PBS NewsHour - Politics

The Supreme Court gave the Trump administration the green light to reorganize agencies and begin the process of mass firings of federal workers. The reductions in force had been on hold for months, but tens of thousands of employees at nearly 20 agencies could soon be out of work. Lisa Desjardins discussed where things stand with Everett Kelley of the American Federation of Government Employees. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Justice Department has fired several officials involved in the Jan. 6 criminal prosecution and others have been demoted to low-level positions. They are the latest moves that some say are part of a retribution campaign against anyone who worked on the investigation. White House correspondent Laura Barrón-López spoke with Greg Rosen, one of the prosecutors who led that case. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Wednesday, President Trump announced 50 percent tariffs on Brazil for what he called a "witch hunt" against former President Bolsonaro, former President Biden's White House doctor refused to answer questions from Republican lawmakers and Europe's top human rights court found that Russia committed widespread violations of international law in Ukraine dating back more than a decade. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

It has been a week since Congress passed the Republicans' major budget act. But what’s in it and how it will affect Americans' day-to-day lives remains a mystery to most. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins read the nearly 900-page law and joined Amna Nawaz to help make sense of it all. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Democratic Party officials are looking at the Big Beautiful Bill as a political gift and hoping voters view cuts to social spending negatively. But the party faces challenges ahead of the midterms, including a Republican trifecta and a base questioning if party leadership is doing enough to challenge President Trump. Amna Nawaz discussed where the party goes next with DNC Chair Ken Martin. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Justice Department released a memo detailing Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 death in prison. The report ruled out foul play, saying Epstein died by suicide, and found no evidence that he kept a list to incriminate those involved in his sex crimes. Now, some of President Trump’s allies are frustrated that the administration is moving on from the case. John Yang discussed more with Glenn Thrush. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Trump is ratcheting up trade negotiations by threatening to place much higher tariffs on several countries. Most of the 14 countries targeted are in Asia, including Japan and South Korea, some of the U.S.'s largest trading partners and staunchest allies. William Brangham discusses the implications this will have on the relationship between America and its Asian allies with Wendy Cutler. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

ICE is receiving a major infusion of funding to help carry out President Trump’s deportation agenda. The big budget bill passed by Republicans includes billions for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, giving it more funding than any other federal law enforcement agency. White House correspondent Laura Barrón-López reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Trump’s big tax law includes a major provision the GOP has endorsed for years: work requirements for Medicaid recipients and for food stamp benefits. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 11.8 million Americans could lose medical coverage over the next decade and more than 3 million could lose SNAP benefits. Laura Barrón-López discussed the stakes with Pamela Herd. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest political news, including questions about disaster response amid threats to disband FEMA, President Trump's latest tariff announcement brings more uncertainty and Elon Musk says he's starting a new party after his feud with Trump. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Friday, President Trump signed his One Big, Beautiful Bill Act into law, Ukraine says Russia unleashed an assault of drones and missiles in its biggest all-out attack of the war, at least 35 Palestinians were killed in another day of Israel's military campaign in Gaza and at least six people are dead in Texas after heavy rain caused a flash flood of the Guadalupe River. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join John Yang to discuss the week in politics, including the political fallout of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, President Trump's total control over Washington and the state of American democracy on this Independence Day. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The so-called "One Big, Beautiful Bill" overcame thin Republican majorities and weeks of tense negotiations, just meeting the president's self-imposed Independence Day deadline. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins takes us through the policy and politics of the GOP's signature bill. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

For more on how Republicans, even those who were staunchly opposed to the so-called "One Big, Beautiful Bill," have since come around, William Brangham spoke with Sarah Longwell, a Republican strategist and publisher of The Bulwark. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Among the big winners with President Trump's bill are corporations and small businesses. The bill would make permanent the tax breaks from his first term, expand provisions on expenses and itemizations and allow companies to deduct the cost of new manufacturing plants. For a business perspective, William Brangham spoke with Jay Timmons of the National Association of Manufacturers. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Millions of children and working families will soon feel the impact of a funding freeze that will put a halt to key school programs. With very little explanation, the Education Department abruptly blocked the release of nearly $7 billion set to be distributed on July 1. Laura Barrón-López discussed more with Jodi Grant of the Afterschool Alliance. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

It was a dramatic day in the House, where President Trump's massive tax cut and budget bill is currently in limbo. Conservatives and others with concerns are not yet on board and the House has frozen proceedings as GOP leaders try to get enough votes to move forward. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Even with a handful of holdouts raising objections over cuts to Medicaid or the ballooning deficits, the vast majority of House Republicans have lined up to support President Trump's bill. They say it represents big wins for his agenda by extending tax cuts and adding work requirements for Medicaid. Congressman Mike Flood of Nebraska supports the bill and joined Amna Nawaz to discuss why. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Congressman Ralph Norman of South Carolina is one of the House Republicans concerned about the Senate version of President Trump's massive tax cut and budget bill. He joined Geoff Bennett to discuss more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Paramount agreed to pay Donald Trump $16 million to settle a lawsuit over a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris. Trump alleged the interview was edited to improve how Harris sounded, a claim CBS denied. Paramount said the funds will go to President Trump’s library, not him personally, and did not have to issue an apology as part of the deal. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Brian Stelter. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A study in The Lancet suggests that cuts to USAID could result in the death of 14 million people over the next five years. Ghana has long been seen as a beacon of democracy in West Africa, but it still struggles with poverty and serious health problems, especially in rural areas. With the support of The Pulitzer Center, William Brangham reports on what ending aid will mean for people there. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Trump's massive domestic policy bill overcame a major hurdle in the Senate. Vice President Vance broke a tie to pass the legislation after lawmakers worked through the night and made last-minute changes. The bill shrinks Medicaid, extends trillions in tax cuts and is the most expensive budget bill Congress has ever considered. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Provisions in the GOP policy bill would end a host of tax credits for renewable energy, including one that allows homeowners to recoup 30 percent of the cost of a rooftop solar system. Businesses say it could deal a serious blow to the industry. Geoff Bennett discusses the potential with Dan Conant of Solar Holler, a solar installation company in West Virginia, for our series, Tipping Point. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As Republicans try to push through their big bill that would inject billions into President Trump’s deportation campaign, the president visited a new detention center in Florida. The facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” by local officials is located at an airport in the Florida Everglades and is set to hold up to 5,000 beds. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Trump’s hardline immigration policies have earned mixed reviews from Americans. That’s according to our latest PBS News/NPR/Marist poll released Tuesday. Amna Nawaz discussed the numbers with NPR's Domenico Montanaro. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Trump's agenda, and one of the largest bills in U.S. history, is in the hands of the Senate. At stake is trillions in tax cuts, reshaping the country’s immigration system, energy future and the future of Medicaid. It’s unclear whether Republicans will have the votes. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Recent changes to President Trump’s tax and spending bill would cut roughly $1.1 trillion in health care spending over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. It also found the bill would result in 11.8 million people losing health insurance by 2034 with the majority of those cuts hitting Medicaid. Laura Barrón-López discussed the impact with Larry Levitt of KFF. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest political news, including lawmakers voting on President Trump’s "One Big Beautiful Bill," some GOP members standing up against Trump and the strategy for Democrats in future elections. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Sunday, the Senate began debating Trump’s tax and spending cuts bill as Republicans hope to pass it by July 4, Ukrainian officials said Russia carried out one of its biggest aerial attacks of the war overnight, and Israel’s military ordered a massive evacuation from areas of northern Gaza. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Saturday, senators are holding a rare weekend session as the deadline to pass Trump’s budget bill looms, mourners gathered in Tehran for the funeral of top military commanders and scientists killed in the war with Israel, Palestinian officials said Israeli strikes killed at least 62 people in Gaza, and a funeral was held in Minneapolis for Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Supreme Court delivered a major decision Friday that limits federal judges’ power to block the president’s agenda nationwide. Stemming from a case over Trump’s order on birthright citizenship, the ruling says that individual judges cannot grant nationwide injunctions against presidential policies. Supreme Court analyst Amy Howe and law professor Amanda Frost join Geoff Bennett to discuss. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A make-or-break weekend lies ahead for Trump’s big budget bill and his hope of passing it by July 4. Republican senators had not yet posted text of their proposal as of Friday afternoon, but PBS News Hour has learned that they hope to start voting Saturday. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins joins Amna Nawaz with the latest. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

James Ryan, the University of Virginia’s president, is resigning after a pressure campaign by the Trump administration and amid a Justice Department investigation into UVA’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. It marks what appears to be the first time the White House has forced out a university leader. Geoff Bennett speaks with Peter McDonough of the American Council on Education for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Trump administration announced Friday that starting on Sept. 2, Haitians cannot remain in the U.S. under temporary protected status. It’s part of a broader change by the administration to revoke legal protections for citizens of several countries, including Venezuela. Many Venezuelan migrants ended up in Chicago, where special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports about a community on edge. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Amna Nawaz to discuss the week in politics, including analysis of the Supreme Court’s latest decisions, the Trump administration’s claims that U.S. strikes obliterated Iran’s nuclear program, and the results of New York City’s mayoral primary. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Supreme Court sided with South Carolina, ruling Planned Parenthood and one of its patients could not sue over that state’s effort to deny it Medicaid funds. The 6-3 decision was split along ideological lines and paves the way for other states to cut funding to abortion-care providers. Geoff Bennett breaks down the case and its implications with PBS News Supreme Court Analyst Amy Howe. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Trump’s big budget bill faces a significant test as the Senate prepares to start voting as soon as Friday. It comes as the Senate parliamentarian ruled that some major Medicaid changes in the bill do not qualify for the budget process Republicans are using. Lisa Desjardins reports on where the bill stands and who could gain or lose from it. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Wednesday, chaos erupted in Kenya as police clashed with protesters amid growing public anger over police brutality and corruption, the Israeli military says that seven of its soldiers were killed in Gaza when Hamas militants attached a bomb to their armored vehicle and Kilmar Abrego Garcia will remain in jail as legal teams debate whether he'd be deported if released. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In a stunning upset, 33-year-old Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor. Final results won't be official for several days, but his win has sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party. To discuss Mamdani's win and what comes next, Amna Nawaz spoke with Errol Lewis, political anchor for Spectrum News NY1 and host of the Inside City Hall program. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

On Capitol Hill, senators questioned President Trump’s budget director over the administration's request to claw back funds for foreign aid and public media. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A top Justice Department official nominated by President Trump to serve as a federal judge faced tough questions from Senate Democrats. Emil Bove has faced intense scrutiny for some of the DOJ's most aggressive actions in recent months, including the firing of prosecutors and FBI agents who investigated the president and Jan. 6. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Carrie Johnson of NPR. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

On Capitol Hill, planned briefings from intelligence officials on the rapidly changing situation in the Middle East were postponed. The Senate briefing is now set for Thursday and the House briefing on Friday. Geoff Bennett discussed the White House's reason for pushing back the briefings with Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders