Senators ask FBI director nominee Patel about 'enemies list'
Kash Patel, President Trump's choice to lead the FBI, faced sharp and at times bipartisan questioning during a hearing on Thursday. Laura Barrón-López reports.
Republican senators express doubts about RFK Jr. in hearing
In a make-or-break hearing, Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. went before a second committee and it revealed Republican doubts about him. Lisa Desjardins reports on where lawmakers' support stands.
Experts weigh in on concerns surrounding Gabbard, Patel
To discuss the confirmation hearings of Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence and Kash Patel to lead the FBI, Amna Nawaz spoke with two leading voices in the intelligence community, Frank Montoya Jr., a national security analyst and retired FBI official, and Jamil Jaffer, executive director of the National Security Institute at George Mason University.
Congo's foreign minister describes rebel offensive
Parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are under siege by a Rwanda-backed rebel group. The violence has killed UN peacekeepers, overwhelmed hospitals, displaced hundreds of thousands and sparked fears of a wider regional conflict. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the Congolese minister of foreign affairs.
Neko Case reveals difficult journey to stardom in new book
Neko Case has won acclaim as both a singer and songwriter. Now she’s out with a memoir that reveals her difficult journey to indie stardom. Special correspondent Tom Casciato spent time with Case to discuss "The Harder I Fight the More I Love You" for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.
Trump rescinds grant freeze memo that set off confusion
After widespread confusion, the Trump administration walked back some of its message about a funding freeze on federal grants and loans. The White House said an Office of Management and Budget memo that outlined the pause is no longer in force. But Press Secretary Karoline Levitt said it would not stop the funding freeze tied to President Trump’s executive order. Laura Barrón-López reports.
RFK Jr. faces questions over vaccine skepticism, Medicaid
On Capitol Hill, one of President Trump’s most consequential and controversial nominees made his case for the top job at the Department of Health and Human Services. In his first of two hearings, former environmental lawyer and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. took tough questions from senators as he also faced blistering criticism from his own family. Lisa Desjardins reports.
Vaccine expert says RFK Jr. would make them less accessible
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. faced tough questions over vaccine skepticism and Medicaid reform at his confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
What options remain for immigrants seeking entry into U.S.
The Trump administration has shut down or indefinitely halted most legal avenues for migrants to come to the U.S. The revoked pathways include an end or pause to the CBP One app, humanitarian parole, refugee admissions and protected status for Venezuelans. Laura Barrón-López discussed the impact with Jennifer Babaie of Las Americas and Krish O'Mara Vignarajah of Global Refuge.
Pentagon pulls security detail for Trump critic Milley
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed the security detail for former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley. He had security as a former chairman and for his involvement in a 2020 drone strike that killed a top Iranian general. Hegseth also pulled Milley’s security clearance and opened an investigation that could end with demoting Milley in retirement. Nick Schifrin discussed more with Jim McPherson.
Nation’s Report Card shows struggle of post-COVID education
American students continue to struggle in both reading and math, and the gap between the highest and lowest performing kids is widening to historic levels. Data from the Nation’s Report Card shows test scores are still below pre-pandemic numbers. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado and chair of the National Governors Association.
Reflecting on the lives taken by the California wildfires
We continue with our remembrances of the 29 people who died in the fires in Southern California. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office continues its work to identify victims, with some still classified as “unidentified Does.” We remember seven individuals, recently identified by officials, and the legacies they leave behind.
How button boards are changing human-canine communication
A viral, online phenomenon claims to have further opened the door to human-canine communication. Buttons allow dogs to seemingly talk with their humans, but are all these button enthusiasts barking up the wrong tree? William Brangham and his pup Macy doggedly pursue the truth.
Judge blocks Trump's freeze on federal grants and loans
The start of President Donald Trump's second term has been marked by a flurry of executive orders and challenges to his policies in courts. A federal judge ordered a temporary halt on a White House plan to pause funding for all federal grants and loans. The funding freeze was laid out in a memo from the Office of Management and Budget. Laura Barrón-López reports.
Rep. DeLauro: Trump trying to 'rob appropriated funds'
President Trump's sweeping pause of federal grants and loans led to a flurry of confusion and clarifications. Amna Nawaz discussed the latest with Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee.
GOP Rep. Malliotakis says Trump has right to halt grants
The White House is defending the legality of President Trump's sweeping freeze of federal spending. For a Republican perspective of the issue, Geoff Bennett spoke with GOP Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis of New York.
Medical experts worry USAID cuts could impact global health
The uncertainty around the Trump Administration's sweeping funding freeze is also alarming many in the world of global health since it could affect key programs overseen by USAID. Geoff Bennett discussed the potential impact with Dr. Atul Gawande.
Retired military leaders weigh in on Trump's DEI cuts
President Trump has signed an executive order directing the Pentagon to end all programs that encourage diversity, equity and inclusion. The order says the DEI initiatives undermine military leadership, lethality and force readiness. Nick Schifrin has perspectives on the programs from retired Brigadier General Christopher Walker and retired Colonel Diane Ryan.
Pacific Palisades begins to face extent of wildfire recovery
Recovery efforts continue in Southern California as the fires that ravaged the state have now largely gone out. William Brangham reports from the Los Angeles area where he has been speaking to people who are hoping to get back to their homes to see the damage.
Samara Joy creates more awards buzz with latest album
Already a three-time winner, jazz vocalist Samara Joy is up for two more Grammys at Sunday’s awards ceremony. Her latest album is receiving critical acclaim and creating more awards buzz. All this and Joy only turned 25 in November. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown has more for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.
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