On this “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” broadcast, moderated by Margaret Brennan:
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
- Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat of New York
- Sen. Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina
- Rep. John Moolenaar, Republican of Michigan
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 travels to Asia, hoping to make commerce offers with international pals and adversaries alike. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent shall be right here with breaking information upfront of the a lot anticipated Trump-Xi assembly.
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(CHEERING)
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MARGARET BRENNAN: President Trump was all smiles as he kicked off a visit full of plans for worldwide wheeling and dealing.
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DONALD TRUMP (President of the US): And we should always smile, I feel, proper?
MAN: Sure.
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PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Everyone, smile.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: He could also be prepared for dealmaking overseas, however again dwelling, the standoff over funding the federal government continues. Well being care subsidies for the Inexpensive Care Act are about to expire, inflicting premiums for thousands and thousands to spike, and grocery costs proceed to soar.
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PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Inflation, I’ve already taken care of. Economically, the nation is the strongest it is ever been. Thank God for tariffs. If we did not have tariffs, we would be a Third World nation.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: Home Democratic Chief Hakeem Jeffries shall be right here, as will South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.
We may also speak with Congressman John Moolenaar. He is the pinnacle of the Home Choose Committee on Strategic Competitors Between the U.S. and the Chinese language Communist Celebration.
Lastly, additionally breaking this morning, Paris prosecutors say arrests have been made in final week’s theft of an estimated $100 million price of jewels and diamonds on the Louvre.
It is all simply forward on Face the Nation.
Good morning, and welcome to Face the Nation.
President Trump has left the federal government shutdown, now in its twenty sixth day, behind him and is making his approach by three Asian international locations on a globe- trotting commerce tour this week. His journey will culminate on Thursday, when he meets with Chinese language President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
We spoke simply a short time in the past with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has been main the commerce talks with China upfront of the assembly between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies. We requested the secretary whether or not or not the president’s risk to impose a 155 p.c tariff on China efficient November 1 was nonetheless on the desk.
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SCOTT BESSENT (U.S. Treasury Secretary): Margaret, I feel we had an excellent two-day assembly.
I’d imagine that the – so it could be an additional 100% from the place we at the moment are. And I imagine that that’s successfully off the desk. I am not going to get forward of the 2 leaders, who shall be assembly in Korea on Thursday, however I can let you know we had an excellent two days.
So I’d anticipate that the specter of the 100% has gone away, as has the specter of the instant imposition of the Chinese language initiating a worldwide export management regime.
MARGARET BRENNAN: That export management on uncommon earths, which is utilized in all kinds of electronics and cars, that shall be lifted?
SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT: Effectively, it was by no means imposed, in order that they threatened to impose it in December.
And President Trump, to offer me and the commerce staff leverage, determined that it could be a good suggestion for him to threaten a 100% extra tariff, and it did give us quite a lot of leverage. President Trump’s superb at creating leverage for us. That is the fourth assembly – excuse me – – the fifth assembly that we have had with the Chinese language.
My Chinese language counterpart is the vice premier, He Lifeng. So we had an excellent two days. We mentioned all kinds of points, from the uncommon earth magazine – from the uncommon earth magnets, to commerce, to substantial purchases of American agricultural merchandise, to the Chinese language serving to us on this fentanyl disaster that we’ve got within the U.S.
MARGARET BRENNAN: On the purchases of American items. American farmers have been hit exhausting by China’s boycott of American soybeans that went into place after the tariff battle started right here.
The administration is pumping at the very least $3 billion in monetary support to farmers to assist make them complete, or at the very least offset the ache. Can farmers anticipate to promote their soybeans to China once more, and when?
SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT: Margaret, I am not going to provide the particulars right here, however I can let you know that the soybean farmers are going to be extraordinarily pleased with this deal for this yr and for the approaching years.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Just a few weeks in the past, there was a photographer who snapped a photograph of you texting with the agricultural secretary about this. She indicated concern in regards to the unintended harm to American farmers from the U.S. monetary lifeline being given to Argentina as a result of that nation was capable of promote extra to China.
That gave Beijing leverage over the US. Is that leverage nonetheless an issue in the present day?
SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT: Effectively, first – to start with, the textual content from Secretary Rollins was speaking – speaking about a purchase order of soybeans that the Chinese language did.
And, Margaret, these soybeans had been at all times going to get bought. They only did it at a time when the Argentines had lifted their export taxes. So these – these soybeans had been at all times going to be available on the market. It is a international market. The three main suppliers are Brazil, Argentina and the U.S.
And I imagine that we’ve got introduced the market again into equilibrium, and I imagine that the Chinese language shall be making substantial purchases once more.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So that you dispute the concept that America damage itself by giving this $20 billion lifeline to Argentina? Are you able to assure People they will be made complete on that?
SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT: Margaret, I can let you know that the Change Stabilization Fund has by no means misplaced cash. It is not going to lose cash this time. And we’re not giving cash to Argentina. It’s a swap line, which the U.S. has completed many occasions previously, and we have by no means misplaced cash.
MARGARET BRENNAN: On the Chinese language, I noticed that you just talked about TikTok was mentioned. Are the main points of the president’s govt order launched in September, are these finalized? Has China agreed to surrender management of the algorithm that determines what customers see?
SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT: Margaret, we reached a ultimate deal on TikTok. We reached one in Madrid, and I imagine that, as of in the present day, all the main points are ironed out, and that shall be for the 2 leaders to consummate that transaction on Thursday in Korea.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Are you able to inform us any particulars of that transaction?
SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT: Margaret, I am not a part of the industrial facet of the transaction. The – my – my remit was to get the Chinese language to comply with approve the transaction, and I imagine we efficiently achieved that over the previous two days.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Over the previous two days, did the U.S. make any concessions right here, past what we mentioned with the tariffs? Are you dropping restrictions on exports of, for instance, semiconductor chips or restrictions on Chinese language funding in the US?
SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT: There have been no – no modifications through – in our export controls.
MARGARET BRENNAN: When Presidents Xi and Trump are capable of communicate on Thursday, do you imagine that the president’s place right here, his skill to barter a cope with China, goes to be damage by the truth that he is been unable to get a deal right here at dwelling to reopen the U.S. authorities?
SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT: Effectively, look, I – I do not assume it’ll – I do not assume it’ll damage. It is a international embarrassment what these Democratic senators are doing, preserve – protecting the federal government shut down.
I imply, have a look at the numbers. It is 52 to a few, 52 Republican senators. Three Democratic senators have come throughout the road. So I simply assume it is a humiliation. Would not have an effect on his skill on the worldwide stage.
Now, what it does have an effect on, it is beginning to have an effect on the economic system. It is beginning to decelerate air site visitors. And I’d urge reasonable Democrats to be heroes, come throughout the aisle, like they did within the spring, and move a clear C.R.
MARGARET BRENNAN: A seamless decision simply to fund the federal government with none add-ons.
Does that imply, when the president comes again to the US, he will summon congressional leaders to the White Home to finish what you name the worldwide embarrassment?
SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT: I do not know what good it does to summon them to the White Home. This can be a Democratic-led boycott, and I am simply undecided what they’re doing.
What’s modified between now and March, aside from Chuck Schumer’s ballot numbers? And I feel Hakeem Jeffries is now going to be primaried from the left, and I did not assume there was a variety of room over there. So each of them are frightened about their primaries, and never the American folks, not the federal government workers, not our army workers, as a result of we had been capable of pay the army workers from extra funds on the Pentagon center of this month.
I feel we’ll be capable to pay them starting in November. However by November 15, our troops and repair members, who’re keen to danger their lives, aren’t going to have the ability to receives a commission. What a humiliation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Understood. We’ll speak to Hakeem Jeffries later in this system.
I need to ask you about what the president simply introduced in regard to Canada. Right now, the president mentioned he desires to boost tariffs on Mexico. Yesterday, he mentioned he will elevate tariffs on Canada by 10 p.c. He blames what he referred to as a fraudulent advert that featured Ronald Reagan advocate – advocating free of charge commerce.
It was put up by the province of Ontario. Is that this advert actually the problem right here, or is it only a tactic on this negotiation? Does the president need the USMCA free commerce deal renegotiated, or is he trying to do two separate offers, one with Canada, one with Mexico?
SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT: Effectively, a variety of questions there, Margaret, however let’s go to the primary one.
I’ve learn that the province of Ontario is spending as much as $75 million on these commercials, and it is propaganda coming throughout our border to decry the tariffs. So the premier of Ontario appears to have come off the rails a bit of. He has taken the adverts down.
However what is the goal of that, aside from to attempt to sway U.S. public opinion? We have seen the – I am certain you at your community have decried election interference. Effectively, that is interference in U.S. sovereign issues.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However is it actually the premise for damaging negotiations with a high buying and selling accomplice?
SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT: Effectively, it is clearly broken our relationship the – – with probably the most populous province in Canada.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Relating to inflation right here at dwelling, the president mentioned it has been defeated. However, as , that core inflation edged as much as 3 p.c in September, lower than forecast, hotter than August.
However for folks at dwelling, they’re seeing costs nonetheless excessive on furnishings, vitality, gardening, garden care, attire. Do you anticipate this stuff to chill off, and when?
SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT: Effectively, it’s cooling off, as a result of the core inflation quantity that you just referenced was 0.2 p.c, which is down the – from the earlier sequence over the earlier months.
And also you listed the issues which might be up, however we’re seeing loads of issues which might be down, whether or not it is vitality and rents. Inflation is a composite quantity. And I feel we’re on a glide path to decrease inflation over the approaching months.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Decrease inflation, however not essentially that People will go searching and issues have gotten cheaper.
SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT: Margaret, once more, there’s affordability after which there may be inflation.
So, a number of the issues that may get cheaper, lease has gotten cheaper. Mortgages have gotten cheaper. We’re at, I imagine, an 11- or 12-month low on mortgage charges.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mr. Secretary, earlier than I allow you to go, I need to ask you.
The U.S. sanctioned Russia’s high oil and fuel firms this previous week, however Vladimir Putin’s envoy, who’s right here in the US, Kirill Dmitriev, I do know him, mentioned the sanctions can have – quote – “completely no impact on Russia’s economic system. They’ll merely result in increased costs at fuel stations in the US.”
Is Dmitriev incorrect? And when will Russia really really feel the ache?
SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT: Effectively, I feel Russia goes to really feel the ache instantly.
I can let you know that we have already seen India has completed an entire halt of Russian oil purchases. Most of the Chinese language refineries have stopped. And, Margaret, are you actually going to – the – publish what a Russian propagandist says?
I imply, what else is he going to say, that, oh, it’ll be horrible and it’ll convey Putin to the desk? In fact. The Russian economic system is a wartime economic system. Development is just about zero. Inflation, I imagine, is over 20 p.c.
And every part we do goes to convey Putin to the – to the desk. It is oil that funds the Russian battle machine, and I feel we are able to make a considerable dent in his earnings.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I understood. You had some competing noise there.
However, simply to be clear, Dmitriev is in the US as a result of sanctions had been – had been lifted on him to conduct conferences right here, together with with President Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff. If you say he is a propagandist, do you imply that we should not hearken to something he says?
SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT: I – what do you assume – what do you assume goes to occur to him if he goes again dwelling and says the – the – good lord, what if he had mentioned on TV, that is horrible, President Trump simply did the appropriate factor, it is a most stress marketing campaign that is going to work?
Margaret, what’s he going to say? In fact he will say this. In case you undergo and have a look at each Russian speaking level, they appear to make use of the phrase we’ve got immunized the economic system towards this. Effectively, they have not immunized the economic system.
Their oil earnings are down 20 p.c yr over yr. I’d suspect that this might take them down one other 20 or 30 p.c. So, once more, President Trump was criticized for not doing sufficient. He takes his daring maneuver, and then you definately’re quoting a Russian propagandist.
MARGARET BRENNAN: All proper, we’ll depart it there with you. Mr. Secretary, I do know you have had a protracted day. Thanks in your time.
SECRETARY SCOTT BESSENT: Thanks.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: Face the Nation shall be again in a single minute. Stick with us.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: And we’re again with the highest Democrat within the Home, Chief Hakeem Jeffries. He joins us from his Brooklyn, New York district.
Good morning.
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-New York): Good morning. Nice to be with you.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, Chief Jeffries, Treasury Secretary Bessent mentioned the shutdown is beginning to have an effect on the economic system, and, by November 15, the troops is not going to be paid. Do you anticipate the shutdown to final that lengthy?
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: I definitely hope not. That is day 26 of the Trump-Republican shutdown.
And, as Democrats, we’ve got maintained from the very starting and proceed to keep up we are going to sit down anytime, anyplace, with anybody both on the Capitol or again on the White Home to reopen the federal government to barter a bipartisan spending settlement that really meets the wants of the American folks and to decisively tackle the Republican well being care disaster, notably because it pertains to the pressing want to increase the Inexpensive Care Act tax credit, so we are able to stop tens of thousands and thousands of People from experiencing dramatically elevated medical health insurance premiums that can make entry to a health care provider unaffordable.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I need to come again to well being care in a second, however the treasury secretary accused you of taking part in politics personally.
And I do know that your Democratic Whip, Katherine Clark, mentioned on FOX this previous week that shutdowns are horrible, however, as she put it, it is one of many few leverage gadgets Democrats have. Do you assume Democrats are gaining from this struggle?
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: No, our focus continues to be on driving down the excessive value of dwelling for on a regular basis People.
Donald Trump and Republicans promised that they’d decrease prices on day one. We all know prices have not gone down. They are going up. Inflation is transferring within the incorrect path. The Trump tariffs have made life dearer for the American folks, to the tune of 1000’s of extra {dollars} per yr.
