Transcript Summary from 'Face the Nation' on Aug. 24, 2025

On this week's 'Face the Nation' episode, Margaret Brennan welcomes Maryland Governor Wes Moore and UNICEF's Executive Director Catherine Russell.

Debate Over Federal Troop Deployment

The current administration is deploying a considerable number of federal forces across Washington, D.C., claiming it's a move to tackle crime more effectively. President Trump asserts these actions will spread to other urban centers such as New York and Chicago. Amid this scenario, Maryland's Governor, Wes Moore, offers his perspective.

Governor Moore firmly opposes these deployments. He outlines four critical reasons: the unsustainable cost, impracticality across cities, constitutional conflicts, and the potential misuse of National Guard forces. With costs reaching over a million dollars daily, he stresses the unfeasibility of this strategy being adopted nationwide. He highlights the substantial investment in local law enforcement, which he argues has already yielded decreasing crime rates.

Federal vs. Local Law Enforcement

Governor Moore criticizes the federal approach, suggesting it diverts attention from pressing economic issues. He emphasizes collaboration with local officials and law enforcement as vital to reducing crime. Moore underscores significant state-federal cooperation and local strategic measures that have helped reduce violence in Maryland, especially focusing on Baltimore.

International Humanitarian Concerns

UNICEF's Catherine Russell shares updates on the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Despite alarming reports of impending famine, there are significant challenges in providing adequate aid. With the Israeli blockade in place, essential resources struggle to reach those in need, sparking international criticism.

Russell highlights the dire conditions, stating that thousands of children have already succumbed to starvation. She calls for immediate action to overcome bureaucratic and political barriers to aid. UNICEF appeals for international support to prevent further child fatalities and alleviate the humanitarian crisis.

Echoing similar concerns, Senator Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire discusses the severe implications of global neglect, drawing international attention to the urgent necessity for action to avert widespread hunger and provide timely neutrality in aid distribution.