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NATO Defense Ministers Meeting in Brussels; Homan Touts Arrests of Violent Criminals in Minneapolis; Homan Proposes End to Surge Operation of Immigration Agents; Residents Near Guthrie's Home Asked to Check Camera Footage; Canadian Authorities Reveal New Details on Mass Shooting; Trump Set to Revoke EPA's Power to Regulate Pollution; Winter Sports Booming After Beijing's 2022 Winter Olympics. Aired 9-10a ET
Aired February 12, 2026 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[09:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Well, the U.S. President gets set to roll back U.S. action to slow global warming. He is expected to
scrap a key element of Obama era climate policy with consequences for the whole world. It is 09:00 a.m. in Washington, 06:00 p.m. here in Abu Dhabi.
From your Middle East programming headquarters, I'm Becky Anderson. This is "Connect the World". Also coming up, a possible new clue in the abduction
of Nancy Guthrie. Reports that investigators are examining a glove found not far from her home. And Canada mourns the victims of one of its worst
ever school shootings as police continue to search for a motive.
Well stock market in New York opens about 30 minutes from now, the arrows all pointing higher on the futures. If things stay this way, expect a
higher open for all three indexes as Wednesday's robust jobs data, it seems, points to a U.S. economy in decent shape.
Well, NATO Defense Chiefs are meeting in Brussels today with the war in Ukraine, funding for the alliance, front and center, the ministers getting
words of encouragement from the U.S. Representative at the meeting. Pentagon Policy Chief Elbridge Colby, saying that the U.S. and Europe have
a strong basis for working together.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is not attending in the wake of the dispute over Donald Trump's desire to acquire Greenland for the U.S. --
comments two reporters NATO, Secretary General Mark Rutte downplayed Hegseth's absence. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARK RUTTE, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL: I mean, I'm in regular contact with him and all the senior officials in the United States. Of course, the American
President number one, the overall leader of the U.S., but also his whole foreign leadership and Defense Secretary of War leadership team.
But hey, they have to take care of the whole world. This is United States. NATO is very important, but it was also the Western Hemisphere. There's
also the inner Pacific. I totally accept it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Clare Sebastian, following developments for us in London. What do you make of the state of the alliance today mid-February 2026? And what
we've just heard from Mark Rutte?
CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, look, I think it's clear, Becky, that the alliance is trying to rebuild and come back from what was clearly
a test in January, with the pronouncements by President Trump that he wanted to take Greenland. And then Mark Rutte, the Secretary General, NATO,
having to sort of walk him back from that.
There is, I think, a concerted effort now to move on. Obviously, I think Hegseth's absence, despite the public pronouncements that we saw from Mark
Rutte, and there he is speaking again in his press conference after the meeting. Despite those public pronouncements, it's not a welcome
development, especially after we saw Secretary of State Marco Rubio skip a NATO Foreign Ministers meeting back in December.
But again, in word and deed, we do see a concerted effort from alliance members to try to move on. It's no accident, I think, that they launched
their Arctic mission, Arctic sentry, the day before this summit. Clearly, that is something of immense importance to President Trump and part of
Rutte's efforts to try to stop this crisis from bubbling up again.
So, there's, I think, two key things that they're focused on at this meeting, aside from Arctic security. Number one is to note the progress
towards that 5 percent spending goal that they committed to last summer. And number two is to move on from the Greenland issue and refocus back on
Ukraine.
And we saw the new Ukrainian Defense Minister in Brussels attending this meeting the NATO-Ukraine Council, happening on the sidelines, and a clear
vote of confidence for him from Mark Rutte. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM HOMAN, WHITE HOUSE BORDER CZAR: -- Acting Special Agent in Charge for I.C.E. Homeland Security Investigations, and --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Just cutting Clare off there. Let's listen to Tom Homan. He's just started speaking.
HOMAN: I'm very pleased to report that this surge operation and our work here with state and local officials to improve coordination and achieve
mutual goals, as well as our efforts to address issues of a concern here on the ground have yielded the successful results we have come here for.
[09:05:00]
The Twin Cities of Minnesota in general are and will continue to be much safer for the communities here because of what we have accomplished under
President Trump's leadership. I previously shared with you before I got here, before I even got here, I met with -- I said I was going to meet with
the governor, the AG, and the Mayor Frey, Mayor -- and I've done all of that.
I've also met with various police chiefs and sheriffs, and one thing we all had in common was the importance of ensuring and maintaining public safety.
Overall, we made a lot of progress through extensive engagement, meeting with them and other key stakeholders. And it is expected that those
engagements and discussions will continue going forward, in order to enhance exchange of information and more coordination.
As a result of this surge operation, we have greatly reduced the number of targets for enforcement action. And many criminal aliens have been arrested
and taken off the streets, including murders, sex offenders, national security threats, gang members and other violent criminals.
Just this week, I.C.E. arrested a criminal alien with criminal convictions for rape acts with a child under 14 years of age, with force lewd and
lascivious acts with a child under 14. I.C.E. also arrested two criminal aliens with criminal sexual misconduct convictions, among other violent
criminals.
Through targeted enforcement operations based on reasonable suspicion and prioritizing safety and security, I.C.E. will continue to identify arrest
and remove illegal aliens that pose a risk to public safety, like we've done for years. And our officers will carry out those duties with
professionalism, integrity and compassion, like we've done for years.
We will enforce immigration law against all persons in the United States illegally. I want to say something about the various unfounded complaints
I'm hearing about I.C.E. enforcement operations. During the search operation, I.C.E. has not arrested anybody inside a hospital.
We have not arrested anybody inside of a school, elementary school. We have not arrested anybody inside a church. As a matter of fact, the only ones
that disrespected the sanctuary of a church were the agitators that have been arrested and prosecuted. So far, we have nine of them.
However, those locations are not off the table. I said in day one, there is no sanctuary for a significant public safety threat or national security
threat. But as far as those stories about I.C.E. going into churches, arresting people in hospitals, it simply has not happened.
And if you have a case where it happened, do you let me know? Because all the digging, I've done there, I can't find a single one. Under President
Trump's direction, we have obtained an unprecedented level coordinates from law enforcement officials that is focused on promoting public safety,
across the entire state.
While I don't agree with Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison, everything I appreciate the support the governor gives to state agencies
who coordinate with us in a manner intended to promote public safety, and I appreciate the AG, having an open dialog with me.
Early on, the first meeting I had, acknowledging that county jails may notify I.C.E. of the release date of an inmate just as long as they don't
hold them past the time, they would normally release them. We now have the ability to arrest criminal aliens in the safety and security of jails
throughout the state at the time they're being released, like we've done in other states.
I've also directed the strategic placement of officers in certain areas throughout the states that can respond quickly to sheriffs that want to
release somebody and notify us, we need to be nearby so they don't hold them unnecessarily. So, we worked on a strategic plan to reassign officers
in those key locations.
Arresting a public safety threat and the safety and security of a jail is safer for the alien, it's safer for the officer and safer for the
community. I think we all can agree on that. It requires less resources throughout large operations. It just makes sense. I'll say it again, as I
said many times, we are not asking local law enforcement to act as immigration officers.
I don't want them to be immigration officers. We're the immigration officers. We just want them to be cops. We're asking law enforcement to
coordinate with other law enforcement to help keep public safety risk or the communities.
[09:10:00]
We have also strengthened our existing coordination of the state to target and take custody of criminal aliens more efficiently and effectively. As a
result of our efforts here Minnesota is now less of a sanctuary state for criminals. And we are proud of the public safety threats. We have removed
from the criminal aliens out of the state.
As I said in my first press conference a couple weeks ago, President Trump didn't send me here because operations were being run and conducted
perfectly. I came here to identify issues and implement solutions to improve our mission execution. Since that time, in order to improve target
enforcement operation, I and my team here, we made personnel changes.
We integrated BP with the I.C.E. teams. We established a single, unified chain of command structure. We strengthened joint intelligence and
targeting capabilities. We deployed body cameras. We increased the footprint of Internal Affairs. We commuted zero tolerance misconduct.
President Trump also deployed me here to work with state and local officials to de-escalate the intense, volatile reactions. And conflicts
that have unfolded on the streets here between federal law enforcement and unlawful agitators, while working to course correct and improve how
enforcement operates are being run and executed here, and even before it was sent up here.
I've been saying over and over, that forcibly, assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating or interfering with a federal law
enforcement officer is a crime in violation of U.S.C. 111. It's not OK. It will not be tolerated, zero tolerance. If you cross that line and put hands
on a nice officer.
Not only such activity unlawful, it is dangerous, and sadly, we have seen tragic consequences, as well as adverse impacts on businesses in the
communities here in the city. While the Trump Administration supports everyone's First Amendment Right to freedom of speech and assembly and to
petition, it has to be done lawfully and peacefully, because we will not tolerate unlawful actions committed by agitators who are just causing
havoc.
This is not the way to express your disagreement or try to reform federal laws. Go talk to your members of Congress. We want the laws changed in this
country. Nor is Daxing federal law enforcement personnel and their families. It's just not right. Enough is Enough with this misguided,
reckless and shameful behavior.
We don't want to see any more bloodshed. I don't want to see any more bloodshed. I pray every night for the safety of our law enforcement
personnel and the safety of those in the community, whether you're here legally or illegally. I don't want to see anybody harmed. If you break the
law, we're going to arrest you.
We have already arrested more than 200 people for violations of U.S.C. 111 the U.S. Attorney's Office has already accepted many for prosecutions, and
some are still pending. I have also received commitments from state and local law enforcement that they will respond if federal law enforcement is
being impeded or assaulted.
They will shut down unlawful agitator activity, including arresting agitators involved and seeing them follow through, and we're seeing them
follow through with commitments we've seen this past. We've seen this past weekend that the state and local law enforcement have taken action when it
comes to public safety, and bless him for doing that.
Since I have been here, I've repeatedly emphasized that the unlawful and vital agitator activity is unacceptable and must wind down as a condition
for further draw down of law enforcement personnel. I cannot remove law enforcement personnel while violence poses serious risk to our officers.
I will not leave my officers in that position. It is worth knowing that in all my meetings and discussions since I got here, I've not heard one
federal, state, local law enforcement or judicial official, nor any member of the business or faith communities that I met with, say that I.C.E. is an
illegitimate agency that doesn't have a real mission.
Quite the opposite. All I've heard is the acknowledgement that federal immigration laws passed by Congress do exist, and I.C.E. has a legitimate
responsibility to enforce those laws. I.C.E. is a legitimate federal law enforcement agency. We're not out scouring the streets to disappear people
or deny people their civil rights or due process.
In addition to taking public safety threats off the street, I.C.E. here in this state, have located 3364 missing unaccompanied alien children.
Children at the last administration lost and weren't even looking for. That's because the leadership of President Trump, these children were
located.
[09:15:00]
As part of the de-escalation efforts have called on state and local officials these past few weeks to tone down the rhetoric and denounce
unlawful activities being conducted by the agitators. We don't have to agree on everything, and we definitely do not, but we all agree that the
lawlessness and chaos and disruption that is occurring on the street needs to end.
I want to thank Governor Walz for his messages focusing on peace and his support for the Minnesota State troopers to respond to unlawful situations
that put Federal officers and the public at risk. Also want to thank Mayor Frey for taking a public stance against agitators setting up barricades
that block streets and endanger public safety, and for directing the police to take those road bucks down.
Just say I want to thank Police Chief O'Hara, Sheriff Witt and various other local law enforcement for their responsiveness and efforts to
maintain law and order in the streets. We've seen a big change here in the last couple weeks, and it's all good changes.
I'm also pleased to report that we're seeing a notable decrease on unlawful agitator activity here in Minneapolis and overall, throughout the state.
This is great news for Minnesota communities. They have been adversely impacted by the lawlessness and chaos in the street.
We have what we call here QRF Quick Response Force security teams that get called out when I.C.E. officers out doing operations, they get into
trouble. If agitators get out of control, if there's a danger and public safety is at risk, these QRF's respond to help these officers get off the
action and get out of that situation.
I asked Dave when I got her, I want to number -- I want to know what the QRF call outs are, what their deployments are. I want to know every time a
QRF is called out. The QRF deployments have dropped dramatically because we have less of that occurring, less of the agitator that cross that line.
That is a good thing. That is a win for everybody, not just for the safety of law enforcement officers, is a win for this community. With that and
success that has been made arresting public safety threats and other priorities since this search operation began, as well as the unprecedented
levels of coordination we have obtained from State officials and local law enforcement.
I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred that this surge operation conclude. A significant draw down has already been underway this
week and will continue through the next week. We have a lot of work to do across this country, to remove public safety risk who shouldn't even be in
this country.
And to deliver on President Trump's problems for strong border security and mass deportation. Law enforcement officers drawing down from this surgery
operation will either return to the duty station or be signed elsewhere to achieve just that. We will continue to enforce Title 8 immigration law
throughout this nation, prioritizing national security threats and public safety risk makes sense.
But I'll continue to say over and over again, if you are here in the country legally, you're not exempt from our immigration laws. If we
encounter you, we'll take appropriate enforcement action. But also say we are backing down from immigration enforcement or the promise of mass
deportations, you are simply wrong.
Look at the data, record number of arrests and deportations under President Trump's first year. And we'll continue that effort. Prioritizing public
safety threats and national security threats, doesn't mean we forget about everybody else. We will take action on everybody else.
That's just a stone-cold fact. A small footprint of personnel will remain for a period of time to close out and transition full command and control
back to the field office, as well as to ensure agitator activity continues to decline and that state and local law enforcement continue to respond to
ensure officer and community safety.
Additionally, federal government personnel assigned to conduct criminal investigation into the agitators, as well as the personnel signed here for
the fraud investigations will remain in place until the work is done. I will also remain on the ground for a little longer to oversee the draw down
of this operation and ensure its success.
In closing, I want to thank the leadership and senior management that I've worked with for your efforts into these issues, determine deficiencies and
challenges, present solutions and implement improvements that will benefit how operations are run and executed nationwide. God bless the men and women
of I.C.E.
[09:20:00]
Men and women of the Border Patrol. Appreciate everything you've done for us. Also with sincere gratitude, President Trump and I want to thank the
men and women of I.C.E. and CBP and partner agencies who have been assigned here during Operation Metro Surge, you achieved a great success for the
Minnesota communities.
Thank you to your families as well. I know they sacrifice also. Thank you, President Trump, for your vision as well as your support and confidence in
these brave, dedicated patriots that work hard to deliver on your strong commitment to law and order, public safety, prosperity for American
communities.
Today, we have the most secure border in American history. We are seeing record numbers of people being arrested and deported. Your promise to make
America safe again is being played out every day on the streets of this country. I've said it many times. I worked for six different presidents, 10
different ministrations.
No one has done it better than President Trump. God bless this great country. I'll take questions now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- Mr. Homan, as immigration enforcement continues across the country, here in Minnesota as well, how do you hope to gain the
trust of individuals here that have kind of been wary of seeing Federal officers on the street? but let's say six months from now, we still have
the office here.
We still are enforcing immigration across the country. What do you hope things to look like, and what are you asking for the public?
HOMAN: Look, I just want people to look at the data and what this administration has done. You know, the number of public safety threats we
removed from the streets across this country that makes these communities safer. I used to set an office here for decades before it's called INS
Immigration Naturalization Service.
This footprint will remain here. And they'll continue to do immigration enforcement here. But as President Trump has said from day one, we're going
to prioritize the public safety threats. Again, but prioritization doesn't mean forget about everybody else. That means you have a criminal alien here
and non-criminal here.
The criminal always comes first, because he's the biggest threat to the communities. What can continue force immigration law. Look, won't get back
to the footprint here, the normal footprint here, but there will be some security teams staying here the QRFs until we're assured that those
agitators, instance, either stay low or further decline.
I'm not going to remove everybody out of the safety of our officers. But like said, and Operation Metro Surge is ending. And in the next week, we're
going deploy the officers here in detail, back to the home stations or other areas of the country are needed. But we're going to continue to
enforce immigration law that's what American people voted for, but has to be a priority of criminals.
And look, I hear all the hate about you know, you should arrest everybody. Oh, we are. But we're prioritizing those are the biggest threat to our
community, the rapists, the murders, the child molesters. That's the right thing to do, but I'll say it again. President Trump made a promise of mass
deportation, and that's what this country is going to get.
But a smart law enforcement to do target enforcement operations. Now I've heard people attacking using word targeting. I sat for the last two months,
when I watch this operation, Daily Press briefs to talk about targeted operations. Nothing changed, other than we'll make sure they're targeted
and make sure we know who we're going for?
What their immigration record was, their criminal history? That comes first. What enforcement of Title 8 is not going to end. If you're in this
country legally, you're not off the table. And I think we're proven, if you look at the data.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Homan, I just had a question about the final number of arrests you had, and how many of those people arrested were those
targeted security threats you were after?
HOMAN: I don't have that exact breakdown. I know we've made over 4000 arrests here. That is something local field office can supply. I don't have
the exact breakdown, but I can tell you, since I've been on the ground, they've been targeting enforcement arrest. I believe they were targeting
enforcement arrest before I got here.
What I did is create one chain of commands where everybody knows what everybody else is doing, and there's an integrate operation command
centers. There were some issues here, and we address those issues, but I'm not going to seriously say anybody did anything wrong and that, you know,
they were, you know, unprofessional.
I'm going to say there's some issues here. We fix those issues. We've had great success with this operation, and we're leaving Minnesota safer. The
surge is leaving Minnesota safer, Minneapolis safer, because of the cooperation we got with the counties in the state and local law enforcement
responding to our needs.
[09:25:00]
I'll say it again, it's less of a sanctuary state for criminals.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah, sorry to go a little off topic here. But can you confirm that CPD actually hit a party balloon instead of a drone with a
laser during the incident in El Paso? And why wasn't that action coordinated with the FAA?
HOMAN: I have no information on that. It's out of my way.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- Keep the questions to Minnesota topic.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Homan, can you specify how many County Sheriff's local jails have agreed to work with you and honor I.C.E. entertainers?
HOMAN: I have not met one county jail that says no to us. They want to work with us.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- time for one more.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: -- Mr. Homan, can you -- you talked about this unprecedented, unprecedented level of cooperation between local officials
and yourself? Can you explain more what is changed now in terms of that cooperation --
HOMAN: Well, several things that change. First of all, when the agents are all doing operations, and the agitators got a hand and proposed a public
safety threat, not just to the officers, but the communities. Law enforcement response has been sporadic at best.
I think, at what you've seen now, what you saw this past weekend is law enforcement is responding to public safety needs quickly. And people were
arrested for violating city ordinances, as far as when you know, unlawful assembly and so forth, they come to assist us, make sure our officers, the
person we have in custody, leave that scene safely.
You see it this weekend, and I'm happy that the local and state was there also that responded, and we haven't seen any incidents of them not
responding since we have these agreements in place now. As far as the jails, we got more cooperation, more jails than they had before we got
here.
That's a good thing. We're having conversation with the state, and you know, state already accepts our detainers, but we're moving further on our
agreements for the state. So, the cooperation we have here, it's going to keep this city safer. It's going to keep our agents safer.
Arresting public safety threats in a jail just makes sense. You know, if you look at talking my Chief of Staff this morning, I'm way over here. I
see that most people on the other side, when I say the other side this argument with Democrats versus Republicans, whatever.
But most of people, even Democrats, are saying they want public safety threats to be the focus. They think public safety threats illegal aliens
should be addressed. But to say that and not let us in the jail, you can't square that. I just noticed the Governor of New York, my home state.
You know, I've heard her say that she believes public safety threat, illegal alien should be the focus of I.C.E., but to have a press conference
last week to lock us out of the jails and 287 geo gamers, how do you square that? You can't. So again, prioritization of public safety threats doesn't
mean forget about everybody else.
We're going to force the immigration law, and we're going to have a massive going to have a mass deportation. President Trump promised that, and we're
committed to that. However, it should not be -- It should be a -- it shouldn't be a partisan issue, that you arrest public safety threats in the
safety and security of a jail, releasing public safety threats back in the public is just stupid.
And I've been arguing this for years, and I hope Congress takes action on sanctuary cities and sanctuary states. It makes sense. If you think about
it, even the big no the argument I hear, well, victims and witnesses of crime that are in the country legally, want to feel safe, to come to law
enforcement and to report those crimes without fearing that this law enforcement agency is working with I.C.E.
That's just a bunch of crap, because victims and witnesses of crime don't want the bad guy released the neighborhood either. It's ridiculous. We want
access to the person that you chose, the local jurisdiction chose to lock in a jail cell, and we have that cooperation here now.
It's the right thing to do is it makes this community safer. This community is safer because we arrested 4000 illegal aliens, and it's over 4000
illegal aliens here, many of them public safety threat, not all of them. As I said, we're going to force immigration law, but this community is much
safer because of President Trump's leadership and the men and women standing on this stage.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you. That's all the questions --
ANDERSON: Right, Tom Homan is Trump's Border Czar. He's in Minneapolis with the latest about the I.C.E. operation in the Twin Cities, still reeling, of
course, from two fatal shootings last month.
[09:30:00]
He has just said that the surge operation there has concluded. To be clear, he said I.C.E. will continue immigration enforcement in Minnesota, but he
said a quote, significant draw down of personnel is already underway. Juliette Kayyem joins me now. A significant draw down is under way.
Juliette, is this a climb down by the Trump Administration?
JULIETTE KAYYEM, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: It is. There are reasons for it. Of course, the killing of two Americans by immigration
agents has been, you know, has not, has -- it was horrible. And also, the White House has essentially lost all support for their immigration.
But activities, there's two other things happening today. This is not a surprise. One is Congress is debating DHS budget, and it is clear to me
that the White House said we need if we are going to give DHS a budget, because the Democrats are holding on to it, we've got to give something in
particular.
We've got to draw down in the most you know, in this controversial area in Minnesota. The second is the realization. And the White House has been
having to defend it based on, you know, reporting from CBS News, CNN and others, that one year into the Trump Administration, fewer than 13 percent
of people detained or deported had even a criminal indictment against them, and let alone found guilty.
About 5 percent have been found guilty. So, you're looking at a White House. You saw a lot of defensiveness in Homan's remarks about who they're
arresting. You're looking at a White House that where their own numbers are not justifying the kind of activity that we're seeing, nor the promise of
the Trump Administration that they would only go after the worst of the worst.
ANDERSON: Which I guess and thank you for the context, because that is extremely important for the viewers. I guess that begs the question, what
should we expect next in this policy that has become, whilst incredibly important to those who voted for Donald Trump in 2024?
Should we expect a change in policy, or is this just a change in strategy at this point?
KAYYEM: It's hard to know. I will tell you until Stephen Miller, the Deputy Chief of Staff and sort of the person pushing this very aggressive, very
unforgiving immigration policy in the United States, what we call interior enforcement, until the quota that he has put on I.C.E. and CBP, a daily
quota.
So, you know what that means. It means every guy that goes out is going to try to catch someone, whether they should be caught until that end, you're
not. You're still going to have the pressures on CBP and I.C.E. But what I heard Homan saying, and I've known Homan a long time, was that's not going
to be as much of a focus, and whether -- and that they're going to do two things.
One is they're going to get back to the worst of the worst. They're going to take people from jails or prisons or prisons, which is legitimate, and
they're going to start to tell the story line, which I've often wondered, why aren't they telling the story? It's a good story, which is unlawful
migration at our border is essentially at all-time lows.
That's what the American public wanted. It's the same debate that happens in Europe and throughout the world. People do want their borders secure.
So, I do think you're going to see a change. I'm not -- I don't think hearts and minds have changed in the White House.
I think polling has. I think they are looking I'll just be honest with you. They have lost this narrative. If you look at the polling in the United
States, it is completely flipped. Americans do not like this interior enforcement. If it's a grandmother, if it's the father of service members,
if it's the husband, a German husband of a, you know, for 20 years of an American citizen.
You know, they don't -- if it's a Mexican visitor in Florida, these stories don't make sense to the American public, and the White House is conceding
that.
ANDERSON: This is an election year of course. November are the midterms. This is an important time for the White House, and you've heard from Tom
Homan today, folks. And Juliette, thank you for that. Tom Homan suggesting that while the I.C.E. operation continues in Minnesota, the surge in
personnel there has concluded. We are back after this quick break. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:35:00]
ANDERSON: Well, the desperate search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie and clues surrounding her disappearance now in its 12th day. We've learned that
people living near Guthrie's home in Arizona are being asked to share video footage from their home cameras on two specific days in January, including
the day that Guthrie was last seen.
According to this message from the Pima County Sheriff's Department in Arizona, there was reportedly a suspicious vehicle seen near Guthrie's home
in the hours before she disappeared. Investigators are looking for footage of it, as well as any other critical evidence. CNN's Leigh Waldman is
following this story for us from Tucson.
And what further details do you have at this point about, for example, the vehicle in question and more, indeed about the investigation surrounding
this entire case?
LEIGH WALDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, this seems to be a big development in this case. Now this asks from residents in this area to
share any of that ring camera footage that they have from those two very specific dates. The first one, January 11th, it's three weeks before Nancy
Guthrie actually disappeared.
They're asking for specific times as well. On January 11th, they're asking for any footage from 09:00 p.m. to midnight. And on January 31st, they're
asking for any footage between 09:30 and 11:00 flagging that a suspicious vehicle was noted in the area around 10:00 a.m. asking people to be on the
lookout for that.
But at this point, there is no description of what that vehicle could be. We know that investigators and the FBI have been searching throughout this
entire area surrounding Nancy Guthrie's home. They're also really focusing in on that doorbell camera video that showed an armed man outside of her
home the night that she disappeared.
They're focusing on all details of that video, including the backpack that, that individual was wearing that day. Our CNN team has scoped through that
video themselves and has identified the backpack as an Ozark Trail hiker pack. It's a Walmart private label outdoor brand.
So, we've identified the brand of that backpack there, but they're looking for any clues, any details at this point that will help shed some light on
who exactly this person is. And if they maybe left something behind in the days or hours after Nancy Guthrie disappeared. But it's also important to
note here, Becky, with some of these what we see as significant developments.
[09:40:00]
It's been, officially a week since we've had any kind of press conference from the Pima County Sheriff's Office, any kind of interview sit down with
the sheriff's office directly. They're just sending out these messages and alerts, but we're not hearing from them at this point. It's been a week,
and we're still waiting for answers here.
ANDERSON: Leigh, it's good to have you. Thank you very much indeed. Leigh Waldman is there in Arizona. Well, new details about the 18-year-old
suspect in Canada's mass shooting. According to social media posts verified by CNN, Jesse Van Rootselaar had access to guns and was enthusiastic about
hunting and appeared to have written about her struggles with mental health online.
British Columbia's Premier says the province is now reviewing Van Rootselaar's past interactions with the mental health system. Police say
she fatally shot her mother and step brother at the family's home on Tuesday before opening fire at Tumbler Ridge secondary school, killing five
students and a teacher.
Among the victims, 12-year-old Kylie Smith, whose father remembers her as a beautiful soul and a light in their family. The Mayor of Tumbler Ridge
encouraged residents of his community to support one another through what he describes as this tragedy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DARRYL KRAKOWKA, TUMBLER RIDGE MAYOR: Everybody is going to be grieving in Tumbler Ridge, and we're one big family. And, you know, I can't say that
enough. We're one big family, and my biggest thing I'd like to say to the community of the family we have here is lend your ear when somebody needs
your ear, lend your shoulder, when somebody needs your shoulder.
Give somebody a hug. It was talked about like, that's an individual. And even though you're media and you've come to this community, I suggest you,
if you're in a community for multiple days, feel free to reach out to everyone. Give them a hug. Please give them space though, but offer a hug.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, there are still many unanswered questions, including the motive. More now from CNN's Paula Newton.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DEP. COMM. DWAYNE MCDONALD, BRITISH COLUMBIA ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE: Upon arrival, there was active gun fire, and as officers approached the
school, rounds were fired in their direction.
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): New details about a deadly mass shooting in a small tight knit community in Tumbler Ridge, Canada.
Mobile phone messages warned of an active shooter describing the suspect as a woman wearing a dress with brown hair.
DARIAN QUIST, TUMBLER RIDGE SENIOR: The alarm went off that I never heard before, and our principal goes throughout the halls, and she's saying,
people close your doors, lock down, stuff like that. I didn't, I think, I thought it was a secure and hold and something like that at first, so, but
once things started circulating, we realized how serious it really was.
NEWTON (voice-over): The town's high school was in lockdown. Students barricading themselves in classrooms. A local journalist conveying the
terror now rippling through the small town.
TRENT ERNST, LOCAL JOURNALIST: I talked to a concerned parent who's here waiting. He got a call from his son who's sheltering in place in the gym.
And he's just waiting to hear from his other kid, and is quite rightly nervous.
NEWTON (voice-over): Authorities say police arrived within minutes, but found six victims already dead at the school. At least 27 injured. The
suspect, identified as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar was also found dead in the school of a self-inflicted injury. Two other victims, Rootselaar's
mother and a sibling were found dead at a nearby home.
Police say a long gun and a modified handgun were used and disclose that authorities were called to the suspect's home several times for mental
health emergencies and firearms offenses, and they are no closer to settling on a motive.
MCDONALD: There's been much speculation within the community regarding the relationship between the shooter and some of the victims. All of that
remains part of the active and ongoing investigation.
NEWTON (voice-over): Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visibly shaken and teary eyed, expressing the profound grief now felt right across the
country.
MARK CARNEY, CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER: -- a very difficult day for the nation this morning. Parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers in Tumbler
Ridge will wake up without someone they love. The nation mourns with you. Canada stands by you.
NEWTON (voice-over): Authorities are now surging resources to the area, including investigative support. Local leaders describe the community as
stricken as Canada enters a full week of official mourning.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, that was Paula Newton reporting for you. You're watching "Connect the World" with me Becky Anderson. There is lot more news ahead.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:45:00]
ANDERSON: Well, the largest act of de regulation in the history of the United States. Those words from the Head of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, the EPA, who, alongside Donald Trump, is about to deliver a massive blow to U.S. climate policy, the EPA set to repeal its
own endangerment finding.
2009 report found that climate change caused by humans endangers our health and safety. Well, the findings have been critical to the EPA's power to
date to limit global warming from the oil and gas industry. Well Rene Marsh is in Washington with more. And what are we actually expecting the
president to announce at this point?
RENE MARSH, CNN U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, I mean, Becky, we also just want to underscore, before I get into that, that this truly will be
one of the Trump Administration's most significant reversals of climate policy to date. And we are expecting this afternoon at the White House that
the president and his EPA administrator will officially announce the repeal of the Obama era, what's called endangerment finding.
That was issued in 2009 and that finding determined that six greenhouse gasses, things like carbon dioxide and methane, are harmful to human
health. It gave the EPA, the legal authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from industries. And scientists warn that this decision by the
Trump Administration will devastate the global fight against climate change and also human health.
Science has been very clear. It has shown that greenhouse gasses not only harm public health, but many scientists say it outright is leading to the
death of people. So, the U.S. is the second largest emitter of greenhouse gasses. And this finding became that legal foundation for the EPA to put
limits on pollution from cars, power plants and the fossil fuel industry.
Now, the Trump Administration will also be announcing a repeal of vehicle emission rules. All of this again, we're expecting to happen later on this
afternoon. And what this move really does is that it effectively erases federal limits on this kind of pollution and all of this as, Becky, you and
I both know that the planet has experienced the 10 hottest years on record.
States are facing astronomical -- countries are facing astronomical costs from extreme weather. But we should point out legal battles are almost
certain. The Supreme Court ruled in 2007 and again in 2022 that the EPA does have the authority to regulate these gasses. So, once this
announcement happens this afternoon, you can bet that advocates will be going to court to fight this.
ANDERSON: Fascinating. Rene, good to have you. Thank you very much indeed. Rene Marsh in the house for you. Folks, let's get you up to speed in the
other stories that are on our radar right now. And polls have closed in Bangladesh in what voters there, hope will be the first fair election since
the so-called Gen-Z rebellion toppled the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina in 2024.
[09:50:00]
But some are saying that they are unhappy with the choices on the ballots. One of the front runners is the latest representative of a dominant
Bangladeshi political dynasty. He's up against an Islamist party which fielded no female candidates. President Donald Trump's Energy Secretary
says the U.S. is ready to help Venezuela step up its oil and gas production.
On Wednesday, Chris Wright, seen here, met with the Acting President Delcy Rodriguez, who took power, of course, after the U.S. captured Nicolas
Maduro and removed him from office. Wright says that their talks focus on expanding U.S. Energy Investments in Venezuela.
Well, Russia is restricting access to one of the country's most popular social media apps, Telegram. The government says the move is aimed at
protecting Russian citizens, and accused the app of refusing to block content that authorities consider criminal and terrorist.
Telegrams Founder says the app stands for freedom of speech and that Russia's attempt to restrict it will fail. Well, a landmark trial taking
place in California could serve as a test of who can be held responsible if social media users find apps are damaging their health.
FISA civil lawsuit alleges tech giants are intentionally developing apps with features that get youngsters hooked to the point where their mental
health suffers. Instagram Chief Adam Mosseri testified Wednesday that he doesn't accept that social media addiction is a clinical condition, but he
agreed that there is potential for problematic use, which he likened to watching too much TV. I'll be back with more news in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: In Beijing, it's a winter sports fever since the last winter Olympics there, of course, four years ago. China has been working hard to
shape winter sports into an economic success story. CNN's Mike Valerio reports from Beijing for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MIKE VALERIO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Winter sports in China absolutely booming, whether you're an Olympian or a beginner like me. Why? Well, it's the
success of the 2022 Winter Olympics here in Beijing, and also a deliberate effort by Chinese Leader Xi Jinping to get millions more people out on the
slopes.
VALERIO (voice-over): In a remarkable shift, shredding on China's half pipes went from niche to nationwide in just a few years. Even in the
subtropical mega City of Shenzhen, China now boasts the world's largest indoor ski resort. In Beijing, coaches are seeing more first timers on the
chair lifts.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, there have been more, gradually increasing. Because skiing is now quite supported as a sport.
VALERIO (voice-over): Supported by Xi himself, who said, quote, ice and snow are as valuable as gold and silver.
VALERIO: So, Beijing isn't pushing winter sports just for fun. It's turning this into an economic driver trying to boost domestic spending in an
otherwise slowing economy. All right, let's go.
VALERIO (voice-over): According to a government report, in 2016 consumers spent about 55 billion U.S. dollars on winter tourism and sports across
China. The number has now more than doubled in about a decade to $140 billion.
[09:55:00]
CHRISTINE BRENNAN, CNN SPORT ANALYST: It is crystal clear. That when you give an Olympics to a certain country, especially a country that has not
been known for winter sports, that over the next several decades. That when you give an Olympics to a certain country, especially a country that has
not been known for winter sports, that over the next several decades, its interest is going to explode.
VALERIO (voice-over): Universities are now adding trips to the slopes for newcomers to get into the swing of winter sports too.
MINGZE SUN, SKIER: During the ski season, they usually organize trips every week -- two nights, two days of skiing, every weekend.
VALERIO (voice-over): There's also the fashion.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Both of us are bright snow leopards. Our combination is called 'tomato scrambled eggs.'
VALERIO (voice-over): Even cute butt pads for those who know they're going to fall. But beneath all the enthusiasm, some of the facilities built for
the 2022 Olympics have already seemed to fall into disuse, even amid China's winter sports fever. An Olympic legacy and economic policy now an
increasingly popular habit car across China.
VALERIO: Mike Valerio, CNN Beijing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: We'll be back after this break with the second hour of "Connect the World". Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
