Meet the Press Meet the Press NOW — January 13
Jan 13, 2026
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, a combat veteran from Illinois, shares her insights on national security and critiques the Trump administration's ICE operations and Venezuela policies. She emphasizes the need for Congress to authorize military actions and demands accountability for ICE training standards. Meanwhile, Courtney Kube, NBC’s senior national security correspondent, discusses the implications of U.S. military responses to unrest in Iran, covering both strategic risks and potential intervention strategies.
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Mixed Messages On Inflation And Affordability
- President Trump framed inflation as "defeated" while acknowledging affordability remains an issue.
- John Allen noted this creates a messaging clash between boasting and admitting unfinished policy work.
Powell Investigation Sparks Bipartisan Concern
- The Powell probe prompted rare Republican pushback warning against politicizing the DOJ.
- Ryan Riley reported the investigation was tightly held and led by U.S. attorney Jeanine Pirro with limited internal DOJ notice.
Investigation Was Narrowly Controlled Inside DOJ
- The D.C. U.S. Attorney's Office lacked full internal awareness of the Powell inquiry, reducing normal checks.
- Ryan Riley warned that institutional safeguards in DOJ have weakened under the administration.