CNN Politics

First: The House Ethics committee says it found evidence that Matt Gaetz committed multiple crimes while he was a sitting member of congress. We break down the bombshell report and what comes next for the close Trump ally.  Plus: President Biden moves 37 federal prisoners off death row. It's a remarkable transformation for a man who was once a champion of capital punishment.  And: After 15 years i...

First: In exactly 12 hours, the federal government will shut down unless Congress acts fast. Speaker Mike Johnson claims he now has a plan. But does he have the votes?  Plus: Who's the boss? Dana talks to a top Democratic senator about his party's negotiations behind the scenes, including why they think it is Elon Musk calling the shots in the GOP.  And: Where's Joe? The current president is notic...

As today show begins, federal charges against Luigi Mangione, the man accused of murdering the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, have just been unsealed. Our coverage begins with CNN senior crime and justice correspondent Shimon Prokupecz.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Donald Trump issues a not-so-veiled threat against a political enemy, signaling he may follow through on his promise to use his power of the presidency to pursue his opponents.  Plus: Matt Gaetz responds to a CNN report that the House Ethics Committee plans to release its report on his alleged sexual misconduct, saying the details that could could go public are embarrassing but not criminal...

First: It's RFK Jr.'s turn to pound the congressional marble as Donald Trump's pick for health secretary tries to convince key Republican senators to support his nomination despite conflicting views on one of the most important issues to the GOP: abortion.  Plus: We take you to state capitals across the country as presidential electors cast their votes this hour to formalize Donald Trump's victory...

Today's show begins just after President-elect Donald Trump holds his first press conference since Election Day.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on a special edition of CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper sits down with former presidential candidate and Republican Senator Mitt Romney as he prepares to leave Washington after nearly two decades in politics. First, Romney reacts to Trump’s reelection and his controversial cabinet nominees, as well as concerns Trump could target him for retribution. Then, Romney reflects on his tim...

First: Honeymoon phase. Donald Trump taking a victory lap. But with controversial cabinet picks and a messy pressure campaign - Is it effective? How long will it last? Plus: Uncertain path. Democrats look to find their footing in Trump's Washington -- fight tooth and nail. Or cut deals? Who will lead them back to power. We'll have new reporting about Kamala Harris's plans, and I'll talk to a candi...

First: It's been 38 days since the election, and 38 days from now, President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office for the second time. We've got the latest on the transition, including how Pete Hegseth's path to confirmation is looking a bit smoother, while Robert F Kennedy Jr.'s may be getting a bit rockier.  Plus: Trump says he may pardon January 6 rioters within minutes of taking off...

CNN senior political analyst and editor for The Atlantic Ron Brownstein joins CNN Political Director David Chalian to break down how Vice President Kamala Harris’s top campaign leaders are explaining their loss. They discuss whether it was a winnable race for Harris and why the most shocking thing about this election may just be how normal it was. Plus, the moment Harris’s campaign leaders were mo...

First: For the second time, Time names Donald Trump "Person of the Year," giving him the recognition he craves while revealing crucial details about what America's health programs, justice system and foreign policy will look like when he takes the oath of office just 39 days from now.  Plus: Democratic Senator John Fetterman says his party can't "freak out" about everything Trump does. Today, he'l...

Scott Jennings is well known as a conservative firebrand on CNN. From working for George W. Bush to being mentioned as a possible press secretary for Donald Trump, Scott has a deep background in Republican politics, yet he considers himself a journalist at heart. Scott joined David to talk about his early days in radio news, his childhood in rural Kentucky, his formative relationship with Sen. Mit...

First: Results of a brand new CNN poll show most Americans approve of how Donald Trump is handling his transition to the White House, and are optimistic about his presidency.  Plus: Officials now have forensic evidence tying Luigi Mangione to the exact spot UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down in Manhattan as investigators track down new clues about a potential motive.  And: Rows of...

First: We're getting new details about the investigation into a privileged young man charged with murdering one of the top business leaders in America, including how he was reported missing just weeks before the shooting.  Plus: Last week, the Pete Hegseth nomination was on life support. Today, once- skeptical GOP senators appear to be rallying behind Donald Trump's pick to run the Pentagon.  And:...

As today's show begins, police were questioning a 26-year-old man in Pennsylvania in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this week in New York City. CNN's Brynn Gingras and John Miller join Dana with the latest on the case.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Breaking news on possible DNA evidence related to the Manhattan CEO murder and new information on how investigators are trying to close in on the gunman's identity.  Plus: Donald Trump boosts his embattled Pentagon pick, posting "Pete is a winner." It's a new public show of support for a nomination that is essentially hanging by a thread.  And: Dana discusses preemptive pardon possibilities...

First: We bring you new developments on the hunt for an assassin who took out one of the most powerful business leaders in America. The search is accompanied by growing law enforcement concern that more than 24 hours after the Manhattan murder, the suspect could be anywhere.  Plus: Refusing to retreat, Donald Trump's embattled Pentagon pick says he has the full support of the president-elect. Neve...

Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has made waves—and won elections—by questioning who gets to be an expert on the needs of everyday Americans. She grew up in Texas and attended Reed College before settling in rural Washington and opening an auto repair shop with her husband. Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez joined David to talk about her upbringing as the homeschooled daughter of conservative Evangeli...

Senator-elect Andy Kim’s rise in politics has been anything but conventional. In 2020, he was one of seven Democratic congressmen who won a district also won by Donald Trump. In 2024, he took on the New Jersey political machine after Senator Bob Menendez was convicted of federal corruption charges. He sits down with Audie to talk about his political journey, how Democrats can earn back voters’ tru...

As today's show begins we're still learning about the shocking murder of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson this morning outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan. Our coverage begins with a live report from CNN correspondent Brynn Gingras.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: South Korea, a key US ally, is reeling after its democratically elected president declared martial law. CNN is live on the ground with the latest.  Plus: Booze, unwanted advances and an Islamophobic chant are some only some of the new allegations facing Donald Trump's pick to run the Pentagon.  And: Top strategists from both parties will debate the question many are grappling with in the po...

First: We bring you the mixed reaction from last night's surprise White House announcement that Joe Biden issued a "full and unconditional pardon" for his son, Hunter, whom the president says was unfairly targeted.  Plus: Senate Republicans stand in the way of Kash Patel becoming the FBI director or confirm the man who promises to dismantle the law enforcement agency and rebuild it exactly how Don...

First: Donald Trump spent Thanksgiving night with loved ones Melania, Barron and ... Elon Musk? We look at their relationship and preview Musk's trip to Washington next week to meet with Republican lawmakers.  Plus: A controversy over raw milk as bird flu is found in another batch of it in California. Experts say unpasteurized milk is a vector for infectious diseases. But Robert F Kennedy Jr. want...

First: With 54 days until inauguration the president elect has already filled out his cabinet. Now he's preparing an agenda to quickly push through a narrowly divided Congress.  Plus: The Harris campaign brain trust is defending the decisions they made in the final weeks of the campaign. So why do they think Trump won?  And: Elon Musk is worth over $350 billion. What will he do with all that money...

First: The president-elect says he'll slap massive tariffs on America's three closest trading partners the first day he's in office. But will he follow through? And if he does will it get in the way of his promise to fight inflation?  Plus: We could be on the verge of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet is expected to vote on it today.  And: O...