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George Will "Leaving" The Republican Party; Sanders Says He'd Be Willing To Vote For Clinton; Orange County Sheriff's Office To Release 21-Page Reporte From Responding Officers At Pulse Nightclub Shooting; Over Three Million People Sign Petition Calling For Another Vote After Brexit; Trump's Controversial Ban On Muslims Entering U.S. Continues To Shift; Supreme Court Set To Issue Ruling On Abortions In Texas; Firefighters Trying To Contain Wildfire In California; Several Rushed To Area Hospitals In Sacramento Due To Stabbings. Aired 3-4p ET

Aired June 26, 2016 - 15:00   ET

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


[15:00:00] FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Where are you? All right, there you are. There are two of you.

All right, Tharon, let me begin with you. Does Gingrich have a point, this sentiment in Great Britain? Is it similar to a sentiment growing in the U.S.?

THARON JOHNSON, FORMER SOUTH REGIONAL DIRECTOR, OBAMA 2012: Well, speaker Gingrich is a fellow Georgian so I will be nice to him. But I think he is a little out of touch on this particular issue. If you look that happened a day after Brexit, you had a 300 percent increase of people going online, basically asking the question what is the EU and what happens if we basically leave the EU?

So I think there was a huge misunderstanding from the people in London UK. And I wouldn't be surprised if Donald Trump and speaker Gingrich was one of those 300 (INAUDIBLE) people who went to that. But the Hillary campaign definitely has got to sort of worried about how the tone of immigration and hatred which was at the forefront in UK, how that will basically affect the race in November.

WHITFIELD: All right. So, you know, Julian, Donald Trump tried to use this moment to his advantage while he was there, you know, ribbon cutting for a golf course in Scotland. He did weigh in on Brexit, but at the same time, you know, there was a (INAUDIBLE) of, you know, dissent in the Republican Party, people who are saying they don't want anything to do with him. George Will in fact saying he is leaving the Republican Party in large part because of Donald Trump. And then there is Brent (INAUDIBLE) who said he is willing to vote for Hillary Clinton.

Here is George Will on FOX this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE WILL, FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR: Shortly after Trump became the presumptive nominee he had a summit meeting with Paul Ryan where they stressed their common principles and their vast shared round which is much more important than their differences. I thought that was puzzling doubly so because Paul Ryan still didn't endorse him. After Trump went after the Mexican judge from northern Indiana, then Paul Ryan endorsed him. And I decided that in fact this is not my party anymore.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right. So Julian, that's George Will, you know, in addition to Scokroft (ph). (INAUDIBLE) also saying they will vote, you know, for Hillary Clinton. So, is there a feeling that there are more to follow suit? More conservative Republicans who will be doing the same thing.

JULIAN ZELIZER, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, there probably will be. I think both of those defections are important not just because Pail said and Will won't vote for Trump and might vote for Hillary Clinton. But because it sends a signal to other Republicans that you could do the same. And someone like George Will will send a signal to many of his readers, suburban voters who might take a cue from him.

And there was also a big poll that came out today that shows that Donald Trump's standing is continuing to fall. So I think the way he has handled Orlando, some of his response to Brexit has not been very favorable. And Hillary Clinton has already demonstrated how she would use this to raise questions about whether he is qualified for office.

WHITFIELD: And so, Tara, we saw Hillary Clinton complain rolling out that ad rather quickly. Julian is talking about that 12-point difference now. And some polling between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, she being out front, he is losing, you know, some steam in terms of popularity. Is that what is behind him changing his dialogue, you know, using a new qualifier what he talks about, the Muslim ban?

TARA SETMAYER, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, sure. I mean, Donald Trump we all know is obsessed with polls. That's we all heard from him throughout the entire primary. I'm winning in the polls. Well, now he is not. And it's clear that the terrible month that he's had is taking its toll.

But they need -- the Clinton people need to be very careful. Because also inside the "Washington Post"/ABC poll, was -- they broke it down by who is more likely to vote. And the people who are more likely to vote are people who are solid in the Trump camp. So the Clinton, you know, the Clinton campaign, they are depending on minority voters, women voters and their support for her is softer than Trump's support is with white men. So especially in swing states like, you know, Michigan now is in play, potentially, Donald Trump did very well there as did Bernie Sanders. The Clinton campaign was caught flat footed in the primary there. And the "Washington Post" have an interesting on the feeling of voters in the economy. They don't think that the establishment is listened to them, which is what we heard in London -- excuse me, in England and UK and the Brexit vote. So the Clinton campaign doesn't, you know, they can look at this national poll but they can't rustle their laurels because it is very close in key states that they need to win - Pennsylvania is close, Michigan, Wisconsin. These are places that they have to pay attention to Donald Trump's message is resonating there with them.

WHITFIELD: And then Tharon, there is the Bernie Sanders factor. He now saying, you know, he would be willing to vote for Hillary Clinton yet, at the same time he is not giving a real solid endorsement and where are his supporters going to go. You know, Tara outlines people that Hillary Clinton, that campaign thinks they can count on but they can't be so you know, presumptions about the Bernie Sanders supporters. So how do, you know, they, Clinton campaign, appeal to that?

[15:05:08] JOHNSON: Well, I think they continue to do what they have been doing. I mean, if you look at some of the meetings that we are having all across the U.S. right now, you're seeing Hillary Clinton supporters and Bernie Sanders supporters come together.

Now, in some stage you are seeing some Bernie Sanders' folks sort of complaining about the process. But listen. Bernie Sanders did a really, really good job in running for Democratic nominee for president. I mean, what he did is basically unprecedented. But at a time where we know Hillary Clinton is going to be the nominee, I think Bernie Sanders would do exactly what Hillary Clinton did for then senator Barack Obama and that --

WHITFIELD: Bu then remember, there was Bernie or bust. You saw that from his supporters, Bernie or bust. I mean, even, you know, even if she was the presumptive nominee, there were Bernie supporters who are still committing to him.

JOHNSON: Well, one of the things that Bernie said few weeks ago, Fred, is that he said that listen. He is going to stay in this race as long as he can but he committed to one thing and that was beating Donald Trump in November.

But one of the things that Tara said earlier, and I'm so glad she brought this point up. What you're seeing happen with Hillary Clinton's campaign, the minute Donald Trump flew over in the helicopter and talked about the threat count in the new gulf course, the Clinton campaign was able to come up with an ad within basically hours. And so, the lack of infrastructure that Donald Trump has right now his campaign is showing. But at a time when Hillary Clinton has people in nine out of ten battle ground states working on ground basically raising money, she spent a lot of money on television. So I push sort of flip back on terrorist notion that we're in trouble and states like Michigan and Florida and others I think will do quite well of that.

WHITFIELD: And then Julian --.

SETMAYER: The polls show it's even now. So I mean, you know, Donald Trump is moderating a little bit on those other issues because he knows that they are untenable. You can't say you're going to ban all Muslims and you know, you are going to deport 12 million people. He knows those untenable. Those are things he was speaking hyperbole during a primary election and that horrified most of us.

I understand George Will, where he is coming from. As a conservative who is a never Trump person, I'm looking at the Republican Party horrified, I don't know what party this is. I understand where he is coming from. But Donald Trump also has people in his ear now that are saying listen, if you want to pivot to general, these are the kinds of things you have to say but, you know, what does he really stand for? We don't know. And that's the part of the problem. And Hillary has to figure out how she is going to combat that.

WHITFIELD: And so Julian, you want to punctuate it.

ZELIZER: Yes, look. I mean, I think, you know, she can't rest easily. And I think there are threats. But right now, he doesn't have the infrastructure. He doesn't have the money. And he is making statements again and again that will not help him even in states like Pennsylvania or Ohio or Michigan, it is not simply voters who are angry. There is also suburban voters, educated voters, conservative voters who will not go for him. So he has got to have to really fundamentally change his post primary strategy if it's going to be a serious candidate.

WHITFIELD: All right, Julian Zelizer, Tara Setmayer, and Tharon Johnson, thank you so much. Good to see all of you.

ZELIZER: Thank you.

SETMAYER: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right. So once again, Bernie Sanders says the Clinton campaign needs to be bolder. He talked to CNN's Jake Tapper this morning about his views on Trump and what he will do to keep the Republican nominee out of the White House.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAKE TAPPER, CNN CHIEF WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Senator, you have said you want to do everything in your power to ensure that Donald Trump does not become president. According to a new Bloomberg poll, barely half of you supporters, 55 percent plan to vote for Hillary Clinton, 22 percent say they will vote for Donald Trump, another 18 percent favors libertarian candidate Gary Johnson. Do you think Hillary Clinton can win if almost half of the supporters do not plan on voting for her?

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You know, we have a long, long way to go to Election Day and the world changes as you know every week. What I think is that if Hillary Clinton and this is what we're trying to do right now, we are trying to save to secretary Clinton, and to the Clinton campaign, make it clear which side you are on.

For example, one of the areas that I think resonated very strongly across this country is the understanding that today in 2016, we need to make public education include free tuition at public colleges and universities. Truth is Secretary Clinton has some good ideas about higher education, doesn't go far enough.

In terms of health care, it is not good enough to say that 90 percent of people have health insurance now because many of those insurance policies are really quite inadequate. We need to be much more aggressive. The affordable care act has done good things. We need to go further than that. So I think right now what we are doing is trying to say to the Clinton campaign, stand up, be bolder than you have been and many of those voters may come on board.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right, so what will be next for the Clinton campaign and will her choice in a running mate influence voters at all?

I want you to look at the latest Monmouth poll, 39 percent of voters say they would be more likely to vote for the Democratic ticket if Bernie Sanders were on it. The Clinton camp is not entertaining that option, we understand, but Hillary Clinton is due to speak next hour at the U.S. conference of mayors in Indianapolis and we'll bring that to you live.

All right. Straight ahead, new details coming from the officers responding to the massacre at the Pulse nightclub two weeks ago. This, as Seattle and other cities around the country honor the Orlando victims during their gay pride festivities. And we will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:13:39] WHITFIELD: All right. Welcome back. New information now coming from the first responders to the Pulse nightclub attack in Orlando two weeks ago. The Orange County sheriff's office releasing a 21-page report from the officers who rushed to the scene.

CNN's Nick Valencia has combed through the documents. And what more have you found?

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Fred.

You get a sense of just how chaotic and confusing things were in the moments immediately after that terrorist open fire at the Pulse nightclub. These police reports are very matter of fact, but you can feel the emotion as officers describe seeing blood everywhere, and seeing dead bodies and recovering victims from inside that club.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VALENCIA (voice-over): The first police report of shots fired came two minutes after 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 12th. 2:05, reports released by the Orange County sheriff's office describe an all-out assault.

Deputy Marc Rutkoski writes following a barrage of gunfire, I obtained a stretcher and responded to the south side of the building. He assist a victim while the active shooter continues firing within the Pulse nightclub.

Deputy Keith Fiddler (ph) is on the scene by 2:08. He immediately sees three to four bodies lying in the parking lot. Another officer, Gustavo Pizzarello, writes in his report, I observed

individuals running out of the club covered in blood with gunshot wounds and many more in the parking lot also with gunshot wounds.

As more survivors pour out from the nightclub officers try to get information about the shooter inside but are unable. Responding deputies describe a state of panic.

In the 21 pages of police narratives released to the media, the reports detail the chaos. Many of the victims had gunshot wounds and some who had been carried over appeared to be dead.

Deputy Raymond Torellas writes, he and other officers begin to search victims extracted from the club, separating them by their level of injuries. There are also concerns of possible improvised explosive devices outside the pulse nightclub.

Just after 2:30, Deputy Johnerick Sanchez writes about going inside the club while the gunman is still in there. He begins evacuating victims from bathrooms and in dressing room located on the west side of the club.

Just before 3:00 a.m., officers have already established a perimeter and wait for the SWAT team to complete their entry.

By 5:00 a.m., police breached the walls and the attack is over, three hours after it began.

In the wake of the shooting, police are surrounded by the carnage of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VALENCIA: Unbelievably chilly accounts from those first responders who will no doubt have images of that night burned into their minds for the rest of their lives - Fred.

WHITFIELD: Nick, thanks so much for that. Appreciate it.

Millions of people are taking part in gay pride parades across the country to honor the victims Hillary Clinton has been marching in the largest one in New York City. Pulse nightclub owner Barbara Poma is also there. Police estimate the two million people are attending today's events in New York. The NYPD has dramatically increased its presence at this year's parade but stressed so far there has been no credibility threats to the parade or any other events this weekend. A ban on transgender people serving in the U.S. military could soon be coming to an end. Pentagon officials signaled they could lift the ban as soon as this week but say they are still hammering out details that could delay the announcement. It's not clear how far the Pentagon would go in lifting the ban in terms of defining rules and procedures which a transgender person could serve.

Still to come, Scotland is now threatening to block the Brexit vote, petition for a do-over. We'll have the latest on that.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:21:13] WHITFIELD: Welcome back. The first global stock markets getting ready to open overnight in Asia. And we could be in store for more turmoil after the United Kingdom vote to leave the European Union. Today, the Chinese finance minister weighing in saying the vote will quote "cast a shadow over the global economy," end quote.

On Friday, markets around the world have fast plummeted. Here in the U.S. the Dow dropped more than 600 points by the end of the day. And just days after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, we are seeing major roadblocks. Scotland's political leader is saying today that country might try to block Brexit from even happening.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Would you consider asking the parliament not to back such a motion of legislative concern?

NICOLA STURGEON, SCOTTISH FIRST MINISTER: Of course --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Of course did you say?

STURGEON: Of course. If the Scottish parliament was judging this on the basis of what's right for Scotland, then the option of saying that we are not going to vote for something that is against Scotland's interest, of course that's going to be --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: In Britain more than three million people have signed a petition calling for another vote. Meantime, British Prime Minister David Cameron is facing increased pressure to speed up his exit from office and find the person who will replace him. And tomorrow, U.S. secretary of state John Kerry heads to Belgium and UK to meet with counterparts over that vote.

CNN's Becky Anderson has more details.

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: There is growing fallout from Britain's decision to leave the European Union. Scottish leaders upset over the outcome of the referendum are once again floating the idea of breaking away from the United Kingdom. Remember, more Scots voted to stay in the EU than leave in this vote. So they are doing all they can to keep themselves in the European club. But a fresh referendum could allow them to do that.

It is just another headache for the Prime Minister David Cameron already on his way out of the door. He is having to listen to a growing debate about who is going to replace him. Among the top candidates, this man, (INAUDIBLE), who was until recently a close ally of Cameron but became a leader of the leave campaign. And the favorite Boris Johnson, Cameron's old school friend and a former mayor of London.

Meanwhile, Washington, Britain's closest ally is watching it all very closely. Ahead to going to Brussels on Monday, American secretary of state John Kerry said what matters most is what happens next.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KERRY, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: So I am looking forward to my meetings tomorrow when I will meet in both Brussels and London. Brussels with the EU and of course in London in order to determine what they are thinking about the transition and process ahead.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Among them big global campaigns like taking on ISIS, but it's far less clear there as the motivation to plow forward on anything. But British needs in the British capitol the political mood is one of great uncertainty.

Becky Anderson, CNN, London.

WHITFIELD: All right. Also, coming up as Donald Trump shifts his position on banning Muslims from entering the U.S., one actor says the candidate's words make him fear for the safety of his family. We'll talk about that next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:27:45] WHITFIELD: All right, Donald Trump continues to shift his controversial proposal banning Muslims from entering the United States after initially calling for a complete ban last year, he now says that would only apply to Muslims from terrorist nations. Trump tweeted last night we must suspend immigration from regions linked with terrorism until a proven vetting method is in place. We only want to admit those who love our people and support our values, #Americafirst. I have never liked the media term mass deportation but we must enforce the laws of the land. That's from Donald Trump.

I want to bring in "Daily Beast" contributor Dean Obedallah who is Muslim and the founder of Muslim-Americans for Trump, Sajid Tarar. GOOD to see both of you.

So Sajid, you first, why do you support Donald Trump when at first he said ban all Muslims from entering the United States?

SAJID TARAR, FOUNDER, MUSLIM AMERICANS FOR TRUMP: I wanted to express myself. I'm here since the last 30 years and love this country dearly. And Donald Trump is the first person who is an outsider first of all and he's talking about not only the Muslim issue, terrorist issues, he is bringing so many issues on the table. He doesn't feel that political correctness.

WHITFIELD: But on the issue of banning Muslims in America changing now changing his language and you are a Muslim-American, you don't take offense with that and never did?

TARAR: Matter of fact, since the beginning he came up with exceptions and he said that one in four countries -- let me explain, when he came over this idea of banning Muslims the issue of California -- and then there was a -- they wanted to bring 200,000 Syrian refugees here without any background check and without any vetting system. So this is a scary thing. We don't want to have this country another Middle East or another Europe situations like France or Belgium where the Muslims are living in ghettos, and they don't have (INAUDIBLE) to the places where they are living at. We don't want have that in this country. We are here. We are peace loving people and safety of America is our number priority as well. And America first, the point has come up. America first --

[15:30:11] WHITFIELD: And Dean, I'm sorry to cut you off. I thought you were stopping at that level point.

So Dean, why do you see things differently? Why do you interpret Donald Trump's words differently?

DEAN OBEDALLAH, CONTRIBUTOR, THE DAILY BEAST: Well, I do agree with one thing, Donald Trump should only let people in our country that share American values. So I'm hoping U.S. customs doesn't let him back in the country from Scotland. Because Donald Trump has not recognizes, not share my values or the values of most Americans in this country. He began the campaign demonizing Latinos and then pivoting to Muslims because he thinks this is going to help him.

Let's be honest. The comment that 200,000 come refugees are going to come in and not be vetted is simply not true. It's been fact checked as wrong. We are talking about 10,000 this year, vetted over 18 to 24 months. We agree we only want people who were vetted. We are not going to commit horrible acts or murder. But at the same time, banning all Muslims is not a policy statement, it's a position to demonize Muslims to make their life of young Muslims more difficult in this country. That's why (INAUDIBLE) the article he mentioned was so great, that very point.

WHITFIELD: OK. In fact, here is a bit of that article that Aziz wrote in the "New York Times" op-ed saying quote "the vitriolic and hate-filled rhetoric coming from Mr. Trump isn't so far off from cursing at strangers from a car window. He has said that the people in the American-Muslim community know who the bad ones are implying that millions of innocent people are somehow complicit in awful attacks. Not only is this wrongheaded but it also does nothing to address the real problems posed by terrorist attacks."

So, Sajid, what do you think about those words? Do you share any of those feelings? Do you feel as, you know, Obedallah just said, Donald demonized American Muslims, Muslims in general?

TARAR: I want to make a correction, (INAUDIBLE) all of the liberal are progressive people don't recognize this issue of radical Islam. And I have said several times that radical Islam is not only the trap to the best of civilization is a trap for itself. And this Aziz, there are a lot of confusions. He has fear, he has met a 40 years old girl who has fear that she looks like, you know, a terrorist. And at the same time two shootings, two accidents in the last six months, both are from homegrown Americans radicalized young people. And then nobody is coming up with the concrete solution.

In both situations, the parents have felt -- the parents have failed to identify (INAUDIBLE) and failed to address it. They are failed to report it and other day the 49 people lost their lives and current administration of some of the liberals even then don't want to identify the radicalism of getting radicalized is a problem or issue.

To me I think this is an issue that needs to be addressed. We have to be more active and more up front in condemning these things and making sure that these things doesn't happen in the future. And Donald Trump is the first person who has looked into the eye to eye of this issue.

Let me give you an example. I was born in a country where 80,000 people have died by the suicide bombers and (INAUDIBLE) are still spreading here and there. (INAUDIBLE) and not only to them, we are living in a civilized world and half of our current --

WHITFIELD: So -- Dean, what's your response to that?

OBEDALLAH: You know, let's be blunt. If you want to combat ISIS and radicalization, it's about unifying us, bringing us together as America. ISIS loves Donald Trump. And I don't say it joking. I say that really. He helps in the recruit. That's why he is one of their videos, dividing Americans, making Muslims feel they are not part of the society. That's what Donald Trump wants by saying Islam hates us.

And thousands of Muslims cheered after 9/11, both lies. It makes it easy for ISIS to make their sales pitch online. So let's unite. Let's be united as Americans against ISIS. Muslim-Americans are out there in the frontline. Omar Mateen, the guy from Orlando, turned in by a fellow Muslim to the FBI. What more could Muslim do than it turn someone over the FBI?

So it is not as if we are hiding radicalization. Aziz's article, I suggest people read it. Great article, touching article about his parents, Muslim immigrant that fears for them as Muslims. It is beautiful. And you should not fear in this country for your safety simply because of religion, ethnicity or race.

WHITFIELD: All right. We are going to leave it right there.

Dean Obedallah, Sajid Tarar, thank you so much to both of you gentlemen. Appreciate it.

OBEDALLAH: Thank you.

TARAR: Thanks.

WHITFIELD: All right. The fate of the most important abortion case in nearly two decades could be determined by the U.S. Supreme Court tomorrow. Up next, what we can expect from a possible rulings that could affect millions of women across the nation.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:38:45] WHITFIELD: All right. Welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

Tomorrow the U.S. Supreme Court is set to issue a ruling over abortion that could affect millions of women in this country. At issue, a Texas law that puts new restrictions on abortion clinics which could dramatically reduce the number of clinics available to woman.

Gloria Browne-Marshal is a constitutional law professor. She is joining me right now from Philadelphia.

All right, good to see you. So what is at stake overall? What does this mean if indeed the U.S. Supreme Court were to say new restrictions have to be in place for these abortion clinics or otherwise?

GLORIA BROWNE-MARSHAL, CONSTITUTIONAL LAW PROFESSOR, JOHN JAY COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE: Well, right now because we only have eight justices, if there is a 4-4 divide as we saw with the immigration case, that means the lower court's ruling stands and that puts the requirements on these clinics to rise to a level that is really unprecedented for an abortion clinic that also does other types of health care as well because it's millions upon millions of dollars that would be needed to retrofit these clinics and millions and millions of women without access to abortion.

WHITFIELD: And contention is particularly in Texas if these restrictions be put in place it would reduce the number of clinics that would be available because as you say very few clinics would be able to afford these new restrictions. Among those restrictions or changes, modifications, does that include some of these clinics would have to have a better working relationship with nearby hospitals. Why would that mean a threatening the livelihood, so to speak, of a clinic staying open?

[15:40:24] BROWNE-MARSHAL: Well, you know, it's very difficult to get these privileges. Now, there is access to emergency room treatment no matter what. One does not have to have a doctor with admitting privileges to have access to an emergency room treatment if it's necessary, we know that from all of the things that have ever happened to any of us individually or that we have seen. But they want these doctors at the clinics to have admitting privileges, very difficult to get and they also want to retrofit the buildings to require the standard for a small hospital.

Now, there are many other standalone facilities that are not required to have this. The legal standard now is whether or not this is an undue burden that they are placing on clinics in order to prevent the women from accessing abortion services or is this really in the best interest and well-being of these women.

WHITFIELD: And if there is -- if the U.S. Supreme Court indeed ruling tomorrow and it is a 4-4 decision without a ninth Supreme Court justice and indeed it will go to the lower court ruling, is there a possibility that this case would revisit the U.S. Supreme Court or could potentially be challenged again down the road?

BROWNE-MARSHAL: It could be challenged again but a lot of the states are going to jump on board. Those states with conservative governors perhaps are going to jump on board and immediately as we saw with voting rights act, immediately begin to change the requirements for these clinics causing them also to be in the same situation as whole women's health so there would be fewer clinics available, that the standards require for example in Texas, for a woman to be there two days, that's two days away from work, two days ways from her family, two days staying in a hotel or in other expenses, so there's this ripple effect that's going to be nationwide. And by the time another case makes its way up to the court, these restrictions will already be in place and clinics would have already closed.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thank you so much, Gloria Browne-Marshal. Tomorrow potentially a very big day there at the U.S. Supreme Court. Appreciate your insight.

BROWNE-MARSHAL: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right. Straight ahead, 36,000 acres and counting have been scorched in southern California as wildfire rages through the state. Up next, we speak with one of the photographers documenting the fire before being evacuated themselves.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:46:30] WHITFIELD: I'm back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

This breaking news we follow out of the capital of California, Sacramento. There have been a number of people who have been rushed to the hospital because of a multiple stabbings taking place there. Here are some of the latest video coming in. You really see people kind of running but unclear exactly what is at issue, what happened and what was this rally all about?

Bottom line we know there were multiple stabbings and now people are also being hospitalized. Of course, when we get more information about this rally and these injuries we will, of course, bring that to you as soon as possible. That in Sacramento, California.

All right. Meantime, also in California, firefighters are starting to contain a wildfire there. Now raging about 110 miles outside of Los Angeles. At least two people have been killed in the Erskine fire. And authorities are also trying to determine whether suspicious bones that were found are human. More than 150 homes have been destroyed and at least 1500 more are in danger. Many residents barely made it out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAROL DANGLE, HOMEOWNER: We couldn't get anything. It hit the top of the ridge. We saw it and within 20 minutes, it was -- it was there. Our house was on fire.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right. More than 35,000 acres have been scorched and the fire is now just 10 percent contained.

Michael Cuffe is a photojournalist based in the area and he was documenting the fire when he became part of the story and he himself had to be evacuated. He is joining me right now live from Santa Cruz, California.

We are glad you are OK. That must have been a frightening moment?

MICHAEL CUFFE, PHOTOJOURNALIST WHO WAS EVACUATED: Yes. Wildfires are not my favorite thing anymore. This is the second time this happened to me in my experience. And actually, while driving up here last night, I passed through another wildfire that had broken out just by the San Luis reservoir. So yes, it has been a crazy past few days.

WHITFIELD: Well, wildfires are very unpredictable and it's a very volatile situation. What was the situation you were in and, you know, describe for me?

CUFFE: Sure, you know, I was across the lake in a town called Walfort Heights in the (INAUDIBLE) area. And so, I literally saw from Lake Isabella, I have watched the fire break out firsthand. I just happened to like look out the window. And whenever you see fire in a dry mountain area like up there, you immediately kind of go on alert. And I had started to time lapse it. Me, I'm a photographer, so I wanted to capture everything as fast as possible. But watching how fast the fire broke out down in Isabella and climbed the mountain and as you have in the clip before, the woman saying it reached the ridge and, you know, they had no time. I mean, at a certain point, it became concerning for all of the people I know who lived on the other side of the lake. To be honest with you, I've seen wildfires here in California. But this one, the speed at which it moved, it's hard to explain unless you see it firsthand, but to watch a fire just climb across mountains, it was -- it went 11 miles in 13 hours.

WHITFIELD: My goodness. And we are looking at your kind of time lapse, you know, your succession of photographs there and able to see, you know, what you saw as you're watching it grow. But at what point where you worried about your own personal safety or did you start thinking about your own evacuation plan knowing that, you know, wildfires can take a turn, you know, at any moment?

[15:50:05] CUFFE: Well, you know, when you live in those areas, you definitely have a kind of fire preparedness with you. Frankly, after running from a wildfire a couple years ago myself, I literally -- photos of the most important thing to me. I literally carry my hard drives and camera gear with me even when I just go up the road this time of year. And so, when this broke out, I was, you know, right on top of, you know, checking to make sure I was safe first. And you know, that in our -- the wind was blowing on opposite direction from us. And so, that was helpful to know that it wasn't coming towards us. But like you said, things can change really fast up there. And so, you just have to keep an eye -- keep an eye on things and just, you know, watch things as they progress.

WHITFIELD: And what were you hearing or even seeing in other residents in the general vicinity?

CUFFE: Well, that's probably the thing for me that was, you know, here I am documenting this and taking these photos. And my photos have gone viral around the world the past few days. And you know, the thing is you're out documenting this major event. And you know, while I'm documenting it, you have residents from south lake, from squirrel valley, from Walden, people who have ash in their hair and, you know, a few photo frames tossed in their dashboard and they just escaped, you know. And it was -- that's the -- it was a very kind of emotional thing. I mean, I was giving big grown guys hugs because, you know, they are like, I just escaped seconds ago.

So, it was a pretty interesting, yet intense experience. And I'm happy I got amazing photos. But at the same point, I also remind myself a lot of people went through a lot that night. I hope that they don't find more people because I cannot explain how fast that fire moved through those neighborhoods.

WHITFIELD: Well, Michael Cuffe, we're glad you're OK. And you know, your images just help magnify the seriousness, you know, of these volatile fires. Of course, we are wishing the best for everyone who is fighting the fire trying to stay safe throughout.

Michael Cuffe, thank you so much.

CUFFE: Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

WHITFIELD: All right. So very much north of that Los Angeles area where this Erskine fire is, breaking news, here to CNN now. Multiple stabbing taking place in Sacramento, California. At a rally, five people now have been transported to local hospitals and some are in critical condition. The fire department says this is a mass casualty incident. Multiple stabbing victims at the state capitol during a rally there. Still unclear what the rally was all about, of how things unfolded.

Here's some of the latest images we have received in. All we can see here is people scarring. But again, we don't really know what's at issue here about those who are running or what's taking place here. Bottom line, we just know that there have been multiple stabbings. At least five people now being treated for stabbing injuries there in Sacramento. More information as we get it.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[15:56:54] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's no need for a battle. Get off your house and kneel. I'm a man of mercy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're right. There's no need for a battle.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: You die hard fans know what that was. That's a clip from last week's episode of the hit HBO series "Game of thrones." Well tonight, fans are getting ready for the season six finale.

Joining me right now to talk about what we can expect is CNN entertainment analyst, Chris Witherspoon. Good to see you, Chris. So what are the biggest predictions, if you

dare to make one, for tonight's finale?

CHRIS WITHERSPOON, CNN ENTERTAINMENT ANALYST: If I dare. And I mean, this show, what's brilliant about it, it really keeps us guessing. I feel like we don't know what is going to happen. We think about season three, the red wedding. I suspect we are going to see some main characters die. We have not seen any major death this season and that is unfortunate. But I think that we are going to see some really big drama. Someone's going to die, I think. And I think we'll see again big moments for Aria Stark. Sandra Stark had a big moment last week. And of course, Danara (ph), she might leave marine today, who knows.

WHITFIELD: Favorite who dies, right?

WITHERSPOON: Yes, I mean, that's what this show is known for. We don't know what's going to happen. And it kind of keeps you guessing. They don't care about fan loyalty or fans loyalty to these major characters. They just kill them off. So I think tonight, as per usual, we will see some major deaths.

WHITFIELD: OK. Cliff hanger. That's why people will watch. In the past, second to last episodes are more eventful and the season finales are more of a kind of a preview for the next season. Can you at least think to expect that?

WITHERSPOON: Totally. I think that this show knows that the fans are dying for this season seven. I mean, we are off book right now, so no one really knows what's happening. And that's part of us made this show so incredible. This year, we have seen so many tweetable moments because folks are really seeing these things happen for the first time. They haven't read about them. So I think we are going to have these die hard fans that have read the book, that are diehard fans of the series, watching tonight to get glimpse of what might be coming next season. Because no one knows. Not even folks who read the book knows what is going to happen next season.

WHITFIELD: All right. Chris Witherspoon, thank you so much. You got to be into death, right, because you said die a lot in that segment. And that's what that show is all about.

WITHERSPOON: Yes.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thank you. Appreciate it.

All right. More straight ahead in the NEWSROOM. And it all starts right now.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

WHITFIELD: All right. Hello again, everyone.

We are following this break news coming out of the California capital of Sacramento where there are multiple reported stabbings all taking place surrounding a rally there. Five people in fact have been transported to local hospital, some in critical condition. The fire department saying this is a mass casualty incident with multiple stabbing victims at the state capitol. Still unclear what this rally was all about. Sacramento fire department triaging patients right now, we understand.

In fact, look at this video, this is video at the rally showing some people who are being treated right there in makeshift triage. Then you see images right here of people running. We're not quite sure what's going on there. People carrying sticks right there.