Updated
Summary
President said that Hurricane Ian may be responsible for substantial loss of life. A Trump-appointed judge extends deadline for special master review of Mar-a-Lago documents.
Transcript
SEN. RAPHAEL WARNOCK (D-GA): You know, I was John Lewis`s pastor and in his memory, I continue to fight the good fight. But the people of Georgia have a chance to exercise their vote this election season, and I want to encourage them to vote early beginning October 17th.
CHRIS HAYES, MSNBC HOST, “ALL IN”: Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock of Georgia, thank you very much for your time tonight.
WARNOCK: Thank.
HAYES: That is “ALL IN” on this Thursday night.
ALEX WAGNER TONIGHT starts right now.
Good evening, Alex.
ALEX WAGNER, MSNBC HOST: Chris, you never forget that the senator is also a reverend, with lines like a vote is a kind of a prayer.
HAYES: Well, I was just thinking, obviously, politicians, big spectrum, big spectrum in backgrounds, big spectrum — you know, some politicians are incredibly effective and not just particularly amazing communicator, right? Some are good communicators, but not effective. But it is very striking when you are in the presence of someone like the Reverend Raphael Warnock was just obviously a tremendously and profound person.
WAGNER: Yeah, I spent some time with him on the trail in Georgia in the last election and you never lost sight of the fact that he was John Lewis`s pastor, a reverend, you know? He is a force of nature.
Thank you, Chris. Great interview.
HAYES: You bet.
WAGNER: And thanks to you at home for joining us.
When Hurricane Ian came ashore yesterday afternoon, we knew it was one of the strongest storms to ever hit Florida, or ever hit the United States, period. And after a terrifying night in southwest Florida, daylight today brought harrowing evidence of the destruction in storm like that brings. This is Fort Myers Beach, one of the barrier islands that Ian slammed into as a nearly category five storm.
Before the hurricane, it was a popular beach destination full of resorts and restaurants. As you can see, much of it has been leveled.
One local resident told his local paper, quote, Fort Myers Beach is gone. This is the causeway leading to Sanibel Island just west of the Fort Myers Beach. It`s the only road to that island of 6,000 people. As you can see here, it is impassable.
All the bridges to Pine Island just north of there have also failed. This evening, “NBC Nightly News” anchor Lester Holt spoke with the mayor of Sanibel about her concern for the people who didn`t evacuate before the storm and may be trapped there.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLLY SMITH, SANIBEL, FL MAYOR: We have had significant numbers of people contact us, with people that they knew that were on the island. So we have been logging those meticulously and getting those out to our first responders. We had about 200 households that didn`t evacuate on the island that we know of, and the search and rescue teams are on the island going to those areas trying to help those individuals and make sure they are safe. There have been some people that have come off the island.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WAGNER: As you hear the mayor of Sanibel describing there, a huge issue today is that the infrastructure damage is making it difficult for first responders to reach areas where people may be stranded or worse. At least ten people are confirmed dead from the storm but that number is expected to rise perhaps significantly.
Visiting FEMA headquarters today, President Biden warned that Ian could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida`s history, saying it early reports suggested substantial loss of life. The FAA this evening declared a temporary restricted airspace over Fort Myers to clear the area for search operations. Florida governor says there have been over 700 come from rescue statewide so far.
And to be clear, the storm is not over. Nearly two and a half million customers are still without power. Even as residents in southwest Florida`s begin to survey the damage and search the wreckage for survivors, in central Florida and on the northeast coast, the disaster is still unfolding. Orlando saw historic flooding today after drenching 15 inches of rain, and the rain and wind continued into tonight as residents wait for the floodwaters to recede.
As Ian moved out into the Atlantic this afternoon, there was a storm surge on the east coast just of the was on the west coast. Here you see the city of St. Augustine, where the Matanzas River overtopped its banks where it flows into the Atlantic. Officials say that historical levels of river flooding could affect for communities inland not just on the coast. It could affect them for weeks.
And now that Ian has moved out into the Atlantic, it is strengthened from a truck typical storm back into a category one hurricane. The states north of Florida are bracing for its impact as it turns back west toward the South Carolina coast. Right now, it is places like Lee County on Florida`s southwest county, that`s Fort Myers, Sanibel, Cape Coral, where the situation is most dire. Even as rescuers search for those who need help, Lee County`s public hospital system announced that they are evacuating all of their patients, at least 800 people, out of that county because of the lack of power and running water.
