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EARLY START

President Trump Racist Tweet To U.S. Lawmakers; Are Immigration Raids Underway; Flooding Threat As Barry Moves North; Construction Workers Rescue Baby, Toddler From Fire; New Revelations From U.K. Ambassador's Leaked Cables; NYC Blackout Investigations; China's Economy Slumps As Trade War Hits; Harry And Meghan Attend Lion King Premiere; CNN Business; New 007 Casting. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired July 15, 2019 - 04:30   ET

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


[04:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JESSICA DEAN, CNN ANCHOR: President Trump launching a racist attack on four Democratic lawmakers, telling them to go back to the countries they from, even though they are all American.

DAVE BRIGGS, CNN ANCHOR: The Trump administration saying that ICE has launched raids to round up thousands of undocumented immigrants. Local officials say they haven't seen them yet.

DEAN: Millions under flash flood watches in the Mississippi River Valley, threats of high winds as tropical depression Barry makes its way north.

BRIGGS: An incredible video of construction workers rescuing a baby and a toddler from an apartment fire. Look at that. Welcome back to Early Start. Happy Monday. I'm Dave Briggs.

DEAN: Good morning. I'm Jessica Dean. It's 34 minutes past the hour here in New York. Democrats are fighting back after President Trump attacked four minority Democratic lawmakers, telling them to go back to their country. The president's racist tweet, underlining his used of the Oval Office to normalized bigotry.

[04:35:-3] Trump's comment apparently aimed at Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley. The president writing, in part, why don't they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime-infested places from which they came.

BRIGGS: Factually Trump is wrong. All of them are American citizens. Three of the four were born in the United States. Ilhan Omar moved to the U.S. about 25 years ago, when she was 12, became a citizen at 17. But clearly, that is not the point. Not a single Republican member of Congress has objected to the president's racist comments. Democrats both those politically align with the progressives trump targeted and more centrist ones are slamming the tweet, the president doubling down, saying on Twitter, the freshman Democrats use disgusting language. More now from White House correspondent, Boris Sanchez.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Dave and Jessica, the president

exploiting a rift among these Democrats and House speaker over recent weeks and their used of social media and the House speaker's decision to push forth an immigration funding bill which they did not accept. It appears that now these Democrats are banning together against their common enemy. All four of these women sending out rebukes of the president, as did House Peaker, Nancy Pelosi. Take a look at what she tweeted, writing quote, I reject Donald Trump's xenophobic comments meant to divide our nation. She goes on to say that the president should work with Democrats for a humane immigration policy that reflects American values.

Clearly President Trump here using the language of white nationalists to try to court supporters who feel uncomfortable with immigration. Based on the president's long list of racist remarks, he is apparently comfortable saying this sort of thing. Dave and Jessica?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DEAN: Boris Sanchez, thank you. Immigration officials insist that raids to arrest undocumented immigrants are under way, but the show force threaten by President Trump has not yet been seen. We were originally told these 10 cities were being targeted, but CNN cannot confirm any arrests, there were sporadically reports of ICE activity and a few places, Chicago, Florida and in New York. Mayor Bill De Blasio says there were three confirm ICE operations, but there has been only one report in Chicago of any apprehensions by ICE agents.

BRIGGS: "The New York Times" reports plans for the operations wall through the last minute, because news reports tipped off immigrant communities about what to expect. If that information was supposed to be kept secret, this comment last week from the president did not help.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Its starts on Sunday. And they're going to take people out and they are going to bring them back to their countries.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN: According to "The New York Times," a secondary raid plan is now being rolled on by the White House, these calls for smaller scale apprehensions over a week or so. Ken Cuccinelli, the acting director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. According to him, he was tight-lipped about the details when pressed by Jake Tapper on "State of the Union."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAKE TAPPER, CNN CHIEF WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Can you guarantee that no parents will be separating from their children in these raids?

KEN CUCCINELLI, ACTING DIRECTOR, U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES: In the same way I wasn't willing to talk about operational details that would be an operational detail that I can't comment on. There are million people, including families with removal orders. The priority remains for ICE to get at criminals.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: The operation is expected to target about 2,000 undocumented immigrants who have court orders for removal from the country. It will also focus on recent arrivals to the U.S. Polo Sandoval has more now on the steps activists took to get undocumented immigrants prepared for the raids.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Dave, Jessica. Well, the pro- migrant community here in Queens, New York, one of many across the country, mobilizing at a massive push to essentially educate members of the community particularly migrants about their rights regardless of whether or not they lack status to be in the country. We have heard from many of participants of this, a very small but very vocal group over the weekend saying, that they strongly oppose President Trump's hardline immigration policies. As they describe it, dehumanizing approach that they have seen from this administration compared to previous ones. When you hear from some of the folks who represent these communities, they are also certainly outraged. When you hear from state assembly woman, Catalina Cruz, who spent a large portion of her life as undocumented woman, she said, that she is essentially standing in solidarity with various undocumented communities across the country. Especially here, one of the most culturally diverse places on the planet.

CATALINA CRUZ, ASSEMBKY WOMAN: I have to tell you, I've been in this country for 26 years. I spent 13 of them, undocumented immigrant. And I can tell you that the fears that we're feeling now is high-end. Its high end by the fact that we have a president who has embolden hatred. I'm getting death threats. I got in calls to my office telling me to go back to my country. That has never happened before. We have a president that is embolden this kind of behavior and people are scared. And we're here to tell them, don't be, because we're going to fight for you.

[04:40:06] SANDOVAL: Assembly woman, Cruz, telling she is in close contact with some of the legal representational organization in these communities saying, a bulk of their calls are really just people seeking more information, versus requiring immediate legal assistance. She expects those calls to continue to come in as the week continues. Dave ad Jessica.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRIGGS: All right, Polo, thanks. New revelation from leaked diplomatic cables. "The Daily Mail" reporting that the British ambassador to the U.S., believed President Trump abandoned the Iran nuclear deal, despite his predecessor, President Obama. The British tabloids says Ambassador Kim Derek described, Trump's decision as an act of diplomatic vandalism. Nic Robertson live in London with the latest. Nic, good morning. NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good

morning, Dave. He also said that this was a strategy that had no next day strategy, if you will. Very critical of the White House, but of course, he has now resigned his position.

The former foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, who may very well be next week become Britain's next Prime Minister, admitted that during a TV interview, that he didn't or didn't appear to back -- didn't appear to back the British ambassador. And that was a contributory (inaudible) statistic Derek resigning. Although, Boris Johnson did say, that he was misrepresented to the former ambassador.

The British police however have said that this is a breach of the official secret side that they are investigating. They don't see the hand of a foreign government in the form of a computer hack. However, they did advise editors of newspapers and publications, not to run with this story. Within 24 hours, backing away and saying, no, this wasn't an effort for the police to stop the media doing their job of bringing important international stories. So, the police sort of backing away from that slightly.

We have in the context of the Iran nuclear deal, of course, which was what would this all came from, if you will. These comments from the British ambassador. You had the British foreign secretary today, saying, urging, along with his French and German counterparts, urging the United States and Iran, to try to come together, to talk this through. Mentioning concern that the U.S. sanctions on Iran were unraveling that nuclear agreement. And concern that Iran is breaking the terms of that agreement. Dave?

BRIGGS: Continuing to enrich uranium. Nic Robertson, live for us, 9:42 there in London. Thank you.

DEAN: Bastille Day celebrations turning violent in Paris. Anti- government protesters clashing with police on the Champs-Elysees. At least 175 people taken under custody for questioning. Earlier in the day, Emmanuel Macron became the first French president in modern times to be booed during the traditional July 14th parade. Yellow Vest Populous protesters infiltrating that event despite a heavy police presence.

What caused the major Saturday night blackout in New York City is still not known. And the investigation could take months. Con Edison said a high demand for power was not responsible for the outage. And the utility company president has ruled out other potential causes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TIMOTHY CAWLEY, COEDISON PRESIDENT: We have no indication at all that this was involved in cyber in anyway or physical attack. In terms of loading or demand on the system, it was a warm evening last night, but in terms of the peak demands that Manhattan exhibits on those hottest weekdays, the demand last night was very low.

(END VIDEO CLIP) BRIGGS: Parts of midtown Manhattan suddenly went dark Saturday night

for about five hours. Some 72,000 people were affected by the outages. A Jennifer Lopez concert that was in progress at Madison Square Garden was called off for safety. The concert has been rescheduled for tonight.

And we are seeing new video of how Broadway stars adapted when theaters went dark. The cast of the musical "Hadestown" giving a sidewalk performance.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a blackout, it's a blackout, it's a blackout.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN: I mean, it does sounds great, even though it's outside.

BRIGGS: Good times were had by all. A lot blaming Mayor Bill De Blasio, who is out campaigning for president at the time.

All right. And there you see the covers of the local papers here. The "Daily News," dim and dimmer. And "The New York post," De Blasio must go. You will have some answers hopefully today on the outage.

Check out CNN Business out, 4:44 Eastern Time, China's economy is feeling the effects of the trade war with the United States. Its GDP slumped to 6.2 percent in the second quarter, the slowest rate in nearly three decades. And lower than 6.4 percent growth in the first quarter.

[04:45:03] The country's National Bureau of Statistics said, the economy will continue to face downward pressure in the second half of the year. Adding the Chinese economy is still in a complex and grave situation. Global growth has slowed and external -- uncertainties are on the rise. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to a temporary truce and talks have resume. Still, a lot of questions about whether the two sides can reach a deal. Analysts expect Beijing to unveil more stimulus measures to boost the economy including possible interest rate cuts on people bank of China.

DEAN: Millions under flash flood watches in the Mississippi River Valley as the threat from Barry continues. We are going to have more on that, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DEAN: Tropical storm Barry, now downgraded to a tropical depression. But the threat from winds and especially from flooding still very serious. At least, 50,000 people in Louisiana without power statewide overnight.

[04:50:08] Forecast are saying, heavy rain and tornadoes are still possible through that area today. CNN's Natasha Chen is in Franklin, Louisiana, with the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NATASHA CHEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Dave and Jessica, we're hearing from the St. Mary Parish emergency officials that on Sunday, they got at least seven inches of rain, which is more rain than they got during the entire Barry event the day before. So, really, the problem has come after the storm came through. We'll show you what the flooding looks like here in Franklin. This is the metal shark shipyard. They make aluminum boats. This is supposed to be their parking lot. But this is what flooded after Barry Saturday night into Sunday. Of course, they were very much prepared for this.

The barricade that we are looking at has been here for years. But we did see a lot of folks bringing in extra gravel, plugging holes. So, they were prepared for this flooding to get much worse. Now, this is all coming from a drainage canal that they're hoping will recede overtime. There are some homes in Franklin also being threatened because of the flash flooding.

We visited nearby Glencoe, Louisiana, as well. That is an area that had to be evacuated on Saturday night also because of flash flood issues. We saw one home that was completely ripped apart because of the strong winds from Barry. We talked to Joseph Colbert who was sitting in the carport at the time. He says his sister was inside the home when the winds struck and broke all the windows. She came running outside. Here's what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sounded like a train to me. Some people see it, when you hear a train, it did (inaudible), but it did sound like a train coming through.

CHEN: And you heard the glass breaking?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, ma'am. All the windows had started coming out. Kitchen window, (inaudible) windows, all of it started coming out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHEN: Colbert told us that he has been in that home for about 40 years. And now, he's staying with other family members. So there are a lot of people here affected not only by the wind damage, but by floodwaters. And authorities are very concerned in trying to keep those waters out of people's homes. And they are working hard with utility crews, of course, to restore power to everyone. In franklin, Louisiana, Natasha Chen. Dave and Jessica, back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRIGGS: OK, Natasha, thank you. Our thought with everyone in the Gulf Coast.

Ahead, there's going to be a new 007. It's not who you think. We will tell you, who nailed the role in CNN Business, next.

[04:55:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DEAN: Young royals (inaudible) this weekend, lending their aristocratic shine in these big events. CNN's royal correspondent Max Foster is standing by in London with more. Max, a busy weekend for all of them.

MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: It really was after being accused of not appearing often enough on public. The Duchess of Sussex, out for a couple of days on the trot over the weekend. Firstly, accompanying her sister-in-law to the tennis. Duchess of Cambridge is actually the patron of Wimbledon. So, that's why they were there. And no evidence of a rift in any of the images that went out around the world.

I think Meghan was probably more focus in the fact that her friend Serena was being smashed in the women's final there. And then again, last night, the Duchess of Sussex out on the red carpet, for the first time as a royal. She was also being known many times as an actress in the past. She is out with Prince Harry. I'm told "The Lion King" is one of his favorite films, which is what they were there to see.

They also bumped into pop royalty along the way. Beyonce is one of the voices of the characters there. Jay-Z was accompanying her. We are told that he gave Harris on parental advice, always find some time for yourself. I'm told he was overheard saying.

So, a busy weekend overall, incident-free as well, which I think Meghan will be pleased with. There's been some pretty negative coverage about her appearances recently.

DEAN: Yes. All good photos and happy, smiling faces. All right, Max, thanks so much.

BRIGGS: So, why is Theresa May there, tweeting out her own questionable dance moves? Well, for the first time ever, England has won the cricket world cup. They defeated New Zealand in a stunning match that ended in a tie, in a very complex tiebreaker, England just squeaked out the win.

DEAN: That looks fun. All right. Some dramatic video of construction workers saving a baby and a toddler from a burning apartment building in Albuquerque. The workers happen to be installing a new roof next door. And you see one of them. Mason Fierro, catching the children as they are tossed down then hauling over a ladder to get the rest of the family out safely.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He might not remember my name or my face, but he knows that somebody helped. And that is all I care about, honestly.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN: Two children and another person were taken to a local hospital, where they are all in stable condition. BRIGGS: Let's get a check on CNN Business this morning. First, a

look at the markets around the world. Asian markets are higher, despite fears of a slowdown in China. European stocks have open lower. And on Wall Street, futures barely moving. All three major averages closed at new all-time highs. Friday, the DOW jumped 244 points. The S&P 500 closed above 3000 for the first time ever. Wall Street focus shifts to corporate earnings this week. Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, IBM, Netflix, and Microsoft are among the companies reporting results earning S&P 500 companies are expected to fall 2.6 percent at the second quarter. It would mark the first time in three years that earnings have fallen in back-to-back quarters.

There's going to be a new 007. "The Daily Mail".

END