Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan

Extended Interview: America's Governors Panel

Date: February 23, 2026
Guests:

• Gov. Laura Kelly (D-Kansas)
• Gov. Andy Beshear (D-Kentucky)
• Gov. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio)
• Gov. Mike Braun (R-Indiana)
  Host: Margaret Brennan

Episode Overview

This special episode brings together four governors—two Democrats and two Republicans—for a candid, bipartisan discussion on contemporary issues affecting their states and the nation. The panel tackles recent developments in trade and tariffs, immigration and border security, the polarized political climate, and the dynamics of governing across partisan divides. The conversation provides on-the-ground insight into how federal decisions are impacting states, the real-world effects of policy, and the ways in which bipartisan cooperation can address America's most pressing challenges.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Supreme Court Ruling on Tariffs and Its Economic Impact

[00:24–11:34]

• Supreme Court Ruling Context:
  Brennan opens discussion with the recent 6:3 Supreme Court decision that President Trump overstepped his authority in imposing certain tariffs using a 1977 law. Governors respond to how this could affect their states’ economies.

• Impact on Agriculture and Manufacturing:

  • Gov. Kelly (KS): Hopeful decision will help the battered agricultural sector.

    "They've been hit very, very hard by these tariffs, and I'm hoping that this court decision will reverse some of those and allow them to get back to business again." (01:36)

  • Gov. Beshear (KY): Argues tariffs are a tax on Americans, particularly hard on bourbon and new construction:

    "Tariffs are attacks on the American people. ... We've seen parts of the economy slow down because of it. It can add 30% more cost to a new construction project…" (02:02)

  • Gov. Braun (IN): Mixed view. For Indiana, tariffs initially began to return investment and manufacturing jobs:

    "So Indiana's along with Wisconsin, the two biggest states per capita manufacturing. So tariffs would have been a plus due to industries that have been hollowed out." (02:53)
    But he stresses balance: "The key is, is trade has to be fair and free." (02:59)

• Inflation, Investment & Long-Term Effects:

  • Gov. DeWine (OH): Mixed effects—harms agriculture/retail, but catalyzed local production and investment:

    "For agriculture, particularly soybeans, for example, it was not helpful. But we are a manufacturing state...and I think as a manufacturing state, we're seeing some new investment coming in." (05:09-06:02)

• Automation and Worker Impact:

  • Concerns raised about new manufacturing jobs being automated, but DeWine and Braun emphasize that tech adoption has been ongoing and can ultimately boost productivity and employment.

    "We've been doing that for, for, for decades...That doesn't mean they're not employing people." – DeWine (06:15) "Technology is something we've woven into our own business...if it increases productivity, it's going to be a blessing." – Braun (06:37)

• Policy Uncertainty:

  • All stress the importance of stability and congressional engagement in trade policy, rather than executive fiat.

    "If a president can wield this authority that he was trying to, then you see the chaos we've seen ..." – Beshear (07:33) "What I'd like to see is...a more thoughtful approach...being very careful when you're looking at what impact it has on small businesses and agriculture." – Kelly (08:04)

• Consensus on U.S. Trade Deficit:

  • Both Braun and DeWine emphasize the unsustainability of chronic trade and fiscal deficits.

    "We're on a bad business plan, because we're turning into a debtor nation in our trading account and in our fiscal account." – Braun (11:05)

2. Federalism and the Limits of Executive Power in Tariff Policy

[08:49–11:34]

• Most governors agree that the president should not have unchecked power to impose tariffs; such decisions must go through Congress for thorough debate and assessment.

"But if we allow a president to do this, he can tax the American people on his own without Congress." – Beshear (11:28)

3. Immigration, Border Security, and Workforce

[11:34–25:12]

• State-Federal Law Enforcement Partnerships (Kansas):

  • Kelly clarifies that Kansas seeks cooperation, but ICE can complicate things, risking confusion and resource drain for locals.

    "I think when ICE comes into your state, that it creates some problems for your local law enforcement. Because it's sort of a who's on first, who's in charge here?" (12:29)

• ICE Enforcement, Human Rights and State Legislation (Kentucky):

  • Beshear supports border security but decries abusive ICE tactics, calling for retraining.

    "How we show our humanity or our lack thereof, shackling people's legs, putting them in cages that we would not put animals in is wrong." (14:22) "I've never seen a law enforcement agency, state, local or federal act with the same tactics that ICE does." (15:30)

• Haitian Community and TPS (Ohio):

  • DeWine condemns moves to revoke Temporary Protected Status for Haitians; cites their positive impact on local economies and communities.

    "Frankly, one of the reasons [Springfield] is coming back is because of the Haitians who are working there...It's been a big boost to the economy." (16:58–18:58)

• Legal vs. Illegal Immigration, Work Permits (Indiana):

  • Braun points to workforce needs and the benefit of legal immigration, but blames prior administrations' policy for current border chaos.

    "Indiana, among the peer states, has the lowest unemployment rate and we've got the highest economic growth rate, too...There was even a conversation...about governors getting more involved in work permits and bringing people in..." (21:12–22:41)

• Historical Perspective—Immigration and Workforce Issues:

  • Kelly reminds all these challenges predate both the Trump and Biden administrations, calling for long-term bipartisan reform.

    "Immigration, legal immigration and workforce have been issues forever. These are decades-old..." (24:16)

• Bipartisan Consensus:

  • Beshear and others agree on the need for common sense, responsible immigration reform that meets economic needs.

    "Full bipartisan agreement on that one." – Beshear (25:02)

4. Political Rhetoric and Policy Environment

[25:12–31:49]

• Threats to Lawmakers and Rhetoric's Impact:

  • Braun recounts his experience being targeted after criticism by the president, highlighting the personal risk involved in governance today.

    "There's a political consequence to anything that you do. And in this case, when it bucks the president..." (26:18)

  • He discusses gerrymandering, observing both parties are guilty and that calls for more balance.

• Tamping Down Hostility, Focusing on Problem-Solving:

  • DeWine stresses practical governance in the face of bomb threats and national attention.

    "You do what you have to do. That's what all Governors do...We solve problems or we try to solve problems every single day." (28:11–29:05)

• Bipartisan Lessons from State Governments:

  • Kelly and Beshear credit their success to building relationships across the aisle, advocating for respect and practical negotiation at the national level.

    "My approach has always been to go across the aisle, form relationships and get things done." – Kelly (29:29) "I think governors can [bring this to DC]. My approach is to spend 80% of my time on things that matter to 100% of the people..." – Beshear (31:10)

  • Beshear emphasizes infrastructure and core issues as nonpartisan and universally important.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

Tariffs, Trade, and Authority

• "Tariffs are attacks on the American people. ... We've seen parts of the economy slow down because of it. It can add 30% more cost to a new construction project..." – Gov. Beshear (02:02)
• "The key is, is trade has to be fair and free." – Gov. Braun (02:59)
• "We're on a bad business plan, because we're turning into a debtor nation in our trading account and in our fiscal account." – Gov. Braun (11:05)

Immigration and Human Rights

• "How we show our humanity or our lack thereof, shackling people's legs, putting them in cages that we would not put animals in is wrong." – Gov. Beshear (14:22)
• "Frankly, one of the reasons [Springfield] is coming back is because of the Haitians who are working there...It's been a big boost to the economy." – Gov. DeWine (16:58–18:58)
• "Immigration, legal immigration and workforce have been issues forever. These are decades-old..." – Gov. Kelly (24:16)

Political Climate and Governance

• "There's a political consequence to anything that you do. And in this case, when it bucks the president..." – Gov. Braun (26:18)
• "You do what you have to do. That's what all Governors do." – Gov. DeWine (28:11)
• "I think governors can. My approach is to spend 80% of my time on things that matter to 100% of the people..." – Gov. Beshear (31:10)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Tariffs Supreme Court Ruling & State Impact: [00:24–11:34]
• Immigration & Border Security Debates: [11:34–25:12]
• Political Rhetoric, Threats & Policy Environment: [25:12–31:49]
• Lessons for National Governance: [29:29–31:49]

Tone and Takeaways

The conversation is candid, informed, and respectful—even where disagreement exists. The governors combine practical perspectives with personal experience, often returning to the imperative of bipartisan cooperation and pragmatic problem-solving.

The consensus:

• Policy must be thoughtful and measured, not reactionary or driven by executive fiat.
• Both economic and social challenges—trade, immigration, infrastructure—require federal-state partnership and bipartisan consensus.
• While polarization and threats to officials are dangerous, state-level governance still offers hope for collaboration.

This episode offers a rare look at bipartisan leadership, grounding national policy debates in real-world state-level consequences and emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and collaborative problem-solving.