Full transcript of “Face the Nation,” July 28, 2024
On this “Face the Nation” broadcast, moderated by Robert Costa:
- Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York
- Sen. Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina
- Home International Affairs Commitee chair Rep. Michael McCaul, Republican of Texas
- Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland
- Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
Click on right here to browse full transcripts of “Face the Nation.”
ROBERT COSTA: I am Robert Costa in Washington.
And this week on Face the Nation: Israel fires again at Hezbollah after a lethal rocket strike.
Plus, with 100 days till the presidential election, and with a brand new candidate, what’s subsequent within the race?
In a single day, the Israeli army launched strikes on a sequence of Hezbollah targets, retribution for a rocket strike in Israeli territory that killed no less than 12 folks, together with kids within the nation’s northern border. The Iran-backed terror group has denied it was behind the assault.
(Start VT)
ANTONY BLINKEN (U.S. Secretary of State): Each indication is that, certainly, the rockets had been from – or the rocket was from Hezbollah.
(Finish VT)
ROBERT COSTA: We are going to get the most recent from Home International Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul, and Senator Chris Van Hollen, who has been outspoken in opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer may also weigh in, in a uncommon Sunday interview.
Plus:
(Start VT)
KAMALA HARRIS (Vice President of the US (D) and U.S. Presidential Candidate): We aren’t going again.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
(Finish VT)
ROBERT COSTA: New candidate, new power for the Democratic Get together, as Vice President Kamala Harris strikes to formally clinch the nomination this week after President Biden’s departure from the race.
(Start VT)
WOMAN: I am tremendous excited, and I believe her age is – is nice.
(Finish VT)
ROBERT COSTA: However as former President Trump assessments assault strains in opposition to a brand new foe…
(Start VT)
DONALD TRUMP (Former President of the US (R) and Present U.S. Presidential Candidate): Then they took him out of the combat, they usually put a brand new fighter. We now have a brand new sufferer now, Kamala.
(BOOING)
FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We now have a brand new sufferer.
(Finish VT)
ROBERT COSTA: … are Democrats ready to resist the onslaught and compete in November?
(Start VT)
WOMAN: I might like to see a lady in energy in some unspecified time in the future. I am simply undecided if proper now’s the time and with this candidate.
(Finish VT)
ROBERT COSTA: We are going to hear from New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, who’s on the Harris marketing campaign advisory board.
It is all simply forward on Face the Nation.
Good morning, and welcome to Face the Nation. We are going to get to politics and the presidential race in a second, however we wish to start this morning with the Center East and fears that hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah may spark a broader regional battle.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has simply returned to Tel Aviv from his journey to the U.S.
And Debora Patta has the most recent.
(Start VT)
(SINGING)
DEBORA PATTA (voice-over): It was largely kids and youths killed within the Hezbollah rocket assault. This morning, households and associates gathered to bury their lifeless.
Rebia (sp?) knew each single sufferer.
How a lot will you miss them?
REBIA (Mourning Victims): I want we may – you recognize, I want we may return on time and this would not occur.
DEBORA PATTA: The strike on this distant Druze village within the Israeli- occupied Golan Heights is the deadliest since October 7.
The youngsters had been taking part in soccer simply behind me when the sirens rang out. Moments later, the rocket hit, leaving no time for them to run to this shelter. Kids had been taking part in soccer right here when the sirens rang out. Seconds later, the rocket slammed into the pitch, leaving no time to run to security.
Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah have been buying and selling virtually day by day hearth alongside the Lebanese border for greater than 9 months now, however this might escalate tensions. A U.S. official informed CBS Information there is not any doubt it was a Hezbollah rocket, regardless of denials from the armed group.
Whereas the U.S. doesn’t imagine it supposed to hit the soccer subject, that is precisely the sort of nightmare state of affairs it has been warning about that would push the area into all-out warfare.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lower brief his U.S. journey to fly house, and, in a single day, his warplanes retaliated by hitting Hezbollah targets deep inside Lebanon. The Israel Protection Pressure is already overstretched in Gaza.
Over the weekend, the Israeli army issued new evacuation orders in an space in Khan Yunis designated a humanitarian secure zone, as soon as once more upending the lives of displaced Palestinians. However there was no warning earlier than the IDF hit this college sheltering civilians in Central Gaza yesterday.
Within the mud and rubble, folks scrambled for security. This girl calls frantically for her family members misplaced within the panic.
(BOY SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
DEBORA PATTA: “We had been simply sitting, taking part in fortunately,” wept this traumatized younger boy.
The IDF says it was a Hamas command middle. However they had been largely ladies and youngsters among the many greater than 30 killed.
(Finish VT)
ROBERT COSTA: Debora Patta reporting in Israel.
We flip now to Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer.
Senator, good morning.
SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER (D-New York): Good morning. Good to be right here.
ROBERT COSTA: Senator, what’s your response to the most recent strikes within the Golan Heights?
SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER: Effectively, look, first, we all know that Iran, by means of its surrogates, Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, is actually the true evil on this space.
And Israel has each proper to defend itself in opposition to Hezbollah, like they do in opposition to Hamas. It is kind of – it exhibits you ways unhealthy Iran and its surrogates are. These had been Arab children they shot out. They do not care – they despatched missiles at. They usually do not even care who that’s.
However having mentioned that, I do not suppose anybody desires a wider warfare. So I hope there are strikes to de-escalate.
ROBERT COSTA: Sticking with the Center East, Senator, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu simply in Washington. You had been a part of the formal bipartisan invitation to have him come to Washington.
But there was video of you not shaking his hand when he was on the ground on Capitol Hill. Why not? Why did you not shake his hand?
SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER: Effectively, look, you recognize, I went to this speech, as a result of the connection between Israel and America is ironclad, and I wished to indicate that.
However, on the identical time, as everybody is aware of, I’ve critical disagreements with the best way Benjamin Netanyahu has performed these insurance policies.
ROBERT COSTA: Your colleague and pal former Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted this, this week.
She mentioned: “Benjamin Netanyahu’s presentation within the Home chamber was by far the worst presentation of any overseas dignitary invited and honored with that privilege in American historical past.”
Do you agree together with her evaluation? And do you have got any regrets in any respect…
SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER: Look…
ROBERT COSTA: … concerning the invitation?
SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER: Look, no, as I’ve mentioned, I need you to indicate our ironclad dedication to Israel that transcends anybody prime minister or anybody president, irrespective of how a lot you would possibly disagree with that prime minister.
ROBERT COSTA: Senator, on July 13, you went to Delaware to satisfy with President Biden. It was a personal dialogue. And I do know you prefer to hold your discussions with the president personal.
However that, for historical past, was a really momentous assembly, within the sense of you had been the Senate Democratic chief, the bulk chief, assembly with the president to debate the presidential race.
For historical past, for the file, did you, in any method, recommend to the president that he ought to go away the presidential race on July 13?
SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER: Effectively, first, let us take a look at President Biden’s file.
He is had one of the vital superb presidencies we have had in many years, passing so many good issues, the infrastructure invoice, the IRA invoice, getting the worth of pharmaceuticals down, for the primary time, going in opposition to the NRA efficiently, serving to our veterans with burn pits. So he is had an amazingly profitable file.
And he is all the time finished what’s proper for America. And I respect him. I respect his patriotism. I respect the superb issues he is finished. We labored collectively on lots of them.
ROBERT COSTA: However only for historical past, although, did you – what was your position, what was your intention with that assembly with him on July 13?
SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER: Sure, I am not going to get into the specifics. However he can – the – President Biden will stroll away from the presidency along with his head held excessive, due to all the good issues he is finished and since he put America first. He all the time has.
ROBERT COSTA: Vice President Harris now the presumptive nominee.
Senator, are you encouraging Senate Democrats, together with these in battleground states, to ask her to marketing campaign with them, to have her of their commercials?
SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER: Sure, the Biden/Harris file is simply unbelievable, as I discussed, all the particular issues that has been – that they’ve handed collectively working with us.
So, it is an unbelievable file. And our senators are already speaking about it. They’re, you recognize, reducing ribbons at new bridges. They’re bringing rural broadband. They’re bringing broadband to rural areas. They’re opening up new factories from chip fabs. So it is an amazing, nice file, and it is serving to our Senate candidates run on it.
And let me simply say one factor. Simply evaluate that to the Republican file, to the Trump/Vance ticket. It is excessive. This Challenge 2025 exhibits it will take the rights away from ladies. It could take away rights of working folks and assist solely the very rich. It could even be a menace to our democracy.
And yet another level about this, and that’s, the addition of J.D. Vance to this ticket, it is – it is extremely a foul alternative. I believe Donald Trump – I do know him, and he is in all probability sitting and watching the TV, and day by day, Vance – it comes out Vance has finished one thing extra excessive, extra bizarre, extra erratic.
Vance appears to be extra erratic and extra excessive than President Trump. And I’ll guess President Trump is sitting there scratching his head and questioning, why did I choose this man? The selection could also be among the best issues he ever did for Democrats.
ROBERT COSTA: What do you imply…
SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER: Now, the president has about 10 days, 10 days, earlier than the Ohio poll is locked in. And he has a alternative. Does he hold Vance on the ticket, the place he is – he in all probability – he is – he already has a complete lot of bags? He is in all probability going to be extra baggage over the weeks as a result of we’ll hear extra issues about him, or does he choose somebody new?
It is his alternative.
ROBERT COSTA: Has Vice President Harris reached out to you about her vice presidential choice? And do you have got a number one contender or two that you simply imagine can be useful?
And Senator Kelly, your colleague, is without doubt one of the contenders, we have reported. Are you assured that, if he goes on the ticket, you may maintain on to that seat in just a few years in a particular?
SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER: Effectively, let me say this.
I’ve full confidence that Vice President Harris will select a top- notch ticket and top-notch vice presidential candidate. We now have lots of – now we have a really robust bench. There are lots of good selections. I’ve confidence in her alternative.
ROBERT COSTA: Are you nervous concerning the Senate majority? It is a slender majority for you proper now. What’s your candid evaluation concerning the Senate majority and Democratic probabilities?
SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER: My candid evaluation is, we will not solely win the Senate, however now we have an excellent likelihood to choose up a seat or two. Our candidates, our senators are working on their information of accomplishment.
And that is why they’re working forward of even the nationwide ticket, as a result of, after they present all the great things we’re bringing to their states by means of the infrastructure invoice, by means of the Chips and Science invoice, with so many good new manufacturing jobs, by means of bringing broadband to rural areas for the primary time, the place rural areas desperately want it – you recognize, Franklin Roosevelt mentioned within the ‘Nineteen Thirties electrical energy was a necessity and introduced it to them.
We’re doing the identical factor with broadband, which, within the twenty first century, is a necessity.
ROBERT COSTA: Talking about know-how, what about…
SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER: And so now we have an amazing file to run on. And it should – sure, it should – it should hold us – it should hold us within the majority.
ROBERT COSTA: Lastly right here, Senator, President Biden this week goes to make a push on the Supreme Courtroom to reform the Supreme Courtroom. What’s actually attainable there? What’s lifelike? Give us your actual view about whether or not this will occur this yr on a – in a bipartisan method.
(CROSSTALK)
SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER: Sure.
Effectively, first, let’s begin off the Supreme Courtroom is a morass. First, it is an moral morass. The concept rich people, lots of them right-wing, can each have – pay for circumstances earlier than the court docket and on the identical time give justices items or journeys is outrageous.
And, frankly, Chief Justice Roberts is not doing sufficient to curb it. But it surely’s a morass and even a worse method. It is a MAGA, right-wing court docket. It is already taken the appropriate – away the appropriate to decide on. It may very nicely go additional on that. I worry it’ll. It is siding with the wealthiest of people and the highly effective pursuits over the common working household.
And it even threatens democracy when it says {that a} president can get immunity even for sure acts within the presidency. So, this court docket is – is only a morass, each ethically and substantively.
ROBERT COSTA: Thanks, Senator Schumer. We recognize your time.
SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER: You guess.
ROBERT COSTA: And Face the Nation will likely be again in a single minute. Stick with us.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
ROBERT COSTA: We now go to Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
Good morning, Senator Graham. Let’s begin with overseas coverage.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-South Carolina): Good morning.
ROBERT COSTA: It is a critical time over in Israel. Are you assured, Senator, that U.S. and Lebanese efforts to chill tensions between Israel and Hezbollah will likely be profitable?
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: No, as a result of I believe Iran is behind all of this.
And till we put Iran on discover that we will maintain you accountable for assaults by Hezbollah and Hamas in opposition to Israel, you are going to get extra of the identical. The assault of October the seventh was designed to cease normalization, in my opinion, between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
So, till the Iranians imagine they’ll get hit, that we begin placing their oil refineries on a goal listing, you are going to get extra of this. In terms of Iran, Biden/Harris have been a colossal failure when it comes to controlling the ayatollah. They’ve enriched him, and Israel’s paying the worth.
ROBERT COSTA: What do you imagine will occur now? May this battle spiral? And will it open up a second entrance?
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure.
Sure, what I fear probably the most about is a dash to a nuclear weapon. The director of nationwide intelligence gave the Senate a report final week concerning the standing of the Iranian nuclear program and their malign actions, serving to their proxies, like Hezbollah and Hamas all through the Mideast. It was beautiful.
I’m very nervous that not solely you might open up a second entrance, however they may use these three or 4 months earlier than our election to dash to a nuclear weapon. And now we have to place them on discover that can’t occur.
ROBERT COSTA: Let’s flip to the presidential race, Senator Graham.
You simply heard from Senator Schumer. He referred to as your colleague within the Senate who’s on…
(LAUGHTER)
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure. Sure.
ROBERT COSTA: … who’s on the ticket, Senator J.D. Vance, he referred to as him bizarre, referred to as him excessive.
(LAUGHTER)
ROBERT COSTA: And he mentioned he wonders in case your shut pal former President Trump’s sitting there this morning questioning, why did I choose this man?
(LAUGHTER)
ROBERT COSTA: But it surely’s not simply Democrats, Senator.
Let me present you one thing from the Wall Avenue Journal editorial web page.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure.
ROBERT COSTA: We all know you learn that.
They mentioned: “Senator Vance’s latest feedback smack of sensible aleck cracks that get laughs in sure right-wing male precincts. But it surely would not play nicely with thousands and thousands of feminine voters, lots of them Republicans.”
We’re speaking about Senator Vance speaking about childless Individuals in political management in latest days, amongst different controversial feedback. You are near former President Trump. Does he in any method remorse having Vance on the ticket?
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: No, in no way, as a result of J.D. Vance has one of the vital compelling tales in American politics.
Once you take a look at his background, what he – overcome early in life to be who he’s, he went to Iraq. He did not need to. Went to Yale Legislation College. He grew to become a Marine. That is no small deal.
The American first agenda will likely be in good arms with J.D. Irrespective of who the Democrats choose, Vice President Harris picks to be her working mate, they are going to purchase into her agenda. And her agenda is the Inexperienced New Deal and Medicare for all. She is probably the most liberal senator in the US Senate.
And there is been sufficient medication on her watch as border czar, fentanyl, to come back in by means of the border to kill all people on the earth. So, the America described by Senator Schumer, the place Biden did an amazing job, just isn’t connecting with the American folks.
We’re on the improper observe. The American folks realize it, and J.D. Vance will assist President Trump get us heading in the right direction. And if you happen to anticipate Kamala Harris, the border czar that is been a depressing failure on that subject, to get us again heading in the right direction, it will be a colossal mistake.
So, we’re in good condition on the Republican aspect. Coverage issues on this election. If it is a coverage election, we win.
ROBERT COSTA: Senator, I perceive your deal with Vice President Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, however there are numerous Individuals who do not need kids.
You are additionally not only a senator. You are a political strategist. You’re employed informally with former President Trump and so many Republicans.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure. Sure.
ROBERT COSTA: You’ve gotten a political thoughts. Is it a mistake for Senator Vance to maintain speaking about Individuals who haven’t got kids…
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure.
ROBERT COSTA: … in terms of a nationwide marketing campaign?
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Effectively, I do not – proper. Proper.
Sure, I haven’t got kids, however I will vote for J.D. and Trump, as a result of I believe we’ll be safer and extra affluent and safer. I wish to finish the Biden/Harris debacle.
No, you need to by no means say something to harm anyone’s emotions. However if you take a look at all these interviews by J.D., he was speaking about how the Democratic Get together has deserted the normal household. This election goes to be determined by the American folks on who can right the issues of their lives.
And here is what most Individuals are experiencing, having to decide on between shopping for meals and gasoline, a border that’s past damaged. The biggest reason for dying of younger folks in America is fentanyl poisoning coming by means of the damaged border, and a world on hearth.
So this concept of attempting to marginalize J.D. and make him some sort of unhealthy individual just isn’t going to work, as a result of he is not a foul individual. He is an excellent individual.
ROBERT COSTA: Senator…
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: He has served his nation honorably, and it should assist President Trump win.
ROBERT COSTA: Senator, nobody’s questioning his character right here. We’re simply questioning, is it sensible politics?
(LAUGHTER)
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: They don’t seem to be? They don’t seem to be?
ROBERT COSTA: Effectively, not right here at Face the Nation.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: No…
(CROSSTALK)
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure.
ROBERT COSTA: Is it sensible politics for him to – is he on…
(LAUGHTER)
ROBERT COSTA: Does he have the appropriate message to win this election or not, or would you advise him to regulate his message?
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: His message is: I will assist President Trump change America. We’ll safe our border. We’ll drill for oil and gasoline that we personal and we will set the world proper fairly rapidly. We’ll tackle inflation in an actual method.
That is the message of the Trump/Vance marketing campaign, is to essentially change the issues that you simply’re dwelling with. Should you anticipate Vice President Harris to alter the course we’re on as a nation, you are going to be sadly upset. She is probably the most liberal senator in the US. There isn’t a liberal horse that she has chosen to not trip.
She sponsored the Inexperienced New Deal and Medicare for all. On the finish of the day, recasting her is one thing – she’s not – she’s a pleasant individual, however she’s extremely liberal, I imply, main league liberal. At a time when we have to reset America, she’s going to double down on improper coverage selections.
And J.D. Vance and Donald Trump are going to alter the course of this nation and the world.
ROBERT COSTA: Senator, President Biden goes to be in Austin, Texas, tomorrow on the LBJ Library, anticipated to speak about reforming the Supreme Courtroom, pushing ahead a code of ethics for the Supreme Courtroom.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Sure.
ROBERT COSTA: You simply heard the bulk chief endorse that concept.
The place do you stand? May you’re employed with President Biden, sure or no, on a Supreme Courtroom reform bundle this yr?
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: No, as a result of he desires to destroy the court docket. They wish to pack the court docket. They need her to undercut the conservative court docket.
They’ve tried to marginalize the court docket and destroy the Roberts court docket. The Roberts court docket has introduced constitutional stability again to the court docket, and the liberals on this nation wish to pack the court docket. They wish to destroy the court docket.
So their initiatives coming from Biden will likely be lifeless on arrival within the Senate. They haven’t any need to make the court docket higher. They’re simply attempting to make it extra liberal.
ROBERT COSTA: What about time period limits for Supreme Courtroom justices? Put apart the difficulty of packing or including justices.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: No, no, no, no, no, no.
It is – when – they did not complain about any of this when the court docket was pumping out opinions they preferred. Solely after we introduced constitutional stability again from having a conservative court docket was the court docket a menace to the nation. What’s been a menace to the nation is an out-of-control liberal court docket issuing opinions that mainly take over each section of American life based mostly on 9 folks’s judgment.
So this Roberts court docket has introduced constitutional stability again to the nation. And one of many points on the poll in 2024 is, what sort of court docket would you like? Should you left it as much as Elizabeth Warren to choose the court docket, you’d had probably the most liberal court docket within the historical past of the world, and Kamala Harris will likely be proper there together with her.
ROBERT COSTA: Senator, I need you to hearken to this latest remark from former President Trump at a rally.
(Start VT)
FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Christians, get out and vote simply this time.
(CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: You will not need to do it anymore. 4 extra years, you recognize what? It’s going to be mounted. It’s going to be advantageous. You will not need to vote anymore, my lovely Christians. I really like you, Christians.
I am a Christian. I really like you. Get out. You bought to get out and vote. In 4 years, you do not have to vote once more. We’ll have it mounted so good, you are not going to need to vote.
(Finish VT)
ROBERT COSTA: Senator, in only a minute right here, rapidly, Democrats say the previous president is attempting to take the reins of all the democratic system right here with these feedback.
You might be laughing. What do you imagine he is attempting to say? What is the reality?
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: He is attempting to inform the Christian group and anyone else who’s listening, the nightmare that we’re experiencing will quickly be over, give me 4 extra years, and I will proper this ship referred to as America, and go it on to the following era.
We could have democracy, God prepared, for a really very long time on this nation. However what President Trump is attempting to inform folks: I did it as soon as, I can do it once more. These issues might be solved.
ROBERT COSTA: Senator – Senator Graham…
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: However you bought to go in a special course.
Thanks.
ROBERT COSTA: Senator Graham, we all the time recognize your time. Many thanks.
And we’ll be proper again with much more Face the Nation. Stick with us.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
ROBERT COSTA: So, I hope you keep updated with the most recent marketing campaign information with our political present America Decides.
You may watch that on our streaming community at 5:00 p.m. Monday by means of Friday, CBS Information 24/7.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
ROBERT COSTA: We will likely be proper again with much more Face the Nation.
Stick with us.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
ROBERT COSTA: Welcome again to FACE THE NATION.
We’re now joined by the chairman of the Home International Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul.
Chairman, thanks for being right here.
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MCCAUL (R-TX): Thanks, Robert. Thanks for having me.
ROBERT COSTA: A reasonably grim morning over in Israel within the fallout from the Golan Heights strikes.
Secretary Blinken informed reporters this morning, quote, “Each indication is that certainly the rockets had been from or not directly associated to Hezbollah.” A U.S. official additionally tells CBS Information, “There isn’t any actual doubt this was Hezbollah.”
Have you ever been briefed on the scenario within the Golan Heights, and what are you able to inform us?
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MCCAUL: Sure, I can. And it did come from Hezbollah throughout the five-mile vary that the U.N. Safety Council decision says that Hezbollah can not function inside this five-mile zone, killing 12 kids on a playground. And, you recognize, what’s attention-grabbing, they had been Arab Druze, a non secular minority sect. It would not make any sense to me why they’d goal these folks. And now they’re claiming they’d nothing to do with it. Maybe which may be why.
ROBERT COSTA: So, for somebody who’s simply sort of tuning into this subject, they hear about Israel’s warfare with Hamas, they usually now hear about Hezbollah attacking within the Golan Heights. And also you simply heard Senator Lindsey Graham on FACE THE NATION. He warned of attainable nuclear issues right here if this spills and spirals right into a broader battle.
What is the massive image right here of the specter of this example exacerbating within the coming days and weeks?
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MCCAUL: Effectively, we do not need escalation for certain. And I believe it is essential to notice that – that Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthi rebels had been all proxies of Iran. They’re kind of just like the tentacles of the top of the snake, if you’ll. And they also do not function with out, you recognize, with out Iran’s consent. And so what I believe is occurring, to be sincere with you, as they debate the cease-fire, Iran would not need normalization. And that’s the course of with Saudi Arabia and Israel, that they had been coming into into previous to October the seventh. So, it is a crucial level. As soon as Iran noticed that is – I believe that culminated in October the seventh.
So, it is not of their curiosity to have any cease-fire, you recognize, settlement that might in some way hold – they need Sinwar to remain in energy. They need Hamas to remain in energy, in any other case they lose energy. And the Saudis made it clear, to get to the normalization peace course of, Sinwar has to go, Hamas has to go, and we want a brand new type of governance for the Palestinian folks.
ROBERT COSTA: The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in the US this previous week. What have you ever heard, what have you ever been informed about his request to have extra shipments of weapons delivered on a fast-track foundation?
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MCCAUL: Effectively, I log off on all overseas army gross sales. And I log off on all those which have gone to Israel and likewise to Ukraine and Taiwan. And so the very fact is, although, that these shipments have been delayed deliberately. The 4 corners, that being the chair and rating member of Home International Affairs and Senate Relations, we signed off on these weapons. And for some purpose, the administration has withheld these weapons.
ROBERT COSTA: There is a purpose. There is a purpose.
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MCCAUL: I believe possibly it offers them leverage over Israel and determination making processes. However after I talked to the prime minister in his workplace, this creates daylight between the US and Israel. And I believe it is harmful, particularly proper now, for us to in some way put daylight between us and our most essential U.S. ally, the democracy within the Center East.
ROBERT COSTA: Let’s flip to the assassination try on former President Donald Trump. What’s the position going to be – you have got going ahead in a – in a attainable process pressure to research this assassination try? Have you ever spoken with Speaker Johnson about having some sort of position? As a result of not solely you deal with overseas coverage, but in addition on homeland safety. What do you wish to do and what ought to occur now?
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MCCAUL: What I – what I wish to see is kind of like how I’ve performed the Afghanistan investigation that we’re beginning to wind up. We’ll have a report on the anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing. Skilled. Professionalism is essential. Expertise. So, you need folks that both have, you recognize, particular operators that understand how snipers work, to federal prosecutors like myself that understand how the method works.
You realize, I – I performed nationwide safety occasions after I led the Joint Terrorism Activity Pressure. And so I need it to be an skilled, but in addition finished very professionally with out lots of theater, if you’ll. I believe you need it to be credible greater than something and it deserves that.
ROBERT COSTA: Will you – will you be on it? Will you be on the duty pressure?
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MCCAUL: I do not know. If requested, I might –
ROBERT COSTA: Would you be prepared to?
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MCCAUL: If requested I might serve, however I – there are lots of different very certified folks.
ROBERT COSTA: Is it possible to get a report finished on the assassination try by the top of this yr?
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MCCAUL: I believe so. I went out to the sight. I went as much as the rooftop. This particular person ought to by no means have been that near the president of the US. It was very, very shut. And the very fact he even obtained there within the first place was a failure. It ought to have been stopped.
What’s attention-grabbing, Robert, is that he had a detonation gadget on him and two bombs within the automotive. What his plan was, was to assassinate the president, create a diversion by blowing up his car on the opposite aspect of the property, after which he may escape.
ROBERT COSTA: Do you have got confidence within the Secret Service to guard former President Trump, and to guard President Biden and different protectees at this level? Sure, the director has only in the near past resigned. However former President Trump’s going again to Pennsylvania for rallies. The Secret Service continues to be with him. Do you have got confidence within the Secret Service presently?
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MCCAUL: You realize, I chaired Homeland for 3 phrases and I’ve religion and confidence in them. I did not have confidence of their management. And I am glad that Director Cheadle did the appropriate factor and resigned, like President Reagan’s director of Secret Service did.
Any time you have got an tried assassination, that may be a failure. And she or he mentioned that herself.
I believe the brokers are good. I believe the issue is, you recognize, the president is below lots of threats, clearly. And one from Iran as nicely. They requested for extra brokers. They weren’t on condition that. So, it was the management.
ROBERT COSTA: Effectively, ought to Congress step in, in your view, and supply extra sources, extra brokers? Ought to – is there a congressional position in addressing the Secret Service subject?
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MCCAUL: Be blissful to do this, however I believe, for probably the most half, they’ve the sources. It is simply – on this specific occasion, and the Trump marketing campaign itself, they had been derelict of their tasks.
ROBERT COSTA: Once you take a look at overseas coverage, you even have subject with the border. What’s your evaluation of the place issues stand with U.S. border coverage and the nationwide safety threats there, particularly with this mounting variety of arrests on the border in latest weeks?
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MCCAUL: Effectively, along with the aggravated felons and the fentanyl and I can go on and on about that.
What I fear most about, Robert, is, look, you had the autumn of Afghanistan. Hundreds of ISIS-Okay got here out of these prisons at Bagram, find yourself in a area referred to as the Khorasan area, which is Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan. They make their method over. They arrive by means of Mexico. They usually enter into the US. ISIS.
After I chaired Homeland, we nervous about this, however by no means truly noticed it. Now now we have ISIS within the homeland. Thankfully, the FBI has detained the eight people. However the query is, what number of extra are right here.
ROBERT COSTA: Chairman McCaul of Texas, thanks for stopping by FACE THE NATION. We all the time recognize your time.
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL MCCAUL: Thanks, Robert.
ROBERT COSTA: Thanks.
And we will likely be proper again.
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ROBERT COSTA: We’re again with Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen.
Senator, nice to have you ever right here at FACE THE NATION.
Let’s start together with your colleague, Senator Majority Chief Chuck Schumer. He was on FACE THE NATION just some minutes in the past. After we’re speaking about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his go to to the US. We’re glad to have you ever right here. You’ve got been so outspoken on Israel and its dealing with of its warfare with Hamas.
He was fairly clipped in speaking about why he did not shake Netanyahu’s hand. He mentioned I simply wished to acknowledge the connection between the U.S. and Israel, however he did say – he didn’t say he had any regrets about making that formal invitation.
Do you agree with the senator’s tackle all of this with the Netanyahu go to or not?
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN (D-MD): Effectively, Robert, it is good to be with you. And simply to be very clear, sure, I have been important of the conduct of the warfare in Gaza, however all the time affirmed Israel’s proper to self-defense. In reality, responsibility to self-defense.
So, look, I – the message that I obtained from my journey to Israel 9 days in the past, the place I met with hostage households, was, do not be used as a political prop by Bibi Netanyahu in an tackle to Congress that can assist increase his very low reputation scores in Israel at a time when he and his extremist colleagues, Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, aren’t prioritizing the return of the hostages. They don’t seem to be prioritizing a cease-fire and return of the hostages.
So, they inspired me, lots of them, to specific my views in assist of the folks of Israel by not collaborating in what they noticed was a political ploy by Prime Minister Netanyahu. So, that is what I did.
ROBERT COSTA: You mentioned they informed you to not be used as a prop. Do you imagine Congress was used as a prop by Netanyahu?
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: I do suppose. I believe Prime Minister Netanyahu achieved his purpose of utilizing Congress as a prop to spice up his assist in Israel, particularly amongst his proper wing extremists. Should you noticed the individuals who gave two thumbs as much as his speech, they had been Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. These are very proper wing extremists.
ROBERT COSTA: Was it a mistake for Democrats to assist him coming to Congress?
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: I imagine it was. I’ve expressed that view. However the actuality is, clearly, he got here. So, for these of us who thought it was a mistake to have him right here, we expressed our views by – by not collaborating.
And once more, that was the message I obtained, not solely from hostage households, however I additionally met, Robert, with lots of Israeli households whose family members had been victims of the October seventh Hamas assaults, who informed me that neither Prime Minister Netanyahu or any member of his authorities had come to see them, had reached out to them. And their message to me, as I mentioned on the Senate flooring in a speech final week was, earlier than he involves the US Congress, have him come look us within the eye and clarify his accountability within the intelligence failure that made the Hamas assault even worse. That was their message.
ROBERT COSTA: Should you’re so annoyed with Prime Minister Netanyahu, nicely, ought to the president refuse to satisfy with Netanyahu sooner or later? He met with him this previous week. The place ought to the road be drawn now with Netanyahu?
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: Effectively, my view is that we have to actually rise up and confront the extremist insurance policies of Prime Minister Netanyahu and Smotrich and Ben-Gvir. And once more, that is the message we’re getting from many in Israel. I imply when you had folks within the Congress standing up and giving Netanyahu massive applause –
ROBERT COSTA: An actual affirmation.
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: You had folks on the street, Israelis on the street, protesting the truth that Netanyahu and his proper wing extremists, who’ve been – they have been clear that they do not prioritize the return of the hostages. You had Israelis protesting that reality. And – and the message to me was, if you happen to actually wish to take a pro-Israel place proper now, you have to confront the very excessive positions of Netanyahu and Smotrich. And this isn’t simply their refusal to prioritize a cease-fire and a return of the hostages.
Additionally, many see a number of the extremist measures they’re taking up the West Financial institution, the place they’re pushing Palestinians off their lands, permitting extremist settlers to assault Palestinians with relative impunity. All of that is simply going so as to add gas to the fireplace.
ROBERT ACOSTA: You’ve gotten a political antenna, a coverage antenna. I have been listening to Vice President Harris this week discuss Israel and what is going on on with the warfare with Hamas. You’ve got been listening as nicely. Do you imagine there may be any daylight between her place and articulation of the coverage on Israel versus President Biden’s?
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: I do not know. What I – what I take into consideration Vice President Harris’ method right here is that every one the weather of President Biden’s method are there. She helps them. She’s been a part of that. So, Israel’s proper to self-defense. The truth that – how the warfare is performed issues. Hamas can have, you recognize, no management or governance after this warfare, no extra October seventh. But in addition, very importantly, that the Palestinian Authority must be the nucleus of governance in a post-war Gaza.
They’ve a number of flaws. They want a number of assist to reform. In addition they want sources. And really importantly, and also you talked about this with, you recognize, Congressman McCaul, a path, though he omitted this half, a path to a two-state answer to guarantee that the good majority of the Palestinian individuals who don’t have anything to do with Hamas can have some mild on the finish of the tunnel. We’d like equal safety, equal dignity, equal rights of self- willpower for Israelis and Palestinians alike. And the president has coupled that with what you probably did discuss, which was a normalization settlement with Saudi Arabia, which might be excellent for the safety pursuits of Israel.
ROBERT COSTA: And she or he, in fact, will stay President Biden’s vice chairman for the remainder of the time period. However she’s additionally now the presumptive Democratic nominee. 100 days between now on the election. Would you counsel her in any method to separate or differentiate herself, or no less than outline herself, on the Israel subject on her personal phrases rapidly, or simply to maintain going alongside as is?
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: Effectively, so, I imagine the weather of her coverage are the identical. However the query is, how we achieve reaching the weather of the coverage. I’ve been important of the Biden administration at occasions for not utilizing all of the levers of affect now we have to attain President Biden’s acknowledged targets, together with what a post-war Gaza seems like.
So, I used to be happy that after her assembly with Prime Minister Netanyahu, the vice chairman made a – made an announcement, a public assertion, not a written assertion, and he or she did it with readability.
ROBERT COSTA: Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, we recognize you coming by FACE THE NATION.
And we will likely be again in a second.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
ROBERT COSTA: We go now to New Mexico’s governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, who’s a member of Vice President Harris’ marketing campaign advisory board.
Good morning, Governor. Nice to have you ever with us right here on FACE THE NATION.
GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM (D-NM): Good morning, Robert.
ROBERT COSTA: We all know you are with the vice chairman. You are a hearty supporter on her advisory board. However I wish to start with the information of the week for historical past, which was, President Biden’s determination to exit the race.
You had been on a name with President Biden and Democratic governors just a few weeks in the past the place CBS Information reported that you simply expressed concern concerning the president’s efficiency on the time and whether or not he was capable of win.
Are you able to inform us what precisely you mentioned and what had been your issues to assist us perceive why this week performed out because it did?
GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM: Effectively, I do not know that any of my statements had something to do with what’s performed out, however it’s clear to me, or was then, that there was a shift. And New Mexico is a bellwether state, you recognize, with the most important share of Hispanic voters per capita within the nation, and that there was a little bit of a, if you’ll, stalling out. And that I discovered very regarding. That was confirmed by nationwide polling that had Biden beating Trump by 1 share level amongst Hispanic voters. And since his private determination to actually put democracy first, I’ll say, I am seeing a re-energized, notably with younger voters, with I believe is now taking part in out in nationwide polling, displaying Harris beating Trump with Hispanic voters by 19 share factors.
ROBERT COSTA: How is Vice President Harris taking part in out on the difficulty of immigration and the border in your state? In fact, a border state. You heard Senator Graham earlier in this system, he simply stored coming again to the difficulty of the border with Vice President Harris. Are Democrats able to counter the Republican assaults, and are you assured that she personally can tackle this subject in an efficient method for New Mexico?
GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM: Effectively, let’s do a few issues. First, I will reply the query. Sure. There’s renewed enthusiasm as a result of what the Hispanic voters right here need is a prosecutor who’s obtained a historical past in a border state, coping with border and immigration points that may trigger dangers, like her prosecution efficiently of transnational gangs on medication and weapons.
However additionally they need somebody who’s going to be balanced on immigration coverage. And that is what the Biden-Harris administration brokered with Congress. And that is the second time we have seen Trump and his solid of characters be actually clear, they do not need immigration reform, they need worry, they need division, they’ll proceed to demonize Hispanics and Latinos and immigrant communities. And you recognize what they see? They see somebody who’s robust, truthful, balanced, pragmatic, and any individual they’ll relate to when it comes to her circle of relatives. That motivates Hispanic voters.
ROBERT COSTA: Senator Graham referred to as Vice President Harris the border czar. That wasn’t her title. She was given accountability to cope with the basis causes of migration in terms of the border.
Your voters in New Mexico, I’ve spoken to them. They see you as a straight talker. What’s your grade, straight discuss, politically talking, of how she dealt with the difficulty of migration over the last three and a half years?
GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM: Effectively, as a straight shooter, thanks, Robert, thanks New Mexico voters. We now have to be engaged in higher diplomacy in Central America and South America. She did that very successfully. And, in actual fact, we had conferences of the Americas and Latino leaders from south of the border, and people have been extremely promising.
They’re attempting to create a label that actually belongs squarely with the president and Stephen Miller themselves. They wish to be dictators. They wish to be dictators on the border. They wish to demonize immigrants. They’ve been extremely racist. They’re gaslighting. They usually have finished completely nothing on the border that makes any sense. Within the final administration, they wish to do mass deportation.
This is one thing that I believe is actually essential and telling about this subject. Proper now, border crossings are as little as they’ve ever been. Definitely decrease than they had been within the Trump administration. And we have seen a 55 % lower. And we have seen the appropriate public security exercise on the border on this administration.
ROBERT COSTA: However what about extra Border Patrol brokers? There was reported, together with a leaked telephone name, of you talking about, you want extra from DHS, you want extra Border Patrol. You’ve got been optimistic concerning the administration thus far on this dialog, however you have usually have been pressing about your want for extra sources on the border. Does this administration have to do extra for you and your state when it comes to allocation of sources and brokers or not?
GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM: They do. And they’ll get that chance if Republicans in Congress weren’t directed to ensure that they didn’t do something to go a bipartisan border deal that put 1,500 extra border patrol and 1,200 extra ICE brokers. You guess.
And the shift of border patrol by President Biden into ports of entry is strictly what we would have liked in order that we will focus there and then you definitely decrease, proper, you may’t search asylum if you happen to’re not coming in a port of entry. That will get at coyotes and people inappropriate crossings.
So, they each did one thing based mostly on my urging, they usually’re on the appropriate aspect of this new border deal. Which is able to get finished when Harris is president, we take the Home and we hold the Senate.
ROBERT COSTA: And on the seek for a working mate for Vice President Harris, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, from the Solar Belt, your area of the nation, is at or close to the highest of the listing based mostly on our reporting. How a lot of a assist would it not be for Arizona, for New Mexico, to have somebody like Senator Kelly on the ticket? Would you suggest he is picked by Vice President Harris?
GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM: Effectively, my suggestions actually should not matter. It is a private determination by candidate Harris and the vice chairman. And I respect that she’s going to make an ideal balanced ticket alternative.
However look, this is without doubt one of the highest per capita enlisted and veteran communities within the nation, New Mexico. You’ve got obtained a veteran, you have obtained an astronaut, you have obtained somebody who’s obtained a really robust public security file, you have obtained somebody who understands the West, when perceive water. It isn’t simply immigration. He can be an extremely robust choose.
You realize, the very first pictures from area had been captured from New Mexico within the ’40s. This may be a really robust choose. However she’s obtained a extremely deep bench, which is, I believe, one other actually essential side on this race. The Democrats have people who find themselves prepared to maneuver the nation ahead. She’s about progress and the long run, and Trump is about none of these issues.
ROBERT COSTA: Governor, we actually recognize you taking the time. That did not look like an endorsement of Senator Kelly, however one thing near it. We – we’ll need to verify in.
GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM: Effectively –
ROBERT COSTA: Effectively, one thing shut – it was a optimistic –
GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM: He is aware of I really like him. Come on. He is aware of I really like him.
ROBERT COSTA: All proper.
GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM: All proper.
ROBERT COSTA: All proper, Governor.
We’ll be proper again.
And thanks once more.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
ROBERT COSTA: That is it for us in the present day. Thanks for watching. For FACE THE NATION, I am Robert Costa.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
