Return to Transcripts main page

CNN NEWSROOM

Tillerson Meets With Russian Foreign Minister Wednesday; North Korea Defiant After U.S. Warships Redeployment; Trump Vows again Unilateral Action If Needed; Police: Letter Claims Borussia Dortmund Blast Steve Bannon & Jared Kishner Battle For Position; Republican And Democratic Lawmakers Dispute Surveillance Claims; United Airlines Video Sparks Global Outrage; Trump Racking Up Costs For Trips To Mar- a-Lago. Aired 2-3a ET

Aired April 12, 2017 - 02:00   ET

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


[02:00:06] JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: This is CNN Newsroom live from Los Angeles.

ISHA SESAY, CNN ANCHOR: Ahead this hour, U.S. Secretary of State is holding key meetings in Moscow while the White House lobs new accusation at Russia and Syria.

VAUSE: U.S. President Donald Trump promising again to solve the North Korea problem with or without China's help.

SESAY: And three explosive hit a German football team's bus just before champions league match, and police say it was a targeted attack.

VAUSE: All right. Thanks for sticking around for the third hour. I'm John Vause.

SESAY: And I'm Isha Sesay. This is NEWSROOM L.A.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is in Moscow for high stakes meeting on Syria with Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov.

VAUSE: This is expected to be a difficult conversation between the two, especially after senior White House officials have accused Russia who try to cover up last weeks sarin gas attack carried out by the Syrian regime. We've got details now from Barbara Starr.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Pentagon top brass not yet ready to say Russia was complacent but definitive on Bashar al-Assad's involvement.

JAMES MATTIS, US DEFENSE SECRETARY: There's no doubt the Syrian regime is responsible for the decision to attack and for the attack itself.

STARR: The U.S. missile strike telling Moscow that Trump administration will use force and is already not ruling out further military action against Assad, but hoping that the Russians temper their own actions.

MATTIS: I'm confident the Russians will act n their own best interest and there's nothing in their best interest say they want this situation to go out of control.

STARR: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arriving in Moscow today also laid down a marker.

REX TILLERSON, US SECRETARY OF STATE: I hope that what the Russian government concludes is that if they have aligned themselves with an unreliable partner in Bashar al-Assad.

STARR: But Russian President Vladimir Putin is hauling the missile strike reminiscent of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

VLADIMIR PUTIN, PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA (through translator): This very much resembles the situation in 2003 and the war in Iraq. The Iraq campaign was launch and it's finished with the destruction of the country, the growth of the terrorist threat and nothing less than the emergence of ISIS on the international stage.)

STARR: The U.S. Intelligence Community now investigating how much the Russians knew about the attack ahead of time. The U.S. knows there were Russian forces at the base and they likely knew about chemical weapons at the base and flight operations happening there. The U.S. also knows a Russian drone flew over the hospital treating victims.

And an unknown fixed wing aircraft dropped a conventional bomb five hours later trying to destroy evidence. Only Syrian and Russian aircraft fly in the area.

(on camera): The U.S. military now believes its missile strike against Syrian Air Base resulted in damage or destruction to some 23 Syrian aircraft, about 23 percent of the operating Syrian air force

Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VAUSE: Our correspondents are following the story from Russia and Turkey, CNN's Paula Newton is in Moscow. Ian Lee also standing by live in Istanbul. Paula, first to you, there's been a lot of accusations over Syria which have been flying between Moscow and Washington especially on past day or so. Rex Tillerson and Lavorv can they move beyond that?

PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think, you know, both President Trump and President Putin are hoping that they can. Now, we're a couple of hours from this meeting getting underway. Both sides as you said making it very clear, being emphatic about what their bottom lines are.

But in the new interview with President Trump in the United States, it is clear that look, he is saying, we're not going back into Syria. That gives Russia some kind of assurances starting into this meeting. That look, they are not dealing with a game changer on the ground in Syria. Having said that, the United States is going to look at that and say, is there (INAUDIBLE) for you guys to begin to move Assad out of power. And also to try and guarantee us that, look, we won't have these horrific chemical attacks anymore.

The other priority there on the table, of course, is the fight for ISIS. And if they can start a more coordinated effort and hopefully as that momentum picks up against ISIS, get to a point where the political process is United States and Russia engaging again. I think that's a starting point right here.

But it has been pretty heated, and he's own most of recent entry, Vladimir Putin basically calling them NATO allies, a bunch bubble heads, nodding like bubble heads. Again, the bear facts of what happened on the ground during that chemical attack in Syria still very much a contentious issue between the United States and Russia.

[02:05:01] VAUSE: You know, Paula, the White House made it pretty clear, they want the Kremlin essentially to abandon the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad but that really seems unlikely at the moment. But the bind between Moscow and Damascus, it's still unbreakable, is it?

NEWTON: It's not unbreakable, and we have seen, you know, was -- late as t10 days ago, Dmitry Peskov saying, look, our support for Assad, that Kremlin spokesman saying, he's -- it's no unconditional having said that though, what is Russia worried about? They're worried about the fact what comes after. And they're looking to the United States and they're saying emphatically what happened in Iraq, what happened in Libya. We do not want that.

And what's interesting after the G7 meeting yesterday of the foreign minister is that you had both Germany and Italy actually siding a little bit with Russia on that one and saying, look, we need Russia at the table. Why? Because whatever comes after Assad, they will have a stake at this and we need to work with them to make sure that it doesn't make the situation in Syria already worsen it is. Again, incredibly complicated on the ground there when you still have ISIS with their strongholds.

VAUSE: Paula Newton, in Moscow. Thank you. Isha?

SESAY: Well, let's turn now to Ian Lee who is Istanbul for us. Ian, Turkey has said they have concrete evidence that sarin gas was used in that chemical attack, believed to being carried out by the Assad government. At this stage we know what that evidence is?

IAN LEE, CNN CORRESPONDEN T: Well Isha, immediately after that attack, dozens of people were taken into Turkey for treatment. Samples were taken from them. Three people have died from this attack, and autopsies were conducted in the presence of World Health Organization and it's from those autopsies, from those samples where Turkish officials are drawing the conclusion that sarin gas was used.

SESAY: The U.S. Secretary of Defense. It was came distress Tuesday that America's top priority remains fighting ISIS, but that the use of chemical weapons would not be tolerated and could bring about additional military action by the U.S. How was this being view Turkey? Is there's a feeling that this is enough on the part of the U.S.?

LEE: Isha, we heard from the President Erdogan saying that this is an important step going forward. But they're still saying that it is not enough. They would like to see more action by the United States, Turkey has said that they are ready to do whatever is necessary to end the war in Syria and topple Assad, and they're advocating, they're for pushing the United States to do more. We'll have to wait and see what the U.S. officials though, will respond.

SESAY: Ian, you mentioned, Turkey's view in support of statements made by the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley, about Bashar al- Assad being push from power, being toppled, how much support does that feeling that that thought received there in the region?

LEE: You really have to look at who's supporting who when it comes to that. When you're looking at those who support the rebels, you have Turkey, you have Gulf countries. They are supportive of the statements especially it is about 180 degree turn from what we've heard previously where we saw a softer tone from the Trump administration.

Now, they are saying that they want Assad gone, similar to what the Obama administration has said also going as far as conducting military actions against Assad regime.

But then, you have the other side, those who support the Assad government which is Iran, Hezbollah obviously those in Syria, and even Russia who are saying that the United States is just helping what they see as the terrorist on the ground that the Assad regime are fighting.

Noticeably though, there is one country who want power in the region that has been somewhat neutral, and that is Egypt. Egypt, after these attacks have said they urge the United States and Russia to come together to stop the fighting. Really haven't picked a side yet. Isha.

SESAY: All right. Ian Lee, joining us there from Istanbul. Ian, always appreciated. Thank you.

VAUSE: Well, U.S. President Donald Trump promising once again to resolve North Korea's nuclear threat with or without China. The U.S. says limited option to take unilateral action and some of those options have failed before.

SESAY: Well, Pyongyang remains defiance even after the U.S. diverge warships to the Korean region. That is not an unusual military move by the U.S., but wasn't direct response to recent North Korean nuclear provocations.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: We are sending an Armada, very powerful. We have submarines, very powerful. Far more powerful than the aircraft carrier that I can tell you. And we have the best military people on earth. And I will say this, he is doing the wrong thing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: Well, Donald Trump still actually hasn't said what those plans about North Korea might be. In the meantime, Pyongyang seems to be unaffected (ph) mode.

[02:10:02] Kim Jung-un attended a high profile political gathering. Analysis says he could order the countries six nuclear test at any moment, here's our Will Ripley reporting in for the North Korean Capital.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Brand new images of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presiding silently over the Supreme people assembly in Pyongyang. The man they called Supreme Leader, sitting beneath giant statutes of his father and grandfather, North Korea's two late leaders.

The symbolism clear, the third generation leader like his father and grandfather before him continues to hold absolute power over North Korea. And it's growing nuclear arsenal. That arsenal has become central to what many here see as a potential show down with the U.S. After a frantic series of North Korea missile launches. This week the U.S. move warships, including the aircraft career USS Carl Vinson off the Korean Peninsula.

That move prompted an angry response from the North Koreans hand delivered to us in Pyongyang. Calling the warships reckless acts of aggression. The government told us if the U.S. dares to choose a military option, the DPRK is willing and ready to react to any mode of war desire by the U.S.

President Trump responded in turn, on Twitter writing, North Korea is looking for trouble. If China decides to help, that would be great. If not, we will solve the problem without them. USA.

And in a second tweet, I explained to the President of China this trade deal with the U.S. will be far better for them if they solve the North Korean problem.

Blunt words for the Kim Jong-un regime and for Chinese President Xi Jinping who made no promises of specific action against the North Korean government after meeting Trump at Mar-a-Lago last week.

China is North Korea's only meaningful trading partner. But it's not clear how far China is willing to go to reign in Pyongyang or even if economic pressure would work.

Tensions on the Korean peninsula at their highest level in years, with U.S. worships off the coast and just days after President Trump ordered a missile strike on the Syrian government, received by some inside North Korea as thinly veiled threat.

This North Korean news reader saying "We are not intimidated." North Korean state media warning of a nuclear strike if provoke.

Will Ripley, CNN, Pyongyang, North Korea.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SESAY: And now CNN Paula Hancocks joins us from Seoul South Korea. Paula good to have you with us. With North Korea due to mark this anniversary with the birth of Kim II Sung. The expectation is, we heard will say that there will be some kind of test, nuclear or ballistic missile test.

Are there any sign of preparation at any of the North Korean test fight? What's being seen?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Isha, certainly in recent weeks we've had reports, satellite images, assessments that there was more activity, but that has not been a definitive expectation that this would happen during the day of son or during the celebration that will be happening in North Korea on Saturday. No one has said definitively about a nuclear test.

Officials have -- in the United States, now here inside the Korea have always insisted that it's almost impossible to predict when a nuclear test would happen. We don't know from the monitoring site in the U.S. 38 north that there has been more activity around Punggye-ri site, which is where previously nuclear test have happened underground.

But, of course, they stress as well that don't -- they're not saying that it is imminent. Ever since the previous one in September number five. South Korea officials have said that North Korea is ready for number six. All that they're waiting for is the green light from the North Korean leaders. So certainly from that point of view it is very difficult to predict, Isha.

SESAY: Yes. Paula, what we do know for certainly of course is that the U.S. is deployed assets including USS Carl Vinson to sit on Korean peninsula with the view that acting as deterrent to any action on part of the North. How is that moving view today in the region?

HANCOCKS: Well, certainly from South Korea and Japan's points of view. They welcome this kind of forward deployment, these assets coming into the region. They feel it more support against the threat of North Korea. I just spoke to the National Security adviser of the former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

And he said that it is necessary to have this kind of military back up when you have U.S. officials talking about keeping all options on the table. When you're suggesting there's a military option, then he says it extremely important that you have the military hardware being brought into places to show that could well be an option.

[02:15:01] Not that you would necessarily use it in any way. But it does and adds more credibility to the fact that all options are on the table. So certainly from the South Korean point of view. This is a welcome move.

SESAY: Well, Paula Hancocks joining there from Seoul South Korea. Paula, thank you.

VAUSE: Well, police had a letter claiming responsibility for an attack on German football club. Authorities have said if it's in fact legitimate. But it could be lead, in after three explosives detonated new bus (INAUDIBLE) Borussia Dortmund team to a home game. One player was slightly wounded.

SESAY: Well, the local police chief said there was never any doubt who was targeted.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GREGOR LANGE, DORTMUND POLICE CHIEF (through translator): We have to assume and we assume from the start. That it was a targeted attack on Borussia Dortmund team that is why we immediately activated the emergency plan to put all of available police forces on duty.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SESAY: Well, as an additional proportion please evacuated the stadium with Dortmund was set to play. The game will now be played on Wednesday night.

Time for quick break. White House Spokesman Sean Spicer in hot water over these comments.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEAN SPICER, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN: Someone is despicable as Hitler. Who didn't even think to using chemical weapons.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SESAY: What he's saying about his remarks now, just ahead on CNN NEWSROOM L.A.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KATE RILEY, CNN WORLD SPORT: I'm Kate Riley with your CNN Worlds Sports headline. Our main story, she say suppose to be the highlights from the UEFA Champions League, but instead a series of explosions which hit the couch carrying the German team Borussia Dortmund have made the action on the pitch (INAUDIBLE).

The German team confirmed that the defender Marc Bartra broke his wrist in an incident near the hotel and required hospital treatment. The match will now be played at Dortmund Westfalenstadion at 6:45 German time on Wednesday.

Police confirm there had been three explosion in the area of the team. But in a press conference the head of the Dortmund police said it was targeted attack on the team that say prosecutor said that a letter found near the scene was being examined as part of the investigation.

All of that over shadowing the night of a quarter final between Juventus and Barcelona enter in, which ended in another first league crushing for the Catalan. Juve got off to a flying start their young player Paulo Dybala put the host ahead. He wasn't done there, having another just pas the 20 minute mark and the icing on the cake. Giorgio Chiellini with a third three no event is the final score. Seven clean sheet in nine games in the champion league this season for the Italian Barce (ph) need another miracle. If they to progress a semi final.

And that's (INAUDIBLE) Sports headlines. I'm Kate Riley.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:20:12] SESAY: White House Spokesman Sean Spicer is apologizing that saying even Hitler (INAUDIBLE) to using chemical weapons during World War II. Spicer was trying to draw contrast with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

VAUSE: And then he tried to clarify, saying, he knows Hitler used gas chambers to kill millions of Jews and others during the Holocaust and he admitted he should stay focus on Syria.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEAN SPICER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: We didn't use chemical weapons in World War II, you know, you had a -- someone is despicable as Hitler who didn't even think -- to using chemical weapons. So, you'll have to if you're a Russia. Ask yourself is this a country that you and a regime that you want to align yourself with.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: Joining us a Democratic Strategies, Dave Jacobson, Republican Consultant John Thomas. Guys, thank you very much for being with us. Happy Tuesday, Wednesday if you're watching us from Europe right now.

Spicer tried to clarify his remarks during the briefing. He was given an opportunity by another reporter. He failed during that clarification. He then issues a statement after the White House briefing to try and explain where he said that was failed as well. Luckily, third time lucky right here on CNN, listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SPICER: I was obviously trying to make a point about the heinous acts that Assad had made against his own people last week using chemical weapons and gas. And frankly, I mistakenly use an inappropriate and intensive reference to the Holocaust for which frankly there is no comparison. And for that I apologize it was a mistake to do that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: So, Dave, here at this point with Sean Spicer, should he just quits his job and going to the (INAUDIBLE) the United Airlines?

DAVE JACOBSON, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Precisely now, but in all reality like President Trump needs to fire the guy. I mean, this is emblematic of the larger sort of the anti-semantic problem of the Trump administration. We saw this throughout the course of the campaign. Of course, they succeeded in the administration where on Holocaust awareness day of core -- our remembrance day.

Of course, they neglected to mention the slaughtering of millions of Jews. But the Sean Spicer's statements today were abhorrent. They were toned death. And I think it's a glaring example of this press secretary increasing every day, losing flat out credibility.

SESAY: Let me ask you this John. How does he mange it? How does he manage to consistently become the story? Isn't that a big no, no for being the spokesperson?

JOHN TOMAS, REPUBLICAN CONSULTANT: I mean, it is. This is a screw up through and through. I'm please to hear that he did at least apologize for it. But rule number of not just political communications. But communications in general is, you don't ever compare anything, that Holocaust or Hitler for that matter.

I mean, he doesn't take rocket scientist to realize that. He screwed up. You know Kellyanne Conway was making similar mistakes in the sense that she was becoming the story. And you'll noticed she hasn't had as much of a public profile as late. The problem is Sean Spicer's job is to have a public profile. So, he needs to tighten this up quickly or he should find another job. It's just that simple.

VAUSE: OK. Well, speaking of people finding another job. There is that, you know, we've been reporting of this powers struggle on the way on the White House on one side there is Steve Bannon the White House Strategies and, you know, former boss of the alt-right website Breitbart.

On the other side you've got Jared Kushner Senior aide, advisor to Donald Trump. He's also, it happens to be the son-and-law. And the others be on top between the two. So we now learn in the last couple hours that Donald Trump throwing Steve Bannon under the bus. He gave an interview to the New York Post and he said this.

"I like Steve but you have to remember he was not involved in my campaign until very late. I had already beaten all the senators and the governors and I didn't know Steve. I'm my own strategist and it wasn't like I was going to change strategies because I was facing crooked Hillary. Steve is a good guy but I told them to straighten it out or I will."

You know, so Dave once again it seems Trump is using the-- I having know the guy, formulate here but also what's interesting about. It's not necessarily that quote in New York Post but CNN called to get a confirm -- they confirm that this is what the President actually said.

JACOBSON: Look, Donald Trump is never the person who creates issue. It's never Donald Trump's fault. Donald Trump didn't hire Steve Bannon to be his Chief Strategies. He didn't put him in the on the National Security Council.

Look, at the end of the day, the buck (ph) stops with the President. He has empowered this White Nationalist, this White Supremist. But I think going to Steve Bannon, I think the glaring issue there is, why would you pick a fight with somebody a fight with somebody in the Trump family? There's no way that like Donald Trump is going to detach himself from his daughter's husband.

And so, I just think it was a poor choice for him to sort of create this turf war and this bickering process between someone who's closely align -- who's part of the family. I just don't understand the calculous there.

SESAY: And John, I'll take pick side; let me ask you just this destined thing from Bannon because that is actually what was seeing and what we're hearing in this comment.

[02:25:06] Does it signal a change in these organizations and these administrations priority, these policy priorities?

THOMAS: It potentially does and it gives a lot of people in this base cause for concern. Because Jared Kushner is more of the -- more moderate kind of Neocon wing of the party. So that does get people concerned. I think what you have to remember about Donald Trump is that really is more -- he's more of a guy, what have you done for me lately.

And Steve Bannon as chief strategist has presided over several significant failures or inability to pass health care reform. Not recommending going for tax reform out of the gate. Perhaps, this wiretapping situation might have had something to do with Bannon's recommendations. So I think --

JACOBSON: Or perhaps travel ban too?

THOMAS: Right, right, exactly. So I think President Trump is basically trying to give someone else a try. What's more fascinating to me, is you've got the President of the United States talking to New York post about inside baseball, stuff like this. You would never see George W. Bush or Barack Obama do this.

VAUSE: Dave and John, thanks for being with us.

SESAY: Thanks, again. (INAUDIBLE) keep on coming.

VAUSE: Like chocolates down the a conveyor belt.

SESAY: Time for a quick break. States of America with Kate Bolduan is next, our viewers in Asia.

VAUSE: So, for everyone else, President Trump claims to talk (ph) about an official broke the law on U.S. surveillance. When we come back, lawmakers on both sides, say the intelligence reports proved otherwise.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:30:00] VAUSE: And thanks for staying with us. You're watching CNN NEWSROOM live from Los Angeles. I'm John Vause.

SESAY: And I'm Isha Sesay. The headlines this hour.

VAUSE: The U.S. Secretary of State is in Moscow to meet with Russia's foreign minister. Syria will be the big focus after last week's U.S. missile strikes. Russia is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al- Assad who is blamed by the United States for deadly Sarin gas attack on civilians last week. Russia has denounced the U.S. strikes and blamed rebels by the chemical attack.

SESAY: Police say they may have a lead in an explosive attack on German football club, Borussia Dortmund. Officials are trying to figure out if the handwritten letter claimed responsibility for the blast is legitimate. Explosives went off near a bus carrying the team to a whole game slightly wounding one where (ph).

VAUSE: Twenty-four million people in Africa could soon face starvation and famine as the international community does nothing to help. The warning came from the U.N. military in chief this week. He is urging them all to do more to end the crisis in Yemen, South Sudan, Nigeria and Somalia.

SESAY: Well, the new developments involving the intelligence report on U.S. surveillance of certain foreign nationals.

VAUSE: House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes had raised concerned about Americans including Trump campaign operative being named in the reports.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DEVIN NUNES, U.S. HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: There's some information in those documents that concern me in the reports that I read, that I don't think belong there. It would make me uncomfortable.

Some of it I think it bothered me enough that I went over the White House, because I think the President needs to see these reports for himself.

I was concerned about Americans identities being either not masked properly or, in fact, being unmasked in intelligence reports.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: With more on this, CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent, Manu Raju joins us now from Washington. So Manu, what exactly are you learning?

MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, tonight both Republican and Democratic lawmakers and aides are casting new doubts on claims by David Nunes that Obama administration officials improperly requesting the needs of U.S. individuals that had been redacted in intelligence documents.

Now, CNN sources say these lawmakers had now seen the exact same documents that Nunes reviewed last month at the White House. And they tell CNN they see no evidence the Obama administration officials did anything out of the ordinary or illegal, and one congressional resource describing this request to unmask the name of these identities as "Normal and appropriate," John.

VAUSE: OK. So you and Jim Sciutto, you've talked to sources who've actually seen these documents. So what are they telling you about the contents?

RAJU: Well, one congressional source is telling me there is "Absolutely no smoking gun" in these reports as Devin Nunes has alleged. In fact, this person is even urging the White House to declassify them because they want to make clear that there's actually nothing alarming in that. Right now they're currently classified.

Now, a lot of questions have been around the role of Susan Rice, who's, of course was President Obama's former national security adviser and whether she acted legally in requesting the names of Trump officials who were incidentally collected in those intelligence reports. Now, President Trump himself said last week that he believes that Rice may have broken the law.

But, John, multiple sources who have reviewed these documents said that Nunes saw -- say they just did not back up the President's claim that she may have broken a law. Now, the President himself has not revealed, yet, what intelligence he's relying on and he saw something that Nunes did not see. But we're still waiting from the White House to provide any evidence, which they have not done yet, John.

VAUSE: OK. So, the Obama administration acted properly. What are the rules for actually making and granting these requests to unmask a particular individual?

RAJU: Well, these are all done by the intelligence committee. Certain senior national security officials can make these requests. And typically, we are told that the NSA, National Security Agency can decide whether to grant this request. And typically they do in practice. Senior officials are rarely denied when they want to get these individuals unmasked.

Now, the judgment that Obama administration request were within the law and regular practices, that is -- people believe is -- are done -- will have been done legally. But some members of Congress continue with the concerns about the justifications for the unmasking request and the standards for these in the agencies, the intelligence agencies so grant these requests. So, watch for that to be a part of the investigation that are happening on Capitol Hill.

VAUSE: Also, happening on Capitol Hill, Devin Nunes forced to temporarily recuse himself from the House investigation. He's also being invested by the House Ethics Committee because essentially the way he handled the document. So, what is the status right now of that particular investigation?

RAJU: Well, that investigation now seems to be moving forward. Now Democrats and Republicans on the committee have agreed to actually list of witnesses that they want to interview going forward. But it's interesting when they talked to sources about this. There's a divide between what Republicans want and Democrats wants in their witnesses.

[02:35:05] Republicans want to focus on people who may have leaked classified information that maybe committed a crime. While Democrats are looking for testimony between -- about any Trump ties with Russia. They want to talk to those Trump associates. But they plan -- both Republicans and Democrats plan to interview all of them.

And one person that who will be almost certainly be interviewed, Susan Rice. She's going to have to defend what she did in requesting these Americans citizens' identities and when she's going to have defendant before the House panel as well as the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is of course, investigating Russia and wants to talk to her, as well, John.

VAUSE: It is complicated. There are still obviously many, many weeks ahead. But Manu, thanks for being with us. Manu Raju there in Washington.

RAJU: Any time.

SESAY: Well, 'The Washington Post" reports the FBI and Justice Department obtained a warrant to monitor the communications of a Trump campaign adviser. Law enforcement and other sources, tell "The Post" a judge role that was reason to believe Carter Page was acting as an agent of a foreign power talking about Russia.

VAUSE: Page though has told CNN this. "It shows how low the Clinton/Obama regime went to destroy our democracy and suppress dissidents who did not fully support their failed foreign policy. It will be interesting," he add, "to see what comes out when the unjustified basis for those FISA request are more fully disclosed over time."

SESAY: We shall see. Time for quick break. Coming up, another statement from the CEO of United Airlines off the video of a bloody passenger being dragged on the flight sparks global outrage.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:40:02] SESSAY: Well, Toshiba is far into nuclear power may have poisoned the company for good. The Japanese conglomerate says, it has substantial doubt about its ability to continue, Toshiba reported a net loss of nearly $6 billion in the fourth quarter of last year.

VAUSE: The Company is being bought down by its U.S. nuclear business Westinghouse Electric, which filed a bankruptcy protection last month. The subsidiary suffered billions of losses because of cost over runs and construction delays at two U.S. nuclear plants.

United Airlines is dealing with public relations nightmare of images of security officers dragging a passenger from a full flight sparked outrage around the world.

SESSAY: The airline CEO issued a third statement Tuesday, apologizing to the passenger of what he called a truly horrific incident. CNN Aviation Correspondent Rene Marsh has the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RENE MARSH, CNN AVIATION SORRESPONDENT: As United Airlines passenger David Dao receives treatment for his injuries at a Chicago hospital. The airline is tail spinning into a public relations disaster. After a video of Dao being dragged from a Sunday night flight went viral.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh my god.

MARSH: The airline first said, the flight was overbooked then change its language Tuesday to oversold. United did not respond to multiple attempts to clarify the change. From the White House.

SEAN SPICER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Clearly when you watch the video. It is troubling to see how that was handled.

MARSH: To Late Night T.V.

JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE": The CEO of United released a statement via Twitter. This is what the CEO tweeted. "This is an upsetting event to all of us here in United. I apologize for having to re-accommodate these customers." Right. He's kidding re- accommodate. This is -- it's like when we re-accommodated El Chapo out of Mexico.

That is such sanitize statement say nothing, take no responsibility, corporate B.S. speak. I don't know how the guy sent that tweet and didn't vomit when he typed it out there.

MARSH: And on social media. United Airlines is feeling the sting. Not just for the violent removal of the passenger, but the airlines' lack of compassion. It took two days before CEO Oscar Munoz apologized directly to Dao who had been left bloodied after the incident. In a statement Tuesday, Munos said, quote "I deeply apologize to the customer forcibly removed and to all the customers aboard. No one should ever be mistreated this way."

The new statement a far cry from the e-mail the CEO sent to employees Monday defending the flight crew and calling the passenger "Disruptive and belligerent." And in Munoz very first statement he only apologized for having to re-accommodate customers. Although it is legal for airlines to deny boarding to passengers if it's over booked, lawmakers are also calling foul.

Governor Chris Christie is calling on the Trump Administration to suspend the federal regulation that permits airlines to over book flights and remove passengers as a result. Meanwhile, members of Congress are calling for the Department of Transportation to launch an investigation. Right now, the agency is only reviewing the incident.

The video has breached borders, trending on China's version of Twitter generating more than 100 million views potentially harmful to the airlines' bottom line. China is a huge growth market for the airline.

The airline's CEO pledged a "Thorough review" of how the airline handles oversold flights and how it works with law enforcement. He said, that the review would be completed by April 30th.

Rene Marsh, CNN, Washington.

SESSAY: So, is that the price passengers have to pay for cheap air travel? Well, the glamorous days, were they so glamorous anyway?

VAUSE: OK. Let's find out more. We're joined by Global Business Executive Ryan Patel. Ryan, nice to have you with us here. OK. So, you know, maybe the glamorous days weren't so glamorous after all. Maybe were just, you know, delusional, but. OK.

SESSAY: Speak for yourself.

VAUSE: United has now revealed that the flight was not actually overbooked when they went to removed the four passengers. It was just booked -- fully booked. And so, they are removing these passengers to give up their seats for employees of the airline. That one side, overbooking is a common practice. It's done by most of the major airlines not just of United States, but around the world. Hotels do it. Rental car companies do it and it one factor in bringing cost and prices down. If you want a cheap airline ticket, this is the price you have to pay. Is that a fair statement?

RYAN PATEL, GLOBAL BUSINESS EXECUTIVE: Yes and no. I mean that for me it is using hotels now and rental cars, but for airlines is a practice that causes really disruption in a lot of places. And this in the airline industry, they're able to get away with it, because there's not a competition to be able to do it. So, at least in the hotels and rental cars you have consumers giving feedback and there's a change.

[02:45:06] Right now, what you're seen in the airlines you get a lot of push back right now from consumers. And you can see that today in the market, that they got really press. For policy that you said, that is normal for all the other airlines. But got deemed as, hey, this is not the right thing to do.

SESSAY: As you talk about the lack of competition, which has made these airlines so much powerful, I mean it's really driven how visually when you see the images of this passenger bloodied and battered. I mean, it shows that, you know, really airlines treat customers -- consumers with something approaching contempt these days.

PATEL: Yes. I know. And I think -- it's kind of the norm. I can't believe that I'm saying that right now. Consumers who are flying expect not to be treated well and especially in the U.S. on majority airlines. And for any company to come out and say, you know, apologize twice during the day that means you did something wrong. No matter United said this we're following the book. They did something wrong when it comes to protecting the consumer and taking care of it how it's suppose to be and feeling really apologetic of what happened and trying to find the solution to do to fix it. If it was any other company outside this industry we would be talking about a different story today.

SESSY: Yes, absolutely. VASUE: OK. The CEO of United, finally issued an apology which is sort of alluded Tuesday -- came out on Tuesday. This is like the third time lucky for United. This is what he said. "I continue to be disturbed by what happened on this flight. And I deeply apologized to the customer forcibly removed and to all customers aboard. No one should ever be mistreated this way."

OK. So, maybe we've now hit, you know, the lowest of the low point in customer service for U.S. Airlines. It does seem, though, it has been a race to be the bottom for the airlines, especially in the United States. They say they have a lot of competition for subsidized airlines, like, you know, the national carries like Emirates and India, that kind of stuff. And they can't compete. And so, they're trying to improve their service they felt their cost, right.

PATEL: And yes. And I think that's one excuse that, you know, it's to say, "Hey, we don't have to innovate and provide these services." But if the policy to allowed if United and Emirates and even Norwegian Air to kind come in and have more flights. Emirate CEO would tell you, "Hey, we're causing more competition, more routes, better service, we're actually punishing innovation".

And it will have to force American United Delta to provide, "Hey, what are we doing next instead of saying status quo." So, we're kind of in the in between stage where, yes, we're being subsidized. We don't know how -- what the numbers per say is. But it causes completion for all of us on global market place. I think which it would be better for everybody. But, if you have status quo right now. You want to change it. And that's what the U.S. Airlines have done over 20, 30 years.

SESSAY: And typically, Ryan, you know, I can't help but ask in this kind of warped market or warped system where the airlines are so powerful. Where is the oversight?

PATEL: You know, that's to do with all the politics that's going on right now. I know that should come from the Department of Transportation. And they said, "Hey, we've got complaints come to us, come straight to us first, but there's no teeth, right, because really, you know, who has the teeth? The consumers will have the teeth based off of flying with whomever they don't like. That will make Wall Street and everyone else pay attention to that.

VAUSE: Well, they show their teeth today. They saw what United done, instead of cutting out their United Airline credit cards and maybe the social media thing changes here quite a but. Ryan, thank you so much, great to see.

SESSAY: Thank you Ryan. Thank you.

