Podcast appearances and mentions of Lisa Desjardins

The government shutdown has far-reaching effects for federal workers. Hundreds of thousands have been furloughed and many others are working without a paycheck. Some may be out of work permanently after the Trump administration announced plans for mass layoffs. We hear from dozens of federal employees, and Lisa Desjardins reports on how many workers are off the job. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 14, 2025: we wrap up our Washington week coverage with interviews PBS News Hour's congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins and WSJ's Josh Dawsey; we get some good insight on Congress and the Trump administration from two reporters closest to the action; we also have new campaign trail fundraising numbers and polls; and more!

As the federal government shutdown heads into its second weekend, the Trump administration has begun what it calls “substantial” layoffs of federal workers. President Trump and his team had suggested this would be coming, but it was Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought who made it official. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports on the agencies affected. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As the federal government shutdown heads into its second weekend, the Trump administration has begun what it calls “substantial” layoffs of federal workers. President Trump and his team had suggested this would be coming, but it was Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought who made it official. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports on the agencies affected. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Attorney General Pam Bondi’s appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee today underscored the deep partisan divide over the state of justice in America. In tense exchanges, Bondi and committee members clashed repeatedly, with each side accusing the other of politicizing and weaponizing the Justice Department. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins has this report. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Attorney General Pam Bondi’s appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee today underscored the deep partisan divide over the state of justice in America. In tense exchanges, Bondi and committee members clashed repeatedly, with each side accusing the other of politicizing and weaponizing the Justice Department. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins has this report. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Congress did not meet on Thursday in part due to the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. But when the Senate returns Friday, the question is, what is the way out of this shutdown? There are some in the Senate trying to talk across the aisle and find a way forward. One of those is Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota. He joined Lisa Desjardins to discuss those efforts. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Congress did not meet on Thursday in part due to the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. But when the Senate returns Friday, the question is, what is the way out of this shutdown? There are some in the Senate trying to talk across the aisle and find a way forward. One of those is Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota. He joined Lisa Desjardins to discuss those efforts. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Attempts to end the government shutdown that began overnight have been unsuccessful. Democrats are refusing to vote without ensuring health care subsidies and Republicans say they won't negotiate until funding is secure. Federal workers are either on the job without pay or temporarily furloughed and President Trump has threatened to make some cuts permanent. Lisa Desjardins and Liz Landers report. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Attempts to end the government shutdown that began overnight have been unsuccessful. Democrats are refusing to vote without ensuring health care subsidies and Republicans say they won't negotiate until funding is secure. Federal workers are either on the job without pay or temporarily furloughed and President Trump has threatened to make some cuts permanent. Lisa Desjardins and Liz Landers report. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The federal government is barreling toward a shutdown at the stroke of midnight as Congress remains in a deadlock. Democrats are demanding a bill that reverses cuts to Medicaid and prevents health insurance premiums from going up at the end of the year. President Trump has threatened to use a shutdown to reduce the size of the federal workforce permanently. Lisa Desjardins and Liz Landers report. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The federal government is barreling toward a shutdown at the stroke of midnight as Congress remains in a deadlock. Democrats are demanding a bill that reverses cuts to Medicaid and prevents health insurance premiums from going up at the end of the year. President Trump has threatened to use a shutdown to reduce the size of the federal workforce permanently. Lisa Desjardins and Liz Landers report. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A federal government shutdown in less than a day and a half appears unavoidable after a meeting between President Trump and congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle failed to produce a deal. White House correspondent Liz Landers and congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins report on the impasse. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A federal government shutdown in less than a day and a half appears unavoidable after a meeting between President Trump and congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle failed to produce a deal. White House correspondent Liz Landers and congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins report on the impasse. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The White House is threatening to use a looming government shutdown to permanently hollow out federal agencies. It comes with the funding deadline, which lawmakers appear almost certain to miss, just days away. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins and White House correspondent Liz Landers report on the latest. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The White House is threatening to use a looming government shutdown to permanently hollow out federal agencies. It comes with the funding deadline, which lawmakers appear almost certain to miss, just days away. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins and White House correspondent Liz Landers report on the latest. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

House Republicans voted on their plan to avoid a government shutdown with a temporary, seven-week funding bill. But within hours, that was blocked by Democrats in the Senate. Their own plan for extending funding also fell short. So what does it mean? Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports on the latest as we approach the September 30 deadline. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

House Republicans voted on their plan to avoid a government shutdown with a temporary, seven-week funding bill. But within hours, that was blocked by Democrats in the Senate. Their own plan for extending funding also fell short. So what does it mean? Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports on the latest as we approach the September 30 deadline. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

One of the largest groups of President Trump’s nominees was just confirmed in the U.S. Senate. The group includes 48 individuals who would hold significant jobs in the military, national security and overseas. The move was possible only because Republicans changed the rules of the Senate to get more nominees through, more quickly. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

One of the largest groups of President Trump’s nominees was just confirmed in the U.S. Senate. The group includes 48 individuals who would hold significant jobs in the military, national security and overseas. The move was possible only because Republicans changed the rules of the Senate to get more nominees through, more quickly. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Former CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez gave her first detailed account of her high-profile firing during a Senate hearing. Monarez was ousted less than a month into the job, making her the shortest-lived director in the agency’s history. Questions about the future of vaccine policy were front and center during the hearing. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Former CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez gave her first detailed account of her high-profile firing during a Senate hearing. Monarez was ousted less than a month into the job, making her the shortest-lived director in the agency’s history. Questions about the future of vaccine policy were front and center during the hearing. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Nepal finds new calm this weekend with the appointment of an interim prime minister, following an extraordinary week of violence. More than 70 people died after anti-corruption protests led to police clashes and government buildings being set aflame. Lisa Desjardins speaks with Alex Travelli, a South Asia business correspondent for The New York Times, about the situation in Kathmandu. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, claiming more than 49,000 lives in 2023 alone, according to the latest CDC data. One organization has found an unconventional tool to combat those grim numbers: laughter. Lisa Desjardins speaks with Brad Bonar Jr., founder of the 1 Degree of Separation suicide prevention program, for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, claiming more than 49,000 lives in 2023 alone, according to the latest CDC data. One organization has found an unconventional tool to combat those grim numbers: laughter. Lisa Desjardins speaks with Brad Bonar Jr., founder of the 1 Degree of Separation suicide prevention program, for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Nepal finds new calm this weekend with the appointment of an interim prime minister, following an extraordinary week of violence. More than 70 people died after anti-corruption protests led to police clashes and government buildings being set aflame. Lisa Desjardins speaks with Alex Travelli, a South Asia business correspondent for The New York Times, about the situation in Kathmandu. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, claiming more than 49,000 lives in 2023 alone, according to the latest CDC data. One organization has found an unconventional tool to combat those grim numbers: laughter. Lisa Desjardins speaks with Brad Bonar Jr., founder of the 1 Degree of Separation suicide prevention program, for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Trump administration is planning sweeping cuts to health care funding across the country. Some of those cuts have already taken effect, while others will roll out over the next few years. KFF Health News senior health policy correspondent Stephanie Armour joins Lisa Desjardins to discuss what this means for states, which will have to shoulder more of the costs of health programs. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The assassination of Charlie Kirk is drawing reaction and concern around the world. Kirk's widow Erica spoke for the first time last night, vowing that his movement will not only continue, but grow. Meanwhile, concerns about political violence and security for political figures continue to rise. Lisa Desjardins speaks with Cynthia Miller-Idriss at American University for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Trump administration is planning sweeping cuts to health care funding across the country. Some of those cuts have already taken effect, while others will roll out over the next few years. KFF Health News senior health policy correspondent Stephanie Armour joins Lisa Desjardins to discuss what this means for states, which will have to shoulder more of the costs of health programs. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Trump administration is planning sweeping cuts to health care funding across the country. Some of those cuts have already taken effect, while others will roll out over the next few years. KFF Health News senior health policy correspondent Stephanie Armour joins Lisa Desjardins to discuss what this means for states, which will have to shoulder more of the costs of health programs. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Headlines have recently been dominated by news that directly affects people’s lives, from the new tax cut and Medicaid law to near-daily economy updates. But those headlines don’t always capture the everyday reality for millions of Americans just trying to get by. To better understand that reality, Lisa Desjardins went to Virginia’s Blue Ridge region, where one hardworking family is struggling. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

One of the nation’s most prominent conservative activists is dead after he was shot during an event. Charlie Kirk, the head of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University. Lisa Desjardins reports and Geoff Bennett discusses Kirk's influence with David Weigel. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

One of the nation’s most prominent conservative activists is dead after he was shot during an event. Charlie Kirk, the head of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University. Lisa Desjardins reports and Geoff Bennett discusses Kirk's influence with David Weigel. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Trump Administration released its plan for improving health outcomes and tackling chronic childhood illnesses. The strategy came from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Make America Healthy Again Commission he oversees. The plan focuses on everything from reducing the consumption of highly processed foods to reviewing vaccines. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Trump Administration released its plan for improving health outcomes and tackling chronic childhood illnesses. The strategy came from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Make America Healthy Again Commission he oversees. The plan focuses on everything from reducing the consumption of highly processed foods to reviewing vaccines. Lisa Desjardins reports. 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 grilled during a combative hearing before the Senate Finance Committee. Senators pressed Kennedy on his views on vaccines and whether he was effectively limiting access and destroying trust in past data and public health agencies. The hearing comes just a week after his decision to fire the director of the CDC, Dr. Susan Monarez. Lisa Desjardins reports. 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 grilled during a combative hearing before the Senate Finance Committee. Senators pressed Kennedy on his views on vaccines and whether he was effectively limiting access and destroying trust in past data and public health agencies. The hearing comes just a week after his decision to fire the director of the CDC, Dr. Susan Monarez. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Women who survived sexual abuse at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein spoke publicly, some for the first time, to demand the release of the federal files in the case. President Trump also responded to the demands for more documents, calling it "a Democrat hoax." Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Women who survived sexual abuse at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein spoke publicly, some for the first time, to demand the release of the federal files in the case. President Trump also responded to the demands for more documents, calling it "a Democrat hoax." Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Congress is back in Washington and the clock is already ticking. Lawmakers have less than one month to avoid a government shutdown. Also on the table is a fierce fight over billions in spending cuts and the release of thousands of pages of Jeffrey Epstein case files. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Congress is back in Washington and the clock is already ticking. Lawmakers have less than one month to avoid a government shutdown. Also on the table is a fierce fight over billions in spending cuts and the release of thousands of pages of Jeffrey Epstein case files. Congressional correspondent 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 20 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama coasts. While Katrina remains the costliest U.S. natural disaster, the deepest impact is found in the human suffering and the difficult journey toward recovery. For our series Tipping Point, Lisa Desjardins explores the lessons learned — and what still lies ahead as weather has become more extreme. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump spent more than three hours touting what he sees as his administration's achievements at his cabinet meeting. He weighed in on topics from reinstating the death penalty for murder cases in Washington, D.C., to Health Secretary Kennedy's attempt to identify a cause for autism. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump spent more than three hours touting what he sees as his administration's achievements at his cabinet meeting. He weighed in on topics from reinstating the death penalty for murder cases in Washington, D.C., to Health Secretary Kennedy's attempt to identify a cause for autism. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Democratic Party leaders from across the country are meeting in Minneapolis as the party reckons with its 2024 losses and faces Republican redistricting. In Texas, Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett said he would retire if the new congressional maps stand. Lisa Desjardins spoke with Doggett about this significant moment for him and the Democratic Party. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Democratic Party leaders from across the country are meeting in Minneapolis as the party reckons with its 2024 losses and faces Republican redistricting. In Texas, Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett said he would retire if the new congressional maps stand. Lisa Desjardins spoke with Doggett about this significant moment for him and the Democratic Party. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Texas lawmakers are back in session after Democrats returned to the state after leaving to block partisan redistricting. Democrats came back because California is planning its own partisan map to counteract GOP gains in Texas. To discuss how the map battle could decide the next Congress, Lisa Desjardins spoke with Dr. Sam Wang of the Electoral Innovation Lab. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Members of the U.S. House have left Washington for their summer break, and Republicans are working to promote the tax and spending cuts President Trump recently signed into law. But concerns about cuts to Medicaid remain. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports from Louisiana, home to the top two House leaders, and the state with the greatest reliance on Medicaid in the country. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In recent months, photos of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents making arrests in public spaces have shown the officers wearing street clothes and face masks. There have also been a handful of arrests of people posing as ICE officers, in some cases carrying out assaults and robberies. Freelance investigative journalist Jose Olivares joins Lisa Desjardins to discuss the trend. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders