Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan

This week on Face the Nation, nearly two years after the October 7 massacre, is a serious plan for a full hostage release and cease-fire in Gaza finally materializing? Secretary of State Marco Rubio tells us where that deal stands, and what's ahead for the region. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, the government shutdown continues, with no end in sight. We talk with Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Democrat Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer about whether either party can break through the gridlock. We also take a closer look at the Trump Department of War's new rules for the military. Illinois Democrat Senator Tammy Duckworth joins us, as well as retired Army Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, to discuss the changes and what comes next for the Pentagon. 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 says another blue city needs federal protection for agents conducting immigration roundups. How will Americans be impacted by the president's latest announcement? We talk with the head of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Rand Paul, to hear his thoughts on the president's plans. Then, as the clock ticks down again towards a potential government shutdown, this round of the Washington blame game has the potential to hurt more than just the two parties. We ask two key democrats in the Senate, Minnesota's Amy Klobuchar and Virginia's Tim Kaine weigh in on the likelihood of a shutdown and how to avert it.  Plus, Mr. Trump put his political opponents on notice after directing his Justice Department to indict former FBI director James Comey for allegedly lying to Congress. But what will be the impact on the federal justice system? Former Trump special counsel in the Russia election interference investigation Ty Cobb gives us insight.  Finally, Russia launches another massive attack involving hundreds of drones and missiles on Ukraine's capital city. Republican Congressman Mike Turner just returned from the region and also joins us to discuss his visit and how the US will respond. 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, as world leaders gather in New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly, we look ahead to the biggest issues the world will tackle. With Russia and Israel intensifying their offensive efforts in both the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict, we'll preview a crucial week ahead as President Trump heads to his first U.N. meeting of his second term.  We sit down with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss why France and other U.S. allies are moving ahead with recognizing Palestinian statehood, despite strong opposition from the U.S. and Israel.  Plus, we traveled to Syria for an upcoming 60 Minutes piece and spoke to the country's new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa. He'll be the first Syrian President to address the UN in nearly 60 years. We'll tell you why he's such a controversial figure. Finally, the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates by a quarter point. What does that signal for the economy? Former White House economic adviser Gary Cohn joins us to discuss the latest on the rate cut, the cooling labor market, tariffs and more.  It's all just ahead on Face the Nation 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 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