CNN Politics

We begin today's show during another lengthy, wide-ranging press conference by President Trump, this one coming after he announced the latest Kennedy Center honorees and revealed that he will host the awards. Our in-depth analysis of his comments begins with CNN's Kristen Holmes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump says his unprecedented takeover of the Washington, DC police could extend to other cities across the country. But is the new White House push. about public protection or political posturing? Or maybe both?  Plus: The Texas House just failed to meet a quorum for the fifth time in a row as the Republican governor warns redistricting is inevitable.  And: The president picks a M...

As today's show gets underway, we are following breaking news regarding a remarkable moment in US history. President Trump has just announced plans to take over law enforcement in the District of Columbia by putting Washington DC police under federal control and deploying nearly 1,000 national guard troops to the capital's streets.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoi...

First: Texas Democrats who left the state in protest face a deadline to get back to the capital. If they don't the Texas attorney general says he'll seek a court order to fire them.  Plus: She prosecuted President Trump and now his Justice Department may prosecute her. The DOJ subpoenas Letitia James, looking for information about her case against the Trump Organization.  And: We introduce you to...

Texas state Rep. James Talarico, along with dozens of his Democratic colleagues, captured the nation’s attention this week when they fled their state to try to block a Republican gerrymandering effort. He shares why they walked out, what he thinks it can accomplish and how his faith informs his approach to politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: The US puts a patchwork of tariffs on nearly every major trading partner. The markets are shrugging. But will your wallet be shrinking?  Plus: Will GOP attempts to gain seats in the House through redistricting spread to other Republican-led states?  And: John King is back on the road in an Arizona heat wave to take the temperature on a potential midterm flashpoint.  Learn more about your ad...

As today's show begins, we're following breaking news out of Georgia, where the US Army's Fort Stewart is in lockdown for an active shooter situation. CNN's Isabel Rosales begins our coverage from Atlanta.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump is desperate to move on from the Jeffrey Epstein saga engulfing his administration. But even his own party is helping to keep it front and center. We have breaking news on the House Republican push for answers.  Plus: The political firestorm in Texas is exploding across the country as Democrats declare war on the GOP push to deliver the president more seats in Congress ahead...

First: Texas Democrats have fled the state in a last-ditch effort to block a Republican gerrymander. But is this a strategy or a stunt? Plus: The White House is trying to justify President Trump's decision to fire the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics because he did not like Friday's jobs report. But contrary to what they say, numbers don't lie.  And: We have brand new CNN reporting on far-ri...

On CNN’s State of the Union, after President Trump abruptly fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics over a weak jobs report, her predecessor William Beach – also appointed by Trump – tells Kasie Hunt Trump’s actions are “groundless” and “damaging.” Then, Kasie presses EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin over his push to gut the government’s ability to fight climate change by rolling back regulat...

First: Popping off. An emboldened President Trump reshuffles the global economy. What's his next target? Plus: Democratic dreams. What's giving the party hope as it tries to retake power? And how far will they go to block a takeover in Texas? I go one on one with Senator Cory Booker who says his fellow lawmakers need to do more. And: Camp democracy. As Trump's cuts mount, fired federal workers bri...

Dan Balz is something of a legend in Washington media. He retired this week from full-time reporting after 47 years at the Washington Post. He shares his insights on the first six months of this second Trump administration and gives some of his best advice for political reporters in an increasingly competitive, rapid-fire industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoic...

First: A dismal jobs report delivers a gut punch to the White House as it tries to sell the president's new sweeping tariffs. We'll bring you the latest from Wall Street as the double whammy shakes investor confidence.  Plus: Will the real Democratic leader please stand up? Kamala Harris says she is not going back in the system, but does not name a single person leading her party. Is it a politica...

The US reaches a trade deal with Mexico, while dozens of other countries have just 12 hours left to reach an agreement with the Trump Administration or face steep tariff hikes. Will the president's gamble make the US rich, as he claims, or leave American consumers paying the price.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Senate Democrats have a new strategy to keep the Jeffrey Epstein scandal front and center. But will a century-old law actually force the DOJ to release the files?  Plus: We're getting the first look at the Texas GOP's push to redraw the congressional map in their favor. How will this change the midterm math?  And: Wolf speaks with a 26-year-old hoping to unseat a 78-year-old Capitol Hill ve...

First: President Trump says he's headed back home to "put out fires all over the world." But will the seemingly never-ending Jeffrey Epstein scandal be the flame that defies all containment?  Plus: According to New York City's mayor, the gunman who opened fire in a busy Manhattan office building had a suicide note expressing grievances with the NFL. We get the latest New York Governor Kathy Hochul...

First: In the rough. As President Trump tees off overseas, he faces urgent questions about a major tariff deadline and deepening starvation in Gaza. Will he make any progress? Plus: No end in sight. As Trump tries to put miles between him and the Epstein saga, could a new tactic by his team backfire? A conservative congressman who's pushing for more information, Eric Burlison joins me live. And: S...

Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin discusses the Epstein controversy with Jake Tapper and what it will take for the Trump administration to move on from the crisis. White House Budget Director Russ Vought tells Jake Tapper about plans for another recissions package and the tools the administration might use to achieve spending cuts. Democratic Senator Mark Kelly discusses what he has been hearing...

First: The number two at the DOJ, who just happens to be President Trump's former defense attorney, is behind closed doors with Jeffrey Epstein's convicted accomplice for the second day in a row. The president now refuses to rule out a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell.  Plus: Democrats are trying to use the Epstein scandal as political ammunition, accusing Republicans of a coverup while running ads ta...

Jeffrey Epstein talk took over Capitol Hill this week. And while President Donald Trump seems eager to change the subject, some of his closest allies in Congress are calling for answers. Senior White House Correspondent Kristen Holmes and Congressional Correspondent Lauren Fox discuss how this drama played out among House GOP members and why a summer break may not be enough to cool this issue down...

CNN has learned a crucial reason why President Trump has changed his tune on the Jeffrey Epstein case: He now knows his name is in the so-called Epstein Files. While that does not implicate him in any crime, it certainly raises questions of a coverup.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show begins just after President Trump holds another impromptu press conference at the White House while meeting with the Philippine president, who's in Washington to negotiate a trade deal. Asked about the Justice Department's request to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell, the sole living person convicted in the Jeffrey Epstein case, he replied, "That sounds appropriate," but then quickly shifte...

First: President Trump floods social media with dozens of posts about former President Obama, the Washington Commanders and even a head-spinning video of a woman tossing a snake. But can any of it redirect the spotlight from the Jeffrey Epstein saga?  Plus: A federal judge is hearing arguments in Harvard's effort to reverse the White House's decision to block more than $2 billion in federal fundin...

On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper presses Senator Amy Klobuchar on why Democrats didn't release the Epstein files during the Biden Administration, Congressman Tim Burchett says Trump's call to release grand jury material in the Epstein case is a "good start." US hostage envoy Adam Boehler discusses the Trump administration’s prisoner exchange with Venezuela that freed ten detained US nation...

First: MAGA revolt. President Trump faces the fallout over Epstein. Will his latest moves satisfy his base? Or are they digging in for a fight? Plus: Six months in. Trump is taking action on his campaign promises. So why are Americans souring on his approach? We have brand new polling. And: Texas hold up. As Democrats accuse Texas Republicans of stealing seats to hold the House. CNN’s Manu Raju go...