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The Situation Room
Gunman Who Killed 8 at FedEx Site Identified as Former Employee; Biden Holds News Conference with Japanese PM; White House Backtracks on Refugees Decision After Criticism; CDC: U.S. Has Administered Over 200 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses; Founding Member Of Oath Keepers Enters First Guilty Plea. Aired 5-6p ET
Aired April 16, 2021 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[17:00:00]
WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: Welcome to our viewers from around the world and here in the United States. I'm Wolf Blitzer in THE SITUATION ROOM.
We're standing by to hear directly from President Biden, has been holding this first in-person meeting with a foreign leader, Japan's Prime Minister, in what one administration official describes as, "A clear signal to China."
They're getting ready to hold a joint news conference in the Rose Garden over at the White House. We will of course have live coverage that's coming up momentarily.
We're also learning new details about the suspect in a mass shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis that left eight people dead as well as the gunman. A short time ago, police said the suspect was a 19-year-old former employee. And we've learned that authorities were previously warned about his potential for violence. This is at least, at least the 45th mass shooting here in the United States in the last month alone.
We're also following developments in Chicago right now where the mayor is urging calm as the city braces for protests, following the release of that video, the fatal police shooting a 13-year-old Adam Toledo.
Meanwhile, concerns about unrest in the Minneapolis area are so high right now that the Minnesota National Guard has been placed on alert of amid tension over the deadly police shooting of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old African American man who was unearned. On top of all of that, a verdict could come next week and their trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin, charged with murder in the death of George Floyd. There's a lot going on right now.
Let's go straight in Indianapolis. First, our national Correspondent Jason Carroll is there for us. Jason, there's new information we're getting just now on this latest mass shooting here in the U.S.
JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, Wolf. Investigators have confirmed key details about the suspect. The shooter last worked for FedEx in 2020. Last year, police seized a gun from the shooter. He's also had several other run ins with the law. And we also know that the rifle that was used in the mass shooting.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEVI MILLER, FEXEX EMPLOYEE: He was firing at any open and I immediately ducked down and got scared.
CARROLL: Tonight at least eight people are dead, several others injured after a shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis. It happened so fast. Employees could not believe what they were seeing and hearing.
MILLER: We start hearing six to around 10 shots. This made me stand up and actually look at the entrance door and I saw a man with a submachine gun of some sort, an automatic rifle and he was firing at any open.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My buddy, Levi, saw someone running out of the building. And then more shots went off. Somebody went behind their car to the trunk and got another -- and got another gun and then I saw one body on the floor.
CARROLL: Police say around 11 p.m. Thursday, they started getting 911 calls for what was described as an active shooter situation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They have an active shooter currently at FedEx. They're reporting at least five people shot.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Suspect description, short, white male, wearing a hat. Has a machine gun, currently in front of the building.
CARROLL: Officers say the suspect drove into the parking lot of the FedEx facility and immediately started shooting, both outside and inside the building.
CHIEF RANDAL TAYLOR, INDIANAPOLIS METROPOLITAN POLICE: Our MPD officers went towards danger, as they typically do, and when they arrived on the scene, they found something that really no one should see. We've all been shaken by this heinous act.
CARROLL: Tonight, investigators are working to identify the victims. They're also learning more about the shooter who police say took his own life at the scene.
Officers say the suspect has been identified as 19-year-old Brandon Hole, a former employee at the FedEx facility. Three law enforcement sources briefed on the matter say the suspect was known to federal and local authorities before the attack. The sources say a family member of the gunman had reached out to officials warning them about the suspect's potential for violence. But so far, police have not determined a motive.
DEPUTY CHIEF CRAIG MCCART, INDIANAPOLIS METROPOLITAN POLICE: We've recently identified him. So now the work really begins trying to establish some of that and see if we can figure out some sort of motive in this, but we don't have that right now. CARROLL: Tonight, FedEx is providing support and counselors to employees. This is just some of the emotional reunions between employees and family members taking place nearby.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CARROLL: Investigators say at the time of the shooting last night at about 11 o'clock, it was a shift change. There were approximately 100 employees at the facility and at this point, all of the victims, Wolf, has still not been identified. Wolf.
BLITZER: Do we know the conditions of those in the hospital?
CARROLL: Well, we were told that those who were taken to the hospital, those victims had gunshot wounds, but we were also told those wounds are not life threatening.
[17:05:01]
BLITZER: That's encouraging to hear that, an awful situation. Jason Carroll on the scene for us, thank you very, very much. We'll get back to you.
Looking at live pictures coming in from the Rose Garden right now, there you see the President of the United States, Joe Biden, the Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga. They're walking out, they're holding a joint news conference, the President will begin with an opening statement noon.
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, good afternoon. The Prime Minister has brought the sun out, so he can do about anything.
Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for being here. It's been my pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Suga to the White House. This is our first in- person meeting here -- the first head of state that I've asked in my administration to come to the White House.
Yoshi, thank you for making the long trip to Washington. We've already met several times virtually on -- at a G7 meeting and a Quad Leader Summit, but I greatly appreciate the chance to spend time with you in person and to make our -- exchange our ideas face to face. There's no substitute for face-to-face discussions.
We are still talking -- taking COVID precautions, being careful. But our commitment to meet in person is indicative of the importance and the value we both place on this relationship between Japan and the United States -- this partnership.
We had a very productive discussion today. When nations as close as ours get together, we always look for operations and opportunities to do more, and today was no exception.
So, Yoshi, you'll probably be seeing a lot more of me in the future. And today, Prime Minister Suga and I affirmed our ironclad support for U.S.-Japanese alliance and for our shared security. We committed to working together to take on the challenges from China
and on issues like the East China Sea, the South China Sea, as well as North Korea, to ensure a future of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Japan and the United States are two strong democracies in the region, and we're committed -- we're committed to defending and advancing our shared values, including human rights and the rule of law.
We're going to work together to prove that democracies can still compete and win in the 21st century. We can deliver for our people, and in the face of a rapidly changing world.
So today, we're announcing a new Competitive and Reliance partnership, CORE, between Japan and the United States that will enhance our ability -- enhance our ability to meet the pressing challenges of our time -- together meet those challenges.
Top of our agenda is, of course, getting the pandemic under control and helping our friends and neighbors throughout the Indo-Pacific region to recover.
Earlier this year, we -- together with India and Australia -- launched the landmark Quad Vaccine Partnership to expand the manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines and assist countries throughout the region with vaccination efforts. And we have agreed to enhance our support for global vaccination efforts through the ACT Accelerator and COVID facility.
We're also going to do more beyond this pandemic to advance longer- term goals for health security, reform of the World Health Organization, and establishing a new partnership -- a new partnership on health security to build better preparedness for the next pandemic, because there will be others.
Secondly, Japan and the United States are both deeply invested in innovation and looking to the future. That includes making sure we invest in and protect the technologies that will maintain and sharpen our competitive edge. And those technologies are governed by shared democratic norms that we both share -- norms set by democracies, not by autocracies.
So we're going to work together across a range of fields -- from promoting secure and reliable 5G networks; to increasing our cooperation on supply chains for critical sectors like semiconductors; to driving joint research in areas like AI, genomics, quantum computing, and much more.
Thirdly, our nations are committed to taking aggressive action to meet the threats of climate change. Next week, I'll be hosting the Climate Leaders Summit -- which Prime Minister Suga also plans to attend, thankfully -- to rally key nations of the world to making ambitious climate commitments in the lead up to the Glasgow summit later this year.
[17:10:00] Japan and the United States are both committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and we know to do that will require setting and meeting our 2030 goals. And we'll work together to advance clean energy technologies and help nations throughout the Indo-Pacific region, especially developing countries, develop renewable energies and decarbonize their economies.
And finally, both Prime Minister Suga and I value the incredible partnership that exists not just between our governments, but between the Japanese people and the American peoples.
Last month, we jointly marked the 10th-year anniversary of the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster that cost so many lives in Japan.
I visited that area shortly after it happened. In our private lunch, the Vice President -- the Pres- -- the Prime Minister and I talked about, when I was Vice President, visiting the families in the region to show support of the United States. We continue to mourn the loss of all those folks and to honor the extraordinary joint effort between Japan and the American people when the -- in the wake of that tragedy, to recover and to rebuild.
And those personal bonds of friendship and constant -- and connection, they're the ones that are going to keep this alliance strong and vibrant for decades to come.
And I'm especially proud that today we agreed to resume what we call -- what is called the "Mansfield Fellowship Program" to promote people-to-people connections between our countries. Before Mike Mansfield -- who was a beloved ambassador to Japan -- became ambassador, he was a mentor of mine when I came to the Senate after my wife and daughter were killed, and he helped me along in ways I can't even explain in the United States Senate. And I'm proud -- I'm proud that this legacy continues to be honored as part of the close, enduring partnership between our nations.
And, Yoshi, I know how proud you are of -- the people of Japan are in -- you've got a Japanese boy coming over here, and guess what? He won the Masters. He won the Masters. He won the Green Jacket. And Matsuyama was the first Japanese player to take home that Green Jacket at the Masters Tournament this week. So let me say congratulations to Japan as well on that feat.
Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for making the trip. I look forward to all that Japan and United States will accomplish together in the coming years. It was a great honor having you as the first head of state in my administration.
The floor is yours.
YOSHIHIDE SUGA, JAPAN PRIME MINISTER (through translation): It is truly a pleasure to be here in-person visiting Washington, D.C. I would like to thank President Biden and Vice President Harris, who have welcomed me so warmly. I also wish to extend my gratitude to all the members of the U.S. government who have worked to prepare for this occasion.
The United States is Japan's best friend. Japan and the U.S. are allies that share universal values, such as freedom, democracy, and human rights. Our alliance has served its role as the foundation of peace and stability for the Indo-Pacific region and the world.
In light of the current regional situation and the severe security environment, the importance of our alliance has reached new heights. Based on such common recognition at today's summit, we engaged in far- reaching and candid exchange of views on each other's political principles, challenges faced in each of our nations, our common vision, and other matters.
President Biden and I reaffirmed the recognitions confirmed at the Japan-U.S. two-plus-two held last month and agreed to engage in initiatives for the region based upon such recognitions.
We also discussed the free and open Indo-Pacific. We agreed that while Japan and the U.S. will take the lead to promote the vision through concrete efforts, we will also cooperate with other countries and regions, including the ASEAN, Australia, and India.
[17:15:16]
We also had serious talks on China's influence over the peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific and the world at large. We agreed to oppose any attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East and South China Seas, and intimidation of others in the region.
At the same time, we agreed on the necessity for each of us to engage in frank dialogue with China. And, in so doing, to pursue stability of international relations, while upholding universal values.
On North Korea, we confirmed our commitment to the CVID of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges, and agreed to demand North Korea to fulfill its obligations under Security Council resolutions.
On the issue of abduction, we reaffirmed that it is a grave human rights issue, and that our two countries will work together to seek immediate resolution by North Korea. Encountering North Korea, and for the peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific, both of us recognize that trilateral cooperation, including the ROK, has never been as important as today, and agreed to promote such collaboration.
Noting that the regional security environment has become increasingly severe, the deterrence and response capabilities of our alliance must be strengthened. I conveyed my resolve to reinforce Japan's defense capabilities while President Biden again demonstrated America's commitment to the defense of Japan, including the application of Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security for the Senkaku Islands.
We also agree to accelerate the review underway between our two countries on the specific means to strengthen our alliance. At the same time, from the perspective of mitigating the impact on local communities, including, first and foremost, Okinawa, we agreed to promote the realignment of the U.S. forces in Japan, including the relocation of Air Station Futenma to Henoko, which is the only solution to avoid its permanent use.
In responding to the unprecedented crisis faced by the international community, such as COVID-19 and climate change, Japan and the U.S. are mutually indispensable partners.
President Biden and I share the recognition that our two nations bear significant responsibilities to lead multilateral initiatives toward the resolution of such issues.
In this context, we agree to respect international order based upon multilateralism and the rule of law while exercising joint leadership to build back better our global community.
Based on such outcome of our meeting today, we are releasing the "Japan-U.S. Joint Leaders statement: Global Partnership for a New Era," which will serve as the guiding post for our alliance in the times ahead, which strongly demonstrates our solidarity towards the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
From the perspective of our two nation's leading efforts to build back better, President Biden and I agreed on the Japan-U.S. core partnership, and confirmed to promote cooperation in common priority areas, including promotion of competitiveness and innovation in digital science and technology, COVID-19 countermeasures, green growth, and climate change.
[17:20:12]
On competitiveness and innovation: Under the recognition that digital economy and new technologies, in particular, will bring about social transformation and huge economic opportunities, we have agreed that Japan and the U.S. will work together on the promotion of R&D on various areas, including digital area and others regarding response to COVID-19 from short-term responses to longer-term efforts, including their preparations for future similar incidents.
We will work on the promotion of multi-layered cooperation regarding the overall supply of vaccines and the reinforcement of Japan-U.S. public and private cooperation in the area of global health. We confirmed that cooperation between our governments will continue in order to ensure equitable access to vaccines, including access by developing countries, multilateral and regional cooperation will be promoted.
On the matter of climate change, at the upcoming Climate Summit to be hosted by the U.S. next week or at COP26 and beyond, we confirmed that Japan and the U.S. will lead the global decarbonization in order to further strengthen cooperation in areas such as the implementation of the Paris Agreement, clean energy technologies, or decarbonization transition of developing countries.
I agreed with President Biden to launch climate partnership on ambition decarbonization and clean energy. Under these initiatives, I wish to give impetus to concrete and comprehensive Japan-U.S. cooperation.
I discussed the increase of discriminations or violence against Asian people across the U.S. with President Biden and agreed that discrimination by race cannot be permitted in any societies. We agreed on this regard.
President Biden's comment that discriminations and violence cannot be allowed and that he firmly opposes was extremely encouraging for me, and I have renewed my confidence in American democracy once again.
I told the President about my determination to realize the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer as a symbol of a global unity. President Biden once again expressed his support for this determination.
Japan is listening to and learning from WHO and experts, doing everything possible to contain infection and to realize safe and secure Games. From scientific and objective perspectives, we will do our utmost in our preparation.
Freedom, democracy, human rights, rule of law -- as we firmly defend and uphold these universal values that Japan and the U.S. share, I look forward to the actual implementation of the outcomes of today's significant meeting and to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific by further collaboration and deeper cooperation with Joe.
I once again express my heartfelt gratitude for the kind invitation. Thank you.
BIDEN: Now we will each take a few questions, and I'll begin by recognizing the Associated Press. Aamer, you have the first question. There you are.
AAMER MADHANI, AP WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. Mr. President, in your last press conference, you said successful Presidents prioritize and that you were focusing your agenda on one thing at a time.
And I'd like to just ask you: What would you say to many Americans who voted for you about the legislative progress on gun control and police reform having to wait while you pursue infrastructure, given that we continue to see these incidents with mass shootings and also police- involved shootings, including the incident that a lot of us saw in Chicago most recently? Do you feel any need to reprioritize your agenda?
[17:25:21]
BIDEN: I've never not prioritized this. No one has worked harder to deal with the violence used by individuals using weapons than I have. I'm the only one ever to have passed an assault weapons ban. I'm the only one that ever got a 10-year ban on assault weapons and clips of more than 10 bullets. Immediately upon us becoming in office, having an attorney general, I asked him to put together the things I could do by executive order, including dealing with new guns that can be made -- you can buy in pieces and put together, and other -- and other initiatives.
I strongly support -- I strongly support the universal background checks, which I continue to push. The Congress has to step up and act. The Senate has to act.
And I strongly support and continue -- I've never stopped supporting the ban on assault weapons and magazines that hold more than 10 bullets.
It doesn't mean that I can't also be working at the same time on the economy and on COVID. But it's not a question of my being able to set the agenda in the Senate as to what they will move to first. And so I continue and I strongly, strongly urge my Republican friends in the Congress who even refused to bring up the House-passed bill to bring it up now.
This has to end. It's a national embarrassment. It is a national embarrassment what's going on. And it's not only these mass shootings that are occurring. Every single day -- every single day, there's a mass shooting in this United -- in the United States if you count all those who are killed out on the streets of our cities and our rural areas. It's a national embarrassment and must come to an end.
And one last thing: The folks who own weapons, the folks who own guns, they support universal background checks. The majority of them think we should not be selling assault weapons. Who, in God's name, needs a weapon that can hold 100 rounds or 40 rounds or 20 rounds? It's just wrong. And I'm not going to give up until it's done.
You have a question you want to offer? I mean, not a question -- recognize someone, Mr. Prime Minister.
SUGA (through translation): Mr. Sugimoto, with Sankei Newspaper.
KOJI SUGIMOTO, SANKEI NEWSPAPER (through translation): Thank you very much. My name is Sugimoto of Sankei Newspaper. The summit -- I believe that China policy was one of the central agenda items, so my question is on China policy. Both governments consider that peace and stability of Taiwan is of great importance and that had been the agreement between the two countries.
What kind of exchange of views were conducted on this matter at today's meeting? In order to deter contingency in the Straits, what can Japan do? And what can Japan do, when actually, a contingency occurs in the Taiwan Straits? Did the Prime Minister explain to President Biden what Japan can do under such circumstances?
And also, were there discussions on Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region human rights issue? Grave concern is shared by the two countries, but Japan is the only G7 country that has not imposed sanctions on China. Were you able to gain President Biden's understanding towards such position? SUGA (through translation): As we engaged in an exchange of views over the regional situation, we also discussed the circumstances in Taiwan and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region as well.
I refrain from mentioning details since it pertains to diplomatic exchanges, but there is already an agreed recognition over the importance of peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits between Japan and the United States, which was reaffirmed on this occasion.
I also explained Japan's position and initiatives regarding the situation in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to the President, who I think understood my points.
BIDEN: Next question is -- goes to Trevor of Reuters.
TREVOR HUNNICUTT, REUTERS WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Thank you. Mr. President, it's been a while since we've heard an update from you on how the talks are going with Iran.
[17:30:00]
How are they going? And do you regard their decision to enrich to 60 percent as a step backwards as a sign that they aren't serious about those negotiations. And for the Prime Minister, just a question on whether it's irresponsible to move forward with the Olympics, when you have public health experts telling you that Japan is not ready to do so? Thank you.
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Let me respond to the Iran question. We do not support and do not think it's at all helpful that Iran is saying it's going to move to enrich to 60 percent. It is contrary to agreement. We are, though nonetheless, pleased that Iran is continued to agree to engage in discussions in direct discussions with us and with our partners, on how we move forward
And what is needed to allow us to move back into the JOPCA so that we're part of it again, that we should have never gotten out of it my view, without us making concessions that we're just not willing to make. And so the discussions are underway I think it's premature to make a judgment as to what the outcome will be. But we're still talking.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If I may invite Shinto Misan (ph) of Kyodo News. Yes.
I have a question to Prime Minister Suga regarding the Tokyo Olympics and the Paralympics planned for this summer, that you have garnered support from President Biden, did the President mentioned about the concrete promise to send American athletes or any positive comments, if you can tell us about the exchanges and the conversations that during the meeting about the COVID-19 vaccines or about climate change? You have discussed these aspects about the schedule of providing the vaccines over 2030. The reduction targets of the gases, any numerical targets or actions were discussed, please.
YOSHIHIDE SUGA, JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER (through translator): As was mentioned at the beginning, I expressed my determination to realize the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games as a symbol of global unity this summer. And President Biden once again expressed his support.
The Japan will continue careful and full preparation in order to realize that the Tokyo games this summer in order to ensure equitable access to vaccines for COVID-19. But we also affirmed that the Japan and the U.S. will continue cooperation.
Regarding the climate change, this is a matter that both President Biden and I emphasize. So during the talk today, we have confirmed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and collaboration in the area of climate change, and have agreed to launch the Japan-U.S. climate partnership that which is extremely meaningful and significant.
BIDEN: Well, thank you all very much. Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. I look forward to having you back. Thank you again, everyone.
BLITZER: So, there we have. The President of United States, the Prime Minister of Japan, spent about a half an hour with their opening statements and answering four questions from journalists.
I want to bring in Phil Mattingly and Gloria Borger to assess what we just heard. Phil, let's talk about what the President said specifically in response to that question. Does he have a priority right now in dealing with comprehensive gun control in the United States, given the fact that he's prioritizing understandably so COVID, of course, and his infrastructure jobs program dealing with the economy?
PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes. And Wolf, the President made clear he believes that's always a priority for him has been since he was a United States senator. I think the question revolves around kind of what the priorities are on Capitol Hill based on what senators and House members are hearing from the White House and the White House has made very clear their economic agenda is their primary legislative push at this point.
But what you heard from the President today is that he is very supportive of the House passed background checks bills. He's made that clear in the wake of several of these mass shootings over the course of the last couple of weeks, and he's made clear that he will continue to work to try and push them forward in the Senate.
I think one thing to keep in mind here, Wolf, is behind the scenes. There are talks going on in the U.S. Senate. Senator Chris Murphy, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrats from Connecticut, Also Senator Pat Toomey, who is behind a co-sponsor of the 2013 background checks effort that fell short.
[17:35:09]
Those talks are ongoing. And I think some White House officials I've spoken to are wary of going too forcefully out on those talks as they happen, but behind the scenes in the U.S. Senate. I think it's a question of whether or not the President can do two things at once, the president saying today that he very clearly believes that he can. But there's also a reality here. And that reality is in the United States Senate, 60 votes do not exist for any type of background check legislation, including those House passed bills.
And for the moment, the President's priority is very clearly on his economic agenda, which is that infrastructure proposal that he laid out a couple of weeks ago in Pittsburgh, Wolf.
BLITZER: And he also, Gloria, made it clear that he sees what's going on here in the United States, this epidemic of mass murder, these shooting incidents that are going on most recently, in Indianapolis at the FedEx facility near the airport there he says, this is a national embarrassment for the United States. And it certainly is there have been dozens of these kinds of mass murders here in the United States within the past month or so alone.
GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, it's filled with saying this is an issue that Joe Biden has been working on for decades. He passed was very involved in a pass in passing the original assault weapons ban. He was trying to get some kind of universal background checks when he was in the Obama administration. He failed on gun control issues then, it's an issue he cares about.
But it's an issue that clearly frustrates him, Wolf, and frustrates a lot of people and his key line there was I strongly urge my Republican friends to bring it up now, because he knows that nothing will pass the Senate unless those Republicans like Senator Toomey, for example, sign on and get enough Republicans to get a filibuster proof majority to do something that the public is very much in favor of such as universal background checks.
BLITZER: You know, Phil, Phil, it's obviously very clear us Japanese relations, very strong. They agree on a whole host of issues, regional issues, threats from China, for example, North Korea, what's going on with Taiwan, threats to Taiwan, as far as the wiggers in China are concerned. These are all very significant, but hovering over this news conference, there was no question specifically on it. Is the President United States coming under a lot of fire right now, a lot of criticism from fellow Democrats who are very upset that he is backing away from an earlier promise to increase the number of refugees allowed to come to the United States?
MATTINGLY: Yes, Wolf, that's right. It's been a roller coaster of a day for the White House on this issue. And what this issue pertains to is the cap on refugees, it was put in place during the Trump administration. It set the cap at 15,000 refugees to be admitted, that's the lowest in recent history.
And the Biden administration made very clear, candidate Biden made very clear he wanted to raise that. The Biden administration made clear they plan to raise it to 62,500 by the end of this fiscal year. Obviously, that's October 1. Repeatedly over the course of the last several weeks, we have asked, I have asked my colleague Kaitlan Collins have asked, Mike -- our colleagues in the Press Corps have asked, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, when that directive was actually going to be signed. It's a lot of frustration on Capitol Hill that there had been no movement. And the biggest frustration is nobody really knew why. Today we got some sense of an answer. A directive was put out, an emergency directive was put out making clear that the cap was not going to be raised by the end of the fiscal year. However, they would shift the allocations of those who could enter the country from specific regions.
Now the White House made clear that was to speed the ability for some of those individuals to come into the United States, particularly from regions that the Trump administration had banned. However, they said in the directive that they were not raising that 15,000 cap, that drew a tremendous outcry from Capitol Hill statement after statement, dozens of statements from Democrats including this from Pramila Jayapal, a House member who is the leader of the Progressive Caucus, saying quote, It is simply unacceptable and unconscionable that the Biden administration is not immediately repealing Donald Trump's harmful xenophobic, and racist refugee camp that cruelly restricts refugee admissions to a historically low level.
And Wolf democratic aides, I was talking to them about the House in the Senate, said it wasn't just the public statements. There's also plenty of angry phone calls coming into the White House, both from congressional allies and also from immigration allies outside of the White House making clear this was unacceptable, which led to this.
Just a short while before the press conference, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki put out another statement saying that by May 15, the President was going to release a new cap above the 15,000 mark. And that the determination that was signed today was purely just to expand the allocations that for those 15,000 that could come in.
So a reversal of sorts very clear reversal after a day of outcry that, Wolf, in the first 80 some odd days of this administration, I simply haven't seen from democratic allies of the President. And now just short while ago, the White House responding.
[17:40:03]
BLITZER: Yes. And they -- but they have to come up with a number now, Gloria, and it's clear the president --
BORGER: Right.
BLITZER: -- is under enormous pressure from a lot of Democrats, a lot of others who are saying, you know what, this is wrong. The Trump administration reduced the number of only 15,000 refugees allowed to come to the United States. So, the President as president, President Biden said he would increase that to 62,500. But today, he walked away from that. Now he's under a lot of pressure. And he seems to be caving, although there's no new number, at least not released yet.
BORGER: Yes, I think this buys them a little bit of time, Wolf. Jen Psaki, the spokesman said today, look, there's been some confusion. There really hasn't been any confusion other than at the White House, I don't think. I think they're trying to figure out how they can do this. Because they know where Republicans are going to be on this. They're going to be saying, Oh, you know, they want to let in everybody into this country.
They had made a decision to keep the caps for a while. And then the Democrats said to them, you promised us, which he did during the campaign, that he was going to lift those caps. So now I think they're buying themselves some time. I don't know whether it'll work or not to try and figure out what the numbers should be and what they can live with and what the Democrats can live with.
BLITZER: Yes, it's really awkward, very embarrassing for this new administration --
BORGER: Very awkward.
BLITZER: -- for them to waffle on this go up and down, up and down. Clearly, this is a really important, an important issue. Guys, thank you very, very much. We're going to stay on top of this. We're staying on top of all the major news. Let's squeeze in a quick break much more right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[17:45:29]
BLITZER: The CDC says more than 200 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have now been administered here in the United States. But the number of infections continues to climb. Almost half of U.S. states are now seeing an increase in cases compared to last week.
Let's discuss with Dr. Leana Wen, CNN medical analysts, the emergency room physician, former Baltimore City Health Commissioner. Dr. Wen, when you consider our overall fight against this COVID virus, how significant is this milestone of more than 200 million doses of Coronavirus vaccines now having been given in the US.
DR. LEANA WEN, CNN MEDICAL ANALYST: If someone has said that to us at the beginning of the year that by April, we're going to have 200 million doses distributed, that it's soon going to be open season and every adult American is going to be eligible, I think we would have all said, that's really incredible.
So we're making very, very good progress. Although I'm still concerned about the increasing rise of variance. And unfortunately also of people letting down their guard too soon. We're just not there yet. But I want people to get vaccinated and once they're fully vaccinated to know that we are that much closer to pre pandemic normal.
BLITZER: I want them to get vaccinated too. And I want them to be safe where math still because almost 1000 Americans are still dying every single day. The FDA and the CDC, Dr. Wen, they're still trying to figure out if the Johnson & Johnson single dose Coronavirus vaccine is causing very, very rare blood clots, especially among younger women. And if it is what to do about it, what do you see is the best path for this shot, which I know by the way you've already received.
WEN: That's right. I think the best way at this point is to continue the pause because that's what the FDA and CDC have done thus far. I think the initial decision was exactly the right one, which is to use an abundance of caution. And I think at this point, they made it clear that safety is their top priority. And I think the American people should feel very reassured about that, that even for a possible side effect, that's one in a million, they were willing to hit pause.
So I think this investigation should continue. Although I hope that it will be resolved very quickly, because the implications are not only for us in the U.S., but also worldwide. Other countries are watching us here. And the Johnson & Johnson one dose vaccine along with AstraZeneca, they are the workhorse vaccines for the world. And any level of hesitancy around the world will have severe repercussions on our ability to control the pandemic in the long term.
BLITZER: I just want to be precise. You're OK, right?
WEN: I feel completely fine. Thank you for asking.
BLITZER: All right.
WEN: Again, the risk of this clot is one in a million. That's the risk of getting struck by lightning.
BLITZER: Yes, it's infinitesimal. But it did cause out of an abundance of caution. As you pointed out this pause which is going on, we'll see how long that last. The Biden administration is reaffirming its commitment to fight this virus that includes making plans for booster shots if they are needed. Can you explain why there might be a need for these booster shots? Let's say you've already gotten two of the Pfizer shots, two of the Moderna shots, you might need in a year a booster shot, is that right?
WEN: There are two reasons why we may need a booster shot in time. One is if the immunity from the initial vaccines if they decrease over time, then you may want a booster to increase the level of protection and the durability of that vaccine.
The second reason is if there are variants that develop for which the vaccines that we currently have may not be as effective, they're still effective, but maybe there are better boosters developed that could really target these variants. And I think we should see the boosters as a good thing. It means that science is evolving, and again that we're putting all of our efforts at protecting the public.
BLITZER: Dr. Leana Wen, as usual, thank you so much for joining us. We are grateful to you for your expertise. Thank you very much.
We're also following other important news including the first guilty plea in the January 6th assault of the U.S. Capitol. Our justice correspondent Jessica Schneider is working the story for us.
Jessica, this is significant. What more can you tell us about this guilty plea as well as the role this band played in that group called the Oath Keepers?
JESSICA SCHNEIDER, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: It is significant, Wolf. Prosecutors say 53-year-old Jon Schaffer, they say he was a founding member of the Oath Keepers and that means he really could be a crucial witness in their conspiracy cases that they brought against more than a dozen Oath Keeper members.
So today, Schaffer signed his name to a plea deal where he could be required to testify before grant jury or even handover evidence of potential crime. So put simply, Schaffer will be expected to provide all he knows about this extremist group that is now at the center of the capital attack investigation.
[17:50:11]
So Schaffer pleaded guilty to two crimes, obstructing an official proceeding in the Congress, and also entering the Capitol with a dangerous weapon. So now prosecutors say they'll recommend he served between three and a half and four and a half years.
And of course, this is a significant moment for the Justice Department. It is now secured its first official guilty plea on the 100th day since the insurrection, and we'll have officials from the FBI and DOJ, they released statements saying that their staff has worked tirelessly. And of course, they will continue to actively investigate because there's a lot more work to do here, Wolf.
BLITZER: You know, Jessica, this may be the first guilty plea connected to the January 6 Capital riot. But it certainly seems like it won't be the last, right?
SCHNEIDER: Not at all. 370 people have been charged so far, according to CNN's count. So it's likely that dozens will ultimately plead guilty here. You know, we previously reported that federal prosecutors, they've just been waiting for top justice officials to sign off on certain plea deals.
And in recent days, these officials have actually given the green light to start cutting these plea deals. Of course, we saw the first one come to fruition today. We'll likely see many more of these plea deals in days to come. And this results in more cooperation agreements with prosecutors. So prosecutors will get a lot more information about exactly how this was planned and executed. Wolf.
BLITZER: Yes. These individuals hope that by get pleading guilty, they'll get a reduced sentence when all is said and done.
SCHNEIDER: Exactly.
BLITZER: Jessica Schneider, thank you very much. Let's get some analysis from the former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. He's a CNN Senior law enforcement analyst.
Andrew, is there any doubt in your mind that this is only the first step will be many guilty pleas to come?
ANDREW MCCABE, CNN SENIOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: No doubt whatsoever, Wolf. It's not only the first of many guilty pleas. But it is likely the first of many guilty pleas with cooperation. I would assume the vast majority of folks arrested at this riot are not hardened criminals with prior, you know, time in in federal prison. These are people who are going to want to limit their possible prison exposure as much as they can. And the best way to do that in the federal system is by providing information to the prosecutors that the prosecutors can use to investigate and prosecute people at higher levels of culpability.
BLITZER: Does it surprise you, Andrew, that this suspect that not only is cooperating is not only pleading guilty, but also cooperating with authorities?
MCCABE: Yes, it doesn't surprise me at all. And in fact, the fact that the guilty plea went through today tells me that this individual has already been meeting with prosecutors and agents and providing information over the last several weeks, maybe a month or more. And investigators have taken that information and vetted it to confirm that he is telling them the truth, that he's giving them useful information that they can use against others.
It's only after you go through that process of interviewing and vetting that the prosecutors are willing to go forward with the plea agreement. So this person's cooperation as well down the road already.
BLITZER: Does the three or three and a half or four years, potentially that this individual could serve in jail now that that he's going to plead guilty? Is that -- would that could be considered a light sentence, a serious sentence, a heavy sentence? What's your perspective?
MCCABE: You know, it's not a heavy sentence. Certainly, it's a light sentence. But someone who, if this person has not ever been to prison before, if he has no history of criminal convictions, then serving three and a half to four and a half years in federal prison is no joke. I mean, that is a -- I'm sure he takes it quite seriously. And depending on the value of his cooperation, if he's actually called upon to testify against others at a trial, he might even be able to work that number down a little bit lower.
BLITZER: If you're since the three and a half to four and a half years in prison, you have no criminal background, you fully cooperate, when would you be eligible for parole, at least potentially hypothetically?
MCCABE: So there is no parole in the federal system. Once you've been convicted, and you go to prison, if you are -- if you maintain a clean disciplinary record, while you're in prison, you can earn what we refer to as good time. So you can earn back a certain number of days every year, and those days will be taken off your sentence on the back end. But there is no actual parole in the federal system. That's the only way to work down your sentence while you're in jail.
BLITZER: And that's presumably what they will try to do. Andrew McCabe, thank you so much for joining us and I just want to alert our viewers. Andrew is also the author of the important book, "The Threat: How the FBI Protects America in the Age of Terror and Trump." There you see the book cover on our screen. Andrew, thank you very much.
Coming up, eight people get into shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis. Tonight, we're learning new information about the suspect including a warning from his mother to the FBI.
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[17:59:44]
BLITZER: Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer in the Situation Room. Tonight, Aa new clue about the motive in America's latest mass shooting that left eight people dead in a matter of minutes. The 19-year-old gunman has been identified as a former employee at the FedEx facility in Indianapolis, where he opened fire and then apparently killed himself.
