One year after the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a global pandemic, Pres. Joe Biden remembered the lives lost and honored the frontline heroes during his first prime-time address to the nation. He also announced he wants states to open vaccine eligibility to all adults by May 1 and that enjoying Independence Day with your family “is the goal.” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky joins Anderson Cooper to react to Biden’s speech and says we are still in a “race against the variants” despite the downward trends in daily cases and deaths.

 

Airdate: March 11, 2021

 

Guests:

Dr. Rochelle Walensky

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Biden directs states to make all adults eligible for Covid-19 vaccines by May 1

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Day 6 of the former president's criminal hush money trial began with a hearing on how Trump allegedly violated the court-ordered gag order. Former American Media Inc. chief David Pecker also continued his testimony today, talking about how he vetted allegations of an alleged affair between Trump and Playboy playmate Karen McDougal in 2016 while also in constant communication with Trump's fixer Michael Cohen. Anderson Cooper presents the CNN special primetime coverage of the Trump hush money trial, the first-ever criminal trial of a former president. He speaks to a panel of guests that include criminal defense attorney Arthur Aidala, bestselling author and former federal prosecutor Jeffrey Toobin, CNN anchors Kaitlan Collins and Abby Phillip, CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig, and CNN's Kara Scannell, who watched the proceedings today.
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David Pecker details how AMI helped Trump in 2016 campaign

The former President's historic criminal trial began in earnest today, with both sides delivering opening statements and the first witness, David Pecker, taking the stand. Pecker, who is the former publisher of the National Enquirer, is expected to testify about the alleged "catch and kill" scheme in detail, and his role in orchestrating two nondisclosure agreements for negative stories about Trump. His testimony will continue tomorrow. Former Manhattan Chief Assistant District Attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo and Temidayo Aganga-Williams, who served as Senior Investigative Counsel to the House January sixth committee, speak to Anderson about today's trial developments. 
Plus, several top universities, including Columbia and Yale, are dealing with major protests over the Israel-Hamas war. Shimon Prokupecz went to Columbia University to investigate. 
Guests:
Karen Friedman Agnifilo 
Temidayo Aganga-Williams
Shimon Prokupecz
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Trump's Hush Money Criminal Trial Continued Monday, with Opening Statements and the First Witness Taking the Stand

"We have our full panel," declared Judge Juan Merchan on the fourth day of jury selection in the former president's criminal hush money trial. All 18 jurors and alternates have been seated and sworn in. Opening statements are set for Monday. Former Chief Judge for the U.S. Middle District Court of Pennsylvania John E. Jones III, and jury consultant Jill Huntley Taylor, talk to Anderson about the pace of the trial and what impact it could have on jurors serving on such a high-profile case. Plus, Gary Tuchman travels to Speaker Mike Johnson's district in Louisiana, to get reaction from his constituents about the Republican infighting on Capitol Hill and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s push to get him ousted from the leadership role.  

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All jurors and alternates have been selected for Trump's historic New York criminal trial

A full 12-person jury has been selected for the former president's criminal hush money trial, despite the day starting off with two previously seated jurors being dismissed. Judge Juan Merchan said court will resume Thursday morning, and jury selection will continue until all the alternates are seated. Former chief judge for the U.S. Middle District of Pennsylvania John E. Jones III joins Anderson. They discuss how the judge is conducting proceedings so far, and the overall pace of the trial. Plus, President Biden today was formally endorsed by more than a dozen members of the Kennedy family. Meanwhile one of their own, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., officially qualified to appear on the ballot in Michigan, a key battleground state that could be pivotal in this year's presidential election. Arlette Saenz has the details. 
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Jury is set for Trump's New York hush money case

If the former president chooses to testify in his New York criminal hush money trial, prosecutors want to use his recent legal run-ins against him to discredit him to the jury. CNN's Kara Scannell, former federal prosecutor Jeffrey Toobin and jury consultant Jill Huntley Taylor discuss the new development with Anderson. Plus, a hacking  group with ties to the Russian government is suspected of carrying out a cyberattack on a water facility in Texas. That’s according to experts with a U.S. cybersecurity firm. Ed Lavandera has the story.

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Biden directs states to make all adults eligible for Covid-19 vaccines by May 1

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