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The Situation Room
Obama Speaks at Reception for New Museum; Scott Family Releases Video of Deadly Police Shooting; Charlotte Shooting and Protests Examined; Cruz Changes Position, Endorses Trump; Latest on New York Bombing Invesitgation. Aired 5-6p ET
Aired September 23, 2016 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And without vigilance, we can go backwards as well as forwards. So part of the reason that I am so happy the museum is opening this weekend is because it allows all of us as Americans to put our current circumstances in a historical context.
[17:00:32] My hope is that, as people are seeing what's happened in Tulsa or Charlotte on television and perhaps are less familiar with, not only the history of the African-American experience but also how recent some of these challenges have been, upon visiting the museum, may step back and say, "I understand. I sympathize. I empathize. I can see why folks might be angry, and I want to be part of the solution, as opposed to resisting change."
My hope is that black folks watching those same images on television and then seeing the history represented at this museum can say to themselves, "The struggles we're going through today are connected to the past, and yet all that progress we've made tells me that I cannot and will not sink into despair, because if we join hands and if we do things right, we maintain our dignity and we continue to appeal to the better angels of this nation. Progress will be made."
I was telling Michelle, many of you know I get ten letters a day from constituents. And it's a great way for me to keep a pulse on how folks other than the pundits on cable TV are thinking. And it's -- I know it's a representative group, because sometimes people say, "Mr. President we just love you, and we especially love Michelle. And you're doing such a great job, and thank you."
And then there are others who write and say, "Mr. President, you're an idiot, and you've ruined this country." And so I know I'm getting a real sampling of American public opinion.
Last night as I was reading through my letters, I'd say about half of them said, "Mr. President, why are you always against police? And why aren't you doing enough to deal with these rioters and the violence?"
And then the other half, some black folks saying, "Mr. President, why aren't you doing something about the police? And when are we actually going to get justice?"
And I understand the nature of that argument, because this is dialogue we've been having for 400 years. And the fact of the matter is, is that one of the challenges we have in generating a constructive discussion about how to solve these problems is because what people on see on television and what they hear on the radio is bereft of context and ignores history.
And so people are just responding, as if none of what's represented in this museum ever happened. And that's true for all of us. Not just some of us.
And so when I imagine children -- white, black, Latino, Asian, Native- American -- wondering through that museum and sitting at that lunch counter and imagining what it would be like to stand on that auction block. And then also looking at Shaq's shoes. And Chuck Berry's red Cadillac. My hope is, is that this -- this complicated, difficult, sometimes harrowing but, I believe, ultimately triumphant story will help us talk to each other. And more important, listen to each other. And even more important, see each other. And recognize the common humanity that makes America what it is.
So -- so that's a lot of weight to put on one institution, but Michelle and I -- Michelle and I haven't taken Michelle's mom and our daughters to see it. We feel confident that it will not just meet expectations, but far exceed them. And it would not have happened without all of you. So you should be very, very proud. Congratulations.
God bless you. God bless America.
WOLF BLITZER: The president of the United States at a White House reception, honoring the opening this weekend of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture, delivering very, very pointed, poignant words right now, very timely words given the news of the day.
Happening now, breaking news. Last moments. Graphic new video images of the deadly confrontation between Charlotte police and Keith Scott, his wife capturing the scene on her cellphone, pleading with her husband and with the police officers. Police are still refusing to release their video of the incident. What does this footage reveal?
Calls for calm. There's concern the disturbing new video and the changing narrative of the shooting could spark a new wave of protest in Charlotte. The National Guard is being ordered to stay through the weekend. After a night of peace will the city see another night of violence?
Cruz control. A stunning reversal by former Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz after a bitter primary battle and pointed rebuke of Donald Trump at the Republican convention, Cruz is now endorsing the Republican nominee. So what changed his mind?
And powerful and sophisticated. Exclusive CNN video shows the lethal force of the homemade bombs planted in New York City. An expert says they had the potential for an even bigger blast than the Boston Marathon bombs. Does this new surveillance video shed new light on the attack and the suspect?
I'm Wolf Blitzer. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM. ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.
BLITZER: We're following breaking news. Graphic and dramatic new video of the deadly police shooting that sparked violent protests in Charlotte, North Carolina. It's just been released by the family of Keith Scott, whose controversial death has sparked violent protests in Charlotte.
The video was recorded on cellphone by Scott's wife, who can be heard pleading with her husband and with police officers. A source close to the investigation tells CNN the gun police say they recovered from the scene was loaded. The source says investigators recovered fingerprints, blood and DNA from the weapon that matched up with Scott.
National Guard troops are on alert. North Carolina's governor says they'll stay in Charlotte through the weekend in case protests turn violent once again.
Demonstrations overnight were largely peaceful, following two nights of mayhem. The new video is increasing pressure on Charlotte police to release officer body-camera video of the confrontation with Scott.
Hillary Clinton has just weighed in, calling on police to make the video public, quote, "without delay."
And former Republican presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz has reversed course on one-time archrival Donald Trump. He's just endorsing the GOP nominee, invoking Clinton's name and citing Trump's pledge to appoint conservative judges. Cruz and Trump had one of the most bitter and personal rivalries of the primary season.
[17:10:11] We're covering all of that and much more this hour with our guests, including the president and CEO of the NAACP, Cornell William Brooks. And our correspondents and our expert analysts, they are also standing by.
Let's get straight to Charlotte with the breaking news. CNN's Brian Todd is there for us. Brian, there's video that has been released. It is difficult to watch.
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It certainly is, Wolf. And it has residents of this shell-shocked city again looking ahead in anticipation to tonight as nightfall approaches in a couple of hours.
As Wolf just said, a big factor in that dynamic is going to be the release a short time ago of this dramatic new video, video recorded by the wife of Keith Lamont Scott.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He has no weapon.
TODD: The graphic cellphone video which, until today, had not been shown to the police or the public shows part of the confrontation between Keith Scott and Charlotte police. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don't shoot him. Don't shoot him. He didn't do
anything.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Drop the gun! Drop the gun!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He doesn't have a gun.
TODD: Scott's wife begins recording police before her husband is shot. Throughout, she can be heard imploring police not to fire.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don't shoot him.
TODD: She sells officers her husband suffers from a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, and may be confused.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He has a TBI.
TODD: The shouting between officers and Scott's wife is laced with profanity as officers repeatedly tell her husband to exit his white vehicle, ordering him to drop a gun.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Drop the gun!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Keith, don't do it.
TODD: Scott's wife also begs him to get out.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Keith, get out the car.
TODD: Scott can be seen getting out of the car. Then officers open fire.
(GUNSHOTS)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did you shoot him?
TODD: The video only offers a limited view of what happened and no explanation why.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He didn't do nothing to them.
TODD: Officers wearing bulletproof vests can be seen shielding themselves behind other cars.
But attorneys for Scott's family say the video, and at least two videos from police cameras, which have not been released, did not show Scott threatening the officers.
JUSTIN BAMBERG, ATTORNEY FOR KEITH SCOTT'S FAMILY: He steps out of his vehicle, doesn't appear to be acting aggressive whatsoever, is not making any quick moves, moving slowly. You know, he doesn't appear to be arguing or yelling at law enforcement. His hands are down by his side.
TODD: Several frames of the video do appear to show Scott exiting the vehicle, but it's not clear if he moves toward police. Also unclear from the video, whether there is anything in his hands.
Police say they found a gun at the scene. This photo appears to show a gun lying on the ground. But Scott's family and some witnesses dispute that. They say Scott was not armed. Charlotte's police chief has said he believes Scott was holding a gun, based on evidence and witness statements, but has said the police dash-cam video, which he has refused to release, is not clear enough to show it.
CHIEF KERR PUTNEY, CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT: I don't have any visual definite evidence that I can -- I can show and I can see him actually holding and pointing a gun at an officer. The issue, though, is what I've seen is I'm not able to see the correct angle to see a weapon in his hand in the first place.
TODD: Family lawyers who have viewed the tapes say they also see no evidence of a weapon or of Scott raising a gun to police.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TODD: And we have this breaking news just in. The gun that police say they recovered from the scene of Keith Scott's shooting was loaded. That's according to a source close to the investigation. That same source telling our colleague, Jay Schaler (ph), that investigators recovered finger prints, blood, and DNA from the weapon that matched up with Scott.
We have to caution you, though, this forensic evidence does not necessarily prove that Scott was armed at the moment he was shot -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Brian Todd in Charlotte. Thank you.
I want to play some more of that video for our viewers right now, recorded by Scott's wife, who can be heard pleading with her husband and with police. Once again, this video is disturbing and graphic.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don't shoot him. Don't shoot him. He has no weapon. He has no weapon. Don't shoot him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Drop the gun!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Drop the gun!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don't shoot him. Don't shoot him. He didn't do anything.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Drop the gun! Drop the gun!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He doesn't have a gun. He has a TBI. He's not going to do anything to you guys. He just took his medicine.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Drop the gun!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (EXPLETIVE DELETED) on over here. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Keith, don't let them break the windows. Come on out the car.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Drop the gun.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Keith, don't do it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Drop the gun.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Keith, get out the car. Keith, Keith, don't you do it. Don't you do it. Keith! Keith! Keith! Don't you do it.
(GUNFIRE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did you shoot him? Did you shoot him? Did you shoot him? He better not be (EXPLETIVE DELETED) dead. He better not be (EXPLETIVE DELETED) dead. I know that (EXPLETIVE DELETED) much. I know that much. He better not be dead.
I'm not going to come near you. I'm going to record you. I'm not coming near you. I'm going to record you. He better be alive. He better be alive. How about that? Yes, we're over here at 53 -- at 9453 Lexington Court. These are the police officers that shot my husband.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Wow. Let's get some more on the breaking news. The president and CEO of the NAACP, Cornell William Brooks, is joining us.
Cornell, thanks very much for joining us.
CORNELL WILLIAM BROOKS, PRESIDENT/CEO, NAACP: Thank you, Wolf.
BLITZER: So what's your reaction to seeing this new video that Scott's wife shot? You hear her voice. You hear her yelling at the police, yelling at her husband, Keith. You also hear police saying, "Drop the gun, drop the gun" repeatedly.
BROOKS: It's heartbreaking. It's heartbreaking that we live in an age where a wife sees police officers confronting her husband. She's worried about her husband, and she has to take out a cellphone and record the experience in order to have her voice and his life appreciated and respected.
Much remains to be known, but this much we do know. In a void of information, it is filled with doubt. It is filled with anxiety and filled with the possibility and the prospect of violence.
The police chief needs to release the video. We cannot play this waiting game any longer. No less than the president, the attorney general, the Department of Justice guidance, any number of public officials have called upon this police chief, who is well-respected, to release the video. It is important for the public to have as much information as is possible as quickly as is possible. We have the cellphone video. It is disturbing. It is graphic. It is
horrific. But it does not speak to the credibility of the police force and their responsiveness to the public. That video being held by the police needs to be released forthwith. Nothing less than that will do in this -- in this set of circumstances.
And so as we enter this evening, and we're all anxious about what will happen, we need that police department and particularly this police chief to talk to the public, engage the public and provide as much information to the public as is possible, particularly this video. We don't need to wait any longer.
BLITZER: They have dash cam. They have body camera video. They may have other video, as well, that so far they have refused to release.
Cornell, the gun that police say they recovered from the scene of Keith Scott's shooting in Charlotte was loaded, they say. At least, a source close to the investigation tells CNN. The same source says investigators recovered fingerprints, blood and DNA from the weapon that matched up with Scott.
So react to that news. Could that change the direction of this investigation?
BROOKS: Well, if we -- if we can leak all of this forensic evidence, if we can leak the fact that there may have been a gun, that it may have been covered with blood or fingerprints, why can't we release these videos in the custody of the police?
Rather than us opining on what may or may not be true, let us consider the videos in the possession of the police.
One of the things that we know is that bad news early can certainly be better news. The news on these videos may be bad, but it will certainly be better if it is entrusted to the public and the public is engaged in this process.
And so we can't opine on rumors coming out of the police department. We can, in fact, speak to the videos in their possession. That's what we can do. And that is what we are, in fact, asking the police department and Police Chief Putney to do.
BLITZER: All right. Stand by, Cornell. There's more to discuss. I need to take a quick break. We'll continue our conversation as we get more information coming in from Charlotte right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[17:23:37] BLITZER: The breaking news this hour, the disturbing video of the deadly confrontation between police in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Keith Scott. The video recorded by Scott's wife shows the final moments of the incident but not the shooting itself.
Right now, Charlotte police resisting growing pressure to release police body-cam video, dash-cam video of the encounter.
We're back with the president and CEO of the NAACP, Cornell William Brooks.
Cornell, you heard earlier in the day the North Carolina governor say one of the reasons they haven't released the video is because, in his words, there are still interviews they need to conduct. Releasing the video, he suggests, could undermine some of those interviews, get different eyewitness accounts. Does he have a point?
BROOKS: Well, certainly, it is not uncommon in law enforcement to interview witnesses and then, thereafter, release the video. Certainly, the police chief could speak to when he's going to release the videos and the fact that he will release the videos.
One of the things I think is important to note here is civilians should not be called upon to be the Steven Spielbergs or Spike Lees of their own experience with police violence. We have body cameras for this very reason. We have dash cam -- cameras for this very reason. And so those videos can be very helpful in terms of alleviating the anxiety among the public and the concerns among the public as to whether or not any investigation and prosecution, potential, possible prosecution, will, in fact, be fair.
[17:25:10] And so the governor is lifting up a point. It, however, is not the whole point. And in fact, the law that they just passed does consider -- or at least allow to be considered the interests of the public in having access to this kind of information and these videos. The governor knows that, and we can release these videos forthwith.
BLITZER: As you know, protests last night fortunately remained largely peaceful but with the new video that came out today, do you expect they will stay peaceful tonight?
BROOKS: We can certainly hope that the protests will stay peaceful. We can certainly expect that, based upon what we saw last night. But let us not underestimate the anxiety, the anger that people feel, particularly when they know that an unarmed black man is seven time more likely to lose his life at the hands of the police than his white counterpart.
People have seen this similized (ph), viralized violence at the hands of the police day in and day out.
And so let us not test the patience of the people. Let us respond to the peace of last night with transparency today. The chief of police can do that. He needs to did it, and he needs to do it quickly.
BLITZER: Cornell, you've been the president of the NAACP since May of 2014. We've seen Charlotte and Tulsa this week. Are these isolated incidents, or is there a bigger problem in the country right now?
BROOKS: It would be tempting to see these police tragedies as isolated and aberrational and episodic when, in fact, they are emblematic of a systemic problem that is deeply rooted in policing and police culture.
We can't ignore the fact that institutional racism, implicit bias, is a driver here. When white skin is a robe of credibility, black skin a cloak of suspicion, and our common humanity called into question, we can't ignore that. And we can't ignore, literally, people crying, pleading for the lives of their loved ones.
And so what we see over the course of the last two years is the fact that we've got a deep problem being recorded -- recorded on cellphone video, not yet responded in force and with more urgency by police departments across this country. We have to do what we have to do so quickly, and we've got to respond to not the videos but the human beings behind the hashtags. We need to do that. We have to do that.
BLITZER: Cornell William Brooks of the NAACP. Cornell, thanks very much for joining us.
BROOKS: Thank you.
BLITZER: The breaking news continues with more on the Charlotte police shootings and the disturbing new video. What gaps does it feel in?
Plus, a CNN exclusive. We have dramatic new images showing the potential force of the bomb that rocked a New York City neighborhood.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[17:32:15]
WOLF BLITZER, ANCHOR: This hour's breaking news. We continue to watch the streets of Charlotte, North Carolina.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: As well as the first public release of video from the scene of Tuesday's police shooting of Keith Scott. The video, which was shot by Scott's wife and released by the family attorney, raises many questions.
Let's bring in our law enforcement expert, Tom Fuentes, joining us right now, Former FBI Assistant Director. Tom, walk us through this new video which is very dramatic. What gaps does this video fill in for us?
TOM FUENTES, FORMER FBI ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Well, first of all Wolf, we don't see what even starts the encounter. So we don't have a little bit of a reference there. And then, you know as the wife is shouting at him, don't do it, and get out of the car, and some other things we don't know exactly what's happening with him and with the encounter with the police.
And then you know the police shout at him five or six times to drop the gun. And the question there is why would the police be yelling "drop the gun" if there's no gun. And so they have to at least have thought there was a gun for them to be screaming that so many times. So that's a huge question.
Then when she mentions that he has a brain trauma and he took his medication, if you're an officer and you hear a family member say he took his medication then it raises questions about his mental capacity. What medication are we talking about? What happens if he doesn't take his medication? What if it hasn't kicked in yet? And, you know, we have a problem with that. So, to me, it raises as many questions as it answers.
BLITZER: Matthew, Scott's family has raised questions about the gun police say they recovered on the scene. It's hard to see. But in this video does it look like there's a gun by his feet, at least another picture from the scene shows a gun pretty clearly. So how do you explain that apparent discrepancy?
MATTHEW HORACE, FORMER ATF SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE: Well, we can't explain it but what we can explain is that we hear her saying he doesn't have a gun and we hear the police saying drop the gun. Imagine if officers show up to the scene and ask her what is the condition and she tells them that and they let their guard down. So I'm comfortable that if the Police Chief says they recovered a gun then they recovered a gun. And, that is not in question at this point.
BLITZER: Jeffrey in the video we also hear Scott's wife shout a few times, he has TBI, or traumatic brain injury and that he had just taken his medication. So here's a question, why didn't any police officer on the scene simply go over and talk to her?
JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN SENIOR LEGAL ADVISOR: Well, certainly it was a fast-moving incident and if in fact the police were having a gun pointed at them you could understand why they didn't back away. However, if in fact they heard her say that he had a traumatic brain injury what I find puzzling about his video is why didn't they just back away and try to end this confrontation by talking rather than by shooting.
[17:35:08]
TOOBIN: I mean, you know again it's very easy to sit here and criticize but the fact is, you know, we have a man killed when there is at least the possibility if they had backed away, stayed behind their cars, taken care of their own safety but tried to talk the situation into a conclusion maybe we wouldn't have this death on our -- you know -- for all of us.
BLITZER: All right, Don, we just received a statement from the attorneys' representing the Scott family. I'm going to read it to you and to our viewers and then we'll discuss. This is a statement from the attorneys of the Scott family.
"Today's decision to release cell phone video of the moments before Keith Lamont Scott was shot and killed was made by the Scott family in the name of truth and transparency. The family is still hopeful that the Charlotte Police Department and the City of Charlotte will release all available video of the incident to the public so that people can draw their own conclusions about Keith's death. We encourage everyone to reserve judgment until all facts are known. This is simply one step in our question to find the truth for this family." The statement concludes with this "We thank those in the community who have supported the Scott family during this difficult time and we again ask for peace in Charlotte as we continue to learn more about the tragic events that unfold September 20th."
Don Lemon, your reaction.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Well, it's the same as sort of what the family has been saying. Is that, this has been a very tough time for them. They said earlier that they put this video out Wolf, and this is a more concise statement saying they put it out there not accusing anyone of anything they just want the public to have the information. And they are pressing again as they have been saying all along for the releasing of this video. They have seen the video and it is their estimation that they don't believe that their family member was aggressive enough to warrant the type of treatment that we are seeing here.
And so, here you have it and if you look at this video what is in question is what they're seeing is they believe that there are things that are on the ground, that you don't see, and then all of a sudden they appear on the ground. And they don't know what they are. It could be black gloves. It could be other things. But, that's what's in question. You can't see clear enough.
What they have said is that they believe that this is a gun. It may very well indeed be a gun, but it could just be black latex gloves. It could just be debris on the street. You don't know exactly what it is.
And, I think even though the video is ambiguous I think every little bit according to all the police that have gotten on the air, I think every little bit helps in this situation. Even with the information from the police about you know, the gun and the finger prints today. I think every little bit will help just to keep the situation calm there.
BLITZER: Tom Fuentes, the informing we're getting is that finger prints blood DNA from the weapon matched up with that of Scott. So what does that say?
FUENTES: Well, that shows that it's probably his gun and that he had the gun in his possession at the time of this incident even though the family and his wife are denying that.
So, I can't imagine the giant conspiracy that people are talking about that the police officers would make up the story that he didn't have a gun yet they shouted at him five times to drop it. And, now you see a gun recovered or that we're hearing a gun's recovered. Would they make that whole thing up? It just sounds pretty far-fetched to me.
TOOBIN: But, this is all the more reason why the police should be more forthcoming. You know I have confidence in the rationality of most people. If in fact there is evidence that, you know fingerprints, DNA, of Mr. Scott on the gun, that's something that would be extremely significant.
Put that information out. If the video is incriminating towards Mr. Scott put that video out. The police in Tulsa had a very parallel situation involving the death of an African-American. They took a very different approach. Even though it risked compromising the investigation they opted in favor of transparency and I think the difference in the reaction in Tulsa, in Charlotte, suggest that the people in Tulsa had the right -- the right approach.
LEMON: They did, even though it showed the police officer in a bad light. That police offer has now been charged with first degree manslaughter and they still released that video. It appears that the police in Charlotte believe that they are in the right and if they do indeed that they are in the right, why not be more transparent and just release the video?
FUENTES: Because they want to take witness statements from what they actually saw at the scene not what they later saw on television. And that's where the problem comes in. If there's litigation, civil litigation later and the attorneys are questioning, well, how did you know that, did you see it, did you know that, when you talked to the police did you see the video before you talked to the police or are you talking about what you actually saw. So --
LEMON: -- Well the problem is Tom, is that this video is already out there as well.
TOOBIN: Tom is exactly right, that that's the concern that prosecutors and police have. But there are some things more important than worrying about possible cross-examination of witnesses down the line. This is a city on fire ...
LEMON: ... right ...
[17:40:10]
TOOBIN: ... releasing this video is a lot more important than possibly foreclosing one line of cross examination in a trial that may or may not ever take place.
BLITZER: Guys, everybody, stay with us. Because we're not going to go away from this story.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: We're going to continue to follow the breaking news, the police shootings, the protests in Charlotte. But there's also some surprising breaking news developing in the presidential race after refusing to make an endorsement at the Republican Convention, and only days before the historic presidential debate you see right here on CNN Monday night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Senator Ted Cruz just announced he's voting for Donald Trump after all. Let's bring in our Senior Washington Correspondent, Jeff Zeleny.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: So, Jeff, why is Cruz doing this now? JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, Senator
Cruz said he is finally comfortable that Donald Trump would appoint conservative justices. But it's also good politics for Cruz to not be on the opposing side of Trump particularly as he consolidates GOP support and is finally within striking distance of Clinton.
Now as for Trump tonight, he says he's honored by the endorsement. He calls Cruz tough and brilliant. That's a far cry from "lying Ted" which he called him for months. Wolf, all this is happening right before that big moment of the campaign, that first debate on Monday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ZELENY: Tonight Ted Cruz is throwing his support behind Donald Trump. A remarkable retreat after snubbing the republican nominee for months.
TED CRUZ, SENATOR: I am not in the habit of supporting people who attack my wife, and attack my father.
ZELENY: Booed for standing his conservative ground at the Republican Convention. Cruz is now falling in line. A decision politically beneficial to both men as Trump still tries to unify republicans.
In a statement Cruz saying "If you don't want to see a Hillary Clinton presidency, I encourage you to vote for him."
It comes as Trump and Clinton prepare to take their long distance attacks to close range Monday night at their first debate. Tonight race relations and policing in the wake of the shootings in Tulsa and Charlotte are also weighing heavy.
DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Our African-American communities are absolutely in the worst shape that they've ever been in before, ever, ever, ever. .
ZELENY: Trump's word historically inaccurate now ridiculed by President Obama.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think even most eight years old will tell you that whole slavery thing wasn't very good for black people.
ZELENY: The Clinton campaign is going after Trump with this new ad.
TRUMP: I'd look her right in that fat ugly face of hers. She's a slob.
ZELENY: Featuring young women over a soundtrack of Trump's old worlds.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you treat women with respect?
TRUMP: I can't say that either.
ZELENY: The gamesmanship for the first debate is already well under way. Clinton is giving one of her front row seats to billionaire Mark Cuban who spent months trolling Trump. Campaign spokesmen, Brian Fallen taking to twitter "If you have ever seen Mark Cuban court side at a Mavs game you will know he'll be fired up."
Trump is keeping his cards far closer to the vest.
But CNN has learned he's watching old debate videos of Clinton and trying to lower expectations.
TRUMP: Where is Hillary today? Well they say she's been practicing for the debate. Some people think she's sleeping.
ZELENY: Hoping to reassure conservatives Trump releasing another list of potential Supreme Court nominees today including Senator Mike Lee of Utah.
Cruz said this move made him more comfortable supporting Trump. Three days before the biggest moment of the presidential race aids to Clinton tell CNN she's actually preparing for two Trumps; disciplined and free-wheeling. She's also been studying Trump's positions and watching some of his primary debates looking for any moments where rivals, like Cruz, once got under his skin.
CRUZ: Donald you can get back on your meds now.
TRUMP: There's a lot of fun up here ...
CRUZ: ... relax ...
TRUMP: ... I'm relaxed. You're the basket case.
ZELENY: Democrats close to Clinton say they're urging her to have more moments of levity than lecture. Like this from her Philadelphia convention speech.
HILLARY CLINTON, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Donald Trump says, and this is a quote, "I know more about ISIS than the generals do." No, Donald, you don't.
ZELENY: For his part Trump intends to keep alive questions about Clinton's email server.
TRUMP: Don't forget the 33,000 e-mails she's already deleted. Its criminality everybody knows it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZELENY: Now, both candidates were off the campaign trail preparing for that debate today Wolf. Now Hillary Clinton announced moments ago, she's traveling to Charlotte on Sunday following her call for police to release the video of the fatal shooting. This all is suddenly part of this campaign as well in battleground, North Carolina, Wolf.
BLITZER: It certainly is. Jeff Zeleny, thanks very much. Let's get some insight from our political experts. Gloria Borger did you expect this Cruz endorsement.
GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, why would someone expect Ted Cruz to endorse a man that he had called a sniveling coward, and a pathological liar?
[17:45:06]
BORGER: Only in this campaign would that occur. And I think Wolf, this is more about Ted Cruz and his political future as the leader in the Republican Party and as a Senator from Texas than it really is about a sudden conversion about Donald Trump. He's talking about the court as Jeff pointed out. But he was getting some grief back home. And I think there's a sense that there's a reality possibility Donald Trump could win this election and if he could win I think Trump would -- I mean Cruz would rather be with him than against him.
BLIZTER: Dana were with you surprised?
DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: You know, I was in that Ted Cruz went so far out there at the convention to make this big speech and not endorse at the convention. And, he really angered a lot of people who were in the room who were Cruz delegates. I was standing with the Texas Delegation at the time, people who worked very hard for Ted Cruz since he started running for political office saying that they might not even support him. Somebody who ran one of his campaigns in Virginia saying they didn't know if they could support him again because he wasn't standing with the party.
But, what's happened since then and the thing you have to keep in mind just to echo what Gloria said, that this is all about Ted Cruz and not about Donald Trump if Donald Trump is successful in bringing republican voters behind him. He's consolidating the republican base in a way that clearly Ted Cruz didn't anticipate. And, so that was a fumble at the convention and he's trying to make up for it. And the way that the former Cruz people in the Trump campaign clearly worked to choreograph this putting out a statement today saying who other supreme court nominees would be including Ted Cruz's good friend, Mike Lee, giving Cruz the ability to save face, was simply fascinating.
BORGER: Well, this is just why people hate politicians. OK? Because one minute he's calling Donald Trump a pathological liar, a sniveling coward, ever other name and suddenly because of political expediency he's coming out and now saying, I'm going to endorse him because he wants a future in the republican party and probably wants to run for President again. It's sort of simple and that's why people don't trust anything politicians say.
BLITZER: Gloria, Dana, we're going to have a lot more coming up on this story. Also coming up some frightening new video.
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BLITZER: Stay with us for an exclusive look at the power of a bomb like the one that was planted in New York City.
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[17:51:42] BLITZER: We continue to monitor what's happening on the streets of Charlotte, North Carolina. There's also new and important developments in the investigation of the New York and New Jersey bombings including new video which investigators say apparently shows the suspect planting one of the bombs.
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BLITZER: CNN also has new and exclusive video showing the potential force of a bomb like the one in Chelsea in Manhattan, in New York City. Let's bring our Justice Correspondent, Pamela Brown.
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BLITZER: So Pamela, what have you learned?
PAMELA BROWN, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, new details tonight about the bombs Wolf. And we have this exclusive demonstration showing the sheer force of a bomb similar to the one used in the attack, with materials easily bought in the U.S. And, tonight, investigators are scrutinizing the suspect's overseas travels, trying to determine if he received bomb-making training.
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BROWN: Tonight, experts say this controlled explosion, designed as a demonstration exclusively for CNN, shows the potential force of the bomb Ahmed Rahami allegedly planted on West 23rd Street in New York, Saturday. A bomb, prosecutors say, injured 31 people. And launched this 100 pound dumpster more than 120 feet and shattered windows up to three stories high.
Using a pressure cooker, explosives expert Sidney Alford created a bomb, including the powerful explosive HMTD and other components investigators say were used. While CNN is not showing Alford's explosive mix or detailing how the bomb was made, the demonstration shows what Alford says might have happened had the bomb's potent mix been fully effective.
This plywood shows how far the bomb's force was able to throw shrapnel.
SIDNEY ALFORD, EXPLOSIONS EXPERT: Here's a bolt -- here's a nut that probably went through the metal. I can see that some of the pieces were I can see some of the pieces were traveling very fast and went right through two pieces of wood. Anything that goes through both these pieces has great lethal potential.
BROWN: Sources tell CNN investigators want to know if Rahami, the alleged bomber, received explosives training during his travels to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey, Dubai and Russia over the last several years.
PAUL CRUICKSHANK, CNN TERRORISM ANALYST: He was able to build a powerful device with high explosives, which was relatively sophisticated and that could be a pointer towards some terrorism training overseas.
BROWN: Tonight, investigators are also poring over this striking surveillance video obtained by NBC News. Investigators believe it shows Rahami planting the second pressure cooker bomb, which did not explode, on West 27th Street and then walking away. Moments later, two unidentified man are seen rummaging through the back pulling the explosive device out and walking away with the luggage.
Despite this nationwide bulletin, the FBI has still not talked to them. After the men leave with the bag, you can see numerous people walking by the pressure cooker. One person even kicking it. Alford says it's miraculous it never exploded.
ALFORD: It is sensitive to all sorts of things, sensitive to friction, sensitive to shock.
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BROWN: And Rahami's father tells The Associated Press that his son seemed different after returning from a year-long trip to Pakistan in 2014, saying his mind was not the same. The FBI says it did interview Rahami's father in 2014, but that he down played his concerns about his son, Rahami. Wolf?
[17:55:13]
BLITZER: All right, Pamela, thank you. Pamela Brown reporting. There's breaking news coming up next.
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BLITZER: The family of the man shot and killed by Charlotte police releases disturbing video of the deadly encounter. Does it shed new light on what happened?
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BLITZER: Happening now. Breaking news.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don't you do it. Keith! Keith! Don't you do it! [ gunfire ]
BLITZER: First video we're getting a new and disturbing look at the fatal shooting of an African-American man by police in Charlotte as his family releases their cell phone video.
