PBS News Hour

AMNA NAWAZ: Good evening.

I'm Amna Nawaz.

GEOFF BENNETT: And I'm Geoff Bennett.

On the "News Hour" tonight: The# U.S.

holds indir.. with Iran amid escalating threats and# a buildup of U.S.

forces in the region.

AMNA NAWAZ: U.S.

Ambassador to# Israel Mike Huckabee discusses the## next phase in the Gaza cease-fire# and his hopes for Iran's future.

MIKE HUCKABEE, U.S.

Ambassador to Israel: Iran# is a real problem, and it's not just a Middle## East problem.

It's a problem globally.

If# Iran is serious about wanting to change,## this would be pretty dramatic after 47 years of# saying "Death to America."

Let's hope they can.

GEOFF BENNETT: And people affected by the Trump# administration's suspension of immigrant visas## for citizens from 75 countries speak# out about the impact on their lives.

(BREAK) GEOFF BENNETT: Welcome to the "News Hour."

Today, across two continents, the# U.S.

confronted two very.. nuclear challenges.

For the first# time since last year's war in Iran,## U.S.

and Iranian diplomats restarted diplomacy# focused on that country's nuclear program.

AMNA NAWAZ: And for the first time today,# the U.S.

accused China of conducting a secret## nuclear test just one day after letting the final# nuclear arms control treaty with Russia expire, Nick Schifrin been covering# both stories and joins us now.

So, Nick, let's start with the U.S.

and Iran.# What do we know about how those talks went today?

NICK SCHIFRIN: Well, the Trump administration# has provided no readout at the moment,## but in the lead-up to these talks, we heard# from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and## the top negotiator, Steve Witkoff, that Iran# must not make any nuclear fuel domestically,## must restrict the range of its ballistic# missiles, must end its support for proxy## groups and account for highly enriched uranium# that has been missing since last summer's strikes.

Today, the U.S.

held indirect talks.

You see# Witkoff there with the president's son-in-law,## Jared Kushner, meeting Oman's foreign minister,# who then met with Iran's foreign minister, Abbas## Araghchi, who said the talks focused on nuclear# weapons and were a -- quote -- "good start."

ABBAS ARAGHCHI, Iranian Foreign Minister: We were# able to exchange our viewpoints, to express our## concerns and our interests for a possible deal# between the two sides on our nuclear question.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Araghchi said there would# be a new round of talks.

No confirmation## of that from the U.S.

side, which for# the first time included the top U.S.## military commander from the Middle# East, a reminder, Amna, of President## Trump's threats against Iran and that# military buildup still in the region.

AMNA NAWAZ: So what do the experts tell you all of# that means for the possibility of an actual deal?

NICK SCHIFRIN: Well, that's the question# I put to Karim Sadjadpour of the Carnegie## Endowment for International Peace.

He# is very skeptical of any deal of Iran's## nuclear program, missile program, or support# for proxies, including Hezbollah and Hamas.

KARIM SADJADPOUR, Carnegie Endowment for# International Peace: The Iranian regime still## seems so intent on defying the United States# and they fear that if they give into pressure,## it's going to project weakness# and invite even more pressure.

Up until now Iran has shown no flexibility# on moderating its ballistic missile program,## or its regional proxies.

And# so the Iranian goal is to limit## this conversation only to nuclear and# even then to drag on the conversation.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Drag on the conversation, Amna,# so it doesn't get bombed by the United States.

A U.S.

official, though, confirms to# me that Iran is trying to reconstitute## its ballistic missile program.# Look at the before right there## and now look at the after of# a missile production facility.

Listen to distinguished scholar at# Middlebury College Jeffrey Lewis.## He's studied these kinds of images for years.

JEFFREY LEWIS, Middlebury College: We can# see those facilities in satellite images.## And so Israel attempted to destroy many of# those buildings, but now they're back.

It## seems pretty clearly that Iran is well on its# way to resuming production of its missiles.

NICK SCHIFRIN: And U.S.

officials, Amna,# acknowledge that could mean Israel,## if not the U.S., try and strike those# missile production factories again in 2026.

AMNA NAWAZ: Let's turn now to those allegations,## accusations of a secret nuclear test by China.# What exactly is the U.S.

saying happened?

NICK SCHIFRIN: Yes, so, for the first time today,## the U.S.

revealed that China conducted# explosive nuclear tests, including .. and sought to conceal them by putting the# explosion inside an underground chamber.

That would be China's first explosive test in# some 25 years.

Now, former senior officials## told me today that they have known about# that test for years.

So what's interesting## perhaps mostly today is the timing.

The fact# that China conducted that test has not been## declassified until today, which happens to# be the day after the U.S.

let New START,## the final nuclear arms control treaty, expire.

The Trump administration and some# experts have long argued that New## START wasn't adequate because it didn't# address China's growing arsenal.

And so## today it seems to be an attempt to try# and pressure China into some kind of## three-way talks with the United States# and Russia about arms control overall.

But, honestly, Beijing has always# resisted any kind of limits on its## nuclear program while it's growing# its arsenal, says Jeffrey Lewis.

JEFFREY LEWIS: China has largely resisted# entering any kind of formal talks,## partly because their number is lower than the# U.S.

and they're in the process of catching up.

But I think at a deeper and more profound# level, it's because all of the things we want,## predictability, transparency, these are things# that China thinks are bad for it, because China## is worried that, if we find them to be predictable# and transparent, that we will be more comfortable## pushing them around in a regional security crisis# because we will know where their red lines are.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Which means no trilateral# talks with China any time soon.

And, tonight,## I spoke to former Biden senior officials and# also Republican senior arms control officials,## and both argued to me that the# U.S.

should deploy more nuclear## warheads.

And now that New START has# expired, they can do exactly that.

AMNA NAWAZ: Nick Schifrin# starting our coverage tonight.

Nick, thank you.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Thank you.

GEOFF BENNETT: In the day's other# headlines: The White House defended,## then removed a racist depiction of the# Obamas from President Trump's social media.

It was posted shortly before midnight, and# it was met with anger from Democrats and## some members of the president's# own party.

The president's post,## which borrowed imagery from this video, was# deleted after backlash on both sides of the aisle.

The video on TRUTH Social focusing on debunked# claims about the 2020 election included a## racist animation of former President Barack# Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama,## their heads superimposed on the bodies of apes.

The president's post sparking# widespread condemnation from## lawmakers.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem# Jeffries said: "The Obamas are brilliant,## compassionate and patriotic Americans.# They represent the best of this country.## Donald Trump is a vile, unhinged# and malignant bottom feeder."

Republican Senator Roger Wicker: # "This is totally unacceptable.## The president should take it down and apologize."

And this from Senator Tim Scott: "Praying it was## fake because it's the most racist thing# I have seen out of this White House."

White House Press Secretary Karoline# Leavitt initially defended the actions## of her boss.

"This is from an Internet meme# video depicting President Trump as the king## of the jungle and Democrats as characters# from 'the Lion King.'

Please stop the fake## outrage and report on something today that# actually matters to the American public."

It should be noted there are no# ape characters in 'the Lion King.'

A few hours after Leavitt's defense, the# post was deleted.

A White House official,## speaking on the condition of anonymity,# said a staffer erroneously posted the video.

Mr.

Trump's political rise# included years of attacks on## former President Obama that centered on# conspiracy theories and racist rhetoric.

MAN: I am a registered Republican.

GEOFF BENNETT: One three-time# Trump voter today called into## C-SPAN to say the post was a breaking point.

MAN: What an embarrassment to# our country.

All this man does## is tell lies.

He is not worthy of# the presidency.

And I just want to## apologize to everybody in the country# for supporting this rotten, rotten man.

GEOFF BENNETT: Also today, the U.S.# has arrested a man, Zubayar al-Bakoush,## who is suspected of playing a key role in# the 2012 consulate attack in Benghazi, Libya,## that killed four Americans,# including an ambassador.

PAM BONDI, U.S.

Attorney General: Al-Bakoush# will now face American justice on American## soil.

We will prosecute this alleged# terrorist to the fullest extent of the law.

GEOFF BENNETT: U.S.

Attorney General Pam# Bondi, alongside FBI Director Kash Patel## and U.S.

attorney Jeanine Pirro, told reporters# Zubayar al-Bakoush was extradited to the U.S.## and was indicted on eight counts, including# murder, arson and terrorism-related charges.

Another man, Ahmed Abu Khattala,## who is suspected of masterminding the 2012# attack, was captured in 2014 and convicted.

In Pakistan's capital city, officials say a# suicide bomber targeted Shiite worshipers in## a mosque during Friday prayers.

The blast, in# a densely populated area on the outskirts of## Islamabad, killed at least 31 people and wounded# over 160 others.

The bombing was the second## major attack in the capital in recent months.

The# Islamic State claimed responsibility for today's## suicide blast and have targeted Shiite Muslims,# a minority in the country, in previous attacks.

The FBI and Arizona law enforcement say# they are aware of and looking into the## authenticity of a new message concerning Nancy# Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today Show"## host Savannah Guthrie.

The search for# Guthrie entered its fifth day today.

CAMRON GUTHRIE, Son of Nancy Guthrie:# Whoever is out there holding our mother,## we want to hear from you.

We# haven't heard anything directly.

GEOFF BENNETT: On social media last# night, Savannah Guthrie's brother,## Camron, renewed the family's pleas for# their mother's potential kidnapper to## contact them.

Investigators still# have not identified any suspects or## persons of interest.

The FBI had said an# alleged ransom note had demanded money by## an initial deadline of yesterday evening.# The note has a second deadline of Monday.

On the Wall Street today, stocks surged# in a massive end-of-week rally.

The Dow## Jones industrial average shot up# 1,200 points to top 50,000 for the## first time ever.

Chip companies helped# drive the surge, sending the Nasdaq up## by 2 percent, and the S&P also rallied# 2 percent for its best day since may.

And Hall of Fame quarterback Sonny Jurgensen# has died.

Over an 18-year NFL career with## the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington# Commanders, then known by a different name,## the prolific passer piled up# franchise records with both teams.## His career-defining legacy in Washington# made him a celebrity in the nation's capital.

After his playing career, he became a# broadcast analyst for another 38 years.## Jurgensen was inducted into the Pro Football# Hall of Fame back in 1983.

He died of natural## causes in Florida after a brief stay in# hospice.

Sonny Jurgensen was 91 years old.

Still to come on the "News Hour": the White# House launches a new Web site aimed at## lowering prescription drug prices; Kathleen# Parker and Kimberly Atkins Stohr weigh in on## the week's political headlines; and# sports journalist Christine Brennan## joins our podcast to preview the athletes we# should be watching at the Winter Olympics.

As the Trump administration advances# its vision for rebuilding Gaza and## reshaping how the territory is# governed, uncertainty looms over## what comes next as the cease-fire moves# into its next phase.

Critical issues,## from security and humanitarian access# to political control, remain unresolved.

Earlier today, I spoke with U.S.# ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.## I began by asking him what success looks# like in phase two of the cease-fire and## how the administration plans to measure progress.

MIKE HUCKABEE, U.S.

Ambassador to Israel: Well,## I would tell you it's already wo.. we haven't had to rush down to the# shelter and dodge a ballistic missile.

So the cease-fire itself has been quite# successful.

Everybody in Israel is## breathing a sigh of relief.

They're# putting their kids to bed at night,## tucking them in and not thinking they're going# to wake up in the middle of the night to a siren.

All the hostages are back.

I think you# would have had a hard time convincing## anyone in Israel if you would have told them# 4.5 months ago that every hostage would be## back.

As phase two starts, it's going to be# a methodical process, but it is under way.

The Board of Peace is established.

The# technocratic government is being formed.## The one big peace that still has to# happen is the disarmament of Hamas,## but I think that's on the way# as well.

And it's progress.

GEOFF BENNETT: Meantime, the Rafah Crossing# has reopened, but the number of Palestinian## medical evacuees has been limited.# Why is that process moving so slowly?

MIKE HUCKABEE: Well, it's a difficult thing to# get people in and out safely.

They have to be## properly vetted so that you don't bring# terrorists in or take terrorists out.

There's a legitimately diligent effort to get# this done.

But we're talking about people who are## vastly displaced, people who are displaced because# Hamas extended this war long before it should## have been extended.

People are still adjusting# to the fact that Gaza is basically a rubble.

Once again, Hamas could have ended# this long before the destruction,## but they didn't.

They wanted to hold hostages# and torture them and starve them and make it## difficult for them.

And I'm hoping that,# when they disarm and we get rid of them,## things will start progressing much more rapidly.

GEOFF BENNETT: You mentioned the president's# newly announced Board of Peace earlier.

There## are critics who say that it effectively# sidelines multilateral organizations.

What problem is the Board of Peace meant to solve# that existing international organizations cannot?

MIKE HUCKABEE: Well, the Board of# Peace is a different kind of board,## in that it is made up of people who# have chosen to be a part of it and## people who want to actually do some heavy# lifting and making Gaza livable again.

I don't know of any other organization# internationally that is that committed## to doing something right.

We saw here# in Israel what happened when the United## Nations was in charge of the food program.

It# was absolutely dismal; 92 percent of the food## that was supposed to go to people who were hungry# ended up getting looted or stolen or hijacked.

And those are the U.N.

's own# numbers.

That was last summer.## So the Board of Peace is supposed to# try to make this much more effective## and efficient and put people in charge# that actually know how to run something.

GEOFF BENNETT: Is the administration# moving away from the U.N.

model altogether?

MIKE HUCKABEE: I wouldn't say that.

I think# we recognize -- I'm not a big fan of the U.N.

It seems to be cumbersome, expensive, and not# all that effective, but it has its purpose.## But there needs to be a much more lean operation# in order to get Gaza on its feet.

And I think## that it's not something that you can just say# to nations, say to Iran or North Korea, I'm## sure you guys will have a really noble experiment# here, and you will want to do it the right way.

So this is going to be a board of# people who not only want to be on it,## but who, quite frankly, meet the# criteria of wanting to do it right.

GEOFF BENNETT: On the matter of Iran,# have you been briefed on how the talks,## the Iran talks, went in Oman today?# And we know that the prime minister,## Netanyahu, has said that Iran cannot be trusted.

Is there a deal that you# believe Iran can commit to?

MIKE HUCKABEE: That's hard to say.

Geoff, it's something I hope happens.

And I#.. look, nobody would like to see a negotiated peace# more than I would, because, if we have a war,## I'm going to be right in the center of# it.

And I would just as soon pass from## that.

I have been here less than a year as# ambassador, been through four wars already.

But will Iran agree to something?

And will they# agree to what the president has laid fourth,## which is, you don't have enrichment,# you don't have nuclear weaponry,## and you're going to have to deal with# this incredible array of ballistic## missiles that you keep building up,# because you're threatening the world?

And through not just Iran, but their proxy# organizations, they have created havoc.## And then if you add to that the number# of people they have murdered in their own## streets because they were protesting the# lack of food and water, let's be honest,## Iran is a real problem.

And it's not just a# Middle East problem.

It's a problem globally.

GEOFF BENNETT: Well, what is the U.S.

prepared# to do?

You have said that the president will## not disappoint the Iranians who put their lives# on the line as they protest the Iranian regime.

MIKE HUCKABEE: One thing I'm# confident about this president,## he makes a promise and he keeps it.

He# told Iran last summer that they could## do it the easy way or the hard way.

They# didn't listen.

They did it the hard way.

And he sent B-2 bombers in through the# Operation Midnight Hammer.

You would## think they'd learned something.

I often say# that in the South, where I grew up, Geoff,## we say there's no education in the second# kick of a mule.

They got a real kick of a## mule last summer.

I'm wondering, did# they get any education from that one?

If not, they may stand behind the# mule again.

And there probably won't## be much education in the second kick of a mule.

GEOFF BENNETT: As we wrap up our conversation# here, I wonder.

So many Americans,## how they currently understand Israel# is shaped by its response to Hamas.

What do you worry gets lost about# Israel, its society, its values,## when the country is viewed almost# exclusively through this lens of war?

MIKE HUCKABEE: I think Americans are pretty# naive if they don't understand that Israel## had hostages being held in tunnels who were# being tortured, starved, raped and beaten.

If America had hostages, and it was the sons# and daughters of Americans, do you think we## would stand by and just say, well, I hope they# could let loose someday?

We would be scratching## and working, and we would be doing everything# we possibly could to get those hostages out.

Israel gets blamed for a lot of stuff.# They didn't start the war.

Hamas did on## October the 7th.

And they didn't just# murder 1,200 civilians.

They butchered## them.

What I wish Americans would do is# to look at this honestly and objectively.

I wish they would understand who is at fault, why# it went as long as it did, and ask themselves,## if this was your son, your daughter being held# in those tunnels, raped and tortured, would you## stand by idly, or would you do whatever it took# to bring an end to it and get your children home?

GEOFF BENNETT: The U.S.

ambassador to Israel,## Mike Huckabee, thank you for# your time, sir.

We appreciate it.

MIKE HUCKABEE: Thank you, Geoff.

AMNA NAWAZ: A new Web site, TrumpRx, that the president says#will help Americans buy lower-priced prescription## drugs is now online.

The site lists drugs that# reduced rates with coupon codes to be used## at participating pharmacies or directly through# manufacturers' Web sites.

It's part of his pledge## to lower drug prices in the U.S., where consumers# tend to pay much more than their European peers.

Stephanie Sy has more.

STEPHANIE SY: Amna, TrumpRx currently has# about 40 brand name medications on offer## from five companies, including popular# weight loss and infertility treatments.

At an event yesterday, the# president called it one of## the most transformative health# care initiatives of all time.

DONALD TRUMP, President of the United# States: This launch represents the## largest reduction in prescription# drug prices in history by many,## many times.

And it's not even close.

You're going# to see numbers that you're not going to believe.

STEPHANIE SY: But health policy experts# caution the impact would likely be muted,## especially for the 85 percent of Americans# who have prescription drug coverage.

With more, we're joined now by Dan Diamond,## a reporter for The Washington Post, who# focuses on policy and public health.

Dan, it's good to see you.

So, talk about how TrumpRx works# in practice.

It's not a Web site## that sells drugs direct to consumer,# but it's more for information, right?

DAN DIAMOND, The Washington Post:# Yes, it's a government program,## a government Web site intended to help Americans# get discounted prescri.. be directed to a manufacturer's Web site.# You can print out a coupon in some cases,## maybe even call a pharmacy directly# and get the drug sent in the mail.

It's more about information than# actually purchasing the medication.

STEPHANIE SY: What kinds of drugs are# available at these discounted prices## right now?

Why these specific drugs?# And are more expected to be added?

DAN DIAMOND: The Trump administration has# negotiated with 16 different pharmaceutical## companies.

Some of those companies have# put their drugs on this Web site so far.

So, Novo Nordisk, which makes drugs that are# used for weight loss like Ozempic and Wegovy,## you can go on the Web site and find access# to discounts on those drugs.

EMD Serono,## which does fertility medication,# there's significant discounts for drugs## there as well, and then other drugs# around diabetes, thyroid medication.

But, notably, a lot of these drugs are# older and there are generic alternatives## for these medications.

The pharmaceutical# companies that are participating were not## looking to give discounts on their# bestsellers, their newest drugs.

So, in many cases, these are drugs where there# might have already been discounts available.## And if you go on the Web site and look, there# is a warning even, and if you have insurance,## you might be able to get a discount that is# better than what is available through TrumpRx.

STEPHANIE SY: Plus, most Americans have insurance## where co-pays may be less than even the# discounted price of these drugs, right?

And yet not all insurance policies cover these# really popular weight loss and fertility drugs.## Is that where experts say we're likely to see# the greatest impact on consumer benefit, Dan?

DAN DIAMOND: I think so.

I think that's where there has been.. obesity access.

I talked to folks# in Bernie Sanders' office when that## announcement happened.

Even they were saying this# is something that would benefit many Americans.

The challenge, I think, is that there are# many drugs that are not listed here.

I mean,## if there are 43 drugs or so listed on the Web# site right now, that is a tiny, tiny fraction of## the medications that many Americans need.

And the# question is, how fast will more drugs come online?

The Trump administration has said they're# trying to add more.

But as of right now,## the benefits are limited really# to the categories you highlighted.

STEPHANIE SY: Will TrumpRx have any# larger impact on other drug prices?

DAN DIAMOND: I think the effort# that the administration has made## that goes beyond the Web# site is what I'm watching.

So the president and his deputies, I# think to their credit, have tried to## bend the ear of pharmaceutical companies# on these high drug prices.

They have gone## to foreign leaders and asked them to raise# the price of drugs overseas to help carry## the cost of research and development here.

So# TrumpRx is a part of that broader strategy.

If TrumpRx does have more drugs available,## if it is expanded to the 90 percent or so# of Americans who have health insurance,## then it would be more beneficial.

But# there is a broader strategy here too.

STEPHANIE SY: You have also written, Dan,## about the politics of this move by Mr.# Trump.

It'.. as the most impactful prescription# drug reset in history.

And, of course,## it fits into his broader agenda to convince# Americans he's helping make life more affordable.

Will enough Americans feel the benefit of## this program in coming months to# help the president make that case?

DAN DIAMOND: That's a great question.

So Republicans historically have lagged behind# on health .. There are polls, I saw one from KFF, a reputable# firm, recently that found a double-digit lead## for Democrats on most health care issues, who# do you trust to handle your health insurance?

But on the issue of prescription drugs,# it has narrowed.

I think Republicans were## only lagging behind by five points, which# suggests that there is a messaging success## potentially for Republicans.

But health# care has always been a crucial issue## when voters go to the polls.

Republicans# are trying to make this more of their issue.

And that's why this has been such a ballyhooed# event by the White House, why they had Dr.## Oz walking people through this televised# infomercial almost to show how TrumpRx worked.

STEPHANIE SY: That is Dan# Diamond with The Washington Post.

Thanks for joining us, Dan.

DAN DIAMOND: Thank you.

GEOFF BENNETT: This week, the# Trump administration was sued## for a sweeping pause of immigrant visa# processing for people from 75 countries.## The freeze, which started last month,# was aimed at nations the administration## said -- quote -- "whose migrants take welfare# from the American people at unacceptable rates."

This comes on top of full or partial travel and# visa restrictions on citizens from 39 countries,## which federal officials say are necessary to# prevent overstays and protect national security.

Liz Landers has more on the impact.

LIZ LANDERS: The travel bans and visa# suspensions have upended routine work,## marriage, and family visa processes, leaving# many U.S.

citizens across the country in limbo.

Over the last few weeks, we have spoken with# some of them, including one man who asked us## not to use his name because he worries it might# affect his Brazilian husband's visa application.

SAMANTHA CUFFY, Second-Generation# Immigrant: Hi, my name is Samantha Cuffy.

DAVID ZWISOHN, Former Client of Caretaker# From Sierra Leone: I'm David Zwisohn.

CHRIS JOONDEPH, U.S.

Spouse of Nigerian# Citizen: My name is Chris Jo.. ASHLEIGH RAMOS, U.S.

Spouse of Moroccan# Citizen: My name is Ashley Ramos.

I recently remarried three years ago# to my husband, who is from Morocco.## I am a mom of five and I'm a public# schoolteacher that teaches Spanish.

SAMANTHA CUFFY: My entire family actually are# originally from the island of Dominica and## migrated here in the late '80s, early '90s, and# I was born shortly after.

And I have enjoyed the## fruits of their labor and their working hard and# going through the citizenship process and doing## everything they can to be able to achieve# their own version of the American dream.

CHRIS JOONDEPH: My wife and I met on# my first trip out to Nigeria in 2021.## I'm a travel content creator, and I had been# trying to visit every country in the world,## but we had stayed in touch.# As our relationship developed,## we eventually decided to get married in May# 2024, and we immediately filed our petition.## And we're currently waiting on our visa for# her to come join me in the United States.

ASHLEIGH RAMOS: I met my husband through# a language exchange app.

He was learning## English.

I was trying to learn Moroccan# Arabic specifically.

He just became part## of my everyday life, my kids as well# through our video chats and lessons.

I have been to see him now four times.# I'm going again in about two weeks.

He's## the most emotionally supportive# partner you could ever ask for.## And we have been waiting a long time.# And we thought we were almost done.

DAVID ZWISOHN: I'm totally responsible# for caring for our 25-year-old special## needs daughter.

My daughter is completely# dependent, and she will be her entire life.## And we have a 27-year-old son who's# slightly on the autistic spectrum.

We had gotten the services of what they# call a direct support care provider,## and her name was Jennifer (ph).

And she# had worked with us from mid-June, I think,## mid-June 2025 up until last Friday.

And she# is from the country of Sierra Leone.

And## Sierra Leone is on the Trump# administration's banned list.

MAN: I'm a U.S.-born citizen.

My husband# is a Brazilian citizen.

We met at a bar.## And it was as cheesy as a pickup line and# talking.

When we decided to get married,## we wanted to make sure we did everything legal.# We wanted to make sure we did everything right.

ASHLEIGH RAMOS: I think the average# American really doesn't know what this## process is.

And this right here, this is# what I have given in support of our case.## This is to show the relationship, but# also to prove my financial standing,## his ability and potential to have gainful# employment when he comes.

It's very expensive.

CHRIS JOONDEPH: We had kind of expected it to# take about two years and possibly be getting## that visa in May of this coming year.

But now# that looks like it's sort of on indefinite delay.

Our visa won't get denied, but it's just# going to be put on hold.

It's not going to## be processed.

And so we're just kind of sitting# here without any idea kind of where that ends.

SAMANTHA CUFFY: When I saw Dominica on that# list, it was honestly a shock.

Folks are## really terrified, because they're, like, I# don't know when next I'm going to be able to## see my family.

I don't know if I'm going to be# able to move freely even within this country,## like, people who are citizens# feel like just because the fact## that they have an accent or that# they look a little bit different.

ASHLEIGH RAMOS: This really felt like the door# slamming shut and it was just immediate panic.

MAN: What do we do?

Where do we go?# There's no -- there's no instruction.## There's no information.

There's just a blanket# thing saying there's going to be a pause.

DAVID ZWISOHN: Finding a replacement for Jennifer# is much harder than most people would realize.## The load on me is tremendous.

It's a# struggle to be able to get enough sleep,## a struggle to continue eating well,# and that's critical.

It's not just my## daughter and my son.

I have to take care# of myself in order to take care of them.

CHRIS JOONDEPH: You feel like it's this punitive## policy that doesn't really# go about doing what it says.

If you need to vet people more, then# vet people more.

But to just say, no,## we won't even take a look is a real gut# punch.

And it feels like you're let down.

ASHLEIGH RAMOS: I think,# when people see the pause,## they assume this is protecting us in some# way from foreign invaders or stopping## illegal immigration.

And that's not the case.# This is preventing families from being together.

MAN: My plan was to bring my family to the United# States and to build.

Now the only option seems to## be leave.

That is the worst feeling.

And you# should never feel punished for loving someone.

LIZ LANDERS: For more on these# restrictions, we are joined by David Bier,## director of immigration studies# at the Libertarian Cato Institute.

David, nice to have you back on "News Hour."

DAVID BIER, Director of Immigration Studies,# Cato Institute: Thanks for having me on.

LIZ LANDERS: Let's start# with what that report showed.

It's -- obviously, this is impacting# a wide range of Americans.

Who is this## affecting right now and has the United# States seen policies like this before?

DAVID BIER: Well, we absolutely have seen# policies like this before during the first## Trump administration, when he basically# shut down almost all visa processing in## 2020.

That was -- created a huge backlog# of people who had to be processed under## the Biden administration for -- put# people in very similar situations.

I encountered people who had to actually move out# of the United States to be with their loved one## in another country.

And we're seeing similar# decisions being forced upon people today.

If## you look at the totality of it, about half of# all legal immigration, permanent immigration## from abroad, has now been banned by these# policies, so one out of every two immigrants.

If you look at African immigrants in# particular, legal immigrants, again,## it's almost 70 percent of legal immigrants# from -- you're looking at the statistics## from 2024 -- have now been banned by# this administration.

Over 100,000 of## the 300,000 or so who are now affected by this# policy on an annual basis are the spouses and## minor children of legal permanent residents# and U.S.

citizens, so very close relations.

We haven't seen anything --# outside of the COVID-19 pandemic,## we haven't seen anything as# severe as this restriction.

LIZ LANDERS: The State Department has cited# concerns that some of the immigrants were at## high risk of becoming a drain on the# welfare system.

How vetted are these## immigrants?

And is there evidence# that that is actually a problem?

DAVID BIER: No, absolutely not.

You have# to have a financial sponsor in the United## States who is willing to take ownership of# you.

You are also banned from accessing any## means-tested benefits for the first five# years that you are in the United States.

And so there's both the restriction on accessing# the benefits and you also have someone who's there## who has to prove their ability to financially# support you.

And if you look at the immigration## system as a whole, we've now banned half of# the legal immigrants to the United States.

We have estimated that the immigrant population# over the last 30 years has reduced the deficits## by $14.5 trillion over that 30-year period.

So# immigrants, legal immigrants who are coming here,## coming to work, coming to support themselves are# a benefit to the United States, reduce deficits,## and ultimately support the# American system of government.

LIZ LANDERS: The visa pause affecting nationals of# these 75 countries is currently being challenged## in court.

What do you make of the legality# of the government's blanket pause here?

DAVID BIER: Well, if you look at# the Immigration and Nationality Act,## one of the fundamental questions that Congress# was trying to resolve for almost four decades## from the 1920s to the 1960s was whether we were# going to discriminate based on nationality.

They put a provision in that law that# says you cannot discriminate against## visa applicants based on their nationality.# The administration is openly flouting that## restriction and basically daring the Supreme Court# to strike it down and say that this is illegal.

They have already sort of gotten the# Supreme Court's OK on part of the ban## for 40 countries because the president signed# an executive action proclamation saying he is## ordering them being suspended.

But 75 of# the over 90 countries affected by this,## it's just effectively the secretary of# state's tweets who are banning these people.

This is not some formal policy from# the president of the United States.## So I think the litigants here will have# a stronger case because it's really not## a formal policy adopted in# any kind of formal manner.

LIZ LANDERS: You recently wrote for Cato# -- quote -- "that President Trump is## leading the most anti-legal immigrant# administration in American history."

What does that mean?

How so?

DAVID BIER: Well, not only are we banning about# half of the .. this policy.

We have also effectively shut# down the refugee program for about 125,000## individuals who would have otherwise been able# to immigrate legally as refugees from abroad.

He's also shut down the Diversity Visa# lottery which is basically the only way## that many people without family connections# can immigrate legally to the United States.## He has, in addition to those actions, shut# down the legal ways for people to apply## for asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border# and enter the country legally there.

So, overall, he's reduced legal# immigration far more than he's reduced## illegal immigration into the United# States during his first year in office.

LIZ LANDERS: David Bier, thank# you so much for joining us.

DAVID BIER: Thanks for having me.

GEOFF BENNETT: ## For more now on the fallout from President# Trump's call to nationalize elections and## his immigration crackdown, we turn tonight# to the analysis of Atkins Stohr and Parker.

That's Kimberly Atkins Stohr, senior opinion# writer and columnist at The Boston Globe,## and Kathleen Parker, a columnist with# The Washington Post.

David Brooks and## Jonathan Capehart are away this evening.

Good evening.

It's great to see you both.

KATHLEEN PARKER, The Washington Post:# Good evening.

Nice to be.. GEOFF BENNETT: So President Trump is# openly talking about nationalizing voting,## something that is plainly unconstitutional.

He's# doing this months before the midterm elections.

Kimberly, do you hear this as bluster# or a deliberate attempt to undermine the## elections and then seed doubt about the# legitimacy of future election results?

KIMBERLY ATKINS STOHR, The Boston Globe:# I think it's definitely the latter, Geoff.

We have seen Donald Trump since before his first# term, even before he won the election in 2016,## casting doubts and disparaging with# no -- with absolutely no evidence,## the U.S.

voting systems and claiming fraud,# either as a hedge before the election he may## think may go badly for him or as a way to# disparage the results after they happen.

That has been part and parcel.

And it's really# dangerous.

I mean, this call is not just a call## to nationalize elections, which, as you point out,# the Constitution makes very clear that elections## are handled, by and large, by states, with# the federal government playing a minimal role.

But I'm concerned about call -- not denying# that ICE will show up at election stations,## that the call for this increasing redistricting,## mid-decade redistricting in states in order to# try to game the system.

Elections are supposed## to be sacred in any functioning democracy.

And# that the president of the United States is the## one making the call to disparage them and# try to rig the system is really alarming.

GEOFF BENNETT: Kathleen, to Kimberly's point,# we have seen this from President Trump before.## How much this time feels more organized# and, because of that, more dangerous?

KATHLEEN PARKER: I agree.

It is more organized.

And everything he does in terms of,# he's trying to undermine confidence## and faith in the electoral process all# along.

And with this whole -- now he's## still clinging again to the 2020 -- we know# it was a fully regular election he lost.

And## he can't let it go because I think he's# taken a page from "Mein Kampf," frankly,## the saying that if you say -- tell a big lie often# enough and repeat it, then people will believe it.

And the theory was further refined by# the propaganda head in Nazi Germany,## Mr.

Joseph Goebbels.

And the idea is,# apparently, it's true that -- they would know,## I guess -- that people will believe a big lie# quicker than they will believe a small lie.

So Trump goes big with everything he does,# big beautiful bills, big beautiful lie.

And## I think he's just going to keep going# and going and trying to make people## lose confidence.

Maybe they stay# away from the polls.

Maybe they## get together and his MAGA troops will come# together and challenge the election results.

I think you're right that ICE will show# up and I think the activists and the MAGA## troops, so to speak, will be present at# many polling places.

So it's very dangerous,## because where does that lead, ultimately?

It# gives Trump an opportunity to say -- maybe## it gives him an opportunity to challenge the# next election, whether it's the midterms or the## presidential election in 2026, assuming# he allows it to come -- to take place.

GEOFF BENNETT: On the matter of ICE potentially# at polling places, our White House correspondent,## Liz Landers, asked that question at a# White House press briefing this past week,## because it was Steve Bannon who floated it, and# the White House didn't rule it out.

Here's that.

LIZ LANDERS: Thank you, Karoline.

Steve Bannon recently said -- quot.. come November."

Is that something# that the president is considering?

KAROLINE LEAVITT, White House Press# Secretary: That's not something I## have ever heard the president .. LIZ LANDERS: So, you can guarantee# to be American public that ICE wi.. not be around polling locations# or voting locations in November?

KAROLINE LEAVITT: I can't guarantee# that an ICE agent won't be around a## polling location in November.

I mean, that's,# frankly, a very silly hypothetical question.

GEOFF BENNETT: And you can argue it's# not a hypothetical question.

It's not## a rhetorical question, because, in many ways,# this is a multifront strategy, legal pressure,## DOJ demands, raids at the Fulton County# election office.

How do you see it?

KIMBERLY ATKINS STOHR: That's exactly right.# And we can use another historic analogy,## which is during Jim Crow, the fact# that police were often sent around## polling stations in order to discourage# people of color from casting votes,## even though the Constitution was amended# to specifically protect that right.

The law won't protect you if you don't# have government that is backing it up## and actually flouting it.

So all of this is from# playbooks from the darkest times in our history,## and they can't be ignored.

I'm concerned about# it, because I don't want people -- once people## lose faith in their elections, that's a big# pillar of democracy that falls in itself.

GEOFF BENNETT: On the matter of the president's# immigration agenda, we have some fresh polling## data.

Six in 10 Americans disapprove of the job# ICE is doing, while about three in 10 approve.

And## opinions about the agency and its actions are# sharply divided along political lines, as you## might imagine; 91 percent of Democrats, 66 percent# of independents register their disapproval.

Republicans, though, remain supportive with# 73 percent approving of the agency's work.

Kathleen, why is that?

Has ICE become an# identity issue, rather than a policy issue,## the way that they are carrying# out the president's agenda?

KATHLEEN PARKER: Well, I don't really know# exactly how to answer that, but I think that I'm## first surprised that that number of representative# Republicans are approving of what we're watching.

And I think the image of that little boy was# so powerful.

And I think Americans generally## saw that and thought, well, no, we can't# have that in this country.

That's not what## we do here.

And the image is powerful.

And I# think, when we look at the elections coming up,## the midterms, you're going to see a lot# of people turn out on the ICE issue,## whether it's -- I don't know what you meant# exactly by whether it's an identity question.

But I do think it's definitely a pivotal# voting issue that will have legs through## the midterms and possibly thereafter, depending# on how they change their behavior, if they do.

GEOFF BENNETT: And this is a# live issue on Capitol Hill,## because Democrats and Republicans right# now are debating how ICE can carry forward## with the president's immigration# approach as part of its funding.

And yet it appears Democrats have folded# on their demand that ICE agents not wear## masks.

Chuck Schumer said, well, they can# wear masks if it's an unusual circumstance.## And they're also not including in their demands# this notion of what we were talking about before,## that ICE doesn't show up on# Election Day at the polls.

This comes back to this issue why# Democrats aren't as tactically## ruthless on the things that they say they# care about as compared to Republicans.

KIMBERLY ATKINS STOHR: I# think that's exactly right.

And at this moment, when we're talking about# a partial sh.. now has been funded.

They did a good job of# carving out this issue so that they could hold## firm.

I think if Democrats do anything other than# completely hold the line on what they have seen,## the snatching up of men, women and children,# deporting them without full due process,## American citizens being targeted -- two American# citizens dead on the streets of Minneapolis.

If this is not the issue where Democrats can say,# no, we hold the line and we are not giving an## inch on this, not because it's politically right,# but because it's morally right, I just don't know## what it is that they're doing.

They should maybe# consider giving their jobs to someone who will.

GEOFF BENNETT: How do you see it?

KATHLEEN PARKER: Well, I do think Republicans te.. But I think if the Democrats force the hand# and the government has to shut down partially,## it's going to send -- well, it'll make# Donald Trump very happy because he## will have chaos again.

And he's the# captain of chaos.

But so many other## agencies within the Homeland Security# Department will be affected, FEMA, TSA.

I mean, people are going to be stranded at# airports and, again, we will have all sorts of## travel issues.

And there's even other things.# The Coast Guard, I think, would be docked.

GEOFF BENNETT: Yes.

Well, you mentioned airports.

I#want to squeeze in this last topic, President Trump offering to unfreeze roughly# $16 billion in federal infrastructure funds## already appropriated for the Gateway Hudson# River tunnel project.

But this is only if,## according to the reporting, the Senate minority# leader, Chuck Schumer agrees to rename both## Washington Dulles International Airport and# New York's Penn Station after Donald Trump.

Kimberly, you have been shaking# your head left or right, no.

(LAUGHTER) KIMBERLY ATKINS STOHR: You know, it's just# .. we're talking about, the president is still so# concerned about his own vanity and pettiness,## that he probably can't stand the fact that DCA# is named after Reagan and he wants one too.

I mean, really, this is what# he's spending his time on.

KATHLEEN PARKER: Well, he# may actually deserve Dulles## Airport.

As we were talking about earlier... (LAUGHTER) KIMBERLY ATKINS STOHR: It is a terrible airport.

KATHLEEN PARKER: ... it's# not the .. KIMBERLY ATKINS STOHR: No.

KATHLEEN PARKER: But.. in childhood?

Can we just give him a# daily participation trophy, perhaps?

(LAUGHTER) GEOFF BENNETT: K.. KIMBERLY ATKINS STOHR: Thank you.

AMNA NAWAZ: The 2026 Winter Olympics are now officially# under way after the Opening Ceremony in Milan, which is co-hosting with the city of Cortina.

Today's star-studded spectacle featured# performances by Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli,## among others.

About 2,800 athletes from# more than 90 countries are taking part.

And this week's episode of our podcast# "Settle In," is all about the Games and## what you need to know.

I spoke with Christine# Brennan of USA Today before she flew to Italy## for more on the Games, the athletes, and the# world coming together in an uncertain era.

Let's talk about some of the big# storylines to watch, because there's## so many fascinating personalities and# so many potentially exciting moments.

Let's start with women skiing and Mikaela# Shiffrin, because if you are someone like## me who loves a redemption story or loves# a comeback, this could be the one, right?

CHRISTINE BRENNAN, USA Today: Absolutely.

AMNA NAWAZ: Tell us about Mikaela.

CHRISTINE BRENNAN: Mikaela# Shiffrin is only 30 year.. She's lived a lifetime or two or three# early success, Sochi and PyeongChang,## and then absolutely a devastating# Olympics in 2022, where she just... AMNA NAWAZ: Broke my heart to watch.

CHRISTINE BRENNAN: And you and probably millions# of people watching.

No, and just had a terr.. run of bad luck, didn't finish.

Everything that# she had done so beautifully over the time she'd## been in the public eye, it all fell apart.# Everything that could go wrong did go wrong.

But a great -- why people love her so much and why## she is such a terrific role model and# good person is the way she handled it.

AMNA NAWAZ: Yes.

CHRISTINE BRENNAN: .. didn't run away, didn't hide, absolute pro.

Talked about her mental health, talked# about how hard this was.

It's bigger## than sports and she handled it beautifully.# And here she comes.

She is back, only 30,## as I said, so there's still plenty of time.

AMNA NAWAZ: OK, let's talk about figure skating,## because I know that's where you're going to be#focusing a lot of your reporting and work as well.

And I feel like that is -- that's where a lot of# core memories for viewers are made.

And certainly## for me growing up watching, I still have memories# of these great American skaters like Michelle Kwan## and Kristi Yamaguchi and Tara Lipinski.

How are# the Americans doing?

Can they medal this year?

CHRISTINE BRENNAN: Yes, they can.# They should.

I think they will.

I actually think this could be the# greatest U.S.

figure skating team## ever assembled.

1960s is the last time# that two Americans in figure skating won## gold men and women.

This U.S.

team, Ilia# Malinin, who's 21, from the D.C.

suburbs,## born and raised in D.C., the son of two-time# Olympians, both, his mom -- I covered his mom.

AMNA NAWAZ: You covered his mom?

CHRISTINE BRENNAN: Yes.

AMNA NAW.. CHRISTINE BRENNAN: Yes, Tatiana Malinina.

Sh.. in the 2002 Games and then in# Salt Lake and then withdrew.

AMNA NAWAZ: So he's coming# in with a good pedigree.

CHRISTINE BRENNAN: Exactly, born and raised in#the United States.

He is by far the prohibitive## Olympic gold medal favorite in the men's# event and also just a terrific young man,## gets it, the bravado, calls# himself the Quad God.

He's... AMNA NAWAZ: He calls himself the Quad God?

CHRISTINE BRENNAN: Quad God.

And you know# what?

It ain't bragging if you can back it up,## as they say.

Well, guess what?

He landed# seven quadruple jumps in his long program,## four minutes, in the Grand Prix Final in# December.

And that is the most quadruple## jumps ever by a human being in the history# of figure skating.

So, hello, Quad God.

The reigning world champion is Alysa Liu.

And# she's 20.

And get this.

She won the national## championship, first one at age 13, youngest U.S.# woman to ever win a national title.

Alysa Liu## won another national championship at 14.# She was so little that her competitors,## second and third place, had to help her# up to get to the top of the medal stand.

So, national champion 13, national champion 14,# retires at 16, unretires two years later at 18,## wins the world title at 19, and now# makes her second Olympic team at 20.

AMNA NAWAZ: I love this story already.

CHRISTINE BRENNAN: She has come back# with a totally differe.. She didn't want -- she hated the# life of a young kid, regimented## as she was.

She wanted to go skiing and take# vacations and do stuff that she couldn't do.

AMNA NAWAZ: Yes, and be 16.

CHRISTINE BRENNAN: Yes.

AMNA N.. CHRISTINE BRENNAN: And s.. she loved it.

And she goes, now# I want to come back to skating.

AMNA NAWAZ: We are at this moment# of enormous global uncertainty,## right?

There's all these shifts in terms of# alliances and just America's place in the world.

And I wonder how, as you're preparing for# this, because I know you prepare a ton going## into these Games -- do you anticipate some of# that's going to show up at the Games?

I mean,## will there be protests?

Will people try# to use this platform to make a statement?## What are you kind of getting ready for?

CHRISTINE BRENNAN: You know,# the thing you wonder right## off the bat -- and I'm sure everyone# listening or watching would.. yes, this is the one that comes to# mind.

Will the Americans be booed?

AMNA NAWAZ: Really?

CHRISTINE BRENNAN: And that's#.. as a question with a question# mark at the end.

I don't know.

I have never seen in all of the Opening Ceremonies# I have covered, which is all of them going back## to '84 in L.A., I don't recall hearing boos.

Do I# think -- I will answer my own question.

Do I think## that the Americans will be booed as they come into# the Opening Ceremony?

My guess is probably not.

Number one, a lot of us tourists go to these# events, come overseas, other countries that might## be friendly to the U.S., also, although again,# that certainly has been an issue in the last year## with the Trump administration.

But I also think,# in general, people, even if they're angry about## things, don't necessarily force that or direct# that to the athletes who are coming in, right?

AMNA NAWAZ: It is fascinating you# feel the question has to be posed.

CHRISTINE BRENNAN: Oh, without a doubt,# the notion that politics doesn't enter## the Olympics.

And there might be people going,# oh, wait a minute, but they don't have politics.

Are you kidding?

I mean, this is# -- it's a mirror of our society.

AMNA NAWAZ: And you can find the# rest of that episode of "Settle## In" on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

GEOFF BENNETT: Be sure to watch "Washington Week# With The Atlantic" right here on PBS.

Jeffrey## Goldberg and his panel, which tonight# includes the "News Hour"'s Liz Landers,## explain why President Trump's calls to nationalize# the midterm election are raising alarm bells.

AMNA NAWAZ: And this weekend on "Compass# Points," Nick Schifrin and his panel## examine the state of U.S.-Russia-Ukraine peace# talks, as the war rages into its fifth year.

Meanwhile, on "Horizons," ahead of the Super Bowl,## William Brangham looks at how online sports# betting has driven a rise in gambling addiction.

And that is the "News Hour"# for tonight.

I'm Amna Nawaz.

GEOFF BENNETT: And I'm Geoff Bennett.

For all of us here at the "News Hour,".. spending part of your evening# with us.

Have a great weekend.