Latest news with #ChrisVanHollen
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senator Chris Van Hollen on Trump spending bill as it enters debate on Capitol Hill
Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland spoke with Alex Witt about the status of President Trump's spending bill, from the cuts to Medicaid to the increased spending for immigration enforcement and border security. He also spoke about Republican Senator Thom Tillis announcing he's not running for re-election in North Carolina.
Axios
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Israeli officials see "significant" damage to Iran's nuclear facilities
Israeli intelligence services believe U.S. and Israeli strikes caused "very significant" damage to Iran's nuclear facilities, with some officials perplexed by a leaked U.S. intelligence report that suggested otherwise. Like the U.S., Israel has not produced a final assessment on how far back the bombing campaign has set Iran's nuclear program, three officials told Axios. Why it matters: The emerging Israeli assessment presents a far more optimistic view of the operation than a preliminary report from the Defense Intelligence Agency, which assessed the strikes may have set Iran back only a few months. President Trump's claim that Iran's nuclear program has been "obliterated" came under scrutiny Tuesday after the DIA report was leaked to CNN, the New York Times, Washington Post and multiple other outlets. The leak infuriated the White House, which rejected the findings as "fake news" and accused anonymous officials of seeking to undermine Trump. The big picture: Israel, which initiated the war and faces a far more direct threat from Iran than the U.S., is largely satisfied with the early results from Trump's military strike on Saturday. "A professional battle damage assessment takes time," an Israeli official stressed, suggesting it was far too soon to draw the kinds of conclusions included in the DIA report. "Israeli intelligence services haven't arrived at any bottom lines for now," the official added. "But we don't think there was any bug in the operation, and we have no indications the bunker-buster bombs didn't work. Nobody here is disappointed." Between the lines: The classified DIA report was based on early intelligence from just one agency, and the overall picture remains muddled — especially with Iran itself still assessing the damage and weighing its next moves. Still, the existence of the report — paired with the abrupt postponement of congressional briefings on Tuesday — has ignited deep frustration among Democrats over Trump's cavalier approach to sensitive intelligence. "I'm very concerned about [Trump] distorting, manipulating and even lying about intelligence," Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) told Axios. "We've been here before. We went to war in Iraq under false pretenses." The other side: Trump and his aides have doubled down on the success of the B-2 bombing operation and lashed out at the media for reporting on the early intelligence assessment. "Leaking that type of information — whatever the information, whatever side it comes out on — is outrageous. It's treasonous," White House envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News. "We put 12 bunker-buster bombs on Fordow," Witkoff continued, referring to Iran's most fortified underground nuclear site. "There's no doubt that it breached the canopy … and there's no doubt that it was obliterated." Behind the scenes: Israeli officials said the Iranian government has been engaged in its own battle damage assessment to determine the state of its nuclear program. An Israeli official with direct knowledge of intelligence on Iran told Axios that intercepted communications suggest Iranian military officials have been giving false situation reports to the country's political leadership — downplaying the extent of the damage. "The Iranians themselves still don't even have a clear idea what happened to some of their nuclear facilities," a second Israeli official said. Zoom in: Israeli officials said the damage to Iran's nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan — the three sites targeted in the U.S. strike on Saturday — is "very significant." At Natanz, the above-ground enrichment facility was completely destroyed, and signs point to the collapse of its underground infrastructure, an Israeli official said. At Fordow, the U.S. military's 30,000-pound bunker-busters inflicted major damage on the facility — though Israeli officials say it remains unclear whether the underground areas suffered full structural collapse. At Isfahan, Israeli officials said the uranium reprocessing facility — which produces the uranium metal used in bomb-making — was destroyed. Isfahan's underground tunnels were also damaged, but the full scope is still being assessed. "We doubt that these facilities can be activated any time in the near future," an Israeli official said. The intrigue: Two Israeli officials also claimed that intelligence shows Iran's stockpile of 60% and 20% enriched uranium is now buried beneath rubble at Isfahan and Fordow — and it's unclear whether Iran will be able to recover it in the near future. Zoom out: Beyond the direct damage to Iran's nuclear facilities, Israeli officials say the broader war effort dealt a crippling blow to Iran's long-term nuclear capabilities. Israel assassinated dozens of A-list and B-list nuclear scientists — key figures with both institutional memory and hands-on expertise — during the 12-day conflict. Several of Iran's centrifuge production lines were destroyed, significantly limiting the country's ability to replace the thousands of centrifuges lost in the Israeli and U.S. airstrikes. The IDF also destroyed labs and testing facilities that housed scientific equipment critical to Iran's nuclear weapons research and development, according to an Israeli official.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Read full episode transcripts of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" from 2025
