i'm deleting it. so, break free from the big three. xfinity internet customers, take the savings challenge at xfinitymobile.com/mysavings. or visit and xfinity store to learn how our switch squad makes it easy to switch and save hundreds. good evening. a vote to expel congresswoman liz cheney from the republican party leadership won't happen until at least next wednesday. and yet, today, on the four-month anniversary of the capitol riot fueled by lies about a stolen election, that wasn't. the person republicans are coalescing around is cheney's replacement was making the rounds. showcasing her fealty to the former president and the lies

about that election, and the riot, itself, which is now apparently required for anyone who wants to survive in this republican party. this is congresswoman elise stefanik on steve bannon's radio program talking about the latest cause for the far right, some believe could overturn the results of the election in arizona, a state which went for biden. >> i fully support the audit in arizona. we want transparency and answers for the american people. what are the democrats so afraid of? the voters in arizona and the state senate in arizona pursued this audit. i, fully, support it. transparency is a good thing. we need to fix these election-security issues, going into the future. >> now, for the record, this really has nothing to do with election security. there were no-widespread security issues. no-widespread voter fraud, at least not according to the republicans. again, republicans, who run the state's largest county, where the audit in arizona is being

held. and not according to the secretary of state, katie hobbs, who runs elections and who told us on the program last night that observers of this so-called audit are concerned because, quote, there's not consistency in how they are putting the counts together. and that, they are seeing, quote, procedures being changed, midstream. she is not the only one concerned enough to put this in a letter to the auditors, either. the justice department has issued a warning saying the audit could be in violation of federal voting and civil rights laws. at issue is whether the ballots and other-election materials are even safe in the hands of the auditors. that's one of the issues, as we reported on the program last night. one of the people allegedly counting ballots is a guy who was caught on camera standing on the steps of the capitol during the attack. they are always worried about canvassing efforts checking up on voters to see if they do live where they say and the potential for voter intimidation. congresswoman stefanik, who once worked in the george w. bush white house, may actually believe this is a legitimate audit. or she may simply be currying favor with the former president and his supporters. sources tell cnn some

conservative members of congress are concerned because stefanik is not conservative, enough. one kfrt action group called her a liberal. far less conservative than liz cheney. but she has been called a star by the former president and certainly has returned the love. one activist who spoke to cnn anonymously said, quote, that is all that counts these days. here she is again on steve bannon's show. >> my vision is to run with support from the president and his coalition of voters. this is also about being one team. and i am committed to being a voice. and being a clear -- sending a clear message that we are one team. and that means working with the president, and working with all of our excellent-republican members of congress. >> by the way, the president, she is referring to, is the former president. she talks of him, as though he did not lose the election. and that is what it takes to rise in the republican ranks, these days. buy into the big lie to borrow that phrase from an anonymous conservative, that's all that

counts, these days. perspective now on the message this sends and the congresswoman spreading it from someone who served alongside her, kathleen roois. thanks so much for being with us. what signal do you think house republicans are sending if they oust representative cheney from her leadership post in favor of representative stefanik? >> thank you for having me, anderson. the signal is a very clear one, that the republican party in this country is completely co-opted and owned by donald trump. that's it. i thought that there was maybe going to be some hope in the aftermath of what happened on january 6th with the insurrection. where the majority of republicans, as we were hunkering down trying to find safe places to be, were saying this is ridiculous. we have to stop this charade. but they have all gone to found their way down to mar-a-lago to kiss the ring of donald trump. and when there were some hopes that, maybe, a republican party that used to be the party of george bush, ronald reagan, et cetera, john mccain, is now a

party of -- a cult of one and that's donald trump. and look. this should not just concern traditional republicans, who do not like the direction that kevin mccarthy is taking house democrats and the republican party writ large. and it should affect every single american because the premise of the republican party, as kevin mccarthy is defining it right now, is based on a lie. the big lie. right? that is what it's based on. they don't believe in facts, anymore. they just believe in lies, and mis and disinformation. and what they are going to do to liz cheney who, bity the way is colleague of mine, we don't agree on much. she is a true conservative. it's just outrageous what they are about to do to her, next week. and it should concern every-single american. >> i mean, i have said this repeatedly. but i do think it's a really important point that our democracy relies on there being, you know, in our case, two

parties that battle over ideas. and that -- that, you know, disagree. and have good arguments. and come up with solutions. or don't come up with solutions. but it's based on facts, and it's based on actual ideas. as opposed to just a cult of personality. that's something we haven't seen, before. and that is what the republican party, now, sadly, is completely buying into. >> well, you know what the ironic thing is, too, anderson? i came into congress with elise stefanik. she is not just my colleague. but she is, also, a fellow new yorker. the elise stefanik of 2014, when we, both, first ran for congress, doesn't even remotely resemble the elise stefanik of 2021. >> how so? >> she -- she -- i mean, if you look at her voting record, first of all. and -- and this is not me saying it. this is the -- the most conservative organization there is out there, who basically branded her a liberal. especially, when you compare her voting record to that of liz cheney.

she was a moderate -- she was a moderate-republican, when she ran in 2014. i -- she has taken a complete turnaround. and complete -- i don't even know if -- it's kind of an insult to say that she drink the kool-aid. i mean, it's so much worse than that. and the fact that she is, you know, getting this power grab. and convincing her colleagues to support her by perpetuating the lie. whether it's the recount in arizona. or all of this other stuff. i mean, it's just unbelievable. and it should concern everyone. look. washington is full of people, who are just solely ambitious for themselves. i never thought that elise was like that. she wasn't, back in 2014. but that is what she has become, and that is basically what the entire-republican party has become. >> it's about staying in power. it's about, you know, whatever your principles were. put that aside. kind of, tell yourself, oh, it's not that big a deal. you know -- you know, no matter how -- how bad it can get, it's

not going to really hurt democracy. but, you know, we saw an attack on the capitol. if -- if after an attack on the capitol, by americans, doesn't do it. i don't know what will. >> you know, well, look. i hate to say this. but, you know, history has a way of repeating itself. and when you think you're safe, you know, you turn around and you say, oh, my gosh, now i'm the target. i just think it's so crazy that we couldn't get any-republican support for this final-covid bill. that was supported by over 75% of americans across the board. not one-republican vote, anderson. and guess what all of those republicans are doing now? they are going back in their districts, and they are putting out these flashy newsletters that are saying look at all this money that i brought back to my district and all of you folks in my district through this bill, that by the way, i didn't vote for. it's just absurd. and the vote that kevin mccarthy is -- is allowing the caucus to take next week. where they are ostensibly going

to get rid of liz cheney. is basically kevin mccarthy saying to the american people, guess what? the republican party is no longer about you or this country. it is, solely, about donald trump. >> yeah. congresswoman kathleen rice. i appreciate your time. thank you. joined now by john kasich. republican who was a member of congress from ohio before serving as governor. abby phillip, our senior political correspondent. governor kasich, i mean, what do you think the consequences are going to be if and when liz cheney is ousted in favor of elise stefanik or somebody else? >> you know, anderson, they better be careful. because you could create an insurgency inside the party. if they throw liz cheney out of that leadership job, you think she is going to go away? and there will be people, who will -- some will be openly for her. others will saddle up to her. and you -- you -- i can tell you that, when people stand alone, and i did that many, many times when i was in the congress. it's amazing how people will come around you. and, anderson, you said a number

of things here, tonight, that i -- that i agree with. i think you were -- you were spot on. one of the most important things that you said was, these days. yes, that's where the republican party is today. but, you know, where it's going to be, in the long run, we're hoping it's going to change. one other thing that i -- i need to -- to mention to you. they just had a special election in texas, down in ft. worth. and i noticed that the republican turnout dwarfed the democrat turnout. it's really interesting because the republicans, even though they have no program, have a distinct possibility of winning the house of representatives and taking control. now, both-political parties are supposed to be offering ideas to improve the lives of people around them. i don't see that, now, with the republican party in the house. so, it's tragic. but it's, also, possible that they are going to win the house. >> abby, republican pollster, frank luntz, was interviewed in a podcast for "the new york times" this week. he said the former president's big lie is working but he claims it's working for democrats

because many republicans feel the election was stolen. donald trump telling them their vote doesn't matter when it comes to the midterm elections. governor kasich is pointing to this election in texas that apparently had high-voter turnout amongst republicans. is luntz right or wrong? >> i think this is why there are some questions about that assessment because, you know, one of the reasons that frank luntz is saying that is because that's what happened in georgia. in georgia, you know, as a result of former-president trump's election lies,en republican turnout, you know, decreased and decreased and decreased, in each-successive election, in terms of the people who showed up for the primary but didn't show up for the general. showed up for the general. didn't show up for the runoff. but i do think there's another thing happening here, which is that the republicans are needed for a midterm cycle who are the diehards, the true believers. those are the people, most likely to believe, most fervently, in the big lie. they are motivated by this myth.

and that might be the only thing, frankly, that motivates them, right now. which is -- which is why you see the kind of turnout that you saw in texas. and so, for republicans on capitol hill, they are trying to harness that. so that, they can motivate those folks come out in -- in a midterm election, because other issues won't do it. and that is why, i think, that at the end of the day, this is the best that they've got. this argument about the big lie. that is -- that is about donald trump is going to be the most important factor in republicans getting their base to show up in the midterms. and also, to give them money. which is the other key to a successful cycle for republicans. >> governor kasich, i mean, if enthusiasm is so high among republicans, what political incentive to republicans actually have to back off the big-lie strategy? doesn't seem like there is any. >> that's -- that's the problem. and i have to take issue with what abby said. because even though trump -- i don't want to get into this election down there but even though trump endorsed this

woman. it was pointed out in a "wall street journal," "new york times," somewhere, that two out of three republicans didn't vote for the person that trump picked. trump is dominant, today. but he is going to fade. i'll tell you what's going to motivate republicans. tax and spend. $6 trillion in spending by biden? he was a guy trying to bring us together. and he's spending money like, you know, there's -- like it's water. and raising all these taxes. >> but wait a minute. but wait a minute. do republicans have any leg to stand on, anymore? talking about fiscal responsibility? i mean, after the four years of trump? >> yeah. anderson, you know what? i do because i was -- >> well, yes. >> balanced the budget. and there are many, like us. bill crystal. there is a lot of republicans, that are very concerned about this. but you're right. they were hypocrites for having spent all this money, and it actually started under george bush when we had surpluses. they started spending money like there was no tomorrow. so, yes, there's no question that if they complain now, they are afraid they are going to be

called hypocrites. but you know what? admit it. you spent too much money. and now, we are -- we are spiraling into a situation, where, you know, 6 trillion in the last year. and they want to spend more? and they are going to raise everybody's taxes? i mean, it's going to ultimately be everybody, believe me. so, they do have something to campaign on. but they're so involved in, you know, going -- as abby says -- going down to see trump and all this other stuff. it's silly because they could be offering a better and more positive agenda, which they seem unwilling to do cause they're too caught up in trying to have some sort of a litmus test for people in the party. it's a disaster. but it'll change. mark my words. it will change, over time. >> the question, how much time? and -- and what happens, until then? abby, you have mitch mcconnell saying 100% of his focus is on stopping this new administration. you know, odd that he used that phrase, given that they're also complaining that democrats are refusing to work across the aisle. you know, where does mitch

mcconnell stand? i mean, he hasn't said anything, really, about liz cheney. he's certainly not coming to her defense, in any way. >> yeah. i mean, i think mitch mcconnell is trying to stay out of the way. you know, it was interesting, last week, to see mcconnell starting to talk about one of trump's favorite-pet projects, which is stopping the 1619 project from being taught in schools. and it seemed to indicate that he realizes that there is an element of the appeal to republicans, right now, that's going to have to, also, dabble in some of this culture-war stuff. that i think is very effective for the republican base. but, you know, mcconnell is focused on his senate majority. he is focused on -- on obstructing a democratic administration, which is what he attempted to do and said he would do for former-president obama. and so, it's -- it's no surprise that that is what he's articulating. i think, he views that, clearly,

h as his job. emts e he wants to stay out of the fight with liz cheney and domd trump but he wants to not speak up in defense of january 6th or liz cheney. >> abby phillip. governor kasich, appreciate it. thank you very much. more on the gop divide next. our gary tuchman is in liz cheney's home district of wyoming. hearing what her voters to say. her opposition to the former president. later, have we reached a turning point in the pandemic? what about this upcoming winter? a warning from cnn medical analyst, dr. leana wen, coming up. from stole all of my info. ooh, have you looked on the bright side? discover never holds you responsible for unauthorized purchases on your card. (giggling) that's my turtle. fraud protection. discover. something brighter.

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mccarthy's zrdistrict to find o what his voters found out about him. most had few problems with how mccarthy was handling the matter. gary is now visiting liz cheney's home district ask asking the same questions. >> reporter: the splendor of wyoming is plentiful. the number of residents is not. and that's why wyoming only has one seat in the u.s. house of representatives. so, liz cheney represents every person in this state, like her or not. >> liz cheney has proved herself to be a lousy representative of the voice of wyoming. >> reporter: and we spoke with a lot who are saying not. >> here's what liz cheney wrote. the republican party is at a turning point. history is watching. whose side are you on? liz cheney? or donald trump's? >> donald trump. if she runs again, i will vote for her opponent. >> reporter: conservative groups rank liz cheney more politically conservative than donald trump and she has a lifelong pedigree with a father who served as vice

president. a group has put up this billboard near the cheyenne, thanking liz cheney for quote defending the constitution. but it matters little to many in this very red state. and their ex-president from new york city, a hero. >> i think she needs to go. >> how come? >> just because i don't think she did the right thing. for the republican party. >> reporter: she says that donald trump is lying about the election being stolen. >> i agree. >> agree with what? >> i agree, that the location was stolen. >> there's no evidence of it. >> well, eventually, it might come out. >> reporter: in this dispute, do you think liz cheney has the right to be angry with donald trump? >> no. >> why? >> because i don't think he's wrong. >> but do you think the election was stolen? >> i think it's possible. yeah. >> reporter: john curtis remains upset representative cheney voted to impeach trump. >> i read in the paper that she said she had to vote her conscience. okay.

maybe, she's forgotten why she's there. her conscience isn't why she was elected. she is supposed to be representing the people of wyoming. >> reporter: but there are plenty of people we have met here who very much like liz cheney's conscience. >> i just think she doesn't guide her thoughts along political speaks her truth and appreciate somebody with that type of integrity. >> absolutely no doubt in my mind, liz cheney as the right answers and donald trump has the wrong answers. >> reporter: one of the relatively rare wyoming democrats but she admires cheney. >> because she stands for truth and -- at least -- and a better-republican party. and we do have to have two parties. >> reporter: the wyoming republican party voted in february to censure liz cheney. and here on the state's largest county of, the county republican party also voted to censure her but that vote was nowhere near

being unanimous. >> do you find this discouraging, this dispute? >> yeah, i do. >> kylie taylor is the vice chairman of the county republicans. she was elected to her post in march so didn't participate in the censure vote. she stresses the following is her personal opinion. >> i think that you got to respect cheney. and she's not -- she's -- she's telling her truth and what she believes to be true. she's not backing down. she's not going out quiet. and i think for myself, as a woman in politics, and watching her as a woman in politics. it's something that i respect. >> so, does that mean you do not respect what donald trump is trying to do to her? >> yeah, i guess you could say that. >> gary tuchman joins us, now. are there any indications that congresswoman cheney may be in danger of losing her seat in congress over this? >> well, anderson, liz cheney certainly is in political peril. but there is no-reliable, nonpartisan polling taking place here in the state. we can tell you a couple

numbers, though. in the 2020 republican primary, she received 74% of the vote. and you can bet big money that won't be happening, this time around. however, speaking of money, she's raised more than $1.5 million in the first quarter of this year. which is more than she's raised in any quarter in the four-plus years she's been in congress. and finally, this fact. four republicans have said they want to run against her in 2022. but they would likely split the p pro-donald trump vote. she would get the anti-donald trump vote. so the more people run against her, the better off it is for her. >> gary tuchman, thanks very much-let appreciate it. up next, florida's republican governor signs a bill into law aimed at curving elections. later, one person accused in the rioting at the capitol he is using for the basis of his defense. it's unique. tonight, i'll be eating a pork banh mi with extra jalapeños. [doorbell rings] thanks, baby. yeah, we 'bout to get spicy for this virtual date.

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florida governor ron desantis signed wide-ranging legislation into law today. among the measures enacted are additional limitations for the use of voting drop boxes. new rules on who can pick up and return a voter's ballot. and expanding partisan-observation power during vote tabulation. florida now joins several other states with republican-dominated led legislatures. the icing on the cake was this.

desantis invited fox news to exclusively cover the bill signing, live. desantis said quote this is a great place for democracy. joining me now, cnn political commentator, van jones, who served as special adviser to president obama. so, van, the governor said me signing this bill says, florida, your vote counts. your vote is going to be cast with integrity and transparency. what do you make of that? >> well, i -- i make of it, if that were -- were true, you wouldn't have a blizzard of lawsuits from everybody, from african-american organizations, people with disabilities. this -- it's the opposite of what he said. you had a secure election there, according to the republicans who run the state. according to the republicans, who counted the votes. according to republicans who certified the election. according to republican judges, who threw out, you know, case after case. so, this is not about securing an election. this election was secure, according to the republicans. this is about something much more nefarious.

when you are talking about taking away the drop boxes, making it harder for people to do the mail-in voting. making it harder for organizers to help people get their ballots turned in. all that translates to is one thing. longer lines for african-americans. longer lines for people in the counties and the districts that are disfavored so that people are not going to vote. this is about voter suppression. and the last thing i will say is this. it was incredibly symbolic, as you said. you literally locked out everybody, except for the most-partisan outlet to even cover this. if you are trying to open up a process for voting, why would you then lock out the media, you know, who are trying to cover it? you're restricting the number and kinds of people who can vote. and you're restricting the kinds of media that can even have access to the discussion about it. it speaks for itself. >> according to palm beach post, more than 2 million democrats voted by mail in 2020. it's pretty clear, whom this

measure is like hi to hurt, as you said. where do you see the next election cycle looking like, in florida? i mean, desantis, himself, is up for re-election. >> well, i mean, it's going to be a fight. in florida. it's -- it -- the reason i think that you saw what happened in georgia happened is because the -- it turns out that, when the rules are clear and people have more access and not less. and people have enough time to do their work. democrats and african-americans, in particular, can do really well. 6 and so -- and don't forget, in georgia, same thing. georgia passed those voting laws. a -- a governor, who is republican, signed those voting laws. republicans oversaw the election. certified the election. and they said, we can't have this again. and florida is now preemptively preventing people in florida from doing what they just did in georgia. using the rules that everybody has that are more expansive to have a democratic victory. and he's basically tried to

reens reinsure his own re-election. >> van jones, thanks very much. appreciate it. intriguing line of defense introduced today for a lawyer for one of the capitol hill rioters. the attorney for alleged rioter named anthony antonio said his client had watched fox news for months before the january-6th insurrection and developed a unique condition that led him to believe the lies about the 2020 election he had heard. the condition? foxitus and foxmania. and i'm not kidding. joining us now, jessica schneider, and former fbi deputy director, andrew mccabe. jessica, can you explain what, exactly, this outburst was today? >> yeah. anderson. this is really the perfect storm that results when defendants for january 6th, they attend these court hearings on zoom. and of course, it's during covid. so normally, all these defendants, they would have been inside a courtroom. and if there was an outburst,

they would be restrained or taken away but today, it happened in court. and really, the court and the judge, they were momentarily powerless. so this alleged capitol rioter, his name is landon copeland. he was waiting for his turn before the judge when another-alleged rioter's attorney used that fox defense. so, that was anthony antonio's attorney. but copeland was waiting, and he shouted out, i object. and then, he lashed out. he ranted and raved at the attorney, who used the fox defense, who criticized former-president trump. and this other defendant, copeland, he called court officials evil. and, you know, now that the defendant who had been released, he was shouting this stuff out. he is now under court order for a mental evaluation. so, it was really just a terrible situation in a courtroom, all, held over zoom, anderson. >> i mean, andrew, a lawyer's defense that his client was brainwashed by a television network. have you -- have you heard an argument like that, before? >> no. i -- i've never heard one and i

certainly have never heard of one succeeding. while i have no doubt that mr. antonio was probably -- you know, his -- his understanding of the facts and his outlook on life was negatively impacted by watching too much fox news. that's not going to constitute a defense to a federal-criminal charge. you would have to be -- he would have to meet the -- the qualifications of an insanity defense which is, as you know, very, very hard to prove by people who have actual-legitimate mental issues. but the real problem here, anderson, is what this says for this population of americans. who still believe the big lie. who still see some glory in january 6th. and who will take those feelings and that divisiveness into their politics, going forward. >> yeah. i mean, it is remarkable, andrew. you know, just seeing gary tuchman's report on liz cheney's district. the servitude with which so many people have just bought into

this idea that the election was, somehow, stolen. you know, against donald trump. i mean, it -- it's -- you know, good, decent people who, you know, have families and lives and are patriotic americans. believing something, which is just demonstrably false. >> and -- and, you know, anderson, why wouldn't they? because they are hearing this, again and again, not just from former-president trump. but now, also, from his acolytes and his flunkies on the hill. you have the leadership of the house-republican caucus. just daily, talking about reemphasizing the big lie. you have -- you know, you see it in this effort to remove congresswoman cheney from her position of leadership in the republican caucus. and replace her with elise stefanik, who recently has embraced the lie, herself. and has said -- you know, said as much on -- on radio shows just today.

so, they are getting this confirmation of their falsehood, of this lie, from the absolute-highest levels of their party. and it is that party loyalty they treasure over anything. it's -- it's really, really damaging to the fabric of our democracy. >> jessica, as we -- we mentioned this lawyer. what -- what was the -- since i -- i read it wrong. it was foxitus and what? >> foxitus, foxmania. new terms for sure. this is the lawyer for anthony antonio and, you know, his hearing was ongoing, when the other guy came in with the outburst. but part of what prompted the outburst was antonio's attorney really saying his client had watched fox news for six-months straight, before january 6th. that he believed these lies about the 2020 election. that this attorney said were fed to him by fox news and the former president. so, you know, they are using this fox defense. it's unclear, exactly, how this played out in court. if the judge may have bought it.

because there was that subsequent outburst that sort of derailed the whole court hearing here. but it was something this defendant's attorney at least tried. >> thank you. up next. the good news on covid and a warning from dr. leana wen on what may happen this winter if people aren't vaccinated. why keep it in different places? sofi is a one-stop shop for your finances- designed to work better together. spend with sofi and get cash back rewards that automatically go toward your goals. like investing in stocks, etfs, and crypto. that's better together. or pay down your sofi debt sooner. that's better together. and that's how sofi is helping millions get their money right. ♪ ♪

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all signs point to a turning point in america's covid crisis. u.s.-daily cases, around 46,000. levels we haven't seen since october. the cdc projects further declines by july. and that will likely mean more restrictions lifted. that is the good news. vaccinations are down 20%, however, from last week. there is concern that we may not reach herd immunity. cnn medical analyst, leana wen, warns if more people don't get vaccinated, we could be in trouble, again. she writes, quote, we could see the comeback of covid-19 in the winter of 2021. unvaccinated would be at the highest risk. but even those who receive the vaccine could become ill with new variants. the u.s. bwon't be able to contain the virus and may have to resort, again, to societal-level restrictions.

dr. wen joins us now. her upcoming book is titled "lifelines, a doctor's journey in the fight for public health." dr. wen, there is obviously reason to be hopeful in the u.s., about the pandemic. explain why you are concerned that this good news now, may set us up for bad news, come this fall and -- and winter. >> well, anderson, i am very optimistic right now about where we are. i do think you're right. that we have hit this turning point. and actually, shows that public health has worked. because so often, public health is about preventing something terrible from happening. we were going to hit this fourth surge and we kept on talking about the race, between the variants and the vaccines. well, we've won this race, for now, because our vaccinations were at such a high rate. what i worry about, though, is that we are going to see a calm summer. i mean, that's the good part. but i think those on the fence about getting vaccinated will be even more deterred from getting vaccinated because restrictions are going to be lifted. and things are going to get back to normal. and they are going to wonder, well, maybe coronavirus isn't that big of a deal, anymore. and what i worry about is that,

then we enter fall/winter season. people are going to be indoors. this is a winter-respiratory virus. those areas of the country that never came close to herd immunity could be hit, again. and if we get variants from other parts of the world that are deadlier or that can evade the -- the protection of the vaccines. we could really be in for another catastrophe. and so, all that is to say, we should celebrate the summer when it comes. but we still need to increase the rate of vaccination. >> i talked to the chief of staff at the white house and the biden administration, ron klain, last night. and he said, you know, i was pushing him on the decline in vaccinations. he said it -- it's a natural decline. that, it's not surprising that there -- you know, obviously, there is a lot of interest, at first. and once those people -- then, it's the harder-to-reach people or the people who are skeptical about it. and that, they are, you know, going out to try to get to those people. and -- and get them to take a vaccine. we have seen some states, you

know, offering free beer. or other incentives. do you buy that this is just, sort of, an understandable decline? or do you think it's something more -- more serious? >> well, i think it's both. i think the biden administration gets a lot of credit for building the infrastructure, so quickly. getting the supply. increasing the distribution. and at some point, we were going to hit that equilibrium where the supply catches up to demand. we have hit it really soon, in part because the biden administration's done such a good job. but i do think that, now, the hard work really begins. it's going to be really hard. i mean, first, there are individuals who may want to get the vaccine. but, whom have other things going on in their lives. and so, making the vaccine the easy, convenient choice for them. getting it to workplaces, to schools, to doctors' offices, if somebody is coming in for high blood pressure or for a broken angle. they should also be able to get the vaccine, too. so a lot of hard work ahead of us but we can do it. >> dr. leana wen, thanks. india.

412,262 new covid cases, were recorded in india, today. highest-daily surge since the start of the pandemic. every-single day, for the past two weeks, the country's added more than 300,000 cases. that's breaking global records. now, india's also reported a record number of deaths today. 3,980. it's a staggering amount of loss and grief. cnn's chief international correspondent, clarissa ward, is in india. and here is her report. >> reporter: the cremations start before dawn. as workers still clean away the embers of the night before. nestled on the banks of the river, india's holiest city. but it has not been spared by the vicious, second wave of coronavirus ripping through the country. as day breaks, he waits for the

rush to begin. his family has worked in the crematorium for generations. but, he says, they've never seen anything like this. >> per day. every -- every five minute, ten minute, bring the body. >> reporter: officially, the government says that eight to ten people are dying here of coronavirus, every day. the real figure is, clearly, much, much higher. confronted with that reality, authorities have had to improvise. the main crematorium has been so overwhelmed by the number of deaths that the city has had to set up a sort of makeshift crematorium. you can see it up here. this is just for covid deaths. a steady flow of bodies is coming in. we get off the boat to take a closer look.

more ambulances are arriving. bringing the dead and grieving family members, in full-protective gear. they are sprayed with disinfectant before they can begin the last rites. but there is no way of sanitizing the deep sense of loss. during the two hours we spend here, seven bodies are brought in. critics say the government has been negligent in its mishandling of this crisis. that many lives could have been saved. gupta tells us he never imagined he would say good-bye to his father, this way. has the government done enough to stop this second wave? >> no. not enough. >> reporter: much more efforts were required, he says.

we needed a full lockdown but the government didn't do it. it was incompetence. the situation in the city has become so bad, that shortages have been reported of wood needed for the funeral pyres. this merchant says the demand is four times higher than usual. as long as i've worked here, i've never seen so many dead bodies coming in, he says. the last month has shocked me. is it true that you're running out of wood in some places? the three main suppliers had run out of wood, he tells us. the local administration had to intervene. death has always been part of the fabric of life, in varanasi. for centuries, people have come here to die.

the belief is the sacred waters of the river ganges will help their souls achieve liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth. but the staggering toll of this scourge has shocked everyone. >> it's a very bad situation right now. in every household, every household, i don't think there is any family that has been spared. >> reporter: as the sunsets, the sound of the evening prayer pierces the smoky air. the next wave of the dead is brought in and the cycle begins again. >> the cycle begins again. clarissa, you mentioned there is a lockdown there. is that actually having any impact? is it actually a lockdown? >> so anderson, the lockdown, the full lockdown was finally implemented back on friday. it's been extended again to

monday. there is the hope that we're starting to see some of the numbers level off just a little bit. but as you can see, it's another day here now, early morning. cremations already beginning. this is one of the most sacred and spiritual sites in india, and one of the hardest hit cities too, anderson. circumstances there a sense from health officials this will get worse before it gets better? >> i think right now, honestly, people are just trying to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. this is also the constituency of the prime minister, narendra modi. he hasn't actually visited here since last november, and there is a sense that people are grasping for leadership right now. but there is also a sense, and i really hope it came through in our piece, anderson, that we have just been humbled to see the incredible dignity of people here in the midst of just horrible suffering, anderson. >> yeah, it is incalculable.

thank you so much for being there. coming up, congressman matt gaetz is hitting the road. where he is going and why marjorie taylor greene is going with him. that's next. new projects means new project managers.

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two of the former president's staunchest and most controversial allies in congress are set to begin a national speaking tour tomorrow at florida's biggest retirement community, the villages. matt gaetz under federal investigation for alleged sex trafficking among other things will be joined by qanon curious congresswoman marjorie taylor greene for the beginning of what they call their america first tour. our randi kaye had a chance to speak with some of the residents before their appearance. >> reporter: the villages is often called florida's friendliest hometown. but congressman matt gaetz may still get an icy reception. are you disturbed that he is making an appearance here in the villages? >> i'm horrified. i'm actually horrified. >> reporter: chris stanley and other democrats we spoke with in this retirement community in central florida say they've had enough of gaetz. >> he's by coming down here and really kind of doing a

distraction tour and raising money. >> reporter: you call it a distraction tour? >> well, of course. >> reporter: a distraction democrats we spoke with say from the allegations gaetz is facing, including prostitution, sex trafficking, and sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl. gaetz has denied the allegations. instead, suggesting without verified proof it's part of a plot by a former doj official to extort money from his family. >> he gets to say what he wants. it doesn't mean that it's true. >> reporter: even this man, a republican agrees. do you believe matt gaetz, that maybe there was some type of extortion plot? >> based on what i've heard, no, i don't. it's a nice story. >> the problem is his district is so heavily red, he could be reelected if he was in prison. >> reporter: so you still support matt gaetz? >> yes. >> reporter: republican israel hall says he leaves gaetz so far but wants to see the investigation play out. >> there are allegations.

and most conservatives, we're concerned about cancel culture where people get accused of things before you get a chance to defend yourself or go through the full process. >> reporter: fellow republican rick carlands has his own doubt about the allegations against gaetz. >> if i was a betting man, and i'm not, i'd bet they're not true. >> reporter: what do you base that on? >> anybody who is supportive of donald trump right now is under attack. rudy giuliani, matt gaetz. that's the cancel culture. it's what's going on today. >> reporter: when his nationwide tour kicks off, gaetz will be joined by georgia congresswoman marjorie taylor greene. when we asked about her support of gaetz, this republican seemed to waffle. marjorie taylor greene says she knows matt gaetz has done something wrong, should people believe her? would you believe her? >> i would tend to believe her. >> reporter: marjorie taylor greene is the scene of conspiracy theories and she says matt gaetz didn't do anything wrong, why would you believe her? >> i don't know that she would know. i don't know that she would know that completely.

>> reporter: and about the tour's title -- this america first tour, what does that even mean? >> i have no idea. but again, it's a nice name. >> reporter: if you were matt gaetz right now facing these allegations, would you be out parading yourself around the country? >> of course not. because i would be trying to keep a low profile and trying to defend myself in the proper pay whatever my attorneys would want me to do. >> i truly find him embarrassing. who would even go there and listen to them? >> reporter: randi, what more do we know about this tour? >> well, anderson, so far we have just one date confirmed, and that is tomorrow night, 6:30 p.m. right here in the villages in florida. but matt gaetz has said the plan for this tour is to highlight the destructive failings of the radical left. that's an exact quote from him. he is planning to rally the 74 million americans who voted for donald trump in the last

election. but critics say this is really just so matt gaetz and marjorie taylor greene can get some attention, and it's really just a money grab so they can do some big fundraising. but here when you talk to people around the villages, like trump, they have very strong feelings really on both sides about matt gaetz. one republican telling me that he says matt gaetz is a rising star in the republican party. so somebody is out there to take him down. so that's sort of what the thinking is here and what we're dealing with here in the villages. but we'll see if he addresses this tomorrow night. because last time he was the headliner at an event at the doral club in doral outside miami, and he spoke there and just a couple of weeks ago and he said that he addressed them head-on. so we'll see if he takes it up tomorrow night. anderson, we'll be here. >> thank you very much, randi. the news continues. let's hand it over to chris for cuomo "prime time." >> i am chris cuomo. welcome to "prime time." do you want to avoid another attack on the u.s. capitol? if so,