A GOP congressman had to answer for high gas prices after Trump announced an extended blockade of Iran, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth came under fire for the impact back home.
CNN journalist Brianna Keilar described the gas prices as "astounding," as the national average price has risen since last week by about 20 cents to $4.28 per gallon. Keilar asked Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) if his constituents would "agree that the price is worth it when it comes to Iran not acquiring a nuclear bomb."
Keilar noted that the price per gallon in his district is about $4.38.
"Do you really think that if Iran had a nuclear weapon and they were able to --" before Keilar cut him off.
"I'm not asking you about what I think," Keilar interrupted. "I'm talking about constituents. I think sometimes when they're having a tough time paying bills, it's hard for them to think about geopolitical scenarios."
"It's my job to make sure they think about geopolitical scenarios, because it affects their pocketbook every day," Gimenez said. "If Iran had a nuclear weapon, they could put a chokehold on the Stait [of Hormuz] any time they wanted to, and gas prices would be much higher."
Keilar followed up by asking if "constituents are receptive to that message?"
CNN anchor Brianna Keilar pressed Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO) as Trump's Department of Justice moved forward with a second indictment against former FBI Director James Comey that stemmed from an image of seashells that said "8647."
Keilar was speaking with Alford during a live broadcast from Capitol Hill when the news surfaced that Comey was facing a second indictment and that it was over an image he had apparently posted and later removed on Instagram of a seashell formation on a beach walk in North Carolina. The caption on his post said, "Cool shell formation on my beach walk."
"Is that serious enough to merit [an indictment]?" Keilar asked.
"James Comey isa very intelligent man. I wouldassume he knows what the term 86means," Alford said. "I was a waiter for sometime when you 86 an order, youkill the order when you. 8645,that is tantamount to sayingkilling the president of the United States. He should haveknown that,"
Keilar pushed back on Alford's comments.
"When you 86 an order, youget rid of the order, right. Butyou're not actually I mean,you're not killing the food. Ijust want to be clear," Keilar added.
"When you entered the order, when youuse the same principle, Brianna,we can, we can agree to disagree," Alford responded.
"I hear what you're saying,but there could be room fordebate on that," Keilar said.
"Why even put something outthere like that?" Alford asked.
"I mean, a very good question,but do you, a very good question.I mean, do you indict over it ismy question?" Keilar pressed again.
"I don't I have not seen thisspecific indictment. What is thecharge?" Alford asked.
The exact charge or charges have not been immediately released.
A GOP lawmaker admitted that farmers are feeling a crunch under Trump but shrugged off the economic pressures they've felt recently.
CNN's Brianna Keilar pressed Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) to explain how farmers are surviving in a global market affected by war in Iran and a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
"They are so impacted by the strait and the limitations of fertilizer," Keilar told Stutzman, noting he's a fourth-generation farmer. "What that does to the global markets, the cost of diesel, and that kind of thing. And they're really coming off a tough time because of the trade war with China, really hitting a market that was crucial for them. You talk to them, they really just want stability, right?"
Keilar said that farmers "felt that things were going to get a little bit better, and then the rug kind of gets pulled out from underneath them."
Stutzman answered, "You're right," and added that farmers are also struggling to compete with South American soybean farmers. Still, the GOP congressman insisted that farmers are steadfast in their support of Trump.
"Most farmers are saying, 'We get it,'" Stutzman defended. "We understand what President Trump's trying to do. It's having some short-term pain, but in the long-term, we know that it's going to put us in a much better spot."
Stutzman still wants Trump to change course for the sake of farmers, noting that "I won't bet against the American farmer, but any sort of relief that we can get soon is going to be well received."
Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) clashed in a conversation with CNN host Brianna Keilar that left the GOP lawmaker tongue-tied during a live broadcast on Thursday.
The Republican got in the fiery back-and-forth with Keilar after the anchor started asking Husted about the SAVE America Act and raised questions over whether the legislation backed by the Trump administration and conservatives would disenfranchise voters. Husted was reacting after a vote on his voter ID amendment failed, while President Donald Trump has pressured Republicans to end the filibuster, fund the Department of Homeland Security and pass the SAVE America Act.
Keilar pointed to Husted's previous experiences investigating voter fraud, calling out how few cases of fraud would potentially justify the now-stalled legislation.
"If you're going to let me finish so I can get the facts, my bill doesn't have any registration requirements," Husted said. "My amendment that we just voted on, that no Democrat voted on was photo ID exactly what we have in Ohio. The exact same tools that they have in Georgia that they have in other states, Wisconsin, we use the same tools. They still are unwilling to say 'yes' to the most simple part of election integrity. And that is a photo ID."
But Keilar pushed back — and kept cutting off the senator.
"Can you be a little clear on that?" Keilar asked, pressing the noticeably frustrated lawmaker again while they both continued to interrupt each other.
CNN hosts were taken aback by how angry President Donald Trump was Friday after the Supreme Court struck down his tariffs.
Anchors Boris Sanchez and Brianna Keilar were talking to senior White House correspondent Kristen Holmes about Trump's reaction to the Supreme Court's ruling — and how noticeably upset he appeared to be during it. Trump called the move "deeply disappointing" during a press conference and his first public reaction to the high court's decision. He also said that the SCOTUS justices who voted against his tariffs are "barely" invited to his State of the Union address next week, saying, "I couldn't care less if they come."
"Yeah, he is clearly angry," Holmes said. "He's been seething about this decision. This is the real core tenet of not just his economic agenda, but really his foreign policy agenda as well. He has used these tariffs as leverage, and he said specifically yes, he is going this alternative route. Yes, he is going to be invoking this 10% global tariffs by using the section 122. We know that they are looking into also using section 301. Those are the things those trade law that they're talking about to get this done. But that being said, the reason that they had gone this route initially was because this was quicker. They wanted this to be done quicker. They wanted to be able to instate this quicker. And that is why you're seeing this frustration from President Trump."
Trump was vocal and expressed his annoyance that he wanted his tariffs to continue despite the high court's decision. He also refused to answer CNN questions during the press briefing, calling the network "fake news."
"And I will say there were several interesting things he said. One, he was asked specifically about the two justices that he appointed to the Supreme Court," Holmes said.
Trump had a scathing comment to the justices he had appointed who voted down his tariffs.
"The question that I had also tried to ask, which is whether or not he regretted it, he wouldn't answer that, but he said it was an embarrassment," Holmes said. "This decision to rule against the tariffs was an embarrassment to their families. We know that he has ranted in the past about Supreme Court justices, particularly those he has appointed, who don't rule in his favor, but it was very clear here today that he was incredibly angry; he was angry at the court. He was angry at the people that he put into place. And he said so much, saying that they should be ashamed of themselves and of this decision that they made."
Trump praised the three justices who dissented from the decision, including Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who issued a 63-page dissent.
"Now, one of the things we also saw him do was walk through the dissent from Kavanaugh, who obviously ruled in favor of keeping the tariffs or against them being illegal and said that he that Kavanaugh had sort of set up a roadmap for what they were going to be doing now to instate these tariffs and praised Kavanaugh as well also mentioning that all the Supreme Court justices are still invited to the State of the Union, but barely but again, you could see how angry he was," Holmes said. "This is a core part of what they do what he has been doing, both in terms of economic policy, paying for different programs, saying that these tariffs are going to various different programs and bailouts, as well as when he goes into meetings with these foreign leaders using the tariffs as an enormous amount of leverage and really doing so carte blanche until now."
People within President Donald Trump's Department of Homeland Security on Thursday are reportedly appalled by what they saw in the video showing the moment an ICE agent shot and killed a Minneapolis mother inside her car.
CNN anchor Brianna Keilar described the number of questions raised within Trump's own agency following Vice President JD Vance's comments suggesting that 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was to blame for the fatal shooting, and his complaining about the media over questions surrounding the actions of the ICE officer, since identified as Jonathan Ross.
"We are listening there to Vice President JD Vance, who vehemently blamed Renee Nicole Good for her own death, stressed robust actions that are going to take place for federal fraud investigations in Minnesota. But not much about an investigation into what happened when it came to Good's killing," Keilar said.
In 2022, federal law enforcement agencies prohibited officers from shooting at moving vehicles and updated training policies to include that standard. The Trump administration has cited that Ross reportedly feared for his life, and Vance claimed that he had immunity in the fatal shooting.
"Even as he was lambasting the press for media coverage of all of this, there are a number of people inside of DHS who are aghast at what they saw in that video, and we need to be clear about that," Keilar added. "We are reporting what we have heard from sources. We are reporting what law enforcement, former law enforcement sources familiar with use of force protocols are saying and questions that they are raising about how this was carried out."
"Unfortunately, as you know, Brianna, during the budget debate in July, the Democrats actually used what's called the Byrd Rule in the Senate to take those provisions out. We put them back in. We hope that the Democrats will support our effort to actually reduce premiums so that we can all benefit, not just Obamacare beneficiaries, but all Americans, who are being hit hard by the failure of Obamacare," Haridopolos said.
That's when Keilar stopped him.
"I think anyone who has had to deal with health costs will tell you there are problems. It's been 15 years, though, since Obamacare passed. That's a lot of time to try to address the cost of health care, isn't it?"
Haridopolos then backpedaled.
"I couldn't agree with you more," he said. "Every time we try to push together some different ideas, like we did again this week in the congress, with republicans pushing an idea that actually reduce costs and give more people options as opposed to just Obamacare. As I mentioned, I hope that people look back at July. We passed a measure that would actually reduce Obamacare by 11%. The democrats actually fought it, which is shocking to me because they like us. They said..."
Keilar interjected again, pointed to her question again, and pressed the Republican lawmaker on how the GOP is in power but hasn't changed health care policy in the U.S.
"Let me stop you there... We're talking about addressing health care costs. Right. And I certainly hear your concern with Obamacare," she added. "But if we're talking about addressing health care costs, those have been a problem prior to the passage of Obamacare. They've continued to be a problem after the passage of Obamacare. And I hear what you're saying about this past summer, but it has been 15 years! So when you're talking about trying to address only now these issues of costs, why let these subsidies expire? If you don't have a solution and your party has had a decade and a half to try to come up with one?"
CNN anchor Brianna Keilar called out a Republican for using President Donald Trump's talking points during a fiery interview Thursday.
Keilar was interviewing Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) about the ongoing questions surrounding lethal strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea, just off the coast of Venezuela, and whether Congress was readying for an escalated offense against the country. That's when the conversation got heated.
"He has said no less than 17 times in recent months that land strikes could be coming soon," Keilar said, referring to Trump signaling that the United States could advance attacks on land.
"Yeah, well, I'm just telling you, the briefings we've got, we aren't currently engaged in hostilities directly against Venezuela," Davidson responded. "The boats are not flagged. Venezuelan boats. And what people are calling a blockade is really more of — is targeting sanctioned oil ships. It's not like we're blocking all shipments going in and out of Venezuela."
Keilar pressed Davidson further.
"What — you mean by people, do you mean Trump? Because he called it a blockade," Keilar asked.
"The language is blockade. But the reality is what's going on isn't closure of everything going in and out of the country. It's a targeted enforcement action," Davidson said.
Keilar pushed back with a sharp question.
"The language of the president is blockade. So he's wrong?" Keilar asked.
"It's not a blockade. A blockade would be that there's no flow of goods in and out of Venezuela. So those are distinctions," Davidson added. "And what we're doing is enforcing current law. The administration is clearly not in violation of the War Powers Resolution, currently. And it's also clear, though, as I said in my statement, that if we did engage directly, let's say we deploy Marines on the ground in Venezuela that does cross the war powers and the United States."
Davidson said that the Constitution is clear about how war works and that he's talked to Secretary of State Marco Rubio about it.
"But you said, and I want to focus on war powers, because I know it's something that you're so concerned about," Keilar pushed back. "You said you have high confidence they will seek congressional authority on this. Do you have total confidence because the Trump administration is actually seeking a separate legal opinion to DOJ to provide a justification for launching strikes against land targets in Venezuela? This is what we reported last month. According to a U.S. official. Without getting congressional authorization, though, no decisions have been made yet to move forward with an attack. They were looking for how to do this legally without Congress okaying it."
Davidson admitted that Trump is frustrated with Congress and with their response to the strikes.
"The reality is the Trump administration has provided the briefings. It has communicated. And that's why I have the confidence that I have. Is it certainty? No. And the reality is that President Trump would like to do far more in Venezuela. And I think, look, every president gets frustrated dealing with a legislature. But that's the Constitution," Davidson said.
A heated CNN anchor gave fierce pushback on Tuesday afternoon to a Republican lawmaker who tried to deny hearing pleas from farmers who said they're struggling to make ends meet.
CNN's Brianna Keilar got in a fiery back-and-forth with Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO) after she asked him during a live broadcast about what farmers are saying. Alford claimed that the Trump administration was working to give them more relief when the conversation got heated.
"We are giving the farmers their safety nets through 80% of the farm bill that was passed through the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill,'" Alford said. "Those safety nets are there an increase in reference prices. We are helping the American farmers, Donald J. Trump knows the importance of feeding America and the world, and we're gonna get it done."
Keilar didn't hold back in response.
"But that's not what farmers are telling you, right? I know that you've heard from them," she shot back. "They say they're hurting from tariffs. I know you had a town hall this summer, KMIZ reported about one farmer telling you it's not just that China was retaliating, they're not buying soybeans, even though that's back now, but tariffs actually drove up prices of fertilizer and other farm goods. So, I mean, of this idea of loans, but when you're paying more for goods that you paid a certain price for before, and your margins are pretty slim. Do you think the administration is understanding this? Do you think they're getting that message?"
Alford attempted to blame former President Joe Biden for farmers' current woes.
"They do, and they understand as I do, that it was Joe Biden that drove up the price of fertilizer and fuel with his war," he said.
"Well, no, that's not what this farmer told you. So what do you say to him?" Keilar said, pushing back again.
"Well, that's what I'm telling you. I'm telling you right now," Alford said.
"But that's not what this farmer told you, and he's the farmer who's telling you... excuse me. This farmer you heard him. He said this to you," she said.
"Yes, we need to look at fertilizer prices. Fuel has come down and will continue to come down thanks to Donald Trump," Alford said.
But Keilar still wasn't satisfied with Alford's response and pressed further.
"Are you listening to your constituents? Because he was very clear about why his prices were going up," she said.
"Brianna, I did 15 stops on a town hall tour, one of the few Congress members on the Republican side and the Democrat side to actually do that. Yes ma'am. I listened," he said. "I took 256 questions and sat there and listened. Listened to insults, listened to yelling, listened to name-calling, and answered when they wanted to be respectful. I remember that farmer. I understand his concern, but the large number of farmers in Missouri believe in Donald J. Trump and that he's going to get things done. We are doing that with beef prices."
A CNN anchor had a fiery reaction in a conversation with a Republican Indiana state lawmaker on Monday, as Indiana leaders in the Senate will vote to decide on redistricting in the state.
State Rep. Andrew Ireland said it was "backwards" to try and blame President Donald Trump for swatting or other attacks on opponents and other lawmakers after his comments on his perceived enemies during a conversation with CNN anchor Brianna Keilar. Keilar pressed the Republican lawmaker over his comment.
"Does the president of the United States have any responsibility to try and mitigate it when you see swatting going on, happening after he says something on social media about a lawmaker?" Keilar asked.
Ireland responded by pointing to local law enforcement and their responsibility to protect citizens.
"The big piece of it there is law enforcement holding people accountable in the first place...," Ireland said. "But the president calling out political opponents or advocating for a position is not the same thing as going and inciting swatting, if that's what you're getting at."
Keilar pushed back.
"No, that's not what I said," Keilar said. "If someone, if a president, were to politically target you, and then you suffer one of these swatting incidents, would you hope that the rhetoric might be tamped down? Is that a reasonable thing to hope for or expect from the leader of the country?"
Ireland said that he didn't believe you could "...tie somebody's truth Social posts or their tweets to bad and illegal behavior by another person... I don't think the president is doing anything he shouldn't be doing."
Trump was criticized by multiple lawmakers and advocates for calling Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz a derogatory slur. Michael Bohacek, an Indiana state senator and Republican, has said he will not support the redistricting effort in the state after the president's comments.
Trump has made multiple demands to Republican lawmakers across the United States. The president had called on GOP legislators to redraw congressional maps in states all over the country, but Indiana Republicans — even in deep-red Trump districts — made clear to their elected representatives that they do not want to go along with the scheme.
