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The Source with Kaitlan Collins
Update On Two Shot By Federal Agents In Portland; Hochul & Mamdani Announce Plan To Make Child Care Universal; White House Defends ICE Shooting That Killed U.S. Citizen. Aired 9-10p ET
Aired January 08, 2026 - 21:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATTI SMITH, AMERICAN SINGER-SONGWRITER AND POET, ROCK LEGEND: --and there's all of these phrases like, Time heals all wounds. It doesn't. Don't look -- don't look to be healed. You have a sacred wound. Take care of it. Don't let it get infected. But it's not necessarily going to heal. You just learn to live with it.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST, ANDERSON COOPER 360: There's no rules in grief.
SMITH: No, I don't think there should be.
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The news continues. "THE SOURCE WITH KAITLAN COLLINS" starts now.
KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, CNN HOST, THE SOURCE WITH KAITLAN COLLINS: If you're just joining us, at the top of the hour, CNN tonight is following breaking news on several fronts, because with tensions already high after an ICE officer fatally shot an American mom, in Minneapolis. Tonight, officials say that federal immigration agents shot and wounded two people in Portland, Oregon.
We do not yet know the status of the condition of those two people. What we do know is that Homeland Security officials say that Customs and Border Protection agents were pursuing two alleged members of a Venezuelan gang. They say that when the agents identified themselves, the driver of the vehicle tried to run them over, and the agent, fearing for his life, opened fire. The car then took off.
We're standing by right now for a press conference, from the Governor of Oregon, and other top officials in that state. We'll bring that to you live, when it happens, to see what their version of events is, and what we hear from the local officials there.
But this also comes as we are tracking live developments out of Minneapolis this hour. Protesters are back in the streets, this evening. And throughout the day, we've seen skirmishes between those protesters and, at times, federal agents. There have been moments where agents fired some sort of repellent into the crowd to push the protesters back.
One of our correspondents was actually caught right in the middle of that, and he's going to join me live in a few moments with his report.
But this also comes as here in Washington, we saw an angry response from the Vice President, JD Vance, who, at times, was arguing that there is no doubt over what happened in Minneapolis.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JD VANCE (R), U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: The reason this woman is dead is because she tried to ram somebody with her car, and that guy acted in self-defense. That is why she lost her life. And that is the tragedy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: The woman, of course, that he mentioned there was 37-year-old Renee Good.
But even the Vice President saying things like that. And President Trump declaring, as he said, that Good, willfully and viciously ran over the ICE officer. The Vice President, at times in that same appearance today, seemed to contradict it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VANCE: Look, I don't know what is in a person's heart or in a person's head.
Look, if people want to say that we should have a legitimate debate about, you know, what was she really doing, right? Was she panicking when she drove into this officer, or was she actually trying to ram him? That's a -- that's a reasonable conversation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: On that front. State authorities in Minnesota say that the Feds are blocking them from joining the investigation with the FBI, as was the initial plan here. Instead, they say that they were told by the U.S. Attorney's office that they had reversed course, and would no longer be giving them access to the evidence.
We'll continue to follow the updates when it comes to that investigation.
I do want to go to CNN's Omar Jimenez, who is on the ground in Minneapolis right now.
Omar, obviously you've been following these protests throughout the day. What are you seeing tonight?
OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: Yes, so we are just a little bit over a block from where Renee Good was shot and killed. We are really in the neighborhood where she lived. She lived not too far from that location.
You can hear it and see it behind me. It's much smaller right now, I will say, but very active. We have been tracking a group that was at least five or six times this size through the streets of Minneapolis, leading right into this. And this wasn't in the face of law enforcement.
This was just a group that it really swelled over the course of an hour to the hundreds, potentially even the thousands as well, chanting an anger at federal immigration enforcement, about their presence here, but also trying to keep the name Renee Good on the mouths or -- in the air, I guess, here in the City of Minneapolis.
We were out in this neighborhood today, talking to some of the neighborhood residents here, people who lived near Renee Good, and they told me she was part of a beautiful family, that one of their children, at least, would ask to pet their dogs whenever they would walk through the neighborhood. And while we didn't get the sense that she was in this community very long, clearly, already had made an impact prior to this.
Now, I can tell you, we've been to other parts of Minneapolis. There were a lot of skirmishes, and back and forth, between Border Patrol agents or federal agents, and protesters outside of federal immigration building. That though is miles from here.
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I can tell you, when I was out there, though, that's where we saw a little bit more tense confrontations, where, in one case, we actually saw a protestor throw what appeared to be a water bottle at federal agents, which then prompted them to quite literally sprint into the crowd, and they started trying to arrest people, take someone down. They took at least one person into custody that we observed.
But really, it's these flare-ups and tensions, in some cases, just protests like this, banging on drums, and playing music and chants, that have really embodied people's expressions of anger and frustration over the course of today.
Now, as a precaution, we have heard from Minnesota governor, Tim Walz, that he's activated the National Guard to be on standby to assist local law enforcement if needed, out of an abundance of caution. That's the language that we've heard from state leaders here. But we haven't gotten any indication to this point, Kaitlan, that that has been needed. But obviously, a situation we're going to monitor.
COLLINS: Yes, keep us updated if that changes.
Omar Jimenez, on the ground, in Minneapolis.
I'm also joined this evening by CNN's Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst, John Miller.
And John, I know you've been talking to sources about what's been happening in Portland. Obviously, people see a shooting, involving Border agents in the light of what happened in Minneapolis, and they want to know details. What have you learned so far about what the Department of Homeland Security is saying so far here?
JOHN MILLER, CNN CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INTELLIGENCE ANALYST: Well, we've been looking at this since shortly after it happened.
This occurs at 02:18 p.m., in Portland. There is a special operations group from Border Patrol that is targeting criminals in the area that they are looking for, for deportation. They are tracking a red Toyota. They tried to pull over the red Toyota or stop it. At some point, that car, according to those briefed on the case, takes off.
It's not quite clear whether an agent made contact with that car or was struck or not. One agent was taken to a hospital. But that is also part of standard procedure if a shooting is involved, even if the agent isn't injured. So, we're still sorting through that part.
But eight miles away, and less than 10 minutes later, police receive a call of two people shot in a car. They respond, they find a 33-year- old male and a 32-year-old female. The male's shot in the arm, the female's shot in the chest. They're transported to another medical facility, where federal agents then respond and arrest them. Unknown on the condition, but they are in custody while being treated. And those are the details as we have them.
COLLINS: Yes, and the allegations, obviously, from DHS about them being alleged gang members. We'll see what these officials say here.
One distinction, John, is that the officials in Portland, they were CBP agents, not ICE agents, specifically. When we're talking about what happened tonight, what we're tracking that happened in Minneapolis, people might ask, is there a difference in how those agents, those officers, are trained? What do we know about that?
MILLER: Well, they all go through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia. That used to be training that involved six months of training. Now it involves six weeks of training. They've done a massive hiring blitz.
But as we learned in the case in Minneapolis, that agent is someone who had 10 years on the job, extensive training, additional training after that training, military experience. And one can examine the Portland case, if they're from a Border Patrol Special Operations Group, they too were probably likely very experienced.
COLLINS: Yes. All right. John Miller, keep us updated if you learn more. And also, we're all going to be watching this press conference in Oregon together. I can't wait to hear your thoughts once we learn more from these officials.
I'm also joined tonight by the Philadelphia District Attorney, Larry Krasner.
And it's great to have you back here, because I think there have been so many legal questions, as we've been looking not just at what happened in Portland tonight. We'll wait to hear more details on that before we analyze that.
In Minneapolis, though, when you're looking at all the angles of this, and you're an experienced prosecutor, are you seeing what we're hearing from the DHS Secretary, from the Vice President, and what they said today?
LARRY KRASNER, DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF PHILADELPHIA: No. What we're hearing from them, in my opinion, it's fraud. What we're hearing from them is blatant lies. The public has an opportunity to either believe their ears or their eyes. Their eyes, watching this video, tell them that when Donald Trump says that an ICE agent was run over, that is a lie.
And the lies go on and on and on. And they are from JD Vance, who, by the way, is on about his third name, so I guess that's his vice presidential alias. And they're from Kristi Noem, who took a break from shooting her own 14-month-old dog and bragging about it. And they're from Donald Trump, who, if he actually told the truth, would probably choke.
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We have two levels of criminality here. One level appears to be, in my opinion, based on very limited information, but compelling information, criminal homicide. And the other one, if these law enforcement officials are going to put it on paper, or say it in a courtroom, is a litany of things that look like perjury, false swearing, tampering with evidence, obstruction of justice. This is an incredibly serious situation for those--
COLLINS: Yes, Larry, standby. Let's listen to what's happening in Oregon tonight, in this update.
CHIEF BOB DAY, PORTLAND POLICE BUREAU: --so information is limited and won't be speaking to a lot of specifics.
But what I can say is that approximately 02:18, this afternoon, Portland Police officers responded to the 10000 block of Southeast Main Street on the report of shootings. It came in via a 911 call. Officers confirmed that federal agents had been involved in a shooting, and Portland Police were not involved in that incident.
About six minutes later, at 02:24 p.m., officers received information, once again through dispatch, that a man who had been shot was calling and requesting help in the area of Northeast 146th and East Burnside.
