The Lead with Jake Tapper

Sources tell CNN that Trump is preparing for a possible third criminal indictment today and we’ve seen him be very active, updating people on his Truth Social account whenever there are developments. This as the federal grand jury investigating efforts by former President Trump to overturn the 2020 election finishes for the day.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com...

Another Trump associate makes his first court appearance in the classified documents case in Florida. The Mar-a-Lago property manager is accused of trying to help delete security footage from Trump’s resort. While in Georgia, there are signs that we are close to a key decision in another Trump case. Plus, a search intensifies for a nurse and her child kidnapped in Haiti while the State Department...

Who is the key witness in the classified documents case named Trump employee number four? CNN confirms the name after he allegedly discussed surveillance camera footage on Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property. This new identity as the former president faces new charges. Plus, a look at the political future of Senator Mitch McConnell. What his office is saying about his freeze this week in front of r...

Donald Trump’s legal team sits down behind closed doors with special counsel Jack Smith. What Trump himself is saying about the meeting and his own defense. Pus, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is back on the Senate floor today after freezing in front of reporters mid-sentence. Source tell CNN the 81-year-old has fallen three times this year alone. Also, the emergency warning from America’s...

The judge placed a plea deal on hold after Hunter Biden appeared before court for failing to pay between $1.1 and $1.5 million in federal taxes before the legal deadlines. Plus, Mitch McConnell was ushered away from the microphones after freezing mid-sentence. We look at what he is saying now about that startling moment. Also, what could be House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s real reason behind floatin...

CNN confirms that US Marine veteran and former Russian prisoner Trevor Reed was not only fighting in Ukraine but also injured in combat. Plus, college basketball standout, Bronny James, the oldest son of NBA star LeBron James, is recovering from a cardiac arrest. Also, is House Speaker McCarthy laying the groundwork for an impeachment inquiry into President Biden for his alleged ties to his son’s...

Biden administration officials have grown concerned over floating barriers the Texas government has placed along the Texas-Mexico border. Plus, a new CNN exclusive to try and determine what Donald Trump said behind closed doors in the Oval Office meeting about election security that now has the attention of the special counsel. Also, protests and clashes stretch well into the night in Israel over...

The Trump-appointed judge in the classified documents trial has set the trial case for May after the Iowa caucuses, New Hampshire primary, and Super Tuesday. Plus, we speak with the president of Microsoft about artificial intelligence utilizing copyrighted material to write books and generate art. This as leading A.I. companies agree to outside testing of A.I. systems and other safety commitments....

One of the IRS whistleblowers, Joseph Ziegler, who alleged malfeasance and slow-walking in the Hunter Biden investigation joins for an exclusive interview. Plus, a look at what’s behind the success of the film Sound of Freedom. Also, massive explosions light up the night sky in Ukraine’s port city of Odessa. Why are Russians targeting that spot?  To learn more about how CNN protects listener priva...

Trump is facing a potential third indictment as his lawyers want to know what evidence the special counsel has. How will Trump handle the invitation for him to appear before a grand jury by tomorrow? Plus, a new photo of the American soldier detained in North Korea emerges. Why did he run across the border into the hermit kingdom? Also, new footage suggests Yevgeny Prigozhin may still be alive aft...

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sits down to discuss if he thinks Trump should be indicted if the special counsel finds evidence of criminality, his sweeping new military plan, US relations with China, the state of the war in Ukraine, and if he has concerns about his campaign’s ability to win the Republican nomination. Plus, a US soldier is believed to have been detaine...

Vladimir Putin is vowing retaliation after Ukrainian forces unleashed a pre-dawn strike on the bridge that connects Crimea to Russia. Russia has also ended a deal critical to the world’s food supply. The Black Sea deal which ensured the safe passage of ships carrying grain from Ukrainian ports expired today. Plus, Jake sits down for a one-on-one with GOP presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson to di...

A suspected serial killer has been in caught by law enforcement and makes his first court appearance after being charged with the deaths of three women whose bodies were found on a Long Island beach in 2010. We examine how a car, burner phones, fake email accounts, and DNA from a piece of pizza led police to the suspect. Plus, 1,000 heat records have been shattered in the US since June and more co...

President Joe Biden on Thursday said he doesn't believe the war in Ukraine will drag on for years. Plus, a look at how Ukrainians plan to deploy US cluster bombs. Also, after months of Sen. Tuberville (R-Ala.) blocking military promotions, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin tells CNN in an exclusive interview the blockade by Tuberville has become a threat to national security. And, the Secret Service...

FBI Director Christopher Wray faces off with his toughest critics during a heated congressional hearing in which he answered questions regarding the handling of the investigations into former President Donald Trump and the son of President Joe Biden, Hunter Biden. Plus, during the NATO summit, more promises are made to Ukraine but President Zelenksy is not getting what he really wanted, entry into...

President Zelensky appears at the NATO summit, requesting membership in the alliance as Turkey agree’s to back Sweden’s NATO bid. Plus, a new grand jury has been selected to decide if Donald Trump will be indicted a third time for his alleged role in trying to overturn the 2020 election. Also, as extreme whether hits the northeast United States, catastrophic flooding swamps Vermont.  To learn more...

The 31 member nations in NATO will meet to discuss Ukraine potentially joining the alliance. Plus, the special counsel is accusing Donald Trump’s right-hand man of trying to delay the federal prosecution. Also, a look at the once in a thousand year rainfall that has left devastating flooding in parts of America.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn mo...

First: For the first time since the start of Russia's war, Ukraine will be getting an aid package from the US that includes cluster munitions - bombs that are banned by most countries. President Biden gave CNN an exclusive interview where he tried to defend that controversial decision.  Then: The special counsel zeroes in on an Oval Office meeting during Donald Trump's final days in office, a meet...

First: Walt Nauta, the Trump aide who allegedly hid boxes of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago before the FBI arrived pleads not guilty, despite the Justice Department saying he was caught on surveillance video hiding those very boxes. 2024 Republican presidential challenger Chris Christie joins the show to discuss.  Plus: The Kremlin sends in their officers to sniff out Wagner mercenary group le...

First: Lab tests confirm a baggy of white powder found just steps from the West Wing Sunday was filled with cocaine. Now the question is: Who dropped it and set off a hazmat evacuation.  Then: Gun violence in America reaches a new level of horror, with 356 mass shootings so far this year ... a stunning 15 of them just this past holiday weekend. We explore why these tragic shootings always seem to...

First: From iowa to New Hampshire to the White House, 2024 presidential candidates hit parades, kissed babies, and tried to make their case face to face with voters ... with one notable exception.  Plus: Three more mass shootings in Texas, Indiana and Philadelphia are the latest sites of a uniquely American tragedy.  And: Hidden cameras in the women's locker room exposed a troubling pattern of sex...

Today on The Lead: CNN is on the front lines, where Ukraine's fight for freedom is in the trenches. Meanwhile, the CIA director says why he thinks instability in Moscow is creating a unique moment. Then, a holiday block party in Baltimore turns tragic. Now the hunt is on for shooters who opened fire, killing two and injuring nearly 30 others. Plus, can cows help curb the climate crisis? You might...

40 million Americans will not get the student loan forgiveness President Biden promised them after the Supreme Court rejects his plan. Then, a look at the future of anti-discrimination laws after a key ruling on LGBTQ rights and freedom of speech involving a wedding website designer and the state of Colorado. Plus, a look at traveling this upcoming holiday weekend.  To learn more about how CNN pro...

The Supreme Court rejects race-based affirmative action in college admissions in a landmark decision. One of the attorneys that argued in support of affirmative action before the court joins to discuss. Plus, documents shared exclusively with CNN show a Russian general, whose whereabouts is currently unknown, was a secret VIP member of the Wagner mercenary group. Also, Mike Pence sits down with Er...

Investigators from the special counsel’s office are in Atlanta to interview Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger about Donald Trump’s alleged interference in the 2020 election. Plus, Vladimir Putin is greeted by a swarm of supporters during a rare surprise crowd appearance. This comes hours after the reported target of Prigozhin’s failed Russian revolt is revealed. Also, giant pieces of t...