The storm may have moved on from southwest Florida but the grappling with what it left behind is just beginning.
Joining us now from Fort Myers, Florida, is CNBC correspondent Perry Rossum.
Perry, we spoke last night just after Fort Myers was devastated. Can you tell us about the last 24 hours and what it`s been like?
PERRY ROSSUM, CNBC CORRESPONDENT: So, today we went down to Fort Myers where there was flooding entire neighborhoods that are separated by water. Today, we heard stories of surviving and stories of saving.
On the surviving side, we met an 80-year-old woman who was filed by a couple of twenty-somethings, she was taking her cell phone, trapped in her house and was just tapping against the window. She was trapped inside of her house and buy some luck, these twenty-somethings heard her, dove into the water, and got her.
We met a woman called Mandy, she was wearing a lifejacket inside of her house with her husband. They were standing on top of a pool table that flipped over. They were standing there for hours in a lifejacket. Mandy tells us her water was up to her neck.
On the saving side, we met this man name Kevin Ott, he told us he saved 16 people. He was with his three kids, his two sons in his daughter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEVIN OTT, FLORIDA RESIDENT: Scary. But we saved a lot of people today. So, that`s good. People there would never have made it, old people, sad, we had to leave a lot of people too.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROSSUM: We spoke to him outside of the house where he saved the family of his ex girlfriend. There were about three or four of them that were trapped inside a house in ten feet of water. They were inside of a canoe, Alex.
WAGNER: Perry, people standing in lifejackets on top of pool tables inside their house. It was seen their only lifeline here are their cell phones. How are telecommunications? Are people able to get through to emergency services via phone?
ROSSUM: Their only lifeline is there deadline. There is no cell service at all period. Like we were down there today speaking these people. We were saying hey how`s it going we have no idea? The only thing that they understand as within their four walls under the roof if they still have one.
They are essentially trapped. Luckily right now, the water is going down. We were down there earlier today, the only way we could get around was hitching rides with people have those trucks with a higher suspension. We saw a couple of swamp buggies as well. There`s no communication.
We had to drive maybe 20 or 30 minutes outside of where we were to get cell service to send a tweets, let people know where we were, checking in to make sure that we were okay and all that stuff. Cell service just doesn`t exist.
When we spoke to Mandy a woman with a lifejacket in the pool table, she told us, like, what is FEMA going to do? How is FEMA going to help them right now? She told us her message from FEMA what she`s been hearing from FEMA, is go online to fill out the form, go on line to find out more information. But online just doesn`t exist for them, Alex.
WAGNER: We are showing some images here, Perry, of the utter devastation. There is no home to go to. This is just wreckage. These are just piles of debris. What kind of shelter is there for people who are hoping to return home and realize there is no home to return to?
ROSSUM: So, the shelters we are hearing about I believe it was 12 or 14 yesterday added two more. People have either been going towards Miami or they`d be going up to Gainesville to find shelter, but the biggest issue is communication. The people have to know that shelters are there, and the thing we are seeing is the destruction is so widespread that you have first responders who are just so spread out.
So it`s difficult to get to every single person. That`s not the fall of the first responders. They`re trying to do the job taking life over property right now, but just to show you what we are talking about, we were across the street from Mindy, her neighbor`s house was just on fire. It was burning to the ground. There was nobody there. We saw some fire fighters drive-by but they were trying, to find a woman who was trapped in an attic.
So we have firefighters driving by a building that is burning, because they`re still looking for people. There`s so many different variables at play, with timing, the communication, making sure people have food, water and everything like that. These people feel helpless. There is no real communication, turning us to reporters saying, what are you hearing, what are you seeing, how bad is it? And we`re just hearing from them about the water that they were standing and that was feet high.
WAGNER: I mean, I`d ask you as a reporter who is been living through this chapter that is going to be to most people the most devastating chapter of their life, what is the emotional tenor of the people you`ve spoken to? Obviously, this is an incredibly fraught, devastating, sad and tragic moment. Do you see resilience or — just tell me how it is been to talk to people whose lives have been so deeply affected by hurricane.
[21:10:07]
ROSSUM: One, they are tired, first off. They really haven`t slept. They are exhausted emotionally, physically. The woman we talked with Mindy, she said, hey, we will talk to you but can you please sit down my feet or tired from standing and, I said, of course, no problem at all. They are just tired.
Kevin Ott, the man on the boat was saving the 16 people, he hadn`t slept, he was exhausted. He just wants to sleep tonight. I mean, these people are sleeping in areas with no cell service, then they can`t even charge their phones when there`s no power. They are just emotionally, physically drained.
And who knows when they`re going to have a chance to refill?
WAGNER: NBC`s Perry Rossum in Fort Myers — Perry, thank you for the great reporting. Stay safe.
ROSSUM: Thank you.
WAGNER: Joining us now is Fort Myers city manager Marty Lawing.
Mr. Lawing, thank you for joining us. I know this is a terrible time for your community. Fort Myers got some of the worst of the storm yesterday. Can you tell us how recovery efforts are being coordinated today?
MARTY LAWING, CITY MANAGER, FORT MYERS, FL: Okay, well, first, we got started late last night about 11:00. A preliminary assessment team went out into the field to try and get an idea of what we would see this morning. And then bright and early this morning, they got it and started their assessment work to assess not only damage of city owned facilities, but private property as well. They came up with estimates to be used for various purposes for FEMA, et cetera, et cetera.
We`ve got a very storm savvy team, in the city of Fort Myers, an experience team of directors and staff, they know what to do and how to do it. So we`re being proactive going forward, we have an action plan and we are going to carry it out.
WAGNER: I think a lot of people will be happy to hear that you have an action plan and, that these are people who are storm savvy. But then your mayor today says this is the worst storm he`s seen in the area since he entered public service in the mid `70s.
What is it been like for you? How does this moment stack up against other storms that have been in Florida that have hit your area?
LAWING: You know, I`ve been in Fort Myers for a little over a year as city manager but I`ve worked quite a bit of my career in the coastal regions of North Carolina and South Carolina. I would have to say this is right up there with some of the strongest storms that I`ve had to deal with. What I`ve seen over the years is that every storm is different. Some have stronger winds, some have a lot more rain, some of higher storm surge.
This storm had all three and it was a pretty strong storm and had significant impact. This will be as our EOC partners from the Lee County say, this will be a marathon not a sprint to get cleaned up.
WAGNER: We`ve seen some reports of hospital patients being evacuated to other area hospitals. What kind of resources does Fort Myers have right now and what kind of resources do they need more of?
LAWING: We are very lucky that the state of Florida has a very strong emergency management program. Lee County as a very robust emergency management program as well, and the city as I said, we have a lot of experience with the department of directors, so all indications are at this point the resources from the state and federal government will be coming and coming quickly.
We`ve established request list of capital items. Human resources that we need to get things back to normal and we have a positive outlook at this point.
WAGNER: That`s wonderful to hear the of a positive outlook. As we are talking, you were playing images of the destruction on the ground there and it is staggering. I don`t think it`s lost on anybody that you are in a dark room that is not lit. I assume you don`t have electricity and I guess my question is, what is your guidance to people in Fort Myers who may want to use gas or electric power and appliances, should they be using them given the flooding that is currently in place?
LAWING: We`ll, if you step outside in most communities you will hear generators running. So we are hopeful that people have those connected safely in compliance with codes and it`ll make them a little more comfortable as we move forward. But yes, it is a challenging time and we are without power.
Of course, our city facilities have generator power. I came home for a few hours. I`m in my home now without power, without water, so I`ve made it the best I could here.
[21:15:07]
But like I said, it`s not going to be a quick recovery as at the end of yesterday there was some 280,000 customers who were without power, and a significant ma amount of customers in the city will be without water for the next couple of days. It`ll be a challenging time, but the resources from our partners in the state and county I think we`ll get through just fine.
WAGNER: All right. That is a word of encouragement from Fort Myers City Manager Marty Lawing, thank you so much for your time tonight, and good luck with everything.
LAWING: Thank you.
WAGNER: We will have much more on this devastation in Florida ahead this hour. We will talk with the coast guard commander with the rescues his team is carrying out tonight.
But up next, the judge in the Trump investigation delivering another win for the former president.
And Clarence Thomas`s wife, Ginni, talks with the January 6 committee. What she had to say is coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[21:20:51]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What the FBI is probably doing, is planting evidence. That is what they did during the Russia hoax. They also have a hunch they doctored evidence to get the warrant.
SEN. RAND PAUL (R-KY): For example, do I know the boxes of material they took from Mar-a-Lago, that they won`t put things in those boxes to entrap him? How do we know? Their lawyers weren`t allowed to see the boxes
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The lawyer said they brought in backpacks. What was in the backpacks? Today bring those and to fill them up, or do they have something in there?
DONALD TRUMP, FORMER PRESIDENT: The problem you have is, they go into rooms, it won`t let anyone near them. They won`t even let them in the same building. Did they drop anything into those piles? Or, did they do it later? There`s no chain of custody with them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WAGNER: Ever since former President Trump`s personal residence at Mar-a- Lago was searched by the FBI, Trump, Republican lawmakers, and conservative media, have been pushing the idea that the FBI may have planted incriminating evidence while they were there. Trump is not really guilty, he`s being framed, it is a witch hunt, et cetera.
Trump`s lawyers, even, suggesting as much in their legal filings. Last week, Raymond Dearie, the special master who had been appointed to oversee the tug of war between Trump slurs, and the Department of Justice over the 11,000 documents seized last month, that special master, essentially, told Trump`s team to put, up or shut up. Either present Judge Dearie with evidence that the FBI planted something, or stop saying they did.
That order could`ve poured a ton of cold water on Trump`s conspiracy theories that the FBI planted evidence at the beach club. But, it was all a deep state fake. That would`ve been, politically, optically, legally, not good for Trump.
That is why Trump`s legal team brought the special master`s order back to the judge in charge of the case, Aileen Cannon. Tonight, that judge, that Trump-appointed judge said, actually, Trump`s team does not need to comply with Judge Dearie`s order to, essentially, put up, or shut up. Meaning, Trump, and conservative media can continue to have to make this entire Mar- a-Lago episode as a deep state fake.
While she`s at it, Judge Cannon extended the deadline for the special master`s review from the end of November, to the week before Christmas. Deny, deny, deny, delay, delay, delay. So, what does this all mean for accountability?
Joining, us David Rohde, executive for TheNewYorker.com. David, thank you so much for being here.
We have spoken over these last couple of weeks about the Trumpification of the judiciary. On the 11th Circuit court gluing, and the judge special master, it seemed the judiciary was back on track. Aileen Cannon is a specific actor in this. What do you make of this decision on her part?
DAVID ROHDE, THENEWYORKER.COM: It`s disappointing. Again, positive thing, Judge Dearie, appointed by President Reagan, a Republican appointed, he was pushing a fact finding effort. Essentially, here is the inventory of documents, that the FBI, and the Justice Department created. Tell me, which of these documents may have been planted? Which ones are you suspicious of? That is what he was requiring from Trump`s lawyers, next Friday, just a week from now, roughly speaking.
And Judge Cannon just threw it out, said, don`t answer that question. This is a legal procedure, should be a fact finding exercise. They don`t have to present facts.
WAGNER: There is some talk that, look, the ultimate focus of, this the 100 or so classified documents, the investigation, the analysis, proceeds forward without the involvement of Aileen Cannon. Yet, this politically feels like a gift to Trump. The mere fact that he doesn`t have to substantiate his claims, that the FBI planted things at Mar-a-Lago, whether that was among the 11,000 documents, or elsewhere. It seems like this is something they need at this stage of the game. The idea classified them argument has evaporated.
ROHDE: There is an unusual deference to Donald Trump, in all of her rulings not everything that her lawyers have argued, she agrees with. They said, we don`t want to say which documents might be fake, because that maybe later in the case. Then, the second thing she did is said, they need more time to review the documents.
[21:25:03]
This whole tactic was to delay, as you said, and she extended the deadline.
So, again, this kind of, I don`t know, taking — there is a suspicion of everything that the DOJ, or FBI, suggests in this case, and everything that seems to come the Trump, and his lawyers present. Given the track record of Donald Trump, in the tens of thousands of lives as president, that is, I think, not appropriate.
WAGNER: The strange conclusion for her to make. Mistrust the government, but trust on all Trump. And the reason Trump`s team has been giving for these unnecessary delays, sound pretty cooked up. We can`t find the right vendor, we can to process this paper in time, you can hire more lawyers, we know you have $3 million to pay Chris Kise. You certainly should have some funds to cover the scanning of those documents.
I just wonder if the delay itself as a meaningful December 16th, a few weeks after November 30th, and originally, the judge wanted this wrapped up at the end of October. It`s inching towards the end of the year. Do you think it`s meaningful from an optical perspective, an optic`s perspective, that this will all come to a head from Christmas vacation?
ROHDE: It`s a better time for Donald Trump. They are talking about the end of October, they could have been a ruling, or some decision that made of, frankly, had an impact in the midterm elections. I don`t think it`s critical, but yes, it is now right before Christmas. It is giving Trump more time.
And again, importantly, she could block him from ever forcing Trump to begin, to put, up or shut up. Which of these documents, do you claim, and if he doesn`t have to say that, he could go on for, months and months.
WAGNER: Forever actually.
ROHDE: Well, he will, and, you know, that`s, I guess, there is his ability as a politician, but this is a judge, these are lawyers, and we go to court. You have a trial. Someone is innocent or guilty. This is a fact or this is not a fact, and that`s what we need in this kind of era in these basic facts.
WAGNER: Well, we want confidence in our judicial system. I must add, and ask you, of the news of today. Elsewhere, another court, the Supreme Court, Ginni Thomas, the wife of Clarence Thomas, testified before the January 6 committee, and a lot of people have said, given Ginni Thomas`s involvement in the events leading up to January 6th, her election denialism, and her campaign with states, and other actors, inside of Trump world, her relationships with Mark Meadows and John Eastman, that perhaps Justice Thomas should recuse himself.
Her opening statement today, speaking to the committee, I can guarantee that my husband has never spoken with me about pending cases at the court. It`s an ironclad rule in our home. Additionally, Justice Thomas is uninterested in politics, I mean, you can`t see my face here but you can imagine. And I generally do not discuss with him my day to day work in politics, topics I`m working, who I`m calling, emailing, and texting or meeting.
Does that satisfy your questions?
ROHDE: No, and it`s just bad for the Supreme Court. It`s bad for the American people. Maybe they never discussed this in private, but it`s just obvious to any American, that to have the weight of a Supreme Court justice, saying, the 2020 election was stolen, which —
WAGNER: She continues to say.
ROHDE: She continues to say. She said it today. It casts doubt on the court itself. There is much stricter rules, they have to recuse himself, if it`s a case that seems too involved in the work of one of their spouses.
But, you know, the court, that is why the confidence levels in the courts drop so low. Obviously, many people upset at the Roe decision, but this doesn`t help the credibility of the courts. We need judges to be neutral armors, and just lasting on the statement of the election, you know, dozens — 80 judges rejected Trump`s claim that the election was stolen, 30, I think, 40 of them were Republicans, there were judges appointed by Donald Trump, who said the election wasn`t stolen.
She is wrong, wrong. Factually. So, it`s craziness.
WAGNER: And her husband was only dissent in the Supreme Court case, in January, rejecting Trump`s bid to withhold White House documents from the January six committee not saying, just saying. David Rohde, executive editor of TheNewYorker.com, thank you as always, David.
ROHDE: Thank you.
WAGNER: We have much more ahead tonight. It seems like all of this is an flooding across southwest Florida. In a moment, we talk with the coast guard commander, who is in charge of many of them.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[21:34:21]
WAGNER: Just in tonight, NBC News confirming an additional two storm related deaths in the Lee County, bringing the total to 12, as search and rescue operations in southwest Florida. Now, 30 hours since hurricane Ian made landfall there, as a powerful and destructive category four storm.
Aerial footage from the U.S. guard you see on your screen here gives you an idea of just how much devastation the storm has caused in communities a across the region. President Biden speaking from headquarters in Washington, D.C. this afternoon said hurricane Ian may have been responsible for, quote, a substantial loss of life, and that could be, quote, the deadliest hurricane in Florida history.
And it is against this ominous backdrop that organizations, local, state, and federal agencies, conducting search and rescue operations throughout the state.
[21:35:07]
In Collier County, water rescuers from the Naples Fire Department, waiting and we steep water, to rescue a woman from the car, which became submerged by floodwaters. Ian hit central Florida as a tropical storm, but even in Orlando, flooding prompted seems like these, and to reach people desperate to safety.
Just a few hours ago, effectively, they have become rivers, and boat rescues are ongoing. This evening, Governor Ron DeSantis said that more than 700 people rescued so far, and early this morning. Early with this management, the bulk of the rescues, at least 500, were carried out in Charlotte, and Lee Counties. In hard hit Lee County, the barrier island of Sanibel has been cut off from the rest of the mainland.
The Coast Guard has been out surveying the areas, in search of reaching residents to stay behind, as the storm approached. The U.S. Coast Guard had 27 aircraft, mostly helicopters, ready in the region before it made landfall. They have been carrying out search and rescue operations ever since.
Joining us Rear Admiral Brendan McPherson, commander of the Seventh Coast Guard district. He is responsible for all Coast Guard operations in the southeast United States.
Admiral McPherson, thank you so much for taking the time out of your important schedule for joining us this evening. Let`s get right to it what are you seeing down there? What are you hearing from the folks on the ground?
REAR ADM. BRENDAN MCPHERSON, COMMANDER OF 7TH COAST GUARD DISTRICT IN MIAMI, FL: Yeah, good evening. Alex. It is going to be with you tonight.
So, just after the storm came on land, yesterday, shortly after that, before the sun even rose, we had aircraft in the air, inducting search and rescue missions.
So, since then, we were able to save 83 people we continue to fly those missions, throughout the region, and I`ve talked to a number of rescuers, or rescue swimmers. The courageous men and women that put themselves in harm`s way, and it`s devastating. It`s devastating destruction throughout the region. The high winds, the historic surge, and the heavy rainfall, have really left the place saturated. But I`m happy to say, we are pulling 83 people out safely
WAGNER: Eighty-three people is 83 lives.
Can you talk to us about the rescue process, in the method to used? I mean, how do you get in touch with the people you need help, or how do they get in touch with you? How do you prioritize who do you help first?
MCPHERSON: Yeah. First of all, I`d say, you know, you think of this as a well-organized military operation it`s not just the coast guard, as the Florida national guard. It is the search and rescue teams. It is the local fire departments, and they all come together, and they call it the incident command system.
It is a management system, where we all use the same language. We share communications, and we refer to those to get help. 911 is the best way to reach emergency responders. If anybody hears my voice or they see me talking here this evening, if you`re house woman is in distress, use 911, don`t use social media.
But beyond, we grid the area out, just like you would in a battlefield, and we go methodically, grid — box to box, grid to grid, doing a thorough search.
WAGNER: When you say, though, grid to grid, box to box, I`m assuming that this is, primarily, boats getting a lot of flooding, and just the water, and inundation. You also mentioned rescue swimmers. Explaining those folks, in one of the other methods you are using to reach people.
MCPHERSON: Yeah, when you go after this, like I said a military operation, the land, the sea, the air. If we get in there by trucks, and vehicles, and it was the shallow water rescue. They will go door to door, checking on people. If you can`t get their boat or via vehicle, we`re going to use our aircraft.
And that`s what we do. We have rescue swimmers. We have specially trained, highly equipped people, that we lower, be it vine or basket, or on a line, that go into harm`s way and to pull people out. And they`re the most elite people we have in the coast guard.
WAGNER: I`m sure their services are greatly appreciated, critical lifesaving efforts in this moment.
Let me just ask, in terms you look at this event compared to other ones, where the coast guard has had to intervene. Does it feel historic to you? Has there been anything like this?
MCPHERSON: Yeah. So, listen, every one of these storms is unique, right? Going back to their 30 years experience, with the rescues, and operations for Hurricane Hugo, Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Katrina. Last week, in Puerto Rico in response to Hurricane Fiona. They`re all devastating.
You know, if you`re impacted by this, it`s devastating to you, regardless of the scope, and scale.
[21:40:04]
But I will say, in this case, this was historic proportions. The scale, and scope of this was unprecedented in the sense of, you had the high wind, the heavy rain, and the historic surge.
WAGNER: Rear Admiral Brendan McPherson, commander of the Seventh Coast Guard district, we thank you so sincerely for making the time tonight. And thank you so much for your work this week. We really appreciate it.
MCPHERSON: Well, thank you, Alex. The only thing I want to add is, I`m certainly focused on facing lives, and we`re focused on getting our ports reopened. That`s an important for our mission for the Coast Guard. We are looking closely with our state partners, to get those parts open as quickly as we can, because we recognize that full-time recovery is going to rely on those ports as well
WAGNER: Indeed, indeed it well. Best of luck in all those efforts.
MCPHERSON: Thank you.
WAGNER: Coming up, while Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to celebrate a sham referendum to annex four Ukrainians territories tomorrow, the leader has two pestering problems to deal with, each one over 750 miles long, and right in the middle of the Baltic sea. That story is next.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[21:45:52]
WAGNER: This is what the Baltics Sea, off the coast of the Danish island of Bornholm looks like yesterday. What you see is a massive leak, and from Russia, to Europe. Earlier this week, multiple explosions cost four leaks in the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, causing the release of millions of tons of methane into the sea. Two pipelines, under the Baltics, under 750 miles in length. Both pipelines, lining more than 300 feet, and not operational for the moment, and not operational at the time of the explosions.
Russia suspended the flow of gas to the Nord Stream pipeline in August, in response to Western sanctions, while operations at Nord Stream 2 are frozen, by Germany, days before Russia invaded Ukraine. As to what happened exactly, that is a mystery.
The European Union, this week, calling it a, quote, deliberate act. European officials say the pattern of the damage suggested a coordinated explosion. Today, Russia denied involvement, asserted the leaks were the result of state-sponsored terrorism.
Meanwhile, NATO said the explosions indicate, quote, the result of deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage. It sounds like everyone is in agreement, that this was no accident, but rather, an attack. But, an act of sabotage? Who would do that? Why?
Well, CNN reports today, I`ll note that this not confirmed by NBC news, but CNN is reporting that European security officials have Russian navy ships in the area of the leaks earlier this week, when the underwater explosions were reported. I mean, it is worth asking, would Russia — would Russia ever gin something up to assert its power?
Well, Vladimir Putin said to hold a rally, of sorts, tomorrow, after a sham referendum to annex for Ukrainian territories. The referendum vote, where Russian soldiers showed up, with guns, to casually collect people`s votes. Unsurprisingly, the results for a resounding yes for annexation, 99 percent, 93 percent, 98 percent, 87 percent, respectively in the region`s, that were according to the Kremlin, now part of Russia.
Putin plans to, officially, announced the results at a Kremlin ceremony tomorrow, but comes as nearly 200,000 Russians, 200, 000, have fled the country to avoid Putin`s partial mobilization announced last week. In a rare moment of candor, Putin, tonight, in an address on state TV, acknowledge that mistakes were passively made, with how men were being drafted.
Joining us now to, discuss all of this is Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, during the Obama administration.
Ambassador, thank you for being here tonight.
Let me, first, just ask you. The referendum vote, what do you think is the point of it? On one hand, is it to justify potential escalation in those areas? Or, is it, potentially, to show the pro-war contingent back home in Russia, that Putin can deliver, and deliver by bringing new land into the Russian empire?
MICHAEL MCFAUL, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO RUSSIA: I think it`s both. The results have shown from the war, and they are going through this sham stuff to say, this is self determination. People have the right to determine where they want to live, and with an international world. And that sounds to us, but it may not sound stupid everyone around the world, so they`re doing that first.
But, secondly, they are also escalating. This is a major turning point in the world tomorrow. Once of these places, according to Putin, are part of Russia, then if they are attacked, Russia is now being attacked, not just Ukraine. That is a major escalatory move in this war.
WAGNER: Do they need to make escalatory moves when they seized the reports, if he does see them, of hundreds of thousands of Russians fleeing the country to avoid having to fight his war in Ukraine?
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MCFAUL: Without question. Remember, they are fleeing, because he did something that he didn`t want to do. He is losing this war. He ordered a partial mobilization. He wanted 300,000 soldiers, and looked is mobilizing a lot of young men, and mobilizing to leave, maybe 300,000 by the time this is over.
He didn`t want to do that. He promised the Russian people, this is not a war, it is a special, military operation, inside of Ukraine. He was losing, after seven months, right?
He didn`t overthrow the, quote/unquote, Nazi. He didn`t militarize Ukraine. He didn`t take, Kyiv, right? He lost the battle of Kyiv, he lost a battle of Kharkiv.
So, he was compelled because he was losing to do this, now, it is having very dangerous results for him, inside of his own country
WAGNER: I mean, when we talk about the people who are being conscripted into the army, I want to call your attention to a statement from the U.S. State Department, advising Americans to get out of Russia, and, otherwise, are at risk of getting drafted into Putin`s army. Russia, refusing to acknowledge dual nationals U.S. citizenship, denying access to the U.S. consular assistance, prevent their departure from Russia, and with military service. U.S. citizens residing, or traveling in Russia should depart immediately.
What would cause the U.S. state department, to a level of concern, would cause the U.S. state department, to issue something like this. Do you find it feasible that Putin will try to draft U.S. nationals into his army?
MCFAUL: I, certainly, hope he doesn`t do that. I`ve heard from the families inside of Russia, and they`re mixing out. They have reason to be concerned, because they are also drafting Ukrainians. That is what will happen in those territories you`re talking about.
After tomorrow, he`s going to start drafting people who live there. There are reports that he is drafting the ethnic Tatars that live in Crimea, to go fight against the Ukrainians. That is a sign of desperation. So, we shouldn`t be surprised if that happens.
WAGNER: Let`s ask the theory of the Nord Stream, and Nord Stream 2 pipeline explosion. Do you have a theory on those explosions?
MCFAUL: Honestly, I don`t. This is weird. It`s clear now, these were sabotaged, terrorist attacks, and where they want to call them. It`s not clear who did them. It is a wake up call for all of Europe. That it is time to get off of Russian fossil fuels.
I worked in the Obama administration, during the transition, who wrote the memo of how to deal with Russia back in the fall of 2008, and was to reduce our energy dependence, of our allies, and friends, on Russia. That creates leverage.
Finally, Europe is doing it, and plots them, and I think this is one more tragic message why it is not in their security, and I say, environmental, and economic interests, to be dependent on Russia for oil, and gas.
WAGNER: This whole chapter has been a series of wake up call us, about how we should no longer be dependent on Russian oil and gas. Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, always great to see you, thank you for your time tonight.
MCFAUL: Alex, thanks for having me.
WAGNER: Up next, the question of who gets aid, after a disaster like Hurricane Ian, may depend, very much, on which part of the country they live in.
Stay with us.
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WAGNER: In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey devastated communities of Texas, and Louisiana, and 107 people dead. Less than one month later, another hurricane, hurricane Maria, battered U.S. communities in Puerto Rico. The final death toll, from Hurricane Maria was over 3,000.
Just yesterday, the U.S. commission on civil rights, part of the federal government, released a study, comparing the responses to Hurricane Harvey, and Hurricane Maria. The commission found glaring disparities in their responses, to those two hurricanes. For instance, quote, within the first nine days after landfall, survivors received at least $100 million, in FEMA dollars while Maria survivors, receiving at least slightly over 6 million in aid, just 6 percent of what survivors on the mainland got.
The commission reports the factors lead to despair and factors, including then President Trump`s hostile, biased, and critical declarations made against American citizens residing in Puerto Rico. Now, under a different president, American lawmakers are facing a similar situation to the one in 2017, after Hurricanes Fiona, and Ian. Two hurricanes less than one month apart, one on a mainland, one in Puerto Rico. It has been two weeks since hurricane Fiona made landfall, and, still more than a fifth of Puerto Rico residents, are without power.
Residents of Puerto Rico, already, preparing to be forgotten as Hurricane Ian dominates the headlines. One advocate in Puerto Rico told “Politico”, we will be put on the backburner, as always. It`s Florida. It`s attached to the United States.
So far, the Biden administration appears to be determined to not repeat the mistakes of the past. Yesterday, the Department of Homeland Security, issued a waiver, to a 100-year-old shipping law, keeping desperately needed fuel from reaching Puerto Rico shores. During a press briefing today, President Biden reiterated, his commitment to helping the people of Puerto Rico.
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JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And while we`re seeing the devastating images in Florida, I want to be clear: to the people of Puerto Rico, we`re not gone away. I`m committed to, you in the recovery of the island. We will stand by you for however long it takes to get it done.
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WAGNER: The president also said that he intends to visit the island of Puerto Rico as it recovers. We`ll know the true toll of these two storms for some time, but there is no question that the victims of both of these storms need all of the help they can get.
That does it for us tonight. We will see you again tomorrow.
Now, it`s time for “THE LAST WORD WITH LAWRENCE O`DONNELL”.
Good evening, Lawrence.