Pbs Newshour - Politics

Hundreds of Afghans who helped the United States' war effort in Afghanistan, and who are detained in Qatar, may soon be sent back to Afghanistan or the Democratic Republic of the Congo by the State Department. The push comes after President Trump halted the Afghan resettlement program more than a year ago. Amna Nawaz discussed what may come next with Shawn Van Diver of Afghan Evac. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Department of Homeland Security says it has deported more than 675,000 immigrants in the first year of Trump's second term. Although the administration claims to be targeting violent criminals, others continue to be caught in the crackdown, including some who are protected from deportation. Liz Landers spoke with a woman who was detained, deported, and then allowed to come back to the U.S. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Wednesday, Democrats are celebrating a win in Virginia, where voters approved a plan to redraw the state's congressional map in a way that could help them pick up four seats in the midterms, the Supreme Court found that an Army veteran who was injured by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan can sue the contractor who hired the attacker and Democratic Rep. David Scott of Georgia died. 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

After Democrats won an election in Virginia to redraw congressional maps in their favor, President Trump called it, without evidence, a "rigged election" and "travesty of justice." It's the latest example of Trump casting doubt on the U.S. election process. Liz Landers reports on political interference concerns from local election officials as the midterm election season is well underway. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Tuesday, the Justice Department announced criminal charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center over its use of paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups, the Pentagon revealed details about its $1.5 trillion budget request and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that U.S. military personnel will no longer be required to get their annual flu shot. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump's pick to lead the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, was on Capitol Hill facing a slew of lawmaker questions on his monetary policy and independence from Trump. But the president's pressure campaign against Jerome Powell threatens to freeze Warsh's nomination. Amna Nawaz discussed more with David Wessel of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at the Brookings Institution. 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

Comedian Dave Chappelle sits down with Amna Nawaz in Yellow Springs, Ohio, for a wide-ranging discussion on his concerns around free speech, the importance of local journalism and why he doesn't regret his controversial decision to perform last year in Saudi Arabia. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Monday, FBI Director Kash Patel filed a lawsuit against The Atlantic magazine over a story alleging "excessive drinking and unexplained absences," Monday marked the first day businesses could submit refund requests for tariffs paid before they were ruled unconstitutional and the House Ethics Committee defended its handling of sexual harassment cases involving members of Congress. 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

NPR's Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Geoff Bennett to discuss the latest political news, including Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer leaving her post, partisan redistricting and the midterms and Democratic fundraising advantages. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Friday, the Senate approved a short-term renewal of a controversial surveillance program used by U.S. spy agencies, millions across the Midwest are facing the risk of severe storms and French officials say an 85-year-old widow of an American military veteran has returned home after being held in U.S. immigration custody for more than two weeks. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump is on the road this week, speaking at a Turning Point USA rally Friday night in Phoenix. White House correspondent Liz Landers on how the administration's recent actions are affecting his support among young voters. 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 Amna Nawaz to discuss the week in politics, including President Trump claiming Iran has "agreed to everything" in talks with the U.S. and is suspending its nuclear program, Trump publicly feuding with Pope Leo and two lawmakers resigning from Congress amid sexual misconduct allegations. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

White House budget director Russ Vought has been key to implementing the Trump agenda. But before joining the administration, he was a central figure in drafting Project 2025, the controversial policy playbook by the Heritage Foundation that suggested large-scale changes a Republican president should enact. Liz Landers reports on how many of those proposals have become official policy under Trump. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In his second administration, President Trump's family members, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and sons Eric and Don Jr., are expanding their business ventures, earning hundreds of millions of dollars and prompting fresh concerns about influence peddling and conflicts of interest. Liz Landers reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump's Department of Justice is making headlines. This week, it is releasing a report accusing the Biden administration of weaponizing the agency, moving to wipe out the convictions of Jan. 6 ringleaders and making a surprise visit to a Federal Reserve construction site as part of its ongoing probe into Jerome Powell. Ali Rogin reports on the DOJ's legal and political maneuvering. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The battle between the president and the pope continues to play out. Pope Leo has not backed down from his criticisms of the war in Iran, but he is taking a different approach during his visit to Africa. Some allies of President Trump are also piling on to defend him and the war. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor-at-large of America magazine. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Like countless powerful women throughout history, Queen Elizabeth II was routinely dismissed and underestimated. But during her 70-year reign, she managed the strategic relationship between the UK and the U.S., meeting with thirteen sitting presidents. Geoff Bennett spoke with Susan Page, who traces this and more in her new book, "The Queen and Her Presidents: The Hidden Hand That Shaped History." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy