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EARLY START

Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker Says Robert Mueller Probe Is Almost Finished; Sen. Kamala Harris Makes Pitch To Voters in CNN Town Hall; Brutal Deep Freeze Hits The U.S. Bringing The Coldest Weather In a Generation; New U.S. Sanctions Target Venezuela's Oil Industry. Aired 5:30-6a ET

Aired January 29, 2019 - 05:30   ET

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


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:32:45] (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATTHEW WHITAKER, ACTING U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: The investigation is, I think, close to being completed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DAVE BRIGGS, CNN ANCHOR: The acting A.G. says the end of the Mueller probe is near, but Democrats have fresh concerns about how much will be made public.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Kamala Harris faces the voters. What the Democratic 2020 hopeful says about policy, her record, and debating Donald Trump.

BRIGGS: Parts of the U.S. will feel colder than Antarctica. Days of dangerous weather ahead from the Upper Midwest to the Deep South.

ROMANS: And important news for Apple users. A Facetime bug lets people eavesdrop on your iPhone.

Welcome back to EARLY START, everybody. I'm Christine Romans.

BRIGGS: Listen and even see what's going on in your world.

I'm Dave Briggs, 5:33 Eastern time. Good morning, everyone.

We begin, though, with the clearest sign yet that the Russia investigation is nearing its end. Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker told reporters he's been fully briefed and he says the end of the special counsel Robert Mueller's probe is in sight.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WHITAKER: Right now, you know, the investigation is, I think, close to being completed and I hope that we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as we -- as possible.

(END VIDEO CLIP) ROMANS: The Russia probe has already shown signs it is wrapping up. Some of Mueller's prosecutors have moved to different jobs. His office has moved some cooperating witnesses, like former national security adviser Michael Flynn, toward sentencing.

Whitaker also rattled some Democrats when he said Mueller's decisions will be reviewed by the Justice Department.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WHITAKER: I am comfortable that the decisions that were made are going to be reviewed, you know, either -- through the various means we have.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: As things stand, the attorney general decides how much of Mueller's report is released to the public. For now, that's Whitaker, but most likely, Bill Barr in just a few weeks. Barr vows the report won't be withheld for an improper purpose but won't guarantee to release it in full.

ROMANS: There's a move in Congress to ensure no matter who is A.G., at least some of Mueller's output sees the light of day. Bipartisan legislation filed Monday would require the special counsel to summarize his findings in a report to Congress and the public.

[05:35:01] BRIGGS: Senator Kamala Harris making her pitch to voters at a CNN town hall in Iowa, the first major T.V. event in the 2020 race.

The California Democrat laying out her agenda. Her top priority, a tax cut for the middle-class. She backs Medicare for All and doing away with private health insurance.

She supports a green new deal to fight climate change, paid parental leave. Also, not pictured, debt-free college. And what she calls reasonable gun control, like an assault weapons ban.

She was asked about the possibility of debating President Trump.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How do you stay on your message --

SEN. KAMALA HARRIS (D-CA), 2020 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: -- and not get caught up in his crazy?

HARRIS: That's a --

(LAUGHTER)

HARRIS: Anyone who presents themselves as a leader and wants to be a leader will speak like a leader. And that means speaking with integrity, it means speaking truth and speaking in a way that expresses and indicates some level of interest and concern in people other than one's self.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Let's bring in "CNN POLITICS" reporter Lauren Dezenski, coauthor of "The Point" on cnn.com. Good morning, Lauren.

BRIGGS: Good morning.

ROMANS: Nice to see you here.

How'd she do last night?

LAUREN DEZENSKI, CNN POLITICS, THE POINT, COAUTHOR, "THE POINT": Good morning.

Kamala Harris made her pitch. She made her appeal.

And let's not forget this is the beginning of the 2020 crazy. This was the, really, more key political event kind of kicking off the 2020 cycle. We're essentially a year away from the Iowa caucuses and ladies and gentlemen, it is happening.

ROMANS: Six hundred forty-four days to the election.

DEZENSKI: Yes.

BRIGGS: Just around the corner.

DEZENSKI: Not that we're counting. No, definitely not.

BRIGGS: Some have been critical of her time as a prosecutor. Here's how she defended that with Jake Tapper last night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: There are some people who just believe that prosecutors shouldn't exist and I don't think I'm ever going to satisfy them. But I will also say that there is so much more work to do, and do I wish I could have done more, absolutely.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: Will that satisfy her critics?

DEZENSKI: At the end of the day, Kamala Harris is really kind of trying to thread a very specific needle with her record as attorney general -- as someone in the law enforcement community.

Her campaign slogan even -- her campaign slogan even -- "Kamala Harris For the People." She's clearly running on her record in law and in this type of space. Where and how that kind of appeases other critics of criminal justice and the criminal justice system, I think will stand to be seen and she's very much going to deal with this question in the coming 600 days or so.

ROMANS: Her policies are skewing progressive. You know, debt-free college --

BRIGGS: Yes.

ROMANS: -- a tax cut for the middle-class. You know, it was the corporate tax cut that she's been critical of.

Medicare for All, private health insurance paid, parental leave.

I haven't heard her talking about a tax on the wealthy like you've seen Elizabeth Warren so far.

BRIGGS: No.

ROMANS: But her -- on the issues, I mean, it's a -- it's a solid progressive background, no?

DEZENSKI: Yes, this is a capital "P" progressive candidate. She's really leaned into that very much. And I think the next questions will be is how do the voters in Iowa respond?

One of the main things that we also saw from that town hall was that these voters -- these Democrats, specifically, want someone who can beat President Trump. So, does checking all of these boxes of these progressive bona fides, does that mean that she can get the support necessary to really, really take on Trump?

BRIGGS: All right.

The other issue that's popped up the last couple of days, of course, former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz saying he wants to get in as an Independent candidate. He was talking about this in a forum yesterday when he heckled by somebody. Listen to what happened.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't help elect Trump, you egotistical, billionaire a******!"

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: Would he help reelect Trump, and why are Democrats so panicked about that prospect?

DEZENSKI: That's very much the concern, I think, for most Democrats. One of the major takeaways that we're really seeing bubbling up over the last 24 hours with the news of Howard Schultz's candidacy is that there is serious concern that someone could take away any sort of momentum from a Democratic candidate and give Trump the victory.

The sense is that Howard Schultz kind of checks off more Democratic boxes that --

BRIGGS: Yes.

DEZENSKI: -- as an Independent candidate, he would eat into the support that a potential Democratic nominee would have. So, where and what that looks like and how Howard Schultz's candidacy --

ROMANS: Yes.

DEZENSKI: -- could be taken by potential Democratic voters, I think it's really, really a concern when --

BRIGGS: Yes.

DEZENSKI: -- this far out the baseline concern is how do you beat Trump?

ROMANS: Yes, and --

BRIGGS: The Ralph Nader impact down in Florida --

ROMANS: Yes. You know --

BRIGGS: -- perhaps.

ROMANS: Let's talk about the here and now shutdown politics still in full force. We heard from Mick Mulvaney on Sunday on weekend shows saying yes, the president -- the president could do another shutdown.

[05:40:06] But then, Sarah Sanders, yesterday, said this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SARAH SANDERS, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The president doesn't want to go through another shutdown. That's not the goal. The goal is border security and protecting the American people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: What's, Lauren, the playbook here? What's the way forward here for avoiding another shutdown and getting through this?

DEZENSKI: That's a great question. There's now 17 elected officials on Congress on Capitol Hill who are now charged with figuring out the way forward.

We have that Conference Committee that's essentially trying to figure out a solution to border security. But they're essentially tasked with an impossible setup. Even President Trump, in an interview this weekend, said he gives them less than a 50-50 shot at being successful, so that's not exactly a vote of confidence there.

ROMANS: Right.

DEZENSKI: But that being said, I think at least right now the consensus is that no one wants to see a shutdown. We'll see what President Trump says at the State of the Union next week, which is now on the books.

ROMANS: Yes. DEZENSKI: What will the return to normal look like and will there be a consensus from Congress that shutdowns are not on the table anymore? And do they seek some sort of legislation that would prevent that as an option for the president going forward?

BRIGGS: That seems the one thing both parties agree on is shutdowns are stupid. They are bad politics and no leverage is gained.

Lauren Dezenski, good to have you here this morning. Thank you.

ROMANS: Nice to see you.

DEZENSKI: Thanks, guys.

ROMANS: All right.

In the Midwest, a life-threatening hard freeze making -- wow, making parts of the country feel colder than Antarctica. Millions of Americans at risk for the coldest air in a generation. Wind chills all over the Midwest will range from minus 20 to minus 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

The biting cold already causing at least one death in Minnesota; two in Illinois. Schools in Chicago are closed today. In Minnesota's Twin Cities, schools have closed today and tomorrow. Michigan and Wisconsin declaring states of emergency.

BRIGGS: Even in the Deep South, a deep freeze. Empty store shelves spotted at this grocery store in Alabama ahead of the cold. The governor there declaring a winter weather emergency.

Here's meteorologist Pedram Javaheri with the brutal forecast.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, Dave and Christine, a pretty incredible pattern here the next couple of days and we're talking about really dangerous wind chills that are extending from about 30 to 55 below in some areas.

In fact, in northern Minnesota, as cold as 65 below wind chill could be expected into the next couple of mornings and that is precisely why schools have been canceled across some of these areas. And, in fact, 42 below, what it feels like right now in places such as International Falls.

And look at this trend. This is a multiday trend here so we get not only the current shot of cold air but an additional reinforcing shot of arctic air comes in through Wednesday and Thursday. And eventually, all of that cold air wants to end up across the Northeast albeit a little bit more modified, a little intense, but still impressive nonetheless.

And look at Chicago. Low temperatures Wednesday of minus 24. Seventeen above here in the coldest time of year is what is considered the average low temperature. And even in Minneapolis, eight is what average low and 31 below is

what we're aiming for over the next couple of days.

But, again, the front extends on towards the south. A quick shot of snow showers possible into Jackson and Birmingham.

But if you look at these temperatures in Chicago, it could easily be the coldest afternoon in recorded history and one of the coldest, if not the coldest overnight ever observed in the city's history as well for the city of Chicago -- guys.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right, Pedram. Thank you so much for that.

BRIGGS: Geez, just checking out these temps.

ROMANS: I know, it's unbelievable.

BRIGGS: It feels like 40 below in Fargo right now.

ROMANS: All right.

BRIGGS: All right.

The White House says all options are on the table to deal with the crisis in Venezuela. Troops headed to Colombia? That's a possibility if you believe John Bolton's notepad.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:47:57] BRIGGS: Four Houston police officers are recovering this morning after they were shot trying to serve a search warrant.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

POLICE OFFICER 1: Bring down two more ambulances. We need more ambulances.

POLICE OFFICER 2: Multiple officers shot. Multiple officers shot. We need more ambulances.

POLICE OFFICER 3: They're still in the house. They're still in the house.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: About a dozen narcotics officers and several patrol officers approaching a residence where police suspected drugs were being sold.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ART ACEVEDO, POLICE CHIEF, HOUSTON, TEXAS: Immediately upon reaching the door, the officers came under fire from one or two suspects inside the house. Once the officers reached the door and the gun -- the gunfire began from the suspects. One of the suspects actually retreated momentarily to the back of the room and then that suspect came back and again engaged the officers in gunfire.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: Police returned fire, killing two suspects at the scene. Two of the wounded officers were in surgery last night in critical but stable condition.

ROMANS: The U.S. stepping up efforts to force President Nicolas Maduro from power in Venezuela. New sanctions target Venezuela's oil industry in an effort to deprive the Maduro government of the cash that allows him to hold on to power.

As for further U.S. action, national security adviser John Bolton is not ruling anything out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN BOLTON, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: The president has made it very clear on this -- on this matter that all options are on the table.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: If you saw that yellow notepad Bolton was holding you couldn't help but notice the scribbling that says "5,000 troops to Colombia." Currently, there are just a few hundred U.S. troops there. Asked to explain the notes, the White House telling CNN, quote, "As the president has said, all options are on the table."

More now on the crisis in Venezuela from CNN's Nick Paton Walsh in neighboring Colombia.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Christine and Dave, mounting U.S. pressure against the government of Nicolas Maduro. He's going to be facing on Wednesday and Sunday renewed calls for protests inside Venezuela. We don't know quite what following the people that will bring on the streets is the key test really here. Whether they can, on the streets, keep up pressure.

[05:50:02] But, Juan Guaido has been clear to the people who support him he's trying to get humanitarian aid in here. He's trying to get his hands on assets to the Venezuelan government that have been sanctioned and taken out of their possession abroad to try and ease the intense economic crisis. It's causing people, frankly, to be on the brink of starvation -- hyperinflation.

The calls to Venezuela government just yesterday to revalue their currency. And we've also heard from the U.S. administration -- national security adviser John Bolton appealing to the Venezuelan military who've stood staunchly by Nicolas Maduro despite calls for them to rise up to appealing to them to enable an orderly transition. But we have to see though whether this external pressure really translates into change internally. When I was there recently we didn't get the feeling, frankly, the country was on the brink, but this is a very volatile situation with a lot of pressure from abroad and it really isn't quite clear exactly how the security forces will play out in the weeks ahead -- Christine, Dave.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right, Nick for us in Bogota. Thank you, Nick.

To global markets now. Stock markets lower amid renewed trade tensions.

Let's take a trip around the world here. You can see that Asian markets mostly leaning lower here. And then, Europe has now turned slightly here.

Checking Wall Street futures a few hours before the opening bell, down just slightly. I would call that searching for direction, folks, after what was a down day yesterday.

The Dow fell about one percent Monday. It had been down as many as 413 points earlier in the day. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq also losing ground here.

The big story is Caterpillar, down nine percent -- huge 1-day move. It had a really big earnings miss and the reason is because of lower demand in China.

Also, Nvidia, a chipmaker -- it plunged 14 percent. Again, it was a China story. It's cut its fourth-quarter sales guidance. Deteriorating macroeconomic conditions, particularly in China.

So, two ways slowing Chinese economy and the U.S. trade war, frankly, are affecting big companies.

A new bug in Apple's Facetime lets users eavesdrop on other people without them picking up the call.

It's activated when users call someone via Facetime, swipe up to add another person to the call and add their own phone number. The person who initiated the call is then able to hear live audio on the other person's phone, even though the recipient hasn't accepted the call.

And in some cases, the bug can also show live video of that other person if they press a volume button to try to dismiss the call.

Now, Apple said it has identified a fix and will release it in software -- a software update later this week.

Dave's like the leading --

BRIGGS: Well, a good tip from a viewer said try the WhatsApp app instead. Just --

ROMANS: OK.

BRIGGS: -- leave it.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:56:40] BRIGGS: Parents, listen up. A new study finds more time your kids spend staring at a video screen is linked to poorer development. The findings, published in the journal "JAMA Pediatrics" found a direct association between screen time at ages two and three and development at three and five.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, most children of all ages in the U.S. spend a total of about five to seven hours a day in front of a screen. That includes watching T.V., working on a computer or playing video games.

A dramatic rescue caught on video. Chicago officers lock arms together creating a human chain to rescue a man who fell into freezing Lake Michigan. The 33-year-old had gone into the water to save his dog.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We saw the dog come over the ridge so I was definitely like there's a dog -- he must be over there. And I think that's when he heard us because then he started yelling help me, help me, help me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: Officers eventually got ahold of the man. Fortunately, he is OK.

ROMANS: A Texas cemetery worried that no one would show up for a U.S. Air Force veteran's burial, so thousands of complete strangers made sure that didn't happen.

The cemetery said it had been unable to reach Joseph Walker's family or friends. Walker died in November. He was in the Air Force during the Vietnam War.

The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery put out a Facebook request. "If you have the opportunity, please come out and attend. We do not leave veterans behind."

Our Jake Tapper and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz among those who echoed the call to action.

BRIGGS: The result, so many people showed up to Walker's burial yesterday, the cars were backed up onto a nearby highway. The ceremony started late to allow everyone to attend.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I was just a testament to the bond that we share having served, whether it be in the Army, Air Force, Navy or Marine Corps, Coast Guard. It doesn't matter -- we've served, so we all share that common bond and this just shows you how strong that bond is.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: The ceremony included a flyover followed by military honors. Three rifle shots followed by a solemn bugle plays Taps.

Kudos to Jake Tapper and Sen. Ted Cruz for drawing attention to this. And police say 5,000 people --

ROMANS: Wow.

BRIGGS: -- showed up.

ROMANS: All right, thanks for joining us this morning. I'm Christine Romans.

BRIGGS: I'm Dave Briggs. "NEW DAY" starts right now. See you tomorrow -- stay warm.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WHITAKER: I'm comfortable that the decisions that were made are going to be reviewed. The investigation is close to being completed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The idea of saying that an investigation is almost over is something the Justice Department just never does.

REP. JOHN GARAMENDI (D), CALIFORNIA: The American public wants to know what is going on. We're demanding that.

HARRIS: The people who vote, they're going to make decisions based on who they believe is speaking truth.

HOWARD SCHULTZ, FORMER CEO, STARBUCKS: Nobody wants to see Donald Trump fired more than me. I am in this because I love the country.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: An absolute gift to Donald Trump. This would reduce the ceiling he would need to win.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY with Alisyn Camerota and John Berman.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to our viewers in the United States and all around the world. This is NEW DAY. It's January 29th, 6:00 here in New York.