AMNA NAWAZ: Good evening.

I'm Amna Nawaz.

GEOFF BENNETT: And I'm Geoff Bennett.

On the "News Hour" tonight: DONALD TRUMP, President of the United# States: We.. very simple.

And the days of rule# by unelected bureaucrats are over.

GEOFF BENNETT: We fact-check# President Trump's address to Congress,## where he touted the actions he's taken# during his first few weeks in office.

AMNA NAWAZ: VA Secretary Doug Collins on the# cuts to his department and the larger federal## work force that are sparking# concerns among veterans.

GEOFF BENNETT: And U.S. officials say they have# suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine,## a potential blow for the country's# ability to fend off Russian attacks.

(BREAK) GEOFF BENNETT: Welcome to the..

The nation is taking stock today after# President Donald Trump's marathon addressed## to Congress last night.

It was a speech# reminiscent of one of his campaign rallies,## full of applause lines for Republicans# and his conservative MAGA base.

AMNA NAWAZ: But, within minutes,# Democratic protests interrupted## the night, with some members holding up signs,## others walking out, and one removed from# the chamber after disrupting the speech.

Our Lisa Desjardins was in# the room and has this report.

DONALD TRUMP, President of the United States:# To my fellow citizens, America is back.

LISA DESJARDINS: President# Trump with a fiery address## to Congress he waited five years# to give, for him and Republicans,## a victory lap and a measuring of his# whirlwind first six weeks in office.

DONALD TRUMP: There has been# nothing but swift and unrelenting## action to usher in the greatest and most# successful era in the history of our country.

LISA DESJARDINS: The longest presidential address## to Congress ever given, clocking# in at one hour and 40 minutes.

DONALD TRUMP: We have accomplished more# in 43 days than most administrations## accomplished in four years or eight# years, and we are just getting started.

LISA DESJARDINS: The speech was also unprecedented# for its level of protest from Democrats.

LISA DESJARDINS: Representative Al Green of# Texas stood and shouted at the president,## critical of potential Medicaid cuts.

He refused# to leave and unprecedented in modern times: REP. MIKE JOHNSON (R-LA): The chair now# directs the sergeant in arms to restore order.

REP. MIKE JOHNSON: Remove this# gentleman from the chamber.

LISA DESJARDINS: He was forced to exit the# chamber.

Other Democrats found silent forms## of protest, holding up a sea of signs# calling out the president's falsehoods.

But much of Mr. Trump's speech was an# unapologetic list of accomplishments.

DONALD TRUMP: We have entered the tyranny# of so-called diversity, equity and inclusion## policies all across the entire federal government# and indeed the private sector and our military.

DONALD TRUMP: And our country# will be woke no longer.

LISA DESJARDINS: With emotional moments,# acknowledging the family of Laken Riley, the## Georgia woman killed by an undocumented immigrant# whose story was central in Trump's campaign.

DONALD TRUMP: Allyson and Lauren, America will# never ever forget our beautiful Laken Hope Riley.

LISA DESJARDINS: And honoring# a 13-year-old battling cancer## who dreams of becoming law enforcement.

DONALD TRUMP: I am asking our new# Secret Service director, Sean Curran,## to officially make you an agent of# the United States Secret Service.

LISA DESJARDINS: And an announcement,# the arrest of the alleged mastermind## behind the bombing that killed# 13 U.S. service members during## the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.

The# suspect was due in federal court today.

Also on foreign policy: DONALD TRUMP: I appreciate that he sent# this letter.

Just got it a little while ago.

LISA DESJARDINS: Trump said that Ukrainian# President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote that## he's ready to sign a minerals deal with# the U.S. and to negotiate for peace.

As for here at home: DONALD TRUMP: DOGE, perhaps# you've heard of it, perhaps.

LISA DESJARDINS: Trump applauded the sweeping# cuts from the group known as the Department## of Government Efficiency.

Republicans loudly# cheered for Elon Musk, who Trump said leads it.

DONALD TRUMP: We are draining the slump.

It's very## simple.

And the days of rule by# unelected bureaucrats are over.

LISA DESJARDINS: Democrats in the audience laughed## at what they saw as hypocrisy# regarding the unelected Musk.

And in their official response, Michigan# Senator Elissa Slotkin was direct.

SEN. ELISSA SLOTKIN (D-MI): While# around the subject of Elon Musk,## is there anyone in America who is comfortable# with him and his gang of 20-year-olds using## their own computer servers to poke through# your tax returns, your health information## and your bank accounts?

We need a more# efficient government.

You want to cut waste,## I will help you do it.

But change doesn't# need to be chaotic or make us less safe.

LISA DESJARDINS: In his speech, Trump took on# critics of another policy, tariffs, doubling## down on the idea that America# can take any pain they bring.

DONALD TRUMP: There will be a little disturbance.# But we're OK with that.

It won't be much.

LISA DESJARDINS: Today, the White House# announced a one-month tariff exemption## for automakers.

The tariffs in# Trump's first term helped some,## but sharply hurt others, including# farmers, who needed billions in a bailout.

The theme overall was echoed as Trump spoke# about immigration and mocked previous thoughts.

DONALD TRUMP: We must have legislation to secure## the border.

But it turned out that all# we really needed was a new president.

LISA DESJARDINS: Today, Vice President# J.D.

Vance took the administration's## message and tough stance to Eagle Pass,# Texas, along the U.S. southern border,## joined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and# Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

REP. JAMES COMER (R-KY): The# witnesses will please stand.

LISA DESJARDINS: In Washington, House Republicans# hammered the Democratic mayors of New.. Chicago, Boston and Denver over so-called# sanctuary city and other immigration policies.

REP. JAMES COMER: We cannot let pro-criminal alien## policies and obstructionist sanctuary# cities continue to endanger American## communities in the safety of federal# immigration enforcement officers.

LISA DESJARDINS: The mayors pushed back.

BRANDON JOHNSON (D), Mayor of Chicago,# Illinois: Sensationalizing traged.. the name of political expediency is# not governing.

It's grandstanding.

MIKE JOHNSTON (D), Mayor of Denver, Colorado:# We have folks in Denver who are working hard,## playing by the rules, paying taxes.# There is no one that is seeking hell## to come to Denver.

What people are# looking for is opportunity and hope.

MICHELLE WU (D), Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts:# Please, pass comprehensive immigration law that## is consistent and compassionate.# That will make our jobs possible.

LISA DESJARDINS: From the# White House itself today,## a condemnation of Democrats'# protests the night before.

KAROLINE LEAVITT, White House Press Secretary: The# behavior of Democrats last night was completely## disgraceful and demonstrated how severely out# of touch they are with the American public.

LISA DESJARDINS: But from# House Democrats' number two,## Katherine Clark, a fiery retort to the# idea that they should have clapped more.

REP. KATHERINE CLARK (D-MA): Everything the# American people put their trust in him to do,## it is a betrayal.

It is a betrayal.# So let's not talk about decorum.

LISA DESJARDINS: The day after,## like the night before, a glaring show of# the American divide over its .. For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Lisa Desjardins.

AMNA NAWAZ: For a deeper dive and a fact-check on# many of the claims the president made l..

I'm joined now by our White House# correspondent, Laura Barron-Lopez.

Laura, so let's just start with some# of the biggest claims of the night.## What stood out to you in terms of the# areas that President Trump focused on?

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: So this is not an exhaustive# list, but these are some of the key misleading,## exaggerated, or false statements that the# president made, starting with the fact## that he said 21 million undocumented# immigrants entered the United States## under Biden.

It was actually under 11# million and many were rapidly expelled.

He said that $350 billion has been spent# on supporting Ukraine.

It's actually just## over $180 billion.

That's according to the# Ukraine oversight inspector general.

And that## includes money that's spent inside# the U.S. on weapons manufacturing.

The president also said that fentanyl coming# from Canada is killing thousands.

Actually,## only 43 pounds of fentanyl was seized# in 2024 -- 43 pounds of the fentanyl## that was seized came from Canada, so# about 0.2 percent of the total amount.

And then, lastly, the president said that millions## are being spent on -- quote -- "making# mice transgender."

That claim is false.

AMNA NAWAZ: That last one there, Laura, making# mice transgender, what's the reality there?

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: So, again, the idea that# scientists are making mice transgender is false.

The kinds of research experiments that President# Trump and the White House were pointing to is## basic scientific research.

These studies# were not studying if gender-affirming care## works.

That's a legal medical treatment that's# endorsed by major U.S. medical associations.

These experiments were studying the effects# of gender-affirming hormones on asthma and## on whether gender-affirming hormones increase# breast cancer risk.

So, if someone is getting## gender-affirming care, does it make an# HIV vaccine less effective on that person?

Many diseases and conditions are# impacted by a person's hormones,## Amna, and there is no ethical scenario# where scientists will just be immediately## experimenting on humans.

They# always start with rats and mice.

So, ultimately, these experiments on# mice that the president was singling out,## they help scientists understand the biological# effects on humans and on the endocrine system.## And they could also impact the wider U.S.# population, not just transgender people.

Again, Amna, those scientific experiments that# were being paid for funded by NIH are not fraud.

AMNA NAWAZ: So, leading up to this speech,# we heard from President Trump and from Elon## Musk claiming millions of dead people had# been receiving Social Security payments.## We heard the president double down on that# last night.

What should we understand there?

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: So the# president spent a big chunk## of his address repeating these# false claims on Social Security.

DONALD TRUMP: We're also identifying shocking# levels of incompetence and probable fraud in the## Social Security program for our seniors and at our# seniors, 1.3 million people from ages 150 to 159,## and over 130,000 people, according to the Social# Security databases, are aged over 160 years old.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Many of those claims# have also been spread online by Elon Musk## to his more than 200 million followers,# but the reality is that 1 percent of## Social Security Administration payments are# improper, and they're made to living people.

And there are Americans in the system who# were born in the 1920s.

They're still in the## Social Security Administration system, but that# doesn't mean that they are receiving payments,## which is something that the president's own# Social Security administrator recently said.

And also, Amna, the Social Security Administration## automatically stops payments to people# who are over the age of 115 years old.

AMNA NAWAZ: So, President Trump has also# claimed that Elon Musk's team has found## what he's called hundreds of billions of dollars# of fraud.

He listed a number of those programs## in his speech last night.

Are those canceled# government contracts, are they all fraudulent?

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: So the White House# and Elon Musk have provided no evidence## that those contracts that they# have canceled are fraudulent.

One example being the amount of money that# FEMA sent to shelter migrants in New York City,## that money was congressionally approved.# It was voted on even by some Republicans.## The president has labeled that fraud,# and so has Elon Musk.

So what they are## essentially doing is, they are calling# on their wall of receipts that DOGE has,## where they're showing the contracts# that they say that they have canceled.

They're calling a lot of those fraud, even# though they haven't provided the evidence.## And some of that wall of receipts has math# errors.

It has duplicate contracts.

It has## contracts cut that actually had no savings,# and they admit it on that wall of receipts.

And so essentially what's happening, Amna,# is that the president and his allies are## calling many of these contracts fraud simply# because they disagree with the programs that## are being funded.

And it is a president's# prerogative to say that they don't want## certain money going to specific programs.# That doesn't make those programs fraud.

AMNA NAWAZ: White House# correspondent Laura Barron-Lopez.

Laura, thank you.

LAURA BARRON-LOPEZ: Thank you.

GEOFF BENNETT: It was another turbulent day for# America's new policy toward Ukraine.

The U.S. and## Ukrainian national security advisers spoke, and# both sides said talks are moving in a -- quote## -- "positive direction" to secure a minerals# deal and accelerate peace talks with Russia.

But U.S. officials also confirmed the U.S.# has paused intelligence sharing with Ukraine,## which it has relied on in the battlefield.

Nick Schifrin joins us now with the latest.

So, Nick, what has the U.S.# paused and how important is it?

NICK SCHIFRIN: Senior U.S.# officials today confirmed that,## as part of the overall pause# ordered by President Trump that## includes military aid, all intelligence# and information sharing will be paused.

And that was confirmed this morning on FOX# Business by CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

JOHN RATCLIFFE, CIA Director: President# Trump had a real question about whether## President Zelenskyy was committed# to the peace process.

And he said,## let's pause.

And so I think on the# military front and the intelligence front,## the pause that allowed that to happen, I think,# will go away and I think we will work shoulder## to shoulder with Ukraine, as we have, to# push back on the aggression that's there.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Now, the U.S. provides# both offensive and defensive intelligence## information to Ukraine.

Let's# talk about the defense first.

The U.S. gives Ukraine radar and situational# awareness of Russian launches inside of Russia## and Belarus.

Think Russian jets with# bombs that hit Ukraine, Russian drones,## Russian missiles.

A U.S. official and a# congressional official understand to me## that this kind of -- quote -- "imminent force# protection" will be exempted.

And that means## that the air defense cooperation, the air alert# system cooperation will continue in Ukraine.

Here's the offensive, though.

Two congressional# officials and a military official confirmed## to me that the U.S. has paused assistance# that allows Ukrainian strikes into Russia.## Offensive strikes will be more precise.# Ukraine can already launch these strikes## by themselves into Russia, but without U.S.# assistance, they will be much less precise.

Now, the U.S. also provides targeting# assistance to Ukrainian soldiers on## the front lines inside of Ukraine.

It is not# clear that assistance is being affected so far,## Geoff.

But, bottom line, the U.S.# official tells me that, depending## on the extent of this pause -- quote --# "It will cost Ukrainian lives" -- unquote.

There's also a strategic effect.

European# officials continue to tell me they feel that## there is a genuine transatlantic break, and the# most recent evidence of that came today.

French## President Emmanuel Macron said something# that he really hasn't said publicly before,## that he will consider using French nuclear# weapons to replace the protection of U.S.## nuclear weapons that the U.S. has# provided for the last few decades.

And he said this about a# European plan for Ukraine.

EMMANUEL MACRON, French President (through# translator): This is a plan for a solid,## lasting, verifiable peace.

I would like# to believe that the United States will## stay by our side, but we have to# be ready if this isn't the case.

NICK SCHIFRIN: That is a pretty# fundamental but from America's oldest ally.

GEOFF BENNETT: Yes, indeed.

Separately, Nick, what.. NICK SCHIFRIN: For the first time in known# memory, the United States is negotiating## directly with a foreign terrorist organization.# The White House announced that Adam Boehler,## who is currently a senior State Department# adviser, he is nominated to be the special## presidential envoy for hostage affairs,# is negotiating directly with Hamas.

Those talks could cover a cease-fire.# They could also cover the future of Gaza## should the war end formally.

But, tonight,# President Trump met with hostage families## and he delivered what he called a final# warning for Hamas -- quote -- "Shalom Hamas## means hello and goodbye.

You can choose.# Release all of the hostages now, not later,## and immediately return all of the dead bodies of# the people you murdered or it is over for you."

There has been no response,# Geoff, yet from Hamas to that.

GEOFF BENNETT: More to come on that front.

Nick Schifrin, thanks to you, as always.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Thank you.

GEOFF BENNETT: We start today's other headlines# with more on the new tariff exemption for## cars coming into the U.S. from Canada and# Mexico.

The White House said that President## Trump spoke with the heads of Ford, General# Motors and Stellantis today before announcing## the one-month pause and said the president# would stay open to additional exemptions.

White House Press Secretary Karoline# Leavitt told reporters today that the## idea is for automakers to use that time# to shift more production to the U.S. KAROLINE LEAVITT, White House# Press Secretary: He told them## that they he should -- they should g.. here to the United States of America, where they# will pay no tariff.

That's the ultimate goal.

GEOFF BENNETT: Meantime, there's been more# global reaction to President Trump's tariffs## today.

Mexico's president said her country could# look for other trading partners, if necessary.

And China's embassy to the U.S. posted on social# media that: "If the U.S. wants a tariff war,## a trade war, or any other type of war,# we're ready to fight until the end."

Severe weather is battering a large chunk# of the country.

Powerful storms killed at## least three people in Mississippi, while other# states are experiencing high winds, downpours,## and blizzard conditions.

In Iowa, wind and# snow caused whiteout conditions this morning,## stranding vehicles on highways.

State# troopers warned residents to stay home.

On the East Coast, officials in North# Carolina assessed damage on the ground## from a possible tornado.

In Oklahoma,# residents of a small town have been## cleaning up from a storm that blasted through# windows and tore apart buildings, while,## in California, forecasters are expecting# rain and mountain snow through Friday.

Los Angeles County is suing Southern California# Edison, saying the utility's equipment caused## January's deadly Eaton Fire.

The lawsuit seeks# to recover costs and damages caused by the blaze,## saying the fire massively impacted# the county's natural resources,## harmed the environment and wildlife,# and threatened public health.

The Eaton Fire destroyed more# than 9,000 structures and killed## 17 people in the Altadena area.# Edison says it is reviewing the## case and will respond through# the appropriate legal process.

The Justice Department charged 12 Chinese# hackers and law enforcement officers today in## what they're calling a global hacking campaign.# U.S. officials say the malicious cyber actors## targeted dissidents, news organizations, and U.S.# agencies.

That includes the Treasury Department,## which was compromised late last year.# The DOJ says that, in some instances,## the hacking was done at the direction# of China's Ministry of Public Security.

On Wall Street today, stocks rebounded# from recent losses amid hopes for more## tariff concessions.

The Dow Jones industrial# average gained nearly 500 points on the day.## The Nasdaq added more than 260 points.

The S&P# 500 also ended firmly in positive territory.

Former Houston Mayor and U.S. Congressman# Sylvester Turner has died.

Turner spent## 27 years in the Texas House of# Representatives before serving as## Houston's mayor from 2016 to 2024.

He# was elected this past November to the## congressional seat long held by the late# Sheila Jackson Lee.

Turner took office two## months ago and just last night attended# President Trump's address to Congress.

In 2022, he announced that he had# undergone treatment for bone cancer## and last year said he was cancer-free.# Sylvester Turner was 70 years old.

And, finally, NBA superstar LeBron# James is finding new milestones to hit.

ANNOUNCER: LeBron, open three.

Got it!

GEOFF BENNETT: With a three-pointer last# night against the New Orleans Pelicans,## James became the first player in NBA history# to surpass 50,000 points across regular season## and playoff games.

That's 6,000 more than# his nearest rival, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The 40-year-old James is playing in his 22nd# season.

He's now tied with Vince Carter for the## most years played.

The Lakers also won last# night, for their seventh straight victory.

Still to come on the "News Hour":# the U.S. Supreme Court rejects the## Trump administration's bid to freeze# billions in foreign aid payments;## and a look at how the deep political divide will# impact the president's agenda and policymaking.

The Trump administration announced# it's planning to fire thousands more## employees at the Department of# Veterans Affairs as part of the## White House effort to dramatically# downsize the federal work force.

A quarter of the VA's work force# comprises veterans themselves.## And that's prompting questions# about how the cuts might affect## the quality and timeliness of# the services the VA provides.

Doug Collins is the secretary of the Department# of Veterans Affairs and joins us now.

Thanks for being with us.# Welcome to the "News Hour."

DOUG COLLINS, U.S. Secretary of# Veterans Affairs: I'm glad to be here.

GEOFF BENNETT: So, earlier this evening, you# confirme.. 70,000-plus staffers, and you say that these# cuts will help the VA fulfill its core mission.

How exactly?

How is it possible# to reduce staffing and resources## without negatively impacting the# quality and timeliness of care?

DOUG COLLINS: Well, the first off is, I didn't# announce that we're actually going through it## at this moment.

I said we're beginning the# process to look at a reduction in force## that will resemble about 15 percent of the# force, and that's what we have begun to do.

What we have done all along is actually take a# look at our core functions, making sure that the## veteran is first.

And it is sort of interesting to# me that we say that there's no way this can affect## quality of care or others, when really what we're# seeing right now, what we have experienced over## the last few years is Washington, D.C.'s tendency# to just throw money and people at problems.

Over the last four years, there's been $130# billion added to the budget at the VA and## plus 80,000 employees, but yet at the same time# backlogs of benefits have went up.

health care## wait times have actually went up, and when this# was all a different position just four years ago.

So the question is not what we're looking at# to make sure that we're getting efficient,## is following what the president has called for,# but also making sure that we're delivering it## in the best way.

And we're the best ones to# look at that by actually taking our force,## who is doing a great job, but saying,# how can we do it more efficiently?

GEOFF BENNETT: Well, given the VA wait times# scandal during the Obama administration,## the ongoing concerns about access to care# for veterans, what specific safeguards are## in place to ensure that veterans don't# face longer delays or reduced services?

DOUG COLLINS: Well, I think what safeguards is# employees doing their jobs, and which is what## they're trying -- we're working to make# sure they have all the tools to do that.

We're also putting in place making sure that# they have the critical assets to the appointment## schedules.

We're making a look at all of how# we actually deal with our hiring.

Remember,## one of the things we have talked about here# and that has not been talked about enough is,## we're protecting and have protected over 300,000# positions at the VA that we had this mission## critical, front-facing to our veterans, not# only in health care but in benefits as well.

We're doing this to make sure that# we're actually getting the results## we needed.

I think too long we found in# Washington -- and I have said this before,## and I said it on the video earlier -- that we have# this idea that money and people will solve issues.

And, really, the reality is, is, if# you don't have good processes in place,## you're not going to solve the problem.

This# has been going on the Hill and we have known## this on Capitol Hill for years.

Senator# Johnny Isakson from Georgia, who used to## be the chair of the Senate VA Committee,# actually said this almost 10 years ago.

He said the problem with the VA is not that# it needs more money.

And this was almost $200## billion ago.

It needed a better structure.# And that's what we're trying to provide.

GEOFF BENNETT: Well, a question about# the process, because our team has## heard from scores of veterans who've been# terminated as a result of these DOGE cuts.

And there's an Air Force veteran who asked# that we protect his identity.

He says he was## twice promoted, yet received a termination notice# describing poor job performance.

Take a listen.

AIR FORCE VETERAN, Fired Veterans Affairs# Employee: Last week, to be locked out of## my computer and handed a blanket termination# e-mail that was sent from OPM saying that I## was being let go due to poor performance,and it's# a flat-out lie.

It's a disgusting lie, at that.

I received awards from upper management,# certificates.

I was treated like a criminal, like## I had done something wrong.

They're destroying# people's lives to get to these numbers that you're## requesting.

If you don't realize that, I'm trying# to let you know now here's your wakeup call.

GEOFF BENNETT: So what do you say to# that,the indiscriminate or dismissive## treatment that some VA staffers are# describing related to their termination?

DOUG COLLINS: Well, the one thing,# this will be a probationary employee## who was let go.

This is where this# has been coming from the process,## which is an understanding we're# looking at the total picture.

This is an employee also that was# in a non what was deemed out of## those 300,000-plus jobs that I mentioned earlier,## not a front-facing position that affects veterans'# health directly or veterans' benefits directly.

Look, this is something that we have.

There's# nothing that I take more serious than having## to look at our work force and making -- and# having layoffs that happen.

We feel for that,## but it happens not only in government.

It happens## all across the country in many jobs that# we're seeing just in the last little bit## with Southwest Airlines and others# who are announcing large layoffs.

These are the kind of things that are# hard to do, and there's something not## easy and I take very seriously, but also in the# perspective that we have to look out and say,## are we going to be fulfilling the mission that# the president has asked us to do?

And that is## to take care of our veterans, but also do it# in a cost-effective and very efficient manner.

And, again, one of the things that I have said# here that's not mentioned very much in the press## is, if this was an area in which it should have# been flagged or if this was a mistake and it## shouldn't have been part of this probationary,# there is an exemption process that has been used## many times, but undoubtedly in this person's# case, their supervisor decided, or they decided## not to ask for the exemption because their# position, where it was and what was going on.

So, again, it is bad when anyone lose# their job, but there are things in place## to make sure that we are trying to target# as best we can the areas that we need to.

GEOFF BENNETT: Veterans,# as I'm sure you well know,## have been hit hard across the board# as it relates to these DOGE cuts,## because veterans comprised nearly 30# percent of the federal work force.

And there are Americans who no doubt believe that# people who serve their country and who continue## that service through their federal job should be# exempt from these firings.

How do you view it?

DOUG COLLINS: Well, I view it as this.

As someone# who served for 23 years, was the Air Force,## who's also been deployed, who also understands# what life like -- is, it's interesting to me that## they always look to the government as to where is# exempt an employee, that our job is the government## -- part of a job for a government employee is# something sacrosanct outside of the government.

My other question is, for those who say# they should be exempt inside of government,## where are they in the process of taking care# of veterans not working for the government?## Look, all veterans are the same to me.

They have# earned benefits.

They have earned and served our## country well.

They're very protected and# loved by me and wanting to be cared for.

And that's what they will continue to# get their care from health care and## benefits from the VA.

But, again, it's# an interesting thing that we look at## government employment as something# different than employment outside.

And, again, to say that a veteran who's# employed by the government is different than## a veteran employed outside of government# is just, frankly, not a valid argument.

GEOFF BENNETT: A question about veteran care.

We spoke with a veteran who's currently receiving inpatient treatment at the Bath VA Medical Center in New York.

And#this person says the cuts that the VA have instituted already are# affecting the quality of care.

JEREMY COPE, Former U.S. Marine: We have also had## a lot of scheduled groups that are bein.. staff to facilitate them.

And so that# leaves us veterans to our own devices.

A lot of people just isolate in their# rooms.

And for people who suffer from## substance use disorder or mental health issues,## isolation is one of the worst things you can# do, especially in recovery from substance use.

To the administration who says# there's no effect on veteran care,## I say you are absolutely wrong,# and come here, and I will show you.

GEOFF BENNETT: What's your response?

DOUG COLLINS: Well, my response is, this is just# a piece of journalism that's not doing its job,## in the sense of you're taking a veteran who# is saying that they're not getting care in## a facility in a health setting in which# those jobs and others have been exempt.

And so care that has been taken care would# not have been affected.

And also, by the way,## this has just happened within the last week.# To say that there's this -- all of a sudden## this dearth in care because of cuts that# are happening here is simply not right.

Remember, in these areas, we're also having# -- we have exempted 300,000 employees.

And,## sometimes, we're having to also -- if someone# leaves or goes away from that position,## we're also having to hire.

We're able# to hire under.

We're not under the## hiring freeze for those positions.# So we're trying to bring people in.

But to blame this and simply use this event to# blame it on cuts and blame it on what's happening## right now with the VA is, frankly, not fair to the# American people and it's not fair to veterans who## are hearing this thinking that something else is# going on.

This may be this person's perspective.## I respect their position, but their position# does not reflect what we have actually done.

GEOFF BENNETT: How would a veteran like# that be able to flag that concern and## have it addressed in this --# in this new administration?

DOUG COLLINS: Well, they can go -- if they're# having issues, they can talk to the people at## the VA.

They can talk to their schedulers.

They# can actually, again, as always happens here, and## it's one of the things we got to get away from,# if they're having problems with scheduling or## scheduling is not happening, we have some issues# in third-party scheduling or however they're## trying to get their schedule made, is, look,# reach out to your veterans service organization.

Reach out to our veteran crisis line.

Talk# to the people.

Don't just simply sit there## and think that you're by yourself.

We have# multitudes of resources to reach out to find## out what's going on and to find out what's# really happening.

My concern is, though,## is that people are being led or mistold# things that are not actually affecting## their specific care, and they're then# trying to broaden it out to a more open## attack on what they -- to maybe positions# that they don't understand or don't like.

GEOFF BENNETT: Secretary# Collins, we are out of time,## but we invite you back any time# to continue this conversation.

GEOFF BENNETT: Secretary of Veterans# Affairs Doug Collins, thank you.

DOUG COLLINS: Take care.

AMNA NAWAZ: The Supreme Court today# rejected the Trump administration's## request to freeze billions of dollars in# foreign aid for work that's already been## done.

The administration asked the court# to block a lower court ruling ordering the## government to release the funds.

It remains# unclear when the aid will now be distributed.

John Yang is here now to# unpack all of this for us.

So, John, what exactly did# the Supreme Court do here?

JOHN YANG: Well, you will remember, on day one,## the president froze foreign aid spending.# Groups that got that money.. And a district court judge here in Washington, a# Biden appointee named Amir Ali, said that money## for projects that had been completed had to# be sent out the door.

The Trump administration## went to the Supreme Court wanting to block that# order.

And, today, the Supreme Court said no.

It was a 5-4 vote.

The majority included Chief# Justice John Roberts and Amy Coney Barrett,## the conservative Trump appointee to the bench.# And I'd like to tell you why they did this,## but I can't, because there was no explanation, as# is usually the case when you're dealing with an## emergency application.

And it's an unsigned order.# It's part of what's called the shadow docket.

AMNA NAWAZ: What about the dissenting# justices?

What did they say in this case?

JOHN YANG: The dissent written by Justice Alito,# he was joined by Thomas Gorsuch and Kavanaugh.

He essentially said that the district court# judge vastly overstepped his bounds.

He wrote:## "Today, the court makes a most unfortunate# misstep that rewards an act of judicial## hubris and opposes a $2 billion# penalty on American taxpayers."

AMNA NAWAZ: So, in terms of the freezing or# unfreezing of the funds, what happens now?

JOHN YANG: Well, it doesn't mean# that the money starts going out## the door immediately.

The justices# sent it back to the district court,## back to Judge Ali, for him to decide# which programs get unfrozen and when.

He said, keep in mind the# ability of the administration to## carry out your order.

And conceivably# there will be another hearing about## which programs get unfrozen.

And# the court -- I'm sorry -- the Trump## administration could go in there and argue# against some programs getting unfrozen.

But I would note that in the# latest PBS News/NPR/Marist poll,## 58 percent of those questions said they# think that Trump will ignore court rulings.

AMNA NAWAZ: Fifty-eighty percent.

Well, John, what about the foreign# groups, the fore.. handle all of this funding?

How are# they reacting to this in the moment?

JOHN YANG: They're a little cautious, because# they don't know what's going to what's going## to happen next.

They don't know# when this money starts flowing out.

This is Niranjali Amerasinghe, executive# director of ActionAid USA.

She said:## "We welcome the Supreme Court's rejection of# the administration's disingenuous bid for more## time to review payments and resume funding for# critical lifesaving foreign assistance."

But## she also said: "This ruling is not enough.

The# administration must be still be obligated to## disburse the funding that's being withheld and# reinstate staff who may be needed to do so."

AMNA NAWAZ: John, while we have you, there was# a moment last night that got a lot of attention,## an interaction between President Trump as he# left the podium and greeted the Supreme Court## justices in attendance.

The mic picked up some# of what they had to say.

Let's take a listen.

DONALD TRUMP, President of the United# States: Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank## you very much.

Appreciate it.

Thank you again.

Won't forget it.

AMNA NAWAZ: "Thank you again.

Won't forget it."

John, what is that about?

JOHN YANG: Well, obviously, we don't# know what the president was th.. John -- Chief John Roberts# for and what he won't forget.

But it is a reminder that these are the rare# events in Washington or anywhere the Supreme## Court justices and a president are in# the same room.

Supreme Court justices## say it makes them -- some of them say# it makes them very uncomfortable.

Chief## Justice John Roberts a few years back# said: "I don't know why we're there."

The -- Justice Thomas has stopped going about# a decade ago.

Those who do go are mindful of## the protocol, not to react to anything.

But, of# course, we remember the 2010 State of the Union,## when Chief -- when Justice Alito responded# to President Barack Obama's description or## criticize -- criticism of a court# decision by saying, "Not true."

AMNA NAWAZ: John Yang, so good to# have you here.

Thank you so much.

We're going to get some political perspective## now on the president's speech to# Congress and on what comes next.

For that, we're joined by Tiffany# Smiley, a former U.S. Senate## candidate in Washington state, and Jamelle# Bouie, a columnist for The New York Times.

Welcome to you both.

Thanks for being here.

TIFFANY SMILEY (R), Former# Washington Senatorial Candidate: Yes.

JAMELLE BOUIE, The New York#.. AMNA NAWAZ: Let'.. Tiffany, President Trump riding high.# His party controls Congress.

He's## pushed through a staggering number of# executive actions just 44 days into the## second term.

What did you make of the way# that he addressed the nation last night?

TIFFANY SMILEY: Yes, I saw bold leadership and# strength, peace through strength on the world## stage from President Trump, very different# from 2017.

He seems untethered, unburdened.## This is a different Trump, in the sense that# he knows how to get things done in D.C. now.

And he has been delivering for the American# people for the last 43 days, promises made and## promises kept.

Not only that.

He really painted a# picture of -- a vision of the golden age, right,## of America, of where we're headed, of what we# can be as far as our economy in this country.

But the number one thing that he touched on and# his guests really backed up I think the reason## that he won the election was securing our# southern border and stopping the flow of## fentanyl, protecting families.

And he# has already delivered on that tenfold.

I think ICE arrests of illegal criminals# is up like 600 percent compared to the## last four years.

I mean, those are huge numbers.

AMNA NAWAZ: Jamelle, what do you think?# What did you take away from last night?

JAMELLE BOUIE: What's interesting about# these events is that they're supposed to## be the president going to Congress and asking# the Congress to pursue the president's program,## usually a legislative program.

And what was striking about last night# was that there was very little of..

The president doesn't really have a legislative# program.

The reason the president spent so much## time talking about executive orders# is because I think the president and## his administration are more than aware# that they don't really have either the## leeway or perhaps ability to get through an# actual legislative package through Congress.

And, to my mind, the perception# of strength, the bragging that was## very much part of last night is a paper# tiger, because, at the end of the day,## if you do not have legislation to change# the U.S. code, your executive orders are## ultimately temporary.

If there is a Democrat# in office in four years, they can be reversed.

Much of what President Trump has done thus far# is on the order of the temporary.

The absence## of any real attempt to persuade Congress# to pass anything into law, to my mind,## signals profound weakness# on part of the president.

AMNA NAWAZ: Tiffany, what about that?

We have# -- in these first few weeks, we have seen the## consolidation, a real flexing, a real stretching# of executive authority by this president.

You have heard White House officials saying# that they're not even sure they have to abide## by court rulings they don't agree with.

All# of that, you have heard, has prompted concerns## about the constitutional crisis.

You have heard# this before.

Is there validity to that concern?

TIFFANY SMILEY: I don't think so.

As long# as the Dems keep screaming and crying## constitutional crisis, then 2026 is going# to look very, very good for the Republicans.

Trump's approval rating is 45 percent.# That's the second highest in 15 years## of any president at this point.

And then# also the CBS poll yesterday that came out,## 76 percent approved of his speech.

He# was talking to the American people.

And he -- the Senate moved swiftly with# his nominations very quickly.

I mean,## faster than any president in history they have# gotten through.

Now you can tell he's coming## back and he's working with Congress.

Elon was# on Capitol Hill today meeting with senators,## meeting with congressmen, asking questions,# getting DOGE figured out and lined out.

And then I know Elon will go back to the managers# who will run the show and help.

One of the## number one issues as well with the American# people is the waste, the fraud, the abuse.

And, to your point, Donald Trump is delivering# for the American people.

And this isn't status## quo.

This isn't, like, government as# usual anymore.

He's an outsider.

He's## someone who knows how to get things done.# That's what he's bringing to government,## which is really refreshing# for the American people.

AMNA NAWAZ: Jamelle, on the individual# policy front, polls show that people## support a lot of what the president's# done on that issue-by-issue basis so far.

When people hear concerns about a# constitutional crisis, does that resonate?

JAMELLE BOUIE: I think this effort on part# of the Department of Government Efficiency## to unilaterally slash spending, to# cancel congressional corporations,## I do think that constitutes a constitutional# crisis, because it's a direct attack on## Congress' constitutional right to# determine what this country spends.

And the executive branch has an obligation# to follow that.

But I will say that,## as far as policies goes, it is interesting# because we're still at the stage in sort of## public opinion where people are giving# the president the benefit of doubt.

I will say that 45 percent is among the lowest# approval ratings for a new president.

That is## not something I would brag about if I were# the president.

But the public is giving him## the benefit of the doubt.

But it remains to be# seen what happens, for example, when the public## learns that the administration wants to cut 45,000# workers from the Department of Veterans Affairs,## and they want to slash half the work force in# the Social Security Administration, when they## want to cut Medicaid $880 billion, the Republican# budget framework calls for removing from Medicaid.

Those are things that help ordinary people.# My parents are veterans and depend on the## Veterans -- Department of Veterans Affairs.# People like my parents may end up having a hard## time getting the medical care they're entitled# to because of these cuts.

And I think that,## as that stuff becomes apparent, as that stuff# reaches the American public, Trump will lose,## and is, I will say, losing -- will# lose the benefit of the doubt.

AMNA NAWAZ: Tiffany, it's early in this# presidency.

Is there a risk the president## runs in overreaching when the impact starts to hit# people at home, that they will start to step away## from a president that they really put into place# to bring down grocery prices, essentially, right?

TIFFANY SMILEY: Right.

And we have# to also look at what President Trump## was handed.

He was really handed an economy# that wasn't working for the American people,## an open southern border with fentanyl# coming in and killing our kids.

Every## city in this country, every town in this# country is essentially a border town.

He's looking to bring manufacturing and jobs back# into this country.

And he also touched on in his## speech as well, which I think is important# going forward for the future, which will win## him votes and win the Republicans' votes, if# they can get this done, is a balanced budget.

And so what's the alternative?

Bigger# government, more spending, or a balanced budget?

AMNA NAWAZ: We started the conversation with# Tiffany, so, Jamelle, I'm going to give you## the last word here, because I need to# ask about Democrats in this moment.

We saw last night in the chamber some silent# protests with signs.

We saw some walk out in## protest.

We saw Representative Al Green# escorted out after he refused to take## his seat after yelling in protest.# Are Democrats doing what you think## they should be doing to meet this# moment in the opposition right now?

JAMELLE BOUIE: I'm not sure that they are.

I think that a large number of# Americans are looking not simply## for more moderate positions or a certain set# of policies, but for political leadership,## for someone to voice and actualize the# kinds of fear and anger and distress## and resolve that they feel looking# at what's happening in Washington.

The one piece of legislation the president# does seem interested in is a $5 trillion## tax cut for the wealthiest income earners.# The vast majority of it will go to the top## 1 and 0.1 percent of all income earners.# Now, those two things are not popular,## recessions famously not popular, tax# cuts for the rich famously not popular.

But you don't hear Democrats focusing# on the fact that the president's agenda,## far from bringing prosperity, far from# bringing broad-based growth, is doing## the precise opposite and acting as a vacuum of# upward redistribution for the very wealthiest.

I would like to see Democrats talk about that.

AMNA NAWAZ: Jamelle Bouie, Tiffany# Smiley, thank you so much to you## both for being here.

I'd love to have you# both back to continue the conversation.

JAMELLE BOUIE: Thank you.

TIFFANY SMILEY: Thank you.

AMNA NAWAZ: Thank you.

GEOFF BENNETT: And we will be back shortly, but, first, take a moment to hear# from your local PBS station.

AMNA NAWAZ: It's a chance to offer your support,## which helps to keep programs# like this one on the air.

GEOFF BENNETT:## For those of you staying with us, we bring# you a story about defying expectations.

The California School for the Deaf football team## won its third straight state# championship this past season.

AMNA NAWAZ: Stephanie Sy has our# encore look at the team's rise,## which was also the subject of# a book published last year.

STEPHANIE SY: At the California# School for the Deaf-Riverside,## the Cubs are gearing up for a three-peat.

Coach Keith Adams, here using# sign language to call plays,## has led the team to two state championships in# their eight-man football division.

But it wasn't## always this way.

The decades-old scoreboard# hearkens to a time when the Cubs rarely had## winning seasons.

That ended in 2021, when# they entered the championship undefeated.

THOMAS FULLER, Author, "The Boys of Riverside: A# Deaf Football Team and a Quest for Glory": You had## all of these deaf players who when they# were younger had played on hear.. and it was very frustrating.

So all of these# players came together here and they felt this## brotherhood, they felt this camaraderie, and# I think that was part of the winning formula.

STEPHANIE SY: Journalist and author Thomas# Fuller started following the Cubs in the## fall of 2021.

His New York Times article# described the rise of the all-deaf team,## which beat hearing teams time and again that year.

WOMAN: Underneath these Friday night lights,# there is something special happening.

STEPHANIE SY: The article attracted# national media attention by the likes## of "The Kelly Clarkson Show" and# World News Tonight with David Muir.

DAVID MUIR, "World News Tonight" Anchor and# Managing Editor: Running back Enos Zornoza, number## 2, signing this: "Deaf people can do anything.# We're not the stereotype that's out there."

STEPHANIE SY: Soon after came# a pledge from California's## governor to fund a $43 million# athletic complex at the school.

Now Fuller has published a book about# the Cubs, "The Boys of Riverside."

It's more than an American underdog to# undefeated story.

It looks at deaf culture,## a term he writes encompasses an# entire class of people and their## way of life.

At a book event at the# school, the intergenerational bonds## of deaf families was on full display and# fervent applause greeted the journalist.

THOMAS FULLER: And I came in and I said,# I love this team.

I love your story.

STEPHANIE SY: After the 2021 season,## Fuller took a leave of absence from his job# at The New York Times to write the book,## following the Cubs throughout the next# season.

Game after game, he noticed something.

THOMAS FULLER: The question of,## what's a disability?

And here's a .. all the coaches.

And yet they are using# deafness as an advantage, as an edge.

STEPHANIE SY: His reporting included# interviews with experts outside football,## including David Corina, a cognitive# neuroscientist, who explains why deaf## people may have what he calls hyper-abilities,# starting with the way they take in what they see.

DAVID CORINA, Center for Mind and Brain,# U.C.

Davis: Well, for a deaf person,## that span of attention is spread# further out into the periphery.

OK,#so it's like that flashlight# is a much broader beam.

STEPHANIE SY: More like a floodlight?

DAVID CORINA: Yes, yes, that's great...

Right.

That's good, with the caveat that I# don't mean it to be necessarily brighter,## but it's just covering greater area.

STEPHANIE SY: Vision essentially steps# up to fill in blanks left by the lack of## auditory cues.

Quarterback Kaden Adams is a senior## this year.

He explained what it's like# through interpreter Julie Hurtis (ph).

KADEN ADAMS, High School Football Player# (through interpreter): We rely on our eyes,## so we see the movement a little# bit ahead of.. think two steps ahead more so than a# hearing team.

We're much more alert.

STEPHANIE SY: Corina says the science also# suggests that deaf people are more attuned## to movement around them.

That could be an# advantage, for example, to a wide receiver.

Watch Jory Valencia intercept this pass in a# 2021 game, which the Cubs won by 11 points.

DAVID CORINA: If you are able to detect that, hey,# that ball is going to be headed in my direction,## you might be able to pivot earlier and# actually catch the ball than a hearing## person, who doesn't have those initial# milliseconds of extra processing time.

STEPHANIE SY: And there's another hidden# advantage, the team's use of sign language,## in this case ASL, or American# Sign Language.

It's not only more## efficient than jogging back and forth# from field to huddle.It's unifying.

Junior wide receiver Gio Visco# recalled how it felt to play on a## hearing team when he was younger# through interpreter Mark Bajarski (ph).

GIO VISCO, High School Football Player# (through interpreter): But like AAU,## I do like playing on the hearing team,# but communication is always an issue,## frustration when trying to deal with a coach# and trying to communicate with the coach.

Now,## if you have a deaf coach, then that is better.

STEPHANIE SY: Coach Keith Adams,## who himself played on deaf and# hearing football teams gro.. says the team's success comes from the support's# unique to being at a school for the deaf.

KEITH ADAMS, Head Football Coach, California# School for the Deaf-Riverside (through## interpreter): They come from various# backgrounds,.. different status, family status.

The commonality# is, they're deaf.

And I think that helps.

I think the -- those who experienced maybe# mainstream education, it was a lonely time.## They just have so much more opportunity as a# deaf student going to a school for the deaf.

For the author, writing "The Boys# of Riverside" was what he called a## tonic from his typical stories, covering# homelessness, the pandemic and politics.

There's this great line in the prologue of your# book in which you write: "In reporting the book,## I came to see the Cubs as a flesh and# blood realization of the American dream."

How so?

THOMAS FULLER: So, these kids, their# parents ..

They all came together in an environment that# allowed them to thrive, an environment that## you couldn't have in Tehran, that you# couldn't have in a lot of other countries.

But America gave them this school and America gave# them the opportunity to play together and to win.

STEPHANIE SY: In their season# opener, the Cubs won 68-28.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm# Stephanie Sy in Riverside, California.

GEOFF BENNETT: Remember, there's a lot more# online, including a closer look at who makes## up the federal work force, where they work# and what they do.

That's at PBS.org/NewsHour.

AMNA NAWAZ: 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 "PBS ..