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Isa Soares Tonight
Lecornu Says Successor Could Start Within 48 Hours; James Comey Pleads Not Guilty; Trump Falsely Claims Cuba has "Virtually No Autism"; Trio of Scientists Win the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. President Trump Calls for Leaders in Illinois to Be Jailed; James Comey Pleads Not Guilty for Lying to Congress; Israel and Hamas Negotiate Peace Deal in Egypt. Aired 2:00-3p ET
Aired October 08, 2025 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00]
ISA SOARES, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: A very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Isa Soares. Tonight, U.S. President Donald Trump calls for
leaders in Illinois to be jailed as a court showdown over troop deployments draws near. We go live to Chicago for you. Plus, former FBI Director James
Comey pleads not guilty to lying to Congress in a case that underscores the Justice Department's efforts to go after Trump adversaries.
And there are positive signals coming from the Gaza ceasefire talks, as according to sources, will be on the ground in Cairo with that and much
more ahead this hour. But first, tonight, we begin in the United States where President Donald Trump is making an unprecedented show of really raw
political force in Virginia.
Prosecutors are going after one of his political enemies, former FBI Director James Comey, who was arraigned on criminal charges today. Well, in
Chicago and Portland, the President is pushing ahead with plans to deploy troops, defying the wishes of local leaders. And he's doing so by ordering
the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago and other Democratic-led cities, and then potentially, circumventing the courts by threatening to
use the century's-old Insurrection Act if federal judges rule against him.
Hundreds of National Guard troops, including troops from Texas, are part of the initial deployment to Illinois, which is being met with firm opposition
as you can imagine, by state as well as local leaders. But the U.S. President may be trying to circumvent them as well. Earlier today on social
media, as you can see there, Trump threatened to jail Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.
Pritzker, who has called the deployment an unconstitutional invasion, you can see there, shot back by asking what else is left on the path to full-
blown authoritarianism. And here's how Johnson responded earlier.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: This President has intentionally worked to escalate violence in the city of Chicago and cities across
America. We're just simply defending our fundamental right to our democracy. This President has made it very clear he doesn't support this
constitution.
And if Congress, which our framers designed for Congress and the Supreme Court, and the courts to provide checks and balance, if Congress will not
hold this President accountable, I will.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Let's get more on this. Our team is tracking this story from all angles. Omar Jimenez is on the ground in Chicago, and Kevin Liptak is
tracking the latest from Washington. Let me start with Omar, let me start with you, Omar. Paint us a picture on the ground there of what the mood is
like as the National Guard troops arrive. What have you been seeing? What have you been hearing?
OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, so, there's a few different dynamics we're following at this point. So, yes, the Texas National Guard is at this
army reserve center outside Chicago. We were there as they started to arrive for the first time, getting -- we're expected -- they're expected to
get training on things like crowd control, legal training as well.
But we haven't quite seen them on the ground within the city limits just yet. And that is a major -- that would be a major step. And it is something
that Governor J.B. Pritzker here in Illinois and the Mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, have said would be a bridge too far, and it is something
they have criticized heavily.
So, that is one factor we are watching. The other is the increased immigration enforcement that we have seen play out in many neighborhoods
across the city of Chicago, and particular, ones that we visited this morning. We were just in a predominantly Latino neighborhood here on the
southwest side of the city of Chicago, and we spoke to a business owner who told us that on a typical Saturday for example, he might see up to a 100 --
do up to a 100 orders essentially.
He told us just a few minutes ago, that this past Saturday, he did a little bit about a fifth of that, and had to close early just because he wasn't
getting the amount of orders in that he typically would see. He said it was so dead that they literally closed early, and that's something he's never
encountered before.
The thing -- the phrase he used was that, this was like a pandemic junior, given the effect it's had on the business that he typically sees. And in
that neighborhood, there is just this palpable sense of fear, even for folks who are American citizens, people who are not undocumented, not
necessarily worried about what the Trump administration says they should be worried about.
[14:05:00]
They still feel as though their ways of life have been disrupted. So, that is another dynamic that's going on. And then above all of this is the
politics that's back-and-forth. President Trump has called for or has said that Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson should be
jailed for failing to protect ICE.
Obviously, J.B. Pritzker, the governor and the mayor have pushed back against that, saying his call up of the National Guard at this point is
something that goes against the constitution and is unlawful. But what we're waiting on is a federal judge to make a decision, and we have oral
hearings tomorrow.
But waiting for now on what the Trump administration is going to respond as their reasoning for wanting to bring the Guard troops in here. So, a lot of
things up in the air right now. Meanwhile, the folks that we talked to here on the ground are tense and nervous for what things might look like next.
SOARES: Yes, understandably, Omar, really appreciate you being with us. I'm going to let you continue your news gathering. Let me turn to the
politics and to Kevin at the White House. You heard there, Kevin, Omar laying out some of the concerns, some of the fears, but also the lashing
out we have seen that has been directed, of course, at two of the mayors, Democratic mayors in Chicago, Illinois.
Coming, of course, from the U.S. President. How -- just speak to what he said -- tell us what he said, and how all of this is being received as we
wait for that decision.
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, and it's quite striking rhetoric from the President. You know, he has made no sort of -- he has
gone after his opponents quite frequently in this administration. But I think it's still stunning to see him here calling for the arrest of two
elected leaders in the state that he's targeting for some of these military deployments.
He's saying that the Chicago mayor should be in jail for failing to protect ICE officers. Governor Pritzker also, of course, these are both Democrats,
they've been highly critical of the President's move to deploy the National Guard in their state. But still, this is stunning rhetoric. And they have
both now responded to the President, Brandon Johnson, who is the mayor, said earlier today that this is not the first time Trump has tried to have
a black man unjustly arrested. I'm not going anywhere.
And Pritzker, who is, you know, seen as potentially a contender for the 2028 presidential election, said that what else is left on the path to
full-blown authoritarianism? So, really coming out quite strongly against the President here. I think what we're seeing the President do here is
really kind of intersect two of the prevailing strains of his administration so far.
One is this threat against legal action, against his perceived opponents, and we saw that playing out just today in the courthouse in Virginia with
James Comey pleading not guilty. He has this long list of his perceived enemies who he has pledged to go after legally. The other is his ramped-
up use of federal officers, the military in Democrat-run cities to tamp down on what he says is rampant crime.
And you've heard him talk in ever more dire terms about what's happening in some of these places, and even raising the prospect of using the
Insurrection Act if the courts don't rule in his favor in terms of these deployments. We will hear more about this almost certainly from the
President later today.
He's convening a roundtable on Antifa. That's the left wing anti-fascist movement. He's almost certain to continue this rhetoric at that event later
today.
SOARES: Kevin, appreciate it, thank you very much indeed. And Kevin was mentioning there, Jim Comey, of course, James Comey, one of America's top
law enforcement officers. Well, he found himself today inside a courtroom facing federal charges. Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty
to two charges, lying to Congress and obstruction of a congressional proceeding.
His trial has been set for January the 5th, and attorneys on both sides say they're expected to take 2 to 3 days. Comey has been a fierce critic of Mr.
Trump, and the President has made it clear that he wants Comey punished. One U.S. attorney resigned under pressure to bring charges against Comey.
Trump then appointed a new prosecutor who sought charges only three days later. Comey's attorney says he will move to dismiss the charges on grounds
that Comey was unfairly targeted by the President. Our justice, our crime and justice correspondent Katelyn Polantz has been tracking all of the
developments today.
And Katelyn, you were from what I understand, inside that courtroom, just talk us through the proceedings, and really, what stood out to you?
KATELYN POLANTZ, CNN CRIME & JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, the thing that stood out to me is that the defense is coming right out and saying what
they want to do and their strategy in this case. A lot of it is going to be a battle that takes place before a jury ever would enter into that
courtroom, what's called the pre-trial proceedings.
All of the efforts that the defense will make to try and have the case and the charges against Jim Comey tossed. He's pleaded not guilty at this time.
He's released to go about his days until trial.
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There's going to be about three months where the judge has to look at all of these pretrial arguments and decide whether this case is appropriate to
send to a jury if there is enough law to hold it up in court for a jury to decide on his guilt. What the defense team said specifically, this is Pat
Fitzgerald, the defense lawyer in court.
He said, our view is the prosecution was brought at the direction of President Trump, and he then said that there's going to be at least five
different ways that the defense team will ask the judge to toss this case, challenging the prosecutor's authority. The handpicked U.S. attorney or
interim U.S. attorney by Donald Trump, who took this case through the grand jury and was in court today, her name is Lindsey Halligan.
