The Playbook Podcast

A weekend of carnage after Hamas launched an attack on Israel, and the country in turn declared war on Palestinian-populated Gaza, disrupted international diplomacy for the foreseeable future. Though the events in the Middle East are just beginning to unfold, National Security Reporter Alex Ward tells Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza officials on the Hill—from the Oval Office, to Congress, to the campaign trail—must reckon with the aftershocks of the crisis and decide how to proceed as allies of Israel. Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza interviews National Security Reporter Alex Ward.

Late Thursday night, former President Donald Trump endorsed Rep. Jim Jordan’s bid to become speaker of the House — ending far-fetched speculation about a possible Trump run while dousing the campaign to succeed Kevin McCarthy with rocket fuel. Until that moment, it was unclear how the former president would approach the vacancy. Trump had previously mentioned that he was planning a visit to Capitol Hill to attempt to unite the party, and hinted at running for the position himself. But when Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) posted to X that he had spoken to Trump about his decision to endorse Jordan rather than run, it changed the entire trajectory of the race. National political reporter Meridith McGraw talks Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza through the situation. Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza interviews National political reporter Meridith McGraw.

With Kevin McCarthy dethroned, House Republicans are mired in a frantic search for someone to fill the leadership vacuum. On Wednesday, two big names threw their hats in the ring: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). Another name in the conversation: former President Donald Trump, the subject of a hard-right pipe dream that imagines him ending up with the speaker’s gavel — a far-out idea that Trump himself is stoking on social media posts. Congressional reporter Anthony Adragna joins Playbook co-author Rachael Bade to sort it all out. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade interviews Congressional national security reporter Anthony Adragna.

For the first time in history, a Speaker of the House was ousted. Yesterday, Kevin McCarthy’s tumultuous time as Speaker came to an end after every Democrat joined Rep. Matt Gaetz and seven others voted to take away his gavel. Rep. Patrick McHenry is serving as temporary Speaker and McCarthy has confirmed he will not run again, but beyond that, not much is clear as the territory is entirely uncharted. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels interviews Playbook Editor Mike DeBonis.

Laphonza Butler is well known in Democratic circles. Her resume includes roles as a regent on the board of the University of California, president of the California SEIU, and most recently the third president of EMILY’s List. But with her appointment to the late Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat this afternoon, her profile is about to get far more public. It also means she has mere weeks to decide if she will run to be elected to the seat she is assuming. California Bureau Chief Christopher Cadelago tells Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels that it's a decision that could throw an already complicated race into a tailspin. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels interviews California Bureau Chief Christopher Cadelago.

Capitol Hill is lurching from one crisis to the next. Congressman Matt Gaetz announced yesterday that he plans to file a motion to vacate against Speaker Kevin McCarthy this week. Plus, former President Donald Trump is expected to attend the opening of the civil trial in the New York attorney general’s fraud case against him. And California Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to appoint Laphonza Butler to fill Dianne Feinstein’s seat.

Barring something genuinely surprising, the federal government will shut down in a little more than 24 hours’ time, as House Republicans show no sign of being able to pass the appropriations bills that have vexed them for weeks. Now, as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy takes the blame, there are growing whispers that conservative hard-liners will launch an audacious gambit to oust him and replace him with Majority Whip Tom Emmer. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade walks us through the state of play behind the scenes — including the central role played by Trumpy Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz.

As the 2024 GOP hopefuls gathered in California to debate, the barbs aimed at Donald Trump were more pointed, the elbows thrown at one another were sharper, and all in all, the moderators let the exchanges careen out of control. And yet, for all of that, the debate largely fell flat: Nobody’s performance was strong enough to touch Trump’s massive polling lead. What exactly happened? Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza talks it all through with national politics correspondent Adam Wren, who covered the debate in person, and takes us behind the camera to reveal how it played in the room. Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza interviews national politics correspondent Adam Wren.

Candidates vying for the Republican nomination for president will once again take the stage to debate tonight, this time in California. But Donald Trump, whose lead continues to grow, says he once again will not attend. Electrifying performances in August did not translate to bumps in poll numbers; could that change this round?Plus, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is still trying to keep the government open, and Senator Chuck Schumer is now also trying to keep the government open.

