PBS News Hour - Full Show March 20, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
Mar 20, 2026
Paul Solman, PBS economics correspondent who covers workforce and manufacturing trends. Zohran Mamdani, New York City mayor known for progressive housing and labor advocacy. They discuss Iran-related strikes and Strait of Hormuz tensions. A wide-ranging conversation on NYC’s budget, a new public safety department, Ramadan and rising Islamophobia. A report on why factory jobs are hard to find in today’s U.S. economy.
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Begin Big Promises With Immediate Consolidated Steps
- Start small and consolidate services when full-scale programs can't wait, Mamdani said while describing his pared-down Department of Community Safety launch.
- He combined disparate offices into one portfolio to immediately address mental health, gun violence, and hate crimes despite budget limits.
Mayor Warns Islamophobia Is Normalized In Politics
- Mamdani warns of an unashamed rise in anti-Muslim bigotry echoed from high offices and its normalization in politics.
- He stressed the danger is not only the bigotry but the scarcity of public voices opposing it, harming roughly one million Muslim New Yorkers.
Mayor's Productive Odd Friendship With Trump
- Mamdani described meeting President Trump in the Oval Office and securing the quick release of a detained student after the mayor raised the case.
- He said their relationship centers on shared love for New York City and productive, honest exchanges about city priorities.