Transcript: Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Mike Lawler on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," May 24, 2026

Key Points:

• Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) discussed a potential US-Iran memorandum of understanding, emphasizing the need for detailed understanding before judgment; Lawler highlighted efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, while Gottheimer expressed concern over unclear progress on Iran's missile and terror capabilities.
• Gottheimer welcomed the potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as beneficial for lowering gas prices but questioned if the deal meets the initial US objectives of curbing Iran's nuclear and military threats.
• Lawler defended President Trump's visit to his district and addressed concerns about an IRS agreement protecting Trump family documents, criticizing the Biden administration for weaponizing government agencies.
• Both lawmakers condemned the rise in antisemitism in the US, citing a 70% increase in incidents since October 7, 2025, and called for bipartisan efforts to counter hateful rhetoric from fringe candidates and public figures.
• They emphasized the responsibility of both political parties to reject antisemitism and support legislation like the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, aiming to hold accountable those who promote hate speech and violence against Jewish communities.