The latest news from around the world with host Fredricka Whitfield. As i watched him, he headed south. The fighter jets were maneuvering him away from land. And he continues to circle around and do erratic flying above stella com and the island. And when i looked over, it just nosedived and there was a large fireball. I didnt know what to think of that moment. Did you initially think perhaps this was something planned, it was an air show, the fighter jets maybe might have made you think that was even more planned . Or did you know right away there was something wrong here . Well, i know that theres a local base, louis mccord is nearby and the fighters were in the area so i thought maybe there was some kind of training going on or Something Like that. But i have flown on these small aircrafts like that before. And when he pulled up Full Throttle and banked very low to the ground, i knew at that point something was not right. So thats why i continued to watch, wondering, what is
happening, what is going on around us. Were you worried there was more than just the pilot on that plane . As you mentioned, you recognized it as being a commercial airliner. Were you fearful there were more people aboard that plane . Yes, that was one of the questions that the person i was with, abby, i looked at her and i was wondering, is there people on that aircraft . That did come to mind, yes. After experiencing this and seeing i dont want to use the word easy but seeing how this person was able to pull this off, what concerns does it raise for you . Do you think this blind spot needs to be taken care of at Airlines Across the country . At that very moment, i dont know if i was thinking that in my mind. I was thinking what is taking place right now. But as everything started to unfold, i started to think about how could someone gain access definitely to an aircraft like
that and be able to maneuver around to a highly populated area. I thought maybe it might have been hijacked or i really didnt know what to think. I was pretty uneasy at the moment. Wondering what was going on. And then when you saw the plane go down, how quickly do you see the plume of smoke . Did you know right away it was an unfortunate end in this situation . Yes, it was immediately. He did a couple small maneuvers erratically around the island. Turning up the sky. Then pointing down to the ocean. But at the very end, he nosedived directly into the island. The fireball was very large into the sky. Were you ever concerned at all for your own safety, perhaps that he was going to put this into a more populated area, perhaps where you were . Yes, when he did the barrel roll over the ocean right next to chambers bay, obviously i
dont know if he was an experienced pilot or not, but unbelievably pulling it off. I dont know what was going on in this mans mind. He almost Hit Chambers Bay and thats when he banked at Full Throttle and the jets were just flying around him, trying to get him away from the populated area. I thought he was going to hit right where all the people were in chambers watching the sun set. Incredible. Thank you so much. We appreciate you sharing your story with us. Were glad youre safe. Thanks so much for being on. Absolutely. Youre welcome. Still ahead, new york representative Chris Collins is suspending his Reelection Campaign after facing charges this week related to Insider Trading. What that means for the Republican Party and the Balance Of Power in the house next. Plus, a State Of Emergency in effect in virginia today. Law enforcement In Charlottesville taking no chances after last years deadly protests. We are back in a moment. How can we say when you book direct at choicehotels. Com
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innocent, not only that hes not guilty, but that he was going to fight these charges which he calls meritless. Now its clear under some pressure he has decide to step aside, ryan. And athena, we do have some reporting that officials there in new york will likely nominate colins for a town clerkship. This is because new york has strict rules as it relates to removing someone from the ballot. This would allow him to vacate. How would he be replaced . Thats right, according to a gop operative, it looks as though theyre going to nominate him for this. According to the state board of elections, the Party Leaders in his district, new york 27, would meet to select a substitution. They would vote. The bottom line is the gop in that area would be able to select someone to replace him. We already have heard from an executive at erie county, the comptroller who says he wants to
run for the seat. New york 27 has been a reliably republican district for the last several cycles. So it appears that they would be able to save this district if it remains reliably read. We also know that the democrat running is trying to make hay out of this. He has been raising money in the days since Representative Collins indictment. Weve also now heard from nancy pelosi, the democratic minority leader, and she said this insufficient and overdue announcement does little to drain the toxic cesspool of selfenrichment and corruption that has proliferated in washington under gop control. It looks as though even if theyre able to replace collins on the ballot with a strong gop contend, the democrats are going to try to paint republicans as ethically challenged, in this case, legally challenged, sort of paint the party with a broad picture and say its time to get democrats in. Reliably red seat going all
the way back to jack kemp. Republicans desperately want to hold on to this. But certainly in peril as of this point. Athena jones, thank you for your reporting. Lets discuss the impact of congressman Chris Collins suspending his Reelection Campaign. Joining me now, cnn political analyst julian salazar. Obviously the republicans are concerned about a possible blue wave this november. How might this decision to suspend his Campaign Impact republicans chances to hang on to the house . Is it just about this particular district . Or could there be Ripple Effects across the country . Its bigger than the district. Obviously the district has now shifted from solidly red to competitive and every seat matters. But this allows democrats to build a campaign against political corruption. They will connect the dots between this candidate, this incumbent, between stories from the trump administration, and do what the democrats did in 2006 when they beat republicans then, which is to create a story about the ethical problems of the
incumbent party. So thats how this hurts at a national level. And of course President Trump won collins district by about 24 points back in 2016. He was of course the first member of congress to endorse President Trump. Is it realistic for democrats to think they can take this seat . Is it possible at this point . Its difficult. So the flip side of the story is democrats shouldnt be overly Enthue Enthuft Yaftic theyre about to pick up a seat. Republicans are going to, you know, continue to paint the democratic candidate as left of center, and that could be effective. But that said, it is competitive now. Its up for grabs. And we saw in ohio that these districts are no longer solid in the age of trump. So i dont think republicans can take it for granted that this will just remain republican if they can replace collins quickly. And at the very least, it creates another competitive district that draws away resources from other districts across the country where you need to raise money, right . It just makes that job of maintaining the majority in the house that much more difficult. Thats exactly right. Parties dont have unlimited resources. Either financial or human power. And so every time you open up a new hole in the wall, you have to stop it. You have to plug it. And thats what the republicans are going to have to do with this district, which means you have to take resources away from another competitive race. And thats the kind of Playing Field the democrats are hoping allows a blue wave to actually take place. So republicans are actively trying to get Chris Collins off the ballot, not an easy job in new york, but something they should be able to pull off. But we should keep in mind that, you know, republicans often run or not just republicans, but candidates run on more than one line in new york state. Thats something youre allowed to do under election law there. Were only three months away. What happens if they cant get him off the ballot . If hes still on there in some form or fashion and possibly wins . Do republicans then have another problem to deal with after the fact . Sure. He becomes a poster boy of the
democrats of what the republicans are all about, you know. Potentially have a convicted person in office. And so, again, thats a theme that democrats are hitting away at. I think republicans, as has become clear this weekend, really would like him gone. And theyd like the risk of a competitive seat, rather than having the baggage of collins. And i think right now the party after last weeks special elections does not feel that they could afford yet another story like this. But that said, he might still be on the ticket. And he might be the republicans to keep for the short term. Julian, its not as though republicans have the exclusive right to scandal, right . Right. There are certainly democrats dealing with this. Best example being robert menendez, the senator from new jersey who ended up beating that charge, and is also running for reelection. I mean, is it difficult or could it be risky for democrats to use corruption as a Campaign Tool . Because perhaps that could blow back on them to a certain
degree . And with some of their candidates . Sure. Thats always a risk. And especially when theres a lot of anger about washington in general. That could, you know that anger can turn around against democratic incumbents as well. But lets remember, republicans are the party in power. So often voters will put more of the blame on the party in power with these kinds of stories. And of course theres President Trump, who consumes a lot of the air waves, and these kinds of stories have also surrounded his administration. So i think theres a way in which democrats probably could leverage this. Even with a menendeztype story, and keep the focus on the gop. What about President Trump in all this . Does he need to Say Something in all this . Its not as if collins was some rank and File Republican member. This whas his most early and vocal supporter. In many ways, opening up the floodgates, making it open for republicans in congress to back donald trump when it seemed as though they were doing everything they could to stay
away from him. What role does the president play in all of this . Well, you know, the story could be a little bit like manafort. Who did the president surround himself with. And what does that say about the kind of leader he is and the kind of Judgment Calls that he makes. So there is space for the president to say if these allegations are true, if this is all true, this is not who we want on our party team. But i dont expect to hear that from the president. Remember, i expect the president to question the legitimacy of the charges, which is his status quo. Youre right, this isnt simply a rank and File Republican in the world of President Trump. This was a very, very close ally and an important point of connection between the Congressional Republicans and the president. Someone who remained a trusted adviser because of that well into the beginning of the trump administration. All right, julian, thank you, as always, for your expertise. Charlottesville, virginia, on edge today, one year afterWhite Nationalists clashed with count protesters in deadly riots that stunned america. Today, the president is condemning racism and calling for calm. As the same White Supremists plan to hold a rally next to the white house this weekend. We have a live report coming up. Belly fat the chili pepper sweatout. Not cool. Freezing away fat cells with coolsculpting . Now thats cool coolsculpting safely freezes and removes fat cells with little or no downtime. And no surgery. Results and Patient Experience may vary. Some common side effects include temporary numbness, discomfort,and swelling. Ask your doctor if coolsculpting is right for you and visit coolsculpting. Com today for your chance to win a free treatment. We let calls from any of your devices come from your business number. Them, not so much. We let you keep an eye on your business from anywhere. The others . Nope for a limited time, when you get fast, reliable internet, you can add voice for just 24. 95 more per month. Call or go online today. Call or go on line today. A book that youre ready to share with the world . Get published now, call for your free publisher kit today charlottesville, virginia, on edge today, one year after a White Nationalist rally turned violent and deadly. Just moments ago, members of antifa began marching. Last year, the Antifascist Group clashed and fought withWhite Supremists while they held a rally protesting the removal of a confederate statue. This morning, the president is calling for calm. Tweet, the riots a year ago resulted in senseless death and division. We must come together as a nation. I condemn all types of racism and acts of violence. Peace to all americans. The State Of Emergency is in effect in virginia. Law enforcement In Charlottesville taking no chances after being criticized last year for being unprepared. In a show of force, police are already patrolling the streets on this anniversary. Cnns Kaylee Hartung is in char lotsville for us. It seems like its been quiet. Whats the latest . Reporter it has, ryan. That demonstration you saw by the Antifascist Group, the first organized demonstrations of any sort that weve seen from protesters of any ideology. That group left through this point. One of the two entry points allowing people inside the secure perimeter of downtown
charlottesville. It wasnt but 20 minutes before that group entered here, had their bags checked like everyone else, to ensure no implements of riot are being brought in. Then they made a short threeblock walk. To the intersection of fourth and water streets in downtown charlottesville. Thats where Heather Heyer lost her life. One woman in this group told me that was their goal today, to come here peacefully to honor Heather Heyers memory.