

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

Feb 2, 2020 • 41min
Interview with former South Bend Mayor and 2020 presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg; Interview with Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa.
First, Jake sits down with former South Bend Mayor and 2020 presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg to talk about tomorrow's Iowa caucuses, the latest in the Senate impeachment trial, his new attacks on his fellow 2020 opponents and his struggle to win over black voters. Then, Jake interviews Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa about her vote to reject calling additional witnesses in the impeachment trial and whether she thinks President Trump did anything wrong regarding Ukraine. Next, Democratic Rep. Cindy Axne of Iowa, Des Moines Register chief politics reporter Brianne Pfannenstiel, Jen Psaki, Andrew Gillum and Scott Jennings join Jake to talk about tomorrow's Iowa caucuses, which candidate has the winning message and what impeachment means for the 2020 campaign. Finally, Jake explains what a Senate acquittal could mean for future presidents after Trump.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 26, 2020 • 41min
Interview with Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford; Interview with House Impeachment Manager Rep. Zoe Lofgren; Interview with conservative lawyer George Conway; Remembering Jim Lehrer.
First, Jake sits down with Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford to talk about his views on the President's impeachment trial and his latest tweet attacking House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff. Next, Jake talks with House Impeachment Manager Rep. Zoe Lofgren about the case from Democrats against the President and efforts to compel witnesses to testify in the Senate trial. Then, Jake's interview with conservative lawyer George Conway from this week on how Republicans are navigating President Trump's impeachment trial. Next, Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, former Rep. Mia Love, Wajahat Ali and David Urban join Jake to preview the week ahead in the Senate impeachment trial. Finally, Jake remembers former PBS NewsHour anchor Jim Lehrer, who died this week at age 85.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 19, 2020 • 48min
Interview with Trump legal team member Alan Dershowitz; Interview with Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown; Interview with impeachment manager Democratic Rep. Jason Crow.
First, CNN's Brianna Keilar talks with Trump legal team member Alan Dershowitz and CNN chief legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin about the constitutional arguments for and against removing President Donald Trump from office in the Senate. Next, Keilar interviews Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio about his role as a juror in the Senate trial and the clash between 2020 presidential candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren on the campaign trail. Then, Keilar interviews impeachment manager Democratic Rep. Jason Crow about the Democratic strategy to win over Republican Senators and call additional witness testimony. Finally, Rep. Michael Waltz, Karen Finney, Mary Katherine Ham and Terry McAuliffe join Keilar to talk about the politics of impeachment and the latest in the 2020 presidential campaign.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 12, 2020 • 41min
Interview with Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Interview with Republican Senator Mike Lee, Interview with 2020 presidential candidate Tom Steyer
First, Jake talks to Defense Secretary Mark Esper about the threat of Iran on US embassies and the intelligence that led to the death of Qasem Soleimani. Next, Jake talks with Republican Senator Mike Lee on the intelligence briefing he received about the Iran strike and whether there was a threat to US embassies. Then, Jake interviews 2020 presidential candidate Tom Steyer on his campaign spending and what makes him qualified to be the next Commander in Chief. Next, Jake speaks to a panel of Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, Mia Love, Wajahat Ali and Rick Santorum about a new CNN/Des Moines Register poll out of Iowa showing a Bernie Sanders resurgence and the upcoming Senate impeachment trial of President Trump. Finally, in light of the tensions with Iran, Jake wonders if "trust us" is enough of a message?To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 5, 2020 • 58min
Interview with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Interview with 2020 presidential candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Interview with 2020 presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Interview with House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff.
First, Jake talks with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about President Trump's strike against a top Iranian commander, discussing possible retaliation from the Iranians and questions from Congressional leaders about the intelligence supporting the attack. Next, Jake interviews 2020 presidential candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg about his criticism of the President's strike in Iran, as well as how he compares his foreign policy experience to former Vice President Joe Biden and whether he would rule out appointing donors to ambassador posts. Then, Jake talks with 2020 presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren about her response to the strike, as well as her transition to Medicare for All and how she plans to handle the upcoming impeachment trial. Finally, Jake sits down with House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff to talk about his view of the strike against Iran and the Democratic strategy to hold the impeachment articles from the Senate.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 29, 2019 • 45min
Interview with Oren Segal, the VP of the ADL's Center on Extremism about the Hanukkah knife attacks in New York; Interview with Senator John Kennedy on the details of the Senate impeachment trial and President Trump's whistleblower tweet. Interview with C
First, Jake speaks with Oren Segal of the Anti-Defamation League about the horrific knife attack in New York and the recent string of anti-Semitic attacks in New York. Then, Jake talks to Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana about the ongoing Senate trial negotiations and the President tweeting an unsubstantiated claim about the whistleblower's identity. Next, Jake speaks with Massachusetts Congressman Joe Kennedy about the Democrat's impeachment strategy and Joe Biden's potential testimony if he is subpoenaed. Next, our panel discusses Biden's potential testimony, Pelosi vs. McConnell, and President Trump's holiday message. Finally, Jake looks at the public servants we lost in 2019 and the lessons their legacies leave behind.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 22, 2019 • 41min
Interview with Presidential Candidate Amy Klobuchar; Interview with top Senate Republican Roy Blunt; Interview with Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin; Candidate closeup: selfies on the campaign trail
First, Dana talks to Presidential Candidate and Senate Judiciary Committee member Amy Klobuchar about the Democrats impeachment strategy and her buzzy debate performance. Next, Dana sits down with Republican Senator Roy Blunt, a member of Republican leadership, to discuss a the format of a Senate trial and whether the Presidents actions were appropriate. Then, The Democratic Whip, Senator Dick Durbin joins to discuss if any Democrats will cross the aisle on impeachment and whether Senators should be making up their minds. Next, Linda Chavez, Andrew Gillum, Rick Santorum, and Joe Trippi discuss the latest in the 2020 race after a feisty debate and an evangelical magazine editor calling for Trump's removal.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 15, 2019 • 41min
Interview with Sen. Rand Paul; Interview with Sen. Sherrod Brown; Interview with Rep. Will Hurd; The fundamental question Republicans must answer on impeachment
First, Jake sits down with Republican Senator Rand Paul to talk about the articles of impeachment against President Trump and the upcoming Senate trial. Next, Jake talks to Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown about the impeachment trial in the Senate, the 2020 Democratic candidates and the USMCA trade deal. Next, Jake speaks to Republican Congressman Will Hurd about the upcoming House impeachment vote and the Justice Department Inspector General's latest report on FISA. Next, Rep. Karen Bass, Rick Santorum, Paul Begala and Mary Katharine Ham discuss the latest developments in the impeachment process and new polling on impeachment. Finally, Jake takes a look at the fundamental question facing the Republican Party on impeachment.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 8, 2019 • 40min
Interview with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler; Interview with Republican Rep. Mark Meadows
First, Dana sits down with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler to talk about the latest in the impeachment inquiry against President Trump and a possible vote on articles of impeachment in his panel this week. Nadler says that his case is strong enough that a jury would convict President Trump in "three minutes flat" and suggested he's willing to impeach President Trump with no Republican votes. Next, Dana sits down with Republican Rep. Mark Meadows to talk about the President's defense in the impeachment inquiry, where he says what President Trump did was "appropriate" and he'd be OK with a Democrat doing what President Trump did. Next, Rep. Joe Neguse, David Urban, Jen Psaki and Linda Chavez to break down the latest in the 2020 presidential race and the impeachment battle on Capitol Hill.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 1, 2019 • 41min
Interview with 2020 Presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar; Interview with Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren; Who is the Obama 2.0 of the 2020 campaign?
First, Dana sits down with 2020 presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota to talk about the latest in the impeachment inquiry, attacks over her opposition of free four-year college and progressive criticism of her health care plan. Then, Dana talks with Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California about her House panel's key impeachment hearing on Wednesday and how the impeachment of President Trump compares to her work on the impeachment process for President Nixon and President Clinton. Next, Hilary Rosen, David Urban, Karen Finney and Doug Heye join Dana to look ahead to next week's impeachment schedule and break down the latest in the 2020 election. Finally, Dana asks: As presidential candidates make their cases to the American voters, who is the Obama 2.0 of the 2020 campaign?To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices