Face the Nation (Nov. 23, 2025): Rhetoric, Threats, and High‑Stakes Diplomacy Over Ukraine and Venezuela

On Nov. 23, 2025, Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan examined mounting domestic tensions and high‑stakes foreign policy challenges: heated rhetoric that critics say has fueled threats against lawmakers; rapidly evolving diplomacy in Geneva over a U.S. 28‑point proposal for ending the war in Ukraine; debates over U.S. operations targeting drug shipments near Venezuela; and fresh polling showing economic concerns weighing on the president’s approval.

Domestic rhetoric, threats and the military oath

Lawmakers described a surge in abusive and violent threats following public criticism of the president’s language. Representative Jason Crow (D‑Colo.) and Senator Mark Kelly (D‑Ariz.) — both veterans — participated in a recorded message urging service members to disobey manifestly unlawful orders. President Trump publicly called those lawmakers "traitors" and suggested their actions amounted to sedition, language critics said could incite violence.

Crow described bomb threats and death threats directed at his office and family, and stressed that incendiary presidential language has real‑world consequences. He and Kelly emphasized that service members are trained on lawful versus unlawful orders and should consult military legal counsel when in doubt, while urging Congress and the Defense Department to provide clearer guidance and oversight.

Ukraine diplomacy in Geneva

U.S. officials were in Geneva discussing a 28‑point plan intended to end the war in Ukraine. Several senators reported conflicting briefings about whether components of the proposal originated with a third party seen as representing Russian interests. Senator Kelly warned that aspects of the draft could advantage Russia if implemented as‑is and urged clearer communication with Congress.

Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S., Olga Stefanishyna, said Kyiv is engaged constructively with U.S. negotiators but warned that the publicly discussed plan focuses on ending hostilities and humanitarian issues rather than delivering justice for aggression. She confirmed there is a separate framework of security assurances under discussion; Kyiv wants binding, credible commitments that would deter future aggression and recalled the losses from the Budapest Memorandum as context for its caution.

Venezuela, maritime strikes and legal questions

The administration’s campaign targeting suspected drug shipments near Venezuela — including strikes on boats — prompted legal and strategic questions. Some senior military lawyers reportedly raised doubts about the legality of certain strikes, and the U.K. momentarily paused intelligence‑sharing amid concerns. Senator Rand Paul argued that labeling narco groups as terrorist organizations changes the legal framework and risks treating maritime interdictions as wartime actions without Congress debating the matter.

Officials and analysts note mixed signs: the DEA has reported notable wholesale price increases for cocaine per kilogram (estimates of roughly 30–45%), while traffickers shift routes to land — underscoring that interdiction alone does not end demand or dismantle networks.

Polls, immigration and ICE detention data

New polling highlighted that inflation and household costs remain the top concern for voters. The president’s overall approval dipped to 40% in the poll cited; more than three‑quarters of voters who judge the president primarily on the economy said he is not spending enough time on inflation and related issues.

Separately, Department of Homeland Security data show nearly 66,000 people in ICE custody, with 48% held on civil immigration violations without criminal convictions. Public attitudes are mixed: the president retains strong support among his base for aggressive immigration enforcement, while a majority of the broader public believes detainee numbers are excessive.

Key takeaways from interviews

• Rep. Jason Crow: Warned incendiary rhetoric encourages violence; defended urging troops to resist unlawful orders while stressing legal channels and predeployment training on the law of armed conflict.
• Sen. Mark Kelly: Said presidential language about executing or jailing lawmakers is especially dangerous and called for bipartisan condemnation and more congressional briefings on sensitive military actions.
• Sen. Rand Paul: Criticized use of wartime authorities for maritime interdictions, urged a congressional debate on whether the U.S. is undertaking war‑level operations, and recommended emphasizing demand‑side drug policy.
• Ambassador Olga Stefanishyna: Emphasized Kyiv’s insistence on credible security assurances and warned leaked proposals risk prioritizing a ceasefire over accountability.
• Polling expert Anthony Salvanto: Explained voters are focused on pocketbook issues and want clearer explanations from the administration on plans for Venezuela and other foreign actions.

Margaret Brennan closed by underscoring the program’s central theme: a fraught moment in which domestic political rhetoric, legal and ethical questions about military actions, and delicate diplomacy over Ukraine are colliding — while public concern about the economy remains a dominant force in voters’ judgments.

Note: The program also referenced recent political developments, including a high‑profile resignation announcement in the House and ongoing coverage of local community stories.