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Early Start with Rahel Solomon

Dems Blast Justice Department For Releasing "Mostly Public" Info; China's Xi Presides Over Massive Military Parade In Beijing; Qatar: Mediators Review "Different Model" For Gaza Ceasefire; Court: Trump Unlawfully Used 18th Century Law For Deportations. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired September 03, 2025 - 05:00   ET

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

[05:00:22]

BRIAN ABEL, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, and welcome to our viewers joining us from the United States and all around the world. Thank you so much for being with us. I'm Brian Abel. Rahel Solomon is off.

It is Wednesday, September 3rd, 5:00 a.m. here in Washington.

And straight ahead on EARLY START.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's nothing new. This is all a charade.

COURTNEY WILD, EPSTEIN SURVIVOR: It's like glamorizing this mysterious pedophile for what?

REP. MIKE JOHNSON (R-LA), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Heartbreaking and infuriating that justice has been delayed so long.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Chicago is a hellhole right now, but we're going in.

GOV. J.B. PRITZKER (D), ILLINOIS: There is no emergency that warrants deployment of troops. He is insulting the people of Chicago.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's about accountability. I have my day in court. Her disrespect for the court, I think, speaks to who she is.

CARDI B, SINGER: I did not touch that woman. I did not touch that girl.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(MUSIC)

ABEL: In the coming hours, some of the people who say they were abused by the sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell will take the stage at two different events in Washington. It includes some who will be speaking out for the first time about their experiences as lawmakers push the Trump administration for more answers and greater transparency over the Epstein files.

Late on Tuesday, the House Oversight Committee released more than 30,000 pages of documents related to the Epstein investigation. Those files, ranging from flight logs and memos to depositions and other records, had been given to the committee by the Justice Department. But Democrats are fuming, saying nearly all of it was already publicly available.

Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the committee, said, "To the American people, don't let this fool you. There is no mention of any client list or anything that improves transparency or justice for victims."

New York House Democrat Daniel Ggoldman echoed those thoughts to CNN.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. DANIEL GOLDMAN (D-NY): There's nothing new. This is all a charade. This is all an effort by the DOJ at Trump's direction to collaborate with Chairman James Comer and the top Republicans in Congress to give the Republicans enough so that they have political cover to conceal the Epstein files and whatever it is in there that Donald Trump is so desperate to hide after he was so desperate for it to be released.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: Now, House Speaker Mike Johnson says efforts to bring new details to light must be balanced with respecting the survivors.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHNSON: We just spent more than two hours with six of the Epstein victims, some of the bravest women I've ever met, some of the ladies have shared these stories publicly before, but at least two of the women had never told their stories before. One, for the very first time in the room. And so, there were tears in the room. There was outrage.

It was both -- I would describe it as heartbreaking and infuriating that justice has been delayed so long. The objective here is not just to uncover, investigate the Epstein evils, but also to ensure that this never happens again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: And CNN's Manu Raju has more on the release of those documents.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MANU RAJU, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Theres a huge amount of records here, 33,000 pages.

But in our initial review of this, it appears that a lot of this information has already been public or has been publicized in other ways. Court filings, some surveillance footage from some depositions, information relating to the depositions and the like that have come out in various other settings. So, it's unclear at the moment just how new this information is.

But this comes as the speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, and other top Republicans, and including in the White House, have been trying to stop this effort, this bipartisan effort to force a vote calling for the release of all of the Epstein files. That is an effort that is being led by, as you noted, Congressman Thomas Massie and Congressman Ro Khanna.

They are trying to circumvent Republican leadership and get the support of a majority of the House to force a vote on their bill calling for the release of these documents. I caught up with some members in the aftermath of the release of these documents, including Congressman Massie, and I asked them whether or not they will continue to support this effort to vote on this bill, or whether or not they are satisfied with the information that was just released.

REP. THOMAS MASSIE (R-KY): It's like only 1 percent of what they possess, and 97 percent of it has already been released.

[05:05:03]

I'm afraid this is going to be like Pam Bondi's binders. These people are going to dig into it and say, there's nothing new here. They haven't given us anything. They've given us the sleeves off their vest.

RAJU: The president has called it a hoax.

MASSIE: He's called it a hoax. I hope he doesn't say that after tomorrow, when ten of the survivors testify in public, that that would be very disrespectful.

REP. LAUREN BOEBERT (R-CO): The American people have been demanding answers. I've been demanding answers. And I would like to see what's actually there.

RAJU: The president has called this a hoax.

BOEBERT: And maybe it is. We'll see. But I think that we should have transparency.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ABEL: CNN asked the White House to comment on the bill that seeks to force the administration to release more documents. An official told us, helping Thomas Massie and liberal Democrats with their attention seeking, while the DOJ is fully supporting a more comprehensive file release effort from the Oversight Committee would be viewed as a very hostile act to the administration.

Meanwhile, Epstein survivor Courtney Wild says the constant focus on whether there is any new information to uncover isn't helpful.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) COURTNEY WILD, EPSTEIN SURVIVOR: For the survivors, for myself, seeing Epstein's face every day, it really just -- it stops my healing journey and kind of puts me back into survival mode. So, I understand the trance. I try to be transparent with this whole situation. I understand why everybody talks about this. There was such an injustice with our government and everybody involved. We all want answers.

I just want -- just release the names, you know, and be done with it, you know? It's like glamorizing this mysterious pedophile for what? There's no new answers, no new information. It's just the same thing over and over again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: And we turn now to China, wrapping up a massive military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

It was designed to send a clear message that China's military is growing and modernizing, and that the country's rise on the world stage is, quote, unstoppable, according to Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Xi was joined by several foreign heads of state and stood side by side with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, marking the first time the three leaders have appeared together in public.

The parade featured thousands of soldiers marching in tight formations and showcased the country's latest military technology.

For all this, let's bring in CNN's Beijing bureau chief, Steven Jiang.

Steven, in there, what are you seeing that really stood out to you?

STEVEN JIANG, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: Yeah, Brian, you know, this kind of grandiose display of military might is always meant to whip up patriotism, nationalism at home, especially when the economy here is still facing some very strong headwinds.

But as you mentioned, it's also a clear signal China's sending to friends and foes at a time when tensions remain high between China and the U.S. and some of its allies and that signal, of course, is the discipline and military prowess of its People's Liberation Army, already the -- already the world's biggest standing army with more than 2 million active personnel.

Now, then you have the optics of Xi standing alongside Kim and Putin watching the parade. That's also very much unmistakable message about the unity of the three strongman leaders, but also a message of defiance to the West, especially the United States. And it seems that message, already reaching and very much bothering none other than President Donald Trump, as he tweeted after the parade and suggesting Xi is somehow working with Putin and Kim to, in his words, conspire against the United States of America.

Now, this is an interesting twist here because remember Trump himself not long ago hosted Putin for talks in Alaska. He has mentioned his desire to meet Kim again and almost always praising Xi. So, this about-face, if you will, in a way, giving Xi more proof that

the U.S. under Trump's leadership has become lacking in predictability, credibility and even stability. In sharp contrast to the China under his control.

Now, interestingly, just a few days ago, Xi actually told a gathering of world leaders just outside Beijing about China's vision for the world in which the international order is not dominated by the U.S. and its alliances. And in Xi's words, he wants to see a fairer, multipolar system where smaller countries have bigger say in international affairs, even suggesting that a lot of the chaos and uncertainty the world is facing right now, caused by that U.S.-led world order.

But of course, that notion, disputed by many experts and even Western leaders, especially considering his good friend and close partner, Putin's ongoing war on Ukraine.

[05:10:03]

But what's indisputable here, of course, is Wednesday's event was Xi's third massive military parade since he took power. But in that span of 10 years, since his first parade in 2015, he has become the most powerful Chinese leader in decades, for sure, reasserting the party's control over every aspect in this country, especially in the Mediterranean.

And, Brian, that is to ensure the military succeeding in two of its most critical, important missions, that is, guaranteeing the communist party rule and fighting and winning wars if ordered by Xi Jinping himself -- Brian.

ABEL: Steven Jiang in Beijing, for us, Steven, thank you.

President Trump says the U.S. military has killed at least 11 people in a targeted strike on a vessel allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean. He claims the boat came from Venezuela and was linked to Tren de Aragua, a criminal organization the U.S. considers a terrorist group and one which President Trump has cited in his aggressive immigration crackdown.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is promising more details on what the U.S. calls a counter-drug mission.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARCO RUBIO, SECRETARY OF STATE: It was a lethal strike. I think the pentagon will have more details and other things to offer you here in the next few hours.

REPORTER: So, what kind of a vessel?

RUBIO: Yeah, that's a drug vessel, was carrying drugs.

REPORTER: Size?

RUBIO: I'll refer you to the Pentagon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: The U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean has angered Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

President Trump accuses him of controlling the cartel said to be involved and President Maduro has said Venezuela will not bow to threats from the U.S.

Israel's military is mobilizing tens of thousands of reservists despite growing tensions with political leaders over the looming operation to seize Gaza City. The latest on that is just ahead.

And later, a California court makes a final verdict in rapper Cardi B's civil assault trial. We'll tell you the message she has for people looking to take celebrities to court.

And a breaking Novak Djokovic reaches yet another semifinal. We'll tell you why. His toughest test at the U.S. Open, it may still be to come.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:16:40]

ABEL: Qatar says mediators are now discussing a different model for a Gaza ceasefire agreement. Tuesday's announcement, it comes as Israel insists it will only discuss a comprehensive deal that would release all of the remaining hostages and end the war on Israel's terms and conditions.

The most recent proposal for a 60-day ceasefire, which was accepted by Hamas last month, would see ten of the hostages returned in exchange for a mass release of Palestinian prisoners. That offer is based on a similar proposal presented by the U.S. in July and crafted in coordination with Israel.

Meanwhile, dissent is brewing within the Israeli military ahead of the full-scale operation to seize Gaza City. On Tuesday, as thousands of Israeli reservists began reporting for duty to prepare for that takeover, a growing movement known as soldiers for hostages announced they will refuse orders to participate in what they call Netanyahu's illegal war.

CNN's Paula Hancocks is following these developments and has the latest for us from Abu Dhabi -- Paula.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Brian, we know that internationally, this plan to take over Gaza City by the Israeli prime minister has been firmly rejected by United Nations, by NGOs. And now also, were seeing this this growing dissent within Israel itself. The IDF chief of staff, the general who is effectively militarily in charge of this mission to take over Gaza, is making his disagreements well known. Now we hear from two Israeli officials that within the last two security cabinet meetings, he has very directly told Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that this is not the way to go.

We understand that on Sunday, during the most recent meeting, he said, what needs to be done is to consider the proposal. The ceasefire hostage deal on the table. We should take it.

Now, at the same time, we are seeing the large bulk we understand of some 60,000 reservists being called up, reporting for duty, training for this operation. That is about to happen. And we understand that General Eyal Zamir, the IDF chief of staff, has said that it risks the hostages' lives. It risks the soldiers' lives. And it will also have a severe impact on the humanitarian situation if you're trying to displace up to 1 million Palestinians.

Now, according to these two Israeli officials, these reservations from the top general were dismissed by the Israeli prime minister. It appears as of now that that Netanyahu is determined to go ahead with this -- this plan to take over and to occupy Gaza City.

Now we are seeing a small but appearing to be growing area of dissent. Some hundreds of reservists have said that if they are called up, they will simply refuse to serve. And they quote and cite the hostage situation, the security of those 48 hostages still being held in Hamas, but also the humanitarian toll that this war is having in Gaza -- Brian.

ABEL: And we will see what those consequences may possibly be for those soldiers, if they do indeed follow through and refuse to participate.

Paula Hancocks in Abu Dhabi for us -- Paula, thank you.

Some Cubans who went to the U.S. seeking the American dream are now being deported and changed by the Trump administration. How some are dealing with the forced return after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ABEL: There has been another legal ruling against President Trump. On Tuesday, a federal appeals court ruled that the Alien Enemies Act does not authorize him to quickly deport Venezuelans accused of being gang members.

[05:25:07]

The court also blocked the use of the 18th century law to carry out deportations in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The judges rejected Trump's claim that the gain, known as Tren de Aragua, had invaded the U.S. The administration can choose to appeal the case to the Supreme Court or appeal it directly to the Supreme Court.

Tens of thousands of Cubans migrated to the U.S. during the Biden administration. They expected to get preferential immigration status, as many had for generations.

Well, now, the Immigration Customs Enforcement agency, ICE, is sending some of them home in shackles. CNN was the first international TV network allowed to see how they were processed after the Trump administration sent them back to Cuba.

CNN's Patrick Oppmann has more from Havana.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The ICE deportation flight lands with 161 Cuban deportees, the largest number ever aboard a single plane, officials here tell me, all returned to their homeland in shackles.

For decades, Cubans arriving in the U.S. were considered refugees fleeing communism and received preferential immigration status. But under President Trump's second term, their political fortunes have shifted radically. Potentially tens of thousands now face the threat of deportation.

This is the first time the Cuban government has allowed international media to film the arrival of a U.S. flight transporting their deported citizens.

This enormous plane that has just landed behind me is full of Cuban deportees. For many of them, it will be the first time they touch Cuban soil in years. And despite the fact that U.S.-Cuban relations are at their worst point in decades, these deportation flights have continued.

The deportees are unshackled and disembarked the plane a few at a time to begin reprocessing. This man complains to us that he had tight handcuffs on for hours and lost feeling in his arms and legs.

Immediately, we notice a woman coming off the plane who is visibly distraught. We were only able to ask the woman, Yudierquis Reyes, a few questions before her reprocessing begins. But the story she tells us is chilling.

"They left behind my 2-year-old daughter. I lost her," she tells me, referring to ICE officials. "They told me the girl was American and could not leave the country."

According to Reyes, she was arrested in June during a routine check in with ICE in Nebraska, where she was living with her U.S. born daughter. Reyes says she then spent more than three months in detention centers. She was being deported, she said ICE officials told her for having pleaded no contest to a second-degree assault charge in 2023, for which Reyes was placed on probation and served no jail time.

In a statement to CNN, the Department of Homeland Security called Reyes a, quote, criminal illegal alien and child abuser. Although court records don't show any such conviction. Reyes faced a child abuse no injury charge as her infant daughter was in the house during the 2023 assault incident.

But a search of Nebraska court records shows that prosecutors dropped the child abuse charge against Reyes as part of her plea deal.

The DHS statement goes on to say Reyes's child who she had custody of, remained with her father, a, quote, U.S. citizen at his request. CNN spoke with the girl's father, who said he was a U.S. resident, not a U.S. citizen, and had crossed illegally into the U.S. with Reyes from Mexico, and that he did not want the girl to travel to Cuba as, quote, life would be too hard for her there.

These haphazard, excruciating family separations are likely to become more common if the Trump administration is able to follow through on deporting tens of thousands of Cubans who came to the U.S. on the parole program during the Biden administration. It remains to be seen if Cuba is willing or able to accept all of those deportees. As the island reels from worsening shortages of electricity, water and food and increased U.S. economic sanctions.

Cuban immigration officials say deportees are treated humanely and in most cases, processed and released within hours.

Cuban official tells us they go home where their family is. They don't have a problem with immigration to be reinserted into society.

Many of these deportees, though, say they sold everything they owned to finance their journey to the U.S., and little remains for them in Cuba. Others like Yudierquis Reyes can't bear to be separated from the family they left behind.

"If I don't get her back, I'm going," she says. "I hope Cuba doesn't ask for me back. No country. They will have to let me go.