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CNN Headlines: Firings Underway at Agencies Overseen by National Intelligence Dir.; Second Note Connected to Nancy Guthrie Disappearance Claims She Had Died; Legendary Music Producer Clive Davis Dies At 94; Europe Sweltering Under Record-High Temperatures. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired June 23, 2026 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[05:30:00]
BRAD SMITH, CNN ANCHOR: It is half past the hour. Let's hit the refresh button on our top stories. Large scale job cuts are already underway by acting director of national intelligence, Bill Pulte, according to a source familiar with the matter. Now, the report comes just after top Democrats warned against making this kind of cuts, calling it risky. Bill Pulte oversees 18 intelligence agencies despite having no national security or intelligence experience.
And Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to the Middle East this week. He will travel to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain. According to the State Department spokesperson, Rubio will discuss the memorandum of understanding with Iran, as well as efforts to secure safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
And today, the Supreme Court is expected to release new opinions with several major cases still pending. Those include challenges to birthright citizenship, voting rights and President Trump's firing of federal officials. But as always, it's unclear which cases will be decided or how many rulings we could hear.
More now on this morning's top story, as sources tell CNN, the acting director of national intelligence, Bill Pulte, has begun mass firings. Critics say that this move would jeopardize DNI's mission and leave the country vulnerable to terror attacks. CNN's Alayna Treene has more on this developing story.
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ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRTSPONDENT: Firings have begun at the office of the director of national intelligence. A source familiar with the matter tells us. Now, they didn't give us a lot of details on who is expected to lose their jobs or really how many cuts are anticipated. But what we do know is that Bill Pulte, who was named recently by the president to be the acting director of national intelligence, that he's really been eyeing hundreds of jobs to cut.
Now, a different source familiar with the matter told us that the National Counterterrorism Center and the National Counterintelligence and Security Center were expected to be hit hard. Now, this all comes, of course, as we know, that Trump has really given Pulte a directive to essentially clean house. I know from my conversations with White House officials that really the president believes that many people in that agency, which I should remind you, it was created after 9/11 to oversee and to kind of help coordinate many of the different intelligence agencies, including the CIA and the FBI, but that Trump doesn't really see that job as important, and he believes that there are many leakers in there at the so-called deep state.
And this is actually what one source told our colleague, CNN, about the firings today. They said, quote, "The deep state firings have begun." Now, I'll also say that Pulte is someone who doesn't necessarily get along very well with many people in the West Wing, but he does have a direct line to President Trump. And that was on, you know, display today when we saw the president when he was in the Oval Office for executive order signings.
He actually had Pulte in the room with him and, again, goes to show just how much you really have seen kind of Pulte's presence here, much more so, really, than Tulsi Gabbard, who, of course, Pulte is replacing in the interim. Another thing to note is that we were actually told that Pulte showed up a day early to this new job last week. He was supposed to start on Friday. He showed up at the agency on Thursday.
A lot of people saying he was eager to get in the door early to try and look at majorly downsizing these cuts. White House officials, when asked about this, pointed CNN to a statement that the president had made previously, essentially arguing that his directive to Pulte is to try and really downsize the agency.
But, again, this is something that we've heard from many people on Capitol Hill, not just Democrats, but also Republicans, who are very concerned about Pulte's role at such a high level of domestic intelligence, given that Pulte doesn't really have intelligence experience.
[05:35:00]
And we also heard from some senators today, that include Mark Warner, who sits on the Intelligence Committee in the Senate, and then also Rep. Jim Hines, the Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. They wrote a letter to Pulte encouraging him to not move forward with so many widespread cuts at the agency.
But, again, Trump is really the person around here who makes these final decisions. And for now, this is how he wants Pulte to proceed.
Alayna Treene, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: All right. thank you, Alayna. President Trump says people accused of vandalizing the reflecting pool on Washington's National Mall should face up to 10 years in prison. However, he has not provided any evidence of the alleged damage. Security cameras have now been installed around the pool. And police say that five people have been arrested, while five others received citations. No formal charges have been filed. The pool continues to battle algae and peeling paint, despite a $14 million renovation as Trump pushes to make the water American flag blue.
New images are pulling back the curtain on what has been hidden behind the tarp at the Kennedy Center. Photos obtained by CNN show President Trump's name has been removed from the building, confirming what officials had previously said. Workers began taking it down about 10 days ago, after a judge ruled that the center can only be named for John F. Kennedy.
We are learning new details about a second note connected to Nancy Guthrie's disappearance. She's also the mother of NBC Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie. Investigators say that the note claims that she died shortly after the kidnapping and that the kidnappers didn't mean to kill her. Nancy Guthrie went missing back on February 1st after security cameras at her home in Arizona showed a masked man at her door. Here's Reid Binion with the latest.
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REID BINION, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): New revelations about the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie. According to law enforcement sources briefed on the investigation, a note sent to media outlets in February after Guthrie disappeared said she had died. It came after an earlier note demanding millions of dollars for ransom. Investigators believed both notes were legitimate communications from the person or people responsible for the kidnapping.
JOHN MILLER, FORMER NYPD DEPUTY COMM. OF INTELLIGENCE AND COUNTERTERRORSM: The first note, which comes from the same source as the second note, has certain details about the home.
BINION (voice-over): According to law enforcement sources in the second note, the kidnapper or kidnappers said they did not mean to kill Nancy Guthrie, but that she died shortly after being taken from her home near Tucson, Arizona.
MILLER: Basically said, you're not going to hear from us again. You know, our business is done. Sorry, it worked out this way.
BINION (voice-over): At the time, the family responded with an emotional video on February 7th. The contents of the second note were known to CNN and a Tucson, Arizona television station's local news department that received both notes.
MILLER: At the request of the FBI and at the request of the family kept the contents of the note confidential.
BINION (voice-over): Now, more than 20 weeks since Guthrie was reported missing on February 1st, the Pima County Sheriff's department says the investigation remains active and ongoing.
I'm Reid Binion reporting.
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SMITH: New this morning, a U.S. fighter jet pilot who was shot down over Iran in April says that he saw Iranian drones swarm in jellyfish formation, describing it as a minefield of drones in the air. That's according to four sources familiar with the matter. What's concerning is that U.S. officials were not aware that Iran had the ability to allow an operator to command several drones at a time. Russia and China are believed to have the capability and any development in Iran's already sophisticated drone warfare program would be a concern for U.S. forces and its allies in the region.
A gunman opened fire in Montreal, prompting a shootout with police that killed at least two people, including a police officer. And we want to warn you that the video may be disturbing to some viewers.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Guys, what the -- They're just shooting the cops.
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SMITH: Law enforcement sources believe the shooting was a targeted attack on police. The suspect was later confirmed to also have been killed and police believe that he acted alone. Officials are also examining a so-called manifesto they believe was written by the gunman. The shooting marks the first time a Montreal officer has been killed in the line of duty in two decades.
Argentina's Lionel Messi made history as the World Cup's all-time leading scorer. In fact, just yesterday he scored both goals in Argentina's 2-nil win over Austria. Don Riddell has the details.
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DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: Lionel Messi is just absolutely ridiculous. Another incredible World Cup performance for Argentina today as he continues tearing up the record books. Argentina's iconic number 10 scored both goals in their 2-nil win against Austria, securing his country's passage to the knockout stage and making him continues tearing up the record books, surpassing Miroslav Klose's 16.
[05:40:00]
Remember, this is his sixth World Cup appearance. That's a record. He's going to turn 39 this week but his birthday came early in Dallas and quite honestly, he seems to be getting better and better with age. He scored his first World Cup hat-trick in the opening game against Algeria and if it wasn't for a missed penalty against Austria, he would have had another.
As it is, Messi has scored all five of his country's goals at this World Cup and at this rate, he could be leading them to back-to-back world titles and he's doing all of this while his dad has been battling serious health issues but he's still able to produce these joyful, extraordinary performances. Many fans had already called him the GOAT, the greatest of all time. Messi now seems to be removing all doubt.
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SMITH: News of a blockbuster trade is rocking the NBA world this morning. According to multiple reports, the Bucs have agreed to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Heat. In exchange, Milwaukee will receive four players including Tyler Herro, three first round picks, one pick swap, and one second rounder. At 31 years old, Giannis is a two-time MVP and led the Bucs to an NBA title in 2021.
Hip-hop superstar Missy Elliott is set to honor the late Aaliyah at this year's Essence Festival in New Orleans. The tribute will celebrate Aaliyah's life and legacy nearly 25 years after her death in a plane crash at just 22 years old. The moment will mark 30 years since her landmark album "One in a Million" which Elliott helped create. Aaliyah also performed at the very first Essence Festival back in 1995. The Essence Festival runs July 3rd through the 5th.
And it's a reunion 25 years in the making. The original cast of "Legally Blonde" reuniting to mark 25 years since the movie premiere and to launch a prequel series. Reese Witherspoon in the middle in the signature Elle Woods pink was flanked by her co-stars Matthew Davis, Selma Blair, Ali Larter, Jennifer Coolidge, and Victor Garber in Manhattan on Saturday. Lexi Minetree plays the young Elle Woods navigating high school life in 1995 in the prequel set to premiere next week on Amazon Prime Video.
And Olivia Rodrigo just announced a new all-female music festival for later this summer. It includes Chapel Roan, KATSEYE, Stevie Nicks, and Sarah McLachlan. It's called the Daisy Chain Fields Festival Festival and all the money will go to charities that help women and girls. The show is set for August 29th in Irvine, California.
The music industry is remembering Clive Davis, the man who helped shape the careers of Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Carrie Underwood, Alicia Keys, and many more. He passed away at the age of 94. His family called him a towering figure whose influence changed music forever. Bruce Springsteen said in a tribute that Davis treated him with the same respect as a 22-year-old nobody as he did after all of his success. Perhaps his most famous discovery was that of Whitney Houston, who was just 19 at the time.
Last night on CNN, Stevie Wonder said Davis gave artists that help, that he helped, unconditional appreciation for their talents.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVIE WONDER, SINGER: He would go through any windows, any doors, any places to get them heard. It wasn't about, you know, we can't play them on this station or we can't this. You know, it was as the world should be. It should be color free.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Davis stayed involved in the music world, still hosting his famous pre-Grammy party the night before the awards show every year. His legacy will be remembered for certain.
Next up on CNN Headline Express, how police were able to use a drone to snatch a knife from a suspect, and we've got that story coming your way.
Plus, Merlin the Duck's rise to World Cup fame now has him entertaining a president. More Merlin mania coming up.
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[05:45:00]
SMITH: Let's go around the globe. Today marks 10 years since the Brexit vote in the U.K. Britain's decision to leave the European Union ended the automatic right of U.K. citizens to live, work, and retire across member states. Since then, Brexit has been widely blamed for damage to Britain's economy. You can see protests here about Brexit in London over the weekend. The decision has also been blamed for the U.K.'s deep political instability. The anniversary comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday.
And record high temperatures are driving Europeans to find ways to stay cool. CNN's Melissa Bell reports from Paris.
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MELISSA BELL, SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDINT: It is an intensifying heat wave that is spreading across Europe from Greece all the way through to the west of the continent. Here in the world's fastest warming continent, we are seeing a heat wave that authorities are warning will not just intensify but could prove much longer than average.
[05:50:00]
Already here in France, we've been seeing sweltering temperatures the last few days, including here at the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris. Normally, you're not allowed to swim, but they made a special exception with many people just seeking a little respite from these temperatures. Some of the highest expected here in Paris today, with authorities predicting they could be some of the French capital's highest ever on a record.
We saw it already on Sunday. France had its national music festival, the Fete de la Musique, across the country. In those hardest-hit parts of the country, the public consumption of alcohol was banned in order to try and protect people's health. Authorities are really warning people to stay at home as much as they can.
What we're seeing are these alerts across the continent and across, with red alerts here, across half of France. They're the highest level of alert, with things only likely to get worse. What we expect is an intensification through till Wednesday, Thursday, by which time the heat wave should move northwards. It is in the United Kingdom that they expect their heat wave to come Wednesday and Thursday.
Melissa Bell, CNN, Paris.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Now, despite Europe's heat wave, hundreds are back in the streets of Albania's capital for a fourth week. The so-called Flamingo Revolution started over plans for a luxury resort on a protected coastal wetland. The project has ties to President Trump's family. And now, protesters are also demanding government reform and the resignation of top officials.
It's the hottest World Cup mascot entering the world of politics. Merlin the Duck crashed Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's news conference Monday and stole the show. The feathered sensation has become wildly popular in Mexico for wearing the colors of the national team. Sheinbaum sees the moment, posing for photos with Merlin and his family.
Still to come on CNN Headline Express, headed west, crowds of people waited in long lines early in the morning outside Bucky's newest location. We've got the details of where it is next.
And 2 million bees on the loose. The wild scene that had to be contained after a truck carrying all the bees crashed. We have that story and more on the other side of the break. Stay with us.
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[05:55:00]
SMITH: Netflix has won the bidding war for "Sesame Street's" movie rights. Let's get to Maribel Aber for more on this. Maribel, what are you learning?
MARIBEL ABER, MONEY EXPRESS: Brad, Netflix is telling us how to get to it, bringing one of the most recognizable children's brands to the big screen. The streaming network has secured the feature film rights to "Sesame Street" following a bidding war with rival studios. The movie will be produced by Rideback, the production company behind Disney's billion-dollar live-action hits "Lilo and Stitch" and "Aladdin." Netflix acquired "Sesame Street's" television rights last year. No release date or casting details have been announced.
Bed Bath & Beyond is making a comeback. The retailer plans nearly two dozen new locations nationwide through a partnership with a container store. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2023, but maintained an online presence after its assets were acquired by overstock.com. And remember those famous blue and white Bed Bath & Beyond coupons honored even after they expired. To promote its return, the company is hosting a search for the oldest existing coupon with a top prize of $100,000. Contest details and list of expected new store locations can be found on bedbathandbeyond.com.
Hey, Buc-ee's is expanding west with one of its largest locations yet in Arizona. The newly opened travel center near Phoenix features 120 gas pumps and a 74,000 square foot retail footprint. Officials expect as many as 40,000 vehicles a day to pass through. They say it will bring a couple hundred new jobs to the local economy. Buc-ee's plans several more travel centers between now and 2029 across nearly a dozen states. Brad, what they say is true about Buc-ee's. Cleanest bathrooms I've encountered on the road.
SMITH: OK. That is good to know, especially if I'm traveling through the southwest. I have been to one and it's quite an experience that we'll put it.
ABER: Right.
SMITH: It is just massive sometimes for no reason, but it's also a good thing that they're also expanding. Maribel Aber, thank you so much.
Let's get you caught up on some stories making headlines across the country. We start in California with what's believed to be a first ever for law enforcement. Check this out. Authorities in Sacramento, they used a drone with a magnet to pull a knife from a man's hand. Deputies say it happened last week as they tried to arrest a wanted parolee who ran inside and hid in a garage. They sent in a robot dog, a police canine and a drone. Video shows the drone finding the man passed out inside and grabbing the knife before deputies moved in.
Police have arrested a man connected separately to a hotel fire, killing six people in New York on Monday. Investigators say he's been charged with several counts of manslaughter and arson. The cause of the fire is still under investigation there.
And also, in Texas, a massive tire fire blanketed this southeast Houston neighborhood in thick, billowy smoke. A crew of hundreds jumped into action, including firefighters, arson investigators and a hazmat team. No word on what caused the fire, which one firefighter called very difficult to battle.
And imagine opening your door and finding 2 million reasons to stay inside. That is exactly what happened in Texas after a truck carrying.
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