The next is the transcript of the interview with Sen. Tammy Duckworth that aired on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Oct. 5, 2025.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And we’re now joined by Illinois Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth. Good morning, and good to have you ever right here, in particular person. So, I’ve to ask you about what the President introduced yesterday in regard to federalizing 300 Nationwide Guardsmen out within the state of Illinois. We have heard this menace going again all the way in which to August. The governor says these will not be wanted. Do you could have any thought after they’ll arrive?
SENATOR TAMMY DUCKWORTH: Nicely, I imagine they are going to be Illinois Nationwide Guardsmen. So, they don’t seem to be going to be coming from out of state. I spoke with our governor yesterday, and it appears like it should be about 300 Illinois Guardsmen who will likely be activated in opposition to the governor’s needs. So that they’ll be they’re going to be homegrown Illinoisans, they usually’re our brothers and sisters, our neighbors. I most likely served with fairly plenty of them, definitely the management. And, you recognize, they’re going to be residence. We’ll welcome them. It is a misuse of the Nationwide Guard. They’re they don’t seem to be wanted on this specific position. If President Trump actually wished to struggle crime, then possibly he ought to cease defunding the police he, you recognize, he diverted $800 million in crime prevention efforts away from- that was appropriated away from funding for our law enforcement officials. So, you recognize, I- they don’t seem to be wanted, however we’ll welcome them, as a result of they’re our brothers and sisters, and we’re happy with our Nationwide Guard.
MARGARET BRENNAN: He has surged, or the federal authorities has surged, brokers from totally different teams. The FBI mentioned yesterday they’re sending people in. Inform me about these protests, as a result of the photographs look fairly intense of what has occurred between individuals on the streets of Chicago, we’re exhibiting a few of that video now, round immigration points. As I perceive yesterday, ice authorities shot a Chicago lady within the Brighton Park space. Secretary Noem claimed ICE fired defensive pictures at this lady, who was armed, who had appeared in a border patrol intelligence bulletin beforehand. She claims that federal brokers have been surrounded and have been threatened. What are native authorities telling you about what they suppose occurred right here?
SEN. DUCKWORTH: Nicely, they lie, proper? The Trump administration lies. Now we have a president who’s a identified liar, they usually have been- they have been mendacity concerning the scenario all alongside. And, in actual fact, they even shot tear grenades- tear fuel grenades, I believe, at a reporter who was merely driving by together with her window open. And so, we’re urging individuals, we’re urging our protesters, stay calm, peaceable protests, train the First Modification rights. However video-tape all the things. Everyone has a telephone; tape all the things, so we even have actual proof of what’s taking place. We all know the Trump administration lies persistently. And what I’m listening to is that, for the massive half, individuals are being very quiet, are being very respectful. However ICE is being very aggressive. Do not forget that they’re zip-tying kids. They’re raiding house blocks in the course of the evening, separating kids from their households, pulling individuals out onto the streets bare. They’re utilizing Gestapo ways in Chicago, and that is what Trump needs to do, proper? He needs to intimidate the individuals of Chicago. That is not going to occur, and we’ll doc all the things and ensure, simply because the choose in Portland mentioned, that these- these necessities, these orders from the Trump administration, will not be truly tied to actuality.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You are speaking about President Trump’s directive to ship Oregon Nationwide Guard troops into Portland, and the choose mentioned that- untethered to the information. However, on this case, I imply, the Homeland Safety Advisor says there’s a big and rising motion of left-wing terrorism, organized and funded. They’re posting, on Homeland Safety, pictures of snipers. So we’re not speaking troops, we’re speaking about federal brokers which might be finishing up a few of this proper now. Have you ever seen any proof of what Stephen Miller is describing right here when it comes to group and focusing on of federal brokers?
SEN. DUCKWORTH: No, in no way. That is- it is merely not taking place. They’re mendacity. And so, if anyone is focusing on anybody, it’s uncontrolled ICE brokers focusing on, once more, zip-tying kids, throwing reporters onto the bottom, separating kids from their moms, making an attempt to persuade faculties to show over youngsters from public faculties. They’re raging by the streets of Chicago, making an attempt to intimidate on a regular basis, abnormal residents, or simply making an attempt to go to highschool and go to work. That is not acceptable. That is not what America is about. And it’s shameful that the current United States has instigated this on one in every of its biggest cities. He must be defending the town. He must be defending the town. Ship us the federal {dollars} that have been appropriated in a bipartisan solution to assist legislation enforcement. They took cash away from legislation enforcement officers, little one prevention effort- violence in opposition to kids prevention efforts. They- they’ve actually, this president, has defunded the police.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, that’s counter their messaging, no less than. However on the messaging across the navy, I wish to ask you about what occurred at Quantico. And, simply so our viewers are clear, you serve on Armed Providers, however you retired from the Nationwide Guard. You have been a lieutenant colonel.
SEN. DUCKWORTH: 23 years happy with it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Blackhawk helicopter pilot in Iraq. You served in fight. Secretary Hegseth informed senior navy leaders just some days in the past he would not wish to stop ladies from serving, however he is now going to require everybody meet the male customary. Let’s take heed to that.
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SECRETARY OF WAR PETE HEGSETH: Relating to any job that requires bodily energy to carry out in fight, these bodily requirements have to be excessive and gender impartial. If ladies could make it, wonderful. If not, it’s what it’s. If meaning no ladies qualify for some fight jobs, so be it. That isn’t the intent, nevertheless it may very well be the end result.
((END VIDEO CLIP))
MARGARET BRENNAN: How did you hear these remarks, and the way do you suppose feminine service individuals heard them?
SEN. DUCKWORTH: Nicely, that is the least certified Secretary of Protection in our nation’s historical past, and he is questioning the flexibility of the ladies who truly qualify to their- to do their jobs. The feminine Rangers, the feminine that graduated from seal college, have met these highest requirements. And, by the way in which, he’s obfuscating somewhat bit as a result of there are totally different male requirements. The usual for 45 year-old man isn’t the identical as an 18 year-old man. So he would not truly discuss that. He has lengthy sought to push ladies out of the navy. And, frankly, our navy couldn’t do its job of defending America and maintaining us protected with out the ladies who serve within the navy. In case you have a look at some classes we discovered in Afghanistan, for instance, the lionesses, the Marine Corps group of ladies who truly went on patrol, all-female items that really was in a position to get intelligence from women- Afghani ladies to get info on the enemy. Frankly, you have acquired a least certified secretary of protection within the nation’s historical past who wastes taxpayer {dollars} frequently doing issues like bringing generally and flag officers to be an viewers for his canine and pony present, utilizing them as little toy troopers when they need to be on the market at your items in command, doing their jobs.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator, thanks on your time and on your perception. We’ll be again in a second.