More than a decade of "Face the Nation" transcripts are available online: 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 For earlier broadcasts, contact CBS Footage Requests. And for the latest from "Face the Nation," bookmark our homepage and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. June 22 Secretary of State Marco RubioGOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of CaliforniaSen. Tim Kaine of VirginiaRetired Gen. Frank McKenzie, the former commander of U.S. Central Command and a CBS News contributor June 15 Sen. Tom Cotton, Republican of ArkansasSens. Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, and Lindsey Graham, Republican of South CarolinaSen. Alex Padilla, Democrat of California June 8 Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Rep. Tony Gonzales, Republican of Texas Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Democrat of MinnesotaKevin Hassett, National Economic Council directorSave the Children CEO Janti Soeripto June 1 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Sen. Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Democrat of Illinois Michael Roth, Wesleyan University presidentFDA commissioner Dr. Marty Makary May 25 House Speaker Mike Johnson, Republican of LouisianaRep. Jim Himes, Democrat of ConnecticutCindy McCain, World Food Programme executive director Navy veteran Jack McCainFor Country Caucus members Reps. Seth Moulton, Democrat of Massachusetts, Zach Nunn, Republican of Iowa, and Don Davis, Democrat of North Carolina May 18 Secretary of State Marco Rubio Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates Bridget Brink, former U.S. ambassador to UkraineRet. Gen. Stanley McChrystal May 11 United CEO Scott KirbyRep. Michael McCaul, Republican of Texas New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago Peter Mandelson, U.K. ambassador to the U.S. May 4 Rep. Mike Turner, Republican of Ohio Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Democrat of Illinois Oksana Markarova, Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S. Ret. Lt. Gen. H.R. McMasterNPR CEO Katherine Maher and PBS CEO Paula Kerger April 27 CBS News director of elections and surveys Anthony SalvantoRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Democrat of New Hampshire Tom Homan, Trump administration border czar April 20 CBS News immigration reporter Camilo Montoya-Galvez Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of MarylandRep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Republican of Pennsylvania EPA administrator Lee Zeldin Austan Goolsbee, Chicago Federal Reserve president April 13 U.S. trade representative Jamieson GreerNeel Kashkari, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of MinneapolisAnthony Salvanto, CBS News director of elections and surveys Rep. Ro Khanna, Democrat of CaliforniaDr. Peter Marks, former head of FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research April 6 Commerce Secretary Howard LutnickSen. John Barrasso, Republican of WyomingSen. Maria Cantwell, Democrat of WashingtonRep. Don Bacon, Republican of NebraskaNATO Secretary General Mark Rutte March 30 CBS News director of electios and surveys Anthony Salvanto Shawn Fain, president of United Auto WorkersSen. Mark Warner, Democrat of VirginiaRep. Jodey Arrington, Republican of Texas Sue Gordon, Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence in first Trump administration, and Ret. Gen. Frank McKenzie March 23 National Security Adviser Mike WaltzRep. Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky Rep. Jim Himes, Democrat of ConnecticutDr. Scott Gottlieb, former FDA commissoner CBS News correspondents Camilo Montoya-Galvez and Scott MacFarlane March 16 Secretary of State Marco RubioSteve Witkoff, President Trump's envoy to the Middle EastSen. Lindsey Graham, Republican of South CarolinaRep. Debbie Dingell, Democrat of MichiganMaryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat March 9 Homeland Security Secretary Kristi NoemKirsten Hillman, Canadian ambassador to the Brian Fitzpatrick, Republican of Pennsylvania, and Tom Suozzi, Democrat of New YorkFiona Hill, former White House Russia expert March 2 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Rep. Mike Turner, Republican of OhioSen. Mark Kelly, Democrat of ArizonaRep. John James, Republican of MichiganEuropean Union diplomat Kaja Kallas Feb. 23 New York Gov. Kathy HochulSteve Witkoff, President Trump's Middle East special envoySen. John Curtis, Republican of UtahSen. Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of MarylandDr. Scott Gottlieb, former FDA commissioner Feb. 16 Secretary of State Marco RubioKevin Hassett, director of the National Economic CouncilRep. Dan Crenshaw, Republican of TexasSen. Jeanne Shaheen, Democrat of New HampshireRep. Jamie Raskin, Democrat of Maryland Feb. 9 CBS News director of elections and surveys Anthony SalvantoRep. Michael McCaul, Republican of TexasRep. Ilhan Omar, Democrat of Minnesota Sen. Bill Hagerty, Republican of TennesseeScott MacFarlane, Jan Crawford, Sam Vinograd and Christopher Krebs Feb. 2 Sen. Mark Warner, Democrat of VirginiaRep. Brian Mast, Republican of FloridaSen. Bernie Sanders, Independent of VermontFrank Figliuzzi, former FBI assistant director for counterintelligence, and CBS News justice correspondent Scott MacFarlaneHanna Siegel, niece of freed hostage Keith Siegel Jan. 26 Vice President JD VanceRep. Mike Turner, Republican of OhioRep. Jason Crow, Democrat of ColoradoCBS News reporter Camilo Montoya-Galvez Jan. 19 Rep. Mike Waltz, incoming Trump administration national security adviser Brett McGurk, the White House National Security Council coordinator for the Middle East and North AfricaSen. Lindsey Graham, Republican of South CarolinaSen. Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia Save the Children president and CEO Janti Soeripto Jan. 12 FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell Rep. Judy Chu, Democrat of CaliforniaSen. John Barrasso, Republican of WyomingSen. Mark Kelly, Democrat of ArizonaFormer House Speaker Newt Gingrich Jan. 5 Reps. Mike Turner, Republican of Ohio, and Jim Himes, Democrat of ConnecticutHouse Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Republican of South Dakota Tom Homan, President-elect Donald Trump's border czar Kidney dialysis industry accused of maximizing profits over patients Pentagon officials reveal new details about U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear sites Netanyahu reacts to U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites
Al Jazeera
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Senator Van Hollen: Netanyahu ‘outsmarted' Trump on Iran
US President Donald Trump has made his administration 'a subcontractor, a junior partner' to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's objectives in the Middle East, argues Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen. As the president mulls further involvement in Israel's attack on Iran, Senator Van Hollen tells host Steve Clemons that 'This notion that you can just drop a few big bombs and be done with it misunderstands history, because there is a real risk that the United States will get dragged deeper and deeper into this war.' Van Hollen also criticised the US-Israeli Gaza Humanitarian Foundation as 'death traps' for Palestinians.
