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Early Start with Rahel Solomon

Trump Says He's Not Happy with Russia After Russian Launched a Barrage of Drones and Missile-Attack on Ukraine; U.K. Senior Citizens Arrested on Terror-Related Charges; Trump Says He'll Wage War on Criminals and Illegal Aliens in Chicago. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired September 08, 2025 - 05:00   ET

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

[05:00:00]

BRIAN ABEL, ANCHOR, EARLY START: Good morning and welcome to our viewers joining us from the United States and all around the world, thank you for being with us on this Monday, I'm Brian Abel, Rahel Solomon is off, it is September 8th, 5:00 a.m. here in Washington D.C., and straight ahead on EARLY START.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The Russia-Ukraine situation, we're going to get it done. But I am not happy with them. It's such a horrible waste of humanity.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Have you been arrested before?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, never, not in my --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Never?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, I don't do things like this.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So, are they terrorists?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, that the --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you see them as terrorists?

(LAUGHTER)

TRUMP: Chicago is a very dangerous place. We're going to make a decision as to where we go over the next day or two.

TOM HOMAN, U.S. BORDER CZAR: We're going to war with illegal aliens.

CORINA PEDRAZA, IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ADVOCATE: A man who's been selling flowers on this corner for months and months and months, he was taken from us today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News! ABEL: Those stories in just a moment. But first, we begin this hour with breaking news out of Jerusalem. Emergency services there say at least five people have been killed and several injured in a shooting just hours ago. It happened along a major highway shortly after the morning rush hour.

CNN's Oren Liebermann is in Jerusalem now with us with more. What have you been able to learn so far, Oren?

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: We're getting updated information from Israel's emergency responders. Just a short time ago, Israel's Magen David Adom, which is the equivalent of the Red Cross, says at least five people have been killed in this shooting attack that happened just about an hour-and-a-half ago in northern Jerusalem, on one of the main roads coming into the city just after the morning rush hour as you pointed out.

According to Magen David Adom, five people were killed, seven are in serious condition, two are in moderate condition and three are in mild condition. Israel police say two attackers opened fire at a bus stop along one of the main roads there. Police -- a security officer at the scene responded as well as one civilian opened fire at the attackers.

And police say two of the attackers were, quote, "neutralized here". The Israeli military says they also have deployed forces to the scene and deployed forces to the Palestinian city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. As a response to this, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened a security consultation in light of the attack here as we wait for more information from not only police, but also from emergency responders.

There had been earlier an additional search to see if there were any more attackers that carried out this shooting attack in Jerusalem. So, we're waiting for an update on that as well here. A number of roads obviously blocked off as a result of this attack. So, waiting for more information at this point, it's worth noting how rare this is.

According to the information we're looking at here, the last time there was a shooting attack with casualties in Jerusalem was in November 2023. So, it's been almost two years. And that gives you an idea of how rare something like this is. It is worth noting that in a security cabinet meeting just a few days ago, late last week, Israeli security officials warned the security cabinet here that there was the potential for a flare up in the occupied West Bank because of the volatile situation there.

So, as we wait to learn more about how this happened, and certainly more information on the -- on the casualties here, the killed and the wounded, we will certainly keep an eye on what's happening in the West Bank as well.

ABEL: And Oren, I know with breaking news like this, that information is subject to change. There is some fluidity here. When we were looking at these images, we were seeing buses at that bus stop. Do we know if yet if the victims of the shooting were on that bus, were waiting for a bus where they were in the scene? LIEBERMANN: From the latest information I have from Israel police,

the shooting was at the bus stop itself. It's possible they were -- they were either getting on to or coming off of a bus, but it was at that bus stop. Israel's Magen David Adom says there were four who were killed at the scene itself. One more died after being rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

And that's where at that hospital and several others, that's where a number of injured as a result of the shooting attack remain being treated by hospital staff. Again, based on the latest information we have, it is five who have been killed in the attack, seven in serious condition, two in moderate and three in mild.

[05:05:00]

ABEL: Oren Liebermann for us in Jerusalem, we know you'll stay on top of this. We'll check back with you shortly. Oren, thank you. In the coming hours, South Korea's Foreign Minister will head to the U.S. as the two countries deal with the fallout of last week's massive immigration raid in Georgia.

The U.S. and South Korea have struck a deal to send roughly 300 workers home after they were detained by federal agents. South Korea's Foreign Minister says he plans to discuss improving the visa system for Korean workers once he arrives. In total, 475 people were detained Thursday during a large-scale raid at a plant jointly operated by South Korea-based companies Hyundai and LG Energy Solution.

And Donald Trump says he will make a decision in the next couple of days about deploying troops and ICE agents to Chicago. The U.S. President has repeatedly slammed the city over policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. On Sunday, Mr. Trump got in an argument with a reporter when he was questioned about this social media post he made, suggesting he was going to war with Chicago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: We're not going to war. We're going to clean up our cities. We're going to clean them up so they don't kill five people every weekend. That's not war. That's common sense.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: Speaking to CNN, White House border czar Tom Homan also tried to backtrack on the President's "Truth Social" post.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HOMAN: I think it's worth being taken out of context. I said we're going to war. We're going to war with the criminal cartels. We're going to war with illegal aliens. We're at war with the criminal cartels, and Governor Pritzker protects criminal, illegal alien public safety threats every day in that state along with Mayor Johnson.

(END VIDEO CLIP) ABEL: While Mr. Trump keeps citing violent crime as the reason for

his criticism of major Democratic cities, CNN's Amy Kiley has more on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TRUMP: Chicago is a very dangerous place.

DAVID AXELROD, POLITICAL ANALYST: It's really destructive. The casual kind of slandering of the city.

AMY KILEY, CNN REPORTER (voice-over): President Donald Trump says he expects to decide on a course of action for Chicago today or tomorrow. He's threatening to send in National Guard troops, citing violent crime and illegal immigration.

TRUMP: We could solve Chicago very quickly.

KILEY: The White House says it's been moving immigration enforcement personnel into the city. Advocates report immigrant detentions there over the weekend.

PEDRAZA: A man who's been selling flowers on this corner for months and months and months was picked up.

KILEY: White House officials say how Chicago residents respond to immigration raids could determine whether Trump sends in troops. But he's backing off his social media post that says, quote, "Chicago about to find out why it's called the Department of War".

SEN. TAMMY DUCKWORTH (D-IL): It would be an illegal order to declare war on a major city, any city within the United States by the President of the United States.

KILEY: Illinois Democrats say war rhetoric is inflammatory, and a National Guard deployment wouldn't help crime. Instead, several suggest federal partnerships to reduce gun violence and hire more police officers.

REP. MIKE QUIGLEY (D-IL): We spend more money in Los Angeles putting the National Guard there than it cost to hire 2,000 Chicago police officers, and instead he cut $820 million in anti-violence programs. We're going in the opposite direction.

KILEY: I'm Amy Kiley, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ABEL: And President Trump says he will speak with Russia's Vladimir Putin, quote, "very soon". It comes as the President grows more and more frustrated with the lack of progress toward peace in Ukraine. He's now signaling that the U.S. is ready to move to the second phase of sanctions against Russia as Moscow's war rages on.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When do you plan to speak to President Putin next? As second --

TRUMP: Very soon, over the next couple of days.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE)

TRUMP: Look, we're going to get it done. The Russia-Ukraine situation, we're going to get it done. I have confidence we're going to get it done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: While the President has confidence, Russia has launched its largest aerial assault of the war early on Sunday. Deployed more than 800 drones, striking a government building in Kyiv for the first time. President Trump's Ukraine envoy said this massive attack is not a sign that Russia wants to end the war.

Let's go to CNN's Clare Sebastian now in London for us. And Clare, what's the latest on the attacks and where do these ceasefire talks sit right now?

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Brian. Look, I think this attack Saturday night into Sunday, involving more than 800 drones and missiles, it was the first time we'd seen that it is widely being viewed as an escalation. It was also the first time we'd seen a government building being hit in central Kyiv.

You can see the pictures there, and of course, coming just days after we saw President Putin rubbing shoulders with the likes of Narendra Modi of India, Xi of China at that meeting in China, really taking his place on the world stage, a strong signal that Russia is emboldened here.

[05:10:00]

But I think this is also something you have to view as part of a pattern, right? These are daily attacks. They followed up again this morning or overnight into this morning with another 142 drones, according to Ukraine's Air Force and electrical substation, or a thermal power plant, I should say, in the Kyiv region, also came under heavy shelling.

We're heading into the heating season here. So, look, this is Russia -- the -- thanks to the Alaska summit, thanks to the crumbling of more sanctions, deadlines, Trump's latest two-week deadline for Russia expired late last week. Has now got this opening to continue to pursue this strategy of attrition, to test Ukraine's resolve with these, you know, day-in-day-out air raid sirens, the paralyzing of normal life.

And I think that's why you hear President Zelenskyy saying that this now isn't just a test for Ukraine. Take a listen to what he had to say Sunday night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT, UKRAINE (through translator): It is obvious that Russia is trying to inflict pain on Ukraine and strike more brazenly. This is a clear sign that Putin is testing the world whether they will accept it or put up with it. Therefore, it is important that the statements of state and institutional leaders are followed up with strong actions, sanctions against Russia.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SEBASTIAN: That Ukraine's allies, but in particular, I think President Trump -- because, look, we have seen multiple sanctions, deadlines expire. Russia was able to avert a major one with that Alaska summit. Another one, as I said, expired last week. What will he do now? The rhetoric has been somewhat interesting.

He did say -- we heard from a White House official in a call last week with the European leaders that Europe should stop buying Russian oil and should get tougher on China. That was something that President Zelenskyy agreed with. And now, we hear that he's ready to move to phase two. So, I think the next step from the White House will be critical. Brian.

ABEL: All right, as we see that Putin has clearly been emboldened as of late. Clare Sebastian in London, thank you. Erin Patterson; the woman convicted of murdering three people with a meal that included death cap mushrooms, has been sentenced to life in prison. She served a beef wellington made with the deadly ingredients to four people, including the parents, aunt and uncle of her estranged husband.

He had been invited to the meal, but pulled out the day before. His parents and his aunt died from the poisoning. The sole survivor, his uncle, Ian Wilkinson, spoke after the sentencing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

IAN WILKERSON, SURVIVED ATTEMPTED MURDER: We're grateful for their skills that brought this truth to light. And I'm also very grateful for the kindness and compassion they showed us, me and my family throughout the long process that has brought us to this day.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: And the sentencing was broadcast from the Victoria Supreme Court in Melbourne because of the intense public interest in the case. The judge said the crime was clearly premeditated.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTOPHER BEALE, JUDGE, VICTORIA SUPREME COURT: Not only did you cut short three lives and cause lasting damage to Ian Wilkinson's health, thereby devastating the extended Patterson and Wilkinson families. You inflicted untold suffering on your own children, whom you robbed of their beloved grandparents.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: Patterson will be ineligible for parole for at least 33 years. Donald Trump claims a deal on Gaza could come soon, as he looks to put an end to the war. The latest on the efforts to reach a ceasefire, even as Israel ramps up its operations in Gaza city. Plus, a fugitive father's missing children were found after years on the run in the New Zealand wilderness.

Still ahead, the fatal police shootout that led to their discovery. And the Buffalo Bills stunning the Baltimore Ravens with a dramatic comeback in a surprise hero. Those stories ahead. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:15:00]

ABEL: Back to the breaking news now out of Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu currently on the scene of a deadly mass shooting. Emergency services say at least five people have been killed, several others injured. It happened along a major highway shortly after the morning rush hour.

The Israeli military says it has now dispatched soldiers to assist in the search for any potential additional suspects. And Israel police spokesperson said, quote, "two terrorists have been neutralized". Meanwhile, two Israeli officials say the U.S. has put forward new ceasefire principles in a renewed effort to bring an end to the war in Gaza.

One Israeli official says the principles call for Hamas to release all hostages being held in Gaza on day one of a ceasefire, and for Israel to halt its assault on Gaza city. If accepted, President Trump says he would ensure a ceasefire holds as long as negotiations continue. Mr. Trump had this to say about the prospect of a deal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I think -- I think we're going to have a deal on Gaza very soon. It's a hell of a problem.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What you can get out --

TRUMP: Again, it's a problem we want to solve for the Middle East, for Israel, for everybody. But it's a problem we're going to get done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: Now, this comes as the Israeli Defense Minister says the military is preparing to expand its assault on Gaza city today. CNN's Nada Bashir joins me now from London with more on this. Nada?

[05:20:00]

NADA BASHIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, look, this isn't the first time, Brian, that we have heard that tone of optimism from the U.S. President surrounding ceasefire negotiations. But this is the first U.S. proposal we've seen back on the table since the U.S. and the Trump administration withdrew from its mediation efforts back in late July. And essentially, this proposal on the table really does mark a shift

from previous proposals that we have seen, namely in the terms surrounding the release of hostages held captive by Hamas in Gaza, as opposed to the phased release that we had previously seen on the table in previous ceasefire proposals.

This set of principles put forward by the U.S. is calling for the immediate release of all 48 hostages held captive on day one of a proposed ceasefire in Gaza. That would be in exchange for a freeze on Israel's military assault on Gaza city, which is, of course, ongoing as you mentioned. And it would call for a ceasefire during which negotiations would take place between Israel and Hamas, alongside mediators for what is being described as a comprehensive end to the war in Gaza.

And it is being stated by these two Israeli officials familiar with these talks and discussions that, that ceasefire, the upholding of the ceasefire would be guaranteed by the U.S. President so long as negotiations and discussions are ongoing. Now, we have had some reaction and response so far. The Israeli Prime Minister's office has said that they are taking this proposal seriously from the Trump administration.

We've also heard from Hamas officials who have said that they welcome any movement to bring an end to the war in Gaza, that they are ready to get back to the negotiating table to discuss the release of hostages in exchange for an end to the war. But we've also been hearing words of warning from the Israeli Defense Minister taking to social media, threatening what he's described as a hurricane hitting the skies of Gaza city if Hamas does not agree to any such deal as agreed to by the Israeli government.

We heard from Israel Katz saying that this is -- in his words, a final warning echoing, of course, what we've been hearing from the U.S. President Donald Trump as well. And this all comes as we continue to see the intensification of Israel's military assault on Gaza city.

We've had repeated warnings from humanitarian organizations including the United Nations, around a potential catastrophe, humanitarian catastrophe as it's being described that could hit the city as a result. And, of course, that mounting pressure from the international community for a ceasefire to be achieved. Brian?

ABEL: Yes, we all see this latest proposal gains any traction. Nada Bashir in London for us. Nada, thank you. A fugitive father is believed to have been shot dead during an armed altercation with New Zealand police. The latest on where his children were found after years in hiding, after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:25:00]

ABEL: Police in New Zealand say they have found two missing children after the man, believed to be their father, died in a shootout with officers. Officials presumed the man to be Tom Phillips, although a formal identification is yet to happen. Phillips and his three children vanished in December of 2021. Those children are now thought to be ages 9, 10 and 12.

And police say one child was found with the deceased man. CNN's Marc Stewart joins us now from Beijing live for us. And this really brings an end to a long search, Marc.

MARC STEWART, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No question, Brian. And this is a case that really has captured the attention of people in New Zealand for years. Let's first start talking about these children. Again, believed to be ages 9, 10 and 12. One of the girls as you mentioned was found with her father, the other two children, the boy and the girl were found in this, what's described as a remote camp site.

There was a lot of brush nearby, and there really was a sense of urgency in trying to find them because the temperatures in this part of New Zealand gets very cold at night. Let's take a listen to one of the police officials on the scene.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JILL ROGERS, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, NEW ZEALAND POLICE: And I can tell you with great relief this evening, that soon after 4:30 today, we've located Tom Phillips' remaining children. They've been found in a camp site not far from here further up the Turanga road, and they are with police officers now and being removed from that location. I can confirm that the children are well and uninjured.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STEWART: The latest chapter in this ongoing saga developed overnight when a break in was spotted at a farm goods store in this remote part of New Zealand. An ATV was spotted, police were called, and then there was a chase. Officers put out a spike strip to try and stop this ATV, this four-wheeler vehicle. When that happened, the vehicle stopped, an officer was shot at, presumably by Mr. Phillips at close range with a high-powered rifle.

That's according to investigators. Another officer then was on the scene, returned fire and killed the man, again, presumed to be Mr. Phillips. Again, this is a drama that has been unfolding since 2021. There have been a lot of, perhaps sightings over the years. At the time, the children, when they were found at the camp site, they were on their own.

But at this point, police cannot say whether someone had been helping Tom and the children.