Politics and views in the United States

Martin Luther King III commemorates the March on Washington, close polls are helping heat up New Hampshire’s Senate race and U.S. colleges brace for the loss of international students.

Transcript

Welcome to 2026 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

Unfortunately, we are in the midst of a disgraceful attempt by some politicians to return our nation to the days of unchecked racism, murder, selfishness and greed.

On the 63rd anniversary of the March on Washington, Martin Luther King III warns people who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.

After President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for, quote, restoring truth and sanity to American history, exhibits dealing with slavery, racism, and segregation were removed from federal sites and national parks.

And civil rights activists say the conservative-led Supreme Court is rolling back hard-won voting rights protections, even as the administration dismantles diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

New polls show New Hampshire's Senate race is likely to be close.

Even before the primary, former congressman and leading Democratic candidate Chris Pappas is already casting doubt on a possible opponent, former Republican Senator John Sununu.

Sununu is a member of a state political dynasty.

He's the nephew of a popular moderate former Republican governor who was always careful to avoid culture war issues and the more extreme positions of the hard right.

Given New Hampshire's well-earned reputation for Yankee independence and unpredictability, Pappas says John Sununu's devotion to Trump will hurt him.

They're going to know which Sununu is on the ballot by the end of this campaign and that it's John and not Chris.

They're also going to know a lot more about John and his record in the U.S. Senate and the fact that he's standing with Trump.

And I think that's going to be something that is motivating for a lot of these independents.

One poll shows Papa's two points behind Sununu in the general.

Sununu has been endorsed by Trump, but he's also taking hits from his primary opponent, former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown.

Sununu is refusing to participate in the televised debate with Brown, who says voters should know where they stand on the issues.

The number one job of an elected official is to show up.

So look in the eye, answer any and all questions we may disagree and try to get your support.

That's the New Hampshire way.

He keeps saying, oh, the New Hampshire way.

I'm doing it the New Hampshire way.

No, he's not.

He's doing it the D.C. way, telling them what to do, how to do it, how high to jump.

The Trump administration is capping how long international college students can legally remain in the U.S., but losing them will be hard on many institutions.

In two weeks, students here on the main higher education visas will face a strict four-year limit and will have to leave the country within a month of when the visas expire.

Wesleyan University sociology and education professor Abigail Boggs says while they can apply for an extension, the uncertainty is already keeping students away.

Every time there's a chance of being rejected again.

That's a scary prospect for someone investing a lifetime and a lot of money in their education.

More than 100,000 fewer international students are expected in the U.S. this fall, on more than 9% drop in enrollment.

Boggs says most pay full tuition, helping in-state students to pay less.

And she says even beyond being key to the school's finances, many colleges and universities depend on those foreign scholars to teach undergraduate courses.

I'm Edwin J. Viera for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

Find our trust indicators at publicnewsservice.org.