[Stephanie Curry, Daughter Of Robert Levinson, American Held Hostage In Iran:] It has been 10 years since our father has been missing and two previous administrations have failed to get him home. And we are very confident that President Trump has the dealmaking skills that are necessary in order to bring him home.
[Camerota:] Well, that was the Levinson family expressing their confidence on NEW DAY a few months ago their confidence in President Trump. Well, today, they're taking their fight to Capitol Hill to again try to bring their father home. Iran has held former FBI agent Robert Levinson for more than 10 years. Last week, the White House released a statement urging Iran to release him, saying the U.S. is prepared to impose sanctions if Iran does not comply. Joining us now is Dan Levinson. He's the eldest son of Robert Levinson. Dan's brother Doug will speak before the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing today. Dan, thanks so much for being here.
[Dan Levinson, Son Of Robert Levinson, American Held Hostage In Iran:] Thank you for having me.
[Camerota:] Do you still share your sister's confidence? That was back in March where she said that she was certain that President Trump's dealmaking skills would allow him to get your father out of Iran. How are you feeling today?
[Levinson:] I do. I think the statement that the White House released on Friday was a great first step. They're holding Iranians' feet to the fire. We need them to follow through and make sure that they keep the pressure on the Iranians, and that they're going to keep up bringing up my dad in any kind of engagement with the Iranians, and they need to be engaging with them as well.
[Camerota:] This is the statement that you're referring to. Let me read it for everyone. "The United States condemns hostage takers and nations that continue to take hostages and detain our citizens without just cause or due process. President Trump urges Iran to return Robert Levinson home, who has been held for over 10 years, and is prepared to impose new and serious consequences on Iran unless all unjustly imprisoned American citizens are released and returned." That is strong language, Dan, but what makes you think that the White House is able to do something beyond issue strongly-worded statements?
[Levinson:] Well, we're hoping that they do. It's going to take negotiations, it's going to take a deal. President Trump, he's known as a dealmaker so I think it's going to take these negotiations. But it's going to take more than just asking for cooperation and help in locating him, which is what we've been hearing for 10 years. And this more strongly-worded statement comes with the sticks that need to accompany the carrots when it comes to dealing with Iran. And they only respond to pressure we've learned this over 10 years and we're going to keep pressuring them ourselves. We're going to pressure out government to, in turn, pressure them as well.
[Camerota:] President Trump made a promise on the campaign trail before he was elected, when he was just a candidate in 2015, about your dad and I want to play this for you.
[Donald Trump, Then Candidate For President:] If I win the presidency, I guarantee you that those four prisoners are back in our country before I ever take office. I guarantee that. They will be back before I ever take office because they know that's what has to happen, OK? They know it. And if they don't know it, I'm telling them right now.
[Camerota:] So Dan, obviously that didn't happen.
[Levinson:] No.
[Camerota:] Was President Trump overly confident there?
[Levinson:] I guess so. He said a lot of things on the campaign trail, including that he knows that Iran knows exactly where my dad is, so we're hoping that he's going to talk about that and keep that pressure. And all we can do is look forward now and hope that President Trump follows through on these things. And that kind of talk we're hoping he continues that as the president as the President of the United States to saying Iran, you're holding him. Send him home or they'll be consequences.
[Camerota:] I mean, I guess my question is was he overly confident and is that helpful? In other words, is he stoking your optimism and making promises that he's not going to be able to fulfill?
[Levinson:] Of course, we're always optimistic that things are that he's going to be home soon. And I can't speak for all we can do is keep pressuring them. And we were at the White House last week. State we met with State Department officials, FBI officials, and we're reminding them that Trump President Trump did say these things and that he's still not home.
[Camerota:] Of course, it's Congress that will impose sanctions and, in fact, there's a bill with Iran, North Korea, and Russia that they are considering. What is your brother Doug going to tell Congress today?
[Levinson:] Well, my brother was 13 years old. He's the youngest of we're seven kids, my dad and mom have and he was the youngest one 13 years old. He's grown over a foot since my dad was arrested. He's event taller than my dad now and he wears his shoes to work these days. He's working on Capitol Hill. He's grown into an adult and he wants to tell our story about how much my dad's missed so many weddings and new grandchildren. I just held his newest grandson in my arms on Saturday. He misses these things. He had seven kids for a reason. He loves babies and he loves small children. He's never going to get these years back and all we can do is hope that he gets home to be able to spend time more time with his family and see the new grandchildren. He hasn't met five out of the six grandchildren he has yet.
[Camerota:] Dan Levinson, we're keeping your family in our prayers and, of course, we're continuing to follow your story on NEW DAY. Thanks so much for the update.
[Levinson:] Thank you. Thank you for keeping us in the press.
[Camerota:] Absolutely. We're following a lot of news this morning so let's get right to it.
[Trump:] Any senator who votes against starting debate is telling America you are fine with the Obamacare nightmare.
[Unidentified Female:] A showdown vote scheduled today on whether to begin debate on repealing Obamacare.
[Sen. Chuck Schumer , Senate Minority Leader:] We are spending most of our time fighting this awful health care bill.
[Unidentified Male:] Having John McCain come back for this vote is a huge, huge break for Mitch McConnell.
[Camerota:] The president is slamming his attorney general Jeff Sessions, calling him weak.
[Unidentified Male:] Well, what's really disturbing here is that he's really torturing him. President Trump and his aides have been discussing possibly removing Jeff Sessions. President Trump's trying to interfere with the independence of the attorney general. That's absolutely wrong and should not be tolerated.
[Announcer:] This is NEW DAY with Chris Cuomo and Alisyn Camerota.
[Camerota:] Good morning, everyone. Welcome to your new day. It is Tuesday, July 25th, 8:00 in the East. Up first, President Trump making it clear what's on his mind this morning in an early morning tweetstorm. The president calling on Senate Republicans to step up to the plate as they vote today to begin debating a repeal of Obamacare. This comes as Sen. John McCain makes a dramatic return to Washington to cast what could be a deciding vote on health care.
[Cuomo:] The president also continues to publicly bully his attorney general Jeff Sessions. He called him out for having a very weak position on Hillary Clinton and saying he should be investigating his rival. Why is the president attacking the first senator to his presidential campaign as a supporter? Is Mr. Trump just trying to push him out in public? Joining us now, CNN political analyst David Gregory; "CNN POLITICS" reporter and editor-at-large, Chris Cillizza; and congressional reporter for "The Washington Post," Karoun Demirjian.