CNN Political Briefing

President Joe Biden prompted fierce backlash from Beijing when he referred to his Chinese counterpart as a “dictator.” CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why the comments caught some US officials off guard at a time when US-China relations are tense. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/ad...

Hunter Biden will plead guilty to two federal tax charges and struck a deal with prosecutors to resolve a gun charge. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why the ongoing investigation into Hunter Biden and the federal charges Donald Trump’s facing will be front and center for Republicans on Capitol Hill and in the 2024 race. Plus, a new CNN poll shows the former president’s support among...

The Supreme Court has a few weeks left of yet another consequential term. CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny and CNN Senior Supreme Court Analyst Joan Biskupic break down the cases before the high court that could have far-reaching implications for Americans, from affirmative action to student debt relief. What do recent decisions say about where the conservative majority court i...

There are now 11 Republicans running for president, after Miami Mayor Francis Suarez made his bid official today. CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny explains the challenges candidates face ahead of the first primary debates, and why President Joe Biden is kicking his reelection campaign into a higher gear. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/priva...

Expect to see former President Donald Trump try to spin what goes on in courtrooms on the 2024 campaign trail. CNN Chief National Affair Correspondent Jeff Zeleny explains what the Trump campaign playbook will likely be, after pleading not guilty to state and federal charges. Plus, we fact check many of the false and misleading claims Trump has made about the charges he faces in the classified doc...

Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to the dozens of charges against him related to his handling of classified documents. CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny breaks down what happened in the courtroom and what to expect next in this case. Plus, the reactions from Republicans on Capitol Hill and on the 2024 campaign trail are mixed, as Trump becomes the first former pr...

Former President Donald Trump is in Florida ahead of his court appearance tomorrow, where he faces 37 counts connected to his handling of classified documents. CNN’s Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny breaks down what’s next legally, and what impact this might have on the 2024 race. Some in Trump’s party have rushed to defend him, while others have criticized his conduct. To learn mo...

Former President Donald Trump has been indicted on several federal criminal charges in connection with his handling of classified documents. CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes is reporting from New Jersey, where Trump and his team is huddling over the indictment. She breaks down the counts laid out against him and one of his aides, and what to expect next. Trump maintains his innocence, as the first...

Former President Donald Trump and his team are bracing for potential indictments, after his legal team gets official notice that he’s a target in the federal investigation over classified documents. CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes breaks down what she’s hearing from sources close to Trump, and new reporting related to the case. Plus, what does former Vice President Mike Pence think about possible...

Former Vice President Mike Pence and two other Republicans enter the Republican presidential race. CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes breaks down how Pence pitched himself to voters and drew a contrast with his former boss. Plus, former President Donald Trump’s campaign issues a new ad attacking all the probes surrounding him. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/priv...

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy isn’t getting behind calls from some in his own party to pass a supplemental aid package for Ukraine. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the latest on the ground in Ukraine, and why some Republicans want to pass more defense funding. Plus, Biden administration officials compare Ukraine’s fight for freedom to D-Day 79 years ago today. To learn more about h...

Former Vice President Mike Pence is officially running for president as a Republican, as two more are expected to join the race this week. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what Pence’s entry does for the race, and the highlights from Nikki Haley’s town hall with CNN. Plus, a 2024 hopeful made clear today he won’t be running. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, vi...

President Joe Biden will address the nation from the Oval Office for the first time today to tout some recent wins. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down some of Biden’s expected talking points, from the red hot jobs reports to the threat of defaulting off the table. Plus, can House Speaker Kevin McCarthy assuage concerns of conservative critics in his conference after the debt deal? To...

CNN exclusive reporting reveals the special counsel investigating former President Donald Trump has a recording where Trump appears to acknowledge he held on to a classified document. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why this tape contradicts Trump’s longstanding defense. This comes as Trump hits the campaign trail in Iowa, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis takes more swipes at him...

As Florida Governor Ron DeSantis kicks off his presidential campaign in Iowa, former President Donald Trump is making the rounds in the key primary state too. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how DeSantis has taken on Trump on the campaign trail. This comes as the GOP field of candidates continues to grow, with former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christi...

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached a deal to raise the debt limit and cut spending, but there’s more work to be done to avoid a default. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down how both leaders are trying to get their parties on board. Some Republicans and Democrats have expressed they’re not happy with the bill for different reasons. To learn more about how CNN...

After launching his presidential campaign, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is sharing some of his ideas for the presidency.  CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down DeSantis’ views on the executive branch and potential pardons for January 6th rioters. Plus, the governor’s attacks against former President Donald Trump have turned pointed since his announcement.   To learn more about how CNN...

As lawmakers head home for the holiday weekend, negotiators have yet to produce a deal on raising the debt ceiling. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains where negotiations stand between the White House and House Republicans. With one week to go before the Treasury Department’s deadline, many lawmakers are worried they’ll get the short end of the stick. To learn more about how CNN protects...

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has officially filed the paperwork to run for president, ahead of an expected announcement on Twitter. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the response from DeSantis’ competition, including from former President Donald Trump. Plus, a new CNN poll provides some insight on how Republican voters view their primary options. To learn more about how CNN protects l...

Congress is running out of time to raise the debt ceiling before the Treasury Department’s June 1st deadline. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains where negotiations stand between the White House and House Republicans. Plus, a new CNN poll shows how Americans feel about the issue. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices...

South Carolina Senator Tim Scott has officially entered the 2024 Republican presidential race. CNN Political Director David Chalian dives into Scott’s political history and early campaign strategy. Will Scott’s optimistic messaging resonate with GOP primary voters who have been more aligned with the grievance politics of frontrunner and former president Donald Trump in recent years? To learn more...

The clock is ticking on Congress to raise the debt ceiling. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the stakes of a government default and where negotiations stand. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy wanted an agreement by the weekend, but negotiators paused talks for the day... and it’s not clear when they’ll pick back up. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/pr...

Former President Donald Trump has company. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how the 2024 Republican presidential race is finally heating up. After months of anticipation, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to launch a presidential bid next week. Plus, former Vice President Mike Pence and other potential candidates seem to be on the cusp of entering the race. To learn more about...

North Carolina and South Carolina are the latest states to move to restrict abortion access in a post-Roe reality. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down each bill and how Republicans in the 2024 presidential conversation are tackling abortion. Former President Donald Trump is sparring with two of his likely primary competitors over specifics of a federal abortion ban they’d support if e...

President Joe Biden met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other congressional leaders to discuss raising the debt ceiling again. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what came out of that meeting and the current sticking points in negotiations. McCarthy said it’s possible to get a deal by the end of the week, while Biden cancelled the second part of his international trip this week. T...