

State of the Union
CNN
Hosted by CNN's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, State of the Union features interviews with top newsmakers on politics and policy—covering Washington, the country, and the world.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 23, 2023 • 41min
Interviews with: Senator Lindsey Graham & Senator Amy Klobuchar
First, Dana goes one-on-on with Republican Senator Lindsay Graham. He reacts to the US evacuation of American diplomats in Sudan amid escalating violence, as well as the SCOTUS ruling upholding access to abortion drug Mifepristone. Bash pushes Graham on whether he thinks abortion is a state or a federal issue. They also discuss Graham’s recent travels to the Middle East to push for an Israel-Saudi deal and whether the Saudi Crown Prince is once again "[playing] him like a fiddle" as Graham previously said after the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.Next, Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar joins Dana to discuss the Supreme Court ruling and the future of the fight over abortion rights. They then discuss whether President Biden should negotiate with Speaker McCarthy to avert a debt default and if Senator Feinstein should resign from the Senate Judiciary Committee following her absence due to ill-health.Then, the panel discusses Florida Republicans snubbing Governor DeSantis to endorse Trump in 2024, as well as Biden’s expected reelection campaign announcement.Finally, Dana Bash and Wolf Blitzer take a deeply personal and emotional trip to Auschwitz for the March of the Living.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 16, 2023 • 42min
Interviews with: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Gov. Brian Kemp.
As more states make it harder for women to get abortion, the Supreme Court considers a challenge to abortion medication. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) sits down with Jake to answer how Democrats plan to respond. They also discuss the leak of highly-classified information, federal food assistance programs, and calls among some Democrats for Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) to resign.
Then, as the GOP works on its message and messenger for 2024, Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican who overcame Donald Trump’s attacks and won in the purple state of Georgia, joins Jake to lay out his vision on how his party can win back the White House. They discuss include gun reform, medication abortion access, and the investigations into Trump.
After, the panel discusses if Trump is still the candidate to beat in the 2024 primary race, Republican presidential candidates’ firm line against gun restrictions, and Trump’s new ad poking fun of DeSantis.
Finally, Jake takes a look at President Biden’s trip to Ireland where he met with the priest who gave his son Beau his last rites before his passing, Nikki Haley’s daughter getting married, and offers a reminder about Americans’ shared humanity amid a politically divisive time. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 9, 2023 • 44min
Interviews with: Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Tony Gonzales
First, after a federal judge in Texas blocked the FDA’s approval of the abortion pill mifepristone, the Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra tells Dana Bash that women have access to the pill today and the department intends “to do everything to make sure it’s available to them not just in a week, but moving forward period.”
Then, Dana asks Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) about her support for impeaching Justice Clarence Thomas over luxury travel paid for by a Republican donor. Ocasio-Cortez also calls the abortion pill ruling an “extreme abuse of power.”
Later, Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) joins Dana to defend the judge's decision to block access to abortion medication. Dana also asks him why it seems like the Republican Party is punishing politicians who are trying to address gun violence, after Tennessee Republicans expelled two Democratic lawmakers from the state house.
And, today’s panel looks at what Trump’s indictment means for his supporters. Finally, Dana takes us inside a day in the life of Ukraine’s tireless U.S. ambassador. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 2, 2023 • 43min
Interviews with: Lawyer Joe Tacopina, Lawyer Lanny Davis, Sen. Joe Manchin, Rep. Mike Turner, Rep. Dan Crenshaw.
First, as Donald Trump prepares for his day in court, what do we know about the evidence against the former president and how will his attorneys handle the case? Dana Bash speaks with Trump's personal lawyer Joe Tacopina, who describes Trump's upcoming arraignment as "a day the rule of law in the United States has died."
Next, lawyer Lanny Davis, who now represents Trump's former personal lawyer/"fixer" Michael Cohen, provides his (very different) take on the Trump indictment.
Then, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) weighs in on the indictment, as well as where he sees the economy going.
And, Dana interviews House Intel Committee Chair Mike Turner (R-OH) about Russia's arrest of Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich.
Finally, regarding the Trump indictment, Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) tells Dana, "You don't have to be a lawyer to look at this case and think it's on very weak grounds." To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 26, 2023 • 42min
Interviews with: Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer, Intelligence Committee Chairman Sen. Mark Warner, Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and Rep. Ro Khanna.
First, Jake asks Senate Intelligence Chairman Mark Warner whether he’s concerned about Trump warning about "potential death and destruction” if he’s indicted in the Manhattan DA’s hush money probe. They also discuss the risk of military escalation in Syria following last week’s drone attack on US personnel, as well as Russia’ plans to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Next, Jake presses Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer about his efforts to intervene in the Trump hush money probe in New York and his demand for Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg to answer Congress' questions about his investigation.Then, Jake goes one-on-one with Rep. Ro Khanna, who responds to Republicans' efforts to intervene in the New York investigation and makes an announcement about whether he will run for Senate in California. Jake also speaks with Committee Chair Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who led Congress’ TikTok hearing last week, on why she thinks the app should be banned in the United States. Finally, the panel discusses Trump's attacks on potential 2024 rival Gov. Ron Desantis and whether the Florida governor can maintain his popularity within his party of he decides to formally run against Trump.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 19, 2023 • 41min
Interviews with: Gov. Chris Sununu, Sen. Mark Kelly, New York Times’ Maggie Haberman
Former President Donald Trump wrote in a social media post that he expects to be arrested on charges of hush money payments involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels and called on his supporters to protest any such move. But how likely are charges? New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu tells Jake Tapper the investigation is building “sympathy” for the former president and that “we don’t want history to repeat itself” with Trump’s call for protests, after the violent protests of January 6, 2021. Later, Senator Mark Kelly tells Jake that “nobody is above the law” and that it’s important for the Manhattan District Attorney to thoroughly investigate Trump’s alleged role in the hush money scheme. He also reacts to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis saying that the war in Ukraine is not a “vital" national interest for the United States. Then, New York Times Senior Political Correspondent Maggie Haberman tells Jake that Trump is “very anxious about the prospect of being indicted.” Then, the panel discusses whether Trump should drop out of the 2024 presidential race if he is indicted this week and whether the investigation actually helps his campaign prospects. And, Jake reflects on the 20-year mark of the Iraq War.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 12, 2023 • 51min
Interviews with: OMB Director Shalanda Young, Gary Cohn, Rep. Nancy Mace, Vivek Ramaswamy
First, guest anchor Kaitlan Collins sits down with the White House Director of Office Management and Budget Shalanda Young to discuss what actions the Biden administration will take to stabilize the financial system after the stunning collapse of Silicon Valley Bank this week.Next, South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace joins to discuss the future direction of the Republican Party and Mike Pence’s forceful comments that history will hold Donald Trump accountable for the January 6 insurrection. Then, Kaitlan goes one-on-one with GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on his outsider campaign and his “anti-woke” platform. After, the panel discusses Pence’s remarks about holding Trump accountable for January 6th, if other Republican candidates will have to speak out against Trump ahead of a 2024 presidential primary, Nikki Haley’s calls to raise the retirement age for Social Security benefits, and if Biden is pivoting toward the political middle ahead of his expected re-election campaign.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 5, 2023 • 42min
Interviews with: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies, NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson
First, Dana Bash speaks exclusively with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries about Democrats' strategy for navigating a divided Congress, as well as President Biden's surprise announcement that he won't block a GOP bill to override a controversial DC crime law.
Next, many blame Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's reelection loss this week on crime concerns. Are Democrats vulnerable on crime? Dana discusses the issue with New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Plus, some Republican 2024 presidential hopefuls are seeking a lane around former President Trump. Will it be harder than they think? Former Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson shares his thoughts.
Finally, our panel reacts to today's announcement by former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan that he won't run for president in 2024.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 26, 2023 • 40min
Interviews with: National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel
First, Bash goes one-on-one with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, pressing him on Biden giving fighter jets to Ukraine and whether the US would support Ukraine taking Crimea back militarily. Sullivan explains the specific support Ukraine needs at this stage of the war, responds to a new report on Covid's origin, and discusses the US warning China about sending drones and ammunition to Russia.Next, the first Sunday show interview with Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel since her re-election. She tells Bash the GOP presidential nominee will accept the results of the 2024 election, and also that Medicare and Social Security are "not up for negotiation." Bash asks McDaniel if Trump will sign the controversial pledge that requires GOP candidates to say they will support whomever becomes the Republican nominee in order to appear on the primary debate stage. After, the panel discusses the state and federal government’s response to the Ohio train derailment, and Biden’s waiting game in announcing his re-election intentions, plus, if he should be challenged for the Democratic 2024 presidential nomination. Finally, a report on two lawmakers on either side of the aisle who share the common goal of passing paid leave legislation.
Hosted by Dana Bash. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 19, 2023 • 42min
Interviews with: Rep. Michael McCaul, Rep. Mike Turner, Amb. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Sen. Sherrod Brown
First, with tensions running high between the U.S. and China, CNN’s Pamela Brown asks House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul and Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Turner about the U.S. response and whether President Biden is right to try and lower the temperature with China.
Plus, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield joins Pamela to discuss the state of U.S.-China relations after a “blunt” meeting between the nations’ top diplomats. She also reiterates U.S. support for Ukraine ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
And, some residents of East Palestine, Ohio say they have developed rashes, sore throats, nausea and headaches after toxic chemicals were released in a train derailment two weeks ago. Pamela asks Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown whether residents should trust officials’ assurances that the water and air are safe and what should be done to help those affected.
Finally, our panel discusses Nikki Haley’s 2024 presidential campaign and how potential Trump rivals should handle attacks from the former president.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices