Full transcript of
On this “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” broadcast, moderated by Margaret Brennan:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Kevin Hassett, director of the Nationwide Financial Council
- Rep. Dan Crenshaw, Republican of Texas
- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Democrat of New Hampshire
- Rep. Jamie Raskin, Democrat of Maryland
Click on right here to browse full transcripts from 2025 of “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”
MARGARET BRENNAN: I am Margaret Brennan in Washington.
And this week on Face the Nation: President Trump’s nationwide safety workforce takes his MAGA motion to Europe. We are going to discuss to Secretary of State Marco Rubio in his first Sunday present interview since taking workplace.
Newly confirmed Trump administration officers took the president’s shock- and-awe tour abroad final week. In Munich, the vp blasted a few of America’s closest allies about their fashion of democracy.
(Start VT)
J.D. VANCE (Vice President of the USA): The menace that I fear essentially the most about vis-a-vis Europe shouldn’t be Russia. It isn’t China. It isn’t another exterior actor. And what I fear about is the menace from inside.
(Finish VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Additionally on the agenda, pushing those self same allies to make Europe nice once more by stepping up their efforts to guard Ukraine, whereas the administration says they’ll start direct talks with Russia to finish the conflict.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio joins us from Israel, because the negotiations with Hamas to finish that battle enter a vital stage.
Again residence, extra pink slips for federal staff exit and the scrutiny of Elon Musk’s position because the hatchet man for these businesses intensifies.
In the meantime, inflation is up. We are going to discuss with the president’s chief financial adviser about what the administration can do to curb it.
It is all simply forward on Face the Nation.
Good morning, and welcome to “Face the Nation.”
We need to start right this moment with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who’s in Jerusalem on the second leg of his journey by means of Europe and the Center East.
Mr. Secretary, I do know it is the night hours there, and you’ve got had an extended day. We recognize your time. You’ve got obtained fairly a busy schedule.
You met earlier with Prime Minister Netanyahu. He stated he is lockstep with the Trump administration, however he cannot share particulars on – quote – “when the gates of hell shall be open if all our hostages aren’t launched.”
Did he let you know he desires to maintain talks going to get to part two of this hostage deal?
MARCO RUBIO (U.S. Secretary of State): Nicely, I feel we share a typical objective. We need to see each hostage launched.
Frankly, I feel – and the president has stated this – we need to see them out as quickly as we probably can. And – and, definitely, you understand, the world has watched these pictures of individuals – and it is simply heartbreaking to do not forget that a few of them have been now virtually two years there. It is a horrifying state of affairs.
So we coordinate and work very shut with them. We share the objective that each hostage wants to come back residence, each single one, at once. Clearly, the – there are particulars of how we’re pursuing that and coordinating that we’re not going to share publicly as a result of we do not need to endanger the hostages and we do not need to endanger this course of.
However suffice it to say that, if it was as much as us, each considered one of these hostages can be residence proper now, and we wish it to occur as quickly as doable.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK. So, the deal stands?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Once more, we wish each hostage out as quickly as doable.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: We are going to – and we need to see them residence.
There are some which might be presupposed to – underneath the deal, there are some which might be presupposed to be launched arising subsequent weekend. We anticipate that to occur, however we would wish to see all of them come out. We’re not going to – we’re not in favor of ready weeks and weeks.
Now, which may be the method that is in place due to the deal, however we wish to see all of them out as quickly as doable, and we proceed to coordinate. And that – that is what we would wish to see as the end result.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Who would not need all these hostages to be residence and with their households?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Understood.
Need to ask you about Iran as nicely. President Trump has stated he desires a diplomatic take care of Iran. Are you reaching out to them? And alongside that, does the U.S. help a preemptive strike by Israel on Iran to take out its nuclear program?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Nicely, to begin with, Israel will all the time should act in what they consider is their nationwide curiosity and their nationwide protection.
And so I am not going to talk about no matter methods they might have on this or another subject. I’ll say that we haven’t any outreach from Iran. We have not seen any. And, in the end, we have seen up to now that efforts that Iran has undertaken diplomatically have been solely about learn how to lengthen the timeframe that – however proceed to complement and re – and – and along with sponsor terrorism, along with construct these long-range weapons, along with sow instability all through the area.
However let’s be clear. There’s been zero outreach or curiosity thus far from Iran about any negotiated deal. Ideally, sure, I’d like to get up sooner or later and listen to the information that Iran has determined to not pursue a nuclear weapon, to not sponsor terrorism, and reengage on the earth as a – as a – as a standard authorities.
We have had no indication of any of that, not simply now, however for 30 years.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So that you head from Israel to Saudi Arabia subsequent. I do know you may be speaking about Gaza, however we have additionally discovered that Saudi Arabia is attempting to facilitate this diplomacy with Russia about Ukraine.
Which Russian officers do you anticipate to be assembly with? And what is going to the main focus of your talks there be? Do you truly consider Vladimir Putin is able to negotiate and make concessions?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Nicely, this is what I do know.
I do know President Trump spoke to Vladimir Putin final week. And, in it, Vladimir Putin expressed his curiosity in peace, and the president expressed his need to see an finish to this battle in a manner that was enduring and that protected Ukrainian sovereignty, and that was a permanent peace, not that we will have one other invasion in three or 4 years.
That is an excellent name. Now, clearly, it must be adopted up by motion. So, the subsequent few weeks and days will decide whether or not it is critical or not. In the end, one telephone name doesn’t make peace. One telephone name doesn’t resolve a conflict as advanced as this one.
However I can let you know that Donald Trump is the one chief on the earth that might probably start that course of. Different leaders have tried. They haven’t been in a position to take action. When he ran in his marketing campaign and he was elected as president, considered one of his guarantees was, he would work to carry an finish to this battle in a manner that is sustainable and truthful.
And, clearly, you understand, this is step one in that course of, however we now have an extended methods to go. Once more, one name does not make it. One assembly would not make it. This – there’s loads of work to be achieved. However I – I believed it has – you understand, even the longest journey begins with step one.
So we’ll see what occurs from right here, hopefully good issues.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Who will you be assembly with?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Nicely, nothing’s been finalized but. I used to be scheduled to be in Saudi Arabia anyhow.
We invited – we introduced that journey every week in the past, and – a week-and-a-half in the past. So, in the end, look, if at any cut-off date there’s a possibility to proceed the work that President Trump began final week to start to create a gap for a broader dialog, that it could contain Ukraine and would contain the top of the conflict, and would contain our allies everywhere in the world, significantly in Europe, we will discover it, if that chance presents itself.
I haven’t got any particulars for you this morning, apart from to say that we stand able to observe the president’s lead on this and start to discover methods, if these alternatives current itself, to start a course of in direction of peace.
Now, a course of in direction of peace shouldn’t be a one-meeting factor. This conflict has been happening for some time.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: It is tough. It is difficult. It has been bloody. It has been pricey. So it won’t be straightforward to finish the battle on this.
And there are different events at stake which have opinions on this as nicely. The European Union has sanctions as nicely. The Ukrainians are clearly combating this conflict. It is their nation, they usually’re on the entrance traces. So, one assembly is not going to unravel it.
However I need to reiterate the president made clear he desires to finish this conflict, and if alternatives current themselves to additional that, we will take them in the event that they current themselves. We’ll see what occurs over the subsequent few days.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However, to be clear, Keith Kellogg, who’s the envoy appointed to assist with these talks, says these are going to be parallel negotiations, that means the Ukrainians and Russians aren’t speaking to one another but.
If you meet along with your Russian counterpart, whoever that’s, are you going to be sitting there arguing Ukraine’s place?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Nicely, to begin with, I feel that we now have to grasp is, proper now, there isn’t a course of.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: What – what we now have proper now’s a name between Putin and President Trump during which each side expressed an curiosity in ending this battle.
I think about there shall be follow-up conversations to determine what a course of to speak about that may seem like. After which, at that time, maybe we will start to share extra particulars. So it’s kind of untimely. I do know there’s been loads of response to it, as a result of there’s been no dialog about it, any critical dialog.
However I need to return to the purpose I made. President Trump ran. He was very clear. He thinks this conflict wants to finish. And if he sees a possibility to finish it, which is what he is on the lookout for, whether or not there is a chance or not, we will pursue it.
In the end, it would attain a degree when you find yourself – if it is actual negotiations, and we’re not there but, but when that had been to occur, Ukraine should be concerned, as a result of they’re the one which had been invaded, and the Europeans should be concerned as a result of they’re the – they’ve sanctions on Putin and Russia as nicely, and – they usually’ve contributed to this effort.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: We’re simply not there but. We actually aren’t, however hopefully we shall be, as a result of we would all wish to see this conflict finish.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Little question.
The final administration did have contact by means of the intelligence businesses with Russia, however they did not consider there was any proof that Vladimir Putin was desirous about talks. You recognize the historical past with Vladimir Putin. He likes to make use of diplomacy as a canopy to distract whereas he continues to wage conflict.
Do you belief that this time is completely different?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Sure, I do not suppose, in geopolitics, anybody ought to belief anybody. I feel this stuff should be verified by means of actions.
I stated yesterday that peace shouldn’t be a noun. It is a verb. It is an motion. You need to take concrete steps in direction of it. What I can let you know is, I do know of no higher negotiator in American politics than President Trump.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: I do not – I feel President Trump will know in a short time whether or not to say, is that this an actual factor or whether or not that is an effort to purchase time.
However I do not need to prejudge that. I do not need to foreclose the chance to finish a battle that is already price the lives of a whole lot of hundreds and continues each single day to be more and more a conflict of attrition on each side.
I feel everybody ought to be celebrating the truth that we now have an American president that’s looking for to advertise peace on the earth, not begin wars, however finish them, in a manner that is enduring.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: That is one thing we ought to be glad about. Whether or not it is doable or not, we’re definitely prepared, however it’s not solely as much as us, clearly, however we’ll discover out.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, you probably did converse in a telephone name with Russia’s high diplomat, Sergey Lavrov. The Russian aspect claimed that you simply mentioned restoring commerce, which gave the impression to be a nod to sanctions, easing restrictions on diplomats, and different gestures like a high-level leaders assembly.
Are you truly contemplating, is the Trump administration contemplating lifting sanctions on Russia?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Nicely, the telephone name was to ascertain communications which might be in keeping with the decision the president made final week with Vladimir Putin, as a result of if we’re – if there’s going to be the potential of – of progress right here in direction of peace, we’re going to want to speak to the Russians.
I imply, that’s going to should occur, and we will have to have the ability to be capable to do it throughout our channels.
MARGARET BRENNAN: About lifting sanctions, although?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: I additionally raised in that dialog considerations that – nicely, we did not go into any particulars.
I imply, what we simply mentioned is principally the flexibility to start speaking. I had by no means spoken to Mr. Lavrov in my life, so it was a possibility for us to start to open that channel of communication, which, once more, if there’s the potential for peace right here, that is a channel that has to exist.
However let me add yet another factor. I additionally raised the difficulty of our embassy in Moscow, which operates underneath very tough circumstances. I raised that as a result of it is necessary. It should be very tough to have interaction in communication with Russia about something if our embassy shouldn’t be functioning. And he raised considerations about his diplomatic mission in the USA.
So, at a really primary degree, if, in truth, there’s going to be a possibility right here to pursue peace by participating with the Russians, we will must have useful embassies in Moscow and in Washington, D.C., and that is definitely one thing overseas ministers would discuss as a matter of regular course.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I need to ask you about what occurred in Munich, Germany, on the Safety Convention.
Vice President Vance gave a speech, and he informed U.S. allies that the menace he worries about essentially the most shouldn’t be Russia. It isn’t China. He referred to as it the menace from inside, and he lectured about what he described as censorship, primarily focusing, although, on together with extra views from the fitting.
He additionally met with the chief of a far-right social gathering generally known as the AfD, which, as you understand, is underneath investigation and monitoring by German intelligence due to extremism. What did all of this accomplish, apart from irritating our allies?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Why would our allies or anyone be irritated by free speech and by somebody giving their opinion?
We’re, in any case, democracies. The Munich – Munich Safety Convention is essentially a convention of democracies, during which one of many issues that we cherish and worth is the flexibility to talk freely and supply your opinions.
And so I feel if anybody’s offended about his phrases, they do not should agree with him, however to be offended about it, I feel, truly makes his level. I believed it was truly a reasonably historic speech. Whether or not you agree with him or not, I feel the legitimate factors he is making to Europe is, we’re involved that the true values that we share, the values that bind us along with Europe are issues like free speech and democracy and our shared historical past in successful two World Wars and defeating Soviet communism and the like.
These are the values that we shared in widespread. And, in that Chilly Struggle, we fought towards issues like censorship and oppression and so forth.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: And whenever you see backsliding, and also you elevate that, that is a really legitimate concern.
We will not inform them learn how to run their nations. We’re – he merely expressed in a speech his view of it, which lots of people, frankly, share. And I believed he stated loads of issues in that speech that wanted to be stated. And, actually, I do not know why anyone can be upset about it.
Individuals are allowed – you understand, you do not have to agree on somebody’s speech. I occur to agree with loads of what he stated, however you do not have to agree with somebody’s speech to – to at the least recognize the very fact they’ve a proper to say it and that you must hearken to it and see whether or not these criticisms are legitimate.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: I guarantee you, the USA has come underneath withering criticism on many events from many leaders in Europe, and we do not go round throwing mood tantrums about it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, he was standing in a rustic the place free speech was weaponized to conduct a genocide.
And he met with the top of a political social gathering that has far proper views and a few historic ties to excessive teams. The context of that was altering the tone of it. And you understand that, that the censorship was particularly about the fitting.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Nicely, I’ve to disagree with you. No, I’ve – I’ve to disagree with you.
Free speech was not used to conduct a genocide. The genocide was performed by an authoritarian Nazi regime that occurred to even be genocidal as a result of they hated Jews they usually hated minorities they usually hated people who they – they’d a listing of individuals they hated, however primarily the Jews. There was no free speech in Nazi Germany. There was none.
There was additionally no opposition in Nazi Germany. They had been a sole and solely social gathering that ruled that nation. In order that’s not an correct reflection of historical past.
I additionally suppose it is incorrect – once more, I’m going again to the purpose of his speech. The purpose of his speech was principally that there’s an erosion in free speech and intolerance for opposing factors of view inside Europe, and that is of concern, as a result of that’s eroding. That is not an erosion of your army capabilities. That is not an erosion of your financial standing.
That is an erosion of the particular values that bind us collectively on this transatlantic union that everyone talks about. And I feel allies and associates and companions which have labored collectively now for 80 years ought to be capable to converse frankly to 1 one other in open boards with out being offended, insulted, or upset.
And I spoke to Overseas Ministers from a number of nations all through Europe. A lot of them most likely did not just like the speech or did not agree with it, however they had been persevering with to have interaction with us on all types of points that unite us.
So, once more, on the finish of the day, I feel that, you understand, folks give all – – that could be a discussion board during which you are presupposed to be inviting folks to offer speeches, not principally a refrain the place everyone seems to be saying the very same factor. That is not all the time going to be the case when it is a assortment of democracies the place leaders have the fitting and the privilege to talk their minds in boards similar to these.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mr. Secretary, I am informed that we’re out of time. Loads to get by means of with you. We recognize you making time right this moment.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’ll be again in a minute.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We need to flip now to the financial system and inflation, which, in comparison with final January, ticked up about 3 % final week.
Kevin Hassett is the director of the Nationwide Financial Council, and he joins us now. Good morning to you, Director.
KEVIN HASSETT (Director, Nationwide Financial Council): Good morning, Margaret. Good morning.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, I haven’t got to let you know, however the remainder of the nation noticed their egg costs on the grocery retailer go up. We’re now at a document excessive attributable to that chook flu outbreak, but additionally labor prices, and that is contributing to meals prices total.
When will the administration get that outbreak underneath management?
KEVIN HASSETT: Proper.
Nicely, what is going on on, proper, as you understand, is that there’s an inflation drawback that is very massive. We noticed the Shopper Value Index come out, and we came upon that the stagflation that was created by the insurance policies of President Biden was manner worse than we thought.
During the last three months, throughout all items, together with eggs, the common inflation fee was 4.6 %, manner above goal, and an acceleration on the finish of the Biden time period.
And, you understand, that is actually not simply us. You might go have a look at Jason Furman, Larry Summers, financial advisers of President Biden saved saying, do not do that. You are going to trigger large inflation. In actual fact, Jason Furman has a really thought-provoking peace in “Overseas Affairs” proper now calling the Biden financial document a tragedy.
And that is them, not us, proper? It is – so, now we have loads of issues that we’re doing to get ahold of it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You are speaking about fiscal spending there.
KEVIN HASSETT: Excuse me. Sure, that is proper.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You had been speaking about fiscal spending there. However…
KEVIN HASSETT: Nicely, the place does inflation come from, proper? And so what we’re doing now’s, we have – we have, actually, a multi-multi-faceted plan to finish inflation.
And I’ll go shortly, as a result of I need to finish with what we’re doing with egg costs. However we will have a macroeconomic change that has supply-side tax cuts, so we now have extra provide, and we will scale back authorities spending, each by means of what DOGE is doing, and thru congressional motion.
And so, due to this fact, the macroeconomic forces that Jason Furman stated had been a tragedy are going to be reversed. That is an excellent factor. Then we’re additionally going to have loads of power manufacturing, loads of deregulation. After which, lastly, when wanted, we will give attention to the person thing-by-thing items.
And so, for instance, you talked about avian flu. President Biden did not actually have a plan for avian flu. Nicely, Brooke Rollins and I’ve been working with all one of the best folks in authorities, together with lecturers across the nation and all over the world, to have a plan prepared for the president subsequent week on what we will do with avian flu.
In actual fact, I used to be modifying the factor with them tomorrow. However – however the ultimate factor – after which I’ll give it again to you. I promise to not filibuster.
(LAUGHTER)
KEVIN HASSETT: The query is, like, why did we do that? Why did we do that? That is what everyone’s speaking about.
However the factor that I all the time begin with once I’m taking a look at what we’re doing, what the president desires us to do, is, why did they try this? Why did they try this?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper. Proper.
KEVIN HASSETT: And – and there are too many instances the place it looks like no person considered that within the press, or possibly…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Oh, gosh.
KEVIN HASSETT: … the left wing economists. Why did they try this? Why did Biden print a lot cash and trigger a lot inflation? Why did he do it?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Oh, Kevin.
KEVIN HASSETT: That is – that is what I am fascinated with.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Kevin, you understand, we talked about that on Face the Nation rather a lot. Quite a bit.
KEVIN HASSETT: I do not need – imply to criticize you. OK, good for you.
MARGARET BRENNAN: No, no, no.
KEVIN HASSETT: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, subsequent week, we’ll see the plan on learn how to get avian flu – learn how to get chook flu, underneath…
KEVIN HASSETT: I might discuss it proper now if you would like to, sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, positive. What – what’s the plan? Are you going to – – what are you going to do?
KEVIN HASSETT: Sure, so – so, once more, the – the Biden plan was to simply, you understand, kill chickens. They usually spent billions of {dollars} simply randomly killing chickens inside a fringe the place they discovered a sick hen.
And so that you go – I simply went to the grocery retailer. I store for our household, partly as a result of I really like to have a look at costs. And there have been no eggs on the retailer yesterday, only a few. And – and in order that occurred as a result of they killed all of the chickens.
And so what we have to do is have higher methods, with biosecurity and medicine and so forth, to be sure that the perimeter does not should kill the chickens, have a greater, smarter perimeter. And so having a wise perimeter is what we’re engaged on. And we’re finalizing the concepts about how to try this with one of the best scientists in authorities.
And that is the form of factor that ought to have occurred a 12 months in the past. And if it had, then egg costs can be, you understand, loads higher than they’re now.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
KEVIN HASSETT: However the avian flu is an actual factor.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
KEVIN HASSETT: And, by the best way, it is unfold principally by geese and geese. And so give it some thought. They’re killing chickens to cease the unfold, however chickens do not actually fly. The – the unfold is going on from the geese and the geese.
And so why does it make any sense to have an enormous perimeter of lifeless chickens, when it is the – the geese and the geese which might be spreading it?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, the Division of Agriculture coverage has been to kill these chickens, as you understand.
KEVIN HASSETT: Proper.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However we’ll watch the main points of that.
KEVIN HASSETT: Certain.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However let’s get again to one thing the president stated.
Larger rates of interest, as you understand, are a part of that battle towards inflation that the Federal Reserve has been waging. However, this previous week, the president referred to as for rates of interest to be lowered. Why does he suppose that is going to decrease your grocery costs?
KEVIN HASSETT: Nicely, to begin with, I – I need to say that I, simply this weekend, have organized to start as soon as once more common lunches with Jay Powell on the Federal Reserve.
And Jay and I’ve an extended and collegial relationship. And I’ll go over there with him and the opposite governors. So we will discuss our views about what is going on on, and hearken to his. And that collegiality has been happening for 4 years once I was right here earlier than, and the president very a lot values that.
I feel that the – the factor about…
MARGARET BRENNAN: However that is to not affect?
KEVIN HASSETT: … decrease rates of interest – no, I’ll discuss – nicely, Jay goes to – Jay is an impartial individual.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
KEVIN HASSETT: The Fed independence is revered. And – and the purpose is, the president’s opinion can be – may be heard. He is the president of the USA.
However this is the factor that I feel is attention-grabbing, that if we get inflation underneath management, then that takes the strain off the Fed. And one solution to inform whether or not markets suppose, are we getting inflation underneath management, is to have a look at longer-term rates of interest that the Fed does not have an effect on immediately.
And for those who have a look at it, the 10-year Treasury fee has dropped about 40 foundation factors…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
KEVIN HASSETT: … during the last couple of weeks whereas we introduced our plan to manage inflation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely…
KEVIN HASSETT: That saved the American folks about $40 billion, about $40 billion, simply from speaking concerning the stuff that we’re about to do.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
KEVIN HASSETT: That is fairly good.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper, however the president’s assertion contradicts financial coverage. As you understand…
KEVIN HASSETT: No. Inflation – no. Inflation charges are already – I am saying the rates of interest are already decrease by 40 foundation factors. So, Rates of interest are decrease. The one which issues…
MARGARET BRENNAN: You are briefing the president on it. OK.
KEVIN HASSETT: … essentially the most for the financial system is possibly the 5- or 10- 12 months fee.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However on…
KEVIN HASSETT: These those that matter essentially the most. And people are down already. So the president’s proper about that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Earlier than we run out of time, I actually need to be sure I get to you on tariffs.
KEVIN HASSETT: OK, positive.
MARGARET BRENNAN: As a result of there’s concern that that can add to costs.
KEVIN HASSETT: Certain.
MARGARET BRENNAN: As a result of they’re going to be added on to customers and what they pay.
How are these reciprocal tariffs going to work? The president was tweeting he desires to place them on, like, 175 completely different nations which have a VAT tax, a value-added tax.
KEVIN HASSETT: You recognize, we’re speaking to leaders of different nations on a regular basis.
Final night time, into the wee hours of their morning and form of a late night time for me, I used to be speaking to Minister Reynolds from the U.Okay. about this very matter. However this is the best way I wish to give it some thought, that, proper now, U.S. firms are spending – are paying overseas governments about $370 billion a 12 months in tax, and overseas firms are paying the U.S. authorities about $57 billion in tax.
And loads of it’s due to the VAT. But when we did not should pay the overseas governments tax, over 10 years, it might be about $5 trillion of tax that U.S. residents do not should pay. That will greater than pay for the tax cuts that we’re debating proper now.
And so if we get a few of that cash again, both by means of tariffs, or for – clearly, in the event that they scale back the tariffs of that, then that is good for People. It should put more cash of their pockets.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
KEVIN HASSETT: And – and that is what President Trump is – is attempting to do.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Kevin Hassett, I wish to have you ever come again, sit on the desk…
KEVIN HASSETT: At all times.
MARGARET BRENNAN: … and discuss by means of this in – in additional element at one other time. We’ve to go away it there for right this moment.
KEVIN HASSETT: Thanks. Joyful – glad to be right here.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Take care.
Much more “Face the Nation” in a second.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We shall be proper again with much more Face the Nation with extra from that gathering of overseas leaders from Munich.
And, right here at residence, seven federal prosecutors resigned on precept final week. We are going to let you know why.
Stick with us.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome again to FACE THE NATION.
The Munich Safety Convention is an annual gathering of heads of state and worldwide safety policymakers. It is one of many largest conferences. And one of many largest subjects this 12 months was the conflict in Ukraine.
We spoke to 2 lawmakers earlier from Munich, together with Home Intelligence Committee Republican Dan Crenshaw. We requested him about President Zelenskyy’s views concerning what’s wanted in a possible peace deal.
(BEGIN VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: I perceive that he has requested not only for continued army help now, however safety assurances within the occasion of a peace deal. What are you able to inform him about what to anticipate from America?
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW (R-TX): Nicely, I simply – I simply got here from a lunch the place Normal Kellogg spoke. He is the particular envoy main this effort to ascertain peace. And he is very clear that the form of peace we’re speaking about is an enduring peace, which, after all, includes safety assurances.
And a part of that course of is determining precisely what which means. Even the Ukrainians are speaking about what which means. There’s a wide range of choices, per se.
I feel the Europeans should play an enormous position in that. One of many issues that will get talked about loads is the place do – European forces truly appearing as a peacekeeping power.
The Ukrainians clearly have a seat on the desk after which the USA would be the middleman as we attempt to set up a peace deal.
However the Europeans must demand a seat on the desk by being uncomfortably aggressive, which is one thing they have not achieved. You ought to be threatening issues to Putin that really make you uncomfortable as a result of that is how – that is the one language Putin speaks is energy. And when Normal Kellogg is at that desk with Putin, he is solely obtained a finite quantity of leverage. And there is solely a lot extra leverage that the U.S. can – can impose. And if anyone can do it, I feel it is Donald Trump. And he is already – he is already stated that, that nothing is off the desk. Vice President Vance stated that, nothing is off the desk, financial, army. They’ll use the quantity of leverage they’ll.
My message to European leaders is, if we need to win, if we wish a greater consequence for Ukraine on the finish of those peace talks, you should be uncomfortably aggressive. It’s worthwhile to, not simply bolster your individual protection spending, I imply as a result of that is a long-term difficulty, that is a long-term funding –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: It’s worthwhile to be speaking about the place you are going to be placing precise troops on the bottom. Cease following our lead and really take the lead. Allow us to be truly holding you again. That will be a perfect state of affairs and vastly change the facility dynamic when coping with Putin.
MARGARET BRENNAN: There already is a army safety alliance generally known as NATO. You’re saying you suppose there ought to be one thing else or another entity offering safety assurances for Ukraine?
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: European troopers. I imply, look, Europeans ship assist, proper? They ship weapons. They do the identical issues we do. They – they – they match it, barely. My argument to them is you should not be matching it, you have to be doubling it. You ought to be tripling it. It is your continent.
Zelenskyy had a – gave a speech right this moment. He talked a few European military, proper? So, there’s – there’s loads of discuss this. After all, there’s NATO. That is – that is a safety – that is a – that is a defensive alliance.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: That is – that is – that is some – that is not a military. That is – they did this – we’re speaking about various things right here.
The Europeans want to come back collectively, for my part, and have only a a lot stronger message in direction of Putin as an alternative of finger wagging at us about what we’re prepared to offer or not give in a peace deal.
Once more, I inform them, look, if you would like a seat on the desk, earn it. The Ukrainians have earned it. The Ukrainians have impressed everyone for the final three years. They’ve fought valiantly and courageously. They’ve earned my respect. They earned that seat on the desk. We have to hearken to their – to what they need. We listened to Zelenskyy.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK. You stated that each President Trump and Vice President Vance had been clear, nothing is off the desk. Nonetheless, the protection secretary, Pete Hegseth, did appear, in Brussels, to take issues fairly explicitly off the desk. He stated the U.S. doesn’t need Ukraine in NATO and that Ukraine wouldn’t return to its pre-2014 borders, which acknowledges giving up a few of Crimea and probably the east.
Do you suppose providing concessions earlier than negotiations start is an effective technique right here?
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: Sure, the – I feel you must hearken to the White Home as an entire. They walked – they walked these again and –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: And – and made it clear that nothing is off the – nothing is off the desk. So, no, you stroll right into a negotiation with all the things on the desk and I feel that is precisely what this White Home is doing.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: It is lower than a month since this administration has been in energy they usually need to transfer quick. And everyone’s just a little nervous. However I feel they need to be way more optimistic than they need to be nervous.
You wanted a seismic shift right here. This was not a sustainable operation in Ukraine. If Kamala Harris had been president, you would be going alongside the identical traces, which is principally funding this conflict till each Ukrainian is lifeless. That is not an finish that we will settle for.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So –
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: There must be some discuss of negotiation. And I am going to remind the American folks, too, from our perspective, from American strategic deterrent’s perspective, even getting Putin to that desk to speak about an finish to the conflict is –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: Is an enormous strategic win for us as a result of it establishes again our deterrents over time.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, have you learnt that he’s truly committing to come back to the desk? We do not have a dedication to truly negotiate from Vladimir Putin.
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: No, we do not.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: You recognize what can be actually useful? What I stated earlier than, if the EU was uncomfortably aggressive about it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK. Acquired it.
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: Once more, Putin solely responds to energy. And that is – that is what I remind western leaders right here, too. Western – westerners do not converse that language. Westerns discuss negotiations and, you understand, and good ethical values that we share and we consider one another.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: That is not how the east works. They solely reply to energy.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, OK, on that time, Vladimir Putin, it sounds such as you would agree, is an accused conflict legal. He’s a dictator. There’s a warrant out for his arrest, as you understand. He invaded Ukraine. He’s clearly a U.S. adversary.
However this previous week President Trump stated he’d like to have Putin again within the G-8, which might make him, once more, a peer world chief. President Trump floated inviting him to the U.S. and even visiting Russia himself. Do you suppose any of that’s applicable?
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: It is extra applicable than not speaking to him for the final two years, which is what President Biden did. Who did that assist? It hasn’t – it hasn’t gotten us wherever.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Speaking is completely different than inviting him to the USA.
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: Proper. Certain. I imply, you may parse it out nonetheless you want. However the actuality is, is you are going to should get him to the desk in some way, proper? And there is a carrot and a stick strategy. Trump can use loads – can use loads of leverage. After which the Europeans can use much more leverage. However you even have that carrot strategy. And Trump is sweet at that. He is good at flattering folks in an effort to get them to the desk. That’s what we want. Whether or not we prefer it or not, that is what we want.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However flattering a really brutal dictator who’s fairly crafty, frankly, you actually suppose that is a successful technique?
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: I imply, he isn’t that crafty. He is fought a – it was a conflict that has destroyed his society, killed a whole lot of hundreds of Russians. He is made an enormous mistake and miscalculation. He is not – he isn’t as intelligent as possibly we’re giving him credit score for.
I feel let Trump do his marketing campaign promise and play this out. Look, no person goes to benefit from Donald Trump. And Normal Kellogg made that very clear as a result of that was a query Europeans requested him, you understand, are we – are you going to promote out simply to get a deal, simply to get a deal due to the marketing campaign promise. Kellogg simply laughed at that. He is like, there isn’t a manner. There’s completely no manner that Donald Trump shall be seen – he won’t let himself go down in historical past as having offered out to Putin. He won’t let that occur. He believes – only for the sake of his personal legacy.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: However he does care about lasting peace right here and lasting European peace.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However I feel you understand among the issues Europeans level to is the truth that the USA minimize out our allied authorities in Afghanistan from the negotiation Donald Trump minimize with the Taliban. They level again to that and say, do not do that once more.
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: Certain. And I criticized that call, too.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: However that is simply not what’s occurring now. This can be a vastly completely different state of affairs. I imply Europeans have all types of opinions. The Ukrainians, I feel, are very optimistic, as they need to be. We have had some excellent conversations. Some very practical conversations. And I am very excite and optimistic about what can occur right here.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Congressman Crenshaw, thanks for becoming a member of us.
REPRESENTATIVE DAN CRENSHAW: Thanks for having me.
(END VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Developing subsequent, the highest Democrat on the Senate Overseas Relations Committee, Senator Jeanne Shaheen.
Stick with us.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We additionally spoke with New Hampshire Democrat Jeanne Shaheen whereas she was in Munich, specializing in the negotiations to finish the conflict in Ukraine, in addition to bipartisan efforts within the Senate to assist Ukraine.
(BEGIN VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: When it comes to negotiations, there have been some feedback made by President Trump this week. The protection secretary stated returning to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is unrealistic. He is suggesting that possibly the east and one other a part of Ukraine and Crimea shall be taken by Russia. Why do you suppose there was this plan to offer concessions earlier than talks start?
SENATOR JEANNE SHAHEEN (D-NH): Nicely, I feel it was a combined message coming from the administration. On the one hand you heard Secretary Hegseth saying they had been going to take NATO off the desk, that Ukraine wanted to surrender territory, and then again you had Vice President Vance saying that all the things ought to be on the desk, together with the potential of placing boots on the bottom in Ukraine.
So, it is a combined message. I hope that the upshot of that’s that we’re going to do all the things we will to help Ukraine.
MARGARET BRENNAN: When it comes to what Congress can do, are your arms tied right here or are a few of your Republican colleagues prepared to place one thing, maybe, in an upcoming protection invoice, for instance, which may assist Ukraine?
SENATOR JEANNE SHAHEEN: Nicely, I feel that is one choice. One of many issues that we’re speaking about doing straight away is making some statements on the – the repossession of belongings by Russia which might be held in the USA and in Europe and the significance of getting these belongings go to Ukraine to assist each with the execution of the army battle, but additionally to consider rebuilding.
Once more, there’s bipartisan help. There was bipartisan help for the invoice and there is bipartisan help to proceed to attempt to be certain that these belongings from Russia get repaid to Ukraine as a result of Russia is admittedly the aggressor right here and we have to maintain Vladimir Putin accountable.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You recognize, your Republican counterpart, Roger Wicker, he’s the chair of the Armed Providers Committee, was actually sharp in his feedback at Munich. He was saying, he was puzzled, he was disturbed by what the protection secretary, a member of his personal social gathering, had stated about Ukraine. He was very clear that what Vladimir Putin is doing, he stated, is totally out of Adolf Hitler’s playbook. These are sharp phrases contemplating the president of the USA says he desires to fulfill face-to-face to Vladimir Putin and probably carry him to the White Home.
SENATOR JEANNE SHAHEEN: Nicely, they’re sharp phrases and they’re very a lot justified. No matter what President Trump could also be doing to attempt to lay the groundwork for any future negotiations, the very fact is there’s robust bipartisan help in Congress to assist Ukraine on this unfair conflict that Russia has initiated. And I feel Senator Wicker’s feedback are crucial.
MARGARET BRENNAN: On the convention you are at, you had been capable of converse with European leaders. What are they saying to you about their view of America now?
SENATOR JEANNE SHAHEEN: Nicely, we had an opportunity to fulfill with representatives from Britain, from Canada, not a European nation but additionally very involved about Ukraine, with folks from the Balkan nations, with President Zelenskyy, clearly. And there’s quite a lot of concern concerning the U.S. place on Ukraine.
On the panel that we had with President Zelenskyy, we talked concerning the significance of Europe and the USA appearing in live performance in order that we will maintain Putin accountable with sanctions in order that we will – in order that there isn’t a daylight between the USA and our NATO allies and our European allies. Clearly that is what Vladimir Putin has been attempting to do all through this battle, and we have to make it clear that that isn’t going to occur, that we’re going to work collectively, and we’re going to help Ukraine.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Does Congress must be any a part of approving this deal President Trump says he desires to take possession of among the crucial minerals that Ukraine has inside their territory? He says he desires to make use of that as form of compensation for what the U.S. has spent on weapons.
SENATOR JEANNE SHAHEEN: Nicely, I feel there are some advantages to having the USA have some investments in Ukraine. That is a part of what a crucial minerals deal would do. It is by no means clear who – who has possession of these crucial minerals. A few of them are within the japanese a part of Ukraine the place Russia controls the territory. A few of them are owned by non-public – truly oligarchs. There are a number of oligarchs who personal quite a lot of these crucial mineral websites. So, I feel these are particulars that haven’t but been labored out and I’ve not seen the settlement that is been put in entrance of President Zelenskyy.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, we all know Zelenskyy shall be discussing that with different members of the administration. We’ll keep tuned on that. However I do need to carry up one thing that we –
SENATOR JEANNE SHAHEEN: He –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sorry. Go forward.
SENATOR JEANNE SHAHEEN: One of many issues that, in our conversations with President Zelenskyy, President Zelenskyy reiterated nothing about Ukraine with out Ukraine. And I – he obtained reassurances from the bipartisan senators that he met with that we agree Ukraine completely should be a part of any negotiations between Russia and the USA.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator Shaheen, thanks in your time right this moment.
SENATOR JEANNE SHAHEEN: Thanks.
(END VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Each of our full interviews with Congressman Crenshaw and Senator Shaheen are on cbsnews.com and our YouTube channel.
We’ll be again in a second.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Final week seven federal prosecutors resigned in objection after the Justice Division directed them to drop the investigation into New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams, who’s going through prices, together with bribery and conspiracy. In her resignation letter, Danielle Sassoon, the appearing U.S. lawyer overseeing the case, stated a dismissal amounted to a quid professional quo and that the DOJ, quote, “proposes dismissing the fees towards Adams in return for his help in imposing the federal immigration legal guidelines.”
In response, then Appearing Deputy Lawyer Normal Emil Bove threatened her with an investigation into her conduct.
Becoming a member of us now’s Maryland Democrat Jamie Raskin. He is the highest Democrat on the Home Judiciary Committee.
This episode is extremely uncommon. Is there something that you simply, in your position, can do about this episode and what’s occurring inside Lawyer Normal Bondi’s Justice Division?
REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE RASKIN (D-MD): Nicely, the Justice Division is at conflict with its personal attorneys, its personal prosecutors. And the entire episode is simply saturated with corruption. It was a corruption prosecution and investigation, which led to a grand jury indictment towards Eric Adams for bribery, conspiracy, different corruption prices. After which the brand new Division of Justice determined to squash the entire thing, principally saying to Adams, nicely, we are going to drop this case towards you for those who interact in sure sorts of political or coverage lodging with us.
After which, in an effort to full that deeply corrupt discount, they needed to attempt to coerce their very own legal professionals to do it. However, after all, the prosecutors had been saying, nothing has modified within the information of the case and nothing has modified within the legislation. In actual fact, further proof was discovered, that means that they had been going to revise and broaden the unique indictment, however as an alternative they had been informed to kill it for political causes.
And so, you understand, that is an outrageous violation of the foundations of prosecutors and an offense towards due course of in a really harmful first transfer for the Division of Justice to be making underneath the Trump folks.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mayor Adams, after all, claims there was no quid professional quo and that none of this was incorrect, however there was the lead prosecutor, as nicely, on this case who resigned in objection to what’s occurring. However it’s transferring ahead right here. That is all now within the arms of a decide. Does he have leeway to prosecute?
REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE RASKIN: So, to begin with, nearly Danielle Sassoon. I imply that is a really conservative U.S. lawyer, and she or he could not take it. I imply you’ve essentially the most conservative prosecutors within the nation resigning in opposition to this steam curler on behalf of corruption. However it’s not over but as a result of Decide Dale Ho doesn’t have to simply accept the withdrawal of the fees, the dismissal of the fees, which seven Division of Justice attorneys resigned reasonably than be concerned in. The top of the general public integrity part, the top of the legal division, 5 different legal professionals stated, no manner, they usually wrote very stinging rebukes of the lawyer common and the Division of Justice on this case.
So, Decide Ho has to simply accept this dismissal, however he might not. He might go forward and attempt to appoint one other prosecutor to go forward and, you understand, undergo with the indictment that was handed down by a grand jury.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, Lawyer Normal Bondi says there’s nothing incorrect right here, saying it was President Biden’s weaponized DOJ that went after Adams for political causes, and solely after he criticized President Biden’s immigration insurance policies.
This can be a fellow Democrat. Do you suppose he ought to be prosecuted? And the way do you reply to that allegation?
REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE RASKIN: Nicely, to begin with, the lawyer common didn’t cite any modifications within the information of the case. She didn’t cite any modifications within the legislation, as a result of neither occurred, nor did she cite any irregularities within the investigation or the prosecution.
MARGARET BRENNAN: She’s saying it is all made up.
REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE RASKIN: Nicely, then she’s – she’s mimicking her boss then, who simply lies as a matter after all. One would anticipate extra from the lawyer common of the USA.
And, you understand, this entire corruption assault that’s an assault on the Division of Justice for participating in corruption prosecutions might be impeachable in a special political setting. However the truth that Mayor Adams is a Democrat is neither right here nor there for me. I am towards corruption throughout the board. It looks as if Donald Trump desires to draw the entire corrupt politicians in America to his aspect.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So within the Oval Workplace President Trump – you could have seen this picture – he has hung an image, a framed image of the entrance web page of “The New York Submit,” that has his mugshot in it from that legal case in New York. Yesterday he additionally tweeted, “he who saves his nation doesn’t violate any legislation.”
He appears to consider that every one these prosecutions towards him had been politically motivated and voters apparently did not suppose it mattered. He was elected with a mandate. How do you persuade the general public that it does matter?
REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE RASKIN: The dominant goal of this administration is corruption and lawlessness. The very first thing that they did was they sacked 17 inspectors common. These are the people who find themselves precise corruption fighters inside the departments and businesses. These are the individuals who ferreted out $91 billion value of waste, fraud and abuse within the authorities.
MARGARET BRENNAN: They argue it is inside their political energy to take action.
REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE RASKIN: Oh, it – there is not any doubt it’s, however they sacked them. Really, it isn’t inside their political energy to take action in a lawless manner. They should notify Congress first, 30 days upfront, they usually should set forth the particular causes for why an inspector common is being fired. They by no means did that.
And the explanation, after all, is as a result of they need to pursue agendas of corruption throughout the board. They’re saying they are not going to implement the Overseas Corrupt Practices Act. They’re shutting down the Shopper Monetary Safety Bureau, which has saved American customers $31 million in financial institution overdraft prices, bank card late charges from firms fully inflated and having nothing to do with the precise prices and so forth. They’re eliminating something within the authorities that helps customers, that helps residents towards the rip-off artists who’re their associates.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And there is little Democrats can do to push again as a result of you haven’t any political energy.
REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE RASKIN: Nicely, we’re successful in court docket. Greater than a dozen federal injunctions and short-term restraining orders have been issued towards all the things from their unlawful seizure of laptop information and each People’ non-public information on the Treasury Division.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE RASKIN: To their unlawful try to ban birthright citizenship in America.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure. We’ll see the –
REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE RASKIN: We’re successful throughout the board. We’re a rustic primarily based on legislation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We are going to watch what occurs in these court docket choices.
Thanks, Congressman Raskin.
We’ll be proper again.
REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE RASKIN: You guess.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’ve some glad information to report. After virtually 500 days in captivity, American Israeli Segui Dekel-Chen was launched yesterday, together with two different Israeli hostages. Dekel-Chen was kidnapped in the course of the October seventh assault from the kibbutz the place he lived together with his two younger ladies and his spouse. They survived the assault and yesterday he discovered the title of his third daughter who was born whereas her father was in captivity.
And we are going to see you subsequent week.
