impulses, sending messages from your brain to other parts of your body. now to send those messages more efficiently. a conductive sheath of fat and protein known as myelin wraps around the nerves. but when the spinal cord is injured, the myelin can become damaged as well. when you've actually injected these cells into the spinal cord and someone like jake, what sort of results have you been seeing? >> to date, 30 individuals have received these cells. the initial objective was to demonstrate the safety. but the data which we collected and the conversations that we had with the surgeons really encouraged us that there was some improvement. that was somewhat unexpected. >> improvements for patients like jake that now allow him to live his life, drive and work. >> i ended up getting some return here in my right hand so i'm able to wiggle this index finger just a little bit, which doesn't look like much, and

there's not a lot of strength behind it, but, um, to actually proves to be very functional for me because it kind of gives me a little bit more dexterity and the ability to kind of open my hand here and, and grab even small objects like this. >> how big a deal was the advocacy of christopher reeve and all this? >> christopher reeve is synonymous with this condition, and that's really important. having someone who is connected as an individual to a condition can really help attract attention and interest in the space. >> i knew i would one day get to a point where i felt like i was living a, you know, very fulfilled lifestyle, traveling the world and going to school. moved down to san diego, and after getting my master's in

north carolina and i'm engaged, i have a wonderful fiance who's very supportive. >> doctor sanjay gupta, cnn reporting. >> what a wonderful story. wonderful science. and i have to tell you, this documentary is amazing. superman the christopher reeve story airs sunday, february 2nd at 8 p.m. eastern on cnn. brand new hour of cnn news central starts right now. >> breaking news the immigration crackdown has begun. we are seeing the first deportation flights using military aircraft. the white house using it as a photo op showing migrants being shipped back to guatemala from texas, and more troops are on the way to the border. and then, moments from now, president donald trump is expected to leave the white house and go coast to coast, traveling to north carolina and california to survey the damage from two natural disasters.

but he's already slamming fema for its response and threatening to withhold federal aid from a place that is still burning. and two giant pandas making their american debut. live pictures for john berman. only of these two fuzzy favorites will he be wearing the panda suit to receive them? we don't know, but we will find out. i'm sarah seiden with john berman and kate bolduan. this is cnn news central all right. >> breaking just a few moments ago, we learned that deportations using u.s. military aircraft are officially underway. the white house press secretary posted photos this morning. the first group left on flights bound for guatemala from fort bliss in el paso. that's according to a homeland security official. we're standing by to see the president leave the white house any moment now. he

is departing to visit disaster zones in north carolina and california. we are standing by to see if he comments on these new flights. let's get right to cnn's priscila alvarez, who is with us now. and, priscilla, this is a different process. this is not something we've seen with the u.s. military aircraft before, right? >> that is what's different in this. >> this is the use of. >> military aircraft for. >> these repatriation flights. >> of course, all. of this kicked off with president trump's executive order declaring a national emergency at the u.s. southern border. what that did was unlock these resources for the department of homeland security. >> to use. >> from the pentagon. so this week, the pentagon had announced that they were going to send military aircraft. to both el paso and to san diego. the images that we are seeing this morning, posted by the white house press secretary is in el paso. so you see that image there? you see that the migrants are handcuffed this way, the way they're lined up and boarding the flight. that is pretty typical. that is what you would see if you were seeing, for

example, an immigration and. >> customs enforcement deportation flight. but what. >> is striking here. >> of course, is the. >> military aircraft that they are boarding. now, a homeland security official tells me that these are 75 to 80 migrants from guatemala. they are. >> recent border crossers. >> that means that. >> they were in. >> border patrol custody and now are. >> being. >> repatriated back to guatemala. now the aircraft is just part of a bigger mission. of course, the pentagon also announcing this week that they are sending additional troops. >> to the. >> u.s. southern border. now, we have had troops assisting u.s. border patrol before. in fact, there were already some on the ground. this is. augmenting that to help, for example. >> with operational. >> readiness to help with. >> air operations. >> as well as lend intelligence specialists to assess threats and migrant flows. so all of this packaged together is part of the president's immigration crackdown, specifically on the u.s. southern border. but, john, a reminder that crossings at the u.s. southern. >> border are low. >> they have plummeted over recent months. there are just

between 1100 to 1300. >> people crossing a day. >> that is far less than when we were at 4000, 6000. >> even up. >> to 12,000 in recent years. so numbers. >> are lower. >> but these flights right now are focused on repatriating those who. cross recently and who were already in border patrol custody. john. >> all right. a lot of new information there and something we will watch over the coming minutes and hours. priscilla alvarez, thank you very much for that. kate. >> a federal judge has blocked president trump's executive order moving to try and end birthright citizenship. the judge telling a justice department attorney in this decision, saying, i've been on the bench for over four decades. i can't remember another case where the question presented was as clear as this one is. this is a blatantly unconstitutional order. the president was asked about this afterward. >> obviously, we'll appeal it. they put it before a certain judge in seattle, i guess, right. and there's no surprises

with that judge. >> joining us right now is democratic congressman from new mexico, gabe vasquez. thank you so much for coming in. congressman, a judge blocking this order, um, that donald trump obviously making very clear they are going to be appealing and this will continue its way through the courts. you've called the move by the president egregious. what do you think the impact will be if he if he succeeds? >> thank you kate, it's great. >> to be on today. >> well, look, i don't. >> think the president is. >> going to succeed. >> i've said. >> this before. >> but the president can't rewrite the constitution. >> or eliminate. >> an amendment with. >> the stroke. >> of. >> a. >> pen. >> that is simply. >> not a power. >> that he has. >> and i have confidence in the. >> courts that they're. >> going to make the right. >> decision as. >> this moves. >> up the chain. >> to block not just. >> terrible policy, but also bad politics. i think most americans agree. that the. >> constitution. >> which i. swore to. >> uphold, is something. >> that is sacred. >> to this country.

