The Lead with Jake Tapper

Three students have been killed and five injured at Michigan State University. The gunman’s father is describing the shooter's anger as we learn more about what led to yet another mass shooting in America. Plus, how former Vice President Mike Pence plans to push back on a subpoena about the January 6th insurrection even though he wrote about it in detail in his recent book. Also, Bob Costas joins...

Four times in eights flying objects have been shot down over North American skies by the U.S. military. Sen. Kirsten Gilibrand of the Intelligence Committee joins to answer if the objects were a threat and to discuss recent laws passed which address reporting unidentified aerial phenomena in the United States. The White House insists there is no indication extraterrestrials are affiliated with the...

The United States military has taken down another high-altitude object flying over the United States. Rep. Mike Waltz of the Armed Services Committee joins to discuss why these objects may now be appearing in U.S. airspace. Plus, Russian forces struck Ukraine’s south and northeast in what the Ukrainian prime minister is calling one of the largest air attacks to hit Zaporizhzhia since the war began...

CNN is on the ground in Turkey and Syria as rescue crews climb through earthquake rubble and the death toll passes 21,000. Also, Sen. Jon Tester joins to discuss if the Chinese balloon should have been shot down earlier and how much of a threat the balloon really was. Then, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine joins to answer what happened when a reporter was arrested during a news conference. To learn more abou...

President Biden leaves the D.C. beltway to take the state of the union message to voters in some key battleground states. Will he get cheers or jeers from the American people? Plus, more than 12,000 people have now been killed in the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Also, a passenger’s battery caught on fire mid-flight, forcing a plane to land and sending four people to the hospital.  To learn more...

Darkness and cold complicate the urgent and painstaking rescue efforts in Syria and Turkey as the death toll rises past 7,200. Plus, in the wake of the killing of Tyre Nichols, Rep. Cori Bush joins to outline her perspective on police accountability. Also, President Biden is using tonight’s address to tout his accomplishments. But, how will his message land with the American people who, according...

A catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake has rocked Syria and Turkey, killing thousands. Plus, we’re learning more about China’s suspected spy balloon which was shot down while flying over the United States, including concern that it may have had explosives onboard. Also, arrests have been made in a Neo-Nazi plot to completely destroy an American city by targeting electrical substations. To learn m...

A diplomatic rift is emerging between China and the U.S. over a balloon flying over the United States. The Pentagon says they know this a Chinese surveillance balloon while China says it is a civilian airship. Plus, the discovery of pro-Nazi teachings to kids in Ohio is sparking a debate over what parents can teach their children at home under the auspices of education. Also, ChatGPT is growing fa...

Republicans vote to kick Congresswoman Ilhan Omar off of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, blaming previous comments that Omar made about Israel. Plus, Sen. Dan Sullivan of the Armed Services Committee joins to answer if he agrees with Zelensky that Russia’s renewed offensive is beginning and answers how the U.S. plans to counter China. Plus, a young New Jersey politician was shot to death just...

As prosecutors look at possible charges over discrepancies in the police report, funeral services are held in Memphis for Tyre Nichols after his fatal arrest. This as city officials announce more videos will be released in relation to Nichols’ case. Also, according to sources, former Governor of South Carolina and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley is expected to launch a pre...

Amid concerns that recent violence between Israelis and Palestinians could spiral into chaos, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joins to discuss his plans to address the violence and respond to criticisms about his newly formed right-wing government. Plus, formal criminal charges have been filed in the shooting on the set of the film “Rust.”  To learn more about how CNN protects listener p...

A sixth officer in the Tyre Nichols case has been received of duty. We examine this officer’s role in the death of Tyre Nichols and what his body camera shows. Plus, new calls for calm in the Middle East as America’s top diplomat visits the region amid an outbreak of violence in Israel and Palestine. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your...

Tyre Nichols’ mother calls for justice ahead of the release of the video which is being described as horrific and even sickening. This hour, what the public can expect and what the Nichols’ parents call the most telling part. Plus, a consequential vote for RNC chair is setting the tone for the future of the Republican Party. Also, at least 7 people have been killed in shooting at a Jerusalem synag...

Tyre Nichols is the latest high-profile case of police brutality to result in murder charges. Five former officers have now been indicted. The victim’s family says he was beaten like a human piñata. Also, the first witness has been called to testify in the murder trial for Alex Murdaugh who is accused of killing his wife and son. Plus, democratic Congressman Adam Schiff is running in what’s shapin...

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A lawyer for Mike Pence found approximately a dozen classified documents at the former VP's Indiana home, according to CNN sources. Will the DOJ have to appoint yet another special counsel to investigate? Plus: California suffers three mass shootings in as many days. The latest is a case of workplace violence. And: Sources tell CNN the US is now ready to send its Abrams tanks to Ukraine as Germany...

36 mass shootings already in 2023 in the United States and we are not even a full month into the year. 11 victims are now dead in the latest update from the hospital from the massacre in Monterey Park, California. Plus, a high ranking FBI official is now in federal custody and is facing money laundering charges as well as questions about his connections to a sanctioned Russian billionaire.  To lea...

The U.S. tries to push Germany to give some Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine while holding back the American-made Abrams model. Plus, a new investigation has opened in New Mexico into a Republican candidate’s campaign possibly being laced with money from fentanyl sales just days after the candidate's arrest in which he was accused of plotting to shoot the homes of his democratic rivals. Also, Erin Brock...

The fight over the debt ceiling could cause a global economic crisis including higher mortgage and credit card payments, 401(k) declines, delayed payments for veterans, delayed Social Security, and more. Plus, actor Alec Baldwin is going to be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the tragic deadly shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Also, the U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is...

A helicopter crashes outside of a kindergarten in the suburbs of Kyiv and a Ukrainian cabinet minister and a child are among the 14 killed. What caused this tragedy? Plus, Rep. Nancy Mace of the House Oversight Committee joins to discuss the differences in the classified documents investigations of Biden and his predecessor. As well, Rep. Mace answers why she believes the GOP approach to abortion...

One city, four homes, each one shot at. Police say a candidate who lost his election in New Mexico tried to have his rival office holders killed. Plus, House Republicans are ready to investigate presidential son Hunter and presidential brothers James and Frank Biden for trying to use their access to the now president to make money. Also, Ukrainian troops arrive in Oklahoma for training on the Patr...

Turns out the White House did not keep a visitors log for guests at President Biden’s private Wilmington home where five more pages of classified documents were found as the president’s personal lawyer tries to explain. Plus, Ukrainian officials say it was a Russian cruise missile designed to take out aircraft carriers that struck an apartment building killing at least 40 people. To learn more abo...

The White House's refusal to answer questions is not going to stop the questions from mounting. Why did the Biden White House wait so long to acknowledge that classified documents have been found at Biden’s private office, home, and garage? Plus, a rising death toll after tornados sweep through Alabama and Georgia as search crews look for survivors amid the piles of debris. To learn more about how...

Attorney General Merrick Garland has named former Trump U.S. Attorney Robert Hur as special counsel to take over the investigation of classified documents found at Joe Biden’s home and private office. Plus, former House Speaker Paul Ryan joins to discuss Kevin McCarthy’s contentious fight to become speaker. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more abo...

The FAA is trying to get flights back on track after a pilot notification system failed causing thousands of flight delays. Plus, Attorney General Merrick Garland will weigh next steps over classified documents found at one of Biden’s offices as the Trump legal team sees benefit in the document revelation. Also, Iran orders harsher punishments to be issued to women who do not wear a hijab. To lear...