CNN Inside Politics

Republicans are shaking a bit in their cowboy boots after a Texas Democrat won a state senate district that President Trump won handily in 2024. While GOP leaders point to a snowstorm and subsequent low turnout as mitigating facts, it was still a 17-percentage-point win. One Texas Republican lawmaker tells Dana he is "100% concerned," while another says it's proof the GOP needs to organize to deliver turnout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dive deep into the political turmoil as we explore the dramatic shifts in ICE tactics and the high-stakes Senate race in Maine. Don't miss the latest insights from top political panelists! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trump Administration takes new, aggressive steps against journalists as Attorney General Pam Bondi announces the arrests of former CNN anchor Don Lemon and Minnesota journalist Georgia Fort. Bondi says it's connected to a "coordinated attack" on a church in Saint Paul. The two accused "attackers" say they were merely doing their jobs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show begins as President Trump is holding his first Cabinet meeting of the year. It comes just hours after his border czar Tom Homan announced that ICE and border patrol agents are working on a plan to "draw down operations in Minneapolis." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's not every day that President Trump tries to turn down the political temperature, never mind tacitly acknowledge a signature isn't working. But there's broad recognition inside the White House from the top that the public is quickly turning on the administration's mass deportation operation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Border czar Tom Homan is in Minnesota, where we are expecting him to meet in person today with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey following Homan's earlier meeting with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. It is all part of a big personnel and possible policy change after a second Minneapolis resident was shot and killed by federal agents. Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino is going back to Texas, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appears to be taking a step back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump is sending border czar to Minneapolis, apparently to take charge of the ICE immigration enforcement effort that's resulted in two deaths and days of protest. Trump posted on Truth Social that he just spoke to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, signaling a change in rhetoric. The big question is whether that also means a change in policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Manu Raju presents a comprehensive episode covering a range of critical topics. Breaking news from Minneapolis, focusing on the controversial shooting of ICU nurse Alex Preti by federal agents, sparking community outrage and legal battles over evidence control. Correspondents like Whitney Wild and Anderson Cooper provide on-the-ground insights about the growing memorial for Preti and the tensions between federal and state law enforcement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An image of a five-year-old boy hits a nerve and becomes a new symbol of the Trump Administration's immigration crackdown. It captures the chaos of immigration enforcement and intensifies scrutiny over ICE's targets and tactics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We start in Davos, Switzerland, where global nerves are easing slightly after President Trump appeared to take military action to take over Greenland off the table. But he made clear his ultimate goal has not changed: making the Arctic island part of the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One year ago, Donald Trump was sworn in as the nation's 47th president. Since then, he's upended every part of Washington politics, both domestic and global. The most recent example of the latter: threatening America's most trusted allies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump says nothing is off the table when it comes to Greenland and America's oldest allies are now forced to question everything about their centuries-old alliance with the US. He also complains to Norway for not bestowing the Nobel Peace on him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manu Raju and a panel of experts analyze the latest CNN poll results showing potential trouble for Republicans in the upcoming midterms. The discussion includes the impact of President Trump's policies and actions, such as tariffs on European allies and the charged situation in Minneapolis. The latest on the Senate races is also covered, featuring an interview with Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Additionally, the episode touches on Trump's new batch of pardons and the Democrats' redistricting efforts in Virginia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A brand new CNN poll about President Trump's first year back in office shows Americans giving him failing grades across the board. A majority of the country (58%) say the second Trump administration has been a failure, including two thirds of independents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An Oval Office threat puts Minneapolis protesters on notice. The Democratic governor calls it an "occupation." Residents woke up to a city dealing with chaos after of a violent night of protest. The situation went from bad to worse after a federal agent shot a man in the leg during a targeted traffic stop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show gets underway, a crucial meeting is taking place at the White House over the future of Greenland. VP JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are talking with the foreign ministers of Greenland and Denmark. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins, Supreme Court justices are hearing arguments in two cases that could determine whether states could ban transgender athletes from playing in women's and girls' sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump's Justice Department opens a criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell having to do with a multimillion dollar renovation project at the central bank's headquarters. The government's unprecedented action prompts an equally unprecedented rebuke from Powell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manu Raju explores the high tensions following the Minneapolis shooting and its labeling as domestic terrorism by the Trump administration. He discusses the consequences of such hastily drawn conclusions and gets insights from Minnesota Senator Tina Smith. The show also dives into President Trump's foreign policy ambitions, including a potentially contentious stance on Greenland, and assesses his influence on the Republican party ahead of the midterm elections. Additionally, the episode features an interview with Mary Claire Nik, author of a new book providing an oral history of January 6th, detailing the personal accounts and perspectives from that pivotal day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From coast to coast, protests are erupting after an American citizen was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. It comes as another shooting involving a federal border patrol agent in Portland adds to the scrutiny over President Trump's immigration crackdown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show begins just after a press conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in New York. While she continued to place the blame for an ICE officer's deadly shooting entirely on the victim, she also said there needs to be an investigation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins we head straight to the White House, where Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is addressing reporters in the briefing room for the first time since Saturday's military operation in Venezuela. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The White House says the Venezuela strike is just the beginning. Who should be on watch? Neighboring countries are trying to game out what the United States might do next, as is Greenland. As for the president's mindset right now, the Commander in Chief spent the morning with House Republicans, reveling in America's military might. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manu Raju delves into the stunning arrest of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro on US soil and its global implications. The episode features extensive coverage and expert analyses on the US military's Operation Absolute Resolve, the geopolitical impacts, and the legal ramifications. Trump’s former Venezuela Envoy, retired military officers, and seasoned journalists discuss the future of Venezuela under US control, the international reaction, and the potential precedents set by this bold move. The episode also parallels past US regime changes and explores the country's foreign policy strategy moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump kicked off the new year with a remarkably candid interview in the Washington Post in which he talks about his age, hand bruising, aspirin use, and why he doesn't like to work out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In what could be a significant escalation in the US pressure campaign against Venezuela, sources tell CNN the CIA carried out a drone strike on a port facility on the Venezuelan coast. It's the first known US attack inside the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump just wrapped up a call with Russia's Vladimir Putin just hours after a face to face with the Ukrainian president. But did any of the sticking points get resolved? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the president, nears his one year mark. Manu dives into his polling slump and ask what's in store for 2026. Plus, with midterms on the mind, can Democrats actually land the plane? A Zohran Mamdanidigital guru joins the show to discuss what works best. And, Manu's most notable moments from a busy year in the halls of Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Volodymyr Zelensky says he'll meet with President Trump on Sunday. Could we finally be on the verge of peace in Ukraine? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While many are focusing on last-minute gifts today, the Trump Administration is in deep damage control as they attempt to quell the fallout from the latest Epstein documents release. And additional documents are expected to drop throughout the next week. CNN's Kevin Liptak begins our coverage in West Palm Beach, Florida, where President Trump is celebrating Christmas at Mar-a-Lago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins, CNN reporters are combing through more than 30,000 new Epstein documents released overnight by the Justice Department. Unlike the first tranche of files released last week that featured heavy redactions and few mentions of President Trump, this time we're seeing his name again and again. So what have we learned? The big headline so far, according to a 2020 email from a federal prosecutor in New York, is that Trump traveled on Epstein's private jet at least eight times, once with just Epstein and a 20-year-old. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump's base is signaling a complicated path for the America-first movement, based on thousands of MAGA faithful turning out over the weekend for the Turning Point USA annual summit. Was it a turning point for the MAGA movement? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A deep into the heated controversy surrounding the partial release of the Epstein files, which has led to allegations of a coverup and questions about President Trump's handling of the situation. The episode also explores new CNN polling about the 2028 presidential election, revealing voters' preferences and key traits they seek in candidates. Additionally, legendary rocker Gene Simmons visits Capitol Hill to advocate for the American Fairness Music Act and shares insights on his relationship with President Trump and his views on the MAGA movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tension grips Washington as we wait to see if the Justice Department meet its deadline and releases the Epstein files by midnight. Whatever happens, Democrats are already crying foul, claiming comments from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch suggest they might not get everything that they are required to release. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just before we came on the air today, House Democrats released -- without context -- five new photos from the Epstein estate. They arrive just a day before the deadline Congress set for the DOJ to release all the Epstein files. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A mini revolt of endangered moderate Republicans turning on their leadership over health care forces House Speaker Mike Johnson to insist "I haven't lost control." As Manu Raji reports, it's not exactly a sound bite the GOP wants out there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why did White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles do an extraordinarily candid interview with Vanity Fair? That's the question on the minds of everyone both in and out of Trump World. Dana and her panel take a deep dive into Wiles' words, which include describing her boss as having an "alcoholic's personality." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins, Nick Reiner, son of Hollywood icon Rob Reiner, has just been taken into custody after both of his parents were found dead in their home last night of what police call a "homicide." CNN's Josh Campbell reports from Los Angeles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dive into our in-depth coverage on the tragic mass shootings in Rhode Island and Australia. Follow along with our expert panel as we dissect these heart-wrenching events and their implications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee release new photos of powerful people captured in Jeffrey Epstein's orbit. They include Donald Trump before he was president, as well as Steve Bannon, Bill Clinton, and Woody Allen. It's not clear where or when these photos were taken, but it's important to note that none depict any sexual misconduct, nor are they believed to depict underage girls. But they do give you a behind the scenes look at how Epstein was connected with some of the most powerful men in the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins, the Senate is voting on competing health plans from Democrats and Republicans. But don't hold your breath for a Christmas miracle, as both plans were expected to fail, which means in just 20 days, 24 million Americans who rely on Obamacare subsidies will face crippling health care costs unless something dramatically changes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump claims he wants to "make America affordable again." Is it just lip service? He's in Pennsylvania today where he visited a swing district to speak to Americans struggling with high prices. But his message was ... confusing? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Asked today what grade he'd give the US economy, President Trump responded, "An A plus plus plus plus!" This, despite poll after poll showing most Americans disagree. But the real question is, what will midterm election voters think? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a case that could permanently hand over even more power to the president of the United States. The court's conservatives signaled they seem likely to side with the White House and overturn 90 years of precedent. And it's a case that could give the president more power to fire anyone for any reason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of 'Inside Politics Sunday,' the discussion focuses on the Republican Party's struggle with affordability issues and Donald Trump's disconnect from economic realities. The show features a one-on-one interview with Pennsylvania Republican Brian Fitzpatrick, who criticizes the GOP's lack of focus on critical issues like healthcare premiums. The episode also covers the potential Senate run of progressive Democrat Jasmine Crockett in Texas, and the controversial tenure of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, including his handling of military strikes and internal Pentagon issues. Additionally, the program highlights the unique political scenario with Texas Congressman Troy Nehls not seeking reelection, paving the way for his identical twin brother Trevor Nehls to run for his seat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A vaccine advisory panel handpicked by the HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. voted to end the longstanding recommendation to give all newborns the Hepatitis b vaccine. The CDC said more than 6 million cases were prevented by routine vaccines over the past 30 years. But today, the panel recommended delaying the dose until a child is two months old. The recommendation heads to the CDC director for approval. CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner joins the show to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A man in Woodbridge, Virginia is arrested in the DC pipe bomber case from five years ago. Meanwhile, not far away on Capitol Hill, Admiral Frank Bradley and Joint Chiefs Chair General Dan Caine brief top senators on the disputed double tap boat strike, making the case that those survivors appeared to be radioing for help and could have continued trafficking drugs, which made them legitimate targets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ICE agents are descending on two more blue cities, with threats of more on deck. New Orleans and Minneapolis are bracing for major deportation operations, the next steps in the administration's immigration crackdown. Our Priscilla Alvarez is learning that ICE is aiming to arrest 5,000 in the Big Easy, while in the Twin Cities the targets will be undocumented immigrants from Somalia, who President Trump has been talking about in increasingly racist terms in recent days. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show begins as President Trump is in the middle of what he said is the final Cabinet meeting of the year. Following an evaluation by Pete Hegseth, Dana and her panel analyze the defense secretary's words, especially his defense of the admiral accused of a "double tap" strike that killed survivors of a September US attack against a suspected Venezuelan drug boat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did the Pentagon order a second strike to kill injured survivors after the US military attacked a suspected drug boat off the coast of Venezuela? If so, it could be a war crime, and it's leading to the most significant GOP demands for oversight since President Trump took office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices