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Governor of Iowa No Longer Staying Neutral; UN Report on Civilian Casualties of Iraq Violence; Documentary on Freddie Gray Incident; 3:30-4p ET

Aired January 19, 2016 - 15:30   ET

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


[15:33:42] BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN HOST: Breaking news, 13 days away from the Iowa caucus. The governor of Iowa no longer staying neutral saying he wants the front-runner Ted Cruz defeated.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. TERRY BRANSTAD (R), IOWA: And I think that Ted Cruz is ahead right now, but we are doing is we are trying to educate the people of Iowa. He is the biggest opponent of renewable fuels and he actually introduced a bill in 2013 to immediately eliminate the renewable fuel standard. He is heavily financed by big oil. So we think that once Iowans realize that fact, they might find other things attractive, but I think it would be very damaging to our state and that's the reason why he hasn't been invited to this because he hasn't been supported renewable fuels and I believe it would be a big mistake for Iowa to support him. And I know he is ahead in the polls. But the only poll that counts is the one they take on caucus night. And I think it could change between now and then. I think this event is an important, significant step to helping educate the voters in this state and this it state is where it all begins.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: CNN politics reporter M.J. Lee is in Altoona, Iowa, where Donald Trump is holding an event in just a bit. But to hear from Governor Branstad where he is no longer remaining neutral, what's behind this?

[15:35:08] M.J. LEE, CNN POLITICS REPORTER: Yes, Brooke. I mean, these are pretty remarkable comments coming from the state's Republican governor precisely because the Republican governor here usually doesn't take sides before the primary process has begun. It's really hard to overstate just how important the ethanol issue is here in Iowa.

I spent a lot of time on the road in Iowa over the last couple months speaking to voters and there are a lot of people who told me, look, because of Cruz's stance on ethanol subsidies and his opposition to ethanol subsidies, I simply can't support him for president. Obviously, something that Donald Trump, one of Ted Cruz's biggest rivals here in Iowa, has really seized on.

I spoke to one voter who said he's likely to support Donald Trump in the Iowa caucuses. And he was actually surprised to hear the state's governor take a stance on this, but that frankly because he himself feels so strongly about the issue, he was actually happy to hear the governor let other Iowan voters know we should not support Ted Cruz and here's where he stands on ethanol subsidies.

BALDWIN: M.J., thank you very much. I know we will have much more on the "the LEAD" with Jake Tapper coming up next. Also more on Trump's mystery announcement later tonight. Thank you.

Abducted by terrorists, held as slaves, shocking numbers just out from the United Nations revealing exactly how many Iraqis are now living as ISIS slaves, 3,500 and most of those women and children. Some not even teenagers yet. Forced to match militants slaughter families before they are sold as sex slaves or awarded to ISIS fighters. And it doesn't end there. This report goes into horrendous detail of executions, executions by firing squads, beheadings, amputations, burning alive and even bulldozing.

Let's go to Istanbul. Our senior international correspondent there, Arwa Damon.

And Arwa, before we get to the news of this - I don't know the word is -- this report. You have this incredible information about the salaries of ISIS fighters.

ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Right. And that is according to a document that was allegedly leaked to one of the activist groups called Aleppo 24. And according to this document, ISIS has, and I'm reading straight from it, decided to slash these salaries because of the exceptional circumstances experienced by the Islamic State saying no one will be excluded from this decision no matter what their rank.

Another piece of information too, which is also very interesting, is that especially in Raqqah, ISIS is going to be controlling trying to control the level of power that is being consumed. Perhaps this is an indication of the pressure that they are feeling. But at the same time, ISIS does remain a very formidable enemy, as is detailed in this United Nations report.

If we just look at the sheer scale of the numbers, 19,000 civilians killed in Iraq in less than two years. Much of that violence attributed to ISIS, yes. But this is also part of the violence that Iraqis themselves have been experiencing for quite some time now.

When you were speaking there about those women and young girls that have been enslave d by ISIS, well, the vast majority of them are from the yasidi community and they were captured when ISIS swept into Mount Sinjar around a year and a half ago. Some people did manage to escape and many of us have spoken to them over the last year and a half. And they tell stories that literally just make your hair raise about how ISIS would line them up and fighters would choose which girl they wanted to take, how many of them were under age, forced into these marriages, effectively raped on a regular basis.

And the ones that were able to flee despite having lived through this, they are the lucky ones. Imagine the 3,500 that still remain this their captivity. And also, highlighted in had this report is that the report has managed to verify claims that some 800-900 children, children have been abducted by ISIS in the city of Mosul and they are being forced into religious indoctrination, forced in to military training and various commanders that CNN has been speaking to that have been on the front lines in the fight against ISIS are saying that yes, they are coming across child fighters.

BALDWIN: Awful. It's awful. But we have to talk about it. We have to cover it.

Arwa Damon, thank you so much.

All right, to this. All this week we CNN anchor types are thrilled to be sharing our stories about the person who changed our lives. And today, it's my turn. He is my oldest friend. We go back to this awkward teenage years at the seventh grade. He is currently now famous for the bear hug with the president at the time when he graduated of the U.S. naval academy. We hang out. We went way back to our roots in Atlanta. I just can't wait to introduce you to this guy. Rashad Jones, yes, it is an old school pictures, coming at you, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:44:56] BALDWIN: A couple months ago, CNN came it to me and asked me this. Who in your life so far has inspired you? Has influenced you, has essentially changed your life. And you know, I sat for a moment and marinated and I'm really all the amazing people that I'm blessed to know. I mean, amazing people, friends, mentors who continue to teach me and push me and ultimately hopefully make me a better person.

But my answer was someone I met way back in the 7th grade back in my hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. Yes, the awkward teenage years. His name is Bobby Rashad Jones. He is one of those people I just instantly clicked with. First glance, we wouldn't have very much in common, but little did we know through all the years later we have only gotten closer. Our lives would intersect in ways I never would have imagined. He is one of our nation's heroes and he happens to be a personal hero of mine. Here's our story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

[15:45:53] BALDWIN (voice-over): It was the fall of 1991. With one of the best guitar riffs of all time Nirvana became the Kings of Grunch. The governor of Arkansas made his move.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I proudly announce my candidacy.

BALDWIN: And I was in middle school. Such a southern gentleman.

It was also the year I met one of the most inspiring people I know, Bobby Rashad Jones.

Do you remember your locker combination?

LT. CMDR. RASHAD JONES, U.S. NAVY: I do not.

BALDWIN: Same noise.

We were in the 7th grade here at the Westminster schools in our hometown of Atlanta, Georgia.

Whoever wants to go back to 7th grade in your lifetime? Not me. But I remember Rashad. And we pretty quickly clicked.

JONES: Brooke was very outgoing and she was very welcoming and very compassionate towards the new students and always was. And so, we kind of hit it off there in 7th grade.

BALDWIN: Rashad and I had a lot of things in common. He was a starting linebacker, I was the captain of the cheerleaders and our parents had the same rule, education first.

JONES: Education is the one thing that you can gain in life that no one can take from you.

BALDWIN: Rashad's high school football coach remembers Mrs. Jones, who yanked her son out of practice one day because Rashad hadn't done his homework.

GARRY ROMBERG, FOOTBALL COACH: Bobby Jones, and I'm not saying as loud as it was being said. Get up here right now. You get off that football field right now.

BALDWIN: We're in a golf cart. This campus has grown so much.

What were the jams you were listening to senior year?

JONES: Quad city DJs. All stars.

BALDWIN: We bonded over music. I introduced Rashad to Pearl Jam's heavy Seattle sound. And he opened my eyes to the dirty south beats of Atlanta rap. And then he taught me about outcast. It was this music education for me with Rashad but that was just the beginning of this long, long friendship that, you know, that's gone so beyond that.

So far beyond that. Two decades ago, Rashad and I sat on these same steps. Our talks about boys and basketball soon developed into discussions about much deeper issues like race.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Would you please stand and face the jury?

JONES: I'll never forget the O.J. Simpson trial.

BALDWIN: I remember that. I remember you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: O.J. Simpson not guilty of the crime of murder.

BALDWIN: We sat around in classes and watched it on TV.

JONES: It was the first time I had real conversations about race at this school. When I was here at Westminster, when I first came in 7th grade, it was a culture shock that first semester.

BALDWIN: There were four black kids in the class.

JONES: It was like four or five black boys in the class. And I want to say like three other girls. It was very small.

BALDWIN: Rashad and I came from different worlds.

I think that was one of the reasons why early on just how you have certain people when you're younger who expose you to a totally different perspective in a way of life. It really resonated with me in high school in particular.

He has taught me to always be open to other points of view, to tell the stories of people who may not always be heard.

I'm actually in the middle of police.

And to be fair.

JONES: When you interview people during the Ferguson and Baltimore riots, you did can your best to empathize and that's why the conversations were very real.

BALDWIN: But I think the only reason that I have been able to fully do that, one of the reasons is because of what you taught me. Rashad was recruited by more than a dozen college football teams but he turned them down, to attend the U.S. naval academy.

[15:50:05] JONES: I will tell you that, I've never been so proud to be a part of something so much bigger than myself.

BALDWIN: On graduation day, exuberance.

JONES: I kind lost my mind.

BALDWIN: Even bear hugging his commander in-chief.

Rashad rose through the ranks to become lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy. This was the first terrorist attack on the United States from ISIS, now our worlds are converging again. Secretary of defense yesterday, watching --

I'm reporting on a world at war. He is fighting in one.

JONES: Every day that I put this uniform on, I just don't think about the Navy, the naval service. I think about the classmates I went to school with some of which who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country and it's humbling to be considered part of that group. Very humbling.

Captain's going to be off the ship --

BALDWIN: Right now, Rashad stationed in the Middle East, as executive officer on the "USS Enzio" actively engage in the war on terror.

I'm terribly proud and not at all surprised.

Here is the football.

I have often wondered, what makes a real friend?

Someone who keeps you honest, somebody who keeps you in check. I found that and so much more in Rashad. I would say there's nothing off-limits in my life that Rashad doesn't have some kind of opinion on. Love life, professional, whatever. I listen to him.

Now, his oldest daughter has started junior high, at the very same school where her dad and I first met. I can only hope for her she finds someone in these hallowed halls who will teach her about life and love and fairness.

He, without even probably realizing what he was doing, was teaching me. Rashad helped teach me, and still does, how to be a better human being. How lucky am I?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: Rashad, love you.

Looking ahead, Sanjay Gupta reveals the person who changed his life tonight 8:00 eastern on "AC 360." And please do not miss our special, Sunday 8:00 eastern and pacific here on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:56:57] BALDWIN: Freddie Gray, his death last year made him the symbol of the black community's distrust in police. It also ignited bitter protests in Baltimore. And CNN in partnership with the "Baltimore Sun" takes a hard look at controversial death in a Special Report that airs tonight.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): During the funeral, streets of Baltimore are quiet. But they won't stay that way. Hours later, police react to threats posted on social media and show up in riot gear at a local mall just as school lets out.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Helmets on now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mandawin mall is a place in the city where thousands of kids transfer buses every day, it's the only way to get home.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Let's start corralling these kids and let's start making arrests.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It bam a stand-off. It didn't take long for it to escalate.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: Police are outnumbered and confused about how to react. Within hours the situation is out of control. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We need shields down here.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Officer down, I need a medic.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The equipment was deplorable. Fly rod helmets, wooden ice sticks and flimsy plastic shields, we had no stand-off equipment, no chemical agents, conserved to quickly quash a riotous scenario.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just set a car on fire on North Avenue.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Destruction ran wild. Looting started at stores. Pharmacies were broken in. Stores started to burn.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is absolutely disgusting. Stay the hell home. We swore to protect you people. Now get the hell out of our way and let us do our job!

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: Miguel Marquez is here talking about tonight's report.

I mean, you, my friend, you were there through it all. You saw it with your own eyes. Talk to me about what we'll see tonight.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I have adopted Baltimore, Baltimore has adopted me. This is a comprehensive look, having the "Baltimore Sun" work with us on this has really bolted the reporting. I have watched it and watched this thing develop over the months that we have put it together and it is a comprehensive look at what happened to Freddie Gray and what only Baltimore can learn from this. But what cities across the country need to know about how these episodes, this tiny episode with this man who most people never heard of, has now put a -- split this community, mayor's leaving police chiefs leaving, and has left the city in limbo. I think people across the country people are watching.

BALDWIN: Young people, 30 seconds, the young people in this community. You and I have both met and talked to them at length.

MARQUEZ: Most shock and (INAUDIBLE) thing about Baltimore is just the disparity, the lack of options for young people in these places. Being adopted by sand town, knowing these people now, it's a gift as a reporter to have but it is an amazing thing as an American to see just how -- how wide that gulf is between rich and poor.

BALDWIN: We will be watching tonight, 9:00 eastern and pacific. "Who killed Freddie Gray?"

Thank you, my friend. "The LEAD" with Jake Tapper starts now.