The Arena with Kasie Hunt

Kasie Hunt talks to the panel about a new interview the president gave to the Wall Street Journal, in which he urged Bill Pulte, his incoming acting director of national intelligence, to fire intelligence community leaders. Plus, the Justice Department claims it could tear down the Statue of Liberty in a court case over the building of Trump's White House ballroom. Learn more about your ad choices...

The House Oversight Committee released transcripts of its interview with former Attorney General Pam Bondi. Republican Congressman Mike Lawler weighs in on efforts on Capitol Hill to kill President Trump's "anti-weaponization" fund. Democratic Senator Chris Coons discusses the fund's future, Todd Blanche's leadership at the DOJ, and Graham Platner's candidacy in Maine. Plus, Trump’s former nationa...

President Trump's suggests that he hasn't dropped the "anti-weaponization" fund, teeing up a collision course with Senate Republicans over it. President Trump takes questions live from the Oval Office. David Axelrod joins to discuss what we saw out of primaries last night in Iowa, California, and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testifies that the Justice Department will not move forward with the administration's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund. Senator Tim Kaine discusses his questioning of Secretary Rubio on Capitol Hill today, as well as Graham Platner's candidacy. Plus, voters head to the polls in high-stakes primaries across six states, including in California, where LA May...

The DOJ said it would abide by a federal court ruling that pauses the Trump administration's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund." Graham Platner's extramarital sexting stands to complicate an already controversial Senate race for Democrats. Senator Chris Murphy weighs in on Platner's candidacy and discusses his new book. Plus, the president proposes holding a MAGA rally to celebrate America's 2...

Congressman Ro Khanna, who questioned former Attorney General Pam Bondi today, talks to Kasie Hunt about what he heard in that deposition. The panel discusses a new ruling to halt the DOJ's "anti-weaponization" fund, and another that says the president cannot add his name to the Kennedy Center. President Trump finishes a meeting with advisers in the Situation Room about Iran. Plus, a cave rescue e...

Kasie Hunt talks to the panel about the administration’s new plans to put President Trump on a $250 bill, and how that squares with other parts of the White House’s agenda. Rahm Emanuel weighs in. Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, discusses the tentative Iran agreement that is awaiting Trump’s sign off. Smith and the panel also weigh in on the latest comments...

Kasie Hunt talks to the panel about President Trump's latest comment about the midterms and his cabinet's portrayal of the U.S. economy. As he faces off against Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate general election, James Talarico walks back some of his "cringey" past comments. Former First Lady Jill Biden says in a new interview that she thought Joe Biden was "having a stroke" during that infamous 2024...

Kasie Hunt talks to the panel ahead of tonight's highly-anticipated Texas elections. Rep. Julia Johnson, who has been pitted against another Democrat for her House seat, weighs in. The top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Sen. Mark Warner, discusses the latest on Iran talks as Trump's cabinet prepares to convene for a rare meeting at Camp David. Plus, President Trump says his physica...

U.S. officials tell CNN they are optimistic that negotiations with Iran will hammer out two major sticking points: Iran’s existing nuclear material and its frozen assets. Plus, an interview with Democratic Congressman Jake Auchincloss. And—Pope Leo XIV’s new message on the moral dangers of artificial intelligence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This afternoon, President Trump announced that Tulsi Gabbard has tendered her resignation as the director of national intelligence effective June 30th. The president also announced that Aaron Lukas will serve as the acting director of national intelligence.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kasie Hunt talks to the panel after the Senate leaves Washington, with Republicans saying they were blindsided by the Justice Department’s announcement of an "anti-weaponization" fund. Rep. Don Bacon weighs in. Rahm Emanuel discusses what is in --and crucially, not in-- the DNC's 2024 "autopsy" report. Plus, a committee stacked with Trump loyalists approves his arch design. Learn more about your a...

Kasie Hunt talks to the panel after two January 6th officers attempt to block the rioters who assaulted them from receiving payouts from the administration's new "anti-weaponization" fund. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who recently pressed acting attorney general Todd Blanche over the fund, weighs in. President Trump continues his endorsement winning streak, though his involvement could complicate his ag...

Kasie Hunt talks to the panel after Vice President JD Vance and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche wouldn't rule out compensating Jan. 6 rioters who assaulted cops through the administration's new "anti-weaponization" fund. Republican Senators say they are "disappointed" in President Trump's long-awaited endorsement in the Texas GOP Senate primary. Voters from coast to coast head to polls to cas...

Kasie Hunt talks to law enforcement experts about a shooting at the Islamic Center in San Diego. Police provide an update on the investigation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Phil Mattingly talks to the panel as South Carolina lawmakers begin redistricting during a special session. Organizers plan demonstrations across the South amid new redistricting pushes. Following his historic summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Trump said he "made no commitment either way" on Taiwan. Rep. Ro Khanna reacts. Plus, a taco expert tells us where to get the best taco in...

In exclusive new CNN reporting, a source says that acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was informed by the DOJ’s top ethics official last year that he must recuse himself from any cases that involve Donald Trump in his personal capacity. Former FBI Director James Comey joins to discuss.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kasie Hunt talks to the panel as the White House tells Congress it will need $200 million to secure President Trump's ballroom project. Trump is expected to encourage Chinese President Xi Jinping to push Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee discusses the two-day summit with Xi in China. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries eyes a massive redistrict...

Kasie Hunt talks to the panel about new polling that shows just how few Americans feel optimistic about the economy. More southern states move to redraw their 2026 maps in ways that could eliminate seats held by Black Democrats. Rep. Shomari Figures, who may lose his seat due to Alabama's implementation of a new map, weighs in. Rep. Jason Crow discusses the FBI director's Hill testimony and Trump'...

Kasie Hunt talks to Brett McGurk, a former Middle East advisor to four presidents, after President Trump says the Iran ceasefire is on "massive life support." The panel discusses the backlash facing the transportation secretary over his participation in a new reality show featuring his family's roadtrip across the U.S. amid high gas prices. Eighteen people are being monitored for hantavirus in the...

Kasie Hunt talks to the panel after the Virginia Supreme Court deals a major blow to Democrats' bid to win back the House in November. Consumer sentiment hits a new low, despite a better-than-expected jobs report. Maggie Haberman discusses how the president is thinking about the 2026 midterms. Rep. Chris Deluzio weighs in as well. The U.S. continues to wait for a response from Iran on a proposal t...

Kasie Hunt talks to the panel about Secretary of State Marco Rubio's meeting with the Pope and a video that the Secretary posted that looked an awful lot like a campaign ad. Father Edward Beck discusses the gifts exchanged between the Pope and Rubio. Ret. Admiral James Stavridis discusses the status of the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S. expects Iran to respond to its proposal today. Plus, a federal...

Kasie Hunt talks to the panel after most of the candidates backed by President Trump successfully ousted GOP incumbents in Indiana who rebuked his redistricting push. The FBI raids the office of a powerful Virginia Democratic lawmaker who helped push the state's recent high-stakes redistricting effort. President Obama offers his advice for today's Democrats. Rep. Seth Moulton discusses the status...

Kasie Hunt talks to the panel after Secretary Rubio takes questions on the Iran war in the White House briefing room. Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta weighs in. Senate Republicans eye $1 billion for security measures for President Trump's White House ballroom. Rep. Robert Garcia discusses the CA gubernatorial race ahead of tonight's CNN debate. Plus, elections in Indiana and Ohio tonight tes...

New military strikes are testing an already fragile ceasefire as both the United States and Iran launch new attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. We bring you all the latest on the exchange of fire.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices