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Transcript: Ret. Gen. Stanley McChrystal on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Sept. 29, 2024
The following is a transcript of an interview with Retired Army General Stanley McChrystal on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” that aired on Sept. 29, 2024.
ROBERT COSTA: We are back with retired Army General Stanley McChrystal. He did endorse Vice President Kamala Harris last week, and is appearing today on Face The Nation as a Harris campaign surrogate. Good morning, General. We appreciate your time. General McChrystal, you just heard from Senator Tom Cotton here on Face The Nation. He said, the United States when it comes to dealing with Israel in its- its battle against Hezbollah should not de-escalate. Should take Hezbollah to the mat. Do you believe that’s the right course for the United States in the days and weeks ahead?
GENERAL STANLEY MCCHRYSTAL: Well, I spent a long time in counterterrorism, we killed a lot of people, and what I learned was, unless you have an outcome, a political outcome that is durable, that all of those kinds of activities don’t last. So, I would urge both sides, Israel and Hezbollah, to take a look at the far ridge line. I know that’s hard to do, because once you’ve shed this much blood, the emotion runs deep. You kill people’s parents and children and brothers and sisters on both sides. And so I think that where we are now is just spiraling. The violence is unlikely to produce a good outcome. And yet, I can sympathize with both sides, the visceral desire to go after the other.
ROBERT COSTA: What’s your assessment of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, how he’s handling this moment and his strategy?
GENERAL STANLEY MCCHRYSTAL: Well, I think he’s got a strategy to try to push Iran into a corner, and he may be doing that, but the long term outcome in Palestine writ large is going to be from a statesman like view. And so if he’s taking a wartime view only, I think at some point he’s either going to have to widen that aperture or take a longer view of it.
ROBERT COSTA: You believe the Israelis and Prime Minister Netanyahu pushing Iran into a corner, as you put it, does that mean war with Iran, between Israel and Iran is on the horizon, potentially, and what does that mean for the United States if true?
GENERAL STANLEY MCCHRYSTAL: I think anything’s potential on the horizon, but, but I don’t know.
ROBERT COSTA: What are you watching now, though, to see if this- this action with Hezbollah assassinating Nasrallah escalates into something far wider in the region. What are you watching? What are the key points?
GENERAL STANLEY MCCHRYSTAL: Well, I think the key thing is, the more you press the fight, the harder you go for the juggler, the more you create scar tissue that’s going to last for generations, and that’s a factor.
ROBERT COSTA: You endorsed vice president Kamala Harris this week. You endorsed President Biden in 2020 in your op ed in the New York Times, you talk about character. What is it about her character versus former President Trump that so convinced you to take this public stand and endorse her?
GENERAL STANLEY MCCHRYSTAL: I think character is what a person does when they’re under pressure. It is a combination of their deep seated beliefs, the things their core values, and the discipline they have to execute those to live up to them. So I think when we look at Kamala Harris, we look at her history, she came up as a prosecutor, an attorney general, into the Senate. She has lived a number of experiences that I think builded someone the kind of character that’s going to be necessary in the presidency. But let’s be sure, we don’t elect a president based on policies. We shouldn’t. We should elect them for the character, because we don’t know what’s going to come up. We didn’t know that one term Congressman Abraham Lincoln was going to be able to lead the United States through the Civil War. We never knew that the clothing salesman Harry Truman was going to be able to make the decision to drop the atomic bomb or to deal with the crisis in Korea. Those things come into a presidency in a way that tests the metal and the character of the person in that office.
ROBERT COSTA: The presidency certainly tests, and it can forge leadership over time. But what convinces you now, ahead of a possible presidency, that she’s ready, especially on national security and foreign policy areas you know well?
GENERAL STANLEY MCCHRYSTAL: What do we know about anyone before the job like that? Young President Kennedy, when he was elected, was a young senator, he did pretty well. He struggled first through the Bay of Pigs, then did pretty well in the Cuban Missile crisis. Donald Trump had no background in it. What we’ve seen from Kamala Harris convinces me she has the strength, she has the values to deal with the uncertain crises that’re inevitable.
ROBERT COSTA: What’s your view of how she and President Biden handled the withdrawal from Afghanistan?
GENERAL STANLEY MCCHRYSTAL: Afghanistan is difficult. There was 20 years of American involvement in Afghanistan, and a lot of the bricks were put in place. In the direction that that went. There had been a decision made with the Doha courts in the previous administration that the Biden administration had to make a decision to deal with. I didn’t like the outcome in Afghanistan. I put a lot of my life there. And the young Americans who gave so much of themselves, I don’t think did it in vain. I think they did it in a worthy effort that made Afghanistan a better place. But things don’t always turn out like we hope they will.
ROBERT COSTA: You wrote in your op ed that it’s mostly about character, but you connected in your piece character to policy, especially on America’s role in the world. Do you believe that Vice President Harris is, in a sense, a continuation of President Biden’s foreign policy and embrace of Western institutions like NATO, traditional American alliances, is that one of the driving factors of your endorsement, more than just her personal character?
GENERAL STANLEY MCCHRYSTAL: I think Vice President Harris’s character is going to drive policies based upon values, but very common sense values. She’s a practical person, and I think that that will come out.
ROBERT COSTA: But there’s a real debate in this country about America’s role in the world. Trump, the former president, constantly talks about America first, has skepticism toward how NATO functions in some respects. Do you worry that if Trump wins another term of the presidency, that America’s role in the world would change in a fundamental way?
GENERAL STANLEY MCCHRYSTAL: I think America’s role in the world is critical. Take, for example, the war in Ukraine. You can make an argument that Ukraine is not a strategic national interest for the United States. I cannot accept an argument that Europe is not. And yet, if Ukraine falls to Russian aggression, even a significant part of it, the Baltic States and our NATO Alliance is going to be increasingly threatened, and, I would argue, weakened, and I think long term, that’s much against our interest.
ROBERT COSTA: Is it credible that, as Trump says, that he could cut a deal to end the war in Ukraine?
GENERAL STANLEY MCCHRYSTAL: I would doubt that. But if he said, If he has a deal–
ROBERT COSTA: He doesn’t talk about details, as we just discussed with Senator Cotton, but he’s claiming he can, he can cut a deal. Would Vice President Harris, you think, be able to end the war between Russia and Ukraine?
GENERAL STANLEY MCCHRYSTAL: I think it’s going to be difficult to end this war. I personally think we need to support Ukraine as strong as we can, so that their sovereignty is protected as we come out.
ROBERT COSTA: So many former military officials, top leaders who have served men and women in uniform, have come out against former President Donald Trump. There are those, of course, like former retired General Keith Kellogg, who do support former President Trump, but high profile people like yourself have raised concerns. I think about General Milley. I think about- General Milley had concerns in the final days of Trump’s presidency about how he was handling his work. And you have concerns. You have endorsed Vice President Harris. It comes down to one core question here, General McChrystal, do you believe former President Donald Trump is fit for office?
GENERAL STANLEY MCCHRYSTAL: I believe that Vice President Harris is fit to lead the country in the presidency–
[CROSSTALK]
ROBERT COSTA: Well let’s go right to the question of Trump, is he fit for office or not? You’re a former top leader of the United States military. You’re supporting a presidential candidate. You have a former president now running for the presidency again. You seem to have core character. Questions, is he fit for office or not?
GENERAL STANLEY MCCHRYSTAL: Okay, Bob, let’s be honest. Why would a retired military officer come on to endorse his opponent? You tell me, because I think character is very important, and so I’m voting for character. I’m voting for Kamala Harris.
ROBERT COSTA: General Stanley McChrystal. We appreciate you stopping by Face the Nation and sharing your views. Thank you very much, and we’ll be right back with a lot more. Face the Nation. Stay with us.
Some residents east of Atlanta were evacuated while others were told to shelter in place to avoid contact with a chemical plume after a fire at a chemical plant.
Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel told reporters that a sprinkler head malfunctioned around 5 a.m. Sunday at the BioLab plant in Conyers. That caused water to mix with a water-reactive chemical, which produced a plume of chemicals. The chief said she wasn’t sure what chemicals were included.
A small roof fire was initially contained, but reignited Sunday afternoon, Sheriff Eric Levett said in a video posted on Facebook as gray smoke billowed into the sky behind him. He said authorities were trying to get the fire under control and urged people to stay away from the area.
People in the northern part of Rockdale County were ordered to evacuate and others were told to shelter in place with windows and doors closed. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Christine Nesbitt did not know the number of people evacuated.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division were both on site, county Emergency Management Director Sharon Webb said. The agencies are monitoring the air “to give us more of an idea of what the plume consists of.”
McDaniel said crews were working on removing the chemical from the building, away from the water source. Once the product is contained, the situation will be assessed and officials will let residents know whether it is safe to return to their homes, she said.
An evacuation center was opened at Wolverine Gym in Covington.
Washington — Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will face off on Tuesday in the first and only vice presidential debate of the cycle, as the two candidates look to prop up the Republican and Democratic tickets with fewer than 40 days until Election Day.
The debate, hosted by CBS News at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City, will be moderated by “CBS Evening News” anchor and managing editor Norah O’Donnell and “Face the Nation” moderator and CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan.
Here’s what to know about how the candidates are preparing for the debate:
How JD Vance is preparing for the VP debate
The Ohio Republican has been preparing for the debate for more than a month, a source directly involved told CBS News, including with “murder board” sessions with a small team that includes Vance’s wife and his advisers, along with senior Trump adviser Jason Miller.
Among Vance’s main focuses during the preparation has been studying Walz’ debate style and policy record, the source said, noting that Vance will attempt to highlight what he sees as the Minnesota governor’s left-wing views during the debate.
Vance told reporters last week that his plan is to break down what the Trump-Vance administration would do to make “life better” and connect that to policy.
“So, we’re studying up as much as we can on the issues that matter to the American people, and I’m looking forward to it,” Vance said.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a Minnesota Republican, is standing in for Walz during Vance’s debate prep, four sources familiar with the preparations told CBS News. Emmer and Walz have deep roots in Minnesota and are close in age.
Emmer told ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday that he’s known Walz for decades and has spent the last month working to “get his phrases down, his mannerisms.”
“My job was to be able to play Tim Walz so JD Vance knows what he’s going to see,” Emmer said.
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How Tim Walz is preparing for the VP debate
Walz has been preparing for the debate with a close team of advisers, a source familiar with the preparations told CBS News. Some of the people involved also helped Vice President Kamala Harris take on former President Donald Trump, among others, like a long-time aid to Walz who worked with him during his bids for governor.
For Walz, whose name recognition was until recently limited outside of Minnesota, the focus is on continuing to introduce himself to the American people, according to the source. He’ll also work to highlight Harris’ vision for the nation’s path forward.
“You’ll hear me talk like I have about things that impact Americans, making sure they have the opportunity to thrive, making sure that we’re being factual in how we talk about that,” Walz told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow of the debate earlier this month. “And so I’m looking forward to it. I’ll work hard, that’s what I do.”
During debate prep, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is standing in for Vance, a campaign official familiar with the preparation told CBS News. The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, also assisted Harris during her debate prep in 2020, and is close in age to Vance.
When and how to watch the presidential debate
Debate coverage on CBS News 24/7 begins at 4 p.m. ET, with the debate getting underway at 9 p.m. ET on Oct. 1.
The 90-minute debate will be streamed on CBS News 24/7 and Paramount+ across all available platforms and CBSNews.com. The debate will also be simulcast across other broadcast and cable networks.
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Actor John Ashton, best known for his role as the by-the-book detective in the “Beverly Hills Cop” franchise, has died, his publicist Alan Somers confirmed to CBS News on Sunday. He was 79.
Ashton died Thursday in Ft. Collins, Colorado, after a battle with cancer.
“John was a loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather who will be deeply missed by all who knew him,” a statement said.
Leon Bennett/Getty Images
Ashton was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on Feb. 22, 1948, and raised in Enfield, Connecticut. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern California.
Throughout his 50-year career in show business, Ashton appeared in nearly 100 movies after making his debut in 1973’s “The Psychopath.”
He was probably best known for his role as Det. Sgt. John Taggart in the first two installments of the “Beverly Hills Cop” series alongside Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold. He reprised his role in 2024’s “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.”
Paramount Pictures via Getty
Other film credits include “Some Kind of Wonderful,” “She’s Having a Baby,” “Midnight Run,” “Little Big League” and “Gone Baby Gone.”
On television, he played Willie Joe Garr on several episodes of “Dallas” and made an appearance on such shows like “Columbo,” “Police Squad!” “Hardball” and others.
“John devoted his career to honing his craft and bringing characters to life on the screen. His presence will be greatly missed,” Somers said.
Ashton is survived by his wife Robin Hoye, three children, three step-children and a grandson. He also leaves behind two sisters and a brother.
“John leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and service. His memory will forever be treasured by his wife, children, grandchildren, as well as his brother, sisters, his extended family and all who loved him,” Somers said. “John’s impact on the world will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.”
The family requests any donations in Ashton’s memory be made to Pathways Hospice Care
Residents in Georgia ordered to evacuate or shelter in place after fire at chemical plant
Israeli airstrikes kill dozens across Lebanon as Hezbollah confirms a 7th top commander was killed
Residents told to evacuate or take shelter after Georgia chemical plant fire