CNN Political Briefing

Poll after poll shows voters have the economy and inflation at the top of their minds, so the White House is eager to tout any good news on that front - and downplay pessimistic forecasts. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the state of the economy with the latest jobs report and what that means for the Federal Reserve’s inflation fight. All this while gas prices are on the rise at a...

Georgia’s Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker continues to double down on his denial of reporting from the Daily Beast around an alleged abortion. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the new allegations, his responses, and how Walkers’ Republican allies are navigating this controversy. Plus, CNN has new polling highlighting key races in Nevada and Arizona. To learn more about...

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, President Joe Biden and Governor Ron DeSantis have put their political differences aside today during Biden’s Florida visit. CNN’s Chris Cillizza explains the two leaders’ fraught relationship and how Florida’s recovery efforts are going so far.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcas...

Georgia GOP Senate candidate Herschel Walker is denying an allegation that he paid for a girlfriend’s abortion 13 years ago. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Republicans are standing by him, while Democrats are largely muted on the issue. This race in Georgia could ultimately decide which party controls the Senate.   To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn...

The Supreme Court’s next term starts today with a new justice on the bench and a docket full of consequential cases. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the oral arguments the court heard today and the cases it’ll hear later in the term, including disputes that involve race, environmental policies, and voting laws. This comes as Americans have a record level of distrust in the judicia...

Between Florida, New York, and Washington DC, multiple investigations by lawmakers and federal and state officials have one thing in common: former President Donald Trump. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the latest with the January 6 House select committee, the Mar-a-Lago documents case, and the New York Attorney General’s civil case against Trump and his children. To learn more a...

The Biden administration is being sued for its plan to forgive a certain amount of federal student loan debt for those who qualify. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how the Biden administration is prepping for the relief process, and the political implications behind it.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is on board with a Senate bill that would make it harder to overturn a certified presidential election. The legislation comes in response to former President Donald Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 results. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the bill, and how it differs from a House version of the legislation.   To learn more about how CNN pro...

A possible government shutdown is hanging over Congress once again. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how a proposal from Senator Joe Manchin almost held up the bill.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The January 6th House Select Committee returns this week with another public hearing, but it will likely be the last one. CNN’s Chris Cillizza explains some recent developments ahead of the hearing, including revealing text messages and a mysterious phone call. Plus, Committee Vice Chair Liz Cheney made some direct comments about the former president over the weekend. To learn more about how CNN p...

Sources say that former President Donald Trump's attorneys are waging a secret court battle related to the Justice Department’s investigation into January 6th. They’re trying to prevent a grand jury from gathering information from Trump’s inner circle. CNN’s Chris Cillizza explains what we know and what we don’t know. Plus, what does this mean for Trump’s shot at a 2024 presidential run? To learn...

The House has passed a bill to update the Electoral Count Act of 1887 in response to the January 6th insurrection. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the legislation and why it may have some trouble passing in the Senate. Plus, hear why most Republicans were not on board. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a civil lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, three of his adult children and the Trump organization. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the suit, including the AG’s claims that Trump inflated his net worth by billions to make himself richer. Trump has denied all wrongdoing and continues to accuse James of having a political...

Republican governors continue to send migrants to liberal leaning localities to make a political statement on immigration. CNN’s Political Director David Chalian explains how new data from the border fits into this, and what the Biden administration is saying in response. Plus, hear how Senate leaders on both sides of the aisle addressed the issue today. To learn more about how CNN protects listen...

Democrats and Republicans are running two different midterm election campaigns and it's unclear which one will resonate with voters more come November. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the divided moment, and why 2024 is already part of the political conversation. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podca...

A slew of shaky economic news this week highlights how difficult it could be for President Joe Biden and Democrats to navigate ahead of November’s elections. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the recent inflation data and how both parties are reacting. Republicans think the economy is a winning message for them. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/pr...

The Republican governor of Texas continued his months-long strategy today of bussing migrants to Washington, DC... this time, to the front of the Vice President’s residence. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also sent two planes to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts yesterday. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the political calculus behind these moves and reminds us of the human aspect of...

Expect abortion to be an issue front-and-center in this year’s midterms – GOP Senator Lindsay Graham vows his 15-week abortion ban bill will be voted on if Republicans win control of both chambers in November. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down why Republicans are not on the same page with how to message their stance on the issue, and how Democrats are already seizing on that divide....

The midterm primary season ends today, as voters in Delaware, Rhode Island and New Hampshire head to the polls. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the marquee race to watch – the GOP Senate primary in New Hampshire. Plus, two former Trump administration officials are going head-to-head for a congressional seat in the state, but they’re running two types of campaigns. To learn more ab...

With midterms fast approaching, President Joe Biden is filling his schedule up with more events to tout accomplishments, and doubling down on his ambitious goal to fight cancer. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down his appearances in Boston today, where he gave his ‘Cancer Moonshot’ speech and celebrated progress made on infrastructure projects. To learn more about how CNN protects lis...

The midterm elections are less than two months away – and some people can already start voting in one state, while some remaining primary contests take place next week. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the latest in the races to watch, from New Hampshire’s GOP Senate primary next week, to the Senate race in Ohio. Plus, President Joe Biden and his predecessor are making their marks...

Queen Elizabeth II died today at the age of 96. As the longest-serving British monarch ever, she has seen numerous world leaders come and go. CNN Political Director David Chalian takes a look back at her relationships with some of the 14 US Presidents who have served during her reign. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

A modern tradition returned today, as the Bidens welcomed the Obamas to the White House for the unveiling of the former President and First Lady’s official portraits. CNN Political Director David Chalian shares what themes were present in the speeches today. Michelle Obama cited the importance of the peaceful transfer of power, while her husband and President Biden also reflected on their accompli...

The Senate returned to Capitol Hill today after the August recess, and they have a lengthy to-do list ahead of them – including preventing a government shutdown. Leaders on both sides are juggling the summer’s political shakeups ahead of November’s midterm elections. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what Congress and the Biden administration are planning this fall.  To learn more a...

President Joe Biden warned against extremism in the Republican party during a dramatic speech last night. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump teased pardons for Capitol insurrectionists on a radio show. CNN Editor-at-Large Chris Cillizza breaks down what both leaders said, and how both sides are trying to rally their base ahead of the midterm elections.  To learn more about how CNN protects l...