January 21, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode

President Trump has signed several executive orders making sweeping changes to the immigration system. Immigration was one of voters’ top issues in the election, with many supporting Trump’s message that the current system is broken. But how did we get here? Laura Barrón-López takes a deep dive into the history of immigration policies and laws that led to the complex system we have today.

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said he was surprised by the scope of President Trump's pardon of Jan. 6 rioters. Lisa Desjardins reports on that reaction and a Republican strategy meeting at the White House.

It's been two weeks since the wildfires began ravaging parts of Southern California. Firefighters are making progress, but the biggest fires are not yet fully contained. At least 27 people have lost their lives and officials say the full death toll is not yet known. As we learn more about the victims, we remember some of those who were lost and the legacies they leave behind.

The exhibition, "Just a Dream,” presents 25 years of work from Vincent Valdez in a series of chapters that look at both personal and collective histories. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown met with Valdez for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

As part of his blitz of executive orders, President Trump delivered on a promise to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization. The Trump White House accuses the WHO of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic and bias toward China. Amna Nawaz discussed potential implications with Lawrence Gostin of the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University.

President Donald Trump made good on his promise to pardon or commute the sentences of Jan. 6 rioters. Geoff Bennett discussed what this means for the years-long investigations into the insurrection with former congressman and advisor to the Jan. 6 Select Committee, Denver Riggleman.

President Trump signed executive orders to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented parents and declare cartels terrorist organizations. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López reports on the latest.

In less than 24 hours, President Trump unleashed a wave of executive actions, some that take effect immediately, some that will be challenged in court and some whose potential impacts are more vague. He promises more executive actions as his Cabinet takes shape and as he moves to purge the federal government of those disloyal to him. Geoff Bennett reports.

In our news wrap Tuesday, a prisoner swap between the U.S. and the Taliban secured the release of American Ryan Corbett from Afghanistan, two top Israeli generals resigned over the military's failure to stop the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, Turkey is investigating a hotel fire that killed at least 76 people and a rare winter storm is hammering the northern Gulf Coast.