CNN Politics

The presidents of the US and the UK met in Washington today. A lot was on the line. We discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Millions of federal employees are in limbo today. They don't know whether to listen to their supervisor, their government HR department, or Elon Musk. And their jobs may be on the line. Plus: Musk's Starlink system is scoring a major new contract with the FAA while directing cuts at that very agency. Remember, this is the same person who promised to avoid any conflicts of interest And: We have new details on a potential feud brewing between the president and the governor of Florida over who should lead the Sunshine State. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: "What did you do at work last week?" The seemingly almighty, albeit unelected Elon Musk says millions of federal employees have just hours left to answer that question or lose their jobs. But even some of the most MAGA cabinet members are telling Musk to back off. Plus: Ukraine marks a grim milestone as Donald Trump seems to side with the man responsible for brutally invading a sovereign democracy. And: The president names a right-wing podcaster known for pushing wild conspiracies as second in command at the FBI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper speaks with President Trump’s point person leading negotiations to end the wars in the Mideast and Ukraine, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Witkoff says he’s optimistic that negotiations over phase two of the Gaza ceasefire will move forward. Jake also presses him over Trump’s attacks on Ukrainian President Zelensky and Witkoff’s suggestion that Russia’s invasion was “provoked.” Then, Jake talks with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries about his party’s struggle to counter President Trump and Elon Musk. Next, Republican strategist Kirstin Davison and CNN political commentators Xochitl Hinojosa, Adam Kinzinger and Shermichael Singleton join Jake to discuss the latest federal workforce cuts and Donald Trump's first month in office. Finally, Jake takes a look at President Trump’s effort to remove officials responsible for oversight in the federal government and questions what he’s trying to hide from the American people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Under fire. Trump orders a Pentagon purge and directs Elon Musk to get more aggressive as his cuts spark blowback. Then: Trump's calling himself a king. But is he bleeding support? Plus: Sea change. Trump pivots to Putin as Ukraine scrambles. And: Making his mark. Does the V.P. have eyes on 2028? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Turmoil hit the Justice Department last week when prosecutors were directed to dismiss the corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams. The move sparked a flurry of resignations and accusations of a quid pro quo between Adams and the Trump administration. CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig joins Washington Bureau Chief and Political Director David Chalian to explain this shakeup at the DOJ and why this case is about much more than Eric Adams. Plus, they take a look at the broader legal landscape under Trump 2.0 and why this could be a “pivotal moment” for the country’s legal history. Have a question or a guest you'd like to hear from? Let us know. Email us at [email protected] or give us a call at (202) 430-5460. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Some Republicans are getting an earful from their constituents as thousands of federal workers are laid of all over the country. There are signs the White House may be rethinking some of its planned cuts. Plus: Members of the Trump Administration are telling America's European allies that the official US stance on the war in Ukraine is to not blame it on "Russian aggression." And: We explore the battle of the billionaires, as Elon Musk and George Soros invest millions of dollars in a state supreme court race in Wisconsin. Why do they care? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: It's been one month since Donald Trump's inauguration, and since then we've seen a firehose of executive orders and mass firings, not to mention what could be the start of a reordering of global alliances. We have a brand new CNN poll of what voters think so far. Plus: Mitch McConnell, one of the Senate's most historic figures, says he will not run for reelection. And: Israeli President Isaac Herzog joins the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump ramps up his criticism of his Ukrainian counterpart, falsely blaming Volodymyr Zelensky for starting the war, one in which Russia invaded his country three years ago. Plus: Trump and Elon Musk sit down for a fawning interview on Fox. What did we learn from that lovefest And: Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove is in New York today to ask a court to let him drop corruption charges against Mayor Eric Adams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Details about the just-concluded, high-level talks between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Russian counterparts. Can they end the war against Ukraine without giving Vladimir Putin everything he wants? Plus: We are standing by for a news conference in Toronto about yesterday's plane crash where a jet flipped over. Will President Trump and Elon Musk think twice about the cuts they've already ordered at the FAA? And: It's yet another day of upheaval for the Justice Department as a top prosecutor is out. CNN has brand new reporting on how she resigned after being told to investigate the Biden administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: The Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to weigh in on the president's efforts to expand executive power in unprecedented ways, as he takes new steps to dismantle key parts of the government he now runs. Plus: What do voters who flipped from Biden in 2020 to Trump in 2024 think of the president's first weeks in office? Hear the results of a fascinating focus group. And: A defiant Eric Adams says he will not resign as New York City mayor despite calls from his fellow Democrats to do exactly that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump and top administration officials are blaming the war in Ukraine on Joe Biden and NATO, rather than the country that actually launched an unprovoked invasion of its neighbor. It's causing fear across the western world that the US is on the brink of abandoning Ukraine. Plus: We're following the breaking news on the upheaval at the Department of Justice and the mind-boggling accusations about prioritizing politics over the rule of law. And: Broadway and Hollywood star Josh Gad joins us for a much-needed palate cleanser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With President Trump back in office, Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY) has been thinking a lot about how his party can better meet Americans in this populist moment. He joins CNN Washington Bureau Chief and Political Director David Chalian to discuss where he thinks Democrats have missed the mark with their messaging and how the party can recast the “heroes” and “villains” in America’s story. Plus, what resonated with the voters in his battleground district who cast ballots for both him and Trump. Have a question or a guest you'd like to hear from? Let us know. Email us at [email protected] or give us a call at (202) 430-5460. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: The president and his billionaire benefactor are barreling ahead with their plan to slash the federal workforce, which could include eliminating entire agencies. Plus: The Senate just confirmed RFK Jr. as secretary of health and human services. It's a tough pill to swallow for many Democrats, but not those who want to overhaul America's food and pharmaceutical industries. And: We bring you a special report on the "make America wealthy again" movement featuring two people who have covered Elon Musk's entire career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: The Senate confirms Tulsi Gabbard as the director of national intelligence, which begs the question: What happened to those Republicans concerned about her lack of experience and apparent support of US adversaries? Plus: An official tells CNN that Trump and Vladimir Putin spoke by phone this morning, just hours after an American teacher was released from a Russian prison. And: Candidate Trump promised to bring down costs on day one. But the president is finding out very quickly that it's not so easy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: As the show begins, Donald Trump is about to meet inside the Oval Office with the King of Jordan, trying to convince that key US ally to open up his country to a massive influx of Palestinian refugees - who, by the way, don't want to go anywhere. Plus: The president publicly dares to defy the co-equal judicial branch of government as multiple federal judges push pause on his plans to dismantle the federal government. And: The Constitution is clear: Congress has the power of the purse. So why do many Republicans appear willing to hand it over to the richest man in the world? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: We're tracking a key court hearing this afternoon that could determine the fate of the Trump-Musk plan to take a sledgehammer to the federal workforce. But does the trump administration even care what judges say? Plus: President Trump is teasing new steep tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports as a majority of voters in a new poll say they approve of the president, but also say he's not spending enough time on lowering prices. And: We have new reporting on the president's right-hand man, Stephen Miller, who went from fringe of the GOP to one of the most powerful people Washington. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash sits down with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to discuss her recent trip to Guantanamo Bay. Dana presses Noem for specifics on Trump’s plan to house tens of thousands of migrants at Guantanamo, as well as questions over his legal authority to do so. Dana also challenges Noem over Elon Musk accessing American’s personal data, including at DHS. Then, Sen. Cory Booker joins Dana to discuss Democrats’ struggle to respond to Trump and Musk’s sweeping overhaul of government. Finally, CNN Political Commentators Kate Bedingfield, Shermichael Singleton, Xochitl Hinojosa, and Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings spar over Musk’s role in government and what it means for Americans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Trump takeover. The president takes a sledgehammer to the government. Now, judges are saying not so fast. The news overnight, and what's next. My panel weighs in. Plus, my new reporting and how Democrats are responding. And: The Elon effect. I'll talk to a close ally of musk about his next steps. But is it all legal? House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan live. Plus: It's Super Bowl Sunday and Trump's the first president to go. What to expect when the president shows up at the big game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: As Donald Trump hosts the second foreign leader to visit him this week, the world carefully watches his frenetic moves that could have serious implications far beyond the US. Plus: The Trump Administration is smacked with a tidal wave of lawsuits. But can the scales of justice keep up with the onslaught of actions from the White House. And: Hollywood and Broadway star Josh Gad joins us for our Friday Palate Cleanser. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Time is ticking for congressional Republicans to get the ball rolling on President Trump’s big legislative agenda. But, so far, House and Senate Republicans can’t seem to agree on a strategy. CNN’s Chief Congressional Correspondent and Inside Politics Sunday anchor Manu Raju joins Washington Bureau Chief and Political Director David Chalian to preview the path forward for GOP legislators. Plus, are House Republicans or Senate Republicans more likely to get their way? What questions do you have about the new Trump administration? Email us at [email protected] or give us a call at (202) 618-9460. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: New reporting on how Elon Musk and his allies are inserting themselves into what seems like every facet of the US government. Plus: House Republican leaders meet with the president to hash out their plan to cut taxes and spend more money at the border. And: Why is Clarence Thomas swearing in so many Trump cabinet officials? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: We're tracking the world's stunned reaction after President Trump announced his new idea to seize the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, relocate more than two million Palestinians, and turn the area into "the Riviera of the Middle East." Plus: Democrats say they're ready to fight back against Donald Trump's and Elon Musk's efforts to dismantle the federal government. But is anyone in the party prepared to lead the charge? And: Dana talks to a former House Republican about why her party seems to be ceding the powers of the legislative branch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show begins just after the conclusion of a speech by Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, a medical doctor, explaining why he cast the deciding vote in favor of advancing the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be the country's next Secretary of Health & Human Services. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This morning, the President Trump agreed to delay a 25% tariff on Mexico and that country's President Claudia Sheinbaum said they would harden its border with the US. But major new tariffs on Canada and China are still set to go into effect in just 12 hours. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A nearly constant stream of news has been coming from the White House since Donald Trump moved back in. CNN’s Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny has been there to cover it all. He joins CNN Washington Bureau Chief and Political Director David Chalian to sort through some of the major moments of these first days—including a press conference where President Trump suggested, without evidence, that diversity initiatives could have played a role in the tragic midair collision near Washington, DC. Plus, how Trump’s “executive flex of power” ran into some roadblocks this week. What questions do you have about the new Trump administration? Email us at [email protected] or give us a call at (202) 618-9460. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We begin today's show with the latest info on the deadliest US plane crash in nearly a quarter century. The FAA just revealed it is indefinitely shutting down the low-altitude helicopter route that was in use the night of the collision. It comes on the heels of a New York Times report and presidential social media posts suggesting the Blackhawk was flying outside its approved flight path. CNN has also obtained two exclusive videos that will be critical yo the ongoing investigation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First responders have been working tirelessly since last night to recover bodies from the frigid waters in the Potomac River after an American Airlines passenger plane collided with an Army Blackhawk helicopter near Regan National Airport. Tragically, all 67 people on board the two aircraft are presumed to have perished, making this the deadliest aviation disaster in the US in more than 20 years. President Trump wasted no time blaming, without evidence, Democrats and their support of diversity programs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Donald Trump is putting the world on notice by threatening a trade war with Colombia until that country agreed to work with him to deport migrants from the US. His strong arm tactics worked ... but will they next time? Plus: It's Pete Hegseth's first official day at the Pentagon, and we're expecting him to receive multiple executive orders from President Trump that will reshape the military, including a ban on transgender troops. And: Tech stocks plunge after a surprise announcement from a Chinese AI startup that appears to threaten companies here in the US and has national security experts on edge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Whirlwind week. Trump takes the reins of power and unleashes a torrent of change. My panel will break down the avalanche of news. And: Law and order? As troops head to the border, federal agents ramp up enforcement. What to watch as Trump’s immigration crackdown enters week two. Plus: Moment of truth. Trump’s next picks take the stand in just days. Do they have what it takes? And: What one legendary musician has to do with Biden’s last-minute act of clemency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of the Union, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham sits down with Dana to discuss Trump’s controversial decisions to pardon violent January 6 rioters and fire independent inspectors general, as well as Trump’s plans for the future of Gaza. Next, Gov. JB Pritzker joins Dana to react to the Trump administration’s planned immigration raids in Chicago and other cities, as well as his view of how Democrats should approach Trump in his second term. Finally, CNN political commentators Karen Finney, Brad Todd, Kristen Soltis Anderson, and Democratic Rep. Josh Harder join Dana to break down Trump’s headspinning first week as he moves quickly to reshape the federal government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In his first hours in office, President Donald Trump signed a slate of executive orders related to immigration. So, what have been the immediate impacts, and what could come next? CNN Correspondent Priscilla Alvarez sits down with CNN Washington Bureau Chief and Political Director David Chalian to break it all down. Plus, what makes Trump’s actions on immigration now different from his last time in the White House. What questions do you have about the new Trump administration? Email us at [email protected] or give us a call at (202) 618-9460. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump visited both hurricane-ravaged North Carolina and wildfire-ravaged California today and reiterated that he wants the latter state to meet certain conditions before it can get crucial federal aid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump took center stage - virtually - at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland today. It was his first major speech to global business and political leaders since taking office just a few days ago. We cover this story from all angles, with Richard Quest beginning our reporting from Davos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Sources tell CNN President Trump is considering a White House visit for his supporters who stormed the Capitol and tried to derail the peaceful transfer of power on January 6th, 2021 Plus: The new president is moving feverishly to remake the federal government in his image. His latest power move is revoking decades of diversity programs and possibly firing the men and women who ran them. And: Claiming "my party left me," New York City Mayor Eric Adams, indicted on corruption charges, is slamming his fellow Democrats while cozying up to President Trump and his allies. Is this all part of winning a pardon? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's show we break down some of the most consequential changes Donald Trump made in his first 24 hours in office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just before today's Inside Politics begins we learned that Monday's inauguration of Donald Trump will be moved indoors because of the extremely cold temperatures expected in Washington. The president-elect confirmed the move via a very lengthy social media post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: We're tracking new concerns about the state of the Israel-Hamas deal to pause the war in Gaza and free some of the hostages, with Israel accusing Hamas of "attempting to extort last-minute concessions." Plus: We bring you the results of a brand new CNN poll revealing how Americans are feeling about season two of the Trump presidency, which debuts just four days from now. And: In a parting shot, President Biden warns about the rise of an oligarchy in the US, as his successor surrounds himself with a team of billionaires. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins we're following breaking news out of the Middle East, where a source tells CNN that the Israeli government and Hamas have agreed to a deal that will pause fighting in Gaza and lead to a phased release of hostages. Our extensive coverage begins with Jeremy Diamond in Tel Aviv. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Firefighters in Southern California are rushing to make progress fighting the flames, as forecasters predict dangerous winds will blow through the region again today and tomorrow. It could put new neighborhoods in the danger zone. Plus: It's a pivotal week for President-elect Trump and his would-be Cabinet. His embattled pick to run the Pentagon will make his case to senators tomorrow. But the question is whether Pete Hegseth is already a sure bet for confirmation. And: Three years ago, Andrew Cuomo left the New York's governor's mansion in disgrace. We have new reporting about the big new job he's now eyeing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: California in crisis. Wildfires engulf blocks of Los Angeles as Trump points fingers. And Newsom pushes back. The latest from the West Coast. Plus: Senate spotlight. This week, Trump's cabinet picks face a moment of truth. Plus: My brand new reporting as Trump meets with House Republicans behind closed doors. And: A sweet tradition. The new senator behind the secret candy stash on the Senate floor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s State of the Union, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell joins CNN’s Jake Tapper to discuss the response to the devastating California wildfires. Then, Republican Sen. Katie Britt joins Jake to discuss her immigration bill, as well as concerns over Trump’s nominee for Attorney General. Next, Jake sits down with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to assess the Biden administration’s foreign policy legacy as it prepares to hand the reins to the Trump administration. Finally, CNN Political Commentators Brad Todd, Kate Bedingfield, Kristen Soltis Anderson, and executive director of Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service Mo Elleithee join Jake to discuss the feud between Gov. Gavin Newsom and President-elect Trump amid the California wildfires. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ten days before putting his hand on the bible at the US Capitol and taking the oath of office for the most powerful position in the world, convicted felon Donald J. Trump is sentenced in his 34-count criminal conviction. Plus: Another deadly inferno is erupting in ravaged Los Angeles County. CNN is live on the scene with a new update on firefighters' attempts to contain the flames as intense winds continue to complicate their efforts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: House of cards. Mike Johnson gets across the finish line in dramatic fashion. After a little help from Donald Trump. Is Trump's power growing or hanging by a thread? My panel will join me. And: Four years later, for the first time since the attack on the Capitol, lawmakers returned to certify this election. Harris is set to preside over her own defeat. What's changed since that day and what to watch tomorrow? joins me at the magic wall. Plus: A presidential legacy. Georgia mourns the death of Jimmy Carter as thousands prepare to remember him in Washington. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of the Union, Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar joins Jake to discuss the certification of Trump’s election win and the legacy of January 6. Then, Republican Sen. Jim Banks joins Jake to discuss how Republicans will get Trump’s agenda through Congress. Next, Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly joins Jake to discuss the New Orleans terror attack and Trump’s national security nominees. Finally, Jake sits down with four new members of Congress – Republicans Rep. Brandon Gill and Rep. Riley Moore and Democrats Rep. Yassamin Ansari and Rep. Adam Gray – to discuss they dynamics they’ll have to navigate in the 119th Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show begins immediately following an official update in the wake of the New Year's early-morning attack in New Orleans that left 14 individuals dead and more than 30 hurt. The most significant development is that the man who allegedly drove the truck that barreled into revelers on Bourbon Street is the belief that he acted alone. The FBI also reports that, as of now, there is not a "definitive link" between the New Orleans attack and a Tesla cybertruck explosion outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas just hours later. CNN's Ryan Young begins today's coverage in the Big Easy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: The world is honoring the incredible life and legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, who died yesterday at the age of 100. Phil Mattingly talks to an acclaimed journalist who covered the 39th president for more than five decades. Plus: Donald Trump just offered a belated Christmas gift to Mike Johnson - a "complete and total endorsement" to continue as Speaker of the House. And: The richest man in the world says he's willing to "go to war" on a critical immigration issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: The issue of American culture and legal immigration is triggering a rift between two groups of Trump supporters: the MAGA base and the Silicon Valley tech bros. Plus: How old is too old to be in Congress? A 68-year-old House Democrat says she's stepping down to set a good example, but will others follow her lead? And: Is it too early to talk about 2028? Undeniably, yes. But it's also the Friday of a holiday week. So please cut us some slack as we take a look at who are some of the early Democratic front runners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: A US official tells CNN that a Russian anti-aircraft system may have brought down the Azerbaijan Airlines flight that crashed yesterday in Central Asia, killing at least 38 people. The official tells us it may have been a case of mistaken identity. Plus: They shunned him, but now they're looking to sway him. We've got new CNN reporting on the companies and executives writing seven-figure checks to Donald Trump's inaugural fund. And: New details on how President Biden plans to end his presidency, including a last-minute foreign trip and a private meeting with the Pope. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President-elect Trump has an audacious agenda and a plan to carry it out. But did the divide we saw last week inside the GOP signal big problems ahead? Plus: Trump's pick for FCC chair writes what's been perceived as a vaguely threatening letter to Disney boss Bob Iger, promising a major crackdown on broadcast networks and tech companies he accuses of anti-conservative bias And: We look at the enormous power Elon Musk will wield over American business, politics and culture once Trump moves back into the White House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices