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First of All with Victor Blackwell

Pres. Trump Says "No Clash" Between Musk, Rubio; Elon Musk Emerges As Star Of New Political Ads From Dems; President Trump Imposes New Limits On Elon Musk's Authority. Educators Heading To DC To Raise Demands Over The Future Of The Dept. Of Education; Pres. Trump Preparing To Order Closure Of Dept. Of Education; Panama Sued By Migrants Deported By The U.S.; Aired 8-9a ET

Aired March 08, 2025 - 08:00   ET

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

[08:00:35]

OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN HOST: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to CNN this morning. It is Saturday, March 8, 2025. I'm Omar Jimenez in Atlanta. Victor Blackwell has the day off.

We're going to start with new reports about a blowup between two of President Trump's biggest advisers and how the president is dealing with it. Plus, how much longer could the U.S. Department of Education exist? The president could soon start the process of eliminating the department.

Plus, undocumented migrants deported from the United States to Panama. I'm going to talk to the lawyer who is fighting for them now.

ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: And storms developed overnight. We've been looking at several severe thunderstorm warnings in and around the Dallas area. We'll talk about what other cities are under threat for severe storms coming up.

JIMENEZ: So there are reports of unrest in President Trump's innermost circle. A New York Times report says Secretary of State Marco Rubio and presidential adviser Elon Musk clashed in a private cabinet meeting this week. Now, President Trump told reporters last night no clash and that the two get along great. But the New York Times Maggie Haberman tells CNN's Jake Tapper her sources say otherwise.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: President Trump said there was no clash. What was your response to that?

VOICE OF MAGGIE HABERMAN, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, THE NEW YORK TIMES: There was a clash, and he was there, so he knows it. But this was a meeting where he was not. There were a couple of clashes, although Jake, maybe not as many as there might have been had Musk not been so sharp with Rubio in particular, but also Duffy. Most of the cabinet members who were there have privately expressed some version of this. What Jonathan and I learned as we were talking to people is the

president said very little during this meeting. He mostly just watched the spectacle as if he were watching some kind of a sporting event.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JIMENEZ: Now, earlier this week, President Trump held a Cabinet meeting to tell them they are in charge, not Musk. Despite the slew of federal cuts made by Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency, the president told cabinet members to keep everyone they need for their respective departments. He plans to have that meeting, by the way, every two weeks.

Now, this comes as Republicans hold on to a slim majority in Congress, Democrats are already planning a takeover in next year's midterms. And in a recent slate of new commercials, they are not focusing entirely on President Trump. Instead, Elon Musk is front and center. As CNN's Fredreka Schouten explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDREKA SCHOUTEN, CNN POLITICS NATIONAL POLITICAL WRITER: There is an emerging star in political ads. That's Elon Musk, the multibillionaire who has generated headlines and controversy as President Donald Trump's cost cutter in chief. Around the country, Democrats have launched commercials in recent days that highlight his efforts to slash the federal workforce as they try to paint Republicans as out of touch with average Americans and too cozy with wealthy donors like Musk. The ads have come from a national group that hopes to win back House seats in next year's midterm elections for Congress from Democrats in Virginia who are trying to expand their majority in the state legislature this year and from the Democratic Party in Wisconsin, where there's an intense political battle over a state Supreme Court race on the ballot next month. It's important because the outcome there will determine the ideological tilt of the state's highest court.

Most of the ads include one image. Musk holding a chainsaw that he hoisted last month at a conservative political gathering to celebrate the big cuts he's pursued at the Department of Government Efficiency. But recent polls suggest that Musk is not the best messenger on cost cutting.

One from Quinnipiac University found that 55% of voters surveyed think that Musk has too much power in making decisions that affect the country. And there are signs that President Trump is aware of the potential backlash. The president has imposed new limits on Musk's authority, telling his Cabinet members this week that they are in charge of staffing changes at the agencies they lead.

He's also urged using, in his words, a scalpel rather than a hatchet moving forward. But the new advertising blitz from Democrats could offer a test of whether Elon Musk's activity turns into a real political liability for Republicans in the elections ahead. Fredreka Schouten, Washington.

[08:05:09]

JIMENEZ: Frederica Scouten really appreciate it. Joining me now is Errol Louis, political anchor for Spectrum News.

All right, so with what we just heard from Frederica, Democrats clearly already preparing for midterms. They obviously have a lot on the line. Is going after Elon Musk a good strategy?

ERROL LOUIS, POLITICAL ANCHOR OF SPECTRUM NEWS: Well, it's an inevitable strategy. This is somebody who's kind of ransacking and rampaging through agencies firing on his own authority. And he's never been elected or really officially appointed to any government position. He's firing thousands of employees, many of whom are in Democratic districts. So they had no choice but to sort of rise up and say, what the heck is going on here?

And Omar, the thing you can never lose sight of is that Elon Musk and his companies hold billions of dollars, tens of billions of dollars if you go back to 2008, in federal contracts and many of them are from the very agencies that he's mucking around in the databases of and firing employees. The conflicts of interests are just inescapable. Somebody had to say something.

JIMENEZ: And, you know, Trump seems to be dialing back on Musk's power, which of course, would be at odds with some of these cuts. What kind of message do you think that sends to his Cabinet? What kind of message do you think it sends to Republicans at large?

LOUIS: Well, I got to tell you, I don't know if I buy this notion that he's putting restrictions on him. The mere fact that he is there, again, a government contractor himself, dealing with the very agencies that are supposed to oversee the procurements from which he personally makes money, that in itself is a huge problem.

But look, I think Donald Trump understands that if people are going to demonstrations, as they have from coast to coast outside of Tesla dealerships, specifically to complain about Elon Musk, that he is a political lightning rod, that he is a political liability. And all of the millions of dollars that he can pour into various campaigns won't necessarily change that.

JIMENEZ: And of course, as some of these cuts actually start to manifest themselves in real people's lives and jobs and potential wonderings about what we're going to do in the future at an individual level. I want to ask you a state politics question because former vice president and presidential candidate Kamala Harris is allegedly considering a run for California governor. Are you surprised by this? Do you think if she wins, it sets her up to run for president down the line? I wonder how you see some of this reporting we're seeing coming out.

LOUIS: Sure. Not surprised by it. I'm still waiting for a signal from her personally in front of a camera saying that she's interested in this. But look, she's a logical candidate. In polling, she's something like 20 or 30 points ahead of the nearest competitor. She's won multiple statewide elections, not only as attorney general and not only as a U.S. Senator, but in fact, as the vice president and then as the presidential candidate.

So she's, you know, nobody comes close to her. It's really hers to lose if she doesn't want to do it. As a platform from which to run for president again, an outstanding one. You know, you're talking about 40 plus million people. There's almost no job in this country, executive government job that's as big as that other than the presidency itself.

So it's actually a pretty good testing ground and a logical place for her to end up.

JIMENEZ: We will see what happens. And yes, of course, Washington, see if she actually comes out with anything personally, which of course is would be a big moment. But we'll watch for it. Errol Louis, really appreciate it.

LOUIS: Thanks, Omar.

JIMENEZ: And coming up later today, our Fredericka Whitfield speaks with Texas Democratic Representative Al Green, who was censured for his protests during President Donald Trump's address to Congress. That's on CNN Newsroom with Frederika Whitfield coming up later today.

Also this morning, new details in the investigation into the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. Now, investigators say the two died of natural causes, ruling out any foul play. Officials say Hackman likely died of complications from heart disease.

As for his wife, Betsy Arakawa, investigators believe she likely died a few days before Hackman from hantavirus, a rare infectious disease. CNN's Josh Campbell has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. HEATHER JARELL, CHIEF MEDICAL INVESTIGATOR, NEW MEXICO: The manner of death is natural.

JOSH CAMPBELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): A mystery solved, revealing tragic circumstances. As a New Mexico Chief Medical Examiner released autopsy conclusions in the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa Hackman.

JARELL: Based on the circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that Ms. Hackman passed away first, with February 11th being the last time that she was known to be alive. Mr. Hackman probably died around February 18th.

CAMPBELL (voiceover): Gene Hackman's death at age 95 came about one week after his wife passed away, also at their home. According to investigators, their bodies were found on February 26, both showing signs of what authorities referred to in a search warrant affidavit as mummification.

[08:10:10]

JARELL: I think he died as a result of his heart disease, and with Alzheimer's being that contributing factor. He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think, ultimately that is what resulted in his death.

CAMPBELL (voiceover): 65-year-old Betsy Hackman likely died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare infectious disease transmitted from rodents to humans. Infection can come up to two months after exposure to mice droppings in urine and cause flu-like symptoms according to the medical examiner.

JARELL: I don't know when she began to feel ill, and those are just things that I don't know that I'm ever going to have the answers to.

CAMPBELL (voiceover): Even more questions still remain.

JARELL: There is no reliable scientific method to accurately determine the exact time or date of death. He was in an advanced state of Alzheimer's, and it's quite possible that he was not aware that she was deceased.

What about starvation? There was no food in his stomach, which means he had not eaten recently. But he had also no evidence of dehydration.

CAMPBELL (voiceover): Officials had previously narrowed down the timing of Gene Hackman's death using data from his pacemaker.

SHERIFF ADAN MENDOZA, SANTA FE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO: His last event was recorded on February 17, 2025.

CAMPBELL (voiceover): The sheriff also revealed new details about the Hackman's final days after tracking the couple's cell phones and Mrs. Hackman's communication and activities that suddenly stopped on February 11th.

MENDOZA: She was walking around, she was shopping, she was visiting stores. But my detectives didn't indicate that there was any problem with her or struggle of her getting around.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CAMPBELL: Now, the case isn't closed yet. Authorities are still working to determine what happened to that poor family dog. Of course, being in a crate without for a prolonged period of time would be the likely reason for his death, but authorities are working to conduct a necropsy just to confirm.

Authorities say they're also still working to pull certain information off the cell phones of Gene and Betsy Hackman. All that said, Sheriff Adan Mendoza in Santa Fe said that he believes authorities are close to finalizing a timeline regarding what they believe happened here. Josh Campbell, CNN, Los Angeles.

JIMENEZ: All right, thank you, Josh. Coming up, Russia has launched a new round of deadly strikes against Ukraine. How these attacks could impact the peace talks next week in Saudi Arabia, we'll talk about it.

Plus, prepare for disruptions. Education officials across the United States are warning parents about the president's plan to eliminate the Department of Education and how it could impact students across the country. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:17:27]

JIMENEZ: Happening right now. Police in Canada are searching for three male suspects following a shooting at a pub in Toronto.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL MACINTIRE, SUPERINTENDENT, TORONTO POLICE ORGANIZED CRIME UNIT: Three males entered the pub just before 10:40. One male was armed with what appears to be an assault rifle. The other two males were armed with handguns, and they walked into the bar. They produced their guns and they opened fire indiscriminately on the people sitting inside the restaurant, inside the bar.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JIMENEZ: Now officials say at least 12 people are injured. Six people sustained gunshot wounds. Four others have non-life-threatening injuries. The victims' range in age from 20s to mid-50s.

Also this morning, dozens of people were killed in another wave of attacks by Russia across Ukraine. Now these strikes follow yesterday's deadly assault that prompted a conflicting response from President Donald Trump who threatened sanctions against Russia while at the same time praising Vladimir Putin.

Trump said, quote, "Putin holds all the cards," and then suggested the Russian leader genuinely wants to end the conflict in Ukraine, even though he started the war. The president also spoke about his relationship with Putin.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONALD TRUMP, USA PRESDIENT: That end the war despite the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax, I've always had a good relationship with Putin. And you know, he wants to end the war. It wants to end it. And I think he's going to be more generous than he has to be. And that's pretty good. That means a lot of good things.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JIMENEZ: For more now, let's turn to CNN's Nada Bashir. So Nada, Trump has gone from threatening sanctions on Russia to praising Putin at other points. What is the context here? What is the play?

NADA BASHIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, look, we've been seeing intense discussions between U.S. Officials and both Russian delegations as well as Ukrainian officials trying to bring together some sort of peace agreement. But as we know, of course, President Zelensky of Ukraine has continued to push for further security guarantees. We've seen that stepping up of commitments from his European allies. But of course, it is the U.S. that Zelensky has been focused on and that will be the focal point of talks early next week in Saudi Arabia. Now, we know that President Zelensky will be there on Monday meeting

with Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince. A delegation from Ukraine will be staying on to meet with U.S. Officials. It's expected that the U.S. Envoy, Steve Witkoff, will be present in those discussions and negotiations again trying to push forward some sort of agreement.

[08:20:02]

And we'd heard earlier in the week from Zelensky with some note of optimism around the potential for a peace agreement, for a cessation of facilities in the air and at sea. So bringing an end to those deadly drone and missile attacks that we've been seeing stepping up over recent days and also bringing an end to military activities in the Black Sea. But of course, we've also been seeing simultaneously a shift in the support that has been offered to Ukraine since the Biden administration.

Now, under the Trump administration, we've seen a pause in military aid to the Ukrainian military. We've seen a suspension and access to vital satellite imagery that was relied upon by the Ukrainian military to assess Russian troop movements. And now, of course, we're seeing a scaling back of intelligence sharing when it comes to intelligence pertaining to possible attempts by the Ukrainian military to attack Russian territory. So certainly, a shift there in terms of the backing of the Trump administration for Ukraine. But again, those discussions and negotiations are said to be intensifying. Those are the words of President Zelensky himself speaking yesterday.

And we know, of course, that the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio did speak on the phone with the Ukrainian foreign minister just yesterday. Also, according to the State Department, the message that was reiterated once again is that Trump wants to see an end to this war immediately. But also called on both sides, both Russia and Ukraine, to take steps towards what is being described as a sustainable, lasting peace agreement between both parties.

Ukraine, in a statement on Friday acknowledging that they believe that the U.S. Leadership team plays an essential role in not only bringing an end to the war, but again, achieving that sustainable peace. Omar.

JIMENEZ: Nada Bashir, thank you for the reporting. Meanwhile, in the United States, from Dallas to Tallis -- to Tallahassee, excuse me. Right now, nearly 20 million people are under severe weather threat because of storms sweeping along the Gulf Coast. Fires also remain a critical danger in Texas with more strong dry winds in the forecast. CNN meteorologist Allison Chinchar joins me now.

So, I mean, what areas are most in danger by fires in Texas here?

CHINCHAR: Right. So the fires are really going to be on the southern side and the western part of the state. And the northern side and the eastern part of the state is where you have the severe weather. So pretty much no matter where you live, you've got some kind of threat going on. It's just going to be a little bit different.

And all of it's thanks to this low-pressure system that's basically sitting right here along the Gulf Coast. And as we mentioned to the south and the west of that low, you've got the very gusty strong winds, but you don't have the moisture to the east of it. You also have the gusty winds, but you have the potential for some strong to severe thunderstorms.

And when we look at the fire threat again, you can see this outlined area here, the red being really the target point for the greatest fire threat as we go through the day today, those humidity levels around 10 percent to 20 percent, incredibly low. The area is already very dry. And that, not to mention you have those very strong winds going along with it.

On the eastern side, again, you're also looking at the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms. We've had severe thunderstorm warnings off and on throughout the morning, especially around the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. That system is starting to slide off towards the north and east. But when you zoom out a little bit to see the broader scope of it, you'll see you also have the winter weather on the northern side where those temperatures are much cooler. And then you also have a secondary area of showers and strong thunderstorms that have developed right there along the Gulf Coast. And the concern in that region specifically is that they're not moving very fast.

