CNN Politics

As today's show begins, we're following breaking news out of Georgia, where the US Army's Fort Stewart is in lockdown for an active shooter situation. CNN's Isabel Rosales begins our coverage from Atlanta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump is desperate to move on from the Jeffrey Epstein saga engulfing his administration. But even his own party is helping to keep it front and center. We have breaking news on the House Republican push for answers. Plus: The political firestorm in Texas is exploding across the country as Democrats declare war on the GOP push to deliver the president more seats in Congress ahead of the midterm elections. But what's their actual plan? And: Bernie Sanders, Elon Musk, and the Pope ... we break down a new poll showing where they land on the popularity charts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Texas Democrats have fled the state in a last-ditch effort to block a Republican gerrymander. But is this a strategy or a stunt? Plus: The White House is trying to justify President Trump's decision to fire the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics because he did not like Friday's jobs report. But contrary to what they say, numbers don't lie. And: We have brand new CNN reporting on far-right activist Laura Loomer's role playing the administration's "loyalty enforcer" and who she wants to get fired next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Popping off. An emboldened President Trump reshuffles the global economy. What's his next target? Plus: Democratic dreams. What's giving the party hope as it tries to retake power? And how far will they go to block a takeover in Texas? I go one on one with Senator Cory Booker who says his fellow lawmakers need to do more. And: Camp democracy. As Trump's cuts mount, fired federal workers bring their kids to Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of the Union, after President Trump abruptly fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics over a weak jobs report, her predecessor William Beach – also appointed by Trump – tells Kasie Hunt Trump’s actions are “groundless” and “damaging.” Then, Kasie presses EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin over his push to gut the government’s ability to fight climate change by rolling back regulations on greenhouse gases. Next, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis joins Kasie to discuss tariffs and his party’s struggle to counter Trump across the board. Finally, Bernie Sanders adviser Faiz Shakir and CNN Political Commentators Kate Bedingfield, Brad Todd, and Jonah Goldberg join Kasie to break down Kamala Harris’ return to the spotlight as Democrats weigh who can win in 2028. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Balz is something of a legend in Washington media. He retired this week from full-time reporting after 47 years at the Washington Post. He shares his insights on the first six months of this second Trump administration and gives some of his best advice for political reporters in an increasingly competitive, rapid-fire industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: A dismal jobs report delivers a gut punch to the White House as it tries to sell the president's new sweeping tariffs. We'll bring you the latest from Wall Street as the double whammy shakes investor confidence. Plus: Will the real Democratic leader please stand up? Kamala Harris says she is not going back in the system, but does not name a single person leading her party. Is it a political strategy or a sign of growing Democratic chaos? And: It's one of the marquee matchups of the year, but President Trump still has not endorsed the Republican nominee for Virginia's next governor. Why not? The candidate herself is Ranu's guest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US reaches a trade deal with Mexico, while dozens of other countries have just 12 hours left to reach an agreement with the Trump Administration or face steep tariff hikes. Will the president's gamble make the US rich, as he claims, or leave American consumers paying the price. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Senate Democrats have a new strategy to keep the Jeffrey Epstein scandal front and center. But will a century-old law actually force the DOJ to release the files? Plus: We're getting the first look at the Texas GOP's push to redraw the congressional map in their favor. How will this change the midterm math? And: Wolf speaks with a 26-year-old hoping to unseat a 78-year-old Capitol Hill veteran about the push to infuse fresh energy into their struggling party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump says he's headed back home to "put out fires all over the world." But will the seemingly never-ending Jeffrey Epstein scandal be the flame that defies all containment? Plus: According to New York City's mayor, the gunman who opened fire in a busy Manhattan office building had a suicide note expressing grievances with the NFL. We get the latest New York Governor Kathy Hochul. And: Joe Rogan endorses Democrat James Talarico in ruby-red Texas. Is he a living oxymoron or the future of his party? He joins the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: In the rough. As President Trump tees off overseas, he faces urgent questions about a major tariff deadline and deepening starvation in Gaza. Will he make any progress? Plus: No end in sight. As Trump tries to put miles between him and the Epstein saga, could a new tactic by his team backfire? A conservative congressman who's pushing for more information, Eric Burlison joins me live. And: Shake-up. A big win for Democrats as they try to take back Congress. Can they overcome the odds? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin discusses the Epstein controversy with Jake Tapper and what it will take for the Trump administration to move on from the crisis. White House Budget Director Russ Vought tells Jake Tapper about plans for another recissions package and the tools the administration might use to achieve spending cuts. Democratic Senator Mark Kelly discusses what he has been hearing from voters at townhalls about Democratic favorability problems and whether the US bears any blame for the starvation crisis in Gaza. And the panel weighs in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: The number two at the DOJ, who just happens to be President Trump's former defense attorney, is behind closed doors with Jeffrey Epstein's convicted accomplice for the second day in a row. The president now refuses to rule out a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell. Plus: Democrats are trying to use the Epstein scandal as political ammunition, accusing Republicans of a coverup while running ads targeted at vulnerable GOP districts. And: The FCC greenlights SkyDance's acquisition of Paramount just days after it canceled a top Trump critic's popular late night show and weeks after paying a $16 million legal settlement that Democrats say reeks of corruption. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jeffrey Epstein talk took over Capitol Hill this week. And while President Donald Trump seems eager to change the subject, some of his closest allies in Congress are calling for answers. Senior White House Correspondent Kristen Holmes and Congressional Correspondent Lauren Fox discuss how this drama played out among House GOP members and why a summer break may not be enough to cool this issue down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN has learned a crucial reason why President Trump has changed his tune on the Jeffrey Epstein case: He now knows his name is in the so-called Epstein Files. While that does not implicate him in any crime, it certainly raises questions of a coverup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show begins just after President Trump holds another impromptu press conference at the White House while meeting with the Philippine president, who's in Washington to negotiate a trade deal. Asked about the Justice Department's request to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell, the sole living person convicted in the Jeffrey Epstein case, he replied, "That sounds appropriate," but then quickly shifted to talking about former President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and the Russia investigation, and then accused Democratic Senator Adam Schiff of committing crimes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump floods social media with dozens of posts about former President Obama, the Washington Commanders and even a head-spinning video of a woman tossing a snake. But can any of it redirect the spotlight from the Jeffrey Epstein saga? Plus: A federal judge is hearing arguments in Harvard's effort to reverse the White House's decision to block more than $2 billion in federal funding. CNN is inside the courtroom to bring you all the developments. And: We have new reporting on how Secretary of State Rubio has become one of the most powerful people in President Trump's inner circle ... and his strategy to stay there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper presses Senator Amy Klobuchar on why Democrats didn't release the Epstein files during the Biden Administration, Congressman Tim Burchett says Trump's call to release grand jury material in the Epstein case is a "good start." US hostage envoy Adam Boehler discusses the Trump administration’s prisoner exchange with Venezuela that freed ten detained US nationals. Former Democratic Congressman Beto O’Rourke weighs in on the GOP’s controversial push to redraw its congressional map to help Republicans. Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres, former Republican Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, former Trump campaign adviser Bryan Lanza, and CNN Political Commentator Karen Finney break down the state of both parties six months into President Trump’s second term. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: MAGA revolt. President Trump faces the fallout over Epstein. Will his latest moves satisfy his base? Or are they digging in for a fight? Plus: Six months in. Trump is taking action on his campaign promises. So why are Americans souring on his approach? We have brand new polling. And: Texas hold up. As Democrats accuse Texas Republicans of stealing seats to hold the House. CNN’s Manu Raju goes one-on-one with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. New reporting on Democrats' plans to counterattack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Donald Trump is facing serious backlash from the MAGA world over his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. CNN senior correspondent Donie O’Sullivan explains why Epstein looms so large in the MAGA-verse—and why this controversy isn’t likely to die down soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices