(tense music)
- [John] Tonight, the shootingat a California synagogue.
- We forcefully condemn theevil of anti-Semitism and hate.
- [John] And the president's condemnation.
Attacks on places or worship,ahead of a new report
on the plight of religiousfreedom around the world.
And analyzing Joe Biden'splace in the 2020 race.
- The point of capitalismis not for me and you
to get richer.
- Plus, a new blockbusteron American enterprise
and the pursuit of happiness.
All this and more tonight on Faith Nation.
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Security stepped up across the country
in the wake of another synagogue shooting.
Welcome to Faith Nation, I'm John Jessup.
- And I'm Jenna Browder.
The country is pausingto remember the heroes
behind the latest attackon a house of worship.
- Details are starting to emerge
and providing an outlineof what took place
during that shooting inwhich one person was killed
and three others were hurt,
at the Chabad of Poway Synagogue Saturday.
Amber Strong has the story.
- Jews from around thatnation stood united
with their brothers at Chabad of Poway
as the country grapples with the aftermath
of yet another anti-Semitic attack.
- (singing in foreign language)
- [Amber] During aholocaust memorial ceremony
at the Capitol, US Ambassadorto Israel Ron Dermer
reminded attendees of all they'd overcome.
- From Tehran to Toulouse,from Pittsburgh to Poway,
three simple Hebrew words,
(speaking foreign language), Israel lives.
- [Amber] Rabbi YisroelGoldstein who lost a finger
during Saturday's shootingsays it's all too familiar.
- This is not supposed to happen.
This isn't Nazi Germany.
This isn't the Program.
- [Amber] But out of thetragedy, tales of heroism,
selfless acts like that ofLori Kaye, who was killed
after jumping in front of Goldstein.
- (weeping) I saw Lori layingon the floor unconscious.
- [Amber] And Almog Peretzwho came time and again
ushering children to safety,
and Oscar Stewart, an Iraq War veteran
who chased down the gunman.
- I ran up to him, and I yelled at him
and he dropped his weapon and he ran out.
- The shooter, 19 year old John Earnest,
was taken into custody.
During Sunday services, hispastor Reverend Zach Keele,
called the acts evil.
- [Zach] Today's an evil day,for evil has gone out from us
and we did not know it.
- [Amber] Keele also preachinga sermon of love for all.
- [Zach] We must love all our neighbors,
all of God's humans,created in the image of God,
from every tribe, nation and language.
- [Amber] His message, echoingthat of Rabbi Goldstein.
- Terrorism will not win,but peace and love will.
- Earnest is being held without bail
on one count of murder and three counts
of first degree attempted murder.
Amber Strong, CBN News, Washington.
- Thank you, Amber.
Well, today the familyof the accused shooter
expressed shock and sadness.
In a statement they saidEarnest is part of the history
of evil and that is to their great shame.
- Well, Rabbi AbrahamCooper is the Associate Dean
and Director of Global Social Action
at the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
He joins us now.
Thanks for being with us, Rabbi.
- Thanks for having me.
- Rabbi, you know this is, of course,
just the latest in a string of killings
in houses of worship.
Before Charleston, say,there were shootings
but it felt like these places were safe
and that's no longer the case.
What is happening in the United States?
- Well, I think what we'relooking at, unfortunately,
is a copycat approach.
The shooter from Pittsburgh,the shooter here in San Diego,
and New Zealand, across the board,
where you see a copycat approach
on learning lessons from ISIS.
We now are going to have to be dealing
with a new subculture online,mostly from social media,
in which the domestic terrorists,some of them Islamist,
some of them extreme far right, neo-Nazis,
white supremacists, they'veabsorbed some of the lessons
of the approach of ISISin terms of the internet
and social media.
And so, beyond our heartfelt prayers,
the modern woman, that wonderful lady,
her brother is a member of our synagogue
in West Los Angeles.
So we feel it intensely as a family.
But beyond the prayers, God helps those
who help themselves.
All faith communities now have to awaken
to the fact that we are targets,
potential targets of terrorists,domestic and foreign.
- This leads right to this next point.
You wrote in an LA Times op-ed that
we can and should increase training
and harden churches,synagogues and mosques.
But that won't necessarily stop hate.
What will?
- Well, we know from our biblical lessons
that hate is a part ofthe human condition.
The challenge is howdo the forces of love,
solidarity and mutual respect marginalize
and defeat the forces of hate?
That takes heavy lifting,not just by governments
but by families, by clergy,by faith communities
and by reaching out and remembering
that even those who don't believe,
are our brothers and sisters.
We have to both hardenthe physical targets
and find ways to soften thehearts and sense of solidarity
between peoples of different faiths.
And we're well suited in the United States
to achieve that, betterthan any other country
in the world.
- Well, Rabbi Cooper, weare sorry to be meeting
under these circumstances.
But it's always goodto see you, thank you.
- God bless.
- Well, President Trumpcalled Yisroel Goldstein
over the weekend to offer his condolences.
- And he's now sharingabout it saying he's quote,
"grateful the commander in chieftook the time to call him."
CBN News, White HouseCorrespondent Ben Kennedy
joins us from the White House.
Ben?
- Well, Jenna, John, Rabbi Goldstein says
the two talked for about 15 minutes
and called the conversation comforting.
He said the president spokeabout his love of peace,
Judaism and Israel.
Trump reached out on Twitter today
calling the rabbi a great guy
adding that all he wantedto do is help others.
He echoed that during a rallyin Wisconsin over the weekend.
- Our entire nationmourns the loss of life,
prays for the woundedand stands in solidarity
with the Jewish community.
We forcefully condemn theevil of anti-Semitism and hate
which must be defeated.
- Now, White House PressSecretary Sarah Sanders
chimed in right herebehind me on the driveway
earlier today, saying despite cuts
to anti-extremist programs,the administration
is working to combat this issue.
President Trump was quick to speak out,
calling this attack a hate crime.
John, Jenna.
- Ben, a little bit of a hard turn here
on an unrelated story.
We're hearing that a subpoena battle
is brewing between lawmakersand the White House
where you are.
Tell us about that.
- John, you're right,Attorney General William Barr
is set to testify onCapitol Hill later this week
for a Q and A on the Mueller report.
But now, lawmakers wantto have him questioned
by staff lawyers.
Barr said, look, not so fast,
and plans to refuse toappear if the committee
decides to go that route.
If Barr doesn't show up, lawmakers
could actually issue asubpoena for his testimony.
But again, it's onlyMonday, so lots can change
as we move forward in the week.
John, Jenna?
- Yes, so true.
All right, Ben Kennedy atthe White House, thank you.
Well, to campaign 2020, Biden'sbig pitch in Pittsburgh.
The former vice president isbetting his working class roots
will carry him along in atraditionally blue state
that went red for President Trump in 2016.
It comes as Biden is findingfavor among union leaders,
today, picking up the official endorsement
of the InternationalAssociation of Firefighters.
That endorsement not welcomenews to President Trump
who took to Twitter saying,
I will never get the supportof dues crazy union leadership,
those people who rip off their membership
with ridiculously high dues,medical and other expenses
while being paid a fortune.
But the members love Trump.
Joe Biden quicklyresponded, tweeting himself.
I am sick of this presidentbadmouthing unions.
Labor's built the middleclass in this country.
We need a president whohonors them and their work.
And here with us to talk aboutthe former vice president's
2020 chances andchallenges, our own CBN News
Chief Political Analyst David Brody
and James Astill, a columnistand Washington Bureau Chief
for the Economist.
Both of you, thank you for being here.
- Thanks.
- James, let me start with you.
Biden's big pitch in Pittsburghis really highlighting
his working class roots and his ability
to connect with votersthat Hillary Clinton
didn't do such a greatjob connecting with.
Is this his strategy?
- It's a big part of it, for sure.
I guess he wants to show that he can win
those Midwestern, upper Midwestern voters,
those voters who, it'sbecome a sort of truism
on the left, wereresponsible for delivering
states that normally voted Democratic
to Trump in 2016.
Hence, delivering HillaryClinton her defeat.
If he can show the he has real purchase
with those voters, then he would hope
that the non-white Democratic voters
who dominate the southern states
will sort of roll behind his candidacy
as the primary moves south later on.
So if you like, it's a two punch strategy.
But starting with the white working class
in the upper midwest, yes.
- In 2016, there was alot of talk, of course,
about Biden jumping in then.
Of course the DemocraticParty was pretty different
then than it is now.
David, did he kind of miss his window?
Can he win in 2018, is he relevant?
- Well, he thinks so.
We'll see.
I think, as James, what hewas saying, is a good point.
He needs to win thesevoters over for sure.
But I think there's a big debate
within the Democrat Party now.
Are those voters lost for good?
In other words, those Reagan Democrats,
those moderate Democrats,those blue collar Democrats.
You know, Trump receivedmany of those votes
and there's a lot of folksfrom the Democrat Party,
at least they're telling methat, you know, forget it.
The party's moved left.
Those voters are gone for good.
Focus on Millennials,focus on suburban women,
focus on minorities,that's the way to do it.
The problem there,though, is that those are
pretty much untested,in terms of making sure
they can turn out in drovesto defeat a president
like President Trump.
- Maybe a question for the both of you,
what about the accusationsof inappropriate touching?
Will that sink him among Democrats,
especially in the MeToo era?
David, maybe start withyou and then get to James.
- It's a hurdle because ofthe MeToo movement, for sure.
But I think ultimately,Joe Biden's gonna have
to be Joe Biden and let it rip.
And I think what we sawon The View the other day,
was Joe Biden not being Joe Biden.
He was very calm, or he was very cautious
when he came out on stage.
He was shaking people'shands and the only person
he gave a hug to was Meghan McCain
'cause he would have togive a hug to Meghan McCain
'cause of their relationship.
But it was still very, very guarded
and I think if he continues to be guarded
it won't be Joe Biden.
And the best part of JoeBiden, is being authentic.
So, you have to stay with who you are.
That's what got Trumpelected in the first place.
- I take issue with that a little bit.
I think that if JoeBiden is the politician
that we've seen in thelast decade and more,
he will lose this primary.
- [David] (laughing) I wouldagree with you on that.
- But Biden has run forpresident twice before,
flunked disastrously both times
and started in a muchmore low key position,
during his two previous runs.
And therefore, had a lotless flak thrown at him.
He's undisciplined, he is gaffe prone
and he's undisciplinedand gaffe prone in ways
that don't lend themselves
to this modern activist Democratic Party.
- It's interesting, you describe him
as gaffe prone and undisciplined.
Some might say the same thing
of the current sitting president.
- Sure, and if Biden getsto a general election
contest against Trump, thosethings won't be problems
because of the contrast with Trump.
But his priority is, ofcourse, to get through
a Democratic primary.
And that is a very differenthurdle for him to approach.
- But, just real quick,the reason it's different
with Trump is that forTrump, it's not a gaffe.
It's who he is.
In other words, it's to his persona.
He's already the 1970s, 1980s guy
that has all the baggage sopeople were able to accept it.
I'm not sayin' it's right,
that they were able toaccept it more easily.
With Joe Biden, he's a US sitting senator
for X amount of years.
So, when he does a gaffe, ittakes on a different meaning
because of the positionthat he had to begin with.
- One final thought on that.
He has agency.
He's not, these historicalproblems don't sink
his candidacy or it's notin the lap of the gods
where the Democratic votersare going to mind them or not.
What matters is how Bidenapproaches these skeletons
in his closet, if you like,
how he talks about them, his judgment
in deciding when he needs to apologize,
when he needs to defend himself
or explain past positions that he took
on what might now seem to becontroversial policy positions.
And this is always the case, actually.
The past, things in a politician's record
only really matter as longas they're not egregious,
insofar as they highlightstrengths or weaknesses
of the politician today.
Voters wanna know, whatkind of man they might
be electing today.
And the fear for Biden, I think,
is that the gaffes and indiscipline
are precisely what makes votersworry about him right now.
So he needs to show that he has
better judgment and more self-restraint
than he has shown in the past.
And his gaffes, his spottedrecord are absolutely
sort of, indicative ofthat problem, I think.
- David and James, thank you both.
- Thank you.- Thank you.
- Well, there's not new video confirmation
that the leader of Islamic States survived
the terror group'sdefeat in Syria and Iraq.
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadiappeared in a new video
released today congratulatingthe suicide bombers
who carried out the Sri Lankan attacks
on churches and hotels on Easter Sunday.
He also mentions the recent ISIS losses
in Syria's Civil War.
These are the first images of al-Baghdadi
to surface since the summer of 2014
when he declared the creationof an Islamic Caliphate.
He's thought to be hiding
in either the Iraqi or Syrian desert.
- Well, for more on the ISIS leader
we have CBN News
Senior InternationalCorrespondent George Thomas.
George, thanks for joining us.
- All right, you're welcome.
- George, it's been fiveyears since al-Baghdadi
has shown his face to the world.
Why now?
- Well, I think in some cases, it's a way
to show proof of life.
There was some suspicions asto whether he was still alive.
The reports about twoyears ago was that he was
severely injured in an attack.
Clearly today, he's showing himself.
He looks a little bit heavier.
He looks like he's doingwell, compared to the images
we saw five years ago.
But it also comes in lightof the catastrophic collapse
of the so-called Caliphate,the physical headquarters
of ISIS in Raqqa, Mosul, you name it,
all across Syria and Iraq.
And this is a way to show his followers
that the group is stillalive, he's still alive,
and he's continuing tourge his followers to
carry out terroristattacks around the world.
And in fact, in one ofthe sound bites, he says,
this battle between Islamand the Christian world,
is a very long battle.
And that's what he'stelling his followers.
- George, this newvideo, as you mentioned,
comes after the supposed collapse
of the Caliphate last month.
Does that mark a resurgencefor the terrorist group?
- Well, let's keep thisvery, very clear here.
Yes, they lost theirphysical headquarters.
But the ideology resonates.
It resonates all across the world.
The figures are closeto about 45,000 people
went to the battlefield in Syria and Iraq.
Half of them lost their lives.
The other half have come back,
whether it's to Kurdistan,Uzbekistan, Afghanistan,
Syria, Iraq, France, GreatBritain, the United States,
all across SoutheastAsia, parts of Africa.
And now the question is arevarious intelligence services
keeping a close eye on them?
You know, ChristopherRay, the head of the FBI,
just a couple of days ago,he made the following quote.
He said, in relation to radical Muslims,
"They're moving from radicalization
"to attack in weeks oreven days, not years,
"online and in encrypted messaging forms."
This is the reality, is that ideology
that is still very muchalive around the world.
- All right, George, real quickly here,
on a separate terror related issue,
what can you tell us about thefoiled terror attack in LA?
- And to this very point,we have a gentleman
who was arrested today as he was talking
to an informant.
His name is Mark Domingo.
He was a former Army vetwho served in Afghanistan
and he apparently wantedto blow up an explosion
at the white supremacistrally that was supposed
to take place this past weekend.
Obviously, that did not happen.
But he was planning multiple attacks
against various targets, including,
wanted to target Jews,churches and police officers.
- All right, George Thomas,thank you very much.
- You're welcome.
- Well, after the Sri Lankaattacks on the churches
and this weekend's synagogue shooting,
religious freedom is atrisk around the world.
What new report says.
(tense music)
Today, the Catholic Church called upon
the Sri Lankan government to crack down
on Islamic extremists quote,"as if on war footing."
last night's candle vigil inSri Lankans capitol of Colombo
marks a week after hundredswere killed in three church
bombings and three hotel bombings.
The arch bishop there hadsuspended Sunday masses
indefinitely, and with churches closed,
Catholics watched mass on TV.
Police raids and searchescontinue in the wake
of the Easter Sunday bombings.
- Well, that attack is a tragic example
of the growing problem ofworldwide religious persecution.
- It also provides an exclamation point
for today's annual report
by the US Commission onInternational Religious Freedom.
Jennifer Wishon is onCapitol Hill with more.
- If you watch the news,
you understand religious persecution
is a major problem incountries around the world.
And now, this new report givesus a better understanding
of the world's top offenders.
Those countries include Iran, Russia
and economic powerhouse, China.
- So, here's a rising power.
Its economy is growingbigger and bigger each year.
Its military is expanding.
It's got worldwide ambitions and
every place it reaches,it's bringing these values
of persecution along with 'em.
- [Jennifer] So-called tier 2 offenders
include Cuba, Iraq andAmerica's NATO ally, Turkey
which held American pastorAndrew Brunson hostage
for nearly two years.
- One of the things theCommission is really focused on
is, not only, when theirgovernment's perpetrating violence,
but when governments are tolerating
the perpetration of violence.
- [Jennifer] This reportis unique, in that,
the nine members of the USCommission for International
Religious Freedom aren'tburdened by diplomacy.
Unlike many state department accounts,
these observers tell it like they see it.
- We believe, as acommission, that no person
of whatever faith theyare, should have to fear
within their house of worship.
- [Jennifer] For the world's Christians
the situation is especially dire.
- Christians are the mostpersecuted religious group
in the world.
And it's accelerating.
- [Jennifer] The commissioncalls on President Trump
to appoint a specialadvisor on international
religious freedom, sanction top offenders
and put money toward theState Department's effort
to help houses of worshipprotect themselves.
- Churches, which are soft targets,
have become targets for terrorists.
And so we believe that thiswould be a very effective role
for our government to comealongside these governments
to provide the trainingthat would be a combination
of the police officers, thelaw enforcement agencies,
the domestic security, alongwith the houses of worship.
- For so many people offaith around the world,
finding religioustolerance is increasingly
a matter of life and death.
Jennifer Wishon, CBN News, Capitol Hill.
- Thank you Jennifer.
Next, the pursuit of the American Dream
and the free market enterprise.
(tense music)
Well, it was a big weekendfor TV and for film.
For both fans of HBO's fantasy series,
John here, Game of Thrones,and Marvel's Avengers End Game.
While much of theentertainment world is abuzz
with blockbusters and super heroes,
there's a new filmthat's bucking the trend.
- That's right, Jenna.
Rather than featuring theusual well-known celebrities
or Hollywood hype, this film stars
America's free market system
and comes at a key time in our culture.
- [Narrator] Socialism isapparently becoming mainstream.
- [John] Socialism, it'sone of the buzz words
in the 2020 elections andeveryone, from the president.
- And America will neverbe a socialist country.
(cheering)
John To those seeking the White House.
- Healthcare is a human right.
- [John] Are weighing in.
Conservative Arthur Brooks,however, wants people
to take a fresh look at its counterpart.
- Democratic capitalism haspulled billions of people
out of poverty.
It is the greatesthumanitarian achievement
in the history of mankind.
Two billion people have been pulled
out of starvation-level poverty.
- [John] In his documentary, The Pursuit,
Brooks, President of theAmerican Enterprise Institute,
travels the globe meetingpeople from Denmark,
Kentucky coal countryand even the Dalai Lama.
His goal, finding waysto help people escape
from poverty and pursue happiness.
- We're in this culturewar about capitalism,
should we have socialism or capitalism?
And that's the wrong argument.
That's the wrong discussion.
We should be talking about,
am I my brother's keeper oram I not my brother's keeper?
And if I am, what's the best way to do it?
And that's what this film is about.
- [John] The 54 year old Brooks says
during his lifetime,the world has witnessed
an 80% decline in poverty.
He credits capitalism,calling it, a miraculous tool
for good, when based onmorality, rather than greed.
- The point of capitalismis not for me and you
to get richer.
It's to share the abundanceof earned success,
the equal dignity oflife with other people.
Here's the great irony of our times,
people in the wealthiestcountries in the world,
are increasingly turning against
the very system that'slifted us out of poverty.
- [John] He says, whilepeople in Democratic Socialist
economies, like Denmark, appear happy,
he discovered what separates Americans,
is a sense of joy that comes
from our self-made will to flourish.
- [Arthur] I don't claimto have all the answers.
- The film plunges much deeper
than simply comparing economic systems.
It imagines a betterworld by exploring ideas
like opportunity, prosperity, compassion
and dignity for everyone.
And that film, ThePursuit, releases digitally
digitally, if I can sayit, on iTunes next month
on May 7th.
- Yeah, looks great.
All right, that's gonnado it for Faith Nation.
- Hope to see you back here tomorrow.
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