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Trump: "U.S. Will Take Over the Gaza Strip"; U.S. Postal Service Resumes Deliveries from China; Pam Bondi's First Day at the DOJ; Countdown to Super Bowl LIX Kick Off; Trump's Plans to Gut Federal Workforce. Aired 10:30-11a ET
Aired February 05, 2025 - 10:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[10:30:00]
PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: -- as we've been talking about, any removal would be against international humanitarian law. Do you support this because it eliminates the possibility of a two-state solution?
DANNY DANON, ISRAELI AMBASSADOR TO THE U.N. AND FORMER ISRAELI DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER: So, I would be very clear about it, I don't think President Trump is speaking about removing anyone or forcing anyone. He's creating an opportunity. And he's putting out ideas for the Palestinians. You know, it's about time --
BROWN: But where are they going to go? No -- the neighboring countries have said --
DANON: They will have to receive the consent of countries to receive them. And I think, you know, why Ukrainians or Syrians had the opportunity to move somewhere else when we're in an area of conflict?
BROWN: But a lot of them stayed.
DANON: And the people of Gaza don't have that opportunity. For sure, those who want to stay will stay. But those who want to move, to come back, you know, that's what happened all over the world. And the fact that people say no, the people of Gaza are doomed to stay where they are, I think it's not fair for them.
So, I don't know what would be the implementation of this plan, but I think we should think about new ideas. Because if we leave Gaza as it is, and Hamas will stay there, that's something we cannot accept.
BROWN: But just to follow up, do you support this because it eliminates the possibility of a two-state solution?
DANON: No, I think we tried many times to negotiate with the Palestinians. I want to remind you that we left Gaza in 2005 completely. We took out all the communities, all the military posts, and we actually gave them the keys to build a future for themselves. And look what happened. Hamas took over. They suffered for years, instead of building schools, they build tunnels, and we saw what happened on October 7th.
So, I think, yes, we need to think about a new future, not only because it's important for our security, but to offer something for the Palestinians themselves.
BROWN: And just to -- you know, because the other side isn't here, the Palestinians would say, and look what has happened since October 7th. I know Israel has -- was going after Hamas, but the devastation, the destruction that Donald Trump is talking about is because of all the bombardment from Israel killing so many Palestinians. That is why this situation is what it is.
And again, obviously October 7th was a horrific day and Hamas is the target, as Israel has said, but many innocent --
DANON: Pamela there is suffering in Gaza. I agree with you. There is devastation in Gaza, I agree with you, but the blame is on the shoulder of Hamas They started this war, they kidnapped kids. We are still waiting to see what's happening with the Bibas family. We are talking about babies who were abducted from the homes. So, we had no choice. So, the blame is on Hamas.
If Hamas will stay there, it's only a matter of time that we will have to attack Gaza again. That's why we have to think about the future, not only for us, but also for the Palestinians.
BROWN: So, let's talk a little bit more about that because an Arab official told CNNs Alex Marquardt that Trump's remarks could jeopardize the ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. Do you share that concern?
DANON: No. I think it's the interest of Israel to release the hostages. And I think Hamas is receiving a lot. You know, we are releasing terrorists, convicted murderers, unfortunately. We are paying a very heavy price. And I believe --
BROWN: Will phase two happen? Do you believe phase two --
DANON: Well, phase two, we are negotiating it now. We will continue with the negotiations.
BROWN: What is your confidence that the ceasefire will hold right now?
DANON: Well, I think the first stage will hold. I believe it will hold. I cannot tell you what will happen on the second stage. Because we are starting to negotiate it now.
BROWN: And how are those negotiations going? What's going on?
DANON: Well, they will actually -- because we were here, the prime minister is here now in D.C. So, I think next week we will see more traction over there in Doha.
BROWN: OK. Thank you. Ambassador Danny Danon, thank you so much.
DANON: Thank you very much.
BROWN: We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:35:00]
BROWN: New this hour, the U.S. Postal Service has announced it will resume accepting incoming packages from China and Hong Kong. And this comes just 12 hours after USPS suspended them. CNN's Marc Stewart joins us now. So, what is going on here, Mark?
MARC STEWART, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Pam, we have been trying to find that out here in China with our colleagues in Hong Kong. But yes, the Postal Service made this very quick reversal as far as accepting packages from China and Hong Kong, we have a very broad statement.
But the point being is that it -- there is a tariff that will still remain on products from China coming in to the United States, China, and Hong Kong coming in to the United States. And the point of all of this is for the United States to make a dent in one of the most successful industries here in China, that being e-commerce. You probably have been on the Shein or Temu, these very popular Chinese e- commerce sites. Last year, they moved hundreds of billions of dollars of goods around the world. So, you could say this is the latest moment in this ongoing trade dispute that we see unfolding between the United States and China.
Earlier today, I actually had the chance to speak to a Chinese official about what's happening about this trade tension. Take a quick listen to part of the conversation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEWART: Does China feel the United States will act in good faith moving forward?
LIN JIAN, SPOKESPERSON, CHINA'S MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (through translator): The United States has imposed a 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods on the grounds of the fentanyl issue. China is strongly dissatisfied with this and firmly opposes it. The measures China has taken are necessary to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[10:40:00]
STEWART: And just for the record, the Chinese government has said it's done what it can with fentanyl. It's been supportive of the U.S., but it's really America's problem. But, Pam, the uncertainty that is being felt where you are in Washington is also being felt here in China. A lot of chatter about this on social media.
BROWN: Unsurprisingly. Marc Stewart, thank you so much. And coming up, it's the first day on the job for Attorney General Pam Bondi, and we can expect her to move quickly to assert control over the Trump Justice Department. What that could look like, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BROWN: It's Attorney General Pam Bondi's first day on the job. She was confirmed by the Senate last night, and her new role comes as the DOJ is surrounded in chaos, with firings of employees who worked on cases related to Donald Trump and January 6th. CNN's Paula Reid joins us now. So, what actions do we expect to see from Pam Bondi on day one here, Paula?
PAULA REID, CNN CHIEF LEGAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Look, no matter what's on her official agenda, the fact is she is walking in the door today into a firestorm, something I have been seeing in a decade of covering the Justice Department. These concerns of the firing of agents and prosecutors who were involved either in the cases related to President Trump or January 6th.
[10:45:00]
Now, I've spoken with a source familiar with their strategy who tells me, look, they're not looking to fire thousands of folks at the FBI or the Justice Department. But we know just last week, a top Justice Department official sent out a memo demanding this information about people who worked on January 6th. And the subject line was terminations, right? There are reasons that people are so concerned.
My source tells me, yes, they agree. The messaging hasn't been great. And this is going to be really Bondi's first challenge, is to right the ship and try to restore trust while simultaneously trying to implement the president's agenda.
Now, I'm told today she will rescind some memos from the Biden administration. First, she will rescind a memo that was issued under Attorney General Merrick Garland that seemed to suggest the FBI was targeting, quote, "radical traditional Catholics." This memo of the then-attorney general, Merrick Garland, he called it appalling, but never officially rescinded it. She will also rescind a 2021 memo from the attorney general, Merrick Garland, that was supposed to address concerns about threats against school board memos, but it became a sort of a right-wing talking point that these parents who were concerned about educational policy were, quote, "domestic terrorists."
Now, she is also expected -- this may not happen today, but she's also expected to announce a formal review of how the cases related to January 6th were handled. But another challenge that you will have as soon as tomorrow is trying to successfully defend the president's executive orders. We were told that this time around, they were going to be more carefully crafted to withstand judicial challenges. But so far, they're over three.
And tomorrow, the president's executive order on birth rights citizenship goes before a judge in Seattle, a Reagan appointee who's already said, you're not going to win in my court. So, that's something that's really going to require a lot of our attention. This is one of the toughest jobs in government. She has decades of law enforcement experience, but nothing can prepare you for this.
BROWN: Yes, she has her work cut out for her for sure. Paula Reid, thank you. Well, the Super Bowl may be just a few days away. The party is already getting started down in New Orleans. That's where we find CNN's Sport Anchor Coy Wire. Hi, Coy.
COY WIRE, CNN SPORT ANCHOR: What's up, Pamela? How lucky am I to be at the party? Welcome to New Orleans, or as they say, Nolan's here. Home of gumbo, etouffee, creole cuisine, great music scene, and this Sunday, Super Bowl LIX. Eagles and Chiefs in a rematch of the Super Bowl two years ago. We have some headlines from the Big Easy next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:50:00]
BROWN: As we count down to kick off the Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, the NFL is changing up on its field message for the big game. Instead of seeing end racism in the end zone, fans will now see choose love. CNN's Coy Wire joins us now from New Orleans. So, what is behind this change, Coy?
WIRE: Hi, Pam. Yes, as you mentioned, end racism. Well, that's been used in the Super Bowl for the past several years. And as you said, the league will now use the phrase choose love in one of the end zones, the phrase we saw in the end zone of the Chiefs Stadium in the AFC title game a couple weeks ago.
Now, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told us the Super Bowl is often a snapshot in time and choose love is appropriate. Now, he said -- he gave several reasons, including the recent terrorist attack here in New Orleans. The other end zone, Pam, will have the message, it takes all of us. Teams have used other phrases and end zones this season too, stop hate and vote. The league started the field stencils in 2020 as part of its inspire change social justice initiative.
Now, to the players who will be playing on the field, specifically Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who told me yesterday there is one thing giving him added motivation this Sunday, the birth of his third child with wife Brittany a few weeks ago. Baby Golden. Here's what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PATRICK MAHOMES, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS QUARTERBACK: It's always motivating whenever you have another baby. I mean, just because I want them to have the same experiences that the other two have. And she's been amazing. She's been sleeping well. Mom's been extremely happy. And I'm excited for her to be able to come to. I think this will be her first football game at the Super Bowl. And hopefully, we can get her a win.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WIRE: How awesome is that, Pamela? His newborn's first ever football game will be this Super Bowl here in New Orleans. One big topic this week is Patrick Mahomes, can he further push himself towards GOAT status as the greatest quarterback ever to play the game? Five Super Bowls in seven seasons for him. Already three titles. He's not even 30 years old yet. We'll see if he can get Kansas City, the NFL's first ever three straight Super Bowl wins, playing in front of his newborn baby daughter for the first time.
BROWN: I got to say, go, Chiefs. My husband's family is from there, so I got to support the Chiefs. All right. Coy Wire, thank you.
WIRE: You bet.
BROWN: And coming up president trump is ramping up his plans to gut the federal workforce force. We have the very latest up next
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:55:00]
BROWN: Diplomats, lawmakers, and pretty much the entire Mideast are bewildered after President Trump pledges the U.S. will, quote, "own and rebuild the Gaza Strip," which would force the displacement of about 2 million Palestinians.
Plus, the man whose literal catchphrase was, you're fired, passes the torch to Elon Musk, seemingly, letting the unelected billionaire decide who stays and who goes within the federal government.
And then, later, a new drug that promises the same pain relief as opioids without the risk of addiction. Could it be a game changer for an American crisis?
Hello, everyone. I'm Pamela Brown in Washington and you're in the CNN Newsroom.
And we begin this hour with uncertainty and fear inside the federal government --
[11:00:00]
