CNN Political Briefing

The Supreme Court refused to block a controversial law passed in Texas this week banning abortions after a heartbeat is detected. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the law itself, what SCOTUS’ ruling could mean for Roe v. Wade, and Biden’s response to the law.  Plus, even though a majority of the country supports abortion rights, polling shows Texans are closely divided.. To learn m...

The California recall election is just two weeks away and will decide if Gov. Gavin Newsom gets to keep his job or get the boot. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how a majority democratic state is suddenly at risk of having a Republican governor. Plus, CNN’s Joe Johns sat down with the top GOP candidate vying for Newsom’s job. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, vis...

President Joe Biden addressed the nation today to discuss the end of the 20-year war with Afghanistan. CNN Political Director David Chalian provides timely (and historical) context to Biden’s speech and what led to his decision to leave, but you’ll also hear from the President himself. The US war in Afghanistan may be over, but questions and consequences still remain… To learn more about how CNN p...

August ends tomorrow and this month has proven to be one of the most chaotic since President Joe Biden took office. CNN Political Director David Chalian analyzes three major crises the Biden administration is tackling–Tropical Storm Ida, the Afghanistan exit, and the pandemic. WH Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that a government is meant to tackle crises, but some Dems aren’t pleased with how Biden...

The Afghanistan withdrawal is in a whole new context now, after a terror attack Thursday killed 13 US service members and left hundreds injured. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down that context—you’ll hear where the mission stands, what the risks are, and how President Joe Biden is handling it all. Plus, the absurd calls for Biden’s resignation from some GOP lawmakers were classless....

Terrorist explosions outside of Kabul’s airport on Thursday killed 12 US service members and injured multiple more, as hundreds remain in the country awaiting evacuations. CNN National Correspondent Kristen Holmes details the latest developments since the explosion occurred. The circumstances have changed since President Biden announced the August 31 deadline... To learn more about how CNN protect...

There are now only six days left until President Biden’s deadline that U.S. troops must be out of Afghanistan–the Taliban is demanding this too. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the new information we have about evacuations, including how many Americans are still in the country and the progress of the mission. Plus, two congressmen took it upon themselves to visit Afghanistan to as...

Democrats’ $3.5T budget resolution just passed through the House with the bipartisan infrastructure bill on deck–but it was no easy feat and there’s a long road ahead. CNN Political Director David Chalian discusses how the division between Democrats nearly derailed this key part of Biden’s agenda from passing. This is just the beginning of legislative headaches for Speaker Nancy Pelosi… To learn m...

Between the Covid crisis and the US’ chaotic exit from Afghanistan, President Joe Biden has had a rough few weeks and the Democratic party is starting to get nervous. CNN Political Director David Chalian shares the good news and the bad news that Biden has for Americans on both issues. Plus, new polling shows Biden’s got his work cut out for him... To learn more about how CNN protects listener pri...

Afghanistan is front and center for the White House–President Joe Biden addressed the nation today for the third time this week. CNN Political Director David Chalian discusses how Biden attempted to provide some clarity on how the chaotic evacuation efforts are going. Plus, you’ll hear from CNN’s Clarissa Ward with heartbreaking details on the dire situation at the Kabul airport. To learn more abo...

President Joe Biden is under intense scrutiny for how his administration is handling the US’ chaotic exit from Afghanistan. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what’s of concern and why stories from his administration are different from the accounts on the ground. Despite the confusion and chaos over how the withdrawal is playing out, Biden tells ABC there was no way to avoid it… cue...

For months, President Biden said booster shots weren’t needed for vaccinated individuals – this is no longer true. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the concerning factors behind the White House’s decision to start offering boosters in September. Plus, Biden is under heat for prioritizing booster shots over shipping shots to countries where people still need their first dose.  To learn...

It seems like the U.S. Military has finally regained control of the situation at the Afghanistan airport… but where do things stand now? CNN Political Director David Chalian details the progress on evacuations and explains who’s most likely to get left behind. Although Biden officials aimed to quiet concerns and defend the President today, sources told CNN reporters that there’s more to the story....

The Taliban took control of Afghanistan and the Commander-in-Chief took to the East Room of the White House to address it today–CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the highlights from that speech and the challenges Biden will face ahead. The images coming out of Afghanistan are not what a President wants to have to defend... To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit...

August is, historically speaking, a slow month for DC and politics in general. But from the looks of it, that’s not the case so far for President Biden… CNN National Correspondent Kristen Holmes breaks down five issues Biden and his administration are facing this week: Afghanistan, Covid-19, immigration, inflation and infrastructure. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn...

The Census Bureau released its once-in-a-decade data today that will impact elections for years to come. CNN National Correspondent Kristen Holmes breaks down the toplines–what they’ll mean for both parties for 2022 and beyond. With the thin majority in the House, the stakes are high. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

President Joe Biden spoke at the White House today about his two legislative wins this week for his “Build Back Better” plan–the bipartisan infrastructure bill & the $3.5T budget resolution. CNN National Correspondent Kristen Holmes breaks down both the infrastructure bill and budget blueprint, plus what comes next for each. With Congress out for most of the summer, will this legislative momentum...

Last week, a New York state investigation found Gov. Andrew Cuomo "sexually harassed multiple women and violated state law." Today, he resigned effective in 14 days. CNN Chief National Correspondent Jeff Zeleny breaks down the social and political factors that played into Cuomo’s resignation. Plus, resigning doesn’t necessarily mean Cuomo won’t face further consequences... To learn more about how...

Following the expected passage of a bipartisan infrastructure bill tomorrow, expect things to go back to being partisan… Senate Democrats released their $3.5T budget resolution today that outlines their plans to achieve President Biden’s ambitious agenda. CNN Senior Writer Tami Luhby breaks down what’s proposed in the Budget Committee’s resolution and what comes next. To learn more about how CNN p...

President Biden shared some good news and some bad news this morning. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down why today’s jobs report and the bipartisan infrastructure bill looks like a good sign for Biden’s agenda. But there’s an elephant in the room… the Covid-19 Delta variant. Biden’s very cognizant of how Covid and the unvaccinated could throw a major wrench into all this progress.  T...

It’s not news that former President Trump tried to steal the 2020 election, but we now know that he also attempted to use the Justice Department to make it happen. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down two draft letters by former DOJ officials that emerged this week from the House & Senate Committees’ investigation into the Jan. 6 insurrection. Both letters illustrate a frightening pict...

The special primary elections in Ohio yesterday revealed some important insight–CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why the Democrat win signals the majority of the electorate supports moderate, establishment candidates over progressives. Meanwhile, former President Trump proved he still has a grip over the GOP when his pick beat out a crowded field of candidates. Will these trends hold...

A year ago, New York Gov. Cuomo was beloved for his leadership during the early days of the pandemic. Today, New York's attorney general found he sexually harassed multiple women in a damning new report released–allegations Gov. Cuomo denies… CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the details from NY AG’s independent investigation and the governor’s response. Is this the beginning of the...

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, the reality has set in for President Biden that the pandemic is no longer a waning issue. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down why the White House is working overtime to put the pandemic at the forefront of Biden’s schedule this week. Plus, White House officials met with CNN reporters to share the latest on how the administration plans to tackle this...

The CDC published data today that warns the Delta variant appears to spread as easily as chickenpox and cause more severe infection, even for the vaccinated. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down President Biden’s new and more aggressive response to this sobering data. But, the scientific community has known that Delta is a different beast, so should Biden have taken these measures soon...