Garrett Haake

He's got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a cheesecake factory.

Joining me for insight and analysis are NBC News Chief White House Correspondent Garrett Haake, former Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, and former Republican Governor Pat McCrory of North Carolina.

Welcome to Sunday, it's Meet the Press.

From NBC News in Washington, the longest running show in television history, this is Meet the Press with Kristen Welker.

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NBC News Chief White House correspondent Garrett Haake, former Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and former Republican Governor Pat McCrory of North Carolina.

Welcome to all of you on this big Sunday.

Welcome to Here's the Scoop Election Edition.

I'm Garrett Haake.

Every Saturday this fall leading up to the midterms, I've been talking with the smartest voices to discuss the top issues, the places, and the players that could ultimately decide control in Washington.

Last week, we dove into why Iowa has become a political battleground once again.

See Experian.com for details.

Welcome back to Here's the Scoop Election Edition.

I'm Garrett Haake.

Connecticut's Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has become one of the most outspoken members of Congress when it comes to regulating AI.

Lewandowski's attorney telling NBC News he, quote, denies any wrongdoing when he was proudly serving his country in a voluntary capacity and has not been contacted by the DOJ.

Garrett Haake has joined us now from the White House.

Usually, Garrett, the president is quick to defend folks that have worked in his cabinet and or close to his inner circle.

It didn't necessarily seem there as if the president was willing to do that for his former campaign manager.

His release coming as the U.S. tries to broker a deal between Russia and Ukraine and as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff comes under fire for calling Russian leader Vladimir Putin a humanitarian.

Garrett Haake reports.

Tonight, retired American schoolteacher Stephen Hubbard, held in Russia since 2022, is on his way back to the United States, pardoned and released by Vladimir Putin in what the Russians describe as a gesture of goodwill.

I spoke to him this morning.

The midterms, Ohio, will be very, very strongly considered for this.

Joining me now from South Carolina ahead of the president's visit is NBC News chief White House correspondent Garrett Haake.

With me on set, senior national political reporter Sahil Kapur.

Garrett, let me start with you.

Tom?

All right, Garrett Haake leading us off from the White House.

Later in the broadcast, we're going to take you live to the president's rally there in Kansas.

Julie Sirkin standing by for Top Story for a live report when the president hits that stage.

Among those battlegrounds, reliably red Kansas, where tonight President Trump is set to campaign for incumbent Republican Senator Roger Marshall, who faces a significant challenge from Democrat Adam Hamilton.

The president departed the White House for Kansas just moments ago, speaking to reporters, including our NBC colleague Garrett Haik.

Is it a bad sign for Republicans that you have to go campaign in Kansas today?

No, I tell you, I have a man named Roger, and you know him very well, Roger Marshall.

And even more disapprove of his handling of inflation and the cost of living.

And a majority say that Democrats would better handle the all-important issue of rising prices.

My NBC News colleagues have been on the ground in Kansas, where the president is heading, and in Kentucky, where he campaigned this weekend, speaking to voters about that important issue.

How do you feel about this election?

In Washington tonight, the stunning rise and fall of White House Press Secretary, Katie Zacharia, now out of the role less than a week after taking the job.

Garrett Haake reports tonight from the White House.

Tonight, President Trump's press secretary, Katie Zacharia, is out after a rocky five days on the job-

I mean, she wasn't impressive

Now, the president today also dismissed recent reporting that his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, might soon leave or be fired, saying there was, quote, "zero chance" he'd move to replace his top aide.

Tom.

Garrett Haake, it is fall at the White House tonight.

Garrett, thank you.