PBS News Hour - Politics

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week's political news, including President Trump's response to the conflict with Iran and controversy around former Vice President Joe Biden's comments about working with segregationists.

When asked why voters should support her for in 2020, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., emphasizes her legislative record in an era of political gridlock and her Heartland roots. Although she has a list of 137 policy priorities she would tackle as president, she says her central message is to bring back "the heart and the strength" of American democracy. Klobuchar sits down with Judy Woodruff.

In our news wrap Wednesday, former White House Communications Director Hope Hicks was interviewed by the House Judiciary Committee--the first senior administration official cited in the Mueller report to appear before Congress. But Democrats said she refused to discuss her work or even where her office was. Also, Congress held its first hearing on reparations for slavery in more than a decade.

The Federal Reserve says it's holding its benchmark interest rate steady, despite ongoing pressure from President Trump to reduce it. But Fed Chairman Jay Powell expressed openness to the idea of cutting rates if economic indicators warrant. He also recently said he intends to serve his full four-year term, despite Trump's criticism of him. Judy Woodruff talks to The Wall Street Journal's Greg Ip.

Student debt affects millions of Americans and is an issue shaping the 2020 presidential race. On average, students leave college owing $29,600; for black students, the number is $34,000. Lisa Desjardins reports on candidate proposals to address the problem and talks to NPR education correspondent Anya Kamenetz about how they might work to reduce student debt and make college more affordable.

A House subcommittee held hearings Wednesday morning to discuss paying reparations to African Americans for slavery. The idea is shaping up to be an issue with some of the candidates running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, too. Novelist Sarah Blake has considered why past attempts to secure reparations failed, and she shares her humble opinion on why this time is different.

Another personnel disruption is rocking the White House, as Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan withdrew from consideration for the permanent role Tuesday amid reports of domestic violence in his past. The Washington Post's Aaron Davis spoke with Shanahan about the allegations. He joins Judy Woodruff to discuss, and Judy gets reaction to the news from Lisa Desjardins and Yamiche Alcindor.

Although tensions between the U.S. and Iran are high, officials from both countries insist they don't want a military confrontation. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says Iran will resist sanctions but not wage war, while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called sending more U.S. troops to the region a "deterrent." Meanwhile, U.S. allies in Europe are sharply divided on Iran. Nick Schifrin reports.

President Trump announced Tuesday that Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan will not seek confirmation for the permanent version of the role. Reports then surfaced about possible incidents of domestic violence in Shanahan's past. Judy Woodruff talks to Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., about the "troubling" allegations, why not having a permanent Secretary of Defense is risky and tensions with Iran.

Ahead of a Florida rally President Trump is calling the kickoff for his 2020 reelection campaign, live music, food trucks and Trump swag adjoined Orlando's Amway Center. Some supporters waited in line overnight to get into the event. Meanwhile, undocumented workers once employed at Trump properties gathered to criticize his immigration stance. Yamiche Alcindor reports and updates Judy Woodruff.