PBS Washington Week with The Atlantic - Full Show

In this insightful discussion, guests break down the complex role of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in shaping American health policy. Michael Scherer reveals Kennedy's evolution and his significant political value to Trump. Dan Diamond highlights the shared vaccine skepticism between the two, while Julie Rovner examines the troubling impacts of staff cuts at HHS and the CDC’s leadership struggles. The conversation also touches on the political pressures faced by the FDA and the long-term ramifications of the pandemic on public trust in health experts.

Join political heavyweights Peter Baker, Chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, Leigh Ann Caldwell from Puck News, Jonathan Karl of ABC News, and Toluse Olorunnipa from The Atlantic as they dissect President Trump’s unprecedented anger. They explore his alarming calls for violence against lawmakers, his clashes with female reporters, and political setbacks affecting his administration. The discussion also delves into Trump's defense of Saudi Arabia and the implications of military obedience amid political tensions.

The Jeffrey Epstein scandal has become so combustible that it’s creating fissures with the GOP. Plus, Democrats wrestle with their own over moderate senators' vote to end the government shutdown. Join guest moderator Vivian Salama, Natalie Andrews of The Wall Street Journal, Nancy Cordes of CBS News, Andrew Desiderio of Punchbowl News and Jeff Mason of Reuters to discuss this and more.

President Trump enjoys hosting leaders, projecting power and his central role in world affairs. But there’s a different reality outside the Oval Office, one in which polls are showing him unpopular with the majority of Americans. Join Jeffrey Goldberg, Leigh Ann Caldwell of Puck, David Ignatius of The Washington Post, Mark Leibovich of The Atlantic and Jeff Zeleny of CNN to discuss this and more.

In a riveting discussion, guests include Andrea Mitchell, NBC News’ Chief Washington correspondent; Paul Beckett, Senior editor at The Atlantic; Jeff Mason, White House correspondent for Reuters; and Seung Min Kim, White House reporter for AP. They delve into critical topics like the implications of new trade deals in Asia, the alarming suggestion of resuming nuclear testing, and the evolving government shutdown. They explore how Trump’s diplomacy influenced discussions, the economic effects of the shutdown, and the political pressures shaping these unfolding events.

President Trump took a wrecking ball to the East Wing of the White House, and in so doing obliterated the line between metaphor and literal reality. Join moderator Jeffrey Goldberg, Peter Baker of The New York Times, Susan Glasser of The New Yorker, David Ignatius of The Washington Post and Toluse Olorunnipa of The Atlantic to discuss this and more.

Buoyed by the belief that he brought peace to the Middle East, President Trump is trying to end Russia’s war on Ukraine. But at home, he’s waging war on domestic critics, engaging in a prosecution campaign without precedent. Join moderator Jeffrey Goldberg, Nancy Youssef and Anne Applebaum of The Atlantic, Stephen Hayes of The Dispatch and Tyler Pager of The New York Times to discuss more.

In this captivating discussion, David Ignatius, a seasoned foreign affairs columnist at The Washington Post, dives into the intricacies of the Gaza ceasefire and its aftermath. He sheds light on the dynamics of Trump's diplomatic success, contrasting it with Biden's challenges. The panel explores why Hamas agreed to the ceasefire, driven by exhaustion and regional pressure. Discussions also touch on the future governance of Gaza, the roles of U.S. intermediaries like Jared Kushner, and the potential for normalization in the Middle East.

Andrew Desiderio, Senior Congressional Reporter for Punchbowl News, offers keen insights into the current government funding standoff. He discusses how Democrats are leveraging the situation to appeal to their base, drawing parallels to past shutdowns. The conversation also delves into Trump’s motivations behind the shutdown, and contrasts his and Russ Vought's distinct approaches to bureaucracy. The panel underscores each party's strategic goals and examines the implications of recent controversial meetings among top military officials.

President Trump swore to seek retribution against his political adversaries, and he’s delivering on his promise. Never in modern history has a president used the tools of state power so blatantly to punish his foes. Join moderator Jeffrey Goldberg, Stephen Hayes of The Dispatch, Karen Tumulty of The Washington Post, Ali Vitali of MSNBC and Nancy Youssef of The Atlantic to discuss this and more.