Return to Transcripts main page

CNN NEWSROOM

Ray Rice Can Play In NFL Again; A Judge Drops Charges Against Egypt's Former Leader, Hosni Mubarak; 13-Year-Old Boy Found Alive In Georgia After Being Missing For Four Years; Ferguson Incident Affects America's Image Around The World; Populism, Elitism and Backstage Demands; New Job Posting: Defense Secretary; Will Any NFL Team Sign Ray Rice?; St. Louis Paper: Officer Wilson Resigns

Aired November 29, 2014 - 18:00   ET

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


SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN HOST: Here in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Suzanne Malveaux.

Every now and then we see something that stops us in our tracks, something that might help put things into perspective. Well, that is what many are saying about this photo. It shows a white officer hugging an African-American boy during a Ferguson protest in Portland, Oregon. But it is the story about how this hug came about that has even more intriguing.

Our Ed Lavandera is in Ferguson, Missouri, where they are talking about this photo, as well.

Ed, what are they saying?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Suzanne, this picture resonating with so many people, because it captures the power and the hope that despite everything going on, that so many people you have around here. You have 12-year-old Devonte Hart walking around in Portland in one of these protests, Ferguson protests in Portland with a sign that read "free hugs."

But he was crying and it was Portland police sergeant Brett Barnham who walked up to him and asked him, according to his mother who posted all of this in a Facebook post, he asked him why he was crying and the young man started, a young boy started telling him about police brutality and that sort of thing. And they started just talking. And at that point, the photographer or the police officer asked the young boy for a hug. And the freelance photographer captured that moment. And that picture has been resonating with people around the country as it has been passed around through social media intensely over the last 24 hours.

A powerful moment, and the kind of thing that here on west Florissant avenue, the place that has seen so much destruction and so much violence is really resonating. You talk to people who had businesses burned out along this street, and you talk to them, and they're looking and clamoring for moments like this, capturing moments like this that kind of let people know that everything is going to be OK -- Suzanne. MALVEAUX: Yes. And you know, I think we all kind of need something

like that, that symbolic gesture and something that was really sincere from two people who, you know, are passing on something to all of us. We really, you know, want to see that potential of things getting better for the communities.

You're in Ferguson because they're cleaning up after the protests and you've been following this. Give us a sense of how people are rebuilding, how are they -- how are they feeling after this week?

LAVANDERA: Well, you know, here on west Florissant avenue, things haven't really gotten back to normal by any means. This is the stretch of road that here probably in the next few minutes within the hour, National Guard and police soldiers will eventually shut down this stretch, about a mile stretch of this roadway where we've seen several buildings that were burned out last Monday night.

And a lot of businesses that just haven't been able to reopen and get back on their feet. A lot of small businesses, locally owned businesses, restaurants and that sort of thing. And obviously this is a place that's under a great deal of stress. A lot of boarded up windows. And just things aren't back to normal. Not really sure when it will get back to normal at this point.

But, you know, during the daylight hours, people are free to walk and drive down this stretch of road. But here before too long, to deter violent protests, they will shut down this road and that's the way it has been for the last few days. And many people wondering just how long that will last.

MALVEAUX: Yes. And Ed, we know that you're also covering the NAACP's march as well throughout the week, and so we'll be tuning in back in with you following up to see how that's going throughout the coming days.

Ed Lavandera, thank you so much. We appreciate it.

We want you to tune into CNN tomorrow, 3:00 p.m. eastern. This is when the officer in this now-famous photo, he is going to talk with our own Fredricka Whitfield about what that moment was like for him, what that hug was all about. Really curious about what he's got to say. It's a beautiful image. And certainly we are going to be very excited to hear what was behind all of that. Again, that's at 3:00 p.m. eastern tomorrow.

Just into CNN now, Missouri's governor Jay Nixon needs money fast to pay for Ferguson's security. It turns out Nixon says he is calling a special legislative session to get crucial funds to pay the Missouri National Guard and Missouri state highway patrol. Both groups have been working overtime to help provide security in Ferguson, and the St. Louis region.

And there was unrest in the streets of Egypt tonight after a judge dropped charges against Egypt's former leader, Hosni Mubarak.

(VIDEO CLIP PLAYING) MALVEAUX: CNN crews captured this scene as Egyptian security forces lobbed teargas and fired (INAUDIBLE) at protesters converging the Tahrir Square. Egypt's ministry of health reports that one man was killed, nine people injured in those protests you see there. Now, the crowd was upset that former Mubarak, the former president there, Mubarak, was effectively cleared today in a retrial of the charges that were linking him to the deaths of hundreds of protesters you might recall back in 2011.

CNN's Ian Lee, he is in Cairo with more on that decision.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

IAN LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Vindication for former Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, a Cairo judge acquitting him for the deaths of more than 200 people during Egypt's 2011 uprising. Mubarak's sons and co defendants kissed their victorious father after the judge presented the 1,430-page verdict. This overturns a previous court's verdict of life in prison.

Outside the courthouse, families of those killed waited in anticipation. This mother won't find closure today. She tells me the police killed her son Tamir (ph) and now his sacrifice will go in vain.

Millions of Egyptians flooded the streets in January of 2011, demanding Mubarak step down. Security forces responded with a heavy hand. Eighteen days later, Mubarak was gone, but not before more than 800 protesters died, according to the government. Human rights groups put that number at more than 1,000. Many Egyptians blamed the president and his interior minister, Habib al-Abli for the deaths. Dubbed by the local press as the trial of the century, it gripped the nation for more than three years.

While these people who support the former president, Hosni Mubarak, celebrate, it isn't over. The prosecution can still appeal this verdict.

It's uncertain if Mubarak will actually walk free. He's still serving time on another conviction. Both sides believe all kicks (ph) influence the various verdicts. Mubarak supporters believe an international conspiracy ousted their beloved president.

Former air force officer Abu Abdullah tells me after today's ruling, Egypt is victorious.

(INAUDIBLE) lost friends during the 2011 uprising and says all the martyrs, families, are in shock. The current regime is cementing a state of injustice. Both sides did ultimately agree on one thing. They told me the revolution is dead.

Ian Lee, CNN, Cairo.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: A missing boy is reunited with his mother after four years. The boy was found hidden behind a secret wall in a house in Georgia. It's unbelievable story. Five adults have been arrested in this case.

And this. Later, Ray Rice now eligible to return to the NFL after an arbiter's decision that slams the NFL's handling of his domestic abuse case.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Ray Rice is now eligible to return to the NFL after an arbiter's decision that slam's the league's handling of domestic violence. Well Rice was caught on tape punching his then fiancee at a casino elevator back in February. Well at first, the NFL suspended the Baltimore Raven running back for two games. After the video went public, the league suspended Rice indefinitely. The Baltimore Ravens' fans have got a lot to say about all of this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He was suspended two games. He should have done the two games and then been reinstated then.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We know that what he did was wrong. But the penalty is what they gave him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: Do you think he'll play again?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, absolutely. Somebody will pick him up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not sure if I was the owner if I would.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: The Bleacher Report, Rashan Ali, has more on the decision to let Rice return.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RASHAN ALI, BLEACHERS REPORT: This case came down to double jeopardy, a former federal judge ruled that Rice was being punished twice for the same offense and that violates the leagues collective bargaining agreement.

Now back on September, commissioner Roger Goodell increased Rice's suspension from two games to indefinite because of the disturbing video was released showing him knocking out his now wife, Janay Rice, in an elevator.

Yesterday, Judge Robert S. Jones ruled the suspension should be lifted immediately. Janay RICE is speaking out for the first time about the altercation. Yesterday she talked with Matt Lauer for NBC's "Today" show.

JANAY RICE, RAY RICE'S WIFE: I was furious. We came home, and we didn't talk the entire ride. Well, I didn't speak to him the entire ride home. He tried to talk to me. I didn't want to hear anything. I just knew he hit me and I was completely over it. I was done, didn't want to hear anything. I just didn't even want to entertain it. Entertain him. Anything that he had to say, any explanation. Of course, in the back of my mind and in my heart I knew that our relationship wouldn't be over. Because I know that this is us and it's not him.

ALI: Ray Rice is a free agent and can sign anywhere since he was released by the Ravens. So far, no teams have made any public statements about wanting to add him to their roster.

In the wake of the appeal, the NFL confirms it is working on a new personal conduct policy and judge Jones' ruling underscores the urgency of our work to develop and implement a clear personal conduct policy. The NFL expects the policy to be completed and announced in the weeks ahead. The players' union also wants to have a say in any new policy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: And stay with us. We'll have much more on the Ray Rice story later this hour when I discuss it with CNN commentators Ben Ferguson and Marc Lamont Hill.

A 13-year-old boy has been found alive and well in Georgia. This is after being missing for four long years. It's an unbelievable story. Police were able to reunite this missing boy with his mother today. Now police say he was found inside a suburban Atlanta house, hidden behind a false wall. Five adults in the home have been arrested, including the boy's father. But there are so many questions that remain.

Here's Ryan Krueger from affiliate WXIA.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JULIE PIZARRO, NEIGHBOR: I was kind of shocked. Because you think you know somebody.

RYAN KRUEGER, WXIA REPORTER (voice-over): Julie Pizarro had no idea the 13-year-old boy her son played with every day at this house was being held against his will.

PIZARRO: It was a shock to all of us, honestly. They were really nice people. They were open, you know, they would be like, hey, come over any time you want.

KRUEGER: According to Clayton County police, the 13-year-old was kept behind a fake wall inside this home on Duke Court in Jonesboro.

Neighbors tell me the family moved to this house about six months ago. They also say they saw the boy out here all of the time, out in the yard. But they had no idea he was being held captive.

PIZARRO: The mother told me he was homeschooled. I didn't question as far as why he was always home.

KRUEGER: (INAUDIBLE) lives across the street. He tells us he and his wife saw the boy nearly every day. But now he's left wondering if there were any warning signs that they missed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's right up in our nose and we could have done something if we would have known. But he was never under stress, it didn't seem like.

PIZARRO: The young man didn't seem like he was under any stress or anything. You just never know behind closed doors.

KRUEGER: In Jonesboro, Ryan Krueger, 11 Alive News.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: There are more questions than answered in this story. We're going to be watching for updates in the coming days.

And for more cases of finding the lost, the escaped and the dangerous, we want you to keep it here for a John Walsh marathon. It is called "the HUNT" and begins at 7:00 eastern only on CNN.

And next, Ferguson erupts in violence and the whole world watching. What U.S. allies and critics are saying in response to what's been happening.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Riots, teargas, burn buildings. These are scenes from Ferguson, Missouri, that have shocked many Americans. Those same pictures being shown in every part of the world.

CNN's Max Foster says that has some countries seeing the United States in a different light.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAX FOSTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): So much of how America is portrayed abroad can be undermined by these pictures. Land of the free. We shall overcome. The American dream. The pictures are being carried worldwide, including here on the state-owned "Russia today."

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There is a strong sense here that the justice system has failed not just Michael Brown, but it has failed the whole community.

FOSTER: France's leftist (INAUDIBLE) newspaper pointed out plainly that a predominantly white jury chooses not to pursue another white accused of murdering a black in a predominantly black city. But it wasn't just that an unarmed black teenager could be shot by a white police officer. It was how America erupted in response. As protests spread, a schism appeared across society exposing a divided America.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: Do you agree that this is an American problem, and how do we fix it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do agree. It is an American problem. It's Ferguson and far beyond.

FOSTER: Even here in the U.K., the closest of American allies, people are asking if America is really the country they thought it was.

The president, whose election was meant to have ushered in a new period of racial harmony, the uncomfortable question for America is how many other towns and cities have the same cocktail of problems that one spark could ignite just like has happened in Ferguson. America is the most powerful nation oppose the planet. That puts it under closer scrutiny. And in this case, the world is taking note of what's being revealed.

Max Foster, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: I want to start off by talking about Ferguson, how it affects America's image to the rest of the world. I'm joined by CNN political commentators Ben Ferguson and Marc Lamont Hill. Good to see you both here.

Marc, let me start off with you. Because, you know, I don't know if it's particularly fair. I mean, the images that people are seeing really are of the violence and the fighting and much less of the peaceful protests. So I've got to ask you this. Do you think it is the grand jury's decision that really affected how the U.S. was viewed to the rest of the world or do you think it was the reaction and the violent reaction that ensued that made the biggest impression?

MARC LAMONT HILL, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I think the whole thing has been impactful from day one. I remember back in August when the initial protests started. And when the story became a kind of national/international story. I talked to people in Palestine, I talked to people in France, I talked to people in Germany. They were all talking about this. And they were asking me a very basic question, which is why do black men keep dying in America at the hands of law enforcement.

And so that conversation has been happening, regardless of what happens with rioters. But then the rioting also raised another set of questions. Some of them are very problematic images. And I think you're right, they don't tell the full story of Ferguson or the struggle. But I think it's important.

And lastly, when you look in the context of history, Dr. King, Malcolm X, et cetera, at their best moments, they threatened to take America to the international courts of appeal to show that America has some work to do. And I think that's happening again right now.

MALVEAUX: Ben, what do you make of it? I mean, do you think that this is something that weakens our image and the standing of the world or strengthens it?

BEN FERGUSON, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, it depends on who is spinning it. I mean, there are some newspapers that love ripping on America and what we look at as democracy and freedom here. So, of course, they're going to use this to their advantage. But overall, it was the violence that is really what catapulted this to be on the front pages around the world. If there wouldn't have been the violence, it wouldn't have been really talked about by the average citizen in a foreign country.

Unless you're politically connected or one of those that was hyper sensitive to political news, you're not going to really notice this in a major way, because it's halfway around the world. But once the violence happens, we see this all over the world. Everyone writes their headline, they want to sell that story. And unfortunately, we got the short end of the stick this time around with the international community.

MALVEAUX: Marc, do you agree with that? Do you think it's the violence that attracts the attention here, that people around the world wouldn't be paying attention to perhaps racial injustice in the country?

HILL: Well, I think it's the spectacle of protests. In this case, that spectacle happened to include looting, it happened to include some violence, I agree. But if young people had --

FERGUSON: A lot of it.

HILL: Highways in L.A. -- if younger people would simply stopped the highways in L.A. and New York, as they did and people would simply marched around the country, that spectacle would also happen. The truth is, black men die every day. Hundreds of black men, actually -- I keep saying men, forgive me. Men and women die every day. Black men and women die every day in America and it doesn't make international headlines. And sadly, black death is normal in this country.

What's not normal is an organized response to it. And whenever there is an organize response, whenever there is resistance, that's when the international community pays attention. We saw the same thing in Iran, we saw the same thing in Tahrir, in Egypt. We saw the same thing in Libya.

(CROSSTALK)

FERGUSON: It's the violence that people love to watch because it is the unpredictability of it. Unfortunately, that's the reality. Whether it be what is going in Gaza, whether it be ISIS and the beheadings. I mean, ISIS doesn't get headlines, and they know this, unless they're doing heinous crimes. If there is chaos and you can put it on live, then people can judge you. And I think a lot of this is judging. There's a lot of people in other countries that love when there is some sort of demise of America, in any capacity, especially something like this, and they can highlight it.

But overall as a country, we are still a great place with a lot of freedom. And when they can take a shot, that's what you saw. MALVEAUX: What --

HILL: But that's the problem right there, Ben. We're upset and we get embarrassed. Every day black men and women die at the hands of law enforcement. Not every day, but nearly every day. I think there were 328 in the last year. You know, we're not embraced by that. We're embarrassed when the world pays attentions and finds out this secret. We are not embarrassed with some of our internal practices. We are embarrassed when the entire world is talking about them.

FERGUSON: The difference, Marc, is I don't think that all of the 300- plus deaths you referred to have to do with race and I think that you do. I think that's the difference in our perspective.

HILL: I don't think that either.

FERGUSON: I think there's a lot of times that police are put in a bad situation. I don't think this police officer, for example, from what we have seen and also what the grand jury saw, is some sort of criminal. And I think that you look at him as a criminal. So it's two totally different perspectives.

MALVEAUX: You know, Ben, Marc -- I don't want you to go anywhere here because we have a lot to cover. And when we return, we're going to talk about some other issues, as well.

We're going to ask you about travel demands. This is Hillary Clinton who wanted room temperature water, lemon wedges, when she spoke at UCLA. And, well, we want to know, if she playing into the hands of critics who say that she's out of touch?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: CNN political commentators Ben Ferguson and Marc Lamont Hill are back.

Good to see you guys.

So, we're talking about Hillary Clinton, as we all know, the Democratic White House front runner for 2016. But one new criticism against the former secretary of state is that she has now become a little too enamored of the trappings of wealth, such as flying on private jets, staying in five-star hotels.

Well, now, "The Washington Post" reporting on the demands made by Mrs. Clinton's staff ahead of her speech last March at UCLA. For starters, her speaker's fee -- yes, $300,000. Which "The Post" reports is Mrs. Clinton's special university rate and her staff made specific requests, like room-temperature water with lemon wedges, a cup, saucer, carafe of hot water, diet ginger ale and computer with printer and scanner.

But before we get your response, let's check out some of these others here, these so-called back-stage writers for other famous folks. Former Vice President Dick Cheney reportedly wanted his hotel thermostats all set at 68 degrees precisely. He wanted decaf coffee, ready when he arrived. And Perrier water if Mrs. Cheney was there with him.

Among the celebrities, got to include those, Lady Gaga is said to prefer white leather couches backstage, along with fresh roses and peanut butter with flaxseed no more than four grams of sugar, please.

Mariah Carey's backstage writer reportedly requests $200 bottle of cabernet, two dozen white roses and vanilla candles and, quote, "no busy patterns," please.

The most famous backstage writer of all, Van Halen's 1982 world tour. You've got to remember this. Included demands for Schlitz Malt Liquor, who remember, assorted wine and liquor, and now, infamous request, those M&Ms, right, but, quote, "absolutely no brown ones." OK.

BEN FERGUSON, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Sounds like a weekend at Marc Lamont Hill's house or on the road, you know?

MARC LAMONT HILL, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Exactly right.

MALVEAUX: I don't know. Mark, you got to leave him get away with that one.

(CROSSTALK)

HILL: It's all true.

FERGUSON: A normal weekend watching the Eagles game. That's -- this isn't crazy.

MALVEAUX: OK. So, wait a minute, guys. Besides the $300,000 speaking fee, I mean, that's pretty high. I speak a lot. I don't get anything near that.

But I think, you know, to have your water, your coffee, your lemon wedges, that's not so bad. Ben, do you think she's -- is she falling into the trap here?

FERGUSON: Well, here's the thing. If you're making a ton of money and you haven't been sitting in a commoner's seat on an airplane since 1993, right before you became the first lady, the problem comes in when you tell people that we were dead broke and struggling when we left the White House, which wasn't true.

And when you try to act like you're somehow going to connect with people that are poor and that you feel their pain as Bill Clinton to use a line from her own husband. And this is your real world you live in? It makes it a little more difficult for people to actually believe you when you say you were struggling.

They're not struggling. Just own it and embrace it. You're a former first lady. You're a former secretary of state. You make a ton of money. But don't act like you're poor and broke.

MALVEAUX: So, Marc, do you buy it? Is this a weakness here, where liberals are going to grab on to this and say, OK, you're not really presenting this populist image here like you -- like, say, Elizabeth Warren.

HILL: This is a selective analysis, right? I mean, yes, Hillary Clinton is not poor. We get that, right? Bill Clinton is not poor -- even when they came out of the White House. They may have been struggling, but being a former first lady and former sitting president avails you to so many opportunities, so many freebies and a ton of money in speaking fees and book fees, that you're never truly broke.

FERGUSON: Absolutely.

HILL: You're only as broke as you want to be.

So, let's be honest about that. That said, there's -- there has yet to be a sitting president in the modern era who doesn't have tons of money and it doesn't mean they didn't necessarily have access to a vision of poor people that was redemptive or progressive. John Edwards before his messiness was a populist candidate. Didn't mean he didn't have a bunch of money. Barack Obama to some people was a progressive candidate, he still had a ton of money. Not George Bush money, but still more than the people who represented his constituency. Sarah Palin, they picked on her wardrobe, they picked on her so-called diva tendencies.

I think this is much more about gender than class, because everybody who runs for president has money. The truth is they're picking on Hillary Clinton because --

(CROSSTALK)

FERGUSON: I don't think it has to do with gender. I think this has to do -- it's kind of like Mitt Romney. I mean, when people were saying Mitt Romney needed to not wear a tie and maybe that would connect with a commoner, wear some blue jeans more often. If you're a wealthy guy from the Northeast, be the wealthy guy from the Northeast.

I don't think this has as much to do with gender as don't say stupid stuff, like we were dead broke when we left the White House, because you weren't dead broke.

HILL: But they might have been, Ben.

FERGUSON: That's where it gets you in trouble. And that has nothing to do with her being a woman.

HILL: No, they might -- I mean, look, again, Hillary Clinton may have been dead broke coming out of the White House. I can't say she wasn't.

FERGUSON: But she wasn't!

HILL: No, what I'm saying is, her dead broke is different than my dead broke. When I say I'm dead broke, you know, if I got fired -- three months from now, I'd be sleeping on Ben's couch. I'd be on Ben's couch. Hillary Clinton has access to stuff.

But I think the bigger issue here is that you can have money and still be sympathetic through your policy to poor people. Elizabeth Warren could very easily --

(CROSSTALK)

FERGUSON: Totally agree.

HILL: She's made a decision not to.

FERGUSON: Right. But don't act like you're actually poor. That's my thing. Like if you're wealthy, you can be --

HILL: I'm with you.

FERGUSON: You can connect, just don't act like you're poor.

MALVEAUX: All right. So, guys, I mean, you know --

HILL: I'm with you, Ben. Here --

MALVEAUX: Go ahead, Marc.

HILL: My only disagreement with Ben on this is that I think not when you talk about people being out of touch, when you start talking about people being divas, when people start whispering about Hillary Clinton's speaking fees as if every male former senator doesn't charge as much as Hillary Clinton, if not more.

I run a speakers agency, I represent about 50 speakers. And I'll tell you, every single one who can get money, asks for it. And every person who has demands asks for it.

But I ask for orange Gatorade on the road but no one calls me a diva. But they do it with Hillary Clinton. They did it with Sarah Palin. I see a pattern here.

FERGUSON: So, hold on --

(CROSSTALK)

FERGUSON: Marc, Marc -- it's important.

MALVEAUX: No, no, no, Ben. Wait. I've got to cut you off here. So, Bill Clinton, when he made that same speech to UCLA in that group, he made $250,000 and it was $50,000 less than his wife, and he noticed that.

Ben, real quick and then, Marc. What's your main backstage demand, what's your main thing you've got to have when you're on the road?

FERGUSON: I want the room cold as possible. Like 60 degrees before I walk in, because no one wants to be sweating when they get out there.

MALVEAUX: Marc?

HILL: All I need is my orange Gatorade. I'm low maintenance. All I need is orange Gatorade and I am good.

FERGUSON: I wondered why you were so cranky last time, because they had the fruit punch Gatorade instead of the orange. Now, it makes sense.

HILL: Exactly!

(CROSSTALK)

MALVEAUX: -- a cool room for both of you guys next time. We've got to stay right there. So, we're going to lower the temperature there and get a Gatorade for you.

Up next, we're going to talk about the latest job opening at the Pentagon. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on his way out. Who's next? And is it a job anybody really wants to begin with?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: It's a help wanted posting at the Pentagon. It is a big one, of course. President Obama looking for a new defense secretary. His nominee to succeed Chuck Hagel, who will be his fourth defense secretary in six years will face a host of challenges, both inside Washington, as well as abroad.

Ben Ferguson and Marc Lamont Hill are back with us.

And so, Marc, I want to start off with you. Chuck Hagel, he is gone. You had Leon Panetta, Robert Gates, Hagel's predecessor, has been very outspoken in her criticism, saying that defense policy now has been micromanaged by White House aides.

So, what is the president do you think looking for in a new defense secretary?

HILL: Well, first let me say that I am declining the position, as is Ben Ferguson. I think we're the only two people who had asked (ph) for the job so far.

FERGUSON: Yes.

MALVEAUX: It's those demands.

(CROSSTALK)

HILL: If you give me Gatorade? Will you be good with it?

HILL: I'll consider it. Yes.

I think the biggest issue with this position is one, there are messes abroad. I mean, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, et cetera. But there are always messes abroad. That's one issue.

The president, however, and the White House has a very particular direction they want to go in, which is at odds with many foreign policy experts and as such, no one wants to go into a position where they will be micro managed and at odds with their boss from day one. And thirdly, the issue has been systematically undermined by the president.

And so, many people don't feel as if it's a position where they can exercise their foreign policy, bona fides, where they can spread their wings and actually inform policy in proper ways. That's why it didn't work with Hagel and that's why it's going to be very difficult position to fill. I do think that the current chair of the House -- not the chair, the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee is probably the dark horse in this.

But I do think ultimately the job will be filled by someone responsible. But still, it's a tough job.

FERGUSON: Here's the biggest issue. You have the president of the United States of America that really has a disdain for foreign policy when it comes from the Pentagon. I mean, if you want to talk about the tell-all book, I can't wait to read in a couple years when the president reads the White House, it's going to be those that start to clear the air on the history of his actions and interactions with the Pentagon.

I mean, Leon Panetta is not a Republican. And Leon Panetta and these other guys, it's almost like they're saying, look, finally you understand what we have been dealing with here. And that is a White House that does not like us as a group, they don't listen to our advice. The president does not, you know, ever get along with us and what we try to do when it comes to national defense issues.

And so right now, if you're someone -- your dream job may have been to work at the Pentagon, to lead our American men and women in uniform and to take on that responsibility. But under this president, when you're being undermined in all of your policies and you're the one that's got to go back to those same people and actually enact that policy, I wouldn't want this job. I wouldn't walk within a thousand feet of it.

MALVEAUX: Yes, Mark, let me ask you this. We were talking about Leon Panetta and I want you to listen to what he said here about how really the White House is really kind of pulling the strings here and get your response on the other end.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LEON PANETTA, FORMER DEFENSE SECRETARY: What's happening now is, because of that centralization of authority at the White House, there are too few voices that are being heard in terms of the ability to make decisions. The fact is that the staff has probably already in many ways determined what the president should or should not do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: So, Marc, how does he get the guy that he wants or the woman he wants to fill this post, considering that he's got John McCain, who can certainly block anybody who he decides would fill this position the next two years.

HILL: Well, I mean, one thing we know about the president on foreign policy is that he has followed the Bush doctrine much more closely than any of us on the left had hoped. One area where he probably hasn't -- where he's found the least resistance is in foreign policy leadership. So, I actually don't anticipate John McCain or any other high-ranking Republican senator blacking his appointment for defense. I think the other cabinet positions that need to be filled, some of the less significant positions as well, are going to be black attorney, and also likely blocked by Senate leadership. And I find that problematic.

But I don't think he'll have a problem getting it through, past Republicans. In fact, my problem with President Obama is that whoever he picks will -- will be just fine with Republicans. I think the issue here, though, is that he needs somebody who is a war time consigliore. Hagel was not. That's why this didn't work out. He needs someone with a vision, but also someone who he respects to take pushback from.

I think as Panetta said, he didn't assemble ultimately the team of rivals he promised we would have. And when he did, unless they were yes men, I think there has been a strong difficulty getting them to change their position.

(CROSSTALK)

MALVEAUX: Ben? Real quick.

FERGUSON: Yes, let me say this real quick. The president does not even worry about John McCain or Republicans right now. His biggest concern should be he's got to actually find someone that's willing to take this job, because when they leak four names, three of the four immediately said, I have no interest in this job. And that's shocking when you're talking about leading the military from the Pentagon.

MALVEAUX: We are going to make a turn here. Ray Rice, cleared to return to the NFL with an arbiter's ruling that overturns now his indefinite suspension for domestic violence. But his second chance -- well, we know it's far from certain. Will any NFL team take the risk on Rice? Well, our football fanatics, Mark and Ben, they're going to weigh in on that, up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: NFL running back Ray Rice can return now to the field now that an arbiter has thrown out his indefinite suspension for domestic abuse. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, rather, originally suspended Rice for two games. But after a video surfaced that showed Rice hitting his then fiancee in an elevator, knocking her out, Goodell suspended Rice indefinitely. Well, the arbiter now has called the indefinite suspension a, quote, "abuse of discretion".

Marc Lamont Hill, Ben Ferguson, joining us again.

Marc, first of all, did the arbiter make the right decision? And if you think so, do you think any NFL team is going to sign him?

HILL: First of all, he absolutely made the right decision. As much as I find what Ray Rice did deplorable and disgusting, I also know that you can't have double jeopardy in the league. And the truth is, the league tried to cover this up and then tried to protect themselves by throwing Ray Rice under the bus. That said, no self respecting NFL team should sign Ray Rice. I think that we should let the market play out here. We should see

what kind of values the team -- the league and the teams have. He should be allowed to play in the league, but no team should want him, given what he did.

MALVEAUX: And, Ben, should Roger Goodell actually keep his job as NFL commissioner here in light of the back and forth we have been seeing?

FERGUSON: Roger Goodell is a professional hit man for the owners of the NFL. If they tell him to go suspend somebody --

HILL: Yes.

FERGUSON: -- he suspends them. If they tell him to protect a player, he protects the player. He answers to no one but the owners.

So, I look at literally Roger Goodell as nothing more than a puppet. What we should really be focused on is the owners who employ him. He has no more power than what they give him. And the rule has been in the NFL by the owners.

If I have a player that commits a terrible crime, we will try to cover it up if he's good. And then when your player does the same thing --

HILL: Exactly.

FERGUSON: -- we'll help you cover it up as well so that you can keep him on the field. These owners, they don't care about morals or ethics or any of these guys' lives, as long as they're good.

So the answer is, look, should the guy get hired again? No. Will he? More than likely, yes, he will, because these owners don't care about this stuff.

MALVEAUX: All right, guys. Stay with us.

HILL: I agree.

MALVEAUX: We've got this just moments ago. Reports now that the officer who shot Michael Brown has resigned from the Ferguson police force. We're going to talk about that, up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Just in now to CNN, Officer Darren Wilson reportedly has resigned from Ferguson's police department. His resignation letter was posted on the "St. Louis Post-Dispatch" Web site. This was just moments ago. I want to read it to you here.

"I, Darren Wilson, hereby resign my commission as a police officer with the city of Ferguson, effective immediately. I have been told that my continued employment may put the residents and police officers of the city of Ferguson at risk, which is a circumstance that I cannot allow. For obvious reasons, I wanted to wait until the grand jury made their decision before I officially made my decision to resign. It was my hope to continue in police work, but the safety of other police officers and the community are of paramount importance to me. It is my hope that my resignation will allow the community to heal. I would like to thank all of my supporters and fellow officers throughout the process."

So I want to go -- CNN, I have been told, has confirmed this independently. Let's get Ed Lavandera, first, who's on the ground in Ferguson.

Any reaction, Ed?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT : Well, I think the reaction will be that this is what many people in the Ferguson area and in St. Louis expected to happen. We have been reporting for several weeks now that Officer Darren Wilson was in talks to resign, but as you see from that statement that Officer Wilson wanted to wait for the grand jury to make its decision. But these are talks that have been under way for quite some time. His lawyers had made it clear to him, and they have told us over the last few days, that any likelihood of him returning to the police force was just simply not going to happen.

And then you also have the people in the city of Ferguson who have made it very clear that Darren Wilson would not be welcomed back on to the police. So it was always very hard to imagine he would once again be patrolling the streets of Ferguson in any kind of way. So, you know, perhaps a lot of people not necessarily surprised that this announcement has finally come. But it's probably, you know, one of those pieces of news that many people expected to come eventually -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: All right. Thank you very much.

Ben Ferguson, very quickly. Your response.

FERGUSON: Yes, I'm not surprised. I mean, he knows he can't sit there on the streets of Ferguson and put other people's lives at risk that may be working with him. So, for this, it's -- you know, he's going to have to move. He's going to have to start a whole new life over again and this is that first step in doing that. Unfortunately, he cannot stay there for his own safety and his family.

MALVEAUX: Marc Lamont Hill, weigh in for us, if you will.

HILL: No surprise here. He couldn't be a police officer anymore. Certainly not in St. Louis, certainly not in the state of Missouri. And after giving a national interview, where his face is broadcast everywhere, I'm not sure he could be a police officer anywhere.

But given the amount of money he got for his legal defense and for doing the interview, I suspect he'll be just fine.

MALVEAUX: And do we think that there are supporters here who will react, who will respond, who will fight this? And say, you know, this isn't fair.

FERGUSON: I mean, it's not -- certainly not fair.

HILL: No.

FERGUSON: But they're not going to come out and fight for him.

MALVEAUX: Marc?

FERGUSON: I don't see it as unfair at all. I don't see it as unfair at all. He killed a kid. Whether he's legally guilty or not, if you kill someone and it causes an international news story, you can't do your job normally or fairly. Whether Darren Wilson is right or wrong, he can't do the job in a way that's healthy or functional for the community, so he can't be a police officer again.

MALVEAUX: All right. I've got to leave it there.

Marc, thank you very much. Ben, as well. Ed, who's on the ground -- appreciate all your perspectives. And, of course, we're going to be following this breaking news.

I'm Suzanne Malveaux, and thank you for joining us tonight. Stay with CNN and CNN.com for breaking news at any time.

And tonight, here's what we're watching. Keep it here for the John Walsh marathon. It is called "THE HUNT" and it starts right now.