PBS News Hour - Politics

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is currently detaining more than 51,000 people. But with detention centers near the U.S.-Mexico border at capacity, more than half of those detainees are being held in remote prisons and jails, often far from legal representation. In the first of a two-part series, Joanne Elgart Jennings reports from Louisiana in partnership with The New Orleans Advocate.

Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich served in public office for over three decades. But in his new book, "It's Up to Us," he calls on the American people to pay less attention to the president and political drama in Washington -- and more to their own actions and communities. Kasich sits down with Judy Woodruff to discuss President Trump, impeachment and the 'gifts' that let us move the country forward.

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week's political news, including how the impeachment inquiry is affecting President Trump's support among Republicans, fallout from Trump's handling of northern Syria and the military advance by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the changing dynamics of the 2020 presidential race.

There was confusion around the words of the Trump administration's acting chief of staff Thursday. Mick Mulvaney first connected the delay of military aid to Ukraine with an investigation into a DNC server in 2016 but then said the two were unrelated. Meanwhile, EU Ambassador Gordon Sondland testified on Capitol Hill. Lisa Desjardins reports and joins Judy Woodruff and Yamiche Alcindor to discuss.

Veteran Congressman Elijah Cummings of Maryland died early Thursday at age 68, after suffering long-standing health problems. The Baltimore Democrat was a highly regarded figure in both political parties, known for his advocacy on civil rights issues. Cummings was chair of the House Oversight Committee and had been playing a central role in the impeachment inquiry. Amna Nawaz reports.

President Trump on Wednesday dismissed criticism of his withdrawal from northeast Syria and the ensuing Turkish incursion, but a bipartisan vote in the House condemned his action. The fallout comes as another key witness testified in the impeachment inquiry. Amna Nawaz reports, then talks with Nick Schifrin and Yamiche Alcindor to track the developments and impact on Trump's agenda.

At Tuesday's Democratic presidential debate in Ohio, attacks on Sen. Elizabeth Warren started early and came from all sides, particularly from more moderate voices. But the candidates did agree on one thing: support for the impeachment inquiry. Yamiche Alcindor reports, then Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report and Stuart Rothenberg of Inside Elections join Amna Nawaz to look at key moments.

Despite the White House's efforts to block the impeachment inquiry process, depositions from long-time diplomats have shed new light on the Trump administration's approach to Ukraine, and how officials were concerned about the actions of President Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. Lisa Desjardins joins Judy Woodruff to take stock of the latest developments.

Twelve candidates will take the debate stage in Westerville, Ohio, Tuesday night. The event comes soon after former Vice President Joe Biden's son spoke publicly about his former role as a board member of a Ukranian gas company. Will it come up in the debate? Yamiche Alincdor joins Judy Woodruff for a preview.

The power to impeach a federal official such as the president has been exercised rarely in American history, and U.S. Constitution mentions the word only a handful of times. What were the founders thinking when they included that power, and how have public views of these powers evolved over time? Judy Woodruff looks back with presidential historian Michael Beschloss.