CNN Political Briefing

Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty in his latest legal case out of Georgia. Meanwhile, Trump is trying to distance himself legally and financially from his 18 co-defendants, some of whom are turning to crowdfunding to pay steep legal bills. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the latest out of Georgia, and what Trump’s fellow Republicans are saying. To learn more about h...

The attending physician at the US Capitol said McConnell is “medically clear,” after apparently freezing yesterday in Kentucky. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why this incident may be reinforcing what Americans are already thinking about when it comes to powerful leaders in Washington. President Joe Biden faces similar questions about his age from voters that prompts the White House...

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and President Joe Biden have put their political differences and 2024 rivalry aside to address the impact of Hurricane Idalia. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the state and federal responses so far, and explains the twofold mission leaders have in moments like this. Biden also addressed the continued federal response to the Maui wildfires today, after...

Today, the Biden administration announced the 10 drugs that Medicare will be able to negotiate prices for – a key provision in the Inflation Reduction Act President Joe Biden signed into law last year. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what this process will look like, and why you’ll hear a lot about it on the campaign trail. Plus, a new poll out shows what vulnerabilities both Bide...

There were two key hearings today in Washington DC and Atlanta that’ll chart the next phase of the federal and state criminal cases against former President Donald Trump. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down how Trump’s political and legal calendar is getting more complicated. A federal judge set a trial date for the federal 2020 election subversion case, while Trump’s former chief of...

All of the 19 defendants have surrendered to the Fulton County jail in Georgia after being booked and charged in the state's 2020 election subversion case, including former President Donald Trump. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down how Trump's 20 minute booking process will go down in history. Plus, a new poll of GOP debate watchers shows which candidates made impressions on them wit...

Former President Donald Trump is turning himself in at the Fulton County jail in Georgia today after being criminally charged in the state’s 2020 election subversion case. CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes breaks down what to expect, and how he’s reacting to all the charges he faces in four cases. Plus, CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down key highlights from the first Republican presid...

Eight Republican presidential candidates can take the stage in Milwaukee for the first 2024 primary debate. But frontrunner Donald Trump won’t be there, and an injury almost made Governor Doug Burgum miss it too. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what to look out for tonight, and explains why it’ll be difficult for the candidates to break out in this race. To learn more about how CN...

Some of the 19 defendants in the election subversion case in Georgia started to turn themselves in at the Fulton County jail. CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes breaks down who the first two were, and other developments in this case, including when former President Trump says he plans to surrender. This is happening on the eve of the first Republican presidential primary debate that Trump said he’s...

Sources tell CNN former President Donald Trump has already taped the interview with Tucker Carlson that’s expected to be used as counterprogramming for the first Republican primary debate on Wednesday. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why Trump decided to skip the debate, and how the other candidates are reacting to his absence. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, v...

Former President Donald Trump is planning to sit down for an interview instead of showing up to the first Republican presidential primary debate next week. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down how the other candidates have been preparing for a debate with – and without – Trump. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices...

Former President Donald Trump’s legal troubles dominate the 2024 presidential race. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what recent polling says about the American political landscape, as a former president’s been indicted four times and a 2020 rematch is very possible. Plus, he explains the threats a federal judge in DC and Georgia jurors are facing in cases involving Trump, and wher...

Today, President Joe Biden celebrated the one-year anniversary of signing the Inflation Reduction Act into law and touting it as a key piece to ‘Bidenomics.’ CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the challenges the president has to convince Americans to reelect him for his handling of the economy. President Biden is trying to sell his economic policy agenda, while duty calls in Hawaii and...

Former President Donald Trump now faces 91 charges from four separate indictments. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the latest indictment against Trump and others from Fulton County, Georgia for their alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election in the state. Plus, listen to hear how Trump’s current – and former – presidential rivals think of the latest charges. To learn more abou...

Republican presidential candidates descended on the Iowa State Fair this weekend for stump speeches and fair food. Former Vice President Donald Trump flew over in his private plane while rival Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was flipping pork chops, and Vivek Ramaswamy rapped a few bars of Eminem. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the highlights from the Iowa State Fair. To learn more abo...

The Iowa State Fair has kicked off, and Republican candidates are vying for face time with voters in a presidential race dominated by Donald Trump. Former Vice President Mike Pence and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum both played up their Midwestern credentials, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is aiming to stump across all of Iowa’s 99 counties. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what t...

Federal prosecutors have asked for an early January trial date in one of former President Donald Trump’s legal cases, as a co-defendant pleads not guilty in another. Trump now faces so many current and potential charges, it could make trouble for arranging court dates. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down today’s developments, and what we could see in a potential fourth indictment next...

President Joe Biden visits Arizona, Utah and New Mexico this week, as the West - and the world - reels from extreme heat. But are voters buying Biden’s climate message? A new poll says otherwise, as the president catches flak for not declaring climate change a national emergency. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down Biden’s latest campaign push, and how younger, climate-minded voters a...

Ohioans are headed to the polls today in a special election that has major implications for the state’s abortion rights. And out today, a new national CNN poll shows voters’ feelings haven’t cooled since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade more than a year ago. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the latest numbers. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn...

Former President Donald Trump and his legal team are trying to stall and discredit his latest legal case, as his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination show they’re more willing to use it to their advantage. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the latest from former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Trump’s own lawyer. Plus, a surprising acknowledgmen...

Former President Donald Trump is complaining about the time and cost of his legal issues, a day after pleading not guilty to charges related to his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Republicans are reacting to Trump’s arraignment this week. Plus, a new poll provides some insight on how Americans view the latest charges against the for...

Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to four federal charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election today. He was arrested in the same courthouse that has hosted court proceedings for more than 1,000 Capitol rioters who have been charged for breaching the Capitol. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the charges against Trump, and how other R...

Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow, after being indicted by a grand jury in the special counsel’s investigation into attempts to overturn the 2020 election. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the charges against Trump, and how his legal team is expected to respond. Plus, today former Vice President Mike Pence defended his actions on January 6th after...

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is trailing behind Donald Trump in the polls. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down DeSantis’ latest strategy for dealing with Trump and other obstacles his campaign is facing. On the campaign trail this week, DeSantis unveiled his economic plan for the country and doubled down on Florida's new controversial education standards. To learn more about how CNN...

Special Counsel Jack Smith has expanded his classified documents case against former President Donald Trump. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down new developments in the case, as well as where the investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia stands. Plus, new reporting indicates that all of this legal trouble has been pretty pricey for the Trump campaign,...