It was amazing.
YEUNG: How do you feel?
UNKNOWN: I felt like I just had sex.
YEUNG (voice over): People from 37 countries have come to inaugurate the skydiving center.
YEUNG: How are you feeling?
BRANDEN ROSEBOROUGH, SKYDIVER: I'm feeling great.
YEUNG: Yes.
ROSEBOROUGH: I'm really excited. It's going to be incredible, I think. Yes.
YEUNG: Were you nervous about coming to Libya at all?
ROSEBOROUGH: A little bit, yes.
YEUNG: What do you think of when you think of Libya?
ROSEBOROUGH: All that I hear as an American is like, Benghazi and Hillary's e-mails. As I started to kind of research the country, you know, it has an
amazing history. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up to explore a new place.
YEUNG: I mean, you are clearly an adrenaline junkie.
ROSEBOROUGH: Sure.
YEUNG: Is part of the appeal coming to a place that has been through a lot, that, you know, has seen a lot of adrenaline itself?
ROSEBOROUGH: I didn't think about it that way, but it was more of a unique experience for me that I was excited about.
YEUNG (voice-over): From fighting off ISIS to facilitating adrenaline junkies, the Libyan National Army are helping run things here, looking to
Dubai for inspiration and expertise.
[10:50:02]
COL. MOHAMMED EBREYK, LIBYAN NATIONAL ARMY (text): Our goal is to send a clear message to the world that Libya is ready to be a pioneer in tourism.
YEUNG: I mean, it's just a few years ago that there was war here. Were you fighting?
EBREYK (text): We fought not only in this area, we took part in operations across multiple regions of Libya.
YEUNG: Is this what you were fighting for?
EBREYK (text): This is a great joy for us, for every Libyan and Arab citizen. The entire team and all the staff here are delighted.
YEUNG: Do you have a message for Americans or people outside of here who might be considering a trip to Libya?
EBREYK: Welcome in the Libya, the land of the peace.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MACFARLANE: A new generation of magicians debuted on the Big screen this weekend. The third installment of the "Now You See Me" film franchise
topped the global box office. Eleni Giokos has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the world of magic, everything that disappears reappears.
ELENI GIOKOS, CNN ANCHOR: A little bit of magic is coming to Abu Dhabi.
WOODY HARRELSON, AMERICAN ACTOR.: Open sesame.
GIOKOS: Do you guys believe in magic?
ISLA FISHER, AUSTRALIAN ACTRESS: Absolutely. I gave birth to three magical human beings, and it was a magical experience. And I believe in the magic
of our movie.
JESSE EISENBERG, ACTOR: Being on the other side of magic now I see, like, the amount of time and effort it takes to do the -- some of these tricks.
FISHER: Yes.
EISENBERG: And that, to me, is like more magical than actually something, you know, appearing out of thin air.
GIOKOS: The four horsemen magicians are back, along with the new generation of illusionists, attempting to pull off the biggest heist in history.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What's the trick?
GIOKOS: Sealing a priceless diamond with some mind-blowing twists and turns?
EISENBERG: It is very good to be back.
GIOKOS: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, and Isla Fisher are rephrasing their roles for the third installment of Lions Gate Now You See
Me film franchise, along with fan favorite Morgan Freeman,
MORGAN FREEMAN, AMERICAN ACTOR AND PRODUCER: My horseman.
FISHER: Yes.
The way that the horsemen get brought together again, particularly in this installment, is just -- it's so exciting. And it's -- there is such an
amazing twist at the end that no one will see coming. It's the kind of film you want to see, like, a couple of times to, like, put the pieces together.
And Henley is really kind of front and center to one of the major stunts.
GIOKOS (voice over): In this worldwide magic chase. The horsemen find themselves in Abu Dhabi, parts of the film, "Now You See Me: Now You Don't"
were filmed in the United Arab Emirates' capital. From a fast-racing car chase in Yas Island, to dazzling sequence at the Louvre Abu Dhabi on
Saadiyat Island. And breathtaking leeward desert landscapes for the film's explosive finale.
FISHER: It's fabulous to be back with people I like, on working on a story I believe in, and shooting in locations that are really exotic, that I
probably wouldn't get to fortunate enough to travel to in my everyday life.
GIOKOS: Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, and Ariana Greenblatt joined the franchise, combining forces with their horsemen idols.
DOMINIC SESSA, ACTOR: It's such an honor to be acting with all these incredible people, talented actors. And I would love any other opportunity
to be around this cast.
GIOKOS: Did you guys have to practice quite a bit? I mean, are your family completely sick of you trying to do some of these tricks and have some of
them stuck? is it like what you're doing at parties right now?
[10:55:02]
SESSA: Yes, I think I have -- I have definitely abused this new skill that I have from doing this film.
FISHER: What was great about this particular movie is that Reuben Fleischer, our director, wanted all the magic to be, you know, practically
able to be done and not to be CGI, you know, computer animated tricks, or generated tricks, rather.
I did hours and hours on my one little like trick that it was just like making something disappear. And you would not believe. I know magicians
spend years doing this, but it felt like it took me that long to. My kids loved it, though. When I nailed it, they were so proud.
EISENBERG: We were spending, like, weeks and weeks on tiny little moves. I have a thing where, like, I make a diamond appear, you know, just out of my
hand. And it took weeks and weeks, you know, to just perfect this one little move.
Diamonds are forever.
Eleni Giokos, CNN, Abu Dhabi.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You want to join the show?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, we get down with it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MACFARLANE: Looks like a lot of fun, doesn't it?
Now, in today's "PARTING SHOTS", a defining moment in the future of motorsport and artificial intelligence. Some 8,000 spectators filled the
stands as six fully driverless race cars went head-to-head at the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League's grand final event on Saturday.
The German team took first place, retaining the championship title for a second straight season.
And that is it for today's edition of CONNECT THE WORLD. Keep it with CNN. "ONE WORLD" is up after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
