CNN Political Briefing

Under pressure to tackle gun violence in America, President Joe Biden announced a new firearm regulation today meant to contain the use of privately made weapons known as ghost guns. CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes explains why Biden chose this route and what he wants Congress to do next. He also named a new nominee for the federal agency tasked with enforcing gun laws in the US.  To learn more a...

Many high-profile people in DC have said they've contracted Covid-19 recently, as many maskless events took place in the nation’s capital this week. CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes explains why the White House isn’t too worried about President Joe Biden catching Covid, even as the virus has infected members of his inner circle. They are worried, however, about not securing enough pandemic respons...

This afternoon, the Senate confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to replace Justice Stephen Breyer upon his retirement. CNN legal analyst and Supreme Court biographer Joan Biskupic breaks down this unique moment in the court’s history, Judge Jackson’s confirmation process, and what it could mean for future confirmations.    To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/priva...

The United States slapped Russia with more sanctions today, including against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s adult children. A senior Biden administration official says the US has already sanctioned several hundred Russian government officials, oligarchs and their family members. CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny breaks down the latest actions by the US and its allies—and wh...

President Barack Obama returned to the White House today for a celebration of the Affordable Care Act, even as Democrats brace for potentially difficult 2022 midterm elections. CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny explains how far the ACA has come since it was first introduced, and what lessons Democrats are taking from its success.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener pr...

Disturbing images from a town near Kyiv appear to show a mass grave and dead civilians in the street. Now, the U.S. and international bodies are taking steps to further punish Russia, among renewed accusations of war crimes. CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny breaks down some of the images from Bucha, and the feasibility of prosecuting war crimes on the international stage. To le...

The First Quarter ended with a strong March jobs report, but that might not be enough to save Democrats heading into the 2022 midterm elections. CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny explains how the Biden administration is responding to rising mortgage rates, record-high inflation, and other effects of the economy’s recovery from the pandemic. To learn more about how CNN protects l...

President Joe Biden announced today the U.S. would release a record amount of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down whether that will impact high gas prices, voters worry over record-high inflation, and how it could impact Republican messaging ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.c...

President Joe Biden urged Congress during a speech today to pass legislation that would continue funding for the federal pandemic response. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the hurdles the $15.6 billion dollar package would have to overcome, and how soon a deal might be reached. Meanwhile, Biden warned that time is running out for government programs. To learn more about how CNN prote...

Vice Chair Liz Cheney says the House select committee’s investigation of the insurrection is at a “critical stage.” CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the work the members have cut out for them. The committee voted to hold some Trump aides in criminal contempt for not cooperating with its investigation. And others in Trump’s inner circle could speak to the committee in the coming days....

“For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power.” Those are nine words that President Joe Biden said over the weekend about Russian President Vladimir Putin over his invasion of Ukraine. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Biden defended his comments today, how leaders responded abroad and at home, and what this could mean for the president’s poll numbers.  To learn more about how C...

The January 6th House select committee has some explosive texts between Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and Trump-era Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. CNN Political Director David Chalian shares what some of these texts were and what they reveal. Some see Ginni’s activism as a possible conflict of interest for her husband, Justice Thomas. To learn more about...

World leaders are gathered in Belgium today to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as the US levied new sanctions on Russia and promised more humanitarian aid for Ukraine. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what came out of the summits today. Biden shared how NATO, G7 and other international bodies are preparing for the possibility that Russia could attack with chemical, biological...

Republicans turned up the heat today at Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Senate confirmation hearing. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the political undertones behind some Republicans’ questions and how Jackson has fared against them. Despite some harsh questions, Democrats made space to humanize Judge Jackson. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy...

The Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings for President Biden's Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson continue today. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down how Judge Jackson answered some of these questions Senators asked her, like the ones on crime, abortion, and court-packing. Some Republicans were tough on her when it comes to her record on federal child sex ab...

The first day of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Senate confirmation hearings have ended, but things are just getting started. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Democrats and Republicans approached the first day. Democrats pointed out her legal expertise and the historic nature of her nomination, while Republicans hinted at the heat she will face from them in the days ahead. To learn...

US President Joe Biden spoke with his Chinese counterpart today, mainly about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down read outs of the call from the White House and China’s news agency. He also explains the concerns the US has over China’s position on the war in Ukraine. President Biden laid out “implications and consequences” for China should it choose to he...

The Biden administration is preparing for a potential influx of Ukrainian refugees fleeing their war-torn country and migrants seeking asylum at the US-Mexico border. As CNN Political Director David Chalian explains, the Biden Administration is trying to make it easier for some Ukrainian refugees to come to the US, while also grappling with the possible end of a southern border rule invoked at the...

A war-weary Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to a joint meeting of Congress today, calling on the US to do more to protect his country. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how President Joe Biden and US lawmakers reacted and how far they’re willing to go, for now, to give Ukraine what it’s requesting. Biden also announced new security assistance for Ukraine, defending the US...

Even as states drop Covid-19 mandates around the country, the White House is warning Congress about the perils of possible disruptions to the federal pandemic response. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how lawmakers’ failure to pass additional funding last week and rising cases in Europe are causing concern. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy...

Democrats in Congress are looking to President Joe Biden to help craft their midterm strategy as leaders are concerned their party is suffering from an enthusiasm gap. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the recalibration and rebranding that is going on with policy priorities. However, the President’s recent poll numbers can leave Democrats feeling a little hopeful about their standings...

The US, alongside G7 and EU nations, announced more steps to squeeze Russia's economy even tighter. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what they are and what they’ll aim to do. As Russian attacks on Ukraine intensify, DC lawmakers and Ukranian officials want the West, especially the US, to act faster to assist Ukraine. But President Joe Biden made two things clear: the US must be in loc...

In the US, inflation and gas prices are on the rise and those in Washington are playing the blame game. As CNN Political Director David Chalian explains, President Joe Biden puts most of the blame on Russia for invading Ukraine, but inflation was high even before then. Some lawmakers think the US should drill its own way out of this crisis, but energy experts say that’s not going solve the problem...

Congress has a Friday deadline to meet to ensure the government doesn’t shut down and Ukraine gets military and humanitarian aid it needs, among other things. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why lawmakers had to cut Covid-19 relief funding from the omnibus bill. Republicans do not want new money to be spent on pandemic relief efforts, so Democrats had to make a compromise that severa...

President Joe Biden took the major step of banning Russian energy imports to the US–a move with bipartisan support meant to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what the import ban means and why the decision was made. Meanwhile, US drivers haven't paid this much per gallon of gas since 2008. Republicans claim it's partly because the US won’t step...