>> i want to ask you also about the new reporting coming from our priscilla alvarez, who was just talking to john, the white house, putting out photos this morning of deportation flights that are now underway and saying and showing something that is new, that they are now using military aircraft, pentagon assets, to deport migrants back to their country of origin. here are some of the photos we're showing our viewers right now, put out by the white house press secretary. what's your reaction to that? >> well. >> look. >> i represent. >> 180 miles. >> of the us-mexico border. i've been down on the ground. >> on the front lines. >> with both the. >> national guard. >> and border patrol. and customs and border protection, and i can tell you that their focus should really. >> be on. >> interdicting drugs such as fentanyl. that come. >> into this country. that's why. >> i. >> introduced a bipartisan. bill called the. >> stop fentanyl act. this was actually causing. >> harm to americans. and the majority of these drugs. >> are being trafficked. >> through our ports. >> of entry. i would say that that would be a better. >> use of federal resources. >> in terms of the things. >> that are actually causing.

>> harm to the majority of americans. and i think the. >> president had. said in. >> the past that he's going to target violent felons for deportation. >> under his. >> purview and executive orders that he's issued. >> this is just. the opposite. federal resources right now should be. focused on those. >> violent felons, uh. criminals and all other folks who should. >> be targeted. >> i think we can all agree as americans. >> that those. >> folks should be out of our. >> communities. >> in our neighborhoods. >> but this is the wrong. >> headed approach. >> to using federal resources. >> that doesn't help improve the quality of. >> life as americans. >> which is. >> also what the. >> president should be focused on. >> donald trump ran on aggressively cracking down on illegal immigration, and he won on this being one of the big issues he ran on. we saw that. and, you know, throughout the campaign, if what he's doing so far fits into the category of promise made, promise kept, what do you do with that? congressman? >> well.

>> look, we cannot. >> talk about. >> immigration without talking about the economy. and it's so critically. >> important that the american. >> public understands. >> the contributions. >> of immigrants to this country. so, again, if we start to see mass deportations. >> of folks like farm workers who help us secure. >> our nation's food security. >> who. help lower the cost of goods. >> from production. >> all. >> the way to the. >> grocery store, when we start seeing. >> that dreamers. don't get. a fair. >> shot at becoming. >> american citizens. and when families. >> are torn apart, i think the. >> american public is going to. >> realize that this is a. >> wrongheaded approach. and although he made a promise to crack. down on illegal immigration, it's going to. >> have profound. >> impacts on our economy. >> should his plans be carried out to fruition in a. >> way that we suspect. >> it might. >> with mass. >> deportation orders. >> that we've. >> already seen, and. even worse, we. just saw ice put a statement out just yesterday saying that american citizens are going to be caught. >> up in the crossfire. >> of the mass. deportation force, including with an incident that happened in. >> new jersey yesterday. so this is going to violate.

>> the fundamental. constitutional rights of not just. >> uh, immigrants. >> who are caught up in this process, some who have legal status, some who don't, but also. >> everyday american citizens. >> and so i'm terribly worried. >> about the type of. >> profiling that we're going to see in this country. >> you represent one of the most latino districts in the nation, this in this election, just, you know, looking back, a hot second in this, this election, donald trump made more inroads with latino voters, 40 winning 46% of latino vote this time, which is a significant jump from last from the 2020 election. and the latino vote, the latino support he had then. what have you learned from that? what have you heard from your constituents? what's the message? >> well, sure. well, look, i'll start by saying i am a proud mexican american. >> that represents one of the largest border districts in. >> the country, and i was able. >> to win in a trump district. >> because i treated latinos the same as i treated any. other group of voters. the issues that.

>> really matter to them were the rising cost. >> of goods, the inability to be able to purchase a home. >> not being able to afford. >> car insurance, not. >> being able. >> to send. >> their kids to after school programs. >> these are the issues that are impacting and affecting all americans. >> and so i didn't. separate those issues. >> as either latino. issues or other issues. and that was really important for me. >> so folks in my. >> district, especially the hispanic community, have the confidence that i'm going. >> to. >> focus on the solutions here in congress, which. >> i did during my first. >> term. >> including a. package of bipartisan. >> immigration and border security bills that target. the cartels, target the human smugglers, target the coyotes. at the same. >> time also helping to improve and. >> support international trade. at our ports of entry and creating. >> jobs along. >> the border. i think. >> that was. >> a big key to me. not losing the latino. >> vote as we. >> saw around the country. >> we'll see if that, if the lessons you have, the message you have heard from your constituents, if that is also filters through the rest of the democratic party going forward.

gabe vasquez, thanks so much, sarah. >> all right. thank you, kate, at any moment, president trump will be leaving the white house heading to disaster zones on both the east and west coast. and we just learned this morning he invited a lawmaker that he's been insulting for years to join him. will that california lawmaker show up? and while many companies are scaling back their dei programs, one popular retailer and its shareholders are embracing dei. those stories ahead psoriasis all over. >> i couldn't. >> get my hair done then. >> psoriatic arthritis cosentyx works on both. for me. >> scalp psoriasis. >> could mean a four times higher risk for psoriatic arthritis. don't use if you're allergic to cosentyx before starting, get checked for tuberculosis. an increased risk of infections and lowered ability to fight them may occur like tuberculosis or other serious bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. some were fatal. tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms

like fevers. >> sweats. >> chills, muscle. >> aches. >> or cough. had a vaccine or plan to or if inflammatory. >> bowel. >> disease symptoms. >> develop or worsen serious allergic. >> reactions and severe eczema like skin reactions may. >> occur. >> see me. >> find relief that can last. ask your dermatologist about cosentyx. >> life with ear ringing sounded like a constant train whistle i couldn't escape. >> then i started. >> taking lipo flavonoid. >> with 60. >> years of clinical experience. it's the number one doctor recommended brand for ear ringing. and now i'm finally free. take back control with lipo flavonoid. >> your shipping. >> manager left to find themself. >> leaving you lost. you need to hire. >> i need indeed. >> indeed you do. >> sponsor jobs. >> on indeed are two. >> and a half times faster to first hire. visit indeed.com. >> slash hire at humana, we believe your health care should evolve with you. >> and part of that evolution means choosing the right medicare plan for you. humana can help. hi, my name is sam

davis, and i'm going to tell you about medicare advantage prescription drug plans that can provide more coverage than original medicare, including prescription drug coverage, all wrapped up into one convenient plan. with original medicare, you're covered for hospital stays and doctor office visits, deductible for each, and then ' look at medicare supplement plans. if a service is covered under original medicare, then a medicare supplement plan pays for some or all of your medicare deductibles and the 20% coinsurance. but they may have higher monthly premiums and no prescription drug coverage humana medicare advantage prescription drug plans include medical coverage, plus prescription drug coverage with $0 copays on hundreds of prescriptions. most plans include $0 copays for covered preventive dental services,

vision coverage that includes vision exams and a yearly allowance toward eyewear, even hearing benefits that include routine hearing exams and coverage toward hearing aids. you can get $0 copays for in-network preventive services and $0 co-pays for routine vaccines, and there's worldwide coverage for emergency and urgent care. when you travel. plus, humana also offers medicare advantage plans. plans have $0 or low monthly plan premiums, and there's a cap on your out of pocket costs. so call or go online today to see if there's a humana plan in your area. and to get our free decision guide. licensed humana sales agents are standing by. so call now. humana a more human way to health care. >> so are you guys still. >> thinking about going to italy? >> yeah, just booked the flights. >> oh, great. you guys are going to love it.

>> we went last year, and. >> it was. >> just so. >> beautiful. >> mhm. >> frank. >> mhm. mhm. >> frank are you okay bud. >> this is. >> the best. >> steak i've ever had. right. and i get them every month. >> nothing compares. >> to the taste. >> of omaha steaks guaranteed. save $30. >> on our. >> new usda. certified tender filet mignon with promo code taste 30 at checkout. >> mike had a heart attack a year ago, but he still living in the red with a very high risk of another attack. with his risk factors, his recommended ldl-c level should be below 55. are you at risk? learn how to get a free ldl-c test at attack heart disease.com. >> all right. we're giving you a live look at the white house. because any moment now, president trump will leave for his first trip of his second term. the president traveling to north carolina first and california after to see the devastation left behind from hurricanes and wildfires. trump will go first to asheville, still reeling from hurricane helene, and then west to los angeles, where wildfires are still burning at this hour,

trump has threatened to withhold federal aid to california. i spoke earlier with the mayor of pasadena, who is urging him to put politics aside. >> i'm calling on all sides, including president trump, to set politics aside. this is not a time to engage in political gamesmanship, to hold hostage entire communities or even threatened communities with withholding desperately needed aid at a time that they need it most. >> let's get right to cnn's alayna treene, who is at the white house awaiting the president. his first trip of his second term. are you expecting to hear when he goes out to these different places, him use some of that vitriolic language, or is this going to be a sort of more of a compassionate response, as he is going to be meeting with victims? >> that's right. so when i talked to some white house officials about this, one of them told me that they really want to keep the attention and

the focus on the communities impacted by these devastating disasters that have really wrecked their communities, both in north carolina, but also, of course, in california that is still reeling from these wildfires. now, i do want to note that we did just hear a marine one take off from the south lawn. so donald trump is on his way now to reach his to reach air force one and begin his path to north carolina. but i want to just as well walk you through some of his direct schedule today, because he has a couple of things going on in each of these states that he's visiting. so at 11 a.m., he's going to be receiving a briefing on hurricane helene. uh, 12:00. he's planning to meet with the families affected by the hurricane, and then he'll go to north. excuse me. go to los angeles. where at 330, he's going to be taking a neighborhood tour of the pacific palisades. and then at 4 p.m., attend a fire emergency briefing. now, one thing to keep in mind is who is going to be with him. we know that first lady melania trump is expected

to accompany him to all of these events, as well as a series of lawmakers in both parties, both democratic and republican lawmakers have been invited to attend some of the briefings in both north carolina and california. one person, though, that i did not see on the list that the white house shared in california is the governor, gavin newsom. someone, of course, that donald trump has really gone head to head with and have been very, you know, very critical in his condemnation of how the governor has handled the wildfires out in california. we actually heard newsom this week say that he planned and hoped to meet with donald trump during that visit, and that he planned to greet him on the tarmac. i want you to take a listen to what he said. >> i look forward to being there on the tarmac to thank the president, welcome him. and and we're making sure that all the resources he needs for a successful briefing are provided to him. i certainly plan on being there at the tarmac and and look forward to continuing

to work, not just with him and the. administration. >> now, sarah, another thing i'm keeping an eye on, not just whether or not donald trump continues to be very critical and what his rhetoric will be like today. but also, he has talked about wanting to make some changes to fema. he said earlier this week that perhaps he believes that the government should be giving money directly to the states and having them deal with them, rather than it going through fema. so we'll stay tuned to see whether or not he addresses that, either in north carolina or in california. sarah. >> all right. we are looking live at joint base andrews, where the president, as you said, he's just lifted off and we're expecting to see him there in just a bit as he gets this trip underway. alayna treene, thank you so much. appreciate it, john. >> right now, as we wait to see if president trump speaks when he gets to joint base andrews. with us now is zeb smathers. he's the mayor of canton, north carolina, just west of asheville. it was hit hard by hurricane helene. mayor, it's great to see you again and get an update. just first of all, on the recovery efforts in your town.

>> well, we're making. >> progress in canton. >> just like every community in western north carolina. we're still here. our people are continuing to show grit and grace across the region. over 30 counties. the amount of help and prayers from across the nation, both in politically, from, you know, from california to the carolinas, you know, you see people having our backs. but at the end of the day, you know, the grit and grace of people that have lost so much, their homes, their businesses, their loved ones, they're finding a way. these are tough times. but western north carolina, we just simply have tougher people. >> now, i know it's not clear yet whether or not you will actually get to meet with president trump or see him in person, but what would your message to him be? >> well, first off, we're honored to have the president in western north carolina. you know, opportunities like this one fear we have in this region is that we're going to be left behind. and these people, their setbacks, they're successes. they're just as important as anywhere else in this country.

and so i think to have the president here and to tell our story is important. so people don't forget about us. but again, i think i hope the president, you know, steps back and sees this as an american success story. we have a long way to go, but this doesn't fit in political boxes. you have democrats and republicans, independents, different religions. no one's checking voter i.d. cards. what you're seeing is the best of north carolina and the best of america. people that are coming together and getting results done. and so there's a time for politics. obviously, the president, as any politician, you know, has a time and place for that. but i think what he'll see today when he meets with these families is a region fighting its way back. challenges lie ahead. but again, if you give the people of the mountains the resources and the respect they deserve, we're going to find a way. >> and we've been showing a lot of pictures of some of the destruction and the recovery efforts, some of which you provided yourself. it's just a reminder of how bad things were there, and it is good to hear that you're making progress.

you've got some frustrations with fema. what are they? >> well, i mean, again, we've seen fema step up. i think it's been a better result this time than what canton and haywood county worked through in 2021 when tropical storm fred hit us. but again, it's it's communication, especially with housing. you know, i've seen obviously, you know, governor josh stein who will meet the president on the tarmac today, step up and work with housing, especially private roads and bridges. but again, we're hearing that frustration. and these people that are in hotels sometimes, you know, hours away from their home, finding a very efficient way to get them back on their property with trailers cut through the regulations, cut through the red tape and find a way. i think, you know, when you're in local government, you start at yes, until you have to say no. and so the inability to communicate, having people getting ready to get thrown out of their hotels and our and then finding out it could be extended, i think washington and governor stein have done a good

job extending that now for months. people need that stability. you know, again, as i've said time and time again, other than the words i love you, the most important word in the english language is home. and these people want to stay home. they want to rebuild. and cutting through that red tape, having fema as a partner, but also in fairness to fema, it's not their job to do everything. we've seen so many community members, churches step up. it's a joint effort. i think fema has done some things well. there are some things that fema still needs to do, and so we'll continue to work with our federal partners, democrats and republicans, fema, whatever it takes, again, to give these people the respect and resources. >> and again, we're looking at live pictures from joint base andrews as president trump arrives there to depart on this journey. mayor zeb smathers, thank you for being with us. it's a long road back, as you say, but it is nice to know that you have made some steps on that road. kate. >> we're going to keep an eye on that as joint base andrews. we're also watching this. the pandas there back at the national zoo, and they're ready for their public debut. panda diplomacy at its

finest and on display. and david culver is there. hey, david. >> kate, i feel. >> like this is a capstone to just a huge week here in washington. and i promise you, the pandas are actually here. but it's freezing cold. >> and i think. >> they've gone inside for a little snack. i'm going to take you inside. just after this. we'll see you. >> this is what it feels. >> like to file with taxslayer, confident you'll get your guaranteed maximum. >> refund. >> kick from my. >> branches and wait, wait. oh oh taxslayer leslie. >> look out. >> cause here. >> i come. >> have you always had trouble. >> with your. >> weight? >> same. >> discover the power of wegovy. >> with wegovy. i lost. 35 pounds and some lost over 46 pounds. >> and i'm. >> keeping the weight off.

>> i'm reducing my risk. >> wegovy is the only weight management medicine proven to. >> reduce. >> risk of major cardiovascular events such as death, heart attack or stroke in adults with known heart disease and obesity. >> don't use wegovy with semaglutide or glp one medicines or in children. >> under 12. >> don't take if you or. >> your. family had. mtc men2. >> or if allergic. >> to it. >> tell your provider. >> if you plan to have surgery or a. >> procedure, are. >> breastfeeding, pregnant, or plan to be. stop taking. >> and get medical. >> help right away. if you get a. >> lump or. >> swelling in your neck. >> severe stomach. >> pain, or any of these allergic reactions. serious side effects. >> may include pancreas. >> inflammation and gallbladder problems. >> call your. >> prescriber if you have any of these symptoms. >> wegovy may cause low blood sugar in people with diabetes. especially if you take medicines to. >> treat diabetes. >> call your prescriber. >> about vision changes. >> if you feel your heart racing while. >> at rest. or if you have mental changes. >> depression or thoughts of suicide may occur. common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, flu or upset headache, feeling tired, dizzy or bloated, gas and heartburn. some side effects

lead to dehydration, which may cause kidney problems. >> with wegovy. >> i'm losing weight. >> i'm keeping it off. >> and i'm. >> lowering my cv. >> risk. >> wegovy. ask your prescriber. >> about wegovy. >> introducing a revolution in pain relief. absorbing junior pro. the strongest numbing pain relief available. it's the only solution with two max strength anesthetics for fast, penetrating, relief absorbing junior pro. nothing numbs pain more. >> are you sure you. >> tend to exaggerate. >> your turning 65 soon? you should really call and. >> ask. >> them yourself. >> thank you for calling aetna. >> this is ann. how can i help you? >> do you really. >> have medicare. >> plans that. >> cover dental. >> vision and hearing? >> yes. >> all three. plus, we have plans that include a monthly allowance for certain over-the-counter products. >> really? >> see? they're great. but what's all this going to cost me? we know things can add up quickly. that's why aetna has medicare advantage plans with a $0 monthly plan premium and $0 preventive screenings. oh. >> i like that.

>> then i think you'll like our strong network of doctors, and you can manage it all in our mobile app or on our website. i told you. let me walk you through your plan options and find the one that's right for you. that'd be great. thank you. >> turning 65. >> call 1877. >> aetna zero. >> eight to find an aetna medicare. let's say you're deep in a show or a game or the game. on a train, at home, at work. okay, maybe not at work. point is at xfinity. we're constantly engineering new ways to get the entertainment you love to you faster and easier than ever. that's what i do. is that love island?

create a budget. so you're not spending the thousand dollars on takeout. >> that actually. >> would. >> really help do. >> your finances a favor. download rocket money today. >> the game. >> is changing. >> there's been three on three. >> but it's not. what we're doing i think is really unique. >> but really making sure it's more than just a moment. you want to see a movement. >> unrivaled every friday. >> saturday and monday. presented by samsung galaxy on tnt, trutv and stream on max. >> all right. we're going to show you live pictures. this is from joint base andrews. you see the president and the first lady leaving marine one heading towards air force one, where they will be heading off to asheville, north carolina. and then, of course, southern california, leaving the white house just before this,

president trump spoke to reporters. let's play it. >> hello, everybody. thank you very much. >> thank you. >> thank you. the north carolina. it's been a horrible thing the way that's been. >> allowed to fester. and we're going to get it fixed up. it should have been done months ago from the hurricane that took place almost four months ago. north carolina has been treated very badly. so we're stopping there and we're going to then go to los angeles and take a look at a fire that could have been put out if they left the water flow, but they didn't let the water flow, and they still haven't for whatever reason. so i think we're going to have a very interesting time. i think many of you are going with us. if you'd like to have a ride on the plane, we'd love to give it to you. >> why did you. fly? >> i don't know, is he is he going? is he going? i don't know. i mean, i really. >> don't. know. >> because if he's going to be

there, it would be cheaper. but i didn't invite him. somebody did. >> will you be? >> there with republicans are. >> concerned about. >> his prospects. >> look, whatever it is, it is, he's a good man. i don't know what's going to happen. you never know in those things. but pete's a very, very good man. i hope he makes it. i hope he makes it. uh, i was very surprised that collins and murkowski would do that. and of course, mitch is always a no vote. i guess it's mitch, a no vote. how about mitch, huh? what? >> yes. >> let's see what. >> happens. president xi mr. president, the march for life. the march for life is a big group for the march for life. and we look forward to seeing it. i'm going to be watching it. >> and jd vance, our vice president, is there, and he's going to be representing us very well, taking place in a little

while. and other than being a little bit cold, it's a beautiful. >> day. mr. president, what is your message to americans? will your administration protect? sure. how will your administration protect pro-life americans? oh, we're. >> all we're all for it. >> in fact. >> as you know, i just signed a pardon. and in the pardon, we released 23 people that were unjustly put in having to do with pro-life. and they will be released and they'll be out very shortly. it was disgraceful. >> what happened. >> there was a persecution. >> will you give will you give italy a break on tax on the terrorists? >> well, i like her very much. let's see what happens. >> mr. president, have a good time, mr. president. thank you. >> all right. so that was the president leaving the white house just a short time ago. a couple interesting things there to note. according to reporters, you can't hear it because, of course, marine one is making noise in the background. reporters there at the white house and asked him about adam schiff going. senator adam schiff going to l.a., as we have

reported, schiff's office said that adam schiff was invited to join the president to ride to california to view the fire zones. and donald trump saying, right there, i didn't invite him. so we'll get more to learn on that. also, talking about pete hegseth and his nomination, his confirmation vote in the senate on the senate floor later tonight. and he asked the question where, you know, is, is mitch a no vote? the latest reporting we have is that he's been on the fence, or at least uncommitted in terms of his announcement and how he will vote on a final vote for pete hegseth. maybe. let's see what the president, what the president was wondering there aloud and what he was trying to signal. they can lose three republicans total and still get pete hegseth confirmation through sarah. >> all right. the battle over d playing out in the government and in private business after trump's sweeping executive orders banning die this morning. costco shareholders are pushing back against efforts to

dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion policies. more than 98% of the company's shareholders voted down a proposal requesting a report on the risks of maintaining dei initiatives. this was at their annual shareholders meeting yesterday. the move sending a message on how some investors are viewing the value of corporate dei programs. even after president trump issued those executive orders. joining me now, colman cruz hughes, he is a conservative podcaster, a writer and a cnn political analyst. thank you so much for being here, colman. you argue in your latest, right, that trump is ending racial preferences through dei and america, you say, will be better off because of it. why? >> dei programs have been enormously unpopular. affirmative action programs have been very unpopular because they discriminate against people on the basis of race. we saw this with the asian students who sued

harvard. >> we saw that. >> affirmative action has lost two referendums, one in the 90s and one just a few years ago in the blue state of california. of all. >> places. >> they're not popular because they also they instead of promoting people and. >> hiring people based. >> on merit, which. >> is a really. >> a widely popular idea in america and a deeply held american value. they encourage people to hire based on race and to enforce racial balances and and de facto racial quotas. so i think it's a good thing trump is getting rid of this. i think it's long overdue. >> there is the argument that you make about merit versus race based hiring, but there are studies that go very much against that. the latest research of the effect of dei, for example, in business from the massive research and consulting firm mckinsey shows. and i'm quoting here, a strong business case for ethnic diversity is consistent over time. they've done these studies over and over

with a 39% increased likelihood of outperformance for those in the top quartile of ethnic representation versus the bottom quartile. in other words, it is helping businesses compete and do better. what do you say to proponents of dei who point to the simple statistics and say, look, having a racially and gender diverse workforce is actually good for business? >> look, that's that's their it's their right to have. >> that viewpoint. the problem comes with with the law, because the plain text of the civil rights act of 1964 prohibits large businesses from discriminating against potential racial hires, and people have been ignoring the plain text of the law. even judges have been ignoring the plain text of the law. but at some point, there has to be a kind of consistency in american public policy, not

only for the sake of the law itself, but for the sake of businesses, because you don't want to put these private businesses through a situation where every four years the interpretation of the law is changing so much. and and they face lawsuits. >> i do want to ask you about this. i went and looked up some statistics from the federal see some analysis, and in 2018, their latest shows that u.s. incomes and wealth, um, disparities, you know, the federal reserve bank of minneapolis concluded that the historical data revealed that no progress had been made in reducing income and wealth inequalities between black and white households over the past 70 years. that is saying something. how do you think this should be tackled when you are saying, look, it shouldn't be done using dei. >> this should be done on the basis of income and class, not on the basis of race. this is an

argument many people have been making for years. if the concern is that certain groups of people have a higher poverty rate, have less wealth, et cetera., the government has all of our tax returns and can treat us on the basis of class and socioeconomics. if it has programs that can help uplift poor people. not only would that not discriminate against people on the basislyarget more closele people in question. a lot of these affirmative action and dei programs are t most people of color in the top 5%. but we're not really talking about the problem you' highlighting here, which is poor people. >> yeah. the only issue with your argument is that when it comes to who has wealth and who doesn't, it turns out that african-americans in this country have the largest disparity with their white counterparts. and so they would fall very much into into line with the argument you're making

that that those who have less money, those who are poor, should be given some kind of help and attention. coleman hughes, thank you so much for talking that out through with me, and it's interesting to hear your analysis, john. >> uh, okay. this morning, los angeles is facing a new threat of possible landslides. this is two fast moving fires have now erupted in san diego county to my son, i've never been the cool dad. >> i always wanted to know what he's up to online. but with tiktok's privacy settings being on. >> by. >> default for teens under 16, accounts are set to private, he cannot send or receive dms, and only his friends can comment so he can post away. and i've got one less thing to worry about. >> so. >> dad. >> how old do you have to be to get a tattoo? >> uh. >> teen safety settings on by default.

>> what drives your business numbers, data sales? sure, but it's your people who define your business. that's why paychex just reinvented the way to find and keep the best people. smart, streamlined. >> hr. >> technology assisted by a.i. in our team of. >> hr experts. everything you. >> need to recruit, motivate and support your employees because your people are your business. start reinventing your business at paychex.com/tv. >> let's start the bidding at $5 million. thank you sir. >> these people of privilege hoarding the financial advantages for far too long. >> point five at the back. >> look at them. unaware that robinhood gold members now enjoy the vip treatment. the 3% ira match on retirement. >> contributions 11 million, sir. >> once they discover their privileges are no longer exclusive. their fragile reality will plunge into disarray.

>> for generations, this ally to the north has been by your side. ontario, canada a partner connected by shared history, shared values and a shared vision for what we can achieve together. stable and secure. when the world around us isn't. you can rely on ontario for energy to power your growing economy and for the critical minerals crucial to new technologies. ontario is your third largest trading partner and the number one export destination for 17 states. our long standing economic partnership keeps millions of americans working in a changing world. it's time to bring jobs back home and build together more workers, more trade, more prosperity, more security. for generations, this ally to the north has been here and for generations more. we'll still be here, right by your side.

>> guys. what is peak performance mean to you? being ready when she is with long lasting treatment row can help you perform with access to prescription medications uniquely designed to suit your needs. rose sparks earn as needed boost or daily rise gummies with tadalafil for 24 over seven readiness. however you want to get there, we got you get $30 off. at. ro covid day. >> living with crohn's disease. >> and ulcerative. >> colitis often means spending hours. >> at. >> an infusion. >> center. envision being able. to self-inject. >> your treatment at home with some ventra. your infliximab maintenance. >> treatment can be managed in the. >> comfort of your own home. >> this is. >> a shift that can make a difference. >> zemfira is the only self-injectable infliximab

maintenance treatment for adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis or crohn's disease. the. you can lower your ability to fight infections, serious infections, cancers, blood, liver and nervous system issues, severe allergic reactions, and new or worsening heart failure have occurred. tell your doctor if you've been to areas where certain fungal infections are common and if you've had tb, hepatitis b are prone to infections or have flu like symptoms or sores. ask your doctor if zemfira is right for you. >> that grimy film on your teeth. >> doctor g. >> it's actually the. >> buildup of plaque bacteria which can cause cavities. >> most toothpaste. >> quit working in minutes, but. >> crest pro-health. >> antibacterial fluoride protects. >> all day. >> it stops cavities before. >> they start. >> crest the situation. >> room with wolf. >> blitzer tonight at six on cnn. >> this morning the fire situation. situation in los angeles is still active and still dangerous, but rain and cooler temperatures are in the

forecast for the weekend, which is welcome news, of course, for crews and everyone that have been battling fires for more than two weeks now. but how the rain falls could make all the difference between relief and further disaster, with threats of possible landslides, the fires have already burned more than 50,000 acres, displaced 100,000 people. one organization that's been on the ground to help, really since the beginning is team rubicon, a veteran led nonprofit that helps victims in the aftermath of natural disasters. and joining me right now is the ceo of team rubicon, art dela cruz. art, thanks for coming. in. two weeks on now, more than two weeks on, what are your what are your teams seeing as the greatest need now in southern california yeah, this has been. >> an absolutely. >> you know. >> massive fire. >> and as a veteran. >> led humanitarian organization, what we are currently seeing is that, you know, oftentimes disasters create the next disasters.

yesterday we worked very closely with public works, with an understanding that in these burn scarred areas, there's still water. >> from the firefighting. >> there is infrastructure such as water pipes that are broken. and now, with an impending rain, we understand that our volunteers can contribute to stabilize some of these areas to prevent mudslides. as the rains come. potentially this weekend. >> and tell me about that, because that's, you know, how are you how are you shifting and focus to assist with this now next hopefully it doesn't happen a disaster. and what could come. and we've seen in the past is landslides. after some brutal wildfires. how are your teams assisting already stretched emergency crews? >> yeah. >> team rubicon really prided ourselves on our agility and the shift that you. talk about started first with alleviating, you know, some of these unnecessary burdens on these incredible heroes that are helping to fight the fires. now that containment is starting to

happen, we've shifted our focus, and we've done this over the past week and helping occupants return safely to their neighborhoods by distributing ppe and information. and now in this, you know, call it our third mission. we're really concentrating on ensuring, again, that we can begin to stabilize these homes again, give this, you know, respite. stabilize it, and make sure that this recovery can begin in earnest. >> yeah, i mean, i've seen images and video of your teams doing some of the things that really needed helping to clear the roadways so emergency crews could get through. i mean, really critical things that that need to happen in order for them to be able to fight the fires. today, both state and federal leaders there coming together to visit the fire zones as an organization that is outside of the government, that has been on the ground helping, what do you hope that president trump sees and focuses on? >> yeah. >> i. >> think, you know, we're not i'm not in a position to really tell, you know, president trump,

probably something he doesn't know. but what i can tell you is, you know, our volunteers and our organization understands the magnitude of this fire. we're positioned to help wherever we can. and certainly we maintain the strength of these partnerships across, you know, the counties, the cities, you know, all of the citizens as well as the federal government in ensuring, again, we can do what we can all do as americans, which is serve our citizens. >> absolutely. team rubicon essential all the time, especially in times of need. like this. art dela cruz, thank you very much. sarah. >> okay, kate, just stay around because, hey, where'd it go? it's there it is. live pictures right now of an adorable panda. and there's a couple that are going to make their debut this morning at the national zoo. dirty panda tush. but it's okay. hey, they're cute. anyway. they are. talk about just all. look. hi. >> also can

eat your face. >> yes. >> lockerbie, february 16th on cnn. >> if you have generalized myasthenia gravis picture what life could look like with vivi. a subcutaneous injection that takes about 30 to 90s. for one thing. could it mean more time for. >> you? >> can improve daily abilities and reduce muscle weakness with a treatment plan that's personalized to you. do not use high flow. if you have a serious allergy to any of its ingredients, it can cause serious allergic reactions. like trouble breathing and decrease in blood pressure, leading to fainting and allergic reactions such as rashes, swelling under the skin, shortness of breath, and hives. the most common side effects are respiratory and urinary tract infections. >> headache. >> and injection site reactions. it may increase the risk of infusion related reactions and infection. tell your doctor if you have a history of infections

or symptoms of an infection. talk to your neurologist about viv. for gmg and picture your life in motion. >> this is what it feels like to file with taxslayer. confident you'll get your guaranteed maximum refund. taxslayer file fearlessly ever feel like a spectator in your own life with chronic migraine? 15 or more headache days a month, each lasting four hours or more, botox prevents headaches in adults with chronic migraine. in a survey, 91% of users wish they'd started sooner, so why wait? talk to your doctor. >> botox effects may spread hours to weeks after injection, causing serious symptoms. alert your doctor right away as trouble swallowing, speaking, breathing, eye problems, or muscle weakness can be signs of a life threatening condition. those with these conditions before injection are at highest risk. side effects may include allergic reactions like rash, breathing problems, dizziness,

neck and injection site pain and headache. don't receive botox if there's a skin infection. tell your doctor your medical history. muscle or nerve conditions like als, myasthenia gravis or lambert-eaton syndrome, and medicines like botulinum toxins, which may increase the risk of serious side effects. >> chronic migraine may still keep you from being there. ask

>> hsa. >> fsa eligible. get cardio mobile today for just $79 at cardio. com or amazon. >> i'm fareed. >> zakaria in. >> davos and this. >> is cnn. >> okay so this morning what might be the biggest moment for washington all week. maybe bigger than the inauguration. certainly bigger than the commanders heading to the nfc championship game. two pandas are making their long awaited debut at the national zoo. now it says here in the copy that i'm supposed to read that they are cuddly, but i honestly, i don't know how we confirm that. bao li xing bao, please. they're three years old. they've been in quarantine since arriving in the u.s. from china in mid-october.

>> that's required. it's not like they did something wrong. >> with us now from the national zoo is cnn's david culver. we're also joined by wildlife and conservation expert jeff corwin. david, maybe you can confirm that they're cuddly. you certainly have much more information about what they're doing here. >> you're just sitting up there in a tree. >> i really wanted to cuddle with them and give them a big hug. i spent a lot of time with these two going back to october, when i was with them in china for the send off. they did not allow me to touch them, but i got within a foot or so, which is the closest i've ever been. >> i do feel. >> like though, you. >> should probably. focus on her behind me. >> that's ching bao, by the way. >> and i think you. >> all and jeff will. >> probably prefer to just take. >> her in as she's climbing up on the tree. >> i mean, ching. >> bao is. and this is what's so funny. when i spent time with their caretakers in china, they. described their personalities with a lot of detail and care. she's very independent. she likes her alone time. she is. motivated by. >> food and then. >> goes up into.

>> the tree at lunchtime. like now. and she has a nap. ching ching. bao li is just the opposite. i mean, he's really energetic. he's got a lot. >> of, um. he's got a lot. >> of drive. >> also for food, but. >> also for people. >> so i think one of. >> the things that. >> can be frustrating when you. >> come to a space like this is like. >> and you've got a lot of. people who are taking it in is that they. >> just will often sleep. but but you get a little bit of both here. >> i've gotten about. >> 20,000 steps in in the past. >> hour, because we're. trying to go from one enclosure to another, to the inside, to the outside, just trying to follow them. >> but then if you. >> look here, you've got people. >> who are doing. >> the same and they just take it in. it's like a i'm probably. >> disturbing it, but. >> it's a moment of tranquility to just, you know, allow these. beloved creatures to be in your presence. >> i mean, they're beloved. and i can confirm they're cuddly because i just found something that i thought there is a real job called a panda cuddler, and

you get paid $32,000 to love them, rub them, be around them, know about them, take pictures of them. you literally sit there holding and cuddling, and i'm going to quit my job to do that, because i think i'd be better suited for that. yeah. jeff corwin can. can i ask you a question about pandas and just how they are? because, yes, they're cuddly, they like to eat and they like to sleep. so that's number one on my list. i think we can all agree, but they're also loners. is that true? it is. >> first of. >> all. >> sarah, let me say. >> that i'm really disappointed to. >> not see david wearing his panda suit. >> but you know what, jeff? you know what, jeff? we do have. we just happen to have a picture of that. pop the picture up. >> so. yes, sarah, they are loners. yeah, they are solid. there he is in his panda suit. >> um. >> so they are loners. they are. very solitary creatures.

>> what's interesting. >> though. >> is a lot of people still. kind of. >> think they're. closely related to raccoons. >> but in fact. >> panda bears are true bears, and they belong to that bear family we call the ursidae. >> the ursidae. >> we're continuing to see all of the panda action, david you're up. you talked about them being beloved and beloved, and they inspire like it's a craze around these pandas specifically, but also pandas in general. and that's part of some of your reporting i found so fascinating is kind of covering the the worldwide devotion that these pandas inspire. what is it about them? >> yeah. >> it's wild., kate. >> and this is something we got to taste. and, you know, in china too, in chengdu as well. i mean, that's chengdu is in sichuan province. it's the capital of that province. and it. is like pandas everywhere. >> every shop. >> you go to, there's tea. shops that are themed at starbucks. everything is is all about pandas. and there is for

people in china. and then, as you see, even people here, there's something that's unifying about these creatures. to jeff's point, this would have been a great day for the panda suit because it is freezing cold out here. >> but i. >> will say there was. and i. stick to this. there was a smell of some sort on that suit, and i later. >> found out. >> that that odor. was very likely linked to the feces and you're in that they put. >> oh. >> so that when you're in the rewilding space and the. >> natural habitat, you're. >> not throwing them off and looking like a human. you're perhaps more mixed into their environment and allowing for a more. smooth transition back to nature. >> let's say. but yeah, this is this is something that just gets people. >> from all over the world coming together. and i think. >> that's what's so incredible about this is. >> you know. i was talking to a woman as she was getting in line here this. >> morning and she goes, i. >> didn't think we'd get pandas. back in washington. she flew in from. >> houston, texas, and she said, i was convinced because of. u.s. china. >> relations this wasn't going to happen. and she said it. >> speaks to the fact that it

doesn't matter who's in the white house, what the relations are. >> between the two countries. >> panda diplomacy is alive and well. >> it sure is. and on full display. guys, it's great to see you. thanks so much for enjoying it with us. and a programing note for all of you out there. a new episode of the whole story with anderson cooper is about all this operation panda and david culver. it airs sunday 8 p.m. eastern only on cnn. >> thank you all for joining us. this has been cnn news central with john berman kate bolduan and sara sidner. three people who should probably not go out late together the night before a show. cnn newsroom is up next. >> when you're. >> looking for. >> answers. >> it's good to have help because. >> the right information. >> at the right time may make all the. >> difference. >> at humana, we know. >> that's especially. >> true when you're looking for a medicare supplement. insurance plan. that's why we're offering seven things. >> every medicare. >> supplement should have. it's yours. free just for calling the number on your screen. and when

you call a knowledgeable licensed. >> agent producer. >> can answer any. >> questions you have. >> and help you choose the plan that's right for you. the call is free and there's no obligation. you see, medicare covers only about 80% of your part b medical expenses. the rest is up to you. that's why so many people purchase medicare supplement insurance plans, like those offered by humana. they're designed to help you save money and pay some of the costs. medicare doesn't. depending on the medicare supplement plan you select, you could have no deductibles or copayments for doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency care, and more. you can keep the doctors you have now, ones you know and trust with no referrals needed. plus, you can get medical care anywhere in the country, even when you're traveling. with humana, you get a competitive monthly premium and personalized service from a health care partner working to make health care simpler and easier for you. you can choose from a wide range of standardized plans. each one is designed to work seamlessly with medicare and help save you

money. so how do you find the plan that's right for you? one that fits your needs and your budget? budget. call humana now at the number on your screen for this free guide. it's just one of the ways that humana is making health care simpler. and when you call a knowledgeable licensed agent producer can answer any questions you have and help you choose the plan that's right for you. the call is free and there's no obligation. you know, medicare won't cover all your medical costs, so call now and see why dave's been very excited about saving big with the comcast business 5-year price lock guarantee. five years? -five years. and he's not alone. -high five. it's five years of reliable gig speed internet. five years of advanced securit. five years of a great rate that won't change. it's back. but only for a limited time. high five. five years? -nope. comcast business 5-year price lock guarantee. powering five years of savings. powering possibilities. comcast business.