CNN Political Briefing

Abortion access is going to be put further out of reach for millions, as a slate of trigger bans in five states take effect this week. CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes explains what’s next for the Biden administration and for Democrats. The federal government is suing certain states over some aspects of their laws, while the President’s party has more reason to think abortion is a winning issue for November. Plus, one Republican state lawmaker is rethinking his support for now-blocked abortion ban he helped pass.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s official – President Joe Biden kept a campaign promise and announced federal student loan forgiveness and reform policies. CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes breaks them down, along with how Democrats and Republicans are reacting. There are conflicting opinions from economic professionals on whether cancelling debt will be inflationary. Plus, will this help or hurt Democrats in 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

With less than 80 days to the midterm election, New York and Florida hold two of the last primaries today. Longtime New York representatives are battling it out amid redistricting, while Floridians are choosing who will run against Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down the races and what success could look like in a diverse Democratic party. Plus, Democrats in both states have used abortion rights as a rallying cry – will it work?To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Biden administration official says the president will announce a decision on cancelling some federal student loans “within the next week or so.” CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what President Joe Biden has said in the past on the policy, how much could be forgiven, and what the president’s allies – and critics – are saying.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 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