Trump Brags About Crowd Size During El Paso Hospital Visit; Interview With Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
JIM ACOSTA, CNN HOST: And on the road in Iowa. As many 2020 Democrats are converging on the leadoff state caucus, CNN is traveling with Senator Kamala Harris. We will hear from her live this hour. We want to welcome our viewers here in the United States and around the world. Wolf Blitzer is off. I'm Jim Acosta, and you're in</s>THE SITUATION ROOM. ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.</s>ACOSTA: Breaking tonight, President Trump's aides are privately admitting the obvious, that his visits for two cities reeling from gun violence did not go well. This as a new video from the president's stop at an El Paso hospital shows he spent a good deal of time talking about himself, even bragging about the crowd size at his recent rally in the city. Also breaking, we're told House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler is solidly in favor of an impeachment inquiry. His panel is now engaged in a full-blown investigation and legal fight aimed at deciding whether to recommend articles of impeachment against President Trump by the end of the year. This hour, I will talk with House Judiciary Committee member Eric Swalwell. And our correspondents and analysts, they are also standing by. First to CNN's White House correspondent, Kaitlan Collins. Kaitlan, the president's aides have publicly defended his El Paso and Dayton trips, but that's not what they're saying behind the scenes, right?</s>KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: No, it's not. Now, especially as this video is surfacing of the president bragging about crowd sizes in a hospital hallway, those crowd sizes he's talking about is that rally he had back in February, which is essentially what he associates the city of El Paso with, this feud he had with Beto O'Rourke over his border wall. And that's why you saw the president bring it up there in the hallway while he was visiting with some of the victims of this mass shooting that occurred, something that is causing aides to say that the visit did not go how they hoped it would.</s>COLLINS (voice-over): Tonight, some of President Trump's own aides are conceding his visits to two cities in mourning didn't go as planned after new video shows him bragging about crowd sizes while at a hospital in El Paso.</s>DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We met with also the doctors and nurses, the medical staff.</s>COLLINS: The White House stopped reporters and their cameras from capturing the president's visit, but new cell phone video shows Trump praising medical staff before turning the conversation to himself.</s>TRUMP: I was here three months ago. We made a speech and we had -- and what was the name of the arena? That place was...</s>TRUMP: ... right? Right. The judge is a respected...</s>TRUMP: What was the name?</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He was in the front row.</s>TRUMP: Come here. That was some crowd.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.</s>TRUMP: We had twice the number outside. And then you had this crazy Beto. Beto had like 400 people in a parking lot. They said his crowd was wonderful.</s>COLLINS: The president bragging about how many people attended his February rally, where he boasted of booting undocumented immigrants from the country.</s>TRUMP: They go into our country. The good news is, we have great law enforcement. And many of these people, we know where they are, and we're going to get them the hell out.</s>COLLINS: The president still owes the city of El Paso over half-a- million dollars in unpaid fees for police use and public safety costs for that trip. CNN has learned that Trump lashed out at his staff for keeping the cameras away during his visits to two hospitals, complaining he wasn't getting enough credit, though aides said it was out of respect for the patients. None of those eight patients at the Texas hospital Trump visited agreed to meet with him, CNN has confirmed, while two who had been discharged did return for his visit. The president's trip now being followed about new questions on what's next for gun control. Trump has told aides and lawmakers he's open to endorsing extensive background checks.</s>TRUMP: I think background checks are important. I don't want to put guns into the hands of mentally unstable people.</s>COLLINS: It's a position he's taken before, but never followed through on.</s>TRUMP: We're going to be very strong on background checks. We're going to be doing very strong background checks. We certainly have to strengthen background checks. Everybody agrees with that. We're really, I think, going to have the support of the NRA having to do with background checks, very strong background checks.</s>COLLINS: New reporting might explain why.</s>TRUMP: There's no bigger fan of the Second Amendment than me and there's no bigger fan of the</s>NRA. COLLINS: CNN has learned the president has spoken with NRA chief Wayne LaPierre several times in recent days. And LaPierre warned Trump his supporters in deep red areas don't want expanded background checks. The NRA spent more than $30 million to get Trump elected in 2016, according to financial records, and has swayed him on gun control in the past.</s>TRUMP: They're very close to me. I'm very close to them.</s>COLLINS: And despite demands, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he won't bring senators back to Washington during their August recess.</s>SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY): If we did that, we would just have people scoring points. And that's what happened.</s>COLLINS: Now, of course, McConnell is facing intense pressure from Democrats to bring back the Senate, something he said there he's not going to do. But he did say he wants lawmakers to consider paths forward potentially while they are on this recess before they return to Capitol Hill this fall. He talked about red flags. Background checks are something, we should note, he has strongly opposed in the past. And, of course, though he did not sign any -- signal any kind of support for a specific bill on background checks, so the question of whether he'd actually take action on that and it would succeed is a whole 'nother ball game, Jim.</s>ACOSTA: Kaitlan Collins, thank you. I have been talking to a hospital official at El Paso's University Medical Center. And I'm told none of the eight patients who were on hand for the president's visit wanted to meet Mr. Trump -- quote -- "Some didn't want any visitors," the official said before adding, "And some did not want to meet the president." We have confirmed two patients who had been discharged were brought back to the hospital to meet with the president. CNN has learned one of those patients was the 2-month-old baby who was shielded by his parents during the shooting. That baby has been identified as the child of Jordan and Andre Anchondo, who died protecting him. According to the hospital official, the president has displayed a -- quote -- "absence of empathy" during his visit. That hospital official went on to say the president made other comments similar to his remarks about former Congressman Beto O'Rourke that left some staffers thinking Mr. Trump was not focused enough on consoling people. That hospital official went on to say about these patients who are being cared for at University Medical Center -- quote -- "The stories and retelling of their experience at that Walmart will chill you to your core and break your heart." Now let's go to El Paso and CNN's Brian Todd. Brian, you have been on the ground for days covering the shooting. What do you hear about the president's visit and the response to that visit one day later?</s>BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Jim, on the ground here, we have noticed a little bit of support for President Trump's visit here. But, really, the vast majority of people who CNN has talked to on the ground all around El Paso are fairly angry with the president, really didn't want him to be here, frankly. Meanwhile, tonight, we are learning, getting new information about a crucial moment in the weeks leading up to this massacre, a moment when the mother of the suspect contacted police in their hometown and expressed concern about their son. Somehow, the ball was simply dropped.</s>TODD (voice-over): Tonight, as authorities piece together a profile of the alleged shooter, 21-year-old Patrick Crusius, CNN is learning more about possible warning signs in the weeks leading up to the massacre. Lawyers for the suspect's family tell CNN his mother contacted police weeks ago in their hometown of Allen, Texas, because she was worried about her son owning an AK-style firearm. The family attorneys say her warning was more innocuous in nature, concerned about her son owning the weapon because of his age, maturity level and inexperience with such a firearm, but not out of concern that he posed a threat.</s>MIGUEL VEGA, FORMER EL PASO POLICE DETECTIVE: If the call came in here in El Paso, a police officer will respond to the to the home and speak to the mother more in detail.</s>TODD: The suspect's families lawyers say Allen police took the mother's call, but, based on her description of her son's situation, she was told her son was legally allowed to possess the weapon. The mother didn't give her name or her son's name, the lawyers say, and they say police didn't ask for any more information. Former El Paso police detective Miguel Vega says he doesn't want to pass judgment on how the Allen police responded. But he says, if he had taken the mother's call:</s>VEGA: Me, personally, I probably would have tried to inquire more information, names, address, a little bit more information to warrant a further investigation, a further look into it.</s>TODD: Allen police tell CNN they always ask if a person calling with those concerns wants to give more information, wants to file a formal report, or wants them to investigate further. But they say, in this case, they're not certain what happened, because the mother gave so little information. One lawyer for the suspect's family tells CNN -- quote -- "This was not a volatile explosive, erratic-behaving kid. It's not like alarm bells were going off." There are currently 17 states and Washington, D.C., most of which lean Democrat, that allow extreme risk protection orders, or red flag laws, allowing authorities to confiscate firearms from those deemed to be a risk to themselves or others. Those orders are generally prompted by warnings from relatives and must be approved by a judge. Texas is not one of the states that have red flag laws. But it's also not clear the warning from Crusius' mother would have been urgent enough to require confiscation. Experts say the best way to help a loved one you're concerned about is to seek out help immediately.</s>DANIEL Z. LIEBERMAN, GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY: People can be worried that, if they call the authorities, it's going to have a negative influence on someone they care about a great deal. They have to remember that the truth is exactly the opposite. Getting the help, getting the treatment that they need can have a dramatic effect for the better on their lives.</s>TODD: And, tonight, we're getting new information from a source familiar with the suspect's family, who gave us some background information on how the suspect's life was going in the weeks and months leading up to the massacre, the source telling us that the suspect was not untypical of a 21-year-old young man, that he was unsure about the path his life was taking. He was considering enlisting in the military. He was considering getting a full-time job. He was thinking about maybe transferring to a four-year college. And here's a chilling quote from that source: "When did the wheels come off? We don't know" -- Jim.</s>ACOSTA: Brian Todd, thank you very much. Now we have breaking news on the impeachment debate. The House Judiciary Committee and its Chairman, Jerry Nadler, now engaged in an urgent new push to make a decision. CNN senior congressional correspondent Manu Raju joins us. Manu, we're now told Nadler is clearly in favor of an impeachment inquiry. What are you learning?</s>MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, the House Judiciary Committee is moving forward on an investigation and court fights that could lead the committee to make a decision about recommending articles of impeachment against the president of the United States later this year. Now, recent statements, recent court filings point to this dramatic escalation that could lead to these articles of impeachment. Now, for days, we have seen Democrat after Democrat saying they support formal -- an informal impeachment inquiry. But I am told by Democratic sources on this committee that's really known that issue is essentially moot, because what the committee is doing is, in all essence, an impeachment inquiry. And no -- look no further than what Jerry Nadler has been saying publicly and recent court filings like the one that was filed yesterday to compel the testimony of the former White House counsel Don McGahn to come before the committee after President Trump urged -- told his former White House counsel not to comply with the committee's subpoena. But, in that lawsuit, it says this: "To fulfill its duties, the Judiciary Committee must obtain testimony and evidence from witnesses for the president's actions to determine whether to recommend such articles against the president and whether to recommend additional or alternative articles that the Judiciary Committee may prepare." Now, one person who did endorse that language is the speaker, Nancy Pelosi, who has thrown cold water about moving forward on impeachment over several months. But, increasingly, she has shifted her phone. She sounded more open to the idea. She even pointed to this language in this lawsuit as she touted what the company's been doing in a private -- in a letter that she sent to all of her members of the House Democratic Caucus, which signals that she at least is keeping that on the table in the days and weeks ahead whether to move forward on actually impeaching this president. Now, the ultimate question here, Jim, though, is whether they're using this language to help with their fights in court, or whether they will eventually decide to move forward. We will learn that in the weeks ahead, after they have some key hearings in the fall with some witnesses who they plan to issue subpoenas to as well in the days ahead -- Jim.</s>ACOSTA: All right, a very big development. Manu Raju, thank you very much. Joining me now, a Democrat who serves on the House Judiciary Committee, Congressman Eric Swalwell. He is on the Intelligence Committee as well. Congressman, thanks for joining us.</s>REP. ERIC SWALWELL (D-CA): Good evening, Jim.</s>ACOSTA: We have a lot to discuss on President Trump's visit to El Paso. But, first, what's your reaction to this news you heard just a few moments ago from our Manu Raju about Chairman Nadler? How significant is this?</s>SWALWELL: We're conducting an impeachment investigation. And we want to hear from all of the witnesses to President Trump's lawlessness. Now, if you take a step back, all of these individuals could come in on their own. They don't have to follow the president's unlawful orders that they don't testify. So, first, why can't Don McGahn just tell the White House to go pound sand and that he's going to come in and talk to us? These folks, if they have nothing to hide, they will cooperate with an investigation of this magnitude. That would help us make this determination sooner. Second, obstructing Congress is also an impeachable offense. And that was one of the third articles of impeachment against Nixon. And the president should not benefit from telling all these folks, don't come forward, don't cooperate, and then say, well, you don't have anything because he has obstructed us. That is something we can also hold him to account on.</s>ACOSTA: And let's get to the new details we're learning about President Trump's visit to El Paso yesterday. A source tells me none of the eight patients at that hospital accepted the offer to meet with the president. So, they had to invite two patients who had already been discharged back to the hospital. What does that say to you about this visit yesterday?</s>SWALWELL: It was unnecessary. And I hate to say that, because, during times like these, whether it was, you know, President George H.W. Bush going to Miami after Hurricane Andrew, President Clinton going to Oklahoma City after the bombing there, presidents pull our country together. And every time this president sees discord and division, he widens it. And we really needed him to pull us together. And, instead, he used this as a political rally, so to speak. He released a campaign video. He insulted one of his presidential rivals, Beto O'Rourke, while he was at the hospital. Those families, I'm not surprised that they didn't want to meet with them, but my heart does break for them. And just as a parent myself, to think about those two parents who lost -- that child who lost two parents who threw themselves over that child. Every parent in America right now imagines themselves in that position and wants to know, what is the president going to do to take that fear away from all of us?</s>ACOSTA: And getting to the issue of gun control, President Trump has spoken to the NRA chief, Wayne LaPierre, multiple times over the last couple of days. I'm sure you have seen this. And he's been getting pushback after expressing support for background checks. How likely is it, do you think, that we will see any new legislation?</s>SWALWELL: Well, we actually should take stock of where we are, Jim. After Parkland, we saw groups across the country converge. And they said, we're going to make gun safety a top issue at the ballot box. So, during the midterms, 17 NRA-endorsed members of Congress lost. That helped us win the House. And in the first 100 days, we passed background checks. So we have made significant progress. We need the Senate now to take it up. Background checks, as far as I see it, is -- that's the floor. It's not the ceiling. We also need an assault weapons ban and buyback. That's the only way we're going to truly keep people safe from shootings like this. But I also think about cities like Chicago and Oakland and cities across America that have mass shootings every weekend. And they need structural reform when it comes to investments in education and health care and access to good-paying jobs. This -- these are not beyond our imagination. But, right now, it's beyond the political courage from the Republicans.</s>ACOSTA: And, Congressman, I mean, you focused on gun control during your campaign. And, as you know, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell -- this has just come out in the last several minutes -- he now says he won't bring the Senate back during the recess to vote on new legislation. But he says background checks and red flag laws will be front and center. But aren't you concerned, Congressman, that the momentum will die down over the next few weeks and there just won't be the same momentum that there would be right now? This happened after Parkland, as you know.</s>SWALWELL: We're not going to let the momentum die down because we don't have to live this way anymore, Jim. The other day, constituents of mine were calling me and telling me they don't want to go to church, they're afraid to take their kids to the supermarket. A priest called me in my district who's an immigrant and said, what can we do so that my parishioners are safe? And, Jim, this is a priest who's having his faith tested. We don't have to live this way. And that means we can't let the momentum die. We need to put the pressure on Mitch McConnell to bring the Senate back into session. And it's so insulting when Mitch McConnell says it's premature to have a conversation about this. Was it premature to do it after Sandy Hook? Was it premature to do it after Charleston? Would it have been premature to do it after Pulse, or how about Las Vegas or Parkland or Santa Fe? I could go on and on and on, Jim. And there's going to be another city, sadly, until we find the political courage in the Senate to do something. And one last point, Jim. If you are a senator who is running for president, you have a unique position that no one else has. You can go to the Senate floor when the Senate reopens and filibuster and stand until your legs give in and speak until your lungs give out and force a vote on this, so we know where every single senator stands.</s>ACOSTA: And that's what you're calling on your fellow -- I guess your former rivals who are senators to do, to filibuster?</s>SWALWELL: Absolutely.</s>ACOSTA: OK. All right, Congressman Eric...</s>SWALWELL: And they would do a great job of it. I would love to hear from them.</s>ACOSTA: OK, Congressman Eric Swalwell, thank you very much. Just ahead, a live interview with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris -- she is a senator -- on her campaign in Iowa and her reaction to the president's troubled trip to El Paso.