PBS News Hour - Politics

U.S. senators finally had an opportunity to speak their minds in the impeachment trial of President Trump on Tuesday. Each lawmaker was allocated 10 minutes for remarks, and their words echoed the partisan divisions that have characterized the entire trial. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., joins Judy Woodruff to discuss her impeachment views and what she's expecting from her state's upcoming primary.

In our news wrap Tuesday, Turkey warned it will intervene to stop a Syrian government offensive against rebels that's driving thousands of refugees in Idlib province toward the Turkish border. The word comes a day after clashes between Syrian and Turkish forces left 21 dead. Also, the U.S. nuclear arsenal has added its first new weapon in decades, a low-yield missile meant to deter adversaries.

The first contest of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary took place Monday evening with roughly 1,700 caucuses across Iowa. In Iowa, the Cook Political Report's Amy Walter and David Yepsen of Iowa PBS join John Yang, and the NewsHour's Daniel Bush reports. In Washington, New York Times columnist David Brooks and The Washington Post's Jonathan Capehart join Judy Woodruff with analysis.

The first primary contest of the 2020 presidential primary has arrived, with nearly 1,700 caucuses taking place across Iowa. Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report and David Yepsen of Iowa PBS join John Yang in Iowa to discuss early results, the latest poll numbers and how much the ongoing impeachment trial of President Trump has shifted attention away from the Democratic primary race.

Following months of polling and debates, the first votes of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary will be counted Monday night in more than 1,700 caucuses across the state of Iowa. John Yang reports and joins David Yepsen of Iowa PBS and Judy Woodruff to discuss what they're hearing from candidates and caucusgoers, plus why this year's contest feels bigger and more significant than ever.

House impeachment managers and President Trump's lawyers have had their say regarding the president's impeachment. Now, the Senate will render its verdict. Amna Nawaz reports on the closing arguments presented Monday, and Lisa Desjardins and Yamiche Alcindor join Judy Woodruff to discuss what they're hearing from lawmakers and the White House about the possibilities of acquittal and censure.

Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report and Radio Iowa's O. Kay Henderson join John Yang in Iowa to discuss the latest political news, including what voters in Iowa's first-in-the-nation 2020 Democratic caucuses are considering as they make their selections, polling updates on a "fluid" and "volatile" race and the ongoing pace of campaigning in Iowa.

After a year and a half of speeches, town hall meetings, and tens of millions of dollars spent, the Iowa caucuses will finally produce a winner of the first in the nation contests. Or will they? With the Democrats revamping their vote-count rules, it may be possible to have a two- or even three-way tie. Special correspondent Jeff Greenfield explains the caucuses process from Iowa.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó appeared Saturday at a Miami rally, telling supporters that democracy will return to Venezuela and he will replace socialist President Nicolas Maduro. The U.S. and many other countries backed Guaidó after last year's disputed election. Cynthia Arnson, director of the Latin America program at the Woodrow Wilson Center, joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss.

President Trump's likely acquittal following Friday's mostly party-line vote to exclude witnesses and new documents from the Senate impeachment trial has left questions over the limits of presidential powers. Senators will get the chance to explain their decisions next week. Alexis Simendinger, national correspondent for The Hill, joins Hari Sreenivasan with more on the trial and what comes next.