podcast
CNN Political Briefing
Join CNN Political Director David Chalian as he guides you through our ever-changing political landscape. Every week, David and a guest take you inside the latest developments with insight and analysis from the key players in politics.
As he pushes for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, President Trump has repeated Russian talking points about the war—like falsely blaming Ukraine for starting the conflict and calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator.” New Yorker staff writer Susan Glasser says this pro-Putin turn has sent a “shock wave” through Europe. And she argues there hasn’t just been a change in American foreign policy. She’s also seeing what she’s calling a “Putinization of America” by Trump. Have a question or a guest you’d like to hear from? Let us know. Email us at CNNPoliticalBriefing@Gmail.com or give us a call at (202) 430-5460.
Feb 28, 2025
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 la…Show morendscape 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 CNNPoliticalBriefing@Gmail.com or give us a call at (202) 430-5460.
Feb 21, 2025
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 CNNPoliticalBriefing@Gmail.com or give us a call at (202) 430-5460.
Feb 14, 2025
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 CNNPoliticalBriefing@Gmail.com.
Feb 7, 2025
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 CNNPoliticalBriefing@Gmail.com.
Jan 31, 2025
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 CNNPoliticalBriefing@Gmail.com.
Jan 24, 2025
Joe Biden’s more than 50-year political career will come to an end Monday when he turns over the Oval Office back to Donald Trump. USA TODAY’s Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page had the rare opportunity to do an exit interview with Biden during the last days of his presidency. She joins CNN Washington Bureau Chief and Political Director David Chalian to share her insights from that conversation, including an “extraordinary” admission by the president. Plus, why Biden’s farewell address wasn’t what either of them expected. What questions do you have about the new Trump administration? Email us at CNNPoliticalBriefing@Gmail.com.
Jan 17, 2025
This week marked a rare meeting of the so-called presidents club—the elite, unofficial club of living US presidents. It’s a complicated moment for the former commanders in chief, as they say goodbye to one member and prepare for Donald Trump to make the historic transition from ex-president to current president. CNN’s presidential historian, Tim Naftali, joins Washington Bureau Chief and Political Director David Chalian to discuss this “club,” its past, its purpose and Trump’s strained relationship to it.
Jan 10, 2025
In a month, President Joe Biden will hand the keys of the White House back to his political rival, Donald Trump. Franklin Foer is a staff writer for The Atlantic, and he closely observed the first two years of Biden’s presidency to write his book, “The Last Politician: Inside Joe Biden’s White House and the Struggle for America’s Future.” He joins CNN Political Director and Washington Bureau Chief David Chalian to discuss what Biden’s legacy will be and whether the accomplishments of his presidency will be reduced to an “asterisk” in the shadow of Trump’s win.
Dec 20, 2024
CNN senior political analyst and editor for The Atlantic Ron Brownstein joins CNN Political Director David Chalian to break down how Vice President Kamala Harris’s top campaign leaders are explaining their loss. They discuss whether it was a winnable race for Harris and why the most shocking thing about this election may just be how normal it was. Plus, the moment Harris’s campaign leaders were most defensive about and the exit poll insight that gets at the heart of the results.
Dec 13, 2024
