The Lead with Jake Tapper

Darkness and cold complicate the urgent and painstaking rescue efforts in Syria and Turkey as the death toll rises past 7,200. Plus, in the wake of the killing of Tyre Nichols, Rep. Cori Bush joins to outline her perspective on police accountability. Also, President Biden is using tonight’s address to tout his accomplishments. But, how will his message land with the American people who, according...

A catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake has rocked Syria and Turkey, killing thousands. Plus, we’re learning more about China’s suspected spy balloon which was shot down while flying over the United States, including concern that it may have had explosives onboard. Also, arrests have been made in a Neo-Nazi plot to completely destroy an American city by targeting electrical substations. To learn m...

A diplomatic rift is emerging between China and the U.S. over a balloon flying over the United States. The Pentagon says they know this a Chinese surveillance balloon while China says it is a civilian airship. Plus, the discovery of pro-Nazi teachings to kids in Ohio is sparking a debate over what parents can teach their children at home under the auspices of education. Also, ChatGPT is growing fa...

Republicans vote to kick Congresswoman Ilhan Omar off of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, blaming previous comments that Omar made about Israel. Plus, Sen. Dan Sullivan of the Armed Services Committee joins to answer if he agrees with Zelensky that Russia’s renewed offensive is beginning and answers how the U.S. plans to counter China. Plus, a young New Jersey politician was shot to death just...

As prosecutors look at possible charges over discrepancies in the police report, funeral services are held in Memphis for Tyre Nichols after his fatal arrest. This as city officials announce more videos will be released in relation to Nichols’ case. Also, according to sources, former Governor of South Carolina and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley is expected to launch a pre...

Amid concerns that recent violence between Israelis and Palestinians could spiral into chaos, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joins to discuss his plans to address the violence and respond to criticisms about his newly formed right-wing government. Plus, formal criminal charges have been filed in the shooting on the set of the film “Rust.”  To learn more about how CNN protects listener p...

A sixth officer in the Tyre Nichols case has been received of duty. We examine this officer’s role in the death of Tyre Nichols and what his body camera shows. Plus, new calls for calm in the Middle East as America’s top diplomat visits the region amid an outbreak of violence in Israel and Palestine. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your...

Tyre Nichols’ mother calls for justice ahead of the release of the video which is being described as horrific and even sickening. This hour, what the public can expect and what the Nichols’ parents call the most telling part. Plus, a consequential vote for RNC chair is setting the tone for the future of the Republican Party. Also, at least 7 people have been killed in shooting at a Jerusalem synag...

Tyre Nichols is the latest high-profile case of police brutality to result in murder charges. Five former officers have now been indicted. The victim’s family says he was beaten like a human piñata. Also, the first witness has been called to testify in the murder trial for Alex Murdaugh who is accused of killing his wife and son. Plus, democratic Congressman Adam Schiff is running in what’s shapin...

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A lawyer for Mike Pence found approximately a dozen classified documents at the former VP's Indiana home, according to CNN sources. Will the DOJ have to appoint yet another special counsel to investigate? Plus: California suffers three mass shootings in as many days. The latest is a case of workplace violence. And: Sources tell CNN the US is now ready to send its Abrams tanks to Ukraine as Germany...

36 mass shootings already in 2023 in the United States and we are not even a full month into the year. 11 victims are now dead in the latest update from the hospital from the massacre in Monterey Park, California. Plus, a high ranking FBI official is now in federal custody and is facing money laundering charges as well as questions about his connections to a sanctioned Russian billionaire.  To lea...

The U.S. tries to push Germany to give some Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine while holding back the American-made Abrams model. Plus, a new investigation has opened in New Mexico into a Republican candidate’s campaign possibly being laced with money from fentanyl sales just days after the candidate's arrest in which he was accused of plotting to shoot the homes of his democratic rivals. Also, Erin Brock...

The fight over the debt ceiling could cause a global economic crisis including higher mortgage and credit card payments, 401(k) declines, delayed payments for veterans, delayed Social Security, and more. Plus, actor Alec Baldwin is going to be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the tragic deadly shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Also, the U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is...

A helicopter crashes outside of a kindergarten in the suburbs of Kyiv and a Ukrainian cabinet minister and a child are among the 14 killed. What caused this tragedy? Plus, Rep. Nancy Mace of the House Oversight Committee joins to discuss the differences in the classified documents investigations of Biden and his predecessor. As well, Rep. Mace answers why she believes the GOP approach to abortion...

One city, four homes, each one shot at. Police say a candidate who lost his election in New Mexico tried to have his rival office holders killed. Plus, House Republicans are ready to investigate presidential son Hunter and presidential brothers James and Frank Biden for trying to use their access to the now president to make money. Also, Ukrainian troops arrive in Oklahoma for training on the Patr...

Turns out the White House did not keep a visitors log for guests at President Biden’s private Wilmington home where five more pages of classified documents were found as the president’s personal lawyer tries to explain. Plus, Ukrainian officials say it was a Russian cruise missile designed to take out aircraft carriers that struck an apartment building killing at least 40 people. To learn more abo...

The White House's refusal to answer questions is not going to stop the questions from mounting. Why did the Biden White House wait so long to acknowledge that classified documents have been found at Biden’s private office, home, and garage? Plus, a rising death toll after tornados sweep through Alabama and Georgia as search crews look for survivors amid the piles of debris. To learn more about how...

Attorney General Merrick Garland has named former Trump U.S. Attorney Robert Hur as special counsel to take over the investigation of classified documents found at Joe Biden’s home and private office. Plus, former House Speaker Paul Ryan joins to discuss Kevin McCarthy’s contentious fight to become speaker. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more abo...

The FAA is trying to get flights back on track after a pilot notification system failed causing thousands of flight delays. Plus, Attorney General Merrick Garland will weigh next steps over classified documents found at one of Biden’s offices as the Trump legal team sees benefit in the document revelation. Also, Iran orders harsher punishments to be issued to women who do not wear a hijab. To lear...

The House GOP passes a bill to roll back $80 billion in funding for the IRS. Rep. Mike Johnson of the Judiciary Committee joins to discuss this bill and an approved rules package for the 118th Congress. Plus, President Biden is at the podium in Mexico City only to be overshadowed by questions surrounding multiple classified documents found in his private office. To learn more about how CNN protect...

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy scrambles to ensure support for a new rules package. Plus, a college art professor says she lost her job for showing a 14th century painting of the Prophet Muhammad, renewing a debate over academic freedom. Also, President Biden is in Mexico City for the North American Leaders’ Summit where the issues of migration, drug trafficking, and border security will be front an...

It is day four of the standoff over the House speakership and for the first time this week there are signals there may be a finish soon. Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz joins to answer if she’s confident McCarthy will have enough votes to be elected speaker tonight. Plus, Pennsylvania governor elect Josh Shapiro taps Al Schmidt, a Republican targeted by Trump, for the top state elections job. To l...

In what is now the longest speaker contest in 164 years, Rep. Kevin McCarthy has suffered his 10th defeat to become House speaker. A nominee needs 218 votes, but the number required could change depending on if members withhold their votes. Rep. Michael Waltz joins to answer what has to change in order for a deal to occur. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privac...

The House has adjourned after Rep. Kevin McCarthy fails on his sixth attempt to win a majority of votes to become speaker. We speak with GOP congressmen Rep. Dan Bishop and Rep. Dusty Johnson about a potential path forward between pro-McCarthy and anti-McCarty Republicans. Plus, former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund joins to lay out the intelligence failures during the January 6th attack on the...