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40M Plus at Risk of Losing Food Stamps; Foiled Potential Attack Involved ISIS-Inspired Plot; Abby Zwerner Takes the Stand; Deadly Flooding Hits New York City. Aired 10:30-11a ET

Aired October 31, 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: On day 31 of the ongoing government shutdown, more than 40 million people are on the verge of losing supplemental food benefits, notably with children accounting for about 39 percent of those who received the benefits and people over 60 making up nearly 20 percent.

Starting tomorrow, food stamp funding is set to dry up, impacting one in every eight Americans who are increasingly worried about how they will afford groceries.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm very concerned. I don't know what I'm going to do. I know you can go to food pantries and stuff, but it's going to be so out of control. I mean, you might be standing there five, six hours to get any food.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm at every food bank I can find to keep my kitchen full for my children.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It would be a matter of, do we eat or do we pay rent? And right now, the way things are going, it looks like, you know what, let's just pay rent.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It won't stretch. It doesn't. So, we'll pull from other parts of our budget, and that means my kids will go without.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: After being absent from the shutdown fight for days, President Trump is back here in Washington after an overseas trip, and he's not wasting any time getting back into the ring with Democrats or members of his own party, for that matter. Late last night, the president took to social media and called on Republicans to go nuclear and scrap the filibuster to bring the shutdown to an end.

Let's go live now to CNN Senior Reporter Annie Grayer on Capitol Hill. Annie, how is the president's extraordinary demand here being received by Senate Republicans?

ANNIE GRAYER, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Well, the top Republican in the Senate, Leader John Thune, has been against this idea, and I just got a statement from his spokesperson saying that Thune's position has remained unchanged even after the president's fresh demands on Senate Republicans. And that is because the 60-vote threshold in the Senate is really the bedrock of the institution. It's what requires both parties to have to work together on issues like government funding.

Now, both parties have explored this idea of eliminating the filibuster at various points in time, but have always stopped short of doing it. Because while it's nice, while you're empowered to be able to pass your priorities more quickly, if you're ever in the minority, getting rid of the filibuster really eliminates any seat at the table that you may have. So, take a listen to how Leader Thune expressed his opposition to this just a few weeks ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN THUNE (R-SD), MAJORITY LEADER: There's always pressure on the filibuster, sure. Yes. I mean, you know, you -- there are folks out there who think that that is the way we ought to do things around here, simple majority. But I can tell you that the filibuster through the years has been something that's been a bulwark against a lot of really bad things happening to the country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GRAYER: So, now the question is what Trump's demands are going to do to the beginnings of bipartisan negotiations that were starting to happen on Capitol Hill really throws a wrench into the beginnings of goodwill that was starting to build between Senate Democrats and Republicans.

But the Senate is not in session today. And the pressure to come to a deal to end this government shutdown is only mounting. The real pains of this shutdown are building. Federal workers continue to go without pay. And starting tomorrow, over 40 million Americans are going to lose their food assistance and start to go hungry.

[10:35:00]

So, the pressure is on. And the president getting involved with this demand doesn't seem like there's broad appetite among Senate Republicans, but shows that he understands that the pressure to act and create an end to this stalemate is only building, Pamela.

BROWN: All right. Annie Grayer, thank you so much. We'll continue to track this. And as this goes on, millions of Americans are caught in the crosshairs. Joining us now to discuss the real-life impact of the government shutdown on everyday Americans is Deb Haynes. She is the executive director of Food for Others, a food bank and pantry in Northern Virginia. Deb, thanks for coming on. First of all, what are you experiencing at Food for Others, especially with the SNAP benefits about to expire?

DEB HAYNES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FOOD FOR OTHERS: Good morning. Thank you so much for having us on today. What we're experiencing is an increase in demand. There's some uncertainty in Virginia because Virginia has opened up the emergency nutrition assistance, where they're going to be paying a quarter of the SNAP benefit each week to SNAP recipients out of state funds. But they've never done this before. So, we're not entirely certain how this will actually play out in action next week. So, I'm expecting a 20 percent increase in demand.

BROWN: And are you prepared for that 20 percent increase? Do you have enough food for the people who might come?

HAYNES: We have been preparing. We've ordered an extra two truckloads, about $40,000 worth of supplies into our food pantry to get us through the next week, week and a half. And we're just going to see as it spikes, do we have to keep ordering more?

BROWN: And we heard one American say, look, you know, I could go to the food pantry, but the line is going to be four or five hours potentially. Is that your expectation where you are or what do you think?

HAYNES: We think it's entirely possible. We normally have about 4,000 visitors to our food pantry in a month. And if it jumps to 5,000, there will absolutely be lines. We're actually going to switch from our normal choice model, where a visitor can get a grocery cart and shop, and instead we're going to go to packing boxes because we can move people through faster by distributing boxes. It's not our preference, but it's the only way to get it out to everybody.

BROWN: To be more efficient and get as many people in and out as you can. And we should note you do serve an area that's home to so many federal workers, many who are furloughed right now, others still working, but without pay during this government shutdown. What are they telling you and your staff when they come to your food pantry?

HAYNES: So, we are seeing a lot of first-time visitors, and they're experiencing a lot of shame about coming to a food pantry. These are folks who never thought they would do that. And so, they're confused. They don't know how it works. They've never done this before. And they're very uncomfortable with the whole process. So, we're trying really hard to be as warm and welcoming and calm as possible to make the experience easier for them.

BROWN: Thank goodness they have you all. And that is just so sad to hear, you know, that they're feeling shame having to go there. And I'm wondering, you know, you guys have been operating for so many years, 30 years, I believe. You've been through other shutdowns before. How does this one feel different?

HAYNES: The duration of it, and the fact that we're not seeing any movement. So, it's hard to know what to put your hope on. And it's compounded on the fact that here in this area, there's 80,000 federal workers in this county, plus the contractors, and then all of the service industry folks that depend on them for their income. So, they were already suffering from the reduction in force. And then you put the furlough on top of it, and it's really getting scary for folks.

BROWN: And what about for kids? You know, I mean, you think about all the kids who are going to be impacted by these SNAP benefits going away, potentially. What are you seeing and hearing on that front?

HAYNES: Yes. So, we have a weekend backpack program for Fairfax County public school students, and we serve 45 schools. And our wait list just jumped to 12 more schools, because more schools are realizing that these children are not going to have any food resources at home, and they want to try and get as much food home through the school as possible.

BROWN: Wow. Deb Haynes, thank you to you and everyone else who works with you for just helping all of these vulnerable Americans in this really uncertain time. We appreciate it.

HAYNES: Thank you so much.

BROWN: Coming up, the emotional testimony from the Virginia teacher shot by her six-year-old student in class. She tells a jury she thought she died that day.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:40:00]

BROWN: We have an update on the breaking news from the top of the hour. The FBI says it foiled a potential terrorist attack plan for the holiday Halloween weekend in Michigan. Law enforcement officials now describe the plot as ISIS inspired. I'm going to bring in CNN's Brynn Gingras. We now have some new details. Brynn, what are you learning?

BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, two sources, Pam, telling us what you just said there, that this was ISIS-inspired. That's what the initial investigation is showing. Sources telling me and John Miller also learning, though, that this plan somewhat unfolded in chat rooms online. And sources telling John Miller that there was an FBI undercover detective who was inside in those chat rooms sort of getting wind of this plan in the early stages.

What we've learned is that there was a growing concern when those chat rooms brought up a, quote/unquote, "pumpkin day." And that's when authorities decided that they needed to move in. We've learned again from sources of John Miller saying that two people have been arrested and three people right now are being questioned in connection with this alleged plot that was thwarted. And the ages of those individuals range from 16 to 20 years old. So, younger individuals.

[10:45:00]

Now, earlier today, Pam, we heard from Dearborn Police and the FBI field office in Detroit talking about how there was an investigation ongoing in Dearborn and Inkster. Those are suburbs, as you see there, of Detroit. They put out notice that the public does not need to be alarmed, that there is no current threat, but we're still waiting to get a little bit more details about what this thwarted plot was, that the FBI director tweeted about this morning, but certainly that is a little bit more information.

It does appear that it was ISIS-inspired and in some sort of, you know, beginning process of this plan that was undercover -- that an undercover agent, rather, got wind of. Pam.

BROWN: Right. So, I think that that's also an important detail here, an FBI operative agent was part of this, is a sting operation, hoping for more details on how close this was to being actually operational. So, we'll look for more details, but this helps fill in some of the blanks we've been having that it's ISIS-inspired plot, according to two sources. Brynn Gingras, thank you so much. We appreciate it.

Well, jurors in the $40 million civil suit filed by a former teacher shot by her six-year-old student will reconvene on Monday, and they have a lot to process this weekend. Abby Zwerner took the stand Thursday in a Virginia courtroom. You might have heard it on the show just yesterday, and she recounted the moment back in 2023 where the first grader shot her in class. Here's some of her dramatic and emotional testimony.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ABBY ZWERNER, TEACHER SHOT BY FIRST GRADER: Obvious, I thought I was dying. I thought I had died. I thought I was either on my way to heaven or in heaven, but then it all got black. My next memory is I see two co-workers around me, and I process that I'm hurt, and they're putting pressure on where I'm hurt.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: Zwerner still has a bullet in her chest. She is suing the former assistant principal for damages, saying that she failed to act after several people voiced concerns that the child had brought a gun to school. CNN's Jean Casarez has been covering this for us. Jean, let's just listen to a little bit more of Abby Zwerner's testimony. Here she is talking about the child's expression right before he fired that shot.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZWERNER: The look on the student's face is -- a large memory that I have, I do remember, it was like a very blank look, but it wasn't a blank look at all on his face.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And is that why you lifted your hand? Did you know what was about to happen?

ZWERNER: Yes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: You know, Jean, when you listen to that, you can just feel the trauma for her having to relive that moment, right? And she spent more than an hour on the stand. What moment stood out to you?

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, I've watched this a couple of times now, because I've just wanted to, and I learn every time I watch it. What you just showed right there, you saw her eyes, she paused, and she couldn't even talk anymore after she said the look on his face. And it was like she was reliving what was happening. And the plaintiff's attorney had to step in, and that's why you put your hand up? You saw a gun? And remember, she was shot through her hand and into her chest.

You know, it started off, the examination, pretty normal. She was quiet and soft. But it was talking about what was posted in the room, children's behaviors, what the obligation is of the teacher. Tier three, if there's a gun in the possession of the child, you have to immediately tell the school administrator. And the teacher next to her actually did that. She said, I'll do this. You stay with the kids. Keep your eye on him.

But back to where she talked about that she thought she died, it's very interesting what she describes right there. She describes what she thought was happening to her, and then there was black. And then after that, she went into this trance. And I watched her eyes, and it was not, from what I saw, intentional. Her eyes were just sort of like moving around and glazed. And the direct examination was pretty quick because she just wasn't talking.

[10:50:00]

Now, on cross-examination, they were very aggressive. And they were saying, you didn't go up to that child and ask if he had a gun. You didn't take his book bag and take it outside of the room. You didn't go down to the assistant principal. And, you know, question after question. And, you know, legally, we talk -- say that this is victim blaming. The defense is trying to do this because this is all about liability. Will that assistant principal be responsible for her reckless behavior that she didn't engage at all in any of this?

And then, of course, the monetary damages. And they're trying to bring those damages down to put some of the responsibility on this gunshot victim. And how will the jury respond to that? We do know defense case starts on Monday. They're going to have a lot of witnesses. They're flying in expert witnesses to testify, probably definitely about the liability, the non-responsibility of the assistant principal. And then also monetarily, there aren't too many damages here, if any at all, that should be awarded. I think that will be the focus.

BROWN: And the defense has argued that the assistant principal, Dr. Parker, was focused on standardized testing at the time, right?

CASAREZ: Right. Yes. But according to policy, she is the trained person for that elementary school that takes over in a crisis situation, any type of crisis situation. So, that's the problem right there for the defense.

BROWN: All right. Jean Casares, thank you so much.

CASAREZ: Thank you.

BROWN: Coming up, deadly flooding in New York City after torrential rain turned basements into death traps. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:55:00]

BROWN: Quarterback Lamar Jackson is back for Baltimore and apparently, he isn't hamstrung by his hamstring injury anymore. He put on quite a show last night in the Ravens 28-6 win over Miami. So, let's bring in stand-in sports anchor Andy Scholes. Andy, what's the latest?

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Well, Pam, you know Ravens fans get an early Halloween treat last night. You don't have to three games with the hamstring injury. Lamar Jackson was back against the Dolphins. It was his first game in more than a month, and Lamar said he felt a little bit rusty but it sure didn't look like it.

First quarter hits Mark Andrews for the short two-yard touchdown and that duo wasn't done in the first half. Second quarter, Lamar to Andrews again. This one for a 20-yard score. The Ravens were up 14-6 at half and Dolphins just couldn't get anything going all night long. Their fans so frustrated right now. They booed the team over and over again. Lamar ended up throwing four touchdowns in his return. The Ravens went big 28-6, get to 3 and 5 on the season. Here was Lamar afterwards on being back.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LAMAR JACKSON, BALTIMORE RAVENS QUARTERBACK: I just wanted to get out there with my guys, to taste the game. You know, unfortunately I couldn't. But it was just great to be back, man. Like I said, get a dog.

JOHN HARBAUGH, BALTIMORE RAVENS HEAD COACH: We had two games that we needed to win in four days and they were absolute must-wins, both of those two games. And for our guys to step up the way they did and to step out the way they did and to play the kind of football they did with their backs to the wall on the canvas, all right, and get back up and do what they did is commendable.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: All right. Meanwhile in San Antonio, I imagine one of the most popular Halloween costumes this year will be an alien with a Victor Wembanyama jersey on. What Wemby is doing this season thus far, just out of this world. He had 27 points, 18 rebounds, and five blocks last night. First, he beat the Heat 107 to 101. You know, they had so many great teams in San Antonio over the years with Tim Duncan, David Robinson, but this is the first time in franchise history that they have started a season 5 and 0.

All right. finally, trick-or-treating is going to have to be either early if you live in Toronto or super late if you're in Los Angeles. That's because tonight, Game 6 of the World Series. The Dodgers' season is riding on the arm of their Japanese ace, Yoshi Yamamoto. He threw a complete game masterpiece in Game 2. Now, after the amazing Game 3, Shohei Ohtani, really quiet in Games 4 and 5. Will he break out again tonight? Well, Blue Jays sure hope not, and their manager, John Schneider, says this team couldn't be more excited about being back home with a chance to win it all. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN SCHNEIDER, TORONTO BLUE JAYS MANAGER: I can't wait. For one, it's nice to be back here, you know what I mean, and sleep in your own bed, but I can't wait to see what this place is like tomorrow. You know, watching it on video from across the country with the people here watching, never seen anything like that, never seen a watch party like that. So, I'm just -- I'm excited as hell to see what this place is like tomorrow. The guys are too, they're talking about it as well. We can't wait. You know, you kind of want the game to start right now, but it should be fun.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Yes. And, Pam, we'll see if the Dodgers are able to force a Game 7 Saturday night, or will it be a party there in Toronto? And I tell you what, the Blue Jays are able to win this game tonight, it's going to be a Halloween that the entire country of Canada never forgets.

BROWN: That is true, but I got to say, it's tough to beat Ohtani. You know, we'll have to, we'll have to see how it plays out.

SCHOLES: Fingers crossed for me, I want Game 7. Game 7 of the World Series is as good as it gets.

BROWN: I do too. I do too.

SCHOLES: Yes.

BROWN: I know, I completely agree. So -- all right. Andy Scholes, great to see you. Happy Friday, happy Halloween. Thanks so much.

Well, New York City is cleaning up after a round of severe and deadly weather. Torrential rains flooded basements in some areas, and at least two people died. And record rainfall cascaded into subway stations, delaying trains as crews raced to clear out the standing water. And some intersections were submerged because of clogged storm drains. Mayor Eric Adams says the city's sewer systems were simply not built to handle that level of constant rain.

The next hour of The Situation Room starts right now.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News.

BROWN: Breaking news, terror attacks --

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