The Lead with Jake Tapper

A series of explosions were just heard around the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv. This latest attack comes as Volodymyr Zelensky sends a message to the world and the United States in an interview with CNN from a bunker in Kyiv. The Ukrainian president says the war is about more than bombing and missiles. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about...

Explosions rocked Kyiv, Ukraine this afternoon. Air raid sirens are becoming a familiar sound in Kyiv just as the Biden administration warns the Russian military could take a “more aggressive approach” to capturing that capital city. Mark Esper, former Defense Secretary under President Trump, joins to answer if he thinks Kyiv will fall to the Russian military.  To learn more about how CNN protects...

Despite courageous efforts by Ukrainians to defend their country, CNN sources familiar with the latest US intelligence say Kyiv could fall under Russian control within the next few days. That grim assessment comes as the White House plans to join its allies in imposing sanctions on Vladimir Putin. CNN correspondents in Ukraine's capital city report from the scene, with one describing the situation...

Jake Tapper and a team of CNN journalists spread out across Ukraine provide in-depth coverage of the unprovoked and violent Russian invasion. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the United States warns Ukraine that a full-scale Russian invasion is "imminent," CNN obtains new videos that show a further build-up of Russian troops and tanks, and the Pentagon says 80% of Russian forces are at a forward position ready to go, adding that Vladimir Putin has two dozen warships and special forces prepared to attack. And Russian state media reports that, according to a spokesman...

President Biden punishes Vladimir Putin with economic sanctions and Biden is warning there is worse to come if Putin takes even more of Ukraine. Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper joins to answer if Biden’s sanctions will stop Putin from annexing the entire Donbas.  Plus, gas prices are already soaring. Now, the Russia and Ukraine crisis could send even more prices surging.  To...

Russian President Vladimir Putin just ordered Russian troops into two separatist pro-Moscow regions in eastern Ukraine. This afternoon Putin signed documents officially recognizing two parts of Ukraine as independent territories. Then, health officials are discussing the timing of a possible fourth dose of the vaccine. Will a Covid-19 booster be the new flu shot? To learn more about how CNN protec...

President Biden is expected to make remarks this hour as the State Department says Russia is already carrying out false flag operations and a source calls the outlook bleak. Plus, the news a lot of parents do not want to hear as new clues emerge for why vaccines for children under 5 have been delayed and what scientists need to know moving forward. To learn more about how CNN protects listener pri...

America’s top diplomat today laid out how Russia could lie to try to justify going into Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it might be a mass grave or a fake chemical attack or a staged drone strike. Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor joins to discuss the looming threat of war. Also, two teenagers, one white, one black, got into a fight in a New Jersey mall. Why was only...

The Russian government claims it is starting a troop drawdown. But, does one quick Russian government video constitute sufficient proof? What the White House is now saying about Vladimir Putin’s plans to possibly invade Ukraine. Plus, CDC guidance on masking is coming soon. But, is it too little loo late as states and cities are continuing to pursue their own policies? To learn more about how CNN...

An American first for an American problem after a gun maker is held legally liable for the Sandy Hook massacre where 26 first-graders and six adults were gunned down.   Plus, moments ago, President Biden saying there is plenty of room for diplomacy but if Russia invades Ukraine, all options are on the table. Our experts are standing by. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit...

Since Russia is an energy superpower, gas prices could continue to rise if an invasion occurs leaving American consumers in the middle of this potential conflict. Plus, the U.S. is temporarily shutting down its embassy in Ukraine as the White House is getting briefed on an attack that could happen any day now.   A new study suggests Western California is experiencing its worst drought in at lest 1...

The White House says we are now in an urgent situation with the possible Russian invasion of Ukraine imminent. The Biden administration is telling people to leave immediately saying Russia could launch an invasion in Ukraine at any moment.  Canadian lawmakers are trying to get things moving across the border as U.S. auto makers are being forced to use charter planes to get much needed parts to the...

The trucker protests blocking several border crossings in Canada could be popping up in the U.S. in just a couple of days. What might this mean for the American economy? The committee investigating the January 6th attack on the Capitol says there’s a gap in Donald Trump’s phone records as the violence unfolded. What might Trump be hiding? To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visi...

President Biden denounced Florida Republicans for advancing a bill, which opponents call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, that bans certain discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom. Are Democrats following the science or the polling? More and more blue states are lining up to ditch mask mandates as the CDC suggests it may be too soon. To learn more about how CNN protects...

More and more Democratic states are getting rid of school mask mandates as the United States waits for guidance from the White House and the CDC. But, it might be too soon to start throwing those masks out. Is Vladimir Putin’s mind in the gutter? The Russian autocrat made a seemingly sexual joke about the Ukrainian president on Tuesday.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit...

President Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met at the White House Monday where they held a joint press conference. Biden vowed to stop the Nord Stream 2, an undersea pipeline set to deliver gas from Russia to Germany, if Russia invades Ukraine. Chancellor Scholz joins Jake Tapper for an exclusive one-on-one interview. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/priv...

Former Vice President Mike Pence called out former President Donald Trump, saying he was wrong and had no right to overturn the 2020 election. Pence continued to say nothing could be more “un-American” than for one person to decide the outcome of an election. The Republican National Committee censures the two Republican members of Congress on the January 6th committee. We discuss the Republican ci...

In the wake of two police officers gunned down in New York City, President Biden says defunding the police is not the answer. One of his top advisers joins to discuss the future of policing in America. New details on how the top ISIS leader was killed during a U.S. raid. CNN is on the ground with a look at how the facts line up with what the Pentagon is claiming. To learn more about how CNN protec...

A former NFL head coach is suing the league for discrimination using a text message mix-up as proof. He is also alleging his boss offered him big bucks to lose games. Former NFL wide receiver Donté Stallworth joins to discuss the discrimination lawsuit. Plus, the Pentagon deploys 3,000 United States military troops in Eastern Europe as Russia is seen expanding its military presence in the region....

Pfizer is requesting emergency use authorization for its Covid-19 vaccine for children under 5 years of age. Vaccination rates for currently eligible recipients are the lowest among the age group of 5-11 years of age.  Tom Brady, who many consider the greatest NFL quarterback of all time, has officially announced his retirement. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/...

From mask mandates to vaccine requirements, new calls today to consider changing all the rules as the United States nears what could be the endemic phase of Covid-19. We’ll explore the metrics that experts want to use moving forward. With just four days until the Winter Olympics begin, Beijing is trying to distract the international area away from some of its controversies. To learn more about how...

More officers were killed last year while working than any other year since 1995, excluding the 9/11 attacks in 2001. The San Francisco Police Chief joins to contextualize the surge in homicides targeting police and what it will take to keep cities safe.  The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley says if Russia invades Ukraine it will be horrific. Gen. Milley further believes an i...

President Biden says he’s made one decision when it comes to naming a replacement for retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. Today at the White House, Biden confirmed the nominee will be the first Black woman on the high court. Russia added even more forces near its border with Ukraine as President Biden tried to ease tensions by phone. Meanwhile, Ukraine's foreign minister says Russia has...

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer plans to announce he will soon retire, leaving President Biden with the opportunity to nominate a replacement. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said that he is looking to follow a fast timeframe to confirm Biden's nominee. Scientists are working to develop a universal Covid-19 vaccine according to Dr. Fauci. Is this idea of a universal coronavirus vaccine r...