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The Brief with Jim Sciutto
U.S. Strikes Iran In Response To Attack On Cargo Ship; More Than 900 Dead From Venezuela Earthquakes; Global Aid Effort Ramps Up For Quake-Hit Venezuela; Plane Crashes Into Beijing's Tallest Building; VW Reportedly Considering Up To 100,000 Job Cuts; John Bolton Pleads Guilty In Classified Info Case; Paris Bans Public Drinking, Postpones Pride March; North Korea Commissions Largest-Ever Warship. Aired 6-7p ET
Aired June 26, 2026 - 18:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[18:00:00]
ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers. Joining us from all around the world, I'm Erica Hill in New York. Jim is off. You're
watching "The Brief."
Just ahead this hour, the U.S. military says it conducted strikes against Iran in response to an attack on a cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz.
The death toll in Venezuela now rising to more than 900 as a result of those earthquakes on Wednesday. Thousands more are still missing. And a
small plane crashing into Beijing's tallest building.
We do begin this hour with those new strikes on Iran. Just hours after a president's promise to respond, U.S. Central Command saying that it has
targeted drone, missile and radar sites inside Iran as it repeated accusations from U.S. President Donald Trump that Iran had violated the
fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
An Iranian drone attack targeted a Singapore-flagged cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz earlier. That forced the U.N. to pause its evacuation of
stranded sailors. Iran's paramilitary had ordered ships not to use routes that Tehran had not approved. Now, keep in mind, these strikes are the
biggest test yet for the U.S. and Iran since the two sides reached that interim agreement earlier this month.
Kristen Holmes is live at the White House for us this hour with more on the developments. The president was asked about whether there could be a
response and now we know the answer, Kristen.
KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right. And actually, it came right after President Trump had been asked multiple
times whether or not he was going to respond and he kept just saying, you'll find out. And moments later, we started seeing reports on Iranian
state media that there were sounds of explosions and then this tweet from CENTCOM, the U.S. Central Command. And right now, all U.S. officials, the
White House are all pointing to this as the larger explanation of those strikes.
And what's fascinating in this is that it appears as though they are saying that the ceasefire still holds. Now, of course, we've seen this before
where President Trump and the U.S. are walking this fine line. They do not want the ceasefire to fall apart. They believe these negotiations have to
happen. They want to move on from all of this.
So, President Trump has pitched all of these various strikes that have happened since that 60 days as retaliation, retaliatory. And this is what
it says in the Central Command statement that alludes to the fact that this is not the end of the ceasefire. At the end, it says, CENTCOM forces
continue to provide safe passage coordination and support to commercial vessels transiting the Strait. The U.S. military remains present and
vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and in full force effect.
Of course, that last line there seemingly indicating that they're going to stay because they want to make sure Iran is abiding by their end of the
deal, making it seem as though that deal is still in place. But I mean, this is coming on the heels of us hearing just how fragile, just how
tenuous these negotiations are, how they had built a foundation, but there was still a long way to go. There had been so much back and forth between
the U.S. and Iran, both with those earlier strikes. Now, of course, this. We've also heard the rhetoric from both sides.
So, it's really unclear right now how this affects those negotiations. We've not heard another response from Iran. But I do want to point to the
fact of the other part of what this entire episode represents, which is how Iran feels about the Strait of Hormuz. They clearly believe they have a
significant amount of leverage in power and their ability to open and close the Strait of Hormuz and to control the Strait, this critical oil
thoroughfare, really relatively alone.
And one of the things, as you mentioned, was them warning that no ship could take a pass or a route that Tehran had not approved. And then when
this commercial vehicle, a vessel, did take this alternate route, they struck them with drones, trying to kind of show the power there, trying to
get these other countries to listen.
That -- and we heard this from President Trump. We also heard this in the Central Command statement. And there was a clear violation of the
ceasefire, which says that the only reason the U.S. was going to remove their naval blockade was if Iran pledged to help support and help keep safe
commercial vessels. It didn't say anything about the route being dictated by Tehran.
[18:05:00]
And this is going to be an obstacle for the United States, because, again, Iran clearly understands the power they have over the Strait of Hormuz
right now. I mean, they effectively shut down any ships transiting because of fear of potential strikes after yesterday. And now, the U.S. is going to
have to navigate that as well.
HILL: Yes, absolutely. Kristen, appreciate the updates. Thank you. Also, with us this hour, retired Colonel Cedric Leighton. Colonel Leighton, when
you look at where we stand right now, as Kristen pointed out, this is a really fine line here, right? When it comes to this agreement not wanting
it to fall apart, what is the path that you see emerging?
COL. CEDRIC LEIGHTON (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST AND U.S. AIR FORCE (RET.): Well, Erica, this is going to be a very difficult needle to thread,
I think, because the U.S. has, you know, obviously wanting to make sure that the Strait of Hormuz remains open. Iran, as Kristen pointed out, is
ready and willing to try to shut the Strait of Hormuz down at any point that it deems necessary or appropriate.
So, with the strike on the MB Ever Lovely, the container ship that was hit, that indicates that the Iranians, you know, are clearly wanting to exercise
some degree of power. They don't really have to shoot very many missiles or any drones, as was the case in this situation, at these ships in order to
have a major effect. And then, of course, there's the possibility of extra mines coming into the Persian Gulf. Especially the Strait of Hormuz area.
So, what you're looking at here, I think, is an area where either, you know, a lot of things could go wrong. It's going to be very hard for both
sides, the Iranians and the US, to achieve a lasting agreement in this particular situation. I think there is an effort by the U.S. to try to
limit the damage. The strikes that we hear about in response to the attack on the Ever Lively are basically limited strikes. And that is basically a
signal to the Iranians that this is a direct response to their attack, but it's nothing more than that.
So, they're trying to contain things on the U.S. side. The question is, will the Iranians see it that way? Chances are they probably will this
time, but they're leaving their options open, I think, in Tehran.
HILL: Yes. It's also -- you know, as Kristen wisely pointed out, we've -- so much of what we have discussed over these last several months of the war
is the Strait of Hormuz. And the control that Iran has exerted over it. And this desire, as Kristen noted, that Iran has to continue to exert that
control.
So, with that in the background, I also thought it was notable that the president acknowledged earlier today that Iran's strikes showed that it had
retained some of its military capabilities, saying, quote, "nobody saw it coming" in terms of that Iranian strike.
Do you agree with that? Did this come, in your view, as a complete surprise, given what Iran has made clear about the State of Hormuz?
LEIGHTON: No, it should not have come as a surprise at all, because the Iranians are pretty much set on the idea of controlling the Strait,
basically setting up some kind of a fee-for-service or toll structure that would be used for them to generate some degree of revenue. So, that's
something that they've been trying to achieve, even though the U.S. side, of course, says that there will be no tolls or no fee-for-service
arrangement, at least in a large sense.
So, that is something where anybody who's been watching this very closely, I think, would not be surprised by this particular occurrence. There is
certainly an effort, I think, on the part of many countries in the Gulf region to tamp down, you know, the smoldering embers of conflict. But the
problem is that the Iranians will want to exert power over the Strait of Hormuz, and they know that they can do that.
HILL: Yes. Colonel Leighton, always appreciate your insight and your expertise. Thank you.
LEIGHTON: You bet, Erica.
HILL: I want to get you up to speed now on the desperate search operations underway at this hour in Venezuela. Rescuers working to reach people
trapped under the rubble before this critical golden window, as it's known, that 72-hour window, closes. All of this, of course, in the wake of
Wednesday's massive back-to-back earthquakes that we know have now killed at least 920 people. And, unfortunately, that number is expected to rise as
thousands remain missing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LUIS GONZALEZ, CARACAS RESIDENT (through translator): The building collapsed as soon as the first tremor struck. In other words, it swayed,
collapsed, crashed into the one next to it, the neighboring building, and came crashing down in a matter of fractions of a second. It is presumed
that the few people who were living there and happened to be present at the time are, as yet, presumed dead.
We never lose hope that, by the grace of God, the hand of God, there might be a victim lying there unconscious, but still alive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[18:10:00]
HILL: So, much hope, so many prayers in this moment. Of course, for those who have survived, many of them have nowhere to go after their homes were
destroyed. International aid teams are arriving. We know the U.S. military is back in Venezuela to help with rescue efforts.
Earlier this year, it had conducted, of course, a deadly raid in the country to arrest then President Nicolas Maduro. Stefano Pozzebon is in
neighboring Colombia. He has a closer look now at the relief efforts.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR (voice-over): Panic on board as passengers braced through powerful tremors. Just one glimpse of the chaos
unleashed after two massive earthquakes struck Venezuela. This image from the public broadcaster Telesur shows large cracks splitting the tarmac at
Caracas International Airport, underscoring the damage to critical infrastructure. Tens of thousands are still reported missing.
Emergency teams are racing against time to dig through shattered concrete, listening for any sign of life. In the Caracas district of Chacao, rescuers
pulled survivors from a collapsed apartment building, while others remained trapped inside.
GUSTAVO DUQUE, CHACAO MAYOR (through translator): We have rescued three people, and there are three more alive inside the structure. God willing,
they will be rescued very soon.
POZZEBON (voice-over): As Venezuela struggles to cope with the scale of the disaster, international help is finally trickling in. But the logistical
challenges to mobilize the aid remain. These relief convoys loaded with food and water are heading toward the hardest-hit communities, as officials
work to support tens of thousands of displaced families, while the priority remains to rescue survivors before time runs out.
Stefano Pozzebon, CNN, Bogota, Colombia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HILL: I also want to bring in now Mary Triny Mena, who joins us live from Caracas. Mary, just walk us through what you have been seeing on the ground
and experiencing over the course of these last several hours.
MARY TRINY MENA, JOURNALIST: Erica, it has been overwhelming, the situation over the past few days. Many people, as you said, left their home on
Wednesday, and they have not returned home yet because they are afraid of the aftershocks. As a matter of fact, we kept feeling those tremors every
once in a while. It is not a sensation. The authorities reported more than 300 aftershocks since Wednesday. And this is something that, of course, is
causing distress in the population.
Also, we went to La Guaira, which is the most critical place where thousands of infrastructures were damaged. And there's an ongoing operation
to rescue victims in these events. So, far, the government says we are facing critical hours. As you know, the first three days are important to
rescue as many living people as much as possible.
But right now, help is entering Venezuela. More than 800 rescuers from all over the world are coming to Venezuela. The main airport has been
habilitated because it was closed due to the earthquake, but it's only working not for commercial flights, but for rescuers. And they are using
commercial flights in other airports.
Right now, the preoccupation is concentrated in the security, because at night, of course, there's people trying to take advantage of the situation.
So, the authorities are saying that the state of La Guaira is militarized and is heavy presence of security forces there. And they are asking
citizens not to go there.
And also, well, as a matter of fact, from today, they are sending all donations and making a registry of volunteers in Caracas. They are asking
to stay in place because those people wanting to go to La Guaira is blockading the aid that they can help, they can get.
HILL: All right. Mary, really appreciate the update. Thank you. Among the organizations that is working to help in this moment is CADENA
International, an international humanitarian organization. And the organization's secretary general, Saul Ventolila, joins us now. CADENA has
wide experience responding to international disasters and emergencies. I know it has been a real challenge for your teams just to get in place in
Venezuela. They are now on the ground, though.
[18:15:00]
Can you tell us what they have found? What are their biggest challenges in this moment?
SOL BENTOLILA, SECRETARY GENERAL, CADENA INTERNATIONAL: OK. Hi, how are you? Thank you very much for this opportunity.
Well, our team arrived some hours ago to Venezuela. So, right now, they are arriving to La Guaira. It's a very difficult situation because not only
there are many buildings, many people disappear, of course, but also the routes to get to La Guaira are very congested because many people try to go
there and also, they suffer after the earthquake.
So, the situation is very complicated. Venezuela is a country with many, many problems, with many challenges in the past years. So, an emergency
like this with such magnitude, it's very hard. The authorities, I don't know if they have the capacity to have everything in control.
So, thank God there are many people arriving to help. I think that all the help that we can deliver right now to Venezuela, it's the best thing that
we can do right now. Our team right now there, it's a very prepared team. It's our rescue team from CADENA with a lot of practice in this kind of
emergency, of disaster. They know how to work in collapsed structure. That is something very important right now.
HILL: Yes, absolutely. It is key -- critical aid that they're able to provide with those search and rescue teams and that experience that they
have as first responders as well. You know, among your GO teams, in terms of the folks that make up these teams, you also have medical personnel,
which understandably would be needed, and mental health professionals.
Those are the silent wounds that certainly in the days, the weeks, frankly, the years to come, will have a lasting impact. How do you begin to approach
that in this moment?
BENTOLILA: Well, among the rescue team, we have doctors and we have psychologists because when you have this kind of situation in the emergency
zone, you need to take care with the victims and always take care at the first moment with doctors and with psychologists. So, it's very important
to have all these professionals at the same time working. This is a team, so they need to work all together.
HILL: We know there are logistical challenges as you laid out. What are the most urgent needs according to your team that's there on the ground?
BENTOLILA: Well, right now, and specialist rescue teams, people that can really help in the helping of people. There are a lot of people that
continue under the structures. So, they need a lot. A lot of people can help. They need doctors. They need psychologists and volunteers in every
emergency. Yes.
HILL: Yes. We so appreciate your time. As you're looking at this, I know the organization doesn't just come in, but you're also hoping to stay and
help provide resiliency and long-term help. How important is that for a community that has been impacted in such an intense way?
BENTOLILA: Well, this is one of the most important things because many times when there is a disaster, at the first two, three days, everybody
around the world are looking for the emergency to the people, but what happened next? What happened a week later? 15 days later?
So, it's important to continue helping and to have the first phase of the response and then the second and then the third because there is a lot of
need. So, right now, I think that the most important thing to do is the rescue team, but maybe in three days, there are going to be other needs.
There are many people that lost everything. They lost their home. They lost everything that they have. So, they need food. They need water. They need
medical support. They need a place to stay, a shelter.
[18:20:00]
So, -- and maybe the next and the third phase, we need to help with shelters, space to the people to stay. So, it's very important to stay.
It's not an emergency for only two or three days. This is a long-term emergency.
HILL: It's an important reminder. Sol, appreciate your time. Thank you for joining us tonight.
BENTOLILA: Thank you. Thank you.
HILL: Well, CNN tonight is waiting for a response from authorities in Beijing after a shocking incident. A small plane crashing into the city's
tallest building. So, social media video from the scene shows debris falling from the skyscraper. CNN journalists saw people evacuating, but
there are questions about exactly what happened.
Mike Valerio joining us now from Beijing with more. So, Mike, where you are, that tower is behind you. There's damage to the glass facade. The
damage looks small, but that's of course in comparison to the size of the tower, which is massive. The fact that this plane though was flying at all
in this airspace, that is what is really raising the most questions here.
MIKE VALERIO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's exactly right, Erica. And I think people are astonished as we begin a new day here on Saturday morning.
People are astonished that not only is this a matter of security for millions and millions of people who live in this gigantic metropolis,
Erica.
If you think of, you know, your own home capital, wherever in the world you may be watching us from, this also has to do deal with the security of the
upper echelons of government and leadership of this country. How an unauthorized aircraft could get into the most sensitive airspace of this
superpower is confounding to myriad people who we've been able to talk to over the past several hours as soon as we got to the scene of this crash.
So, over my shoulder, this is the building, this is the Zhongguozun (ph), the CITIC Tower. And as you mentioned, the damage, we're not able to zoom
in, but you can see that small black rectangle as the upper sections of the building begin to taper outward towards the sky.
And we should let you know, if you're not too familiar with Beijing, this is an icon of the skyline, certainly ushering in Beijing's newest era of
modern architecture after the trousers were built, that giant building for state television built in 2008 for the Olympic Games.
This is a landmark that people know across China. So, to see it -- to see debris raining down from those floors was so arresting for people who were
able to see those images before it was erased from Chinese social media.
Taking you through what we know, what happened, this aircraft, it's a Sunward SA 60L Aurora. It took off from a general aviation airport, from
one of the outskirts airports on the farther fringes of the city, just before 7:00 p.m., just before sunset. It crashes into those floors. The
aircraft is designed for two people. We don't know if there were one, two people in it. Authorities, as you mentioned in the intro to the segment,
haven't told us anything.
We talked to, over the phone, somebody who answered the line from one of the municipal police departments, the local police department that's
responsible for this area. They told us they were not familiar with the situation, directed us to somebody else, and that other number did not pick
up. So, unclear exactly if this was intentional or an accident.
But this sticks out over the skyline. There are no other buildings that compare in height to this, and this essentially, you know, is not only a
symbol of the city, but a symbol of China. So, we may not know, Erica, because information is so tightly controlled here in China, what happened
here. As we were at the base of the tower late last night, police were telling people to turn off their phones, delete pictures and videos that
they'd taken on their camera phones. They told us to get farther and farther away from the perimeter.
So, very little information coming out from law enforcement, but the question from China watchers around the world, and certainly people in this
metropolis, how an unauthorized aircraft was able to come into this extremely restricted airspace, Erica.
HILL: Yes, and such an important question, and I know you will keep trying to get that answer. Mike, really appreciate the reporting. Thank you.
Still ahead here, Volkswagen reportedly considering a major overhaul. This could mean tens of thousands of jobs that the automaker may already be in
jeopardy. BW's rough road ahead is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:25:00]
HILL: Welcome back. In today's Business Breakout, the Dow and S&P 500 finishing Friday's session virtually flat. The NASDAQ, though, falling for
a fifth straight day. Chipmakers fell hard. Micron dropping more than 6 percent. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index plunged more than 7 percent
on the week. That is its biggest drop in months.
Software firm Oracle, which has, of course, invested heavily in A.I., falling, as you can see here, almost 19 percent this week. That is its
worst performance in decades. A.I.-related stocks really coming under pressure, following a report in the New York Times, which said that OpenAI
is thinking about delaying its highly anticipated IPO until next year.
Also, today, there are reports that one of the world's largest automakers is making plans for sweeping job cuts. Volkswagen reportedly set to access
many as 100,000 jobs over the next few years. That would be about 15 percent of its total workforce. Now, the reports say VW could also close
four of its German plants. The company itself is facing intense competition from Chinese automakers, as well as higher tariffs, which are pressuring
sales in the U.S.
Joining me now is Karl Brauer, his executive analyst at iSeeCars.com. Karl, it's good to have you with us. We're talking about 15 percent of the
workforce here, potentially closing four plants in Germany. What do you see as the wider issue here for Volkswagen that could be prompting this?
KARL BRAUER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ISEECARS.COM: They've got to face the reality that a lot of global automakers have to face, which is that China's
got the ability to produce vehicles so much cheaper than anyone else. You know, they've got a combination of resources on the electric side, and of
course, human resources and benefits or lack thereof, pay, all those things, and the government essentially working so directly with the
industry over there.
But ultimately, if Chinese vehicles enter a marketplace such as Europe, they're inevitably going to sell for far cheaper and they're going to eat
up market share. And that's really what Volkswagen, being the single largest automaker in Europe, they're the ones suffering the most as a
result.
HILL: Volkswagen's suffering the most, but are you starting to see that suffering among other brands as well?
BRAUER: Oh, yes. I mean, any global automaker that's got anywhere near even footing with China in a given market is facing a lot of challenges right
now. And I think, you know, the Koreans are very efficient in how they produce cars. Toyota is very efficient. So, they've got a little more
capability to compete with China, but it's still tough for them.
But Volkswagen, you know, they've got a lot of high expenses. I mean, a lot of the company's control rests with the unions and the workforce. And of
course, they don't want to see any cuts either to employee counts or even to cost and to pay. But you've got to have a sustainable cost and business
model. And it's not looking like that right now for Volkswagen. That's why there's such drastic need for these cuts.
[18:30:00]
HILL: In terms of potential changes, the report also said that there would be plans for Volkswagen to potentially spin off its main Volkswagen brand
and then its auto part business into separate entities. What could that actually achieve for the business?
BRAUER: I think that would just streamline them. I think they're trying to maybe isolate the businesses and make them more, you know, cost-effective
and cost-efficient by breaking them out like that. It would also help identify, I think, more clearly the challenges.
You know, Ford had done that. They had broken out their electric vehicle division from their internal combustion division, which was a good way to
illustrate how much more challenging the electric vehicle division was having outside of the traditional internal combustion division.
HILL: You know, cost is, as you point out, this is obviously such an important part of the equation, but there's also the product itself. And
there are questions about whether there is enough demand, frankly, for the product that Volkswagen is putting out. What do you see happening there?
BRAUER: You know, I think the product is still pretty solid. I really think it's a pricing issue, Erica. I mean, I think you just -- when you're making
a solid product that works well for your customer base, but there's another product that's substantially lower cost, that's where it gets really tough.
And I think a lot of people are like, well, we should be able to compete with China. We shouldn't be using tariffs. And I always want to tell them,
it's like, well, OK, let's take away, you know, minimum wage and overtime and labor unions. We can do all the things that China does to compete with
them. I don't see a lot of people wanting to do that either.
So, you got to find a balance in there somewhere. And it's really the cost, not, I don't think it's a product issue. I mean, China's got a really
impressive product, but again, because they can pack so much stuff into their vehicles for so little cost, because they got a cost structure that
no one else can compete with.
HILL: Yes, it's such an important point. Karl, really appreciate you joining us. Thank you.
BRAUER: Thanks.
HILL: Checking some of the day's other business headlines for you. President Trump now threatening hefty new tariffs on countries that impose
digital taxes on American firms. So, Trump in a Truth Social post saying he'll slap 100 percent tariffs on countries that impose those taxes. The
threat appears to be in primarily at European nations that have been considering the new levies. Trump also said the tariffs would override any
existing trade agreements. The E.U. in a statement noting it has the, quote, "sovereign right" to impose digital taxes and also saying it would
respond quickly to any new U.S. tariffs.
Americans are feeling a bit better about their financial situation now that gas prices are on the decline in the U.S. New data shows consumer sentiment
strengthening a bit more this month after dropping to the lowest levels on record. It's actually the first monthly rise since February before the
start of the war with Iran. Sentiment though is still some 13 percent lower than before the start of that war.
The president of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve, Neel Kashkari says the Fed may have to raise interest rates later this year. Kashkari who had
recently penciled in an interest rate cut now says the Fed could be forced to hike rates at least once to keep inflation in check. Noting he is less
sure that energy prices will actually fall back to pre-war levels due to the continued tensions in the Middle East.
Up next here, the stunning legal development. Donald Trump's former national security adviser pleading guilty to mishandling classified
information. What he's facing now for jail time.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:35:00]
NEWTON: Welcome back to "The Brief." I'm Erica Hill. Here are the international headlines we're watching.
The U.S. military says it has carried out strikes on Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz in response to Tehran's attack on a cargo ship near
the Key Waterway. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance writing on social media that, quote, "violence will be met with violence."
In Venezuela, the death toll from this week's massive twin earthquakes now rising to at least 920 people. Rescue teams are urgently searching now for
survivors as the global relief effort ramps Spain, Mexico and the U.S., among those bringing crews and badly needed supplies to Venezuela.
A small plane hitting the tallest building in Beijing on Friday. You can actually see the hole there. You'll see that black square in the building
from the impact. Videos posted on social media showed part of the wreckage actually falling from the 109-story tower. CNN has reached out to local
officials for comment.
Here in the U.S., a rare win in the Justice Department. President Trump's former national security adviser, John Bolton, pleading guilty to one count
of retaining national security information. So, this was a sliver of what law enforcement -- federal law enforcement, had investigated. He agreed to
a plea deal on one of the 18 counts, versus telling CNN he's also agreed to pay a fine of more than $2 million. He could also be facing prison time
here.
CNN senior legal analyst, former U.S. federal prosecutor, Elie Honig, joins me now. So, Elie, walk us through this deal. The fact that that Bolton did
decide to make a deal is maybe not surprising based on what we saw in the indictment.
ELIE HONIG, CNN SENIOR LEGAL ANALYST, FORMER ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND FORMER PROSECUTOR: So, any plea
agreement, Erica, is going to be all about managing risk both ways. And I think that's exactly what happened here.
So, from John Bolton's perspective, he was charged with 18 counts of improperly keeping and disseminating highly classified information.
Primarily what John Bolton did was he took information he had access to, sensitive information, when he was director of national intelligence. He
then wrote it down in personal diaries. He emailed some of it over non- secure methods to two members of his family. He emailed some of it to himself, primarily for purposes of keeping diaries.
However, when he was doing that, he was hacked by Iran, and that was used in an attempt at times to threaten and extort John Bolton. So, that's what
he's charged with.
He took this plea because it limits his exposure. If he had gone to trial and been convicted, he almost certainly would have gone to prison for
several years. Now, with this plea to a narrower subset of the conduct, he has a good argument when he's sentenced, which will be in about three
months, that he should be spared prison and given probation instead.
And from the other side of the table, from the prosecutor's side of the table, you do eliminate that risk of trial. They probably would have
convicted him, but you never know at trial. There's always risk. And they locked in a conviction. They locked in a guilty plea and an admission from
a high-profile, high-ranking former official that he committed a felony crime.
HILL: So, initially, Bolton and his legal team had tried to frame this, right, as a retribution, frankly, right, as an abuse of the DOJ. This did
start out during President Trump's first term, but the investigation also ramped up under President Biden. Is this actually an example of abuse of
the DOJ?
HONIG: It's not, Erica. And to be clear, this Justice Department under Donald Trump has absolutely been politically weaponized. They have brought
unfounded, ridiculous, absurd cases that have failed against all sorts of Donald Trump's political opponents. Jim Comey, several times over. Letitia
James, several times over. They tried to indict Senator Mark Kelly, Senator Elissa Slotkin, on down the line.
However, it is true Donald Trump and John Bolton do not like each other. That's very publicly available. However, this case just doesn't fit the
mix.
[18:40:00]
First of all, as you said, this investigation carried on through the Biden administration. Second of all, the people who carried out this prosecution
are career nonpolitical prosecutors. These are not Trump political operatives. These are people who've done the job in a nonpartisan way for a
long time. They stayed on this case. They saw it through to the end.
And third of all, John Bolton committed a real crime. We now know that for sure. He's admitted to it, whereas the other cases were stretches, to say
the least. So, I do not think that this case should be listed along with those other cases involving weaponization.
HILL: Elie, appreciate it. It's always my friend. Thanks.
HONIG: Thanks, Erica.
HILL: Well, the records across Europe continuing to fall as this unrelenting heat wave also continues. The Netherlands issuing its first
ever code red alert, those temperature records being shattered in a number of countries, France, the U.K., now Germany. Germany and Italy meantime are
bracing for even more heat as this heat dome in Europe continues its move east.
Take a look at this infrared video. So, this is capturing the excruciating temperatures that outdoor workers have already been facing in Italy. You
see the numbers there.
Paris, by the way, just banned drinking alcohol in public. Why? The city's police chief's a warning about the health dangers of alcohol in extreme
heat. Paris Pride has also now been postponed until September. Saskya Vandoorne has more now from the French capital.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SASKYA VANDOORNE, CNN PARIS BUREAU CHIEF: People in France are fed up. They're tired because it's been a week of these really high temperatures
and they haven't been able to sleep. Most households here just do not have air conditioning.
So, now authorities are taking more and more drastic measures to try and protect citizens. Hospitals are under increasing strain across the
countries. The Paris police chief to try and ease the burden has banned Parisians from drinking alcohol outdoors in public starting at noon today.
Paris officials have also asked the organizers behind Pride March to cancel the march on Saturday. Other measures that have been taken, over 10,000
schools have been closed or the school day has been shortened again because these buildings just do not have AC and three nuclear reactors have been
shut down to try and protect the river ecosystems to try and keep those river temperatures low.
Now, there is some respite in sight as French forecaster Meteor France has said that on Sunday, temperatures should ease.
Saskya Vandoorne, CNN, Paris.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HILL: Just ahead here, pomp and circumstance in North Korea. The Hermit Kingdom boosting its naval forces, starting with its largest ever warship.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:45:00]
NEWTON: North Korea has commissioned its largest ever warship as it works to build up its naval forces. Leader Kim Jong-un presiding over the ship's
unveiling. In a speech, he said his country's navy was putting an end to what he described as decades of stagnation. North Korea's naval forces have
long lagged far behind those of South Korea and the U.S. CNN's Will Ripley has more now from Taipei.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILL RIPLEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): North Korea's largest ever warship, the Choe Hyon, can fire a salvo of nuclear
capable missiles in seconds, state TV says.
As seen in this multi-camera cinematically shot demonstration earlier this year. A carefully choreographed show of military might starring North
Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter and rumored successor, believed to be in her early teens, Kim Ju Ae.
She did not join her father at this week's grand commissioning ceremony, also broadcast on North Korean state television. Kim donning a Panama hat
in classic strongman style inspecting his new destroyer's big guns.
Crew members smile for a photo with their supreme leader. But nobody was smiling just over a year ago when a similar destroyer partially capsized
during launch. Satellite images showed a catastrophic failure. One side submerged, parts of the hull draped in blue tarps. Worse still, Marshal Kim
was watching from shore. He called the botched launch a criminal act that brought shame to the nation. They arrested shipbuilders, engineers, and
military leaders, but never disclosed their fates. The capsized ship was eventually refloated, launched again, and began sea trials this month.
Now, Kim is declaring a new chapter in North Korean naval history, an end to over 70 years of stagnation. He said, in terms of military hardware, the
Navy was the weakest of all services of our armed forces. Things have changed.
Sanctions were supposed to stop Kim from building warships like this. Instead, North Korea says it built this destroyer entirely on its own.
Outside experts are not so sure. How did they build a warship this sophisticated this quickly? Some analysts suspect Russian assistance,
pointing to Kim's growing military alliance with leader Vladimir Putin. Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has acknowledged any such help.
Some experts also point to similarities between North Korea's new warships and Russian naval designs. Kim says he wants to build two of these 5,000-
ton destroyers, or bigger, every year for the next five years.
As Kim sets sail on his quest to build a nuclear-capable Navy, whether North Korea can actually match those ambitions remains to be seen.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
RIPLEY (on camera): North Korea is still no match for the naval power of South Korea and the United States. But this destroyer does mark a turning
point. For decades, Pyongyang relied on submarines, fast attack boats, and coastal defenses. Now, Kim Jong-un is trying to build a blue-water Navy,
capable of operating in deep ocean much farther from home, and carrying his nuclear ambitions with it. Erica.
HILL: All right. Well, appreciate it. Still ahead here, France's Ousmane Dembele stealing the show in the match against Norway. We've got a whole
lot more of today's World Cup action, up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:50:00]
NEWTON: Heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, is vacating his three world titles. The unbeaten 39-year-old Ukrainian boxer says he wants to free up
the WBC, WBA and IBF belts for other contenders, while emphasizing he's not retiring, and that he does still plan a, quote, "last dance in boxing."
With this decision, Usyk is now completely free from mandatory challengers, which he says will open up new opportunities for him.
Group I just wrapping up at the World Cup. Senegal beating Iraq 5-nil, hoping to reach the knockout stage. They'll have to wait, though, to see if
they'll be one of the eight best third-place teams. France finishing top of the table after defeating Norway 4 to 1, with Ousmane Dembele setting a new
record, the second fastest hat trick from kickoff in men's World Cup history.
In about an hour, Spain is set to take on Uruguay, and tournament darlings Cap Verde will clash with Saudi Arabia.
For more on the highlights from the World Cup, Patrick Snell joins me now. Never a dull moment, and that is exactly the way we like it.
PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: It absolutely is, Erica. Yes, thank you so much. Yes, call it the Ousmane Dembele show. He was magnificent again for
France on this day Friday against the Norwegians. The reigning men's Ballon d'Or winner turning on the style. And that hat trick you referenced is the
first first-half hat trick at a men's World Cup since 1994, when the tournament was last played in the United States. The U.S., of course, one
of three co-hosts here in North America this time around.
It was an emphatic performance by the French against Erling Haaland's Norway. Erling Haaland was an unused sub in this match, a reminder that
both of these nations had already qualified for the round of 32.
And it's now four goals already for Dembele in this tournament. So, he will have his eyes very much on the Ballon d'Or, the leading scorer at the
tournament. There's confirmation of France ending up as group winners, nine points from a possible nine.
And the ominous thing about that, Erica, is the fact that the last time France won their first three matches in the group stages of the World Cup
was back in 1998 when they went on to win the tournament for the very first time. The tournament that year was on home soil. Confirmation of Senegal's
big win over Iraq. Senegal still hoping to advance as a best third place finisher.
Let's get on to Group H because Group H is absolutely fascinating. You've got the reigning European champion Spain right in there with La Roja. But
that's still wide open. Spain are playing Uruguay a little later on this evening. And we've got the remarkable story of Cape Verde playing in their
very first World Cup. They're taking on Saudi Arabia as well. Cape Verde started their campaign by holding the reigning European champion Spain to a
goalless draw. They then got another draw, two all, against Uruguay. And it's remarkable they can, in theory, still advance to the round of 32.
Let's hear now from one of their players, Roberto Pico Lopez, ahead of this match tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTO LOPES, CAPE VERDE DEFENDER: I think people have really got behind us, which is really nice. It's a really nice boost for the team. It's our
first World Cup and it's been a really special one. And just walking out there on the pitch, we're hoping to make it a little bit more special now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SNELL: Yes, I bet they are. And it's a remarkable story if they could go on and advance to the round of 32. It's the World Cup that keeps on giving
good storylines everywhere you look. And it's only going to get more exciting from now on, Erica, because we're now down to the real business
end of the tournament. We get to the round of 32. Then beyond that, the round of 16. Back to you.
HILL: Yes, absolutely. We're just getting started here. Patrick, appreciate it. Thank you.
Well, in Seattle, it turns out the World Cup spirit is not limited to humans in the area. At the Seattle Aquarium, the beloved sea otters getting
in on the action as well. Take a look at this. They're getting World Cup themed ice treats in celebration of Seattle's role as one of the
tournament's host cities.
[18:55:00]
The icy enrichment treats have been created especially for the otters by the aquarium staff. And they're also an important part of the sea otters'
care.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATIE KALCIK, SEATTLE AQUARIUM SENIOR ANIMAL CARE SPECIALIST: We try to do enrichment for them every day. Not this extravagantly. But they love ice,
they love chewing on ice and they love ice treats and like breaking fish out of ice. So, we give them a variety of toys and different enrichment
every day. It's very important for them because it helps stimulate them and change up their environment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: In today's Good Brief, a tall order no more after two weeks of desperate searching for a giraffe that went missing from a ranch in Texas.
We are happy to report Gracie has finally been found. The adventurous young giraffe scaled a rocky slab to escape her home in a real county that's
northwest of San Antonio. She was then spotted four miles south of the ranch during an aerial search. The local sheriff says she was, quote, "out
on a fling enjoying the countryside." I hope you enjoyed your freedom for a while, Gracie.
Thanks so much for joining us. I appreciate the company. I'm Erica Hill joining you from New York. You've been watching "The Brief." Be sure to
stay with CNN.
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[19:00:00]
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