CNN Political Briefing

Vice Chair Liz Cheney says the House select committee’s investigation of the insurrection is at a “critical stage.” CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the work the members have cut out for them. The committee voted to hold some Trump aides in criminal contempt for not cooperating with its investigation. And others in Trump’s inner circle could speak to the committee in the coming days. The pressure is on the Justice Department to announce whether prosecutions will be pursued.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power.” Those are nine words that President Joe Biden said over the weekend about Russian President Vladimir Putin over his invasion of Ukraine. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Biden defended his comments today, how leaders responded abroad and at home, and what this could mean for the president’s 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

The January 6th House select committee has some explosive texts between Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and Trump-era Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. CNN Political Director David Chalian shares what some of these texts were and what they reveal. Some see Ginni’s activism as a possible conflict of interest for her husband, Justice Thomas.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World leaders are gathered in Belgium today to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as the US levied new sanctions on Russia and promised more humanitarian aid for Ukraine. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down what came out of the summits today. Biden shared how NATO, G7 and other international bodies are preparing for the possibility that Russia could attack with chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Republicans turned up the heat today at Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Senate confirmation hearing. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the political undertones behind some Republicans’ questions and how Jackson has fared against them. Despite some harsh questions, Democrats made space to humanize Judge Jackson.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings for President Biden's Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson continue today. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down how Judge Jackson answered some of these questions Senators asked her, like the ones on crime, abortion, and court-packing. Some Republicans were tough on her when it comes to her record on federal child sex abuse cases, while Democrats also gave her the opportunity to clarify her positions.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first day of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Senate confirmation hearings have ended, but things are just getting started. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how Democrats and Republicans approached the first day. Democrats pointed out her legal expertise and the historic nature of her nomination, while Republicans hinted at the heat she will face from them in the days ahead.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

US President Joe Biden spoke with his Chinese counterpart today, mainly about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down read outs of the call from the White House and China’s news agency. He also explains the concerns the US has over China’s position on the war in Ukraine. President Biden laid out “implications and consequences” for China should it choose to help Russia at all.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Biden administration is preparing for a potential influx of Ukrainian refugees fleeing their war-torn country and migrants seeking asylum at the US-Mexico border. As CNN Political Director David Chalian explains, the Biden Administration is trying to make it easier for some Ukrainian refugees to come to the US, while also grappling with the possible end of a southern border rule invoked at the start of the pandemic.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A war-weary Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to a joint meeting of Congress today, calling on the US to do more to protect his country. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how President Joe Biden and US lawmakers reacted and how far they’re willing to go, for now, to give Ukraine what it’s requesting. Biden also announced new security assistance for Ukraine, defending the US & its allies’ response so far.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices