Return to Transcripts main page
CNN NEWSROOM
Airlines Face Historic Losses As Pandemic Keeps People Home; New Text Message Shows Police Officer Connecting Ahmaud Arbery Suspect to Owner of Construction Site; Trump Fires State Department Watchdog Reportedly Investigating Pompeo. Aired 6-7p ET
Aired May 16, 2020 - 18:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[18:00:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: More than anything, this pandemic has fully finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they're doing. A lot of them aren't even pretending to be in charge.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CABRERA: This critique comes as coronavirus claims more than 88,000 lives here in America with more on the horizon.
C.D.C. Director Dr. Robert Redfield warning that the U.S. will see an increase in deaths in the coming weeks with the nation's death toll expected to pass 100,000 by June 1st.
Despite the C.D.C.'s grim warning, by Monday 48 of 50 states will have started reopening or loosening coronavirus restrictions. And here's what that looks like in New Jersey this weekend. Plenty of sunbathers flocking to the beaches, which opened for just a dry run ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
Now, it's a much different picture all the way across the country on beaches in Los Angeles County where sunbathing and picnics are prohibited.
That is not stopping some people from soaking in the rays. The question, are they doing so safely? And Paul Vercammen is in Malibu's famed Zuma Beach this afternoon. Paul, you've been there for hours. How's it looking?
PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it looks like most people are observing social distancing. What they want is what you see behind me. See the children in the water. They want them to be able to go in the water. They don't need to be in there with their masks on. The idea is they want everyone to keep moving.
Now, just a short time ago, we did see Sheriff Deputies on their all of green ATVs driving up to people and telling them you need to move along. They clearly, clearly have an agenda which is you cannot put up a tent or an umbrella that to them indicates that you're not moving along.
And then in talking to the beach goers here, it is mixed. They don't want people within six feet of each other if they're not wearing masks and some people are wearing masks and others are not, and that does have some of the beach goers here a little uneasy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KERI, BEACH GOER: I absolutely love being out here and I'm glad that I'm able to come out to this beach and walk my dog and walk with us, but because people are still disregarding, we're not bringing our kids. Our kids are actually staying with my mom right now, because I don't quite feel comfortable enough bringing them out here yet.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VERCAMMEN: So, the Los Angeles County beaches are the last of the Southern California beaches to reopen. So, there's joy in Orange and Ventura Counties with a lot of Los Angeles County residents, remember there's 10 million people in this county who were fanning out and going to Ventura and Orange County and even beyond to San Diego and Santa Barbara County.
So, this is part of a big experiment. The Lieutenant who runs this whole show here telling me this is a work in progress. We're trying to educate people. Clearly, not every single person has read or heard the exact new rules on reopening California's famed beaches here in LA County -- Ana.
CABRERA: All right, Paul Vercammen and you have your mask. You didn't forget that. Don't forget the sunscreen, my friend as I can see. You're getting nice and tan being out there reporting for us. Thank you.
Let's take a bigger picture look now. By tomorrow, 48 states will have reopened, at least partially while some such as New York are extending restrictions in hotspots of the state where coronavirus cases have yet to trend down.
CNN's Nick Watt reports on what has become a piecemeal reopening plan nationwide.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NICK WATT, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Across Louisiana, dinner and a movie is now an option once more, but your server might be masked.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COLLIN ARNOLD, DIRECTOR, NEW ORLEANS OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: We really have, you know, kind of crushed the curve and because -- and it's due to our residents, really. They stayed at home.
(END VIDEO CLIP) WATT (voice over): Forty-eight states now have an opening plan under
way. Today, half of New York State begins its long road back.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BENJAMIN WHITMORE, BARBERSHOP OWNER: All I can do is get back to work and hope that they'll come.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WATT: Beaches in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will, we're told, be open in time for Memorial Day.
But New York's Pause Order extended another two weeks for millions in the state, including everyone in New York City, unless numbers improve.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO (D), NEW YORK CITY: We need a massive citywide apparatus, testing, tracing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WATT: Meanwhile, in Michigan, resistance to regulations goes on. The blue governor says they are red protesters.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. GRETCHEN WHITMER (D-MI): These are not just citizens who are unhappy about having to stay home. This is a political rally, essentially.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WATT: That might actually delay reopening.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WHITMER: It's the congregating of big groups of people who aren't wearing masks, who aren't staying six feet apart that will perpetuate the community spread.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WATT (voice over): And April's retail numbers are out, another historic low, retail sales down 16.4 percent, clothing sales down nearly 90 percent.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PETER NAVARRO, DIRECTOR, WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF TRADE AND MANUFACTURING POLICY: Most of the 50 states are going back to work in some form. So, I like to look forward.
(END VIDEO CLIP) WATT (voice over): Ford will start making cars again Monday and
restaurants will reopen in hard-hit Miami as the county looks to hire up to 1,000 contact tracers.
[18:05:07]
WATT (voice over): Texas just set a record, most recorded COVID deaths in 24 hours, gyms and offices still scheduled to reopen Monday.
In North Carolina, big box stores can reopen, but church gatherings still limited to just 10 people.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEITH STONE, SHERIFF AT NASH COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA: I have not enforced it and I don't intend to enforce it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WATT (voice over): Other sheriffs say the same.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STONE: And I would rather you turn towards the Lord than the liquor store.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WATT (voice over): Meanwhile, in Sin City, now you can buy a mask from a vending machine at the airport, as Caesars gets ready to reopen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the new world, there will only be three chairs and nobody will be able to be within six feet.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WATT (voice over): Good news from L.A., the USNS Mercy Hospital Ship just left after seven weeks supporting the COVID-19 fight.
The curve here has flattened.
Nick Watt, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CABRERA: As you heard earlier, former President Barack Obama is not holding back on his assessment of President Trump and his administration's handling of this pandemic that has now claimed nearly 90,000 American lives.
The criticism comes as President Trump vows a vaccine will be available to the masses by the end of this year, a promise that many health officials warn he is not likely to keep. CNN White House correspondent Jeremy Diamond joins us now.
Jeremy, top health officials say a vaccine could take 18 months to develop and that would be super fast. How does the President plan to follow through on this promise?
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right. There's certainly an acknowledgement, Ana, at the White House that this is a very ambitious timeline that President Trump and the White House have set out, to get hundreds of millions of doses of a coronavirus vaccine ready to deploy by the beginning of next year.
But the top official now charged with that vaccine development Moncef Slaoui, a former pharmaceutical executive, he expressed some confidence in that effort and essentially what they're going to do is they're going to be betting on several vaccines beginning to mass produce those vaccines before clinical trials are fully completed.
Here's President Trump explaining just that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Typically, pharmaceutical companies wait to manufacture a vaccine until it has received all of the regulatory approvals necessary, and this can delay vaccines' availability to the public as much as a year and even more than that.
However, our task is so urgent that under Operation Warp Speed, the Federal government will invest in manufacturing all of the top vaccine candidates before they are approved, so, we're knowing exactly what we're doing before they're approved.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAMONDS: And now even as President Trump makes that big bet on vaccine development, he is not betting it all on that insisting that the United States is going to be coming back that states should continue to reopen even without a vaccine.
The President even stressing that he believes a return to normalcy is possible even if that vaccine development is not successful, but experts have been warning that without a vaccine, a return to normalcy will be very difficult particularly without continuing to see rising cases and rising deaths.
CABRERA: We know they've been functioning abnormally at the White House, given the Vice President and the President had been avoiding each other this week specifically out of health concerns.
I do know the Vice President is planning though to start traveling again. He is going to be in Florida this next week, right, his first travel since the day his Press Secretary tested positive for coronavirus. What's on his agenda?
DIAMOND: That's right. Vice President Mike Pence will be heading to Orlando, Florida on Wednesday to meet with Florida Governor Ron deSantis to deliver some personal protective equipment to a nursing home there and to meet with some industry leaders in the hospitality sector over there.
This will be the Vice President's first trip in more than a week since that day when his Press Secretary, Katie Miller tested positive for coronavirus.
Of course that very day, the Vice President still can continued on with his trip to Iowa there, but since then, since returning from Iowa, the Vice President has been staying put here. He has been working out of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building rather than the West Wing, maintaining distance from President Trump.
So, a kind of semi-quarantine that we've seen here. Nonetheless, this will be the Vice President's first trip now heading out to Orlando on Wednesday -- Ana.
CABRERA: All right, Jeremy Diamond at the White House. Thank you for your reporting.
Disturbing new research finds the coronavirus can stay in the air for as long as 14 minutes after an infected person speaks. So does this change what we thought we knew about social distancing?
We'll ask our doctors next. You're alive in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:13:27]
CABRERA: Coughing and sneezing may not be the only way we can spread the coronavirus. A troubling new study by the National Institutes of Health find thousands of droplets created when people talk loudly can stay in the air between eight and 14 minutes.
Let's bring in the experts Dr. Celine Gounder, Infectious Disease specialist and epidemiologists and CNN medical analyst and also with us Dr. Esther Choo, emergency room physician and Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University.
So Dr. Choo, based on this new information, does this mean, if you walk into a room where an infected person was, let's say, five minutes before you, does that mean, you can get the virus just by breathing in the air?
DR. ESTHER CHOO, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE, OREGON HEALTH AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY: It's possible. I mean, there have been a number of studies like this that show that droplets which are supposed to be these heavier particles and thus drop to the ground, rather than to hang out in the air, there can be droplets that are small enough, or because of the force with which they're expelled can hang out in the air for longer than we previously thought.
Does that translate to a lot of viral transmission happening by that route? There's a lot of variability. It's kind of depends on the viral load of that person, the kind of ventilation in the room and the temperature in the room, but it shows that it's hypothetically possible and it really underscores the importance of facemask wearing, because it's going to be more than that classic six feet of distance.
If there's a possibility that droplets are lingering around, it really makes a difference for us all to be wearing facemasks.
CABRERA: Right. Because if these particles float for that long, Dr. Gounder, does that, in fact diminish some of the positive effects of social distancing?
[18:15:08]
DR. CELINE GOUNDER, CNN MEDICAL ANALYST: Well, I think it's important to remember, Ana, that social distancing is not just about staying six feet away from other people.
It's also about avoiding mass gatherings, really trying to avoid face- to-face contact with others as much as possible, and I think as Dr. Choo makes the point, we also really do need to be wearing masks.
And so if I am infected and maybe I don't know it and I am spreading virus by not wearing a mask, it is a very different scenario from wearing a mask which helps to contain the virus particles inside.
CABRERA: There are ongoing questions still about that 15-minute Abbott test that the White House uses. President Trump has continued to express confidence in this rapid test despite a new study we found out about this week by NYU researchers suggesting it may miss up to half of infections detected by other tests on the market.
So Dr. Choo, is this test people should rely on?
CHOO: Well, I hope people are skeptical whenever they hear that any one thing is the game changer in the fight against COVID-19. I mean, we've done that mistake with medicines, as well as with tests.
I mean, all these things, whether they're tests or medications are going to perform best in a laboratory setting, then you put it out in the real world and there are going to be -- there's going to be a lot of variability in how people conduct the test, how well they're able to obtain that sample and process it.
But it really seems like, you know, with this explosion of tests, we should all be skeptical about anything that is touted to be highly accurate and wait to see how it performs. Get that data back.
And importantly, if people have symptoms that are classic for COVID-19 and a test is negative, they should just take that test information with a grain of salt and not use as deciding that they definitely don't have it when they make decisions about interacting with others.
CABRERA: So after somebody tests positive, the next step is to contact trace, right? We learned this past week that more than 1,100 people, including students, epidemiologists, and other staff from the Florida Department of Health are involved with contact tracing in Florida. That sounds like a lot of people.
Meantime, in Washington State, they're planning to use hundreds of National Guardsmen for help contact tracing there. Dr. Gounder, we've talked about how this does take such a Herculean number of people to be able to do this effectively. Do you need health professionals to do this? Or can it be all hands on deck?
GOUNDER: Well, I don't think it needs to be healthcare professionals. Contact tracing is really about identifying who you have been potentially in contact with and who you might have exposed.
You know, so somebody who worked in contact tracing as HIV and tuberculosis public health worker, both in Africa and in New York City, I can tell you that we very much employ people who are not necessarily nurses, but who understand the community.
So, they need to be able to speak the language. So, if you're trying to reach out to Central American immigrants working in a meatpacking plant, you know, you want somebody who can speak the language, who understands the culture and that they're going to trust because it needs to be someone that they feel comfortable sharing that information with.
So, it certainly does not need to be a certified healthcare professional.
CABRERA: You know, there were warnings that states that reopened too soon, like Georgia, we're going to see a big spike. We haven't seen that, at least not yet.
Instead, in Georgia, the numbers of deaths and hospitalizations are actually going down. Dr. Choo, have the chances of a second wave become less likely, do you think?
CHOO: No, not at all. I mean, first of all, I want to say we've surpassed 90,000 cases, we're approaching 100,000 -- I'm sorry, 90,000 deaths in this country. We're approaching 100,000 deaths. There's nothing to celebrate about this week.
Last week, you know, we hit a number about 2,000 deaths per day. So, you know, there's going to be tremendous variability across states. I think there's differences too, between reopening and actually having people safe enough to really go out there and reengage.
I also think that it's a little bit too early to declare anything with certainty because this disease takes time to get out into the community.
There's a delayed -- there's delayed symptoms often and by the time we're counting hospitalizations and deaths, we're really talking about an outcome that lags behind any public policy decisions that we make by several weeks.
So, I think it's just certainly too early to call. We need to be doing a lot of testing of asymptomatic people in the communities that we actually know what's going on. Closer to these decisions to reopen in June will tell us a lot about
the decisions that we made in May.
CABRERA: Okay, and June is just a couple of weeks away now. Dr. Esther Choo, Dr. Celine Gounder. Ladies, thank you both very much.
[18:20:03]
CABRERA: The number of airline passengers is on the rise. So, what are airlines doing to protect fliers and to ensure social distancing? The Points Guy joins us next.
And be sure to tune in tonight for a star-studded event when CNN honors the graduates of 2020 with the help of LeBron James and Gal Gadot and our two-hour event starts right here at the top of the hour. Don't go anywhere.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:55:03]
CABRERA: Most commercial airliners in the United States are still sitting pretty empty waiting for a day when air travel returns to something close to normal.
Until then, it is masks for nearly everybody. Strict rules about where you can sit and a massive industry trying to keep passengers safe during a pandemic. Here's CNN aviation correspondent, Pete Muntean.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Packed in passengers might not be the norm right now according to major airlines, but more scenes like this are raising new concerns about whether you can maintain social distancing while flying.
Change or cancel a trip because of coronavirus and you are not entitled to a refund according to a new guidance just laid out by the Department of Transportation.
It says you can get your money back within a week if it is the airline that cancels. But if you cancel, what you get back is up to the airline.
In the U.S., more than half of all airliners are now parked, but more passengers are stepping on board a shrinking fleet. The number of people passing through security has climbed to the highest level in six weeks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARRY BIFFLE, CEO, FRONTIER AIRLINES: So we're already seeing visiting friends and relatives, kind of our backbone of our business. We're already seeing that start to come back. But it's at a very small level.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MUNTEAN (voice over): United Airlines will now warn passengers if a flight is near capacity and let them rebook, even though it stresses that most flights are less than half full.
All major airlines are now mandating that passengers wear masks, but are not guaranteeing that every middle seat will be empty.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. PETER DEFAZIO (D-OR): We need Federal rules.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MUNTEAN (voice over): High ranking House Democrats say there is inconsistency and uncertainty in airline policies and want Federal agencies to act.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEFAZIO: I think that we should look carefully at whether or not we require distancing on airplanes, then that could require leaving middle seats open.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MUNTEAN (voice over): In a statement to CNN, the F.A.A. says its authority lies in safe operation of aircraft and that it is lending aviation expertise to help officials and airlines. Airline workers want more intervention.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE DEPETE, PRESIDENT, AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION: There's a smart way to do this. We need to ensure that we're doing everything we can to prevent unnecessary additional preventable risks for our passengers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MUNTEAN (voice over): Without Federal mandates, industry groups say each airline is coming up with its own protocols. Frontier, for instance, will do temperature checks at the gate and may turn you away with a fever higher than 100.4.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIFFLE: We believe you're safer onboard Frontier, and most airlines for that matter, than most -- most enclosed buildings.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CABRERA: Thanks to Pete Muntean for that report. Let's get someone in here who is plugged into the commercial travel industry more than most of us. Brian Kelly is better known in travel circles as The Points Guy who
keeps an eye on trends and prices and deals and destinations. Brian, good to have you.
Airline travel is of course the main focus on your site. How far ahead are you looking to see people traveling again in meaningful numbers?
BRIAN KELLY, THE POINTS GUY: You know, it's going to be years until we're back to you know, pre-crisis levels, but we are seeing dramatic increases.
And as the world opens up like Italy announced today, Vietnam, we are going to see more and more people booking but it's going to be a long road to recovery.
CABRERA: Can people get really good deals on tickets right now?
KELLY: Yes, there are some amazing deals, you know, Qatar Airways is now allowing you to book flights and change for free even to other destinations. So, you can book really cheap routes and then change it to a more expensive city pair.
So -- and also using your Frequent Flyer Miles. We've seen dramatic increases even on the top routes where it was almost impossible to get those low level Sabre tickets, and now airlines are releasing those seats because they'd rather have you use your miles then those seats go out empty.
CABRERA: We just saw in that report from Pete Muntean that new Federal guidance states airlines are not required to give a refund if a passenger just doesn't feel safe to fly.
I've seen a lot of outrage about this on social media. Why do you think airlines are being so stubborn on this and do you see them eventually caving?
KELLY: The airlines are being stubborn because they're in crisis mode just to keep the lights on. They're losing crazy amounts of money per day even with the government bailouts. They are in trouble if air traffic doesn't turn around.
So, I always recommend to people, use your frequent flyer miles because most airlines have relaxed the rules to get your miles back. So that way you can conserve your cash and use your miles instead for future travel and change it at will.
CABRERA: Take a look at this. We have some video. It's a scientific visualization of how droplets can spread in an airline from one person who sneezes or coughs and it basically ends up all over the place.
I just wonder, do you feel comfortable getting on a plane right now?
KELLY: Well, I just got my third antibody test. Two have said -- two are now saying that I had it and my pinprick test said I didn't, so I kind of believe that that one was the false test. So, I personally -- and being in general good health, I do feel
comfortable. I don't quite have a flight booked yet. But I would recommend to people, book the window seats where possible.
We've actually talked to doctors, put the air vent on blowing away from you. That can help push the spread of the virus.
[18:30:19]
But also, especially on international carriers book, the middle seat. A lot of people if you can't afford business class, it might make sense use miles to book the middle seat to guarantee your safety, because there are just so many unknowns and get a good mask. But just remember, people (inaudible) ...
ANA CABRERA, CNN HOST: So the idea of book in the middle seat is that there wouldn't be anybody on either side of you, so you'd have the whole row to yourself?
KELLY: Exactly, yes. I mean, airlines like Southwest are making sure that the flights are not going to be over capacity, but most other airlines are not really doing that and they're in crisis mode. They need the cash, so to make sure your environment is safe, you got to do everything possible.
CABRERA: Those are all good tips. A journalist this week wrote about her long international flight. It ended with an eight hour wait in Hong Kong to be screened for the coronavirus and the slow process just to be able to leave the airport there. Is her story and extremely case or is that the future of overseas air travel?
KELLY: I read that story and was horrified doing the 1830 `[inaudible 00:01:07] tests spitting into it and waiting on your own results in a dystopian convention hall. But, hopefully not. Iceland has an approach where you get tested on arrival, you're allowed to go to your hotel.
And if you do test positive, they make sure you quarantine. So I'm hoping that there's more flexible rules like that. But it's crazy. Every country, every state has different policies. So we really need some federal and international guidance before tourism really bounces back.
CABRERA: I mean, eight hours that timeline is enough to like totally turn me off to getting on an international flight. What do you make of the possibility of the TSA implementing temperature checks for passengers as part of the security screening?
KELLY: Look, I think it's better than nothing. It's not foolproof. Some asymptomatic people will get through, but I've traveled extensively. We've all seen those people on flights that should not be traveling. And I think just like guns can kill people, we try to prevent them from getting on planes, viruses and public health we need to take more seriously.
So I'm all for quick ways for multiple people to be scanned. What we really have to focus on is getting lines shorter. Lines are deadly in this day and age, so using technology to scan people through, check in and security and boarding, using biometrics instead of having a TSA agent, make you wait in line and kind of check to see if your license is actually you, we have technology that will make it safer and faster.
So I think the industry as a whole really needs to push to make the whole airport and travel process faster and safer for all passengers and from employees.
CABRERA: Brian Kelly, thank you for sharing your insights. Good to have you here.
KELLY: Thanks, Ana.
CABRERA: Up next, the Georgia shooting grabbing the nation's attention and a new text message revealing how the suspect in Ahmaud Arbery's killing became a point person for police just months before that incident. You're alive in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:37:28]
CABRERA: Turning to another story that is gripping the nation this evening. Protesters today demanding the resignation of two district attorneys in Brunswick, Georgia after the killing of 25-year-old, Ahmaud Arbery. Arbery was shot and killed while jogging in February, Gregory and Travis McMichael have now been charged in his murder.
Last week, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested both men and took over the case. Today, during a virtual commencement speech, former President Barack Obama touched upon adversity and inequality African-Americans face in this country, take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: A disease like this just spotlights the underlying inequalities and extra burdens that black communities have historically had to deal with in this country. We see it in the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on our communities, just as we see it when a black man goes for a jog and some folks feel like they can stop and question and shoot him if he doesn't submit to their questioning.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CABRERA: CNN's Martin Savidge on the ground for us there in Georgia. And Martin, there are some new information today, a text message obtained by CNN that connects several key figures in this case, tell us about it.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Ana, this is a text message that was delivered by law enforcement actually to the owner of a property that - as house under construction. And the police officer was trying to introduce the owner of that home to Gregory McMichael and the suggestion was that if there were any problems with that home construction site, maybe instead of calling the police, we should call Gregory McMichael, he's former law enforcement. But it would also seem that the police were washing their hands of any law enforcement there and handing it over to a civilian.
Meanwhile, new video from that construction site has set up the events that led to Ahmaud Arbery's death and it gives you a whole different perspective.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE(voice over): These latest to be released videos come from inside the home under construction in the neighborhood where Ahmaud Arbery was chased and killed, while jogging according to his family, February 23rd. Three of these videos are from two months before the shooting, all from the same night December 17th.
The cameras appear to capture a black man wearing a T-shirt and shorts. In the last segment, you can see the individual take several steps in the direction of the road and then set off on a run. In a statement released Friday, the Attorney for the property owner says the individual depicted appears to be the same young man captured on video inside the house on February 11th.
[18:40:05]
This is the February 11th video from the same place and cameras showing an unidentified person walking in and out of view inside the construction site. That night, the visitor who the property owner says he cannot identify didn't just trigger cameras, but also a 911 call from none other than Travis McMichael, who reported seeing a young black male by the home side.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DISPATCHER: 911, what's the address of your emergency?
TRAVIS MCMICHAEL, SUSPECT: We've had a string of burglaries. I was leaving the neighborhood and I just caught a guy running into a housing being built.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE(voice over): Police arrive on scene and joined by neighbors search for the person Travis said he saw, but find no one.
Atty. Elizabeth Graddy says the property owner and legal team have spent considerably more time viewing the clips and say they had discovered what was attracting the visitor. "It now appears that this young man may have been coming into the property for water. There is a water source at the dock behind the house as well as a source near the front of the structure."
The attorney says though you can't see the water source on camera, in security video from December 17th, that they have studied, the young man appears to wipe his mouth or neck and at one point, what sounds like water is heard before the person heads off at a jog. And additional videos obtained by CNN from the construction site show that the home was visited by a number of different on identified individuals and people on a number of different days. The property owner says there was never any damage or theft.
Ahmaud Arbery was seen inside the same house under construction the day he died. His presence that day triggers a chase captured on video and the confrontation that would lead to his death. As Arbery lay dead on the ground, killed by three gunshot blast from Travis McMichael's gun, Gregory McMichael tells authorities he thought Arbery was the person seen on video in the house under construction, describing Arbery as a suspect in a series of break ins.
The property owner never used the word break in or suspect and now says the only thing taken was a drink of water.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE: There are many who believe that the initial phase of the investigation into Ahmaud Arbery's deaths was mishandled. There have been demands by protests that took place today for the two Das in the case to resign, Ana.
CABRERA: Martin Savidge for us in Brunswick, Georgia. Thank you, Martin.
Coming up, Friday night firing, President Trump oust the State Department watchdog who was reportedly investigating Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. CNN Legal Analyst Elie Honig is standing by with your cross exam analysis.
Plus, be sure to tune in tonight for a CNN honors, as CNN honors the graduates of 2020 with the help of LeBron James and Gal Gadot. The two-hour event starts right here at the top of our.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:47:43]
CABRERA: Welcome back. A State Department source confirms to CNN that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is under investigation for allegations that he improperly made use of a political appointee. The revelation is only coming to light in the wake of last night's firing by President Trump of yet another Inspector General, Steve Linick, a watchdog for the State Department. It was Linick who was reportedly leading the investigation into Pompeo.
Here to answer your legal questions, CNN Legal Analyst Elie Honig. And Elie one viewer wants to know what are the legal powers of inspectors General, and are there legal repercussions for removing or interfering with them?
ELIE HONIG, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Yes, Ana. So it was another Friday night massacre, this time the President firing the State Department Inspector General late last night. Now inspectors general our internal watchdogs. Every major federal agency has one. Their job is to investigate waste, fraud and abuse. Now, IGs cannot bring criminal charges on their own. But they can and
frequently do refer cases over to federal prosecutors. Now, under the law, IGs can be appointed and removed by the President. But for removal, the law requires the President to provide written notice of reasons to Congress and it's debatable whether just loss of confidence is legally sufficient, because the job is supposed to be about accountability, not politics.
It's hard to ignore the pattern here. Just since last month, the President has really removed or replaced the IGs for the intel community, defense, state. Now, in terms of repercussions, we could be looking at potential obstruction of justice if the intent of those involved was to stop or interfere with an investigation that could become criminal. There's plenty more facts to come out here, Ana, and we will be watching it closely.
CABRERA: And we know there is a congressional probe that's supposed to get underway as well.
Michael Flynn's case took another twist and turn this week. President Trump's former National Security Adviser, of course, pled guilty to lying to the FBI. His case is in a state of legal limbo, because this month, the Justice Department reversed course and asked to drop the case against him and then a federal judge was ultimately given the decision and is reviewing that request.
So one viewer wants to know, what are the possible outcomes in this case now that the judge did not immediately dismiss it.
HONIG: So the saga continues here, Ana. Last week AG Barr tried to undo Michael Flynn's guilty plea. This week, the Federal Judge Emmet Sullivan slammed on the brakes. He took two extremely unusual steps.
[18:50:01]
First, he invited briefing from what's called 'Amicus', meaning friends of the court, outsider. Second, he appointed a retired judge to come in and give recommendations. Now, ultimately, Judge Sullivan is going to have one of two choices, either he can say I agree with the Justice Department case dismissed, we're done here. Or he can say, I disagree with the Justice Department and move on and sentence Michael Flynn.
But in that case, Michael Flynn certainly will appeal. There is some case law saying generally, it's the job of the executive branch, the Justice Department, not the courts, not judges to decide whether to prosecute. And, of course, lingering over all of this is a potential presidential pardon. The President continued to talk and tweet about the case throughout the week. He's not issued a pardon yet, but he does have the constitutional power to do so at any time.
CABRERA: Another big headline this week, Elie, the Wisconsin Supreme Court striking down the governors of that state stay-at-home order and if you were asked, does this now jeopardize similar orders in other states? HONIG: So the short answer is no. This was a dramatic legal dispute.
The Supreme Court said it was overreach. One justice even said that the stay-at-home order was like prison, which is a ridiculous thing to say. But the short answer is the decision of one state Supreme Court and this came from the Wisconsin Supreme Court is not binding on another Supreme Court.
There is similar litigation happening in other states challenging stay-at-home orders, we'll watch as those cases develop around the country. Ultimately, these cases are going to have a real impact on when and how the country reopens and we could see different answers state Supreme Court by state Supreme Court.
CABRERA: Always interesting. Always good information. Elie Honig, good to have you here.
HONIG: Thanks, Ana.
CABRERA: Thank you.
HONIG: All right.
CABRERA: Coming up, words of wisdom for the class of 2020.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELLEN DEGENERES, TV HOST: We need smart people. Actually, you don't even have to be that smart. Just don't tell people to drink bleach.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:56:11]
CABRERA: Welcome back. We've learned legendary comic actor, Fred Willard, has died. The four-time Emmy nominated actor had numerous credits including Best in Show, This is Spinal Tap, Everybody Loves Raymond and Modern Family.
His daughter released a statement saying, "My father passed away very peacefully last night at the fantastic age of 86 years old. We kept moving, he kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end. We loved him so very much. We will miss him forever." Fred Willard was 86 years old.
Also tonight, we are learning about a new study in the U.K. involving man's best friend. Now, the dogs you see here could help save lives. Trials are set to begin in London to find out whether dogs can sniff out the coronavirus in people even before symptoms appear. Trials will look at six dogs dubbed the Super Six, a mix of Labradors and Cocker Spaniels.
And according to researchers respiratory diseases are known to change body odors in human and there's already been success in training dogs to detect the odor of malaria, cancer and Parkinson's disease. Finally, this hour, graduation ceremonies as you've never seen them
before. Here's Jeanne Moos.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT(voice-over): Lucky me, I always have my blurry old graduation photos oblivious to social distancing, tickling a fellow grad with a tassel, but now what a hassle.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Class of 2020, what is up?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS(voice over): A pandemic is what's up, instead of caps tossed and celebrations on stage, flesh and blood grads are being replaced ...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Emily Kristin Allen (ph) ...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS(voice over): ... by pictures. You barely have to get dressed for a commencement address.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm at home, you're at home.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS(voice over): Pharrell Williams once sang ...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PHARRELL WILLIAMS, SINGER: Happiness is the truth ...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS(voice over): But now graduates have to be happy with a video commencement. The most famous celebrity to suffer from the virus told grads that Ohio's right state ...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM HANKS, ACTOR: You started in the olden times, in the world back before the Great pandemic of 2020. You have finished right state during all The Great Reset.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS(voice over): And America's doctor during The Great Reset told Jesuit high school grads that now is the time to ...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: ... to kiss selflessly about one another. Please hang in there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS(voice over): Stephen Colbert hung out on a couch delivering his message to grads at Northwestern University in Qatar.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEPHEN COLBERT, HOST, "THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT": Living by my family's motto which is never stand when you can sit, never sit when lie down.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS(voice over): Instead of a gown, Ellen settled for a bathrobe.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEGENERES: We need smart people. Actually, you don't even have to be that smart. Just don't tell people to drink bleach.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS(voice over): Invincibility juice, Alec Baldwin called it in his SNL commencement address.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALEC BALDWIN, ACTOR: I'm so honored to be your valedictator, but today it's not about me.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Even without this pandemic, nobody reaches their dreams ...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Most people just end up doing a job they don't hate until they retire.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS(voice over): But leave it to Oprah, appearing on John Krasinski's some good news to find a literal silver lining in a dark cloud ...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OPRAH WINFREY, MEDIA MOGUL: ... when it's really dark and dreary on the ground and then you get in the plane and within three minutes, you shoot above the clouds and you see the sun was always there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS(voice over): Now, if only we get up the nerve to fly again, Jeanne Moos.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good luck.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS(voice over): CNN.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good luck.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS(voice over): New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CABRERA: All right. That's going to give us the warm up for what comes next. And that does it for me. Thank you for being here. I'm Ana Cabrera. Keep it right there, because up next CNN honors the graduates of 2020 with a two hour event, starting with class of 2020 IN THIS TOGETHER, featuring former President Bill Clinton, Wonder Woman's Gal Gadot and more.
[19:00:01]
And then at 8 Eastern, join LeBron James and former President Barack Obama for GRADUATE TOGETHER. The celebration starts right now.
