CNN Political Briefing

In the January 6 House select committee's fourth public hearing, state and local officials detailed the pressure they faced by the former President and his team for not overturning the 2020 election and the threats that followed. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down how the lie that the 2020 election was rigged is still fueling harassment and violence that lingers today, even for the l...

Voters in Alabama, Virginia, Georgia, and Washington DC head to the polls today in primary races and runoffs for general elections in November. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the key races to watch, including the GOP Senate runoff in Alabama. How much will former President Donald Trump’s influence matter in these races this time around? Plus, DC’s Democratic mayor is trying to ma...

President Joe Biden did a rare interview with the Associated Press in the Oval Office where he got candid about the mood of America. CNN’s David Chalian explains what Biden had to say about inflation, gas prices, and the possibility of a recession. Biden also said he doesn’t regret the US involvement with Ukraine, despite its effect on American households. To learn more about how CNN protects list...

Today was the January 6 House Select Committee’s third televised hearing. Through witnesses close to former Vice President Mike Pence, it became clear that Pence never believed he had the power to overturn the 2020 election. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how former president Donald Trump disregarded Pence and tried to pressure his Vice President into doing it anyway. You’ll hear so...

Voters in five states have spoken – CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the key takeaways in primary elections from South Carolina to Nevada. It ended up being a pretty good night for former President Donald Trump’s candidates, even in a race where he endorsed the losing candidate. Plus, the Democratic majority in the House just got a bit smaller, thanks to a special election in Texas...

With inflation rising, stocks falling, and recession fears growing, President Joe Biden tried to look on the bright side today while recognizing Americans’ price pains. CNN Political Director explains how Biden can blame Russia’s war in Ukraine all he wants – but the squeeze families are feeling in their wallets is still happening under his watch. Will voters see it the same way in November? To le...

Many people close to former President Donald Trump told him he lost the 2020 election, but he didn’t listen to them. That was the focus of the January 6 House select committee’s second hearing today, as CNN Political Director David Chalian explains. You’ll hear testimony from former Trump campaign aides, former Attorney General Bill Barr and others about what went down after Trump found out he los...

Last night, the January 6 House select committee gave an overview of their findings so far in their first of many public hearings to come. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the bombshells that came out of it, and what he thinks are the goals for these hearings. Plus, the former President has responded to what his own daughter brought up in her testimony.  To learn more about how CNN...

The January 6th House select committee holds its first public hearing tonight after spending 10 months investigating. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what to expect tonight and from hearings to come. Meanwhile, some Republicans close to former President Donald Trump are slamming the hearings before they’ve even started. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit...

In the wake of two mass shootings at a school in Texas and a grocery store in upstate New York, those directly affected shared their tragic stories and called for legislative action to a House committee. You’ll hear several heartbreaking testimonies today, as CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the progress made so far by lawmakers on potential gun reform. Some of what you’ll hear is gra...

It’s primary day in seven states today and both political parties will be closely watching the elections in California. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why two local races in the Sunshine state will provide critical feedback about how to run campaigns for November and beyond. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices...

This is a big week for the January 6th House select committee and former President Donald Trump is gearing up some GOP allies to go on the attack. CNN Political Director David Chalian shares what some committee members are previewing before Thursday’s primetime hearing and what viewers should expect. Will the committee succeed at capturing America’s attention? To learn more about how CNN protects...

This month marks 50 years since the Watergate scandal rocked the Nixon presidency, but many of the scandal’s lessons still seem fresh. We sat down with former Nixon White House aide John Dean, as CNN correspondent Kristen Holmes breaks down the Watergate scandal – and what it tells us as the Jan. 6th House select committee prepares for public hearings next week. Don’t miss the “Watergate: Blueprin...

Newly-revealed texts to former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows during the Capitol insurrection show GOP lawmakers pleading for former President Donald Trump to intervene. CNN Editor-at-Large Chris Cilizza breaks down who sent the texts, and what’s in them. Plus, what Republican leaders are saying ahead of the Jan. 6th House select committee’s public hearings next month. To learn more about...

Lawmakers in both Texas and the nation’s capital are debating legislation in the wake of last week’s shooting in Uvalde. CNN correspondent Kristen Holmes explains the latest with the shooting investigation and what legislators at all levels are saying on both sides of the aisle. Has the time come for meaningful reform in the US? To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/...

President Joe Biden and his administration are kicking off a monthlong focus on the economy this week. CNN's Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny sums up Biden's plans and why it's going to be an uphill battle for him and his party to convince Americans they've got a handle on inflation and the economy. The polls don't paint a pretty picture, and some critics don't have as optimistic o...

Today, the community of Uvalde, Texas is rattled by the news that law enforcement say they made a mistake by not immediately breaking into the classroom during Tuesday’s shooting that left 21 people dead. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the latest with the investigation and how lawmakers on Capitol Hill are responding. The state is especially on edge with the National Rifle Associ...

Earlier this month, the Jan. 6th House select committee subpoenaed five members of Congress, after they refused to testify voluntarily. At least three have since objected to or contested the subpoenas. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what the House members are telling the committee – and what to look for as the select committee prepares for public hearings in June. To learn more abou...

Yesterday, a gunman shot and killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Today, politicians on both sides of the aisle are repeating the same messages they’ve given after other mass shootings. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why little political change is expected after the deadliest school shooting since Sandy Hook. To learn more about how CNN pro...

Five states hold primary elections today, but a lot of attention is on Georgia. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why the GOP primary for governor is so important and how a new voting and elections law in the state of Georgia is working out. Plus, votes in Pennsylvania’s GOP Senate primary are still being counted – check CNN.com for the latest on that. To learn more about how CNN prote...

Georgia’s GOP race for governor will end tomorrow – but the likely winner, Gov. Brian Kemp, has already turned his eyes to the general election. There, he’s expected to face off against Democrat Stacey Abrams, who almost beat him four years ago. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what to look for in the races in Georgia, Alabama and Arkansas tomorrow, along with run-offs in Texas. To...

President Joe Biden kicked off his first trip to Asia as president today, beginning with a stop in South Korea. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what Biden hopes to get out of the visit, and how the administration is preparing for possible security threats from North Korea. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices...

President Joe Biden can’t seem to catch a break. Even though the number of people on unemployment is the lowest it’s been since 1969, inflation remains top of mind for Americans. Plus, CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the crisis surrounding the baby formula shortage in the US – and how lawmakers are responding. A new CNN poll shows a majority of Americans are not happy with how things...

What can we take away from last night’s primary elections? CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down results from key elections across the country, from Pennsylvania to Oregon. The marquee race of the evening – the GOP Senate primary in PA– is neck-and-neck and some Democratic primaries are too close to call at this point too. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn...

States from coast to coast are holding primaries today ahead of the 2022 midterm election. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the races to watch, like Pennsylvania’s contentious Senate and gubernatorial races, and North Carolina’s congressional races. Also, how is this primary election cycle challenging Trump’s influence in the GOP? And what do the Democratic primary frontrunners say...