PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 8 Seasons

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Watch: S2024 E334

56m 45s

Republican Party born in Wisconsin at a time of divisiveness

4m 3s

It’s been a convention unlike any other with the assassination attempt against former President Trump lingering over the week. But this moment is just the latest on the long timeline of the Republican Party. Lisa Desjardins looks at the birth of the GOP in the years before the Civil War.

Thousands in Texas frustrated with weeklong power outage

6m 3s

More than a week after Hurricane Beryl made landfall, utility crews across Houston are still working to restore power to the last 50,000 customers who have been without electricity through a stretch of hot weather. Some residents and politicians say they've had enough and their frustration is directed at CenterPoint Energy. William Brangham discussed more with Dug Begley of the Houston Chronicle.

Human Rights Watch says Hamas committed war crimes on Oct. 7

7m 4s

A new report released by Human Rights Watch concludes that Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Oct. 7 attacks last year. The report says fighters conducted a coordinated assault "designed to kill civilians and take as many hostages with them." Stephanie Sy discussed more with Ida Sawyer of Human Rights Watch.

Key down-ballot races that could decide control of Congress

5m 29s

While the battle at the top of the ticket has dominated the news this election cycle, there are key down-ballot races that could shift the balance of power in Congress. The majorities in the House and Senate are razor-thin with Republicans in the House leading by five seats and Democrats in the Senate holding on by only two seats. Amna Nawaz and Geoff Bennett discussed more with Amy Walter.

Fact-checking right-wing claims about election security

7m

Speakers at the Republican convention have repeated falsehoods that Democrats are rigging the election and that non-citizens will vote in November. That claim is just one of many conspiracy theories about the security of America’s election system that are being spread in the lead up to November. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López reports.

Trump's one-time GOP rivals make peace and urge party unity

10m 58s

The stage at the Republican National Convention belongs to JD Vance Wednesday night as he will headline the evening and accept his party’s nomination for vice president. Tuesday night belonged to Donald Trump's one-time rivals in the bruising primary race, making peace with the nominee and urging the party to put aside its differences. Lisa Desjardins reports from the convention floor.

JD Vance's political views and how they have shifted

8m 23s

Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance is a one-time critic of former President Trump who has turned into a fierce defender. Geoff Bennett discussed Vance's views and how they've shifted with David Weigel, a national political reporter for Semafor who’s covered JD Vance for years.

How polarization and division leads to political violence

9m 29s

As Americans continue to grasp what led up to the threat on former President Trump's life, Judy Woodruff sought some perspective on how this moment of political violence and deep division relates to the country’s past. It’s the latest in her ongoing series, America at a Crossroads.

Democratic leaders call for Sen. Menendez to resign

7m 27s

New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez has been found guilty on all counts in a federal corruption trial. The prominent Democrat was accused of abuse of power and enriching himself and associates. Just minutes after the verdict was delivered, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer again called for his fellow Democrat to step down immediately. William Brangham discussed more with Ry Rivard of Politico.

Carson says he 'would love to see' nationwide abortion ban

6m 51s

Dr. Ben Carson served as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in Donald Trump's administration, and he is one of only a handful of cabinet members still in the former president's orbit. Geoff Bennett spoke with Carson ahead of his speech at the Republican National Convention.

Photographers on capturing iconic images of Trump shooting

3m 18s

The assassination attempt on former President Trump immediately sent shockwaves across the nation and through an already tense presidential campaign. It also quickly became an event defined by iconic photographs. We spoke with two of the photojournalists who were covering Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania that day, Evan Vucci and Anna Moneymaker.

GOP is 'embracing the youth' with Vance, D'Esposito says

5m 51s

A number of candidates and lawmakers up for reelection are slated to speak Tuesday evening at the Republican National Convention. Rep. Anthony D'Esposito of New York is a former police officer and his reelection is key to Republican efforts to maintain the House majority. The congressman joined Amna Nawaz and Geoff Bennett to discuss his message.

Republicans try to fire up voters while calling for unity

7m 37s

The second night of the Republican National Convention will feature former South Carolina governor, and runner-up in this year’s GOP primary, Nikki Haley. Lisa Desjardins reports from the convention floor with a closer look at the start of the week in Milwaukee.

RNC chair on Trump: 'It is a miracle that he's here'

6m 55s

The first night of the Republican National Convention featured former President Donald Trump's first public appearance since he was nearly killed. Amna Nawaz spoke with Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley about Trump's appearance and the selection of JD Vance as his running mate.

GOP charts path forward after assassination attempt on Trump

8m 55s

The Republican National Convention is underway in Milwaukee where Ohio Sen. JD Vance has been tapped as the vice presidential nominee just days after a failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump and as Republicans are cheering the sudden dismissal of the classified documents case against the former president. Lisa Desjardins reports from the convention floor.

Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on what Vance brings to campaign

7m 45s

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Geoff Bennett and Amna Nawaz in Milwaukee to discuss the latest political news, including the assassination attempt against Donald Trump, the reaction from President Biden and Democrats and the selection of JD Vance as Trump's running mate.

Biden adjusts after Trump shooting, Democratic pressure

5m 46s

With the Republican National Convention underway, President Joe Biden is easing back into campaign mode. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López reports on how President Biden is adjusting his campaign after calling on Americans to reject political violence.

Secret Service scrutinized after 'basic rules' not followed

5m 54s

The assassination attempt on former President Trump is raising major questions about the Secret Service and its security protocols. Chief among them, how was a 20-year-old with a rifle able to obtain a clear line of sight? Amna Nawaz discussed more with Carol Leonnig, a reporter for The Washington Post and author of “Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service."

What's next for DOJ and Trump's classified documents case

6m 42s

Judge Aileen Cannon’s dismissal of the classified documents case against former President Trump is his second major legal victory in weeks. In a 93-page ruling, Cannon said the appointment of special counsel Jack Smith, who is overseeing the case, was unlawful. The Justice Department is expected to appeal the ruling. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Mary McCord.

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