The Playbook Podcast

Today begins a momentous three days of hearings in Trump’s classified documents case in the Florida courtroom of Judge Aileen Cannon. In an alternate timeline, the criminal prosecution — which was originally slated to start on May 20 — is already underway. But in the real world, Cannon has postponed proceedings indefinitely — and it’s likely that, pending what happens today, Monday and Tuesday, they won’t begin at all in 2024. Senior legal affairs reporter Kyle Cheney joins Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza to discuss. Plus, after an enormous wave of donations triggered by his conviction in New York, Trump has all but erased Joe Biden’s cash advantage in the presidential race. All that and the rest of the news you need to know today.

It could happen today. It could happen tomorrow. And you can count on it happening next week, too. The Supreme Court has 22 remaining cases left on the docket, and with time ticking down on this term, the floodgates are about to open. From abortion restrictions to Trump’s claims of presidential immunity in his bid to subvert the 2020 election, to social media censorship, to a decision that could gut the regulatory state, the decisions that remain could have a sweeping impact on American life. Senior legal affairs reporter Josh Gerstein sits down with Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to walk through some of the key cases and what pros should watch for.

Twelve years after former President Barack Obama passed DACA, and just a few weeks after President Joe Biden announced a harsh crackdown at the U.S.-Mexico border, Biden is slated to make a major announcement today that takes the opposite approach. The parole-in-place program will allow the spouses of U.S. citizens who have lived in the country for at least 10 years to obtain work permits. A second policy will make certain DACA recipients and dreamers eligible for work visas and expedite the process of obtaining them. Will it strike a much-needed balance for the Biden campaign as it continues to struggle with immigration as a campaign issue? White House reporter Myah Ward joins Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza to discuss. Plus, the primary races to watch in Virginia and Oklahoma, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

The Republican National Convention is less than one month away, which means we are less than one month from knowing who presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump will choose for his running mate. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), and Gov. Doug Burgum (R-N.D.) are among those speculated to be near the top of the list for the job, but each candidate comes with his or her own advantages and disadvantages. National politics correspondent Meridith McGraw joins Playbook co-author Rachael Bade to discuss. Plus, the Biden campaign is going after Trump for his recent felony convictions to the tune of a $50 million ad campaign, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

At the G7 meetings in Italy, many of the conversations revolve around two men: One who’s there (Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy), and one who isn’t (Donald Trump). Though much of President Joe Biden’s agenda at the summit is occupied by reasserting American support for Ukraine, the specter of the 2024 elections is never far from the center of attention. White House correspondent Adam Cancryn is in Italy and joins the pod to discuss it all with Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels. Plus, Donald Trump gives Milwaukee the Baltimore treatment, and all the rest of the news you need to know today.

Former President Donald Trump is visiting Capitol Hill today, where he is set to meet with members of both chambers. Yes, there’ll be chatter about a 2025 agenda and an attempt to rally Republican support for his campaign. But behind the scenes, there’s tension as the GOP’s slim House majority is making it hard for Speaker Mike Johnson to deliver for Trump — whether the issue is impeaching Joe Biden, defunding Jack Smith or kneecapping prosecutors investigating the former president. Congress reporter Anthony Adragna joins Playbook co-author Rachael Bade to discuss all that and more. All of that, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

On Tuesday, Hunter Biden was convicted on all three charges he faced in a Delaware court over an unlawful gun purchase. The result was not necessarily a surprise for the Biden camp, though insiders say it is taking a tremendous personal toll on the president. But could the conviction actually benefit Biden politically? White House bureau chief Jonathan Lemire joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to discuss. Plus, the biggest takeaways from Tuesday's elections around the country. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

It’s Tuesday, and that means another day of primaries. Races to watch today include South Carolina Republican Nancy Mace facing a primary challenger backed by ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the race to fill outgoing North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum’s seat, races in Nevada and Ohio and more. Plus, the bribery trial for Senator Bob Menendez heats up in New Jersey. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

In a sharp blow to PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, Benny Gantz, a key member of Israel’s war cabinet, resigned his post this weekend in protest of the lack of a plan to win the peace in Gaza. While the move — which came with a call for new elections — is unlikely to force Netanyahu from power, Gantz’s departure has significant implications for both Israel and the U.S. Foreign affairs correspondent and columnist Nahal Toosi joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to walk through what you need to know. Plus, Vice President Kamala Harris shifts her focus, and former President Donald Trump upstages his own policy announcement with remarks about the Jan. 6 attackers during his first post-conviction rally.

In the week since former President Donald Trump was found guilty of 34 felonies, his campaign has been flooded with a jaw-dropping amount of cash. Aiming to keep up that momentum, Trump is currently in California for a $500,000-per-couple fundraiser with some of the nation’s wealthiest donors. Will it be enough to overtake the Biden campaign’s much touted cash advantage? National politics correspondent Meridith McGraw joins Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton to discuss. Plus, what you need to know about President Joe Biden’s meeting today with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — and why Kyiv met Biden’s D-Day speech with skepticism.