Washington Week Season 2017 Episode 2 Jan 13, 2017

Washington Week is a weekly news analysis program that has been running on PBS since 1967. Season 2017 episode 2, which aired on January 13, 2017, covered the latest news developments in the United States as the new presidential administration was about to take office.

The episode was hosted by Robert Costa, a political analyst and national political reporter for The Washington Post. He was joined by a panel of expert journalists from different news organizations, including Yamiche Alcindor from the New York Times, Michael Duffy from Time magazine, Susan Davis from NPR, and Jeff Zeleny from CNN.

The episode started with an analysis of the confirmation hearings of some of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees. The panel discussed the contentious hearing of Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions, who faced tough questions from Democratic senators about his record on civil rights and voting rights. They also talked about the confirmation hearing of Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson, who faced scrutiny over his ties to Russia and his lack of diplomatic experience.

Next, the panel discussed the latest developments in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) repeal efforts by congressional Republicans. They talked about the ongoing debate on how to replace the law and the potential consequences for millions of Americans who depend on it for their health care access.

The panel then turned to a discussion of the Trump transition team's relationship with the intelligence community. They discussed the potential clash between the incoming administration and the intelligence agencies over reports of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and the dossier on President-elect Trump's alleged ties to Russia. They also talked about the potential impact of the feud on national security.

In the second half of the show, the panel discussed the ongoing ethical concerns surrounding the Trump Organization and the potential conflicts of interest between the business empire and the presidency. They also talked about the controversy over the president-elect's unwillingness to divest from his business holdings and the implications for the presidency.

Finally, the panel discussed the outgoing Obama administration's legacy and the challenges facing the incoming Trump administration. They talked about the accomplishments and failures of the Obama presidency, including the economic recovery, the foreign policy challenges, and the shortcomings in addressing racial tensions and income inequality. They also discussed the potential for the Trump presidency to reshape American politics and the world order.

Overall, Washington Week season 2017 episode 2 was a comprehensive analysis of the latest news developments in the United States at a critical juncture in its history. The panel of expert journalists provided insightful commentary on the most pressing issues facing the country, including health care, national security, ethics, and the future of American politics.