And then a couple other motions that they're going to be filing, saying that the prosecutors have behaved inappropriately in some way and thus, it
should not be a valid case. That's a big part of it. The other part of it is that the Justice Department might try and slow things down. They said
they weren't ready yet to have their hands fully around all of the evidence in the case, and that they're still looking at possibly declassifying
things.
The judge, he wasn't exactly buying that. He said, you know, we can get through those sorts of discussions over classified material quite quickly
if we need to, but all we need to do is figure out what needs to go to trial at this point, and that's what the road ahead is going to be in these
next three months.
SOARES: Katelyn Polantz, we shall see. I know you'll stay across it for us, appreciate it as always. And do stick around for more on this important
story, we will be speaking to a former federal prosecutor about the charges against James Comey and what they mean. That's in about what? Twenty
minutes or so, Jean Rossi joins me here on the show.
Well, with top U.S. and Israeli officials now on board, there's cautious optimism surrounding negotiations to end the war in Gaza, with sources
saying an agreement could be reached in the next 48 hours. Two Israeli sources say a deal is very close. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and
President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner have joined the talks in Egypt, along with Israel's chief negotiator Ron Dermer.
An Israeli source tells CNN, negotiations are focused on the timeline for the release of the hostages and where the IDF will withdraw to in Gaza.
Also at issue is the list of Palestinian prisoners that would be released. That's where there could be a potential stumbling block. We understand
Hamas is demanding the release of Marwan Barghouti, the prominent -- most prominent, I should say, Palestinian prisoner being held, a move that
Israel seems unlikely to agree to.
Let's get more on this following all the developments, our Nic Robertson, he joins us from Cairo with all the latest. So, Nic, progress, it seems, is
being made as all these high level officials arrive at Sharm El-Sheikh. Just talk us through what you're hearing, how likely we are to get any sort
of agreement this week.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: There really seems to be a positive atmosphere that's being created. I don't think we're hearing
from any party, and there are, you know, Turkish head of Intelligence, Egyptian head of Intelligence, Qatari Prime Minister Ron Dermer, Prime
Minister Netanyahu's key adviser Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff all there.
And the whole feedback from all the nations involved has been one of positivity. Take that with the momentum of those -- of those top figures
arriving, and it does really create a sense of some things possible.
And it is being floated, as you say, that there could be a deal in 48 hours. What we know has been discussed today is the exact pullback line,
the ceasefire line, if you will, where the IDF would hold a front, an effective frontline in Gaza until an international stabilization force were
able to come in and the IDF would retreat further.
That's been in the discussion. The discussion about the repatriation of the dead and the return of the living hostages. We understand from sources in
Israel that Hamas and the other groups may not know where all the bodies are. This isn't a surprise. It's something we've heard before, and it
doesn't appear to be derailing the talks at the moment.
Prisoners -- the prisoners that Hamas wants released, as you say, include some important Palestinian politicians, Marwan Barghouti being one of them.
We understand that from -- again, from sources close to the talks, close to Israel, that he is unlikely to be released.
The key politicians that they want to release, there was another one as well, are unlikely to make the cut of all the Palestinian prisoners who
would be released, who will also -- will include life-term life sentence prisoners, others who were rounded up by the IDF inside of Gaza would be
returned.
Those discussions again have been -- have been front and center. Nothing that we're hearing to derail that. But I think the question a lot of people
have is, well, what about all the other points in the 20-point plan?
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We're not getting any detail or specificity on those terms. You know, Hamas having to put down its weapons, not have a political future. Those key
things, that could unravel talks at a later stage. But it appears everything is just focused on what we were told about these talks. The
priority was the ceasefire and the hostage release.
And if that's all it's about, this seems to be where the positivity comes. But there's a lot of detail which for some analysts, if you will, is going
to be a big elephant in the room on the talks --
SOARES: Yes, absolutely, especially when we've, you know, been asking for the detail, we'll be looking -- we've been asking repeatedly for what a
post-war Gaza would look like. These are huge questions, and of course, a positive sign. And I don't want to get ahead of myself or create any sense
of false hope here, Nic.
But if it is signed within 48 hours, potentially, what would -- what would we likely be seeing in the first few steps? What would that plan look like?
Do you have a sense of that?
ROBERTSON: You know, in a word, you could say the plan would look and sound like in Gaza, like silence. There's no bombs. There's no rockets,
there's no artillery coming in because that's the ceasefire. And President Trump had told Prime Minister Netanyahu to stop the bombing when Hamas
agreed to go into these talks.
Well, more than a 100 people have been killed since then, but that would be such a thing for the -- for the people inside of Gaza, who more than 67,000
now have died. That's a massive number.
For Israel, it would perhaps begin to mean not closure, but finally, for those families who still got loved ones held in Gaza, the return,
repatriation, and for all those hostages that we hear from, that you know, spent more than 400 days in tunnels being held, who have been home now for,
you know, for months, for them being able to move on with their lives.
it would be huge. But there is so much detail. Where would that ceasefire line be? What would happen after that? One thing we do and could expect as
well is a surge of humanitarian aid going into Gaza.
SOARES: And that is so much needed, it's very much needed as I've heard repeatedly only recently from UNICEF and James Elder. Nic, really
appreciate it, positive signs, there seems to be progress. I know you'll stay across it for us. Nic Robertson there for us in Cairo. I want to take
you straight to Paris, where outgoing French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is speaking. I think we have translation. Let's listen in.
SEBASTIEN LECORNU, RESIGNED FRENCH PRIME MINISTER (through translator): Well, the reality of the matter is that at the beginning of the week, a
number of things happened. You heard what the socialists and the communist party said, and the greens. Nobody wanted to compromise. So, there is a
majority, very relative, who can govern with the presidential camp with an opposition.
And that government was the President's camp, essentially. And that's essentially why I gave him my resignation.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
LECORNU: I don't think it's really a personal question or issue of Bruno Retailleau. The Republicans are not anachronistic.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): What happened? Did you say yes or no?
LECORNU: You know, I was mayor and then a senator. The political parties participate in the political life of the country. And you can see, and I --
you can tell you, frankly, that in the context of compromise, they often put forward their very hardest, harshest lines. That's what makes things
really difficult, much more difficult than normal. There are certain partisan appetites in --
SOARES: You have been listening there in that interview to Sebastien Lecornu, the outgoing French Prime Minister, if you remember, resigned on
Monday just hours after unveiling his new cabinet. He said a path is possible. He then went on to say no one wanted a compromise in terms of the
other parties.
[14:20:00]
But he did say that they should be able to name a new Prime Minister in 48 hours, which to me means that he's not staying in this role. No other
possibility of this -- of him staying in the role. We had heard from the French side that by today, there would be some sort of clear path by
President Macron. We haven't heard that.
And it does seem from what he said that they'll be naming a new prime minister in 48 hours. So, a moment really, of huge change in France. And
Macron now having to make quite the choice, call for elections, name a new prime minister or really decide whether he stays in his job. So, we'll talk
about this in just a moment with our Melissa Bell, we'll meet though, on the other side.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: Welcome back everyone. Germany says it will grant police the power to shoot down drones that violate its airspace. And this comes after dozens
of flights were diverted or canceled last Friday at Munich Airport. Germany joins similar moves by other European countries after a number of rogue
drones disrupted airports across Europe just in recent weeks.
The European Commission President says Europe is facing a campaign to test its resolve, as well as weaken its support for Ukraine. Ursula von der
Leyen calls it hybrid warfare. Last month, she called for what she describes as a drone war. We discussed it here on the show to detect and
neutralize unmanned aircraft.
Well, the former NATO Secretary-General has called for Europe and NATO to act together, and has pushed for a European drone war. Anders Rasmussen
joins me now to talk about this, he's also a former prime minister of course, of Denmark, and joins us now from Washington D.C. Secretary-
General, great to have you on the show.
We have been seeing and we have covered at great length here on the show the escalation in drone incursions into Poland, Romania, Estonia and
beyond, of course, as we just outlined. And today, we heard the words from Ursula von der Leyen, she went on to say, this is not random harassment.
Those were her words. Do you agree with that?
ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN, CEO, RASMUSSEN GLOBAL & FORMER DANISH PRIME MINISTER: Yes, I fully agree. It's intentional. Putin is trying to test
us, test our resolve, test our response, and that's why we should deter him from continuing that by shooting down the drones that have violated our
airspace.
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SOARES: And you said on X, Russian drones enter our skies, we complain, they return. We delay, they escalate, we hesitate. Why do we hesitate first
of all, Secretary-General, and is there now a united front, a united message on how then to combat these drones?
RASMUSSEN: I also ask myself the question, why do we hesitate? There's no reason to hesitate. Now, a number of countries are preparing a so-called
drone war. It's not a physical war, but it's a network of sensors, radars, jamming systems, et cetera, so that we eventually can intercept the illegal
drones.
SOARES: And how soon would that be ready?
RASMUSSEN: Yes, it has been discussed whether it will take one or two years to establish that drone wall. That's far too long.
SOARES: Yes --
RASMUSSEN: Time is of the essence. In my company, we have clients who tell us we have the capacities. So, now we're trying to create a coalition of
drone producers who can present a package to the interested countries.
SOARES: And so, I mean, two years, Secretary, with all due respect, is pretty long time, given of course, what we have seen just in the last few
weeks. So, in the meantime, Europe does what?
RASMUSSEN: Yes, so, time is of the essence. We have to go forward and we have the capacities. Think about the Ukrainians. Each and every day,
Ukraine is defending itself against Russian drones, and they are highly effective. So, why can't we do that in the rest of Europe? I ask exactly
the same question, now Europe must move forward.
SOARES: And I know some of the countries I've spoken to on the show said they would shoot down drones if the -- the polls were one of those, of
course. But I wonder if you know any more in terms of the drone sightings, Secretary-General, that we have seen both in Norway and Denmark.
You know, I remember us reporting at the time that these were -- these incidents for several airports to temporarily close down and disrupted, of
course, travel for thousands of passengers. Were these Russian drones? What more do you know about this?
RASMUSSEN: Well, the authorities claim that they do not know who are responsible. In -- to my mind, there is no doubt. Obviously, it's a state
actor, and that state actor is Russia. Putin is testing us, and that's why we should deter him.
SOARES: And Putin has been saying -- the Kremlin has been saying, of course, along this time that this -- you know, that these plans -- I think
it was the word he used, Secretary-General, was hysteria. What Europe is facing is hysteria. I think that was about a week ago. But let me ask you
also on Putin, he has been warning as of late, and you would have seen this, warning the United States over supplying long-range missiles to
Ukraine, saying it would seriously damage relations between Moscow and Washington.
And he said they will not change the situation on the battlefield. You're in Washington. What is your message to U.S. officials? Should they be
supplying these to Ukraine?
RASMUSSEN: Yes, that's my message to my interlocutors here. Please increase the pressure on Russia. The problem is Putin has no incentive to
engage in peace negotiations as long as he believes that he can win on the battlefield. So, we have to change his calculus, and that could -- and that
can be done through enhanced weapon deliveries to Ukraine, and increased economic pressure on Russia.
SOARES: And do you think -- very briefly, secretary, on the United States is prepared now to increase pressure, not just with weapons, but also
possibly with sanctions, because there have been lots of timelines, lots of supposed meetings, and that hasn't really gone anywhere.
RASMUSSEN: Yes, I think President Trump is gradually losing patience with Putin. He has realized that Putin is much more difficult to handle than
Hamas. So, Europe and the United States should take each other hand-in- hand, increase pressure on Putin militarily and economically.
SOARES: Secretary-General Rasmussen, as always, great to have you on the show. Thank you sir.
RASMUSSEN: Thank you for having me.
SOARES: Let's go back to our breaking news I was bringing you in the last, what? Five, six minutes from France? The outgoing prime minister says there
could be a new replacement, replacement within the next 48 hours. And this comes, of course, as this country's political parties battle to pass a
budget for 2026.
Sebastien Lecornu spoke just a short time ago, and his comments come just days after his resignation, I think it was Monday, less than a month into
the role. Melissa Bell joins us now from Paris. And Melissa, we have these 48 hours, and now I'm thinking we're hearing another 48 hours. What has
come out of this interview from Lecornu?
MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Exactly, all eyes very much on what this outgoing prime minister had to say tonight on French
television. And remember that the options that were out there, given his resignation on a Monday morning, in the wake, by the way, of a cabinet he'd
announced on the Sunday night that involved members of the tradition -- politicians from the traditional right, from the traditional left, and he
managed to cobble together this government, it held for exactly 836 minutes before he announced his resignation.
He'd been given this extra time by the French President to try and find a solution. We heard from him this morning, Isa, with a note of optimism,
suggesting that those in the sort of middle of French politics did understand the urgency of having to get a budget through for 2026, those
important budget cuts.
What we've just heard from him is that it could be that Emmanuel Macron, the French president, now has 48 hours to nominate a new prime minister. No
word at all on who that might be or from which political camp he might be drawn. But they then did go on to another major issue that's come up now in
France as a result of these negotiations, and that is whether or not as a result of pressure from the left, the government might not be obliged to go
back on what had been over the last couple of years important reforms when it came to pension and retirement age, this now back in the mix.
So, another period of uncertainty that opens itself here in France. We await for the next 48 hours to hear whether -- or who, rather, President
Macron nominates as a prime minister to try and form some kind of government to tackle this important issue of not just forming a government,
but of course, how to get the budget for 2026 through.
There had been a number of options open to him. It appeared, from what we heard from Sebastien Lecornu this morning, that the idea of another
dissolution of the French Parliament, as it happened last year, was drawing ever further.
Remember that the fears were, Isa, that given the polls, another snap parliamentary election would benefit the far-right even more than it had in
June of last year. Apparently, this middle part of French politics is willing to come together. But again, with very difficult negotiations that
are going to have to do with expenditure, budget constraints, we wait to see who will be handed this unenviable task, Isa.
SOARES: I feel like I've asked you this question numerous occasions, Melissa, but who would want this poison chalice? We've been here so many
times.
BELL: We've been here so many times. Bear in mind, Isa, that Sebastien Lecornu is the fifth prime minister to be nominated and to resign since the
start of Emmanuel Macron's second term. He'd been very firm that he would stay until 2027, the next presidential election.
There had been some questions these last 24 hours whether he might come back on that. The answer tonight appears to be no. He will stick it out and
he will go with the option of not dissolving Parliament once again, not calling a snap presidential election, but rather nominating another prime
minister. We're very curious, of course, to see who it will be, and bear in mind that the pressure will be huge.
Obviously, we now understand from the left to come back on some of those things that have been designed to reduce the budget deficit and to agree on
a budget that needs to be smaller than the earlier budgets were in 2026 because you have this looming debt crisis here in France.
What we'd heard also from the outgoing prime minister is that perhaps we'll see in the forthcoming budget, if it happens, something less ambitious than
had been announced by his predecessor. He'd been looking for 44 billion euros worth of cuts next year. Maybe we'll see something in the middle. All
eyes very much on who Emmanuel Macron now chooses. Isa.
SOARES: Well, this will be quite something for the opposition, right, if they do some sort of U-turn or minor U-turn here on some of their promises,
it'll be quite something. Melissa, appreciate it. Thanks very much indeed. Melissa Bell there for us in Paris. We know Lecornu is still speaking.
We'll keep an ear out, of course, and developments. We shall bring it to you.
And still to come tonight, the unprecedented actions involving the federal legal system as Donald Trump tests the limits of his presidential power.
We'll break it all down when we return.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:35:00]
SOARES: Welcome back. U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing the limits of his presidential power. There's his troop deployments to several cities and
the legal battles to stop them, as we told you at the top of the show.
Then, in a courtroom today, the former FBI director, James Comey, entered a not guilty plea. In Tuesday, before the Senate Judiciary Committee,
President Trump's attorney general, Pam Bondi, fired back during tense exchanges with Democratic lawmakers. Here's a sample of how she used one-
liners and personal attacks to fend off tough questions.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAM BONDI, U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: You know, Senator Schiff, if you work for me, you would have been fired.
Senator Blumenthal, I cannot believe that you would accuse me of impropriety when you lied about your military service.
You were also on video outside the White House protesting with a group called CASA, where Antifa members were. Does that mean you're a member of
Antifa?
Excuse me, Senator, you are ordering this proceeding now, you sure didn't have order when you stormed Secretary Noem at a press conference in
California, did you?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Very fiery, indeed. Joining us is the former U.S. federal prosecutor, Gene Rossi. He was an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern
District of Virginia. Gene, great to have you on the show. We'll speak about the attorney general, Pam Bondi, in just a moment, because that was
incredibly combative, what we saw yesterday.
Let me start, though, with what we heard -- what we saw today, and what we've been hearing inside from our journalists, from our colleagues, with
Jim Comey. He said that this prosecution was brought by President Trump. What does that tell you about the defense and the strategy in their line of
attack going forward?
GENE ROSSI, FORMER U.S. FEDERAL PROSECUTOR AND FORMER ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY, EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA: Well, Isa, the law on vindictive
prosecution is tough, but I think it may apply in this case. When the President of the United States makes statements before the indictment is
approved by the grand jury, and he gives signals, either verbally or through his social media, that he wants somebody prosecuted because it's
part of his retribution campaign, that falls into the category of vindictive prosecution.
[14:40:00]
So, I think that one of the motions before trial that Mr. Comey's attorneys will file will be a motion to dismiss the indictment based on vindictive
prosecution.
But I got to add this, another motion they could file is the abuse of the grand jury, and here's why. The Supreme Court of the United States says
that a prosecutor, under rare circumstances, has to disclose to the grand jury evidence that helps the defendant. It could be just one side of the
coin, if you will. But in this case, I would like to see the transcript of the U.S. attorney, Lindsey Halligan, did she fail to provide to the grand
jury significant exculpatory evidence that helped James Comey? If that occurred, that failure, then there could be a motion for grand jury abuse.
The third thing I would say is Lindsey Halligan is treading on thin ice because Justice Alito, when he used to work for the Justice Department,
wrote a memo when he was with the Justice Department that a district, like the Eastern District of Virginia, Isa, can only have one interim U.S.
attorney. She is the second one. So, arguably, she was appointed illegally.
SOARES: Yes, on that, let's go to that then, Gene, because Lindsey Halligan, for our viewers watching around the world, she's President Donald
Trump's hand-picked U.S. attorney, and you know, she'd only been on the job for three days before she even presented the case, right, from what I
understand. Then is the defense, is Jim Comey going to challenge her over conflict of interest? How successful do you think he'll be on that front
here, Gene?
ROSSI: Isa, there won't be a challenge on conflict of interest because a president, any president, including President Trump, has broad discretion
to appoint U.S. attorneys. The problem I have with Ms. Halligan is the first U.S. attorney for Virginia was John Marshall, who then became chief
justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
So, we go from a genius, an icon, a legend to Lindsey Halligan who did insurance work in Florida. It's an embarrassment. And the reason why, I
worked there for 20 years, the Eastern District of Virginia, Isa, is the capstone of U.S. attorneys' offices. It's the first among equals, and for
her to be the interim U.S. attorney, frankly, is a little embarrassing.
SOARES: And you mentioned, Gene, some of the comments that we've seen very openly by the U.S. president. So, let's talk about this, because I think
it's important for our viewers to see some of the things that the president has been saying on this. And I think we've got some examples, and the role
potentially he's playing in this case.
On social media, he's called Comey to be prosecuted. He's also called him, you can see there, dirty cop, always has been. He was just assigned a
Crooked Joe Biden-appointed judge. How do you see this, all this language being used, playing out here? How successful do you think Comey's team will
be on this front?
ROSSI: Isa, those things you just showed your viewers, that is exhibit number one, or two, or three, or four, of how this is a vindictive
prosecution. They found the person they wanted to indict, they brought a charge against them, even though career prosecutors, career prosecutors,
who are Republicans, said he should not be indicted because there's no evidence. That, what you just showed, are great exhibits for a vindictive
prosecution motion.
SOARES: Gene, we should wish we had more time. We're running out of time. Thank you very much for coming on. I know you -- and I imagine you and I
will be talking much more often in the next couple of months, of course, as we await for this to go ahead on January the 5th. Gene Rossi. Thank you,
Gene.
ROSSI: Thank you.
SOARES: Still to come tonight, President Trump claims autism isn't present in Cuba because people don't use Tylenol. Our Patrick Oppmann visits a
school for children with autism in Havana to see how things are actually going.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:45:00]
SOARES: U.S. President Donald Trump has linked autism to acetaminophen used during pregnancy, despite decades of evidence that it is safe. He's
also falsely claimed that autism is not present in Cuba because people don't use Tylenol. CNN's Patrick Oppmann visited school with children with
autism in Havana to find out more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Music class at the school for Cuban children is an opportunity to make some noise and have some fun.
The more than 50 children here face a unique challenge on top of all the other challenges of life in Cuba. They've all been diagnosed with autism.
Music therapy is one of the treatments the school offers the kids who range from ages 6 to 18. Immediately, our camera sparks their curiosity and music
class becomes dance class.
For more than 20 years, Cuba's government has operated specialized schools for children on the autism spectrum. In addition to their lessons, kids
here learn life skills like how to set a table before mealtime.
We teach them to eat, to bathe, she says. We help them with socialization, communication, and how to behave, which is an area that's one of the most
challenging for them.
There are 10 schools like this across the island, educators here say, and that there is autism in Cuba is no secret, which is why they tell us they
were caught off guard by U.S. President Donald Trump last month.
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: There are parts of the I mean, there's a rumor, and I don't know if it's so or not, that Cuba, they don't have
Tylenol because they don't have the money for Tylenol, and they have virtually no autism. OK. Tell me about that one. And there are other parts
of the world where they don't have Tylenol, where they don't have autism, that tells you a lot.
OPPMANN (voice-over): Both of Trump's claims that there is next to no autism, and no Tylenol in Cuba are contradicted by the facts on the ground.
OPPMANN: We've already shown you that yes, autism exists in Cuba, and as well for decades, Cubans had readily accessible them in locally- produced
version of Tylenol. But that medicine like many others is becoming harder and harder to find, as Cuba endures the worst economic crisis in years. And
so, Cubans are increasingly having to find medicines like Tylenol on the black market rather than in government pharmacies.
OPPMANN (voice-over): Cuban psychologists studying autism say they're unaware of any link between Tylenol and the condition. The same conclusion
reached by many other scientists around the world.
There are many factors behind someone being diagnosed with autism. It's very unique, it has to do with genetics. There are some factors that are
hereditary, others no.
[14:50:00]
Autism is part of life in Cuba. And it's also true that people with autism face the same shortages that everyone else here does, which the Cuban
government maintains are primarily the result of increased U.S. economic sanctions.
This school has been hit hard by daily power cuts and plummeting salaries for state employees.
We do lack things, she says, to say we do not lack things, materials and tools isn't true, we need them. The human resources we have, which is the
most important.
Despite Trump's misinformed comments, Cubans studying autism tell us they would welcome closer collaboration with the U.S. to further understand a
global health issue that transcends both borders and politics.
Patrick Oppmann, CNN, Havana.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: And still to come tonight, a trio of scientists have won the Nobel Prize for chemistry. We'll hear from one of the winners about the key to
their successful project that is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: Japan's favorite beer brand is brewing again, but beverage giant Asahi is still reeling from a cyberattack that halted production just last
week, leading to shortages at convenience stores across Japan. CNN's Hanako Montgomery brings us her story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Japan's biggest beer maker, Asahi, is running low on its most popular Super Dry. Why? A cyber-attack. It's so bad
that the company had to temporarily shut down production at most of its 30 factories nationwide.
Asahi told us the factories themselves weren't hacked, but their order and shipping systems were, leaving them unable to process deliveries. Asahi
says it's first restarting production of one beer, the iconic Super Dry, and staff are literally taking orders by phone and fax and processing them
by hand. There's still no timeline for when their systems will be fully back.
The company says production has restarted at six of its facilities. Now, obviously, this is a huge concern for loyal Asahi customers who prefer the
taste of the beer to others.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I think I'd feel a bit upset if supply runs out. Even if there are other options, Asahi Super Dry,
especially during the summer, is something many Japanese people go for.
MONTGOMERY (voice-over): And convenience stores, which are major sellers of the Super Dry, are bracing for shortages. 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart
all told CNN they've still got some Super Dry in stock, for now.
Lawson even said, it's prepping backup products just in case.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[14:55:00]
SOARES: Hanako Montgomery there. And finally, tonight, a trio of researchers have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work
in molecular architecture. Their scientists developed metal organic frameworks that pack vast amounts of space into very tiny structures. The
Nobel Committee likened to Hermione Granger's handbag in the "Harry Potter" series, small on the outside, but far larger on the inside. A good
comparison. They said the frameworks could be used to harvest water from desert air or capture carbon dioxide. One of the winners credited the
importance of teamwork with his project.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SUSUMU KITAGAWA, WINNER OF 2025 NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY (through translator): I'm no genius. I just charge head on into whatever strikes me
as interesting and there are plenty of occasions where it doesn't end well. As a result, I think the people around me working on the research must have
had a very difficult time, but it was their support that got us through. That's why chemistry is not about individual players, teamwork is
essential.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: You heard him there. Congratulations to them. As we know in this teamwork, it makes dream work. That does it for us for tonight. Do stay
right here, "What We Know" with Max Foster, speaking of dreamy, is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:00:00]
END
