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Interview With Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI); Solar Spectacle; Protests in Big Bend National Park. Aired 10:30a-11a ET

Aired August 12, 2026 - 10:30   ET

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

[10:30:02]

ED LAVANDERA, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: And just to kind of give you a lay of the land of where we are here, that entire cliff, that sheer cliff you see on the side, that's the Mexican side of the Rio Grande.

That is 1,500 to 2,000 feet high. And in the last week or so, there have been crews that have started -- and I will kind of point you back this way. We're looking toward the east over here, through the brush over there. And crews have started clearing out a roadway.

The Customs and Border Protection officials say that it is the beginning stages of surveying to build what they will -- what they describe as a surveillance road. But, obviously, this is going to stretch for hundred several hundred miles throughout this national park.

This is a massive area. If you have never been down here, the park itself is bigger than the state of Rhode Island. So this is a massive area. These projects include in some places outside of the national park and the state park a border barrier, the 30-foot-high wall.

Other places include vehicle barriers and also more construction of these roadways. But the entire project at every level is incredibly controversial around here. In town, we're seeing signs all over the place stopping, trying to build momentum to stop the construction of this wall.

All of the construction work or the contractor crews are being brought in here. We have seen a lot of businesses that are putting up signs that they're refusing to serve or to welcome the workers who are working on these projects into restaurants and bars and cafes and that sort of thing.

So, the intensity and the anger over the situation continues to intensify here, and that will only continue to do so. Many of these protesters feel that this is kind of -- they're -- this is the beginning of the project that they're trying to stop. There are a number of lawsuits in the works as well.

Customs and Border Protection say that there are no plans to build a border wall through the national park, just this surveillance road, as well as high-tech surveillance and that sort of thing. But that does not come -- is not something that the many of these protesters and opponents of this plan are very trustworthy of.

The initial plan for the plan in here in Big Bend did include a border wall, but, in recent months, CBP and the Department of Homeland Security have backed away from that. But this is the beginning stages of this project that is incredibly controversial, and many people say it's simply just not needed in an area where, as one sheriff that we talked to said, God created a border barrier here. We don't need any more.

PAMELA BROWN, CNN HOST: So, what is the Trump administration's argument here? Why do they say it's necessary?

LAVANDERA: Well, this is what they say is part of their -- the Big Beautiful Bill, $46 billion that was awarded to the Department of Homeland Security for this kind of border security.

Obviously, the Trump administration has made border security their -- one of their key ideas and things that they have been pushing for, for several years. They say that this is an area that needs that kind of surveillance, and in other areas where they do want to build the border wall, they say that they're trying to can control the flow of illegal immigration.

But critics say, look, there are just not the numbers that you see anywhere else along the U.S. southern border. As I mentioned off the top of the report, the number of crossings that you see here is about 1 percent of the overall apprehensions that you see along the U.S. southern border, Pamela.

BROWN: All right, Ed Lavandera, thanks so much.

And coming up: solar spectacle. A rare sunset total solar eclipse will be seen by millions, but many folks in North America will be out of luck. How you can still see it for yourself up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:38:05]

BROWN: Breaking news: David Crowley, the establishment backed candidate projected to defeat Democratic Socialist Francesca Hong in the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary, just delivered a victory speech. And here's some of what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID CROWLEY (D), WISCONSIN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: I especially want to thank representative Francesca Hong. Her campaign reminded people across Wisconsin that there are no long shots when it comes to believing in a better future and fighting to expand opportunities to every family.

That kind of passion, it strengthens our democracy. And I look forward to earning their support and everyone who participated in this campaign as we move forward together.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: Joining us now in THE SITUATION ROOM to discuss is Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens of Michigan. She recently ran in the Michigan Senate Democratic primary, but lost to Abdul El-Sayed.

Thank you so much for coming on, Congresswoman. We really appreciate it.

I'm just curious how you're reflecting on last night's election results in your neighboring state of Wisconsin, in which Democrats chose a moderate candidate, someone more like yourself, instead of a progressive candidate more like Abdul El-Sayed?

REP. HALEY STEVENS (D-MI): Well, OK, to be very clear, I do not know Crowley or Hong. I have never met them.

But I'm watching the news. I'm seeing what's going on. I have been reading about them. And I just think, very similar to my race, this is the best of democracy. The people are coming out to vote. It was an exercise in enthusiastic election.

David Crowley, 40 years old, he is the Milwaukee executive. So, holy smokes, he is so ready to go run a big state like Wisconsin. And this Tiffany that he's running against, I serve with him in the House, and he is a nice guy, but he is kind of narrow, all right? And he's deeply conservative, and his big priority is wolves. He wants to hunt wolves.

[10:40:01]

I'm not kidding. He's talked to me about it many times on the House floor. Crowley, on the other hand, is an executive operator. And I think he's moving and grooving to this governorship, and it's amazing. Also, 40-year-old black man? We're seeing black men like Donavan McKinney in Michigan win a big primary.

This is cool stuff. It's a good time to be a Democrat.

BROWN: Can I just follow up on the wolves thing? What...

STEVENS: Yes.

BROWN: You said he wants to hunt wolves?

STEVENS: I swear to God.

BROWN: Like, are you saying he's distracted by this priority? Or what's the -- what's going on there?

(CROSSTALK)

STEVENS: It's all he talks about. Pamela, I swear to you, it is all this man talks about.

I -- listen, I've been to Wisconsin many times. I did a bunch of business there, door-knocking there. By the way, there's some great small businesses in Milwaukee. I had one of the best hot chocolates of my life. They got this Blue Hour Coffee there, the Discourse Coffee, Goddess in the Bar Coffee.

BROWN: OK.

STEVENS: All the TV people who are there should go to those small businesses.

But I'm telling you, Tiffany is not connected to the small businesses and the needs of Wisconsinites. And you can get some other people on your show and who will tell you how -- I mean, he's just obsessed with changing the gun laws or the hunting laws to hunt wolves. He -- it's all he talks about.

BROWN: Well, he's welcome to come on the show any time, and we'll certainly ask him that question.

Just going back to the race and then the results, unlike Abdul El- Sayed, Francesca Hong is a Democratic Socialist. El-Sayed is not, though he does share some views with DSA candidates. Why do you think this race played out so differently in Wisconsin than it did in Michigan?

STEVENS: Well, I think they're kind of similar, to be honest. I mean, they're -- you had a lot of Dems vote, very close. News flash, people like Democrats.

Hong, in and of herself, she's in the Assembly. It seems like she know -- she knew Crowley, that they knew each other. I don't know too much about what she's doing with the socialism stuff. I think that's maybe a little -- it's probably a little too much for some people, but I know the young people like it.

But I'm not real -- I'm not into it. I kind of call myself a Democratic labor capitalist. And, I mean, look, Dems are going to win big in November. I mean, exciting big primaries, I was part of one in 2018 myself there and won that time, which is a good thing, I guess.

But, of course, you always want -- you work on these races to go and win them, but they also mean something. And this was a good, spirited race that meant something to the people of Wisconsin. I'm really excited to see David Crowley's vision for this state just to the west of mine, sharing the Great Lakes.

Jocelyn Benson, who's running for governor in Michigan, she wants a partner on the stewardship and the care of the Great Lakes. We want Democrats who believe in investing in science and having the research and the connection to how we keep our water safe as well.

BROWN: So you have come out in support of Abdul El-Sayed since the results, that you lost to him. What more are you doing to ensure he beats the Republican candidate, Mike Rogers, in November? And what do you say to those undecided voters who feel El-Sayed is too extreme?

STEVENS: Well, look, there's a ton of campaigns going on, right? And you're good to ask me about Michigan, because I care deeply about Michigan. And I'm on the Democratic team. You know, I'm just going to be very

honest with everybody. I had a good, spirited, tough-as-nails primary with Abdul. He won. He's going to do a ton more for health care than Mike Rogers ever will. He will stand up for women's health as well.

And he has rejected socialism, which I appreciate. You know, look, there's -- it's one big race in my state of all the big races. I'm a sitting Democratic congresswoman. I'm going to be firing up all the people in my district to get out to vote. I'm going to the neighboring district in Macomb County. It's an open congressional seat.

Every viewer should go and plug into Christina Hines, who's running in the 10th District. She's a mom on a mission. She's a special victims prosecutor, and I'm helping her out as well.

BROWN: How much do you think the anti-Trump sentiment among the Democrats in your state will galvanize them to get behind El-Sayed?

STEVENS: I'm hearing a lot about that, I will tell you.

I had a bunch of money spent on my campaign, right? So everybody recognizes me when I'm out and about. I was at a nice little diner with my dad in Troy, Michigan, after church on Sunday, and people were talking to me. And some who opened up, particularly our retirees, they are really worried about Trump's abuse of power, and they want a check on it.

They don't want to see this seat go to a Republican. And so I'm just saying to everybody, hey, are we fired up to go and vote in November? People are. They're fired up to vote.

[10:45:10]

BROWN: What are you finding among the Jewish voters? Are they concerned?

STEVENS: You know, look, there's going to be a private and personal decision made by Michigan's Jewish community.

I deeply respect and cherish the relationship that I have with Michigan's Jewish population. I am a Zionist Democrat. I'm saying that live on CNN. I'm standing by the Jewish community. They're going to have -- it's not just the Senate seat, but we have got a governor's race, an attorney general, secretary of state, these congressional races.

Jeremy Moss is running to replace me in the Congress. He's a real, real phenomenal lawmaker who cares a lot about democracy and election protection and has done some great work in our state legislature on that. And Jeremy's Jewish.

I went to Jewish summer camp with his sister. I have known Jeremy my whole life. And so he's carrying water. So am I. And, look, as we all know, the ballot box is personal and private. Abdul, this is his second big statewide run. He certainly made the campaign he made and he won. And I -- look, I will I will just leave it at that.

BROWN: OK.

And you had mentioned a lot of money being spent on your campaign. So much attention was paid to outside spending in your race, with the pro-Israel group AIPAC spending more than $30 million to boost you. Looking back on your race, do you think this bolstering from an organization that is growing increasingly among Democratic voters actually ended up hurting your candidacy?

STEVENS: No, I don't.

I mean, I think that there was a lot of people talking about it, and they didn't love it because maybe they don't understand what the group is. AIPAC is a group of six million Jewish Americans, a lot of Jewish moms whose kiddos spend time in Israel. They do maybe gap years, or they continue their life there. They're scared, just like a lot of people are scared, for a variety of different reasons here in America.

Obviously, I don't work for the organization, so in terms of how they pitch themselves and sell themselves, that -- I will leave that to them. But I'm proud of the campaign I have run. I'm proud of the groups. And the there was a bunch of Democrat money that got involved too, and it got a good positive message out.

Abdul also had super PACs and outside monies and all that going on, and he had a good digital,. I think that helped him. And that's what transpired here, you know?

BROWN: Yes.

STEVENS: And, look, I mean, I think AIPAC, just like some of the other large groups, is going to continue to exist. I'm proud of the friendships and the relationships I have there. They're really good Americans who just they care about democracy and freedom.

And a lot of people are deeply frustrated that Bibi Netanyahu has failed to give us peace, I mean, my goodness, and there's going to be people voting in Israel, but we need a permanent and lasting cease- fire. You know, you see them. They're trying to get Hamas to put down the weapons.

I worked really closely on the hostages situation. I'm a co-chair of the Hostage Task Force. Paul Whelan was my constituent. So, look, peace, peace. We want...

BROWN: And he rejected the plan, the Gaza plan, from the Trump administration.

But we do have to run.

STEVENS: Yes.

BROWN: Thank you so much, Congresswoman Haley Stevens. Really appreciate you making time for us this morning. STEVENS: Yes. Yes, thank you.

Go Dems and go peace.

Thanks, Pamela.

BROWN: All right, thank you.

And coming up, happening now: the trial everyone is talking about. More testimony about the treatment and medications given to Lindsay Clancy, as the case raises awareness about postpartum psychosis. Next hour, I will speak with another postpartum psychosis survivor about her journey.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:52:10]

BROWN: Happening now: Parts of the world are gearing up for a rare event. A total solar eclipse will plunge millions of people into darkness in a few hours, crossing over Greenland, Iceland, Russia, and Spain. It will last for nearly two minutes with the moon perfectly lining up with the sun.

So let's bring in CNN aerospace analyst Miles O'Brien.

Miles, what are the things to watch during this eclipse? And what can we see here in the U.S.?

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN AEROSPACE ANALYST: Well, Pamela, this is not going to be an eclipse for the U.S. This one begins in the Arctic, goes through Greenland, Iceland, and, as you pointed out, down into Europe, Spain, will touch a little bit of Portugal, a little bit of Russia along the way.

Iceland would be the ideal place to see this eclipse, but the weather may not be cooperating there, notoriously cloudy and rainy pretty much all the time. And, unfortunately the forecast is not great for Iceland. By the time it gets to Spain, it'll be after 8:00 p.m. local time, so the sun will be low on the horizon, which might complicate the ability to see it because of the atmosphere getting in the way a little bit.

But, basically, this is this is an event that we in the U.S. will have to watch on the Internet or, for that matter, on CNN.

BROWN: There you go, right here on CNN. We have special coverage. Love the prop, by the way. You mentioned the Earth's atmosphere.

O'BRIEN: Oh, yes.

BROWN: What is the impact of this eclipse on the Earth's atmosphere?

O'BRIEN: Oh, it -- what it does is, when you're there locally in the middle of an eclipse, the atmosphere changes quite dramatically in a tiny little place. The air gets cooler. The light has a very distinct quality, kind of

turns almost a shade of green. I love the fact that this -- why this happens is so interesting. It's one of the great coincidences of nature. The sun is 400 times bigger than the moon.

So how is it possible that the moon could appear to cover up the sun?

BROWN: Right.

O'BRIEN: Well, it turns out the sun is also 400 times farther away from us than the moon. And the reason we -- now, of course, the moon comes in between us and we get the shadow on this specific place. This doesn't happen every time because the moon is tilted about five degrees, its orbit, relative to the Earth, and so these things don't line up all the time.

But when it happens, it's an event worth doing. Have you ever experienced one?

(DOG BARKING)

O'BRIEN: Birdie is obviously in favor of them.

(LAUGHTER)

BROWN: I have. My kids have. It was a few years ago.

And every time, it's just -- you know what I love about this too is, it brings everyone together, right? I mean, this is a global event. People from all over are coming together to experience this in a shared way, and it's so rare we have shared experiences now, right?

And I'm wondering how scientists plan to use today's solar eclipse to learn more about what we know about the sun.

[10:55:03]

O'BRIEN: Well, it's an opportunity.

It's a natural experiment to look at the sun's corona, which normally is very difficult to see because it is the aura around the sun. And what happens there is of great consequence to us because the things that are ejected from the sun and head in our direction can affect our satellite systems, navigation systems, radios, you name it.

And so understanding that corona and the activity of the sun is an important piece of it. But I agree with you. I think the most interesting thing about eclipses is looking back at the people and how they react to it.

BROWN: Yes.

O'BRIEN: It's kind of somewhat on the edge of bonkers sometimes, you know?

BROWN: It totally is. Is that your dog? Is that your dog next to you?

O'BRIEN: Yes, Birdie is...

BROWN: I think Birdie's pretty pumped about the solar eclipse.

O'BRIEN: Birdie is very pro-eclipse. He just snuck into my studio today. I'm very sorry.

BROWN: It was a great addition to this segment, great addition.

O'BRIEN: Yes.

(LAUGHTER)

BROWN: Miles O'Brien, thank you so much. And thanks to Birdie.

O'BRIEN: Thanks, Pamela.

BROWN: You can tune in for our live coverage of the total solar eclipse beginning today at 1:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.

We will have more news after a short break. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM. We will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:00:00]