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Packed Weekend of Meetings; Violent Confrontation Between Pipeline
Protesters and Police; Death Toll in Indian Train Derailment Climbs to
142; Heaviest Bombardment Syria Has Seen in Five Years; Facebook
Battles Fake News. Aired 4:30-5a ET>
[04:30:01] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to EARLY START this Monday morning. I'm Christine Romans.
BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Great to be here with you, Christine. I'm Boris Sanchez. We are 30 minutes past the hour. And we begin with breaking news.
Four police officers shot in the line of duty across the nation in just the span of 24 hours. Here is what we know right now. Two of the incidents took place in Missouri, one in St. Louis, the other in suburban Kansas City. Two other officers were shot. One in Sanibel, Florida, and the other in San Antonio, Texas. In St. Louis, a 46- year-old police sergeant was in his patrol car last night when he was shot twice in the face by a gunman in a silver car who pulled up alongside him, open fired, and then sped off. That suspect was later killed in a shootout with police. The 20-year veteran police officer is a married father of three. He is in critical, but stable condition after surgery. Fortunately, he is expected to survive.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This officer was driving down the road, and was ambushed by an individual who pointed a gun at him from inside his car and shot out the police officer's window.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: Until further notice, all officers in St. Louis will now ride two to a patrol car. The wounded sergeant was able to speak to fellow officers, but he couldn't give them a description of the shooter.
ROMANS: And 10 minutes outside Kansas City, in Gladstone, Missouri, a police officer was shot during a traffic stop late last night. Now, the suspect in this case was also shot. Kansas City Paternal Order of Police tweeting that the officer is expected to survive. The suspect's condition and identity though have yet to be confirmed. SANCHEZ: In Sanibel, Florida, just west of Fort Myers, an officer was wounded in a drive-by shooting last night. Authorities say he was sitting in his patrol car following a routine traffic stop when someone pulled up and began firing. The officer was treated at a local hospital and released. The suspect was taken to custody a short time later after exchanging gun fire with other officers. This is the first time in the history of the Sanibel Police Department that one of their officers has been shot.
ROMANS: And in San Antonio, investigators say that the shooting death of the 50-year-old police officer was a targeted intentional killing. Detective Benjamin Marconi was gunned down in his patrol car this Sunday outside police headquarters during a traffic stop. Officials are still searching for the suspect. Just hours ago, San Antonio police released this picture of a man they say who may have information about the murder.
We have more from the officials in just a moment. But in the meantime, we will get more CNN's Polo Sandoval.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Police in San Antonio in the middle of the major manhunt, they're trying to track down the person or persons responsible for the shooting death of the 20-year veteran of the force. At this point, investigators believe that their officer was in the middle of a traffic stop outside the police department. He's actually filling out a citation for a driver and a third vehicle pulled up behind him and the person getting out of the car, walking up to the passenger side of the patrolman's vehicle, and then shooting the officer. The police chief there is saying the gunman later shot the officer again. And now, the search is on for the individual. Here's San Antonio police with the latest on the investigation.
WILLIAM MCMANUS, SAN ANTONIO POLICE CHIEF: Witness reports indicate the suspect to be a dark male, slim built in his 20s or 30s, he was wearing a gray pants and a gray shirt at that time. We have had descriptions with and without facial hair. We are actively pursuing all leads and looking into all motives. All of the SAPD resources including from our federal enforcement partners, our federal law enforcement partners, and state and local government are all being utilized. We considered this suspect to be extremely dangerous and a clear threat to law enforcements and the public.
SANDOVAL: Condolence messages are now pouring into San Antonio from across the country. Governor Greg Abbott in the state of Texas is also among them. He is an elected official who is also pushing for legislation to consider targeting police officers in Texas, considering that a hate crime.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: All right. Thank you, Polo. I will show this picture again. Here is that photo that police have released. San Antonio police say this man might have information about the murder. Anyone who has seen this man is urged to call the police. SANCHEZ: To politics now. New meetings around the agenda this morning at Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan, we may learn the results of a packed weekend of sit-downs between Donald Trump and a host of advisers, experts, and potential cabinet picks. There were a dozen such meetings on Sunday alone, aides have hinted that there might be staffing announcements, but Trump fended off questions about that from anxious reporters. Listen.
[04:35:10] (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT-ELECT: We made a couple of deals, but we'll let you know soon. Pretty soon, pretty soon. We'll let you know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: Pretty true. CNN's Phil Mattingly among the reporters who camped out at the Trump National Golf Club shouting questions to the president-elect in New Jersey. He brings us the latest.
PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Boris and Christine, it was a weekend of marathon meeting, meetings after meetings, cabinet potential official after potential official, and some advisors in there as well. But it really was about reading the tea leaves and trying to get sense of who will fill out the top positions in the Trump administration, the president-elect opening the door, greeting every single one of the visitors. But on Sunday, there is a key focus on two individuals, Chris Christie and Rudy Giuliani. Obviously, the former, one of the most important early endorsers of Donald Trump's campaign, he has fallen out of favorite in recent weeks, and has actually been removed as the head of his transition team. All of his top allies have gone as well, leaving a lot of questions as to whether or not Chris Christie will actually have a job in the Trump administration. All signs right now are pointing to no. Not so much for Rudy Giuliani, though. A former New York mayor, also a very close confidant and aide to the president-elect throughout the campaign, he has been angling for a Secretary of State job. We asked the president-elect if that is what he is looking for the mayor. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: And other things.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTINGLY: So, guys, obviously a little bit of hedging there. Maybe some other positions that he may be looking at. This is all coming in the wake of Saturday's meeting with former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, a 2012 presidential nominee. We were told very definitively he is under consideration for that state job. I'm told by Trump advisors that Donald Trump is intrigued by the idea, the perception, of what it would mean to have Mitt Romney in his administration, particularly in the wake of their 14, 15, 16-month battle back and forth. It will be interesting to see how that all plays out. One key thing to keep an eye on as this week goes on, starting today, there will be a focus on economic jobs, the economic transition landing teams throughout the day, domestic policy as well. Obviously, we are keeping a close eye on who the next big cabinet appointments will be. Trump advisors some are coy about that, but definitely making clear announcements will be made soon. Boris and Christine.
ROMANS: All right. Phil, thanks for that. A lot of buzz this weekend that Donald Trump could be placing a fellow billionaire in the cabinet. Wilbur Ross is a leading candidate for commerce secretary. According to our source close to the transition process, he was a vocal Trump's supporter during the election. He met with Trump this weekend, there he is. No final decision yet, but Ross is being seriously considered. The commerce secretary is essentially the government's chief business advocate. The commerce department also compiles important data on economic growth, trade, and income. The next secretary will also oversee the 2020 census.
So who is Wilbur Ross? He is worth $2.9 billion. He is the chairman of WL Ross and Company. He made his name buying distressed debt and resurrecting dying businesses. Some of the biggest hits have come from steel and coal companies, two areas Trump wants to revive. He is an avid art collector. His collections are reportedly worth $150 million. And over the years, covering Wilbur Ross, he is somebody who is -- I think he is a noted contrarian. He watches some of these industries absolutely implode and then he knows how to go in there, you know to take over.
SANCHEZ: Right.
(CROSSTALK)
ROMANS: ... find the value in the pieces.
(CROSSTALK)
ROMANS: He is also somebody -- he and I have spoken before about education in this country, skills, proper K through 12 education for the kids coming out of high school have you know -- the education they need to college, get out of college, to get to the jobs of today. So that's a really important piece of the business -- the business job today. So he is deeply on those things.
SANCHEZ: An important cabinet position to fill. Another important cabinet position to fill that Donald Trump appears to be very enthusiastic about, defense secretary and potential candidate, General James Mattis. The two met for over an hour on Saturday. Afterwards, the president-elect characterized the retired four-star general as the real deal and a true general's general. A source tells CNN that no decision has been made, but Trump is quote leaning in Mattis' direction.
ROMANS: The president-elect says he will live in the White House once he takes the oath of office, but his wife Melania and their 10-year- old son, Barron, they will remain behind in Manhattan temporarily. That will allow Barron to finish out the year at his elementary school. The Trump campaign is not releasing details about the timing of the family's move. The Trump campaign asking for the same privacy as security considerations other first families have received. SANCHEZ: The president-elect not too busy with his transition team to tweet about what he doesn't like. His targets, Broadway and a television show. Details are next.
[04:40:01] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: All right. Donald Trump apparently is back in charge of his Twitter feed this morning. The president-elect spent the weekend escalating a Twitter feud with the cast of hit Broadway musical, "Hamilton". After Friday's performance, cast members read a message directly to vice-president-elect Mike Pence, he was in the audience. They called themselves Diverse America, alarmed and anxious that the Trump administration won't protect them and their families. Pence listened calmly, and left the theater smiling. But in a barrage of tweets, Trump called the casts' statement inappropriate, rude, and terrible, and he demanded an apology.
Let's get more now from CNN's Rachel Crane.
RACHEL CRANE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Boris and Christine, while Mike Pence may not have been offended by the message that was delivered to him Friday night, somebody certainly was, that person being president- elect Donald Trump. Despite having a lot on his plate, having to set his political agenda and select his cabinet, he still managed to find time to tweet not once, not twice, but four times about this ongoing controversy, even going as far as calling it harassment and saying that this was disrespectful, that it should never happen. The theater should be a safe space. But Mike Pence saying that he was not offended, that he in fact enjoyed the musical. Take a listen to what he had to say.
[04:45:30] (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MIKE PENCE, VICE-PRESIDENT-ELECT: When we arrived, we heard a few boos and we heard some cheers. And I nudged my kids and reminded them that's what freedom sounds like. But in the end, you know, I did hear what was said from the stage and I can tell you, I wasn't offended by what was said. I will leave it to others whether that was the appropriate venue to say it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CRANE: There has been a lot of chatter about this ongoing controversy on social media. Over 14 million people have viewed that message delivered here at the Richard Rodgers Theater on Friday. In fact, there is a #boycottHamilton that has been trending. The irony of course though is that this show has been sold out since it started and it has sold out through August of 2017.
But "Hamilton" is not the only thing that Donald Trump took issue with. He also tweeted this weekend about his dissatisfaction with this weekend's episode of "SNL", saying that the show was not funny and it was biased. Boris and Christine.
ROMANS: Thank you, Rachel. SANCHEZ: Thank you, Rachel. The "Saturday Night Live" opening sketch that rankled Trump shows the president-elect at a series of meetings, painting him as seriously out of his depth.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALEC BALDWIN, COMEDIAN, AS DONALD TRUMP: Google, what is ISIS? Oh my, 59 million results. Siri, how do I kill ISIS?
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let's move on to Obamacare. As you know, 20 million people use it and it sounds crazy, but a lot of them like it.
BALDWIN: Keep it. Let's just keep it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: One of Trump's tweets slamming "SNL", seeks, quote, "equal time for us". But FCC equal time rules apply only during an election campaign, not after. Actor Alec Baldwin who plays Trump on the show tweeted a reply equal time? There is no equal time. Now, you try to be president and people respond. That's pretty much it. Alec Baldwin also tweeting five or six tweets telling Donald Trump to worry about helping people and not about you know what's on "SNL", also saying that if he needs any more (inaudible) will be waiting for him at "SNL".
(CROSSTALK)
SANCHEZ: Down the street from Trump Tower.
ROMANS: Down the street from Trump Tower. If you can get through the traffic.
SANCHEZ: Right.
ROMANS: All right. Facebook taking heat for not cracking down on fake news being shared on the site. Now, CEO Mark Zuckerberg is taking a stand with new tactics he says will help. We will tell you what they are. We will get a check on your CNN Money Stream next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[04:52:05] SANCHEZ: Breaking overnight. A violent confrontation between hundreds of Dakota access pipeline protesters and police, authorities are calling it a riot. Around 400 demonstrators are trying to cross the bridge in order to reach a police barrier and reach a nearby highway. One person has been arrested. Protesters claim they have been attacked by officers with tear gas, water cannons in subfreezing temperatures. But police say those demonstrators set several fires in the area and they denied using the water canons on them.
The 12-hundred mile pipeline would connect oil rich areas of North Dakota to distribution networks in Illinois. But protestors say it would threaten the environment including drinking water and destroy Native American burial sites and prayer sites.
ROMANS: All right. To India now, the death toll following a huge train derailment in Northern India has climbed to 142. Passengers say the commuter train started screeching before piercing screech of metal-on-metal could be heard, as 14 cars jumped the tracks and other 150 people were injured. The cause of this crash is still unclear. This is being called the worst train disaster in India in six years.
SANCHEZ: Turning to Syria, it is being called the heaviest bombardment the country has seen in five years. More than 300 people have been killed since the renewed bombing offensive began nearly a week ago. The airstrikes have knocked out all hospitals in Eastern Aleppo. And there are words this morning about a devastating weapon allegedly being used in the attacks. Barrel bombs said to be full of chlorine gas.
CNN's Jomana Karadsheh has the latest live from Amman, Jordan. Jomana, what are we hearing about this alleged chemical attack?
JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Boris, just to let you know, in the past half or so, we are also receiving reports from activists on the ground in Eastern Aleppo saying that there are renewed air strikes today on several neighborhoods of Eastern Aleppo. They say there are several casualties. And we will be monitoring the situation. This comes after the past six days of what has been described by all accounts as unprecedented bombardment of the besieged neighborhoods of Eastern Aleppo. We have seen civilian neighborhoods being pounded by hundreds of air strikes. These indiscriminate barrel bombs are dropped on them in addition to this really heavy artillery shelling. And as you mentioned, we have had some reports of a suspected poisonous gas. Some say it was chlorine gas that was used in one instance where a family of six reported to have been killed in the attack. We have seen hospitals being attacked, at least four hospitals, in the Eastern Aleppo over the past week, really the little healthcare that is left in that city now on the verge of complete collapse. We have seen schools being bombed on both sides of the frontline. And the regime says this is just preliminary operation with a push to Eastern Aleppo, in what they call this fight against terrorist groups. But of course, it is the civilians who continue to pay the heaviest price living under this constant bombardment with hundreds killed and wounded and facing the possibility of mass starvation. Boris.
[04:55:15] SANCHEZ: And Jomana, of course the question here is how does this come to a halt? Is there any indication that there is any progress and peace efforts, or talks to slow down the bombardment in Aleppo?
KARADSHEH: Well, as we heard officials in the past say that this needs to be resolved diplomatically. It cannot be a military solution. But we have seen diplomacy fail over and over again when it comes to Aleppo and when it comes to Syria. We know the United Nations over the past couple of weeks is really trying to work with all sides involved in this conflict, whether it is the Syrian regime, the rebels, or the Russians who were the allies of the Syrian regime, to try to work on at least a humanitarian plan for Eastern Aleppo. So far, there seems to be no progress that we know of. We heard them say the rebels have agreed in principle to this humanitarian plan, but they are still waiting for that green light from the Syrian regime and Russians. Boris.
SANCHEZ: Jomana, five years into this conflict, bloodshed and no progress made. Look at these images. Jomana, thank you.
ROMANS: All right. We are expected to find out today whether employees of the Chicago O'Hare International Airport will go on strike during the Thanksgiving Holiday. The union organizing the strike is expected to announce later this morning when non-union janitors, baggage handlers, and other service workers will walk off the job. The employees voted overwhelmingly last Thursday to strike. They are pushing for a $15 an hour wage and better working conditions.
SANCHEZ: Monday Night Football heads to Mexico City tonight. The Oakland Raiders face off against Houston Texans. Oakland is technically the home team, some 1900 miles away from their home field. This will be the first Monday night game played outside the U.S. There is no worry on any protests that may be planned with the charged political atmosphere surrounding Donald Trump's rhetoric on Mexico during the election. It is interesting. The ratings this season for the NFL have started to slow down. Internationally, there are a lot of interests in the NFL. You see every year they are having more and more games in London, now Mexico City. We may see an expansion internationally of the NFL next year.
ROMANS: All right, maybe.
All right. Let's get a check on CNN Money Stream this morning. Dow futures lower, but S&P 500 Futures higher. Markets are closed Thursday for Thanksgiving. So this is a short week. Sometimes that can be a little nutty when you have a shortened week.
With president-elect Donald Trump quickly filling his cabinet, are talking about his filling his cabinet, investors will stay focused on his appointments and his policies. Stocks in Europe and Asia are trading mixed. Apple is having battery problems with iPhone 6S devices. It is nothing like the Samsung Note 7 issues. Apple says a small number of users have reported phones shutting down unexpectedly. It is not a safety issue. It only affects devices manufactured during the last fall. If you have an iPhone 6s, and have experienced this issue, bring it to an Apple store. It will check your serial number and replace your battery for free.
Facebook cracking down on fake news site after backlash that its made- up stories may have influenced the election, CEO Mark Zuckerberg outlining several steps the site is taking to keep fake news from being shared. It includes stronger detection and early warning systems, easier reporting from users and a technical update to support that. Plus, the site is working with fact checkers. Zuckerberg initially called the influence of fake news on this election quote a crazy idea. But then this weekend in Peru, he changed his tone.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) MARK ZUCKERBERG, CEO, FACEBOOK: We can work to give people a voice, but we also need to do our part to stop the spread of hate and violence and misinformation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: The volume of fake stuff is just unbelievable. Facebook also will not place ads from fake news publishers on third party apps or web sites. It is interesting you know Facebook is a free and open platform for people to share ideas and talk to one another, or does it have to become more like -- I don't know, a gatekeeper of what is real information and what is not.
SANCHEZ: Right. Well, there has been controversy on that because of some of that gate-keeping.
(CROSSTALK)
SANCHEZ: We will talk about that in the next hour as EARLY START continues now.
ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News.
ROMANS: All right. Good morning and welcome to EARLY START this Monday morning. I'm Christine Romans.
SANCHEZ: Christine, a pleasure to be here with you. I'm Boris Sanchez. It is Monday, November 21st, 5 a.m. on the East Coast. We begin with breaking news today.
Four police officers shot in the line of duty across the nation in just the span of 24 hours. Here's what we know right now. Two of the incidents took place in Missouri, one in St. Louis and the other in Suburban, Kansas City. Two other officers were shot, one in Sanibel, Florida, and the other in San Antonio, Texas.
(Byline: Boris Sanchez, Christine Romans, Polo Sandoval, Phil Mattingly, Rachel Crane, Jomana Karadsheh)
(High: Four police shot in just 24 hours; Donald Trump filling up his cabinet; Donald Trump in charge of his Twitter again; Violent protests in Dakota access pipeline; Trail deranged in India resulting to 142 deaths; Syria bombarded; Dow futures lower, but S&P 500 Futures higher; Facebook cracking down on fake news site)
(Spec: Police; Vioelence; Death; Donald Trump; Government; India; World Affairs; Politics; Protests; Dakota Access Pipeline; Economy; Facebook; Technology; Business)