July 29, 2019 - PBS NewsHour full episode

President Trump’s recent verbal attacks on Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., were sparked by the congressman’s criticism of migrant facilities on the U.S.-Mexico border. The White House disputed Cummings’ characterizations. So what do we actually know about what’s going on in these detention centers? Judy Woodruff talks to the National Immigration Forum’s Ali Noorani about a “lack of transparency.”

In rural Virginia, 150 miles from the White House, sits one of the more than 200 counties in the U.S. that voted for President Obama twice and then President Trump in 2016. As the 2020 presidential campaign heats up, Amna Nawaz talks to Lisa Bogan and Jimmy Clowry, a politically divided couple living in a politically divided county, about how they manage their opposing perspectives on Trump.

President Trump has long had a contentious relationship with the nation’s intelligence community, publicly disagreeing over threats to U.S. national security such as Russia, Iran and North Korea. With Dan Coats stepping down as director of national intelligence, Trump is seeking a replacement who aligns more closely with his own views. William Brangham talks to The Washington Post’s Shane Harris.

The Federal Aviation Administration grounded all Boeing 737 Max passenger jetliners in March, after the plane’s second deadly crash in five months. But questions remain about why the agency didn’t act sooner. Now, a New York Times investigation suggests the FAA’s role in the 737 Max's approval process may have compromised its safety. John Yang talks to investigative reporter Natalie Kitroeff.

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Kimberly Atkins of WBUR radio join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including another series of controversial tweets from President Trump, the different language he uses to refer to urban and rural geographies, a new health care proposal from Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., and the second round of debates for 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of democratic rule in South Africa. A new generation of black South Africans, who grew up free of the restrictions of apartheid, are now transforming the country’s cultural landscape -- beginning with its food. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on how chef Zola Nene aims to bridge South Africa’s racial divide, one meal and one cookbook at a time.

President Trump is verbally assaulting the city of Baltimore. On Monday, civil rights activist Al Sharpton and Maryland Republicans Gov. Larry Hogan and former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele all slammed Trump’s attacks on Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., and Baltimore, which he called a “disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess.” Lisa Desjardins reports on how Trump’s words are again stoking racial tensions.