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Dallas Police Chief Suggests Protesters Become Police Officers; Trump Vets for Vice Presidential Running Mate; Donald Trump Speech in Virginia Beach. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired July 11, 2016 - 13:30   ET

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


[13:30:00] WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Brown said a little while ago, when asked what the protesters should be doing, he gave an important answer. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID BROWN, CHIEF, DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT: We're hiring. We're hiring. Get off that protest line and put an application in. We'll put you in your neighborhood and we will help you resolve some of the problems you are protesting about.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Pretty important answer. What did you think of that answer?

REP. BARBARA LEE, (D), CALIFORNIA: Very important answer. We need to have police officers in our communities who look like us, who understand the cultural sensitivities, who understand institution of racism and bias and the historic reasons in terms of how we got here. We have to make it safe.

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: -- in the context that he's suggesting. He is telling a lot of people, you want to make a difference. Don't just go out there and protest, join a police force, get involved, go into your communities, make sure people are safe.

LEE: This police chief is phenomenon. He made the first step. He took the first step. I think it is important. These protest movements and our protesters really get it. They want is to see change. They want to see injustices corrected and the criminal justice system reformed. I'm very proud and optimistic that young people will listen. Not everyone wants to be a police officer, but some may. When they see police departments such as Dallas and how it has done a phenomenon job in meeting some of the standards we are trying to get nationally, I think some will heed the call.

It is important to recognize, these protesters, the Black Lives Matter movement, they want change. They want systemic institutional change. In terms of grand jury reform, in terms of the de-escalation of tension before the use of force is used, I think they are really demanding what need to be demanded. We have to make sure that these protests stay peaceful. I think that the Black Lives Matter movement and other movements and those supporters really want them to stay peaceful. But I also believe that we have to have police officers who really understand the communities. We have to have more resources into community policing. Our police officers deserve to be safe. They have a very difficult job. Also, our communities deserve to be safe from police misconduct and police killings.

BLITZER: Well said.

Congresswoman, Barbara Lee, thank you for joining us.

LEE: Thank you. My pleasure.

BLITZER: Coming up, the Republican National Committee holding its first in a series of meetings in Cleveland this week where Never-Trump forces will try to keep the billionaire from securing the Republican nomination. Details of their plan. Does it have a shot? Stand by.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:36:58] BLITZER: Let's return to the race for the White House. Donald Trump getting ready to speak any moment in Virginia Beach. The New Jersey governor, Chris Christie, he is at the podium right now. This will be Donald Trump's first public event since the shootings in Dallas.

Joining us now, Nia-Malika Henderson, our CNN senior political reporter; David Gregory, our CNN political analyst and the host of the "David Gregory Show" podcast; and with us also, Jackie Kucinich, the Washington bureau chief for "The Daily Beast.

Guys, thanks very much.

The speech, Nia, he is supposed to give, a carefully scripted speech on Veterans Affairs, a subject close to his heart. We don't know if he will open up with a statement on Dallas. We'll monitor that. If he does, what should he say? His reaction has been more measured than usual.

NIA-MALIKA HENDERSON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER: That's right. A lot of Republicans are worried that, so far, when incidents happened, in the wake of the Orlando massacre, he didn't really meet the moment, with his statement so far, he released a paper statement and an on-air statement or an on-video statement. They want to see that continue, a measured tone, a tone that meets the moment, a presidential tone. I think people are looking for unity. People are looking for someone who can talk about what this means and balance both sides of the issues. On the one hand, we had this terrible murderer of five police officers and then real concerns also of many Americans about how the police treat certain individuals. We'll see if he addresses that. He's released some talking points already. Apparently, he is going to talk about the police and say they are needed most where the crime is highest. We'll see what he says.

BLITZER: We'll monitor that and listen to him very carefully.

The video that he posted at the end of last week, by all accounts, that was a carefully scripted video. It did have that new measured tone, if you will.

DAVID GREGORY, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST & HOST, THE DAVID GREGORY PODCAST: It did have that. That was actually an encouraging sign for a lot of his supporters and those that are watching to see what kind of Donald Trump shows up.

I think Nia has it exactly right. This is about how a candidate, a potential leader of the country, frames some very difficult issues. They are not all policy issues here. It is a question of how to recognize the pain in the black community around the country, to recognize these very real difficulties with the relationship between the police and the African-American community and still be supportive of police despite whatever systemic problems there may be with regard to race. He has to try to meet that moment. He has to frame it in a way that is constructive. There's a danger for us as citizens that we have everybody retreating to their corners rather than trying to be constructive. And the president of the United States right now is in a position where, as the first African-American president, he is trying to meet the moment by making this as constructive as possible and recognizing the needs and the sensitivities on all sides.

BLITZER: The president will be delivering an address tomorrow at the memorial service.

Chris Christie, the governor of New Jersey, is there with the republican presumptive nominee in Virginia Beach. It looks like he is seriously being vetted as a potential vice-presidential running mate. Others are being vetted. Trump says, maybe by the end of this week, he'll have an announcement.

[13:40:13] JACKIE KUCINICH, WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF, THE DAILY BEAST: It has almost been like a carousel. We have heard a lot about Governor Mike Pence of Indiana. He has been meeting with Trump and will likely be with him in Indiana when Trump heads there.

You also had Michael Flynn, who was floated this weekend.

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: Former head of defense intelligence.

KUCINICH: Exactly. A more military standpoint. It doesn't seem like there is a firm decision for someone who was rumored to be announced this week.

Also, former speaker, Newt Gingrich has been in the mix as someone who has a long knowledge of Washington but also comes with some pretty heavy baggage. We'll have to see what Trump decides to do. Every day seems to be different in terms of where he's leaning.

HENDERSON: What's interesting -- Jackie talks about this being a carousel, what's interesting about what we have seen with this sort of V.P. sweepstakes, a lot of people didn't want to be on the carousel. A lot of people took themselves out, like Marco Rubio. Usually, people are clamoring to get this V.P. slot in this way. People don't necessarily want to be attached to Donald Trump and be out there as the face of the party as long as Donald Trump is the head of this party.

BLITZER: It sounds to me like he wants someone with a lot of political experience as opposed to military experience right now. That's just what I'm hearing. What are you hearing?

GREGORY: I'm hearing similar things. He wants somebody to provide balance. He is the wild card. We all know that. I don't think he needs somebody r8 double down on that brand. I think he needs somebody that is reassuring.

It is interesting, when Obama chose Biden, it was to reassure the world and to others that he can handle the foreign policy test. Here, he needs something similar and that he is going to be serious enough about the ways of Washington and I think he wants to make more of a statement to the establishment, which is why you see some of these in the midst.

BLITZER: You hear Chris Christie and Mike Pence, the governor of Indiana, they all bring different things, but all have a lot of political experience right now. Donald Trump is a businessman. He really doesn't have a lot of political experience.

There he is getting ready to head over to the lectern.

He has Teleprompters. Most of the speech is going to be on Veterans Affairs. I suspect he will open up with some words about what's going on in Dallas.

Let's listen in a little bit to Donald Trump and hear what he has to say. (APPLAUSE)

DONALD TRUMP, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE & CEO, TRUMP ORGANIZATION: He is a terrific guy. On behalf of all of those who have served this country in military uniform and for working with our campaign on developing real solutions for our truly great veterans.

Thank you very much, Jeff. I appreciate it. Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: Before going further today, however, I would like to first address the contributions of another group who serve this country in uniform, the men and women in blue.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: Thank you.

Our police officers. We love our police officers.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: Thank you. That's very nice.

(APPLAUSE) TRUMP: Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: Our police officers rush into danger every single day to protect our communities and they often do it thanklessly and relentless criticism. They serve thousands of lives every year, perform countless public services every day, and yet their names will likely never appear in a single headline or media report. But I want our nation's police to know that we thank you from the bottom of our heart.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: We support you and we will always, always, always stand with you. (APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: The attack on our Dallas police is an attack on our country. Our whole nation is in mourning and will be for a very long time. Yet, we have also seen increasing threats against our police and a substantial rise in the number of officers killed in the line of duty, a very big rise. America's police and law enforcement personnel are what separates civilization from total chaos and the destruction of our country as we know it.

(APPLAUSE)

[13:45:19] TRUMP: We must remember the police are needed the most where crime is the highest. Politicians and activists who seek to remove police or policing from a community are hurting the poorest and most vulnerable Americans.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: It's time for our hostility against our police and against all members of law enforcement to end, and to end immediately, right now.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: We through an ugly chapter in our history during Vietnam when our troops became the victims of harassment and political agendas. For too many police today, that is their daily reality. At the same time, the tragic deaths in Louisiana and Minnesota make clear that the work must be done to ensure -- and a lot of work -- that Americans feel that their safety is protected. We have to do it. We have to get better, better, sharper, smarter.

We were all disturbed by the images that we saw. We must discuss as well the ongoing catastrophe of crime in our inner cities. Our inner cities are rife with crime. According to the "Chicago Tribune," there has already been more than 2000, 2000, shooting victims in Chicago alone this year. This epidemic of violence destroys lives, communities and opportunity for young Americans. Violent crime has increased in cities across America. "The New York Times" described the startling rise in murders in our major cities. Brutal drug cartels are spreading their reach into Virginia and Maryland. Too many America are trapped in fear, violence and poverty. Our inner cities have been left totally behind. And I am going to fight to make sure every citizen of this country has a safe home, a safe school and a safe community.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: We must maintain law and order at the highest level or we will cease to have a country. 100 percent, we will cease to have a country. I am the law-and-order candidate.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, is weak, ineffective, pandering, and as proven, by her recent e-mail scandal, which was an embarrassment, not only it her but to the entire nation as a whole. She is either a liar or grossly incompetent, one or the other. Very simple.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: Personally, it's probably both.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: Not only am I the law-and-order candidate, but I am also the candidate of compassion. Believe it, the candidate of compassion. But you can't have true compassion without providing safety for the citizens of our country. Every kid in America should be able to securely walk the streets in their own neighborhood without harm. Everyone will be protected equally and treated justly without prejudice. We will be tough. We will be smart. We will be fair. And we will protect all Americans.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: Without safety, we have nothing. It is the job of the next president to make America safe again for everyone, everyone.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: That promise of protection must include taking care of every last veteran, which was going to be the sole topic of today's speech, prior to the horrible attack in Dallas.

[13:50:10] The men and women who have served in our armed forces represent the very best of America. Now is the time to follow their example of unity, public service, and selfless devotion to our nation. We made a promise, and we have to honor the promise that we made to these great heroes. You defend America, and America will defend you.

(APPLAUSE)

TRUMP: Thank you.

(APPLAUSE) TRUMP: But that promise has been broken by our politicians, like so many other promises our country has made, not only to its veterans, but to its citizens as a whole. President Obama has allowed our Veterans Affairs, health care, all systems, really denied them the help and the support, and really has to do it. We have to get on the ball. We have to do it right.

Hillary Clinton recently said of the V.A. scandal that, "It's not been as widespread as it's been made out to be." That's a quote. She actually thinks that the Veterans Health Administration is well-run. That's because she's been part of this rigged system for a long time.

BLITZER: We're going to continue to monitor Donald Trump. He's now beginning the speech that he was going to give before the events of last week in Dallas and Louisiana and Minnesota. Now he's speaking about Veterans Affairs. We're going to monitor what he's saying.

I want to quickly get some reaction to what we just heard.

Donald Trump speaking out at length right now on the events of the past few days, saying specifically, I am the law-and-order candidate.

HENDERSON: No subtlety there. It had shades in some way of Nixon when he ran for president. I mean, it was very stark. I mean, this idea of standing by the police. He didn't give any inch there in terms of talking about some of the complaints that you hear from African-Americans about the police, didn't give any credence to some of those criticisms of the police. So in that way, it wasn't necessarily balanced. And I think it was classic Trump in some ways. Not subtle, hitting you over the head. I think he may have said, I am the law-and-order president twice, and believe it. He also talked about being the compassionate conservative, which has echoes of Bush. But, yeah, it was vintage Trump in some ways.

KUCINICH: And it was kind of slogan, slogan, slogan, attack Hillary Clinton, attack Barack Obama, slogan, slogan, slogan. The how has not been answered on either of these fronts, be it veterans or how he would be the candidate that's going to keep you safe.

BLITZER: He said the attack on Dallas was an attack on the entire country, David.

GREGORY: And I think President Obama will agree with him. I don't think there's much disagreement between Trump or the president or Hillary Clinton about how horrible an attack on police officers anywhere in the country is, without a doubt.

When he extends that commentary to get to the issue of police nationwide and defending the policy, I thought he lacked a great deal of subtlety or even greater context to the issue at hand here, which is a real problem within the policing community and our minority communities around the country. And he speaks of it as if, you know, everybody has the same experience, that every kid should be safe walking in their neighborhood. Well, there's a lot of black families in America who don't think that they have that kind of safety given their interactions with the police. So there's a lack of nuance in that, and he seems to be kind of describing this in very distinct, you know, terms, where there's not a lot of room for context or ambiguity. So in that way, I thought that was left lacking a little bit. But I think, from a political point of view, coming out strong on law and order and backing the police, is a place we expected him to be.

BLITZER: He also addressed the shootings in Minnesota and Louisiana -- he didn't back away from that at all -- where these two black men were killed by police officers.

HENDERSON: Yeah, he, I think -- Donald Trump does what a lot of conservatives like to do, and that is sort of divert to what has typically been called black-on-black crime, which is a misnomer. So he talked about it in that way, the murders in Chicago. He didn't really talk about what people see as systemic racism in police departments across the country. That is what --

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: But he said police have to do better.

HENDERSON: Well, he did. But I think his main focus was, A, on talking about police officers in standing behind them, and that's a thing that, as you said, Barack Obama is in that camp as well. But I think he mainly wanted to talk about sort of the safety of these citizens in the inner city and the fact that they are victims of crime.

[13:55:19] GREGORY: But I also think in our political discourse, we're coming into the conventions, if there's an attempt by Donald Trump to essentially speak about protesters, black, white, and otherwise, about policing in America, and sort of liken them to Vietnam-era protesters who were trying to divide America, you're going to have a left-right split here that's going to get ugly. And it is very much like Nixon and Reagan in the '60s.

BLITZER: We're going to continue to monitor Donald Trump in Virginia Beach. Much more on that coming up.

Thanks to all of you for joining us. That's it for me. I'll be back, 5:00 p.m. eastern in "The Situation Room."

For our international viewers, "Amanpour" is coming up next.

For our viewers in North America, NEWSROOM with Don Lemon starts after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)