Interview with Senator Lindsey Graham on "Face the Nation" with Margaret Brennan, March 16, 2025
On March 16, 2025, Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina and chairman of the Budget Committee, was interviewed on "Face the Nation" by Margaret Brennan.
Margaret Brennan welcomed Senator Graham, who joined from Clemson, South Carolina, and began by discussing the recent near miss with a government shutdown. The conversation shifted to international matters, particularly President Trump's focus on foreign policy. Brennan recalled Graham's previous advocacy for military action against Iran and questioned whether his stance had softened following Trump's offer to negotiate with Iran.
Senator Graham expressed skepticism about Iran's intentions, emphasizing that Iran must not possess a nuclear weapon. He stated that while he is open to negotiations, he doubts the sincerity of Iran's leadership in abandoning their nuclear ambitions. Graham suggested that if Iran ceased uranium enrichment and cooperated with the international community, he would reconsider his position.
The discussion then turned to recent Russian military actions in Ukraine. Graham, a strong supporter of Ukraine, questioned whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was attempting to manipulate President Trump. He advised that the Trump administration should demand a ceasefire from Russia on terms acceptable to Ukraine and warned of potential economic sanctions if Russia did not comply.
Brennan asked about the impact of U.S. decisions to limit the activities of media organizations like Radio Free Europe and Voice of America. Graham expressed uncertainty about their current relevance but acknowledged their past significance during the Cold War.
The conversation shifted to domestic issues, specifically President Trump's recent executive orders targeting prominent law firms. Graham supported these actions, arguing that the firms were politically motivated against Trump. He criticized the previous investigations into Trump, calling them politically driven and suggesting that those involved should face consequences.
Brennan challenged Graham on the legality and implications of these actions for the U.S. legal system. Graham defended the measures, asserting that the Justice Department had been used to undermine Trump and that those responsible should be held accountable.
The interview concluded with Brennan acknowledging Graham's role on the Judiciary Committee and the importance of his perspective.