Our officers responded. We found a male and a female with apparent gunshot wounds. Officers applied a tourniquet and summoned emergency medical personnel. The patients were transported to local hospital, and their conditions at this time are unknown. Officers have determined that the two people who were injured, were injured in the shooting involving the federal agents from the earlier call.
But PPB officers secured both scenes. And this is a federal investigation. It's being led by the FBI. We have been in touch with them. We are in regular contact. This is their responsibility. But when we have these type of events happen in the city, Portland Police Bureau does offer level of assistance.
This is not in any way, shape or form immigration-related on our end. We do not know the facts of this case. We are simply providing that traditional investigative support and perimeter support, which is minimal. But I do want to make it clear that we are out there, but we are not involved in immigration.
And we, at this time, do not know if this is an immigration-related event. We do not know which federal agencies were involved. As we know, there are many federal agencies serving in the City of Portland right now. So, as I said, it's a complex situation with a lot of different information coming out. But Portland Police is on the scene, the detectives, et cetera.
I want to say that I'm saddened that we are here, once again, in a difficult, challenging, complex situation. But I am also incredibly grateful for Portlanders. I mean, grateful for the way that we have continued to show up over the past year. And we have certainly been tested, and this is no small circumstance.
The uncertainty and the fear and the sadness within our community is real. And as the chief law enforcement, City of Portland, I recognize that, our members recognize that, and we are doing everything in our power to maintain that level of peace, and calm, and safety.
And I want to thank Portlanders who have continued to show up in this space as well, and hopeful that they will do so, over the next couple of days, as I'm expecting many to want to express their frustration and disappointment with events today.
As I said, this is early on. We do not know the cause. But we are engaged. And hopefully, we'll have more information as the evening unfolds.
I'm going to turn it over now to Mayor Wilson.
MAYOR KEITH WILSON, (D) PORTLAND, OREGON: Thank you, Chief.
And would also just reiterate what he talked about, about the city standing tall and really standing together.
And I've been before you already too many times under these circumstances. But I'm grateful that every time I do make the call, within such a short period of time, that the Madam Governor will answer the call, and all of the individuals standing behind me, and all of our elected officials and community leaders are standing with us as well, and we've always stood together, and we will continue to stand together.
Just one day after the horrific violence in Minnesota, our community here in Portland was witness to a moment of fear, confusion and heartbreak. Earlier this afternoon, two people were shot and injured by federal agents in the Hazelwood neighborhood. Violence in our community is devastating. These are not statistics. These are human beings. Portland is not a training ground for militarized agents. When the administration talks about using full force, we are seeing what it means on our streets. The consequences are not abstract. They are felt in hospital rooms and living rooms, in the quiet moments when families try to make sense of what happened, what is happening.
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We know what the federal government says happened here. There was a time when we could take them at their word. That time has long passed. That is why we are calling on ICE to halt all operations in Portland until a full and independent investigation can take place. Our community deserves answers. Our community deserves accountability. And most of all, our community deserves peace.
Earlier today, I spoke with Minneapolis Mayor, Jacob Frey. We shared not just our concerns, but our grief for the families who are suffering, and grief for the recklessness of our federal government.
The administration is trying to divide us, to pit communities against one another, to make us fear one another. Portland, this is the moment to hold each other close, to stand together, to remember that our strength has always come from community, compassion and solidarity.
Yesterday, Governor Walz made an appeal to all of us. Today, I want to say clearly that we stand with Minneapolis. We stand with Minnesota. We stand with Chicago. We stand with L.A. We stand with every community that is hurting in our nation, every family that is afraid, every person who feels unseen or unheard.
ICE agents and their Homeland Security leadership must fully be investigated and held responsible for the violence inflicted on the American people in Minnesota, in Portland, and in all the communities across America.
The Federal Protective Service claims values such as service, integrity, honor, and vigilance. This is the moment to live those values. Not behind masks. Not through intimidation. But through transparency, accountability and, most of all, humanity.
So, thank you. I'd like to turn it over to the Governor.
GOV. TINA KOTEK (D-OR): Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Thank you, Chief Day.
Good evening, Oregonians.
We are standing here today united as a state, wanting peace and safety in our communities. We are all shaken and outraged by another terrible, unnecessary, violent event, instigated by the reckless agenda of the Trump administration, this time in our own state, in our largest city, coming just one day after the tragedy in Minnesota.
While the details of the incident remain limited, one thing is very clear. When a president endorses tearing families apart, and attempts to govern through fear and hate, rather than shared values, you foster an environment of lawlessness and recklessness.
Trust is essential to maintaining community safety and the rule of law. Federal agents, at the direction of the Department of Homeland Security are shattering trust. They are hurting people, and they are destroying, day by day, what we hold dear, our sense of safety. And our literal safety are severely undermined by what happened this afternoon, in Portland. I'm so thankful that no one died and more people weren't hurt.
The Attorney General and other leaders have been clear about our concerns with the excessive use of force by federal agents, in Portland, and today's incident only heightens the need for transparency and accountability.
Oregonians deserve clear answers. And I am aligned with the Mayor. The priority right now is a full, completed investigation, not more detentions.
My message to the federal government is this. We demand transparency. We demand your cooperation with Portland Police and the Multnomah County D.A., because we need to investigate this incident efficiently and effectively, so we can rebuild trust with our nation's government.
There are those who want to cause chaos, but Oregonians know how to stand up and speak out peacefully. We must remain united in peaceful opposition to efforts to tear our community apart. We must not turn against each other. We must stand neighbor to neighbor. We must not take the bait.
I want to end by saying I'm grateful to the first responders who have been managing this incident today, here in Portland. And I stand and we stand united with Americans across our country, and with Minneapolis and Minnesota, in light of these very troubling events.
Thank you.
COLLINS: You've been hearing from officials in Oregon, just now, providing an update on the shooting that we know that has happened this afternoon, they said, at 02:18 p.m.
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They seem to be still gathering a lot of the evidence there, what we heard from the Police Chief from this. We know from our own reporting that no officers were injured in this. He said it's still being determined which federal agencies were involved in this shooting that happened, and cited the multiple that are in that city.
But it was the comments by the Mayor that stood out. Keith Wilson was arguing that there was a time where previously they could take the word of the federal government at its face value. He argued that that time has come and gone.
He also echoed similar comments, though in maybe a more subtle way, from what we heard from the Minneapolis Mayor, yesterday, calling on ICE to pause all operations in that city, as this investigation into the shooting that happened today takes place.
He also said that he had a conversation with the Mayor of Minneapolis, before we heard that update from the Governor of Oregon there.
Larry Krasner, you're still with me.
I wonder what stands out to you from what we heard from those officials who are dealing with this. And we still don't know a lot of the details, and we're going to wait till we know more before we judge what happened in Oregon, of course. What you heard, though, in terms of that message?
KRASNER: Well, first of all, I thought the Mayor, among others, spoke extremely well on the point, and everything he said is legit.
But one thing that was not said, which I think is intriguing, is nobody said, These people had a weapon. And as you know, no one says Renee Nicole Good had a weapon. There seems to be a story that we're going to tell, and it's -- we have hints of it in Portland as well. There's always somebody trying to run over a federal agent, even when the video shows that's not true.
So, I think we know what we're up against here. We are up against a situation in which we have -- in the case of the individuals who are committing the crimes. I don't want to speak broadly about all federal law enforcement. A lot of them are great, decent law enforcement.
But we have a situation where the ones inclined to go rogue, the ones who want to shoot and kill, the ones who want to do reckless things and act like they're military invaders, feel unaccountable. And they feel unaccountable, even though they are in fact accountable, because of the crazy talk that's coming from the President and others.
COLLINS: District Attorney, Larry Krasner, thank you for monitoring that with us.
And we will continue to follow this breaking news.
We're also going to speak with the new Mayor of New York City. He's just been sworn in little over a week ago. Zohran Mamdani is here. And his response to what we're seeing play out in Minneapolis, a shooting that he called, Murder. That's right after this break.
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COLLINS: Renee Good's death has led to protests around the country, far from where she was fatally shot yesterday, in Minneapolis. We're seeing scenes like this play out here tonight, in places like Philadelphia, Boston, Asheville, and New York.
And joining me now is New York City Mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
And thank you so much, Mr. Mayor, for being here. It's your first interview with us since you've been sworn in. And there's a lot of headlines in your city today. But I do want to ask about the fact that the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, was there in your city, defending this ICE agent from Minneapolis in this shooting. She said that he, quote, "Followed his training."
Is that what you saw in those videos?
MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI, (D) NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK STATE: If that is following his training, then I think there are larger questions about the training that's being provided to ICE agents. I think we can all see that video and come to our own conclusions that that ICE agent murdered a woman in Minneapolis, and it is a glimpse into what has been a year full of cruelty.
And I think what many New Yorkers woke up with feeling today was a heightened sense of anxiety and fear, as to whether they were safe in leaving their homes. I know that's especially true for immigrant New Yorkers, of which there are more than 3 million, including myself.
And it is clear to myself and to so many across this country, as I've shared with the President directly, that these ICE raids are cruel and inhumane, and they do nothing to further the cause or the interest of public safety.
COLLINS: You called this a murder, just now. You said that, also yesterday.
The Mayor in Minneapolis hasn't yet said that.
Why go that far before the investigation is completed?
MAMDANI: That was the conclusion I came to just in watching that video, and I think that many Americans came to that same conclusion.
No matter how many times this is mischaracterized by others, we will see right what is in front of us, which is that a 37-year-old woman was killed by an ICE agent, and she leaves behind children, she leaves behind her family, she leaves behind an entire community and a city that will mourn her.
And this is something that was entirely preventable. And it is yet, however, unsurprising to see from an agency, that is both reckless and also operates with a real sense of impunity across the country.
COLLINS: In the aftermath, Mayor Frey told ICE to get the eff out of Minneapolis, in pretty blunt terms yesterday. Obviously, you've been on the job a little over a week now. But, I mean, you could find yourself in a similar position to what he's in. And so, if you -- if you are, how will you respond if the administration sends 2,000 federal agents into your city, like they did in Minneapolis?
MAMDANI: I will always say, clearly and directly, what's in the best interest of New Yorkers, and I've shared that with the President in the Oval Office, as well as with New Yorkers across the five boroughs, which is that I am the mayor for everyone who calls this city, home. And as the Mayor, we will follow the law of New York City.
And the laws here also include our sanctuary city policies, which forbid our police department to assist federal immigration enforcement at a civil level, which is what the previous administration had opened the door to, and also forbids ICE agents from entering into city properties, or the properties of city contractors, unless they have a judicial warrant signed by a judge.
And that's why we've been informing New Yorkers of the rights that they have, and also the protections that they have as New Yorkers.
COLLINS: Today, I mentioned, you were with the Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul. Y'all were partnering to work on making child care universal. And there was a new plan that you rolled out today. Basically, it would make -- it would provide free child care for 2- year-olds that would be offered in high-need areas, as the two of you put it, in its first year of implementation. And by the fourth year, it would be available to all parents of 2-year-olds who want it.
Can you kind of lay out what your vision of how this works looks like?
MAMDANI: This is a victory for every working-class New Yorker who's been forced to choose between the city that they call, home, and raising the family that they want to.
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And what we've seen today in Governor Hochul's commitment of sending $1.21 billion of state money to New York City is that we are fulfilling one of the central campaign pledges we made, of delivering universal child care.
And what this is going to look like is taking the $22,500 a year burden that is the cost of -- average cost of child care here in New York City, off the backs of parents who want to send their 3-year-old to child care, or their 2-year-old to child care. And it's part of a larger governing vision that looks at putting working people at the heart of our politics, as opposed to the margins of that same politics.
COLLINS: Well, and she's committing to two years of funding for this program. She says that she plans to use existing state funds instead of raising new revenue for that.
But at some point, will paying for this program, in your view, require raising taxes?
MAMDANI: I think what we've seen is that when the commitment is to the outcome of delivering universal child care, there is no shortage of ways that we can actually get there.
And I've appreciated the Governor taking the unprecedented step, frankly, of funding this program, not just in its first year, but in its second year. And what that gives us is the time to roll out a program that, as you said, will meet the needs of every single 2-year- old across this city. And I think that is something that is going to be transformative for parents, for whom, after housing, child care is the number one reason they leave the state.
COLLINS: So, is the hope that after two years of that, that funding that she's committing to, that you can convince voters this is worth paying more in taxes for, that this is a program worth paying for?
MAMDANI: I think what we've seen is that the Governor is able to do this right now with existing tax revenue. I've always been clear about my own opinions and suggestions to that end.
But what's most important, frankly, is that the Governor's commitment, as she said, is a long-term commitment. And it's a commitment that showcases a new relationship, frankly, between City Hall, here in New York City, and the State Legislature in Albany. Because, for far too long, the relationship between mayors and governors has been one that's more contentious than it is collaborative. And today is a sign that, in fact, you can work together, and we must work together, because we all serve the same set of constituents.
COLLINS: Well, and as you know, I cover the White House. Of course, remember that day when you were at the Oval Office meeting with the President.
The administration just froze about $3 billion, I believe, in child care funding and other services for New York and other Democratic states as well. They said it was over serious concerns about widespread fraud. They said they believe your state and the others might be wrongfully providing services to illegal immigrants, as they put it.
Do you worry that the lack of having that funding, since it's going to be put on hold, we don't know how long, could that complicate your plans that you rolled out today?
MAMDANI: I think the plans that we rolled out today shows the further importance of a city and a state taking leadership in a moment, when the federal government is taking a decision as cruel as the one that you've just described.
And it's critically important for us to not only defend the support that we are providing working-class New Yorkers today, but also advance an agenda that makes it easier for them to raise their families here across these five boroughs.
And I've also been heartened by the Governor's characterization of these efforts from the federal government, as one that New York State will be able to defeat in court through litigation, because it is critical that we do not allow for this politics to be played with the future of our kids. But we, in fact, make it easier for our kids to grow up in a city that is currently the most expensive in the United States of America.
COLLINS: I mean, but that is kind of what -- to tie this back to Minneapolis. They surged agents there. The administration is now intensifying investigations into fraud that, to be clear, were underway actually when Merrick Garland was the Attorney General. But with that, they've also said, We're going to look at California, we're going to look at New York.
State Republicans in your state have asked for an audit of those state-run child care assistance programs.
Do you think that there should be an independent audit of that to make sure there is no fraud? Or how do you see that?
MAMDANI: I see the importance of public goods being tied also to the delivery of excellent public services.
And so, for me, whether or not there are these kinds of actions being taken by the federal government, we will always hold ourselves to the highest standards of delivering child care, not just for those who can't afford child care in the private market, but frankly, for each and every New Yorker across this city.
And I am confident that the level of care we are going to provide is going to be one of excellence, and also one that will allow New Yorkers to actually stay here.
COLLINS: What does it look like? Because, as you well know, you were criticized on the campaign trail. People said your promises were too lofty, that they weren't achievable. You've been in office a little over a week. Y'all are rolling out this plan together in partnership. But what does it look like in terms of achieving your entire goal, when it comes to universal child care for more than just 2-year-olds in New York City?
MAMDANI: Well, I think Nelson Mandela put it best, where he said it always seems impossible until it's done.
And we were told time and time again that it was naive, it was unrealistic, it was too much to dream of a New York City where we could extend the universal child care we provide, not just to 3-year- olds, but frankly, to 2-year-olds, and then beyond that.
And what we've shown on day eight of our administration is that we are able, in fact, to win a better city, a fairer city for each and every New Yorker. And that, by the end of our first term, we will be delivering universal child care, not just to every 3-year-old but also to every 2-year-old. And then, by the end of the second term, fulfilling that for 1-year-olds and children younger than that. And we're going to show that this is, in fact, not just the greatest city in the country, but also the easiest one, where you can actually raise your family.
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COLLINS: And obviously, you know that ties back to the campaign promise of affordability. People have been watching what that looks like, now that you're in office, and also the staff that you've put in place around you.
Your pick to be the Director of the Mayor's office to protect tenants has been facing some criticism, as you know, for a 2019 comment that she had made. She said that home ownership is a weapon of white supremacy and that property should be treated as a, quote, collective good.
Are those sentiments that you agree with, Mayor?
MAMDANI: No, not at all. I hired our Executive Director for the Mayor's office to protect tenants, not on the basis of her tweets, but on the basis of the work that she has done. And she has won incredible victories for tenants across not just New York City, but also New York State.
And I've been heartened to see the work that she's already done on the job here, where she's helping to coordinate rental rip-off hearings across each one of the five boroughs, so that tenants have a place where they can actually come forward to showcase the many fees that they've been charged, the lack of adequate facilities that they've been provided, right here in New York City, where the housing crisis is foremost top of mind for each and every New Yorker.
COLLINS: OK. So, you disagree with those comments that she made in 2019.
You mentioned your relationship with President Trump. I have to ask you. Because Nicolas Maduro is now in Brooklyn, staying in a jail there, as he's awaiting his trial. You posted after that capture happened that you had called the President, actually, to voice your displeasure about this.
Can you just tell us what that phone call was like, and what the President said back to you?
MAMDANI: Yes, it was a phone call not too different than the other conversations that I've had with the President, be it in the Oval Office, or in the call that we're discussing right now, where it was honest, it was forthright, it was direct and, in this case, it was also brief.
And I made clear to the President that I opposed this action by the federal government, that unilaterally attacking a foreign country is an act of war, and it's one that is done in violation of international law, and also federal approval, and that I'm in opposition to a pursuit of regime change. And I shared that with the President, prior to sharing it with the public, to make it clear directly.
And as always, these conversations, they always come back to the concerns of New Yorkers here across the five boroughs. And when the federal government takes an action such as that, my responsibility is to ensure that it has as limited of an impact as it can, on the lives of each and every New Yorker, and that's what my administration is committed to fulfill.
COLLINS: Mayor Zohran Mamdani, thank you for joining us on this big policy announcement for us today. Thank you so much.
MAMDANI: Such a pleasure. Thank you for having me.
COLLINS: And up next here on THE SOURCE. As we're continuing to monitor what's happening on the ground in Minneapolis tonight. I'm going to speak with the Former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security under President Trump. What does he think about what's underway there, the latest out of Portland, and how federal agents are involved, including the White House response tonight.
[21:40:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: We're following the latest on the ground in Minneapolis tonight, after an ICE agent there shot and killed an American mother yesterday.
Joining me tonight is the former Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Chad Wolf.
And it's great to have you here, sir.
Because obviously we've heard a lot out of the Department of Homeland Security. Given what happened yesterday. We're still monitoring what happened in Portland tonight.
But can I ask you, because I think a lot of people want to know, what is ICE trained to do in a situation like this? We've heard about the law enforcement there, as they arrived after. What are those ICE agents actually trained to do in a moment like this?
CHAD WOLF, FORMER ACTING DHS SECRETARY, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER, AMERICA FIRST POLICY INSTITUTE: Well, thanks for having me.
Well, ICE is trained, like many other law enforcement agencies, around the parameters of their job. Their job, in this case, is actually to go out, find targets, targets, meaning other illegal aliens, criminal illegal aliens, and arrest them.
And so, in the course of their duties, they encounter -- they do that in a variety of different ways, and in a variety of different facilities, whether it's on the street, whether it's, you know, they stop a vehicle, knock on the door, in a variety of different circumstances. And so, they're trained in a wide variety to make sure that they are protecting themselves, protecting others that are around them, but ultimately needing to arrest that individual that's breaking immigration law.
COLLINS: When you're watching this -- and obviously, the woman here who was shot and killed, Renee Good, she was not a target of the enforcement operation, as the officials there made clear yesterday.
When you're watching it and you see what happens, right in the aftermath of this shooting, the other two agents who had been approaching the car, the vehicle with him, back away and kind of go back to their car. He walks a little bit forward and then turns around and walks back, based on the videos.
What does that -- what does what happens in the aftermath say to you? WOLF: Well, I'm not going to try to guess, or either second-guess, what's going on in that situation. I don't have all the facts and what's going on.
But obviously, you have a dynamic situation there. There's an incident that has unfolded. What we don't know is other things that are going around -- going on at that same time, either by the group of folks that are perhaps on the sidewalk, on an adjacent street, what's going on, on the radio, over the ICE officer's radio, there's a variety of very dynamic and fluid situation there.
So, I can't tell you what other officers are doing there. All I can say is that they're obviously having to respond to an incident. And they also don't know, are there other people in the vehicle? Are there weapons in the vehicles? Are there explosives in the vehicles? They have to train and they have to assume all different types of scenarios that are going on here.
And so, again, would prefer to wait for the investigation to unfold to see what else was going on. What were the verbal commands that they were giving to this individual, when she was behind the wheel, and what was her response back to the officers?
COLLINS: Yes, I think a lot of people want the investigation to play out.
One person we heard from today was the Vice President, JD Vance, at a press briefing, defending the agent who fired that shot -- those shots. He also said something else when he was asked about local officials potentially pursuing charges against this agent, if that could happen. And this is what he told reporters today,
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VANCE: The precedent here is very simple. You have a federal law enforcement official engaging in federal law enforcement action. That's a federal issue. That guy is protected by absolute immunity.
[21:45:00]
The idea that a local official can actually prosecute a federal official with absolute immunity. I've never seen anything like that. It would get tossed out by a judge.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Is that accurate, based on what you know?
WOLF: It largely is, yes, I agree with the Vice President. Again, this is a federal official, enforcing federal immigration law, in this case. Again, the investigation will unfold, and we'll see what happens. But I do agree. And the FBI is obviously taking charge of that investigation, so we're going to see what unfolds, and see where the facts lead us, and I think that's very important.
I see a variety of people looking at very small portions of tape, and jumping to these conclusions, and calling ICE all sorts of names and doing -- and just thinking that it's always the worst on law enforcement.
Instead, these folks are highly trained. We give them a badge, we give them a gun, and we give them authority to go out and do their job. And I prefer to give them the benefit of the doubt until facts or investigation tells me and leads me somewhere different. But these are peace officers. These are law enforcement officers. They deserve our support.
COLLINS: Yes, I think people also felt the same about the White House coming out so quickly after with their analysis. We'll obviously wait for the investigation to play out.
Secretary Chad Wolf, thank you for joining us tonight.
WOLF: Thanks.
COLLINS: And up next. There was more from the Vice President, JD Vance, today. What he said as he defended the ICE agent. My political sources are here, right after a quick break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[21:50:00]
COLLINS: Vice President, JD Vance, defended the ICE agent, who fatally shot a U.S. citizen, during a combative appearance in the press briefing room today, where he also criticized the media coverage of the aftermath of that shooting, including this accurate and straightforward CNN headline that read, Outrage after I.C.E. officer kills U.S. citizen in Minneapolis.
You've seen what's happening on the ground in Minneapolis. You've seen our dispatches from our reporters who were there, covering it all, including every angle that we have of the shooting that took place with as much context and as much reporting as possible.
The Vice President today argued otherwise, and also contradicted himself, at times, when talking about the woman who was killed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VANCE: What that headline leaves out is that that woman is part of a broader left-wing network to attack, to dox, to assault, and to make it impossible for our ICE officers to do their job.
REPORTER: Who do you think is behind this broader left-wing network?
VANCE: Well, it's one of the things we're going to have to figure out.
Well, being part of the network doesn't justify being shot. But ramming an ICE officer with your car, that's what justifies being shot.
I'm not saying that funding some of this stuff justifies capital punishment. Nobody would suggest that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: My political sources are here tonight.
Kate Bedingfield.
And Kevin Madden.
And I mean, Kate, when you listen to that, what stands out to you?
KATE BEDINGFIELD, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR, WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR UNDER PRES. BIDEN: Well, I think it is a tragedy, that we've gotten to a place in our politics where we can have a human tragedy, the loss of life, and have immediately, no less than the Vice President of the United States out, characterizing the victim, essentially trying to frame this in a political way.
I think that we are in a moment in our country, where people are -- the tensions are heightened, and to have Vice President Vance come out and throw a match into it -- into a tinderbox, I think is a really dangerous thing.
I think there is a reason that leadership, that our elected officials would historically say, We need to wait until the investigation plays out, we need to take a pause, and we need to try to turn the temperature down. And the fact that we don't have leadership like that right now, I think, is a really dangerous thing in our politics.
KEVIN MADDEN, ADVISER, MITT ROMNEY'S 2008 & 2012 CAMPAIGNS: Yes, I think the long-term sort of impact here on the -- I even think it's probably we shouldn't even say the politics of it. Just the collective American psyche right now, it is going to be pretty extensive.
Because the conditions, as Kate mentioned, that you really need to sort of see the lower-temperature this and we start to move on from it, which would be a shift in tactics? Clearly, we're not seeing that. We're not seeing it in Minnesota. We're not seeing it here from the White House, or Congress, or any of the elected leaders.
And then, a sense that state, local, federal, county leaders and law enforcement are starting to work together in an integrated way to share information, and do an investigation, and get to a point where we can maybe have a little bit more of a collective universal understanding of what really happened? None of that is actually taking place right now.
So, it just feels like this is going to be something, if anything, people are digging in, and the rhetoric is starting to ramp up.
COLLINS: Well, and a lot of this is because they surged federal resources there, over heightened scrutiny, over allegations of fraud in Minnesota, which the Governor himself had to address. They have been touting that there have been some 90 arrests. Today, the Vice President came out to announce that they're creating this new Assistant Attorney General role to solely investigate fraud like this. I was texting with some attorneys and former DOJ people. One, the Biden DOJ is the one who prosecuted the vast majority of these people. I think it was 98 of them. Came from Merrick Garland. But two, I mean, the DOJ is already investigating fraud. That's not like that's a new portfolio for them, right?
BEDINGFIELD: Yes, absolutely. And look, I think as we look at the politics of the fraud situation, I think Democrats do need to take it seriously. I don't think that Democrats should allow themselves to be put in a box, where it seems like they are passive about fraud in public -- in public programs. And I think that they should take it seriously.
However, I think that the Trump administration's reaction here, both the kind of bellicose language that you hear from the Vice President, but also the tangible move of blocking funding for child care to essentially predominantly blue states, so making a political move, to ensure that families across this country who are already struggling with prices, are going to potentially have an even harder time being able to send their kids to a safe child care? I think they're going to pay a political price for that. And I think it's a vindictive move that, again, just goes to fire up tensions at a time when we need to be calming them down.
[21:55:00]
MADDEN: Yes. Look, I think the White House and many congressional allies believe that the Minnesota fraud issue can be replicated in other states to their political advantage.
And Secretary Bessent today actually had a very compelling political argument, which is that the reason that they're going after it is because there are very needy families out there, working-class Americans, who need access to good-quality child care. But they may not be able to get it now, because it's much more -- it's much more problematic, and it's harder to get those dollars when people are spending them, illegally, in places like Minnesota. So, I think that's something that they're going to be very focused on.
COLLINS: Kevin Madden. Kate Bedingfield. Thank you for both being here tonight.
Up next. There is a new development when it comes to the White House ballroom renovation. It's getting bigger. Yes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[22:00:00]
COLLINS: Tonight, the White House has revealed a pretty big change when it comes to the President's plans for that sprawling new ballroom over by the East Wing.
The President's newly-tapped Chief Architect announced to the federal review committee today that the White House is actually thinking of expanding the project. He argued that the new ballroom will actually now be up to 70-feet high.
The reason that matters is that would be as tall as the actual main White House mansion that you're used to seeing. As a result, that means the White House is also now considering building a second story above not only the East Wing Colonnade but the West Wing Colonnade as well. It's what ties the two of them together. It could mean big changes for what the President is doing to the White House.
We'll keep you updated on that.
But thank you for joining us tonight.
"CNN NEWSNIGHT WITH ABBY PHILLIP" starts now.
