In a wide-ranging appearance on Meet the Press with Kristen Welker, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) shared his perspectives on a series of hot-button national and international issues, aligning closely with former President Donald Trump on border enforcement and public safety while drawing a clear line on fiscal responsibility and international diplomacy.

On National Guard Deployment Without Governor Approval

Responding to President Trump’s unprecedented decision to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops without a governor’s sign-off, Senator Lankford defended the move as necessary to restore order in escalating protest zones. Rejecting California Governor Gavin Newsom’s warning that the move could “escalate tensions,” Lankford instead argued the opposite — that the goal is de-escalation.

“When we watched similar chaos in Portland and Seattle years ago, it took weeks of unrest before the National Guard was sent in,” Lankford noted. “President Trump is saying this time we won’t wait — American cities cannot be allowed to spiral out of control.”

He criticized sanctuary city policies, specifically in California, saying they foster a dangerous sense of immunity from federal law enforcement: “You can’t wave a Mexican flag and say you’re immune from arrest in an American city. Federal laws apply to everyone.”

On Military Support and Law Enforcement Overload

Lankford downplayed concerns about active-duty Marines potentially being used for law enforcement, clarifying that any military deployment would serve in a logistical, not policing, role. “LAPD does a great job, but when they’re overwhelmed, it’s important we have backup to prevent these situations from spiraling.”

On Immigration and Due Process

The Senator weighed in on the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported before a Supreme Court ruling on his status could be executed. Critics argue his deportation violated due process, but Lankford countered that the legal process differs for non-citizens.

“Everyone gets due process,” Lankford emphasized, “but the process is faster for non-citizens — it could be as simple as a federal agent explaining which law was broken.” He maintained that non-citizens are not afforded the same extended protections as American citizens, despite constitutional interpretations to the contrary.

On Elon Musk, Trump, and the “Big Beautiful Bill”

Lankford distanced himself from the escalating feud between Elon Musk and President Trump over the latest tax legislation. Trump warned of “very serious consequences” should Musk fund Democratic candidates — a statement Lankford brushed off as “social media drama.”

His focus, he stressed, remains on preventing tax increases slated to take effect January 1st. “We are working to maintain current tax rates, not lower them. Only in Washington is keeping taxes the same considered a tax cut,” he said.

Contrary to Musk’s assertion that the bill will “massively increase the deficit,” Lankford argued that failing to act would slow the economy and ultimately reduce revenue. He underscored the need to address structural spending, particularly in programs like Medicaid, where federal match rates are “backward” and encourage inefficient spending.

On Gaza and Humanitarian Efforts

Lankford also offered insights from his recent trip to the Middle East, including a stop in Israel. He described the destruction in Gaza as “unexplainable” and emphasized that while the U.S. will play a supporting role in humanitarian relief, it should not assume responsibility for rebuilding or governing the region.

“This is not America’s job to take over Gaza,” he said. “The humanitarian need is enormous, but Hamas must not be allowed to control Gaza moving forward. We must find a path for regional partners to lead the rebuilding process — without enabling terrorism.”

Conclusion

Senator Lankford’s appearance on Meet the Press showcased a steadfast defense of national security, a push for responsible spending, and a nuanced stance on humanitarian issues abroad. He continues to walk a political line between loyalty to Trump-era policies and efforts to maintain constitutional order and fiscal discipline.