SUMMARY
New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Amna Nawaz to discuss the week in politics, including the special counsel's report on President Biden’s handling of classified documents and comments about his mental fitness, the Supreme Court hearing on Trump's ballot eligibility and the collapse of the border deal in Congress.
View the transcript of the story.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
Start to 6:15: Discussion of special counsel's report on Biden and classified documents
6:15 to 7:50: Supreme Court hears arguments on Trump's ballot eligibility
7:50 to end: Failed immigration bill
WARM UP QUESTIONS
- Who are David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart and which political ideology does each represent? (i.e. conservatism, liberalism)
- What was the main difference between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump's reaction to bringing home classified documents from the White House, according to Capehart?
- When did the Supreme Court hear arguments on Trumps' ballot eligibility case? When will they announce their ruling?
- Why were both Brooks and Capehart pleased with the Supreme Court's seemingly likely decision to keep Trump on the ballot?
- How should lawmakers change their behavior in handling of classified documents in order to avoid a future investigation?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
- Do you think the special counsel should have included comments about Biden's memory and age? Why or why not?
- Do you think the Supreme Court's should rule to keep Trump's name on the ballot? Why or why not?
Media literacy: Brooks and Capehart represent political commentators from the conservative and liberal perspectives, respectively. Are there any other political ideologies (set of beliefs) that you would like to hear from?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?
FOR MORE
What students can do: Explore the two stories discussed in the Brooks and Capehart piece in greater depth by watching the videos below. Talk with a friend, peer or family member about the effects Trump's ballot eligibility challenges and the classified documents' cases have on the public's confidence in their elected officials and institutions.
What Supreme Court justices signaled in hearing on removing Trump from Colorado ballot
Credit PBS NewsHour screenshot
Biden willfully withheld classified docs but will not be charged, special counsel says
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