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Washington Week (video) | PBS

277 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★ - 237 ratings

For 50 years, Washington Week has been the most intelligent and up to date conversation about the most important news stories of the week. Washington Week is the longest-running news and public affairs program on PBS and features journalists -- not pundits -- lending insight and perspective to the week's important news stories.

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Episodes

Washington Week full episode, December 2, 2022

December 02, 2022 23:34

House Democrats elect a new, historic leadership team as Republicans disagree over who should lead as they take power. Plus, the Jan. 6 committee weighs whether to make criminal referrals to the Justice Department. Join moderator Yamiche Alcindor, Nia-Malika Henderson of CNN, Michael C. Bender of The New York Times, Weijia Jiang of CBS News and Asma Khalid of NPR to discuss these stories and more.

House Dems elect younger leadership as McCarthy struggles for votes to become speaker

December 02, 2022 23:28

House Democrats celebrated this week as they elected a new and younger leadership team. Meanwhile, Republican leader Kevin McCarthy is expected to be the next Speaker of the House, but he has yet to secure the votes needed to be elected to the position as some hardliners in the Freedom Caucus continue to withhold their support.

Jan. 6 committee could soon announce criminal referrals to Justice Department

December 02, 2022 23:25

With only weeks left to complete their work and before Democrats lose power in the House, the January 6 committee met to discuss whether to make criminal referrals to the Justice Department. Members say the probe’s final report will be released later this month. Plus, the founder of the Oath Keepers, Stewart Rhodes, was found guilty of seditious conspiracy for his role in the Capitol attack.

Why some Republicans are finally speaking out against Trump's future in the party

November 24, 2022 22:30

A rift is growing among Republicans over the party’s current and future leaders. This week, prominent members of the GOP called on the party to put former President Trump behind them after multiple election losses. Still, Trump remains popular among many in the base which will be critical to winning the presidential nomination.

Biden on the brink of a big legislative win as Dems close in on climate, health bill

August 05, 2022 21:53

It’s been a successful week for President Biden after a U.S. drone strike killed al-Qaida's top leader, and with celebrations on the CHIPS and PACT acts and job numbers exceeding expectations and calming recession fears. But he is also one step closer to reaching a landmark achievement on a bill tackling climate, health care and taxes -- legislation Republicans oppose but have no path to block.

Lessons learned from this week’s primaries and implications for November elections

August 05, 2022 21:47

Primary elections this week held vast implications for November. Voters in conservative Kansas overwhelmingly chose to protect abortion access in the state's constitution. And in the battleground states of Michigan and Arizona, multiple Republican primary candidates were victorious after amplifying former President Trump's false claims that the 2020 presidential election was illegitimate.

Washington Week full episode, August 5, 2022

August 05, 2022 21:41

President Biden hails robust job numbers as a hallmark of his domestic agenda moves closer to passage. Also, key primary elections send signals about abortion access and election deniers seeking office. Join moderator Leigh Ann Caldwell, Carl Hulse of The New York Times, Asma Khalid of NPR and Ashley Parker of The Washington Post as they discuss these stories and more.

‘The Big Lie' explores Trump's denial of 2020 election results

July 29, 2022 21:23

There were several notable developments this week related to the Jan. 6 investigation and former President Trump’s lies about the 2020 election. Jonathan Lemire, POLITICO's White House bureau chief and host of MSNBC's "Way Too Early," takes a look into those topics in his new book, “The Big Lie." He joins Yamiche Alcindor for our Washington Week Extra.

The mystery of the Secret Service's missing text messages

July 22, 2022 21:29

This week, as the Jan. 6 committee held its eighth public hearing on the investigation into the Capitol insurrection, there were new revelations about the panel's search for missing text messages sent by the U.S. Secret Service members in the days surrounding the attack. Also, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon was convicted Friday on two counts of contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas.

Biden tests positive for COVID-19 as his approval rating reaches new low

July 22, 2022 21:28

President Biden this week tested positive for COVID-19, but he is experiencing mild symptoms and is working in quarantine from his residence. At age 79, the president is at a high risk for severe illness though he is vaccinated and twice boosted. This comes as the latest PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll shows his approval rating at the lowest point in his presidency.

Jan. 6 committee hones in on Trump's inaction during Capitol attack

July 22, 2022 21:26

The Jan. 6 panel centered much of Thursday's public hearing on the 187 minutes it took former President Trump to tell his supporters to go home after a violent mob broke into the Capitol. According to the committee, Trump chose not to act as part of a deliberate plan to delay certifying the vote and only told the rioters to leave after it was clear to him that they failed to stop the proceedings.

Washington Week full episode, July 22, 2022

July 22, 2022 21:24

The Jan. 6 panel's latest hearing focused on why former President Trump waited to call off the mob during the Capitol attack, and President Biden tests positive for COVID as a new poll shows lower approval ratings. Join moderator Yamiche Alcindor, Nikole Killion of CBS News, Hallie Jackson of NBC News, and Yasmeen Abutaleb and Dan Balz of The Washington Post as they discuss these stories and more.

Alarming new details from the latest Jan. 6 hearing

July 15, 2022 20:19

The Jan. 6 committee this week held its seventh public hearing, charging that former President Trump planned in advance to call on his supporters to march on the U.S. Capitol. The panel also shared descriptions of an unhinged Oval Office meeting with discussions about declaring martial law and the federal government seizing voting machines, as new evidence continues to emerge.

Biden visits the Middle East as his domestic agenda is dealt a major blow

July 15, 2022 20:17

A high-stakes dance on the world stage is underway as President Biden meets with Saudi Arabia’s controversial Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who reportedly approved the brutal murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Meanwhile, Biden's domestic agenda on climate change and taxing the wealthy is shut down by West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin as the U.S. sees historic inflation.

Washington Week full episode, July 15, 2022

July 15, 2022 20:08

President Biden makes a controversial visit to Saudi Arabia, Sen. Joe Manchin thwarts the president's domestic agenda, the Jan. 6 panel ties former President Trump to extremist groups and inflation hits new highs. Nick Schifrin of PBS NewsHour, Hans Nichols of Axios, Trini Parti of The Wall Street Journal and Luke Broadwater of The New York Times join moderator Lisa Desjardins to discuss.

WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner pleads guilty to drug charges in Russia

July 08, 2022 21:27 - 385 MB binary/octet-stream

This week saw a number of startling headlines from overseas. The former longest-serving prime minister of Japan Shinzo Abe was assassinated, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned from office plagued by scandal, and the fate of WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner remains uncertain after she pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Russian court.

Landmark decisions cap historic term for the Supreme Court

July 01, 2022 21:26 - 355 MB binary/octet-stream

The Supreme Court this term made several significant decisions in addition to overturning Roe v. Wade, and on Thursday the justices limited the EPA's power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. This is a major setback for the Biden administration's efforts to combat climate change. But in a win for President Biden, the court upheld his authority to end the "Remain in Mexico" policy.

Surprise Jan. 6 committee hearing offers explosive testimony from Trump's inner circle

July 01, 2022 21:25 - 309 MB binary/octet-stream

Former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson testified on Tuesday before the Jan. 6 committee that former President Trump demanded armed protesters be allowed into his morning rally and that he insisted on joining the crowd at the Capitol, among other details. But some have pushed back on parts of her story and many Republicans have dismissed her testimony as hearsay.

Fallout from Supreme Court’s decision on Roe v. Wade continues

July 01, 2022 21:24 - 432 MB binary/octet-stream

It’s been a week since the Supreme Court handed down its historic decision, striking down Roe v. Wade and ending the constitutional right to an abortion. President Biden on Thursday called on Congress to make the right to an abortion law, and expressed his support for suspending the filibuster to get it done, as Republican celebrated and tried to shift the focus to inflation and rising prices.

Washington Week full episode, July 1, 2022

July 01, 2022 21:23 - 888 MB binary/octet-stream

The fallout from the Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe v. Wade continues. Plus, a former White House aide makes shocking claims about President Trump’s actions on Jan. 6. Join moderator Yamiche Alcindor, Peter Baker of The New York Times, Tia Mitchell of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Pete Williams of NBC News, and Jacqueline Alemany of The Washington Post to discuss these stories and more.

Jan. 6 committee lays out Trump's efforts to change 2020 election results

June 17, 2022 21:55 - 708 MB binary/octet-stream

The Jan. 6 committee this week offered chilling new details on how former President Trump pressured Vice President Pence to overturn the 2020 election and even put Pence’s life in danger by enraging the mob. The committee also accuses Trump of scamming his supporters and lying about election fraud.

Federal Reserve takes aggressive action to prevent a recession

June 17, 2022 21:53 - 131 MB binary/octet-stream

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised interest rates by three-quarters of a percent. This was the central bank’s biggest rate hike since 1994, an aggressive step to try and control the rapid rise in inflation.

Washington Week full episode, June 17, 2022

June 17, 2022 21:51 - 984 MB binary/octet-stream

The Jan. 6 panel presented more evidence this week on former President Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, while the Federal Reserve raised interest rates with the highest hike in nearly 30 years. Moderator Yamiche Alcindor, Carol Leonnig of The Washington Post, Scott MacFarlane of CBS News, Eva McKend of CNN and Ayesha Rascoe of NPR discuss these stories and more.

Will the Senate take bipartisan action on gun control?

June 10, 2022 23:06 - 356 MB binary/octet-stream

Gun reform efforts on Capitol Hill continued this week following the high-profile mass shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo. On Wednesday, survivors and parents of recent mass shooting victims testified before Congress. Amid all this, a bipartisan group of senators say they are optimistic that their negotiations over a narrow package could get the 60 votes needed to pass.

Washington Week full episode, June 10, 2022

June 10, 2022 23:05 - 164 MB binary/octet-stream

The Jan. 6 committee made its case after a nearly year-long probe into the Capitol insurrection as lawmakers revealed new details about the actions of former President Trump and fellow Republicans. Join moderator Yamiche Alcindor, Alex Burns of The New York Times, Leigh Ann Caldwell of The Washington Post, Nikole Killion of CBS News and Ryan Reilly of NBC News as they discuss this story and more.

Jan. 6 committee set to begin public hearings after 11-month investigation

June 03, 2022 21:56 - 342 MB binary/octet-stream

The select House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection will begin public hearings next week. For the last 11 months, the committee has spoken to nearly 1,000 witnesses, some from former President Trump's inner circle. They are looking into at least five areas related to the attack, including efforts to pressure federal, state and local officials to overturn the election.

White House shifts messaging on inflation and the economy ahead of midterms

June 03, 2022 21:54 - 340 MB binary/octet-stream

Inflation is at a four-decade high and rising prices at grocery stores and gas stations are hitting Americans hard. With six months to go until the November midterms, the Biden administration is trying to shift its messaging on inflation and the economy. But despite fears of an economic slowdown, the May jobs report was better than expected.

Biden calls for new gun laws amid ongoing debate in Congress

June 03, 2022 21:51 - 405 MB binary/octet-stream

Since the massacre in Buffalo three weeks ago on May 14, there have been at least 37 mass shootings in the United States, including in Uvalde, Texas and Tulsa, Oklahoma. In an address to the nation this week, President Biden called for action to contend with the spate of gun violence, as a bipartisan group of lawmakers tries to hammer out a deal on a gun reform bill.

Washington Week full episode, June 3, 2022

June 03, 2022 21:47 - 889 MB binary/octet-stream

A bipartisan group of senators is making progress on a framework for gun legislation after a spate of recent mass shootings. Plus, the White House pivots its messaging on inflation and the economy amid soaring prices. Join moderator Yamiche Alcindor, Eugene Daniels of POLITICO, Annie Karni of The New York Times and Amara Omeokwe of The Wall Street Journal as they discuss these stories and more.

Georgia's primary results and the political implications of the Uvalde shooting

May 27, 2022 21:57 - 111 MB binary/octet-stream

It's too early to tell if the Texas school shooting pushes gun control up the list of issues voters care about. But Georgia's primaries offered a glimpse into voters’ thinking, including a rebuke against former President Trump. Gov, when Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger defeated his favored GOP candidates. Kemp will now face Democrat Stacey Abrams in the general election.

Washington Week full episode, May 27, 2022

May 27, 2022 21:55 - 984 MB binary/octet-stream

Less than two weeks after the massacre in Buffalo, another community is reeling following a rampage by a gunman who killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Join moderator Yamiche Alcindor, NPR's John Burnett, Punchbowl News' Jake Sherman, The New York Times' Zolan Kanno-Youngs and The Washington Post's Ashley Parker as they discuss the tragedy and more.

New biography captures George Floyd's life before he died at the hands of police

May 20, 2022 21:25 - 460 MB binary/octet-stream

On our Washington Week Extra, we explore a breakout biography on George Floyd's life titled, “His Name is George Floyd: One Man’s Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice.” Washington Post reporters Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa, who co-authored the book, join Yamiche Alcindor to discuss.

Primary elections in battleground states spotlight Trump’s hold on the GOP

May 20, 2022 21:23 - 294 MB binary/octet-stream

Critical primary elections were held this week in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. In the Tarheel state, candidates endorsed by former President Trump had mixed results. In Pennsylvania, GOP Senate candidates Dr. Mehmet Oz and David McCormick are locked in a tight race to challenge Democrat John Fetterman as election denier Doug Mastriano won the Republican primary for governor.

Grief and anger in Buffalo as the nation mourns another mass shooting

May 20, 2022 21:22 - 553 MB binary/octet-stream

In Buffalo, an alleged gunman driven by white supremacist ideology murdered 10 people and injured three more at a supermarket. Most of the victims were Black, making it one of the deadliest racist massacres in recent American history. President Biden traveled to Buffalo to grieve with the community as the House passed a bill to tackle domestic terrorism that has yet to gain Senate approval.

Washington Week full episode, May 20, 2022

May 20, 2022 21:20 - 984 MB binary/octet-stream

The path ahead for addressing gun violence and racist ideologies remains unclear after a gunman allegedly murdered 10 Black people in Buffalo. Also, a tight midterm race in a pivotal battleground spotlights election deniers' electability. Join moderator Yamiche Alcindor, NPR's Kelsey Snell and The Washington Post's Toluse Olorunnipa and Robert Samuels as they discuss these stories and more.

Will abortion rights be a factor in midterm elections?

May 13, 2022 21:15 - 463 MB binary/octet-stream

The fallout from the leak of the Supreme Court’s draft opinion on Roe v. Wade continued this week, with the issue likely to play a role in this year’s midterm elections. A vote in the Senate to protect abortion access failed, as demonstrators staged protests outside the homes of some Supreme Court justices. Meanwhile, the power of former President Trump's endorsement was seen in GOP primary races.

U.S. reaches a million COVID deaths as Congress deadlocks on pandemic funding

May 13, 2022 21:10 - 389 MB binary/octet-stream

The U.S. this week reached 1 million deaths from COVID-19, a tragic new milestone in the pandemic that comes amid new warnings of an upcoming surge in infections. A battle is now underway on Capitol Hill that will determine President Biden's request for billions in additional funding for testing, vaccines and treatment.

Washington Week full episode, May 13, 2022

May 13, 2022 21:08 - 984 MB binary/octet-stream

The U.S reached 1 million deaths from COVID-19 as Congress stalls over funding for the pandemic. Plus, a bill that would have protected abortion access failed to pass in the Senate. Also, former President Trump's impact is seen in GOP primary races. Join moderator Judy Woodruff, The Washington Post’s Seung Min Kim, USA Today’s Susan Page, and CNN’s Manu Raju, to discuss these stories and more.

Trump's influence on display in key Republican primary races

May 06, 2022 21:21 - 151 MB binary/octet-stream

Former President's Trump's impact on the Republican Party was highlighted this week as the primary election season began in Ohio and Indiana, where the majority of the candidates he supported scored victories in key races. Chief among the winners was Senate candidate JD Vance, an author and venture capitalist, who was once a Trump critic before turning into a vocal supporter.

Republicans search for source of Roe leak as Democrats try to fortify abortion rights

May 06, 2022 21:19 - 692 MB binary/octet-stream

A leaked draft of a Supreme Court opinion sent shockwaves across the nation this week with revelations that the majority of justices support overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark case that has federally protected a woman’s right to an abortion. Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the authenticity of the text but said it is not final, while also announcing an investigation into the leak.

'This Will Not Pass' uncovers explosive new revelations about Jan. 6

May 06, 2022 21:17 - 490 MB binary/octet-stream

The newly released book “This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden and the Battle for America’s Future,” contains eye-opening findings on the actions of former President Trump, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and others, in the days surrounding Jan. 6. New York Times national political correspondents Alex Burns and Jonathan Martin, who co-authored the book, join Yamiche Alcindor to discuss.

Washington Week full episode, May 6, 2022

May 06, 2022 21:16 - 984 MB binary/octet-stream

A bombshell scoop by Politico this week revealed five Supreme Court justices support overturning Roe v. Wade. Plus, former President Trump’s grip on the GOP was on full display in Ohio and Indiana primary races. Join moderator Yamiche Alcindor, Julia Ainsley of NBC News, Josh Gerstein of Politico, Jonathan Martin of The New York Times and Abby Phillip of CNN as they discuss these stories and more.

Biden moves to end Title 42 amid backlash on Capitol Hill over migrant surge

April 29, 2022 21:19 - 115 MB binary/octet-stream

President Biden is facing pressure from Republicans and Democrats over his repeal of a Trump-era immigration restriction known as Title 42. The policy has forced migrants seeking asylum to remain in Mexico because of health concerns during the pandemic. Now, the Department of Homeland Security is focusing on how to handle a likely influx of migrants if Title 42 is lifted.

Vice President Harris catches COVID as Fauci clarifies comment on state of the pandemic

April 29, 2022 21:17 - 241 MB binary/octet-stream

COVID-19 struck deep within the White House this week when Vice President Kamala Harris's office announced that she had tested positive for the virus. The revelation came as Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to President Biden, raised eyebrows when he told the PBS NewsHour Tuesday that the U.S. is now "out of the pandemic phase," a comment he later walked back.

Biden requests billions to aid Ukraine as Putin warns West about interfering in the war

April 29, 2022 21:14 - 506 MB binary/octet-stream

With Russia's invasion of Ukraine now in its tenth week, Russian missiles struck Kyiv as the U.N. secretary general was visiting. That came amid fears the war could expand beyond Ukraine’s borders. Russian President Putin warned the West that any outside interference in the conflict would be met with a quick response, while President Biden asked Congress for $33 billion more in aid for Ukraine.

Washington Week full episode, April 29, 2022

April 29, 2022 21:09 - 984 MB binary/octet-stream

Russia warns the West not to interfere in Ukraine as President Biden requests billions more in aid, Dr. Anthony Fauci makes headlines on the state of the pandemic, and Biden's plan to change a Trump era-border policy receives backlash. Join moderator Yamiche Alcindor, Nikole Killion of CBS News, Hans Nichols of Axios, and Michael Shear of The New York Times as they discuss these stories and more.

How is the GOP reacting to leaked audio of McCarthy’s pledge to urge Trump to resign?

April 22, 2022 21:24 - 295 MB binary/octet-stream

New audio obtained by the authors of a soon to be released book reveals that in the days after January 6th, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy considered asking former President Trump to resign, and told GOP lawmakers that Trump acknowledged bearing some responsibility for what happened.

The mask mandate for travel is over. Or is it?

April 22, 2022 20:43 - 149 MB binary/octet-stream

After a federal judge overturned the federal mask mandate for air travel and public transportation, the Justice Department signaled they’d appeal to reinstate the rules. But how will the public react?

After three months of war in Ukraine, what has Russia gained?

April 22, 2022 20:39 - 436 MB binary/octet-stream

As the war in Ukraine enters its third month, we take a look at Putin’s claims of victory in Mariupol and how the U.S. is responding to the conflict. Join Yamiche, Dan Balz of the Washington Post, Laura Barrón-López of Politico and David Sanger of the New York Times as they discuss the latest developments.

Washington Week full episode, April 22, 2022

April 22, 2022 20:36 - 984 MB binary/octet-stream

As the war in Ukraine enters its third month, we take a look at Putin’s claims of victory in Mariupol and how the U.S. is responding to the conflict. Plus, exactly what do Republicans say behind closed doors when it comes to former President Trump? Join Yamiche, Dan Balz of the Washington Post, Laura Barrón-López of Politico and David Sanger of the New York Times as they discuss these stories and more.