September 2, 2019 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis served as President Trump’s first defense secretary, resigning his post in protest after Trump announced he would pull U.S. forces out of Syria. Now, Mattis has written a book, “Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead.” He talks to Judy Woodruff about his philosophy of leadership and why he’s reluctant to weigh in on current policy from outside the administration.

This Labor Day, several 2020 Democratic presidential candidates appeared more focused on gun safety than the holiday’s typical topics of unions, wages and jobs. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Amy Klobuchar blasted Republicans for lack of action on guns two days after Texas' second mass shooting in a month. And on CNN Sunday, Beto O’Rourke slammed U.S. gun laws. Lisa Desjardins reports.

Great Britain's political drama is intensifying this week, as the fallout continues over Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s suspension of Parliament in advance of the October 31st deadline for Brexit. In response, some Labour Party lawmakers are trying to push emergency legislation that would prevent the UK from leaving the European Union without a deal. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports.

Four people died and another 29 are missing and feared dead after a dive boat caught fire and sank off the coast of Southern California. All five crew members survived by jumping in the water, but the Coast Guard is combing the site in search of missing passengers. Also, tens of thousands of students in Hong Kong boycotted their first day of class to join peaceful anti-government demonstrations.

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Lisa Desjardins to discuss the latest political news, including President Trump’s attacks on unions and how 2020 Democrats are courting this crucial voting bloc, the status of gun safety legislation after another mass shooting, and what a trend of retirements and resignations among House Republicans says about minority politics.

Hurricane Dorian is the strongest storm on record to hit the Bahamas, and it has lingered for days. Because of the storm’s long duration, many calls for help have as yet gone unanswered, and officials aren’t able to assess the extent of the damage in some areas. But reports say the Freeport airport on Grand Bahama is underwater. Judy Woodruff talks to Danica Coto of the Associated Press.

In Afghanistan, the Taliban claimed responsibility for a massive explosion that rocked Kabul, killing at least five and wounding 50. It targeted the heavily secured area that’s home to several aid agencies and international organizations, and came as the U.S. envoy briefed the Afghan government on a draft peace deal. Special correspondent Jane Ferguson joins Judy Woodruff with the latest.

In Texas, seven people were killed and 22 wounded in Odessa during a mass shooting Saturday. After state troopers stopped the alleged gunman for driving his car erratically, he shot one of them and then sped away, firing at people randomly. The massacre comes less than a month after one in El Paso left 22 dead. William Brangham talks to Mitch Borden of Marfa Public Radio for the latest updates.