PBS News Hour - Politics

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has become the third 2020 Democrat to drop out of the race, announcing he will pursue a third term as governor instead. Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado, who also recently ended his presidential campaign, says he will run for the Senate. And there are rumors of a potential new primary challenger to President Trump on the Republican side. John Yang reports.

President Trump spoke extensively with reporters outside the White House Wednesday, answering questions on gun policy, Russia, the economy and even birthright citizenship. Yamiche Alcindor, who was there in person, joins William Brangham to discuss key takeaways, including Trump's alignment with the NRA on gun background checks and his criticism of American Jews who support Democrats.

Native Americans received more attention from presidential candidates this week than in previous years. Nine 2020 Democratic hopefuls attended a forum in Sioux City, Iowa, to discuss U.S. treaty obligations to Native people, the epidemic of violence against Native women, health care and more. Lisa Desjardins reports and talks to Mark Trahant, editor of Indian Country Today and the event moderator.

The Trump administration is responsible for the largest reduction of federally protected land in U.S. history, according to a recent study by the journal Science. And in the wide expanses of the American West, Trump's encouragement of industry and development has conservation advocates concerned for the future of public lands intended for varied use. Jeffrey Brown reports from central Montana.

President Trump on Tuesday acknowledged that he is considering cutting taxes, but said the idea is not in response to recession fears. During an Oval Office meeting with the president of Romania, Trump touted the strength of the economy and said that he was confronting China on its trade policies because "somebody had to." Yamiche Alcindor joins John Yang to discuss the White House's thinking.

The Trump administration continues to restrict reproductive health care through federal law. Planned Parenthood, which provides reproductive health services to 1.5 million low-income women nationwide, is a central target, and new rules governing federal funding could mean a major drop in the money that organization receives. Yamiche Alcindor reports and talks to Sarah Varney of Kaiser Health News.

On the 2020 presidential campaign trail, Democratic candidates are striving to stand out within a crowded field. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, now polling second to former Vice President Joe Biden, sought Monday to restore her credibility with Native American voters. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, meanwhile, released a sweeping proposal for criminal justice reform. William Brangham reports.

NPR's Tamara Keith and Joshua Johnson join William Brangham to discuss the latest political news, including policy proposals among 2020 Democrats, rumors of an upcoming recession and how a weakening economy could affect President Trump's reelection and momentum for new gun security measures after El Paso and Dayton massacres.

While nearly two dozen candidates are competing for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, that party is facing the opposite predicament in the Senate: not enough top-tier candidates are running, in part because many strong contenders are in the presidential race instead. Lisa Desjardins reports on the 2020 Senate races that could change the party power balance in the Senate.

The Washington Post's Michael Gerson and Karen Tumulty join Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest in politics, including our analysis of upcoming 2020 Senate races and potential candidates, the controversy over Israel's barring a visit from Reps. Omar and Tlaib, how trade tensions between the U.S. and China are affecting the economy and President Trump's apparent interest in purchasing Greenland.