PBS NewsHour - Politics

On Tuesday, Trump administration officials briefed members of Congress on the war with Iran. It comes as both chambers gear up to vote on a War Powers Act measure that could limit President Trump's authority in carrying out strikes. Amna Nawaz discussed more 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Democratic and some Republican senators pressed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over what they described as overly aggressive immigration enforcement. Noem's testimony before the Judiciary Committee comes as Congress remains deadlocked over DHS funding, raising concerns about national security at a moment of escalating conflict in the Middle East. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Tuesday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will testify in the House Oversight Committee's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, the father of an alleged school shooter in Georgia was found guilty of second-degree murder and officials in Pakistan say Afghan forces attacked its military positions along the border. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Pioneering digital forensic expert Hany Farid talks with Amna Nawaz about the dangers of artificial intelligence being deployed irresponsibly, why social media companies prioritize engagement over authenticity and how to sift through what's real and what's not. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As the American and Israeli bombing campaign and Iran's retaliatory attacks roil the Middle East, Liz Landers and Lisa Desjardins report on how the White House and Congress are responding. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Voters head to the polls on Tuesday in Arkansas, North Carolina and Texas. It's in the Lone Star State where competitive races on both sides of the aisle have fueled unprecedented spending. Lisa Desjardins reports on what's at stake in the Texas U.S. Senate race. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Bill Clinton became the first former president compelled to testify to members of Congress. At a closed-door session, the House Oversight Committee heard from Clinton about his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. The testimony comes a day after the committee questioned his wife, former First Lady Hillary Clinton, for more than 6 hours. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For months, ICE has been quietly buying industrial warehouses around the country, reportedly with plans to turn them into a network of immigration detention and processing centers to hold tens of thousands of detainees. White House correspondent Liz Landers reports on how the controversy is playing out in one small Maryland community. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

David Brooks of The Atlantic and Jonathan Capehart of MS NOW join Geoff Bennett to discuss the week in politics, including the Republican and Democratic Senate primaries in Texas, the reaction to President Trump's State of the Union and the Paramount buyout of Warner Bros. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Hillary Clinton testified to lawmakers that she had no knowledge of crimes committed by Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell. During a closed-door session, Clinton said she also did not recall ever meeting Epstein. It was the first of two days of closed-door depositions from the House Oversight Committee. Justice correspondent Ali Rogin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A former ICE lawyer is warning that the agency has scaled back training hours for recruits and is instructing them to violate the Constitution. Ryan Schwank says the academy where he trained cadets is "deficient, defective and broken." He says it's part of the administration's effort to churn out new officers and increase arrests. Geoff Bennett spoke with Schwank and his attorney, David Kligerman. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump touted the economy and his immigration policies in a record-long State of the Union address, and he'll soon take those messages on the road. The White House is hoping Trump can convince Americans to stay the course, as Democrats slammed the speech for being too partisan, divisive and out of touch. Liz Landers recaps and fact-checks the president's speech. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has become one of the most closely watched Democrats in the country. A two-term governor in a deeply red state, Beshear has won statewide office twice, even as President Trump carried Kentucky by wide margins. As Democrats search for a message that can resonate beyond blue states, Geoff Bennett sat down with Beshear to discuss how his approach is drawing attention. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump delivered his State of the Union address on Tuesday. For analysis, Amna Nawaz and Geoff Bennett were joined by Lisa Desjardins, Liz Landers, Nick Schifrin, Amy Walter of The Cook Political Report, Republican strategist Kevin Madden, Democratic strategist Faiz Shakir and Tiffany Smiley, a former Republican Senate candidate in Washington state. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A new NPR investigation reveals the Department of Justice withheld portions of the Jeffrey Epstein files that contain allegations involving President Trump. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee said the withholding is a potential crime. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Julie K. Brown, an investigative reporter for the Miami Herald whose reporting helped expose much of the Epstein network. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In the past few weeks, the Department of Homeland Security has posted regular lists of criminals it is deporting. Despite the Trump administration's claim that it is focused on the "worst of the worst," data from the nonpartisan TRAC clearinghouse shows nearly 75% of ICE detainees have no criminal conviction. Lisa Desjardins spoke with a Marine veteran whose wife is in federal custody. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

This Black History Month, award-winning journalist and writer Michael Harriot speaks with Geoff Bennett about his best-selling book, "Black AF History," and what we can learn from Black history today. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Monday, a federal judge is permanently blocking the release of a report on President Trump's handling of classified documents after he left office in 2021, Trump is warning countries to stick with the tariff deals they agreed to and the Supreme Court will hear a bid by oil and gas companies to block lawsuits seeking to hold the industry liable for the effects of climate change. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

FBI Director Kash Patel is under fire after videos of him chugging a beer and celebrating with the men's U.S. hockey team in Italy were obtained by multiple news outlets. The FBI had previously argued Patel's trip to Italy was for official travel, but critics are now questioning that amid broader questions about his leadership of the bureau. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Asha Rangappa. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As President Trump prepares to deliver the first State of the Union address of his second term, six in ten Americans say the country is in a worse place than a year ago. That's according to a new PBS News/NPR/Marist poll. Ahead of that speech, White House correspondent Liz Landers checks in with voters about how they see the direction of the country. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

NPR's Tamara Keith and Jasmine Wright of NOTUS join Geoff Bennett to discuss the latest political news, including what Americans are saying about the direction of the country ahead of President Trump's State of the Union address. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Supreme Court struck down most of President Trump's tariffs in a blow to his agenda. In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that he did not have the authority under an economic emergency law to issue such levies. The president responded, saying he would impose a global 10% tariff under a different law. Geoff Bennett spoke with News Hour Supreme Court analyst and SCOTUSBlog co-founder Amy Howe. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

After the Supreme Court struck down many of President Trump's global tariffs, he pledged to keep most of them in place through other means. To discuss what the ruling and the president's response mean for the economy, Amna Nawaz spoke with Natasha Sarin, a professor of law and finance at Yale University and president of The Budget Lab at Yale. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

One of the plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case that overturned many of President Trump's tariffs is Rick Woldenberg. He's the owner of the Chicago-based small toy manufacturer, Learning Resources. Woldenberg joined Geoff Bennett to discuss the ruling and what comes next for his business. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump welcomed both Democratic and Republican governors to the White House on Friday. As that meeting was underway, the Supreme Court handed down a major ruling against tariffs. The decision could affect a number of states, including Wyoming, where trade and energy production play an important role in the state's economy. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

David Brooks of The Atlantic and Jonathan Capehart of MS NOW join Geoff Bennett to discuss the week in politics, including the Supreme Court's tariff ruling, President Trump's attacks on the justices, the first meeting of the Board of Peace and reflections on Rev. Jesse Jackson after his passing. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump is in Georgia and is talking about affordability and the economy, a theme he's expected to spotlight again in next week's State of the Union address. White House correspondent Liz Landers reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Both the House and the Senate are out of town this week, but what they have heard from constituents at home will matter when they return on Monday. One key swing vote belongs to freshman Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie. He represents Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, including the Lehigh Valley and the city of Allentown. Mackenzie joined Lisa Desjardins to discuss more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Early voting is underway in Texas, a key state in the battle for control of the House and Senate. State Rep. James Talarico is one of a handful of Democrats running to flip the state's Senate seat blue this fall as longtime Sen. John Cornyn faces a challenging primary to remain the Republican candidate on the ballot. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Ashley Lopez of NPR. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

After she was confirmed, Attorney General Pam Bondi told lawyers at the Department of Justice that it was their job to "zealously advance, protect and defend" the policies of the U.S. as set by the president. It was an example of how the Trump administration has sought to transform the DOJ into the president's tool for promoting his agenda and challenging detractors. Ali Rogin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Rev. Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate, died peacefully on Tuesday morning at the age of 84. Geoff Bennett reports on Jackson's legacy and his decades of activism. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Someone who stood alongside Jesse Jackson during some of the most consequential chapters of the modern Civil Rights Movement is Andrew Young. He's a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, former mayor of Atlanta and longtime lieutenant to the Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Geoff Bennett spoke with Young about his work with Jackson. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The fallout continues from the release of the Epstein files. On Saturday, the Justice Department sent a letter to Congress that included a list of names of "politically exposed persons" mentioned in the files of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Justice correspondent Ali Rogin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A partial government shutdown is underway, and with Congress out this week, many employees of agencies under the Department of Homeland Security will continue working without pay for the foreseeable future. Congressman Hakeem Jeffries of New York is the top Democrat in the House and joined Amna Nawaz to discuss more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

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 who is facing pressure to make a deal to end the partial government shutdown, how the public is responding to the release of the Epstein files and their favorite fictional presidents. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

"What would Lincoln do?" Author and historian Matthew Pinsker's substack uses this question as a framework to explore modern politics. He talks with Geoff Bennett about his latest book, "Boss Lincoln," which examines how Lincoln still shapes our country today. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Videos from across the country have shown months of violent interactions with immigration officers. Part of the outcry has been the treatment of U.S. citizens. Uproar rose higher last month following the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by agents in Minnesota. Lisa Desjardins reports, and we hear from some of the people who were detained. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

David Brooks of The Atlantic and Jonathan Capehart of MS NOW join William Brangham to discuss the week in politics, including the Trump administration pulling ICE back from Minnesota, European leaders reckoning with a new world order and parts of the U.S. government are about to shut down, again. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

On Capitol Hill, Attorney General Pam Bondi faced a barrage of questions on the handling of the Epstein files and the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minnesota by federal officers. Bondi repeatedly sparred with lawmakers, at times engaging in shouting matches and leaving many questions unanswered. The exchanges unfolded with Epstein survivors seated just behind her. Ali Rogin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A federal grand jury put a halt to the Trump administration's efforts to prosecute Democratic lawmakers under an anti-insubordination law. In November, six lawmakers with military and intelligence backgrounds published a message urging members of their former communities to disobey illegal orders. Amna Nawaz spoke with one of those members, Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado, a former Army Ranger. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Questions continue to emerge over the Department of Justice's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. One Democratic congressman went to the House floor to read the names of six "wealthy, powerful men" whose identities were shielded in the public release. Rep. Ro Khanna co-sponsored the Epstein Transparency Act and reviewed some of the unredacted files. He joined Geoff Bennett to discuss more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The heads of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and Citizenship and Immigration Services appeared before the House Homeland Security Committee on Tuesday. Among the questions they faced was whether the tactics used by their agents during arrests and deportations run afoul of the Constitution. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy