PBS News Hour - Politics

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency on Saturday morning as Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recruited Atlanta rapper activist Killer Mike as she appealed for calm after a night of violent confrontation between police and some protesters. Sudhin Thanawala, a reporter for the Associated Press covering the events, joins Hari Sreenivasan for the latest.

Demonstrations turned violent in New York City Friday as crowds clashed with police for a second night in a row. In Washington, D.C., police tried to dispel hundreds who had gathered in front of the White House, some who threw bricks and bottles at U.S. Secret Service members. Washington Post's White House Bureau Chief Philip Rucker joins Hari Sreenivasan for more on President Trump's response.

Minnesota is mobilizing its entire National Guard as the state braces for more protests in Minneapolis over George Floyd's death. The ongoing protests turned violent on Friday for a fourth night after thousands of demonstrators set cars and buildings on fire, looted local businesses and fired at law enforcement. Minnesota Public Radio reporter Matt Sepic joins Hari Sreenivasan for more.

Recent images of unrest in cities like Minneapolis resemble demonstrations that occurred during the Obama administration, when protesters took to the streets demanding that law enforcement face justice for their violent treatment of black Americans. Joe Biden, who was vice president at the time, is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. He weighs in on the situation with Judy Woodruff.

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including former Vice President Joe Biden's comments on the death of George Floyd and what action it should prompt, President Trump's approach toward Twitter and truth and the milestone of 100,000 American deaths from COVID-19.

Lawmakers agree struggling Americans need another economic relief package due to the pandemic's fallout. But congressional Republicans and Democrats differ over who should receive that assistance. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joins Judy Woodruff to discuss a new House proposal for COVID-19 testing, being more "prescriptive" about how federal aid is spent and whether to hold an in-person convention.

President Trump's messages to his more than 80 million Twitter followers can carry a lot of weight -- but don't always represent the truth. Controversy recently erupted over a Trump tweet that had no basis in fact. Now, the social media platform is applying a note to it that directs users to more information. Yamiche Alcindor reports and speaks with Craig Silverman, media editor for BuzzFeed News.

NPR's Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including 2020 campaign strategy for President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden in battleground states and what Trump's holiday weekend Twitter tirade says about his response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week in politics, including President Trump's call to reopen houses of worship despite the pandemic, controversial comments from Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, public opinion on reopening the country, the battle over mail-in voting and Trump's firing of inspectors general.

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, questions have been raised about why the U.S. federal government was not better prepared for such a crisis. Scrutiny of President Trump has been intense, but questions extend beyond him to the efficacy of government and civil service more broadly. William Brangham talks to the American Enterprise Institute's Yuval Levin and The Atlantic's George Packer.