CNN Political Briefing

Former President Donald Trump has endorsed JD Vance in the crowded Ohio Republican Senate primary. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Vance went from a Trump critic to a Trump fan, and how Trump justified Vance’s past comments. This race will be one of many primaries in May where Trump’s party influence will be put to the test. Even if Trump’s candidates don’t win, some other candidates have aligned themselves with him – so what would that mean for the future of the GOP?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 exclusive reporting on text messages sent between former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and two Republican Congress members in the lead-up to the January 6th insurrection. CNN Political Director David Chalian gives the timeline on Senator Mike Lee and Representative Chip Roy’s change of heart about overturning the 2020 election. Plus, the messages also reveal Meadow’s own doubts.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the hopes of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade this summer, states continue to pass abortion bans. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the action taken in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky just this week. Plus, how will SCOTUS' landmark abortion decision affect the midterm season?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’s influence in the GOP will be tested in May, as he’s endorsed a slew of candidates in different primaries. CNN Political Director David Chalian tells you which primaries to watch and dives into the heated Senate primary race in Pennsylvania. Trump endorsed a fellow former TV personality, but will that move the needle for voters in this state? Or others?To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A shooting occurred today in Brooklyn, New York, just one day after President Joe Biden announced his plan to tackle gun violence. CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes explains what we know so far about the shooting and how New York officials are responding. Local and state leaders vow to act, but they are also looking to the federal government for solutions. One solution a slim majority of Americans are behind is enacting stricter gun laws.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Under pressure to tackle gun violence in America, President Joe Biden announced a new firearm regulation today meant to contain the use of privately made weapons known as ghost guns. CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes explains why Biden chose this route and what he wants Congress to do next. He also named a new nominee for the federal agency tasked with enforcing gun laws in the US. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Many high-profile people in DC have said they've contracted Covid-19 recently, as many maskless events took place in the nation’s capital this week. CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes explains why the White House isn’t too worried about President Joe Biden catching Covid, even as the virus has infected members of his inner circle. They are worried, however, about not securing enough pandemic response funding from Congress. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This afternoon, the Senate confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to replace Justice Stephen Breyer upon his retirement. CNN legal analyst and Supreme Court biographer Joan Biskupic breaks down this unique moment in the court’s history, Judge Jackson’s confirmation process, and what it could mean for future confirmations.   To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The United States slapped Russia with more sanctions today, including against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s adult children. A senior Biden administration official says the US has already sanctioned several hundred Russian government officials, oligarchs and their family members. CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny breaks down the latest actions by the US and its allies—and whether Putin might bend. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Barack Obama returned to the White House today for a celebration of the Affordable Care Act, even as Democrats brace for potentially difficult 2022 midterm elections. CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny explains how far the ACA has come since it was first introduced, and what lessons Democrats are taking from its success. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices