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Early Start with Rahel Solomon

Israel Marks Two Years Since Hamas' Oct. 7 Attack; Trump Suggests Using Insurrection Act To Deploy Troops; U.S. Judge Blocks National Guard Deployment To Portland; Lawmakers Criticize Lack Of Negotiations As Week Two Begins; Trump Doesn't Rule Out Pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell; French PM To Hold Talks Wit Rivals At Macron's Request. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired October 07, 2025 - 05:00   ET

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

[05:00:35]

BRIAN ABEL, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning and welcome to our viewers, joining us from the United States and all around the world. Thank you for being with us today.

I'm Brian Abel. It is Tuesday, October 7th, 5:00 a.m. here in Washington, D.C.

But 12:00 p.m. in Israel, where it's a day of commemorations and mourning as the country marks two years since Hamas's deadly attack. This right here, a live video of the Nova music festival site. Crowds have been visiting and grieving at the place where hundreds were killed when Hamas militants stormed the area near the Gaza border in 2023.

The kibbutz of Nir Oz, which was hit hard during the attack, held its own memorial ahead of the two-year mark. In total, Hamas killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages. There are still 48 being held in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

U.S. President Donald Trump is hoping the Gaza ceasefire talks will lead to a quick release of the remaining hostages. Delegations from Israel and Hamas are set to hold a second day of negotiations in Egypt today, amid a positive atmosphere, according to Egypt's state affiliated news agency. An agreement would be based on Trump's 20- point Gaza plan.

Trump is expressing optimism that a deal will be reached.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I really think were going to have a deal. We have a really good chance of making a deal and it will be a lasting deal. We want to have peace. This is beyond Gaza. Gaza is a big deal, but this is -- this is really peace in the Middle East. And the amazing thing is we have every Arab country, every Muslim country, we have every country surrounding. They all want it.

(END VIDEO CLIP) ABEL: The talks have not stopped Israeli attacks inside Gaza. According to the health ministry in the enclave, more than 67,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed over the last two years.

The U.N. is watching developments, with one official saying if a ceasefire takes effect, aid teams are ready to go and prepared to deliver supplies.

CNN's Paula Hancocks is following these developments and joins us live from Abu Dhabi.

And these talks, they seem, by the characterizations of them, at least, Paula, to have some momentum as we hit this solemn anniversary.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Brian, that's certainly the hope from the White House that were hearing at this point. A White House spokesperson saying that the ideal would be to have the hostages released as quickly as possible, and then that would build momentum in order to be able to secure the rest of the deal.

Now, we know, as you say, that, that we will be going into the second day of negotiations, indirect talks between Hamas and Israel in Cairo. We have heard from. One Egyptian state affiliated network that they are calling it happening, quote, amid a positive atmosphere. We know the mediators, the U.S., Qatar, Egypt and Turkey are all present as well, really trying to put pressure on both sides to bridge what we do know are still significant concerns from both sides.

Israel says it has agreed to the proposal, Hamas also saying it has agreed to parts of it. It has not been public publicly acknowledging other parts of it. For example, the disarmament that is expected of it within this 20-point plan. But certainly, the hope is that that both sides can move closer and the momentum can be building.

Now, it does happen, as you say, on a very somber day in Israel, two years from those initial attacks by Hamas and other groups on October 7th, 2023, we have been seeing families and loved ones of those victims of the Nova Music Festival, convening at the site of the attack, just close to the Gaza border. We see the placards with the names and the photos of those victims of that particular day, and we've also been seeing along the border with Gaza in other kibbutzim. They have been having their own private ceremonies.

We saw kibbutz Nir Oz, for example, one of the very severely hit areas, 65 residents were killed, 83 taken hostage on October 7th in that kibbutz.

[05:05:02]

The kibbutz itself says nine are still being held in Gaza. They had their own ceremony and we have seen the families of some of those hostages still being held in Gaza as well, had a ceremony outside the prime minister's residence, not just commemorating, but also calling for this ceasefire hostage deal to go ahead -- Brian.

ABEL: Hopefully, those hostages have an opportunity to return to their families.

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

President Trump suggests he may invoke the Insurrection Act to send National Guard troops to U.S. cities. Oregon and Illinois are challenging the administration in courts over the deployment to their states. The president has said he wants the troops to crack down on crime and to protect federal immigration agents.

Chicago's mayor is urging Americans to fight back.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON (D), CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: What this president is doing is illegal. It's unconstitutional, and it's dangerous. Nowhere in the country am I hearing mayors request that we occupy the cities in America with the military, the brave women and men who signed up to protect our democracy did not do it with the idea of being used against the American people.

And so, we're going to stand firm and resolute and protecting the interests of Chicagoans. And quite frankly, protecting our democracy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: State and local officials also say protesters at immigration facilities have been mostly peaceful, and the troops are acting as instigators.

More now from CNN's Omar Jimenez.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We're here at this ICE facility that's been at the center of a lot of protests just outside Chicago here. This is in Broadview and you'll notice there aren't that many people. In fact, there's actually no one really here but you see the fencing that was put up here in response to some of the level of protests that we've seen to this point.

We are at this point under a protest curfew instituted by the mayor but numbers here typically wildly fluctuate so this isn't really a direct indication of a response to that but it's also a place where National Guard troops could be deployed and the reason for that is because the orders that they are being given at this point as we understand from the White House is that they would be to protect federal property and personnel. And many in the Trump administration have argued that the personnel here have been under direct threat when faced with some of these protests but also critically a federal judge did not immediately block the deployment of National Guard troops here in Illinois.

Instead, he gave the Trump administration two days to respond but also wanted answers to three questions. In particular, when National Guard troops will arrive in Illinois? What municipalities they will be sent to? And what the scope of the troop activities will be once here with the hearing set for Thursday morning?

Now, we mentioned the Illinois National Guard troops. Texas Governor Greg Abbott says around 400 Texas National Guard troops were authorized to send to other states including Illinois along those similar lines to protect federal personnel and property though we don't know exactly what that will look like here on the ground just yet and for context in the Chicago area if we want to go into the city limits we are coming out of what has been a very tense week.

Just Monday, the mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, signed an executive order barring federal immigration officials from using city property to prepare for operations that includes staging for potential raids and we've seen a controversial raid in the city of Chicago where 37 people were arrested but a lot of damage done and a lot of people detained including American citizens as well.

On that order, I asked the mayor if that would mean if police officers could be arresting federal agents. He told me that it really was more about setting a legal way in for accountability if they find federal immigration officials are breaking those rules and we saw responses from a number of local state leaders today against the Trump administration but I think the sentiment across all of them was summed up best by Mayor Johnson who said, quote, I'm calling on this President to leave us the freak alone.

Omar Jimenez, CNN, Broadview, Illinois.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ABEL: And a federal judge has blocked the Trump administration for a second time from sending National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon. The White House calls that decision untethered in reality and in the law. And the Trump administration has filed an appeal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: Portland is on fire. Portland's been on fire for years and not so much saving it. We have to save something else because I think that's all insurrection. I really think that's really criminal insurrection.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[05:10:03]

ABEL: City officials are painting a different picture. They say the protests against ICE agents have been confined to a small area of Portland. And the Oregon attorney general says the U.S. military does not belong on the streets of U.S. cities.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN RAYFIELD, OREGON ATTORNEY GENERAL: It's wild what's coming out of these people's mouths. And so, we're watching incredibly closely because this is dangerous. This is a dangerous point in American history. We're normalizing the use of the military in our cities. (END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: Well, lawmakers in Washington are voicing frustration with the lack of progress towards reopening the government one week after it shut down. "It's Groundhog Day," said one Republican senator, referring to that Bill Murray film where the same day repeats over and over again. That was after a fifth attempt to pass a Republican bill to temporarily fund the government failed. Republicans need at least seven Democrats to vote with them for the measure to pass. But party leaders say the opposition won't play ball.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): Well, the White House has gone radio silent since the oval office meeting last Monday, and neither Leader Schumer or myself have heard a word from the administration about resolving this issue, making it clear to us that the White House wanted to shut the government down to continue the chaos that they've been inflicting on the American people since day one of this presidency.

REP. MIKE JOHNSON (R-LA), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: I'm anxious to get my folks back. Look, I want to bring the House back into session and get back to work. But we can't do it until they turn the lights back on. We need Chuck Schumer to reopen the government, and as soon as he does that, we'll bring everybody back here.

SEN. CHRIS COONS (D-DE): I don't think there's any serious negotiations in the first Trump term. I heard from his chief of staff, his office alleged affairs, him on quite a few occasions. Not so -- not this year, not since I have not spoken to President Trump since Inauguration Day.

SEN. CYNTHIA LUMMIS (R-WY): We have to start thinking about the fact that were $37 trillion in debt, and we can't just throw money at things in hopes that the voters will support our party in the next election. This is shortsighted and unfair to the American people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: And Republicans may have lost the support of one of President Trump's loudest cheerleaders, Marjorie Taylor Greene, taking to social media to show her dismay that her party is unwilling to make a deal over health care, saying, quote, "I'm absolutely disgusted that health insurance premiums will double if the tax credits expire this year. And she added, not a single Republican in leadership talked to us about this or has given us a plan to help Americans."

President Trump, however, says he is willing to come back to the table.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: We are speaking with the Democrats and some very good things could happen with respect to health care.

REPORTER: Would you make a deal with them on the ACA subsidies?

TRUMP: If we -- if we made the right deal, I'd make a deal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: Still ahead, find out what President Trump said about a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell. And who else is asking for clemency?

And stabbed multiple times and now facing charges. We'll have details on a violent altercation involving former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Plus, a cryptic post from basketball legend LeBron James about a second decision. And it has people asking, could retirement be near? Or is this just another marketing stunt?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:17:55]

ABEL: President Trump isn't ruling out a pardon for Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend and coconspirator Ghislaine Maxwell. She is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for her part in grooming and sexually abusing underage girls. The president's comments came after the Supreme Court declined to hear her appeal on Monday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: You know, I haven't heard the name in so long. I can say this, that I'd have to take a look at it. I have a lot of people have asked me for pardons. I call them -- Puff Daddy has asked me for a pardon.

REPORTER: But she was convicted of child sex trafficking.

TRUMP: Yeah. I mean, I'm going to have to take a look at it. I'd have to ask DOJ. I didn't know they rejected it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: Yep. You heard him talk about Sean "Diddy" Combs there. His attorneys asked for a pardon. Trump said he had received that request from Combs, among other people. The music mogul was sentenced last week to just over four years in prison for two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

Well, U.K. police say a man has been arrested in connection with a suspected arson attack at a mosque. The incident is being treated as a hate crime. This video here that you see shows two suspects attempting to force their way into the mosque in East Sussex before pouring and igniting gasoline on the front steps. Two people still inside were able to escape. The attack is just the latest in a string of violent incidents involving hate crimes in the U.K.

The French prime minister says he should know by Wednesday if he can save his government. Hours after announcing his resignation, Sebastien Lecornu said the French president, Emmanuel Macron, asked him to hold talks with political rivals one more time.

CNN's Melissa Bell is covering this live from Paris.

And what's at stake with that outreach, Melissa?

MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A great deal, Brian, and I think this is a sign of the desperation, really, of the French president that he's asked this resigning prime minister to stay on to continue these negotiations, to start these negotiations again, rather with these very parties and people that had led him to resign in the first place.

[05:20:05]

Remember, just for our viewers to cast them back in, what happened, he dramatically resigned on Monday morning, only 14 hours after naming his cabinet ministers because of an apparent rebellion within that very cabinet. So, an extraordinary first here in France. It hadn't even taken for the no confidence of parliament to come along. It happened even as his name, his government.

Still, the French president then called him in, asked Sebastien Lecornu to think again. And those negotiations are going on even now, as he tries to see whether this traditional right, traditional left center can work together to try and get some kind of functioning government together in order to tackle that very important budget question. Remember that France has its 2026 budget to get through. Important budget cuts are to be made if the debt crisis, the looming debt crisis is to be avoided, and he only has about a week to do it.

So that gives you an idea of what's at stake, Brian. And I think what's moved on since you and I spoke yesterday is that were not just considering the option beyond Wednesday night, because we've heard what the French president will do should these negotiations fail, should Sebastien Lecornu stick to his position that it is not possible to form a government from the center at this point?

We understand that the French president will take his responsibilities. Now, we've spoken about his options yesterday, the dissolution of parliament, another snap election like the one that led to all this chaos last year. That's one option.

Another would be naming another prime minister with, at this stage, the fear that that would not work either. The third option, and when I think no one had really considered until this morning, after a number of very close allies of the French president spoke on the media about the possibility is that he might choose to resign and call an early presidential election, even though that's something that until now, he had absolutely refused to consider.

So those are essentially the options. We will hear more on Wednesday night, or perhaps Thursday, what the French president meant by he would take his responsibilities should these last ditch last saloon negotiations fail -- Brian.

ABEL: And time is ticking. Melissa Bell for us in Paris -- Melissa, thank you.

Still ahead, CNN captures the moment a journalist deported from the U.S. reunites with his family. Hear his message to those considering migrating to the U.S. when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:26:41]

ABEL: President Trump says he may invoke the Insurrection Act to send National Guard troops to U.S. cities. Oregon and Illinois are challenging the administration in court over the deployments. A law enforcement source tells CNN that members of the Texas National Guard are headed to Illinois. Governor Greg Abbott, posting a picture on social media of guard members carrying riot gear and boarding a military aircraft.

In Portland, residents say protests against immigration enforcement are confined to a small area, but President Trump's description is starkly different.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I believe that the Portland people are scared. You look at what's happened with Portland over the years, it's a burning hellhole.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's foolish politics. But other than that, nothing's going on.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I mean, it's a beautiful Portland morning. It's sunny. It's quiet.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look at Portland this morning. Peaceful. People are going. They're taking their kids to the park.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ABEL: CNN's Shimon Prokupecz is in Portland.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN SENIOR CRIME AND JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Here in Portland, Oregon, this is where all the protests have been taking place. Right here. This driveway is where most of the activity has been occurring. You know, all those pictures and videos you've been seeing of clashes, they've all been taking place right here in this area.

This is all happening as the Trump administration has been trying to bring National Guard troops here. A federal judge here in Oregon has said, wait, not now, I'm not allowing this to happen, and has placed a temporary hold on that.

The administration says they're going to continue to fight to try and bring National Guard troops here and other cities across the United States. The next steps unclear at this point, but as you can see for now, protesters continue. These are the scenes and the sights outside here in Portland.

Shimon Prokupecz, CNN, Portland, Oregon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ABEL: And after months in U.S. federal custody, a deported journalist is starting to adjust to his new normal. Spanish language livestreamer Mario Guevara gained popularity by documenting immigration raids in Georgia. He talked about his bittersweet return to El Salvador and his advice to others who are thinking about migrating to the U.S.

CNN's Gustavo Valdes reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GUSTAVO VALDES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Mario Guevara is a tourist in his own country, rediscovering a place he left over 20 years ago after facing threats for his work as a journalist.

This is where he was attacked, he said, with sticks and rocks before fleeing the country.

He sought asylum in the United States, but it was denied in 2012. But yet, immigration authorities allowed him to stay and work as a journalist.

That changed in late June when he was arrested by local police while covering a protest in Atlanta.

Immigration authorities took notice and reopened his immigration case and detained him for nearly four months. He says an agent confronted him while in custody.

MARIO GUEVARA, DEPORTED JOURNALIST: Mario, why are you following us? You give us a hard time. I tell -- don't take it personally.

What's my job? I try to inform my community. It was nothing against you.

VALDES (voice-over): He was deported last week.

[05:30:00]