PBS News Hour - Full Show January 3, 2026 - PBS News Weekend full episode
Jan 3, 2026
Nick Schifrin, PBS NewsHour correspondent, shares firsthand accounts of the U.S. military operation that captured Nicolás Maduro, while Mary Trini Mina reports on the mixed reactions of Venezuelans. Diplomat James Story analyzes the diplomatic strategy and potential risks involved in U.S. actions. Ashley Gerhardt discusses the addictive qualities of ultra-processed foods and their link to health issues, and Matt Fobian explains how the Census Bureau counts remote Alaskan communities, focusing on privacy protections for sensitive data.
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U.S. Military Seizure Signals Regional Assertion
- The U.S. executed a midnight operation that captured Nicolás Maduro and extracted him to the USS Iwo Jima.
- The mission signals a U.S. willingness to assert dominance in the Western Hemisphere, beyond usual foreign entanglements.
Energy Motive Risks Undermining Moral Case
- President Trump framed the operation as securing Venezuelan energy and asserting U.S. dominance in the hemisphere.
- Officials and commentators warned this messaging risks appearing imperial and undermines America's moral high ground.
Caracas Heard Detonations And Stayed Home
- Mary Trini Mina reported Caracas heard prolonged detonations and low information during the raid, with many staying home.
- Maduro supporters still gathered while government called the action a U.S. aggression and kidnapping of the president.