I’m Margaret Brennan in Washington. This week on Face the Nation we examined U.S. military strikes in the Red Sea region, diplomacy over Ukraine, trade and tariffs, campus visa moves, and domestic political battles. Guests included Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, Senator Lindsey Graham, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore.
Marco Rubio — Red Sea strikes, Houthis, Iran, and trade
Rubio joined from Miami to explain the U.S. strikes on Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen. He stressed the strategic importance of the Red Sea for global shipping and U.S. national security, saying the Houthis have repeatedly attacked U.S. naval and commercial vessels. Rubio framed the strikes as aimed at denying the Houthis the ability to control shipping lanes rather than a one-off retaliation; he described the Houthis as “pirates with guided precision anti-ship weaponry” and said the campaign will continue until their capabilities are degraded. He denied current plans for ground raids.
On Iran, Rubio said the strikes target Houthi capabilities while also sending a message to Tehran, which he accused of providing weapons, intelligence and training. He warned Iran would be held responsible if it continued to support attacks on global shipping.
Rubio also defended the administration’s trade and tariff efforts to “reset” relationships and protect critical U.S. industries — aluminum, steel, semiconductors and autos. He presented tariffs as temporary tools to achieve reciprocity and argued the U.S. must rebuild domestic industrial capacity, acknowledging that ad hoc announcements create market uncertainty but insisting the goal is fair bilateral arrangements.
On campus visa revocations tied to pro-Hamas organizing, Rubio defended revoking visas for those he said lied to gain entry or acted as spokespeople for vandalism or support for terrorist organizations, saying visa holders are guests whose visas can be revoked when they violate terms.
Steve Witkoff — Russia, ceasefire talks, Gaza relocation
Back from talks with Vladimir Putin, Witkoff described promising exchanges and progress narrowing gaps between Russia and Ukraine on a possible ceasefire. He said shuttle diplomacy, technical teams and a potential call between Presidents Trump and Putin could help produce a 30-day ceasefire, while acknowledging implementation would be complex given the long front and varied battlefield conditions. He framed plan A as a ceasefire and plan B as a durable peace, with the immediate priority of stopping the shooting.
On Gaza, Witkoff said the U.S. is exploring alternatives to improve life for Gaza’s population while enhancing Israel’s security, including possible resettlement or demilitarization arrangements. He pointed to recent Arab summit diplomacy and expressed frustration that Hamas rejected a U.S. “bridge” proposal that included demilitarization.
Lindsey Graham — Russia, sanctions, legal and national security priorities
Senator Graham said engagement between President Trump and Putin, along with recent envoy meetings, has generated momentum but cautioned that Putin is a predator who responds to pressure. He said he’s prepared legislation to impose crushing sanctions on Russia if it refuses a ceasefire and urged clarity on whether Putin will accept terms comparable to Ukraine’s.
Graham defended executive actions targeting law firms and others he believes sought to politically damage President Trump, calling some prosecutions “politically motivated.” He said Republicans view aspects of the Justice Department’s work and special counsel investigations as weaponized and predicted accountability questions to follow.
Debbie Dingell — Tariffs, industry, and domestic politics
Speaking from Michigan, Congresswoman Dingell discussed the administration’s tariff strategy and its effects on manufacturing and supply chains. She said tariffs can be useful, particularly against China, but must be applied thoughtfully. Abrupt tariff implementations create a “ping-pong” effect in the auto industry, she warned, given the integrated North American supply chain and tight timelines automakers face to comply with new rules.
Dingell supports bringing more manufacturing back to the U.S. but wants predictability, planning time for suppliers, and renegotiated trade rules (including USMCA provisions) to protect domestic industry without crippling production. On the upcoming government funding fight, she said House Democrats were nearly unified and urged clearer alternatives and messaging to show voters they’re defending constituents’ priorities, especially protecting health care, Medicaid, Social Security and Medicare from cuts.
Wes Moore — State impacts: tariffs, ports, FBI HQ
Maryland Governor Wes Moore described local economic effects of tariff uncertainty, noting the Port of Baltimore and Eastern Shore farmers are already feeling impacts. He called the administration’s tariff approach “erratic” and said tariffs are a tool, not an ideology; when used they should give businesses time to plan. Moore also criticized a presidential decision to halt relocating the FBI headquarters to Maryland, saying his state had won a fair competition and that the announcement reached him via the news. He said Maryland is pursuing legal and other avenues where he believes the administration overstepped.
Program framing and how to watch
Margaret Brennan framed the episode around the U.S. military campaign against Houthi targets, diplomatic runs toward a possible Russia-Ukraine ceasefire, and domestic matters including trade, visas and economic impacts. The interviews explored immediate policy choices in military, diplomatic and trade arenas and their broader consequences for businesses, allies and citizens.
Full interviews and episodes are available at facethenation.com and on the program’s YouTube channel if you missed the broadcast.