CNN Political Briefing

Today President Biden sets off on his much anticipated first international trip. Kristen Holmes explores what Biden's goals for the trip are and how he plans to confront Russian President Putin. Plus, while the president is on the international stage, his domestic agenda is in serious trouble. And finally, cicadas have invaded everything, including our politics. To learn more about how CNN protect...

A bipartisan Senate report on the January 6th insurrection gives new details about what law enforcement knew leading up to the riot... but politics get in the way of some key conclusions. Kristen Holmes walks us through what that says about hopes for cooperation on Capitol Hill, plus how former Presidents Obama and Trump represent the battle being fought for the soul of our nation. And finally, Vi...

Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia makes things crystal clear: He will not support the For the People Act and won't abolish the filibuster. Kristen Holmes walks us through how his views clash with an impatient Democratic party as well as how former President Trump's return to the spotlight continues to put democracy under fire. And finally, another weekend of deadly gun violence highlights stalled...

Next week, President Biden heads off on his first international trip as President of the United States and the stakes couldn’t be higher. CNN White House Correspondent Phil Mattingly walks us through what we can expect during Biden’s time abroad, how he plans to navigate reengaging with allies, and the all-important summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.   To learn more about how CNN protec...

President Biden gives infrastructure negotiations new life by proposing an alternate solution to one of the GOP's biggest sticking points: Paying for the plan. David Chalian explores what Biden hopes to gain from these negotiations, plus the White House announces the donation of 80 million vaccines to the rest of the world. And finally, the race for New York City Mayor heats up during the first in...

President Biden has tapped Vice President Harris to spearhead the voting rights effort in Congress. David Chalian explains the stakes of this multi-pronged issue, plus the White House tries to spin Biden's swipe at Democrat Senators that are slowing down negotiations. Finally, the RNC threatens to pull future candidates from presidential debates unless the non-partisan Commission on Presidential D...

During his remarks commemorating Memorial Day, President Biden issued a stark warning about the state of our democracy. David Chalian digs into some of the warning signs, like Texas' new proposed restrictive voting bill and Michael Flynn's comments on staging a coup. Plus, new questions about just how long a bi-partisan negotiations on infrastructure can go, and finally, Biden travels to Oklahoma...

After a sleepless night of delays, Senate Republicans finally defeated the January 6th commission. David Chalian breaks down the GOP's political calculations of the vote and former President Trump's scathing response to Paul Ryan's latest speech. Finally, Vice President Harris makes history as the first woman to deliver a commencement address for the US Naval Academy.  To learn more about how CNN...

The Republican Party is likely to use its first filibuster of the Biden presidency to stop the vote on the January 6th commission... and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is calling in "personal favors" to make sure it holds up. David Chalian dives into what this says about the state of our politics, then explains how the Republican infrastructure counterproposal falls short for President Biden. And...

A grand jury been selected that could decide to indict former President Donald Trump if prosecutors present criminal charges in their probe of the Trump Organization. David Chalian dives into the potential political consequences for Trump, as well as the incremental progress on Capitol Hill as both sides hash out an infrastructure bill. And finally, the mystery of the Coronavirus’ origins is becom...

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd. CNN Correspondent Omar Jimenez walks us through how the communities in Minnesota, and the country at large, are still grappling with the grief, the necessary changes to come, and what change community leaders are hoping for when it comes to reform.   To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Lear...

There are just four legislative days left before the Senate's week-long Memorial Day recess, and President Biden is running out of time on some of his self-imposed deadlines. David Chalian explores what proposals have been stalled due to little bi-partisanship. Plus, the Republican party digs their heels in on voter fraud, and finally, the GOP's silence on Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's anti-Semiti...

The Supreme Court has agreed to take up a key abortion case next term and the future of abortion rights in this country could be at stake. The Mississippi case the Court is preparing to hear is a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade, and for the first time in years it could go conservative's way. CNN Supreme Court reporter Ariane De Vogue takes us through the details of the case, how we got here, and w...

The House may have passed the January 6 commission with 35 Republican votes yesterday, but the bill is likely dead on arrival in the Senate. David Chalian explains why Republicans are still protecting Trump and what other options lie ahead for Democrats. Plus, Georgia Republicans bolster the Big Lie as they seek an Arizona-like election audit in their state. Finally, House Speaker Pelosi has a big...

On the day the House votes on establishing the January 6th commission, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell makes his opposition to the to the proposal clear. David Chalian explains the rocky road ahead for the commission in the Senate and what role former President Trump plays in Republicans' decisions. Plus, President Biden pushes harder for a ceasefire in Gaza after trying to stay out of th...

The divide over the 2020 elections has created two fronts in the fight for American democracy: The January 6th commission on Capitol Hill and the partisan election audit in Arizona. David Chalian explains what House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's decision to oppose the January 6 commission means as well as how the Big Lie has led to a feud among Arizona Republicans. Finally, Biden gets a reminde...

As the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza records it’s deadliest day, a group of Democrats call for President Biden to take immediate action to stop the violence. David Chalian explains how Biden’s cautious approach to intervening in the current Middle East crisis is putting him in a tight spot. Plus, the House prepares to vote on the January 6th commission that could stir up both sides of...

This week tensions between Israel and the Palestinians escalated and President Biden may now become the latest in a long line of American presidents pulled into trying to achieve peace in the region. CNN National Security Correspondent Kylie Atwood walks us through the latest on the situation in Gaza and Israel, what President Biden’s policy priorities are in the region, and how they may have to c...

It's the news millions of Americans have been waiting to hear: New CDC guidance says that fully vaccinated Americans can ditch the masks almost everywhere and go back to life as they knew it before the pandemic. David Chalian explores what this means for President Biden, plus the headwinds the President is facing as he tries to secure bipartisan support for his infrastructure plan. And finally, gr...

In an historic move, today House Republicans voted to oust Congresswoman Liz Cheney from her leadership position for telling the truth about the election. David Chalian examines what this move means for the future of Democracy as well as how a White House meeting illustrates the two opposite universes co-existing in Washington. And finally, new testimony inside some of the decisions behind the Jan...

Today the Senate opened debate on the "For The People Act," the Democrats' proposed election bill. David Chalian explains how the Republican embrace of the Big Lie and the Democrats' progressive push mean it's likely not going anywhere. Plus, the outstanding questions as House Republicans get ready to give Congresswoman Liz Cheney the boot from her leadership position, and finally, a look at the g...

As a major US fuel pipeline recovers from a ransomware hack, the Biden administration steps up its efforts to strengthen America's cybersecurity. David Chalian explains this ongoing challenge for the White House, plus why this is such a big week for President Biden as he pushes for a bipartisan effort to pass his infrastructure bill. And finally, Caitlyn Jenner sits down with CNN in for an intervi...

In the aftermath of the January 6th insurrection, Facebook suspended former President Donald Trump’s accounts. This week, the company’s oversight committee said that the social media platform has six months to decide whether the former President’s ban should be permanent. CNN Correspondent Donie O’Sullivan walks us through what this decision means and how it affects the former President’s possible...

As President Biden continues selling the American Jobs Plan across the country, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is making it clear that bipartisan cooperation is not a part of his plan. CNN Senior White House correspondent Phil Mattingly explains what that means for Biden’s infrastructure bill, plus a new restrictive voting law in Florida and the ongoing effort to oust Congresswoman Liz Che...

Four months after Facebook banned former President Trump from its platform, its independent Oversight Board upheld his suspension ... but told them to rethink the ban's "indefinite" nature. CNN Senior White House correspondent Phil Mattingly explains what happens next and how the pressure is back on CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Plus, how the rise of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and the fall of Congresswom...