Meet the Press NOW — July 3

[0:11] Welcome to Meet the Press Now. I'm Mel Zanone in Washington, where President Trump is preparing to [0:15] escape the scorching D.C. conditions, traveling to Mount Rushmore to deliver marks as he and the [0:21] nation celebrate the United States' 250th birthday. Today, also marking exactly four [0:28] months to the midterms. The president's speech tonight coming a day before he speaks on the [0:32] National Mall to commemorate the 4th of July, and six years to the day after his last visit [0:38] to Mount Rushmore, where he delivered a fiery and combative speech during his first term [0:43] and in the midst of his re-election campaign. Those who seek to erase our heritage want Americans [0:51] to forget our pride and our great dignity so that we can no longer understand ourselves or [0:58] America's destiny. In toppling the heroes of 1776, they seek to dissolve the bonds of love and loyalty [1:08] that we feel for our country and that we feel for each other. Their goal is not a better America. [1:17] Their goal is to end America. Here's a live look at the National Mall, where President Trump is set [1:28] to celebrate the 4th of July tomorrow with what he's calling a long speech. Events right now, though, [1:34] on the Mall are closed to the public due to the extreme heat that's impacting nearly half the country. [1:40] We'll have more on that in a moment. The president's address tomorrow night will be followed by what the [1:44] Trump administration is touting as the world's largest fireworks show. But with the celebration [1:49] comes continued scrutiny that the president is facing over his personal finances. After [1:55] legally mandated financial close disclosures this week revealed that he'd earned more than $2 billion [2:00] last year while president. That's more than triple his earnings the previous year and more than half [2:06] of it through crypto. An industry that he and his administration oversee and regulate. The president, [2:11] though, defending his income. Well, you know, I don't do anything having to do with my business. [2:18] My kids run it. I put a lot of money, I had a lot of money and I have a lot of money and I've always [2:22] made, I've made money. You know, I'm a business person. I'm a really good business person. I let [2:28] people invest it. I don't even speak to, I don't even know who they are. But it's given to big firms [2:33] like on your show all the time. My son, Eric, handles it. I don't talk to him about things such [2:40] as this. I think I'd be allowed to. I'm not sure even what the status is, but I don't. And he gives [2:45] it into these like semi-blind trusts or blind trusts where people invest. NBC News senior [2:52] White House correspondent Gabe Gutierrez joins me now along with NBC News correspondent Julie [2:57] Serkin, who's at Mount Rushmore. Thank you both so much for joining us. Gabe, let's start with you [3:02] though at the White House, because as I mentioned, the president teased that he has a long speech [3:06] planned for tomorrow on the mall. What else do we know about that speech? Well, Mel, the president is [3:13] touting it as, you know, one of the greatest speeches ever. He's planning for a long speech, [3:17] as you said, something that he teased earlier on this week when he was in North Dakota. He said [3:23] he was going to deliver it at 107 degree temperatures just to prove that he can do it. [3:27] And he's expecting a very large crowd. But I think in terms of what we know for the speech, [3:31] we can expect what we saw just several days ago when he gave another speech to kick off the [3:37] Great American State Fair, a speech that was thrown together at the last minute when several of the [3:41] acts pulled out of the fair. But in that speech, it was notable in the sense that it was [3:46] so short. It was very short campaign style speech where he really touted his administration's [3:53] achievements over the last year of his administration. That was there. It sounded [3:58] more like a State of the Union speech than anything else. But the president touting, of course, that [4:03] grand fireworks display, record breaking, some 850,000 fireworks expected tomorrow. [4:09] And also, he is expected to tout, you know, these military flyovers that we're expecting [4:15] tomorrow night, just like we saw several days ago when this Great American State Fair kicked off now. [4:22] And Gabe, the president has attacked Democrats as, quote, godless communists earlier this week. [4:27] Is there any sense about whether he'll try to strike a more unifying tone at an event like [4:31] tomorrow's celebration? Well, that remains to be seen. Now, you know, during the speech he gave [4:36] several days ago to kick off the fair, it didn't use that type of language exactly, although he has [4:43] significantly over the last several days ramped up his rhetoric against more progressive Democrats [4:48] that have won recent primaries in New York and in Colorado. So we do expect some of that messaging [4:55] to come out over the next coming weeks and months as his midterm election campaign ramps up. But it [5:01] remains to be seen whether he will use such strong language in the speech tomorrow. Certainly a much [5:06] wider audience. He has said he wants to celebrate America's 250th birthday. But of course, in these [5:12] polarizing times, you know, it's really in the eye of the beholder what passes for unifying and what [5:18] doesn't. I mentioned how D.C. could be dealing with triple digit temperatures tomorrow. Gabe, are there [5:25] any concerns about that dangerous heat, either for the president or for the crowd that's going to be [5:28] gathered to hear him? Well, certainly there are a lot of concerns now. And you mentioned it in your [5:33] introduction already. The Great American State Fair has been, you know, they asked visitors to leave [5:38] today until 5 p.m. That's today. Now, the festivities tomorrow. Yes, same thing. People aren't being allowed [5:44] in until 5 p.m. That's later than expected, of course, with these triple digit temperatures. And already [5:50] today, the D.C. Fire Department has told our station WRC here in D.C. that they've already dealt with [5:55] several medical calls as well. And it's something that they will have to keep an eye on tomorrow, [6:01] especially with so many people expected at these festivities, these record-breaking temperatures [6:07] now add another layer to the planning for this. And certainly there is some concern among emergency [6:12] management officials about what can happen with these temperatures so high. They're urging people, [6:17] of course, to hydrate as they come to the National Mall tomorrow. Yeah, no doubt. I hope you stay cool [6:23] as well tomorrow. Gabe Gutierrez, thank you. I want to turn now to Julie, who is over at Mount [6:28] Rushmore. It looks like it's a little bit cooler, a lot bit cooler for you over there. Certainly a [6:32] gorgeous backdrop. What do we know about Trump's speech tonight that he's planning to make? [6:39] Yeah, Mel, I mean, look at this. It's a picture-perfect day here. It is not as hot as it is in D.C., [6:44] so I'm sorry about what you and Gabe are dealing with over there. But there is a drought concern here [6:48] and a concern that there could be a wildfire risk. That's why over the last several decades, [6:54] fireworks here at Mount Rushmore have been few and far between after 2009. But the president [6:59] brought it back in 2020. That's the last time, as you mentioned, we heard from him here. And he's [7:04] going to come here again tonight, marking the nation's 250th birthday with the four presidents [7:08] carved into stone behind him. There's going to be a flyover. The military bands are playing. [7:13] I spoke to some folks who've traveled here, Mel, from far and wide, Ohio and Florida. And they're [7:18] hoping the president strikes a unifying message tonight, a unifying tone. But we do know that [7:23] this event is put on by Freedom 250. It's the public-private partnership that is backed by the [7:27] president. And the events that we've seen put on by that organization versus America 250 have tended [7:33] to garner a more partisan tone when we heard from the president. So we'll see if he manages to strike [7:38] a unifying one tonight. And as we mentioned, during his last visit to Mount Rushmore, [7:42] he was locked in a heated re-election fight. It was in the midst of a global pandemic. [7:47] Does the Trump administration plan to note that 2020 visit tonight? [7:52] Well, you can expect that he might reference it again. This is a place that he loves, Mel. He has [7:57] a lot of reference for it. He appreciates the monument and what these sculptures stand for, [8:03] the four presidents that they mark as well. And the last time he was here in 2020, it was not only [8:07] COVID, it was the George Floyd protests. There was a lot of pushback to the president coming here in [8:12] the middle of a pandemic. It was also months before he lost his re-election bid in 2020. [8:16] Now coming here in a different way. I talked to some of the officers and branches of military that [8:21] are involved here. They've been practicing and planning for this for more than a year. We know [8:25] this also comes on the eve of his remarks tomorrow in Washington, D.C. But certainly this is going to [8:30] be quite a sight tonight with the fireworks behind him and the president looking to make some remarks [8:35] and comments when he arrives here, Mel. And we also know he's joked about putting his own face on [8:39] Mount Rushmore, but it looks like it's not there quite yet. Julie Serkin, thank you. [8:43] As we just noted, the National Weather Service is warning that temperatures here in Washington [8:48] could feel like 177 degrees tomorrow as a historic and dangerous heat wave continues to grip much of [8:55] the country. More than 150 million Americans are under heat alerts right now, with temperatures [9:00] approaching or surpassing triple digits and heat index values reaching up to 115 degrees. [9:07] Meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan joins us from NBC Connecticut. Ryan, thanks again for joining [9:12] us today. Tell us, when will this heat wave reach its peak and how vast is it? [9:18] Well, it's stretching through a long duration here. Long air, a big area from New England all [9:24] the way back into the Midwest. Temperatures near record levels. We're at 96 degrees in New York. [9:29] The heat index, the feels like temperature with the humidity, 104. Baltimore's at 100. That feels [9:35] like temperature heat index, 109. And in terms of relief, well, there's not much to be found [9:41] tomorrow. Still close to 100 in New York, 101 in Norfolk, Virginia. Look at that heat index, [9:46] 113. Temperatures even back into the Midwest still in the 90s. We're looking at 93 in St. Louis, [9:52] 96 in Knoxville, and 95 in Memphis. Now, there is a little bit of relief as we head toward the second [9:58] part of the weekend. Sunday, Boston is down to 80. It's going to feel pretty good. 70s for Monday and [10:04] Tuesday. D.C. does cool down a little bit, but still pretty warm Monday and Tuesday, upper 80s. But [10:09] once you get into the mid-Atlantic and down south, the heat doesn't really break at all. Raleigh, [10:13] 103 on Sunday, 101 on Monday, and then temperatures in the mid-90s by Tuesday. Now, with the heat and humidity, [10:19] of course, we get some summertime thunderstorms. We've got severe thunderstorm watches in effect [10:23] for this evening from just west of New York City across portions of Pennsylvania. Also, [10:28] a severe thunderstorm watch in effect across northeastern Illinois near Chicago, parts of [10:32] Indiana and Michigan. And we are talking about the potential for some strong gusty thunderstorms [10:38] through this evening and into the day tomorrow as well. That severe weather risk for July 4th for [10:43] Independence Day stretches from New York on down into the mid-Atlantic. We're looking at the [10:48] potential for wind gusts over 60 miles per hour, a large hail. And right now, the tornado risk looks [10:53] low. But any thunderstorms for those 4th of July celebrations and fireworks are going to create [10:58] some issues. So in terms of sail forth tomorrow in New York, we're talking about a hazy, hot and [11:04] humid morning, sunshine, temperatures in the low 80s. By afternoon, we get up close to 100. But we are [11:10] looking at a threat for some thunderstorms, which could impact the fireworks by tomorrow evening. [11:14] So your fireworks forecast, we've got a storm risk from New York City on south through Washington, D.C. [11:19] Scattered storms across the Midwest, temperatures near 80 in Chicago, and then a couple scattered [11:24] storms down south near Florida. Mel? [11:27] Ryan Hanrahan, thank you. And speaking of the 4th of July, NBC News will have all-day coverage of [11:33] America's 250th celebration. Tune in for a special edition of today, followed by exclusive coverage of the [11:40] Sailforth Tall Ship Parade in New York. Plus, NBC Nightly News from Washington, D.C. [11:45] Stream it all live right here on NBC News Now. Coming up for us, politics and patriotism. [11:52] Some high-profile Democrats look to counter-program President Trump's July 4th address with a message [11:57] of their own. One of those Democrats is Maryland Governor Westmore, and he joins me in studio next. [12:03] You're watching Meet the Press Now. [12:05] Welcome back. As President Trump prepares for a pair of speeches today and tomorrow to mark the [12:17] nation's 250th anniversary, Democratic leaders are also marking the occasion with speeches of their [12:23] own, looking to provide some counter-programming to the president, while defining patriotism in their [12:28] own terms. Maryland Governor Westmore will deliver remarks around the same time as the president's [12:33] speech in D.C. tomorrow. And today, New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani speaking hours before the [12:39] president's remarks at Mount Rushmore, surrounded by recently naturalized citizens. [12:44] You each hold a special power, the power to determine what America means. The powerful have [12:51] always known their answer. America, they will tell you, belongs only to those with the right accent or [12:56] the right shade of skin. The rest of us, they insist, should be grateful for merely being allowed to [13:01] visit. How small they are, how weak, how unoriginal. At every moment in our past, those who led through [13:10] exclusion and isolation have tried to win power and enrich themselves by turning us against one [13:15] another. Division is the oldest trick in politics and the cheapest. But time and again, including [13:22] 250 years ago, those forces of division have been vanquished by the forces of progress. [13:30] Joining me now on set is Maryland Democratic Governor Wes Moore. Governor, thank you so much for [13:35] joining us today. My pleasure. I know you have a big day tomorrow. You are set to deliver a speech [13:40] on July 4th. What are you hoping to accomplish with that speech? [13:44] Well, we're going to talk about the work of patriotism. And, you know, [13:46] this is a celebration of 250 years of the greatest experiment in world history. [13:51] There was nothing like it before. And there really hasn't been anything like it since where [13:56] this is a country that has fought for each other and has fought for an ideal. And the work of [14:03] patriotism means that we have an obligation to be able to protect each other and take care of each [14:08] other. So that strength, that sacrifice and that service has been the foundation of this country [14:13] for 250. And I'm going to talk about how that has to be the foundation for the country's next 250. [14:17] You mentioned to Politico that you don't think the president is capable of meeting the moment [14:22] of the 250th anniversary. What made you say that? And why do you think you are capable of meeting the [14:27] moment? Well, I think his actions made me say it. When he said that he wanted to turn this [14:31] into a political rally, when he said he wanted to use this opportunity to talk to his base, [14:36] it helped me to realize that this is just a continuation of the fact that I think he is [14:41] uniquely uninterested and disinterested in actually bringing the country to, as in Psalm 61, [14:48] where it says, bring us to a rock that is higher than I. And so I think it is important that we do not [14:54] miss this moment as a country to talk about patriotism. And patriotism is not political. It's not [14:58] partisan. It is just simply saying there's a uniqueness to this country that we all have [15:03] an obligation to protect. And that's what the message for tomorrow is going to be. [15:07] Will your message not be partly designed to cater to your base as well? [15:11] No, because the message is going to be designed to cater to not just Marylanders, [15:16] but to this country, to remind us that there is a power in this, that, you know, that I am going [15:22] to be giving an address as the first African-American governor in the history of the state of Maryland [15:26] from a statehouse that was built partially by the hands of enslaved people, that there is a [15:32] complexity of this country's history. But our job is to understand it, embrace it, to talk about [15:38] and to celebrate the remarkable patriots who have been willing to fight for the hope of us and to know [15:44] now we have a responsibility to fight for the hope of those who will come after us. And that is not a [15:49] political conversation. That is a patriotic conversation. [15:52] Are you worried at all, though, that having a counter-programming speech could further fuel divisions? [15:57] No, because I don't see this as, you know, counter-programming against the president. [16:03] I see this as helping to fill a void. You know, that I think it's our patriotic responsibility [16:09] that when we see darkness, it's our job to introduce light. That when we see cynicism [16:17] and naysaying, that it's our job to introduce hope. And I think that's what we've been trying [16:23] to do inside of the state of Maryland. And also where I'm very clear, I'm serving not just Democrats, [16:28] but Republicans and everybody in our state. And it's our job to make sure that on the celebration [16:32] of 250, that we do the same thing for everybody. [16:35] Some people may view the speech tomorrow as a way that you could sort of position yourself [16:39] for a future presidential run. So I do want to ask you about your own political future. [16:43] I know you said on Meet the Press last year that you were ruling out a presidential run [16:46] in 2028 and that you would serve a full term. Is that still the case today? And is a 2028 run [16:52] completely off the table? Yeah, I mean, I'm a laser focused on November. I'm up for re-election this [16:58] year. What about after November? Well, I'd say we feel very good because I think we have really [17:03] important story to tell inside of Maryland. But the thing I also am clear about is this, is that I think [17:08] for anybody who is looking at 2028 when we're seeing what is happening in 2026, for me, that's [17:14] disqualifiable. You know, we have seen how in Maryland, we've had over 31,000 people fired [17:19] by this Trump administration in a year, federal workers, that we have seen how we have over 180,000 [17:26] people now at risk of losing their health care, you know, children at risk of losing their food [17:31] assistance. I am locked in on making sure we're protecting our people inside of this moment. And I [17:37] just believe that that my focus is on 2026. And for anyone who's focuses on 2028, I think that [17:44] your eyes are not on the ball. So maybe we'll have this conversation after November. I do want to ask [17:49] you about Michigan. You were just there this past weekend campaigning with the gubernatorial [17:53] candidate, Jocelyn Benson. There's another really important race happening in Michigan, and that's the [17:57] Senate race. There's an open primary. Democrats are going to pick who they're going to send to the [18:01] general election. Where do you stand in that race? Well, as you said, I think Michigan Democrats [18:06] are going to pick where they go. I mean, the reason that I was there in Michigan supporting Jocelyn [18:11] Benson is both because she's an extraordinary candidate, but also because I understand the role [18:16] of governors. You know, I am going to fight to make sure that we have good, strong candidates as [18:21] governors who make it across the finish line. Because in many ways, while Washington, while [18:25] Washington debates, governors decide. You know, governors are the ones who have to make sure [18:30] that we're focusing on creating pathways for work and wages and wealth for the people of our [18:34] states. Governors are the ones who are making sure that we can do things like not only balance [18:38] budgets, but also have budgets that actually match our aspirations. I feel a great deal of confidence [18:43] in Jocelyn Benson, who, you know, who I not only as a friend, but I know has the right type of vision [18:49] to lead Michigan forward. And I was proud to campaign for her. And I look forward to getting [18:53] back there again. Do you have any concern about whether Abdul Al-Sayed, he's the progressive [18:57] candidate in the race, if he does win the primary, that he might not be well positioned to win in a [19:02] battleground state like Michigan? No, I think elections are all about the candidates being able to make [19:07] their case. And I don't think it's about an ideology. You know, I think about what happened in [19:12] Maryland, where in Maryland, we had an election the same day that New York had it. And I endorsed [19:16] a whole slate, a leave no one behind slate of candidates in Maryland. And there was not a [19:21] political tie that connected them. What they all connected to, though, and what the prerequisite [19:27] for me to get on my slate was that, are you ready to disrupt the status quo? Are you ready to go in [19:32] and say the way things are working right now are not working for working families. So we've got to be [19:37] able to do different. We've got to be able to focus on work, wages, and wealth, and we've got to focus [19:41] on getting things done. And our slate was wildly successful in Maryland and had nothing to do [19:47] with an ideology. And that's where I think people are, where people are just, they're not focusing [19:52] on the political back and forth and titles. They're focusing on who's focused on me. And the [19:58] candidates that are doing that, I think, find themselves to be successful. [20:01] Some of those candidates who find themselves successful have been Democratic Socialists. We [20:05] saw that in New York, saw it in Colorado. Do you think the Democrats would do a better job [20:09] of embracing those types of candidates into the party? [20:12] I think Democrats would be doing themselves a disservice by saying who does not belong. [20:19] I think, you know, right now Democrats have got to, you know, I know there's a lot of folks [20:23] who are saying, who are focusing their energy on saying what's wrong with Donald Trump or what's [20:28] wrong with this candidate or what's wrong with that sect of the party. I'm focusing on what's right [20:35] with the people of our jurisdictions and making sure we're trying to do what's right for them. [20:38] And that's why I think that our message resonates, that, you know, when we're focusing on things [20:44] like, as we've done in Maryland, giving the middle class a tax cut, we're focusing on things [20:48] like making sure that we can have a balanced budget four years in a row. We're focusing [20:51] on things like making sure we can put money back in people's pockets. We're focusing on things [20:56] that are actually helping to bring real economic relief, adding over 55,000 new businesses while [21:01] raising the minimum wage. That's results. And that's why what we're saying is resonating, [21:07] but not because we represent a specific section of the Democratic Party. I think our focus is, [21:12] our focus should be on results. And real quickly, just how confident are you that you'll be able [21:16] to actually redistrict in the state of Maryland? Oh, well, I'm confident we're going to be coming [21:20] back for a special session. Um, and I will be calling a special session. We will be coming back in [21:25] the state of Maryland. And I do think it's important because I think the people of Maryland have been [21:28] very clear. We are watching our democracy under assault, like we have not seen in our lifetimes. [21:34] And going back to what we said before, there are people who came before us who are willing to fight [21:39] and bleed and die so we could have the right to vote. And they're now looking at us and saying, [21:44] now, what are you all willing to do to keep it? And this becomes a moment when we have a president [21:49] who is trying everything in his power to be able to rig elections and be able to alter results of [21:55] elections. It is our responsibility that if parts of the country are going to have a mid-decade [22:00] conversation about maps, then why should Maryland or anyone else sit on our hands? So we're going to [22:05] do this. Governor, thank you so much. We really appreciate your time. Thank you so much. [22:09] Up next, Independence Day. A House lawmaker reflects on his decision to drop his party [22:15] affiliation amid intense polarization on Capitol Hill and become an independent. Stay with us on Meet [22:21] the Press Now. Welcome back. Pope Leo, the first American pope, is speaking out on the eve of [22:35] America's 250th birthday, his first major address to his home country, choosing to praise its long [22:41] history of welcoming immigrants. In these past 250 years, for so many peoples throughout the world, [22:50] it was the firm resolve to achieve the noble vision of the nation's founders that made America a byword [22:58] for freedom as the country opened its doors to successive ways of immigrants, enabling them and [23:06] their children to play their part in shaping the future of the nation. Joining me now is our small but [23:14] mighty panel on this holiday Friday, Antoine C. Wright, Democratic strategist and president of [23:19] Blueprint Strategy. And with me here on set is Republican strategist Ashley Davis. She's a former White House [23:25] official in the George W. Bush administration. Thank you both so much for joining us. Happy Friday. [23:30] Happy Taylor Swift Wedding Day for all that you who celebrate that one. But I do want to start with [23:35] what we talked about up there, which is the pope. Antoine, what do you make of the pope's message [23:40] to Americans? I think it's a very consequential and timely message here in this country. Just a few [23:47] days ago, the nation's highest court reaffirmed a fundamental truth and belief that we've always [23:53] had in this country. If you were born in America, that makes you American. Certainly, I think it was a [23:58] blow to the agenda and to the, quite frankly, the thinking of the MAGA movement or the modern-day [24:06] Republican Party who've tried to rearrange the conversation about who we are as Americans. [24:11] America is a story that features immigrants and we are a country that is made of immigrants. [24:18] And I think the pope's message reaffirms that and hopefully it is a uniting message that [24:24] Democrats and Republicans can stew on for generations to come. [24:28] And Ashley, there's been a bit of a feud, so to say, so to speak, between the Trump [24:33] administration and the president and the pope, how do you think that this speech is going to play [24:37] into that feud? Well, I'm really hoping the president doesn't respond because we do not need [24:42] another little tiff between the two of them. And I think that the president did get a lot of pushback [24:46] last time he did that. But look, we've always had popes lecture the U.S. I mean, their job is about [24:52] humanity, about spirituality, about religion. And I remember under my days with the Bush administration [24:57] when Iraq and Afghanistan, he got in trouble by the probe all the time. But on this situation, [25:02] America is made up of immigrants. That's what's so wonderful about it. And I think that [25:09] what the difference is, is that the president has to protect our country, too. So it's good for [25:15] legal immigration, but we have to do everything legally. [25:18] You said you hope he doesn't go after the pope. Are you watching the speech tomorrow looking for [25:22] any signs that he might be on the partisan side of things? Are you hoping that he's going to strike [25:26] a more unifying tone tomorrow? I mean, I hope so. But I mean, we all know and we've had this, [25:30] we've listened for six years now of different speeches of the president. And I think that [25:36] it's going to be something that he will probably walk a fine line on. He's going to celebrate America, [25:43] which he absolutely should. But I think he'll also probably get some jobs into some people. [25:47] Do you think catering to his base is what's going to matter most to him, though, tomorrow? [25:50] I hope not. I hope what he's been doing, you know, with riding the train and today with Mount Rushmore. [26:00] I mean, I'm really hope I mean, who knows and who can protect, predict, but I really hope [26:04] it is Trump that he is celebrating our country, the 250th birthday that she deserves. [26:12] Antoine, I want to bring you into this conversation. [26:13] When President Trump visited Mount Rushmore for the 4th of July celebration. Oh, we lost Antoine. [26:20] OK, then actually, I'm going to keep it here with you. I don't know if you heard my interview [26:23] with the governor. He said his speech is to serve as to, you know, bring the Democrats together, [26:31] bring the nation together, that Trump isn't up for the job of meeting the moment for the 250th birthday [26:37] celebration. I mean, do you see his speech, though, as perhaps motivated to boost his own political [26:43] standing? Of course. And I mean, as he should. I mean, I think that there's going to be a lot of [26:47] speech. There's really only two, I guess, tomorrow, Moore's as well as Donnie. But I think that [26:53] if you're running in 2028, you're going to try to do the counter-programming to the president. [26:59] One thing that you can never say about President Trump, though, is he loves our country. His base loves [27:04] our country. I mean, so no matter, I'm not saying Democrats don't love our country, [27:09] but I do think that that's a criticism. I was listening to the interview and [27:13] completely understand from a political point why Wes Moore's doing this and fine, let him do it. [27:20] However, some of the arguments that he was saying about the president, about our country is not true. [27:25] Well, Anton, I hear we have you back now. Are you with us? Can you hear me? [27:28] I'm with you. [27:29] Okay, great. I want to get your reaction to Governor Wes Moore. I really pressed him on [27:33] whether he was going to run for president in 2028. He said, you know, this is a conversation [27:38] to have after November. I'm just leisure focused on 2026. But what did you make [27:43] of what he said and just the fact that he is giving a counter-programming speech tomorrow? [27:48] Well, a number of things. First of all, Donald Trump has made America's 250th celebration about him. [27:54] And I think that's why so many people have been turned off by some of the activities [27:59] in and around America's 250th celebration. When it comes to Donald Trump, we've seen this time [28:05] and time again. There's no interest like self-interest. And when you say the president [28:10] loved this country, this president, then that means he should love everyone in this country [28:14] and all the things about this country and keep this country on the journey towards progress, [28:19] not necessarily perfection. If you look at how he's chosen to govern, if you look at how he's chosen [28:25] to use certain words and how he's divided this country, then there's a serious argument of how [28:30] much love the president has for this country. As it relates to Wes Moore, I think Wes Moore [28:35] represents a generation of candidates. He also represents, I think, the quality of candidates [28:40] that Democrats have on the ballot in November and for elections to come. You're talking about [28:45] someone who put on that uniform, who represents what patriotism is all about. And I'm very proud [28:51] that we are grabbing the microphone back and amplifying the fact that Democrats, too, [28:55] love this country. We, too, believe in patriotism. We also believe in the American story [29:00] and the American journey. Republicans have hijacked that. They somehow have made people think [29:04] that GOP means God's only party and GOP means only God's only patriots. That's certainly not true. [29:11] And I think we need to see more Democrats talking about freedom, patriotism, and their love for country [29:16] and how they want to make this country better than it currently is. And lastly, I'll say, arguably, [29:22] there's a serious argument to be made that because of Donald Trump, our country has gone backwards in [29:27] so many ways with the progress we have made throughout the 250 years in this country. [29:33] Antoine, do you think Wes Moore will end up running for president in 2028? [29:37] I think Wes Moore understands the fierce urgency of now, of this moment. And I think he ultimately [29:43] understands that in 2026, that's our fix. In 2028, we'll get it straight. But you can't get to 26—you [29:50] can't get to 28 or 27 until we deal with 26. He's got to be reelected in Maryland. And certainly, [29:56] I think he's going to be an asset in helping our candidates up and down the ballot in other places [30:00] around the country. [30:02] Antoine and Ashley, thank you both for joining us again on this holiday Friday. [30:06] Thank you. [30:06] After the break, a very different kind of July 4th gathering as NBC News goes inside Tehran. [30:11] The view from Iran's capital, where preparations are underway for a massive state funeral for the [30:17] late Supreme Leader, set to begin tomorrow. Keep it here on Meet the Press Now. [30:27] Welcome back. Turning now to what's been an Independence Day tradition on this program, [30:35] as we mark the holiday with a look at independence in America. See what we did there? According to [30:40] recent polling, the number of political independence is at an all-time high, with nearly half of [30:45] Americans identifying that way in 2025. But despite that, there are currently only three [30:51] independent lawmakers in Congress, Senators Bernie Sanders and Angus King, and as of this spring, [30:57] Congressman Kevin Kiley of California, who decided to leave the Republican Party in March [31:01] following redistricting in his state. Joining me now is Congressman Kevin Kiley of California. [31:07] Congressman, thank you so much for joining us on this holiday Friday. [31:10] I want to start by talking about that dichotomy, because according to that polling, the number of [31:16] Americans identifying as independence is at an all-time high. But as we mentioned, there's only [31:21] three independents in Congress. Why do you think that is? [31:26] Yeah, that's a great question. There's three in Congress. There's only one in the House out of 435 [31:30] members. In fact, I'm the first independent in the House since 2019. So you could certainly argue that [31:36] independence are sort of the most underrepresented demographic in America today, when it's up to [31:42] half the country, identifying, not identifying with one party or the other, yet only one representative. [31:48] I think it's a reflection of just how entrenched the party system has become in this country. [31:53] All of the rules are geared towards forcing you to choose one side or the other. But increasingly, [31:58] that's just not where Americans are at. And frankly, I think people are just looking for a little [32:02] more common sense, less partisanship, and maybe on this 250th anniversary, to spend more time [32:07] remembering what unites us as Americans rather than what divides us. [32:11] I know you've said you left the party because you felt like things got too partisan in Congress. [32:15] But some of your critics say the only reason you did this was as a way to win re-election under [32:20] California's new maps. What do you say to that? [32:24] Well, that was my goal. It wasn't necessarily the most surefire strategy. There's been exactly [32:28] one independent elected to the U.S. House in the last 70 years. I actually had the opportunity to run [32:34] in a safe district if I had stayed with the Republican Party. But I thought that would [32:39] be making things worse. That would be exploiting the gerrymander. That would be worsening political [32:43] divisions in this country. And I wanted to make them better. And so I took the road that is, [32:47] you know, much, much, much less traveled. I decided to stay to represent my home district [32:53] despite the gerrymandering scheme and to say that, look, if gerrymandering is elevating partisanship [32:58] above everything else in our politics, then maybe the solution is just to put partisanship aside. [33:02] And that's how most offices, by the way, are elected in this country today. When you look at [33:06] mayors, city council members, school board members, district attorneys, these people are [33:10] not elected as Democrats or Republicans. They're just represented to do a job. And then they do that [33:14] job. And I think, frankly, we could use a little more of that approach in Congress. [33:18] Since you've become an independent, has anything changed for you in these last several months, [33:22] whether it's back home in your district or in the halls of Congress? [33:27] Well, for me, I've always approached my role, even when I was affiliated with the Republicans, [33:31] as being an independent voice for my district. So I think most people just see this as a natural [33:36] evolution of that. And I'll tell you, I've gotten just tremendous feedback from people on all [33:40] sides, even from people who identify as Democrat or Republican, who think that, you know what, [33:45] maybe things have gotten a little too dogmatic. The gridlock in Washington has gotten out of control. [33:50] The hyper-partisanship seems to just be getting worse and worse and worse. And maybe this is time to [33:56] have a larger role for independence in Congress and for, frankly, not having as much political [34:02] division in this country. And so I think that it's been a very good response. It's putting me [34:07] and put me in a unique position, I think, to be able to have influence in Congress and deliver for [34:12] my district. And I'm hoping that if we're successful, and I think that this is an election [34:16] that we very much can win, then it will be something of a blueprint and we can see others start [34:20] to do the same so that it isn't so rare. And the half of the country that is independent [34:24] isn't so underrepresented anymore. Have you heard from any colleagues [34:28] who are considering going independent or want to go independent? [34:33] I heard one who said that he would, this is Brian Fitzpatrick, if his party, if his state [34:38] had open primaries. And so that's part of the issue is that both in terms of the rules within [34:44] Congress and then in the way that the political system is set up, everything is geared towards [34:49] benefiting the two parties. And so we're trying to create a different model here where maybe we [34:55] can show that there is a path not only to become independent, but to win re-election as an [35:00] independent. As I said, that's only happened once in the last 70 years. But I think we really have [35:05] a chance to make history here. And if we do, then I think it would be an important step for the country. [35:11] In the last few months, we have seen the left flank of the Democratic Party notch some key [35:14] primary wins. Well, Trump endorsed MAGA candidates have ousted incumbent Republicans [35:19] who rebuked the president. Where do you see Congress heading after these midterms? And are [35:24] you concerned that the polarization and gridlock could get even worse in Congress? [35:30] Oh, absolutely. I think it is getting worse and that this redistricting war [35:34] is going to make it worse as well, as we have one state after another that's decided to redraw [35:39] their map in order to benefit one party or the other. And I think you're going to see folks who [35:44] are willing to work across the aisle become more and more of an endangered species in Congress [35:49] if we continue to go down this road. But we don't have to go down this road. [35:53] I've introduced legislation to bar mid-decade redistricting and I'm working on legislation [35:58] to end gerrymandering in this country once and for all. And more than that, I think that, [36:05] you know, this is a moment where we could have perhaps a cultural change, you know, where things [36:08] have just kept getting worse and worse and worse. And the vast majority of Americans say they're [36:13] incredibly frustrated by it. Congress has a 10% approval rating. Pretty much anyone will tell [36:18] you that the country is simply too divided. And so I think that that's maybe the opportunity we [36:22] have right now with America 250 to remember our founding principles, to remember the things [36:27] that unite us. Remember our founders, you know, if you read about the founding era, [36:30] they were often, you know, going at it pretty intensely. There were a lot of sharp velvows. [36:36] Politics was pretty vicious in that day. But it all took place upon this common shared foundation [36:40] that we're beginning this great experiment in self-government. We're beginning, you know, [36:45] something that's really never been done before. And that was kind of a common thread. And so I think [36:49] that that's what we need more of in our politics is remembering that the shared values that we have [36:54] and then saying that whatever our differences might be on this issue or that issue, we need to [36:58] remember what the common thread is that unites us. Do you think the president has embodied that ethos? [37:03] I think that all of us, frankly, could improve. And I'm not exempting myself from that either. [37:10] Certainly, I would not agree with a lot of the things that he said, but I could probably make the [37:15] same statement for almost all of us who are in Washington, D.D.C. these days. I think that part of [37:20] the issue that we have right now is that so much time is spent in politics, pretty much it's the [37:25] sole focus in D.C. of blaming one side or the other for our problems as opposed to actually trying [37:33] to find solutions to those problems. And so I think that's the fundamental paradigm shift that we need [37:38] is let's take a common ground-oriented approach, a solution-oriented approach. And I think when that [37:43] happens, sort of a lessening of the rhetoric and the political divisions and the sort of elements [37:50] of this being perceived as a zero-sum team sport, that will start to go away when we shift the [37:56] paradigm towards finding common ground, finding solutions, rather than casting blame. [38:01] Congressman Kiley, thank you so much. [38:04] You bet. Thanks for having me. [38:06] Turning now to Iran. NBC News has learned that U.S. officials raised concerns with Iran that [38:11] Israel might try to assassinate Iran's negotiators during recent ceasefire talks, [38:16] according to both American and Iranian officials. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's office responded to the [38:22] reporting, first published by The New York Times, saying, quote, [38:25] As usual, The New York Times' latest story about Israel and the Iranian negotiators is fake news, [38:31] a complete fabrication of reality. Meanwhile, in Iran, major preparations are underway in Tehran for [38:37] the upcoming funeral of the late Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, who was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike in [38:43] February. NBC News is learning that his son, Mosheba Khomeini, who took over as supreme leader and hasn't been [38:50] seen since being injured at the start of the war, is not expected to attend the funeral of his father. [38:56] NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel is in Tehran and has more. [39:02] Security here in Tehran is tight as preparations are underway for a massive state funeral and [39:08] procession here in Tehran for the late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, who was killed in a [39:14] joint U.S.-Israeli operation on the first day of the war. The mayor of Tehran says this could be [39:21] perhaps the biggest public gathering this city has ever seen. Organizers are expecting 15 to 20 [39:28] million people to come to Tehran to pay their respects to the late supreme leader. Right now, [39:35] his body is lying in state, being visited by dignitaries tomorrow. That will be open to the [39:40] public. And then Monday is the big event when millions of people are expected to gather in the [39:46] streets here in Tehran. And preparations are underway to make sure that they all have water, [39:52] that they will have places to stay. People are being told if they arrive in the city to just leave [39:58] their cars on the highways, turning them into parking lots and to just come into Tehran by foot [40:04] or on public transport. All public transport has been made free. This will be an enormous event. [40:11] Some foreign dignitaries have flown in. The airport is open. Public services are functioning, [40:16] water power. So for many Iranians, particularly for the Iranian government, this is a state funeral, [40:23] but also something of a victory celebration. Thanks to Richard for filing us that report. [40:31] Still to come, stars, stripes and cement from a gilded Oval Office to a massive White House ballroom [40:36] and a multi-million dollar reflecting pool project. We're taking a deep dive into the historic remaking [40:42] of Washington in the age of President Trump. Stay with us on Meet the Press Now. Welcome back. [40:57] We turn now to the dramatic overhaul underway in Washington by President Trump. [41:01] And we're not talking about politics or policy. As folks in D.C. are well aware, [41:05] the president has pushed a number of construction or renovation projects, [41:10] sometimes in controversial or legally questionable ways. The latest project this week, [41:15] active construction and apparent cement pouring could be seen on the White House South Lawn. [41:20] It comes after NBC reported in May that the White House was considering adding a helipad for Marine [41:25] One. The White House, though, will not confirm the installation of a helipad. [41:29] But it's potentially the latest project in the president's effort to remake Washington in his [41:33] own image, an effort that began in earnest at the White House with the gilded renovations of the [41:38] Oval Office and White House colonnade. There was also the paving of the Rose Garden and, [41:43] of course, the demolition of the historic East Wing to make room for the president's [41:47] much-discussed ballroom. The president has also set his sights beyond the White House. [41:52] There are renovations underway to the Kennedy Center, [41:55] although his effort to put his name on the building was struck down by a judge. [41:59] And the reflecting pool was resurfaced last month, but algae, peeling, and arrests have put the [42:05] success of that project in limbo. The president is also moving forward with a triumphal arch near [42:10] Arlington Cemetery, among other projects. Joining me now is Dan Diamond. He's a White House reporter [42:16] for The Washington Post. And Philip Kennicott, an art and architecture critic at The Washington Post as [42:23] well. Thank you both so much for joining us. Dan, let's start with you and let's talk about the [42:27] big picture here. We didn't see this kind of urge for construction in the president's first term. [42:32] So what does it tell us about his focus in his second term? [42:36] Well, Melanie, first, good to see you. I think that there are a few things behind this push. [42:41] First, the president in his second term knows how to get things done, or at least the people around him [42:46] know how to get things done in Washington in ways they didn't know the first time. And as part of that, [42:51] President Trump has fired slates of arts commissioners and construction czars and put [42:56] in his own deputies who have expedited these projects. So that has helped make some of these [43:02] a reality. I also think we know he thinks he's good at this and he enjoys it. So these are things [43:07] that he very much wants to do, rather than, say, get into the weeds of some of the policy battles, [43:12] some of the talks about health care policy or economic policy that other Republicans want him to be [43:18] focused on ahead of the midterms. And lastly, this is a president who he knows, we know he's in the [43:24] later chapters of his life. He's 80 years old. He's looking to leave a legacy. And what more of a [43:30] legacy than a physical legacy, building things in Washington that have his fingerprints on them. [43:35] And Philip, we highlighted some of the projects that required some sort of demolition of the [43:39] previous structure, like the ballroom. But the president has also touted a lot of the cleanup work [43:44] he's doing in Washington, including some of the fountains, like Columbus Circle Fountain, [43:47] which is in front of Unistation. Frankly, I didn't even know there could be water in that one. It's [43:51] been so long. Are some of these efforts a net positive overall for the city? [43:57] Well, I think Washingtonians are happy to have their parks and their fountains operating again. [44:01] You know, Washington's a strange city where you have a lot of federally controlled land. And so the [44:05] city itself can't necessarily do this. And a lot of a lot of maintenance backlog and the federal [44:10] government has really left these parks in a pretty bad state. So yes, it's great to have those [44:14] back online. People outside of Washington may not be so enthusiastic, however, because the [44:20] funding for that is likely being taken from other parts of the National Park Service. [44:25] And that, you know, the impact of that may be seen farther down the line. [44:29] And Dan, there's also Trump's next project, which is the East Potomac Golf Course. Yesterday, [44:34] a judge said she's not likely to dismiss a lawsuit opposing those planned renovations. But [44:38] the president, he's not always acted like he's beholden to the legal process on some of these [44:43] projects. So is this likely to be any different? Well, Melanie, I was in court a few weeks ago [44:48] where the DOJ was arguing that the courts could not stop Trump's ballroom or really some of the [44:54] other projects that he wants to do by implication, that if the president wants to make some of these [44:58] changes, he should be allowed to. That is the thinking of his administration. So we are going to [45:03] see, I think, the administration pushing forward as much as possible on all of these things. [45:08] Now, what they've told the judge in the golf course case, as well as in the case over the [45:12] Triumphal Arch, they have argued that these projects should not be stopped because in their [45:16] telling, the projects haven't begun. There is no blueprint, they say. But that is put to the test [45:21] when you see photos, like in our colleague Rick Mace's story, that show the president carrying [45:26] around renderings of what he wants to do at this golf course. So the White House is planning to push [45:31] ahead, even as they tell the courts that work has not started in some of these projects. [45:35] And Philip, is part of the difficulty here that once construction actually begins, as we saw with [45:40] the East Wing demolition, that the legal arguments for preservation are functionally mute? [45:46] Well, certainly if you tear down the East Wing, you have to put something there. You can't have a [45:50] hole in the ground. And I think that that's been the kind of a strategy that comes out of the [45:54] president's development in New York as a real estate guy. If you tear something down, you've got to [45:59] replace it. So yeah. And they've used that argument. They've used a variety of arguments, in some cases [46:04] saying that if it's on the White House grounds, then really nothing can stop it. In other cases, [46:09] as Dan mentioned, they're saying that, well, they haven't really moved forward yet. This is still [46:13] in the planning stages. They're taking a pretty maximalist view of presidential power, which is [46:17] not surprising. They're doing the same in other areas of American life as well. [46:21] Dan, a Washington Post analysis found that the amount of time that the president talks about these [46:25] projects has only increased. And it's certainly making some Republicans uneasy ahead of the midterms. [46:31] Take a listen to what Senator Kramer said last month. I do feel like we have missed opportunities [46:38] to take victory after the message of really good news and good outcomes because we're moving so fast [46:43] on so many fronts. But there's no reason why. For example, I think once you get past, you know, [46:50] like that river right over there, no one gives a rat's pajamas about the infrastructure in Washington. [46:56] Dan, do you think there's any concern from the White House that this could actually be [47:01] a political liability? I asked the White House this again this week ahead of our analysis. [47:08] We found that the president talked about his construction and beautification projects [47:12] about four of every five days in June. That's an analysis I did with Ence Morse [47:16] and Lady of Sitholm. And yes, it has gone up. The White House maintains that this is good, [47:21] that the president is delivering what the country wants at a time of celebrating America's 250th [47:26] anniversary, that these projects will make Washington shine that much brighter at a moment [47:30] when everyone is looking at what's happening here. Of course, as many have pointed out, [47:35] there's a lot of construction right now that doesn't necessarily do the city any good [47:38] at this moment. And yes, I've talked to Republicans on Capitol Hill and some people close to the [47:42] administration who really don't want the president talking about this, not just because of what's [47:47] lost, Melanie. But these are not popular projects by polling. The majority of Americans don't support [47:53] the White House plan to tear down the East Wing and build the ballroom. They don't support the [47:57] Triumphal Arch. So these are things that not only are taking away from more popular things the Trump [48:02] administration is doing, they're putting a spotlight on things many Americans don't want to see. [48:07] And have you heard from either Republican lawmakers or Republican voters that this is just a [48:11] distraction? The argument that I've heard is that Republicans, they support some of this, [48:19] and you got to this earlier, the cleanup around Washington, D.C. But they do think that this is [48:24] Trump in his second term doing what Trump wants to do for himself and not for the party. And we've [48:29] seen that in so many ways, certainly with the primaries of some Republican senators, Trump came out [48:34] against them. Trump has launched a number of initiatives that he wants, but don't line up with what [48:38] the party wants. And if Democrats do retake the White House in 2028, is there an expectation that [48:44] some of this work could be undone, Dan? Well, I'm not sure what's going to happen with the East [48:50] Wing hole. I mean, if the judge, if the panel of judges who are reviewing that case put a pause on [48:55] it, that would be something for potentially a future administration to deal with. But I also think, [49:00] Melanie, there's a chance if that ballroom is built, Democrats might grumble about it now, [49:04] but they will find ways to use it in the future. And I think depending on where these projects are, [49:09] there may well be a future administration that does a victory lap for some of the things Trump [49:14] is doing now. Dan Diamond and Philip Kennecott, thank you both so much for your time. [49:19] And we'll be back Monday with more Meet the Press Now. And as we mentioned, NBC News will have [49:23] all-day coverage of America's 250th celebration, including a special edition of Today and live [49:30] coverage of Sailforth. Stream it all on NBC News Now. And if it's Sunday, it's a special edition of [49:36] Meet the Press on your local NBC News station. Kristen Welker will have interviews with documentary [49:41] filmmaker Ken Burns, presidential historian Doris Kearns, Goodwin, and Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie [49:47] Bunch. There's more ahead on NBC News Now. [49:50] We thank you for watching. And remember, stay updated on breaking news and top stories on the NBC News app [49:59] or watch live on our YouTube channel.