CNN Political Briefing

After months of criticism over the economy and inaction, Democratic leaders are feeling optimism after recent legislative wins while some Republican candidates are struggling to fundraise. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the state of play for the midterm elections – and why Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is warning about “candidate quality.”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 at the center of two legal battles playing out today – a DOJ criminal investigation involving the FBI’s search and seizure at his Mar-a-Lago home and the other pertaining to the Trump Organization. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what a federal judge in South Florida – and Trump – is weighing in the DOJ’s probe, and why a former Trump Organization executive pleaded guilty to tax fraud today.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney – one of Trump’s fiercest critics – lost her reelection bid to rival Harriet Hageman in last night’s Wyoming primary. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains what her political future could hold and where the GOP is headed. The party tug-of-war is causing former Vice President Mike Pence to walk a political tight rope as he flirts with a 2024 run. Plus, another Republican Trump critic – Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska – survived her primary.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wyoming and Alaska are holding primary elections where two incumbent Republicans critics of former President Donald Trump are running to keep their jobs – Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the stakes behind these races for the incumbents and the special election to watch in Alaska. Cheney is banking on support from outside the party to make up for lost GOP ground in the state, while Alaska’s unique primary rules could delay the general 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

A new memo from the Biden administration shows Democrats will use popular wins in Congress as they stump ahead of the midterms. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the political messaging on both sides of the aisle – and how much it might move the dial for Democrats.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A judge has unsealed the documents related to the FBI's search at Mar-a-Lago per the Justice Department's request and Former President Donald Trump's approval. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what the warrant said the FBI took, and what federal crimes DOJ Trump is under investigation for. Some Republicans aligned with Trump have shifted their tone a bit on this case. But as more information comes out, will the politics shift too?To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As more general elections contests are solidifying, one trend is emerging – will voters follow former President Donald Trump and choose election deniers as leaders? CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down reporting of how many states have Republicans running down ballots that have expressed 2020 election doubt, and what that could mean for future elections. One primary to watch next week is in Wyoming, where Congresswoman Liz Cheney faces a tough reelection against a Trump-backed challenger.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A federal and state investigation into two separate matters involving former President Donald Trump escalated this week. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how they’ve caused Trump and the GOP to politically seize on investigators’ silence. Could we see a Trump 2024 announcement before the midterms?To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The FBI searched former President Donald Trump’s home in Mar-a-Lago as part of its investigation into whether he mishandled presidential documents. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what we know – and don’t know – about the investigation so far, and how Republicans are reacting. In typical Trump fashion, the former president is trying to use the situation to his political advantage ahead of a potential 2024 run. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After months of back and forth, Democrats in the Senate finally passed a massive climate, health and tax bill. CNN’s Political Director David Chalian explained the steps it took to reach a deal and what initiatives made it into the final agreement. Will the legislative win be enough to give Democrats a boost before the midterm elections?  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices