Meet the Press Anchor Kristen Welker has two distinct interview styles: relentless for Republicans and docile for Democrats. This week this week, Welker practically pleaded for Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. to please, please, please just admit that President Donald Trump personally had former FBI Director James Comey indicted last week to politically punish Comey.

Thune wisely did not take the bait. If he had, leftist media would be spinning it all week.

As if Comey is a surely innocent victim of mean old Trump, Welker pressed Thune four times on the same question.  

“Do you believe the Justice Department is acting independently here?” Welker asked, then ignored Thune’s answer.

“Is this a politically motivated prosecution?” She pressed, but Thune’s answer again failed to meet Welker’s vision.

“Would you support the Justice Department bringing criminal charges against other political opponents of President Trump?”

“But do you rule out that the president is pressuring the Justice Department based on those public comments?”

Welker later interviewed Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. and asked just one question about the Comey case: “Do you trust, do you have faith in the judicial system?”

She did not put Schumer in a position of having to defend Comey.

Schumer is skilled at dodging questions and reinventing reality, yet Welker pressed him on nothing. Her dual interview styles are on full display below, where the answers have been removed leaving just the questions on Meet the Press.   

(Introduction)

Kristen Welker:

This Sunday: Shutdown battle. With government funding set to run out in just two days, the White House threatens mass firings of federal workers.

(Video Clip)

Can a deal be reached? I’ll talk exclusively to the Senate Majority Leader, Republican John Thune of South Dakota, and the Senate Minority Leader, Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York. Plus: Facing charges. Former FBI Director James Comey is charged with lying to Congress and obstruction, just days after President Trump publicly called for the attorney general to prosecute him.

(Video Clip)

Joining me for insight and analysis are: David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker; Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan; and former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson. Welcome to Sunday; it’s a special edition of Meet the Press.

Good Sunday morning. With funding set to run out in two days, a deeply divided Washington is preparing for a government shutdown. But last night, President Trump agreed to a White House meeting with the top four congressional leaders, with Democrats demanding health insurance subsidies be extended as part of negotiations. Republicans need at least seven Democrats to support the short-term funding bill that already passed the House. This morning, there’s also growing scrutiny over whether President Trump is using the justice department to carry out political revenge. Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted on Thursday after a career prosecutor who refused to bring charges resigned amid pressure from Mr. Trump and was replaced by a former personal lawyer of his who has no experience as a prosecutor. The president suggested others will be next:

(Video Clip)

On Saturday, I spoke with Senate Majority Leader John Thune before President Trump agreed to meet congressional leaders over the shutdown.

Welker Questions Senate Majority Leader John Thune

Leader Thune, welcome back to Meet the Press.

Thank you so much for being here on a big weekend. We are going to get to the funding battle on Capitol Hill in just a moment. But I do want to start with the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, who is, as you know, an outspoken critic of President Trump. And it comes as the president publicly pushed his Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute Mr. Comey in a social media post last week. Let me ask you, Leader Thune, do you believe the Justice Department is acting independently here?

Well, I guess the question is about what we have heard from the president on this matter. And he has been going after former FBI Director James Comey for years. Take a listen to a little bit of what he said.

(Video Clip)

 Leader Thune, given all of that, is this a politically motivated prosecution?

But, Mr. Leader, President Trump also said this week, quote, “I hope there are others,” indicating he’d like to see opponents charged. And on Friday, Attorney General Pam Bondi said this. She said, quote, “This is just the beginning.” Would you support the Justice Department bringing criminal charges against other political opponents of President Trump?

But do you rule out that the president is pressuring the Justice Department based on those public comments?

All right. Let’s talk about the big battle over government funding. We’re just two days away, Leader, as you know, from a potential government shutdown. The president did cancel a planned meeting with Democratic leaders. The House doesn’t plan to be in session until after the shutdown deadline. Is the government going to shut down this week, Leader Thune?

I want to play something that Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said about the president canceling the meeting this week. Get your reaction on the other side. Take a look.

(Video Clip)

Leader Thune, aren’t you going to have to compromise with Democrats in order to get a deal and keep the government open?

So, Leader Thune —

Just so folks understand, here’s what Democrats are arguing. They say that at the crux of this is the skyrocketing cost of healthcare and especially the expiring Obamacare tax credits, which could mean doubling or tripling of premiums should they expire, with some people losing financial assistance altogether. Do you think that those tax credits, those subsidies should expire, Leader Thune?

But, Leader Thune, open enrollment starts in November, November 1st. You just said you are open to potentially negotiating over that. As you know, if they do expire, the number of uninsured people in your state of South Dakota would rise by about 20,000. So why not negotiate now and get this deal done for the people of your state?

We have a lot more to get to. We’re running out of time. The White House Budget Office released a memo telling agencies to prepare for mass firings if there’s a shutdown. Do you support mass firings of federal employees if the government shuts down?

But do you support it?

But would you support it?

But do you support this threat by the president?

Okay. I want to talk to you about the president’s tariff policy. This week, he announced a slew of new tariffs, including 100% tariffs on pharmaceuticals, kitchen cabinets, heavy-duty trucks. This week, he acknowledged that farmers are hurting because of his tariff policy. He said he’d use some of the tariff revenue to actually help farmers who are being hurt right now. Take a listen to what President Trump had to say.

Why should American taxpayers bail out farmers who are hurting because of the president’s tariff policy?

But, Leader Thune, why not ask the president to —

— roll back, go ahead.

Why not ask the president to roll back some of his tariffs instead of supporting a taxpayer funded bailout for farmers?

So, Leader Thune, let me ask you about some new news in a developing story, the president saying on Saturday he supports sending and he’s going to send troops into Portland, Oregon. It’s the latest city to see federal troops. Do you support the president using the U.S. military to police American cities?

Leader Thune, just big picture, there are more than 300 lawsuits in front of the courts right now accusing the president of overstepping presidential authority and attempting to override Congress from tariffs to immigration to the deployment of the National Guard. Is there anything that the president could do right now, any line that he could cross in terms of his executive authority that would prompt you to speak out against that policy?

All right. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, thank you so much for a robust conversation this morning. Really appreciate it. Great to see you.

When we come back, Senate Minority Leader Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York joins me next.

Welker Questions Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

And joining me now is Senate Minority Leader Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York. Leader Schumer, welcome back to Meet the Press.

Well, we are thrilled to be in New York. Thank you so much for being here in person. We really appreciate it. I have to start off by talking about this big meeting at the White House on Monday. President Trump, all of the congressional leaders. How did it come about, and could this be a sign that you can get a deal done?

You think you can keep the government open, or do you think you’re headed for a shutdown?

Speaking of Leader Thune, he just gave us a new statement about this meeting. Let me read it to you. You can respond. He says, “Rank-and-file Democrats are getting nervous, and Senator Schumer is too. The far left has painted them into an unsustainable corner, and they know it. Hopefully, Senator Schumer sees the light and listens to the same voice that walked him and his colleagues away from the edge of a shutdown in March. If a White House meeting helps him get there, I welcome the opportunity. Fundamentally, nothing has changed, though. And the choice remains the same. Democrats can either vote for a clean, short-term, nonpartisan CR that prioritizes the American people, or they can choose a completely avoidable shutdown that prioritizes politics above all else.” Your reaction, and would you accept a deal, Leader Schumer, that doesn’t include an extension of those Obamacare subsidies?

Okay. Well, President Trump, as you know —

Yeah. Well, President Trump, as you know, is threatening mass firings of federal workers. Thousands of them, he says. Back in March when you were talking to the Republicans, that was one of your big sticking points. You said, “I don’t want to see federal workers fired.” Here’s what you told me back in March. Let’s take a listen.

(Video Clip)

Leader Schumer, is the difference this time the immense pressure you are getting from your base to stand up to and fight President Trump?

You know, back in March you told me that you didn’t have an off-ramp. What is your off-ramp this time if the government does shut down? Do you have one?

I have to turn to the other big news. We have been tracking the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey. He’s accused of lying to the Senate back in 2020. You heard my conversation with Leader Thune. He notes the fact that he was indicted by a federal grand jury. He also says he wants to let the process play out. Do you trust, do you have faith in the judicial system?

You’re talking about executive authority, and I want to ask you broadly. We just learned, Leader Schumer, that President Trump is saying he now wants to send federal troops into Portland, Oregon. What is your reaction to that? Leader Thune defended it. What say you?

Thirty seconds. Is there anything you can do to stop it in Congress?

Okay. Well, we’ll watch it very closely.

Leader Chuck Schumer, thank you so much for being here.

Great to see you. We really appreciate it. When we come back, is President Trump using his power to punish his critics? The panel is next.

Meet The Press Panel Discussion

Welcome back. The panel is here: David Remnick, editor ofThe New Yorker; former Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson; and Peggy Noonan, columnist for the Wall Street Journal. Thanks to all of you for being here. David, I want to start with you. We obviously just talked to both of our guests about the indictment of former FBI Director, James Comey, and the fact that President Trump has said, “There will be others.” Two very different responses from Leader Thune and Leader Schumer. Where do you see this going next?

Secretary Johnson, pick up on that point. David is calling this extraordinary, a movement toward authoritarianism. You’ve seen the details that have been released so far of the case against former FBI Director James Comey, someone who you know, who you’ve worked with. Is there a case here? Is this going to go to trial? And do you see this as an inflection point as well?

Peggy, talk big picture, because President Trump campaigned on a promise of retribution. But he said, including in an interview with me, “My success will be my retribution.” Is this what Republican voters wanted? And is this what they voted for?

Well, and the other big difference is congressional oversight. This is part of what I asked Leader Schumer about. What if anything — he was clearly opposed to sending troops into Portland — what, if anything, can be done about it? He signaled that he is looking into what Congress can do. But do you anticipate that Congress can or will do anything in terms of oversight here, David?

All right. Well, we will pause this part of our conversation. But please stick around. We have a lot more to get to with our panel. We also have a quick programming note. Former New York governor and New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo was set to appear on the show this morning. On Saturday, he canceled his appearance with us. We do hope to have him on in the near future. When we come back, Jimmy Kimmel returned to the air this week. We look at the role of comedy and politics. Our Meet the Press Minute is next.

Meet the Press Minute

Welcome back. Jimmy Kimmel returned to late night this week, days after being pulled off the air in a move that sparked concerns about free speech. And with Stephen Colbert’s show slated to end next year, a decision framed as financial but one that still raised eyebrows. It’s a reminder of how comedians have long used their platforms to make political points. Back in 2012, Colbert was still playing a satirical cable news pundit on The Colbert Report. And he joined Meet the Press to explain the role of comedy in politics.

When we come back, are Democrats taking on President Trump with the right strategy? More with the panel next.

More Meet The Press Panel Discussion

Welcome back. The panel is back with us. Secretary Johnson, everyone’s going to meet on Monday at the White House to try to keep the government open. Do you think Democrats — who did work with Republicans back in March — do you think their strategy might work? Because Leader Schumer didn’t seem to be backing down off of this healthcare demand.

Peggy, pick up on that point. And how do you see this from a leadership perspective? Do you think — I mean, it seems to me part of the difference in this battle, quite frankly, the political backdrop is a bit different in that you have a Democratic base that’s incredibly fired up, that’s saying, “We’re willing to suffer the political pain of a government shutdown.” Whereas they may not have been as willing in March.

Well, and to that point, David Remnick, you just had a fascinating conversation with Ezra Klein about one of the former leaders of the Democratic Party, former President Barack Obama. To what extent should he be inserting himself? Ezra Klein says, “More.” But there’s a debate about that. Could he overstep? What is the takeaway, and do you think that former President Obama should be more engaged?

Secretary Johnson, he was obviously your former boss. And there is this sense that there is a leadership vacuum right now in the Democratic Party. How do you see this?

So far, we haven’t seen that though. We’re starting to see some voices come forward, Peggy, but is there a leadership vacuum on the Democratic side that is fueling and, frankly, emboldening President Trump?

All right. Well, this is just a tremendous conversation. Thank you all so much for being a part of it. We really appreciate it. 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.