Perhaps even Democrat accomplice Margaret Brennan has lost faith in Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., a regular guest on her CBS Sunday show, Face The Nation.

During a discussion about the government shutdown, Schumer, 74, was going on and on — the way an oldster sometimes does — about how the Republicans are “not serious” about negotiating a solution.

He complained about Trump’s memes, whined that Trump was busy playing golf, and said Speaker Mike Johnson is not serious either. Schumer had a nice little narrative going about those darn Republicans when Brennan hit him with the most beautifully obvious question.

“Have you tried calling President Trump? He seems to take phone calls directly.”

Schumer stammered just a little, then said Democrats “tried to get Trump to sit down” weeks before the shutdown.

Brennan tried to stop him there with three words.

“So, no. OK,” Brennan said, but Schumer kept yapping, claiming there was a meeting a while back where Schumer claims Trump “didn’t even know what was happening.”

In one question Brennan zeroed in on the problem and the solution. Schumer knows how the phone works, and he knows Trump is always ready to talk. If he does not make the call, Schumer remains the grandfather of this shutdown.   

Brennan also asked Schumer about comments Majority Leader Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. made on Fox News, saying there are “there are conversations with Democrats who want to find an offramp here. Is he having conversations with Democrats other than you?”

Peel away the hemming, hawing, and redirection in Schumer’s answers and the questions reveal the real story — Schumer is losing control of his party.

Here are just the questions from Meet the Press.

(Introduction)

MARGARET BRENNAN:,

I’m Margaret Brennan in Washington.

And this week on Face the Nation: Is Israel’s war with Hamas finally coming to an end? Meanwhile, the government shutdown continues with no end in sight.

Two years after the October 7 massacre that killed more than 1,200 Israelis, is a serious plan for a full hostage release and cease-fire in Gaza finally materializing? Secretary of State Marco Rubio will tell us where that deal stands and what’s ahead for Gaza, where more than 67,000 have been killed in the war’s destruction.

Plus, the Trump administration continues to ramp up its federal presence in blue cities.

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And we will take a closer look at the Trump Department of War’s new rules for the military. Illinois Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth will join us, as well as retired Army Lieutenant General Ben Hodges.

Finally, as Congress continues their standoff on government funding, we will talk with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer about why Americans say the shutdown is hurting both political parties.

It’s all just ahead on Face the Nation.

Good morning, and welcome to Face the Nation.

When word came late Friday that Hamas was open to the 20-point plan devised by President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to return the hostages and stop the war in Gaza, Mr. Trump took to social media.

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Negotiators for all sides will begin meetings in Cairo tomorrow with that exact goal in mind. Special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will represent the U.S.

We will talk with the president’s top diplomat and national security adviser, Marco Rubio, in a moment.

But, first, our Debora Patta reports from Israel.

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DEBORA PATTA (voice-over): Suspended between hope and dread, families and friends of hostages who have waited nearly two years for their loved ones to come home are not celebrating yet

Many Israelis worry, the danger lies within. Right-wing members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have threatened to collapse his government if Hamas still exists after the hostages are released.

The terms of the proposed deal take the right-wing dream of annexing Gaza off the table and demand a staged Israeli withdrawal from the territory. Hamas has agreed to release all the hostages in exchange for prisoners and surrender governing power in Gaza.

But it is the things left unsaid that could upend a deal. Hamas has made no mention of disarmament, a key Israeli demand. Palestinians are just as desperate for a cease-fire. President Trump had ordered Israel to stop bombing Gaza after Hamas’ response, but not all the guns went silent.

Asmi Hamdan’s 12-year-old granddaughter was killed in an Israeli strike yesterday.

“What was her crime?” he sobbed. “Shrapnel pierced her chest and she died.”

We spoke to UNICEF’s James Elder in Gaza.

How important is it right now for the children of Gaza?

And there will be a lot of pressure on both Israel and Hamas when negotiations around logistics for a hostage-prisoner swap begin in Cairo tomorrow.

Margaret Brennan Questions Sec. of State Marco Rubio

(Live from anchor desk)

MARGARET BRENNAN: We turn now to Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio.

Good morning to you, Mr. Secretary.

It would be extraordinary to end what has been one of Israel’s longest and bloodiest wars.

The prime minister said he’s only allowing these talks that will be underway in Egypt to go for a few days. What exactly is the deadline for Hamas and the terror groups who are holding hostages? When do they need to release them?

So my sources have indicated to me that, because the upper echelon of Hamas fighters has been so decimated, communication is difficult. The other terror groups who also hold hostages in Gaza aren’t necessarily easily controlled by them.

How do you manage around this reality? And is full release by Oct. 7 the demand?

Right.

But you pointed out that releases can’t happen when bombardments are underway.

Our CBS team in Gaza tells us that there are Israeli bombardments under way. There were strikes Saturday, tens killed, more injured, bombings continuing. One incident included 10 people killed when they tried to check in on their homes in areas where there are also military sites. Is that acceptable?

So, this is not a violation of that?

I hear you. There are two phases here, with – Hamas releasing the hostages is the one you’re most focused on. But, big picture, does the United States assess that Israel has so reduced the threat posed by Hamas that it can end combat and transition to the kind of lower tempo counterterrorism campaign that, say, the United States carries out against terrorist threats to this country?

But can they take the win? Can Netanyahu say he won this war?

But combat operations can end?

Yes. But in terms of occupation and combat operations, that’s different than a counterterrorism campaign.

But let me ask you specifically what President Trump said. He told Barak Ravid of Axios that Prime Minister Netanyahu – quote – “took it very far, and Israel lost a lot of support in the world. Now I’m going to get all that support back.”

At what point did President Trump decide that Netanyahu took this fight in Gaza or his operations throughout the Middle East, when did he take it too far?

OK.

Does the United States support a Palestinian state? Because point 19 in your White House plan talks about a credible pathway to Palestinian self- determination and statehood.

 Right, but Prime Minister Netanyahu opposes… a Palestinian state and thanked President Trump for speaking against recognition of one. That’s why I’m asking you to clarify.

I understand.

Does the U.S. want to see one?

Well, it’s point 19 in your plan…

So maybe?

That interview was taped earlier today.

With the camera off, Secretary Rubio clarified that President Trump still opposes Israeli annexation of the West Bank, though there is no mention of the occupied territory in the 20-point White House peace plan.

Face the Nation will be back in one minute.

Stay with us.

(Break)

Margaret Brennan Questions  House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.  

MARGARET BRENNAN: We turn now to the government shutdown now in its fifth day.

House Speaker Mike Johnson joins us from Capitol Hill.

Good morning to you, Speaker. Anyone up there to negotiate with?

Well, you did send your lawmakers home to their districts, which suggests we’ve got probably another week ahead of us of this shutdown.

You mentioned the real-world impact. Federal workers, including our military, would miss their first paychecks October 15 or 16. How long should workers plan to be without that income?

OK. Well, Democrats, as you know, want to have another conversation in regard to extending some tax subsidies that lower the cost of some health care that’s purchased through the Obamacare market.

To that point, though, you’re talking about the politics of this. Our CBS polling that we released today shows neither party’s stance is viewed as worth shutting down this government.

The Democrats want to talk about the tax credits. You know premium pricing is already being set now, even if this doesn’t expire until end of the year. Your fellow Republican Jen Kiggans said: “Raising costs for families with little notice and potentially stripping them of access to care is simply unacceptable.”

Doesn’t she have a point here?

Right. Turn the lights back on.

But just to clarify what you were just saying, do I hear you correctly that you, as speaker of the House, want to see the tax credit extended at a future date? Is that what you are saying?

Right. I’m asking you your position because you said… you would be willing to talk about it.

You believe you have time here, but our partner at health policy think tank KFF reported 80 percent of all premium tax credits went to Obamacare enrollees in Trump-won states, red states.

Do you really – do worry at all that this stance could backfire, that waiting to talk about the tax credit could hurt you and could hurt your voters?

But you are committing to have that conversation about health care, is what I understand you saying?

Well, the director of the Economic Council, Kevin Hassett, was on another network this morning, and said it is up to the president of the United States to decide when the mass layoffs will begin.

He seems to be indicating the president is using those RIFs, those reduction in force threats, as leverage here. Do you know how quickly those layoffs will start?

Do you want that as leverage?

Well, that – I have looked at that text. It doesn’t explicitly say what you are indicating.

But unauthorized immigrants aren’t eligible for ACA benefits.

That’s right.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, thank you for your time this morning.

We’ll be right back with a lot more Face the Nation. Stay with us.

(Break)

MARGARET BRENNAN: Coming up next, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Stay with us to hear what Democrats have to say about the impasse when we come back.

Margaret Brennan Questions Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome back to Face The Nation.

Senator Chuck Schumer is the top Democrat on the other side of the Capitol, and he joins us now from New York City.

Good morning to you, Leader.

I want to pick up on something the speaker of the House was pointing to. He wants this fight to be about illegals, as he said. And I want to be specific here because we know from our research that there is no federal money that goes towards health care tax credits for undocumented immigrants in this country. The federal government doesn’t fund health insurance for the undocumented. But it is also true that states, like yours, New York, does provide health care for people who are in this country illegally. And their argument seems to be the money here is fundable and bottom line is it comes out of the federal pocket. Do you want to respond to that?

Well, let’s talk about the shutdown in a moment. In terms of health care, where you – you’ve taken us in terms of the messaging, Democrats, as I understand it, are looking for an extension of those Obamacare tax credit. I believe you’d like them permanently. You heard the speaker say, we can talk about that after the government is reopened, perhaps not permanently. But do you hear any kind of opening here for a negotiation whatsoever?

Well, he says the job is in the Senate with you and – and Leader Thune.

That was a permanent extension. Well –

The bill that I think you’re referring to was Senator Shaheen. It was a permanent extension. It wasn’t the, you know, compromise that he –

That some Republicans have proposed.

All right, you’re using the word “extend” verses making permanent, just making clear there.

And then the number we see – Is the average increase of about $1,000 in premium payments for most households that will go into effect.

But – but on the – on – on the – on the reopening everything conversation, sir, though –

I mean, do you trust Leader Thune? And – and when you look at just your numbers here, three senators already crossed over to vote with Republicans on this short-term funding deal. Are you concerned about more defections?

Well, Thune – Thune told Fox that there are ongoing – conversations.

But back to the question of defections. Leader Thune was on another network, on Fox, and he said there are conversations with Democrats who want to find an offramp here. Is he having conversations with Democrats other than you? Are you sure you can’t – will you have defections?

Have you tried calling President Trump? He seems to take phone calls directly.

So, no. OK.

Our – our CBS polling also shows that neither side is getting good grades on any of this, Leader.

We’re going to have to leave that here for this moment.

We’ll be right back.

(Break)

Margaret Brennan Questions Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And we’re now joined by Illinois Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth. Good morning, and good to have you here in person.

So, I have to ask you about what the president announced yesterday in regard to federalizing 300 National Guardsmen out in the state of Illinois. We’ve heard this threat going back all the way to August. The governor says these are not needed. Do you have any idea when they’ll arrive?

He has surged – or the federal government has surged agents from different groups. The FBI said yesterday they’re sending folks in. Tell me about these protests. Because the – the images look pretty intense of what has happened in – between people on the streets of Chicago – we’re showing some of that video now – around immigration issues. As I understand, yesterday, ICE authorities shot a Chicago woman in the Brighton Park area. Secretary Noem claimed ICE fired defensive shots at this woman, who was armed who had appeared in a border patrol intelligence bulletin previously. She claims that federal agents were surrounded and were threatened. What are local authorities telling you about what they think happened here?

You’re talking about President Trump’s directive to send Oregon National Guard troops into Portland, and the judge said that – untethered to the facts.

But in this case, I mean the Homeland Security adviser says, “there’s a large and growing movement of left wing terrorism organized and funded.” They’re posting on Homeland Security images of snipers. So, we’re not talking troops, we’re talking about federal agents that are carrying out some of this right now. Have you seen any evidence of – of what Stephen Miller is describing here in terms of organization and targeting of federal agents?

Well, that is counter, their message at least. But on the message around the military, I want to ask you about what happened at Quantico and just – so our viewers are clear, you serve on Armed Services, but you retired from the National Guard. You were a lieutenant colonel.

Black Hawk helicopter pilot in Iraq. You served in combat. Secretary Hegseth told senior military leaders just a few days ago, he doesn’t want to prevent women from serving, but he’s now going to require everyone meet the male standard.

Let’s listen to that.

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How did you hear those remarks? And how do you think female service people heard them?

Senator, thank you for your time and for your insight.

We’ll be back in a moment.

(Break)

Margaret Brennan Questions Ret. Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges

We turn now to the former commanding general of the U.S. Army in Europe, retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges. And he joins us from Germany.

Welcome to Face The Nation.

I want to pick – pick up where we left off with Senator Duckworth, who is a Purple Heart recipient for her time serving this country in combat.

 Men and women have different basic fitness standards. The secretary, in his remarks at Quantico, said women – or he suggested women were being given a pass or were held to lower standards for fitness requirements. Do you think his change to the, quote/unquote, “male standard” is necessary?

The defense secretary made these remarks at Quantico last week, as you well know, ordered in our most senior military officers to hear him lay out what he talked about in terms of changing rules of engagement. Those, you know, codes of conduct and standards, to make war less brutal. The secretary said this.

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What do you make of – of those directives to officers?

And the Geneva Conventions are something that the secretary, as a private citizen, wrote about in his book and questioned whether they should be followed at all. He said, “what if we treated the enemy the way they treated us? And if we” – I mean he talked about al Qaeda and using some of their tactics, “rip their arms off, feed them to the hogs.” I mean, this sounds tough, but in terms of practice, does it risk the lives of – of those who are the trigger pullers, those who are on the ground, to have this message delivered from the highest levels?

As defense secretary, Hegseth fired the top military lawyers who advise on lethality. Here’s some of the advice he gave to senior leaders this week.

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What do you think that means?

The president also spoke at that gathering. He referred to “the enemy within.” He also spoke about using “U.S. cities, like Chicago, as training grounds.” Are – are you comfortable with people thinking that?

Lieutenant General, thank you for your insights. We have to leave it there.

(Break)

Until next week, for Face The Nation, I’m Margaret Brennan.

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