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AT THIS HOUR

Loretta Lynch to Be Sworn in Today; Rescue Efforts Continuing in Nepal; Devastation After Earthquake Strikes Nepal; Loretta Lynch Swearing-In Ceremony. Aired 11-11:30a ET

Aired April 27, 2015 - 11:00   ET

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


[11:00:11] KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Kate Bolduan. John Berman is off today.

We're looking at history in the making AT THIS HOUR. Loretta Lynch is about to be sworn in as the first African-American woman to serve as the country's Attorney General. Vice President Joe Biden, he will handle the official swearing in just moments from now at the Justice Department. You're seeing a picture of the Justice Department right there. We're going to take you there live as soon as the ceremony begins. That will be happening any moment. Lynch was confirmed, you'll remember, last week by the Senate. This after more than five months of delay over largely unrelated partisan battles on Capitol Hill.

We're also watching this right now in Baltimore, Maryland. Funeral services under way for Freddie Gray. It's been eight days since Gray died after being taken into police custody under circumstances that are still today a mystery. Rallies over his death grew violent over the weekend. Police arrested 35 protesters. Six officers suffered minor injuries in that violence. We're going to have much more of the funeral service a little later this hour.

And also of course we're watching the devastation in Nepal. Relief agencies across the world are racing to get there as the extent of the tragedy there is still unfolding since the massive earthquake hit over the weekend. More than 3,800 deaths are reported so far in Nepal, 87 in neighboring India and China. Three U.S. citizens were also killed in the earthquake. Around 7,000 people are reported injured in the quake so far.

But let's be honest, and let's be very real here. All of those numbers could climb and could climb quickly as rescuers are still trying to reach the more remote areas of the nation and there are many remote areas in the Himalayan country. Some roads are blocked and communication difficult, so the extent of the catastrophe really isn't clear quite yet. The destruction of the capital of Kathmandu, though, is obvious. Just take a look at these pictures that have been coming in all morning. Landmarks, temples flattened. Homes reduced to just rubble. Hospitals understandably now packed with victims and beginning to run low on supplies.

And Mt. Everest, helicopter rescues are continuing. They're underway as we speak to save climbers trapped after the earthquake and the massive avalanche that followed. CNN has several crews in the earthquake zone seeing the devastation and the need for help firsthand.

For that, let's get to senior international correspondent Arwa Damon. She's joining us on the phone from Kathmandu. Arwa, you've been getting a real sense of what folks are dealing with on the ground as we show some of the video from the air of what this devastation looks like. Tell me some of the stories you're hearing right now.

ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Well, Kate, you were talking about aid groups. We flew in on a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul with two Turkish teams and a number of Nepalese nationals and other people that are trying to help out in this effort.

At the airport we met a helicopter pilot who was heading toward Mt. Everest and speaking about the horrific events that took place there, that really chilling but amazing video that shows the power of the avalanche as it came barreling down. He was describing just how difficult conditions were on the side of that mountain for them to try to evacuate those who did remain trapped. It's especially difficult because up until today the weather conditions were not quite conducive to allow helicopters to fly safely.

He's also been going around the city of Kathmandu and a number of the devastated sites, and there are countless buildings, historical monuments, that have been severely damaged. At one of those sites, we saw a man who was trying to climb a ladder that had been put up by the rescue teams. This was something they prevented him from doing because the building was secure, but he didn't care. His father was buried somewhere under the rubble. He was a pastor of a church.

In another building, we met another young man who was helping out, digging through the rubble, because his wife and 7-year-old daughter were still buried underneath. And he, Kate, still had hope that they might be alive because in that very building, just last night, they'd managed to find a woman who had somehow survived. She was physically unharmed, in shock, understandably, but she was alive.

Throughout the city, you also have these makeshift tents that have been set up, these makeshift encampments that are springing up, especially in the big parks and along the sidewalks. These are all people that are still too scared to go back home because they fear the aftershocks. There are some aid efforts under way to get them food, water. Concerns though, at this stage, about sanitation in these particular areas as well.

While we were at one of the parks, they had a medical mobile clinic and we were able to see a number of the wounded, especially children.

[11:05:04] A lot of them of them still seeming to be in quite shock, huddling very closely to their parents. One little 6-year-old boy we met described how he felt the sensation like a massive fire and then something hit him and hurt him very badly. He said he was still scared. A brick had fallen from a building onto his head and a lot of people, Kate, are still scared. They are very, very worried about the aftershocks.

And then of course for all of those that are still out there looking for their loved ones, especially in those remote areas where they can't reach them by phone. They can't reach them by road. They have absolutely no idea if their relatives are alive or dead at this stage. Kate.

BOLDUAN: Arwa Damon on the ground for us. Arwa painting such a devastating picture as these families are trying to get any word about their loved ones. But also, as Arwa is pointing out, people doing whatever they can to keep hope alive. We've heard a lot of rescuers as well as family members just trying to dig with their hands to try to get through the rubble because more help is needed, obviously, when they are faced with such massive devastation. That, really, the tragedy just still unfolding as we speak.

Arwa is on the ground for us. Arwa, thank you so much. We're going to continue -- we're going to speak with -- Arwa went in with one aid agency, as she was describing. We're going to speak with an aid agency a little later in the show to get their take on what they're finding as they're moving into some of those remote areas. That's a key part of this story right now.

Our Sanjay Gupta is in Kathmandu where he not only was trying to get a sense of what was going in situation unfolding within the hospitals, in the makeshift hospitals, he was also called to duty, performed a brain surgery on a young earthquake victim while he's there. He talked about it a little earlier about what he's seen and what he had to do.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: We're in the sort of drive area of a building that's -- it wasn't actually functioning as a hospital. This has become a hospital because there's tremendous demand. You can see people who are lined up. There have been ambulances that have come in from time to time, taxi cabs. There was an 8-year-old girl who needed an operation. There was just such demand. There were 40 to 50 neurosurgical patients in this particular area, many of them outside.

I want to show you -- I don't know if you can see this. They gave permission to show this scan here, but just take a quick look. This is a CAT scan. They're able to do CAT scans here now, which is a big plus. And over here just -- this may be more than you can see, but that white area over there, that's the blood collection. It's called an epidural hematoma. It's basically bleeding on top of the brain. If it's not treated, that can lead to someone dying or certainly having significant neurological problems, so that was why the operation was performed, the operation that we were doing to try and remove that blood collection.

But, again, they asked for me to help. They're asking anybody to sort of roll up their sleeves and help because of the tremendous demand right now.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BOLDUAN: Absolutely. Sanjay's on the ground. Sanjay also had an opportunity to speak with Nepal's president I believe as the president was touring one of these facilities, and the president said that it will be difficult to care for all of the people who need medical attention and that he welcomes the world's help.

On that note, the stunning video coming from Mt. Everest that you really have to see. You see this wall of snow and debris coming right at the base camp there. The earthquake triggering this disaster of course. Just look at this cloud coming right at these climbers. Wow.

As we've said, others are stranded on the world's tallest mountain and waiting for rescue. A Pentagon spokesman told CNN that U.S. army special forces that were in Nepal at the time for high altitude training, they're going to help look for survivors now on Everest and other popular climbing areas.

Amazing when you see that video. With all this in mind, you know that you can help those affected by the powerful earthquake in Nepal. Just go to CNN.com/impact. You're going to get a lot more information. You, yourself, can help out.

Back here at home, a historic moment that we're watching unfold -- Loretta Lynch to become the first African-American woman to serve as the nation's Attorney General. You're looking right now at live pictures of the swearing -- of the room where the swearing in ceremony is going to be taking place. It will be under way in just a moment at the Justice Department. We're going to take you back here when she takes the oath of office, and we're going to also bring you her comments live when they begin.

But right now let's get over to the White House where our senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta is standing by. This is a big moment. Not only history in the making because this will be the first African- American woman to hold the post, Jim; this is a big moment for the White House because the president nominated her almost six months ago and the wild partisan battle that ensued following that.

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right. An unprecedented five-month wait. She waited longer than the previous seven Attorney General nominees combined. But today, the president will get his pick for Attorney General. Loretta Lynch will be sworn in by Vice President Biden here, as you said, in the next several minutes.

[11:10:00] And when you were showing that shot in the room, you could see Senator Patrick Leahy, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. He was one of those frustrated Democrats who were -- they were sort of hapless bystanders in this entire process when Loretta Lynch's nomination was bogged down over that fight over abortion language in that trafficking bill that finally was cleared in the Senate.

And so what we're going to see here in the next several minutes I think is some pretty interesting remarks from the vice president and from Loretta Lynch. It's going to be fascinating to watch to see how she takes the helm of the Department of Justice. Kate, as you know, there's some huge issues that she's going to be inheriting. First and foremost, this issue, these allegations of police brutality around the country and including this very tense situation in Baltimore right now. It's likely to be her very first test as Attorney General. But what her supporters say is Loretta Lynch, when she was the top prosecutor, the U.S. attorney in Brooklyn up in New York, that she dealt with the sensitive civil rights cases before and that she knows this territory well.

The question is whether or not, will she be like Eric Holder in the regard that Eric Holder was this heat shield, they called him the heat shield for President Obama on civil rights issues. Is she willing to be that same kind of heat shield for the president or is she going to show some more independence? And that was what Republican lawmakers were concerned about with respect to her nomination. They were concerned she would not be independent enough, especially on this issue of immigration reform, the executive actions that the president is pursuing on immigration. And so we'll see all of that in the days, weeks, and months to come, but today is obviously a good day for the White House. The president's finally getting his Attorney General. Kate.

BOLDUAN: The president finally getting his Attorney General. I think everyone will be very interested on everything that you just pointed out, Jim, what exactly Loretta Lynch will touch on, focus on, in her remarks directly following the swearing in.

We'll be bringing that to you live. Jim Acosta at the White House, he's watching with us. Jim, thanks so much.

Ahead for us AT THIS HOUR, no matter how many images or the stories that we hear, only those who were in Nepal truly understand what it was like when that earthquake hit of course. Next, we're going to talk to someone who is there, who lived through it all.

And though the circumstances surrounding his death are still a mystery, Freddie Gray, who died while in police custody, he will be laid to rest today. You're looking at a live picture. We're going to take you live to Baltimore where his funeral services are getting under way.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:15:58] BOLDUAN: We'll take you straight over to the Justice Department. You see right there, Vice President Joe Biden making remarks. He'll be swearing in Loretta Lynch as the first African- American woman to be our nation's attorney general. Let's listen to the vice president right now.

VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Your whole family is here today. I hope you'll forgive, as we used to say in the Senate, a point of personal privilege, but I'm so happy to meet your dad. Dad, stand up. I want everybody to see you.

(APPLAUSE) Chairman Leahy, as you know, this is a man who never thought it paid to be silent in the face of oppression and prejudice and so many people, Reverend, so many people, not only in your home state of North Carolina, but throughout this country, owe you so much for -- not just for your wisdom, but the physical courage it took back in those days to speak out as you did. A Baptist minister who always taught his children that anything is possible. Think about that. A lot of us tell our children that. In the face of Jim Crow in North Carolina, raising a lovely, bright, young woman as well as her brother in saying anything is possible. And the truth of the matter was, he not only taught it, he fought for it but he also, as I understand, made it clear they had to work for it, too.

The dad taking young Loretta to the courthouse to see important cases was a pretty -- I imagine even in those days -- fairly innovative. Why does he have his young daughter with him in the courthouse? And then the local library, drop her off to instill in her one of the few places a young black woman could be and with some degree of security surrounded by all those works that is still just an incredible love of learning and language in you, Loretta.

This is an incredible moment. A Baptist minister who preached during the sit-ins in Greensboro finds himself 50 years later with his daughter in this magnificent room. His daughter now leading a march toward a more perfect union. Something he fought for his whole life and still fights for.

Ladies and gentlemen, it's about time. It's about time this woman is being sworn in.

(APPLAUSE)

(INAUDIBLE) Harris, remember what she used to say? "I'm tired of being tired." We got tired of this wait. You showed such grace and such humility during this whole process, General. This is a woman who is incredibly qualified, just like Eric Holder who I have known and been my close friend for years and years and years. I mean over 30 years. He's one of the finest attorney generals we have had. He's been in this environment of such political hostility. He's stood his ground on principle, he has never yielded and he's been right.

(APPLAUSE)

[11:19:57] Now the reason Eric has been always so nice to me is, as Valerie can tell you, he was on the two person committee to decide who to choose as vice president. He owed me for what he did. No, I'm joking. That's a joke. Press, that is a joke. It's been a great honor of my life. He's also been one of the great friends of my life.

For the past 6 1/2 years, Madame Attorney General, Eric has sat next - we've sat next to each other in cabinet meetings. There's a protocol where each seat is. You'll sit on my left during those cabinet meetings and Eric sat there and I don't know how many meetings we've had in the situation room, likely the FBI director and others that were here in the oval office, issue after issue, national security, counterterrorism, civil rights and voting rights, marriage equality, immigration, violence against women and the criminal justice reform and funding the cops programs and so much more. He served the department with distinction and our country with honor and I thank him but most of all, I thank Sharon, his wife, and his family. He has a beautiful family, brilliant young kids.

(APPLAUSE)

I thank them for their service. I have absolute confidence that Loretta Lynch will exceed the high standard set for her because she's cut from the exact same cloth. Both she and Eric embody the mantra of their predecessors, the man after whom this building is named, who said "The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better." "The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better."

Five generations. Your brother is also a Baptist minister, a Baptist preachers will teach you how to make things better. As I read your dad always taught you to stand up for what's right, speak out for what's just, get up when you get knocked down and move on. If there's anything you should know about Loretta Lynch following her father's example, she excelled in everything she's done from the time she was a child. She never had been limited by the lower expectations of others, but has always exceeded the expectations she even set for herself. Top of her class in high school, got into a lot of universities but decided she wanted to go to Harvard. Harvard undergraduate. Law school. Did well as an aspiring young lawyer.

