[Jim Sciutto, Cnn Anchor:] This morning China is accusing the U.S. of violating international law after the State Department accused China of massive illegal spying and ordered China to close its consulate in Houston.
[Poppy Harlow, Cnn Anchor:] Beijing now says it will retaliate. Our CNN senior national correspondent Alex Marquardt joins us now. Alex, it seems I mean, obviously, there are a lot of questions, but, you know, asking the secretary of state, et cetera, this morning, it doesn't seem like there are a lot of answers yet.
[Alex Marquardt, Cnn Senior National Correspondent:] Right. So this consulate, according to the acting chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Marco Rubio, who we just heard from, was what he called the central node of a massive network of Chinese spies here in the United States. He said that they now have 72 hours to leave the U.S. This move to shut down this consulate is the latest by the U.S. government to confront what has really become a rampant Chinese cyber espionage campaign against the United States so the U.S. has ordered this consulate in Houston to close. The U.S. State Department has said that China has engaged for years in massive illegal spying and influence operations throughout the United States against U.S. government officials and American citizens. Chinese officials have interfered in our domestic politics, stolen U.S. intellectual property, coerced our business leaders, threatened families of Chinese Americans residing in China and more. Now, late last night, Jim and Poppy, the police did respond to reports of smoke coming from the consulate. Local media reported that it appeared that some documents were being burned. Police officers were not allowed inside. And this does come as the U.S. is increasingly calling out China for hacking operations against research organizations, hospitals, companies looking into a vaccine for Covid-19. They have said that China is trying to get that intelligence related to a vaccine for the coronavirus. Just yesterday we heard from the Department of Justice. They named two Chinese hackers who work who have been working with Chinese intelligence to target biotech firms. And this is part of a string of comments and actions by the U.S. government against China. We have heard strong speeches by the attorney general, by the national security adviser, by the director of the FBI, as the Trump administration significantly ratchets up the pressure against China. Jim and Poppy.
[Sciutto:] No question. Not unlike the Obama administration closing consulates after the 2016 election interference. Alex Marquardt, thanks very much.
[Harlow:] Well, in Portland, Oregon, overnight, more clashes between protesters and the federal agents. More than 1,000 demonstrators were on the street last night protesting racial injustice. More than 50 nights in a row this has been happening.
[Sciutto:] So earlier this month the Trump administration sent in federal agents, as you can see there, in military gear with military weapons. The president says to protect federal buildings there. Local officials say those federal forces have escalated the situation. CNN security correspondent Josh Campbell is in Portland following these developments. And, Josh, you even have a group of moms who have come out there to kind of protect these people. Josh has the story.
[Josh Campbell, Cnn Correspondent:] Another night of protests here in downtown Portland. We are here in the middle of the wall of moms, a group of mothers, local residents, people from outside of the city who have come to unite and to protest in support of racial justice, an end to the view of some here of police excessive use of force. This is the epicenter of so many of the protests that we have seen here in downtown Portland since the death of George Floyd. I talked to one of the mothers here a moment ago who told me why they are out here.
[Jeris Huntington, Protester:] What we can do as being the most empowered group of individuals is link arms and protect the the youth and the other members of our city because we have that privilege.
[Campbell:] These are the moms, moms coming out here in support of justice. We have seen them come out time and time again. Obviously a big draw. One of the mothers saying that they're here to link arms with the people of Portland in support of racial justice. Something that they're going to continue to see here in their city.
[Harlow:] Our Josh Campbell reporting on the ground there. Thank you, Josh. Now to Chicago, where 14 people were injured in the shoot-out outside of a funeral home. Police say someone in a speeding car opened fire on people that were attending that funeral yesterday. Some of those people returned fire.
[Sciutto:] Goodness. Just the latest violence incident in that city. Homicides up nearly 50 percent from this same time last year. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot now says the city will cooperate when the Trump administration sends federal agents there to help fight violent crime. She says she does not expect the situation like the one in Portland, Oregon. Officials will be vigilant they say about any potential abuses.
[Harlow:] Well, the superintendent of one of the nation's largest school district says that young people are just collateral damage for the inability of many to take coronavirus seriously. He'll join me next.