PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 Seasons

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Watch: S2025 E57

57m 46s

Political divisions threaten bill to protect press freedom

5m 58s

The day after the presidential election, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued a statement warning of a hostile climate for press freedom under a second Trump term. That comes as advocates are urging lawmakers to pass a bill that would protect journalists from government spying and other interference. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Jodie Ginsberg.

How divisions in Congress could present challenges for Trump

6m 56s

In a major victory for President-elect Trump, Republicans will now control both chambers of Congress after the House was called for the GOP this past week. But this trifecta doesn't guarantee smooth governing, as narrow margins could make passing major legislation difficult. Casey Burgat, legislative affairs program director at The George Washington University, joins William Brangham to discuss.

Why American evangelicals are staunch supporters of Israel

6m 47s

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has long held a strong pro-Israel stance, one that’s deeply rooted in his evangelical Christian faith. Now, as Trump’s pick to serve as ambassador to Israel, he could be integral in shaping U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East. William Brangham speaks with historian Daniel Hummel about the connection between evangelicals and their support for Israel.

Cameroonian refugee family finds new start in Wisconsin

4m 57s

After a desperate journey from war-torn Cameroon through the U.S. asylum system, one man is starting a new life with his family in Wisconsin. Jane McCauley of PBS Wisconsin reports.

Future of U.S.-China relations after final Biden-Xi meeting

7m 2s

President Biden met on Saturday for the third and final time during his term with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Their sit-down was on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima, Peru. William Brangham speaks with Nick Schifrin about Biden’s goals for the meeting and what to expect when President-elect Trump takes the reins in two months’ time.

Climate change’s role in the Northeast’s wildfire outbreak

5m 21s

For years, wildfires across the American West have served as an urgent reminder of the threat posed by extreme weather, often made worse by climate change. But over the last few weeks, fires have engulfed parts of New York and New Jersey amid an unusually severe drought on the East Coast. Hilary Howard, a climate change reporter for The New York Times, joins William Brangham to discuss.

Report highlights killings of Indigenous environmentalists

8m 5s

Leaders at the United Nations’ COP29 climate change summit are being pressed this year to address the rising threats to environmentalists and defenders of human rights. Ali Rogin looks at the challenges facing these activists around the world and speaks with Laura Furones, a senior adviser at the environmental watchdog and advocacy group Global Witness, to learn more.

Brooks and Capehart on the 'chaos' of Trump's Cabinet picks

10m 53s

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Amna Nawaz to discuss the week in politics, including President-elect Trump's key Cabinet appointments that offer a glimpse of what’s to come in his administration and Republicans secure the House, giving them control over Congress and the White House as they prep their agenda for the new year.

Speaker Johnson says Gaetz report should not be released

5m 28s

President-elect Donald Trump continues to stock his future cabinet with high-profile choices. He tapped one of his rivals in the presidential primary, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, for interior secretary. Political correspondent Lisa Desjardins has more on how Burgum might redefine that role and what we’re learning about Trump's other nominees.

How 'donations' are inundating Ghana with toxic waste

9m 45s

When Americans no longer want a car, laptop or clothes, where do some of those goods go? Most end up in the Global South, where millions of people depend on repairing, dismantling or selling them for a livelihood. Environmental groups say this is a toxic trifecta of waste that inflicts damage to land, coastlines and health. Fred de Sam Lazaro reports in partnership with the Pulitzer Center.

Why experts are concerned about RFK Jr.'s HHS nomination

7m 27s

President-elect Trump’s decision to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Secretary of Health and Human Services is sparking concern. There are worries too about his history of false statements and beliefs in debunked conspiracy theories. At the same time, he’s pushing hard on some major problems that experts say are real. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Dr. Katelyn Jetelina.

What the polling got right and wrong in the election

5m 45s

Donald Trump is likely to be the first Republican presidential candidate to win the popular vote in the last 20 years. Pre-election polls have consistently underestimated his support since he first ran eight years ago. That’s left some folks spending the last week trying to figure out what happened. Geoff Bennett and NPR’s Domenico Montanaro discussed what the polls got right and what they missed.

Ruby slippers stolen in museum heist now up for auction

6m 54s

If you’ve ever wanted to own a piece of Hollywood history, now’s your chance. A pair of Dorothy's ruby slippers are up for auction and just like Dorothy, this pair of shoes has been on its own long and very strange journey. Special Correspondent Megan Thompson reports for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Women face prosecution for what they do while pregnant

8m 32s

In the first year after the Supreme Court ended the federal right to an abortion, 210 women faced charges for behavior related to pregnancy, abortion, pregnancy loss or birth. The decision emboldened prosecutors to develop aggressive strategies to charge and imprison pregnant women and mothers. But even prior to the overturning of Roe, hundreds of women faced such charges. Sarah Varney reports.

U.S. Marines reflect on battle for Fallujah 20 years later

9m 2s

Twenty years ago this month, U.S. Marines began fighting the largest urban battle since the Vietnam War. More than 12,000 American, British and Iraqi troops fought for Fallujah, which had become an insurgent stronghold. In collaboration with The War Horse, Nick Schifrin spent time with the Marines who still remember and feel that battle like it was yesterday.

Trump selects RFK Jr. to lead nation's health agency

6m 39s

President-elect Trump continues to name nominees to his cabinet and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is his pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy was first a Democratic then independent candidate in the 2024 election before dropping out and endorsing Trump. He's also an anti-vaccine activist and has pushed several conspiracies about the COVID-19 virus. Laura Barrón-López reports.

Republicans secure control of House and Senate

5m 23s

House Republicans will maintain their hold on the lower chamber next year, giving the GOP a political trifecta in Washington, controlling both chambers of Congress and the presidency come January. Lisa Desjardins reports.

Jeffries says Democrats must 'address economic challenges'

9m 1s

Plans for Trump’s return to Washington, and the Republican Party’s return to power, are well underway. But for Democrats in the minority, the path forward is not as clear. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York is the House Democratic leader and the author of the new children’s book, "The ABCs of Democracy." Jeffries joined Amna Nawaz to discuss more.

Why Trump's nomination of Gabbard is controversial

6m 2s

If confirmed as Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard would oversee 18 intelligence organizations including the CIA and NSA. Her nomination could set off a fight since Gabbard has no intelligence experience and is accused of defending dictators and parroting disinformation. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Michael Leiter, former director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center.

Trump to nominate loyalist Matt Gaetz as attorney general

5m 10s

President-elect Trump nominated one of his most prominent loyalists in Congress to lead the Department of Justice. Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz is the former president’s pick to serve as the nation’s top prosecutor. The right-wing firebrand is well known for leading efforts to oust former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Carrie Johnson of NPR.

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