For 30 years, she's been a first rate, fair-minded, independent lawyer and prosecutor as U.S. attorney and in private practice. She's shown the resolve to prosecute and jail terrorists, mobsters and gang members. She's shown fidelity to the law and rooted out public corporation and shown determination to bring down financial fraudsters and child abusers and she's shown a (INAUDIBLE) pursuit to bust the brutal human trafficking rings that she's encountered. She's shown an unyielding commitment to the rule of law and basic human rights. She forged from - that are forced in the battling violent crime in main streets of New York to striving for accountability in the crucible of genocide in Rwanda. And as a top federal prosecutor, she's worked with and learned from law enforcement officers and agents. You'll have a great partner in this one, Director Comey.

In her own words, she said she's a better prosecutor because of it. So she has unimpeachable credibility to strengthen relations between law enforcement and communities that serve and protect. Folks often say that I trust those people - and Patrick has heard me say this many times in public life -- who arrive at the right decision, not through an intellectual examination of the argument, but arrive at the right decision when it starts in the gut, goes to their heart and is articulated by a fine mind. That's who this woman is. That's how Loretta gets it right and the president and I can't wait to start working with her.

Her priority will remain using every tool available to disrupt attacks against our homeland and to bring terrorists to justice. She'll enhance the department's capacity to combat cyberattacks and cybercrimes. She'll continue to pursue and prosecute those who prey on the most in need of our protection. And she'll continue to lead with her humble yet fierce determination to stand up for what is right, do what is just and not yield to anyone.

[11:25:11] I will close with this. I imagine being the daughter of an English teacher and librarian, the daughter of North Carolina, Maya Angelou's words have never been too far away from Loretta and her thinking. Maya Angelou once said in a straightforward manner, she said, "If someone shows you who they are, believe them." "If someone shows you who they are, believe them." A very simplistic phrase, but pretty profound. She has shown us her entire life, who she is, so believe her. I believe her. The president believes her. And all the people in this department who believe her. Loretta, you have shown who you are in everything you've done and you've upheld the very values of the oath you're about to take and we believe you.

To the staff of the United States Department of justice, you're the best of the best. With Loretta, you again, have the best of the best as your leader. All of the qualities she brings to the job as attorney general are because of what she's learned as a federal prosecutor. She's one of you. She's one of you. To the American people, we're blessed with another remarkable public servant to lead this department.

And with that, Loretta, I'm now going to swear you in as the Attorney General of the United States of America. With your husband, come forward, and dad -- the whole family come on up here. And the way we're going to do this -

You want me on the left? This side? Alright. Ok. Alright.

And you're going to stand here, Loretta, I believe. (INAUDIBLE). Come on.

I want you to put your left hand on the Bible and raise your right hand.

I, state your name.

LORETTA LYNCH, UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL: I, Loretta Elizabeth Lynch -

BIDEN: -- do so solemnly swear -

LYNCH: -- do so solemnly swear -

BIDEN: -- that I will support and defend -

LYNCH: -- that I will support and defend -

BIDEN: -- the Constitution of the United States -

LYNCH: -- the Constitution of the United States -

BIDEN: -- against all enemies -

LYNCH: -- against all enemies - BIDEN: -- foreign and domestic -

LYNCH: -- foreign and domestic -

BIDEN: -- that I will bear true faith -

LYNCH: -- that I will bear true faith -

BIDEN: -- and allegiance to the same --

LYNCH: -- and allegiance to the same --

BIDEN: -- that I take this obligation freely -

LYNCH: -- that I take this obligation freely -

BIDEN: -- without any mental reservation -

LYNCH: -- without any mental reservation -

BIDEN: -- or purpose of evasion.

LYNCH: -- or purpose of evasion.

BIDEN: That I will well and faithfully discharge -

LYNCH: That I will well and faithfully discharge -

BIDEN: -- the duties of the office -

LYNCH: -- the duties of the office -

BIDEN: -- in which I'm about to enter -

LYNCH: -- in which I'm about to enter -

BIDEN: -- so help me God.

LYNCH: -- so help me God.

BIDEN: Congratulations.

(APPLAUSE)

LYNCH: Here we are. I have to say as I look out on all of you gathered here today, it seems like such an understatement to say that my heart is full, but it is. It's full of the most deep and profound gratitude that I've felt in quite some time. I must, of course, thank so many people who made it possible for me to stand here before you today.

First and foremost, I have to thank the president for his faith in me in asking me to lead the department that I love to greater heights and Mr. Vice President, thank you for your presence, for your comments here today, but also for your steadfast support and your wise counsel through this process and it's been quite a process. But I also have to thank Senator Schumer and someone who is here today as well, Senator Leahy. Thank you so much for being here but also for your support, not just today, but over the years and for doing what I thought was impossible: making the floor of the United States Senate a welcoming place for me and for my family. Thank you, sir. Thank you so much.

[11:30:00] And of course, thanks to my wonderful family. As you can see all around you, we are quite the force multiplier. Many of you have come to know my father throughout this process.