PBS News Hour full episode, Oct. 21, 2026

[0:04] Good evening, I'm Amna Nawaz. [0:06] And I'm Jeff Bennett. [0:07] On the NewsHour tonight, Russia releases an imprisoned American and agrees to resume [0:12] negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, as relations between Washington and Moscow appear [0:17] to be warming, potentially at Ukraine's expense. [0:20] Elon Musk reportedly ordered the slowdown of Ukraine's Starshield defense systems, how [0:26] the world's richest man has gained such power over U.S. security interests. [0:31] And abortion rights are on the ballot in Idaho, where the state's near-total ban has dramatically [0:36] reshaped reproductive health care, and voters now have a chance to decide its future. [0:42] We just had no idea how important abortion care was, and when you take it out, it's like [0:47] the Jenga tower just falls. [1:01] Major funding for the PBS NewsHour has been provided by... [1:11] The Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation, Upholding Freedom by Strengthening Democracies [1:17] at Home and Abroad, the Ford Foundation, working with visionaries on the front lines of social [1:24] change worldwide, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, committed to building [1:30] a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. [1:33] More information at MacFound.org. [1:35] A life with impact, in this moment, and into the future. [1:41] A Raymond James advisor can help craft a wealth plan with your goals for today, and all the [1:46] possibilities of tomorrow in mind. [1:53] Since 2008, JITASA has provided accounting, bookkeeping, and CFO services to nonprofits nationwide. [1:58] What's inspiring about my work is the ripple effect that it has for the nonprofits that [2:03] I'm supporting. [2:04] JITASA. [2:05] Numbers for good. [2:06] Friends of the NewsHour, including the Arthur D. Collins Jr. Foundation and George D. Hanby III. [2:17] Mel, Martha, and Mary Minow, in honor of the life and legacy of their parents, Newton and [2:22] Josephine Baskin-Minow, and Julie and Robin Powell, through Fidelity Charitable, and with [2:30] the ongoing support of these institutions. [2:38] This program was made possible by the contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you. [2:43] Thank you. [2:45] Welcome to the NewsHour. [2:51] Russia today freed an American imprisoned for the last four years. [2:55] Stephen Hubbard was captured in eastern Ukraine and was convicted of fighting against Russia. [2:59] AMNA NAWAZ, The 74-year-old retired teacher from Michigan was reportedly freed without [3:04] a swap deal. [3:05] U.S. Special Envoy Steve Wyckoff greeted Hubbard in St. Petersburg. [3:09] He also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and praised Putin in unusually glowing [3:15] terms. [3:16] Nick Schifrin begins our coverage. [3:17] NICK SCHIFRIN, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Wyckoff, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Wyckoff, [3:19] U.S. Special Envoy Steve Wyckoff greeted Hubbard in St. Petersburg. [3:20] U.S. Special Envoy filmed by Russian state TV, President Trump's top envoy freeing a detained [3:25] American. [3:26] Ambassador Steve Wyckoff embraced Stephen Hubbard, imprisoned for four years and facing another [3:31] nearly five years of detention in a justice system overseen by one man, whom Wyckoff personally [3:37] thanked. [3:38] We just let President Putin, he sends you blessings and wishes you good things, OK? [3:42] Well, he does. [3:43] NICK SCHIFRIN, U.S. Special Envoy, U.S. Special Envoy, U.S. Special Envoy, U.S. Special Envoy [3:45] 24-year-old Hubbard is flying home to the U.S. for evaluation, and a U.S. official tells [3:49] PBS NewsHour he's in OK condition. [3:52] Hubbard's a retired schoolteacher from Michigan who moved to Ukraine with his wife in 2014. [3:59] He was captured four years ago by Russian troops as they took over parts of eastern Ukraine. [4:04] And then he was convicted by a Moscow court, where the conviction rate is over 99 percent, [4:09] for being a, quote, Ukrainian mercenary. [4:11] And multiple U.S. officials say, unlike previous Russian detainee releases, like Brittany Griner, [4:17] who was swapped for convicted arms dealer Victor Boot, Hubbard was released without a swap. [4:22] Ahead of the release, Wyckoff greeted Putin, and the two lavish mutual praise, even if Putin [4:31] is an accused war criminal indicted by the International Criminal Court. [4:35] I know that President Trump pays special attention to this matter, primarily for humanitarian reasons. [4:42] You talk so much about my president, President Trump being a humanitarian. You are a humanitarian also, [4:51] sir. I salute that. I commend you. And I thank you again. [4:54] NICK SCHIFRIN, European officials worry Wyckoff and the Trump administration [4:58] consider Putin a partner in peace and business, something Putin today made explicit. [5:03] VOLODYMIR ZELENSKYY, U.S.: Both sides would be interested in discussing issues related [5:07] to our plans to restore bilateral relations, including in the area of economic cooperation. [5:13] NICK SCHIFRIN, U.S.: It was Putin who launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. [5:17] And, today, he agreed to relaunch a U.S.-Russia-Ukraine diplomatic track [5:21] that last met in February and helped produce releases of prisoners of war. [5:25] Today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed, although he prefers a leaders-level summit. [5:30] VOLODYMIR ZELENSKYY, U.S.: It's important to negotiate, [5:32] TRILATERALLY. I think this is the best way President Trump, with his leadership, [5:37] and me and Russian leader, trilaterally, better with Europeans, but minimum trilaterally. [5:43] I think so. This is important. [5:45] NICK SCHIFRIN, U.S.: And yet the war grinds on in Russia's battlefield of choice, Ukrainian cities. [5:51] Today, a drone carved through Kyiv apartments, killing two people. [5:54] NICK SCHIFRIN, U.S.: And Ukrainian officials tell me their ability to intercept Russia's jet-powered drones, [6:00] including those that hit Kyiv today, is still hampered because of limits on the speed their [6:04] interceptors can fly, limits recently imposed, Jeff, by SpaceX. [6:08] NICK SCHIFRIN, U.S.: And Nick, what more have you learned about the curtailing of the Starlink [6:11] and StarShield services in Ukraine? [6:13] NICK SCHIFRIN, U.S.: The bottom line is limitations, as I just said, are still there. [6:17] And a reminder, Jeff, of what that means and why this is so important. [6:20] NICK SCHIFRIN, U.S.: Ukraine's offensive mid-range drones, but also defensive drone [6:25] interceptors use SpaceX navigation to feed video, and those are the little satellites [6:31] that SpaceX creates. Higher-end units use StarShield, which is designed for the military, [6:36] as opposed to Starlink, which is designed for commercially. And these StarShield receivers [6:40] are literally attached to the drones themselves. They're faster, they're more encrypted than Starlink, [6:46] and that makes them much less jammable by Russia. And that makes them what multiple [6:52] officials told me today were a game-changing capability when it comes to the war. But SpaceX [6:57] limited the speed where these receivers work on the drones to about 100 miles an hour, [7:02] and that makes the defensive interceptors and their offensive drones much less effective, [7:08] limiting Ukraine's ability to wage the war, period. That's why it's so important to Ukraine. [7:13] And to underline a point, Jeff, there is no other company, nor any other country, [7:18] with this technology. Only SpaceX has created this network and this capability, [7:25] giving the company and founder Elon Musk enormous influence over the war in Ukraine, [7:31] but also over the U.S. military and other NATO militaries that use the exact same technology. [7:37] NICK SCHIFRIN, U.S.: And on that point, what's the latest on the source, [7:40] the known source of the slowdown? Today, Secretary of State Marco Rubio [7:44] denied that the president or anyone else in the U.S. government had anything to do [7:49] with the speed limitations. The president has had nothing to do with the decisions [7:53] that are made by Starlink and Sparshield and by Mr. Musk. That's a private company. [7:57] The president doesn't run that company and can't direct that company to do anything. [8:01] Now, multiple officials tell me that even if StarShield is considered a military company or a [8:06] military platform, Jeff, SpaceX and Elon Musk do have the ability to throttle, to limit the speed [8:13] that the receivers work. And again, that underscores the company's power and Musk's influence. [8:18] But the Wall Street Journal today reported that Musk spoke to President Trump before the throttling, [8:24] before the limitations were actually imposed. As for Trump and Musk themselves, [8:29] Musk pointed the finger at Trump last week. He tweeted, quote, [8:34] StarShield systems are owned and controlled by the U.S. government. Any limits on speed or usage [8:39] are decided by the U.S. military and ultimately the president of the United States. But President [8:43] Trump said this last Friday. It wasn't Elon Musk who decided to temporarily cause [8:50] Starlink access for the Ukrainian military. Well, I don't know if it was anybody, [8:53] because it wasn't me. And I don't think it was Elon. And from what I understand, [8:58] it's the same as it's always been. It is not the same as it's always been for Ukraine. [9:03] This afternoon, the president again denied he was involved. And when asked about Musk, [9:08] the president replied, I don't know who did it, unquote. Bottom line for Ukraine, [9:12] the officials tell me they don't care who limited the speed. They just want to see it fixed. [9:17] Nick Schifrin, thanks as always. Thank you. [9:19] For more on all of this, we turn now to retired Air Force Colonel Charles Galbraith, [9:24] who focused on space operations during his 30-year career in the military. [9:28] He's now at the Air Force Association's Mitchell Institute. Colonel, welcome to the show. [9:32] So to pick up where Nick left off there, from what you know about Starlink and its government [9:38] controlled system of StarShield, how they run, could one person, namely Elon Musk, [9:43] issue that kind of order to throttle or slow down that system? [9:47] Well, first, thank you for the opportunity to speak with you this evening. [9:51] So Starlink and StarShield are basically the same system, [9:55] with the exception of enhanced encryption capability on StarShield. [10:00] The other key distinction is Starlink is completely contractor-owned and contractor-operated. [10:05] So SpaceX, Elon Musk, and the contractors that work for him control that system. [10:11] StarShield is supposed to be a government-controlled or government-owned but contractor-operated system. [10:18] So there should be two different paths to make determinations on how much bandwidth, [10:25] what speeds, what areas get the type of coverage that they need. [10:29] So regarding Starlink, that is a private company, and certainly Elon Musk as that proprietor could [10:37] make those decisions as long as they're consistent with the user agreements that they have in place [10:41] with the many users that leverage that system. StarShield should have been controlled by the government. [10:46] So do I take that to mean that Elon Musk, as a private citizen, would not be able to issue [10:52] an order that would throttle or limit the speed of the StarShield system? Is that what you're saying? [10:57] He should not be able to do that. That's correct. [11:00] So what do you make of the reporting and some of the conflicting messaging we're hearing from [11:04] the people involved in this story at this point, that Musk is pointing the finger at the president [11:09] of the United States, saying he made a decision to do so? Reporting suggests that Musk made that [11:14] decision and issued the order. What do you make? How do you make sense of those? [11:17] So there's a lot of misinformation going around, certainly right now. And it will take a while [11:26] to get to the bottom of actually what happened. I do believe that the government should have been [11:32] in control and made the decision on StarShield rather than Elon Musk or anyone at Starlink. [11:39] And frankly, any military operation and the impacts that a system like this could have on it, [11:47] that needs to be through consultation with senior leaders such as the Space Command commander, [11:52] the EUCOM commander, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Those three individuals should [11:58] have been in consultation with the president if that's where the decision was made. And certainly, [12:03] if Elon Musk unilaterally made that decision, those three should be standing up and saying, [12:08] you don't have that authority, put it back the way it belongs. [12:10] LISA DESJARDINS- Colonel, more broadly speaking here, when you look, as Nick was reporting, [12:14] on the reliance of the U.S. military, of Ukraine's operations at this point, too, [12:19] on a system like SpaceX, which is run by a private citizen, Elon Musk, what do you make of that reliance, [12:26] of that sense of control that this one company has over those operations? [12:29] NICK SCHIFRIN- It is a significant amount of control that this one company has. And it's not [12:34] just Starlink and the communications capability that it provides, but also SpaceX and the launch [12:39] capability that it provides. SpaceX and the Falcon rocket are the premier launch capabilities for the [12:46] United States right now, setting the world record in terms of launch cadence. And the military, [12:53] the intelligence community, national security at large is very much dependent [12:58] on maintaining a good relationship with Elon Musk and access to the SpaceX boosters. [13:05] When you add on top of that, the control over Starlink and the communications network and all those [13:11] that depend on it, that is a significant amount of sway or leeway that that leader, that individual, [13:16] that private citizen can have. You talked about the military implications, and certainly Ukraine is [13:23] very much reliant on Starlink for their military operations. And we've seen this happen in the past. [13:30] A few years ago, it was reported that Elon Musk directed a slowdown of the capability or the limitations [13:38] on how Ukraine could use Starlink that had significant military implications. And so here it is again, [13:44] once again, in the headlines. And I do believe that we need to have a good investigation as to [13:50] what happened here, and ensure that there are checks and balances in place to ensure that national [13:56] security interests are preserved through national security channels and not through the choices of an [14:03] individual. That is retired Air Force Colonel Charles Galbraith joining us tonight. Colonel, [14:08] thank you so much for your time. Thank you. We start the day's other headlines with a major [14:22] cyber security threat that prompted a scramble today to protect websites around the world. [14:27] Government websites were among those temporarily taken offline as officials rushed to install security [14:32] patches. Others remain offline entirely. At the center of the threat is a vulnerability [14:38] involving PHP. That's a programming language used by millions of websites. The FBI and National Security [14:44] Agency warned that hackers could exploit the flaw to take control of websites and potentially compromise [14:50] sensitive information. OpenAI says its artificial intelligence models helped uncover the vulnerabilities. [14:57] In Toledo, Ohio, roughly 1,000 people were ordered to evacuate their homes today following a chemical tank [15:03] explosion. You could literally see the particles flying in the sky. The overnight explosion at MC tank transport [15:12] blanketed the surrounding area in a thick, fog-like haze. The tank contained a chemical used in some plastics [15:19] and paints, which officials warned could still pose an explosion risk. Video from today shows a plume continuing [15:25] to rise from the site. Fears of another explosion have hampered efforts by firefighters and hazardous material [15:32] crews. Some residents reported burning eyes and irritated throats, though the city's mayor sought [15:37] to reassure the public about the potential health risks. There are levels of exposure to something like [15:44] this that are unpleasant but not necessarily dangerous to human health. Local schools were canceled today [15:51] and the Arkansas-based company that runs the site says it's working with local authorities to ensure the safety [15:57] of those affected. The U.S. Supreme Court is blocking the Trump administration from enforcing new [16:02] restrictions on gender-affirming care for transgender prisoners. The decision leaves a lower court's [16:08] order in place, allowing as many as 1,000 transgender prisoners to continue receiving hormone therapy and [16:14] other treatments, at least for now. Meantime, Justice Elena Kagan is criticizing her conservative [16:20] colleagues over a series of rulings she says are weakening American democracy. Speaking at an event in [16:26] Washington, Kagan pointed to recent decisions on voting rights and campaign finance, among others. [16:32] She said those rulings have contributed to, in her words, a democracy that does not work as well as it [16:37] should. The U.S. State Department has ordered non-essential government employees and their families to [16:43] leave Saudi Arabia, warning that hostilities between Houthi rebels and Saudi forces could escalate rapidly. [16:49] Just today, Saudi authorities said two people were killed by falling debris from an intercepted drone [16:55] attack. Meantime, in southwestern Yemen, Iran-backed Houthi forces released this footage, claiming it [17:06] shows clashes with Saudi-backed government troops. Aid groups warn the fighting has disrupted water [17:11] supplies for some 3 million people, while garbage piles up and basic public services have all but collapsed. [17:21] I developed severe infections because of this garbage. This is a huge disaster. [17:26] I'm speaking to you as a member of the local council. We're suffering, and perhaps the people [17:31] will suffer more than this. The garbage is now close to our neighborhoods. [17:35] Meantime, Riyadh's international airport partially reopened to domestic flights today, [17:40] following a series of strikes that killed at least 13 people. But major international carriers, [17:45] including Lufthansa and Air France, say they won't resume service until the middle of next month. [17:52] Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, New York congressional candidate Brad Lander says he [17:57] was detained and later released by Israeli forces while helping Palestinian farmers harvest olives [18:03] in the West Bank. He posted a video to social media that he filmed while being detained. [18:08] We've been detained by the Israeli military for harvesting olives. And let's be clear, [18:14] occupation is a crime under international law. Harvesting olives is not a crime under any [18:18] problem. He was later released, but several of the volunteers and American rabbis who were on the [18:23] bus with him remain in custody. Israeli authorities say the group had not obtained permission for the [18:29] harvest. The annual olive harvest has been marked by violence, including attacks by Israeli settlers [18:35] against Palestinian farmers and their communities. Turning now to Europe, thousands of students and [18:40] teachers held protests across Greece today calling for education reform after similar demonstrations [18:47] have gripped France for weeks. In Athens, riot police kept a close watch as demonstrators marched [18:58] through the streets there. Many expressed solidarity with students in France where protests have turned [19:04] violent. President Trump and his allies have blamed Muslim migrants for the unrest in France without [19:10] offering evidence to support those claims. Speaking to reporters in Doha today, French President [19:15] Emmanuel Macron pushed back against those accusations. There has been foreign manipulation of information [19:24] in the aftermath, yes. And that has led to comments that are as unacceptable as they are stupid for many [19:30] people, including foreign leaders. When a reporter asked if that included President Trump, Macron replied, [19:37] among others. Some encouraging health news from the Vatican today. Doctors for Pope Leo say final tests show he [19:44] needs no further treatment for lung cancer. The 71-year-old pontiff underwent surgery last week to remove [19:50] the lower portion of his right lung after doctors discovered a cancerous growth. Leo returned to the [19:56] Vatican over the weekend and resumed his public appearances today. A judge in New Mexico ordered [20:02] Meta to pay $25 billion in penalties for misleading users about their privacy on Facebook. It's one of the [20:08] largest fines ever levied on the company. The fine stems from the 2016 election when Cambridge Analytica [20:15] combed Facebook data for targeted political ads. Meta has said it plans to appeal the verdict. Its stock [20:20] ended higher after the news. Elsewhere on Wall Street today, markets posted solid gains after some solid [20:26] corporate earnings. The Dow Jones industrial average added 360 points on the day. The Nasdaq jumped more than [20:32] one percent. The S&P 500 rose about half a percent. Still to come on the NewsHour, political strategists [20:39] discuss the state of play in the final weeks before Election Day. A look at the hundreds of U.S. citizens [20:45] who have been detained by ICE. And we speak with former South Carolina Governor and World Food Program [20:51] Director David Beasley about why he's leaving the Republican Party. This is the PBS NewsHour from the [21:01] David M. Rubenstein Studio at WETA in Washington, headquarters of PBS News. [21:10] The midterm campaign is entering its final stretch and the attacks are getting increasingly personal. [21:15] In Ohio, Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign is behind an [21:20] extraordinary attack ad featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton, [21:26] disputing Acton's account of her own childhood. It's a striking example of just how far candidates [21:32] are willing to go to win votes in this high-stakes election. For analysis of that and more, [21:37] we turn tonight to Faz Shakir, a Democratic strategist and senior advisor to Senator Bernie [21:41] Sanders and longtime Republican strategist Wit Ayers. Wit, we should note, is on the board of the [21:47] NewsHour's parent organization, WETA. It's good to see you both. Thanks for being here. [21:51] Good to be here. So let's start with this ad from Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign. Again, in it, [21:56] the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton, challenges Acton's account of her own [22:02] upbringing to include allegations of sexual abuse by her stepfather. Here's part of it. [22:07] It's not easy for a mother to say this, that Amy has a serious problem. She is a liar. She lies [22:15] about her past. She says she grew up living in a tent. None of that is true. [22:21] So this ad is sparking criticism from both sides of the aisle. What is the political calculation behind [22:28] an ad like this? Jeff, there's a widespread assumption in the political consultant community [22:33] that negative ads work, and a lot of them do, if they're credible, if they're believable, [22:38] and especially if they use the opponent's words against them. But it's also possible to do negative [22:44] ads that blow up your own campaign, those that are simply not believable, that are easily rebutted, [22:51] or just make your skin crawl. And that Vivek ad probably qualifies on at least two of those criteria. [22:57] Is there evidence that attacks, like these personal attack ads, work? [23:02] Well, sometimes. And they're disgusting, so we all note that. And I think it's important to [23:07] understand the purpose. What are they trying to do here? It's a defensive ad. You feel like, [23:11] here's a candidate who's losing and is now going to throw a very desperate heave into the end zone to [23:16] see if they can try to win this race. And I think, in my view, the reason you do this is because [23:23] you are trying to distract voters. You have nothing to say on the major issues, whether it's housing or [23:28] health care, electricity rates, anything that's really going on in the country around gas prices. [23:32] So instead of talking about issues, having a debate, you demonize a person. And this isn't [23:36] just happening in Ohio, by the way. You're seeing in Tallarico, he has a mental health issue or [23:40] something. We got Abdul El-Sayed might be a jihadist and a terrorist. We've got [23:44] Troy Jackson may have some family issues that we're going to talk about. These are all distractions. [23:49] And to the point of whether they work, they tend, they can effectively move a discussion into a zone [23:54] that I don't think the voters really care about. We'll see how it impacts the vote. [23:58] Vice President J.D. Vance today, he criticized Republicans who objected to the Ramaswamy ad. [24:04] Does that tell us something about where the Trump Republican Party is today? That the controversy [24:09] isn't the ad itself, but Republicans criticizing the ad? Well, that's a typical comeback when something [24:15] like this happens. But I guarantee you, most independent voters, and I suspect most Republican voters, [24:20] are not going to appreciate that ad in Ohio. President Trump, he heads to South Carolina [24:25] tonight after campaigning in North Carolina and Kansas earlier this week. These are states that [24:30] Republicans would ordinarily expect to win. Why is he spending so much time [24:35] defending Republican territory? What does that say about the state of the race? Well, first off, you [24:39] are, Democrats are on the front foot in a lot of places that Trump won. And so he is seeing what we [24:45] are all seeing, which is that Republican voters are staying home at the moment. They're not enthused. [24:49] They're not excited. And in fact, a lot of people are calling themselves independent, [24:52] no party preferences. They're moving off of a Republican Party. And quite frankly, [24:55] some even on the Democratic side. I think it'll be these people, [24:59] independent-minded folks who are going to sway this election. Trump is trying to mobilize his [25:02] base. And he does have still a fair amount of support within the Republican Party. In my view, [25:06] he's going to these places to try to energize turnout. However, I think it'll backfire on him [25:10] because a lot of these independent-minded folks are upset with his agenda and I think are very [25:16] likely to move off of the Republican Party and support some of these Democratic candidates in [25:20] Kansas and Florida and Texas. How do you see it? Is the president more valuable on the campaign [25:27] trail or off of it at this point? Jeff, it all depends on the state and the district. But we know [25:31] that the president is very good at turning out low-propensity voters, those who only vote in [25:37] presidential elections or, as we discovered, only vote when Donald Trump's on the ticket, which is why he [25:43] keeps saying, pretend I'm on the ticket to get these low-propensity voters out. Every campaign is [25:49] dependent on getting your base out and also persuading those people who are still up in the air. [25:54] We'll see if this is effective at getting the base out. A new New York Times-Siena poll puts [26:00] President Trump's approval rating at 36 percent. This is a record low in that survey and it follows [26:05] similar findings in other national polls. How much does that complicate things for Republicans in [26:10] competitive races? It complicates a lot. They're not going before the voters with an agenda. [26:17] And right now there is a lot of anger and a desire for people to hear some solutions. Think about [26:22] health care. What are you going to do to make sure my costs on health care go down? What are you going [26:27] to do to make sure gas prices go down? And so when he's going out and talking, and I welcome the [26:31] president to keep campaigning everywhere he'd like to go, because he still hasn't found a message. [26:35] He's not saying to the voters, keep me in office, keep my Republican rubber stamps all over this [26:41] nation because we've got this great agenda that we're going to bring to you. So at this stage, [26:45] the opportunity is here for the Democrats, the opportunities for realignment of a lot of voters. [26:49] And I suspect we're going to see it on November 3rd. A lot of people who ordinarily would not call [26:53] themselves Democrats were going to say, I'm giving you a chance. And with that chance is an opportunity [26:58] to change a lot of red states in America. What's the risk if Democrats essentially try to nationalize [27:04] every race and make every Republican candidate answer for President Trump? [27:09] Jeff, we know that the single most important statistic in midterm elections is the president's [27:14] job approval. The president's party almost always loses seats. So the last 80 years, the only exceptions [27:20] were 1998 and 2002. But the number of seats lost is heavily dependent on the president's job approval. [27:27] When the president is above 50 percent, the average number of house seats lost is 14. [27:32] When the president's job approval is below 50 percent, the average loss of house seats is 32. [27:38] The problem for Republicans right now is that the president's job approval keeps ticking down, [27:43] ticking down every day. And he keeps taking positions that make it worse. Siding with Putin [27:49] and Russia against Ukraine is a major problem. If you ask Americans, are they more sympathetic to [27:55] Russia or are they more sympathetic to Ukraine? The percentage of Americans more sympathetic to Russia is [28:01] 4. Not 40, 4. So the president has put himself in a position and taken a position that is not shared [28:10] by 96 percent of Americans. That doesn't help his job approval go up. And that's what Republicans need right now. [28:16] Witt Ayers and Fashakir, our thanks to you both. [28:18] Thanks, Jeff. [28:19] Witt Ayers and Fashakir, Jr.: Pleasure. [28:20] This November, voters in Virginia, Nevada, Missouri and Idaho will decide on the future [28:37] of reproductive rights in their state. In Deeply Red Idaho, a citizen-led initiative faces an [28:43] uphill battle to restore some abortion rights. Special correspondent Sarah Varney reports on whether [28:48] the fallout from the overturning of Roe v. Wade and frustration over the current law will be enough [28:54] to sway even conservative voters to seek change. [28:57] Witt Ayers and Fashakir, Jr.: She said, this is a non-viable pregnancy. This is incompatible with life. [29:03] What do you want to do? [29:05] Witt Ayers and Fashakir, Jr.: Last year, 13 weeks into her wanted pregnancy, [29:09] Abby Nichols found out her baby had a severe genetic disorder. [29:13] Witt Ayers and Fashakir, Jr.: The doctor came in, and she checked for a heartbeat. She just quietly did it [29:20] on an iPad, and then she said there was. And it was a really sad moment. [29:26] Witt Ayers and Fashakir, Jr.: Because of Idaho's abortion law, [29:29] Abby's doctor was not allowed to end her pregnancy. [29:32] Witt Ayers and Fashakir, Jr.: There's, like, a piece of you that hopes that they can help you. [29:35] Like, you're just like, no, my doctors can help me, because that's what doctors do. [29:39] But you also have heard of other women who haven't received care, and you just are starting to, [29:45] like, realize that that's you, too. [29:48] Witt Ayers and Fashakir, Jr.: The next week, Abby, along with her husband, [29:51] flew to Seattle to get an abortion. She says the experience was incredibly sad and isolating. [29:57] But it's also one that motivated her family to join a fight to change Idaho's law. [30:02] Witt Ayers and Fashakir, Jr.: It is for that baby who was so sick, [30:05] and her parents made the right decision for her. [30:08] Witt Ayers and Fashakir, Jr.: On a sunny Saturday in early October, [30:11] Abby's parents' home became base camp for volunteers door knocking in support of Proposition 1. [30:17] The ballot measure would allow for abortion up to fetal viability, which doctors say [30:21] is about 24 weeks. And in case of a medical emergency that threatens the woman's health, [30:28] it would also prevent the government from punishing physicians who provide abortion care. [30:32] MELANIE FALWELL, This is a hard fight. [30:34] Witt Ayers and Fashakir, The tricky thing about Idaho's ban is, [30:41] it doesn't really care what your own personal beliefs are. It doesn't really care what your [30:46] partisanship is. It doesn't really care if you've never considered an abortion. It comes for you all the same. [30:52] In the four years since nearly all abortion care was criminalized, [30:55] Idaho has lost 94 physicians who practice obstetrics and gynecology. [31:00] That's about one out of three OBGYNs in the state. And three hospitals have closed their maternity wards. [31:07] Falwell, a mother and native Idahoan, believes this citizen-led effort is the only option to [31:14] protect women's health care in the state. [31:15] MELANIE FALWELL, I think that the idea that our legislature is going to fix the ban, [31:22] fix the problems with the ban, is a fool's errand. And so that is why this election is so incredibly [31:29] critical. It's this or nothing. [31:31] MELANIE FALWELL, But getting a majority of voters on board will not be easy. [31:36] Idaho is a state dominated by conservative and anti-abortion sentiments. Nearly 70 percent of voters [31:42] here backed President Trump last election. [31:44] Personally, I will be voting no on Prop 1. [31:47] MELANIE FALWELL, I know it's for abortion, and I am actually against it. [31:51] I think states have the right to regulate abortion, and, therefore, [31:55] I am not going to support the ballot. [31:58] MELANIE FALWELL, I understand that this is a personal issue. I mean, I'm a mom. [32:03] I have carried two babies to term. [32:05] MELANIE FALWELL, State Senator Camille Blalock, who represents a western suburb of Boise, [32:10] feels the measure goes too far and worries voters don't fully understand what it would do. [32:15] CAMILLE BLALOCK, And so, when I hear that there's a level of Republicans that support this, [32:21] my guess is that there's just misinformation, that they hear a one-liner like women are dying [32:26] because of Idaho's laws. And that's just not true. [32:30] MELANIE FALWELL, And so, if they had the facts, then maybe they would make a different decision. [32:34] MELANIE FALWELL, Idaho's near-total abortion ban went into effect four years ago. [32:40] It allows a doctor to perform an abortion to prevent the death of a pregnant woman, [32:44] or in the case of rape or incest that is documented by law enforcement. [32:48] MELANIE FALWELL, Every word in our current law has been precisely thought about, debated, [32:55] and put there on purpose. When you open up that law for changes here in Idaho, you do have the gamut [33:02] in our legislature. And so I have concerns of if we open it up and try to change it too drastically. [33:11] MELANIE FALWELL, And so, I don't want to appear as if I am being flippant or not respecting that. [33:24] MELANIE FALWELL, But also, I have my moral soul. And I answer to my God. And there's a few things [33:33] that just really hit there that I, in good conscience, if I had an opportunity to overturn [33:39] something that I didn't agree with at this level, I couldn't not do that. [33:45] MELANIE FALWELL, But not all Republicans in the state are happy with the current law. [33:49] JIM WOODWARD, It didn't take long to understand the problem that we had created, [33:54] because I was part of creating that problem. [33:55] MELANIE FALWELL, Six years after voting for Idaho's abortion ban, [33:59] State Senator Jim Woodward admits women's health care has gotten worse, [34:03] especially in Northern Panhandle communities like his. [34:06] JIM WOODWARD, Why are we making this so much harder for people than it has to be? [34:10] And so we need to find some new spot, some new balance that accommodates the reality of pregnancy. [34:18] MELANIE FALWELL, To help strike that balance, Woodward introduced a bill last year [34:23] to allow abortions to prevent a serious health risk and in cases of a fatal fetal condition. [34:29] It went nowhere. [34:30] JIM WOODWARD, I don't support elective abortions, [34:33] but we need to get our policy back in line with the people of Idaho. [34:37] MELANIE FALWELL, But observers say the measure's success hinges on Republicans and other Idahoans [34:43] who are open to reconsidering their view on abortion. [34:46] You ready? You ready? [34:48] MELANIE FALWELL, People Like Suzanne Gallis. [34:50] Suzanne is a mother of seven from Northern Idaho. [34:53] As a lifelong Catholic, she believed in the church's teaching that abortion is immoral. [34:58] SUZANNE GALLIS, I wanted to believe what the church said, because it sounded perfect. [35:04] And we didn't really have to grapple with it, because abortion was legal. [35:08] MELANIE FALWELL, But once it became illegal, [35:10] Suzanne started doing research and talking to people in her community who supported reproductive rights. [35:16] MELANIE FALWELL, We just had no idea how important abortion care was. [35:21] And when you take it out, it's like the Jenga tower just falls. [35:24] So, one, two, three. [35:26] MELANIE FALWELL, That's when she decided to get involved, knocking doors to support the measure. [35:30] MELANIE FALWELL, The number of stories of people that I heard [35:36] was overwhelming to me, because I would hear... [35:39] MELANIE FALWELL, Where this issue had affected them personally or someone that they knew? [35:42] MELANIE FALWELL, Yes, or somebody that they knew. [35:43] So, it just really solidified in my mind how many people are actually affected by abortion. [35:51] MELANIE FALWELL, She's hopeful that her fellow Idahoans will see it the same way. [35:55] MELANIE FALWELL, No matter what your personal beliefs are about abortion, [36:00] I think we can all agree, when a personal medical decision comes up, [36:04] who should be making those hard decisions. Should it be you and your husband or your partner [36:10] and your doctor and your God, or should it be the government? [36:14] MELANIE FALWELL, This is going to be close. [36:16] MELANIE FALWELL, Early polling indicated the initiative could get enough support to pass. [36:21] Still, conservative leaders like Camille Blalock are confident voters will reject the measure. [36:26] MELANIE FALWELL, This is an issue that has been politicized for decades in our country, [36:31] and I think it's something that will bring Republicans out, because they want to make sure [36:35] that they can cast their vote to show that they're pro-life. [36:38] MELANIE FALWELL, But proponents remain optimistic about a victory in November [36:42] and what it will say to the rest of the country. [36:44] MELANIE FALWELL, Our success in Idaho would send a message that these kinds of bans, [36:49] these kinds of policies are deeply unpopular, and that even in places that are very conservative, [36:56] that are among the reddest states in the entire country, it's not that simple. [37:01] MELANIE FALWELL, For PBS NewsHour, I'm Sarah Varney in Boise, Idaho. [37:05] MELANIE FALWELL, Voters will also weigh in on more than 140 other ballot measures next [37:10] month in 40 states. Our Liz Landers has more on the issues on the ballot across the country. [37:16] FROM ABORTION TO VOTER I.D. TO DEBATES OVER TRANSGENDER RIGHTS, [37:21] THE MEASURES ON THIS YEAR'S BALLOTS TOUCH NEARLY EVERY CORNER OF THE POLITICAL DEBATE. [37:25] REPUBLICANS ARE COUNTING ON SOME OF THEM TO ENERGIZE THEIR BASE IN A TOUGH MIDTERM ENVIRONMENT. [37:31] FOR MORE ON THE ISSUES HEADING BEFORE VOTERS, I'm joined now by Reed Wilson, [37:34] editor and founder of Pluribus News, a site that covers politics and policy [37:39] at the state level. Reed, thank you for joining us. [37:41] REED, THANKS FOR HAVING ME. [37:42] A MIDTERM CYCLE HISTORICALLY DOES NOT GO WELL FOR THE PARTY IN THE WHITE HOUSE. [37:46] SO WHY THE STATE LEVEL ARE REPUBLICANS LOOKING TO THESE BALLOT MEASURES NOW? [37:50] AND WHAT DOES THE ENTHUSIASM GAP LOOK LIKE? [37:53] WELL, REPUBLICANS HOPE THAT THESE BALLOT MEASURES WILL GIN UP ENTHUSIASM [37:57] AMONG VOTERS WHO ARE NOT TERIBLY EXCITED TO SHOW UP TO VOTE. [38:00] DEMOCRATS SAY THAT THEY'RE VERY EXCITED TO SHOW UP TO VOTE THIS YEAR. [38:03] FEWER REPUBLICANS SAY THAT. [38:04] SO IF REPUBLICANS STAY HOME, THAT'S BAD FOR THEIR PARTY, OBVIOUSLY. [38:08] NOW, THESE BALLOT MEASURES ARE AIMED AT GINNING UP THAT TURNOUT, [38:11] JUST LIKE BALLOT MEASURES IN 2004 THAT BAN SAME-SEX MARRIAGE WERE MEANT TO [38:16] GET EVANGELICAL VOTERS EXCITED TO VOTE FOR GEORGE W. BUSH. [38:20] NOW, A LOT OF THE ACADEMIC RESEARCH SHOWS THAT DIDN'T ACTUALLY WORK. [38:23] BUSH'S OWN CAMPAIGN ADVISORS SAY HE WON WITHOUT THOSE MEASURES. [38:26] SO IT'S NOT TERRIBLY CLEAR THAT THE STRATEGY IS GOING TO WORK. [38:29] AS WE REPORTED, ABORTION IS ON THE BALLOT IN FOUR STATES. [38:32] IDAHO, NEVADA, AND VIRGINIA WOULD PROTECT ABORTION RIGHTS, [38:35] WHILE MISSOURI WOULD ROLL BACK THE PROTECTIONS THAT VOTERS APPROVED IN 2024. [38:39] DOES ABORTION ON THE BALLOT HELP ONE PARTY MORE THAN THE OTHER THIS YEAR? [38:43] I DON'T THINK SO. I THINK THAT ABORTION IS AN ISSUE THAT WE PORTRAY AS POLARIZING, [38:50] BUT I THINK THE VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICANS ARE IN FAVOR OF ABORTION RIGHTS, [38:55] BASED ON THE MEASURES THAT HAVE PASSED IN JUST THE LAST FEW YEARS. [38:58] I THINK VOTERS REALLY DON'T LIKE IT WHEN RIGHTS ARE TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM. [39:02] AND SO WE'VE SEEN ABORTION PROTECTION MEASURES PASS IN EVEN SOME VERY RED STATES, [39:06] LIKE, AS YOU MENTIONED, MISSOURI. [39:07] SIX STATES HAVE MEASURES LIMITING VOTING TO U.S. CITIZENS AND SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE VOTER I.D. [39:13] MEASURES. IT'S ALREADY A CRIME TO VOTE IN A FEDERAL ELECTION IF YOU ARE NOT A U.S. CITIZEN. [39:18] SUPPORTERS CALL THESE ELECTION SECURITY MEASURES AND CRITICS CALL THEM REDUNDANT. [39:22] WHAT ARE THEY ACTUALLY GOING TO CHANGE HERE? [39:24] WELL, THEY WOULDN'T CHANGE MUCH OF ANYTHING, BECAUSE IN THE SIX STATES WHERE THESE MEASURES ARE UP, [39:28] ALASKA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, KANSAS, SOUTH DAKOTA AND WEST VIRGINIA, [39:32] THERE ARE NO JURISDICTIONS THAT ALLOW NON-CITIZENS TO VOTE. THERE ARE FEW JURISDICTIONS IN PLACES [39:37] LIKE SAN FRANCISCO, OAKLAND, WASHINGTON, D.C., AND SOME SMALL TOWNS IN MARYLAND AND VERMONT [39:41] THAT ALLOW NON-CITIZENS TO VOTE IN LOCAL ELECTIONS, SCHOOL BOARD, CITY COUNCIL RACES. [39:46] BUT NO NON-CITIZEN IS ALLOWED TO VOTE IN A FEDERAL ELECTION, AND THAT'S FEDERAL LAW. [39:51] THESE THINGS WOULD NOT CHANGE THAT. THEY WOULD ONLY STOP LOCAL OFFICIALS FROM ALLOWING NON-CITIZENS TO VOTE IN LOCAL RACES, [39:58] WHICH, AGAIN, THEY CAN'T IN THOSE STATES. RIGHT. FOUR STATES WILL VOTE ON RESTRICTING [40:02] TRANSGENDER GIRLS FROM GIRLS SPORTS. MOST OF THESE ARE IN DEMOCRATIC-LED STATES. [40:07] WHY IS THIS GOING STRAIGHT TO VOTERS RATHER THAN THE LEGISLATURE? [40:11] SO THERE ARE TWO WAYS THAT BALLOT INITIATIVES CAN MAKE IT TO THE BALLOT. [40:14] ONE IS CITIZENS PETITIONING, SIGNING A PETITION, GETTING SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT THAT WAY. [40:18] ANOTHER IS WHEN A LEGISLATURE REFERS AN ISSUE TO THE BALLOT. [40:22] THESE ARE BLUE STATES WHERE THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT GOING TO PASS A BAN ON TRANS WOMEN IN GIRLS SPORTS. [40:28] INSTEAD, SUPPORTERS OF THESE MEASURES HAVE GONE TO THE PEOPLE, GOTTEN THE SIGNATURES, [40:33] AND GOTTEN ON THE BALLOT. THIS IS A PRETTY COMMON THING. [40:36] WE SEE THIS IN PROGRESSIVE STATES WHERE CONSERVATIVES USE THE BALLOT MEASURE TO GET SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT [40:41] THAT THE LEGISLATURE WON'T PASS. AND ON THE OTHER HAND, WE SEE IT IN CONSERVATIVE STATES [40:45] WHERE PROGRESSIVES GET THINGS LIKE MINIMUM WAGE OR ABORTION PROTECTION MEASURES ON THE BALLOT [40:51] WHEN THE LEGISLATURE WOULDN'T PASS THEM. [40:53] BEYOND SOCIAL ISSUES, TAXES ARE ALSO ON THE BALLOT, INCLUDING ADDING A BILLIONAIRE'S TAX [40:59] IN CALIFORNIA THAT IS BACKED BY PROGRESSIVES LIKE BERNIE SANDERS. [41:02] AND THERE'S AN EFFORT TO REPEAL A TAX IN WASHINGTON ON HOUSEHOLDS THAT MAKE MORE THAN $1 MILLION EACH YEAR. [41:08] WHAT ARE THE DYNAMICS HERE? [41:09] IN CALIFORNIA, THIS IS A MEASURE BEING PUSHED BY SEIU, WHICH IS ONE OF THE LARGEST UNIONS IN THE STATE. [41:15] IT WOULD LEVY A 5% TAX ON BILLIONAIRE ASSETS. [41:19] INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM IS AGAINST THIS. [41:22] CALIFORNIA RELIES SO HEAVILY ON ITS CAPITAL GAINS TAX THAT HE WORRIES THAT IF PEOPLE WITH A BILLION [41:28] DOLLARS FLEE TO ANOTHER STATE, IT COULD HAVE REAL LONG-TERM IMPACTS ON THE STATE'S FISCAL HEALTH. [41:33] IN WASHINGTON, ON THE OTHER HAND, WASHINGTON HAS NEVER HAD AN INCOME TAX AT ALL. [41:37] AND THE NOTION OF TAXING INCOMES OVER A MILLION DOLLARS HAS BEEN REALLY CONTROVERSIAL IN A STATE THAT [41:44] IS USED TO NOT PAYING INCOME TAXES EVEN IF VERY FEW PEOPLE MAKE MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. [41:49] REID BILSON, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR EXPERTISE. [41:52] THANK YOU. [41:53] OFFICIALS IN CALIFORNIA ARE CALLING FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ACTIONS OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION OFFICERS [42:09] AFTER THEY ALLEGEDLY INJURED AND DETAINED A U.S. CITIZEN THIS PAST WEEKEND. [42:13] WILLIAM BRANGHAM HAS THE LATEST ON THE GROWING NUMBER OF AMERICANS WHO ARE BEING CAUGHT UP IN [42:17] THE ADMINISTRATION'S ENFORCEMENT ACTION. [42:20] THE INCIDENT IN QUESTION TOOK PLACE ON SATURDAY IN LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA. [42:25] VIDEO SHOWS THE MOMENT RICARDO GONZALEZ, A U.S. CITIZEN, IS RIDING AN E-Bike [42:30] AND THEN IS STOPPED ALONGSIDE AN UNMARKED ICE VEHICLE. [42:34] IT'S UNCLEAR WHETHER THE VEHICLE HIT HIM OR NOT. [42:36] HE'S LATER SEEN BEING HELD FACE DOWN IN HANDCUFFS, SCREAMING. [42:40] MY ARM IS BROKEN. HELP ME. HELP ME. [42:45] MY ARM IS BROKEN. [42:49] MY ARM IS BROKEN. [42:51] GONZALEZ WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND TREATED FOR SERIOUS INJURIES. [42:57] ICE SAYS GONZALEZ WAS ARRESTED BECAUSE HE WAS RIOTING AND DAMAGED A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE. [43:03] DETAILS OF GONZALEZ'S DETAINMENT COME AS A NEW INVESTIGATION BY PROPUBLICA HAS FOUND MORE [43:09] THAN 500 U.S. CITIZENS HAVE BEEN CAUGHT UP IN THE ONGOING IMMIGRATION DRAGNET. [43:15] FOR MORE ON THIS, WE ARE JOINED BY PROPUBLICA'S NICOLE FOI, WHO IS ONE OF THE REPORTERS ON [43:20] THIS SERIES. NICOLE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. [43:24] IS THIS INCIDENT THAT WE SAW REPORTED IN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEKEND, DOES THIS ALIGN [43:29] WITH THE KINDS OF CASES THAT YOU DOCUMENT IN YOUR REPORTING? [43:33] IT ABSOLUTELY DOES, MOSTLY BECAUSE WE FOUND CITIZENS GETTING DETAINED BY IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS [43:40] FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND SOMETIMES IN VERY SIMILAR SITUATIONS LIKE THIS, [43:46] WHERE MAYBE THERE WAS A PROTEST NEARBY OR MAYBE THERE WAS JUST AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER [43:52] BETWEEN A U.S. CITIZEN IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THEY LIVE WITH IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS WHO HAVE [43:57] REALLY EXPANDED THEIR DRAGNET AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DETAIN. [44:02] AND SOMETIMES THOSE TWO PEOPLE COLLIDE QUITE LITERALLY IN THIS CASE. [44:08] AND THERE ARE MANY, MANY CITIZENS THAT WE'VE DOCUMENTED OF THE MORE THAN 500 THAT WE FOUND WERE [44:15] DETAINED SO FAR, WHO ARE ALSO REALLY SERIOUSLY INJURED AFTER THEIR ENCOUNTERS AS WELL. [44:19] I MEAN, DHS, AS YOU REPORT IN YOUR SERIES, REPEATEDLY SAYS THAT THEY DO NOT DETAIN OR ARREST [44:27] U.S. CITIZENS, DESPITE WHAT YOUR REPORTING SHOWS. [44:30] WHEN YOU SAY THAT U.S. CITIZENS ARE BEING DETAINED, AS YOU DOCUMENTED, [44:34] WHO ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING DETAINED AND WHAT ARE THE OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND THEIR CASES? [44:40] YEAH, IT'S A MIX OF FOLKS. SOMETIMES IT IS FOLKS THAT [44:43] THAT IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS HAVE ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING OR INTERFERING WITH IMMIGRATION OPERATIONS. [44:50] SOMETIMES THAT SEEMS TO BE THE CASE. AND OTHER TIMES, THERE IS WITNESS, [44:56] WITNESS TESTIMONY OR FOOTAGE THAT REALLY CONTRADICTS THAT NARRATIVE. [44:59] BUT THERE'S ALSO BEEN MANY, MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DETAINED BECAUSE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT [45:05] THEIR CITIZENSHIP, WHETHER THEY WERE ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE AND DIDN'T SPEAK ENGLISH VERY WELL, [45:11] OR THEY WERE, YOU KNOW, THERE WERE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THEY ALSO WERE HERE IN THE UNITED STATES WITHOUT PAPERS. [45:20] WE'VE SEEN PEOPLE DETAINED IN A VARIETY OF WAYS. [45:23] WILLIAM BRANGHAM, WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THESE PEOPLE ARE DETAINED? [45:25] I MEAN, ARE FORMER FORMAL CHARGES FILED? [45:29] IT SEEMS THAT IF ICE THEN REALIZES YOU HAVE AN AMERICAN CITIZEN IN CUSTODY, [45:35] YOU'D THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE THE END OF IT. [45:37] YES, SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH... [45:40] WHO HAVE BEEN ARRESTED ON ALLEGATIONS OF ASSAULT WERE CHARGED WITH ASSAULT, [45:43] BUT WE FOUND MANY WHO STILL TO THIS DAY HAVE NOT BEEN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT, [45:46] EVEN IF OFFICIALS RELEASE STATEMENTS ACCUSING THEM OF THAT. [45:51] WE ALSO FOUND DOZENS OF PEOPLE WHO WERE HELD FOR SEVERAL DAYS, [45:55] INCLUDING AT LEAST 24 HOURS, WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO ACCESS THEIR PHONE OR THEIR LAWYER, [46:02] OR TO CONTACT THEIR FAMILY AND LET THEM KNOW WHERE THEY WERE. [46:05] SO IT'S... SOME PEOPLE REALLY HAD A VERY BRIEF DETENTION, WHERE IT WAS MAYBE 15 MINUTES, [46:11] 20 MINUTES, WHERE THEY'RE IN HANDCUFFS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. [46:13] BUT OTHER PEOPLE DISAPPEARED INTO A SYSTEM THAT WAS ACTUALLY VERY DIFFICULT FOR [46:19] THEIR LOVED ONES AND THEIR LAWYERS TO FIND THEM. [46:22] AND, AT THE SAME TIME, THEY SOMETIMES WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED, AS WELL. [46:25] WILLIAM BRANGHAM, YOU SHARED A LOT OF YOUR REPORTING, [46:27] INCLUDING THE VIDEOS THAT YOU COMPILED WITH FORMER IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS, [46:32] TO GAUGE THEIR REACTION. [46:34] WHAT WAS IT THAT THEY TOLD YOU ABOUT WHAT YOU HAD UNCOVERED? [46:37] THEY WERE REALLY SHOCKED BY WHAT THEY SAW. [46:40] THESE ARE FOLKS WHO, TWO PARTICULAR OFFICIALS THAT I'M THINKING OF, [46:42] RETIRED FAIRLY RECENTLY. [46:44] AND THEY SAID THAT, FIRST OF ALL, THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS MANY U.S. [46:49] CITIZEN ENCOUNTERS AT ALL, LET ALONE THIS LEVEL OF DETENTION, [46:53] AND THAT THE... THEY REALLY CHARACTERIZED MUCH OF THE USE OF FORCE, [46:57] THE APPARENT REASON OR PROBABLE CAUSE FOR STOPS, AS REALLY TROUBLING, [47:03] BECAUSE IT DID NOT... IT DID NOT SEEM THAT OFFICERS WERE FOLLOWING WHAT [47:06] THEY BELIEVED THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO DO. [47:09] WILLIAM BRANGHAM, YOU KNOW, ARE THERE CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS [47:11] FOR AMERICANS IN THESE KINDS OF CIRCUMSTANCES? [47:15] AND, IF SO, HAVE THERE BEEN ANY SORT OF ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AGAINST OFFICERS [47:21] WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF OR FOUND COMMITTING WRONGDOING? [47:25] YEAH. I MEAN, EVERYONE IN THE U.S. HAS CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS, [47:29] WHETHER YOU ARE AN IMMIGRANT OR YOU'RE A U.S. CITIZEN. [47:32] BUT WHAT OUR REPORTING FOUND WAS JUST... PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU'RE JUST [47:36] LOOKING AT THESE DETENTIONS AND ARRESTS OF U.S. CITIZENS, [47:40] REALLY SOME... SOME VERY TROUBLING EXAMPLES OF POSSIBLE VIOLATIONS OF FOLKS, [47:45] YOU KNOW, FOURTH AMENDMENT, THE RIGHT TO BE, YOU KNOW, FREE FROM UNREASONABLE [47:49] SEARCHES AND SEIZURES, WHETHER THAT'S ACCUSATIONS OF RACIAL PROFILING [47:53] OR ACCUSATIONS OF REALLY EXCESSIVE FORCE USED DURING THE ARREST. [47:58] BUT WE ALSO FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO WERE ARRESTED [48:02] BECAUSE THEY WERE PARTICIPATING IN A PROTEST. [48:06] AND WE FOUND MANY PEOPLE WHO WERE ALSO FILM... WERE SIMPLY FILMING WHEN THEY WERE ARRESTED. [48:10] AND THEY BELIEVE THAT THAT IS THE REASON WHY THEY ARE ARRESTED. [48:13] THE GOVERNMENT MAY DISAGREE, BUT THEY BELIEVE THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT [48:16] RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED IN THAT WAY AS WELL. [48:17] JOHN YANG, NICOLE FOI OF PROPULICA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR REPORTING WITH US. [48:22] THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. [48:23] DAVID BEASLEY SPENT MORE THAN THREE DECADES AS A REPUBLICAN, [48:37] SERVING AS SOUTH CAROLINA'S GOVERNOR, BEFORE LEADING NOBEL PEACE PRIZE-WINNING [48:41] EFFORTS AT THE UNITED NATION'S WORLD FOOD PROGRAM. [48:44] BUT IN A RECENT OP-ED, HE ANNOUNCED HE'S WALKING AWAY FROM HIS PARTY, [48:48] AS HE LAMENTS A RISE IN TOXIC VITRIOL EMANATING FROM THE GOP'S STANDARD-BEARER, [48:53] PRESIDENT TRUMP. AND DAVID BEASLEY JOINS US NOW FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. [48:57] GOVERNOR, WELCOME BACK TO THE NEWSHOUR. THANKS FOR BEING WITH US. [48:59] I'M ALWAYS GOOD TO BE WITH YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [49:02] SO HERE'S THE KEY LINE I WANT TO SHARE WITH [49:04] WITH VIEWERS FROM YOUR COMMENTARY THAT PUBLISHED IN YESTERDAY'S POST AND COURRIER. [49:08] YOU WRITE ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY QUOTE, [49:10] THIS IS NOT THE PARTY THAT I KNEW, AND IT IS NOT A PARTY THAT I CONSIDER MYSELF [49:15] A MEMBER OF. SO HAVE YOU OFFICIALLY LEFT THE PARTY? [49:19] ARE YOU NOW AN INDEPENDENT OR A DEMOCRAT? [49:20] WELL, WHAT I AM NOW IS AN AMERICAN. THAT OP-ED WAS NOT MEANT TO BE A PARTY SWITCH [49:26] THING. IT WAS A DECLARATION THAT I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN AMERICAN [49:31] POLITICS. I'VE BEEN ELECTED SEVEN TIMES AS A DEMOCRAT AND RUN TIME AS A REPUBLICAN. [49:35] AND WHAT I TELL PEOPLE TODAY IS THAT VOTE FOR THE RIGHT PERSON, [49:39] REGARDLESS OF WHICH PARTY THEY'RE IN, THAT'S GOOD FOR AMERICA. [49:43] AND I THINK WHAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED JUST IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, [49:47] THE VITRIOLIC LANGUAGE, THE DEMEANING, DIVISIVE, DEGRADING THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE [49:51] IS JUST COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL. AND I DON'T WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT. [49:55] I HAVEN'T CHANGED MY VALUES. I HAVEN'T CHANGED MY VIEWS. [49:58] WE CAN FIND OUT THE DIFFERENCES OF ISSUES. THAT'S AMERICA. [50:02] BUT THIS NAME CALLING AND LYING ABOUT EACH OTHER AND JUST DEGRADING ONE ANOTHER, [50:06] BUILDING YOURSELF UP BY TEARING SOME OF MY NAILS DOWN, THAT'S GOING TO DESTROY THIS COUNTRY. [50:10] AND I'VE SEEN IT WHEN I WAS WORKING IN COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD WITH WARLORDS AND EXTREMISTS. [50:15] AND THIS IS THE DIRECTION WE'RE HEADING, AND THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR AMERICA. [50:19] I THINK IT'S ALSO FAIR TO SAY THERE'S BEEN A LACK OF CIVILITY FOR MANY YEARS NOW. [50:22] WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF THAT NAME CALLING AND THE INSULTS FOR MANY YEARS. [50:26] SO WHY SPEAK OUT NOW? WHAT PUSHED YOU OVER THE EDGE? [50:28] WELL, AS YOU WELL KNOW, I'VE SPENT THE LAST MANY YEARS OUT THERE IN WAR ZONES, [50:34] IN COMPLEX AREAS. 80% OF OUR OPERATIONS IN THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM [50:38] WE'RE IN AREAS OF WAR AND CONFLICT AND VIOLENCE. [50:41] AND I'VE SEEN WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE STOP SITTING DOWN AND TALKING TO ONE ANOTHER [50:46] AND START YELLING AT EACH OTHER, HOLLOWING AT EACH OTHER, NOT DISCUSSING THE ISSUES [50:50] THAT ARE GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF THEIR PARTICULAR NATION OR AREA. [50:53] AND THAT'S THE TRAJECTORY THAT WE'RE ON RIGHT NOW IN AMERICA. [50:57] AMERICA CAN'T SURVIVE. [50:58] WE WILL BULKANIZE THIS COUNTRY IF WE CONTINUE THIS TRAJECTORY. [51:01] SO I'M SPEAKING OUT NOW BECAUSE WE'VE GONE WAY OVER THE LINE, [51:04] AND WE'VE GOT TO BRING IT BACK. [51:06] AND I'M ASKING LEADERS IN BOTH PARTIES TO DO THAT. [51:08] AND I PRAY FOR THIS PRESIDENT. [51:09] HE'S GOT OVER TWO YEARS LEFT. [51:11] AND I'VE DONE THIS WITH EVERY DICTATOR AND EXTREMIST AND LEADER IN THE WORLD. [51:17] I SAY BE THE LEADER THAT THE PEOPLE OF YOUR COUNTRY NEED. [51:21] PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS TWO MORE YEARS. [51:23] BE THAT LEADER THAT THE COUNTRY NEEDS THAT WILL BRING THIS NATION BACK TOGETHER. [51:27] THAT'S WHAT I'M CALLING ON ALL PARTIES AND PARTICULARLY THE LEADERS IN THE PARTIES. [51:31] BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT. [51:32] AS YOU MENTIONED, YOU DID BEGIN YOUR CAREER AS A DEMOCRAT. [51:35] YOU SWITCHED TO YOUR HOLDIGIN PARTY IN THE EARLY 90s OR SO. [51:38] WOULD YOU CONSIDER RUNNING FOR OFFICE AGAIN? [51:41] AND IF YOU DID SO, WOULD IT BE AS A DEMOCRAT? [51:43] WHEN I RAN AS A REPUBLICAN IN 1994, I MADE THE DECISION THEN THAT THE REPUBLICAN, [51:49] I MEAN, THE PARTIES ARE A VEHICLE, A TOOL TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES THAT YOU THINK [51:53] YOU WANT FOR A STATE OR A NATION OR A COMMUNITY. [51:56] AND SO I MADE THE DECISION THEN THAT WHAT SOUTH CAROLINA NEEDED FOR JOBS, [52:00] ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO RAISE OUR STATE UP, [52:06] I SAID THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS THAT VEHICLE TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. [52:10] TODAY, WHAT I'M FOCUSED ON IS GOING ACROSS AMERICA IN A BREAKING BREAD TOGETHER TOUR [52:16] TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER, BRING CIVILITY BACK TO THE PROCESS. [52:20] AND I'M ASKING THE VOTERS, VOTE FOR A D OR VOTE FOR AN R, [52:23] DEPENDING UPON WHICH IS THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THAT POSITION. [52:26] BUT DON'T BE WED TO ANY PARTY. [52:27] BE WED TO THE IDEALS THAT MAKE THIS NATION GREAT. [52:31] AND I WAS IN THE HOUSE, MY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, [52:33] MY BEST FRIENDS ARE USUALLY MY BIGGEST ENEMIES ON THE FLOOR. [52:36] WE WOULD FIGHT IT OUT, BUT THEN WE WOULD GO HAVE DINNER TOGETHER. [52:39] THAT'S AMERICA. [52:40] AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE GOT TO GET BACK TO. [52:42] I THINK IT'S ALSO FAIR TO SAY THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF OTHER EFFORTS TO TRY TO [52:45] BRIDGE SOME OF THE SAME DIVIDES YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW. [52:48] WHAT MAKES YOU OPTIMISTIC YOUR EFFORT IS GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL WHERE ALL THOSE HAVE FAILED? [52:51] I THINK THE SPIRIT AND THE HARMONY THAT PEOPLE DESIRE IN THIS COUNTRY IS BRINGING [52:57] PEOPLE OUT OF THE WOODWORK SAYING, HEY, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GONE TOO FAR. [53:00] AND WHAT I'VE SEEN SO FAR, AND I SAW IT IN OTHER COUNTRIES, AND I WOULD HAVE PEOPLE, [53:05] I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE MEETING WITH THOSE BORDELORS. [53:07] I SAID, WELL, I HAVE TO. [53:08] I'VE GOT TO TALK TO THEM TO GAIN ACCESS TO FEED HUNGRY CHILDREN THAT ARE STARVING TO DEATH. [53:12] AND I HAVE FOUND THAT IF YOU COME IN, NO MATTER WHO IT IS, [53:15] AND SHOW A LITTLE RESPECT AND TOUCH THE HEART, THAT AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN. [53:20] GOVERNOR, BEFORE I LET YOU GO, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE BEEN ASKING VOTERS TO LOOK AT THE MERITS [53:24] OF EACH CANDIDATE BEFORE THEY PICK WHO THEY SUPPORT. [53:27] AND IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE RACE, I GOT TO ASK, WHO ARE YOU BACKING [53:30] ON THE MERITS? [53:31] IT'S THE REPUBLICAN DARLENE GRAHAM OR THE DEMOCRAT ANNIE ANDREWES? [53:33] WELL, YOU GOT TWO GOOD CANDIDATES. [53:36] AND ACTUALLY, ABOUT A WEEK AGO, WHEN I SAW SOME OF THE JUST TRASH MATERIAL COMING OUT [53:40] ABOUT ANNIE, WHICH JUST WASN'T TRUE, I SPOKE OUT SAYING, THIS IS WRONG, THIS IS NOT TRUE. [53:45] LOOK AT THE MERITS OF THE CANDIDATES AND MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION. [53:48] THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING THE VOTERS IN SOUTH CAROLINA TO DO. [53:51] DON'T VOTE BASED ON PARTY. [53:52] VOTE BASED ON THE CREDENTIALS OF THE CANDIDATE. [53:54] IT REPRESENTS THE VALUES, NOT BASED ON THE TRASH TALK AND THE LIES AND [53:58] DECEPTION THAT'S COMING OUT THERE TODAY. [54:01] YOU KNOW THE STATE SO WELL. [54:02] DO YOU REALLY THINK A DEMOCRAT CAN WIN IN SOUTH CAROLINA? [54:04] WHAT'S HAPPENING ACROSS AMERICA IS ABSOLUTELY REMARKABLE. [54:09] I THINK NO MATTER WHICH PARTY, IF THE RIGHT CANDIDATE PUTS OUT THE RIGHT VALUES AND THE RIGHT [54:14] VIEWS, SHOWS AUTHENTICITY, INTEGRITY, HONOR, AND SOME HUMBLE SPIRIT, WELL, I DON'T THINK [54:21] THERE'S ANY DOUBT PEOPLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA WILL VOTE FOR THE RIGHT CANDIDATE, REGARDLESS OF PARTY. [54:25] ALL RIGHT. [54:26] THAT'S FORMER SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR, FORMER HEAD OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM, [54:29] DAVID BEASLEY JOINING US TONIGHT. [54:31] GOVERNOR BEASLEY, ALWAYS GREAT TO TALK TO YOU. [54:32] THANK YOU. [54:34] THANK YOU, AMNA. [54:45] AND THAT IS THE NEWS HOUR FOR TONIGHT. [54:46] I'M AMNA NAWAZ. [54:47] AND I'M JEFF BENNETT. [54:48] FOR ALL OF US HERE AT THE NEWS HOUR, THANKS FOR SPENDING PART OF YOUR EVENING WITH US. [54:52] MAJOR FUNDING FOR THE PBS NEWS HOUR HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY [54:56] FRIENDS OF THE NEWS HOUR, INCLUDING JIM AND NANCY BUILDNER, [55:06] AND THE ROBERT AND VIRGINIA SCHILLER FOUNDATION, [55:09] THE WALTON FAMILY FOUNDATION, WORKING FOR SOLUTIONS TO PROTECT WATER DURING CLIMATE CHANGE, [55:16] SO PEOPLE AND NATURE CAN THRIVE TOGETHER. [55:20] FRIENDS OF THE NEWS HOUR, INCLUDING THE CARTER AND MELISSA KAPRITZ [55:24] CHARITABLE TRUST, DEDICATED TO THE PURSUIT OF TRUTH, AND MARGRET AND JOHN RUTTENBERG. [55:29] FUNDING FOR AMERICA AT A CROSSROADS WAS PROVIDED BY AND WITH THE ONGOING SUPPORT OF THESE [55:41] INDIVIDUALS AND INSTITUTIONS. [56:23] THIS PROGRAM WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION [56:27] FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU. THANK YOU. [56:30] WATCHING PBS.