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Donald Trump Hold Rally in South Carolina; Protestors Escorted from Donald Trump's Rally; FBI Search Lake in San Bernardino for Items Connected to Terrorist Attack; Antonin Scalia Makes Controversial Statement During Affirmative Action Hearing. Aired 2-2:30p ET

Aired December 12, 2015 - 14:00   ET

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


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:01:50] FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello again, everyone. Thanks so much for joining me. I'm Fredericka Whitfield. We're just three days away from the final Republican presidential debate of the year here on CNN. And Donald Trump just spoke at a rally in Aiken, South Carolina, where he said the gunman in the San Bernardino terror attacks could have been stopped if the victims were armed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We have a horrible situation that took place a week ago in California. Now, they came in. They shot 14 people. Others are dying right now. You'll have more, because they're very badly wounded.

If -- I have a right to carry. I'm a member of the NRA. My sons are members, long-time. They're much better shots than I am.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: They're actually really good. But they're members. But if I were there, if you were there, if anybody were there that had a weapon, if you were in that room, those people wouldn't have shot 14 people. We might have gone down fighting, but they're going down with us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Let's get to CNN's Sunlen Serfaty who was at that rally. It's all over now, empty seats. But there were a lot of people there, protestors too, or at least people who were making noise in the audience. What was the message, what was the bottom line?

SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Fred. This was a Rowdy crowd of about 4,000 people here, and four times protestors interrupted Donald Trump's speech here today, one of which unfolded live on air with us. We did find out that that protester is a Muslim protester unhappy with Mr. Trump's policies. And he specifically stood up when Donald Trump was talking about Guantanamo Bay. But there were three other times during the course of Trump's speech where protestors stood up, many of them unhappy specifically with Trump's proposal to temporarily ban Muslims coming into the United States. Here's a little bit of that moment earlier today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: We have a very serious situation with radical Islamic terrorism.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: And politicians don't want to talk about it. They just don't want to even mention it. We have a president who refuses to use the term. And he doesn't want to use the term. So I've used the term big league. And I talked about what we have to do. We have to get our arms around this. We don't want people coming in and knocking down World Trade Centers and happen what happened last week in California with two people, that radical, crazy, horrible people. And we don't want what happened in Paris. And what happens here. We don't want it. And we have to get our country under control.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SERFATY: Now, as Donald Trump was saying just that, a small group of about three protestors, they stood up, they faced the press, they had their backs to Donald Trump, and they did not say anything. It was a silent protest. They said, "Stop Islamophobia." They were quickly escorted out. Many times during the course of this rally there were rowdier and more vocal groups of protestors that stood up, one holding a sign saying "Refugees welcome."

[14:05:00] So certainly a lot of feelings about his controversial proposal to ban Muslims coming into the U.S. I should point out, though, that Donald Trump it seems at this point is very used to protestors coming to his rally. He made note of some of the protestors, saying this is a beautiful thing that can happen in this country. And he said more people, more conservatives, he said, should have been protesting the last seven years of the Obama administration. Fred?

WHITFIELD: All right, Sunlen Serfaty, thank you so much, in Aiken, South Carolina.

All right, don't miss the debate Tuesday night, 6:00 and 8:30 p.m. eastern time. And CNN is partnering with the Salem Radio network. To find the debate on your radio in your area go to SalemMedia.com.

Also, CNN will announce the debate lineup tomorrow morning on CNN's "State of the Union" with Jake Tapper. Don't miss Jake's interview with Donald Trump. It's at 9:00 a.m. eastern time.

And we're following breaking news in the investigation of the San Bernardino massacre. Divers are using metal detectors in a grid search of a lake about three miles from the site were Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik killed 14 people more than a week ago. CNN's Ana Cabrera is following the story. She's joining us right now from that lake. What more is being learned from this investigation? ANA CABRERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We're continuing to see divers go in

and out of the water, mostly focusing on the area along the shoreline, as well as that bridge, areas where somebody might be able to actually throw something into the water. Now, the FBI telling us they have found a number of items in this lake in the past couple of days that they've been searching here, although they won't disclose what those items are or whether they know for sure if they're connected to the case.

The FBI spokeswoman telling me, use caution here because in a public lake like this, they find all kinds of things, and of course it takes further investigation to determine how or if it's connected to the shooting.

But the FBI was given a tip or a couple of leads, we're told, that brought them to this lake, that the shooters had been seen in this vicinity, in this area, on the day of the attack, which now is about 10 days ago. We've learned that these divers are using metal detectors. They're performing a grid search. The deepest part of the lake that they're searching we're told is about eight feet deep. They have special protective equipment as well as equipment that allows them to see in this murky black water.

There's about 10 members of their team also working with members of the San Bernardino sheriff's office, we're told. And they are working methodically, working slowly, making sure they don't miss anything that could be evidence in this case, namely that hard drive still missing from the couple's computer that could tell investigators a better idea of who or if they were talking to others who may have been influencing them in this attack, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, Ana Cabrera, thank you so much in the San Bernardino area there.

And just moments ago the final draft of the climate change agreement was accepted by more than 190 countries at a conference in Paris. It comes at the end of nearly two weeks of intense negotiations. The international deal will force countries to tackle global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. After the draft was approved, president Obama tweeted, "This is huge." The president and Secretary of State John Kerry are expected to speak on this agreement later on today.

And coming up, new details about the deadly brawl between two motorcycle clubs in Waco, Texas, remember that? We've already seen the dramatic video from inside the bar. And now we have new video from the parking lot of how it all began. You'll see that, next.

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WHITFIELD: All right, just into CNN, we are seeing a graphic new vantage point of that shootout between rival biker gangs in Waco, Texas, earlier this year. And the disturbing images could be key in the investigation. Nick Valencia has been reviewing this new video. What more can you tell us about this, Nick. NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You remember the shooting in May. It looked like something out of the OK Corral. It's just incredible. And now we're getting new images. You had nine bikers that were left dead, 18 injured, hundreds of weapons seized, 177 bikers that were arrested. And now this new video that CNN has obtained from a source close to the investigation gives us a better understanding of what happened that day in May. We have to warn you for those who are watching this, the video is graphic.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VALENCIA: It is a violent showdown. In newly-obtained footage by CNN, video shows the moments that led to the bloody shootout between rival biker gangs in Waco, Texas, last May. The video picks up with an argument in the parking lot already in process. You can see members from the Cossacks and Scimitars, two allied motorcycle clubs huddled just to the left of the camera. Just off-camera, bikers from the Banditos and Cossacks, two arch-rivals, argue after one is nearly hit by a motorcycle according to witnesses.

In police interview, the rivals point the finger at each as to who started the fight. And then chaos. You don't have to hear the gunshots to feel the intensity erupt outside the Twin Peaks restaurant. Some bikers duck for cover. In the background, you can see others run from the slaughter.

In perhaps the most graphic portion of the surveillance tape, a man in a red bandanna speaks up on another biker and appears to strike him in the throat. The two wrestle on the ground before a third biker joins in. The man in the red bandanna is struck several times in the head while on the ground. He's stomped at least once. He lies motionless as the men he was fighting walk off screen.

In the foreground more bikers run from what seems to be the epicenter of the violence. One man checks the blood dripping from his arm. Another falls to the ground after appearing to be shot, the agony is all around.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VALENCIA: It's a tremendously tragic video there. According to a document passed on by a source close to the case, four of the nine bikers who died were hit by .223 caliber ammunition. As to what really started this all, that's still up for debate. We mentioned the argument in that parking lot, but others have told police the feud between the Banditos and the Cossacks was brewing way before the day of the shooting. In interviews with police, bikers said it was over a longstanding dispute about fees that the Banditos wanted to collect from the Cossacks. Others put it more simply. They say the fight was all about respect. Fred?

[14:15:00] WHITFIELD: Oh, my goodness, that is extraordinary. So the expectation is that video will make a pretty sizable impact on the investigation?

VALENCIA: It is going to be a huge part of the investigation. They're going to figure out exactly who is responsible for certain deaths and take a closer look. We tried to zoom in on our edit bays to see what we could see. I'm sure police officers have a lot more evidence that they have not shown us just yet, so they're going to be looking at this very closely to see who is responsible for whose death.

WHITFIELD: All right, Nick Valencia, thanks so much.

VALENCIA: You bet.

WHITFIELD: Appreciate it.

Straight ahead, a look at what the U.S. is doing to track down and identify potential terrorists in the U.S. A live report, next.

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WHITFIELD: There is new urgency for U.S. officials to identify and track down potential terrorists in the U.S. after the terror attack in San Bernardino. Many officials say that lone wolf style attackers are some of the hardest to identify. Our Polo Sandoval has more on the hunt for these terrorists. Polo?

[14:20:06] POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Fred. While just today we learned about an arrest that went down earlier this week. The FBI arresting a 19-year-old Minneapolis man who allegedly took to twitter with ISIS-related threats against law enforcement. That's part of what is really larger issue here, law enforcement tracking down individual who take to social media and quickly get the attention of police.

Then you have those individuals that you just mentioned, those lone wolves. They are the ones who don't pop up on law enforcement radar until it's too late. They're the ones that law enforcement are scrambling to track down.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: There is no telling how many ISIS-inspired operatives may currently be in the U.S. There are, however, the numbers. The FBI reporting it has some 900 active cases where they're looking at potential ISIS sympathizers. Pair that with figures published by George Washington University earlier this month. They show at least 300 Americans and/or U.S.-based sympathizers who actively support ISIS on social media and spread the terror group's propaganda.

And 71 people have been arrested by U.S. authorities for so-called ISIS related activities, 56 of them this year alone, the most terrorism related arrests since 9/11 according to the G.W. report. Ahmed Mohammed el Gammal is one of them. The Arizona man is charged with helping a New York college student get ISIS training in Syria, his case among dozens making their way through federal court systems across the country.

The figures reflect the cost and struggle for U.S. officials to track down extremists already in the country. The efforts were not enough to thwart last week's ISIS-inspired attack in San Bernardino, California. Investigators continue digging into Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik's past.

JAMES COMEY, FBI DIRECTOR: We also believe they were inspired by foreign terrorist organizations. We're working very hard to understand exactly their association and they source of their inspiration.

SANDOVAL: The U.S. facing its greatest terrorism threat since 9/11, a sobering statement from the FBI.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: And so who are the subjects of these hundreds of investigations still ongoing by the feds? That study does suggest that the typical profile here of an ISIS recruit would include a 26- year-old male, Fred, but really if you look back particularly at the attacks in San Bernardino, you'll notice Malik does not fit that description. So clearly law enforcement is having to really work hard to identify these individuals.

WHITFIELD: Indeed. Polo Sandoval, thanks so much.

SANDOVAL: You bet.

WHITFIELD: In the meantime, Washington leaders are outraged over controversial comments made by Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. During a hearing this week on Affirmative Action, Scalia questioned whether some African-American students belong in elite colleges and universities. CNN's Supreme Court correspondent Ariane de Vogue has the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ARIANE DE VOGUE, CNN SUPREME COURT CORRESPONDENT: Justice Antonin Scalia's controversial comments came in an affirmative action case earlier this week challenging the race conscious admission policies at the University of Texas. The case was brought by Abigail Fisher, a white woman who is suing the school, saying she was denied admission based on her race. Here is what Scalia said to the lawyer for the University.

ANTONIN SCALIA, SUPREME COURT JUSTICE: There are those who contend that it does not benefit African-Americans to get them into the University of Texas where they do not do well, as opposed to having them go to a less advanced school, a slower track school where they do well. One of the briefs pointed out that most of the black scientists in this country don't come from schools like the University of Texas.

DE VOGUE: He was most likely referring to a theory called mismatch that has been a part of the Affirmative Action debate. It suggests that racial preferences do more harm than good. It's been heavily criticized but embraced by some, including Justice Clarence Thomas.

Scalia's comments caused outrage in Washington. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said he should recuse himself from the case. Defenders say he was asked for a response to an academic brief. The court's decision is expected to come down in July.

Arianne De Vogue, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And we'll be right back.

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[14:28:05] WHITFIELD: We're almost there, its' almost game time. Just about a half hour from now until Army takes on Navy in one of the biggest and oldest rivalries in college sports. Game day traditions are happening right now. And guess who is front and center, at least at a tailgate party first? That's our Coy Wire. All right, Coy, folks are there in large numbers, they're excited, as is tradition. What's going on there in Philadelphia?

COY WIRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. This game has been played since 1890. I must say that it represents those who play for the love and respect of each other and for their nation. It's more than just a game. And nothing represents that more than Chance from Army and Lindsey from Navy who just got engaged last night.

(APPLAUSE)

Chance, I have to ask you, does this mean house divided today and forever more?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely. It always will.

WIRE: Lindsey?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Not much of a competition when Navy wins every year.

WIRE: Chance, tell me how you guys met.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We actually met three years ago this weekend at Army-Navy. We were competing in the Patriot Games in Philly, and it's been a wrap ever since.

WIRE: So it was love at first fight, inter-service fight. Lindsey, this is about more than the x's and o's and the final score on the scoreboard, isn't it?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: At the end of the day it's not about the game. It's about those in uniform that protect our freedoms and really do make this country the best that it is.

WIRE: Absolutely. Guys, it's a pleasure to meet you. Congratulations.

We're just moments away from the biggest, baddest game, in my opinion of the college football season. It represents those who play for the love of country, the love of each other. And I have two more questions. Who here thinks that Army is going to win the game? (CHEERS)

WHITFIELD: Oh, my gosh, you did it.

WIRE: Who things Navy's going to win?

(CHEERS)

WIRE: Fred, it is going to be absolutely awesome.

[14:30:00] Everyone who watches this game, enjoy it, it's true American sports gem.

WHITFIELD: I like it. You know what I say? Go USA. That's all I've got to say. All right, Coy Wire, they're having too much fun out there in Philadelphia. Thank you so much.

All right, there's much more news straight ahead 30 minutes from Now. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Thanks for hanging out with me today. Next, "The Secret Lives of Super Hero Hackers" with Laurie Segall right now.