The Playbook Podcast

Special counsel Jack Smith requests Supreme Court intervention in Donald Trump's trial, revealing intriguing revelations about Trump's Twitter account. The podcast explores Ukrainian President Zelensky's visit, Trump's immunity argument, Supreme Court speculation, and the significance of extracted data from Trump's cell phone.

House Republicans plan to authorize an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, despite a lack of evidence. The GOP is united in supporting the investigation, but their ultimate vote for impeachment remains uncertain. The podcast also covers the National Defense Authorization Act, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's visit to Capitol Hill.

Hunter Biden, involved in a legal case regarding tax evasion, discusses the severity of his charges and the potential impact on his father's reelection. The podcast explores the indictment, defense strategy, and other legal developments involving the Biden family. It also discusses the challenge of enforcing a congressional subpoena and mentions President Biden's schedule.

It was the last scheduled GOP debate before primary ballots start being cast. But did it change anything? Last night in Tuscaloosa, Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy traded barbs, unspooled occasionally outlandish talking points and did their best to recapture the narrative in the final month of the primary race. Yet it was the candidate not in attendance — Donald Trump — who once again loomed large, defining the stage even while absent. And what we saw seems unlikely to disrupt the fundamentals of the campaign. National politics correspondent Adam Wren joins Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton to unpack it all. 

The Colorado Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today on whether Trump should be disqualified from the ballot in 2024 based on alleged violations of the 14th amendment. The case, which legal reporter Kyle Cheney explains is almost bound to end up being heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, has implications both for the 2024 election and legal precedent for years to come.Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels interviews legal reporter Kyle Cheney.

Negotiations between Democrats and Republicans for a $106B budget supplemental funding package failed. Aid to Ukraine hangs in balance. Ukrainian President to address chambers virtually. Discussion on Republican presidential debate participants. Breakdown of talks on Ukraine aid and concerns about failed vote. Border security negotiations breakdown and Democratic Party divide on immigration policy.

This week's agenda includes a final plea for Ukraine aid, a vote on the $106 billion supplemental funding package, a potential re-gagging of former president Trump, and a new focus for Democrats called MAGAnomics, the GOP's policy plans.

GOP presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis met with California Gov. Gavin Newsom for chaotic debate Thursday night. The two—and moderator Sean Hannity— set out to contrast the Republican and Democratic ways of governing during the 90 minute spectacle billed as the red vs. blue debate. A gamut of topics were covered and slews of fiery buzzwords were hurled at one another, but did the audience actually learn anything? California bureau chief Christopher Cadelago joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to unpack the event. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels interviews California bureau chief Christopher Cadelago,

Lawmakers in Washington are facing complicated realities as they navigate funding deals and shifting dynamics. Topics include conservatives considering compromises on spending cuts, Senator Tuberville's efforts to address military promotions, and the challenges of the $100 billion supplemental funding request.

The podcast discusses the ongoing debates between Congress and the White House on immigration, focusing on asylum reform, safe third country restrictions, and changes to the parole system. The complex politics surrounding this issue and the Biden administration's challenges are explored, including the potential political vulnerability for President Biden on border security. The divide among House and Senate Republicans on addressing the issue is also discussed.