The Lead with Jake Tapper

Trump’s trade war is back on for now after two prior courts briefly shut it down. The issue is on a fast track to the Supreme Court as the Trump White House attacks the judges who ruled against the President. Plus, a tone of defiance at Harvard University commencement ceremony today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Between pardons from prison to government jobs, President Trump extends a pattern of favor to folks who have long pledged their loyalty and today Trump says he is considering yet another favor. Plus, President Trump’s timeline to see if Vladimir Putin is serious about peace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dramatic new body camera video shows the dramatic capture of wanted inmates who escaped a New Orleans jail. The search is still on for two more from that prison break. Plus, a new manhunt in Arkansas for a former police chief turned felon. How a disguise helped him escape in broad daylight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scenes of chaos and destruction in Liverpool, England after a man drove a car through a crowd full of people during a football club’s victory parade. The suspect has been arrested. Plus, President Trump heavily criticizes Vladimir Putin, potentially signaling a drastic turn in Trump’s rather friendly relationship with the Russian leader. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump threatens huge new tariffs on Europe, claiming that negotiations with European Union countries are going nowhere. Plus, this weekend is the official kickoff to the summer travel season and experts are warning it could be chaotic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Investigators are revealing new details about the man accused of killing two Israeli embassy staffers in what the FBI is calling an act of antisemitic terrorism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Trump’s massive policy bill in peril? Republican holdouts were summoned to the White House this afternoon as party leaders push for a vote. We are learning new details about the closed door meetings. Plus, a tense confrontation occurred at the White House today between President Trump and the president of South Africa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The clock is ticking for Republicans with just hours until a key meeting and vote on a bill that contains tax and spending cuts. Some GOP hardliners are saying they are standing firm against the plan. Plus, an American veteran has been released by Venezuela where he was wrongfully detailed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump works the phones and gets what could be a breakthrough in Russia’s war against Ukraine. According to Trump the two sides are ready to negotiate. Plus, brand new details on the Mexican training ship that hit the Brooklyn Bridge killing two people on the vessel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An explosive day in the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial as the star witness, his ex-girlfriend, burst into tears. We look at the final testimony of Cassie Ventura as the case enters a new phase. Plus, an air traffic controller who says two planes almost crashed on his watch earlier this month speaks out on the intense stress of the job and the airport he calls unsafe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trump administration did as they said and got the issue of birthright citizenship before the Supreme Court but could the ultimate decision be based on a technicality? Plus, instead of rolling back prices, America’s biggest retailer, Walmart, just announced they are raising them and they are blaming Trump’s tariffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

20 years ago Syria’s now leader was known as a jihadist captured by United States forces but today he’s all smiles with the world’s most powerful man. This isn’t the only moment on Trump’s Middle East trip where he is flipping foreign relations expectations upside down. Plus, updates in the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A look at the serious concerns and efforts to cover up Biden’s cognitive health during his presidency. Plus, President Trump announces a jaw dropping plan to lift sanctions on Syria. Also, the star witness in the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial testifies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump is en route to Saudi Arabia for both peace and tariff negotiations. He is warning that if there is no long term deal with China worked out tariffs could go significantly higher. Plus, a look at the defense’s strategy as testimony in the Diddy trial begins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pope Leo XIV wraps up his first day on the job with a message not just to other Catholic leaders but to people around the world. Plus, a judge ordered the immediate release of a doctoral student whose detention by immigration authorities was caught on camera. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Chicago born, Villanova graduate, Cardinal Robert Prevost becomes the first American to become pope after receiving more than two-thirds support of his 132 fellow cardinals. He is now going to be the 267th pope. We examine all the latest details on Pope Leo XIV. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Black smoke up the chimney of the Sistine Chapel as day one of the conclave comes to a close. Surprising details emerge about the frontrunners who could be selected to be the next pope. Plus, the major testing operation happening now in Milwaukee that is screening school-aged kids for possible exposure to lead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India says it is launching a military operation inside Pakistan, hitting what India calls terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and the Pakistani region of Kashmir. This comes after a deadly terrorist attack last month on the Indian administered part of Kashmir. We bring you all the latest news from the region. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a new chapter of Trump’s deportation crackdown, the White House now suggests that they will pay undocumented migrants a thousand or two thousand dollars to deport themselves. Plus, President Trump wants to reopen Alcatraz, one of America’s most notorious prisons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A better than expected jobs report provides perhaps some economic relief. How long can the good news last? Economists are warning that higher prices are coming quick. Plus, CNN is in Mexico as troops hunt down drug cartels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump ousts his national security adviser after not one but two different Signal scandals. Plus, the financial report from McDonalds that might make you feel sick after an earnings call reveals how much trouble the United States economy might be in. Are we headed for a recession? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As new numbers show the United States economy shrink for the first time in three years, the President now says he is not to be blame at all. Plus, a major Senate vote on Trump’s global tariffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When the trade wars hit home, President Trump calls the founder and executive chair of Amazon peeved that the company would consider displaying the cost of tariffs on Amazon’s spinoff cheaper goods, Amazon Haul, website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Crackdowns on illegal immigration and Trump is digging in. We examine how his White House is defending deportations so far. Plus, a new CNN poll shows that most Americans believe that Trump is making the economy worse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When immigration officials tried to arrest an undocumented immigrant in her courtroom, Judge Hannah Dugan allegedly tried to help him leave the building marking an escalation in the battle between the Trump administration and the judiciary. Plus, President Trump and Melania Trump land in Rome ahead of the funeral for Pope Francis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russia is dropping its deadliest bombs in months on Ukrainian civilians as Trump insists he is putting pressure on Russia to end the war. 12 people were killed and 90 were wounded in the capitol of Kyiv overnight. Plus, major questions about Trump’s trade war with China and what is really going on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The word from the White House today is that there is opportunity for a big deal as Trump and his treasury secretary signaled potentially backing off of the stunning 145% tariffs on China. Plus, a look at the White House peace plan presented to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The White House is firmly backing defense secretary Pete Hegseth at least publicly even after admitting to sharing sensitive military information in a group chat with his wife, brother, and personal attorney. Plus, behind closed doors the president’s treasury secretary says the United States' trade war with China is unsustainable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New details from the Vatican about the pope and the special request he made before he died. We look back on some of the defining marks the pope left on some of the issues of our time. Plus, defense secretary Pete Hegseth used another Signal group chat to share military strike plans. This time on the chat were his wife, his lawyer, and his brother. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are learning new details about the condition of the undocumented migrant deported in error to El Salvador from the Democratic senator from Maryland who sat down with him face to face. Plus, reports reveal a clash between two of Trump’s money men, Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two individuals were killed and six were hospitalized after a mass shooting in Tallahassee, Florida at Florida State University. Officers shot the suspected gunman, who is now hospitalized. Our experts join to react with the latest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Pentagon source has described a purge at the Pentagon after a third Pentagon employee has been placed on administrative leave in the past 24 hours. Plus, a federal judge is threatening to hold the Trump administration in contempt of court over recent deportations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A look at President Trump’s new threat to Harvard University and the White House’s demand for an apology. Plus, in his first television interview, a government whistleblower sounds the alarm about why he believes DOGE has taken sensitive data from his agency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite admitting their own mistake and an order from the Supreme Court, the Trump administration says it will not bring back a man mistakenly deported to El Salvador. Plus, with students and teachers facing unsafe lead levels in public schools, the city of Milwaukee asked the Trump administration for help. We examine why they said no. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Markets are currently closed at the end of a tumultuous week for the United States economy. China fired back today starting a new chapter in the trade war. Plus, an inside look at one of the world’s hottest car companies that happens to be a major rival to Tesla. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A helicopter tragically crashed into the Hudson River in New York. Officials just announced that all six people onboard, including three children, were killed. Also, President Trump admits there may be some transition problems as his trade war leads to another brutal day on Wall Street. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump announces he is putting a 90-day pause on most of his tariffs after Wall Street loses nearly 6 trillion dollars in one week. He is, however, upping the ante on China. Is there any strategy here? Plus, a look at an upcoming Senate race which could become the most expensive in Senate history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump just took his trade war with China up a notch by hitting Beijing with a tariff rate at a staggering 104%. As American consumers and companies brace for impact, we tell you where you’ll likely see prices rise first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A mixed finish on Wall Street after the ups and downs jolted by Trump’s tariffs. How will this wild ride end? Today, new recession warnings from JP Morgan’s CEO. We check in with folks on all sides of this debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was a brutal end of the week for United States markets with the Dow losing more than 2,000 points today alone. What does President Trump think of the fallout from his new tariffs and how long could this chaos last? Plus, a striking court hearing today ends with a judge ordering the United States government to return a man who the government admits was mistakenly deported. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An absolutely brutal day on the stock market, threats from some of America’s closest allies, and now a new assessment on how close we could be to a recession. Plus, a look at last night’s tornado outbreak. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump steps up his massive global trade war and announces sweeping new tariffs against countries around the globe. President Trump called it a declaration of economic independence. According to economists, the move could push the United States economy closer to a recession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Checks and cheeseheads collide on April Fools Day for an election that is no joke. Americans are voting right now in three key races including a state supreme court race in Wisconsin. We bring you the latest updates and analysis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Trump plans to enact his tariffs, counties around the world respond including some United States allies now planning to respond with China. Will there be any 11th hour tariff reprieves? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A hard Friday tumble was brought on by tariff fears as stocks fall and Wall Street braces for President Trump to follow through on his threat to impose a string of tariffs on nations around the world. Plus, JD Vance is headed home after a whirlwind visit to Greenland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The same judge that blocked Trump’s deportation flights is overseeing a lawsuit in court regarding the Signal group chat with a journalist accidentally added. Trump’s national security adviser during his first term joins to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Moments ago in the Oval Office President Trump defended his defense secretary and says he wouldn’t oppose a new investigation into why highly sensitive details about United States military strikes were shared in a group chat with a journalist. Plus, an appeals court hands the White House a loss, upholding a block on Trump’s deportations using the Alien Enemies Act. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump is defending the top advisor who somehow added a journalist to a conversation about a looming military strike while his top intelligence officials try to shift responsibility. Plus, a major deal between Russia and Ukraine but with caveats. We examine what the Kremlin is demanding from the United States first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shock, confusion, and a lot of anger in Washington after a journalist revealed he was added to a text chain with Trump administration officials who were planning highly sensitive military strikes. So, how in the world does this happen? Will anyone be punished for this major security failure? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How far will a judge go in challenging the Trump Justice Department over the deportation flights? Did the planes takeoff against the judge’s order? Plus, flights are once again landing in one of the world’s busiest airports, Heathrow in London, after a shutdown that caused a global ripple effect. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices