Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan

This week on Face the Nation, the nation grapples with the violent killing of political activist Charlie Kirk. We ask House Speaker Mike Johnson how leaders can build unity in a time of deep division. Plus, we have a bipartisan conversation with Democratic Senator Chris Coons and Republican Senator James Lankford on finding common ground during turbulent times. University of Chicago professor Robert Pape joins us to discuss his research on political violence and what it reveals about the moment the nation finds itself in. Finally, as consumer prices tick up and the job market softens, the federal reserve signals a potential interest rate cut. We talk with CBS News business analyst Jill Schlesinger about the state of our economy. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Face the Nation, a not so hot jobs report leads to more uncertainty about the strength of the economy. Can the independent agencies at the forefront, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Federal Reserve, maintain their independence in light of political pressure? We ask Kevin Hassett and get his take on the state of the economy. Plus, as the circle of critics grows when it comes to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s handling of vaccines and management of the CDC, we talk to Republican Senator Roger Marshall and the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence committee, Mark Warner, joins us to weigh in on the news of the week. Also, as President Trump renames the Defense Department the Department of War and continues to warn the city of Chicago he'll soon send in federal forces, we talk to Illinois Democrat Senator Tammy Duckworth. Finally, CBS News Executive Director of Elections and Surveys Anthony Salvanto breaks down new polling numbers. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Illinois governor JB Pritzker spoke with CBS' Ed O’Keefe to discuss the latest potential law enforcement developments in his state. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Face the Nation, President Trump looks to expand immigration and crime crackdowns in more U.S. cities. We talk exclusively with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to get the latest details on what’s next. Bolstered by a drop in crime in the nation's capital following the deployment of federal forces to clean up D.C., the president sets his sights on another potential target: Chicago. We visited the windy city and toured a neighborhood where the crime rate has dropped with the Governor of Illinois, Democrat JB Pritzker. Plus, the shakeup at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After the firing of the newly confirmed director, a group of top experts quit in protest. CBS News Medical Contributor Dr. Céline Gounder tells us how these developments will impact public health efforts. Then, World Food Program Executive Director Cindy McCain joins us following a trip to Gaza, where her organization is working to feed hundreds of thousands threatened by famine. Finally, we reflect on the passing of a Washington institution, legendary CBS News radio reporter Mark Knoller. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Face the Nation, the Trump administration builds up the federal presence in the nation's capital to crack down on crime, as the President vows to use similar tactics in other US cities. The number of national guard troops sent to protect Washington continues to grow as President Trump praises his own plan to clean up the city. But as Mr. Trump dismissed district leaders' claim of a 30-year low in violent crime, he's vowing a similar surge in Chicago, New York, and other cities. What could that mean for public safety in your community? We'll check in with Maryland Democratic Governor Wes Moore and New York Republican Congressman Mike Lawler. Then, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell hints at an interest rate cut, but he also cautions that the U.S. economy is facing challenging times. We get a reality check on Powell's speech and state of the economy from economist Mohamed El Erian. Plus, a UN-backed group confirms residents of Gaza City are facing catastrophic conditions of famine and warn that it will soon expand to other areas within the Gaza Strip. New Hampshire Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen is visiting the region and will join us. We talk with UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell as well. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listen to Margaret Brennan's extended interview with Alaska Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, a portion of which aired on Face the Nation on August 17, 2025. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Face the Nation, after President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet face to face in Alaska, Secretary of State Marco Rubio joins us to describe what went on in the room where it all went down and what could happen next. Questions remain following that three-hour meeting that ended abruptly, as President Trump adopts Putin's roadmap for ending the war in Ukraine--no cease-fire, but negotiations for a lasting peace in the conflict. But what about the other countries, like Ukraine, and its western allies, who are still tightly aligned? We hear from Trump's former National Security Council’s Russia expert Fiona Hill, Alaska Republican Senator Dan Sullivan and Colorado Democrat Jason Crow. Plus, World Central Kitchen Founder José Andrés will join us following his trip to Gaza where a humanitarian crisis persists. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Face the Nation, President Trump invites Russia’s Vladimir Putin to America, his first visit to U.S. soil in a decade. After months of Russia skirting cease-fire offers while continuing their brutal onslaught in Ukraine, President Trump skipped past his own sanctions deadline and instead invited Putin to Alaska. We hear from Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova about what her country needs to agree to a cease-fire. Plus, we ask NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte what a potential deal might mean for European security. Then, Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly and Texas Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales, two lawmakers from border states, tell us how the fresh infusion of cash from Trump's massive domestic policy bill is affecting mass deportation efforts in their states. Finally, the Trump administration says it will slash funding for mRNA vaccine research, an emerging field used in COVID vaccines that also showed promise in treating cancer and HIV. We'll get analysis from Doctor Jerome Adams, who was Surgeon General in Trump's first term. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer joins Face the Nation to discuss the Trump administration's tariff policy. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Face the Nation, the country faces new economic fears as President Trump fires the head of the agency who delivered Friday's discouraging jobs report and the turbulence over tariffs intensifies. We talk with Mr. Trump's top trade representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer and Canadian Trade Minister for the U.S. and Canada Dominic LeBlanc. For a look at how these developments are impacting Americans, Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan, joins us. Then, Dr. Mehmet Oz talks to us about changes to Medicaid made in the GOP’s new tax and spending bill, but how will states respond to changes in federal healthcare policy? New Mexico’s Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham gives us more insight. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Face the Nation, amid a summer of distractions, President Trump seeks ways to divert attention back to his economic agenda. Leaving behind the Epstein files controversy, the president headed to Scotland for a weekend of golf, ahead of trade talks with two key European leaders as his tariff deadline looms. Before he left, he took his fight with Fed Chairman Jerome Powell straight to the Federal Reserve facility itself, where he demanded answers about rising construction costs. But are the accusations of mismanagement, or reluctance to cut interest rates, the real motive behind the president's crusade? We check in with White House budget chief Russell Vought, who was with the president during his trip to the Fed. Plus, we ask whether he's eyeing another round of spending cuts. And get the Democratic response from Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen. Then, Mr. Trump's war against higher education escalates as he asserts authority and influence by threatening to cut millions of dollars in funding. We'll hear from the president of the Ohio State University Ted Carter about its impact. Finally, Israel announces it will allow more foreign aid into Gaza, where the hunger crisis has reached catastrophic levels, when will it stop? We talk with the foreign minister of France, Jean-Noël Barrot, about international pressure to end the conflict. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Face the Nation, the clock ticks as tariff deadlines loom. The Trump administration promised 90 deals in 90 days, but that didn't happen and if the goalposts move again, will Americans face a summer price hike as steep tariffs kick in? We ask one of the key negotiators, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Plus, we take a look at the unfolding battle over interest rates with Democratic Congressman Jim Himes, who sits on the House Financial Services Committee. Then, as ICE ramps up deportation efforts, we sit down with Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to discuss the latest at the agency and the criticisms of its enforcement policies. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also weighs in and discusses the impact of those ICE arrests in her city. Finally, as the administration crosses a key milestone, we check in with CBS News Executive Director of Elections and Surveys Anthony Salvanto on what Americans think of President Trump’s first six months in office. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's been one year since the Butler, Pennsylvania assassination attempt on President Trump. We have a first look at a Senate report that has new findings on what went wrong. The Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee Senator Rand Paul joins us with the conclusions from his new report. Then, in Texas, the grueling task of cleanup and recovery continues ten days after massive flooding killed at least 129 people -- with dozens more still missing. Was it a preventable tragedy? We talk with Washington's Senator Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the committee that oversees the National Weather Service. And, with Russian attacks on Ukraine intensifying, and the president's increasing annoyance with Vladimir Putin, we get an update from the two senators pushing for punishing sanctions on Russia, South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham and Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal. Finally, House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill joins to help us understand the complicated world of cryptocurrency. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Face the Nation, disastrou⁠s flash floods kill dozens in Texas⁠. We'll have the latest on the tragedy. Plus, after a⁠ long week lobbying for votes and cutting deals with his fellow Republicans,⁠ the president spent the Fourth of July celebrating the nation's 249th birthday by enacting his signature tax cut and spending plan. But Democrats, and even some Republicans, ⁠are not happy with the bills's projected debt and deficit increases, cuts to Medicaid, and other provisions⁠⁠. We talk with the head of the White House National Economic Council Kevin Hassett⁠. New York Democratic ⁠Congressman Tom Suozzi joins us to discuss ⁠his party's plan to build on voter apprehension about the new law. Finally, CBS ⁠Evening News Co-Anchor John Dickerson talks to filmmaker and historian Ken Burns about his new project as America moves towards marking our 250th year.⁠ He tells us why the lessons learned by our forefathers still apply today. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the U.S. celebrates 249 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, CBS Evening News co-anchor John Dickerson spoke with documentarian Ken Burns about his new film on the American Revolution and the importance of telling the story of American History. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The director general of the nucelar watchdog agency the International Atomic Energy Agency spoke with Margaret Brennan about the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Tehran's nuclear capabilities. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Face the Nation, President Trump turns his focus to getting his Big Beautiful Bill through Congress after a week of foreign policy wins. President Trump warned his party Saturday that refusing to support his signature domestic spending bill would be an act of the "ultimate betrayal.” We’ll discuss the legislation’s path forward and the surprising string of foreign policy successes last week with the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Virginia's Mark Warner. Texas House Republican Michael McCaul also weighs in. Then, what's next when it comes to Iran? We'll talk with the head of the IAEA, the watchdog agency who monitors nuclear capabilities in Iran, Rafael Mariano Grossi and speak to Iran's ambassador to the U.N., Amir Saeid Iravani. Finally, former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb will join us for a reality check on new developments with vaccines and health policy. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Face the Nation, breaking news shocks the world as President Trump makes good on his threat to use American firepower to bomb Iranian nuclear sites. Is this an isolated mission, or did the recent actions further escalate tensions in the already volatile Middle East conflict? We speak with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the success of the strikes and the chances of further diplomacy. Plus, hear from Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, and two House members with very different political ideologies who are united when it comes to the U.S. intervention in the Middle East. Finally, expert analysis on how this might unfold from former CENTCOM Commander, retired General Frank McKenzie. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Face the Nation, the shocking shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers spark new fears of political violence and in the escalating war between Israel and Iran, can the U.S. avoid further involvement? A massive manhunt is underway after a gunman authorities say posed as a police officer shot two Minnesota lawmakers, killing one and injuring another. We have the latest. As the back and forth between Israel and Iran picks up in its intensity with no end in sight, is there any way to de-escalate tensions in the Mideast before the situation worsens? The Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee Tom Cotton tells us how the conflict will develop in the days ahead. Then, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, appear together to discuss their bipartisan effort to punish Russia with crushing sanctions as that country continues their bombardment of Ukraine. Los Angeles is still the epicenter of protests and unrest following the White House mandate to ramp up deportations of people in the country illegally, will the President's softening of that order ease the situation? We talk with California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla, who was briefly detained following an attempt to interrupt Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's press conference in Los Angeles last week. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Face the Nation, immigration protests in Southern California turn violent as federal authorities ramp up their nationwide effort to round up those who could be in the country illegally. President Trump's mandate to escalate detentions and potentially deportations set the scene for violent protests in Los Angeles this weekend, and he now says he's calling in the National Guard. We speak exclusively with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Texas Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales also joins the broadcast, and we have new CBS News polling on what Americans think of Mr. Trump's immigration and deportation policies. Then, as President Trump lobbies the Senate to get his Big Beautiful Bill passed, what impact will the Elon Musk factor have on some components of the bill that even Republicans don't like? We talk with White House Economic Advisor Kevin Hassett and Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar. Finally, as efforts from the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation continue to unravel, what humanitarian aid can get to the hundreds of thousands suffering? We talk with the head of Save the Children U.S., Janti Soeripto. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices