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Kerry Returning to U.S.; Interview with John Kirby; Houthis Take Hostages; Remembering Network's Coverage; TSA Security Reports; TSA Failed 95 Percent Of Weapons Security Tests; NSA's Ability To Collect Bulk Phone Data; Ability To Obtain Roving Wiretaps; Provision Targeting Lone Wolf Suspects; Kerry's Injury Could Impact Iran Nuclear Talks. Aired 1-1:30p ET

Aired June 1, 2015 - 13:00   ET

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


WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, I'm Wolf Blitzer. It's 1:00 p.m. here in Washington, 6:00 p.m. in London, 8:00 p.m. in Baghdad. Wherever you're watching from around the world, thanks very much for joining us.

We begin with breaking news. A report on the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, the TSA, revealing some truly stunning security lapses at U.S. airports. It says undercover agents managed to smuggle mock be explosives and weapons through airport checkpoints. And get this, they were able to do it 95 percent of the time. Details of the widespread security failures are coming to light right now in a brand new report from the Homeland Security Department that was supposed to be released later this summer.

Let's bring in our Suzanne Malveaux. She's working the story for us. Suzanne, these are shocking statistics.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It really is. It's very alarming. And what we have before us here is, it should be noted, it's a classified report. It's been leaked to us. It's a preliminary finding. So, there are some holes in the report that we're just not privy too.

But what we do have is pretty damming here. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General conducted a series of tests with their officials, they're called the red teams, posed as passengers trying to pass through security with realistic looking explosives or weapons. So, TSA officers failed 67 out of 70 tests, more than 90 percent, to identify and confiscate these items. So, they actually got through security.

So, the TSA also does these kinds of tests to see if there are holes in the security system and how they can be addressed. They've been doing this now 13 years, so the tests, by the very nature, are designed to make it very hard for the TSA to succeed. But even former Homeland Security officials, they are very alarmed by what they have found here -- Wolf.

BLITZER: So, are changes being implemented, I assume they are, to try to fix this problem? MALVEAUX: Yes, they are. As a matter of fact, Department of Homeland

Security secretary, Jeh Johnson, trying to get on top of all of this, this leak, his department putting out a statement this morning, through a spokesperson saying, in part, I'm going to read this to you, that the numbers in these reports never look good out of context. But they are a critical element in the continual evolution of an aviation security system.

So, it goes on to say that they have already implemented a series of actions to address these issues raised in this report and they also emphasize as well that there are multiple layers of protection that the TSA uses. So, they're seen, they're unseen, some examples that they're not just screening at checkpoints but have random canine screenings, reinforced cockpit doors, travel (ph) air marshals, armed pilots, all that that goes into their security system. But as you can imagine, Wolf, you know, this gets out, this gets leaked, it's not complete, but it is pretty damming.

BLITZER: Yes, 67 out of 70 times, --

` MALVEAUX: Yes.

BLITZER: -- a failure. That's not good at all. All right, thanks very much. Hopefully, they'll learn from that and fix the problem. Fix it --

MALVEAUX: They say they're starting (INAUDIBLE.)

BLITZER: Thanks very much.

The government's bulk collection of millions of Americans' phone records has ended, at least for now. But according to some brand new poll numbers, most Americans want that authority restored. Take a look at this. This is a brand new CNN-ORC poll is being released for the first time this hour. Look at this, 61 percent of Americans want the Patriot Act to be renewed. That's the law that has allowed the bulk collection of phone data. 36 percent say it should expire.

However, Americans are split over the impact of allowing it to expire. 44 percent say it would increase the risk of terrorist attacks here in the United States. 52 percent say the risk would stay the same.

Our correspondent Athena Jones is following the developments on Capitol Hill. Athena, tell us what's going on because these are really dicey moments up on Capitol Hill.

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and interesting numbers there, Wolf. They do sort of reflect the debate that we've been seeing since last night when the Senate came in for the rare Sunday session. There was heated debate on the floor on both sides of the issue. Right now, we do expect the Senate to vote later this week, possibly as soon as tomorrow, on that bill that already passed the House some time ago, the USA Freedom Act. That bill would reinstate these programs.

But when it comes to that most controversial one, the bulk phone data collection, it would make some important changes. It would take that data out of the hands of the government, out of the hands of the NSA, and leave it with the telecommunications companies. So, that is the bill that we expect to be voted on in -- as soon as tomorrow.

[13:05:01] But we also know that Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, wants to see some changes to that to make sure that this program can still function if you make that switch from the government to telecommunications companies.

So, he wants to have amendments. He wants to vote on amendments that would require those companies to inform the government of any changes in their data retention policies. The fear being that these telecommunications companies don't want to be involved in this anyway and may decide not to hold onto any of that data. So, he wants an amendment to that bill that would change that.

He's also offering amendments that would require the director of National Intelligence to verify that this new system that they're setting up whereby the telecom companies hold on to the data works. So, that's the sort of thing he wants to see changed.

Of course, if the Senate makes changes to this bill, that -- then they have to send it back to the House of Representatives and they have to consider those changes.

So, this is not over yet but there's certainly been some dramatic moments these last few days -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Athena, we'll see what happens with the give and take in the Senate and the House. Lots at stake, obviously, right now. Thanks very much.

Let's bring in our Chief Political Analyst Gloria Borger who's watching what's going on. Gloria, Rand Paul, the Senator from Kentucky, a Republican presidential candidate, one of nine officially running for the Republican presidential nomination. He's been leading the fight against renewing this Patriot Act. He's getting a lot of criticism from fellow Republicans. Marco Rubio also running for the presidency, saying allowing any of these programs to expire is a mistake. But that's what is happening as a consequence of the reckless spreading of misinformation and political posturing. He's clearly referring to what he would describe as Rand Paul's activities.

GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: Posturing going on in the United States Senate, how could that be, Wolf? Of course that's what he's saying. And I think what Rand Paul is trying to do is appeal to his particular slice of the Republican Party, and that is probably not Marco Rubio's slice. In our poll that we're just releasing today, Wolf, when you look at Republicans, 73 percent want the renewal of the collection of phone data. Democrats 63. Independents less so. He wants to get that slice of Republicans who don't support the renewal of the collection of phone data. He wants to get libertarians, for example.

In New Hampshire, independents can vote in a Republican primary. He might like to get some of those independent voters who are more skeptical of this collection of data. So, he's going after his own slice of the pie. But there are, what, a handful of people now running for the presidency from the United States Senate, so we're going to see a lot more of this kind of thing play out there.

BLITZER: Because the argument that is being made politically, from Rand Paul's perspective, is he's going against the grain of mainstream --

BORGER: Right.

BLITZER: -- Republicans who want to be tough on fighting terror?

BORGER: Yes. And -- yes, he is. And what he's also trying to do, and I'll tell you this, Wolf, if you look at another poll number that we have, we kind of looked at younger voters here. And we asked, if the law is not renewed, the risk of terrorism, here in the U.S., will increase. And if you look, 18 to 34-year-olds say only a quarter say it's going to increase. But over 65 plus, 60 percent say it's going to increase, Wolf.

So, you see the huge generation gap there overall. And, again, Rand Paul going for his particular slice. The question going forward is, how does he survive in the Republican presidential primaries? We know he's anti-establishment but with mainstream Republicans who are going to continue to vote, very heavy on defense, very hawkish. Three quarters of them would send ground troops to combat ISIS. How does this strategy take him forward is really unclear.

BLITZER: Yes, and he created a stir last week when he accused Republican hawks of being responsible for the creation of ISIS, really.

BORGER: That's right. And when you accuse Republicans who are largely accusing the president of that same thing, it may not go over well with the Republican base. I think, you know, he may have taken it a step too far. We'll have to see.

But I'll tell you one thing, and you're seeing him on the Senate floor there, he is raising a lot of money off of this. We do not know how much yet, but I guarantee it's a lot more than he'd be raising otherwise.

BLITZER: So, he thinks it's probably a good political strategy. But I think he is sincere. I think he really believes this, too.

BORGER: I know. You know, the question is, is it a good political strategy for him or does it isolate him so much, Wolf, that he is regarded so far out of the mainstream that he can't pivot back?

BLITZER: All right, Gloria, thanks very much.

An injury to the United States secretary of state, John Kerry, could sideline him for weeks, maybe even months. I'll speak to a new State Department's spokesman, Admiral John Kirby. He's standing by. We'll talk about Kerry's injury, how it could impact critical nuclear talks. This month, there's an end of June deadline on those nuclear negotiations with Iran.

[13:10:02] Plus, as ISIS gains more ground in Iraq, CNN takes you to the front lines of the battle to drive them back.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NICK PATON WALSH: If America risks to send help to the Sunni tribes in Anbar, here is where it is most badly needed. They have been in combat with ISIS for months. And now, the enemy is just across the river.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: U.S. and Yemeni officials tell CNN at least four Americans are now being held by Houthi rebels in Yemen. It's believed their located somewhere in the capital of Sanaa. It's still unclear if they're all together or separated. Since there is a lack of direct communication between the U.S. and the Houthi rebels, information, clearly, is not readily available. Separately, Oman's official news agency reports that a missing American was transferred from Yemen to Oman today.

The former U.S. prisoners, known as the Taliban Five, will not be going anywhere, at least not yet. The senior Taliban leaders were released from the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba in a prisoner swap for the American Army Sergeant, Bowe Bergdahl. Qatar, where they are now living, has agreed to temporarily extend a travel ban while discussions regarding a long-term solution are being worked out between the U.S., Qatar and Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Bergdahl, himself, could face a life sentence after being charged with desertion.

Also happening now, the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, he's on his way back to the United States after being seriously injured in an accident over the weekend. The State Department says Kerry is flying home from Switzerland aboard a C-17 U.S. military aircraft. This flight will have special medical personnel on board as a precaution.

[13:15:00] Kerry fell, broke his leg while cycling in the French Alps on Sunday. Kerry's injury could impact several critical discussions, including the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran and international talks on how to combat ISIS.

Our global affairs correspondent, Elise Labott, is joining us from outside the Boston hospital where Kerry is expected to be treated.

Elise, Secretary Kerry's personal physician from Boston, he flew over to Geneva just to be back on the return flight aboard this transport plane. Tell us what's going on. What's the latest you're hearing?

ELISE LABOTT, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf. Well, Dr. Dennis Burke (ph), who actually did a hip replacement for Secretary Kerry a few years back, flew over there to make sure that he could assess the situation and accompany the secretary back to the United States where he will set his leg. As you know, Secretary Kerry broke his femur yesterday when he was riding his bicycle in the French Alps, which is actually a short tour of the Tour de France.

Now, Secretary Kerry, I'm told, is in good spirits, but clearly this is a big setback for the secretary with a lot of diplomacy, as you mentioned. He has the Iran talks going on. He's scheduled to open the U.S. embassy to Cuba in the coming weeks and he's going to be missing a big conference this week on ISIS. So clearly the secretary is saying he wants to get back to work as soon as possible, but a very serious injury. He's expected to arrive tonight at Massachusetts general Hospital right behind me, but then he will be assessed and he expects to get back to work, if not actually in the State Department, certainly making calls, which he's already doing, Wolf.

BLITZER: Will he require major surgery on that right leg?

LABOTT: I'm told it's not going to be a major surgery. What they're talking about is really setting the leg. He broke his femur, which is a very serious break in the leg, and it's right near his pelvis and he had his hip replaced, so it's a little bit complicated, which is why the doctor that actually did that surgery flew over. But I don't think it's going to be any kind of major surgery. But we're told the prognosis is certainly a long recuperation. He might have to have some physical therapy. How that will interrupt his work and travel schedule remains to be seen. But he could be laid up for a while, Wolf.

BLITZER: All right, that's what they say. All right, Elise, thanks very much.

Up next, we're going to speak with the new State Department spokesman, John Kirby, about Kerry's prognosis, the impact on critical diplomatic efforts and a lot more. Much more coming up right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:21:00] BLITZER: Let get back to the latest developments involving the secretary of state, John Kerry. Right now he's being flown back to the United States from Switzerland after breaking his leg in a cycling and biking accident over the weekend.

Let's bring in the brand new State Department spokesman John Kirby, who's over at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

John, thanks very much for joining us. The last time I spoke, and our viewers will, of course, remember, you were the chief spokesman at the Department of Defense. Now you've moved over to the Department of State. Welcome to your new assignment. Obviously a critically important assignment.

First of all, how's your new boss doing?

JOHN KIRBY, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: He's doing very well, Wolf, thanks for asking. He's, as you said, flying back from Geneva right now. I spoke to him this morning. He's in very good spirits. Obviously he's disappointed about the break and the injury. That's never a fun thing. But he's in good spirits and he's working hard. He was on the phone with various foreign ministers this morning, talked to General Allen this morning. He'll pipe into this anti-ISIL coalition meeting tomorrow. He'll pipe in remotely. So he's staying very, very active.

BLITZER: So this was a meeting that's scheduled in Paris to meet with a coalition fighting ISIS. He was supposed to lead the U.S. delegation. I take it the deputy secretary of state, Anthony Blinken, will lead the U.S. delegation now, is that right?

KIRBY: That's right, the deputy secretary will go on over there to Paris to physically be there and represent us at the meeting. But I want to stress again that Secretary Kerry will be participating, he'll just be doing it remotely.

BLITZER: Who's going to do the final, month-long negotiations with Iran right now, with the foreign minister, Javad Zarif, of Iran? As you know, there's an end of June deadline to cross the t's, dot the i's and get this deal going. Is the secretary of state going to be able to do that from the hospital?

KIRBY: The secretary's going to stay actively engaged in leading these negotiations, Wolf. Nothing's going to change about that. Nothing's going to change about our commitment to the June 30th deadline. Obviously he's got to have some physical therapy. He's going to have to work through recovery. He's going to approach that very aggressively. But I can tell you, and he made this very clear to me this morning, that he's going to be very actively engaged, just as he has been.

BLITZER: Will Deputy Secretary Blinken go over and actually physically be present for those meetings with Javad Zarif?

KIRBY: Well, we haven't made, you know, that many final decisions about the actual arrangements for follow-on talks. We k now that June's going to be a very busy month with respect to these negotiations, but there hasn't been any really final details set on locations, times, places, all that kind of thing. So we'll work that as we get to it. but I can tell you that Secretary Kerry will stay in the lead for the negotiations on the United States' side.

BLITZER: Is he going to need surgery? I guess that's the key question. Because if he needs surgery, that's going to keep him out of commission a little bit longer, right?

KIRBY: Well, like I said, he's coming back tonight. Dr. Burke is with him. Dr. Burke will do follow-on analysis this evening and tomorrow and he'll make whatever decisions he needs to make in terms of procedure. I don't know what the procedure will be. I think you heard Elise report just a little bit ago that obviously there's going to have to be some - something done to set the bone. But exactly what that's going to entail, we just don't know. We'll let Dr. Burke decide that and then speak to that.

And, yes, there's going to be a recovery period that will require some physical therapy. There's no question about that. Anybody who breaks the thigh bone is going to have to go through that. The secretary knows that and he'll follow the advice of his physicians, of course. But I can tell you, he plans to work his way tough that regiment very, very aggressively and he's going to stay at work throughout it.

BLITZER: What exactly happened, because I've heard some conflicting reports? He was driving along on sort of a mini Tour de France and all of a sudden he hit a curb and spilled over, is that what happened?

KIRBY: Yes. And he was in the very, very early - just the beginning of a ride that was going to - that was going to take him on a leg, one leg, of the Tour de France in the French Alps. They didn't get very far before he did bump into a curb and fell. And that's where the break occurred.

BLITZER: He never lost conscious, though, right?

KIRBY: No. He was alert throughout. Never lost consciousness. There were no other injuries other than the break itself. He stayed alert and conscious throughout the whole ordeal, the transportation to the hospital. And he was on the phone making official phone calls even yesterday afternoon after being in the hospital. So he was very much engaged right from the very beginning.

[13:25:14] BLITZER: All right.

KIRBY: And I want to also say that -

BLITZER: Yes, go ahead.

KIRBY: And he - go ahead. I was going to say, he was also very grateful for the medical care that he received both in France and in Geneva. Everybody reacted very swiftly and professionally and he remains very grateful for that.

BLITZER: And I think I speak for all of our viewers here in the United States and around the world, we wish him a speedy, speedy recovery from this injury. Admiral Kirby, John - I'll call you John, because I know you. We're going to take a quick break. We're going to continue our conversation. A lot going on with ISIS and what's going on with Houthi rebels. Stick around. We've got a lot to discuss right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back to our viewers in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting from Washington.

We're continuing our discussion with the new State Department spokesman, retired Admiral John Kirby, who's joining us from Boston right now.

John, Elise Labott, you heard her report saying at least four Americans are now begin held by those Houthi rebels in Yemen. What can you tell us about these Americans? Are they safe? Are they going to be released?

KIRBY: Well, we do know that there are sever America being held by the Houthis, as Elise reported, and we are very concerned about that.