Meet the Press NOW — December 22

The U.S. Coast Guard seizes a second oil tanker and is in “active pursuit” of a third vessel as the Trump Administration ramps up its pressure campaign against the Maduro regime in Venezuela. Frustration is growing over the Justice Department’s handling of the release of the Epstein files. A Democratic and a Republican political operative find common ground over why North Carolina should be the first state in the presidential primary calendar. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche joins after the DOJ releases thousands of pages from the Epstein files. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) weigh in as the U.S. escalates tensions with Venezuela. Sara Fagen, Garrett Haake, former Sec. Jeh Johnson and Tyler Pager join the roundtable. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Justice Department begins releasing thousands of records related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-Va.), member of the House Oversight Committee, reacts to the latest tranche of Epstein files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A person of interest has been identified by law enforcement in connection with the mass shooting at Brown University, three senior law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation tell NBC News. Trump defends his economic policies amid waning poll numbers. Dr. Peter Hotez says cuts at HHS could harm pediatric research and health care. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) explains his decision to join Democrats to force a vote to extend the Obamacare subsidies. Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman discusses why she’s stepping down from her role amid trade tensions between both countries. Officials provide an update on the manhunt for the Brown University shooter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nick Reiner is expected to be charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the death of his parents Rob and Michele Reiner. Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) discusses the last-ditch efforts in the House to address expiring Obamacare tax credits. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles responds to an extensive Vanity Fair article, accusing the publication of taking her comments out of context.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A manhunt is underway in Providence, Rhode Island after two students were killed and nine others were injured in a shooting at Brown University. 15 people are dead in Sydney, Australia following a mass shooting that authorities claim targeted the Jewish community. Director Rob Reiner and his wife were killed overnight, with authorities saying his son now in custody. NBC News Chief Data Analyst Steve Kornacki looks at the latest polling from the NBC News Decision Desk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sens. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) join in the aftermath of a shooting at Brown University. Tom Winter updates on the suspect in custody. Steve Kornacki breaks down a new NBC News Decision Desk poll. Lanhee Chen, Jonathan Martin, Amna Nawaz and Neera Tanden join the roundtable. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) joins Meet the Press NOW after two health care bills fail in the Senate, and defends his decision to reopen the government without a health care deal. State Sen. Mike Bohacek (R-Ind.) explains why he voted against the new congressional map that favors Republicans even in the face of the pressure campaign from the White House. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee release more photos from the Epstein estate.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Indiana Senate rejects a congressional map that would have eliminated Democratic seats in the state. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) urges bipartisan cooperation in Congress as two separate health care plans fall short of passage in the House of Representatives. Former U.S. Southern Command General Wesley Clark weighs in on the United States’ seizure of an oil tanker off the shore of Venezuela as tensions escalate abroad. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.