tell me. d lemon and i are so thrilled that so many of you are checking out "the handoff" podcast that we just kicked off season two today. here is the even better news. every episode of the show is now available for free on all podcast platforms, or just go to cnn.com/the handoff. okay. thank you for watching. the big star of "the handoff" himself, don lemon of "don lemon tonight," right now. >> you got that right. it's so much fun doing -- look. if you think that we go a little bit overboard or we push the boundaries during this television handoff, then you actually need to listen to the podcast. um, and i actually had someone say this was the best one that they have -- that they -- that it was very courageous, it was very brave of how far we went with talking about personal issues. things that we're dealing with and -- um -- you know, so don't want to give it away but check it out. >> thankful for my long-haul

syndrome, i don't even remember the handoff. i don't even remember what i said. >> it's kind of crazy, when you -- honestly, though. this is -- this is honesty. you meet -- especially, when we were in our big studios, the number of people that we would meet on a daily basis. and i have been doing two hours for, what, five, six, seven years. i forget how long. two hours a night. and i don't mean to be rude. people would say, hey, do you remember i was on your show? and i would go, oh, yeah, i remember. don't quite remember. and then, they have to remind me, prompt me and then i will go now, i remember. but i think i was interviewing like, maybe, 20 people a night at one point. and so, you know, there's only so much information that can be held up in this little, tiny -- >> you know, i think it's interesting. you know, thank god you and i don't really think about why we do what we do. we just do it. >> i love it. >> we think about what we say, but we don't think about, you know, what it's going to mean that we said it. and i don't know how to feel about so many people coming

forward and saying i love listening to you guys. that's nice. um, but they say, yeah, you guys are really brave. um, with what you say there. it's sad that they see things that there should be no risk to what we're saying. um, but in today's climate, you never know what people are gonna try to use against you. whether or not it should be weaponized or not. >> yeah. but you know how i feel about that right? you know, i'm just like whatever. i say what i want. i have this platform. i'm very -- listen, i respect the platform, right? i have to tell the truth. um, but, you know, i have this platform for a reason. and so, i lean in and i always tell all my friends -- you and other people even on other networks who will ask me who -- who i'm friends with -- just lean in. don't worry about the whole cancel culture. or someone -- everyone makes a h mistake. everyone says things that they regret, and so if you say something that you regret, you apologize and you move on. so i don't -- i don't believe in

that and i am going to continue to speak the truth and people love it. i can't believe that they love you so much. it's really unbelievable. um, and more than anything, they like it when we fight. >> yeah. you make too much of our fighting. >> i like it. >> we've never had -- >> not a real fight. a disagreement. >> yeah. we disagree about a lot of stuff. um, but i really -- i am amazed by this. i have been saying this to don for years. i don't know why people are so moved by something that is so natural. it's like, you know, don could do this podcast with, like, 20 of his friends. you know, this is the way you guys talk to each other, isn't it? i mean, have we really gotten to the point where you won't talk about the sticky bits with each other, anymore? >> yeah. but i think the real thing is when people's heads pop off when they see us in public. wait, you mean it's real? hey, cuomo. where is your boy, don lemon? right there. >> i got to tell you, though. with leaning in and speaking the truth, the president of the united states did it tonight, and i am so glad that he did. it is the right thing. it's the right attitude.

and that's the way he should be leading on this issue. leaning in on this issue. >> enough is enough. >> enough is enough. and enough is enough of this. and i am going to get to it. tune into "the handoff." i love you, too. >> anywhere you listen to podcasts, you can get it now for free. >> yes, the audio one, as well. there it is. >> don didn't want it to be free. i said it had to be. that's why it's free. >> i will see you, soon. >> good night. >> this is "don lemon tonight." so, speaking of what we just talked about, right, there's been a lot of talk about freedom as a reason or an excuse or opposition for the vaccines and the mask. just remember, before i go onto that. when people say oh it's my liberty. it's life. yes. liberty. fine. life is first. life. liberty and the pursuit of happiness. you need the life part, first. okay? so, today, president joe biden announced some mandates that he hopes will free the rest of us

from this pandemic, and try to -- to move more people to get the vaccine. to do the right thing. including workers at companies with 100 or more employees, federal workers and contractors, and millions of health-care workers. okay? the president warning his patients with the unvaccinated is wearing thin. it's worn thin. and admitted tonight he is frustrated. >> what makes it incredibly more frustrating is that we have the tools to combat covid-19, and a distinct minority of americans, supported by a distinct minority of elected officials, are keeping us from turning the corner. these pandemic politics, as i refer to it, are -- are making people sick. causing unvaccinated people to die. we cannot allow these actions to stand in the way of protecting the large majority of americans who have done their part and want to get back to life as normal. >> truer words have never been

spoken. you know who else is frustrated? dr. anthony fauci. you know how i know that? because he told anderson this, just moments ago. >> i am frustrated. and the reason is we do have the tools to end this. i mean, i've been in situations in public-health situations where you didn't have the tools to end something that was devastating people with regard to illness and death. that is very frustrating. it's frustrating in a different way when you have the tools, and you have the wherewithal to get to the endgame of where you want to be but you don't implement them. >> the president, also, clearly outraged by people who refuse to do this. to wear masks. to do it on planes. and he is warning that they could be fined up to $3,000 for repeat offenders. >> tonight, i am announcing that the transportation safety administration, the tsa, will double the fines on travelers that refuse to mask.

if you break the rules, be prepared to pay. and by the way, show some respect. the anger you see on television toward flight attendants and others doing their job is wrong. it's ugly. >> thank you, mr. president. show some respect. we know how much opposition there will be to the new mandates, right? kevin mccarthy -- well, you knew it -- kevin mccarthy, wouldn't you? you know that, right? calling vaccine mandates un-american. what is -- what is so -- i don't know -- all american about willfully misrepresenting the truth about a vaccine that can save lives and co-opting the rhetoric of freedom to oppose common-sense measures that could stop the pandemic and save the lives of their own constituents? what is, right? life, first. then, liberty and the pursuit

happiness. south carolina republican, henry mcmaster, tweeting that he will fight the president and democrats to, quote, the gates of hell. well, one part of that is right about -- anyways, more than 11,000 people have died in his state. and then, there is florida govern, ron desantis, who apparently has decided to stake his political future on his feud with the president over mask mandates in schools. filing an emergency appeal today to prevent districts from ordering masks. more than 34,000 students and 6,300 employees have tested positive for covid-19 throughout the largest school district in florida since the start of school. that is according to a cnn analysis. that as physicians today warned doctors not to spread misinformation. the kind of misinformation that's rampant in our political -- our politics with mask wars and divisiveness spreading just as fast as the virus. >> the american journal of medicine came out with a great article that they had discovered

a regimen of medication that, when taken together early in covid that, you may have heard of it. hydroxychloroquine. ivermectin. um, zpack. zinc. >> are we -- oh, my goodness. what is it going to be bleach, again? light inside -- outside the body? come on. ivermectin? ivermectin? you mean the deworming drug that's often used in livestock? the one with absolutely no evidence that it is effective against covid. pure misinformation. why would you prefer to take drugs that doctors say won't help you, instead of getting a vaccine that is safe, effective, and free? why would you do it? because of misinformation. that's why. and don't forget this.

never forget this. >> i said, supposing you brought the light inside the body which you can do either through the skin or in some other way. and i think you said you're going to test that, too. sounds interesting. >> we'll get the right folks who could. >> right. and then, i see the disinfectant where it knocks it out in a minute. one minute. and is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside or -- or almost a cleaning? because you see it gets in the lungs? >> does a real number on the lungs. the former president was an absolute faunt of misinformation on covid, even though he, himself, was vaccinated. even though we didn't find out until months later, right? even though the vaccines were developed on his watch. so would it have helped if he had told his supporters, loud and clear, to get vaccinated? cnn's elle reeve talked to some folks in missouri about why they don't trust the vaccine.

>> i ain't taking your medicine. not from -- i'll take what they give him but i'm not taking yours. >> he took the vaccine, though. >> he might've. i don't know that. >> i think they give him the regeneron. >> they did give him that but he did take the vaccine. >> probably, yeah. i'm not saying he didn't. i don't know that but that's what pissed me off and i ain't taking it because i'm that bull-headed. >> well, there is all kinds of information out there -- um -- including -- and the president actually said onstage, i did it for me. then, he got booed, remember? okay. so, people won't even do a simple thing like wearing a mask. a simple thing that saves lives. this is where we're at in this country right now. adults -- so-called adults mocking a student advocating for masks after his grandmother died of covid.

>> i'm worried about my family. if i get covid, i'm going to bring it to my family and i talk to my grandparents a lot. they are higher risk than me. so i don't want to give them covid. this time last year, my grandmother who was a former teacher at the rutherford county school system died of covid because someone wasn't wearing a mask. this is a very -- this is a very -- >> shut up. >> right. shut up. not him. just the people there booing him. so-called adults. maybe, in age but not in maturity, and definitely not in thinking. that's where we are. fighting masks in schools, even though that's the only way to protect kids too young to get vaccinated. >> these are demonic entities and all the school boards of all the united states of america and all of us, christians, will be

sticking together to take them all out. masks don't work. these doctors that sit up here, that were sneering at us and looking at us like we're scumbags, they need to go back to [ bleep ] medical school. >> your children and your children's children will be subjugated! they will be asked how many vaccines have you had? have you been a good, little nazi? hail, fauci! hail, fauci! >> i -- what do you even say to that? i am just trying to imagine what y'all's reaction is at home. i mean, if anybody should have been wearing a mask, it's that guy screaming that loud. that is where we are in this country right now, folks. come on, people. the question is will any of what the president said tonight

convince people who are getting their misinformation from those politicians and acting out like that? that as the challenges just keep piling up for the biden administration, by the way. amid outrage over texas's new six week abortion ban, the justice department is suing the state saying the law is unconstitutional. the attorney general merrick garland calling it an unprecedented scheme that creates bounty hunters. the statute deputizes all private citizens without any showing of personal connection or injury to serve as bo bounty hunters. the obvious and expressly acknowledged intention of this statutory scheme is to prevent women from exercising their constitutional rights by thwarting judicial review for as long as possible. >> the texas governor, greg abbott, who in defending the law claimed that he'd eliminate rapists in texas, tonight,

putting out a statement saying he is, quote, confident that the courts will uphold and protect that right to life. supreme court justice stephen breyer calling the high court's refusal to block the texas law, and i quote here, very, very wrong. >> i thought the last decision you mentioned was very, very, very wrong. i'll add one more very. and i wrote a dissent and that's the way it works. but it's a procedural matter. and so, we'll see what happens in that area when we get a substantive matter in front of us. >> so, the doj is taking action where the supreme court would not. setting up a showdown over the law. stay tuned. but the big question tonight is can president biden convince millions of unvaccinated americans to roll up their sleeves? because that's what it's going to take if we ever want to get back to some semblance of normal life. i am going to ask the white

house official, cedric richmond. he's next. >> my message to unvaccinated americans is this. what more is there to wait for? what more do you need to see? it helps keep you effortlessly comfortable by sensing your movements and automatically responding to both of you. and, it's temperature balancing to help you stay comfortable all night. it even tracks your circadian rhythm, so you know when you're at your best. in other words, it's the most energy-building, wellness-boosting, parent-powering, proven quality night's sleep we've ever made. don't miss the final days where all smart beds are on sale. save 50% on the new sleep number 360 limited edition smart bed. plus, 0% interest for 48 months. ends monday. [sfx: radio being tuned] welcome to allstate. ♪ [band plays] ♪ a place where everyone lives life well-protected. ♪ and even when things go a bit wrong, we've got your back.

here, things work the way you wish they would. and better protection costs a whole lot less. you're in good hands with allstate. click or call for a lower auto rate today. growing up in a little red house, on the edge of a forest in norway, there were three things my family encouraged: kindness, honesty and hard work. over time, i've come to add a fourth: be curious. be curious about the world around us, and then go. go with an open heart, and you will find inspiration anew. viking. exploring the world in comfort.

♪ music playing. ♪ there's an america we build ♪ ♪ and one we explore one that's been paved and one that's forever wild but freedom means you don't have to choose just one adventure

♪ ♪ you get both. introducing the all-new 3-row jeep grand cherokee l jeep. there's only one. there's no other snack like a planters cashew. what else can go from your car's cup holder to a crystal bowl and seem equally at home? i guess the most well-rounded snack isn't round at all. it's more cashew-shaped. planters. a nut above. president biden taking on the unvaccinated. announcing new rules to try to break through to millions of americans who refuse to get

their shots. joining me now is cedric richmond. he is a senior adviser to president biden and director of the white house office of public engagement. cedric, good evening. thank you so much for joining us. good to see you. the biden administration isn't requiring proof of vaccinations. that's up to individual agencies and businesses. do you think we can trust people's words? i mean, why not require some proof here? >> well, we're going to leave that to the businesses to decide. and we've put the burden on the businesses if you have 100 or more employees, to get your employees vaccinated or to implement a rigorous testing regime. look. we have 3 -- 75% of the country has at least taken one shot. and what we need is people to just do the responsible thing, care for their neighbors, care for children who can't get vaccinated. and take the shot. and -- and that's what we need because this is a race and we said it from the beginning. this is a race between vaccines and variants. >> you know they're not doing it. that's why the president had to come out today and do what he did. >> that's exactly right.

we're always going to adapt to the environment. and so, we see the challenges with getting up to 100% of vaccinations so we have put in more requirements. all federal employees. we're also going to include head start, any schools that are federally supported. we are going to use every tool in the toolkit. and hopefully, people will also use good common sense and judgment. but as far as the things that we can control, we will push people as a mandate to go and get vaccinated. >> uh-huh. this is what the president said today about republican governors who are aiding and abetting in the pandemic of -- of the unvaccinated. watch this. >> let me be blunt. my plan also takes on elected officials in states that are undermining you and these lifesaving actions. right now, local school officials are trying to keep children safe in a pandemic, while their governor picks a

fight with them. and even threatens their salaries or their jobs. talk about bullying in schools. if they'll not help, if these governors won't help us beat the pandemic, i will use my power as president to get them out of the way. >> cedric, we know these governors won't help. they're already slamming the new rule. so what are you going to do about it? >> the one thing i admire about this president is the fact that we are always going to put people above politics. and we're going to fight for those who really need our help. and so, it's unfortunate that we have so many governors that are using vaccinations and mask requirements as a political game. but our purpose is to save lives, and we will do anything and everything under our control to make sure that we protect our citizens, especially those children who cannot get a vaccination, yet. and so, we have to do everything

we can to make sure dpadults do it. and those governors that stand in the way, i think, it was very clear from the president's tone today that he will run over them. and it is important. it's not for political purposes. it's to save the lives of american people. and so, we won't let one or two individuals stand in the way. we will always air on the side of protecting the american people. >> all right. well, speaking of adults, this is a question that many people don't understand. the postal service isn't included in the vaccine requirement. but they do fall under labor department rule requiring vaccination or weekly testing for companies with more than 100 employees. with mail carriers and postal service employees need to get vaccinated? they are in contact with people on a daily basis, a lot of people. >> well, from what i looked at so far, don, it appears that the post office is an independent agency. but to the extent that they would fall under our labor standards if that is the rule,

then that's where it's going to fall. we're not playing favorites. we are very clear. we're going to air on the side of protecting our children and our vulnerable populations who are doing the responsible thing. and so, we're not picking winners and losers. if -- if you're required by law to do it, the chips will fall where they may. >> is the white house talking to the postal service? is the white house talking to the postal service trying to push them to get vaccinations -- make it a requirement? >> don, all i -- all i can tell you is i have not talked to the postal service today. i am still doing some ida recovery, and some other things so i have not. but the one thing i do feel comfortable saying is that if they fall under labor standards, then the rules will apply to them. >> yeah. i want to talk now, cedric, about the department of justice suing texas over this new law that bans abortions after six weeks even in cases of rape and incest. governor greg abbott is saying that he is confident the courts will uphold the law. how long could this fight last?

because time really is an issue here. >> it is. every day that this law is in place, i think that it's a travesty of justice and i think it's misguided. i think it's discriminatory. i think it hurts women. and we're going to use everything we can and we're happy that the department of justice initiated action. and we're going to use the court system to try to fight it. in the meantime, we've directed dhhs and our gender policy council to do everything they can to make sure that women have a meaningful right to choose, and that means that they have an access to abortion if that's what they choose. and so, we're going to keep fighting it. we know how serious this is, and it just shows how out of whack and out of touch the republican party is with the country. and the needs and rights of women. >> um, you say you were dealing with some ida issues? or covid issues earlier? because i want to talk about

what's happening. >> well, i'm dealing with -- well, we deal with covid, ida, and the one thing about this administration, we meet the challenges wherever they are. and so, as we will adapt as it happens. yes, i am spending a lot of time on ida. >> okay. well, let's talk about that because, you know, louisiana. both of our home states dealing with so much -- home state -- devastation there from hurricane ida. we are hearing some insurance companies are agreeing to cover additional living expenses for policyholders who were evacuated ahead of the storm. i mean, this was something the president was calling for. what -- what more can you tell us about that? >> well, i can tell you that both all state and usaa decided they would cover people no matter if they were in a mandatory or voluntary evacuation because people didn't leave for a vacation. they flee to protect their lives. and we have companies like state farm and i called them by name that have decided that they're still going to use that loophole or the technicality of the fineprint to deny coverage. and so, people left because it

was a storm bigger than katrina. then, it knocked out the power to over a million people and southern heat. 102, 105 heat advisories and state farm's position is that people could have went home and live understand that house. and my opinion is that the ceos and the leadership at state farm would not stay in a house with damage, without power, in 105-degree heat and they should not expect louisiana citizens or mississippi citizens to do that. >> have you reached out to them? >> so i am happy that the president called out insurance companies. >> did you reach out to them? >> i have reached out to them. and i expect that after tonight, i'm going to talk to them a lot more tomorrow. >> yeah. you know, my dad always was an all state man. all state, gmc, and chevy trucks. it's like -- that's all he bought. so, um, you know, i wish the folks there well and, of course, insurance companies should be helping. >> i was always -- i was always a state farm man. i thought they were the good neighbor and i will tell you

that i'm just very disappointed. and the amount of calls that i get from people who find themselves in a position of having to replace all the food in their refrigerator, pay for hotel rooms, pay for travel back home, and pay for the food. this is not a game. this is real and the money adds up. and so, if you know the study that 30% of the people in the country are $400 away from not being able to pay their rent. well, it's $400 to restock a refrigerator, pay hotel rooms of $125. and then, you have companies that won't live up to the contract that they signed. i just think it's wrong, and i hope that state farm and the other companies will change their mind. i would hope that they would. and we're gonna work with them as much as we can to try to get that done. >> i'm -- we haven't had an opportunity to reach out to -- um -- state farm. we will and get a response from them on this but we appreciate it. i know the folks there, cedric, they are in good hands with you guys. thank you so much. i appreciate it. be well. thank you. president biden putting the blame for the current covid surge squarely on unvaccinated

americans saying that their refusal has cost all of us. but how much of a difference will his new orders make? icy hot. ice works fast. heat makes it last. feel the power of contrast therapy, so you can rise from pain.

what does it feel like to sell your car to carvana? it feels amazing. when you get a great offer in seconds... (all cheering) it feels too good to be true. it's kicking back and relaxing as we pick up your car. and when you get paid on the spot, it feels like scoring big. you know the feeling.

you just never imagined you could get it from selling your car. well, with carvana, you can. experience the new way to sell a car. baaam. internet that doesn't miss a beat. that's cute, but my internet streams to my ride. adorable, but does yours block malware? nope. -it crushes it. pshh, mine's so fast, no one can catch me. big whoop! mine gives me a 4k streaming box. -for free! that's because you all have the same internet. xfinity xfi. so powerful, it keeps one-upping itself. can your internet do that?

tonight, president biden getting tough with nearly 80 million americans who are eligible for the covid vaccine, but have not yet rolled up their sleeves. saying their refusal is putting a steep cost on americans who have been vaccinated. and going on to say, quote, our patience is wearing thin. i want to bring in now cnn medical analyst dr. jonathan reiner and matthew dowd, the former-chief strategist for president george w. bush.

gentlemen, good evening. thank you for joining. also, by the way, matthew is the author of "revelations on the river." i cannot forget that one. matthew, with that blunder i just made, i am going to start with you. president biden addressed the frustration of people who are already vaccinated and he had this message for the unvaccinated americans. here it is. >> the vaccine has fda approval. over 200 million americans have gotten at least one shot. we have been patient but our patience is wearing thin, and your refusal has cost all of us. so please, do the right thing but just don't take it from me. listen to the voices of unvaccinated americans who are lying in hospital beds. taking their final breath saying, if only i'd gotten vaccinated. if only. it's a tragedy. >> so, look, matthew, he is certainly frustrated. what do you think of what you heard?

>> well, i, 1,000%, agree with president biden on this. i mean, we're at the point where the unvaccinated are not only hurting themselves which they are because they end up in the hospital or worse. they are hurting other people because they're using it -- they go in the hospital, use up space that could be done for other procedures and other things and other resources that are stretched thin as it is. they endanger their neighborhoods and they are endangering our economy because we are at this point where there is still a fear about what this pandemic can mean. so he is 1,000% right. we are supposed to be a country founded on the idea that we look out for one another, and we embrace the common good. the people that criticize joe biden in the midst of this i think are the exact opposite of that. but at some point, the common good, from all aspects, healthcare and our economy and what's happening in the healthcare system takes precedence over somebody's opinion about whether or not they want to take a vaccine. >> doctor, dr. fauci spoke to

anderson and to our dr. gupta earlier. and he was asked, you know, why not just do the vaccine mandate, instead of allowing weekly testing as an alternative? here is his answer. >> well, i think the president is -- is -- is -- you know, being somewhat moderate in his demand if you want to call it that. in that there are some people who really don't want to get vaccinated but they don't want to lose their job. you have got to give them an off lane and the off lane is if you get tested frequently enough and find out you're positive, you won't come to work and you won't infect other people. so it really is somewhat of a compromise there. myself, i would make it just vaccinate or not. but he was trying to be moderate in what his pronouncement was. >> so, dr. fauci there saying that he would not let workers opt out of vaccine requirements with testing. so, was this biden policy made based on public health or political considerations? or both? >> a little bit of both. i agree with dr. fauci. tonight, the president removed the testing option from the

federal government requiring all federal workers to get vaccinated. without -- without a -- you know, a test-out option. and i think he should have made the same requirement for companies with more than 100 people. but i don't think the president went far enough. i was hoping that he would ban travel by unvaccinated people beginning in november. i also thought the president should have embraced a digital, difficult-to-counterfeit verification system since we are putting so much stake now in -- in business mandates, corporate mandates for vaccinations. let's have a -- a secure way for folks to show that they've been vaccinated. so, look. i -- i like the speech. i like the speech very much. i particularly like the fact that the tone was different and -- and essentially, the president said enough is enough. you know, my colleagues around the country who have been trying to put this fire out for the last 18 months have, long ago,

said enough is enough. and i was really glad to hear that coming with a very strong voice from the white house today. >> yeah. i think it -- i think dr. fauci is right. it should be stronger. can't get on a plane, you can't do any of those things that -- look, do the right thing and that should -- that should be it. matthew, governors are -- are reacting to the president's new vaccine rules. alabama governor kay ivey calling these mandates outrageous and overreaching. south carolina governor henry mcmaster saying the american dream has turned into a nightmare under president biden, and we will fight them to the gates of hell. they promote vaccinations, and yet attack these efforts the first chance they get. at this point, if you are not behind these requirements, does it mean that you're comfortable with continued covid spread? >> i think all of these -- and it's all -- let's just be clear about this -- this is all republican, trump-supporting governors that have sort of

spread throughout our nation. that is actually completely getting in the way of all of the ideals not only, don, of our constitution but the christianity so many of us practice and so many of them practice. all of this is. there was a time in america that we were willing to do what was in the best interest of our neighborhoods, our communities, our country even if that's a small sacrifice, like getting a needle in your arm or wearing a mask. but there -- for some reason, there's a segment of the leadership of our country that's unwilling to embrace the idea as i said earlier of the common good. and keep in mind, don, one of the things that's consistent about all of this that affects this. all of this starts with a lie. it all started with a lie. first, it wasn't -- really, it wasn't a problem. and then, there's some problem with the vaccine. and then, all of these other crazy-conspiracy theories. and then, it leads us to this crazy policy choices republicans are making. and those lies refresh all those things start with a lie.

how our democracy's affected, started with a lie. why we are not doing anything about guns, started with a lie. why we are not doing anything about climate change, started wa lie. all of these. and now, we are in healthcare which used to be nonpartisan because we want to do what's in the best interest of everyone. started with a lie and has led us here. >> you don't want to get a vaccine. you don't want to wear a mask. or both. stay home. that means from work and i don't mean still having a job. stay home. don't go on a plane. don't travel. don't go to stadiums. don't go to places where people are vaccinated. that should be it. we are going to discuss more. short break. we'll be right back with these gentlemen.

i booked our hotel on kayak. it's flexible if we need to cancel. cancel. i haven't left the house in a year. nothing will stop me from vacation. no canceling.

flexible cancellation. kayak. search one and done. at aspen dental, we help you find your happy place like tailgates, doubles dates and great escapes. through all your favorite moments, we keep you smiling with flexible financing on treatments you need -

from routine care and dentures, to implants and clear aligners plus convenient appointment times in the evening, weekend or right now. start your treatment today for zero down plus zero te

dr. jonathan reiner and matthew dowd back with me now. so, doctor, last night we spoke about cnn's reporting about how some americans didn't want to take the vaccine because they don't trust government. is there enough here to compel them to overcome that distrust?

>> well, i think we're -- it almost doesn't matter whether they trust the government. we're basically -- the government is basically creating a tool that gives some people no choice. or gives them the choice to either quit their job or get the vaccine. but we're at a point -- really, past the point in the pandemic -- where either you're part of the solution or you're part of the problem. and the problem right now is that we have 25% of our adults, or as you said, almost 80 million americans, who are unvaccinated and we have to fix that problem. and if we can't bribe them and if we can't cajole them, then we need these other tough -- tough measures to get folks to understand that they have to get vaccinated. so whether -- whether they have faith in the government or whether they just want to preserve their job, i don't really care. enough is enough. we -- we need more of these people to get vaccinated for the good of the community, for the

good of us all. >> um, any given day, matthew, you can go on the internet or social media or anywhere and maybe you are just a passenger on a plane and you see these unruly airline passengers. were you surprised by -- that biden chastised these people? talked about, you know, how they were directing their anger at flight attendants and that it was wrong, and they needed to show some respect? >> no. i mean, i -- i -- i'm not surprised at joe biden. and i guess, i'm surprised it took him this long to sort of vent that frustration at these folks that are doing this. it's just unbelievable to me, don, that the values that you and i and the doctor were all brought up as children and if we have children of our own, we try to instill in our children. the idea that we respect other people. we're not mean. we play well. we give people dignity. all of those by some people have just been thrown out the window, completely. just been thrown out the window. and their own, personal interests or their own, personal, you know, grievance or

their own, personal whatever takes precedent over other people. and i just wish people would go back -- you know, the book i learned in kindergarten or whatever but what we learned and what we want our children and what we were taught as children. let's just practice those basics. let's just practice those basics. if we just practice those basics, again, we'll be a lot better off as a country. >> thank you, gentlemen. absolutely, you're right. but thank you, gentlemen, i appreciate it. texas governor greg abbott vowing to fight a doj lawsuit over his -- his state's ne near-total abortion ban. does the justice department have enough legal ammunition to win? my dvt blood clot left me with questions... was another around the corner? or could i have a different game plan? i wanted to help protect myself. my doctor recommended eliquis. eliquis is proven to treat and help prevent

another dvt or pe blood clot. almost 98 percent of patients on eliquis didn't experience another. and eliquis has significantly less major bleeding than the standard treatment. eliquis is fda-approved and has both. don't stop eliquis unless your doctor tells you to. eliquis can cause serious and in rare cases fatal bleeding. don't take eliquis if you have an artificial heart valve or abnormal bleeding. if you had a spinal injection while on eliquis call your doctor right away if you have tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness. while taking eliquis, you may bruise more easily and it may take longer than usual for bleeding to stop. seek immediate medical care for sudden signs of bleeding, like unusual bruising. eliquis may increase your bleeding risk if you take certain medicines. tell your doctor about all planned medical or dental procedures. what's around the corner could be a different game. ask your doctor about eliquis.

with dexcom g6, i don't have to prick my fingers anymore. this little wearable sends my glucose numbers straight to my phone. you can see your number and where it's heading. and i get alerts before i go too high or before i go too low. the dexcom g6 has helped me lower my a1c. before treating your chronic migraine, 15 or more headache days a month each lasting 4 hours or more, you're not the only one with questions about botox®. botox® prevents headaches in adults with chronic migraine before they even start, with about 10 minutes of treatment once every 3 months. so, ask your doctor if botox® is right for you, and if a sample is available. effects of botox® may spread hours to weeks after injection causing serious symptoms. alert your doctor right away, as difficulty swallowing,

speaking, breathing, eye problems, or muscle weakness can be signs of a life-threatening condition. side effects may include allergic reactions, neck and injection site pain, fatigue, and headache. don't receive botox® if there's a skin infection. tell your doctor your medical history, muscle or nerve conditions and medications, including botulinum toxins, as these may increase the risk of serious side effects. in a survey, 92% of current users said they wish they'd talked to their doctor and started botox® sooner. plus, right now, you may pay zero dollars for botox®. ask your doctor about botox® today. dry eye symptoms driving you crazy? inflammation might be to blame. inflammation: time for ache and burn! over the counter eye drops typically work by lubricating your eyes and may provide temporary relief. inflammation: those'll probably pass by me! xiidra works differently, targeting inflammation that can cause dry eye disease. inflammation: xiidra? no! it can provide lasting relief. xiidra is the only fda-approved non-steroid treatment specifically for the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. one drop in each eye, twice a day.

don't use if you're allergic to xiidra. common side effects, include eye irritation, discomfort or blurred vision when applied to the eye, and unusual taste sensation. don't touch container tip to your eye or any surface. after using xiidra, wait fifteen minutes before reinserting contacts. talk to an eye doctor about xiidra. inflammation: i prefer you didn't. xiidra. not today, dry eye. go with simparica trio it's triple protection made simple! simparica trio is the first and only monthly chewable that covers heartworm disease, ticks and fleas, round and hookworms. dogs get triple protection in just one simparica trio! this drug class has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions, including seizures. use with caution in dogs with a history of these disorders. protect him with all your heart. simparica trio. the biden administration taking on texas over its new law banning abortions after six weeks.

the justice department suing the state, saying the law is unconstitutional under long-standing supreme court precedent. let's discuss now. cnn's senior legal analyst laura coates is here. laura, good evening to you. thank you for joining this evening. this suit sets up a showdown before the federal government and the republican-led state of texas. what comes next, or as they say, now what? >> well, you know, these showdowns are pretty much handling under normally the supremacy clause, which says that the federal law and supreme court precedent is going to actually take precedent over the idea of a state law. texas already knows they're in violation of roe v. wade. they know they're in violation of federal law, but they were attempting to try to go around as an endgame, which of course garland called out today to say there was an obvious and also expressly stated goal here of trying to run that end run ar around judicial review. we've been talking for a long time, don, about the idea of

hey, uber drivers could have been swept up under this dragnet. lyft operators, receptionists, school counselors, you name it. this idea of that very vague definition of what it means to aid and abet somebody who is trying to get an abortion seems to have given license now to the department of justice to say, hey, that means that our federal employees who are trying to carry out federal law, department of defense, the labor department, areas of people who are providing medicaid and medicare services, we're included in that dragnet because now the people whose job it is to in some ways support things that could lead to abortion-related services could now be facing civil liabilities. so that dragnet that they set up under that ambiguous definition has now invited the department of justice to bring this suit. >> listen, today you're talking about the critics of it, right? in an interview out today, u.s. supreme court justice stephen breyer called the high court's

refusal to block the texas law very, very wrong. that is an incredible statement coming from a sitting justice, especially this one with all the speculation about when he's going to retire. >> and how critical he believes it is to remain and still be on this court because it was a very slim majority that they were able to have that procedural ruling that says this law can go into effect. it's not normal for a supreme court justice to write a dissenting opinion that is as scathing as all of them were in their dissent about what they knew to be an end run around their very clear precedent. again, remember, the whole goal here is to have these checks and balances on power of the length everybody branch, of the executive branch. well, now what they have done in texas is basically foreclosed that opportunity, and the supreme court said, okay, that was very novel and complex as if other cases are not novel and complex. so breyer knew it was the wrong thing to do, but he did open a

door and says if this boecomes substantive matter in front of us, things might just change. >> laura coates breaking it down for us. thank you. i appreciate it. president biden pulling back the carrot and giving more of the stick, announcing new vaccine mandates that could affect 100 million americans. how far will it go in controlling this pandemic? . we look at what you've saved, what you'll need, and help you build a flexible plan for cash flow that lasts, even when you're not working, so you can go from saving... to living. ♪ let's go ♪ (announcer) carvana's had a lot of firsts. 100% online car buying. car vending machines. and now, putting you in control of your financing. at carvana, get personalized terms, browse for cars that fit your budget, then customize your down payment and monthly payment. and these aren't made-up numbers. it's what you'll really pay, right down to the penny. whether you're shopping or just looking. it only takes a few seconds, and it won't affect your credit score. finally! a totally different way to finance your ride.

only from carvana. the new way to buy a car. today let's paint with new behr dynasty™... so that you can be proud of your walls. where's your furniture? oh we thought it distracted from the new behr dynasty paint color. let me take your coats. because behr dynasty only takes... one. coat. behr dynasty. go ahead, throw your wine on it. what? stain repellent. it's also scuff resistant. you're paying for that! introducing behr dynasty™, the best of behr. exclusively at the home depot.

♪ ayy, ayy, ayy ♪ ♪ yeah, we fancy like applebee's on a date night ♪ ♪ got that bourbon street steak with the oreo shake ♪ ♪ get some whipped cream on the top too ♪ ♪ two straws, one check, girl, i got you ♪ ♪ bougie like natty in the styrofoam ♪ ♪ squeak-squeakin' in the truck bed all the way home ♪ ♪ some alabama-jamma, she my dixieland delight ♪ ♪ ayy, that's how we do, ♪ ♪ how we do, fancy like, oh ♪

tonight, president biden adopting a get-tough approach as his administration tries to bring the surging covid pandemic under control. mandating federal workers be vaccinated and requiring businesses with 100 or more employees to ensure their workers are either vaccinated or tested once a week. and expressing frustration with the nearly 80 million americans who are eligible for the vaccine but haven't yet rolled up their

sleeve, saying, quote, our patience is wearing thin. also tonight, the justice department suing the state of texas over its new law banning all abortions after six weeks. and with less than a week to go before california's recall election, we'll visit a republican county where democratic governor gavin newsom is having a hard time finding support. i want to start now with cnn's white house correspondent john harwood and political commentator amanda carpenter. good evening to both of you. good to see you. john, president biden announcing new vaccine mandates that could impact 100 million americans. what are you hearing from the white house about how this is all going to work and why didn't they go even further? >> well, in terms of why they didn't go further, the biggest proposal that i've heard from people like our colleague jonathan reiner, who you have on your show a lot, the doctor who has said that he should have mandated air travelers be vaccinated. the white house says they didn't