[00:00.000 --> 00:02.720] They need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. [00:15.840 --> 00:16.880] Good evening and welcome. [00:16.880 --> 00:19.000] I'm Amna Nawaz, Judy Woodruff, is away [00:19.000 --> 00:21.320] on the news hour tonight of verdict. [00:21.320 --> 00:24.120] A jury orders conspiracy theorist Alex Jones [00:24.120 --> 00:26.760] to pay the families of the Sandy Hook Massacre [00:26.760 --> 00:29.520] nearly $1 billion in damages. [00:29.520 --> 00:32.480] Then the Saudi connection, the United States [00:32.480 --> 00:34.880] re-evaluated its relationship with the kingdom [00:34.880 --> 00:39.120] over a cut in oil production that's pushing up gas prices. [00:39.120 --> 00:42.800] And first time voters, young adults in Wisconsin, [00:42.800 --> 00:45.240] discussed their hopes for the country's future [00:45.240 --> 00:48.960] and whether politicians are listening to their concern. [00:48.960 --> 00:51.080] I've been very politically engaged throughout high school [00:51.080 --> 00:52.880] and I'm excited to get my foot in the door [00:52.880 --> 00:55.480] and actually have a voice in my government. [00:55.480 --> 00:59.480] All that and more, on tonight's PBS News Hour. [00:59.480 --> 01:12.480] Major funding for the PBS News Hour has been provided by... [01:29.480 --> 01:39.880] Moving our economy for 160 years, [01:39.880 --> 01:44.560] BNSF, the engine that connects us. [01:44.560 --> 01:47.920] Pediatric surgeon, volunteer, [01:47.920 --> 01:52.160] topiary artist, a Raymond James financial advisor, [01:52.160 --> 01:59.440] tailors advice to help you live your life, life, well planned. [01:59.440 --> 02:06.440] The Walton Family Foundation, working for solutions [02:06.440 --> 02:08.440] to protect water during climate change, [02:08.440 --> 02:14.440] so people and major can thrive together. [02:14.440 --> 02:18.440] Supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, [02:18.440 --> 02:20.440] committed to building a more just, [02:20.440 --> 02:22.440] verdant, and peaceful world. [02:22.440 --> 02:27.440] More information at MacFound.org. [02:27.440 --> 02:36.440] And with the ongoing support of these institutions. [02:36.440 --> 02:40.440] This program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting [02:40.440 --> 02:45.440] and by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you. [02:45.440 --> 02:49.440] Thank you. [02:49.440 --> 02:53.440] A jury and Connecticut has ordered conspiracy theorist Alex Jones [02:53.440 --> 02:57.440] to pay nearly $1 billion in damages for defamation. [02:57.440 --> 03:01.440] The host of the info war show had claimed the 2012 Sandy Hook School [03:01.440 --> 03:03.440] massacre was a hoax. [03:03.440 --> 03:07.440] Relatives of eight of the 26 victims and an FBI agent [03:07.440 --> 03:08.440] brought the suit. [03:08.440 --> 03:12.440] They said today's verdict is a hard fought victory. [03:12.440 --> 03:16.440] All I can really say is that I'm just proud that what we are able [03:16.440 --> 03:19.440] to accomplish was just to simply tell the truth. [03:19.440 --> 03:25.440] And it shouldn't be this hard and it shouldn't be this scary. [03:25.440 --> 03:29.440] I shouldn't have to worry about what my daughter's going to go through. [03:29.440 --> 03:32.440] When I tell them that it's best that they just tell the truth. [03:32.440 --> 03:37.440] Jones already faced a $50 million penalty that a Texas jury [03:37.440 --> 03:41.440] imposed in August will return to this story later in the program. [03:41.440 --> 03:44.440] A jury in South Florida has begun deliberating on whether [03:44.440 --> 03:47.440] Parkland's school shooter Nicholas Cruz will be sentenced to death. [03:47.440 --> 03:50.440] Cruz already pleaded guilty to killing 17 people at [03:50.440 --> 03:53.440] Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. [03:53.440 --> 03:55.440] He's now 24 years old. [03:55.440 --> 03:59.440] The defense is asking for life in prison without parole. [03:59.440 --> 04:02.440] In Ukraine, seven more people were killed today as [04:02.440 --> 04:06.440] Russia fired more missiles, drones, and artillery rounds into [04:06.440 --> 04:07.440] major cities. [04:07.440 --> 04:11.440] In all the new Russian offensive has killed at least 26 people [04:11.440 --> 04:12.440] since Monday. [04:12.440 --> 04:15.440] The latest attacks came as U.S. defense secretary Lloyd Austin [04:15.440 --> 04:19.440] and other NATO defense ministers met in Brussels on bolstering [04:19.440 --> 04:21.440] Ukraine's weapon supply. [04:21.440 --> 04:24.440] And that resolve has only been heightened by the deliberate [04:24.440 --> 04:31.440] cruelty of Russia's new barrage against Ukraine's cities. [04:31.440 --> 04:35.440] Those assaults on targets with no military purpose. [04:35.440 --> 04:40.440] Again, reveal the malice of Putin's war of choice. [04:40.440 --> 04:45.440] Russian fire also knocked out power to the Zapar region nuclear [04:45.440 --> 04:47.440] plant for the second time in five days. [04:47.440 --> 04:50.440] And at the United Nations, the General Assembly voted overwhelmingly [04:50.440 --> 04:54.440] to condemn Russia's attempt to annex more of Ukraine. [04:54.440 --> 04:57.440] Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow is set to [04:57.440 --> 05:00.440] resume natural gas deliveries to Europe. [05:00.440 --> 05:03.440] He said today that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany could [05:03.440 --> 05:07.440] still be used despite being damaged by explosions last month. [05:07.440 --> 05:10.440] Germany quickly rejected the offer as another attempt to [05:10.440 --> 05:13.440] renew Europe's dependence on Russian energy. [05:13.440 --> 05:17.440] New protest swept Iran today despite heavy police presence [05:17.440 --> 05:20.440] and an internet outage that hindered communications. [05:20.440 --> 05:24.440] Demonstrators rallied in at least 19 cities over the death of [05:24.440 --> 05:26.440] Masa Amini and police custody. [05:26.440 --> 05:29.440] Women marched in the streets, defiantly removing [05:29.440 --> 05:31.440] their mandatory hijab. [05:31.440 --> 05:34.440] In Tehran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei blamed [05:34.440 --> 05:37.440] foreign elements for the unrest. [05:37.440 --> 05:41.440] Some are either agents of the enemy or they are aligned [05:41.440 --> 05:42.440] with the enemy. [05:42.440 --> 05:44.440] Others are just excited. [05:44.440 --> 05:47.440] The first group must be dealt with by judicial and national [05:47.440 --> 05:48.440] security officials. [05:48.440 --> 05:51.440] The regime has carried out a violent crackdown on the [05:51.440 --> 05:52.440] protests. [05:52.440 --> 05:55.440] One human rights group estimated today that at least 200 [05:55.440 --> 05:57.440] people have been killed. [05:57.440 --> 06:00.440] Back in this country, the former head of the Los Angeles [06:00.440 --> 06:03.440] City Council has resigned her council seat over racist [06:03.440 --> 06:04.440] remarks that were leaked. [06:04.440 --> 06:07.440] Norie Martinez had already stepped down from her post as [06:07.440 --> 06:08.440] council president. [06:08.440 --> 06:11.440] On the leaked recording, Martinez and two other council [06:11.440 --> 06:14.440] members talked about protecting Latino voting power and [06:14.440 --> 06:16.440] made abusive remarks about other groups. [06:16.440 --> 06:19.440] The California Attorney General has announced he will look [06:19.440 --> 06:22.440] into the process for drawing new council districts. [06:22.440 --> 06:25.440] Former President Trump was ordered today to give a [06:25.440 --> 06:27.440] deposition in a defamation lawsuit. [06:27.440 --> 06:30.440] A federal judge issued the order in New York. [06:30.440 --> 06:33.440] The vice columnist E. Jean Carroll says Mr. [06:33.440 --> 06:36.440] Trump defamed her when he denied raping her in a [06:36.440 --> 06:39.440] department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. [06:39.440 --> 06:42.440] The former president's legal team has repeatedly tried to [06:42.440 --> 06:44.440] quash the lawsuit. [06:44.440 --> 06:48.440] The CDC today approved updated COVID-19 booster shots for [06:48.440 --> 06:50.440] children as young as five years old. [06:50.440 --> 06:53.440] The latest Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are tailored to [06:53.440 --> 06:56.440] better provide protection against the highly contagious [06:56.440 --> 07:01.440] COVID-19. [07:01.440 --> 07:03.440] The CDC approval came hours after the FDA authorized the [07:03.440 --> 07:05.440] boosters for the younger age group. [07:05.440 --> 07:08.440] And on Wall Street today, stocks ended slightly lower [07:08.440 --> 07:11.440] after news that wholesale inflation rose eight and a half [07:11.440 --> 07:13.440] percent in September from a year earlier. [07:13.440 --> 07:16.440] The Dow Jones industrial average lost 28 points to close [07:16.440 --> 07:18.440] at 29,210. [07:18.440 --> 07:22.440] The Nasdaq fell nine points and the S&P 500 slipped [07:22.440 --> 07:26.440] on the news hour, president Biden's student loan for [07:26.440 --> 07:28.440] given this plan, faces legal challenges. [07:28.440 --> 07:31.440] Reporters across the country share the latest on the races [07:31.440 --> 07:34.440] that could decide control of Congress, [07:34.440 --> 07:39.440] plus much more. [07:39.440 --> 07:43.440] This is the PBS News Hour from W-E-T-A Studios in Washington [07:43.440 --> 07:46.440] and in the West, from the Walter Cronkite School of [07:46.440 --> 07:49.440] Journalism at Arizona State University. [07:49.440 --> 07:52.440] As we reported, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones [07:52.440 --> 07:55.440] has been ordered to pay nearly $1 billion, [07:55.440 --> 07:57.440] $965 million to be exact. [07:57.440 --> 08:00.440] For the lies he spread about the Sandy Hook Elementary [08:00.440 --> 08:02.440] School massacre in 2012. [08:02.440 --> 08:05.440] Jones had falsely claimed the attack that left more [08:05.440 --> 08:08.440] than two dozen people dead, including 20 children, [08:08.440 --> 08:11.440] was a hoax, and accused a grieving parent of being [08:11.440 --> 08:13.440] an actor in the days after the murders. [08:13.440 --> 08:16.440] A Texas jury awarded nearly $50 million [08:16.440 --> 08:18.440] in a separate damages trial this summer. [08:18.440 --> 08:21.440] And Jones likely faces yet another trial [08:21.440 --> 08:22.440] before the year is up. [08:22.440 --> 08:25.440] For some perspective, on the scope of this award [08:25.440 --> 08:28.440] and what happens now, we turn to Jesse Gessen, [08:28.440 --> 08:31.440] a trial lawyer in California who works on both civil [08:31.440 --> 08:33.440] and criminal cases. [08:33.440 --> 08:35.440] Mr. Gessen, welcome to the news hour. [08:35.440 --> 08:36.440] Thank you for joining us. [08:36.440 --> 08:39.440] Let's just start with some context on this verdict. [08:39.440 --> 08:41.440] It is an enormous amount of money. [08:41.440 --> 08:44.440] What did you think when you heard the damages being awarded? [08:44.440 --> 08:49.440] Well, quite frankly, it's probably one [08:49.440 --> 08:52.440] of the largest defamation verdicts in US history. [08:52.440 --> 08:56.440] Also, it's compensatory, meaning that there's still going [08:56.440 --> 09:00.440] to be punitive damages, which could be up to 10 times [09:00.440 --> 09:04.440] as much under the United States Constitution. [09:04.440 --> 09:08.440] So we're going to see probably this verdict [09:08.440 --> 09:12.440] at least at least double or triple [09:12.440 --> 09:14.440] or maybe even up to 10 times more. [09:14.440 --> 09:15.440] For anyone following the trial, [09:15.440 --> 09:18.440] I mean, it was an incredibly emotional trial, [09:18.440 --> 09:21.440] emotional testimony from the parents who've lost their children [09:21.440 --> 09:22.440] in the most horrific way. [09:22.440 --> 09:25.440] Does that, do you think, did that play a role [09:25.440 --> 09:29.440] in the size of the verdict that was eventually awarded? [09:29.440 --> 09:34.440] Assuredly, this verdict says two things. [09:34.440 --> 09:38.440] Number one, it says we hate Alex Jones [09:38.440 --> 09:42.440] and number two that we are inflamed [09:42.440 --> 09:46.440] and we feel that these parents have lost something very, [09:46.440 --> 09:50.440] very, very special to them, and we're going to do our best [09:50.440 --> 09:53.440] to give it back to them with our verdict. [09:53.440 --> 09:56.440] We should point out earlier this year, info wars [09:56.440 --> 10:00.440] and its parent company did file for bankruptcy protections. [10:00.440 --> 10:03.440] What kind of impact could that have on the amount [10:03.440 --> 10:06.440] that's actually paid out? [10:06.440 --> 10:11.440] Well, the verdict is against Alex Jones [10:11.440 --> 10:13.440] and the company. [10:13.440 --> 10:15.440] And so Alex Jones may end up filing [10:15.440 --> 10:17.440] for bankruptcy protection as well. [10:17.440 --> 10:25.440] His estimated net worth is anywhere between 170 to [10:25.440 --> 10:29.440] 135 to 270 million. [10:29.440 --> 10:32.440] So he may declare bankruptcy as well, [10:32.440 --> 10:35.440] but it is certainly possible that this verdict [10:35.440 --> 10:37.440] could be swept up into the bankruptcy [10:37.440 --> 10:42.440] and significantly decreased under US bankruptcy law. [10:42.440 --> 10:44.440] You mentioned that Texas verdict [10:44.440 --> 10:47.440] and I want to get your analysis on the difference you see [10:47.440 --> 10:50.440] between that Texas verdict that was around $50 million [10:50.440 --> 10:52.440] and was eventually knocked down [10:52.440 --> 10:55.440] because of state limits on those kinds of awards [10:55.440 --> 10:57.440] and the damages we saw awarded today. [10:57.440 --> 10:59.440] How do you see the difference between what unfolded [10:59.440 --> 11:02.440] in Texas and what happened in Connecticut? [11:02.440 --> 11:05.440] It's hard not to draw the inference [11:05.440 --> 11:08.440] that the two different jury pools [11:08.440 --> 11:13.440] are somewhat politically motivated. [11:13.440 --> 11:15.440] The compensatory damages in the Texas verdict [11:15.440 --> 11:16.440] was $4 million. [11:16.440 --> 11:19.440] The compensatory damages in the Connecticut verdict [11:19.440 --> 11:23.440] is $965 million. [11:23.440 --> 11:29.440] That's a $961 million difference in compensatory damages. [11:29.440 --> 11:33.440] We still have to see punitive damages in Connecticut, [11:33.440 --> 11:38.440] so that the difference could be even far more striking. [11:38.440 --> 11:43.440] I think it's safe to say that the Connecticut verdict [11:43.440 --> 11:46.440] is a more liberal jury pool [11:46.440 --> 11:51.440] and that had to have factored into their verdict. [11:51.440 --> 11:53.440] We should also point out we learned later today [11:53.440 --> 11:57.440] that Jones' lawyer has said they do plan to appeal, [11:57.440 --> 12:00.440] but Mr. Gessen, we should remind folks, [12:00.440 --> 12:03.440] Mr. Jones was spreading these lies for years, [12:03.440 --> 12:06.440] saying that the whole attack was a hoax [12:06.440 --> 12:08.440] that in some cases parents were responsible [12:08.440 --> 12:10.440] for the deaths of their own children. [12:10.440 --> 12:13.440] He's not alone in spreading some of these lies though [12:13.440 --> 12:15.440] and I wonder as you look at this moment [12:15.440 --> 12:17.440] what you think this verdict says [12:17.440 --> 12:19.440] in the way of a message it sends [12:19.440 --> 12:21.440] about the legal landscape surrounding [12:21.440 --> 12:24.440] holding those who spread misinformation accountable [12:24.440 --> 12:27.440] in some way. [12:27.440 --> 12:33.440] Well, if your profiting off of conspiracy theories [12:33.440 --> 12:37.440] that are the famitory that are obviously false, [12:37.440 --> 12:39.440] you need to watch yourself [12:39.440 --> 12:43.440] and a litigant can prosper, [12:43.440 --> 12:47.440] clearly prosper in two very separate forms [12:47.440 --> 12:50.440] and I think that it sends a strong message [12:50.440 --> 12:55.440] to people that are making money on lies [12:55.440 --> 12:59.440] and especially given that this isn't the end, [12:59.440 --> 13:02.440] we have the premium damage is verdict [13:02.440 --> 13:05.440] and then we also have a third Sandy Hook lawsuit. [13:05.440 --> 13:08.440] So I think that it sends a strong message [13:08.440 --> 13:13.440] to people who are in the business of peddling conspiracies. [13:13.440 --> 13:17.440] That is Jesse Gessen, a trial attorney in California [13:17.440 --> 13:19.440] joining us tonight, Mr. Gessen, [13:19.440 --> 13:22.440] thank you for having me. [13:22.440 --> 13:27.440] Thank you for having me. [13:27.440 --> 13:35.440] Well, relations between the White House [13:35.440 --> 13:38.440] and Saudi Arabia's ruling royal family [13:38.440 --> 13:42.440] are at a low point and may be set to dive even lower [13:42.440 --> 13:45.440] from President Biden's fighting words on the campaign trail [13:45.440 --> 13:48.440] to recent Saudi-led cuts in global oil supplies, [13:48.440 --> 13:52.440] the status of the more than 75-year-old alliance is troubled [13:52.440 --> 13:56.440] and many in the administration and on Capitol Hill want to reset. [13:56.440 --> 13:59.440] Nick Schifrin begins our coverage. [13:59.440 --> 14:02.440] One of the most colorful visits to the presidential cruiser [14:02.440 --> 14:05.440] was that of the ruler of Saudi Arabia, [14:05.440 --> 14:07.440] America's longest relationship with an Arab state [14:07.440 --> 14:09.440] began 77 years ago. [14:09.440 --> 14:12.440] Four-time elected U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt [14:12.440 --> 14:16.440] and Ibn Saud, the warrior monarch backed by a fanatical clergy [14:16.440 --> 14:19.440] created a fundamental agreement, American security, [14:19.440 --> 14:21.440] in exchange for Saudi energy. [14:21.440 --> 14:24.440] But today, that agreement must be re-examined. [14:24.440 --> 14:27.440] President Biden told CNN's Jake Tapper last night [14:27.440 --> 14:30.440] there's going to be some consequences for what they've done with Russia. [14:30.440 --> 14:33.440] What the Saudis did with fellow OPEC leader Russia [14:33.440 --> 14:36.440] is the largest oil production cut in more than two years [14:36.440 --> 14:38.440] over U.S. warnings. [14:38.440 --> 14:42.440] It was announced by OPEC secretary-general, Haita Malgeis. [14:42.440 --> 14:46.440] We are not endangering the energy markets. [14:46.440 --> 14:50.440] We are providing security, stability to the energy markets. [14:50.440 --> 14:53.440] Out of price. [14:53.440 --> 14:57.440] Everything has a price, including the U.S. Saudi relationship. [14:57.440 --> 15:00.440] In the 1970, Saudi Arabia helped lead an oil embargo [15:00.440 --> 15:02.440] over U.S. support for Israel. [15:02.440 --> 15:06.440] New York declared a G.R. against the United States. [15:06.440 --> 15:08.440] Can you tell us why? [15:08.440 --> 15:11.440] The kingdom claims it fights the fires of radicalism [15:11.440 --> 15:13.440] but critics call it the arsonist. [15:13.440 --> 15:16.440] The Saudi Osama bin Laden sparked global attacks [15:16.440 --> 15:19.440] against the West and its Arab allies. [15:19.440 --> 15:22.440] 15 of 9-11 hijackers were Saudi. [15:22.440 --> 15:25.440] And decades of criticism of Saudi Arabia's [15:25.440 --> 15:28.440] poor human rights record crescendoed in 2018 [15:28.440 --> 15:31.440] after journalist Jamal Khashoggi walked into the Saudi [15:31.440 --> 15:34.440] Istanbul's consulate, was murdered and cut into pieces. [15:34.440 --> 15:37.440] The U.S. intelligence community assessed the operation [15:37.440 --> 15:40.440] was approved by the kingdom's powerful crown prince [15:40.440 --> 15:43.440] of the future king, Mohammed bin Salman. [15:43.440 --> 15:46.440] The following year, candidate Joe Biden promised punishment. [15:46.440 --> 15:49.440] We were going to make them pay the price [15:49.440 --> 15:52.440] and make them, in fact, the pariah that they are. [15:52.440 --> 15:54.440] But that proved to be a speed bump [15:54.440 --> 15:56.440] that preceded this year's fist bump. [15:56.440 --> 15:59.440] President Biden and his team worked with MBS. [15:59.440 --> 16:01.440] In acknowledgment, the kingdom has helped the U.S. [16:01.440 --> 16:04.440] for decades across continents. [16:04.440 --> 16:07.440] In the late 70s, Saudi Arabia provided crucial support [16:07.440 --> 16:10.440] for the Afghan Mujahideen to defeat the Soviet military [16:10.440 --> 16:13.440] and help collapse the Soviet Union. [16:13.440 --> 16:16.440] In the early 90s, Saudi Arabia invited [16:16.440 --> 16:19.440] the largest U.S. overseas deployment in decades. [16:19.440 --> 16:23.440] U.S. troops used the kingdom as a base to fight the Gulf War. [16:23.440 --> 16:26.440] After 9-11, the Bush administration held onto the alliance [16:26.440 --> 16:31.440] to cooperate on terrorism and target al-Qaeda. [16:31.440 --> 16:34.440] And in 2017, President Trump made Saudi Arabia [16:34.440 --> 16:36.440] his first overseas stop. [16:36.440 --> 16:41.440] Saudi Arabia and its allies helped shift U.S. regional policy. [16:41.440 --> 16:44.440] And Riyadh, Washington Cooperation, helped lead [16:44.440 --> 16:46.440] to this historic 2020 normalization agreement [16:46.440 --> 16:49.440] between Israel, Bahrain, and the UAE. [16:49.440 --> 16:52.440] Today, the Biden administration is releasing [16:52.440 --> 16:54.440] our national security strategy. [16:54.440 --> 16:56.440] Today, the U.S. acknowledges its well-aware [16:56.440 --> 16:59.440] that the relationship provides benefits. [16:59.440 --> 17:01.440] But the administration will review the relationship [17:01.440 --> 17:04.440] and consult lawmakers, including Democrats, [17:04.440 --> 17:07.440] today called for a one-year block on weapons sales. [17:07.440 --> 17:12.440] Saudi Arabia has broken trust with America. [17:12.440 --> 17:14.440] And it needs to come to its senses. [17:14.440 --> 17:18.440] The U.S. Saudi relationship has survived previous challenges. [17:18.440 --> 17:20.440] The administration says there's no timetable [17:20.440 --> 17:21.440] for its review. [17:21.440 --> 17:24.440] For the previous news hour, I'm Nick Schifrin. [17:24.440 --> 17:26.440] Representative Rokana of California [17:26.440 --> 17:28.440] is a member of the House Armed Services Committee [17:28.440 --> 17:31.440] and is spearheading the House version of that bill [17:31.440 --> 17:34.440] and U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia for one year. [17:34.440 --> 17:35.440] He joins me now. [17:35.440 --> 17:37.440] Congressman, welcome back to the news hour. [17:37.440 --> 17:38.440] Thank you for joining us. [17:38.440 --> 17:40.440] You have said the U.S. needs to immediately, [17:40.440 --> 17:42.440] immediately halt those arms sales. [17:42.440 --> 17:45.440] We should note this has been proposed before. [17:45.440 --> 17:47.440] In many times, by many other people, [17:47.440 --> 17:49.440] it has never moved forward. [17:49.440 --> 17:52.440] Why do you think that this moment is different? [17:52.440 --> 17:54.440] This is a defining moment, [17:54.440 --> 17:56.440] just like the more-cross resolution [17:56.440 --> 17:59.440] that stopped the refueling of the Saudi Plains [17:59.440 --> 18:03.440] that Senator Sanders and I led past after Khashoggi's murder. [18:03.440 --> 18:06.440] This is another moment that has really outraged people [18:06.440 --> 18:09.440] on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill. [18:09.440 --> 18:10.440] It's Saudi Arabia's in gratitude. [18:10.440 --> 18:13.440] We provide them with 70-some percent of their arms. [18:13.440 --> 18:16.440] We stood up for them when Saddam Hussein [18:16.440 --> 18:20.440] was going to invade after Saddam had invaded Kuwait. [18:20.440 --> 18:22.440] And Saudi Plains literally couldn't fly [18:22.440 --> 18:24.440] if it weren't for American technicians, [18:24.440 --> 18:27.440] yet they are fleecing the American public, [18:27.440 --> 18:30.440] but making about $100 billion in 2022, [18:30.440 --> 18:32.440] there need to be consequences. [18:32.440 --> 18:35.440] We provide them with all those things you just listed, [18:35.440 --> 18:38.440] but also they provide us with crucial intelligence, [18:38.440 --> 18:40.440] counter-terrorism intelligence, [18:40.440 --> 18:42.440] specifically the U.S. relies on [18:42.440 --> 18:44.440] for national security purposes, [18:44.440 --> 18:46.440] could imposing consequences in whatever form [18:46.440 --> 18:49.440] compromise U.S. national security. [18:49.440 --> 18:51.440] No, it will not. [18:51.440 --> 18:53.440] They are far more reliant on us. [18:53.440 --> 18:55.440] In fact, the defense agreements [18:55.440 --> 18:58.440] and the joint defense initiatives are more extensive [18:58.440 --> 19:00.440] than almost any other major ally. [19:00.440 --> 19:02.440] And that's all the Saudis benefit. [19:02.440 --> 19:03.440] The production is there. [19:03.440 --> 19:04.440] The jobs are there. [19:04.440 --> 19:08.440] So they are far more dependent on us. [19:08.440 --> 19:10.440] And they already are making these drastic cuts, [19:10.440 --> 19:12.440] and they're making drastic cuts at a time [19:12.440 --> 19:15.440] when they're making 70 percent profit margins [19:15.440 --> 19:17.440] on each barrel of oil. [19:17.440 --> 19:18.440] Why are they doing it? [19:18.440 --> 19:20.440] They're doing it to help Putin [19:20.440 --> 19:22.440] because Putin doesn't have those profit margins. [19:22.440 --> 19:24.440] He's selling his oil at a discount of $35. [19:24.440 --> 19:26.440] A barrel to China and other countries. [19:26.440 --> 19:28.440] So to appease Putin, [19:28.440 --> 19:31.440] they're hurting the American consumer at the pump, [19:31.440 --> 19:33.440] and that's just won't stand. [19:33.440 --> 19:36.440] And we have far more leverage over them than they do over us. [19:36.440 --> 19:38.440] We are assuming also that leverage would force them [19:38.440 --> 19:39.440] to move away from Russia, [19:39.440 --> 19:41.440] but it is a gamble. [19:41.440 --> 19:42.440] What if it backfires? [19:42.440 --> 19:44.440] What if they further cut oil production? [19:44.440 --> 19:46.440] What if they just end up moving further [19:46.440 --> 19:48.440] towards Russia and China? [19:48.440 --> 19:51.440] Well, they cannot move further towards Russia and China [19:51.440 --> 19:52.440] in the near term. [19:52.440 --> 19:55.440] They would take almost 10 years for them to be able [19:55.440 --> 19:57.440] to get the weapons that we provide [19:57.440 --> 20:00.440] just because of interoperability of these weapons. [20:00.440 --> 20:03.440] And literally, the Air Force would be grounded to a halt [20:03.440 --> 20:05.440] tomorrow if they didn't have American technicians. [20:05.440 --> 20:08.440] And now maybe it would take years for them to build [20:08.440 --> 20:09.440] with Russia and China, [20:09.440 --> 20:11.440] but they simply could not do that. [20:11.440 --> 20:12.440] In terms of cuts, [20:12.440 --> 20:14.440] they've cut already so far. [20:14.440 --> 20:16.440] I don't think further cuts would be possible. [20:16.440 --> 20:19.440] We're talking about a million barrels of cut. [20:19.440 --> 20:21.440] They've cut two million barrels [20:21.440 --> 20:25.440] and other countries in OPEC, the UAE's Kuwait, [20:25.440 --> 20:29.440] would make up for it if they went for further cuts. [20:29.440 --> 20:32.440] So they already have taken the most drastic action. [20:32.440 --> 20:35.440] What about Iran and all this representative Kana? [20:35.440 --> 20:37.440] I mean, none of this unfolds in a vacuum. [20:37.440 --> 20:39.440] The U.S. foreign policy in the region is structured, [20:39.440 --> 20:41.440] largely around Saudi Arabia. [20:41.440 --> 20:44.440] Just this summer, the U.S. approved two new massive arms deals [20:44.440 --> 20:47.440] for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, [20:47.440 --> 20:50.440] specifically to help them defend against Iran. [20:50.440 --> 20:54.440] Does cutting Saudi arms sales empower Iran? [20:54.440 --> 20:55.440] No, it doesn't. [20:55.440 --> 20:57.440] And I was opposed to those arms sales. [20:57.440 --> 20:59.440] Let's not forget that the Saudis are responsible [20:59.440 --> 21:03.440] for one of the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world in Yemen. [21:03.440 --> 21:05.440] It is appalling what they've done to the children there. [21:05.440 --> 21:08.440] It's appalling of the starvation they've caused. [21:08.440 --> 21:10.440] It's appalling that they're continuing to blockade. [21:10.440 --> 21:12.440] Now the Houthis are also to blame [21:12.440 --> 21:14.440] and the Iranians are to blame in Yemen as well, [21:14.440 --> 21:17.440] but the Saudis have been the principal [21:17.440 --> 21:21.440] and perpetrators of that war. [21:21.440 --> 21:26.440] And so I don't think that the balance cutting off these arms sales [21:26.440 --> 21:29.440] are suddenly going to make them vulnerable to Iran. [21:29.440 --> 21:33.440] And I've spoken out very strongly for the students, [21:33.440 --> 21:36.440] for the women protesting in Iran. [21:36.440 --> 21:39.440] I believe there are other ways that we can contain Iran, [21:39.440 --> 21:42.440] but we should not use a Kissingerian balance of power [21:42.440 --> 21:45.440] where we end up supporting brutal dictators [21:45.440 --> 21:47.440] at the expense of our own public [21:47.440 --> 21:50.440] because of some balance of power politics in the Middle East. [21:50.440 --> 21:52.440] What do you believe the President Biden [21:52.440 --> 21:55.440] could have done differently in this moment? [21:55.440 --> 21:57.440] I mean, he went from calling Saudi Arabia a pariah [21:57.440 --> 22:01.440] to visiting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in July, [22:01.440 --> 22:03.440] at the fist bump scene around the world. [22:03.440 --> 22:05.440] Do you think there's anything that the President [22:05.440 --> 22:07.440] or this administration could have done differently [22:07.440 --> 22:09.440] to avoid this moment? [22:09.440 --> 22:11.440] Yes, I don't think he should have gone to Saudi Arabia. [22:11.440 --> 22:15.440] Senator Sanders and I took to the papers to say [22:15.440 --> 22:17.440] that there was trip was misguided. [22:17.440 --> 22:21.440] I believe he should have been clearer with the Saudis [22:21.440 --> 22:24.440] that there would be very drastic consequences, [22:24.440 --> 22:26.440] both if they didn't lift the blockade, [22:26.440 --> 22:28.440] which they still haven't in Yemen. [22:28.440 --> 22:31.440] And now they're talking about actually not following [22:31.440 --> 22:33.440] through on the truce in Yemen, [22:33.440 --> 22:36.440] but certainly extraordinarily drastic consequences [22:36.440 --> 22:39.440] if they cut oil production. [22:39.440 --> 22:42.440] So I believe that he could have been clearer [22:42.440 --> 22:43.440] on all of those things. [22:43.440 --> 22:46.440] Now, I'm glad that he's contemplating action now. [22:46.440 --> 22:49.440] And my belief is if we are tough enough, [22:49.440 --> 22:52.440] they will reverse the decision. [22:52.440 --> 22:54.440] You said he's contemplating action. [22:54.440 --> 22:56.440] We've heard the work, but no specifics. [22:56.440 --> 22:57.440] In your talks with the administration, [22:57.440 --> 23:00.440] how serious are they in imposing serious [23:00.440 --> 23:02.440] and immediate consequences? [23:02.440 --> 23:08.440] They have told me that the President is going to take action [23:08.440 --> 23:12.440] that the President is re-examining this Saudi relationship [23:12.440 --> 23:15.440] and that the action is imminent. [23:15.440 --> 23:18.440] And so I believe the President has to act. [23:18.440 --> 23:21.440] How can you allow a country that is a, [23:21.440 --> 23:24.440] quote unquote, ally to continue to profit [23:24.440 --> 23:27.440] of the American public and make drastic cuts [23:27.440 --> 23:29.440] when we're going through one of the bigger energy crisis [23:29.440 --> 23:31.440] we have in recent decades? [23:31.440 --> 23:34.440] Allies don't treat each other that way. [23:34.440 --> 23:37.440] More broadly, US officials did report [23:37.440 --> 23:39.440] of the war in Saudi leaders. [23:39.440 --> 23:41.440] That a cut in production would be seen [23:41.440 --> 23:43.440] as a clear choice they're siding with Russia [23:43.440 --> 23:45.440] and the Saudis did it anyway. [23:45.440 --> 23:49.440] What does that say to you about how they view the US right now? [23:49.440 --> 23:53.440] Well, they don't think that they're going to be consequences, [23:53.440 --> 23:56.440] but I believe they should take a temperature one [23:56.440 --> 23:59.440] of many of the younger members of Congress, [23:59.440 --> 24:03.440] who aren't steeped in the same traditional relationship [24:03.440 --> 24:06.440] with Saudi, who basically know Saudi Arabia [24:06.440 --> 24:08.440] through the prism of the Yemen War [24:08.440 --> 24:11.440] and the humanitarian crisis that they have caused. [24:11.440 --> 24:14.440] They should remember that the War Powers Resolution [24:14.440 --> 24:17.440] stopping our aid past the House and the Senate [24:17.440 --> 24:20.440] the only time of War Powers Resolution has ever passed. [24:20.440 --> 24:24.440] And they should know that now they're going to be consequences. [24:24.440 --> 24:26.440] You have not just Senator Blumenthal [24:26.440 --> 24:28.440] and I call it for it, but Senator Menendez, [24:28.440 --> 24:30.440] a very respected foreign policy voice [24:30.440 --> 24:33.440] who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee calling for it. [24:33.440 --> 24:37.440] So they are really hurting their relationship on the Hill. [24:37.440 --> 24:39.440] Briefly, if you can represent it, [24:39.440 --> 24:41.440] if the Saudis have said this was economic, [24:41.440 --> 24:43.440] their decision to cut oil production. [24:43.440 --> 24:44.440] Do you believe that anything to do [24:44.440 --> 24:47.440] with the timing of the upcoming midterm elections? [24:47.440 --> 24:49.440] I don't know, but I know it's not economic [24:49.440 --> 24:53.440] when they're baking over 70% profits on your barrels of oil. [24:53.440 --> 24:55.440] Look, I've been critical effects on in Chevron, [24:55.440 --> 24:58.440] but it pales into the comparison [24:58.440 --> 25:00.440] into what the Saudis are making on oil. [25:00.440 --> 25:03.440] So what I do know is that they have chosen [25:03.440 --> 25:06.440] deliberately to hurt Americans at the pump. [25:06.440 --> 25:09.440] Look, I don't think the timing is coincidental, [25:09.440 --> 25:12.440] but I have no evidence of why they've taken that decision. [25:12.440 --> 25:15.440] All I know is that they're hurting the American public. [25:15.440 --> 25:17.440] That is representative Roe Connell, [25:17.440 --> 25:19.440] Democrat from California, [25:19.440 --> 25:21.440] a member of the House Armed Services Committee. [25:21.440 --> 25:23.440] Thank you so much for your time. [25:23.440 --> 25:35.440] Thank you. [25:35.440 --> 25:37.440] President Biden's executive order [25:37.440 --> 25:40.440] to cancel student debt is facing its most [25:40.440 --> 25:42.440] serious legal challenge to date. [25:42.440 --> 25:44.440] A federal judge in Missouri heard arguments today [25:44.440 --> 25:46.440] from six states hoping to block the plan [25:46.440 --> 25:48.440] from taking effect to qualify [25:48.440 --> 25:50.440] for the student loan program. [25:50.440 --> 25:54.440] Individuals must make less than $125,000 a year [25:54.440 --> 25:58.440] or $250,000 for married couples and families. [25:58.440 --> 26:02.440] Eligible borrowers can receive up to $10,000 in forgiveness [26:02.440 --> 26:06.440] or up to $20,000 if they are Pell Grant recipients. [26:06.440 --> 26:08.440] White House correspondent Laura Barone Lopez [26:08.440 --> 26:09.440] has been following it all, [26:09.440 --> 26:12.440] and she joins me now as part of our series, [26:12.440 --> 26:13.440] rethinking college. [26:13.440 --> 26:14.440] Laura, good to see you. [26:14.440 --> 26:15.440] Good to see you. [26:15.440 --> 26:17.440] So let's talk about this case that was heard today in Missouri. [26:17.440 --> 26:19.440] What exactly are the states arguing? [26:19.440 --> 26:21.440] So there are six Republican states, [26:21.440 --> 26:24.440] including Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, [26:24.440 --> 26:27.440] and they're arguing that the administration's debt relief [26:27.440 --> 26:30.440] program is illegal on three fronts. [26:30.440 --> 26:34.440] Those three fronts are that the administration lacks authority [26:34.440 --> 26:38.440] that they did not follow administrative procedure [26:38.440 --> 26:40.440] and that it harms state revenue. [26:40.440 --> 26:44.440] So today we spoke to Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge [26:44.440 --> 26:48.440] and she really focused on whether or not the president [26:48.440 --> 26:52.440] has authority to do this and took direct aim at him. [26:52.440 --> 26:57.440] The president did not have the authority to make this decision. [26:57.440 --> 27:01.440] He made this decision and based it on the Heroes Act, [27:01.440 --> 27:04.440] which essentially was put in place during the Iraq War [27:04.440 --> 27:08.440] in order to give relief to our brave men and women in uniform. [27:08.440 --> 27:10.440] And it was also as part of it. [27:10.440 --> 27:12.440] It could be used during a national emergency. [27:12.440 --> 27:16.440] Unfortunately, President Biden forgot that he declared the pandemic [27:16.440 --> 27:19.440] over a few short weeks ago. [27:19.440 --> 27:22.440] As you heard Attorney General Rutledge there saying [27:22.440 --> 27:25.440] that she thinks the president doesn't have this authority, [27:25.440 --> 27:27.440] but what was interesting in the arguments today [27:27.440 --> 27:30.440] was that the Missouri judge Henry Autry [27:30.440 --> 27:33.440] essentially really scrutinized that saying, [27:33.440 --> 27:37.440] why is the president being sued as a part of this lawsuit [27:37.440 --> 27:40.440] and questioning whether or not the Republican states [27:40.440 --> 27:43.440] had standing against the president versus standing [27:43.440 --> 27:46.440] against the Education Department and the Education Secretary? [27:46.440 --> 27:49.440] So a main part of their argument is the administration [27:49.440 --> 27:51.440] doesn't even have the authority to do this. [27:51.440 --> 27:53.440] What has the Biden administration been saying about this? [27:53.440 --> 27:56.440] The Biden administration is essentially saying [27:56.440 --> 28:00.440] that they were granted this authority under a 2003 [28:00.440 --> 28:03.440] higher education law also known as the Heroes Act. [28:03.440 --> 28:07.440] And so today Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Netter [28:07.440 --> 28:11.440] argued that the pandemic gives them this authority. [28:11.440 --> 28:15.440] It's crucial here that this is a statute about emergencies. [28:15.440 --> 28:17.440] It's a statute about national emergencies [28:17.440 --> 28:20.440] and it seems hard to fathom that Congress [28:20.440 --> 28:23.440] wouldn't have understood at the time that a larger national [28:23.440 --> 28:26.440] emergency is going to prompt and necessitate a larger action [28:26.440 --> 28:28.440] by the Secretary of Education. [28:28.440 --> 28:31.440] And so essentially Netter there is saying [28:31.440 --> 28:34.440] that as the economic hardships were growing [28:34.440 --> 28:36.440] due to the COVID pandemic, [28:36.440 --> 28:40.440] so does the power of the Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, [28:40.440 --> 28:42.440] those powers grow as well. [28:42.440 --> 28:43.440] They grow with it. [28:43.440 --> 28:49.440] And he specifically argued against this front [28:49.440 --> 28:52.440] that the states were bringing forward, [28:52.440 --> 28:54.440] saying that these national emergency statutes [28:54.440 --> 28:57.440] only applies to specific military activity. [28:57.440 --> 29:00.440] It applies to military members, service members. [29:00.440 --> 29:02.440] And Netter said, no, historically, [29:02.440 --> 29:04.440] that's not the case under this law. [29:04.440 --> 29:06.440] That look, when you think about a hurricane, [29:06.440 --> 29:08.440] government doesn't provide relief [29:08.440 --> 29:10.440] just when the hurricane is spinning. [29:10.440 --> 29:13.440] He said that after a national emergency happens [29:13.440 --> 29:16.440] or a national disaster like that, [29:16.440 --> 29:19.440] that the government has to help people come out of that, [29:19.440 --> 29:20.440] come out of the economic hardships [29:20.440 --> 29:22.440] or the infrastructure hardships [29:22.440 --> 29:24.440] that are brought upon by national emergencies. [29:24.440 --> 29:26.440] Laura, what about the whole racial equity part of this? [29:26.440 --> 29:28.440] We heard the Biden administration message [29:28.440 --> 29:31.440] that as an underpinning to why they were rolling out [29:31.440 --> 29:32.440] this loan forgiveness plan, [29:32.440 --> 29:34.440] they said it was especially helped black borrowers. [29:34.440 --> 29:36.440] How does that factor into their argument? [29:36.440 --> 29:39.440] So the states today were saying, [29:39.440 --> 29:41.440] this is only going to provide relief [29:41.440 --> 29:44.440] to wealthy individuals, to hire income individuals [29:44.440 --> 29:48.440] and what the administration essentially is saying back [29:48.440 --> 29:50.440] is that, well, you have to look at actually [29:50.440 --> 29:53.440] who the borrowers are for these loan programs. [29:53.440 --> 29:55.440] And for the loan forgiveness program, [29:55.440 --> 29:58.440] it would significantly impact black borrowers. [29:58.440 --> 30:02.440] Specifically, the average debt for black borrowers [30:02.440 --> 30:05.440] is 10,000 more than for white borrowers. [30:05.440 --> 30:09.440] Also, Pell Grant recipients are twice as likely to be black. [30:09.440 --> 30:13.440] Now, another big piece of this is the federal family [30:13.440 --> 30:16.440] education loan borrowers, which was at first a part [30:16.440 --> 30:18.440] of the announcement when the administration said [30:18.440 --> 30:21.440] they were going to provide this big cancellation of debt. [30:21.440 --> 30:24.440] Then they ended up taking that out of the guidance [30:24.440 --> 30:29.440] saying that these borrowers would not be given this relief. [30:29.440 --> 30:33.440] And that was a big piece of this lawsuit [30:33.440 --> 30:36.440] because essentially, the states are arguing [30:36.440 --> 30:40.440] that they get state revenues from the companies [30:40.440 --> 30:45.440] that take on those loans from those borrowers. [30:45.440 --> 30:48.440] But the government is saying that ultimately [30:48.440 --> 30:53.440] the relief provided to these borrowers is far outweighs [30:53.440 --> 30:55.440] the state revenue that would ultimately be lost. [30:55.440 --> 30:58.440] Now, again, on the F-E-L borrowers, [30:58.440 --> 31:00.440] the federal family loan borrowers, [31:00.440 --> 31:02.440] the administration has tried to make clear [31:02.440 --> 31:05.440] that while they may not receive relief now, [31:05.440 --> 31:07.440] that ultimately the education department [31:07.440 --> 31:09.440] is trying to find an alternative pathway for them. [31:09.440 --> 31:10.440] Before anyone can get any relief, [31:10.440 --> 31:12.440] they have to fill out an application. [31:12.440 --> 31:14.440] We've been anticipating the release of that application [31:14.440 --> 31:16.440] formed from the White House. [31:16.440 --> 31:17.440] What do we know about that? [31:17.440 --> 31:20.440] So they just issued a preview of this application [31:20.440 --> 31:22.440] formed this week, the White House did, [31:22.440 --> 31:25.440] and essentially what borrowers have to do, [31:25.440 --> 31:27.440] they have to give social security numbers their date of birth, [31:27.440 --> 31:30.440] their email, but they also have to click this box [31:30.440 --> 31:33.440] that certifies under penalty of perjury [31:33.440 --> 31:35.440] that they meet the income thresholds. [31:35.440 --> 31:38.440] Now, some of those borrowers will be provided [31:38.440 --> 31:40.440] just based on that certification, [31:40.440 --> 31:42.440] will be provided relief. [31:42.440 --> 31:45.440] Others are going to have to show more proof [31:45.440 --> 31:47.440] that they meet those income thresholds [31:47.440 --> 31:48.440] that you outlined earlier. [31:48.440 --> 31:52.440] Now, I spoke to White House's assistant press secretary, [31:52.440 --> 31:54.440] Abdullah Hassan, and he said that essentially [31:54.440 --> 31:55.440] as the lawsuit is proceeding, [31:55.440 --> 31:57.440] as the lawsuits are proceeding, [31:57.440 --> 31:59.440] because there's more than just the one we talked about today, [31:59.440 --> 32:01.440] that the White House is going to still move forward [32:01.440 --> 32:03.440] with implementing this plan. [32:03.440 --> 32:07.440] Now, no relief is going to be felt prior to October 23rd, [32:07.440 --> 32:11.440] but the application process is going to be rolled out this month. [32:11.440 --> 32:13.440] So folks can check that out and start to apply [32:13.440 --> 32:14.440] if they are eligible. [32:14.440 --> 32:16.440] White House correspondent Laura Barone Lopez, [32:16.440 --> 32:17.440] following it all. [32:17.440 --> 32:18.440] Thank you so much. [32:18.440 --> 32:29.440] Thank you. [32:29.440 --> 32:31.440] Election night is less than a month away, [32:31.440 --> 32:33.440] and we're digging into some key races [32:33.440 --> 32:36.440] that could determine the balance of power in Congress. [32:36.440 --> 32:39.440] Lisa Desjardins has more. [32:39.440 --> 32:42.440] Let's talk about control of the House of Representatives. [32:42.440 --> 32:44.440] To take over the House, [32:44.440 --> 32:46.440] Republicans need to gain just five total seats [32:46.440 --> 32:48.440] next month, net. [32:48.440 --> 32:51.440] Their party may have a slight advantage from redistricting, [32:51.440 --> 32:54.440] but there are dozens of competitive races, [32:54.440 --> 32:57.440] including more than 30 currently rated as toss-ups. [32:57.440 --> 32:59.440] To take a good look at the map, [32:59.440 --> 33:01.440] I'm joined by three public media reporters, [33:01.440 --> 33:04.440] Karen Castler of Ohio Public Radio and Television, [33:04.440 --> 33:06.440] Scott Schaffer with KQED in California, [33:06.440 --> 33:09.440] and Zoe Clark with Michigan Radio. [33:09.440 --> 33:12.440] So happy to have all of you together to talk about this. [33:12.440 --> 33:15.440] Each of your states has lost a congressional district [33:15.440 --> 33:17.440] because of redistricting, [33:17.440 --> 33:20.440] but you also each have a clutch of competitive races [33:20.440 --> 33:23.440] that could determine control of the House. [33:23.440 --> 33:25.440] I wonder if you can just set the mood for us. [33:25.440 --> 33:27.440] What's on voters' minds? [33:27.440 --> 33:29.440] Everything from the weather to redistricting [33:29.440 --> 33:31.440] to issues that you think might be affecting their vote, [33:31.440 --> 33:34.440] and let's start out west with you, Scott Schaffer. [33:34.440 --> 33:36.440] Yeah, well, California has an unusual system [33:36.440 --> 33:38.440] for creating redistricting. [33:38.440 --> 33:39.440] It's a citizens commission. [33:39.440 --> 33:41.440] It's not gerrymandering, [33:41.440 --> 33:43.440] where the districts are designed to protect the incumbents, [33:43.440 --> 33:46.440] and so we have four to six competitive house races [33:46.440 --> 33:49.440] here in California, including probably two [33:49.440 --> 33:52.440] of the 10 most vulnerable Republicans, [33:52.440 --> 33:54.440] David Valadeo and the Central Valley and Mike Garcia [33:54.440 --> 33:59.440] in Los Angeles, both of them running in plus D districts [33:59.440 --> 34:02.440] where Democrats outnumber Republicans. [34:02.440 --> 34:05.440] In terms of the seat that we lost, [34:05.440 --> 34:08.440] Karen Bass decided not to run for reelection. [34:08.440 --> 34:09.440] She's the LA Congresswoman. [34:09.440 --> 34:12.440] She's now running for Mayor of Los Angeles, [34:12.440 --> 34:14.440] which of course is dominating the headlines, [34:14.440 --> 34:16.440] not in very good ways. [34:16.440 --> 34:19.440] But in terms of issues, in terms of these congressional races, [34:19.440 --> 34:21.440] it's a competing narrative. [34:21.440 --> 34:24.440] Republicans want to talk about gas prices and the economy [34:24.440 --> 34:28.440] and the Democrats want to talk about abortion rights [34:28.440 --> 34:30.440] and about threats to democracy. [34:30.440 --> 34:32.440] And so you've got these competing narratives [34:32.440 --> 34:34.440] that are playing out on the campaign trail [34:34.440 --> 34:35.440] and on television. [34:35.440 --> 34:38.440] And in addition, I would say that Republicans also want [34:38.440 --> 34:41.440] to talk about crime and immigration. [34:41.440 --> 34:43.440] But much more so than abortion rights. [34:43.440 --> 34:45.440] Zoe Clark, what's going on in Michigan? [34:45.440 --> 34:46.440] I know it's college football season. [34:46.440 --> 34:48.440] Are those politics breaking through there in general? [34:48.440 --> 34:50.440] It actually is. [34:50.440 --> 34:53.440] If you can imagine it's not just Spartans and Wolverines [34:53.440 --> 34:55.440] here in Michigan, although the weather always [34:55.440 --> 34:57.440] is something we talked about. [34:57.440 --> 34:59.440] No, much like what Scott said indeed. [34:59.440 --> 35:01.440] It is about the economy. [35:01.440 --> 35:02.440] It is about inflation. [35:02.440 --> 35:04.440] It is about gas prices. [35:04.440 --> 35:06.440] But since the Dobbs decision here in Michigan, [35:06.440 --> 35:09.440] abortion really has become something [35:09.440 --> 35:11.440] that has changed the dynamic. [35:11.440 --> 35:15.440] We have a amendment that's going to be on the ballot [35:15.440 --> 35:18.440] in November that would enshrine reproductive rights, [35:18.440 --> 35:21.440] abortion rights into the state constitution. [35:21.440 --> 35:26.440] And so on top of these really must watch congressional seats, [35:26.440 --> 35:28.440] some of the most competitive in the country, [35:28.440 --> 35:31.440] abortion is sort of overshadowing the conversation [35:31.440 --> 35:33.440] when it comes to all of these races. [35:33.440 --> 35:36.440] Karen Counselor, is that what you're finding next door in Ohio [35:36.440 --> 35:38.440] is abortion overshadowing other issues? [35:38.440 --> 35:41.440] Well, I can't let Zoe talk about those teams without mentioning [35:41.440 --> 35:43.440] the Ohio State Buckeyes and football here is, of course, [35:43.440 --> 35:44.440] dominating the conversation. [35:44.440 --> 35:48.440] But yes, there's a lot of conversation also about the few [35:48.440 --> 35:51.440] competitive districts here, our most competitive seat [35:51.440 --> 35:54.440] and race really is the Ohio U.S. Senate race. [35:54.440 --> 35:56.440] But they're in Ohio. [35:56.440 --> 35:58.440] We're starting early voting today. [35:58.440 --> 36:01.440] And it's interesting to note that Ohio went from 16 to 15 [36:01.440 --> 36:04.440] districts and majority Republicans drew maps [36:04.440 --> 36:07.440] that were ruled unconstitutional several times [36:07.440 --> 36:08.440] by the Ohio Supreme Court. [36:08.440 --> 36:10.440] We're actually running elections this year [36:10.440 --> 36:12.440] on maps that were ruled unconstitutional, [36:12.440 --> 36:14.440] but put into place by a federal court. [36:14.440 --> 36:17.440] And so while we're electing representatives [36:17.440 --> 36:18.440] through these maps, [36:18.440 --> 36:21.440] this time around those could change based on the results [36:21.440 --> 36:24.440] of what happens in the election next month. [36:24.440 --> 36:28.440] So there are only about their 10 safe districts [36:28.440 --> 36:30.440] and five Democratic seats, [36:30.440 --> 36:32.440] but only a couple are really considered very competitive. [36:32.440 --> 36:34.440] Yeah, Karen, I want to come back to you. [36:34.440 --> 36:36.440] I'm going to talk to all of you about favorite races, [36:36.440 --> 36:38.440] but Karen, let's start there in Ohio. [36:38.440 --> 36:40.440] And your favorite races, [36:40.440 --> 36:41.440] one that I'm watching there, obviously, [36:41.440 --> 36:45.440] is one of the longest-serving women in Congress, [36:45.440 --> 36:46.440] Marcy Kaptor. [36:46.440 --> 36:48.440] That's a race where it's not just issues, [36:48.440 --> 36:51.440] but also the effect perhaps of President Trump [36:51.440 --> 36:52.440] and the 2020 election. [36:52.440 --> 36:54.440] Can you talk about that race and what you're washing there [36:54.440 --> 36:56.440] in that Toledo area? [36:56.440 --> 36:58.440] If that race is really tightened up a lot, [36:58.440 --> 37:00.440] Marcy Kaptor running against a political newcomer, [37:00.440 --> 37:02.440] Jay Armadjewski, [37:02.440 --> 37:04.440] who really broke out [37:04.440 --> 37:07.440] when he got the attention of Donald Trump [37:07.440 --> 37:09.440] by painting a picture of Trump on his lawn [37:09.440 --> 37:12.440] and Trump shouted out to him at a rally. [37:12.440 --> 37:16.440] He ended up winning, beating some other established politicians, [37:16.440 --> 37:19.440] and now he and Marcy Kaptor are facing off. [37:19.440 --> 37:21.440] Majuski has made headlines recently [37:21.440 --> 37:26.440] because he has claimed that he saw combat in Afghanistan, [37:26.440 --> 37:29.440] but an investigation has shown that that's not the case. [37:29.440 --> 37:32.440] He also has said he was at the Capitol on January 6. [37:32.440 --> 37:34.440] He has not been charged with anything, [37:34.440 --> 37:37.440] but that all of this has made this race [37:37.440 --> 37:38.440] a little bit more competitive, [37:38.440 --> 37:41.440] and House Republicans have actually pulled their ads [37:41.440 --> 37:43.440] in this race, so that really is tightened things up. [37:43.440 --> 37:46.440] Also, there's an open seat that features two women. [37:46.440 --> 37:49.440] Amelia Sykes, the former Democratic leader of the Ohio House [37:49.440 --> 37:51.440] and Madison, Jesse Odo, Gilbert, [37:51.440 --> 37:52.440] a Trump endorsed Republican. [37:52.440 --> 37:55.440] This will make history in that one of those win, [37:55.440 --> 37:58.440] and only 12 Ohio women have ever been elected to Congress [37:58.440 --> 37:59.440] from the state, [37:59.440 --> 38:01.440] so that's going to make history there with that race. [38:01.440 --> 38:02.440] That's fascinating. [38:02.440 --> 38:03.440] I like that Ohio 13 race, too, [38:03.440 --> 38:05.440] because that's a very rust belt seat [38:05.440 --> 38:07.440] that might tell us something about the Senate race [38:07.440 --> 38:09.440] as it evolves over the night. [38:09.440 --> 38:13.440] Speaking of, let's go back to you in Michigan then, Zoe. [38:13.440 --> 38:16.440] You have one of the most expensive house races in the country, [38:16.440 --> 38:18.440] among others that I know you're watching, [38:18.440 --> 38:20.440] where Alyssa Slottkin, the incumbent Democrat, [38:20.440 --> 38:23.440] is really kind of a must win seat for Democrats [38:23.440 --> 38:25.440] if they have any hope of holding the house. [38:25.440 --> 38:28.440] Absolutely, and this district is fascinating. [38:28.440 --> 38:31.440] So it went for Donald Trump in 2016. [38:31.440 --> 38:33.440] It went for Trump in 2020, [38:33.440 --> 38:37.440] but Alyssa Slottkin has won it two times. [38:37.440 --> 38:40.440] So she's looking for a third win here now. [38:40.440 --> 38:43.440] It's going to be in the now seventh congressional district [38:43.440 --> 38:45.440] because of redistricting, [38:45.440 --> 38:48.440] and she's always outperformed as a Democrat, [38:48.440 --> 38:51.440] but she has a conservative Republican challenger, [38:51.440 --> 38:53.440] state Senator Tom Barrett. [38:53.440 --> 38:55.440] Again, like we've been talking about this narrative, [38:55.440 --> 38:57.440] he's trying to talk about the economy. [38:57.440 --> 38:59.440] He's trying to talk about inflation. [38:59.440 --> 39:01.440] He's trying to talk about Joe Biden, [39:01.440 --> 39:03.440] and I was just talking to Alyssa Slottkin, [39:03.440 --> 39:05.440] the Congresswoman today, [39:05.440 --> 39:07.440] and she's talking fundamentally about rights [39:07.440 --> 39:10.440] and what she wants to see happen change in DC, [39:10.440 --> 39:12.440] including interestingly enough, [39:12.440 --> 39:13.440] I thought immigration, [39:13.440 --> 39:15.440] she said in the state of Michigan, [39:15.440 --> 39:17.440] as well as the cost of childcare. [39:17.440 --> 39:18.440] Meanwhile, [39:18.440 --> 39:21.440] we also have the third congressional district. [39:21.440 --> 39:23.440] Now this one is just fascinating. [39:23.440 --> 39:25.440] This is where Peter Meyer, [39:25.440 --> 39:29.440] a freshman Republican within the first few days [39:29.440 --> 39:32.440] of being sworn in voted to impeach Donald Trump [39:32.440 --> 39:34.440] for the second time. [39:34.440 --> 39:37.440] And Peter Meyer lost his primary in August [39:37.440 --> 39:40.440] to a former Trump official, John Gibbs. [39:40.440 --> 39:43.440] And so this really is an open seat now. [39:43.440 --> 39:45.440] We have a Democrat running. [39:45.440 --> 39:48.440] It looks like it could lean Democrat more [39:48.440 --> 39:49.440] because of again, [39:49.440 --> 39:50.440] this redistricting, [39:50.440 --> 39:53.440] but it probably would have been closer had Peter Meyer [39:53.440 --> 39:55.440] won this seat, but again, conservative Republicans [39:55.440 --> 39:56.440] kicked him out, [39:56.440 --> 39:58.440] booted him out and went with this Trump endorsed Republican, [39:58.440 --> 39:59.440] and said, [39:59.440 --> 40:01.440] and it looks like this could be a Democratic win. [40:01.440 --> 40:02.440] Scott, [40:02.440 --> 40:04.440] you hear Zoey talking about a place that Democrats [40:04.440 --> 40:06.440] hoped to flip in this year. [40:06.440 --> 40:07.440] I know you've got one of those two [40:07.440 --> 40:09.440] and you just mentioned it earlier. [40:09.440 --> 40:11.440] Tell us about Congressman David Valadeo [40:11.440 --> 40:13.440] and what you're seeing in California. [40:13.440 --> 40:15.440] Yeah, so he lost this seat in 2018 [40:15.440 --> 40:17.440] and then got it back in 2020. [40:17.440 --> 40:20.440] So he actually voted to impeach Donald Trump, [40:20.440 --> 40:22.440] but he's getting protection from that. [40:22.440 --> 40:24.440] Trump hasn't gone after him because his district [40:24.440 --> 40:26.440] is right next to Kevin McCarthy. [40:26.440 --> 40:28.440] In fact, it includes part of Baker's field, [40:28.440 --> 40:29.440] his hometown. [40:29.440 --> 40:31.440] So he's running against Rudy Salas in a district [40:31.440 --> 40:34.440] that is 59% Latino. [40:34.440 --> 40:37.440] Rudy Salas would be the first Latino member of Congress [40:37.440 --> 40:39.440] from the Central Valley ever. [40:39.440 --> 40:42.440] He's also co-sponsored our Proposition 1, [40:42.440 --> 40:45.440] which would enshrine abortion rights here in California. [40:45.440 --> 40:46.440] One other quickly, [40:46.440 --> 40:47.440] Lisa Ray, [40:47.440 --> 40:50.440] I'm looking at the 41st congressional district [40:50.440 --> 40:54.440] in Riverside, Ken Calvert, 30-year Republican incumbent. [40:54.440 --> 40:56.440] He's easily gotten reelected, [40:56.440 --> 40:58.440] but the redistricting has taken out some of the most [40:58.440 --> 41:00.440] conservative parts of his district [41:00.440 --> 41:02.440] and added Palm Springs and other districts [41:02.440 --> 41:04.440] with a lot of LGBT voters. [41:04.440 --> 41:07.440] He has a history of anti-gay positions [41:07.440 --> 41:08.440] and campaigning, [41:08.440 --> 41:10.440] and he's running against an openly gay federal prosecutor [41:10.440 --> 41:13.440] who prosecuted some of the January 6 cases, [41:13.440 --> 41:15.440] and of course Calvert did not vote [41:15.440 --> 41:16.440] to certify the election. [41:16.440 --> 41:19.440] So lots of interesting cross currents there. [41:19.440 --> 41:21.440] I've been hearing from you all about the 2020 election, [41:21.440 --> 41:23.440] some about former President Trump. [41:23.440 --> 41:25.440] I just want to show of hands on this last question, [41:25.440 --> 41:27.440] which might be a little unusual, [41:27.440 --> 41:29.440] but have you spoken to any Democrats [41:29.440 --> 41:31.440] in tough races in your states [41:31.440 --> 41:33.440] who would like President Biden [41:33.440 --> 41:35.440] to come and campaign for them? [41:35.440 --> 41:37.440] I want to see a hand if anyone has talked [41:37.440 --> 41:39.440] to a Democrat like that. [41:39.440 --> 41:40.440] So there we go. [41:40.440 --> 41:42.440] Both the former president and the current president [41:42.440 --> 41:44.440] seem to be on the ballot this year [41:44.440 --> 41:46.440] in the 2022 midterms. [41:46.440 --> 41:48.440] We are so grateful to all of you [41:48.440 --> 41:51.440] as Karen Casler, Scott Schaefer, Zoe Clark. [41:51.440 --> 41:52.440] Thank you all. [41:52.440 --> 41:53.440] Thank you. [41:53.440 --> 41:54.440] Thanks. [41:54.440 --> 41:56.440] Great to be here. [41:56.440 --> 41:58.440] And thank you to our Lisa Desjardins. [41:58.440 --> 42:00.440] In another battleground state, [42:00.440 --> 42:01.440] Wisconsin, [42:01.440 --> 42:04.440] the Senate and Governor's races are in the spotlight, [42:04.440 --> 42:06.440] and while younger Americans traditionally show up [42:06.440 --> 42:09.440] to the polls at lower rates than older generations, [42:09.440 --> 42:11.440] one recent study suggests young voters [42:11.440 --> 42:13.440] could play a decisive role [42:13.440 --> 42:15.440] in the state's elections this November. [42:15.440 --> 42:17.440] Judy Woodruff recently sat down [42:17.440 --> 42:19.440] with a group of high school and college students [42:19.440 --> 42:21.440] in Wisconsin who will be voting [42:21.440 --> 42:23.440] for the first time. [42:23.440 --> 42:26.440] Thank you so much for joining us [42:26.440 --> 42:27.440] for this conversation. [42:27.440 --> 42:29.440] We really appreciate it. [42:29.440 --> 42:31.440] You all, the reason we have you here [42:31.440 --> 42:33.440] is to talk about the fact that this is [42:33.440 --> 42:35.440] the first year you're going to be voting. [42:35.440 --> 42:38.440] And we want to talk about what that means to you. [42:38.440 --> 42:40.440] So, Ryan, I'm going to start with you. [42:40.440 --> 42:42.440] How big a deal is it to you [42:42.440 --> 42:44.440] that you're going to be voting for the first time? [42:44.440 --> 42:46.440] I mean, it's pretty big deal for me. [42:46.440 --> 42:49.440] I mean, I sort of see it as sort of like [42:49.440 --> 42:50.440] when you're 16, [42:50.440 --> 42:52.440] your driver's license, when you're 18, [42:52.440 --> 42:53.440] you get to vote. [42:53.440 --> 42:55.440] I actually registered to vote [42:55.440 --> 42:58.440] in my AP government class on my birthday, [42:58.440 --> 42:59.440] which was a fun experience. [42:59.440 --> 43:01.440] It's very easy to register online now. [43:01.440 --> 43:04.440] I've been very politically engaged throughout high school [43:04.440 --> 43:06.440] and I'm excited to get my foot in the door [43:06.440 --> 43:08.440] and actually have a voice in my government. [43:08.440 --> 43:11.440] And then you're turning 18 just in time [43:11.440 --> 43:13.440] to vote in early November. [43:13.440 --> 43:15.440] How big a deal for you? [43:15.440 --> 43:17.440] I am very excited to vote. [43:17.440 --> 43:19.440] Everyone in my family has always voted [43:19.440 --> 43:23.440] and although not a ton of people at my age do vote [43:23.440 --> 43:25.440] as it's one of the lower turnout groups, [43:25.440 --> 43:27.440] I'm very excited to vote because [43:27.440 --> 43:30.440] I think having that voice in our election [43:30.440 --> 43:32.440] is really important. [43:32.440 --> 43:34.440] What is it that you care about a lot this year [43:34.440 --> 43:38.440] that is driving you especially to want to vote in 2022? [43:38.440 --> 43:40.440] I do see the candidates spot. [43:40.440 --> 43:42.440] I see pro-choice and pro-life. [43:42.440 --> 43:45.440] Personally, I am extremely pro-choice. [43:45.440 --> 43:46.440] I've always grown up with the belief [43:46.440 --> 43:48.440] that women should be able to have [43:48.440 --> 43:50.440] bodily autonomy in our government. [43:50.440 --> 43:52.440] I agree with the pro-choice movement. [43:52.440 --> 43:54.440] I think women have been stripped of their bodily autonomy [43:54.440 --> 43:56.440] specifically in this state. [43:56.440 --> 43:58.440] And I think that it disproportionately affects [43:58.440 --> 44:01.440] women of color and women from more low income communities [44:01.440 --> 44:03.440] and the disproportionate effect that that has [44:03.440 --> 44:05.440] on their access to healthcare, [44:05.440 --> 44:07.440] their access to reproductive justice, [44:07.440 --> 44:10.440] that they're right to be a mother or to choose not to be, [44:10.440 --> 44:12.440] is frustrating to witness to somebody [44:12.440 --> 44:15.440] who can be subjected to these laws. [44:15.440 --> 44:18.440] So that for me is very top of mind. [44:18.440 --> 44:19.440] For me, it's our economy. [44:19.440 --> 44:20.440] I mean, I see on the decline, [44:20.440 --> 44:21.440] everything seems more expensive. [44:21.440 --> 44:23.440] Our gas is more expensive. [44:23.440 --> 44:25.440] It's such a up and down. [44:25.440 --> 44:27.440] You don't know what's going to happen with it. [44:27.440 --> 44:29.440] And for me, it's scary. [44:29.440 --> 44:31.440] It's especially scary because with everything going in the right, [44:31.440 --> 44:32.440] I have still access these. [44:32.440 --> 44:34.440] I already spend an arm and a leg for my food [44:34.440 --> 44:37.440] that's going to end up hurting people whenever they can't afford [44:37.440 --> 44:39.440] the food they need, the food their families. [44:39.440 --> 44:44.440] As the son of two teachers, education is a very big issue for me. [44:44.440 --> 44:48.440] I personally, I think that everyone should have access to quality [44:48.440 --> 44:52.440] education, whether that be good schools, good public [44:52.440 --> 44:57.440] education, or access to college and less college debt. [44:57.440 --> 45:01.440] I think my biggest issue is voting, [45:01.440 --> 45:05.440] really in terms of the amount of people that can't vote [45:05.440 --> 45:06.440] under our current system. [45:06.440 --> 45:10.440] We have a lot of lost Wisconsin's, especially voter ID laws, [45:10.440 --> 45:12.440] that make it very hard for people to vote. [45:12.440 --> 45:15.440] Another big thing on my mind is healthcare. [45:15.440 --> 45:20.440] Seeing Ron Johnson vote against the access to insulin [45:20.440 --> 45:24.440] was hugely disappointing to me as a diabetic. [45:24.440 --> 45:27.440] Seeing that while it does not directly affect me, [45:27.440 --> 45:31.440] there's many people in my situation where that bill would have [45:31.440 --> 45:36.440] hugely helped them, and people are going to die if [45:36.440 --> 45:38.440] when people make decisions like that. [45:38.440 --> 45:41.440] Let's talk about the person in office right now, [45:41.440 --> 45:42.440] President Biden. [45:42.440 --> 45:43.440] How do you think he's doing? [45:43.440 --> 45:47.440] I think that with any president, [45:47.440 --> 45:50.440] there will almost always be a argument that they are not doing [45:50.440 --> 45:54.440] enough, and I think that I can say that about Biden right now, [45:54.440 --> 45:59.440] the new decision to pardon thousands of people on low-level [45:59.440 --> 46:03.440] federal marijuana charges is a great decision. [46:03.440 --> 46:07.440] I think with his decision to help with student debt, [46:07.440 --> 46:10.440] though he campaigned on bigger promises, [46:10.440 --> 46:13.440] I think that at least he fulfilled it somewhat, [46:13.440 --> 46:15.440] and I think you can always ask for more, [46:15.440 --> 46:18.440] but I will say that I am relatively pleased [46:18.440 --> 46:20.440] with how he's doing so far. [46:20.440 --> 46:23.440] I believe that he's not delivering on campaign promises [46:23.440 --> 46:26.440] that he made, such as protecting our right to choose. [46:26.440 --> 46:29.440] I would like to see him do a bit more to serve the general [46:29.440 --> 46:30.440] American people. [46:30.440 --> 46:32.440] Is there one thing you'd like to see him do that he's not going to be? [46:32.440 --> 46:34.440] I would like to see him codify Roe, [46:34.440 --> 46:36.440] or make a more of an effort to. [46:36.440 --> 46:39.440] I know that he can't actually write a law to do so. [46:39.440 --> 46:42.440] I would like to see him protect that right. [46:42.440 --> 46:45.440] I would like to see him ask the Senate and ask the passive [46:45.440 --> 46:48.440] representatives to protect that right. [46:48.440 --> 46:51.440] I want to see him fight tooth and nail for that right, [46:51.440 --> 46:53.440] but I haven't seen that so far. [46:53.440 --> 46:56.440] So, Ron, what about you? What is your sense of how present [46:56.440 --> 46:57.440] Biden's doing? [46:57.440 --> 46:59.440] I quite don't like President Biden. [46:59.440 --> 47:01.440] Certainly went to bend my first choice, [47:01.440 --> 47:04.440] nor would he put a down jump in my first choice for this election, [47:04.440 --> 47:05.440] or for the previous election. [47:05.440 --> 47:07.440] I think he's doing well enough for now, [47:07.440 --> 47:09.440] but I don't think he is doing enough. [47:09.440 --> 47:12.440] What do you think he should be doing that he's not doing? [47:12.440 --> 47:16.440] Well, for what I think his Afghanistan poll out was a disaster. [47:16.440 --> 47:18.440] He left so many people. [47:18.440 --> 47:20.440] It was textrefying. [47:20.440 --> 47:22.440] He's not doing enough on the border. [47:22.440 --> 47:25.440] We have almost hundreds of thousands of people getting in, [47:25.440 --> 47:29.440] and it's scary knowing because you don't know who those people are. [47:29.440 --> 47:33.440] There's so much more that he could be doing that he's not. [47:33.440 --> 47:37.440] I don't know if he's made effort to try or not. [47:37.440 --> 47:40.440] Am I, what is your sense of how President Biden is doing? [47:40.440 --> 47:43.440] I think if I had voted in the 2020 presidential election, [47:43.440 --> 47:44.440] I would have voted for Biden. [47:44.440 --> 47:47.440] I think he is not living up to the promises he made, [47:47.440 --> 47:49.440] but I don't know if any president that has. [47:49.440 --> 47:52.440] So I don't think that that's a fair standard to hold him at. [47:52.440 --> 47:55.440] I think as a first-hand recipient of what the student loan [47:55.440 --> 47:58.440] forgiveness was, my mom fought for the United States Army [47:58.440 --> 48:01.440] for four years, was a recipient of the GI Bill, [48:01.440 --> 48:04.440] got an associate's in nursing and still had loans. [48:04.440 --> 48:06.440] So for her to loans to be completely forgiven, [48:06.440 --> 48:08.440] means an incredible amount. [48:08.440 --> 48:12.440] While I would like for Biden to have John Dunmore, [48:12.440 --> 48:15.440] we live in such a polarized country right now [48:15.440 --> 48:18.440] that despite his efforts to get things done, [48:18.440 --> 48:22.440] it's just so hard right now to get anything through, [48:22.440 --> 48:26.440] which is like obviously I'd like marijuana to be legalized. [48:26.440 --> 48:30.440] I'd like to live in a country where Rose codified [48:30.440 --> 48:32.440] where abortions are available. [48:32.440 --> 48:38.440] I'd love to live in a country where I don't have to worry [48:38.440 --> 48:43.440] about student loan debt, but it's just hard to get through [48:43.440 --> 48:47.440] all of that right now in how the state of America is today. [48:47.440 --> 48:51.440] A couple of you have mentioned or alluded to former [48:51.440 --> 48:55.440] president Trump, Amaya, what's your take on the former president? [48:55.440 --> 48:59.440] I grew up in a very isolated and a very white populated community [48:59.440 --> 49:03.440] and I had never experienced the difference that I was black [49:03.440 --> 49:06.440] and to help Trump was in presidency, that complete isolation [49:06.440 --> 49:09.440] that was brought on just by this political figure. [49:09.440 --> 49:12.440] We had among facilities in my community that were destroyed [49:12.440 --> 49:13.440] in the name of Trump. [49:13.440 --> 49:15.440] We had monuments that were destroyed in the name of Trump. [49:15.440 --> 49:18.440] We had people who were attacked in the name of Trump [49:18.440 --> 49:20.440] and I think he brought out the worst in people [49:20.440 --> 49:22.440] and he supported it and he didn't correct that behavior [49:22.440 --> 49:24.440] and I believe no president would ever do that. [49:24.440 --> 49:25.440] Catherine. [49:25.440 --> 49:30.440] He, by all accounts, disgraced America in the January 6th [49:30.440 --> 49:31.440] insurrection. [49:31.440 --> 49:34.440] He, though the hearings are still going on, [49:34.440 --> 49:37.440] personally I believe that he incited the insurrection [49:37.440 --> 49:42.440] and sent a mob of angry people to the Capitol, [49:42.440 --> 49:46.440] which is completely undemocratic. [49:46.440 --> 49:50.440] And he also did not facilitate a peaceful transfer of power, [49:50.440 --> 49:54.440] which has been an American tradition for hundreds of years, [49:54.440 --> 49:56.440] which upset me greatly. [49:56.440 --> 49:59.440] I did do sports Trump and have for quite a while. [49:59.440 --> 50:02.440] I mean during that time period, he had the nation, [50:02.440 --> 50:05.440] the best economic period we had for quite a long time. [50:05.440 --> 50:07.440] He kept us very well. [50:07.440 --> 50:10.440] Unfortunately, he did have his wrongdoing [50:10.440 --> 50:13.440] wrongdoings and has been a nasty person [50:13.440 --> 50:15.440] and has almost always been, [50:15.440 --> 50:18.440] but he also was the person politically wise. [50:18.440 --> 50:21.440] He ran America as a business, in my opinion. [50:21.440 --> 50:24.440] He ran it as though that's what it was. [50:24.440 --> 50:28.440] And so running like a business, him being a businessman [50:28.440 --> 50:30.440] allowed us to have financial gain, [50:30.440 --> 50:33.440] allowed us to prosper in those times [50:33.440 --> 50:37.440] until COVID had hit and which kind of tanked the entire world [50:37.440 --> 50:38.440] economy. [50:38.440 --> 50:40.440] Would you like to see him serve in office again? [50:40.440 --> 50:41.440] No, it's likely not. [50:41.440 --> 50:42.440] Why not? [50:42.440 --> 50:45.440] For the slow reason of just, [50:45.440 --> 50:47.440] it comes down to the writing. [50:47.440 --> 50:50.440] It comes down to him being an nasty person. [50:50.440 --> 50:52.440] And I think the first four years is good, [50:52.440 --> 50:55.440] but I don't think another four years would be great. [50:55.440 --> 50:58.440] I will agree on Soren that the one thing I could think [50:58.440 --> 51:01.440] I think Donald Trump ever did was with the economy. [51:01.440 --> 51:04.440] That is the only good thing I will say about him. [51:04.440 --> 51:07.440] I believe in this country we shouldn't have. [51:07.440 --> 51:10.440] It's sort of the massive division we have between Republican [51:10.440 --> 51:11.440] and Democrat. [51:11.440 --> 51:14.440] His working together is how we fix things. [51:14.440 --> 51:18.440] And Donald Trump basically drove a gigantic wedge [51:18.440 --> 51:19.440] between people. [51:19.440 --> 51:24.440] He was such a polarizing figure that from 2016 onwards, [51:24.440 --> 51:27.440] country would never get anything done. [51:27.440 --> 51:31.440] As you all know, the percentage of people who vote [51:31.440 --> 51:35.440] of your generation, the youngest generation vote less [51:35.440 --> 51:38.440] frequently, a smaller percentage of you vote [51:38.440 --> 51:42.440] than the older folks do in the country. [51:42.440 --> 51:44.440] But I really do want to understand [51:44.440 --> 51:46.440] how you see the politicians listening [51:46.440 --> 51:51.440] or not listening to your generation right now. [51:51.440 --> 51:53.440] I do think that there has been efforts. [51:53.440 --> 51:56.440] I know several candidates throughout the past two years [51:56.440 --> 51:59.440] have been to campuses, have literally been outreached. [51:59.440 --> 52:01.440] They sit and they listen. [52:01.440 --> 52:03.440] But once they're elected into office, [52:03.440 --> 52:06.440] that stops in that communication line is you're emailing a staff [52:06.440 --> 52:08.440] or you're emailing a secretary [52:08.440 --> 52:10.440] and the odds that it actually gets to that person [52:10.440 --> 52:13.440] is so slim to none that the reality [52:13.440 --> 52:15.440] that they're actually listening to the complaints [52:15.440 --> 52:18.440] of their own constituents is very like, [52:18.440 --> 52:21.440] I have no faith that they are listening to those. [52:21.440 --> 52:25.440] And so it's hard to say when I don't even know [52:25.440 --> 52:28.440] if they're hearing the issues that are happening [52:28.440 --> 52:29.440] in their communities. [52:29.440 --> 52:31.440] I feel like if we had more young voters and more people [52:31.440 --> 52:35.440] that voted as soon as 18 or as soon as they possibly could, [52:35.440 --> 52:37.440] I feel like we would have more politicians [52:37.440 --> 52:40.440] listen to our opinions, listening to what we want. [52:40.440 --> 52:42.440] I think that what politicians need to understand [52:42.440 --> 52:45.440] is that if you start politically engaging kids [52:45.440 --> 52:48.440] when they're 18 to 21, [52:48.440 --> 52:50.440] when they're just starting to get their foot in the door [52:50.440 --> 52:53.440] in politics, you're more likely to have an engaged audience [52:53.440 --> 52:56.440] or an engaged constituency as we grow up. [52:56.440 --> 52:58.440] And I think that that's some effect [52:58.440 --> 53:00.440] that's overlooked most often. [53:00.440 --> 53:05.440] A lot of these politicians are just so much older than us. [53:05.440 --> 53:10.440] The problems that I see are going to be very different [53:10.440 --> 53:15.440] because for our 80-year-old and 60-year-old Senate members, [53:15.440 --> 53:19.440] climate change means three or four degrees [53:19.440 --> 53:23.440] and then they aren't going to be around much longer. [53:23.440 --> 53:29.440] But for me, climate change means I might see the world crumble. [53:29.440 --> 53:32.440] These politicians are so much older than us. [53:32.440 --> 53:34.440] They've been in these offices for so long [53:34.440 --> 53:37.440] that they don't need to listen to us. [53:37.440 --> 53:40.440] They've kind of got their elections secured almost [53:40.440 --> 53:42.440] that they just kind of keep coming back in [53:42.440 --> 53:44.440] and they don't have to engage anymore. [53:44.440 --> 53:47.440] Well, this has been, there's so much more I'd love to ask you, [53:47.440 --> 53:51.440] but it's been such a wonderful conversation. [53:51.440 --> 53:55.440] I so appreciate every one of you sharing your thoughts. [53:55.440 --> 53:58.440] Thank you very, very much. [53:58.440 --> 54:01.440] And tomorrow night, Judy will have a report [54:01.440 --> 54:03.440] on the Senate race in Wisconsin [54:03.440 --> 54:05.440] between incumbent Republican Ron Johnson [54:05.440 --> 54:07.440] and Democrat Mandela Barnes, [54:07.440 --> 54:10.440] one of the critical contests that will determine control [54:10.440 --> 54:12.440] of that legislative body. [54:12.440 --> 54:14.440] Also tomorrow, join us right here on PBS [54:14.440 --> 54:16.440] for a special live coverage [54:16.440 --> 54:19.440] of the January 6th Committee's public hearing, [54:19.440 --> 54:21.440] beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern, [54:21.440 --> 54:25.440] plus additional analysis on our regularly scheduled program. [54:25.440 --> 54:27.440] And that is the news hour for tonight. [54:27.440 --> 54:30.440] I'm Amna Nawaz for all of us here at the PBS NewsHour. [54:30.440 --> 54:33.440] Thank you for joining us. We will see you soon. [54:33.440 --> 54:37.440] Major funding for the PBS NewsHour has been provided by. [54:37.440 --> 54:40.440] For 25 years, Consumer Cellular's goal has been [54:40.440 --> 54:42.440] to provide wireless service that helps people [54:42.440 --> 54:44.440] communicate and connect. [54:44.440 --> 54:46.440] We offer a variety of no contract plans [54:46.440 --> 54:48.440] and our U.S.-based customer service team can help find one [54:48.440 --> 54:49.440] that fits you. [54:49.440 --> 54:52.440] To learn more, visit consumercellular.tv. [54:52.440 --> 54:58.440] And with the ongoing support of these individuals and institutions [54:58.440 --> 55:00.440] and friends of the news hour, [55:00.440 --> 55:05.440] including Jim and Nancy Biltner and Kathy and Paul Anderson. [55:05.440 --> 55:09.440] These are people who are trying to change the world. [55:09.440 --> 55:13.440] Startups have this energy that energizes me. [55:13.440 --> 55:16.440] I'm thriving by helping others every day. [55:16.440 --> 55:22.440] People who know, know, video. [55:22.440 --> 55:25.440] The Ford Foundation, working with visionaries [55:25.440 --> 55:31.440] on the front lines of social change worldwide. [55:31.440 --> 55:35.440] And with the ongoing support of these individuals and institutions. [55:35.440 --> 56:03.440] This program was made possible by the Corporation [56:03.440 --> 56:07.440] for Public Broadcasting, and by contributions to your PBS station [56:07.440 --> 56:09.440] from viewers like you. [56:09.440 --> 56:34.440] Thank you. [56:39.440 --> 56:55.440] We're watching PBS. [56:55.440 --> 56:58.440] This is the story of a woman trying to make it an amount world. [56:58.440 --> 57:10.440] But the rest is they say is a mystery. [57:10.440 --> 57:11.440] I'm a really good detector. [57:11.440 --> 57:13.440] You do know what needs an enemy. [57:13.440 --> 57:15.440] They just as we've done. [57:15.440 --> 57:17.440] No pressure. [57:17.440 --> 57:26.440] Let's see how this plays out. [57:26.440 --> 57:29.440] Resistance was a necessity. [57:29.440 --> 57:31.440] On making black America. [57:31.440 --> 57:36.440] Slaves were freed, but African Americans have not become truly equal citizens. [57:36.440 --> 57:38.440] Organizing for change. [57:38.440 --> 57:40.440] And black light. [57:40.440 --> 57:41.440] Black jaw. [57:41.440 --> 57:46.440] Creating these spaces are enclaves that allow us to feel good about ourselves [57:46.440 --> 57:49.440] and good in the world, even if the world isn't good. [57:49.440 --> 57:55.440] Making black America through the great plan, Tuesday night at nine. [57:55.440 --> 58:10.440] Here's tonight's lineup on KQED, made possible by your support. [58:10.440 --> 58:16.440] KQED celebrates Latinx Heritage Month with programs that share the Latinx experience. [58:16.440 --> 58:25.440] For program listings, visit KQED.org slash Heritage, celebrating Latinx Heritage Month on KQED. [58:25.440 --> 58:27.440] Are you a check please Bay Area fan? [58:27.440 --> 58:29.440] We want to hear what you think about our show. [58:29.440 --> 58:35.440] Please help us out by taking a brief survey at KQED.org slash check please survey [58:35.440 --> 58:37.440] and sharing your honest thoughts about our programming. [58:37.440 --> 58:39.440] Thank you. [58:39.440 --> 58:49.440] This is a battlefield. [58:49.440 --> 58:55.440] This is a battlefield. [58:55.440 --> 58:56.440] Good evening. [58:56.440 --> 59:02.440] It's the most important part of the nature. [59:02.440 --> 59:11.440] You must have never done this before. [59:11.440 --> 59:18.440] We go with what the environment gives us who we are supposed to protect it. [59:18.440 --> 59:26.440] It is a real drum and it's unfolding right in front of you. [59:26.440 --> 59:32.440] This will show us so many things that we just haven't seen. [59:32.440 --> 59:33.440] Change. [59:33.440 --> 59:40.440] You've got that. [59:40.440 --> 59:47.440] It's big as you imagine. [59:47.440 --> 59:53.440] KQED thanks our members and community partners for their support. [59:53.440 --> 01:00:00.440] Xfinity Home helps customers keep their home and everything in it more protected from 24-7 live and recorded video [01:00:00.440 --> 01:00:04.440] to controlling their smart home devices. [01:00:04.440 --> 01:00:12.440] Learn more at Xfinity.com slash Xfinity Home. [01:00:12.440 --> 01:00:15.440] Hello everyone and welcome to our important company. [01:00:15.440 --> 01:00:20.440] Here's what's coming up. [01:00:20.440 --> 01:00:27.440] More contentious cases on the United States Supreme Court docket after gutting women's rights, [01:00:27.440 --> 01:00:32.440] democracy and voting rights come up for review and I speak to the former Attorney General [01:00:32.440 --> 01:00:33.440] Eric Holder. [01:00:33.440 --> 01:00:40.440] Then a growing power vacuum, how Putin's war in Ukraine is hurting his influence elsewhere. [01:00:40.440 --> 01:00:48.440] Plus Iran intensifies its crackdown but protesters show no sign of bowing to that pressure. [01:00:48.440 --> 01:00:57.440] The country's deep culture of protest with Reza Aslan, who looks at the historic but little-known role of an American martyr in Persia. [01:00:57.440 --> 01:00:58.440] Also ahead. [01:00:58.440 --> 01:01:22.440] That was really pretty.