CNN Political Briefing

The 2024 GOP presidential primary may not be fully set in stone yet, but we got a preview of how the top two candidates so far would approach the race. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the differences between former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ speeches this week, and what it says about the GOP. Plus, two former GOP governors weigh in on their 2024 plan...

Some Republicans have decided to skip a major conservative conference for a fundraising event in Florida. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down how some official – and potential – 2024 GOP candidates are choosing to spend their time this week, and what those decisions reveal about the party’s divide. At both events, 2024 presidential hopefuls are contrasting themselves from former Presi...

Two high-profile Republican gatherings this week seem to show cracks in the party’s unity. CNN’s Kristen Holmes is live from the Conservative Political Action Conference, a famed conservative event that used to be a must-stop for presidential hopefuls. She explains who’s skipping CPAC this time around, and how voters feel about the 2024 GOP presidential primary field so far. To learn more about ho...

In a deposition revealed this week, Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch outlined some of the channel’s editorial coverage of the 2020 presidential election as “not red or blue, but green.” Today, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sent a letter urging Fox News to publicly acknowledge hosts lied. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what Murdoch sai...

It’s now up to the Supreme Court to decide whether millions of borrowers get up to $20,000 of federal student loan debt forgiven or not. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the two challenges to President Joe Biden’s debt relief plan, and the points the justices raised for and against the program. A final decision isn’t expected until the summer, and many questions remain.  To learn m...

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is doing almost everything a person traditionally does before officially running for president. Between the bill DeSantis signed into law today, and the book he’s releasing tomorrow, CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down why it’s very possible he’ll run, and what his strategy for success could look like in this evolving Republican party. To learn more about...

Former Vice President Mike Pence is trying to fight a subpoena from the special counsel’s 2020 election subversion investigation, but a former conservative judge who advised him on January 6 is saying it’s a bad idea. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains Pence’s legal strategy and possible political peril in pursuing it. Plus, Pence isn’t the only person inside Donald Trump’s circle that’...

Some residents of East Palestine, Ohio are demanding accountability from leaders at all levels, after a train carrying toxic material derailed earlier this month. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the concerns some locals raised in a CNN town hall last night, and what the National Transportation Safety Board Chair has to say about the incident. While in Ohio, Transportation Secretary P...

Former President Donald Trump visited East Palestine, Ohio today as the community deals with the aftermath of a derailed train carrying hazardous material. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why this visit shows Trump is campaigning differently this time around than his first two bids for the White House. Plus, it’s a distraction from the legal problems mounting for Trump, especially in...

President Joe Biden is back in Poland to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Russia invading Ukraine. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Biden offered a rallying cry for the West in its support for Ukraine, and a rebuke for Russia’s President the same day Vladimir Putin gave his own remarks on the war. Plus, some declared and hopeful 2024 GOP candidates have different opinions a...

President Joe Biden visited Ukraine’s capital for the first time since Russia invaded the country. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the significance of this trip and how it came about. Biden touted the bipartisanship around the US’ support for Ukraine, but some Republicans’ reactions to the trip show that support isn’t unanimous in the GOP.  To learn more about how CNN protects listen...

GOP Florida Sen. Rick Scott backed off parts of his plan to sunset federal legislation, carving out exceptions for Social Security, Medicare, and some other federal programs. It’s not the first time Sen. Scott has capitulated on a key part of his “Rescue America” proposal. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the plan’s rocky year, and what might come next. To learn more about how CNN...

As the 2024 presidential race starts to ramp up, so have GOP attacks on President Joe Biden’s age. The 80-year-old president had his physical today, as the White House prepares for a likely presidential race. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down GOP attacks, and what Democrats themselves are saying about America’s oldest sitting president. To learn more about how CNN protects listener...

The GOP 2024 presidential primary is entering a new phase with a new candidate in the race: Former South Carolina Govenor Nikki Haley. From her background and upbringing to her domestic and foreign policy experience, CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the pitch she’s making to voters and the contrasts she’s trying to draw with her opponents. To learn more about how CNN protects liste...

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley announced she’s running for president in 2024. CNN Political Director David Chalin breaks down the case she’s presenting to voters and the stiff competition she faces in the GOP primary. Former President Donald Trump is the only other declared candidate for now, but Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and others are gearing up for their own runs.   To learn mor...

The US shot down three unidentified aerial objects over North American airspace over the weekend. While the White House, the Pentagon, and Canada are still trying to figure out what they are and where they came from, CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what the White House says they know about the three objects so far. It comes after the US shot down a Chinese spy balloon earlier this...

This hasn’t been former Vice President Mike Pence’s week. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what the FBI found in Pence’s home, and why the special counsel looking into former president Donald Trump’s role in January 6 subpoenaed him. Plus, if Pence does end up running in 2024, polls show he’s got some ground to make up with voters. To learn more about how CNN protects listener priv...

President Joe Biden was in Florida today hammering home contrasts between his economic plan and some GOP proposals. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why Biden is seizing a political opportunity to go after GOP Sen. Rick Scott’s proposal to sunset federal legislation. Scott is disputing how Biden’s characterizing his proposal, while pointing out Biden proposed a similar policy to sunse...

President Joe Biden went to the battleground state of Wisconsin today, after delivering his State of the Union address that sounded a lot like a reelection message last night. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why the White House viewed the fiery moment between Biden and Republicans last night over entitlement programs as a win. Meanwhile, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders drew a sharp c...

President Joe Biden is going to take his reelection message for a test run tonight at his State of the Union address. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down why this moment is so important for Biden, who’s faced with a divided government and lackluster poll numbers. Plus, the First Lady will host 26 guests tonight – we’ll tell you about some of them and what their invites say about Biden...

The US may have shot down the suspected Chinese spy balloon over the weekend, but the fallout continues in Washington. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what the administration is saying about the incident, and summarizes how Democrats and Republicans view President Joe Biden’s decision. Plus, the Biden administration says this isn’t the first time Chinese balloons flew over the US. To...

The latest jobs report showed a surprising number of jobs were added last month – something President Joe Biden praised today. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the data and explains why it might complicate the Federal Reserve’s fight against inflation. Will this good news translate to better approval ratings for President Biden? To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy...

House Republicans voted to remove Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar from the Foreign Affairs committee. Across the Capitol, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell pulled Republicans off a committee they previously served on. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the politics behind both moves. Plus, President Joe Biden was on Capitol Hill this morning with lawmakers from both parties for the annu...

Today, President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy met for the first time since Republicans took the House majority with the debt ceiling on the agenda. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why this will likely be first of many meetings to come on this issue, and where both Republicans and Democrats stand. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Lea...

Embattled GOP Congressman George Santos said he decided to recuse himself temporarily from his two committee assignments. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the political factors at play, as the New York congressman faces questions about his finances, resume, and background. Plus, a new poll shows most of Santos’ constituents think he should resign. To learn more about how CNN protects...