March 13, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode

Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to a U.S. and Ukraine offer for a temporary ceasefire with his own demands and questions about what a 30-day pause in the war would mean for his long-term ambitions. Putin is meeting with President Trump’s envoy as Ukraine says Putin’s words indicate he is not ready for peace. Nick Schifrin reports.

To decode what Russian President Putin had to say about a ceasefire proposal and for an assessment of the state of diplomacy, Amna Nawaz spoke with two long-time Russia watchers: Thomas Graham and Andrew Weiss.

In our news wrap Thursday, a judge ordered the Trump administration to rehire thousands of probationary employees let go in mass firings, a group of Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit to try to stop the Department of Education's plans to cut 1300 employees and Pete Buttigieg is not running for an open Senate seat in Michigan.

There are signs from the Senate on a potential way to avoid a federal government shutdown. But 60 votes are needed to move anything forward and it's still unclear if enough Democrats will join Republicans to pass a stopgap deal. Lisa Desjardins reports.

For perspective on two big stories of the day, the possible ceasefire in Ukraine and the potential government shutdown in the U.S., Amna Nawaz spoke with Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, a member of both the budget and intelligence committees.

Homeland Security officials said that Immigration and Customs Enforcement carried out more than 32,000 arrests in the first 50 days of Trump’s administration. Those numbers include the deportation of a 10-year-old U.S. citizen recovering from brain cancer after her undocumented parents were arrested last month. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López reports.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced what it called the ‘biggest deregulatory action in U.S. history.’ Administrator Lee Zeldin’s proposals include a call to upend the basis for the EPA's climate change actions and impact rules on emissions limits, wastewater regulations and air quality standards. Stephanie Sy discussed more with Zack Colman of Politico.

President Trump and Elon Musk have cast doubt on whether the U.S. gold reserves stored at Fort Knox still exist. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent insists the gold is safe. The conversation led our digital anchor Deema Zein to dig deeper with economics correspondent Paul Solman.

We want to take a moment to frequent News Hour guest John Feinstein. The author and sportswriter passed away at the age of 69.