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Rep. Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), Is Interviewed About Appeals Court Holds Hearing On Trump's "Alien Enemies" Flights; Hostage Talks In Limbo As Israeli Offensive In Gaza Intensifies. Aired 11-11:30a ET

Aired March 24, 2025 - 11:00   ET

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

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[11:00:43]

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now, breaking news. In just a few moments, President Trump will hold a cabinet meeting over at the White House. Elon Musk will also be there.

Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. Pamela Brown is off today. I'm Wolf Blitzer. You're in The Situation Room.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is CNN Breaking News.

BLITZER: A lot of very fast moving stories coming into The Situation Room this hour. But first, breaking news, at any moment, President Trump is expected to hold the second cabinet meeting as President. The last gathering just under a month ago included an advisor not confirmed by Congress, not a former member of the cabinet. We're talking about Elon Musk. Senior administration officials say he will attend this cabinet meeting as well. CNN's Alayna Treene is joining us now. She's over at the White House on the North Lawn. Alayna, what are you learning?

ALAYNA TREENE, CNN REPORTER: Well, Wolf, as you said, this cabinet meeting is going to kick off any moment now. We've already seen several cabinet secretaries arrive here at the White House and enter the West Wing. People like Marco Rubio, Doug Burgum, Tulsi Gabbard, Linda McMahon, all of them trickling in ahead of this meeting.

Now, I do want to focus on what you said, which is two Trump administration officials have told me that Elon Musk is going to be attending this cabinet meeting as well. Now, when I've talked to White House officials about this, they said he's going to be a regular features at these different meetings, in part because they want him to be checking in with the secretaries in front of the President to hear what they are doing, to carry out their mission under the Department of Government Efficiency.

Now, it's notable as well because the last time the President had a cabinet meeting, we know that Musk and many of the cabinet secretaries were actually clashing. We had reported on how behind the scenes many of these different secretaries were starting to get a little bit frustrated with Musk and what he was directing the different agencies to do. So, we'll see how everything goes today.

Of course, there are many issues at top of mind for several Trump administration officials, most notably the talks right now occurring in Saudi Arabia. I believe Mike Waltz, national security advisor, is expected to be in this meeting. And, of course, as I said, we saw Rubio enter as well.

So, right now, it's unclear if we're going to get any live updates from this. In the past, we have had press, we've seen press, a select group of them go into this meeting and were able to ask the secretaries as well as the president questions. As of now, though, Wolf, the White House has not formally announced that this is actually happening.

The only reason we know this is because we were told this by two Trump administration officials. So, stay tuned for more on this. But, definitely, a newsy day for all the secretaries to be convening.

BLITZER: And we'll see if the media is allowed inside to at least monitor the top or some of that cabinet meeting and see if they can ask a few questions of the President and others as well. We'll see what happens. Alayna Treene over at the White House, thank you very much.

Also, just a short time from now, the Trump administration is launching a major new legal challenge right here in Washington. An appeals court is about to hold an emergency hearing on the deportation flights to El Salvador. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the flights, saying the, quote, Aliens Enemy Act of 1798 cannot be used to deport alleged gang members.

U.S. Justice Department lawyers are about to challenge that ruling. Joining us here in the Situation Room right now, CNN's senior justice correspondent, Evan Perez. Evan, what are you expecting to emerge from this very important meeting?

EVAN PEREZ, CNN SENIOR JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Right. This -- this hearing, Wolf, is going to focus on whether the judges even have a right to intrude on the President's declaration, right? The -- the administration is -- is taking the point of view that this judge, Judge James Boasberg, exceeded his authority by halting these deportation flights. And they say that the president's use of this 17 -- 1798 law has been used in wartime three different times.

That using it in this context is not reviewable by the courts. And they are pointing out to the fact that the State Department has decided that these men, just more than -- more than 200 or so immigrants, are subject to this law. They can be sent to El Salvador to this prison.

[11:05:07]

There's at least 100 of them who are being declared members of the Tren de Aragua gang. Now, this morning, Judge Boasberg has already pushed back on another effort by the Justice Department. He's saying that these migrants have a right to contest they're -- they're -- they're being declared enemies of the United States. Reading just a part of what he said this morning, he says, even assuming that the proclamation itself is lawful, all five named plaintiffs, there are five people suing under this, in this case, challenge their designation as members of Tren de Aragua. The court holds that they may do so under the Administrative Procedures Act, and they may not be removed from the United States until those challenges have been adjudicated.

So he's saying, look, we can avoid the discussion of whether or not I have -- I have a right to review the Alien Enemies Act, which is what the -- the administration is using. He's saying these migrants have a right to contest their designations, something, by the way, that the Justice Department agreed to during the hearing last week. Wolf, one other thing that we're keeping an eye on is the judge is still waiting to -- to -- to decide whether the administration violated his order, because you remember, these planes were in the air carrying these migrants to El Salvador when he declared that they should turn around, they did not turn around, and the -- the -- the immigrants were sent to El Salvador. They're now being held in that notorious prison in -- in El Salvador.

BLITZER: You're going to have a very, very busy day today, Evan. Thank you very much. Evan Perez, reporting for us.

Joining us now, Democratic Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett. She's the Virgin Islands delegate here in Washington, serves on the House Intelligence Committee, the Budget and Ways and Means Committees as well. Congresswoman, thanks so much for joining us. First of all, what's your reaction to these flights and the Trump administration's decision to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798?

REP. STACEY PLASKETT (D-VI): Well, I have to say, Wolf, thank you for having me first. I have to say that as a former prosecutor and as a former member of the Justice Department in the Bush administration as a political appointee, we are seeing the absolute disregard for the rule of law in this country.

Every president has stood down when a federal judge has asked them to and used the court system to challenge them by appealing or taking it to the Supreme Court. This President and his administration believe that they are above the law. We knew this before he came in office, and he's executing on it now.

BLITZER: We've learned, Congresswoman, that the administration dropped charges against an alleged key MS-13 gang leader and handed him over to the Salvadoran government. Investigators believe he had information that could implicate top Salvadoran government officials and possibly corrupt deals with the gang. Are you concerned by this development?

PLASKETT: I'm concerned about how they are conducting their immigration deportation policies, seizing of American citizens without due process. While we know that many of these people may not be American citizens, they are immigrants, whether they are here illegally or through the process, there is a -- we rely on our rule of law to ensure that every individual is afforded whatever the law has given them the rights to. And by handing them over without adjudication, that is extremely troubling.

As a member of the Intelligence Committee, we know that our cooperation and discussion and the rules that we have put in place with other countries ensures that Americans as well are safe when they go to other countries. We would be aghast if this were to happen to an American overseas, and we need to ensure that we are operating under the same rules that we would expect our own citizens to have when they're somewhere else.

BLITZER: Amidst all of this, we're learning that Elon Musk is slated to appear at the President's upcoming cabinet meeting, supposed to start in a few minutes. You've said Congress has abdicated its duty by allowing them to access key government agencies. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski says her party is afraid to speak up against Musk. Is she right?

PLASKETT: She's absolutely right. Listen, I have seen members of Congress who have the largest number of Medicaid recipients in their districts in the country agree to removing almost a trillion dollars from Medicaid because they are afraid of going against their billionaire donors and specifically against Elon Musk, voting against the interests of their own constituents because they are afraid of what Elon Musk can do to them.

[11:10:03]

All of us recognize that he has inordinate power because he has not only the purse, but because of his social media monopoly in many ways. But we have got to agree that America is more important than one man. And I believe that the Republicans, unfortunately, have removed the authority that our constitution and that our founders gave them to be a check and a balance against the President and against the executive branch by absolutely conceding to them and allowing them to do anything they want.

