The Playbook Podcast

Donald Trump may have been acquitted for a second time over the weekend. But despite that gripping impeachment-trial presentation laying out the ex-president’s role in the Capitol rampage, the GOP remains the undisputed party of Trump.

Reliving Jan. 6 was always going to be hard for senators. Emotions ran high in the chamber during the impeachment managers’ presentation Wednesday, as senators saw just how close the mob, egged on by then-President Donald Trump, came to finding them. No senator appears to be struggling with the trial as much as Louisiana Republican Bill Cassidy, who switched his vote Tuesday and declared the impeachment trial is constitutional.

McConnell's signaling to Republicans to vote with their conscience, but only one has changed sides so far. Even after Trump's lawyers left Republicans shaking their heads. Listen here for the top 6 takeaways from Day 1 of the impeachment trial.Politico Playbook: https://www.politico.com/playbookTransition Playbook: https://www.politico.com/newsletters/transition-playbook

Democrats are torn over strategy as they kick off the second impeachment of Donald Trump, with impeachment managers feeling muzzled by party leaders.

A first in Playbook: As Democrats take another step toward passing Biden's $1.9 trillion relief plan without GOP support, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus will call on House Democratic leaders today to allow a stand-alone vote on $160 billion for vaccine distribution. Plus: It's Trump's last weekend to prep for his impeachment trial, and his allies are bracing for a PR nightmare.

Bring on the Red Bull: It’s time for a good old-fashioned all-nighter in the Senate tonight. Plus: If you’re trying to figure out the direction of the GOP after that circus of a conference meeting yesterday, good luck.

The president is embracing the left in his Covid-19 relief negotiations, while the House GOP leader may purge a member on the right. Here's what's driving Washington today.

Over the next 48 hours, the fates of two Republican women will be decided for diametrically opposite reasons. Plus: About that Biden-GOP huddle ... and more in today's Playbook Audio Briefing.

Just how serious is Joe Biden about bipartisanship? We're about to find out.

Democrats may technically control the House, the Senate and the White House. But there’s a new sheriff in town in Joe Biden — and centrist Democrats calling for some good old-fashioned bipartisanship on big-ticket items like Covid relief. That leaves lawmakers in the majority facing a conundrum: Work with the minority? Or try to run them over?

Today, we're taking you on a little field trip to the West Wing, giving you an inside look at who's occupying the most important real estate in Biden's White House. But first: Here’s what’s driving the day in Washington.

With a trial start date finally on the horizon, the pressure is on for Senate Republicans to acquit former President Trump. And that’s regardless of whether they think he actually committed an impeachable offense.

President Joe Biden followed through on several first-day promises, but there are a few big ones he hasn't hit yet. Plus: impeachment timeline news and GOP fractures.

Joe Biden officially becomes president today. He'll issue a flurry of executive orders. But he's also inheriting a mess: including a Schumer-McConnell standoff.

New administration, new Playbook! We reveal our four new Playbook authors, and the insider drama in the White House and on Capitol Hill as Trump exits the building.

Trump's impeachment trial could start an hour after Biden is sworn into office. But can the Senate try him? And can the Supreme Court intervene?

For the second time in just over a year, it's the morning after impeachment day. Here's what's next, and Playbook guest author Ben Shapiro's take on why most Republicans opposed impeachment despite the president's role in last week's deadly insurrection.

MSNBC's Chris Hayes joins today's POLITICO Playbook audio briefing as we prep for the first-ever second impeachment day in American history.

Legendary documentary filmmaker Ken Burns joins this special edition of the POLITICO Playbook Audio Briefing, as Congress prepares for another impeachment push and fallout continues from last week's deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th president of the United States in nine days. Since the assault on the U.S. Capitol, everyone is trying to figure out the answer to a question we have all explored before: Will Trump complete his full term?

Yamiche Alcindor, Playbook guest author and PBS NewsHour's White House correspondent, tells us in her own words her reflections on a chaotic week, in which a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol. Yamiche Alcindor is PBS NewsHour's White House correspondent. Also check out her hosting PBS's Washington Week this past Friday: https://www.pbs.org/weta/washingtonweek/

In this special Playbook, PBS' Yamiche Alcindor explains why Wednesday's Capitol siege is a "fitting end" to Trump's presidency.

Congress affirmed Joe Biden's victory after a day of pro-Trump riots turned deadly, fueled by the president urging his followers to march on the Capitol to pressure Congress otherwise.

Glued to the almighty Needle all night? Us, too. In today's audio briefing: A historic win, Georgia Senate runoff projections, getting ready for a Democrat-controlled Washington, Biden's election certification and more.

Perdue vs. Ossoff, Warnock vs. Loeffler, MAGA rallies and more in today's audio briefing.

Trump's leaked Georgia call, Republican splinters, Pelosi's win and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Trump’s last-minute wrench in the plans, the latest pardons and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

The big Covid relief/government funding vote, new guidelines on who gets the vaccine and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

Congress scrambles to produce a historic federal rescue package, President-elect Joe Biden plans to tap Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) for Interior secretary and more in today's Audio Briefing.

All signs point to a Covid relief deal, President-elect Joe Biden makes three more picks to fill out his administration and more in today's Audio Briefing.

D.C. gets a few doses of reality, Bill Barr exits as attorney general and more in today's Audio Briefing.

The Electoral College meets to vote today, Congress races to beat the government funding deadline and strike a Covid relief deal and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Congress in paralysis, Time’s Person of the Year and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

A big day for the Pfizer vaccine, what AOC thinks of the Biden Cabinet and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

Democrats’ thin House majority getting thinner, the latest on Covid relief and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

Mitch McConnell’s softening resistance to direct payments, the new Defense secretary and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

Phil Rucker and Carol Leonnig’s next book, Congress’ big week and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

Joe Biden previews his presidential challenges, a Covid relief deal is beginning to form and more in today's Audio Briefing.

The government funding and Covid relief crunch is on, Hill Republicans are already cheering a Trump 2024 run and more in today's Audio Briefing.

What December holds for Washington, the latest vaccine development and more in today's Audio Briefing.

The White House plans for Christmas parties in the middle of a pandemic, what Republican senators are saying about Biden's Cabinet nominees and more in today's Audio Briefing.

What Congress is looking to accomplish in the lame-duck session, President-elect Joe Biden sets up key Cabinet confirmation battles and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Joe Biden’s 100 day priorities, new transition details and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

Joe Biden bringing boring back, the latest on who might be Defense secretary and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

The latest GOP attempts to overturn the election, some good vaccine news and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

The fraught nature of Covid relief talks, some Republican senators tell Trump the jig is up and more in today's Audio Briefing.

The reality of the Joe Biden and Mitch McConnell relationship, Biden's team mounts a lobbying blitz to quell GOP resistance to his transition and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Donald Trump appears to be done with being president, Joe Biden continues building out his administration and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Americans prepare to lose key safety nets in the middle of a pandemic, what Cedric Richmond brings to a Biden administration and more in today's Audio Briefing.

Democrats and Republicans gear up for House leadership elections, the coronavirus continues to rage as more states implement restrictions and more in today's Audio Briefing.