PBS News Hour

GEOFF BENNETT: Good evening.

I'm Geoff Bennett.

AMNA NAWAZ: And I'm Amna Nawaz.

On the "News Hour" tonight: Israel# kills another .. as lawmakers on Capitol Hill question intelligence# officials about the reasons for starting the war.

TULSI GABBARD, U.S.

Director of National# Intelligence: It is not the Intelligence## community's responsibility to determine# what is and is not an imminent .. SEN.

JON OSSOFF (D-GA): OK, here's the problem.# No, it is precisely your responsibility.

GEOFF BENNETT: The nominee to lead# the Department of Homeland Security,## Senator Markwayne Mullin, testifies# in his confirmation hearing.

AMNA NAWAZ: And migrants in Lebanon are once again# caught in limbo as the regional war escalates.

MICHAEL PETRO, Jesuit Refugee Service:# The legal structure here is designed## to exploit and to make migrants invisible.

(BREAK) AMNA NAWAZ: Welcome to the "News Hour."

Tonight, a series of strikes across# the Middle East jolted energy markets,## and fueled concerns that the# war won't end any time soon.

GEOFF BENNETT: Brent crude# oil prices, a key benchmark,## are nearing a 52-week high after# Israel hit a large gas field in Iran.## And Iranian strikes caused extensive# damage to a major Qatari fuel hub.

Our Nick Schifrin starts our coverage.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Today in Southern Iran, Israel# expanded its effort to collapse the Iranian## state.

An Israeli strike targeted South Pars,# the world's largest natural gas field.

And Israel## continued its decapitation campaign, killing# Iranian intelligence minister Esmail Khatib,## sanctioned by the U.S.

for human# rights abuses and cyberattacks.

In response, Iran issued unprecedented# evacuation warnings for energy facilities## across the Gulf.

And, tonight, there are# multiple explosions reported in Saudi Arabia,## and Qatari admitted to -- quote --# "extensive damage" to a major energy hub.

Tonight, Qatari expelled Iranian diplomats.

The## attacks stoked fears of a global# oil crunch and rising prices.

SEN.

RON WYDEN (D-OR): Every problem# we're seeing now was not only foreseeable,## but was actually predicted# by the intelligence agencies.

NICK SCHIFRIN: It also became the focus# of today's Senate Intelligence Committee## threat assessment hearing with the# leaders of the intelligence community.

SEN.

ANGUS KING (I-ME): There seems to be# a discrepancy between what the Intelligence## Committee has -- community has reported over# the years and what the president has said.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Like these comments on Monday.

DONALD TRUMP, President of the# United States: So they hit Qatar,## Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait.# Nobody expected that.

We were shocked.

NICK SCHIFRIN: In fact, four weeks before the war,# then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei posted on X in## English: "The Americans should know, if they start# a war, this time, it will be a regional war."

SEN.

ANGUS KING: The president says nobody# knew.

And my question is, did you tell him?

JOHN RATCLIFFE, CIA Director: The comments that# you talked about, I had not heard.

But what I can## tell you is that Iran had specific plans to hit# U.S.

interests in energy sites across the region.

TULSI GABBARD, U.S.

Director of# National Intelligence: This has long## been an assessment of the I.C.

that Iran would# likely h.. SEN.

ANGUS KING: And my question is,## was that communica.. TULSI GABBARD: And it's because of that# longstanding assessment that the I.C.

has## continued to report that the Department of War# took the preemptive planning measures that it did.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Director of National# Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also made## this assessment of Iran's nuclear ambitions.

TULSI GABBARD: Iran was trying to recover# from the severe damage to its nuclear## infrastructure sustained during the 12-day# war and continued to refuse to comply with## its nuclear obligations with the IAEA,# refusing them access to key facilities.

NICK SCHIFRIN: But in her prepared testimony# confirmed by her staff to PBS "News Hour,"## Gabbard wrote instead -- quote -- "As# a result of Operation Midnight Hammer,## Iran's nuclear enrichment program was# obliterated.

There has been no effort## since then to try to rebuild# their enrichment capability."

That directly refutes President# Trump's State of the Union.

DONALD TRUMP: They were warned to make no future# attempts to rebuild their weapons program,## in particular, nuclear weapons, yet# they continue.

They're starting it all## over.

We wiped it out and they# want to start all over again.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Prewar presidential statements help## lead to yesterday's resignation by National# Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent,## who wrote -- quote -- "Iran posed# no imminent threat to our nation."

TULSI GABBARD: It is not the intelligence## community's responsibility to determine# what is and is not an imminent threat.

SEN.

JON OSSOFF (D-GA):# OK, here's the problem.

No,## it is precisely your responsibility to determine# what constitutes a threat to the United States.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Republicans emphasized# Iran's overall decades-long threats,## its nuclear program, and the Middle# East's largest missile arsenal.

SEN.

JOHN CORNYN (R-TX): Is there# anything to indicate that Iran## had ceased in its nuclear ambitions or in# its desire to continue to build ballistic## missiles capable of threatening American# troops and allies in the Middle East?

JOHN RATCLIFFE: Senator, no.

In fact,# the intelligence reflects the contrary.

SEN.

JOHN CORNYN: So you disagree with Mr.

Kent?

JOHN RATCLIFFE: I do.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Today, the war also# intensified in Beirut.

Multiple videos## recorded the moment an Israeli airstrike reduced# this residential building to rubble and smoke.

The Israeli army said the building hid millions# of dollars for Hezbollah and warned residents## before the strike.

The war has become# a nightly deadly drumbeat.

Overnight,## Iran fired a barrage of missiles at# Israel carrying cluster bombs.

One## strike hit this apartment outside# Tel Aviv, killing a couple inside.

For the PBS "News Hour," I'm Nick Schifrin.

GEOFF BENNETT: And for perspective on how# many elected Democrats are weighing these## developments, I spoke earlier with# Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut.

Senator Chris Murphy, welcome to the "News Hour."

SEN.

CHRIS MURPHY (D-CT):# Yes, thanks for having me.

GEOFF BENNETT: I want to start with today's# global threa.. director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard,# say that the intelligence community has identified## no foreign threat to the upcoming congressional# elections, which would be a first since 2016.

And she also described Iran's regime as# intact, but largely degraded.

How should## Americans interpret all of that?

Are key# threats actually diminishing, in your view,## or is the intelligence community# changing how they're presenting them?

SEN.

CHRIS MURPHY: I wasn't in that hearing today,# so I didn't get to listen to her full testimony.

But, of course, there are foreign actors that# are still trying to meddle in and manipulate## American politics.

The Russians have never# stood down their efforts to try to pit us## against each other, to try to undermine our# democracy.

The Chinese continue as well.

So it is patently ridiculous and# really dangerous, heartbreaking,## even, to hear the person who's in charge# of interpreting our intelligence say that## there are no countries that are trying to# manipulate or interfere in our elections.

The Iranian regime is intact.

They are# still able to launch attacks in the region.## They are likely planning attacks# against the United States.

And we## are frankly more at risk of harm from Iran# today than we were before the war began.

GEOFF BENNETT: Let me ask you about# that, because you and other Democrats## have pushed for a war powers vote, since# Congress hasn't authorized this conflict.

At the same time, the U.S.

is expanding its# presence.

The scope of the war appears to## be widening.

There is this fundamental mismatch,# where Congress is trying to assert its authority,## some members of Congress, at least, and the# events on the ground have already moved ahead.

SEN.

CHRIS MURPHY: Well, Congress is not# asserting its authority, because Congress is## run by Republicans, and, right now, Republicans# view themselves as employees of Donald Trump.

Not a single open hearing on a war that is# lighting the world on fire.

We have a new war## breaking out right now between Israel and Lebanon# that is a consequence of Trump's invasion of Iran,## where 1,000 have already died.

And we have# prices going up for everybody here at home,## gas prices that are already becoming# unaffordable, food prices to follow.

We want Republicans to go on record# over and over and over again.

I think## at some point they will have to start# voting against this war because it is## becoming more and more unpopular as# it's becoming more and more illegal.

GEOFF BENNETT: After the classified briefings# that you and your Senate colleagues received,## you emerged from that briefing and# said the administration's approach## is incoherent.

What specifically was missing?

SEN.

CHRIS MURPHY: So I had another# two-hour briefing this morning again,## another one behind closed doors.

The intent# here is to give the public no information.

But what we know for certain is that the# administration has no plan on how to end this war.## They have basically said that they are not going# to try to change the regime.

So you are going to## be stuck with an Iranian leadership that is worse,# more anti-American than the prior leadership was.

They have also said this war will have# an end, which means, though we will do## some damage to their missile capacity and their# drone capacity, the minute that we stop bombing,## they will rebuild all that capacity.

And that# won't take them years.

It'll take them months.

GEOFF BENNETT: Have they presented# any evidence that you can tell us## about that would suggest that Iran posed# an imminent threat before the war started?

SEN.

CHRIS MURPHY: The closest they come is# this idea that, if Israel had attacked Iran,## maybe Iran would have attacked the United# States and so we're better off attacking first.

But they still attacked the United States.

So# we didn't limit the exposure to us.

We just## participated with the Israelis in the initial# attack that created the risk for America and## our allies.

But, no, they don't even try to# present evidence that there was some independent,## imminent threat against the United States.

There# wasn't, and they can't even pretend there is.

GEOFF BENNETT: In the time that remains,# I want to ask you about a potential way## out of this partial government shutdown.# We're now five weeks into it.

The most## visible strain is at the nation's# airports, longer security lines,## callouts from TSA workers who've not# been paid in longer than a month now.

Yesterday, the White House offered this.

They said# that they would expand the use of body cameras for## federal immigration agents, limit enforcement in# sensitive locations like hospitals and schools,## additional oversight of DHS detention facilities,# visible officer identification, and that they## would follow existing law prohibiting the# deportation or detention of U.S.

citizens.

From your vantage point as a ranking# member on Homeland Security Appropriations,## is any of this -- is this a meaningful# starting point or is this largely cosmetic?

SEN.

CHRIS MURPHY: I mean, it's not# even really cosmetic.

If you actually## sort of read the proposal that they sent us, they# basically said we will just observe existing law.

And you can't trust what they have said# because they are violating laws every## single day.

A federal judge named 94# different court orders that they are## currently in violation of.

Here's the quickest# way to solve the problem.

Let's just open TSA## back up.

Let's just open FEMA back up.# Let's just open the Coast Guard back up.

Almost every day during the last# week, Democrats have gone to the## Senate floor and offered a motion to# open up TSA, the Coast Guard and FEMA,## and isolate our difference.

We have a# major difference on how the administration## is breaking the law in the way that they# implement and enforce our immigration laws.

Let's not hold TSA hostage.

Let's not hold# the Coast Guard hostage.

Republicans refuse## to open up TSA and the Coast Guard,# because they want to use the closure## of those agencies as leverage to try to# get us to condone Trump's lawlessness.

GEOFF BENNETT: On that point, what specifically# is still missing for you to support a deal?

SEN.

CHRIS MURPHY: Well, we have put# on the table some pretty reasonable## priorities that are, frankly,# what the American public wants.

We want to end the masks and require# identification.

We want to end these## roving patrols where officers are just# going around asking people to show their## papers.

And then we need accountability# for these murders and these beatings.## They can't be just swept under the rug# with an internal DHS investigation.

Like always happens, states and independent# law enforcement prosecutors have to be able## to investigate.

We have seen no offer# from the administration that they're## going to stop the roving patrols, that# they're going to get rid of these masks,## and that they're going to allow# for independent investigations.

If they just do those three things,## I think that there will likely be# the Democratic votes to open up ICE.

GEOFF BENNETT: Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of# Connecticut, thanks for your time this evening.

SEN.

CHRIS MURPHY: Thank you.

AMNA NAWAZ: In the day's other headlines:# The U.S.

Federal Reserve expects to cut## rates once this year after leaving rates# unchanged for a second straight time today.

In its statement, the Fed cited uncertainty# brought on by the war with Iran.

JEROME POWELL, Federal Reserve Chairman:# The U.S.

economy is doing pretty well.## It's just we don't know what the effects# of this will be, and really no one does.

AMNA NAWAZ: Speaking to reporters, Fed Chair# Jerome Powell stressed that it's hard to know## the long-term impact of the conflict on the# economy, though, in the near term, inflation## is likely to remain elevated.

Today's meeting is# expected to be his second to last as Fed chair.

Powell also said he has -- quote# -- "no intention of leaving" until## a Justice Department probe related to the# renovation of the Fed's headquarters is over.

The Treasury Department is easing sanctions on# Venezuela's state-owned oil company, trying to## tame the rise in oil prices brought on by the# Iran war.

The move authorizes the entity, known## as PDVSA, to sell Venezuelan oil to U.S.

companies# and on global markets.

But there are limitations.## For one, Venezuela can't sell oil to Russia,# Iran, North Korea and some Chinese entities.

And according to the Associated Press,# the U.S.

will control the cash flow from## the transactions by a special account.

This# comes as Americans are now paying, on average,## $3.84 for a gallon of regular.# That's the highest since 2023.

Pakistan and Afghanistan announced a# temporary pause in cross-border fighting## today ahead of the Muslim holiday# of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end## of Ramadan.

A Pakistani official says# the halt is set to last through Monday.

It comes as Afghan authorities held a mass# funeral for victims of a Pakistani airstrike## that reportedly hit a drug rehabilitation# hospital in Kabul earlier this week.

At the## facilities gates today, family and friends were# still searching for their missing relatives.## Afghan officials say at least 408 people were# killed in the strike, with more than 260 wounded.## Pakistan has disputed those numbers and says it# had targeted military facilities in the area.

Back in this country, Illinois Lieutenant Governor# Juliana Stratton looks to have a clear path to the## U.S.

Senate in the deep blue state after# winning last night's Democratic primary.

(CHEERING) AMNA NAWAZ: Speaking to supporters, Stratton# pledged to push for higher wages and abolish ICE,## adding that she plans to -- quote -- "bring# this fight straight to Donald Trump's door."

She beat out a crowded field with the# support of Governor J.B.

Pritzker,## who's considered a possible 2028 presidential# contender.

If elected in November,## Stratton will become only the sixth Black# woman to ever serve in the U.S.

Senate.

Much of the Southwest is baking from# record-breaking heat, even though winter## officially ends in a few days.

In all, nearly 40# million Americans from the Bay Area to Phoenix## were under heat alerts and potentially# dangerous extreme heat warnings today.## The summerlike heat will build through the# end of the week, pushing temperatures up to## and above 100 degrees in places like# Palm Springs, Phoenix and Las Vegas.

That's nearly 30 degrees above normal for# this time of year.

The warmer weather is## allowing beachgoers in the Bay Area to enjoy# some time in the sun a bit earlier than usual.

CHARLES LINK, San Francisco Resident:# It is a surprise.

It's not the norm,## but it's a pleasant surprise.

JUSTYCE ROLIZ, San Francisco Resident: It# feels like summer already in .. that's crazy, but I love it.

We go to the# beach every day, and this is perfect weather.

AMNA NAWAZ: This is all in stark# contrast to the Midwest and the## Eastern half of the country, which# are still digging out after powerful## storms that led to thousands of# flight cancellations this week.

The WNBA says it's reached a preliminary deal# with its players union that could see top stars## earning more than a million dollars a year.# The exact terms are still being finalized,## but the head of the Players Association says## the agreement would tie salaries to# league revenues for the first time.

It would also quadruple the average# player's salary to around half-a-million,## and it would improve on family planning# and parental leave benefits.

The deal is## expected to reflect the WNBA's surge in# popularity and revenue in recent years,## though it still needs to be ratified# by both the players and the league.

And Venezuela is now the reigning champion of# the World Baseball Classic after a nail-biter## of a game in Miami.

They beat the U.S.

team# 3-2 thanks to an RBI double from Eugenio## Suarez in the ninth inning, with pitcher Daniel# Palencia closing out the win with a strikeout.

That kicked off mass celebrations on the field# and back home.

Thousands of Venezuelans danced## in the streets, with the revelry lasting# for hours.

Baseball is a passion there.## And the nation's first ever victory in the# tournament is a particular source of pride,## with acting President Delcy Rodriguez# declaring the occasion a national day of joy.

And on Wall Street today, stocks tumbled on# worries about rising oil prices and fewer rate## cuts by the Fed.

The Dow Jones industrial average# lost more than 750 points on the day.

The Nasdaq## fell more than 300 points, or almost 1.5 percent.# The S&P 500 posted its first loss of the week.

Still to come on the "News Hour": Cuba faces# threats from widespread power outages and## from President Trump; an investigation# uncovers abuse allegations against the## late labor rights icon Cesar Chavez; and# Judy Woodruff reports from Gettysburg on## deep divisions as the country gets# ready to note a major anniversary.

GEOFF BENNETT: Oklahoma Senator# Markwayne Mullin today faced his## fellow lawmakers for a confirmation hearing# to run the Department of Homeland Security.

AMNA NAWAZ: The hearing became heated and# emotional at times, as senators grilled## Mullin on past comments and how he might# differ from former DHS head Kristi Noem.

Lisa Desjardins was in the room# covering it all and has this report.

SEN.

RAND PAUL (R-KY): So help you God.

LISA DESJARDINS: For Markwayne Mullin,## a lesson, the difference between# being a senator and being a nominee.

SEN.

RAND PAUL: Explain to the American public# why they should trust a man with anger issues.

LISA DESJARDINS: Committee Chairman and fellow# Republican Rand Paul blasted the Homeland## Security nominee on rare and personal grounds.

In# February, Mullin called Paul a freaking snake for## not always voting with Republicans and said he# understood why someone attacked Paul in 2017.

SEN.

RAND PAUL: Tell the world# why you believe I deserved to be## assaulted from behind, have six# ribs broken and a damaged lung.

SEN.

MARKWAYNE MULLIN (R-OK), DHS Secretary# Nominee: Well, stand your butt up then.

LISA DESJARDINS: Paul also raised Mullin's near# fistfight in a diffe.. SEN.

BERNIE S ANDERS (I-VT): No, no, sit down.

SEAN O'BRIEN, General President, Teamsters:.. SEN.

BERNIE SANDERS: You know, .. SEN.

MARKWAYNE MULLIN: And as far as me saying# that I invoke violence, I don't.

I don't think## anybody should be hit by surprise.

I don't# like that.

But if I do have something to say,## everybody in this room knows I will come# straight to you.

I make mistakes just like## anybody else.

But mistakes, if you own them,# you can learn from them and you can move ahead.

SEN.

ASHLEY MOODY (R-FL): That's# the kind of person, passionate,## fierce, a fighter, loyal, that's who# I want now protecting this country.

LISA DESJARDINS: Other Republicans# pushed back against the criticism.

SEN.

BERNIE MORENO (R-OH): And maybe you're# not going to replace Shakespeare's the next## greatest orator on earth.

You talk from the# heart.

And that's OK.

You are who you are.

LISA DESJARDINS: For Democrats, the# question was, who will he be if in charge?## They raised the nationwide DHS immigration# crackdown and its aggressive tactics,## as well as the killings by federal# agents of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

SEN.

GARY PETERS (D-MI): You called# Alex Pretti -- quote -- "a deranged## individual that came in to cause max damage."

Could we expect those kinds of quick# responses if you are confirmed?

SEN.

MARKWAYNE MULLIN: I went out# there too fast.

I was responding## immediately without the facts.

That's my# fault.

That won't happen as secretary.

LISA DESJARDINS: Still, he did not# apologize to the families of either,## saying he will wait for investigations to# complete.

But Mullin did signal a possible and## notable shift for DHS agents, suggesting a higher# bar for entering private homes or businesses.

SEN.

ANDY KIM (D-NJ): They were# going in to get interviewed for## a green card and were arrested upon their arrival.

LISA DESJARDINS: And when asked, he indicated a## reluctance to detain people at# legal immigration appointments.

SEN.

MARKWAYNE MULLIN: People are going through# the process and trying to obtain it legally,## because we do have naturalization ceremonies# Monday through Friday and as a country everywhere.

MAN: That's right.

SEN.

MARKWAYNE MULLIN: We'.. LISA DESJARDINS: But he tripled down# on his history of election denialism.

SEN.

ELISSA SLOTKIN (D-MI):# Who won the 2020 election?

SEN.

MARKWAYNE MULLIN: Ma'am, we# know that President Joe Biden was## sworn into office.

And he was the# president for the last four years.

LISA DESJARDINS: Refusing to say that# President Trump lost the 2020 election.

Mullin did not rule out sending# federal officers to polling places,## an idea the president's allies have# floated, but DHS has until now dismissed.

SEN.

ELISSA SLOTKIN: Do you feel# you have the authority to put## uniformed officers at polling locations in 2026?

SEN.

MARKWAYNE MULLIN: Ma'am, we said# this in your office.

The only reason## why my officers would be there,# if there was a specific threat.

LISA DESJARDINS: It was Republican Paul who was# Mullin's greatest hazard, announcing he will vote## no on him.

That would usually be a problem.

But# Democrat John Fetterman of Pennsylvania is a yes.

SEN.

JOHN FETTERMAN (D-PA): My experience with you# has been consistent kindness and professionalism.

LISA DESJARDINS: A hearing that was personal,# high-stakes, and included a surprise.

MAN: It was in a conflict zone.

SEN.

MARKWAYNE MULLIN: Sir, once again,# I'm not talking about specific details.

LISA DESJARDINS: Mullin said he traveled overseas# on a classified trip as a member of the House.

SEN.

MARKWAYNE MULLIN: But I can't give you# all the details to it because it's not for me## to release it.

Mullin pledged to tell senators# more in a secure setting.

And with that promise,## the committee is on track to vote on# Mullin incredibly quickly, tomorrow.

SEN.

RAND PAUL: This hearing is adjourned.

LISA DESJARDINS: For the "PBS# News Hour," I'm Lisa Desjardins.

AMNA NAWAZ: ## We return now to the wider impacts of the# war with Iran, which has reignited fighting## between Israel and the Iran-backed# extremist group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Beyond the more than 900 reported dead in Lebanon,# nearly one million there are now displaced.

Among## them are some of the roughly 170,000 migrant# workers not counted by the government.

GEOFF BENNETT: For many, Lebanon was# supposed to be a place of refuge,## a chance to escape the war or build a better# life.

Now violence has found them again.

Special correspondent Simona# Foltyn reports from Beirut.

SIMONA FOLTYN: This Jesuit church has been# a parish for migrant workers for about 40## years.

Now, as Israeli bombs rain down# on Beirut, it has become their sanctuary.

FATHER DOUG JONES, Saint Joseph Jesuit Church:# We welcome migrants in these spaces.

They## usually don't stay here.

But that's where we# -- we give what people need.

And, right now,## people need housing and food and a safe place.

SIMONA FOLTYN: Around 200 migrant workers are# sheltering here.

They came to Lebanon looking## for stability and work from countries around# the world plagued by conflict and poverty.

Almas is from Ethiopia and works as a cleaner# in Beirut.

She lives in Jinah (ph), a seaside## neighborhood that came under Israeli# bombardment in the first days of the war.

ALMAS ASAMINU, Ethiopian Migrant Worker# (through translator): I was very scared.## I was sleeping in my undergarments.

I ran out,# grabbed my clothes, got dressed outside, then## ran to the seaside.

There were so many people.# Then I came here at around 3:00 in the morning.

SIMONA FOLTYN: Brother Michael Petro runs the# shelter as part of the Jesuit Refugee Service.

MICHAEL PETRO, Jesuit Refugee Service: Almas# has called me.

I saw her number.

I knew, OK,## when I wake up, people are going to be here.# That is exactly what happened.

On Monday morning,## by the time I woke up, there were already# several dozen people in the church.

And so we knew by the end of the day# we were going to be completely full.

SIMONA FOLTYN: Schools turned government# shelters are off-limits to the migrant community.

ALMAS ASAMINU (through translator):# They don't accept me because I'm a## foreigner.

The school shelters are# only open to Lebanese and Syrians.

SIMONA FOLTYN: Many here have nowhere else to# go, not in Lebanon, not in their home countries.## Almas' husband is Sudanese and# was killed when he went back to## his home region of Darfur.

Returning# to Ethiopia isn't an option either.

ALMAS ASAMINU (through translator): I# married a Muslim, and I'm a Christian.## My brother and my family didn't accept# that.

That's why I have to stay here.

SIMONA FOLTYN: Migrant workers in Lebanon are# governed under the kafala or sponsorship system,## a restrictive and exploitative legal framework## binding their legal status# directly to their employer.

The migrant community ranks among the most# vulnerable people in Lebanon during the best## of times.

On any given day, they grapple with# abuse, racism and discrimination, all enabled## by the so-called kafala system, which grants# their employer or sponsor significant control## over their lives.

Now, these vulnerabilities# are felt much more acutely during times of war.

When this latest war broke out, the church was the# only shelter in Beirut that would accept migrants.

MICHAEL PETRO: Migrants always fall through# the cracks in the humanitarian system here in## Lebanon.

Part of that is that the -- is the --# exactly what you're talking about, is the way in## which the legal structure here is designed# to exploit and to make migrants invisible.

Their invisibility makes it such that people don't# see them as anything more than people who serve,## right, people -- they're not people to# be served.

They're people who serve.

SIMONA FOLTYN: The church is located in# Beirut's Christian area of Ashrafiyeh.## The closest Israeli strike hit a building nearly# 300 yards away in an adjacent Muslim neighborhood.

MICHAEL PETRO: Yes, we felt it here# in the church.

Windows rattled,## set off car alarms.

You can feel it# in your body when it's that close.

SIMONA FOLTYN: Authorities in Ashrafiyeh# have largely refused to take Shia Muslims## fleeing a war amid fears that Israel# might start targeting Christian areas too.

Though marginalized, the migrants are# excluded from the sectarian equation.

MICHAEL PETRO: And the political tensions# that are existing right now around displaced## persons and the conflict in Lebanon, their# invisibility allows us to welcome them,## right?

So the tensions that are coming with other# displacements are not affecting migrants as much.

SIMONA FOLTYN: In a world where religious# and sectarian rifts appear to be widening,## the church is a microcosm of peaceful# coexistence.

In the evening, the Muslim## community gathers for iftar to break# their fast during the month of Ramadan.

This woman fled the Sudanese war in 2023# with her husband and three kids.

Her home## in the capital Khartoum was destroyed,# her uncle killed.

Lebanon seemed like a## safe option back then.

Her husband# found work as a building attendant## in the south.

Now their town is one of# dozens under Israeli evacuation orders.

She wanted to remain anonymous.

WOMAN (through translator): There were# calls instructing us to leave the area.## We left on foot because we don't have a car.

We## walked for 12 hours until we met# some Syrians who gave us a ride.

SIMONA FOLTYN: After a long journey and# the cold nights spent sleeping outdoors,## they too were turned away at a government shelter.

WOMAN (through translator): They said, no,## the priority is for the# Lebanese, .. SIMONA FOLTYN: It's unlikely the family# will be able to go back any time soon.## The fighting is most intense in the south, where# Israel has launched a fresh ground offensive.

Meanwhile, the clock on their# six-month visa is ticking.

MICHAEL PETRO: But when migrants are displaced,## they lose their job, which means they lose# their residency, they lose their lega.. they lose their home.

The minute your# contract breaks, you lose your residency,## which just makes it very difficult to flee war# if your employer would like you to stay put.

SIMONA FOLTYN: The kafala system has# forced some migrants into impossible## choices to keep their jobs or to save their lives.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm# Simona Foltyn in Beirut, Lebanon.

AMNA NAWAZ: All eyes are on Cuba, as the world# waits to see what will happen to the leaders## and the people of the Caribbean island nation.# President Trump says he wants to take action,## while the leaders of the country remain defiant.

At first glance, life in Cuba's capital of# Havana feels familiar, the famous Malecon## Avenue by the sea, the colorful buildings# and antique cars.

But these streets scenes,## quieter than just a few months ago,# disguise a city and a nation now in crisis.

JUANA PEREZ, Havana Resident (through translator):## The power hasn't come back on at my house, and# .. well, I plan to face the day# as usual, just as Cubans do.

AMNA NAWAZ: This week, the country faced# the third wide-scale failure of its power## grid since December.

Without enough gas,# less than half of Havana's trash trucks## are allowed to run.

Piles of garbage# spill over into the historic streets.

And as the sun sets, a now routine darkness takes# over, with 10 million people left without light,## pitch-black streets, and no electricity to# cook the little food people are able to find.

PEDRO RAMOS, Havana Resident (through# translator): We are two older people,## both in our 70s, and she's also sick.

Our# food has spo.. of chicken to try and save something to# eat because the situation is really bad.

SILVIA PEREZ, Havana Resident# (through translator): Really bad,## really bad.

We have nothing left.

We.. so I can get some rest from this country.# May God forgive me for speaking like this.

AMNA NAWAZ: Cuba has long dealt with blackouts.# A system hampered by an aging power grid,## U.S.

sanctions, and fuel shortages was further# crippled after an American raid in Venezuela,## Cuba's ally, led to a total energy blockade,# and to ramped-up threats from President Trump.

DONALD TRUMP, President of the United States:# Taking Cuba, I mean, whether I free it, take it.## I could do anything I want with it, you want to# know the truth, a very weakened nation right now.

AMNA NAWAZ: A message echoed by# Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

MARCO RUBIO, U.S.

Secretary of State: So,# they're in a lot of trouble, and the people## in charge are -- they don't know how to fix# it, so they have to get new people in ch.. AMNA NAWAZ: Back on the island,# anxiety about what comes next.

LUIS ENRIQUE GARCIA, Havana Resident (through# translator): What will happen to Cuba,## the world asks.

And we're also here# at this moment saying to oursel.. what will happen to us?

But I believe, I truly# believe, there will be dialogue and understanding.

AMNA NAWAZ: And defying President Trump's# sanctions, two tankers carrying crude oil## are on their way to Cuba after Russia# declared its unwavering solidarity.

To share more about the evolving situation# in Cuba, including the political stakes, I'm## joined by Lillian Guerra, a professor of Cuban and# Caribbean history at the University of Florida.

Professor Guerra, welcome to the# "News Hour."

Thanks for joining us.

LILLIAN GUERRA, University of Florida:# Thank you so much for having me.

AMNA NAWAZ: So, at the end of that# report, you heard a little bit of## hope from that gentleman there about dialogue# between the U.S.

and the Cuban government.

What do we know about those talks# and what could come of them?

LILLIAN GUERRA: Well, first, we# know very little about the talks.

We know that there are two major members of the# Castro family who have been the spokespeople,## allegedly.

At least one of them# is the grandson of Raul Castro,## and the other has a similar relationship.# He's the grand-nephew of both Fidel and Raul.

Now, both of these men have very,# very high ranks in what is GAESA,## the Cuban military's corporate conglomerate# that really controls 80 percent of the economy.## And they have no legitimacy in the eyes of the# Cuban people.

It is important to note, though,## that because they control the economy and they# also control the armed forces, they are apparently## the ones that Trump's administration is turning# to in order to negotiate some form of transition.

And I find that very problematic,## along with probably a majority of Cubans# in this country and those on the island.

AMNA NAWAZ: So put that together with the U.S.# calls for a change in leadership in Cuba.

Could## one of these people involved in the talks now# be in charge?

And what would that look like?

LILLIAN GUERRA: In fact, one of# them, Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga,## is often called the economy czar.

And he was put forward as early as November of# 2025 by the Cuban Communist Party itself as a## replacement for President Miguel Diaz-Canel when# he completes his term in office.

So if he were## to take power, it would actually be exactly# what the Cuban Communist Party would like.

I think that right now we don't know exactly what# is next.

And the Cuban people don't know either## because they often don't have electricity# and can't charge their phones.

They don't## have access to television.

Their government# censors the news.

So they're really reliant## in many ways on social media and word# of mouth to find out what's happening.

I think that the best-case scenario would# be one in which the Cuban government would## finally do something to alleviate the# economic and political repression on the## island by simply saying that they will# agree to legalize opposition political## parties and that in some way or another they# will reduce the management of the economy by## the armed forces, which really should# have no role in managing the economy.

AMNA NAWAZ: We should point out too a# lot of people in Cuba rely on family## members outside of the country to send in# supplies, to send in money to help sustain## them.

How does all of that impact the Cuban# economy and what does that look like now?

LILLIAN GUERRA: Yes, actually, if Marco Rubio# is right about one thing, it is that there is## still a subsidy in Cuba and that subsidies are# what the Cuban government has been dependent on.

So that subsidy is the billions of dollars a year# in goods and in cash that Cubans like myself send## their relatives, and we will find any way to do# so.

A lot of money comes in simply with mules,## which are people who travel to Cuba from# Colombia, from Mexico, from New York, wherever## they can travel, and they charge a commission# and they bring in things for our family.

We are allegedly, according# to many economists' measures,## supporting about 40 percent of the population.

I# think that part of the problem with that scenario## in general is that not everybody has family# abroad, and the vast majority of Black Cubans,## who comprise at least 40 to 50 percent of# the population, do not have family abroad.

It's more than poverty.

It's immiseration.

And## all we have are different degrees of# immiseration among the Cuban people.

AMNA NAWAZ: Professor, I have got about# 30 seconds left, but I have to ask.

Cuba's## faced crises before.

Do you see this one# leading to real change in the country?

LILLIAN GUERRA: I think# that something will happen,## because expectations are extremely high,# both on the island and in South Florida.

And, frankly, the longer it# takes to come to some decision,## the more likely it is that Cubans will take# to the streets and start attacking the Cuban## Communist Party headquarters in different# places and perhaps simply confront the state## themselves.

And that would be devastating,# I think, because nobody has weapons in Cuba.

All they have are their ideals.

AMNA NAWAZ: That is Professor Lillian Guerra of# the University of Florida joining us tonight.

Professor, thank you so much.

LILLIAN GUERRA: Thank you.

GEOFF BENNETT: There are new revelations# and allegations of sexual abuse and rape of## women and minors by one of America's iconic civil# rights and labor leaders, the late Cesar Chavez.

A new investigation by The New York# Times included the accounts of two## women who are now 66 years old who allege# that Chavez abused them during his time## leading the union he co-founded in the# late 1970s, the United Farm Workers.

Civil rights leader and the# co-founder of that union,## Dolores Huerta, also said today that# Chavez raped her back in the '60s.

Our William Brangham has more.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Geoff, in a public# statement today, Dolores Huerta alleged## that Chavez assaulted her in a vehicle.

She# said she stayed silent then and for decades## after because -- quote -- "I believed that# exposing the truth would hurt the farmworker## movement I have spent my entire life fighting# for.

I have kept this secret long enough."

She says she was impregnated by Chavez and that# those children were then raised by other families.## The two other women who spoke to The Times were# daughters of longtime organizers for the union.## Both said Chavez's abuse went on for several# years, starting at the ages of 12 and 13.

Both suffered depression, panic attacks, and one# attempted to end her life multiple times.

At least## a dozen other women told the times that they had# also been harassed by Chavez over many years.

The reactions to all of this has been swift.# A number of cities and organizations are## now canceling upcoming celebrations or# events that are tied to Cesar Chavez Day.

And so for more on the impact of# this stunning story, I am joined## by historian Miriam Pawel.

She is author of# "The Crusades of Cesar Chavez: A Biography."

Miriam, thank you so much for talking with us.

As someone who has written extensively about this# man, what is your reaction to these allegations?## I mean, The Times did indicate that there# had been whispers about this going on.

Had## you heard about any of this?

I mean,# what do you make of this reporting?

MIRIAM PAWEL, Author, "The Crusades of# Cesar Chavez": Oh, and the reporting## is obviously quite stunning in its level# of d.. There were -- the issue of Chavez's# adultery was well-known.

I wrote about## that.

Others have written about that as well.## There was a well-known incident when his wife# left him after intercepting a love letter from## an 18-year-old.

So 18 is not underage, but# certainly questionable judgment at the time.

So there had been suggestions that sex# played a role in his efforts to control## the movement at a period of time in# particular when it became what some## people have compared to a cult.

And so# these new revelations are disturbing and## add a whole other dimension to what we have# known about Cesar Chavez and to what in some## sense has been an ongoing reassessment# of his legacy over the last 20 years.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: I mean, for people who# are not that familiar with his legacy,## it's hard to overstate the impact he has# had on the labor movement in this country.

What is your sense about what these allegations# do to that movement?

I mean, are you concerned## that this could diminish what he did and what# others have been building on in the decades since?

MIRIAM PAWEL: So I would say that# his importance as a historic figure,## not so much as a labor leader, but in# some ways as a civil rights leader.

What he was able to do in terms of# organizing the first union for farmworkers,## who were predominantly Latino at the time,# Mexican-American and Mexicans, as well as## Filipinos, that accomplishment, that success# that he had in convincing poor people and in## teaching people that they had the ability through# organizing to overcome the agricultural industry## in all of its power in California, that is part# of the most significant part of his legacy.

That is all in the past.

That has# not been the case right now for many,## many years.

And one of the things that I write# about and others have is the ways in which he in## some ways destroyed his own movement or the power# of it in terms of its ability to help farmworkers.

So I think we have to separate his legacy and# his reputation as a leader, as a Latino icon,## as perhaps the most famous Latino in this# country with what these new revelations## do to people's understanding of Cesar# Chavez the man and how you reconcile## the good and the bad that he did.

He# was a very complex, charismatic figure.

But in terms of his impact on the movement,# that movement isn't there anymore.

I mean,## whatever movement there is in terms of the# civil rights legacy, in terms of farmworkers,## there's very little being done for# farmworkers in the fields today.

Now,## that's going to take new leadership,# and that's been true for quite a while.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: In her statement today, Dolores# Huerta said that these actions in the past should## not diminish the work of that movement.

She# said -- quote -- "I carried the secret for as## long as I did because building the movement and# securing farmworker rights was my life's work."

Does that surprise you?

MIRIAM PAWEL: No, not at all.

I think that is very consistent with w.. many years.

When I began to talk to people about# what had happened in the '60s and '70s and '80s,## this was in the 2000s, there were things# that people had not talked about for decades.

They had stayed silent, not only about issues# like this, which obviously there were people## who knew about, but a whole sort of range# of other kinds of verbal abuse, purges,## violence, anti-immigration things,# all sorts of things that went on,## ways in which people were drummed out# of the union for a period of time.

People didn't talk about that because they# believed so strongly in the power of the## farmworker movement at that point in time to# change life for farmworkers.

And they did not## want to say anything that might jeopardize the# success of that movement or might complicate it.

So people overlooked a lot of red# flags.

And they now -- the people## who were closest to the movement# at that time look back now and say,## I sat there when this happened or that# happened and I didn't say anything.

And the reason they didn't say# anything was because they, again,## sort of -- Chavez brought so much hope# to people and accomplished so much at## the height of the movement and at the height# of his power that people overlooked things## that were clear red flags because they# did not want to jeopardize that success.

WILLIAM BRANGHAM: Indeed.

That is Miriam Pawel, author of .. Miriam, thank you so much for# taking the time to talk with us.

MIRIAM PAWEL: Thanks for having me.

GEOFF BENNETT: And, late today, the# Chavez family issued a statement## saying they were devastated,# adding -- quote -- "We wish## peace and healing to the survivors and# commend their courage to come forward."

AMNA NAWAZ: Well, deep divisions# over how Americans remember their## past are coming into sharper focus as the# nation approaches its 250th anniversary.

Judy Woodruff reports for her# series America at a Crossroads.

ALAN SPEARS, National Parks Conservation# Association: So this is kind of## like the heart of the Gettysburg# battlefield he.. JUDY WOODRUFF: On the hallowed# grounds of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania,## where in early July 1863 there were# as many as 51,000 American casualties,## the worst of the Civil War, Alan Spears# discovered a story he hadn't known.

ALAN SPEARS: I had to come here, I don't# know, 10, 11, 12 times before I actually## walked past the interpretive marker that# told me about Abraham Brian and his family.

JUDY WOODRUFF: Growing up# in nearby Washington, D.C.,## Spears early on discovered a love of bullets# and bayonets.

But in his 20s, he spotted a## sign that led him to a different story.

This# parcel had once been home to Abraham Brian,## a free African American who fled as Confederate# forces approached ahead of the battle.

ALAN SPEARS: You have got the house# and barn of a free African American.## You have got the 11th Mississippi# Infantry Regiment fighting for the## cause that they believed in using that# house and barn as a guide on point.

Abraham Brian and his family left# here because they were afraid that## they might be captured by Confederate forces# and sent South into slavery.

It's almost the## entire history of America and the American# Civil War just captured in a few acres.

Those were the Confederate# positions on Friday, July 3.

JUDY WOODRUFF: Spears works in cultural affairs# at the National Park Conservation Association,## a nonprofit that advocates for the# parks.

And he worries that this is## exactly the kind of history now at# risk under the Trump administration.

ALAN SPEARS: There are some folks who feel# like, in the name of combating diversity,## equity and inclusion, in the name of fighting# or combating or pushing back against wokeness,## that we have to restore our history# to a point where it simply celebrates## everything that's happened in this country.

And if you have challenging elements of our# history, the forced removal of indigenous## people and tribes, the issue of slavery,# emancipation, the civil rights movement,## those sorts of things, those elements# complicate our national narrative.

JUDY WOODRUFF: Last year, President Trump signed# a flurry of executive orders related to DEI,## including this one, "Restoring Truth# and Sanity to American History."

"Over the past decade," it says, "Americans have## witnessed a concerted and widespread# effort to rewrite our nation's history,## replacing objective facts with a distorted# narrative driven by ideology, rather than truth."

The order directed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum# to -- quote -- "ensure that all public monuments,## memorials, statues and markers focus on the# greatness of the achievements and progress of## the American people and the beauty, abundance# and grandeur of the American landscape."

Burgum ordered a review of sites across the# country and asked visitors to report any## information that may violate Trump's order.

Late# last year, reports of removals began to pop up.

NICHOLE MALLETTE, New York City Resident: We will# not be erased.

We will not go back in the closet.

JUDY WOODRUFF: From LGBTQ history# to climate change to women,## perhaps most visibly at Philadelphia's# Independence National Historical Park,## once home to George Washington# and his wife, Martha.

There, the NPS staff in January removed an## exhibit about nine of the slaves# Washington kept at the property.

KIMBERLY GEGNER, Pennsylvania Resident: We're a# group that's being asked to forget our history,## to forget our past.

And that's# kind of been a hallmark of## our ancestry in this country is to just forget.

STEPHEN NELSON, Philadelphia# Visitor: Every country, every nation,## every part of the world has parts in# their history that they don't like and## that are wrong.

But you can't just take# that out and pretend it didn't happen.

JUDY WOODRUFF: The city of Philadelphia# sued the Department of the Interior and## the Park Service over the removal.

And a judge,# quoting George Orwell's 1984 in her opinion,## ordered the panels returned last month while# the lawsuit makes its way through the courts.

The Department of the Interior didn't respond# to our request for an interview or for comment.

BRENDA HAFERA, The Heritage Foundation: There's# more awareness that we have swung too far,## particularly with DEI initiatives.

And that's# part of why this administration was elected.

JUDY WOODRUFF: Brenda Hafera is a# scholar with The Heritage Foundation,## the conservative think tank in Washington,## where she's heading up the organization's own# review of historical sites across the country.## She says the Trump administration's# actions are a necessary correction## to what had become systematic bias in favor of# DEI and away from accuracy and proportionality.

BRENDA HAFERA: You can distort things in two ways,## by overemphasizing and disproportionately# focusing on the negative, or you distort## things by whitewashing history.

And# neither of those are acceptable.

JUDY WOODRUFF: She points to Mount Vernon# as an example of a place doing it right.## She gave it A for its inclusion of George# Washington's life, his time as a general,## and as the first president, as well as# for exhibits about the people he enslaved.

She says the Philadelphia exhibit, however,# placed too much emphasis on slavery,## to the exclusion of other important# stories occurring at that place.

BRENDA HAFERA: The nation is just beginning,# and the things that Washington had to face,## the decisions he had to make, how he's laying# out what the executive branch will look like,## because everything he does sets a precedent.# So you could talk about these things.

But according to the city journal, there were# 30 exhibit panels, and 25 of the 30 discussed## race and slavery.

I think it's good that# we're having these public deliberations in## the public square to ask these questions# of what should we become commemorating,## what should these look like,# what is the proper balance?

ALAN SPEARS: I think that there are people# who are overly concerned about balance,## because they're not seeing that we have# had to come from almost nothing to get## to a point where we have a minimum amount# of information available to the public at## these places about race, about labor, about# women's rights, about the LGBTQ experience,## and these things that are important,# equally important, in American history.

Fighting has gone from being long-range,## being hit by artillery as soon as# they came out from those trees.

JUDY WOODRUFF: Back at Gettysburg,# Alan Spears says the National Park## Service spends years working on exhibits# and public information at these sites,## enlisting experts from across# disciplines to make careful decisions.

ALAN SPEARS: What we have seen in the last 13## months is an administration that is# willing to come in and say, well,## we don't really study history necessarily.# We just think that sounds wrong.

We think it## complicates the story.

We think it denigrates# Americans, and so we're going to take it out.

And so it's that arbitrary and# capricious nature of the way## these decisions are being made and the total# lack of transparency that really bothers us.

JUDY WOODRUFF: His organization has joined# other scientific and preservation groups in a## lawsuit against the Department of the Interior,# arguing that the removals violate federal law.

BRENDA HAFERA: I think any truthful# commemoration of the American story## will be celebratory, because# that's accurate, because this## is a good country that has contributed a# lot and has moved towards human freedom.

JUDY WOODRUFF: It's all a reminder that,## as we approach 250, this debate over# our past will continue into our futu.. For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Judy# Woodruff in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

GEOFF BENNETT: And that's the "News# Hour" for tonight.

I'm Geoff Bennett.

AMNA NAWAZ: And I'm Amna Nawaz.

Thank you for joining us.