Foreign. Welcome to me the press now. I'm Kristen Welker in Washington. As we near the two week mark since the start of the war with Iran, with gas prices continuing to rise and the administration downplaying concerns about Iran's blockage of the Strait of Hormuz while also taking steps to try to lower energy prices, all while President Trump remains non committal on how much longer the war could drag on.
The US death toll rising and we just learned 5,000 more service members are being sent to the region. In a radio interview today, President Trump addressing the situation in the strait where 20% of the world's oil passes through but not committing to the US Navy escorting vessels through that waterway. Listening the word is that you're about ready to escort these oil tankers through. Is that true?
Well, we would do it if we needed to, but we would do if we needed to. But you know, hopefully things are going to go very well. We'll see what happens. A lot's going to be we've already damaged them so bad it would take years for them to rebuild and we're going to be hitting them very hard over the next week.
This morning, Defense Secretary Pete Hikes had also tried to dismiss the situation in the street while General Dan Kain, the chair of the Joint Chiefs, warned Iran still remains a threat to global shipping and as the world is seeing, they are exercising sheer desperation in the Straits of Hormuz. Something we're dealing with. We have been dealing with it and don't worry about it. We made progress.
But Iran still has the capability to harm friendly forces in commercial shipping and our work on this effort continues. But I want to make something clear. The only thing preventing commercial traffic and flow through the straits right now, which there is some through the straits is Iran. They are the belligerents here.
Holding, holding the straits. We have a plan for every option here. We're working with our interagency partners and that's not a straight we're allowed to remain contested with a lack of flow of commercial goods. Crude oil settled around 97 today at 46% since the start of the war.
And average gas and diesel prices also continue to rise. Today the president tried to downplay the economic consequences and offered this new timeline for the end of the war. I had to take an excursion. We had the greatest economy in history.
We do. We still do. Oh, this will bounce right back when it's over and I don't think it's going to be long. When it's over, this is going to bounce right Back so fast.
When are you going to know when it's over? When I feel it, okay? I feel it in my bones. Feel it in my bones.
It comes after the Treasury Department announced it would lift some sanctions on Russian oil. Remember the US And Energy seven countries imposed punishing sanctions on Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant said it was unfortunate that Russia will financially benefit from the move and said he hoped it would only last for a, quote, micro period. Meanwhile, the US Death toll in the war is rising.
The Pentagon announces today six U.S. crew members aboard a refueling aircraft were killed after the plane went down in western Iraq. These are images of the second aircraft that was damaged in that incident but managed to land safely in Israel. The Pentagon says the loss of the aircraft is under investigation, but was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.
Joining me now is NBC News White House correspondent Monica Alba, NBC News senior national security correspondent Courtney Kuby, NBC News chief Washington correspondent and chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrew Mitchell, and NBC News chief international correspondent Keir Simmons. Monica, I want to start with you. We heard the president today. He says he will, quote, feel it in his bones when it's time to end the war.
What are your sources telling you about what the timeline looks like? Have they set one at this point? Well, look, Kristen, I get instructed that we're ending this week the way we started it, which is with the president just making comments that only create more questions about how this conflict might actually end. And the only certainty is that he says he's going to be the one to dictate that, based on feeling and based on instinct, which is not totally aligned with what military officials and the senior leadership of the Pentagon have tried to lay out in terms of military objectives.
The president has tried to enumerate those talking about annihilating the Iranian navy, going after the missile programs and other targets. But he also is sort of leaving the door open and reserving the right to declare victory in his mind whenever he wants to. And I think that is the dynamic that is becoming a complication for the Trump administration and this White House overall crisis, because initially it was a four to six week timeline. Then it was, it might be much shorter than that.
But again, the president is not necessarily trying to say that this will fall into some kind of a neat timeline. And that's going to address also this issue of regime change, which the White House is saying was not the objective. But it's still something where they want to see the leadership change. And that could be very different.
And take place on a completely different timeline than some of these other military objectives. Kristen? Monica, we're also hearing from the vice president today about the war. It's worth noting for context.
Our reporting is that he was initially skeptical about going to war with Iran. Let's listen to what he had to say. I guess your reaction on the other side, I hate to disappoint you, but I'm not gonna show up here in front of God. Everybody else tell you exactly what I said in the classified room, partially because I don't go to prison and partially because I think it's important for the president of the United States to be able to talk to his advisors without those advis run their mouth in American media.
What's the reaction been so far to those comments, Monica? Well, it was the president, Christine, who revealed just a couple of days ago that he did believe his vice president had a different philosophical approach to this. The vice president tried to downplay whether there's any daylight really between them. We know what his feelings have been overall about foreign entanglements like this one.
Even on Iran, specifically in the 2024 campaign, he's been no stranger to saying that he would be opposed to something like that. So now he's the vice president really trying to thread the needle here. And he did have a lower profile over the last couple of weeks compared to what we normally see from him on social media and at public events, certainly compared to the secretary of State, Marco Rubio, prompting all those 2028 discussions. But I do think the vice president is trying to project here that he is in on all of these conversations, but he's going to divulge the details in which he may really differ from and have a complete difference of opinion from the president on Al before us at the White House on this Friday afternoon.
Monica, thank you so much. We really appreciate it. Courtney, I want to turn to you now and of course, there's so much focus on what's happening in the straight of Hormuz. You were in that news conference with Defense Secretary Pete Hegset.
You pressed him on it. Take us inside that exchange. What did we learn today? Yeah, I mean, he was very dismissive of there being any kind of a threat in the Strait of Four moves, despite the fact that the Congress is not moving through there and hasn't for several days now.
On the other hand, the trend of the United Nations, General Dan Kane said there is still a very active and real threat. When he was asked about the possibility of the US Navy as warring ships through one of the questions that we've been trying to answer is whether in fact Iran has laid or placed any new mines in the strait or in the waterway since the war began. So far, officials told us they have not. But I asked the secretary about that specifically.
Here's what he had to say. Absolutely. We've heard them talk about it. Just like you've reported recklessly, wildly about it.
Just, just to be clear, we've not reported that they have placed any mines, on the contrary. But in fact, we have heard that, in fact there is some concern that they may have been planning or considering placing mines. And then since then, we've seen the US Military take out more than a dozen of these mines layer vessels and some of their arsenals. Well, Andrea, what are you watching for them for one thing?
Exactly. That they don't have to lay the mines, they just have to threaten to lay the mines. Basically, they close the strait in the formulas. And this has never happened before.
It was reflagging in 1987. I covered that under Reagan, but not since 1979, the first oil crisis, which I was also covering as the energy correspondent. This has never happened. This is the sort of the nuclear option, if you will, to mix metaphors, because this is a threat that Iran has.
They can take out their missiles, they can take out their drones, they can try to get whatever nuclear facilities, you know, if they do ground troops, maybe they could get after that highly energetic uranium. But they cannot stop the new Khomeini, whether he is injured or not, and he didn't appear on camera and they made a big deal out of that. He has threatened again today to keep the strait closed. That is upsetting the entire global economy and it's not going to get recognized soon because just having the International Energy Agency agree extraordinarily to 400 million barrels, that is not even a fraction of what is going on normally through the strait every day, nor does it happen quickly.
Those contracts, those reserves are all over the world and they have to make contracts. It's a slow process. And once it hits 100, as it has and gone back down to 96, 97, it can go up to 145 by next week. Wow.
It's such important context that it can't just necessarily just come down overnight. Courtney, you have been reporting about more troops getting deployed to the region. What do you know about that? So we know that US Central man requested what's known as an argmu, military in their acronyms, that's an Ethnic Ready group, Marine Expeditionary unit.
What that is is it's three Navy ships. There's about 2,500 U.S. sailors on board. And then there's the MU with the Marine Expeditionary Unit.
That's about 2,500 more Marines. So we're talking about 5,000 total troops or so on three different ships. They have been out in the Asia Pacific area, the Philippine Sea operating. They're moving west already.
What's really critical about this is the ships, obviously firepower. They bring aircraft, obviously all of everything we've come to know about US Navy warships. The mew though, they bring the ability to respond to a crisis on the ground Crisis Response Force. That means if they need to evacuate people out of an area that's under threat, they can do that.
They need to go in and secure an embassy. They can do that. But critically, they have the ability and they're very highly trained to move into an area and secure it so other units like special operators can go in and conduct. Let me ask you about Russia because this has been a huge focus.
We learned this week the treasury secretary announced that they're easing some sanctions on Russia. What do we know about this? And the treasury secretary acknowledging it's unfortunate that this is effectively going to be a boon to Russia. This is a huge boon.
It's $150 million a day in oil. This is the oil that's sitting at sea already. That's in the shadow fleet, but basically it's the Ukraine. Punishment of Russia is now all lifted.
The Europeans are fur, by the way. And the other thing about the strait which makes it so critical is and why they think they need the Russian oil is that you don't have to mine the strait. You can hit them with a rocket from land. It's only 21 miles at its narrowest.
There are so many ways and just the threat is enough to tell the insurers these tankers are sitting ducks. They're not going to send a tanker through the strait as long as the Khmani says that's our whole card. That's how we hold America hostage. Wow.
All right, Courtney, Andrea, thank you so much for being here on set. We really appreciate it. I want to go out to hear some of this in Dubai. Now you've been speaking to government officials in the region here.
What are you hearing? What are the key takeaways based on your conversations and your great interviews? Kristen, the view you hear has been shifting and it does depend on which of Iran's regional neighbors you speak to. But I will say that when you talk to people here in the government of the United Arab Emirates, they are defined, they are determined.
I think they feel strengthened by the UN Vote this week that condemned Iran's economic blackmail, economic attacks. I spoke to a senior government minister here in the uae and I would describe the way she puts it as, we didn't want this war, but now we're in it. President Trump, let's see it through. President Trump posted just overnight.
I believe we have unparalleled firepower, unlimited ammunition, and plenty of time. Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags. Is that a sentiment that you would support? I think we all agree President Trump has a unique diplomatic messaging style.
I won't try and emulate it, but essentially our message to Iran is uncertainty. Revolution 28:17. Listen to it, read it, abide by it. It is binding on you.
Desist in these attacks. You are attacking the peacemakers in the region who are involved most in mediating a diplomatic solution. Prior to this escalation, this wasn't a war that we encouraged or that we are part of. But now that you have begun it, we will fully and assertively defend our country, our people.
And more than that, the model that you are trying to attack in this region, a model of coexistence, of prosperity, of tolerance, we will not let that go down because Iran wants to bring the region down with it. Crucially, Kristen, here's what she wanted Washington to hear. When there is an end to this, there cannot be again an Iran armed with missiles and drones able to threaten this country and this region. Well, it's an extraordinary conversation here.
Thank you so much for bringing it to us. And that message to the United States, to the president. Let me ask you, because Dubai's financial district came under fire today. Bring us up to speed there.
What's the latest? Yeah, a tower in the financial district behind me took some damage. The UAE says it was debris from an interception of a drone. It's the kind of thing that you do see regularly here, I think, a point to make, and it's not a point that's being made enough.
This targeting of affecting the world economy, Kristin, there's a threat of haze. There's oil, there's all those issues. And there is also Dubai. And the aim here by the Iranians is to hit a city like this that is crucial in the world economy now with a hub airport.
And it's the same principle, it's the same idea to make, to try to bring chaos to and to try to put pressure on the Trump administration to back down and let Me just finally ask you here because there was a pro regime rally in Tehran today. What does that say about the support that the new supreme leader, who Xander was just saying, reports are that he has been wounded. What does that say about the support he's getting? Yeah, wounded and likely disfigured was the excess description.
He doesn't say where that intelligence comes from. Clearly he's going to be, he's going to have access to intelligence that we don't have. What you don't know in these situations, of course, and propaganda messaging is part of a war. What you don't know is the extent to which governments like the US Israel are trying to put out messages about the new leader in order to undermine him.
That being said, I will say there is here in the Arab world there are questions being raised about why he didn't appear on television, why his message was just read. What's happening there? People are asking, it's unusual when you think that his father would regularly appear, giving sermons, giving directives, talking to his people on camera. So does he have support in Iran amongst the followers of the regime?
Yes. Are there many opposed to him? Yes. What does it mean that he is now the leader of Iran?
I think that is something that we have to see play out. You're absolutely right about that, Kir, but it's so notable that he did not appear on camera. We couldn't hear his voice. Kirsten, thank you for your great reporting as always and again for that interview.
We really appreciate it. You can see Kir's full interview with the UAE minister on the Meet the Press website. Coming up, new details on investigations into two possible terror attacks yesterday on U.S. soil and what we're learning about both suspects.
Plus, just moments ago, a major victory for the Federal Reserve as a federal judge blocked the DOJ subpoenas against veteran Powell saying zero evidence will delve into it and get the reaction from the doj. You're watching the press now. Welcome back. Turning now to the latest in two attacks here on U.
S soil. The federal authorities are investigating his acts of terrorism in Michigan. Investigators have identified the armed man who rammed his vehicle into one of the country's largest synagogues as a 41 year old US citizen originally from Lebanon. According to a Lebanese official, the suspect recently lost several family members in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon.
Investigators are looking into his possible ties to suspected members of Hezbollah in Lebanon. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer addressing the Jewish community earlier today. I want Michigan's Jewish community to know that we are with you violence in our houses of worship and in our schools and our daycare centers like this is especially hard. Yesterday's attack was anti Semitism.
It was hate, plain and simple. We will fight this ancient and rampant evil. We will stand together as we do it, and we will call it out. And in Virginia, we're learning more about what happened when a man entered a classroom at Old Dominion University shooting and killing Brandon Shaw, an Army lieutenant colonel, the head of the college's ROTC program.
According to court documents, the alleged gunman had previously been convicted of supporting ISIS and was on probation for that charge. We have reports on both investigations. NBC Dry Nobles is in North York, Virginia. NBC Brewsters in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
Let's start with Shaq. What's the latest there? Hi there. We're talking to the first responders.
It is so clear about how much worse the situation could have been. There were 140 preschool students in that Senegal. They helped evacuate, helped make sure that they're safe to see where at the fire department now. The fire trucks just pulling up.
And I spoke to some of the paramedics and the firefighters that rushed into the scene. They described the scene that had a lot of smoke. They described the chaos, a lot of first responders rushing to it to make sure that everyone was safe. Meanwhile, I spoke to the police chief who talks about the impact that his officers face in responding to this, saying that 16 of his own officers ended up hospitalized, part of the 30 members of law enforcement sent to the hospital with smoke inhalation.
Listen to a little bit more of the police chief told me this was the best outcome of the worst situation. Why do you say that? I say that because we had no loss of life. The only one that's deceased is the individual that was purporting this whole incident.
Now, we also spent some time in Dearborn Heights outside the home of the suspect. It's very clear that this investigation is still very much underway. You saw evidence of a search, some tire tracks in the lawn, a window that was broken and now boarded up. Neighbors telling me that law enforcement was there for hours overnight.
They also say that they were shocked to know that someone who they would walk by and see smiling with their kids playing in the front yard, that that was someone who was responsible or suspected of being responsible for the attack that took place at Temple Israel. Investigators still have not yet announced a motive, but they are. We know that is a priority for them. We're learning, of course, new details about this suspect.
41 years old. He was a naturalized US citizen from Lebanon had family in Lebanon, according to Lebanese officials, family who were killed recently in strikes and Israeli strikes in that country. So still a lot more that we're trying to learn here and that officials are waiting to tell members of the public. But this is the early part of the investigation.
But it's what's abundantly clear at this point is how close this came to being something far worse. Back to you, Jack Rooster reporting for Michigan for us. Jack, thank you so much. Ryan, let me turn to you now in Virginia.
What are investors investigators saying about potential motive in the ODU shooting? Well, we learned quite a bit in just the last hour, Chris, in about how this individual was able to obtain a firearm and then use it in this attack in a ROTC classroom on the campus of Old Dominion. According to new court documents, after the arrest of the individual who allegedly sold this gun to Muhammad Jala, he actually was at this man's house last night and that he purchased the gun from another place and then Jala purchased it from him. He's now under arrest under a strong man purchase.
And then they also showed that there was surveillance video Jala leaving a rental car at around 9:30 yesterday morning, which was about an hour before the attack. Now, Jala also was said to have been taking online classes here at Old Dominion. That's the first real connection that we've seen between Jala and the campus in terms of a motive. Nothing is clear right now, but all signs are pointing to his background connected to and attempting to dry an aid to BET the terrorist group ISIS right before the attack.
And it's raising questions about the holes in the system here that someone who had served 11 years in prison was or was sentenced to 11 years in prison, was serving five years of supervised release, was still able to obtain a firearm. And actually spoke one on one with Virginia's Governor Abigail Spanberger about it today. And she pointed to the fact that the Trump administration is diverting resources away from fighting terrorism as what could be one of the reasons there was a problem here. Take a listen.
I think the real challenge here certainly as we've seen the Trump administration over the last last year, redirect resources, as has been broadly, broadly reported over and over, redirect resources from our law enforcement agencies to immigration away from things like terrorism under the auspices of FBI's mandate. I think this is a hopefully a wake up call that the FBI should be permitted to focus on their core priorities to include investigating and thwarting terrorist attacks against the American people. And of course, we are learning more about the bravery of RTC cadets in the room. We're told that one of them intervened and actually stabbed the alleged gunman and then he ended up losing his life.
This campus right now is still reeling from this attack here in Norfolk. All right, Brian, thank you so much for that report. We are also following breaking news here in the nation's capital. Moments ago, a federal judge blocked subpoenas in the Justice Department's investigation of the Federal Reserve.
In a court filing late this afternoon, Judge James Boseberg ruled that the DOJ appears to be using those subpoenas to pressure Fred Jerome Powell into lowering interest rates. Boseberg writing, quote, the government has produced essentially zero evidence to suspect Chair Powell of a crime. Indeed, its justifications are so thin and unsubstantiated that the court can only conclude that they are pretextual. The ruling is a blow to the Justice Department's investigation of Powell.
U.S. attorney Janine Pirro making it very clear she's unhappy with the ruling, lashing out of Judge Boseberg and Powell just moments ago. Look, the age old tools that all prosecutors have to investigate any crime, including cost overruns, is a grand jury subpoena. Today, however, in Washington, an activist judge has taken that tool away from us.
By inserting himself and preventing the grand jury from even obtaining, let alone hearing evidence, he has neutered the grand jury's ability to investigate crime. As a result, Jerome Powell today is now bathed in immunity. NBC News legal affairs reporter Gary Grumbach joins me now with more. Gary?
So walk us through what this decision was and what it means for the investigation into Jerome Powell, which was a real flashpoint on Capitol Hill. It is a bit. It still remains a flash. This all started with a really rare video that, remember from Jerome Paladin Cloud saying that he had been subpoenaed, his Federal Reserve had been subpoenaed by the Department of Justice, and he viewed it all as a political game and not a legitimate investigation.
Judge Postburg today quashing the subpoenas, meaning getting rid of the subpoenas entirely. The Department of Justice cannot investigate Jerome Powell for these very specific issues related to the renovations, how long it was taking, how much money it was costing. He was basically making the argument there's no evidence. You haven't produced one shred of real evidence.
It sounds like he was saying there's no there there. Right. He was saying that if you had given the evidence, I would have absolutely considered it and the grand jury could absolutely consider it. But there was no there there for him to even look at in this case.
So it was notable that U.S. attorney Jeanine Piro said Jerome Powell is, quote, bathed in immunity. You just heard her say it there. Is that an accurate characterization?
He's bathed in immunity? Not all accurate. He can absolutely be charged with any federal crime that does not have to do with this specific issue. Right.
This is only particular through the renovations and the allegations. There were some overspending allegations. It's taking far too long for these renovations to take place. That is something that he cannot be sustained absolutely open to any sort of other kind criminal investigation should there be actual reason to bring any charges against him.
Can DOJ appeal? Will DOJ appeals that what is expected? Yeah. Janine Cure made that very clear in her remarks earlier.
She said not only will they appeal, but they're going to go to a motion to reconsider, which is essentially an appeal to Judge James Boseberg himself. We'll see how that one goes when they submit that. I know you'll track it very closely. Thanks for the possible day getting here, getting us the breaking news.
We really appreciate it. Coming up next, nearly one month in and there is still no end in sight to the Homeland Security shutdown as unpaid TSA workers struggle make ends need and travelers facing long lines at some airports keep right here. Let's kick start your wellness journey with the crack today at workouts meal plans if you're fast tracked to a healthier you. And now join the Xfinity Member Celebration members to get an exclusive 50% off an annual subscription.
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It's more context and clarity from the reporters you trust. Download the NBC News app now and subscribe for more. Hey guys, Willie Geist here reminding you to check out the Sunday Sit down podcast. On this week's episode, I sit down with one of the biggest bands in the world, Mumford and Sons, as we get the boys together to talk about their new number one album, Prize Fighter and the Evolution of that irresistible foot stomping sound.
You can get our conversation for free wherever you download your podcasts. Welcome back. Tomorrow marks a full month since the Department of Homeland Security shut down. And today tens of thousands of TSA employees are missing their very first full paycheck.
It comes after most officers only got a quarter of their normal pay two weeks ago and many are struggling to afford basic necessities. A senior TSA official tells NBC news more than 300 TSA workers have quit since the start of the shutdown and call outs have tripled, leading to hours long security lines at some airports during the busy spring break travel season. All of Homeland Security right now remains defunded with no end in sight as Democrats and Republicans remain at odds over how to reform ISIS tactics. Joining me now is Jay Johnson, who served as Homeland Security Secretary during the Obama administration.
Secretary Johnson, thanks so much for being here. I do want to get to the DHS shutdown in just a moment, but I have to start with these two attacks that happened yesterday the federal authorities are calling acts of terrorism. What do you make of them? Do you fear that we could see more attacks like this given the war in Iran?
I do. If I were in office now in a heightened threat environment like this, and that's what we are in. I try to be very transparent with the public about the threats we are facing. Be honest without scaring people, without overly worrying people so they're tied under the mattress.
But tell the public about the threats we face. Tell the public about what it is the government is, and tell the public how they can help. If you see something, say something does make a difference. On top of that, you were talking with Governor Spanberger a moment ago about how this administration is diverting counterterrorism assets away.
On top of that, the Department of Homeland Security, which was created for situations like this, is defunded. And so we've got to get away from coupling policy disagreements in Congress with funding. We've got to decouple those two, especially in an environment like this. Two terrorist attacks just yesterday, almost certainly in reaction to going to war in Iran, which is a state sponsor of terrorism.
Well, Secretary Johnson, you take me to my next question because as you say, this DHS shutdown is ongoing. At what point does it become a national security issue? I think it's a national security issue right now. As you noted, TSA workers are not being paid.
These are people who live paycheck to paycheck. Traditionally, morale at TSA is low, and now they're being forced to Go to work without pay. And how many sectors of American society are people told, you have to go to work, but we're not paying you? And these are, you know, the public and the press are noting the long lines, but the way I see it, this is also compromising security.
These are people that we expect look for bombs on aircraft that we and our families are about to board, and they're not being funded through this very, very important work. Well, and to that point, I mean, TSA agents again missing their first full paycheck today. How broadly speaking, could it impact travel in this country? Mentioned the long lines and the fact that these are folks who are responsible for the security of air travel.
It impacts travel. It's longer lines, but it also impacts aviation security. I keep emphasizing that this is about security. And DHS is aviation security, port security, maritime security, cyber security, a whole range of things that are not being funded.
Right now at this very crucial moment, TSA is the agency of our government that interacts most with the American public. How do you see this ending, Secretary Johnson? I see, insofar as the war in Iran, I see mission creep. When the president initially announced what we were doing, he made it seem as if it's sort of one and done airstrikes, decapitate the government and over you people of Iran.
And more and more we see that we're deploying assets to the region for, you know, potential mines in the Strait of Hormuz. We talked earlier about the possibility of some sort of expeditionary force. I see mission creep. And so very often we have to relearn the lessons of the past.
It is much, much easier to start a war than it is to end one. And I don't know what the end game look like looks like here. Well, let me ask you finally the person who President Trump has picked to take over dhs, Senator Mark Wayne Mullen of Oklahoma. What do you make of that pick?
And given that you held that job, what advice would you have for anyone taking over that role at this moment when the country is at war and facing these potential threats here at home? DHS has a lot of different missions, a lot of different components, 22 components and agencies. The immigration mission does overwhelm the job. Secretaries don't like to admit that, but it does overwhelm the job.
But you got to stay focused on all the other agencies. The Secret Service needs a lot of oversight. Cybersecurity needs a lot of oversight. T needs a lot of oversight, and FEMA needs a lot of oversight.
And so I hope Senator Mullen comes to the job. I'm almost certain he'll be confirmed by his colleagues. I hope he comes to the job with his eye on all of those very, very important missions. Secretary Jeh Johnson, we always appreciate your insights.
Thank you so very much for joining us today. Thank you. We want to turn now to the midterms as both Democrats and Republicans navigate divisions over what the future of their parties should look like. Voters are chiming in with what they want to see as midterm primaries ramp up.
Earlier this month, we saw some of the divisions in the Democratic Party playing out in North Carolina where incumbent Congresswoman Valerie Fu, she held off a challenge from Durham County Commissioner. Yeah. Alum. North Carolina Congressman Valerie Fuchsia joins me now, fresh off her primary win.
Congratulations to you, Congressman. Thanks so much for being here. Thank you for having me. Thank you so much.
So you effectively fended off a challenger who was trying to pit herself as the more progressive candidate. You are, of course, a member of the Progressive Caucus. You notched a single point victory. What should the Democratic Party take away from your victory?
What does it say about the state of progressivism? Well, I'm a progressive candidate. I am a member of the Progressive caucus and was endorsed by the Progressive Caucus. I think what this race showed is that at least the citizens, the voters of the 4th district wants a member who delivers and is not interested in replacing experience for a new face, someone who's certainly capable.
But there's a reason to replace a performing member who's getting results. Well, in her concession statement, Commissioner Love said you have a responsibility to earn the support of the 48% of Democrats who didn't vote for you. What is your response and how do you plan to do that, Congresswoman? So my response to that is that that's what I do every day.
I represent the members, the citizens, the residents, the voters of the 4th district, whether these are people who voted for me or not. It's not just the progressives, it's the moderates, it's the Republicans. All of the citizens of the 4th district can count on me for advocating for their needs, advocating for quality of life that they deserve and for the values that I believe the 4th district appreciates and I share. Well, let me ask you about some of our latest polling, Congressman.
Our latest NBC News poll shows voters are signaling a preference for a Democratic controlled Congress in 2026. But when it comes to voters feelings about the Democratic Party overall, the only thing we're unpopular in our poll, Congressman, was Iran. Does the party have a brand problem. And how do you address it?
Well, I think the party, I think all of us are opposed to this war. I think that what we know is that the majority of Americans don't agree with a regime change war for oil and Iran. Our communities are tired of endless wars. Our communities want Congress to focus on the issues of the day, and that is affordability, accountability and defending democracy.
And that's what our party should concentrate on. I believe that's what you'll see. Should we take back the majority in 2027? Do you think that Democrats, though, do have a brand problem, given the low party approval ratings that you're getting across the board?
I think the numbers suggest that, but I think, you know, polls are a point in time. And I think as we see what this administration is doing, what Republicans are allowing the administration to carry forward, people will put their trust in change and that change will come from the Democratic Party, particularly when the U.S. house is taken by Democrats for the majority. Let me ask you, because this all comes at a time when Democrats, Republicans are having conversations about generational change within the party.
Incumbents such as yourself, that Congressman Betty Thompson have held off and fended off younger challengers this cycle. Congressman Clyburn just announced he is going to run for his 18th term. He's 85 years young. What do you say to those of the party who argue that, look, some of these more senior leaders should be making space for new voices?
Well, let me say this. There's another side to that now. There's some argument about people who stay in Congress or any other legislative body for long periods of time. Let's just be clear that I've only served three years in Congress and in the middle of my second term, I don't think age is a factor for me.
It is the experience that I've gained over having served at every level of government. It is the relationships that I have built not just within my own party but across the aisle to make sure that I and delivering results to the voters of the 4th district. I feel the same for Representative Clyburn and others who still have the fire and ability to serve, the ability to serve and the understanding of what is going on in this country and how we bring results to our respective districts. Congressman, I have to end by asking you about Vice President J.D.
vance. He was in your home state today talking about the economy. The vice president, the president argued, yes, gas prices are going up right now because of the war with Iran, but ultimately they're going to come down. They say the short term pain is worth the long term gain of waging this war that ultimately they would argue will make the world safer.
What say you to that argument? And do you think Democrats should be focused on that counterpoint or affordability? I think Democrats should be focused on affordability. It's not just about what is happening in Iran as it relates to gas, but prices have been going up steadily during the course of this administration.
This president campaigned on lowering costs from day one. That has not happened. We're seeing and have seen higher prices in groceries and housing, in education, you name it. A lot of this was done from terrorists even before we were engaged in war.
So our focus is on affordability, making sure that Americans are able to live. America is too expensive. And this is not just about having quality of life for those who are wealthy or well connected or well off, but it is for every American. And it starts with making America more affordable.
Horrible. All right. Congressman Valerie Fushi will continue to watch your general election race very closely. Thank you so much for joining us.
Really appreciate it. Thank you. Coming up next, we'll talk midterm strategies for both parties with the panel. Plus multiple Republican members of Congress posting blatantly anti Muslim and Islamophobic statements in recent days.
Will there be any consequences? Stay with us. I'll meet the press now. So we're gonna go get the Save America act, not the SAVE Act.
Nobody knew what the SAVE act meant. The SAVE Act, What Save what? Save America Act. And it's, we're gonna do everything we can.
It's hard to believe. It's hard to believe. We're having a hard time. I think anybody that votes against it shouldn't, shouldn't be allowed to run for office.
You want another welcome back? That was President Trump yesterday as he pushes Republicans to make a bill to overhaul voting laws their top priority. The bill includes requirements to provide proof of citizenship, to register to vote and provide photo ID at the polls. It comes as a new NPR PBS mayor's poll shows nearly 60% of Americans think it's likely voters will be turned away at the polls in November, including three quarters of Democrats and nearly half of Republicans and independents.
Joining now is our Friday panel, Daniela Diaz, politics reporter for notice. Chuck Roja, host of the substack show the Rocha Revolution and co host of the Latino Vote podcast. And Ashley Davis, former official in the George W. Bush administration.
Really appreciate you all being here. Thank you. Daniela, let me start with you. Lay out the stakes here of the Save America Act.
As President Trump was just talking about what's the goal here. He told our Peter Nicholas he's not signing any other legislation until this passes. It's clear that President Donald Trump believes that this legislation passed. It will be a win for Republicans in the midterms.
He's really betting all his. He's putting all his eggs in that basket thinking this is the solution to help his midterm issues. Redistricting ended up not being his solution and trying to help the midterms. Historically, it seems that Democrats, when it's opposite administration, the White House, have a better midterm, historically better midterms.
So he's really betting on this. When House Republicans heard from President Donald Trump in row earlier this week, I was there. They wanted to hear a message on what could possibly be done to campaign on to win in the midterms. What have he talked about with the Save America Act?
All we're hearing him talk about is the Save America Act. He's not going to sign legislation unless they pass the Save America Act. News flash, it's probably not going to pass and he's probably going to have to put his attention on something else. Well, that's what Leader Thune is saying, that this is not going to pass actually, unless they get rid of the filibuster.
Doesn't seem like there's enough votes to do that. We have this perennial debate about getting rid of the filibuster. What's notable from my perspective is you have Senator John Cornyn swapping positions, initially opposed getting rid of the filibuster, now saying he supports getting rid of the filibuster in order to get President Trump's endorsement in his runoff race against Ken Paxton. Do you think he'll get it?
And do you think to the point that Danielle is making this is the right midterm? Well, well, I do think that this is something that the bases fired up about the Save act, even though they don't. Maybe the bases understand all the different nuances. But the House Republicans especially feel like they took the vote, they want the vote.
They think it's more than the poll. You show that 80% of the country that they're saying that want some sort of voter ID show the polls. This bill does go beyond that. But you do see someone like Corinne, who I know you're going to talk about with your candidate, but John Doom has an issue and he's a math issue.
And John Doom I do not think will ever back away from the institution of the senate, just like McConnell and Reid and others that they feel like breaking the 60 vote threshold is not something that he's willing to do. So he's trying to figure how to make it happen differently. Chuck, weigh in here and to the point that actually you think John Carter's gonna get this endorsement? No, but they weren't talking about the SAVE act because they don't have anything else they could be talking about with midterms when they're talking about the SAVE act the way that they will whether they pass it or not they won't dispose so they run a TV commercial saying Democrats are against folks showing I need to vote we're on this face that seems pretty normal.
Everybody should have an Idea we show 90 to pack of cigarettes but that's the other one we're gonna even though with us because they want to talk about this because gas is $5 a gallon. We're at war prices going up on everything else and that's what Democrats want to talk about. But they want to Talk about this $5 a gallons a little bit complaining complaining in California. Look I thought it was notable Danielle.
I thought the interview with Congresswoman Fu was notable because when I asked her she obviously had some strong points to make on Iran and I said you know focus on that in your general election campaign. She said no, I'm going to stay focused on affordability. It goes to the point that you're making what's the party strategy right now. It seems like at least for Congresswoman her strategy is to stay laser focused on that one issue.
And that's what we see Democrats too when checking this much better than I can. But the reality is my talk tons of Democrats on capital every day. They understand the affordability issue is what's going to win them this election. They have some success in special elections on this issue And House Republicans also recognize that they need to be talking about this issue.
Republicans also in tough re elections this is what Americans care about. They don't want to focus on the war we're on. It's not popular. Full after poll shows that it's trying to lower costs for Americans that is going to win at the end of the ballot box in November.
And it's clear that as we continue to hear President Donald Trump will talk about the same America act putting all this attention on that it's probably not going to help when time comes to cast ballots in river Well I want to ask you also in addition to this actually about some of what we are seeing right now inside the Republican Party posting some Islamophobic messages. Congressman Fine calling for more Islamophobia in a post, Senator Tuberville posting a photo of Mayor Mamdani next to a photo of the 911 attacks writing, quote, the enemy is inside the gates. Now Mayor Mani's been answering some questions about some of the posts that his wife had been making. But what do you make of this and do you worry that this runs the risk of overshadowing Republicans broader message which largely has been about the economy?
I don't. Yeah. But first of all, I think that this happened after the October 7 attacks in regards to some of the Muslims elected officials that were criticizing Israel. And I think that I don't believe in either side.
I mean I think that both sides need to not criticize what people's beliefs are. And, but I do think that this is an unwanted conversation for the Republicans or the Democrats. I mean this is what happened during like with the squad after October 7th. And I think that it's just something that we should not be talking about.
This is what America is. This is like free religion. This is what we were based on. So I don't like it on the other side.
Check. How did the country get to this point where you're seeing such heated rhetoric? This thing right here, you get people on the Internet who pay and make money off of pulling us apart. Everybody knows I work for James Calorico.
I think he says it really good, is that this makes us want to look at what's different, that I should hate her because she's Republican. I like that we disagree. So this is the point I want to make is that there's a lot of Americans who are worried every day. They have some understanding of our, they understand that this is hatefulness, but this is where we got to, where folks just will think to be cheaper and they want their government to get out of their way.
Like I'm a common sense Democrat who talks about things right down the middle about where the American people are because I can live in winning elections with those people. Let me ask you, Danielle, because the backdrop to all of this is the war with Iran, the fact that you have these gas prices going up. You do see the administration really scrambling, really trying to figure out how to bring them back down. Based on your conversation, how much conservation is there inside Republican circles about this?
I mean it's one of the biggest concerns that they're trying to figure out right now. I mean obviously publicly they want to present optimism. They want to side with what the President is doing, his decisions to continue talking about this, the decisions that he's making in terms of the timeline. We've seen him go back and forth on the timeline.
You see Speaker Mike Johnson try to stay in line with him to try to keep that conversation in line with the White House is saying, but they understand if gas prices keep going up, if things get more expensive. We've all talked about this countless times. This is continuing to be a losing issue for them. As the Atlantic Ashley, do you think they can come down in time for the midterms for voters?
I think that we're going to see and I think that hopefully they will. But I do believe just living in the Middle east world for a long time since my experience in the Bush administration, did the president make a decision based on the midterm elections or did he make a decision based on what he felt was better to get rid of this regime? And so we may lose midterm elections over that, but in the long run is better. This was the process when Donald Trump went off and this is what it is now.
This was the process ground beat. Now this is what it is then. And that's going to be the midterms. All right.
We'll see what happens the next few weeks and months. Thank you for a great Friday conversation. Daniela, Chuck and Ashley. We will be back Monday with more Me the Press now.
And if it's Sunday, it's me the press on your local NBC news station. I'll have interviews with Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Senator Adam Schiff and New York Times columnist Congress Reed News. Don't miss it. There's more ahead on NBC News now.
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