CNN Political Briefing

Disturbing images from a town near Kyiv appear to show a mass grave and dead civilians in the street. Now, the U.S. and international bodies are taking steps to further punish Russia, among renewed accusations of war crimes. CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny breaks down some of the images from Bucha, and the feasibility of prosecuting war crimes on the international stage.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 Quarter ended with a strong March jobs report, but that might not be enough to save Democrats heading into the 2022 midterm elections. CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny explains how the Biden administration is responding to rising mortgage rates, record-high inflation, and other effects of the economy’s recovery from 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

President Joe Biden announced today the U.S. would release a record amount of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. CNN Political Director David Chalian breaks down whether that will impact high gas prices, voters worry over record-high inflation, and how it could impact Republican messaging ahead of the 2022 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

President Joe Biden urged Congress during a speech today to pass legislation that would continue funding for the federal pandemic response. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains the hurdles the $15.6 billion dollar package would have to overcome, and how soon a deal might be reached. Meanwhile, Biden warned that time is running out for government programs.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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