Up Close with Bill Ritter

On this edition of Up Close, we discuss the public outrage and growing protests over the Trump administration's recent detention of a young immigrant in New York. The protests are in response to the detention of a man from Venezuela who is seeking asylum in New York. The 20-year-old, identified as Daniel, is a New York City high school student, who also had a job to help his mother and siblings. A...

On this edition of Up Close, we discuss President Donald Trump's move to quickly reshape Washington and the role of the federal government at all levels. The president has already cut major federal programs and made big changes by signing a flood of executive orders. So, how do Democrats fight back? We speak with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York about her party's response. Meanwhile, Newark...

On this edition of Up Close, we examine the ongoing issues impacting travel and operations at one of the nation's busiest airports in the Tri-State area. It's been two weeks of travel woes at Newark Liberty International Airport, and now there's concerns that the chaos could continue well into the summer season. Old technology and a shortage of air traffic controllers are just some of the big issu...

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is running for a second term despite a bucket of legal problems, now gone thanks to President Donald Trump. This week, the mayor unveils what he calls the best budget ever. The $115 billion plan includes more New York police officers, free after school programs for all kids and a lot more. On this edition of Up Close, Bill Ritter talks to Mayor Adams about the budget...

As President Donald Trump prepares to mark 100 days in office, join Eyewitness News as we take a special look at all that has happened since his inauguration. Trump has taken action on a number of issues, including immigration, raising tariffs to try to restore the American manufacturing base and trying to broker peace in the three-year Russia-Ukraine war, earning praise from supporters. But he ha...

On this edition of Up Close, we discuss the approval rating of President Donald Trump's second term in office so far. He has been president just over three months now, and recent polling shows only 37% of Americans approve of Trump's handling of the economy, while 59% disapprove of his tariffs on good for most other countries. The polls suggest more than disapproval - it's fear from Americans abou...

Donald Trump may have been born, raised and made a fortune in New York City, but the political battle between the current president and New York officials is taking a whole new road, in fact, many new roads. From the president having ICE agents setting up shop at Rikers Island to deal with deportation of undocumented immigrants, to possible cuts in the New York City budget because of the Trump adm...

On this edition of Up Close, we continue to examine the ongoing impacts of President Donald Trump's global economic trade war. Whether it's affording groceries, buying a new car or figuring out how to pay rent, it was a presidential attempt to change the way that the U.S. does business with other countries. Americans witnessed President Trump threaten other countries around the world with an avala...

On this edition of Up Close, we discuss the Trump administration's latest efforts to declare economic independence for the United States. President Donald Trump continues to escalate his global economic trade war, announcing a new round of expansive tariffs on what he dubbed as "Liberation Day." But the day after Trump's announcement, there was another sell-off on Wall Street, and one of the bigge...

On this edition of Up Close, we continue to follow the latest headlines from the Trump administration. President Trump this past week declared a new tariff, this one on imported cars. Meanwhile, more federal workers are being forced off the job while sanctuary cities are facing a Trump order to stop what they're doing. The big deal of the week: a major breach over a meeting at the Pentagon that al...

When President Donald Trump campaigned for a second term, he made a lot of promises, and he appears to be delivering. This week, he took executive action to gut the federal Department of Education. Joining us on this edition of Up Close is Michael Mulgrew, the president of the United Federation of Teachers, who represents educators in New York City. He talks more about the big move taken by the pr...

On this edition of Up Close, we take a closer look at President Donald Trump's economic war with tariffs. While the president says he's got it under control, the stock market and many Americans are concerned about the current state of the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, the president continues to have a hold on the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, waging a domestic agenda that's costed a huge pe...

It was another busy week for President Donald Trump, filled with sudden controversial actions and about-faces, and the longest presidential address to a joint session of Congress. President Trump made it clear he is determined to go through his agenda, and he seemed not interested at all in a compromise with Democrats. But will some Republicans start to get antsy about some of these proposals? On...

Five weeks into the second presidential term of Donald J. Trump, and there are many people on both sides of the aisle who have been thrown for a loop over the daily drill of executive orders and overturning of items, which has also perpetuated shock among many Americans who are not all accustomed to this constant churning. The reaction isn't just from one party. Both parties in Congress approve bi...

On this edition of Up Close, we examine the ongoing political turmoil facing New York City. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul decided not to remove Mayor Eric Adams. Instead, Hochul says she is using "extraordinary intervention" to limit the mayor and his powers. Another question to consider: will Hochul's intervention also limit the New York powers of President Donald Trump? The president has long had a...

On this edition of Up Close, we examine the impact of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown and reshaping of the federal government so far. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently took legal action against New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and others, claiming they were trying to resist the federal crackdown on undocumented workers. And is the president now also calling the immigration shots fo...

On this edition of Up Close, we examine the latest measures and decisions coming from President Donald Trump's administration. In week three of Donald Trump's presidency, we've seen non-stop actions and controversies, from proposals to remove Palestinians from Gaza, to banning transgender athletes, to Elon Musk's influence in the new administration. So, how do Democrats respond, especially those w...

On this edition of Up Close, we recap what's been quite a first week in office for the 47th president of the United States. Donald Trump has used his executive powers and actions to follow through on what he promised he would do during his campaign. With Republicans in control of the House and the Senate, Trump appears to be in an uber-strong position, but the majority party is filled with people...

On this edition of Up Close, we examine the impact of congestion pricing on New York City so far and count down to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. It's the beginning of week three for the controversial and emotionally-charged Manhattan driving plan. The plan currently charges drivers a $9 daily fee to drive during peak hours below 60th Street. On top of mind for many: Has congestion p...

In this episode of Up Close, we cover several political issues, including a discussion about how to bring this country together, and stop the vitriol and division that is still infecting the U.S. Perhaps, that discussion should include the catastrophe in Los Angeles this week, and the instantaneous fire explosions in the nation's second largest city, the loss of lives and so many homes leveled. Wi...

In this episode of Up Close, we open 2025 speaking to two new Democratic faces of Congress, and what they hope to accomplish amid a Republican-controlled House. Laura Gillen, who won the 4th Congressional District seat on Long Island, and George Latimer, who won the 16th Congressional District after serving as Westchester County executive, both ran as centrist Democrats who said they were willing...

In this episode of Up Close, our guest is the 110th mayor of New York City, Eric Adams. What a busy year it's been in the city, and for the mayor. Politically, and personally, there have been no shortage of challenges for the city, and for the mayor. For the third consecutive year, Bill Ritter sat down with the Mayor Adams and talked about the year gone by, and the year ahead. Learn more about you...

In this episode of Up Close, we discuss a murder case that has both horrified and captivated New York City, and the nation... the assassination of a healthcare CEO in Midtown Manhattan. Prosecutors in Manhattan are now working on extraditing the suspect, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, from Pennsylvania to face murder charges in New York. He's accused of shooting and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian...

In this episode of Up Close, New York City's council speaker addresses contentious issues facing the city going forward, while a congresswoman from New Jersey throws her hat into the race for governor. New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams just worked closely with Mayor Eric Adams to pass the "City of Yes" measure which promises to create 80,000 more housing units in a city that really need...

On this episode of Up Close, we sit down with Jessica Tisch, New York City's 48th police commissioner and only the second woman to hold the job. She joins us to talk about the challenges ahead at a time when concern over crime remains high, even if some of the crime numbers are lower. Also, when lawmakers return to Washington in January, Democrats will be in the minority in the House and the Senat...