And so in Florida, you're also going to have the additional threat of the potential for flooding. Overall, with the severe thunderstorms, the biggest threat is going to be damaging winds and the potential for some hail. A lot of these, however, you can't rule out the potential for a tornado. You can see a lot of that convection really blowing up throughout the rest of the day and then gradually it will spread eastward into other southeastern states. As we go through the day Sunday.

JIMENEZ: Wide range of what's going on and things to look out for. Allison Chinchar, really appreciate it.

CHINCHAR: Thanks.

JIMENEZ: All right. Meanwhile, President Trump is moving ahead with his plans to eliminate the Department of Education. Coming up, what it could mean for the millions of schools and special needs students who depend on the agency.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:28:33]

JIMENEZ: Right now, President Trump is preparing to sign an order to dismantle the Department of Education. The decision could happen any day now and comes just days after the Senate voted to officially confirm Linda McMahon as the next secretary of the Education Department.

Now, the president would need congressional approval to completely end the department, but such threats are sparking fears over funding cuts and the impacts it could have on students and teachers. With me now is the CEO of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Ronn Nozoe. Ronn, thank you for being here.

Look, you're one of many principals heading to D.C. next week. What are you going to be calling on lawmakers to do?

RONN NOZOE, CEO, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS: One, we're going to be educating lawmakers about how these very important federal funds serve and support every single student in the country. And we want them to make, to just inform them and share with them the most meaningful, like site-based experiences so they understand how these, how the funding works and why those are important for every school in the country.

JIMENEZ: And, you know, a complete closure would require approval by Congress. Do you really see something like that happening? How are you preparing on your end for what potentially might come ahead?

NOZOE: You know, our focus is always putting the kids first and then, of course, those who support the kids directly. And so, I'm not an expert on, you know, whether it'll close or not, but we, what we're always concerned about is making sure that every kid gets the best education they can every single day. And we try to keep the main thing the main thing.

JIMENEZ: And, you know, I think when people hear about the Department of Education, you know, potentially ending or being dismantled, people might not be clear about what exactly that means. Can you just walk us through the types of programs that could be at risk here and sort of how the department potentially helped some of the students you work with?

NOZOE: Well, the U.S. Department of Education, as I understand it, serves a very broad purpose, not only K12 education but also higher education and student loans and student loan programs. So, you know, for us in the K12 space, the programming that the Department of Education oversees includes funding for Title 1 programs, which specifically support children and families who live below the poverty line. They support Title 2, which are funds that are designed to increase the educator pipeline and provide teachers and principals with the necessary professional development they need. Title 3 serves children who are coming from. They speak a language other than English and Learning English. Title 4 has a whole host of programs, many of whom involve community school programs, as well as innovation and technology.

And then the one that a lot of people know as IDEA or special education funding, that funding supports children with disabilities. So, you know, these are large sums of money that go out to every single school and those particular groups of students that need those additional funds to help them, you know, level the playing field and to get ahead and benefit from their education.

JIMENEZ: And, you know, I think a lot of the folks who want the Department of Education to go away. Some of the arguments I've heard is that, well, the United States has not been among the leaders in education to this point. Let's try something different. Clearly, the Department of Education has failed. That's sort of the argument that's out there. But my question to you is, look, I think clearly there are places where the American education system needs improvement. But where do you believe that improvement should come from? And if the department is dismantled, what does the future of education even look like?

NOZOE: Well, first of all, you know, we really believe in local control at the association. We believe that the people in each community know their communities best. And we also believe that professional educators should be in the lead to drive educational efforts in their local jurisdictions because they are respected by their local communities. Principals remain among the most highest, highly respected and trusted public officials. And there's a reason for that because our members are really good at navigating difficult trajectories and understanding that not everybody gets along in a school, in a community. And, you know, we serve everyone. And so our members know very well how important it is to know their communities and interact with them. And so we believe that those decisions should be made in those, by those people.

JIMENEZ: Ronn Nozoe, really appreciate the time and perspective. Thanks for being here this morning.

NOZOE: Thank you.

JIMENEZ: Of course. All right, coming up, migrant rights groups are suing Panama over Trump's deportation plans. Coming up, why they say sending migrants to Panama is a violation of their human rights. We'll explain coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:38:23]

JIMENEZ: The Trump administration and its efforts to crack down on illegal immigration has resulted in several lawsuits filed by cities, states, and immigrant advocacy groups. Now, the administration's policy of deporting migrants to countries they've never lived in has resulted in a lawsuit against a cooperating government. Panama is being sued on behalf of more than 100 of the deportees the country agreed to accept.

In the suit filed a week ago before the Inter American Commission on Human Rights, lawyers for these migrants argue Panama violated the rights to asylum of 10 Iranian Christian converts and that Panama is violating its own laws as well as international laws by holding more than a hundred migrants in fenced camps.

Yesterday, Panama announced it will give these migrants temporary humanitarian passes that will let them move freely until they decide what they will do next. But there are still major concerns of, quote, "grave human rights violations".

Joining me now to talk about the case is lead counsel Ian Kysel. He is also the Associate Clinical Professor of Law at Cornell University. Thank you for being here. Look, I know you all had been trying to track down copies of the

paperwork some of these migrants were being told as they were being let out of these camps. Have you been able to just where things stand? Where do things stand right now?

IAN M. KYSEL, ASSOC. CLINICAL PROF. OF LAW, CORNELL LAW SCHOOL: Thanks, Omar. We really see this as a partial victory, but with lots of questions that remain and therefore a lot of risk for our clients. So the announcement by the government doesn't give any clear path to our clients to asylum or protection. And as of this morning, everyone remains in detention, incommunicado in the jungle. And by that, I mean that they're asking to talk to their attorneys and they're not being permitted to meet with counsel.

[08:40:13]

JIMENEZ: So you're saying they're trying to get in touch with you and some of your counsel and you have not been able to get in touch with them at this point.

KYSEL: The government has not officially permitted attorneys to talk to clients. We've not been able to get copies of these documents. But more concerning to us is that the government is not committing to follow through on their rights obligations. So if we zoom back in this case, this is really, as we wake up on International Women's Day, a story of a hero. Our lead counsel, Artemis Kazemzadeh, and many of the other women who are part of the detainees in this camp who as you shared Artemis, fled arrest, fled potential death penalty in Iran, and arrived to seek asylum based on her religion. The U.S. detained her, deported her by a military transport to Panama, and has held her there now for more than two weeks.

So we sort of see this as an attack on rights, but where there's a hopeful sign from the courts. As you mentioned, we filed our lawsuit, and two major things have happened this week. The government has committed not to deport our clients. And now as of yesterday, two days before it's due to report to the court in response to our lawsuit, it's announcing this release.

JIMENEZ: And you know, you've said there are major concerns of grave human rights violations. What are the violations you're alleging here?

KYSEL: Great question. This is really a regional problem and needs a regional solution. So our lawsuit immediately requested that the commission here request that Panama not deport people to harm so many of those we've been in touch with fear, persecution, torture, death in their home countries. And they've not been given a process to raise those claims either in the United States where they first arrived, or in Panama. And then since they've been there because they've been held in poor conditions in an isolated location in the jungle away from civil society, lawyers, health advocates, their claims around their detention conditions, as well as those denial of the fundamental right to seek asylum.

JIMENEZ: And you know, I also, obviously, we're following efforts in Panama here, but these are migrants, as you mentioned, that were initially deported from the United States. Do you plan on any action toward U.S. Specific entities?

KYSEL: So we're currently looking at all our options led by Sylvia Serna Roman, an attorney at the Global Strategic Litigation Council for Refugee Rights, who's been organizing groups in the Americas region since Trump was elected to brainstorm how the council and other partners can use the courts in every nation, but also the region to put a stop and impose guardrails to what we anticipate still to come. So the commission, we've already raised claims about how Panama is complicit with the United States and accountable for those rights violations. We're looking at what's happening in Costa Rica and certainly also looking at the United States.

So I think there's more litigation to come because as I said, this is a regional problem. And so if governments accept these illegally detained and expelled migrants and then mistreat them, they face legal liability. So we hope that states in the region work together, but also point to human rights law and standard as the sort of line in the sand that they can't cross.

JIMENEZ: And just before we go, I should also mention Panama's president has repeatedly denied that authorities have violated the deportees' rights. But that's why you all are fighting it out in court.

But to pick up on something you said a little bit earlier, just because these migrants may they're being released doesn't mean necessarily they can stay. The temporary permits for humanitarian purposes, but could be extended up to 90 days, 30 days initially. For someone like Artemis who you mentioned, who she can't necessarily go home, what options do migrants have right now in positions like hers?

KYSEL: Well, right now, the governments which are ultimately responsible for protecting the rights of these people who they've, you know, detained, arrested, mistreated, aren't offering any options. What they've said, as you pointed out, is know you have 30, maybe 90 days, and you need to sort it out. So that's something that we'll be fighting over in the legal case. And ultimately, it's the governments that have to safeguard those rights to seek asylum and to basic protections.

JIMENEZ: Ian Kysel, really appreciate you being here. Thanks for helping shed light on the case.

KYSEL: Thanks so much, Omar.

JIMENEZ: Of course. All right. Still to come, a South Carolina inmate was first executed by firing squad, the first to have this happen in the U.S. in 15 years. We're going to have more on his final moments just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:49:32]

JIMENEZ: Welcome back. We're learning new details this morning about the double murderer who chose to be executed last night by firing squad instead of through lethal injection or the electric chair. CNN Senior National Correspondent Ryan Young has more.

RYAN YOUNG, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It has been 15 years since someone died by firing squad. Right behind me is that death chamber. This execution lasted about two minutes from what we are told. The witnesses said once they entered the room and they opened it up so they could see Mr. Sigmon, he was already basically tied down to the chairs, arms by his side, his legs shackled in.

[08:50:07]

At some point, he mouthed over to his lawyer. Then they put a hood over his head as the final statements were being read. And there was also a target on his chest. The shots were fired. They could not see the executioners. And it lasted, like I said, just a very short time. Take a listen to one of the witnesses that was in the room.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFFREY COLLINS, AP REPORTER WHO WITNESSED EXECUTION: Brad Sigmon took several pretty deep breaths and then suddenly the shots rang out. At that point, you did see a small red stain on Sigmon's chest. His chest rose and fell about two times immediately after the shots. At that point, also, his arm tensed up when he got shot.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

YOUNG: A medical professional walked in the room to check on Mr. Sigmon, and he was pronounced dead. What we know is Mr. Sigmon did ask for his final meal to be KFC, which was fried chicken, green beans, potatoes, and sweet tea. His lawyer told us that he wanted to share that with other inmates, but that wasn't allowed. Ryan Young, CNN, Columbia, South Carolina.

JIMENEZ: And thank you, Ryan, for that reporting. Fifty minutes past the hour right now. We are following a lot of stories. We also want to get you caught up in the world of sports as well. So still to come, the Cleveland Cavaliers rally to extend their 13-game winning streak. We're going to bring you some of the highlights coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:55:47]

JIMENEZ: The Nuggets Nikola Jokic with an all-time great performance in an overtime win over the Phoenix Suns. CNN's Andy Scholes is here at the highlights. Andy, Jokic, I mean just a magician.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Omar, we've seen Jokic put up, you know, historic numbers before, but what he did last night, I mean it was just absurd. It was absurd. You know, Jokic becoming the first player ever to have a 30-20-20 game and this was a good one against the Suns. Final seconds. Watch Jokic to Christian Brown for the three. That put Denver up by three with a second left. But the Suns are going to run the inbound play to perfection. And Kevin Durant hits the three at the buzzer to send the game to overtime but not Jokic. He just was operating.

He scored five points. He had five assists in the overtime period. In the three-time MVP finishing with 31 points, 21 rebounds and a career high 22 assists. The Nuggets get the win 149 to 141. And here was Nuggets head coach Michael Malone on Jokic's performance.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAEL MALONE, DENVER NUGGETS: Nikola Jokic is one of one, I mean the first player to ever have a 30, 20, and 20 game. I can't describe him, so don't ask me to. The guy's just an incredible player. And when you are one of one in this league and the tremendous history of this league, that says a lot.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SCHOLES: All right, the Cavs meanwhile big favorites in Charlotte last night as they were going for their 13th straight win. But this is a little bit of a struggle. They were down nine with just over five remaining, but they closed the game on a 23 to 13 run. And DeAndre Hunter, he gets the big put back right here with 43 seconds left. But the Cavs up for good. They would win 118, 117. They're now the 11th team in NBA history to have two 13-game winning streaks in a single season.

All right, we have one of the most anticipated games of the year. Tonight in Boston, the world champion Celtics hosting the streaking Lakers, Luka, Lebron and crew, they've won eight in a row coming into this one. You know, Lakers, Celtics, the best rivalry in the sport. And it's even better when these two franchises are playing well.

And right now, both teams in second place in their respective conferences. And Omar the get in ticket price on StubHub right now for this one going for about 500 bucks which is quite high for a March regular season game in the NBA. But I'll tell you what, this look at the Lakers trade has made the NBA so much more fun.

JIMENEZ: It is.

SCHOLES: I'm not Lakers fan by any means, but I find myself rooting for them because I want to see them go far in the playoffs.

JIMENEZ: Well, in that matchup now, especially if the Lakers are good. They're coming in as a two seed. All of a sudden it takes on a little bit more which is super, super fun. Andy Scholes, really appreciate it.

We're just going. We were just highlighting all these players that were hot in the league heroes. Well, let's go to some cold heroes because snowplows are arguably the hero of the winter season. We know that across the country. Why not give them awesome names like may be Snowtorius B.I.G. We're off to see the Blizzard, or Anthony Sledworth.

Now, those are just a few of the big winners of Minnesota's snowplow naming contest. Eight winners in all. Some of the runner ups which were equally fantastic. Bertha, Chili Eilish and Austin Flowers. A lot of creativity in the North Star state. Allison.

CHINCHAR: Just pointing out I voted for Chili Eilish.

JIMENEZ: Yeah, that's a good one. That's a good one.

CHINCHAR: That's okay. Yes. But there's some previous winners. Take a look at some of these from years past. Beyonsleigh, Taylor Drift, Betty Whiteout, and the OG from the very first year, Plowy McPlowFace.

JIMENEZ: Plowy McPlowFace. I remember that. When that one came out I was like, you know, I know it's trolling. But I wanted to vote for that.

SCHOLES: Yeah, it's pretty good. I'm trying to think of one in my head.

JIMENEZ: What about like --

SCHOLES: Ploverine?

JIMENEZ: Ploverine, Pillsbury Snowboy.

SCHOLES: That's not bad. Pretty good.

JIMENEZ: You might need to enter into the contest next year.

SCHOLES: Hero names are good because you know you're covered in snow. He's like, Ploverine's going to save us.

JIMENEZ: Honestly. There you go. See you're thinking franchise right there. Appreciate you both as always. Can't wait to see what we enter in next year.

Also, comedians who also probably have better names than we're coming up with. Alex Edelman and Laurie Kilmartin join Roy Wood Jr., Amber Ruffin, and Michael Ian Black on a new episode of HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU Tonight at 9:00 on CNN.

We do want to remind you that before we go today, daylight saving time.

SCHOLES: Oh, no.

JIMENEZ: Begins tonight, which is especially for us, the clock springs forward an hour, which 2:00 a.m. becomes --