CNN Political Briefing

Former President Donald Trump kicked off his third run for the White House this weekend in two early voting states. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the context around the start of his campaign, and who might run against him in the GOP primary. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis hasn’t officially announced a bid, but Trump has already started attacks against him. To learn more about how CN...

As relatively positive data about the economy was released this week, President Biden touted the good news. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Biden contrasted his economic policies with Republican policies, which could be a preview of his possible reelection campaign message. Plus, we’ll tell you about the President’s new White House chief of staff. To learn more about how CNN prot...

How do Americans think House GOP leadership is doing so far this year? CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down a new CNN poll that answers that question and what issues matter most to people. Plus, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy denied two Democrats seats on the House Intelligence committee – one of them is running for Senate in 2024. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, v...

There’s bipartisan concern on Capitol Hill over how the executive branch handles classified material. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why teams for President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump view former Vice President Mike Pence’s discovery as helpful for them. Plus, how do the American people feel about Biden and Trump’s cases? Do any other former presidents have classifi...

What do the former president, the current president and now the former vice president all have in common? They all had classified documents in places they shouldn’t have been. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what we know about this discovery at Mike Pence’s home, and how it fairs politically with Donald Trump and Joe Biden’s cases. Both parties think these three instances show a syst...

The FBI searched President Joe Biden’s Delaware home last Friday and found more classified documents. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why the political fallout from these discoveries is getting worse for the White House. As the administration deals with this, House Republicans are conducting their own investigation into the matter. Plus, a new White House Chief of Staff is taking ove...

This weekend would have been the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision. Since the constitutional right to abortion was overturned in June, today’s March for Life in DC made clear the anti-abortion movement isn't done fighting. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down their new goals, and what both parties are doing post-Roe. Plus, the Supreme Court says it still does...

The Treasury Department says the US hit the debt ceiling today, setting up a showdown in Washington to either raise it or risk economic turmoil. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why raising the government’s borrowing cap is being politicized. House Republicans want concessions in exchange for raising the debt limit, while the White House isn’t willing to negotiate. To learn more about...

House Republicans are moving forward with their investigations into President Joe Biden, his administration, and his family. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what they’re investigating, the information they want, and how the parties involved are responding. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastch...

House Republicans are trying to figure out a committee assignment for embattled GOP Congressman George Santos, while calls for his resignation grow for lying about his resume and background. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how House GOP leadership sees the situation. Plus, Santos’ ex-roommate reveals he was suspicious about him when they lived together in 2013. To learn more about ho...

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President Joe Biden gave the keynote address at the National Action Network’s annual MLK Day breakfast in DC. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down Biden’s speech, where he highlighted his administration’s efforts aimed at ensuring racial equality. Plus, Dr. King’s oldest son gave his thoughts on how the US is delivering on his dad’s dream. To learn more a...

President Joe Biden and his predecessor are under investigation for potentially mishandling classified documents. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the latest updates with both special counsel probes. While key questions remain unanswered with Biden’s cases, we’re learning more about where the investigation into Trump stands. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit...

Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to look to take over the investigation into Obama-era classified documents found at President Joe Biden’s home and former private office. CNN's Kristen Holmes explains new details about the timeline of the initial investigation and both discoveries. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more a...

Sources briefed on the matter say President Joe Biden's legal team found another batch of government records, as House Republicans promise to investigate the issue. CNN's Kristen Holmes breaks down Biden's response to the first batch found in a private office he used, and how lawmakers of both parties are reacting to Biden and his predecessor's handling of classified documents after leaving public...

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have at least one thing in common – they both are dealing with fallout from keeping classified documents. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the distinctions between the two cases. Some Democrats say Biden did what he was supposed to do, while some Republicans claim Trump was treated unfairly. To learn more about how CNN protects lis...

Now that House Republicans have elected Kevin McCarthy as speaker, the next order of business for them is to vote on a rules package. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how some of the rules have changed since hard right conservatives got their way in the speaker fight, and why it’s giving some members some pause. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/priv...

House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy has flipped 15 previous holdouts, making the speaker’s gavel within reach. CNN's Political Director David Chalian explains why McCarthy is confident he’ll cross the finish line when the House reconvenes tonight. Plus, President Joe Biden commemorated the two year anniversary of the Capitol riot. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/pr...

The current bid for House leadership is now the longest speaker contest in 164 years. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why private deal-making talks aren’t translating to public support for GOP leader Kevin McCarthy. The conservative hardliners seem to be doubling down, while McCarthy allies are starting to draw lines in the sand.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy...

The House is still without a speaker, after GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy failed to secure the gavel six times. CNN's Political Director David Chalian explains the warning signs for McCarthy that emerged today. Plus, it seems former President Donald Trump isn’t even able to move the needle for the small, but determined, group of Republicans who oppose McCarthy. To learn more about how CNN protects lis...

House Republicans are at an impasse over who to elect as speaker, after GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy failed to secure enough votes at least twice so far today. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down how the first two ballots went, and what’s at the core of the party’s stalemate. A historic third speaker vote is underway, but it’s unclear if it’ll turn out any better for McCarthy. To learn m...

President Biden’s second year in office is coming to a close. In today’s special episode, CNN’s Abby Phillip tackles the highs and lows of Biden’s 2022 – from inflation to Roe v. Wade to the midterm elections. You’ll hear from the president and some of the year’s key players. Plus, what will 2023 look like? Will Biden be announcing a second presidential run? To learn more about how CNN protects li...

The January 6th committee released another batch of witness transcripts from its investigation. CNN’s Abby Phillip explains new details about how Donald Trump’s associates tried to conceal information before and after the insurrection. Former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson added even more fuel to the fire in the newly released interviews, testifying that she watched Trump's chief of staff bur...

Today the Supreme Court said the Trump-era immigration policy Title 42 will remain in effect while legal challenges play out. CNN’s Abby Phillip explains the measure and what’s happening at the border. Plus, Texas Governor Greg Abbott defends his move to send more migrants to the Vice President’s home.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about y...

The government funding bill made it through a key hurdle today, as Democrats try to push through the last pieces of their agenda before the GOP take over the House. We’re also listening to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech to Congress, and taking a closer look at what the Jan. 6 House Select Committee has shared – so far. CNN’s Zachary Wolf breaks down the latest from Capitol Hill, a...

As the year winds down, it’s as busy as ever in Washington DC with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky making a surprise visit and Congress working to wrap up its to-do list. CNN’s Zachary Wolf breaks down everything from the latest on the omnibus, to former President Donald Trump’s tax returns. One thing lawmakers failed to do was address immigration, as the fate of a controversial border poli...