The Lead with Jake Tapper

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...

A city center in eastern Ukraine is rocked by a missile strike. Why this target and why now? Plus, what persuaded Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner boss, to stop his apparent revolt in Russia? The leader, now in Belarus, has his version of events as Vladimir Putin puts his own spin on what happened.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad...

Putin makes his first public comments, claiming that any attempts of internal mutiny will end in defeat and makes an offer to Wagner fighters. The bombastic leader of the Wagner Group breaks his silence and gives the real reason he claims why his forces were heading to the Russian capitol. Plus, CNN is along the front lines with Ukraine’s unique opportunity to capitalize on the chaos.  To learn mo...

What went so tragically wrong and caused the submersible filled with five people to implode near the wreckage site of the Titanic? Plus, fake electors compelled to testify as a special counsel investigation looking into efforts to overturn the 2020 election heats up. Also, 2024 Republican hopefuls converge on a conservative conference and to separate themselves on one of the most divisive issues o...

All five passengers on the missing Titanic submersible are believed dead after missing debris is found on the ocean floor turning operations from rescue to recovery. In the wake of this tragedy, CNN is going to examine deep sea exploration and the inherent dangers that come along with these expeditions.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about...

More reports of noises from the ocean in the desperate search for a missing sub that vanished during a deep sea exploration. Plus, another U.S. Supreme Court justice is defending an undisclosed luxury trip paid for by a billionaire. Also, was all the work by Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing undone when President Biden called Xi Jinping a dictator in an off the cuff remark?  To learn mo...

Hunter Biden strikes a deal on a felony charge and agrees to plead guilty on two misdemeanors. Plus, a trial for Trump is set to begin in less than two months as the former president argues his own defense on national TV. Also, the urgent underwater rescue mission for a missing submarine is running out of time. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more...

An underwater expedition to see the wreckage of the Titanic is now a race to find and save the tourists and crew members on board the vessel. The mission is ramping up to prevent a second tragedy at that site. Plus, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reports back progress after a high stakes talk with China. We examine the areas of success and the major point of lingering tension. Also, a look at t...

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland rebukes the Minneapolis Police Department after a multi-year investigation found systemic abuses and discrimination by police. Then, the Tree of Life shooter has been found guilty on all counts and now faces the possibility of the death penalty. Plus, relentless fights in the streets as testimonies detail atrocities by a Wagner-backed militia in Sudan. To lear...

Judge Aileen Cannon sets a new deadline for federal prosecutors and for Trump’s lawyers. Why these decisions could have a real impact on the timing of the case against Donald Trump. We speak with former Republican U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales about reports that Donald Trump rejected a settlement with the DOJ. Plus, several agencies of the U.S. government are victims of a global cyberatta...

Did Donald Trump just publicly admit to the very crimes he was arrested for a mere few hours after he was arrested and arraigned? Plus, an up close look at the front lines of Ukraine’s counteroffensive and the items Ukrainian troops say are key to defeating the Russians. Also, if inflation is supposedly easing, why does it seem like every trip to the grocery store is getting more expensive? To lea...

Donald Trump leaves the Miami courthouse after pleading not guilty to all 37 counts in the indictment related to his alleged handling of classified documents. The indictment makes him the first former president in the history of the United States to be a criminal defendant in a federal prosecution. This may be one of several indictments Donald Trump may face in the coming weeks, such as his effort...

Former President Donald Trump has arrived in Florida for his court date. Tomorrow, he will be the first person to have held that office to be arraigned on federal criminal charges. This as growing concerns emerge from law enforcement about Trump supporters amassing at the courthouse. Plus, one of the busiest highways in America shuts down in both directions after a section of I-95 collapses in Phi...

The federal indictment against former President Donald Trump and one of his associates has been unsealed. Trump now faces 31 counts related to his handling of national defense documents after he left the presidency. His aide, Walt Nauta, faces six counts, including several obstruction- and concealment-related charges. Special counsel Jack Smith said his office will seek a "speedy trial" while urgi...

A majority of the Supreme Court has ordered Alabama to redraw their states' congressional map to allow an additional black majority congressional district, giving more opportunities for minority voters to elect the representative of their choice. Also, Donald Trump has been told he’s a target of a federal investigation ahead of what could be his next legal fight. Plus, major cities in the U.S. are...

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie joins to discuss why he’s running for president and why Donald Trump has disqualified himself from the White House. Plus, from Canada all the way down to the Carolinas, thick and hazy wildfire smoke is engulfing much of the east coast. Also, a look at Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in golf, boxing, and entertainment. To learn more about how CNN protects...

An explosion destroys a dam in Ukraine with devastating flooding and now thousands of people are being evacuated as Ukraine and Russia blame each other for the apparent sabotage. Then, how the drained pool and a flooded server room at Mar-a-Lago could play into the investigation of Trump’s handling of classified documents. Also, Prince Harry is fighting two legal battles. One case is in the United...

Military fighter jets go supersonic when a private plane doesn’t respond while flying near the nation’s Capitol. Also, Apple just released a virtual reality headset which costs thousands of dollars. What are people using it for and who is going to pay the cost? Plus, former Vice President Mike Pence just filed paperwork to officially declare his candidacy for president as Chris Christie is expecte...

Two sources say Donald Trump’s attorneys have not found the classified document described by Trump on the audiotape federal prosecutors got a hold of, even after a subpoena. This as the Justice Department closes its investigation into the possible mishandling of classified documents found at former Vice President Mike Pence's home. Then, a Texas man reaches out to police to tell them that he kille...

Donald Trump is on the campaign trial in Iowa and just weighed in on CNN’s reporting that the special counsel has a recording of Trump acknowledging that he kept classified material after leaving the White House. Trump’s former attorney joins to discuss. Plus, new federal election interference charges are filed against a Republican state lawmaker candidate accused of shooting his gun at the homes...

Sources tell CNN that Donald Trump not only knew he kept classified documents, but talked about them in a meeting captured on tape. Plus, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) of the Budget Committee joins to discuss the debt limit bill and his efforts to amend Sen. Manchin’s (D-W.Va.) gas pipeline provision. Also, according to sources, two more Republican candidates are planning on announcing their presidential...

Legislation to raise the debt limit is facing its first hurdle as a new problem for Speaker McCarthy has emerged, the House Freedom Caucus, including some members threatening to oust McCarthy over the deal. Plus, Russia’s capital city is attacked and Putin blames Ukraine. Also, DeSantis is stepping up attacks against Trump as he hits the campaign trail. To learn more about how CNN protects listene...