back with breaking news in our national lead now. authorities alleging today that the american airlines mechanic accused trying to sabotage a plane before takeoff, claimed he did so to earn more overtime pay has tied to isis and not only did he have an isis video on his phone, but the suspect claims his brother is actually a member of the terrorist group. i want to bring in cnn s rene marsh. what are we learning about the suspect s alleged ties to the terrorist group. reporter: a lot came out in federal court and keep in mind this is in the context of a bond hearing where the prosecutors were arguing that his bond be denied. all that being said, besides the isis video they say not only was on his cell phone but that he shared it with others. they also say that alonnie told fellow employees that he travelled to iraq to visit his brother who was a member of isis. prosecutors also said that the
camera and they traveled to iraq and the heartland of isis one of the questions is you might have it is very complicated, judge, to look at a war zone and iraq brother was doing and what his relationship was with terrorists and they have to investigate this even if they don t level charges of terrorism. i don t see why they don t tell the judge, leave him in jail, we have to look. although, i have to say, the individual has a brother who is a member of isis, according to him. and he did this act, committed this act. he had the stuff on his phone. even if he doesn t have ties to isis ultimately or didn t have a terrorist intent, ultimately you would think there would be a screening process where he wouldn t be, you know, allowed to work on planes. that makes sense. but what will you do. once you get money in the door are you going to have a comprehensive program whether you are the cia or united airlines around the world or a airport and screen to look at people s cell phones or scr
better for secretary pompeo or people that work for him to do some outreach ahead of a meeting between trump and rouhani. senator chris murphy, democrat from connecticut, thank you for your time. appreciate it. thanks. alarming revelations about a commercial airline worker accused of trying to sabotage a flight right before takeoff in the u.s. why prosecutors believe he has multiple ties to the terrorist group isis. that is next. plus a teenager from sweden who took capital hill by storm today. stay with us. spokesman: fraudsters - they re out to get your medicare number so they can bill fake claims in your good name. don t give them that chance. fraudster: just calling to confirm your medicare number. do you have your card available? spokesman: for example, if a caller says they re from medicare, watch out. it s probably a scam. don t give out your card number.
rene marsh thank you. i want to bring in counter-terrorism official phil mudd. what is your initial response when you hear about this long time employee having isis ties. my first response is look at this and say he must have been an isis member, i would have a couple of basic questions. number one, why are you putting something over a sensor instead of taking the plane down if your intent is to commit an act of terrorism. and the terrorists i m experienced with, once you take them down they want to send a message to the world they re proud of what they do. why does it take the prosecutors to say he s an isis member. why doesn t he stand there and say i did it for the cause of god, i m a member of isis. this is confusing, this one. and also, i j i just have o a and i have no idea of his ties to isis or his guilt or innocence, prosecutors often in a bond hearing juice up as much information as they have to try to get the judge or the jury the judge in this case on their side.
in those regards, yes, very important, but the group still holds around 4,000 square miles of territory. wow. almost the size of connecticut. that s not a small amount. still after the battles. the towns in iraq, parts of provinces, so they still hold land. in addition to that, we know they have a presence in libya, in afghanistan, in yemen, the philippines, in west africa, just a couple days ago, isis telegram channel put out a video by a jihadist group never heard of, where they are allegedly in the congo in africa, and asking isis supporters to come join them there in the jungle. in the con ga? yes. we have no way to determine whether it s real, but that gives you a sense of territory possibilities. remarkable notes of caution and importance there.