CNN Political Briefing

Former President Donald Trump is in Iowa today with other Republican presidential hopefuls, as he faces new charges in special counsel Jack Smith’s classified documents probe. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the superseding indictment, and why his legal troubles don’t stop there. CNN Political Correspondent Sara Murray joins us to discuss what the Fulton County District Attorney c...

Donald Trump’s legal team met with special counsel Jack Smith today, as the possibility of a third indictment against the former president looms. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down two key meetings that took place today in the special counsel’s election interference probe. Plus, some Republicans weigh in on what a possible third indictment against Trump would mean for him politically...

Hunter Biden’s plea deal is on hold after a dramatic court hearing today, while House Republicans ramp up impeachment talk against President Joe Biden. CNN Capitol Hill Reporter Melanie Zanona explains the judge’s reasoning for questioning the plea deal, and how some Republicans feel this gives the probes into Biden and his family some legs. Meanwhile, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is warming up to...

President Joe Biden is drawing a contrast with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over race and education. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the new national monument Biden created today, as Florida is the latest state to issue new guidelines that restrict how race and Black history are taught. DeSantis stands by the state’s initiative, while some in his party criticize the move. To lear...

The Justice Department is suing Texas to force the state to remove floating barriers in the Rio Grande meant to deter migrants, after Governor Greg Abbott said today he wouldn't. CNN White House Reporter Priscilla Alvarez explains the legal arguments being made by both sides. Plus, the Biden administration believes its new immigration policies are effective in the wake of Title 42 ending. To learn...

Former President Donald Trump is going to have to juggle being on the campaign trail with being in the courtroom in the coming months. CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny compares Trump’s upcoming trials with the GOP presidential primary calendar. Plus, he breaks down the latest on the investigations into the former president, including a possible trial date for the classified doc...

The federal grand jury looking at the special counsel’s investigation into what led up to January 6th is meeting today, as the potential for a third indictment against Donald Trump looms. CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes breaks down what the grand jury could be up to, and what charges Trump could be facing. Plus, House Republican leadership is throwing cold water on the idea of expunging Trump’s t...

Donald Trump’s team is trying to figure out what evidence the special counsel has against the former president in the 2020 election aftermath probe, as he expects to be indicted for a third time. CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes breaks down Trump’s response and strategy, while most House Republicans stand with him so far. Plus, two IRS whistleblowers are testifying before the House Oversight Commi...

Former President Donald Trump says he’s been informed by special counsel Jack Smith that he’s a target in the investigation into the aftermath of the 2020 election. CNN Congressional Correspondent Jessica Dean explains what this could mean for Trump, while a key hearing took place in the separate classified documents probe. Plus, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis responds to his 2024 opponent’s legal...

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other Republican presidential candidates are at an evangelical event in Virginia today. CNN National Correspondent Kristen Holmes breaks down DeSantis’ speech and how he’s been responding to recent criticism about his campaign. Plus, Democrats are worried Senator Joe Manchin may be considering a third-party presidential run. To learn more about how CNN protects li...

Many Republican presidential candidates are in Iowa today for a summit thrown by an influential evangelical leader. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the significance of this event, which is happening on the same day the Republican governor signed a 6-week abortion ban into law. Plus, President Joe Biden’s latest fundraising numbers don't seem to be helping some Democrats’ anxiety over...

Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Defense Secretary Llyod Austin spoke today about Tuberville’s hold on military nominations over the department’s reproductive health policies. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the senator’s position – one President Joe Biden called “ridiculous.” Plus, House Republicans are addressing the same matter in a critical defense policy bill....

The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony from FBI Director Christopher Wray. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down key moments from the hearing, and what it may (or may not) accomplish. Republicans attacked the agency for playing politics on a number of issues, while Democrats labeled the hearing itself as political. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn....

As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, President Joe Biden attends a high stakes NATO summit in Lithuania. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains NATO’s efforts to help Ukraine join the alliance, but the White House says it won’t happen until after the war is over. Plus, Turkey has agreed to back Sweden’s bid to join NATO in a major win for the alliance. To learn more about how CNN protects...

The House Freedom Caucus is still finding its way in a McCarthy-led House in a post-Trump Washington. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down how the group of conservative Republicans struggles at times to stay on the same page when it comes to policy, strategy, and presidential endorsements. The caucus even voted to oust one of its members with high name recognition: Congresswoman Marjor...

New CNN reporting indicates special counsel Jack Smith may be close to deciding charges in another probe involving former President Donald Trump. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what prosecutors are focusing on as they investigate Trump and his allies’ efforts to overturn the 2020 election. This, as Trump campaigned in Iowa today and attacked his top GOP rival, Florida Governor Ro...

The holiday week has been stacked with 2024 candidate events, new political ads, and fresh fundraising numbers. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the drama over loyalty pledges, which require GOP candidates to support the eventual nominee if they want to be on the ballot in Florida or participate in the RNC’s first primary debate. Plus, will former President Donald Trump even show up t...

Some Republicans running for the presidential nomination hit the campaign trail hard over the holiday, except for the frontrunner. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and former Vice President Mike Pence spent the last few days, and what that says about the primary race so far. To learn more about how CNN protects listener...

On the final day of its term, the Supreme Court issued two, monumental 6-3 decisions that strikes down student debt relief and limits LGBTQ protections. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down each opinion, and what President Joe Biden plans to do in response. Republicans are celebrating the rulings today, as the high court leans even more to the right. To learn more about how CNN protect...

In a landmark 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that race can no longer be a consideration for colleges and universities, upending decades of precedent that benefitted Black and Latino students. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the nuances of the majority opinion, the fiery dissent, and what the Biden administration plans to do next. Plus, will this ruling have the same impact on...

The White House is embracing the term ‘Bidenomics’ to try to rebrand President Joe Biden’s economic record and policy vision under one term. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down Biden’s big speech in Chicago — and the latest poll numbers and political headwinds on the economy — as the president seeks a second term. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/pr...

CNN was the first to obtain a 2021 audio recording where former President Donald Trump seemed to admit he had a secret Pentagon document, and appeared to show it off to people in the room. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the legal and political implications for Trump, as he hits the 2024 campaign trail in New Hampshire. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit...

President Biden said today the US and its closest allies had nothing to do with a mercenary group’s insurrection attempt in Russia on Saturday. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains more on how the West, Russia, and Ukraine are responding to the Wagner Group’s rebellion in Russia. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices....

Tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision to overturn the constitutional right to abortion. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down how both Democrats and Republicans in the 2024 presidential race are marking the occasion. The Biden-Harris campaign believes abortion rights will be a motivating issue for voters, while some Republicans struggle to navigate. To learn...

President Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the trade-offs the president had to make in order to strengthen ties with India in the face of growing US-China tension. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoic...