thank you, general barry mccaffrey and amna nawaz.ration for you, but just recently you and your team at pbs news hour were awarded the peabody award for precisely coverage of the israel-hamas war. geoff bennett, you and this extraordinary team that make up the news hour. i want to say how important it is that we all recognize when work is done with love, passion and compassion and it is recognized, i just wanted to say thanks. >> jose, thank you so much for that. i would be remiss if i didn't mention laila malan alan on the ground who led the reporting but it is a team effort as you know. >> thank you very much. >>> we're going live to one county in michigan where turnout will be critical. donald trump's criminal trial had an impact on voters there. plus an msnbc exclusive. what is behind the drop in u.s. border crossings? i'll give you a hint. the government of mexico is behind some of this. we'll talk about that next. you're watching "jose diaz-balart reports" on msnbc. nt you're watching "jose diaz-balart report os"n msnbc. (vo) i

william: good evening, i'm william brangham, geoff bennett and amna nawaz are away. google makes closing arguments in a land mark trial that could change how we use the internet. then, trump white house communications director hope hiblgs takes the stand in the former president's hush money trial. and on world press freedom day, a palestinian journalist's firsthand account of his family's fight to survive the war in gaza. >> we here in gaza suffered, we need our children to have a better future. we don't know if we are going to make it till the morning. >> major funding for the "pbs newshour" has been provided by the ongoing support of these individuals and institutions. and friends of the "newshour," including jim and nancy bildner and the robert and virginia hiller foundation. the judy and peter blum kobler foundation, upholding freedom by strengthening democracies at home and abroad. >> on an american cruiseline's journey along the legendary mississippi river, travelers explore civil war battlefields and historic riverside towns. aboard our fleet of american river

joining us, peter banker, amna nawaz, evelyn far ka, and ben ginsberg. welcome to sunday and a special edition of "meet the press." ♪♪ >> announcer: from nbc news in washington, the longest running show in television history, this is a special edition of "meet the press" with kristen welker. >>> good sunday morning. in just over five months voters will decide a presidential election with stakes that could not be higher for issues from the economy and abortion to immigration, foreign policy, and the supreme court. voters will pick 11 governors, 34 u.s. senators, 435 members of the house, decide dozens of statewide ballot measures, and choose thousands of state and local ee officials. but in the midst of a historic election, 81% say the democracy is under threat. nearly a third of the voters feel so strongly about it they'll vote for or against a candidate on that issue regardless of that candidate's stand on oesh issues. for months president biden has tried to put democracy on the ballot. >> not since president lincoln and the civil war have freedom and d

i'm amna nawaz. geoff: and i'm geoff bennett.onight, the biden administration puts a hold on sending thousands of bombs to israel over concerns about how the weapons would be used in a rafah offensive. amna:

. >> and i'm amna nawaz. on the "newshour" tonight -- a deadly tornado devastates an iowa town, killing multiple residents and injuring many more. geoff: democratic lawmakers call for a criminal investigation of what they see is big oils' deception about the impact of fossil fuels on climate change. amna: and, we look at the role social media plays in the rise in violent crime committed by young people in america. >> i was shaking and crying because i really didn't know what was going to happen to me. i didn't even know if i was going to live. ♪ >> major funding for the pbs newshour been provided by -- >> consumer cellular, this is sam. how can i help you? this is a pocket dial. with consumer cellular you get nationwide coverage with no contract. that is our thing. have a nice day. >> a successful business owner sells his company and restores his father's historic jazz club with his son. a raymond james financial advisors get to know you, your passions and how to bring people together. ♪ >> the judy and peter

i'm amna nawaz. geoff bennett is on assignment. on the "newshour" tonight, a highly anticipated report concludes the u.s. will continue sending weapons to israel, despite apparent violations of international humanitarian law. witness testimonies resume in former president trump's hush money trial, as attorney michael cohen prepares to take the stand. and horrific new details from sudan, where paramilitary forces have killed thousands, in what human rights groups call ethnic cleansing. ♪ >> major funding for the pbs newshour been provided by the ongoing support of these individuals and institutions. and friends of the newshour. the color foundation. upholding freedom by strengthening democracies at home and abroad. >> on an american cruise line's journey, along the legendary mississippi river, travelers explore civil war battlefields and historic riverside towns. a board our fleet of american riverboats, you can experience local culture and cuisine and discover the music of the mighty mississippi. american cruise lines. proud sponso

i'm amna nawaz. geoff: and i'm geoff bennett. ght, jury deliberation get underway in manhattan in the criminal hush money trial of former president trump. amna: a razor-thin primary win for a texas incumbent highlights the growing rift within the republican party.

i'm amna nawaz.eoff bennett is on assignment. on the “newshour” tonight. israel bombards rafah as its leaders respond with defiance to president biden freezing some weapons deliveries. stormy daniels clashes with donald trump's legal team, as she takes the stand for a second day in the former president's hush money trial. and a look at a battery-powered aircraft that could lead the transition away from fossil fueled flight. >> you can get in it, you can fly in it, you can carry cargo in it. this aircraft isn't a gimmick. it is a real-world aircraft. it is reliable. ♪ >> major funding for the "pbs newshour" has been provided by -- ♪ >> moving our economy for 160 years. bnsf, the engine that connects us. >> certified financial planner professionals are proud to support "pbs newshour." cfp professionals are committed to acting in their client's best interest. more information at letsmakeaplan.org. >> the kendeda fund, committed to advancing restorative justice and meaningful work through investments in

amna: and i'm amna nawaz.n "the newshour" tonight, former president trump is found guilty on all counts in his criminal hush money trial. mr. trump: i think it's a just a disgrace. and we'll keep fighting, we'll fight till the end and we'll win. geoff: president biden gives ukraine permission to fire u.s. weapons into russia. amna: and a former senior state department official on why she resigned in protest of u.s. policy in gaza. ♪ >> major funding for "the pbs newshour" has been provided by -- >> a law partner rediscovers her grandmother's artistry and creates a trust to keep the craft alive. a raymondjames financial advisor gets to know you, your passions, and the way you enrich your community. life, well planned. ♪ >> cunard is a proud supporter of public television. on a voyage with cunard, the world awaits. a world of flavor, diverse destinations, and immersive experiences. a world of leisure, and british style. all with cunard's white star service. >> carnegie corporation of new york, working to reduce

i'm amna nawaz geoff:. and i'm geoff bennett. ests over the war in gaza intensified. amna: new details in former

amna nawaz and geoff bennett are away. on the “newshour” tonight, hamas and israel trade ceasefire claims, as israel launches a targeted operation in parts of rafah, and demands tens of thousands leave the crowded city. then, new witnesses in donald trump's hush money trial in new york detail the payments at the very heart of the case. and basketball star brittney griner opens up about her arrest and imprisonment in russia. >> it was really hard not being able to play, not knowing what was to come, if i would ever pick up a basketball professionally again. it was devastating to me to think about. ♪ >> major funding for the "pbs newshour" has been provided by. the ongoing support of these individuals and institutions, and friends of the "newshour," including leonard and norma klorfine, and the judy and peter blum kovler foundation. >> actually, you don't need vision to do most things in life. yes, i'm legally blind, and yes, i'm responsible for the user interface. data visualization. if i can see it and understand it quickl

amna: and i'm amna nawaz. students occupy a columbia building as

amna nawaz is away. tonight, rudy giuliani is one of a dozen trump allies charged in arizona for their involvement in a fake electors scheme. the defense rests its case after donald trump chooses not to

. >> and i'm amna nawaz.r" tonight -- a deadly tornado devastates an iowa town, killing multiple residents and injuring many more. geoff: democratic lawmakers call for a criminal investigation of what they see is o

i'm amna nawaz. geoff: and i'm geoff bennett. on the "newshour" tonight, the biden administration puts a hold on sending thousands of bombs to israel over concerns about how the weapons would be used in a rafah offensive. amna: college students share their views on language, safety, and what is considered free speech, amid protests against the war in gaza. geoff: and a closer look at the move by the federal judge overseeing former president donald trump's classified documents case to indefinitely postpone the start of his trial. >> major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by -- >> consumer cellular, this is sam. how may i help you? this is a pocket dial? i thought i would that you know that with consumer cellular, you get nationwide coverage with no contract. that is kind of our thing. have a nice day. >> a successful business owner sells his company and restores his father's historic jazz club with his son, a raymondjames financial advisor gets to know you, your passions, and how you bring people together. life well

amna: and i'm amna nawaz.n the newshour tonight, the defense and prosecution make their closing arguments in former president trump's criminal hush money trial. geoff: israeli tanks reach the center of rafaas outrage and tensions intensify in the wake of sunday's deadly strike on a refugee camp. amna: and sudan's brutal civil war brings mass killing, torture and looming famine to millions of people caught in the crossfire. yahyia: people's eyes now on ukraine and gaza, but we've got not a lot of help here in sudan. basically, people need food and medicine. ♪ >> major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by -- the ongoing support of these individuals and institutions and friends of the newshour, including kathy and paul anderson and george smith. >> cunard is a proud supporter of public television. on a voyage, a world of flavor, diverse destinations, and experiences, a world of leisure and british style, all with cunard's star service. ♪ >> the john s and james o my foundation, fostering community. m

amna: and i'm amna nawaz. on the “newshour” tonight, former trump lawyer michael cohen returns to the witness stand in the former president's hush money trial. geoff: the united nations top humanitarian official looks at current crises, and looks back on a career helping manage global calamities. >> the promises that the world's leaders made these recent decades, these promises are left at the entrance. amna: and a three-year-old with a rare medical disorder, stuck in gaza. and the american families working to evacuate her for treatment. ♪ >> major funding for the "pbs newshour" has been provided by. >> a law partner rediscovers her grandmother's artistry and creates a trust to keep the craft alive. a raymondjames financial advisor gets to know you, your passions, and the way you enrich your community. life well planned. >> certified financial planner professionals are proud to support "pbs newshour." cfp professionals are committed to acting in their client's best interest. more information at letsmakeaplan.o

i'm amna nawaz. geoff: and i'm geoff bennett.n the "newshour" tonight, president biden and former president trump agree to debate, as the latest primary results offer a fresh glimpse into voters' minds ahead of november's election. amna: ukrainian president zelenskyy pleads for more weapons as russian forces advance in the northeast. >> the situation is very dire. for the sixth day in a row, the enemy has been bombarding the city with all possible weapons and munitions. rockets, artillery, and bombs. geoff: and a look at the transmission of bird flu to cows, and why scientists are concerned we're not watching the virus' spread closely enough. ♪ >> major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by -- >> consumer cellular, this is sam. this is a pocket dial. somebody's pocket, thought i would let you know that with consumer cellular, you get nationwide coverage with no contract. that is kind of our thing. have a nice day. >> successful business owner sells his company and restores his father's historic car. a raymondjames fin

i'm amna nawaz. geoff bennett is on assignment. on the "newshour" tonight, michael cohen takes the stand in former president trump's criminal hush money trial. israel marks a somber memorial day as 300,000 gazans flee the fighting in rafah. and,(change title?) we report from michigan on how democrats plan to keep abortion rights front and center in the 2024 election campaign. >> we're not going to let it just be a state issue. we're actually going to organize and mobilize to do the thing we didn't do for 50 years, which is pass a piece of federal legislation to codify roe. >> major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by -- the ongoing support of these individuals and institutions. and friends of the newshour. >> certified financial planner professionals are proud to support pbs newshour. cfp professionals are committed to acting in their clients' best interest. >> two retiring executives turn their focus to greyhounds. a raymond james financial advisor gets to know you, your purpose, and t

amna: and i'm amna nawaz. a multibillion-dollar settlement could allow ncaa athletes to be paid.e first state to classified abortion drugs as a controlled

i'm amna nawaz geoff:. and i'm geoff bennett.

amna: and i'm amna nawaz. tonight, former trump lawyer michael cohen returns to the witness stand in the former president's hush money trial.

amna: and i'm amna nawaz.r” tonight, former president trump is found guilty on all counts in his criminal hush money trial. >> i think it's a just a disgrace. and we'll keep fighting, we'll fight till the end and we'll win.

. >> i'm amna nawaz. make their argument in former president trump's criminal trial. >> israeli tanks reach the center of rafah as outrage and tensions intensify after the deadly strike on a refugee camp. >> sudan's brutal civil war

i'm amna nawaz. geoff bennett is on assignment., israel and control of a border crisis as a cease-fire and hostage deal hangs in the balance.

amna nawaz is away.r” tonight, the white house considers allowing ukraine to use american-supplied weapons to strike inside russia. the justice department sues

william: good evening, i'm william brangham, geoff bennett and amna nawaz are away.s closing arguments in a land mark trial that could change how we use the internet.

amna: and i'm amna nawaz. tonight, former president trump is found guilty on all counts in his criminal hush money trial. mr. trump: i think it's a just a disgrace. and we'll keep fighting, we'll fight till the end and we'll win. geoff: president biden gives ukraine permission to fire u.s. weapons into russia. amna: and a former senior state

amna: and i'm amna nawaz., the defense and prosecution make their closing arguments in former president trump's criminal hush money trial. geoff: israeli tanks reach the center of rafaas outrage and tensions intensify in the wake of sunday's deadly strike on a refugee camp. amna: and sudan's brutal civil war brings mass killing, torture and looming famine to millions

amna nawaz is away. on the “newshour” tonight, the white house considers allowing ukraine to use american-supplied weapons to strike inside russia. the justice department sues ticketmaster and its parent company live nation, accusing the companies of blocking competition in the live entertainment industry. and the u.s. supreme court rejects a claim of racial gerrymandering in south carolina, raising questions about future judgments on race and representation. >> these are complex cases because of the close link between race and political party. ♪ >> major funding for the "pbs newshour" has been provided by. ♪ >> moving our economy for 160 years. bnsf. the engine that connects us. >> carnegie corporation of new york, working to reduce political polarization through philanthropic support for education, democracy, and peace. more information at carnegie.org. and with the ongoing support of these individuals and institutions. ♪ this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting and by

i'm amna nawaz. geoff bennett is on assignment.r" tonight, michael cohen takes the stand in former president trump's criminal hush money trial. israel marks a somber memorial day as 300,000 gazans flee the

geoff bennett and amna nawaz are away.shour" tonight, the department of justice and google

amna: and i'm amna nawaz. on the newshour tonight.ly break-up the ucla encampment as arrests and protests against the war in gaza spread to more colleges campuses. geoff: we hear from the niece of an israeme

i'm amna nawaz. geoff bennett is on assignment.r" tonight, michael cohen takes the stand in former president trump's cral

amna nawaz and geoff bennett are away. tonight, hamas and israel trade ceasefire claims, as israel launches a targeted operation in parts of rafah, and demands tens of thousands leave the crowded city.

joining me for insight and analysis are new york times chief white house correspondent peter baker, amna nawazanchor of "pbs newshour," evelyn farkas, executive director of the mccain institute, and veteran republican election lawyer ben ginsberg. welcome to sunday and a special edition of "meet the press." >> from nbc news in washington, the longest-running show in television history. this is a special edition of "meet the press with kristen welker." >> good sunday morning. in just over five months, voters will decide a presidential election with stakes that could not be higher. for issues from the economy and abortion to immigration, foreign policy and the supreme court, voters will pick 11 governors, 34 u.s. senators, 435 members of the house, decide dozens of statewide ballot measures, and choose thousands of state and local officials. but in the midst of an historic election, 81% of voters across party lines say democracy in america is under threat. nearly a third of voters feel so strongly about it that they say they will vote for or against a candidate on the issue, regardless of that c

i'm amna nawaz. geoff bennett is on assignment. on the "newshour" tonight, a ly

i'm amna nawaz. geoff bennett is on assignment.onight, a highly anticipated report concludes the u.s. will continue sending weapons to israel, despite apparent violations of international humanitarian law. witness testimonies resume i