CNN Political Briefing

A special grand jury has been selected in Georgia to determine whether former president Donald Trump and his allies broke any laws in their efforts to overturn the 2020 election. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Trump’s election lies are shifting from not just a political conversation, but to a legal one as well. This comes as early voting starts today in Georgia’s primaries... and a few GOP contests in the state are heating up.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The curtain has been pulled even further back into how Trump allies were reacting to the 2020 election and its aftermath. Hear CNN Political Director David Chalian read new text messages between Fox News Host Sean Hannity and Trump’s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. He explains how Hannity went from all-in on Trump’s election-fraud lies to being “fed up.” Plus, the Jan. 6th House select committee will hold public hearings in June.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The economy shrank last quarter unexpectedly and recession fears are renewed. CNN Political Director David Chalian paints the complicated economic picture in the US. Democrats are touting progress with more optimistic economic statistics. But as Republicans often point out, people are more focused on the impacts of inflation. Can it be addressed before voters head to the polls in November?To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New audio from the New York Times reveals House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy had private concerns about some far-right members' behavior following the insurrection last year – concerns that contradict his public opinion shortly after. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why McCarthy’s chances of becoming Speaker of the House next year are still high. Plus, House members seem to be rallying around McCarthy’s defense to the tapes. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US and its allies appear to be shifting their strategy and rhetoric around the war in Ukraine to adopt much tougher language against Russia. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how recent comments from US officials and accelerated security assistance to Ukraine prove that. Words and actions were chosen more carefully by US officials at the outset of the war, but now Russia’s poor battlefield performance has emboldened the West.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN has learned more about how former President Donald Trump’s inner circle worked to overturn the legitimate 2020 election in the lead-up and aftermath of January 6th. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down some of those efforts that happened then, and how some Republicans in Michigan and Georgia are running for office on that ‘Big Lie’ now.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New audio from the New York Times reveals bombshells about what House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy was saying about former President Donald Trump in the days after January 6th. CNN Political Director David Chalian differentiates between what McCarthy was saying publicly and privately. Just when he needs it most, will McCarthy lose support from the leader of the party over this?To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tensions are high in Washington ahead of the expected roll back of a Trump-era border policy in May and the anticipated migrant surge at the southern border to follow. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains why some Democrats in Congress don’t want this to happen, and how prepared the administration is to handle the likely influx.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has escalated his weeks-long feud with Disney and continues his fight against “woke culture.” CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the politics behind DeSantis’ recent moves and why his potential political aspirations could be a factor. DeSantis is also proposing his own redistricting for the state of Florida – a job that usually belongs to the state legislature.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Multiple airlines and transit systems have made masks optional after a judge struck down the Biden administration’s transportation mask mandate. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the confusion surrounding this decision and the White House’s response. This comes as recent polling shows a major decline in the number of Americans wearing masks.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices