PBS News Hour - Politics

Tuesday night's debate between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden had all the civility of a mud-slinging contest. With constant interruptions and insults, the event devolved into what Biden later called "a national embarrassment." Moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News struggled to retain control as the men exchanged personal attacks -- and little of substance. Amna Nawaz reports.

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The first debate between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, held in Cleveland Tuesday night, quickly turned into a verbal brawl, with both candidates talking over each other at times. But Trump's constant interruptions provoked particular frustration from moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News. Yamiche Alcindor and Lisa Desjardins join Judy Woodruff to discuss the political fallout.

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In the past, President Trump has failed to denounce far-right extremist and racist groups and sentiments when prompted. He did so again during Tuesday night's first presidential debate, telling members of the white supremacist Proud Boys group to "stand by." William Brangham talks to the University of Chicago's Kathleen Belew and Janai Nelson of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Tuesday night's face-off between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden was a presidential debate like none in recent memory. Were viewers actually able to learn anything about the candidates and their policies, or did the chaos overwhelm substance entirely? The Washington Post's Dan Balz and Sewell Chan of the Los Angeles Times join Judy Woodruff to discuss how to move forward. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden will face off Tuesday night, as the first of three presidential debates takes place in Cleveland. Yamiche Alcindor and Lisa Desjardins join Judy Woodruff to provide a preview of the debate, including what to expect from its format and topics, and a sense of how both candidates have been preparing for the event.

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In the first presidential debate of the general election, both candidates want to perform well and avoid mistakes. How are they preparing before they take the stage? Republican strategist Brett O'Donnell, who worked with five presidential candidates on debate prep, and Democratic strategist Jennifer Palmieri, Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign communications director, join Judy Woodruff to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Robert Mueller's name is at the heart of a major investigation into Russia and President Trump that roiled the first two years of Trump's presidency. Although he rarely makes public statements, Mueller is now speaking out about a new book by a key member of the special counsel's team, Andrew Weissmann. Weissmann joins Judy Woodruff to discuss "Where Law Ends: Inside the Mueller Investigation." PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

After years of secrecy, President Trump's finances are examined in a New York Times investigative report. What does it tell us about his business practices and income taxes? David Cay Johnston, an investigative journalist and author who has long followed President Trump's business dealings, and Peter Faber, a tax attorney who often advises wealthy clients, join Judy Woodruff to discuss.

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Nominating a judge to the U.S. Supreme Court is one of the most important decisions a president makes. Who is President Trump's newest pick, Amy Coney Barrett? John Yang reports and talks to John Adams, who clerked for Judge Barrett on the federal appeals court in Chicago, and Victoria Nourse, a Georgetown Law School professor who was Joe Biden's chief counsel when he was vice president.

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Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report and Errin Haines of The 19th join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including how a report on President Trump's taxes and business dealings could affect the presidential race, implications of the Amy Coney Barrett nomination to the Supreme Court and what to look for in the first debate between Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders