The Lead with Jake Tapper

The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates for seventh time the year. Can the U.S. economy avoid a recession? Plus, Ukraine claims to have shot down a series of drones that took aim at its infrastructure. Plus, Rep. Tony Gonzales joins to discuss immigration reform and long term solutions to the border crisis.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn m...

President Biden has signed legislation guaranteeing that states have to recognize same-sex and interracial marriages after the bill passed in Congress with bipartisan support. Also, Biden celebrated new economic data that shows inflation is cooling more than expected. Plus, a new Senate report has found widespread sexual abuse in female federal prisons. Senator Jon Ossoff joins to discuss the next...

Billions of dollars and decades later, scientists have figured out how to replicate the energy of the sun, creating what could be an unlimited supply of clean energy. Plus, a Los Angeles city councilman’s brawl with a man at a holiday party. Then, as winter settles over Ukraine, access to power is becoming one of the most pressing concerns. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, vi...

Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema declares she will leave the Democratic Party and will register as a political independent. Jake Tapper sits down for an exclusive interview to find out why she’s making this decision and if she would support Biden in 2024. Plus, Elon Musk says Twitter will roll out a new feature in response to “shadowbanning” claims. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy...

After 294 days in Russian custody, basketball star Brittney Griner is on her way back to the United States. We examine the details of the prisoner swap, the negotiations, and look at the Russian prisoner in the exchange, Viktor Bout, nicknamed “Merchant of Death” by his accusers. Plus, the House passes a bill protecting same-sex and interracial marriages. Also, according to police, more arrests ar...

Two documents with classified markings were found in a Florida storage unit during a search by a team hired by former President Trump. Plus, Senator Raphael Warnock has won reelection in Georgia marking the first time since 1934 that the party in charge of the White House picked up Senate and governor seats in a midterm election. Also, the Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a case which could u...

There is no new episode of The Lead showcast. If you haven’t already, please check out CNN’s other podcasts and showcasts at cnn.com/audio. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The North Carolina governor addresses the targeted attack on power substations leaving thousands of customers, including those in hospitals, without power in the December cold. Plus, a look at protestors in two different countries taking on two oppressive regimes. Could their demonstrations spark change in Iran and China? To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy...

The January 6 committee stares down a fast-approaching deadline to complete its work and Rep. Zoe Lofgren of the January 6 Select Committee joins to discuss the timelines of potential consequences including criminal referrals to the DOJ for members of Congress who ignored subpoenas. Plus, more than a dozen letters containing blood or explosives have been sent to Ukrainian diplomats around the worl...

Following the Senate vote to avert a rail shutdown, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg joins to discuss the tentative agreement and paid sick leave for rail workers. Plus, a letter bomb was sent to the U.S. embassy in Spain, prompting increased security. Also, the Supreme Court keeps a block on the Biden student debt plan, scheduling arguments for February. To learn more about how CNN prot...

Attorney General Merrick Garland spoke about the landmark verdict in the Oath Keepers trial, calling the decision a significant victory for the American people. His remarks come after a jury found the founder of the far-right Oath Keepers and his deputy guilty of seditious conspiracy for their role in the Capitol insurrection. Plus, the House passes legislation to avoid a rail strike and shutdown....

Congress is going around labor union negotiations to try to prevent a rail strike that President Biden says would devastate the U.S. economy. Also, a consequential and controversial vote on same-sex marriage legislation is drawing criticism from both the religious right and the LGBTQ community. Plus, how DNA evidence helped a couple find their missing daughter 51 years after she was kidnapped. The...

Republican officials remain largely publicly silent after Trump posted and dined with two antisemites at Mar-a-Lago. Top House Republican Rep. James Comer joins to discuss why Republicans do not speak out about Trump’s actions more often. Plus, Dr. Fauci joins to discuss the protests in China as its citizens fight against new Covid-19 restrictions. To learn more about how CNN protects listener pri...

Tonight we lead with new details about the recent shooting in a Walmart in Chesapeake, VA – a note has been found on the shooters phone that details grievances he had with colleagues and himself. In world news - New clues in a deadly mystery of a North Carolina woman who died on vacation in Mexico and a man vanishes from the Carnival cruise ship Valour and is found alive 15 hours later in the midd...

CNN shares live coverage of a press conference with Moscow, Idaho’s police force, as they update the public about their investigation into the killings of four University of Idaho students. They issue a plea to the public to come forward with evidence. This, as the second mass shooting hits the U.S. in less than a week; a Walmart employee in Virginia shot and killed 6 coworkers. To learn more abou...

Senator Lindsey Graham testifies before a Georgia Grand Jury in the probe of efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. With the 2024 election on the horizon, Biden plans to spend the holiday mulling over whether to run. Plus, CNN talks to army veteran Richard Fierro, who tackled and disarmed the Colorado gunman, saving countless lives in the Club Q tragedy. To learn more about how CNN protect...

A gunman opened fire at a nightclub in Colorado Springs, killing at least five people before patrons confronted and disarmed him. Prosecutors say they are ready to convict the suspect, and CNN talks to a victim. Plus, Biden pokes fun at Republicans at the annual turkey pardon, and Iranians speak out against the assaults and brutality they have endured from the Iranian regime, as the World Cup cont...

The Department of Justice has appointed Jack Smith to be special counsel to oversee the criminal investigation into former President Trump regarding the potential mishandling of national secrets. The special counsel will also oversee parts of Trump’s role in the events leading up to the Capitol riots. Plus, a look at why home heating prices have been rising across the country. To learn more about...

Speaker Nancy Pelosi is stepping aside as the head of House Democrats while Republicans look to investigate Hunter Biden. Also, a look into the bankruptcy that is throwing the entire crypto market into a tailspin. Plus, Rep. Zoe Lofgren joins to discuss Mike Pence’s comments about testifying before the January 6th committee. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/priv...

Mitch McConnell beats Rick Scott to keep his Republican leadership position in the Senate. Plus, the missile which landed in Poland recently may have been an accident from a Ukraine as it defended itself from Russian missile strikes. Also, outgoing Republican Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker joins to discuss former President Donald Trump's impact on Republicans in the 2022 midterm election and les...

A reported missile strike beyond the borders of Ukraine hits NATO member Poland. The weaponry and who may be behind the event remain unclear, but the explosions occurred the same time Russia launched its biggest wave of missile attacks on Ukrainian cities in more than month. Plus, Kevin McCarthy wins the GOP nomination for speaker of the House. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy...

19 congressional races remain uncalled as we still do not know which party will control the House of Representatives. Both Republican leaders, McCarthy in the House and McConnell in the Senate, are facing rebellions from within their own ranks. Also, the Republican Governor of Massachusetts sits down to discuss midterm failures within the GOP and where the party should go now. Plus, an Iranian cou...

There is no new episode of The Lead showcast. If you haven’t already, please check out CNN’s other podcasts and showcasts at cnn.com/audio. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There is no new episode of The Lead showcast. If you haven’t already, please check out CNN’s other podcasts and showcasts at cnn.com/audio. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s the day before Election Day and the last chance for candidates to make their pitch. The big events signaling the races to watch. Plus, where some early ballots are already being challenged in court. Also, a victory lap before Election Day as Kevin McCarthy has big plans if his party wins control of the House. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn m...