Conversation with Rep. Mike Turner on 'Face the Nation,' Nov. 30, 2025

NANCY CORDES: We're now with Congressman Mike Turner from Ohio. Congressman, thank you for joining us. Happy Thanksgiving.

REP. MIKE TURNER: Thank you, Nancy. Happy Thanksgiving to you as well.

NANCY CORDES: Sam Vinograd mentioned the vetting process. You've heard officials' opinions. Do you think it was a vetting failure, or did someone become radicalized or mentally unstable here in the U.S.?

REP. TURNER: It's a challenging situation. This seems like typical terrorism—a lone individual committing violence close to Thanksgiving. The issue neglected by Samantha is that our mission was not to relocate Afghan citizens to the U.S., but to eliminate Osama bin Laden, dismantle al Qaeda, retaliate for 9/11, eliminate the Taliban, and ensure Afghanistan wasn't a terrorism hub. The current outcome is a result of the Biden administration's sudden withdrawal, which put our allies there in danger, forcing evacuation considerations.

NANCY CORDES: But wouldn't they be in danger regardless?

REP. TURNER: No, the expectation was for Afghanistan to remain free of terrorists, not to revert to Taliban control, thus negating the necessity for evacuation. As you demonstrated, those fleeing did so because of the unfolding chaos allowed by the administration, seeking refuge in America, not elsewhere. The flawed vetting process even permitted known terrorists to enter, as evidenced by reports.

NANCY CORDES: But they were then detected–

REP. TURNER:– but they still accessed the country, signalling a critical lapse which shouldn't have occurred if Afghanistan hadn't been abandoned so abruptly. Congress conducted multiple hearings and investigations highlighting the administration's oversight and abrupt withdrawal.

NANCY CORDES: Wasn't this partly due to Trump's agreement with the Taliban imposing a strict departure timeline?

REP. TURNER: Congress concluded that the execution was accountable to the Biden administration. Investigations are ongoing into what led to the recent incident.

NANCY CORDES: President Biden requests 500 more National Guard troops for the capital, with Ohio already contributing 150. Is this the right move, or should we scale down?

REP. TURNER: To respond properly, we must first define the problem—whether there's a national crime and safety issue. American citizens, per polls, are reporting these concerns, especially visible in the capital. Crime statistics decline following the National Guard deployment, showing a significant impact.

NANCY CORDES: With crime reports falling by 30% in DC, can we pivot to Ukraine? There's a meeting in Miami between Ukrainian negotiators, Secretary Rubio, and Envoy Stephen Witkoff. Do you still worry the White House stance leans towards Russia?

REP. TURNER: We all harbor such concerns. Ensuring peace is pivotal, and as Secretary Rubio highlighted, a robust, sovereign Ukraine is imperative. President Zelenskyy's commitment to peace is evident. The principle is clear: America should not align with Russia, considering its adversarial stance against the U.S.—from advancing nuclear capabilities and cyberattacks to opposing NATO and the West.

NANCY CORDES: Bloomberg shared a transcript involving Witkoff aiding a Putin advisor on engaging Trump, alarming Republicans. Fitzpatrick called it problematic, and Bacon suggests Witkoff should be ousted. Your thoughts?

REP. TURNER: The key issue was arranging for Putin to confer with Trump prior to Zelenskyy's visit, undermining Zelenskyy's role. With Ukraine suffering from Russian aggression, including civilian targeting, Trump must hear Zelenskyy clearly without bias.

NANCY CORDES: Given these concerns, should Witkoff remain a principal U.S. negotiator or visit Moscow to engage Putin?

REP. TURNER: Considering a conversation's fragment doesn't depict an entire negotiation scene, we must ensure influential voices of caution are present. Prioritizing Putin before Zelenskyy is troubling. The White House should ensure Ukraine's prominence.

NANCY CORDES: Trump said it was standard diplomacy. Shifting to Venezuela, with military build-up, do airlines need to evade Venezuelan airspace due to a potential operation?

REP. TURNER: There's no indication from the President of pending military action, nor has Congress been briefed. Concerns persist in Congress about Caribbean activities, particularly regarding narcotics.

NANCY CORDES: Reports claim an order from Secretary Hegseth led to an attack on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel. Surviving members were allegedly targeted again—an act some call a war crime. How does Congress respond?

REP. TURNER: Congress lacks affirmation of these reports as top Armed Services members initiate probes. Should this have occurred, it's a severe legal violation. Congress holds reservations about the Caribbean operations, demanding lawful explanations.

NANCY CORDES: We await findings from your inquiries. Thank you, Congressman Turner, for this discussion.

REP. TURNER: It's appreciated.

NANCY CORDES: More to come on Face the Nation. Stay tuned.