The Hill
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Senators call for security funding uptick as Minnesota shootings spook Capitol Hill
Senators on Tuesday pleaded with top Capitol Police officials for an uptick in member security funding in the wake of the fatal shooting of a Minnesota state legislator. The killing of Melissa Hortman, a Democratic former Speaker of the Minnesota House, and her husband over the weekend sent a chill down the spine of lawmakers who were already concerned about the heightened political rhetoric and increasing number of threats against officials. That prompted the Capitol Police and the Senate sergeant at arms to hold a briefing for members, during which multiple lawmakers made the case for more security funding. 'We need a more systematic approach to dealing with the security threats. The security threats are clearly going up and I think we need an overall plan and we need better security,' said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who attended the briefing. 'It's both funding and coordination, and general situational awareness,' he continued. 'If threats are coming in against members, it might help to ensure everybody's aware of it because everyone else may be experiencing something similar and we'd be able to be on the lookout.' The briefing came at the request of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) days after an assailant, later identified by police as Vance Boelter, 57, killed Hortman and her husband, Mark, and wounded state Sen. John Hoffman (D-Minn.) and his wife, Yvette. According to Schumer, members on both sides of the aisle — Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and David McCormick (R-Pa.) — called for spending to be increased to boost the security of senators. 'The Capitol police and the [Senate] Sergeant at Arms gave a very detailed discussion about how they can protect members here, back in our states, in our homes, in our offices. The violences, the threats against elected officials, including people in the Senate, has dramatically increased,' the Democratic leader said. 'That means we need more protection. We need more money,' he said. 'The rhetoric that's encouraging violence is coming from too many powerful in this country. We need firm, strong denouncement of all violence and violent rhetoric. That should be from the president and all of the elected officials.' Members were largely hesitant to discuss in-depth the issues that emerged from the meeting, especially as it concerns their own security. It's not unusual for members to shy away from delving into those details. But what lawmakers have made clear is that they are increasingly worried about these threats. According to Capitol Police, 9,474 threats made against lawmakers, their families and staff were investigated in 2024 — an increase from just over 8,000 the year prior and setting a new bar in the process. But whether the price tag will go up remains a question. Capitol Police has requested roughly $1 billion in funding for Fiscal year 2026. Thomas Manger, who recently departed his post atop the department, warned senators last month that there is a pressing need for more funds due to the 'increased threat climate,' even as the Trump administration tries to take a hatchet to funding across the government. Senators agree that this is not the right time to slice that funding. 'The prevailing feeling is we need to do more in terms of resources and encouragement of the Capitol Police. The expectation that we could adequately protect 535 people in 535 locations is daunting but certainly not impossible,' Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said. 'We're living in a moment where we probably have to do more — whatever that might be,' Cramer added, noting that he has asked for more patrols from the local sheriff's office in his home state. Authorities say that Boelter also had compiled a 'kill list' of 45 Democratic political officials, which featured a number of other Minnesota lawmakers. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and a group of House members were also among those listed The shooting in Minnesota also came less than a year after the first of two assassination attempts against President Trump, which also brought security under the microscope for politicians. It is also reminiscent of other attempts on lawmakers' lives, including the near-fatal shootings of former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.) in 2011 and Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) in 2017. Some senators said they have gone beyond what was offered through official congressional channels to secure their homes. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R) on Monday laid out the vast security upgrades he has made at his ranch in Oklahoma given the rising threats, saying that he has raised security concerns over the years with Capitol Police and the sergeant at arms. Among other things, Mullin said that he has bulletproof glass on the bottom part of his house, shatterproof glass at the top, cameras across the property and 'heavily trained' security dogs ready to deploy if need be. He admitted that this is a 'huge undertaking,' but pointed to a series of death threats as the reason. 'We don't just do that because we're overreacting. I'm not one to overreact on security stuff, but it's a threat,' he said, adding that agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have had to come to his house multiple times due to bomb threats. He added that he has paid out of pocket for some of those additional security expenses. Members are also able to tap into their campaign accounts to cover some security costs. 'It is unfortunately the reality that we live in and it's concerning,' he added. It should concern everybody.'
