Meet the Press Anchor Kristen Welker may be the queen of loaded questions and this week, she had a few doozies for House Speaker Mike Johnson. You’ve met the loaded question. It is stuffed full of assumptions and stands on a flimsy premise meant to paint someone into a verbal corner and put them on defense. It’s the old, “Have you stopped beating your wife?’ trick.

It is a nasty technique in which the interviewer is less interested in the answer, and more interested in telegraphing the propaganda loaded in the question to onlookers.   

“Do you support the American military being used to fight American citizens?” Welker asked Johnson in a discussion about President Donald Trump’s use of the National Guard to address crime where local leadership is not addressing it.

Johnson told Welker she was mischaracterizing Trump’s words, but she ignored his correction and continued down the same path.

In a discussion about the government shutdown, Welker asked Johnson, “Do you want to see thousands of federal workers laid off?” and again ignores his answer.  

But the most ridiculous shutdown question was an accusation that Johnson does not want to swear-in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz. 

“They say the House is not in session because you don’t want to swear in this newly elected…Democratic congresswoman from Arizona who would be a critical vote to releasing the Epstein files. How do you respond to that charge?”

If true, what would Johnson’s game plan be? To keep the government closed forever? She isn’t serious.

Also in the shutdown section, Welker asks about illegal aliens receiving free healthcare.

“… what you’re implying is that ER doctors should be checking people’s immigration status. If someone walks into a hospital and they’re bleeding out, should an ER doctor not render care to that person?” That loaded question does not remotely reflect what Johnson was saying.

But Welker is not in this for the answers. That is why we are looking at just the questions from Meet the Press:   

(Introduction)

KRISTEN WELKER, Anchor, Meet the Press:

This Sunday: Breakthrough. Hamas agrees to release all Israeli hostages and expresses a willingness to accept President Trump’s peace plan.

Will the plan work? I’ll talk to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Plus: Standoff. The federal government shutdown drags on after Republicans reject Democrats’ demands to extend health insurance subsidies.

How long will it last? And how many federal workers could face layoffs? I’ll talk to Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson of Louisiana and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

Plus: “War from within.” At a gathering of the military’s top leader President Trump warns of what he calls a “war from within” that he wants to fight using the U.S. Military against American citizens.

I’ll talk to Democratic Sen.Adam Schiff of California. Joining me for insight and analysis are: NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell, NBC News Chief Capitol Hill Correspondent Ryan Nobles, Marc Short, former director of legislative affairs for President Trump. And Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress. Welcome to Sunday, it’s Meet the Press.

Good Sunday morning. The nation is at the epicenter of history-making moments here at home and on the global stage. In Washington, business has ground to a halt for the fifth straight day – the government closed with lawmakers deadlocked over how to reopen it. the Press.

Kristen Welker Questions Sec. of State Marco Rubio

And in the Middle East – just days before the two-year anniversary of October 7 attacks, a potential breakthrough on President Trump’s 20-point peace proposal. Hamas agreeing to release all of the hostages and Israel vowing to halt bombing in Gaza. But with key details still lingering – can the nearly two-year war come to an end? And joining me now is Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Secretary Rubio, welcome back to Meet

Well, I want to start with these peace negotiations in the Middle East. Is this now the end of the war in Gaza?

I want to drill down on the timing of the hostages in just a moment, but first, just big picture. President Trump seems to be taking Hamas’s response as a “yes” to his peace proposal. As you’ve indicated though, there’s a lot that still needs to be worked out. Hamas didn’t mention laying down its arms, for example. Do you see Hamas’ response as a “yes” to President Trump’s peace proposal?

Prime Minister Netanyahu has indicated he expects the hostages to be released as soon as this week. Is that your expectation that the hostages will be released this coming week, Mr. Secretary?

But they could be released this week, Mr. Secretary?

They could be released this week?

Let me ask you about Israel’s role in this. Israel has not agreed to fully withdraw from Gaza. What is the timeframe by which the United States wants to see that happen? Are we talking weeks, months, years?

What’s the time frame though, Mr. Secretary? Weeks, months, years?

Mr. Secretary, I want to read point 19 of the president’s peace plan. I’ll put it up so folks can see it. It says, quote, “While Gaza redevelopment advances, and when the [Palestinian Authority] reform program is faithfully carried out, the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood, which we recognize as the aspiration of the Palestinian people.” Does the Trump Administration now support Palestinian statehood, Mr. Secretary?

But Mr. Secretary –

But Mr. Secretary, in terms of where the administration stands, yes or no? Does the Trump Administration support Palestinian statehood?

All right. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, thank you very much for your time this morning. We really appreciate it.

And when we come back, the government shutdown drags on into its second week. How does it end? House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries join me next.

Kristen Welker Questions Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.

Welcome back, and joining me now is House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Leader Jeffries, welcome back to Meet the Press.

Well, it’s great to have you here on a very busy morning. I do of course want to get to the shutdown. But first, I have to ask you about these developments in the Middle East. Of course Hamas saying that it will in fact turn over the hostages. Leader Jeffries, let me ask you, do you support President Trump’s 20-point peace proposal?

All right. Well, let’s turn to the big news here in Washington, of course, which is the shutdown. Before lawmakers broke for the weekend, House Speaker Mike Johnson said the House would not return to Capitol Hill this week or until Leader Schumer reopens the government. When is the last time you spoke with Republican leadership?

You know, Democrats are demanding an extension of Obamacare tax credits which expire at the end of the year, as well as other health care benefits for the funding bill. Here is what the vice president said about that this week. Take a look.

(video clip)

He says that Democrats are lying. What is your response to that?

But Leader Jeffries, let me ask you, because as you just mentioned, you are also calling for a complete rollback of the Medicaid cuts, which Republicans just passed. They said it’s a nonstarter. Why include that? Why not just focus on your argument that you want to see those Obamacare tax credits extended, which expire at the end of the year?

But let me ask you, because you say this is a Republican shutdown. But it’s Democratic senators who are withholding their votes on what is called a clean resolution. That means no strings attached, which is something, quite frankly, Leader, that you and other Democrats have advocated for in the past. Take a look.

(video clip)

Why not fund the government and debate extending Obamacare tax credits after the fact? They don’t expire till the end of the year.

Let me ask you, because the administration has personally targeted you with memes throughout this negotiation. We’ll show a screenshot of one of the videos. This was put out by the president. The president also called the Democrats the party of, quote, “hate, evil and Satan.” Is the president someone you still feel like you can negotiate with? Do you have that relationship with him?

All right, Leader Jeffries, thank you so much for joining us. We really appreciate it.

Kristen Welker Questions Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La.

And joining me now is the Speaker of the House Mike Johnson of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, welcome back to Meet the Press.

Thank you so much for being here in person. Let’s talk about your latest move. You announced this week that the House will not be in session until the government reopens. But there are still things that you could be doing. There are appropriations bills that you could be working on, there’s a new Democratic Congresswoman who still needs to be sworn in. Isn’t there still critical work that you could be doing on behalf of the American public?

There is, Speaker, still critical work though. And as you know, many Democrats have looked at your move. They say the House is not in session because you don’t want to swear in this newly elected congresswoman, Democratic congresswoman from Arizona, who would be a critical vote to releasing the Epstein files. How do you respond to that charge?

Well, let me ask you about some of the issues at play here, because President Trump, the White House says it’s preparing to potentially lay off, actually lay off thousands of federal workers. That’s never been done before in a shutdown. Do you support laying off thousands of federal workers as a part of this shutdown?

But do you support it?

What do you want to see though? Do you want to see thousands of federal workers laid off?

But it’s never happened before. We see furloughs. We don’t see layoffs though.

All right, well let me ask you about what’s at the crux of this. Democrats are demanding the funding bill include an extension of the Obamacare tax credits. As we’ve been talking about, they’re set to expire at the end of the year. More than three-quarters of the people who get health insurance through Obamacare actually live in states that President Trump won in 2024. We’re talking about some 19 million people, Mr. Speaker. Can those people depend on congressional Republicans to extend those health insurance tax credits by the time they expire?

Do you commit to that?

Let’s just set the table here for folks. And Leader Jeffries talked about this, but just to reiterate to you the point that he just made, undocumented immigrants, as you know, are actually ineligible for federal health care.

(Johnson interrupts)

Welker continues: But let me say it then you can talk, okay? Right now, undocumented immigrants are not eligible for federal health care programs. Democrats, as you heard, say they’re not trying to change that. But one of their demands would restore Medicaid funding for hospitals to give emergency care, including to undocumented immigrants. Are you suggesting, Mr. Speaker, that ER doctors check people’s immigration status before they render emergency care?

To the hospitals.

But again, but first of all, a law was put in place during the Reagan administration which guarantees that anyone who walks into a hospital gets critical care.

So are you saying, because basically the implications of what you’re implying is that ER doctors should be checking people’s immigration status. If someone walks into a hospital and they’re bleeding out, should an ER doctor not render care to that person?

Yeah, but what you reference refers to lawfully present people who are here, immigrants, DACA recipients. Let me move on.

Because we are running out of time though. I want to move on to a speech that President Trump gave earlier this week to the nation’s top military leaders. Take a listen, I’ll get your reaction on the other side.

(video clip)

Do you support the American military being used to fight American citizens?

What do you believe he said?

You’re saying it’s a literal war zone. Crime was decreasing here in the nation’s capital before the National Guard was sent.

Okay, but “war zone” is a different characterization. We know that the president just sent in – is saying – 300 National Guard troops will be sent into Chicago. Again, the governor saying he doesn’t want that. Is this an appropriate use of the U.S. military, Mr. Speaker?

What say you though? What say you about the use of the American military in this way in U.S. cities?

All right. Worth noting that the citizens did elect the mayors and the governor.

All right. House Speaker Mike Johnson, thank you for being here. Really appreciate it. When we come back, Democratic Senator Adam Schiff of California joins me next.

Kristen Welker Questions Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif.

Welcome back. And joining me now is Democratic Senator Adam Schiff of California. Senator Schiff, welcome back to Meet the Press.

Great to have you here, thank you so much for being here. I do want to start right where I left off with the House Speaker, the government shutdown. Three of your colleagues in the Democratic Caucus have broken ranks. They voted with Republicans to keep the government open. How confident are you that Democrats will stay united in this fight?

Well, let me ask you, you heard Speaker Johnson, as you’re just referencing, criticize Democrats for using the government shutdown to press for an extension of those Obamacare tax subsidies. But you actually did make a similar point back in 2013, that’s when Tea Party Republicans pushed to shut down the government against Obamacare. Let me play that for you, get your reaction on the other side.

(video clip)

Senator, why is now different?

Let me ask you about another matter here, Senator. I want to talk about the president’s speech and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s speech as well to the armed forces earlier this week. I’m going to play a little bit more of what we heard from President Trump and get your reaction on the other side.

(video clip)

And as I just said earlier, President Trump has now ordered 300 National Guard troops to Chicago over the objections of the Illinois governor. How should Democrats respond? What can you do? What recourse do you have?

Let me turn to another topic

Yes.

Well, you raised the judicial system, you take me to my next question. Former FBI Director James Comey was, as you know, indicted five days after President Trump posted this to his attorney general, Pam Bondi. Let me read it and remind our viewers. Quote, “Pam, I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, essentially, same old story as last time, all talk, no action, nothing is being done. What about Comey? Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff, Leticia??? They’re all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done.” Given how quickly the Justice Department moved to press criminal charges against James Comey, are you concerned, Senator, that you could be next?

Senator Adam Schiff, thank you so much for being here.

We really appreciate it. And when we come back, President Trump’s message to the hundreds of military leaders and how it compares to the Pentagon of the past. Our Meet the Press Minute is next.

Meet The Press Minute 

Welcome back. This week President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke before an unprecedented gathering of more than 800 generals and admirals where President Trump suggested American cities should be used as training grounds for the military and said the U.S. should project more military power. But in the wake of the September 11th attacks, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld struck a different note. He joined Meet the Press to discuss the tension between war and defense.

(video clip)

TIM RUSSERT: Many people have commented that for the first eight months as Secretary of Defense you seem to be insular, detached. But since September 11th as Secretary of War you’ve been energized. You think that’s fair?

(Live from anchor desk)

KRISTEN WELKER:

And when we come back, how long will the government shutdown last? And is the war in Gaza nearing its end? The panel is next.

Meet The Press Panel Discussion

KRISTEN WELKER:

Welcome back. The panel is here. Andrea Mitchell, NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent and Chief Washington Correspondent; Ryan Nobles, NBC News Chief Capitol Hill Correspondent; Neera Tanden, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress; and Marc Short, former Trump director of legislative affairs. Thank you all for being here on an incredibly busy Sunday. Andrea, let me start with you. I know you’ve been working your sources on this 20-point plan of the president’s, you heard what the secretary of state had to say. Where do you see this going from here? Could this in fact be the end of the war in Gaza?

Wow. Certainly, it’s something that he has certainly, according to folks who are close to him, has been eyeing. Marc, Andrea makes, I think, a really critical point here which is that after Israel targeted Hamas in Qatar there was that backlash. President Trump was infuriated. He had Prime Minister Netanyahu call the Qataris to apologize –

What does this moment say about the state of the relationship between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu?

No doubt. We’re going to track every twist and turn closely as we tracking every twist and turn here in Washington. Ryan Nobles with that I turn to you. We heard from the Speaker of the House, we heard from the minority leader, both sides seem as dug in as ever this morning.

Where are we in this battle to reopen the government?

Neera, will they continue to hold? You have Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez of the progressive base of the Democratic Party cheering on Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, but to Ryan’s point it’s all about the moderates in the middle.

Marc, a majority of people are saying they want to see these Obamacare tax credits extended. To what extent is that a pressure point on the White House?

You do?

Neera, let me let you respond to that, because that is going to be a big story I think in the coming days. And then we’ll go to Andrea.

Yeah.

Andrea, talk about that this is the fraught backdrop against which they’re trying to reopen the government.

Ryan, ten seconds left.

We will indeed. Guys, great conversation, thank you. That is all for today. Thank you so much for watching. We will be back next week because if it’s Sunday, it’s Meet the Press.