After a press conference that provided few answers about the federal charges leveled against him, Sen. Bob Menendez now must face a jury of his peers. Only three of his Democratic colleagues in Washington have called for his resignation, but as New Jersey Playbook author Matthew Friedman tells Ryan Lizza, it's a whole different story back home in New Jersey. We'll be on Cory Booker watch. Plus, President Joe Biden will join the picket line in Michigan, and Speaker Kevin McCarthy is still trying to avoid a shutdown. Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza interviews New Jersey Playbook author Matthew Friedman.

As the clock ticks down, Kevin McCarthy is still trying to wrangle his fellow Republicans toward avoiding a government shutdown. But there seems to be no straightforward solution for the House speaker. Even if a shutdown is avoided, Playbook co-author Rachael Bade explains, something else seems inevitable: a challenge to McCarthy’s gavel. Plus, on the schedule for this week: the first Biden impeachment hearings and the second Republican debate.

A government shutdown appears inevitable as the clock winds down with little progress evident on the bills necessary to keep the government open. It’s so dire that Speaker Kevin McCarthy is seemingly unable to rally House Republicans on even the smallest necessary procedural matters. Where do we go from here? Congress reporter Daniella Diaz talks to Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza about the road ahead — and what to expect as the most unlikely of characters steps in to try to get things moving. Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza interviews Congress reporter Daniella Diaz.

Republicans emerged from a meeting on Capitol Hill last night confident in their ability to move forward on critical spending bills that would keep the government funded and open. But, as Playbook co-author Rachael Bade explains, that optimism may be short-lived as GOP infighting is likely to derail the legislation. Plus, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits Washington tomorrow to present his case for more aid to his country.

As the clock ticks closer to a government shutdown, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is struggling to pass a bill that would keep the government open, and the White House is not going to come to his rescue, reporter Jennifer Haberkorn tells Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels. Plus, a preview of Attorney General Merrick Garland’s comments to the House Judiciary Committee. That, and all of the news you need to know today.

With a number of other world leaders skipping the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week, President Joe Biden has the opportunity to take the spotlight. He is expected to push a message of democracy and encourage more funding for humanitarian aid for Ukraine. But, as senior foreign correspondent Nahal Toosi tells Playbook co-author Rachael Bade, there is plenty more to keep an eye on at UNGA. Plus, all the latest on the spending showdown tearing House Republicans apart. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade interviews Senior Foreign Correspondent Nahal Toosi.

House Republicans spent the weekend trying to find common ground on a stopgap spending bill that could unite them against Democrats ahead of a potential government shutdown on Oct. 1. But with multiple Republican lawmakers already voicing their opposition, its chances of passing the House are already fading. Plus, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits Capitol Hill.

At midnight, the UAW’s roughly 150,000 members went on strike against General Motors, Ford and Stellantis — the first time ever that the union has targeted all three companies simultaneously in a labor action that threatens to rattle national politics. Though the more immediate issues at play are higher wages wages and better benefits, the broader implications for President Joe Biden — who has yet to win the UAW’s endorsement — and for the 2024 electoral map are undeniable. Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton sits down with E&E White House reporter Scott Waldman for the whole story. That, and the latest from Capitol Hill and Hunter Biden’s legal saga, on this morning’s Playbook Daily Briefing. Playbook Deputy Editor Zack Stanton interviews E&E White House reporter Scott Waldman.

Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerburg and other of heavy hitters from the tech world joined Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer last night for a closed-door meeting about the future of artificial intelligence — and what the government should do about it. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels talks with Politico Tech host Steven Overly. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels interviews Politico Tech host Steven Overly.

Mere hours into the first day members of the House convened after August recess, Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced he would be opening an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. At the center of the investigation are claims that the overseas business dealings of Biden’s son Hunter influenced his political agenda. But, as Playbook co-author Rachael Bade explains, McCarthy must accomplish a few key tasks before take-off; namely, he must rally his party for enough votes to make it happen.

