Full Transcript of “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” June 28, 2026
Full transcript of Face the Nation – On the June 28, 2026 episode of “Face the Nation,” hosted by Margaret Brennan, guests included Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, Virginia Democrat Senator Tim Kaine, and CBS News chief legal correspondent Jan Crawford. The episode focused on recent developments in U.S.-Iran relations and broader political discussions. Viewers can access complete transcripts from the 2026 season of the show via the provided link.
Program Summary
Four months into the U.S. military campaign against Iran, diplomatic efforts to manage the nuclear program are at risk due to escalating airstrikes. This week, Iran targeted U.S. allies in Bahrain and Kuwait, prompting a retaliatory strike by American forces on Iranian missile sites. Tensions intensified after President Trump criticized four Republican senators, including Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, for opposing the war through the War Powers Act. Cassidy later expressed support for the administration’s actions, stating his concerns had been addressed during a private briefing with Vice President Kamala Harris and special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Interview Excerpts
During the interview, Cassidy described a tense encounter with President Trump in the Senate. He recounted how the president had singled out the four dissenting senators, including himself, for criticism. “The president was berating the four people that voted for the War Powers Act,” Cassidy said. “Frankly, I’m not there to be berated. And the president wasn’t invited to dish out verbal abuse.”
“I raised my hand and asked, ‘Mr. President, are you really interested in understanding why we voted against it, or is that just a rhetorical question?’”
Cassidy explained that the debate over the war had escalated when he challenged Trump’s rationale. “He goes, ‘I’m really interested.’ I stood up and said, ‘This is why.’ I listed those objectives that I did not see being achieved and how the war’s endpoint kept stretching out. He began to speak over me. Unfortunately, I raised my volume to match his, and we spoke to each other like that—or, shall we say, spoke at each other, not to each other.”
“Now, I shouldn’t have lost my temper, nor should he. But my wife will tell you, every now and then, my Irish temper gets the best of me. Point being, I needed to know. I need to know to serve my people in my state and my country.”
Cassidy also addressed the administration’s transparency, noting that while he sought public clarification, the White House opted for private briefings. “When I asked about that in my briefing, they said, right now the negotiations are delicate and they could collapse if not nurtured carefully. I can accept that. Sometimes, you have to give people space to reach an agreement.”
Additional Segments
Later in the episode, Brennan turned to Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, discussing the Democratic Party’s shifting priorities. Kaine was expected to comment on the leftward movement of the party and its implications for domestic and foreign policy. The interview also touched on other notable news from the week, including updates on the Iran conflict and the broader political landscape.
The episode concluded with Brennan emphasizing the importance of informed public discourse. “But you had also said this is the worst foreign policy blunder on record,” she noted. “Reagan would be rolling in his grave. You said America lost the credible threat of force.”
“That’s another way of saying that President Trump’s threats have lost their effectiveness in shaping international strategy.”
The full discussion unfolded as the program progressed, offering insights into the evolving dynamics of U.S. foreign policy and congressional relations.
