Meet the Press Full Episode — Jan. 4

♪♪ ♪♪ >>> THIS SUNDAY, CAPTURED.

U.S. SPECIAL OPERATION FORCES LAUNCH AN ATTACK IN VENEZUELA CAPTURING PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO AND HIS WIFE, FLYING THEM OUT OF THE COUNTRY AND CHARGING MADURO WITH DRUG TRAFFICKING CRIMES.

>> WE'RE GOING TO RUN THE COUNTRY UNTIL SUCH TIME AS WE CAN DO A SAFE, PROPER AND JUDICIOUS TRANSITION.

>> THIS IS AMERICA FIRST.

DON'T PLAY GAME WHEN THIS PRESIDENT'S IN OFFICE BECAUSE IT WILL NOT TURN OUT WELL.

>> WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

>> WE'RE NOT AFRAID OF BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

>> WHY DIDN'T THE PRESIDENT GET AUTHORIZATION FROM CONGRESS?

>> MAKE VENEZUELA GREAT AGAIN.

>> AND HOW DOES THIS FIT WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP'S AMERICA FIRST AGENDA?

>> WE'RE IN THE OIL BUSINESS.

WE WILL SELL IT TO THEM.

>> MY GUEST THIS MORNING SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO, HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER HAKEEM JEFFRIES OF NEW YORK AND MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE OF GEORGIA.

>> JOINING ME FOR INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS ARE NBC NEWS CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT KEIR SIMMONS.

AMNA NAWAZ, CO-ANCHOR OF PBS NEWS HOUR.

MARC SHORT, FORMER DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS TO PRESIDENT TRUMP AND NEERA TANDEN, PRESIDENT FOR THE CENTER OF AMERICAN PROGRESS.

WELCOME TO SUNDAY.

IT'S "MEET THE PRESS."

>> FROM NBC NEWS IN WASHINGTON, THE LONGEST-RUNNING SHOW IN TELEVISION HISTORY.

THIS IS "MEET THE PRESS" WITH KRISTEN WELKER.

>>> GOOD SUNDAY MORNING.

WE BEGIN WITH THE EXTRAORDINARY BREAKING NEWS OUT OF VENEZUELA.

THE COUNTRY'S LEADER NICOLAS MADURO NOW SITS IN A DETENTION CENTER IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, AFTER BEING CAPTURED BY U.S.

SPECIAL FORCES.

IT WAS AN OPERATION THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS NATIONAL SECURITY TEAM OVERSAW IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS SATURDAY.

IT CAME AFTER MONTHS OF PREPARATION, WEEKS OF WAITING FOR THE RIGHT CONDITIONS TO BE MET AND HOURS OF HIGH-RISK, COVERT OPERATIONS THAT LEFT SEVERAL SERVICE MEMBERS INJURED,

BUT NO U.S. FATALITIES.

PRESIDENT TRUMP NOW SAYS THE U.S. WILL RUN VENEZUELA UNTIL

U.S. WILL RUN VENEZUELA UNTIL THERE IS A PROPER TRANSITION AND NOT RULING OUTPUTTING BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

CONGRESS WAS NOT BRIEFED BEFORE THE MILITARY OPERATION AND IS NOW DEMANDING ANSWERS.

JOINING ME NOW IS SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO.

SECRETARY RUBIO, WELCOME BACK TO "MEET THE PRESS."

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

I WANT TO START WITH THIS BIG-PICTURE QUESTION.

IS THE UNITED STATES NOW AT WAR WITH VENEZUELA?

>> THERE'S NOT A WAR.

I MEAN, WE ARE AT WAR AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS AND NOT A WAR AGAINST VENEZUELA.

WE ARE ENFORCING AMERICAN LAWS WITH REGARDS TO OIL SANCTIONS.

WE HAVE SANCTION ENTITIES.

WE GO TO COURT, WE GET A WARRANT AND SEIZE THOSE BOATS WITH OIL AND THAT WILL CONTINUE, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO RESERVE THE RIGHTS TO TAKE STRIKES AGAINST THE DRUG BOATS THAT ARE BRINGING DRUGS TOWARD THE UNITED STATES

THAT ARE BEING OPERATED BY TRANSNATIONAL CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE CARTEL, OF COURSE, THE LEADER OF THAT CARTEL IS NOW IN U.S.

CUSTODY AND FACING U.S. JUSTICE

IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND THAT'S NICOLAS MADURO.

WE MADE BIG PROGRESS IN THAT REGARD.

>> MR. SECRETARY, WHO IS IN CHARGE?

ARE YOU RUNNING VENEZUELA RIGHT NOW?

>> YEAH.

PEOPLE KEEP FIXATING ON THAT.

HERE'S THE BOTTOM LINE ON IT.

WE EXPECT TO SEE CHANGES IN VENEZUELA.

CHANGES OF ALL KIND, LONG TERM, SHORT TERM, WE EXPECT TO SEE ALL KIND OF CHANGES AND THE MOST IMMEDIATE CHANGES ARE THOSE IN THE INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE INVOLVED HERE BECAUSE OF HOW IT APPLIES AND HAS A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE UNITED STATES.

WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ALLOW IN OUR HEMISPHERE A COUNTRY THAT BECOMES A CROSSROADS FOR THE ACTIVITIES OF ALL OF OUR ADVERSARIES AROUND THE WORLD.

WE CAN'T ALLOW IT.

WE CAN'T HAVE A COUNTRY WHERE THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE OF ITS MILITARY AND IN CHARGE OF ITS POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE OPENLY COOPERATING WITH DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO ALLOW THAT.

THESE ARE DIRECT THREATS WITH THE UNITED STATES.

WE INTEND TO USE EVERY ELEMENT OF LEVERAGE WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT CHANGES.

THE ONE I WOULD POINT TO IS OUR MILITARY IS IS HELPING THE COAST GUARD CONDUCT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNCTION WHICH IS NOT JUST THE CAPTURE OF MADURO AND THE ENFORCEMENT OF OUR SANCTIONS.

WE GO TO COURT, GET A WARRANT AND SEIZE THE BOATS.

WE THINK THIS IS TREMENDOUS LEVERAGE, CRIPPLING LEVERAGE WHICH WE INTEND TO CONTINUE TO USE UNTIL WE SEE THE CHANGES WE NEED TO SEE THAT ARE OF BENEFIT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND TO THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA, AS WELL.

>> MR. SECRETARY, I THINK THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO THE POINT PEOPLE ARE DURING THIS TRANSITION.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID WE'RE GOING TO RUN THE COUNTRY.

SO IS IT YOU?

IS IT SECRETARY HEGSETH?

WHO ARE THOSE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE RUNNING THE COUNTRY SPECIFICALLY?

>> WELL, IT'S NOT RUNNING -- IT'S RUNNING POLICY WITH REGARD TO THIS.

WE WANT VENEZUELA TO MOVE IN A CERTAIN DIRECTION BECAUSE NOT ONLY DO WE THINK IT'S GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA.

IT'S IN OUR NATIONAL INTEREST.

IT TOUCHES THE THREAT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY.

>> ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THAT TRANSITION.

>> OBVIOUSLY, I'M VERY INVOLVED IN THIS.

>> EVERYONE KNOWS I'M PRETTY INVOLVED ON POLITICS IN THIS HEMISPHERE.

OBVIOUSLY THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER ARE VERY INVOLVED IN ALL OF THESE ELEMENTS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE HERE ALONG WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES THAT HAVE TO GO TO COURT.

THIS IS A TEAM EFFORT BY THE ENTIRE APPARATUS OF THE COUNTRY, BUT IT'S RUNNING THIS POLICY AND THE GOAL OF THE POLICY IS TO SEE CHANGES IN VENEZUELA THAT ARE BENEFICIAL TO THE UNITED STATES,

FIRST AND FOREMOST, BECAUSE THAT'S WHO WE WORK FOR, BUT ALSO, WE BELIEVE, TO THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA WHO HAVE SUFFERED TREMENDOUSLY.

WE WANT A BETTER FUTURE FOR VENEZUELA AND THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA AND ALSO STABILIZING FOR THE REGION AND MAKES THE NEIGHBORHOOD WE LIVE IN A MUCH BETTER AND SAFER PLACE.

>> PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID THE ADMINISTRATION IS WORKING WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT DELCY RODRIGUEZ.

WHY DOES THE ADMINISTRATION OPPOSE WORKING WITH THE OPPOSITION LEADER MARIA CORINA MACHADO?

SHE'S A NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER.

HER COALITION HAS THE SUPPORT OF 70% OF VENEZUELANS.

WHY NOT WORK WITH HER?

>> A COUPLE OF THINGS.

MARIA CORINA MACHADO IS FANTASTIC AND SOMEONE I'VE KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME AND THE WHOLE MOVEMENT.

WE ARE DEALING WITH THE IMMEDIATE REALITY.

THE IMMEDIATE REALITY IS UNFORTUNATELY AND SADLY, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE OPPOSITION IS NO LONGER PRESENT INSIDE VENEZUELA.

WE HAVE SHORT-TERM THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED RIGHT AWAY.

WE ALL WISH TO SEE A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR VENEZUELA AND A TRANSITION TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY.

I'VE WORKED ON THAT FOR 15 YEARS IN THE SENATE AND NATIONAL SECURITY AND NOW SECRETARY OF STATE.

THESE ARE THINGS WE STILL CARE ABOUT.

WHAT HAPPENS OVER THE NEXT TWO, THREE WEEKS AND TWO, AND THREE MONTHS AND HOW THAT TIES TO THE NATIONAL INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES.

SO WE EXPECT TO SEE MORE COMPLIANCE AND COOPERATION THAN WE WERE PREVIOUSLY RECEIVING.

WITH NICOLAS MADURO YOU COULD NOT MAKE A DEAL AND ARRANGEMENT.

HE COULD HAVE LEFT VENEZUELA A WEEK AND A HALF AGO.

THERE WERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIM TO AVOID ALL OF THIS BECAUSE HE'S NOT SOMEONE HE CAN WORK WITH.

HE SUCKERED THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION INTO STUPID DEALS.

HE'S MADE A CAREER ABOUT FIGURING OUT HOW TO SAVE HIMSELF AND BUYING TIME.

PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS NOT GOING TO FALL INTO THAT TRAP AND NOW THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE IN CHARGE OF THE MILITARY AND POLICE APPARATUS THERE.

THEY'LL HAVE TO DECIDE WHICH DIRECTION THEY WANT TOP GO, AND WE HOPE THEY'LL CHOOSE A DIFFERENT DIRECTION THAN THE ONE NICOLAS MADURO DID.

WE HOPE THIS LEADS TO A HOLISTIC DIRECTION, WE'RE IN FAVOR OF ALL OF THAT.

THE FIRST STEPS ARE SECURING WHAT'S IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES AND BENEFICIAL FOR THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON RIGHT NOW.

NO MORE DRUG TRAFFICKING AND NO MORE IRAN, HEZBOLLAH PRESENCE THERE AND NO MORE USING THE OIL INDUSTRY TO ENRICH THE ADVERSARIES AROUND THE WORLD AND NOT BENEFITING THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA AND FRANKLY, BENEFITING THE UNITED STATES AND

THE REGION.

>> YOU TALK ABOUT A HOLISTIC TRANSITION.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF FOCUS ON POTENTIAL ELECTIONS.

HOW SOON WILL ELECTIONS BE HELD?

WITHIN 30 DAYS, MR. SECRETARY?

>> ELECTIONS?

LOOK, THIS IS A COUNTRY THAT'S BEEN GOVERNED BY THIS REGIME FOR 14, 15 YEARS.

THE ELECTIONS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED, THEY REFUSED TO COUNT THE VOTES AND EVERYONE KNOWS IT.

SO ALL OF THAT, I THINK, IS PREMATURE AT THIS POINT.

THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE HERE.

RIGHT NOW WHAT WE ARE FOCUSED IN, LET'S BE REALISTIC HERE.

WHAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON RIGHT NOW IS THE PROBLEMS WE HAD WHILE MADURO WAS THERE, WE STILL HAVE THE PROBLEMS IN TERMS OF NEEDING TO BE ADDRESSED.

WE'LL GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THOSE CHALLENGES AND THOSE PROBLEMS. UNTIL THEY ADDRESS IT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO FACE THE OIL QUARANTINE AND FACE PRESSURE FROM THE UNITED STATES.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO TARGET DRUG BOAT AS THEY RUN TOWARD THE UNITED STATES.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEIZE THE BOATS THAT ARE SANCTIONED WITH COURT ORDERS.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND POTENTIALLY OTHER THINGS UNTIL THE THINGS WE NEED TO SEE ADDRESSED ARE ADDRESSED BECAUSE ULTIMATELY ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE WE CARE ABOUT AND DEMOCRACY, WE CARE ALL ABOUT THAT AND THE

NUMBER ONE THING WE CARE ABOUT IS THE SAFETY, SECURITY, WELL-BEING OF THE UNITED STATES AND PROSPERITY OF THE UNITED STATES AND THAT'S WHAT WE'LL FOCUS ON FIRST AND FOREMOST HERE AND THAT'S WHAT THE POLICIES AND THE CHANGES WE NEED TO SEE MADE

ARE ABOUT.

>> OKAY.

SIGNIFICANT THERE.

YOU SAY YOU WILL CONTINUE TO SEIZE BOATS WHEN NECESSARY.

BOOTS ON THE GROUND, A LOT OF EXTENSION ON THAT.

THE PRESIDENT WAS ASKED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF U.S. BOOTS ON

THE GROUND.

HE SAID, QUOTE, WE'RE NOT AFRAID OF IT.

HOW MANY U.S. FORCES ARE ON THE GROUND RIGHT NOW IN VENEZUELA?

ARE THERE ANY?

>> WE DON'T HAVE U.S. FORCES ON

THE GROUND IN VENEZUELA.

EVERYONE KNOWS.

THEY WERE ON THE GROUND FOR TWO HOURS WHEN THEY WENT TO CAPTURE MADURO.

WHAT THE PRESIDENT IS SAYING IS VERY SIMPLE.

THAT IS AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HE'S NOT GOING TO GO AROUND TELLING PEOPLE WHAT HE'S NOT GOING TO DO.

I WON'T DO THIS, I WON'T DO THIS, YES, I CARE, BUT I'LL GO THIS FAR.

HE RETAINS OPTIONALITY.

THIS IS, IN ESSENCE, AT ITS CORE, A LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNCTION.

DATING BACK TO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAD A $25 MILLION REWARD FOR HIS CAPTURE.

WE HAVE A REWARD FOR HIS CAPTURE, BUT NOT GOING TOEN ENFORCE IT.

THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AND EVERYONE ELSE.

NO ONE TAKES THAT SERIOUSLY BECAUSE YOU WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

HE DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

WE WENT IN, WE GRABBED HIM.

HE WAS ARRESTED AND NOW IN NEW YORK.

NO AMERICANS WERE KILLED.

NO EQUIPMENT WAS LOST.

IT HAD TO BE DONE AND IT'S BEEN DONE, AND I ASSURE YOU THE PEOPLE LEFT BEHIND IN VENEZUELA, IN CHARGE OF THE POLICE AND EVERYONE ELSE, I ASSURE YOU THEY'LL BE MORE COMPLIANT THAN

MADURO WAS AS A RESULT OF THIS.

>> PRESIDENT TRUMP TOLD "THE NEW YORK POST," THERE WON'T BE TROOPS IN VENEZUELA IF DELCY RODRIGUEZ DOES WHEN HE WANTS.

SHE'S DEMANDING THE RETURN OF NICOLAS MADURO.

SHE'S INSISTING VENEZUELA DOES NOT BECOME A COLONY.

WHAT DOES HE HAVE TO DO TO KEEP U.S. TROOPS OUT OF VENEZUELA?

U.S. TROOPS OUT OF VENEZUELA?

>> WELL, FORGET ABOUT THE U.S.

TROOPS PORTION OF IT.

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN FOR ANY OF THIS TO CHANGE, FOR OUR RELATIONS WITH VENEZUELA TO CHANGE AND OUR WHOLE APPROACH TO IT TO CHANGE, THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT ARE THE ONES WE HIGHLIGHTED ALREADY.

YOU CAN'T FLOOD THIS COUNTRY WITH GANG MEMBERS.

YOU CAN'T FLOOD THIS COUNTRY THROUGH VENEZUELA WITH THE ELEMENTS OF SECURITY FORCES.

YOU CAN'T TURN VENEZUELA INTO THE OPERATING HUB FOR RUSSIA, FOR HEZBOLLAH, FOR CHINA AND THE INTELLIGENCE AGENTS THAT CONTROL THE COUNTRY.

THAT CANNOT CONTINUE.

THOSE THINGS CANNOT CONTINUE TO BE IN PLACE.

YOU CANNOT CONTINUE TO HAVE THE LARGEST OIL RESERVES IN THE WORLD UNDER THE CONTROL OF ADVERSARIES OF THE UNITED STATES NOT BENEFITING THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA AND STOLEN BY A HANDFUL OF OLIGARCHS AROUND THE

WORLD INCLUDING INSIDE OF VENEZUELA AND NOT BENEFITING THE PEOPLE OF THAT COUNTRY.

WE'VE SEEN HOW OUR ADVERSARIES ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE EXPLOITING AND EXTRACTING RESOURCES FROM AFRICA AND EVERY OTHER COUNTRY.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO IT IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

READ THE NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY.

HE IS GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, AND WE'RE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> THE PRESIDENT SAYS THE U.S.

IS TAKING OVER THE OIL.

THE QUESTION IS, I GUESS, IF THE PURPOSE OF THE OPERATION WAS TO CAPTURE MADURO AND BRING HIM TO JUSTICE, WHY DOES THE UNITED STATES NEED TO TAKE OVER THE

VENEZUELAN OIL INDUSTRY?

>> WE DON'T NEED TO.

FIRST, BACK UP.

WE DON'T NEED VENEZUELA'S OIL.

WE HAVE PLENTY OF OIL IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE DON'T NEED IT TO BE CONTROLLED BY ADVERSARIES OF THE UNITED STATES.

WHY DOES CHINA NEED THE OIL?

WHY DOES RUSSIA NEED THEIR OIL?

THIS IS THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE, WHERE WE LIVE, WE WILL NOT ALLOW IT FOR ADVERSARIES, COMPETITORS AND RIVALS OF THE UNITED STATES.

WE WANT TO SEE THE OIL AND THE PROCEEDS OF IT.

HOLD ON, WE WANT TO SEE THE OIL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA.

WHY HAVE 8 MILLION PEOPLE LEFT VENEZUELA.

THE SINGLE LARGEST MASS MIGRATION LEFT IN 2014 BECAUSE THE WEALTH OF THE COUNTRY WAS STOLEN TO THE BENEFIT OF MADURO AND HIS CRONIES AND THE REGIME AND NOT TO THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA.

DO YOU KNOW HOW DESTABILIZING 8 MILLION MIGRANTS IS?

THE NUMBER ONE FEAR THAT BRAZIL HAS AND COLOMBIA HAS ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN VENEZUELA AND OUR INVOLVEMENT IS THEY'RE AFRAID OF ANOTHER MASS MIGRATION EVENT.

THIS IS DEEPLY DESTABILIZING STUFF.

IT WILL NOT CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

THEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF OUR HEMISPHERE, DESTABILIZE OUR REGION IN OUR OWN BACKYARD AND US HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE.

NOT WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT U.S. REGIME

CHANGE HISTORICALLY SPEAKING HAS NOT GONE VERY WELL FOR THE UNITED STATES.

IN IRAQ, IN BYA TO NAME A FEW EXAMPLES.

CAN YOU ASSURE AMERICANS, THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES, THAT THIS TIME WILL BE DIFFERENT?

>> WELL, HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENED.

WE'VE GOT THIS PHOBIA BUILT UP AND THIS SORT OF THING THAT'S -- NUMBER ONE, MOST OF THE EXPERTS THAT PEOPLE HAVE -- I WATCHED THESE EXPERTS AND IT'S CLOWN HOUR.

THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE FOCUSED THEIR ENTIRE CAREER ON THE MIDDLE EAST BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE ALL OF THE ACTION WAS.

VERY FEW OF THEM KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT VENEZUELA AND THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

VENEZUELA LOOKS NOTHING LIKE LIBYA.

IT LOOKS NOTHING LIKE IRAQ AND NOTHING LIKE AFGHANISTAN AND NOTHING LIKE THE MIDDLE EAST OTHER THAN THE IRANIAN AGENTS OTHER THAN THOSE RUNNING THROUGH PLOTTING AGAINST AMERICA.

THESE ARE WESTERN COUNTRIES WITH LONG TRADITIONS WITH PEOPLE TO PEOPLE AND CULTURAL LEVEL AND TIES TO THE UNITED STATES AND IT'S NOTHING LIKE THAT.

I THINK PEOPLE HAVE TO START DESCRIBING APPLES AND ORANGES.

NUMBER TWO, THIS IS ABOUT THE NATIONAL INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES, AND WHAT I'M CONFIDENT OF IS WE ARE IN A SAFER AND BETTER PLACE BECAUSE WE'RE TAKING IT SERIOUSLY.

THE ALTERNATIVE WOULD HAVE BEEN TO LEAVE MADURO THERE AS THE DRUG TRAFFICKER, ILLEGITIMATE PRESIDENT RUNNING THE COUNTRY AND OPEN INVITATION TO DO WHATEVER THEY WANT AGAINST VENEZUELA.

THAT WAS NOT GOING TO CONTINUE.

THE ALTERNATIVE WOULD HAVE BEEN TO ALLOW THE DRUG TRAFFICKER TO CONTINUE TO USE NATIONAL TERRITORY AND ELEMENTS OF NATION STATE POWER TO FURTHER DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS AND READ THE INDICTMENT.

THIS GUY USED THE LEVERS OF THEIR SECURITY APPARATUS NOT TO ARREST DRUG TRAFFICKERS, BUT TO COOPERATE AND FACILITATE THE TRAFFICKING OF DRUGS FOR THE PURPOSE OF GETTING THEM INTO THE UNITED STATES.

THAT'S GOING TO STOP.

>> YET, MR. SECRETARY, A MONTH AGO THE PRESIDENT PARDONED THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF HONDURAS WHO WAS STARTING A 45-YEAR SENTENCE FOR TRAFFICKING MORE THAN 500 TONS OF COCAINE.

DOES THAT NOT UNDERCUT THE ADMINISTRATION'S STATED GOAL AS YOU JUST SAID TO GO AFTER THESE NARC NARCO TERRORISTS?

>> NUMBER ONE, THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF HONDURAS.

THIS WAS NOT SOMEONE IN POWER AND HAD NO INFLUENCE OF THE POLITICS OF HONDURAS.

I DON'T DO THE PARDON FILE.

I CAN'T SPEAK TO THE DYNAMICS THAT LED THE PRESIDENT TO MAKE THE DECISION HE MADE.

HE TALKED ABOUT IT YESTERDAY AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

HE WENT THROUGH THE FILE AND HE FELT THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF HONDURAS WAS TREATED UNFAIRLY BY THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION AND MADE THE DECISION HE MADE.