House Republicans are supposed to be taking up (and are expected to pass) a right-wing defense funding bill this week. But, head butting within the party over spending may throw a wrench in that plan. As Playbook co-author Rachael Bade explains, the vitriol is starting to get messy and spill over onto social media

When the House reconvenes after August recess tomorrow, Speaker Kevin McCarthy will be greeted in the Capitol by unhappy people, many of whom are members of his own party. McCarthy must navigate conservatives who feel the he has not delivered on promises the Speaker made when seeking the gavel back in January. Playbook editor Mike DeBonis talks with Playbook co-author Rachael Bade.

As the House returns next week, the relationship between Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell could face its greatest test yet. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade joins deputy editor Zack Stanton to talk through the road ahead, the unique pressures McCarthy faces, and the battery of issues that threaten to put the House and Senate GOP on very different pages. Deputy Editor Zack Stanton interviews Playbook co-author Rachael Bade.

Today, President Joe Biden heads to New Delhi for the G-20 summit. The subtext of the trip? Convince countries that the U.S. is a better bet than China. That’s a complicates sales pitch, but could be coming at exactly the right time. National security reporter Alex Ward joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to discuss the potential for a historic breakthrough at the meeting — and what success looks like from the White House’s perspective. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels interviews national security reporter Alex Ward.

Mitch McConnell is moving as fast as he can to get beyond questions about whether his health will hurt his ability to lead Senate Republicans. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels talks with Senate reporter Ursula Perano. Plus, Jim Messina on why Democrats need to take a third-party threat seriously and what songs the 2024 Republican presidential candidates are listening to.

A new book dropping today offers a rare inside look at Biden’s first two years in office. Franklin Foer’s “The Last Politician” offers in-depth insights into topics such as the president’s approaches to foreign policy and opinion of reproductive rights. Plus, fresh off the holiday weekend, a fight is brewing over fentanyl; and some Republicans are still pushing for an impeachment inquiry. Ryan Lizza breaks down the news you need to know today.

Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton talks with senior columnist and politics bureau chief Jonathan Martin about this week in politics and his new column on why you should be paying attention to Virginia, where Sen. Mark Warner is sounding the alarm about the Virginia legislative elections — which Gov. Glenn Youngkin hopes to use to catapult himself into the national conversation. Playbook Deputy Editor Zack Stanton talks with Senior Columnist and Politics Bureau Chief Jonathan Martin.

One story looms above all others today: the first Republican debate. (Although a close second is Donald Trump, who is expected to surrender to law enforcement in Georgia later today, after giving a bizarre interview to Tucker Carlson that aired last night.) The Playbook team got together for a post-debate call to talk it all through.

We’re just a few hours away from the start of the first presidential debate of the 2024 cycle, and the event is already mired in controversy. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade walks through everything you need to know about the main event, and then sits down with RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel to talk about the sideshows.

The debate stage is set. Late last night, the RNC announced that eight candidates will be participating in the first presidential debate of the 2024 cycle on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the debate’s most notably absent figure — Donald Trump — announces when he will surrender to an Atlanta court on Thursday. Reporter Zach Montellaro walks Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels through the debate maneuvering in the GOP and the opaque process that frustrated a number of Republican hopefuls. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels talks with reporter Zach Montellaro.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ political future — and quite possibly the success of the Democratic ticket in 2024 — hinges on a simple question: In modern-day D.C., is it possible to make a second impression? She recently sat down with Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to discuss how her job has changed, what people get wrong about her public profile, and what many insiders see as a major shift in her comfort in recent months. That, plus, a look ahead to a busy week for Donald Trump — and for the GOP presidential candidates he won’t be joining on the debate stage.

As Republicans gear up for the big debate in Milwaukee, further west, California Gov. Gavin Newsom injects himself into the debates raging in San Francisco. The city’s myriad challenges — from culture war topics to substance abuse to unaffordable housing to rampant crime — not only pose governing problems, but political ones as the city reemerges as a Republican punching bag. Deputy editor Zack Stanton talks with California Bureau Chief Christopher Cadelago on how Newsom plans to navigate it. All that and the news you need to know today. Deputy Editor Zack Stanton interviews California Bureau Chief Christopher Cadelago.

Six months into her presidential campaign, Nikki Haley is mired in the single digits and needs a breakout moment. Could next week’s presidential debate offer it? Playbook co-author Rachael Bade joined the former South Carolina governor at the Iowa State Fair to talk through the benefits and drawbacks of being the sole woman in the crowded GOP primary race, what she thinks of her campaign’s trajectory — and Haley cleared the air about the assumptions others make about her candidacy.

Thus far, President Joe Biden’s administration has not used Donald Trump’s multiple indictments as fodder for insult. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels and White House Bureau Chief Jonathan Lemire explore what it will take for the White House to change their approach. Plus, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema is unhappy with the situation at the Southern border, and Mark Meadows wants his trial out of Georgia. All that, and the news you need to know today. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels talks with White House Bureau Chief Jonathan Lemire.

On Monday night, a Georgia grand jury delivered a 98-page indictment against Donald Trump and many of his close allies on charges of interfering with the 2020 election. Legal Affairs reporter Kyle Cheney joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to explore the most wide-ranging indictment against the former president yet. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels talks with reporter Kyle Cheney.

Republican Minority Leader McConnell says he is working to preserve the United States’ identity as a strong, visible presence internationally and within NATO. But with Donald Trump now the de facto party leader, that’s no longer a popular position to take. The senator’s declining health only adds further complication to his endeavors. Host Ryan Lizza talks with Politics Bureau Chief Jonathan Martin about his newest piece about McConnell’s political endgame. Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza talks with Senior Columnist and Politics Bureau Chief Jonathan Martin.

Nearly every Republican presidential hopeful will be in Des Moines for the Iowa State Fair this weekend. And so will our own Rachael Bade. She joins Ryan to discuss the scene at Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence and Doug Burgum’s campaign stops. That, plus what (and who) we can expect to make headlines in the days ahead. Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza talks with reporter Rachael Bade.

As abortion rights advocates celebrate a major win in Ohio, eyes are turning to other purple-to-red states as Democrats potentially see a path to juice 2024 turnout in some of the most competitive areas of the country. Plus, as Republican presidential hopefuls flock to Des Moines for the Iowa State Fair, former President Donald Trump is bringing an entourage hand-picked to troll Ron DeSantis. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

Eight candidates – including, most recently, former Vice President Mike Pence – have qualified for the first GOP Presidential Debate. Will Donald Trump take the stage? Plus, a victory for proponents of abortion rights in Ohio yesterday, and another staffing shakeup for the DeSantis campaign. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

Today voters in Ohio decide the fate of Issue 1, an amendment that would make it significantly harder to alter the state’s constitution. But the stakes are broader: If passed, it would immediately jeopardize efforts to enshrine abortion rights into state law. Plus, Donald Trump’s legal team is arguing that a protective order proposed by DOJ special counsel Jack Smith would be an infringement on Trump’s free speech rights. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels talks with campaigns reporter Madison Fernandez about the implications of the Ohio special election.

D.C. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has given Donald Trump until 5 p.m. today to respond to a protective order in his Washington, D.C., criminal case. Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza explains how this event will give important clues about how the former president’s prosecution will unfold in D.C., and when his trial may actually happen.

Donald Trump’s third arraignment may be dominating chyrons nationwide this week, but in California, he and his allies are working to ensure that he can secure every last GOP delegate. Rivals like Ken Cuccinelli are even claiming that the Trump camp is “looking to rig the system in their favor.” Playbook co-author Rachael Bade digs into her exclusive reporting.

With President Joe Biden still at the beach and Congress in August recess, there’s one gigantic story dominating the headlines today: Donald Trump’s expected arraignment in Washington D.C. following his indictment this week stemming from his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza talks with senior legal affairs reporter Josh Gerstein about what to expect from this latest arraignment.

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-author Eugene Daniels on what’s next along all these fronts.

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 out Playbook Deep Dive this morning where Ryan nerds out with Arnold Punaro, a retired general with the U.S. Marine Corps, on the politics and policy of the bill.

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 down.

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.