CNN Political Briefing

A racially-motivated shooting in Buffalo, New York is being investigated as a hate crime. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how a racist, conspiratorial belief the accused shooter allegedly held is part of a concerning trend in America. This fringe idea has moved to the political mainstream, where replacement theory rhetoric has been echoed by some conservative TV personalities and law...

Former Vice President Mike Pence weighed in on the GOP gubernatorial primary race in Georgia. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why his endorsement puts him at odds with his former boss. Will former President Donald Trump and Pence go head-to-head for the GOP presidential nomination in 2024? That’s the question that looms over all the races this year. To learn more about how CNN protec...

Former President Donald Trump is nervous about the odds his endorsed candidate – Dr. Mehmet Oz – has of winning the Senate GOP primary in Pennsylvania next Tuesday. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the emergence of a candidate in the race who’s complicating things for Oz and David McCormick, another top primary contender. It’s why party leaders are watching this race closely too. To l...

US inflation cooled off a bit last month, but consumer prices are still high. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why the Biden administration isn’t celebrating the slight dip. President Biden continues to blame Russia’s war in Ukraine for price pains and food shortages in the US. But as Republicans often point out – and polls show – Americans don’t think Biden’s economic policies are ef...

West Virginia and Nebraska are holding primary elections today and former President Donald Trump’s influence is being tested, yet again. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down two races – one congressional, one gubernatorial – where Trump has endorsed candidates. Trump’s chosen candidate won in Ohio last week – will the streak continue in the many important primaries to come this month?...

The Supreme Court’s leaked opinion on Roe vs. Wade has Democrats campaigning on the possible ripple effects of overturning the landmark abortion rights decision, while Republicans are evasive about what could come next. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the political game plans on both sides of the aisle – and what privacy rights could be targeted next. It could be not just a state-...

The leak of the Supreme Court majority opinion overturning Roe vs. Wade may not be the final decision – but it was enough for Democrats to sound the alarm. CNN Political Director David Chalian dissects brand new polling from CNN/SSRS that shows a majority of Americans oppose overturning Roe vs. Wade. That’s been the case for a while, but that’s not the full story. Democrats think this issue can be...

From anti-Trump-impeachment arguments, to 25th Amendment discussions – more tapes have dropped where we hear House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy talk candidly in the aftermath of the insurrection. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why the recorded private conversations provide new context about what happened after January 6th. Plus, the House select committee spoke to some members of...

Amid a crowded GOP field, JD Vance came out on top in yesterday’s Senate primary election in Ohio. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Vance’s win proves former President Donald Trump’s endorsements can still make a difference. Will that be the case in other races? Plus, the overall political environment for Democrats is toxic and the economy is reason number one – it’s why you’ll he...

A leaked draft of a majority opinion shows the Supreme Court may be poised to end Roe v. Wade – making it the most consequential decision on abortion in decades. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the magnitude of this and its political implications. Republicans are focusing on the danger the leak poses to the high court, while Democrats are using the opinion as a rallying call ahead of...

A special grand jury has been selected in Georgia to determine whether former president Donald Trump and his allies broke any laws in their efforts to overturn the 2020 election. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Trump’s election lies are shifting from not just a political conversation, but to a legal one as well. This comes as early voting starts today in Georgia’s primaries... an...

The curtain has been pulled even further back into how Trump allies were reacting to the 2020 election and its aftermath. Hear CNN Political Director David Chalian read new text messages between Fox News Host Sean Hannity and Trump’s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. He explains how Hannity went from all-in on Trump’s election-fraud lies to being “fed up.” Plus, the Jan. 6th House select committee will...

The economy shrank last quarter unexpectedly and recession fears are renewed. CNN Political Director David Chalian paints the complicated economic picture in the US. Democrats are touting progress with more optimistic economic statistics. But as Republicans often point out, people are more focused on the impacts of inflation. Can it be addressed before voters head to the polls in November? To lear...

New audio from the New York Times reveals House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy had private concerns about some far-right members' behavior following the insurrection last year – concerns that contradict his public opinion shortly after. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why McCarthy’s chances of becoming Speaker of the House next year are still high. Plus, House members seem to be rall...

The US and its allies appear to be shifting their strategy and rhetoric around the war in Ukraine to adopt much tougher language against Russia. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how recent comments from US officials and accelerated security assistance to Ukraine prove that. Words and actions were chosen more carefully by US officials at the outset of the war, but now Russia’s poor bat...

CNN has learned more about how former President Donald Trump’s inner circle worked to overturn the legitimate 2020 election in the lead-up and aftermath of January 6th. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down some of those efforts that happened then, and how some Republicans in Michigan and Georgia are running for office on that ‘Big Lie’ now. To learn more about how CNN protects listener...

New audio from the New York Times reveals bombshells about what House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy was saying about former President Donald Trump in the days after January 6th. CNN Political Director David Chalian differentiates between what McCarthy was saying publicly and privately. Just when he needs it most, will McCarthy lose support from the leader of the party over this? To learn more abo...

Tensions are high in Washington ahead of the expected roll back of a Trump-era border policy in May and the anticipated migrant surge at the southern border to follow. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why some Democrats in Congress don’t want this to happen, and how prepared the administration is to handle the likely influx. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit...

Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has escalated his weeks-long feud with Disney and continues his fight against “woke culture.” CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the politics behind DeSantis’ recent moves and why his potential political aspirations could be a factor. DeSantis is also proposing his own redistricting for the state of Florida – a job that usually belongs to the s...

Multiple airlines and transit systems have made masks optional after a judge struck down the Biden administration’s transportation mask mandate. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the confusion surrounding this decision and the White House’s response. This comes as recent polling shows a major decline in the number of Americans wearing masks. To learn more about how CNN protects listene...

Former President Donald Trump has endorsed JD Vance in the crowded Ohio Republican Senate primary. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Vance went from a Trump critic to a Trump fan, and how Trump justified Vance’s past comments. This race will be one of many primaries in May where Trump’s party influence will be put to the test. Even if Trump’s candidates don’t win, some other candid...

CNN has exclusive reporting on text messages sent between former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and two Republican Congress members in the lead-up to the January 6th insurrection. CNN Political Director David Chalian gives the timeline on Senator Mike Lee and Representative Chip Roy’s change of heart about overturning the 2020 election. Plus, the messages also reveal Meadow’s own doubts....

In the hopes of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade this summer, states continue to pass abortion bans. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the action taken in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky just this week. Plus, how will SCOTUS' landmark abortion decision affect the midterm season? To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your a...

Former President Donald Trump’s influence in the GOP will be tested in May, as he’s endorsed a slew of candidates in different primaries. CNN Political Director David Chalian tells you which primaries to watch and dives into the heated Senate primary race in Pennsylvania. Trump endorsed a fellow former TV personality, but will that move the needle for voters in this state? Or others? To learn more...

A shooting occurred today in Brooklyn, New York, just one day after President Joe Biden announced his plan to tackle gun violence. CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes explains what we know so far about the shooting and how New York officials are responding. Local and state leaders vow to act, but they are also looking to the federal government for solutions. One solution a slim majority of Americans...