VAUSE: Well, President Trump had a lot to say about Barack Obama's travel habits. But now, conspicuously silent about his own weekend get away ahead. How much is all these costing U.S. tax ban.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [02:50:38] PEDRAM JAVAHERI, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Weather Watch Time. I'm meteorologist Pedram Javaheri, very wet weather across parts of eastern Texas in the last 24 hours has produced at least 150 millimeters in a few spot. But in left, as storms here beginning to migrate off into southern Texas, northern Mexico into the Chihuahua desert, it's going to see some isolated storms into the afternoon hours of Wednesday and eventually going into Thursday, as well.

I notice the frontal boundary outskirts across the eastern coastline there could be in a few showers also towards the southeast. Here is what it looks like the next 36 hours. The heaviest rain fall centered back over western Texas from midland out towards Amarillo and around the western of United States and to British Columbia a couple of active storm systems here going to begin a roll on in. Generally just north of Northern California into Oregon and Washington, but if you want decent snow plenty of it to go around and fresh one at that across the high sierra, the cascades and also the Siskiyou's of that region.

Vancouver about 11 degrees, Winnipeg keeping it's sunny and 14 spring definitely in a place that well deserve beginning to return back in the forecast. Chicago, a very comfortable 17 degree day. And Atlanta keeping it at 27 almost every single day this week for the tenth there I notice and that's on to the upper 20s in Kingston around 30 degrees in Caracas coming in as 31 with a few storms possible as well. And as you work your way towards Brazil and La Paz, you have 30 in Brazil and La Paz and morning showers around 12:00.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SESSAY: President Donald Trump wants to cut billions from U.S. government spending. But his White House lifestyle is costing tax payers big league, was it big.

VAUSE: Big league.

SESSAY: Big league.

VAUSE: Big, big league. Oh, here we go the numbers. And what's called the former President Barack Obama the habitual vacation of it now in less than a year. Mr. Trump's through travel cost are on track to surpass Obama's entire eight years in office. Here are the numbers with Tom Foreman.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The president keeps taking off and the bills keep piling up. The latest get away itinerary.

SPICER: The president plans to spend the eastern holiday in Florida and he'll return to the White House on Sunday.

FOREMAN: Since assuming office as President Trump has spent six weekends at his Florida Resort Mar-a-Lago for super bowl party in early February, a meeting and dinner with the Japanese prime minister, a little golf the weekend after that, a little more golf two weeks later, still a few more wholes in mid March and then, his meeting in early April with the Chinese president. To be sure he ordered the strike on Syria during the last visit. And his staff insists he is always working.

SPICER: And I think the president, wherever he goes, he carries the apparatus of the White House with us. That is just something that happens.

FOREMAN: But in just 80 days, Trump's travels have cost taxpayers an estimated $21 million, all while drawing attention and boosting the value of private properties. Membership fees at Mar-a-Lago for example have already doubled to $200,000. The secret service insists they can handle the load of protecting all of that travel. The head of the homeland security notes agents are pulling long shifts.

JOHN KELLY, U.S. SECRETAY OF HOMELAND SECURITY: We need a larger secret service, because we need to get some of these people a little bit of time at home with their families.

FOREMAN: Law enforcement officials in Florida say they too were spending tens of thousands a day and working their officer as if a hurricane has hit.

SHERIFF RIC BRADSHAW, PARL BEACH COUNTY: Which is 12-hour shifts. And canceled vacations and were going to use all of the manpower that we have at our fingertips.

FOREMAN: And in New York where first lady Melania Trump lives. Tax payers are shelling out up to $146,000 a day to secure Trump tower.

FOREMAN: The White House suggest once it gets hotter in Florida this summer the president may not go down there so much. But he may start taking trips to New Jersey and Virginia and other Trump properties in other places.

Tom Foreman, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[02:54:57] VAUSE: We end this hour with a blooper. We will have them. This one comes from Australia, amusing and getting lot of attention after rehearse (ph) went viral. Natasha Exelby, live on air to ABC News 24 when she was caught of guard.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

MELANIE VUJKOVIC, ABC NEWS: Melanie Vujkovic, ABC News Mantopia (ph). Now, to sports with Maren Shane (ph).

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SESSAY: Well, you see her guff out of those, more than a guff.

VAUSE: There was more of the guff.

SESSAY: She comes out of her skin there. But into sheer support sharing us around the world of it sharing their own their own embarrassing moments on twitter with a hash tag "put your bloopers out."

VAUSE: Exelby has been taken off the air for now. But ABC says she will not be ban from future says.

SESSAY: I mean who hasn't done that.

VAUSE: Sorry. Did I tell you about my most embarrassing moment on air?

SESSAY: Are you going to share it with the world?

VAUSE: No. Maybe another time, perhaps.

SESSAY: It's a good one.

(CROSSTALK)

SESSAY: It's a good one. You're watching CNN News Room, live from Los Angeles. I'm Isha Sessay.

VAUSE I'm John Vause. The News continue today with Rosemary Church has never had a blooper in her life.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)