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Republican Infighting; Biden Administration Updates COVID Response Efforts; DHS Warns About Potential Violence By Domestic Extremists; Biden Tackling Climate Crisis With New Executive Orders; Republicans Silent Over Revelations Congresswoman Once Indicated Support For Executing Democrats. Aired 6-7p ET

Aired January 27, 2021 - 18:00   ET

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

[18:00:00]

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer in THE SITUATION ROOM.

We're following breaking news, a very disturbing new warning just in from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In a new threat assessment citing the growing risk of violence by domestic extremists, the department now says anger over the inauguration of President Biden and grievances fueled by false narratives could prove to be a very dangerous combination.

There are also deep concerns that extremists have been emboldened by this month's attack on the U.S. Capitol.

And there's other breaking news on the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. death toll has now passed 427,000, with more than 25.5 million confirmed cases in the United States. The urgency of the crisis underscored during the first formal briefing from President Biden's new COVID task force. Top officials vowed to speed up vaccine distribution and pledged -- and I'm quoting now -- "Everything is on the table to tackle the growing national emergency."

Let's start with CNN's Brian Todd, who's following these truly alarming developments.

Brian, first of all, tell us about this new warning from the Department of Homeland Security.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, Wolf.

Some disturbing new information tonight from Homeland Security officials, who say the threat from violent extremist groups did not tamp down at all after the inauguration.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TODD (voice-over): An ominous warning from the Department of Homeland Security in the wake of the assault on the Capitol, a threat bulletin today saying anti-government violent extremist groups opposed to the transition of power could continue to mobilize to incite or commit violence in the coming weeks.

CHARLES MARINO, FORMER DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIAL: What soft locations across the country may be targeted by these folks? Does it include critical infrastructure? Does it include houses of worship? We need to be prepared for all threats against -- across a multitude of venues in this country.

TODD: Another distressing line in the Homeland Security bulletin, a concern that domestic violent extremists may be emboldened by the January 6 breach of the Capitol to target elected officials.

Multiple sources also telling CNN tonight there's growing concern about the safety of some lawmakers when they travel outside of Washington, D.C.

REP. ROSA DELAURO (D-CT): I think there is truth to that, and they feel emboldened. You will continue to see National Guard in Washington, D.C., because there is the continued view that the threat lingers.

TODD: Democratic Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro was among lawmakers briefed behind closed doors by the acting Capitol Hill police chief, Yogananda Pittman, who told them her department knew beforehand the there was a strong chance of targeting Congress, but did not take appropriate action to stop it.

DELAURO: I shook my head in disbelief. The question is, why wasn't it acted on? Who made the decisions about not moving forward with a greater sense of preparation for what turned out to be thousands of people at the Capitol breaching the Capitol?

TODD: Questions that DeLauro told us were not answered at that briefing.

We also spoke with Democratic Congressman Matt Cartwright, who was in the same briefing.

REP. MATT CARTWRIGHT (D-PA): If not for pure dumb luck, there's no doubt that members of Congress and staffers and more Capitol Police probably would have been killed.

TODD: And there's new information tonight on the toll on police officers from the attack. Acting D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee told Congress two officers, one from his department, one from the Capitol Hill Police, took their own lives in the aftermath of the riots.

CHARLES RAMSEY, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Everyone who played a part in trying to put down the insurrection certainly paid a price for that, whether being physically harmed, the psychological damage that's caused by something like that. The more you think about it, the more it starts to really kind of weigh on you.

TODD: New information on charges tonight, including a father and son from San Antonio who were in Washington for a birthday celebration, charged with entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct. And the FBI says Trump supporter Ian Rogers from California was

charged after investigators discovered five pipe bombs at his home, dozens of weapons, and texts indicating he wanted to attack places associated with Democrats. He's not believed to be connected to the pipe bombs left near the Capitol on January 6. His lawyer denies the accusations.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[18:05:01]

TODD: Meanwhile, the federal government has just indicted three members of the far-right militia group the Oath Keepers on multiple charges, including conspiracy, in connection with the assault on the Capitol.

This is the first significant conspiracy indictments in the investigation. The three have not yet formally responded to those charges. Prosecutors believe they planned and coordinated the attack in advance -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right, Brian, thank you very much.

Let's dig deeper right now. This is truly a disturbing new warning from the Department of Homeland Security.

We're joined by our chief national security correspondent, Jim Sciutto and former Washington, D.C., Police Chief Charles Ramsey.

Jim, how serious is this threat level for violence in Washington now? And I note that this bulletin that was just released, the top words are that it comes from the National Terrorism Advisory System.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yes.

BLITZER: The use of the word terrorism is specific.

SCIUTTO: No question.

And the concern is that January 6 was not the end, but really the beginning, or, rather, the acceleration of a domestic terror threat, that groups involved in it, as well as others drawn to the cause, were emboldened by what they saw January 6, not unlike what you see with international Islamist terrorists, that the attacks themselves are recruitment events, as it were, because it excites these groups, it shows they have capability

It draws them to the next one to try to repeat what, despite the arrests, they see to some degree as a success, as a show of their strength. And, Wolf, the parallels to international terrorism that we have covered for years in this country don't end there, radicalization online, appeal to a sort of broader identity and cause, even a false one.

What it has that's different here, of course, Wolf, is a former president, but still a very powerful political leader, who echoes many of the things that these groups say, in addition to a stolen election, but a sense of the system being rigged against them. And this is their way, these groups' way, through violence of reacting to that false narrative.

BLITZER: Chief Ramsey, what do you make of this threat assessment?

CHARLES RAMSEY, FORMER WASHINGTON, D.C., POLICE CHIEF: Well, I would agree with Jim. This is very, very serious. And everyone needs to take it very seriously.

They definitely have been emboldened. There's no question about that. I mean, January 6 was just the beginning. And then, when you look at what's going on now, they have been emboldened not just by what happened on January 6, but also some of our elected officials that continue to try to minimize what happened on January 6, as if they suddenly got amnesia in terms of what actually took place, the incitement that took place on the part of not only the president, but many others.

I mean, this is serious stuff. And we need to think about not only protecting the Capitol, but the more you harden one target, the more you make another one appear soft. So, obviously, the White House, obviously, the Capitol, obviously, the vice president's residence needs to be looked at for security.

But we need to look at these state Capitols and elected officials, the impeachment managers. I mean, it just goes on and on and on that we need to really shore up security.

BLITZER: And what's so worrisome, in addition to everything else, Jim, is that the specific warning in this National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin that elected -- that they want -- they're worried about the targeting of elected officials and government facilities.

I assume these elected officials, especially those who voted in favor of impeaching the former president, they need to beef up their security big time.

SCIUTTO: No question. And that's exactly the advice contained in this bulletin here.

The concern is that they could provide a certain amount of protection here in Washington, though, of course, we saw the weaknesses in that on January 6, but that they're better capable of protecting members of Congress while in Washington, but, in particular, when they go to their home districts, fewer federal resources there.

So, they're asking local law enforcement for help in protection. They're also providing even money to purchase bulletproof vests, Wolf. The specificity of the warning to lawmakers as they go home really gets at how seriously U.S. national security officials are taking this.

And we have seen events that get to this. You saw Lindsey Graham accosted by a mob at the airport as he went home following his criticism of the president, Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat, receiving warnings in his home district. They're taking this seriously. They're warning members of Congress to take this seriously.

And, again, that gets to the idea that this is not some idea out there, pie-in-the-sky threat. It's one that is very real today.

BLITZER: And it's so worrisome, Chief Ramsey; 435 members of the House of Representatives, 100 senators, they're traveling back and forth to their home states, their home districts all the time.

RAMSEY: Yes.

BLITZER: And they're very vulnerable. What advice would you have for them?

RAMSEY: Well, I mean, I think Jim is right. When they're in Washington, it's one thing. And even then, there could be gaps in security.

But, certainly, traveling back and forth and getting some form of security, particularly those people, as was mentioned, that voted for impeachment, the impeachment managers, other high-profile individuals, state elected officials like governors and so forth, they need to really pay attention, coordinate with their state and local law enforcement, as well as the federal law enforcement agencies, like the Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police and so forth.

[18:10:20]

But let me just say this, Wolf. The Department of Homeland Security would not have issued that warning if they weren't very, very concerned, believe me. They would not have put that out.

So, this is real. People need to take it real, stop pretending as if this is a game. It is not a game. And someone could get very seriously injured or killed as a result.

BLITZER: Yes, this is not a warning about foreign terrorists coming to the United States to try to kill Americans.

RAMSEY: No.

BLITZER: This is a warning about American terrorists potentially going out there to kill other Americans.

RAMSEY: Right. Right.

BLITZER: So, that is so, so worrisome, if you read this Department of Homeland Security bulletin, which I have.

All right, Chief Ramsey, thank you. Jim Sciutto, thanks to you as well.

We're also following very important new developments in the coronavirus pandemic.

Our national correspondent, Erica Hill is tracking those for us. Erica, as January officially now has become the deadliest month yet of the pandemic, we just got our first formal briefing from the new Biden administration's COVID task force. Update our viewers on the latest developments.

ERICA HILL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, we did hear a little bit about deaths and concerns about deaths moving forward. But we heard a lot today at that briefing about the vaccine.

Bottom line, we were told again there's no stockpile, there may be two to three days' worth that could be available. One other thing that really stood out to me is new CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said what they're still trying to figure out and hope to have a better grasp of in the next week is where the vaccine is in this pipeline.

Once it's distributed, can we get a better reporting on a more regular basis to know when those shots are administered? We know at this point just over 50 percent of distributed doses are now in arms. But, of course, the big question is, when can those numbers really ramp up?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HILL (voice-over): Pushed for more clarity on vaccines, this dose of reality.

ANDY SLAVITT, SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISER FOR COVID RESPONSE: Any stockpile that may have existed previously no longer exists.

HILL: Bottom line, shots for most Americans still months away.

JEFF ZIENTS, WHITE HOUSE COVID-19 RESPONSE COORDINATOR: Anything we can do to increase the vaccine supply and the timing of the delivery is on the table.

HILL: Even with a small bump in distribution to states...

DR. LEANA WEN, CNN MEDICAL ANALYST: I think the Biden team actually needs to be setting their goals to be even more ambitious.

HILL: ... it's not just supply issues.

DR. CARLOS DEL RIO, PROFESSOR OF GLOBAL HEALTH, EMORY UNIVERSITY: We need to make sure we get vaccines to the right people. We're vaccinating more white wealthy individuals, and, in fact, the disease is more in poor Africa and Hispanic individuals.

HILL: Whites getting vaccinated at nearly twice the rate of blacks and Latinos, according to a new CNN analysis, fast-spreading, potentially more deadly variants also top of mind.

DR. ROCHELLE WALENSKY, CDC DIRECTOR: They're more transmissible, which can lead to increased number of cases and increased stress on our already taxed health care system.

HILL: The U.S. still lagging when it comes to identifying new mutations. ZIENTS: Forty-third in the world in genomic sequencing, totally

unacceptable.

HILL: Nationwide, new cases in 17 states and D.C. down 20 percent or more in the last week. In California, they have dropped 37 percent, and yet the U.S. is still posting huge numbers overall, more than 166,000 new cases a day.

DR. WILLIAM HASELTINE, INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERT: Mitigation is absolutely essential while we wait for the majority of the population to be vaccinated.

HILL: While hospitalizations are moving in the right direction, deaths are not, the nation reporting an average of more than 3,349 a day, January now the deadliest month since the pandemic began.

WALENSKY: If we continue on the current trajectory, the CDC's most recent national ensemble forecast predicts that 479,000 to 514,000 COVID-19 deaths will be recorded by February 20, 2021.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HILL: Just to circle back on vaccines, we are hearing from governors and even local officials getting a better sense of what this bump in supply could mean for them.

Here in New York City specifically, the mayor says he's now expecting an additional 17,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine next week. That's about a 30 percent increase from what was originally planned.

He says look, he still needs a lot more, but he's very happy about it. Of course, bottom line, Wolf, they're going to need a lot more than 17,000 additional doses if they want to get to the point where they can open mass vaccination sites like the one that's been planned behind me.

BLITZER: Erica Hill in New York for us, thank you very much.

I want to bring in Dr. Sanjay Gupta for some analysis.

Sanjay, what kind of difference could it have made if we'd been getting these kinds of regular medical, science-based briefings from the White House throughout this entire past year, the entirety of the pandemic?

[18:15:02]

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: I think it would have made a big difference, Wolf.

I mean, clearly, just having a consistent message, taking this seriously -- I mean, as we have talked about so many times, there's obviously countries around the world that have not suffered nearly as much as we have in terms of people becoming infected and, sadly, dying. I also think, Wolf, we just spent so much of our time as journalists

after those briefings previously fact-checking. I mean, it was kind of stutter-stepping our way through the reporting because there was so much that we had to go back and just check the facts and correct misconceptions that came out of those briefings.

This was factual. We learned a lot about the variants. We learned a lot about how the vaccine rollout is going and what still needs to be done.

BLITZER: And we kept hearing the president at that time, President Trump, he kept saying, we're rounding the turn, rounding the corner, things are going to be great, started in August, and we knew just the opposite was the truth.

I know you followed up after today's briefing with Andy Slavitt, the senior White House adviser for COVID response. Did he clear up questions about where some of these unaccounted-for doses for this vaccine are within the so-called pipeline?

GUPTA: Yes, he did.

I mean, it's interesting. There was two things I was really wanting to understand. One is that there seems to be these unaccounted-for doses. Part of this seems to be because there's an accounting system called Tiberius. That's a software platform that tracks these vaccines as it goes to the states.

But then each state may be handling this differently. In Florida and Minnesota, for example, they're holding back doses to guarantee second doses. Other states are doing things differently. But a lot of that isn't tracked.

Second point was, a lot of the data has a lag time. So we're seeing a picture right now of distributed and administered vaccines. But that may reflect a few days ago.

As far as where the extra doses are coming from, because they're going to 10 million a week now, as you know, Wolf, Andy Slavitt said they basically pressed Moderna for commitments to guarantee that they would be providing this vaccine, and that's why they can now say 10 million doses a week will be distributed at least for the next three weeks.

BLITZER: Let's see how that unfolds.

Sanjay, thank you very much.

And a quick reminder to all of our viewers. Dr. Sanjay Gupta joins Anderson Cooper tonight for a new, a brand-new CNN global town hall, "Coronavirus: Facts and Fears." Dr. Anthony Fauci and other top doctors from President Biden's COVID-19 team, they will discuss the race to vaccinate America.

You can watch it later tonight, 8:00 p.m. Eastern, only here on CNN.

Just ahead: The House minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, issues a very blunt warning to his fellow Republicans, telling them to stop attacking each other.

We're also going to start getting reaction to the growing threats to lawmakers and the deep concern right now about their safety when they travel back and forth from their homes to Washington.

I will speak with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. We will have the latest on these terror threats, domestic terror threats, when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:21:20]

BLITZER: Breaking news we're following, the House minority leader Kevin McCarthy, is now desperately trying to galvanize his deeply fractured Republican Caucus and turn the party's focus to reclaiming the majority from Democrats.

Let's go to our congressional correspondent, Ryan Nobles.

Ryan, so, what is McCarthy telling his fellow Republicans?

RYAN NOBLES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, what he's attempting to do here is quell the rising tensions within the Republican House Conference, in an attempt to stop them from publicly attacking each other.

We're told that, on a conference call today with Republican House members, McCarthy told them very directly to -- quote -- "cut that crap out." He is trying to implore his Republican colleagues that they are much better off together than they are apart.

This, of course, comes as members are openly warring over what happened on January 6 and the resulting action that many took, including Liz Cheney, who's the third-ranking member of the House Republican Party. She, of course, voted with several other Republicans to impeach President Trump a couple of weeks ago.

And that led to other Republicans that are loyal supporters of President Trump, like Matt Gaetz of Florida, to publicly attack her and say that she should be removed from her committee leadership post. In fact, Gaetz traveling to Wyoming this week to specifically attack Cheney.

Now, McCarthy made it very clear to his members that this is not going to do anything to help them win back the majority in the upcoming 2020 (sic) midterms. He said to them that they are much stronger together than they are apart. But, Wolf, this ignores the real reality here that there is a growing kind of lack of understanding as to the direction of the Republican Party.

Do they find a new path, a path away from President Trump, or do they continue to embrace President Trump and his supporters, which are such a powerful part of the party? Of course, the majority leader -- or the minority leader right now making it clear that he believes that President Trump should at least play some future in the role of the Republican Party, as he's in Florida right now and is expected to meet with President Trump tomorrow -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Yes, the Democrats and the Republicans are all beginning to focus in on those upcoming 2022 midterm elections.

Ryan Nobles, reporting for us, thank you.

Let's get some analysis from our senior political correspondent Abby Phillip and Maggie Haberman of "The New York Times."

Abby, let me begin with this effort by the House minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, to stop this infighting among House Republicans. Do you think it will be successful?

ABBY PHILLIP, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: It seems unlikely that it will be successful, just given that Kevin McCarthy is trying to balance two things at once, wanting to move his party forward, but not wanting to lose the support of his membership and the leadership position he has.

But what's happening in the rank-and-file of the GOP is that those members have no doubt about what the future of the Republican Party is. They believe very firmly that it is with former President Trump. And so you're seeing them really pushing back on people like Liz Cheney and those other 10 Republicans who voted for impeachment who are facing enormous backlash.

And I don't think that that's going to change any time soon. I think this is really a message being directed at Kevin McCarthy that the power lies with the Trump base, not with him or any other establishment figures who might want to try to move the party away from Trump at this point.

BLITZER: You know, Maggie, let's turn to the upcoming Senate impeachment trial of the former president. Supposed to begin in about two weeks.

Is there any chance that Trump will actually appear as a potential witness?

MAGGIE HABERMAN, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Wolf, there's always a chance with former President Trump.

But I don't think we're going to see him show up at the trial. He had talked about it at some point. I think his advisers (AUDIO GAP) doesn't exist. The fact that he's off Twitter (AUDIO GAP) a lot easier for them to do.

[18:25:09]

I think that their desire is going to be to treat it as if it is a procedural matter, and not one of significant consequence on facts.

I think Democrats are obviously going to argue very vociferously otherwise. But Trump's advisers are feeling very good after yesterday's vote on the Rand Paul resolution about the constitutionality of this process, and most Republicans voted in favor of what Paul was supporting.

I think that their hope is that that is going to be what -- how many Republicans, if even that many, vote in favor of convicting President -- former President Trump for the impeachment.

BLITZER: I think we're losing our connection with Maggie. We will try to reconnect with her.

Abby, the Biden administration, meanwhile, held several major briefings today, including the first official briefings on coronavirus and climate change as well. Is the White House trying to lay out its agenda before the impeachment trial grabs the headlines in the Senate?

PHILLIP: Yes, I think the Biden administration sees very clearly what is about to happen here, which is that a process that is political in nature and many of them believe necessary, but still political in nature, is about to really overtake everything in Washington.

And so there's a massive scramble happening right now to do what, frankly, every other administration wants to do, is right out of the gate show that they're working, show that they're trying to address what the voters who put them into office put them there to do.

And they have a particular sense of urgency around this, because, in about two weeks, they're going to lose all of their ability to set the agenda, frankly. They're not going to have the attention of the American people, and I think that's really going to put them at a little bit of a step behind.

He's already -- President Biden's already facing a scenario in which he is going to be going into his first month possibly having not achieved any legislative accomplishments because of the narrow divide in the House, the fact that there is not yet a power-sharing agreement, and this looming impeachment hearing.

And so there's clearly some frustration that, even though they can't get anything done with Congress, they have got to try to do some things on the administrative side, on the executive side, and that's why you're seeing so much activity coming out of this White House.

BLITZER: I think we have reconnected with Maggie.

Yes, there you are.

As you well remember, Maggie, during the previous Trump administration, the coronavirus briefings became yet another place where the former president would often take center stage, spew some dangerous falsehoods, lies. President Biden pledged to let science and medicine lead the way. Is that what we saw today?

HABERMAN: I do think that's what we saw today, Wolf, and I think we're going to continue to see that.

It is still early. I think that -- I think it's important to just remember a lot of what we're seeing right now is simply a study in contrasts, in terms of both expertise being on display and competence being on display in how they're running things.

But they just got there. We are literally a week in. I do think that that is going to be the side they err on, in part because I just think that's the impulse of people like the chief of staff, Ron Klain, but also because I think they saw what happens very well with the Trump administration when you are not candid with the American people on what you are facing in terms of a crisis, and particularly a public health crisis.

So I think that will be the way we see it go forward. But, again, we are very early here.

BLITZER: Very early, indeed, just a week or so.

All right, guys, thank you very, very much.

Just ahead, we're going to have more on that very disturbing warning from the Department of Homeland Security about the growing threat posed by domestic extremists and terrorists.

Senator Richard Blumenthal is standing by live.

We will discuss when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:30:00]

BLITZER: We have breaking news we're following. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is now warning of the growing risk of violence and terrorism from domestic extremists who are angry with the transition of power to

President Biden. And there are now deep concerns over threats to U.S. lawmakers as they travel outside Washington, D.C.

Joining us now, a key member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. Senator, thanks so much for joining us.

In this national terrorism advisory system bulletin that was just released today, they are warning that these terrorists, these domestic American extremists potentially will, in their words, target elected officials and government facilities. How concerned are you, Senator, about your safety, the safety of your fellow members of Congress in light of these heightened threats, in light of the fact that these terrorists, these extremists are angry about, for example, that Biden is the president of the United States?

SEN. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D-CT): Biden is the president of the United States, and they may be angry about it but law enforcement has to take it seriously. I am concerned. But it won't prevent me from doing my job. I'm going to be going to the state of Connecticut this weekend. I'm going to be living and working as I normally do in close contact with the people of Connecticut.

But domestic terrorism is the greatest threat to our nation today internally. That's the verdict of the FBI, not just myself. And the Proud Boys were critical organizers of the assault on the Capitol, domestic terrorism, and an effort to stop the counting of votes that made Joe Biden president and sought to assassinate members of Congress and the vice president.

[18:35:07]

So the Proud Boys, the three percenters, Boogaloo, the Oath Keepers, these domestic violence groups have to be taken very seriously.

BLITZER: So, are you and your fellow Democratic senators and some Republican senators, let's say, who these domestic extremists don't like, are you beefing up your own personal security?

BLUMENTHAL: None of us is going to talk about individual circumstances. Some of my colleagues undoubtedly are. I feel that we need to take it seriously. But as attorney general of our state, there were times when I was under threat and our state police was very vigilant and vigorous in protecting our public officials.

Again, the threat to our democracy in a way is more important, or at least as important as the threat to any one of us. And that's really the danger here. That's why this bulletin, which documents and supports the precautionary measures that we're going to take is so important.

But there should be no surprise here, Wolf. You and I and others have observed over the years that Trump fueled the fantasies and falsehoods, really inflamed these groups, lent them legitimacy, calling them good people, saying that the people who launched that attack on the Capitol were special, good people on both sides, stand by, and the kind of language that Trump has used and my Republican colleagues have seemingly condoned by their silence has been part of this picture.

BLITZER: What does it say to you, Senator, that this bulletin, this national terrorism advisory system bulletin that was released today, was released a week into this new Biden administration and similar warnings were not given earlier?

BLUMENTHAL: What it says to me is that there is real intelligence that has to be made public and should be more of this intelligence. In fact, more classified or even secret information should be made public so that the American people are aware of it, not just members of Congress who receive classified or confidential briefings.

The American public should be made aware. They should be the ones who are truly alarmed and demand action from elected officials to counter this domestic terrorism. I've urged that there be a commission, a 9/11-type commission, to address the issue of domestic terrorism in this country. It's not just a law enforcement issue. It's an American issue.

BLITZER: Senator Blumenthal, stay safe out there. Thanks so much for joining us.

BLUMENTHAL: Thank you.

BLITZER: Just ahead, President Biden is taking major new steps to address the climate crisis. We're going to have more on his latest executive orders.

Plus, a CNN investigation unveils very disturbing evidence that a prominent Republican member of Congress expressed support for actually executing Democrats, and it's raising lots of questions about the future of the party.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:40:00]

BLITZER: President Biden is tackling the climate crisis with an ambitious series of new executive orders. Let's go to our Senior White House Correspondent Phil Mattingly.

Phil, the president called it climate day over at the White House. How will the new orders that he announced today actually impact Americans and their jobs?

PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Wolf, it's one of the key questions. And each day of the first week of this Biden administration, the Biden team has laid out markers, the key priorities of this administration, and many of them have been in sharp contrast to the predecessor, perhaps none more so than on the issue of climate.

President Biden today signing three executive orders, including actions that would put a moratorium on new federal oil and gas leases, putting ambitious new goals and initiatives out there. But as you noted, Wolf, one of the crucial issues is jobs. And the Biden team trying to undercut what they knew was coming, attacks from Republicans on whether or not this would eliminate energy jobs, by saying this will actually help create them. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, U.S. PRESIDENT: When I think of climate change, I think of them -- and the answers to it, I think of jobs. A key plank of our Build Back Better recovery plan is building a modern, resilient climate infrastructure and clean energy future that will create millions of good-paying union jobs, not $7, $8, $10, $12 an hour but prevailing wage and benefits.

You know, we can put millions of Americans to work modernizing our water systems, transportation, our energy infrastructure, to withstand the impacts of extreme climate.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MATTINGLY: Now, one of the administration's focuses will be climate- focused public works projects that could help employ hundreds of thousands of people perhaps as well as just pushing forward on clean energy initiatives that could create a new sector of jobs as well. But I think one of the most important elements that the Biden team has laid out is just the shift in government approach, a whole of government approach. Biden raising this as a crucial national security issue, calling for an intelligence assessment on climate change and making clear that every agency, every department in the federal government will be factoring climate change into all of their decision-making processes.

[18:45:06]

Obviously, a difference from the last administration and underscore that this will be a crucial focus for this administration in the weeks and months ahead, Wolf.

BLITZER: Certainly will be.

Phil Mattingly over at the White House -- thank you.

Just ahead, a few House Republicans are actually speaking out after it's been revealed that one of their colleagues aActually indicated support for executing prominent Democrats. I'll ask former Ohio Republican Governor John Kasich, there you see him, what this means for the future of the GOP.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:50:14]

BLITZER: Tonight, there's new fallout from a CNN investigation into Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican congresswoman now infamous for her conspiratorial views, and apparent support for violence against her political opponents.

Let's discuss with the former Ohio governor, John Kasich. He's a CNN senior commentator.

You know, Governor, this is a Republican member of Congress who actually supported calls for Democrats to be executed, executed, and the only response is that the House leader says he's going to talk to her. What would you make of that?

JOHN KASICH, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, first of all, they should have a processor in the primary, they should not have supported her when she won the primary. And they have to disavow her, and, you know, he should talk to her but here's what I would say, Wolf, if any of this would appear, to be legitimate, she should not -- she should not be recognized as a Republican. They should walk away from her.

Now, I know that some people in the party say, well, you know, this may cost us, and I don't know who's going to say that, but this may cost us.

Who cares what it cost you? You know, there are principles involved. And, you know, they're worried about losing an election or losing a majority, or not winning a majority. I said earlier today that, you know, Navalny, the Russian, who had

acid thrown in his face, or the guy who was poisoned who's going back to Moscow and sits in jail, he's shown courage. These folks have to stand up and say this is not our party. We don't recognize this, we disavow this and we -- this is unacceptable as a party.

There is no room for this kind of rhetoric when it comes to serving United States congress, or serving anywhere.

BLITZER: You used to be in the House of Representatives, I remember when you were there. She's actually been announcing that she's going to be a member of the education committee, what do you make of that?

KASICH: I wouldn't have given her a committee assignment myself. I just couldn't have done it. I would have -- you know, she wants to be a Republican, calls herself a Republican, but I would just -- not with these kinds of things. Maybe there is something in this news report that is wrong, but if any of this stands, the call for violence is unacceptable, and we've learned that as to what happens when we're casual about this, when we look at what happened on January 6th. It's simply not acceptable.

And, Wolf, the Republican Party itself has got to decide, do they want -- you know, they're known in the country, now with the Republican they say that's Trump. That isn't going to serve him well, frankly. They're not -- they just lost the presidency, the first -- the first first-time president to run for the reelection to lose since Bush, and that was when they had -- they had Ross Perot in the race.

We flat out lost that. They lost states they never thought that they were going to lose. They lose suburban voters, exurban voters because it's all been negative and it's all been Trump. And will -- they can win a few elections here and there, it will not work overtime.

Finally, Wolf, for those Republicans -- there's two groups, some that are out there, we're never going to get them back, but there's some people out there, who are extremely better about their lives. They think the country hasn't served them, their job is at risk, their kids are in trouble, they've got opiates in their community -- those people have to get some answers from all of us, including the Democrats.

So, it's a long road, and somebody asked me, well, what's the future of the party? I said it's absolutely impossible to predict that if they stay on this road, it's doom and gloom.

BLITZER: How much of a grip does Trump have in the party?

KASICH: Too much. Any grip is too much, after what we saw in January the 6th. I see that McCarthy is going to go down and have a visit with them. But to plead with them? Oh please don't run against us in primaries.

Wolf, at some, point people have to stand up. They have to say that we're not tolerating this anymore, and they have to have the courage to do it. There have been people all over the world, who have demonstrated and in our country, incredible courage, where they put their life and sometimes their jobs at risk. And you know what? They are beacons for all of us, to dig down and do the right things.

BLITZER: Governor Kasich, thanks so much.

KASICH: Thanks for asking, Wolf.

BLITZER: Thanks so much for joining us.

It's Holocaust Remembrance Day, and I'll share some very personal reflections when we come back.

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BLITZER: Finally, tonight, let's not forget that today is Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking the 76th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp, where more than 1 million people, mostly Jews, were killed. There were among the 6 million Jews killed during the Holocaust.

For me, this is very personal since my grandparents were among those murdered at Auschwitz. I went there to pay my respects to them in 2014.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): It's one thing to learn about the Holocaust in school, or from books. But to see these places firsthand, some untouched since the war, can be overwhelming.

Most of the Jews who are brought here came by cattle car.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And then began selection.

BLITZER: Who lives and who dies.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Exactly.

BLITZER: In my particular case, my grandparents died here.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Probably they were taken right away to the gas chamber. People walked in, they really believed they were in --

BLITZER: So they thought maybe they were going to get a shower, but instead --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That was the gas chamber.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: What's so alarming is that we're seeing an increase in anti- Semitism and neo-Nazi activity here in the United States, these days. There was the rally in Charlottesville Virginia, back in 2017 when we heard these truly awful words from the white supremacists.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) CROWD: Jews will not replace us! Jews will not replace us! Jews will not replace us!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: There was a 2018 Tree of Life synagogue massacre of 11 worshippers in Pittsburgh and most recently on January 6th. It was so personally painful to see a Camp Auschwitz shirt, worn at the deadly Capitol Hill terrorist attack.

On this Holocaust Remembrance Day, let's all commit to fight this hatred, indeed all forms of hatred, including racism.

Thanks very much for watching, I'm Wolf Blitzer in THE SITUATION ROOM. You can always follow me on Twitter and Instagram @WolfBlitzer. You can tweet the show, @CNNSitRoom.

"ERIN BURNETT OUTFRONT" starts right now.

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