Morning Joe – June 13, 2025

Hosts: Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, with guests Jonathan Lemire, Katty Kay, Richard Haass, and David Ignatius.

I. Israel Launches Operation Rising Lion Against Iran

Overview of Operation Rising Lion

At approximately [00:54] in the episode, co-host Kier Simmons reported that Israel has initiated "Operation Rising Lion," a targeted military campaign aimed at neutralizing what it perceives as the existential threat posed by Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the operation would persist "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat."

Details of Strikes and Targets

Kier Simmons elaborated at [03:36], stating that Israel deployed around 200 aircraft in an extensive airstrike targeting over ten locations across Iran, including nuclear facilities and key military installations. "More than 100 UAVs drones from Iran heading towards Israel," he noted, highlighting the scale and precision of the attack.

US Reaction and Statements by Secretary Rubio

At [09:47], the discussion shifted to the United States' stance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the strikes as "unilateral" and emphasized that the U.S. was not directly involved. He warned, “Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,” underscoring the administration's intention to distance itself from the operation while expressing concern over regional stability.

Analysis by Experts

• David Ignatius ([07:31]): Compared the strikes to a "decapitation strike," targeting Iran's top military leadership with precision intelligence, akin to Israel's previous actions against Hezbollah. He questioned the likelihood of diplomatic solutions given the escalating violence.

• Richard Haass ([12:02]): Clarified that Israel's actions were preventive, not preemptive, under international law. He expressed skepticism about the prospects for renewed diplomacy, suggesting that retaliation from Iran could unfold over months or years.

II. Implications and Possible Retaliations

Potential Iranian Responses and Regional Impact

Kier Simmons at [14:35] discussed the anxiety in the Gulf states, particularly regarding the Houthis in Yemen's capability to retaliate. The deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles intensifies fears of broader conflict, with regional allies like Jordan cautiously shooting down Iranian drones targeting Israel.

US Diplomatic Stance

David Ignatius ([19:25]) highlighted the United States' minimal involvement, suggesting that while the U.S. was aware of the strikes, it did not actively participate. He speculated that Israeli actions were a response to the Trump administration's diplomatic approach towards Iran, potentially undermining efforts to negotiate a nuclear agreement.

III. Domestic Issue: Control of California's National Guard

Court Ruling and Administrative Actions

At [27:22], the discussion turned to the Trump administration's temporary control over California's National Guard troops amid ongoing protests in Los Angeles. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled the deployment unlawful, but the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily paused this decision, maintaining the status quo pending further hearings.

Expert Insights

• Lisa Rubin ([29:06]): Explained the legal intricacies of the ruling, emphasizing that the administration's justification for deploying the Guard lacked sufficient grounds under the Posse Comitatus Act.

• Planned Parenthood Representative ([27:00]): Argued that while the deployment was legally permissible, it was not advisable, citing potential escalation of protest activities.

• Richard Haass ([34:01]): Suggested that overreach by the federal government could exacerbate the situation, leading to increased unrest.

IV. Incident Involving Senator Alex Padilla at a Press Conference

Description of the Incident

A United States senator from California, Alex Padilla, was forcibly removed from a Homeland Security press conference after attempting to ask a question. Video footage at [35:27] showed Padilla being handcuffed despite identifying himself as a senator.

Conflicting Accounts and Reactions

• Secretary Kristi Noem ([36:55]): Claimed Padilla did not identify himself and behaved disruptively.

• Jen Psaki ([38:23]): Criticized the Department of Homeland Security's handling of the situation, questioning Secretary Noem's ability to de-escalate conflicts effectively.

• Jonathan Lemire ([41:08]): Highlighted the discrepancy between official statements and video evidence, suggesting a deliberate attempt to undermine Congress.

Expert Analysis

• David French: Described the incident as indicative of deeper political tensions and a potential escalation towards violence within political discourse.

• Maria Theresa Kumar: Emphasized the alarming nature of the incident, reflecting increased threats of violence against elected officials and the erosion of democratic processes.

V. President Trump's Immigration Policies

Protecting Undocumented Workers

President Trump addressed concerns about undocumented workers during discussions at [47:12], stating, “We’re going to have to do something about that... We’re going to have to use a lot of common sense on that.”

Expert Commentary

• Maria Theresa Kumar ([48:23]): Critiqued the administration’s policies, advocating for pathways to citizenship and highlighting the essential contributions of undocumented workers to the economy. She stressed the human impact of mass deportations, especially on families with long-term residency.

• Jen Psaki ([48:05]): Pointed out the contradictions in the administration's stance, noting the dependency of Social Security on undocumented workers and the broader societal implications of aggressive immigration enforcement.

VI. President Trump's Military Parade Celebrating the US Army's 250th Anniversary

Overview of the Parade

Scheduled for [51:09], the parade in Washington commemorates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and coincides with President Trump’s 79th birthday, estimated to cost upwards of $50 million.

Expert Perspectives

• Jonathan Lemire ([52:37]): Expressed concerns not about the parade itself but the surrounding context of military escalation and the strained relationship between the president and regional authorities.

• Jon Meacham ([54:30]): Reflected on the historical significance of the U.S. Army and questioned whether current national actions align with the foundational principles of the Declaration of Independence.

• Katty Kay ([54:30]): Emphasized the importance of honoring the Army's legacy while urging the nation to assess whether current political actions uphold American democratic values.

VII. Additional Content

• Upcoming Topics: The episode also previewed upcoming segments on California's National Guard, Senate incidents, and President Trump's actions.

• Podcasts and Advertisements: Brief mentions of other MSNBC content, including the Best People podcast with Nicole Wallace and advertisements for services like Thumbtack and Udemy were presented but were excluded from in-depth coverage as per summary guidelines.

This detailed summary encapsulates the critical discussions, expert analyses, and key statements from the June 13, 2025, episode of Morning Joe, providing a comprehensive overview for those who did not attend the live broadcast.