On this “Face the Nation” broadcast, moderated by Margaret Brennan:
- Sen. Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky
- Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Democrat of Illinois
- Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland
- Ret. Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster
- Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, Democrat of Delaware
Click on right here to browse full transcripts of “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”
MARGARET BRENNAN: I am Margaret Brennan in Washington.
And this week on Face the Nation: President-elect Trump makes a flurry of picks for high well being and finance jobs. Will they move muster with the Republican-controlled Senate?
The Trump transition crew unveiled virtually a dozen individuals chosen to fill key Cupboard and White Home roles. And as would-be nominees are whisked by means of Capitol Hill to satisfy with senators, there’s already been one main withdrawal, a fast substitute, and renewed scrutiny on a number of the extra controversial nationwide safety picks.
We’ll speak with two key senators, Republican Rand Paul and Democrat Tammy Duckworth. They are going to be questioning the president-elect’s decisions on well being, nationwide safety and extra.
One in all Trump’s nationwide safety advisers from his first time period, retired Military Lieutenant Common H.R. McMaster, may also weigh in.
Plus: Because the battle between Israel-Hamas and Hezbollah continues to rage, when can we count on a cease-fire? We’ll ask Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, who has referred to as President Biden’s dealing with of Israel shameful and a coverage failure.
Lastly, we’ll hear from representative-elect Sarah McBride on the challenges and alternatives dealing with her as she prepares to take workplace as the primary overtly transgender member of Congress.
It is all simply forward on Face the Nation.
Good morning, and welcome to Face the Nation.
As we start this vacation week, People are making ready to collect to provide thanks for what has been and ponder what’s to come back. Our newest CBS Information ballot reveals that 59 p.c of People approve of how president-elect Donald Trump is dealing with the presidential transition.
Trump has stored up a gentle drumbeat of staffing bulletins from his Mar- a-Lago resort in Palm Seaside, Florida.
And that’s the place we discover our Nikole Killion this morning with the newest.
(Start VT)
NIKOLE KILLION (voice-over): After Saturday lunch with one of many senators who will vote on his Cupboard picks, president-elect Donald Trump introduced former home coverage adviser Brooke Rollins for agriculture secretary.
One in all his most extremely anticipated alternatives was Scott Bessent for Treasury. If confirmed, the 62-year-old investor can be the primary overtly homosexual secretary to steer it and accountable for quarterbacking Mr. Trump’s proposed insurance policies on taxes and tariffs.
DONALD TRUMP (Former President of america (R) and Present U.S. President-Elect): Probably the most lovely phrase within the dictionary is tariff.
NIKOLE KILLION: A brand new CBS Information ballot reveals a majority of People assist imposing tariffs on imported items, and extra have an optimistic view of the financial system for the reason that election.
Mr. Trump chosen a pair of docs to steer well being companies. Former Congressman David Weldon has promoted debunked anti-vaccine views and is being tapped to steer the Facilities for Illness Management. Meals and Drug Administration decide Martin Makary critiqued vaccine mandates in the course of the COVID pandemic.
And Undertaking 2025 architect Russ Vought plans to reprise his position as White Home finances director, regardless of Trump’s disavowal of the conservative coverage blueprint.
PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP: I’ve nothing to do with Undertaking 2025.
NIKOLE KILLION: Our polling additionally finds most of the president-elect’s well- recognized designees have extra assist than opposition, together with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and Pete Hegseth.
The previous FOX Information host picked to steer the Pentagon is drawing scrutiny over allegations of sexual assault in a 2017 police report.
Did you sexually assault a lady in Monterey, California?
PETE HEGSETH (U.S. Protection Secretary Nominee): I’ve – so far as the media is anxious, I’ll preserve this quite simple. The matter was totally investigated. And I used to be fully cleared. And that is the place I’ll depart it.
(Finish VT)
NIKOLE KILLION: Whereas president-elect Trump has crammed out most of his Cupboard, a couple of financial positions stay up for grabs, together with U.S. commerce consultant and small enterprise administrator – Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: That is Nikole Killion in West Palm Seaside, Florida.
We go now to Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul. He’s set to chair the Homeland Safety Committee subsequent yr, and he sits on the Well being Committee.
Welcome again to Face the Nation, Senator.
SENATOR RAND PAUL (R-Kentucky): Good morning. Thanks for having me.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Properly, you’re a physician by coaching.
I need to ask you about a few of these well being picks. I do know that you just personally mentioned that you’ve vaccinated your whole youngsters, however vaccination charges on this nation, as you already know, are on the decline.
Are you in any respect involved that elevating people who’ve been publicly crucial of some explicit vaccines, RFK Jr. at HHS secretary, Dave Weldon to CDC director, that any of that may erode belief in vaccination?
SENATOR RAND PAUL: You recognize, I believe all of us can agree that there is a rise of vaccine hesitancy.
I believe it comes from individuals not believing what the federal government is telling them. The truth that the CDC committee for vaccines and the FDA committee for vaccines mentioned for COVID boosters that you need to take a booster in case you’re over 65, and but the Biden administration and Rochelle Walensky truly politicized that, did not observe the indicators and mentioned you need to increase your 6-month-old, and the American public is rejecting this.
Solely about 20 p.c of the American public of all ages is taking the COVID booster, as a result of the federal government hasn’t been trustworthy with us. That dishonesty has led to vaccine hesitancy.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Properly, it is vaccination charges in different – different vaccines as nicely, not simply COVID vaccines. There’s concern about measles. There are issues about different…
SENATOR RAND PAUL: Proper, however individuals need to consider it. Precisely.
However individuals are doubting as a result of they’re being informed that. I provides you with an instance. Look, I believe vaccines, smallpox, the story of smallpox vaccine, polio vaccine are a number of the most miraculous discoveries in all of drugs. And I am not towards vaccines.
However, like, when my youngsters have been little, the hepatitis B vaccine, they nonetheless need to give it to them as a new child. I simply – my child is new and simply, you already know, come into the world, and you may see how a number of affordable individuals say, why do I’ve to do it as a new child? Might I come again in three months or six months?
So, actually, it is about alternative. It is about eliminating mandates. It is about letting individuals take part, but it surely’s additionally in regards to the authorities being trustworthy. What are the dangers and what are the advantages? And so they have not been trustworthy on COVID, as a result of wholesome youngsters don’t die from COVID, don’t get severely sick, and there isn’t any proof that the vaccine has any medical profit for wholesome youngsters.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Properly, we need to transfer on to different subjects, sir, however we’ll proceed to cowl vaccination on this nation.
I believe what you mentioned there’s that you just’re supportive of all these well being nominees, from what I heard. You – you may have been – I am sorry. Did you need to say…
SENATOR RAND PAUL: I used to be simply going to say, sure, I’m supportive.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
SENATOR RAND PAUL: However I would not describe them as the issue with vaccine hesitancy. I might describe the federal government misinformation as the issue with vaccine hesitancy.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK. Messengers matter, although.
However you may have raised issues in your position on Homeland Safety in regards to the implementation of a number of the guarantees Donald Trump made on the marketing campaign path. His mass deportation vow may be very fashionable. Our CBS polling reveals 57 p.c of voters like the concept, however how it’s carried out issues loads to voters.
The overwhelming majority favor that federal regulation enforcement or immigration companies carry them out. Simply 40 p.c say the U.S. navy must be concerned. The acknowledged Trump plan is to make use of the navy, navy belongings, deputize the Nationwide Guard, and have them act as immigration brokers. Do you consider that’s lawful?
SENATOR RAND PAUL: You recognize, I am 100% supportive of going after the 15,000 murderers, the 13,000 sexual assault perpetrators, rapists, all these individuals.
Let’s ship them on their approach to jail or again dwelling to a different jail. So I might say all-points bulletin, all in, however you do not do it with the Military as a result of it is unlawful. And we have – we have had a mistrust of placing the Military into our streets, as a result of the police have a troublesome job, however the police perceive the Fourth Modification. They need to go to judges. They need to get warrants. It must be particular.
And so I am for eradicating these individuals, however I might do it by means of the conventional means of home policing. Now, I might say that the mayor of Denver, if he is going to withstand federal regulation, which there is a longstanding historical past of the supremacy of federal regulation, if he is going to withstand that, it is going to go all the best way to the Supreme Court docket.
And I might suspect that he can be faraway from workplace. I do not know whether or not or not there’d be a legal prosecution for somebody resisting federal regulation, however he’ll lose. And other people want to comprehend that what he’s – – what he’s providing is a type of revolt, the place the states resist the federal authorities.
Most individuals objected to that and rejected that way back. So I believe the mayor of Denver is on the mistaken facet of historical past, and, actually, I believe, will face authorized ramifications if he does not obey the federal regulation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: All proper, simply context on these numbers you rattled off by way of criminals, these numbers from ICE are correct figures, however they’re over a 40-year time frame.
What we all know now in regards to the immigration authorities who must be charged with rounding these people up, there are simply 6,000 brokers, 41,000 detention beds to hold out the task of rounding up hundreds of thousands of undocumented individuals, probably.
How do you recommend they implement it? And if it is a pink line for you by way of utilizing the navy, would you vote no on the DHS secretary, Kristi Noem?
SENATOR RAND PAUL: I cannot assist and won’t vote to make use of the navy in our cities. I believe it is a horrible picture.
However I’ll let you know that, simply within the final week, with the idea {that a} new administration will change issues, there have been 4 or 5 criminals arrested within the final week. And what would occur and I believe what is going to occur below Donald Trump’s administration is, I do not advocate to make use of the Military, however I might use the FBI, I might use ICE, I might use Border Patrol.
And so they have a listing now of 15,000. I do not care if it got here in over 40 years or 10 years. In the event you’ve received a listing, you set these individuals on an all- factors bulletin, these are the sort of individuals which can be harmful and that everyone must be the watch on, and they might exit and search these individuals.
That – we now have about 30,000 very harmful individuals already convicted of crimes. That must be the primary precedence for all of this. Let’s go discover these individuals. However it’s not about detaining them. In all chance, they need to be going to a jail, both a jail right here or within the nation they got here from.
So I believe, if we did that, there shall be a number of unity. In the event that they ship the Military into New York, and you’ve got 10,000 troops marching, carrying semiautomatic weapons, I believe it is a horrible picture, and I’ll oppose that. However it’s not that I oppose eradicating individuals. I simply…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
SENATOR RAND PAUL: … object to what has been towards the regulation for over 100 years, and that is utilizing the Military.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However deputizing the Nationwide Guard, that particularly is the proposal. You additionally oppose that?
SENATOR RAND PAUL: I do not assume it is the easiest way to do it. It is much less clear whether or not that is authorized or unlawful. Sometimes, it must be completed on the behest of the governors.
I nonetheless do not like a militarization of police, whether or not it is Nationwide Guard or Military. I believe there’s a number of FBI.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
SENATOR RAND PAUL: There’s a number of Border Patrol brokers. There’s a greater approach to do it. And it must be individualized.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR RAND PAUL: That does not imply I am any much less critical about getting it completed. It simply must be completed in keeping with the regulation and in line with our traditions.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Understood.
You have made clear you’re a fiscal conservative. I need to ask you in regards to the alternative simply made to pick hedge fund supervisor Scott Bessent because the treasury secretary. He had an extended monetary profession. He served because the Chief Funding Officer for George Soros’ funds. He is been a political donor.
Elon Musk got here out publicly towards him, calling him enterprise as regular. Do you prefer Mr. Bessent within the position as Treasury secretary?
SENATOR RAND PAUL: You recognize, I’ve heard good issues about him. I have never decided. I lean in direction of being supportive.
I do not like tariffs, however, then once more, I do not just like the president selling tariffs. I believe tariffs are a tax on the buyer, they usually ignore issues like with metal. There are 80 employees working in steel-buying trade for each employee making metal.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-hmm.
SENATOR RAND PAUL: So, sure, you possibly can shield sure industries, but it surely’s on the expense of different individuals.
I do not consider that shall be sufficient for me to need to vote towards Bessent, as a result of it is also the president’s place as nicely. I shall be vocal in saying that I believe tariffs are unhealthy and that worldwide commerce truly saves each shopper about $7,000 a yr. So, all people in our nation is $7,000 richer due to worldwide commerce.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR RAND PAUL: It is a part of one of many booms of postwar and post- Industrial Revolution. This wonderful worldwide commerce has made us all richer, and we have to speak in regards to the statistics and information regarding the advantages of commerce.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Understood on the nuances and specifics there, however that’s primarily how Donald Trump is promising to pay for all of the issues he promised on the marketing campaign path.
As you already know, the federal debt is previous $36 trillion as of this week. His proposals to raise taxes off of ideas, time beyond regulation, Medicare, Social Safety, give tax credit, that would add as a lot as $8 trillion extra to the deficit, in keeping with the Committee for a Accountable Price range.
Do you truly count on Republicans to take up these proposals?
SENATOR RAND PAUL: You recognize, in 2017, I voted for a tax discount package deal that they mentioned would add to the debt, however I additionally pressured my colleagues to vote for pay-as-you-go. It is a coverage that is in our regulation, they usually need to waive it, which implies that if a tax lower causes a discount and causes a rise within the debt due to decreased income, that you must have spending cuts.
So, I’ve at all times been in favor of the tax cuts, however I’ve additionally been in favor of the spending cuts. The identical will happen with this. If we do lower spend – lower taxes, which I believe helps the financial system, you permit cash within the palms of the productive personal sector, I believe that is a good suggestion. However in case you do it, I might lower spending.
And there shall be procedural blockade or procedural votes that I’ll power that claims that we also needs to lower spending as nicely.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Our polling reveals that the overwhelming majority of People, 86 p.c, favor individuals with expertise working the companies, and 64 p.c polled by us assume it is essential to nominate individuals with that have in Washington.
On condition that, for instance, the Pentagon decide has never managed a big company or held a excessive rank within the navy, do you assume he can run the Pentagon?
SENATOR RAND PAUL: Sure.
And I believe the overwhelming majority of individuals, in case you ballot them, will say that they do not assume individuals must be picked primarily based on faith or gender or sexuality. They need individuals to be picked on benefit.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR RAND PAUL: And one in every of one in every of Pete Hegseth’s criticisms of our Pentagon is that we have gone away from benefit…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR RAND PAUL: … and gone extra in direction of racial traits.
And so I believe that the individuals are and can be overwhelmingly in favor…
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
SENATOR RAND PAUL: … of somebody who’s going to base hiring on benefit, not on racial traits.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
Senator Paul, thanks on your time as we speak.
Face the Nation shall be again in a minute.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We go now to Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth of the state of Illinois. She sits on the Armed Providers and International Relations Committees.
Good morning to you, Senator.
SENATOR TAMMY DUCKWORTH (D-Illinois): Good morning. Thanks for having me on.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Properly, former Congressman Matt Gaetz took himself out of the working this week to turn into legal professional common.
This was after he had met with senators. And CBS has reported that as many as 15 Republicans opposed him. Does that recommend to you that your Republican colleagues within the Senate will maintain the road, or are you continue to involved they may simply green-light anybody Trump nominates?
SENATOR TAMMY DUCKWORTH: Properly, I am deeply involved that they may green- gentle. I am glad that they held the road on him.
I am additionally glad that they voted the best way they did for the Republican chief, however that was within the secret poll after they elected Senator Thune. And, you already know, Mr. Trump’s essential alternative for that place was not chosen.
However from what I am listening to from my Republican colleagues on every part from protection secretary to different posts, it appears like they’re able to roll over for Mr. Trump.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Properly, on that time of Protection, because you sit on this advisory position on Armed Providers, I haven’t got to let you know, however, for our viewers, there are over 200,000 American girls who serve in lively obligation service proper now, hundreds of them in front-line fight roles.
You have been one in every of them in 2004, when your Black Hawk helicopter you have been piloting was shot at by an RPG, and also you sustained extreme accidents.
Here’s what Mr. Trump’s decide for protection secretary mentioned about girls serving:
(Start VT)
PETE HEGSETH (U.S. Protection Secretary Nominee): I am straight up simply saying we must always not have girls in fight roles. It hasn’t made us more practical, hasn’t made us extra deadly, has made combating extra sophisticated.
(Finish VT)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Do your colleagues who sit with you on Armed Providers consider that Mr. Hegseth’s assertion there is a matter that he must maybe retract?
SENATOR TAMMY DUCKWORTH: Properly, I believe they should, as a result of he is mistaken.
Our navy couldn’t go to warfare with out the 220,000-plus girls who serve in uniform. The ladies in our navy does make us more practical, does make us extra deadly.
And let me simply make one factor clear. The ladies who’re in these very explicit roles, whether or not it is in Particular Forces or the SEALs or the infantry, they meet the identical requirements as the lads. And so he is been on the market saying that, you already know, girls will not be as robust, we do not – those who’re in these roles have met the identical requirements as the lads and have handed the very rigorous testing.
And so he is simply flat-out mistaken. Our navy couldn’t go to warfare with out the ladies who put on this uniform. And, frankly, America’s daughters are simply as able to defending liberty and freedom as her sons.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Having served in fight your self, what do you consider the concept girls make combating extra sophisticated? That was particularly what he centered on.
SENATOR TAMMY DUCKWORTH: Properly, it simply reveals his lack of awareness of the place our navy is.
He was a reasonably low-ranking man within the navy, and he by no means had a command place. He was a platoon chief, I believe, a few times, however he by no means even commanded an organization. And so it is a man who’s inordinately unqualified for the place.
Do not forget that the Pentagon is three million servicemen and ladies and civilians. It’s over a $900 billion finances. He is by no means, you already know, run something anyplace close to to that measurement. And, frankly, girls truly make our navy more practical.
And I’ve personally discovered that I introduced many insights to my job once I was an organization commander, once I was a logistics officer that got here from my very own private background that made issues higher. I took higher care of my males, for instance, in my unit. I used to be usually the one lady in an all-male unit, and my gender did not have – wasn’t an issue.
I simply tailored, and we continued to carry out the mission.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The query of character has additionally come up in regard to this management position. Mr. Hegseth has acknowledged that he paid a lady again in 2017 to quiet her accusations of sexual assault. He claims it was consensual intercourse.
I am positive you learn that Monterey police report, as we did right here. It refers back to the offense code as – quote – “rape, sufferer unconscious of the character of the act.” It particulars each the accuser’s and Hegseth’s model of occasions.
Here is what Senator Markwayne Mullin mentioned it reveals: “two individuals flirting with one another.”
Is the committee going to talk with the sufferer to ask if this was a misunderstanding?
SENATOR TAMMY DUCKWORTH: Properly, that is – that would be the choice of the Republican chairman of the committee subsequent yr.
I hope that we are going to. However I think that they, once more, will roll over for Mr. Trump. Frankly, I’ll make – increase these questions. Do not forget that we have simply fought over a decade of fights and – and overhauled the navy and its therapy of navy sexual trauma.
It is frankly an insult and actually troubling that Mr. Trump would nominate somebody who has admitted that he is paid off a sufferer who has claimed rape allegations towards him. This isn’t the sort of particular person you need to lead the Division of Protection.
MARGARET BRENNAN: To maneuver to a vote you took this previous week, you mentioned you may have disgust on the brutal ways utilized by the Netanyahu authorities in Gaza, however you voted towards all three resolutions of disapproval this previous week that will have paused very particular offensive weapons shipments to Israel.
Your colleague Senator Van Hollen mentioned it is nearly getting Israel to adjust to U.S. regulation. How do you reply to that? Why should not they be held to the identical requirements as different recipients of U.S. help?
SENATOR TAMMY DUCKWORTH: Properly, I respect Senator Van Hollen’s place. And, in reality, I’ve cosigned most of the letters that he is led that has referred to as on Israel to adjust to humanitarian requirements internationally.
My choice comes from my navy expertise, the truth that many of those rounds weren’t going to be delivered for a few years, the truth that, you already know, these are resolutions. They do not even have binding impact. And, frankly, for me, my choice got here from the truth that we now have tens of hundreds of US troops in hurt’s manner proper now.
And I’m deeply involved {that a} decision that does not truly do something may embolden the Houthis and the Iranian regime and Hamas to additional goal and – American troops overseas. So I respect Chris. He and I are good associates. We have been freshmen within the Senate collectively, however we come at this from barely totally different angles, mine from 23 years of navy expertise.
However I do share his concern in regards to the brutal manner that Israel has acted in Gaza. And, you already know, I’ve cosigned lots of his letters.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Our polling reveals that there’s a want among the many American individuals to see Democrats and Republicans work collectively on this future Trump administration.
With that in thoughts, I am taking a look at a few of these nominees, together with Trump’s decide for labor secretary. She is drawing reward from unions as a result of she is perceived as – as pro-union. Might you see your self supporting her or any of the opposite nominees?
SENATOR TAMMY DUCKWORTH: Completely.
I – you already know, what I would wish to do is have an opportunity to take a seat down and speak with every one in every of these nominees, and hearken to them and listen to what they need to say. I believe Congressman Collins over at VA, he is the nominee for VA, is one other particular person I can speak with. In truth, I labored with him once I was within the Home a couple of years again.
I’m going to guage every one in every of these candidates primarily based on their capability to do the job and their willingness to place the wants of the American individuals first and never be on a retribution marketing campaign and a – for Mr. Trump.
So it is about, are they prepared to be unbiased and do the job that they’re being nominated to do, and are they competent and certified for the place?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator Duckworth, we recognize your time this morning.
SENATOR TAMMY DUCKWORTH: Thanks.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And we’ll be proper again with much more Face the Nation.
Stick with us.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome again to FACE THE NATION.
We’re now joined by Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen.
Good to have you ever right here.
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN (D-MD): It is nice to be with you, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, in these last days of Democratic management of the Senate and the White Home, there is a lengthy to-do listing. Congress has to fund the federal government by finish of December, move the protection invoice, the NDAA, an extension to the farm invoice, and I do know Democrats need to verify as many judges as doable. What’s high of your listing?
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: Properly, all of these are on the listing. High of my listing can also be the catastrophe reduction funding. Emergency reduction. We had massive components of the nation hit by hurricanes and different pure disasters. In my state of Maryland, we had the collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore. So, we have at all times taken the method that the entire nation shall be there to assist fellow People in want. The president has now submitted $100 billion emergency catastrophe reduction plan that features funding for the Key Bridge. So, I hope that we are going to get that completed by the top of the yr. Individuals want that reduction they usually want it now.
MARGARET BRENNAN: That is about $8 billion for the bridge alone, is that proper?
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: Not for the bridge alone. That is – that is a part of the emergency reduction fund that features roughly $2 billion for the bridge.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK. And also you’re comparatively assured that this may be delivered on?
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: I hope that every one of our colleagues, Republicans and Democrats alike, will assist catastrophe reduction.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: We have at all times had the philosophy, all for one and one for all when People get hit by these disasters. I hope we’ll follow that place.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Properly, we are also taking a look at a brand new Congress very quickly and, as you already know, a brand new commander in chief. Republicans may have the bulk within the Senate with 53 seats, so they do not actually need Democratic votes to verify most of the picks that Mr. Trump has been making to run companies.
However from what you’ve got seen up to now, are you in favor of any of them, your colleague, Marco Rubio, as secretary of State, for instance, or this new option to be Labor secretary?
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: Look, my view is, that is what the vetting course of is all about, the listening to course of. The Senate, after all, below the Structure, has the job of advising and consenting on nominations. And I take that duty very severely.
I have been troubled by some speak that President-elect Donald Trump desires to quick circuit that constitutional method utilizing this recess appointment system, and it will likely be actually essential that the brand new republican chief within the Senate uphold the Senate’s prerogatives below the Structure and never attempt to do an finish run.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’ll keep tuned to see how that performs out.
Let’s flip to the Center East. You mentioned that President Biden’s inaction to halt the horrific humanitarian state of affairs inside Gaza is a stain on his administration, that it is shameful. Is there something in these last weeks that could possibly be completed to erase that stain?
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: I believe there are issues that may be completed. And I ought to emphasize that I supported President Biden’s choice to journey to Israel within the aftermath of the brutal Hamas assaults of October seventh of final yr, and stand with the individuals of Israel as they confront this menace. However I additionally want the president had successfully used U.S. leverage to basically assert his personal positions. We have seen this sample the place President Biden makes calls for of Prime Minister Netanyahu, solely to be ignored or slapped down totally. After which President Biden sends extra bombs and more cash. That isn’t an efficient use of leverage. So, I do hope in these closing months the president will lastly make more practical use of American leverage to, on the very least, uphold American regulation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: To insist that the Netanyahu authorities permits humanitarian help into Gaza, and that they use our weapons in a fashion in line with the legal guidelines of warfare.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, you’re taking a nuanced and particular stand on that, upholding U.S. regulation. That is usually characterised, although, as being for or towards serving to Israel. There have been 19 senators, you have been one in every of them, who voted this previous week to pause particular shipments on three totally different teams of weapons, offensive weapons, to Israel. You mentioned the State Division’s reviewing 500 incidents the place U.S. weapons have been used and brought on pointless civilian hurt. The State Division has mentioned Israel’s doing issues to repair the state of affairs, which is why weapons proceed to be inexperienced lit. Are you suggesting that is a lie?
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: I am suggesting that the president of america is just not totally complying with American regulation on this query. In the event you take a look at the letter that was despatched by Secretary Austin and Secretary Blinken to Israeli authorities in October, you take a look at that last paragraph, you may see that they are complaining about the truth that there is no such thing as a efficient mechanism proper now for attending to the underside of claims of civilian hurt. The State Division has, as I mentioned, about 500, as you mentioned, and we have not gotten to the underside of these.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Why?
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: As a result of the method is damaged, and I might argue that there is not been the need to repair the method as a result of lots of people don’t desire the method to provide the plain reply, which is, there have been many instances the place we have seen U.S. weapons utilized in violation of the worldwide humanitarian regulation. In truth, in case you return to the NSM 20 report earlier this yr, the Biden administration mentioned particularly that there was a excessive chance that U.S. weapons have been being utilized in violation of worldwide regulation, and but they’ve completed nothing within the intervening interval to implement that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: After I pressed U.S. officers on this privately, they’ve mentioned, what would you like us to do? Would you like us to place in a halt for a couple of weeks? After which Donald Trump reverses it. What is the level? How do you reply?
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: Properly, the purpose is, they need to have been doing this for a for much longer time frame. The president had ample alternatives during the last yr. There are a lot of individuals within the administration, senior stage – on the senior stage who informed me that this warfare was going to come back to an finish again in January. You recognize, I’ve met with hostage households on quite a few events who’ve been calling out Prime Minister Netanyahu for not agreeing to a ceasefire and a return of their family members. Minister Gallant, the protection minister of Israel, was fired as a result of he needed to prioritize the return of hostages, and but President Biden has by no means referred to as out Prime Minister Netanyahu.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Why?
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: For his obstruction on this. Regardless that these households I’ve met with are calling him out.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Even post-election, why do you assume he will not do this?
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: I actually do not know. I simply do not know why the president of america has not been prepared to make more practical use of American leverage to say his personal acknowledged aims. I imply he is been ignored on different issues, too, proper? He desires the PA to be the nucleus of governance in a post-war Gaza.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Palestinian Authority.
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: He desires a two-state resolution. Prime Minister Netanyahu has not solely ignored these, he is gone on the market and bragged about how he is blocking President Biden’s efforts. And but the clean verify simply retains on coming. So, what my colleagues and I are saying is, let’s simply pause these transfers of offensive weapons, sure ones, till Prime Minister Netanyahu and his authorities come into compliance with American regulation. These are American legal guidelines on the books.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: So, this isn’t about whether or not we assist Israel or not. In fact we assist Israel. It is about whether or not our assist is utilized in a fashion in line with American regulation and American values.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator Van Hollen, thanks for explaining your place.
SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: Thanks.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’ll be proper again.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We flip now to retired Military Lieutenant Common H.R. McMaster, who served as nationwide safety adviser within the first Trump administration. His newest guide is “At Warfare with Ourselves,” which chronicles his time on the White Home.
Good morning, and welcome again.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL H.R. MCMASTER (Retired, Former White Home Nationwide Safety Adviser): Good morning, Margaret. Pleased Thanksgiving.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Pleased early Thanksgiving to you.
I need to ask you in regards to the geopolitical menace image proper now that the following commander in chief shall be strolling into the Oval Workplace and dealing with. In these last weeks of the Biden administration, Ukraine has began utilizing U.S.-made ATACMS, a sort of longer vary missile, to strike inside Russian territory. President Biden additionally accredited anti-personnel land mines. The purpose is to get them on stronger footing earlier than Trump takes workplace.
Can these weapons rapidly make a distinction?
LIEUTENANT GENERAL H.R. MCMASTER: They will make a distinction, Margaret. Actually it made no sense to not permit the Ukrainians to fireplace these missiles on the bases that Russia was utilizing to proceed their onslaught towards the Ukrainian individuals and Ukrainian infrastructure. And so, it is one other one in every of these instance how the Biden administration has taken this halting method to offering weapons after which permissions to make use of weapons.
And so, I believe it is – it is essential as a result of either side proper now are incentivized to make as many beneficial properties on the battlefield as they will earlier than the brand new Trump administration is available in. And also you see Russia throwing troops into Ukrainian defenses. I imply, they’re taking – you already know, they’re taking tens of hundreds of casualties a month. I believe it is actually an unsustainable charge. And what the Ukrainians are doing now’s making an attempt to guard themselves from the onslaught, inflict as many casualties as they will, they usually’re buying and selling some – some area for time and the chance to trigger extra attrition on Russian forces.
So, the following couple of months, I believe, are actually crucial by way of the – you already know, how – what’s the subsequent section within the warfare in Ukraine.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Properly, you already know, President Zelenskyy mentioned simply yesterday that he is positive Vladimir Putin is making an attempt to, quote, “push us out by January twentieth,” and attempt to show that he has the higher hand. He is not saying that, you already know, simply as an commentary. He’s trying on the nationwide safety adviser, Mike Waltz. He is trying on the doable subsequent secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who has voted towards Ukraine help. The vice president-elect is towards serving to Ukraine. Can Ukraine get the higher hand right here, and are these high advisers going to be persuadable?
LIEUTENANT GENERAL H.R. MCMASTER: Properly, it is a actual drawback, Margaret. You recognize, I believe what you are seeing is, this delivers a psychological blow to the Ukrainians. Ukrainians are struggling to generate the manpower that they want and to maintain their defensive efforts. And that is – it is essential that they get the weapons they want and the coaching that they want, but additionally they need to have the arrogance that they will prevail. And any kind of messages that we’d scale back our help are fairly damaging to them from an ethical perspective.
I believe he’ll – and what I hope is that those that President Trump has nominated, and President Trump himself will start to see the fairly apparent connections between the warfare in Ukraine and this axis of aggressors which can be doing every part they will to tear down the prevailing worldwide order.
I imply, heck, Margaret, I imply North Korean troopers are combating on European soil within the first main warfare in Europe since World Warfare II. Have a look at what China’s doing to maintain Russia’s war-making machine with the money Vladimir Putin wants but additionally with the tools and the {hardware} essential to construct these missiles which can be persevering with this onslaught. Iran. Iran is offering the drones and missiles. North Korea’s additionally offering, you already know, eight million rounds of artillery. So, I believe what’s occurred is, so many individuals have taken such a myopic view of Ukraine they usually’ve misunderstood Putin’s intentions and the way consequential the warfare is to our pursuits internationally.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Properly, one of many issues – and you’re a historian. You have written rather a lot and checked out presidential choice making. One of many belongings you’ve written in “At Warfare with Ourselves” was, “it’s important,” primarily based in your research of the Vietnam Warfare, “to make sure that the president will get the very best evaluation and a number of choices so he could make knowledgeable choices.”
Do you assume to date that Mr. Trump’s decisions for director of nationwide intelligence, for protection secretary, are these people who will present the president with the very best evaluation and what he wants to listen to, not simply what he desires to listen to?
LIEUTENANT GENERAL H.R. MCMASTER: Properly, that is what the Senate has to – has to actually train their recommendation and consent position. And I believe it is value going again to Federalist 76 the place John Adams mentioned, actually this recommendation and consent is so essential to ensure the very best individuals are in these positions. President Trump, as I wrote within the guide, he does study. He does hearken to recommendation. He does evolve his understanding. So, who will these individuals be?
I believe for the brand new secretary of protection, the nominated director of nationwide intelligence, they should be requested, what do you assume motivates or drives and constrains Vladimir Putin? There is a basic misunderstanding primarily based on – on the nominee for – for the – for DNI about what motivates him. It isn’t his safety issues. His safety issues do not should be allayed. That is the error the Biden administration made. And I believe in consequence virtually inexperienced lighted the invasion – the reinvasion of Ukraine in February of 2022.
What are the results if – if Ukraine fails and Russia succeeds globally? I believe, Margaret, they’ve to be requested about, you already know, actually, how do they reconcile or assist President Trump reconcile peace by means of energy and what you see in some components of the Republican Get together which replicate the far left oftentimes towards retrenchment and disengagement after which even blaming ourselves for the acts of our adversaries as – as – as Tulsi Gabbard has completed, you already know, speaking about, you already know, how Putin actually felt aggrieved. And that is why he needed to invade Ukraine.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper, that is a Russian speaking level that she’s repeated and in direct contradiction (ph) to what U.S. intelligence has concluded.
I additionally need to ask you about somebody you personally –
LIEUTENANT GENERAL H.R. MCMASTER: And that is what – that is what I am unable to perceive, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL H.R. MCMASTER: There’s some – there’s some individuals within the Republican Get together as of late who sort of are inclined to parrot Vladimir Putin’s speaking factors.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Why?
LIEUTENANT GENERAL H.R. MCMASTER: I do not know if it is as a result of they’re drawn to him they usually see him as a – sort of a defender of western civilization, only a shirtless man on horseback, however they have to disabuse themselves of this, you already know, unusual affection for Vladimir Putin. You recognize, who – who’s – who is just not going to cease in his efforts to revive Russia to nationwide greatness at our expense. That is what he is obsessive about. He is obsessive about sort of re-establishing the Russian empire.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL H.R. MCMASTER: And so he has aspirations that go far past something that is in response to what we do.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL H.R. MCMASTER: And the one factor that stops him actually is energy, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And also you wrote in your guide that you just did not perceive Donald Trump’s fascination with Vladimir Putin.
Rapidly, Seb Gorka goes to be the senior director for counterterrorism, deputy assistant to the president. Is he an excellent particular person to advise on nationwide safety?
LIEUTENANT GENERAL H.R. MCMASTER: No, no, he isn’t, Margaret. However I – you already know, I believe that – that the president and others who’re working with him will in all probability decide that fairly rapidly quickly after he will get into that job.
MARGARET BRENNAN: All proper, timestamp on that prediction. H.R. McMaster, loads to speak to you about. We will have to depart it there for as we speak.
We’ll be again in a second.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: The 2024 election was historic for a number of causes. Amongst them, the primary overtly transgender particular person was elected to america Congress. She joins us now from the state she shall be representing, Delaware. Democratic Consultant-elect Sarah McBride.
Welcome to FACE THE NATION.
REPRESENTATIVE-ELECT SARAH MCBRIDE (D-DE): Thanks for having me, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You recognize, it is fascinating given how polarized, how indignant and divided this nation is that folks select to serve and to run. You informed my colleague, Scott MacFarlane, that it was your private expertise as a caregiver on your husband throughout his bout with terminal most cancers that impressed you to run. Do you count on that well being care coverage would be the focus of your work right here?
REPRESENTATIVE-ELECT SARAH MCBRIDE: Properly, I definitely am glad to be again right here in Delaware after two weeks of orientation and to have the privilege of serving the state that I really like in Congress.
I ran to convey down prices dealing with employees, retirees, and their households. Meaning bringing down the price of well being care, but additionally housing and childcare and on a regular basis bills like gasoline and groceries.
I did run for workplace after my expertise as a caregiver to my husband, Andy, throughout his battle with most cancers. And all through that have, whereas Andy in the end misplaced his life, we each knew how fortunate we have been. We knew how fortunate Andy was to have medical insurance that will permit him to get care that will hopefully save his life. And we each knew how fortunate we have been to have flexibility with our employers that allowed Andy to concentrate on the full- time job of getting care and me to concentrate on the full-time job of being there by his facet to take care of him, to like him, to marry him, and to stroll him to his passing.
And I ran for workplace as a result of I don’t consider that within the wealthiest, most developed nation on earth, that that point and that capability to get care must be a matter of luck. I consider it must be the regulation of the land. And it is why throughout my time within the Delaware common meeting I handed paid household and medical depart and secured the biggest funding in our state’s Medicaid program. And I need to do this work in Congress on well being care, but additionally on housing and childcare.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Paid depart is one thing that Mr. Trump has – has paid lip service to. We’ll see within the new Congress if it comes up.
We see in our CBS polling that 86 p.c of voters really feel congressional Democrats ought to discover frequent floor with Mr. Trump and Republicans.
Do you are feeling you possibly can?
REPRESENTATIVE-ELECT SARAH MCBRIDE: Properly, I mentioned all through this marketing campaign that I’ll work with anybody who’s prepared to work with me to assist Delawareans, to decrease price dealing with my constituents. There are alternatives for us to seek out frequent floor. However it’s additionally clear that this administration, because it begins to fill its appointments with Undertaking 2025 authors, that a number of the insurance policies that this president will pursue will probably damage my constituents and lift costs.
And so, the place I must combat again, I’ll. However the place I can discover frequent floor, I’ll definitely search it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
REPRESENTATIVE-ELECT SARAH MCBRIDE: That is once I’ve completed throughout my time within the common meeting the place almost each invoice I handed, handed with bipartisan assist.
MARGARET BRENNAN: As you talked about, you have been right here for orientation. Speaker of the Home Mike Johnson was asking about you coming to work and a few objections by a feminine South Carolina Republican consultant concerning what lavatory you’d have the ability to use.
Here is what the speaker mentioned.
(BEGIN VC)
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE JOHNSON (R-LA): A person is a person, and a lady is a lady. And a person can’t turn into a lady. That mentioned, I additionally consider – that is what scripture teaches, what I simply mentioned. However I additionally consider that we deal with all people with dignity.
(END VC)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you consider are you might be being handled with dignity by your colleagues?
REPRESENTATIVE-ELECT SARAH MCBRIDE: I did not run for america Home of Representatives to speak about what lavatory I exploit. I did not run to speak about myself. I ran to ship for Delawareans. And whereas Republicans in Congress appear centered on loos and trans individuals and particularly me, I am centered on rolling up my sleeves, diving into the small print, establishing my workplace, and starting the exhausting work of delivering for Delawareans on the problems that I do know preserve them up at evening.
And I stay up for working with any colleague who’s able to work and able to be critical in regards to the points that matter as a result of, on the finish of the day, how I am being handled doesn’t matter. What issues is how the American individuals are being handled, and whether or not we’re truly centered on the problems that matter to them.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Properly, a few of your fellow congressional Democrats, together with Tom Suozzi and Seth Moulton, have additionally lately spoken about their emotions, trying again on the final election, and mentioned Democrats must be extra open about saying whether or not they object to transgender athletes enjoying in women’ sports activities. These have been the particular examples they introduced up.
How would you reply to your soon-to-be Democratic colleagues on these? Do you perceive why some dad and mom, for instance, really feel uncomfortable or annoyed?
REPRESENTATIVE-ELECT SARAH MCBRIDE: Look, I believe this nation continues to be coming into right into a dialog about who trans individuals are, the complete range of the group. And I’ve had conversations with colleagues within the Democratic caucus already that span range of considered how the social gathering ought to have interaction on an entire host of points.
However I believe we’re all united that each single American deserves equal rights, I believe we’re all united that makes an attempt to assault a weak group will not be solely imply spirited however actually an try to misdirect. As a result of each single time we hear the incoming administration or Republicans in Congress speak about any weak group on this nation, we now have to be clear that it’s an try to distract. It’s an try to distract from what they’re truly doing. Each single time – each single time we hear them say the phrase trans, take a look at what they’re doing with their proper hand. Have a look at what they’re doing to choose the pocket of American employees, to fleece seniors whereas privatizing Social Safety and Medicare. Look what they’re doing undermining employees.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
REPRESENTATIVE-ELECT SARAH MCBRIDE: And here is additionally what we now have to be clear about, as a result of I believe the final week has been a chief instance of this. Each little bit of time and power that’s used to divert the eye of the federal authorities to go after trans individuals is time and power that’s not centered on addressing the price of dwelling for our constituents. And we now have clear that there’s a actual price for the American employee each time they concentrate on this.
MARGARET BRENNAN: All proper, Congresswoman-elect, I am positive we’ll be seeing you right here in Washington.
We’ll be proper again.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: That is it for us as we speak. Thanks all for watching. Till subsequent week.
For FACE THE NATION, I am Margaret Brennan.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
