Transcript: Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Lindsey Graham on

The next is the transcript of an interview with Sens. Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, and Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, that aired on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on June 15, 2025.

MARGARET BRENNAN: We’re now joined by two senators in a uncommon, bipartisan interview: Republican Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal. They’re co-sponsors on laws to place secondary sanctions on Russia. Good morning to you each. 

SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: Good morning. 

SENATOR RICHARD BLUMENTHAL: Good morning. 

MARGARET BRENNAN: I wish to get to that battle in a second, however beginning right here on the Center East, Senator Graham, you mentioned you imagine it is “in America’s curiosity to go all in to assist Israel end the job.” It sounds such as you imply offensive help.

SEN. GRAHAM: So, the worst attainable final result for the world is for the Iranian nuclear program to outlive in spite of everything this. How do you destroy their program? By diplomacy, I choose that, or via navy motion. If diplomacy is just not profitable, and we left with the choice of pressure, I’d urge President Trump to go all in to make it possible for when this operation is over, there’s nothing left standing in Iran relating to their nuclear program. If which means offering bombs, present bombs. If which means flying — 

MARGARET BRENNAN: Bunker-busting bombs?

SEN. GRAHAM: No matter bombs. If it means flying with Israel, fly with Israel. The worst attainable final result for the world is to take the Iranian nuclear program on and depart it standing. That shall be a catastrophe.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator Blumenthal, what’s your view? How concerned ought to the US get?

SEN. BLUMENTHAL: Let’s start with the essential proposition that should encourage American coverage in addition to the world. A nuclear-armed Iran is a unacceptable risk to the world, not simply to Israel, however to the USA as properly. And I help Israel’s proper to defend itself towards this existential menace. I am very involved proper now about United States personnel within the area, our servicemen and ladies, but in addition the civilians which can be there. I am getting telephone calls from households in Connecticut who’re deeply fearful about their kids who have been there, concerning the hostage households. I help the President’s effort to prioritize diplomacy. 

MARGARET BRENNAN: Let’s discuss extra about this after the business break. So please keep right here with us, and we’ll be proper again. 

((COMMERCIAL BREAK))

MARGARET BRENNAN: And welcome again to Face the Nation. We return now to our dialog with Senators Graham and Blumenthal. Senator Blumenthal, earlier than we get to Ukraine, I simply wish to tie up the Center East right here. You recognize, the protection secretary was testifying to Congress this week, and he mentioned he is moved tools meant to counter drones in Ukraine over to the Center East now, due to this escalation. What extra is required to guard U.S. personnel?

SEN. BLUMENTHAL: We have to transfer belongings, and we have accomplished so. Not solely to guard U.S. personnel, but in addition to allow Israel to defend itself towards Iran’s retaliation. However I feel that the President is correct to attempt to deliver the 2 sides collectively. There’s a deal that is attainable right here, if Iran have been to desert its effort to construct nuclear bombs that endanger not solely Israel, however the whole regional stability, as a result of all the opposite Arab nations are going to have nuclear weapons if Iran does as properly. However People have no real interest in a Endlessly Warfare. And so, I feel we should be conscious concerning the precedence of diplomacy right here and convey the 2 sides collectively in addition to defending U.S. personnel.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator Graham, the factor with diplomacy is that the Israeli Prime Minister is asking for the Iranian individuals to stand up towards the regime, a regime he says is asking for the destruction of his state. It does not actually appear to be there is a compromise there if it is really this existential. Is that this simply main us in direction of the end result, you say, which is the USA getting concerned in navy battle?

SEN. GRAHAM: Properly, I’d love for the regime to fall. For those who don’t- if you’d like this regime to remain in energy, you are wanting individuals to oppress the Iranian individuals. You need individuals to threaten their neighbors, to- to be the biggest states- who needs the biggest state sponsor of terrorism to remain in place? However, regime change is just not the coverage of the USA. It’s not the aim of this assault, but. But when there’s one assault on an American anyplace within the Mideast by Iran, then you definately’ll get regime change. So, what are we coping with? We’re coping with a non-negotiable a part of the deal. They cannot have a nuclear program that may make a bomb. Diplomacy is most popular, as Dick says, however pressure would be the solely choice. And I’ve mentioned as clearly as I can say, if diplomacy fails, Mr. President- President Trump, you have been nice, assist Israel end the job. Give them bombs, fly with them if vital. I can’t stress to you ways, if you wish to get Russia proper, you wish to make China be higher. You wish to persuade worldwide terrorism we imply enterprise, you have to end the job with Iran.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Properly, we’ll see if there’s any willingness to barter. To date, we’ve not seen a lot. 

SEN. GRAHAM: That is a giant mistake on Iran’s half. It is not on President Trump’s- if we do not have negotiations, it isn’t due to Trump. It is due to the Ayatollah.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Or- I imply, you’ll be able to’t essentially bomb somebody into concessions that they weren’t keen to make, proper?

SEN. GRAHAM: I do not assume that they had any want to make concessions.

SEN. BLUMENTHAL: If Iran miscalculates now, it is going to face the implications. However there’s a street to a deal. President Obama reached a deal. Removed from good. President Trump ripped it up. If it have been in impact, perhaps, we might have stopped the Iran nuclear buildup, which has occurred. They’re near 10 bombs now. However, there’s the potential of diplomacy. Within the meantime, the USA ought to offer the means for Israel to defend towards this Iranian retaliation.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Simply to make clear, while you say near 10 bombs, you imply they might have sufficient nuclear gasoline. However, so far as we all know, from the US evaluation, they hadn’t made the political determination to show that right into a weapon. We did not hear that from the Senate Intel chair once I requested that.

SEN. GRAHAM: What function is there for enriched uranium at 60% aside from making a weapon? Why do you will have 900 kilos of these items for those who do not wish to make a weapon?

MARGARET BRENNAN: You recognize, the- the evaluation was, they needed the leverage, proper?

SEN. GRAHAM: Yeah, proper. No matter. 

MARGARET BRENNAN: I needed to ask you concerning the bipartisan work you’re each doing, if I can. By the best way –

SEN. BLUMENTHAL: Lastly.

MARGARET BRENNAN: – Iran and Russia —

SEN. GRAHAM: –We’re bipartisan on this.

((CROSSTALK))

SEN. BLUMENTHAL: And, you recognize, if I might simply add yet another level about Iran?

MARGARET BRENNAN: Yeah

SEN. BLUMENTHAL: As a result of we will speak about Russian sanctions, I feel we should strengthen sanctions towards Iran. Which is a non-kinetic, a peaceable technique of exerting strain. I am hoping that maybe Senator Graham will —

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM: I will be your wingman. We’ll write the invoice proper right here on tv. China, for those who’re listening, cease shopping for Russian oil, and cease serving to the Iranians. You make the world a safer place for those who would cease

MARGARET BRENNAN: They purchase it as a result of it is low cost, although. Yeah, they —

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM: They need to pay a worth for propping up Putin’s conflict machine. We should always crush their economic system.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay, so inform me about that. So, with the sanctions invoice that you simply all are engaged on, you will have a veto-proof majority. You simply want the Senate chief to place it to a flooring vote, and also you want the President to inform him “go”. What are you ready for?

SEN. BLUMENTHAL: I feel the president ought to name on the Senate to vote approval of the Russian sanctions invoice actually tomorrow. He is on his method tonight to the G7 assembly. He shall be sitting throughout from world leaders. Proper now, very bluntly, the notion could also be one among weak point by way of America’s place on Ukraine. He may be there able of energy. This invoice will cross overwhelmingly. Has 84 evenly divided co-sponsors. It’ll get 90 votes on the ground of the Senate. This second cries out for presidential management. There may be an urgency right here. We have seen the neighborhoods decimated, individuals killed of their sleep, girls and kids shot behind their heads and buried in mass graves in Bucha, kids who’re kidnapped and re-educated, 20,000 of them, behind Russian strains. These atrocities are ongoing, and the individuals of Ukraine are bleeding and dying. So I hope that the President will affirmatively present management right here and name on the Senate to vote. The bulk chief might do it tomorrow–

MARGARET BRENNAN: –Yeah.

SEN. BLUMENTHAL: We’ve got some technical points to work out, however I actually assume the second has come for President Trump to name on the Senate.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator Graham, President Trump tweeted yesterday that he did converse to Vladimir Putin who referred to as very properly to want me a cheerful birthday and speak about Iran. He mentioned they will converse once more this week. President Trump has put sanctions on Iran whereas speaking to Iran. Why will not he put sanctions on Russia whereas speaking to Russia? 

SEN. GRAHAM: We’ve got sanctions on Russia. He provided–

MARGARET BRENNAN: –Not new Trump sanctions. You recognize that.–

SEN. GRAHAM: –Simply. So I discover it odd. So my Democratic pals are holding him again in relation to Iran. We actually admire you making an attempt to do diplomacy. What am I saying? Do diplomacy with Iran till it does not work. What am I saying with Russia? I do not thoughts you, I do not care for those who go on trip with Putin. I do not care the way it ends, I need the conflict to finish so we do not begin new wars. I need Ukraine surviving when the conflict ends. I need Putin to not be overly rewarded for the invasion. To China, for those who cease shopping for Russian oil low cost and India, the conflict machine would grind to a halt. President Trump has tried diplomacy. And I’ll say this, I talked to him final night time, you have made very honest efforts to get Putin to the desk. I feel he is enjoying a sport with you and the whole world. It’s now time to alter the sport with Putin. I talked to President Trump final night time. Keep tuned. If we wouldn’t have a breakthrough quickly, I’d anticipate that these sanctions will transfer via the Senate and the Home. And to China, if you’d like your economic system ruined, preserve shopping for Russian low cost oil. If you wish to be a brand new nation within the eyes of the civilized world, change your habits relating to Putin and the Ayatollah. Till you modify your habits, you are going to be seen as an issue, not an answer. So these sanctions are coming if Putin does not change. And to my good buddy, Dick, you have been a fantastic ally. If we won’t get the Ayatollah again to the desk, it’s now time to finish his nuclear program utilizing navy pressure collectively with Israel if we’ve to. If we get Iran improper, good luck with Russia. 

MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator Blumenthal, the invoice that you simply put ahead will put a 500% tariff, as I perceive it, on imported items from international locations that purchase Russia’s oil, their uranium, their fuel, different merchandise. It’d hit China, it’d hit India. U.S. can also be making an attempt to barter commerce offers with them. Is that getting in the best way?

SEN. BLUMENTHAL: I feel there’s actually no impediment to our shifting forward with these bone crushing sanctions–

MARGARET BRENNAN: –Even when oil costs spike due to what’s occurring within the Center East?

SEN. BLUMENTHAL: You recognize we at the moment are vitality impartial in relation to oil, the USA. Europe has weaned itself off Russian oil. We visited with President Macron. We have talked to Chancellor Mertz. Europe is solidly behind these sanctions, and we have included flexibility on this invoice, primarily based on our nationwide safety, for a possible waiver the place our pursuits are involved unforeseeably or unknowably proper now. We have included exemptions for our European allies who’re aiding Ukraine within the billions of {dollars}, giving them slightly bit extra time to regulate. This can be a rigorously constructed bill–

MARGARET BRENNAN: –They get 20% of their fuel from Russia.

SEN. GRAHAM: What he says, there’s three classes. For those who’re not doing enterprise with Russia, you do not have something to fret about. For those who’re doing enterprise with Russia, however you are serving to Ukraine you will have a carve out for 270 days. For those who’re doing enterprise with Russia and never serving to Ukraine, you are screwed. The president can waive a part of all of this primarily based on our nationwide curiosity, however to the individuals who marvel ought to we pay a worth for our freedom? We’ve got prior to now. Go to Arlington. Oil costs will go up if we confront Russia via our invoice. Oil costs will go up if we attempt to confront Iran for his or her nuclear ambitions. However you pay now otherwise you pay later. If we get Iran proper and we get peace with Russia, Ukraine, not solely do oil costs come down, the world shall be higher off. So this concept of getting freedom and never sacrificing by no means existed nor does it exist now.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator, I wish to ask you as properly about what’s occurring right here at dwelling, with the protests we’ve seen across the nation, and a few of them, at occasions, turning violent. There was criticism of Democrats insurance policies on immigration. Do you assume that this confrontation that we’re seeing now between navy forces, federalized, and protesters is partly due to what Democrats have accomplished to this point?

SEN. BLUMENTHAL: The usage of navy, whether or not it is the Nationwide Guard or the Marines, may be inflammatory and provocative. We had protests throughout the nation yesterday that have been totally peaceable. I used to be at various them in Connecticut, in Hartford and Farmington and elsewhere, throughout the nation. I feel this nation is aware of easy methods to do peaceable protest, and the exceptions should be dealt with by the native police and prosecutors domestically. I spent most of my life in regulation enforcement earlier than I had this job. I used to be the chief federal prosecutor in Connecticut, then I used to be lawyer basic for 20 years, and the reliance on state and native police, I feel, is properly based. And I’ve supported, in reality, I’ve launched a invoice that will restrict use of the Rebel Act, would outline higher what’s a insurrection and compel the president to return again to Congress for approval if he makes use of this type of federal pressure. So I feel that there are criticisms to be made from immigration insurance policies. Actually, I favor complete immigration reform. We want it, however that’s separate–

MARGARET BRENNAN: –However you’ll name native regulation enforcement to maybe get up extra and take care of it on the native degree?

SEN. BLUMENTHAL: It is the native degree the place regulation enforcement occurs on this nation. We depend on state and native police, and that should be the best way we implement our legal guidelines on this nation and emphasize the significance of peaceable protests, akin to we noticed yesterday across the nation.

MARGARET BRENNAN: All proper, senators, thanks for becoming a member of us for a bipartisan interview. Uncommon as we mentioned, we’ll be again.