CNN Inside Politics

First: President Biden spends Labor Day in Philadelphia, hoping to convince the union rank and file he's still their man in Washington and deserves another turn in the White House.  Plus: The Republican primary is still Donald Trump's to lose. But are the four criminal indictments a sugar high, putting the former president in danger of a general election crash.  And: New reporting from CNN's Capit...

First: Florida governor Ron Desantis does not meet with President Biden after the category 4 Hurricane Idalia hits the southeastern United States. Next: Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's recent health issues raise speculation of if he will step down, and if so, who might his replacement be. Then: Former President Trump and several co-defendants plead not guilty in Georgia to char...

First: The "Trump 19" might actually break the internet after a judge says the trial of the millennium will be broadcast on YouTube to the entire world.  Plus: Ron DeSantis tries to sell his national leadership chops by shepherding his state through a brutal storm while his super PAC asks donors for $50 million  And: The Capitol physician clears Mitch McConnell to keep doing his job, but plenty in...

First: Donald Trump pleads not guilty to charges he led a criminal enterprise designed to steal the 2020 election in Georgia.  Plus: For at least the second time, Mitch McConnell freezes on camera and stops speaking in mid-sentence. New CNN reporting spotlights a behind the scenes frenzy to reassure Republicans that the leader is okay and can still do his job.  And: Clarence Thomas fesses up to wh...

On today's show we give you an up-close look at a disaster as Hurricane Idalia unleashes its destructive force on Georgia and Florida. As we came on the air CNN had confirmed two deaths, a number that's expected to grow. Our reporters are on the front lines in both states, with our coverage beginning in Tampa.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more...

First: Hurricane Idalia prompts millions to drop what they're doing and prepare for a life-threatening storm surge that's just hours from hitting Florida's Gulf Coast.  Plus: Mark Meadows spends three-plus hours on the stand trying to show his actions were just normal chief of staff things and not part of a conspiracy to subvert the 2020 election.  And: A campaign clash over foreign policy turns u...

Federal judge Tanya Chutkan sets March 4, 2024 for Donald Trump's federal trial -- one day before Super Tuesday. Chutkan rejected trial dates proposed by both the Justice Department and Trump's legal team. Prosecutors had requested that the trial begin in January 2024, while Trump’s lawyers had asked for a date in April 2026. What does this mean for the former president?  To learn more about how C...

First: The Mugshot. Donald Trump's 4th indictment gives both his opponents and supporters an image to rally behind. Will it have any impact on his place atop the republican field? Plus: Rebuking Ramaswamy. How Republican Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy ended up at the center of the GOP's first debate And: Biden's re-election challenge. Can he convince the left that he's on their side? And what is his pl...

All 19 men and women charged in a criminal conspiracy to subvert the 2020 election in Georgia have now surrendered. Topping the list of those indicted, of course, is Donald Trump, who's latest mugshot adorns both front pages and merchandise the former president's campaign is hawking. Meanwhile, any chance for a breakthrough debate moment by another Republican presidential candidate gets eclipsed b...

First: As Donald Trump prepares to surrender in Atlanta he's already shuffling the legal lineup he hopes will keep him out of prison.  Plus: One key moment in last night's Republican debate: Would the party be willing to put a convicted criminal at the top of the ticket?  And: Accident? Or assassination? The world expects Vladimir Putin got payback as a plane falls out of the sky.  To learn more a...

Today's show comes to you from Milwaukee, where eight people are slated to stride across a stage tonight for the first Republican presidential primary debate. Or will that field shrink to seven? Regardless, the Republican who should be center stage -- Donald Trump -- won't be there. But he's still very much the center of attention, and today he's sharing some of the spotlight with his former lawye...

First: We begin in Georgia, where the first two of the co-conspirators accused of plotting to overturn that state's 2020 presidential election results turned themselves into authorities.  Plus: A Georgia judge challenges the former president to obey the golden rule, warning any threats against the community will come with legal whiplash.  And: Milwaukee pits eight candidates against each other in...

First: Donald Trump says he's smart to skip this week's main event and maybe every other Republican debate on the calendar. A 2024 rival says he's afraid.  Plus: The Fulton County jail serves as the setting for history whenever Donald Trump and his 18 co-defendants decide to show up and surrender.  And: President Biden heads to Hawaii to offer a shoulder to a community ravaged by destructive and d...

After a fourth indictment for the Republican front-runner, Trump prepares to surrender to the Georgia authorities while his GOP rivals prepare to debate. Will the former president's absence give any of them a chance to emerge? Plus, President Biden celebrates the anniversary of his signature economic bill. But why do few Americans know anything about it? And, the tragedy of Rudy Giuliani – how ‘Am...

Donald Trump's lawyers make a request for an April 2026 start to the federal election trial, in an attempt to make sure the case never sees the inside of a courtroom. Plus, a game of risk. New CNN reporting outlines how Republicans plan to conquer a Trumpless debate. And, President Biden invokes the whole enemy of my enemy is a friend theory of foreign policy, pushing two neighbors to put aside a...

First: Sources tell CNN the 2024 Republican frontrunner isn't planning to participate in Wednesday's Fox News debate and is instead proposing some counterprogramming.  Plus: A memo from a Ron DeSantis super PAC with debate advice shows up online. It spells out what they want him to do, who they want him to hit, and how they want him to copy the man who likely won't be on stage.  And: New CNN repor...

First: Donald Trump's latest indictment puts a familiar question on the former president's plate: Just when and how will he turn himself in?  Plus: In just a few hours, Joe Biden will use the White House as a stage to explain to voters that his economic plans have worked.  And: Tim Scott uses Iowa as a test kitchen to see if voters just might prefer a happy warrior over a former president.  To lea...

First: Yesterday's charges from Georgia prosecutors against Donald Trump and 18 others trace 161 criminal acts starting before Election Day 2020, citing forgery, intimidation, fraud, perjury, hacking and more.  Plus: Trump's 18 co-defendants in the election heist feature two movie poster names: Mark Meadows, his former chief of staff, and Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor who built his brand on lock...

First: Fulton County prosecutors are expected to start presenting evidence against Donald Trump as soon as tomorrow. They hope to secure a sweeping indictment against former president and those who aided and abetted the conspiracy to steal the 2020 election.  Plus: Will Joe Biden's reelection run be dogged by his son's legal problems? Democrats fret as lawyers for the president's son insist an ele...

All eyes are on Georgia, and a potential fourth indictment. Soon, prosecutors will ask a grand jury to return charges related to Donald Trump's plot to overturn the 2020 election in the state. Plus, exclusive CNN reporting reveals Georgia prosecutors have obtained text messages and emails that connect the dots between a 2021 breach of Georgia voting systems, and the former President’s campaign law...

First: The federal judge overseeing Donald Trump's election subversion case warns the former president to watch his words and that the law must come before the campaign.  Plus: Hecklers in Iowa turn up the heat and grill Mike Pence, serving up a side of jeers with their deep-fried Oreos and calling the former VP a "traitor" for doing his job.  And: A powerful Republican says he doesn't need to wai...

First: Republicans roll into the Iowa State Fair for deep-fried Twinkies and a chance to deepen a connection with voters. It may be the only chance to see Donald Trump, whose debate stage decision is still tbd.  Plus: Yachts, VIP passes, mansions, ranches, helicopters, private jets -- Clarence Thomas got it all on someone else's dime. Pro Publica has the receipts showing who paid for what ... and...

First: Voters in Ohio reject a measure that would have made it easier for Republicans trying to make it harder for women to get an abortion.  Plus: Do Republicans solemnly swear to support whoever is the nominee? We explore the "loyalty pledge" required in order to make the first debate stage.  And: In a new interview, Joe Biden defends his climate credentials but dances around a big, unfulfilled...

First: A special election in Ohio today will tell us a lot about 2024 and just how much abortion rights will motivate voters. The vote comes as brand-new poll numbers show a second straight summer of deep discontent with the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.  Plus: Ron DeSantis replaces his campaign manager. Will the third shakeup of his campaign in less than a month be a charm?  A...

First: Donald Trump faces a 5:00pm deadline to fight a Justice Department request. The former president claims it's an attempt to shut him up. Prosecutors say it's to stop the defense from bullying witnesses into silence.  Plus: Joe biden heads west to literally point to progress. It's part of his plan to make Americans feel and see how Bidenomics is changing their lives for the better.  And: A "w...