SUMMARY

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Geoff Bennett to discuss the week in politics, including House Republicans facing yet another fight over who will lead their conference, Donald Trump's trouble finding money to cover bond for his civil fraud penalty and the tensions between the Biden administration and Israel's government.

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.

Timestamps

Start to 3:46: On turmoil within the shrinking majority of Republicans in Congress

3:46 to 7:43: On Trump's legal problems, including financial costs

7:43 to end: Discussion of tensions between Israel and the U.S.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. Who is Mike Johnson, and what role does he serve in the government?
2. Why is Johnson facing the first direct threat to his speakership?
3. What did Republican Congressman Tim Burchett say about the motion to vacate Speaker Mike Johnson?
4. What are the incentives for Democrats to help Johnson out?
5. Where does Trump need to put up hundreds of millions of dollars as he appeals a civil ruling against him?

FOCUS QUESTIONS

How do you think the politics of the 2024 presidential election are affecting both Congress and the White House?

Media literacy:

1. Whose opinions would you most want to hear from about the topics covered in this segment?
2. UPDATE as of March 25 2pm ET: Since this story, news came out that the U.N. Security Council has approved a cease-fire resolution for Gaza. What did Brooks and Capehart have to say about the U.N. ceasefire proposal during their conversation?
   1. If you were the interviewer, what follow-up questions would you ask now that the resolution has passed? Read Netanyahu cancels Israeli delegation’s trip to Washington after U.S. abstains on UN Gaza cease-fire resolution to learn more.

Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to find out more about?

FOR MORE

What students can do:

Watch the Student Reporting Labs video and answer the following question: Why is it important to have representation in politics?

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