Transcript: Sen. Mark Kelly on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," June 14, 2026

Key Points:

• Senator Mark Kelly expressed support for President Biden's call for all sides to stand down following the Israeli attack on Beirut, emphasizing the importance of ongoing negotiations with Iran and criticizing the 2018 U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA under President Trump.
• Kelly confirmed that the U.S. military faces a significant munitions shortage due to extensive use in conflicts involving Iran and Ukraine, highlighting the need for careful management and continued support for Ukraine, including potential co-manufacturing of defense equipment.
• On U.S. intelligence surveillance, Kelly opposed extending Section 702 surveillance authority until concerns about Bill Pulte's potential role as acting DNI are resolved, calling for a clear presidential statement to exclude Pulte from the position to facilitate renewal.
• Kelly remains cautious but open to confirming Jay Clayton as the Senate-confirmed Director of National Intelligence, noting Clayton's lack of extensive national security experience but considering him preferable to Bill Pulte pending further vetting.
• Regarding artificial intelligence security, Kelly agreed with the Biden administration's cautious approach toward AI companies like Anthropic amid concerns over potential foreign access, stressing the need for thorough evaluation to protect national security and public safety.