PBS News Hour - Politics

USA Today's Susan Page and Domenico Montanaro of NPR join Lisa Desjardins to discuss the latest political news, including the outlook for 2020 Democrats not making it to the debate stage, campaign dynamics in Iowa and New Hampshire, how senators running for president will handle a potential impeachment trial, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's impeachment strategy and the year in review.

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Amna Nawaz to discuss the week's political news, including the battle between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell over rules for a Senate impeachment trial, how the presidential primary race is shaping up among 2020 Democrats and the year's most surprising political developments.

Candidates for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination are closing out 2019 the same way they spent the past several months -- on the campaign trail. While some focus on Iowa, the first state to hold primary voting, others are conducting broader, long-term efforts. Their policy positions vary, but the candidates agree President Trump's reelection is a scenario to avoid. Judy Woodruff reports.

NPR's Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including the state of the 2020 presidential race as the Iowa caucuses approach, an impasse over a Senate trial for President Trump and the "policy victories" Trump is claiming as he readies for a reelection campaign.

Billionaire businessman Tom Steyer told NewsHour Weekend Sunday that "saying something different" sets him apart from the crowded field of Democratic candidates seeking to become the president next year. He joins Yamiche Alcindor from the campaign trail to discuss why climate change is his top priority, his years-long push to impeach President Trump and why no one can call him "a socialist."

Entrepreneur and 2020 Democratic candidate Andrew Yang tells NewsHour Weekend he was 'honored and disappointed' to be the lone candidate of color at the last debate. He joins Yamiche Alcindor to discuss his plan to give every American adult $1,000 a month, why he believes headlines about the economy are misleading, and how he would handle North Korea if he became president.

President Trump on Saturday spoke to a group of young conservatives, calling them "fearless young leaders." And while there are young people engaged and active in politics, a recent Harris poll commissioned by UNICEF USA of 8- to 17-year-olds found that only a third felt "included in the political process." Anucha Browne of UNICEF USA joins Yamiche Alcindor for more on the report.

A request to freeze military aid to Ukraine was made less than two hours after President Trump's July 25 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a White House email released this weekend shows. Meanwhile, days after his impeachment, Trump focuses on the economy amid his reelection bid. POLITICO's Anita Kumar joins Yamiche Alcindor for more.

As Donald Trump this week became the third American president in history to be impeached, seven 2020 Democratic candidates took to the stage for the latest presidential debate. Chris Buskirk, editor and publisher of American Greatness, and Karine Jean Pierre, chief public affairs officer for MoveOn.org, join Yamiche Alcindor to discuss both the impeachment proceedings and the 2020 race.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, one of several presidential candidates who did not qualify for the latest Democratic debate, spoke with NewsHour Weekend about the issues driving his decision to enter the 2020 race "later, but not late." He joins Yamiche Alcindor from the campaign trail.