NTSB: Plane Hit Van Carrying 7 People After Leaving Runway

25:18And I want you to listen to how he answered that question. We were sitting before with Germany, right, which was a former enemy of the U.S. And so there's no such thing in the world as forever enemies or forever allies. And so, you know, we have to start with the first principles idea of what the best outcome could be and what benefits all people. You know, President Trump comes from the business world, which in the business world, you think about things in the context of win-win. And, you know, how do you create opportunities for both sides? Kushner there not taking the opportunity to say there would be more pressure on Russia if they didn't effectively engage here.

25:57Obviously, creating the perception they're giving Russia a pass. Some in the Trump administration might say that they're trying to create room for diplomacy. They're looking forward to a trilateral summit. But no details on when that actually might happen between Russia, Ukraine and the United States. John. Kyle Atwood Forrest, thank you very much. with us now seeing a national security analyst, Alex Flitsis. So Alex, look, Jared Kushner, Steve Wyckoff leave in a few hours, and then the missiles are flying back and forth again. What message does that send? The message is a reflection of the fact that Putin still thinks that he can win this war, and he's told his army to double down.

26:34And that was after the CIA director visited at the request of President Trump to deliver a very stern warning to the Russians that their casualty figures are far larger than they're willing to admit, and that this war is not going to end well for them, but apparently it was read as a sign of weakness. And so while Putin relented and agreed to a couple of days, or at least a day of ceasefire to allow the travel to take place, as you noted, that didn't last very long. And that is a very telling sign of what comes next. Jared Kushner talking about a win-win situation as a possible deal for Ukraine and Russia.

27:04A lot of analysts online took some issue with that, saying, how can you give Russia a win that doesn't infringe on Ukraine's territorial rights and sovereignty? I mean, the soundbites that came out of Kiev and Moscow from this trip, I'm sorry, were nothing short of embarrassing for the United States, and were absolutely abhorrent. You know, the idea that we should give in to Vladimir Putin's aspirations as part of this is absurd. The man's troops have killed hundreds of thousands across Ukraine with documented heinous war crimes, including raping and pillaging and hundreds of thousands dead, and his aspirations would take the rest of the country.

27:39So while there's a recognition that there may have to be some territorial swaps, the language that's used in diplomacy is important. And the language that was used about what fond memories they would have of negotiations in Moscow, followed by the idea that Vladimir Putin's aspirations are valid to be taken into account is absolutely absurd. I was actually pretty disgusted with what I heard. It's the first time I've used that type of language to describe this, but this was embarrassing. How important is the winter as this looming threat hanging over this? How much more urgent does that make these talks?

28:11It's important for a few reasons. So Putin's strategy, as it's been for the last couple of years, has been to target Ukrainian energy infrastructure and civilian infrastructure purposefully because the winters are bitterly cold in Ukraine for those who haven't been. And it's now going to be incredibly difficult for civilians to get through that because they won't have heat, and that's what he's doing. So it's effectively trying to use kinetic strikes against civilian targets to put pressure on the civilians to pressure their own government to end the war. I mean, that is by definition terrorism when you look at the motivated violence against civilians.

28:40And so I'll call it like I see it. So this is a strategy he's pursuing. And that's, you know, that's on top of the strikes against apartment buildings and the rest of the civilian targets that have been struck over the last couple of years. This is, well, there's a war definitely going on the front lines. He's also launching a war against the Ukrainian civilians that we're seeing through missiles and drones in Ukrainian cities across the country. Very quickly, while this is going on, the president's also posting on social media about Iran. He put an image of Khark Island being destroyed, a map of Iran reimagined the shape of his own head, which is notable.

29:11How do Iran and other global leaders interpret this kind of behavior at this point from the president? So the Iranians have told me in conversations that I've had over the course of the last year since the conflict began that they take the president's tweets and his our and his uh true social posts quite literally uh that included when he said uh unconditional uh surrender during the 12-day war last summer in which it ended in conditional ceasefire which is why they thought that their ballistic missiles were a new form of strategic deterrence because they didn't allow us to achieve our objective even though that was just a comment that was made in this case it's being read as it should be as a stern warning the president's patience is wearing thin the economic pressure is still building on the on the iranians You know, food is up to 300 percent in terms of inflation inside the country.

29:53Pressure is building and Iran is striking back. And so in this case, he's letting them know if they strike instead of giving in. Karg Island, which is where 90 percent of the oil moved through, is a potential target. And don't do anything dumb. That's the message of the Iranians from the president. Alex Plissett, great to see you this Labor Day. Thank you very much. Coming up, President Trump nagging the state of New Mexico over its name. House state officials are pushing back. Plus, the White House emergency that prompted rescue crews to be dispatched to the North Portico.

30:28Evening. Buyer's remorse. Buy a new car? I'll be moving in. Let's get started. Uh, sorry, I think there's been a mistake. I bought it from Carvana. You what? Yeah, great price. I even have seven days to love it or return it. So there's no... No, no buyer's remorse. More like buyers rejoice? I guess I'll let myself out. Congratulations. I mean it. Buyers rejoice. Buy your car today on Carvana. Limitations and exclusions may apply. See our seven-day return policy at Carvana.com. Still wearing those old cargo shorts? If your wardrobe's due for an upgrade, but you don't know where to start, you need Stitch Fix.

31:08Your stylist learns your size, your style, and your budget, then sends a box pick just for you. They always nail the fit. No store, no hassle, no subscription required. Get started today at StitchFix.com. That's StitchFix.com.

31:29An emergency today at the White House. A construction worker had to be rescued. DC Fire and EMS told CNN the person was working on the North Portico. Emergency crews were spotted there in helmets, climbing scaffolding to lower the worker to the ground. No word yet on what went wrong. President Trump has ordered repairs to the exterior White House columns. Sources say the Secret Service has long called for security upgrades to this area of the White House. In our politics lead, first it was the Gulf of Mexico, then it was Lake Ontario. Now President Trump has set his sights on New Mexico, suggesting the state be renamed New America.

32:05He posted about it multiple times, including a video.

32:19All right, my panel is with me now. It's for Michael Singleton. Look, people may look at him and say it's just a joke, but this is how the whole Lake Ontario thing began, with a posting that people thought was a joke here. Now, I can't believe I have to say this. He doesn't actually have the constitutional ability to change the name of a state on his own. Congress has to do that. But two months before the midterms, okay, of all the things on planet Earth President Trump could be posting about, even spending 10 seconds thinking about. Do Republicans want this to be at the top of the list? Look, it certainly gives Democrats some ammunition to say that the White House isn't focused on kitchen table issues, the cost of living affordability, which has really been a problem point for a lot of Republicans, as you know, Christine, and a lot of competitive races.

33:05But I expect, aside from this, I expect the president to focus a lot on a state like Texas. I think in some ways we've kind of conceded the House, Christine. I think that's why Hakeem Jeffries and the Jared Kushner meeting occurred. This didn't happen by hand. You've conceded the House? Oh, I think so. I think that happened because the White House is very aware of the same numbers that we're all looking at and debating here every single day on television, that the odds of us keeping it are just very, very slim. So you send in Jared Kushner to meet with Hakeem Jeffries, the incoming speaker, to try to avoid some of the impeachment talk that some Democrats are already beginning.

33:39That said, you cannot lose the Senate. And I think it's why the president has said, I'm going to Washington state to campaign. We're spending more and more resources day by day in Texas because you lose the Senate, then the president's history, his record, his agenda is completely over. And that's certainly not something he wants to be remembered for. So, Christine, the president is suggesting some kind of equivalence here with things that have either been renamed or efforts to rename them. He was talking about the Washington Commanders, Columbus Day, things like that. The list does go on there.

34:08Is this the same thing? Look, first of all, I think if you polled the people in New Mexico, you would get zero who are concerned about their state's name. You'd be really high on gas prices, grocery prices, joblessness, etc. One of the things that has been raised is things like, you know, now being LGBT and Latinx. I think you can't compare his petty political maneuvers with people's desire to have agency over themselves and their community and define how they want to be identified. I think they are very, very different. Can anything become too much? Yes, but I think it's very different. You know, both of you basically answered the same way the first time, which is the same thing that the New Mexico's governor said, clapping back at the president posting in part.

34:58New Mexico's name isn't up for debate. It's been hours since before the United States existed. What is up for debate? Who's showing up for working families? It's easy, right? That's my point. This is what Democrats are going to pivot to every single time. Do you blame them? No, of course I don't blame them. Objectively speaking, as a strategist, I think if the economy was great, people was making enough money to put to the side for a rainy day, to put to the side to afford for college, which is going up and up for their children or emergency funds, then I don't think most people would really care about this, John, because they would look at their bank accounts and say, well, I'm doing well.

35:37If the president wants to build, Donald Trump, build everything you want to build. But when people are struggling and are looking at the tangibles and the tangibles just don't seem realistic for the average person, then people start to focus a little bit more and they begin to say a little humor is okay every now and again. But when I'm not certain if I can afford my rent or my mortgage next month, you got to focus on those things. And so nothing against humor, but I would say, Mr. President, with less than two months, give or take, before midterms, let's put our focus back on the kitchen table because we want to protect our party and our majority as much as we possibly can.

36:09And given that reality, and given I don't have as much faith in Donald Trump's focus and ability to stay on message as you do. That's why I think the Senate is actually in play. And I think if you asked... Oh, no way, Christine. Absolutely. If you asked Democratic strategists six months ago, maybe even, 10, certainly a year ago, we would have said yes, because why would you say no? But we really wouldn't have meant yes right now. I absolutely think it's in play. What pathway? I mean, you guys aren't going to win Maine. I don't think you guys are going to... I don't know if that's a fact. I don't think you guys are going to win Texas.

36:43I think once we start dumping in money in Texas, I think we win Texas. I like this world where Shermichael Zington concedes the House, unilaterally decides Republicans have lost the House, but also unilaterally decides that Democrats can't win Maine in Texas. I don't think they're going to. Because I'm looking at the pathway, right? And I'm looking at Texas. At the end of the day, the president won the state by, what, 14 points. We haven't really spent a lot of money on ads yet. Those numbers are going to change, I would argue, in Paxton's favor, Christine. You look at Michigan, I think Mike Rogers has an opportunity to make Michigan competitive with Jewish voters, black men.

37:16So that's up in arms. But the problem is the money that the president wants to spend in these places is to promote his record, not to promote the candidates. And right now, the president's record is not compelling to the American people because he has disregarded affordability crisis as a reality in people's lives. The economy is doing worse, not any better. Gas prices are through the roof and we are now in another forever war. And in the Ukraine, which he said he could resolve in day one, there seems to be little resolution, notwithstanding the incredible suck up of Steve Wyckoff to Putin in that meeting.

37:57So I would agree with Christine that those ads shouldn't run in certain places. But I do believe in a place like Texas, where you look at some of the data, Republicans are a bit apprehensive. Some of the president's supporters don't appear to be engaged and excited about this race. An ad talking about Trump, reminding him of some of the things he's delivered, I think could help some of those folks turn out. I think it depends on the state and the race. What exactly is he delivered? What's that ad going to be? New names for lakes? Well, wait a minute. For a lot of the president's supporters, they're going to look at immigration and say you've been highly successful there.

38:31That's been one of the number one issues that really motivates a lot of Trump Republicans in the base. I think cleaning up government, a lot of them would say, you may disagree, Christine, but we're talking about the president. He didn't clean up government. It's swampier than ever. You have to remember, who are you targeting with the ads and what do those voters expect? And pointing to those things mobilizes those voters. And I think they would see that as a win and a success of the president. I don't disagree that there is part of immigration that is going to be compelling to a MAGA base. But even Republicans are not happy with the way that ICE has gotten so out of control and that Americans have died and that we're no longer just arresting the worst of the worst anymore.

39:14OK, I want to ask one question. You each get one word answer. We have we have the Republican midterm convention this week. Literally, I don't want more than two words to answer this. Who's more excited about this Republican midterm convention? Democrats or Republicans, Christine? Democrats. Michael, it depends on the race.

39:33You made my job so easy. They've come back here. It was so long to go to John. Great to see you this holiday weekend. Thank you very much. So moments ago, President Trump back on the ground in Washington, D.C. after his weekend in New Jersey. And he is traveling again this week. We just talked about it to Texas for the first ever Republican midterm convention. The big moments the party is really banking on, maybe betting on in the moments that could be a dud.

40:31We'll be right back. starting at$49.99 a month. Visit simplisafe.com slash licenses for alarm license information. Tennessee 2012. In our world lead, rolling blackouts are part of everyday life in Cuba. That has inspired some online influencers to resort to unconventional methods to stay connected. One man's homemade creation is helping thousands across the island. San Juan Carlos Lopez sat down with the inventor who hopes his social media stardom might help rebuild his country.

41:03These are Cuban influencers. In the middle of rolling blackouts that can last up to 23 hours per day, they still post their stories on platforms like Instagram. Not all live in Havana. This is Caravaggio, a small town about an hour's drive from the capital, and where Dayan Marrero, a 22-year-old computer science major, lives and creates content. I was watching videos on Facebook one day, Dayan tells me, on retail groups here in Cuba. I came across someone who promoted an academy to learn how to create content, and at first I thought it was a scam because you had to pay a fee. And I said, this is a scam.

41:44But Dayan says it wasn't a scam after all. And he eventually ventured out on his own cell phone and a common cause. How to Survive Cuba's Energy Crisis.

41:58The reel took off on Instagram. It's a DIY on how to make antennas to capture the elusive cell phone signal, getting close to 800 ,000 views.

42:11This is a handmade mobile base featured in Dayan's reel. It is becoming a common tool in rural homes in Cuba. What Dayan has done and what he's promoted on his social media platforms is the ability to build your own antenna. And then you have to go inside and put your phone next to that base to be able to have signal. And you'll see around the rooftops here, a lot of people are installing these antennas to be able to communicate with the outside world. As he gained more followers, Dayan started promoting products in great demand during the sweltering Cuban summer.

42:51like these rechargeable fans, which he also uses to light himself while recording. It also allows him to receive a commission. When you have a thousand followers, you can apply for a sales program, Dayan says. Once you're accepted, when someone clicks and buys a product from my video, I make a commission of 3 to 5 percent. It depends on the product's price, he tells me. But the next step is graduating from college and to make it on TikTok. And unlike many on the island, he's not trying to leave. He wants to find work in his field and stay in Cuba. Juan Carlos Lopez, CNN, Mayabeque Province, Cuba.

43:37This is The Lead. I'm John Berman in for Jake Tapper. Welcome to Labor Day, the unofficial end to the summer and the start of the midterm blitz. President Trump finally getting involved. What we're learning about his plans for his$400 million war chest ahead of the Republican Trumpapalooza later this week. Plus, a campaign trail scare in Ohio where an armed man was arrested after pushing through a crowd toward the Democratic candidate for governor. The suspect taken down by highway patrol troopers. A man who witnessed the entire encounter joins us live ahead. Also, more than 3 million pages of the Epstein files are going on tour around the U.S.

44:14It's part of a traveling project meant to call attention to the Justice Department and its handling or mishandling of the investigation and release of some files. One of the people behind the project is here to explain how it came to be. And their case was thrust back into the national spotlight thanks to a Netflix documentary. Now, Lyle and Eric Menendez have been granted an early parole hearing 30 years after being convicted of murdering their parents. What this means for the potential of them being released from prison. That's ahead.

44:49All right, the lead tonight, President Trump, just touched back down in Washington as he prepares to start a post-Labor Day campaign blitz. He is slamming Democrats and what he calls the radical left in a happy Labor Day message, boasting, quote, we're going to win the midterms big and save America. That's all caps. Wednesday, he will headline a first-of-its-kind Republican midterm convention in Dallas, where the party is hoping the president's presence will help attract their highest dollar donors. The president's PAC, MAGA, Inc., is now wading into the spending game, starting with a$10 million ad buy in Texas to boost the Republican Senate candidate there, Ken Paxton, in his tight race against Democrat James Tallarico.

45:31CNN's Kevin Liptak is at the White House tonight. Hi, Kevin. The president says he wants to get out on the trail and spend that war chest this November. What more are you learning about the midterm strategy? Yeah, when you listen to the president, when you listen to his advisors, they say it will be an imperative to get the president out on the trail, to get him in front of voters, to put his name figuratively on the ballot with the belief that the president's base, you know, those low propensity voters won't go out and cast ballots unless he puts himself front and center. Now, whether that's what many Republican candidates want is a completely different question.

46:08Many of them very much want to avoid making this election a referendum on President Trump, just given how historically unpopular he is at the moment, given how his priorities seem to have veered from those of the American public. They may not really have a choice in the matter. The president says that he will be out on the campaign trail for all of October. He says he'll be campaigning for 30 days straight. He says he has 35 races that he has targeted where he wants to bring these Republicans across the finish line. Many of them feel like they cannot snub the president and they do at the end of the day need something from him, which is his money.

46:46You know, he says he has a billion dollars to spend in his political action committee. He says he's prepared to spend roughly half of that. But so far, the only expenditure that he's put out is that$10 million for Ken Paxton down in Texas. Beyond that infusion, Republicans say they have received relatively little information about where and when the president is going to be spending the rest of that money. So, Kevin, what more are you hearing about this midterm convention later this week up against, I should note, two football games Wednesday and Thursday night? Will it, in fact, be a Trumpapalooza?

47:20Yeah, and those season openers are going to be a tough ratings challenge, I think, for the president. His advisers recognize that as well. But there's no question, this is a Trump production. They would not be holding this convention unless the president had sort of conceived of it and gotten Republicans to fall in line behind him. Some Republican candidates are avoiding it altogether. They say they'd rather be in their districts campaigning. Of course, being there at the convention with President Trump also makes these races much more national, puts Trump into the conversation. That's something that a lot of them want to avoid.

47:54President Trump will be speaking on both nights. He's delivering the keynote the first night, the closing remarks the second night. The vice president will deliver the keynote the second night. you will also see a number of cabinet officials, including the Treasury Secretary, the Health Secretary, Republican stars like Caroline Levitt, the former press secretary. All of this, I think, trying to put President Trump in front of voters, again, to try and get some of his base enthused about an election that many Republicans fear will not feature the turnout that they might need and are hoping for.

48:29Kevin Liptak at the White House this evening. Thank Thank you so much for being with us here now. Former Trump White House Communications Director Alyssa Farah Griffin. Alyssa, great to see you. What are you hearing from Republican candidates and maybe campaign staff about how excited they are at the notion of this Trumpapalooza? So I've talked to quite a few Republican campaign advisers and consultants, and everyone's just kind of confused by it. And let me tell you why. This is going to cost a lot to put on money that otherwise could be spent on winning races. But most candidates who are in very competitive races right now are trying to create some sort of strategic distance from Donald Trump, not be walking in lockstep with him.

49:10I think it's no surprise that Susan Collins has a conflict and is not going in Maine and is not going to be attending this rally. And I think, listen, in terms of how resources are used, it would maybe make sense for the Democrats who are likely to win back some seats to have held a midterm convention, really gin up their base, talk about taking on Donald Trump and what their agenda would look like. But right now, all Republicans need to be doing is being in their districts, being in the states that they represent, and trying to show any kind of concrete things that they've been able to accomplish for their voters.

49:41They do not want to be front and center with Donald Trump. But the reality is this. I actually don't think this convention is going to break through in any major way. I could be wrong, but it's up against the NFL. It's likely going to come off like every other Trump speech and rally, that there's some clippable moments. But it's hard to see how it moves the needle. Super Bowl rematch Wednesday night. Patriots, Seahawks will be on at the exact same time. Look, the economy and high prices front and center in most voters' minds. That's what it says in all the polls right now. And Democrats are attacking the president on his priorities and accusing him of corruption.

50:13And while that's going on, this is what the president is posting on social media. He wrote, quote, I do this for our country, not myself. I've made hundreds of billions of dollars on stocks and many other type holdings for the USA, not myself. So how hard is it to send that message or sell it, you know, with gas prices high, with people saying they're concerned about their own money? It's not going to work. And listen, Donald Trump's falling into a similar trap that Joe Biden fell into and that he, in fact, is very critical of Joe Biden for falling into, which is basically saying, don't believe your eyes, your ears and your wallet.

50:54The economy is better than you think it is. And that's just not a convincing argument to tell voters, especially coming off of summer travel, where people are noticing their gas bills are higher. You know, airline tickets are much, much higher because of the gas prices and the war in Iran. And inflation just remains stubbornly high. This is not the message to break through, nor is, you know, all the memes that he's posting out and renaming things. That doesn't get him where he needs to be. And I just want to say, I feel like it's such a shame because Donald Trump had the greatest political comeback in American political history.

51:25When he left office in 2020, many of us thought we'd never hear from him again. But he won and he won the popular vote. And now just two years in, most of the country has turned against him and felt like he hasn't delivered on what he said he was going to do. The fact that he's trying to rally his base in a midterm convention tells you all you need to know they should be going after independents and moderate swing voters. But even having to energize his base feels like an uphill task at this point. Yeah, look, one of the truisms of modern politics is you can't tell people how they feel on the economy.

51:57They feel how they feel. They know how they feel. I want to talk a little bit about foreign policy here. The United States and Iran are trading strikes again. Diplomatic progress appears to be at a standstill. In the meantime, you have U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner going to Moscow in Kyiv to try to reignite trilateral talks there. I mean, I will say there have been strikes since they both left. But this notion of foreign policy progress, you know, how helpful would it be to be seen as maybe making progress in Ukraine and Russia for the midterm elections for Republicans? I mean, it would be helpful.

52:35Listen, I think anyone across the political spectrum would welcome any sort of resolve and any sort of decision toward a ceasefire and peace negotiations with Ukraine and Russia. And I do think that it's notable that there's a little bit of a refocusing of diplomatic efforts there since they've been so, so focused on Iran lately. It almost in some ways felt like it fell by the wayside. So, I mean, listen, if the president and his negotiating team can pull a hat, you know, pull a rabbit out of a hat on this and accomplish something there, that certainly is a boost that they would need. But the real, real issue that I think is front and center when it comes to foreign policy is the war in Iran.

53:09So even some sort of a miracle with Ukraine and Russia, I think folks are still feeling the pain in a more direct way with their pocketbooks because of that war. So that's where the focus should be. That's where Secretary Rubio should be focused. And it seems like there's just been a stall in progress. Elizabeth Farrah Griffin, great to see you this holiday. Thank you so much for being with us. So our next guest was at the fair in Canfield, Ohio, when an armed man pushed through a crowd toward a Democratic candidate. The suspect was taken down by police, but two people were injured. That witness will walk us through those moments next.

53:53In the National League, Ohio's Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton says she is grateful to be on the campaign trail today. Acton was campaigning at a fair yesterday when an armed man pushed his way through the crowd, allegedly lunging toward her. Several people were injured. The suspect, 38-year-old Patrick Havas, is expected to face assault and disorderly conduct charges. Law enforcement says he was carrying two firearms and a pair of brass knuckles, although he did not brandish a weapon during the incident. Former Democratic Congressman John Bocherry joins me now. He was at this incident on Sunday.

54:28Congressman, thank you so much for being with us. Describe where you were and what you saw as this unfolded. Thank you for having me, John. We're probably about two arms length away from Dr. Acton as she was beginning her campaign speech. and there was a little bit of a commotion outside the tent on the other side and I saw a gentleman direct another gentleman the assailant into the tent he was a rather large man came barreling through the tent with his camera in hand and filming and yelling Dr. Acton's name he proceeded to knock several elderly volunteers and and fair goers to the ground and one like in a domino effect.

55:10And one fell right in front of Dr. Acton. The poor gentleman, I believe, hit his head on the table and face down into the muck on the fairgrounds. So immediately, though, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the security detail jumped into action. They grabbed this gentleman, pulled him out of the tent. Immediately, Dr. Acton's first instinct was to aid and care for the individual that was on his face in front of her. I went over and helped the gentleman up into a chair and then there was some commotion outside the tent. We went back outside the tent, myself and Wayne Penny, who's running for state representative, another military veteran and myself in the Air Force.

55:49But we were outside making sure that everybody was safe and okay there. And that's when we found that the State Highway Patrol had found weapons on this individual. So again, there's no evidence that he was brandishing the weapons. I should say that when you saw the suspect pushing and trying to film the action, you say, what did you hear him say exactly? And did you pick up anything that indicated maybe what his motive was there? Well, there's some second and third order effects of what I believe could be his motive, but the most immediate one, the one that the state highway patrol reacted upon, was him barreling through the crowd, knocking fairgoers and volunteers to the ground with a phone.

56:32And their instinct was to remove him. Later, we found out that the gentleman had two guns, brass knuckles, and you don't come barreling through a tent to ask a question to a gubernatorial candidate with two sidearms, two glocks, and a loaded weapon, and brass knuckles. There was no expectation that he was there to give Amy Acton a hug. This was malicious. It was violent. And I believe that the charges are accurate and very much in line. Was he asking a question at the time? Could you tell? Well, he was asking, he was saying, Dr. Acton, I have a question, I have a question, and then pushing fairgoers aside as he was barreling through the crowd.

57:16But you know, look, this incident was frightening and it should alarm every Ohioan. Regardless of your political affiliation, there's just no place for this kind of intimidation and violence to volunteers, to fairgoers, to candidates themselves. And I think that these are deeply, we live in deeply divided times, but our disagreements should never lead to this kind of violence. No, we've seen an unacceptable rise in political violence over the last few years. There's no question about that. This race has been tough. I mean, very tough. Dr. Acton is declining to debate with the Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy.

57:49The PAC behind him is running a brutal campaign ad right now, including one that alleges that Dr. Acton struggles with alcohol and drug abuse issues. She denies both. Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign did release a statement condemning the incident with a spokesperson calling it unacceptable and saying candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence. You know, what role do you think the rhetoric in this particular race may have had, may have contributed, how it might have contributed to what happened? Well, thank you for asking that question, John. Look, the type of campaign that Vivek Ramaswamy has run is built on misinformation and fear mongering.

58:26and the reckless rhetoric that has been used in this campaign can bring out and drive the most dangerous impulses of our citizens. And he owns this. He has run a deeply vicious and personal campaign against her. And, you know, I think it's less than honorable, to be honest with you. And I just think that we ought to get to the issues. We ought to talk about where Ohio can move forward and how we can move the state forward and less on the personal tax that he has run. You know, the Canfield Fair is a cherished community event, and there's lots of traditions with families. There are thousands of fairgoers there.

59:07And to have an armed individual run into a tent and bum rush and rush and lunge at a gubernatorial candidate is just out of line where the political dynamic is. As we noted, Vivek Ramos only did, in his campaign, did condemn the incident at the fairgrounds yesterday. We do appreciate you being with us. Former Democratic Congressman Don Puceri, thank you very much. A number of young engineers say they were recruited from Mexico with the promise of good-paying jobs in the United States. But when they got here, it was a much different story. Hear what happened in the lawsuit that was just settled.

59:40Next.

59:49In our world lead, hundreds of Mexican workers sued some of the auto industry giants for what they say was a bait and switch. Skilled engineers allegedly were lured to the United States to work professional jobs, but when they arrived were forced into 12-hour assembly line shifts with low pay. Seen as Rafael Romo spoke with one young man whose dream job turned into a nightmare. You are like 24, 25 years old and you see an ad that says, hey, you can go to work in the United States. Obviously, it's going to sound like, I don't know, like a dream job, like an amazing offer. Isidro Arellano says he was in his last year of engineering school when he saw an ad at his college in Mexico.

1:00:31He says the ad was for engineering jobs at car factories in the United States. The ideal candidate, young engineers or technicians from Mexico willing to work north of the border. Can you tell me what happened after you applied? They called me and they told me that they have a job opportunity to work in a plan that makes parts for the automotive industry. Full of dreams, Arellano says he traveled to the United States in 2021 for what he describes as a quality engineering job whose duties included taking precise measurements for auto parts. Did you at any point feel like this was a little too good to be true?

1:01:17Yeah, it crossed my mind like a couple of times. A class action lawsuit filed in 2022 in federal court in Atlanta alleges that Arellano and about 600 other Mexican workers were induced to move to the United States with false promises of a skilled job, but relegated to performing assembly line work subjected to six 12-hour workdays per week with mandatory overtime while American-born workers were not and paid half of what American-born workers earned for the same job in the same location. We're receiving calls from workers talking about issues that they were having in the auto supply industry in Georgia and Alabama.

1:02:01Julia Solorzano is the legal and policy director of an organization that advocates for migrant workers. These workers alleged that they were recruited for professional jobs doing engineering and technical work in auto supply plants in Georgia. And so these are workers who had degrees and professional qualifications to do that kind of work. In fact, the terms of their visa required them to do that professional work. According to the class action lawsuit, the workers came to the United States with what is known as a TN visa, which, according to the U.S. State Department, allows eligible Canadian and Mexican professionals to work in high-skilled jobs in the country under the free trade agreement between all three countries known as the USMCA.

1:02:46What it turned into, as is claimed in the case, was a bait-and-switch. The workers ended up, these engineers ended up in the United States working at these plants and were doing manual labor. They were not working as engineers. Just before trial last month, the defendants, including Hyundai Mobis and Kia Georgia, as well as Georgia-based staffing agency SPJ Connect and Georgia recruiting firm Alswell, reached an$11.5 million settlement. In a statement to CNN, Kia says they resolved the matter, saying the court made no finding of liability of wrongdoing by Kia and no fines or judgments were entered against the company.

1:03:29Kia denies the allegations and denies it played any role in recruiting the claimants. CNN reached out to Hyundai Mobis and Allswell, but got no response. SPJ Connect appears as dissolved in state of Georgia documents. The allegation is that they used the TN visa program to provide a supply of labor at their plants. And the way they used the TN visa program, according to the lawsuit, was to circumvent the immigration laws. What is the message that this case sends to foreign workers in general, workers who may be in the same situation these Mexican engineers and technicians were? Even in this environment, we have this group of workers who stepped forward and decided that they were wronged and did something about it and achieved justice.

1:04:33Isidro Arellano returned to the United States and is legally working as an engineer. Other workers in the class action lawsuit who left jobs and family have not been as fortunate. Rafael Romo, CNN Atlanta. Our thanks to Rafael for that report. So the FC Files are going on the road. That's right. More than three million documents traveling the country as part of a project aimed at calling out the Justice Department's handling of the investigation. Those details next.

1:05:09In our Law and Justice League tomorrow, a mobile reading room and bookmobile containing more than 3 million pages of publicly available Epstein files sets out for a multi-state tour. Earlier this summer, more than 15 ,000 people visited the Trump-Epstein installation in New York City and in Washington, D.C. Now the Institute for Primary Facts and Defiance.org hope to shine a light on survivors and, quote, call out redactions that protect the powerful. With us now, Epstein survivor Danny Benski and executive director of the Institute for Primary Facts, David Garrett. Thanks so much for both being with us.

1:05:44Danny, you went to the installation in New York. What was that like? And how are you feeling about this tour going cross country? I mean, it's so powerful to walk into a space and just feel the magnitude being surrounded by all of these files and understanding that they're now in the public domain for people to see. So just to be able to experience that and feel the weight of it is something that I really recommend everybody should do, because you see what we do have, but you also want to think about what we don't have. At this point, we know that we have over 3 million files, but we know that that's not everything.

1:06:18And so just to feel how big and the enormity of this case and of this situation, I think it's really important that people come to visit. David, what do you hope the traveling version of this exhibit accomplishes? Well, you know, when we were in D.C., we happened to get quite a few lawmakers that came in. But unfortunately, we feel like we didn't really make enough of a difference just talking to lawmakers. So we're out here now talking to their constituents and really educating voters on this topic. So, Danny, last time you were on the lead, it was as Attorney General Todd Blanch was heading toward confirmation.

1:07:02You said it felt, quote, disheartening and like the wind was knocked out of democracy. Have you heard anything from the Justice Department or confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche since he was sworn in? No, we haven't. Not that I know of, at least. Definitely not directly to me, which, you know, sits heavy with survivors. But I think that that's also the importance of having an installation like this and being in a space like this where you can start to see the gravity. yeah so I do hope I hope that lawmakers will come and and talk to us and I hope that the public comes and speaks to us and I do want to say that you know America's really been on our side with this and I understand this you know this has been 30 years for some of us it's been 20 years for some of us it's something that's really not going away and to see that this is a topic the voters care about and that is pulling so high we're just really grateful that people are putting pressure on and continuing to ask for the release and continuing to ask for the protection of survivors.

1:08:04So thank you to America. So, David, we can't help but notice that the reading room is in Dallas this week. Also in Dallas this week, the Republican Midterm Convention. How much of a coincidence was that?

1:08:22You know, we were always going to come to Dallas and we were always going to start the tour in Dallas. I guess it was just a lucky coincidence that the RNC happened to be here at the same time. I think we planned it before they did. So they're chasing you. Not so sure they chose the site because you would be there. Danny, do you think all of the files will ever be released? Do you think we'll ever see everything that was in there, Danny? Well, I certainly hope so. Never say never. I think something that we've learned is that hope is alive and, you know, I was feeling very low after I went the last time that I was on the lead, the last time I spoke with with Tapper.

1:09:03And so, yeah, I think that tides do turn. And I think when you look at what this year of advocacy has been for survivors, it's been something really extraordinary to see survivors come forward and the American people really support survivors and continue to reach out with their stories. Like my inbox is flooded with people coming forward, maybe for the first time. And that number and that statistic of one in three women in America are survivors. Right. I think it's just really it really does change things for us when we know that there is so much support. So, yeah, I just I hope that we can keep going and maybe one day we will see the files just the same way that everybody said that the Epstein Files Transparency Act would never pass.

1:09:44And yet here we are. So, yeah. David, what else can you tell us about where the tour is headed and how people can visit if they want to? Sure. So we're going to be headed to five or six different spots between now and the end of the year. I think our next stop is Des Moines, Iowa. And people that want to come and visit, they can just go to Trump Epstein Reading Room dot com and make a reservation for free. All right, David Garrett, Danny Bansky, our thanks to both of you. We appreciate you being with us. So a top Republican says he expects Senator Mitch McConnell to return to work next week after nearly a three-month absence.

1:10:25But what is McConnell's own staff saying about this? That's next.

1:10:38In our Politics Lead Center, Mitch McConnell is expected to return to Capitol Hill next week, at least according to his fellow Kentuckian, Congressman James Comer. According to his staff, they have all said it's their goal for Senator McConnell to be here when the Senate comes in next week. The 84-year-old has not been seen in public since June. In July, his team said McConnell fell and was in the hospital. Then his team said the senator moved to a rehabilitation center, was discharged in early August, and was recovering at home in Kentucky. With us now is the Democrat, a Democrat, running for Kentucky's 6th Congressional District, Zach Dembo.

1:11:18So thank you so much for being with us. Congressman Comer says McConnell is expected to return when the Senate reconvenes next Monday. But McConnell's office referred CNN to its latest statement saying they are not scheduling announcements at this time. You said that McConnell deserves medical privacy, but the public deserves answers. So are these recent statements and the photos and the apparent, you know, lack of clarity over his return? Is this the transparency you're looking for? John, first of all, thanks for having me and happy Labor Day. But I'm sad to say this story just goes to exactly why folks in central Kentucky feels like they can't trust D.C.

1:11:58We see members of both parties, including Senator McConnell, getting into office and thinking their only job is to get rich and stay in office until they're incapacitated or pass away. We've seen it from people on both sides of the aisle. And so when we have a senator who came into office before I was born, still in office and not being transparent about his health, it's exactly what gets central Kentucky fed up with politics as usual. It's what I'm hoping to change. I've never run for office before, and I've already come out in favor of term limits. And certainly I think there should be age limits considered as well.

1:12:36You're on the campaign trail. How much are people really talking about Mitch McConnell? Do they care what he's doing or do they care more about their own mortgage rates and gas prices? So you're absolutely right, John, that the first thing everyone's worried right now, the first thing on their mind is how much everything costs. Right. I mean, these tariffs are crushing Kentucky consumers by jacking up the costs of everything. The Canadian tariffs are about to go in at midnight, crushing what's already been a grievously wounded Kentucky bourbon industry. But stories like this about politicians who are clinging to power rather than serving for us make the connection for folks in central Kentucky about why things are so expensive.

1:13:22And they're so expensive because D.C. is corrupt and it's not working for you and me. It is working for the rich and powerful. So you're right. I get asked about Senator McConnell a lot, but it's always after, why aren't folks standing up for us? We know prices are too high. We know housing is unaffordable. We know the diesel prices are crushing Kentucky farmers. And it's because they recognize stories like this show it's why the system is not working for us. In terms of Senator McConnell, what would full transparency look like to you?

1:13:56I will tell you for anyone who's looking to represent Central Kentucky, that means they're your boss. And so in my mind, in any other job in the world, and I just spent time talking to people who work on UPS trucks and people who work in the grocery store, a lot of our union members here, if any of them were just going to not show up to work for months, they would have to have a very clear report about what their status was and when they were going to be able to be back at the job. I don't get the sense that report has been given to Senator McConnell's bosses. And if I'm ever, when I am lucky enough to be the congressman from central Kentucky, you can be sure I'll be reporting in my bosses with more regularity.

1:14:37So in terms of your own race, your opponent, the Republican, Dr. Ralph Alvarado, has said you are anti-law enforcement, which is something that you do hear from Republicans campaigning against Democrats across the country. How do you respond to that? I'm the only veteran in this race. I'm the only prosecutor in this race. Unlike my opponent, I have spent my career putting violent criminals behind bars. And in contrast, my opponent signed on to the failed governorship of Matt Bevin as his running mate. Matt Bevin being a governor who gutted or tried to gut, if it weren't for the attorney general at the time, Andy Beshear, the pensions of every law enforcement officer in the state.

1:15:23Matt Bevin, who gave pardons to a child rapist and a murderer in exchange for donations. That is my opponent's record. He signed on to all that. And by the way, Matt Bevin, who's spending the night in a jail cell tonight. I'm not surprised that my opponent would try to distort my own record, but it's very hard to go against the only veteran in the race and the only prosecutor in the race and claim that he is anti-law enforcement. I've worked side by side with law enforcement, and my opponent, unfortunately, has disrespected law enforcement at every turn. All right, the Democratic candidate for Kentucky's 6th Congressional District, Zach Dembo, we appreciate you being with us.

1:16:00Thanks very much. Our panel is with us now. Just quickly on Senator Mitch McConnell, maybe coming back next week? His office isn't saying for sure? Shouldn't they say for sure? I wish the senator well. I hope he comes back with the same vigor he had before he spent a long time in the Senate. He's a lion of the Senate and I think would go down as arguably one of the most tactically positioned senators and majority leaders in the history of this country. So Max Rose with us as well, former Democratic congressman from Staten Island here. on the subject of senators who some people think aren't doing the jobs the way they're supposed to.

1:16:39The Wall Street Journal had this brutal takeout on Senator John Fetterman, which suggested that he's not paying attention to constituents, not meeting with people in his office, skipping things like that. Now, Fetterman responded to Manuraj. You called the article the third hit piece from the disgruntled staffers and said the text messages lacks context for that. He said he was joking in one of them or whatnot. But what do you think about this idea of how much he's doing his job, the perception that he's not doing his job? I'm a partisan Democrat. And I think that John Fetterman will make a fantastic Democrat in 2027 and 2028 in the United States Senate.

1:17:23And we just need to keep it there and not say anything else, guys. Don't screw this up. Winning the Senate is hard enough for Democrats. We shouldn't lose another one by forcing this guy over to the Republican Party. 2028 election and 2028 primary, that's a long ways away. That can be litigated then. John Fetter will make a fantastic member of the Democratic Party, the United States Senate. Oh, how the Overton window is moving. We welcome Senator Fetterman onto the Republican side. Come on over and help us with our majority. We will support you. We'll put money into your race. And he might even be able to win as a Republican.

1:18:00Medicare for all, John Federer. Hey, that's okay. We believe in diversity of opinions in their GOP. So, Max, how concerned are you that he will flip? And do you think, look, this is an article from the Wall Street Journal. This is former staffers were concerned about the job he was doing. And we're talking about constituent services. And you know, as a former congressman, there's the partisan stuff. But there's also the stuff that every member does, which is the constituent services. You answer the phone calls from your voters. You meet with people from your district. And that's what the Journal is suggesting that he wasn't doing as well.

1:18:31Now, he denies that. But what about that? Look, it is very clear that when you're a member of Congress in the House, but particularly when you're a member of the United States Senate, your staff is running an enormous amount of your constituent services. That's the type of stuff where the member establishes a culture. Certainly some are more involved than others. But look, Senator Fetterman, this is an apolitical comment, clearly has a problem with his own staff, right? Because those comments, those leaks, they were not coming from anywhere but his own staff. And that is something that I think every member of Democratic leadership is urging him to fix as quickly as possible.

1:19:10You know, sure, Michael, a group of former Fetterman staffers on that note have created an anonymous X account and they're vowing to share stories and make sure Pennsylvania knows exactly who he is. The account posted, set your calendar for September 14th, the day the Senate is back in session for our first drop. Let's be honest, maybe the 15th, he'll skip Monday's votes. I mean, like the barrage of attacks, I don't think are anything new for the senator. He's been criticized by many within his party for quite some time, particularly over the Israel issue. I say continue this because at some point, John Fetterman may find himself politically homeless.

1:19:43And I can guarantee you there are senators on the Republican side right now, Katie Britt being one of them, who are saying, come on over to the Republican side. We will make space for you. They're friends. She apparently visited him when he was in the hospital. Come over to the Republicans. They won't criticize you for anything. And even when you're comatose, they'll still compliment you. God bless you. All right, Congressman, let's talk about Democrats. Well, I guess Don Fennerman is still a Democrat. We talk about him. Let's talk about Hakeem Jeffries, who could, according to Schermichael, be the next Speaker of the House, right?

1:20:12Because you conceded the House. Last hour, you declared Democrats are winning the House, just for context there. How hard will it be for him to govern a diverse, democratic coalition there? Sure. Well, first of all, it has. First of all, is he guaranteed to be speaker? Yes. Yeah, a thousand percent. And good luck to any member of Congress in early 2027 who's trying to stand up and oppose the first black speaker in the history of this country. one who has been a champion of progressive issues for his entire career. But look, let's forget about how difficult his job as speaker will be. Let's look at how difficult and challenging his job has been today to unite this extraordinarily intellectually diverse caucus, move it and steer it in the same direction and at a time where Hakeem Jeffries is not getting attacked in these swing congressional districts.

1:21:11He's not this boogeyman that previous Democratic leaders have been. So this is a guy that has galvanized the party's base, united the caucus, and is helping these tough, challenging frontliners win their seats. These tough challengers win their seats. That's an incredible feat that I think only Leader Jeffries could have been capable of achieving. Sure, Michael. So last week, I think it was just last week. I've lost track of time at the end of the summer here. But Democratic leadership did lose this party line vote. It was kind of humiliating, right? Two Democrats split and the whole rule thing went down there.

1:21:44It made me wonder, after the last, what, four or five years that Republicans have had in the majority, where we saw things we'd never seen before. McCarthy, Kevin McCarthy, like booted there. Rule after rule failing. And things never happened like that before. Have we just entered this new era where the parties in the House don't want to be governed with an iron fist? You know, I think that would be a catastrophic mistake if that is the case. I've seen a lot of the progressive attacks against Hakeem Jeffries. Some of them, by the way, steeped in racism, which is despicable and disgusting by someone on the far left.

1:22:17This guy has an opportunity to make history. An attorney, a husband, a father. As an African-American man, I may not agree with him on all of the politics, but I am so proud of the moment to make history here because this is the type of an example you want to see more of. That said, he has to govern. Democratic voters may be angry, but I presume, you correct me if I'm wrong here, Max, they want a government that works not just for them but for the entire country and how king jeffries will play a pivotal part in that process amen x rose great to see both of you thanks so much for coming in appreciate it my god believe it they're going to a bar i haven't all right king charles making some of his first remarks about his son harry uh as harry and megan returned to the united kingdom so how happy is this reunion that's next

1:23:06Our last lead starts in our law and justice lead. Eric and Lyle Menendez, two brothers who were convicted of first-degree murder for the 1989 killing of their parents, have been granted an early parole hearing. Last year, after a long battle in court, the True were resentenced to 50 years to life in prison, which made them eligible for parole. The hearings are scheduled for March of next year. In our pop lead, nine months after his tragic death, Rob Reiner won a posthumous Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy for his performance in The Bear. Reiner was found dead alongside his wife, Michelle Singer Reiner, in their home in Los Angeles last December.

1:23:41The couple's son, Nick, is charged with their murders and pleaded not guilty. In our world lead, King Charles confirmed today that Harry and Meghan continue to be non-working royals, despite their return to the UK last month. A royal spokesperson explained in a letter that the status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not change and they will not carry out any official engagements on behalf of the crown. According to the letter, Harry and Meghan's position is, quote, akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests, as opposed to being an actual working royal. So you can follow me at John Berman on X and on Instagram.

1:24:20You can follow the show on X and Instagram at The Lead CNN. If you ever miss an episode of The Lead, you can watch the show in the CNN app. The news continues on CNN.

1:24:53Shopify on your side? Turn your big business idea into... Sign up for your$1 per month trial at shopify.com slash special offer. In 2024, a man was killed by the FBI. And to this day, the authorities have refused to say why. He was a father, an ex-husband, and a Russian-born American citizen. He just seemed like a lonely guy, and he needed a friend. And he kind of talked about death, didn't he? He talked about you just never know when it's your time. I'm CNN investigative reporter Isabel Chapman, host of the new limited series Civilian or Spy. They noticed that he was communicating with people that were of concern to the FBI.

1:25:38Oh my God, Jesus. Head over to the CNN Presents feed and listen to our three-part series, Civilian or Spy, available wherever you get your podcasts.