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One World with Zain Asher
Israeli Strikes Kill Dozens Across Gaza; Hamas Warns of "Dangerous Escalation" After Israeli Strikes; Trump Signs Bill Directing DOJ to Release Epstein Files; Democratic Veterans in Congress Urge Troops to Defy Illegal Orders; Judge Weighs Prosecutorial Misconduct Claims in Comey Case. Aired 11-11:30a ET
Aired November 20, 2025 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
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BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN HOST, ONE WORLD: Hello, everyone. Live from New York. I'm Bianna Golodryga. Zain is off today. You are watching "One World". We
begin with new details about the reported peace proposal for Russia and Ukraine being worked on by the White House.
Land concessions and a reduction in the size of the military, that's what the Trump Administration would expect from Ukraine, among other promises
allegedly listed in the 28-point plan. According to a source familiar with the document, which President Trump has reviewed, the proposal would
require Ukraine to cede the Eastern Donbas region, parts of which it still holds.
Ukraine would also be required to cut its military capabilities. For more on this CNN's Kevin Liptak joins me from Washington, D.C. You were part of
our reporters working on this story for us yesterday. Kevin, taking a lot of Europeans, catching them off guard, taking them by surprise.
And a lot of concern among Ukrainians, as well as to what these concessions could mean for Ukraine, whether Ukraine would sign off on them. And in
return, what kind of military security guarantees they would be getting. Talk us more through this plan.
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yeah, and I think it's important to point out that this is right now a framework. Nothing has been
finalized. And when you talk to American officials, they say that this is still a back and forth, and that some of the points that are being now
described to us aren't necessarily finalized.
Nonetheless, the way that this plan is being depicted is essentially a win for Russia in a lot of ways. You know, ceding the entire Donbas region,
which Ukraine still currently partly holds, would be a major concession, as would any plan that requires them to limit the size of their military.
When you talk to White House officials, they do say that this plan would still obviously require some buy in from the Ukrainians, and that it will
still require concessions from the Russians, but what precisely those will be haven't yet been detailed. Now, President Trump has reviewed it.
He has signed off on it, and it is still under discussion. It was the sort of brainchild of Steve Witkoff, the president's foreign envoy, who has been
quietly working on this for the last month or so. In a lot of ways, it sort of reflects what the president was able to do in Gaza, you know, put
together this multi-point plan and encourage both sides to come to an agreement on it.
And I think it's evident that the White House views this as something of a moment they think, and they have said this, that the Kremlin might be more
willing to agree to a peace plan at this point, more than they were previously. But I also think they see a window in Ukraine as well as
President Zelenskyy appears politically vulnerable as this corruption investigation creeps closer and closer to his inner circle.
They may see him as more willing to sign off on a peace plan as he sees his own political future on the line. And so, there's a lot of development that
will go into this going forward. I thought it was interesting what the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said last evening on social media,
describing this as, quote, a list of potential ideas, I think making pretty clear that this is not finalized yet.
But I think you know, when you listen to President Trump and when you listen to officials, they are making pretty evident that they do believe
that now is the time for these two sides to come up with some kind of agreement. You know, President Trump has made no secret that he is
displeased, yes, with Putin, who he says he thought he would be able to leverage his personal relationship with to try and bring this war to an
end, but also with Zelensky.
They have obviously had an up and down relationship over the last 10 months. And President Trump is frustrated that this war appears no closer
to ending than it was when he came into office. And so, you see how all of this is developing relatively quickly. Now there is a top-level Pentagon
delegation in Ukraine now led by the Army Secretary, Dan Driscoll.
Part of what they're doing is trying to get an assessment of the battlefield conditions and what Ukraine says that it needs going forward.
But it's also intended to try and restart some of these peace negotiations. And certainly, they will, I think, get an earful from the Ukrainians about
what they think should be included in this proposal before any negotiations can really get underway.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah, this seems to have been in discussion.
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And working with Steve Witkoff, is Kirill Dmitry who is a Special Economic Envoy for the Kremlin, but notable that the Kremlin has once again denied
any involvement in these peace talks. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov repeatedly saying now that we have nothing new to add to what was said in Anchorage
following that summit between Vladimir Putin and President Trump.
Nonetheless, it does appear that some talks are happening behind closed doors moving forward. Kevin Liptak, thank you so much. Meantime, Poland is
pointing the finger at Russia over this week's attack on a railway line on its soil, with the foreign minister telling CNN that it was a deliberate
attempt to kill Polish citizens.
The attack destroyed a crucial line used to deliver aid to Ukraine. Russia denies the accusation, but Warsaw insists that the explosion was
intentional.
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RADEK SIKORSKI, POLISH FOREIGN MINISTER: We've just been a victim of Russia's deliberate attempt to cause a rail crash, by incompetence and
miracle, a train was not derailed, but the intention was clearly to kill Polish citizens. We had arsons before. We've had assassinations in other EU
countries before, but this was an attempt, and we know which GRU unit tasked the perpetrators to cause mayhem and death.
It's completely unacceptable, and as part of our response, I've just decided to spend $100 million on American weapons to be delivered to
Ukraine.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Doubling down on aid to Ukraine there the Polish Foreign Minister reiterating to CNN. We're going to turn now to Gaza, where a new
round of Israeli strikes has killed at least 32 Palestinians, including 12 children. That is, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Hamas
is calling the strikes a dangerous escalation, and is asking the U.S. to pressure Israel to respect October's ceasefire agreement.
Israel says that the strikes were in response to Hamas attacking IDF soldiers. Hamas has denied that. Nic Robertson joins me now live from
Jerusalem. And Nic, there had been concerns about the fragility of this ceasefire. I believe there are returned hostages who are now in Washington,
D.C., that are scheduled to meet with President Trump later today.
What more can you tell us about this latest round of violence?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yeah, we've heard a little bit more from the government spokesperson, which is illuminating in
a number of levels. As you say this, we're in a period here where the ceasefire seems fragile, despite the fact there's a U.N. Security Council
resolution, but the measures that it calls for are far from in place.
And therefore, the potential for misunderstanding, provocation exists, and this is, as you said there, the IDF said Hamas fired first. Hamas said that
they didn't what we've heard from the government spokesman adds layers of detail to that. Government spokesman just said that two or a number of
terrorists had fired shots at the IDF, which -- but in the area where the IDF were operating, which the IDF then responded to.
And that came after another incident that the government spokesman said had happened where people they described as terrorists had crossed over the
yellow line. That's the line in Gaza that separates the Hamas control part with the Israeli control part that these -- had these terrorists had
crossed over the IDF said, and had been neutralized, killed by the IDF forces there.
But what I found very interesting about the government spokesman had said, because yesterday it was reported that the IDF had informed the United
States before striking back into Gaza yesterday, the government spokesman said we did not seek permission from anyone yesterday, before we struck
back, we verified the data, she said.
But then the strikes went ahead, and as you said, the strikes deadly. 32 people, 12 of them children killed, 8 of them women. 88 people injured, and
apparently because of a contested piece of information, what Hamas did, what the IDF says they did, what Hamas said they did or didn't do.
And that's what the international stabilization force that's envisaged in the Security Council resolution, the border peace. All of that is it hope
to stop the abstinent being in place. These sorts of ceasefire collapses, temporary short they happen.
GOLODRYGA: Nic Robertson, thank you so much. Reporting live from Jerusalem for us.
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Well back in the U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are urging the White House not to slow walk the release of the Epstein files with one
Republican warning it would be a quote, big mistake. President Trump signed a bill into law on Wednesday night directing the Justice Department to make
public all documents tied to the convicted sex offender.
The DOJ now has 30 days to release the materials, but concerns are growing that they may try to block the documents. Just last week, Trump called for
the DOJ to open a new investigation into high profile Democrats linked to Epstein, even though just four months earlier, the Justice Department said
there was no evidence that could lead to other charges.
CNN's Alayna Treene joins me now live from the White House. And Alayna the president now trying to change and direct the narrative here that this bill
was only passed because of his insistence and pressure on the Republican Party, clearly knowing that this was one of the few times where he seemed
to lose the majority of his own base on this particular issue.
Nonetheless, in terms of other documents, other revelations coming to light, what is the likelihood now, over the course of the next 30 days?
ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: I think it's very likely, essentially, because Bianna, because Congress was the one that passed this,
you know, and we've reiterated this reply over the past several days that the president himself could have ordered the Justice Department to release
the files at any time.
He did not need Congress to do it. But now having the weight of the House and the Senate voting, and not just voting, essentially nearly unanimous,
except for one Republican voting, to have this bill pass and then having the president sign it, the Justice Department is compelled to produce these
documents, otherwise they could face some of the officials who may be involved in trying to hold documents back, could face contempt of Congress
and other issues.
But as you said, just to walk you through what we can expect timeline wise, the Justice Department has 30 days now to publish the documents, release
the documents that they have in their possession. They also, in this law, are required to redact all of the names of the victims and try to protect
their identities.
But as you mentioned, the concerns and where things could be a little bit murky are when any of the documents relate to an ongoing investigation. The
Justice Department does have the right, as laid out in the text of this new legislation to withhold information and withhold materials that are
relating to ongoing criminal investigations.
And that really is going to be a decision, Bianna, that is up to the Attorney General, Pam Bondi, as well as the FBI Director, Kash Patel. And
so, from my conversations with people here in the Trump Administration, they essentially argue that they recognize most of these materials are
going to need to be released.
They expect that, but there's also definitely the likelihood and also expectation that many documents may have to be withheld. And just looking
at what we have gone through, what this Trump Administration has gone through with the American people, many of whom have been fixated on the
Epstein files for years now, and that's people on both sides of the aisle.
This is not really a partisan issue. I don't think they will settle for less than all of the material that the Justice Department has. We did hear
Attorney General Pam Bondi being asked questions about this yesterday, and she said that they will release everything they can to and to comply with
the law, but she wouldn't go further than that.
And so, I think that raised some skepticism as well. And just one other quick thing, I do want to remind some of our viewers about what they can
expect actually from these files. Just letting them, you know, giving them a little insight into what's actually in these boxes at the Justice
Department.
There are 300 plus gigabytes of data, paper, video, photos and audio, we're told, including memos on the investigations, potential targets, search
locations and records to subpoena. There's also, of course, a deluge of witness testimony and conversations with investigators, and also, as we saw
last week, likely more documentation from Epstein himself, through emails and letters, et cetera.
And so really, I think the bottom line here is that this is something that the survivors of Epstein's abuse have been fighting for months now. It was
a moment they weren't sure was going to come. And now the key question is when they will actually see the information that has been promised and
really compelled by this new law that the president signed.
GOLODRYGA: And the president himself to blame for many years now also pushing for transparency on this issue, and really driving this argument
for the release of all of the Epstein files, and creating questions is whether or not there's a cover up within his own base, and that's what's
been driving it, and now all of a sudden, he's having to reap what he sowed.
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It's interesting, in his post on Truth Social yesterday, again trying to control and change the narrative, saying the Democrats have used the
Epstein issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our amazing victories.
The president trying to save face on this issue, where clearly, he lost the majority of his own base on one issue, but we'll see if that leads to other
divisions within the party. Alayna, I do want to ask you about something else that's raised some eyebrows, the president threatening half a dozen
Democratic lawmakers with death after they urged members of the military to disobey potentially illegal orders. What more do we know about this?
TREENE Yeah, there is a remarkable series of reposts and posts himself from the president this morning in response to a video that roughly half a dozen
lawmakers they were previously members of the military or served in the intelligence community, they posted a video these members yesterday urging
military and service members not to obey orders that are illegal.
Now I want to read to you how the president responded. He essentially called for the arrest of these lawmakers and then added in one post called
it, quote, seditious behavior, punishable by death. I mean, just an incredible jump that the president made this morning and threatening some
of these lawmakers.
I'd remind you as well that the Trump Administration, the president specifically, has been trying to argue that he is against political
violence. So, some very tough rhetoric from the president this morning. And look, I think just to get into this and to break down some of this.
We did hear the Attorney General Todd Blanche say that the Justice Department is going to be investigating this video, investigating what the
lawmakers say. But I remind you that service members are required to follow the law and they are also required to try and disobey illegal orders as
well.
That's something I mean, look back to the Nuremberg trials. That's not anymore, a legal defense for people. And so, this is not going to be the
end of this. There is going to be a briefing, Bianna, from the White House Press Secretary at 01:00 p.m. I'm sure that this is going to be one of the
main questions that she has asked today.
GOLODRYGA: Extraordinary that this issue is even being raised. Alayna Treene, thank you so much. And still to come for us as America says goodbye
to Former Vice President Dick Cheney, we're told some very notable names were not invited to the funeral. We'll tell you who exactly, coming up
next.
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GOLODRYGA: The U.S. Justice Department's case against Former FBI Director James Comey is in serious danger today, following some explosive
revelations in court. It was revealed in court on Wednesday that Donald Trump's hand-picked prosecutor in the case, Lindsey Halligan, did not show
the final version of the indictment to the entire grand jury.
That's one of several controversial actions Halligan is said to have taken as she secured an indictment against Comey for allegedly lying to Congress.
The Justice Department is forcefully defending Halligan, saying her actions were perfectly normal and within the law.
[11:20:00]
But the judge in the case sounded highly skeptical as he questioned the prosecutor on Wednesday. Our Crime and Justice Correspondent Katelyn
Polantz, is tracking this developing story. I'm no legal expert like you, Katelyn, but just judging by everything we heard from what transpired in
the courtroom yesterday, I don't know how that could be described as perfectly normal.
We know that the defense here, James Comey's defense, is saying this is grounds for throwing the entire case out. Where do things stand now?
KATELYN POLANTZ, CNN CRIME AND JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, they haven't made that argument formally yet, but that is something very, very likely to
come in these court proceedings. How this landed yesterday was very unexpected in the courtroom.
And you could see you don't even have to be a legal expert, just someone in the courtroom could have seen how shocked the judge was, totally stunned
into silence. Did not know how to respond, and made sure he was hearing correctly. Had them repeated. The prosecutor said the indictment against
James Comey two charges that document had not been presented to a full grand jury.
Lindsey Halligan, the Interim U.S. Attorney, she had only had the grand jury foreperson sign it after the fact, two hours after deliberations,
after the grand jury had voted on a different version of the indictment that included an additional charge that they didn't approve. Now, in this
case, there's a lot of questions on the table.
There are other arguments to have this case dismissed by James Comey's team that have nothing to do with this grand jury revelation. We're waiting to
see what will happen with those we are expecting a judge to rule at some time on whether Lindsey Halligan, the U.S. Attorney, has the authority of
her office to even bring this prosecution in the first place.
And then the other thing that is right now happening is that James Comey's team, not only will they be responding by tomorrow about this revelation in
court on the grand jury document, they will also be responding about whether they deserve the grand jury transcript to see exactly what was said
by prosecutor, excuse me to the grand jury.
That is something the judge is looking at. Now, should they get those transcripts? And one of the reasons they may is because there are these
alleged irregularities in the way the investigators behave. So, a lot building in this case.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah, two arguments the defense making whether Lindsey Halligan was appropriately appointed and whether this is vindictive prosecution. And
of course, that would apply to the case against in the indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James as well.
She's making similar claims in her defense. Really pivotal moments in days ahead, I believe the judge said that they would rule before Thanksgiving.
So, any day now, Katelyn Polantz, you're keeping a close eye on it for us. Thank you so much. Well, family, friends and current and former political
figures from both sides of the aisle are saying goodbye to Dick Cheney.
The funeral is underway at Washington's National Cathedral. You are looking at a live video inside the church. A source telling CNN that neither
President Trump nor Vice President JD Vance were invited. Cheney, a lifetime hardline conservative, spoke out against Trump in recent times, as
did his daughter, Liz Cheney.
CNN's Jeff Zeleny joins us from outside of the cathedral. A real who's who former elected officials, Former President Bush, under whom Cheney served,
is expected to speak as well. It goes without saying that there was no love lost between the Vice President, Former Vice President and President Trump.
What is the mood like from those that you've spoken to about his legacy and the rift that the Trump team and the Republican Party, especially those in
the room right now, have had over the last few years?
JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bianna, of course, the funeral service is going to remember the life and service of
Dick Cheney, but that certainly cannot be discussed without really what happened in the final years of Vice President Cheney's life.
It was the January 6th attack on the Capitol that really changed vice president Cheney's view of President Trump and this era of the Republican
Party. And of course, he so famously broke with his party one year ago, saying he would put country over party. He called Donald Trump the greatest
threat to our Republic, and he endorsed Kamala Harris for president.
So now, as his body is being taken down the aisle of the Washington National Cathedral, it is going to go right by Kamala Harris. It is going
to pass every former living vice president, as well as President George W. Bush, as you said, it really underscores the current moment inside the
Republican Party, the divide between the pre-Trump era and the post Trump era.
[11:25:00]
But today is a day really remembering Dick Cheney, a controversial figure through his service, no doubt, the architect of the Iraq War, the
interrogation policies that of course, were so controversial, not only here in the U.S., but indeed around the world. But Dick Cheney stands alone as a
towering figure.
Serving as the youngest chief of staff ever to President Ford in the wake of Watergate and Vietnam, going on to serve as a member of Congress in the
80s, the defense secretary to President George H.W. Bush in the 90s, and then, of course, the vice president, the 46th Vice President of the United
States.
So, it is one of these moments in Washington that represents a bygone bipartisan era Vice President JD Vance, not on hand, but he did say just a
few moments ago, sending his acknowledgments and respects to the Cheney family, but noted he had many differences with him, as we have all well
known, Bianna.
GOLODRYGA: No doubt, and there you see behind his casket is his daughter, Liz Cheney, with whom he stood one of the few actually in the Republican
Party stalwarts that said they put country ahead of party when they publicly endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 elections.
We are expected to hear from her and Former President George W. Bush shortly. Jeff Zeleny, thank you so much. Appreciate it. And do stay with
CNN. There's more "One World" in about 30 minutes time. I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere, but CNN "Creators" is coming up next.
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