AMNA NAWAZ: Good evening.

I'm# Amna Nawaz.

Geoff Bennett is away.

On the "NewsHour" tonight: Secretary of State# Marco Rubio gives Hungary's far right president## a reelection boost just days after trying to# smooth over relations with other European allies.

The Justice Department gives its reasoning# for how it redacted the Epstein files.

And the partial government shutdown# over Homeland Security funding drags## on with no end in sight.

We speak to# Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

REP.

HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): We# have an opportunity to make bold,## transformational and meaningful changes in the law## that will actually immediately impact how ICE# agents are permitted to conduct themselves.

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

America's top diplomat traveled to Hungary# today and endorsed that country's far right## prime minister, who's seeking his fifth straight# term in office this April.

Viktor Orban has## cracked down on the media, civil society and# weakened judicial independence in Hungary.

At a news conference in Budapest, Secretary# of State Marco Rubio said the extraordinarily## close relationship between President# Trump and Orban had tangible benefits.

MARCO RUBIO, U.S.

Secretary of State:# President Trump is deeply committed to## your success, because your success is our success.

AMNA NAWAZ: Orban has close ties to# Russian President Vladimir Putin.

And## while Europe has ended or significantly# reduced its reliance on Russian oil,## Hungary refuses to cut back on# the oil it buys from Russia.## President Trump has exempted Hungary# from U.S.

sanctions for those purchases.

Rubio's meeting with Orban came after the# secretary of state addressed world leaders## at the Munich Security Conference# this weekend.

Coming on the heels## of Trump's threats to Greenland, Rubio# tried to convey a reassuring message.

MARCO RUBIO: We care deeply about your# future and ours.

And if at times we disagree,## our disagreements come from our profound sense of## concern about a Europe with which we# are connected, not just economically,## not just militarily.

We are connected# spiritually and we are connected culturally.

The fundamental question we must answer at# the outset is, what exactly are we defending?## Because armies do not fight for abstractions.# Armies fight for a people.

Armies fight for a## nation.

Armies fight for a way of life.

And that# is what we are defending, a great civilization.

Acting together in this way, we will# not just help recover a sane foreign## policy.

It will restore to us a clear sense of# ourselves.

It will restore a place in the world.## And in so doing, it will rebuke and# deter the forces of civilizational## erasure that today menace# both America and Europe alike.

AMNA NAWAZ: After the secretary's speech,## Nick Schifrin, who was in Munich, spoke to# two senior European officials to ge.. reactions, beginning with the minister# of defense for Belgium, Theo Francken.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Defense Minister, thank# you very much.

Welcome to the "News Hour."

THEO FRANCKEN, Belgian# Defense Minister: Thank you.

NICK SCHIFRIN: You have desc.. You have referenced Venezuela.# You have referenced, of course,## the crisis over Greenland.

Secretary Rubio came# here to Munich, gave a speech that was described## by the chairman of the conference# as reassurance to European allies.

Where do you think transatlantic# relations are right now?

THEO FRANCKEN: I wrote a book# about the history of NATO,## and I said we have a marriage of# 76 years old and we're in a crisis.

Since one year, we're in a marriage crisis.

And# then you can -- I'm married for 20 years.

And## sometimes you have a fight, and we had some# fights the last couple of months.

Certainly,## on Greenland, we had a big fight.# And I think that you can choose## two ways or you do a divorce or# you try to fix your marriage.

And I think that in the main interest of the# United States, of American people is -- and## in European states and European people# is to stay together, to stick together,## because the threats, the storm is coming, is# already there, and the threats are increasing.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Some European officials I talk to# say that Greenland was basically a turning point## or almost a turning point, but that the lesson# learned was that Europe united to push back## on the United States and that's why President# Trump basically took an off-ramp on Greenland.

Is that how you sit?

THEO FRANCKEN: I'm really an Atlanticist thinker.# I'm somebody who really love.. civilization, American people.

And I always# defend you in my Parliament, in my public opinion.

But Greenland was the total red line.

You cannot# offend somebody by taking or by threatening the## territorial integrity of a country.

That is# just a red line.

You cannot do it.

I mean,## it's an ally, such a good and decent# ally like Denmark.

You just can't do it.

So, yes, the pushback was really, really# well-coordinated.

And I hope, I don't know,## but I see that the reaction now# is like appeasing and saying, OK.

NICK SCHIFRIN: From the U.S.,# you're saying, the U.S.?

THEO FRANCKEN: Yes.

Yes, absolutely.

NICK SCHIFRIN: So, does that mean that the lesson that Europe has taken# is.. THEO FRANCKEN: Pushback worked in this# specific situation with Greenland.## And I think the message has really been# clear.

And the reaction is also clear.

So, Mr.

Rubio now really opening up and saying,## OK, let's -- we have our problems, but we# have our problems also in the United States,## we have our problems in Europe, but# we -- let's try to fix them together.

And I think that, for me, it is# really a relief and I think also## for a lot of Europeans and a lot of# American people that are saying, OK.

NICK SCHIFRIN: And, later, I spoke to Kaja# Kallas, Europe's top diplomat, about Secretary of## State Marco Rubio's speech here in Munich and the# overall relationship between the U.S.

and Europe.

Kaja Kallas, thanks very much.# Welcome back to the "News Hour."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio in his address# to the Munich Security Conference said this of## the United States and Europe -- quote -- "Our# destiny will always be intertwined with yours,## and we want to do it together with you, our# oldest allies and our cherished friends."

But his agenda that he laid out,# including stopping immigration## that has caused what he called# European civilizational erasure,## and eliminating -- quote -- "the# global welfare state and the climate## cult," the chairman of the Munich Security# Conference said he was reassured.

Are you?

KAJA KALLAS, Foreign Affairs High# Representative, European Commission: The tone## was different.

That's fo.. NICK SCHIFRIN: Than Vice# President Vance last year.

KAJA KALLAS: Yes.

And, also, I mea.. we want to do this together with you.# We have always been together and we## will be also together in the future.# So that is the message that we heard.

We don't always see eye to eye on# issues.

And we still think that## if you're worried about migration, you should# be also worried about the climate change,## because people will have to leave their# homes because they can't live there.

So these are the debates that we definitely don't# always agree.

But I think, in the bigger picture,## the security issues, the message to us that we# want to work with you, I think it's important.

NICK SCHIFRIN: It does seem, though, that# some European concerns that already existed## of the Trump administration certainly# crescendoed after the Greenland crisis.

And I noticed that French President# Emmanuel Macron used a phrase at the## Munich Security Conference.# He said -- quote -- "We will## de-risk vis-a-vis all the big powers# in order to be much more independent."

He did not say de-risk from China,# right?

That's the phrase he used,## clearly implying the United States.

Is Europe de-risking from the United# States?

And what does that look like?

KAJA KALLAS: I mean, we are# strengthening our defense.

We are## really trying to get over our dependencies,# because dependencies make us vulnerable and weak.

We are diversifying our trade relationships.

We# are also diversifying our defense and security## partnerships, so that we are not putting all the# eggs in the same basket, because every tendency... NICK SCHIFRIN: The American basket.

KAJA KALLAS: Wha.. energy.

We learned the hard way# that it's going to be very costly.## Now we are also worried about dependencies# on technologies that come from China.

And, of course, in terms of security, we# have been dependent also on the United## States.

And we are doing more to be more# independent when it comes to security.

NICK SCHIFRIN: One of the examples# of perhaps Europeans thinking about## de-risking the United States is a# conversation about nuclear deterrence.

We heard from the chancellor# of Germany, Friedrich Merz,## saying openly that he was talking to France# about perhaps extending their nuclear## deterrence to Europe.

I've talked to other foreign# ministers who are certainly talking about that.

Is that a sign that Europe does not have# faith in the U.S.

nuclear deterrent?

KAJA KALLAS: These discussions are# out there.

I don't think it's good## for the overall peace of the world, because# these are very dangerous weapons, but... NICK SCHIFRIN: Not a good idea to# even have discussions or you're## saying not a good idea to extend nuclear weapons?

KAJA KALLAS: No, no, no, I think -- yes,# I think the discussions are there.

It's## always good to have discussions,# what are the options really?

But we are in this point where we are# entering into a very dangerous world,## where we might see more nuclear# weapons.

But at the same time,## I can understand where these countries are# coming from.

Exactly.

The risks are higher.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Let me ask about Alexei# Navalny, the former Russian opposition## figure who died in Russian detention.

Five# European countries have come out and said that## he was poisoned -- quote -- "with a lethal toxin# found in poisoned dart frogs in South America."

What does that say about Vladimir Putin's Russia?

KAJA KALLAS: Well, it says what we have always# known.

It is literally dictator's handbook.

How you remain in power is that you# eliminate all the potential competitors.## You keep the oligarchs and the power structures# happy, and you are staying in power.

So that's## very clear that he's operating like this.# He's killing his own people to stay in power.

NICK SCHIFRIN: And finally, on Ukraine,# European intelligence officials here## briefed reporters and said that Vladimir# Putin is not negotiating in good faith.

U.S.

officials, as you know, believe# they are making progress.

Who's right?

KAJA KALLAS: We see a strong push for peace,## but it's one-sided.

We have heard what# Ukraine is willing to also concede,## but Russians are just playing time and pretending# to negotiate, so that's not really serious.

They want to have absolute# maximalist goals delivered## by the Americans diplomatically what they# haven't been able to conquer militarily.## I don't know where this belief comes# that actually there's progress made.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Kaja Kallas, thank you very much.

KAJA KALLAS: Thank you.

AMNA NAWAZ: Federal and state law enforcement# are still looking for Nancy Guthrie,## the mother of Today Show co-host Savannah# Guthrie.

Local police address rumors today## that Guthrie family members may have# been involved in her disappearance.

In a statement, Pima County sheriff said# they have been cleared as possible suspects## and that "to suggest otherwise# is not only wrong; it is cruel."

But there is some hope that a found glove# may contain DNA from a potential suspect.

Stephanie Sy has more.

STEPHANIE SY: As the search for# Nancy Guthrie enters its third week,## her daughter Savannah made another heartfelt# plea to whoever knows her mom's whereabouts.

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE, Co-Host, "The Today# Show": It is never too late to do the## right thing.

And we are here.

We believe.

STEPHANIE SY: Last week, The Today# Show anchor posted a home video of## her mom captioned: "We will never give up on her."

Authorities continued to chase down leads# after the 84-year-old was reported missing## on February 1.

The FBI said on Sunday that# a glove found two miles from Nancy Guthrie's## house appears to match those worn by the# masked person caught on her porch camera.

Let's just start with the glove.

Is that a major## break in its importance in being# able to potentially find a suspect?

RAY JOHNSON, Retired FBI Special# Agent: I would say it is.

STEPHANIE SY: Ray Johnson is a retired FBI special## agent who now teaches law at the# University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

RAY JOHNSON: The fact that the glove# was within a two-mile radius of the## house and the fact that they were# able to extract DNA from that glove,## taken as a totality and taken# together, that gives me hope.

STEPHANIE SY: Johnson said national# databases could help narrow down a suspect.

RAY JOHNSON: If we can link it together# with somebody who happened to match the## description of the offender or be in the# area or some of the Ring cameras that are## constantly being sought after now for# suspects, that helps us really get what## we need for legal prosecution later and# to get an answer as to what happened.

STEPHANIE SY: It's still not clear what the# motive behind Guthrie's apparent kidnapping## was.

Johnson says certain details# of the case make it untraditional.

RAY JOHNSON: It does not feel to me what a# garden-variety or a kidnapping for ransom## would look like.

In my experience, this# feels more like a premeditated crime,## either a burglary, either a robbery, something# different than a true kidnapping, because,## if you're planning the kidnapping, you're already# going to have those ransom channels set up.

STEPHANIE SY: Law enforcement# is also now reportedly using## a tracking device called a signal# sniffer.

Mounted on a helicopter,## it may be able to detect emissions# from Nancy Guthrie's pacemaker.

Savannah Guthrie's Today Show colleagues# have rallied behind her.

And in a call## with The New York Post today, President# Trump threatened the kidnapper with the## most severe federal consequences if# Nancy Guthrie is not returned safely.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Stephanie Sy.

AMNA NAWAZ: Also today, a major winter# storm is piling up snow in the mountains## of Northern California and hitting much of# the rest of the state with heavy rain and## strong winds.

In the Sierra Nevada, nearly# a foot of snow had fallen by this morning,## and forecasters say there# is plenty more on the way.

Much of California is under winter# storm warnings through Wednesday,## and in those upper elevations, forecasters# expect up to eight feet of snow.

In the meantime, residents in the center of the# country are facing a very different problem,## with fire warnings due to higher-than-expected# temperatures, gusty winds, and dry conditions.

In Georgia, a trial is under way for a# man whose teenage son allegedly killed## four people in a school shooting in 2024.# It's the latest instance of officials## trying to hold parents accountable# for the actions of their children.## During opening statements today, prosecutors# said Colin Gray knew his son, then 14 years old,## had an obsession with school shooters and# suffered from deteriorating mental health.

BRAD SMITH, Barrow County, Georgia, District# Attorney: This case is about this defendant## and his actions, his actions in allowing a# child that he has custody over access to a## firearm and ammunition after being warned# that that child was going to harm others.

AMNA NAWAZ: Despite the warning signs,# prosecutors say the elder Gray still## gifted his son a gun for Christmas.# He's pleaded not guilty to 29 counts,## including second-degree murder and# cruelty to children.

Two students and## two teachers were killed in the shooting at# Apalachee High School in September of 2024.

Ukrainian and Russian officials# are gathering in Geneva this week## for the latest U.S.-brokered# talks aimed at ending the war.## The Kremlin said today that the negotiations# will involve what it called the main issues,## such as the delicate question of how much# territory it wants Ukraine to give up.

Meanwhile, in Kyiv today... SEN.

RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D-CT): Mr.# President, good to see you.

Thank you.

AMNA NAWAZ: ... Ukrainian President# Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed two## Democratic U.S.

senators and thanked them# for Washington's support in the talks.## This comes as the attacks# from both sides continue.

This weekend, Russian strikes in Ukraine's# Odesa region killed at least one person,## with both Ukraine and Russia reporting# further military attacks today.

Meanwhile, supporters of Russian opposition# leader Alexei Navalny have been marking two## years since his death in an Arctic penal colony.# In Moscow, mourners laid flowers at his grave,## as representatives from several European# embassies paid their respects.

The tributes## come just days after five European# nations released a joint statement## saying that Navalny was poisoned with a# rare toxin linked to poisoned dart frogs.

Navalny's mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya,## says it proves he was murdered# and called for accountability.

LYUDMILA NAVALNAYA, Mother of# Alexei Navalny (through translator):## Two years have passed and we already know# what he was poisoned with.

Of course,## we want justice to prevail and# for us to know all of their names.

AMNA NAWAZ: The Kremlin denied# the latest poisoning allegations,## calling them -- quote -- "biased and unfounded."

And the world of cinema has lost two giants.

We## start with documentary filmmaker# and producer Frederick Wiseman.

In his directorial debut,# "Titicut Follies," in 1967,## Wiseman took an unsparing look at conditions# inside a mental hospital in Massachusetts.## The title comes from the variety show put on# by inmates.

The film was banned for years,## but eventually aired on PBS in the# early 1990s once that ban was lifted.

Wiseman went on to create dozens of films over# a nearly six-decade career that explored and## sometimes exposed America's social and cultural# institutions.

He worked well into his 90s,## and in 2016 he received an honorary Academy Award.# His family announced his passing through Zipporah## Films, the distribution company he founded# in 1971.

Frederick Wiseman was 96 years old.

Also tonight, one of Hollywood's most# memorable legends, Robert Duvall,## has died.

The Academy Award winner enjoyed a long# and storied career, carving out a lane as both an## unorthodox leading man and a supporting player# in some of the greatest films in movie history.

ROBERT DUVALL, Actor: I love the# smell of napalm in the morning.

AMNA NAWAZ: Over a career spanning# more than 60 years, Robert Duvall## became one of America's most respected# and versatile actors in Hollywood history,## known for his incredible range# and command of the screen.

ROBERT DUVALL: Clarence, take it easy.

How the# hell could I see this?

It's just going on now.

AMNA NAWAZ: He got his start on an# early classic, playing Boo Radley## in 1962's "To Kill a Mockingbird," a# wordless role in which he made a mark.

A broad spectrum of films and roles followed,# the villain opposite John Wayne in the epic## American Western "True Grit," and the inept# and often pompous Major Frank Burns in "MASH."

ROBERT DUVALL: Keep your filthy mouth to yourself.

AMNA NAWAZ: But it wasn't until the role of# Tom Hagen for "T.. lawyer and consigliere for the Corleone crime# family, that would launch Duvall's career.

(CROSSTALK) ROBERT DUVALL: E.. Well, I always knew after "Godfather" one, I# would do maybe OK, but I knew that it might## happen in 10 years after everybody else.

And# I was -- somebody once said between 25 and 40,## they're good actors.

After that,# something happens in a negative## way.

So I always tried to remember that# and think of myself in the potential.

As I grow older, I have more experience# and I feel I have more to offer,## that I have become a better performer.

AMNA NAWAZ: Duvall was known# for bringing naturalism to## his roles.

His ability to transform# reached another high mark in 1979,## when he played a tyrannical father and# fighter pilot in "The Great Santini."

ROBERT DUVALL: Hey, hey, hey, mama's boy, I# bet you're going to cry.

Come on, mama's boy.

AMNA NAWAZ: That same year, some of# his most memorable work in less than## 20 minutes of total screen time playing# Lt.

Col.

Kilgore in "Apocalypse Now."

Duvall was nominated for seven# Oscars, winning his only one for## his performance as a washed-up country# music star in the much quieter "Tender## Mercies."

Duvall also stepped behind# the camera, writing and directing,## as well as starring in "The Apostle," as a# deeply flawed preacher seeking redemption.

The performance would earn him# another Academy Award nomination.## He was nominated for multiple Emmys as well,## including for one of his best roles in the# miniseries "Lonesome Dove" as ranger Gus McCrae.

ROBERT DUVALL: I'm giving you a# reason to go off on another adventure.

AMNA NAWAZ: The show was a huge hit and# set a new standard for television series.

In all, Duvall had more than 140 film and# television acting credits and remained active into## his 90s.

His family said he died peacefully in his# home in Virginia.

Robert Duvall was 95 years old.

Still to come on the "News Hour": Tamara# Keith and Amy Walter break down the latest## political headlines; the greatest achievements# and upsets halfway through the Winter Olympics;## and an historian joins our PBS# News podcast to ask a simple## question about modern politics:# What would Abraham Lincoln do?

Well, the fallout continues# from the Epstein files.

On Saturday, the Justice Department sent a# letter to Congress that included a list of## names of -- quote -- "politically# exposed persons" mentioned in the## files of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Our justice correspondent, Ali Rogin, has been# digging into all of this and joins us now.

So, Ali, let's start with that letter from the# Justice Department.

It contains hundreds of names,## very little context.

Why did# the DOJ release this now?

ALI ROGIN: So this letter was intended as# a communication to Congress saying that## they have released all the documents that are# relevant to the Epstein Files Transparency Act,## which required the release of these documents.

Of course, we also know that there are# another 2.5 million documents that are## remaining secret.

The law also required the# DOJ to release this list of all government## officials and politically exposed persons# named or referenced in the files.

The DOJ## says that's why they released this# list, which contains about 280 names.

But neither the Epstein law nor the DOJ defined# what politically exposed actually means.

So there## are a number of disparate names here with, as you# said, very little context.

It includes people that## Epstein was never known to have met, including# Princess Diana, Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley.

The DOJ did note that might be because some# people ended up in the files because they## were part of press clippings that# simply made their way into e-mails.

AMNA NAWAZ: Well, a number of lawmakers# have been calling for more transparency## from the Justice Department.# What's their response to this?

ALI ROGIN: We heard over the weekend from# both Congressman Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie,## who have been leading the# charge for more information.

In a post on X, Khanna said the DOJ# was once again purposefully muddying## the waters with this list that they have# provided.

And he called for three actions,## release the full files, stop protecting# predators, redact only the survivors' names.

And Massie said the DOJ still has to# produce internal documents explaining## their decision-making over declining# to investigate or prosecute certain## individuals.

So, Amna, this seems far from over.

AMNA NAWAZ: Meanwhile, we know the fallout# from this has spread overseas.

There's been## a number of people who faced backlash# in Europe as the Epstein vows have been## released.

The reaction here in the# U.S.

has been more muted, though.

What do we know about that?

ALI ROGIN: In Europe, there does seem to# be an Epstein domino.. we have seen Prime Minister Keir Starmer lose# an ambassador and two top aides because of their## connections to Epstein.

The former Prince# Andrew is also under police investigations,## royals and politicians in Sweden, Norway,# France, Slovakia all coming under fire.

So it does seem that while inclusion in the# files is not an indication of any wrongdoing,## the court of public opinion in Europe has# clearly been thoroughly rendered -- rendered## its judgment.

Here in the U.S., though,# the backlash, as you said, has been quieter## and the departures and resignations# have come from lower-profile people.

Talent executive Casey Wasserman announced he# would be selling his firm due to his connections## with Ghislaine Maxwell.

Obama era White House# counsel Kathy Ruemmler stepped down from her role## as chief legal officer for Goldman Sachs following# the release of her e-mails with Epstein.

And chairman of Hyatt Hotels Tom Pritzker# said he deeply regrets his association## with Epstein and Maxwell and that he is# stepping down from his post immediately.

But, Amna, there are many other high-profile## political figures who are going about# their business, including former Trump## adviser and MAGA star Steve Bannon# and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

AMNA NAWAZ: That's our justice# correspondent, Ali Rogin.

Great reporting.

Thank you.

ALI ROGIN: You bet.

AMNA NAWAZ:## A partial government shutdown is under# way.

And with Congress out this week## and unlikely to return until next week, many# employees of agencies under the Department of## Homeland Security will continue working# without pay for the foreseeable future.

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries of New# York is the top Democrat in the House,## and I spoke with him this afternoon.

Leader Jeffries, welcome back to the# "News Hour."

Thanks for joining us.

REP.

HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): Good to be with you.

AMNA NAWAZ: So, without a.. we're in day three of another partial government# shutdown.

We know Congress i.. so does that mean that a shutdown# is going to last at least that long?

REP.

HAKEEM JEFFRIES: Well, as# Democrats, we continue to be ready,## willing, and able to sit down# with our Republican colleagues## any time, anyplace in order to make# sure that we can get ICE under control.

The American people deserve to have# their taxpayer dollars used to make## their life more affordable and# not to brutalize or kill them,## as was tragically the case with# Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti.

And we simply believe, as a value proposition,# that immigration enforcement in this country,## it should be fair, it should be just, and it# should be humane.

Donald Trump promised to target## violent felons who are here illegally.

Instead,# ICE has been targeting law-abiding immigrant## families and brutalizing American communities.# That's unacceptable, and that needs to change.

AMNA NAWAZ: In terms of where talks are# to get to some kind of deal, though,## we know Democrats put forward a list of demands# last week.

We saw a senior White House official## on Thursday say that Democrats had rejected# what they called their latest counterproposal.

So, for folks who are already out# there working without pay right now,## what can you tell them about how much closer# you are to a deal today compared to last week?

REP.

HAKEEM JEFFRIES: It's very fortunate that# Republicans have decided that they would prefer## to shut down FEMA, shut down the Coast Guard, and# shut down TSA, as opposed to actually getting ICE## under control, reining them in, because the# American people know they have gone too far,## and ensure that ICE and CBP behave like every# other law enforcement agency in the country.

That's the objective that we are trying# to achieve.

Now, there are several things,## commonsense, strong proposals that we have put on# the table that to date Republicans have rejected,## including a requirement that# judicial warrants be obtained## before ICE agents can storm the homes of# the American people or private property.

We also believe that ICE agents,# of course, should be trained,## should have a excessive use of force policy that# they adhere to, and that they shouldn't be able## to target sensitive locations like schools and# hospitals, houses of worship, and polling sites.

And we finally believe, of course, in terms of# some of the top-line demands that we have made,## is that there should be independent investigations## whenever it is the case that ICE agents# or CBP agents break state and local law.

AMNA NAWAZ: Leader Jeffries, we# have reported extensively on,## I know, the Democrats' demands on# this case, but are you any closer## to a deal?

Have you talked to the# White House in the last three days?

REP.

HAKEEM JEFFRIES: I haven't had# direct conversation with the White## House.

My understanding, Donald Trump was down# in Florida on the golf course yesterday, which## is exactly what we saw from the president during# the 43-day Trump Republican shutdown, a lack of## seriousness as it relates to direct engagement# between House Democrats and Senate Democrats.

And as I have indicated, though there# are staff-to-staff conversations,## there have not been any principal-level# discussions to date, either with the White## House or with House and Senate Republican leaders.

AMNA NAWAZ: Can I put to you what your fellow# Democrat Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania## has said about where things are?

He pointed# out that the shutdown really is not going to## have an impact on ICE, which saw a huge influx of# funding from that so-called Big Beautiful Bill.

He said, what's really doing, as you have# pointed out too, is forcing TSA workers to## work without pay.

FEMA could also be affected.# So if ICE reforms are what you want to see here,## how does a shutdown that doesn't# really affect the agency get you there?

REP.

HAKEEM JEFFRIES: First of all, we have until# the end of the month to make sure that TSA agents## don't miss a single paycheck, and that is# our commitment as Democrats.

And we need,## of course, Republicans to join us with respect# to TSA, along with the Coast Guard and FEMA,## the other agencies that are part of# the Department of Homeland Security.

John Fetterman, of course, he# knows that the one big ugly bill,## which every single Democrat and every single# -- in the House and the Senate voted against,## was an egregious piece of legislation that# both ripped away Medicaid from about 14## million Americans, a trillion-dollar cut to# Medicaid, the largest in American history.

It stole food from the mouths of hungry children,# seniors, and veterans with a $186 billion cut to## SNAP, which also happens to be the largest# in American history, and then used that## money to provide massive tax breaks to the GOP's# billionaire donors and to create this $75 billion## slush fund for untrained and masked ICE agents to# be violently unleashed in American communities.

So, yes, we do have to address the# dynamics related to the one big ugly bill,## but, at this moment, in the context of the# appropriations battle that is in front of us,## we have an opportunity to make bold,# transformational, and meaningful changes in## the law that will actually immediately impact how# ICE agents are permitted to conduct themselves.

AMNA NAWAZ: That's House Democratic# Leader Hakeem Jeffries joining us today.

Leader Jeffries, thank you.# Good to speak with you.

REP.

HAKEEM JEFFRIES: Thank you.

AMNA NAWAZ: For more analysis of the# partial shutdown and other political## news on this Presidents' Day, we turn# now to our Politics Monday duo.

That is## Amy Walter of The Cook Political Report# With Amy Walter and Tamara Keith of NPR.

It's great to see you both.

And, Tam, I will start with you.

You heard#.. have been rejected by Republicans, that# there's been staff-to-staff communications,## no talks between the principals.# How do you see this deadlock ending?

TAMARA KEITH, National Public# Radio: So I spoke with a senior## White House official on Friday,# and I just want to read a quote.

This person says: "Ultimately,# there will have to be a compromise."

Now, that doesn't sound like breaking news, but# that's different than the White House position## was in the last government shutdown, where# they were unwilling to negotiate and said## Democrats just have to reopen the government.

So# I think that the posture is slightly different.

There is an awareness that many in the# public who may even support the president## controlling the border and other things# are not happy with the images they are## seeing of ICE and CBP and the Americans# who were killed in Minneapolis.

And so## I think that there is a window# here for something to happen.

But as your interview just points out, like, these# are not intense negotiations happening right now.

AMNA NAWAZ: Amy, what's your take on this?# I mean, the demands Democrats are making## here for ICE reforms are different than# the health care subsidy extensions they## wanted in that last government shutdown.# Are those seen differently by the public?

AMY WALTER, The Cook Political Report: Yes,# I think, for the first time in a long time,## Democrats are coming into a conversation# about immigration on the front foot,## rather than the back foot.

And it is Republicans who really do have# to deal with the fact that the po.. especially on ICE, is very, very unpopular.# It's interesting.

You will hear from in your## interview with Congressman Jeffries,# Leader Jeffries -- over the weekend,## we had Senator Schumer, as the leader of# Democrats in the Senate, use this term## commonsense reform, talk a lot about the# work they'd like with training officers.

When I see polling that's been put out there, one# in particular, Democratic poll that came out the## other week, this idea of training ICE better so# that there will not be violent -- there won't## be violence between ICE and those who they are# trying to apprehend is really pretty popular.

And so I think Democrats are in a much different# position today because of that, as well as the## fact that when it comes to immigration, the# lead person, the person who is always in focus,## is President Trump.

This is seen as his# immigration policy.

It's going to be very## hard to blame Democrats.

Republicans will have a# hard time blaming Democrats if things fall apart.

AMNA NAWAZ: Tam, to that point, it is such a# signature issue for this president.

What would## it mean if he were to compromise or authorize# compromise for his Senate and House Republicans?

TAMARA KEITH: Yes, President Trump# is very good at spinning everything## into a win.

You saw Tom Homan talk about# removing the surge in Minneapolis.

And## the way he talked about it was like, all# right, mission accomplished, moving on.

So I think that President Trump is not going# to have a hard time necessarily selling this## to voters, certainly not to selling# it to his base.

They are willing to## give him a lot of leeway.

And some of# the things that they're talking about## are like body-worn cameras for ICE agents# and Border Patrols.

And you had the heads## of those agencies in Congress in testimony# saying, please, we want this, give us this.

So I think that there are areas where the White## House can credibly spin it as# a win if there is a compromise.

AMNA NAWAZ: I want to get both of your takes,## meanwhile, on the latest on this# release from the Epste.. Amy, as Ali was reporting earlier, we have not## seen the kind of accountability here in# the U.S.

that some European leaders have## been subjected to.

There's this new letter# now from the DOJ that went to Congress.

From the perspective of the general public,## is all of this of interest?

Does# it hold a place of importance?

AMY WALTER: Well, what's really interesting,# watching Democrats react the other week to Senator## Jon Ossoff -- he's a senator from Georgia.# He gave a campaign speech the other day.

And what he did was to make# a link between the Epstein## files and voters' frustration with# their day-to-day living concerns,## with the feeling that the middle class has# been left behind.

And here's what he said.

He said: "We were told MAGA was# for working-class Americans,## but this is a government of, by and for the# ultra-elite.

This," he said, "is the Epstein## class," referring to the Trump administration.# "They're the elites they pretend to hate."

And I think you're going to hear that term# a lot on the campaign trail, this idea that## the folks who were -- it's not just whether# you were named or not in the Epstein files,## but this idea that this is an administration,# much like those who were in the Epstein files,## that are much more concerned# about protecting elites,## protecting wealthy people, than looking out# for the day-to-day concerns of Americans.

I think that is how it's going to be# shaped for this upcoming midterm election.

AMNA NAWAZ: Tam, what's your take?

TAMARA KEITH: Yes, I have to agree with# Amy th.. politics are where they are right# now is a distrust of the elites.

And what these files do, if nothing# else, is sort of confirm for people## their priors that the elites aren't# really working for the working people.

AMNA NAWAZ: Meanwhile, I need to# escape reality for just a moment## with both of you while we have you# on this Presidents' Day, because,## Tam, you have this wonderful report I want to# ask you about, which you talked about on this## Presidents' Day, your favorite fictional# president and why.

Please tell us more.

TAMARA KEITH: Yes, my favorite fictional# president is president Thomas J.## Whitmore, Bill Pullman, in "Independence Day."

AMNA NAWAZ: Yes.

TAMARA KEITH: And he delivers one of the# .. as they prepare -- a global force# prepares to take on the aliens.

The reason I love this is, it's escapist.# There's no nuance.

There's no -- you don't## have to have complicated feelings# about this president like people## have about every other real president.# You can just go kick the aliens' butts.

(LAUGHTER) AMNA NAWAZ: Amy,.. AMY WALTER: So here's the thing,## you guys.

In my spare time, I like# to not watch much about politics.

(LAUGHTER) AMNA NAWAZ: Good for you.

AMY WALTER: I sp.. Tam, I go to really, really,# really far away from politics.

AMNA NAWAZ: I think that's# probably good advice for us all.

Amy Walter, Tamara Keith, always great# to see you both.

Thank you so much.

TAMARA KEITH: You're welcome.

AMY WALTER: You're welcome.

AMNA NAWAZ: All right,## let's turn now to the Winter Olympics.# And there are some spoilers ahead.

In the women's bobsled, Elana Meyers# Taylor won the gold.

And her American## teammate Kaillie Humphries took bronze.

Meyers# Taylor has now won six medals in her career,## tying with Bonnie Blair as the most decorated# U.S.

female athlete in Winter Olympics history.

Eileen Gu, American-born but competing# for China, won silver in what's known as## the free ski big air event.

She was edged# out for the gold by Canada's Megan Oldham.

As for the medal leaderboard, the# U.S.

is now in third place with 19## medals total.

Norway leads with# 28, and Italy is second with 23.

Liz Landers has a look now at how Team USA is# doing overall, including the disappointment## for Ilia Malinin and a gold medal rematch in# women's hockey between the U.S.

and Canada.

LIZ LANDERS: Indeed, Amna, one of the most# shocking moments was when American figure## skating sensation Ilia Malinin, who's been# nicknamed the Quad God and was favored to## win gold, stumbled twice during the free# skate, leaving him with eighth place.

He posted on social media about the --# quote -- "invisible battles" that he## has been dealing with, which# concerned some of his fans.

I'm joined now by Christine Brennan, who's been# covering the Winter Olympics for USA Today.

Christine, thanks so much for joining us.

CHRISTINE BRENNAN, USA Today:# Oh, my pleasure, Liz.

Thank you.

LIZ LANDERS: Let's start with Ilia Malinin.

He was## favored to win gold in the men's free# skate.

He ended up in eighth place.

And Monday morning he shared on Instagram,## saying -- quote -- "Vile online hatred attacks# the mind and fear lures it into the darkness."

What do you think happened in that free skate?# Was it a technical issue or was it mental?

CHRISTINE BRENNAN: He said right afterwards, Liz,# that it was mental as he was doing interview after## interview, calmly, patiently, kindly answering# every question over and over again, remarkable, a## remarkable display for a 21-year-old who had just# had the worst performance of his young career.

But he talked about the mental aspect.

And I# have covered him through really the length of## his time at the top of the sport the last four# years.

He was the last skater.

He had a nice## lead.

All he needed to do was a few quads# and he would have that Olympic gold medal.

And he looked so nervous.

You could see it# in his face.

He was breathing deeply.

He was## looking over at his father, who's his coach,# and looking for reassurance.

So it was clear## to me when he came out onto that ice that the# pressure of the Olympics was extraordinary.

And if anyone, as you watch the Olympics# on TV, if you wonder, how difficult is it,## how much pressure is it, well, there's your# answer, because Ilia Malinin was a lock to## win the gold.

He's been skating great# for a year.

He hadn't lost since 2023.

So you could see how this young man crumbled# under the pressure.

So difficult to watch.## Such a tough thing.

But also his honesty and# the way he's handled it has been remarkable## and I think uplifting for a lot of# people who are worried about him.

LIZ LANDERS: The U.S.

women's hockey team just# put up a dominant performance against Sweden.## They had a shutout 5-0.

What is next for this# team on their way to maybe winning a gold medal?

CHRISTINE BRENNAN: Exactly.# Well, it is the finals.

That's where they -- we expected them to# be, this really superb U.S.

women's hockey## team.

And that is exactly where they will# be now.

And it's so interesting, because## they won two golds in the up to this point# seven Olympic tournaments.

This is the eighth## involving women's hockey at the Olympics.# And the Canadians have won the other five.

So the idea of the U.S.

and Canada just squaring# off, and one or the other probably is going to## win it.

But the United States a week ago# absolutely dominated Canadians in early## round action 5-0.

That's the same score the# U.S.

beat Sweden today here at the Olympics.

So this team has veterans, Hilary Knight,## Kendall Coyne, and younger players,# and they seem to be a juggernaut.

LIZ LANDERS: Switching to a different sport,# speed skater Jordan Stolz has been grabbing## headlines after he won the 1,000 and 500# meter races, capturing gold in both of those.

There was a bit of a wonky start in one of those.# How did he set an Olympic record in that race?

CHRISTINE BRENNAN: Because he's better# than anybody else.

And he's peaking at## the exact right moment.

We talked# about pressure with Ilia Malinin.

And Jordan Stolz and Ilia Malinin were both# born in 2004.

Jordan Stolz is about seven## months older than Ilia Malinin.

So these are# young men facing incredible pressure.

Stolz## had an Olympics before.

So he did not -- he# has one Games his belt in 2022 in Beijing.

And now he has become the first man since Eric# Heiden to win both the 500 and the 1,000 in## the same Olympic Games.

And Eric Heiden, of# course, did that with his five gold medals## in Lake Placid in 1980.

Stolz has two more# events.

If he goes four for four, he will## have achieved his great dream, although# that ice is slippery.

You never know.

But he is -- right now is truly on# a roll.

And I think everyone is just## watching -- enjoying watching one of these# superlative performances of these Olympic Games.

LIZ LANDERS: Despite some of these# highlights that we have seen from## Team USA, we have also seen some disappointments.

And there's a medal count battle# with the host country, Italy,## who's at number two with Norway leading in# first place.

Where do you see Team USA heading?

CHRISTINE BRENNAN: The last four Olympics# going -- actually the last five Olympics,## the U.S.

has had nine gold medals# when it ended going all the way## back to Salt Lake City.

Us can get to# nine gold at this Olympics as well.

But you're right.

When you look at Lindsey Vonn,# whether she would have won the gold or not,## but clearly that story riveting in# the first few days of the Olympics,## but obviously ultimate disappointment# and injury, of course, for Lindsey Vonn.

And then Madison Chock and Evan# Bates, three-time role champions,## gold medal favorites in ice dance, did# not win the gold.

They won the silver.

The## U.S.

did win the team competition in figure# skating.

And -- but there have been, again,## others right now.

Mikaela Shiffrin, we will see# how it goes with the slalom in a couple of days,## but she has not won a medal.

And, of course,# she was such a star in 2014 and then 2018,## and has gone through -- been so honest# about her struggles over the last few years.

But they're still -- the U.S.

is still doing# fine.

And with hockey and Jordan Stolz,## and of course, there could be# other events, the U.S., I think,## is going to hang in there.

But you're# right about Italy.

In the first few days,## they actually surpassed their greatest Winter# Olympic total going back to Lillehammer in 1994.

So the Italians are celebrating as only Italians# can.

They're loving these Olympics.

They are just## pouring it on, getting medals everywhere from# the mountains to figure skating and everywhere## in between.

And that often happens for a host# country, where you have put all that effort,## the pride, the support of the home# nation.

It's a home game, obviously.

And Italy is certainly showing that when you# have that home field advantage or home ice## advantage or home snow advantage, they're taking# a total advantage of it and clearly having the## Games of the entire nation, just something that# they have never seen quite like this before.

LIZ LANDERS: Christine Brennan of USA Today,## thank you so much for sharing# your Olympic reporting with us.

CHRISTINE BRENNAN: Oh, my# pleasure.

Thank you, Liz.

AMNA NAWAZ:## As we mark Presidents' Day, our podcast# "Settle In" asks a simple question:## What would Abraham Lincoln do?

A Substack by historian Matthew Pinsker uses## that question as a framework# to explore modern politics.

He spoke recently with Geoff Bennett about that# and his new book, "Boss Lincoln: The Partisan## Life of Abraham Lincoln," which examines# how Lincoln still shapes our country today.

GEOFF BENNETT: If he were watching politics# today, what do you think would surprise him## most about our political parties, and what# do you think wouldn't surprise him at all?

MATTHEW PINSKER, Author, "Boss Lincoln: The# Partisan Life of Abraham Lincoln": I don't know## if he would be surprised, but I think he would be## depressed that people seem to# be losing faith in democracy.

After 250 years, after just -- after# recovering from the trauma of the Civil War,## I think he would expect people to# have more faith in their creed.## That's part of the reason why I think, in my# Substack, I focus on, what would Lincoln do?

In my classroom, in my public speeches,# in the book, in everything I'm doing,## I'm trying to remind people the reason why Lincoln# called this the last best hope of Earth.

Democracy## is not the Greek word for perfect, OK, but it# might as well be the Greek word for disagreement.

And people should not be# demoralized by disagreements,## even ones that have high stakes, even# ones that feel angry.

People in America## have always been angry.

And that doesn't# have to mean the end of the republic.

And## if everyone would just kind of remember# that, we would all be in a better place.

GEOFF BENNETT: That's good advice.

The idea... MATTHEW PINSKER: That's straight .. GEOFF BENNETT: Yes.

Well, that was my next# question.. what would Lincoln do, what's the framework# you use to determine what in fact he would do?

MATTHEW PINSKER: Well, when he became president,# of course, seven states seceded from the Union,## in opposition, in protest against his# election as an anti-slavery president.## So these are seven states in the Deep South that# have slavery, and they put slavery above country.

But there are 15 slave states in the union# in 1861, and Lincoln uses his inaugural to## speak to the eight that are still within the# union.

The majority of slave states are still## there.

And he tells them, essentially, he# says, secession is the essence of anarchy.

And then, in the next sentence, he# basically defines union.

He says,## a majority held in restraint by constitutional# checks and limitations is the only true sovereign## of a free people.

Anything else,# you fly to anarchy or despotism.

And so what he's telling people is that# the union that he's trying to save,## it's not the compact of states, like the# Confederates are saying.

And it's not just## the platitude for we the people.

It's the union# between the winners and losers in the election.## And he's trying to reassure those eight slave# states that, even though he's anti-slavery,## he will respect the constitutional limitations# that protect their rights as slaveholders.

And it wasn't enough to win over those eight# states, but it split them.

Four stayed within## the union and four joined the Confederacy.

If he# had lost all eight, the Confederacy would have won## that war.

And so it was a great accomplishment,# even though it wasn't enough to prevent bloodshed.

GEOFF BENNETT: Yes.

As you said, your Substack invites thes.. would he look upon January 6, as an insurrection,# a political failure, or something else?

MATTHEW PINSKER: I mean, there's# no doubt that he would have looked## on it as an insurrection because# he dealt with it in his own time.

They didn't have the count for# the electoral vote on January 6.## Their count was on February 13.

The# inaugural was in March.

And Lincoln## wrote letters to subordinates warning# them that it was a dangerous moment,## that the forces for secession might try to# disrupt the count.

And he was planning for it.

He also worried about the possibility of# disruption during the inaugural.

He understood## how grave those kind of disruptions# could be.

He took nothing for granted.

But when I show my students the# picture of the man from Delaware## who was carrying the Confederate Flag# through the Capitol on January 6,## I ask them what they think Lincoln would see,# what they see.

And I get a variety of answers.

But I end that discussion by saying, what Lincoln# would see is Americans.

Even though he thought## they would be misguided, even though he clearly# would have thought January 6 was an insurrection,## or an attempted insurrection, he would still think# of them with malice toward none, and try to find## a way to reconnect, to persuade, to re-bind# that union that was shattered on January 6.

And I know people have tried, and# yet we still need to keep trying,## because that bond is still frayed.

GEOFF BENNETT: The symbolic weight of that# man with the Confederate Flag in the Capitol,## given that that was the very# thing that Lincoln fought against,## he tried to guard against, you think# he would see that man as an American?

MATTHEW PINSKER: I do, absolutely.

Look, he was the one who offered# amnesty to the Confederates.

Now,## the difference between his amnesty and# Trump's pardon of the January 6 rioters## is that Lincoln made it conditional.

This is# boss Lincoln at his best.

They not only had to## pledge future loyalty to the Constitution.# They also had to pledge loyalty to all the## anti-slavery proclamations and statutes# that had been adopted during the war.

He understood that he had to leverage his# offer of forgiveness for their recognition## that slavery was dead.

And that's how# amnesty proceeded during the Civil War.## That's why he was able to say with# malice toward none, we can provide## charity for all if you acknowledge# the wrongheadedness of your views.

And that's not easy for people.

Kevin Seefried was# the name of the man who carried that Confederate## Flag on January 6.

When he was sentenced, he# expressed remorse.

He brought with him his son,## who was the age of my students, on# that day.

He also expressed remorse.

Now that they have been pardoned, I hope they# still feel that remorse.

But I'm not sure they do,## because the pardon that President# Trump offered was just a blanket,## sweeping pardon.

He calls them victims.

Now, I don't think Lincoln would see them as# victims, but he would still see them as Americans.

AMNA NAWAZ: And you can find that# full episode of "Settle In" and## more on our PBS News YouTube page# or wherever you get your podcasts.

And that is the "News Hour"# for tonight.

I'm Amna Nawaz.

On behalf of the entire "News Hour"# team, thank you for joining us.