CNN Political Briefing

Today Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States of America. David Chalian reflects on what this momentous day means for the country and why Biden's inaugural speech was so unique and powerful. Finally, a look at some of the actions President Biden is taking on his first day.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about yo...

President-elect Joe Biden arrives in Washington to begin his inaugural events as President Trump puts out a farewell address on his final full day in office. David Chalian reacts to Biden's tearful goodbye to Delaware and the Republican party’s attempts to put Trump in the past. Plus, Biden has been working on his inaugural address since he was elected and plans to deliver a message of unity. To l...

As the clock winds down on the Trump presidency, the national guard locks down the nation's Capital ahead of Biden's inauguration. David Chalian explores the unprecedented nature of a militarized inauguration, plus the fact that Biden will have no confirmed cabinet members when he takes office. Lastly, a look a President Trump's final approval rating as he leaves office in our new CNN poll.  To le...

When President-elect Biden takes office in 5 days, he'll inherit the greatest set of challenges of any incoming President we’ve seen in this lifetime. David Chalian discusses the plans Biden is laying out to help fix a broken nation and looks at when the Senate will receive the article of impeachment... and why the House has yet to send it. And finally, incoming Vice President Kamala Harris is not...

The Trump presidency is ending as it began: complete chaos. David Chalian takes you inside the President's disastrous final days and tells you how President-elect Biden is trying to reframe the conversation. Plus, a look at law enforcement's massive preparations underway ahead of Inauguration Day and investigations reveal there was more planning behind the Capitol siege than previously thought.  T...

History has been made, again. The House has impeached President Trump for inciting the insurrection at the US Capitol last week, making him the first President to be impeached twice. David Chalian reacts to the vote, examines the motivations of the Republicans who broke rank, and tells you what will happen next.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn mo...

After being banned from social media and staying out of the public eye for days following the fatal US Capitol siege, President Donald Trump speaks out. David Chalian reacts to his complete lack of accountability and explains the political calculations facing Republicans on the eve of the President's second impeachment vote. Plus, planned "armed protests" nationwide are raising safety concerns for...

David Chalian discusses everything you need to know about the resolution to impeach President Trump introduced by House Democrats today and why President-Elect Biden has an impeachment problem. Plus, although some Republicans have called for Trump to step down, the GOP seems divided on how to proceed after the events of last week… with many Republicans still refusing to hold Trump accountable. And...

Democrats are poised to impeach President Trump for a second time before his term ends in less than two weeks - which would make him the only President to be impeached twice. David Chalian explains the politics of impeachment and the continued fallout within the Republican Party after the siege on the US Capitol this week. Plus, Biden's new plan to speed the vaccine rollout.  To learn more about h...

David Chalian discusses the aftermath of yesterday’s disturbing events and the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump from office. Plus, despite Trump’s attempts to stall the process, President-elect Biden was officially certified as the 46th President of the U.S. and announced his picks for the Department of Justice today. And finally, Chalian takes a further look at...

A scene that no one expected to ever see and yet one that was completely predictable: an insurrection with rioters breaching the Capitol as lawmakers did their constitutional duty to certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory. David Chalian explains the events leading up to a mob storming the Capitol and how the President and his allies' efforts to overthrow the election enabled it. To learn more...

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for... election day in Georgia! David Chalian discusses what we can expect to see in the Georgia Senate runoff elections and why those races are so crucial. Plus, President Trump’s final test of loyalty will play out tomorrow at the official electoral college vote… and all eyes are on Vice President Pence. Buckle up, it's going to be a wild 48 hours.  To lear...

President Trump's assault on democracy...caught on tape. CNN Political Director David Chalian goes inside the President pushing the Georgia Secretary of State to "find" votes and how it clashes with the very oath of office elected officials take. He also explains the impact the president's conspiracy theories could have on the Georgia Senate runoffs and the future of the Republican party. To learn...

With Senate control hanging in the balance, all eyes are on Georgia leading up to the runoff elections on January 5th. In the fourth episode of our five-part series, we take a closer look at the state of play in both races, the record-breaking early voting and fundraising numbers, and the political calculations at play.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy...

On today’s episode, David Chalian discusses how the vague comments from Mitch McConnell might affect the $2000 stimulus checks that President Trump and Democrats are pushing for. Plus, both Georgia Republican Senators running for reelection in the runoffs gave their support for the $2000 checks today, but it’s unclear if there will be enough Republican Senators on board. And finally, President-ele...

After days of delay, President Trump signs the coronavirus relief bill. CNN's Political Director, David Chalian, breaks down the politics of the President’s delay and Congress' attempt to override Trump's veto on the defense bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act. Plus, with the Georgia runoff elections one week away, why GOP senators are breathing a huge sigh of relief. To learn mor...

With less than a month left in the Trump presidency, David Chalian takes a step back and looks at what the future could hold for President Trump after he leaves office. Here's a hint: he's not going anywhere. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect Biden has laid out an extensive policy agenda to tackle the problems facing the country. In this special edition of the CNN Political Briefing, David Chalian takes a look at Biden’s positions on climate, foreign policy, and health care.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Senate control hanging in the balance, all eyes are on Georgia leading up to the runoff elections on January 5th. In the third episode of our five-part series on the Georgia Senate runoffs, CNN Political Director David Chalian takes a closer look at the second pair of candidates running: Incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler and Democratic challenger Rev. Raphael Warnock.  To learn more about h...

With Senate control hanging in the balance, all eyes are on Georgia leading up to the runoff elections on January 5th. In the second episode of our five-part series on the Georgia Senate runoffs, CNN Political Director David Chalian takes a closer look at two of the candidates running: Republican David Perdue and Democrat Jon Ossoff. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn...

Pandemic deaths pass another grim milestone while the government also faces a widespread hack perpetrated by Russia. David Chalian discusses how despite these major crises, President Trump’s attention is elsewhere. Plus, Biden's pick for Attorney General is complicated by a federal probe into the President-elect’s son. And finally, how the potential stimulus deal is playing Georgia Senate runoff r...

The American people have been waiting months for Congress to reach an agreement on a stimulus bill, and it looks like that day may be here... and it could mean more money in your pocket. David Chalian discusses what factors are pushing the relief deal forward and what could possibly hold it up. Plus, President-Elect Biden’s nomination of Pete Buttigieg would make him the first openly gay cabinet s...

Republicans, like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, are finally acknowledging Biden’s win... but President Trump still hasn't come to terms with reality. David Chalian discusses the aftermath of yesterday's electoral college vote that confirmed President-elect Biden’s victory. Plus, will Congress finally agree on the long overdue stimulus bill before time runs out? And finally, President-ele...

The 538 electors who make up the Electoral College gathered today in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to formally cast their votes for president. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how this year, the normally overlooked vote is an important reality check on the President's election denials. Plus, President-elect Biden is expected to mark the moment with a speech... will he sei...

With Senate control in the balance, all eyes are on Georgia leading up to the runoff elections on January 5th. Over the next four weeks, we will explore why these two Senate races matter so much and the consequences for President-elect Joe Biden's next four years. In today's episode, CNN's Senior Political Reporter Nia-Malika Henderson, breaks down how and why we got here, who is running, what the...