This is the transcript of an interview with National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, featured on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on March 23, 2025.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Good morning, and welcome to “Face the Nation.” There is much to discuss concerning domestic issues, but we start with national security. In just a few hours, U.S. officials will engage in discussions with Ukraine, followed by a separate meeting with Russia tomorrow, aiming for a 30-day ceasefire. Concurrently, the Trump administration is bolstering the U.S. military presence in the Middle East by deploying a second aircraft carrier to the region. Let’s begin with White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. It’s great to have you here.
WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER MIKE WALTZ: Thank you, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The Iran-backed Houthis continue their attacks on Israel. What has the past week of bombardment accomplished? If Iran is being held accountable, what are the next steps?
MIKE WALTZ: We have targeted significant Houthi leadership, including their chief missile strategist. We’ve struck their command centers, communication hubs, arms factories, and even some of their drone facilities. In recent days, President Trump has opted for a much more aggressive stance against the Houthis compared to the previous administration, where weeks or months would pass between limited strikes. As a result, one of the globe’s most vital shipping routes has been compromised. These forces are functioning similarly to al Qaeda or ISIS, but with advanced cruise and ballistic missiles, supported by sophisticated air defense systems from Iran. Just to illustrate the stakes here, the last time one of our destroyers passed through those straits, it faced 23 attacks. Now, 75% of U.S. flag shipping is rerouted around Africa rather than passing through the Suez Canal. Maintaining open sea lanes is crucial for our national security. The previous administration was ineffective, but under President Trump, we are pursuing a far more robust and, I believe, effective strategy.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The president stated he would hold Iran accountable as well. Envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned that Iran had reacted to this U.S. outreach through various channels. Regarding a letter sent by the president, Witkoff characterized it as an offer to Iran to “establish a verification program to alleviate concerns about the weaponization of [your] nuclear materials.” Can you clarify? Is the U.S. pursuing the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program, or merely verification, similar to what President Obama set up in 2015 and which President Trump subsequently exited?
MIKE WALTZ: We are demanding full dismantlement. Iran must entirely abandon its program in a way that is transparent to the global community.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Have they expressed interest in this?
MIKE WALTZ: As President Trump has stated, we are reaching a pivotal moment. All options remain available, and Iran needs to completely renounce its quest for a nuclear arsenal. It is essential that they do not maintain any nuclear weapons program.
(BEGIN CROSSTALK)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Have they responded →
MIKE WALTZ: That constitutes weaponization—
MARGARET BRENNAN: → to the president’s peace talk initiative?
(END CROSSTALK)
MIKE WALTZ: That relates to their missile development program. Just think about it. We’ve witnessed the havoc they wreak through their proxies, including Hezbollah, the Assad regime, and the Houthis. If they were to acquire nuclear weapons, the entire Middle East would plunge into an arms race, which is intolerable for our national security. I’m not going to disclose specifics about the ongoing negotiations, but it’s critical to note that Iran is at its most vulnerable state since 1979, largely due to the actions of Hezbollah, Hamas, the Assad regime, and the destruction of its air defenses by the Israelis.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Does that imply there’s still room for diplomacy? I understand you won’t elaborate—
MIKE WALTZ: Certainly, the President has various strategies at his disposal. However, let me emphasize that this is not the tit-for-tat we witnessed under the Obama or Biden administrations. This is a comprehensive program: relinquish it, or face repercussions.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Shifting gears to domestic concerns, can you update us on Tren de Aragua, TdA, which the Trump administration has classified as a terrorist organization? Recently, 238 Venezuelan individuals were returned to El Salvador, with 137 deported under the rarely invoked 1789 Alien Enemies Act. This act permits detention and deportation without a preliminary court hearing for individuals from wartime nations. In a hearing last Friday, it was mentioned that El Salvador refused two individuals: one due to gender, as they can’t hold women in maximum-security facilities, and another individual was not Venezuelan at all. How can such significant errors occur?
MIKE WALTZ: We’ll address these individual cases on a case-by-case basis. However, the core issue here is twofold—
MARGARET BRENNAN: Are you acknowledging a mistake, then?
MIKE WALTZ: I can’t comment on the specifics of those individual situations, but I can state that President Trump has categorized this group as a terrorist organization. They are inflicting terror in our communities through violence, torture, and heinous acts. Additionally, the Alien and Sedition Act is applicable here because we have determined that this group acts as a proxy for the Maduro regime.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Just to clarify, this statute applies if the U.S. is at war with a nation. You are asserting—
MIKE WALTZ: We assert that TdA is functioning as a proxy for the Maduro administration. This is the basis for invoking the Alien and Sedition Act, and we cannot allow district judges to undermine the Commander in Chief’s capability to manage a designated terrorist group as he sees fit.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, does that mean the U.S. is at war with Venezuela?
MIKE WALTZ: We can debate Articles Two and Three; it’s a valid discussion. Nevertheless, the Commander in Chief, President Trump, is taking decisive measures to eliminate these gangs, which are operating in a paramilitary fashion. We understand that Maduro is intentionally emptying his prisons to influence and assault the United States.
MARGARET BRENNAN: That marks a significant distinction.
MIKE WALTZ: Exactly, that is the essence of the matter.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The U.S. is not at war with Venezuela, yet the Attorney General mentioned this might reach the Supreme Court—
MIKE WALTZ: That’s acceptable, but—
MARGARET BRENNAN: It appears you are eager for this confrontation.
MIKE WALTZ: No, but Margaret, there are documented instances wherein the IRGC from Iran has coordinated with Mexican cartels to perpetrate attacks within the U.S. We have taken decisive action to counter that, and we aim to likewise confront this issue. Our priority is clear: the American populace is weary of being terrorized by these gangs.
(BEGIN CROSSTALK)
MARGARET BRENNAN: While no one supports gangs, the concern—
MIKE WALTZ: It seems that way. This narrative resonates within the Democratic camp—
MARGARET BRENNAN: There is apprehension—
MIKE WALTZ: —from their side. I can assure you that this specific judge wanted to divert a flight filled with gang members, who had intelligence packets detailing their activities—
MARGARET BRENNAN: One woman was transported to a men’s facility, and El Salvador declined her entry.
MIKE WALTZ: Well, that may be the case—
MARGARET BRENNAN: The concern arises from suspending individuals’ right to court—
MIKE WALTZ: —I can’t comment on individual particulars, but—
MARGARET BRENNAN: —it is crucial to ensure accurate identification of these individuals as gang affiliates.
(END CROSSTALK)
MIKE WALTZ: Allegedly, every one of them was in the country illegally. Therefore, we have every right, and should, deport each individual. Should you wish to exempt one, that’s your prerogative. Yet the foundation of this action is the Alien Act, which empowers the Commander in Chief to proceed accordingly.
(END CROSSTALK)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’ll continue this discussion shortly with the Chair of the Homeland Security Committee, Rand Paul. I must address Ukraine with you, as we pursue active diplomacy. Reports indicate that Ukrainians have accepted the U.S. ceasefire offer without preconditions, while the Russians are only willing to hold back on energy infrastructure. What is the objective of the upcoming discussions in Saudi Arabia?
MIKE WALTZ: To begin with, we are closer to achieving peace than we have ever been. This initiative started with President Trump engaging both leaders in succession. Secretary of State Rubio and I then interacted with both the Russians and Ukrainians at our level. Currently, we have technical teams collaborating with both parties in the same location, conducting proximity talks. The immediate focus will be on a ceasefire regarding aerial infrastructure, which was instituted following President Trump’s recent call with President Putin. Next, we aim to establish a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, enabling both sides to resume the trade of grain and fuel. Subsequently, discussions will shift to the line of control, specifically addressing front line details, verification processes, peacekeeping measures, and eventually, enduring peace negotiations, which may encompass territory discussions and potential security guarantees as expressed by the Ukrainians.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The president has indicated a desire to see the return of Ukrainian children removed by Russia in a state-sponsored effort to assimilate them. Why did the State Department suspend funding for a Yale University program dedicated to locating these children? There are senators, including Grassley and Tillis, inquiring about this issue. Do you have any insights?
MIKE WALTZ: Secretary Rubio is reviewing all relevant programs. While I can’t comment on that specific case, I can affirm that President Trump has had discussions with both leaders concerning prisoner exchanges. Notably, both Russia and Ukraine exchanged nearly 200 prisoners shortly after their conversation. He also emphasized the importance of addressing the futures of these children. This represents a foundational confidence-building measure. However, we must reflect on the broader picture; just a few months ago, there was no dialogue regarding the conclusion of this war, prompting us to consider the potential landscape a year, two years, or three years ahead. We were stagnating in an endless impasse, but now we have both parties present in the same facility, putting into practice President Trump’s vision for resolving this conflict, a key aspect of his campaign.
MARGARET BRENNAN: To clarify, do you see the release of these children as part of the confidence-building measures?
MIKE WALTZ: That’s one of the various confidence-building measures we’re discussing.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Thank you, Mike Waltz.
MIKE WALTZ: Thank you.
MARGARET BRENNAN: “Face the Nation” will return after this short break. Stay with us.
