Full transcript of
On this “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” broadcast, moderated by Margaret Brennan:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s envoy to the Center East
- Sen. Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina
- Rep. Debbie Dingell, Democrat of Michigan
- Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat
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: With financial turmoil at house, President Trump appears to be like overseas. Russia’s Vladimir Putin responds to a U.S. cease-fire proposal in Ukraine. Plus, the U.S. launches navy strikes all through Yemen.
American bombs rained down on dozens of Iran-backed Houthi militant targets in Yemen Saturday in an assault ordered by President Trump. How lengthy will this marketing campaign final and how much a response ought to we count on from Tehran? Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be part of us completely.
Plus:
(Start VT)
DONALD TRUMP (President of the USA): I am getting, from the standpoint a couple of cease-fire and finally a deal, some fairly good vibes popping out of Russia.
(Finish VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Particular Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff is again from Russia and his assembly with Vladimir Putin. Is there an opportunity for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine? We’ll ask him.
South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham will even be part of us.
And, lastly, Maryland Democratic Governor Wes Moore weighs in on the affect of cuts to the federal payroll, and Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell on the ripple results of Trump’s commerce warfare with a few of America’s closest companions.
It is all simply forward on Face the Nation.
Good morning, and welcome to Face the Nation.
As we come on the air, U.S. forces are within the midst of President Trump’s most important navy marketing campaign so far in his second time period.
Let’s get straight to it this morning with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who joins us from Miami, Florida.
Mr. Secretary, for our viewers, simply to elucidate, this Crimson Sea space is a very vital transit level for world delivery. The Houthis out of Yemen have been disrupting transit there for a while. President Trump cited these issues when he introduced the strikes. I am questioning, how lengthy will this marketing campaign final and can it contain floor forces?
MARCO RUBIO (U.S. Secretary of State): Nicely, to begin with, the issue right here is that it is a essential delivery lane. And within the final year- and-a-half, final 18 months, the Houthis have struck or attacked 174 Naval vessels of the USA, attacking the U.S. Navy straight 174 instances. And 145 instances, they’ve attacked industrial delivery.
So we mainly have a band of pirates with guided precision anti-ship weaponry and exacting a toll system in one of the vital vital delivery lanes on this planet. That is simply not sustainable. We’re not going to have these individuals controlling which ships can undergo and which of them can not.
And so your query is, how lengthy will this go on? It’s going to go on till they not have the potential to do this.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, what does U.S. intelligence inform us at this level? As a result of the U.S. had been conducting strikes for a while, however has not stopped the Houthis.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: No.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So what is going on to be completely different proper now? Do you could have extra constancy within the intelligence that will make this extra profitable?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Nicely, these strikes had been retaliation strikes. In order that they launch one missile, we hit the missile launcher, or we despatched one thing to do it. This isn’t a message. This isn’t a one-off.
That is an effort to disclaim them the power to proceed to constrict and management delivery. And it is simply not going to occur. We’re not going to have these guys, these individuals with weapons in a position to inform us the place our ships can go, the place the ships of all of the world can go, by the way in which. It isn’t simply the U.S. We’re doing the world a favor.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: We’re doing the complete world a favor by eliminating these guys and their potential to strike world delivery. That is the mission right here. And it’ll proceed till that is carried out. That by no means occurred earlier than. The Biden administration did not try this.
All of the Biden administration would do is, they might reply to an assault. These guys would launch one rocket, we would hit the rocket launcher. That is it. That is an effort to remove their potential to regulate world delivery in that a part of the world. That is simply not going to occur anymore.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And it might…
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: So, this may proceed till that is completed.
MARGARET BRENNAN: It might contain floor raids?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Nicely, these are navy selections to be made, however I’ve heard no speak of floor raids. I do not assume there is a necessity for it proper now.
I can inform you that, as of final evening, a few of the key individuals concerned in these missile launches are not with us. And I can inform you that a few of the services that they used are not present. And that can proceed.
Look, it is – backside line, straightforward solution to perceive it, OK, these guys are in a position to management what ships can undergo there. They’ve attacked the U.S. Navy 174 instances. They’ve attacked the USA Navy. We’re not going to have individuals sitting round with the missiles attacking the U.S. Navy. It isn’t going to occur, not beneath President Trump.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The president additionally referenced Iran in his assertion. Iran supplies some help for the Houthis, as .
Put this in context for me, as a result of U.S. intelligence has been suggesting for a while that Israel has the need and intent to conduct an assault on Iran’s creating nuclear program within the coming months. President Trump has prolonged a suggestion for negotiations.
Have you ever heard something again from Iran? Is that this strike in Yemen a sign to Iran?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: This strike in Yemen is about their potential, the power of the Houthis to strike world delivery and assault the U.S. Navy, and their willingness to do it, 174 instances in opposition to the U.S. Navy, 145 generally in opposition to world delivery. That is what the strike is about.
What we will not ignore and the explanation why the president talked about Iran is as a result of the Iranians have supported the Houthis. They’ve offered them intelligence. They’ve offered them steering. They’ve offered them weaponry. I imply, there isn’t any approach the Houthis, OK, the Houthis, would have the power to do this sort of factor except they’d help from Iran.
And so this was a message to Iran. Do not preserve supporting them, as a result of then additionally, you will be liable for what they’re doing in attacking Navy ships, in attacking world delivery.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Additionally they get help from Russia, probably, which you leveraged sanctions in regard to.
However I wish to ask you about tariffs, since you had been simply in Canada this previous week. China is Canada’s second greatest export market, Mexico’s third. On this ongoing commerce forwards and backwards the U.S. is having, is not there a danger that China will finally be the winner? If it is too expensive to cope with the USA, will not they profit?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Nicely, truly, China and Canada are concerned in a mini-trade warfare proper now. In reality, the Chinese language have imposed a bunch of tariffs, reciprocal or retaliatory tariffs, on Canada after Canada imposed tariffs on them.
So here is the way in which everybody wants to grasp this, OK? The president rightfully believes that the stability of worldwide commerce is totally off kilter. For 30 or 40 years, we now have allowed international locations to deal with us unfairly in world commerce, a lot of it in the course of the Chilly Battle as a result of we wished them to be wealthy and affluent as a result of they had been our allies within the Chilly Battle.
However now that has to vary. You have a look at the European Union. The European Union’s economic system is about the identical measurement as ours. It isn’t a low-wage economic system. It is very akin to ours by way of its composition and so forth. Why have they got a commerce surplus with us?
So what the president is saying is 2 issues. Primary, there are essential industries like aluminum, like metal, like semiconductors, like vehicle manufacturing, that he rightfully believes, President Trump rightfully believes, the U.S. must have a home functionality. And the way in which you defend these industries and construct that functionality is by guaranteeing that there is financial incentives to provide in the USA.
The second is world. And that’s, we’re going to put tariffs on international locations reciprocal to what they impose on us. And so it is a world – it isn’t in opposition to Canada. It isn’t in opposition to Mexico. It isn’t in opposition to the E.U. It is all people.
After which, from that new baseline of equity and reciprocity, we are going to have interaction probably in bilateral negotiations with international locations around the globe on new commerce preparations that make sense for either side. Equity. However, proper now, it isn’t truthful. We’ll reset the baseline after which we are able to enter into these bilateral agreements probably with international locations in order that our commerce is truthful.
What’s not going to proceed is – in fact, these international locations are upset.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So that is all nearly leverage to get bilateral not free commerce – not North American free commerce offers?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: No, no, it isn’t leverage.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Renegotiation?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: It is equity. It is resetting baseline equity. After which from there we are able to work on offers and so forth as a result of they may have merchandise we do not make. We now have merchandise they do not make. That is the place commerce works the very best.
It must be free, but it surely must be truthful in that nation. And, proper now, it is solely free on one aspect and it isn’t truthful for the opposite aspect.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, , sir…
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: It is an unsustainable place.
MARGARET BRENNAN: … the advert hoc nature of those coverage bulletins and pullbacks are inflicting concern within the market, as we noticed this previous week.
So I heard you describe what appeared like a method to get to negotiations on a bilateral entrance. You additionally appeared to barter – you say this was nationwide security-minded.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However then we additionally see feedback by the president of like 200 % tariffs on champagne. That is not a essential business for the USA. That appears extra emotional.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: No, which means – that is referred to as retaliation. That is what occurs in these commerce exchanges. They’ll enhance tariffs on – they have already got excessive tariffs. They’ll add extra to their tariffs? Nice.
Then we should discover one thing to – I imply, you inform me. I imply, Canada’s going after whiskey and orange juice. And, I imply…
MARGARET BRENNAN: In retaliation.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Sure, precisely. In order that sounds fairly petty to me as effectively. So what is the distinction?
The purpose is, I get it. I perceive why these international locations do not prefer it, as a result of the established order of commerce is sweet for them. It advantages them. They like the established order. We do not like the established order. We’re going to set a brand new established order. After which we are able to negotiate one thing, in the event that they wish to, that’s truthful for either side.
However what we now have now can not proceed. We now have deindustrialized this nation, deindustrialized the USA of America. There are issues we are able to not make and we now have to have the ability to make so as to be secure as a rustic and so as to have jobs. That is why we had a Rust Belt. That is why we now have suffered all these vital jobs that when sustained complete communities worn out by commerce that mainly despatched these factories, these jobs, this industrial functionality to different locations.
That can’t and won’t proceed.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: I do not know – President Trump. That is no thriller. He is been speaking about this because the Eighties, truly, even earlier than he was a political determine.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: That is going to occur, and it’ll occur now.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I wish to ask you about Russia.
You mentioned Envoy Steve Witkoff’s assembly with Vladimir Putin that occurred final week would reply the elemental query of whether or not we’re shifting in the direction of a cease-fire or whether or not Putin is utilizing a delay tactic. You spoke with Sergey Lavrov, the overseas minister, yesterday. Is that this a delay tactic?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Nicely, I feel that was a promising assembly. As I’ve mentioned repeatedly, we’re not going to barter this within the public. Hopefully, we could have one thing to announce in some unspecified time in the future pretty quickly. I am unable to assure that, however I actually assume the assembly was promising, The change was promising.
I do not take away from Steve’s assembly, from Ambassador Witkoff’s assembly, negativity. There are some challenges. This can be a advanced three-year warfare that is been ongoing alongside a really lengthy navy entrance with a number of complexity to it. So, nobody’s claiming that it is easy.
However I need everybody to grasp here is the plan. Plan A is, get the taking pictures to cease, in order that we are able to transfer to plan B, part two, which is have all people at a desk, perhaps not – perhaps with some shuttle diplomacy, to determine a solution to completely finish this warfare in a approach that is enduring and that respects all people’s wants and so forth.
Nobody is saying that that second half is straightforward, however we will not get even to that second half till we get previous the primary half. It is laborious to barter an everlasting finish to a warfare so long as they’re taking pictures at one another.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: And so the president needs a cease-fire, and that is what we’re engaged on.
Assuming we are able to get that completed – and that will not be straightforward in and of itself – we transfer to the second part, which is negotiating one thing extra enduring and everlasting. That will likely be laborious. It’s going to contain a number of laborious work, concessions from either side, but it surely has to occur. This warfare can not proceed.
The president has been clear about that, and he is doing every thing he can to deliver it to an finish.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK. We’ll discuss that later in this system as effectively with Envoy Witkoff.
I wish to ask you a couple of resolution you made to revoke a pupil visa for somebody at Columbia College this previous week. “The Wall Avenue Journal” Editorial Board writes: “The administration must be cautious it is concentrating on actual promoters of terrorism, not breaking the good promise of a inexperienced card by deporting anybody with controversial political beliefs.”
Are you able to substantiate any type of materials help for terrorism particularly to Hamas from this Columbia pupil? Or was it merely that he was espousing a controversial political viewpoint?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Nicely, not simply the scholar. We’ll do extra. In reality, we – every single day now, we’re approving visa revocations, and if that visa led to a inexperienced card, the inexperienced card course of as effectively.
And here is why. It is quite simple. If you apply to enter the USA and also you get a visa, you’re a visitor and also you’re coming as a pupil, you are coming as a vacationer or what have you ever. And, in it, you must make sure assertions. And in the event you inform us if you apply for a visa, I am coming to the U.S. to take part in pro-Hamas occasions, that runs counter to the overseas coverage curiosity of the USA of America.
It is that straightforward. So that you lied. You got here – in the event you had instructed us that you simply had been going to do this, we by no means would have given you the visa. Now you are right here. Now you do it. You lied to us. You are out. It is that straightforward. It is that easy.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However is there any – however is there any proof of a hyperlink to terrorism, or is it simply his viewpoint?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Certain. Sure, they take over – I imply, do you not – I imply, you must watch the information. These guys take over complete buildings.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We lined it intensely.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: They vandalized schools. They shut down schools. Nicely, then you must know that that is…
MARGARET BRENNAN: I am asking in regards to the particular justification for the revocation of his visa. Was there any proof of fabric help for terrorism?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Nicely, this particular particular person was the spokesperson, was the negotiator on – negotiating on behalf of folks that took over a campus, that vandalized buildings? Negotiating over what? That is against the law, in and of itself, that they are concerned and being a negotiator, the spokesperson, this, that, the opposite.
We do not need – we do not want these individuals in our nation. We by no means ought to have allowed him in, within the first place. If he had instructed us, I am going over there and I am going over there to turn into the spokesperson and one of many leaders of a motion that is going to show one among your allegedly elite schools the wrong way up, individuals cannot even go to highschool, library – the buildings being vandalized, we by no means would have let him in.
We by no means would have let him in to start with.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: And now that he is doing it and he is right here, he will depart. And so are others. And we will preserve doing it.
We’re…
MARGARET BRENNAN: To…
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: And, by the way in which, I discover it ironic that a number of these individuals on the market defending the First Modification speech, alleged free speech rights of those Hamas sympathizers…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: .. they’d no downside, OK, pressuring social media to censor American political speech.
So I feel it is ironic and hypocritical. However the backside line is that this. In case you are on this nation to advertise Hamas, to advertise terrorist organizations, to take part in vandalism, to take part in acts of insurrection…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: .. and riots on campus, we by no means would have allow you to in if we had recognized that. And now that we all know it, you are going to depart.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Is it solely pro-Palestinian people who find themselves going to have their visas revoked or are different factors of view as effectively?
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: No, I feel anyone who’s right here in favor – look, we wish to eliminate Tren de Aragua gang members.
They’re terrorists too. I – we – the president designated them…
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: … requested me to designate, and I did, as a terrorist group. We wish to eliminate them as effectively.
You – we do not need terrorists in America. I do not know the way laborious that’s to grasp. We wish individuals – we do not need individuals in our nation which might be going to be…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: … committing crimes and undermining our nationwide safety or the general public security. It is that straightforward…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: … particularly individuals which might be right here as friends. That’s what a visa is.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: I do not know what we now have gotten it in our head {that a} visa is a few form of birthright. It’s not. It’s a customer into our nation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: And in the event you violate the phrases of your visitation, you’re going to depart.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK, Secretary Rubio, I would prefer to have you ever again, speak to you about much more in your plate one other time, however we now have to depart it there.
SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO: Thanks.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Face the Nation will likely be again in a minute.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: We go now to President Trump’s particular envoy to the Center East, Steve Witkoff, who joins us this morning from Miami Seaside.
Welcome again to Face the Nation, Ambassador.
STEVE WITKOFF (U.S. Particular Envoy to the Center East): Thanks. Thanks, Margaret. Thanks for having me.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So that you simply heard Secretary of State Rubio discuss these efforts to dealer a cease-fire. You had been the person face-to-face with Vladimir Putin.
I ponder what your reply to the query is in regard as to if it is a delay tactic or whether or not Vladimir Putin is honest in searching for a cease-fire.
STEVE WITKOFF: Nicely, I used to be there for fairly a while, Margaret.
And I agree with the secretary’s evaluation. We made a number of progress in that assembly. It was a gathering that was – it might have been so long as 4 hours, but it surely was actually at the least three. We talked about a number of specifics. And I level to the big hole that existed between Ukraine and Russia previous to the inauguration and the place we’re as we speak.
We now have narrowed the problems between each of those events, making a number of progress, for my part, and I feel that assembly underscores that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So I heard you say on one other program this morning that you simply do count on Presidents Trump and Putin to talk this week. Is {that a} decision-making name, or is that this simply subsequent steps?
STEVE WITKOFF: Nicely, I’d assume that they’ve a – they’ve an actual relationship from the president’s first time period. They’ve talked already after the primary go to that I had with President Putin.
And I feel that is going to be a really constructive and constructive name between the 2 males, between the 2 presidents.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And selections will likely be made on whether or not to maneuver ahead with this 30-day cease-fire that the U.S. and Ukraine have agreed to, however Russia, at the least publicly, has not?
STEVE WITKOFF: Nicely, President Trump is the final word decision-maker, our decision-maker, and President Putin for the nation of Russia is their decision-maker.
I feel it is a very constructive signal that the 2 of them will likely be speaking in some unspecified time in the future. I feel that is – that is displaying that there is constructive momentum, that there is a – an inclination on – on the a part of each international locations, and, by the way in which, this contains Ukraine as effectively, to get to a long-term, sturdy peace right here.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, France’s president publicly mentioned yesterday that, in his nation’s view, Russia is just not real in searching for peace. They’re intensifying the preventing.
We noticed Vladimir Putin on tv this week wearing navy fatigues. He made public feedback about desirous to resolve root causes of the warfare. How completely different was his message in non-public?
STEVE WITKOFF: Nicely, I – look, I do not – I do not know what President Macron mentioned.
I feel it is unlucky when individuals make these form of assessments, and so they haven’t got essentially firsthand information. However I am not going to touch upon what he mentioned, as a result of I do not know what he mentioned.
I do know what I heard, the physique language I witnessed. I noticed a constructive effort over a protracted time frame to – to debate the specifics of what is going on on within the area. There is a 2,000-kilometer border between these two international locations, and they’re dealing with – taking pictures one another and dealing with one another throughout that 2,000-mile border.
That is a really, very difficult cease-fire, and but all people is dedicated to have that dialogue. Right here we’re, within the throes of getting that dialogue, with the Russians speaking about sending technical groups, the USA sending technical groups, a gathering in Saudi Arabia with our nationwide safety adviser, Mike Waltz, and Secretary of State Rubio that had a number of positivity hooked up to it, my assembly, which I – I regard as promising.
I feel these are all very, superb developments, and hopefully inform on the opportunity of a near-term peace settlement.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, past the cease-fire, a peace settlement? you are already speaking about technicalities by way of territory that will be given up?
STEVE WITKOFF: Nicely, I – what I – what I am saying, the technical – what I am saying is {that a} cease-fire includes the best way to get individuals to not be preventing with one another over a 2,000-kilometer border. That is – that is 1,200 miles.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
STEVE WITKOFF: Nor does that embody a important space of confrontation, which is Kursk. And so there’s completely different battlefield situations.
We have got to debate that. There are areas that everyone knows the Russians are targeted on. There’s a nuclear reactor that provides fairly a little bit of electrical energy to – to the nation of Ukraine. That is acquired to be handled. There’s entry to ports. There’s the Black Sea potential settlement.
There’s – there’s simply – there’s so many parts, Margaret, to the implementation of a cease-fire right here. And I examine it generally to Gaza. Gaza is a finite, outlined house as in comparison with the – the battle – the place the battle is being fought in Ukraine-Russia.
So it is a rather more difficult scenario, and but nobody is throwing their arms up within the air. What they’re doing is, they’re digging in, and all people is dedicated, all stakeholders, together with the Europeans, to doing every thing we have to do to get to a profitable decision right here.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You talked about Gaza.
I wish to ask you what specifics you’re looking at with regards to relocating the 2 million Palestinians in Gaza. Prior to now, you have talked about Egypt. You have talked about Jordan. Are you speaking to different international locations at this level about resettling?
STEVE WITKOFF: I imply, I feel we’re exploring, Margaret, all options and choices that results in a greater life for Gazans and, by the way in which, for the individuals of Israel.
So we’re exploring all of these issues. However, proper now, what’s proper in entrance of us, is coming to some form of decision on this battle. And the latest expertise that we had on the Arab summit, the place we spent 7.5 hours with leaders of assorted Arab international locations, the latest expertise we had with Hamas’ response was not encouraging.
Now, to me, we put a really wise proposal on the desk that was meant as a bridge to get to a last dialogue and last decision right here that will have integrated some form of demilitarization of Hamas, which should occur – that is a crimson line for the Israelis – and perhaps might have led to a long-term peace decision right here.
And but Hamas – Hamas got here up with their very own assemble…
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
STEVE WITKOFF: … primarily disavowed what we mentioned.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
STEVE WITKOFF: And, to my thoughts, that was a fairly poor ending.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
STEVE WITKOFF: And I – I hope they rethink, as a result of the choice is just not so good for them.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Understood.
Ambassador Witkoff, thanks in your time as we speak.
We’ll be again with extra Face the Nation.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: In the event you miss an interview or a full episode of Face the Nation, you’ll be able to return and watch it on FacetheNation.com or on YouTube. Simply search Face the Nation for our web page.
We will likely be proper again.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We will likely be proper again with much more Face the Nations, so stick with us.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome again to FACE THE NATION.
We flip now to the chairman of the Price range Committee, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who joins us this morning from Clemson, South Carolina.
Welcome again.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC): Thanks.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Close to miss with the federal government shutdown, sir. And I – I assumed we would be speaking about a number of home coverage, however President Trump’s viewpoint appears to be abroad in these – on this previous week. Actually a number of motion.
I regarded on the final time we spoke. You had been advocating for President Trump to bomb Iran. You mentioned, there is a one in trillion likelihood you will degrade the Iranian nuclear program by way of diplomacy. Since then, President Trump has supplied negotiations. Are you softening your stance?
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Nicely, I do not thoughts negotiating, so long as we get the end result that all of us want. They can not have a nuclear bomb. So, I feel there’s a one in trillion likelihood the ayatollah would ever genuinely quit his quest for a nuclear weapon. He needs a nuclear weapon to make use of it. He needs to destroy Israel, kill all of the Jews. He is a non secular Nazi. He needs to purify Islam and drive us out of the area.
Sure, I feel he – I feel he is a fanatical, spiritual Nazi who would use a bomb. However let’s speak to him. And if he actually is honest, quit enrichment. There are 40 international locations on this world which have nuclear energy however do not enrich. There is no industrial goal for enriching uranium at 60 %. He has sufficient to make six bombs at 60 %. So, flip that throughout to the worldwide neighborhood. We’ll pay for it. Get out of the enrichment enterprise and we’ll assist you together with your nuclear energy program. In the event you’ll do all these issues, then I’ll have been confirmed unsuitable.
MARGARET BRENNAN: That is a protracted – that is a protracted to-do checklist. And thus far no – no indication that he is taking the supply.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Not likely. He is – in the event you do not wish to bomb, quit enrichment.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: You do not want enrichment for nuclear energy. You do want enrichment to make a bomb. It isn’t that arduous.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Understood.
We did see extra Russian strikes in Ukraine in a single day. You could have been an advocate for Ukraine.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Do – you heard the secretary of state.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You heard Ambassador Witkoff.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure. Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Is Putin taking part in for time? Is he taking part in President Trump?
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: I do not know but. However I do know you play President Trump at your individual peril. What Trump did to get Ukraine on the desk was robust, and it labored. So, if Putin is honest about wanting peace, settle for the ceasefire on the identical phrases as Ukraine and give up making an attempt to combine the 2, ceasefire and peace deal.
What I’d advise the Trump administration to do is to inform Putin, are you going to simply accept the ceasefire on the identical phrases as Ukraine or not. In the event you’re not, return to most stress.
I’ve laws that can overwhelmingly go the USA Senate that can crush the Russian economic system. And I am keen to maneuver ahead if I’ve to. However we’re speaking a couple of ceasefire and we’re speaking about peace. We weren’t speaking about that within the final administration. However, to me, Putin’s a predator. The easiest way to evaluate Putin is just not in a 3 hour assembly however 30 years of motion. And I see no indication that he will cease being a predator in opposition to Ukraine till the ache is just too massive.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you could have –
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: So, if he refuses the ceasefire, that tells me all I have to know.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you could have any motive to imagine that President Trump would signal the laws you say you need to use to place extra sanctions on Russia? As a result of he hasn’t put extra sanctions on Russia in a big approach in any respect.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: I feel he is ready to see what sort of response he will get from the discussions that Witkoff had. Who, I like Steve, and I am glad he is doing what he is doing.
I feel Trump’s going to speak to Putin this week. You may’t clear up an issue till you speak the – to the one who’s creating the issue. And the issue is Putin. He is a predator towards Ukraine and the area at massive.
I hope President Trump can persuade Putin to go to the peace desk.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: To have interaction in a ceasefire and to discover a win/win resolution for each international locations to cease the killing. You may by no means know till you strive. And there is one individual on the planet able to doing that, and that’s President Trump. If Putin is taking part in Trump, he’ll remorse it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you assume Vladimir Putin advantages from the U.S. resolution to attempt to shutter a few of the advocates for the free press and brokers of the free press, like Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia and Voice of America? As , there was an govt order to attempt to dismantle them.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure. Sure, I do not know what worth these – these concepts have within the twenty first century. On the finish of the day, I am going to look and consider the place the voice of America actually is, Radio Free Europe, I do know it made a distinction within the Chilly Battle. Folks instructed us that. So, that is one thing to contemplate, is it nonetheless well worth the worth? However I like the concept of placing unhealthy guys on their again foot and giving individuals hope.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure, you had been an advocate for mushy energy.
I wish to ask you about what’s taking place right here at house.
There have been extra govt orders from the president this week concentrating on a few of the nation’s most outstanding legislation corporations, together with Paul Weiss. He needs to limit enterprise actions of the agency regardless of a federal decide ruling in a unique case that it is unconstitutional. The president suspended safety clearances on the agency. He stripped clearances from attorneys over at Covington and Burling as effectively as a result of they had been concerned in representing former particular counsel Jack Smith.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you help this?
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure, I feel all of this stuff – I feel Jack Smith was politically motivated. I feel the Russian hoax – lots of people ought to have gone to jail, and so they did not. I feel the concept that President Trump was an agent of Russia was manufactured. The Steele file was primarily based on lies and falsehoods coming from a supply that mentioned he by no means meant it for use within the vogue it was used. I feel Jack Smith’s effort to prosecute President Trump for January sixth was politically motivated. And individuals who have interaction in making an attempt to destroy President Trump, I do not thoughts him going after them in a lawful approach. I do not thoughts prohibit – , when Biden took – took –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Is that this lawful?
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure, I feel so. Sure, I feel so.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Is that this good for the U.S. authorized system, Senator, as a result of
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The president’s making an attempt to make use of authorities energy to punish non-public enterprise as a result of he did not like a few of the work they’d been doing.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Nicely, non-public enterprise aided authorities energy in a – in a vogue to destroy Donald Trump’s life.
You recognize, on our aspect, no one in your world will get it, however our individuals imagine that the Justice Division was used as a weapon to destroy Trump’s marketing campaign and his enterprise pursuits and to wreck his household. That they made up bogus fees and so they proceeded in a vogue that was designed to destroy him politically and personally. I imagine that. And if these individuals concerned pay a worth, they acquired no one however themselves accountable. That is what I imagine.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However these are attorneys engaged on instances that – you make it sound just like the work they tackle is by some means a part of a conspiracy and they need to be punished for it.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure, I feel – I feel these legislation corporations had been pushing authorized theories that, to me, had been designed for political outcomes greater than authorized outcomes.
You recognize, I – we are able to have a debate about, , holding a lawyer accountable for his consumer’s actions.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: I genuinely don’t love that. However these – however these legislation corporations –
MARGARET BRENNAN: That is what this feels like.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: And Jack Smith utilizing the ability of presidency, incorporating these legislation corporations, in my – for my part, had been making an attempt to disrupt and take down the Republican nominee for president. That this was an orchestrated effort and Biden solely regretted they did not do it sooner. So, it was politically motivated. And all people with their fingerprints on it, I hope they pay a worth.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, Senator, I do know, because you’re on the Judiciary Committee, and –
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: And my reply is just not going to vary –
MARGARET BRENNAN: And have that oversight. It is vital to get your viewpoint, however I’ve acquired to depart it there for as we speak.
We’ll be proper again.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’re joined now by Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell.
Good to have you ever right here and a cheerful early St. Patrick’s Day.
REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE DINGELL (D-MI): Prime of the morning to you.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Congresswoman, I wish to speak in regards to the affect of those tariffs and potential tariffs since you’re from the manufacturing hub of Michigan.
We had been wanting on the information. Michigan’s misplaced greater than 220,000 manufacturing jobs over the previous 30 years. The vice chairman was out in Michigan this week. He says that is – this complete Trump technique is about industrial resurgence. Is that touchdown the place you reside?
REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE DINGELL: So, I am anyone that solutions this otherwise than many. I imagine that tariffs are a device within the toolbox. And in the event you’ll recall, I mentioned Donald Trump would win in 2016, and no one believed me. And I used to be proper. And it was one difficulty. It was commerce. NAFTA was one of many worst items of commerce laws within the historical past of this nation. It despatched tons of jobs abroad. And President Trump got here in. I labored with him. We renegotiated it. We now have the USMCA.
The way in which that the tariffs are being completed now’s – it is made a ping-pong ball of the auto business. I feel they are a device that we are able to have a look at. We have to utilizing them in opposition to China. However I feel they’re being selectively utilized. The home auto corporations are complying. There is no approach that in a month’s time, after they have such an built-in stock and manufacturing plan – manufacturing crops the place a component will go over the border a number of instances to make the adjustments that have to occur.
So, I wish to work with this administration. I feel the 25 % tariffs are too excessive. They’re inserting an unfair burden. Autos are a ping-pong ball in an enormous warfare. I wish to deliver manufacturing house. I wish to deliver provide chains house. We would have liked industrial coverage. Tariffs are a part of it. Let’s simply do it in a approach that lets all people plan for it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The automakers, the large three, referred to as President Trump. That was partly how this April 2nd push-off of a few of these tariffs occurred, their persuasion.
Do you could have any concept how lengthy it will take to construct the type of crops and to deliver all of the manufacturing house, like President Trump is asking of them?
REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE DINGELL: So, if every thing had been go proper, which, like on this world does something ever go proper, it’ll take two to 3 years. Our – our suppliers, additionally, there are various – and, by the way in which, we have to instantly renegotiate USMCA. It is time to take a look at it. And I feel we must be treating Mexico and Canada as completely different buying and selling companions. Subsequent –
MARGARET BRENNAN: You help this concept. Secretary Rubio was mainly saying bilateral, not North America as a globe –
REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE DINGELL: Completely. I completely – Canada would by no means let China construct a plant in China after which promote it as a North American car. And we have to make it possible for that by no means occurs. I am completely on board on that.
However proper now, as we’re speaking in regards to the aluminum and the metal tariffs, two – 60 % of aluminum on this nation – that is getting used is be – coming in from Canada. You’re taking a 25 % tariff on that, the revenue on cars is – could be very small. It isn’t an enormous – the businesses simply cannot eat that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE DINGELL: However we have got to determine it out. I’m not in opposition to commerce coverage. We simply need to do it in a approach that does not – I – I do not imagine Donald Trump needs to destroy the home auto business. I feel all of us started working collectively to maintain the home auto business robust. And whilst we’re doing Canada and Mexico, do you understand that Korea and Japan are nonetheless in a position – they introduced 2.5 million autos in to – Korea, with no tariff, and Japan with 2.5, not treating all people equally.
MARGARET BRENNAN: S&P world says there’s potential for North American auto manufacturing to drop by 20,000 models a day beginning this week. That is due to the tariffs. So, it is – it is having a –
REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE DINGELL: All corporations want certainty. Cars want actually. They should not be a ping-pong ball.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Are you speaking to the commerce secretary or the commerce consultant? Is there any dialog?
REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE DINGELL: I’ve not talked to the commerce secretary. I’ve talked to Bob Lighthizer, who I labored very intently with in –
MARGARET BRENNAN: The previous advisor.
REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE DINGELL: The previous commerce advisor. And I labored very intently with President Trump in – in – I completely –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE DINGELL: I mentioned he would win. Democrats did a awful job on commerce and that – MARGARET BRENNAN: Talking of Democrats and their efficiency, I wish to ask you, what occurred this previous week. We got here close to a shutdown. Finally, Democrats, within the Senate, did vote with Republicans on this short-term funding deal.
Senator Murphy of Connecticut was on one other community this morning, and he mentioned, “it will have been a danger to close down the federal government, but it surely was most likely price taking.”
REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE DINGELL: You recognize –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you agree?
REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE DINGELL: Nicely, within the Home, we had been virtually united, besides one, and there have been very robust emotions within the Home about what individuals thought that the Senate ought to do.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However the Senate – the Senate chief, Chuck Schumer, would say, you had been in a position to do this as a result of there was wiggle room on votes. The Republicans voted as a bloc.
REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE DINGELL: However I – I feel he despatched out blended alerts.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Schumer did?
REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE DINGELL: I feel – Senator Schumer despatched out blended alerts. And I talked to a number of laborers final week. AFGE, who’s workers had been going to be impacted essentially the most, had been very torn about what to do as a result of involved about their workers. Who I am assembly with every day once I’m on the market. Got here out in opposition to supporting it as a result of they felt like they had been already being harmed. There was already simply the license for DOGE to go forward and do no matter it needs. They are not together with Congress, not abiding with – persons are being harm.
However, Margaret, persons are indignant. We’re acquired to maneuver on. Reconciliation is arising. We now have acquired to be united as Democrats in ensuring reconciliation and we defend individuals from having their well being care reduce, Medicaid reduce, Social Safety reduce, or Medicare reduce, in any approach, form, or kind?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Can Chief Jeffries truly preserve that type of unity within the Home?
REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE DINGELL: He confirmed you that he might do it final week. And I can inform you that if you – I do not assume anyone has been house. In the event you’re house, my city halls seem like a Republican city corridor. I am not taking it personally. Persons are scared. They wish to see us do one thing.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You imply persons are shouting? Persons are indignant? Persons are upset?
REPRESENTATIVE DEBBIE DINGELL: They wish to see Democrats preventing again. They usually’re actually scared about what is going on to occur to them. Significantly on – seniors and – I used to be in – went to my bronchial asthma physician, and a lady in a wheelchair together with her youngster began crying with me within the hospital, what are you going to take action my youngster can nonetheless come right here?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Congresswoman, thanks. We’ll have to depart it there for as we speak.
We’ll be again in a second.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We go now to the Democratic governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, who joins us this morning from Annapolis.
Welcome again to FACE THE NATION.
GOVERNOR WES MOORE (D-MD): Thanks. Nice to be again.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, you could have, in your state, the Port of Baltimore. One of many nation’s largest ports. The president has put all these tariffs in place, teed them up, and on April 2nd is poised to enact 25 % tariffs on items from Canada and Mexico. Do you could have any concept when you will note the affect on delivery quantity, what the affect in your state’s economic system will likely be?
GOVERNOR WES MOORE: We’re already seeing the impacts of those – of those – of those disastrous and albeit not very effectively thought out insurance policies with regards to tariffs. You recognize, tariffs are a device. They are not an ideology. However this administration is utilizing it like an ideology. And so, whereas these selections are being made – made not with us, they’re being made to us, we’re already seeing how that is going to have a big affect on the Port of Baltimore. It is also seeing how the tariff insurance policies are having disastrous affect on our farmers over within the japanese shore, on our rooster farmers within the japanese shore. This lack of predictability, this erratic habits and this – and the indecisive resolution making that is being made is already having very actual affect on value. It is having very actual affect on our companies and our small companies. It is having a really actual affect on our financial engines and American aggressive, in addition to our nationwide safety. And so, these are the kind of issues, this erratic habits is the issues that folks had been involved about and we are actually seeing in actual time in our states.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, your state was one among 20 that determined to legally problem the Trump administration on the choice to dismiss 1,300 employees on the Schooling Division. I am questioning, as you sit there, how do you select which points to combat legally, and is litigation the Democrats’ solely device right here?
GOVERNOR WES MOORE: Nicely, it isn’t. I imply then you definitely have a look at the – on the flurry of govt actions and govt orders which have been laid out by this administration so far, they actually fall into three completely different classes. It is – it is both ineffective, it’s performative, or it’s unlawful, proper? These are the three buckets that every one of those govt actions are falling beneath.
And those which might be unlawful, we’re going to take authorized motion to make it possible for there are authorized penalties for making these selections that, frankly, the president of the USA doesn’t have the authority to make unilaterally.
And so, once we speak in regards to the completely different instruments that we now have, simply up to now week alone, , I signed – I signed govt motion, govt orders specializing in supporting legislation enforcement and our law enforcement officials and our firefighters and giving them pay raises as a result of, on the federal aspect, we have seen continued assaults on our public servants and our legislation enforcement and the reducing of first responders like FEMA.
MARGARET BRENNAN: On Friday, President Trump went to the Justice Division. And whereas he was there, he mentioned that the FBI headquarters will not be moved from Washington, D.C., out to the state of Maryland. He referred to as Maryland a liberal state, and he mentioned he will cease it.
I do know your workplace thought this was going to herald 7,500 new jobs. Have you ever reached out to the White Home to attempt to persuade them to not take it away?
GOVERNOR WES MOORE: Right here – here is the ironic factor about it’s, I discovered about that announcement from the president by way of the information. That goes to indicate the extent of partnership that this administration is – is – that they – that they’ve and they want from our nation’s governors and from our nation’s chief executives.
And so – so the factor that we find out about that is, it is a direct assault and a direct assault on legislation enforcement, a direct assault on the FBI, as a result of Maryland is the place – and we have gone – we went by way of this course of not only for these previous couple years since I have been the governor, however for the previous decade, the place Maryland – the place Maryland gained this – this factor, this competitors, truthful and sq., quantitively, the place we confirmed that we could possibly be at a spot that it was the one website prepared place to construct, construct prepared website. So, the constructing is able to go within the state of Maryland, however the president has simply determined to politicize it by speaking about, however he does not need it to go to a liberal state. We can not proceed to politicize nationwide safety when it’s too vital to the people who find themselves serving us.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Have you ever referred to as him? Have you ever referred to as the White Home?
GOVERNOR WES MOORE: We have tried calling the White Home earlier than and – and there – there’s – there isn’t any response. And – and, frankly, it simply highlights the truth that, once more, I discovered about this announcement by way of information break. I didn’t discover out about this announcement from the White Home.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you imagine it? However you imagine it?
GOVERNOR WES MOORE: Do I imagine the announcement?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
GOVERNOR WES MOORE: Nicely, I imagine that the president thinks he has the authority to do that. However I additionally assume that that falls into line of a set of different issues that the president doesn’t have the authority to do. Congress is the one who truly allocates the capital in the direction of the place federal businesses are going to go. And so, I imagine the president of the USA thinks that he can do that. However there’s one factor that I do know, and I say this on a Sunday morning, I do know there is a king of king and a lord of lords, and I do know he doesn’t dwell within the White Home.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I wish to ask you a couple of speech you gave final evening. You represented your get together on the Gridiron Dinner, an annual gathering of journalists right here. And also you devoted your remarks to federal employees. You mentioned there was dignity within the work that they do.
You additionally spoke about your get together, although, and the struggles that it’s having. You mentioned Democrats was once the cool ones. You joked in regards to the superior age of your get together’s leaders, saying their employees has to face round with defibrillators. I do know these are jokes, however – however you are acknowledging one thing right here. Is the problem together with your get together age or an absence of imaginative and prescient? And is the reset underway to repair these issues?
GOVERNOR WES MOORE: I feel we must be very clear about who we’re preventing for. And I feel we must be very clear in regards to the imaginative and prescient that we’re providing.
You recognize, I take into consideration what’s taking place, , on this second, even the dialog across the continued decision, the place – the place everyone knows that the results of a federal authorities shutdown would have been disastrous on the state of Maryland. However one factor we didn’t do was supply another. One factor we didn’t do was articulate the phrases for the American individuals.
And so I feel, when one – when the American individuals, when they don’t have an choice or they are not seeing individuals preventing on their behalf, then, sure, there may be going to be a measurement of frustration. We’re doing every thing in our energy to combat for the individuals. And I feel it turns into extremely vital, as a result of persons are paying consideration who their fighters are and who their fighters will not be.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, there have been voices inside your get together on Capitol Hill who supplied options, they only weren’t listened to. Do you assume there’s simply no chief within the get together?
GOVERNOR WES MOORE: I do not – I do not see a distinction. I do not – I do not see a distinction.
And, frankly, I do not assume the American individuals see a distinction. If they don’t seem to be listening to another, if they are not listening to another plan, if they are not listening to the plan to push again and combat again, if they are not seeing what we’re doing within the streets and within the communities and within the neighborhoods to combat for his or her finest pursuits, I feel for the American individuals they only have a look at it as theater. And that’s the irritating factor. The performative politics, persons are completed, and so they’re exhausted by it. They simply wish to see outcomes. And that is precisely what we’re making an attempt to offer within the state of Maryland.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Governor Moore, thanks in your time this morning.
GOVERNOR WES MOORE: Thanks.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’ll be proper again.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: That is it for us as we speak. Thanks for watching. Till subsequent week.
For FACE THE NATION, I am Margaret Brennan.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
