Podcast appearances and mentions of Lisa Desjardins

Acting Attorney General Blanche told lawmakers Tuesday that the Justice Department is scrapping plans to create a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund." It's a setback for Trump, after Republican senators made clear they did not have the votes to advance a Homeland Security funding bill unless the White House either scaled back or eliminated the fund. Lisa Desjardins has more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In 2024, massive pro-Palestinian protests swept college campuses across the country, including at Columbia University. As the Trump administration intensified its immigration enforcement efforts, several non-citizen student protesters were taken into ICE detention. Leqaa Kordia was one of them and remained detained for more than a year. Lisa Desjardins spoke with her about her experience. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Hours before they were scheduled to vote, Senate Republicans instead refused to advance a key bill for President Trump because of concerns over the administration's "anti-weaponization fund." The acting attorney general made an unplanned trip to the Capitol to personally argue the case for the fund. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins was there as this happened and reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A murder conviction that gripped the nation and touched on power and privilege in the South has been tossed out. Former South Carolina prosecutor Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of killing his wife and son. But the state's Supreme Court threw out his double-murder conviction, pointing to jury interference by a court clerk during the trial. Lisa Desjardins discussed more with Valerie Bauerlein. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The House and Senate returned to session this week with deadlines looming on everything from DHS funding and a farm bill to an almost-expired national security and foreign intelligence law. Lisa Desjardins reports on the long to-do list for Congress. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The House and Senate returned to session this week with deadlines looming on everything from DHS funding and a farm bill to an almost-expired national security and foreign intelligence law. Lisa Desjardins reports on the long to-do list for Congress. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The latest PBS News/NPR/Marist poll shows that six in 10 Americans disapprove of how President Trump is handling Iran. Lisa Desjardins joins Amna Nawaz to offer insights on the poll with a closer look at how Americans are seeing the war in Iran and rising gas prices. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The latest PBS News/NPR/Marist poll shows that six in 10 Americans disapprove of how President Trump is handling Iran. Lisa Desjardins joins Amna Nawaz to offer insights on the poll with a closer look at how Americans are seeing the war in Iran and rising gas prices. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Supreme Court ruling against drawing congressional maps to protect Black or other minority voters has sparked a new wave in the ongoing redistricting war. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins joins Amna Nawaz to discuss where things stand and what it means. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In March, around 200,000 immigrants began losing their commercial driver's licenses, which are required to operate large vehicles like semi-trucks, buses and tractor-trailers. It's part of a series of moves by the Trump administration to limit who can drive those vehicles after some high-profile truck crashes involving foreign-born drivers. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Supreme Court ruling against drawing congressional maps to protect Black or other minority voters has sparked a new wave in the ongoing redistricting war. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins joins Amna Nawaz to discuss where things stand and what it means. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In March, around 200,000 immigrants began losing their commercial driver's licenses, which are required to operate large vehicles like semi-trucks, buses and tractor-trailers. It's part of a series of moves by the Trump administration to limit who can drive those vehicles after some high-profile truck crashes involving foreign-born drivers. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A total of 35 Senate seats will be on the ballot this November, with only 11 rated as remotely competitive by the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter. Republicans are on defense in more of those seats than Democrats, but Democrats need a longshot sweep to take control of the chamber. Lisa Desjardins speaks with Jessica Taylor, senate and governors editor at the Cook Political Report, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A total of 35 Senate seats will be on the ballot this November, with only 11 rated as remotely competitive by the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter. Republicans are on defense in more of those seats than Democrats, but Democrats need a longshot sweep to take control of the chamber. Lisa Desjardins speaks with Jessica Taylor, senate and governors editor at the Cook Political Report, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The longest shutdown of a U.S. government agency in history has ended, after Trump signed a House-passed bill to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security. The administration had warned that money to pay thousands of federal security workers would run out after Thursday without new funding. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins has the latest from the Capitol. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The longest shutdown of a U.S. government agency in history has ended, after Trump signed a House-passed bill to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security. The administration had warned that money to pay thousands of federal security workers would run out after Thursday without new funding. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins has the latest from the Capitol. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

After weeks of internal clashes, House Republicans are struggling to move forward on four major pieces of legislation. Those include extending U.S. surveillance authorities, ending the Department of Homeland Security shutdown and advancing key farm policy — all while managing deep divisions within their own conference. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins has more on where things stand. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

After weeks of internal clashes, House Republicans are struggling to move forward on four major pieces of legislation. Those include extending U.S. surveillance authorities, ending the Department of Homeland Security shutdown and advancing key farm policy — all while managing deep divisions within their own conference. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins has more on where things stand. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

White House correspondent Liz Landers and Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins were at the White House Correspondents' Dinner and joined Geoff Bennett to discuss the chaos in the room that night. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

White House correspondent Liz Landers and Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins were at the White House Correspondents' Dinner and joined Geoff Bennett to discuss the chaos in the room that night. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump is not the first to push the boundaries of his power as commander in chief. The law on war powers gives presidents 60 days to conduct military operations without congressional approval. That timeframe for Iran is about to end. Will Congress assert power and push back? Guest moderator Lisa Desjardins discusses that with former Sen. Ben Cardin and former Rep. Connie Mack IV. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was back testifying on Capitol Hill, giving members of Congress a chance to press him on some of the biggest changes he's making on spending cuts, vaccines and other public health issues. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Another scandal-plagued member of Congress resigned on Tuesday, exactly one week after a pair of her peers did the same. Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida faced an ethics investigation into her use of campaign funds. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In Virginia, voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday for a high-stakes ballot measure that could reshape the state's congressional map and potentially shift the balance of power in Washington. Supporters say it's a necessary response to aggressive Republican-led redistricting in other states. Opponents call it blatant partisanship. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Vice President JD Vance makes his first major foray onto the world stage as America's top negotiator with Iran. He's the most prominent isolationist in the Trump administration and his assignment puts him front and center on an issue with enormous consequences. Compass Points guest moderator Lisa Desjardins discusses more with Heather Conley, Matthew Kroenig, Curt Mills and Jeffrey Rathke. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Vice President JD Vance makes his first major foray onto the world stage as America's top negotiator with Iran. He's the most prominent isolationist in the Trump administration and his assignment puts him front and center on an issue with enormous consequences. Compass Points guest moderator Lisa Desjardins discusses more with Heather Conley, Matthew Kroenig, Curt Mills and Jeffrey Rathke. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

After separate allegations of sexual misconduct, two members of Congress are resigning. Democrat Eric Swalwell faces multiple allegations of sexual assault. He denies the accusations. Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales' resignation comes after he admitted to sleeping with a staffer who later took her own life. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

After separate allegations of sexual misconduct, two members of Congress are resigning. Democrat Eric Swalwell faces multiple allegations of sexual assault. He denies the accusations. Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales' resignation comes after he admitted to sleeping with a staffer who later took her own life. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California announced he will resign his seat in Congress after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct. Swalwell denied the charges, but also dropped his bid to become the next governor of California. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California announced he will resign his seat in Congress after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct. Swalwell denied the charges, but also dropped his bid to become the next governor of California. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Democrats in Congress tried unsuccessfully to limit President Trump's war powers in Iran. While Republicans blocked the move, it highlights an issue to take up when Congress returns from recess. There is growing concern among Democrats and some of the president's allies over the language he has used this week, including "a whole civilization will die." Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Democrats in Congress tried unsuccessfully to limit President Trump's war powers in Iran. While Republicans blocked the move, it highlights an issue to take up when Congress returns from recess. There is growing concern among Democrats and some of the president's allies over the language he has used this week, including "a whole civilization will die." Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is a program created to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation if they were brought to the U.S. as children. But since January 2025, ICE has detained more than 260 DACA recipients and deported more than 80. Although there are reasons why "Dreamers" could be deported, many who have done nothing wrong are getting caught up. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is a program created to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation if they were brought to the U.S. as children. But since January 2025, ICE has detained more than 260 DACA recipients and deported more than 80. Although there are reasons why "Dreamers" could be deported, many who have done nothing wrong are getting caught up. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

It's been a dramatic day in the halls of Congress. Early Friday, the Senate unanimously passed a plan to end the shutdown for most of the Department of Homeland Security. But within hours, Speaker Mike Johnson rejected it because it didn't include money for ICE and Border Patrol. House Republicans are now pushing a different approach and risking a longer shutdown. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Earlier this week, President Trump said Friday was the deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face a resumption of attacks on energy infrastructure. Late Thursday, Trump said he's extending his deadline until April 6. The extension came after a Cabinet meeting that included an update on the war. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Earlier this week, President Trump said Friday was the deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face a resumption of attacks on energy infrastructure. Late Thursday, Trump said he's extending his deadline until April 6. The extension came after a Cabinet meeting that included an update on the war. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

With the Department of Homeland Security shutdown now at 40 days, TSA checkpoints are strained and workers face another missed paycheck. On Capitol Hill, we have started to see some action, but still no deal. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The deployment of ICE agents to airports comes as the partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown nears the 40-day mark. The president nixed one potential solution over the weekend that would have funded some agencies, including TSA. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports on the latest negotiations to fully reopen the government. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As the war with Iran nears the end of its third week, the Pentagon is considering asking Congress to approve $200 billion to fund the ongoing military operation. Lisa Desjardins discussed more with Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, who serves on the Armed Services Committee. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin faced his fellow lawmakers for a confirmation hearing to run the Department of Homeland Security. The hearing became heated and emotional at times as senators grilled Mullin on past comments and how he might differ from ousted DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin will face his colleagues on Wednesday for his confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Homeland Security. His nomination comes after President Trump fired former DHS head Kristi Noem. Lisa Desjardins takes a look at how Mullin went from an MMA fighter to a MAGA warrior and how he might soon run DHS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Congress is charged with writing the laws that govern the rest of us, but who holds lawmakers accountable when they break the rules? We take a closer look at the number of sitting members of Congress facing active ethics investigations, and the largely invisible system designed to police them. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was ousted in the first Cabinet shakeup of President Trump's second term. She received bipartisan criticism for the agency's handling of the immigration crackdown, delays in emergency response and self-promotion in a nine-figure ad campaign. Lisa Desjardins reports. 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

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

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

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

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

President Trump walks into his State of the Union address facing damning headlines and sagging poll numbers as voters watch the turbulence at home and abroad. Join guest moderator Vivian Salama, Peter Baker of The New York Times, Eugene Daniels of MS NOW, Lisa Desjardins of PBS News and Susan Glasser of The New Yorker to discuss this and more.