PBS News Hour - Politics

At the White House's Wednesday Coronavirus Task Force briefing, President Trump announced that guidelines for reopening parts of the country would be released on Thursday. Yamiche Alcindor joins Judy Woodruff to discuss Trump's intended timeline and why he's receiving criticism for it, his new working groups of business and industry leaders and his desire to have his judicial nominees confirmed.

President Trump held a press briefing with the Coronavirus Task Force Monday evening at which he rejected news reports criticizing his administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump showed an unusual "campaign style" video during the session, also denying rumors that he is dissatisfied with Dr. Anthony Fauci and would consider firing him. Yamiche Alcindor joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.

NPR's Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including Sen. Bernie Sanders' endorsement of former Vice President Joe Biden for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, how Sanders' politics might influence his former rival and political fallout from the Trump administration's reaction to COVID-19.

The Democratic primary effectively came to an end as Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., announced he was suspending his campaign. But his name will remain on the ballot in the remaining contests, which he says will help influence the party's platform. Sanders joins Judy Woodruff to discuss his plan to guarantee health insurance during the pandemic and how he'll support former Vice President Joe Biden.

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week in political news, including how Americans are holding up amid the public health and economic pain caused by the coronavirus pandemic, where leadership is emerging, the outlook for President Trump's management of the crisis and the end of Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders suspended his campaign for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination on Wednesday after enduring a series of disappointing results in state primary elections. But many of the positions on which Sanders campaigned still resonate with the liberal wing of the party. Lisa Desjardins reports, and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.

The coronavirus pandemic has delayed many presidential primaries, but Wisconsin is going forward with its own on Tuesday. It's the first state to hold a major election with in-person voting amid a stay-at-home order -- and much legal jostling preceded the decision. Amna Nawaz talks to the state's lieutenant governor, Mandela Barnes, and Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee.

NPR's Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Lisa Desjardins to discuss the latest political news, including the fallout from postponing so many 2020 primary elections, a phone call between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden about coronavirus response and the fallout from Trump's firing of the intelligence community inspector general.

As millions of Americans find themselves suddenly unemployed and unsure that they can pay their bills, many are desperately awaiting federal aid. But are state and local governments able to deliver the trillions of dollars Congress and President Trump have approved? Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., joins Lisa Desjardins to discuss their progress and what Congress should do next.

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest news, including how the coronavirus pandemic has taken hold in the U.S., American leadership amid the crisis, whether the $2.2 trillion stimulus package will help those besieged by the pandemic and whether there is a chance for bipartisan political action.