CNN Political Briefing

The Justice Department asked a federal appeals court today to put on hold a Texas judge’s ruling that could make the use of an FDA-approved abortion drug unavailable nationwide. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down why dueling rulings from Friday is causing legal confusion and could reignite the issue of abortion access before 2024. It's possible the Supreme Court could step in to hear...

Democrats close to Joe Biden tell CNN it’s not a matter of “if,” but a matter of “when" the president announces he’s running again. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down two new CNN polls that show the challenges ahead for Biden as he prepares for an eventual 2024 campaign launch. Plus, another Democrat is being cagey about his future come 2024 too. To learn more about how CNN protects...

Even though Congress is out of session in Washington, there’s plenty of political drama happening at the state level. CNN Political Director David Chalian takes a close look at what’s going on in Tennessee and North Carolina’s state legislatures that could have national ripple effects. The Tennessee House voted to expel at least one of its Democratic colleagues while it considers doing the same to...

Progressives won big last night in key races for the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the mayor of Chicago. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down each race and what the results could mean for the 2024 election. Abortion rights, crime, public safety, and election law – these are all issues that played a key factor in the two contests. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, vis...

Former President Donald Trump personally pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan court to 34 felony counts related to a hush money payment to a porn star in 2016. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the indictment and what prosecutors and Trump’s legal team had to say about the historic charges. Trump is on his way back to Florida, where he’s expected to deliver remarks on the case tonight....

Former President Donald Trump landed in in New York today where he’ll face criminal charges tomorrow related to his alleged involvement in a hush money scheme from 2016. CNN Political Correspondent Sara Murray breaks down what to expect tomorrow at the courthouse and how Trump spent his weekend preparing for his arraignment. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/priv...

A Manhattan grand jury has voted to indict former President Donald Trump in connection to a hush money scheme in 2016. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what to expect next week when Trump shows up to court. Trump and some of his Republican allies have railed against the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, as he prepares to prosecute a former president for the first time in his...

It’s very early in the 2024 GOP nominating contest, but many in the party view Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as the most viable alternative to former President Donald Trump. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains that DeSantis is just beginning his journey into presidential politics. Even though he hasn’t jumped in the race yet, attacks from Trump and others are just getting started. To lea...

Former Vice President Mike Pence is in Iowa today a day after a judge ruled he has to testify against his former boss about the leadup to January 6th. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the political, legal, and historic circumstances the former vice president is faced with, as he considers a run for president against his former running mate. To learn more about how CNN protects listene...

A deadly mass shooting at a school in Nashville has the community looking to leaders for answers. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why action on the federal level is very unlikely. President Joe Biden says all he can do is urge Congress to act, but Republicans and Democrats don’t agree on where to start. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Lear...

Israel’s Prime Minister’s proposal to overhaul the country’s judicial system is now on hold, after strikes and protests brought parts of the country to a halt. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the proposed reform and explains how the US is responding to the domestic affairs of its ally in the Middle East. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy...

As an indictment decision looms against Donald Trump, the former president heads to Waco, Texas this weekend for his first 2024 campaign rally. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Trump has been amping up his rhetoric about the hush money scheme probe, as his legal troubles pile up in other investigations. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy L...

Republicans and Democrats came together to grill TikTok’s CEO on Capitol Hill today. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the highlights from today’s high stakes hearing and why many lawmakers want the app banned. TikTok’s CEO says US user data is safe and getting safer, but lawmakers didn’t seem convinced.   To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Lea...

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized former President Donald Trump in a new interview. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why this kicks their rivalry into higher gear. DeSantis may not have announced his 2024 plans yet, but he’s trying to draw contrasts with Trump as the current GOP frontrunner faces legal troubles. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.c...

Will China provide lethal aid to Russia for the war in Ukraine? That’s the big question that looms over the meetings this week between Russia and China’s presidents. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what has come out of the meetings so far, and how the US is responding. China says it’s pushing for peace in Ukraine, but Washington says Beijing’s plan would only benefit Russia. To learn...

Former President Donald Trump could be indicted as early as this week by prosecutors in New York looking into an alleged hush money payment scheme before the 2016 election. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the possible charges, security concerns, and the political reaction from Republicans. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more abou...

President Joe Biden is balancing a fragile, tricky situation in the wake of the banking instability. CNN’s Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny explains how the Biden administration’s actions so far, and the roller coaster banks are on right now, could put the president in a tough spot. While this situation is different from the 2008 financial crisis, some 2024 Republicans are using th...

There are some new developments in two investigations that surround former President Donald Trump. From the hush money probe in New York, to the 2020 election investigation in Georgia, CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes breaks down why Trump could be indicted while running for president a third time. Plus, a new judge is taking the bench in DC who could play a big role in the federal investigations...

The US is facing tensions with Russia and China this week. The US and Russia came into direct military contact over the Black Sea, while the US and its allies made moves to counter China’s naval dominance in the Indo-Pacific. CNN’s Kristen Holmes explains how both issues could play into the 2024 presidential race. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn m...

A new CNN poll gives a sense of where the potential GOP electorate stands in this early stage of the 2024 nominating process. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down why former President Donald Trump sees Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as his fiercest competition right now. Trump was on the attack in Iowa last night, days after DeSantis made his own visit to the key state.  To learn more a...

President Joe Biden laid out how his administration is trying to contain the fallout from two banks’ collapses. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what the Biden administration is doing, and why this scenario differs from the 2008 financial crisis. This has prompted a debate in Washington and beyond over bank bailouts and regulation. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy...

President Joe Biden praised the latest jobs numbers, but it’s not exactly good news in terms of cooling high inflation. CNN’s Kristen Holmes explains why this hot labor market complicates things for the Federal Reserve. Plus, some House Republicans are proposing certain spending cuts in order to raise the debt ceiling a day after Biden unveiled his budget. To learn more about how CNN protects list...

President Joe Biden unveiled his budget for fiscal year 2024, setting up a policy fight with House Republicans on spending priorities and the debt ceiling. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down some of what Biden’s proposing, and why most of it is unlikely to pass. House Republicans have yet to make their desired spending cuts clear, but the White House is already on the attack. To lear...

President Joe Biden has been at odds with members of his party over two key issues: crime and immigration. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why some Democrats are frustrated with Biden’s position on a DC crime bill and a possible immigration policy the White House is considering. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choi...

Tucker Carlson released new security footage from January 6 that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy gave Fox News exclusive access to. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down some of Carlson’s claims, what the facts are, and the mixed reaction from Republicans on Capitol Hill. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po...