Wolf, we have asked, Democrats have requested that Elon Musk come and present to us what his plan is in Congress. Because we are in the minority, we cannot force him to come. We cannot issue a subpoena without the agreement of the Republicans who in the majority. They refuse to even have him come to Congress and explain to us what he's doing. It's unheard of in this country. And it's taking us down a dark road.

BLITZER: Your colleague, Representative Jim Himes, has said that following the funding bill fight that, quote, I think we can do a lot better job with the leadership that we had, and says he hopes Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and the House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries will be more united going forward. Do you think that's possible? You're a delegate in the House of Representatives. Or does the party need to consider new leadership?

PLASKETT: Well, listen, one of the benefits of someone who doesn't vote on final passage is that I get to watch everybody on the floor. And I get to understand where members, their pressure points are. And I have to say that Hakeem Jeffries did a masterful job of keeping more than 200 people in sync and voting against the continuing resolution, which was not a clean resolution to continue the government, was a 99- page of changes of cuts, because he wanted to force them to the bargaining table again.

I think it was masterful. And it was very strong in terms of his leadership of House members. We are a coalition, not a cult. And his ability to keep that coalition together, I think, really spoke for himself. I would hope that the Senate would continue to work with the House on what are the priorities and how do we execute on the priorities of the American people. Forty Senate senators voted with the Democrats in terms of not allowing that.

But I have to say that all of us have at top of mind the American people, everyday hardworking American taxpayers. How do we ensure that they -- that Republicans don't shut down Social Security? How do we make sure that our children continue to have a public education system that works for every student? How do we ensure that our elders are able to get the checks that they worked so hard for by putting in money into the system? And how can the least of us, in terms of Medicaid, those and veterans, get the services that they can?

And I know that Leader Jeffries is going to work with Senator Schumer and whomever else needs to be at the table to ensure that we are continuing to fight for hardworking American taxpayers.

BLITZER: The Virgin Island delegate to Congress, Stacey Plaskett, thanks as usual for joining us.

PLASKETT: Thank you. Thanks for having me.

[11:13:28]

BLITZER: And still ahead, the two months of ceasefire in Gaza saw dozens of hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners. But now that Israel has restarted airstrikes, what does it mean for those still being held? I'll speak with the father of Edan Alexander, believed to be the last surviving American hostage in Gaza. Stay with us. You're in the Situation Room.

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BLITZER: New this morning, CNN is learning that Israel is considering a massive new military offensive inside Gaza that it will -- would involve thousands of Israeli troops. Even as the fighting intensifies, negotiations -- negotiators hope to resurrect a ceasefire and free the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza. Edan Alexander is believed to be the last living American hostage in Gaza.

Last week, before the fighting resumed, Hamas offered to release him and the bodies of four other hostages. Joining us now is Edan's father, Adi. Adi, have you heard anything at all from the Trump administration about the state of the negotiations or the Hamas offer to release your son?

ADI ALEXANDER, SON EDAN HELD HOSTAGE IN GAZA: Yeah, the latest we have, it's, again, it's Hamas's willingness or whatever they released like this morning, that they are willing to let go five living hostages as a bridging proposal by Mr. Witkoff. And -- but no official, we have no official notification about it. So my guess, it's -- it's in process and it's -- it's on the table.

BLITZER: Adi, what have the last few weeks and months for that matter been like for you, thinking Edan could be released, then the ceasefire falling, falling apart with the situation now apparently even bleaker? What -- what -- what's it been -- what's it been like?

ALEXANDER: It's really like an out of body experience. You know, it's ups and downs. And we really hope that the military pressure, the current military pressure will be targeting only one objective, get those five people out as soon as possible and to get everybody back to the bargaining table.

[11:20:03]

BLITZER: As you know, there've been large protests in Israel from hostage families and others opposing this latest Israeli military assault inside Gaza, fearing it could undermine efforts to bring the remaining hostages home. What's your feeling?

ALEXANDER: It's rightfully so. People are marching in thousands and they're all over the -- all over the streets in Israel, not only on the Saturday nights as it used to be. And I'm in total solidarity with those -- with those protests. I mean, this war is going on for too much, for too long. And we don't have to get in love with the war. We have to end it and not to restart the -- the old wars.

BLITZER: So what's your message to the Netanyahu government right now?

ALEXANDER: The message is simple. I mean how do we plan to get the last hostage out without ending the war and without committing to the second phase of this deal? This deal was outlined a long time ago, so we just have to commit to that and pass it over the finish line.

BLITZER: You know, I want to play for you, Adi, some very, very moving comments by Auburn University's basketball coach this weekend. He's playing in the -- in the March Madness, his team. He talked about your son and the other hostages in Gaza. Listen to this.

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BRUCE PEARL, AUBURN MEN'S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH: I believe it was God's plan to give us this success, success beyond what we deserve, to give us this platform, to give me an opportunity to start this press conference really briefly and remind the world that Edan Alexander is still held hostage in Gaza right now. An American held hostage. And there aren't enough people in this country that know his name. So I asked the players if it was OK if I started out this press conference and just called out the name of an American. Bring the hostages home.

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BLITZER: That's the Auburn coach, Bruce Pearl, speaking very movingly, including about your son. How do you feel when you hear that kind of support? ALEXANDER: What a great man, such a great coach and a great team. We spoke yesterday over the phone, actually. We were invited to the Friday's game. Hopefully my son someday will be attending the school. And this -- this day is close. We feel that.

BLITZER: And we hope your son comes home very, very soon. Adi Alexander, thank you so much for joining us. Good luck.

ALEXANDER: Thank you, Wolf.

BLITZER: Up next, as the Trump administration works to dismantle the Department of Education, some public school parents have just filed a lawsuit to try and save the agency. And they're getting help from the NAACP.

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[11:27:15]

BLITZER: An appeals court is about to hold an emergency hearing on the Trump administration's deportation flights to El Salvador. CNN crime and justice correspondent, Katelyn Polantz is outside the court for us. Katelyn, tell our viewers what's at stake.

KATELYN POLANTZ, CNN SENIOR CRIME AND JUSTICE REPORTER: Well, Wolf, this is about whether the court here can be a stop on the road before the administration takes people out of the country or sends people on flights, in this case, to El Salvador, where they're being held in a prison offshore, losing control over these people who were in the U.S. and deemed by the State Department, by the Homeland Security Department, people that needed to be removed from the U.S. This is a case about big questions that we haven't had fully answered by the courts yet, but something that the Trump administration keeps wanting to test, the power of the presidency, specifically Donald Trump's ability to make decisions like these, to send people out of the country as he's making deals with these foreign governments, can he do that without having a judge putting parameters or even saying, like in this case, we don't think you can use this act, that you're using the Alien -- Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to take these men out of the country, Venezuelan migrants, and putting them to El Salvador in prison?

Now, the lawyers for those men, they are going to be arguing quite a lot today that this is a slippery slope, that there needs to be the ability for these men to have hearings, due process, before they're removed from the country. But the administration over and over keeps saying, he's the President, he should be able to make calls like this, and when we deem it a national security issue, like it is in this case, that's where the administration is on their argument. That they should be able to remove people at will on immigration matters. So an important case, an important hearing at an appeals court here in Washington this afternoon. Wolf?

BLITZER: We'll see what the federal appeals court decides. Katelyn Polantz outside the court for us, thanks very much. Also happening right now, Education Department employees are getting just 30 minutes, just 30 minutes to enter their offices, gather all their belongings and then leave. It comes just days after President Trump signed an executive order to begin -- to begin dismantling the Department of Education. CNN spoke to one worker who was forced out after decades and decades of service.

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[11:29:47]

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel devastated. You know, I've been working at the department for 35 years come March 26, and I feel that I had to -- I was pushed out to retire. And it feels devastating to me, you know. You know, coming here, packing up my bags, you know, and not knowing when I'm going to get a next paycheck, you know --