Meet the Press NOW — December 18

President-elect Trump prepares his plans for his first day back in office. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss Mike Johnson's speakership and the new year on Capitol Hill. NBC News campaign embed Alex Tabet profiles President-elect Trump’s pick for Attorney General, Pam Bondi.

President-Elect Trump pushes back on claims of Elon Musk’s growing influence. House Speaker Mike Johnson fights to keep his job after narrowly avoiding a government shutdown. A House Ethics Committee report finds evidence that former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) may have violated state laws on prostitution and statutory raps. NBC News campaign embed Alex Tabet profiles President-elect Trump’s pick for Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright.

In a special edition of Meet the Press, Kristen Welker sits down with bipartisan duo Sen. Raphael Warncok (D-Ga.) and Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) to explore how Americans can find common ground in a deeply divided nation. Doris Kearns Goodwin, Russell Moore and Antonia Hylton join the roundtable.

House Republicans attempt to move forward with their latest plan to extend government funding. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) join Meet the Press NOW to react to the latest proposal. A U.S. delegation visits Syria for their first meeting since Bashar al-Assad’s fall from power. NBC News campaign embed Alex Tabet profiles President-elect Trump’s pick for Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.

President-elect Donald Trump comes out in support of the new government funding plan from House Republicans. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) join Meet the Press Now to discuss the looming potential government shutdown. Asheville, North Carolina Mayor Esther Manheimer explains how critical disaster relief funding being debated in Congress is for her community.

Reps. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) and Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) join Meet the Press NOW to discuss the continuing resolution to avert a government shutdown. The Federal Reserve cuts interest rates as economic uncertainty looms over President-elect Donald Trump’s second term. House Republicans recommend the FBI investigate former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) over her involvement in the January 6 Committee.

Luigi Mangione is indicted on murder charges for the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.) says he feels "reassured" after law enforcement officials briefed lawmakers on the recent drone sightings. Russia promises retaliation after Ukraine claims responsibility for assassinating a senior general. 

President-elect Donald Trump lays out his second term agenda and defends his cabinet picks at his first press conference since winning the election. Residents of New Jersey want answers after drone sightings. South Korea's president is impeached after attempting to declare martial law.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) joins Meet the Press to discuss President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks and their likelihood of getting confirmed. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders talks to Kristen Welker about President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son and potential preemptive pardons for members of the Jan. 6 committee. Debra Tice discusses her son and American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria more than a decade ago. Amna Nawaz, Ryan Nobles, Ashley Etienne and Peggy Noonan join the Meet the Press roundtable.

NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel reports on the latest from Syria about missing American Austin Tice. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) joins Meet the Press NOW to respond to President-elect Donald Trump's immigration plans. Minnesota Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin discusses why he is running to be DNC chair. Dave Wasserman, senior editor and elections analyst for the Cook Political Report, explains the key takeaways from the 2024 election.