April 8, 2019 - PBS NewsHour full episode

The tenure of outgoing Homeland Security Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen was rife with controversy, from the separation of migrant children and parents to the attempt to keep asylum seekers in Mexico while their cases are processed. Judy Woodruff talks to Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, about her departure and President Trump’s outlook on immigration law.

The Trump administration designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps a foreign terrorist organization Monday, with the goal of rendering the IRGC “radioactive” to other countries and organizations. The unprecedented move represents one more step in the administration's ongoing “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, but what does it mean for future attempts at diplomacy? Nick Schifrin reports.

Robert Caro is one of the nation’s preeminent biographers, known for meticulous research and taking his time with a subject. Indeed, he began his massive series "The Years of Lyndon Johnson" in 1977, but its final volume won't be published for at least another year. Meanwhile, Caro has written a memoir about how he does what he does, titled simply, "Working." Jeffrey Brown sits down with Caro.

In our news wrap Monday, three U.S. service members and an American contractor died in Afghanistan. Pentagon officials said they were killed by an improvised explosive device near Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul. The Taliban claimed responsibility. Also, activists in Sudan say attempts by security forces to quash a protest set off widespread violence, killing at least six people since Saturday.

In a growing 2020 Democratic field, candidates are crisscrossing the nation to pitch themselves as capable of defeating President Trump. The resignation of Homeland Security Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen and Trump’s fiery rhetoric on asylum seekers gave them plenty to talk about in recent days. Lisa Desjardins reports on Democratic reactions, plus campaign updates from Tim Ryan and Pete Buttigieg.

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week in politics, including Pete Buttigieg’s headline-making remarks on his religion and homosexuality, "revolution" vs. "restoration" within the 2020 field, the ouster of Homeland Security Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen and how President Trump’s desire to get even tougher on immigration might play with voters.

On Sunday, President Trump announced the resignation of Homeland Security Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen, who reportedly was forced to step down amid Trump’s growing frustration with the growing number of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Amna Nawaz reports and joins Judy Woodruff with Yamiche Alcindor to discuss why Nielsen fell out of favor with Trump and what the shakeup means for immigration policy.