The Playbook Podcast

The case filed Tuesday by special counsel Jack Smith is the first attempt to hold Trump criminally accountable in a court of law for his actions between Election Day 2020 and Jan. 6, 2021 — actions which, prosecutors allege amounted to four federal felonies. Ryan Lizza quizzes legal affairs reporter Kyle Cheney about what he learned about yesterday’s historic grand jury indictments.

Midnight marked the mid-year FEC filing deadline for PACs and parties. Rachael Bade and data reporter Jessica Piper have a first look at the donations and spending habits of former President Donald Trump’s campaign. Plus, President Biden has decided to keep U.S. Space Command in Colorado, igniting tensions among Senate Republicans. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

As Congress begins its summer recess, the biggest questions for the remainder of 2023 are coming into focus: Will Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema run for reelection? How will NRSC Chairman Steve Daines get his candidates through contentious primaries – and in so doing, avoid another 2022-style disappointment for Republicans? And can Joe Biden’s cabinet sell “Bidenomics” to voters? Playbook co-autho...

Special counsel Jack Smith introduced three new felony charges against former President Donald Trump — including a blockbuster claim that he asked an employee to delete security camera footage sought by investigators. Kyle Cheney joins Ryan Lizza to explain what it means for the case — and what indictments we can expect next. Plus, the Senate passed its annual NDAA defense bill yesterday — check o...

Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell offered some good news on Wednesday: The Fed’s staff believes the U.S. will avoid a recession in 2023. Plus, so much for Ron DeSantis's campaign reset - check out Playbook this morning where Eugene charts some paths forward. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels talks with economics reporter Victoria Guida.

The campaign of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis cut more than a third of its staff on Tuesday in another move billed as a 'reset.' Plus, Speaker Kevin McCarthy walks back comments he made on Fox News about a possible Biden impeachment. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade talks with national political reporter Alex Isenstadt.

Donald Trump’s presidential race rivals are hesitating to leverage his impeding January 6 indictment, treating it like a new primary third rail. In a rare statement, Kevin McCarthy alludes to a possible impeachment inquiry for Biden. Plus, the most surprising guests at Bohemian Grove this year. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today. Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza breaks it all d...

Over the weekend, Tim Scott received the latest in a series of polls that show him in third place in some key early states. The candidate he’s closing the distance with: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade examines how other GOP campaigns are reacting to Sen. Scott’s surge, and what they're doing to stunt his momentum.

The scoop about Kevin McCarthy’s promise to Donald Trump about an impeachment expungement vote continues to rock Capitol Hill. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema may be dashing confirmation hopes for Biden Labor Secretary nominee Julie Su. Plus, Ron DeSantis is pivoting his campaign strategy to stay in the game. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today. Playbook deputy editor Zack Sta...

After Kevin McCarthy suggested that Donald Trump may not be the strongest 2024 candidate, the former president fumed. So the speaker placated him with a promise: the House would vote expunge his impeachments before the August recess. That bill is now coming due, posing a major dilemma for the McCarthy, as many moderate Republicans want nothing to do with such a vote and fear electoral backlash. Pl...

Yesterday, Donald Trump announced that he expects to be indicted by special counsel Jack Smith’s Jan. 6 grand jury, citing a new “target letter” he received from investigators. Joining Playbook co-author Rachael Bade to discuss the implications, including when such an indictment may come, is Kyle Cheney, POLITICO’s senior legal affairs and Jan. 6 reporter.

After largely eschewing mainstream media for months, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has a sit-down interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper this afternoon. All that, and everything else you need to know today.

It’s not often that we in Washington obsess over a policy issue that everyday voters are following closely as well. That changes this week, as Congress hits the gas on legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration — Playbook co-author Rachael Bade talks with transportation reporter Alex Daugherty about everything you need to know.

Late last night, in a slight surprise, the House punted on the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual defense policy bill; SAG-AFTRA goes on strike today and Sally Goldenberg previews the Family Leadership Summit, a gathering of evangelical Christians that most of the Republican presidential candidates will be at, except for Donald Trump. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know...

President Biden’s NATO visit is wrapping up on a high note, as Turkey ends its blockade of Sweden’s bid for membership. Meanwhile, Biden has major domestic momentum as new economic numbers put inflation at its lowest rate since March 2021 — igniting hopes that the economy has finally turned the corner. Even so, it may be too soon for him to declare victory. All that, and the rest of the news you n...

For the first time in more than 100 years, the Marine Corps has no Senate-confirmed commandant, thanks to Sen. Tommy Tuberville's blockade of hundreds of senior military appointments. At issue is the Pentagon’s new policy of reimbursing troops and their families should they have to travel to receive an abortion. Joe Gould, anchor of POLITICO’s Morning Defense newsletter, joins Playbook co-author R...

The National Defense Authorization Act and its 1,500 amendments are headed to the House Rules Committee today, but Kevin McCarthy can’t exhale just yet. Proposals regarding abortion, diversity and medical treatment for transgender troops are worrying Democrats. Plus, Turkey shocks the world by advancing Sweden’s NATO bid. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today. Playbook co-autho...

House Republicans are ready to wield a new tool in their quest to punish Biden Cabinet officials. The Holman Rule could allow the House to eliminate salaries of Attorney General Merrick Garland, FBI Director Christopher Wray or other GOP targets. But there are already some skeptics. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade breaks down her reporting...

President Joe Biden is about to embark on his latest tour of Europe, with stops visiting Britain’s King Charles and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. But what will he face when he arrives at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania? Also, Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy is hesitating to endorse one of his biggest supporters: Donald Trump. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today. Playb...

We've seen Republican voters rally around former president Donald Trump following his recent indictments. But his second-quarter fundraising haul of $35 million is really causing jaws to drop. Plus, "Bidenomics" is hitting the road in South Carolina. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels talks with national political reporter Alex Isenstadt.

Playbook co-author Rachael Bade walks through the buzziest stories of the morning, including Rep. Adam Schiff’s gigantic new fundraising numbers, the discovery of cocaine in the White House and President Biden’s stumping on the economy.

President Joe Biden gave a live interview on Thursday. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels and White House reporter Myah Ward discuss the major takeaways. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

Whether it’s affirmative action, LGBTQ rights or student loan forgiveness, we’re awaiting a cascade of opinions from the Supreme Court that have the potential to remake American life — as well as the contours of the political battlefield.  Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels talks with senior legal affairs reporter Josh Gerstein.

Former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have had one of the most powerful relationships in Washington. So when McCarthy went on CNBC and didn't provide a full-throated endorsement that Trump was the strongest Republican candidate, it got a lot of tongues wagging, especially in Trump world. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade breaks down her reporting.

Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis are racing to appeal to New Hampshire voters with full slates of campaign events today. Plus, more developments in the Trump documents case and political strategist Doug Sosnik’s latest must-read strategy memo. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today.