THE ANSWER, WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH THAT DECISION OR NOT.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO MAKE A LIVING OUT OF DISAGREEING WITH ANYTHING PRESIDENT TRUMP DOES.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU LEAVE MADURO IN PLACE.

THAT'S NOT THE ANSWER.

HOW CAN YOU GO AFTER MADURO IF YOU DIDN'T DO THIS.

THAT'S ABSURD.

THE ANSWER TO THAT, WHETHER YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT OR NOT IS NOT TO LEAVE SOMEONE IN PLACE WHO HASN'T FACED AMERICAN JUSTICE.

>> I WAS REFERENCING THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF SUSIE WILES TOLD "VANITY FAIR" THAT AN ATTACK WOULD REQUIRE APPROVAL FROM CONGRESS.

WHY DIDN'T THAT HAPPEN AND WILL IT HAPPEN WITH ANY FUTURE ACTION THE ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO TAKE IN VENEZUELA OR ELSEWHERE?

>> THIS WAS NOT AN ACTION THAT REQUIRED CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL.

IN FACT, IT COULDN'T REQUIRE CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL.

THIS WAS NOT AN INVASION OR AN EXTENDED MILITARY ACTION.

THIS WAS A VERY PRECISE OPERATION THAT INVOLVED A COUPLE OF HOURS OF ACTION.

IT WAS A VERY DELICATE OPERATION TOO.

IT WAS ONE THAT REQUIRED ALL THESE CONDITIONS TO BE IN PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME AND THE RIGHT PLACE.

YOU COULDN'T AFFORD LEAKS.

WE COULDN'T AFFORD ANYTHING OUT THERE THAT WOULD HAVE ENDANGERED THE MISSION OR KILLED OFF THE MISSION AND THE OPTIONALITY.

WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IF THE MISSION WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

HOW CAN YOU NOTIFY SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE NOT SURE IF IT CAN HAPPEN.

IN ORDER FOR THIS TO HAPPEN YOU NEED TO HAVE WEATHER CONDITIONS IN PLACE, HE HAD TO BE AT THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME AND THERE WERE A LOT OF FACTORS IN PLACE AND TRIGGER-BASED ORGANIZATION.

YOU CAN'T NOTIFY AND YOU DON'T KNOW IF THOSE CONDITIONS WILL ALIGN AND YOU CAN'T RISK IT BEING DISCLOSED AND THIS WAS NOT AN ATTACK ON VENEZUELA.

THIS WAS A LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNCTION TO CAPTURE AN INDICTED DRUG TRAFFICKER AND THINK, WE NEEDED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO SUPPORT IT BECAUSE YOU DO NEED

ANTIAIRCRAFT MISSILES AND WE NEEDED TO TAKE DOWN RADAR ELEMENTS ON THE WAY IN AND ON THE WAY OUT.

>> BUT WILL YOU SEEK CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL FOR ANY FURTHER ACTION IN VENEZUELA OR THE REGION?

>> WELL, WE WILL SEEK CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL FOR ACTIONS THAT REQUIRE CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL, BUT OTHERWISE THEY WILL GET CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION.

THIS WAS NOT AN OPERATION THAT REQUIRED CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL AND THIS IS AKIN FOR THE LAST 40

YEARS THAT EVERY OTHER PRESIDENT HAS CONDUCTED AND BECAUSE IT'S PRESIDENT TRUMP EVERYONE GOES BONKERS.

>> THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT IS A HUGE PROBLEM.

>> SO IS THAT A YES?

>> I DON'T THINK PEOPLE FULLY APPRECIATE.

>> I THINK THEY'RE IN A LOT OF TROUBLE YES.

I'M NOT GOING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT OUR FUTURE STEPS ARE GOING TO BE RIGHT NOW IN THIS REGARD AND I DON'T THINK IT'S ANY MYSTERY THAT WE'RE NOT BIG FANS OF THE CUBAN REGIME WHO BY

THE WAY ARE THE ONES PROPPING UP MADURO.

HIS INTERNAL FORCE, HIS INTERNAL SECURITY APPARATUS IS ENTIRELY CONTROLLED BY CUBANS.

ONE OF THE UNTOLD STORIES, YOU TALK ABOUT COLONIZATION, YOU SAID DELCY RODRIGUEZ MENTIONED THAT, THE ONE WHO COLONIZED INSIDE THE REGIME WAS CUBANS.

IT WAS CUBANS WHO GUARDED MADURO.

HE HAD CUBAN BODYGUARDS.

IN TERMS OF WHO SPIES ON WHO INSIDE, THOSE ARE ALL CUBANS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AFTER AN INCREDIBLY BUSY 48 HOURS.

WE APPRECIA >>> WELCOME BACK.

JOINING ME NOW IS HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER HAKEEM JEFFRIES OF NEW YORK.

LEADER JEFFRIES, WELCOME BACK TO "MEET THE PRESS".

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WE HAVE TO START WITH THE CAPTURE AND INDICTMENT OF VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO.

YOU HAVE CALLED HIM A QUOTE, CRIMINAL AND DICTATOR WHO HAS OPPRESSED THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA FOR YEARS.

IS VENEZUELA BETTER OFF WITHOUT NICOLAS MADURO IN POWER?

>> HE'S A BAD GUY, OF COURSE, AND HE'S GOING TO STAND TRIAL IN AN AMERICAN COURT OF LAW AT THIS PARTICULAR POINT IN TIME.

IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA WILL BE BETTER OFF.

DONALD TRUMP HAS STATED HE WILL RUN VENEZUELA AND HE'S DONE A TERRIBLE JOB RUNNING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

LIFE HAS NOT GOTTEN BETTER, LIFE HAS GOTTEN WORSE.

COSTS HAVEN'T GONE DOWN, THEY'VE GONE UP.

THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS BROKEN.

DONALD TRUMP REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT TO ADDRESS THE REPUBLICAN HEALTH CARE CRISIS.

THE NOTION THAT HE'LL RUN VENEZUELA AND MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR THE VENEZUELAN PEOPLE, OF COURSE, IS BELIED BY THE FACTS AS TO WHAT HE'S DONE AS PRESIDENT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

>> YOU JUST HEARD MY CONVERSATION WITH SECRETARY RUBIO.

I ASKED HIM ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION'S DECISION NOT TO INFORM CONGRESS AHEAD OF THIS OPERATION UNTIL PRESIDENT MADURO HAD BEEN CAPTURED.

SECRETARY MADURO SAYING THIS WAS NOT THE KIND OF MISSION WHERE THEY COULD HAVE AFFORDED TO NOTIFY CONGRESS.

THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT LEAKS.

HE MADE THAT POINT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP MADE THAT POINT.

WAS THE ADMINISTRATION JUSTIFIED IN THIS CASE OF NOT BRIEFING CONGRESS?

>> WELL, THERE'S BEEN NO EVIDENCE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS PRESENTED TO JUSTIFY THE ACTIONS THAT WERE TAKEN IN TERMS OF THERE BEING AN IMMINENT THREAT TO THE HEALTH, THE SAFETY

AND THE WELL-BEING AND THE NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THIS WAS NOT SIMPLY A COUNTER NARCOTICS OPERATION.

IT WAS AN ACT OF WAR THAT INVOLVED, OF COURSE, THE DELTA FORCE, AND WE ARE THANKFUL WITH THE PRECISION BY WHICH THEY EXECUTED THE OPERATION AND THANKFUL FOR THE FACT THAT NO AMERICAN LIVES WERE LOST, BUT THIS WAS A MILITARY ACTION

INVOLVING DELTA FORCE, INVOLVING THE ARMY.

APPARENTLY INVOLVING THOUSANDS OF TROOPS, INVOLVING AT LEAST 150 MILITARY AIRCRAFT, PERHAPS INVOLVING DOZENS OF SHIPS OFF THE COAST OF VENEZUELA AND SOUTH

AMERICA.

SO, OF COURSE, THIS WAS A MILITARY ACTION AND PURSUANT TO THE CONSTITUTION ONLY CONGRESS HAS THE POWER TO DECLARE WAR TO AUTHORIZE ACTS THAT TAKE PLACE

IN THIS REGARD, AND WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE WHEN WE RETURN TO WASHINGTON, D.C., THAT

WASHINGTON, D.C., THAT

LEGISLATIVE ACTION IS TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT NO FURTHER MILITARY STEPS OCCUR ABCENTEX BLISSITY CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHEN YOU RETURN TO WASHINGTON, D.C., ONE OF THE BIG TOPICS AT THE FOREFRONT OF CONGRESS WILL BE, OF COURSE, THE FIGHT OVER THESE OBAMA CARE SUBSIDIES.

THEY EXPIRED JUST DAYS AGO.

THE HOUSE SET TO VOTE ON A THREE-YEAR EXTENSION OF THOSE SUBSIDIES, BUT AS YOU KNOW, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER JOHN THUNE SAID IT'S A NONSTARTER IN THE SENATE.

WHY ARE YOU PUTTING FORWARD A BILL THAT HAS ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE OF PASSING THE SENATE?

>> WELL, LET'S TAKE IT ONE STEP AT A TIME.

WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT A STRAIGHTFORWARD EXTENSION OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TAX CREDITS PASSES IN THE HOUSE UPON OUR RETURN NEXT WEEK SO WE CAN PROTECT THE HEALTH CARE OF TENS OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WHO ARE

ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE DRAMATICALLY INCREASED HEALTH PREMIUM, CO-PAYS AND DEDUCTIBLES.

IN SOME INSTANCES, HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS WILL INCREASE BY A THOUSAND OR $2,000 A MONTH.

THAT'S COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND REPUBLICANS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PARTNER WITH US AS DEMOCRATS TO STOP IT.

TO PROTECT THE HEALTH CARE OF EVERYDAY AMERICANS, WORKING CLASS AMERICANS AND MIDDLE-CLASS AMERICANS.

WHEN WE SUCCESSFULLY PASS THIS BILL OUT OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WE KNOW THAT THERE'S A BIPARTISAN MAJORITY IN THEN SENATE AND EVERY SINGLE

DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICANS WHO SUPPORT A STRAIGHTFORWARD EXTENSION OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TAX CREDITS.

ABSENT PROCEDURAL HURDLES THAT JOHN THUNE IS ERECTING BECAUSE REPUBLICANS APPARENTLY HAVE NO INTEREST IN PROTECTING THE HEALTH CARE OF EVERYDAY AMERICANS.

THEY'D RATHER PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF BIG OIL AND THEIR BILLIONAIRE DONORS WHICH IS WHY THEY ENACTED MASSIVE TAX BREAKS AS PART OF THEIR ONE, BIG YOU UGLY BILL.

>> WE ARE 26 DAYS FROM ANOTHER POTENTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ON THE HEELS OF THE LONGEST SHUTDOWN IN U.S. HISTORY.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT ANOTHER GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN OVER THIS BATTLE OVER HEALTH CARE SUBSIDIES?

>> WHAT WE'VE SAID -- FIRST OF ALL, WE NEED TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO, PROTECT THE HEALTH CARE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THEN CONTINUE TO FIX OUR BROKEN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND ADDRESS THE REPUBLICAN HEALTH CARE

CRISIS THAT'S DEVASTATING EVERYDAY AMERICANS INCLUDING AS A RESULT OF THE FACT THAT THEY ENACTED THE LARGE OF THE CUT TO MEDICAID IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

WE'VE ALSO SAID AS IT RELATES TO THE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS THAT WEAL SIT DOWN ANY TIME, ANY PLACE WITH ANYONE IN ORDER TO FIND A BIPARTISAN PATH FORWARD TO ENACT A SPENDING AGREEMENT THAT ACTUALLY MAKES LIFE BETTER

FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

AS DEMOCRATS, WE'RE COMMITTED TO DRIVING DOWN THE HIGH COST OF LIVING THAT EXISTS IN THIS COUNTRY.

DONALD TRUMP PROMISED ON DAY ONE OF HIS PRESIDENCY THAT REPUBLICANS WOULD LOWER COSTS.

COSTS HAVEN'T GONE DOWN.

COSTS HAVE GONE UP.

HOUSING COSTS OUT OF CONTROL.

GROCERY COSTS OUT OF CONTROL, UTILITIES OUT OF CONTROL, HEALTH CARE COSTS OUT OF CONTROL.

WE'RE COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF THE IN EARN PEOPLE PEOPLE.

HOW DOES IT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF EVERYDAY AMERICANS?

HOW IS IT IN AMERICA'S NATIONAL SECURITY INTEREST?

WHY DOESN'T DONALD TRUMP AND THE ADMINISTRATION FOCUS ON DEALING WITH THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS?

THAT IS NOT A HOAX.

IT IS VERY REAL AND SOMETHING MEANINGFUL NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT, THAT'S THE DEMOCRATIC COMMITMENT.

>> LEADER JEFFRIES, LET ME ASK YOU BECAUSE TUESDAY MARKS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE JANUARY 6th ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE PLANNING TO HOLD A HEARING CRITICIZING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DECISION TO PARDON ALL OF THE RIOTERS, AND I WONDER, IS THERE ANYTHING TANGIBLE THAT YOU ANTICIPATE

COMING FROM THIS HEARING OR IS THIS HEARING FOR SHOW?

>> IT'S A SUBSTANTIVE HEARING.

IT WILL BE ABOUT THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED BY PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THIS COUNTRY AS TO THE FACT THAT ON HIS FIRST DAY IN OFFICE DONALD TRUMP PARDONED HUNDREDS OF VIOLENT FELONS WHO

BRUTALLY ATTACKED THE CAPITOL AND BEAT POLICE OFFICERS, MORE THAN 140 WHO WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE THAT IS PERMANENT IN NATURE AND IT WAS ALL PART OF DONALD TRUMP'S EFFORT TO HALT THE PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER WHICH IS ONE OF THE BEDROCKS OF AMERICAN

DEMOCRACY.

WE ARE IN OUR 250th YEAR OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.

OUR DEMOCRACY IS NOT PERFECT, BUT IT'S A GLORIOUS THING, AND IT FUNDAMENTALLY HAS TO BE PROTECTED AND PRESERVED.

AT MINIMUM, ON THIS FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THAT HORRIFIC ATTACK ON THE U.S. CAPITOL, WE

ARE GOING TO ADDRESS ISSUES OF CONCERN RELATED TO ENSURING.

WE CONTINUE TO HAVE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

WE HAVE TO GET RID OF THIS COMPLIANT, REPUBLICAN CONGRESS WHO FUNCTION LIKE A RECKLESS RUBBER-STAMP OF DONALD TRUMP'S EXTREME AGENDA AS OPPOSED TO TRYING TO ENACT POLICIES THAT

MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THAT'S AT THE ESSENCE OF DEMOCRACY.

ON TUESDAY IT WILL BE AN IMPORTANT HEARING.

WE'LL HEAR FROM AMERICANS FROM ACROSS THE IDEOLOGICAL SPECTRUM ABOUT THE HORRORS OF JANUARY 6th AND WHY WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT SOMETHING LIKE THAT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

VERY BUSY TIME IN THIS NEW YEAR ON CAPITOL HILL.

WE'LL BE TRACKING ALL OF IT.

LEADER JEFFRIES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.

>> HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU, AND WHEN WE COME BACK, REPUBLICAN

CONGRE>>> WELCOME BACK.

AND JOINING ME NOW IS REPUBLICAN CONGRESSWOMAN MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE OF GEORGIA.

CONGRESSWOMAN, WELCOME TO "MEET THE PRESS."

THE PRESS." >> THANKS FOR HAVING ME THIS MORNING.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

TOMORROW IS YOUR LAST DAY IN CONGRESS.

SO INCREDIBLY SIGNIFICANT TO HAVE YOU HERE TODAY, CONGRESSWOMAN.

YOU AND PRESIDENT TRUMP, OF COURSE, HAD AN EXTRAORDINARY BREAK LAST YEAR.

WE'LL TALK ALL ABOUT THAT IN JUST A MOMENT, BUT I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING YOU SAID THIS WEEKEND IN THE WAKE OF THIS ATTACK AGAINST VENEZUELA REMOVING NICOLAS MADURO.

YOU SAID THAT THE ADMINISTRATION'S ACTIONS WERE NOT AMERICA FIRST.

THE PRESIDENT WAS ASKED ABOUT THIS IDEA YESTERDAY.

I WANT TO PLAY THAT CLIP AND GET YOUR REACTION.

>> WHY IS RUNNING A COUNTRY IN SOUTH AMERICA AMERICA FIRST?

>> WELL, I THINK IT IS BECAUSE WE WANT TO SURROUND OURSELVES WITH GOOD NEIGHBORS.

WE WANT TO SURROUND OURSELVESES WITH STABILITY.

WE WANT TO SURROUND OURSELVES WITH ENERGY.

WE HAVE TREMENDOUS ENERGY IN THAT COUNTRY.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE PROTECT THAT.

WE NEED THAT FOR OURSELVES AND WE NEED THAT FOR THE WORLD.

>> WHY DO YOU DISAGREE, CONGRESSWOMAN?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I SERVED ON THE HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE FOR THREE YEARS AND I AM OVERWHELMINGLY IN SUPPORT OF A STRONG BORDER.

I IMPEACHED SECRETARY MAYORKAS AND THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

IT WAS UP 280% IN MY DISTRICT AND THE AMERICAN FENTANYL OVERDOSES AND DEATHS COME FROM MEXICO.

THOSE ARE THE MEXICAN CARTELS THAT ARE KILLING AMERICANS, AND SO MY PUSHBACK HERE IS IF THIS WAS REALLY ABOUT NARCO TERRORISTS AND ABOUT PROTECTING

AMERICANS FROM CARTELS AND DRUGS BEING BROUGHT INTO AMERICA THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE ATTACKING THE MEXICAN CARTELS.

NOW, I AM NOT DEFENDING MADURO, AND OF COURSE, I AM HAPPY FOR THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA TO BE LIBERATED, BUT AMERICANS CELEBRATED THE LIBERATION OF THE

IRAQI PEOPLE AFTER SADDAM HUSSEIN.

THEY CELEBRATED THE LIBERATION OF THE LIBYAN PEOPLE AFTER GAD OF AY HADAFI AND THIS IS THE AMERICAN

PLAYBOOK THAT DOESN'T SERVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND IT SERVES THE CORPORATIONS, THE BANKS AND OIL EXECUTIVES.

MY PUSHBACK HERE IS ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THAT CAMPAIGNED ON MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN THAT WE THOUGHT WAS PUTTING AMERICA FIRST, I WANT TO SEE DOMESTIC POLICY BE THE PRIORITY THAT

HELPS AMERICANS AFFORD LIFE AFTER FOUR DISASTROUS YEARS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

I WANT TO SEE DOMESTIC POLICIES THAT PRIORITIZES JOBS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR AMERICANS AFTER FOUR DISASTROUS YEARS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, AND I

WANT TO SEE DOMESTIC PRIORITIES THAT -- THAT PUT AMERICANS FIRST IN REGARDS TO HEALTH CARE, HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS TOO MUCH, CAR INSURANCE, HOME INSURANCE AND THESE ARE ISSUES THAT MATTER

TO AMERICANS.

WE DON'T CONSIDER VENEZUELA OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS RIGHT HERE IN THE 50 UNITED STATES, NOT IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE.

>> LET ME ASK YOU BECAUSE PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS HE GETS TO DECIDE WHAT AMERICA FIRST MEANS.

DOES AMERICA FIRST MEAN WHATEVER PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS IT DOES?

>> YOU KNOW, AMERICA FIRST SHOULD MEAN WHAT WAS PROMISED ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IN 2024.

SO MY UNDERSTANDING OF AMERICA FIRST IS STRICTLY FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NOT FOR THE BIG DONORS THAT DONATE TO BIG POLITICIANS, NOT FOR THE SPECIAL

INTERESTS THAT CONSTANTLY ROAM THE HALLS IN WASHINGTON AND NOT FOREIGN COUNTRIES THAT DEMAND THEIR PRIORITIES FIRST OVER AMERICANS.

AMERICA FIRST MEANS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PUT LAST CONSISTENTLY DECADES AND DECADES BY BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES FOR FAR TOO LONG.

MY KIDS' GENERATION, MY KIDS ARE 22, 26 AND 28, ARE LOOKING AT A FUTURE WHERE THIS WHOLE ENTIRE GENERATION DOESN'T THINK THEY'LL EVER SEE A SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK.

THEY DON'T BELIEVE THEY'LL EVER BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO OWN THEIR OWN HOME AND 50-YEAR MORTGAGES ARE REALLY A SLAP IN THE FACE.

IT'S INSULTING.

AMERICANS DON'T WANT $2,000 STIMULUS CHECKS AS A PAYOFF.

THEY WANT TO HAVE GOOD POLICIES BROUGHT FORTH FOR THEM BECAUSE YOU WANT TO KNOW SOMETHING, KRISTEN?

THEY VOTED FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION, AND THEIR SMALL DOLLAR DONATIONS SHOULD MATTER.

MAGA HAS ITS OWN ENEMY LIST AND THE ENEMIES OF THE WORLD ARE NOT ON THEIR ENEMY LIST AND THEY'RE TIRED OF BEING IGNORED.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR BREAK-UP WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

PART OF THAT WAS OVER THIS BATTLE OVER RELEASING THE EPSTEIN FILES IN SEPTEMBER AFTER A MEETING WITH A GROUP OF EPSTEIN SURVIVORS.

YOU HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE AND THREATENED TO IDENTIFY SOME OF THE MEN WHO HAD ABUSED THEM.

"THE NEW YORK TIMES" MAGAZINE REPORTED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP CALLED YOU IN YOUR OFFICE AFTERWARDS AND, QUOTE, ACCORDING TO A STAFF MEMBER EVERYONE IN THE SUITE OF ROOMS COULD HEAR

HIM YELLING AT HER AS SHE LISTENED TO HIM ON SPEAKER PHONE.

SHE EXPRESSED HER CONCERN OVER HIS INTRANSIGENCE.

TRUMP REPLIED MY FRIENDS WILL GET HURT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK PRESIDENT TRUMP MEANT BY MY FRIENDS WILL GET HURT, CONGRESSWOMAN?

>> YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN ASKING THAT QUESTION EVER SINCE, AND I MAKE NO APOLOGIES FOR STANDING WITH WOMEN AS VICTIMS OF RAPE BECAUSE IN THIS COUNTRY THERE

ARE FAR TOO MANY VICTIMS OF RAPE.

ALL WALKS OF MEN AND WOMEN ALIKE HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF RAPE OR SOME TYPE OF CHILD ABUSE, AND THE EPSTEIN FILES IS

SIGNIFICANT, AND DEMANDING TRANSPARENCE PER THAT TRANSPARENCE FOR THAT SHOULD NOT -- FOR THE PRESIDENT I HELPED GET ELECTED AND EVERY REPUBLICAN IN WASHINGTON, IT SHOULD NOT HAVE LED TO HIM

CALLING ME A TRAITOR.

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE REJECT IT, BUT HERE'S WHAT SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED IS VICTIMS, AND

VICTIMS OF AN ENTIRE SYSTEM THAT PROTECTED THE RICH, POWERFUL ELITES AND THAT'S WHAT AMERICANS ARE ABSOLUTELY SICK AND TIRED OF.

THAT WAS PART OF WHAT THEY VOTED FOR IN 2024.

THEY VOTED TO TEAR DOWN THE SYSTEM THAT PROTECTS THE RICH, POWERFUL ELITES AND THEY VOTED TO TEAR DOWN THE SYSTEM THAT CONSISTENTLY GOES FOR FOREIGN WARS AND REGIME CHANGE.

THEY VOTED TO TEAR DOWN THE SYSTEM THAT DOES NOTHING FOR REGULAR HARDWORKING AMERICANS AND ONLY CONSISTENTLY PROPS UP THE BIG BANKS, THE MILITARY

INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX AND THE OIL EXECUTIVES AND MAJOR, MAJOR INDUSTRIES.

YOU KNOW, YOU WANT TO KNOW SOMETHING?

AFTER THIS REGIME CHANGE IN VENEZUELA I FEAR THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE JOBS JUST MOVE SOUTH BECAUSE WE'RE ALREADY HEARING ABOUT BIG CORPORATIONS LINING UP THEIR TRIPS TO VENEZUELA FOR THE NEXT BIG

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY THAT EXISTS WHILE AMERICANS SIT HERE WITH NO OPTIONS THAT ARE GOING TO PROVIDE THEM WITH GOOD PAYING JOBS AND AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN, LET ME FINALLY ASK YOU ABOUT ONE OF THE RIFTS AND CONCERNS IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OVER THE ISSUE OF ANTISEMITISM.

IN 2022 YOU DID SPEAK AT A CONFERENCE ORGANIZED BY NICK FUENTES, HE SAID THAT HITLER IS, QUOTE COOL.

LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR PERSPECTIVE RIGHT NOW.

DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS ROOM IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FOR NICK FUENTES AND ANYONE THAT SHARES THAT IDEOLOGY THAT HITLER IS COOL?

>> UM, HERE'S MY SITUATION AND HERE'S MY BELIEF ON PEOPLE'S SPEECH.

I WILL ALWAYS DEFEND THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND FREE SPEECH NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF SPEECH IT IS, EVEN SPEECH THAT I FIND ABHORRENT OR I DISAGREE WITH BECAUSE I THINK THAT MAKES US

UNIQUELY AMERICAN.

WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THAT WHEN WE MOVE TOWARD CENSORSHIP, AND WE SAW THAT HAPPEN DURING COVID.

I MYSELF HAD MY OWN TWITTER ACCOUNT PERMANENTLY BANNED BECAUSE I SPOKE OUT AGAINST FDA'S RUSHED APPROVAL OF THE COVID VACCINES, AND I SPOKE OUT

AGAINST LOCKDOWNS AND FORCED MASKING, AND WHEN I LOOK AT PEOPLE SAYING CERTAIN TYPES OF SPEECH NEEDS TO BE CENSORED AND WE HAVE BEEN HEARING THAT LIGHTLY.

THAT RAISES GREAT CONCERN FOR ME.

SO I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE SERIOUSLY IS AS AMERICANS WE DON'T HAVE TO AGREE WITH EACH OTHER AND WE CERTAINLY CAN DISAGREE, BUT WE SHOULD OVERWHELMINGLY AGREE THAT FREE

SPEECH MUST BE PROTECTED.

>> WELL, LET ME JUST -- I MEAN, DURING COVID YOU DID COMPARE LOCKDOWNS TO THE HOLOCAUST.

I UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT ABOUT FREE SPEECH AND NICK FUENTES HAS SAID ON HIS PODCAST -- >> THAT'S A MISQUOTE, KRISTEN.

THAT'S A MISQUOTE.

THAT'S A MISQUOTE.

THAT'S NOT CORRECT.

I COMPARED VACCINE CARDS BEING FORCED TO TAKE A VACCINE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO KEEP A JOB OR BUY OR SELL OR BE ABLE TO BE ADMITTED TO RESTAURANTS.

I COMPARED THAT.

THAT WAS NOT -- THE HOLOCAUST WAS HORRIBLE.

I'M NOT COMPARING ANYTHING TO THAT.

>> LET ME JUST ASK YOU BECAUSE NICK FUENTES HAS SAID ON HIS PODCAST, HITLER WAS AWESOME.

HITLER WAS RIGHT.

THE HOLOCAUST DIDN'T HAPPEN.

HE PARTICIPATED IN THE CHARLOTTESVILLE RALLY WHERE THEY CHANTED "JEWS WILL NOT REPLACE US."

US." IF YOU'RE EMBRACING SOMEONE WHO SAYS HITLER IS COOL YOU ARE COMPLICIT IN THAT EVIL.

DO YOU THINK TED CRUZ HAS A POINT THAT YOU'D BE COMPLICIT IN THAT EVIL TOO SUPPORT OR IN ANY WAY FILE TO DENOUNCE WHAT NICK

FUENTES HAS SAID?

>> KRISTEN, I DON'T KNOW NICK FUENTES.

I DON'T EVEN HAVE HIS PHONE NUMBER.

HE DOESN'T HAVE MY PHONE NUMBER.

I SPOKE AT A CONFERENCE BY HIS BECAUSE IT WAS LARGELY ATTENDED BY YOUNG AMERICAN, AND I CARE ABOUT THAT GENERATION AND I WENT THERE TO TALK DIRECTLY TO THEM.

SO I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH WHAT NICK FUENTES SAYS WHETHER IT'S ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR HIS PODCAST NOR DO I PAY THAT MUCH ATTENTION TO TED CRUZ.

HE ROUTINELY ATTACKS ME.

THE THINGS THAT I FOCUS ON IS THE NEEDS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> SHOULD HE BE EMBRACING THE PARTY CONGRESSWOMAN?

IS THERE ROOM FOR HIM IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY?

>> KRISTEN, I DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND IT'S NOT ABOUT NICK FUENTES.

I SEE THIS ABOUT FREE SPEECH, AND I'M GOING TO SIT HERE AND TELL YOU OVER AND OVER AGAIN, I DEFEND THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

I WILL DEFEND FREE SPEECH WHETHER I LIKE THE SPEECH, AGREE WITH THE SPEECH, DISAGREE WITH THE SPEECH, HATE THE SPEECH.

I'M GOING TO DEFEND IT BECAUSE I CAN POINT TO MANY OTHER PEOPLE IN THE DEMOCRAT PARTY THAT I COMPLETELY DON'T LIKE THEIR SPEECH.

I CAN POINT TO MEMBERS OF THE PRESS THAT HAVE WRITTEN HORRIFIC STORIES THAT I THINK ARE LIES, AND I CAN SAY I DON'T LIKE THAT SPEECH, BUT I STILL DEFEND FREE

SPEECH, AND I STILL DEFEND THE PRESS HAVING RIGHTS TO PUBLISH STORIES BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S HOW YOU HOLD THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE, AND I WANT A PRESS

THAT TELLS THE TRUTH TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NOT SLANT IT OR PAINTS IT ONE WAY, BUT STRICTLY PUBLISHES THE TRUTH AND THAT'S WHAT AMERICANS REALLY WANT.

SO I'M NOT GOING TO ENGAGE IN WEIGHING IN ON WHO DESERVES TO BE WHERE.

I'M GOING TO STRICTLY TELL YOU I WILL DEFEND FREE SPEECH AT ALL COSTS.

CONGRESSWOMAN, MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE, THANK YOU JOIN FOR

JOINING US BEFORE

>>> WE'LL BE RIGHT >>> WELCOME BACK.

THE PANEL IS HERE.

NBC NEWS CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT KEIR SIMMONS.

AMNA NAWAZ CO-ANCHOR OF PBS NEWS HOUR.

NEERA TANDEN, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS AND MARC SHORT, FORMER TRUMP DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS.

WELCOME TO ALL OF YOU.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

KEIR, LET ME START WITH YOU.

EXTRAORDINARY DEVELOPMENTS OUT OF VENEZUELA.

WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING FOR THIS WEEK?

>> ABSOLUTELY STUNNING.

I AM A FOREIGN POLICY GUY.

MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE'S ACCOUNT, I SHOULD NOT BE THIS BUSY AS WE START IN 2026.

DOES COLIN POWELL'S ADAGE HERE WHICH IS IF YOU BREAK IT YOU OWN IT.

WHAT I HEARD HIM SAY WAS WE JUST WANT SOMEONE IN VENEZUELA THAT WE CAN DEAL WITH.

I DIDN'T HEAR HIM SAY WHEN HE THOUGHT THERE SHOULD BE AN ELECTION HERE.

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS HERE IS WHERE IS DELCY RODRIGUEZ?

HAS HE DONE A DEAL WITH HER?

THE NOW ACTING PRESIDENT AND THE FORMER VICE PRESIDENT UNDER MADURO?

IS THAT GOING TO WORK IN VENEZUELA?

HAKEEM JEFFRIES HAD A STRONG POINT WHEN HE SAID, IN FACT, LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

THERE IS A HUGE ROLL OF THE DICE HERE.

>> THERE IS, AND TO THAT POINT, AMNA, ARE YOUR SOURCES TELLING YOU ANYTHING ABOUT A DAY-AFTER LAN?

>> NO.

WHAT IS AS MARCO RUBIO TOLD YOU OVER THE NEXT TWO THREE WEEKS, TWO THREE MONTHS, WHAT IS THE PLAN?

WE ARE ON DAY TWO POST-MADURO.

QUESTION ABOUND.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT A SUCCESSFUL MISSION WHICH THIS WAS DOES NOT MEAN A SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY.

WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

THE MADURO REGIME IS STILL IN CHARGE WITHOUT MADURO.

WHEN I SPOKE TO A SENIOR OPPOSITION LEADER IN EXILE LAST NIGHT THEY POINT OUT AS SECRETARY RUBIO DID THAT VENEZUELA IS NOT LIKE IRAQ AND LIBYA AND AFGHANISTAN WHERE THERE WAS NO PLACE AFTERWARDS.

THERE WAS NO PLAN, NO STRUCTURE TO ASSUME LEADERSHIP.

THEY HAVE OPPOSITION HERE AND THEY BELIEVE MARIA CORINA MACHADO WOULD WIN AN ELECTION.

THEY WANT TO SEE A DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION SOON.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS SO INTERESTING.

CONGRESSWOMAN GREENE VERY FORCEFUL, BUT LARGELY THE MAGA BASE IS BEHIND THIS MOVE SO FAR.

HAVE YOU SEEN THAT SHIFTING?

WHAT CAUSED IT TO SHIFT?

>> THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT FOR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

THE MADURO REGIME HAS BEEN A THORN IN THE SIDE OF BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATIONS.

THERE'S A LOT OF CHATTER DENOUNCING THE PRESIDENT'S ACTIONS.

THE INDICTMENT WAS FROM 2020.

DEMOCRATS COULD HAVE WITHDRAWN THE INDICTMENT FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING AT ANY POINT AND THEY DIDN'T.

8 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE FLED VENEZUELA BECAUSE OF THE POLITICAL PERSECUTION OF THIS PRESIDENT.

THIS IS A BIG ACHIEVEMENT FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS TEAM, AND I THINK FOR THOSE, FOR MARGELY MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE, THIS BENEFITS.

IT'S IRAN, IT'S CHINA AND RUSSIA, DO YOU WANT THOSE PEOPLE HAVING A SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE INSIDE THIS HEMISPHERE IN THEY'RE MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE STANDING WITH THOSE WHO WANT TO HAVE LIBERTY AGAIN IN VENEZUELA.

I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE.

>> KEIR, I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING THAT LEADER JEFFRIES TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE CONTEXT OF HEALTH CARE AND ALMOST MADE THE MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE ARGUMENT.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S THE RIGHT MESSAGE HERE FOR DEMOCRATS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK 20 MILLION AMERICANS WILL FACE LOSING THEIR HEALTH CARE.

PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT SPIRALLING HEALTH CARE COSTS.

YESTERDAY, AND INSTEAD OF PRESIDENT DEALING WITH THEIR CONCERNS HE WAS FOCUSED ON VENEZUELA, AND HONESTLY, THE TRUTH IS THAT MARCO RUBIO SAID IT HIMSELF, ONE OF THE BIG

INTERESTS, AMERICAN INTERESTS IS OIL IN VENEZUELA.

MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE SPOKE TO THIS, AS WELL, IT'S NOT JUST DEMOCRATS AND IT'S PEOPLE LIKE MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE SAYING THE QUOTE, UNQUOTE, AMERICAN INTEREST HERE IS OIL IN VENEZUELA, AND I THINK THE IDEA

THAT AMERICA'S INTEREST IS DEFINED BY OIL IS WHAT A LOT OF AMERICANS ARE GOING TO HAVE TROUBLE WITH OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS AND MONTHS.

>> WHAT HE ALSO SAID WAS THAT THIS IS ABOUT IRAN, ABOUT CHINA, ABOUT RUSSIA, ABOUT CUBA'S INFLUENCE IN VENEZUELA AND GO TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY.

HE SET IT OUT AND ABOUT THE U.S.

ASSERTING ITSELF IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

I THINK WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THAT THOSE SAME COUNTRIES WILL BE WATCHING NOW, AND THEY WILL BE WONDERING IF THIS COULD BE A QUAGMIRE FOR THE U.S. BECAUSE

THAT'S IN THEIR INTEREST.

>> IF THE AMERICANS CAN PULL OFF SOMETHING AS DRAMATIC.

>> PRESIDENT XI WILL BE ASKING HIMSELF THAT QUESTION ABOUT TAIWAN.

>> THE QUESTION ABOUT INSTABILITY, IF THERE'S NOT SOME KIND OF PLAN OR STRATEGY IN THE U.S. THAT COULD MEAN AS

U.S. THAT COULD MEAN AS SECRETARY RUBIO SAID, MORE MIGRATION.

I'VE BEEN ON THE VENEZUELAN BORDER AND TALKED TO THE PEOPLE LIVING.

INSTABILITY AND CHAOS IN MEANS MORE PEOPLE TRYING TO LEAVE.

THERE ARE STILL AMERICAN CITIZENS BEING HELD ON THE GROUND THERE.

THEY COULD BE ON A PLANE TOMORROW IF THE U.S. WANTED TO

SEE SOME CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES FROM THIS GOVERNMENT.

>> I THINK FUNDAMENTALLY THE FACT THAT THE MADURO REGIME IS STILL THERE MEANS IT WASN'T ANYTHING ELSE.

IT POINTS TO, THEY WANT A LEADERSHIP THERE THAT THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CAN DO BUSINESS WITH AND THAT, AGAIN, IT POINTS TO NOT AN INTERESTING DEMOCRACY AND NOT AN INTEREST IN DIRECT AMERICAN INTERESTS, BUT

OIL INTERESTS.

PEOPLE WILL HAVE CONCERNS WITH THAT IN THE DAYS AND MONTHS TO COME.

>> U.S. ALLIES WILL BE ASKING THEMSELVES THIS QUESTION THIS MORNING, DOES THIS UNDERSCORE THE IDEA THAT THE RULES ARE DIFFERENT IF IT'S IN YOUR REGION BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT PRESIDENT PUTIN SAID.

THAT'S PART OF THE CHINA POLICY THOUGH THEY ALSO TALK ABOUT INTERNATIONAL RULES.

>> TAIWAN IS ABSOLUTELY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF CHINA.

HOW DOES THIS NOT STRENGTHEN CHINA'S HAND TO ACTUALLY TAKE ACTION THERE?

>> I THINK BEIJING MAY BE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WOULD DO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> CHINA, RUSSIA, IRAN.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT OIL.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE.

>> GUY, FANTASTIC CONVERSATION.

THANK YOU.

THAT IS ALL FOR TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK BECAUSE IF IT'S SUNDAY, IT'S "MEET THE PRESS."

PRESS."