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The Situation Room

Investigators Search for Motive in Fertility Clinic Explosion; Trump and Zelenskyy's Conversation over Ending War in Ukraine; Trump's Phone Call with Putin Begins. Aired 10:30-11a ET

Aired May 19, 2025 - 10:30   ET

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


[10:30:00]

PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Let's get back to one of our top stories this morning. Investigators have identified a 25-year-old man as the suspect in the explosion at a fertility clinic in California. He was the only person killed in the blast. Because of the condition of the remains forensic testing will be conducted to fully identified the body.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Authorities say they believe the suspect wrote what they describe as a manifesto on his anti-pro-life views and his intention was to live stream his attack. Steve Moore is with us right now. He's a CNN law enforcement contributor, retired supervisory FBI special agent. Steve, thanks very much for joining us. Police are searching for this at the -- searching the suspect's home we understand right now what are authorities looking for at this point in this investigation.

STEVE MOORE, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTRIBUTOR AND RETIRED SUPERVISORY FBI SPECIAL AGENT: Well, they'll be looking for a combination of things. First of all, you want to get any kind of explosive media -- or explosive devices out of the home and away from people that it could hurt. You also need to get in there and get all of his social media stuff, that he could find out -- or that would help them find out what this guy was thinking and who he was talking to. It's very important to understand where he was getting his ideas from and whether they were assisting or they could copycat this crime.

BROWN: Right. Because he left behind this manifesto apparently on his anti-reproductive views. What more can investigators learn from that?

MOORE: It's going to be hard because, you know, there's really nothing to ever justify something like this, but they're going to be looking for the reason. And it -- every single group like this -- I mean, this is a group that most people have never even heard of is -- they're basically anti-life. And so, they're going to need to know a lot more about this organization and whether anybody assisted or provoked or even motivated this person to attack like this.

BLITZER: Steve, how could the suspect in this case obtain the amount of materials needed to set off such a substantial explosion?

MOORE: Well, there's several ways you can do it. First of all, some explosive materials are easily obtained. You have, lawn fertilizer has some explosive components in it. Diesel fuel is used in these things. It is surprisingly easy, unfortunately, to get -- to legally obtain amounts -- large amounts of certain explosives or material that can be turned into an explosive.

[10:35:00]

There are some restrictions on how much you can buy, but if you have a lot of time and you're not in a hurry, you can accumulate some in a month, and then next month you can accumulate some and you can find -- you can get to the point where you have probably well over a hundred pounds or maybe hundreds of pounds of explosives, which is why he needed a vehicle.

BROWN: Authorities say that the suspect appears to have acted alone here and that there is no further danger to the community. But of course, you know, there's always the concern of copycat attacks. So, how do they determine that level of confidence?

MOORE: You pretty much have to have a, an absolute certainty before you tell the public that there is no further danger. So, by the time the FBI or -- and the police were saying that there was no further danger, they had obtained enough information to convince them that he was a lone actor and that there was nothing out there that would indicate that he had any kind of accomplice. And it may be that he mentioned that he was alone, that he did these things alone, or it could be simply social media and his writings.

BLITZER: Based on what we know now, Steve, we're warning signs missed here?

MOORE: You know, it's really hard to say that warning signs were missed. There were some indicators. I mean, when he was a young kid, he apparently burned the family house down. That's a big deal. But it was expunged from his records. Then he has been involved in building small rockets, smoke bombs, things like that. These are all a disturbing pattern, I think anybody would agree. But you can't go out and take any child that has had an accident with matches or has made smoke bombs or firecrackers and stuff like that and declare them a threat.

So, the problem is you've got warning indicators, but these warning indicators can be somewhat universal. So, there's a problem there. And you'd really want to know why, in 2016, the courts wanted him to go into counseling. Again, that seems to have been hidden from the public.

BROWN: All right. Steve Moore, thank you so much. And coming up, we're going to be speaking with the police chief of the Palm Springs Police Department that's at 11:00.

BLITZER: In our next hour. And just ahead, crucial conversations. President Trump has begun his phone calls for a ceasefire in Ukraine. We're going to bring you all the latest developments. That's next.

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[10:40:00]

BLITZER: There's more breaking news we're following right now. President Trump just held a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine about ending Russia's war in Ukraine. The president had been expected to start his diplomatic calls today with the Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Let's go live to CNN White House Reporter Alayna Treene right now. Alayna, update our viewers. Yesterday, the White House said he would speak with Putin first at 10:00 a.m. Eastern, then speak with President Zelenskyy and then speak with some NATO leaders. But that schedule has changed. What's going on?

ELENA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: That's how it appears, Wolf, according to our colleagues, our international reporters at CNN, that he actually had already spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Now, we also know according to a U.S. official who told this to our colleague, Kevin Liptak, that the president's phone conversations with Vladimir Putin have also kicked off just moments ago. All of this, of course, you know, very notable and significant because there is so much pressure right now on this administration.

We've been hearing it now from Secretary of State Rubio yesterday, who also met with Zelenskyy in person, alongside Vice President J. D. Vance that really now is the moment they have to decide whether or not Putin is serious about wanting to actually and ultimately agree to a ceasefire and try to find peace between those two countries. And that's really what we heard Vance say this to reporters today, that this phone call is about.

Now, the White House has been very skeptical to talk about, you know, expectations for this, whether or not the president is going to really push for Putin to agree to a ceasefire. And if he doesn't, what does that mean? Will the president -- President Donald Trump push for more sanctions, as we've heard, many people, Republicans and Democrats alike say that Trump should be doing? All of that unclear.

Now, we were promised from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt this morning that we would get a readout from some of these calls once they wrap. Again, we now know, according to a U.S. official, that the president's phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun.

This typically -- I just want to give you some insight. Those calls typically take longer because there is a translator involved. So, it's unclear, you know, when these are actually going to wrap. But we were promised that we would get some sort of readout from this White House, whether it's the press secretary or from the president himself. We know he often likes to post about these calls on social media.

We are also expected to see Trump in public at a Rose Garden ceremony later today. So, again, hopefully, we will get more details. But these calls have begun, maybe not exactly in the order that they had laid out. You know, now it's appearing as if Zelenskyy and Trump spoke first. Now, he's speaking with Putin. But hopefully, more information to share with you soon, Wolf.

[10:45:00]

BLITZER: And there's some indication that after this phone conversation with President Putin, President Trump will speak again with Zelenskyy and brief him on how that Putin call went.

TREENE: Yes, exactly. And this has been really interesting to note, you know, the difference in relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy. I think it's very notable, including with his vice president, again, who met with Zelenskyy in person yesterday. I mean, this is a far cry from that Oval Office meeting that really devolved into chaos and was very negative earlier this year.

Now, we've really seen a change in rhetoric and posture from this White House and specifically President Donald Trump toward President Zelenskyy. We know that they have been trying to work on their relations. They obviously met together on the sidelines when they attended Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican. And so, we are seeing a tone and posture.

At the same time, we're also seeing a change in rhetoric toward the Russians. President Donald Trump and many of his top officials have grown increasingly frustrated with how Putin has been handling these talks, and I think that's going to be really the key about that phone call that is occurring right now, Wolf.

BLITZER: All right. We'll see what happens. Alayna Treene at the White House for us. Alayna, thank you very much.

Let's get some serious analysis right now. Joining us, Ambassador Richard Haass, the president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations. Ambassador Haass, thanks so much for joining us. What does this apparent change in schedule say to you, Trump speaking first with Zelenskyy now with Putin, and then going back to Zelenskyy for another round of conversation afterwards.? What if anything does that signal to you?

RICHARD HAASS, PRESIDENT EMERITUS, COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS: I take it as a good sign. It's the way things ought to go, Wolf. You know that. You should always consult with your partners and allies before you consult with, you know, one's adversaries. I also think it sends a message to Putin that the United States and Ukraine are a bit closer. So, it, you know, makes it more difficult to think that he's got a lot of daylight that he can exploit. So, again, I think it's to the good, even though all that said, I would be somewhere between surprise and shock if this call with Putin today were somehow decisive.

BLITZER: President Trump has previously said he doesn't think there will be a significant breakthrough on the peace talks until he and Putin actually speak directly, which they -- what is what they're doing right now? What are you expecting out of today's phone call?

HAASS: Very little, at most probably, you know, some agreement on when the two of them may have their bilateral meeting. But I don't think we're going to get towards peace, Wolf, until the United States makes a strategic decision to back Ukraine. Now, by strategic, I mean, long-term open-ended military and intelligence support both to get to a ceasefire, to basically dissuade Putin of the notion that time is on his side.

And then, if you ever do get to a ceasefire to keep one. We don't want Putin to see it as a pause only then to resume the war. But that would mean this administration has to make a big strategic policy commitment to Ukraine, and we'll see if they're willing to do it.

BLITZER: As you know, last week, Russia and Ukraine actually held their first direct talks in three years, three years of this war. But the Trump administration is not necessarily convinced Russia is sincere in seeking a peace deal. Here's what the Secretary of State Marco Rubio said yesterday. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARCO RUBIO, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: So, they're tapping us along. Well, that's what we're trying to find out. We'll find out pretty soon. They met last -- yesterday or the day before in Turkiye. From that they agreed they're going to exchange paper on ideas that get to a ceasefire. If those papers have ideas on them that are realistic and rational, then I think we know we've made progress. If those papers, on the other hand, have requirements in them that we know are unrealistic, then we'll have a different assessment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: So, ambassador, what happens if the White House concludes that Russia is not genuinely interested in peace?

HAASS: Well, they're going to have to make then a tactical decision whether they go ahead with a bilateral meeting with Putin. I think that would be fine. I've never seen diplomacy as a reward. I've seen it as a way of promoting or pursuing your own interest. What I really hope is they then gather in the Situation Room or the Oval Office, the administration, the president, Marco Rubio and others, and have a serious conversation about what would it take to change Putin's calculations. And at the risk of repeating myself, Wolf, I don't know any way to do it other than getting closer to Ukraine.

Secondary sanctions against Russia are not going to do the trick. Putin just has to be disabused of his confidence that he can win this war and that time is his friend, and that it'll take that much. And the real question, if Donald Trump wants to get this peace he clearly seems to want, he's going to have to adopt a much tougher policy towards Russia or a more supportive policy towards Ukraine.

[10:50:00]

BLITZER: As you know, over the weekend, Russia hit Ukraine with its largest drone attack of this three-year-old war. What does that say to you about the Kremlin's desire to actually end this war and how does that factor into these continuing talks right now? HAASS: I expect it says the same thing to me as it says to you, Vladimir Putin is, shall we say, insincere about any interest in peace at this point. He thinks he can continue to gain territory in the east and he thinks he can continue to wear down Ukraine and get the United States to essentially embrace, quote/unquote, "peace terms" that are pro-Russian rather than fair and reasonable.

And so, again, we have someone -- let me put it this way, Wolf. No mediator, whether it's Witkoff or the president or anybody can make peace more than the protagonists want. And we have one protagonist, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who's prepared to make peace or at least accept ceasefire on reasonable terms, you have the other who's not.

So, either the United States tries to jam Ukraine with a wildly unfair, one-sided approach, which won't work, or the United States changes its position, becomes more supportive of Ukraine in terms of material and more balanced in its diplomacy. Obviously. I'm hoping that happens.

I'm actually thinking there's a chance Putin's overplaying his hand. And we're beginning to see something of a reassessment in the Trump administration about whether Putin's willing and able to be a partner. If he's not, I hope the administration essentially goes back to the drawing board and comes up with a more balanced policy, which by the way, has a much better chance of succeeding.

BLITZER: Yes, I suspect we'll find out very, very soon how this unfolds. Ambassador Richard Haass, as always, thank you very much for joining us. And we'll be right back.

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[10:55:00]

BLITZER: From Scottie Scheffler capturing his first PGA Championship to the Thunders game seven route to reach the NBA Western Conference finals. Plus, a comeback win for Journalism. Yes. Journalism at the Preakness, it was an action-packed weekend in sports.

BROWN: We were certainly biased, right?

BLITZER: Love that name.

BROWN: Rooting for Journalism to win the Preakness. CNN's Carolyn Manno joins us now with the latest from the course and the track. All right. Carolyn, run us through the stats and the scores.

CAROLYN MANNO, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Well, it wasn't an easy final round for Scottie Scheffler. Let's start there. But it certainly beats last year's tournament because you both might recall that he was arrested a year ago at the PGA Championship for a misunderstanding in his car that was ultimately dismissed. A very different story on Sunday afternoon.

The world number one, winning his first PGA Championship. Finishing Sunday's final round of Quail Hollow, 11 under par. He gave away his lead early on three Bogey on the front nine, but John Rahm falter late, that opened the door again for Scheffler. He birdied 14 and 15 and he never looked back. And Scottie now joins Tiger Woods and Jack Nicholas as the only players to win three career majors and 15 PGA tour titles before the age of 29.

Meantime, Oklahoma City is heading to the Western Conference Finals after what was ultimately a dominant 125-93 win over Denver. Relentless defense is a team hallmark, and at six-foot-five, Alex Caruso really did a great job on Denver superstar Nikola Jokic. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring a game high 35 to help sent OKC to its first conference finals appearance since 2016.

And you guys mentioned it. It was Journalism for the win over the weekend at the 150th edition of the Preakness Stakes. The Kentucky Derby winner, the runner up in the Derby, the winner at the Preakness storming back ahead of the final stretch, breaking through traffic in a thriller that came down to about a half-length. No triple crown implications here, guys with Derby winner, Sovereignty, prepping for the Belmont Stakes in June. But still, so exciting to watch Jockey Umberto risk break through traffic there and get the win.

BROWN: That was so exciting.

BLITZER: All of us journalists were rooting for --

BROWN: For Journalism.

BLITZER: -- Journalism. We're happy Journalism won. All right. Carolyn Manno, thank you very, very much.

BROWN: And coming up, we're going to be joined by Maria Shriver to talk about her work to fall to fight Alzheimer's as the FDA approves a new blood test to help diagnose the disease.

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