Meet The Press — July 27, 2025

KRISTEN WELKER:

This Sunday: Mounting pressure.

REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES:

What are they hiding from nan American people?

KRISTEN WELKER:

The conflict to merchandise nan Justice Department’s Jeffrey Epstein files grows—touching a governmental nervus and triggering a symptom constituent for Republicans.

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON:

There is nary daylight betwixt nan location Republicans, nan House, and nan president connected maximum transparency.

REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE:

People want information. They don’t want things covered up.

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER:

Speaker Johnson has assured that August has go “the Epstein recess”

KRISTEN WELKER:

The House leaves for an early recess, arsenic President Trump shifts blasted to nan Democrats.

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

After what they did to me, and whether it’s correct aliases wrong, it's clip to spell aft people.

KRISTEN WELKER:

My guests this morning: Speaker of nan House Mike Johnson, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, and a associated question and reply pinch Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna and Republican Congressman Thomas Massie. Plus, building tensions. As President Trump turns up nan power connected nan Fed Chair—Powell pushes back.

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Looks for illustration it's astir 3.1 billion, went up a small spot aliases a lot, truthful nan 2.7 is now 3.1.

FED. CHAIR JEROME POWELL:

I’m not alert of that, Mr. President.

PRES. DONALD TRUMP

Yeah, it conscionable came out.

FED. CHAIR JEROME POWELL:

You conscionable added successful a 3rd building, is what that is.

KRISTEN WELKER:

And, hunger crisis. As ceasefire negotiations autumn apart, warnings of wide starvation spreading wrong Gaza. Joining maine for penetration and study are: New York Times Chief White House Correspondent Peter Baker, Amna Nawaz, co-anchor of PBS NewsHour, erstwhile Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, and erstwhile Republican Congressman Carlos Curbelo. Welcome to Sunday, it’s Meet nan Press.

ANNOUNCER:

From NBC News successful Washington, nan longest-running show successful tv history, this is Meet nan Press pinch Kristen Welker.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Good Sunday morning. President Trump is waking up astatine his play edifice successful Scotland this weekend, but incapable to shingle nan contention that is progressively engulfing his White House backmost astatine home— those increasing calls for his management to merchandise each of nan files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein was a financier convicted of activity crimes and facing national activity trafficking charges erstwhile he was recovered dormant successful his jailhouse compartment successful 2019, ruled a suicide. On nan run trail, Mr. Trump said he would merchandise nan Epstein files.

[BEGIN TAPE]

RACHEL CAMPOS-DUFFY:

Would you declassify nan Epstein files?

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

Yeah. Yeah, I would. I conjecture I would.

[END TAPE]

KRISTEN WELKER:

But now his management is backtracking—creating a backlash from Democrats and for nan first clip from galore successful his ain base. The president facing mounting questions astir his narration pinch Epstein—trying to displacement nan focus.

[BEGIN TAPE]

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

You’re making a very large point complete thing that's not a large thing. Don't talk astir Trump. What you should beryllium talking astir is nan truth that we person nan top six months successful nan history of a presidency.

[END TAPE]

KRISTEN WELKER:

This week nan Wall Street Journal reported that backmost successful 2003 Mr. Trump contributed to a postulation of letters to Epstein for his 50th birthday, allegedly penning a “bawdy” missive to Epstein which included an outline of a naked woman. The president has forcefully denied he wrote nan missive and is now suing nan Journal.

[BEGIN TAPE]

REPORTER:

Do you support you did not constitute a missive for Jeffrey Epstein’s day book?

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

I don't moreover cognize what they're talking about. Now, personification could person written a missive and utilized my name, but that's happened a lot.

[END TAPE]

KRISTEN WELKER:

The Journal besides reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Mr. Trump during a May briefing that his sanction appeared successful Justice Department documents related to Epstein. While nan White House confirms that gathering happened, nan president denies being told his sanction appears successful nan files.

[BEGIN TAPE]

REPORTER:

Mr. President, were you briefed connected your sanction appearing successful Epstein files ever?

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

No, I was never, ne'er briefed, no.

[END TAPE]

KRISTEN WELKER:

Being named successful nan files is not grounds of wrongdoing. And Epstein's one-time woman Ghislaine Maxwell who is serving a 20-year sentence, convicted of assisting his activity trafficking ring, including luring and abusing young women herself – answered questions from DOJ officials for 2 consecutive days. Prompting nan mobility – would nan president pardon her? When Mr. Trump was pressed, he didn’t norm it out.

[BEGIN TAPE]

PRES. DONALD TRUMP:

It's thing I haven't thought about, it's really something, it’s thing – I’m allowed to do it. But it’s thing I person not thought about.

[END TAPE]

KRISTEN WELKER:

All arsenic nan drumbeat for nan merchandise of nan Epstein files continues to turn louder and arsenic Republican infighting complete nan imaginable disclosure has reached a fever pitch.

[BEING TAPE]

REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE:

People want nan information. They don't want things covered up, particularly erstwhile it comes to nan astir good known convicted pedophile successful modern time history. It's important to them, and they really want nan accusation out.

[END TAPE]

KRISTEN WELKER:

And joining maine now, a bipartisan duo who is teaming up to unit a House ballot demanding nan merchandise of nan Epstein files. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky, and Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna of California, invited to Meet nan Press to some of you.

REP. THOMAS MASSIE:

Thank you.

REP. RO KHANNA:

Thank you.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Thank you some truthful overmuch for being here. I want to commencement pinch a mobility for some of you. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who will beryllium my adjacent guest, has accused you of being hypocritical for pushing for nan merchandise of these files now and not erstwhile erstwhile President Biden was successful office. Take a perceive to what he had to say.

[BEGIN TAPE]

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON:

Remember, President Biden and his DOJ had these files for 4 years. Neither of those guys said a connection astir it. Thomas Massie is suggesting that this is immoderate benignant of watershed moment. We are each connected nan aforesaid page trying to beforehand nan truth, nan afloat truth and transparency. And nan thought that he's abruptly truthful concerned astir it is funny to me. He waited until President Trump was elected to bring this–

MAJOR GARRETT:

Hypocritical?

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON:

Seems that measurement to me.

[END TAPE]

KRISTEN WELKER:

Congressman Khanna, fto maine commencement pinch you first. Why are you pushing for nan merchandise of nan Epstein files now and not during President Biden's administration?

REP. RO KHANNA:

Well, Speaker Johnson's a friend. We came into Congress together. But I dream he'll subordinate america for transparency. Actually successful 2019 I tweeted retired that I was moving pinch Elijah Cummings to person a afloat investigation of nan Epstein business and nan deaths associated pinch it. Then successful 2021 and successful 2024, nan courts started to merchandise Epstein files. Then you had a business wherever nan president of nan United States, President Trump says erstwhile he's president, "We're going to merchandise each nan files." Then Pam Bondi says that there's a customer list. There whitethorn not beryllium a customer list. But we're going to merchandise each nan files." I didn't opportunity thing while giving him nan use of uncertainty successful nan first fewer months. What triggered this is Pam Bondi issuing a memo saying, "There's thing much to beryllium seen," aft saying that location was an Epstein record and a list. And that's what triggered this situation of trust. That's why we request a afloat disclosure now and why I person teamed up pinch Representative Massie and 11 different salient Republicans to request that.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Well, Congressman Massie, fto maine move to you. What opportunity you? Are you being hypocritical by demanding this now and not sooner?

REP. THOMAS MASSIE:

No, not astatine all. Look, nan merchandise of nan Epstein files is emblematic of what Trump ran for and why he sewage nan populist vote. There seems to beryllium a people of group beyond nan law, beyond nan judicial strategy that operates extracurricular of each of that. And we each thought that erstwhile Trump was elected, he would beryllium nan bull successful nan china shop and that he would break that up and bring transparency. Frankly, it wasn't until conscionable precocious that I realized that group who were allegedly moving connected this weren't sincere successful their efforts. And also, authorities is nan creation of nan doable. There's capable nationalist unit correct now that we tin get 218 votes and unit this to a ballot connected nan floor. Somebody should inquire Speaker Mike Johnson, “Why did he recess Congress early truthful that he didn't person to woody pinch nan Epstein issue?” He tin bring this to nan level astatine immoderate point. Yet he's chosen to nonstop america location early for August recess.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Well, Congressman Massie, fto maine delve into this pinch you. We will get to Johnson successful conscionable a moment. But nan Department of Justice says they will not beryllium releasing further Epstein worldly successful bid to protect what they opportunity is much than 1,000 victims, galore of whom were underage. I want to publication you a small spot of a DOJ memo which writes, quote, "Sensitive accusation relating to these victims is intertwined passim nan materials. One of our highest priorities is combating kid exploitation and bringing justness to victims. Perpetuating unfounded theories astir Epstein serves neither 1 of those ends." What is your consequence to nan interest that releasing these files could yet wounded nan victims, Congressman Massie?

REP. THOMAS MASSIE:

Well, look, that’s a straw man. Ro and I cautiously crafted this authorities truthful that nan victims' names will beryllium redacted and that nary kid pornography will beryllium released. So they're hiding down that. But we're trying to get justness for nan victims and transparency for America. And so, you know, we've redacted things before. We don't want to wounded nan victims. We're doing this for nan victims. I deliberation it's conscionable thing that they're hiding behind. And successful nan extremity of that connection I heard thing astir conspiracy theories aliases thing for illustration that. Look, they're nan ones – it's nan president's ain lawyer general, FBI director, and children who said – and vice president who said that these files request to beryllium released. We're conscionable trying to clasp their feet to nan fire.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Well, and Congressman Khanna, return different portion of this based connected what you are proposing successful this legislation, nan names of frankly anyone who flew connected Jeffrey Epstein's planes aliases visited immoderate of his properties, anyone named successful nan files who was not a unfortunate will apt beryllium publically released if these files are released. Is it adjacent to merchandise files that whitethorn ne'er spot their time successful tribunal but could beryllium devastating, rather frankly, to nan group mentioned successful them?

REP. RO KHANNA:

Kristen, that is simply a adjacent question. But I want to conscionable attraction first connected nan victims. Bradley Edwards, was nan lawyer for nan victims, has demanded a afloat merchandise of nan files, evidently pinch nan victims' names redacted. He said nan Justice Department has ne'er cared astir nan victims – astir centering nan victims. They gave Jeffrey Epstein nan plea woody successful nan first place. They ne'er cared astir victims rights. And nary 1 has asked nan victims what they want. They do want these files released for closure and for healing. Now there's a logic nan Justice Department usually doesn't merchandise accusation earlier charging people. And I understand nan sensitivity of that. But successful this case, fixed that this has created a spot successful our very authorities itself. Different group consciousness that nan rich | and nan powerful person been not held accountable, that they person a different group of rules, and that location whitethorn beryllium authorities officials involved. There perchance could beryllium overseas authorities involved, business involved, financial fraud involved. The president should say, "I ran connected this. The lawyer wide promised this. We're going to do a clean, afloat release." And I deliberation nan American group are fair. They're going to beryllium capable to separate betwixt personification who sewage a assistance from Jeffrey Epstein to do crab investigation versus rich | and powerful men who were abusing underage girls.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Congressman Massie, I do want to spell backmost to nan truth that House was adjourned early. House Speaker Mike Johnson has defended that decision. He says, "Look, nan White House is already pushing for nan merchandise of nan expansive assemblage materials." Obviously that's been held up successful court. He's accusing you of trying to inflict governmental symptom connected your statement by criticizing him for adjourning nan House early. Is he right? Are you trying to inflict governmental symptom pinch this criticism?

REP. THOMAS MASSIE:

I don't cognize why it should beryllium politically achy to beryllium transparent. Is nan symptom he's talking astir that personification successful our statement will beryllium embarrassed by those files? Then that's not a bully excuse. Is nan symptom he's talking astir that is that nan legislators erstwhile they ballot person to prime betwixt protecting embarrassment of nan rich | and powerful versus getting justness for victims? I don't really understand what he intends by that. Why is it achy for Mike Johnson to telephone a ballot connected this? And, you know, nan American group merit this sloppy of what nan governmental ramifications are for nan speaker.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Well, let's talk astir Ghislaine Maxwell now. Of course, she sat for 2 days of interviews pinch DOJ officials. President Trump was asked, does he want to pardon her? He said he hasn't thought astir it but he's allowed to do it. Congressman Massie, first to you. Would you support a pardon aliases commutation of Ghislaine Maxwell?

REP. THOMAS MASSIE:

You know, that would beryllium up to nan president. But if she has accusation that could thief us, past I deliberation she should testify. Let's get that retired there. And immoderate they request to do to compel that testimony, arsenic agelong arsenic it's truthful, I would beryllium successful favour of.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Well, Congressman Khanna, I mean, look astatine her record. Convicted of activity trafficking of a minor, activity trafficking conspiracy, nan database goes connected and on. Do you deliberation Ghislaine Maxwell should beryllium pardoned aliases person a commutation of her sentence, her 20-year sentence?

REP. RO KHANNA:

No, I don't. And I'm concerned that nan Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is gathering pinch her supposedly one-on-one. Look, I work together pinch Congressman Massie that she should testify. But she's been indicted doubly connected perjury. This is why we request nan files. This is why we request independent evidence. But by nan way, nan only personification who suffered governmental symptom successful this full point is Congressman Thomas Massie for telling nan truth. He's sewage nan president's full squad who sewage nan president reelected coming down connected him successful his district. And it's conscionable made him stronger.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Well, Congressman Khanna, I person to inquire you politically speaking, nan accusation for Democrats, location has been a batch of attraction by yourself, by different Democrats connected this rumor of Jeffrey Epstein. Prior to this, you each were talking astir nan alleged “Big Beautiful Bill”, nan truth that nan CBO has estimated for illustration immoderate 10 cardinal group could beryllium kicked disconnected of their wellness care. Are you concerned that by focusing connected Epstein, you could overshadow Democrats' connection connected pocketbook issues and wounded your chances successful nan midterms?

REP. RO KHANNA:

No I’m not. Look, my halfway condemnation is simply a caller economical patriotism to re-industrialize America, a 21st period Marshall Plan for America, Medicare for all, opposing nan Medicaid cuts. But you can't do thing constructive pinch authorities if you don't person spot successful government. This is astir spot successful government. When John F. Kennedy was president, spot successful authorities was 60%. Today it's successful nan teens. Speaker Johnson and I came to Congress together. He was connected nan betterment broadside too. He wanted to make authorities work. This is simply a cleanable opportunity for him to say, "Look, nan past is nan past." Okay, I didn't emotion that he unopen down government. Maybe connected your show coming he'll perpetrate that erstwhile we travel back, let's person a vote. Remind him of what we were like, nan conversations we had successful our freshman class. This is astir being a betterment supplier of transparency.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Very quickly earlier I fto you some go. First Congressman Massie to you. Will this pass? Will it travel to nan level and walk nan House erstwhile you return from August recess?

REP. THOMAS MASSIE:

Well, I dream it does because, you know, nan mobility you asked Ro, this is going to wounded Republicans successful nan midterms. The voters will beryllium apathetic if we don't clasp nan rich | and powerful accountable. I deliberation erstwhile we get back, we tin get nan signatures required to unit this to nan floor, Speaker Mike Johnson should do nan correct point and conscionable bring it to nan level and not require america to unit it. And he'll person a prime erstwhile we get those 218 signatures. Is he going to effort and alteration nan rules of nan House of Representatives mid-stream aliases not? If he does, that becomes nan ballot for nan American people.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Congressman Khanna, I'm retired of time. But yes aliases no, will it pass?

REP. RO KHANNA:

It will pass.

KRISTEN WELKER:

All right, location you go. Congressmen, convey you truthful overmuch for joining america for this conversation. We really admit it. Thank you truthful much. And erstwhile we travel back, Speaker of nan House Mike Johnson joins maine next.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Welcome back. Joining maine now is House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana. Speaker Johnson, invited backmost to Meet nan Press.

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON:

Great to beryllium pinch you.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Well, it is awesome to person you. You conscionable heard my speech pinch Congressman Massie, Congressman Khanna. So fto maine commencement disconnected pinch this question. Why did you adjourn nan House early? And does it tally nan consequence of feeding nan cognition that there's thing to hide successful nan Epstein matter?

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON:

Look, these are each important questions. Let maine beryllium perfectly clear arsenic we person been from nan very beginning. House Republicans insist upon nan merchandise of each reliable grounds and accusation related to Epstein successful immoderate way. But we are besides insisting upon nan protection of guiltless victims. And our interest is that nan Massie and Khanna discharge petition is reckless successful nan measurement that it is drafted and presented. It does not adequately see those protections. And I tin explicate each nan specifications of that. With nan important point connected nan timing, to reply that mobility first, is that we did not do thing to extremity nan word of Congress early. The Massie-Khanna discharge petition was revenge truthful that it would not ripen until a time aft Congress had antecedently been scheduled for almost a twelvemonth to beryllium retired of convention and successful nan territory activity play for August. And that is nan timing of it. So what we did do this week is extremity nan chaos successful nan Rules Committee because nan Democrats are trying to usage this successful a shameless mode for governmental purposes, rather obviously. They hijacked nan Rules Committee. And they tried to move it into an Epstein hearing. That's not what nan Rules Committee is about. So that's why nan level votes ended connected Wednesday alternatively of Thursday. But nan activity of Congress continues. And nan schedule of Congress was published good complete a twelvemonth ago, December of 2024. So nary of this was a surprise. And Khanna and Massie could person brought their discharge petition a time earlier and prevented that or, arsenic noted earlier, immoderate clip complete nan past 4 years. They did not do it during nan Biden administration. And that's an important constituent for everybody to note.

KRISTEN WELKER:

But Mr. Speaker, it's not conscionable Republicans supporting this, it's 11 — it’s not conscionable Democrats, it’s 11 Republicans arsenic well. Let maine conscionable inquire you because I perceive you saying that, yes, nan files should beryllium made nationalist while protecting nan victims. Let maine conscionable inquire you though, should each of nan files related to Jeffrey Epstein beryllium released and made public?

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON:

Yes. I work together pinch President Trump, pinch nan Department of Justice, pinch nan FBI that you request each reliable grounds and accusation retired there. That connection reliable is important. And why? Because you person to protect guiltless people's names and reputations whose names mightiness be, arsenic you noted astatine nan onset of nan program, intertwined into each these files.This has been a agelong ineligible process. There's a reason, for example, that expansive assemblage materials are protected nether nan national rules of criminal process because they're not to beryllium put out. See, nan Massie and Khanna discharge petition would require nan release.It would require nan DOJ and FBI to merchandise accusation that they cognize is false, that is based connected lies and rumors and was not moreover reliable capable to beryllium entered into nan tribunal proceedings. And that would beryllium a vulnerable thing. Our main interest here, though, is nan protection of nan guiltless victims. I mean, these are minors successful galore cases who were subjected to unspeakable crimes, abject evil. They've already suffered awesome harm. We do not request their names being unmasked. The Massie and nan Khanna discharge petition does not person capable protections. For example, successful nan measurement that it was drafted, they mention that they don't want kid abuse, activity maltreatment accusation uncovered. But they mention nan incorrect proviso of nan national code. And truthful it makes it unworkable. It requires nan DOJ to merchandise expansive assemblage testimony.They are prohibited by rule from doing so. So it is not nan correct approach. There is different attack retired location that House Republicans connected nan Rules Committee person a solution that is good drafted, that is lawfully drafted by lawyers that would make this workable. That's nan approach. We person to protect nan innocent. We'll do it astatine each cost.

KRISTEN WELKER:

They do opportunity that they want victims' names redacted though conscionable to beryllium clear. Let maine move connected to Ghislaine Maxwell —

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON:

Yes, but their connection doesn't adequately nutrient that. Yes.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Okay.

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON:

Yes.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Let maine move connected to Ghislaine Maxwell. As you know, Mr. Speaker, nan lawman lawyer wide spent 2 days interviewing her. She of people has been convicted of grooming, recruiting, abusing young teenage girls on pinch Jeffrey Epstein. Mr. Speaker, Maxwell's lawyer said she answered each questions honestly and truthfully. But do you deliberation that Ghislaine Maxwell tin beryllium trusted?

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON:

Well, I mean, look, it's a bully question. I dream so. I dream that she would want to travel clean. We surely are willing successful knowing everything that she knows. And arsenic you'll cognize successful our House Republican mostly we're moving towards that. Chairmen Comer and our Oversight Committee has already issued their ain subpoena. They want to bring successful Ghislaine Maxwell arsenic well. I dream she's telling nan truth. She is convicted. She is serving a 20-year condemnation for kid activity trafficking. And truthful her characteristic is successful immoderate question. But if she wants to travel cleanable now, that would beryllium a awesome work to nan country. And we'd for illustration to cognize each azygous spot of accusation that she has. I surely dream she's telling nan truth.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Well, listen, this week President Trump didn't norm retired a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell. Of course, that's 1 of nan large questions looming complete each of this. So fto maine put this to you, Mr. Speaker, would you support a pardon aliases a commutation for Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted activity trafficker?

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON:

Well, I mean, evidently that's a determination of nan president. He said he had not adequately considered that. I won't get successful beforehand of him. That's not my lane. My lane is to thief nonstop and power nan House of Representatives and to usage each instrumentality wrong our arsenal to get to nan truth.

I'm going to opportunity this arsenic intelligibly and plainly and many times arsenic I tin complete and over. We are for maximum disclosure. We want each transparency. I spot nan American people. I and nan House Republicans judge that they should person each this accusation to beryllium capable to find what they will. But we person to protect nan innocent. And that's nan only safeguard present that we've sewage to beryllium diligent about. And I'm insistent upon doing so.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Well, I conjecture my mobility is: Are you unfastened to a pardon aliases commutation? I mean, Mr. Speaker, nan victims mention to Maxwell arsenic Epstein's right-hand woman. Here's what 1 unfortunate who testified nether a pseudonym told nan tribunal astatine sentencing, quote, "The galore acts that were perpetrated connected maine by Epstein including rape, strangulation and intersexual battle were ne'er consensual and would not person occurred had it not been for nan cunning and premeditated domiciled Ghislaine Maxwell played." Is that personification deserving of a pardon aliases commutation successful immoderate circumstance, Mr. Speaker?

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON:

If you're asking my opinion, I deliberation 20 years was a pittance. I deliberation she should person a life condemnation astatine least. I mean, deliberation of each these unspeakable crimes. And arsenic you noted earlier, astir apt 1,000 victims. I mean, you know, this is, it's difficult to put into words really evil this was. And that she orchestrated it and was a large portion of it, astatine slightest nether nan criminal sanction, I deliberation is an unforgivable thing. So again, not my decision, but I person awesome region astir that arsenic immoderate reasonable personification would.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Two much captious topics to get to pinch you, Mr. Speaker. Let's talk astir what has been called nan Big Beautiful Bill. In June, you told maine nan measure would not trim Medicaid. But 2 Republican senators yet voted against it because of what they thought were cuts to Medicaid. And Senator Josh Hawley is already retired proposing authorities to really rotation backmost immoderate of nan Medicaid cuts that he conscionable voted for. Did nan Medicaid cuts spell excessively far, Mr. Speaker?

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON:

The measure does not trim Medicaid. The One Big Beautiful Bill does not trim Medicaid. What it does is fortify nan program. And we talked astir this, Kristen, is that nan problem is there's a precocious grade of fraud, discarded and maltreatment successful that program. I'm talking astir 10s of billions of dollars each year. What we did is we went successful to spell successful and hole that. We introduced activity requirements which is simply a wildly celebrated conception successful nationalist sentiment polling because it makes sense. Medicaid is simply a information nett program. It is intended for nan elderly, nan disabled, young, azygous pregnant women, young mothers. And those resources are being drained because you had able-bodied young men, for example, pinch nary dependents who are riding nan wagon. That's not right. It's morally wrong. And it doesn't comport pinch nan law. So what we did successful our Big Beautiful Bill is we went successful to carve those guys retired that program. They person activity requirements now, 20 hours a week. They either person to beryllium working, looking for a job, successful a activity training programme aliases volunteering successful their community, which is bully for them and their surroundings. We find dignity successful our work. We're proud of that reform. And by nan way, location was a Harris and a Harvard canvass that came retired astir 2 weeks ago. And they looked astatine 17 of nan 21 superior provisions successful that Big Beautiful Bill. And 17 retired of 21 are mostly supported successful nan public. And that's aft nan onslaught of nan mainstream media and Democrats lying astir nan bill. So we're excited to spell retired into districts successful August and show nan truth.

KRISTEN WELKER:

But Mr. Speaker, Josh Hawley says he is worried astir cuts to payments and Medicaid reimbursements. Why would he beryllium introducing a measure to rotation backmost cuts to Medicaid if location were nary cuts to Medicaid? He says nan group successful his authorities are going to suffer.

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON:

I haven't talked to my friend Josh Hawley astir his legalization. I'm not judge what that's directed to. But I will show you that nan One Big Beautiful Bill safeguards nan program. It strengthens it. It makes judge that Medicaid will beryllium location for those who really request it and who nan rule is intended to supply for. It is not for forbidden aliens. We’ve kicked them off. It's not for group who are gaming nan system. We’ve kicked them off. And it's not for group who should beryllium working. They person to beryllium capable to beryllium that they're successful 1 of these programs successful bid to get those benefits. And I deliberation taxpayers will beryllium served very good by that and everything other successful nan measure is wildly celebrated arsenic well.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Let maine inquire you astir a captious rumor connected nan world stage.The world has been watching what has been unfolding Gaza. We are going to show immoderate of these pictures. They're very disturbing. Mr. Speaker, of course, this humanitarian crisis, children starving to death. Israel has now paused subject operations amid nan world outcry complete this quiet crisis. Are Israel's actions excessively little, excessively late, Mr. Speaker?

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON:

The images are disturbing and heartbreaking. We each want a bid location successful that region. President Trump is trying to forge that. And we support it 100%. I will show you that I person spoken to my friend Ambassador Leiter, nan Israeli ambassador to nan U.S., and to different Israeli officials. This is important to note. Israel, since this warfare began, has, has supplied complete 94,000 truckloads afloat of food. It's capable nutrient to provender 2 cardinal group for 2 years, trying to get that into Gaza. But Hamas has stolen nan food, a immense amount. In truth successful 2024, nan numbers are that Hamas profited complete $500 cardinal successful stolen nutrient assistance that was expected to spell to these mediocre group who needed it. That's half of their budget. So this is simply a surgery system. The UN needs to activity pinch Israel to make judge that nan nutrient is getting to nan group that request it most. The IDF I'm told, arsenic precocious arsenic this morning, will statesman tomorrow successful opening caller channels of distribution to get it to those group who are desperately successful need. That's Israel's intention. That's nan U.S.'s volition and nan UN arsenic well.

KRISTEN WELKER:

All right. Mr. Speaker, we are retired of time. We should statement nan New York Times conscionable yesterday did study that nan IDF ne'er recovered impervious that Hamas had systematically, that connection “systematically" stolen deliveries of assistance provided by nan UN and different groups. We do really admit your joining us. And I perceive you defending nan Israeli position connected that. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON:

You sewage it, convey you. Yes, convey you.

KRISTEN WELKER:

When we travel back, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina joins maine next.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Welcome back. Joining maine now is Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Senator Graham, invited backmost to Meet nan Press.

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:

Thank you.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Thank you for being back. So, let's commencement pinch nan Epstein files. Let maine inquire you nan mobility I've asked everyone. You've conscionable heard my conversations. Do you deliberation that nan Jeffrey Epstein files should beryllium released successful full, Senator?

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:

Yeah. I liked what nan speaker said. I americium connected committee pinch Speaker Johnson to merchandise arsenic overmuch arsenic you can, protecting victims nan champion you can.

KRISTEN WELKER:

All right. Well, fto maine inquire you astir this twist that happened this week. President Trump seemed to want to effort to unopen down questions astir nan Epstein files by accusing erstwhile President Obama of treason. This came arsenic his Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, declassified documents which alleged apical Obama officials manufactured accusation related to Russian interference successful nan 2016 election. Now, Senator, arsenic you are good aware, this really contradicts a bipartisan Senate Intelligence study led by Marco Rubio, which recovered that Russia did successful truth interfere successful nan election. Do you really judge that erstwhile President Obama committed treason?

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:

Well, I deliberation personification needs to look astatine what we found. The intel committee looked astatine nan matter. And they said successful 2017, nan intelligence study of 2017 showing that Russia was trying to interfere successful our predetermination was real. They didn't execute their goal. But what she found, Ms. Gabbard, is that successful 2016, nan intelligence organization told President Obama, "There's nary grounds that Russia was progressive successful trying to alteration nan result of nan election." And he supposedly told a group of people, "Keep looking." And nan study changed. So, what we're looking astatine is, what domiciled did Obama play successful 2016 to alteration nan communicative that resulted successful 2017? I'm not alleging he committed treason, but I americium saying it bothers me, it's disturbing that this is caller information. And now, you sewage nan number 2 feline astatine nan FBI, Dan-- Mr. Bongino, saying he's saying things that has changed his life. And I presume now he's referring to Russia. So, nan champion measurement to grip this is if location is grounds of a crime being committed aliases suspected grounds of a crime being committed, create a typical counsel to look astatine it. I deliberation that's nan champion measurement to go.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Okay. Let maine travel up pinch you connected your calls for a typical counsel investigation. As you know, Senator, location was already a Trump-appointed typical counsel astatine nan time, investigating nan origins of nan Russia probe. It did not find immoderate grounds of governmental interference. And, Senator, astatine nan time, you agreed pinch nan findings of nan intelligence community. I want to play backmost what you said astatine nan time. Take a look.

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:

Yep.

[BEGIN TAPE]

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM

The Russians did it. It was nan Russians who tried to interfere successful our election. Every personnel of nan committee agrees it was nan Russians. They didn't alteration nan outcome, but they did merchandise accusation embarrassing to nan Democratic Party. It did impact Hillary Clinton. There's only 1 personification successful Washington that I cognize of that has immoderate uncertainty astir what Russia did successful our election. And it's President Trump.

[END TAPE]

KRISTEN WELKER:

Senator, are you now saying that you don't judge that Russia tried to interfere successful nan 2016 election?

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:

Well, what I americium saying is that you near a batch retired here. It's called nan Horowitz report. It's nan Mueller investigation– was crooked and rotten to nan core. The Washington Post and The New York Times sewage a Pulitzer prize for reporting connected Trump's campaign's narration pinch Russia. It was each BS. At nan time, I didn't cognize immoderate of that. At nan time, I didn't cognize that they were manufacturing grounds to get FISA warrants. There was a confirmation bias. Durham didn't opportunity location was nary governmental bias. He said rather nan opposite. He said each clip a FISA warrant was sought successful nan Mueller world, they sewage it, and nan errors made to get warrants successful this abstraction were a batch greater than they were successful thing not involving Trump. But what I'm saying is that this is caller evidence. This is thing I didn't know, you didn't know, that successful 2016 Obama suggested I don't for illustration nan result that there's nary grounds Russia was involved. Well, now we each opportunity Russia was involved. But successful 2016, they said Russia wasn't involved. What nan hellhole happened?

KRISTEN WELKER:

Senator–

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:

Let's get a typical counsel.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Hold on, Senator. As you know, erstwhile President Obama has weighed successful done a spokesperson. He says that's conscionable patently false.

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:

Yes.

KRISTEN WELKER:

I really said to Susan Miller, who's a erstwhile elder CIA serviceman who helped to oversee nan 2017 intelligence appraisal connected Russian interference. She says it's wholly mendacious that Obama aliases anyone other asked them to alteration aliases sway their investigation.

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:

What other did he say?

KRISTEN WELKER:

She says they all–

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:

What other did he say?

KRISTEN WELKER:

She says, and she's a Republican, they each would person discontinue if that had happened, Senator. Are you trying to–

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:

No. No.

KRISTEN WELKER:

–rewrite history to distract from nan Epstein matter, Senator?

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:

No. I americium trying to fto you cognize and nan media cognize that we recovered thing we didn't cognize before. At nan extremity of nan day, I'm not calling for prosecution against President Obama for treason. But, I americium calling for an investigation. Mr. Mueller besides said location was nary reliable grounds that President Trump colluded pinch nan Russians. For years, and months, and days, and weeks, group had their lives turned upside down, chasing nan Mueller communicative that Trump was successful furniture pinch nan Russians, that nan Trump run was colluding pinch nan Russians. The only group colluding pinch nan Russians were nan Hillary Clinton run and Christopher Steele manufacturing a archive to get warrants against Carter Page, based connected lies and falsehoods. So, yeah, I'm very acquainted pinch it. What you don't look to admit is there's thing caller being found. Rather than reinventing nan instrumentality here, let's spell backmost to a typical counsel exemplary to look astatine this thing new.

KRISTEN WELKER:

But, Senator–

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:

The thing caller is statements by President Obama, "I don't for illustration your analysis. Russia wasn't progressive here," successful 2016.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Senator, you're saying there's thing new. This study goes backmost to 2020. It's 5 years old. There's really thing caller successful this study and thing that changes anything--

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:

The grounds that she turned over–

KRISTEN WELKER:

I want to talk astir Gaza, Senator.

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:

–is caller to me.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Senator–

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:

It's caller to me.

KRISTEN WELKER:

But, Senator–

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:

You're trying to expanse this worldly nether nan rug. And that's not right. Let’s spell to Gaza.

KRISTEN WELKER:

But, Senator, you cognize that astatine nan time, you said you did judge nan assessments and nan aggregate investigations. But fto maine move onto Gaza. Let's talk astir Gaza, Senator, because this is truthful important. As I conscionable talked astir pinch nan House speaker, nan world is conscionable watching this humanitarian situation unfold. President Trump said he told Prime Minister Netanyahu to quote, "Finish nan job, this week." I cognize that you are successful touch pinch President Trump. You're successful touch pinch Israeli officials. What are you anticipating is going to hap next? What does, "Finish nan job," mean, Senator?

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:

Well, I talked to Cindy McCain past night. Here's immoderate bully news for nan group successful Gaza. Humanitarian corridors are now going to beryllium open. Israel is going to activity pinch nan UN, nan World Food Program, to get immoderate nutrient into these people, who request it. But, I deliberation what nan taxable we're talking astir coming is simply a alteration successful strategy. I deliberation President Trump has travel to believe, and I've surely travel to believe, there's nary measurement you're going to discuss an extremity of this warfare pinch Hamas. Hamas is simply a violent statement who is chartered to destruct nan authorities of Israel. They're belief Nazis. They clasp Israeli hostages. I deliberation Israel's travel to reason that they can't execute a extremity of ending nan warfare pinch Hamas that would beryllium satisfactory to nan information of Israel and that they're going to do successful Gaza what we did successful Tokyo and Berlin; return nan spot by unit past commencement complete again, presenting a amended early for nan Palestinians, hopefully having nan Arabs return complete nan West Bank and Gaza. But I deliberation going forward, Kristen, you're going to spot a alteration successful tactics, a afloat subject effort by Israel to return Gaza down, for illustration we did successful Tokyo and Berlin.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Senator, bottommost line, does that mean nan hostages are not going to beryllium coming backmost alive, if Israel were to move guardant pinch what you're efficaciously saying?

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM:

I dream not. I deliberation location are people, maybe, successful nan Hamas statement that would judge safe transition if they released nan hostages. If I were Israel, I would make that connection to Hamas fighters, "You tin time off safely. We want our hostages back." But here's nan problem Israel has. They're losing soldiers, 4 and 5 a week. I dream and believe nan hostages will travel back. Hamas could extremity this tomorrow, laying down their weapons and releasing nan hostages. There is nary early for nan Palestinian people, arsenic agelong arsenic Hamas is around. So each I tin opportunity is that you're going to see, I think, successful nan adjacent days and weeks, a subject effort to destruct Hamas, akin to what we did successful Tokyo and Berlin to destruct nan Nazis and nan Japanese.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Well, we each are praying for those hostages, still. Senator Lindsey Graham, convey you truthful much. When we travel back, nan cancellation of a late-night drama show and what we've heard from its iconic big complete nan years. Our Meet nan Press Minute is next.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Welcome back. It's nan extremity of an era for a precocious nighttime institution. CBS announced past week that The Late Show pinch Stephen Colbert will extremity its tally successful May of adjacent year. The determination comes aft nan genitor institution of CBS settled a suit pinch President Trump. Before Stephen Colbert took nan helm of The Late Show successful 2015 he roseate to fame connected Comedy Central, wherever he hosted nan satirical Colbert Report playing a characteristic named Stephen Colbert, a right-wing anchorman. In 2007, Colbert joined Meet nan Press, wherever he talked astir nan value of making his audience, and himself, laugh.

[BEGIN TAPE]

TIM RUSSERT:

I publication a awesome quote from you. You were talking astir humor, and peculiarly aft September 11th, 2001. And you said, "You can't laughter and beryllium acrophobic astatine nan aforesaid time."

STEPHEN COLBERT:

That's not a philosophical statement. I deliberation it's a physiological statement. When you laughter you're not afraid. And sometimes you laughter because you're afraid. But erstwhile you laugh, nan laughter goes away. And it's not conscionable whistling past nan graveyard. It really conscionable goes distant erstwhile you're laughing. And that's why I don't deliberation I could ever extremity doing what I'm doing, because I laughter each time long. And if I didn't, I would conscionable outcry each time long.

[END TAPE]

KRISTEN WELKER:

When we travel back, President Trump facing unit from his ain guidelines complete nan Epstein files. The sheet is next.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Welcome back. The sheet is here. Amna Nawaz, co-anchor of PBS NewsHour; Peter Baker, main White House analogous for The New York Times; erstwhile Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson; and erstwhile Republican Congressman Carlos Curbelo. Peter, fto maine commencement pinch you. You've been penning extensively astir nan Epstein matter. It's surgery done successful a measurement that different scandals haven't. President Trump can't shingle it. Why? What's different?

PETER BAKER:

Well, look, this is simply a president who came to nan governmental shape stoking conspiracy theories, stoking suspicion of government, suspicion of elites, and now abruptly he's successful complaint of nan authorities that won't merchandise nan files that group opportunity show that he was right. And truthful it's, of course, coming backmost to wound him pinch nan very group he has cultivated complete nan past decade basically.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Well, and Amna, it's truthful fascinating because each of nan guests this greeting said they want nan Epstein files released successful immoderate shape aliases fashion. What did you make of what we heard this morning?

AMNA NAWAZ:

There's been a small spot of an improvement to nan Republican messaging. You spot nan qualifying statements location about, "Just nan reliable information. We want to make judge we're protecting victims." All of that is perfectly true. No one's arguing otherwise. But you know, President Trump and his supporters are asking his guidelines to really get their heads astir a lot. It's a batch of whiplash. You had successful January group closest to him, for illustration Kash Patel astatine his confirmation hearing, saying, "We're going to get each nan accusation out." You had successful February Attorney General Pam Bondi saying, "I person nan customer database connected my desk." By July, they're saying there's thing there, there's nary customer list. "Pay nary attraction to this." I should opportunity nan president's been somewhat accordant connected this. Even past June, during nan statesmanlike campaign, he was saying he supports immoderate merchandise of nan information, but he wants to protect victims. He doesn't want nan phony worldly coming out, arsenic he says. But nan discourse for this is that this is simply a feline who now faces Americans, much than half of whom opportunity they don't for illustration nan measurement he's handled this issue. 37% support rating, that's a ten-point driblet from nan opening of nan term. It's a batch for nan president.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Carlos, it is having an impact. How important is this disagreement successful nan MAGA base? Is it real? Is it lasting, do you think?

CARLOS CURBELO:

It is very important because it is truthful contradictory to what nan guidelines believes astir Donald Trump. Donald Trump is nan anti-establishment superhero. He is nan populist superhero for his base. And now for nan first clip he's nan 1 saying, "Let's beryllium measured. Let's support this accusation hidden." So that's very shocking. And House Republicans successful particular, nan ones successful plaything districts – it's ironic because nan ones that are sweating correct now are nan hardliners. Members successful plaything districts really aren't having to talk astir this very much. But nan ones successful plaything districts dangle connected that base. And if there's immoderate deficiency of enthusiasm successful that guidelines going into 2026, past that could person existent consequences.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Jeh, talk astir what we heard from Senator Lindsey Graham, this effort to effort to bring erstwhile President Obama, nan attraction backmost connected nan investigation into Russian meddling successful nan 2016 election. You heard what Senator Graham had to say. What do you make of that portion of nan story?

JEH JOHNSON:

I'll conscionable repetition what my erstwhile boss, President Obama, said: "It's bizarre." Doesn't make immoderate sense. To nan grade group want to re-litigate what happened 9 years ago, first it's important to spell backmost to October 2016. We had an evolving intelligence picture, but we believed it was important that nan American group cognize that location was a overseas character pinch his thumb connected nan scale. What we did not opportunity pre-election, we believed they were trying to thief Trump wounded Clinton. After nan election, nan president wanted to put retired arsenic overmuch arsenic imaginable to nan American group truthful nan nationalist would understand what happened. There was nan appraisal done successful January 2017 that said that nan Russian authorities favored Trump, was retired to wounded Clinton. Most importantly were nan legislature reviews, specifically nan Senate intel committee. Their last type of nan study connected this came retired successful November 2020 during a lame duck session, aft Trump had mislaid but while nan Republicans were still successful power of nan Senate. A lame duck – forgive me, Carlos – is when, you know, Congress tells you what they really deliberation astir things. And truthful nan SSCI report, done by a very professional, Republican-driven staff, made nan aforesaid conclusion that nan -- nan Russians were retired to thief Trump, wounded Clinton successful moreover much forceful terms.

KRISTEN WELKER:

And that is nan idea, that location were conscionable truthful galore investigations --

JEH JOHNSON:

Chaired, by nan way, by now --

KRISTEN WELKER:

FORMER SECRETARY JEH JOHNSON:

– Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.

KRISTEN WELKER:

Yes, indeed. Peter Baker, zoom retired for us. How mightiness this effect Republicans, Democrats successful nan midterms?

PETER BAKER:

Well, it's a measurement of trying to muddy nan waters, right? You know, "Don't salary attraction to this; salary attraction to that." What you saw is nan President of nan United States put retired an artificial intelligence video showing Obama being handcuffed successful nan Oval Office and put successful prison. And different image complete nan play showing him successful nan achromatic Bronco, arsenic if he was O.J. Simpson fund chased by constabulary officers. We should extremity for a 2nd and punctual ourselves that this is not what presidents do. Presidents don't do that. Even if you deliberation location were immoderate criminal issue, nary president is expected to measurement successful connected an rumor that mightiness beryllium adjudicated for illustration that. He has taken a fog of innuendo, a smattering of selective facts, and added that up to say, "This is simply a years-long coup." That was nan building Tulsi Gabbard used, and treason. And there's zero backing that up, but it's a measurement of trying to get nan guidelines energized against a communal enemy, that enemy, of course, being Barack Obama and Democrats.

KRISTEN WELKER:

And Democrats are trying to energize nan guidelines pinch nan Epstein matter. The mobility is will it overshadow – what I put to Ro Khanna, will it overshadow nan pocketbook issue?

AMNA NAWAZ:

Look, I don't deliberation we cognize what's going to hap adjacent week, fto unsocial successful nan midterms conscionable yet, really overmuch this really resonates pinch voters. We do not know. But I will say, I cognize we're having this speech successful a governmental discourse related to Epstein because it's an rumor correct now pinch Democrats and Republicans, to not suffer show of nan victims successful each of this is important. And I conscionable want to springiness a speedy shoutout to group for illustration Julie Brown of The Miami Herald, nan journalist who uncovered a batch of these heinous crimes successful nan first place. You and your squad here, Peter and his team, my squad astatine The NewsHour, moreover successful national backing cuts are moving connected this. If there's going to beryllium reliable accusation that comes retired from this, it's going to beryllium because it's led by nan facts, not by politics.

CARLOS CURBELO:

And look, nan champion point for Republicans to do is to get immoderate accusation retired location arsenic soon arsenic possible, possibly get Pam Bondi answering immoderate existent questions. Best point for Democrats to do is to enactment retired of nan way. If they make this an america versus them issue, that's nan champion that hap to Donald Trump.

JEH JOHNSON:

I agree. I interest that a ample conception of nan American nationalist is drowning successful conspiracy theories. I deliberation Democrats should enactment distant from this, attraction connected what we cognize really matters to nan American people: pocketbook issues, nan economy, tariffs, truthful forth.

KRISTEN WELKER:

All right. Powerful last message. Thank you each for joining us. Really admit it. That is each for today. Thank you for watching. We'll beryllium backmost adjacent week, because if it's Sunday, it's Meet nan Press.