AMNA NAWAZ: Good evening.

I'm Amna Nawaz.

GEOFF BENNETT: And I'm Geoff Bennett.

On the "News Hour" tonight: The U.K.

's# former Princ.. of the widening global fallout related# to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

KATTY KAY, BBC: It puts a real spotlight on# the process of the Epstein investigation,## and it raises questions about what is happening in# the U.K.

compared to what's happening in the U.S.

AMNA NAWAZ: Nations pledge billions of# dollars to President Trump's so-called## Board of Peace that promises# to rebuild war-torn Gaza.

GEOFF BENNETT: South Korea's former president is# handed a life sentence for imposing martial law.

And: (MUSIC) AMNA NAWAZ: A new album from singer-songwriter## Lucinda Williams hearkens back to# an earlier era of protest songs.

(BREAK) GEOFF BENNETT:## Welcome to the "News Hour."

There were shockwaves across the# U.K.

today after the arrest .. former Prince Andrew on suspicion# of misconduct in public office,## his arrest reportedly linked to the# latest release of the Epstein files.

AMNA NAWAZ: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as# he's now known, was taken into custody at## the royal Sandringham estate and later# released.

An arrest of this magnitude## involving the sibling of a reigning monarch# has no precedent in modern British history.

We begin our coverage tonight with this report## from correspondent Chris Ship# and our partners at ITV News.

CHRIS SHIP: At breakfast time, a number of# unmarked police cars arrived unannounced,## their task, to arrest the# younger brother of King Charles.

Today, is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's# birthday.

He has spent most of it in## police custody answering questions.

By# 10:00 a.m.

this morning, Thames Valley## Police confirmed they had made an arrest on# suspicion of misconduct in public office.

At Royal Lodge in Windsor, where Andrew had been# living until the start of this month, black vans## were filmed entering the grounds earlier today.# At midday, the first response from Buckingham## Palace and the statement was signed Charles# R., meaning this was from the king himself.

He spoke of how he had learned with the# deepest concern of his brother's arrest## and insisted a full, fair and proper# process should follow in terms of the## investigation.

The king repeated he was ready# to fully cooperate with the police and then,## in the starkest way possible, he wrote: "Let me# state clearly, the law must take its course."

And, this afternoon, just as he pledged he would,# the king continued with his public engagement.

QUESTION: Do you have any reactions# to the arrest of your brother, sir?

QUESTION: Your Majesty, how are you# feeling after your brother's arrest?

CHRIS SHIP: Today's diary did not change,# but the questions on his arrival did.

QUESTION: Have you spoken to# your brother, Your Majesty?

CHRIS SHIP: He had all his# senior staff with him.

He knows,## just as they know, what a# precarious moment this is.

As for another of Queen Elizabeth's children,## Princess Anne, her diary today included a# visit to a prison.

She didn't cancel it.

QUESTION: What's your reaction to# your brother's arrest, Your Highness?

CHRIS SHIP: So why did police launch a criminal# investigation?

It followed an assessment of the## most recently released Epstein files made# public by the U.S.

Department of Justice.

Those files appeared to show e-mails from# the then-Prince Andrew to Jeffrey Epstein## at around the time they were photographed# in Central Park in New York.

Police are## investigating if confidential papers about# business opportunities were shared by the## then-prince and if that amounts# to misconduct in public office.

At the time, Andrew was a trade ambassador# on behalf of the British government, a role## which would have given him access to sensitive# and confidential documents.

The arrest is not## connected to claims made by Andrew's accuser, the# late Virginia Giuffre, nor was it the result of## new claims a woman was trafficked to Andrew for# sex in 2010.

Police are still assessing those.

The prime minister, speaking before# today's arrest, said once again## whatever information Andrew has should be shared.

KEIR STARMER, British Prime Minister: Whether it's# Andrew or anybody else, anybody who's got relevant## information should come forward to whatever# the relevant body is.

In this particular case,## we're talking about Epstein, but# there are plenty of other cases.

It is anybody who's got information# relating to any aspect of violence## against women and girls has, in my view,# a duty to come forward whoever they are.

CHRIS SHIP: And after the arrest,## this response from the foreign secretary# speaking to ITV News in New York.

YVETTE COOPER, British Foreign Minister:# There is a police investigation under way.## And it is immensely important# that investigation can take## its course.

As the prime minister# has said, no one is above the law.

CHRIS SHIP: The king was not told# of his brother's arrest before it## happened.

This is a seismic moment for monarchy.

King Charles said today his family will# "continue in our duty and service to you all."

AMNA NAWAZ: Our thanks to Chris# Ship of ITV News for that report.

President Trump, meanwhile, is himself# facing ongoing questions about the Epstein## files.

He spoke about Andrew's arrest# on his way to Georgia this afternoon.

DONALD TRUMP, President of the United States:# I think it's a shame.

I think it's very sad.

I## think it's so bad for the royal family.

It's a# very, very sad -- to me, it's a very sad thing.

AMNA NAWAZ: For more on the# fallout in the United Kingdom,## I spoke earlier today with BBC studio# special correspondent Katty Kay.

Katty Kay, welcome back to "News# Hour."

Thank you for joining us.

KATTY KAY, BBC: Thank you for having me, Amna.

AMNA NAWAZ: So, this moment, the# arrest of the brother of a monarch,## just how extraordinary and# unprecedented a moment is this?

KATTY KAY: Look, we have known for a while# that Andrew had this shadow over him.

He'd## lost his titles.

He'd been alienated by# the world family.

He wasn't showing up to## Christmas events and holiday events.

He didn't# appear in any of the family photographs anymore.

So we knew that there was this cloud over# Andrew.

And yet I think, despite that,## I can't tell you how stunned people were in the# U.K.

I have been getting texts from people in the## U.K.

all day saying, this is front-page news.# Is it front-page news in the United States?

Which, clearly it is.

And it's# because it is unprecedented.## You have to go back to 1647 for a# monarch to be arrested like this## in the United Kingdom.

And I think there's now# -- of course, it begs a lot of questions about## the royal family.

It puts a real spotlight# on the process of the Epstein investigation,## and it raises questions about what is happening in# the U.K.

compared to what's happening in the U.S.

But, yes, everybody's stunned.

AMNA NAWAZ: And the reaction that we saw from# King Charles himself, right, basica.. in and saying the law has to take its course# now on the investigation, was that a surprise?

KATTY KAY: So what's unusual about that, and it's# something that may not have been picked up here,## is that he signed it himself.

That# statement is signed by Charles R. Normally, statements like that, Amna, come# from Buckingham Palace or the palace.

It's## very unusual for the monarch to put# their own name after a statement.

And## I think it was a sign that the king# was trying to show the British public## that he is fully supportive of this# investigation, wherever it may lead.

Now, he's already said that in public,# but the fact that he came out and he made## that statement about how the law# has to take its course, I think,## shows how desperate the royal family is# to say, this is Andrew's issue.

This is## not about the rest of the British royal family,# because this could be a huge body blow to them.

So they have to try to make this --# if they can, they have to try to show## the British public they're supporting the# investigation.

This is about one individual,## one bad apple.

It's not about the king,# and it's not about William and Catherine.

AMNA NAWAZ: And I want to underscore# here something.

This is not related## to the allegations that were made by the late# Virginia Giuffre, who said she was trafficked## by Jeffrey Epstein to Britain and had sex# with Andrew when she was a teenager years ago.## Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing# there.

And Giuffre died by suicide last year.

But her family today did praise# the arrest.

They said: "Today,## our broken hearts have been lifted at the news.# No one is above the law, not even royalty."

Katty, on those allegations, is that something## that people in Britain want# to see investigated further?

KATTY KAY: Ever since Andrew did that# disastrous interview with the BBC,## in which he failed to express any sympathy# for the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein,## that's been when he started to be shunned# by royal society and shunned in public life.

And I think there is a demand for# more information about that.

Now,## the issue for the royal family, which,# as I said, is trying to insulate itself,## is that if this goes to trial, there# are going to be awkward questions asked## to the royal family about the $15 million civil# settlement that Andrew paid to Virginia Giuffre.

Where did that money come from?

Did it come# from entirely Andrew?

We don't know.

All of## those finances have been so far kind of clouded in# secrecy.

It just came from the royal purse.

Well,## did it come from the king?

Did it come from only# Andrew?

Were there other sources of that money?

I think that's the kind of information that the# British public would like more answers to, and,## clearly, the American Congress# wants answers to as well.

AMNA NAWAZ: Another thing we have been reporting# on here is sort of the disparity of consequences## and accountability we have seen with the Jeffrey# Epstein files being released in some form,## investigations and resignations at very high# levels across Europe, not so much here in the U.S.

Is that resonating in the U.K.?

KATTY KAY: What we have had in the U.S.# is more private sector resignations and## stepping back from public light.

So you have# Bill Gates not attending an A.I.

summit,## speaking at an A.I.

summit in India, for example.

But then you don't get the investigations.# You don't get all of the information.

People## just step down from something.

They pull# back from public life.

They resign from a## high-profile business career, but it's# not the same as it being investigated.

And I think that's what the disparity# is, that you have actual investigations.## If Andrew goes to trial, it will be the Crown# Prosecution Service will conduct this.

The## Crown Prosecution Service will conduct,# will bring this trial to into fruition.

And it will be the king versus Andrew Mountbatten.# And I think that's what is the difference,## is that there is a perception in the U.K.# that the law is being applied equally.## Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will be sitting in# a cell during this time waiting to find out## what he's going to be charged with.

And he will# be treated like a normal member of the public.

There are no favors being granted to him just# because he is the brother of the king.

And I## think that is what people are noticing# in the U.K.

and pointing to in the U.S.

Are people being protected?

Are certain# people not being investigated who should## be investigated?

And can we trust the reliability# of the Justice Department to follow through with## the rule of law in the way that the Crown# Prosecution Service now seems to be doing,## with the full blessing of King Charles, to be# honest and frank and do its job in this case?

AMNA NAWAZ: Katty Kay,# always great to speak to you,## especially at this extraordinary# moment in time.

Thank you so much.

KATTY KAY: Amna, thank you.

GEOFF BENNETT:## In the day's other headlines: President Donald# Trump convened the inaugural meeting of his## newly formed Board of Peace at the U.S.# Institute of Peace headquarters today,## a building that now bears his name.

The focus was Gaza, where a fragile cease-fire# between Israel and Hamas is still holding,## though tensions remain high.

The president# announced billions of dollars in reconstruction## pledges from the U.S.

and other nations,# outlining an ambitious plan to rebuild Gaza.

DONALD TRUMP, President of the United# States: Does everybody like the music?

GEOFF BENNETT: Today, in Washington,## President Trump's newly formed Board# of Peace met for.. DONALD TRUMP: Today, thanks to# unrelenting diplomacy and the## commitment of many of the great people# in this room, the war in Gaza is over.

GEOFF BENNETT: The president stood flanked by# representatives from more than 40 countries,## with observers from a dozen more,## gathered for what he called one of his# most important and consequential missions.

DONALD TRUMP: What we're doing is very simple,## peace.

It's called the Board of Peace, an easy# word to say, but a hard word to produce, peace.

GEOFF BENNETT: But the reality# in Gaza is far from peaceful.## Mourners gathered for a funeral for nine# Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes this## past weekend in what Israel's military called# a response to cease-fire violations by Hamas.

ALYAN AL-BAYOUK, Father of Killed Palestinian# (through translator): Do you believe that there## is a Board of Peace?

Do you beli.. is supplying Israel with weapons, money, with# protection, and with an international umbrella?

GEOFF BENNETT: In Washington, the president# announced the U.S.

would commit $10 billion toward## establishing the board.

It's unclear whether the# president has the authority to spend those funds.## Neither he nor the White House detailed where the# money would come from or how it would be used.

Mr.

Trump also said nine countries# pledged to combine $7 billion toward## a Gaza relief package.

Today's# session lasted several hours,## with dozens of speakers, including# Israel's foreign affairs minister.

GIDEON SAAR, Israeli Foreign Minister: Our# previous plans for Gaza failed because they## never addressed the core issues, terror,# hate, incitement, and indoctrination.

GEOFF BENNETT: And the head of the# Palestinian technocratic committee,## who outlined priorities for# Gaza, starting with security.

ALI SHAATH, Chief Commissioner, National# Committee for the Administration of Gaza: We are## operating in extreme.. President, step by step to build# the foundation for lasting peace.

GEOFF BENNETT: Key U.S.

allies, including the# U.K., France and Canada, were not in attendance.## The president said he intends to name his## son-in-law Jared Kushner as a# special peace envoy.

Kushner,## who has extensive and lucrative business ties in# the Middle East, defended the board's structure.

JARED KUSHNER, Former Senior Presidential# Adviser: A lot of these people are volunteers.## They're doing this not for any personal gain.# People are not personally prof.. GEOFF BENNETT: The head of a newly# announced International Stabilization## Force said several countries, including# Indonesia and Morocco, have pledged troops.

MAJ.

GEN.

JASPER JEFFERS, Commander, International# Stabilization Force: With these first steps,## we will help bring the security that Gaza needs# for a future prosperity and enduring peace.

GEOFF BENNETT: Secretary of State Marco# Rubio called the board the only way forward.

MARCO RUBIO, U.S.

Secretary# of State: There is no plan## B for Gaza.

Plan B is going back# to w.. GEOFF BENNETT: In Gaza, peace# feels remote.

Tents now cover## swathes of devastated land.

Children play with# makeshift lanterns made from empty soda cans.## And long lines for food remain a daily reality.

ISMAIL SHEIKH AL-EID, Displaced Palestinian# (through translator): Rain, wind and cold in## the tents.

What are people supposed to do?

How# can the young people live in tents like t.. GEOFF BENNETT: For now,## conditions on the grou.. And hopes for peace are also being tested in# the occupied West Bank.

The Palestinian Health## Ministry says Israeli settlers shot and killed# a Palestinian-American in a village north of## Jerusalem.

Mourners held a funeral today for# Nasrallah Abu Siam.

A witness said settlers## tried to attack a farmer and the 19-year-old# was killed in the violence that followed.

Israel's military says its soldiers had# stepped in to disperse a riot.

Human## rights groups say Abu Siam was the first# Palestinian killed by settlers this year.## The U.N.

estimates 240 Palestinians# were killed in the West Bank in 2025.

In Philadelphia, National Park# Service workers began restoring## a slavery exhibit today at the site of# George Washington's former residence.

CHERELLE PARKER, Mayor of Philadelphia,# Pennsylvania: And I want to say thank## you.

It's all right.

And I# want you to know I.. GEOFF BENNETT: The city's mayor, Cherelle# Parker, thanked workers during a visit there## this morning.

The exhibit tells the story of# nine enslaved people who lived there and has## become the focus of a legal battle between# the Trump administration and the city.

A federal judge ordered the displays# be restored earlier this week while## a lawsuit plays out.

The Trump# administration argues that it has## the power to decide what stories get# told at National Park Service sites.

President Trump's White House ballroom# proposal has been approved by a panel## whose members were handpicked by the# president himself.

The U.S.

Commission## of Fine Arts said the massive ballroom# will increase hosting capacity for state## dinners and other large events, which have# traditionally been held in outdoor tents.

Another body, the National# Capital Planning Commission,## will pick up the matter next month.

In October,# crews hastily demolished the entire East Wing to## make way for the ballroom.

A federal court case# seeking to halt construction is still pending.

Also today, workers installed a large# banner featuring the president's face at## the Justice Department in Washington, D.C.# The DOJ has a tradition of independence,## and its presence highlights Mr.

Trump's# growing influence over the department.

Separately, the military says Air Force# One is getting a new look, red, white,## blue and gold is seen in this artist's# rendering.

Mr.

Trump has been pushing to## replace the lighter blue Kennedy era# color scheme since his first term.

The nation's trade deficit posted# a small decline last year, even as## President Trump's tariffs upended the global# flow of goods and services.

The gap between## what the U.S.

sells overseas and what it# buys narrowed to just over $901 billion.## That's down slightly from the year before,# but is still the third highest on record.

And when it comes to physical goods, that is,# taking out services, the deficit actually hit## a record of around $1.2 trillion.

That's# despite President Trump's tariffs.

It all## comes as the U.S.

Supreme Court is due to rule on# the legality of those tariffs as soon as tomorrow.

Human rights experts at the U.N.

say the# Rapid Support Forces in Sudan carried out## a campaign of destruction last year# that bears hallmarks of genocide.

MONA RISHMAWI, United Nations: We reached# the point of genocide now.

Enough is enough.

GEOFF BENNETT: An independent fact-finding mission# found that the paramilitary group carried out mass## killings and other atrocities in the city# of El Fasher last October.

The report cites## sexual violence and public statements calling for# the elimination of non-Arab communities there.

At the U.N.

Security Council today,## diplomats called on nations to exert maximum# pressure to prevent any further bloodshed.

YVETTE COOPER, British Foreign Minister:# This is not just a humanitarian crisis.## It is a regional security crisis and a# migration crisis too.

This affects all## of us.

And that is why we need action,# and we need the United Nations to be## a force for countries to come together# from across the world to demand peace.

GEOFF BENNETT: Violence has raged in# Sudan since 2023, when tensions between## its military and paramilitary leaders# boiled over.

The U.N.

estimates that## at least 40,000 people have died, but aid# groups say the real figure is much higher.

On Wall Street today, stocks ended lower as# worries about a conflict with Iran weighed## on the markets.

The Dow Jones industrial# average fell nearly 270 points.

The Nasdaq## slipped about 70 points on the day.

The# S&P 500 saw its first loss in four days.

And at the Winter Olympics today,# there was a dash of disappointment,## but plenty of triumph for Team USA.# If you want to avoid some spoilers,## this is your warning.

Skating star Jordan# Stolz came up short in his bid for a third## gold medal of the Games, settling for# silver in the 1,500-meter speed skate.

But in women's figure skating, Alysa# Liu won the first gold medal for the## U.S.

in more than two decades.

And Team USA# women's hockey came up big when it counted,## beating archrival Canada 2-1 in# an overtime thriller.

That helped## bring the U.S.

into second place in the# overall medal count with 27 behind Norway.

Today was also the Olympic debut# for ski mountaineering, or skimo,## for short.

It involves athletes climbing# up the mountain first before skiing down.## Switzerland and Spain took home gold in# the women's and men's events respectively.

Still to come on the "News Hour": President Trump# tries to tamp down concerns about affordability;## Republican Congressman Ryan Mackenzie discusses## the partial government shutdown# and other divisions in Congress;## and prediction market platforms see# massive growth and mounting scrutiny.

AMNA NAWAZ: In South Korea, a court# sentenced former President Yoon Suk## Yeol to life in prison after it found him# guilty of leading an insurrection.

While it## is a dark mark for the Congress, some argue# it's a bright spot for its young democracy.

Nick Schifrin details how a few short,# tumultuous hours challenged South Korea.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Today in Seoul, they watched# and cheered as if it were a play-by-play,## a judge making the final call in the# sentencing of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

And after Yoon's fate was# sealed, his critics celebrated.

SONG JI-SEON, Seoul Resident (through# translator): I was watching the martial law,## which is something I'd only seen in# history books, unfold in real time.## I hoped for a harsher punishment so# that history wouldn't repeat itself.

NICK SCHIFRIN: His supporters were left shocked.

YOON KAB-KEUN, Attorney for Yoon# Suk Yeol (through translator):## Watching what appears to be a collapse of rule# of law today, I'.. we should proceed with an appeal or continue to# participate in these criminal proceedings at all.

NICK SCHIFRIN: It was December 2024 when# President Yoon declared martial law.

His## middle-of-the-night announcement sent# members of the military to Parliament.## Protesters protected the building and# their democracy, inside, the only thing## that stopped soldiers from Parliament floor,# furniture deployed by opposition staffers.

That bought time until a unanimous vote# lifted martial law.

From start to finish,## it was only six hours, but it was, and has# been, a test of South Korean democracy.

FRANK JANNUZI, President and CEO, Maureen# and Mike Mansfield Foundation: To me, the## most remarkable story is the .. democracy in the face of unprecedented challenges.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Frank Jannuzi is the president# of the Mansfield Foundation, which works on U.S.## relations with Asia.

He calls Yoon's the most# momentous domestic trial in more than 30 years## in a country that has a history of presidents# who've been impeached, jailed or overthrown.

FRANK JANNUZI: Over the last 14 months,# South Korea has emerged from this process## with due process sustained, rule of law# sustained.

Democracy itself was in the## docket in this trial.

And the South Korean# people affirmed the value of that democracy,## the resilience of that democracy,# without personalizing the crime.

NICK SCHIFRIN: The outcome for Yoon could have# been much worse.

The prosecution asked for the## death penalty.

And it wasn't only Yoon.

Five# other former officials were also convicted,## including the former defense minister, who# will spend the next 30 years in prison.

Current President Lee Jae Myung,## Yoon's longtime rival, has reframed from# politicizing the trial, says Jannuzi.

FRANK JANNUZI: This allowed him to cool down the# temperature a bit and also allowed him to focus## really on where he needed to focus, which was his# foreign policy priorities, sustaining an outreach## to Japan and reassuring the United States that# South Korea would be a loyal, faithful ally.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Over the past year,# South Korea's faced pressure over## trade and promised to increase defense# spending.

It's been a balancing act## for a democracy that has now sent a# former president to prison for life.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Nick Schifrin.

AMNA NAWAZ: President Trump is in Rome,# Georgia today, talking about affordability and## the economy, a theme he's expected to spotlight# again in next week's State of the Union address.

Our White House correspondent, Liz# Landers, has more on this and joins us now.

So, Liz, as you have been reporting, the president# has been frustrated he's not getting enough credit## when it comes to the economy.

That's why he went# to Georgia to talk about this.

What did he say?

LIZ LANDERS: Well, today he# was focused on affordability,## the economy.

This was also a political visit# for him.

This is a congressional district## that's going to have a special election soon,# so kind of several birds with one stone here.

He was touting the stock market.

He was touting## some signature legislation# that has also passed recently.

DONALD TRUMP, President of the United# States: The great Big Beautiful Bill is## basically a tax cut bill.

And when you hear# the fake Democrats talking about it, like,## oh, the great Big Beautiful# Bill, they try and mock it,## put four years' worth of goodies into that# bill and everybody said it couldn't be done.

LIZ LANDERS: The president# visited a restaurant there## and then he gave that speech# at a steel mill in Georgia.

This was his first domestic trip on this# issue talking about affordability in the## economy since he went to Iowa a few weeks ago.# But, Amna, there was some mixed messaging here## today.

He goes off on tangents when# he gives these speeches sometimes,## was talking about the operation in Venezuela a# few weeks ago at the beginning of the year, also## talking about a number of grievances on issues# where he doesn't think he's getting credit on.

So he still has trouble sometimes# sticking directly to the messaging.

AMNA NAWAZ: Liz, your reporting has# also shown that his chief of staff,## Susie Wiles, held a sort of unusual# closed-door strategy session this## week to talk about messaging for the# midterms.

What do we know about that?

LIZ LANDERS: Yes, a source who participated# in the meeting talked to me about this and## said that this was an effort to# get Republicans both inside the## administration and outside allies on the same# message and talking about the same priorities.

This person said that affordability is the number# one issue right now for the White House going into## the midterm election.

Susie Wiles, the chief of# staff, talked about this.

So did James Blair,## who is the deputy chief of staff,# and then pollster Tony Fabrizio,## who's worked with the president for a# while.

They were among the speakers.

And this Republican said that, look,# these issues like affordability on## energy prices on housing, on health# care, fuel prices and groceries,## those are sort of the main tenets# that they're focused on right now.

And this person said, the president has# now been in office for more than a year,## and there are only so many things that# he, the president, can blame Biden,## his predecessor, on at this point,# and recognizing that they need to## get out there and sell their affordability# message to the American public right now.

And so this was about that kind of coordination,# and also, Amna, I would add, getting Cabinet## members out on, not the campaign trail, per se,# but across the country touting these messages.

AMNA NAWAZ: At the same time, we know Democrats# have also sort of landed on affordability as one## of their primary messages going into the midterms.# What do we know about how effective that will be?

LIZ LANDERS: It probably will# be effective, based on polling.

Look, the White House actually doesn't have# bad economic numbers to be touting.

The jobs## report that came out for January was better# than anticipated.

Gas prices are dropping in## some parts of the country.

In Georgia, I was# looking at the average price of gas there is## $2.71, per AAA, which is lower# than it has been in the last year.

The average Georgia resident is also going to save## more than $3,000 on their taxes this# year from that signature tax bill## that passed.

That's according to the# conservative-leaning Tax Foundation.

But when you look at the poll numbers# of what Americans are actually feeling,## FOX News had a poll, found that 59 percent of# Americans disapprove of President Trump's job## handling on the economy; 68 percent say that# he's not spending enough time on the economy,## so going back to that sort of dual messaging that## the White House is dealing with between# foreign policy and also domestic issues.

AMNA NAWAZ: Meanwhile, we should# underscore, it's February.

LIZ LANDERS: Yes.

AMNA NAWAZ: We'r.. in November at the White House.

Why?# Why is it such a concern for them?

LIZ LANDERS: Because the margins# are so slim in Congress.

Right now,## the Republicans only have a four-seat# majority in the House.

And, historically,## a president loses the midterm elections.

President Trump experienced that in 2018.# Republicans lost 40 House seats in that## election.

And that also gave Democrats# the power to then set into motion some## of those impeachment trials, which we know# President Trump is already thinking about.

He has said in a few speeches recently to# Republicans that you have got to win the## midterms, because, if we don't win the midterms,## it's going to be -- I mean, they're# going to find a reason to impeach me.

So we know that this is sort of a concern# of President Trump's right now.

And also,## if Democrats win control, they can do a number# of other things.

They could stall other kinds## of legislative priorities for the White House# and also investigate the Trump administration.

AMNA NAWAZ: That's our White# House correspondent, Liz Landers.

Liz, thank you.

LIZ LANDERS: Of course.

GEOFF BENNETT:## The partial government shutdown that has# stalled funding for the Department of Homeland## Security has entered day six with no signs of# compromise between Congress and the White House.

The shutdown started last week after# congressional Democrats pushed for## reforms of the Trump administration's# immigration enforcement efforts.

Our Lisa Desjardins has more on the funding fight.

LISA DESJARDINS: Both the House and# the Senate are out of town this week,## but what they have heard from constituents at# home will matter when they return on Monday.

One key swing vote belongs to freshman# Republican Ryan Mackenzie.

He represents## Pennsylvania's Seventh District# bordering New Jersey.

It includes## the Lehigh Valley and the city of# Allentown, and he joins me now.

Congressman, ICE is a major issue# in your district.

I know that at## least one county has said they# will not cooperate with ICE.## There's a detention center coming in the# county next door outside of your district.## But I want to start with you.

How do you see# this immigration crackdown?

Do you support it?

REP.

RYAN MACKENZIE (R-PA): Well,# after four years of an open border## during the Biden administration, we were# seeing and feeling the impacts of that## illegal immigration flow right# here in our local community.

If you go on DHS' Web site, you can see some of# the violent offenders that have been arrested,## arrested in our cities, so very# heinous individuals that should## have been taken off the street.

And when# we do have those people that are detained,## we want ICE to be able to# appropriately pick them up.

As you mentioned, Northampton County,## unfortunately has a sanctuary policy# basically in place that does not allow## them to release those individuals directly# into ICE custody.

That leaves our community## vulnerable and less safe than it should be.

And# so I really push back on those policies strongly.

And I think we do need to make sure that we# are appropriately taking people off the street## who shouldn't be here and are committing# these violent crimes.

At the same time,## we are open and I'm certainly open to reforms# and the way that we can actually improve## these operations at the federal government level.

It's something that I think, in every case,## whenever you see instances like we saw in# Minneapolis, which are very unfortunate,## tragic situations involving American citizens, we# do want to look at, what are the possible reforms,## the way that we can improve the way that# everything is being conducted in law enforcement.

And so I have been open to those# discussions and a part of them as a## member of the Homeland Security Committee# recently, where I directly asked Director## Lyons about what we should be doing to improve# operations around and involving U.S.

citizens.

LISA DESJARDINS: OK, let's talk about those# key reforms because that's under discussion## right now.

That's why DHS essentially has# no funding, what Democrats are hoping for.

So they're saying they want a list of 10, but# I want to ask you about some of the key ones.## Tell me if you support or oppose any# of these ideas, banning face masks,## requiring identification for ICE officers# and whether there should be some kind of## increased warrant requirement for entering# homes.

Where are you on those ideas?

REP.

RYAN MACKENZIE: Well, I think we# do also have to balance the way that## the Democrats are approaching this.# They have been very public about it.## People like Senator Chris Murphy have# said that they want to handcuff ICE## and they actually want to limit the# way that they can conduct operations.

That is not something that we want to# do.

We want to make sure that they can## fully enforce federal law, taking those# violent criminals off the streets.

Now,## at the same time, when you're talking about ways# that we can identify our agents appropriately,## there should be identification on these# individuals.

Maybe it's not a name.

Maybe it's a badge number, but some way that# if an officer is involved in an instance,## an officer-related shooting or something else,## that they could be identified if they do have# a mask on.

And so the controversy around masks,## I think, is one that we do want these# individuals to be able to show their face.

At the same time, this is not a choice that# they made lightly.

They didn't do it because## they wanted to cover their faces or -- but# it's because they really needed to.

I mean, we## have seen instances where these individuals have# been doxxed, their families have been harassed.

So, if you're going to take a masking elements# away from these individuals, which I would be## open to having a discussion on that front, we# should also make sure that we have a good proper## enforcement around the harassment and doxxing# of these federal law enforcement agents.

So, there is an appropriate balance that I# think could be struck there.

And the Senate## and the White House are really taking the lead# on these negotiations.

And so we would like## to see some reforms, a reasonable reform# package that can get bipartisan support,## coming back to us in the House.

LISA DESJARDINS: At the same time, the top issue,## I don't have to tell you, for Americans# remains the economy, and that includes pri.. I looked at the largest grocery store in# your district, which I think is the giant## store in Allentown, and checked their# prices.

A honey crisp apple -- now,## given you that's a more luxurious# apple, I suppose -- even on sale,## that's 12 percent higher, the cost today,# than it was a year ago, national average.

Chicken breast -- I'm a mom, I# use chicken breast all the time.## That price is up 9 percent at your local# grocery store from last year.

President## Trump promised that grocery store --# grocery prices would come down.

How## do you respond to those who look at# you and say Republicans have failed?

REP.

RYAN MACKENZIE: Yes, I think the economy# is still a top issue for individuals right## here in our local community.

And# it's everything from food and fuel,## housing and health care.

All of those different# elements are things that we are working on.

When it comes to grocery prices in particular,# it is a challenge, there is no doubt, to make## sure that we provide the relief for individuals# in those necessary staples that you're talking## about.

And so one of the things that we can# provide relief on the flip side, not just in the## cost category, but the income side, is to provide# significant tax relief for every single American.

By increasing the standard deduction, we're# providing that.

And then in certain categories,## it's an expansion of no tax on tips or overtime,## AN increased deduction for seniors.

So in# all of those ways, people are going to be## seeing and feeling more money back# in their pockets this tax season.

And that is a very helpful thing when you're# trying to make ends meet in your family budget.

LISA DESJARDINS: Congressman Ryan# Mackenzie, thank you so much for joining us.

REP.

RYAN MACKENZIE: Thank you.

AMNA NAWAZ: Platforms that let you bet on the## outcomes of future events have# seen explosive growth recently.

Our economics correspondent, Paul Solman, explains# how so-called prediction markets work and why## they're so popular and controversial.

PAUL SOLMAN: These days, you can pretty## much bet anywhere, any time, on anything,# like a word Trevor Noah will say on camera.

TREVOR NOAH, Comedian: Potato.

If you# had me saying potato on Polymarket,## you just made a ton of money.

PAUL SOLMAN: That was a joke, no# payoff for potato.

But people were## betting on what words would be said at the# Grammys, not unlike betting on the weather.

MAN: According to the prediction# markets, at least the chance that## New York City gets over six inches of# snow, we're talking 51 percent chance.

PAUL SOLMAN: And get this, if Cardi B would# perform in Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime## extravaganza.

As to whether this was a performance# was hotly disputed by bettors yes and no.

Now, prediction markets are hardly new.

YESHA YADAV, Vanderbilt University Law School:# Prediction markets have been around since the## 16th century, much more recently since around# 1988, with the Iowa Electronic Markets.

JUSTIN WOLFERS, University of Michigan: We# had big political prediction markets running## literally on the curb of Wall Street# about elections back in the late 1800s.

PAUL SOLMAN: That was then, but this is now.

YESHA YADAV: Today's prediction markets are a# completely different game.

One can essentially## take positions across a host of different# questions, including, but definitely not## limited to politics.

Sports is by far the# major category that is currently looked at,## but certainly things like Oscars, who's# going to be next Federal Reserve chair.

So it's really tapping into this# appetite to grab people's attention,## to do so in a way that is heavily# influenced by social media.

So that## has really resulted in a mass appeal in a way# that prediction markets just didn't have before.

PAUL SOLMAN: Wagering has skyrocketed# on two dominant platforms, Polymarket,## which takes its bets in cryptocurrency,# and Kalshi.

In the week leading up to## the Super Bowl, trading volume on the# two platforms was almost $5 billion.

How does it work?

To wager, users# by a yes or a no event contract.

RAJIV SETHI, Barnard College, Columbia# University: It's really a bet on whether## something is going to happen or not# happen.

And just like stock markets,## you have two sides to a transaction.

There's# one side betting yes, one side betting no.

PAUL SOLMAN: Economist Rajiv Sethi has an example.

RAJIV SETHI: Who's going to get control of the# House of Representatives during the midterms?

PAUL SOLMAN: To bet on, say, the# Democratic Party taking control.

RAJIV SETHI: The price on the Polymarket# is about 82 cents.

So what that means is## that somebody bought the yes side of that# contract for 82 cents and somebody bought## the no side of that contract for 18# cents.

If the Democrats do retake the## House during the midterms, the yes side# gets the dollar, otherwise the no-side.

PAUL SOLMAN: Now, to market aficionados,## there's value in seeing what bettor do.# It's often called the wisdom of crowds.

YESHA YADAV: They actually put their money# where their mouth is.

And that means that the## bets that are taken on these prediction markets# tend to have some pretty informative content.

JUSTIN WOLFERS: What this does is it makes the# information embedded that's already being traded## transparent, so that we can all use it.

When# I see that there's a 22 percent chance of J.D.## Vance becoming the next president, that's# actually really useful information.

I can## start to plan for what sorts of regulations# my business might expect and things like that.

PAUL SOLMAN: In the run-up to# the 2024 presidential election,## polls showed Kamala Harris and Donald# Trump tied.

But the markets didn't.

YESHA YADAV: Prediction markets,# Polymarket in particular,## was pointing towards a very different outcome# than what the pollsters were suggesting.

PAUL SOLMAN: The day before the# election, Polymarket gave candidate## Trump a 58 percent chance of winning.# Now, part of the prediction market boom## has been relaxed regulation, the Supreme# Court OKing sports betting back in 2018,## the increased ease of using virtual private# networks, VPNs, to skirt restrictions online that## allows Americans to use Polymarket despite a U.S.# ban that began during the Biden administration.

RAJIV SETHI: There are many U.S.# traders who bet on Polymarket,## but they will use VPNs to operate as if they're# accessing it from outside the United States.

PAUL SOLMAN: Under the Trump administration,## the Commodity Futures Trading Commission allowed# Polymarket to open a regulated.. but it has a wait-list to use it.# The unregulated version does not.

RAJIV SETHI: Polymarket is much more like# the Wild West.

Polymarket itself doesn't## know who's trading on the platform# because these are crypto wallets,## and the real-world identities of those folks are# not visible even to the exchange in most cases.

PAUL SOLMAN: And, hey, that's not the only# downside.

How about insider trading?

One## Polymarket user made over $400,000 predicting the# removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

JUSTIN WOLFERS: Someone bet a lot of# money 12 hours before Maduro was ousted## that Maduro would be ousted.

They did that# in a way that kind of makes you think that## some information may have leaked from the# White House or the Department of Defense.

PAUL SOLMAN: Yes, insider trading plagues# all markets, but the sheer profusion and## anonymity of bettors make the likes# of Polymarket especially susceptible.

Then there are cases like Brian Armstrong, CEO of# crypto firm Coinbase, on an October earnings call.

BRIAN ARMSTRONG, CEO, Coinbase: I was a# little distracted because I was tracking## the prediction market about what Coinbase# will say on their next earnings call,## and I just want to add here the# words Bitcoin, Ethereum, blockchain,## staking and Web3 to make sure we get# those in before the end of the call.

PAUL SOLMAN: All words on which there were bets# as to whether or not Armstrong would say them,## though Armstrong said he was being spontaneous and# his firm prohibits betting on prediction markets.

RAJIV SETHI: Regardless of whether or not he had# a stake in the outcome -- and I believe that he## did not or at least he stated that he did not --# he had the ability to make some people a little## bit richer and others a little poorer.

And these# kinds of markets are troubling for that reason.

PAUL SOLMAN: And then there's# the risk of compulsive gambling.## Kalshi faces multiple lawsuits that cite its# potential to lure young traders into addiction.

JUSTIN WOLFERS: Gambling is just like many# other drugs.

It's highly addictive.

And if## you have ever had a friend who has# become a compulsive gambler -- and I## have -- they will bet money they don't have.# They will destroy their family's well-being.

PAUL SOLMAN: Of course, gambling# addiction has been a problem for eons,## but digital prediction markets, well, up the ante.

JUSTIN WOLFERS: Given the fact that# we all carry around a little screen## that is a bookie in our pocket, you# no longer need to walk to the corner.

PAUL SOLMAN: Which means that prediction# markets are a serious challenge for regulators.

YESHA YADAV: Questions with respect# to consumer protection are going to## be front and center.

What kind of disclosures# will be given to people?

Will there be limits## on how much they can put into various# markets?

What about insider trading?

PAUL SOLMAN: And in the end it matters# to bettors and the markets alike.

YESHA YADAV: If you want to have a healthy market,## you need to have healthy people who are# participating in that market, that don't feel## like that market is taking advantage of them,# but giving them real opportunities to learn,## to participate, to grow in ways that# don't result in them losing their skin.

PAUL SOLMAN: That would be nice.

But, in today's# deregulatory environment, would you bet on it?

For the "PBS News Hour," Paul Solman.

GEOFF BENNETT:## Lucinda Williams has been making music for# decades.

Now she's out with a new album and## embarking on a 20-city tour across Europe and# the U.S.

In it, she's speaking and singing## to this moment, calling it a battle cry,# finding grit and grace in a world on edge.

Our senior arts correspondent recently# sat down with her for our Art in Action## series exploring the intersection of art and# democracy as part of our Canvas coverage.

JEFFREY BROWN: Five years ago, Lucinda# Williams suffered a stroke.

She had to## learn to walk again and no longer plays# her guitar.

But here she is writing songs,## a new album out, and still performing.

How does she do it?

LUCINDA WILLIAMS, Musician:# Maybe a little stubbornness.## A little stubbornness never hurt anybody.

JEFFREY BROWN: Williams has long been known as# a musical storyteller, beloved by passionate## fans who followed her for decades and by other# leading singer-songwriters for her way with words.## And the story she's telling now is the title# of her new album, "World's Gone Wrong."

LUCINDA WILLIAMS: It's kind of a commentary# on things that have been going on and just## how it makes people feel.

And it helped me# to write about it.

That's why I write songs.## Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I feel like the# artist's role is to speak about what's going on.

JEFFREY BROWN: Williams story goes# back to a peripatetic childhood,## most of it in town throughout the South,# as her father, the poet Miller Williams,## moved the family from place to# place for university teaching posts.

MILLER WILLIAMS, Poet: They will not forget.

JEFFREY BROWN: He would gain his# biggest audience reading a poem## written for Bill Clinton's# second inauguration in 1997.

Now 73, Lucinda recalls having her# 12-year-old mind blown in 1965,## when her father's friend brought over a new# album by Bob Dylan, "Highway 61 Revisited."

LUCINDA WILLIAMS: I started reading about him# and listening to other singer-songwriters from## that era, like Joan Baez and Judy Collins.# They were all writing these songs about## social injustice and anti-war.

And I# loved those songs and they spoke to me.

JEFFREY BROWN: And did you say# at some point, I want to do that?

LUCINDA WILLIAMS: Yes.

JEFFREY BROWN: Yes?

LU.. JEFFREY BROWN: She would go on to success,# including 17 Grammy nominations and three wins,## with her unusual blend of rock, country,# blues and folk, telling stories of hard## living and heartbreak in such critically acclaimed# albums as 1998's "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road."

The song "Passionate Kisses," which she recorded# in 1989, was covered and made famous by Mary## Chapin Carpenter three years later.

Williams built# and kept her faithful following over many years.

MAN: Now here is Lucinda Williams.

JEFFREY BROWN: But all along the way,# she battled a music industry that she## felt wanted to put her into a box,# a marketable genre.

She refused.

LUCINDA WILLIAMS: I just didn't think# in those terms.

They described it like I## fell in the cracks between country and rock,# because they have to have a market for you.

JEFFREY BROWN: Yes.

LUCINDA WILLIAMS: Beca.. JEFFREY BROWN: Hers is a story of# perseverance and resilience.

And more## recently she's felt caught up in the times,# angry at actions by the Trump administration,## responding through songs she# hopes hearken back to an earlier## era of 1960s protest music.

One is called,# "We've Come Too Far to Turn Around."

LUCINDA WILLIAMS: When I was writing that, I# was thinking a lot about songs like "We Shall## Overcome."

That's a very powerful feeling# to stand with a whole bunch of people,## like-minded people, singing songs like that.

I wanted to feel that again.

If you watch# the news on TV or read the newspaper,## there's something every day that's upsetting.

JEFFREY BROWN: Well, people have different# ways of responding to that.

You're a... LUCINDA WILLIAMS: They're not# responding enough, I don't think.

JEFFREY BROWN: You don't think so.

LUCINDA WILLIAMS: What I'd like# to see.. more demonstrations and all of# that, just speaking out more.

JEFFREY BROWN: On the new album, she# collaborates with renowned figures## like Norah Jones.

The two played# together recently on Jones' podcast.

Mavis Staples joined on a cover of Bob# Marley's "So Much Trouble in the World.

"## As for Williams' personal story of# resilience, she continues to deal## with the aftermath of her stroke, when# everything, she says, went haywire.

She## told us of promising new therapy she's undergoing# that's helping with what she calls her brain fog.

LUCINDA WILLIAMS: That's# probably been the hardest part... JEFFREY BROWN: Yes.

LUCINDA WILLIAMS: ... yes, is ju.. of that.

I just tried really hard to# focus and pay attention.

And I'm fine## when I go on stage and I know what# I'm supposed to do and all of that.

JEFFREY BROWN: So that's a lot to deal with.

LUCINDA WILLIAMS: Yes.

See, I# told you I was stubborn, though.

JEFFREY BROWN: Lucinda Williams continues her tour## in Europe and later back in the U.S.# playing to old and new fans alike.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm# Jeffrey Brown in New York.

AMNA NAWAZ:## Well, tonight for our reef but spectacular# series, journalist and podcast host Nayeema## Raza shares what she's learning by asking# the questions we all secretly wonder about.

GEOFF BENNETT: Her new podcast called smart girl# dumb questions is all about embracing curiosity.

NAYEEMA RAZA, Host, "Smart Girl Dumb Questions":# So curiosity is one of these skills that I think## we have in spades as children.

And we# actually continue to have it as adults,## but we're like closeted curious people.

And# instead of asking the question out loud,## we're like underneath the table,# like, is taleggio a cheese or a## sex act?

What actually happened in# Ireland?

Why is that a good metaphor?

I feel like I grew up my whole life not knowing# things.

I'm Pakistani.

I was born in the United## States, but I grew up in Asia and Africa.

And# so I was constantly moving as a result of my## father's work at the World Bank.

And I was# always in cultures where I didn't know stuff.

And because I was an outsider, I had the ability# to ask questions.

"Smart Girl Dumb Questions" is## a new podcast that's about asking the questions we# all want to know the answers to.

A dumb question## I have that I want to figure out on the show is# this shift of gender roles.

How much of this is## feminism and how much of it is about working more,# buying more, being kind of an economic guzzler?

I, for example, feel a lot of pressure to# have a bigger career because I don't yet## have kids.

Or I know women who are really kind# of finding they need to explain away the fact## that they don't have a career because# they're at home watching their kids.## This expectation of, like, you need to# want to have it all is absolutely wrong.

What my parents instilled in me at a young age was# a ton of confidence that has lasted me a lifetime.## My father, Aftab Raza, he unfortunately passed# away a few years ago.

One regret I have of not## listening to my father while he was around# was the kind of importance of showing up.

If it was like a third cousin, once-removed,# kids, family friend, he would know about them## and want to know about them.

When I went to study# in California, my father's like, you got to call## your cousin who's out there.

And I'm like, Dad, no# kid in their 20s has time for these relationships.

When my father passed away, it was all of these# people that showed up.

What that showed me is## that we live in a world where we talk a lot# about boundaries and protecting self-care.## But I think sometimes we don't talk enough# about kind of care of others in our community.## And that's a lesson that I learned the# hard way through my father's passing.

So I have been a journalist now for six years.## I have been a video journalist at# The New York Times opinion section,## a podcast executive producer/editor at "Sway" at# The New York Times and "On With Kara Swisher."

I realized that I wanted to use my own voice# more.

And now it's very exciting because I## get to ask whatever I want to ask and be as# smart or dumb as I hope to be on a given day.

I'm Nayeema Raza.

I'm here for this# episode of long but unremarkable.

MAN: How dare you?

NAYEEMA RAZA: My name's Nayeema Raza,## and this is my Brief But Spectacular# take on smart girl, dumb questions.

AMNA NAWAZ: And you can watch more Brief But## Spectacular videos online# at PBS.org/NewsHour/Brief.

And join us again back here tomorrow# night for the analysis of the week's## news from David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart.

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

I'm Amna Nawaz.

GEOFF BENNETT: And I'm Geoff Bennett.

For all of us here at the "News Hour,"..