First: President Joe Biden spoke at African American history museum, commemorating the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education in an effort to bolster crucial support among Black voters. Plus: Israeli military recovers the bodies of three hostages in a tunnel in Gaza. Jeremy Diamond reports from Jerusalem. And: A New York Times report outside Justice Alito’s home displaying a “Stop The Sea;” flag after January 6. And a House committee hearing devolves into chaos.

May 17, 2024

This week a group of Donald Trump’s allies flocked to the Manhattan courthouse for the former president’s criminal hush money trial. It’s become a way for North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, and others to ‘audition’ for the role of vice president. Elaine Godfrey is covering this year’s ‘Veepstakes’ for the Atlantic. She joins CNN Political Director David Chalian to explain why she says Trump’s search is different this time around.

May 17, 2024

First: Joe Biden and Donald Trump don't agree on much, but they do agree it's time to debate. They both accepted an invitation from CNN to hold the first presidential debate on June 27.  Plus: It's round two of Todd Blanche versus Michael Cohen, as Trump's top defense attorney is trying to paint the prosecution's star witness as a sworn henchmen out for revenge.  And: Can Republicans pick up a US Senate seat in the reliably blue state of Maryland. Popular former governor Larry Hogan will test that after winning the GOP nomination for last night.

May 15, 2024

On the beach. The testimony and the delays shaping the race as Biden criss-crosses the country, while RFK sends alarm bells ringing. Plus, isolated. Biden pleases no-one, new reporting as Democrats fret up and down the ballot, while the race for the Senate in Maryland gets vicious. The control of the chamber at stake. Finally, on trial. The other big court case kicking off today, that of Sen. Bob Menendez. We catch up with him just before his corruption trial is due to begin in New York, and as his colleagues call for him to step down.

May 13, 2024

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash presses potential Trump VP pick Sen. JD Vance on Trump’s comment that Jewish Americans who voted for President Biden “should be ashamed of themselves.” Then, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy joins Dana to discuss President Biden’s threat to withhold aid from Israel if it launches a Rafah offensive. Next, Scott Brown, Ashley Allison, Scott Jennings, and Karen Finney join Dana to discuss how both parties are responding to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent pres...Show moreidential bid. Dana also goes behind the scenes of disaster relief efforts with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell after tornadoes in Oklahoma, as part of her “Badass Women of Washington” series. Finally, Dana reflects on the life and legacy of her friend, former White House Counsel Jack Quinn.

May 13, 2024

On the beach. The testimony and the delays shaping the race as Biden criss-crosses the country, while RFK sends alarm bells ringing. Plus, isolated. Biden pleases no-one, new reporting as Democrats fret up and down the ballot, while the race for the Senate in Maryland gets vicious. The control of the chamber at stake. Finally, on trial. The other big court case kicking off today, that of Sen. Bob Menendez. We catch up with him just before his corruption trial is due to begin in New York, and as his colleagues call for him to step down.

May 13, 2024

Mike Johnson evaded another threat to his position as leader of the House this week. On Wednesday, Georgia GOP Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene made a motion to oust Speaker Johnson, after threatening to do so for several weeks. The House voted swiftly in favor of Johnson by a tally of 359 to 43, so Speaker Johnson will keep his job, for now. But how long will this last? And how might this impact the presidential election? On this special edition of CNN Political Briefing, CNN Anchor and Chief Congressional Correspondent Manu Raju and Capitol Hill Reporter Melanie Zanona discuss the latest.

May 10, 2024

First: Joe Biden is doing what only incumbents can do, heading to a must-win swing state with the gift of jobs. Dana talks to a top Biden campaign official about the latest strategy for taking on Donald Trump.  Plus: Stormy Daniels is back on the stand tomorrow after dishing salacious details about her alleged sexual encounter with Donald Trump, right down to his set of pajamas. But does her testimony ultimately help or hurt the prosecution?  And: Kristi Noem's VP hopes may be tanking after she admitted to being a puppy killer.

May 8, 2024

When Mike Johnson worked with Democrats to pass Ukraine war funding, he knew it would enrage the extreme right-wing and threaten his speakership. So far, Johnson has survived the challenge to his job, and as Doug Heye puts it, “survival is strength.” Heye has worked for Republicans in the House and Senate and is a former communications director for the Republican National Committee. He’ll describe the tightrope Mike Johnson must walk in order lead House Republicans back to a majority in November.

May 6, 2024

On CNN’s State of the Union, potential Trump VP contender Gov. Doug Burgum brushes off Donald Trump comparing the Biden administration to the Gestapo but acknowledges that Joe Biden won the 2020 election despite Trump’s claims to the contrary. Then, Jake presses Biden campaign co-chair Mitch Landrieu over President Biden’s response to campus protests amid Democratic concern they could damage his campaign. Next, University of Florida President and former U.S. senator Ben Sasse joins Jake to expla...Show morein how his university has handled protests on campus. After, Kate Bedingfield, Jonah Goldberg, Ashley Allison and Marc Lotter join Jake to discuss the race to be Trump’s running mate. Finally, Jake reflects on the life and legacy of someone very important to the Tapper family.

May 6, 2024