CNN This Morning

As Zohran Mamdani takes over as New York City's first Muslim-East Asian mayor, are Democrats ready to embrace his Democratic Socialist platform. We explore what his ascent could mean for the party's efforts to win back Congress.  Also on today's show: The urgent search for survivors after a deadly New Year's Eve inferno ... President Trump orders the National Guard out of three cities but says they could return even stronger ... Venezuela detains several Americans as the US builds its pressure campaign.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"We should measure the prosperity of a nation not by the number of millionaires, but by the absence of poverty and the prevalence of health." Those are the words of the incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Can he deliver affordability to one of America's most expensive cities?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This morning we begin with exclusive CNN reporting on a CIA attack inside Venezuela which targeted a port facility ... President Trump and Bemjamin Netanyahu engage in mutual flattery at Mar-a-Lago, but did they make any progress on Gaza? ... Federal resources surged to Minnesota to investigate an alleged child care fraud scheme. And it all started with a viral video.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US and Ukraine inch closer to a peace deal following a Mar-a-Lago meeting between President Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. But where does Russia stand? We discuss the roadblocks that still remain this morning. Meanwhile, Israel's prime minister is schedule to arrive at Mar-a-Lago today.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump orders a deadly Christmas day strike on ISIS fighters in Nigeria ... Epstein survivors express both hope and frustration as they continue their push for the full truth amid delays and distractions ... Parts of California are inundated by record rainfall, triggering flash floods and mudslides.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins, CNN is reviewing another batch of Epstein files released overnight by the Justice Department. We also have new details on the relationship between Donald Trump and Epstein. Flight records show they "traveled on Epstein's private jet many more times than previously has been reported."  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the US sliding towards a naval confrontation in the Caribbean? The Coast Guard is now in an active pursuit of another oil tanker, which Rand Paul calls a "prelude to war" ... Where are the rest of the Epstein files? Some of the survivors are wondering if we will ever see all of the documents ... Conservatives are literally at a "turning point" as infighting takes center stage at the first conference in the wake of Charlie Kirk's death.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Brown shooting suspect is found dead. We explore how a break in the case brought investigators straight to him, and the search for a motive as police investigate the connection to a homicide at MIT ... Today is the deadline for the DOJ to release all the Epstein files. Some survivors are doubtful that will happen ... With the president openly discussing domestic enemies, what role will the military play here at home? ... Congress heads home for the holidays without a vote to help Americans on Obamacare.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you're feeling the economic pinch, blame Joe Biden. That's the message from President Trump, who touted his first-year successes last night and says a boom is on the way ... In a new court filing, the government says it's to blame for a mid-air collision that killed 67 people ... Why investigators are no closer to finding the suspect in the Brown University shooting ... Why is the FBI's second in charge stepping down after only nine months?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anger boils over in Rhode Island five cays after the attack at Brown as the urgent search for the mass shooter continues ... Amid Nick Reiner's arrest for murder, do past interviews shed any light on a possible motive? ... The president ramps up his pressure on Venezuela with an oil tanker blockade.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices