AMNA NAWAZ: Good evening.

I'm Amna Nawaz.

GEOFF BENNETT: And I'm Geoff Bennett.

On the "News Hour" tonight: Ukraine# and Russia.. energy infrastructure in the yearslong conflict.

AMNA NAWAZ: The Trump administration# continues to push back on the federal## judiciary, despite a rebuke from the# chief justice of the Supreme Court.

GEOFF BENNETT: And congressional# Democrats clash over how to oppose## the president's agenda.

We speak with# Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): I am confident# that we will bring Trump's popularity## numbers and strength down if we keep# at it and keep at it and keep at it.

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

Today, for the first time in more than three years# of war, Uk.. least a partial cease-fire, stopping strikes# on energy infrastructure for the next month.

GEOFF BENNETT: And those 30 days could provide# a much-needed respite to millions of Ukrainians,## who have often spent their nights# in darkness and without heating.

The announcement followed President# Trump's call with Ukrainian President## Volodymyr Zelenskyy today, which Trump# officials described as fantastic.

Here's Nick Schifrin.

NICK SCHIFRIN: For more than three years, this# has been the reality, Ukraine's cities going dark,## a country of 37 million guided by flashlights,# targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure to## try and cut civilians' light and heat to# erode their willingness to support the war.

But, today, a deal agreed by Ukrainian# President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who wrote## on X: "One of the first steps toward# fully ending the war could be ending## strikes on energy and other civilian# infrastructure.

I supported this step,## and Ukraine confirmed that we're ready to# implement it," and announced by the White House.

KAROLINE LEAVITT, White House Press Secretary:# We are at a place of peace.

We're at a partial## cease-fire, and we're moving towards# a full cease-fire and a longstanding## peace in this conflict.

And that's# great news for the American public.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Presidents Trump# and Zelenskyy spoke for an hour,## and technical teams will meet in Saudi Arabia# this weekend to try and extend the truce to## the Black Sea, where Ukrainian naval drones have# successfully sunk or pushed out Russia's fleet.

But the U.S. statement also raised# Ukraine's nuclear power plants and## suggested the U.S. could take them over.

KAROLINE LEAVITT: The United States could# be very helpful in running those plants## with its electricity and utility expertise.# American ownership of those plants would be## the best protection for that infrastructure and# support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

NICK SCHIFRIN: That could include# the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant,## Europe's largest, and since days# into the war occupied by Russia.## Ukraine operates three additional nuclear power# plants, which provide an increasingly large amount## of Ukraine's power because of more than 1,000# Russian attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure,## including the massive Kakhovka hydroelectric# dam, flooding entire cities and towns.

The attacks have destroyed half of Ukraine's# electricity capacity and caused $14.6 billion## in damage, as I saw in September 2023, when the# father-daughter team of Alexander (ph) and Daria## showed me how they were trying to fix this plant# and provide rays of hope for the country's future.

DARIA, Power Plant Spokesperson: It's kind# of like the brave ones who bring the light,## because that's what they actually do.# That's our future.

We want to be free.

NICK SCHIFRIN: But even with a partial cease-fire,## that freedom is elusive.

Overnight,# Ukraine launched its own attacks on## Russian energy infrastructure.

And# Russia launched a large barrage.

Zelenskyy today asked President# Trump for more air defense,## particularly the Patriot defense system, which# Ukrainian soldiers need to shoot-down Russian## ballistic missiles.

President Trump# agreed to find what was available,## particularly in Europe, which has tried# to provide Ukraine its own air defenses.

But providing Ukraine that air defense is# easier said than done.

European officials## tell me they want to help, but are# worried about protecting their own## capitals and don't have any surplus.# The same for the U.S.

Even the Biden## administration decided it couldn't give# Ukraine all the air defense it requested,## but it would have come -- because it would have# come at the cost of U.S. military readiness, Amna.

AMNA NAWAZ: Nick, bottom line here, how# close are we to a larger cease-fire?

NICK SCHIFRIN: As we said in our piece, Trump# and Zelenskyy both said that they would work## toward expanding the cease-fire into the Black# Sea.

But the two sides are still far apart on## a fundamental point that we saw come out of the# Putin-Trump phone call, and that was yesterday.

President Putin's readout after that call# said that he wouldn't expand the cease-fire## until Ukraine stopped arming and mobilizing its# soldiers and the "complete cessation" -- quote,## unquote -- of any foreign military and# intelligence assistance.

And Putin also## said that the U.S. would have to address# the root cause of the crisis.

That means## moving troops out of Eastern Europe# and not allowing Ukraine into NATO.

None of that is acceptable to Ukraine.# None of that is acceptable to Western## Europe.

And none of that is acceptable# to President Trump because he has said## specifically that Europe would have to# provide Ukraine the security guarantees.

AMNA NAWAZ: We saw in the readout from U.S.# officials about that call that President## Trump asked President Zelenskyy about one# of the most notorious parts of the war,## something you reported a lot on.# What should we know about that?

NICK SCHIFRIN: Yes, the readout went# out of its way to say that President## Trump raised the issue of the tens of# thousands of Ukrainian children who have## been kidnapped by Russian forces# since the beginning of this war.

The statement reads -- quote --# "President Trump promised to work## closely with both parties to help make# sure those children were returned home."

But here's the thing.

State Department# spokesperson Tammy Bruce today confirmed## for the first time that the State Department cut# off the funding for an outside program that was## tracking those children.

Bruce did confirm# that the data for that program still exists,## despite some Democratic lawmakers'# concern that the data had been deleted.

But the bottom line is, the organizers of# that program always believed that they were## conducting a search-and-rescue mission for all# of those children who were trapped inside Russia.## And unless Secretary of State Rubio brings# back that funding and brings it back soon,## frankly, that effort that they have been doing# for the last few years, that effort will die.

AMNA NAWAZ: We know you will continue# to follow up that story as well.

Nick Schifrin, thank you so much.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Thank you.

GEOFF BENNETT:## We start today's other headlines in the Middle# East, where Israel says it launched a limited## ground operation in Gaza after abruptly# ending a two-month cease-fire with Hamas.

The Israeli military claims to have recaptured# part of a key corridor that bisects Gaza after## withdrawing as part of the truce.

By air,# a wave of Israeli attacks hit sites in## Gaza for a second day in a row.

Several# U.N. employees were rushed to a hospital## after a strike on a U.N. compound killed# one worker and severely injured at least## five others.

Israel denied responsibility.

A# U.N. official said it's under investigation.

JORGE MOREIRA DA SILVA, U.N. Office# for Project Services: In my opinion,## this was not an accident.

It cannot b.. least an incident.

U.N. personnel and its# premises must be protected by all sites.

GEOFF BENNETT: Meantime in Israel,# ultra-nationalist Itamar Ben-Gvir## regained his position as national# security minister.

He had left the## government coalition in January to# protest the cease-fire with Hamas.

A federal judge is moving the case of# Columbia University graduate Mahmoud## Khalil to New Jersey.

That's because# the 30-year-old was being held there## when his lawyers first challenged the# legality of his detention.

Khalil is## currently at a facility in Louisiana# as U.S. officials seek to deport him.## ICE agents arrested Khalil earlier this month for# his role in pro-Palestinian protests on campus.

He is a legal us resident with no criminal record,## and his lawyers say the grounds for his# arrest violate his First Amendment rights.

The White House says it's suspending $175# million in federal funding for the University## of Pennsylvania.

It follows an investigation# into Penn's swimming program that focused on## Lia Thomas, an openly transgender athlete who# last competed for the school in 2022.

A Penn## spokesperson says they have not received# details of the action, but in a statement## added -- quote -- "We have been in the past# and remain today in full compliance with the## regulations that apply to not only Penn, but all# of our NCAA and Ivy League peer institutions."

Penn joins Columbia University as the second Ivy## League school to be targeted by the# administration in the last two weeks.

A jury in North Dakota found Greenpeace liable# for defamation and other claims related to## protests over the Dakota Access Pipeline.# The environmental group must pay hundreds## of millions of dollars to the Dallas-based# energy transfer company and its subsidiary## Dakota Access.

The lawsuit accuses Greenpeace# of defamation, trespass, nuisance, and other## acts during the 2016 and 2017 protests near the# reservation of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

Activists opposed the oil pipeline's# construction as a risk to the local## water supply.

Greenpeace says its employees# had little to no involvement in the protests.

The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest# rate steady today for the second meeting in a## row.

But even as it projects slower economic# growth, the Central Bank signaled it still## expects to cut rates twice this# year.

At a news conference today,## Fed Chair Jerome Powell called the outlook# uncertain.

He explicitly cited tariffs as## a potential obstacle to the Fed's effort to# bring inflation down to its 2 percent goal.

JEROME POWELL, Federal Reserve Chairman: Goods# inflation moved up pretty significantly in## the first two months of the year.

Trying to# track that back to actual tariff increases,## given what was tariffed and what was# not.

Very, very challenging.

So some## of it -- the answer is clearly some of it,# a good part of it is coming from tariffs.

GEOFF BENNETT: Those tariff concerns# took a back seat on Wall Street today## as investors focused instead on the# Fed's commitment to further rate## cuts.

The Dow Jones industrial average# added nearly 400 points on the day.

The## Nasdaq jumped nearly 250 points.

The S&P# 500 added 60 points, or about 1 percent.

Still to come on the "News Hour": we speak# with Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer## about his party's infighting over how to oppose# the White House; how the Trump administration's## changes to Social Security could limit access# to benefits for millions; and one Michigan## county tries to heal political divisions five# years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A federal judge is giving the Trump# administration more time to provide## critical information about deportation# flights that took place this past weekend.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg is trying to# determine whether the administration defied his## order as he faces ongoing attacks from# President Trump and his administration.

DONALD TRUMP, President of the United# States: I don't know who the judge is,## but he's radical left.

He was Obama-appointed.# And he act.. take criminals, killers, murderers, horrible,# the worst people, gang members, gang leaders,## that we shouldn't be allowed to# take them out of our country.

GEOFF BENNETT: Our White House# correspondent, Laura Barron-Lopez,## has been reporting on this and joins us now.

So, Laura, Chief Justice John Roberts# issued a rare statement, as you know,## yesterday in response to President# Trump, but it doesn't appear to have## convinced the administration to stop# its attacks on the federal courts.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: No, as we heard there, the# president was still attacking Judge Boasberg.

And also today President Trump started# fund-raising on the idea of impeaching## Judge Boasberg, sending that out to his many# supporters.

And that also comes as Elon Musk,## the special government employee, has# repeatedly been posting on X that## congressional Republicans should move forward# with impeaching Judge Boasberg specifically.

And just a quick fact-check there on some of# the things that the president has been claiming,## is that Boasberg was first appointed by# George W. Bush and then later elevated## to the federal bench by President Obama.

And# Boasberg has also made some favorable rulings## for President Trump in the past, namely in 2017,## blocking the release of President Trump's tax# returns.

And he was confirmed to the Senate 96-0.

GEOFF BENNETT: And the judge gave the# administration more time, but it appears## his patience is growing a little thin here with# this warning that he's issued.

What did he say?

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: So Judge Boasberg was clearly## not happy with the administration's# stonewalling of this information.

He said in a statement today that:# "The court seeks this information## about the flights not as a micromanaged and# unnecessary judicial fishing expedition,## but to determine if the government deliberately# flouted" his order issued on March 15, 2025,## and if so, what the consequences should be.

So, again, he's trying to figure out whether# or not, when they moved forward with these## deportation flights, if they essentially defied# his order.

Judge Boasberg also referenced## Justice Roberts' statement, saying that the# Supreme Court has made crystal clear that## if the Trump administration is not happy with his## ultimate decision in this case, that# the proper route is to appeal it.

GEOFF BENNETT: So, when the administration# refuses to answer the judge's questions,## what's their justification?

What actual# argument are they making in court?

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: So, in a filing# today, the Trump administration said## that it may very well invoke what is# known as the state secrets privilege,## essentially refusing to disclose# information about these deportation## flights, saying that it -- because of the# sensitive information about the operations.

Now, that state secrets privilege is not# often used, Geoff, and it's almost always## used only in terms of classified information.## And Judge Boasberg in a response today to# the administration actually said, to date,## the administration has not at all said that# they consider this information classified.

Also, the president and the White# House have repeatedly claimed that## Judge Boasberg is trying to stop the president# from deporting criminals.

That's just not true,## Geoff, because the president has authority# to deport criminals as he sees fit under## current immigration law.

Judge Boasberg is# just simply trying to figure out whether or## not the president's invocation of# Alien Enemies is actually lawful.

GEOFF BENNETT: Got it.

And there's this separate case where#the administration and Elon Musk's## team were sued today for attempting to# take control of the independent agency## the U.S. Institute for Peace.# Where does all of that stand?

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: So, the U.S. Institute for# Peace was established by Congress 40 years ago,## and it operates as this independent think## tank that tries to prevent and# resolve international conflicts.

And so, over the course of the last four days,## Elon Musk and his team DOGE have tried to take# control of that entity, bringing FBI agents,## bringing law enforcement to gain entry.# And in a hearing today, where Judge Beryl## Howell was hearing a lawsuit brought by former# employees, Judge Howell was pretty incredulous,## saying that the -- saying to the government that# it appeared as though DOGE terrorized staff.

She said that she was -- quote --# "offended" on behalf of the American## citizens working at USIP.

She felt as# though they were treated abominably,## and because they were threatened with criminal# investigations.

But, ultimately, Judge Howell## denied the request for -- by these employees for# DOGE to not be able to take control, essentially## saying that she wasn't sure that the merits of# the case warranted a temporary block on DOGE.

GEOFF BENNETT: Laura Barron-Lopez,# our thanks to you, as always.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Thank you.

AMNA NAWAZ: For more on the legal ramifications of## the Trump administration's showdown with the# judiciary, I'm joined now by Steve Vladeck,## a constitutional law professor# at Georgetown University.

Steve, welcome back.

Let's just pick up where Laura left off# there,.. between the Department of Justice and# Judge Boasberg here.

The judge wants## more information on the flights.

Department# of Justice has until Thursday to produce it.

When you look at this, does this seem to be an# administration in defiance of the judge's orders?

STEVE VLADECK, Georgetown University# Law Center: I don't know that the## administration really has reached# the point of open de..

I think it's more like what my 6-year-old does,# which is testing the boundaries of the authority,## pushing to see how much they can get away# with, pushing to see sort of where the line is,## but while preserving plausible deniability that# they're not actually saying they can't be bound.

And I think that's part of why you see# this back-and-forth between President## Trump and Chief John Roberts.

And where this ends,## I think is really the big question now.

We have# heard just late this afternoon the D.C. Circuit## has scheduled arguments in the government's effort# to shut down Judge Boasberg for next Monday.

So I don't know that we're at the outright# defiance stage yet, but I do think this is more## resistance from the executive branch than we have# seen certainly in our lifetime and perhaps ever.

AMNA NAWAZ: And seeking to test those boundaries,# let me put to you what the administration says,## because they argue they have# absolute constitutional right## to protect national security, to conduct# foreign policy in the way they see fit.

They see these deportation flights# as part of that effort.

Is that a## sound argument, that the president# has absolute power on this front?

STEVE VLADECK: So, no.

I mean, the Alien Enem.. take World War II.

I mean, World War II,# a moment where President Roosevelt had as## strong an argument for whatever authority# the Constitution could possibly provide,## and, instead, he relied upon the# statute not just as a basis for## detaining and removing German and Italian# alien enemies, but for holding hearings.

I mean, there are literally hundreds of# reported judicial decisions from World## War II where individuals who were picked# up, who were held as alien enemies said,## hey, I'm not actually German,# I'm Swiss, or I'm not Italian,## I'm actually American.

And courts scrutinized# the basis for the government's behavior.

If that was what was required in# the middle of World War II in 1944,## hard to see how less is required here# in 2025, when it's not remotely as clear## that the president's national security# powers are even that strongly implicated.

AMNA NAWAZ: So you have said it doesn't seem the## administration is an open defiance# of the judge's orders ri..

But President Trump was asked in an interview last## night about whether he would ever defy a# judge's order.

Here's what he had to say.

DONALD TRUMP: I never did defy a court order.

LAURA INGRAHAM, FOX News Anchor:# And you wouldn't in the future?

DONALD TRUMP: No, you can't do that.

However,# we have .. And these are judges that shouldn't# be allowed.

I think they -- I think,## at a certain point, you have to start looking# at, what do you do when you have a rogue judge?

The judge that we're talking about, he's# -- you look at his other rulings, I mean,## rulings unrelated.

But having# to do with me, he's a lunatic.

AMNA NAWAZ: Steve, what the# president's saying here is,## he wouldn't defy a court order, but some# judges, he says, are bad.. What do you take away from that answer?

STEVE VLADECK: I mean, I think we# should point out a couple things.

First, the number of cases President# Trump is losing before the number of## judges he's losing them in front# of, that's an awfully large number## of rogue judges.

Perhaps the real problem# is that we have a rogue administration.

But, second -- and I think Chief John Roberts# chose his words very carefully in the statement## he issued yesterday, which is, the remedy# our legal system provides for individual,## trial level district court judges who get things## wrong is the remedy of appeal.

That's# what the Biden administration did when## so many of its policies were blocked by# handpicked right-wing judges in Texas.

And it's what every president has done# going all the way back to the founding.## So I think part of the problem here is that# you can believe that a judicial decision is## wrong.

You can even believe that a judge is# rogue, although I think the evidence here is## lacking.

But the remedy for all of that# behavior is not to undermine the judge,## is not to threaten his security,# is not to call for his impeachment.

The remedy is to let the legal# system do what the legal system does,## which is correct erroneous rulings on# appeal.

And maybe the judge is actually## not wrong.

And maybe the appellate courts# side with Judge Boasberg in this case.

AMNA NAWAZ: Just to underscore# what we're seeing at this moment,## because you mentioned Chief Justice John# Roberts.

He was very careful in his wording.

Another part of his statement he issued said:## "It's not an appropriate response to# disagreement concerning a judicial## decision" on -- referring to President Trump# and others' calls for judges to be impeached.

For the chief justice to choose to weigh in,# to do so publicly, how significant is that?

STEVE VLADECK: It's really quite# remarkable.

And it's remarkable## both that the chief justice chose# to weigh in and how quickly he did.

President Trump just, I think, first# publicly called for the impeachment of## Chief Judge Boasberg on Monday.

And, by Tuesday,## you have Chief John Roberts, who does nothing# without deliberation, issuing this statement.

I think it's a striking concession by the chief# justice that these are not ordinary times.

And,## frankly, I think it's a message not to# President Trump, but rather to every## district judge in the country that the# chief justice has their back, and to us,## the American people, that whatever you think of# the courts, whatever you think of the Supreme## Court today, our system is predicated on the# idea that the courts get to interpret the law,## and that, if they get it wrong,# the right remedy is to appeal.

And if the Supreme Court gets it wrong, that's# when we talk about what Congress can do.

Can we## amend the Constitution?

The right remedy is not# for an individual president to be able to say,## I don't agree with this decision, so# I'm not going to follow it.

Otherwise,## then you have a government not of laws.# You have a government of one person,## and that's exactly what the# Constitution set up to avoid.

AMNA NAWAZ: Steve Vladeck, professor of# constitutional law at Georgetown University,## always great to speak with you.

Thank# you so much for making the time.

STEVE VLADECK: Any time.

Thanks for having me.

GEOFF BENNETT: Democrats have few# options for challenging President## Trump and the GOP majorities in the# House and Senate.

But some on the## left say they had a chance to do just that# last week, when Senate Republicans needed## votes from their Democratic colleagues# to pass the government funding bill.

The top Democrat, Senator Chuck Schumer, however,## voted with the GOP and supplied the# needed votes, angering many in his party.

SEN. PATTY MURRAY (D-WA): Let me be# clear.

In my time in Congress, never,## ever has one party written partisan,# full-year appropriations bills for all## of government and expected the other# party to go along without any input.

GOV.

JOSH SHAPIRO (D-PA): I would have liked to# see when Chuck Schumer had leverage here to say,## we need A, B, C and D for the Democratic Party# and force the Republicans to meet him halfway.

REP. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ (D-NY):# To see Senate Democrats even consider## acquiescing to Elon Musk, I think it is# a huge slap in the face and I think that## there's a wide sense of betrayal if# things proceed as currently planned.

REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): I myself don't give away## anything for nothing.

And I think# that's what happened the other day.

GEOFF BENNETT: We spoke with Senator# Schumer earlier today about that criticism,## Democrats' path forward and his new book,# "Antisemitism in America: A Warning."

Leader Schumer, welcome back to the "News Hour."

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): Glad to be back.

GEOFF BENNETT: I want to start with# your support of the GOP fundin.. and the criticism that you# have received as a result.

I know that you maintain that a shutdown# would have been far worse than passing## the Republican bill.

What do you# see that the vast majority of Hill## Democrats don't see?

Why are they wrong# in saying that you should have blocked?

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER: Well, Geoff, I knew# when I made my decision there'd be a lot## of people who disagreed with it, but# I felt it was imperative that I do.

The C. -- we had an awful choice, a Hobson's# choice, between a C.R.

bill, which had no## Democratic input, a continuing resolution to fund# the government, and a government shutdown.

As## bad as the C.R.

bill was, the shutdown, I'd say,# would be 15, 20 times worse, and let me explain.

In a shutdown, the whole government shuts down,## and then the executive branch solely# determines what is -- quote -- "essential"## and what is not essential.

So they# could say on day two of the shutdown,## SNAP, food for kids, not essential.

On day four,# no transit funds, mass transit or other, are## essential.

We will only declare as essential in# the transportation bill air traffic controllers.

On day six, Medicaid, half of it not essential.# We can cut Medicaid, cut rural hospitals,## cut community health centers.

And who has# the power to do this?

The executive.

The## courts have ruled that they have no say, that# the executive makes the sole determination.

Now, in the old days with a shutdown, they# might do little things around the edges,## but look who's in charge now, Musk,# DOGE, and probably worst of all this man,## Vought -- you spell his name, V-O-U-G-H-T --# he's in charge of OMB, which determines the## shutdown.

They want to slash the federal# government.

They want to cut it in half,## all so they can give tax breaks# to their billionaire friends.

And making it even worse, there's# no exit strategy.

In other words,## how long do you stay in the shutdown?

It's# totally up to those evil people who hate## the federal government, who hate all the# good things that we have been able to do.

One of the Republican senators told the Democratic# Senator, if you go to shutdown, we will be in it## for six, nine months until we destroy the federal# government.

So, while certainly the C.R.

was bad,## when you just had those two choices, in# my view, the shutdown had to be avoided.

GEOFF BENNETT: But when you hear the# governor of Pennsylvania say that you## squandered your leverage, or Speaker# Emerita Nancy Pelosi saying that you## gave up the votes and got nothing# in return, how does that strike you?

There are Democrats who say that, if the# government had shut down, you force Republicans## to own it.

All the pain that Americans would feel# that you just described, Republicans would pay the## political price.

Why not be as tactically ruthless# as Republicans have shown themselves to be?

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER: Well, first, there was no# choice.

The Republicans had given us, when they## sent it over from the House, just two choices.# C.R.

as is or shutdown.

There was no other choice.

But, second, if you think that these# Republicans would come to us and say,## oh, we shouldn't have shut down the food# stamps, we shouldn't have shut down Medicaid,## we shouldn't have slashed the federal government,## I don't think that's at all an accurate# reading of who they are and what they are.

And the danger that my prognosis is correct,# which I believe it is, was so, so great,## in terms of destruction, they could furlough# employees forever and just have the federal## government shrink to half its size en# masse.

That would have been the worst,## worst, worst alternative.

And there was# no -- no -- to rely on Republicans, oh,## we surrender, we will come to the table because# what we're doing is bad, doesn't make sense to me.

GEOFF BENNETT: Beyond the questions about# this bill, there are deeper questions,## as you well know, about the approach,# the sense among Democrats that the## Donald Trump of the second term is more# emboldened, more defiant, more divisive,## more dangerous, many Democrats believe,# than the Donald Trump of the first... and that#Democrats appear divided... SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER: Geoff, I believe# that too.

I believe that too.

GEOFF BENNETT: ... and# ill-equipped to put up a fight.

So what's the strategy to meet the goal?

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER: Yes.

Well, look,# OK, so we -- there were divisions,## as I said.

I knew that some --# many people would disagree with me.

I felt, Geoff, as a leader, my job, if# there was such danger, such tragedy,## such horror a little bit around# the curve, that I as leader had the## obligation to make sure that didn't happen,# even though I knew there'd be disagreement.

But, going forward, we are all united,## Hakeem and I and all of us.

And what are we# united doing?

Focusing on how bad Trump is.

GEOFF BENNETT: Channeling what I# would imagine would be some of the## pushback from the Democratic base,# it would be that naming and shaming## with Donald Trump doesn't work.

That's what# Democrats have done for the past two years.

In this last election, he#won the popular vote, the Electo... every battleground state.

So# the rules of political gravity,## press conferences and bold statements# and coordinated tweets, it doesn't work.

I mean, what does#the fight look like in 2025?

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER: We're going to go after# -- we're going after him in every way.

And, by the way, the people before who said he'd# be shamed and come to the table, that's the exact## opposite of what that is.

So you can't have it# both ways.

But I would say this.

We are -- we --## in 2017, when he was last here, Nancy Pelosi and# I said we're going to go after him on health care.## He was very unpopular with that.

We're going# to go after him on tax breaks for the rich.

And then we won the House and picked# up some seats in the Senate in 2018.## Same thing is going to happen now.

And# we're going to go after him in so many## different ways.

We are doing much better# on the social media led by Cory Booker## and Tina Smith in our house.

And so we're# reaching people who were not reached before.

We are -- we are mobilizing in New York.

We have# people going to the Republican districts and## going after -- going after these Republicans# who are voting for this and forcing them## to either face -- change their vote or# face the consequences.

This is a long,## relentless fight that we fight every day.

And I am confident that we will# bring Trump's popularity numbers## and strength down if we keep at# it and keep at it and keep at it.

GEOFF BENNETT: There are those who believe that# we are in real time living through an assault on## the constitutional order.

Do you believe that# we are in a constitutional crisis right now?

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER: Yes, our democracy is# at risk because Donald Trump shows that## he wishes to violate the laws# in many, many different ways.

The good news here is, we did put 235 judges,## progressive judges, judges not under the# control of Trump, last year on the bench,## and they are ruling against Trump time after time# after time.

And we hope that the appellate courts,## when it gets up there, and the Supreme Court will# uphold those rulings.

They restored the money to## NIH.

They required that 8,000 employees,# federal employees, have to come back.

We're in over 100 lawsuits against them,## and we are having a good deal of success.# It's only at the lower court level right now.

GEOFF BENNETT: Let's talk# about your new book out now,## "Antisemitism in America.

"# That's the title of the book.

You are the highest-ranking Jewish# elected official in America ever.

And## you write that you once felt that your# Jewish identity could be worn lightly,## but that you now feel it's your duty to alert# our country to the rising tide of antisemitism.

There are a number of audiences for this book,## but you have a particular message for# people on the political left.

What is it?

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER: So, my book is aimed at five# groups, first, my generation, to show people, I## know you're feeling alone.

Jews tend to feel alone# in these times.

We're all united in solidarity.

Second, to their children, our children, the# children of our generation.

They're pro-Israel,## they are pro-Jewish, but they know -- don't know# the history, the struggles we have had.

Third is## aimed at non-Jews of goodwill who are friendly# with Jewish people, and they know antisemitism## around, but they tend to think, oh, it's not# that bad.

Why are they making such a fuss?

They don't carry 5,000 years of Jewish history# on their back.

Fourth is the left.

There's## always been vicious antisemitism on the right.

In# fact, I was within 30 feet of the hooligans who## invaded the Capitol on January 6.

And one of them# said: "There's the big Jew.

Let's go get him."

They wore sweatshirts that said:# "Six million was not enough."

But on the left, it's in a different way.

It is# a little more subtle, but it's equally harmful,## because when people -- legitimate# criticism of Israel, fine.

I do it.## I have -- I have gotten some people in the# Jewish community mad because I have done it.

But crossing it over, going on a subway car# and saying, all right, who's a Zionist on## this subway car?

Stand up.

We want to get you# out of the subway car, telling people that## Jewish people are vicious and nasty and horrible# and exploiters, these kinds of things have created## such huge problems for us in the past that I# just -- I warn the left, be really careful.

Don't let that anti-Israel criticism# slide into antisemitic criticism,## which it all too often does.# The final group, by the way,## I'd like to read it is the kids of America,# the younger people of America.

I'd like## every college to have this book and have# their students read it, every high school.

Do you know that 20 percent of people under# 25 believe the Holocaust was a myth?

Another## 50 percent don't even know what the Holocaust# was.

And so we need education, because that has## always been one of the greatest antidotes against# antisemitism, teaching people the actual truth.

GEOFF BENNETT: In the Oval Office days# ago, President Trump condemned you,## saying that you aren't Jewish anymore.

He called# you a Palestinian, using that word as an insult.

In the past, he has questioned why Jewish# Americans would vote for the Democratic Party,## which many people see as deeply offensive.

And yet## the White House makes claims of# alleged antisemitism on college## campuses as a way of cracking down on# universities.

How does that strike you?

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER: It strikes me as# Donald Trump has always regarded Jews## as transactional, people he can use.# He regards them, oh, he needs money,## he needs votes.

He can use the charge of# antisemitism, even going way beyond where it is.

And he's done lots of things that encourage other# antisemites.

He sat down with this guy Fuentes## one of the greatest antisemites in America.

When# -- in Charlottesville, when they rioted against## the Jews and wanted to harass or even burn# down a temple, he said both sides have merit.

He has allies who have this Great Replacement# Theory, which is an antisemitic theory,## which says the Jews are trying to# bring immigrants into America so## it will no longer be white.

And so# far too often Donald Trump has just## encouraged or turned the other eye# when there are antisemites around.

As for calling me a Palestinian,# don't tell my mother.

GEOFF BENNETT: The book is# "Antisemitism in America:## A Warning," its author, Senator Chuck Schumer.

Thanks again for joining# us.

We appreciate your time.

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER: Good to be# here.

Good to be here.

Thank you.

AMNA NAWAZ: Significant changes will be coming for# Social Security recipients starting on March 31.

Millions of Americans will no# longer be able to verify their## identity over the phone, creating a challenge# for older Americans and those with disabilities.

Stephanie Sy joins us now with more.

STEPHANIE SY: This latest move by the Trump# administration will require new and existing## recipients to either verify themselves online or# have their I.D.s verified in person, even while## more than 40 field offices are slated to be shut# down by the Department of Government Efficiency.

The changes are aimed at addressing the potential# for fraudulent claims and improper payments,## which amounted to $72 billion# between 2015 to 2022.

That's less## than 1 percent of all the benefits# disbursed during that time period.

Advocates are raising concerns about the## burden this could place on an# already vulnerable population.

For more on what this means going# forward, I'm joined by Kathleen Romig,## director of Social Security and disability policy# for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Kathleen, thank you so much# for joining the "News Hour."

So, it seems the biggest change here is# getting rid of the option to verify one's## identity by phone.

Who will that impact the most?

KATHLEEN ROMIG, Director of Social#Security and Disability Policy, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: It's going## to impact anyone who struggles..

So that could include people who are just# not comfortable using online services,## which often does include older# people and people with disabilities,## which are the main populations that the# Social Security Administration serves.

It also means people who are not allowed# to open a My Social Security account, so,## for example, children.

Their families will# have to visit a Social Security office in## person to authenticate their identities# and to do business with the agency.

It also affects people who perhaps# don't have a driver's license or## don't have a smartphone in order to# use those online authentication tools.

STEPHANIE SY: And, of course, it's# not just the elderly.

There are## 72.5 million Americans who receive# these benefits, including children.

I am curious how one does verify an I.D.

by# phone.

The implication from the administration## here is that that isn't a very secure way of# verifying identification.

Does this fix that?

KATHLEEN ROMIG: The way that typically# identities are authenticated by phone## is by asking questions that only the person# with that identity would be able to answer.

So this is very commonly used by the# private financial industry as well.## When you have trouble logging into your bank# account or your mortgage lender's account,## then you would typically call and sort out any# problems over the phone and they'd ask you these## knowledge-based questions.

So that's what SSA# has been doing, and it's pretty common practice.

It's not perfect, but no# identity-proofing method is perfect.

STEPHANIE SY: So, at the same time as these# new requirements are set to go into effect,## you have reports of DOGE closing field offices,## particularly in the South.

They're also# letting go of thousands of employees.

The agency says these offices weren't used# much since online virtual meetings became## more popular and should be consolidated# to save costs.

What do you say to that?

KATHLEEN ROMIG: I think that any time# a field office closes to the public,## it's going to have an impact on# the people who live in that area.

There's research that even shows# that people are less likely to get## the Social Security disability# benefits that they have earned## and that they are eligible for if a# field office in their area closes.

STEPHANIE SY: We should say that we# did reach out to Trump administration## officials to be interviewed on the# topic, and they did pass on that today.

But they have also announced other# changes in these reforms, including## announcing plans to expedite processing,# for example, of direct deposit changes## to one business day.

It was 30 days.

Isn't# that a win for Social Security recipients?

KATHLEEN ROMIG: Well, if you# are able to authenticate your## identity online and make those changes online,# then, sure, faster processing makes sense.

But the fact is, if you do have to go# into a Social Security field office,## as this new policy requires, then it's going# to take you over a month to make that change.## And that's because there's already a# two-hour hold time on the phone to get## a call back from the Social Security# Administration to make an appointment,## and then over a monthlong wait on average# to get an appointment in a field office.

STEPHANIE SY: Groups like the AARP have# long called on Congress to provide more## resources to improving customer# service at this administration,## saying processing time for disability claims# have doubled in just the past five years.

Aren't changes due?

And, if so, what# changes do you think should be prioritized?

KATHLEEN ROMIG: Well, the reason that it's# taking the Social Security Administration longer## to process disability claims and too long# to answer the phone and to make appointments## with people is because there are already# not enough staff members working at SSA.

And that's because of years of underfunding.# And so the Trump administration is actually## moving to double down on those staff# cuts.

They're planning for another## 7,000 staff cuts at the Social Security# Administration this year.

So what that's## going to mean is fewer people answering the# phones, fewer people taking appointments,## fewer people processing claims, and that's going# to mean longer delays in each one of those areas.

And it's going to make it harder for applicants# and beneficiaries to access their benefits.

And## it's not just beneficiaries either, but it's# going to affect people who are trying to access## their Social Security statement, people# who need a replacement Social Security## card because they're seeking a job or just# got married.

These services affect everyone.

STEPHANIE SY: Kathleen Romig with the# Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Thank you, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN ROMIG: Thank you.

GEOFF BENNETT: Five years after the COVID# pandemic, the effects on our politics,## public health, and civic life continue# to be felt across many communities.

As part of her ongoing reporting# project, America at a Crossroads,## Judy Woodruff recently traveled to# Southeastern Michigan to find out## how divisions that emerged during the# pandemic continue to play out today.

JUDY WOODRUFF: Sunday morning service# at Second Baptist in Ypsilanti,## a celebration of life and faith years after# first weathering the storm of the pandemic.

Pastor George Waddles: REV.

GEORGE WADDLES, Second Baptist Church# Ypsilanti: We had one of our members who died## early, a man who was an integral part of our# church, an auditor and a trustee, and he was## one of the first people in Michigan who passed# away from COVID.

So we were immediately impacted## by the reality of how this was going to impact# our community.

And then the tidal wave began.

JUDY WOODRUFF: About 15 miles to the south,# in the small city of Milan, Ashley St. Clair's## salon and tattoo parlor had been up and running# for only six months when everything shut down.

ASHLEY ST. CLAIR, Ink and Dye Milan:# Salons, tattoo shops, massage parlors,## we all had to shut down end of day that# day.

So I came in, told my husband,## this is your last client of the day.

And we all# giggled and said, we will see you in two weeks.

HOLLI VALLADE, Milan Resident: Yes, because# they are going to make hamburgers tonight.

JUDY WOODRUFF: A little to the east, mother of# two Holli Vallade remembers the fear of those## early days and being thankful officials# had stepped in to keep the public safe.

HOLLI VALLADE: I was grateful that they were# making the decisions they were making.

It was## a scary time.

As time went on, you kind of --# you start to do your own research, you start to## kind of watch what's happening around you.

And# I think -- I think your patience grows thin.

JUDY WOODRUFF: In the county next door,## in Dearborn, Army veteran Hassan Nehme# remembers struggling to figure .. he was going to keep his family contracting# business afloat and his employees working.

HASSAN NEHME, Dearborn Heights Business Owner: And# where we're worried about feeding our families,## they're telling us, well, it's for# your safety.

You got to stay indoors,## can't work.

Where do you kind of# bounce between that, you know,## following and obeying these rules for everybody's# safety or being able to feed your family?

JUDY WOODRUFF: Five years after the# pandemic declaration, the divisions## over the COVID response here track the# national picture.

A recent report from## the Pew Research Center found that# the pandemic deepened partisanship,## distrust in institutions, and the# fragmentation of our news media.

Early on, Michigan saw a backlash to# public health measures with protests## against business and school closures# by people flouting masking and social## distancing guidelines.

In the fall of 2020,# a group of men were charged with plotting## to kidnap Democrat Governor Gretchen# Whitmer for pushing those measures.

But away from those headline-grabbing events,## residents here took away very different# lessons from their experiences.

HASSAN NEHME: I was raised that# this nation is amazing because its## the power with the people.

I mean,# we -- our voice matters.

And then,## during COVID, we learned our voice# didn't matter.

We were told what to do.

We get fed up.

We are Americans.

We know our# civil liberties.

We hold firmly to them.

And## then, once we feel like they're# being challenged, we push back.

JUDY WOODRUFF: Last year, Nehme# ran as a Republican for Congress## and served as a delegate at the# Republican National Convention.

REV.

GEORGE WADDLES: To be honest with# you, I think that it smacks of arrogance## and it disrespects those who lost their lives.

JUDY WOODRUFF: In Ypsilanti, Pastor George# Waddles feels very different about the pushback.

REV.

GEORGE WADDLES: If we're in a crowded# theater and there's a fire, you can pretend## it's not there, but if you sit there long enough,# you're going to get burned.

And in my opinion,## those who were protesting have the right to do so.# Thank God we're in the United States of America.

But on the flip side of that, we have to respect## the fact that your protest fails# to recognize the pain of others.

HOLLI VALLADE: Kids didn't go to# college because of it.

We have no## idea where they would be today if it# hadn't been handled the way it was.

JUDY WOODRUFF: For Holli Vallade,# her children's struggles in school,## one a junior, another just entering preschool... HOLLI VALLADE: They really did# vilify parents that had concerns.

JUDY WOODRUFF: ... led her to question# decisions made by Governor Whitmer,## the local health department and her local# school board, even as she saw different ones## being made in counties or districts next door.# That didn't end when COVID restrictions eased.

HOLLI VALLADE: I would say COVID# opened a can of worms.

I started## watching school board meetings because# I wasn't sure what was happening with## COVID and I wasn't sure what our school# was going to do to keep our kids safe.

But watching those meetings really# opened my eyes to what was taking## place within our school system.

We started# hearing about bullying that was happening.## We started hearing about examples# of Critical Race Theory coming in,## of the LGBT agenda being pushed in the# classrooms as young as like third grade.

Maybe, if you knew what we knew, you would# understand us better.

Maybe then you wouldn't be## so quick to put us down for wanting to fight for# the kids being harmed by some of these decisions.

JUDY WOODRUFF: While Vallade became# a regular at school board meetings... ASHLEY ST. CLAIR: As soon as the masking# mandates started, we started masking up## at the studio.

We have always followed the# Washington County Health Department guidelines.

JUDY WOODRUFF: ... salon owner Ashley St.# Clair, who also had young children dealing## with COVID restrictions, often appeared as well,# speaking in support of the Health Department.

ASHLEY ST. CLAIR: I understand the# frustration behind it, but I also## understand why our health officials thought# that that was the right thing to do, because## they didn't know what to do.

They were trying to# build a boat while the flood was already here.

JIMENA LOVELUCK, Washtenaw County, Michigan,# Health Officer: You know, public health## is not usually a political issue.# .. JUDY WOODRUFF: Washtenaw County health# officer Jimena Loveluck says the pandemic## took a toll on herself and her staff as they# attempted to navigate an overwhelmed health## system, the high number of deaths and# infections, staff burnout and turnover,## and being caught in the middle of what# became an intense political fight.

JIMENA LOVELUCK: In public health, we# approach this from a population perspective,## a community perspective, that we are# all connected and our actions can have## impacts on the other.

And I think# that sometimes lack of connection,## the challenges that we had even before COVID with# greater isolation and lessening social connection## also, I think, fed into that# polarization and those divisions.

ASHLEY ST. CLAIR: I feel like 2020 and the# pandemic was a really big tipping point## politically for divisions.

And I think that# those have continued on.

When you live in a## town like this, you see those people all of# the time.

But to protect, like, my own peace,## to protect the peace of my family, to protect# the peace of my clients and the people who help## us keep this business open, there are some lines# that just have to be drawn, and it's hard.

It is.

JUDY WOODRUFF: Today, everyone seems to# recognize that these deepening divisions## and loss of trust are problems, even as they# are far less sure what to do about them.

HASSAN NEHME: There's no reason that this# should happen in this manner ever again.## Now that we have all the data, there's no# reason that we don't go and siphon through## all of this and figure out where we went# wrong, what could have been done right,## and get some of the greatest minds on earth# to figure out a plan to move forward on this.

HOLLI VALLADE: There are going to be# situations where we might need to do## things to keep everybody safe and to make# sure everybody stays healthy.

And that## trust has been destroyed, and there's been# no effort.

At least from our perspective## locally or at a state level, there's been# very little effort to rebuild that trust.

REV.

GEORGE WADDLES: I think that's the challenge# that we have in the country now is there are## people who are living different lives and have# no frame of reference for what other people are## going through and no respect for that.

But I think# that's where the conversation has to take place.

JUDY WOODRUFF: In our next story,# we will sit down with two people## on opposing sides of this COVID divide who# are now trying to have that conversation.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm# Judy Woodruff in Milan, Michigan.

AMNA NAWAZ: Remember, there's always a lot# more online, including a look at Missouri,## where a constitutional amendment has made# abortions available again more than two## years after the Supreme Court's reversal# of Roe v. Wade.

That's at PBS.org/NewsHour.

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

I'm Amna Nawaz.

GEOFF BENNETT: I'm Geoff Bennett.

For all of us here at the "PBS News..