PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 Seasons

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Watch: S2025 E56

57m 46s

Clock ticking on TikTok with ban coming this weekend

6m 1s

The clock is ticking on a potential ban on TikTok. In April, Congress and President Biden gave the app’s Beijing-based parent company 270 days to find a new owner or face a shutdown. They argued that Chinese control of the platform was a national security threat. Geoff Bennett discussed the latest developments with Carrie Cordero of the Center for a New American Security.

Deb Haaland on Biden's efforts to preserve public land

6m 20s

One of the legacies President Biden leaves behind when he exits the White House is his record on conserving and protecting the country’s public lands and water. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland played a key role in implementing Biden's policies over four years. Amna Nawaz spoke with Haaland about her achievements.

Vought asked about replacing civil servants with appointees

5m 52s

President-elect Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought, faced questions on Capitol Hill. He was pressed about plans to exert greater power over government agencies and shrinking spending. Vought previously led the office for part of Trump's first term and is also a co-author of Project 2025. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López reports.

Israel, Hamas reach deal that could end 15 months of war

5m 10s

After nearly a year and a half of war in Gaza, a ceasefire and hostage deal was struck between Israel and Hamas. The deal was mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar and will begin this weekend. The Biden Administration had spent many months trying to force the parties toward a deal, but a final push from the incoming Trump team helped get to this agreement. Nick Schifrin reports.

Rubio, Ratcliffe questioned on carrying out Trump's agenda

5m 12s

Some of President-elect Trump's nominees for Cabinet posts were in Senate committees for one of the busiest days of confirmation hearings in U.S. history. Amna Nawaz reports on the hearing for Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio and Trump's CIA director pick, John Ratcliffe.

Trump's AG pick Bondi questioned about DOJ weaponization

5m 22s

Pam Bondi, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be the country’s top law enforcement officer, was interrogated by senators on both sides of the aisle Wednesday. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports on the hearing for the attorney general nominee.

Biden's achievements will be realized, Jean-Pierre says

6m

President Biden will address the nation in a farewell speech, summing up his four years in the White House and over 50 years in politics. In a letter, the president said that Americans “emerged stronger, more prosperous, and more secure” since he took office. Geoff Bennett discussed Biden's legacy with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

Mideast experts analyze the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal

7m 32s

To discuss the Israel and Hamas hostage and ceasefire deal that could end the 15-month war in Gaza, Geoff Bennett spoke with David Makovsky of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy and Hussein Ibish of the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

Father of Israeli-American hostage reacts to deal

5m 47s

We're looking at the Israel-Hamas ceasefire through the lens of the families whose loved ones have been held hostage by Hamas since Oct. 7, 2023. Jonathan Dekel-Chen is the father of Israeli-American Sagui Dekel-Chen. He was kidnapped from the kibbutz Nir Oz trying to defend his family from the Hamas attack. Amna Nawaz spoke with Dekel-Chen about his son and the ceasefire deal.

LA officials face firefighting strategy questions

4m 5s

It’s been more than a week since two of the most destructive wildfires in California history broke out within hours of each other in Los Angeles. Both blazes remain active and uncontained, and Angelenos again held their breath while firefighters worked to prevent the flames from spreading or expanding amidst dangerously dry and windy conditions. Stephanie Sy reports.

News Wrap: FDA announces ban on Red No. 3 dye in food

6m 40s

In our news wrap Wednesday, the FDA says it is banning red dye No. 3 from food for its potential cancer risk, the Supreme Court signaled support for a Texas law aimed at blocking children from seeing pornography online, South African police called off a rescue operation at an abandoned mine and Ukraine said a major Russian missile attack forced authorities to shut down parts of its power grid.

Fire victims face devastated communities, uncertain future

8m 5s

Unprecedented warnings about wind conditions have residents around the Los Angeles area on high alert again as firefighters work to control major blazes that have destroyed communities and taken at least 24 lives. Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order to remove red tape and speed rebuilding efforts, but as Stephanie Sy reports, it's hard for many residents to look past the next 24 hours.

Mayorkas defends Biden's immigration policies

8m 40s

Immigration has been a white-hot political issue for years and helped propel Donald Trump back into the Oval Office. The incoming president has promised mass deportations and is expected to issue a slew of related executive orders soon after being sworn in. Seeing those through will be up to the Department of Homeland Security. Amna Nawaz discussed more with outgoing Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Hegseth faces grilling over accusations of misconduct

6m 9s

One of President-elect Trump's most controversial nominees was the first to face the scrutiny of a Senate confirmation hearing. Defense Secretary-designate Pete Hegseth was questioned Tuesday about alleged sexual and financial misconduct as well as concerns he lacks the experience to manage more than three million employees. Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing. Lisa Desjardins reports.

Hegseth faces grilling over accusations of misconduct

4m 52s

One of President-elect Trump's most controversial nominees was the first to face the scrutiny of a Senate confirmation hearing. Defense Secretary-designate Pete Hegseth was questioned Tuesday about alleged sexual and financial misconduct as well as concerns he lacks the experience to manage more than three million employees. Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing. Lisa Desjardins reports.

GOP Sen. Banks pushes to quickly confirm Hegseth

4m 50s

Republican Sen. Jim Banks of Indiana serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee and was in the room as Defense Secretary-designate Pete Hegseth appeared for a confirmation hearing. Amna Nawaz spoke with Sen. Banks about how Hegseth handled the attention.

Sen. Duckworth on why she thinks Hegseth is unqualified

5m 22s

During Tuesday's confirmation hearing, Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois told defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth that she doesn't believe he is qualified for the job. Sen. Duckworth is a former Army helicopter pilot who lost her legs in a crash while serving in Iraq and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Sen. Duckworth joined Geoff Bennett to discuss Hegseth's hearing.

Jack Smith report alleges Trump would have been convicted

4m 47s

In his final report to the attorney general, special counsel Jack Smith stood behind his decision to criminally charge President-elect Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Smith detailed the evidence he and his team amassed and would have presented at trial, writing "the admissible evidence was sufficient to obtain and sustain a conviction at trial.” William Brangham reports.

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