The national debt has grown to more than $37 trillion. There is mounting concern in some quarters over how soon the ballooning debt will impact the lives of everyday Americans. As Paul Solman explains, simply paying the interest on that debt is already swallowing a larger portion of the federal budget. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

This week marks 238 years since the signing of the U.S. Constitution at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The language of the document has been debated ever since. In our first of two conversations about that debate, Amna Nawaz sat down with John Malcolm, executive editor of the “Guide to the Constitution” from the conservative Heritage Foundation. It's part of our series, On Democracy. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate for the first time this year, dropping it by a quarter point. The change could have an impact on many lending rates and the Fed suggested two more cuts by year's end. To discuss the cut and what's ahead, Geoff Bennett spoke with Ron Insana, a contributor to CNBC and publisher of the Substack column, The Message of the Markets. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump enjoyed a warm welcome to Britain's Windsor Castle, where his royal hosts put on a display of pageantry, pomp and military parades. It's an unprecedented second state visit for Trump, and it comes with both regal spectacle and real-world diplomacy, including a civilian nuclear power deal and a massive trans-Atlantic tech agreement. Amna Nawaz reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Wednesday, FBI Director Kash Patel faced bipartisan criticism for not releasing all Epstein information in the bureau's possession, FBI officials in Pittsburgh say they're treating a car ramming at their local field office as an act of terror and the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny says new evidence proves her husband was poisoned before his death. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Former CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez gave her first detailed account of her high-profile firing during a Senate hearing. Monarez was ousted less than a month into the job, making her the shortest-lived director in the agency’s history. Questions about the future of vaccine policy were front and center during the hearing. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

An independent, international commission attached to the UN’s Human Rights Council released its report this week, accusing Israel of an ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The commission said statements made by Israeli authorities are “direct evidence of genocidal intent.” Nick Schifrin has two views on the report from Craig Mokhabir and Dr. Eran Shamir-Borer. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A U.S. citizen was caught in the middle of the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to immigration enforcement. Andrea Velez says she was wrongfully arrested this past summer in downtown Los Angeles during an ICE raid. She spent two nights in jail and faced a felony charge the Justice Department later dropped. Geoff Bennett discussed the case with Velez and her attorney, Luis Carrillo. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Colleen Shogan made history when she became the first woman to serve as Archivist of the United States in 2023. In February, President Trump fired her with no reason given. On Constitution Day, Shogan launched a national bipartisan effort called "More Perfect" to work on strengthening democracy. Amna Nawaz reports for our series, Art in Action, and our arts and culture coverage, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

On Capitol Hill, FBI Director Kash Patel clashed with Democratic senators on his handling of the Charlie Kirk investigation and on his leadership of the agency. White House correspondent Liz Landers reports.

PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy