CNN Political Briefing

The Iowa State Fair has kicked off, and Republican candidates are vying for face time with voters in a presidential race dominated by Donald Trump. Former Vice President Mike Pence and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum both played up their Midwestern credentials, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is aiming to stump across all of Iowa’s 99 counties. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what to expect this weekend.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Examining the legal battles of former President Donald Trump, including a co-defendant pleading not guilty and the challenges of scheduling court dates. Updates on his legal cases, difficulty in finding lawyers, charges faced by Michigan Republicans, and upcoming indictments in the Georgia investigation. Analyzing Trump's response to charges and potential charges, using them as political ammunition for his campaign and its impact on his presidential candidacy.

President Joe Biden visits Arizona, Utah and New Mexico this week, as the West - and the world - reels from extreme heat. But are voters buying Biden’s climate message? A new poll says otherwise, as the president catches flak for not declaring climate change a national emergency. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down Biden’s latest campaign push, and how younger, climate-minded voters are reacting.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ohioans are headed to the polls today in a special election that has major implications for the state’s abortion rights. And out today, a new national CNN poll shows voters’ feelings haven’t cooled since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade more than a year ago. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the latest numbers.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former President Donald Trump and his legal team are trying to stall and discredit his latest legal case, as his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination show they’re more willing to use it to their advantage. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the latest from former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Trump’s own lawyer. Plus, a surprising acknowledgment from DeSantis.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former President Donald Trump is complaining about the time and cost of his legal issues, a day after pleading not guilty to charges related to his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Republicans are reacting to Trump’s arraignment this week. Plus, a new poll provides some insight on how Americans view the latest charges against the former president.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to four federal charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election today. He was arrested in the same courthouse that has hosted court proceedings for more than 1,000 Capitol rioters who have been charged for breaching the Capitol. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the charges against Trump, and how other Republicans are reacting to the arraignment. The judge scheduled the next hearing in the case for August 28th.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow, after being indicted by a grand jury in the special counsel’s investigation into attempts to overturn the 2020 election. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the charges against Trump, and how his legal team is expected to respond. Plus, today former Vice President Mike Pence defended his actions on January 6th after the indictment revealed new details about Trump’s alleged efforts to convince him to reject the election results.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is trailing behind Donald Trump in the polls. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down DeSantis’ latest strategy for dealing with Trump and other obstacles his campaign is facing. On the campaign trail this week, DeSantis unveiled his economic plan for the country and doubled down on Florida's new controversial education standards.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Special Counsel Jack Smith has expanded his classified documents case against former President Donald Trump. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down new developments in the case, as well as where the investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia stands. Plus, new reporting indicates that all of this legal trouble has been pretty pricey for the Trump campaign, but doesn’t seem to be hurting his poll numbers.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices