CNN Inside Politics

First: It's been 38 days since the election, and 38 days from now, President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office for the second time. We've got the latest on the transition, including how Pete Hegseth's path to confirmation is looking a bit smoother, while Robert F Kennedy Jr.'s may be getting a bit rockier.  Plus: Trump says he may pardon January 6 rioters within minutes of taking off...

First: For the second time, Time names Donald Trump "Person of the Year," giving him the recognition he craves while revealing crucial details about what America's health programs, justice system and foreign policy will look like when he takes the oath of office just 39 days from now.  Plus: Democratic Senator John Fetterman says his party can't "freak out" about everything Trump does. Today, he'l...

First: Results of a brand new CNN poll show most Americans approve of how Donald Trump is handling his transition to the White House, and are optimistic about his presidency.  Plus: Officials now have forensic evidence tying Luigi Mangione to the exact spot UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down in Manhattan as investigators track down new clues about a potential motive.  And: Rows of...

First: We're getting new details about the investigation into a privileged young man charged with murdering one of the top business leaders in America, including how he was reported missing just weeks before the shooting.  Plus: Last week, the Pete Hegseth nomination was on life support. Today, once- skeptical GOP senators appear to be rallying behind Donald Trump's pick to run the Pentagon.  And:...

As today's show begins, police were questioning a 26-year-old man in Pennsylvania in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this week in New York City. CNN's Brynn Gingras and John Miller join Dana with the latest on the case.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Assad toppled. The Syrian dictator's regime collapses in a stunning overnight victory for rebel forces. As Donald Trump returns to the world stage in France. How will the president-elect handle his global tests? Plus: Digging in. New comments from Trump show he's standing by his man. And: Times up for TikTok? A federal court clears the way for a TikTok ban in just six weeks. But as 170 mill...

First: Breaking news on possible DNA evidence related to the Manhattan CEO murder and new information on how investigators are trying to close in on the gunman's identity.  Plus: Donald Trump boosts his embattled Pentagon pick, posting "Pete is a winner." It's a new public show of support for a nomination that is essentially hanging by a thread.  And: Dana discusses preemptive pardon possibilities...

First: We bring you new developments on the hunt for an assassin who took out one of the most powerful business leaders in America. The search is accompanied by growing law enforcement concern that more than 24 hours after the Manhattan murder, the suspect could be anywhere.  Plus: Refusing to retreat, Donald Trump's embattled Pentagon pick says he has the full support of the president-elect. Neve...

As today's show begins we're still learning about the shocking murder of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson this morning outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan. Our coverage begins with a live report from CNN correspondent Brynn Gingras.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: South Korea, a key US ally, is reeling after its democratically elected president declared martial law. CNN is live on the ground with the latest.  Plus: Booze, unwanted advances and an Islamophobic chant are some only some of the new allegations facing Donald Trump's pick to run the Pentagon.  And: Top strategists from both parties will debate the question many are grappling with in the po...

First: We bring you the mixed reaction from last night's surprise White House announcement that Joe Biden issued a "full and unconditional pardon" for his son, Hunter, whom the president says was unfairly targeted.  Plus: Senate Republicans stand in the way of Kash Patel becoming the FBI director or confirm the man who promises to dismantle the law enforcement agency and rebuild it exactly how Don...

First: Bombshell pick. President-elect Trump chooses a new FBI director. Controversial loyalist Kash Patel. Can he get confirmed? What will he do if he is? My panel of experts will break it all down. And: The Elon effect. Elon Musk celebrates Thanksgiving at Mar-a-Lago as the Tesla CEO gears up for his new role. How will he shape the future of government? Tesla and SpaceX investor Cathie Wood will...

First: Donald Trump spent Thanksgiving night with loved ones Melania, Barron and ... Elon Musk? We look at their relationship and preview Musk's trip to Washington next week to meet with Republican lawmakers.  Plus: A controversy over raw milk as bird flu is found in another batch of it in California. Experts say unpasteurized milk is a vector for infectious diseases. But Robert F Kennedy Jr. want...

First: With 54 days until inauguration the president elect has already filled out his cabinet. Now he's preparing an agenda to quickly push through a narrowly divided Congress.  Plus: The Harris campaign brain trust is defending the decisions they made in the final weeks of the campaign. So why do they think Trump won?  And: Elon Musk is worth over $350 billion. What will he do with all that money...

First: The president-elect says he'll slap massive tariffs on America's three closest trading partners the first day he's in office. But will he follow through? And if he does will it get in the way of his promise to fight inflation?  Plus: We could be on the verge of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet is expected to vote on it today.  And: O...

First: The president-elect has picked a cabinet of loyalists to carry out his MAGA agenda, but now comes the hard part. We have new reporting on how Team Trump is preparing for multiple contentious confirmation battles.  Plus: Rejection to affection. After disavowing Project 2025 on the trail, Donald Trump is tapping an architect of the far-right plan for a critical post in the White House.  And:...

First: Reality check. With a flurry of new picks, Trump's cabinet comes fully into focus. But after one falls through, what's next for Trump's other choices? Plus: One on one. Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown on his loss and what he says needs to change. And: Fowl play. A look back at presidential turkey pardons with Biden set to hold his last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/...

First: President-elect Trump has a new pick for attorney general, but his plan to overhaul the Justice Department remains the same. We've got all the latest news from Mar-a-Lago.  Plus: With three House races still uncalled, the Republican majority could be one of the smallest ever. We'll look at the challenges ahead for House Speaker Mike Johnson.  And: Dana speaks with Colorado Democratic Govern...

First: Donald Trump's embattled pick to run the Pentagon is on Capitol Hill to meet with key Republican senators after new, graphic details about an allegation of sexual assault against him were revealed.  Plus: We have new reporting on Tulsi Gabbard's deeply rooted distrust of the agencies Trump wants her to lead  And: Dana speaks with former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel about how Republicans won and...

First: The House Ethics committee meets this afternoon to discuss what to do with the report into Matt Gaetz's alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use as President-elect Trump says he's not giving up on Gaetz's nomination.  Plus: A top Senate Republican joins the show to discuss Donald Trump's cabinet picks and what he think of Trump's threat to use a constitutional loophole to put his team...

First: We're following new pressure on the House Ethics committee to release its report on Matt Gaetz as Donald Trump makes it clear he's prioritizing his attorney general pick over everything else.  Plus: We bring you new reporting on why Congressman Hakeem Jeffries may now be the most important Democrat in Washington.  And: It was just six months ago that Donald Trump was convicted of 34 felonie...

First: The president elect is standing by his decision to elevate MAGA firebrands to top government positions and tells his team that Matt Gaetz, his attorney general, is the most important pick he will make.  Plus: Is Elon Musk flying too close to the sun? The richest man in the world seems to go everywhere Trump goes and now is using his social media platform to publicly push his favorite cabine...

First: Loyalty test. From Matt Gaetz to RFK Jr., Trump's choices shocked Washington. The Republicans fall in line. Plus: New details on RFK Jr. and Trump's pick for the Pentagon. And: Fighting back. New reporting on the top House Democrat's plans to bring his party out of the wilderness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: New reporting on how the president-elect may reshape the FBI in his image with the hard-right loyalists who talk about going after the self-perceived enemies at home.  Plus: As medical experts express outrage that Trump made good on his promise to put RFK Jr. in charge of public health, we tell you whatKennedy could mean for you and your family.  And: New details on how Team Trump is planni...

First: Donald Trump is sending a clear message on what his government will look like and prioritize when he takes over in just 67 days. We examine this new reality.  Plus: With confirmation the GOP will control both chambers of Congress, Trump may have a clear runway to enact his agenda. We have new reporting on a potential pocket of resistance.  And: Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, has b...