We all know that electrical energy payments are by the roof. Housing prices are too excessive, childcare prices are too excessive, groceries too costly. And now tens of thousands and thousands of People are susceptible to having their premiums explode…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Certain.
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: … in some instances by $1,000 to $2,000 per yr. That is what this struggle for us is all about.
Republicans have provide you with a brand new conspiracy idea each week for the final six weeks. The Democratic place, Margaret, has been clear, cancel the cuts, decrease the associated fee, save well being care.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, that was the quote from the whip herself when she mentioned leverage.
However I hear you on rising well being care prices. However the instant time period, folks do not get paid; 750,000 federal staff are on unpaid depart. Eighty p.c of the oldsters who work on our nuclear program are included in that determine. The agriculture secretary mentioned there shall be delays in meals staps – – stamps for most of the 41 million individuals who depend on SNAP.
After which at airports throughout the nation, half of the flight delays, based on the transportation secretary, are due to staffing shortages. This ache is actual now. So, is there a degree at which it turns into too nice to justify persevering with the shutdown?
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: Effectively, there may be an pressing have to reopen the federal government, which is why we proceed to demand that Republicans sit on the negotiating desk so we are able to enact a spending settlement that is bipartisan in nature.
That is what we have referred to as for from the very starting. Sadly…
MARGARET BRENNAN: However the Republicans are saying…
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: … Republicans have refused to sit down down.
MARGARET BRENNAN: … they will not do this till you move the funding invoice, the clear funding invoice that already handed the Home. Why cannot Democrats within the Senate get on board with that?
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: Effectively, we have made clear – and I am grateful for the management of Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats – that we – we’re not going to help a partisan Republican spending invoice that continues to intestine the well being care of the American folks in an setting the place Republicans have already enacted the most important reduce to Medicaid in American historical past.
Hospitals, nursing properties and community-based well being facilities are closing all throughout the nation. There may be the likelihood that Medicare may face a $536 billion reduce, the most important reduce to Medicare in historical past, if Congress would not act by the tip of this yr, due to what Republican insurance policies have completed of their one large, ugly invoice.
And now they refuse to increase the Inexpensive Care Act tax credit. That impacts working-class People, middle-class People and on a regular basis People all through the nation, together with in rural America.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively – effectively, they have not refused. Chief Thune mentioned he’d even put that up for a vote if you happen to open the federal government first.
However subsequent Saturday is the start of open enrollment. I imply, individuals are going to see what that invoice goes to seem like. Virtually talking, aren’t you out of time right here? Insurance coverage firms have set these premiums in place. That is how they’re already within the mail for folks to open and see on Saturday.
What turns into the technique after November 1 if this shutdown lasts that lengthy?
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: Effectively, hear, we need to reopen the federal government, and we have to stand by our exhausting working federal workers who’re doing all that they will to be sure that taxpayer {dollars} are spent successfully and effectively, even beneath probably the most hostile circumstances.
Bear in mind, when it comes to federal workers, the Trump administration has fired or dismissed greater than 200,000 civil servants previous to them shutting the federal government down on October 1. We need to reopen the federal government now. By way of well being care, a part of the fact is that tens of thousands and thousands of individuals are already receiving notices in October that their premiums are about to skyrocket…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Precisely.
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: … due to the Republican refusal to increase the Inexpensive Care Act tax credit score.
And, by the way in which, they’ve had the chance, each Home Republicans and Senate Republicans, repeatedly all year long to increase the Inexpensive Care Act tax credit. And so they’ve persistently voted towards it. That is why we’d like motion, not merely phrases, a wing-and-a-prayer promise from individuals who have tried to repeal the Inexpensive Care Act greater than 70 completely different occasions since 2010.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However aren’t the premiums already locked in right here? Or are you saying Republicans are proper when you may make up for it on the finish of the yr with the tax credit score?
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: The premiums should not locked in, when it comes to the fact that, if we are able to act legislatively and act now, we are able to lengthen the open enrollment interval. We are able to push it again.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: And we are able to intervene as a Congress with a view to really shield…
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: … the affordability of medical health insurance for tens of thousands and thousands of individuals.
MARGARET BRENNAN: All proper, Chief, stick with us. I’ve to take a fast industrial break.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: The Paris prosecutor’s workplace introduced in the present day that French police have made arrests, though we do not know what number of, in final Sunday’s theft on the Louvre.
One suspect was detained on the Charles de Gaulle Airport as he tried to flee the nation. Thieves stole an estimated $100 million price of jewels and gems throughout a brazen daytime theft that took lower than eight minutes.
We shall be proper again.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We shall be proper again with extra from Democratic Chief Hakeem Jeffries, plus Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome again to “FACE THE NATION.”
We return now to our dialog with Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries.
Chief Jeffries, I need to ask you about another issues as effectively. In New York Metropolis, a metropolis of greater than eight million folks, there’s about to be an election of a brand new mayor. You waited till this Friday, the day earlier than early voting started, to endorse the Democratic socialist candidate, Zohran Mamdani. Why did you wait so lengthy?
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): Effectively, as I indicated, the final a number of weeks we have been immersed within the depth across the authorities shutdown and the run-up to that upfront of September thirtieth and the expiration of the fiscal yr.
However I help the Democratic nominee, as I indicated. And we’re in alignment when it comes to the problem associated to affordability and the necessity to tackle it decisively for town of New York. And, after all, affordability is a matter for folks all throughout the nation.
From a public security standpoint, I supported the notion that he would retain Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to proceed to steer the NYPD ahead. That is extremely necessary from a public security standpoint for each group, together with as a excessive precedence the security and safety of the Jewish group. And when it comes to the second that we discover ourselves in, Donald Trump represents an existential risk to town of New York and past due to the intense assault that has taken place all through this yr on the economic system, on healthcare, on farmers, on veterans, on law-abiding immigrant communities, on due course of, on the rule of regulation, and, after all, on the American lifestyle itself. And all of us, as People, are going to need to be aligned in pushing again so we are able to finish this nationwide nightmare that Donald Trump has visited upon the American folks.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, you continue to waited till Friday and the election is upon us. However you are leaving room in your reply there for understanding that you do not agree with the candidate on another points, although you agree with him on affordability.
Since Democrats are working for re-election within the midterm races, you need to retake the Home. Would you suggest they mimic a number of the Mamdani’s messages as a progressive mannequin for the social gathering?
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: No, what we have mentioned from the very starting is that we’ve got to decisively tackle the affordability disaster that Donald Trump and Republican insurance policies have made worse in the US of America. We have to decrease the excessive value of dwelling. We have to repair our damaged healthcare system.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, no.
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: And we have to, after all, clear up corruption in the US of America.
No, what we’ll mimic is our personal views because it pertains to the necessity to make life extra inexpensive right here in America. If you work exhausting and play by the principles on this nation, it is best to be capable to reside a snug life, reside the nice life. Good-paying job, good housing, good healthcare, good schooling in your kids and a very good retirement. However far too many individuals are struggling to reside paycheck to paycheck and might barely get by.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: That is unacceptable within the wealthiest nation within the historical past of the world.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I need to ask you about one thing you mentioned. You mentioned Democrats – “there aren’t any election deniers on our facet of the aisle.” You mentioned that again in January. However lately you have been utilizing the time period “rigged elections” in reference the upcoming midterms. Democrats had been appalled when President Trump used language like that. How do you justify utilizing that now? Would not that undermine religion for voters it is advisable present up?
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: No, I have been utilizing that time period within the context of Donald Trump’s unprecedented effort to gerrymander congressional maps in a partisan vogue all throughout the nation with a view to rig the midterm elections and deny the power of the American folks to really resolve who must be within the majority because it pertains to the Home of Representatives. The framers of the structure had been very clear.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You realize Democrats are additionally going by – by gerrymandering and redistricting.
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: No, no, no, – effectively, Democrats are going to push again aggressively to be sure that we’ve got truthful maps throughout the nation, not partisan gerrymandering –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively –
REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: Which Republicans have initiated in state after state after state.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Chief Jeffries, thanks in your time this morning.
We’ll be proper again.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: We flip now to Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. He joins us from Seneca, South Carolina.
Welcome again to “FACE THE NATION.”
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC): Thanks. Good morning.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator, on Friday Protection Secretary Hegseth ordered the deployment of the Navy’s most superior plane service, the Gerald Ford, to Latin America.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: President Trump was requested if he deliberate to ask Congress for a declaration of battle.
Take a hear.
(BEGIN VC)
DONALD TRUMP, (President of the US): I do not assume we’ll essentially ask for a declaration of battle. I feel we’re simply going to kill folks which might be bringing medication into our nation, OK? We will kill them. You realize, they will be like useless.
(END VC)
MARGARET BRENNAN: You do not want an plane service to hit drug boats. Are land strikes deliberate?
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure. Sure, I feel that is an actual risk. I feel President Trump’s decided that Maduro, the – the chief of Venezuela, is an indicted drug – drug trafficker, that it is time for him to go. That Venezuela and Colombia have been protected havens for narco terrorists for too lengthy. And President Trump instructed me yesterday that he plans to temporary members of Congress when he will get again from Asia about future potential army operations towards Venezuela and Colombia.
So, there shall be a congressional briefing a few potential increasing from the ocean to the land. I help that concept. However I feel he has all of the authority he wants.
Senator Gallego, on one other community, accused President Trump and our army of committing homicide by attacking these drug boats. To our women and men in uniform, you are not murdering anyone, you make America safer by going after narco terrorists. You are following lawful orders.
When President Bush 41 took Ortega out in Panama, Reagan went into Grenada to cope with the Cuban affect on Grenada in our yard. He has all of the authority on the earth. This isn’t homicide, that is defending America from being poisoned from narco terrorists coming from Venezuela and Colombia.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, quite a bit there. However simply to make clear, the examples you are citing additionally concerned floor troops. You mentioned time for Maduro to go.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: That sounds quite a bit like regime change.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure, it’s.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Are you speaking about troops on the bottom?
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: I will let the president communicate to that. I am speaking a few briefing that may broaden army operations doubtlessly from the ocean to the land. It’s time for Maduro to go. It was time for Ortega to go. You realize, the Monroe Doctrine has being robustly utilized by President Trump. So, these army property are transferring ahead to cope with a rustic that is obtained blood on its arms in the case of People by flooding our nation with medication from Venezuela and Colombia.
So, I hope Maduro would go away peacefully, however I do not assume he will keep round for much longer. I feel President Trump is bored with Venezuela getting used as a staging platform to poison America.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, there’s quite a bit there, sir, however you cited a Democratic senator’s criticism. He is not the one one.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: A few of your Republican colleagues have been uncomfortable with what little data has been shared with Congress.
Take a hear.
(BEGIN VC)
SENATOR RAND PAUL (R-KY): But when they need all-out battle the place we kill anyone and everyone that’s within the nation of Venezuela or popping out, that has to have a declaration of battle. It is one thing that’s not fairly, very costly. And I am not in favor of declaring battle on Venezuela. However the Congress ought to vote. The president should not do that by himself.
SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD (R-OK): If this was taking place with this stage of perception beneath the Biden administration, I would be apoplectic.
(END VC)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Todd Younger additionally criticized this.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: What precisely is the tip recreation? Since you’re speaking about regime change in Venezuela.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The president saying that is about drug boats.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure. Effectively, I feel the tip recreation is to be sure that Venezuela and Colombia can’t be used to poison America. That the narco terrorist dictator, Maduro, not be capable to threaten our nation and to ship in medication to kill People.
As to Rand Paul, I simply disagree essentially together with his strategy. We did not have a declaration to enter Panama. Bush 41 went into Panama to exchange the management there as a result of the Panama management, Panamanian management, had been working with drug cartels to threaten our nation.
Reagan did not have a declaration of battle, congressional authorization, to cope with Cuban affect.
So, this concept of – Rand Paul, I simply essentially disagree with.
To the opposite senators, you deserve extra data and you are going to get extra data. However there isn’t any requirement for Congress to declare battle earlier than the commander in chief can use drive. Panama and Grenada are two examples in our yard the place Republican presidents selected to go after international locations and leaders that had been threatening our folks.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However there – there appeared to be various points wound up in right here. I do know you personally used to function a choose advocate within the Air Pressure.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure. Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We appeared on the JAG handbook. “Preventive self-defense employed to counter non-imminent threats is against the law beneath worldwide regulation. So, if we’re not at battle and these suspected criminals pose no risk of imminent violence, is not this doubtlessly a battle crime to be killing the folks on these boats after which to be taking out a pacesetter?
GRAHAM: No, by no means. I do not know what handbook you are referring to, however I do know what President Bush 41 did. He took down Ortega, the chief of Panama, as a result of he was concerned in drug trafficking, threatening our nation.
Venezuela is now partnering with Hezbollah. Hezbollah is working out of cash as a result of Iran is weak. They’re partnering with drug cartels in Venezuela.
MARGARET BRENNAN: That is not new.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: No, it ought to have stopped.
This is what – this is what’s new. You have obtained a commander in chief that is not going to place up with this crap. We’re not going to sit down on the sidelines and watch boats full of medication come to our nation. We will blow them up and kill the people who need to poison America. And we’re now going to broaden operations, I feel, to the land. So, please be clear about what I am saying in the present day. President Donald Trump sees Venezuela and Colombia as direct threats to our nation as a result of they home narco terrorist organizations. The chief of Venezuela is an indicted drug vendor in American courts.
So, sure, the sport is altering in the case of drug traffickers and drug cartels. We will use army drive, like we’ve got previously, to guard our nation. That is the brand new recreation we’re taking part in, and I am glad we’re taking part in that recreation. And if I had been Maduro, I would discover a option to depart earlier than he goes down.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, is trafficking cocaine an armed assault on the US? That is what you are equating it to?
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: I’m saying that there is loads of regulation beneath article – Article II powers of the president are designed to guard our nation from threats, international and home.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Was it unlawful for Bush to take Ortega out in Panama? Was it unlawful for Bush – Reagan to enter Grenada to cease Cuban affect constructing this large, lengthy runway. There’s loads of precedent right here to do what he is doing.
However the recreation has modified. The sport has modified in the case of narco trafficking drug organizations. We will take you out.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, you referenced one thing earlier, sir, I need to come again to. You mentioned to the women and men of the army that they’re finishing up lawful orders.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure. Sure, I imagine that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Secretary Hegseth eliminated the highest uniformed attorneys within the Air Pressure, this, the Navy and the Military, as a result of he referred to as them street blocks to orders which might be given by a commander in chief. There have been different departures as effectively.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: This raises concern that commanders should not being given satisfactory authorized counsel. That’s the reason you simply mentioned that sentence to guarantee them.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: That is – that is rubbish. That is absolute rubbish to say that President Trump would not have the –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Which, that Hegseth mentioned that?
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: No, no, I am saying the – the – the idea that President Trump is doing one thing right here illegally, coping with a rustic that is run by an indicted drug vendor, is similar as Panama. There’s a greater case to enter Venezuela than there was Panama. There’s a greater case to cope with Colombia than there was Grenada.
Sure, I have been doing this all of my grownup life. I’ve all the arrogance on the earth that President Trump has the authorized authority, however extra importantly, he is doing the appropriate factor.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Extra People have died from cocaine and fentanyl poisoning than any terrorist group on the earth. I’m more than happy that we now have a president who’s going to make use of the total drive of – of the American folks, the may of America, to guard us from narco terrorist states and drug organizations. Stick with it, Mr. President. We’re not committing homicide, we’re defending our nation from people who need to poison us.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, there’s clearly patrons on the opposite finish of it, which is why the cartels are promoting, proper?
However I need to –
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure, effectively –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sorry.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure, we’ll do a vote. We’ll do a vote.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, I need to come again to, after we speak about lawful orders right here, I personally spoke to a former senior commander who mentioned he’d need that in writing due to concern that – that that is going to be down the road questionable. You have already heard –
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Needs what in writing?
MARGARET BRENNAN: The orders to hold out operations.
You have already heard Democratic lawmakers, together with on this program, say that they’ve issues about future prosecutions of – of officers.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Effectively, act in your issues. Why do not you – why do not you – I would – OK, if you happen to’ve obtained issues, this is what we are able to do as members of Congress. We are able to reduce off funding for army operations we do not like. So, if you happen to’re involved as a Democrat or a Republican, why do not you introduce laws to chop off all funding to the army in the case of attacking drug boats and going after narco terrorist states by the army. You are able to do that. Go forward and do this. I will vote no. I feel he has all of the authority on the earth beneath Article II and worldwide regulation to be sure that international locations like Venezuela cannot be staging areas to infiltrate medication into our nation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: It is not – I feel he has all of the authorized authority on the earth and I am simply actually glad he is doing this. And, Mr. President, stick with it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, we look ahead to listening to these justifications when they’re shared with Congress. You made some information there, Senator. Thanks in your time in the present day.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Certain.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’ll be again in a second.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: And becoming a member of us now could be the chairman of the Home Choose Committee on the Chinese language Communist Celebration, Michigan Republican Consultant John Moolenaar.
Welcome, Congressman.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR, (R-MI): Thanks, Margaret. Good to be with you.
MARGARET BRENNAN: A lot to get to with you. However simply rapidly, if the prime adversary and risk to the US is in China, within the Pacific, is bringing them to the – all of the army to the western hemisphere in such full drive and focus the factor to do?
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR: Effectively, I feel we’re sending an necessary message that we’re not going to permit drug trafficking coming in and killing American lives. And, , China could be very a lot behind the fentanyl disaster that is killed a whole bunch of 1000’s of People.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR: And so –
MARGARET BRENNAN: That is out of Mexico, primarily.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR: Effectively, and – and I feel the president takes the western hemisphere very critically. And getting the medication out of our yard I feel is a vital step ahead.
MARGARET BRENNAN: On the committee work that you’ve got been doing, I am certain you heard from Treasury Secretary Bessent on the high of this system that he says China has agreed to the TikTok deal. 100 and seventy million People use this social media app. Congress had handed a regulation to drive the sale and cited it as a nationwide safety risk if it continued to function the way in which it has.
Have your nationwide safety issues in regards to the app and about this transaction been addressed?
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR: Effectively, I feel it is necessary that we word that it – the regulation requires a divestment. And getting the Chinese language Communist Celebration management away from the app, in addition to the algorithm, and it permits possession solely as much as 20 p.c for the Chinese language entity ByteDance. And, to me, it is essential that that is carried out. We do not know all of the specifics of this, however we all know that American firms are very desirous about collaborating. There’s the proposal for a lease settlement. However the way you get that algorithm fully out of the Chinese language management goes to be as much as the consultants. You realize, there’s six million items of code on this algorithm, and we have to be sure that it is protected for the American folks.
MARGARET BRENNAN: In order that algorithm is the information monitoring system that is pulled from a person’s habits. And so the accusation was additionally that this was principally manipulating shoppers when it comes to what they had been capable of see. So, will that algorithm be maintained, and can upgrades solely be performed by, for instance, American engineers?
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR: That may be my suggestion as a result of finally we do not need a Chinese language propaganda effort.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR: Affecting 170 million People. We additionally need to be sure that knowledge from People is – is stored safe. And so long as the Chinese language are concerned, I feel there’s causes for mistrust and
MARGARET BRENNAN: Even with the 20 p.c stake?
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR: I – I am nonetheless involved about it. Fairly frankly, , the Chinese language report back to the Chinese language Communist Celebration. And they’re going to leverage each benefit they get. However the president has set a purpose of constructing this obtainable to the American folks following the regulation that was handed in a bipartisan approach, and I belief that they’re doing that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The president has not been following the letter of the regulation that you just voted for. You realize that.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR: Effectively, I feel – I feel the purpose has been to return to an settlement, to return to a deal. And so they’ve been working very exhausting to do this. However when you’ve the Chinese language Communist Celebration, Xi Jinping, with direct leverage on this when it comes to what they may do, what they will not do, it’s totally troublesome to proceed to make that obtainable.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR: However I belief the people who find themselves negotiating that acknowledge, we have got to get the management of the algorithm away from the Chinese language Communist Celebration, the app, and be sure that the possession is managed by America, not China.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, let’s speak about that possession. The president mentioned the traders would come with Michael Dell, Lachlan Murdoch, whose household owns Fox Information, and Larry Ellison, whose son owns Paramount, mother or father firm of CBS Information.
Do you’ve issues that people who find themselves boosters of the president can have possession of social media on this approach?
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR: You realize, I feel there’s –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Since it is so highly effective.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR: Effectively, there are some, I am certain, traders. Not everyone is just a supporter of the president. However I – I imagine that on this case Congress has a job for oversight. And we shall be assembly with the events of transaction. We additionally can have hearings on this as a result of, on the finish of the day, we wish this managed by American firms, no matter what their political affiliation. We do not need it managed by the Chinese language Communist Celebration.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However Secretary Bessent mentioned he obtained the Chinese language to say sure. And on Thursday he used the phrase “consummated,” that this deal shall be signed off between Xi and Trump. So, are your hearings simply after the very fact or, , what impact do you hope they may have?
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR: Effectively, oversight. Congress has a reliable function of oversight. We handed a regulation –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Which means you assume this deal is finished, that this transaction is occurring and also you’re simply going to watch it?
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR: I – I’d assume that if the president involves an settlement, which he is charged to do beneath the regulation, and if that occurs on Thursday, then it would transfer ahead. And there could also be challenges to that regulation or the implementation of it, however Congress has a job of oversight to make sure that the regulation is adopted.
MARGARET BRENNAN: “The Wall Avenue Journal” reported that Xi Jinping referred to as TikTok, quote, “religious opium,” and he noticed this as identical to a low-cost bargaining chip for China. Do you assume that that is what’s taking place right here?
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR: I imagine –
MARGARET BRENNAN: That that is simply a simple factor handy over to – to President Trump?
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR: I imagine it is a very addictive app. China has made some huge cash due to that. However they’ve additionally used it in a approach that enables, , their data, their propaganda, to be propagated. They management the algorithm. And that is why we handed that bipartisan regulation.
So, I – I imagine Xi Jinping views this as a strategic asset. That is why he did not need to promote it to a number of the different American firms that had been desirous about buying it. So, so long as they’re concerned, I feel we’ve got to acknowledge that TikTok, even an American model, nonetheless may very well be open to affect from the Chinese language Communist Celebration.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Or whoever owns it.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR: Whoever owns it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The algorithm.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR: The algorithm.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
Congressman, thanks very a lot. And we’ll be waiting for these hearings, you probably have them.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MOOLENAAR: Thanks.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’ll be proper again.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: That is it for us in the present day. Thanks all for watching. Till subsequent week. For “FACE THE NATION,” I am Margaret Brennan.
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