Meet the Press – March 29, 2026

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode, hosted by Kristen Welker, delivers an in-depth examination of the ongoing U.S. war with Iran, its political, economic, and security fallout at home, and the related domestic crises: a deepening government shutdown and a Homeland Security funding impasse. Welker is joined by Republican Senator James Lankford (Oklahoma) and Democratic Senator Cory Booker (New Jersey), along with a panel of journalists and strategists for analysis. The discussion spans prospects for diplomacy, debates over U.S. military escalation, political accountability, the global energy shock, and Democratic prospects in an energized antiwar climate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The State of the U.S.-Iran War (01:06–05:16)

• The U.S. marks one month of war with Iran: 13 Americans killed, 300 wounded.
• President Trump considers further troop deployments, leaves open possibility of a ground war ("We negotiate with bombs").
• Economic shock: Stock markets slide, oil prices soar 55% to $112 per barrel.
• Ongoing uncertainty over Trump’s shifting deadlines for Strait of Hormuz blockade and mixed diplomatic signals.

"They are begging to make a deal. Not me... They want to make a deal. The reason they want to make a deal is they have been just beat to [sic]." — President Donald Trump (04:13)

2. Interview: Senator James Lankford (R-OK) (04:32–19:48)

A. Military Status and Objectives

• Lankford agrees the U.S. is “winning” but hedges victory ("We are one or winning... there is still work to be done." – 05:24).
• U.S. objectives: halt Iran’s nuclear, missile, and drone programs; reopen Strait of Hormuz; diminish Iranian military assets and proxy capabilities.

B. Regime Change & the New Leadership in Iran

• Welker questions whether U.S. victory can coexist with a hardline regime.
• Lankford: U.S. must deal with whoever is in power, hopes for less hostility, recalls decades of Iranian attacks on Americans.

"Remembering that for 47 years, this regime has been attacking Americans at every opportunity... President Trump has just determined it's going to stop. You're going to stop trying to threaten and kill Americans." — Sen. Lankford (06:22)

C. Destruction of Missile Capabilities

• Lankford distinguishes between missiles and launchers, emphasizing focus on launchers (07:57).

D. U.S. Troop Deployment & Congressional Approval

• Rubio claims objectives can be met without ground troops; Lankford believes pressure is needed (08:38).
• Lankford supports showing force for negotiation leverage but is noncommittal on actual boots in Iran.

"If we have a long standing war that's happening... Yes [Trump would need Congressional approval]. If this is to protect Americans... that's very, very different." — Sen. Lankford (10:43)

• Skeptical that Trump seeks occupation; distinguishes between short missions and longer-term military presence (11:41).

E. Presidential Authority for Military Action

• Lankford opposes Trump's definition games ("military operation" vs. "war").
• Explains Congress’s leverage: funding requests ("That's the moment that Congress always engages." – 12:27).
• Emphasizes distinction between the Iranian people and the regime.

F. Sanctions Relief & Global Oil Crisis

• Welker highlights US sanctions waiver for Russian and Iranian oil—Zelensky says this empowers Putin.
• Lankford insists waivers are temporary, not benefiting Russia, and are a balancing act to address global energy shock (14:07–15:24).

G. Homeland Security Funding Impasse

• Senate passed DHS funding, House GOP rejected over ICE/CBP funding disagreements.
• Lankford accuses Democrats of unreasonable ICE restrictions, but claims ICE/CBP were "pre-funded" previously (16:02–18:01).
• Airport security is "safe" due to unpaid patriot workers, but critical gaps remain (18:34).
• Lankford touts his bipartisan bill to prevent future shutdowns (19:41).

3. Interview: Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) (21:30–33:40)

A. Booker’s Critique of the Trump Administration & War

• Booker sharply opposes Trump’s Iran policy, calling it a historic blunder:

"This President is pushing us further and further into a conflict with no foreseeable off ramp... and he still has not come to Congress for any kind of authorization for what is clearly not just a war, but the biggest military engagement we've had since Afghanistan. This president is off the chain and we are in a global crisis of his causing." — Sen. Booker (22:15)

• Argues U.S. objectives (nuclear rollback, regime change) are unmet; a more extreme regime has emerged.

B. Regime Change & Security Threats

• War has degraded Iran’s near-term combat ability but left asymmetric proxy threats intact (23:54).
• Warns the administration lacks a plan and has bypassed Congress and strategic allies.

"He did not consult with Congress. He did not come and make his case to us or the American people or strategic allies in the region. This is a president that is failing this moment and making matters worse for Americans. He's a man of chaos and corruption, and we're seeing that now on a global scale." — Sen. Booker (24:23)

C. DHS Shutdown and ICE Reforms

• Booker links the shutdown to Trump’s leadership failure.
• Defends Democratic position: pay TSA, no more funds for "reckless" ICE, opposes anti-immigrant actions and warrants.

"I don't want ICE mass people jumping out of unmarked cars, slamming Americans to the pavement, barreling into their homes without sufficient warrants... I'm not funding... another dollar [for ICE]." — Sen. Booker (26:14)

• Argues Democrats forced Senate GOP to "come to their senses" on TSA funding, blames House Republicans for prolonging chaos (27:24).

D. Democratic Party, Purity Tests, and Booker's Future

• Discusses his new book, Stand; calls for broader Democratic coalitions and new leadership:

"Coalitions that are only composed of the already converted cannot change the country... If everyone in your coalition agrees with you on everything, your coalition is too small." — Book excerpt read by Welker (29:31)

• Advocates generational renewal and unity, says challenges go beyond Trump, require "new moral imagination" (29:31–30:30).
• Does not rule out a presidential bid, underscores teamwork with new wife (30:52–31:35).

E. Booker's Philosophy: “Love Your Enemies”

• Reaffirms his Christian message of loving adversaries; rejects responding to hate with hate:

"Never let somebody pull you so low as to hate him. That doesn't mean I won't fight him with ferocity... But God bless America. Our Declaration of Independence ends with those profound words... our sacred honor." — Sen. Booker (32:20)

4. Panel Analysis & Broader Impacts (35:20–49:32)

A. War Diplomacy, Military, and Regional Dynamics

• Andrea Mitchell: Gulf leaders urge no U.S. ground troops; regional destabilization, rebuilding needs in Lebanon, Gaza, West Bank; skepticism about real diplomatic progress given assassinations of Iranian leaders (35:44–37:41).
• Tyler Pager: Talks are not true negotiations; U.S. proposals largely unchanged from prewar; Iran has gained leverage via oil chokehold (38:06).
• Sarah Fagan: Most GOP remains pro-war/Trump, but real test will come if war drags or escalates (39:17).
• Adrian Elrod: Democrats are holding Trump accountable for lack of strategy, weak State of the Union coverage of the war, and potential polling weakness (40:21).

B. Global Economic Crisis

• Andrea Mitchell: Worst energy crisis ever, broad supply chain impacts (fertilizer, food, chemicals). Asian economies already affected; Iran and Houthis’ actions threaten Red Sea trade and Saudi routes (42:01–43:14).

C. Domestic Political Fallout

• Tyler Pager: President Trump’s poll numbers at new lows; gas prices and government dysfunction are potent long-term political risks (45:30).
• Andrea Mitchell: Massive antiwar/pro-democracy rallies could widen Democratic and independent engagement (46:56).
• Sarah Fagan & Adrian Elrod: GOP divided by the funding fight, risking the party’s ability to manage the basic functions of government. If unresolved, could cost votes and hand Democrats a narrative advantage heading into the midterms (47:50–49:32).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "We are one or winning... if you want to talk about the military objectives, just about every one of those objectives have been hit and have been hit early." — Sen. Lankford (05:24)
• "This President is off the chain and we are in a global crisis of his causing." — Sen. Booker (22:15)
• "It's time for a new vision of our country that's far more uniting, that brings people together, doesn't deepen divides." — Sen. Booker (29:31)
• "Never let somebody pull you so low as to hate him... Hate is going to tear our country apart." — Sen. Booker (32:20)
• "Gulf leaders are telling the White House: do not do ground troops, that will change the whole nature of this..." — Andrea Mitchell (35:54)
• "The worst energy crisis we've ever seen, actually... this is not a blip... global food shortage..." — Andrea Mitchell (42:01)
• "Massive rallies now getting extra fuel from the antiwar movement... could energize the base more than just Democrats, but independents, which is critical." — Andrea Mitchell (46:56)
• "If this goes on for months and months, and months, coupled with the fallout from Jeffrey Epstein, inflation, a potential long war, that is not going to be a great day for Republicans." — Sarah Fagan (47:50)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:06] — War with Iran overview, Trump’s position
• [04:32] — Start of Lankford interview
• [10:43] — Congressional approval, war powers
• [13:35] — Waiving sanctions, economic repercussions
• [15:24] — Homeland Security shutdown debate begins
• [21:30] — Start of Booker interview
• [22:15] — Booker's broad critique of Trump & the war
• [25:43] — DHS shutdown, ICE debate
• [29:31] — Book excerpt, coalition-building discussion
• [31:29] — Booker on 2026 presidential bid
• [35:20] — Panel analysis begins
• [42:01] — Andrea Mitchell, global energy crisis
• [45:30] — Panel on politics, polls, and protests
• [47:50] — GOP infighting over shutdown

Summary Flow

The episode is a sweeping analysis of deeply intertwined American foreign and domestic crises, with sharp partisan contrasts between Lankford’s measured support for Trump’s military campaign and Booker’s excoriation of “presidential failure.” Both senators dig into the details of the Iran conflict, the prospects and risks of escalation, and the domestic consequences—from air travel disruptions to security fears and rising economic pain at home. The panel contextualizes these events, tracing shifting political energy, the crosscurrents in both parties, and the broader historical significance of the economic and antiwar fallout. For listeners, this episode offers a critical snapshot of a country at war abroad and in political upheaval at home.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intro/outro, and non-content segments as requested.