Full transcript of “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Feb. 15, 2026

On this “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” broadcast, moderated by Ed O’Keefe: 

• Tom Homan, Trump administration border czar 
• Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat of New York
• Rep. Robert Garcia, Democrat of California 
• Sen. Thom Tillis, Republican of North Carolina

Click on right here to browse full transcripts from 2026 of “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”   

ED O’KEEFE: I am Ed O’Keefe in Washington.

And this week on Face the Nation: Funding for the Division of Homeland Safety is on maintain. Negotiations over immigration enforcement are at a standstill.

Two months into the brand new yr, and a part of the federal government is shut down but once more, as disputes over President Trump’s deportation coverage depart lawmakers unable to fund the Division of Homeland Safety.

Caught in limbo, TSA brokers, the Coast Guard, FEMA staff, and 1000’s of others, many working with out pay.

We’ll ask White Home border czar Tom Homan and Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries the place negotiations stand.

Then: The fallout from the discharge of the Epstein recordsdata grows, as Legal professional Normal Pam Bondi is grilled on Capitol Hill for her division’s dealing with of the investigation. We’ll ask the highest Democrat on the Home Oversight Committee, California’s Robert Garcia, what extra he needs to see from the Justice Division, as lawmakers evaluate unredacted recordsdata for the primary time.

And, lastly, as world leaders collect at an annual safety convention in Munich, we’ll hear all about that and about America’s standing on the planet with North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis.

It is all simply forward on Face the Nation.

Good morning, and welcome to Face the Nation. Margaret is off in the present day.

Washington is waking as much as one other funding standoff, and it is unclear at this level when it might finish, as Congress is on recess for one more week.

So, for extra on the talk over immigration enforcement techniques, we’re joined by White Home border czar Tom Homan.

Mr. Homan, thanks a lot for becoming a member of us.

TOM HOMAN (White Home Border Czar): Effectively, thanks for having me.

ED O’KEEFE: I wish to start, after all, with negotiations over reopening the Division of Homeland Safety.

They focus on some particular coverage adjustments Democrats demand in how immigration brokers conduct operations. Amongst different issues, they’d prefer to require immigration brokers to point out identification, put on physique cameras, take off their masks, cease racial profiling, and search judicial warrants to enter non-public property.

Which, if any of these asks, is the president, are you prepared contemplate – or prepared to contemplate adopting?

TOM HOMAN: Effectively, I am not part of these negotiations. That is being – that is being achieved up on the Hill between the Senate and Home and the White Home. I am probably not a part of these negotiations.

However, look, you recognize, to – they – once they say cease racial profiling, that is simply not occurring. I imply, ICE will detain, briefly detain and query any individual – query any individual based mostly on cheap suspicion. It has nothing to do with racial profiling.

So far as the masks, look, you recognize, I do not just like the masks both, however as a result of threats towards ICE officers, you recognize, are up over 1500 p.c, precise assaults, and threats are up over 8000 p.c, these women and men have to guard themselves.

So far as figuring out themselves, all of them have placards figuring out themselves as ICE, ERO, HSI, DEA, FBI.So all of them have placards on them. So I’ll let the White Home and members of Congress, you recognize, combat that out. However I believe a few of the asks are simply – I believe they’re unreasonable, as a result of there is no such thing as a racial profiling.

There may be figuring out marks. However masks, you recognize, why do not they discuss possibly passing laws to make it unlawful to dox brokers or one thing like that?

ED O’KEEFE: Effectively…

TOM HOMAN: However the masks proper now are for officer security causes.

ED O’KEEFE: There are federal legal guidelines, after all, towards injuring, harming, threatening federal authorities, so there’s that.

And I believe one of many issues that folks get hung up on is the concept the cop on the road of their neighborhood, a state police officer, different federal brokers will determine themselves with their identify on their lapel, and, sure, their using company.

However why ought to these immigration brokers be any completely different with regards to the masks as nicely? , cops exit on daily basis, all over the place throughout the nation, get threatened in a technique or one other.

TOM HOMAN: I do not know – I do not know…

(CROSSTALK)

ED O’KEEFE: However why – why should put on all that and shield themselves, when there are others on the market sporting badges that do not have to try this?

TOM HOMAN: Effectively, once more, they’re sporting badges. They’re sporting placards to determine what company they’re from…

ED O’KEEFE: However their identify is not on it, proper?

TOM HOMAN: However with regards to masks, I do not – I – I do not know of one other regulation enforcement company within the nation that has an 8000 p.c enhance in threats.

Simply yesterday, the director of ICE, his spouse was filmed strolling to work. His dwelling deal with has been doxxed. His youngsters have been doxxed and filmed. So, no, I do not know of one other company on this nation that has an 8000 p.c enhance.

After which, look, let’s keep in mind why we’re right here, Ed. We’re right here as a result of, the final 4 years, over 10 million unlawful aliens crossed that border, launched on this nation unvetted. ICE has to do a regulation enforcement response to take care of the final 4 years of open border, the place they declare the border was safe on daily basis. And it wasn’t.

ED O’KEEFE: What’s so unsuitable about acquiring a judicial warrant to enter non-public property?

TOM HOMAN: That is not what the federal regulation requires.

Congress themselves wrote the Immigration Nationality Act that gave energy on the executive warrant to arrest any individual. And that is what’s arrange in federal statutes. So if Congress needs that modified, then Congress can legislate.

However, proper now, ICE is performing throughout the framework of federal statutes enacted by Congress and signed by a president.

ED O’KEEFE: Effectively, as I recall, you could have beforehand mentioned that you just thought judicial warrants have been mandatory for searches.

There’s been this alteration in coverage, in that now ICE can go along with these administrative warrants which can be issued by ICE personnel. Why your change of coronary heart? I imply, clearly, there – at one level, at the least, you agreed that was mandatory.

TOM HOMAN: I – I – no, I haven’t got a modified coronary heart. What I perceive, and I wasn’t a part of these discussions, is that DOJ interpreted that regulation saying in sure – in sure circumstances, administrative warrant on any individual has a last order elimination, already had a due course of issued by a federal choose, they’ll enter a premises.

I am not part of that dialogue, however that is the DOJ steerage.

ED O’KEEFE: Final week, you introduced the monthslong operation generally known as Metro Surge in Minnesota is winding down. ICE, after all, goes to keep up a presence within the state, however not on the ranges we have seen in latest weeks. If issues hold winding down, when ought to that surge be over?

TOM HOMAN: Effectively, look, about as of – we already eliminated nicely over 1,000 individuals.

And as of Monday, Tuesday, we’ll take away a number of hundred extra. We’ll get again to the unique footprint, except for the brokers there to do the fraud investigation will keep there and proceed their work till they’re achieved.

The brokers investigating the church concern, the place the individuals went into the church, they will keep and get that work achieved. However there shall be – there shall be a small drive, a safety drive, what we name RFQs, that may – our safety forces, that may reply to – when our brokers are out they usually get surrounded by agitators and issues get uncontrolled.

They usually’ll stay for a brief time period, simply to ensure the coordination, the agreements we now have with native state regulation enforcement keep in place they usually reply to a public security risk when wanted. And so hopefully these safety forces – safety – a small footprint of safety forces can take away – might be eliminated actually pretty rapidly, I am hoping.

ED O’KEEFE: OK. Certain.

TOM HOMAN: I believe issues are going the best path, and I received religion they will proceed that manner.

ED O’KEEFE: This was the most important deployment of federal immigration brokers in division historical past. Do you anticipate there shall be others on the size seen in Minneapolis?

TOM HOMAN: I believe it depends upon the scenario.

I’ve mentioned from day one which, you recognize, we have to – we have to flood the zone in sanctuary cities with further brokers. The variety of brokers rely upon the scenario on the bottom, what number of recognized prison targets are on the market, as a result of we all know we now have an issue with sanctuary cities, as a result of we all know they’re releasing public security threats within the public.

So, somewhat than arrest that one prison in jail, one agent arresting one prison alien within the security and safety of a jail, which is safer for the agent, safer for the alien, safer for the neighborhood, they launch them on the street. Now we received to ship an entire staff or six or seven individuals.

That could be a win we had in Minnesota, everyone. As a result of now we now have agreements and coordination with jails, we are able to arrest that public security risk within the security and safety of a jail, which suggests we do not have to ship six or seven individuals out to search for them.

So, I am hoping different sanctuary cities take a look at what was – what occurred in Minnesota and the way we – how we received to the place we’re at, which I believe is an efficient place. I hope extra individuals take note of that, and we work with these states to let our officers within the jail.

You may’t – numerous politicians are on the market on the left or the Democrats saying, OK, ICE – we agree. You need to be specializing in public security threats. You need to be specializing in unlawful aliens who’ve dedicated critical crimes on this nation.

ED O’KEEFE: Sure.

TOM HOMAN: However they lock us out of the jail. You may’t sq. that. In case you really need us to give attention to the criminals, then allow us to within the jail. That is the most secure, most safe place to do our work.

ED O’KEEFE: Just a few different issues rapidly, if we are able to.

Because the surge winds down in Minneapolis, one of many extra dramatic incidents now may be very a lot in query, as you recognize, two ICE brokers now on administrative depart pending an inside investigation, as a result of video proof exhibits their sworn testimony seems to have been untruthful.

Solely hours after that incident occurred, you may recall DHS had mentioned the ICE officer who shot the migrant they have been focusing on was being ambushed and feared for his life. That now seems to be unfaithful.

You are taking that incident, mixed with the 2 lethal shootings in Minneapolis and an incident in Chicago lately the place proof contradicted the federal government’s declare a girl rammed an agent’s automobile, and I ponder, does this all simply additional undermine belief in ICE throughout the nation?

TOM HOMAN: Effectively, look, you recognize, in my first press convention in Minnesota, I mentioned I used to be bringing further inside affairs brokers in simply to ensure officers within the area was doing the best factor.

And each a kind of situations you simply talked about have been turned over to inside affairs. I do know the FBI is investigating the instances additionally. So we’ll see the place these investigations lead. However because the ICE director mentioned on Friday, individuals shall be held accountable they usually’ll be totally investigated. And we have that investigation comes out, then disciplinary motion or prosecutions will happen.

ED O’KEEFE: Proper.

A “Wall Road Journal’ report printed in latest days – I am certain you’ve got seen it – particulars widespread considerations with the management of Homeland Safety, Secretary Kristi Noem and her chief adviser, Corey Lewandowski.

The report says you hardly ever communicate with the secretary or Lewandowski, even supposing you oversee immigration points as nicely from the White Home perspective, and that you’ve got repeatedly complained to the White Home about them.

What’s your concern with Secretary Noem and Corey Lewandowski?

TOM HOMAN: Look, it is one staff, one combat.

I am not taking part in in that media. They’re making an attempt to divide this administration. They wish to assault the women and men who work on this administration. Look, do me and Secretary Noem agree on all the things? No. That is why we now have discussions. That is why on daily basis we now have a multiagency convention name and assembly.

We focus on going ahead, and we now have completely different opinions. Effectively, these completely different opinions are labored out and we transfer ahead. The underside line is, we now have essentially the most safe border within the historical past of this nation. We now have received file numbers of prison aliens arrested and deported on this nation as a result of that is one staff, one combat. The outcomes communicate for themselves.

ED O’KEEFE: However you do not dispute you’ve got had disagreements with them at occasions, even when they have been resolved?

TOM HOMAN: I’ve. I’ve disagreements with – we received – we received many federal businesses, and it is not – it is not like an out-of-control disagreement.

I wish to do it this fashion. Somebody needs to do it this fashion. Then we discuss, nicely, what works finest on this scenario? All of us come to settlement in the long run, but it surely’s a dialogue of various concepts. I’ve been doing this for 40 years. We now have the – Rodney Scott that runs CBP has been doing it for 30 years.

So all of us come to the desk. We provide you with completely different concepts, however we choose a mission, and I believe the outcomes of this mission speaks for themselves, once more, essentially the most safe border in historical past of this nation, due to our collaboration…

ED O’KEEFE: Sure.

TOM HOMAN: … and file numbers of prison aliens being arrested and deported. The outcomes communicate for themselves.

ED O’KEEFE: Tom Homan, the White Home border czar, thanks for spending a few of your Sunday with us. We respect it.

Face the Nation shall be again in a single minute. Stick with us.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

ED O’KEEFE: We flip now to Home Democratic Chief Hakeem Jeffries, who joins us this morning from New York Metropolis.

Chief Jeffries, thanks for being right here.

REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-New York): Good morning. Nice to be with you.

ED O’KEEFE: In order this shutdown continues, I wish to remind our viewers what it’s precisely congressional Democrats are looking for to reopen the Division of Homeland Safety.

You need immigration brokers to point out I.D.s, to put on physique cameras, take off their masks, cease racial profiling, and search judicial warrants to enter non-public property. Talks between the White Home and congressional Democrats are persevering with.

Are you prepared to compromise, to let any of those go to get the federal government reopened?

REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: Effectively, our price proposition is straightforward. Taxpayer {dollars} ought to be used to make life extra reasonably priced for the American individuals, not brutalize or kill them, as we horrifically noticed in Minneapolis with the cold-blooded killings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti.

We all know and the American individuals clearly know that ICE is completely uncontrolled they usually must be reined in, as a result of the American individuals deserve immigration enforcement that’s truthful, that’s simply, and that’s humane.

And so we want dramatic change at ICE, together with, however not restricted to, the sorts of issues that you just laid out, earlier than any DHS funding invoice strikes ahead.

ED O’KEEFE: Except for some flexibility on physique cameras, as a result of they’re beginning to spend some cash to get these on the market, some Republicans have rejected this checklist of coverage reform proposals.

You guys nonetheless appear miles aside. So when, conceivably, will we see this resolved? And, once more, I ask you, if – are there any of those factors that you just’re prepared to let go with the intention to get the federal government reopened?

REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: Effectively, we’re prepared to have a superb religion dialog about all the things, however, essentially, we want change that’s dramatic, that’s daring, that’s significant and that’s transformational.

And these are commonsense issues. As an example, judicial warrants ought to be required earlier than ICE brokers can storm non-public property or rip on a regular basis Individuals out of their houses.

We have to make it possible for there are precise impartial investigations, in order that, if state and native legal guidelines are violated, in lots of instances violently violated, that state and native authorities have the flexibility to criminally examine and criminally prosecute anybody who has violated the regulation, as a result of we can’t belief Kristi Noem or Pam Bondi to conduct an impartial investigation.

We consider that delicate areas ought to be off limits, delicate areas like homes of worship, colleges, hospitals or polling websites, and that, essentially, ICE ought to be focusing on violent felons who’re right here unlawfully, versus violently focusing on law-abiding immigrant households, which is totally inconsistent with what Donald Trump promised the American individuals he would do.

ED O’KEEFE: Proper.

And we, after all, this previous week reported that about 14 p.c of these detained had violent prison data. About 60 p.c of them have been needed on prison data total, but it surely was that 14 p.c violent criminals.

Once more, I simply – it seems like that is going to go on some time, as a result of Tom Homan wasn’t terribly versatile on something, particularly on the problem of warrants and masks. You are not ceding any floor. So there’s a couple of issues arising right here.

For instance, State of the Union is scheduled for every week from Tuesday. Ought to or not it’s held if the Division of Homeland Safety is shut down?

REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: Effectively, we’ll cross that bridge once we get to it. It is definitely my hope that we get some decision…

ED O’KEEFE: Appears like you are going to get to it, although. I imply…

REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: … upfront of it.

Effectively, here is the factor. The administration and Republicans have made a transparent determination that they might somewhat shut down FEMA, shut down the Coast Guard and shut down TSA than enact the kind of dramatic reforms mandatory in order that ICE and different DHS regulation enforcement businesses are conducting themselves like each different regulation enforcement skilled within the nation.

As an example, law enforcement officials do not use masks. County sheriffs do not use masks. State troopers do not use masks.

ED O’KEEFE: Sure.

REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: Why is it that ICE brokers, who’re untrained, are being unleashed on American communities with any such lawlessness, violence and brutality? Unacceptable, unconscionable, and it is un-American.

ED O’KEEFE: Sure, and we went over this with Tom Homan a bit earlier.

In fact, they level out that assaults towards ICE officers have gone up over 1300 p.c this previous yr from about 275 in comparison with 19 the yr earlier than. So there are some authentic considerations about these brokers being focused, however your broader level about…

REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: We’ll – sure.

ED O’KEEFE: … whether or not or not regulation enforcement ought to behave the identical as our regulation enforcement is heard.

REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: Sure.

And we’ll proceed, after all, to encourage the American individuals to train their constitutional rights, their freedom of meeting and their freedom of speech and their freedom of expression peacefully, as we noticed overwhelmingly achieved in Minneapolis.

ED O’KEEFE: All proper. Effectively, we’ll keep tuned on the shutdown and the negotiations.

And let me ask you a couple of different issues whereas we now have you. To start with, you are a member of the Gang of Eight, who will get briefed on nationwide safety issues. The Pentagon is reportedly planning for the potential for sustained weeks-long operations towards Iran if diplomacy fails and the president opts to assault.

What are you aware about these plans or what would you wish to study as a member of the Gang of Eight?

REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: Effectively, the administration, as has been the case because the very starting of this presidency, has been gradual to offer data each to the Gang of Eight members of Congress, the legislative management and the highest Democrats and Republicans on the Intel Committee, and positively hasn’t offered a big quantity of knowledge to Congress basically.

These individuals throughout the administration, the extremists, they do not appear to consider that Congress is a separate and co-equal department of presidency. We’re. In reality, the ability to declare warfare is completely given to Congress in Article I of the US Structure.

Now, the American individuals need Donald Trump and Republicans to really hold their promise and give attention to driving down the excessive price of dwelling and fixing our damaged well being care system. It was Donald Trump who promised, in reality, that prices will go down on day one.

ED O’KEEFE: Sure.

REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: Prices have not gone down. We’re within the midst of an affordability disaster that hasn’t been resolved. Maybe the president ought to give attention to making life higher for the American individuals, interval, full cease.

ED O’KEEFE: I hear you on that.

I wish to remind our viewers of the present ticktock, tight margins within the Home. You have to web at the least three seats to take the bulk at this level. I wish to play for you a part of what you needed to say in regards to the 2026 elections while you have been requested this previous Thursday. Take a pay attention.

(BEGIN TAPE)

REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: We solely must web three. It is taking place. Democrats are going to take again management of the Home, and the one query is, what is the margin?

(END TAPE)

ED O’KEEFE: Proper now, the Democratic Congressional Marketing campaign Committee considers 44 of the 435 seats within the Home in play, together with you simply added 5 new ones this previous week, South Central Virginia, a district in South Carolina, Southern Minnesota, Central Colorado and the at-large seat in Montana, components of the nation the place Democrats do not usually win elections, we should always level out.

So, if the election have been held in the present day, at minimal, at minimal, what number of seats do you see Democrats profitable?

REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: Effectively, if the election have been held in the present day, we’re taking again management of the Home of Representatives, and I am not satisfied that it could essentially be shut.

However these are battles which can be going to be waged district by district by district. We all know we’re profitable seats now in deep-red territory. We noticed that in Miami in December, the place we gained the mayor’s race for the primary time in 30 years by 20 factors.

After which, in January, after all, we flipped a seat within the Texas State Senate that Donald Trump had simply gained by 17 factors. The Democratic candidate gained it by 14. That was a 31-point overperformance. After which simply final weekend in Louisiana, we flipped the Home seat that Trump had gained by 14. We gained that – or 13.

ED O’KEEFE: So that you…

(CROSSTALK)

REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: We gained that by 24 factors. That was a 37- level overperformance.

My level is, we’re profitable throughout the nation in blue states and purple states and crimson states as a result of the American individuals know we’re the one ones targeted on driving down the excessive price of dwelling, fixing our damaged well being care system…

ED O’KEEFE: You have to get…

REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: … and ensuring that immigration enforcement is truthful and simply.

ED O’KEEFE: You have to get at the least three; 20 to 25 seats, all 44 seats? What do you suppose proper now? Give me a quantity.

REPRESENTATIVE HAKEEM JEFFRIES: Effectively, I am not within the prediction enterprise. I am within the let’s win on behalf of the American individuals so we are able to finish this nationwide nightmare enterprise.

ED O’KEEFE: All proper, Chief Jeffries, to be continued on the shutdown and on the midterms. We respect you spending a while with us this morning. We’ll discuss to you quickly.

And we’ll be proper again with much more Face the Nation. Stick with us.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

ED O’KEEFE: Tonight, Maryland Governor Wes Moore joins Norah O’Donnell to kick off our new CBS Information city corridor collection Issues That Matter.

This is a preview.

(Start VT)

NORAH O’DONNELL: President Donald Trump gained the presidency in 2024 promising this immigration crackdown that we’re witnessing. The Biden administration allowed over 4 million migrants into the nation by the southern border throughout his time period in workplace.

Are Democrats guilty for this immigration disaster that we’re witnessing?

GOVERNOR WES MOORE (D-Maryland): Effectively, I undoubtedly suppose that the previous president didn’t have this proper.

NORAH O’DONNELL: You do?

GOVERNOR WES MOORE: Oh, sure.

And we wanted to do extra, that I do not suppose anybody can argue that we had the system labored out below President Biden, that immigration was labored out. However, truly, I’d argue that we now have not had the system labored out amongst a number of administrations.

Immigration has been a difficulty that we as a rustic have punted on for a really very long time, as a result of the individuals who can uniquely repair immigration is Congress. And that is the irritating factor for me with this Congress proper now, the place I really feel we’re simply watching a continued abdication of duty, the place, if the speaker – the ironic factor is, proper now, the president has – the president’s social gathering has the presidency, the Home, and the Senate.

If the president needed immigration reform achieved proper now, are you aware what he might do? He would name up the speaker of the Home and he mentioned, I want a invoice on my desk by subsequent week. And are you aware what can be on his desk subsequent week? A complete immigration invoice reform, as a result of they’ve the votes.

And that is not taking place.

(Finish VT)

ED O’KEEFE: The total dialog airs tonight at 8:00 p.m. Jap/7:00 Central, and also will stream on Paramount+.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

ED O’KEEFE: We shall be proper again with much more Face the Nation. Stick with us.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

ED O’KEEFE: Welcome again to “FACE THE NATION.”

We flip now to the highest Democrat on the Home Oversight Committee, California Congressman Robert Garcia, who joins us this morning from Lengthy Seaside, the place he was once the mayor.

Congressman, good to see you. Thanks for being with us.

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA (D-CA): Certain factor. Thanks.

ED O’KEEFE: I wish to begin actual fast since you are on the committee that basically has oversight of your complete authorities. Your Democrats, you do not have management of the panel. You’ve got held some unofficial hearings on ICE operations nationwide.

I am curious in the event you’re speaking to the Republicans in any respect about doing something to analyze allegations or wrongdoing of ICE and the Border Patrol as they proceed to hold out immigration enforcement operations.

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA: Look, I believe it is simply been very lately the place we have truly seen an increasing number of Republicans truly communicate out and start to point out some degree of braveness. ICE, CBP, DHS is totally uncontrolled. We now have heard, not simply in hearings, however definitely in what’s taking place throughout this nation, of us speaking and telling their tales. We’re speaking about U.S. residents which can be being shot. We’re speaking about U.S. veterans which can be being detained for no motive. Youngsters which can be being deported as younger as 4, 5 years previous, sending them to detention, in different instances that we have seen.

And so, I believe you are starting to see some Republicans truly present concern. However proper now DHS is inflicting terror throughout this nation and Donald Trump has turned, not simply DHS however ICE particularly, which we now know is bigger than it is ever been, into his personal private police drive.

ED O’KEEFE: However you recognize of no Republican committee chairman presently planning to analyze all these allegations, proper? Is that what you are saying?

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA: Oh, there isn’t any chairman on the market which have – – which have come out publicly. Now, you start to listen to some Republicans present some concern. However they should present extra braveness. I imply Mike Johnson, on the finish of the day, does no matter Donald Trump needs him to do.

ED O’KEEFE: Sure.

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA: And Republicans must go on the market and begin talking the reality of what is taking place on the road.

ED O’KEEFE: So, the massive motive I needed to talk with you this morning is, after all, you are now making an attempt to conduct a fairly aggressive evaluate of the Epstein paperwork as they’ve now been launched by the Justice Division. There have been about 3.5 million paperwork launched. And based mostly on a CBS Information evaluate, thus far there would not look like sufficient proof to criminally cost anybody else.

Saturday evening the Division of Justice launched this legally required checklist of all authorities officers and politically uncovered individuals within the Epstein recordsdata. Greater than 300 names on the checklist, which they acknowledge are people who find themselves right here listed in all kinds of contexts. DOJ says they’re doing as requested as a result of it was a part of the regulation. It lists everybody from Beyonce to Joe Biden, George W. Bush, Princess Diana, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Mike Pence, the Trumps, Mark Zuckerburg, amongst others, as a result of they got here up in a technique or one other within the paperwork.

Just a few questions. Why was this requested for? And are you conscious but of any names being not on this checklist that ought to be on the checklist?

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA: Effectively, we’re reviewing the checklist, after all. However let’s be actually clear, it is a huge coverup being led by the White Home and the DOJ. The truth that 50 p.c, half of the Epstein recordsdata, haven’t been launched to the general public and to the Congress. And of these which were launched, the precise recordsdata which were out within the public or that we have seen, they’re overly redacted. Lots of the survivors and victims, their names are literally showing. So, there isn’t any safety for the survivors, but the names of billionaires, the names of oldsters that might be coconspirators, that helped fund Jeffrey Epstein, that would have truly been concerned within the terror and rape, as we all know, abuse of girls and kids. A few of these names proceed to be redacted and guarded. Why will not the DOJ truly observe the regulation, not simply what was handed by Congress, however the subpoena that was put in place by the Oversight Committee throughout the summer season?

And so this continues to be a coverup. And the American public perceive that they proceed to cover and shield and deflect. Why does Donald Trump, the president, proceed to, in our opinion, to guard these highly effective males? We’re not going to cease till we get justice for the survivors.

ED O’KEEFE: Effectively, the Justice Division says they’ve launched all the things they’ll and the remainder are protected by legal professional privilege, include sufferer data or include little one sexual assault materials. I do know there’s been a forwards and backwards in latest days a couple of handful of names that have been redacted, ought to have been unredacted. Seems they did not have something to do with it. They simply occur to be in an occasion or in a photograph with Jeffrey Epstein, mainly.

However I wish to ask you about your investigation, the congressional investigation. You instructed the legal professional basic on Friday it could take greater than seven years for members to test the redactions on these three million pages, which sounds unrealistic. However is it your intent to evaluate all of these paperwork to see what different data is there, what different names are both talked about or lacking?

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA: Completely. Look, we now have an important staff on the committee that is reviewing proper now each single doc, going by all of the recordsdata which can be accessible to the general public, redactions, making an attempt to grasp and piece collectively an investigation.

And it is not simply the paperwork. We’re interviewing survivors. We’re speaking to key witnesses.

ED O’KEEFE: Proper.

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA: We’ll be holding hearings sooner or later as nicely. So, all of that’s a part of this. However on the finish of the day they haven’t given us all of the paperwork. So, till we truly get the complete set of recordsdata, this isn’t going to be an entire investigation. And the coverup that is being led by the White Home and Pam Bondi is continuous. And the American public see this. And so, they should launch all the recordsdata.

ED O’KEEFE: All proper, nicely working with what you’ve got received thus far, what are you on the lookout for particularly? Are there names? Are there occasions? Are there conditions to make clear that they have been launched or that they are on the market? What’s it you are on the lookout for?

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA: Look, there’s quite a lot of issues. And, primary is, we wish to make sure that all of the names of the boys that have been coconspirators, those who themselves terrorized and brutalized ladies and kids, these individuals must be uncovered. That work has begun. A further piece of that is who was financing Jeffrey Epstein? So, for instance, this upcoming week we’ll be interviewing Les Wexner, who doubtless have been the only largest benefactor in offering monetary assist to Jeffrey Epstein. The place did he get all of his cash? And for what? And the place was that cash going? That’s one other essential a part of this investigation.

And we have subpoenaed additionally the financial institution data. So, we’re going by all of these. And that data is essential to our investigation.

After which, after all, is, who was concerned within the trafficking of women and girls? It wasn’t simply Ghislane Maxwell. Why have been there so many ladies being attacked in locations throughout the nation, whether or not it was New York, but in addition Palm Seaside. You take a look at Mar-a-Lago. Why was Mar-a-Lago a location the place ladies continued to be trafficked from? So, these are questions that we have to ask. We now have questions for President Trump. And the broader – I believe the broader concern right here is why wasn’t this investigated when these – when these – when these accusations and these tales truly have been heard by the FBI years in the past, the place was the investigation? The place was the DOJ?

And this, by the best way, is a matter not simply in Republican administrations –

ED O’KEEFE: Proper.

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA: But additionally ones led by Democrats.

ED O’KEEFE: Sure.

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA: We now have to get solutions.

ED O’KEEFE: You talked about Wexner, who you are interviewing this coming week. Have you ever heard again but from the person previously generally known as Prince Andrew?

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA: We now have not. However we completely have despatched letters. We wish to truly discuss to Prince Andrew. And it is not simply Prince Andrew – former Prince Andrew.

ED O’KEEFE: Proper.

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA: And what’s taking place proper now throughout – you recognize, over within the U.Okay. is fairly beautiful. And it is truly a present of what’s – what occurs when the federal government listens to the general public.

ED O’KEEFE: Certain.

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA: There are literally issues taking place to these which were concerned. That instance that is taking place over there and different components of the world must occur in our nation. And the truth that the White Home continues to cowl up for these recordsdata and for these males I believe is shameful. Launch all of the recordsdata in the present day.

And last item. They hold claiming that, oh, nicely, there’s a – you recognize, there’s some legal professional shopper privilege, or there’s interagency communication we won’t put out to the general public. That may be true within the Epstein Transparency Act, however it isn’t true within the subpoena that asks for the very same paperwork that was handed final July and August. And so there is no such thing as a motive why Congress should not have all the paperwork in entrance of us proper now.

ED O’KEEFE: Let me ask you about a couple of extra particular names. I’ve heard in regards to the coverup that you just’re alleging by the White Home. Let’s value by a few of these names.

Peter Mandelson, the previous British ambassador to the U.S., you heard again from him but?

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA: We now have not.

ED O’KEEFE: OK.

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA: However we completely wish to discuss to him. I imply (INAUDIBLE).

ED O’KEEFE: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, he had mentioned in an interview final yr he hadn’t see Howard Lutnick in years. Seems he went to see his island off the U.S. Virgin Islands together with his household again in 2012 and he had enterprise curiosity with him in 2014. Are you working with Republican Chairman Jim Comer to deliver Howard Lutnick in for questioning?

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA: We now have requested Chairman Comer to herald Howard Lutnick and we now have but no – had no response. Not solely did he go to the island, he had tons of communication with Jeffrey Epstein after it was already recognized that Jeffrey Epstein was basically convicted for preying on kids.

ED O’KEEFE: Proper.

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA: So, it’s – it’s shameful that he is truly in our authorities. He shouldn’t be the commerce secretary. He ought to come discuss to the Oversight Committee.

ED O’KEEFE: The Oversight Committee additionally voted final month to carry Invoice and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress for failing to point out up for comparable testimony. They’re now scheduled to seem later this month for closed door testimony. What is the level of getting them are available?

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA: Look, we have mentioned from day one which we’re prepared to speak to anyone, whether or not they’re Republicans or Democrats. Whoever they’re, no matter – how highly effective they’re, in case you have details about Jeffrey Epstein, we wish to discuss to you. We have been saying that about Invoice – about President Clinton for some time. I am glad that he is coming in.

Look, the one factor I am going to say, and I believe each President Clinton and Secretary Clinton have additionally added that they want these hearings to be public.

ED O’KEEFE: Proper.

REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GARCIA: That is one thing that we completely assist. We now have questions for President Clinton. We’ll be asking these in New York within the weeks forward as you recognize. However there’s lots of people that we have to communicate with. And the extra that we are able to have these conversations in public I believe it is higher for the American individuals. It is what they wish to see. They usually wish to perceive what was the reality about Epstein, who he knew, the place he received his cash from, and why there’s been a relentless give attention to protecting up his crimes by so many in authorities.

ED O’KEEFE: Congressman Robert Garcia, the highest Democrat on the Home Oversight Committee, thanks for spending a part of Sunday with us. We respect it.

And we’ll be proper again.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

ED O’KEEFE: Secretary of State Marco Rubio left the annual Munich Safety Convention after providing some reassurance to European allies warry of the Trump administration’s posture on NATO, however remained agency on the administration’s ambitions to reshape the Trans-Atlantic Alliance.

North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis was among the many group of American lawmakers attending the convention. We spoke with him Friday and started by asking whether or not the U.S. continues to be a dependable companion for Europe.

(BEGIN VT)

SENATOR THOM TILLIS (R-NC): Effectively, you recognize, in some methods I hope that we’ll enter an period the place our reliance on Europe is improved.

Look, I’ve received a problem with a few of the issues popping out of the White Home, however numerous the frustration comes from a $2 trillion shortfall in investing in our mutual protection by far too many NATO allies. Now, they’re making proper now, however it’s important to give the administration and the president some latitude to level to the truth that a $2 trillion shortfall over twenty years, what has that achieved to our readiness? What has that achieved to our innovation? What’s that achieved to our army industrial base and manufacturing capability?

, we might be scaling up latent capabilities that will have been serving that $2 trillion to higher serve Ukraine and higher modernize their very own weapons. So, let’s make it possible for individuals take a look at this with steadiness and perceive that part of the rationale why we’re the place we’re is as a result of we now have the deficit within the 20 yr – within the first 20 years of this century.

Now, the NATO alliance is a very powerful alliance within the historical past of mankind. And the – and the Article One department, Congress, believes that. They usually consider it in massive numbers. So, we’ll commit. I am right here in Munich to mainly remind everyone that we now have three coequal branches of presidency. The president is making an attempt to get our NATO allies to carry out extra strongly and have some degree of independence. However the Congress has their again.

ED O’KEEFE: Sure. So, when the protection secretary sends the Pentagon’s quantity three to a NATO protection assembly this week and tells the remainder of the alliance the U.S.’ assist for NATO will proceed however, quote, “in a extra restricted and targeted style,” is that the message that Europe ought to be receiving proper now? Is that the best way the administration ought to strategy it?

SENATOR THOM TILLIS: I’d not have used these phrases. I believe what we wish to do is be stronger and characterize the deterrent capabilities of our alliance. The US might probably go it alone, however the actuality is, our alliance is what makes us the world’s superpower and what retains this world safer.

We’ll have malign actors for the – for it – we have had them all through historical past. We’ll proceed to. Putin is a liar and a assassin. He ought to be expelled from Ukraine. I am going to settle for a peace settlement if Volodymyr Zelenskyy needs one. However we have to make certain that our adversaries, until they alter profoundly, are considered as adversaries. That we now have to co-exist with however not appease.

On the similar time Europe must step up. Not let this be episodic that they are now beginning to contribute to their mutual protection. Their very own capabilities by the way. It isn’t like they’re writing a test and sending it to the U.S. That is build up their capabilities. Their interoperability. Their capacity to work with NATO allies if a battle happens.

So, you recognize, it is an emotional time. I’ve received a philosophy that nothing is ever pretty much as good as – dangerous because it appears. I believe individuals coming to Munich pondering that that is the tip of NATO are being a bit alarmist and that we simply must get issues proper and study from the previous errors of our allies, or lean from the previous errors of people who have come up brief.

However the rhetoric about NATO in some way being a second tier type of alliance going ahead is clearly being spoken by any individual who would not actually perceive the brilliance and the ability of the NATO alliance.

ED O’KEEFE: On NATO, one of many issues the alliance introduced in latest days is that this plan for a brand new arctic century mission to strengthen safety throughout the arctic area. That call, after all, comes within the wake of the president, in the previous few weeks, urging NATO to do extra for arctic safety, dropping his threats of army invasion of Greenland. Is that this new operation precisely what you are speaking about, what you wish to see the alliance doing, and is it additionally the reply to the president’s considerations about Greenland?

SENATOR THOM TILLIS: Effectively, you recognize, we talked in Davos. The fact is, to me, it was irresponsible to go wherever apart from determining how we modernize the 1951 settlement the place Greenland and Denmark agreed to kind of give us unfettered entry in Greenland to mission energy within the arctic. So, now let’s – now that the temperatures have cooled, present a bit little bit of respect to Denmark and to Greenland. Work out what a part of Greenland – – we have to up match our area base, the one – the one occasion of army – or U.S. presence in Greenland now to the north. Check out a base that they provided to us for a greenback and provide you with a fiscally sound, sustainable approach to mission energy within the east however working with Canada and their ice breakers, that are mandatory for us to navigate there, working with Denmark and our Scandinavian and arctic allies to essentially mission the sort of energy we have to defer – to discourage China and Russia.

ED O’KEEFE: The German chancellor in the beginning of this convention recommended that the world order as we all know it’s over. I do know you have been speaking about hyperbole there in the beginning of this. Do – would you agree, although, with the chancellor that issues are altering that quickly?

SENATOR THOM TILLIS: Provided that the chancellor permits it to. Look, if the NATO nations who got here up brief for many years would simply admit that that was a mistake after which double their – redouble their efforts, I believe that this goes similar to the hyperbolic language round Greenland is now nearly – it is unbelievable that it was solely three weeks in the past, but it surely’s nearly within the distant path.

I believe we now have to look forward and acknowledge that the American individuals, the American Congress, and I consider the administration is behind it. However they are not unsuitable to level out the deficiencies of the previous.

Look, I have been in conferences the place individuals discuss a few of our social applications and the way we should always actually step up with the European world. At then, on the similar time, they’re funding a few of these applications on the expense of their very own protection.

ED O’KEEFE: Sure.

SENATOR THOM TILLIS: So, let’s simply have an sincere dialogue with relations and get the household proper.

ED O’KEEFE: Let’s work by a couple of different points right here. European leaders this week additionally recommended that they are not taking retaliatory tariffs off the desk. Again right here at dwelling, the Home voted to basically reject the president’s tariffs on Canada after a bunch of Republicans joined with Democrats to make that occur within the Home. If that ever comes up within the Senate, are you somebody who would agree with that, that the tariffs towards Canada ought to be stripped away?

SENATOR THOM TILLIS: Effectively, I’ve take a look at – what I believe we have to do is get the USMCA modernization, the settlement, on the desk and deal with that within the context of strengthening our relationship with Canada and Mexico.

Look, this – we’re a vital buying and selling block. And we should always construct on our successes. As I am certain you recognize, numerous the tariffs, there’s numerous exemptions due to existence of USMCA. I believe we must get in a room and kind them out. I’ve had – I’ve expressed publicly considerations with numerous the tariffs that have been imposed. I nonetheless, to this present day, cannot determine why we now have a 50 p.c tariff on Brazil when we now have commerce surplus with Brazil. These kinds of issues are irrational to me. In different instances, I can justify it based mostly on previous behaviors of nations that we now have a deficit with. However we must be surgical and never use a blunt drive object to barter commerce relationship, notably with China and Mexico – or, I am sorry, with Canada and Mexico.

ED O’KEEFE: Ought to your social gathering be distancing itself extra from the president, although, on tariffs, particularly the nearer it will get to November when the American public isn’t essentially a fan of those strikes?

SENATOR THOM TILLIS: See, I do not suppose it is a matter of distancing ourself. That is what’s unsuitable with Washington. We have gotten into this mode now to the place we now have some type of a loyalty or fealty check as a result of we both disagree. Typically it is not even the what, it is the how.

I do suppose the what the holding nations which have – we now have had power commerce deficits with accountable is critical. And if tariffs are required to get their consideration, high-quality. However the how is a really surgical strategy, not a blanket strategy. Not one that really creates fraud and uncertainty, as a result of that is not good for enterprise. And the U.S., if the rest, is actually good once we’re at our greatest on (ph) certainty.

ED O’KEEFE: You reiterated this week you are going to block any affirmation hearings for a brand new Federal Reserve chairman or a board member till the Justice Division’s investigation of Jerome Powell is, as you place it, resolved. However will there be affirmation hearings for Kevin Warsh even when this DOJ investigation into Powell is continuous?

SENATOR THOM TILLIS: Effectively, let’s make the excellence between a affirmation listening to after which a affirmation markup. Mr. Walshe (ph) goes to should resolve whether or not or not he needs to undergo with this as a result of, as I am certain you recognize, as soon as the nominee is put ahead, there are particular restrictions on what he can do in his – in his enterprise life. However I’ve tried to make it very clear that I’ve no intention of supporting any affirmation of any Fed board member, chair or in any other case, to fill the Kugler seat, for instance, till that is resolved. I believe we had a younger U.S. legal professional with a dream making an attempt to get the president’s consideration, not even consulting with the administration and massive DOJ on one thing that possibly they thought they’d get brownie factors for. It isn’t cute.

And if that is solely about two minutes of debate that got here earlier than Chair Powell, that prosecutor ought to take heed to the seven members, Republican members, who mentioned they did not see any prison intent or exercise. And extra importantly, prosecutor ought to perceive that the protocol usually can be a referral from the chair or a member of the committee to say, we expect against the law was dedicated right here. We have against the law scene the place seven Republican members say no crime was dedicated.

ED O’KEEFE: Proper.

SENATOR THOM TILLIS: How exhausting is that to grasp?

ED O’KEEFE: However when the Treasury secretary mentioned Friday there is a deal to at the least maintain affirmation hearings for Kevin Warsh to function subsequent chairman of the Federal Reserve, is he misguided on that?

SENATOR THOM TILLIS: Effectively, that is not a deal. That is a call that they – – that the chair makes unilaterally in his capability as chair. The choice I get to make is whether or not or not I enable a markup. And if I do enable a markup, how I vote. And I am saying that till the matter is solved, I am a no.

ED O’KEEFE: Understood. And while you say resolved, while you need this investigation resolved, does that imply all the things dropped by the Justice Division and different entities?

SENATOR THOM TILLIS: Effectively, take note, all the things is an investigation about two minutes of commentary.

ED O’KEEFE: Proper.

SENATOR THOM TILLIS: Even for this man, that is not exhausting to determine.

ED O’KEEFE: You could have been fairly essential of the administration on a set of points, whether or not it is tariffs, the way it’s participating Europe, as you talked about earlier, considerations about Homeland Safety and whatnot. And you have mentioned that it runs the danger of injuring your social gathering going into November. So, I am curious, if the elections have been held in the present day, would Republicans maintain on to the Home and the Senate?

SENATOR THOM TILLIS: I believe that we maintain on to the Senate. I’ve questions in regards to the Home. And a few of that comes from what I consider might have been a bit little bit of overreach with respect to redistricting.

Plus, you could have the historic problem of a mid-term election after presidential election. A number of complexities in it. However I – you recognize, we have work to do. And once more, my beef nearly at all times pertains to what I contemplate to be how issues are being achieved. And I believe the president has some advisers round him. You’ve got heard me discuss Stephen Miller. my opinion about Kristi Noem. These are individuals that do not go searching corners and should not caring for this president’s legacy. And I intend to. And if I’ve to talk bluntly, that is what I will do in my remaining time within the Senate.

ED O’KEEFE: Effectively, we respect you talking bluntly with us this morning from the Munich Safety Convention.

Senator Tillis, thanks in your time.

SENATOR THOM TILLIS: Thanks.

(END VT)

ED O’KEEFE: And we’ll be proper again.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

ED O’KEEFE: That is it for us in the present day. Thanks for watching. Margaret shall be again subsequent week. Till then, for “FACE THE NATION,” I am Ed O’Keefe.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)