May 24, 2019 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week’s political news, including NewsHour interviews with 2020 presidential candidates Eric Swalwell and Kirsten Gillibrand, the escalating feud between President Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and whether ongoing congressional investigations are leading to impeachment.

In our news wrap Friday, President Trump defended allowing Attorney General William Barr to release classified information on how the Russia investigation began, saying the “attempted coup” should never happen again. Also, North Korea warned that nuclear talks with the U.S. won't resume unless Washington backs off its demands. Pyongyang claimed the U.S. is essentially asking North Korea to disarm.

The Trump administration took two significant steps Friday to counter what it calls an escalated threat level from Iran. The U.S. will deploy 1,500 additional troops and military equipment to the Middle East, as well as sell additional arms to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. The latter action entails a rarely used executive power to bypass Congress. Judy Woodruff talks to Nick Schifrin.

Britain's ruling Conservative Party is in search of a new leader, and the country in search of a new prime minister. After less than three years in office, Theresa May announced her resignation Friday, acknowledging that the time for her to try to usher in Brexit had concluded. May’s turbulent tenure was defined by the UK’s struggle to withdraw from the European Union. Judy Woodruff reports.

A recent series of murders of transgender victims is causing growing concern, particularly for trans women of color. It comes at a time when trans celebrities are more accepted in pop culture than ever before -- but also as the Trump administration aims to roll back Obama-era discrimination protections for transgender people. Amna Nawaz talks to the Anti-Violence Project's Beverly Tillery.

The rap trio Beastie Boys played a formative role in the evolution of American hip-hop music. They have sold millions of albums with their unique blend of rap, rock and humor, all while prioritizing their friendship above their career success. Now, the two surviving members have written a book about their experiences. Jeffrey Brown sat down with them at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.