CNN Politics

Politics is taking a back seat to the harrowing and devastating flooding disaster as the hope for a Texas miracle wanes. Rescue crews are trying to outrun the rain and find survivors clinging to life before floodwaters can descend on central Texas again. The death toll sits at 89, making it one of the most destructive floods in the United States in the past 100 years.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN’s Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny and CNN’s Boris Sanchez cover the devastating flash flooding in central Texas. Sanchez is on the ground in Hunt, Texas. Hear from Texas officials who provide an update on the deadly flooding. Plus, President Trump signs a Texas disaster declaration. And, the midterm elections are 16 months away, but President Trump's mega bill is already shaping the competitive races that will help decide control of Congress. Will his legislation help Republicans or Democrats? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump is getting exactly what he wanted this Independence Day, signing his mega MAGA bill into law at a huge celebration. His tax cuts got extended. He got more money for defense and immigration. But will Republicans pay a political price for Medicaid and SNAP cuts?  Plus, two top politicians join us with two totally different takes on the big beautiful bill. Republican Congressman Mike Lawler calls it a historic tax relief bill. Democratic. Governor Wes Moore says it's a heartless assault on the American people.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rahm Emanuel isn't shy about criticizing his own party. He also isn’t shy about his potential political ambitions. He’s made it clear he’s considering a potential 2028 presidential run. He shares how he’ll make that decision, what he brings to the growing field of potential candidates and why he thinks Dems shouldn’t talk about democracy without also talking about affordability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today show begins, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is in his seventh hour of a marathon speech delaying a vote on President Trump's big beautiful bill. Meanwhile, President Trump holds a crucial phone call with Vladimir Putin just two days after the US announced a pause in certain weapons shipments to Ukraine.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs is found guilty of two counts of prostitution but is acquitted of the more severe charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. 12 New York jurors delivered the bombshell verdict after 13 hours of deliberations. CNN's Laura Coates and Kara Scannell have been covering this case since the beginning. They join the show to explain the ramifications of the verdict and give us a sense of what it was like in the courtroom.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today show begins, the Senate, after at least 27 hours in the chamber, is holding the final vote on President Trump's massive agenda bill. Majority Leader John Thune has just said he hopes they will have the votes. (Spoiler alert: They do.) CNN's Lauren Fox kicks off our coverage.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Senate Democrats are gearing up for what's essentially open mic night on Capitol Hill as they rail against the president's "big, beautiful bill" with endless amendments. Republicans hope to get the massive legislation to the Oval Office by President Trump's self-imposed July 4th deadline.  Plus: Just hours after getting berated by the president for saying he won't vote in favor of the big, beautiful bill, North Carolina GOP Senator Thom Tillis announces he won't seek reelection, setting up what could be a nail biter of a race in a crucial swing state.  And: The fate of Sean "Diddy" Combs' is now officially in the hands of 12 New Yorkers. CNN is inside and outside the courthouse to bring you all the breaking details from his sex trafficking trial.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN's State of the Union, Jake Tapper speaks to Republican Senator Katie Britt about the President's domestic policy agenda as it nears its final vote in the Senate. Democratic Senator Mark Warner slams Republicans for supporting this bill while also what he knows about the state of Iran's nuclear program. Finally Republican Rep. Riley Moore, Democratic Rep. Chris Deluzio, Ashley Allison and Alyssa Farah Griffin discuss.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Make or break. After a late night of arm twisting, the Trump agenda clears a key hurdle. But with the July 4th deadline just days away, can badly divided Republicans seal the deal? My panel joins me with the very latest from Capitol Hill. Plus: Identity crisis. Political shockwaves after a Big Apple bombshell. But as Democrats divide over a new messenger, is this the Democrats' future or downfall?  And: Extreme makeover, White House edition.  And: RFK Jr. shifts vaccine policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zohran Mamdani pulled off a major political upset over Andrew Cuomo in this week’s New York mayoral primary. CNN senior reporter and New York City native Edward-Isaac Dovere explains how Mamdani was able to secure the victory and what Democrats more broadly can learn from his surprise success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trump Administration is laser focused on telling Americans that the US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities were an unequivocal success, even as questions remain about whether the regime's capabilities were actually eliminated.  Plus: Republicans are running out of time to get their massive policy bill over the finish line by July 4th. So today the president is bring food delivery drivers and border agents to the White House to pressure GOP lawmakers still hesitant to support it.  And: Democrats are racing to understand NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's rise from obscurity and whether he will help or hurt their efforts to win back power next year.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump insists the US strikes on Iran "obliterated" the regime's nuclear capabilities. But he also concedes it may be too early to really know how much was destroyed.  Plus: In the New York Democratic mayoral primary, a 33-year-old Democratic Socialist toppled the former governor, not to mention many others in the party's establishment. Is it a one-off upset or a blueprint for progressives moving forward?  And: The president nominated his former personal lawyer and enforcer for a seat on the federal bench. We're tracking a key Senate hearing as he tries to convince senators he can be fair and impartial on the bench.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins, we're following a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran brokered by President Trump, who's about to land in the Netherlands for a summit with America's NATO allies. He's already taking a victory lap after a turbulent and potentially transformative 48 hours that rocketed through fear of world war to a stunning diplomatic announcement to a barrage of fire and apparently back to a truce.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: The world is bracing for Iran's next move as the country warns the US will pay for bombing three of its key nuclear facilities. US officials are racing to assess the damage and determine if Iran still is a nuclear threat.  Plus: President Trump is floating the idea of regime change to "make Iran great again." The White House claims he's raising a question, but it underscores the crucial concern across the political spectrum: How does this all end?  And: Wall Street is zeroing in on the Strait of Hormuz amid growing fear Iran could retaliate by disrupting that essential shipping lane, which would send oil prices through the roof.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN’s Wolf Blitzer joins Manu Raju to discuss the United States’ attack on three Iranian nuclear facilities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN's State of the Union, Kasie Hunt speaks to Israeli President Isaac Herzog about the aftermath of the U.S. strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. Democratic Senator Adam Schiff speaks about the congressional response to President Trump’s order to strike Iran arguing the action was "not constitutional." And Trump's former National Security Adviser says the Iran regime "is in trouble." Finally Joel Rubin, Scott Jennings, Xochitl Hinojosa and Rebecca Heinrichs discuss.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anderson Cooper again joins Manu Raju for a special edition of Inside Politics as we bring you the latest of the Israel-Iran conflict. As today's show beings, President Trump is huddling with his national security team after declaring a two-week pause, delaying a decision on striking Iran for another two weeks as diplomats meet in Geneva in what feels like a last-ditch bid for a ceasefire.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The killings and attempted killings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses are raising alarms about an apparent uptick in political violence in America. Robert Pape, the director of the ⁠Chicago Project on Security and Threats⁠, has studied political violence for 30 years, and he argues the country is in the midst of what he calls an “era of violent populism.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is a US military strike on Iran imminent? A source tells CNN President trump has reviewed attack plans but is holding off for now to see if Tehran is willing to back away from its nuclear program. Meanwhile, an Iranian missile strikes a hospital in the southern part of Israel, prompting the Israeli defense minister to say Iran's supreme leader cannot be "allowed to exist," calling him a "modern Hitler." Anderson Cooper joins the show live from Tel Aviv.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special edition of Inside Politics, Wolf Blitzer and Erin Burnett bring you the very latest on the Israel-Iran conflict. Among the big questions: What will President Trump do?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump is on the cusp of the most important decision he's made to date as Commander in Chief. Will the US join Israel in seeking to destroy Iran's nuclear capabilities? The vice president just issued a remarkable new statement clearly aimed at MAGA opponents to American assistance in Iran.  Plus: CNN has new reporting on what the US intelligence community is saying about Israel's justification for striking Iran in the first place. Dana discusses that with the Israeli ambassador to the US.  And: Democrats in Minnesota say Republican Senator Mike Lee has made a horrific situation even worse with his social media posts about the state lawmakers gunned down in their homes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump is meeting with top US allies on the world stage amid crucial flashpoints on trade, immigration, and the new wave of strikes between Israel and Iran.  Plus: Officials are struggling with how to keep public leaders safe after two Minnesota lawmakers were gunned down in their homes. We take you live to a press conference, where chilling new details are revealed.  And: Exactly 10 years ago today, a reality TV star rode down that golden escalator at Trump Tower to announce his presidential campaign. We're reconvening the people who brought you that news about the wild, norm-shattering decade that would follow.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Shocking killings. The shooting of two lawmakers jolts an uneasy nation. What's the latest on the manhunt? Minnesota Senator Tina Smith joins me live. Plus: On edge. Israel and Iran trade unprecedented blows. But as the fighting rages on, can the U.S. prevent a wider war. And: Split screen. Trump gets his parade as his military crackdown sparks nationwide protests. Can Democrats seize the moment? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of the Union, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar joins Dana Bash to react to the shocking assassination of a Minnesota state legislator and her husband, as well as the manhunt for the suspect behind the attack. Then, former Vice President Mike Pence joins Dana to discuss the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Dana also presses him on Trump’s decision to deploy US troops to Los Angeles. Next, California Senator Alex Padilla sits down with Dana after his confrontation with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem amid his state’s showdown with the Trump administration over immigration. After, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joins to discuss the latest developments on the protests in her city. Finally, CNN Political Commentators Shermichael Singleton, Karen Finney, Brad Todd, and former Democratic Congressman Andy Levin break down a tense week in America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Israel warns its unprecedented attack on Iran is not over and says it used 200 warplanes to strike well over 100 targets in a massive and highly covert operation intended to decapitate Iran's nuclear capabilities. Iran's supreme leader promises Israel will face severe punishment after several top military leaders and nuclear scientists were killed in the strikes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tensions over President Trump’s immigration enforcement reached a boiling point this week. CNN correspondent Priscilla Alvarez explains how Los Angeles became a political flashpoint and why the administration’s move to call in the National Guard and the Marines to respond to anti-ICE protests there was a long time in the making—and could be a playbook repeated in other cities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: We're following the showdowns on the streets, the halls of Congress and the federal courthouse as protesters, lawmakers and top Democratic governors sound off on the Trump Administration's immigration crackdown.  Plus: Is it big and beautiful or a bust? We have exclusive new reaction to President Trump's massive domestic policy bill from the voters who helped put him back in the Oval Office  And: Officials fear more than 200 people are dead after a Boeing flight bound for London crashed into a residential area in western India.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're now seeing a tidal wave of protests across the country over resident Trump's deportation policies. They've spread from Los Angeles to other major cities including Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, and New York. And the primarily peaceful protesters are enraged and horrified that ICE officials are ramping up the speed and magnitude of their arrests, all to meet White House quotas. Multiple sources tell CNN that agents have been instructed to search anywhere and everywhere for undocumented immigrants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump pats himself on the back after ordering marines to a major American city. But Democrats accuse Trump of abusing both his power and the military itself, and acting like an authoritarian.  Plus: New Jersey voters go to the polls after the most expensive primary ever for the Garden State.  And: RFK Jr. fires a group of scientists whose job is to keep America's vaccines safe.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: After three days of protests in California against his deportation policies, President Trump sends in the National Guard - against the wishes of the governor, who says the state plans to sue.  Plus: Elon Musk deletes his harshest anti-Trump posts and applauds the president's National Guard deployment. Is it an attempt to get back in Trump's good graces?  And: More than 300 NIH workers say the Trump Administration is politicizing health, and lives are hanging in the balance.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From China talks to “TACO,” CNN’s Chief Domestic Correspondent Phil Mattingly helps navigate the latest twists and turns of President Trump’s tariffs and explains why we may be in the “eye of the hurricane” of this trade war. Have a question or a guest you'd like to hear from? Let us know. Email us at ⁠CNNPoliticalBriefing@Gmail.com⁠ or give us a call at (202) 430-5460. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of Union, Democratic Rep. Nanette Barragán sits down with Dana Bash to react to President Trump’s stunning decision to deploy thousands of National Guard troops to quell immigration protests in her district and elsewhere in Los Angeles County. Then, Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders joins Dana to react to the breaking news and lay out Democrats’ strategy for opposing Trump’s massive spending and tax cut bill. Next, Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin spars with Dana over Trump’s handling of the situation in Los Angeles and says it shows the need to pass his agenda. After, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson reacts to Defense Secretary Hegseth’s suggestion he could deploy active-duty Marines to Los Angeles. He also lays out his concerns with Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” Finally, CNN Political Commentators Bakari Sellers, Xochitl Hinojosa, Kristen Soltis Anderson, and Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis join Dana to discuss the breaking news out of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: California clashes. Trump deploys the National Guard to crack down on immigration protests. As sources say the president could cut funding for the Golden State. How will this end?  And: Breakup. Trump's feud with Elon Musk threatens his coalition. Can the president's agenda survive the onslaught? Congressman Mike Lawler joins us live. Plus: Election night. What will the first big primaries in Trump's second term tell us about how voters feel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: We have brand new reporting on one of the most epic and heated breakups in the history of politics. Dana spoke to President Trump this morning about why he has no plans to call his former first buddy Elon.  Plus: Will this big, not-so-beautiful breakup help or hurt Trump's massive tax and spending bill? We're watching the signals today on Capitol Hill, where Republicans feel stuck in the middle of a billionaire's brawl.  And: Attempting a Sunshine State switcheroo, Republican congressman David Jolly talks about his bid to become the first Democrat in three decades to lead what is now ruby red Florida.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show begins immediately following President Trump's remarks at a White House meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. It's been a busy day for Trump, who spoke with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and made his first public remarks about Elon Musk after the Tesla founder blasted the president's "big beautiful bill." To no one's surprise, Trump is "disappointed" in his former DOGE bro.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Moderates, MAGA hardliners, even first buddy Elon Musk are attacking President Trump's sweeping domestic policy bill just as a brand new congressional report on its price tag complicates the president's pitch.  Plus: We have new reporting on the House GOP push to launch new investigations into the Biden family.  And: Could Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's erasing the name of a gay rights pioneer off a Navy ship be the start of a fleet-wide overhaul?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump is working the phones and his beloved Truth Social account, trying to persuade skeptical Senate Republicans to fall in line behind his mega bill to cut taxes and slash spending. But he's giving them a deadline that sounds almost impossible to meet.  Plus: Sources tell CNN that the president is complaining that the Supreme Court justices he nominated aren't fully supporting his agenda. We have new reporting on why much of the fury has zeroed in on Amy Coney Barrett.  And: How can Democrats persuade voters to trust them again with power? Jon Lovett of Pod Save America and Sarah Longwell of the Bulwark have a few ideas, and they're never shy about sharing them.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: The FBI is investigating a horrifying attack on Jews in Colorado as a terror attack after a man allegedly screaming "Free Palestine!" set people on fire who were marching to support the release of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas.  Plus: Tim Walz says Democrats still licking their wounds need to take a page from the Trump playbook by getting "a little meaner."  And: America's extreme weather command centers have been gutted by deep DOGE budget cuts. Will it leave the public in danger?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash sits down for an exclusive interview with the man seen as the architect behind President Trump’s scorched-earth effort to upend the federal government, White House Budget Director Russ Vought. Then, House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries joins Dana to detail his party’s plan to counter Trump’s agenda, as well as respond to a new CNN poll showing Americans frustration with the Democratic Party. Next, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy pushes back against Republican messaging around President Trump’s massive spending and tax cut bill. Finally, Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell, CNN Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings, and CNN Political Commentators Jamal Simmons and Shermichael Singleton weigh in on Elon Musk’s exit from the Trump administration, as well as early 2028 moves by Democrats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Reality check. President Trump pops off, as he fends off checks on his power. And as Republicans get an earful, are more cuts coming?  And: Digging out. As Democrats look to 2028, a brand new CNN poll this hour on the challenges ahead. And as a blue state shifts towards Trump, what is the winning path for Democrats? We're live with Congressman Josh Gottheimer, who's running for governor.  Plus: Whiplash. Are RFK Jr.'s personal views impacting your access to health care? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump launches an all-out attack on the judiciary branch for ruling against his policies on the same day the Supreme Court hands his administration a win. We have brand new reaction from a top Trump adviser  Plus: The White House is blaming "formatting issues" after the Make America Healthy Again team released a report on children's well being citing studies that don't exist.  And: Why can't the American people vote on having a military parade that will cost more than $40 million? That is one of many questions that our audience asked that we try to answer in today's show.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: We're following the collision of Harvard's graduation and a key court case in President Trump's spiraling war with the country's oldest university. We'll tell you what the judge just decided.  Plus: The Trump Administration is claiming Americans are "living under a judicial tyranny" after a panel of federal judges ruled the president overstepped when issuing most of his sweeping tariffs.  And: Elon Musk is hanging up the chainsaw after a tumultuous 128 days attempting to gut the federal government. A journalist digging into the DOGE receipts joins us to report what the richest man in the world is leaving behind.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The ongoing feud between President Trump and Harvard University is heating up as the White House attempts to ban the university from enrolling international students. Harvard President Emeritus Larry Summers shares his insights on the clash and explains why the White House’s actions could hinder efforts to reform Harvard’s flaws. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Donald Trump is aggressively using the power of the pardon to let loyalists off the hook, especially conservatives he claims - baselessly - were pursued by the Biden Justice Department for political reasons. The latest example: a reality TV couple convicted in a $30 million fraud scheme.  Plus: Trump is clearly getting fed up with Vladimir Putin's seeming unwillingness to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. But will the president actually punish Russia?  And: John King talks with Trump supporters in Allentown, Pennsylvania to get their take on the president's trade war. Do these voters really think the president will bring manufacturing back as he's promising?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump tells his government to cancel all contracts with Harvard, his latest move in a full-frontal assault on America's most prestigious university.  Plus: Canada invites the British king to open parliament, sending a clear message about Canadian sovereignty after President Trump's talk of pushing the US border all the way to Quebec.  And: What will New York's state of mind tell us about former governor Andrew Cuomo's latest political bid?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Reacting to Russia's most extensive air attacks yet against Ukraine, President Trump says Vladimir Putin has "gone absolutely crazy." The Kremlin responded by calling Trump's response "emotional overload." We explore this new back-and-forth after bringing you the president's Memorial Day remarks from Arlington National Cemetary.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The House GOP delivered President Trump a major win this week by passing his so-called “big, beautiful bill.” CNN congressional correspondent Lauren Fox breaks down what happened behind the scenes in the hours before it was passed, how Speaker Mike Johnson swayed the holdouts and the biggest questions surrounding the bill as it makes its way to the Senate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: A federal judge just blocked the Trump Administration from banning Harvard from enrolling international students. This comes on the heels of the school filing a suit over the ban. What next?  Plus: We have another sudden twist in the Trump trade roller coaster. The president this morning threatened the European Union with a 50% tariff on all goods. Will it jumpstart negotiations with crucial allies or just rattle the markets?  And: 80-plus years after paying the ultimate sacrifice in fighting Nazis, Jewish World War II veterans are finally receiving the burials that reflect their faith. Dana traveled to Italy to witness the sacred ceremonies.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: It was a nail biter with a whole lot of cliffhangers, but House Republicans were ultimately able to eke out a win for the president, delivering a mega MAGA bill that will bring drastic changes to people's lives across the country.  Plus: Why won't the White House reveal which deep-pocketed crypto investors won a meal with the president tonight? We'll break down the lack of transparency with President Trump's new moneymaking venture.  And: The FBI is investigating a targeted attack after two Israeli embassy staffers were shot and killed outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, allegedly by a man who yelled "Free Palestine!" Dana speaks to one of the country's top leaders in combating antisemitism.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump is welcoming his South African counterpart to the White House today, after Trump made unsubstantiated claims that that government in is committing genocide against whites. Will he be getting the Zelensky treatment?  Plus: House Speaker Mike Johnson says there will be a vote tonight on the president's mega MAGA bill. But hardline Republicans are threatening to torpedo it unless the speaker agrees to more spending cuts.  And: President Trump will have dinner tomorrow night with dozens of supporters who bought his meme coins. It's one of the Trump family crypto moneymaking ventures that some call legalized bribery. We talk to a top reporter who has been covering the story.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump goes to Capitol Hill to push House Republicans who are fighting amongst themselves about the president's sprawling bill to cut taxes and slash spending. Nothing short of the entire Trump legislative agenda hangs in the balance.  Plus: A Democratic congresswoman is facing federal assault charges after a brawl outside an ICE detention center.   And: Chasten Buttigieg, husband of politician Pete, joins the show to share his feelings about his spouse possibly running for president.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump is holding crucial phone calls today with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky about a potential path to peace, hours after Russia launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine since the war began.  Plus: Joe Biden reveals he has an aggressive form of prostate cancer that's spread to his bones. We'll break down his battle with the disease that he's worked for years to eradicate.  And:  House Republicans remain deeply divided as they race to pass the president's sweeping agenda. Can House Speaker Mike Johnson pull off a miracle on the hill?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Culture shock. Trump returns home from a week of fanfare and promises to face legal setbacks and infighting. Can the president deliver a long promised deal and get his own house in order? And: Fallout. Shaky new audio as Democrats face questions. Should they have done more? Plus: New reporting, Kamala Harris starts making her move. And: Wild card. The senator who took Mitt Romney's place. How John Curtis is forging his own path in Trump's Washington. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper sits down with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss Trump’s tariff policy, efforts to negotiate trade deals, and plans for the US to accept a luxury jet from Qatar. Then, Jake presses Democratic Rep. James Clyburn over his past support for Joe Biden’s re-election campaign amid new reporting about Biden’s health. Next, CNN Chief Political Analyst David Axelrod and CNN Senior Political Commentator Van Jones join Jake to respond to his reporting that top Biden aides hid signs of decline from the public. Finally, Jake previews his new book “Original Sin” and looks at the dilemma facing Democrats as they try to look ahead to 2028. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump completed a whirlwind tour of the Middle East this week, making deals—and multiple headlines—along the way. Axios reporter, Middle East expert and CNN political and global affairs analyst Barak Ravid breaks down the major moments from the week, from a historic handshake between Trump and the Syrian president to Qatar’s unusual gift of a luxury jet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President trump is heading home after soaking in the Gulf's opulence, fanfare and regal recognition. He loves a dramatically different approach toward countries he once reviled and renounced.  Plus: We follow a critical meeting on Capitol Hill as Republicans butt heads on how to advance President Trump's agenda.  And: California Governor Gavin Newsom is shifting to the center on a series of issues. Will this rebrand help a potential 2028 run?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins, the Supreme Court is hearing pivotal arguments involving President Trump's plan to end birthright citizenship. Whatever the Court decides could have major implications for federal courts and their ability to curtail multiple Trump policies being challenged as unconstitutional.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump is basking in the opulence of the Middle East while cozying up to the Qatari government that plans to gift him a luxury jet. Is he really going to go home with a new plane?  Plus: Manu talks to conservative Republican Senator Josh Hawley who says cutting Medicaid is "politically suicidal." But will the House GOP heed his warning?  And: "Joe Biden totally effed us." That quote from a top campaign official is in a new book by CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios' Alex Thompson that reveals new details about the former president's decline while running for a second term.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump is soaking up all the pomp and circumstance on the first major international trip of his second term. He's in Saudi Arabia to sign multiple deals he says will bring hundreds of billions of dollars into the US. But criticism is ramping up within his own party over a jet he says he'll accept as a gift from the government of Qatar.  Plus: A new book from CNN's Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson of Axios reveals Joe Biden's inner circle floated the idea of getting him a wheelchair if he was reelected at the same time they were publicly highlighting his vigor.  And: The star witness in Sean "Diddy" Combs' criminal trials takes the stand. CNN was inside the courtroom so we can bring you all the breaking developments from Cassie Ventura's testimony.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An American held by Hamas for 584 days is now on his way to freedom. 21-year-old Edan Alexander was handed over by Hamas to Red Cross officials in Gaza. He's now en route to an Israeli military base, where he'll be flown by helicopter to an Israeli hospital and evaluated by doctors. CNN's Jeremy Diamond begins our coverage in Tel Aviv's "hostage square."    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Open conflict. The U.S. and China hold high stakes trade talks. And Trump gears up for a trip to the Middle East as he looks to cut deals and broker ceasefires. Can he rein in the crisis he pledged to solve?  Plus: Resistance. As the Democratic Party struggles with a winning message. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, just announced he's running for Senate, joins me live. And: Food fight. Republicans spar over Trump's so-called big, beautiful bill.  Plus: My new reporting about whether one of the longest serving Senate moderates will run for reelection.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash presses Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for details on Trump’s trade negotiations with China and the impact tariffs are having on Americans. Then, Democratic Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Rob Menendez join Dana to respond to the Trump administration’s threat that they could be arrested after a clash with ICE officials in Newark, New Jersey. Next, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu square off over the politics of Trump’s trade policy. Finally, Democratic Rep. Suhas Subramanyam and CNN Political Commentators Kristen Soltis Anderson, Brad Todd, and Xochitl Hinojosa spar over Trump’s latest immigration threat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump names another top ally who's pushed for investigations of Trump's perceived enemies to a job where she can do just that, even as the president keeps baselessly accusing his predecessor of weaponizing the judicial system against Republicans.  Plus: The Vatican is turning a page with the first American-born pope now leading the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. Dana talks to a member of the most famous American Catholic family about the decision that sent shockwaves around the globe.  And: Tax hikes have never been part of the Republican playbook. But is President Trump really going to overturn decades of GOP dogma?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Cardinals from six continents are sequestered inside the Sistine Chapel for one of history's most sacred and secretive rituals, the Conclave.  Plus: India's retaliatory airstrikes inside Pakistan are causing worldwide anxiety as President Trump attempts to brush aside the escalating hostilities.  And: MAGA world is mobilizing against the Republican senator who says he won't support the president's highly controversial choice to be DC'ss top prosecutor.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is about to pay a visit to the Oval Office. Will sparks fly?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Donald Trump is brushing off concerns his tariff plan could lead to a recession, claiming everything would still be okay in the long term.   Plus: Trump is pushing to reopen Alcatraz prison more than 60 years after it closed. Why?  And: How do you cut $1.5 trillion from the federal budget? Dana speaks to a key member of the House Republican Conference.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake sits down with Democratic Sen. Mark Warner to discuss Trump’s shake-up of his national security team. Then, Jake asks Republican Sen. Ron Johnson about a growing lead crisis in Milwaukee, as well as Americans’ unease over Trump’s handling of the economy. Next, Stephen A. Smith joins Jake to discuss whether he is considering running for president in 2028. Finally, Democratic Rep. Chrissy Houlahan and CNN Political Commentators Ashley Allison, Shermichael Singleton, and Kristen Soltis Anderson break down Trump’s messaging on the economy as well as him saying “I don’t know” if he has to uphold the Constitution as president. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How Will Rubio Balance Two Top National Security Roles?; GOP Amps Up Trump Impeachment Talk in Midterm Battle. Will They or Won't They? Democrats Make 2028 Moves; Conclave to Elect New Pope Set to Begin on Wednesday; GOP Retirements Could Help Democrats Tip Balance of Power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: An unexpectedly strong jobs report today sends stocks soaring. But with new tariffs taking effect - and many more promised - is this the calm before the economic storm?  Plus: J.B. Pritzker, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pete Buttigieg and Kamala Harris are all dipping their toes in the 2028 waters. What's the temperature?  And: Tomorrow is World Press Freedom Day. We look at how President Trump is reshaping who gets to cover him at the White House.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can politicians reach Americans who have tuned out politics? That’s something Rob Flaherty, a former deputy campaign manager for Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential run, argues Republicans have been doing successfully while Democrats have failed. He explains why he thinks Dems became the “party of the system” and why that’s kept them from reaching voters who believe the system is broken. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins we receive breaking news that Mike Waltz is expected to leave his post in the Trump Administration as national security adviser. It is the first top staff shakeup of the president's second term. Waltz has been in a precarious position with the president after he accidentally added a reporter to a group chat about upcoming military strikes. Our coverage begins with CNN's Kaitlan Collins.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins, President Trump is holding a Cabinet meeting on the heels of a crucial new report showing the US economy shrank for the first time in three years. The GDP fell at a rate of 0.3% as Trump's massive and ever-changing tariffs rattle consumers and businesses. Naturally, the president tried to pin this data on his predecessor. CNN's Kevin Liptak begins our coverage.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Exactly 100 days ago, Donald Trump took the oath of office as the 47th president of the United States. And what a turbulent, convention-smashing 100 days it's been as the president moves at a frenetic pace to transform the US and its role in the world, from taking a sledgehammer to the federal government to targeting political opponents and launching a global trade war.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: 99 days into President Trump's second term, a new CNN poll shows his approval dropping to the lowest level on record for any president at this point in their presidency.  Plus: One top Democrat says it's time to "stop surrendering." So what's in his party's plan for the next 100 days?   And: It's Election Day in Canada, and the most important issue could very well be Donald Trump.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Underwater. Breaking right now, extensive new CNN polling shows Trump at a historic low, bleeding support on the economy and immigration, while his team amps up the pressure on anyone getting in their way. As Trump approaches 100 days in office, has the president lost the middle? We'll dive into the numbers.  Plus: Deal or no deal? The president holds a surprise one-on-one meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the pope's funeral. Now, he's threatening Moscow with new sanctions and says a peace deal could be close. But can he really convince Vladimir Putin to end the war?  And: Under the radar. How has Melania Trump spent her first 100 days?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of the Union, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer joins Dana Bash for a wide-ranging interview on Ukraine peace talks, Trump’s handling of immigration and the economy, Schumer’s future as a leader in his party, and rising antisemitism in America. Next, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins joins Dana to discuss the continued economic uncertainty around Trump’s tariffs and the impact they’re having here at home. Finally, CNN Senior Political Commentator David Urban, CNN Political Commentator Karen Finney, Democratic Rep. Yassamin Ansari, and former Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler join Dana to break down CNN’s new poll showing Trump with dismal approval ratings across the board as he approaches the 100-day mark of his second term. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: In a stunning development, the FBI director says agents arrested a Wisconsin judge, accusing her of aiding and abetting a migrant wanted by ICE to escape from her courthouse.  Plus: President Trump says Russia can keep Crimea as part of a peace deal, and says he's the only one who can negotiate it. Will he sell out America's allies in Kyiv?  And: New CNN reporting reveals how Elon Musk's DOGE team is building a massive government database to drive its deportation machine, helped by a secretive Silicon Valley company founded by a longtime Musk ally.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Next week marks 100 days since President Trump was sworn in for his second term. CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins and Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny share their behind-the-scenes insights from the last few months and explain why attitudes at the White House have recently shifted. Have a question or a guest you'd like to hear from? Let us know. Email us at CNNPoliticalBriefing@Gmail.com or give us a call at (202) 430-5460. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: That was President Trump's message to Russia's Vladimir Putin this morning. It was a rare rebuke after Russia launched a new wave of deadly strikes on Kyiv hours after Trump claimed Putin was ready to make a deal. Is there still a pathway to peace?  Plus: President Trump seems to have reversed course yet again on the trade war he launched with China.  And: A Trump-appointed federal judge orders a second man deported to El Salvador to be returned to the US.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Investors think President Trump may be backing down on his trade war with China. So does Beijing. You won't believe what's trending on Chinese social media today.  Plus: How much longer will the GOP stand by embattled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth? Dana speaks with the top Republican on the Senate armed services committee.  And: Robert Kennedy Jr. blames synthetic dyes in the food supply for a host of chronic childhood illnesses. Now, the FDA says it will work with food companies to phase out those ingredients. The new FDA commissioner and a leader in the so-called "MAHA" (Make America Healthy Again) movement joins Dana to discuss.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: A defiant Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, under siege after another Signal chat is revealed, says he's not going anywhere. The White House concurs, at least for now.   Plus: There are fresh warning signs about the Trump trade war sparking a global recession, as the value of the dollar dies and investors across the world question the stability of American markets.  And: We get new details from the Vatican about the Pope's final hours, as dozens of Cardinals make their way to Rome to begin the process of choosing Francis's successor.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins we hear the echo of the bells in Saint Peter's Square, sounding a final note on the remarkable life of Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff who passed away just hours after tending to his flock on Easter. Our extensive coverage of his life and legacy - and what comes next - begins with CNN's Ben Wedeman in Vatican City.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Face off. The Supreme Court deals a blow to Trump as he tries to reshape the narrative. But as he digs in, is the tide turning? Plus, is Trump about to take his most dramatic step yet to gut American diplomacy? And: Plan of attack. As progressives capitalize on anti-Trump anger, we go one on one with Democratic Congressman Jason Crow on his plan to reach Trump voters. And: Sentencing. This week, George Santos faces years in prison, but a pardon from Trump be on the table. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of the Union, Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen joins Dana Bash to discuss his trip to El Salvador to meet with deported migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Then, Dana presses House GOP Whip Rep. Tom Emmer on Trump’s standoff with the courts over his immigration policies. After, Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar tells Dana that she believes the US is “getting closer and closer to a constitutional crisis.” Finally, CNN Political Commentator Ashley Allison, former Trump White House Communications Director Mike Dubke, Republican strategist Lance Trover, and Harris Campaign Senior Adviser Adrienne Elrod join Dana to discuss Trump’s escalating campaign of retribution against his perceived political opponents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: A Democratic senator meets face-to-face with the man mistakenly deported to a maximum security prison in El Salvador. But what happens to Kilmar Abrego Garcia now? The Trump Administration has made it clear he's "not coming back" to the US.  Plus: Marco Rubio says the US may need to "move on" from Ukrainian-Russian peace talks if there's no progress in the coming days, leaving people across the globe wondering if America is about to abandon a key ally.  And: The Trump Administration is taking on the Associated Press in a court case with far-reaching consequences. Sam Donaldson, who set the standard for tough questions in the White House, joins the show to discuss.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Judicial showdowns over a pair of major deportation-related cases have ratcheted up tensions between Trump and the courts this week. University of Michigan law professor, author and podcast host Leah Litman weighs in on whether these and other clashes between Trump and the judiciary have pushed the country into a constitutional crisis. Have a question or a guest you'd like to hear from? Let us know. Email us at CNNPoliticalBriefing@Gmail.com or give us a call at (202) 430-5460. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Italy's prime minister arrives at the White House on a mission to scale back the Trump tariffs on European products Americans love. But can she persuade the president to reach a trade truce with the EU?  Plus: Democrats are back in their districts for spring break, testing messages they hope can win them back the House next year. The man who wants to be speaker joins the show to discuss.  And: We break down how President Trump's war on the Harvard is impacting life- saving research on cancer and infectious diseases.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: A Maryland senator is in El Salvador attempting to free a man who was living in his state and, according to a court filing, was mistakenly to a notorious prison. But both the Trump Administration and the president of El Salvador say there's no chance Kilmar Abrego Garcia is coming back.  Plus: Dana speaks to the current and former mayors of New York City about an issue bringing them together and other issues causing some controversy.  And: We break down former President Joe Biden's first public speech since leaving office.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Harvard is refusing to give in to White House demands the university says threaten its independence, even though billions of dollars in federal funding are on the line.  Plus: The Trump Administration is refusing to bring back a man they admitted in court was mistakenly deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador.  And: Dana talks to Kara Swisher about the landmark antitrust trial happening right now that could dismantle Mark Zuckerberg's trillion-dollar empire.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show begins as President Trump is finishing up a lengthy, live press conference inside the Oval Office with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele. Our panel breaks down what we heard, starting with a response to the president claiming that "CNN hates our country." Spoiler alert: We don't.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper presses National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett over the confusion and turmoil caused by Trump’s tariff rollout. Then, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren joins Jake to discuss how Democrats should respond to Trump’s economic chaos. Finally, CNN Political Commentators Brad Todd and Ashley Allison, Republican Rep. Tim Burchett, and former Democratic Rep. Susan Wild join Jake to discuss the economic and political impact from the turmoil around Trump’s tariffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Show of force. Trump's team closes ranks, while his tariff whiplash rattles Americans. As his strategy falters, is America at a breaking point? And: Power play. Democratic governors test the waters ahead of 2028. Who stumbled? And who's leading the way? Plus: Supreme clash. The DOJ says a wrongly deported man is alive. But as Trump piles on the pressure, what is the high court strategy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The world's two largest economies are locked in a spiraling trade war as China unleashes a crippling counterattack on the United States global markets and American consumers are in the line of fire. Who will flinch first?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump’s 90-day pause on most new tariffs triggered a market rally, but economic uncertainty persists as existing tariffs are still in place and a trade war with China intensifies. Trade economist and historian Doug Irwin knows how tariffs have affected Americans and American companies in the past. So, what can that tell us about what could happen to the US economy next? Have a question or a guest you'd like to hear from? Let us know. Email us at CNNPoliticalBriefing@Gmail.com or give us a call at (202) 430-5460. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: While President Trump he paused tariffs on most of the world yesterday, he also made them bigger on China, which could cost you and your family thousands of dollars a year.  Plus: Republicans take a big step toward passing their budget blueprint while promising to cut more than $1.5 trillion in spending. The big question: Where will those cuts come from?  And: The Trump revenge tour rolls on as the president orders investigations into two first-term officials he now considers enemies.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: The world strikes back against President Trump's sweeping tariffs, leaving the American consumer in the crosshairs of his spiraling trade war.  Plus: MAGA star Ken Paxton is officially challenging fellow Republican John Cornyn for his Texas Senate seat in what's expected to be the most heated and expensive GOP  primary in the country.  And: Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, a Trump supporter with an enormous megaphone in the so-called manosphere, says he's lost a fortune in the market so far and is souring on the president's trade war. He joins the show live to discuss.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Global stocks are soaring in a dramatic rally after three days of major losses. Hopeful investors are clinging to comments from top Trump officials who suggest the president is willing to negotiate on his sweeping new tariffs, set to take effect in just 12 hours.  Plus: The Supreme Court is giving the Trump administration the green light to use a centuries-old law to speed up deportations. But there's a catch.  And: Dana speaks to a couple kidnaped during the Hamas terror attack on Israel about the horror they endured and the relentless push to free the hostages still in Gaza.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper presses Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for clarity on Trump’s sweeping tariffs as the economic fallout grows. Then, Democratic Gov. Tim Walz joins Jake to respond and to weigh in on what he thinks Democrats’ strategy needs to be to counter Trump. Finally, CNN Senior Political Commentator David Urban, CNN Political Commentator Jamal Simmons, Democratic Rep. Hillary Scholten, and Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis join Jake to break down the political and economic impact of Trump’s tariffs, as well as the move by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to remove books from the Naval Academy library as part of the administration’s anti-DEI push. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices